Dinesh Karthik criticised Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill’s leadership during the recent Test series against England, suggesting their cautious approach reflected a fear of defeat. Karthik highlighted Gambhir’s significant influence on team decisions and emphasised the need to prioritise taking wickets. He also defended Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management, dismissing claims that India performs better without him.
Following Mohammed Siraj’s impressive performance in England, RP Singh cautioned against overworking him, emphasising the need for careful workload management akin to Jasprit Bumrah to prevent potential burnout. Singh highlighted Siraj’s indispensable role and partnership with Bumrah, advocating for strategic team selections and like-for-like injury substitutions to maintain team balance and player well-being.
Rashid Khan marked his return to competitive cricket with a historic milestone, becoming the first player to reach 650 T20 wickets. Playing for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred 2025, he took 3/11 against London Spirit, showcasing his spin mastery. His performance, combined with Sam Curran’s, led the Invincibles to a comfortable victory, starting their title defense strongly.
Abhinav Bindra supports India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, emphasizing its potential to inspire a generation and drive national development. He stresses the importance of focusing on athlete development and building robust sports systems. Bindra believes that investing in athletes and grassroots participation is crucial for India to be competitive by 2036.
In a thrilling Asia Cup opener held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the young Indian basketball team narrowly lost to world No. 35 Jordan with a score of 84-91 after overtime. Despite a strong performance and leading in the final minute, India couldn’t hold on, allowing Jordan to tie the game and dominate the overtime period.
Mohammed Siraj’s remarkable performance in the Oval Test, highlighted by a crucial delivery to dismiss Gus Atkinson, secured India’s narrow victory. Despite missed edges and dropped catches, Siraj’s unwavering spirit shone through, culminating in a Player of the Match award.
D Harika, India’s No. 2 female Grandmaster, balances her chess career with motherhood, finding joy in playing the Chennai Grand Masters tournament close to home, allowing her to spend time with her two-year-old daughter, Hanvika.
Arjun Erigaisi seeks to regain his form at the Chennai Grand Masters after a series of disappointing classical chess performances. The tournament, featuring 20 players, serves as crucial preparation for the Grand Swiss.
Rishabh Pant demonstrated his compassionate side by assisting Jyoti Kanaboor Math, a bright student from Karnataka, in achieving her academic aspirations. Despite scoring 83% in her Class 12 exams, Jyoti faced financial constraints that threatened her BCA enrollment. Pant’s timely intervention, a Rs 40,000 donation, ensured her admission and first-semester fees were covered, earning him gratitude and admiration.
Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spirit defined India’s drawn Test series in England. Overlooked, misjudged, and trolled, he rose through relentless spells, emotional resilience, and raw hunger. From rubber slippers in Toli Chowki to nine SENA wins, Siraj’s journey is a testament to belief. At The Oval, he didn’t just take wickets — he emerged from Bumrah’s shadow.