For many years, sports fans have gravitated towards playing their favourite sports games to live out their sporting fantasies. Over time, with technology becoming more advanced, this has allowed games to become more realistic, meaning more and more games have appeared on the market for fans to choose from.

Every sports fan has had dreams about scoring that winning goal, getting that final touchdown or coming first place in that race. However, for most fans, these will always only be just a dream as we won’t get to experience that in real life. For fans, the games allow players to experience what it’s like in real life, bringing them closer to the action than ever before.

But what exactly is driving all these video games to be released, from football games to sports-themed slot games and live casino online from Virgin Games, we’ll be looking at the drive behind sports video games and what brings so many fans to enjoy them each year.

Living out that childhood dream

Every football fan dreamt about becoming a football superstar when they were young. For me, there was nothing better than to be in the playground pretending to be Steven Gerrard playing football with my friends. However, now we are older and thanks to technology advancing, we can actually live out our dream and play a game like EA FC 24 and become virtual football players.

Not only that, any scenario you can think of, you can recreate. Fancy taking a small local team to the big leagues? Or what about managing a powerhouse and continuing its glory, the options are virtually unlimited and something you can do for hours on end.

Read Also: Gaming for Good: How Online Gaming Communities Are Making a Positive Impact

New opportunities for fans

When we all were growing up, the internet was only really starting to blow up and was a fraction of what it is today. However, today youth have the fantastic opportunity to turn these sports games into a career. Streaming and making videos on sports games has never been bigger, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.

There have been numerous examples of young people just enjoying making videos of their favourite sports games, ending up making a career out of it because it’s something they enjoy. With how big streaming is these days, there are career opportunities available in this field, and ones that should be taken seriously. 

There have also been examples of people who stream sports games as their career, slowly transitioning into talking about the actual real-life game, with some even moving into television and broadcasting to discuss real sports topics. This shows that just by playing sports games, you can open up a whole world you didn’t think was possible.

Not only is it a career option to go into streaming, but playing sports games professionally is also an option. Whilst this is a harder route to get into as you have to be one of the best of the best, if you’re able to get into it, there can be some serious opportunities for you. 

There are regular Esports tournaments where the best sports game players will compete to be the best, with there being multiple options including solo tournaments and even ones where you’re scouted for real-life clubs. For example, Diego Jota, a player for Liverpool FC is one of the official Esports players for Liverpool. This means he plays for them both in real life and virtually.

 If you’re lucky enough to win one of these tournaments, there can be large cash prizes up for grabs, however, you’ll be competing against some of the best in the business, so you’ll need to ensure you’re at the top of your game.

Being social

Another big factor around playing sports games is there is the facility to play with your friends and encourages being social. For example, EA FC 24 has a Pro Clubs mode, where each player will create their own virtual player, and everyone will join one team and compete against other groups to see who becomes the best. 

Some of my most enjoyable moments with friends have been over Pro Clubs, scoring that winning goal for your team, or someone missing the last kick of the game, these are where memories are made!

Sports games are really for anyone who wants to play, and for some, they mean more. To you, a sports game may just be something to pass the time, whereas, to another person, it’s an escape into a world of dreams and excitement. Whilst sports games have been around for years, the hype and demand for them has only grown over time, with no end in sight and the want for these games continuing to rise, it’s no wonder there are so many to choose from.

But what’s your favourite sports game and why do you enjoy playing them?

Indian transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India all-rounder and coach Sanjay Bangar, has written a letter to the BCCI and the ICC, claiming a sensitive and scientific approach to the participation of transgender in women's cricket.

In this letter, she has cited an 8-week international research based on the effects of hormone therapy on her athletic performance. Through this letter, Anaya has expressed her desire to play for the women's cricket team.

Also Read: ICC ODI Rankings: Smriti Mandhana reclaims world No. 1 spot for the first time in six years

Anaya shared the letter on social media

Anaya Bangar shared the screenshot of the letter on her Instagram and wrote, "This letter comes from a place of love for the game and belief in fairness. I have reached out to BCCI and ICC, trusting that dialogue and science can work together."

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A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar)

Through a powerful statement on social media, Anaya made her stance clear: she is not seeking sympathy or special treatment, but rather fairness rooted in medical science and transparency. Her decision to go public with her medical documentation and transition journey has sparked widespread dialogue on how sports organizations across the world are handling gender identity and athlete eligibility.

