Sunday, June 28
The India-England Test series moves to Lord's, tied at 1-1, amidst unusually hot weather prompting relaxed dress codes. India, boosted by their Edgbaston victory and Bumrah's return, face an England side welcoming back Archer. Gill's form is a key factor, while England's bowlers are fatigued.
Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricket opener, identified Dale Steyn and James Anderson as the most challenging bowlers he faced during his career. Dhawan acknowledged Steyn's raw pace and Anderson's skillful bowling. He also shared his perspective on sledging, viewing it as a motivational aspect of the game that could enhance performance.
Iga Swiatek dominated Belinda Bencic, securing a spot in the Wimbledon final with a decisive victory. She will face Amanda Anisimova, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought semi-final. Swiatek, yet to lose a Grand Slam final, expressed her surprise and delight at reaching her first Wimbledon final, while Sabalenka lamented her ongoing struggles at the tournament.
Jannik Sinner overcame elbow concerns to reach his second Wimbledon semi-final, defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets. Belinda Bencic secured her first Wimbledon semi-final spot after a victory against Mirra Andreeva. Iga Swiatek also advanced, marking her best performance at SW19 by reaching the semi-finals.
R Ashwin believes Rishabh Pant has evolved beyond the 'newbie' tag and should be judged against top Test batters, not just wicketkeepers. He highlights Pant's superior defensive technique compared to Adam Gilchrist, advocating for his evaluation based on overall batting prowess.
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a tough challenge from Laura Siegemund in a grueling three-set match to reach the Wimbledon semifinals. Despite Siegemund's unorthodox game and strategic time management, Sabalenka found her rhythm after a shaky start. Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz also secured their spots in the semifinals with straight-set victories over their respective opponents.
Concerns have arisen regarding the Dukes ball's rapid softening, impacting bowlers and favoring batsmen, as highlighted by India captain Shubman Gill. Manufacturer Dilip Jajodia attributes this to factors beyond production, including drier pitches due to modern preparation techniques and the increased prevalence of aggressive batting styles in all formats.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car crash in Spain. The accident occurred when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire. Spanish police are investigating the cause, focusing on excessive speed and tire marks, with a final report pending submission to the local court.
