Promising sprinters Abinaya Rajarajan and Neil Samraj set new national records in the Under-20 women's 100m and Under-18 men's 100m respectively at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai. Punjab's Amanat Kamboj also secured a gold in the U20 discus throw with a meet record.
Raipur is set to host all three matches of the India-Zimbabwe women's T20I series from October 16 to 20 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, with ticket sales opening on October 12.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and West Bengal Minister Indranil Khan offered their perspectives on the Indian football team's 6-1 defeat against Uruguay. Chaubey highlighted the team's strong start and confidence, suggesting rain disrupted momentum, and stressed the importance of playing top-level opposition. Khan called the match a landmark moment for Indian football exposure but also criticised political interference in West Bengal's football ecosystem.
Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak returns to the squad after a nine-month absence for the Asian Champions Trophy. He focused on improving his game in Bengaluru and is excited to play in his hometown of Jalandhar. India, defending champions, will start their campaign on October 27.
Sunil Gavaskar has criticised the Indian batting unit for their lack of responsibility in chasing targets, specifically after their loss to West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. Despite Sanju Samson's fifty, India failed to chase 247. Gavaskar also commented on individual performances and defended the inexperienced bowlers, while Cheteshwar Pujara praised West Indies skipper Shai Hope's balanced batting approach.
Four Indian players in the ICC ODI top 10 highlight India's remarkable depth, giving the team a strong pool of match-winners ahead of major ODI assignments.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced he will take legal action against the organisers of the World T20 Continent Cup for using his name as a participant without his permission. Dhawan urged media and fans to disregard any unauthorised announcements regarding his involvement in the tournament, which is scheduled for December in Hong Kong.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan has been allowed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to resume playing domestic cricket, despite an ongoing inquiry into allegations of online betting and leaking dressing-room information. Rizwan, along with Imam-ul-Haq, was previously barred from playing and has appeared before the National Cyber Crime Cell (NCCA) for questioning, with his phone seized for forensic examination. A reliable source indicates the inquiry is cooling down and could conclude soon.
Smriti Mandhana will lead the Indian women's T20 team in a three-match series against Zimbabwe in Raipur, marking the start of a new era. The series is crucial for India to address their T20 weaknesses in batting, fielding, and bowling, especially after recent World Cup exits, while Zimbabwe looks to build on their recent success.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on Monday in a defamation case stemming from his 2018 remarks against then BJP president Amit Shah. The court ruled that Gandhi's statement was not defamatory and the complainant, Vijay Mishra, was not an aggrieved person. Mishra's lawyer plans to challenge the verdict.
Kagiso Rabada and Steve Smith's intense rivalry has reignited as South Africa and Australia head into a decisive third Test in Cape Town. Rabada's recent dismissal of Smith in the second Test, coupled with their history from the 2018 series marked by controversy, sets the stage for a thrilling encounter. Both players acknowledge the competitive spirit, with Smith reflecting on his past ban.
Soft tennis player Jay Meena, marathon runner Sawan Barwal, and air pistol shooter Kamaljeet share their personal journeys and challenges leading up to their medal wins at the Asian Games. Meena recounts how school rustication led him to soft tennis and his struggle with quarterfinal defeats. Barwal discusses the mental pressure of switching to marathon running, while Kamaljeet reflects on injury setbacks and the pressure of securing India's first shooting gold at the Games.
India's largest private-sector lender, HDFC Bank, is undergoing a significant leadership transition with several long-serving executives, including Deputy Managing Director Kaizad Bharucha and outgoing MD & CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan, set to depart, leaving incoming MD & CEO Anup Bagchi to oversee a major overhaul.
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.
Kakatiya Knights secured a decisive 6-0 victory over Mighty Marathas in their final round-robin match of the Archery Premier League. This win serves as a strong precursor to their upcoming clash in the first qualifier on Sunday, where both teams will vie for a spot in the final. The Knights' compound archers were particularly impressive, maintaining perfect scores despite challenging conditions.
India face a bowling test in the second T20I against New Zealand after conceding 226 in the opener, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expected to feature.
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab's opening Ranji Trophy match against Assam. While the official reason for his absence is not stated, he is expected to feature in the team's second game against Chhattisgarh. This aligns with the national selection committee's directive for international players to participate in domestic cricket.
Yuvraj Singh, Delhi Capitals' assistant and batting coach, has joined forces with head coach Sourav Ganguly to instill belief within the team, aiming for an IPL playoff spot and ultimately the championship. Yuvraj emphasises self-belief, strategic team combination, and a strong team environment, drawing lessons from his playing days with Ganguly.
Leading Australian women cricketers and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are urging Cricket Australia (CA) to schedule more matches during the peak summer months, arguing the current calendar is hindering the team's growth and missing opportunities to build on the sport's development.
