In a dramatic turn during the final day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, injured England all-rounder Chris Woakes has offered to bat at No.11 despite a painful shoulder injury. Woakes, who suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder on Day 1, is ready to help England chase the remaining 35 runs to secure a 3-1 series victory over India. Joe Root praised Woakes' determination, recalling the legendary courage of Saleem Malik, who batted with a broken arm in 1986. Woakes' willingness to play adds tension to an already hard-fought series.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain criticized the pitches and scheduling of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but praised the competitive nature of the series, stating it was essential for Test cricket. He highlighted memorable moments, such as Zak Crawley's over at Lord's and Rishabh Pant's performance despite injury. Hussain noted that while the series has been engaging, the pitches favored batting too much, and the tight schedule of five Tests in six weeks was problematic. He suggested a more consistent break between matches would improve the experience.

Johnny Manziel has defended Cam Newton after Philadelphia Eagles superfan King Gillie mocked Newton for not winning a Super Bowl. Gillie, during his birthday celebration, taunted Newton while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Manziel responded harshly on social media, criticizing Gillie for his comments and emphasizing the importance of legacy and respect in football. Both Manziel and Newton share a history as underdog icons in college football, and Manziel's defense highlights that greatness is not solely defined by trophies.

India's chess prowess was highlighted at the Women's World Cup in Batumi, where Divya Deshmukh emerged as the champion, achieving a remarkable hat-trick of successes. Despite not being a favorite, her victory inspired many, including fellow player Gukesh, who emphasized the importance of strong performances in both men's and women's chess. With the World Cup set to be hosted in India later this year, Gukesh expressed excitement about participating. He also plans to compete in more classical chess events after a successful run in earlier tournaments.