Devdutt Padikkal assured his spot in India’s playing XI for the opening Test with a stylish century on the second day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, while seasoned campaigner Rishabh Pant and his understudy Dhruv Jurel failed to make the most of favourable batting conditions. At the end of the second day, India finished their first innings at 357/6 in 90 overs. Padikkal’s artistic unbeaten 142 and a gritty 63 (retired out) by veteran Ravindra Jadeja were the highlights, while Manav Suthar (41) also impressed with the bat on his maiden overseas assignment.

The pitch had become much easier to bat on, and Padikkal took full advantage, hitting 18 delectable boundaries to show that he is ready to reclaim his place now that first-choice No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the series after failing to recover in time from his big toe injury.

With Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) falling off the second delivery of the day while attempting to flash at left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando (1/42), KL Rahul (40) and Padikkal added 96 runs for the second wicket.

While Rahul played himself in, the sinewy Padikkal was a treat to watch, opening with a couple of cover drives off fuller deliveries before unleashing some delectable cuts both in front of and behind point. He was particularly severe on right-arm pacer Ishitha Wijesundara, who was hit for multiple boundaries. Anything short from the pacers or spinners was pulled with disdain. The famous ‘Nataraja Shot’ also made an appearance against the pacers.

The hallmark of Padikkal’s batting was the extra second he seemed to have while deciding on his execution. His defence has also become tighter, and his footwork against the spinners has been exemplary. A pull shot off off-spinner Ramesh Mendis brought up his century in just 121 balls before he was asked to retire.

By then, he had added 72 runs for the third wicket with Jadeja, who again showed why he is a valuable asset as a middle-order batter overseas, even as his spin-bowling stocks have depleted considerably.

The biggest disappointment of the day was certainly Rishabh Pant (2), who once again played an indiscreet shot against off-spinner Mendis (2/77), trying to hit him against the turn over long-on. The leading edge flew to long-off.

If Pant perished while attempting to attack, Dhruv Jurel’s (1) technical shortcomings against off-spin were exposed once again after the South Africa Test series. A forward defensive prod resulted in an inside edge that flew to the short square-leg fielder, who caught it on the second attempt.

But Manav Suthar, who is impressing everyone with his heart and commitment, joined Jadeja as the duo added 76 runs to steady the ship.

Towards the end, Padikkal came out to bat again and added four more boundaries to his tally of 18 in the company of Saransh Jain (22 retired out)

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His comments immediately triggered speculation about what had affected him away from football, with several reports linking his emotional state to his father’s health. The Messi family subsequently confirmed that Jorge was dealing with health problems and was under medical supervision.

At the time, the family had urged the media and public to respect Jorge’s privacy, expressing concern over the reports and speculation surrounding his condition.

That earlier moment now carries a far more poignant significance following Jorge Messi’s death.

Messi family asks for privacy

The family revealed that Jorge Messi was under medical supervision and recovering, while expressing concern over the way details of the private matter were being discussed publicly.

“The Messi family wishes to inform you that Jorge Messi is currently dealing with health problems. He is currently under medical supervision and is recovering well,” the family said in a statement.

“Given the reports, rumours and speculation that have been circulating in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern about the lack of sensitivity, respect and discretion with which some people have treated a strictly private family matter.”

The family thanked supporters for their concern while asking that Jorge and his relatives be given privacy.

Messi’s MLS absence adds to concern

The situation appeared to remain significant for Messi in the weeks that followed.

At the end of July, the Inter Miami star did not participate in the MLS All-Star Game. While no official reason was publicly given at the time, reports suggested that Messi used the opportunity to spend time with his father.

The 38-year-old subsequently returned to action for Inter Miami in MLS.

For a player whose career has been defined by extraordinary moments on the pitch, Messi’s recent actions offer a reminder that even football’s biggest stars have personal battles away from the spotlight.

And amid the speculation surrounding Jorge Messi’s health, the family’s message has remained consistent: concern and support are welcome, but privacy should come first.

FILE–Scotty Pippen Jr. #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at FedExForum on April 12, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. was among the many who didn’t see LeBron James opting to go to the Philadelphia 76ers coming.

James made the surprising move to sign a two-year contract with the 76ers in what he described as his “last decision.”  

