Mitchell Starc expects rain, humidity and unusual early-season conditions in South Africa to create unpredictable Test surfaces, potentially challenging Australia's traditional expectations of dry pitches and reverse swing.
Australia have strengthened their ODI squad for South Africa with returns for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while Jack Edwards could debut amid Cameron Green's shoulder concern.
The Indian women's table tennis team secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Singapore in the Asian Games Group F match, with Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade delivering crucial wins. In contrast, the Indian men's team suffered a 0-3 defeat to Iran in their Group F encounter.
As India A face Australia A in a crucial four-day match, attention centers on left-handers Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan competing for top-order positions ahead of major Test series.
India's Quimcy Dsouza experienced a double setback at the Asian Games in Nagoya, narrowly missing out on bronze medals in both women's singles and mixed doubles Teqball. Despite a valiant effort against Japan's Yuina Sakamoto in singles, losing 0-2, and a subsequent loss in mixed doubles with Mohamed Anas Beg, her performance highlighted India's growing presence in the sport.
The Russian T10 League has been launched, marking a significant step towards reviving and developing cricket in Russia with the long-term goal of establishing the country as a credible cricketing nation. The inaugural season will feature four franchises competing in seven matches at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on September 19 and 20, 2026.
A 32-year-old man, Avnish Kumar, was allegedly shot dead in Mathura by two brothers while returning from a wrestling match. The motive appears to be an alleged relationship between the deceased and one of the accused's wives, who reportedly eloped with Avnish four years prior. Police are investigating the incident.
The Indian men's badminton team secured a medal at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, highlighted by Lakshya Sen's incredible comeback victory. While the men celebrated, the women's team exited the tournament after a 1-3 loss to Japan.
The Indian women's badminton team was eliminated from the Asian Games after a 1-3 loss to Japan in the quarterfinals. While the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a win, singles players PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, and Tanvi Sharma were defeated by their Japanese counterparts, leading to India's exit from the tournament.
Former India chief selector Chetan Sharma has voiced strong support for batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, asserting that their talent and skills are beyond doubt. He believes the duo, set to return for the ODI series against West Indies, should continue playing for India as long as they perform, dismissing age as a factor. Sharma also expressed confidence in the Indian women's team winning gold at the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI's batters made India's bowlers toil as they piled up 363/8 on Day 1 of the Warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday.
The reigning champions Indian men's chess team suffered a significant 1.5-2.5 defeat against Uzbekistan in the sixth round of the 46th Chess Olympiad, losing their lead. While key players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Gukesh drew their matches, Nihal Sarin's loss to Nodirbek Yakubboev proved decisive. This setback leaves the Indian men needing a strong comeback, while the Indian women's team showed promise against the USA.
A comprehensive schedule outlines the participation of Indian athletes across various disciplines at the Asian Games on September 23, including key events in badminton, boxing, shooting, hockey, and weightlifting, with several athletes vying for qualification and medal rounds.
The Indian table tennis team, featuring strong contenders like the men's doubles pair of Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar, has commenced its Asian Games campaign in Nagoya with aspirations of securing at least one medal. Both men's and women's teams are in Group F, facing Indonesia and other opponents. The team, a mix of experienced players and rising stars like Syndrela Das, is confident after acclimatising to the conditions.
India's Davis Cup team secured a crucial doubles victory against Korea, with Dhakshineswar Suresh and N Sriram Balaji winning their match 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. This win keeps India's hopes alive after falling 0-2 behind in the tie. The pressure now shifts to Sumit Nagal to win his reverse singles match and complete a rare comeback.
Prachiti Nagpurkar, a former chartered accountant, has made history as the first Indian to referee a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout at the Asian Games in Nagoya. She left her lucrative profession to pursue her passion for MMA, where she also owns a gym and trains fighters. Nagpurkar advocates for women in male-dominated sports, expressing pride in her role as a female official in the cage.
India's men's team regu in sepak takraw failed to advance to the semifinals at the Asian Games despite a 2-1 victory over the Philippines. A 3-0 win was required for qualification, but a tiebreak favoured Japan, leading to India's exit from the tournament.
Indian kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat, known as the 'High Flyer' for his six-foot jumps, shared the origin of his nickname and his journey in the sport. He also expressed pride in being a flag bearer and India's ambition to defend its Asian Games gold medal in kabaddi.
India's Asian Games soft tennis campaign came to an end on Friday after the men's team suffered a 0-2 defeat to Indonesia in the quarterfinals.
