The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has announced stringent selection criteria for the upcoming Asian Games, capping the contingent at 600 athletes. The policy prioritises medal prospects, stating that the Games are not for "exposure tours" or securing jobs. This includes a "realistic chance of winning a medal" and being in the top six continental rankings. The ministry will scrutinise recommendations from National Sports Federations, with specific cases like equestrian Anush Agarwalla and table tennis player Manika Batra highlighting the new approach.
India's national football team suffered a 6-1 defeat against two-time former world champions Uruguay in an international friendly in Kolkata.
Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh clinched silver medals at the Asian Games, showcasing their potential despite falling short of gold against formidable Malaysian opponents and missing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Indian boxers Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal have advanced to the gold medal bouts at the Asian Games, while Narender Berwal secured a bronze medal. Parveen's win marks a significant comeback, making her only the third Indian female boxer to reach the final. The team has already surpassed its previous medal tally.
Indian tennis players Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal have made winning starts to their men's singles campaigns at the Asian Games, securing places in the pre-quarterfinals.
Indian boxers Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal have secured their spots in the gold medal bouts of their respective weight categories at the Asian Games, with Parveen overcoming a past suspension to achieve this feat and Ankush defeating a world champion. This achievement marks a significant improvement for India's boxing contingent.
Thousands of young men and women, joined by prominent personalities, protested at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar despite police denial of permission. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the agitation highlighted concerns over transparency in CEC appointments and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.
Star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's ankle injury, sustained during the Asian Games where he won a silver medal, is not as serious as initially feared. His father and coach, S Murali, confirmed that the injury will require rest and rehabilitation, but Sreeshankar is expected to be ready for the next season.
Title holders Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 in the Nations League, securing their place in the March quarter-finals with a perfect record. Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal, further highlighting the team's success despite Cristiano Ronaldo's recent departure from the squad. Other Nations League results included Denmark beating Wales, the Netherlands overcoming Serbia, and Greece drawing with Germany.
Indian riders Jai Sud and Hriday Vipul Chheda have successfully qualified for the individual dressage final at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Chheda secured 11th place and Sud 13th in the second individual qualifier, ensuring India filled both its available berths. Fellow riders Shruti Vora and Gaurav Pundhir, however, did not make the cut.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. He will face a formidable field of javelin throwers, including Commonwealth Games champion Rumesh Pathirage, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, and world champions. This marks Chopra's third competition since returning from injury, following his silver medal win at the recent Commonwealth Games.
India faces a challenging FIFA international friendly against two-time world champions Uruguay in Kolkata, aiming to recover from a 0-4 defeat by Brazil.
Young golfer Aryan Roopa Anand carded a superb 6-under 66 to take the lead in the opening round of the AM Green IGPL Invitational in New Delhi. His performance also propelled his team, Delhi Blue Bulls, to the top of the team standings. Shiv Kapur, Sawai Hamendra Singh Bhati, and Sachin Baisoya also had strong starts.
Indian squash veteran Joshna Chinappa, at 40, continues to defy age, securing her sixth Asian Games medal in her record seventh appearance. She attributes her remarkable longevity to rigorous training, meditation, and a dedicated support team, while also expressing her desire for an elusive Asian Games gold and her hopes for Indian squash at the 2028 Olympics.
India's men's 10m air pistol team, comprising Kamaljeet, Aakash Bhardwaj, and Kedarling Uchaganve, failed to secure a medal at the Asian Games. Kamaljeet narrowly missed the final, while Kedarling's poor performance led to Japan clinching the bronze medal. This marks another disappointing day for Indian shooting, which has yet to win a gold medal after five days of competition, raising concerns about their performance at the event.
Peak performances in football begin years before kick-off. From Kylian Mbapp, Lionel Messi to Erling Haaland, the sport's biggest names follow ultra-disciplined routines to stay fit throughout the season.
Lovlina Borgohain, who had considered retiring after the Paris Olympics, clinched her maiden Asian Games gold medal in boxing, defeating China's Ziyi Bao 5-0 in the 75kg final.
Indian track and field athlete Seema secured a bronze medal in the women's 10,000m final at the Asian Games, marking India's first medal in the event in 16 years and only the third ever.
As Nani gears up for the ambitious The Paradise, we look back at his most memorable performances, from a vengeful housefly to a fiery revolutionary and to a Saturday-only action hero.
