World Champion Gukesh lauds Divya Deshmukh's World Cup win - 'It is not easy...'
India's chess might was on display once again at the recent Women's World Cup in Batumi, where title-winner Divya Deshmukh scripted a hat-trick of extraordinary successes.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Divya, the country's latest Grandmaster, powered through with her teen spirit despite not being among the odds-on favourites to clinch the crown.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
'We (Gukesh and Divya) basically grew up together. We played in the same tournaments right from when we were eight or nine years old. The way Divya won the World Cup was really inspiring. It is not easy to win the tournament, you have to play regularly for a month. I have played the World Cup two times, so I know how difficult it is to win,' Gukesh said in a Velammal Nexus event that was organised to felicitate Mount Everest conqueror Ashish.
'Both of them (Divya and losing finalist, veteran Koneru Humpy) played amazingly well. For Indian chess, it is important that we have good results in both men (open) and women.'
India can complete a WorldCup double when the global tournament is hosted in the country later this year. While chess world's governing body FIDE have announced the dates for the event – October 30 to November 27 – the host city is yet to be finalised.
Poll
Who do you think is the most inspiring figure in Indian chess currently?
Divya Deshmukh Koneru Humpy Gukesh D R Praggnanandhaa
'For sure, I will take part in the World Cup. I am really excited and looking forward to it. In chess, we do not have many knockout events, so the World Cup is the biggest knockout tournament. After the Olympiad (in 2022), India hosting a big event is important for Indian chess,' added Gukesh, who will be gunning for his maiden WC trophy.
'Will play more classical chess in the rest of the year'
After playing in just two classical tournaments – Tata Steel Chess in Wijk aan Zee and Norway Chess in Stavanger – in the first half of the year, Gukesh intends to compete in more standard events in the remaining part of 2025.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The 19-year-old finished runner-up in Tata Steel Chess after going down to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa on tie-breaks and later came third in Norway Chess. 'I had a decent tournament in Norway, it was my last classical event. In the next part of the year, I will be playing in more classical tournaments,' said Gukesh.
On his form in the other formats, Gukesh said: 'My performances in rapid were good in Zagreb (he topped the chart in SuperUnited Rapid), but I need to correct my mistakes in blitz.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
24 minutes ago
- NDTV
Harbhajan Singh's Blunt Reality Check To England Great Over 3-1 Series Prediction At Start
History unfolded on Monday as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna 's fiery bowling spells helped India register a narrow six-run win over England in the fifth Test. The Oval Test, which was looking like a perfect ending for England, turned upside down as Shubman Gill and co brilliantly dominated the proceedings and clinch a thrilling win. With this win, the five-match series ended in a 2-2 draw and Shubman Gill passed his first stint as the Test captain with flying colours. Before the series began, many former cricketers and fans had underestimated the potential of the Gill-led side as it marked the beginning of a new era in Indian Test cricket. Former England captain Michael Vaughan had even predicted that England would be winning the series 3-0 or 3-1. After India's registered a dominating performance to end the series in 2-2 draw, former spinner Harbhajan Singh took a dig at Vaughan, calling the Indian players "warriors". "I feel there is a big win hidden for India here. Yes, the scoreline shows 2-2. Michael Vaughan and many others predicted that it would be 3-1 or 3-0. I would tell them to look towards their side a bit and where England cricket stands. Our warriors have shown the level of Indian cricket," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel. "Unbelievable Test match and the way India have played the series, they deserve praise. When the team went to England, many people said it was young and there were no seniors. But see how the young team created history," he added. The odds were stacked against India as they stepped inside The Oval to scalp four wickets with barely 35 runs to defend in the fifth Test while defending the daunting 373-run target. Under London's clouded sky, the two successive boundaries on the opening deliveries further deteriorated India's chances. But Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna upped the ante and bowled in tandem to wreak havoc and tilt the scales in India's favour. Siraj unleashed his fury and struck the decisive blow by nailing the yorker to rattle Gus Atkinson 's stumps to seal a slender six-run triumph for India.
