Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.
Young Uttar Pradesh spinner Kartik Yadav, who impressed on his Ranji Trophy debut, aims to become an all-format cricketer by drawing inspiration from the adaptability of Ravindra Jadeja and the composure of Hardik Pandya.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.
India's Commonwealth Games medallists, fresh from a triumphant campaign in Glasgow, received a rousing welcome in New Delhi but quickly shifted their focus to the upcoming Asian Games, expressing determination to secure more medals.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Seema Kaliramna is leveraging her doctoral research on imagery and positive self-talk to gain a competitive advantage in discus throwing. Her academic pursuits at Chaudhary Bansi Lal University are directly applied to her training and mental preparation, helping her achieve success like her recent Glasgow CWG medal and focus on the upcoming Asian Games.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav admitted that his 'overconfidence' and attempt to outdo both Sri Lankan gold winner Rumesh Pathirage and compatriot Neeraj Chopra during the Commonwealth Games final led to his seventh-place finish, stating he should have curbed his ambition.
Anahat Singh, the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships, discusses her historic victory and dismisses the notion of Egyptian players having a psychological advantage.
The Indian Special Olympics football team secured a bronze medal at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, marking their third consecutive podium finish. Special Olympics Bharat president Malika Nadda praised the team's resilience and determination, while coaches highlighted the challenges of adapting to artificial turf and expressed ambitions for future gold medals.
Sadhguru's Isha Gramotsavam, a rural sports festival, is expanding its 18th edition into North India, covering 10 states and one Union Territory. This year's event will engage over 80,000 players from 40,000 villages in men's volleyball and women's throwball, offering a prize pool exceeding Rs 1 crore, with the aim of social transformation through sport.
Former India internationals analyse Spain's dominant performance in the FIFA World Cup, highlighting their tactical discipline and defensive solidity. They also offer divided opinions on the highly anticipated semi-final clash between England and Argentina, discussing key players like Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane, and the tactical approaches both teams might employ.
Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy advocates for the expansion of red-ball cricket in the women's game, citing India's emphatic 270-run victory over England at Lord's. She urges the BCCI to revive longer-format domestic competitions across all age groups, emphasizing that Test cricket is crucial for developing technically sound players.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist judoka Tulika Maan is determined to overcome her Paris Olympics disappointment and win a gold medal at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She is confident about facing her 2022 final opponent, Sarah Adlington, again.
India's men's volleyball team achieved an unbeaten run to the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup semi-finals, propelling them to World No. 42. Head coach Dragan Mihailovic attributes this success to discipline and a structured system but stresses the need for consistent international exposure, longer national camps, and a robust development pathway to sustain and build upon this momentum, especially amidst administrative uncertainty in Indian volleyball.
Indian shooter Esha Singh credits her mental fortitude, developed after the Paris Olympics, for her recent success, including a world-record gold at the ISSF World Cup in Munich.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the Indian women's cricket team are favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup, highlighting their familiarity with English conditions and the return of key players.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty discuss their Singapore Open victory, overcoming injuries, and their ambitions for future tournaments, including the World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty discuss their Singapore Open victory, overcoming injuries, and their ambitions for future tournaments, including the World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A grassroots football academy in Punjab is using football to combat drug abuse and develop young talent, addressing key issues in Indian football's grassroots development.
The India Basketball League (IBL), backed by former NBA stars, is set to launch in 2027 with the aim of building a professional basketball ecosystem in India. The league hopes to tap into India's expanding youth culture and create a sustainable professional structure for Indian basketball.
Punjab Kings pacer Xavier Bartlett has praised teammate Arshdeep Singh's influence, highlighting his experience in adapting to Indian conditions in the ongoing IPL. Bartlett also spoke about the Impact Player rule and his ambition to play Test cricket for Australia.
