News for 'Defending India'

Hockey World Cup: Indian Women Take on Australia in Virtual Quarter-Final

Hockey World Cup: Indian Women Take on Australia in Virtual Quarter-Final

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

India's route to the semi-finals is straightforward: if the Netherlands beats China, a win over Australia would take the ninth-ranked Indian team through.

Worlds medal gives Treesa-Gayatri a new belief in their potential

Worlds medal gives Treesa-Gayatri a new belief in their potential

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Indian badminton players Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly secured a landmark women's doubles bronze medal at the World Championships, marking India's first in the category since 2011. Despite a semifinal loss to the world No. 1 pair, their impressive performance has instilled new belief and earned them a place among India's elite badminton medallists.

Blue Colts Aim For Historic Win Against Syria In U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers Opener

Blue Colts Aim For Historic Win Against Syria In U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers Opener

Rediff.com5 days ago

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.

Javed Miandad breaks down while pleading for Imran Khan's release

Javed Miandad breaks down while pleading for Imran Khan's release

Rediff.com6 days ago

Javed Miandad broke down while pleading for Imran Khan's release, defending his former captain as honest and urging authorities to resolve his imprisonment amid growing health concerns.

Why Are National Chess Champions Ignored?

Why Are National Chess Champions Ignored?

Rediff.com7 days ago

If winning the National Championship does not help a player make the national team, what exactly is the value of becoming India's national champion?

'Kangana Ranaut Doesn't Express View Of The Entire Country'

'Kangana Ranaut Doesn't Express View Of The Entire Country'

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

'The first thing is to make an approximate calculation about how many people are actually offended by the content and then only move forward with a decision.'

India's boxers rule the ring: 10 into Commonwealth Games finals!

India's boxers rule the ring: 10 into Commonwealth Games finals!

Rediff.com1 Aug 2026

India's boxing contingent delivered a knockout day at the Commonwealth Games, with ten pugilists storming into the finals and keeping the gold rush alive.

India's Hockey World Cup Journey: From 1971 to 2023

India's Hockey World Cup Journey: From 1971 to 2023

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

India's men's hockey team has experienced a varied journey in the World Cup, from winning bronze in 1971 and gold in 1975 to a prolonged period without a podium finish.

'Election Commission Is Excited It Is Eliminating People By The Millions'

'Election Commission Is Excited It Is Eliminating People By The Millions'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

'The incumbent matters. It matters a lot. If a person sitting on top is good, then he can achieve a lot. And if he is bad, you see what can happen.'

India's Top Golfers Vie For Rs 1 Crore Prize At J&K Open

India's Top Golfers Vie For Rs 1 Crore Prize At J&K Open

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

The fifth edition of the J&K Open golf tournament, featuring a doubled prize purse of Rs 1 crore, is set to begin at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. Defending champion Shaurya Bhattacharya will compete against top Indian professionals and international players, with the event also aiming to boost golf tourism in the region.

Ishika Chaudhary's World Cup prep: Visualisation, patience and focus

Ishika Chaudhary's World Cup prep: Visualisation, patience and focus

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

India defender Ishika Chaudhary, set to make her Women's Hockey World Cup debut, believes her team can spring a surprise, drawing parallels with recent FIFA World Cup upsets. She discusses her journey, overcoming setbacks, and the team's strategy to peak at the right time, guided by senior players and coaches.

Salima Tete: Nations Cup win boosts India's World Cup medal hopes

Salima Tete: Nations Cup win boosts India's World Cup medal hopes

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Indian women's hockey captain Salima Tete believes the team's recent FIH Nations Cup triumph has instilled the confidence needed to compete for the top prize at the FIH Women's World Cup 2026, despite facing a challenging pool.

Hockey World Cup: Coach Fulton highlights defensive woes after England defeat

Hockey World Cup: Coach Fulton highlights defensive woes after England defeat

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

India's men's hockey team suffered a 4-2 defeat against England in their second Hockey World Cup pool match, with head coach Craig Fulton and player Manpreet Singh attributing the loss to defensive lapses, particularly in the third quarter. The team now faces a crucial match against arch-rivals Pakistan, needing to improve their defensive discipline and penalty corner conversion.

Sharma, Lahiri To Lead Indian Charge At DP World India Championship

Sharma, Lahiri To Lead Indian Charge At DP World India Championship

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri are set to lead the home challenge at the DP World India Championship, scheduled for October 15-18 at the Delhi Golf Club. The tournament will feature a star-studded international field including Major winner Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, and Viktor Hovland. Both Sharma and Lahiri expressed excitement about competing on home soil, highlighting the event's significance for Indian golf.

