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.
The Indian women's hockey team defeated defending champions China 1-0 in the Asian Games final, securing a gold medal and an automatic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Coach Sjoerd Marijne credited the team's disciplined defence, tireless running, and collective effort for the historic victory.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports of 'discipline and conduct' issues during the ongoing tour of England, which saw seven players recalled after successive Test losses.
India is sending a 35-member contingent, including 17 athletes, to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, starting on Saturday. Former shot-putter Om Prakash Karhana will serve as the chef-de-mission. The team features promising young talents like table tennis player Syndrela Das and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, aiming to build on India's previous best performance of 13 medals in 2018.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to both the junior men's and women's hockey teams for their recent Asia Cup triumphs, highlighting their dedication and teamwork. Both teams secured their respective titles, with the women defeating China and the men beating Korea, thereby qualifying for the Junior World Cup.
Three young cricketers from Beed, Saurabh Navale, Sachin Dhas, and Rishikesh Sonawane, have been selected for the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy squad, marking a historic first for the district. Their selection highlights their hard work and talent despite limited local facilities, inspiring future generations. Prithvi Shaw will captain the Maharashtra team.
Indian women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasises the importance of discipline for consistent performance in upcoming tournaments, following an impressive outing against Argentina. The team is preparing for the FIH Nation's Cup in New Zealand and the Asian Games.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations and strategy for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlights the different challenge posed by lower-ranked opponents compared to the World Cup, emphasising the need for effective scoring and maintaining focus. Marijne also stresses using the World Cup disappointment as motivation for gold and the importance of humility and unity within the team.
The Indian women's cricket team secured their eighth Women's Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, a triumph that has garnered widespread congratulations from top Indian leaders.
India's men's foil and women's epee fencing teams were both eliminated in the round of 16 at the Asian Games. The men's team lost to Hong Kong, while the women's team was defeated by Uzbekistan, marking a double setback for the nation in the fencing events.
India's women's 10m air rifle team, comprising Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Vinod, secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, marking the country's first medal in shooting. The trio finished second behind China, with Sonam and Elavenil also qualifying for the individual finals, raising hopes for more medals.
India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured a dramatic 4-3 semifinal victory against Pakistan at the Asian Games, despite squandering a 3-0 lead and facing disciplinary issues. Harmanpreet emphasized the need for composure and avoiding silly mistakes against strong opponents, while Manpreet Singh highlighted the coach's advice to focus on the game, not the occasion. The team acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities but remained confident for the final.
The Indian men's 10m air pistol team finished fourth at the Asian Games, narrowly missing a bronze medal, while the mixed skeet team of Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka successfully qualified for their event's final.
India faces a challenging Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a significantly smaller contingent of 168 athletes, down from 303. While aiming to build on its record 111-medal haul from the last Games, selection disputes in para-shooting and para-cycling, coupled with reduced athlete numbers in key disciplines like para-athletics, pose hurdles. Despite these challenges, star athletes across para-athletics, archery, para-badminton, shooting, and table tennis are expected to lead India's medal charge.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) has announced the coaches' roster for its upcoming Season 2, featuring experienced kabaddi personalities for 10 franchises. Coaches like Om Parkash Narwal and Ramesh Kumar expressed their commitment to building strong, disciplined teams. The official schedule and start date for Season 2 are yet to be revealed.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal secured India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the mixed team skeet event, winning a historic bronze. This achievement marked a remarkable three-medal haul for Indian skeet at the Games, overcoming challenging conditions and intense competition. The duo fought through qualification and a nerve-wracking final, adding to their individual team bronzes.
India faces a challenging FIFA international friendly against two-time world champions Uruguay in Kolkata, aiming to recover from a 0-4 defeat by Brazil.
Suresh Raina said Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the national squad the reward of hard work, discipline and consistent performances in domestic cricket.
India's cricket captain Shreyas Iyer addresses the challenges posed by torrential rain and limited practice ahead of their Asian Games quarterfinal against Afghanistan.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is planning a web series or documentary to capture a full season of the Mumbai senior cricket team, aiming to inspire youth and offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions.
The Sports Ministry has approved the late inclusion of two Boccia athletes, Sachin Chamaria and Anjali Devi, into India's contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, bringing the total athlete count to 168. The overall contingent, including 113 officials, now stands at 281. This year's team is smaller than the previous Games due to the absence of certain disciplines and strict quota restrictions, particularly in para athletics. India aims to build on its record-breaking 108-medal haul from the last edition.
