Cliff Notes – The unusual method that gives Sai Sudharsan cruise control Sai Sudharsan’s back-foot dominance against spin has led to a unique batting style, allowing him to generate power and control, despite a modest Test average of 23.33. His technique, while effective in many situations, raises questions about its reliability against certain deliveries, particularly when facing good-length balls. The unusual method that gives Sai Sudharsan cruise control It would come as no surprise to…
Cliff Notes – Wales will recover from England loss – defender Ethan Ampadu Ethan Ampadu expressed confidence that Wales will bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to England ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium. Despite the loss, Ampadu noted the team’s strong support from fans and emphasised the need to improve execution in future matches. Wales will recover from England loss – defender Ethan Ampadu Ethan Ampadu has insisted his “bruised” Wales…
Cliff Notes – Scotland 3-1 Greece Game Analysis Lewis Ferguson scored his first goal for Scotland, contributing to a comeback victory after the team initially fell behind to Greece. Scotland’s resilience was evident as they equalised quickly through Ryan Christie, followed by Ferguson’s goal from a set-piece, and a late strike from Lyndon Dykes. Despite the win, Scotland faced setbacks with suspensions for Ferguson and Christie, and an injury concern for Aaron Hickey. Scotland 3-1…
Mclaren Celebrates Constructors’ Championship Amid Piastri’s Podium Absence McLaren’s historic triumph in clinching their 10th Constructors’ Championship at the Singapore Grand Prix was marked by exuberant celebrations on the podium. However, a notable absence captured the attention of fans and commentators alike—drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri, who finished fourth behind his teammate Lando Norris. Why Piastri Missed McLaren’s Celebration The absence of Oscar Piastri during McLaren’s jubilant ceremony was quickly surrounded by speculation, with many…
Cliff Notes – Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh form strong Bengal pace attack for Ranji opener Mohammed Shami leads a formidable Bengal pace attack alongside Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Ishan Porel for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The squad, now captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, underwent a late change in leadership after consultation with Sourav Ganguly, the new president of the cricket Association of Bengal. Shami’s recent lack of match play has raised concerns, having participated…
Cliff Notes – Barcelona seek closer UEFA ties after Super League failure Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club’s intention to reestablish relations with UEFA and rejoin the European Football Clubs (EFC), signalling a potential setback for the European Super League project. Relations between UEFA and Barcelona deteriorated in 2021 when the club was a founding member of the Super League, leading to their departure from the EFC. Laporta emphasised a commitment to “building…
Pirelli Plans Changes to C6 Tyre Following Verstappen Criticism Pirelli is reconsidering its approach to the C6 tyre in Formula 1 following critical comments from reigning champion Max Verstappen and other drivers. The Italian manufacturer, which introduced the C6 compound this season, is now open to discussions regarding its performance shortfalls after a notably underwhelming debut. Verstappen’s Critique of the C6 Tyre The C6 compound’s last outing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix sparked frustration among…
Cliff Notes – WPL teams allowed five player retentions ahead of November mega auction Franchises can retain up to five players, including a maximum of three capped Indian players and two overseas players, with at least one uncapped Indian player if retaining five. The retention deadline is set for November 5, with the auction scheduled between November 25 and 29, featuring an auction purse of INR 15 crore. Teams can negotiate retention amounts outside the…
Cliff Notes – A dream Champions League debut for Le Tissier and Man United Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Valerenga in their UEFA Women’s Champions League debut, with captain Maya Le Tissier scoring the decisive penalty. Chelsea and Arsenal, the other WSL representatives, faced disappointing results, with Chelsea drawing 1-1 and Arsenal losing 2-1 in their opening matches. Despite being labelled underdogs, United aims to secure a playoff spot, focusing on converting chances…
Cliff Notes – Maxwell hopes to be fit for back-end of T20I series against India Glenn Maxwell underwent surgery on his fractured right wrist, aiming for a four-week recovery to participate in the T20I series against India. Although not included in the squad for the first two matches, he remains optimistic about playing in the final three games scheduled for early November. Maxwell expressed frustration over missing the New Zealand series but is focused on…
Cliff Notes – FC Twente 1-1 Chelsea Game Analysis Chelsea dominated possession and created numerous chances but were unable to secure a win, settling for a draw against Twente. Twente took the lead with a stunning goal from Danique van Ginkel before Chelsea equalised through a penalty from Sandy Baltimore. Despite a strong performance, Chelsea had a goal disallowed for offside, highlighting their struggle to convert opportunities into points. FC Twente 1-1 Chelsea (8 Oct,…
Cliff Notes – Leicester City’s Premier League triumph 10 years later Leicester City’s 2015-16 title win is celebrated as one of the greatest underdog stories in sports, with players reflecting on their varied experiences of that season nearly a decade later. The team’s success stemmed from lineup stability, effective counterattacking tactics, and the inability of rival teams to perform consistently, rather than sheer luck. Despite their historic achievement, many players have since downplayed its significance…
Sainz Critiques F1 Broadcasts for Celebrity Focus Carlos Sainz has voiced his frustration over Formula 1 broadcasts, arguing that they place too much emphasis on the reactions of driver girlfriends and celebrities, often at the expense of showcasing the on-track action. Following a lacklustre race at the Singapore Grand Prix, the Spaniard highlighted that key moments of his spectacular drive from the back of the grid to 10th place were overshadowed by frequent cutaways to…
