Thursday, May 07
Football legend Lionel Messi concluded his GOAT India Tour 2025 in Jamnagar after visiting Vantara, following stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. The tour featured celebrity matches, fan interactions, and meetings with prominent figures, leaving a lasting impression on Indian football fandom despite an initial controversy in Kolkata.
Uncapped Indian talent drew massive attention, with Uttar Pradesh’s 20-year-old left-arm spinner Prashant Veer and Rajasthan’s 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma both landing lucrative Rs 14.20 crore deals with Chennai Super Kings. Having entered the auction at a base price of Rs 30 lakh each, the pair went on to become the highest-paid uncapped players in IPL auction history.
Rejected at last year’s IPL auction, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya rebuilt himself under a harsh, gurukul-style training regime in Bhopal. Son of two schoolteachers and armed with a fearless batting mindset, the Delhi batter’s Rs 3 crore KKR deal now offers him a chance to turn sacrifice, discipline and six-hitting flair into an IPL breakthrough.
Usman Khawaja is the biggest casualty as Australia names their XI for the third Ashes Test, opting for continuity at the top despite his recovery. Captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon return, aiming to seal the series against England. The decision casts doubt on Khawaja's future in a settled, winning side.