'This is not a political statement'

Anaya’s message was more than just personal, it was a call to action. She stated that restrictive policies based on outdated assumptions about transgender women have unfairly limited athletes like her from progressing in their careers, despite undergoing medical transition and receiving professional clearance.

“This is not a political statement,” Anaya wrote. “It is a scientifically-backed request to center data over fear, evidence over assumption, and transparency over speculation.”

She expressed deep frustration over how the system continues to marginalize transgender athletes by not updating rules in accordance with modern medical standards. Her plea aims to bring fairness into the regulatory framework, allowing athletes to compete based on real physiological data rather than rigid gender binaries.

What Anaya's asking from BCCI and ICC

In her statement, Anaya laid out a clear, respectful, and constructive roadmap for how cricket’s governing bodies can lead the way in creating inclusive yet competitive sports environments. She called upon the BCCI and ICC to take the following steps: 

Open a transparent, informed dialogue on the inclusion of transgender women in women’s cricket, grounded in up-to-date medical science, performance analysis, and ethical principles.

Also Read: ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Full Schedule announced; India to face Pakistan on October 5

Consider sport-specific eligibility criteria, such as minimum hormone therapy durations, testosterone suppression timelines, haemoglobin thresholds, and physical performance benchmarks to ensure a level playing field.

Engage medical experts, legal advisors, athletes, and inclusion advocates in developing a clear policy that balances fairness with equal opportunity.

She emphasized that inclusion does not mean ignoring competitiveness, it means measuring it responsibly and transparently.

Her appeal stands as a reminder that sports must evolve with time. As debates on gender inclusion intensify globally across various sports, Anaya Bangar has positioned herself as a voice for a new era one that celebrates both fairness and inclusion, without compromise.

Indian star opener Smriti Mandhana has regained the number one spot in the women's ICC ODI rankings for the first time since November 2019, according to the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

Also Read: ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Full Schedule announced; India to face Pakistan on October 5

Mandhana surpassed Wolvaardt to claim top spot

The 28-year-old Mandhana has moved up one place to return to the top spot while South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has slipped to joint second place with new England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt after scoring 27 and 28 in the first two ODIs against the West Indies.

Mandhana now sits comfortably with 727 rating points after Wolvaardt held the top spot for over six months. The Indian star batsman has been in great form lately and scored the 11th century of her career, amassing 264 runs across five outings with a 52.80 averae and a strike rate of 90.41 during India's recent tri-series final against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo.

Mandhana named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

The India vice-captain had a stellar run in ODIs in 2024, following which she was named as the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, scoring more runs than she ever has before in a calendar year, racking up 747 runs in 13 innings. Mandhana is one of only four women to record at least 10 centuries, with her 4473 runs standing 10th on the all-time charts.

Mandhana’s rating points currently eight ahead of newly-appointed England skipper Natalie Sciver-Brunt at 719 points. Wolvaardt dropped to equal second alongside Sciver-Brunt, while fellow South African’s Tazmin Brits (up five spots to 27th) and Sune Luus (up seven places to 42nd) are among the big movers this week on the list for ODI batters.

Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, being the only other Indian batters in the top 30, placed at 15th and 16th, respectively.

Women's ICC ODI Rankings

What does it truly mean to be a world champion club? The FIFA Club World Cup provides the answer, pitting the best against one another in a quest for global dominance.

As the 21st edition of Club World Cup is ongoing, with highly competitive and strong clubs fighting for the ultimate glory, it is time to look back at the history of this tournament.

This article will explore all the past winners, top scorers, most successful teams, all at once.

FIFA Club World Cup: Past Winners

The FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament designed to crown the world's best club team, first took place in 2000. It then paused for several years, from 2001 through 2004, before returning as an annual event.

Now, 2025 marks the beginning of an entirely new era for the Club World Cup, featuring an expanded format and a fresh vision for global club football.

Check out the past winners list below:

FIFA Club World Cup: Top Scorers

Here comes the elite list where individual dominance shines:

FIFA Club World Cup: Most Successful Teams

Real Madrid holds the tag of most successful team in FIFA Club World Cup history with 5 titles. Check out the other clubs that follow:

• Real Madrid: 5 wins
• Barcelona: 3 wins
• Bayern Munich: 2 wins
• Corinthians: 2 wins

In the history of Indian Test Cricket, reaching the 2000-run milestone has always been a matter of pride. While many have achieved this feat, only a few have done so with remarkable speed.

