Current Affairs - Persons

Rishabh Pant made history during the Headingley Test against England in June 2025 by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. He scored 134 in the first innings and 118 in the second, totalling 252 runs—the highest ever by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test. His performance placed him alongside Andy Flower as only the second wicketkeeper in Test cricket history to achieve this feat. Pant's landmark innings also contributed to India’s record-setting five individual centuries in the same match, marking a dominant away performance and a major moment in Indian cricket history.

Jasprit Bumrah reached a landmark achievement by becoming the first Asian fast bowler to claim 150 Test wickets in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. This milestone, accomplished during a Test against England at Headingley in June 2025, reinforces Bumrah’s dominance in challenging foreign conditions known for their seam and swing. With over 210 Test wickets and 14 five-wicket hauls in just 87 innings, Bumrah has surpassed iconic bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev in SENA performances. His consistency, pace mastery, and ability to adapt underline his elite standing in world cricket.

Neeraj Chopra clinched victory at the 2025 Paris Diamond League with a remarkable first-attempt throw of 88.16 metres. This win marks his first Diamond League title since June 2023, making it a major comeback after a series of close contests earlier in the season. Facing tough competition from Germany’s Julian Weber and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, Neeraj’s opening throw proved unbeatable. The achievement is especially significant given that he had placed eighth in Paris back in 2017. His performance not only reestablished his dominance in global javelin but also boosted his momentum ahead of the Zurich Diamond League Final in August 2025.

Velavan Senthilkumar, an Indian squash player ranked 45th in the world, secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the Asian Squash Championships. He put up a strong performance but eventually lost in a gruelling 65-minute semifinal to Hong Kong’s second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan, who is ranked 41st. Despite the defeat, Senthilkumar’s effort earned him a podium finish, contributing to India’s achievements in the continental tournament and underlining his rising profile in the international squash circuit.

Armand Duplantis, the Swedish-American pole vault superstar, made history once again by setting a new world record of 6.28 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League on June 15, 2025. This remarkable achievement marked the 12th time he had broken the world record in his event. Notably, it was the first time he set a world record on Swedish soil, making the moment especially emotional for him and the local crowd at the historic 1912 Olympic Stadium. The jump was completed on his very first attempt, further highlighting his extraordinary consistency and dominance in pole vaulting.