28 years on, Pritam hopes son Yashdeep can realise her unfulfilled World Cup dream

28 years on, Pritam hopes son Yashdeep can realise her unfulfilled World Cup dream

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Former India hockey star Pritam Siwach will watch son Yashdeep make his World Cup debut in the Netherlands, 28 years after her own World Cup appearance.

Duleep Trophy: Yash Dhull's selection blunder comes back to haunt North

Duleep Trophy: Yash Dhull's selection blunder comes back to haunt North

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

North Zone secured a crucial 64-run first-innings lead against West Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final, largely due to exceptional bowling from Abid Mushtaq (5/39) and Arshdeep Singh (3/53). However, controversial selection Yash Dhull failed to score, raising questions about his inclusion over specialist opener Sanat Sangwan. North Zone ended day two with a 171-run overall lead, aiming to extend it further.

Jharkhand: JSSC-CGL exam cancellation puts 2,000 jobs at risk

Jharkhand: JSSC-CGL exam cancellation puts 2,000 jobs at risk

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Following Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam and other recruitment tests due to alleged irregularities, approximately 2,000 successful candidates now fear losing their jobs, demanding a CBI probe and a fair opportunity to defend themselves.

'Right mix of experience and youth': India's Squad For Hockey World Cup

'Right mix of experience and youth': India's Squad For Hockey World Cup

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

India has announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, with Harmanpreet Singh leading the team.

From 'Generation Gutter' to 'India's Strength': Kangana's U-turn on Gen Z

From 'Generation Gutter' to 'India's Strength': Kangana's U-turn on Gen Z

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has made a significant U-turn, praising Gen Z as India's biggest strength and ambassadors of culture, days after controversially labelling them 'generation gutter.' Her new stance aligns with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent comments advocating for hearing out young protesters.

'The ultimate goal is the Olympics': Arundhati after CWG gold

'The ultimate goal is the Olympics': Arundhati after CWG gold

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Indian pugilists Arundhati Choudhary and Jaismine Lamboria, both Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallists, shared their experiences and overwhelming reception following their historic victories in Glasgow, with Choudhary setting her sights on an Olympic medal.

CWG 2026: India's wait for men's shot put medal continues as Toor, Gill miss podium

CWG 2026: India's wait for men's shot put medal continues as Toor, Gill miss podium

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

India's long wait for a maiden Commonwealth Games medal in men's shot put continued as Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill finished fifth and seventh respectively in the final in Glasgow on Thursday.

FIH Hockey World Cup: What makes India's attack so dangerous?

FIH Hockey World Cup: What makes India's attack so dangerous?

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

The Indian men's hockey team's forward line, including Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and Shilanand Lakra, is meticulously preparing for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup. They are focusing on chemistry, consistency, and the evolving role of modern forwards, which now includes being the first line of defence. Senior players like Mandeep are mentoring younger talents, emphasising teamwork, mental fortitude, and converting chances.

Sports Ministry Clears 492-Member Indian Squad For Asian Games

Sports Ministry Clears 492-Member Indian Squad For Asian Games

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member Indian contingent, comprising 265 male and 227 female athletes, for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Athletics forms the largest group with 73 participants, including star athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Jyothi Yarraji. Other prominent sports like shooting, weightlifting, badminton, boxing, and wrestling also feature strong teams, with some adjustments made due to doping violations.

India shining at CWG: Judo Golds, Javelin Double, Boxers Blaze

India shining at CWG: Judo Golds, Javelin Double, Boxers Blaze

Rediff.com1 Aug 2026

India celebrated a remarkable day at the Commonwealth Games, securing its first-ever judo gold medals through Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, achieving a javelin throw double podium with Neeraj Chopra and Yashvir Singh, and seeing 10 boxers advance to their respective finals.

'Kohli a great role model; lot of players want to emulate him': V V S Laxman

'Kohli a great role model; lot of players want to emulate him': V V S Laxman

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, lauded Virat Kohli as an 'exemplary professional' and 'great role model' for his consistent high standards.

'Kuldeep is in the scheme of things, one match does not define him'

'Kuldeep is in the scheme of things, one match does not define him'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule defended Kuldeep Yadav's performance in the first Test, stating he remains in the team's plans despite a modest outing.

India name strong squad for Hockey World Cup; Harmanpreet Singh to lead

India name strong squad for Hockey World Cup; Harmanpreet Singh to lead

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

India has announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, with Harmanpreet Singh leading the team.

