zukasound.com – Daily Picks & Featured Commentary

Following India's five-wicket loss to England in the first Test, former Australian player Brad Haddin urges captain Shubman Gill to improve the team's fielding attitude. Haddin links poor catching to the IPL and emphasizes that fielding excellence requires commitment. India dropped eight catches, costing them dearly, especially with Ben Duckett's match-winning performance.

Praggnanandhaa's Rise Triggers Witty Response From Chess Star Giri

Anish Giri's witty remark on Praggnanandhaa becoming the World No.1 junior highlights the rise of young chess talents. Praggnanandhaa's UzChess Cup Masters 2025 victory, propelling him to World No.4 and India's top player, showcases his dominance. His dramatic win, praised by Viswanathan Anand, underscores his impressive character and solidifies his position as a leading force in chess.

India vs. England: Calls Grow for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test Amid Bumrah Workload Concerns

Following their defeat in the first Test, India is contemplating changes for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Jasprit Bumrah's participation is uncertain due to workload management. Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion is strongly considered, given England's struggles against wrist spin.

Bumrah Boosts India's Edgbaston Test Hopes with Bowling Return After Headingley Defeat

Jasprit Bumrah's return to training has boosted India's bowling preparations for the Edgbaston Test after their Headingley defeat. Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj bowled in the nets, injecting intensity into the team's practice. While Bumrah's inclusion remains uncertain due to workload management, his presence offers hope as Team India aims to level the series.

Jaiswal Aims to Eclipse Gavaskar's 49-Year-Old Record as India Battles England in Edgbaston Test

Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the verge of breaking Sunil Gavaskar's 49-year-old record to become the fastest Indian to reach 2000 Test runs. He needs just 97 runs in the upcoming Edgbaston Test against England to surpass Gavaskar, who achieved the milestone in 23 Tests. Jaiswal's recent century in Leeds has fueled anticipation for this historic feat.

Aronian Pleads for Reconciliation with Kramnik Amid Defamation Lawsuit Fallout

In a public plea, Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has urged Vladimir Kramnik, a former World Champion, to reconcile amidst a defamation lawsuit. Aronian's letter, shared on social media, expresses deep respect for Kramnik, acknowledging his significant influence. This follows Kramnik's lawsuit against Chessdom, GM David Navara, and others, stemming from disputes over alleged online cheating.

India Confronts Edgbaston Hoodoo in Series-Leveling Bid Against England

India faces a daunting challenge at Edgbaston, a venue where they've never won a Test match. After a painful defeat at Headingley, where England chased down a substantial target, India is under pressure to avoid a series loss. Breaking the Edgbaston jinx, dating back to 1967, requires an extraordinary effort against a confident England team.

Hetmyer's Last-Gasp Six Steals Record-Breaking Win for Seattle Orcas in MLC Thriller

Shimron Hetmyer's explosive unbeaten 97 propelled the Seattle Orcas to a thrilling three-wicket victory over MI New York in a high-scoring affair. Chasing a daunting 238, Hetmyer's last-ball six sealed the highest successful run chase in MLC history. Nicholas Pooran's earlier unbeaten century for MI New York went in vain as Seattle snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Tips Jasprit Bumrah for Javelin Success

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah possesses the fitness and strength to excel in javelin throw, highlighting the crossover of athletic abilities. Bumrah's impressive 2024 performance includes 78 wickets in 15 Test matches, leading all fast bowlers globally in wickets and overs bowled.

Lhuan-dre Pretorious, a 19-year-old prodigy, etched his name in South African cricket history by becoming the youngest player to score a Test century on debut against Zimbabwe. He surpassed Graeme Pollock's 61-year-old record with an unbeaten 128, rescuing the Proteas from an early collapse.

Despite Shreyas Iyer's impressive performances in the ICC Champions Trophy, IPL, and domestic red-ball season, Aakash Chopra suggests a Test call-up isn't imminent. Chopra highlights that players like Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel are ahead in the queue.

India Regroups After Test Loss; Krishna Confident in Bowling Attack Despite Bumrah's Limited Role

India faced a setback in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy's first Test against England, with coach Gautam Gambhir committed to managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload, limiting him to three matches. Prasidh Krishna sees this as an opportunity, emphasizing team unity and learning from senior players like Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah's Net Session Mystery: India's Pace Spearhead Keeps England Guessing Ahead of Edgbaston Test

Jasprit Bumrah displayed intense focus during practice at Edgbaston, bowling with pace and accuracy alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Kuldeep Yadav is also working diligently on both his bowling and batting, potentially becoming a key option for the second Test given Birmingham's dry conditions. The team will now take a break before regrouping, with Bumrah's availability remaining uncertain.

Junior Hockey World Cup Draw Pits India Against Pakistan in Group B

India is set to host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. The host nation finds itself in Pool B, facing Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland. This edition marks a historic moment as the tournament expands to include 24 teams for the first time.

WTC Standings: Australia, England Dominate as India Seeks Recovery After Setback

The new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle has commenced with Australia and England leading with a perfect PCT of 100. Sri Lanka follows after their series against Bangladesh. India, despite Shubman Gill's team's impressive fight and five centurions, suffered a loss to England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to a middle-order collapse.

Asia Cup 2025: ACC Aims for September Launch as Optimism Surges Amid Thawing Tensions

The recent release of ICC fixtures involving India and Pakistan women's teams in the Women's T20 World Cup points in that direction; a formal decision likely next week

Wimbledon Serves Up Cricket Diplomacy to Ace the Indian Market

Wimbledon is targeting India to grow its brand, tapping into cricket’s popularity and engaging young audiences through collaborations, influencers, and technology. Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma have become key figures in this strategy. With key partnerships, Wimbledon aims to blend tradition with innovation for global appeal.

Mandhana Makes History: First Indian Woman Cricketer to Score Centuries in All Formats

Smriti Mandhana made history on Saturday. She became the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all formats. This happened during the T20I against England Women. Mandhana scored 112 runs off 62 balls. India Women posted 210/5, their highest T20I score against England. Her achievement places her among the elite cricketers globally.

Nitish Rana moved to Uttar Pradesh in 2023, and after a disastrous season, he is likely to return to Delhi. Rana had an underwhelming IPL 2025 with the Rajasthan Royals, who bought the southpaw for a whopping Rs 4.20 crore in the IPL auction.

Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Makes Test History, Breaks 48-Year-Old Record on Debut

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old debutant, etched his name in Test cricket history by becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in an innings against Zimbabwe, surpassing Javed Miandad's 48-year-old record. Pretorius's counterattacking 153, along with Dewald Brevis's quickfire 51, helped South Africa recover from a shaky start.