Category: Sports

Former England captain Nasser Hussain lauded India’s spirited performance in the fifth and final Test against England, declaring the 2-2 series result a fair reflection of the intense battle. Speaking to Sky Cricket, Hussain emphasized that a 3-1 series win for England would have been a “travesty” given the quality of cricket played by India. “It would have been a travesty had England won the series 3-1. India deserved to make it 2-2 for the amount of good cricket they’ve played in this series,” Hussain remarked. The dramatic finale saw Mohammed Siraj deliver a lion-hearted performance, taking the final wicket to seal a thrilling six-run victory for India. England, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand on the final day, looked poised to clinch the series. But Siraj’s relentless pace and aggression turned the tide, supported ably by Prasidh Krishna, ensuring a gripping win and leveling the series. “The final scoreline was well and truly deserved by India, and it was very fitting for Siraj to get the final wicket,” added Hussain. The series—hailed as one of the most competitive in recent memory—saw all five Tests go into the final day. Despite criticism over the early stoppage of play on Day 4 due to rain (voiced by Stuart Broad and Michael Vaughan), the final-day showdown delivered high drama in front of packed stadiums. Hussain also used the occasion to highlight the importance of preserving Test cricket, especially by the “Big Three”—India, Australia, and England. “Why do people knock this format? It’s just so wonderful,” Hussain said. “But I’m afraid other countries don’t have the luxuries that England, India, and Australia enjoy… If we let this go, we’re doing the game a disservice.”

Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) has announced the indefinite suspension of salaries for its first-team players and support staff as the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) season hangs in the balance. The decision, shared via the club’s official social media channels, comes in response to ongoing disputes between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which have put this year’s ISL on hold. In a statement, BFC acknowledged the difficulty of the move but cited the “lack of clarity on the League’s future” as leaving them “with no choice but to take this step.” The club emphasized that the well-being of its players, staff, and their families remains a top priority and assured stakeholders that it is maintaining close communication during this period of uncertainty. All first-team members—including former India captain Sunil Chhetri—will see their salaries paused, though BFC confirmed that its youth academies, women’s teams, and community programs under BFC Soccer Schools will continue operations without disruption. Calling on both the AIFF and FSDL to resolve their impasse swiftly, Bengaluru FC warned that prolonged uncertainty “benefits no one” and urged a prompt settlement “for the future of Indian football.”

India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill has reached a major milestone by crossing 6,000 international runs, further cementing his place among the elite batters of modern cricket. The 25-year-old achieved the feat during the fifth and final Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at The Oval, continuing a phenomenal run of form with the bat. A Journey of Class and Consistency Gill began the match just 32 runs shy of the 6,000 mark and reached the milestone with characteristic grace and poise. Since making his international debut, Gill has been widely regarded as one of India’s most promising batting talents. He has consistently delivered across all three formats, becoming a mainstay in the Indian lineup. Dominating the England Series The England Test series has been nothing short of extraordinary for Gill. He has scored four centuries in the five-Test series, including a career-best 269 at Edgbaston. With 737 runs in eight innings at an average of 90.25, Gill has broken Sunil Gavaskar’s record (732 runs) for most runs by an Indian captain in a single Test series. He now joins the likes of Don Bradman and Gavaskar himself as one of the very few captains to score four centuries in a single series, placing him in cricket’s most elite company. A Career Marked by Versatility In just over 112 international matches, Gill has scored more than 6,000 runs at an impressive average of 46.6. His record includes: His adaptability and elegance across formats have made him a pillar of India’s batting order and a match-winner in all conditions. Captaincy with a Vision As a leader, Gill has brought fresh energy to the Indian Test side. His calm demeanor, sharp tactical sense, and fearless strokeplay have inspired confidence in a relatively young squad. His performances in this high-stakes England series have reaffirmed his credentials not just as a batter, but as a captain ready to carry India into the future. Looking Ahead With age on his side and form in full flow, Shubman Gill’s cricketing journey is only just beginning. His 6,000-run milestone is likely the first of many major landmarks as he sets his sights on upcoming tours and ICC tournaments. As India’s newest Test captain, Gill’s name is already being etched alongside the greats — not just for his numbers, but for the way he’s shaping the next chapter of Indian cricket.

In a landmark decision for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee, following the recommendation of its Technical Committee, has appointed Khalid Jamil as the Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey on Friday, August 1, 2025. The selection followed a comprehensive SWOT analysis presented by AIFF’s Technical Director Syed Sabir Pasha and National Teams Director Subrata Paul, evaluating the final three shortlisted candidates — Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Štefan Tarkovič. Renowned Indian coaches and awardees — Dronacharya recipients Mr. Bimal Ghosh and Mr. Armando Colaco, and Dhyan Chand Awardee Mr. Shabbir Ali — supported the move to promote an Indian coach. They argued that Indian coaches deserve more opportunities at the top level, drawing parallels with their own experiences in coaching without prior national team roles. Technical Committee Chairman IM Vijayan, a Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee, emphasized that under Indian coaches like Sukhwinder Singh and Syed Nayeemuddin, India had achieved higher FIFA rankings. Vijayan strongly endorsed Khalid Jamil, noting his proven credentials and back-to-back AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year titles (2023–24 and 2024–25). Several Executive Committee members, including Vice President NA Haris, Pinky Bompal Magar, Thongam Tababi Devi, Climax Lawrence, Menla Ethenpa, Arif Ali, and Mohan Lal, echoed the sentiment, affirming that a homegrown coach could bring greater understanding and continuity to Indian football. While some members did propose Stephen Constantine, who had previously coached India, the final consensus favoured Jamil, especially with the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 later this month and AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers against Singapore coming up in October. Jamil’s regular involvement with Indian players was viewed as a significant advantage. With this appointment, Khalid Jamil becomes the first full-time Indian head coach of the senior men’s team in over a decade, marking a crucial step toward empowering domestic coaching talent and reinforcing national footballing identity.