FIDE Elections: Viswanathan Anand Faces Tough Battle

FIDE Elections: Viswanathan Anand Faces Tough Battle

Rediff.com2 days ago

The FIDE elections will see three Indians, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand, vying for crucial leadership positions amidst a complex electoral landscape and a high-stakes three-way presidential battle.

Hockey India President Demands Answers As Jersey Colour Row Intensifies

Hockey India President Demands Answers As Jersey Colour Row Intensifies

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The controversy within Hockey India over the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified, with President Dilip Tirkey demanding documents from Director General Commander RK Srivastava. The issue, coupled with unaddressed harassment complaints, has led to the Secretary General seeking an emergency Executive Board meeting, highlighting significant internal strife ahead of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup.

Vidit Reveals what Gukesh must fix before title defence

Vidit Reveals what Gukesh must fix before title defence

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.

Sports Ministry Firm On Asian Games Tennis Selection Criteria

Sports Ministry Firm On Asian Games Tennis Selection Criteria

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Five Indian tennis players were excluded from the Asian Games squad because they did not meet the Sports Ministry's stringent international ranking criteria, a decision that has drawn criticism from veteran players like Rohan Bopanna but is being upheld by authorities to maintain administrative integrity.

'Time To Drop Pant': Fans Fume After Galle Dismissal

'Time To Drop Pant': Fans Fume After Galle Dismissal

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Rishabh Pant's dismissal for 39 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle has once again brought his shot selection under intense scrutiny, with fans and former cricketers criticising his inability to convert starts into bigger scores.

Airtel Defends Its Priority Postpaid Plans

Airtel Defends Its Priority Postpaid Plans

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Airtel, which upgraded all postpaid customers to priority plans, argued that the service did not throttle or degrade the experience for its prepaid customers, forming the majority of its 368 million customers in the country.

Ayush Shetty exits; Treesa-Gayatri enter quarterfinals at Badminton Worlds

Ayush Shetty exits; Treesa-Gayatri enter quarterfinals at Badminton Worlds

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Ayush Shetty's impressive run at the World Championships ended in the pre-quarterfinals against Alwi Farhan, concluding India's men's singles challenge. Meanwhile, the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant win, continuing their strong comeback after Treesa's injury.

10 Must Watch Taapsee Pannu Films

10 Must Watch Taapsee Pannu Films

Rediff.com18 hours ago

From Pink and Thappad to Aadukalam and Game Over, these 10 films showcase Taapsee Pannu at her most powerful and versatile.

Can VinFast Sustain Its Blistering India Start?

Can VinFast Sustain Its Blistering India Start?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

VinFast has gone from an unknown brand to India's fifth-largest EV carmaker in just seven months, but its toughest battle is only beginning.

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi And Nihal Sarin Secure Top-Eight Finishes At Esports World Cup Chess

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi And Nihal Sarin Secure Top-Eight Finishes At Esports World Cup Chess

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin concluded their campaign at the Esports World Cup Chess tournament in the quarterfinals, securing top-eight finishes. Erigaisi was eliminated by Hikaru Nakamura in an Armageddon tiebreak, while Sarin lost to defending champion Magnus Carlsen. Their performance marks India's strongest showing in the event, with both players earning USD 75,000 each from the substantial prize pool.

Neeraj Chopra in 'perfect physical shape' for Commonwealth Games, India eyes more medals

Neeraj Chopra in 'perfect physical shape' for Commonwealth Games, India eyes more medals

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

India's chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair has confirmed that javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is in 'perfect physical shape' ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, expressing strong confidence that India will surpass its previous medal tally and potentially achieve a record number of gold medals.

Active MFs reduce bets to multi-year low

Active MFs reduce bets to multi-year low

Rediff.com4 days ago

HDFC Bank's share in active mutual fund schemes has fallen to multi-year lows, despite overall MF ownership in the bank rising, as the stock faces weak performance, soft margins, and governance concerns.

How Lionel Messi's Legacy Drives Argentina's Hockey Team

How Lionel Messi's Legacy Drives Argentina's Hockey Team

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Argentina's men's hockey captain, Matias Rey, draws inspiration from football legend Lionel Messi as he leads his team in his sixth World Cup. Rey, like Messi, emphasizes the "never give up" philosophy learned from the national football team's success. The team, including goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, is preparing for a tough match against India, focusing on neutralizing key players like Harmanpreet Singh, while fans show their support by wearing Messi's jersey.