A 24-member Indian shooting contingent, led by Olympic bronze medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, will compete at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo starting Saturday. The squad, which recently completed a national camp, will participate in eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed team events, featuring a mix of experienced Olympians and promising young talent.
Former champions Real Kashmir FC are set to kick off their Indian Football League 2026-27 season against debutants Nagaland United SC in Srinagar on Friday. Real Kashmir, under coach Ishfaq Ahmed, aims for a strong start after a challenging previous season, while Nagaland United makes its historic entry into the national league, led by coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla and a young squad.
Churchill Brothers SC are set to face Punjab FC in an Indian Super League match in Margao. Churchill Brothers are looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat, with their coach apologising to fans and expecting a strong response. Punjab FC, known for their late goals and defensive organisation, are confident but wary of their opponents.
India U15 head coach Bibiano Fernandes has called on his players to learn from their group stage campaign at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival as they prepare to face Honduras in the second phase. The Blue Colts finished third in Group K and will now compete in Tier C, with Fernandes stressing the importance of continuous development.
Indian shooters, including Asian Games gold medallists Neeru Dhanda and Suruchi Singh, are attending a preparatory camp in New Delhi for the upcoming ISSF World Championship in Doha. This championship is crucial as it marks the beginning of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification cycle.
India women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne addressed concerns regarding his pre-World Cup leave, asserting his continuous involvement in the team's preparations. He reflected on the team's creditable fifth-place finish at the World Cup, emphasising the need for sustained hunger and improvement. Marijne also discussed the advantages of his second stint, his focus on team discipline, and the positive impact of the Women's Hockey India League on player development.
The Indian junior women's hockey team secured their third consecutive AHF Junior Asia Cup title by defeating China 1-0.
The Indian contingent made a striking appearance at the Para Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, wearing ceremonial blazers adorned with motifs inspired by 5,000 years of Indian civilisation, including Indus Valley seals and SaptSindhu. Led by Paralympic medallist Simran Sharma and top shuttler Pramod Bhagat, over 100 athletes proudly represented India, which has a 281-member contingent competing across 11 disciplines. The Games will conclude on October 24.
Indian men's and women's hockey players and coaches, who won gold at the Asian Games, were felicitated by the Shivtrinetra Group with cash rewards of Rs 51,000 each on Wednesday. The felicitation aims to recognise their achievements and inspire young talent.
Abhishek Verma, India's top compound archer, is determined to return to the national team after missing the Asian Games. He aims for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India, despite India securing an Olympic quota in compound archery. Verma also shares insights on India's medal prospects and the importance of mixed team selection.
India's men's hockey team, fresh from retaining its Asian Games title and securing a 2028 Olympics berth, is now preparing for the Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament, featuring six teams including India, will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Head coach Craig Fulton emphasizes maintaining intensity for the home challenge, where India aims to extend its record as the most successful team.
India secured a silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay, successfully defending their previous win, and Seema Kumari earned a historic bronze in the women's 10,000m, marking India's first medal in the event in 16 years and only the third ever.
India is sending a 17-member contingent, led by table tennis player Syndrela Das and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, to the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The team will compete in 11 sports, with athletes like Sarthak Arya viewing the event as a crucial stepping stone for future Olympic aspirations. IOA president P T Usha highlighted the Games' importance for developing future Indian champions.
Harmanpreet Kaur scored her eighth ODI century, leading India to a 121-run victory over Zimbabwe and clinching the series. The veteran batter expressed her desire to enjoy batting, moving past captaincy, while captain Smriti Mandhana praised the team's recovery and individual performances, including Deepti Sharma's century and Vaishnavi Sharma's four-wicket haul.
India U-15 head coach Bibiano Fernandes shares his philosophy for the upcoming FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan. He emphasises developing a strong footballing foundation, tactical flexibility, and good character among his young players, as they prepare to face teams like Laos, Bahrain, and Senegal starting October 24.
Young Delhi opener Priyansh Arya scored a magnificent 199 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match, helping Delhi secure a crucial first-innings lead in the drawn game. Captain Ayush Badoni also contributed with 217, while Hrithik Shokeen took five wickets for Delhi. Arya expressed satisfaction with his knock and highlighted the importance of domestic cricket.
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma achieved her maiden five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, attributing her success to a year-long break during which she focused on mental and physical strength, bowling control, and understanding batters. Her disciplined approach and consistent practice led to a significant improvement in her game, earning praise from captain Smriti Mandhana.
India face West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, needing one more win to seal the series as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan lead the batting charge.
