News for 'First World'

'A tenure marked by some truly special moments': BCCI hails Agarkar

'A tenure marked by some truly special moments': BCCI hails Agarkar

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and head coach Gautam Gambhir have lauded former chief selector Ajit Agarkar for his highly successful three-year tenure, which saw India win three ICC trophies and achieve significant white-ball dominance.

Olympic Quota Coach Dave Cousins Awaits Salary

Olympic Quota Coach Dave Cousins Awaits Salary

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

American coach Dave Cousins, who led India's compound archers to a historic Olympic quota at the Asian Games, faced a significant delay in receiving his salary for over three months. The Archery Association of India and Sports Authority of India have acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a technical problem, and assured that the payment will be cleared within days, resolving the coach's threat to quit.

Alcaraz overcomes Lehecka, finds his best to seal back-to-back Japan Open crowns

Alcaraz overcomes Lehecka, finds his best to seal back-to-back Japan Open crowns

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Carlos Alcaraz overcame a slow start to beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4, retain the Japan Open crown, claim his 27th title and strengthen his comeback after injury.

VisionQuest Review: Artificial Emotions

VisionQuest Review: Artificial Emotions

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Paul Bettany and James Spader bring plenty of personality to VisionQuest, but the Marvel's latest series struggles to find the emotional soul its story needs.

1st Test: Hazlewood's fiery spell fuels Australia's 214-run rout of South Africa at Kingsmead

1st Test: Hazlewood's fiery spell fuels Australia's 214-run rout of South Africa at Kingsmead

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-49 as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs at Kingsmead, dismissing the hosts for 206 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

'Jio Has The Energy And Nimbleness Of A Startup'

'Jio Has The Energy And Nimbleness Of A Startup'

Rediff.com1 days ago

'... but runs with the rigour and discipline of a large enterprise.'

India Wants To Develop Ties With China 'Once Again'

India Wants To Develop Ties With China 'Once Again'

Rediff.com7 days ago

'We are open to all countries around the world as long as we get a fair deal, as long as we are ensured continuity in the engagement.'

Four wickets, a fifty: Why Shedge is in India's ODI frame

Four wickets, a fifty: Why Shedge is in India's ODI frame

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge is a strong contender for India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour, following impressive performances against Australia A. His recent form, coupled with injury concerns for other all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya, makes him an attractive option for the expanded squad needed due to a tight schedule.

Renshaw's heroics leave Australia with a big selection headache

Renshaw's heroics leave Australia with a big selection headache

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Matt Renshaw's outstanding performance in Australia's Test victory over South Africa has solidified his middle-order spot, but the team still faces uncertainty regarding its opening batting combination. Travis Head's suitability at the top of the order is questioned, while Nic Maddinson's inconsistent debut adds to the dilemma. The article also highlights strong bowling performances from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and the team's challenging schedule ahead.

Anirudh Thapa's Uruguay Goal Celebration Steals Show

Anirudh Thapa's Uruguay Goal Celebration Steals Show

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Anirudh Thapa scored a historic goal against Uruguay, becoming the first Indian to score against a top-20 FIFA nation since 1992.

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals helped India secure a 3-1 victory over Wales in their first match of the men's Hockey World Cup, with Sanjay also contributing to the scoreline.

Shah Rukh On Nana Patekar: 'Too Soon My Hero Actor'

Shah Rukh On Nana Patekar: 'Too Soon My Hero Actor'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

'He always had a strange way of showing affection. He would shout at you first, and then somewhere between the third or fourth insult, you realised you were being hugged. He loved me and I loved him back.'

'You gave Indian cricket everything as captain': Yuvraj, Shafali pay tribute to Harmanpreet

'You gave Indian cricket everything as captain': Yuvraj, Shafali pay tribute to Harmanpreet

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats, stating she is now 'ready to play for the love of the game again.' Tributes have poured in from former and current players, including Yuvraj Singh and Shafali Verma, acknowledging her significant contributions to Indian cricket.

French Tennis Star Gael Monfils Announces Retirement at 40

French Tennis Star Gael Monfils Announces Retirement at 40

Rediff.com7 days ago

French tennis star Gael Monfils has officially retired from professional tennis at the age of 40, as confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, ending a career marked by athleticism and 13 ATP Tour singles titles.

12 Reasons To Love Ireland

12 Reasons To Love Ireland

Rediff.com6 days ago

And plan your trip to the Republic.

