Billionaire Elon Musk congratulated India’s Gukesh Dommaraju on Saturday for his historic victory as the youngest World Chess Champion. Gukesh made history on Thursday by defeating China’s Ding Liren in the final match of the FIDE World Chess Championship.

The championship was tied at 6.5-6.5 before the last game. Gukesh stayed calm under pressure and secured victory in the decisive match, claiming the prestigious world title. The 18-year-old received the championship trophy on Friday at a grand ceremony, where his incredible achievement was celebrated.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gukesh called the win the “best moment of his life.” His journey to the title began in April when he won the Candidates Chess Tournament, becoming the youngest player to challenge Ding Liren for the world championship.

The final match of the championship was a tense and thrilling encounter. Game 13 ended in a draw, leaving everything to be decided in the last round. Gukesh’s calm mindset and brilliant strategies helped him secure the title. His remarkable performance earned him global recognition and admiration from the chess community.

Former champion Ding Liren shared his feelings after the loss, admitting he was shocked by a costly mistake he made during the final game. Despite losing, Ding praised his own performance, saying, “I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could have been better, but considering my lucky survival in previous games, it’s a fair result. I have no regrets.”

Gukesh’s win is a proud moment for India, marking him as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. His achievement has inspired millions and further cemented India’s growing influence in the chess world.

Elon Musk, known for his interest in chess and artificial intelligence, was among the first to congratulate Gukesh. His message added to the many praises pouring in from across the globe for the young champion.

Gukesh’s rise to the top is a story of hard work, focus, and exceptional talent. With this historic win, he has etched his name in the record books and opened a new chapter in chess history. The future looks bright for the young prodigy as he continues to inspire chess players around the world.

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have decided to retire from international cricket again, just months after reversing their earlier retirements to play in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Imad Wasim made his announcement on Friday, stating that “this chapter comes to an end,” while Amir followed on Saturday, calling it a “difficult decision.”

Both players returned to the Pakistan national team earlier this year to take part in the T20 World Cup, which was held in June across the USA and the Caribbean. Their final appearance for Pakistan came in the same match, a group-stage game against Ireland on June 16 in Lauderhill. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s campaign in the tournament ended early as they failed to advance beyond the group stage.

Despite the disappointing team performance, both Amir and Imad made noticeable contributions. Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s fast-bowling spearhead, was the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Haris Rauf. He claimed seven wickets in four bowling innings, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 4.50. Imad Wasim, the left-arm all-rounder, contributed primarily with the ball. He picked up three wickets with an economy rate of 4.00. However, he struggled with the bat, scoring only 19 runs at a strike rate of 65.51.

Amir and Imad remain highly sought after in franchise cricket leagues, including T20 and T10 tournaments worldwide. Most recently, the two featured in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Imad played for Morrisville Samp Army, who made it to the final but fell short, finishing as runners-up. Meanwhile, Amir represented the New York Strikers, though his team was unable to progress to the playoffs.

Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have had successful international careers, with both players often making a significant impact, especially in shorter formats. While they have stepped away from representing Pakistan on the international stage, their experience and skills ensure they will continue to play important roles in various franchise leagues around the world.

Their second retirement marks the end of an era for Pakistan cricket, but their performances in domestic and international T20 leagues will likely keep them in the spotlight for years to come. Fans can expect to see them competing in top tournaments globally as they focus on their franchise cricket careers.

The exciting 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will continue with the third Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, starting on December 14. The five-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1 after Australia’s dominant 10-wicket victory in Adelaide.

Adelaide Recap

In the second Test, Mitchell Starc shone with the pink ball, taking eight wickets and dismantling India’s batting lineup. India managed just 180 and 175 runs in their two innings. Australia needed only 19 runs in their second innings to seal the win. Travis Head’s powerful knock of 140 earned him the Player of the Match award.

Now, both teams will aim for a crucial victory in Brisbane to take the series lead.

Players to Watch

Virat Kohli (India)
Despite a poor showing in Adelaide, Kohli remains key for India. He started the series strong, scoring a century in Perth. With the pressure mounting, Kohli will look to deliver a match-winning performance at The Gabba.

