News for 'BITS'

'Federer is my favourite; Alcaraz's drop shot reminds me of my short-arm jab': Shubman Gill

'Federer is my favourite; Alcaraz's drop shot reminds me of my short-arm jab': Shubman Gill

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Indian cricketer Shubman Gill draws parallels between Carlos Alcaraz's deceptive drop shot and his own short-arm jab, expressing admiration for Roger Federer and revealing his dream dinner guests.

'Every 2-3 games...': Gill explodes over injury crisis

'Every 2-3 games...': Gill explodes over injury crisis

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

India's ODI captain Shubman Gill has voiced strong concerns over the recurring injury issues plaguing his bowlers, questioning their fitness commitment ahead of next year's World Cup. Following a 1-2 series loss to England, Gill highlighted that multiple key players were sidelined due to injuries, impacting team combinations and raising doubts about their ability to sustain performance through a long tournament.

Former India Coach Constantine Weighs In On Messi's Legacy

Former India Coach Constantine Weighs In On Messi's Legacy

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Former India coach Stephen Constantine shares his views on Lionel Messi, ranking him below Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho due to his reliance on teammates for defensive work. He also predicts Spain will win the upcoming final against Argentina, despite acknowledging Argentina's experience and Messi's match-winning ability. Constantine further discusses England's semi-final exit and criticises hydration breaks and refereeing controversies.

Ian Bishop flags structural flaws after India Women's early exit from T20 World Cup

Ian Bishop flags structural flaws after India Women's early exit from T20 World Cup

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Indian women's cricket ecosystem will have to develop more fast bowlers and wrist spinners through the Women's Premier League (WPL) in order to garner success in the shortest format on global stage, said former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop on Monday.

Kimi Antonelli Wins Belgian GP; Widens Formula One Championship Gap

Kimi Antonelli Wins Belgian GP; Widens Formula One Championship Gap

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured his sixth victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his Formula One championship lead over Lewis Hamilton. The race saw incidents including a collision between George Russell and Hamilton, and Hamilton later faced investigation for an unsafe pitstop release. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen completed the podium.

Buttler 'a bit frustrated' with T20 World Cup form, but in no mood to 'rein in a bit'

Buttler 'a bit frustrated' with T20 World Cup form, but in no mood to 'rein in a bit'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

England's Jos Buttler expresses frustration with his T20 World Cup form but remains committed to aggressive batting. Despite achieving milestones, he seeks to convert starts into significant contributions.

FIFA World Cup: Bastian Schweinsteiger rejects racism claims

FIFA World Cup: Bastian Schweinsteiger rejects racism claims

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

World Cup winner and TV pundit Bastian Schweinsteiger on Friday rejected claims his comments on African football were racist, saying he was merely delivering an analysis of a playing style.

Petkovic Reflects On Algeria's World Cup Exit

Petkovic Reflects On Algeria's World Cup Exit

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Algeria's coach Vladimir Petkovic attributed his team's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland and subsequent World Cup exit to costly defensive errors. He acknowledged the higher level of competition at the tournament and praised his team's overall performance, considering their return to the World Cup after 12 years and reaching the group stage a success despite the elimination.

Dhurandhar's Jasmine Sandlas Has Another Love Affair!

Dhurandhar's Jasmine Sandlas Has Another Love Affair!

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Dhurandhar singer Jasmine Sandlas just made fans swoon after announcing her engagement to longtime boyfriend Shekhar Choudhary during a live performance.

From Widow's Bay to Raakh: Must Watch Shows of 2026 to Fill the Post-World Cup Void

From Widow's Bay to Raakh: Must Watch Shows of 2026 to Fill the Post-World Cup Void

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

As the FIFA World Cup concludes, we give you a curated list of the most impressive Hindi and English shows from 2026 to fill the OTT void.

Spain's coach shares World Cup secret: 'One family'

Spain's coach shares World Cup secret: 'One family'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente attributed his team's second World Cup victory to their strong team-first mentality, unity, and shared values, establishing them as a dominant force in international football.

FIFA backs Brazilian referee Claus after Trump's criticism on red card

FIFA backs Brazilian referee Claus after Trump's criticism on red card

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

FIFA has strongly defended Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump questioned his integrity following a controversial red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.

Bhaichung Bhutia: Messi needs another World Cup to match Maradona's legacy

Bhaichung Bhutia: Messi needs another World Cup to match Maradona's legacy

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes Lionel Messi needs to win the 2026 World Cup to truly equal Diego Maradona's legendary status, despite Messi's 2022 triumph. Bhutia rates Maradona higher due to his single-handed 1986 World Cup victory, while also tipping Spain as slight favourites over Argentina in the upcoming final.

