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.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will announce India’s new men’s football head coach on August 1, with Khalid Jamil emerging as the frontrunner amid financial constraints. Jamil, currently with Jamshedpur FC, is favored by the technical committee over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. The decision follows Manolo Marquez’s departure earlier this month. Jamil, an AFC Pro Licensed coach and AIFF Coach of the Year for 2023–24 and 2024–25, could be India’s first full-time Indian coach since 2005. With FIFA match windows in September and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in October, AIFF is under pressure to finalize the appointment swiftly. The executive committee may also consider additional candidates if needed. (PC: JamshedpurFC Photo)

The 2025 Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled for September 14, has ignited public outrage following the Pahalgam terror attack. With 26 civilians killed and Operation Sindoor launched in response, calls for India to boycott the match have intensified. The BCCI, not under the sports ministry’s purview, holds the final decision. A forfeit would hand Pakistan a walkover, potentially hurting Suryakumar Yadav’s squad. The ACC confirmed the schedule despite uncertainty, and India may face Pakistan up to three times. The controversy echoes a similar boycott in Birmingham’s World Championship of Legends. All eyes now rest on BCCI’s response to national sentiment. (PC: The Times Of India & Hindustan Times)

Former South African pacer Dale Steyn weighed in on the handshake controversy during the final hour of the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford. With the match heading toward a draw, England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who declined while chasing personal centuries. Steyn argued the goal was a draw, not milestones, and called accepting the handshake the “gentlemanly” thing to do. While acknowledging the duo’s right to continue batting, he suggested they should’ve accelerated their scoring. The incident has sparked debate over sportsmanship, personal achievement, and the spirit of cricket.