Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand culminated in the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with a focus on doubling trade and enhancing cooperation in sports and the Indo-Pacific region. Modi and his counterpart Christopher Luxon attended a sports showcase, acknowledging a century of sporting ties and discussing future collaborations, including India's preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2030. The visit also saw 18 concrete outcomes and 10 agreements signed, alongside discussions with business leaders.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is set to meet Head Of Cricket VVS Laxman to review the rehabilitation management programme at the Centre of Excellence (COE) following a spate of injuries to key Indian players. The meeting aims to address concerns regarding player fitness and the effectiveness of the COE's injury management protocols.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the nation in congratulating Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu for winning her third Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow. Chanu delivered a commanding performance in the women's 48kg category, shattering Commonwealth and Games records. PM Modi also lauded Rishikanta Singh for his silver medal, marking a historic achievement for Manipur.
Sharmila Dhankar, overcoming polio and an abusive marriage, made history by winning India's first para-athletics gold medal in 20 years at the Commonwealth Games in the women's shot put F57 event. Her compatriot Shilpa Shyla also secured a bronze after a protest. Dhankar's inspiring journey from Haryana to international success, supported by her family and second husband, highlights her remarkable resilience and dedication to para-athletics.
Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association have strongly criticised the International Cricket Council's decision to implement significant structural changes to the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification pathway and tournament format, stating it 'risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket'.
England captain Joe Root has announced there will be no team curfew for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, expressing trust in his players to act responsibly. This decision comes amidst recent scrutiny over the team's culture following several off-field incidents and player suspensions. Root, who returned to captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement, believes players should be self-policing.
India will officially receive the Commonwealth Games flag at the closing ceremony on August 2, marking its role as the host for the 2030 centenary edition in Ahmedabad. The ceremony will feature a cultural presentation by Shankar Mahadevan and Rashmika Mandanna, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
FICCI FLO and UP BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh are collaborating to train 100 women as 'drone pilots' in Lucknow. This initiative aims to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the burgeoning drone economy. The announcement was made at an event where MLA Singh also highlighted his efforts in public grievance redressal and establishing women's empowerment centres in his constituency.
Indian para powerlifter Ashok Malik secured a commendable fourth position in the men's lightweight category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, narrowly missing a medal. His compatriot Paramjeet Kumar finished seventh in the same event.
India's Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners, Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur, received widespread praise from top Indian leaders including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Gulveer Singh made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men's 10,000m event, while Harjinder Kaur secured a silver in weightlifting. Their achievements were hailed as moments of national pride and inspiration for future athletes.
Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold.
Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has significantly increased the prize money for the LG Horse Polo Cup to encourage greater participation in the sport across the union territory. This year's winners will receive Rs one lakh, with plans to further raise the prize to Rs two lakh next season. The recent UT-level championship saw 18 men's and four women's teams compete, with Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre winning the men's title.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs, including recent AAP defectors, where he emphasised the importance of smooth parliamentary proceedings. He also advised MPs on taking their roles seriously, utilising the Parliament library, engaging with youth, and effectively implementing MPLADS.
'India should hold several high-level chess tournaments that would attract the world's top players so that the country will have a say in the game.'
Former FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has strongly criticised President Gianni Infantino's abandoned plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, labelling the proposal 'ludicrous' and urging FIFA to prioritise the interests of fans over profit.
Six-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom believes Indian pugilists will secure a 'reasonably good medal haul' at the Commonwealth Games, though gold might be elusive, while expressing less certainty for the Asian Games. She also criticised the Boxing Federation of India's functioning and selection policies.
Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a strategic move by Olympic leaders to tap into India's massive fan base and commercial power, aiming to attract billions of new viewers and strengthen the Games' appeal in key markets.
India is set to host the FISU World University Squash Championship in Mumbai from August 3, aiming for its first-ever gold medal. With home advantage and a bronze medallist from the previous edition, Suraj Chand, the team carries high expectations.
FC Goa's AFC Champions League Two campaign concluded with a 0-3 loss to Turkmenistan's FC Arkadag, relegating the Indian club to the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian club football.