“I would say surprising. I think it’s definitely crazy, the team they’re building over there. So it’s exciting to see what they do this year,” said Pippen recently during his visit in Manila.

Scotty Pippen Jr. on LeBron James joining the Sixers and the competition this NBA season. @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/uxVTs3Xmr3

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 30, 2026

The 41-year-old James declined offers from his former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, where he would’ve formed a “Big Three” with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Pippen believes James’ move to Philadelphia to team up with former MVP Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and rising star VJ Edgecombe, plus Antetokounmpo in Miami, to challenge the NBA champion New York Knicks in the same conference make up for an intriguing and unpredictable NBA season.

READ: NBA: Scotty Pippen Jr. ready for bigger role with Grizzlies

“I think both East and West are really competitive this year. I think previously the West has been super competitive, but East teams have won. So I think the whole NBA right now is pretty balanced and a lot of good teams, a lot of good players,” the 25-year-old Pippen said. “So I think it’s going to be interesting to see who wins it all this year.”

Pippen Jr. was a former teammate of James with the Los Angeles Lakers, where the second-generation player had a short stint during the 2022-23 NBA season. He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers, splitting time with the team’s G League affiliate South Bay Lakers, after going undrafted in 2022.

Pippen, son of NBA legend and six-time NBA champion Scottie, was waived by the Lakers in October 2023. He rejoined the South Bay Lakers before getting a call-up midway through the season from the Grizzlies, who then rewarded him with a four-year contract in 2024 after averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 21 games.

Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, now based in Bendigo, brought a number of his former Singaporean gallopers back to Australia when racing ceased in the island nation almost two years ago.

While those horses are gradually reaching the end of their racing careers, Fitzsimmons holds a particular affection for Black Storm, who is set to compete in the Ladbrokes Mega Multi Handicap (1500m) at Caulfield Heath this Saturday.

Black Storm recorded two wins from his nine starts in Singapore and has added another four victories since transferring to Bendigo.

He has also achieved ten runner-up finishes from his 24 starts.

“He’s been ultra-consistent and he’s probably been a bit stiff not to have one more of those Cup races,” Fitzsimmons commented.

“He never runs a bad race and he’s the best one, form wise, that I brought back.”

Fitzsimmons recalled, “He missed his whole four-year-old season up there because he had a foot problem. He was heading towards the Derby, and I had to pull the pin. He didn’t race for nearly a year, and I think that benefitted him as he might have won another three or four up there and he would have had a higher rating.”

The trainer believes the gelding is well-suited to upcoming races, stating, “He’s going to be that nice, second-tier country cups horse over a mile for the next six months as there’s plenty of races around, you just have to travel them.”

Black Storm’s most recent start saw him lead and then be run down by Run Harry Run in the Mildura Cup, following a ninth-place finish over 1700m at Caulfield in his preceding race.

Fitzsimmons has opted to utilize the 3kg apprentice claim for jockey Holly Durnan on Saturday.

“I think he’s right on his mark and that is why we’ve claimed this week to take some weight off his back,” Fitzsimmons explained. “I thought this race, being around the Heath, might really suit.”

He further noted, “He doesn’t have to lead. In Singapore we never led on him, but there doesn’t seem to be as much pace here. The 1700 (metres) was too far last time, but in saying that he drew 14 and had to work pretty hard to get across and he was still there at the 150 (metres). I would say the mile is just far enough and over the 1400 (metres), they’re a bit sharp and can keep up with him. So, the 1500 (metres) on the Heath, it might be perfect.”

With Black Storm’s consistent performances, he is expected to make his presence felt at Caulfield Heath. Those keen on the race can find comprehensive betting markets for the race at leading Australian betting sites.

The Pac-12 and Mountain West have finally settled their legal dispute with the 5 departing members making up the Pac-12 now able to look forward.

Will they dominate the G6 landscape?

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Penn State’s outlook in Matt Campbell’s first season at the helm.

Will they really be able to win 10 games even with an easy schedule?

Auburn’s fans have been waiting for a while to get back to national relevance.

Will Alex Golesh orchestrate a quick turnaround in his first season in the SEC?

