News for '-champions'

PIX: Alcaraz beats cramps, Zverev to reach Aus Open final

PIX: Alcaraz beats cramps, Zverev to reach Aus Open final

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

In five and a half hours of scintillating tennis, the third longest match ever at the Australian Open, Alcaraz won the controversy-riddled encounter.

T20 WC: India will travel to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan boycott

T20 WC: India will travel to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan boycott

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Despite Pakistan deciding to boycott their group stage T20 World Cup clash against India on February 15, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources have said that that the Men in Blue will travel to Sri Lanka for the match as per ICC protocol and wait for the match referee to call off the match.

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sabalenka primed for Rybakina rematch with eyes on third Australian Open crown

'Special talent': Rosenior praises Estevao

'Special talent': Rosenior praises Estevao

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Liam Rosenior hailed 18-year-old Estevao's impact as Chelsea sealed their third straight win with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Vinicius Jr silences critics as Real Madrid rout Monaco

Vinicius Jr silences critics as Real Madrid rout Monaco

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'The only thing I can do is on the pitch -- to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100% for the team.'

'India Is Proud': Virat Kohli Pays Tribute to Saina Nehwal

'India Is Proud': Virat Kohli Pays Tribute to Saina Nehwal

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Virat Kohli Salutes Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal after she announced her retirement earlier this week.

BCCI backs ICC stance on sportsmanship over Pak boycott

BCCI backs ICC stance on sportsmanship over Pak boycott

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said that the BCCI completely agrees with the ICC and the Indian cricket board won't make any comments on the boycott until we speak with the ICC.

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Reiterating Sitharaman's statement that this is a youth power budget, Modi emphasised that the provisions made in the budget will prepare leaders, innovators and creators across different sectors.

T20 World Cup: Can Afghanistan recreate 2024 magic in subcontinent?

T20 World Cup: Can Afghanistan recreate 2024 magic in subcontinent?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Afghanistan unit will be heading into the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka with hopes of replicating their historic performance during the 2024 edition

Osaka Goes Viral With Iconic Australian Open Entrance

Osaka Goes Viral With Iconic Australian Open Entrance

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Osaka made her way into Rod Laver Arena carrying a parasol, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, and Nike's Copa-Light Liquid Lime-White dress with soft, jellyfish-inspired ruffles.

'It's a huge moment for me': Harmanpreet on Padma Shri

'It's a huge moment for me': Harmanpreet on Padma Shri

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

India women's captain Harmanpreet Kaur and former men's skipper Rohit Sharma headline the list of sportspersons to be honoured with Padma awards this Republic Day.

AO 2026: Alcaraz stuns Djokovic to win first Australian Open

AO 2026: Alcaraz stuns Djokovic to win first Australian Open

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Carlos Alcaraz played dream-wrecker to Novak Djokovic again as he floored the record-chasing Serb 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 for a first Australian Open title and became the youngest man to win all four majors.

Poonawalla confirms interest in acquiring RCB

Poonawalla confirms interest in acquiring RCB

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Pharma tycoon Adar Poonawalla has emerged as a potential suitor for the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sparking fresh speculation around a possible change in ownership of one of the league's most high-profile teams.

'Pinch-me moment': Keys soaks in life as Aus Open Champ

'Pinch-me moment': Keys soaks in life as Aus Open Champ

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Keys, who captured her first Grand Slam title at the tournament last year, said she was still getting used to the surreal experience of seeing herself immortalised around Melbourne Park.

At 45, Venus Williams breaks record with AO wildcard

At 45, Venus Williams breaks record with AO wildcard

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams thanked Australian Open organisers on Saturday for giving her a wildcard that will see the 45-year-old American become the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw.

World Champions Set For Brand Windfall

World Champions Set For Brand Windfall

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur, Smrit Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues are poised to see an uplift of 25 to 35 per cent in brand value.

PIX: Mbappe takes Real Madrid to top; Bayern lose

PIX: Mbappe takes Real Madrid to top; Bayern lose

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Mbappe fires Real Madrid to the summit, Bayern lose at home and Dortmund stay in the title hunt.

World Cup: SA's Gen-Next chase T20 glory after 2024 heartbreak

World Cup: SA's Gen-Next chase T20 glory after 2024 heartbreak

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

A struggling, but promising South African unit will be aiming to avenge the heartbreak of 2024 by securing the grandest prize in T20I cricket on Indian soil, with the Proteas' 'Gen-Next' of Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kwena Maphaka in the spotlight.

T20 WC: No Cummins, no Hazlewood: Can Australia still deliver?

T20 WC: No Cummins, no Hazlewood: Can Australia still deliver?

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.

