Krunal Pandya's performance on Saturday evening proved to be crucial for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as he helped the team make a comeback after a disappointing start against Kolkata Knight Riders. The all-rounder's key wicket of KKR skipper, as well as his quick thinking to utilize a cheeky bouncer against an unprotected batter, earned him the Player of the Match award. Pandya also shared his experience joining a new franchise and the excitement he feels for the rest of the season.
The Indian contingent has proved their mettle in the global sporting arena by bringing home 7 medals, including a historic first Gold in the Men's Regu category at the Sepak Takraw World Cup held in Patna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have lauded the team's remarkable achievement, with the former expressing pride and promising a bright future for India in the sport. This record-breaking performance is sure to inspire aspiring athletes across the nation and cement India's position as a force to be reckoned with in the international sporting scene.
After an impressive 4-1 win against Brazil in a crucial World Cup qualifier, Argentina players were seen singing a savage chant directed towards Barcelona star Raphinha. The World Cup holders dominated the game with goals from Julien Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Giuliano Simeone. Prior to the game, Raphinha had goaded the Argentina players, claiming Brazil would beat them both on and off the pitch. However, after the final whistle, the Argentina players fired back at Raphinha with a taunting chant.
After 14 years, football fans in India will have the chance to see Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team in action during an exhibition match in October 2025 in Kerala. This event marks Messi's return to India since his first visit in 2011. The partnership between HSBC India and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirms the highly anticipated event, which will take place as part of the 2025 competitive season and ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In a thrilling match against Denmark, Portugal secured their spot in the UEFA Nations League final four with a win. However, the game also saw superstar Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty, surpassing Lionel Messi for the most missed penalties in soccer history with a total of 32. Despite this, Ronaldo still managed to score and secure his team's spot in the semifinals, adding to his impressive record of 136 goals for the Portugal national team. This record puts him in an elite club with only one other male player, Iran's Ali Daei, to have scored 100+ international goals. Despite his missed penalty, Ronaldo is still considered one of the greatest players in the world and a force to be reckoned with on the field.
In his third season with Punjab Kings (PBKS), Glenn Maxwell's luck wasn't on his side as he was dismissed for a golden duck in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener against Gujarat Titans. The 36-year-old had the option to review the decision but chose not to, only to realize later that the ball was missing the stumps. This marked Maxwell's 19th duck in the IPL, making him the first player to hold this record. However, his IPL career boasts of a tournament win, an MVP title, and a playoff finish.
In a high-scoring Indian Premier League match, Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 97 and Shashank Singh's quickfire 44 helped Punjab Kings post a massive total of 243 for 5. Despite some strong batting performances from Gujarat Titans, including Sai Sudharsan's 74 and Jos Buttler's 54, they fell short of the target by 11 runs. This win keeps Punjab Kings in the race for a playoff spot in the tournament.
Despite being one of the most sought-after players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell continued his streak of poor form, registering a golden duck in the opening match of the season for Punjab Kings against Gujarat Titans. With this dismissal, Maxwell now holds the record for the most number of ducks in IPL history, surpassing Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik. This adds to an already extensive list of 35 ducks in his T20 career, making him the fourth-highest in this category among all batters.
Argentina celebrated their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a resounding 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Brazil. Goals from Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone sealed the win for the world champions. Despite a brief scare, Argentina's dominant performance showcased their prowess and solidified their spot in the upcoming World Cup.
After months of speculation and failed negotiations, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to a five-year deal with Real Madrid worth over £220,000-per-week. The 26-year-old, known as one of the best right-backs in the world, will leave Anfield this summer as a free agent, leaving fans devastated and dealing a major blow to Jurgen Klopp's side. The English international's decision to move to Madrid comes after a successful stint with Liverpool, winning both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Despite missing star player Lionel Messi, Argentina was able to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup after Bolivia's failure to beat Uruguay. The defending champions went on to defeat archrival Brazil 4-1 in front of a crowd of 85,000 fans. This is the first time Argentina has won both matches against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying tournament and their first victory against the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Brazil's loss also added pressure on coach Dorival Júnior, who took over in January of last year.