Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has declared Mohammed Siraj as the best Indian bowler currently, surpassing even Jasprit Bumrah. Akram praised Siraj’s fiery performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, where he bowled 185.3 overs across five Tests, took 23 wickets, and claimed two five-wicket hauls. On the final day of the fifth Test, Siraj’s relentless pace helped India clinch a dramatic six-run win by dismantling England’s lower order. Akram, rarely a viewer outside work, said he was “glued” to Siraj’s spell, calling it full of “hunger and passion.” He emphasized Siraj’s leadership, stamina, and mental strength, stating that Test cricket is “alive and kicking” because of such performances. (PC: India TV News)

India entered Day 5 of the fifth Test at The Oval under pressure—not only to secure a narrow win but also due to a warning from ICC match referee Jeff Crowe: if their over-rate wasn’t improved, they risked losing four World Test Championship (WTC) points for being six overs behind the required pace . Rather than altering strategy to avoid the penalty, coach Gautam Gambhir encouraged the team to go all out for victory . Pacers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj responded, taking the remaining four England wickets in under an hour—India won by just six runs and avoided any points deduction. (PC: NDTV)  

Divya Deshmukh, who triumphed over veteran Koneru Humpy to claim the FIDE Women’s World Cup title and the Grandmaster title—becoming India’s 88th GM—has set her sights even higher. Speaking to Dainik Jagran, the 19‑year‑old said, “If I get a chance to play, I have to play with world number one chess player Magnus Carlsen. He has been a world champion and I will learn a lot.” Reflecting on her victory, she noted that while everyone was tense, she focused on herself throughout the final. Her win also secures her a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. (PC: Hindustan Times)

India’s javelin ace Annu Rani delivered a stellar performance at the 8th International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Szczecin, Poland, clinching gold with a season-best throw of 62.59 m on her second attempt, following a strong opener of 60.96 m and capped with another 60 m-plus throw (60.07 m) . Her winning effort places her among the top 15 women’s javelin throwers globally this season . Turkey’s Eda Tugsuz took silver (58.36 m) and Australia’s Lianna Davidson earned bronze (58.24 m) . Rani now eyes the 64 m qualification mark for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. (PC: Sportstar)

Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals’ most-capped player and current captain, has reportedly requested a release from the franchise due to serious differences with the management, according to Cricbuzz. The Kerala batter has played 149 IPL matches for RR, scoring 4027 runs and captaining the team in 67 games. Though RR retained him for ₹18 crore in 2025, close sources claim Samson’s relationship with the franchise has deteriorated. While RR denies plans to trade him, insiders suggest the standoff is significant. Samson’s exit could shake up the IPL landscape ahead of the next season’s auction. (PC: X)

During a Durand Cup match, East Bengal fans staged a poignant protest against the branding of Bengali as a “Bangladeshi language.” A poster reading, “Yesterday, we were hanged fighting for India’s freedom. Today, for speaking our mother’s tongue, we become Bangladeshi?” drew widespread attention. The protest follows West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s sharp criticism of Delhi Police, who, in an official letter, referred to Bengali as the “Bangladeshi national language” in a Foreigners Act case. Banerjee called the statement “anti-national and unconstitutional.” The incident has reignited cultural and linguistic tensions, with fans demanding respect for Bengali identity and heritage. (PC: X)

“I am back,” declared Asian Games champion Annu Rani after throwing a season-best 62.59m to win the women's javelin title at the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial 2025 in Poland. The Indian star logged three 60m+ throws, with the winning effort her best since her 62.92m gold at Asian Games 2023. The 32-year-old now boosts her chances for World Championships qualification, where the entry mark stands at 64.00m. Türkiye’s Eda Tugsuz (58.36m) and Australia’s Lianna Davidson (58.24m) followed. Other Indians like Pooja (800m bronze), Jisna Mathew, Amoj Jacob, and Rajesh Ramesh also competed in Szczecin’s Continental Tour Bronze event.

Sachin Tendulkar has strongly backed Jasprit Bumrah, dismissing criticism that India loses when the star pacer plays. Speaking on Reddit, Tendulkar called the claim “just a coincidence,” pointing to Bumrah’s two five-wicket hauls in the England Test series. Bumrah played 3 of 5 matches in the 2-2 series draw, claiming 14 wickets. India won the two matches he was rested for, triggering debate about his impact. Tendulkar praised Bumrah’s consistency across formats, saying, “The quality of Bumrah is exceptional… I would put him right at the top.” Bumrah is currently the ICC’s top-ranked Test bowler. (PC: BCCI)

Mohammed Siraj’s relentless performance in the England Test series has prompted Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar to push for stricter workload management rules. The BCCI is reportedly upset over Jasprit Bumrah missing two Tests under workload protocols. A directive will soon be issued to centrally contracted players, discouraging selective participation. Sunil Gavaskar, citing Siraj’s 185.3-over, 23-wicket effort, called workload excuses “mental, not physical.” He said, “You represent 140 crore people. Siraj debunked the workload myth.” The BCCI is also reviewing its Sports Science team's recommendations, especially after Bumrah’s IPL return raised concerns over match availability. (PC: BCCI)

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and star all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja delivered memorable dressing‑room moments after India levelled the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy 2‑2 against England . Gambhir’s empowering speech reminded players that while personnel may change, the team’s culture should endure—a culture he believes can help India **“dominate Test cricket for a very long period”** . Jadeja, in a heartwarming gesture, presented the series Impact Player award to Washington Sundar, calling him with a proud smile, **“Washy, idhar aa ja bete”** . These moments encapsulated the unity and depth of India’s rising Test side. (PC: BCCI)