Top Indian squash player Abhay Singh, ranked world no. 24, secured his 13th PSA Tour title by winning the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He defeated Hong Kong's Henry Leung in a thrilling five-game final, showcasing his dominance throughout the tournament.
Star opener Shafali Verma believes India's women's cricket is on an upward trajectory, with more medals and trophies expected to fuel its growth, following their gold medal defence at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Indian badminton players Unnati Hooda and the mixed doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila secured comfortable first-round victories at the Asian Games. This positive start follows mixed results in the team events, where the men's team won bronze and the women's team did not medal.
France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of his left knee after being forced off during a Nations League match against Turkey. He has returned to Real Madrid for treatment and assessment, casting doubt on his immediate playing future.
India's national football team faced five-time champions Brazil in a FIFA international friendly in Kolkata, losing 4-0. Despite a spirited start for the first 25 minutes, Brazil's superior skill and clinical finishing secured a comfortable victory with goals from Estevao, Pedro, and Samuel Lino.
'My parents were crying because they were so excited that I was on screen, that it was an YRF film, and it was opposite Rani Mukerji.'
Harjinder Kaur finished ninth in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games, marking a disappointing end to India's campaign. Her combined effort was 204kg, significantly behind gold medallist Song Kuk-hyang who set new world records. India concluded the weightlifting events with one silver medal won by Mirabai Chanu.
India's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra discusses the emotional and physical challenges of missing the Asian Games due to a ligament injury. He shares his process of accepting the setback, focusing on rehabilitation, and preparing for future competitions, while also offering advice to fellow athletes and aspiring javelin throwers.
Brazil's star-studded line-up, including Vinicius Jr and Marquinhos, is set to face India in a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu captaining the Indian side.
India's teenage squash sensation Anahat Singh staged a remarkable comeback from two games down to defeat Japan's Satomi Watanabe and reach the Asian Games women's singles final. Her victory puts her one step closer to securing a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Olympics, a thought that motivated her throughout the challenging semifinal match.
Veteran Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar have secured a medal in the mixed doubles event at the Asian Games by reaching the semifinals. They defeated David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines in a dominant quarterfinal match and will now face Hong Kong in the semifinals. This marks Joshna Chinappa's sixth Asian Games medal.
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's defensive organisation and counter-attacking efforts despite his team's 4-0 victory in a friendly match in Kolkata. Ancelotti highlighted India's ability to create difficult moments for Brazil and used the match as an opportunity to assess young Brazilian talent, expressing satisfaction with their performance during the international window.
Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu face challenging draws in the individual competitions at the Asian Games, while defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a more favourable path to the semifinals. The individual events follow India's men's team securing a bronze medal. Players will need to overcome tough opponents to secure individual medals.
India is sending a 125-member contingent to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with established stars like Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain, alongside rising talents such as Aryan Nehra and Gurindervir Singh, expected to lead the nation's medal charge across 13 disciplines.
Former India international and coach Soumyadeep Roy is set to join the national table tennis squad for the upcoming Asian Games as a personal coach, five years after being embroiled in a match-fixing controversy at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite the past issues and the suspension of the TTFI, Roy aims to guide his players and contribute to India's medal prospects.
Iran's star striker Sardar Azmoun has been recalled to the national football team, four months after his controversial omission from the World Cup roster. His return follows a social media post that reportedly angered Iranian authorities. Azmoun expressed his joy and readiness to fight for his country as Iran prepares for the Asian Cup.
'Men think that if she doesn't like me, I am entitled to make her like me. What men need to realise is that it's nothing but her choice.'
Sir David Beckham, the first English player to win league titles in four countries, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.
Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana discusses the team's future aspirations after securing a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal. She emphasises the need for continuous improvement over the next two years to prepare for the tougher competition expected at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, highlighting the unique pride of contributing to India's overall medal tally.
Hero MotoCorp celebrated the 10th anniversary of its MotoSports Team Rally, highlighting a decade of achievements in global rally-raid. The event saw the launch of the "India's Next Dakar Hero" programme, a five-year partnership extension with Dakar Rally organisers, and the induction of young Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade, reinforcing the company's commitment to Indian motorsport talent.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) is set to commence on October 8 in Hyderabad, featuring a strong lineup of India's top archers, including Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, alongside 12 international stars like world number one Marcus D'Almeida. The league will showcase 36 Indian archers competing in both recurve and compound categories, with a unique 15-second shot clock designed to enhance competition.