Veteran Roelof Van Der Merwe Targets Dream World Cup Finale

Veteran Roelof Van Der Merwe Targets Dream World Cup Finale

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

At 41, Roelof van der Merwe aims to conclude his international cricket career at the upcoming ODI World Cup, ideally in Centurion, South Africa, representing the Netherlands. He discusses his dedication to national duty over franchise cricket, his fitness goals for future World Cups, and his continued impact as a left-arm spinner and fielder. He also highlights the potential of the European T20 Premier League to unearth new talent.

Suhas Yathiraj, Krishna Nagar Lead India's Strong Start At Asian Para Games

Suhas Yathiraj, Krishna Nagar Lead India's Strong Start At Asian Para Games

Rediff.com6 days ago

Indian para-badminton players, including Paralympics medallists Suhas Yathiraj and Krishna Nagar, have made a strong start at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. Suhas Yathiraj secured a straight-game victory in men's singles SL4, while Krishna Nagar also won his opening SH6 match. Other Indian shuttlers also registered wins across various categories, though some pairs faced defeats.

F1 returns to Africa after 33 years, with Rwanda set to host Grand Prix from early 2030s

F1 returns to Africa after 33 years, with Rwanda set to host Grand Prix from early 2030s

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Formula One will return to Africa after 33 years, with Rwanda securing a 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix from the early 2030s, promising tourism, investment and jobs.

New Zealand's New Game Plan! Finn Allen To Bat In Middle Order In India ODIs

New Zealand's New Game Plan! Finn Allen To Bat In Middle Order In India ODIs

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has revealed plans to utilise explosive batter Finn Allen in a middle-order role during the upcoming ODI series against India.

Arsenal boss Arteta relishes first Premier League battle with close friend Alonso

Arsenal boss Arteta relishes first Premier League battle with close friend Alonso

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Mikel Arteta is relishing his first Premier League meeting with close friend Xabi Alonso, calling it an incredible opportunity as Arsenal host Chelsea in a clash between unbeaten sides.

Abhinav Bindra: Questioning Is Key To Sporting Excellence

Abhinav Bindra: Questioning Is Key To Sporting Excellence

Rediff.com6 days ago

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.

Quimcy D'Souza narrowly misses medal, but puts Indian teqball on world stage

Quimcy D'Souza narrowly misses medal, but puts Indian teqball on world stage

Rediff.com20 Sep 2026

Quimcy D'Souza, a self-funded and self-coached Indian teqball player, competed at the Asian Games with the aim of popularising the sport in India. Despite narrowly missing out on two bronze medals, D'Souza views her journey as a crucial first step towards establishing teqball in the country and inspiring more athletes.

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.

Rohit Sharma remains India's first-choice opener for 2027 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

Rohit Sharma remains India's first-choice opener for 2027 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has said Rohit Sharma should remain India's first-choice ODI opener until the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup as long as he is fit, available and continues to score runs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has what it takes to rule world cricket: Srikkanth

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has what it takes to rule world cricket: Srikkanth

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

Kris Srikkanth backs 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become a world cricket superstar, citing his fearless batting, Duleep Trophy heroics, IPL dominance and potential across all three formats.

Peter Wilson Expresses Disappointment Over Zorawar Singh's Asian Games Exclusion

Peter Wilson Expresses Disappointment Over Zorawar Singh's Asian Games Exclusion

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

India's foreign trap shooting coach, Peter Wilson, has voiced his disappointment over the exclusion of World Championship bronze medallist Zorawar Singh from the Asian Games squad. Wilson highlighted Zorawar's calibre and the "great shame" of his omission, attributing it largely to the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) selection policy which prioritises domestic trials over international results. He also addressed the Indian shotgun team's recent poor World Cup performances and discussed the need for systemic changes to improve access to shotgun shooting in India.

Jailer 2 Review: Rajinikanth Fanboy Fun With Flawed Villains

Jailer 2 Review: Rajinikanth Fanboy Fun With Flawed Villains

Rediff.com6 days ago

Rajinikanth brings the swagger, Nelson delivers the whistles, but Jailer 2's predictable plot and underwhelming villains keep this fanboy extravaganza from becoming anything more than a familiar celebration of Thalaivar's aura.

Ganguly breaks silence on Delhi Capitals role, conflict of interest

Ganguly breaks silence on Delhi Capitals role, conflict of interest

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Sourav Ganguly has confirmed his new role as head coach for Delhi Capitals for the 2027 IPL season, replacing Hemang Badani. He addressed potential conflict of interest concerns regarding his concurrent presidency of the Cricket Association of Bengal, citing a BCCI ombudsman order. Ganguly also commented on India's football performance and congratulated PM Narendra Modi.

