Five Indian women cricketers — Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma will be seen in action in the inaugural edition of ‘The Hundred’.Shafali Verma is the number one ranked short-form batter and she joins Birmingham Phoenix as a replacement for Sophie Devine. Harmanpreet Kaur will star in the opening match, at the Kia Oval on July 21, as she joins Manchester Originals. Jemimah Rodrigues will feature for Northern Superchargers.“It’s very exciting that I’m going to get to play in the first-ever game of The Hundred,” Harmanpreet Kaur said in an official release issued by the Hundred.“It will be special to make history, especially with a women’s match at such a big ground. We’ve played in front of some large crowds in India and it’s always a great experience for the players,” she added.Smriti Mandhana is set to form a devastating opening partnership with Danni Wyatt at Southern Brave, while Deepti Sharma joins England captain Heather Knight at London Spirit.Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of the Hundred Women’s competition said: “It’s so good to finally be able to confirm the involvement of some of the superstars from the India team. They’re a hugely exciting group of players and they’ll bring a lot to the competition. I can’t wait for July 21, I can’t wait for the competition, and I can’t wait for fans to see these world-class players doing what they do best.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the demise of former India boxer and Asian Games gold medalist Dingko Singh and said his contribution aided the popularity of boxing.Dingko Singh passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness at the age of 42. Regarded as one of the finest boxers India has ever produced, Dingko had clinched a gold medal at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. The Prime Minister called Dingko an “outstanding boxer” who earned several laurels during his playing career.“Shri Dingko Singh was a sporting superstar, an outstanding boxer who earned several laurels and also contributed to furthering the popularity of boxing. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” The Prime Minister tweeted.The Sports Authority of India also mourned the demise of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee boxer.“We are sad to hear about the death of Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee boxer Dingko Singh. His gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games is a glittering moment in Indian sports history. We express our condolences to his family and friends,” SAI media tweeted.Six-time world champion Mary Kom said Dingko might have left but his legacy will always live among us.“You were a true hero of our nation. You leave but your legacy will live among us. RIP,” Mary Kom tweeted.Earlier, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and boxing superstar Vijender Singh mourned the demise of Dingko Singh.Dingko Singh had tested positive for coronavirus in May 2020 but the former boxer recovered soon. Last year in April, Dingko was airlifted from Imphal to the national capital for his liver cancer treatment.

With just eight days to go for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand, Team India had their first group training session ahead of the high-octane clash.Virat Kohli and boys’ preparations are in full swing for the WTC final. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday shared a glimpse from the “high intensity” training session of Team India. In the video, the Kohli-led side seems to have ticked all the boxes with players sweating it out on the field honing each and every skill required to be in the top-notch form before taking the field on June 18.“We have had our first group training session and the intensity was high. #TeamIndia’s preparations are on in full swing for the #WTC21 Final,” BCCI tweeted.The Indian cricket team had landed in Southampton on June 3 and after that, every member of the touring contingent underwent three-day mandatory hard quarantine.At the Hampshire Bowl, the players were tested again before commencing a period of managed isolation. Regular tests will be conducted during the period of isolation.Prior to departing for England, India head coach Ravi Shastri had said that going ahead, the International Cricket Council (ICC) should look to make the final of the WTC a best-of-three contest and it could be played like a three-match series.Meanwhile, the New Zealand team is already in the UK for their bilateral series against England and the team will transition from the ECB bio-secure environment into the WTC Final bubble on June 15 and will be subject to regular testing prior to and post-arrival in Southampton.

Indian women’s hockey team midfielder Lilima Minz believes the Olympic core group currently in preparation mode for the Tokyo Games has the right balance between experienced and young players.The midfielder went on to add that while experienced players are crucial to give the team direction in difficult situations, young players are equally important to add an energetic dynamic to the side. “In the National Camp for the Olympic Core group right now there is a very healthy mix of experienced players who have played many international games for India before, and young players who have the hunger and drive to prove themselves at the highest level,” said Lilima in a Hockey India release.“This kind of balance allows the young players to have the guidance of senior members who know what it is like to play at the Olympic level before. At the same time, these young players keep the senior members on their toes as they know that there is someone who can replace them if they do not perform well,” she added.While reflecting on the similarities between this National Camp and the team that went to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, the 27-year-old midfielder said that it is helpful to have a core group of players who have experienced an occasion like the Olympics before.“The fact that several players from the 2016 Olympics squad are present here in this camp is a good thing because sometimes players can get overwhelmed at a grand occasion like the Olympics. This is where players who have been there before can offer their much needed advice,” said women’s hockey team midfielder Lilima Minz.“Moreover, since our core group of players has played together for several years, we have a good understanding and communication on the field of how we want to play.

There are a lot of new and young players in this camp who have brought a fresh approach and good healthy competition to the team.”

The 2021 edition of the Euro Championships is going to be the 16th edition of the European Championship and for the first time will be held in 11 cities across 11 European countries. Defending champions Portugal who clinched the title in 2016 will be one of the favourites this year along with the likes of England, Spain, Belgium and World Champions France. Let’s take a look at the possible star strikers who are expected to rattle the opposition goal and dazzle on Europe’s biggest stage from 12th June to 12th July this year.