'Crazy rule': Tech ban sparks player backlash at Australian Open 2026

'Crazy rule': Tech ban sparks player backlash at Australian Open 2026

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Aryna Sabalenka said the Australian Open should reconsider its policy on banning wrist-worn fitness trackers after several players were told to remove the devices before coming onto court.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

T20 World Cup: 'Varun India's X-factor, dew won't stop him'

T20 World Cup: 'Varun India's X-factor, dew won't stop him'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Anil Kumble has backed leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy to spearhead India's spin attack during next month's T20 World Cup as he believes he will have no issue dealing with the evening dew

Dakar Rally: Variawa wins eighth stage

Dakar Rally: Variawa wins eighth stage

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Al-Attiyah retains overall lead; Sixth-placed Sebastien Loeb, the nine-times world rally champion driving for Dacia, remained in contention and was within 17 minutes of his leading teammate.

Nihal Sarin beats the odds, claims Tata Steel Rapid crown

Nihal Sarin beats the odds, claims Tata Steel Rapid crown

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Young Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerged champion at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament on Friday, clinching the Rapid title just a day after the passing of his maternal grandfather, who had introduced him to the sport.

Mumbai down RCB as Sciver-Brunt slams first-ever WPL ton

Mumbai down RCB as Sciver-Brunt slams first-ever WPL ton

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Nat Sciver-Brunt's first-ever ton of WPL history powers MI's 15-run victory against RCB

Aus Open: Gauff, Medvedev advance to second round

Aus Open: Gauff, Medvedev advance to second round

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Coco Gauff started her quest for a maiden Australian Open title with a straight games win over Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the second round.

WPL playoff race tightens as Warriorz face Giants

WPL playoff race tightens as Warriorz face Giants

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

UP Warriorz will start with a clear edge when they take on a struggling Gujarat Giants in Vadodara on Thursday, as the race for the remaining two playoff spots in the Women's Premier League heats up.

Boxing Nationals: No stopping Nikhat, Lovlina!

Boxing Nationals: No stopping Nikhat, Lovlina!

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Nikhat, Lovlina win titles at Boxing Nationals; Hussamuddin caps comeback with gold

Virtually one-legged, Alcaraz trumps Zverev in AO epic

Virtually one-legged, Alcaraz trumps Zverev in AO epic

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Carlos Alcaraz battled a leg issue and survived a five-hour, 27-minute thriller against Alexander Zverev to reach his first Australian Open final and keep his career Grand Slam dream alive.

Bengaluru Torpedoes crowned PVL champions

Bengaluru Torpedoes crowned PVL champions

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Bengaluru Torpedoes clinch PVL Season 4 title with dominant win over Mumbai Meteors

Bayern Munich held by Hamburg; Barcelona win at Elche; Napoli edge Fiorentina

Bayern Munich held by Hamburg; Barcelona win at Elche; Napoli edge Fiorentina

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Harry Kane scored his 36th goal of the season but Bayern Munich let a second-half lead slip to draw 2-2 with Hamburg SV.

Slot welcomes Salah back after public spat

Slot welcomes Salah back after public spat

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Liverpool coach Arne Slot said he was delighted to have Mohamed Salah returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty soon, despite an apparent falling-out just weeks ago.

Fear of failure might have crept into all of us: Rohit

Fear of failure might have crept into all of us: Rohit

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

It could be fear of failure among country's elite batters that led to India's global title drought between 2011 and 2024, T20 World Cup winning former skipper Rohit Sharma said on Friday.

'Special moment...' Sciver-Brunt on historic WPL ton

'Special moment...' Sciver-Brunt on historic WPL ton

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Nat Sciver-Brunt: Didn't want to replicate other players by getting out in 90s

Mohun Bagan to face Kerala Blasters in ISL opener

Mohun Bagan to face Kerala Blasters in ISL opener

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs East Bengal ISL derby on May 3 as per tentative schedule

'I want Olympic gold': Nikhat Zareen eyes LA 2028

'I want Olympic gold': Nikhat Zareen eyes LA 2028

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The last year proved to be a period of reflection for Nikhat Zareen, one that taught her to temper expectations while also strengthening her resolve to fulfil her dream of becoming an Olympic champion.

Gambhir safe as coach? BCCI sends clear message

Gambhir safe as coach? BCCI sends clear message

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that head coach Gautam Gambhir has a firm grip on the team and is popular among the players.

Ranji Trophy: MP trounce Maharashtra, enter quarters

Ranji Trophy: MP trounce Maharashtra, enter quarters

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Ranji Trophy: MP enter quarterfinals; Saurashtra on brink of qualification

Tears at the San Siro: Jesus inspires Arsenal victory

Tears at the San Siro: Jesus inspires Arsenal victory

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Arsenal in seventh heaven with 3-1 win at Inter

Alonso leaves Real Madrid after just seven months

Alonso leaves Real Madrid after just seven months

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Real parted ways with Alonso a little more than seven months after appointing him, following a poor run of results in all competitions.