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Ace Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against England (at Oval) in this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Although per the earlier plan, which Team India announced ahead of this UK tour, that Bumrah is advised against playing more than three matches in an away (long) series to manage his workload, his absence shouldn’t surprise anyone. Picking and choosing which game to play, perhaps, now needed some attention. The latest reports have suggested that the BCCI will review this pick-and-choose policy surrounding Bumrah after this England tour.&nbsp;Bumrah’s bowling action always puts him on a knife’s edge, with him also being prone to back stress fracture, which ate a lot of his game time earlier in his career. Having recovered from a recurring back injury that kept him away since the final BGT Test Down Under (in Sydney) for nearly months, the BCCI’s medical team has been over-cautious regarding his schedule, which, somewhere, has also affected India’s results (in Tests) lately.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-worry-mounts-for-england-as-chris-woakes-out-of-oval-test-with-shoulder-injury-report-1754019301721">IND vs ENG: Worry mounts for England as Chris Woakes out of Oval Test with shoulder injury - Report</a> &nbsp;Ahead of Team India’s departure to the UK, the management announced that Bumrah will not play more than three matches against England. The premier pacer played the series opener in Leeds but sat out in Birmingham (the only game India won so far); Bumrah returned to the playing XI for the marquee Lord’s Test and even played at Edgbaston before a niggle kept him out of contention for the final game in London. Regardless of the results, his performance was top-notch thus far, picking 14 wickets in three contested matches, the second-most after Ben Stokes, who also missed the Oval Test with a muscle tear in his right shoulder.<h3>What is causing trouble? &nbsp;</h3>A Times of India (TOI) report has suggested that, despite announcing Bumrah’s playing time, the BCCI is finding it challenging to plan a long series without knowing which games their premier quick would play or not (due to his workload). However, considering this, the BCCI is inclined towards tweaking the policy around Bumrah and only consider him for selection should he be available for all matches. &nbsp;“Strength and condition (S&amp;C) coaches can set the workload threshold for each player. But Bumrah’s availability should depend on his fitness, which will be assessed by the medical team,” a BCCI source said as quoted by TOI. &nbsp;Meanwhile, following the ongoing England tour, India is not scheduled to play a long series for another year or so, with them hosting West Indies and South Africa for two Tests during their home season.&nbsp;

Bumrah’s bowling action always puts him on a knife’s edge, with him also being prone to back stress fracture, which ate a lot of his game time earlier in his career.

Ace Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against England (at Oval) in this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Although per the earlier plan, which Team India announced ahead of this UK tour, that Bumrah is advised against playing more than three matches in an away (long) series to manage his workload, his absence shouldn’t surprise anyone. Picking and choosing which game to play, perhaps, now needed some attention. The latest reports have suggested that the BCCI will review this pick-and-choose policy surrounding Bumrah after this England tour. Bumrah’s bowling action always puts him on a knife’s edge, with him also being prone to back stress fracture, which ate a lot of his game time earlier in his career. Having recovered from a recurring back injury that kept him away since the final BGT Test Down Under (in Sydney) for nearly months, the BCCI’s medical team has been over-cautious regarding his schedule, which, somewhere, has also affected India’s results (in Tests) lately. Also read | IND vs ENG: Worry mounts for England as Chris Woakes out of Oval Test with shoulder injury - Report Ahead of Team India’s departure to the UK, the management announced that Bumrah will not play more than three matches against England. The premier pacer played the series opener in Leeds but sat out in Birmingham (the only game India won so far); Bumrah returned to the playing XI for the marquee Lord’s Test and even played at Edgbaston before a niggle kept him out of contention for the final game in London. Regardless of the results, his performance was top-notch thus far, picking 14 wickets in three contested matches, the second-most after Ben Stokes, who also missed the Oval Test with a muscle tear in his right shoulder. What is causing trouble? A Times of India (TOI) report has suggested that, despite announcing Bumrah’s playing time, the BCCI is finding it challenging to plan a long series without knowing which games their premier quick would play or not (due to his workload). However, considering this, the BCCI is inclined towards tweaking the policy around Bumrah and only consider him for selection should he be available for all matches. “Strength and condition (S&C) coaches can set the workload threshold for each player. But Bumrah’s availability should depend on his fitness, which will be assessed by the medical team,” a BCCI source said as quoted by TOI. Meanwhile, following the ongoing England tour, India is not scheduled to play a long series for another year or so, with them hosting West Indies and South Africa for two Tests during their home season.

Bumrah’s bowling action always puts him on a knife’s edge, with him also being prone to back stress fracture, which ate a lot of his game time earlier in his career.

Bumrah’s pick-and-choose policy under scanner as BCCI to review call around his workload management – Report

WWE Chief Operations Officer (COO) and a former in-ring performer, Paul Levesque, also and famously known as Triple H, won the internet with his trademark water splash on his latest visit to the White House on Thursday (Jul 31). Triple H joined American President Donald Trump for a major announcement - the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test; however, it was his iconic water splash just upon entering the president's residence that left social media talking.&nbsp;The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN,”<h3>WATCH –&nbsp;</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN WHITE HOUSE X <a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TRIPLEH</a> 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/2sBFWok5ZF">pic.twitter.com/2sBFWok5ZF</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1951059912735236308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, in a ceremony held in the Roosevelt Room, Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test, expanding its Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. The move, however, was aimed at fighting the decline in youth fitness by reintroducing structural physical education back into American schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-brings-back-presidential-fitness-test-in-presence-of-triple-h-what-it-is-and-why-obama-discontinued-it-1754020930810">Trump signs order to revive presidential fitness test in presence of Triple H - What is the program and why Obama discontinue it?</a> &nbsp;The US President also introduced Triple H by calling him “a man who you’re not going to mess around with,” adding, “it’s a great honour to have [him],” acknowledging Levesque’s influence both in and outside the ring. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Triple H was not the only A-lister present at the White House for this event, with two-time major golf champion Bryson DeChambeau, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and golf icon Annika Sorenstam also attending.&nbsp;<h3>HHH ready for ‘summer’s biggest party’</h3>Triple H took time out from his crunch schedule, with him overseeing SummerSlam 2025 preparations, scheduled over the coming weekend at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.&nbsp; &nbsp;With the stacked match card for the summer’s grandest event, to be hosted across two nights (for the first time), Triple H must be keen on making this a massive success. &nbsp;From the 17-time world champion John Cena to the most-appeared-in-ring performer at SummerSlam, Randy Orton, alongside CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, all will grace their presence across the two-night event at SummerSlam 2025.

The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN. 

WWE Chief Operations Officer (COO) and a former in-ring performer, Paul Levesque, also and famously known as Triple H, won the internet with his trademark water splash on his latest visit to the White House on Thursday (Jul 31). Triple H joined American President Donald Trump for a major announcement - the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test; however, it was his iconic water splash just upon entering the president's residence that left social media talking. The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN,” WATCH –

The slow-motion video of the same went viral on the internet, with the White House also posting it on its social media handles, with the caption, “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN.&nbsp;

Triple H joins Trump at White House for major announcement; wins internet with famous ‘water splash’ – WATCH

England’s most capped seamer in the Oval Test, Chris Woakes, is suspected to have dislocated his left shoulder late during day one of the fifth and final Test against India on Thursday (Jul 31). Attempting to save a boundary at long-off, Woakes’ left hand slipped on the damp outfield, as he landed awkwardly on his (left) shoulder, later staying down clutching it. England physio Ben Davies rushed to the spot to check on him, helping him walk off the field soon after. Although Woakes will be kept under observation, reports have begun to emerge that he is unlikely to bowl again in this Test, leaving the hosts a bowler short in this crucial match.&nbsp;"I don't know too much about it, but it doesn't look great," Gus Atkinson, Woakes' teammate, said after the end of day one. "It's a big shame, last game of the series, and when anyone gets injured, it's a shame. I'm hoping it's not too bad, and whatever it is, he'll get full support from everyone." &nbsp;A day marred by rain saw Woakes take the new ball, completing 14 off 64 overs bowled, also picking one wicket of KL Rahul early in the innings. The new-ball seamer troubled the Indian openers upfront, with the overhead conditions and a green top assisting seam and swing on day one. With no Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, Woakes was the most experienced of the pace crop picked for this Test, including Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Chris Woakes strikes! 🔥 KL Rahul chops on and departs for 14. 🇮🇳 3️⃣8️⃣-2️⃣ <a href="https://t.co/j2MvIVv1IO">pic.twitter.com/j2MvIVv1IO</a>&mdash; England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1950879063406530903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Barring Overton, everyone returned with a wicket at least, with Tongue and Atkinson picking two each; however, Woakes’ absence, should he be declared unfit to take any part in the remainder of this game, could hurt England, who lead this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-1.&nbsp; &nbsp;In the four contested matches thus far, Woakes has bagged just 11 wickets at an average of 52.18 while completing 181 overs thus far. Alongside Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj, Woakes is the only seamer to have played all five Tests in this series. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Atkinson said he is willing to push his limits and compensate for Woakes’ absence should the worst happen for England.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Definitely, I feel fresh, I feel good," he said. "I know I've only got this one game to play, so I can push the limits a bit." &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-india-ends-day-1-at-204-6-after-rain-plays-spoilsport-1753983470795">India scored 204 for six on day one of the Oval Test</a>, with Karun Nair top-scoring (52*).

Attempting to save a boundary at long-off, Woakes’ left hand slipped on the damp outfield, as he landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, later staying down clutching it. 

England’s most capped seamer in the Oval Test, Chris Woakes, is suspected to have dislocated his left shoulder late during day one of the fifth and final Test against India on Thursday (Jul 31). Attempting to save a boundary at long-off, Woakes’ left hand slipped on the damp outfield, as he landed awkwardly on his (left) shoulder, later staying down clutching it. England physio Ben Davies rushed to the spot to check on him, helping him walk off the field soon after. Although Woakes will be kept under observation, reports have begun to emerge that he is unlikely to bowl again in this Test, leaving the hosts a bowler short in this crucial match. "I don't know too much about it, but it doesn't look great," Gus Atkinson, Woakes' teammate, said after the end of day one. "It's a big shame, last game of the series, and when anyone gets injured, it's a shame. I'm hoping it's not too bad, and whatever it is, he'll get full support from everyone." A day marred by rain saw Woakes take the new ball, completing 14 off 64 overs bowled, also picking one wicket of KL Rahul early in the innings. The new-ball seamer troubled the Indian openers upfront, with the overhead conditions and a green top assisting seam and swing on day one. With no Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, Woakes was the most experienced of the pace crop picked for this Test, including Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue.

Attempting to save a boundary at long-off, Woakes’ left hand slipped on the damp outfield, as he landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, later staying down clutching it.&nbsp;

IND vs ENG: Worry mounts for England as Chris Woakes out of Oval Test with shoulder injury - Report

In a boost to India’s squash ambitions, especially with the sport’s debut at the LA 2028 Olympics, leading global conglomerate HCL, in partnership with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), launched HCL India Squash Tour 2025-26. Now expanded to six cities, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour series brings international-calibre competition to Indian soil, offering critical PSA ranking points, enhanced prize purses, and a stronger pathway for homegrown athletes to excel globally.&nbsp;Following the resounding success of the inaugural edition, which saw Indian players significantly improve their PSA rankings, the revamped 2025–26 season features Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Delhi on its circuit, with the latter two cities newly added to the lineup.&nbsp;<ul><li>Record Prize Pool and Enhanced Format</li><li>One PSA Challenger 15K event (Chennai)</li><li>Two PSA Challenger 9K events (Jaipur, Mumbai)</li><li>Three PSA Challenger 6K events (Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad)</li></ul>Importantly, all tournaments will award equal prize money to men and women, with champions taking home USD 15,000, 9,000, or 6,000, depending on the event tier. Each leg will follow a 24-player knockout format, with the top 8 seeds receiving byes into the second round. The Tour is open to PSA-registered players aged 15 and above.&nbsp;With support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, the Tour focused on introducing new players to the PSA circuit with $3,000 purses.&nbsp;Rajat Chandolia, Associate Vice President and Head of Brand, HCL Group, said, “This year, we have stepped up to higher-tier events so that the Indian players can gain meaningful PSA points and face tougher global competition without needing to travel abroad. With squash set to debut at the 2028 Olympics, we are focused on creating a structured pipeline that helps Indian players thrive on the world stage. Our continued partnership with SRFI is aimed at strengthening every aspect of the sport’s ecosystem in India.”&nbsp;Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), said, “We are immensely grateful to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India, and our partner HCL, whose support since 2016 has been instrumental in nurturing Indian squash talent. Their contributions have driven remarkable progress, from elevating global rankings to achieving historic victories. The increased prize money and expanded tournament opportunities this year will further accelerate development, enabling more players to gain exposure, earn PSA points, and prepare for prestigious international events, including the Olympics.”&nbsp;The announcement comes amid an extraordinary phase for Indian squash. In July 2025, Anahat Singh, who began her PSA journey in January 2024 when her ranking was 129, and then rose from there to World No. 54 and clinched a historic bronze at the World Junior Squash Championships. Other standout performances include:<ul><li>Abhay Singh rising from the 200s to a career-best World No. 35</li><li>Ramit Tandon (No. 28), Velavan Senthil Kumar (No. 39), Veer Chotrani (No. 62), and Tanvi Khanna (No. 69) are all climbing the global rankings</li></ul>Since 2016, HCL has supported Indian squash across all levels, introducing structured training programs, coaching and referee development, and grassroots initiatives. With the launch of the HCL Squash Program in 2019, it has become a cornerstone in building a high-performance pipeline for Indian talent, championing the belief in ‘Human Potential. Multiplied by enabling players to rise to their fullest capabilities on and off the court.&nbsp;This impact is also reflected in India’s broader medal tally, which has grown from 11 to 18 medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games during this period. Most recently, India celebrated a hat-trick of gold medals at the 2025 Asian Doubles Squash Championships. Beyond squash, HCL’s sports initiatives span bridge, and cyclothon, reaffirming its commitment to unlocking human potential, both physical and mental - through the power of sport.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-will-india-s-bad-luck-turn-good-in-oval-test-rare-1-32768-probability-predicts-team-can-lose-15th-consecutive-toss-1753856381670">Will India's bad luck turn good in Oval Test? Rare 1/32768 probability predicts team can lose 15th consecutive toss</a><h2>HCL Squash India Tour 2025-26 Schedule:</h2>Jaipur - August 4-8 (Sawai Man Singh Stadium)Mumbai - September 8-12Bengaluru - September 26-31Chennai - December 1-5Ahmedabad - January 27-31, 2026Delhi - February 3-7, 2026&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Now expanded to six cities, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour series brings international-calibre competition to Indian soil, offering critical PSA ranking points, enhanced prize purses, and a stronger pathway for homegrown athletes to excel globally.

