Sports

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s message to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is unequivocal: Either give everything for the team or rest properly instead of selective participation for workload management.

On the eve of the must-win fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Pathan expressed his admiration for Bumrah’s incredible skills with the ball but also urged him to put in the “extra effort” when the situation demanded.

“I absolutely adore Jasprit Bumrah, I absolutely love his skills. He is outstanding. However, I believe that when you play for India, you have to give it your all.

“When you talk about a five-over spell, when Root comes, you are not bowling the sixth over. You have to give it all. Either you give everything or you rest properly,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“When it comes to a nation or a team, when you are playing for a team, you play for them. Team always comes first,” the former India left-arm seamer added.

As part of a pre-determined plan, Bumrah was supposed to play in three of the five Tests on the tour but with India trailing 2-1 with two more matches to play, calls for his inclusion at Old Trafford have only grown since the team’s heartbreaking loss at Lord’s.

Not questioning commitment

Pathan made it clear that he was in no way questioning Bumrah’s commitment to the team.

“Not questioning that he hasn’t put in efforts. He has bowled overs. There is no doubt about it. However, when it comes to going the extra mile for the team, you have to do that.

“Bumrah will remain at the top for a long time if he continues to win games regularly for India. You have to put in that extra effort when the team needs you. Ben Stokes did that, and Jofra did it after four years,” Pathan said.

Bumrah featured in the first and the third Tests of the series, and enjoyed immense success with the ball in both outings at Leeds and Lord’s.

In the series opener at Headingley, Bumrah led the way with a five-wicket haul in the first innings before going wicket-less in England’s successful chase of 371.

In the third Test at Lord’s, the leading fast bowler rattled England’s batting unit with another landmark five-for and then picked up two wickets in the second innings to finish with match figures of 7/112.

A few days ago, former India batter Dilip Vengsarkar has also expressed his annoyance at Bumrah not playing in all the matches on the big tour.

Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of Chennai Grand Masters, starting in Chennai on August 6.

India’s most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players from across the Masters and Challengers categories.

The latest edition will have a ₹1 crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are vital for qualifying for next year’s Candidates Tournament.

Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the tournament will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers.

Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will comprise Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024.

“Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best,” Erigaisi said.

The Challengers category, introduced last year, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh, and Pranesh M.

The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place player will get richer by Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh , respectively.

The Challengers’ winner will receive Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament also carries FIDE Circuit points, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification.

In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively.

Having led Italy to their maiden World Cup qualification, the European team’s Australia-born captain Joe Burns wants to “jump in at the deep end” during the T20 showpiece next year by taking on defending champions India in the opening match itself.

Italy made the cut for the event in India and Sri Lanka next year with a solid showing in the European Qualifiers that concluded earlier this month. The draws for the World Cup are still some time away from being finalised.

“You come to your first World Cup and you want the big stage. I’d love to be playing India in the first game in India,” Burns told ICC Digital.

“I’d love to be playing Australia, England or all the top teams, that’s the experience that you’re after. You want to test yourself, you want to really jump in at the deep end,” he added.

Burns said qualifying for the tournament was still a “surreal” feeling for him.

“A lot of planning and preparation went into it (qualifying). So it’s satisfying from that aspect from the cricket side as well,” he said.

He said the entire process was emotional for him and for the rest of the team.

“We did one week training camp in Rome, one week in the UK, and I said to them the first day in Rome, ‘I don’t care if we’re playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket’…,

A former Australia player with four Test centuries to his credit, Burns made it to the Italian squad due to his mother’s heritage. It helped him pull through a personally challenging phase which included dealing with the death of his brother Dominic.

“For me, it was an opportunity to unite family and cricket, and I think for our group, everyone has a really similar story to that.

“We did a great culture piece in Rome (in the build-up to the Qualifier), about who we are, where we come from, understanding each other’s families and sacrifices made…,” he said.

Former Canada international John Davidson is the head coach of the team, with ex-Scotland international Dougie Brown and Ireland star Kevin O’Brien as his assistants.

“I’ve seen a group of players who have grown and developed into a really close-knit group,” O’Brien said.

“That can be difficult with players coming from different parts of the world but the common joining force with this squad is the Italian heritage.

“I’ve seen the guys improve, and that is not only with their cricket skills, it’s all the other things that you need to be successful in International cricket, like attitude, fitness, awareness, cricket smarts, and work ethic,” he added.

Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes that the uncapped Anshul Kamboj belongs to the rare breed of fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah who are not only skillful but have an understanding of plans that goes beyond just trying to “express themselves and enjoy the game”.

Kamboj was drafted into the Indian squad for the fourth Test against England in Manchester after injuries to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, and the pace duo of Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh last week.

“The appreciable thing about Anshul is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many fast bowlers if you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

“But Anshul understands plans and also knows how to execute in the middle.It’s not a trait many fast bowlers possess. Zaheer Khan was one of them. He was amazing.

“In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety. I’m not comparing skills because skills are a very different thing,” he added.

