Mahieka Sharma penned a heartfelt note for Hardik Pandya's 33rd birthday, detailing his journey from a struggling young cricketer in Baroda to one of India's leading all-rounders, highlighting his early struggles, unexpected turn to bowling, and unwavering work ethic.
Defending champions Rajputana Royals defeated Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in the opening match of the second Archery Premier League season. Led by Ojas Deotale, Ella Gibson, and Mete Gazoz, the Royals secured a hard-fought victory despite a strong comeback attempt by the Yodhas, who ultimately faltered with a costly error in the final moments.
He was intense on screen, equally intense on stage, and yet, from what I remember of those early days, remarkably at ease amongst ordinary people, remembers Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).
India dropped teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite his impressive Asian Games run, preferring Sanju Samson as Gautam Gambhir backed experience and resisted pressure to alter the winning combination.
'One of the biggest mistakes first-time daters make is spending too much time texting before meeting in person,' says Shalini Singh, founder of andwemet, an invite-only WhatsApp matchmaking community for Indian singles.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has praised young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, comparing his aggressive style to his own. Sehwag emphasised that age is not a barrier in top-flight cricket if performance is consistent. He also lauded Shubman Gill for his recent double century and record-breaking performance, and expressed confidence in India's bowling attack for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
South Africa's Anrich Nortje, returning to first-class cricket after nearly four years, took two quick wickets to leave Australia struggling at 149-6 at tea on the opening day of the first Test. Nortje's fiery spell after lunch justified his recall, as he dismissed Alex Carey and Beau Webster in quick succession.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have vowed to escalate their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, expanding protests nationwide after their release from detention. They allege an "emergency-like situation" created by the Modi government, illegal detentions, and harassment of protesters, drawing parallels to the 1975 Emergency. The CJP is protesting alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanding Kumar's resignation, accusing authorities of suppressing dissent.
More and more young people, short of time, on the go, opt to start their day with a nutrient-packed smoothie that they whizz up themselves or carry in a portable blender and press on when ready to sip it.
France staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Belgium 4-1 in their Nations League Group A1 encounter, with substitutes playing a crucial role in the final minutes. Meanwhile, Italy secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Turkey in the same group, maintaining their strong form. These results significantly impact the group standings, with France now leading.
India's women's football team, the Blue Tigresses, will play two international friendlies against 27th-ranked Russia in Kolkata. These matches serve as a crucial test for India's young squad, with an average age of 23, as they prepare for next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup. Head coach Crispin Chettri views this as an opportunity for emerging players to prove themselves against a stronger opponent.
Indian men's hockey head coach Craig Fulton revealed that the hard-fought semi-final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan significantly boosted the team's confidence, leading to their dominant 5-1 win against Malaysia in the Asian Games final and securing a berth for the 2028 Olympics.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir acknowledged Roston Chase's disciplined bowling spell as a 'game-changing' factor in the second T20I, but stressed the need for India to improve their ability to defend large totals after West Indies successfully chased down 250.
Eutelsat OneWeb, a satellite communications company, is awaiting approvals from the Indian central government to launch its services, as confirmed by Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, the largest shareholder in the Eutelsat group.
India face West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, needing one more win to seal the series as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan lead the batting charge.
Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper Suraj Karkera commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) Punjab 2026. While acknowledging that fans will miss the intense rivalry, Karkera stated the Indian team remains focused on performing their best. Bangladesh has replaced Pakistan in the tournament, where India, fresh off their Asian Games gold, will enter as top-ranked contenders.
'Growing up in Bangladesh, I always felt that I was a piece of meat. As soon as I walked down the street, I could be the president of Bangladesh and I would still be a piece of meat because I am a woman.'
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurav Das were released after preventive arrest following their detention at the Delhi airport, on the condition that they would not 'breach peace' for a year.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated readiness to consider a truce covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is set to discuss proposals aimed at transforming the complex indirect tax system into a more business-friendly regime, focusing on simplifying compliance, reducing administrative burdens, and potentially raising the prosecution threshold.
'Why should I think of giving up?'
The goal is to ensure that your bank works for you, providing liquidity and convenience without charging you for the privilege of holding your own money.
A dentist on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight heroically saved Captain Smit Machchhar's life after he was stabbed by a co-pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Dr. Shuta Musaev's 45-minute intervention, using makeshift medical supplies, stabilised the severely injured captain, who is now recovering and has been praised by Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers.
India captain Shubman Gill has candidly addressed the team's critical shortcomings following their loss to West Indies in the 3rd ODI in Mullanpur on Saturday.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton discusses the team's recent successes, including defending the Asian Games gold and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He surprisingly rates the Paris Olympics bronze medal as his most satisfying achievement, highlighting the team's strategic planning and resilience. Fulton also outlines the team's future transition plans, focusing on upcoming tournaments and developing new talent for LA 2028.
Suraj Prabodh, an unseeded player, caused a major upset at the 31st Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship by defeating second seed Aditya Balsekar in a thrilling three-set match. The tournament also saw other upsets in men's singles and doubles, while top seeds advanced in women's and junior categories.
'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli's sudden Test retirement in May 2025 stemmed from bitterness over how the situation was handled, suggesting the star player could have continued in the format.
Australia need six wickets on final day to win first Test as South Africa were reduced to 102 for 4 at stumps on day four in Durban.
India successfully chased down a formidable target of 406 runs against the West Indies in the second ODI, with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma's exceptional batting performances leading the team to a historic victory.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured a commanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position, marking his second consecutive win of the season. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli took third, significantly extending his championship lead and potentially clinching the title in the next round. The race saw strategic battles and tyre struggles, particularly for Lewis Hamilton, who dropped to sixth place by the end.
Police in Kerala have arrested four individuals, including the driver, in connection with a fatal Mini Cooper crash that killed three youngsters. The driver, Suhail, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and driving at high speed. The victims' family is demanding that murder charges be invoked against the accused, while the Excise Department has registered cases against three bars for serving alcohol to underage individuals.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar shared his childhood dream of dismissing legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, whom he idolised as 'everybody's hero', during a conversation celebrating Sobers' life and legacy.
Never a crowd pleaser in the conventional sense, Nana Patekar's knack for not mincing words, if anything his brusque, take it-or-leave it persona -- which made his eccentricity a guilty pleasure of sorts -- contributed to his eminence, observes Sukanya Verma.
Dwayne Bravo says ODI cricket could soon see 500-run totals as batters dominate, while Chris Gayle welcomes the fearless approach of the new generation.
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson believes the coming tour of New Zealand will present significant challenges and exciting opportunities for 15-year-old Indian cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite his impressive recent performances.
Indian archers returned from the Asian Games with a historic haul of 5 gold medals, 2 Olympic quotas, and other medals, celebrating their success and triumphs over global powerhouse South Korea. Coaches and athletes expressed elation, crediting rigorous training, teamwork, and a supportive ecosystem for their unprecedented performance.
Indian badminton players, including PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy, are set to compete in the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament in Vantaa, Finland. This event follows their recent Asian Games campaign, where India secured one medal. The shuttlers aim to build on their form and seek strong performances in the BWF season.
Shubhankar Sharma retained a two-shot lead after the third round of the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship on Friday, despite an even-par 72. Bengaluru's Manoj S and Italy's Michele Ortolani are his closest challengers heading into the final round.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton revealed that the tough semifinal victory against Pakistan was crucial in preparing the team for their dominant 5-1 win over Malaysia in the Asian Games final. This victory secured India's gold medal and a direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Senior player Hardik Singh also expressed relief and pride in the team's performance after a disappointing World Cup.
