News for 'Defending India'

Football icon Gerard Pique invests in Global Chess League franchise

Football icon Gerard Pique invests in Global Chess League franchise

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder in the Global Chess League franchise American Gambits. Pique, known for his illustrious football career, expressed his long-standing fascination with chess and his ambition to elevate the sport's global appeal. The fourth edition of the Global Chess League, featuring top grandmasters, is scheduled for September 3-13.

Cricket Fraternity Extends Independence Day Greetings

Cricket Fraternity Extends Independence Day Greetings

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Indian men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, the BCCI, and former cricketer Irfan Pathan led tributes on India's 80th Independence Day, honouring freedom fighters and extending greetings to all Indians.

Saffron jersey row deepens rift within Hockey India

Saffron jersey row deepens rift within Hockey India

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

A controversy has erupted within Hockey India over the national teams' new saffron jerseys, replacing the traditional blue.

Jurel reveals why his century celebration was special

Jurel reveals why his century celebration was special

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115 against Sri Lanka, inspired by his 'Mamba Mentality' motto, showcased his disciplined approach to Test cricket, contrasting with Rishabh Pant's aggressive style while building a crucial 112-run partnership.

Private Defence Firms Get DRDO Missile Tech Boost

Private Defence Firms Get DRDO Missile Tech Boost

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

The move is meant to enhance the operational capability of the armed forces, reduce import dependence and increase domestic value addition.

Badminton World Championships: Satwik-Chirag progress, PV Sindhu eliminated

Badminton World Championships: Satwik-Chirag progress, PV Sindhu eliminated

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the men's doubles quarterfinals at the World Championships, securing a potential third medal. However, India faced a setback with the elimination of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty in their respective singles matches. The women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also reached the quarterfinals.

Indian Equities End Flat as High Crude Prices, US Yields Cap Gains

Indian Equities End Flat as High Crude Prices, US Yields Cap Gains

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed flat on Friday, with elevated crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties and a rebound in US Treasury yields making investors cautious and preventing a decisive market rally.

Feeling great, but focusing on next opponent: Ayush Shetty after stunning Shi Yu Qi

Feeling great, but focusing on next opponent: Ayush Shetty after stunning Shi Yu Qi

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Giant-killer Ayush Shetty on Monday described his stunning win over defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi as "special", but was quick to stress that the job is far from done at the ongoing BWF World Championships.

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand clinch maiden World Championship bronze after fighting semi-final loss

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand clinch maiden World Championship bronze after fighting semi-final loss

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost to China's World No 1 pairing Tan Ning and Liu Shengshu in the semi-finals of the women's doubles event at the BWF Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday.

India rewrites Commonwealth Games judo history with two golds and a silver

India rewrites Commonwealth Games judo history with two golds and a silver

Rediff.com1 Aug 2026

India's judokas scripted history at the Commonwealth Games on Friday as Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh clinched the country's first-ever gold medals in the sport, while Yamini Mourya added a silver to cap the nation's best-ever judo campaign.

Indian Super League season delayed, AIFF clarifies financial allegations

Indian Super League season delayed, AIFF clarifies financial allegations

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season has been postponed to after October 6 due to the FIFA international match window, and will proceed with 13 teams after Diamond Harbour FC failed to meet payment deadlines. Concurrently, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has condemned "unverified claims" regarding its finances and the decision to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup, asserting that the prioritisation of a friendly match against Brazil was a strategic move for Indian football.

Ravindra Jadeja hails Manav Suthar's 'dream ball' in Galle Test

Ravindra Jadeja hails Manav Suthar's 'dream ball' in Galle Test

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja lauded young spinner Manav Suthar's opening delivery in the first Test against Sri Lanka, describing it as a 'left-arm spinner's dream ball' after it dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with sharp turn and bounce.

'Europe sells weapons, which are used to attack India': Jaishankar slams Western 'hypocrisy'

'Europe sells weapons, which are used to attack India': Jaishankar slams Western 'hypocrisy'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly defended India's decision to purchase Russian crude oil, stating that the country's energy choices are based on cost and availability, and highlighting the West's 'hypocrisy' in criticising India while historically supplying weapons used against it.

Gouramangi Singh's FC Goa Face Formidable FC Arkadag In ACL Two Playoff

Gouramangi Singh's FC Goa Face Formidable FC Arkadag In ACL Two Playoff

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

AIFF Super Cup winners FC Goa are set to face Turkmenistan's dominant FC Arkadag in a single-leg qualifying match for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. This crucial encounter marks former India defender Gouramangi Singh's debut as head coach for FC Goa, who enter the playoff with a depleted squad. The winner advances to the group stage, while the loser drops to the AFC Challenge League.

