News for 'India First'

Farveez Maharoof: Gurnoor Brar could be India's 'X-Factor' in Sri Lanka Tests

Farveez Maharoof: Gurnoor Brar could be India's 'X-Factor' in Sri Lanka Tests

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar could be the 'X-Factor' for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, suggesting he would be tempted to hand the 26-year-old his debut.

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Microsoft has announced the activation of its latest data centre in Hyderabad, significantly expanding its Cloud infrastructure in India and enabling organisations to leverage AI-era services with enhanced local choice and security.

Gary Kirsten tips Dhruv Jurel as a world-class Test prospect

Gary Kirsten tips Dhruv Jurel as a world-class Test prospect

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten praised Sonal Dinusha's twin centuries and pressure-handling ability, while calling India's Dhruv Jurel a world-class player with superb technique and short-ball skills.

India call up spin quartet to nets ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

India call up spin quartet to nets ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Team India has brought in four young Indian spinners - Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam - to assist in net practice ahead of their two-Test series against Sri Lanka, despite already having four spinners in their main squad.

Prabath Jayasuriya Reprimanded for Breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Prabath Jayasuriya Reprimanded for Breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya received a reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct by abusing cricket equipment after his dismissal on day two of the second Test against India.

JK Tyre signs 11-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir

JK Tyre signs 11-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

JK Tyre has announced its sponsorship of 11-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir, a move that reinforces the company's commitment to fostering young motorsport talent in India and supporting women's participation in the sport.

Nagal's US Open Journey Ends Early In Qualifying Round

Nagal's US Open Journey Ends Early In Qualifying Round

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal was defeated in straight sets by top seed Arthur Gea in the opening round of the US Open qualifying tournament, extending his streak of not reaching a Grand Slam main draw to seven events. Nagal will now focus on the upcoming Davis Cup clash.

Google's Vizag AI Hub: Construction by '28, Full Ops in 5 Years

Google's Vizag AI Hub: Construction by '28, Full Ops in 5 Years

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Google aims to complete the first phase of its 1 gigawatt artificial intelligence (AI) data centre hub in Visakhapatnam by late 2028, with full operations across all phases expected within five years, according to Alexander Smith, Principal of Global Infrastructure and Energy for Asia Pacific at Google.

Indian Shuttler Ayush Shetty Creates Major Upset, Sindhu Advances

Indian Shuttler Ayush Shetty Creates Major Upset, Sindhu Advances

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty caused a major upset on the opening day of the BWF World Championships by defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu also comfortably advanced to the second round in women's singles, while other Indian doubles pairs, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Hariharan Amsakarunan-MR Arjun, secured their spots in the next round.

PTI Chief On Media's Role: Scepticism Over Cynicism

PTI Chief On Media's Role: Scepticism Over Cynicism

Rediff.com39 minutes ago

PTI Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi emphasised that democracy thrives on citizens who question everything, not those who blindly believe or disbelieve. Speaking at 'Media Conclave 2026', he highlighted the challenges posed by social media, the focus on speed over verification, and AI-generated fake content, stressing the importance of media credibility for informed decision-making.

India batting coach names stars who impressed in warm-up

India batting coach names stars who impressed in warm-up

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded the team's productive warm-up victory against Sri Lanka, highlighting strong performances from both batters and bowlers, including Shubman Gill's quick 44 and Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142, which set a positive tone for the upcoming two-match Test series.

From accidental shooter to Asian Games: Army man Kedarling's incredible journey

From accidental shooter to Asian Games: Army man Kedarling's incredible journey

Rediff.com4 days ago

Naib Subedar Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve, a 27-year-old from a farming village in Karnataka, is set to represent India at the Asian Games in shooting, a sport he discovered only after joining the Indian Army in 2018 with no prior sporting ambition.

'18 years ago today...': Abhinav Bindra reflects on historic Olympic gold

'18 years ago today...': Abhinav Bindra reflects on historic Olympic gold

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, reflected on the 18th anniversary of his historic win at the Beijing Olympics, stating, 'Life since has taught me that the spaces between the peaks matter just as much.'