In a boost to India’s squash ambitions, especially with the sport’s debut at the LA 2028 Olympics, leading global conglomerate HCL, in partnership with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), launched HCL India Squash Tour 2025-26. Now expanded to six cities, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour series brings international-calibre competition to Indian soil, offering critical PSA ranking points, enhanced prize purses, and a stronger pathway for homegrown athletes to excel globally. Following the resounding success of the inaugural edition, which saw Indian players significantly improve their PSA rankings, the revamped 2025–26 season features Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Delhi on its circuit, with the latter two cities newly added to the lineup. Record Prize Pool and Enhanced Format One PSA Challenger 15K event (Chennai) Two PSA Challenger 9K events (Jaipur, Mumbai) Three PSA Challenger 6K events (Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad) Importantly, all tournaments will award equal prize money to men and women, with champions taking home USD 15,000, 9,000, or 6,000, depending on the event tier. Each leg will follow a 24-player knockout format, with the top 8 seeds receiving byes into the second round. The Tour is open to PSA-registered players aged 15 and above. With support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, the Tour focused on introducing new players to the PSA circuit with $3,000 purses. Rajat Chandolia, Associate Vice President and Head of Brand, HCL Group, said, “This year, we have stepped up to higher-tier events so that the Indian players can gain meaningful PSA points and face tougher global competition without needing to travel abroad. With squash set to debut at the 2028 Olympics, we are focused on creating a structured pipeline that helps Indian players thrive on the world stage. Our continued partnership with SRFI is aimed at strengthening every aspect of the sport’s ecosystem in India.” Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), said, “We are immensely grateful to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India, and our partner HCL, whose support since 2016 has been instrumental in nurturing Indian squash talent. Their contributions have driven remarkable progress, from elevating global rankings to achieving historic victories. The increased prize money and expanded tournament opportunities this year will further accelerate development, enabling more players to gain exposure, earn PSA points, and prepare for prestigious international events, including the Olympics.” The announcement comes amid an extraordinary phase for Indian squash. In July 2025, Anahat Singh, who began her PSA journey in January 2024 when her ranking was 129, and then rose from there to World No. 54 and clinched a historic bronze at the World Junior Squash Championships. Other standout performances include: Abhay Singh rising from the 200s to a career-best World No. 35 Ramit Tandon (No. 28), Velavan Senthil Kumar (No. 39), Veer Chotrani (No. 62), and Tanvi Khanna (No. 69) are all climbing the global rankings Since 2016, HCL has supported Indian squash across all levels, introducing structured training programs, coaching and referee development, and grassroots initiatives. With the launch of the HCL Squash Program in 2019, it has become a cornerstone in building a high-performance pipeline for Indian talent, championing the belief in ‘Human Potential. Multiplied by enabling players to rise to their fullest capabilities on and off the court. This impact is also reflected in India’s broader medal tally, which has grown from 11 to 18 medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games during this period. Most recently, India celebrated a hat-trick of gold medals at the 2025 Asian Doubles Squash Championships. Beyond squash, HCL’s sports initiatives span bridge, and cyclothon, reaffirming its commitment to unlocking human potential, both physical and mental - through the power of sport. ALSO READ | Will India's bad luck turn good in Oval Test? Rare 1/32768 probability predicts team can lose 15th consecutive toss HCL Squash India Tour 2025-26 Schedule: Jaipur - August 4-8 (Sawai Man Singh Stadium) Mumbai - September 8-12 Bengaluru - September 26-31 Chennai - December 1-5 Ahmedabad - January 27-31, 2026 Delhi - February 3-7, 2026 Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Now expanded to six cities, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour series brings international-calibre competition to Indian soil, offering critical PSA ranking points, enhanced prize purses, and a stronger pathway for homegrown athletes to excel globally.

India Squash Tour: Mission Olympic gets major boost as SRFI, HCL unveil expanded global opportunities

India finished at 204/6 on a rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test match on Thursday (July 31). Karun Nair and Washington Sundar were batting on 52 and 19 respectively as 64 overs were possible on the day due to several rain interruptions. India added 119 runs in 35 overs in the extended final session for the loss of three wickets.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, a sudden burst of rain brought an early lunch on day one of the fifth Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy Test at The Oval. At the time of interruption, India were 72/2 after 23 overs, with Sai Sudharsan (25*) and Shubman Gill (15*) steady at the crease.&nbsp;Opting to bowl first on the greenest pitch of the series, England struck early by removing openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sudharsan, however, looked composed, absorbing pressure to compile a patient 25 off 67 balls. Gill was positive from the outset, and during his short stay, he went past Sunil Gavaskar’s 732 runs against the West Indies in 1978/79 to set a new record for most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series. Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson shared the wickets for England, but the hosts were not at their sharpest. Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton struggled with consistency, with the moist landing areas causing occasional issues for the bowlers.&nbsp;Atkinson made the first breakthrough, trapping Jaiswal lbw with a full wobble-seam delivery. A hesitant review from Ollie Pope eventually overturned the on-field call. Rahul and Sudharsan added 28 for the second wicket before Rahul, feeling the squeeze after a few quiet overs post-drinks, tried to cut Woakes but only chopped on for 14.&nbsp;From there, Sudharsan began to unfurl his strokes, driving Tongue down the ground for four. Gill, too, looked assured, rocking back to punch Overton through point and punishing loose deliveries for boundaries. Sudharsan’s straight drive off Woakes was a highlight, but just as the pair looked settled, a heavy downpour swept in, forcing players from the field.

IND vs ENG, 5th Test: India ends day 1 at 204/6 after rain plays spoilsport

India finished at 204/6 on a rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test match on Thursday (July 31). Karun Nair and Washington Sundar were batting on 52 and 19 respectively as 64 overs were possible on the day due to several rain interruptions. India added 119 runs in 35 overs in the extended final session for the loss of three wickets. Earlier in the day, a sudden burst of rain brought an early lunch on day one of the fifth Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy Test at The Oval. At the time of interruption, India were 72/2 after 23 overs, with Sai Sudharsan (25*) and Shubman Gill (15*) steady at the crease. Opting to bowl first on the greenest pitch of the series, England struck early by removing openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sudharsan, however, looked composed, absorbing pressure to compile a patient 25 off 67 balls. Gill was positive from the outset, and during his short stay, he went past Sunil Gavaskar’s 732 runs against the West Indies in 1978/79 to set a new record for most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series. Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson shared the wickets for England, but the hosts were not at their sharpest. Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton struggled with consistency, with the moist landing areas causing occasional issues for the bowlers. Atkinson made the first breakthrough, trapping Jaiswal lbw with a full wobble-seam delivery. A hesitant review from Ollie Pope eventually overturned the on-field call. Rahul and Sudharsan added 28 for the second wicket before Rahul, feeling the squeeze after a few quiet overs post-drinks, tried to cut Woakes but only chopped on for 14. From there, Sudharsan began to unfurl his strokes, driving Tongue down the ground for four. Gill, too, looked assured, rocking back to punch Overton through point and punishing loose deliveries for boundaries. Sudharsan’s straight drive off Woakes was a highlight, but just as the pair looked settled, a heavy downpour swept in, forcing players from the field.

Electing to bowl first on the grassiest pitch of the ongoing five-match series, England removed India openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal early on

Nearly a week after the sudden passing of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, medical officials have confirmed that the 71-year-old icon died from an acute myocardial infarction — more commonly known as a heart attack — on July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida.&nbsp;Hogan, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history, left an indelible mark on the sport. Known for his trademark handlebar mustache, towering charisma, and larger-than-life persona, he helped shape modern sports entertainment and propelled WWE’s global rise in the 1980s and ’90s. According to the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center, Hogan went into cardiac arrest at around 9:51 am. Paramedics attempted to revive him for approximately 30 minutes before transporting him to Northside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp;The medical report also revealed that Hogan had been living with atrial flutter — an irregular heart rhythm — as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a slow-growing cancer of the blood. These underlying conditions were made public only after his passing. The medical examiner ruled his death as natural. Hogan’s family has chosen to have him cremated, though no date has been announced for a public memorial.<h2>Who was Hulk Hogan? Know all about him</h2>Hulk Hogan, one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures, has lived much of his life in the public eye—not just inside the ring, but also through his relationships, family life, and personal transformations. Hogan first married Linda Claridge on December 18, 1983. The couple had two children together—daughter Brooke and son Nick. Their marriage, however, came to an end when Claridge filed for divorce, reportedly after discovering Hogan’s alleged affair.&nbsp;Years later, Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in December 2010. But that relationship, too, ended in divorce, which Hogan confirmed in 2022 via social media. Not long after, Hogan found love again—this time with yoga instructor Sky Daily. The couple began dating and got engaged in July 2023, when Hogan proposed during actor Corin Nemec’s wedding reception. They married on September 22, 2023.&nbsp;Daily, who is 25 years younger than Hogan, has a background in the fitness industry and supports small businesses, as seen through her social media activity. She also has children from a previous relationship. Reflecting on their relationship, Hogan shared, “I asked Sky to marry me, and she was crazy enough to say yes, brother.” Their union also marked a spiritual turning point. In December 2023, Hogan revealed that the couple had been baptized together at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida, calling it “the greatest day of my life” and emphasizing their shared commitment to faith.Sky Daily has frequently posted loving tributes to Hogan. Welcoming the new year in 2024, she shared a photo of the two on Instagram with the caption: “Happy New Year! Can’t wait to do 2024 with the one I adore!”&nbsp;Meanwhile, Hogan’s daughter Brooke, born on May 5, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, has carved her own path. Athletic in her youth, she pursued gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading. Brooke ventured into music, releasing her debut single “Everything to Me” in 2004, and went on to tour with major acts like Hilary Duff and the Backstreet Boys.

Hulk Hogan death: How did WWE legend die—Medical report reveals

Nearly a week after the sudden passing of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, medical officials have confirmed that the 71-year-old icon died from an acute myocardial infarction — more commonly known as a heart attack — on July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history, left an indelible mark on the sport. Known for his trademark handlebar mustache, towering charisma, and larger-than-life persona, he helped shape modern sports entertainment and propelled WWE’s global rise in the 1980s and ’90s. According to the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center, Hogan went into cardiac arrest at around 9:51 am. Paramedics attempted to revive him for approximately 30 minutes before transporting him to Northside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical report also revealed that Hogan had been living with atrial flutter — an irregular heart rhythm — as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a slow-growing cancer of the blood. These underlying conditions were made public only after his passing. The medical examiner ruled his death as natural. Hogan’s family has chosen to have him cremated, though no date has been announced for a public memorial. Who was Hulk Hogan? Know all about him Hulk Hogan, one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures, has lived much of his life in the public eye—not just inside the ring, but also through his relationships, family life, and personal transformations. Hogan first married Linda Claridge on December 18, 1983. The couple had two children together—daughter Brooke and son Nick. Their marriage, however, came to an end when Claridge filed for divorce, reportedly after discovering Hogan’s alleged affair. Years later, Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in December 2010. But that relationship, too, ended in divorce, which Hogan confirmed in 2022 via social media. Not long after, Hogan found love again—this time with yoga instructor Sky Daily. The couple began dating and got engaged in July 2023, when Hogan proposed during actor Corin Nemec’s wedding reception. They married on September 22, 2023. Daily, who is 25 years younger than Hogan, has a background in the fitness industry and supports small businesses, as seen through her social media activity. She also has children from a previous relationship. Reflecting on their relationship, Hogan shared, “I asked Sky to marry me, and she was crazy enough to say yes, brother.” Their union also marked a spiritual turning point. In December 2023, Hogan revealed that the couple had been baptized together at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida, calling it “the greatest day of my life” and emphasizing their shared commitment to faith. Sky Daily has frequently posted loving tributes to Hogan. Welcoming the new year in 2024, she shared a photo of the two on Instagram with the caption: “Happy New Year! Can’t wait to do 2024 with the one I adore!” Meanwhile, Hogan’s daughter Brooke, born on May 5, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, has carved her own path. Athletic in her youth, she pursued gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading. Brooke ventured into music, releasing her debut single “Everything to Me” in 2004, and went on to tour with major acts like Hilary Duff and the Backstreet Boys.

Hogan was the face of the pro wrestling world, helping it dominate mainstream media with plenty of television talk show appearances and starring in Hollywood movies, including the third edition of the ‘Rocky’ franchise

Hindustan Zinc Ltd, in partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), on Thursday (July 31) launched the Zinc Football Girls Academy in Zawar, near Udaipur, Rajasthan — a first-of-its-kind, tech-enabled grassroots football initiative for girls. The AIFF will act as the academy’s strategic and technical partner, providing operational guidelines, technical expertise, best practices, and training support for coaches and scouts.&nbsp;At the heart of the academy is F-Cube Training and Assessment Technology, a unique player development system that uses continuous data tracking, analysis, and monitoring to optimise performance. The fully residential academy boasts world-class facilities and has inducted its first batch of 20 talented girls under the age of 15 from Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, and Jharkhand. Plans are in place to expand to 60 players within 12–18 months. In addition to football training, the programme ensures access to formal education, mentorship, and holistic development.&nbsp;Speaking on the occasion, Kalyan Chaubey, president of AIFF, said, “This partnership will boost girls’ football in Rajasthan and across India. The timing is crucial — AIFF has recorded a 232% rise in women player registrations and the Senior Women’s National Team has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia. We are proud to extend our technical support to this academy.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, WION's sport correspondent Nikhil Mathur spoke to some of the girls on the sidelines. Alia Khan, who plays as a defender was all praise for the facilities. She said, “The facilities here are top class. The coaches here support us a lot.” Another girl, Pratigya Mehra, who is a goalkeeper echoed same sentiments. She said, “We always wanted to go to an academy and practice there. Now that we have been selected, we will give our 100%. We will work hard day and night and our dream is to don the national jersey and make our parents proud.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, India women's football captain Sweety who was also present at the event said, “I am very lucky I got the opportunity to captain the Indian women's football team. I will continue to do well for India and work towards our ultimate aim, which is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.”

