It’s been an eventful week across the sporting world, with everything from secret dinners in London to crowd-less cricket in the US, a Pakistani takeover of the BBL, and yes—Lionel Messi doing Lionel Messi things. So let’s dive in, shall we?
Kohli’s private London dinner – What’s cooking?
Whispers in cricketing circles turned into buzz this week when reports emerged that Virat Kohli hosted a private feat at his London residence. Among the attendees were Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj—a power-packed trio if there ever was one. But apart from those names, the guest list remains a mystery. No photos surfaced, no confirmations were given—just the kind of hush-hush vibe that makes fans all the more curious. If you’ve got insider info, don’t be shy—drop it in the comments!
Gill’s big statement before the big series
Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs England Test series, Shubman Gill made a bold declaration: “Winning in England is bigger than winning the IPL.” Hard to disagree, really. India’s last Test series win in England came before the IPL even existed. That’s how tough it is. With five matches lined up, this will be a true test of grit for Gill & Co.
BBL Draft: Pakistanis in demand, Archer ignored
Meanwhile, over in Australia, the Big Bash League (BBL) draft made waves for some interesting picks. Shaheen Afridi was the No. 1 overall pick, with other big names like Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf also snapped up. In total, seven Pakistani players found homes in the BBL, while Babar Azam had already inked a deal with the Sydney Sixers. The big shock? Jofra Archer went unsold. Maybe the BBL franchises remembered what exactly happened with the Mumbai Indians.
MLC: Maxwell shines, but where’s the crowd?
In the Major League Cricket (MLC), Glenn Maxwell showed flashes of brilliance, scoring a stunning 106 off 49 balls, despite crawling to 11 off his first 15. But the bigger headline? Empty stands. Despite the fireworks, the crowd turnout was shockingly low—a reminder that while cricket might be growing in the US, it’s still got a long way to go.
Messi’s freekick magic & Mbappe’s health scare
And finally, over to football. At the Club World Cup, Lionel Messi reminded us why he's still the magician. Despite injury concerns before the match, he delivered his 68th career freekick goal, leading his side to a 2-1 comeback win against Porto. Vintage Messi, pure joy to watch.
On the flip side, Kylian Mbappé had a rough week—first down with a fever, then a stomach bug landed him in the hospital. Fortunately, he’s been discharged and is recovering.
That’s your weekly sports wrap! From secret dinners and overlooked legends to freekick royalty and cricket in empty stadiums—it’s been one heck of a ride. See you next week with more quirky, bold, and brilliant stories from the world of sports.
Also Watch: Mukesh Kumar drops 'Karma Bomb' before England Test; Fans smell drama