The Indian women's table tennis team achieved a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory against Singapore in their Group F match at the Asian Games. After trailing 1-2, Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade secured crucial wins to clinch the tie. Both the men's and women's teams also started their campaigns with dominant 3-0 wins over Indonesia.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a dominant 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their opening Pool B match at the Asian Games. Deepika was the star performer, scoring eight goals, as India showcased their superior skill and relentless attack against a struggling Uzbekistan defence.
Defending champions Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams have made strong starts to their Asian Games campaign, securing decisive victories over Japan and Bangladesh in their respective opening matches. The men's team defeated hosts Japan 49-24, while the women's team overcame Bangladesh 42-21.
Pakistan secured their first away Test win in three years, defeating West Indies by eight wickets in Port of Spain to level the series 1-1 and end an eight-match losing streak away from home.
Prachiti Nagpurkar, a former chartered accountant, has made history as the first Indian to referee a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout at the Asian Games in Nagoya. She left her lucrative profession to pursue her passion for MMA, where she also owns a gym and trains fighters. Nagpurkar advocates for women in male-dominated sports, expressing pride in her role as a female official in the cage.
Young Delhi cricketer Vansh Bedi reported an alleged corrupt approach during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) to the league's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has informed the BCCI and initiated an inquiry into the unverified allegations, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
India's U15 men's football team has been drawn into Group K for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026. Coached by Bibiano Fernandes, the team will play five qualification matches in Baku against Bahrain, Cameroon, Grenada, Laos, and Senegal, starting October 24. The tournament features 191 national teams and an 8v8 format.
For the first time on foreign soil, 'Vande Mataram' was played before a cricket match, preceding the national anthem at the India vs Japan T20 International in Sano, Japan.
The Indian women's hockey team secured its second consecutive Pool B victory at the Asian Games, defeating Indonesia 17-1. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored a hat-trick, contributing to the dominant performance. Coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction but highlighted the upcoming match against Japan as the real challenge for topping the pool and securing direct Olympic qualification.
India secured a narrow two-run victory against Japan in a rain-hit T20 International, but the win was overshadowed by a controversial decision in the final over where an on-field umpire reversed a wide call following protests from Indian players.
East Bengal FC is set to face Kuwait's Al-Arabi SC in a pivotal AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage match at Salt Lake Stadium, with tickets starting from Rs 149. This high-stakes fixture will determine the Indian Super League champions' continental future, offering a chance to secure a spot in the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage or drop into the AFC Challenge League.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club has been docked 27 points and fined 5,000 after their pitch was rated 'poor' during a match against Glamorgan, with the head groundsman attributing the conditions to a Bollywood film shoot and extreme heat.
India U-19 defeated Australia U-19 by 103 runs in the second Youth ODI, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Yashbardhan Chauhan scored 122 and VK Vineeth added 87, helping India post 341/7. Australia were bowled out for 238, with Chigurupati Venkata taking three wickets.
Seventeen-year-old English midfielder Floyd Samba made a sensational senior debut for Manchester City, scoring two goals and earning the man of the match award in their 5-0 League Cup victory over Norwich City.
The Bangladesh women's cricket team has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games after their quarter-final match against China was abandoned due to a wet outfield.
India has opened its Asian Games medal tally with two silvers in shooting, driven by Elavenil Valarivan's performance, and secured an unexpected podium finish in Mixed Martial Arts. The women's cricket team also advanced to the finals, aiming for a second consecutive gold.
Despite a pre-event declaration by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey that the teams would revert to blue uniforms, both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams played their opening Asian Games matches in saffron kits, reigniting a controversy over kit colour.
Joe Root became only the eighth batter to cross 23,000 international runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and other cricket greats in an elite batting club.
Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls against Bangladesh, becoming the first Indian woman to score an Asian Games century and strengthening her record-breaking 2026 T20I campaign.
'It is better not to compare Ramayana with Adipurush. There should be no shame in admitting that Adipurush couldn't meet expectations. People who are associated with the film made it with a lot of effort, but it was a failed attempt.'
Indian Teqball player Quimcy Dsouza lost her Asian Games women's singles semifinal to Indonesia's Sumaya in a gruelling three-game match. Despite a strong start, Dsouza, a former state-level footballer, was overcome by Sumaya's sepak takraw background. Dsouza will now compete in the bronze medal playoff, aiming for a podium finish in Teqball's debut at the Asian Games.
