Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)

Speculation over Hardik Pandya’s future with the Mumbai Indians continues to grow, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in with his own assessment of how a potential blockbuster IPL trade could unfold.Pandya’s future has been the subject of intense discussion following another disappointing campaign for Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership, the franchise managed just one playoff appearance in three seasons, while the 2026 edition ended with the five-time champions finishing ninth in the 10-team table.Reports have linked both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders with a possible move for the India all-rounder. Ashwin believes those two franchises are the frontrunners if Mumbai decide to part ways with their captain, but he also outlined the kind of deal he thinks the franchise should demand.Speaking on his Tamil YouTube channel, Ashwin said Mumbai Indians should only consider doing business with Kolkata Knight Riders if the deal significantly strengthens their own squad.“Don’t count out Hardik going to a franchise other than CSK or KKR. The talk is that CSK will give Dube and a pacer, while KKR will give away Cameron Green. What happens if Green decides to focus on the Ashes next year? If I were MI, I would accept a deal with KKR on only one condition: getting Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh in return. That is the only way MI gets stronger,” Ashwin said.He also pointed out that Mumbai would have to consider not only what they receive in return, but also how much stronger a direct rival could become by signing Pandya.“MI will also think about who between CSK and KKR gets stronger through the Hardik trade. If CSK give away Dube and one Indian pacer to get Hardik, they get strong but not invincible. However, if KKR get Hardik, they suddenly look very strong. KKR will become a lethal batting lineup with Hardik. These are teams with five, five and three titles, so MI have to think about how they can ensure one of these teams doesn’t leapfrog them,” he added.The discussion comes at a time when both franchises linked with Pandya are entering transition phases. Chennai Super Kings recently confirmed the departure of long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming after an 18-year stint, while Kolkata Knight Riders are preparing for life after Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement.Pandya’s own campaign in IPL 2026 did little to ease scrutiny over his performances. The all-rounder scored 206 runs and claimed four wickets in 10 matches as Mumbai endured one of their poorest seasons in recent years.The 32-year-old has not played competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026, further fuelling speculation over both his immediate playing future and whether he will continue with Mumbai Indians next season.

FILE–Alas Pilipinas in action during the SEA V Cup Leg 1. –SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alas Pilipinas Women got swept by first leg champion Thailand, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, to open their SEA V Cup Leg 2 campaign on Friday night at Chiang Mai Stadium.

Alas couldn’t repeat its gallant stand from last week, when it pushed the Thais to their limits in a five-set match in Hanoi.

Thailand, the most successful volleyball country in the region, made quick work of the Philippines in a lopsided one-hour, 16-minute match.

Leg 1 MVP and Best Outside Spiker Sasipapron Janthawisut led the onslaught with 10 points from eight kills, one block and an ace.

The Philippines took a 12-10 lead in the third set on Alyssa Solomon’s back-to-back kills, but the hosts caught fire and put the match away.

Pimpichaya Kokram also scored 10 points. Chatchu-On Moksri had nine, while Thatdao Nuekjang and Ajcharaporn Kongyot added seven each.

Thailand swept all three games in Leg 1 and is looking to reclaim the Leg 2 crown after losing to Vietnam last year.

Alas has now dropped four straight games since losing its place on the podium after winning four consecutive bronze medals dating back to the 2024 edition.

Niña Ytang led Alas with eight points from six kills and two blocks. Solomon had six, while Erika Santos and Eya Laure added five each.

Bella Belen, the Philippines’ top scorer in the first leg, was held to two points.

Alas faces Vietnam on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Philippine time).

Vietnam, which brought a new lineup, was upset by Indonesia earlier, 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 15-9.

England defender Lucy Bronze has voiced strong support for a potential Uefa boycott of Fifa competitions, insisting it would be the right thing to do if it safeguards the future of the sport.

Bronze has spoken out Uefa maintained its threat to withdraw from major Fifa tournaments on Thursday, despite an apology from president Gianni Infantino regarding controversial plans to involve private investors.

Asked about the prospect of missing out on significant competitions, including the World Cup, due to such action, the 34-year-old emphasised the collective player stance.

“I think the message that we stand by as players, and obviously as European competitions as well is, it’s for the good of the game,” Bronze said.

She added: “If that means boycotting competitions, then that has to happen. It’s for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow. It’s for all the little girls or little boys who come after us, to make sure that they’re in a good place when the game’s moving forward in decades to come, not just tomorrow.”

The potential boycott looms ahead of crucial 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs in October, involving England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Uefa clarified that Infantino’s apology “changes nothing”.

