Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined Amsterdam Flames as a marquee player in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, aiming to make a global impact and share his experience with other players.
The Indian women's hockey team has departed for Frankfurt, Germany, to complete its final preparations for the upcoming FIH World Cup. The team will play practice matches and train in Europe before heading to the Netherlands for the tournament, where they will face China, South Africa, and England in Pool D.
India faced a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the men's Hockey World Cup. Despite taking a 2-1 lead, India conceded three goals in the second half. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a win or draw against Pakistan in their next match to qualify for the second round.
Wednesday's India-Pakistan World Cup match in Amstelveen saw players exchange handshakes, a gesture that has become contentious in India-Pakistan sporting encounters, particularly in cricket. While the Indian team dominated on the field, winning 5-3, the post-match handshakes led to mixed reactions online, highlighting the differing approaches to rivalry in hockey versus cricket.
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has expressed profound anguish over a devastating flash flood near the Tibet-Nepal border, stating that 77 members of an Isha Foundation Kailash pilgrimage group are unaccounted for after the disaster struck the Gyirong area in Tibet.
India women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, focusing on improved defence and sharpening goal-scoring skills. Skipper Salima Tete and senior player Savita Punia also share insights on the team's changed mindset and strategies, highlighting lessons learned from the recent Hockey World Cup.
Formula One world champion Lando Norris has announced a contract extension with McLaren until at least the end of 2030, expressing his desire to spend his entire career with the team.
Arsenal have officially signed England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on a long-term contract for a reported 55 million, significantly boosting their defensive options ahead of their Premier League title defence.
India will face South Korea in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 on September 18-19 in Seoul. South Korea, ranked 16th, chose hard courts for the tie, a surface they traditionally prefer. India, ranked 19th, secured their spot with a dramatic win over the Netherlands, while Korea upset Argentina. The winner of this tie will advance to the Davis Cup Final 8 in November.
India's U20 football team, the Blue Colts, is set to kick off their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers campaign against Syria in Tashkent. This opening match is crucial as India aims to secure their first-ever win against Syria and qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time since 2006, navigating a tough group that also includes Uzbekistan and Bangladesh.
Former Australian hockey legend Jamie Dwyer believes the Indian team possesses the talent and infrastructure to become a dominant force in world hockey but stresses that 'they need to maintain consistency as a team' to realise their true potential.
George Russell won the Dutch Grand Prix sprint race from pole position, extending Mercedes' strong performance.
Ryan ten Doeschate has resigned as India's men's assistant coach after the England white-ball series, reportedly to join IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. He was a key part of the coaching staff under Gautam Gambhir, contributing to India's white-ball successes but also witnessing Test struggles.
The Korean national hockey team has arrived in Pakistan for a historic four-match series, marking their first visit in 20 years. This series is crucial for Pakistan's preparation for the upcoming World Cup, especially after their poor performance in the recent FIH Pro League.
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.
Ahead of their crucial Hockey World Cup 2026 clash, the traditional India-Pakistan hockey rivalry faces an unusual question: will the teams shake hands? This comes after a similar debate in cricket. While the historical record is close, India has dominated recent encounters, winning decisively in the 2023 Asian Games and Pro League.
Belgium have appointed former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a two-year contract running until the 2028 European Championship.
India's Women's Hockey team will compete against higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff at the Women's Hockey World Cup, aiming to conclude their impressive campaign with a victory and build momentum for the upcoming Asian Games.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
India's women's hockey team faces a challenging opening match against Olympic silver medallists China in the FIH Hockey World Cup. The crucial Pool D encounter in Amstelveen will set the tone for India's campaign, with both teams also set to meet at the upcoming Asian Games. India, buoyed by recent strong performances and an experienced squad, aims to improve on past World Cup finishes and secure a positive start against a formidable Chinese side.
Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is set to participate in the world's biggest go-kart race at Silverstone, where he will attempt to chase down 100 competitors.
India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the Sinquefield Cup after losing to American Wesley So in the Armageddon game, but secured his spot in the Grand Chess Tour finale later this year.
Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland, while the West Indies, ranked 10th, will once again have to navigate qualifiers for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
A Netherlands cricket board member criticises the ICC's revenue distribution model, arguing it hinders the growth of associate nations.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia highlights a significant shift in the Indian women's hockey team's mindset and dressing room atmosphere, attributing their best World Cup finish in over five decades to a newfound belief and openness among players.
The Netherlands will face Namibia in a T20 World Cup Group A clash. The Netherlands are coming off a close loss to Pakistan, while Namibia begins their campaign. Both teams will be looking for a win to shape their World Cup trajectory.
India women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne attributed his side's goalless draw against Australia, which led to their World Cup semi-final exit, to nerves and an inability to convert opportunities, despite calling the fifth-sixth place playoff a 'significant achievement'.
India will be hoping that Abhishek Sharma returns to his destructive ways and the other batters up their game against spin when the side takes the field for its final T20 World Cup league fixture against the Netherlands.
Shivam Dube's explosive innings helped India recover from a slow start against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup, after the top order struggled against Aryan Dutt's spin bowling.
India's top women's singles players, including Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Vaidehee Chaudhari, have been excluded from the Asian Games tennis squad after the Sports Ministry pruned the list, leaving the national challenge without its leading singles contenders.
Former Netherlands batter Ryan ten Doeschate has been appointed as the head of cricket strategy for Kolkata Knight Riders, overseeing talent acquisition, development, and strategic direction across KKR's global teams, following the end of his tenure as assistant coach with the Indian team.
The Indian women's hockey team advanced to the second round of the FIH World Cup after a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. Despite a challenging performance and facing numerous penalty corners, India's goalkeepers played a crucial role in preserving the draw and securing qualification.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a three-month ban after testing positive for a cannabis-related substance. The ban, which can be reduced upon rehabilitation, was backdated to May 1, and his records from matches between February 7 and May 1 have been disqualified.
The 24-member Indian junior men's hockey team, led by new coach Frederic Soyez, has departed for an exposure tour in Belgium from July 7 to 17.
Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic heavily criticised Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman following their penalty shootout loss to Morocco, stating that the team lost its traditional identity under his leadership, which made him "angry". Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 after a dramatic 1-1 draw and a 3-2 penalty victory.
The Congress party has criticised the decision to change the Indian hockey team's jersey colour to saffron, calling it a 'narrow-minded political experiment' and demanding the government reconsider the move.
India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh states that the Indian hockey team has overcome its past late-game vulnerabilities against Pakistan, attributing this to significant improvements in fitness, game awareness, and decision-making. He notes that matches against Pakistan are no longer as challenging as they once were, though he stresses the need for defensive discipline against stronger European teams in the upcoming World Cup.
India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in a crucial FIH Men's Hockey World Cup Pool D match, needing at least a draw to advance, while Pakistan must win to stay in the tournament.
