INDIA’S new coach Ravi Shastri will allow players to have fun as long as they put in the hard work, signalling a more relaxed approach to his taskmaster predecessor Anil Kumble.
"As long as there's a level of commitment, the hard yards are being put in and results are showing, why shouldn't there be fun?" Shastri told the Times of India in an interview released today (July 13) that could reassure captain Virat Kohli.
Shastri, 55, took over as India's chief coach this week after spin great Kumble quit last month saying his relationship with Kohli had become untenable.
Kumble lasted just a year in the post, amid reports that Kohli resented his style and wanted Shastri brought in.
Shastri served as team director in the past and enjoys a good rapport with Kohli. He said he had no issues with players having more freedom off the field.
"Why should I change anyone's style, or for that matter, why should anyone change his own style of doing things?
"At the highest level, cricketers are more or less settled," Shastri was quoted as saying.
"So it is more to do with working on their mental strength, helping build their confidence, helping them stay organised in their daily activities as against tinkering with their style of play.”
India is the world's number one Test side and its players are used to being treated like stars.
Shastri insisted that contrary to his reputation, he could be authoritarian if needed.
"But there's no point in showing authority when it's not required and there's a sense of bonding that works better," the former India all-rounder said in the interview.
Shastri, a popular TV commentator, enjoyed a stellar 11-year career, accumulating 6,938 runs and 280 wickets from 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals.
His first assignment starts with India's tour of Sri Lanka this month.
"It's not about 'tutoring' them about everything and telling them what and what not to do. There's very little coaching at the highest level," he said.
"It's about fine-tuning and mentoring, about effective communication."
The Indian cricket board has also named former seamer Zaheer Khan as the team's bowling consultant, while Rahul Dravid was appointed as batting consultant for overseas test series.
The first challenge for the new coaching set-up will begin later this month when India tour Sri Lanka for three tests, five one-dayers and a sole Twenty20 international.
PAKISTAN on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the men’s Test team. He is the fourth person to hold the position in the past 18 months.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 50-year-old will remain in the role until January.
Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. He has been serving as assistant coach since last year.
“The PCB announces Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” said a PCB press release.
Mahmood replaces Aaqib Javed, who was interim head coach for the Test series in South Africa in December-January and the home series against the West Indies.
Javed stepped down after Pakistan lost all four Tests and finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship.
Before Javed, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie had taken over but quit six months into his stint in December 2024 following differences with the PCB.
Prior to Gillespie, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was the team director and had overseen a 3-0 Test defeat in Australia.
Monday’s appointment is part of a series of changes by the PCB aimed at improving the national team’s performance following a difficult two years.
Last month, New Zealand’s Mike Hesson was named white-ball head coach for two years.
Pakistan will host South Africa in October in their first series of the new World Test Championship cycle. They will then play Sri Lanka at home in December-January.
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Spectators take photos as the order of play board is set up on day one of the Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
THE four Grand Slams offer a trophy and place in the history books as well as significant prize money. Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at Wimbledon 2025, the third major of the year:
When is Wimbledon 2025 happening?
The Championships will run from Monday (30) to July 13.
What is the total prize fund at Wimbledon 2025?
The total prize money is a record £53.5 million ($71.63m), a seven per cent increase on 2024 and double what they offered a decade ago.
How much will men's and women's singles players earn at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £66,000 Second round: £99,000 Third round: £152,000 Round of 16: £240,000 Quarter-finals: £400,000 Semi-finals: £775,000 Runner-up: £1,520,000 Champion: £3,000,000
How does the winner's prize compare to Wimbledon 2024?
The winners of the men's and women's singles in 2024, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Czech Barbora Krejcikova, received £2.7m ($3.61m) each in prize money.
What about the other grand slams in 2024 and 2025?
Australian Open 2025 singles champions, Italian Jannik Sinner and American Madison Keys, received $2.26m (£1.8m) each in prize money.
French Open 2025 singles champions, Alcaraz and American Coco Gauff, took home $2.92m (£2.15m) each. US Open 2024 singles champions, Sinner and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, received $3.6m (£2.66m) each. Significant pay hikes at the Grand Slams were central to the demands of the world's top players in their letter to the four majors recently.
