Jamil, Constantine, and Tarkovic in AIFF shortlist to be next India coach
The All India Football Federation has been recommended to pick one among Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic for the vacant men’s senior national team head coach job. At a virtual meeting on Wednesday, the IM Vijayan-chaired committee segregated the list of Indian and foreign applicants before identifying those who would be considered for the job. Once the federation had accepted Marquez’s resignation at its executive committee meeting on July 2, and invited applications on 4th July, 170 coaches had sent in their resumes at the Football House. Two months ago, Khalid had declined to take charge of the U-23 men’s national team as he has an existing two-year contract with Jamshedpur FC. But he was persuaded to apply after his and Constantine’s names were recommended to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey by his advisors, renowned coaches Bimal Ghosh and Armando Colaco. The technical committee had earlier voiced their preference for a home-grown man to be in the hot seat this time, which would ease the burden on AIFF’s coffers stretched by a $400,000 payout to Marquez’s predecessor Igor Stimac. Thus Bengaluru FC assistant coach Renedy Singh’s name was also discussed as he is into active coaching, unlike Sanjoy Sen, who has been without a job after guiding Bengal to their record 33rd Santosh Trophy title last year.
East Bengal destroy South United FC in Durand Cup opener
Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and Mahesh Singh scored a goal each as 16-time champion East Bengal trounced debutant South United FC in the Group A encounter of the 134th Durand Cup, at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. The win in the match secured all three points for the Kolkata giants. East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon named his starting eleven in a 4-2-3-1 formation, giving debuts to new signings Martand Raina and Mohammad Rashid. David Lalhlansanga began to up front, with P.V. Vishnu and Naorem Mahesh Singh providing support from the wings, along with Saul Crespo and Edmund Lalrindika in the centre. Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, and Mohammed Rakip manned the defence with the experienced Debjit Majumder in goal. South United FC started in a 4-3-3 formation with Captain S. Noel leading the defence, and junior international Makakmayum Daniyal started as the lone forward for the debutants. It was one-way traffic in the first half, with East Bengal showcasing their technical superiority against the young and inexperienced side from Bengaluru. The 16-time champions held the major share of possession with South United defending deep inside their own half. It took them just 12 minutes to take the lead through Lalchungnunga. SUFC skipper Noel’s headed clearance fell into the path of Chungnunga, who slammed into the top corner to give his side the lead. They doubled the lead in the 36th minute through a penalty conversion by Saul Crespo after Edmund Lalrindika was brought down in the box by 17-year-old left-back Abdul Salha. The half-time score could have looked a lot different if East Bengal had converted their chances, with P.V. Vishnu hitting the post twice and Saul Crespo missing three free headers. SUFC, at times, defended with seven players inside their own box, creating chaos, but were lucky not to concede more than two goals at halftime. SUFC goalkeeper S. Nishanth also helped in the cause, making a couple of good saves. East Bengal started the second half from where they left the first, attacking on every possible opportunity, but SUFC defended resiliently, restricting space for the opposition. David Hmar, Mohammad Rashid, and Mahesh Singh came close during this period of time with their efforts. The third goal came in the 80th minute with two substitutes combining to convert a sweeping move. Diamantakos’ clever run through two defenders found Bipin Singh, whose first-time curling effort found the net through the hands of the goalkeeper. Diamantakos then went on to score the fourth for East Bengal, converting a free kick from the edge of the box, which trickled into the net after the goalkeeper could not gather the ball, which was straight at him. East Bengal then went on to score a fifth in the 90th minute with skipper Mahesh Singh expertly finding the top corner with his weaker right foot to complete a five-star performance. ISL side Jamshedpur FC will face Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur as the Jamshedpur leg of the tournament will kick off on Thursday.
Venus Williams becomes the second oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match
Venus Williams becomes the second oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match Tennis legend Venus Williams is making headlines again, this time for an incredible comeback at the age of 45. After more than a year away from the sport, she has not only returned to the court but also confirmed that she will compete in the 2025 US Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. Venus recently competed at the DC Open in Washington, D.C., where she secured her first singles victory in 16 months. She defeated 23-year-old American Peyton Stearns with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This victory was extra special, not just because it marked her return, but because it made her the second-oldest woman in tennis history to win a tour-level singles match. The only woman older than Venus to do this is the great Martina Navratilova, who won a singles match at the age of 47 in 2004. Asked if she felt satisfaction in proving people wrong, she said: “No, because I’m not here for anyone else except for me.” “I have nothing to prove. Zip. Zero.”I’m here for me because I want to be here. And proving anyone wrong or thinking about anyone has never gotten me a win and has never gotten me a loss.” Williams, a former world number one, had won four Grand Slam titles by the time Stearns was born in 2001. “She played some ball tonight,” Stearns said. “She was moving really well, which I wasn’t expecting too much, honestly. Her serves were just on fire.” Williams will face Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the second round. Williams Legacy That Keeps Growing 7 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles (many with her sister Serena), 5 Olympic medals Now, at 45, she continues to break barriers and inspire millions. Her return is a powerful message that age is not a limit when passion, talent, and determination come together. Venus Williams’ return at 45 is more than just a comeback, it’s a celebration of resilience, strength, and love for the game. By making history once again, she proves that true champions never stop inspiring, no matter their age.