Rohit Sharma (India)
India captain Rohit Sharma has been struggling for form, scoring just 3 and 6 runs in the pink-ball Test. He will aim to bounce back in Brisbane and lead his team to a much-needed win.

Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Veteran pacer Mitchell Starc was outstanding in Adelaide, taking eight wickets and putting India’s batters under pressure. With Josh Hazlewood returning, Starc will look to form a lethal bowling duo and help Australia take the series lead.

Travis Head (Australia)
Travis Head continues to be a game-changer for Australia. His aggressive 140 in Adelaide set up their victory, and he will be eager to keep his strong form against India.

Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s standout bowler, taking 12 wickets in the series so far. Despite dealing with a thigh issue, Bumrah will be crucial to India’s chances at The Gabba.

What’s at Stake?

Both teams are not only fighting for a series lead but also aiming to strengthen their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final next year. Fans can expect an intense contest as the action shifts to Brisbane.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with matches being played in both Pakistan and Dubai. This decision was reached after an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Key Decisions

1. 2025 Champions Trophy Matches
– Pakistan will host 10 matches of the tournament across three venues.
– India’s league matches, including their game against Pakistan, will be played in Dubai instead of Pakistan.
– The semifinal and final will also take place in Dubai unless India is eliminated in the league stage. In that case, the semifinal and final will be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

2. 2026 T20 World Cup
– Pakistan will not travel to India for the tournament. Instead, their league match against India will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is a co-host of the event.
– The semifinal and final venues for the 2027 T20 World Cup will be decided later.

Additional Agreements

– The PCB will not receive any compensation for missing the opportunity to host matches involving India.
– In return, Pakistan has secured hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.

Tournament Schedule

– The 2025 Champions Trophy will run from February 19 to March 9
– Eight teams will participate, divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will move to the semifinals, followed by the final.

Background

This hybrid hosting model is similar to the format used during the Men’s 50-over Asia Cup in 2023. In that event, Pakistan hosted the tournament, but India’s matches were held in Colombo due to political tensions.

This arrangement ensures smooth planning for both tournaments while addressing logistical and political challenges. All three parties—ICC, PCB, and BCCI—are satisfied with the agreement.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka shared his thoughts on KL Rahul after the wicketkeeper-batter was released by the franchise following the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Rahul, who was LSG’s first signing in 2022, also served as the team’s captain during their first three seasons.

A Promising Start, But Challenges in 2024

Under Rahul’s captaincy, LSG had a strong start, reaching the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. However, the 2024 season was tough for the team as they struggled to keep up with the changes in T20 cricket. Rahul’s performance as both a player and captain came under heavy criticism.

The situation worsened when Rahul and Goenka were seen arguing publicly after LSG’s 10-wicket loss to SunRisers Hyderabad. Although they resolved their differences during the off-season, LSG decided not to retain Rahul for the 2025 season. He was later signed by the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL auction.

Goenka’s Thoughts on Rahul

Despite the split, Goenka had nothing but good wishes for Rahul. Speaking on the TRS podcast, he said:

“KL Rahul is like family to me and always will be. He led Lucknow for three years and achieved good results. I sincerely hope he does well in the future, no matter what.”

Goenka praised Rahul’s character and talent, saying, “He is a good person, very honest and decent. I wish only good things for someone like him. He is also very talented, and I am sure he will show his skills to the world. My best wishes are with him.”

KL Rahul’s next chapter with Delhi Capitals will be closely watched by fans as he looks to make a strong comeback in the IPL.

Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest-ever chess world champion. The 18-year-old from Chennai defeated China’s Ding Liren, the defending champion, in a thrilling final game on Thursday.

Gukesh broke a 39-year-old record held by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov, who became world champion at 22 in 1985.

A Rising Star from Chennai

Chennai, known as India’s chess capital, is where Gukesh’s journey began. Unlike many chess stars, Gukesh didn’t come from a family of professional players. His father, a surgeon, and mother, a medical professor, enrolled him in after-school chess classes to keep him busy. Coaches quickly noticed his talent and urged his family to support his training.

