Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold-medallist, emphasised the importance of athletes questioning their coaches, methods, and systems for growth and sporting excellence, stating that free speech and curiosity are vital, even if perceived as indiscipline.
IIIT Hyderabad and measurement technologies firm Hexagon R&D India have collaborated to establish the Hexagon Digital Twin Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. This CoE will focus on applied research, education, and industry collaboration in computer vision, spatial computing, and AI-powered digital twins, providing access to advanced imaging technology.
England Test captain Joe Root has lauded his side's 'excellent' response to an 'unusual summer' marked by a captaincy change, a new coach, and off-field incidents, following their dominant 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced initiatives to promote sports as an instrument of social change, including distributing sporting kits in Maoist-affected villages and unveiling the slogan "Kheliba Odisha, Jitiba Odisha". He highlighted the state's growing world-class sports infrastructure, including new stadiums and regional hubs, and its upcoming role as host for the 2028 Asian and World Athletics Indoor Championships. Awards were also conferred on various sports personalities.
Dr Bhairavi Joshi, a member of the Cycling Federation of India's Development Committee, has been awarded the United Nations World Bicycle Day Founder Leszek Sibilski's Certificate of Excellence for her significant efforts in promoting cycling across India through various community initiatives.
Mairaj Ahmad Khan, a 50-year-old Indian skeet shooter, is set to compete in his fourth Asian Games, showcasing remarkable longevity. The article traces his unique journey from a promising cricketer, who even played with Virender Sehwag, to becoming a decorated shooter with Olympic appearances and World Cup medals. Despite past disappointments, Khan approaches the upcoming games with renewed spirit, embodying wisdom gained over decades in sport.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and badminton legend Pullela Gopichand have launched the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE), an initiative designed to strengthen India's sports coaching landscape.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam to discuss strengthening cooperation, developing aquatic sports in India, and exploring India's readiness to host Asian-level championships. India is also targeting to host the 2038 Asian Games and 2036 Olympics.
Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match women's ODI series against Zimbabwe due to fitness concerns, with uncapped Jintimani Kalita named as her replacement. Renuka is currently focusing on building bowling volume at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu stated that Gen Z will be the driving force behind the next wave of AI and green innovation. He urged young innovators to use their skills to solve real-world challenges, particularly in sustainability. The launch of the Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, a partnership between Telangana's IT Ministry, Microsoft, 1M1B, and MeitY Startup Hub, aims to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills in AI, green pharma, solar energy, EVs, and wind energy, with 100 job offers already announced.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to feature in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, while Rishabh Pant is also in contention as both prepare for India's upcoming Test series.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has called for a stronger, athlete-centric sporting ecosystem, emphasising the need for robust federations, committed coaches, quality infrastructure, and effective sports science support. She highlighted that sporting excellence requires institutions that prioritise athletes and provide fair opportunities, while also congratulating recent Asian Games gold medallists.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay congratulated speed skaters Anandkumar Velkumar, Lakshita, Pragathi, and Rutva for their medal wins at the World Skate Games 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay. Anandkumar secured a gold medal in the senior men's marathon, while Lakshita, Pragathi, and Rutva earned bronze in the junior women's 3,000 m relay race, marking India's first relay medal in the event.
A significant communication breakdown between the Centre of Excellence's (CoE) sports science team and the senior national men's selection committee has been exposed by Jasprit Bumrah's unexpected absence from the Test series against Sri Lanka, alongside other player injury concerns.
Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC) is poised to make history by becoming the first club from Nagaland to compete in the Indian Football League (IFL), with its debut scheduled for the 2026-27 season starting October 30. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio lauded the club's entry, highlighting its potential to inspire youth and provide a platform for local football talent. NUSC's formation in 2024 and its arrangement with Aizawl FC underscore a significant step for football in the Northeast region.
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has been appointed as the new chairman of the Indian men's cricket team's selection committee, with Ramesh Powar joining as a new selector.
Ahmedabad, India, has been selected to host the senior Weightlifting World Championships in 2029, marking the first time India will host this prestigious event. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced the decision after its executive board meeting, also awarding the 2030 championships to Moscow and youth events to Kosovo and Venezuela.
Indian Revenue Service officer Ekta Vishnoi, currently Joint Secretary in the Department of Biotechnology, has won three gold medals at the World Masters Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Nevada, USA.
Kaverappa's four-wicket haul gave South Zone control before they stumbled, while Mukesh and Sarkar struck three each to bowl Central Zone out, giving East Zone a strong start.
Aston Villa kicked off their Champions League journey with a hard-fought 3-2 away victory over Club Brugge, propelled by two assists from Pau Torres. Meanwhile, AEK Athens also secured a winning start, defeating Austrian side LASK 1-0 thanks to a stunning free-kick from Razvan Marin.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.
Parthiv Patel turned down the opportunity to become the chairman of selectors, citing 'financial issues' related to the remuneration for the role compared to his existing commitments.