Harmanpreet Kaur shared her Player of the Match award with fast bowler Kranti Gaud
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won player-of-the-match award for an excellent century against England in the third and final ODI of the bilateral series which concluded on Tuesday in Chester-le-Street. Kaur scored 102 off 84 to help India post a match-winning total of 318 in reply to which England managed 305. In reply, England fought hard through Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 98 and her 162-run third wicket stand with Emma Lamb (68) but eventually ran out of steam as they were bowled out for 305. Kranti bagged her maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with 6 for 52 as India wrapped up the game by 13 runs with one ball remaining and clinched the three-match series 2-1. A major role in the historic achievement was played by rising fast bowler Kranti Goud who produced a sensational effort with the ball to finish with career-best bowling figures of 6/52 from 9.5 overs to help India win by 13 runs. Kranti became the fifth Indian bowler and the youngest to pick up a six-wicket haul in WODIs. She also became only the second Indian to achieve the feat against England after Jhulan Goswami (2005). In a video posted by BCCI Women on X, Harmanpreet acknowledged Goud’s career-best figures of 6/52 by sharing the POTM honour with the youngster. last wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur during the 3rd WODI against England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Indian women’s team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur shared her player of the match award with youngster Kranti Goud after the team’s 13-run win over England in the third WODI at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.The victory gave India a second straight series win in England with Harmanpreet named player of the match and player of the series for her efforts. After the end of presentation ceremony, in a heartwarming gesture, Kaur announced she’s going to share the player-of-the-match award with her young teammate whom she lavished with high praise. In a video posted by BCCI Women on X, Harmanpreet acknowledged Goud’s career-best figures of 6/52 by sharing the POTM honour with the youngster. “I want to share my player-of-the-match award with Kranti because she bowled one of the best spells of her career. It’s a great achievement for a bowler. We’ve been dying for a fast bowler like you. Well done, Kranti you deserve it. The 21-year-old Goud is a right-arm fast bowler hailing from Madhya Pradesh. She made her ODI debut in May against Sri Lanka in Colombo. She played her maiden T20I against England in Birmingham earlier this month. Earlier this year, she represented UP Warriorz in the WPL 2025 where she took six wickets in what was her maiden campaign of career. Growing up, Kranti took interest in fast bowling after watching bhaiyas play tennis ball cricket. For a long time, she didn’t know that there’s something called spin bowling in cricket and that is the reason she developed an interest in fast bowling.
Ashwin says India’s bowling attack will gain the depth with anshul’s inclusion
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes that the uncapped Anshul Kamboj belongs to the rare breed of fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah who are not only skillful but have an understanding of plans that goes beyond just trying to “express themselves and enjoy the game” ” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.. Kamboj was drafted into the scheme of things within the last four days after the tall pacer had returned home last month following the India A tour to the UK. Kamboj sustained a sheen injury and it was Harshit Rana who had stayed back as a cover for Akash Deep, who has been deemed unfit to be a part of the Manchester Test by skipper Shubman Gill on match eve. With left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh also out injured, it will be a toss-up between Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna, with the former the firm favourite to earn the nod. “In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety. I’m not comparing skills because skills are a very different thing,” he added. The 24-year-old impressed in the lead-up to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, performing consistently for India A against the England Lions. Across four innings at Northampton and Canterbury, he picked up five wickets, showcasing late movement and bounce. Ashwin feels Kamboj, who has been in “cracking form” will serve as the perfect foil to Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the fourth Test and make a “Serious bowling attack”. “If you are going to bring Anshul Kamboj into the XI, I am telling you this is a serious bowling attack.” He highlighted Kamboj’s domestic exploits, which included a 10-wicket haul in an innings against Kerala last year in a Ranji Trophy match at Lahli. But the most interesting part of the entire conversation was when Ashwin compared the newest Test call-up Kamboj to two legends of Indian cricket – Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. Why? “The most appreciable thing about Anshul Kamboj is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many bowlers who, even after playing 30–40 Test matches, still don’t understand the plan. If you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game,” he said. “I have seen that. It’s not a trait a lot of fast bowlers have. Zaheer Khan was one of them—he was amazing. Jassi is another one. He understands the plan, makes plans, and executes them to perfection. Anshul Kamboj belongs to that variety.”
