As India’s captain prepares for a powerful first innings against England at Edgbaston, India’s captain scores 150 for the first time in his Test career.
Second Test between England and India, Day Two
Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash aged 28, was a natural goalscorer who played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s successes in recent years as well as in Portugal’s Nations League triumphs.
Jota signed for Liverpool in a £45m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 after helping Nuno Espirito Santo’s side return to the Premier League.
His composure in front of goal made him a match-winner on many occasions under Jurgen Klopp and then Arne Slot.
Indeed, some judges regarded him as Liverpool’s most natural finisher, despite the presence in the team of one of the greatest players in the club’s history, Mohamed Salah.
When Jota signed, Klopp said: “He is a player who gives us so many options to use. He’s 23 years old, still far away from being kind of a finished article – he has so much potential.
“He has the speed, he can combine with other players, can defend, can press. It gives us real options for different systems.”
Jota brought all this and more to Liverpool.
He was in the Liverpool team that won a domestic cup double of the FA and Carabao Cups in 2022, and despite latterly being troubled by injuries at Anfield, he still made vital contributions last season.
It was trademark Jota when he headed the equaliser seconds after coming on as substitute at Nottingham Forest in January, then scored the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April.
Jota’s strike against their Merseyside rivals encapsulated all the qualities that made him an adored figure among Liverpool fans as they recaptured their old dominance domestically.
He had a lengthy spell on the sidelines last season after sustaining a rib injury against Chelsea early, but when he returned demonstrated his sure touch in front of goal and the priceless knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Salah understandably claimed more headlines, but Jota’s goals were often key and he was a striker always feared by defences because of his finishing prowess.
He began his professional career with Pacos de Ferreira before joining Atletico Madrid in 2016. He spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Porto, where his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the crash, was a youth player.
Jota then came to prominence in England when he joined Wolves, initially on loan, from Atletico in July 2017. The move was made permanent as he showed his class, scoring 44 goals in 131 games at Molineux before the switch to Liverpool.
The forward became a hero at Wolves, scoring 18 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in 2017-18 as they returned to the top flight as Championship title winners.
He enjoyed his best goalscoring return at Liverpool with 21 goals in 55 games in 2021-22, part of an impressive overall haul of 65 in 182 appearances.
Hugely popular with his team-mates and Liverpool supporters, Jota fitted comfortably into Klopp’s all-action and potent attack and was frequently selected by Slot as his central striker in preference to high-priced number nine Darwin Nunez as the title came to Anfield for the 20th time last season.
Jota was also a force at international level with Portugal, playing his part in their Nations League final against Spain – the second time he claimed the trophy.
Liverpool say they are “devastated” by the “unimaginable loss” of forward Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash aged 28.
The Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva, 25, were killed after their car left the road because of a tyre blowout in the Spanish province of Zamora.
Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, just last month.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota, wrote on social media: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married.”
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo sent his condolences to Jota’s family, wife and children, and added: “I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo e André. We will miss you.”
Liverpool said in their statement they were “devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota”.
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves, won the Premier League last season and was also part of the team that won the FA Cup and League Cup in 2021-22.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said he was “much more than an amazing player”.
“Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself,” the FPF said.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
Uefa – European football’s governing body – announced a moment of silence would be observed at all Women’s European Championship games on Thursday and Friday, including Portugal’s tie against Spain.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.”
Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez said there were “no words of comfort for so much pain”.
“I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field,” he said.
“I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.”
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher said he was “in a state of shock”.
“I can only imagine how his team-mates feel at Liverpool and Portugal, they must be in a world of pain with his friends and family,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“It just shows us all how quickly life can change. What a summer he’s had, and you get this devastating news that his family have had in the last few hours. You can’t even comprehend it.”
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard posted on Instagram: “RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time.”
The Premier League said football had “lost a champion who will be forever missed”, adding it would “continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club”.
Wolves, where Jota spent three seasons, said they were “heartbroken” and their former player would be “truly missed, and always remembered”.
“Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his team-mates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” they said.
“The memories he created will never be forgotten.”
