Category: SPORTS

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a tough task cut out for them. Handling Jasprit Bumrah’s workload will be a major headache. Deciding what matches or series the fast bowler should be selected for to ensure he doesn’t get injured isn’t going to be easy.

The scrutiny that follows won’t be great either. Former cricketers and even selectors have questioned the BCCI for resting Bumrah for two Test matches during India’s tour of England. All the eyeballs will be stuck on them, managing Bumrah.

Test vs Asia Cup conundrum

After resting for over a month, the BCCI has decided to use Bumrah again. Earlier today, India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 was announced. Keeping the T20 World Cup 2026 in mind, the ace pacer was selected. However, there is a problem. If Bumrah plays in the Asia Cup, can he feature in the India vs West Indies Test series?

By picking Bumrah, the BCCI is prioritising the next ICC tournament. However, this could mean the fast bowler might have to skip playing in his favourite format. Placed with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in Group A of the Asia Cup, it’s almost certain India would qualify for the Super Four stage.

If India doesn’t qualify for the Asia Cup Final, they’ll be in action until September 25 or 26, but if they do, the tournament won’t end until September 28. Just 5 days later, on October 2, the India vs West Indies Test series will begin.

In an ideal scenario, the BCCI will want Bumrah to play. One can’t forget India lost the last Test series at home against New Zealand. But the load of playing Test cricket isn’t light, especially after no preparations. There is virtually no rest period between the first and second Test either since the second one starts on October 10.

Agarkar speaks on Bumrah’s workload

BCCI chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, was asked about managing Bumrah. He stated the medical staff has been monitoring the fast bowler with a keen eye for the last couple of years. Agarkar stated that the aim is to play Bumrah in important Test series and tournaments like the Asia Cup.

“I don’t think there is any written plan at the moment. There has been a nice break after the England series. The team management, the physios, or the people concerned are always in touch (with him). It’s not just now; even before his injury, we tried to look after him because we know how valuable he is,” Agarkar said at the squad announcement press conference.

“We want him available for all the big games. I know in international cricket, every game is a big game. But there are World Cups, there is the Champions Trophy, or big series like England or Australia. Because he has picked up an injury over the last 2-3 years, we pay extra attention due to how unique and how special he is, and it won’t change. It won’t change whether it’s this series or in the next 6 months.” 

“As we go along, how he is feeling and when we require him as a team, which is probably the most important thing, and along with the physios and the trainers, those things are monitored. We hope that he is available more often than not,” Agarkar added.

PLDT libero Kath Arado throughout the PVL on Tour remaining towards Chery Tiggo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

MANILA, Philippines — Kath Arado savored her first-ever championship as the guts and soul of PLDT, which rose from earlier heartbreaks to brush the PVL on Tour.

Arado didn’t attain the Remaining 4 when she was the chief of the College of the East Girl Warriors and even suffered from heartbreaking semifinals and quarterfinals exits as a professional with the Excessive Velocity Hitters.

READ: PLDT withstands Chery Tiggo for first PVL title

However the veteran libero by no means gave up on her dream till she lastly bought a style of a championship success on Sunday after PLDT took down Chery Tiggo in an exhilarating preseason remaining, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8, at Mall of Asia Area.

“Proper now, I truthfully can’t even put into phrases what I’m feeling. I’m simply actually, actually grateful to be a part of this group — to have these coaches, these teammates. I’m so proud that I get to put on this [championship] shirt with them,” Arado stated in Filipino after defending the ground with 29 digs and 10 wonderful receptions.

“This journey wasn’t straightforward. Issues can get actually emotional, however our coaches had been so affected person with us, particularly with me. They’d inform me, “It’s a must to set the tone.” However their persistence throughout coaching actually caught with us and we introduced all of that into this championship.”

Arado and the Excessive Velocity Hitters changed a semifinal five-set heartbreak to Akari within the Bolstered final 12 months at Mall of Asia Area with an ideal title run.

“Truthfully, we weren’t eager about that loss anymore. We couldn’t afford to dwell on it or let that heartache stick with us. As an alternative, we used it as motivation to maintain enhancing. We knew we couldn’t simply blame one facet, we had our share of errors, too,” she stated.

