The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the New Zealand Esports Federation (NZ Esports) have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and exchange knowledge in the esports sector. This initiative coincides with the 100 Years of Unity Through Sport celebrations, featuring Indian gamers competing in eFootball and Clash Royale in Auckland.
RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta stated that India's economic growth momentum remains strong despite various global and domestic shocks, attributing this resilience to a diversified growth base and improved policy responses. She highlighted the economy's 7.8 per cent growth in Q1 and continued momentum into Q2, suggesting potential upgrades to growth forecasts.
Centurion Glenn Phillips (107 off 49 balls) and Michael Bracewell (65 off 25 balls) forged a blistering 115-run partnership off just 41 balls, propelling New Zealand to a massive 259 for seven, their highest-ever T20 International total against India, in the fourth T20I in Auckland.
Devdutt Padikkal's exceptional form and the inclusion of pacer Mohammed Siraj are set to bolster India A as they face New Zealand A in the second unofficial four-day Test starting on Saturday. The series serves as crucial preparation for India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with several players vying to make an impression. India A will look for more consistency from their batting unit after a mixed performance in the first match, which ended in a draw despite their strong comeback.
Head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the Indian women's cricket team is poised to dominate white-ball formats within two years, citing a strong talent pipeline from age-group cricket. He emphasizes a coaching philosophy focused on winning, discipline, and intense practice, drawing parallels to his Mumbai cricket upbringing. Muzumdar also highlights team unity and a positive dressing room atmosphere as crucial for success, similar to factors behind India's ODI World Cup win last November.
A 14-member Indian boxing contingent, including Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jaismine and Arundhati Choudhary, will participate in the 46th International Tammer Tournament in Tampere, Finland. The tournament, running from October 28 to November 2, aims to provide international exposure and build depth in Olympic weight categories for Indian pugilists.
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, marking their 200th victory in men's T20 Internationals. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy's unbeaten 69-run partnership secured the win, giving India a 2-0 series lead.
India has stated that the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is disturbed by Chinese forces diverging from established patrolling patterns, emphasising that maintaining peace and tranquillity is essential for bilateral relations. This statement follows remarks by the ITBP Director General about ongoing confrontations. Both nations are utilising diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve issues and improve LAC understanding. Recent high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have focused on rebuilding trust and respect after the 2020 Galwan clashes, including a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.
Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh has highlighted the need for greater discipline and sharper man-marking for the Indian team to bridge the gap with top European sides and Australia. He acknowledged India's progress in ball possession and overall fitness but stressed the importance of disciplined play. Singh also commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the Asian Champions Trophy and expressed confidence in India's chances as hosts.
Devdutt Padikkal made a strong case for the No. 3 spot in India's Test team with a superb 199 as India A fought back from a disastrous start to post 488 for 8 in their second innings against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test on Monday.
'Pyre is a very small story about two people. But I hope that through their lives, we can see a much larger story -- of migration, ageing, loneliness, belonging and a changing India.'
India A were denied a sensational come-from-behind victory against New Zealand A in the first unofficial 'Test' due to bad light, despite pacer Auqib Nabi's incisive spell and Devdutt Padikkal's near double-century setting up a thrilling chase.
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has attributed India's 2-0 lead in the ongoing T20I series to their exceptional death bowling. Bracewell noted that the Indian bowlers effectively built pressure in the final overs, preventing the Black Caps from posting higher totals despite high-scoring games. He acknowledged the challenge posed by India's in-form openers and highlighted the need for New Zealand to deliver a complete performance to turn the tide.
India's para-athletes concluded their Asian Para Games campaign with an unprecedented 114 medals, including 30 gold, marking their best performance to date. The final day was particularly successful, yielding nine gold medals across various disciplines. Notable achievements included world records set by Mona Agarwal in shooting, and Sandeep and Haney in athletics. Shuttlers Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar secured individual golds, while archer Harvinder Singh also contributed to the gold tally. The swimming contingent also exceeded expectations with 11 medals.
Five-time champions India began their Asian Champions Trophy hockey campaign with a dominant 13-0 victory over Bangladesh. Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Hardik Singh each netted a brace, showcasing India's strong title defence.
India, five-time champions and recent Asian Games gold medallists, are strong favourites to win the six-nation Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament kicking off in Jalandhar. The tournament marks the return of international hockey to Punjab after 17 years, with many Indian players set to play in front of their home crowd. India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on Tuesday, with the semifinals and final scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Mohali. Four senior players are reportedly playing their final assignment for the national team.
India's women's cricket team, having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, will play the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, aiming for a clean sweep. Key performances from Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, and Vaishnavi Sharma have ensured comprehensive victories for India, while Zimbabwe seeks to put up a stronger fight.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has offered a unique piece of advice to the Test specialists preparing to face the challenging wind conditions at Wellington's Basin Reserve: 'Stand near a powerful fan to counter the speedy wind.' This unconventional preparation aims to help players adapt to the 120 kmph winds prevalent in 'Windy Wellington,' which can significantly impact batting and bowling.
India has issued an advisory to its nationals in Saudi Arabia, urging them to abide by local rules and regulations, particularly regarding filming or publishing information about missile and drone interceptions. This comes amidst escalating regional tensions and recent drone and missile attacks. The advisory also includes updates on flight suspensions by Air India and Air India Express to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah, with some suspensions extending until 2026. Indian missions are providing assistance to affected nationals and liaising with Saudi authorities.
Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has emphasised the team's focus on improving its defensive performance ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy. India, chasing a record sixth title, will face Bangladesh in their opener on Tuesday. Harmanpreet stated that despite being favourites, the team will not underestimate any opponent and views the tournament as a crucial platform for both experienced players and youngsters, as well as preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has opened up about the immense pressure he felt after taking over captaincy from Virat Kohli following India's humiliating 36 all-out in Adelaide. Rahane revealed he used a "bluff" strategy against Australia and the media, while also inspiring his severely depleted team to a historic 2-1 series victory Down Under in 2020-21. He emphasised the importance of putting on a brave face and playing for the nation despite injuries and challenging COVID-19 quarantine conditions.
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams both secured dominant victories in their opening matches at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad. The women's team defeated Malaysia 73-13, while the men's team beat England 46-26, showcasing strong performances in both raiding and tackling.
India has issued a fresh advisory for its nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims, in Saudi Arabia due to ongoing flight cancellations and regional tensions. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah is providing assistance, coordinating with Saudi authorities, and helping facilitate the early return of affected individuals amidst disruptions caused by drone and missile attacks.
Delhi Police has announced elaborate security and traffic arrangements for the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Over 4,000 police personnel, along with CAPF companies, will be deployed, with the venue divided into 14 zones and monitored by over 200 CCTV cameras and drones. Traffic diversions are planned, and organisers have been instructed on crowd management and conduct, while local traders express concerns about business disruption.
Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls secured a thrilling four-wicket win for India against New Zealand in the first T20I, showcasing his potential as a reliable finisher for the national side, drawing praise from cricket legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Shastri.
Ishan Kishan's injury has left the door ajar for the 15 year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was seen batting during India's optional practice session on Friday.
The Indian men's kabaddi team secured a spot in the semifinals of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship with a commanding 48-20 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday. India displayed an all-round performance, leading from the start and inflicting multiple all-outs. Other matches saw Kenyan women, Malaysian women, Bangladesh, and Canada also register significant wins in their respective categories.
The third and final edition of the Chennai Open WTA 250 tournament begins, offering Indian wild card entrants Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi a crucial last opportunity to earn ranking points on home soil. The tournament marks India's exit from the WTA main Tour calendar, making it a significant event for the local players to test their skills against an international field, despite a depleted draw due to withdrawals.
Sivakasi, India's fireworks capital, is eyeing global markets as green crackers, rising demand and interest from overseas buyers offer a chance to challenge China's dominance.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has opened applications for the roles of fielding coach for the women's national team and head physiotherapist for the men's national team. The deadline for submissions is November 16, with specific experience and responsibilities outlined for each position.
Ahmedabad, India, has been selected to host the senior Weightlifting World Championships in 2029, marking the first time India will host this prestigious event. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced the decision after its executive board meeting, also awarding the 2030 championships to Moscow and youth events to Kosovo and Venezuela.
The Congress party and the INDIA bloc are planning a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of violating the Constitution and subverting electoral democracy. This comes after alleged denials of permission for their event, which they claim is an attempt by the government to silence criticism. The JD(U) has criticised the move as an insult to Parliament and the judiciary.
Manisha Bhanwala became India's first woman wrestling world champion, dedicating her historic gold medal victory to her late father, Suresh, whose dream it was for her to achieve this feat. Her journey was marked by personal tragedy and immense resilience, culminating in a powerful display of dedication.
Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha's re-election hopes have been reignited after she was nominated by the Ice Hockey Association of India as one of its representatives to the IOA General Body on Thursday. This nomination comes despite her recent loss in the Sportspersons of Merit polls. Questions have arisen regarding her eligibility, as IOA rules require nominated members to be part of the concerned National Sports Federation. The electoral college for the December 5 IOA Executive Council polls is being finalised, with various NSFs submitting their nominations.
A strong India A squad, featuring senior team members like KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will play New Zealand A in a four-day match starting Saturday, serving as crucial preparation for the senior team's upcoming two-Test series.
India's venture capital equity funding for startups has remained largely flat over the past three years, with a slight increase in total funding but a sharp decline in the number of rounds, indicating a concentration of capital in fewer, larger deals, particularly in deeptech and AI sectors.
Indian athletes achieved a historic performance at the recently concluded Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, securing 10 medals, including two unprecedented boxing gold medals. A contingent of 17 athletes brought home 2 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze medals across seven disciplines, marking India's second-best performance in the event's history.
The Supreme Court has ruled that foreign nationals can be granted bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) if their initial entry into India was legal and authorised, even if they overstayed their visa. This decision upheld a Madras High Court order granting bail to a Sri Lankan national accused in a terror case, stating that the prosecution failed to prove illegal entry. The court clarified the conjunctive conditions of Section 43D(7) of UAPA, emphasising that both foreign nationality and unauthorised entry must be proven to deny bail.
India's manufacturing and services sectors are set to create over 35 crore new jobs by 2030, necessitating urgent skilling and industry-academia collaboration. Key sectors like automotive, logistics, telecom, clean energy, and textiles will drive this growth, highlighting the need for competency-driven learning to prepare the workforce.
New Zealand's pace bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have been ruled out of the remaining two T20 Internationals against India due to calf and quad injuries, respectively, dealing a significant blow to the Black Caps' squad.
