Sports Bulletin For June 16: From Gautam Gambhir's India Team Return Date To ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Schedule

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Sports Bulletin For June 16: A lot has happened in the world of sports. Gautam Gambhir is set to rejoin the Indian Test squad ahead of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, while the ICC has released the full schedule for the 2025 Women's World Cup.

In domestic cricket, 13-year-old Ayan Raj stunned everyone with a record-breaking 327-run knock. Karun Nair also made headlines with a revelation about a retirement suggestion during his struggles.

In football, 58-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura continues to defy age, and St. Xavier's Collegiate School makes history by becoming the first Indian team at the MADCUP and many more.

1) Gautam Gambhir To Rejoin India Team On Tuesday, VVS Laxman To Depart: Report

Gautam Gambhir is now expected to link up with the Indian Test squad ahead of the opening match of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy at Headingley, set to begin on June 20, following a positive turn in his mother's health. According to multiple sources, the head coach is likely to join the team on Tuesday, June 17.

Meanwhile, Cricbuzz reports that although VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, has been present with the team and involved in their training sessions during Gambhir's absence, he holds no formal position with the squad and is set to depart shortly.

2) ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Schedule Announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the full fixture list for the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup.

India, the host nation, will kick off the tournament with a clash against Sri Lanka on September 30 in Bengaluru. During the group stage, the Indian team is also set to go up against formidable opponents including Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia.

3) A Prominent Indian Cricketer Asked Me To Retire: Karun Nair

Karun Nair has shared that during a tough phase in his career, a well-known Indian cricketer suggested he consider early retirement and focus on playing in private white-ball leagues to secure his financial future. However, Nair chose not to follow that path, saying it might have been the easier option, but one he would have likely regretted down the line.

Nair, who featured in six Test matches for India between 2016 and 2017, famously scored an unbeaten triple century against England in Chennai. Although he was included in the squad for the 2018 England tour, he didn't get an opportunity to bat and was dropped midway. What followed was a prolonged slump in form, and over the next few years, he even lost his place in the Karnataka domestic team, before making his India comeback 7 years later.

4) After Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Another 13-Year-Old Indian Makes Mark, Slams 327 Runs Off 134 Balls

In a stunning development from the Indian cricketing circuit, 13-year-old Ayan Raj from Bihar has captured national attention with a jaw-dropping knock of 327 runs in a single innings. His phenomenal performance has further fuelled the growing excitement around rising stars in youth cricket, including his close friend, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

The historic innings took place during a 30-over match in the District Cricket League held in Muzaffarpur. Playing for Sanskriti Cricket Academy, Ayan smashed an unbeaten 327 off just 134 deliveries. His explosive knock included 41 boundaries and 22 sixes-an incredible 296 runs coming through fours and sixes alone-giving him a strike rate well above 200. Ayan credits his friend Vaibhav as a key source of inspiration behind this extraordinary achievement.

5) Launch Of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Delayed Due To Ahmedabad Plane Crash Tragedy

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has postponed the unveiling of the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which was initially slated for June 14, ahead of the India-England Test series. The decision comes in light of the recent tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 275 lives, as reported by news agency PTI.

The series, formerly known as the Pataudi Trophy-named after legendary Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi-was set to be rebranded in honour of two cricketing icons: James Anderson of England and India's Sachin Tendulkar. The official unveiling was originally planned for Day 4 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's, but the event was quietly shelved following the tragedy.

6) World's Oldest Professional Footballer Kazuyoshi Miura Plays At 58

Kazuyoshi Miura, the legendary forward known as "King Kazu," continues to defy age and expectations, making an appearance in Japan's fourth division at 58 years old-his remarkable 40th season as a professional footballer. Widely regarded as the oldest active professional player not just in Japan, but likely worldwide, Miura's enduring career reached another milestone on Sunday.

Taking the field as a substitute in the 82nd minute for Atletico Suzuka Club, Miura played a role in their 2-1 triumph in the Japan Football League. Though he didn't find the back of the net, the former Japan international-who was one of Asia's top football figures during the 1990s-shared his delight after the match. At 58 years and 109 days, he told reporters he was happy to have made a meaningful contribution to the team's victory.

7) St. Xavier's Collegiate School Becomes 1st Indian Youth Team To Play In MADCUP

St. Xavier's Collegiate School in Kolkata has etched its name in the record books by becoming the first youth team from India to officially take part in the prestigious MADCUP Football Tournament 2025.

Now in its fifth edition, the MADCUP is recognized as the world's largest international grassroots football competition. The 2025 tournament kicks off in Madrid on June 20 and will be held across 32 top-tier sports venues, including the Atlético de Madrid Sports Centre, Real Madrid's Ciudad Deportiva, and the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas.

8) Pole Vault Star Armand Duplantis Breaks World Record For 12th Time

Swedish pole vault sensation Armand "Mondo" Duplantis once again pushed the boundaries of his sport, setting a new world record by clearing 6.28 metres at the Stockholm Diamond League on Sunday. Competing in front of an electrified home crowd, Duplantis broke his own record for the 12th time, soaring over the bar on his very first attempt after already securing victory.

The 25-year-old Olympic gold medallist celebrated the feat in dramatic fashion-tearing off his shirt and sprinting down the track, as fans at the historic Olympic Stadium, originally built for the 1912 Games, erupted in cheers. His latest record surpasses the 6.27m height he cleared earlier this year in Clermont-Ferrand.

9) Alejandro Garnacho Set To Leave Manchester United: Report

Alejandro Garnacho's future at Manchester United appears uncertain following a reported fallout with head coach Rúben Amorim. According to recent reports, the 20-year-old winger is now contemplating a departure from Old Trafford after tensions escalated between him and the manager.

The friction is said to have begun when Garnacho was excluded from the starting lineup for last month's Europa League final, where United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain. Following that, he was also left out of the squad for United's final Premier League fixture of a lacklustre season against Aston Villa.

The situation worsened during the club's off-season tour of Asia, where Garnacho was involved in an on-camera altercation with a fan-further adding to the controversy surrounding him.

As per The Sun, Amorim has now reportedly advised Garnacho to look for opportunities elsewhere, prompting the young Argentine to begin considering options for a potential transfer.

10) NECO Master Blaster Clinch Vidarbha Pro T20 League

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma continued his stellar form in T20 cricket on Sunday, playing a key role in NECO Master Blaster's triumph over Pagariya Strikers by seven wickets in the final of the Vidarbha Pro T20 League at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

Chasing a competitive target of 179, Master Blaster got off to a solid start with Vedant Dighade and Adhyan Daga putting together a 35-run partnership. Daga contributed a brisk 22 off 16 balls before being dismissed. Aryam Meshram then partnered with Dighade, and the duo stitched a crucial 90-run stand. Dighade eventually fell after a quickfire 42 off 26 deliveries, setting the platform for a comfortable chase.