NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka's last Test win against India came under Angelo Mathews in 2015 in Gallethe venue for the first Test starting on Saturday. He was a new captain thenWhile all the talk leading up to the series has been around spinners playing the key role, Mathews highlighted that playing rank turners can backfire on home teams."If I am not mistaken, India played on quite a few ranked turners against New Zealand and South Africa. Sometimes, it could backfire. We played on ranked turners against foreign teams and it has backfired for us as well. Because it's not easy as a batsman to play on ranked turners no matter how good you are," Mathews told TOI on Friday.Mathews has been a part of a Sri Lankan team which had heady battles with India, especially on their own turf. He believes a player like Rishabh Pant should be backed by the management as he too could have an impact like Virender Sehwag did in Sri Lanka."I remember when Ajanta Mendis was running through the Indian batting line-up, Sehwag was the one standing tall. He was so destructive and such a disruption. Pant is such a player," Mathews said."Pant takes the game on as soon as he walks into the crease. So, bowlers, watch out. A player like that needs backing. A guy like that who can take the game away within a few hours should be backed," he added.A big part of succeeding in Sri Lanka is to be measured against playing spin. One can't afford to go into his shell. "It's about being proactive. I think if you are sweeping, sweep well. If you are using your feet, use your feet well. So, it's all about using your feet and also knowing your options of how to score runs on those wickets is going to be crucial.Mathews also stressed on the importance of not just focusing on spinners in Sri Lanka. "It's definitely not wise to believe that cricket in Sri Lanka will be dictated only by spin," he said. "I wouldn't rule out the faster bowlers also because they are skillful. Guys like Asif Fernando and Vishwa Fernando have a bigger role to play as well, especially with the new ball," he added.'Lack of Test opportunities disheartening'Sri Lankan cricket saw a sharp drop in the number of Test matches they played after the stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene retired. For Mathews, it is a big reason behind Sri Lanka's inconsistent performances."I don't think poor performance or whatever has to do anything with that. It's just that it's disappointing that the so-called big teams or who is not wanting to play too many matches against Sri Lanka is quite disheartening. And I think ICC has a bigger role to play in this," Mathews opined."We have not been consistent throughout which can happen to any team. The more we play, the more we learn. We are playing Test matches one year apart. Sri Lanka Cricket can discuss with ICC and other boards as well and try to accommodate more Test cricket," he added.Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test Day 1 on August 15, 2026, from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony LIV.

West Ham boss Nuno wants rid of Niclas Fullkrug and Jean-Clair TodiboWest Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants the club to move on from both Niclas Fullkrug and Jean-Clair Todibo, according to the Daily Mail.The pair have endured difficult spells in East London, with Todibos West Ham career failing to reach the heights expected when he joined.Signed alongside Max Kilman to plug a leaking defence, they both failed to improve the situation, and the Hammers paid for it.Todibo fell out with former West Ham boss Graham Potter and was dropped at one stage after disciplinary issues surrounding his timekeeping.The situation deteriorated last season when Todibo reportedly refused to play in West Hams crucial final-day survival clash.The 26-year-old told Nuno that he would not play for the Portuguese coach again.Todibo did not attend the clubs media day and, unlike most of his teammates, does not feature in the new home kit photographs on West Hams official website.Instead, a generic close-up image represents him. Fullkrug and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also missed the media day, but Todibos situation has attracted the most attention.Fullkrugs time at the London Stadium has similarly failed to live up to expectations, with injuries and inconsistent form limiting his impact.Nuno now appears keen to put his own stamp on the squad, and that could mean the departures of two high-profile players.West Ham want centre-back Axel Disasi, who impressed hugely on loan last season. He could replace Todibo if he doesnt move to a more prominent club.Elsewhere, the Hammers are after Ireland striker Troy Parrott and are also keeping an eye on 40-year-old Jamie Vardyand Reiss Nelson.