NDTV
24 minutes ago
- NDTV
Watch: With Tears In Eyes, Gautam Gambhir's Never-Seen-Before Avatar Stuns Internet
Even a smile on the face is rare when it comes to India head coach Gautam Gambhir, let alone passionate celebrations. But, as the Indian team secured a narrow 6-run victory against England at the Kennington Oval on Monday, Gambhir couldn't hold his emotions in the dressing room. The coach, known for his serious demeanor, no matter the situation, let it loose as India's bowling coach Morne Morkel, an ecstatic Gambhir in the air after Mohammed Siraj bagged the match-winning wicket of Gus Atkinson in the middle. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video highlighting the dressing room scenes when India won the nail-biting contest. The video showed Gambhir jumping into Morne Morkel's arms like a baby before screaming his lungs out. In a segment of the video, Gambhir could also be seen teary-eyed, with the emotion encapsulating what the victory meant to him. Raw Emotions straight after #TeamIndia 's special win at the Kennington Oval #ENGvIND — BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025 The match entered its most enthralling phase when England's last batter, Chris Woakes walked in. Fighting with a broken shoulder, Woakes would struggle to even take singles while standing at the non-striker's end. As his partner Gus Atkinson brought the equation down to seven required with one wicket in hand, every single person in the stadium was tense. Gambhir peeked out of the window and sent a couple of instructions to his troops before the decisive moment. Gambhir and the rest of the coaching staff watched in anticipation as Mohammed Siraj, who was breathing fire by that point, charged at Atkinson. Siraj's searing yorker found a way past Atkinson's wild swipe and dislodged the off stump from its position to seal a six-run and series-levelling triumph for India. Siraj, on cloud nine, sprinted animatedly and pulled his usual 'Sui' celebration and was soon swamped by his compatriots. Gambhir embraced assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate with a passionate hug, and the rest of the crew swiftly joined the celebrations. After India's fabled story of success, Gambhir had a simple message and wrote on X, "We'll win some, we'll lose some.... but we'll NEVER surrender! Well done boys!" The victory held special significance for the Indian head coach, considering the torrid run he endured since the New Zealand home series last October. With India's next Test assignment being a two-match home assignment against the West Indies, Gambhir would be looking to replicate the success he savoured in England.
India.com
24 minutes ago
- India.com
Do You Think Jawans Complain? – Sunil Gavaskar Slams Gautam Gambhir's Workload Policy After Moahmmed Siraj's Heroics at The Oval
In a breathtaking climax to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, India edged past England by six runs at The Oval, leveling the five-match Test series 2-2. The star of the show was none other than Mohammed Siraj, whose relentless bowling display over the series culminated in a five-wicket haul that rattled England on the final day. However, while India celebrated a memorable comeback, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reignited the ongoing debate around workload management in Indian cricket, launching a fiery critique at head coach Gautam Gambhir. India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was rested ahead of the fifth Test, with Gambhir citing workload management as the rationale. But Siraj, who toiled through all five Tests, bowling a staggering 185.3 overs and claiming 23 wickets, became the embodiment of endurance. His consistency and fiery spells didn't just seal India's series-saving win — they also drew sharp praise from Gavaskar, who used the moment to attack the narrative surrounding modern player rotation. 'Siraj bowled his heart out and debunked forever this business of workload,' Gavaskar told India Today. 'I hope the word 'workload' goes out of the Indian cricket dictionary.' 'Do You Think Jawans Complain?' – Gavaskar's Explosive Analogy Gavaskar, known for his blunt assessments, didn't hold back when targeting what he sees as excessive caution in player management. Drawing a passionate comparison with soldiers serving at the borders, the former India skipper said: 'You are playing for your country. You've got to forget the aches and pains. Do you think jawans complain about the cold or discomfort? They give their lives. Players should give their very best.' His comments were a direct shot at what he believes is a softening of mindset, driven by analytics and conditioning staff in modern cricket. While Gavaskar acknowledged that injuries are real — clarifying that Bumrah's absence was due to a previous back injury — he insisted that the broader concept of preventative resting must be challenged. Rishabh Pant: A Case of Courage Under Fire Citing another example of courage, Gavaskar lauded Rishabh Pant, who, despite a fractured foot, batted in the fourth Test and scored a vital fifty. The knock helped India salvage a draw and set up the series decider. 'Pant batted with a fracture. That is the spirit we want to see. Not excuses,' Gavaskar remarked. Mohammed Siraj: The Warrior India Needed Siraj's stats alone tell a powerful story — 185.3 overs bowled, 23 wickets taken, two five-fors, and unmatched intensity. His spell in the second innings at The Oval was the defining moment of the match as he rattled England's middle-order to defend 374 runs. With England needing 61 runs and India three wickets away from a win on the final morning, it was Siraj's fiery spell that turned the game. His trademark celebration — kissing the badge and pointing to the sky — captured the emotion of a warrior who had given everything. 'I believed in myself, and the team believed in me,' said Siraj, whose phone wallpaper reportedly reads: "Believe." Gavaskar Clarifies: Bumrah's Case Different While Gavaskar's criticism stirred headlines, he was careful to draw a distinction between injury and rest. 'Bumrah's situation was due to a serious injury. When fit, he gave everything and took two five-wicket hauls. Let's not forget his class,' he noted. The BCCI had restricted Bumrah to three Tests during the series following his recovery from a back injury earlier this year.
