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File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma. At the launch of Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife Puja’s book ‘The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife’, Rohit Sharma revealed an anecdote from their 2012 tour of West Indies. Then part of India A setup, the team were in Trinidad and Tobago when Pujara was mobbed.“She’s aware but she doesn’t have the details,” stated Pujara when Rohit asked if the incident finds space in the book. After being notified that it doesn’t, the host urged the duo to elaborate.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I’m a vegetarian, so we were looking for a vegetarian meal at night and it was in TNT [Trinidad and Tobago] where we went out at 11 in the evening,” said Pujara before adding, “So, we didn’t find the meal but when we were walking back, I was mobbed. I can’t tell you in detail about it but that’s the story he’s referring to.”In response Rohit, the former India Test and T20I captain chimed in, “Moral of the story, sometimes he can be stubborn. We told him, we warned him, don’t go in the night. Don’t go outside after 9pm, this is the West Indies.”During the book launch event, among the many things, Rohit credited Pujara for playing over 100 Tests after suffering ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries to both his knees right at the start of his career.The Mumbai batter also shed light on how they would plan extensively on how to get the Saurashtra batter who had the skill and patience to bat for lengthy periods.“I still remember, team meetings only revolved around him (on) how to get him out, and if we don’t get him out, probably we’d lose the game,” Rohit said.“All I remember is that when I used to go to the ground, when I was 14-years-old, and when I came back in the evening, the colour of my face would be completely different,” he said. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “Because he used to bat all day and we used to field in the sun for (even) 2-3 days. I still remember that my mother asked me a couple of times that when you go to play from home, you look different and when you come home, after a week or 10 days, you look different.“I would say, ‘mom, what do I do? There’s a batsman by the name of Cheteshwar Pujara. He’s been batting for three days’… so that is the first impression that we had of him,” Rohit added.Pujara has scored 7,195 runs at 43.60 with 19 tons and 35 fifties from 103 Tests for India. While not retired, his last Test appearance came in June 2023.
Marco Jansen with Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting. (Pic credit: IPL) South African pacer Marco Jansen has shared the cheeky parting words from Ricky Ponting that continue to echo in his mind as he prepares to face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.Fresh off a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Punjab Kings, where he claimed 16 wickets in 14 matches, Jansen revealed that Ponting, who coached the Kings to a runners-up finish in his debut season, offered both support and a light-hearted jab before Jansen left India for England.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Before I left (India), he (Ponting) just said, ‘Good luck, I hope you do well, but I hope you lose’,” Jansen told ICC Digital with a grin, as South Africa’s warm-up match against Zimbabwe was washed out in Arundel.The 24-year-old left-armer was full of praise for Ponting’s coaching style, especially his ability to nurture confidence and focus on the positives. Poll Do you believe Marco Jansen will excel in the ICC World Test Championship Final? “I learnt a lot from him, especially from a mental point of view. He is always positive and he always sees the good stuff instead of the bad. I think that’s why he’s a legend of the game,” Jansen said. “He always reminds you what could happen, what you can do, instead of what might go wrong.”Now shifting focus to red-ball cricket, Jansen is keen to soak up more knowledge from recently retired England pacer Stuart Broad, who has joined the Proteas in a consulting role ahead of the WTC Final. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “Obviously, he’s played a lot against Australia at Lord’s,” Jansen said. “Maybe I’ll pick his brain… ask what they did to get certain batters out. But at the end of the day, you still have to figure it out yourself on the pitch.”
