England Test captain Joe Root has expressed strong support for Kevin Pietersen's return to the national setup as a specialist mentor, emphasising that the current team environment is vastly different from the one Pietersen left in 2014.
Ajit Agarkar's tenure as India's chief selector is reportedly nearing its end, with Wednesday's meeting to pick squads for the West Indies series potentially being his last, amidst a communication breakdown with the BCCI.
Rising sprinter Animesh Kujur and star hurdler Jyothi Yarraji picked up their third and second gold medals respectively at the National Games.
Indian cricketers Manav Suthar, Auqib Nabi, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mayank Agarwal showcased strong performances in the English County Championship, with Suthar's seven-wicket haul leading Warwickshire to an innings victory.
Former Asian silver medallist and Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has been suspended for 10 years by NADA for a second doping offence involving methandienone, potentially ending his career. This follows a previous ban in 2022 which was reduced to one year after he claimed contaminated supplements.
India's national record holder in shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, is determined to breach the 22m mark, aiming to elevate the standard for future generations of Indian shot putters, drawing inspiration from Neeraj Chopra's impact on javelin throw. Despite a history of injuries, including a recent calf tear at the Commonwealth Games, Toor is now fit and focused on achieving a hat-trick of gold medals at the upcoming continental event.
Punjab has launched the fourth season of its state-level sports event, 'Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan', aiming to identify and nurture sporting talent from grassroots to global levels. The event, featuring 39 disciplines and nearly 10 lakh participants, offers Rs 12.50 crore in prize money, including cash awards for veteran players for the first time. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the games, highlighting the state's commitment to sports infrastructure development and financial assistance for athletes.
Anmol Kharb continued her impressive run, defeating top seed Anupama Upadhyaya in straight games in the women's singles final to clinch the gold medal at the 38th National Games.
The Sports Ministry has initiated a fresh application process for a national Yogasana federation, setting a September 17 deadline. This follows a Delhi High Court ruling that quashed the recognition of Yogasana Bharat and mandated a new affiliation procedure. Eligible bodies must submit detailed applications, adhering to the National Sports Governance Act, which includes specific requirements for executive committee composition.
UEFA's member associations have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in protest against FIFA's plan to sell stakes to external investors in a subsidiary managing its tournaments.
Brazil has announced a 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for their historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is overseeing a significant rebuild, integrating young talent with experienced players, with an eye on future tournaments like the 2028 Olympics and 2030 World Cup. The squad includes several debutants and a focus on current form, marking a new strategic direction for the Selecao.
Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale highlights the growing respect and "fear factor" Indian shooters command internationally due to their consistent performances. He expresses confidence in the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, despite some notable absences, and discusses challenges like range maintenance.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has expressed his strong desire to play Test cricket, aiming for a spot in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, as the team grapples with significant struggles in its pace department.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
Former Indian boxing coach Mohammed Ali Qamar believes the country's women's boxing squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is one of its best ever, with each of the seven members capable of securing a medal, though he cautioned that draws would be crucial.
India pacer Mohammad Siraj has attributed his drop in pace and rhythm since the recent tour of Sri Lanka to an extended two-month break.
Veteran Indian cricketers KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Devdutt Padikkal have been asked to play in the Duleep Trophy final for South Zone against East Zone. The participation of other T20I players like Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan depends on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir's approval. Additionally, chief selector Ajit Agarkar will attend the final, and the BCCI is arranging visas for net bowlers for the Asian Games.
Japan cricket team captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming expressed confidence in his team's ability to counter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, citing a previous dismissal by Japanese spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze at the Under-19 Asia Cup.
Maharashtra secured both the men's and women's gold medals in the kho kho event at the 38th National Games.
Maharashtra minister and Asian Cricket Council board member Adv. Ashish Shelar has been unanimously elected as the president of the E Sports Games Federation (ESGF) in India. Shelar, who also holds portfolios for Electronics, IT, AI, and Cultural Affairs, aims to enhance platforms, training, and opportunities for India's growing esports community, especially with the Indian team participating in the upcoming Asian Games.