How Auqib Nabi Made It To Team India

How Auqib Nabi Made It To Team India

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Auqib Nabi proved unstoppable with the ball last season -- picking up 60 wickets in 10 matches at an incredible average of 12.56 last season to help J&K script history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title.

Pat Cummins joins calls for humane treatment of jailed Imran Khan

Pat Cummins joins calls for humane treatment of jailed Imran Khan

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has publicly supported the campaign by former international captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, advocating for jailed Pakistan legend Imran Khan to receive proper medical care and be treated with dignity.

India's young guns ready for BWF World Championships

India's young guns ready for BWF World Championships

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Simran Singhi, and Kavipriya Selvam are set to make their BWF World Championships debut as India hosts the prestigious badminton event after 17 years, offering a significant platform for these rising stars.

Why Siraj could be India's secret weapon in Sri Lanka

Why Siraj could be India's secret weapon in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Mohammed Siraj is poised to lead India's pace attack in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, stepping into the crucial role in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

AI Skills Drive IT Hiring Surge

AI Skills Drive IT Hiring Surge

Rediff.com3 days ago

Roles that mention AI in software development have grown 138 per cent between Q2 2024 and Q2 2026.

Bangladesh fumes over Hasina's media interaction in India

Bangladesh fumes over Hasina's media interaction in India

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed outrage over deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's media interaction in New Delhi, saying the event has hurt the sentiments of its people and could adversely affect efforts to improve bilateral ties with India.

'Best For Investors To Miss India IT Bus'

'Best For Investors To Miss India IT Bus'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

'...as we believe with the adoption of AI, our IT services companies' revenue models will have to undergo a reset, which may in turn impact their potential for earnings growth.'

Pandya, Reddy Likely For Afghanistan T20I series; Bumrah's Return Delayed

Pandya, Reddy Likely For Afghanistan T20I series; Bumrah's Return Delayed

Rediff.com5 days ago

All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to recover from their respective injuries and be available for selection for India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, providing a significant boost to the squad.

Manpreet Singh Eyes Historic Hockey World Cup Title

Manpreet Singh Eyes Historic Hockey World Cup Title

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Veteran Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh, preparing for his fourth and potentially final Hockey World Cup, expresses his determination to lead India to its first title in 51 years. He highlights the team's experience, preparation, and focus on fitness and defence, confident in their ability to reach the final.

AI Salaries Jump 22% In 2 Years

AI Salaries Jump 22% In 2 Years

Rediff.com2 days ago

'Companies are getting selective about what they pay a premium for.'

SCO approves anti-terror security centre after Modi's warning

SCO approves anti-terror security centre after Modi's warning

Rediff.com3 days ago

India has highlighted 13 key outcomes from the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, focusing on enhanced cooperation in security, counter-terrorism, and addressing transnational threats. These outcomes include the establishment of a Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats to Security, a strong stance against state-sponsored terrorism, and agreements on narcotics control, climate change, and artificial intelligence, reinforcing India's engagement in the Eurasian region.

Oppex AI Raises Rs 4.2 Crore To Revolutionise Production Operations

Oppex AI Raises Rs 4.2 Crore To Revolutionise Production Operations

Rediff.com4 days ago

Bengaluru-based Oppex AI, an AI-native platform for production operations, has successfully raised Rs 4.2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Info Edge Ventures. The capital will be utilised to expand its team, accelerate product development, and scale deployments, aiming to advance AI-led transformation in enterprise technology.

Parul Chaudhary, Priyanka Goswami Set Sights On Asian Games Medals

Parul Chaudhary, Priyanka Goswami Set Sights On Asian Games Medals

Rediff.com11 hours ago

Asian Games double gold medallist Parul Chaudhary and Olympian race-walker Priyanka Goswami are intensely preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. Chaudhary will compete in three events, including the new 1500m, while Goswami transitions to the marathon race walk, both expressing confidence in their adaptive training and aiming for medals.

Kolkata's heartbreak: Messi's retirement and a city's unwavering devotion

Kolkata's heartbreak: Messi's retirement and a city's unwavering devotion

Rediff.com4 days ago

Kolkata, a city with a deep passion for football, is grappling with Lionel Messi's international retirement. The article explores the city's unique and enduring connection to the Argentine superstar, from his memorable 2011 visit to the emotional fan reactions to his retirement, including a controversial 2023 event.