While the contentious plans have been abandoned, Uefa insists that its second condition for lifting the boycott – assurances against similar proposals in the future – remains unmet. The European governing body also reiterated its declared loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

The first practical test of Uefa’s resolve is anticipated next month, with the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Poland.

Earlier this week, the English FA and Football Association of Wales (FAW) officially withdrew their support for Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president, while Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also been critical of Infantino.

However, Infantino has received support to continue in his role from elsewhere. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) voiced its backing for Infantino on Thursday, while Mexico and Argentina have also thrown their support behind the under-fire president.

After an absence from her autumn three-year-old season, Magenta Skies is set to make up for lost time as she prepares for her first race day appearance in ten months.

The Frankel filly showed enough promise in her initial two starts to earn a start in last year’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), finishing seventh to her Michael Freedman-trained stablemate Apocalyptic.

Shortly after, she underwent surgery for bone chips in a knee, and the recovery period sidelined her for the autumn.

Magenta Skies has been accepted for Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, along with a benchmark race at Kembla Grange, and Freedman has been pleased with her preparations at home.

“Unfortunately, after she ran in the Flight Stakes last year she pulled up with a knee that required surgery,” Freedman said.

“She had that and had a nice break. She’s had a steady, long build up that has been going well thus far.”

“I’m looking forward to getting her back to the races on Saturday. Whether that’s at Randwick or Kembla, we’ll have a look at both options.”

“Hopefully we can have an uninterrupted ‘prep’ with her, and get her to her full potential.”

Godolphin mare Mareth resumes in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m) at Randwick and will carry 56.5kg after the three kilo claim of apprentice William Stanley.

She closed out her autumn with a narrow second to Beskar in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) and Freedman has pinpointed next month’s Group 3 Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong as her short-term aim.

“We thought we’d kick her off on Saturday and look at a race like the Mona Lisa at Wyong in a couple of weeks’ time,” he said.

“The 1350 around there, I thought would really suit.”

“The three kilos (off on Saturday) will certainly be advantageous to her to drop in the weights a bit. She’s a very genuine sort of mare so it looks like a nice option for her.”

Mareth has only trialled once ahead of her return, but Freedman says that will pose no issue.

“She’s not an overly big, robust sort of mare so looking at her, I didn’t feel a second trial was going to be of any real benefit,” he said.

“I’m happy for her to go to the races off the back of one.”

The Precise Air Handicap at Randwick is shaping up to be a key race, making it an interesting prospect for online bookmakers.

One of my favorite parts of training camp in my NFL front office years (and now in my media work) has been to closely watch the team’s draft picks and project their potential impact as rookies. These young players are the shiny new toys for coaches as they determine if they can trust the rookies to see the field when the regular season comes.

As I’ve watched practices this week—especially the fully padded sessions on Monday and Wednesday–I’ve been impressed with the potential of this Vikings draft class. Time will tell as we won’t really know how impactful these players will be in Year 1 until the regular season and perhaps several weeks into the schedule. It certainly appears that many of the nine 2026 draftees will contribute as backups and good special teamers and several could start.

We’ll have plenty of time to break down the quarterback situation where Kyler Murray will likely be named the starter before the joint practices with the Ravens on August 19-20. For this week, I’ll depart from the QB discussion and give my early impressions of the 2026 draft class.

The GM & The Vikings Draft Class

Caleb Banks: The first-rounder is listed at 6-6, 327 pounds and he looks really big when you see him on the field. The best news is he’s practiced every day after recovering from his foot surgery that sidelined him in the offseason program.

Like many rookies, Banks is up and down. I saw him dominate in one-on-ones on Monday and then look average or worse when taking on two blockers in a drill on Wednesday. He’s going to be a work in progress and perhaps needs to get in better shape to play consistently in the summer heat but the tools are there and the coaches have to be a bit patient but still push him hard. A healthy Banks should start at defensive tackle as he perfects the scheme and utilizes his size and strength to be a force inside.  

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Jake Golday: He’s a future starter on the Vikings defense, whether as an edge player or an inside linebacker. Golday is athletic, versatile and looks smooth wherever he lines up. The second-round pick should be the third edge rusher as a rookie, providing relief for Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner and perhaps lining up with them as pass rushers at times. He appears destined to be a Van Ginkel clone who can rush the passer, stop the run and drop effectively into coverage.

With Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace at inside backer, it’s apparent Golday’s greatest impact this season will be if he’s that third edge rusher/OLB and doing it well. He’s been lining up both inside and outside in camp so he has a lot on his plate in learning multiple positions.

