Magnus Carlsen recently faced a unique challenge, battling over 143,000 chess enthusiasts worldwide in a freestyle game hosted online. This marked the first time a reigning or former world champion participated in such a format. Despite predictions favouring Carlsen, Team World played strategically, leading to a draw by move 32 via threefold repetition.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans are fervently hoping to end their 18-year title drought as they face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Final. Prayers and rituals are being performed across India, including a wedding ceremony in Nepal turned into a support rally. In Bengaluru, a havan was conducted, and a car was adorned with lemons and chillies.
Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to field against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad. Both captains expressed a desire to bowl first, with Rajat Patidar acknowledging the hard surface. Both teams are unchanged from their previous matches, with Phil Salt returning for RCB after attending his child’s birth.
Punjab Kings defeated Chennai Super Kings by four wickets, eliminating the five-time champions from the IPL 2025 playoff race. Shreyas Iyer’s 72 and Prabhsimran Singh’s 54 powered Punjab’s chase of 191. Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick dismantled CSK’s late surge, despite Sam Curran’s impressive 88. Punjab rose to second in the points table with this victory.
Paris Saint-Germain fans celebrated their Champions League victory, resulting in nearly 600 arrests due to clashes with police near the Champs-Elysees. A car incident in Grenoble injured four celebrating fans. Despite the unrest, joyous fans sang and danced, celebrating PSG’s historic win. President Macron will host the team, and a victory parade is planned on the Champs-Elysees.
Aiden Markram dismisses concerns about past failures as South Africa prepares to face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Despite previous heartbreaks, including a recent T20 World Cup loss, Markram asserts the team is focused and eager for the challenge.
Following the indefinite suspension of the IPL 2025, India’s tour of Bangladesh and participation in the Asia Cup later this year are now highly improbable. The BCCI might utilise the August-September window to conclude the IPL if required, even if it means cancelling the scheduled tour and Asia Cup participation.
Iga Swiatek’s impressive 26-match French Open winning streak ended amidst controversy as chair umpire Kader Nouni denied her request to inspect a mark on the clay during her semifinal clash with Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka capitalized on the moment, ultimately defeating Swiatek in three sets to advance to her first French Open final.
Virat Kohli made history in the IPL. He became the first player to hit 300 sixes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kohli scored 62 runs against Punjab Kings. This innings made him the orange cap holder with 505 runs. He now has the most IPL seasons with 500+ runs. Kohli also equaled his record for consecutive 50-plus scores for RCB.