Indias first ever tech driven girls football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF

Hindustan Zinc Ltd, in partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), on Thursday (July 31) launched the Zinc Football Girls Academy in Zawar, near Udaipur, Rajasthan — a first-of-its-kind, tech-enabled grassroots football initiative for girls. The AIFF will act as the academy’s strategic and technical partner, providing operational guidelines, technical expertise, best practices, and training support for coaches and scouts. At the heart of the academy is F-Cube Training and Assessment Technology, a unique player development system that uses continuous data tracking, analysis, and monitoring to optimise performance. The fully residential academy boasts world-class facilities and has inducted its first batch of 20 talented girls under the age of 15 from Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, and Jharkhand. Plans are in place to expand to 60 players within 12–18 months. In addition to football training, the programme ensures access to formal education, mentorship, and holistic development. Speaking on the occasion, Kalyan Chaubey, president of AIFF, said, “This partnership will boost girls’ football in Rajasthan and across India. The timing is crucial — AIFF has recorded a 232% rise in women player registrations and the Senior Women’s National Team has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia. We are proud to extend our technical support to this academy.” Meanwhile, WION's sport correspondent Nikhil Mathur spoke to some of the girls on the sidelines. Alia Khan, who plays as a defender was all praise for the facilities. She said, “The facilities here are top class. The coaches here support us a lot.” Another girl, Pratigya Mehra, who is a goalkeeper echoed same sentiments. She said, “We always wanted to go to an academy and practice there. Now that we have been selected, we will give our 100%. We will work hard day and night and our dream is to don the national jersey and make our parents proud.” Meanwhile, India women's football captain Sweety who was also present at the event said, “I am very lucky I got the opportunity to captain the Indian women's football team. I will continue to do well for India and work towards our ultimate aim, which is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.”

The AIFF will lend technical and strategic support to Zinc Football Girls Academy to develop women’s football

India's first ever tech-driven girls football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF

The inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) witnessed fireworks when the captain of South Delhi Superstarz, Ayush Badoni, along with Priyansh Arya, smashed record books with a 286-run partnership against North Delhi Strikers, the highest ever in T20 history. Badoni hammered 19 sixes, breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a T20 innings. Their team, South Delhi Superstarz, posted 308/5, the second-highest T20 team total ever.&nbsp;Now, as season 2 of DPL is about to commence, Badoni is all focused on winning the silverware after narrowly missing it in the first season. Speaking exclusively to WION, the young star opened up about his goals, team dynamics and how DPL acts as a platform for bigger stages like the Indian Premier League (IPL).&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-shubman-gill-breaks-47-year-old-sunil-gavaskars-record-details-inside-1753964640821">IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Shubman Gill breaks Sunil Gavaskar's 46-year-old record. Details inside</a>&nbsp;“I performed well, but I think I could have won more matches for my team,” Badoni said. Yet, throughout the conversation, there was a clear sense of unfinished business, a young captain still thinking of how narrowly they missed out on glory last season. He quickly turned his attention to the road ahead. “We have a very good squad, and we are thinking about how to win trophies,” he said. “And we have prepared for that, you’ll see it," he added.&nbsp;Despite the spotlight often following his individual records, Badoni reflected on the team-first approach. “I never look at personal goals. I just think about how to win for my team,” he said when asked about his mindset for the upcoming season.&nbsp;His form in last year’s DPL helped launch a strong IPL campaign in 2025, where he scored 329 runs in 14 matches, including two fifties, at a strike rate of 148.20. Badoni finished as the highest-scoring Indian batter for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with only Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram scoring more runs than him.&nbsp;Talking about that transition, Badoni said, “DPL is like a mini IPL. I try to give my team as many matches as possible.” The experience, he explained, becomes a foundation. “Of course, I feel confident that I have made runs on a good platform. So that confidence goes to IPL as well.”&nbsp;This time, the mission is simple for Badoni: no records, just lifting the silverware. “We were very satisfied with how the auction went. We managed to pick the players we had our eyes on, which was a big positive. The atmosphere within the team is great, and everyone is focused and motivated. As a unit, our ultimate goal is clear: to lift the trophy.'' Badoni said during a press conference ahead of the second season of DPL.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the second season of DPL is set to commence on Sunday (Aug 2) with the first game to be played between Central Delhi Kings and North Delhi Strikers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Badoni's South Delhi Superstarz will lock horns with defending champions East Delhi Riders on Monday (Aug 3). It will be a rematch of last year's summit clash.

As season 2 of DPL gets underway, Badoni is all focused on winning the silverware after narrowly missing it in the first season.

The inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) witnessed fireworks when the captain of South Delhi Superstarz, Ayush Badoni, along with Priyansh Arya, smashed record books with a 286-run partnership against North Delhi Strikers, the highest ever in T20 history. Badoni hammered 19 sixes, breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for most sixes in a T20 innings. Their team, South Delhi Superstarz, posted 308/5, the second-highest T20 team total ever. Now, as season 2 of DPL is about to commence, Badoni is all focused on winning the silverware after narrowly missing it in the first season. Speaking exclusively to WION, the young star opened up about his goals, team dynamics and how DPL acts as a platform for bigger stages like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Also read | IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Shubman Gill breaks Sunil Gavaskar's 46-year-old record. Details inside “I performed well, but I think I could have won more matches for my team,” Badoni said. Yet, throughout the conversation, there was a clear sense of unfinished business, a young captain still thinking of how narrowly they missed out on glory last season. He quickly turned his attention to the road ahead. “We have a very good squad, and we are thinking about how to win trophies,” he said. “And we have prepared for that, you’ll see it," he added. Despite the spotlight often following his individual records, Badoni reflected on the team-first approach. “I never look at personal goals. I just think about how to win for my team,” he said when asked about his mindset for the upcoming season. His form in last year’s DPL helped launch a strong IPL campaign in 2025, where he scored 329 runs in 14 matches, including two fifties, at a strike rate of 148.20. Badoni finished as the highest-scoring Indian batter for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with only Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram scoring more runs than him. Talking about that transition, Badoni said, “DPL is like a mini IPL. I try to give my team as many matches as possible.” The experience, he explained, becomes a foundation. “Of course, I feel confident that I have made runs on a good platform. So that confidence goes to IPL as well.” This time, the mission is simple for Badoni: no records, just lifting the silverware. “We were very satisfied with how the auction went. We managed to pick the players we had our eyes on, which was a big positive. The atmosphere within the team is great, and everyone is focused and motivated. As a unit, our ultimate goal is clear: to lift the trophy.'' Badoni said during a press conference ahead of the second season of DPL. Meanwhile, the second season of DPL is set to commence on Sunday (Aug 2) with the first game to be played between Central Delhi Kings and North Delhi Strikers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Badoni's South Delhi Superstarz will lock horns with defending champions East Delhi Riders on Monday (Aug 3). It will be a rematch of last year's summit clash.

As season 2 of DPL will start from August 2, Badoni is all focused on winning the silverware after narrowly missing it in the first season

'I never look at personal goals, I just think about how to..': Ayush Badoni

India's Test skipper Shubman Gill is smashing records in his debut series while leading the team. On the opening day of the ongoing Test match being played at the Kia Oval on Thursday (Jul 31), Gill surpassed former India opening Test batter Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 732 runs to become the leading Indian captain to score most runs in a Test series. The lad from Punjab now has 733 runs and at the time of writing this report, he was unbeaten on 15 runs off 23 balls. The 25-year-old now chases Sir Don Bradman's record of 810 runs, the most by any skipper in a Test series.&nbsp;This series has been phenomenal for the Indian captain, as the visitors breached the Edgbaston fortress for the first time under his leadership. He had a phenomenal outing in Birmingham, scoring 430 runs, the highest by any Indian batter in a single Test and the second-highest overall. Gill also holds the record for most runs scored by an Indian skipper in a single Test game.&nbsp;Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/did-the-dukes-ball-change-at-lords-cost-india-third-test-all-you-need-to-know-1753959044417"> Did the Duke's ball change at Lord’s cost India third Test? All you need to know</a>&nbsp;In the same Test, he became the second Indian to score a double century (269) and a century (161) in the same match, following Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved this feat against the West Indies in 1971 at Port of Spain. However, Gill is the first player ever to score a 250 and a 150 in the same Test.&nbsp;Adding another feather to his cap, Gill has the most runs scored by an Indian batter in a Test series against England. He recently eclipsed Indian southpaw batter Yashashvi Jaiswal's tally of 724 runs, who previously held this record. Additionally, he is also the fifth player to score double centuries in both ODIs and Tests, joining the elite list of Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle.<h2>Oval Test: India 72/2 as Rain stops Play</h2>At the time of writing this article, India were reduced to 72/2 when rain interrupted play in the opening session of the Oval Test. After being asked to bat first, the visitors lost both openers early, but Gill along with Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings.

He reached this milestone mark in some style, playing his short-arm jab towards the midwicket region. Gill now chases Sir Don Bradman's record of 810 runs, the most by any skipper in a Test series.

India's Test skipper Shubman Gill is smashing records in his debut series while leading the team. On the opening day of the ongoing Test match being played at the Kia Oval on Thursday (Jul 31), Gill surpassed former India opening Test batter Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 732 runs to become the leading Indian captain to score most runs in a Test series. The lad from Punjab now has 733 runs and at the time of writing this report, he was unbeaten on 15 runs off 23 balls. The 25-year-old now chases Sir Don Bradman's record of 810 runs, the most by any skipper in a Test series. This series has been phenomenal for the Indian captain, as the visitors breached the Edgbaston fortress for the first time under his leadership. He had a phenomenal outing in Birmingham, scoring 430 runs, the highest by any Indian batter in a single Test and the second-highest overall. Gill also holds the record for most runs scored by an Indian skipper in a single Test game. Also read | Did the Duke's ball change at Lord’s cost India third Test? All you need to know In the same Test, he became the second Indian to score a double century (269) and a century (161) in the same match, following Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved this feat against the West Indies in 1971 at Port of Spain. However, Gill is the first player ever to score a 250 and a 150 in the same Test. Adding another feather to his cap, Gill has the most runs scored by an Indian batter in a Test series against England. He recently eclipsed Indian southpaw batter Yashashvi Jaiswal's tally of 724 runs, who previously held this record. Additionally, he is also the fifth player to score double centuries in both ODIs and Tests, joining the elite list of Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle. Oval Test: India 72/2 as Rain stops Play At the time of writing this article, India were reduced to 72/2 when rain interrupted play in the opening session of the Oval Test. After being asked to bat first, the visitors lost both openers early, but Gill along with Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings.

Gill in his debut series as captain has been in remarkable form. India is playing their fifth and final Test match against England and are trailing the five-match series by 1-2

IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Shubman Gill breaks Sunil Gavaskar's  46-year-old record. Details inside

Canadian swimming star Summer McIntosh secured her third gold medal in the ongoing World Aquatics Championships, being held in Singapore on Thursday (July 31), dominating the 200m butterfly but falling agonisingly short of a new world record. The 18-year-old Olympic champion touched in 2:01.99, just 0.18 seconds shy of the 2009 mark of 2:01.81 set by China’s Liu Zige — the second-fastest swim in history. American Regan Smith took silver in 2:04.99, while Australia’s Elizabeth Dekkers claimed bronze in 2:06.12.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chinese prodigy Yu Zidi, just 12 years old, finished fourth with timing of 2:06.43. The victory keeps McIntosh on course to join Michael Phelps as only the second swimmer to win five individual titles at a single world championships. She has already won in the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley.&nbsp;"My coach and I, our big goal was to break that world record and that was what we were training for," McIntosh was quoted saying. "To see that I missed it by that little -- overall really happy with the time and PB (personal best) but I did not reach my goal tonight." &nbsp;McIntosh’s next challenge is the 800m freestyle, where she will face legendary American Katie Ledecky, a four-time Olympic champion and world record holder. McIntosh, however, recently clocked the third-fastest time ever in the event, giving her plenty of confidence.&nbsp;Yu Zidi, meanwhile, continues to amaze. She also reached the final of the 200m individual medley, finishing fourth once again — missing a medal by just 0.06 seconds. A bronze would have made her the youngest world championships medallist since the competition began in 1973.&nbsp;In the men’s events, France’s Leon Marchand added another chapter to his glittering career, winning the 200m individual medley in 1:53.68 — the second-fastest time in history. American Shaine Casas bagged silver (1:54.30) and Hungary’s Hubert Kos took bronze (1:55.34). The victory came just a day after Marchand smashed the world record in the event during the semi-finals, clocking 1:52.69 to obliterate Ryan Lochte’s 2011 record of 1:54.00.&nbsp;Marchand, 23, returned to competition only in May after a post-Olympics break, having won four individual golds at the Paris Games last year. In Singapore, he is targeting only the medley events. "I'm just so happy to be at my highest level right now, competing in front of this pretty cool crowd," the 23-year-old was quoted saying in an interview.