East Bengal staged a stunning comeback from 0-1 down to beat Al Arabi SC 4-1 in extra time and seal their place in the AFC Champions League Two group
Senegal's football federation president, Abdoulaye Fall, has claimed the national team's doctor at the recent World Cup in North America was 'trained as a gynaecologist', raising concerns among players about medical support during their disappointing campaign. The Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine has rejected these allegations as 'unfounded and defamatory'.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is in a difficult situation regarding India's participation in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup and a proposed friendly against Brazil, as both events clash on October 3. FIFA regulations prohibit fielding an understrength team in a sanctioned competition, forcing the AIFF to seek clarification from FIFA on its plan for separate squads.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has emphasised the need for consistency and a clearly defined role for Kuldeep Yadav in the Test side, especially as Ravindra Jadeja approaches the end of his career. Kartik believes Kuldeep, despite being a match-winner, has not received the sustained backing needed to flourish in Test cricket under previous regimes.
Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj failed to qualify for the men's 100m backstroke final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing 12th in the semifinals. Additionally, Indian para swimmers Ravi Veera Venkata Bhavan Budigina and Ali Imam also missed out on podium finishes in the men's 50m freestyle S13 final, placing sixth and eighth respectively.
Zlatko Dalic, former Croatia manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team. He previously led Croatia to a World Cup final and returns to the UAE where he won a league title with Al Ain.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
NEROCA FC defeated nine-man FC Raengdai 3-1 in the IndianOil Durand Cup, coming from behind with late goals after Raengdai had two players sent off. This win concluded NEROCA's Group D campaign, while Raengdai, despite the loss, had already qualified for the quarterfinals.
Delhi golfer Kshitij Naveed Kaul secured a one-shot clubhouse lead with a four-under 66 in the second round of the Coal India Open at Tollygunge Club before heavy rain forced the suspension of play. Akshay Sharma is in second, with Om Prakash Chouhan and Saptak Talwar tied for third.
Indian weightlifter Lovepreet Singh secured a silver medal in the men's +110kg category at the Commonwealth Games, setting a new snatch record. He finished just one kilogram behind New Zealand's David Andrew Liti, who made a remarkable comeback in the clean and jerk to clinch gold. This medal contributed to India's successful weightlifting campaign, which concluded with eight medals.
India's Yamini Mourya had to settle for the women's 57kg judo silver medal after a valiant fight against England's vastly experienced Acelya Toprak, ending India's bid for a third gold in the discipline at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday.
Jhandu Kumar, an Indian para powerlifter, secured a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight category at the Commonwealth Games.
Pakistan's Olympic gold-medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem will skip the upcoming Diamond League meet in Lausanne to concentrate on his preparation for the Asian Games and another international event. He will undergo a training camp in South Africa under coach Terseus Liebenberg, aiming to improve his performance after recent struggles.
Ridhima Dilawari shot a superb 5-under 67 to take a three-shot lead in the opening round of Leg 12 of the Women's Pro Golf Tour. Three players are tied for second, while several other experienced golfers are further behind.
The Asian Junior Chess Championships will host 157 players from 10 countries in Mumbai from August 16-26. The tournament, featuring Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats, offers Grandmaster and International Master norms to winners and showcases top U20 talent, including leading Indian and international players.
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, expressing her patriotism through tricolour ribbon clips and becoming emotional during the national anthem.
Indian MMA fighter Sangram Singh is set to face Pakistan's Mohammed Abid Ali for the prestigious STRIKE Asia Champion Title in Kuala Lumpur. This highly anticipated fight marks a significant step in Singh's transition from professional wrestling to MMA, where he holds an unbeaten 3-0 record.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India reported its highest-ever first-quarter retail sales for FY27, with 1,665 vehicles retailed, an 11 per cent year-on-year increase, largely due to sustained demand for premium SUVs and the benefits of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement.
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) has strongly denied reports of violating land lease conditions for the R K Khanna Tennis Complex, asserting that all facilities comply with government norms. The association suggested that the allegations are "mala fide" and strategically timed to influence the upcoming All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections. DLTA also defended its commercial subletting practices, stating they are approved by the L&DO and are essential for generating revenue as it receives no government funding for maintenance.
Despite a subdued atmosphere in Glasgow ahead of the Commonwealth Games, with limited public buzz, preparations are underway, and athletes are arriving. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga, fresh off a Diamond League win, is a strong contender for gold, offering a significant medal hope for his nation.
Former fighter pilot Andy Green has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered car at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, achieving a combined speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph) in the JCB Hydromax.