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Jannik Sinner is hoping that Novak Djokovic isn’t bringing his career to an end and claimed that tennis needs the Serbian star after beating him to reach the final of the French Open 2025. Sinner downed Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) at Court Philippe-Chatrier in three hours and 16 minutes to set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Following the completion of the match, Djokovic seemed to be emotional and set down his kitbag and waved to the crowd as he made his exit. The former World No.1 touched the court, hinting that this could have been his final match at Roland Garros. Speaking at the press conference, Sinner said it is always nice to see Djokovic in the locker room and hailed him as a role model for the younger generation of players. “First of all, we hope that that’s not the case. I feel like tennis needs him… Having someone different than the younger guys.. my point of view.. it’s so nice to see him in the locker room and having this energy of everything. I saw him practising a couple of days ago. He’s very precise in everything he does. He’s a true role model for all of us. If that’s the case, I’m happy to be part of this. Because it’s a part of history also. Also for me, it’s nice to be part of this. Let’s hope it’s not the case. He said maybe, so you never know,” said Sinner. ‘People don’t see how Djokovic really is’ Sinner did spend time with Djokovic when he broke into the ATP tour scene and trained with the Serbian in Monaco. When asked about what he learned from the former World No.1, Sinner said that he picked up many things from Djokovic and the Serbian legend always answered to him in an honest way. Sinner also claimed that people from the outside have a different image of Djokovic. He said that the Serbian is a very kind person and helpful in times when you need it the most. The Italian said that Djokovic is very important for him as a player and as as person. “Many things. I was lucky enough to practice with him when I was very young. In Monaco we practiced a lot. Every time I asked questions, he answered me in a very honest way. It’s very nice. People don’t see how he really is. I think people from outside or people who don’t know him have a different picture of him. It’s not like this. He’s a very kind person. He’s very helpful in times when you need it. I’ve learned many things from him. I feel like my game style is.. not the same, because we are different, but at times similar. I’ve watched a lot of his videos. I was lucky I could share the court with him some time ago. He’s very important for me as a player and also as a person. I really appreciate his kind words because it means I’m improving as a player, which is the most important part,” said Sinner. Sinner will face Alcaraz in the men’s final on Sunday, June 8. Published On: Jun 7, 2025
Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh (Pic credit: Norway Chess) World number one Magnus Carlsen secured his record-extending seventh Norway Chess title in Stavanger, but not without drama. The title was ultimately decided by Indian prodigy D Gukesh’s loss to American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in the final round.Carlsen, who drew his final-round game against Arjun Erigaisi from an unfavourable position, finished the tournament with 16 points. Caruana took second place with 15.5, while Gukesh settled for third with 14.5. Arjun, another standout Indian performer, ended fifth with 12.5 points.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after the tournament, Carlsen acknowledged the rising stature of the young Indian talents but offered a measured perspective. “They are all very good (Gukesh and Arjun), but they still need a little bit of time to prepare,” Carlsen told ANI. “We also have a tournament running simultaneously in Armenia, where Pragg (R Praggnanandhaa) and Aravindh Chithambaram showed very good chess.”Reflecting on his own journey through the rollercoaster tournament, Carlsen admitted, “I feel great. It is a relief to win the tournament. In the end, it was such a rollercoaster, but it is good.”One game that particularly stood out for the five-time world champion was his shocking loss to Gukesh earlier in the tournament — a rare moment of vulnerability that even saw Carlsen vent his frustration on the board. “It is not a positive memory, but the game that will stick out is the game against Gukesh,” he admitted. Virat Kohli’s love for ‘dhaba’ food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories As for Gukesh, the 17-year-old’s heartbreaking loss to Caruana came after a desperate bid to recover from a tough position. Running out of time, he resigned with just two seconds left on the clock and covered his face in frustration — a moment that underscored both his promise and his growing pains at the highest level.
It’s time for the blockbuster women’s singles final of the French Open 2025. On Sunday, June 6. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff will be up against each other on Centre Court. Sabalenka will be confident after advancing to her maiden final at Roland Garros. The 27-year-old Belarusian knocked out four-time champion Iga Swiatek to secure her berth in the summit clash on Thursday. Sabalenka ended Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak after winning the semi-final 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0. Having already won the US Open and Australian Open on hard-courts, the WTA top-ranked player will be looking to show her dominance on clay. French Open 2025: Full coverage Gauff, on the other hand, didn’t have luck going in her favour in the last two clay finals at the Madrid Open. In Madrid, it was Sabalenka who got the better of her. Gauff also returned to playing in the French Open final after 2023, where Iga Swiatek defeated her. Gauff has been in dominant form during the ongoing tournament as she has dropped a set only once, against Madison Keys in the quarterfinal. On Friday, she ended qualifier Lois Boisson’s dream run in the competition with a straight-set final. Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff Head to Head There is nothing to separate Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff as far as head-to-head records are concerned. Both players have won five matches apiece against each other since their first meeting back in the hard-court tournament in Lexington. In Grand Slams, both players have won one match each. Even on clay, the record is 1-1. In their previous meeting, Sabalenka beat Gauff in the Madrid Open final. Overall Matches – 5, Aryna Sabalenka – 5, Coco Gauff – 5 In Grand Slams Matches – 2, Aryna Sabalenka – 1, Coco Gauff – 1 On Clay Matches – 2, Aryna Sabalenka – 1, Coco Gauff – 1 When to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff French Open final? Sony Sports Network has the broadcasting rights of the French Open 2025. Live Streaming of the Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff final can be watched on Sony LIV and Fancode app. When to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff in French Open 2025 The match between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will start at 6:30 PM IST, and 03:00 PM local time. French Open 2025 women’s singles Road to the final Aryna Sabalenka beat Iga Swiatek: 7-5, 4-6, 6-0 beat Qinwen Zheng: 7-6, 6-3 beat Amanda Anisimova: 7-5, 6-3 beat Olga Danilovic: 6-2, 6-3 beat Jil Teichmann: 6-3, 6-1 beat Kamilla Rakhimova: 6-1, 6-0 Coco Gauff beat Lois Boisson: 6-1, 6-2 beat Madison Keys: 6-4, 6-1 beat Elina Alexandrova: 6-0, 7-5 beat Marie Bouzkov: 6-3, 7-6 beat Tereza Valentova: 6-4, 6-2 beat Olivia Gadecki: 6-2, 6-2 Published On: Jun 7, 2025