Currently, the record for the fastest Indians to score 2000 test runs is jointly held by Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, both accomplishing it in 40 innings. However, a new name is on the verge of making history: Yashasvi Jaiswal, with 1798 runs from 36 innings, needs only 202 more runs.

If Jaiswal reaches this in 3 or fewer innings, potentially in the upcoming test series against England (starts on June 20, 2025), he will break the legendary record and reach on top!

Now, let's look at the elite list of players who previously set the standard by being the fastest Indians to reach 2000 test runs.

1. Rahul Dravid (40 innings)

Rahul Dravid, famously known as "The Wall" for his brilliant defensive technique and concentration in tests, reached 2000 test runs in just 40 innings. His ability to bat for longer periods and wearing down the opposition was a key aspect for India's Test success.

Read Also: Most successful Test captains from India

2. Virender Sehwag (40 innings)

Virender Sehwag, the aggressive opening batsman, matched Dravid's record by also reaching 2000 test runs in 40 innings. He was known for his fearless approach while batting at the top of the order.

He is also the only Indian to score 2 triple centuries in his test career.

3. Vijay Hazare (43 innings)

An icon of Indian cricket's early era, Vijay Hazare reached 2000 test runs in 43 innings. He was an incredible run-scorer in his time, known for his elegant batting and contributions.

His contributions mattered highly during a period when Indian cricket was finding its status on the international stage.

4. Gautam Gambhir (43 innings)

The bold left-handed opener, Gautam Gambhir, also reached 2000 test runs in 43 innings. He was a crucial part of India's top order in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Gambhir was known for his mental toughness and ability to play long innings when required, with high determination and focus.

Read Also: India's 2011 World Cup winning squad: Where are they now?

5. Sunil Gavaskar (44 innings)

Sunil Gavaskar, one of the greatest opener in Tests cricket history, scored 2000 test runs in 44 innings. He was known for batting fearlessly and facing West Indian fast bowlers without modern protective gear.

Gavaskar was the first player to reach 10000-run mark in test cricket history, and also holds the 3rd place for most runs for India in tests.

The Indian cricket team will tour England to play a five-match Test series against England from June 20, 2025. The first match of the England vs India Test series will be played at Headingley Stadium, Leeds.

The Test cricket battle between India and England has always been exciting and challenging, especially when the match is played on English soil. The Indian team has played a total of 67 Test matches in England from 1932 to 2022. India's record in these matches has not been so strong. India has won only 9 times, while the English team has defeated the Indians in 36 matches. The remaining 22 matches have been drawn, which tells the story of this historic struggle and how hard the Indian team has to work to win on English soil.

Also Read: England vs India Test Series: Here is India's overall test record against England in England

In this article, we will take a look at those 9 test matches that India won on English soil.

England vs India Test series: 9 test matches India won so far on English soil

1. By 4 Wickets (1971)

India has tamed the British cricket lion in its own den for the first time in 1971. It was a historic day when India beat England in the third and final Test by four wickets with 205 minutes to spare at the Kennington Oval, to clinch the series 1-0.

The victory established at least three firsts. This was the first time India won a Test in England. It was the first time in, 28 Tests since June 1968 that England was defeated and it was also the first time that India triumphed in two series in one year, having defeated the West Indies earlier.

2. By 5 Wickets (1986)

The 1986 win at Lord’s was India’s first at the iconic venue. Under the leadership of Legendary Kapil Dev, Team India went on to win at Headingley. This win also paved the way for Team India to win the historic Test series on English-soil.

In the first Test of the series, India bowled England out for 294 and replied with 341, with Dilip Vengsarkar scoring a superb 126*. Kapil Dev’s all-round performance and Chetan Sharma’s five-wicket haul in the second innings helped India dismiss England for 180. Needing just 134 to win, India achieved the target with 5 wickets to spare, scripting a historic triumph at the "Home of Cricket."

3. By 279 Runs (1986)

The Indian team carried the momentum into the second Test at Leeds where the bowling attack completely blew away England with the visitors winning by 279 runs inside 4 days. Roger Binny took 7 wickets in the match including a five-wicket haul in the first innings and was ably supported by Kapil (3 wickets), Madan Lal (3 wickets) and Maninder Singh (4 wickets).

4. By an innings and 46 Runs (2002)

India's first Test victory in England in the new millennium took place in 2002 when Sourav Ganguly's team thrashed the hosts by an innings and 46 runs in the third Test at Leeds to level the four-match series 1-1.

