Sreehari Menon

USA cricketer Akilesh Reddy has been banned by the ICC for 8 years from cricket and related activities after being found guilty of match fixing during the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

Rashid Khan picked up a stunning five-wicket haul for MI London in their The Hundred clash against the Manchester Super Giants. Khan returned with figures of 5/17, his best ever to win the player of the match award. Later on Instagram, the Afghanistan superstar revealed that it was the first game his young son had come to watch him play, making it a 'special day'.

Preeti Pawar said a battle with hepatitis before the Paris Olympics tested her physically but strengthened her mentally, helping fuel her comeback to Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, the 22-year-old credited Army support, structured nutrition and sports psychology as she shifted focus to the upcoming Asian Games.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has expressed his regret over not meeting para athlete Dilip Gavit in Nashik. Gavit, a gold medal winner at the CWG 2026 in Glasgow, was made to wait for two hours outside the party office and denied the meeting despite having an invite. Amid uproar, Thackeray clarified that he had no knowledge of the meeting and would meet him as soon as he returns.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has turned to overseas franchise leagues having announced his retirement from cricket. Rahane will play for Amsterdam Flames in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, following Ravichandran Ashwin who was previously signed by Rahul Dravid's Dublin Guardians as captain.

Standing in as captain for the absent Shubman Gill, KL Rahul grassed a regulation catch at first slip during India's practice match against Sri Lanka XI. Ravindu Rasantha, then on 43, made the most of the chance by scoring 71 before Manav Suthar eventually ended his resistance with a crucial wicket.

Sonal Dinusha battled through an injury scare to score a fighting half-century on Day 1 of the IND vs SL XI practice match in Colombo. Coming into bat in the final session, Dinusha was hit on the hand by a fiery Gurnoor Brar bouncer. The 25-year-old received treatment and continued batting, scoring his 20th first class half-century.

Indian bowlers were made to work hard as Sri Lanka XI put on a strong batting performance on Day 1 of the warm-up game at the NCC in Colombo. Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rasantha and Sonal Dinusha scored half-centuries to power the hosts to 363/8. Spinners Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav picked two wickets each.

In a bid to attract fans to the stadiums, Sri Lanka Cricket has allowed free public admission for the upcoming India vs Sri Lanka Test series. The Men in Blue will play two tests at Galle and Colombo, with fans allowed to enter without paying for tickets. Both matches are part of the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle.

Asmita Dey created history in Glasgow after becoming the first Indian to win a CWG gold medal in judo. Dey's historic triumph is being celebrated across the country and UP Police are all set to promote her. Asmita is currently a Sub-Inspector but has received a letter confirming her promotion.