Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, was honored with an emotional farewell ceremony at Roland Garros on May 25, 2025, following his retirement from professional tennis in November 2024. The tribute took place on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Nadal secured a record 14 French Open titles and achieved an unparalleled 112-4 match record. The ceremony featured a standing ovation, a crowd display spelling "14 RG Rafa," and a trilingual speech by Nadal addressing his family and fans. He was joined by tennis greats and rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, exemplifying sportsmanship beyond competition. The event concluded with the unveiling of a plaque bearing his footprint and signature. Nadal, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude, stating that while he typically shuns the spotlight, he appreciated the heartfelt recognition. (PC: Shutterstock)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) concluded IPL 2025 at the bottom of the points table, marking their poorest performance in franchise history. MS Dhoni, who resumed captaincy after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, faced criticism for his diminished impact, notably batting as low as No. 9. Former India spinner Murali Kartik opined that Dhoni has "overstayed his welcome" and should consider retirement to avoid being pushed out. Kartik emphasized the importance of allowing Gaikwad to continue as captain, suggesting that leadership transitions should be respected. Despite an 83-run victory against Gujarat Titans in their final match, CSK's overall season was disappointing, leading to calls for significant changes ahead of the next season. (PC: PTI)

Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their IPL 2025 season with a thumping 110-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Delhi’s Kotla. Heinrich Klaasen smashed an unbeaten 105 off just 39 balls, reaching his century in 37 balls, while Travis Head added 76 off 40 to propel SRH to 278/3. KKR faltered in reply, bowled out for 168 despite the flat pitch. Harsh Dubey and Eshan Malinga bagged three wickets each. Though SRH missed playoffs, their campaign ended on a high, mirroring their explosive start to the season. Klaasen’s fireworks highlighted what could have been a stronger run for the ‘Orange Army’. (PC: X/IPL )

Gujarat Titans lost to Chennai Super Kings by 83 runs, hurting their chances of a top-two finish in IPL 2025. CSK scored a strong 230 runs, led by young players Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis. GT’s bowling struggled, with only Prasidh Krishna bowling well. GT’s batting also failed as Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler were out early. Sai Sudharsan tried to hold the innings but could not win. GT now face pressure to fix their bowling and find middle-order batsmen before playoffs. The playoff race has become more uncertain after this loss. (PC: AP Photo)

MS Dhoni has said he will take a break before deciding on his IPL 2026 future. After CSK’s big win against GT, Dhoni said, “I’m not saying I’m done, and I’m not saying I’m coming back either.” He added, “I have 4-5 months to decide. I’ll go back to Ranchi, enjoy some bike rides, and then think about it.” Dhoni said it takes “50% more effort every year” to stay fit. He will return only if he still has the “hunger and fitness” to contribute. For now, fans must wait as the CSK legend enjoys his time at home. (PC: AP)

Shubman Gill has been appointed India’s new Test captain ahead of the Pataudi Trophy series against England, becoming the fifth-youngest to lead the side. According to reports, former coach Rahul Dravid, who mentored Gill from U19 to senior level, was consulted by selectors and strongly endorsed Gill’s leadership potential. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed the move is part of a long-term plan. Gill, already vice-captain in white-ball formats and a key figure in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 win, has impressed as Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2025 captain, leading the table and scoring 636 runs in 13 matches. (PC: BCCI)

Indian racing driver Kush Maini achieved a historic milestone by clinching the Formula 2 Constructors' Championship in Abu Dhabi. His victory marked the first time an Indian has won a FIA Constructors' World Championship. Maini's stellar season included securing five podium finishes and a race win in Hungary. His pole position in Jeddah set the tone for Invicta Racing's dominant campaign, culminating in a 34.5-point lead over Campos Racing, his former team. Maini's consistent performance played a pivotal role in Invicta Racing's success, and his achievements have been celebrated as a significant moment in Indian motorsport history.

Shubman Gill, appointed as India's 37th Test captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement, is set to lead the team in the upcoming England tour. Drawing inspiration from former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gill aims to blend Kohli's aggressive approach with Sharma's calm demeanor in his leadership style. Gill, who has represented India in 32 Test matches, expressed admiration for both captains' commitment to a common goal despite their contrasting styles. He also acknowledged the guidance from senior players like Ravichandran Ashwin in preparing for overseas conditions. (PC: AFP)

Indian racing driver Kush Maini achieved a historic milestone by clinching the Formula 2 Constructors' Championship in Abu Dhabi. His victory marked the first time an Indian has won a FIA Constructors' World Championship. Maini's stellar season included securing five podium finishes and a race win in Hungary. His pole position in Jeddah set the tone for Invicta Racing's dominant campaign, culminating in a 34.5-point lead over Campos Racing, his former team. Maini's consistent performance played a pivotal role in Invicta Racing's success, and his achievements have been celebrated as a significant moment in Indian motorsport history.

Anand Mahindra lauded Indian racer Kush Maini's recent Formula 2 success, expressing pride in his achievements. Maini, a 24-year-old from Bengaluru, has been appointed as the test and reserve driver for the Alpine F1 team for the 2025 season, marking a significant milestone in his racing career. This role involves supporting the team's primary drivers and participating in car development programs. Maini's consistent performance in Formula 2, including five podium finishes and a victory in Budapest, has been instrumental in his promotion within the Alpine Academy. His journey reflects the rising prominence of Indian talent in international motorsport arenas. (PC: Bhaskar English)