The IPL 2022 auction saw an intense bidding war for highly talented all-rounder Prashant Veer, who became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the tournament. Chennai Super Kings, backed by their strong purse, made a bold move by outbidding other contenders and securing Veer for a whopping Rs 14.20 crore. The young 20-year-old has shown great potential with his left-arm spin bowling and aggressive batting in domestic T20 tournaments, making him a promising addition to the CSK squad. With this record-breaking purchase, CSK has made a strong statement of their intent to win the coveted title in the upcoming season.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has released their annual rankings for the best youth players in the world, and for the second year in a row, Barcelona players have claimed the top spots. Vicky López, a Spanish forward, has successfully defended her title as the best Under 20 female footballer while Lamine Yamal, a Swiss midfielder, has once again dominated the men's category. The dominance of Barcelona's academy in elite women's football is reinforced by the inclusion of another club player, Sydney Schertenleib, in the global Top 10 for women.
Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda is once again under scrutiny for his bowling action, as the BCCI has informed IPL franchises about his suspect action ahead of the upcoming auction. Hooda, who has previously represented India in limited-overs matches, has not bowled in the IPL since last season but has been seen bowling in domestic tournaments. This news comes as a potential blow to his chances of being picked in the upcoming auction, where he features in the all-rounder category with a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
In an exciting match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings, opener Priyansh Aryan proved to be the star player as he scored his first ever half century in just 19 balls. This comes after he was dropped on the second ball of the first over by Khaleel Ahmed. Despite wickets falling at the other end, Aryan was able to reach his milestone and lead Punjab to victory. Stay tuned to see what other exciting matches this season has in store for us.
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry took four wickets in the final ODI against the West Indies, securing a series sweep for his team. With this performance, he became the leading wicket-taker in 2025 ODIs, surpassing England's Adil Rashid and Namibia's Bernard Scholtz. He now has a total of 61 wickets in international cricket for the year, second only to Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani. The focus now shifts to Test cricket for both teams, where Henry will aim to add to his impressive tally.
19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma's dream came true when he was picked up by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs 14.2 crore at the IPL auction. The youngster, who was the leading run-scorer for Rajasthan in the last Vijay Hazare Trophy, broke down in tears after the final bidding ended. He expressed his excitement to play alongside former captain MS Dhoni and learn from him, while reflecting on his initial fear of not being picked. Kartik's emotional journey during the auction is a reminder of the life-changing opportunities offered by the IPL platform.
In their U19 Asia Cup match on Sunday, India and Pakistan continued their ongoing tension, as the two team captains refused to shake hands during the toss. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Pakistan emerged victorious in the match, choosing to field first after winning the toss. In their previous matches, both teams had started their tournament campaigns with wins, with India dominating the UAE and Pakistan defeating Malaysia. India's Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who set a U19 record with 14 sixes and scored a match-winning 171 in their first match, was unable to replicate his performance against Pakistan, getting out for just 5 runs.
Chennai Super Kings made a strong addition to their middle order by securing Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan for his base price of INR 75 lakhs in the IPL 2026 auction. The 27-year-old earned his return to the IPL through an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he scored 329 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 203.08. With his domestic cricket experience and proven ability to accelerate when needed, Sarfaraz will be a valuable addition to the Chennai Super Kings lineup for the upcoming season.
Global football icon Lionel Messi visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue and conservation centre in India, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates. The visit reflected Messi's humility and humanitarian values as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife, and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams. He also toured the expansive conservation ecosystem, praising India's commitment to wildlife welfare and conservation. The highlight of the visit was when Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf he named "Lionel" in his honor.
During a special visit to Vantara, Argentine football star Lionel Messi participated in Hindu pujas and rituals, underscoring his close bond with founder Anant Ambani and their shared commitment to wildlife conservation. Messi and his teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul were warmly welcomed with folk music and a ceremonial aarti, before touring the conservation facilities and interacting with various animals. The visit was described as a meaningful and unforgettable experience, with Messi expressing his admiration for Vantara's work and promising to continue supporting it.
Jude Bellingham, the midfielder for Real Madrid, has been named in The Best FIFA Men's 11 for 2025 at a gala hosted by FIFA in Doha. Bellingham's selection is based on his exceptional performances between August 11, 2024 and August 2, 2025, during which Real Madrid won the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. This is the second time Bellingham has made the team, which is determined by an international panel of football experts and fans around the world who voted on FIFA.com. The rest of the team includes top players such as Achraf, Pacho, Van Dijk, Nuno Mendes, Palmer, Vitinha, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Dembélé.