BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: India captain Shubman Gill continued to give fresh meaning to the phrase “leading from the front” with a stunning innings of 161 in the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.
The 25-year-old’s second century of the match took his overall tally for the game to 430 runs, a figure bettered by India great Sachin Tendulkar, Test cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer, just three times in a series, let alone a match, during his celebrated career.
Following his commanding 269 in the first innings, Gill also became the first batsman in 148 years of Test history to make score of 250 and 150 in the same match.
All that came after Gill’s 147 in his first Test as captain, India’s five-wicket loss in last week’s series opener at Headingley.
But beyond the statistics, it is the way Gill has played that has impressed seasoned observers.
In the first innings at Edgbaston, he batted in near flawless-fashion for eight-and-a-half hours, with his offside driving standing comparison with cricket’s most elegant batsmen.
But in the second innings, with quick runs required to set up a declaration, Gill made 161 off just 162 balls, including 13 fours and eight sixes.
India are now well-placed given England, with seven wickets standing, still need a mammoth 536 more runs on Sunday’s final day to achieve what would be a Test record fourth-innings victory chase of 608.
“Gill is outrageous,” England fast-bowling great Stuart Broad, well used to working out world-class batsmen during a career that yielded 604 Test wickets, told Sky Sports after Saturday’s close.
“As a bowler, I’d be looking for technical things so I could expose him, but he’s not shown any obvious signs of dismissal and he’s played stylishly. He’s played with huge responsibility, under big pressure.
“It’s breathtaking... He deserves all the applause he will get.”
Gill was drafted into India’s under-19 side as for their victorious 2018 World Cup campaign, shortly after scoring a century for Punjab in just his second first-class Ranji Trophy match.
He made his one-day international debut in 2019, but it was in his first Test series, in Australia in 2020/21, that he came to the fore, notably with a fluent 91 in India’s thrilling series-clinching win at the Gabba.
His first Test hundred came a year later, in Chattogram. A month later, aged 23, he became the youngest to make an ODI double-century, smashing 208 off 149 balls against New Zealand.
Born in Fazilka, near the border with Pakistan, before moving to Mohali aged eight to be nearer better cricket facilities, the nickname ‘Prince’ has clung to Gill to the extent of sometimes appearing on his bat-stickers.
An opener and then a number three, Gill now occupies the number four position held by childhood hero Virat Kohli, with his 269 surpassing Kohli’s unbeaten 254 against South Africa in Pune in 2019 as the highest score by an India Test captain.
As a boy, Gill wanted to know what Kohli’s scores and achievements were when he was his age.
And when Kohli first saw Gill in the nets in New Zealand in 2019/20, he said he didn’t even have 10 percent of the talent when he was Gill’s age.
Yet last year, when England went 1-0 up in Hyderabad, a second-innings duck saw Gill’s Test average fall below 30 for the first time.
But then India coach Rahul Dravid, himself an outstanding batsman, resisted the temptation to drop Gill, who then made a second-innings century in a 106-run win in Visakhapatnam and another, in Dharamshala, during a series India won 4-1.
Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma as India captain after the latter announced his retirement from Test cricket in May, with ‘King’ Kohli calling time on his Test career just a few days later.
A few months ago,when asked about potential leaders, Rohit said “the boys aren’t ready yet.”
But Gill, who started this series with a modest Test average of under 36, looks as if he might be now.
Shubman Gill, the ‘Prince’ who is now India’s new cricket king
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Shubman Gill, the ‘Prince’ who is now India’s new cricket king
- The 25-year-old’s second century of the match took his overall tally for the game to 430 runs
Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report
- World’s richest cricket series top revenue earner for BCCI, generates estimated $11 billion a year for Indian economy
- Indian Premier League’s brand value jumps 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion in past year, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey says
NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League’s business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.
The world’s richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.
According to US investment bank Houlihan Lokey, which has valued several sports franchises around the world, the brand value of the 10-team T20 franchise tournament has seen a sharp rise of 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion over the past year.
Bengaluru, who along with star player Virat Kohli won their first IPL title this year, have overtaken five-time winners Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to achieve a brand value of $269 million.
Mumbai is second with $242 million, followed by Chennai at $235 million.
The Houlihan Lokey report called the IPL “a global phenomenon” that has become more than just a cricket league.
“The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors,” Harsh Talikoti from Houlihan Lokey, said in a statement.
“The league’s ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal.”
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings for the title at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in June to conclude the 18th edition of the league.
The report said the 2025 final had more than 678 million views on the official streaming platform JioHotstar, surpassing the India-Pakistan clash during the Champions Trophy in February this year.
The IPL, which is broadcast around the world and features top international stars such as Australia’s Pat Cummins and England’s Jos Buttler, mixes sport and showbusiness in a glitzy format, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood movie superstars.
Since it launched in 2008, it has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi, and spawned copycat cricket tournaments elsewhere.
‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era
- The New York Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi as preseason games offer early test for Brown’s title-chasing team
DUBAI: The New York Knicks have officially appointed Mike Brown as their new head coach, marking a fresh chapter for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year with deep playoff experience, Brown brings leadership, structure, and a championship pedigree to New York.