READ: PLDT’s depth shines in PVL on Tour title run, says Savi Davison

“However what actually made a distinction this time was the group’s maturity. That’s in all probability what helped us get this championship. We’ve actually grown.”

Arado, who transferred to PLDT in 2022, was fulfilled to see what their stacked roster might obtain when full and wholesome as they’re out to attempt one other run within the Invitationals beginning on Thursday towards Chery Tiggo at Philsports Area.

“From Day 1, we’ve made so many sacrifices as a group, particularly the coaches. They had been absolutely hands-on in each sport, each opponent we confronted. They had been already giving us every thing, all we needed to do was apply it,” Arado stated.

“I’m proud as a result of our journey began from scratch. We went by way of so many accidents, it felt like they by no means stopped. However now, we had been lastly full as a group, and to win the championship this fashion, I’m simply so completely happy.”

After every injury or break, the question is common for Jasprit Bumrah: Why didn’t he skip IPL? With Bumrah failing to last five Test matches in England, playing only three Tests and missing the series-decider, he has found no support among former cricketers or fans. Many have blamed Bumrah for missing the crucial fifth Test in England. Others have questioned his India commitment for playing in IPL 2025 before the Test series. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun wants BCCI to step in.

He believes it would be important for some of the crucial bowlers, like Bumrah, to skip the IPL before a five-match Test series. Australian fast bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood had done that in the past.

“This (skipping IPL) would definitely help when you want to preserve bowlers. It’s okay for a batter or spinner to be playing all formats. Playing too much cricket does not give you enough time to work on the physical front. So, yes, this can definitely be looked into. People like Bumrah or any other bowler, for that matter, who we feel are very important for us to do well in one particular series, we can ensure that they can be rested from a series (IPL),” former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who handed Bumrah his India debut, told Times of India.

Workload management concern

Even before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy began, the BCCI medical team informed the selectors that Jasprit Bumrah could only play three Tests and not the full five-match series. The decision was taken so that Bumrah does not suffer another back injury. Bumrah missed the majority of the Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy early this year. He was out for two months. However, another back injury could be career-threatening. To prevent that, the BCCI medical team and Bumrah’s surgeon advised him to reduce his workload to prolong his career.

As a result, the India team management was prepared to go without Bumrah. However, on dry docile England pitches in the first four Tests, Bumrah bowled long spells of 8-10 overs.

While Bumrah managed to bag two five-wicket hauls in three Tests to take his tally to 14 wickets, his commitment was questioned. For comparison, England captain Ben Stokes bowled 140 overs and batted for 581 deliveries in the Anderson-Tnedulkar Trophy. Stokes also bowled long spells of 10-12 overs. Bumrah bowled a total of 119.4 overs.

The BCCI is also taking necessary steps so that a player can’t play a portion of a Test series. In future, BCCI will only pick players who will be fully available. However, that could be a harsh solution.

Compensate aptly for skipping IPL

Former India captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar questioned the workload management during a Test series. He said, BCCI should have asked Mumbai Indians to rest Jasprit Bumrah or asked the player to miss the tournament. The reason is that Bumrah missed the ICC Champions Trophy only to play 12 matches in IPL 2025.

“Considering the importance of the IND vs ENG Test series and his fragile back, Bumrah should have been told by the BCCI, selectors, and the team management to miss IPL 2025. It was very important that we had a fully fit and refreshed Bumrah for such an iconic series. If I was the India chief selector, I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani and Bumrah that it was important for Bumrah to miss the IPL for the England series, or play a lesser number of matches in the IPL. I’m sure that they would have agreed to do so,” Dilip Vengarkar told Times of India.

However, that move would have prevented Bumrah from earning a whopping Rs 16 Crore from his IPL contract. It would also have been an injustice to the IPL franchise. But Bharat Arun wants the BCCI to compensate Bumrah for missing IPL to focus on Test cricket. With not many five-match Test series nowadays, Bumrah could return to IPL next season.

“He can be aptly compensated for that. If he is aptly compensated and told by BCCI, because he is in contract, ‘we want you to work on this particular aspect’, I think it is fair enough,” Bharat Arun said.

