Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami has received a death threat via email, prompting an FIR to be filed in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district. The sender, identified as Rajput Sindar, allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs one crore. Shami is currently playing in the IPL 2025 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mohammed Afsal made history at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai, clocking 1:45.61s to break the men’s 800m national record, previously held by Jinson Johnson. He secured second place, narrowly missing the top spot. Animesh Kujur also shone, winning the men’s 200m in 20.45 seconds, showcasing strong performances from Indian athletes.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery performance and animated conversation with coach Gautam Gambhir grabbed attention during the first Test. Bumrah’s three wickets, including the crucial scalp of Joe Root, kept India in the game despite dropped catches. India’s batting collapse after centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant allowed England to fight back, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar IPL 2025 performance, marked by exceptional economy and dot ball percentage, has propelled MI to the top of the points table. Despite missing initial matches, his impact is undeniable. Adam Gilchrist likened Bumrah to Don Bradman, citing his dominance across formats. Gilchrist also highlighted Bumrah’s impact during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his bowling intimidated the Australians.
Following his Test cricket retirement announcement, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma sought spiritual guidance from Premanand Ji Maharaj in Vrindavan. The couple’s visit to Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram included a heartfelt exchange with the guru, who emphasized introspection and devotion. Kohli’s Test retirement marks the end of an era. As captain, he led India to 40 wins in 68 Tests — the most by any Indian skipper to date.
Mumbai Indians elected to bat after winning the toss against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 Eliminator. Hardik Pandya cited a batting-friendly pitch as the reason behind the decision. MI made three changes, bringing in Bairstow, Gleeson, and Bawa, while GT included Mendis and Sundar in place of Buttler and Arshad Khan.
Tom Moody highlights Australia’s consistent success in major tournaments, attributing it to their ability to elevate their game under pressure. He notes their ingrained winning mentality, stemming from historical achievements and confidence. While acknowledging South Africa’s recent strong form, Moody believes Australia holds a slight edge due to their greater experience in high-stakes matches and adaptability to changing conditions.
Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s new captain, shared his emotional journey on the RCB Podcast, from being rejected at the 2022 IPL mega auction to receiving the captaincy from Virat Kohli for IPL 2025. Patidar described the surreal moment and his surprise at being chosen to lead, despite initial disappointment in the auction.
The ICC has announced a record USD 5.76 million prize pool for the World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s. The winner will receive USD 3.6 million. ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the intense competition. South Africa qualified after topping the WTC standings, while defending champions Australia secured their place with a Border-Gavaskar Trophy win.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth suggests MS Dhoni’s era with CSK might be nearing its end, citing his age and declining performance as factors. Srikkanth pointed out Dhoni’s struggles with form and fitness, impacting his ability to perform his previous roles effectively. CSK’s failure to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season adds weight to the speculation about Dhoni’s future.