What is the prize money on offer in men's and women's doubles at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £16,500 Second round: £26,000 Third round: £43,750 Quarter-finals: £87,500 Semi-finals: £174,000 Runners-up: £345,000 Champion: £680,000
What is the prize money on offer in mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £4,500 Second round: £9,000 Quarter-finals: £17,500 Semi-finals: £34,000 Runners-up: £68,000 Champion: £135,000
(Reuters)
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Jack Draper during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
BRITISH tennis players come under the spotlight at Wimbledon like nowhere else and the full glare will be trained on world number four Jack Draper as he leads a sizeable home assault at the All England Club starting on Monday (30).
The 23-year-old left-hander's rapid rise up the rankings means he is the highest British seed since two-time winner Andy Murray arrived as defending champion in 2017.
Draper's run to the US Open semi-final last year and his title this year at Indian Wells have raised expectations that he is ready to emulate Murray and win the title.
The hype is already building up and should he avoid any early banana skins and make a deep run, Draper knows the weight of expectation will grow more heavy on his broad shoulders.
Dealing with life in the Wimbledon pressure cooker will be a huge test for a player who has won only two matches in his three previous main draw appearances at the All England Club.
But he says employing breathing coach Ann Coxhead has helped him to cope with the anxiety he experienced earlier in his career and which occasionally led to him vomiting on court.
"It was important for me in tennis where there's such small margins, such small percentages," Draper told reporters at a sultry and tranquil Wimbledon.
"The work I've done with her has been invaluable. It's been a real asset to my tennis. I think I'm still a work in progress with it, but definitely my physicality and my general well-being on the court has improved."
Draper faces dangerous 38th-ranked Argentine Sebastian Baez in the first round on Tuesday (1) and things will not get much easier after that with former US Open winner and Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic a likely second-round opponent.
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic is a potential quarter-final barrier and then it could be world number one Jannik Sinner and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Sensibly, Draper is not looking too far ahead.
"I look at my first round, who I have. I respect every person in the draw. Obviously I've got Baez on Tuesday, and I'm not looking further than that," he said. "I know he's a strong player. He's here off his own merit."
Draper and British women's number one Emma Raducanu will lead a 23-strong home contingent in the singles draws, albeit including 14 wild cards, the most since 1984.
Emma Raducanu during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
While Draper is happy to talk up his chances, Raducanu, who stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open as a teenaged qualifier in 2021, says she has lower expectations.
"Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year," she told reporters. "I know I've just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion."
She will start on Monday against compatriot Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards in the women's draw.
"I think it's a very dangerous match, very difficult. I think Mimi is a really, really good player," Raducanu said.
"For her it's one where there's nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It's a great feeling. You just feel, like, completely fearless."
Two British players have big incentives to reach the second round. Veteran Dan Evans, a wild card after falling outside the world's top 100, could seal a clash with seven-times champion Novak Djokovic if he beats fellow Briton Jay Clarke, while qualifier Oliver Tarvet, ranked 719, is one win away from a possible dream clash with defending champion Alcaraz.
"About 9,000 people have messaged me about it," Evans said.
(Reuters)
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Djokovic (L) and Alcaraz embrace during practice prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26.
CARLOS ALCARAZ will look to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title this year, reinforcing his position as the leading player on all surfaces. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in a closely fought French Open final, heads to London hoping to reverse the result.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will also be in contention. At 38, this could be his best chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz and will aim to reclaim the trophy at the All England Club.
With Andy Murray retiring, Jack Draper takes on the responsibility of leading British hopes. Other players in the mix include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, both chasing their first Grand Slam title and looking to break the recent dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Alcaraz aims to join elite group with hat-trick
Alcaraz won the longest French Open final in the Open Era, maintaining his hold on the title. Between him and Sinner, they have won seven of the last eight majors. If Alcaraz wins this month, he will become only the fifth man in the Open Era to claim three straight Wimbledon titles. He would join Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.
Transitioning from clay to grass is often difficult, but Alcaraz has adapted well. He described the shift as "enjoyment and suffering" in equal measure.
"It's a bit of everything," Alcaraz said. He improved his win-loss record on grass to 29-3 after winning the Queen’s Club title.
"Ultimately it's a surface we don't play many matches on each year, and you have to learn from every experience on it, from every match you play.
"Every player is different with a different style on grass. You have to keep learning and getting to know yourself ... even when the numbers are in your favour."
Sinner still adapting to grass
Although Sinner has achieved more success than Alcaraz on hard courts, his grass record remains mixed. He exited early at Halle after losing to Alexander Bublik and now heads to Wimbledon with limited preparation. Last year, he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
Sinner, who served a three-month ban earlier this year for doping violations, said he needed rest before the Championships begin Monday.
