Wednesday, May 13
As Indian selectors gear up to announce the Asia Cup 2025 squad, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted key selection dilemmas. With the tournament serving as a T20 World Cup preparation ground, the opening slot is a major talking point. Ashwin questioned whether Shubman Gill fits into the T20 plans, considering Yashasvi Jaiswal's prior role.
Jordan Cox's explosive 86 off 29 balls, including 10 sixes, powered Oval Invincibles to a record-breaking 226/4 in The Hundred. Cox's incredible hitting, along with contributions from Muyeye, Jacks, and Sam Curran, overwhelmed Welsh Fire, who fell short despite Bairstow's fifty, succumbing to a crushing 83-run defeat. This defeat was the third-biggest in terms of runs in The Hundred.
Gautam Gambhir, fresh off a drawn Test series in England, is set to reshape India's T20I team. With senior players retired, Gambhir is implementing his philosophy, prioritizing IPL talent and specialist players. He emphasizes impactful plays on every ball and values all-rounders for increased flexibility.
Namrata Batra, an Indian wushu athlete from Indore, overcame family opposition to win a silver medal in the women’s sanda 52kg event at the World Games in Chengdu, China. Her father's support helped her pursue her martial arts dream despite societal pressures regarding attire and career choices.
Irfan Pathan has criticized Pakistan for presuming to be the protectors of Muslims globally, urging them to address their own issues first. He also spoke about his rivalry with Shahid Afridi, recalling personal insults and on-field battles.
Lamine Yamal shone brightly as Barcelona kicked off their La Liga title defense with a resounding 3-0 victory over Mallorca. The young talent orchestrated the first goal and sealed the win with a stunning late strike. Mallorca's hopes were crushed by two red cards, which involved a horror tackle on debutant Barca keeper Joan Garcia. Barcelona dominated, securing a commanding start to the season.
Indian selectors are set to announce the squad for the Asia Cup 2025, a T20I event in the UAE. With key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired, opportunities arise for youngsters. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to lead, while competition intensifies with the emergence of talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Irfan Pathan has criticised the modern approach to workload management in cricket, advocating for full commitment when representing the nation. He highlighted Mohammed Siraj's high-intensity bowling as an example of giving one's all, contrasting it with perceived limitations some players impose.
Manchester City showcased dominance, crushing Wolves 4-0 with impactful debuts from Reijnders and Cherki. Tottenham Hotspur also impressed, defeating Burnley 3-0 following the departure of captain Son Heung-min. Newcastle and Aston Villa drew goalless. Sunderland stunned West Ham 3-0, and Fulham snatched a late draw against Brighton.
Danish Kaneria has supported Irfan Pathan's revelations about his rivalry with Shahid Afridi, criticising Afridi for resorting to personal attacks. Pathan recounted instances where Afridi mocked his identity, fueling his determination to dismiss him on the field. Kaneria echoed Pathan's claims, stating Afridi often targets individuals' families or religion, lacking class and decency.
