Asian Games debutant Kartik Karkera, an orthopaedic doctor, expresses confidence in securing a podium finish in the men's marathon despite facing faster international competitors. He believes the challenging heat and humidity will make it a tactical race, playing to his strengths, and prioritises a medal over a personal best. Karkera also highlights the advantage of his 1500m background and medical knowledge in his training.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has offered insights into Shubman Gill's captaincy style, comparing him to Hardik Pandya and noting Gill's reserved yet keen approach to leadership. Nehra also discussed the uncertain future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating it's too early to predict. He also touched upon his own coaching ambitions and reflected on past World Cup losses.
India women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne attributed his side's goalless draw against Australia, which led to their World Cup semi-final exit, to nerves and an inability to convert opportunities, despite calling the fifth-sixth place playoff a 'significant achievement'.
Indian shooter Rahi Sarnobat's Asian Games campaign was marred by a controversial scoring decision in the 25m sports pistol qualification. A shot she believed was on target was ruled to have hit the frame, resulting in a zero and severely impacting India's team medal chances. Sarnobat questioned the decision and the evidence, highlighting the need for a more effective challenge mechanism in competitive shooting.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal reflected on his gruelling three-hour Davis Cup loss to South Korea's Hyeon Chung, attributing the defeat to Chung's superior play, challenging court conditions, and missed opportunities. The loss contributed to India trailing 0-2 in the tie, with Nagal acknowledging the fine margins in the intense battle.
India failed to qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8 after losing 3-1 to Korea in the Qualifier Round 2 tie. Despite a fighting doubles victory by Dhakshineswar Suresh and N Sriram Balaji, Sumit Nagal's defeat in the reverse singles sealed India's fate, making Korea the first Asian team to reach the knockout stage under the new format.
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women's 10m air pistol at the Asian Games, an emotionally charged event for her following the recent death of her mentor and legendary coach Jaspal Rana. Bhaker broke down while recalling Rana's profound life and career advice, particularly his emphasis on process over outcome, which she tried to apply during her challenging performance.
Indian badminton doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, world No. 5, suffered a surprising first-round exit at the Asian Games, losing to Thailand's Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun. The duo cited a demanding schedule, lack of recovery, and mental struggles as factors, while also acknowledging their opponents' strong performance.
India's Davis Cup team secured a crucial doubles victory against Korea, with Dhakshineswar Suresh and N Sriram Balaji winning their match 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. This win keeps India's hopes alive after falling 0-2 behind in the tie. The pressure now shifts to Sumit Nagal to win his reverse singles match and complete a rare comeback.
Aryna Sabalenka's quest for a third consecutive US Open title concluded with a defeat to Elena Rybakina, a match where Sabalenka struggled with emotional control under pressure.
Seasoned spinner Axar Patel delivered a crucial final over, helping India clinch a narrow two-run victory against Japan in a rain-curtailed one-off T20 International in Sano, despite a challenging pitch and a low-scoring affair.
India is on the verge of a comprehensive series-sweeping victory against Sri Lanka in the second and final Test, despite a defiant 115-run partnership between Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92) and Kamindu Mendis (55) in Sri Lanka's follow-on innings.
Iran's women's kabaddi team faced immense challenges during their Asian Games preparations, including frequent camp changes due to regional conflict, psychological stress on young players, and difficulties arranging international friendly matches due to sanctions.
'You have to set new boundaries with your parents. This will be uncomfortable but necessary in the long run,' counsels rediffGURU Anu Krishna, a mind coach and co-founder of Unfear Changemakers.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal overcame a challenging start to secure India's first-ever bronze medal in the Asian Games skeet mixed team event. Their remarkable comeback, fueled by mutual support and a fighting spirit, culminated in a significant achievement for Indian shooting, adding to their individual medal tallies at the Games.
'When I was shooting the scene, I started welling up and I don't know why.'
Indian chess teams, both Open and Women's, face a significant challenge to defend their Chess Olympiad titles in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, after crucial losses and a historical 'winner's curse' where no Open section champion has successfully defended their title in the last five editions.
Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh clinched silver medals at the Asian Games, showcasing their potential despite falling short of gold against formidable Malaysian opponents and missing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
'I kept saying, we'll do it, but I had no clue how. Neither did my trainer. But we went in with the intention that no matter what, we will have to do this.'
'Manoj Kumarji had tears in his eyes after hearing my dad sing Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. He said, 'This is my voice for my desh bhakti songs".'
India's Davis Cup Final 8 aspirations are in peril after losing both singles matches to Korea in their Qualifier tie. Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal both squandered promising starts, leaving India trailing 0-2 and needing to win all three remaining matches to advance.
India's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra discusses the emotional and physical challenges of missing the Asian Games due to a ligament injury. He shares his process of accepting the setback, focusing on rehabilitation, and preparing for future competitions, while also offering advice to fellow athletes and aspiring javelin throwers.
India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the Sinquefield Cup after losing to American Wesley So in the Armageddon game, but secured his spot in the Grand Chess Tour finale later this year.
'The biggest difference between our marriage and that of our parents' generation is not simply that times have changed. It is that modern marriages require two people to continuously understand, support and adapt to each other while navigating a much more demanding world,' says Rahul Kulkarni.
Shafali Verma produced a stunning 15-ball blitz as India crushed Japan by eight wickets with 15 overs to spare and stormed into the Asian Games semi-finals.
Dhakshineswar Suresh lost to South Korea's Soonwoo Kwon in a hard-fought three-set match, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 tie. Despite a strong start, Suresh couldn't maintain his momentum against Kwon's improved play. Sumit Nagal now faces Hyeon Chung in the second singles rubber, with India needing a win to level the tie.
Organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have defended their decision to forgo an Athletes' Village, opting instead for a mix of hotels, container huts, and a cruise ship, despite complaints about cramped conditions and shared rooms.
Newly promoted Hull City secured a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, extending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to four matches, much to the delight of manager Sergej Jakirovic.
'I will never say never to a sequel.'
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton discusses the team's preparations for the Asian Games, aiming to defend their title and secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Asian Games, a major multi-sport event, has a long history of controversies extending beyond the sporting arena. From diplomatic disputes and selection rows to doping scandals and disputed decisions, these incidents have often highlighted the intersection of politics, national interests, and sports.
Ganges Grandmasters have secured a spot in the Global Chess League finals despite a loss to PBG Alaskan Knights. Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers, however, suffered a defeat against Triveni Continental Knights, leaving their final berth dependent on the outcome of the last league match. Key moments included Ian Nepomniachtchi's draw against Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen's first loss in the competition to Alireza Firouzja.
The Closing Auction Session (CAS) on expiry day led to unprecedented volatility in the Nifty 50 and Sensex, causing the indices to swing wildly in just 14 minutes and raising concerns among traders about market manipulation and increased speculation.
Iran's players say adversity has united Team Melli after a resilient 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive. A win over Egypt could secure a historic first-ever place in the last 32.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has clarified that young batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will need to wait for his T20I debut, prioritising consistent performers like Sanju Samson. Gambhir also addressed the impact of the Asian Games on the ODI squad selection for the upcoming West Indies series, highlighting opportunities for new talent.
Elena Rybakina overpowered Coco Gauff in a fierce US Open semi-final on Thursday to secure a title showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged Australia and cricket's powerbrokers to increase Test tours to the South Asian nation, emphasising its importance for his team to gain experience in diverse conditions and improve in the format.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated NorthEast United 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the Durand Cup semi-final. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was the hero, making two crucial saves to send Mohun Bagan into the final, where they will face arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the Kolkata Derby.
Former New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has identified KL Rahul as India's primary batter for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, praising his batting style and anticipating challenging cold conditions for the late October-November tour.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations and strategy for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlights the different challenge posed by lower-ranked opponents compared to the World Cup, emphasising the need for effective scoring and maintaining focus. Marijne also stresses using the World Cup disappointment as motivation for gold and the importance of humility and unity within the team.