Russell Yet to Sign New Mercedes Contract Ahead of 2025 Season Finale With just six rounds remaining in the 2025 Formula 1 season, George Russell has yet to finalise a new contract with Mercedes. After his commanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, team principal Toto Wolff remarked that “good things take a while” when addressing the delay in negotiations regarding Russell’s future. Contract Talks: A Focus on Detail Russell’s current contract, which he signed…
Cliff Notes – Shining Knight sweeps in to rescue England Heather Knight’s rigorous training paid off as she scored 79 not out, leading England to victory against Bangladesh in a challenging ODI match. Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Marufa Akter and Fahima Khatun, posed significant challenges, reducing England to precarious positions at 78 for 5 and 103 for 6. Knight’s experience shone through as she adapted her batting strategy to the difficult conditions, effectively using the sweep…
Cliff Notes – Ellyse Perry and Sidra Amin highlight the contrasts in Australia and Pakistan Sidra Amin emphasised Pakistan’s familiarity with the Colombo wicket, contrasting it with Australia’s lack of experience on the surface, while acknowledging Australia’s superior game assessment skills. Ellyse Perry pointed to Australia’s robust domestic structure and competitive environment as key factors in their cricketing success, highlighting the importance of adaptability in challenging conditions. Ellyse Perry and Sidra Amin highlight the contrasts…
Cliff Notes – Man City’s John Stones mulled retiring last season amid injuries John Stones, 31, considered retirement last season due to persistent hamstring and foot injuries that sidelined him for over 30 games. Despite the mental challenges of his injuries, Stones remains determined to fight for his place in football, stating he has a winning mentality that drives him to continue. Man City’s John Stones mulled ‘retiring’ last season amid injuries Manchester City and…
Mclaren’s Bid for Singapore Supremacy Falls Short Again In what was anticipated to be a triumphant return to form at the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren faced a disappointing outcome, finishing in third and fourth place after last year’s resounding victory. Despite the promising conditions that the Marina Bay circuit provides, the team struggled to regain the dominance that had previously defined their performance. Why McLaren Failed to Reprise F1 Singapore GP 2024 Dominance After experiencing…
Cliff Notes – Brits and Gardner enter top five in women’s ODI batters’ rankings Tazmin Brits’ match-winning 101 against New Zealand elevates her to No. 4 in the ODI rankings, marking a two-spot rise. Ash Gardner’s century of 115 runs also against New Zealand propels her to No. 5, a gain of seven places. Both players’ successes have pushed down several established batters, including Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, while Sophie Devine rises to No.…
Team-by-team talking points predictions The UEFA Women’s Champions League has adopted an 18-team format, enhancing competition and allowing more teams to face higher-quality opposition regularly. Arsenal, Chelsea, and OL Lyonnes are among the top contenders, with Arsenal aiming to defend their title and Chelsea under pressure to finally secure European glory after years of investment. Barcelona remains a formidable force, but their recent cost-cutting raises questions about squad depth, while German clubs like Wolfsburg and…
Cliff Notes – Hazlewood, Starc in line for SCG Shield outing before Ashes Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are set to play a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales before the Ashes, likely missing three T20Is against India for preparation. Australian officials are considering various options for Ashes preparations, with Hazlewood emphasising the importance of a Shield game for optimal readiness. Hazlewood remains committed to participating in multiple formats, aiming for a balanced workload…
Tensions Rise at Mclaren After Singapore Grand Prix Incident In a dramatic twist at the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren’s internal dynamics took center stage following contact between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While George Russell’s surprise victory captured headlines, the collision between Norris and Piastri during the opening lap has raised concerns about team communication and race strategy as the championship tension escalates. Managing Team Dynamics: McLaren’s Tightrope Walk As McLaren embarks on this…
Cliff Notes – Charlie Dean takes England vice-captaincy in her stride Charlie Dean has been appointed as England’s vice-captain for the Women’s World Cup 2025, aiming to maintain her “sarcastic and jovial” personality while supporting captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Dean’s role includes being a “sounding board” for Sciver-Brunt and assisting with field placements, drawing on her leadership experience from captaining London Spirit in the women’s Hundred. The England team is undergoing a leadership transition under coach…
Cliff Notes – Yohannes, Caldentey: Who is the MVP on all 18 UWCL teams The UEFA Women’s Champions League has adopted a new format, featuring 18 clubs playing six league-phase games each before knockout rounds, mirroring the men’s competition. Key players to watch include Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal, who excelled in the WSL last season, and 18-year-old Lily Yohannes of OL Lyonnes, who has quickly become a vital asset in midfield. The tournament showcases a…
Cliff Notes – Man City’s O’Reilly handed first England call up after James injury Nico O’Reilly receives his first senior England call-up following Reece James’ injury, set to play in a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier in Latvia. The 20-year-old has been in excellent form for Manchester City, starting the last four Premier League matches and previously representing England at youth levels from U15 to U20. O’Reilly will compete for a position…
