Former England batter Jonathan Trott said India’s overuse of the short-ball tactic played a key role in Jamie Smith and Harry Brook unleashing a fearless counter-attack on day three of second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston on Friday.

Former England fast-bowler Stuart Broad believes India still are in control of proceedings in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, despite the rollicking 165-run sixth wicket stand between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook taking the hosts to 249/5 in 47 overs.

At Edgbaston on Friday, Smith hammered a sensational 80-ball century, his second century in the format, and was unbeaten on 102 while Brook remained 91 not out as England staged a remarkable recovery from 84/5 by hitting all Indian bowlers all around the park.

As anticipation mounts for the first edition of Shooting League of India (SLI), launched by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and set to take place later this year, athletes from around the world have shared their excitement on being part of the tournament.

Talking about the competition and the opportunity, Croatia’s Miran Maricic said, “I am truly honoured to be invited to register for the Shooting League in India. It’s a fantastic competition that brings together some of the best athletes in the sport, all competing at one venue.”

“The level of talent and intensity will be incredible, and I am sure it will be a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. The environment promises to be both competitive and inspiring. Personally, I see this as a great opportunity to challenge myself and grow as an athlete in this exciting new format,” he added.

Maricic feels that the league will play a massive role in inspiring youngsters.

Spain and Italy made winning starts to their UEFA Women’s European Championship campaigns on Thursday.

On a day marked by tributes to the late Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, both killed in a car accident the night before, football took center stage with impressive performances and emotional solidarity.

World champions Spain showed they mean business in Euro 2025, dismantling Portugal 5-0 in their Group B opener at Wankdorf Stadium. The match began with a minute’s silence for Jota, which was observed with touching respect by the near-30,000 crowd in Bern.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes confidence is surging within his fast-bowling group after another clinical effort with the ball saw them dismiss Australia for 286 on a rain-hit opening day of the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

It marked the third time this series that the West Indies pace attack have bowled out the world’s No.1 Test side for a sub-par total, leaving the ICC World Test Championship clash finely balanced heading into Day 2.

“I more look at it like the homework we've done and our bowlers keep challenging the top-order,” Sammy reflected at stumps. “I mean, (bowling coach) Ravi Rampaul ever since he has come in — the culture we tried to change — and it's more importantly the way the bowlers are buying into it and we could see the results out there.”

Shubman Gill slammed a majestic 269, a knock which will be talked about a lot in future, as he carried a dominant India to 587 in 151 overs of their first innings against England in the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Skipper Shubman Gill has etched his name into cricket’s record books with a remarkable display of skill, temperament, and hunger in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series at Edgbaston here on Thursday.

After his century at Headingley, where he scored 147 and rued not converting it into something bigger, Gill arrived in Birmingham with a mission. And he delivered in style, compiling the highest Test score ever by an Indian on English soil.

Batting in friendly conditions, Gill, who took over as India captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format, combined discipline with elegance. His knock was built on minimum-risk strokes, as he caressed the ball into gaps and refused to offer England a single chance.

Sree Kanteerva Stadium is all lit up to welcome the javelin stars for the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a World Athletics Gold-level meet, scheduled to take place here on Saturday. Sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and co-organised by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and JSW Sports, the event has attracted elite talent from around the globe.

Among the headliners are Neeraj Chopra himself and 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallist Thomas Rohler, alongside a strong field of international competitors.

Skipper Shubman Gill continued to dominate by hitting an unbeaten 265 – going past 250 for the first time in Tests - as England bowlers' toil continued with India reaching 564/7 in 141 overs at tea on Day Two of second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston here on Thursday.

It was another session of relentless run-making by India as they made 145 runs in 31 overs, with Gill treating a sunny Edgbaston crowd to a masterful display of batsmanship, as he brought up his maiden double-century in Tests. He also got great support from Washington Sundar, who made 41 and was his able partner in a 144-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Shubman Gill has etched his name into the history books with a remarkable innings at Edgbaston, Birmingham, rewriting records previously held by Indian greats. On Day 2 of the second Test against England, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli’s seven-year-old record for the highest Test score by an Indian captain at the venue. Kohli’s 149, scored during the 2018 Test at Edgbaston, was regarded as one of the finest knocks by an Indian captain on English soil. But Gill, with his unbeaten 168, has now set a new benchmark.

Gill’s innings is a continuation of his outstanding form in the series. Having taken over as India’s Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, the 25-year-old has embraced the responsibility with composure and class.