K L Rahul is likely to be named India's vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on September 27.
Kylian Mbappe has asserted his belief that he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year, despite not securing any club or international silverware. The French forward highlighted his individual performances, including becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and praised new France coach Zinedine Zidane.
Brazil football legend Cafu has advised the Indian national team to view their upcoming friendly against Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata as a crucial learning experience rather than just a spectacle. He emphasised the match's importance for India's preparation for the 2030 World Cup cycle and highlighted Brazil's deep connection with Kolkata, referencing Pele's historic visit. Cafu also discussed the future of Brazilian football and his unique World Cup record.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's stunning IPL form has revived his India comeback hopes, with the veteran pacer also backed by Ravichandran Ashwin for the 2027 World Cup.
Haryana archers dominated the Indian Round archery competitions at the 38th National Games in Dehradun, securing gold medals in both the men's and women's team events.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt expressed amusement rather than frustration upon learning that a robot in China had broken his 100-metres world record by almost a second, stating, 'It just made me smile.'
India has announced its 20-member women's hockey squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Led by Salima Tete, the team aims to secure a gold medal, which would qualify them for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising juniors, with minor changes from the recent FIH Nations Cup-winning team.
East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan has lauded veteran pacer Mohammed Shami's unwavering hunger and motivation to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team. Shami's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, where he took five wickets, has convinced Kishan that age is just a number when it comes to the 36-year-old's drive to succeed.
India is relying heavily on its boxing, weightlifting, and athletics contingents to maintain its two-decade streak of top-five finishes at the Commonwealth Games, which opens in Glasgow.
India's singles players Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh face challenging conditions in their Davis Cup Qualifier Round 2 tie against South Korea. The hosts have prepared a slow, low-bounce court with heavy balls to negate India's strengths. Captain Rohit Rajpal is confident in the team's ability to adapt and strategize, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and exposing younger players to high-pressure situations.
India's chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair has confirmed that javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is in 'perfect physical shape' ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, expressing strong confidence that India will surpass its previous medal tally and potentially achieve a record number of gold medals.
India's international football friendly against Panama in Bengaluru has been advanced by a day to September 25 due to the Bengaluru Marathon. The match at Sree Kanteerava Stadium will be a significant test for the Blue Tigers against a 2026 World Cup participant, preceding other high-profile friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted 'Koh-E-Zafar' in New Delhi to celebrate the strong cricketing friendship between India and Afghanistan.
At 41, Roelof van der Merwe aims to conclude his international cricket career at the upcoming ODI World Cup, ideally in Centurion, South Africa, representing the Netherlands. He discusses his dedication to national duty over franchise cricket, his fitness goals for future World Cups, and his continued impact as a left-arm spinner and fielder. He also highlights the potential of the European T20 Premier League to unearth new talent.
Trinity Rodman raced 200 miles from Washington to New York after her match to support boyfriend Ben Shelton, arriving just in time to witness his US Open final defeat.
Indian boxer Jadumani Singh secured a dominant unanimous decision victory against Scotland's Aaron Cullen in the men's 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games. Unburdened by previous weight-shedding struggles, Singh showcased superior technique and confidence, advancing to the pre-quarters.
India's Davis Cup team is set for a high-stakes Qualifier Round 2 clash against South Korea in Seoul, with players like Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal aiming to secure a historic Final 8 berth under the current format.
The Delhi High Court has sought WFI's response on Vinesh Phogat's plea to participate in the September 14 selection trials for the 2026 World Championship.
Former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Aakash Chopra discussed cricket selection, dismissing claims of regional discrimination and emphasising performance and hard work. They highlighted the launch of the Pro Star Cricket League (PSCL) Season 2 as a platform for emerging talent, particularly from regions like Jammu and Kashmir, and acknowledged the role of luck in a competitive environment.
