India's young fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from the Test squad after the humiliating defeat against England in Leeds. Added as cover, Rana failed to impress in the warm-up against England Lions, conceding 99 runs in 27 overs for just 1 wicket. A BCCI source confirmed he won't travel to Birmingham for the second Test starting July 4. Head coach Gautam Gambhir cited "niggles" but admitted Rana isn't ready for red-ball cricket. Kuldeep Yadav is now tipped to replace Shardul Thakur, with experts urging India to field two spinners due to expected dry conditions at Edgbaston. (PC: NDTV)

Rajkummar Rao has officially confirmed he will portray former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in an upcoming biopic, set to release in December 2026. Ganguly had earlier said Rao was the ideal choice. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in January, with pre-production and scripting currently underway. Ganguly, who scored 18,575 runs and led India to major wins, said he will support the project but won’t be creatively involved. The film’s title and director are yet to be announced. Meanwhile, Rao will begin shooting a Netflix-backed murder comedy this month in Mumbai, directed by Aditya Nimbalkar. (PC: News18)

Shubman Gill's first outing as India's Test captain was a rollercoaster. The right-hander scored a composed century at No. 4, showcasing solid technique and leadership by example. However, his field captaincy raised concerns. India dropped 4 catches and misfielded regularly, contributing to England’s 5-wicket win at Headingley. Gill was precise yet over-involved in field placements, sometimes micromanaging positions obsessively. His handling of bowlers like Shardul Thakur drew criticism. Head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Gill, saying, “He has what it takes… but needs time.” With tough overseas challenges ahead, Gill’s captaincy will remain under close scrutiny as a “work in progress.” (PC: BCCI)

On June 24, 2025, India’s Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia with a best throw of 85.29 metres. Competing in this event for the first time, Chopra outperformed South Africa’s Douw Smit (84.12 m) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters (83.63 m). His winning throw came in the third round, while his final attempt was controversially ruled a foul. This victory extends Chopra’s unbeaten run in the 2025 season, following previous wins in Doha and Paris Diamond League events, and builds momentum ahead of the World Championships.  

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clinched gold at the 2025 Ostrava Golden Spike in Czechia with a best throw of 85.29m. Competing in the 61st edition of the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour event, the two-time Olympic medallist beat South Africa’s Douw Smit (84.12m) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters (83.63m). Despite the win, Neeraj appeared disappointed, overstepping his final throw in pursuit of a personal milestone. Absent rival Julian Weber did not compete. This marks Neeraj’s second straight win after Paris Diamond League and a crucial confidence boost ahead of July’s major championships. He recorded four legal throws beyond 80m. (PC: India Today)

India lost the 1st Test to England at Headingley despite five Indian players scoring centuries — a first in 148 years of Test history. Chasing 371, England clinched victory with five wickets to spare, led by Ben Duckett’s outstanding 149 on Day 5. Shubman Gill, in his first match as India’s Test captain, witnessed a painful defeat as Rishabh Pant scored twin tons, and Jaiswal, Rahul, and Gill also contributed centuries. Yet, India couldn't defend their total, marking a historic anomaly in Test cricket. England now lead the five-match series 1-0 in a thrilling start to the summer contest. (PC: BCCI)

Rishabh Pant created history on Day 4 of the 1st Test against England at Headingley by becoming the first Asian wicket-keeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. Pant’s explosive knock, featuring boundaries like 4, 4, 6, 4, thrilled fans as he treated the format like T20. He is now only the second wicket-keeper globally to achieve this feat. India reached 297/4 in 74 overs, with a commanding 303-run lead. KL Rahul also scored a brilliant century, staying unbeaten. Their performance has put India in a dominant position heading into the final day of the match. (PC: NDTV)

On Day 4 of the 1st Test at Headingley, KL Rahul showcased his resilience with a superb ninth Test century, helping India reach 234/3 in 62 overs and extend their lead to 240. Rahul, who missed out in the first innings, delivered a patient and composed knock in the second. Rishabh Pant, batting aggressively at the other end, is nearing his second century of the match. Their partnership has solidified India’s position after early disappointment when captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for just 8. With both Rahul and Pant in form, India are pushing strongly for a dominant finish. (PC: BCCI)

England's cricket stars have hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the most impactful bowler of the current era. In the first Test at Leeds, his exceptional display 3/48 on Day 2 and a five‑wicket haul (5/83) on Day 3 dominated despite challenging conditions. Former players, including Sanjay Manjrekar (comparing him to Richard Hadlee), Stuart Broad (“best bowler in the world”), Michael Vaughan, David Gower, and Ravi Shastri, praised his lethal consistency and match‑winning influence. Bumrah also achieved a new milestone: first Asian pacer to reach 150 SENA‑country Test wickets. He impressed not only with wicket-taking but also with his mental toughness, even after dropped catches and fitness concerns, proving indispensable in India’s overseas success. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Jasprit Bumrah took a stellar 5/83 in the Headingley Test against England but was left disappointed after four dropped catches off his bowling. Despite the setbacks, Bumrah remained composed, saying, “It’s part of the game. I don’t want to create pressure; they’ll learn.” He acknowledged the cold conditions and praised his teammates’ efforts. England scored 465 in reply to India’s 471, with Harry Brook scoring 99 after three reprieves. Bumrah ended England’s innings with a late burst. At stumps on Day 3, India stood at 90/2 in their second innings, leading by 96, with KL Rahul on 47*. (PC: BCCI)