Veteran Sri Lankan batter Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out of the ongoing first Test against India in Galle due to concussion, sustained while fielding on day four. Pasindu Sooriyabandara has been approved as his concussion substitute.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has commented on Rohit Sharma's future in international cricket, particularly concerning the 2027 World Cup. Hayden believes Sharma's decision will hinge on his continued hunger and energy, given his retirement from Tests and T20Is, and the demanding schedule of both IPL and ODI cricket. Despite age-related questions, Sharma has continued to deliver strong performances, notably a century against England.
Sonal Dinusha's maiden Test hundred sparked Sri Lanka's fightback in Galle, but India retained firm control after bowling out the hosts for 284 to secure a 178-run lead.
Punjab Kings' Nehal Wadhera said head coach Ricky Ponting personally approached him and offered reassurance at a time when his confidence was affected by his lack of runs during IPL 2026.
Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Haryana, and Hockey Karnataka extended their winning streaks in the Women Junior National Championship. Karnataka delivered a dominant 9-0 victory over Goans Hockey, with Pearlin Ponnamma AG scoring four goals. Other teams like Hockey Bihar, Delhi Hockey, Hockey Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Hockey Madhya Pradesh also secured significant wins across various divisions and pools.
Nearly 600 tribal students abandoned a government-run hostel in Amravati, Maharashtra, after some girls exhibited strange behaviour, leading to claims of spirit possession. Officials suspect mental stress or selective hysteria, while local beliefs attribute the incidents to angry spirits from a cut 'mahua' tree or an encroached temple. Counselling efforts are underway to bring students back.
KL Rahul's patient half-century in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka highlights his evolving role as a consistent and strategic anchor for the Indian team. Despite a slower strike rate, his ability to stonewall spinners and build partnerships has been crucial, earning praise from coaches and teammates. This performance underscores his growing importance, especially after the departure of senior batters, as he aims to make a significant impact in the current Test series.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got a taste of the fact that international cricket isn't always child's play as England pacers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were fast and furious in clinically decimating India by a record 125 runs in the third T20 International in Nottingham on Tuesday.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has lauded young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting his courage, mental strength, and ability to perform under pressure. Hayden believes the 15-year-old has the potential to excel in both short and long formats of cricket, despite his recent T20I and IPL successes. Sooryavanshi's impressive performances, including a Player of the Series award in T20Is and a record-breaking IPL season, underscore his immense talent.
Devdutt Padikkal's maiden Test century put India firmly in control on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the visitors reaching 288/2 at stumps.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, powered by Tanzid Hasan's century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul.
Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, scored his first senior professional century for Lancashire in their One-Day Cup victory over Somerset.
Mitchell Starc surpassed Rangana Herath to become the most successful left-handed bowler in Test history with 434 wickets.
Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul performed well, but India captain Shubman Gill had a disappointing outing, getting dismissed for 16 runs. His dismissal, attempting a lofted shot against Prabath Jayasuriya on a flat pitch, led to significant criticism from fans on social media, who questioned his shot selection and recent form.
Australia were left staring at a stunning defeat after Bangladesh tightened their grip on the first Test in Darwin on Day 3. The hosts finished on 161/4, still 67 runs behind, with Cameron Green and Alex Carey facing a huge task to keep Australia in the contest.
Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja lauded young spinner Manav Suthar's opening delivery in the first Test against Sri Lanka, describing it as a 'left-arm spinner's dream ball' after it dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with sharp turn and bounce.
Two-time finalists India are placed fifth and face a challenging path to secure a top-two finish.
Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi in a thrilling opening-round clash at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Monday.
Former fighter pilot Andy Green has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered car at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, achieving a combined speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph) in the JCB Hydromax.
SC Delhi staged a remarkable second-half comeback, scoring five goals to defeat debutants FC Raengdai of Manipur 5-1 in the Durand Cup quarter-finals. After conceding an early goal, Joseph Sunny's brace, along with goals from Rodriguinho, Juan Sebastian Pena, and Augustine Lalrochana, secured their place in the semifinals.
Abhijeet Dipke, convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has initiated the 'School Thik Karo' campaign from his native village in Hingoli, Maharashtra, to address the alleged neglect of government schools and advocate for a fee cap on private educational institutions.
Rishabh Pant's dismissal for 39 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle has once again brought his shot selection under intense scrutiny, with fans and former cricketers criticising his inability to convert starts into bigger scores.
Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to reach her maiden Grand Slam final, setting up a historic all-Czech Wimbledon title clash against compatriot Karolina Muchova and extending Czech dominance.
Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has publicly addressed the alleged death threats received by him and his family over the past six months, stating that the matter has been reported to the police and expressing confidence in their action.
A maiden Test century is never just about three figures. It is a reflection of patience, perseverance, self-belief and the courage to wait for the right moment.
Sri Lanka fought back with seven wickets from Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha on rain-hit Day 2 of the first Test, but Devdutt Padikkal's superb 167 powered India to 460-9.
'It seems unlikely that organisations will be a bunch of individuals who work on their own and there are no teams anymore, because that is not sustainable.'
A former FIFA referee has questioned the new VAR protocol after fresh controversy involving Argentina, warning that fan confidence in World Cup officiating has been "completely eroded."
France's journey to the World Cup semi-finals is not just about star players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but also a deep-seated unity and player-led analysis forged in private conversations and hotel rooms, according to midfielders Adrien Rabiot and defender Jules Kounde.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay actively participated in a 6 km anti-drug marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach, running alongside thousands of participants. This marks a historic first for a sitting CM in the state to complete such an event for a social cause, drawing praise from political figures and reinforcing the government's commitment to a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder in the Global Chess League franchise American Gambits. Pique, known for his illustrious football career, expressed his long-standing fascination with chess and his ambition to elevate the sport's global appeal. The fourth edition of the Global Chess League, featuring top grandmasters, is scheduled for September 3-13.
Bangladesh savoured their first taste of Test cricket in Australia for 23 years on Thursday as they skittled the world's top-ranked side for less than 200 and went to stumps in command at 96 for one on the first day of the series-opener in Darwin.
Girls at a government-run residential school in Lucknow staged a protest, the second in four days, demanding more teachers and better class conduct. The demonstration disrupted traffic, leading to official intervention and ongoing discussions with students regarding their grievances, which include a lack of science teachers despite approaching board exams.
Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle, becoming the second Indian, and first Test centurion, to achieve this feat on Independence Day, joining Virat Kohli in an elite list.
Mike McCabe, COO and Deputy CEO of the Esports Foundation, believes India has "more potential than any country on the planet" for esports, citing its enormous fan base, improving competitive ecosystem, and evolving policy environment as key drivers for rapid acceleration in the sport.
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is 'extremely optimistic and well-prepared' for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, believing that runs will flow if he trusts his game, despite a recent drought of Test centuries.
Bangladesh have moved above India to fourth position in the ICC World Test Championship standings after securing a historic nine-wicket victory against Australia in the first Test in Darwin.
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.
Indian Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi have successfully navigated the lower bracket of the Esports World Cup chess tournament in Paris, securing their spots in the quarter-finals. The duo will now compete in the knockout stage, aiming for the US$1.5 million prize pool.
The Indian Parliament remains deadlocked as the Opposition, led by the Congress, insists on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply to discussions on alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and student protests, rejecting the government's offer for Home Minister Amit Shah to respond.