Cebuana Lhuillier and Maya have entered a strategic collaboration to develop the vary of monetary companies out there to thousands and thousands of Filipinos and strengthen the monetary well being of communities throughout the nation. The partnership combines Cebuana Lhuillier’s intensive nationwide community and trusted remittance companies with Maya’s management in digital banking and funds to ship larger entry to credit score, worldwide remittance, and digital monetary instruments for brokers and shoppers alike. 

(L-R) Cebuana Lhuillier’s First Vice President and Cash Switch Group Head Erl Sumanga, Senior Government Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier, President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, Chairman and Founder Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier; Maya’s Group CEO and Founder Orlando Vea, Group President Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Financial institution’s President Angelo Madrid, and Senior Key Accounts Supervisor for Enterprise Rhea Matute

A key a part of the tie-up is the rollout of “Simple Mortgage, a partnership between Cebuana Lhuillier and Maya,” a versatile revolving credit score line from Php1,000 to Php30,000. 

In the meantime, Cebuana Lhuillier Approved Brokers will achieve entry to a working capital mortgage constructed and designed for micro-merchants, sari-sari shops, and impartial sellers who usually lack entry to conventional financing. Certified brokers can draw as much as ₱350,000, obtain funds in minutes, and handle versatile repayments instantly within the app. 

The partnership additionally unlocks new earnings streams for Maya Middle brokers, who can now supply worldwide remittance companies and achieve entry to Cebuana’s Lhuillier’s intensive community. With simple onboarding, brokers can enhance their earnings and revel in an unique discounted subscription—out there solely to Maya brokers—whereas providing trusted world remittance companies to their communities. 

“Our purpose has all the time been to deliver monetary companies nearer to each Filipino. This partnership permits us to supply our prospects with extra companies on floor and on-line so as to add worth to their monetary journey” mentioned Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.  

Philippe André Lhuillier, Senior Government Vice President of Cebuana Lhuillier, added, “By this partnership, our brokers can entry the wanted capital to develop their companies, whereas Cebuana Simple Mortgage provides prospects their first step into accountable credit score. Empowering either side strengthens all the group community.”  

Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Financial institution Co-Founder, targeted on the combination of strengths. “Bringing collectively Cebuana Lhuillier’s trusted community and Maya’s digital banking creates a powerful bridge between bodily entry factors and trendy monetary companies. It permits us to ship credit score, remittance, and banking the place they’ll make the largest influence—on the grassroots.” 

Orlando Vea, CEO of Maya and Co-Founding father of Maya Financial institution, emphasised the imaginative and prescient for monetary well being. “Inclusion right this moment means greater than entry—it’s about constructing resilience. Along with Cebuana Lhuillier, we’re placing easy, sensible monetary instruments in folks’s fingers to allow them to take management of their cash and their future.”  

Cebuana Lhuillier’s community of over 3,500 branches and 25,000 associate doorways nationwide, mixed with Maya’s digital banking and funds infrastructure, creates a powerful basis for delivering these companies at scale. Because the partnership rolls out, each firms are dedicated to embedding innovation the place it issues most – on the group stage. 

ADVT.

This text is delivered to you by Cebuana Lhuillier.

INQUIRER.web inventory photographs

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A library ebook has been returned almost 82 years after it was borrowed from the San Antonio Public Library. It got here with a letter noting that “Grandma received’t be capable of pay for it anymore.”

The ebook is “Your Little one, His Household, and Associates” by marriage and household counselor Frances Bruce Pressure. It was checked out in July 1943 and returned this previous June from an individual in Oregon, the library stated in a information launch.

“After the current demise of my father, I inherited just a few containers of books he left behind,” the individual wrote in a letter that was shared by the library on Instagram and signed with the initials P.A.A.G.

The ebook was a information for folks on serving to their youngsters navigate private relationships. It was checked out when the individual’s father was 11 years previous.

Nervous letter

“The ebook will need to have been borrowed by my grandmother, Maria del Socorro Aldrete Flores (Cortez),” the individual wrote. “In that 12 months, she transferred to Mexico Metropolis to work on the US Embassy. She will need to have taken the ebook together with her, and a few 82 years later, it ended up in my possession.”

The ebook had acquired write-ups in numerous newspapers on the time. The Cincinnati Enquirer described it in June 1943 as a “full guidebook to the private relationships of the kid along with his household and the surface world.”