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unbeaten 91 off 41 balls against Zimbabwe in the final T20, marking an emotional return to form after a lean patch.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directives to various departments to ensure top-tier arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, set to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Mann emphasised the need for world-class facilities, robust security, and comprehensive crowd management, while also calling for a statewide trophy tour and student participation to foster public enthusiasm and showcase Punjab's rich sporting heritage. He personally inspected venues and stressed the importance of cleanliness, beautification, and hospitality for international delegations.
India women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne addressed concerns regarding his pre-World Cup leave, asserting his continuous involvement in the team's preparations. He reflected on the team's creditable fifth-place finish at the World Cup, emphasising the need for sustained hunger and improvement. Marijne also discussed the advantages of his second stint, his focus on team discipline, and the positive impact of the Women's Hockey India League on player development.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded all-rounder Naman Dhir for his crucial role in India's record-breaking 226-run chase against New Zealand in the first T20I. Iyer highlighted Dhir's versatility and calm demeanour under pressure. Sanju Samson's explosive start and the team's adaptation to changing pitch conditions were also key factors in India's highest-ever T20 chase.
The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set to kick off its sixth season from January 9 to 26 next year in New Delhi, featuring 86 grapplers, including 34 international medallists. Six franchises will compete across Olympic weight categories, with Indian Asian Games medallists and Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki among the participants.
Indian tennis players, including top seed Dhakshineswar Suresh, Arnav Paparkar, and Sidharth Rawat, have successfully advanced to the second round of the men's singles at the Mumbai Open ITF M25 event. Several other Indian and international players also secured wins in both singles and doubles matches on Wednesday.
Ravichandran Ashwin discusses Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to the T20I squad, attributing it to his consistent IPL performance without chasing rewards. He also touches upon Mohammed Shami's potential comeback, his relationships with Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, and predicts India and South Africa as strong contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India concluded its badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games with an impressive haul of three gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals, totalling 16. Nitesh Kumar, Naveen Sivakumar, and the pair of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi secured the gold medals, showcasing India's growing prowess in para-badminton.
Bashir Usman Shaikh, the founder and principal of Adarsh International School in Latur, who was absconding after being accused of sexually harassing minor girl students, has been arrested by police. He was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the stringent POCSO Act on October 4.
Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Lionel Messi following Messi's emotional international retirement from Argentina's national team. Messi played his final game, a 3-0 friendly win over Benin, and expressed how much he would miss representing his country after an extraordinary 21-year career, thanking his clubs and remembering Diego Maradona.
Sanju Samson continued his superb form with the bat, smashing a blistering 67 off 33 balls to power India to their highest chase in T20 cricket, overcoming a mid-innings stumble for a four-wicket win in the series-opener against New Zealand.
Mohammed Shami remains determined to reclaim his India place after another snub, prioritising a full domestic season, consistent performances and skill development ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Juventus dropped their first Europa League points in a 2-2 draw with Rennes, while Benfica thrashed Omonia, Leverkusen beat OFI, and Bournemouth maintained their perfect campaign.
Former world No. 1 Rohan Bopanna and Australian Open winner Rinky Hijikata have been announced as marquee players for the upcoming Tennis Premier League (TPL). The league, featuring a mix of international and Indian talent, will hold its player auction on October 12, with matches scheduled from December 8-13. Other notable international players include Roman Burruchaga, Terence Atmane, Dalibor Svrcina, Dino Prizmic, Adam Walton, and Alexandre Muller.
Cortex DC, a company of The Chatterjee Group (TCG), announced its entry into the data centre market with plans to develop 2 GW of AI-ready capacity across India over the next seven years. The initiative aims to meet the growing demand for high-performance computing, targeting hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and advanced AI workloads with a focus on speed, scale, and sustainable power.
India's women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's 6-1 victory over South Africa at the FIH Women's World Cup but emphasised the need for improved precision in passing and finishing. Despite topping their group, Marijne cautioned against complacency, highlighting the upcoming crucial match against England. He also praised forward Lalremsiami, who found added motivation from her Arjuna Award nomination.
India secured a 14-run victory against West Indies in the third T20 International, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Pacer Arshdeep Singh was instrumental, claiming three wickets and executing a clear plan to contain key West Indies batters like Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. Arshdeep also highlighted the relaxed team atmosphere and his desire to contribute with the bat.
B B Nimbalkar is the only one in the 400-plus club never to have played Test cricket. Will Chinmay Sutar have better luck?
Germany coach Juergen Klopp acknowledges that while his team's results in the initial four international matches have been mixed, with only one win, he sees clear progress since their disappointing World Cup exit, particularly in their aggressive, high-tempo play.
India faces a challenging Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a significantly smaller contingent of 168 athletes, down from 303. While aiming to build on its record 111-medal haul from the last Games, selection disputes in para-shooting and para-cycling, coupled with reduced athlete numbers in key disciplines like para-athletics, pose hurdles. Despite these challenges, star athletes across para-athletics, archery, para-badminton, shooting, and table tennis are expected to lead India's medal charge.
Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his immediate retirement from all formats of international cricket, stating that the time is right for him to 'move on' after a career spanning over a decade.
