Power Plays & Record Breakers: From cricketers scoring centuries to thrilling football upsets, the past week passed by like a reel of unforgettable sporting moments.
Records were broken, dreams realised and controversies enthralled fans in stadiums and on screens.
Be it Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling, Shubman Gill’s batting, or Iga Swiatek’s gold medal-winning effort at Wimbledon, every event added a new life to the global sports story.
This collection of top 10 headlines summarises the high-stakes action, inspiring victories and some dramatic twists. Let’s take a look at the stories that lit up the sports world this week.
🏏 Bumrah Breaks Kapil Dev’s Record at Lord’s
Jasprit Bumrah etched his name on the Lord’s honours board with a brilliant 5-wicket haul against England in the third Test. His spell of 5 for 74 helped India bundle out England for 387.
This was Bumrah’s 13th 5-wicket haul on overseas soil, breaking Kapil Dev’s long-standing record of 12.
Despite missing the second Test, Bumrah’s consistency and control established him as India’s go-to pace bowler.
He dismissed key batsmen like Joe Root and Ben Stokes, and was praised for the accuracy and impact of his performance.
🏏 Shubman Gill Breaks Virat Kohli’s England Record
India captain Shubman Gill broke Virat Kohli’s record for most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series in England.
Gill surpassed Kohli’s tally of 593 runs during the third Test at Lord’s to reach 601 runs in just five innings.
He also became the first Indian captain to score more than 600 runs in a Test series in England.
Gill’s stellar performance included knocks of 269 and 161* in the second Test, and he is now just one run behind Rahul Dravid’s all-time Indian record of 602 runs in a series in England.
🏏 Italy Qualifies for T20 World Cup for First Time
Italy created history by qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite losing to the Netherlands in the final European Qualifier.
Their superior net run rate edged out Jersey, who also had the same number of points. This is Italy’s first appearance at any ICC World Cup.
Led by former Australian batsman Joe Burns, Italy’s disciplined bowling and strategic play helped them secure a place in the tournament to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
🎾 Jannik Sinner Defeats Djokovic to Reach Wimbledon Final
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) in the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2025.
Djokovic, who is trying to equal Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles, struggled with his rhythm and form.
Sinner’s aggressive baseline play and accurate serving proved too much for the 38-year-old veteran.
The win sets up a blockbuster final between Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, which will be a rematch of their French Open clash.
🎾 Iga Swiatek vs Amanda Anisimova Set for Wimbledon Final
Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova will face off in the women’s singles final of Wimbledon 2025.
Four-time French Open champion Swiatek is looking to win her first Wimbledon title.
Anisimova, who defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, is looking for her first Grand Slam win.
This will be their first senior-level match. Swiatek’s dominance and Anisimova’s fearless play raise hopes of a thrilling final on Centre Court.
🏀 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Signs Record-Breaking NBA Deal
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has signed a historic contract extension, reportedly making him one of the highest-paid players in NBA history.
The contract reflects his rise as a franchise cornerstone and MVP contender. After a stellar season where he led OKC to the playoffs and earned All-NBA First Team honors, SGA’s extension signals the team’s commitment to building around him long-term.
🏀 Jokic and Butler Contracts Compared
The contracts of Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler highlight the teams’ differing strategies. Jokic, the reigning MVP, is tied to a supermax deal with the Denver Nuggets, reflecting his central role in their championship campaign.
Butler’s contract with the Miami Heat includes a player option and potential extension talks, as Miami looks for flexibility in the future.
Both deals underscore the evolving economics of superstar retention in the NBA.
⚽ PSG Crushes Real Madrid 4–0 in Club World Cup Semifinal
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Kylian Mbappe led the way with two goals, while Vittina and Hakimi also added to the score.
The win is PSG’s most impressive performance in any major international tournament, showcasing their depth and offensive potential.
Real Madrid struggled to contain PSG’s pace and accuracy, raising questions about their defensive strategy.
⚽ Indian Football Team Hits Lowest FIFA Ranking in 9 Years
The Indian men’s football team has slipped to 132nd place in its lowest FIFA ranking in nearly a decade. The drop comes after a string of disappointing results in international friendlies and qualifiers.
Critics are pointing to tactical inconsistencies and a lack of integration of young players. The All India Football Federation is under increasing pressure to improve its development programs and coaching strategies to arrest the decline.
🏏 Ball Change Controversy in India vs England Test
During the third Test match played at Lord’s, India requested a ball replacement in the 91st over as the ball was deformed.
The replacement ball appeared to be older than expected, sparking controversy. Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison criticised India’s decision, arguing that the original ball was swinging more.
The incident led to a heated exchange between Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and the umpires. The controversy added more drama to an already tense match.
