Wednesday, June 24
Aakash Chopra has lauded Mohammed Siraj as a tireless asset for Indian cricket, particularly in Test matches. Chopra highlighted Siraj's significant workload, ranking him among the top three fast bowlers globally in terms of overs bowled since January 2023.
Mohammed Shami, recovering from fitness concerns, has been named in Bengal's probables for the 2025-26 domestic season. After a stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025 and last playing for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, he aims to return to competitive cricket. Shami's inclusion follows his recovery from ankle surgery and a notable performance in the Ranji Trophy.
Neymar Jr.'s "hall of fame" jersey wall, featuring Ronaldo, Messi, Suárez, and himself, went viral, celebrating football legends. After a stint with Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to Santos, scoring a stunning winner against Flamengo. Despite fitness challenges, he extended his contract, aiming to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, showcasing his enduring brilliance.
Arsenal has made history by acquiring Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool for £1 million, setting a new record in women's football transfers. The 20-year-old's move underscores Arsenal's ambition to strengthen their squad after their Champions League victory. Smith, who was Liverpool's player of the season, expressed her excitement to contribute to Arsenal's pursuit of major titles.
Despite retiring from Test and T20I cricket, Virat Kohli's exceptional cricketing acumen continues to be lauded. Freddie Wilde, an RCB team analyst, highlighted Kohli's strategic brilliance, noting how his instincts often align with data analytics during team meetings. Kohli's ability to grasp nuances beyond data showcases his genius, complementing his remarkable ODI and IPL records.
Young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, has made cricket history, becoming the youngest to score a fifty and take a wicket in a Youth Test before 15, surpassing Mehidy Hasan Miraz's record. In the drawn match against England, Suryavanshi scored a quick 56 in the second innings and took two wickets.
England's Ollie Pope revealed Test cricketers' varied diets during breaks, telling that while those not batting might feast on chicken, fish, or steak with pasta, he prefers a protein shake and banana when at the crease. Pope also shared that the 'Tea break' isn't always about tea, often opting for coffee instead.
Kane Williamson, in an exclusive interview, lauded Shubman Gill's captaincy, stating it was no surprise given Gill's leadership qualities. Williamson highlighted Gill's world-class talent across formats and his impressive adaptation to challenging Test conditions. He also reflected on Virat Kohli's Test retirement, emphasising the bond shared beyond the field.
Grace Hayden, daughter of cricket legend Matthew Hayden, is launching "Game On With Grace," a podcast on Willow to introduce cricket to American audiences. Featuring interviews with sports personalities like Adam Gilchrist, the show aims to share untold stories and bridge the gap between cricket and US viewers.
In a first, Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh made it to the FIDE Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky congratulated the players. The Indian players won tense tie-breakers. Humpy defeated Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Harika edged out Kateryna Lagno. Vaishali defeated Meruert Kamalidenova, and Divya Deshmukh beat Zhu Jiner.
