Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

"Proud" Virdi ready to become third Sikh to play for England

AMAR VIRDI, who is part of England’s 30-member training group for the Test series against West Indies, strongly believes a lot of cricketing talent among minority communities in the country goes untapped.

Interacting with the media from a bio-secure bubble at the Ageas Bowl, the Surrey off-spinner said he hoped to make history as the third Sikh to play for England, after Monty Panesar and Ravi Bopara.


"I definitely want to be playing in the first Test… I want to be in the squad," said Virdi, who has claimed 69 wickets from 23 first class matches.

"I'm very proud of myself that I've got to this stage."

Virdi's selection in England's 30-member training group comes amid debate on the lack of diversity in English cricket.

Elaborating on factors that hamper progress of players from minority backgrounds, he explained that that it could be "very daunting" for some of them to enter major country clubs.

"I started at Indian Gymkhana Cricket Club [in Osterley], which is a majority-Asian club, and I found it daunting moving to Sunbury which I did at about 12 years old," Virdi said.

"But it was the best move for my cricket, because it's important to play at a standard where it's recognised and you've got ex-pros at the club… and you've got a lot of support."

Lack of role models was another issue, hinted Virdi, adding that he was lucky to grow up watching Monty Panesar play.

"Growing up, I watched Graeme Swann and Monty bowling and that was very inspirational to me," he said.

"Obviously with Monty… because he looks very similar to me, especially being from the community that I am.

"We're in a minority in a lot of industries so when you do see someone progressing and doing well in that particular field that you're in, it really motivates you, and shows that you can do it if they're doing it as well."

Virdi observed that many children from minority communities do not get sufficient opportunities and exposure.

"It's changing now, but a maybe a lot of kids from minorities don't go to private schools," he noted. "Maybe they're first or second generation here, maybe they might not be able to afford those opportunities.

"If you're at a private school, you're getting cricket there on a weekly basis or a few times a week, but a state school… my school didn't even play cricket."

The attacking bowler expressed gratitude for his parents’ "commitment", stressing that lack of familial support often discouraged budding talent among minority groups.

"I'm really lucky because my parents were really supportive," said Virdi.

"A lot of people's parents are busy making ends meet, and they don't have time necessarily to take their kids to practice, but I'm so thankful to my mum and dad that they took time to support me, driving me up and down the country. Without that, I wouldn't be here."

Virdi also highlighted the urgent need for “more education” about cricketing setups among minority groups.

"A lot of people I speak to don't even know how to start,” he said. "There's so much talent, from so many different communities, it definitely needs to be tapped into."

Mindsets among the minority communities, too, needed to change, emphasised Virdi.

"Growing up a lot of people's parents support India, for example, so you grow up supporting India or wherever you're from or where your family background is," he said.

"Even from a young age I've always supported England, and it's important to have that mindset firstly."

More For You

Iga Swiatek

Swiatek broke early in the match, racing to a 3-0 lead and never allowed the 35th-ranked Bencic to settle. (Photo: Getty Images)

Swiatek cruises past Bencic to set up Wimbledon final with Anisimova

Highlights:

 
     
  • Iga Swiatek storms into her first Wimbledon final with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Belinda Bencic
  •  
  • Swiatek will face Amanda Anisimova, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka
  •  
  • Anisimova reaches her first Wimbledon final and will break into the top 10 rankings
  •  
  • Sabalenka exits in the semi-final for the second time, despite a strong 2024 season
  •  
 

IGA SWIATEK reached her first Wimbledon final on Thursday with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win over Belinda Bencic in just 71 minutes on Centre Court. The 24-year-old, seeded eighth, will face Amanda Anisimova in the final after the American defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set semi-final.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yōtei Limited Edition PS5

The Gold and Black Limited Edition bundles draw inspiration from two iconic Japanese art

PlayStation

Sony reveals Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles inspired by Japanese art

Highlights:

  • Sony reveals Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles during State of Play.
  • Two designs announced: Gold (global) and Black (PlayStation Direct exclusive).
  • Consoles and controllers inspired by Japanese art styles kintsugi and sumi-e.
  • Both bundles launch on 2 October alongside the game’s release.

Sony unveils striking Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles

PlayStation has officially revealed the Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundles, featuring unique designs that pay tribute to Japanese visual art and the world of Sucker Punch’s upcoming game. The announcement was made during the recent State of Play event, which also showcased an in-depth look at gameplay.

Launching on 2 October 2025, the limited edition bundles will coincide with the release of Ghost of Yōtei, an action-adventure game set in a fictional version of Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido). The bundles include either a gold or black PS5 console, each with its own matching DualSense Wireless Controller and digital copy of the game.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

Highlights:

  • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
  • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
  • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
  • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

 Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

Keep ReadingShow less
Amazon Prime Day 2025

Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members

iStock

Prime Day 2025 brings huge discounts on electronics including Apple, Samsung, Sony and more

Highlights

  • Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
  • Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
  • Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
  • Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals

Biggest electronics sale of the year

Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.

As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian firm acquires Kings Court Hotel for £2.75m

UK-based Nanak Hotels acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel in Warwickshire for £2.75 million. (Photo: Colliers International UK)

Asian firm acquires Kings Court Hotel for £2.75m

UK-BASED Nanak Hotels recently acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel, a 17th-century property in Warwickshire, England, for £2.75 million. This is the first regional acquisition by the privately held firm led by British Indians Harpreet Singh Saluja and Karamvir Singh.

Nanak Hotels, which operates a UK property portfolio, plans to invest in the property's refurbishment and repositioning, according to a statement from Colliers International UK, which brokered the transaction.

Keep ReadingShow less