Seven players from the Kabaddi Champions League, including Naveen Goyat and Surjeet Narwal, have been selected for the Indian men's squad participating in the Commonwealth Championship in Ahmedabad from October 23 to October 31, highlighting the league's role in national team development.
World champion Pramod Bhagat and Paralympic gold-winner Kumar Nitesh have assured India of medals at the Asian Para Games by reaching the men's singles SL3 semifinals. Other Indian shuttlers, including Krishna Nagar, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan, Manisha Ramdass, Sanjana Kumari, Abhijeet Sakhuja, Suhas LY, and Hardik Makkar, also delivered strong performances, advancing in various categories and securing multiple medals for the country.
The Delhi Golf Club is set to host the star-studded DP World India Championship from October 15 to 18, featuring top golfers like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and other Major winners. The USD 4 million event, held at the historic venue, aims to boost golf's profile in India and offer young Indian players a chance to learn from the best.
Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has launched the Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS) in Indore, marking its first centre in Madhya Pradesh. The academy aims to provide world-class training to local talent, addressing challenges in Indian football development, such as providing proper platforms and fostering a football culture, especially among the youth.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) is set to begin in Hyderabad on Thursday, featuring Olympic medallists and recent Asian Games stars. The six-team franchise competition will host leading recurve and compound archers from India and abroad, running from October 8 to 18 with a unique faster shooting format.
India's Women's T20 team secured a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first match of the bilateral series on Friday, overcoming an early batting collapse thanks to a crucial partnership between debutant Niki Prasad and veteran Deepti Sharma. Zimbabwe, led by Kelis Ndhlovu and Sharne Mayers, posted 114 for five.
The DP World India Championship, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and DP World PGTI, is set to begin at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday. The event features top international golfers like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, alongside a strong Indian contingent including Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, and Veer Ahlawat, who are vying for the DP World PGTI Order of Merit title and a spot on the DP World Tour.
Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel, along with Baby Sahana Ravi, Shubham Wadhwa, and Jehan Madan, secured impressive victories in their opening matches at the Asian Para Games table tennis competition on Friday, showcasing India's strong start in the event.
India's highly anticipated women's 10m air pistol team, featuring Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Suruchi Inder Singh, failed to secure a medal at the Asian Games, with only Bhaker reaching the individual final and finishing fifth. Despite this setback, India managed to win two bronze medals in the men's and women's skeet events, bringing the total shooting tally to seven. The performance has raised questions about India's shooting selection policies and preparation, especially given the contrast with previous Games. Manu Bhaker also spoke about personal challenges, including the recent death of her coach.
Indian Hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, known as the 'Wall of Indian hockey', expressed her desire for Priyanka Chopra Jonas to portray her in a biographical film. Punia, who recently led India to significant achievements, shared her inspiration from Priyanka's journey and her own life story, including early responsibilities and personal interests.
Indian archers, fresh from their stellar performance at the Asian Games, are set to compete in the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) starting October 8 in Hyderabad. The league will feature 48 archers across six franchises, including Asian Games medallists like Kumkum Anil Mohod, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, alongside international stars.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to Indian shooters for their impressive performance at the Asian Games, securing both gold and silver medals. She specifically lauded Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh for their gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, and Niraj Kumar for their silver in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event.
India is set to begin its Asian Games shooting campaign in Nagoya with a formidable 30-member squad, featuring Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and other world-class performers. The team aims to build on its previous success, with strong prospects in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events, facing a significant challenge from China.
US Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek has expressed strong support for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Citing his personal connection through his Indian girlfriend, golfer Sharmila Nicollet, and his admiration for the country's diverse culture, Bednarek believes India would be an ideal host, offering a unique experience for athletes and visitors. India is among seven nations vying for the 2036 Games, also planning bids for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2038 Asian Games.
Brazil has announced its 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for a historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. This landmark fixture follows Brazil's Australia tour and promises a grand spectacle for Indian football fans.
'It is possible that the attackers might have been ordered not to kill.'
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is set to begin on Sunday, featuring several prominent India cricketers like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their participation aims to provide valuable red-ball practice and fine-tune skills, while also offering a platform for players like Mohammed Shami to impress selectors. The tournament will also highlight emerging young talents from various states.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Season 2 auction is set to take place on Saturday in New Delhi, featuring over 300 players and a total player purse of Rs 5 crore. Prominent players like Naveen Goyat, Sunil Malik, and Ayan Lochab, along with other Asian Games squad members, are expected to be key attractions for the 10 franchises, including new additions Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars.
Four senior Indian hockey players, including Mandeep Singh and Amit Rohidas, have expressed surprise and disappointment over reports that they are set to retire after the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. The players, who recently won gold at the Asian Games, stated they were not consulted and are keen to continue playing, with eyes on the 2028 Olympics.
