AB de Villiers described his Delhi Daredevils stint as “bittersweet,” highlighting internal chaos and “poisonous characters” despite playing alongside legends like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori. De Villiers felt valued initially but was surprisingly released into the auction after a diminished role in 2010.
Grandmaster SL Narayanan, the top-rated player at the Delhi International Open GM Chess Tournament, experienced a disappointing finish after a strong start. Despite aiming for victory, a series of draws against lower-rated opponents led to a seventh-place result. Narayanan reflects on the mental challenges and the importance of maintaining a strong mindset for future success in his chess career.
Aakash Chopra cautions India against prioritising batting depth over bowling strength for the first Test against England at Headingley. He advises captain Shubman Gill to learn from past mistakes and field at least three specialist fast bowlers. Chopra suggests options like Shardul Thakur or a four-pronged pace attack alongside a specialist batter to bolster the team’s composition.
Shubman Gill, the rising star, is poised to captain the Indian Test team in the upcoming England series, a role he never envisioned. The 25-year-old expressed his surprise and shared an emotional conversation with his father upon receiving the news. Succeeding Rohit Sharma, Gill has scored 1,893 runs in 32 Tests.
Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, has voiced his support for Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne despite their recent struggles, particularly after the WTC final loss. McDonald emphasized Labuschagne’s potential and Khawaja’s stability at the top, highlighting their importance to the team’s future. He believes both players have the capacity to return to form and contribute significantly.
Jannik Sinner admits struggling with sleepless nights following his French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, a grueling five-set match where he held championship points. He emphasizes the importance of family and friends in coping with the defeat and finds solace in simple activities like playing table tennis.
Temba Bavuma revealed that Australia used the term “chokers” during South Africa’s batting innings in the WTC final. Bavuma hopes their victory will boost Test cricket’s profile in South Africa and inspire the team to emulate past successes.
The BCCI has unveiled the domestic cricket schedule for 2025-26, starting with the Duleep Trophy on August 28. Zonal selections return for key tournaments, and a Plate Group is introduced for lower-ranked teams to boost competitiveness. Promotion and relegation rules are adjusted, while the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will feature a Super League stage.
Ravichandran Ashwin experienced a frustrating moment in a recent TNPL match. A misjudged throw by Ashwin led to a comedy of errors, resulting in three missed run-out opportunities on a single delivery. This incident follows an earlier controversy where Ashwin had a heated argument with an umpire, ultimately leading to a fine.
The ICC has unveiled the schedule for the 2025-27 World Test Championship, featuring 71 matches among nine teams. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will kick off the cycle on June 17, while Australia is set to play the most Tests with 22 games.