Former Pakistan hockey players have expressed deep concern over the national team's poor performance at the World Cup, advocating for an immediate injection of fresh talent and a focus on the upcoming Asian Games. They attribute the sport's decline to cricket's dominance and a failure to adapt to modern hockey, urging the federation to prioritise competitive success to regain public interest.
Pakistan's senior selector Aaqib Javed has challenged former cricketers to actively contribute to grassroots development instead of merely criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national team on television. He emphasised the importance of sharing expertise with youngsters and highlighted modern digital scouting methods.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Rashid Khan has sarcastically suggested that senior selector Aaqib Javed be made the non-playing captain for all formats, following Javed's public criticism of the team's captain, coaches, and player selections. Khan expressed anguish over the current state of Pakistan cricket and questioned the PCB chairman's actions regarding player morale.
Travis Head launched a fiery defence of Australia's Test team, lambasting former players for unfair criticism while backing Nic Maddinson's recall and dismissing doubts over his opening role.
India's para badminton chief K Prabhakar Rao has criticised former head coach Gaurav Khanna for publicly predicting the country's medal tally a day before the Asian Para Games finals. Rao stated that Khanna's comments put players under psychological pressure, potentially costing India more gold medals. Players have lodged a formal complaint seeking an inquiry and disciplinary action against Khanna, who had predicted fewer medals than India ultimately won.
Former cricketers raise concerns over ICC's policy of awarding Test status based on limited-overs performance, following Afghanistan's heavy defeat to India.
Veteran batter Paras Dogra has become only the second player to feature in 150 Ranji Trophy matches, joining Wasim Jaffer. Dogra achieved this milestone during his side's match against Baroda on Monday. He has been a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, also having played in the IPL.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has branded the club's players 'selfish' and 'like babies' following their 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, after captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned the coaching staff's tactics.
Sunil Gavaskar launched "Sanjay Jagdale: Rag-Rag Mein Cricket," a book detailing the life and contributions of former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale. Gavaskar praised Jagdale's dedication to cricket, highlighting his roles as player, coach, and administrator, and expressed hope that the book would inspire young cricketers.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) mini-auction in Kochi on Wednesday will see 146 players, including capped Indian and international cricketers, go under the hammer. Teams like UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians will bid for 27 available spots, with a focus on Indian talent and strategic backups for the WPL 2027 season.
Former Pakistan captain Shan Masood is racing against time to recover from a calf muscle injury ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. His place in the playing XI is uncertain, especially with selectors and coach Mike Hesson looking to introduce younger players into the Test squad for the next World Test Championship cycle. Masood, who had an unsuccessful run as Test captain, fears his injury might be used as a reason to sideline him.
Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey created history by becoming India's first para table tennis players to secure medals in the standing category at the Asian Para Games. India clinched a total of four bronze medals in the event, surpassing its previous medal tally. Paralympics medallists Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel also contributed to the country's success.
Indian tennis greats Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have filed nominations for the AITA Sports Person of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections, seeking representation in the General Body and Executive Committee. Notably, Leander Paes surprisingly did not file his nomination for the November 7 polls, making him ineligible to run for AITA Presidency. The SOM framework aims to integrate sportspersons into the governance of national sports federations.
Former world No. 1 Rohan Bopanna and Australian Open winner Rinky Hijikata have been announced as marquee players for the upcoming Tennis Premier League (TPL). The league, featuring a mix of international and Indian talent, will hold its player auction on October 12, with matches scheduled from December 8-13. Other notable international players include Roman Burruchaga, Terence Atmane, Dalibor Svrcina, Dino Prizmic, Adam Walton, and Alexandre Muller.
Jude Bellingham has lauded Harry Kane as England's 'greatest-ever player' after the captain marked his record-equalling 125th appearance with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 Nations League victory over the Czech Republic.
VVS Laxman, who coached the Indian team at the Asian Games, lauded Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, highlighting his meticulous preparation, sharp tactical understanding, and ability to assess opposition strengths as key to his success.
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.
Newly-appointed Karnataka head coach R Vinay Kumar believes his primary challenge will be understanding and adapting to the mindset of current generation players, who he feels 'need more freedom' to perform effectively.