Hyderabad secured an innings and 40-run victory over Tripura on the third day of their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Elite Group B match. Pacers Tanay Thyagarajan and Mohammad Siraj led the bowling attack, bundling out Tripura for 120 in their second innings. Hyderabad earned seven points from the match, including a bonus point.
Four Indian players in the ICC ODI top 10 highlight India's remarkable depth, giving the team a strong pool of match-winners ahead of major ODI assignments.
Brazil has announced a 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for their historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is overseeing a significant rebuild, integrating young talent with experienced players, with an eye on future tournaments like the 2028 Olympics and 2030 World Cup. The squad includes several debutants and a focus on current form, marking a new strategic direction for the Selecao.
Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.
India captain Shubman Gill and opener Shafali Verma have been named ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month, respectively, for October. Gill received the award for the fifth time following his stellar performance in the ODI series against the West Indies, while Verma was recognised for her impressive show in the Asia Cup and Asian Games, marking her second win.
Vikash Dhorasoo, the first Indian-origin player in a FIFA World Cup, expresses strong belief in India's potential to reach football's biggest stage. Visiting India for a friendly match against Brazil, Dhorasoo highlights the importance of method, clear objectives, and leveraging players of Indian origin to elevate the national team's level. He also offers his coaching expertise to help develop young talent in India.
Indian shooting contingent members, including Elavenil Valarivan, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anantjit Singh Naruka, and Raiza Dhillon, received a warm welcome upon their return to Delhi after winning medals at the Asian Games. Elavenil expressed confidence despite missing gold, highlighting her win against world and Olympic champions.
Smriti Mandhana's explosive 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong in the Women's T20 Asia Cup saw her surpass Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning to become the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women's international cricket, drawing widespread praise from the cricket community.
The Indian men's chess team secured a dominant 3.5-0.5 victory over Uzbekistan-2, placing them in sole second position at the 46th Chess Olympiad. The Indian women's team drew 2-2 with leaders China, maintaining their third-place standing. Both teams are well-positioned for medals as the tournament approaches its final stages.
Indian table tennis players had a strong showing at the Asian Games, with two women's doubles pairs, Sreeja Akula-Syndrela Das and Yashaswini Ghorpade-Diya Chitale, reaching the pre-quarterfinals. In men's singles, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar also advanced to the next rounds.
Twenty-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Niki Prasad made her senior India debut in the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Friday.
Indian golf stars Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will spearhead a 27-member Indian contingent at the USD four million DP World India Championship. They will compete against a formidable international field, including seven Major winners like Rory McIlroy, at the Delhi Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
India's Asian Para Games campaign saw a remarkable performance, particularly in athletics, securing five gold medals on Tuesday. Nishad Kumar and Deepthi Jeevanji were standout performers, both setting new Games records and clinching multiple golds. The nation's overall medal tally reached 35 by the end of day two, with significant contributions from shooting, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, archery, and badminton, promising further success.
Haryana's athletes, who secured an impressive 32 medals including 14 gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, received a warm welcome from Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam. The minister and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lauded their performance, highlighting the state's significant contribution to India's overall medal tally and its strong sporting culture.
Kris Srikkanth questioned whether India's star-studded Afghanistan squad was picked out of fear after recent defeats, arguing the series offered an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.
Sprinter Simran Sharma has been named India's new flag bearer for the Para Asian Games opening ceremony, replacing table tennis player Bhavina Patel. The change was made to ensure Patel gets adequate rest ahead of her crucial quarter-final match on October 19, as the journey to the venue is physically demanding.
Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Suryakumar Yadav, along with other notable figures like Harbhajan Singh, attended the Ambani family's annual Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at their residence, Antilia, a high-profile event known for attracting celebrities.
The Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, are set to feature top athletes across various disciplines. This preview highlights key contenders like swimmers Pan Zhanle, javelin throwers Haruka Kitaguchi and Arshad Nadeem, badminton star An Se-young, gymnastic sensation Carlos Yulo, tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala, and the formidable Indian cricket teams, all poised to make a significant impact.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
India's teenage tennis sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran has made a significant mark on the professional circuit by winning the W35 Lagos tournament in Portugal, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve a pro singles title since Sania Mirza. The 17-year-old, who also secured the doubles crown, views this as just the beginning of her professional journey, aiming to compete in more senior events and improve her world ranking. She recently moved her training base to France and plans to focus on physical and technical improvements in the coming months.
India's track and field contingent delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Para Games, securing 22 medals, including five gold, and propelling the nation to fifth in the overall standings. Sprinter Simran, high-jumper Praveen Kumar, and shot-putter Sachin Khilari notably set new Games records, contributing significantly to India's medal tally across various para-sports.
