During the Lord’s Test, India received a replacement ball 30–35 overs old after just 10 overs, violating ICC protocol. The original Dukes ball had lost shape, but no suitable replacement was available. Indian officials claim this change shifted momentum, as Jasprit Bumrah had taken three wickets before the swap. The older ball lacked swing, allowing England’s lower order to recover and post 355, leading to India’s 22-run defeat. Officials also allege England received preferential ball selection and demand ICC rule changes for transparency. The incident has sparked controversy over fairness and match integrity, with calls for reform in ball replacement procedures and oversight. (PC: BCCI)

India Champions have refused to play against Pakistan in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 in Birmingham, citing national sentiment following the Pahalgam terror attack. Senior players including Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina voiced their unwillingness to engage in any bilateral cricket with Pakistan. A similar boycott occurred during the group stage. Organisers had earlier apologised for scheduling the match. India secured the semi-final spot after defeating West Indies Champions on Tuesday, despite three prior losses. Pakistan, led by Mohammad Hafeez, topped the league table with four wins. (PC: X)

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Manchester Test. England, leading the series 2-1, announced four changes to their playing XI. Alongside Stokes, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, and Brydon Carse are also out. Ollie Pope will lead the team in Stokes’ absence. Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue have been named as replacements. Bethell will bat at No.6 and serve as the main spinner. Stokes has been England’s top performer with 304 runs and 17 wickets in the series. The match begins July 31. (PC: BBC & BCCI)

A major controversy erupted ahead of the fifth Test at The Oval as India head coach Gautam Gambhir clashed with chief curator Lee Fortis, who restricted Indian players from approaching the pitch. Gambhir responded sharply, questioning Fortis’ authority. Tensions escalated further when a viral 2023 photo surfaced showing Fortis standing on the pitch with England’s coach, exposing alleged double standards in treatment. Ex-cricketer Irfan Pathan criticized the apparent bias, calling it colonial in tone. India’s coaching staff played down the incident, but the issue sparked widespread debate online and in cricketing circles. (PC: NDTV)

19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh will be felicitated by the Maharashtra government after making history by winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. In a gripping all-Indian final in Georgia, she defeated Koneru Humpy and clinched her Grandmaster title, becoming India’s 88th GM and only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the feat. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised her as a symbol of Maharashtra’s sporting spirit. Deshmukh credited her success to intense focus and inspiration from sports films, marking a defining moment for Indian women’s chess on the global stage. (PC: The Hindu)

In the dramatic final session of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, former England captain Alastair Cook defended India’s decision to play on despite Ben Stokes’ offer for a pre-agreed draw. Cook emphasized that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s near centuries deserved to be honored, and would be remembered more than Harry Brook’s 37 kmph “joke deliveries.” Critics accused India of chasing personal milestones, but Cook argued it was England's tactic that disrespected the game. The Test ended in a draw, keeping the five-match series alive at 2-1 ahead of the Oval decider. 

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with Oval curator Lee Fortis during a training session ahead of the deciding fifth Test against England. The dispute arose when Fortis asked the team to stand 2.5 metres from the wicket and reprimanded staff for wheel­ing an ice box onto the square | “It’s a pitch, not an antique,” batting coach Sitanshu Kotak retorted . Gambhir was seen telling Fortis, “You’re just a groundsman… you don’t tell us what to do” . Kotak confirmed India will not file any formal complaint . Fortis later downplayed the incident, calling Gambhir “touchy” but insisting there was “nothing to hide”.

  Divya Deshmukh (19), a rising chess star from Nagpur, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. In an impressive performance, she defeated top seed Koneru Humpy in rapid tiebreaks and claimed the Grandmaster (GM) title directly—without the usual three GM norms or a 2500 rating. With this, she becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster, the fourth Indian woman GM, and the 13th GM from Maharashtra. Her path to victory included triumphs over elite players like Tan Zhongyi, Zhu Jiner, and Harika Dronavalli, solidifying her place in global chess.  

England’s Lionesses marked their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 triumph with a massive homecoming parade as over 65,000 fans gathered along The Mall in London. Captain Leah Williamson said she was “holding back tears” during the celebration at Buckingham Palace. The team defeated Spain in Sunday’s final, retaining their European crown. Manager Sarina Wiegman surprised fans by dancing on stage with Burna Boy, adding to the joyous atmosphere. Emotional tributes poured in from players and supporters, praising the team’s impact on women's football. “This moment is unbelievable,” said defender Lucy Bronze, calling the scenes “incredible.” The celebration continues. (PC: BBC)

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was caught on camera shouting at Oval curator Lee Fortis just days before the final Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. In the now-viral video, Gambhir yells, “F*** off… you are only a groundsman,” while pointing fingers aggressively. The clash happened during India’s optional practice session. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also intervened. The reason behind the heated exchange is still unclear. With India trailing 2-1 in the series, pressure is mounting on Gambhir, who has just four Test wins in 14 matches. He recently called on Team India for “one final push” to bring pride back home.