Sunday, June 28
Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad, who was born in Gujarat before migrating to Karachi, expressed his longing to revisit his birthplace, Junagadh. Despite visa challenges and past scheduling conflicts, the 81-year-old fondly remembers his connections to India, including his friendship with Bishan Singh Bedi, who significantly influenced his leg-spin bowling.
Michael Atherton critiqued Ben Stokes' declining batting form and leadership amidst England's defeat to India, highlighting Stokes' lack of preparation due to his limited playing schedule. He also highlighted how his counterpart Shubman Gill has been acing his new role as India skipper. India and England lock horns again on Thursday at Lord's.
Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler have identified a potential weakness in Shubman Gill's technique, despite his recent dominant form. They suggest Jofra Archer, with his ability to nip the ball back, could trouble the Indian captain in the upcoming Lord's Test. Buttler recalls Archer dismissing Gill in the IPL with a similar delivery, offering England a possible strategy.
Former England seamer James Anderson suggests including Jofra Archer for the crucial Lord's Test against India after their Edgbaston defeat. Archer, returning from a long absence, is deemed ready by coach Brendon McCullum. England eyes team changes, considering Gus Atkinson and Jacob Bethell, though Bethell won't replace primary spinner Shoaib Bashir.
Abhishek Sharma revealed a practice that he started after being inspired by Shikhar Dhawan, which helped him stay grounded during IPL 2025. This habit played a crucial role in his mental preparation. Sharma's remarkable innings of 141 off 55 balls against Punjab Kings is the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history.
Virat Kohli, attending Wimbledon, expressed that playing cricket, even in packed stadiums, is less intimidating than competing on Wimbledon's Centre Court. He highlighted the immense pressure tennis players face, especially in crucial matches and praised their composure, fitness, and mental fortitude. Kohli drew parallels to the India-Pakistan World Cup games, acknowledging the intense pressure in both sports.
Following England's crushing defeat in the second Test, former captains Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan have unleashed harsh criticism on Zak Crawley and Chris Woakes. Boycott slammed Crawley's batting technique, deeming it unchanged and ineffective, while Vaughan questioned Crawley's place in the team, citing his low average despite numerous opportunities.
Houlihan Lokey's study reveals the IPL's brand value surged to US$18.5 billion, a 12.9% increase, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru becoming the most valuable franchise at US$269 million after their title win. Sponsorship deals and viewership numbers have also reached new heights, exemplified by the BCCI's associate-sponsor slots sale and Tata Group's title sponsorship extension.
Grigor Dimitrov was on the verge of causing a massive upset against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon when fate struck cruelly again. Leading by two sets and in vintage form, the 34-year-old collapsed mid-match with a pectoral injury — for his fifth Grand Slam retirement in a row.
Following a heavy defeat in the second Test, England coach Brendon McCullum has requested a faster, bouncier pitch for the upcoming Lord's Test. This comes after both McCullum and captain Ben Stokes acknowledged misreading the Edgbaston pitch, describing it as a "subcontinent-type" surface that favored India's bowlers.