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

After winning the League 1 Golden boot for the third successive year, the pocket dynamite is surely waiting to explode on the Euro this year. Considered by many as the most talented player on the planet, the 22-year-old fired in 46 goals in the 2020-21 season for PSG and France, a feat that made him the youngest Frenchman to net 100 goals for Les Bleus. His menacing skills and blistering pace has been a nightmare for any opposition and the fact that he is backed by an extraordinarily talented French squad of Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud seems to be a combination that can see the World Champions as top contenders.

HARRY KANE

England’s steady surge to the top of Football’s big prize has been knitted around a very special crop of young players who are led by their talismanic captain fantastic Harry Kane. His prolific form in the Premier League earned him the Golden Boot with 23 goals from 35 matches. His aerial ability and the knack to find the vacant spot in the opposition goal with sublime finishes has buoyed Tottenham Hotspurs into Europe. Kane was also responsible for 14 assists this season is a testimony of his eye for goal that will be vital for the English Lions. The England skipper has a galaxy of stars like Marcus Rashford, Calvert Lewin, Raheem Sterling, Foden, Sancho and Saka upfront to make the English attack its most potent weapon.   

ROMELU LUKAKU

There is absolutely no doubt that Romelu Lukaku is blossoming into a world-class striker at Inter Milan.  The 28-year-old is considered as a goal-scoring tank owing to his power-packed form that reaped 24 goals in 36 matches in the Serie A edging out Ronaldo’s opportunity to win with Juventus. Lukaku’s ability as a goal machine that has been tearing the opposition’s defence apart was on display this week as his strike was the sole difference that saw Belgium edge past Croatia, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Runners Up. Belgium has emerged in the last decade as the team to watch out for, especially with the youth academies churning out some of the best quality players on display all over the world. With Thibaut Courtois under the bar, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne marshalling the midfield with Jan Ceulemans in the attacking third, it is unfortunate that these stars choke when they don their national colours.

CHRISTIANO RONALDO  

The Christiano Ranaldo scoring machine is firing on all cylinders at age 36 and there is no sign of him taking his foot off the accelerator. He is the only footballer to have won the Golden Boot for top-scoring in England, Spain and now in Italy. In Juventus colours this season his goal-scoring spree saw him at the top of the Serie A with 29 goals in 33 matches. He skippered Portugal to realize their long-cherished Euro Crown in 2016 and this time has a star-studded team to win the crown in 2021. The likes of Diogo Jota, Andre Silva and Bruno Fernandez team Portugal are definitely the heavyweights.  

MEMPHIS DEPAY

The 27-year-old Lyon striker will be shouldering the aspiration of a nation after a nearly decade long hiatus as they return to European Football. The football world was shocked after the Dutch failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Netherlands’ return to top-flight football has been more due to Roland Koeman who has left for Barcelona and now Frank de Boer appears to be a strong squad. Depay’s sixty-three goals in 139 appearances, including six last season in the Champions League catapulted Lyon to the semifinal. Lyon briefly threatened a title charge in France courtesy of Depay’s 20 goals and 12 assists – a feat that has resulted in a race between Barcelona and Juventus for this Dutch rising star.

 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

The 32-year-old Robert Lewandowski leads the pack of illustrious strikers and is Poland’s leading scorer with 66 goals in a record 118 appearances. This season he broke the Bundesliga’s 49-year-old record for goals in a season with 41 in 29 appearances for Bayern Munich and is in top form firing 17 goals in the last 10 games. However, the newly appointed head coach of Poland, Paulo Sousa, is working on his backup options in case his captain is not available.

While Germany looks shaky after their World Cup win in 2014 and is currently languishing at the 12th spot in the FIFA Rankings. A return of Thomas Muller could witness a resurgent Germany who were shockingly shown the exit doors after the nightmare first-round debacle in Russia 2020 and lost 0-6 to Spain in a Nation’s League game encounter. The German defence will be manned by Antonio Rudiger while Manuel Neuer will be taking his place as goalkeeper and captain. Leon Goretzka is a player who has emerged as Joachim Low’s box to box midfield player.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday confirmed that skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out from the upcoming second Test against England.Williamson has been ruled out as he rests his irritated left elbow. He has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March and coach Gary Stead said it was still troubling him. “It is not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it is the right one,” head coach Gary Stead said in an official statement.“He has had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he has been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery. The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18,” he added.Tom Latham will captain the side for the third time in Williamson’s absence, while Will Young comes into the starting XI and will bat at number three.The first Test between England and New Zealand had ended as a draw and both the teams will now lock horns in the second Test, beginning Thursday at Edgbaston.In the first Test, New Zealand had Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, and Colin de Grandhomme as pacers. Stead has also confirmed that all these players will not feature in the second Test against England.After the series against England, New Zealand will lock horns against India in the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC), beginning June 18 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.