Australia has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite recent poor form.
Jessica Pegula stormed past Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1 at the US Open, delivering a near-flawless serving display to reach the third round and continue her title bid.
Aryna Sabalenka aims to secure her third consecutive US Open title, a feat not achieved since Serena Williams. However, a recent dip in form and a challenge to her world number one ranking from Elena Rybakina cast doubt on her chances, with experts noting her vulnerability.
As the U.S. Open approaches, the women's draw is packed with Grand Slam winners, rising stars, and hungry contenders, including Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, Linda Noskova, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, and Marta Kostyuk, all vying for a deep run in New York.
Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has strongly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its constant upheaval, including the 'disrespectful' sacking of players and frequent changes in coaching staff, which he believes creates instability and fear among players.
Indian squash player Sanya Vats was defeated by Australia's Rachael Grinham in a closely contested five-game semifinal match at the Bendigo Open, a PSA Challenger event. Vats, the top seed, had previously advanced by beating England's Zoe Tanner in the quarterfinals.
India's campaign in the FIH Women's World Cup concluded after a goalless draw against Australia in their final second-round match.
Novak Djokovic, a four-time champion, suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set match, marking his earliest Grand Slam departure since 2006.
Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by defeating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil and becoming the fastest Asian team to do so.
Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, but recent physical struggles, particularly in high heat and humidity, raise questions about his ability to endure the demanding tournament. Despite his experience, the 39-year-old faces a challenging field and needs to manage his energy carefully to achieve his historic goal.
Second seed Elena Rybakina secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin in the first round of the US Open, easing concerns about her recent leg injury. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, showed no signs of discomfort as she began her quest for the title and the world number one ranking. Frodin, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't overcome the Australian Open champion.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams played what was likely their final U.S. Open doubles match, losing to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching in a thrilling three-set encounter. Despite the defeat, the match was a celebration of their illustrious careers, drawing 23,000 adoring fans to Arthur Ashe Stadium who cheered every point of the iconic sisters.
'Dara's case can strengthen the perception among sections of the BJP's traditional support base.'
Carlos Alcaraz is set to defend his U.S. Open title after a nearly five-month injury layoff, with expectations high despite limited match practice as he aims for a third New York crown.
World number four Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory against Paula Badosa in the second round of the U.S. Open. Despite Badosa's strong challenge and previous wins against Gauff, the American triumphed in two sets, 6-4, 7-6(5), on a sweltering evening at Arthur Ashe Court, advancing her quest for a second title at Flushing Meadows.
Madison Keys overcame early nerves and Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 at the US Open, avenging last year's first-round exit after improving her serving and composure.
Tennis legend Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, delivering an emotional speech where he declared he is 'still writing my love letter to tennis' and reflected on his illustrious career, which included 20 Grand Slam titles.
Australia is under pressure to secure a decisive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match series, following an embarrassing nine-wicket loss in Darwin. The team has made personnel changes, including recalling Matt Renshaw, and is looking for a strong bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic win and a successful shift to a pace-centred bowling attack, is confident of continuing their strong form and potentially sweeping the series.
Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her disbelief and happiness after surpassing legendary batter Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in Women's Internationals, a feat she 'never imagined' achieving.
Novak Djokovic, hampered by illness and injuries, suffered a shocking first-round exit at the U.S. Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set match, marking his earliest Grand Slam departure since 2006.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal was defeated in straight sets by top seed Arthur Gea in the opening round of the US Open qualifying tournament, extending his streak of not reaching a Grand Slam main draw to seven events. Nagal will now focus on the upcoming Davis Cup clash.
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has become the ninth Australian bowler to take 300 Test wickets, achieving the milestone during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin with his 14th career five-wicket haul.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and teenager Tanvi Sharma led a strong performance by Indian women in the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament, both advancing to the round of 16. While Sindhu secured an easy win, Tanvi caused an upset. However, it was a disappointing day for Indian men's singles players, with all three bowing out in the opening round, though the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K progressed.
Nepal is grappling with the devastating aftermath of flash floods, with the death toll reaching 1,356 and nearly 5,000 people, including foreign nationals, still missing. Identification of bodies is a major challenge, with only a fraction identified so far. President Ramchandra Paudel has appealed for climate justice and national unity for relief efforts. International teams, including experts from India and China, are assisting in search and rescue, particularly at hydropower projects where workers are trapped. The country is also working to restore infrastructure and reassure tourists to protect its vital autumn tourism season.
Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff secured their spots in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, while Naomi Osaka overcame a tough challenge. However, several prominent American players, including Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova, experienced early exits, disappointing home fans at Flushing Meadows.
Legendary cricketer Ian Chappell has strongly criticised Australian selectors following their nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin, demanding significant changes to the team's selection process and personnel.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc dethroned Jasprit Bumrah to reach a career-high No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers, after a stellar 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh.
Former Australian cricketer David Warner has been convicted and fined A$1,500 for drink-driving in Sydney.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational ten-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin and Chaminda Vaas in the all-time international wicket-takers list, and earning both 'Player of the Match' and 'Player of the Series' awards.
Smriti Mandhana breaks plethora of records as India outplay Hong Kong by 137 runs on Thursday to enter Women's Asia Cup semi-final.
Naomi Osaka showcased a distinctive Allen Iverson-inspired outfit with a billowing tulle train at the U.S. Open, continuing her trend of bold Grand Slam fashion statements, before securing a hard-fought victory.
Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that ending his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos, brought much-needed calm and rebuilt his confidence, leading to a strong first-round win at the US Open.
Tennis legend Roger Federer described his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as one of the greatest honours of his life, expressing his joy at immersing himself in the sport's history and finding his place among his heroes.
Bangladesh achieved a historic nine-wicket victory over top-ranked Australia in the first Test in Darwin, marking their first Test win in Australia. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto credited the team's focus on pace bowling for this significant upset, highlighting a shift in mindset among young fast bowlers. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match for his nine wickets, including 6-55 in the first innings.
A 31-member group from Kerala narrowly escaped the devastating flash floods in Nepal thanks to a 20-minute delay at a Buddha temple. They recounted their terrifying ordeal, including witnessing the destruction and spending a night without basic necessities, before safely returning to Kerala.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to the US Open after a nearly five-month absence due to a wrist injury, with fellow professionals expressing confidence in his ability to quickly regain form despite the layoff.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has spoken about the "intrusive thoughts" he experienced during his nearly five-month layoff due to a wrist injury. Ahead of his U.S. Open title defence, the Spaniard revealed the mental challenges of not knowing his return date, especially after missing major tournaments. He is now set to compete, though his rival Jannik Sinner has withdrawn.
The third season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) is scheduled to commence on October 3, featuring an impressive roster of former cricket stars including David Warner, Yuvraj Singh, Dwayne Bravo, and AB de Villiers. Organisers have announced that the tournament will run until October 18, with the venue yet to be disclosed. The upcoming season promises increased star power and the addition of Bangladesh Champions to the competition.
Former Australia Test stalwart Mike Hussey has indicated he would consider a batting coaching role with England for next year's Ashes series, following an 'off-the-cuff' approach from new England coach Stephen Fleming.
A heated exchange between Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the first Test has gone viral, after Starc confronted Miraz for running across the pitch's danger area.