From Mithun Chakraborty and Vidya Balan to S J Suryah and Hrithik Roshan, Jailer 2 boasts an eclectic new cast. Here's a look at the fresh faces joining Rajinikanth's Tiger Muthuvel Pandian and the films you know them from.
Former Indian tennis greats Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, and Rohan Bopanna, along with other prominent sportspersons, have applied for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) positions within the All India Tennis Association (AITA). This move aligns with new national sports governance rules aimed at increasing sportsperson representation in federations. The AITA received 26 applications, and the selection process for SOM representatives is expected to conclude on November 5, with AITA elections scheduled for November 27.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs to secure the gold medal in the Asian Games cricket final, a match that passed without any major controversy despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions and the conspicuous absence of customary handshakes between the teams.
Former Mumbai Indians player Kieron Pollard has been appointed as the new head coach for the IPL 2027 season, replacing Mahela Jayawardene.
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.
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have announced former India pace bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for the IPL 2027 season, replacing long-serving Stephen Fleming.
Shubman Gill's record 223 not out sparked widespread praise as India chased 406 against West Indies, with the captain rewriting multiple ODI records and leading a historic eight-wicket victory.
Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach for the Delhi Capitals. Mishra, an IPL veteran who played 10 seasons for the franchise, joins a high-profile support staff.
Australian captain Sophie Molineux was the costliest buy at the Women's Premier League auction, fetching Rs 1.1 crore from UP Warriorz. Other significant buys included Kiran Navgire for Delhi Capitals and Grace Harris for UP Warriorz. Several prominent players, including Saika Ishaque and Chamari Athapaththu, went unsold, while teams also focused on acquiring uncapped Indian and international talent. Team officials shared insights into their auction strategies.
The Election Commission has allotted the 'Football Player' symbol to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, while the rival Arup Roy-led group will contest with the 'Envelope' symbol.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced he will not contest for a position on the Indian Olympic Association's Executive Board, despite being on the list of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit eligible for the upcoming elections on December 5. Bindra also shared his views on India's performance at the recent Asian Games and the record-breaking success at the Asian Para Games.
Pakistan's axed players were summoned to attend a meeting with King Charles amid PCB fears over a low turnout.
IPL players' auction for the 2027 season is slated to be held in India, marking a return after three overseas editions, with league chairman Arun Dhumal expressing a strong desire for a domestic venue.
South Korean male professional tennis players face a unique challenge: mandatory military service, which interrupts their careers for 18 months. This article explores how players like Seong-chan Hong, Hyeon Chung, and Soonwoo Kwon adapt to this obligation, with some earning exemptions through sporting achievements while others navigate a return to the professional circuit after their service.
Indian World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav led his New York Yankees team to victory in a unique three-on-three tournament in Mumbai, blending cricket and baseball with ex-Major League Baseball players.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has unveiled his current ODI World XI, notably omitting Suryakumar Yadav and Harry Brook, while naming Rohit Sharma as captain. His selection features a mix of players from India, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies, ahead of the India-New Zealand ODI series.
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.
ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave has labelled legends leagues, featuring retired players, as a "real grey area" due to their unsanctioned nature and potential "reputational risk" to cricket. He highlighted concerns about corruption allegations, citing a Sri Lankan league incident, and stressed the importance of distinguishing these from official cricket structures. Ephgrave also noted an increase in players reporting corrupt approaches, attributing it to improved ACU engagement.
Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha, and Mohammad Suleman have received their maiden Test call-ups for Pakistan's upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, with former T20 captain Salman Ali Agha also returning to the squad.
Rohan Bopanna, India's former world number one doubles player, has been excluded from the AITA's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. This exclusion is due to his failure to meet the mandatory one-year retirement criterion, as he announced his professional retirement on November 1, 2025, just shy of the October 16, 2026, deadline for the roster. Despite inquiring about his eligibility and receiving initial assurance, his continued participation on the Pro ATP tour until October 2025 meant he was still considered active.
Hampshire withdrew former csk all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn after protests over his signing revived controversy surrounding the New Zealander despite his 2017 acquittal following a rape charge.
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.
