Sports

Perfect Attitude, Laamika, Victoriaraya and Rise And Reign excelled when the horses were exercised here on Thursday morning (July 24).

Outer sand:

600m: Darrion (rb) 45.5. Easy. Siege Courageous (Antony) 46. Moved freely. Roadrunner (rb) 43.5. Strode out well. Straordinario (Hindu S) 43. Pleased. Double Scotch (Antony) 46. Easy.

1000m: Temperance (rb) 1-15, 600/42.5. Strode out well.

1200m: Laamika (Shinde), Victoriaraya (Suhas) 1-27.5, 1,000/1-11, 600/42.5. They moved attractively. Carat Love (D. Antony) 1-30.5, 1,000/1-15, 600/44.5. Moved well. Perfect Attitude (Antony) 1-24.5, 1,000/1-10.5, 600/42. Moved fluently. Southern Dynasty (Rayan) 1-28, 1,000/1-12.5, 600/43. Stretched out well.

1400m: Pristine Glory (Rayan) 1-41, 1,200/1-24, 1,000/1-9, 600/42.5. Extended. Double Vision (rb) 1-46, 1,200/1-31, 1,000/1-16, 600/44. Moved on the bit.

Gate practice — inner sand:

1400m: Ceremonial (Antony) 1-38.5, (1,400-600) 54. Jumped out well. Vayu (J. Chinoy), Larissa (Shreyas) 1-38.5, (1,400-600) 54. They took a smart jump. Rise And Reign (Darshan), Good Deed (Vikrant) 1-33, (1,400-600) 54. Former showed out. Powerful (Sachin) 1-39, (1,400-600) 56.5. Jumped out well. Steely Challenge (R. Pradeep) 1-45, (1,400-600) 59. Macron (R. Pradeep) 1-40.5, (1,400-600) 54.5. Took a good jump. Multisided (R. Pradeep) 1-46, (1,400-600) 1-5.5. Eased up.

Three of the best golfers in the country who have shared rooms on the professional tour, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei and SSP Chawrasia, and pride about having more than 100 years of combined experience between them, were excited about the forthcoming Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).

In an interaction with the media, the three observed that golf in its new avatar, “with no cut, decent prize money, fast-paced action”, would attract the young talent to the game and help them grow into superstars.

“This league, combined with men, women, amateurs and juniors, will do what IPL has done for cricket. It will help promote the nextgen players,” said Shiv Kapur.

Chawrasia felt that it would be a win-win situation both for the experienced players and the youngsters as both would learn from each other in dealing with the new format.

Gaurav Ghei pointed out that Europe and USA had tried different formats over the years, but they were one-off events.

“To have a Tour, followed by the league in a short, concise format is exciting. It will engage youngsters and bring new viewership to the game,” said Ghei.

The star professionals were unanimous that young fans did not have the patience to watch golf for long hours, and the quick format would provide the “excitement for the fan.”

Shiv was confident that Indian golf would look up once again and there was no reason why an Indian can’t win a Major or be world No.1 in the times ahead.

The professionals were equally unanimous that the team event would foster camaraderie and energise players to pull their weight for the team.

The IGPL would also mean more opportunities for players to compete through the year. It would mean access to golf for more aspirants, giving the chance for players to represent teams and be seen on television.

Shiv said that he was keen to be fully involved as a mentor and leader in building a franchise, the team, and experience the joy of sharing.

“The pressure while playing for a team is a lot different. When Karthik Singh plays Gaganjeet Bhullar, it will be a learning experience for both players,” said Gaurav.

Rishabh Pant remarkably came out to bat with a fractured foot while Shardul Thakur showed plenty of resolve to take India to 321 for six at lunch on day two of the fourth Test against England in Manchester on Thursday (July 24, 2025).

Resuming the day at 264 for four, India did well to cross the 300-run mark in overcast conditions that offered plenty of seam and swing to the England pacers especially Jofra Archer, who was effectively unplayable for majority of his opening spell.

England skipper Ben Stokes got the odd ball to jump from length, creating more challenges for the Indian batters.

Considering the pitch behaviour, India would be content with a first innings score of 350.

Chris Woakes took the new ball immediately but it was in following over from Archer that England got the early breakthrough.

The in-form Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 40) could not do much off an Archer beauty that shaped away after landing on the leg-stump to take the outside edge with Harry Brook holding on to a low catch at second slip.