Golday definitely should be a top special teamer immediately and I expect him to make some big plays in that area. The Vikings personnel people and coaches obviously thought highly of him as they passed up quality centers and safeties to take Golday as a higher rated player on their draft board. It won’t surprise me if he winds up as the best player in this Vikings draft class.

Domonique Orange: “Big Citrus” is the prototypical run-stuffing nose tackle/defensive tackle who certainly looks the part as a third round pick who should contribute this season and perhaps be a future Vikings starter. He didn’t practice on Monday with a minor injury but to his credit, he was back at practice Tuesday and Wednesday and had the defensive coaches highly excited by one of his reps in one-on-ones. Orange’s size and strength should be a big help to the run D this season.

Caleb Tiernan: What struck me in first seeing him is his size and especially his height at 6-7. He looks like he has good feet and the word is he can play guard even if he looks best suited at tackle.

The third-rounder probably won’t play this season unless injuries hit the O-line as vet Ryan Van Demark seems headed for the swing tackle backup role. It’s hard to know at this juncture about a young O-lineman but I think Tiernan has a good Vikings future ahead and it won’t be a surprise if he’s a starter somewhere on the offensive line by his third season.

He’s a player to watch in Vikings preseason games when Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw get very few snaps in order to keep them healthy.

Jakobe Thomas: He’s a confident looking safety with good size and instincts to possibly start if Harrison Smith does not return. The coaches will watch the third rounder closely this month and he’ll get a lot of play time in preseason games with the opportunity to push his way into a big role as a rookie.

Even if Smith comes back, I think Thomas has a solid chance to be the third safety ahead of Theo Jackson and Jay Ward. Thomas needs to be the safety who can run with receivers going deep and play the underneath routes against tight ends while also being a run stopper.

The Vikings need more interceptions from their safeties after having only four from the two safety spots last season (two each by Smith and Josh Metellus). Thomas had five picks last season for Miami along with 3.5 sacks so he can cover and blitz. He also played the run well with 76 tackles. He should be a future starter and could be a rookie starter at a position of need.

Max Bredeson: He’s built solid at 6-2, 252 pounds and he’s a physical blocker at fullback who has good hands. I saw him make a nice catch in the flat in a team drill this week. He steps into the C.J. Ham role as a strong lead blocker, reliable pass catcher in the flat and excellent special teamer. I expect the Vikings fifth rounder to see the field a fair amount this season.

Charles Demmings: This fifth-round pick is making an impact with his physical coverage skills at training camp, He comes out of small school Stephen F. Austin but I’m impressed that he’s not intimidated in his first NFL camp which we saw when he put a big hit on vet WR Jauan Jennings in practice this week.

Demmings could push vet free agent signee James Pierre for the third corner or at least become the fourth corner who gets play time in certain defensive schemes and in the event of injury to the other corners.

He’s a 4.4 guy with good size at 6-1, 193 pounds who can run with wide receivers and should be able to play the run. Demmings will get good battle testing trying to cover the Vikings talented WR corps in camp and he’ll be worth watching when he plays a lot in preseason games. He should be another special teams standout. There have been a lot of late-round corners who wound up being great players. Perhaps Demmings can be such a player.

Demond Claiborne: He’s an attention grabber in camp with his blazing speed (4.37 in the 40) which makes him the Vikings’ fastest running back and a potential sixth-round steal. He was a dual threat player at Wake Forest but he’s had a few drops early in camp so he needs to fine tune his concentration in the passing game. He also was a good kick returner in college and will be in the mix for a return role.

Claiborne will play a lot in the preseason games as the team limits the play time of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. It will be fun to see how Claiborne performs and if he can be a viable option as a change of pace back this season with a possible bigger role in the future.

Gavin Gerhardt: He’s most likely a developmental player this season who will have to work hard to make the team and may wind up on the practice squad if he can’t beat out Michael Jurgens as the Vikings’ No. 2 center. It’s too soon to tell if he has an NFL future but Gerhardt will get snaps in the preseason games.

Center was a need position going into the draft but the Vikings took higher-rated players at other positions and waited until the seventh round to select Gerhardt who had plenty of starting experience in college at Cincinnati. Starting center Blake Brandel was a sixth rounder in 2020 so it’s certainly possible for a late round pick to emerge on the O-line.

Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond

Former Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal has become the latest voice to question the decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as East Zone vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, saying the teenager should first be allowed to settle into the demands of red-ball cricket.Sooryavanshi, who will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan, was handed the leadership role despite having played only eight first-class matches for Bihar. His appointment came ahead of far more experienced players, including Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has featured in 113 first-class games.The decision followed Sooryavanshi’s impressive outing in Zimbabwe, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring 151 runs in three T20Is, including a match-winning 81 in the third and final game.However, Panchal believes the selectors could have waited before entrusting the youngster with additional responsibility.“I think the zonal selectors could have avoided making Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the East Zone vice captain. It could put unnecessary pressure on the young kid. Let him understand the dynamics of red ball cricket first, properly, before entrusting such duties upon him. Thoughts? #DuleepTrophy,” Panchal wrote on X (formerly Twitter).The appointment has sparked debate among fans and former cricketers, with many arguing that the teenager should be given time to develop before taking on a leadership role in one of India’s premier domestic red-ball tournaments.Despite the criticism, East Zone selectors have defended the decision, insisting it is part of a long-term plan for Sooryavanshi’s development.“We are not thinking about the present alone,” Manish Vardhan, former cricketer and Jharkhand’s representative on the East Zone selection committee, told Cricinfo.“A vice-captain gets to observe the captain closely and understand how a team is run. We wanted Vaibhav to be more involved with the group because we think it will help him as he develops. He’s an extremely talented cricketer and is maturing steadily. Giving him this responsibility is another part of that process,” he added.The 63rd edition of the Duleep Trophy begins on August 23 at the BCCI‘s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. East Zone will face North-East Zone in the opening round, while West Zone take on North Zone. The winners will meet South Zone and Central Zone respectively in the semi-finals on August 30, with the final scheduled for September 5.

Folks, it’s hard not to feel enthusiastic about what sophomore tight end Gavin Bartholomew is doing at training camp.

The Vikings’ lost-and-found pass catcher missed all of his rookie year due to a back injury. The 6th-Round selection thus got off to a modest beginning to his career. Many would have seen this setback function as the death knell but that doesn’t appear to be the case for Mr. Bartholomew. Reports keep insisting that the Pittsburgh alumnus is playing well.

Gavin Bartholomew
The Vikings’ Lost-and-Found Tight End

On social media — generally a dreadful place — Lindsey Young offers her assessment of players who have been doing excellent. Consider how she frames things from a post earlier today: “Today is the players’ day off, but here are some of the first- and second-year Vikings who have stood out to me at training camp so far.”

Sitting atop the pile is Gavin Bartholomew.

Note, that’s not necessarily to say that Young is insisting Bartholomew has been the team’s best player. Rather, it’s simply the first name on the list. The point, folks, is that Young is adding her voice to a chorus of people who believe that the young tight end has looked really good.

Will Ragatz sent praise to the tight end, writing on August 4th, “One guy who keeps standing out and making plays: second-year TE Gavin Bartholomew, who missed all of last season with a back injury.”

Alec Lewis offered his two cents on July 29th: “Semi-random Vikings camp takeaway, but I thought TE Gavin Bartholomew looked really good. Made two impressive over the middle catches. Moved well. First time really seeing him out there after back injury happened last year.”

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In these brief snippets, there’s a pattern emerging.

Vikings writers are observing training camp. Pretty consistently, these writers step away having noticed the promise that Mr. Bartholomew has been showing. A touch basic, perhaps, but there’s something to be said for multiple people all arriving at the same conclusion. Better yet, they’re doing so across multiple days, suggesting that the kid has been playing well consistently rather than just having a single sizzling day (that’s what coaches want to see).

The Old Testament book of Proverbs insists that there’s safety in the counsel of many. Many are pointing toward promise from Bartholomew, so people would be wise to take note.

In all likelihood, the Vikings feel confident about the high-end talent at tight end.

Veterans T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are very likely to secure the top pair of positions. Minnesota’s hope is to have an impact pass catcher and blocker within those two.

Where things get more fascinating is the TE3 (and potential TE4) spot(s). Ben Yurosek held down the third spot last year but that was within the context of Bartholomew missing his entire rookie season. Note, as well, that Bryson Nesbit is back after spending 2025 on Minnesota’s practice squad. Nolan Teasley turned up the competitive heat a bit more by adding Marshall Lang.

The Vikings, in other words, are seeing four players battle for what is a maximum of two open positions. Quite possibly, there will be just a single slot due to FB Max Bredeson being capable of lining up as a tight end.

Gavin Bartholomew, 23, stands at 6’5″ and is close to 250 pounds. He’s doing what he needs to do in order to position himself for a spot on the final roster.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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India (Batting XI, fielding XI): Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar.

Sri Lanka XI (Batting XI, fielding XI): Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Anjala Bandara(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundera, Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Keshara Nuwantha, Ravindu Rasantha.