At just 12 years and 7 months, Gukesh became a grandmaster in 2019, the third-youngest in history.

The Championship Battle

The FIDE World Chess Championship took place in Singapore and lasted 14 games over two weeks. Going into the final match, Gukesh and Ding were tied, each with two wins and eight draws. The pressure was high, as Gukesh needed one more win to claim the title.

In the final game, Gukesh played with black pieces and stayed calm even when Ding seemed to have a stronger position. However, on the 55th move, Ding made a big mistake, losing his rook. This allowed Gukesh to turn the game in his favor. Three moves later, Ding resigned, handing Gukesh the victory.

A Historic Win for India

Gukesh became only the second Indian to win the world chess championship, after Viswanathan Anand, who won five times, with his last title in 2012.

“It’s a proud moment for chess and for India,” said Gukesh, who became emotional after the win.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him, calling his achievement “historic and exemplary” on social media.

The championship also came with a prize fund of $2.5 million, further cementing Gukesh’s place among the greats of chess.

Ding, who won the championship in 2023, struggled with mental health challenges throughout the year. Despite showing moments of brilliance during the tournament, he couldn’t hold his nerve in the final game.

With this win, Gukesh has inspired millions and brought pride to his country, marking the start of what could be a long and successful career in chess.

Kandy, Dec 11: The Galle Marvels secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Kandy Bolts in the Lanka T10 Super League at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Chasing a modest target of 101 runs, the Marvels reached the finish line comfortably in just eight overs.

The Marvels got off to a steady start but faced a mini-collapse when they lost quick wickets, leaving them at 39/3. However, Andre Fletcher and Shakib Al Hasan took control and guided the team to victory with a solid unbeaten partnership of 63 runs for the fourth wicket.

Fletcher was the star of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 41 off just 21 balls. His entertaining knock featured four sixes and three boundaries. Shakib played a crucial supporting role, scoring 20 not out off only eight deliveries, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the chase.

Earlier, the Kandy Bolts had a tough start after losing two wickets with just five runs on the board. Despite the poor start, wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Chandimal stood tall for the team. Chandimal’s brilliant knock of 66 off 25 balls, including several boundaries and sixes, helped the Bolts post a total of 100/5 in their 10 overs.

The Marvels’ bowlers were impressive, with Binura Fernando delivering a standout performance. Fernando bowled a tight spell, picking up 3/9 in his two overs and stifling the Bolts’ batting lineup. His excellent bowling earned him the Player of the Match award.

*Rain Halts Second Match*

The second match of the day between the Nuwara Eliya Kings and Colombo Jaguars was disrupted by rain. The Kings were off to a strong start, scoring 79/1 in just six overs before the rain arrived. Opener Avishka Fernando was in sublime form, remaining unbeaten on 50 off just 18 balls.

Unfortunately, the rain persisted, forcing the match to be called off without a result. Both teams had to settle for a point each due to the no-result.

The Lanka T10 Super League continues to entertain fans with exciting cricket, despite the rain interruptions. The tournament promises more thrilling encounters in the coming days as teams battle for supremacy.

Indian challenger D Gukesh and reigning champion Ding Liren of China played out a tense draw in the 13th game of the World Chess Championship on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The match, which ended after 69 moves, keeps the two players tied at 6.5 points each. Both are now just one point away from claiming the prestigious title.

The 18-year-old Gukesh, playing with the white pieces in this game, tried to press for a win but could not break through Liren’s solid defenses. The 32-year-old Chinese Grandmaster handled the pressure well, ensuring that the match remained even going into the final game of the championship.

The battle between Gukesh and Liren has been intense throughout the tournament. Liren took an early lead by winning the opening game, showing why he is the defending champion. However, Gukesh fought back in the third game to level the score, proving that he is a serious contender for the title.

What followed was a series of seven draws, showcasing the incredible skill and resilience of both players. Neither gave the other a chance to pull ahead, as they tested each other’s strategies and mental strength.

