Wednesday, May 13
Cheteshwar Pujara, a stalwart of India's Test cricket team, has retired from all formats at 37, leaving behind a legacy of 7,195 runs in 103 Tests. Despite Pujara's exit, several contemporaries who debuted earlier continue to play.
Cheteshwar Pujara, a celebrated Test batter for India, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a remarkable career spanning over a decade. The 37-year-old concluded his journey with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests and an impressive 21,301 first-class runs. He expressed gratitude to the BCCI, teammates, family, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.
Shreyas Iyer declined West Zone captaincy in the Duleep Trophy, leading to Shardul Thakur's appointment. Iyer, anticipating an Asia Cup call-up, focused on white-ball training but was surprisingly excluded from the squad. Meanwhile, Thakur is expected to lead Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, following Rahane's departure, after his strong red-ball performance and recent Test recall.
Pakistani legend Wasim Akram has urged both Indian and Pakistani players and fans to maintain discipline during their Asia Cup clashes. Akram acknowledged India's strong form, highlighting that the team which handles pressure best will emerge victorious. He also expressed his desire for the resumption of India-Pakistan Test series, emphasizing the global appeal and historic significance of such encounters.
Ahead of the US Open, Jannik Sinner revealed a past pact with his parents: he would quit tennis if he didn't crack the top 200 by age 23 or 24 due to financial constraints. Sinner recently withdrew from the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz due to illness, apologizing to fans and congratulating Alcaraz.
AB de Villiers expressed surprise at Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from India's Asia Cup squad, despite Iyer's strong IPL performance, Champions Trophy contribution, and leadership qualities. De Villiers speculated that non-cricketing factors, such as team dynamics or an abundance of leaders, might have influenced the selectors' decision, urging further inquiry into the matter.
Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha scored the goals. Manchester City's goalkeeper James Trafford had a difficult debut as his error led to Palhinha's goal. Rayan Ait-Nouri was injured and taken off for Manchester City. Tottenham's coach Thomas Frank continues his unbeaten run.
Chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov are set to reignite their historic rivalry in St. Louis this October, headlining the Clutch Chess series. Adding to the excitement, current world champion D Gukesh will face off against Magnus Carlsen. Kasparov, while acknowledging Gukesh's title win, suggests Carlsen remains the strongest player, sparking debate about the current world championship landscape.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Al Nassr against Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup 2025 final in Hong Kong, aiming for his first official title with the club. Al Nassr, who won the Arab Club Champions Cup unofficially in 2023, reached the final after defeating Al Ittihad. Everything you need to know about the title showdown.
Ravichandran Ashwin has cautioned Gautam Gambhir's new support staff against abrupt changes to the Indian team's fitness regimes. He highlighted potential harm to players due to frequent alterations in training methods and testing parameters, referencing his own past struggles.
