Sports

Chess: Fabiano Caruana Reveals Why Magnus Carlsen Lost His Cool After Shock Defeat

Published

5 days ago

June 19, 2025

In a gripping revelation, American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has shed light on what prompted five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen to visibly lose his cool after a dramatic loss to Indian teen sensation D Gukesh at the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

The game, which turned out to be one of the most talked-about encounters of the tournament, ended with Gukesh defeating Carlsen in a rare and aggressive display of precision. The loss not only stunned spectators but also provoked an uncharacteristic reaction from Carlsen, who was seen leaving the board visibly agitated.

Speaking on his podcast, Caruana, a former World Championship challenger himself, offered perspective on the situation. “That’s what he was trying to go for — a messy, imbalanced position,” Caruana said, referring to Carlsen’s ambitious yet risky strategy against Gukesh. “Magnus wanted complications, but Gukesh handled it extremely well. That’s where the frustration came from.”

Carlsen reportedly tried to steer the game into dynamic territory, hoping to outplay Gukesh in a complex middlegame. However, the young Indian star was well-prepared, and capitalized on Carlsen’s inaccuracies with calm precision. The defeat meant more than just a point lost — it was a blow to Carlsen’s confidence and his bid to reclaim dominance.

The Norwegian GM’s emotional reaction was captured by cameras and sparked widespread discussion among fans. “It wasn’t just about losing,” Caruana explained. “Magnus saw his strategy unravel and realized, in that moment, that he had underestimated Gukesh’s ability to handle pressure.”

This was not just another win for Gukesh. It marked a defining moment in his career, as the 17-year-old continues to make headlines by challenging the titans of chess on the global stage. His calm demeanor and mature handling of high-pressure games have earned praise from top players, including Caruana himself.

As the tournament progresses, Carlsen’s reaction has reignited debates about the emotional toll of elite chess. With rising talents like Gukesh rewriting the narrative, legends like Carlsen are finding themselves in new territory — one where the balance of power is rapidly shifting.

Sports

Brook’s Taunt Pays Off — Prasidh Krishna Falls in Leeds Test

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

On Day 5 of the India vs England Test match at Headingley, a cheeky bit of sledging from England’s Harry Brook led to the dramatic dismissal of Indian tailender Prasidh Krishna, adding a light-hearted yet crucial twist to a tense Test.

What Happened on the Field

England was closing in on a strong position when Prasidh Krishna came to the crease. With little batting support left, the pressure was on—and Brook decided to apply some psychological pressure.

Brook’s Sledge: “Can You Even Hit a Six?”

Standing in close, Harry Brook taunted Prasidh with a comment captured on stump mic:

The crowd chuckled and commentators noticed the visible shift in Prasidh’s mindset.

Prasidh’s Response: One Big Shot, Then Out

On the very next ball, Prasidh tried to prove Brook wrong.
He attempted a big swing over midwicket—but misjudged it.
The ball soared… and was caught comfortably at the boundary.

Brook celebrated, clearly amused and triumphant.

Social Media Reactions

Fans and cricket pages lit up on X (Twitter) and Instagram:

🗣️ “That was peak cricket banter from Brook. Worked like magic.”
🏏 “Sledging done right. Even the umpire smiled.”

A clip of the moment is now viral across platforms.

What It Meant for the Match

Prasidh’s wicket brought India’s second innings to a close, giving England a target of 350 to chase. The mind-game from Brook not only broke the partnership but also swung momentum England’s way as they began their chase confidently.

Sports

Prithvi Shaw Seeks Mumbai Exit for Career Growth

Published

22 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

Mumbai and India opener Prithvi Shaw (25) has formally requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), signalling his intent to represent a different state in the upcoming 2025–26 domestic season. The move underscores his pursuit of fresh opportunities and long-term professional development

Why Shaw is Seeking Change

Form & Fitness Concerns: Shaw was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad last year due to “poor fitness and lack of discipline”. Though he has featured in white-ball formats, inconsistent performances and fitness setbacks have dogged him
Desire for a Fresh Start: In his letter to MCA, Shaw acknowledged: “…I have been presented with a promising opportunity…which I believe will further contribute to my growth and development as a cricketer.”

MCA’s Response

MCA has received Shaw’s letter and forwarded it to their Apex Council, with a decision expected shortly Within hours, official confirmation came that the NOC has been granted, allowing Shaw to move

What This Could Mean for Shaw

New Team, More Chances: Shaw is reportedly fielding offers from multiple state associations, and a fresh environment could help him reclaim form and consistency
Next Domestic Season Ahead: With the 2025–26 season approaching, the move gives Shaw a chance to secure regular red-ball matches and demonstrate resilience.

Sports

Test Cricket Saga: India vs England Head-to-Head, Historic Wins & Series Outcomes

Published

4 days ago

June 19, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

India vs England Test Head-to-Head: Complete History & Series Records

Introduction

India vs England is one of Test cricket’s most riveting rivalries. From the dusty pitches of Chennai to the green seaming decks of Lord’s, the battle between these two nations has produced iconic moments and legendary cricketers. Let’s take a deep dive into their Test history, head-to-head stats, and series-wise performance.

🇮🇳 vs Total Tests Played

Total Matches: 136
England Wins: 51
India Wins: 35
Draws: 50
First Test Played: 1932 at Lord’s
Last Test Played: March 2024 (Ranchi)

India has closed the gap over the decades, especially with dominant performances at home.

Test Head-to-Head in England

Tests in England: 67
England Wins: 36
India Wins: 9
Draws: 22

Notable Indian Wins in England:

1971 – The Oval
1986 – Lord’s, Leeds
2002 – Leeds
2007 – Nottingham
2021 – Lord’s, The Oval

Test Head-to-Head in India

Tests in India: 68
India Wins: 22
England Wins: 14
Draws: 32

India has dominated England at home, especially in the last two decades, leveraging spin-friendly conditions.

Series Results Summary

Total Series Played: 37
England Series Wins: 19
India Series Wins: 12
Drawn Series: 6

Recent Series (Last 5):

2021–22 (England): 2–2 Draw
2024 (India): India won 4–1
2018 (England): England won 4–1
2016 (India): India won 4–0
2014 (England): England won 3–1

Most Memorable IND vs ENG Tests

2002 Headingley – Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly masterclass
2014 Lord’s – Ishant Sharma’s 7-wicket spell
2021 The Oval – India’s stunning comeback win

Top Individual Records

Most Runs in India-England Tests:

Joe Root (ENG) – 2,846 runs
Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 2,535 runs
Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 2,483 runs

Most Wickets:

James Anderson (ENG) – 149 wickets
R. Ashwin (IND) – 114 wickets
Anil Kumble (IND) – 92 wickets

Recent Trends & 2025 Series Outlook

India won the recent home series 4–1 in early 2024. However, they haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007. The 2025 series, starting June 20, is their biggest shot at rewriting history and claiming the newly unveiled Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.