The appointment was confirmed this week, with Knicks President Leon Rose commenting: “Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings championship pedigree to our organization.”
The Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers in two NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 preseason matchups on Oct. 2 and 4. The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi announced that the games, presented by ADQ, will take place at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. While Abu Dhabi has hosted NBA preseason action since 2022, this will be New York’s first appearance in Abu Dhabi.
Brown takes charge following the Knicks’ strongest season in decades. Under Tom Thibodeau, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, reigniting hopes of a return to championship contention. Still, the front office felt a fresh voice was needed to elevate the team further.
Speaking on his appointment, Brown said: “Nobody has bigger expectations, first of all, than I do. My expectations are high. This is the Knicks. I talked about Madison Square Garden being iconic. I talked about our fans. I love and embrace the expectations that come along with it. I’m looking forward to it.”
A seasoned veteran, Brown has coached an elite roster of talent throughout his career. As head coach, he worked with NBA legends LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and as an assistant, he coached NBA all-time greats, including Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, won four NBA championships as an assistant, and earned Coach of the Year honors in both 2009 and 2023.
Now, he takes over a Knicks team brimming with championship aspirations, aiming to capture their first title since 1973. Leading the charge are two-time All-Star Jalen Brunson, five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, and 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team member Mikal Bridges.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable, winning culture that produces championships,” Brown said. “That’s why I’m here.”
The 76ers, their Abu Dhabi opponents, boast a powerful roster that includes 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, nine-time All-Star Paul George, and 2024 All-Star Tyrese Maxey. These NBA Abu Dhabi Games present a valuable opportunity for Brown to build chemistry, test rotations, and get the roster in sync ahead of the regular season.
Big adrenalin’ propels Pogacar to Tour de France stage and 100th career win
- It was the 26-year-old Slovenian’s 18th Tour de France stage win as he seeks a fourth overall triumph on the Tour
- Van der Poel took the overall lead on stage two but risks losing it on Wednesday’s time trial
ROUEN, France: Tadej Pogacar blew past his rivals in an “explosive” finish to take Tour de France stage four at Rouen on Tuesday and claim his 100th professional victory.
“That was really pure, classic Tour-de-France-style explosive,” said an elated Pogacar.
The win did not quite bring him the overall lead. Dutch powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel finished second to keep the yellow jersey.
Pogacar attacked on an incline to the line to finish just ahead of Van der Poel with Jonas Vingegaard third.
It was the 26-year-old Slovenian’s 18th Tour de France stage win as he seeks a fourth overall triumph on the Tour.
“There was big adrenalin and a big field of contenders,” Pogacar said.
Fans were treated to another Pogacar-Vingegaard head-to-head duel as five hills made the final 40km a roller-coaster.
Van der Poel also entered the fray and kept the overall lead he took from Alpecin teammate Jasper Philipsen, who quit the Tour injured after a nasty fall on Monday.
“Jasper needs to recover, and I hope he understands how hard I tried to win for him today,” Van der Poel said.
On the day’s final real climb, Pogacar dropped all his rivals with only Vingegaard offering a real fight.
But the big Dutch rider and the slender Dane both came back at Pogacar, making him fight all the way to the line in a thunderous finale.
The same trio top the overall standings, with Pogacar second and Vingegaard in third.
Van der Poel took the overall lead on stage two but risks losing it on Wednesday’s time trial.
“I should be happy to have the jersey again,” said Van der Poel. “I was surrounded by climbers out there you know.”
“Tadej was stronger and it’s as simple as that.”
Unlike the opening three stages, there was hardly a puff of wind and not a drop of rain, but there were still plenty of falls.
There was also a knifing incident with a man at Rouen slightly injuring a police officer before himself being shot as he tried to escape.
Neither the police officer nor the alleged culprit suffered life-threatening injuries.
Stage five will shake up the overall standings with a 33km individual time trial around Caen.
The stage is being billed as the day Remco Evenepoel will finally slip into the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
To do so the 25-year-old Belgian world and Olympic champion in the discipline will need to cover the course 59sec faster than Pogacar and Vingegaard.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be the big day, the real test of how good everyone is,” said Pogacar.
“Don’t count Remco out,” he added. “He’s the best in the world and he’ll be going full gas, like me.”
The man who designs the race, Thierry Gouvenou, predicted big time differences on the time trial.
“It’s flat and runs through exposed plains. This is a course designed for the specialists. You need to be aerodynamic and powerful,” he said, which suggests it could suit Evenepoel in particular.
“This is a red letter day for all the main contenders.”
Rarely lacking in confidence, Evenepoel was true to form.
“I can put a minute into them all tomorrow,” he said in Rouen after the fourth stage.
The first mountains come as late as stage 10 over the volcanic landscape of the Puy de Dome, with two more colossal climbing days in the Pyrenees before the blockbuster final week in the Alps.