India crossed the 600-run barrier for the first time against England as Sachin Tendulkar (193), Rahul Dravid (148) and Sourav Ganguly (128) ripped apart the English bowling attack to declare the first innings on 628 for 8. The bowlers then led India to victory with Anil Kumble leading the way with 7 wickets in the match while Harbhajan Singh (4), Zaheer Khan (3) and Ajit Agarkar (2) played the supporting roles. England had won the first match at Lord's while the second and fourth match ended in draws as Ganguly and Nasser Hussain shared the trophy.

5. By 7 Wickets (2007)

Five years after the Leeds victory India repeated history by claiming the series 1-0 under Rahul Dravid by winning the second Test at Nottingham. India took a massive 283-run first innings lead after bowling out the hosts for 198 with Zaheer Khan (4) and Anil Kumble (3) leading the wickets tally.

Captain Michael Vaughan's hundred in the second innings couldn't save England's batting collapse as they got bowled out for 355 thanks to some brilliant bowling by a fired-up Zaheer, who took a five-wicket haul after the jellybean prank which England had played on him during India's first innings.

This meant that India needed just 73 runs to win which they chased down in 24.1 overs with 7 wickets in hand and took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The third Test at The Oval ended in a draw as Sourav Ganguly lifted the Pataudi Trophy, named in honour of former India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

6. By 95 Runs (2014)

MS Dhoni led the Indian team in a five-match Test series and delivered the first blow on the hosts by winning at Lord's for the first time after 1986.

The first Test ended in a draw at Nottingham following which the teams locked horns on a green top at Lord's. Ajinkya Rahane scored one of the greatest hundreds in Indian Test history as he negotiated prodigious swing and seam movement against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Such was Rahane's class that none of the other batsmen managed to score over 36 runs, which was the next best score coming from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. India made 295 and then conceded a first innings lead of 24 runs with Gary Ballance scoring a century. Bhuvneshwar took a six-wicket haul as England made 319.

Murali Vijay (95), Ravindra Jadeja (68) and Bhuvneshwar (52) then rose to the occasion with the bat in the second innings to help India set a target of 319 for the hosts. Ishant Sharma then produced one of the most memorable spells by an Indian bowler on English soil and picked up a record 7 wickets in the process as India bowled out England for 223 and registered a historic win at the Mecca of cricket.

7. By 203 Runs (2018)

As team India took the field in Nottingham, Kohli and his men were determined to make amends and they did it in style. After being put in to bat by Root, India were off to a commendable start thanks to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan and after they departed, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on a 189-run stand for the fourth wicket to take India to a commendable position. Rahane scored 81 and Kohli missed his century by three runs as he fell for 97. India were eventually bowled out for 329 but the stage was set for India to make a comeback in the series.

The bowlers didn't' disappoint as well. Led by Hardik Pandya, India rocked England and bowled them out for a paltry total of 161. Pandya answered his critics in style as he grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests.

With a lead of 168, India were again provided a solid start by their openers and after they fell, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli led the charge as they planned to bat England out of the game. Pujara fell for a gritty 72 but Kohli scored his 23rd Test century and it was followed by a run-a-ball 52 from Pandya as the visitors declared for 352/7, with a lead of 520.

Chasing 521 to win, the England openers somehow managed to play out the nine overs on day four but the nervousness and fear was there in their mammoth chase. Bumrah got the wickets of Buttler and Woakes early and then Pandya got the wicket of Stokes to get England eight down. And finally Ashwin got the wicket of Anderson to earn a 203-run victory for the visitors

8. By 151 Runs (2021)

In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, India defeated England by 151 runs at Lord’s in the second Test of the 2021 series. After setting a target of 272 thanks to a stunning 89-run partnership between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowlers went on the attack.

Led by Mohammed Siraj (4/32), India bowled England out for 120 in just 51.5 overs. The aggressive attitude under Virat Kohli’s captaincy and India’s never-say-die spirit made this a modern classic.

9. By 157 Runs (2021)

India secured a famous win at The Oval in the fourth Test of the 2021 series. Rohit Sharma scored his first overseas Test hundred (127), anchoring a solid second-innings effort.

Shardul Thakur played two impactful cameos with bat and ball, while the pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Umesh Yadav dismantled England in the fourth innings. India won by 157 runs and took a 2-1 lead in the series, reaffirming their dominance on English soil.