Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
India are confident of reclaiming the men's Asia Cup hockey title after a hiatus of eight years and qualify for next year's World Cup
Rajinder made his senior debut in October last year during a two-match series against Germany, where he shone bright and eight months later, he became a key member of the Indian senior team.
Chief coach Craig Fulton was not fully satisfied with Indian men's hockey team's performance against lowly China in their Asia Cup opener, but stressed that the most important thing was to start with a win.
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side would become the fourth team to book the semifinal berth if they get the better of the White Ferns here on the familiar mat of the DY Patil Stadium.
Head coach Gambhir, captain Gill, men's squad send best wishes to Harmanpreet-led side for Women's World Cup final
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a late equaliser to salvage a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Argentina.
India will have a final opportunity to iron out any flaws, especially when responding to pressure situations, when they take on Bangladesh in their concluding fixture ahead of Women's World Cup semi-finals, in Navi Mumbai, on Sunday.
When there was constant criticism, Harman and Smriti kept the team together: Neetu David
Chief coach Craig Fulton said the tournament will provide younger players the opportunity to experience the pressure of facing some of the top sides in the world.
India's record-breaking chase against Australia in the Women's ODI World Cup semifinal sent a wave of pride and emotion through the country's sporting fraternity.
As India chase history at home in Navi Mumbai, while Laura Wolvaardt's South Africa will look to script their own fairytale, by finally breaking their run of heartbreaks at ICC events.
India have a mounting worry in the lack of runs so far from talismanic Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the energetic Jemimah Rodrigues.
World champions Amanjot and Harleen get grand welcome in Chandigarh
Hosts India maintained their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against defending champions Korea in their opening Super 4 stage match of the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday.
India will have a final opportunity to check their game in pressure situation when they face Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai on Sunday in what would be a dress rehearsal ahead of the marquee Women's World Cup semifinals against Australia next Wednesday.
The Indian men's hockey team beat Ireland despite a few defense lapses to more or less secure its passage into the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh is excited to resume the rivalry against Pakistan in the most-awaited round-robin match of the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday.
Harendra said a medal will be fitting farewell gift for long-serving goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who will quit the sport after the Paris Games.
'The focus will be on maintaining structure and would like to play more in structure in our upcoming games.'
Striker Abhishek struck a brace as a dominant Indian men's hockey team outplayed China 7-0 in their last Super 4s match to reach the final of the Asia Cup
China stunned Pakistan 2-0 in the shoot-out to enter the final of Hero Asian Champions Trophy for the first time in the history of the tournament.
Shafali toils in India nets ahead of World Cup semifinal against Australia
Harmanpreet Singh led from the front as he converted two penalty corners to hand unbeaten India a close 2-1 victory over Pakistan.
India thrashed Malaysia 4-1 in their second Super 4 stage match of the men's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Rajgir, Bihar, on Thursday.
'The only thought was that we have to give it all in those seven hours for our country.'
'I had a feeling from within that this tournament (Asia Cup) would be something special, but I did not think that I would become the player-of-the-tournament.'
Under pressure to revive their campaign after back-to-back defeats, India will have to consider adding a sixth bowler to bring more balance to their attack when they face England in a crucial Women's ODI World Cup match, in Indore, on Sunday.
Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain will be the flag-bearers of the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou on September 23.
Indian junior women's hockey team goes down against Germany
Both teams began their World Cup campaigns in contrasting fashion. Hosts India defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs, while Pakistan, collapsed against Bangladesh, losing by seven wickets in a match where they struggled against both pace and spin.
After retiring from international hockey in 2012, Abbas kept a low profile. He took up his first coaching role as an assistant coach for penalty corners with the Malaysia national team in October 2024.
After being outplayed in the opener, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team roared back with a stunning 102-run victory, which was Australia's heaviest defeat in terms of runs. It was also India's first win over them in 12 matches.
India had earlier lost 1-2 against the Netherlands on Saturday.
'Shafali is in our system, we have our eye on her and the more she plays she will be able to serve India in the future in ODIs.'
Indian men's team ends Pro League campaign with 4-3 win against Belgium
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who powered India to a second successive bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics in Paris, was on Saturday nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award.
Fast bowler Arundhati Reddy is likely to be fit for India's women's World Cup 2025 opener against Sri Lanka on September 30 after figuring in the second warm-up match against New Zealand and taking two wickets in nine overs on Saturday.
'We haven't won the tournament for a while and the objective is to be No.1 in Asia and we will be pushing hard for the next 10 days.'
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances