The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes. Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replaces an injured Neeraj Chopra, while long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been dropped due to an alleged doping offence. Tejas Shirse is also out due to injury. The final team comprises 77 members, with six new additions. The Athletics Federation of India is aiming for 25-30 medals.
India's Women's Hockey team, buoyed by a draw against China, is set to face South Africa in their second World Cup match. A win is crucial for their qualification hopes for the second round. Coach Sjoerd Marijne acknowledges areas for improvement, particularly in ball possession, despite strong performances from key players like Deepika and Navneet Kaur.
Former Asian silver medallist and Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has been suspended for 10 years by NADA for a second doping offence involving methandienone, potentially ending his career. This follows a previous ban in 2022 which was reduced to one year after he claimed contaminated supplements.
Legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh expressed strong frustration over India's poor performance at the FIH World Cup, criticising the team's 'underwhelming showing' and demanding accountability. He questioned the 'learning experience' narrative and highlighted issues in both men's and women's team management, urging a focus on winning rather than just playing good hockey.
Nyck de Vries discusses Mahindra Racing's impressive turnaround in the Formula E season, as they head into the London finale aiming for a historic top-three team championship finish. Despite a challenging start, de Vries' victories and the team's collective effort have positioned them for their best result since 2016-17, with de Vries also reflecting on his F1 experience.
India's Women's Hockey team will compete against higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff at the Women's Hockey World Cup, aiming to conclude their impressive campaign with a victory and build momentum for the upcoming Asian Games.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar attributes his country's hockey decline to the absence of a robust domestic structure, contrasting it with India's strategic investment in grassroots and domestic ecosystems after failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. He highlights India's subsequent success and calls for similar foundational changes in Pakistan.
Former Indian boxing coach Mohammed Ali Qamar believes the country's women's boxing squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is one of its best ever, with each of the seven members capable of securing a medal, though he cautioned that draws would be crucial.
Ace Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is gearing up for an 'Olympic-level' competition at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where she expects to face the strongest lifters from China, North Korea, and Thailand, making it her toughest challenge yet.
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.
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.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi believes India's ambitious target of 30-40 medals at the 2036 Olympics is a 'distant prospect', citing significant delays in talent identification, scouting, and critical infrastructure improvements.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu has reached her first Super 750 semifinal in nearly three years at the Japan Open after Nozomi Okuhara withdrew. She will now face Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei in the semifinals.
Tennis legend Serena Williams made a victorious return to the U.S. Open, partnering with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles to defeat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. This marked her first appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium since her 2022 farewell, delighting fans. While Williams and Alcaraz advanced, top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were surprisingly eliminated in the revamped mixed doubles format, which aims to attract more singles stars and fans.
India's Hockey World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a 5-3 defeat to Argentina, highlighting persistent defensive issues and a struggle to perform against top-ranked teams. The team's problems, including conceding early goals and a lack of intensity, had been building throughout the year.
The Indian men's hockey team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup has highlighted significant issues, including a lack of intent in player transition and questionable selection decisions, according to former players and experts.
Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain have been named India's flag and baton bearers for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Both athletes are celebrated for their achievements in weightlifting and boxing, respectively, and are considered strong medal contenders for India at the upcoming Games.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy congratulated badminton star PV Sindhu on her maiden Super 750 title win at the Japan Open in Tokyo. Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi in straight games, marking a significant achievement for Indian sports and inspiring youth.
The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the FIH Women's World Cup, faces England in their final Pool D match. A draw secures India's top spot, but England desperately needs a win to advance. India's strong attacking and defensive performances have built confidence, though coach Sjoerd Marijne warns against complacency, highlighting England's previous victory over India and their strong play. The team aims to continue its impressive run and potentially secure a podium finish.
Former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh has lauded current captain Harmanpreet Singh as a 'trump card' for the upcoming FIH World Cup, citing his aggressive playing style and consistent performance in crucial moments. Jugraj, who sees his own reflection in Harmanpreet's game, rates him among the world's top three drag-flickers and believes the team is well-prepared to end India's long wait for a World Cup medal.
Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra achieved his season's best throw of 88.05m at the Lausanne Diamond League, securing second place, narrowly beaten by Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage who threw 88.14m.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Lovlina Borgohain secured India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games by directly entering the women's 75kg boxing semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze. This marks her first CWG medal, adding to her Olympic, World, and Asian championships accolades.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is set to renew his rivalry with Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League, with both athletes vying for a spot in the prestigious DL grand finale in Brussels.
India's Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has secured a medal at the Commonwealth Games after receiving a direct entry into the women's 75kg semifinals. With the pressure of a podium finish lifted, Borgohain is now solely focused on winning the gold medal, crediting her recent training and renewed confidence.
Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes his side is capable of ending the country's five-decade-long World Cup medal drought, drawing parallels with the team's success at the Tokyo Olympics.
Chhote Lal Yadav, the recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, has been instrumental in extending the career of boxing legend MC Mary Kom and transforming Jaismine Lamboria into a world champion, attributing his success to a personalised coaching philosophy.
Indian badminton star P V Sindhu was defeated by local favourite Chen Yufei in a gruelling three-game match at the China Open second round. Sindhu, who recently won the Japan Open, lost 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in a closely contested encounter that lasted nearly 90 minutes.
Norwegian middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen secured his seventh European Athletics Championships gold, winning the 5,000 metres title in a thrilling sprint finish, just months after Achilles surgery.
Indian badminton ace P V Sindhu was eliminated from the China Open after a tough three-game loss to local favourite and world number four Chen Yufei in the second round. Despite winning the first game, Sindhu couldn't maintain her lead, eventually losing 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in a match lasting nearly 90 minutes.
Indian golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh offers crucial advice to the national golf team ahead of the Asian Games, emphasising the importance of a strong short game and adapting to Japan's fast greens and windy conditions to secure medals.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open after her opponent, Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei, retired due to injury during their women's singles semifinal. Sindhu was leading the match when Chen pulled out, setting up a final clash against either Akane Yamaguchi or Putri Kusuma Wardani.
Veteran striker Navneet Kaur believes the Indian women's hockey team is inspired by the cricket team's ODI World Cup triumph and aims to script a similar title-winning story at the FIH Women's World Cup.
Athletics Federation of India's selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla has dismissed concerns over Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal, stating that the "country's greatest athlete" should not be scrutinised for an occasional silver after consistently delivering gold for a decade.
Mahindra Racing has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Formula E, extending its participation until at least the Gen4 era in 2030, despite other major manufacturers exiting the championship. CEO Frederic Bertrand highlights this as a continuation of Mahindra's strategy to use electric racing as a technology laboratory, focusing on software, hardware, and human capital development that feeds into its wider automotive business and showcases Indian manufacturing prowess on a global stage.
Mahindra Racing has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Formula E, extending its participation until at least the Gen4 era in 2030, despite other major manufacturers exiting the championship. CEO Frederic Bertrand highlights this as a continuation of Mahindra's strategy to use electric racing as a technology laboratory, focusing on software, hardware, and human capital development that feeds into its wider automotive business and showcases Indian manufacturing prowess on a global stage.
Mahindra Racing CEO Frederic Bertrand has stated that while Indian reserve driver Kush Maini has the potential to become a Formula E driver, the team will not compromise its competitive ambitions for nationality.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a season-best throw of 85.83m. Debutant Yashvir Singh surprised with a personal best of 85.41m on his final attempt, earning a bronze medal. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won gold with an 89.75m throw despite challenging cold and windy conditions.
A new study by IIT Kharagpur researchers, published in Nature Communications, reveals that urban growth patterns significantly influence future cooling demand in cities. The research highlights that a city's "thermal memory," shaped by decades of development decisions, impacts its heat burden and energy requirements, independent of global temperature rises. The study analysed 88 Indian cities and a global sample of 52 cities over two decades.