Sweden reach Euro 2025 knockouts with 3-0 win over Poland
- The win also guaranteed Germany’s berth in the last eight after they beat Denmark
- Germany and Sweden occupy the top two spots in Group C on six points and meet in Zurich on Saturday to decide who will win the group
LUCERNE: Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani scored one goal and made another as her side cruised into the knockout stages of the women’s European Championship with a 3-0 win over Poland on Tuesday that eliminated the Poles.
The win also guaranteed Germany’s berth in the last eight after they beat Denmark earlier on Tuesday, with the Danes joining Poland in exiting the competition after both lost their opening two matches.
Germany and Sweden occupy the top two spots in Group C on six points and meet in Zurich on Saturday to decide who will win the group after Sweden’s aerial bombardment from the wings proved too much for the Polish defense.
Asllani and Madelen Janogy both hit the woodwork with early headers before striker Stina Blackstenius nodded home a cross from her captain in the 28th minute to break the deadlock.
The Swedes were well aware of the threat posed by Poland captain Ewa Pajor and kept her well-shackled for much of the game.
On the few occasions she did get the ball, the Polish fans rose to their feet in anticipation, but the Sweden defense was quick to snuff out any danger.
Playing in her 201st senior international, Asllani made no mistake in the 52nd minute as she ghosted through the middle before burying Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross past Kinga Szemik.
Blackstenius wasted a number of good chances to add to her tally as Sweden’s aerial attack continued, and substitute Lina Hurtig added their third goal with yet another header, this time from a corner, to round out the scoring in the 77th minute.
The closest the Poles came to scoring was in stoppage time when Ewelina Kamczyk fired a long-distance shot that smacked off the far post, but the Swedes were never threatened as they secured their spot in the quarter-finals.
“Great to win by 3-0, Poland are a tough opponent. We were determined and aggressive and it feels like it was exciting. Great to score goals,” Asllani said before sending a warning to Sweden’s German rivals ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“We just wanted to win and score as many goals as possible. We want to win against Germany, we don’t want a draw. It’s been a dream start, but we’re focusing on the next one now,” she said.
India look to maintain momentum against faltering England in third Test
- Shubman Gill has enjoyed a stunning start to his reign as India captain, with a remarkable 585 runs in his first two Tests as skipper
- So prolific has Gill been, he could now threaten Australia great Donald Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a single Test series
LONDON: An in-form India will continue their quest for just a fourth series win in England when the third Test at Lord’s starts on Thursday.
India levelled this five-match campaign at 1-1 with a 336-run rout of England in last week’s second Test at Edgbaston.
Here are several key talking points ahead of what promises to be a fascinating encounter:
Shubman Gill has enjoyed a stunning start to his reign as India captain, with a remarkable 585 runs in his first two Tests as skipper after replacing the retired Rohit Sharma.
At Edgbaston, thanks to innings of 269 and 161, the admirably composed and elegant Gill became the first batsman in Test cricket to make scores of 250 and 150 in the same match.
So prolific has Gill been, he could now threaten Australia great Donald Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a single Test series, after the 25-year-old also made 147 in India’s five-wicket defeat in the opener at Headingley.
“You’ve got got to give your opposition credit when it’s due and for him to bang out as many runs as he has done in this game has been pretty special,” said England captain Ben Stokes.
One encouraging thought for Stokes, however, as he ponders how to get the better of Gill, is that Bradman’s mark has stood for 95 years.
Many batsmen have made blistering starts, only for the runs to dry up later on.
South Africa’s Graeme Smith started his captaincy reign with back-to-back double hundreds in England, at Edgbaston and Lord’s, in 2003.
Opening batsman Smith, however, managed just 93 more runs in the remaining three Tests of that series.
It has been over four years since fast bowler Jofra Archer last played a Test but the injury-blighted express quick now appears set to return at Lord’s, where in 2019 he marked his debut by felling Australia’s Steve Smith with a fearsome bouncer.
Doubts remain over whether Archer can be the bowler he once was after such a lengthy lay-off.
But England coach Brendon McCullum said: “He’s obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket, but we all know what he’s capable of achieving and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he’s able to recapture and improve on what he’s been able to do already.”
Archer at his best would certainly give England a much-needed cutting edge.
Chris Woakes has taken just three wickets at a hugely expensive average of nearly 97 apiece so far this series, despite being given the new ball.
England great Geoffrey Boycott suggested the 36-year-old was now “past his sell-by date” but all-rounder Woakes has a fine record at Lord’s, with 32 wickets in seven Tests at a miserly average of 12.90, as well as a batting average of 42.50.
Akash Deep proved a more than capable stand-in with a 10-wicket haul in Birmingham — a return that will surely see him keep his place— but it is hard to see how India can be anything but stronger with a refreshed Jasprit Bumrah in their side after resting the world’s top-ranked Test bowler at Edgbaston.
“He (Bumrah) jogs in, you will be thinking ‘this will be 70 miles an hour’ and it hits you at 90,” former England paceman Stuart Broad told his ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast.
Overseas players often raise their game at Lord’s and Bumrah is unlikely to be an exception as the 31-year-old fast bowler bids to gain a coveted place on the dressing room honors board for the first time in his career.