World Aquatics Championships: McIntosh secures third gold, Marchand strikes in 200m individual medley

Canadian swimming star Summer McIntosh secured her third gold medal in the ongoing World Aquatics Championships, being held in Singapore on Thursday (July 31), dominating the 200m butterfly but falling agonisingly short of a new world record. The 18-year-old Olympic champion touched in 2:01.99, just 0.18 seconds shy of the 2009 mark of 2:01.81 set by China’s Liu Zige — the second-fastest swim in history. American Regan Smith took silver in 2:04.99, while Australia’s Elizabeth Dekkers claimed bronze in 2:06.12. Chinese prodigy Yu Zidi, just 12 years old, finished fourth with timing of 2:06.43. The victory keeps McIntosh on course to join Michael Phelps as only the second swimmer to win five individual titles at a single world championships. She has already won in the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley. "My coach and I, our big goal was to break that world record and that was what we were training for," McIntosh was quoted saying. "To see that I missed it by that little -- overall really happy with the time and PB (personal best) but I did not reach my goal tonight." McIntosh’s next challenge is the 800m freestyle, where she will face legendary American Katie Ledecky, a four-time Olympic champion and world record holder. McIntosh, however, recently clocked the third-fastest time ever in the event, giving her plenty of confidence. Yu Zidi, meanwhile, continues to amaze. She also reached the final of the 200m individual medley, finishing fourth once again — missing a medal by just 0.06 seconds. A bronze would have made her the youngest world championships medallist since the competition began in 1973. In the men’s events, France’s Leon Marchand added another chapter to his glittering career, winning the 200m individual medley in 1:53.68 — the second-fastest time in history. American Shaine Casas bagged silver (1:54.30) and Hungary’s Hubert Kos took bronze (1:55.34). The victory came just a day after Marchand smashed the world record in the event during the semi-finals, clocking 1:52.69 to obliterate Ryan Lochte’s 2011 record of 1:54.00. Marchand, 23, returned to competition only in May after a post-Olympics break, having won four individual golds at the Paris Games last year. In Singapore, he is targeting only the medley events. "I'm just so happy to be at my highest level right now, competing in front of this pretty cool crowd," the 23-year-old was quoted saying in an interview.

McIntosh touched the wall in 2min 01.99sec, just failing to beat the world record mark of 2:01.81, set by China's Liu Zige, back in 2009

In the latest development surrounding the cash-rich Indian Premier League, the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has appointed former India bowling coach Bharat Arun as their new bowling coach ahead of the next season. The 62-year-old has joined the LSG after spending four years as the bowling consultant for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he played a key role in their 2024 IPL title win. He was also a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s coaching staff from 2015 to 2017. &nbsp; The franchise (LSG) on Thursday(July 31) announced this news on their social media platform X, stating, “A promising Indian attack, and Bharat Arun guiding them. We can’t wait to get started.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A promising Indian attack, and Bharat Arun guiding them. We can&#39;t wait to get started 🩵 <a href="https://t.co/7Jn0xcheTo">pic.twitter.com/7Jn0xcheTo</a>&mdash; Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LucknowIPL/status/1950828121633984653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a statement, former Indian bowling coach said, &nbsp;“It’s an honour to join the Lucknow Super Giants, a franchise that reflects professionalism, ambition, and vision at every level."&nbsp;“What excites me most is the vision for long-term development. LSG has invested in a young, talented, and dynamic group of Indian fast bowlers — Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Singh — and I see immense potential in each of them. My mission is to help shape them into a cohesive, fearless, and tactically sharp pace unit that can challenge the best batting line-ups in the world,” he added, according to the SportStar.&nbsp;Also Read - IPL 2026: SunRisers Hyderabad name former India quick as new bowling coach&nbsp;Bharat Arun started his coaching journey with the Tamil Nadu state team in domestic cricket. He later became the chief bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy(NCA) in Bengaluru, also guiding India’s Under-19 team to a World Cup win in Australia in 2012.&nbsp;In other news, earlier this month, IPL franchise SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) named former Indian pacer Varun Aaron as their new bowling coach for IPL 2026. He takes over the role from the former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin. The 35-year-old will now join SRH’s coaching team alongside New Zealand legend Daniel Vettori.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) failed to reach the playoffs the past season, finishing seventh on the points table, with six wins from 14  matches.

In the latest development surrounding the cash-rich Indian Premier League, the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has appointed former India bowling coach Bharat Arun as their new bowling coach ahead of the next season. The 62-year-old has joined the LSG after spending four years as the bowling consultant for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he played a key role in their 2024 IPL title win. He was also a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s coaching staff from 2015 to 2017. The franchise (LSG) on Thursday(July 31) announced this news on their social media platform X, stating, “A promising Indian attack, and Bharat Arun guiding them. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) failed to reach the playoffs the past season, finishing seventh on the points table, with six wins from 14 &nbsp;matches.

IPL 2026: Ex-India backroom staff member joins LSG as new bowling coach

The biggest party of the summer is just around the corner, with several A-listers scheduled to appear across the first-ever two-night SummerSlam 2025. The 38th edition of the second grandest WWE Event will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 2 and 3. From WWE Champion John Cena to Roman Reigns, the stacked match card for both nights is ready to hog all the limelight. Before the latest PPV gets underway, let’s look at the top six in-ring superstars to have featured the most times in WWE SummerSlam.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The list was compiled before SummerSlam 2025)<h3>6. Bret Hart (11 Appearances)</h3>&nbsp;Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart appeared 11 times in a SummerSlam event, currently sitting in the sixth spot. Known for his technical prowess and unmatched in-ring skill set, Hart had some of the most famous encounters against his late brother Owen Hart, British Bulldog and The Deadman, The Undertaker.<h3>5. Triple H (13 Appearances)</h3>&nbsp;The cerebral assassin, Triple H, is fifth on the list with 13 appearances at the WWE SummerSlam event over the years. His top-notch rivalry with his best friend and former DX partner Shawn Michaels has been the PLs most memorable moments.<h3>4. Edge (14 Appearances)</h3>&nbsp;The former WWE champion and superstar Edge has made just one more appearance than ‘The Game’, consistently delivering high-voltage performances across two decades. From winning tag championships to being crowned WWE champion, Edge has tasted enormous success in his&nbsp;14 SummerSlam appearances.<h3>3. John Cena (15 Appearances)*</h3>&nbsp;The current WWE Champion and industry icon, John Cena, sits in third place with 15 SummerSlam appearances in his decorated career. The 17-time world champion has had some of his most memorable rivalries unfolding in this PLE, with one against Brock Lesnar a decade ago still turning heads around.<h3>2. The Undertaker (16 Appearances)</h3>&nbsp;The Deadman, the Phenom aka The Undertaker, is second on the list of WWE superstars with the most number of appearances at SummerSlam. His breathtaking 16 appearances reflect his aura and career beyond words, with each of his matches being memorable. His iconic clashes against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge and even Lesnar are talked about to date.<h3>Randy Orton (17 Appearances)*</h3>The Viper, Randy Orton, leads the chart among superstars with the most number of appearances at WWE SummerSlam. The youngest WWE Champion has faced who’s who of the industry, ranging from Cena, Lesnar and Daniel Bryan, in his ongoing marvellous in-ring career.

Before the latest PPV gets underway, let’s look at the top six in-ring superstars to have featured the most times in WWE SummerSlam.

The biggest party of the summer is just around the corner, with several A-listers scheduled to appear across the first-ever two-night SummerSlam 2025. The 38th edition of the second grandest WWE Event will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 2 and 3. From WWE Champion John Cena to Roman Reigns, the stacked match card for both nights is ready to hog all the limelight. Before the latest PPV gets underway, let’s look at the top six in-ring superstars to have featured the most times in WWE SummerSlam. (Disclaimer: The list was compiled before SummerSlam 2025) 6. Bret Hart (11 Appearances) Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart appeared 11 times in a SummerSlam event, currently sitting in the sixth spot. Known for his technical prowess and unmatched in-ring skill set, Hart had some of the most famous encounters against his late brother Owen Hart, British Bulldog and The Deadman, The Undertaker. 5. Triple H (13 Appearances) The cerebral assassin, Triple H, is fifth on the list with 13 appearances at the WWE SummerSlam event over the years. His top-notch rivalry with his best friend and former DX partner Shawn Michaels has been the PLs most memorable moments. 4. Edge (14 Appearances) The former WWE champion and superstar Edge has made just one more appearance than ‘The Game’, consistently delivering high-voltage performances across two decades. From winning tag championships to being crowned WWE champion, Edge has tasted enormous success in his 14 SummerSlam appearances. 3. John Cena (15 Appearances)* The current WWE Champion and industry icon, John Cena, sits in third place with 15 SummerSlam appearances in his decorated career. The 17-time world champion has had some of his most memorable rivalries unfolding in this PLE, with one against Brock Lesnar a decade ago still turning heads around. 2. The Undertaker (16 Appearances) The Deadman, the Phenom aka The Undertaker, is second on the list of WWE superstars with the most number of appearances at SummerSlam. His breathtaking 16 appearances reflect his aura and career beyond words, with each of his matches being memorable. His iconic clashes against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge and even Lesnar are talked about to date. Randy Orton (17 Appearances)* The Viper, Randy Orton, leads the chart among superstars with the most number of appearances at WWE SummerSlam. The youngest WWE Champion has faced who’s who of the industry, ranging from Cena, Lesnar and Daniel Bryan, in his ongoing marvellous in-ring career.

Before the latest PPV gets underway, let’s look at the top six in-ring superstars to have featured the most times in WWE SummerSlam.

WWE: Meet 6 Superstars with most SummerSlam Appearances; Cena makes the cut. Check who tops the list

The Indian cricket team has raised strong concerns over the ball change rules in the recent Lord’s Test, claiming the incident may have cost them the game. India lost the Test match by 22 runs after Siraj’s defensive shot rolled back onto the stumps. The defeat proved costly, leaving India trailing by 1‑2 in the five-match series. According to a report by the Indian Express, a crucial moment turned against them when the umpires replaced their 10-over ball with a 30-over ball because a similar replacement wasn’t available. This aspect turned to favour the hosts, with them scoring runs with ease.&nbsp;“When you ask for a ball change, you aren’t told about the age of the replacement you will be getting. At Lord’s, we weren’t told that the replacement would be 30 to 35 overs old. If we were told, we would have continued with the deformed ball that was used for 10 overs. The ICC needs to intervene. This rule needs to be changed,” an Indian team official was quoted as saying to the Indian Express.&nbsp;Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-rankings-jadeja-regains-top-all-rounder-spot-abhishek-sharma-is-the-new-t20i-batter-1753867172177"> ICC rankings: Jadeja sits atop in Test all-rounder, Abhishek Sharma is top T20I batter</a><h2>The turning point</h2>Before the ball was changed, India was all over England, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell. In just 14 balls, Bumrah removed English skipper Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes, all with deliveries that swung and troubled the English batters. But after 10 overs, the ball lost its shape and failed the standard ring test used by umpires.&nbsp;The umpires then handed India a replacement ball much older than the one they had been using. The change was visible: the original ball swung an average of 1.869 degrees, while the replacement moved just 0.855 degrees in the air, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo.&nbsp;With the older and softer ball, England’s Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse added a crucial 84-run partnership for the eighth wicket, with Smith scoring 51 off 56 balls and Carse making 56 off 83. From 271/7, England went to 355/8, the important runs in England's victory.<h2>Questions Over Ball Selection Process</h2>The controversy has also put the spotlight on how balls are selected in Test matches. Traditionally, the fourth umpire from the host nation brings a box of balls to the dressing room before the match, allowing the visiting team to pick two for use during the game. The match referee, the neutral authority, is not involved in this process.&nbsp;An Indian official alleges that this process is controversial and there should be involvement of the match referee, who is a neutral party in the contest. They also said that balls with a darker shade of red, which swing more, only had one such ball available in the box that was brought to them. The team has reported the matter to the ICC, seeking greater transparency and neutral oversight in the selection of replacement balls.

India’s hopes were shattered with a narrow 22‑run defeat at Lord’s, handing England a 2‑1 lead in the series.

The Indian cricket team has raised strong concerns over the ball change rules in the recent Lord’s Test, claiming the incident may have cost them the game. India lost the Test match by 22 runs after Siraj’s defensive shot rolled back onto the stumps. The defeat proved costly, leaving India trailing by 1‑2 in the five-match series. According to a report by the Indian Express, a crucial moment turned against them when the umpires replaced their 10-over ball with a 30-over ball because a similar replacement wasn’t available. This aspect turned to favour the hosts, with them scoring runs with ease. “When you ask for a ball change, you aren’t told about the age of the replacement you will be getting. At Lord’s, we weren’t told that the replacement would be 30 to 35 overs old. If we were told, we would have continued with the deformed ball that was used for 10 overs. The ICC needs to intervene. This rule needs to be changed,” an Indian team official was quoted as saying to the Indian Express. Also read | ICC rankings: Jadeja sits atop in Test all-rounder, Abhishek Sharma is top T20I batter The turning point Before the ball was changed, India was all over England, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell. In just 14 balls, Bumrah removed English skipper Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes, all with deliveries that swung and troubled the English batters. But after 10 overs, the ball lost its shape and failed the standard ring test used by umpires. The umpires then handed India a replacement ball much older than the one they had been using. The change was visible: the original ball swung an average of 1.869 degrees, while the replacement moved just 0.855 degrees in the air, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo. With the older and softer ball, England’s Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse added a crucial 84-run partnership for the eighth wicket, with Smith scoring 51 off 56 balls and Carse making 56 off 83. From 271/7, England went to 355/8, the important runs in England's victory. Questions Over Ball Selection Process The controversy has also put the spotlight on how balls are selected in Test matches. Traditionally, the fourth umpire from the host nation brings a box of balls to the dressing room before the match, allowing the visiting team to pick two for use during the game. The match referee, the neutral authority, is not involved in this process. An Indian official alleges that this process is controversial and there should be involvement of the match referee, who is a neutral party in the contest. They also said that balls with a darker shade of red, which swing more, only had one such ball available in the box that was brought to them. The team has reported the matter to the ICC, seeking greater transparency and neutral oversight in the selection of replacement balls.

