Michael Vaughan has ignited debate by advocating for Virat Kohli to captain India in the forthcoming five-match Test series against England, commencing on June 20. Vaughan proposed Shubman Gill as Kohli’s deputy, envisioning a blend of Kohli’s experience and Gill’s youthful talent to guide India through a transitional phase in Test leadership.
Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid in a thrilling 4-3 El Clasico, significantly boosting their La Liga title hopes. Despite a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick, Barcelona’s Raphinha (2), Lamine Yamal, and Eric Garcia secured the win. This victory extends Barcelona’s lead to seven points with three games left.
India Women secured the Tri-Nation ODI series title, defeating Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the final. Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant century propelled India to a formidable 342/7. Sri Lanka’s chase faltered against disciplined Indian bowling, with Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur leading the charge as they were eventually bowled out for 245.
Following the agreement between India and Pakistan, the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) have become the first Indian Premier League (IPL) team to restart training. The current table-toppers began their preparations on Sunday evening at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended on Friday after cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.
MS Dhoni was seen on a flight sporting a “Duty, Honour, Country” t-shirt, as IPL 2025 remains suspended. The BCCI is working to resume the tournament, likely by Thursday or Friday, excluding Dharamsala as a venue due to security concerns following drone strikes. Chennai Super Kings have been eliminated from playoff contention.
On Mother’s Day, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged his mother’s unwavering support, calling her his pillar of strength. Iyer’s IPL journey began with Delhi Daredevils, where he quickly rose to prominence, eventually leading Delhi Capitals to their first IPL final in 2020. Under his captaincy, Delhi Capitals reached their maiden IPL final in 2020, where they were beaten by Mumbai Indians. Iyer’s crowning achievement as a leader came last season when he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title.
The cricketing fraternity is appealing to Virat Kohli to reconsider his reported Test retirement. Mohammad Kaif urged Kohli to play the upcoming England series, echoing sentiments from legends like Brian Lara and Navjot Singh Sidhu. They emphasised Kohli’s importance to the team, especially with recent retirements, highlighting his invaluable experience and the nation’s pride at stake.
The India-Pakistan conflict has cast a shadow over the IPL, causing mixed reactions from overseas players. While some, like Punjab Kings’ coach Ricky Ponting, are staying, others have left due to security concerns after a halted match. The BCCI is urging teams to reassemble for the remaining games, but some players are hesitant.
Virat Kohli celebrated Mother’s Day with heartfelt posts. He honoured his mother and wife Anushka Sharma. This came during a break from the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, speculation arose about Kohli’s Test retirement. Brian Lara urged him to continue playing Test cricket. Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket remains significant. His fans await his decision.
