Thursday, June 11
This article examines the inaugural Test tours of England for five Indian captains, highlighting their varying degrees of success. Shubman Gill's impressive 754 runs and series-levelling leadership in his recent tour stand out. In contrast, MS Dhoni faced a 0-4 whitewash in 2011, while Sourav Ganguly secured a commendable 1-1 draw in 2002.
India clinched a thrilling six-run victory against England in the final Test at The Oval, leveling the series 2-2. Mohammed Siraj's five-wicket haul, including a decisive yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson, sealed the win. India's win made history as the narrowest in terms of runs, surpassing the earlier record against Australia in 2004.
Nasser Hussain believes Mohammed Siraj's costly missed catch of Harry Brook, who was at 19, might overshadow his otherwise stellar performance in the series. Brook capitalised, scoring a century, shifting the momentum towards England.
India's chess prowess shone at the Women’s World Cup, where Divya Deshmukh secured a remarkable victory, inspiring fellow players like Gukesh. He emphasized the importance of success in both men's and women's chess for India, expressing excitement for the upcoming World Cup to be hosted in India.
Tymal Mills, formerly a fast bowler for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has broken new ground by launching an OnlyFans account, clarifying it will focus on cricket and lifestyle content, not adult material. Mills aims to connect directly with fans, offering insights into the life of a cricketer beyond the usual media soundbites.
Following India's thrilling victory over England, Mohammed Siraj found himself facing a different challenge off the field. Arshdeep Singh playfully coaxed Siraj into filming a quick Instagram reel, repeating the popular catchphrase, “Pressure? What pressure?”. Despite his initial confusion, Siraj obliged, capturing the team's light-hearted mood after their hard-fought win.
India clinched a thrilling six-run victory against England at The Oval, drawing the five-match series 2-2. Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling performance, claiming 5 for 104, sealed the win. The series was filled with drama and record-breaking feats, highlighting the intense competition and high level of cricket displayed by both teams, with India ultimately leveling the series.
England's Harry Brook and Joe Root mounted a fierce counterattack, scoring centuries and turning the Oval into a battleground. India's Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna fought back, claiming crucial wickets to keep India in contention. With the series hanging in the balance, India needs four wickets on the final day to secure a 2-2 draw.
In a surprise twist, India’s 2025 World Junior Champion Pranav Venkatesh has earned a wildcard entry to the prestigious 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss after defeating Kazakhstan’s GM Kazybek Nogerbek 1.5–0.5 in an unpublicised 'Asian Wildcard Match' in Al Ain, UAE. Pranav, who narrowly missed qualifying by rating, now joins an elite field chasing a spot in the 2026 Candidates.
At The Oval, India pulled off a stunning series draw against England after a nail-biting final hour. Mohammed Siraj's fiery spell and crucial wickets, including a final yorker to dismiss Chris Woakes, sealed the victory. Despite Woakes's courageous effort with a dislocated shoulder, India's persistence and strategic fielding led to wild celebrations and a memorable triumph.