India’s hopes were shattered with a narrow 22‑run defeat at Lord’s, handing England a 2‑1 lead in the series.

Did the Duke's ball change at Lord’s cost India third Test? All you need to know

Wicketkeeping is always an important part of a cricket match. A skilled wicket-keeper can change the course of a match with quick stumpings, sharp run-outs and brilliant catches. Over the years, many outstanding wicket-keepers have left their mark in ODIs, scripted records and historic moments. Let’s have a look at the top five wicketkeepers with the most catches in ODI cricket history.&nbsp;<h2>Top five wicket-keepers with most catches in ODIs</h2><h3>Adam Gilchrist (Australia)</h3>Former Australian wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist, holds the record of most catches by a wicket-keeper in One Day Internationals. During his era, he took 417 catches in 287 ODI matches at an average of 1.679 dismissals per innings. He has 472 total dismissals (catches+stumpings) to his name, including a rare feat of six catches in a single game.&nbsp;<h3>Mark Boucher (South Africa)</h3>Former Proteas player, Mark Boucher, comes second on this elite list with 402 catches in just 295 ODIs at an average of 1.462 dismissals per innings. His sharp reflexes and focus made him a standout wicketkeeper.<h3>Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)</h3>Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara also features on this elite list. He grabbed 383 catches in 404 matches at an average of 1.365 dismissals per innings. He has 482 total dismissals to his name and was famous for his fast reflexes.<h3>MS Dhoni (India)</h3>Former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, comes fourth on this list with 321 catches in 350 ODIs at an average of 1.286. &nbsp;He has 444 total dismissals in his ODI career, including 123 stumpings (most by any wicketkeeper in ODI history).&nbsp;<h3>Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)</h3>Former Bangladeshi wicket-keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim ranks fifth on this elite list with 241 catches in 274 ODI matches. In total, he has 297 dismissals in his ODI career and once took five catches in a single match. His average of 1.151 dismissals per innings highlights his consistency and skill behind the stumps.

From Kumar Sangakkara to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, here's a look at the top five wicket-keepers with most catches in ODIs. This list also includes Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Wicketkeeping is always an important part of a cricket match. A skilled wicket-keeper can change the course of a match with quick stumpings, sharp run-outs and brilliant catches. Over the years, many outstanding wicket-keepers have left their mark in ODIs, scripted records and historic moments. Let’s have a look at the top five wicketkeepers with the most catches in ODI cricket history. Top five wicket-keepers with most catches in ODIs Adam Gilchrist (Australia) Former Australian wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist, holds the record of most catches by a wicket-keeper in One Day Internationals. During his era, he took 417 catches in 287 ODI matches at an average of 1.679 dismissals per innings. He has 472 total dismissals (catches+stumpings) to his name, including a rare feat of six catches in a single game. Mark Boucher (South Africa) Former Proteas player, Mark Boucher, comes second on this elite list with 402 catches in just 295 ODIs at an average of 1.462 dismissals per innings. His sharp reflexes and focus made him a standout wicketkeeper. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara also features on this elite list. He grabbed 383 catches in 404 matches at an average of 1.365 dismissals per innings. He has 482 total dismissals to his name and was famous for his fast reflexes. MS Dhoni (India) Former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, comes fourth on this list with 321 catches in 350 ODIs at an average of 1.286. He has 444 total dismissals in his ODI career, including 123 stumpings (most by any wicketkeeper in ODI history). Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) Former Bangladeshi wicket-keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim ranks fifth on this elite list with 241 catches in 274 ODI matches. In total, he has 297 dismissals in his ODI career and once took five catches in a single match. His average of 1.151 dismissals per innings highlights his consistency and skill behind the stumps.

From Kumar Sangakkara to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, here's a look at the top five wicket-keepers with most catches in ODIs. This list also includes Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Wicket-keepers with most catches in ODIs. Dhoni is fourth. Check who tops list

At the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, the press conference room was buzzing. Neeraj Chopra responded to a flurry of questions from the media, his answers were crisp and confident. But before the next question could be asked, he would turn towards the foreign athletes sitting besides him. With ease, Neeraj began translating what had just been said—switching from Hindi to English without missing a beat. It wasn’t just a translation; it was a bridge between two worlds, built entirely through his own self-taught journey in English. And that journey didn’t start with a private tutor or at any institution. It began with nothing more than curiosity, a phone app, and a determination as unshakable as his javelin arm.&nbsp;Several years back, Neeraj Chopra was part of a panel at an event when a student asked him a question in English. Neeraj smilingly asked him and said, “Hindi aati hain aapko, Hindi mein hi pooch lo aap?” (Do you know Hindi? Please ask the question in Hindi).<h2>Here's the video of Neeraj asking student to speak in Hindi</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">So GREAT to see Our Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra gently &amp; politely promoting Hindi Language 👏👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HindiDiwas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HindiDiwas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#हिंदी_दिवस</a> <a href="https://t.co/sPQMb0AGyE">pic.twitter.com/sPQMb0AGyE</a>&mdash; Rosy (@rose_k01) <a href="https://twitter.com/rose_k01/status/1437655820812972039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the world of sports where the competitors frequently have teams of tutors and interpreters, Neeraj went DIY. No grammar classes, no lessons—just sharp ears, good coaches, and the Duolingo owl on his phone for company. And though the gold medals might be the most dazzling, his own path to learning English is a story of grit, humility, and some laugh-out-loud language gaffes.&nbsp;Recently, Neeraj Chopra opened up—not about training methods or medal wins, but about his relationship with the English language. As it turns out, Neeraj did not get to take advantage of fancy tutors or pricey language lessons. No, instead he learned English from his coaches, his teammates, and—his phone. “I started learning by listening to my coaches speak. Then, I used Duolingo whenever I had time,” he was quoted saying in an interview with Duolingo English Test takers. &nbsp;Neeraj's learning of English wasn't about communication alone—it was about confidence. “At first, I was hesitant. But I kept practicing. That’s all you need—consistency and belief,” he added. &nbsp;Training with foreign coaches introduced Neeraj to a mix of languages, ranging from German to Swedish. He even learned phrases to interact with them better. But not all his efforts were effortless.“I once greeted someone in German with full confidence,” he laughed. “But when they replied fluently, I panicked and switched back to English immediately!” &nbsp;The anecdote left everyone in stitches—and established this: even world champions make mistakes, and that's perfectly fine. Neeraj Chopra's story is a reminder that language should not be an obstacle—it should be a bridge. Whether it's just throwing a javelin 90meters or just speaking your first full English sentence, it all begins with one thing: putting in the effort.<h2>Here's the link to the full video:</h2>

Speaking to students preparing to embark on their journeys abroad, Neeraj shared heartfelt advice. He said, “I come from a small village, and I had a dream to represent my country and play for India. If you have a dream, don’t just keep it as a dream. Work hard for it, and make the people who matter in your life believe in it too. Their support makes everything stronger. It may take time, but if you keep working at it, it will happen.”

Neeraj Chopra once asked a student to ask question in Hindi Years on Olympic champion taught himself to speak English Heres how

At the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, the press conference room was buzzing. Neeraj Chopra responded to a flurry of questions from the media, his answers were crisp and confident. But before the next question could be asked, he would turn towards the foreign athletes sitting besides him. With ease, Neeraj began translating what had just been said—switching from Hindi to English without missing a beat. It wasn’t just a translation; it was a bridge between two worlds, built entirely through his own self-taught journey in English. And that journey didn’t start with a private tutor or at any institution. It began with nothing more than curiosity, a phone app, and a determination as unshakable as his javelin arm. Several years back, Neeraj Chopra was part of a panel at an event when a student asked him a question in English. Neeraj smilingly asked him and said, “Hindi aati hain aapko, Hindi mein hi pooch lo aap?” (Do you know Hindi? Please ask the question in Hindi). Here's the video of Neeraj asking student to speak in Hindi

The two-time Olympic champion recently won the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 event, held in Bengaluru, with a throw of 86.18m

Neeraj Chopra once requested a student to ask question in Hindi. Years on, Olympic champion taught himself to speak English. Here's how

Cricket isn’t just a sport in India; it's connected with the emotions, and heroes live forever in the hearts of fans. One of the most special tributes a cricketer can receive is to have a stadium stand or pavilion named after them. Over the years, several Indian cricket icons have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to the game. Here’s a look at nine such legends who have been honoured at their respective home grounds.<h2>1. Sachin Tendulkar Stand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai</h2>The 'Master Blaster' is celebrated at his home ground, where he played his final international innings in 2013 against the West Indies. Notably, Tendulkar smashed the most centuries in international cricket (100).<h2>2. Virat Kohli Pavilion – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi</h2>India's modern-day hero, Virat Kohli, is honoured with a pavilion at the very same venue where his cricketing journey began. Kohli holds the record for most centuries in the ODI format (51) and counting.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-highest-10th-wicket-partnership-in-tests-can-you-name-the-legendary-duo-1753880784465">What is the highest 10th wicket partnership in Test. Hint - it came in India vs England match</a><h2>3. Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai</h2>Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was the first to score 10,000 Test runs for his country, has a pavilion named after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.<h2>4. VVS Laxman Pavilion – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad</h2>Former India batter VVS Laxman, who played the iconic 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001, one of the greatest Test knocks ever, has a pavilion named after him at his home venue in Hyderabad.<h2>5. Virender Sehwag Gate – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi</h2>Former India opening batter Virender Sehwag, known for his explosive starts and being the first Test triple centurion for India, has a gate named after him at his home ground.<h2>6. MS Dhoni Pavilion – JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi</h2>The MS Dhoni pavilion at the Ranchi stadium reflects the legacy carved in sweat by Dhoni, who led India to three consecutive ICC titles.<h2>7. Rohit Sharma Stand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai</h2>India's ODI skipper Rohit Sharma recently inaugurated his stand at the place where he started playing cricket. From a small-town boy of Borivali to the hero of Wankhede, his legacy in white-ball cricket is unmatched.<h2>8. Sourav Ganguly Stand – Eden Gardens, Kolkata</h2>Sourav Ganguly, who transformed India into a fearless and aggressive side and even led India to the 2003 ODI World Cup final, which India eventually lost, also has a stand named after him at the iconic Eden Gardens.<h2>9. Mohammad Azharuddin Stand – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad</h2>Former India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, who scored hundreds against England in 1984-85 and was a genius on the leg side, has a stand named after him in Hyderabad.&nbsp;

A county where cricket is treated like religion and favourite cricketers as ‘demigods’, there have been few who have been honoured for their immense contribution to Indian cricket with a stand, pavilion or gate named after them.

Cricket isn’t just a sport in India; it's connected with the emotions, and heroes live forever in the hearts of fans. One of the most special tributes a cricketer can receive is to have a stadium stand or pavilion named after them. Over the years, several Indian cricket icons have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to the game. Here’s a look at nine such legends who have been honoured at their respective home grounds. 1. Sachin Tendulkar Stand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai The 'Master Blaster' is celebrated at his home ground, where he played his final international innings in 2013 against the West Indies. Notably, Tendulkar smashed the most centuries in international cricket (100). 2. Virat Kohli Pavilion – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi India's modern-day hero, Virat Kohli, is honoured with a pavilion at the very same venue where his cricketing journey began. Kohli holds the record for most centuries in the ODI format (51) and counting. Also read | What is the highest 10th wicket partnership in Test. Hint - it came in India vs England match 3. Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was the first to score 10,000 Test runs for his country, has a pavilion named after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. 4. VVS Laxman Pavilion – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Former India batter VVS Laxman, who played the iconic 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001, one of the greatest Test knocks ever, has a pavilion named after him at his home venue in Hyderabad. 5. Virender Sehwag Gate – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Former India opening batter Virender Sehwag, known for his explosive starts and being the first Test triple centurion for India, has a gate named after him at his home ground. 6. MS Dhoni Pavilion – JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi The MS Dhoni pavilion at the Ranchi stadium reflects the legacy carved in sweat by Dhoni, who led India to three consecutive ICC titles. 7. Rohit Sharma Stand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai India's ODI skipper Rohit Sharma recently inaugurated his stand at the place where he started playing cricket. From a small-town boy of Borivali to the hero of Wankhede, his legacy in white-ball cricket is unmatched. 8. Sourav Ganguly Stand – Eden Gardens, Kolkata Sourav Ganguly, who transformed India into a fearless and aggressive side and even led India to the 2003 ODI World Cup final, which India eventually lost, also has a stand named after him at the iconic Eden Gardens. 9. Mohammad Azharuddin Stand – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Former India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, who scored hundreds against England in 1984-85 and was a genius on the leg side, has a stand named after him in Hyderabad.

A country where cricket is treated like religion and favourite cricketers as ‘demigods’, there have been few who have been honoured for their immense contribution to Indian cricket with a stand, pavilion or gate named after them.

From Sachin Tendulkar to Rohit Sharma: Nine cricketers honoured with a stadium stand

T20I cricket is all about high scores, explosive shots, nail-biting thrillers and cutthroat competitions. In this format, the tide changes in just a few balls, and a quick hundred affects the course of the game in no time. Over the years, some batters have played jaw-dropping knocks in 20-over cricket. Let’s take a look at some of the fastest hundreds ever scored in men’s T20 internationals.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: This list excludes knocks from Zimbabwe and other ICC associate nations.)<h2>1. Rohit Sharma and David Miller - 35 balls.</h2>The record for the fastest T20I hundred belongs jointly to Rohit Sharma and David Miller. Rohit’s 35-ball ton came against Sri Lanka in Indore in December 2017, finishing with 118 off 43 balls. Miller achieved the feat just two months earlier, hammering an unbeaten 101 off 36 balls against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom.<h2>2. Tim David and Abhishek Sharma - 37 balls</h2>Two of the modern-day hitters share the second spot with Tim David, who recently joined the elusive list. On February 2, 2025, Abhishek Sharma lit up the Wankhede with a 37-ball hundred against England, smashing 13 sixes and 7 fours.&nbsp;&nbsp;On July 26, 2025, at Warner Park, Tim David scored a blistering century (an unbeaten 102 off 37 deliveries) under pressure. Coming in at 87/4, his fireworks turned the match as Australia chased down a mammoth total of 215 with 23 balls to spare.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-highest-10th-wicket-partnership-in-tests-can-you-name-the-legendary-duo-1753880784465">What is the highest 10th wicket partnership in Test. Hint - it came in India vs England match</a><h2>3. Johnson Charles – 39 balls</h2>West Indies opening batter Johnson Charles hammered the South African bowlers on March 26, 2023, at Centurion. He smashed a 39-ball century, scoring 118 off 46 balls with 10 fours and 11 sixes. Despite his heroics, South Africa chased down 259 with seven balls to spare.<h2>4. Sanju Samson – 40 balls</h2>On October 12, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Sanju Samson produced one of the finest innings of his T20I career. Walking in early against Bangladesh, he took charge from the start, reaching his century in just 40 balls. His 111 off 47 balls, packed with 11 fours and 8 sixes, powered India to 297/6.