The New York Occasions famous a month later that Pressure was a psychologist and mom of two who was “finest identified for her smart, delicate, however unsentimental presentation of intercourse training.”

The one who returned the ebook wrote within the letter: “I hope there is no such thing as a late charge for it as a result of Grandma received’t be capable of pay for it anymore.”

3 cents a day

The library stated in a information launch that it eradicated overdue fines in 2021. The within cowl of the ebook was stamped with the warning that the fantastic for overdue books was 3 cents a day. Not accounting for inflation, the penalty would quantity to just about $900.

Three cents in July 1943 quantities to 56 cents in immediately’s cash, based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Inflation Calculator. That might add as much as greater than $16,000 (P898,000).

‘Good situation’

The library famous that the ebook is in “good situation.” It’ll be on show within the metropolis’s central library by August. It should then be donated to the Associates of San Antonio Public Library and offered to learn the library.

Eight a long time could appear to be a very long time for an overdue library ebook, however it’s nowhere close to the file. Guinness World Data says essentially the most overdue library ebook was returned to Sidney Sussex School, College of Cambridge, England, in 1956.

It was borrowed in 1668, some 288 years earlier. No fantastic was extracted. /cb

DRS, August 16, 2025: As the long weekend continues amid a long break in the Indian cricket calendar, it’s a slow news cycle. But even on Independence Day, there were headlines that you might have missed. To start with the Asia Cup 2025, as the India squad announcement day comes closer, speculations are rife on Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Will they return to the T20I side? But if they do, won’t India compromise on Test cricket, considering the IND vs WI Test series begins just three days after the Asia Cup final? In other news, Irfan Pathan, in an interview, has spilled the beans on his ouster from the IPL 2025 commentary panel.

In non-cricket news, the Argentine World Cup winner, Lionel Messi, has finalised his itinerary for India visit in December. This will be Messi’s second visit to India. He visited Kolkata in 2011 for a friendly match against Venezuela.

Independence Day celebrations

Even as India cricket is on an unusual long break, cricketers took their time out of the holiday calendar to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and India head coach Gautam Gambhir among many cricketers, wished fans on Independence Day.

“A day to celebrate the freedom we earned and reflect on the responsibility it carries. Grateful to those who paved the way. Wishing everyone a proud and peaceful Independence Day,” former India captain Anil Kumble wrote on his Twitter handle.

Rohit Sharma shared a moment from T20 World Cup 2024 final, carrying the Indian flag.

No Gill-Jaiswal in Asia Cup 2025

In Asia Cup 2025, rumours have been rife about Indian squad. While the BCCI Selection Committee will announce India squad for Asia Cup 2025 on August 19, there have been many speculations. Among the big ones are Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The two stars of India Test team could miss out on Asia Cup berth, not because of their T20 form. As India take on West Indies in a two-match Test series, starting October 2, just three days after the Asia Cup final, the selectors might want to keep a white-ball specialist squad. Shreyas Iyer could also miss out as he is being considered for a Test return. Sanju Samson will keep his place as Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead.

Irfan Pathan on Ro-Ko

While many believe that Irfan Pathan has been harsh on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the former India all-rounder has clarified his stance. In an interview with Lallantop, Irfan Pathan has revealed that as a commentator, his responsibility is towards the fans and not the cricketers. Rohit and Virat endured a poor run of form in Test cricket, especially in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, before announcing Test retirements ahead of the England tour.

“I believe that the job of commentators is to tell the story beyond what is visible, what is happening, why it is happening, and why it is happening. If a player performs well, then praise him. If he cannot do so, then criticise him. The responsibility of the commentator is not for the player but for the fans,” Pathan said.

Latest on Cricket

Pathan was also believed to have missed out on the IPL 2025 commentary stint because of bringing in personal grudges in commentary. There were rumours that the Pathan brothers had a personal rivalry with the Pandya brothers in Baroda cricket. While many blamed his harsh criticism of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma reason behind his ouster from the commentary panel, he hinted at Hardik Pandya. Pathan criticised Hardik for poor performances in IPL 2024 after a big-money move back to Mumbai Indians. However, Pathan revealed that he had no bad intentions for Hardik.

