Current Affairs - Sports

The achievement highlights a significant milestone in Indian chess on the global stage, achieved by Arjun Erigaisi. Finishing third with an impressive score of 9.5 out of 13 points, Arjun Erigaisi delivered a consistent and high-quality performance throughout the championship. A crucial victory in the final round allowed him to edge past strong competitors such as Hans Niemann and Leinier Dominguez on tiebreaks. This result marked India’s first male podium finish at the World Rapid Chess Championship since Viswanathan Anand, underscoring Arjun Erigaisi’s rise as a leading figure in international chess.

Koneru Humpy delivered an outstanding performance at the World Rapid Championship by finishing joint-first with a score of 8.5 out of 11 points. Despite remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, she had to settle for the bronze medal due to inferior tiebreaks after a draw in the final round denied her a chance at gold. The championship title was eventually claimed by Aleksandra Goryachkina following a playoff win against China’s Zhu Jiner. Koneru Humpy’s consistent and resilient play once again highlighted her status as one of India’s most accomplished and reliable chess grandmasters on the global stage.

The Global Chess League 2025 Season 3 witnessed a landmark achievement as Alpine SG Pipers clinched their first-ever title. The team’s success was driven by the outstanding leadership and performances of R Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri. Anish Giri delivered exceptional consistency and tactical brilliance, winning crucial games and earning the MVP of the Finals award. R Praggnanandhaa complemented this with a decisive and timely victory in the second match, showcasing maturity under pressure. Together, their combined efforts proved vital in defeating the defending champions and securing the championship.

Josh Tongue achieved a notable milestone by becoming the first England bowler in the 21st century to claim a five-wicket haul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His impressive figures of 5 for 45 came during the Boxing Day Test, where his performance played a crucial role in bowling Australia out for 152 in the first innings. This achievement ended a long 27-year gap since an England bowler last managed the feat at the iconic venue. Earlier England bowlers to take five wickets at the MCG included Darren Gough and Dean Headley, making Tongue’s effort historically significant.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history at just 14 years and 272 days by delivering a remarkable performance in men’s List A cricket. Playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at Ranchi, he scored 190 runs from only 84 balls. His explosive innings featured 16 fours and 15 sixes, showcasing extraordinary batting power and skill at a very young age. He reached his century in just 36 balls, contributing to Bihar’s massive total of 574/6, the highest ever recorded in List A cricket.