Friday, June 19
Sourav Ganguly has advised Gautam Gambhir to include Kuldeep Yadav in the fifth Test against England at The Oval, believing India can secure a series-levelling victory with the right bowling choices.
Divya Deshmukh, with modest expectations, remarkably won the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, securing a spot in the Candidates tournament and the World Cup title. This victory automatically granted her the Grandmaster title, bypassing the usual norm and rating requirements. Deshmukh defeated Koneru Humpy, becoming the fourth Indian woman to achieve Grandmaster status.
Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the final Test against England due to a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test, where he bravely batted through the pain to score a half-century. Coach Gautam Gambhir lauded Pant's courage, sparking debate about injury replacements in Test cricket, a proposal opposed by England captain Ben Stokes.
Khaleel Ahmed has cut short his stint with Essex in the County Championship, returning home for personal reasons after just two first-class matches. Despite an initial two-month contract, the Indian pacer managed four wickets during his time with the club.
India's batting prowess shone brightly in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, securing a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and rewriting record books. Washington Sundar's century contributed to India equaling their record of 11 centuries in a series, matching their 1978-79 feat against West Indies. The team also set a new record with seven 350-plus totals, surpassing Australia's previous best.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed frustration after Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined his offer for a draw, prioritizing personal milestones over team strategy. Stokes aimed to protect his bowlers from potential injuries with a quick turnaround before the final Test.
Nineteen-year-old Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy in a tiebreak. The crucial match saw Koneru make inaccurate moves, ultimately benefiting Divya, who capitalised on the opportunity. PM Modi and President Murmu congratulated Deshmukh on her remarkable achievement.
Shubman Gill defended Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's pursuit of centuries on Day 5 of the drawn fourth Test against England. Gill emphasised that both deserved their hundreds after their impressive partnership rescued India from a precarious position. Despite England's frustration and Ben Stokes's sarcastic remarks, Jadeja and Sundar remained composed, guiding India to a respectable draw.
Mohammad Kaif, former India cricketer, strongly criticised Ben Stokes. Kaif disapproved of Stokes' behaviour during the Manchester Test's final day. The incident involved a heated exchange with Ravindra Jadeja. Stokes suggested a handshake for a draw, which Jadeja declined. Kaif stated that Stokes lost respect due to this incident.
Shubman Gill's record-breaking 722 runs against England, surpassing Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlight his stellar performance as captain. His fourth century, coupled with Jadeja and Sundar's unbeaten scores, secured a draw, leading to a series decider. Coach Gambhir praises Gill's talent, while David Lloyd expresses concern that captaincy might burden him despite his current success at No. 4.