Manchester United said their “deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool” while Everton said they were “deeply saddened by the tragic passing”.
Jota began his professional career with Pacos de Ferreira, joined Atletico Madrid in 2016, and spent the 2016-17 season on loan with Porto, where his brother was also a youth player.
Porto said in a statement they were “in mourning”.
Club president Andre Villas-Boas added: “This is a moment of profound dismay for the entire Porto fanbase and for all Portuguese people.
British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde will challenge unbeaten WBC world champion David Benavidez in Saudi Arabia this November.
London-born Yarde, 33, will be making his third attempt to win a world title, having fallen short against Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and Artur Beterbiev in 2023.
Benavidez, known as ‘The Mexican Monster’, boasts an unblemished record of 30 wins, including 24 by knockout.
The American fighter of Mexican heritage is a former two-time WBC super-middleweight world champion.
He has long been linked with a bout against Mexican star Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, with some purists saying the pound-for-pound star has steered clear of a showdown with Benavidez.
Yarde heads into the fight on the back of a trilogy victory over Lyndon Arthur in April, having lost their first bout in 2020 before winning the rematch a year later.
British Grand Prix
Dates: 4 to 6 July Race start time: 15:00 BST on Sunday
Leading official Tim Mayer has announced that he is running for president of the FIA in the December election.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who fired Mayer as steward in November, will challenge the 59-year-old American.
On Friday morning, Mayer will hold a press conference to announce his candidacy near Silverstone, the site of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
When BBC Sport inquired about him, he was unavailable.
Before being allowed to stand, candidates must have a full team of officials in order to fill various positions in their prospective administration, according to FIA presidential campaign rules.
The FIA nominations committee, which is in charge of the FIA president, will also be looking into Mayer’s standing.
Mayer, who is the son of Teddy Mayer, who was the former McLaren team principal, has held leading positions in the US and has steered the FIA’s championships, including Formula 1, for 15 years.
After representing the Circuit of the Americas at a “right of review” hearing on a fine levied on the track following a crowd invasion at the US Grand Prix in the end of last year, he was fired by Ben Sulayem last year.
Ben Sulayem claimed in a statement to BBC Sport last year that the right-of-review hearing had been an “interpersonal attack on him” by Mayer.
Tyson Fury, the former world heavyweight champion, has indicated that he will face Oleksandr Usyk in a trilogy fight at Wembley Stadium in April 2026.
Fury, 36, left boxing in January after winning a title fight rematch with Usyk by unanimous decision the previous month.
“April 18 2026 Wembley Stadium. Fury posted a three-part ” trilogy ” on Thursday on social media.
Queensberry, one of Fury’s co-promoters, confirmed to BBC Sport that the annual cultural and sporting event, Riyadh Season, is being discussed with Team Fury and Saudi Arabia.
Fury will leave retirement next year, according to Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Alalshikh declared, “The ‘Gypsy King’ will be back.
He and I spoke, and it was his promise to meet him in the 2026 Riyadh Season. To hunt an rabbit, we have one.
In the lead-up to their title fights, both of which took place in Riyadh, Fury frequently referred to Usyk as a “rabbit.”
By splitting decision, the Ukrainians became the first undisputed four-belt champion in the heavyweight division in May 2024.
Over a photo of him posing with Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, Fury wrote “Let’s see what 2026 brings.” In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Fury wrote, “Let’s see what 2026 brings.”
Alalshikh has helped to spur Saudi Arabia on the rise of boxing, bringing a number of famous fights to the country.
Fury earlier in the day stated to reporters that he would prefer a three-fight showdown with Usyk on his own turf at an IBA (International Boxing Association) event in Istanbul.
He also stated earlier this week in various interviews that he had no desire to retire, before making a U-turn on Wednesday.
“I don’t think I’ve screamed enough the last two times,” I thought. All I want is that. Fury said, “I want a fair shout, and I don’t think I’ve got a fair shout the last two times.”
The biggest British fight that will ever take place is between Anthony Joshua and Anthony Joshua, but that’s the one I want.
It would “break all records” and have sold 100,000 tickets to Wembley in an hour. And if I decide to return, I’m certain that it will happen.