Wednesday, 30 July 2025 International Friendship Day, officially recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated annually on 30 July to emphasize the importance of friendship in fostering peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures across the globe. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to build bridges of harmony, especially in times of rising tension, conflict, or division.
🎙️ 1. Concussion‑sub rule under fire Sunil Gavaskar delivered a scathing critique of the ICC’s concussion substitute rule, labeling it a policy rooted in "incompetence"—suggesting it's simply a like-for-like substitute for players who struggle with short-pitched bowling. He further urged that similar policies be introduced for serious injuries, arguing that teams suffer if a player is lost mid-match and there’s no injury replacement provision. He called for an independent panel—including medical experts—to oversee such matters, separate from existing ICC committees The Times of India+11mint+11Instagram+11 Cricket+1The Times of India+1 . 2. Sharpening criticism on India’s leadership In the aftermath of the drawn 4th Test at Manchester (Jul 23–26, 2025), Gavaskar voiced strong frustration at what he perceived as unclear leadership and lax decision-making by Team India. He emphasized that strategic misjudgments—particularly around declarations and captain/coach roles—were h...