At the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Pune on July 12, 2025, Shivam Lohakare, aged 20, threw a career-best 80.95 m on his final attempt to win javelin gold. He became only the second‑youngest Indian after Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra to breach the 80‑metre barrier . Lohakare shattered his previous best of 76.92 m (set in 2023) by nearly four metres . His throw makes him the 16th Indian to join the elite 80m club, and one of eight to do so in the last four years . This landmark performance cements his status as a rising star in Indian athletics. (PC: AFI)  

Day 4 of the 3rd Test at Lord’s saw England resume at 2/0 after India matched their first-innings score of 387. KL Rahul’s century, supported by fifties from Pant and Jadeja, kept India level. Tensions flared late on Day 3 with Shubman Gill confronting Zak Crawley over time-wasting tactics. England’s second innings began cautiously, with Siraj striking early to remove Duckett and Pope. Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj kept pressure high as England reached 51/3. The pitch continues to deteriorate, making batting increasingly difficult. With the series tied 1-1, both teams are pushing for a decisive lead in this knife-edge contest. (PC: Wisden & Reddit)

India and England are locked in a gripping battle at Lord’s. Both teams posted identical first-innings scores of 387. KL Rahul starred with 100 (177), supported by Pant (74) and Jadeja (72). England began their second innings and reached 42/1 in 11.5 overs, with Zak Crawley dismissed for 17 by Siraj. The pitch is showing signs of wear, offering bounce and turn. With England leading by 42 runs, India aims to strike early and chase a manageable target in the fourth innings of this evenly poised Test. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Day 3 of the 3rd Test at Lord’s ended in high drama as India matched England’s 387-run first innings. KL Rahul’s gritty century, supported by Pant and Jadeja, set the stage. But the real fireworks came in the final over: Zak Crawley’s time-wasting tactics—glove theatrics and sight screen delays—sparked a heated exchange with Shubman Gill, who fired back with “be brave and bat,” caught on stump mic. Jasprit Bumrah added sarcastic applause. England ended at 2/0, leading by two runs. With tensions high and the match evenly poised, Day 4 promises explosive cricket and psychological warfare. (PC: My Khel & India Today)

Day 3 of the Lord’s Test ended in drama as England’s Zak Crawley delayed play, prompting India captain Shubman Gill’s fiery reaction. Gill, frustrated by Crawley’s time-wasting tactics, expressed his displeasure audibly, while England bowling coach Tim Southee criticized Gill’s hypocrisy, referencing Gill’s own mid-day massage on Day 2. KL Rahul defended Crawley’s move, calling it understandable from an opener’s perspective. With six minutes left, India hoped to bowl two overs and snatch a late wicket, but Crawley’s theatrics denied them the chance. Southee dismissed the controversy as “part of the game,” highlighting the intensity and spirit of the match as both sides remained animated in a hard-fought contest. (PC: NDTV & Mint)

Iga Swiatek clinched her first Wimbledon title and sixth Grand Slam with a historic 6-0, 6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova the first “double bagel” final since 1911. The match lasted just 57 minutes, showcasing Swiatek’s dominance and marking her 100th Grand Slam match win. As champion, she earned £3 million ($4.07 million USD), an 11% increase from 2024. Anisimova, the runner-up in her debut Grand Slam final, received £1.52 million ($2.06 million USD), up 8% from last year. Wimbledon 2025’s total prize pool stood at £53.5 million, maintaining equal payouts for men and women. Swiatek now holds finals wins on all three surfaces. (PC: The Tribune & ABC)

KL Rahul’s century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test against England reaffirmed his role as India’s dependable opener. Once a utility player shuffled across roles, Rahul now thrives at the top, scoring his second century at Lord’s and tenth overall. His transformation stems from mental training inspired by Formula One, improving reaction time and focus. Sunil Gavaskar hailed him as the “glue” of the team, praising his understated leadership and mentorship. Rahul’s calm presence and consistency have anchored India’s innings and morale. With 3,139 runs as an opener, he’s become a quiet force trusted, resilient, and vital to India’s Test ambitions. (PC: RBC)

Despite a painful blow to his left index finger, Rishabh Pant showcased extraordinary grit during India’s innings at Lord’s. Battling discomfort, he scored a crucial 74 runs, motivating himself with constant self-talk—a technique taught by his late coach Tarak Sinha. Pant’s resilience was evident in every grimace and grunt, refusing to acknowledge pain even to teammates. His mantra, “Out nahin hona hain,” echoed through the match, driving him to perform under duress. This mental fortitude helped India stay competitive on Day Three of the 3rd Test against England. Pant’s self-motivation and refusal to surrender to injury highlighted his role as a fierce competitor and emotional anchor for the team. (PC: The Hindu)

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner face off in the Wimbledon men’s singles final, reigniting their fierce rivalry after last month’s epic French Open clash. Alcaraz, riding a 24-match win streak and aiming for a third consecutive Wimbledon title, leads their head-to-head 8–4, including five straight wins. Sinner, now World No.1, seeks redemption after squandering match points in Paris. Their only previous Wimbledon meeting saw Sinner victorious in 2022. Alcaraz’s recent dominance and tactical versatility give him the edge, but Sinner’s precision and hunger make this a blockbuster showdown. The match promises to be a defining moment in tennis’s new golden era. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Newsletter Summary (111 words) A preliminary report on the Air India AI-171 crash reveals that fuel control switches were moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" seconds after takeoff, causing engine shutdowns and a fatal crash that killed 260 people. The US FAA had issued a 2018 advisory warning of potential disengagement of the switch locking feature in Boeing aircraft, including the 787-8. Air India did not conduct inspections, citing the advisory as "not mandatory." The switches later returned to "RUN," but only one engine recovered. A pilot was heard asking why the cutoff occurred, with the other denying involvement. The investigation continues, with no conclusions or blame assigned yet. (PC: Bloomberg & NDTV)