As the 2025 French Open looms, all eyes may be on reigning champions and top seeds - but lurking just beneath the surface are several players quietly building momentum, ready to crash the party in Paris. From seasoned champions finding renewed form to rising stars with something to prove, here are four dark horses who could shake up the women's singles draw at Roland Garros.
Reigning world chess champion D Gukesh has stated that he is open to competing in all formats of chess, including the newly popular freestyle format, but believes that classical chess, with its rich history, will always hold the greatest significance. Despite concerns of a potential split in the sport between supporters of freestyle and classical chess, Gukesh sees no reason for division, highlighting the excitement of freestyle while acknowledging the importance of the traditional format's legacy.
His availability will be a massive boost for LSG's bowling department, with Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep doing most of the heavy lifting.
The unlikely and newly-discovered star on the Jharkhand campaign trail is a 39-year-old feisty army brat, who is married to the state's chief minister. Wearing only saris, always sporting sindhoor, a tikka and bangles, Jharkhand political rallies haven't seen anyone like Kalpana Murmu Soren before! She brings both lively energy and style to the podiums/stages she graces, arriving like a breath of fresh air to make fiery speeches that ignite the crowd.
Reigning Asian Games champion Palak and Paris Olympics stars Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale headline the 23-member Indian squad for the Munich leg of the Rifle/Pistol ISSF World Cup, beginning June 8.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, on the other hand, feels that Pandya has the ability to replicate Mahendra Singh Dhoni's role as a finisher in the Indian ODI set-up.
Despite sustaining a left leg injury during a club match in Bengaluru last week, Dravid was determined to be present.
One of the main attractions will be pole vaulter 'Mondo' Duplantis, who soared 6.27 metres to break the world record for a staggering 11th time in Clermont-Ferrand last month.
Kohli could manage only 190 runs in his nine innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, repeatedly offering edges to the slip cordon or keeper.
Jaipur Pink Panthers secured a crucial win in the race for the playoffs defeating Gujarat Giants 42-29 with skipper Arjun Deshwal doing the bulk of the scoring in a Pro Kabaddi League match in Pune on Tuesday.
Irfan Pathan believes India's white-ball team is 'settled' and backed the Rohit Sharma-led side to lift the upcoming Champions Trophy.
AC Milan striker Alvaro Morata's plan to live in a quaint village on the outskirts of the city has been ditched after the mayor revealed the Spain captain was moving into the locality in a social media blooper.
Rising shuttlers Ayush Shetty and Unnati Hooda's impressive run at the US $240,000 BWF Taipei Open Super 300 ended in the men's and women's singles semi-finals respectively, bringing the curtain down on India's campaign in Taipei on Saturday.
More 90m throws to come this season: Neeraj Chopra
'Who'll tell him that the bigger problems lie elsewhere?'
India's table tennis star Manika Batra was part of a star-studded Team Asia that beat Team World in the inaugural Waldner Cup in Oslo, Norway.
'You changed me, you told me what to do, you have brought me into politics.' 'I will work tirelessly for you. It is in your fingers to support me.' 'My career peak I have left to be with you.' Superstar Vijay is the latest actor to enter politics, and his speech at his new party's first public meet on Sunday offers a glimpse into his worldview.
Australia were the number one team back in the day and reminisced the challenges they faced playing against them.
'Both Shahid and Ishaan are over-thinkers and I'm constantly telling them to lighten up, chill.'
Pole vault sensation Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis, crowned World Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards, says no competitor in history could match him jump for jump.
Jasprit Bumrah posted the cute picture of Angad wearing his India cap on Instagram, embellishing it with a couple of heart emojis.
Australia levelled the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-1 with a 10-wicket win in the day-night Test after losing the first Test at Perth by 295 runs.
'It is a beautiful portrait of Ek Bharat, Sreshth Bharat.'
Labuschagne, known for his ability to score runs, especially against India, reminisced about the first time he saw Kohli don India's Test colours in the 2018 series.
Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram finished joint first with 11 points after the end of the rapid section of the Superbet Rapid and Blitz tournament, a part of the Grand Chess Tour.
KL Rahul opened up on his recent exit from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and said that he wanted to start fresh in the T20 tournament.
After Australia were reduced to 75 for 3, Steve Smith steadied the innings, providing much-needed runs, while Head powered his way to a second consecutive Test century, continuing his prolific form against India.
"I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people and bring them in,'
The cricketing fraternity on Monday paid glowing tributes to India's batting talisman Virat Kohli on his retirement from the longest format after an illustrious 14-year-career.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and Dr Nidhi Kataria's wedding was a spectacular blend of tradition, glamour, and chess royalty.
'I think Rohit should play aggressively. You saw how he batted in the ODI World Cup -- he was attacking even in the final. So, I believe his approach will remain the same.'
World number four Arjun Erigaisi was outplayed by Ian Nepomniachtchi in the opening game of the 5-9 place tiebreaker at the ongoing Freestyle Chess Grand Slam.
When Sanjay Manjrekar predicted that Mohammad Shami would not attract big bids, this is how the paceman responded.
Seasoned Australian batter Steve Smith has spoken glowingly of Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, calling the Indian arguably the best fast bowler across formats.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualified for their third consecutive final of the Indian Super League after a 3-2 aggregate win against Jamshedpur FC.
Rohit, who had missed the first Test, dropped down to the number six spot in the pink ball Test after KL Rahul excelled at the top in the series opener in his absence.
Caught by Wicket-keeper Alex Carey after edging a Pat Cummins delivery, Rohit's shot selection and technique highlighted the technical difficulties Pujara believes stem from his batting position shift.
'The captain of a country doesn't opt out of the final Test match of a series, a final-deciding Test match.'
'He has not lived up to expectations.' 'If this was Shubman Gill from Tamil Nadu, he would have been dropped.'
Virat Kohli may have stepped away from Test cricket, but he leaves behind a faster, leaner, hungrier Indian team.
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