Over the years, many batters have scored explosive hundreds in T20I internationals. Let's glance at some of them.

T20I cricket is all about high scores, explosive shots, nail-biting thrillers and cutthroat competitions. In this format, the tide changes in just a few balls, and a quick hundred affects the course of the game in no time. Over the years, some batters have played jaw-dropping knocks in 20-over cricket. Let’s take a look at some of the fastest hundreds ever scored in men’s T20 internationals. (Disclaimer: This list excludes knocks from Zimbabwe and other ICC associate nations.) 1. Rohit Sharma and David Miller - 35 balls. The record for the fastest T20I hundred belongs jointly to Rohit Sharma and David Miller. Rohit’s 35-ball ton came against Sri Lanka in Indore in December 2017, finishing with 118 off 43 balls. Miller achieved the feat just two months earlier, hammering an unbeaten 101 off 36 balls against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom. 2. Tim David and Abhishek Sharma - 37 balls Two of the modern-day hitters share the second spot with Tim David, who recently joined the elusive list. On February 2, 2025, Abhishek Sharma lit up the Wankhede with a 37-ball hundred against England, smashing 13 sixes and 7 fours. On July 26, 2025, at Warner Park, Tim David scored a blistering century (an unbeaten 102 off 37 deliveries) under pressure. Coming in at 87/4, his fireworks turned the match as Australia chased down a mammoth total of 215 with 23 balls to spare. Also read | What is the highest 10th wicket partnership in Test. Hint - it came in India vs England match 3. Johnson Charles – 39 balls West Indies opening batter Johnson Charles hammered the South African bowlers on March 26, 2023, at Centurion. He smashed a 39-ball century, scoring 118 off 46 balls with 10 fours and 11 sixes. Despite his heroics, South Africa chased down 259 with seven balls to spare. 4. Sanju Samson – 40 balls On October 12, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Sanju Samson produced one of the finest innings of his T20I career. Walking in early against Bangladesh, he took charge from the start, reaching his century in just 40 balls. His 111 off 47 balls, packed with 11 fours and 8 sixes, powered India to 297/6.

Over the years, many batters have scored explosive hundreds in T20I internationals. Let's glance at some of them.

Fastest T20I hundreds in cricket history – Top explosive knocks

KL Rahul, the Delhi Capitals (DC) superstar, could be on his way to joining the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the next season. In a startling development surrounding the IPL 2026 trade window, Rahul, who joined DC from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) last year for a whopping $1.6m (INR 14 crore), could be seen wearing KKR’s jersey in the 19th edition. After LSG roped him in the IPL 2022 mega auction, making him the captain for the next three years, they released him ahead of the last mega auction, with Delhi acquiring his services. Despite Rahul leading the run-scoring chart for Delhi the past season (539 runs in 13 innings), he could decide on his future sooner.&nbsp;Rahul's move to Delhi almost did wonders, serving multiple purposes. Perhaps upset over the infamous public meltdown from his former franchise team owner (Sanjiv Goenka) following losing an away clash against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024, Rahul was anyway seeking another home in the cash-rich league, which, with the DC transfer, happened. On the other hand, what worked for Delhi was that they had an Indian player as captain, a luxury for any franchise, making this a dream come true for all parties involved.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-ravi-ashwin-warns-india-of-england-exceptional-talent-jacob-bethell-ahead-of-oval-test-1753943856833">Ravi Ashwin warns India of England’s ‘exceptional talent’ ahead of Oval Test, says ‘cricketing world will get to see…’</a> &nbsp;KKR, elsewhere, struggled massively after letting go of their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, just one season after their IPL 2024 triumph, later appointing Ajinkya Rahane as his replacement for the next season. Unsure of their potential captaincy options, KKR chose Rahane, whom they bought in the second round late on day two of the mega auction for INR 1.5 crore. This move, however, turned disastrous for the franchise, as Rahane failed to help them reach the playoffs, let alone help them defend their IPL title.&nbsp; &nbsp;The three-time winners stood eighth on the points table, with just five wins from 14 contested matches. &nbsp;Although rumours of KKR letting go of Rahane ahead of the next season made headlines shortly after their IPL 2025 campaign came to an end, reports of them wanting to have KL Rahul on board have begun doing the rounds. Should this deal materialise during the trade window, KKR will have a marquee Indian player as a captain and wicketkeeper, serving several purposes.&nbsp; &nbsp;Since KKR have two keepers, both internationals (Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz), appointing an experienced Indian gloveman would do wonders. KL, however, didn’t keep wickets for Delhi this season but is used to such duties.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a Times of India (TOI) report suggests that KKR is working on a trade deal to sign Rahul ahead of the next season, luring him into making the franchise captain.&nbsp;

After LSG roped KL Rahul in the IPL 2022 mega auction, making him the captain for the next three years, they released him ahead of the last mega auction, with Delhi acquiring his services.

KL Rahul, the Delhi Capitals (DC) superstar, could be on his way to joining the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the next season. In a startling development surrounding the IPL 2026 trade window, Rahul, who joined DC from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) last year for a whopping $1.6m (INR 14 crore), could be seen wearing KKR’s jersey in the 19th edition. After LSG roped him in the IPL 2022 mega auction, making him the captain for the next three years, they released him ahead of the last mega auction, with Delhi acquiring his services. Despite Rahul leading the run-scoring chart for Delhi the past season (539 runs in 13 innings), he could decide on his future sooner. Rahul's move to Delhi almost did wonders, serving multiple purposes. Perhaps upset over the infamous public meltdown from his former franchise team owner (Sanjiv Goenka) following losing an away clash against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024, Rahul was anyway seeking another home in the cash-rich league, which, with the DC transfer, happened. On the other hand, what worked for Delhi was that they had an Indian player as captain, a luxury for any franchise, making this a dream come true for all parties involved. Also read | Ravi Ashwin warns India of England’s ‘exceptional talent’ ahead of Oval Test, says ‘cricketing world will get to see…’ KKR, elsewhere, struggled massively after letting go of their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, just one season after their IPL 2024 triumph, later appointing Ajinkya Rahane as his replacement for the next season. Unsure of their potential captaincy options, KKR chose Rahane, whom they bought in the second round late on day two of the mega auction for INR 1.5 crore. This move, however, turned disastrous for the franchise, as Rahane failed to help them reach the playoffs, let alone help them defend their IPL title. The three-time winners stood eighth on the points table, with just five wins from 14 contested matches. Although rumours of KKR letting go of Rahane ahead of the next season made headlines shortly after their IPL 2025 campaign came to an end, reports of them wanting to have KL Rahul on board have begun doing the rounds. Should this deal materialise during the trade window, KKR will have a marquee Indian player as a captain and wicketkeeper, serving several purposes. Since KKR have two keepers, both internationals (Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz), appointing an experienced Indian gloveman would do wonders. KL, however, didn’t keep wickets for Delhi this season but is used to such duties. Meanwhile, a Times of India (TOI) report suggests that KKR is working on a trade deal to sign Rahul ahead of the next season, luring him into making the franchise captain.

After LSG roped KL Rahul in the IPL 2022 mega auction, making him the captain for the next three years, they released him ahead of the last mega auction, with Delhi acquiring his services.

KL Rahul to KKR ahead of IPL 2026 could be a possibility - Report

Former ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has warned the touring Indian Team of this ‘exceptional’ English talent ahead of the fifth and final Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at the Kia Oval in London, starting Wednesday (Jul 31). While India will announce their playing XI at the toss, the hosts named theirs a day before, with their captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes sitting out with a shoulder injury. England made several changes, as many as four, including bringing in three seamers and an all-rounder, which Ashwin feels will emerge as a superstar in this series-decider.&nbsp;Jacob Bethell has replaced his team captain Stokes in the XI for the Oval Test, with vice-captain Ollie Pope wearing the skipper’s hat for this game. The rookie left-handed all-rounder has already made a name for himself in world cricket with his star performances in brief outings; however, following his maiden IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this past season, his popularity among the vast Indian audience also grew.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-predicted-playing-xi-for-oval-test-no-bumrah-pant-karun-nair-to-return-kuldeep-uncertain-1753937165745">India’s Predicted Playing XI for Oval Test: No Bumrah, Pant, Karun Nair to return; Kuldeep uncertain</a> &nbsp;As Bethell gets his first game of the series, the English fans and Ashwin seemed excited to follow his rise on the international stage. &nbsp;“The cricketing world will get to see a new superstar in the 5th Test," Ashwin said during a chat on his YouTube channel. “I have no doubt he’ll become one – yes, I’m talking about Jacob Bethell. I truly believe he’s an exceptional talent.” &nbsp;Besides being more than a handy batter at any position, as he is a perfect fusion of aggression and defence, Bethell is a slow left-arm spinner, capable of breaking partnerships and picking wickets. &nbsp;“Brilliant with the bat and handy with his left-arm bowling,” Ashwin said of him.<h2>Injury woes across both camps &nbsp;</h2>Both camps have some injury worries to take care of. While England lost their captain Stokes for this game to a shoulder injury, India will be without their gloveman Rishabh Pant, who is out for nearly two months with a broken toe.&nbsp; &nbsp;For the visiting team, ace quick Jasprit Bumrah is also unlikely to feature in this Test due to niggle and not the workload management, for which he was supposed to sit out in two of the five Tests on this tour. Besides them, India could also make several changes to their XI for the series-decider, dropping all-rounder Shardul Thakur and seamer Anshul Kamboj, replacing them with batter Karun Nair and pacer Prasidh Krishna, respectively. Akash Deep will replace Bumrah, and Dhruv Jurel will come in place of Pant.&nbsp;

England made several changes, as many as four, including bringing in three seamers and an all-rounder, which Ashwin feels will emerge as a superstar in this series-decider.

Former ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has warned the touring Indian Team of this ‘exceptional’ English talent ahead of the fifth and final Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at the Kia Oval in London, starting Wednesday (Jul 31). While India will announce their playing XI at the toss, the hosts named theirs a day before, with their captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes sitting out with a shoulder injury. England made several changes, as many as four, including bringing in three seamers and an all-rounder, which Ashwin feels will emerge as a superstar in this series-decider. Jacob Bethell has replaced his team captain Stokes in the XI for the Oval Test, with vice-captain Ollie Pope wearing the skipper’s hat for this game. The rookie left-handed all-rounder has already made a name for himself in world cricket with his star performances in brief outings; however, following his maiden IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this past season, his popularity among the vast Indian audience also grew. Also read | India’s Predicted Playing XI for Oval Test: No Bumrah, Pant, Karun Nair to return; Kuldeep uncertain As Bethell gets his first game of the series, the English fans and Ashwin seemed excited to follow his rise on the international stage. “The cricketing world will get to see a new superstar in the 5th Test," Ashwin said during a chat on his YouTube channel. “I have no doubt he’ll become one – yes, I’m talking about Jacob Bethell. I truly believe he’s an exceptional talent.” Besides being more than a handy batter at any position, as he is a perfect fusion of aggression and defence, Bethell is a slow left-arm spinner, capable of breaking partnerships and picking wickets. “Brilliant with the bat and handy with his left-arm bowling,” Ashwin said of him. Injury woes across both camps Both camps have some injury worries to take care of. While England lost their captain Stokes for this game to a shoulder injury, India will be without their gloveman Rishabh Pant, who is out for nearly two months with a broken toe. For the visiting team, ace quick Jasprit Bumrah is also unlikely to feature in this Test due to niggle and not the workload management, for which he was supposed to sit out in two of the five Tests on this tour. Besides them, India could also make several changes to their XI for the series-decider, dropping all-rounder Shardul Thakur and seamer Anshul Kamboj, replacing them with batter Karun Nair and pacer Prasidh Krishna, respectively. Akash Deep will replace Bumrah, and Dhruv Jurel will come in place of Pant.

England made several changes, as many as four, including bringing in three seamers and an all-rounder, which Ashwin feels will emerge as a superstar in this series-decider.

Ravi Ashwin warns India of England’s ‘exceptional talent’ ahead of Oval Test, says ‘cricketing world will get to see…’

Manchester United made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament in Chicago on Wednesday (Jul 30). Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim's side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field. United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries, taking the lead after just eight minutes through Hojlund.&nbsp;Dorgu curled in an inviting cross from the left flank, and Denmark international team-mate Hojlund timed his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-luke-shaw-throws-weight-behind-manchester-united-manager-ruben-amorim-s-hard-line-approach-says-need-to-improve-toxic-unhealthy-culture-1753870020498">Luke Shaw throws weight behind Amorim's hard-line approach, says ‘need to improve toxic, unhealthy culture’</a>&nbsp;Dorgu then doubled United's lead in the 25th minute, latching on to a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscling his way into the area and sliding a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic.&nbsp;Diallo bundled in United's third in the 53rd minute before Amorim made nine changes with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Williams needed just two minutes to make an impact, curling a low finish into the bottom corner to put United 4-0 up. The only blemish on United's performance came with an 88th-minute own goal from Matthijs de Ligt.&nbsp;In Wednesday's other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham came from behind to beat former manager David Moyes's Everton 2-1.&nbsp;Idrissa Gueye put Everton 1-0 up after 17 minutes before West Ham recovered to equalise through Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug's 64th-minute strike sealed the Hammers' win.&nbsp;The result was another disappointing pre-season setback for Everton, who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday.&nbsp;"I'm not overly concerned because I don't have the players which I need and what I want," Everton boss Moyes said afterwards. “We knew before we came (to the US) we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning.”&nbsp;"At the moment, we're not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we're not ready to start the Premier League season."&nbsp;The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday, with United facing Everton and West Ham taking on Bournemouth.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Manchester United, which finished 15th on the Premier League points table last season, has won two back-to-back matches in their pre-season tournament. 