00:00 College football playoff predictions
03:38 Discussing UNLV’s Mountain West chance
11:20 Discussing Penn State’s upcoming schedule
15:00 Discussing Penn State’s schedule and odds
17:24 Penn State’s roster revamp
23:05 Auburn’s coaching choices and outlook
28:43 Ole Miss and Auburn’s game predictions
30:44 Predicting Auburn’s season outcome

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

The decision to geld Watson at the end of last year has already been vindicated, and jockey Tim Clark sees no reason the Tulloch Lodge galloper can’t continue on his winning way at Randwick.

Placed just once from three starts as a juvenile colt, the four-year-old was cut prior to resuming in January and immediately put two wins on the board at Kembla Grange and Canterbury.

Stepped straight to Group company, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained charge wasn’t disgraced, finishing fourth to Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

He heads to Saturday’s Chandon Handicap (1200m) at Randwick off the back of a midweek win over Clear Proof, who franked the form with a victory at Canterbury on Wednesday, and Clark expects Watson to acquit himself well despite a tricky draw in 12.

“His record as a gelding is really good,” Clark said.

“It was a good win first-up with improvement to come. He’s taking that improvement into the weekend and he’s worked very well during the week.

“He’ll make his presence felt.

“I also feel the drier the track gets, the better for him.”

While Saturday’s assignment is at benchmark level, Clark believes Watson has the potential to work his way through to another shot at better grade.

He finished four lengths from Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, and less than three from runner-up Napoleonic, who has since placed in a Doomben 10,000 and will start one of the fancied runners in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

“He ran really well in that race, and a hot race it was,” Clark said. “With where his rating is at, he can go through the ratings system, get good prizemoney, and if and when the time is right, Gai and Adrian can step him back into a harder race.”

Get the best racing odds for Saturday’s Randwick meeting.

When the Green Bay Packers hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy — who was fired during the 2018 regular season — in 2019, it was to squeeze out another Super Bowl run with Aaron Rodgers.

Well, to date, Green Bay hasn’t advanced past the NFC Championship Game under LaFleur with both Rodgers (2019-22) and Jordan Love (2023-present) under center and has been eliminated in the NFC wild-card round in back-to-back years (2024-25).

And while LaFleur signed a new contract in January, could he actually be coaching for his job this season?

“Matt LaFleur has been in the league a while, and he’s probably on the coolest hot seat any coach has ever been on,” Colin Cowherd said on Friday’s edition of “The Herd.” “It’s not your usual hot seat, but two things are working against the Green Bay coach. No. 1, his division has Ben Johnson [Chicago Cubs] and Kevin O’Connell [Minnesota Vikings], brilliant offensive head coaches, top of the league, and then, the ultimate alpha-dog coach, Dan Campbell [Detroit Lions]. Over the last two years, the NFC North has won seven more games than the next division. It is probably or arguably the best coach division in football …

“Here’s the other thing: Matt LaFleur has now developed a reputation, and the Packers’ front office knows it, and they’re watching the last couple of playoff losses, where they get that big lead, very smart, sophisticated game plan, and then they’re not tough enough to finish the game off.”

The Packers, who began last season 9-3-1, lost their last four regular-season games before blowing a 21-3 halftime lead to the archival Chicago Bears in the wild-card round, marking five combined losses to end the year.

Under LaFleur (2019-25), the Packers are a combined 76-40-1 in the regular season, 3-6 in the postseason and have won three division titles (2019-21). His 76 regular-season wins and 65.4% winning percentage each rank fourth in team history.

Regarding this season, Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator in former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who replaces Jeff Hafley, who left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Gannon’s defense will begin the 2026 campaign without superstar defensive end Micah Parsons, who tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season.

As for their competition, one could argue the Packers’ division, the NFC North, is the best in the sport. The Bears are coming off their first division title since 2018 and are entering their second season with Johnson as head coach; the Lions missed the playoffs last season, but they won 15 games in 2024 and have posted a winning record in four consecutive seasons (2022-25); the Vikings, who won 14 games in 2024, still went 9-8 last season in a campaign that saw them start three different quarterbacks (J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer).

“Smart gets you a lead in pro football. Toughness gets you the win,” Cowherd said about LaFleur’s Packers. “At the end of games, eight, 12-play drives; no passes; head down; you’re bloodied; you pick up a third-and-1 three separate times, and I think that’s the question about Matt LaFleur and Green Bay. And I don’t think it’s a cheap shot. I think we got some data that it’s probably true.”