Current Affairs - Sports

Harikrishnan A. Ra, a 23-year-old chess player from Chennai, has become India’s 87th Grandmaster after securing his final GM norm at the La Plagne Chess Festival in France. This accomplishment is the result of a 7-year-long journey that began when he became an International Master. His achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also reflects India’s rapid rise in the global chess community. With this title, Harikrishnan joins the ranks of elite Indian chess players, contributing to the country's strong presence in the sport on an international level.

Italy’s men’s cricket team has created history by qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup for the very first time. Led by former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, the team secured its spot through the ICC T20 Men's Europe Region Final. This qualification marks a significant milestone in Italy’s cricketing journey, highlighting the sport's growing global reach. Although the Netherlands topped the qualifying group with an unbeaten run, Italy’s performance was strong enough to earn them a place in the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Curtis Campher, an all-rounder from Ireland, made history by becoming the first male cricketer in professional cricket to claim five wickets in five consecutive deliveries. This extraordinary feat occurred during an Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy match held in Dublin, featuring Munster Reds against North-West Warriors. While Kelis Ndhlovu of Zimbabwe was the first cricketer overall (in women’s cricket) to achieve this milestone, Campher’s record is significant as it marks a first in the men’s game. Such rare accomplishments highlight the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket, and Campher’s performance will be remembered as a standout moment in the sport’s history.

Magnus Carlsen, the world number one chess player, secured victory in the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025 tournament held in Zagreb, Croatia. He clinched the title with a round to spare by drawing against R Praggnanandhaa and defeating Ivan Saric in the final round. Carlsen’s total score was 22.5 out of 36, placing him ahead of Wesley So, who finished second. This win reinforced Carlsen’s dominance in fast-format chess. The tournament is part of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour, which includes top global players. Carlsen’s performance once again demonstrated his consistent brilliance and strategic mastery in competitive chess.

India made history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, defeating England by a massive margin of 336 runs. This victory was particularly significant as it marked India's first-ever win at the venue in nine attempts since 1967. The match also saw Shubman Gill, at just 25 years and 301 days old, become the youngest Indian captain to secure an away Test win, surpassing the record previously held by Sunil Gavaskar. Gill's outstanding performance with the bat, scoring 430 runs, earned him the Man of the Match award and solidified the win’s historical importance.