Manchester United made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament in Chicago on Wednesday (Jul 30). Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim's side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field. United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries, taking the lead after just eight minutes through Hojlund. Dorgu curled in an inviting cross from the left flank, and Denmark international team-mate Hojlund timed his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Also read | Luke Shaw throws weight behind Amorim's hard-line approach, says ‘need to improve toxic, unhealthy culture’ Dorgu then doubled United's lead in the 25th minute, latching on to a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscling his way into the area and sliding a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic. Diallo bundled in United's third in the 53rd minute before Amorim made nine changes with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Williams needed just two minutes to make an impact, curling a low finish into the bottom corner to put United 4-0 up. The only blemish on United's performance came with an 88th-minute own goal from Matthijs de Ligt. In Wednesday's other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham came from behind to beat former manager David Moyes's Everton 2-1. Idrissa Gueye put Everton 1-0 up after 17 minutes before West Ham recovered to equalise through Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug's 64th-minute strike sealed the Hammers' win. The result was another disappointing pre-season setback for Everton, who were soundly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday. "I'm not overly concerned because I don't have the players which I need and what I want," Everton boss Moyes said afterwards. “We knew before we came (to the US) we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning.” "At the moment, we're not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we're not ready to start the Premier League season." The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday, with United facing Everton and West Ham taking on Bournemouth. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Manchester United, which finished 15th on the Premier League points table last season, has won two back-to-back matches in their pre-season tournament.&nbsp;

Manchester United on roll in Premier League US friendly with win over Bournemouth

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised, Naomi Osaka battled through, and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard called time on her WTA career with a gutsy second-round loss in Montreal on Wednesday (Jul 30). Switzerland's Belinda Bencic sent Bouchard into retirement with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory -- but not before the Canadian thrilled her hometown fans by seizing an early break in the third set. Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023. But Bencic won five of the last six games to vanquish Bouchard, who had announced earlier in July she would retire after a final appearance in her home tournament.&nbsp;"I think it's so special to play my last match here in Montreal on this court in front of you guys," a teary Bouchard said as she was honoured on court after the match. "I remember being a little kid sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day.&nbsp;"I grew up playing on these courts, and courts all around Montreal and near here, so it feels like such a full circle moment to finish my career here."&nbsp;Bouchard, who rose as high as fifth in the world rankings, shot to prominence in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final and made semi-final runs at the Australian and French Opens. But her career was hindered by injuries, including a concussion suffered in a locker room slip at the 2015 US Open and a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2021.<h3>Swiatek sails through</h3>&nbsp;There was no drama for Poland's Swiatek, who breezed past Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in her first match since her crushing victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final.&nbsp;Swiatek, seeded second, broke Guo's serve six times to book her spot in the third round.&nbsp;It was much harder going for Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova.&nbsp;Osaka, now working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after announcing on Monday she had split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, surrendered early breaks in each of the first two sets.&nbsp;Wimbledon quarter-finalist Samsonova served for the match at 5-4 in the second and led 40-15. The Russian fired a forehand long on her first match point, and on her second, a lacklustre drop shot effort gave Osaka an opening, and the Japanese star pounced.&nbsp;Samsonova's double fault on break point allowed Osaka to level the set, and after storming back from 5-2 down in the tiebreaker to force a third set, Osaka took control early, breaking Samsonova twice on the way to a 4-1 lead.&nbsp;"She definitely came out really hard and, for me, I was definitely overwhelmed and I didn't know if I should also be hitting winners," Osaka said. "After a while, I just tried to keep the ball in court."&nbsp;Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and third seed, saved five set points in the opening set on the way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece.&nbsp;Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the sixth seed, opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Laura Siegemund, avenging a third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023.

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek cruised, Naomi Osaka battled through, and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard called time on her WTA career with a gutsy second-round loss in Montreal on Wednesday (Jul 30). Switzerland's Belinda Bencic sent Bouchard into retirement with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory -- but not before the Canadian thrilled her hometown fans by seizing an early break in the third set. Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023. But Bencic won five of the last six games to vanquish Bouchard, who had announced earlier in July she would retire after a final appearance in her home tournament. "I think it's so special to play my last match here in Montreal on this court in front of you guys," a teary Bouchard said as she was honoured on court after the match. "I remember being a little kid sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming that I would play on this court one day. "I grew up playing on these courts, and courts all around Montreal and near here, so it feels like such a full circle moment to finish my career here." Bouchard, who rose as high as fifth in the world rankings, shot to prominence in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final and made semi-final runs at the Australian and French Opens. But her career was hindered by injuries, including a concussion suffered in a locker room slip at the 2015 US Open and a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2021. Swiatek sails through There was no drama for Poland's Swiatek, who breezed past Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu 6-3, 6-1 in her first match since her crushing victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final. Swiatek, seeded second, broke Guo's serve six times to book her spot in the third round. It was much harder going for Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 triumph over Liudmila Samsonova. Osaka, now working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after announcing on Monday she had split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, surrendered early breaks in each of the first two sets. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Samsonova served for the match at 5-4 in the second and led 40-15. The Russian fired a forehand long on her first match point, and on her second, a lacklustre drop shot effort gave Osaka an opening, and the Japanese star pounced. Samsonova's double fault on break point allowed Osaka to level the set, and after storming back from 5-2 down in the tiebreaker to force a third set, Osaka took control early, breaking Samsonova twice on the way to a 4-1 lead. "She definitely came out really hard and, for me, I was definitely overwhelmed and I didn't know if I should also be hitting winners," Osaka said. "After a while, I just tried to keep the ball in court." Jessica Pegula, the two-time defending champion and third seed, saved five set points in the opening set on the way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece. Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the sixth seed, opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Laura Siegemund, avenging a third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Spectators were on their feet, trying to will Bouchard to another victory on the heels of her first-round triumph on Monday -- her first WTA win since 2023.

Wimbledon champion Swiatek cruises, Osaka battles and Bouchard says goodbye in Montreal

India and England are ready for the fifth and final Test of this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy starting Thursday (Jul 31) at the Kia Oval in London. The two teams have played some outstanding cricket over the past month, with the hosts leading (2-1) after four contested matches. Although a miraculous draw in Manchester helped Team India stay alive in this five-match series, it remains to be seen how they fare in the absence of two of their match-winners, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. The visiting camp would make several changes for the series-decider; let’s check out their predicted playing XI for the Oval Test.&nbsp;India could make as many as four changes for the final Test at the Oval. While barring two forced replacements for the injured duo of Pant (broken toe) and Bumrah (niggle), India could also sit out Shardul Thakur, the all-rounder and seamer Anshul Kamboj, who made his Test debut in Manchester. Kamboj had a mediocre run with the new ball in hand, picking just one wicket, and Thakur failed to replicate his past heroics with both and ball; the visiting camp plans to include two outright quicks in their places.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/oval-test-match-preview-how-would-india-fare-in-jasprit-bumrah-rishabh-pant-absence-is-england-better-off-without-ben-stokes-1753934195606">Oval Test, Match Preview: How would India fare in Pant, Bumrah’s absence? Is England better off without Stokes?</a> &nbsp;An Indian Express report has suggested that the leadership looks at including Akash Deep as Bumrah’s replacement, with Prasidh Krishna, and not Arshdeep Singh, likely to play in place of Kamboj. As for Thakur, Karun Nair would replace him on the greener Oval top, strengthening Team India's batting, with no signs of Kuldeep Yadav getting any game time on this UK tour. &nbsp;On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel, who kept wickets in the previous two matches (at Lord’s and Old Trafford) due to separate injuries to Pant across both games, will play at the Oval, finally getting a chance to bat, which wasn’t the case earlier. Moreover, the top four would remain the same, with Nair, Jurel and the two all-rounders (Jadeja and Washington Sundar) comprising the lower-middle-order. &nbsp;Team India’s Predicted Playing XI –&nbsp;&nbsp;Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj

Pant broke his toe while batting during the Manchester Test, while Bumrah will miss the final Test due to niggle and not workload management. 

India and England are ready for the fifth and final Test of this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy starting Thursday (Jul 31) at the Kia Oval in London. The two teams have played some outstanding cricket over the past month, with the hosts leading (2-1) after four contested matches. Although a miraculous draw in Manchester helped Team India stay alive in this five-match series, it remains to be seen how they fare in the absence of two of their match-winners, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. The visiting camp would make several changes for the series-decider; let’s check out their predicted playing XI for the Oval Test. India could make as many as four changes for the final Test at the Oval. While barring two forced replacements for the injured duo of Pant (broken toe) and Bumrah (niggle), India could also sit out Shardul Thakur, the all-rounder and seamer Anshul Kamboj, who made his Test debut in Manchester. Kamboj had a mediocre run with the new ball in hand, picking just one wicket, and Thakur failed to replicate his past heroics with both and ball; the visiting camp plans to include two outright quicks in their places. Also read | Oval Test, Match Preview: How would India fare in Pant, Bumrah’s absence? Is England better off without Stokes? An Indian Express report has suggested that the leadership looks at including Akash Deep as Bumrah’s replacement, with Prasidh Krishna, and not Arshdeep Singh, likely to play in place of Kamboj. As for Thakur, Karun Nair would replace him on the greener Oval top, strengthening Team India's batting, with no signs of Kuldeep Yadav getting any game time on this UK tour. On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel, who kept wickets in the previous two matches (at Lord’s and Old Trafford) due to separate injuries to Pant across both games, will play at the Oval, finally getting a chance to bat, which wasn’t the case earlier. Moreover, the top four would remain the same, with Nair, Jurel and the two all-rounders (Jadeja and Washington Sundar) comprising the lower-middle-order. Team India’s Predicted Playing XI – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj

Pant broke his toe while batting during the Manchester Test, while Bumrah will miss the final Test due to niggle and not workload management.&nbsp;

India’s Predicted Playing XI for Oval Test: No Bumrah, Pant, Karun Nair to return; Kuldeep uncertain

The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England is upon us, with the Kia Oval in London to stage the series-decider starting Thursday (Jul 31). The two teams have given their all in the four contested matches, with the hosts leading 2-1. Although <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-pope-to-lead-england-in-final-test-against-india-check-playing-xi-1753887841495">England will miss their captain and star all-rounder, Ben Stokes</a> (out with a shoulder injury), alongside three bowlers who played in Manchester, India will also be without their ace quick, Jasprit Bumrah, and gloveman, Rishabh Pant, for this crucial match, with several more changes expected. Here is the match preview of the fifth IND-ENG Test at the Oval.<h2>Match Preview</h2>The visiting Indian Team has been in the news lately over its coach Gautam Gambhir’s ugly confrontation with the Surrey curator just days ahead of the final Test. Although it continues to linger on, with Indian captain Shubman Gill also sharing his thoughts on the same in the pre-game presser on Wednesday (Jul 30), the five days of cricket that are to follow will hog all the limelight. &nbsp;Bumrah is most likely to miss the final Test (with niggle and not for his workload management), with India likely bringing in seamer Akash Deep in his place. That, however, might not be the only change. Several reports have suggested that India might bring back Karun Nair for all-rounder Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna for Anshul Kamboj, with no signs of Arshdeep Singh making his Test debut. &nbsp;Kuldeep Yadav, who also didn’t get a game in the series, could remain on the bench for the series decider.&nbsp; &nbsp;Moreover, Rishabh Pant’s absence will hurt India the most, considering his ability to change the course of the game in a couple of overs.&nbsp; &nbsp;England, on the other hand, has already announced their playing XI for the Oval Test, with their captain, Ben Stokes, ruled out with a torn shoulder muscle. Not only that, but the hosts will also be without Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and all-rounder Liam Dawson, with Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton back in the playing XI.&nbsp; &nbsp;Unlike India, where Gill remains the captain, England will have vice-captain Ollie Pope wearing the captain’s hat for this match, with rookie all-rounder Jacob Bethell also returning to the side, replacing Stokes. &nbsp;Although both teams will miss their star players in this match, it remains to be seen if England could be better off without Stokes or not.&nbsp;<h3>Predicted/Playing XIs – &nbsp;</h3>Team India’s Predicted Playing XI – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj&nbsp;England’s Playing XI – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue

Here is the match preview of the fifth and final Test of this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at the Oval. 

The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England is upon us, with the Kia Oval in London to stage the series-decider starting Thursday (Jul 31). The two teams have given their all in the four contested matches, with the hosts leading 2-1. Although England will miss their captain and star all-rounder, Ben Stokes (out with a shoulder injury), alongside three bowlers who played in Manchester, India will also be without their ace quick, Jasprit Bumrah, and gloveman, Rishabh Pant, for this crucial match, with several more changes expected. Here is the match preview of the fifth IND-ENG Test at the Oval. Match Preview The visiting Indian Team has been in the news lately over its coach Gautam Gambhir’s ugly confrontation with the Surrey curator just days ahead of the final Test. Although it continues to linger on, with Indian captain Shubman Gill also sharing his thoughts on the same in the pre-game presser on Wednesday (Jul 30), the five days of cricket that are to follow will hog all the limelight. Bumrah is most likely to miss the final Test (with niggle and not for his workload management), with India likely bringing in seamer Akash Deep in his place. That, however, might not be the only change. Several reports have suggested that India might bring back Karun Nair for all-rounder Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna for Anshul Kamboj, with no signs of Arshdeep Singh making his Test debut. Kuldeep Yadav, who also didn’t get a game in the series, could remain on the bench for the series decider. Moreover, Rishabh Pant’s absence will hurt India the most, considering his ability to change the course of the game in a couple of overs. England, on the other hand, has already announced their playing XI for the Oval Test, with their captain, Ben Stokes, ruled out with a torn shoulder muscle. Not only that, but the hosts will also be without Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and all-rounder Liam Dawson, with Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton back in the playing XI. Unlike India, where Gill remains the captain, England will have vice-captain Ollie Pope wearing the captain’s hat for this match, with rookie all-rounder Jacob Bethell also returning to the side, replacing Stokes. Although both teams will miss their star players in this match, it remains to be seen if England could be better off without Stokes or not. Predicted/Playing XIs – Team India’s Predicted Playing XI – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj England’s Playing XI – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue

Here is the match preview of the fifth and final Test of this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at the Oval.&nbsp;

Oval Test, Match Preview: How would India fare in Pant, Bumrah’s absence? Is England better off without Stokes?

