Nineteen-year-old Divya Deshmukh was celebrated at Nagpur airport after her Women’s World Cup victory in Batumi, where she triumphed over Koneru Humpy. This win secured her the Grandmaster title, a spot in the Candidates tournament, and a $50,000 prize. She credited her first coach Rahul Joshi, who passed away in 2020.
Tensions soared at the Esports Chess World Cup 2025 as Nihal Sarin of India triumphed over Dutch champion Anish Giri, triggering a fit of rage from Giri, who was seen banging his mouse. This incident follows a similar outburst by Hans Niemann after his defeat by Giri. The rising emotional displays are sparking conversations about the pressure players face.
Divya Deshmukh, an Indian chess player, won the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi. She defeated Koneru Humpy in the final through an intense tie-break. This victory also earned her the Grandmaster title. Ju Wenjun of China is still the reigning Women’s World Champion. Divya’s World Cup win qualifies her for the Candidates Tournament.
India, already trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, aim to draw the series against England in the final Test at The Oval. Wasim Jaffer suggests an XI featuring Kuldeep Yadav amid injuries to key players like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. The lineup emphasises a strong batting order and a three-man spin attack to salvage pride.
India prepare for the series-deciding fifth Test against England at The Oval on Thursday, trailing 2-1. Injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant pose challenges, with Narayan Jagadeesan added as cover. Deepak Chahar’s surprise presence at training has sparked speculation. England, missing Ben Stokes, makes four changes, while India must win to avoid a series defeat.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series stands at 2-1, favouring England. India, led by Shubman Gill and coached by Gautam Gambhir, seeks an equaliser in London. Despite inexperience, the team has shown resilience. Gill defends Gambhir’s actions regarding the pitch, expressing optimism about levelling the series. The team has faced challenges but remains focused on a significant achievement.
The highly anticipated semi-final clash between India Champions and Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends has been cancelled. India Champions withdrew from the match, leading to Pakistan Champions advancing directly to the final. Pakistan will now await the winner of the South Africa Champions versus Australia Champions semi-final.
Ayush Mhatre will captain India U19 in Australia, starting September 21, for a multi-format tour. The squad includes 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, known for his impressive performances in England. The team will play three Youth ODIs and two multi-day games, carrying forward the core group that excelled in England, where Mhatre and Suryavanshi shone with their batting prowess.
The Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions have refused to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends semifinals, mirroring their earlier group-stage boycott. This decision, supported by legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh, stems from the Pahalgam terror attack. An insider emphasised the team’s unwavering commitment to the nation, echoing Dhawan’s sentiment that the country comes first.
Gautam Gambhir’s reported clash with The Oval’s curator has stirred memories of a similar incident from 2014, when he argued with a Delhi curator over pitch conditions before a Vijay Hazare Trophy match. Marcus Couto, a former BCCI umpire, recalled Gambhir’s aggressive behavior then.