Former India coach Greg Chappell criticized Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 off 181 balls in the third Test against England at Lord’s, questioning his conservative approach during India’s chase of 193. Despite Jadeja’s fourth consecutive Test fifty and defiant partnerships with Bumrah and Siraj, India fell short by 22 runs, trailing 2-1 in the five-match series. Chappell argued Jadeja should’ve taken calculated risks instead of shielding the tail, citing Ben Stokes’ aggressive 2019 Headingley innings as a model. He emphasized that leadership should have clearly directed Jadeja to go for the win, not just survive. The debate highlights tactical clarity and mindset in high-pressure match scenarios. (PC: AFP)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reported a record revenue of ₹9,741 crore for FY 2023–24. The Indian Premier League (IPL) contributed ₹5,761 crore, accounting for 59% of total earnings. Non-IPL media rights added ₹361 crore. With ₹30,000 crore in reserves generating ₹1,000 crore annually in interest, BCCI’s financial strength is unmatched. Experts suggest monetizing traditional formats like Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. The ICC relies heavily on BCCI for funding, highlighting India’s dominance in global cricket economics. Viacom18 and Disney Star hold IPL media rights for 2023–27. BCCI’s revenue is projected to grow 10–12% annually, driven by sponsorships, media deals, and matchday earnings. (PC: BCCI)

India faces a selection dilemma ahead of the 4th Test against England in Manchester, starting July 23. Jasprit Bumrah, scheduled to play only three Tests in the series, may be rested. Ajinkya Rahane has endorsed debutant Arshdeep Singh as Bumrah’s ideal replacement, citing his left-arm swing and ability to create rough for spinners. Arshdeep, a T20I veteran with 99 wickets, has red-ball experience in England but is yet to debut in Tests. However, his inclusion is uncertain due to a training injury, a cut on his bowling hand requiring medical evaluation. India must win the last two Tests to clinch the series, intensifying the pressure on team selection. (PC: The Indian Express & NDTV Sports)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, made history in the first Youth Test against England by becoming the youngest cricketer to take a wicket and score a half-century in the same match. He scored 56 off 44 balls in the second innings and took two wickets with his left-arm spin in the first. This feat breaks Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s record, previously set at age 15. Suryavanshi also became the youngest player to record multiple half-centuries in international U19 Tests. India posted 540 runs, England replied with 439. The match ended in a draw with England finishing at 270/7. The second Youth Test begins July 20 at Chelmsford. (PC: TV9 Bharatvarsh & News18)

Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes Rishabh Pant should not play the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford if he cannot keep wickets due to his finger injury. Pant was injured during the third Test at Lord’s, with Dhruv Jurel replacing him behind the stumps. Despite Pant’s exceptional batting form — 425 runs in three Tests with two centuries — Shastri warned playing only as a batter risks worsening the injury. India trails 1-2 in the series and aims to level it in Manchester. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate hinted Pant could still play purely as a batsman. (PC: India Today)

Bhavani Reddy from Kondakaram, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, stunned the world by clinching three gold medals at the 2025 Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships. Despite growing up in poverty, with her father working as a daily-wage mason, Bhavani’s grit and discipline led her to international glory. Trained by coach Gadipalli Anand, she lifted a total of 159 kg in the 48 kg category. Her journey from a remote village to the global stage is a testament to perseverance. Her father’s unwavering support and Anand’s mentorship were pivotal. Bhavani’s triumph has sparked national pride and inspired countless youth across India. (PC: X)

Former India coach Gary Kirsten has advised rising star Shubman Gill to adopt key captaincy qualities from MS Dhoni to become a great leader for India. While Gill has shown promise with the bat and leadership skills in recent matches, Kirsten emphasized the importance of man-management, calm decision-making, and maintaining composure under pressure—hallmarks of Dhoni's leadership. Kirsten noted that technical skills and cricketing strategy are only part of the equation; managing team dynamics is crucial. Gill’s aggressive style was highlighted, suggesting he needs balance and maturity to reach the next level as India's captain. (PC: PTI)  

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reported record revenue of ₹9,741.7 crore for the financial year 2023–24. The Indian Premier League (IPL) played a pivotal role, contributing ₹5,761 crore—nearly 59% of the total earnings. Additional income sources included ₹1,042 crore from ICC distributions, ₹987 crore from investment interest, ₹378 crore from the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL), and ₹361 crore from ticketing and hospitality during men’s international tours. This reflects the BCCI’s growing financial influence, driven by media rights deals, global partnerships, and expanding cricket tournaments. (PC: News 18)  

Pakistan’s javelin star Arshad Nadeem, who won gold at Paris 2024 by defeating India’s Neeraj Chopra, has accused Pakistani authorities of failing to honor their prize commitments. Nadeem revealed that while he received some cash rewards, the promised land plots and housing benefits were never delivered, calling the announcements “fake promises.” He emphasized that despite bringing glory to Pakistan, he relied mostly on public support rather than government backing. Nadeem is currently recovering from an injury in England and preparing for upcoming international events, including the Diamond League and World Championships. (PC: NDTV)  

India’s chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa stunned world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas. The 19-year-old Grandmaster forced Carlsen to resign after 39 moves in Round 4, marking victories over him in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats this year. Praggnanandhaa now jointly leads Group White with 4.5 points. Carlsen, meanwhile, failed to advance and was eliminated in a playoff by Levon Aronian. The tournament’s knockout stage will see Carlsen fight from the lower bracket. The competition continues with players vying for the USD 200,000 top prize. (PC: NDTV)