Ayush Mhatre is set to lead the Indian Under-19 team on its multi-format tour of Australia, which starts on September 21, as the Junior Selection Committee has picked India U19's squad for the upcoming tour of Australia in September. India U19 will feature in three one-day matches and two multi-day fixtures against the U19 team of Australia. Vihaan Malhotra has been appointed his deputy. &nbsp;India U-19 has recently played a five-match ODI series and a two-match Test series with England. The ODI series was won by India 3-2, and the Test series was drawn. Ayush Mhatre of Mumbai, who had an impressive Indian Premier League debut season with five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this season, captained the team in both formats. &nbsp;Though he was able to score only 28 runs in five innings in the ODI phase with a top score of 21, he just hammered bowlers here and there in the Test phase of the tour, leading the red-ball run charts with 340 runs in four innings at 85.00 average and a strike rate of more than 103, including two hundreds and a fifty. &nbsp;Earlier in the first Test, he had scored 102 and 32. The matches were both drawn, India having just settled for a draw in the second Test, trailing at 290/6 while chasing 355 runs. Mhatre hammered 126 in 80 deliveries in the second Test while pursuing, with 13 fours and six sixes. His century off 64 balls is the third-quickest in U19 Test cricket after Moeen Ali (56 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (58 balls). He scored 80 runs in the first innings. &nbsp;In the Test leg, pacer Aditya Rawat led India's bowling with six wickets at 24.00 and best of 4/80. Other leading performers in the Test leg were batter Vihaan Malhotra with 277 runs in four innings at 69.25, with a century (123 in the second Test) and two half-centuries. He also claimed three wickets. In the closely-fought ODI leg, it was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi who topped the batting table, amassing 355 runs off five innings at an average of 71.00, with a strike rate of over 174, and a century and half-century each. Vihaan's 243 runs from five matches at an average of 48.6,0 including a century, were another Indian highlight. &nbsp;Among bowlers in the ODIs, up-and-coming spinner Kanishk Chouhan was the show-stealer, finishing joint-top wicket-taker with eight wickets in five games at 21.12 runs per game, with the best bowling of 3/20. &nbsp;India U19 squad: Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vihaan Malhotra (vice-captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Harvansh Singh (wicketkeeper), R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan. Standby players: Yudhajit Guha, Laxman, B.K. Kishore, Alankrith Rapole, and Arnav Bugga.

IND vs AUS U19: Ayush Mhatre set to lead India as BCCI announces squad for tour

Ayush Mhatre is set to lead the Indian Under-19 team on its multi-format tour of Australia, which starts on September 21, as the Junior Selection Committee has picked India U19's squad for the upcoming tour of Australia in September. India U19 will feature in three one-day matches and two multi-day fixtures against the U19 team of Australia. Vihaan Malhotra has been appointed his deputy. India U-19 has recently played a five-match ODI series and a two-match Test series with England. The ODI series was won by India 3-2, and the Test series was drawn. Ayush Mhatre of Mumbai, who had an impressive Indian Premier League debut season with five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this season, captained the team in both formats. Though he was able to score only 28 runs in five innings in the ODI phase with a top score of 21, he just hammered bowlers here and there in the Test phase of the tour, leading the red-ball run charts with 340 runs in four innings at 85.00 average and a strike rate of more than 103, including two hundreds and a fifty. Earlier in the first Test, he had scored 102 and 32. The matches were both drawn, India having just settled for a draw in the second Test, trailing at 290/6 while chasing 355 runs. Mhatre hammered 126 in 80 deliveries in the second Test while pursuing, with 13 fours and six sixes. His century off 64 balls is the third-quickest in U19 Test cricket after Moeen Ali (56 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (58 balls). He scored 80 runs in the first innings. In the Test leg, pacer Aditya Rawat led India's bowling with six wickets at 24.00 and best of 4/80. Other leading performers in the Test leg were batter Vihaan Malhotra with 277 runs in four innings at 69.25, with a century (123 in the second Test) and two half-centuries. He also claimed three wickets. In the closely-fought ODI leg, it was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi who topped the batting table, amassing 355 runs off five innings at an average of 71.00, with a strike rate of over 174, and a century and half-century each. Vihaan's 243 runs from five matches at an average of 48.6,0 including a century, were another Indian highlight. Among bowlers in the ODIs, up-and-coming spinner Kanishk Chouhan was the show-stealer, finishing joint-top wicket-taker with eight wickets in five games at 21.12 runs per game, with the best bowling of 3/20. India U19 squad: Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vihaan Malhotra (vice-captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Harvansh Singh (wicketkeeper), R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan. Standby players: Yudhajit Guha, Laxman, B.K. Kishore, Alankrith Rapole, and Arnav Bugga.

The India U19 team will play three one-day games and two multi-day matches against Australia's U19 side. Vihaan Malhotra has been named as the vice-captain

Matt Henry bowled New Zealand into a dominant position on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday. Fast bowler Henry took six for 39 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 after winning the toss and deciding to bat.&nbsp;New Zealand were 92 for no wicket at the close, with Devon Conway and Will Young unbeaten on 51 and 41 respectively. Henry, who was voted best player of a Twenty20 tri-series tournament which ended on Saturday, did not take long to adjust to red ball cricket in New Zealand's first Test since December last year.&nbsp;Henry dismissed both Zimbabwe opening batsmen, Brian Bennett (6) and Ben Curran (13) inside the first seven overs. He took two more wickets in an over interrupted by the lunch break, then came back to finish off the innings with his final two victims shortly after tea. Seamer Nathan Smith took three for 20 in 14 tight overs.&nbsp;Captain Craig Ervine, who took 23 balls to score his first run, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 39, eked out over 116 deliveries. Ervine and Nick Welch (27) put on 36 for the fourth wicket after Zimbabwe were reeling at 31 for three. But Henry returned for the last over before lunch to have Welch caught at second slip. Three balls later, after lunch, he had the experienced Sikandar Raza caught behind for two.&nbsp;Ervine and wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga (30) added 54 for the sixth wicket to lift Zimbabwe from 69 for five. Smith trapped both batsmen leg before wicket shortly before tea and Zimbabwe's resistance crumbled. In reply Conway and Young batted through to the close of play, scoring steadily after a cautious start.&nbsp;Zimbabwe opening bowler Blessing Muzarabani had an opening spell of eight overs but was unable to make a breakthrough. Conway reached his fifty in the penultimate over of the day, his first Test half-century since he made 76 against India in Pune last October. Seven innings since then had yielded a highest score of 22. Zimbabwe have played eight Tests since New Zealand last played a Test but have lost six, drawn one and had a single victory, against Bangladesh in Sylhet in April.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Matt Henry puts New Zealand in control of first Test against Zimbabwe

Matt Henry bowled New Zealand into a dominant position on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday. Fast bowler Henry took six for 39 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 after winning the toss and deciding to bat. New Zealand were 92 for no wicket at the close, with Devon Conway and Will Young unbeaten on 51 and 41 respectively. Henry, who was voted best player of a Twenty20 tri-series tournament which ended on Saturday, did not take long to adjust to red ball cricket in New Zealand's first Test since December last year. Henry dismissed both Zimbabwe opening batsmen, Brian Bennett (6) and Ben Curran (13) inside the first seven overs. He took two more wickets in an over interrupted by the lunch break, then came back to finish off the innings with his final two victims shortly after tea. Seamer Nathan Smith took three for 20 in 14 tight overs. Captain Craig Ervine, who took 23 balls to score his first run, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 39, eked out over 116 deliveries. Ervine and Nick Welch (27) put on 36 for the fourth wicket after Zimbabwe were reeling at 31 for three. But Henry returned for the last over before lunch to have Welch caught at second slip. Three balls later, after lunch, he had the experienced Sikandar Raza caught behind for two. Ervine and wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga (30) added 54 for the sixth wicket to lift Zimbabwe from 69 for five. Smith trapped both batsmen leg before wicket shortly before tea and Zimbabwe's resistance crumbled. In reply Conway and Young batted through to the close of play, scoring steadily after a cautious start. Zimbabwe opening bowler Blessing Muzarabani had an opening spell of eight overs but was unable to make a breakthrough. Conway reached his fifty in the penultimate over of the day, his first Test half-century since he made 76 against India in Pune last October. Seven innings since then had yielded a highest score of 22. Zimbabwe have played eight Tests since New Zealand last played a Test but have lost six, drawn one and had a single victory, against Bangladesh in Sylhet in April. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

New Zealand were 92 for no wicket at the close, with Devon Conway and Will Young unbeaten on 51 and 41 respectively

With India preparing for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, there has been a pitch access controversy taking centre stage at The Oval. India skipper Shubman Gill has now spoken on the issue between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. &nbsp;While India practiced on Tuesday, Gambhir had a heated confrontation with Lee over the practice facilities. Stepping aside, the Indian head coach gestured wildly, pointing a finger and mouthing a couple of words. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was then spotted intervening, leading Lee aside and talking briefly to him. &nbsp;Whereas Kotak seemed to defuse the tension in explaining their position, Gambhir, standing close to the nets, wagged his finger at Lee and angrily declared, “You don't tell us what to do.” India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate joined Kotak in his exchange with Lee, as Gambhir kept on making his point from the other side. Lee uttered a few words to Gambhir before finally walking out of the scene. &nbsp;Lee was asked regarding the whole affair, but he preferred not to open up before the reporters and said, “It's not my job to be happy with him. I don't know, you have to ask him.” Kotak, and a couple of Indian management members, were observed attempting to clarify the situation to an English official. Kotak did most of the talking during that time. Addressing the pre-final Test press conference, Gill said, "I don't know what exactly happened yesterday and why the pitch curator did what he did. We have played four matches, and no one tried to stop us. Everyone has played so much cricket, and the coaches and the captain have gone and seen the wicket so many times. I don't know what the fuss was all about." He went on to clarify that it is not unusual for captains and coaches to walk over the pitch up close, a standard step in preparation, provided that the individual is barefoot or has rubber spikes on. "If a pitch curator is going to come and ask us to not look at the wicket and look at the wicket from three metres from behind, that is not something that has happened to us before. We have been playing cricket for such a long time and as long as you are under rubber spikes or you are barefoot, you are allowed to look at the wicket from close quarters, and that is the job of the coach and the captain. So I don't know why the curator didn't let us or didn't allow us to do that. It is not the first time that we were having a look at the wicket," he added. "We have been here for almost, I think, two months and like I said, a coach has every right to be able to go close quarters and have a look at the wicket and I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. I actually don't know why the curator would not allow us to go have a look at the wicket," the India captain signed off.

IND vs ENG 5th Test A coach has every right to look at wicket from close quarters says Gill on Gambhir Fortis argument

With India preparing for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, there has been a pitch access controversy taking centre stage at The Oval. India skipper Shubman Gill has now spoken on the issue between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. While India practiced on Tuesday, Gambhir had a heated confrontation with Lee over the practice facilities. Stepping aside, the Indian head coach gestured wildly, pointing a finger and mouthing a couple of words. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was then spotted intervening, leading Lee aside and talking briefly to him. Whereas Kotak seemed to defuse the tension in explaining their position, Gambhir, standing close to the nets, wagged his finger at Lee and angrily declared, “You don't tell us what to do.” India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate joined Kotak in his exchange with Lee, as Gambhir kept on making his point from the other side. Lee uttered a few words to Gambhir before finally walking out of the scene. Lee was asked regarding the whole affair, but he preferred not to open up before the reporters and said, “It's not my job to be happy with him. I don't know, you have to ask him.” Kotak, and a couple of Indian management members, were observed attempting to clarify the situation to an English official. Kotak did most of the talking during that time. Addressing the pre-final Test press conference, Gill said, "I don't know what exactly happened yesterday and why the pitch curator did what he did. We have played four matches, and no one tried to stop us. Everyone has played so much cricket, and the coaches and the captain have gone and seen the wicket so many times. I don't know what the fuss was all about." He went on to clarify that it is not unusual for captains and coaches to walk over the pitch up close, a standard step in preparation, provided that the individual is barefoot or has rubber spikes on. "If a pitch curator is going to come and ask us to not look at the wicket and look at the wicket from three metres from behind, that is not something that has happened to us before. We have been playing cricket for such a long time and as long as you are under rubber spikes or you are barefoot, you are allowed to look at the wicket from close quarters, and that is the job of the coach and the captain. So I don't know why the curator didn't let us or didn't allow us to do that. It is not the first time that we were having a look at the wicket," he added. "We have been here for almost, I think, two months and like I said, a coach has every right to be able to go close quarters and have a look at the wicket and I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. I actually don't know why the curator would not allow us to go have a look at the wicket," the India captain signed off.

India, trailing 1-2 in the series, stayed alive as the fourth Test ended in a draw. The visitors will look to conjure up a win to finish the five Tests series on 2-2

IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'A coach has every right to look at wicket from close quarters', says Gill on Gambhir-Fortis argument

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'A coach has every right to look at wicket from close quarters', says Gill