With the ball doing all sorts of tricks, Shardul (41 off 88 balls) looked to attack and dispatched Woakes off the backfoot in the cover region for a fine boundary.

Minutes later, Shardul creamed a full ball from Stokes through the cover a ball after getting a snorter from the England captain that almost kissed his glove.

Stokes managed to get rid of the Indian bowling all-rounder eventually by luring him into a drive and getting him caught at gully by Ben Duckett, who pouched the flying ball.

Much to the shock of everyone present at the ground, Pant limped out to bat after Shardul’s dismissal, and a standing ovation followed.

Despite a broken right foot, Pant made a courageous call to face the England pacers. He could barely complete his singles but the fact that he was in the centre said a lot about his grit and character.

Lunch was taken slightly ahead of the scheduled time as light rain returned to Old Trafford in fading light.

The Indian Olympic Association put up a united front on Thursday with the entire Executive Council appearing together in public for the first time in almost 18 months, confirming the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the CEO, and setting up a panel to tackle doping.

Raghuram’s appointment by Usha in January 2024 at a salary of Rs. 20 lakh per month and other perks had been the biggest bone of contention between IOA president P.T. Usha and other members and had remained unratified. A majority of EC members had even brought in a no-confidence motion against Usha last year before it was dropped.

Officially titled ‘Powering India’s Sporting Aspirations: IOA’s Vision 2036’ there was no denying the meet was primarily to affirm truce within the IOA.

No AGM had been held since March 2023 and a stormy EC meeting in September 2024 had failed to break the impasse. Raghuram, who was also present on the occasion, had continued to discharge his duties and was also part of the Indian delegation to meet IOC in Lausanne last month.

“Everything is sorted and that is why he is sitting here with me. Everything is ratified,” Usha declared, “Raghu Iyer is the CEO of IOA,” AIFF president Kalyan Choubey insisted and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, one of Usha’s most vocal opponents, said, “It’s like small bickering and we are back and happy to be together.”

The beginning of the end of the deadlock had begun with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya holding informal meetings with Usha and EC members and trying to get them to negotiate. The IOA visit to Lausanne as part of India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics, which included ministry officials, and IOC feedback further helped bring about a rapprochement.

“We are focused on our long-term goal of transforming India into a sporting powerhouse. It’s part of our resolve to power through India’s sporting aspirations via Mission 2036,” Usha said, adding that the IOA was committed to inclusivity and gender parity in Indian sport.

“We are equally committed to making sports an inclusive space for women, young athletes, those from tribal areas and every Indian who dreams of sporting excellence,” she said.

On the new Sports Bill, Choubey said that “it clearly mentions that the government has brought some guidelines and it is not to interfere. If there is any conflict, the rules of the international body will prevail. Idea is not to create any confrontation or confusion, the idea is to work together.”

The seven-member anti-doping panel, meanwhile, will be headed by India’s Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal after India’s poor record was flagged by the IOC.

The Indian cricket board is all set to host the upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates with the formal announcement expected in a few days’ time, sources in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said on Thursday (July 24, 2025).

This was after an ACC meeting that all 25 member nations attended to discuss the venue for the event. BCCI was represented by its vice-president Rajeev Shukla virtually.

“The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling,” an ACC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The tournament will be held for a little over fortnight in September. It has to end before the final week of the month as India’s Test series against West Indies is scheduled from that point.

“Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don’t believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI.

In Dhaka, ACC chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board head Mohsin Naqvi also kept cards close to his chest when asked about a possible Indo-Pak match at the continental event.

“We will announce it shortly. We have had discussions with the BCCI and there are a few issues that we will resolve shortly. All 25 members attended the meet either physically or virtually. We are all on same page,” Naqvi told reporters.

It is also learnt that due to BCCI’s pressure, only two out of 10 items on the agenda, were discussed.

Tropical Paradise and Madison pleased when the horses were exercised here on Thursday (July 24) morning.

Inner sand:

800m: Dreamer (Parmar), South Beach (Kishore) 54, 600/40. They moved level freely. Agatha (S. Amit), Rules (app) 56, 600/42. Pair moved level freely. Rosabelle (Yash) 54, 600/41. Moved fluently. Tropical Paradise (Parmar), Fortunate Son (Kishore) 51, 600/37. Former moved well and finished a distance ahead. The Milenium Force (Ajinkya) 54, 600/40. Worked freely.

