schimschacks.com – Opinion & Topical Discussions

No longer underdogs: How Afghanistan became Asia's number two team; cricket's most remarkable story of the last decade

Afghanistan’s rise from ICC’s lower divisions to Asia’s No. 2 white-ball team is cricket’s most remarkable story of the last decade. From inspiring World Cup campaigns to a T20 semifinal run, they’ve surpassed Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, uniting a nation through hope, resilience, and a fearless brand of cricket.

Premier League: 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha steals the show with 100th-minute winner; Liverpool outfox 10-man Newcastle

Liverpool snatched a thrilling 3-2 victory against Newcastle, highlighted by Rio Ngumoha's dramatic late winner, making him the club's youngest scorer. Despite leading by two goals, Liverpool faced a resilient Newcastle side that fought back to level the score after Gordon's red card. Ultimately, Ngumoha's late goal secured the win for Liverpool.

At 45, tennis legend Venus Williams holds back tears, discusses future plans after early US Open exit - Watch

Venus Williams faced an emotional first-round defeat at the US Open against Karolina Muchova, casting doubt on her future in tennis. Despite a strong showing after a 16-month break, Williams lost in three sets. She expressed gratitude for the wild card entry and highlighted her improved physical condition compared to their previous encounter, emphasising her joy in playing pain-free.

Another big exit! BCCI cuts ties with long-time team member - 'It has been a privilege'

The BCCI has ended Rajeev Kumar's decade-long tenure as the Indian cricket team's masseur. Kumar, a beloved figure known for his dedication and trademark smile, confirmed his departure on Instagram. He was crucial in player recovery, providing massages, energy drinks, and on-field support. Players like Shami and Chahal have publicly acknowledged his vital contributions.

Online Sports Bill: Dream11 CEO opens up about the impact- '95% of revenues disappeared...'

Dream11, facing a massive revenue hit after the passage of the Online Gaming Bill 2025, may discontinue its Indian cricket team title sponsorship despite a USD 44 million contract. CEO Harsh Jain confirmed a near-total revenue wipeout but assured no layoffs. The ban on real money gaming, while allowing social gaming, severely impacts Dream11's core business.

Cheteshwar Pujara retires: Mitchell Starc's wife Alyssa Healy makes a startling revelation - 'He drained...'

Alyssa Healy, captain of the Australian women's team and wife of Mitchell Starc, shared insights into the Australian men's cricket team's strategies against Cheteshwar Pujara, who recently retired. Pujara's remarkable defensive technique and endurance made him a formidable opponent, particularly in Australia, where he consistently wore down bowlers.

US Open: Petra Kvitova bids farewell to tennis after first round defeat

Petra Kvitova bid an emotional farewell after a first-round US Open exit, closing a stellar career with 31 WTA titles and two Wimbledon crowns. Meanwhile, Krejcikova advanced, overpowering Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round.

AIFF-FSDL meet ends without ISL decision: Clubs fear possible shutdown

AIFF and FSDL talks fail to resolve the deadlock over India's domestic football. Eleven ISL clubs warn of potential shutdown as uncertainty over the league's future threatens both national team readiness and continental competition participation.

US Open: 45-year-old Venus Williams turns back the clock, but falls in fighting return

A 45-year-old Venus Williams made her long-awaited return to the Grand Slams on Tuesday, August 26. Playing against 11th seed Karolina Muchova, Williams lost in a 3-set battle.

Jasprit Bumrah's injuries are inevitable, irrespective of training: Farveez Maharoof

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof explained the reasons behind Jasprit Bumrah's constant injuries. He also revealed his favourites for Asia Cup 2025 and admiration for Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Bizarre! Kevin Pietersen suggests massive rule change; wants 12 runs for a six

Kevin Pietersen proposes a scoring change in cricket. He suggests awarding 12 runs for sixes over 100 meters. This idea has triggered mixed reactions from fans. Some support it, believing it will increase excitement. Others dismiss it as impractical. While his rule change was a suggestion, the ICC will implement a new boundary catch rule from October 2026.

Sachin Tendulkar's witty reply to fan - 'Why? Are you planning to play them' - goes viral

Sachin Tendulkar engaged with fans in a Reddit AMA. He shared insights on his career and cricket. Tendulkar humorously dodged a bowling attack comparison. He picked his Chennai knock against England as a favorite. Tendulkar confirmed promoting MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup final. His candid answers and nostalgia made the session memorable for fans.

BWF World Championships: Lakshya Sen crashes out in opening round

Lakshya Sen faced an early exit at the BWF World Championships, succumbing to top seed Shi Yu Qi in straight games. Despite flashes of brilliance, Sen couldn't overcome Shi's composed defence and sharp finishing. Shi, who is in red-hot form, extended his head-to-head lead over Sen, reinforcing his dominance in men’s singles badminton.

'Aadhar bhi bheju kya?': Sachin Tendulkar silences fan with hilarious comment

Sachin Tendulkar's recent Reddit AMA session became a hit, filled with humor and insights. When a fan questioned his identity, Tendulkar playfully responded, “Should I also send my Aadhaar card?” He discussed his favorite innings, the 2008 knock against England, and revealed advising MS Dhoni's promotion in the 2011 World Cup final.

Asia Cup 2025: Oman name 17-member squad for maiden appearance

Oman has announced their 17-member squad, led by Jatinder Singh, for their debut in the Asia Cup, commencing on September 9 in the UAE. They are scheduled to play their first match against Pakistan on September 12 in Dubai. Following this, Oman will face the UAE and India later in the tournament.

'Mohammed Siraj is the energyhouse of the team': Akash Deep

Mohammed Siraj's stamina and leadership were vital for India's pace attack in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, earning praise from Akash Deep. Despite Jasprit Bumrah's absence, Siraj consistently delivered long spells, contributing significantly to the 2-2 result. Akash Deep also made a mark with a crucial 66 at The Oval and 13 wickets in three Tests, highlighting his all-round performance.

'Give him boxing gloves': Sachin Tendulkar's dig at umpire Steve Bucknor

Sachin Tendulkar recently reminisced about his epic battles with Australian legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, recalling a strategic assault on McGrath in a 2000 match. He also humorously addressed controversial umpiring decisions by Steve Bucknor. Tendulkar dominated Warne, scoring 123 runs without being dismissed.

Kuldeep Yadav breaks 70-day social media silence with fiancée Vanshika

Kuldeep Yadav shared an Instagram story with his fiancée, Vanshika. The couple got engaged back on June 4 in Lucknow. The private ceremony, attended by family and friends including Rinku Singh, took place after the IPL season. Despite being India's only specialist spinner in the Test squad in England, Kuldeep did not play in any of the five matches against England in the Test series.

Virat Kohli's 'accidental' like! Avneet Kaur finally breaks silence, says 'Milta rahe pyaar'

Avneet Kaur addressed the buzz surrounding Virat Kohli's accidental 'like' on her Instagram photo at the trailer launch of 'Love in Vietnam.' She responded with a cheerful remark, welcoming the attention. Kohli had earlier clarified that the like was a glitch, attributing it to an algorithm error, and requested no unnecessary assumptions be made regarding the incident.

Masterstroke! When Sachin Tendulkar predicted England's 'future captain' - and was 100% right

Sachin Tendulkar fondly recalls Joe Root's Test debut in Nagpur in 2012, where he immediately recognized Root's potential. Tendulkar was impressed by Root's composure, technique, and ability to assess the wicket, leading him to predict Root's future captaincy.