Young Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre has sustained a grade 4 tear in his right hamstring, sidelining him for an estimated four to six weeks, potentially longer. This injury is a significant blow to Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign, especially as Mhatre was named vice-captain for the season.
India U-19 World Cup winning skipper and Mumbai vice-captain Ayush Mhatre has undergone successful surgery for a Grade 4 right hamstring tear and is expected to be out of competitive cricket for two to three months. This is his second hamstring injury this year, impacting Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign.
Indian physicist Professor Ashoke Sen has been awarded the prestigious Oskar Klein Medal for 2026, making him the first Indian to receive this honour. Recognised for his groundbreaking work in string theory, including S-duality and black hole entropy, Sen delivered the memorial lecture at Stockholm University. He has previously received numerous accolades such as the Breakthrough Prize, Dirac Medal, and Padma Bhushan.
Indian para swimmer Himanshu Nandal secured his third bronze medal at the Asian Para Games in the men's 100m freestyle S11 event on Friday, completing a hat-trick of podium finishes. Nandal, who is visually impaired, previously won bronze in the 400m freestyle and 100m breaststroke S11 events, and has also qualified for the Paris Paralympics.
Indian physicist Ashoke Sen has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Oskar Klein Medal, making him the first Indian to receive this honour. Sen, a leading figure in modern string theory, was recognised for his pioneering work, including contributions to S-duality, black-hole entropy, and string field theory. He delivered a memorial lecture on October 22 in Stockholm.
Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC played out a goalless draw in a hard-fought Indian Super League match on Sunday. Despite numerous chances and strong attacking plays from both sides, neither team could find the back of the net, leading to a shared point.
Konsam Sanathoi Singh scored in the final minute of injury time to give Punjab FC a dramatic 3-2 victory over Churchill Brothers in an Indian Super League match. Raphael Messi Bouli and Alfred Planas Moya also scored for Punjab, while Sebastian Gutierrez netted twice for Churchill Brothers.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has sent an athlete back from the Asian Para Games in Japan due to alleged misconduct. The athlete faces severe disciplinary action, including a potential lifetime ban, after the Games conclude. The PCI reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and emphasised its commitment to discipline and integrity.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin praised Sri Lanka's "unreal" 400-run chase against England, highlighting their determination. He also commended Harry Brook's double century and stressed the importance of promoting Test cricket. Azharuddin also congratulated the Indian team for their T20I victory against New Zealand.
The three-day Army Commanders' Conference commenced in New Delhi, featuring the release of the 'Land Warfare Doctrine' by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This vision document aims to equip the Indian Army for future conflicts and evolving warfare challenges. The conference brings together senior leadership to discuss operational preparedness, capability development, and future transformation initiatives, with addresses from top defence officials and recognition for peacekeepers and environmental efforts.
India A were bundled for a lowly 113 as five of their batters perished for ducks before captain Rhys Marius's half-century helped New Zealand A take the lead on Day 1 of the 1st unofficial Test.
BCCI secretary Devaijit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will now attend all senior selection panel meetings to prevent miscommunication between the selectors and the COE, particularly regarding player fitness and rehabilitation. This decision follows past speculations of friction between Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar over player recovery timelines.
Four faculty members from Nagaland University have been named among the world's top 2 per cent scientists for their significant research contributions, according to an annual database by Elsevier and Stanford University. Three of them also feature in the Career-Long Top 2 per cent Scientists list, highlighting the university's growing global research impact across various scientific disciplines.
Sargun Kaur Luthra has come a long way from making her television debut in Kaal Bhairav Rahasya in 2017. The Delhi-born actress went on to win audiences over as Dr Preesha in Yeh Hai Chahatein, a role that made her a familiar face in Indian households.
HCLTech has announced a global partnership with Anthropic to establish a dedicated business unit focused on developing agentic AI solutions for enterprise clients using Anthropic's Claude. The collaboration aims to help businesses adopt AI systems that operate with minimal human intervention, prioritising safety, cybersecurity, and governance. HCLSoftware will also integrate Claude into its enterprise products.
'Bhuvi should be the first choice with the new ball, based on the conditions, because of the skill he possesses of swinging the ball.'
British Indian landlord Nirpal Singh Riat has had his Order of the British Empire (OBE) annulled by King Charles III after being fined for renting out damp and squalid rooms. Riat, who received the honour in 2010, was found to have brought the honours system into disrepute. This rare cancellation follows a significant fine of 300,000 pounds for illegal conversions and poor living conditions, and comes amidst another similar case involving Lord Rami Ranger.
Indian para table tennis players Bhavina Patel, Prachi, and Sonalben have advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, guaranteeing at least three bronze medals for the country. Bhavina Patel won her Class 4-5 quarterfinal, Prachi secured a historic medal in Class 6, and Sonalben triumphed in Class 3, showcasing India's strong performance in the sport.