1000m: Prince Igor (Umesh) 1-10, 600/43. Moved freely. Sir Baffert (Pranil) 1-7, 800/52, 600/39. Urged in the last part.

1200m: Odysseus (Neeraj), Duke Of Tuscany (Kirtish) 1-27, 600/43. Pair easy. Madison (Nirmal) 1-21, 1000/1-6, 800/51, 600/38. Responded well.

On July 11, the upcoming 2025–26 season of the Indian Super League was abruptly put on hold by its organiser, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), citing uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement with the AIFF.

This unprecedented move has left players, clubs and fans in limbo, and raises fresh questions about the governance and sustainability of Indian football’s top-tier league.

What exactly is behind this standoff? Does it signal deeper structural issues in Indian football? And how is the Indian football ecosystem affected by this?

Guest: Amitabha Das Sharma from The Hindu’s sports bureau

Host: Reuben Joe Joseph

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

Listen to more In Focus podcasts:

Rishabh Pant has been advised six weeks’ rest because of a toe fracture, which essentially means he could be ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

On Wednesday (July 23, 2025), Pant was hit on the foot while trying to reverse sweep a Chris Woakes’ yorker. The ball took an inside edge and ricocheted onto his front boot. Visibly in pain, Pant hobbled and called on the physio and had to be eventually taken off the pitch in a golf cart as his right foot, already swollen up, was bleeding profusely. The batter was later rushed to the hospital for scans, which revealed that there was a fracture on the toe.

The doctors have advised Pant to rest for six weeks, but with the team one man short in the playing XI, the Indian team management has asked the medical team for clarity on whether he can bat after taking a pain-killer, in case such a need arises.

Sources in the BCCI suggested that with Pant still requiring support to walk, it looks highly unlikely that he would be in a position to bat. “The medical team is assessing the situation and we will decide based on what they suggest,” the source said.

Even though India has Dhruv Jurel as the second wicketkeeper-batter, there’s a possibility that someone like Ishan Kishan could be called-up as a back-up option.

India is already struggling with a spate of injuries and with the series on the line, Pant’s injury comes as a massive blow.

In the absence of Pant, Jurel will be the keeper for the remainder of the fourth Test

Marcus Rashford has been given the chance to revive his career at Barcelona with a season-long loan move from Manchester United announced on Wednesday (July 23, 2025).

The England forward, who was once considered among Europe’s top talents, has seen his career stall in recent years after falling out of favor at United and ending last season on loan at Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old Rashford will join a Barcelona attack that includes young star Lamine Yamal, Brazil international Raphinha and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

Rashford had arrived in Barcelona on Sunday to sign his contract. He had already met his teammates and reportedly trained with the group on Tuesday.

Marcus Rashford celebrates a goal for Aston Villa during his loan spell at the English club. File
| Photo Credit:
Action Images via Reuters

Financial details were not immediately disclosed. Spanish media said the agreement with United would give Barcelona an option to buy Rashford for about 30 million euros (USD 35 million).

Spanish champion Barcelona had looked set to sign Spain forward Nico Williams this offseason until he agreed a 10-year deal to stay at Athletic Bilbao earlier this month. That opened the door for Rashford to make the switch.

Potent attack

Barcelona had the best attack in Spanish soccer and one of the most prolific across Europe last season, but had been trying to add another piece to the front line to go along with Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.

The trio helped the club score 102 goals as it won the Spanish league title, 24 goals more than runner-up Real Madrid. The Catalan club also led the Champions League in goals with 43, five more than champion Paris Saint-Germain, before being eliminated by Inter Milan in the semifinals.

What went wrong at United?

Rashford had progressed through United’s famed academy that produced greats like Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. He made 429 appearances, scored 138 goals and helped United win five major trophies, including two FA Cups and the Europa League.

But he struggled to consistently live up to the hype that surrounded him when he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 2016 — only managing 20 goals or more in three seasons. In his last two seasons at United he scored a combined 15 goals and added another four in 17 games on loan at Villa.

But Rashford’s ability has rarely been called into question and he recently earned a recall to the England squad under new coach Thomas Tuchel, putting him in contention for next year’s World Cup if the national team qualifies.