Following a tragic stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium that resulted in 11 deaths, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam have resigned. The incident occurred after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory, with lakhs gathering despite inadequate planning.
Team India has landed in England, commencing their preparations for the five-Test series, which marks the beginning of the 2025-27 WTC cycle. This series signifies a new era following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill leads the team, with the first Test scheduled for June 20.
At Puja Pujara’s book launch, Rohit Sharma shared a humorous anecdote from a 2012 West Indies tour, recalling how Cheteshwar Pujara was mobbed after venturing out late for vegetarian food. Sharma also lauded Pujara’s resilience in overcoming ACL injuries to play over 100 Tests.
Marco Jansen revealed Ricky Ponting’s playful parting words as he gears up for the World Test Championship Final against Australia. Jansen, fresh from a successful IPL season, valued Ponting’s positive coaching approach. He also looks forward to learning from Stuart Broad, who joined the Proteas as a consultant, to gain insights on facing the Australian team at Lord’s.
Jos Buttler’s explosive 96 propelled England to a 21-run victory over the West Indies in their T20 series opener. Buttler’s dominant innings, featuring a mix of innovative and classic shots, set the stage for England’s competitive total of 188/6. Liam Dawson’s impressive 4-20 further stifled the West Indies, who fell short despite missing key spinner Akeal Hosein.
Magnus Carlsen clinched his seventh Norway Chess title, benefiting from D Gukesh’s final-round loss to Fabiano Caruana. Carlsen drew his last game, securing the win with 16 points, while Caruana finished second. Carlsen acknowledged the potential of young Indian talents like Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, highlighting his own challenging tournament, including a notable loss to Gukesh.
Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-final, setting up a highly anticipated final against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner’s victory ended Djokovic’s quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. The upcoming final marks the first Grand Slam final between two players born in the 2000s.
Magnus Carlsen clinched his seventh Norway Chess title after D Gukesh’s loss to Fabiano Caruana in the final round. Carlsen secured the championship with 16 points, closely followed by Caruana and Gukesh. In the women’s section, Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine emerged victorious, despite losing the Armageddon tie-break, while Koneru Humpy finished as the runner-up.
Following his semi-final defeat by Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic hinted at a possible farewell to the Parisian crowd. The 38-year-old, a three-time champion, expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating it might be his last match there.
KL Rahul, known for his adaptability and resilience, faces a significant opportunity in the upcoming England series. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent, Rahul emerges as the most experienced Indian batter on English soil. His childhood coach emphasises his mental fortitude and technical foundation built on red-ball cricket, expecting a matured performance.