The 24-year-old impressed in the lead-up to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, performing consistently for India A against the England Lions. Across four innings at Northampton and Canterbury, he picked up five wickets, showcasing late movement and bounce.

“He has a very good tappa (right length). I have seen that in the IPL. His wrist position is very good, and he delivers a very upright seam. He never leaves his tappa,” he said.

“With Bumrah and Siraj there, if you are bringing in Anshul Kamboj into the playing XI, I’m telling you, it’s a serious bowling.”

“Serious bowling attack”

Ashwin feels Kamboj, who has been in “cracking form” will serve as the perfect foil to Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the fourth Test.

“If you are going to bring Anshul Kamboj into the XI, I am telling you this is a serious bowling attack.” He highlighted Kamboj’s domestic exploits, which included a 10-wicket haul in an innings against Kerala last year in a Ranji Trophy match at Lahli.

“People will say that Anshul will play his first Test. He hasn’t played in England, but he was there in the A tour. He has been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He is averaging around 13. He took 10 wickets in an innings,” he said..

Ashwin added that Kamboj has the ability to bowl long spells, which will help in England.

“Anshul has a habit of bowling long spells. You need that in England. He will be a good foil for Bumrah and Siraj. Prasidh is an option, but I would go for Anshul. We were impressed with him. His wrist is really good,” he said.

However, Ashwin said that the Indian team management will have to calm Kamboj’s nerve should he make his debut.

“One thing the management will have to look after is calm Anshul’s nerve,” he said.

India are currently trailing 1-2 in the five-match series with the fourth Test slated to begin in Manchester on Wednesday.

Bryan Mbeumo became Manchester United’s second major signing of the transfer window after completing a move from Brentford for £65 million ($87 million).

Mbeumo follows the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers as United coach Ruben Amorim looks to overhaul his squad following United’s worst ever season in the Premier League.

“As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,” Mbeumo said.

“My mentality is always to be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.”

The fee for the 25-year-old Cameroon international was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person with knowledge of the deal. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details have not been made public, said the price could to £71 million ($95 million) based on performance-related add-ons.

Goal hungry

Among United’s problems last season was a lack of goals and Amorim has tried to address that with his transfer dealings so far. Mbeumo scored 20 goals last term and Cunha scored 17.

By comparison United strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scored just 18 between them.

A centre forward could also be added before the transfer window closes September 1.

United’s forward line is being transformed by Amorim, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony all expected to leave during the offseason.

Mbeumo’s goal scoring record

Mbeumo has proven himself in England’s top flight with Brentford and is coming off his best goal-scoring campaign.

The 25-year-old Cameroon international was the joint fourth leading scorer in the league, with only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland netting more. He scored 70 goals in 242 games for Brentford in six years at the club.

His move comes more than a month after United made its interest in him known and the deal has been completed in time for him to join Amorim’s squad for its preseason tour to the United States.

Amorim is aiming to turn United’s fortunes around after 12 years without winning the league title.

The team finished last season in 15th place, its lowest in the modern era and just three places above the relegation zone. United also set unwanted club records for the most losses in a Premier League season and the lowest points total.

It had the fifth worst scoring record in the top flight and missed out on qualification for Europe after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham.

Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes Washington Sundar has all the attributes to become India’s next “genuine” Test all-rounder, as he is lethal with the ball in home conditions and is also a naturally gifted batter.

The 25-year-old off-spinner, who made a memorable Test debut at the Gabba in 2021, has since had limited red-ball opportunities. In 11 Tests, Washington has amassed 545 runs and taken 30 wickets.

“I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he’s the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India,” Shastri said on ‘The ICC Review.’

Shastri feels Washington’s red-ball appearances should have been more, especially given his proven ability on turning tracks at home.

“He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket. Can be lethal in India on tracks where the ball is turning, as New Zealand found out when they played against India. He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well and he can bat.”

Washington was the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2024 home Test series against New Zealand, finishing with 16 wickets in four innings.

Shastri, who oversaw Washington’s Test debut, also heaped praise on his batting ability, suggesting the Tamil Nadu player was good enough to be promoted up the order.

“He’s a naturally talented batsman. He’s no number 8. He can go at 6 very soon in the batting lineup.” In the ongoing England series, Washington has made key contributions with both bat and ball. At Lord’s, his 4/22 in the second innings, including the prized scalps of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith, had swung the match in India’s favour.

Shastri added that Washington’s technical attributes make him an asset even in overseas conditions.

“And once he gains confidence, I think he’ll get better and better because even overseas he’s got the drift, he’s got the pace, he’s got the strength in his fingers and the fitness. You know, do both long spells and do the controlling job when needed.”

Slowly but surely emerging as one of India’s key players, International Master Divya Deshmukh stunned higher-ranked compatriot Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in the tiebreaks to enter the semifinals of the FIDE World Women’s Chess Cup here.

After two uneventful draws in the classical games, the pressure was on Harika in the rapid tiebreaks. Divya capitalised with a determined performance to win the first game, before sealing the match in the second as Harika, in a must-win situation, overpressed in search of a miracle that never came.