Andreeva sweeps aside Bartunkova to set up high-stakes China Open final against Zheng

Andreeva sweeps aside Bartunkova to set up high-stakes China Open final against Zheng

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

Mirra Andreeva crushed Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 6-2 to reach the China Open final, setting up a title showdown with home favourite and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.

Messi scores, has two assists in last Argentina masterclass

Messi scores, has two assists in last Argentina masterclass

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Lionel Messi concluded his 21-year international career with Argentina in an emotional friendly match against Benin, scoring one goal and assisting two others in a 3-0 victory. The event was a national celebration of his service, marked by fan tributes, fireworks, and a heartfelt farewell from teammates and opponents.

French Badminton Makes History With Double World Titles

French Badminton Makes History With Double World Titles

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

France achieved a historic double victory at the World Championships, with Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue winning mixed doubles and Alex Lanier securing the men's singles title. This unprecedented success is attributed to decades of strategic investment in a national badminton system, including national and regional centres, coach education, and a focus on holistic player development, aiming to elevate France among traditional Asian powerhouses in the sport.

Anahat Singh Ends India's 18-Year Wait, Reaches World Junior Squash Final

Anahat Singh Ends India's 18-Year Wait, Reaches World Junior Squash Final

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian since Joshna Chinappa in 2005 to reach the World Junior Squash Championship final.

Vinesh Phogat's World Championships Hopes Dashed By Delhi High Court Ruling

Vinesh Phogat's World Championships Hopes Dashed By Delhi High Court Ruling

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

The Delhi High Court has refused to grant wrestler Vinesh Phogat an interim exemption to participate in the women's selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships. The court stated that eligibility criteria apply uniformly to all athletes and granting an interim relief to Phogat, who recently returned from maternity leave, would lead to unequal treatment without a full adjudication of the policy's validity. Phogat had sought to challenge the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) circular on eligibility, arguing it unfairly excludes athletes returning from maternity.

Nishad Kumar Leads India's Gold Rush At Asian Para Games

Nishad Kumar Leads India's Gold Rush At Asian Para Games

Rediff.com1 days ago

Indian para track and field athletes secured 14 medals, including five gold, at the Asian Para Games. Nishad Kumar became the third Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition, triumphing in high jump and long jump. Deepthi Jeevanji and Pranav Soorma also clinched gold, setting new Games and Asian records respectively, highlighting India's strong performance.

What Went Wrong For India At The Hockey World Cup

What Went Wrong For India At The Hockey World Cup

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

India's Hockey World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a 5-3 defeat to Argentina, highlighting persistent defensive issues and a struggle to perform against top-ranked teams. The team's problems, including conceding early goals and a lack of intensity, had been building throughout the year.

After shock loss, Rybakina pulls out of Wuhan Open

After shock loss, Rybakina pulls out of Wuhan Open

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, following a recent defeat at the China Open. Despite ongoing struggles with a lower leg and foot problem, Rybakina had a successful season, securing her third Grand Slam title and qualifying for the WTA Finals. She plans to rest and recover before her next scheduled competition in Ningbo.

Hockey World Cup: India face stern test against Olympic champions Netherlands

Hockey World Cup: India face stern test against Olympic champions Netherlands

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

India faces a critical challenge against co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in their Hockey World Cup second-round opener.

Badosa's inspiring comeback leads to new Laureus role

Badosa's inspiring comeback leads to new Laureus role

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa has been announced as a Laureus Ambassador, reinforcing her long-standing connection with the movement. Badosa expressed her honour and shared a message of perseverance for young participants in Laureus programmes worldwide, while tennis legend Martina Navratilova welcomed her to the Laureus family.

Formula 1 India return gets Lando Norris backing

Formula 1 India return gets Lando Norris backing

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

World champion Lando Norris says he would love to race in India as the government pushes to bring Formula 1 back to the country after a 13-year absence.

How LTTS' New AI Lab Is Revolutionising Digital Manufacturing

How LTTS' New AI Lab Is Revolutionising Digital Manufacturing

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has inaugurated an NVIDIA-powered Engineering Intelligence (EI) lab in Bengaluru, designed to showcase AI-native manufacturing, digital twins, and autonomous systems. The facility offers clients a comprehensive view of the manufacturing journey, from virtual validation to autonomous operations, and plans to expand to the US.