Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell at Court Philippe-Chatrier, his beloved hunting ground, on Sunday. Dressed in black, he thanked his team, family, and fans, acknowledging the court’s significance in his career.
An emotional Rohit Sharma, alongside his family, unveiled the ‘Rohit Sharma Stand’ at Wankhede Stadium, a tribute to his parents’ sacrifices. He shared a light moment with a fan and expressed gratitude to his family during the Mumbai Cricket Association ceremony. Rohit’s wife, Ritika, stood proudly by his side, her beaming smile reflecting the pride of the occasion.
Karun Nair’s elegant, unbeaten 186 powered India A to a commanding 409/3 against England Lions on the first day of their ‘Unofficial’ Test. Sarfaraz Khan contributed a vibrant 92, while Dhruv Jurel added an unbeaten 82, further solidifying India A’s dominant position. The Lions’ bowling attack struggled on a docile pitch, failing to contain the Indian batsmen.
Following their IPL match, Delhi Capitals’ Kuldeep Yadav playfully slapped KKR’s Rinku Singh, both representing Uttar Pradesh, in a friendly exchange. KKR defeated DC by 14 runs, boosting their playoff hopes. KKR’s innings was propelled by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Rinku Singh (36), while Sunil Narine’s 3/29 restricted DC to 190/9 despite contributions from Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel.
Pat Cummins lauded the World Test Championship final against South Africa as a compelling advertisement for Test cricket, despite its swift pace. Cummins’s stellar 6-28 propelled him to 300 Test wickets as Australia battled to 144-8, holding a 218-run lead. He acknowledged the challenging pitch and disciplined bowling from both sides.
Dinesh Karthik has cautioned Shubman Gill about the enormity of captaining India in the upcoming Test series against England, highlighting the vulnerability of the English bowling attack. Despite the challenges, Karthik remains hopeful about India’s chances, despite the pressure England’s batting will exert. The series, commencing on June 20 in Leeds, marks the start of a new WTC cycle.
Anna Muzychuk acknowledges the Norway Chess Women’s tournament for promoting female chess players. She anticipates a tough competition with strong contenders like Ju Wenjun and Koneru Humpy. Anna reflects on her chess journey, highlighting Ukraine’s chess traditions. She emphasizes the sacrifices young players face to become grandmasters. Parental support is crucial for success in chess. The tournament motivates girls globally.
Piyush Chawla voiced his support for the new-look Indian squad for the England tour, emphasizing their experience in handling match situations despite limited international exposure. He spoke at Rinku Singh’s engagement ceremony, where Praveen Kumar also extended his best wishes. This England tour marks the start of India’s WTC cycle under Shubman Gill, following the retirement of key players.
Rishabh Pant, known for aggressive batting, was heard on the stump mic advising himself to stay calm during the first Test’s Day 4 against England. Pant’s remarks to KL Rahul about defensive play were also captured.
England’s ‘Bazball’ approach faces a significant challenge in the upcoming five-Test series against India. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England has showcased aggressive, result-oriented cricket, boasting a remarkable 75% win rate at home. Key players like Joe Root and Ollie Pope have thrived, while maintaining high averages and strike rates.