"I gave it my all after the Roland Garros defeat, it wasn't easy. Despite everything, I'm happy enough," Sinner said. He had three championship points in the five-set French Open final loss to Alcaraz.
"I played two matches before Wimbledon, if there had been more, it would have been better. Now I've got to boost myself both mentally and physically, that takes a little time."
Gentlemen's Singles - Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding
(1) Sinner vs (7) Musetti (4) Draper vs (6) Djokovic
(5) Fritz vs (3) Zverev (8) Rune vs (2) Alcaraz #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2025
Djokovic hopes to bounce back
Novak Djokovic heads into Wimbledon after reaching the French Open semi-final in a year that has otherwise not lived up to his usual standards. He has not played any warm-up events on grass but remains a strong contender.
Djokovic is aiming to match Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles and surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams.
"I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready," Djokovic said after losing to Sinner in Paris.
"My best chances maybe to win another Grand Slam are Wimbledon, or a faster hard court, maybe Australia."
Zverev, Fritz and others look to challenge
World number three Alexander Zverev is also in the hunt, still chasing a maiden Grand Slam after three final losses. Taylor Fritz enters the tournament with momentum from winning in Stuttgart.
Others to watch include Daniil Medvedev, who finished runner-up in Halle, and Bublik, who defeated him there. Bublik’s unconventional playing style could pose a challenge for some top players over the next two weeks.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. (Photo: Rugby Premier League India)
NEARLY 150 years after the closure of the Calcutta Football Club led to the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens-format league has been launched this month to help revive the sport in India.
The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. The tournament follows rule variations suited to television broadcasts.
Organisers hope to grow the sport locally to the point where India qualifies for the Olympics. They also see potential for the format to influence rugby’s development globally.
‘People have not seen it’
“Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played, it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available, but because people have not seen it,” said Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of GMR Sports, which is co-organising the league.
“It has not been commercialised, originally or globally. It is a very aspirational sport. In countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, it's a private schoolboy sport, which is not how it is seen in India.
I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up.”
The launch of the RPL comes as sevens rugby, which grew in popularity after being included in the 2016 Rio Olympics, faces challenges. Budget constraints have led Ireland to end its men’s programme, while Britain’s men’s and women’s teams are set to go part-time by the end of July.
World Rugby plans to introduce a three-division format in 2026 to increase the number of events and improve the sport’s cost-effectiveness and competitiveness.
Franchise model and international talent
RPL squads differ from national team-based World Sevens tournaments. Each franchise consists of five top-tier “marquee” players, five Indian players, and three international “bridge” players.
Scott Curry, who has played 321 matches for New Zealand’s All Blacks Sevens and now represents the Bengaluru Bravehearts, said the franchise model may offer a new path for the sport.
“The World Series has been changing a lot and there's a little bit of uncertainty there but to see something like this, a franchise league ... I think it could be the future of the game going forward for sure,” Curry said.
“Having franchises where players from all over the world can come and play together along with local Indian players is really exciting for our sport.”
Eyes on Olympic entry
Rugby India is also co-organising the league. Its president Rahul Bose believes the RPL could help raise the sport’s profile ahead of a potential Indian bid for the 2036 Olympics.
“After Indian hockey, we want to be the second team, and by that time (2036), it'll be 80 years that there's no other team that's gone to the Olympics from India,” Bose said.
“I'm not counting cricket, which is coming into the Olympics through a different route. But certainly when it comes to sports that have 100-plus nations playing it, like soccer and rugby, we've trained our eyes on that.”
Opportunities before 2036
Manuel Moreno of Spain, who featured in the World Sevens Series dream team last season and is playing for Hyderabad Heroes in the RPL, believes Olympic qualification could come sooner than 2036.
“It's a long way to try to compete with the best teams in the world ... the World Rugby Series, maybe is too far from now but maybe (India can qualify) for the Games as qualification is from the continent,” Moreno said.
“They (India) can do it in the next Olympic cycle. There are only two or three big teams in Asia. So I think they have a real possibility to be in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.”
India’s men finished seventh in the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the women placed sixth. However, organisers and players believe that exposure to international talent like Curry and Moreno can help local players develop faster.
It may not be long before Indian rugby is known for more than being the origin of the trophy contested annually by England and Scotland.