“If I’m criticising you in 7 matches out of 14, I’m still being lenient. That is our job as broadcasters. There is no rivalry. All the Baroda players who have come after me — Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya or Hardik Pandya — none of them can say that Irfan-Yusuf did not help them,” Pathan said.

Venkatesh Prasad to contest KSCA elections

Former India pacer and bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad is all set to return for his second innings as an administrator. Prasad, who was the vice-president of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) between 2013 and 2016 when Anil Kumble was the president, will contest KSCA elections. He will join former KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya and others. The KSCA elections are set to be conducted in October after the current term ends on September 30.

The KSCA is in a crisis after 11 fans died in a stampede on June 4 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL trophy celebrations. KSCA secretary Shankar A and treasurer ES Jairam stepped down in the aftermath, while the Karnataka government banned the M Chinnaswamy stadium from hosting any big matches. The stadium is all set to lose Women’s Cricket World Cup matches, as well as IPL 2026 matches.

Lionel Messi’s India visit

Argentina’s World Cup champion Lionel Messi’s India visit in December has been finalised. This would be Messi’s second trip to India. Messi visited India in 2011 for a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. While Argentina was supposed to play a friendly match in India on that trip, it’s now out of the itinerary. Instead, Messi will visit Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi during his short trip.

His visit will begin in Kolkata on December 13 and will conclude on December 15 in Delhi after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit, Messi is also likely to meet Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Mumbai. The trio will catch up for a cricket match at the Wankhede Stadium.

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Bureau of Corrections. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A jail official, whose title was tagged within the try to smuggle a major quantity of alcohol and tobacco into the Sablayan Jail and Penal Farm (SPPF), was by no means talked about in any official doc, together with the authorised allow relating to the incident, and thus shouldn’t be relieved from his submit, his lawyer stated.

The jail officers, together with CT/Inspector Edgar Laudencia, have been talked about in a press assertion dated July 10 issued by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as amongst these relieved from their posts.

Nevertheless, based mostly on paperwork despatched by Atty. Jennifer Garcia-Laudencia, spouse of the jail official, her husband’s title was not in any paperwork, together with spot stories, permits, or the order of reduction.

“My husband’s title was not talked about [in the order of relieved personnel from SPPF regarding the incident.]

The incident occurred final July 2 when a dump truck containing gravel and sand tried to enter SPPF. Upon inspection, the gravel and sand contained a considerable quantity of contraband.

READ: Alcohol, tobacco smuggling busted at BuCor jail

The gravel and sand have been purportedly requested by an individual disadvantaged of liberty for the aim of masking an outdated septic tank.

First, Garcia-Laudencia stated the authorised allow/cross for the dump truck to enter the jail premises was not signed by CT/Inspector. Edgar Laudencia.

“On this allow, my husband’s title was by no means written,” Garcia-Laudencia stated in a letter addressed to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang.

She lamented that the individuals whose names seem within the allow have been by no means relieved from their posts and transferred to the New Bilibid Jail (NBP) for investigation.

Second, she stated her husband’s title additionally doesn’t seem in any of the stories submitted by C/Insp. Abel Ciruela or by the K9 handler on the incident, which was acknowledged as the idea for the reduction order.

Trial by publicity

The lawyer lamented that her husband was topic to trial by publicity after BuCor issued a press launch together with his title.

“Clearly from the foregoing, my husband’s title was not in any approach concerned on this controversy, but his title was talked about within the media, within the press launch as a type of sacked from their submit…Thereby, unduly discrediting his clear title and fame,” she stated.

She additionally urged Catapang to clear the title of CSO1 Richard Buenaflor after he was additionally relieved with none legitimate foundation.

On the similar time, she urged the BuCor management to conduct an instantaneous investigation to find out who was the actual offender within the smuggling of contrabands at SPPF.

In response to her letter, Assistant Secretary Al Perreras, Deputy Director Basic for Administration, stated “the matter had been forwarded to the Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation and is presently being prioritized.”

He assured that “the investigation will likely be performed with equity, impartiality, and independence, safeguarding the pursuits of the bureau and the events concerned.”

“Please learn that the well timed and goal decision of this investigation is of utmost significance to sustaining the integrity and upholding the rule of regulation inside the Bureau,” he added. /mr