Tilak Varma: 'My play is based on conditions and match situations'

Tilak Varma: 'My play is based on conditions and match situations'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

India T20 vice-captain Tilak Varma stated that his batting approach is dictated by conditions and match situations, especially after the team's struggles with early wickets in the UK and Ireland. He emphasised the responsibility of playing for the country and adapting to overseas conditions after extensive play in Asia.

Indo MIM Eyes Engine Applications Amidst Robust Aerospace Growth

Indo MIM Eyes Engine Applications Amidst Robust Aerospace Growth

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Precision engineering components maker Indo MIM Ltd is optimistic about the growth of the domestic aerospace industry, particularly focusing on engine applications. The company notes a significant acceleration in foreign OEM interest in India for engineering talent and manufacturing. Indo MIM recently announced its Rs 3,812 crore IPO, opening on July 23, to fund borrowings and general corporate purposes.

Indo MIM Eyes Engine Applications Amidst Robust Aerospace Growth

Indo MIM Eyes Engine Applications Amidst Robust Aerospace Growth

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Precision engineering components maker Indo MIM Ltd is optimistic about the growth of the domestic aerospace industry, particularly focusing on engine applications. The company notes a significant acceleration in foreign OEM interest in India for engineering talent and manufacturing. Indo MIM recently announced its Rs 3,812 crore IPO, opening on July 23, to fund borrowings and general corporate purposes.

Belgian Grand Prix: Alonso just wants to get home in time for World Cup final

Belgian Grand Prix: Alonso just wants to get home in time for World Cup final

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Fernando Alonso's main focus for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend will be making sure he gets home in time to watch Spain play Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Lord's Test: Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Deepti hit fifties as India make 285 vs England

Lord's Test: Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Deepti hit fifties as India make 285 vs England

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma struck well-timed fifties but regular strikes helped England bundle out India for 285 on the opening day of the one-off women's Test at Lord's on Friday.

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut? Shreyas Iyer finally breaks silence

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut? Shreyas Iyer finally breaks silence

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

India captain Shreyas Iyer addressed the media ahead of the T20I series opener against England, discussing team selection, particularly the potential debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Iyer emphasised the importance of backing experienced players who won the T20 World Cup and reflected on India's recent series loss to Ireland, highlighting lessons learned for the upcoming challenging series in England.

'He Can't Continue A Long Distance Relationship. What's My Fault?'

'He Can't Continue A Long Distance Relationship. What's My Fault?'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

'Sometimes, two people can deeply care about each other, but circumstances can get in the way,' counsels rediffGURU Ravi Mittal, CEO of online dating website Quack Quack and Rebounce, a matrimony platform.

Wounded India eye redemption against spirited Zimbabwe in T20s

Wounded India eye redemption against spirited Zimbabwe in T20s

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

Shreyas Iyer leads a young Indian squad in a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, aiming for a crucial series win after recent defeats and facing selection dilemmas, particularly concerning the batting order and all-rounders.

Don't shorten ODIs to 40 overs, play more triangular series: Shubman Gill

Don't shorten ODIs to 40 overs, play more triangular series: Shubman Gill

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

India skipper Shubman Gill has strongly rejected the idea of pruning ODIs to 40 overs, instead advocating for more triangular or quadrangular series to revive the struggling format amidst the rise of T20Is.

Time To Make India Attractive To Foreign Capital

Time To Make India Attractive To Foreign Capital

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

That means making it easier to invest, protecting investors through predictable rules, and avoiding policy reversals after investments have been made, notes Rajeswari Sengupta.

'India Has Only 15 More Years Left...'

'India Has Only 15 More Years Left...'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

'After that the burdens of an ageing population will be upon us, and the share of working age population will shrink.'

Why Did India Drop 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

Why Did India Drop 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

India's decision to drop 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the fifth and final T20I against England, despite the series already being decided, has drawn criticism from former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Swann, who argue the youngster should have been given more opportunities.

Messi's Dark Blue Shirt: A World Cup Good Luck Charm?

Messi's Dark Blue Shirt: A World Cup Good Luck Charm?

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Argentina's dark blue away jersey holds significant historical and superstitious value for the team, particularly in World Cup encounters against England. The team will wear this kit in their upcoming semi-final, hoping to replicate past successes from 1986 and 1998, where the blue jersey was worn during famous victories over England. Both coaches acknowledge the role of superstition in high-level sports, though Argentina's coach downplays the specific jersey choice. The jersey also features cultural motifs.

The India Story Review: Not Brave Enough!

The India Story Review: Not Brave Enough!