CJP hails SC relief for NEET protesters, seeks compensation

CJP hails SC relief for NEET protesters, seeks compensation

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Supreme Court has quashed all FIRs registered against students who protested the NEET-UG paper leak, calling it a "major victory" for dissent. The court also noted the government's commitment to formulate a pan-India compensation policy within three months for families of students who died by suicide due to the crisis. The CJP, which led the protests, welcomed the decision but vowed to monitor the policy's implementation.

'SIR Is Legal. But Is it Fair'

'SIR Is Legal. But Is it Fair'

Rediff.com1 days ago

'Now the institutions which have the might of law invested in them think that whatever they do is right.'

Gautam Gambhir gives shout to Sri Lanka's batting hero Sonal Dinusha

Gautam Gambhir gives shout to Sri Lanka's batting hero Sonal Dinusha

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Team India coach Gautam Gambhir lauded his team's character and mental toughness after securing a 1-0 Test series victory against Sri Lanka, while also singling out Sri Lankan batsman Sonal Dinusha for his 'exceptional performance' in forcing a draw in the second Test with an unbeaten 133.

India's Trade Deficit Widens to $31.98 Billion in July Amid Import Surge

India's Trade Deficit Widens to $31.98 Billion in July Amid Import Surge

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

India's trade deficit reached a six-month high of $31.98 billion in July, driven by a sharp increase in imports, particularly crude oil, electronic goods, coal, and fertilisers. Both merchandise exports and imports recorded their second-highest levels during the same period.

'Ethanol Blending Has Not Led to Sugar's Price Rise'

'Ethanol Blending Has Not Led to Sugar's Price Rise'

Rediff.com4 days ago

'The ethanol blended with petrol programme should not be halted or reconsidered.' 'India is not experiencing a structural sugar shortage, and the ethanol blending roadmap does not compete with food security or drive domestic price increases.'

Rahul Dravid On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Induction Into Test Team: Need To Be Patient

Rahul Dravid On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Induction Into Test Team: Need To Be Patient

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Former India captain and Head Coach Rahul Dravid has advised a patient approach for 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stating he requires 'a couple of seasons of red-ball cricket' to establish himself in the longest format.

BCCI Confirms Afghanistan T20 series In Delhi; India's Tour Of Bangladesh In Doubt

BCCI Confirms Afghanistan T20 series In Delhi; India's Tour Of Bangladesh In Doubt

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

The Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have confirmed that Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi next month.

Why is Bhutia angry over India's Brazil match?

Why is Bhutia angry over India's Brazil match?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

The All India Football Federation's decision to field two separate teams for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup and an international friendly against Brazil has sparked controversy.

Doping scandal hits Indian athletics: Swapna Barman provisionally suspended

Doping scandal hits Indian athletics: Swapna Barman provisionally suspended

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

India's first Asian Games gold-winning heptathlete, Swapna Barman, has been provisionally suspended by NADA after testing positive for the banned substance Boldenone. This disciplinary action proceeds despite her recent retirement announcement. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat doping in Indian sports, with other athletes also facing bans.

Kuldeep Yadav rested in warm-up due to workload, says India's spin coach

Kuldeep Yadav rested in warm-up due to workload, says India's spin coach

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule confirmed that Kuldeep Yadav's absence from bowling in the second innings of the warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI was a precautionary measure to assess his body after a significant workload, allaying fitness concerns.

Govt Plans Airport Auction Cap

Govt Plans Airport Auction Cap

Rediff.com5 days ago

'The number of airport bundles that may be awarded to a single bidder would be capped.'

What Makes Miss India Nikita Porwal Very Angry

What Makes Miss India Nikita Porwal Very Angry

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

In a no-filter conversation with Rediff's Rishika Shah, Miss India World Nikita Porwal has a few confessions to make.

Lakshya Sen Out Of China Masters, Srikanth Moves To Second Round

Lakshya Sen Out Of China Masters, Srikanth Moves To Second Round

Rediff.com3 days ago

Lakshya Sen faced an early exit from the China Masters after a straight-games defeat to Canada's Victor Lai, marking his third loss to the Canadian. Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth secured his spot in the second round by defeating Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei. India's mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also advanced.