India's burgeoning franchise volleyball ecosystem, particularly with dedicated Under-21 tournaments like the Guardians Trophy, is creating a structured pathway for young players. This initiative aims to develop talent from the grassroots to professional levels, fostering cultural adaptation and skill enhancement, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the senior national team and achieving Olympic qualification.
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto's growing trust, tactical understanding and complementary front-and-back court roles have strengthened their chemistry, helping the Indian pair become more consistent and competitive.
Treesa Jolly called her World Championships bronze with Gayatri Gopichand a dream come true, made more special by ending India's 15-year medal wait on home soil.
Pakistan hockey captain Abu Bakar Mahmood expressed confidence in his team's ability to defeat arch-rivals India at the upcoming FIH World Cup, stating that "rankings don't matter" in such high-stakes encounters and performance on the day is key.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sports cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect. The meeting, held under India's 2026 Chairship, saw Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya call for a BRICS Sporting Partnership and introduce three key initiatives: a Working Group on Sports Technology, a Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, and Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad in 2026.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a commendable fifth-place finish at the FIH World Cup by defeating Germany 3-1 in a classification match, with Navneet Kaur scoring two goals.
Ravindra Jadeja is a captain's delight and has delivered with the bat when needed most, destroyed batting line-ups, taken breathtaking catches and pulled off brilliant run-outs. His feats are an inspiration.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed the potential debut of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the T20 series opener against Ireland. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent, Kotak emphasised that a player scoring runs should not be benched to accommodate a new talent, highlighting the challenge of team selection with abundant talent in Indian cricket. He also touched upon captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership and the BCCI's system for nurturing young players.
Defender Anmol Ekka will captain the 18-member Indian men's hockey team for the AHF Junior Asia Cup in China from August 30 to September 13. The squad, training in Bengaluru under coach Frederic Soyez, recently completed an exposure tour of Belgium and is playing friendly matches against Malaysia U-21 as part of their preparations.
Indian batter Rohit Sharma lauded former fielding coach T Dilip for his significant contributions, including two T20 World Cup wins and the Champions Trophy, calling him a 'legend' and a 'workhorse' who 'created magic within the group.' Dilip, who served from 2021 until recently, expressed gratitude for his tenure, especially cherishing the popular fielding medal ceremony.
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.
Jaspal Rana, the acclaimed Indian shooter and high-performance coach, has passed away at 49. Known for mentoring Olympic medallists like Manu Bhaker and other young talents, Rana's contributions significantly shaped Indian shooting. He was a Dronacharya Award recipient.
Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana has passed away at 49 after a medical procedure following illness during a flight from the ISSF World Cup.
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.
Pakistan's chief selector Samiullah Khan believes a draw against arch-rivals India will be crucial for the national hockey team to advance past the group stage in the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Pakistan, participating after an eight-year hiatus, has announced a 20-member squad, with foreign coaches assisting the team.
India is poised to secure its first overseas Test series victory in three years as they face Sri Lanka in the second and final match, with skipper Shubman Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal under pressure to deliver substantial knocks.
Sixteen years ago, when India and Pakistan last met in a men's Hockey World Cup, the contest was more than just two arch-rivals facing each other. It was about settling an old score. And as the two teams prepare to meet again after 16 years, memories of that evening remain fresh for those who were part of it.
Karn Sharma announced his retirement from competitive cricket at 38, ending a nearly two-decade career highlighted by India appearances, 591 wickets and four IPL titles.
Double Olympic pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis has released "Gold," the official anthem for World Athletics' inaugural Ultimate Championship. The track, written and performed by Duplantis, is now available on major streaming platforms and will be the signature soundtrack for the event in Budapest, featuring top athletes competing for a $10 million prize fund.
Bangladesh has shelved the BPL for a season amid corruption allegations, financial losses and organisational turmoil, with the cricket board promising a carefully rebuilt tournament.
Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul against Sri Lanka showcased his skill, meticulous preparation and growing maturity, marking him as India's potential next spin leader.
Watch Bollywood acting coach Atul Mongia talk about the secrets behind great acting on this latest episode of The Rediff Podcast.
Sonal Dinusha scored a brilliant century while the tail wagged around him as Sri Lanka earned a draw on the final day of the second Test in Colombo on Thursday but India claim the series 1-0.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu expressed disappointment after her pre-quarterfinal defeat at the World Championships, suggesting her opponent Wang Zhi Yi's mid-match cramps might have been tactical. Sindhu also reflected on her own performance, acknowledging the need for greater patience and improved stroke-making, while vowing to continue her pursuit of a sixth World Championships medal.
Ayush Shetty's coach, Sagar Chopda, believes that the Indian shuttler's challenging World Championships opener against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi could work in his favour, citing Shi Yu Qi's recent form and the home crowd advantage.
Amitabh Bachchan recently shared candid recollections of the rejections and scoldings he endured from directors during his formative years in the film industry.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his bewilderment at how the current generation of cricketers, primarily raised on T20 cricket, has managed to seamlessly adapt to the rigorous demands of Test cricket. He compared their transition to pop singers mastering classical ragas, highlighting the significant technical and mental adjustments required. Manjrekar's comments come as young Indian players, many with IPL backgrounds, are actively participating in Test series, showcasing their versatility across formats.
India's race walk coach Ronald Weigel has urged national selectors to consider the extremely humid conditions during the National Inter-State Championships when picking the team for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlighted how tough weather significantly slows down endurance athletes and suggested holding future selection events in more favourable conditions like Bengaluru.
India's new men's freestyle wrestling coach Shako Bentinidis believes Sujeet Kalkal has the potential to become an Olympic medallist but must further sharpen his technical skills. He also urged Indian coaches to continuously upgrade themselves through greater exposure to international training methods and evolving tactical trends in the sport.
The meeting between Morocco and Netherlands in the last 32 might have come too early at the World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman suggested on the eve of Monday's clash between the two contenders in Monterrey.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has described India as his 'second home,' stating he felt more welcomed and supported by Indian cricket fans than in Australia, attributing this strong connection to his IPL career and the country's appreciation for the sport.
This was Afghanistan's 12th Test in last eight years and the defeat by an innings and 300 runs against India was a humbling experience for the team.
Liverpool secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a stoppage-time penalty. The match also served as a tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, a shared hero for both clubs, with fans and former players honouring his legacy. Goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock for Newcastle were cancelled out by Cody Gakpo and Szoboszlai's late equaliser for Liverpool.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has emphasised the crucial role wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will play in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, citing his experience and ability to guide younger players.
East Bengal, fresh from their AFC Champions League Two qualifying play-off victory, are set to face a formidable Indian Army Football Team in the Durand Cup quarterfinals. The match, crucial for a spot in the semi-finals, will test East Bengal's momentum against the Army's disciplined play. Another quarterfinal features unbeaten SC Delhi against debutants FC Raengdai.
UEFA has introduced 'Clear Line', a new platform designed to provide clear guidelines on when and how the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system should intervene, aiming to reduce controversy and increase understanding among all football stakeholders.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that India might field three left-arm spinners - Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Manav Suthar - in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Poor families, she said, cut corners on their own needs to pay for coaching and fees, and when their child clears JEE, it's the happiest day the family has had in years. So why, she asked, her voice already starting to climb, does the same system that we're told is the best in the country keep pushing those very students toward what she called 'institutional deaths'?
Former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach for the men's national team, commencing with the Test against Afghanistan. He brings extensive coaching experience from domestic cricket and the IPL.
