Saturday, July 04
Divya Deshmukh, an 18-year-old Indian chess prodigy, has gained global recognition after defeating World No. 1 Hou Yifan at the World Blitz Team Chess Championship in London. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded her victory, highlighting her determination and inspiration to aspiring chess players. Divya's success, along with her other achievements, underscores India's growing prominence in international chess.
Neeraj Chopra will compete at the Paris Diamond League 2025 without facing his Pakistani rival Arshad Nadeem. Chopra returns to the French capital after eight years, aiming for victory after recent second-place finishes. The event boasts a star-studded lineup including Julian Weber and Anderson Peters. Following Paris, Chopra will participate in Ostrava's Golden Spike meet and his hosted Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru.
Rishabh Pant eyes MS Dhoni's record as Pant seeks to become India's top wicketkeeper-batter. He needs one more century to surpass Dhoni's Test record. The upcoming England series is crucial for Pant. Dhruv Jurel's performance adds pressure. Pant aims to improve after a below-par showing in Australia. All eyes are on Pant's performance in the upcoming matches.
Michael Vaughan lauded Jasprit Bumrah as the greatest bowler he has ever witnessed, anticipating a renewed challenge for Joe Root in the forthcoming India vs England Test series. Bumrah has dismissed Root nine times in Test cricket, establishing a compelling rivalry.
After an eight-year wait, Karun Nair is on the verge of a Test comeback at Leeds. Once dropped and overlooked in 2018, the batter opens up on heartbreak, healing, and how his resilience has inspired even coach Gautam Gambhir.
In a captivating encounter at the Delhi International GM Open Chess Tournament 2025, 80-year-old Rani Hamid, a Bangladeshi chess legend, faced 13-year-old prodigy Balaji Sudarshan. Despite a recent string of losses, Hamid's spirit remained undeterred. Sudarshan's skill led to Hamid's defeat, but the two engaged in a post-game analysis, transcending their age gap through their shared passion for chess.
In a captivating encounter at the Delhi International GM Open Chess Tournament 2025, 80-year-old Rani Hamid, a Bangladeshi chess legend, faced 13-year-old prodigy Balaji Sudarshan. Despite a recent string of losses, Hamid's spirit remained undeterred. Sudarshan's skill led to Hamid's defeat, but the two engaged in a post-game analysis, transcending their age gap through their shared passion for chess.
Shubman Gill is set to captain India in the upcoming five-Test series against England, marking a new era for the team after Rohit Sharma's retirement. Kapil Dev expressed confidence in Gill's leadership and the team's ability to win, despite the absence of key players like Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin.
Kapil Dev voiced his surprise at the Pataudi Trophy's renaming to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, deeming it "strange." This decision by the ECB had also drawn criticism, including from Sunil Gavaskar, especially given the Pataudi family's historical significance to India-England cricket. Despite the name change, the Pataudi legacy will be honored through a special medal given to the winning captain of the series.
Leeds is experiencing an unusually hot and dry summer, raising concerns among residents as India and England prepare for their Test series. Locals are taking precautions against the heat, with forecasts predicting temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius. Cricket discussions revolve around the dry pitches and the potential for two spinners in the Indian team.
