Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed strong confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ability to contribute significantly to India's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign, stating they will 'add great value to the team and help India win the World Cup'.
'India should hold several high-level chess tournaments that would attract the world's top players so that the country will have a say in the game.'
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. The volatile Australian owned up to his "huge mistake" in a public apology, citing the physical and mental toll of recent injuries.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has moved into a joint lead with American Wesley So at the Sinquefield Cup after a decisive victory over France's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, securing his spot in the Grand Finale.
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.
The Wagener Stadium, site of a historic 1973 India-Pakistan hockey World Cup semifinal, is set to host another clash between the arch-rivals. Former captain M P Ganesh recounts the intense 1-0 victory for India in 1973, highlighting the fierce competition and political undertones of the era.
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.
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.
The current FIH Hockey World Cup format, featuring a crossover pool system where first-round results carry forward, is causing widespread confusion among teams, fans, and media. Many stakeholders believe the complex system detracts from the game's excitement, shifts focus to mathematical calculations, and potentially favours larger teams, leading to calls for a simpler structure.
Dhruv Jurel notched up an unbeaten 115 to propel India to a commanding 509 for 8 before they declared the first innings against Sri Lanka on day two of the second Test in Colombo.
Hardik Pandya's potential return to Gujarat Titans was reportedly rejected after he made his move conditional on being reinstated as captain, a demand the franchise, including current captain Shubman Gill, declined.
Teen batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored just eight runs on his Duleep Trophy debut for East Zone before Sudip Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed hit hundreds to power them to 355 for 6 against North East.
Sachin Tendulkar has called for the controversial impact player rule to be scrapped from the Indian Premier League, suggesting changes to restore balance between bat and ball.
Om Prakash Chouhan has taken the opening-round lead at the Rs 1 crore Coal India Open in Kolkata, delivering a spectacular eight-under 62. His impressive performance included a hole-in-one and an eagle, giving him a one-shot advantage over former Asian Tour winner Ajeetesh Sandhu.
Prateek Tulsani of Maharashtra clinched the U-15 boys' title, while Tanishka Kalbhairav of Karnataka secured the U-11 girls' title at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships. Tulsani delivered a commanding performance, whereas Kalbhairav showed remarkable resilience to win her final.
Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has been named in the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with Jammu and Kashmir's Kanhaiya Wadhawan appointed captain. The 15-member squad also includes six players from the Ranji Trophy-winning Jammu and Kashmir side and other promising talents.
Former India and Karnataka pacer R Vinay Kumar has been appointed as the head coach for the Karnataka state cricket team, replacing Yere Goud. Kumar, who previously led Karnataka to multiple domestic titles, will aim to bring more silverware to the team, with Deepak Chougule and Mansur Ali Khan joining him in the coaching staff.
Lakshya Sen, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, faced a surprising second-round defeat to USA's Garret Tan at the BWF World Championships. Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and rising star Ayush Shetty successfully advanced to the pre-quarterfinals. Other Indian pairs also saw mixed results, with some progressing and others bowing out.
Nearly 150 Indian Super League players, including national team members, face an uncertain future as their contracts expire amid ongoing disputes between the AIFF and clubs over the league's structure.
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.
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will take over as Liverpool's manager on a two-year deal, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
Indian badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in straight games at the Taipei Open Super 300, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.
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.
Former India cricketer Farokh Engineer has strongly advocated for teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be drafted into India's ODI squad as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma, ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Shahneel has 450,000 followers on Instagram, and her account is mainly focused on travel and lifestyle.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared his experiences with online trolling and fake news, recounting a specific incident where a photoshopped image led to a false story about him being refused an interview by Pakistani batter Babar Azam. Pathan emphasised his approach of not responding to such fabrications, stating that constant engagement would make life unmanageable.
The 11th Leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour is set to begin in Hosur, featuring all previous winners and a strong field of 53 players, including top amateurs and seasoned professionals. The tournament at Clover Greens Golf Course will see Vidhatri Urs, Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik, and others compete for honours.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) leadership, led by President Chintan Parikh and Secretary General Sunder Iyer, has pledged to prioritise player welfare, transparent governance, and athlete representation if given a full term. They aim to transform Indian tennis by addressing past administrative issues and fostering a player-centric environment.
The BCCI had approached V V S Laxman in 2024 to become India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies.
Former England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his desire to coach the national team one day, believing his experience as a player and captain would make him successful. He is currently pursuing his Level 3 coaching qualification and has an understanding of the responsibilities involved in leadership. Stokes also commented on Harry Brook not being made Test captain despite being vice-captain, questioning the message it sent.
Bangladeshi cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan, an ally of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina, is willing to return from exile in the US to face charges, including murder, if the government guarantees his safety. He hopes to play a farewell series and represent Bangladesh in the 2027 World Cup, highlighting the challenges faced by Hasina's allies after her government's fall.
A four-member Indian golf team, comprising Harjai Milkha Singh, Ishnidh Singh Virdi, Guntas Kaur Sandhu, and Rashi Mishra, is set to compete in the prestigious R&A Amateur golf championship across two courses in Scotland. The tournament features both boys' and girls' categories, attracting top junior talent globally, with winners earning significant exemptions into major championships.
Indian golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh offers crucial advice to the national golf team ahead of the Asian Games, emphasising the importance of a strong short game and adapting to Japan's fast greens and windy conditions to secure medals.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh recounted an elaborate April Fool's Day prank in 2005 where he and Yuvraj Singh convinced then-captain Sourav Ganguly that he had publicly criticised his teammates, leading Ganguly to panic and offer to resign.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes K L Rahul performs best when not burdened by captaincy.
Former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar joined the marquee player pool ahead of the Lanka Premier League Season 6 draft, alongside stars like Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi believes India's ambitious target of 30-40 medals at the 2036 Olympics is a 'distant prospect', citing significant delays in talent identification, scouting, and critical infrastructure improvements.
Former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognisable players of the golden era of Italian football in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 66, his former club said on Friday.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar maintains his position among India's top five celebrity brands, with a valuation of USD 125.9 million, according to the Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025 report. His enduring reputation, trust, and authenticity continue to make him highly attractive to various brands, solidifying his status as the only retired athlete consistently in the top 10.
Jamshedpur FC players, including senior India footballers, have made an emotional appeal to the Tata Group to reverse its decision to withdraw the club from the Indian Super League (ISL) and dismantle the senior team, citing the impact on young players and the future of Indian football.
