'With this deal, we may see even 50 launches a year within the next few years.'
Sri Lankan cricket officials are considering a balanced pitch for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), moving away from a spin-friendly track. This decision aims to provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers, similar to the Galle pitch, and support their young batting lineup. The SSC pitch character has evolved over the years, with less home advantage since the retirement of legendary players.
For the first time since 1998, no Indian umpire or technical official will be present at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, a situation that has left former international officials disappointed and calling for a structured pathway to develop and support Indian officiating talent.
The central government has revamped the Khelo India Scheme's funding pattern, allocating a Rs 565 crore component for states to co-share the cost of future sports infrastructure development projects over a five-year plan. This new model, part of a Rs 29,054 crore outlay, aims to increase state ownership and participation in sports development, significantly expanding the scheme's reach and athlete base.
Noida International Airport has officially commenced flight operations with an IndiGo flight from Lucknow making the inaugural landing, followed by a takeoff to Lucknow, carrying 172 villagers whose land was acquired for the project.
Indian companies, including NBFCs, filed proposals with the RBI to raise $6.08 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in June, marking a significant increase from the previous month.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has assured continued government support to trap shooter Neeru Dhanda and pistol ace Esha Singh, who recently achieved historic gold medals at ISSF World Cups. Mandaviya highlighted shooting as a priority sport for India, with significant investment in athlete development programs like TOPS and Khelo India, aiming for future Olympic and Commonwealth Games success.
'ISRO will not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or public sector undertakings.'
TVS Motor Company has launched the TVS Apache Junior Programme, a new initiative to identify and train young racing talent aged 10-14 years. The programme, conducted at the Madras International Karting Arena, provides structured training using purpose-built TVS Apache RR 200 Mini motorcycles, aiming to create a clear pathway for aspiring riders into professional motorsport.
Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh is intensifying his bowling practice and rebuilding his fielding confidence during the off-season camp, aiming for an India call-up by excelling in his all-rounder role in the upcoming domestic season.
'The prime minister has given us the task of taking at least 300 satellites to orbit in the next five to six years.'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accused anti-India forces of using social media to spread rumours and mislead society, calling it a 'medium' for conspiracies against the country. He also criticised the alleged historical neglect of Indian revolutionaries in favour of one political family.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan has criticised the current generation of pacers for their lack of skill development, attributing it to Pakistan's decline in Test cricket. He emphasised the importance of artful bowling over mere speed and highlighted how T20 cricket and internal politics are hindering player development.
Ashish Yadav, a 19-year-old javelin thrower, won a silver medal at the World Under-20 championships, becoming the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to achieve this feat. Despite his sporting success and significant improvement in performance through systematic training in Hisar, Yadav continues to search for a job to support his family, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many aspiring athletes.
Indian banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are undertaking a comprehensive review and reset of their engagement terms with fintech firms, driven by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) draft Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance and the stringent compliance requirements of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its 2025 Rules.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened higher, driven by a significant drop in crude oil prices and a positive trend in global equities, with foreign fund inflows further bolstering domestic markets.
The world motorsport body FIA has strongly endorsed 11-year-old Indian racer Atiqa Mir, highlighting her as a rising star redefining the future of the sport. Atiqa, the first Indian backed by the F1 Academy, has achieved significant success in European karting series, including a pole position and top-10 finishes in FIA European Championship rounds.
Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed outrage over deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's media interaction in New Delhi, saying the event has hurt the sentiments of its people and could adversely affect efforts to improve bilateral ties with India.
Former world No. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal has stated that India's true measure as a 'sporting nation' will be its position in the global medals tally, not just hosting major tournaments. She highlighted the significant progress made by women in sports but emphasised the need for better financial backing, sponsorships, and comprehensive support systems including psychologists and proper coaching from an early age to nurture more champions.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, focusing on the India-China boundary question and enhancing bilateral relations. These crucial discussions precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit, aiming to address persistent border differences and stabilise ties strained by past conflicts like the Galwan Valley clash.
Sri Lanka's head coach Gary Kirsten expressed satisfaction with his team's developing approach to Test cricket despite a loss to India. He highlighted the team's fight and resilience, particularly after a poor start in their first innings, and praised young batter Sonal Dinusha. Kirsten also provided an update on key player injuries ahead of the next Test.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.
'There needs to be a monitoring of glaciers in high altitude areas and one needs to check regularly how geological changes are taking place.' 'We can mitigate that by regular monitoring but unfortunately, hardly any monitoring is happening.' 'And without monitoring those higher altitudes of Himalayas, people are suffering.'
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has not joined the Indian team in Colombo for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He is undergoing recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with his availability for the series to be decided in the coming days.
In her address to the nation on the eve of the country's 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's University of Tsukuba to facilitate specialised training and exchange programmes for Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in various sports-related fields and boost India's international competitiveness, especially in disciplines like athletics, archery, table tennis, swimming, and judo.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged PSBs to become 'cool' and shed their 'government bank' image to attract young customers.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has launched the ISSF Shotgun Referee Course in New Delhi, a five-day programme aimed at developing internationally qualified technical officials for shooting sports. The course, led by ISSF instructor Nooruddin Alyasi, attracts participants from India, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka, signifying a major step towards enhancing officiating standards and technical infrastructure in the region.
VVS Laxman is reportedly being considered to replace Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector for the BCCI, whose extended tenure ends next month.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and badminton legend Pullela Gopichand have launched the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE), an initiative designed to strengthen India's sports coaching landscape.
Telangana's EAGLE Force, in coordination with Customs and NCB, has dismantled an international 'OG Ganja' smuggling ring operating between Bangkok and India. The operation led to the arrest of a woman junior artist and the seizure of 2.15 kg of cannabis, exposing a larger syndicate that exploits vulnerable women as drug carriers.
Former India women's hockey team captain Asunta Lakra has challenged the ethics proceedings initiated against her by Hockey India, citing procedural irregularities and questioning the Ethics Committee's jurisdiction. Lakra denied all allegations as 'false, baseless, malicious, motivated and defamatory' and is seeking full disclosure of documents before providing a detailed reply.
The Narcotics Control Bureau has busted an international drug syndicate involved in trafficking Captagon, seizing approximately 227.7 kg of the 'jihadi drug' worth Rs 182 crore.
The last major business daily to launch in India was Financial Chronicle in April 2008, preceded by Mint on February 1, 2007.
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has urged state universities to establish a robust sports-friendly ecosystem to identify and develop exceptional sports persons capable of representing India. He highlighted the importance of sports in national development and student skill-building, advocating for greater participation from rural and tribal youth.
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.
GE Aerospace is utilising artificial intelligence solutions, developed by its Bengaluru team, to significantly improve aircraft engine inspection, analytics, and maintenance. These innovations have reduced turnaround times by at least five days, enhancing engine durability, reliability, and time on wing, with specific tools like the AI-enabled Blade Inspection Tool cutting inspection times by 50%.
Indian hurdler Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan is heading to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with high confidence, following impressive performances at the Paris Olympics and Asian Athletics Championships. He attributes his success to consistent training at the Inspire Institute of Sport and is focused on delivering his best performance while representing India.
Former Netherlands batter Ryan ten Doeschate has been appointed as the head of cricket strategy for Kolkata Knight Riders, overseeing talent acquisition, development, and strategic direction across KKR's global teams, following the end of his tenure as assistant coach with the Indian team.
Scientists are examining how a possible glacial collapse and ice-rock avalanche may have triggered the devastating flash floods along Nepal's Bhote Koshi River, with preliminary assessments indicating that debris may have temporarily blocked the Lhende River and created a landslide dam that subsequently gave way.