US Court Dismisses Adani Criminal Case; Gautam Adani Says 'Truth Prevailed'

US Court Dismisses Adani Criminal Case; Gautam Adani Says 'Truth Prevailed'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

A US federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal securities-fraud case against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, closing nearly two years of prosecution without a trial. Gautam Adani stated, "Truth has prevailed," in response to the ruling.

CJP protest was hijacked by 'history-sheeters': Delhi Police to SC

CJP protest was hijacked by 'history-sheeters': Delhi Police to SC

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

The Delhi Police has strongly defended its use of force during the 'Chalo Sansad' protest on July 20, telling the Supreme Court that the agitation was 'hijacked by anti-social elements and history-sheeters,' leading to law and order breakdown and over 240 police personnel injuries.

Chaos at Abhishek Banerjee's office as civic body removes TMC billboard

Chaos at Abhishek Banerjee's office as civic body removes TMC billboard

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Private guards at Ttrinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee's office, his supporters and some party leaders on Thursday scuffled with police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, trying to prevent them from entering the building on Camac Street and dismantling an "unauthorised" billboard.

Donald And Lowry Lead Stellar Field At DP World India Championship

Donald And Lowry Lead Stellar Field At DP World India Championship

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and Major winner Shane Lowry are confirmed to participate in the second edition of the DP World India Championship in October. They will join a strong field of international golf stars, including other Ryder Cup heroes and Open Champion Ryan Fox, at the Delhi Golf Club for the USD 4,000,000 event.

Can Auqib Nabi Continue His Wicket Ways In Tests? Here's What Pathan Said

Can Auqib Nabi Continue His Wicket Ways In Tests? Here's What Pathan Said

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi's biggest strength lies in his ability to force top batters into errors while defending, rather than relying on raw pace.

Hyderabad Black Hawks Down Goa Guardians to Clinch Guardians Trophy

Hyderabad Black Hawks Down Goa Guardians to Clinch Guardians Trophy

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Hyderabad Black Hawks U21 have won the inaugural Guardians Trophy, defeating hosts Goa Guardians U21 3-1 in the final. The tournament provided a crucial platform for emerging Indian volleyball talent, with individual awards and prize money distributed to top performers.

Sinquefield Cup: Praggnanandhaa's latest draw keeps him in title hunt

Sinquefield Cup: Praggnanandhaa's latest draw keeps him in title hunt

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured another draw against GM Levon Aronian of the United States in the sixth round of the Sinquefield Cup, keeping him in joint second place with 3.5 points.

'We Can Beat Any Team': India Men Confident Of Ending 51-Year Jinx At Hockey World Cup

'We Can Beat Any Team': India Men Confident Of Ending 51-Year Jinx At Hockey World Cup

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton is focused on ending the 51-year World Cup medal drought, aiming for consistency and a strong performance at the upcoming tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Anmol Ekka To Lead Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team At AHF Asia Cup

Anmol Ekka To Lead Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team At AHF Asia Cup

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Defender Anmol Ekka will captain the 18-member Indian men's hockey team for the AHF Junior Asia Cup in China from August 30 to September 13. The squad, training in Bengaluru under coach Frederic Soyez, recently completed an exposure tour of Belgium and is playing friendly matches against Malaysia U-21 as part of their preparations.

Sumit Sarkar: The Historian Who Transformed Indian History

Sumit Sarkar: The Historian Who Transformed Indian History

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Sumit Sarkar was never intellectually dismissive of the Hindutva project. He took it with deadly seriousness for he grasped the challenge it posed to the aspirations and ideals of the anti-imperialist movement that generated multiple imaginings of freedom and ways to attain it, recalls Pradeep Kumar Dutta.

India have six per cent chance to win Hockey World Cup, says coach Craig Fulton

India have six per cent chance to win Hockey World Cup, says coach Craig Fulton

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold.

Badminton Worlds: PV Sindhu's sixth World Championships medal bid ends in quarters

Badminton Worlds: PV Sindhu's sixth World Championships medal bid ends in quarters

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Former world No. 1 PV Sindhu bowed out of the BWF Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Thursday after losing to China's Wang Zhi Yi in the Round of 16.

Hardik Singh: 'Orange jersey is a team strategy, a tactic'

Hardik Singh: 'Orange jersey is a team strategy, a tactic'

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Indian hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh stated that the new orange-coloured jersey for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup is a 'team strategy' and a 'tactic' to avoid clashes with the blue Astroturf, a decision that has sparked controversy.