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

The India Story adopts a very soap opera-like approach, piling on ham-fisted melodrama along with plenty of unevenness, sighs Sreeju Sudhakaran

Iga Swiatek On Wimbledon Exit: 'Need To Trust The Process'

Iga Swiatek On Wimbledon Exit: 'Need To Trust The Process'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Defending champion Iga Swiatek was defeated by Filipina Alexandra Eala in the third round of Wimbledon. Swiatek attributed the loss to shortcomings in her game rather than pressure, contrasting it with her French Open exit. She acknowledged a year of inconsistency and stated her intention to "trust the process" and focus on improving her tennis.

You can never write a champion off: Saina hails Sindhu

You can never write a champion off: Saina hails Sindhu

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Badminton legend Saina Nehwal has lauded PV Sindhu's significantly improved attacking game, stating that her Japan Open Super 750 victory demonstrates her enduring championship quality and potential for more titles, despite recent injury challenges.

3rd ODI: Morkel confident Rohit Sharma will overcome slump in form

3rd ODI: Morkel confident Rohit Sharma will overcome slump in form

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma's ability to overcome his recent struggles in the ongoing ODI series against England, highlighting the calmness he brings to the team. Morkel also discussed the team's batting concerns, the need for middle-order breakthroughs, and his potential role in the 2027 World Cup.

Farokh Engineer remembers Garry Sobers, the cricketer who never lost his wit

Farokh Engineer remembers Garry Sobers, the cricketer who never lost his wit

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Sir Garfield Sobers' wit was as effortless as his genius with bat and ball. Farokh Engineer recalled one such unforgettable moment on a golf course in Australia when the West Indies legend, watching Sunil Gavaskar repeatedly top the ball, quipped: "This is one game where you are allowed to hit the ball in the air."

Kohli, Rohit remain very integral part of India's ODI team: Shubman Gill

Kohli, Rohit remain very integral part of India's ODI team: Shubman Gill

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Shubman Gill has affirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are indispensable to India's ODI team, highlighting their vast experience and skill.

Xavi And Mascherano Reflect On Barcelona's Impact On World Cup Final

Xavi And Mascherano Reflect On Barcelona's Impact On World Cup Final

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez and Javier Mascherano discuss the profound influence of their former club on the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. They highlight the impact of La Masia-bred players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi for Spain, and the enduring brilliance of Lionel Messi for Argentina, all products of Barcelona's footballing philosophy. Both former players express pride in the shared playing style and the quality of the final.

Murali Kartik dissects Ravi Bishnoi's no-ball issues, suggests run-up adjustment

Murali Kartik dissects Ravi Bishnoi's no-ball issues, suggests run-up adjustment

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Former India spinner Murali Kartik attributes Ravi Bishnoi's recent back-foot no-ball issues to his exaggerated semicircular run-up, which alters his alignment and forces him to cut the return crease, rather than a problem with his bowling action itself.

Shaji Prabhakaran: OCI/PIO Players Need Balanced Strategy For Indian Football

Shaji Prabhakaran: OCI/PIO Players Need Balanced Strategy For Indian Football

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

AFC Executive Committee member Shaji Prabhakaran advocates for a balanced, long-term strategy for integrating OCI and PIO players into Indian football, stressing it's not a complete solution but a part of broader development. He also analyses recent World Cup semifinals, highlighting Spain's tactical dominance and Argentina's fighting spirit.

Why Indian 400m Runners See CWG As Tougher Than Asian Games

Why Indian 400m Runners See CWG As Tougher Than Asian Games

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.

Why Indian 400m Runners See CWG As Tougher Than Asian Games

Why Indian 400m Runners See CWG As Tougher Than Asian Games

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.

FIFA World Cup: Germany star Schweinsteiger in racism storm

FIFA World Cup: Germany star Schweinsteiger in racism storm

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae said comments from World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger could be labelled racist after the ex-Germany midfielder described African football as "wild" and "unorthodox".

Wildfire Smoke Threat to NYC World Cup Final Recedes with Weekend Rain

Wildfire Smoke Threat to NYC World Cup Final Recedes with Weekend Rain

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

Concerns over Canadian wildfire smoke impacting air quality and player health for the World Cup final in New York are easing, with forecasts predicting significant rain and a cold front to clear the haze before Sunday's match, though hot and hazy conditions could still pose risks.

India's biggest weakness exposed by England?

India's biggest weakness exposed by England?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Pundits and former players have raised concerns over the Indian cricket team's batting performance following consecutive T20 series defeats against England and Ireland. Experts like Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Gavaskar, and Harsha Bhogle, along with captain Shreyas Iyer, point to issues with adapting to conditions and a lack of rhythm in the middle order, suggesting these losses could be a crucial wake-up call for the team.