While Harika has been a semifinalist on three different occasions in a similar format which was then called the world women’s championship, Humpy and now Divya have become the two Indians who made it to the semis of the women’s world cup as this is a part of the new world championship cycle.

This also means that one Indian entry is assured in the Women’s Candidates Tournament slated sometime next year, which will decide who will contest the world championship match against incumbent Ju Wenjun of China.

Highest-ranked Indian for over a decade, Koneru Humpy is already in the last four for the first time in her career, and this is one title that has eluded her all these years. With Divya Deshmukh joining her as the other semi-finalist, it shows a paradigm shift in Indian women’s chess too, where the boys have largely been making hay.

Divya employed the Italian Opening in the first game and gave nothing away. Harika was outdone in the middlegame while trying to find some serious counterplay but ended up miscalculating, which cost her the queen for two white pieces. The rest was easy for Divya, who has now established herself as a force to reckon with in women’s chess.

In the return game, Harika had to win, but again Divya was up to the task in defence. It is well known that Harika adores her chances in faster versions, but against Divya she did not get many. It was a picturesque finish in the end that closed the doors for Harika.

In the semifinals, Humpy will meet top seed Lei Tingjie of China, while Divya will face former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi, also of China.

Slowly but surely emerging as one of India’s key players, International Master Divya Deshmukh stunned higher-ranked compatriot Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in the tiebreaks to enter the semifinals of the FIDE World Women’s Chess Cup here.

After two uneventful draws in the classical games, the pressure was on Harika in the rapid tiebreaks. Divya capitalised with a determined performance to win the first game, before sealing the match in the second as Harika, in a must-win situation, overpressed in search of a miracle that never came.

While Harika has been a semifinalist on three different occasions in a similar format which was then called the world women’s championship, Humpy and now Divya have become the two Indians who made it to the semis of the women’s world cup as this is a part of the new world championship cycle.

This also means that one Indian entry is assured in the Women’s Candidates Tournament slated sometime next year, which will decide who will contest the world championship match against incumbent Ju Wenjun of China.

Highest-ranked Indian for over a decade, Koneru Humpy is already in the last four for the first time in her career, and this is one title that has eluded her all these years. With Divya Deshmukh joining her as the other semi-finalist, it shows a paradigm shift in Indian women’s chess too, where the boys have largely been making hay.

Divya employed the Italian Opening in the first game and gave nothing away. Harika was outdone in the middlegame while trying to find some serious counterplay but ended up miscalculating, which cost her the queen for two white pieces. The rest was easy for Divya, who has now established herself as a force to reckon with in women’s chess.

In the return game, Harika had to win, but again Divya was up to the task in defence. It is well known that Harika adores her chances in faster versions, but against Divya she did not get many. It was a picturesque finish in the end that closed the doors for Harika.

In the semifinals, Humpy will meet top seed Lei Tingjie of China, while Divya will face former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi, also of China.

Scottie Scheffler had already cemented his place among golf’s all-time greats, but his commanding four-shot victory at the British Open reignited comparisons to Tiger Woods.

Sunday’s final round of the British Open at Royal Portrush was one of the more anticlimactic finishes to a major in recent memory and left many in the world of golf wondering if Scheffler was the heir to Woods’ throne.

“I look everywhere and I try to find some kind of a weakness, somewhere where he can get derailed, and I just can’t find it,” NBC Sports analyst and former Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley said. “He might even prove to have more longevity than Tiger Woods.”

Making comparisons to 15-times major champion Woods may be premature but world number one Scheffler, a four-time major winner, is playing in a league of his own and showing no signs of slowing down.

“I don’t think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here’s Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance,” said 2024 British Open champion Xander Schauffele.

“You can’t even say he’s on a run. He’s just been killing it for over two years now. He’s a tough man to beat, and when you see his name up on the leaderboard, it sucks for us.”

Scheffler won the Masters in 2022 and 2024, earned his first PGA Championship title this year followed by his fourth career major with his British Open triumph.

The 29-year-old Texan joined Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as the only players to win a Masters, PGA Championship and British Open before age 30.

“What he’s doing is so dominant and so clinical,” said NBC Sports analyst Brandel Chamblee. “I can’t help but think that we are on an inevitable march towards one of the greatest careers in the history of golf.”

Scheffler’s 149-week run as the number one ranked golfer in the world is also the longest since Woods occupied the top spot for a record 281 weeks from 2005 to 2010.

“In a historical context, you could argue that there’s only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run, the one that Scottie’s been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive,” said world number two Rory McIlroy.

Scheffler, who will undoubtedly be favoured wherever he tees it up for the foreseeable future, will get a chance to become only the seventh player to complete the career Grand Slam of golf’s four majors at next June’s U.S. Open.

But despite an ability to make a complicated game seem simple at times and leave fellow competitors in awe, Scheffler is not ready to entertain talk about comparisons to Woods.

“Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth,” Scheffler said after winning the Claret Jug. “I just got one-fourth of the way there. I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf.

“He was inspirational for me growing up. He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf.”