The turning point came in the 11th game when Gukesh finally managed to break the deadlock. He played a brilliant game to take the lead at 6-5, putting Liren under immense pressure. But the Chinese Grandmaster, known for his calmness and ability to bounce back, delivered a stunning performance in the 12th game to equalize the score once again.

Now, with just one game left in the championship, the stakes could not be higher. Both players need a win to secure the title outright, while another draw would likely push the match into tiebreakers.

The final game promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has been a closely contested championship. Gukesh, one of India’s brightest young chess stars, is aiming to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history. Meanwhile, Liren is determined to retain his crown and solidify his legacy as one of the game’s greats.

As the chess world watches with bated breath, all eyes are now on the 14th and final game of this gripping championship.

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has made history by becoming the first woman to score four ODI centuries in a single calendar year. The 27-year-old achieved this incredible milestone during the third and final ODI against Australia at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday.

Mandhana’s fourth century of the year came in an innings full of class and determination. She reached her half-century in exactly 50 balls and converted it into a century in 103 deliveries. Her innings included 14 boundaries and a six, showcasing her ability to find gaps and dominate bowlers. This knock took her overall tally of ODI centuries to nine, placing her in joint fourth position alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt, Chamari Athapaththu, and Charlotte Edwards.

The left-handed opener has been in outstanding form this year, with centuries against South Africa in June (two back-to-back centuries), New Zealand in October, and now Australia in December. This consistent run of form has been crucial for India’s batting lineup, as Mandhana has anchored innings while also accelerating when needed.

With this achievement, Mandhana broke the previous record of three centuries in a calendar year, which was jointly held by seven players. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who has also scored three centuries this year, is the latest to share that spot. Others on the list include Meg Lanning (2016), Nat Sciver-Brunt (2023), Sophie Devine (2018), Sidra Amin (2022), Amy Satterthwaite (2016), and Belinda Clark (1997).

While Mandhana’s knock was remarkable, it unfortunately came in a losing cause. India fell short by 83 runs as they chased Australia’s total at the WACA. Despite her valiant effort, India couldn’t build partnerships to support her innings, leading to their defeat.

This latest century has put Mandhana in the race to climb higher on the list of most ODI centuries in women’s cricket. She now trails Tammy Beaumont, who has 10 centuries, and former Australian captain Meg Lanning, who holds the record with 15 centuries. Given Mandhana’s current form and ability to perform under pressure, she is well on her way to closing this gap in the near future.

Mandhana’s achievement is a testament to her consistency and skill at the highest level of the game. Over the years, she has established herself as one of the most dependable batters in women’s cricket. Her ability to adapt to different conditions, play long innings, and score against strong teams has made her a key player for India.

This record-breaking milestone is another feather in Mandhana’s cap and highlights her contribution to the growth of women’s cricket. As she continues to achieve new milestones, she inspires young cricketers around the world to dream big and aim high.

Mandhana’s performances this year have not only been memorable but have also set a new benchmark in women’s cricket. Her journey as a cricketer is a source of pride for India and a reminder of her immense talent and dedication to the game.

FIFA has officially chosen Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This will be the second time a Middle Eastern country hosts the tournament, following Qatar in 2022.

The decision was made during an extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with celebratory matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honor the tournament’s 100-year history.

The 2030 World Cup will be unique, taking place across six countries and three continents. Uruguay, which hosted the first-ever World Cup in 1930, will hold a special opening game, alongside Argentina and Paraguay. While Spain and Argentina have hosted before, this will be the first time Morocco, Portugal, and Paraguay welcome the tournament.

For the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever 48-team tournament in a single country. Matches will take place in 15 stadiums across five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom. Riyadh’s new King Salman Stadium, which will hold 92,000 spectators, is expected to host the opening and final games.

Saudi Arabia’s bid was approved unanimously, with no competing bids. Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal al Saud, the Saudi Sports Minister, expressed pride in the decision, promising an “extraordinary World Cup” in the kingdom.

FIFA’s move to expand the tournament and take it to new regions reflects its goal of bringing football to more countries while maintaining the quality of the competition, Infantino said.