Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa stunned World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen for the second time in three days at the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam. Playing with white pieces, Praggnanandhaa forced Carlsen to resign in 43 moves after a bold queen sacrifice by the Norwegian. Despite this, Carlsen bounced back, winning the reverse game and two blitz tiebreaks to advance. Earlier, Praggnanandhaa had defeated Carlsen in just 39 moves during the group stage. Carlsen later beat Arjun Erigaisi to reach the Lower Bracket final, where he will face Hikaru Nakamura. The final will feature Hans Niemann vs. Levon Aronian. Carlsen’s struggles against Indian prodigies continue to raise eyebrows.

The World Championship of Legends (WCL) has officially cancelled the India vs Pakistan legends cricket match scheduled for July 20 at Edgbaston, following the withdrawal of several Indian former cricketers, including Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan. The players cited discomfort due to rising geopolitical tensions and public backlash after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Event sponsor EaseMyTrip also pulled out in protest against Pakistan’s inclusion. In response, the WCL issued a public apology, acknowledging it “unintentionally caused discomfort” and aimed only to promote goodwill through sport.  

India narrowly lost to England by 22 runs at Lord’s during the third Test of the series. Ravindra Jadeja and the bowlers put up a brave fight, but a middle‑order collapse derailed India’s 193‑run chase . Former England pacer Steve Harmison argued India “greatly missed the cutting edge provided by Kohli” and urged the team to “start believing,” noting that Kohli’s experience and calm in fourth‑innings chases could have secured the win . Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir were encouraged to embrace that winning mentality moving forward. (PC: AP)    

With India trailing 1–2 in the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the crucial 4th Test at Manchester (starting July 23) is uncertain, as he is scheduled to play only three of five matches . Veteran Ajinkya Rahane has endorsed left‑arm wrist‑medium Arshdeep Singh—a 26‑year‑old yet to make his Test debut—for the replacement role. Rahane praised Arshdeep's ability to swing the ball both ways, use his angle to roughen up the surface, and aid spinners . However, Arshdeep sustained a minor cut during net practice, with fitness expected to be confirmed in coming days. (PC: NDTV)

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)