BWF Worlds: Ayush Shetty STUNS World No 1 Shi Yuqi In Thriller

BWF Worlds: Ayush Shetty STUNS World No 1 Shi Yuqi In Thriller

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi in a thrilling opening-round clash at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Monday.

'Why Are Our Best Students Dying?'

'Why Are Our Best Students Dying?'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Poor families, she said, cut corners on their own needs to pay for coaching and fees, and when their child clears JEE, it's the happiest day the family has had in years. So why, she asked, her voice already starting to climb, does the same system that we're told is the best in the country keep pushing those very students toward what she called 'institutional deaths'?

'We Weren't Able to Convert': Satwik-Chirag Rue World Championships Loss

'We Weren't Able to Convert': Satwik-Chirag Rue World Championships Loss

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, expressed disappointment over their inability to convert attacking opportunities and losing the crucial battle over the first four shots and service, leading to their quarterfinal exit at the World Championships.

Sanjay Manjrekar Calls For IPL Reforms After India's T20I Debacle

Sanjay Manjrekar Calls For IPL Reforms After India's T20I Debacle

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian Premier League (IPL) for contributing to the national team's T20I struggles, particularly in overseas conditions. He urged selectors to pick players based on their suitability for international cricket rather than their IPL performance, highlighting issues like batting-friendly pitches and the 'Impact Player' rule.

Bhattacharya Dominates Day 2 Of Kolar Open

Bhattacharya Dominates Day 2 Of Kolar Open

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Shaurya Bhattacharya fired a five-under 67 to extend his lead to three strokes at nine-under 135 on day two of the Kolar Open. The Delhi golfer made six birdies against a lone bogey, showcasing strong ball-striking and adapting well to windy conditions. Mohd Azhar is his nearest challenger, while other notable players like Arjun Sharma, Angad Cheema, and Badal Hossain are tied for third.

Modern Marriage: 'His Mother Was Not Happy About Our Relationship'

Modern Marriage: 'His Mother Was Not Happy About Our Relationship'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Riya tells Divya Nair how a brief separation from her husband gave her clarity and encouraged her to make peace with her mother-in-law.

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

Indian Golfers Face Early Challenge At Swiss Ladies Open

Indian Golfers Face Early Challenge At Swiss Ladies Open

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian golfers Pranavi Urs and Diksha Dagar had a modest start at the Swiss Ladies Open, carding 1-under 70 and even par 71 respectively, while Tvesa Malik finished 1-over. Spanish players Luna Sobron Galmes and Amaia Latorre took the early lead, and England's Alice Hewson is aiming for a third consecutive win at the event.

Indian Golfers Face Early Challenge At Swiss Ladies Open

Indian Golfers Face Early Challenge At Swiss Ladies Open

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Indian golfers Pranavi Urs and Diksha Dagar had a modest start at the Swiss Ladies Open, carding 1-under 70 and even par 71 respectively, while Tvesa Malik finished 1-over. Spanish players Luna Sobron Galmes and Amaia Latorre took the early lead, and England's Alice Hewson is aiming for a third consecutive win at the event.

Congress on Tharoor's remark: Leaders must avoid 'appeasing BJP'

Congress on Tharoor's remark: Leaders must avoid 'appeasing BJP'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

AICC general secretary KC Venugopal has urged Congress leaders to exercise caution and avoid making statements that could 'please the BJP', in response to remarks attributed to Shashi Tharoor regarding Rahul Gandhi's student outreach programme.

BWF Worlds: Sindhu eyes 6th medal; Satwik-Chirag chase glory

BWF Worlds: Sindhu eyes 6th medal; Satwik-Chirag chase glory

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is set to chase an unprecedented sixth medal at the BWF World Championships, which are returning to India after 17 years, beginning in New Delhi on Monday. Sindhu, already a five-time World Championships medallist, is high on confidence after winning the Japan Open Super 750 last month.

'Bohot badhiya banda': Harbhajan reveals Gambhir's true side

'Bohot badhiya banda': Harbhajan reveals Gambhir's true side

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his bewilderment at the continuous criticism directed towards Gautam Gambhir since he assumed the role of national head coach, acknowledging that Gambhir's direct approach might not appeal to everyone.

Prime Volleyball League auction sees record bids for Indian talent

Prime Volleyball League auction sees record bids for Indian talent

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

The Prime Volleyball League auction saw Shameemudheen become the biggest Indian buy at Rs 20 lakh, with other players like Muhammad Nihal C K, Shon T John, and Jasjodh Singh also securing significant bids. The auction also highlighted the growing importance of grassroots talent, with several U-21 players earning spots in PVL franchises, underscoring the league's commitment to nurturing future stars.