The second half of 2025 is already in full swing: intense matches, big names, nerves on edge – all this is not just a spectacle, it is history being written live. The stadiums are buzzing, millions are watching, and every touch of the ball can be a turning point, especially in countries like Sri Lanka, where cricket is not a sport, but almost a religion. Every moment, every emotion, every hero is essential here. And in this article, we will look at five players who can turn the game upside down.
Shubman Gill — India
Shubman Gill, only 25, now leads India in Test cricket and is already making history. In a high-pressure England series, he smashed a century in the first Test and followed it up with a record-breaking double ton at Lord’s. Many in Sri Lanka who bet on cricket consider Gill a key influence in match outcomes. His composure, tactical awareness, and incredible form have redefined how India opens innings overseas.
By July 27, 2025, Gill had scored 697 runs in the series with an average of 87.12 — more than any other player on either side. His strike rate of 62 in swinging English conditions stands out. As India trails 2-1, his captaincy decisions and ability to control innings at The Oval could determine whether India finishes strong or falls short.
Ben Stokes — England
You think you’ve seen grit? Watch Ben Stokes cramp through pain, sweating bullets, and still smash a 77 not out in the fourth Test. He’s a leader who doesn’t wait for conditions — he bends them. Fans in Sri Lanka tracking all-rounders through Melbet’s online cricket betting guide https://guidebook.melbet.com/betting/online-cricket-betting/ have their eyes locked on this man. And they’re not wrong.
Across this series, he’s chalked up 432 runs and taken 12 wickets, all while managing a dodgy knee and captaining one of the most aggressive English sides in years. Stokes is the engine behind England’s “Bazball” revolution. Not strategy-heavy? Think again. Every aggressive move, every risky field placement — it’s calculated chaos. And it’s working.
Joe Root — England
You blink, he’s on *48. Blink again — he’s on 117 not out. That’s Joe Root. Subtle. Clinical. Dangerous. In the fourth Test, his 118 off 159 balls gave England a platform India couldn’t pull down. That innings also helped him leapfrog both Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid in all-time Test runs. He now sits at 14,218 runs, with an average of 50.49.
He’s a nightmare for spinners. Sri Lanka knows that better than most. But what makes Root lethal now is his flexibility. Want a wall? He’ll defend 80 balls for 20. Want fireworks? He’ll switch gears and smash 60 in a session. Against India’s varied bowling, especially with Bumrah breathing fire, Root’s calm is gold.
Ravindra Jadeja — India
The scoreboard reads: India 182/5. Jadeja comes on, and the anxiety turns to calm. His 109 in the fourth Test is a textbook example of survival in the lower order when everything is on fire. Three key wickets in the same match, and now he is not just a player, but a man of impact. Not just empty words, but dry statistics. In the World Test Championship, he has already scored 2,136 runs and taken 231 wickets.
More importantly, he is one of only four people in the history of the WTC to have crossed the 2,000-run mark and 100 wickets. This is rare air. His left-arm spin, especially on the fifth day, is like a scalpel. He has made 48 maidens in this series, second only to Ashwin, and has always created pressure when it was needed. And while Sri Lanka co-hosts the Women’s World Cup with India, Jadeja continues to be a favourite with the local public – he is respected here because he makes the game.
Jasprit Bumrah — India
When Bumrah is fit, batsmen don’t play — they survive. His 5 for 45 in the first Test against England aren’t just numbers, they’re cold dismantling. Seam. Swing. Silence. He comes on and everything freezes. After 32 wickets in Australia earlier this year, he has continued unabated in England: 18 wickets in just three Tests, at a killer average of 20.6.
Bumrah doesn’t dole out spells — he makes things happen. Yorkers at the flick. Swing out of thin air. Sharp bounce off the first delivery. The fifth Test is at the Oval, and it’s almost a home stage for him: a bit of grass, gentle bounce, cloud cover — just right for his arm. If India want to finish the series, it all starts with Jasprit. He doesn’t just open the attack — he dictates it.
Upcoming Cricket Events to Watch
The calendar is bursting at the seams — the second half of 2025 is producing one big event after another. Cricket is not slowing down, on the contrary — it’s going full tilt. The stakes are high, the pulse is racing. Here’s what’s definitely worth keeping an eye on:
- India v England (5th Test), July 31–August 4, The Oval. The score is 2-1 in England’s favor, but India are still in the game. The pressure is wild, every ball is worth its weight in gold. Everything could turn upside down in the WTC table.
- The Hundred 2025, August 5–31, UK. Fast, noisy, no holds barred. Butler, Ali, Sharma — a hundred-ball show. The format is flying, the viewers are glued.
- Asia Cup (T20), September, India. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka — all at once. No warm-up. Just sharp edges and old feuds.
- ICC Women’s World Cup, September 30 – November 2, India and Sri Lanka. The main stage. Athapattu, Mandhana, the final at home. One chance to make history.
This isn’t just a match schedule. This is a flurry. A real battle for leadership, for reputation, for history. And all this in a few frantic months.
Top Betting Picks Worth Considering
When the margins are razor-thin, betting isn’t guessing — it’s research. With stats, matchups, and form aligned, here’s where smart eyes are landing right now:
| Pick | Reason |
| Shubman Gill (Top Batter) | 697 runs in 4 matches; highest series run-scorer |
| Joe Root (Score 50+ in 5th Test) | 14,218 career runs; 3 fifties in current series |
| Ben Stokes (Top All-Rounder) | 432 runs + 12 wickets in 4 matches; unmatched versatility |
| Jasprit Bumrah (Most Wickets) | 18 wickets in 3 matches; avg 20.6; thrives at The Oval |
| India to Win 5th Test | Strong recovery pattern; Bumrah + Jadeja impact combo |
| Sri Lanka Women (Top 4 Finish) | Playing at home; rising stars in good form |
These aren’t hot takes. These are based on what’s happening right now. Get in smart, stay informed.
Where Great Players Create Lasting Moments
This is the kind of cricket that stays in your head for a long time — not because of the intros or the pathos, but because of the moments. The way Gill pulls you out of a tailspin. The way Stokes digs in when everyone else is falling. The way Root is icy, as if time has slowed down. And when Bumrah demolishes the posts — the roar is so loud it gives you goosebumps. These are not statistics, these are memories. Real. Living. The kind that is retold for years — in Colombo and elsewhere!