NEW DELHI: Whenever an Indian captain has found himself in trouble, they’ve often turned to their ‘Rahuls’. Be it Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, or the recently-retired Rohit Sharma, their ‘Rahuls’ have delivered when it mattered most. Rahul Dravid, India’s legendary Test batter, frustrated world-class pace attacks as he stood guard like his life depended on it. KL Rahul has played a comparable role for his captains — MS Dhoni, then Kohli, and most recently, Rohit.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The captain asked KL Rahul to open? He said yes.The captain asked him to move to No. 3 or No. 4? He accepted it.The captain chose to drop him down the order? No complaints.The team needed him to bat and keep wickets? KL Rahul said yes again. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy Poll Should KL Rahul be the permanent opener for India in Test matches? It wouldn’t be wrong to say that challenges seem to follow KL Rahul wherever he goes. He has faced many, but one of the most puzzling episodes unfolded in Australia during the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy.Rohit, then India’s Test captain, missed the opening Test due to the birth of his second child. The team management asked KL Rahul to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. India went on to win the match convincingly by 295 runs. KL Rahul contributed 26 and 77 in the two innings, while stitching a 200-run match-defining stand with Jaiswal.When Rohit returned for the second Test, the team chose not to disturb the successful opening combination. KL Rahul continued to open with Jaiswal, while Rohit slotted himself at No. 6. India, however, lost that match by 10 wickets, with KL Rahul scoring 37 and 7.In the third Test, KL Rahul again opened and produced a gritty 84 — the highest score by an Indian batter in the match — which ended in a draw.But the real drama began during the fourth Test. Rohit, struggling for runs, brought himself back at the top of the order and pushed KL Rahul down to No. 3. The decision backfired. Rohit scored just 3 and 9, while KL Rahul — clearly unsettled by the shift — managed 24 and a duck.The question on everyone’s lips was the same — why change KL Rahul’s position when he was performing as an opener?With Rohit opting out of the fifth and final Test, KL Rahul opened once again. India lost the match by six wickets and the series 1-3.Samuel Jayaraj, KL Rahul’s childhood coach, said the cricketer has been handling challenges from a very young age.“When he was just 11 years old, and for the next 12 years, he played in the Under-13s for Mangalore. Let me tell you — Mangalore Zone never had strong batsmen [batters]. It was always known for its bowling attack. But KL scored two double hundreds. He used to bat from both ends. I still remember — by the fourth or fifth ball, he would take a single, go to the non-striker’s end, and then be back on strike to face the next over. He handled pressure brilliantly, even at that age,” Jayaraj told TimesofIndia.com.“So, if you ask me, as a coach, this isn’t surprising. He was always ready. He was also a wicketkeeper. He would smartly rotate strike, taking singles on the fourth, fifth, or sixth ball, then face the next over. He follows instructions really well. If you noticed in the Champions Trophy, his role was very specific—and he executed it perfectly,” he said.“In fact, despite having a very good ODI World Cup, he wasn’t picked for the T20 World Cup. He didn’t crib or get frustrated. Because he has seen these things as a kid. That’s why he’s so strong today both mentally and technically. And that’s his biggest strength. He’s matured a lot. He’s been playing cricket at a high level for 10 years now. That experience shows. If you watch him now, he’s a completely different player — much calmer, composed, and in control. For me, that calmness is what stands out the most,” he said. India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy BIG TEST AWAITS KL RAHUL IN ENGLANDKL Rahul, who debuted in 2014, has played 58 Tests, scoring 3257 runs at an average of 33.57. Among the Indian squad touring England, the right-hander is one of the few to hold experience of playing in England. He has played 9 Tests in England, scoring 614 runs at an average of 34.11, including two centuries and one half-century. His highest score in England is 149.Having previously faced the likes of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Chris Woakes, KL Rahul will walk into this series as the seasoned batter. Armed with his past experience, he is expected to play a key role — not just with the bat, but also as a guiding presence for the youngsters.Before departing for the UK, KL Rahul met his childhood coach Jayaraj for a short, but meaningful, discussion.“I always tell him just one thing — enjoy and become. That’s always been my message, my mantra, even my password, you could say. You have to enjoy what you do. You have to be happy. If you’re not happy, your body simply won’t respond the way you want it to,” Jayaraj said.“For me, form is temporary — but the skill and technique you develop stay with you forever. Honestly, when he was playing state and zonal matches in Mangalore and Bangalore, we coaches always had the red ball in mind. We didn’t really think much about white-ball cricket back then. So the foundation he built — the technique and skill — was rooted in red-ball cricket,” the coach added.“In England, a more and more matured KL Rahul will be seen,” a confident Jayaraj remarked. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India’s Test captain OPPORTUNITY FOR KL RAHUL TO MAKE THE TEST SPOT HIS OWNDuring the IPL, KL Rahul…
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