Batting-order flexibility has become a key factor in modern white-ball cricket, and former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes players who can seamlessly adapt to different roles are increasingly valuable in a format driven by situational demands.
Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran has offered advice to World Champion D Gukesh ahead of his title defence against Javokhir Sindarov. Sasikiran highlights Gukesh's tendency for time trouble due to complex play and suggests improving technique, speed, and defensive accuracy. He also advises Gukesh to identify and exploit opponent weaknesses, while acknowledging Sindarov's strong preparation and reliance on memory and speed.
Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi, India's first female International Master and Women's Grandmaster, asserts that India is the strongest chess-playing nation globally and will only grow stronger. She highlights Chennai's pivotal role in this revolution, crediting pioneers like Manuel Aaron and Vishwanathan Anand, and expresses confidence in the next generation, including Gukesh and Vaishali. Vijayalakshmi also reflects on her own career, a near-miss men's GM title, and her plans for a comeback after a personal tragedy.
Former India coach WV Raman says a fully fit Hardik Pandya could provide India the edge at the 2027 ODI World Cup, highlighting his all-round value while urging the team management to use the next 12-15 months to experiment with combinations and define player roles.
Former India coach WV Raman believes the current women's team is the strongest in the country's history and has all the ingredients to win a maiden T20 World Cup, provided the pace attack delivers in key moments.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can revive Test cricket if nurtured properly, urging patience and warning against excessive scrutiny of the young star.
Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin has voiced concerns over the current Indian cricket team selections, particularly questioning Shubman Gill's exclusion from T20Is and the non-selection of domestic stalwarts Sarfaraz Khan and Auqib Nabi for the Test squad. Azharuddin stressed the importance of consistent performance and the need for more Test cricket, while also commenting on captaincy roles and player retirements.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra hailed Deepti Sharma as one of cricket's most influential all-rounders after her five-wicket haul against Pakistan, while also highlighting the importance of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur to India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
On current form, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa can be considered one of the most dangerous opponents in world chess, even more dangerous than world No. 1 Carlsen, says Pravind Thipsay.
Former chief selector MSK Prasad has expressed bewilderment over Suryakumar Yadav's exclusion from India's T20I squad, suggesting it's a rest rather than a drop. He also questioned the omission of Rajat Patidar despite his strong IPL performance and the inclusion of Shivam Dube, while praising the selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Former cricketer and selector Saba Karim discusses the prospects of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the 2027 ODI World Cup, highlighting Kohli's assured spot due to fitness and performance, while Rohit needs to prove himself. Karim also praises Kohli's multi-format adaptability and addresses Rishabh Pant's struggles in white-ball cricket.
Former India pacer Atul Wassan sees shades of a young Sachin Tendulkar in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the teenager's maturity, audacity and fearless approach remind him of the batting great's early days during India's 1989 tour of Pakistan.
Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, has criticised a segment of coaches for being egoistic, using outdated training methods, and being abusive. He shared his own experiences and those of other athletes to highlight the issues within the coaching system.
Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil alleges that a significant portion of coaches are egoistic, use outdated training methods, and are sometimes abusive. Antil cites his own experiences and those of other athletes to support his claims, highlighting issues such as the lure of prize money and the lack of responsibility taken for athletes who don't succeed.
Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, credits Neeraj Chopra's advice at the World Para Championship for his world record-breaking javelin throw of 74.82m at the Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship in Bengaluru.
PGTI president Kapil Dev wants star golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar to leave Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), a private league, and rejoin PGTI to play for India again, says its CEO Amanpreet Johl.
Kapil Dev's efforts to attract sponsors and increase prize money in Indian golf are creating better opportunities for players to qualify for the Olympics and compete globally, according to DP World PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary M Satyanarayanan has refuted allegations of corruption against president Kalyan Chaubey, stating that no concrete evidence has been found.
