Monday, June 22
Australia Champions defeated India Champions by 4 wickets in a thrilling WCL 2025 match at Headingley. India posted 203/4, powered by Shikhar Dhawan's 91* and Yusuf Pathan's 52*, but Australia chased it down in the final over. Consistent batting and crucial partnerships led Australia to victory, handing India their second consecutive loss.
Sunil Gavaskar criticised India's performance in the fourth Test against England, pointing fingers at captain Shubman Gill for questionable decision-making. Gavaskar emphasised that the captain is ultimately responsible for team selections and tactical planning, regardless of the coach's input. He highlighted that Gill will be judged on his calls, especially with India struggling to contain England's dominance in the series.
The first game of the FIDE Women’s World Cup final witnessed a tense draw between Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy in Batumi. Despite a promising start with the white pieces, Divya's initial advantage slipped as Humpy showcased her experience with precise defense. The 41-move game concluded through repetition, leaving Divya visibly disappointed for missing an early opportunity.
Joe Root's magnificent 150 in the fourth Test propelled him past Dravid, Kallis, and Ponting, securing the second-highest run-scorer position in Test cricket. Michael Vaughan boldly predicted Root would surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record in 2027, while Ricky Ponting also supported Root's potential to become No. 1. Root's 38th century ties him with Sangakkara, potentially shaping the series outcome.
Sai Sudharsan's golden duck in the fourth Test against England mirrored Gautam Gambhir's dismissal from 2014, intensifying India's struggles. After England posted a massive 669, India began their chase disastrously, losing Jaiswal and Sudharsan for ducks. The team now faces a daunting task to salvage the Test and keep the series alive, reminiscent of their crushing defeat in 2014.
New Zealand clinched a thrilling three-run victory over South Africa in the tri-series final in Harare, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament. Matt Henry's composed final over and spectacular catches by Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell sealed the win after Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra set a solid foundation with the bat.
N Jagadeesan received an unexpected call-up to the Indian Test team as a replacement for the injured Pant for the fifth Test at The Oval. He expressed immense joy at fulfilling his dream of wearing the whites and representing India in Test cricket.
Shardul Thakur's limited bowling opportunities in the series have raised questions, with the all-rounder expressing confusion over his role. Despite England's high scoring, Thakur received few overs, even after a Test comeback.
