Rohit Sharma said India's heartbreaking 2023 World Cup final defeat fuelled the desperation and hunger behind their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.
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.
India's top-seeded men's and women's table tennis teams secured identical 3-0 victories over Zimbabwe and Maldives, respectively, marking a commanding start to their campaign at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in New Delhi.
India's sub-junior men's and women's hockey teams secured impressive victories at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, extending their unbeaten runs. The women's team thrashed Kazakhstan 10-0, while the men's team defeated Bangladesh 8-3, showcasing strong performances in the tournament which serves as a World Cup qualifier.
The Sports Ministry is closely monitoring the internal dispute within Hockey India between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, stemming from a controversial jersey colour change. The Ministry prefers the factions resolve their differences amicably before considering intervention.
Fresh from their record-extending Asia Cup triumph, defending champions India will begin their Asian Games title defence as overwhelming favourites against hosts Japan in the women's quarter-finals in Nagoya on Friday.
American coach Dave Cousins, who led India's compound archers to a historic Olympic quota at the Asian Games, faced a significant delay in receiving his salary for over three months. The Archery Association of India and Sports Authority of India have acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a technical problem, and assured that the payment will be cleared within days, resolving the coach's threat to quit.
India continued to add to its medal tally at the Asian Games, primarily through shooting, but a gold medal remained elusive. Suchika Tariyal secured India's first-ever MMA medal, a bronze, despite a heartbreaking weigh-in technicality. Other sports like badminton, hockey, and table tennis saw strong performances, while swimming faced disappointment.
The Indian women's junior hockey team, led by Khaidem Shileima Chanu and coached by Tim White, is set to compete in the AHF Women's Junior Asia Cup in Moqi, China, from September 4 to 13. The team has undergone extensive preparations, including an exposure tour to the UK and matches against an India A side, and is confident of a strong performance against top Asian rivals.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has commended India's professional approach to hockey, urging other Asian nations to adopt similar strategies to improve their global standing. He highlighted India's journey from past Olympic glory to recent bronze medals, positioning it as a model for development in the sport.
Indian golfer Diksha Dagar and her father, Narender Dagar, expressed immense pride and joy after India secured a silver medal in the women's team golf event at the 2026 Asian Games, highlighting years of dedication and hard work.
India captain Shreyas Iyer credited Prince Yadav's 13-run cameo and other lower-order contributions for providing a crucial cushion in their 14-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I.
India's women's cricket team secured a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand in their Women's T20 Asia Cup opener. Despite a batting collapse after a strong start by Shafali Verma, India posted 159-9, then bowled out Thailand for just 65, with Deepti Sharma delivering a record-breaking spell. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the win but cautioned against complacency.
Sourav Ganguly has confirmed his new role as head coach for Delhi Capitals for the 2027 IPL season, replacing Hemang Badani. He addressed potential conflict of interest concerns regarding his concurrent presidency of the Cricket Association of Bengal, citing a BCCI ombudsman order. Ganguly also commented on India's football performance and congratulated PM Narendra Modi.
Sunil Gavaskar has questioned men's T20I records involving Associate nations, proposing separate categories to account for differences in playing standards.
The BCCI has postponed a crucial meeting with IPL stakeholders, originally set for October 15, 2026, in Mumbai, due to BCCI officials needing to attend a felicitation ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Asian Games gold medallists. The meeting, vital for the upcoming 20th IPL season, will be rescheduled.
Australia 'A' batter Nathan McSweeney attributed his success in the recent one-day series against India A to studying Virat Kohli's technique against spinners on YouTube. McSweeney was named player of the series after scoring 194 runs, helping Australia A win the series 2-1. He highlighted the importance of adapting to Indian conditions and executing strategies learned from top players.
Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani discusses the Indian women's cricket team's strategy, particularly among slow bowlers, after their dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Women's T20 Asia Cup. India bowled out Pakistan for their lowest-ever T20I total of 55, securing a semifinal spot and topping their group.
Jay Meena, once a mischievous schoolboy rusticated for a prank, has made history by winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis. His journey from a troubled youth to a bronze medallist at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is a testament to destiny and the guidance of his coach. Meena hopes his achievement will boost the sport's profile in India and pave the way for its inclusion in future events like the Commonwealth Games.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Chris Dehring has vehemently criticised the existing revenue model for bilateral cricket series, highlighting that the West Indies receive no financial benefit from their lucrative ongoing white-ball engagement with India.
Dhiraj Bommadevara, India's top recurve archer, expresses no regrets despite missing an individual medal at his second Asian Games. He highlights his Games-record qualification score and team silver medals, viewing the experience as crucial for his preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bommadevara emphasizes learning from past failures, the importance of a positive team environment, and the need to focus on improvement rather than dwelling on mistakes.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the recall of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand series, citing his experience and strong IPL performances. Kotak also addressed questions regarding Mohammed Shami's absence and the reported involvement of VVS Laxman in selection meetings, while discussing India's ongoing winning streak and bench strength development.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been selected as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. This decision highlights the significant contributions of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally, with a 158-strong contingent participating in the event.
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.
Rohit Sharma has spoken about his long-standing bond with Virat Kohli, highlighting their strong relationship since their early international careers. He revealed they constantly help each other improve their game and share a deep camaraderie, despite changes in roles and less frequent meetings.
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.
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.
India's men's and women's table tennis teams both secured dominant 3-0 victories over Indonesia in their opening Group F matches at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, showcasing a strong start to their campaigns.
Head coach V V S Laxman hailed the Indian team's 'champion's mindset' after they beat Pakistan to win the gold medal in the men's T20 cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
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.
India's national soft tennis federation is pushing for the sport's inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a historic Asian Games medal. Special Advisor Harshang Khodadhara highlighted India's strong global ranking and its position as the leading Commonwealth nation in soft tennis, expressing confidence in winning gold medals if included.
Chola Chiefs ended their five-match losing streak by defeating Prithviraaj Yodhas in a thrilling Archery Premier League Season 2 match decided by a shoot-off. The victory, secured by Alejandra Usquiano and Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri, keeps their top-four playoff hopes alive.
The 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship is set to begin in Coimbatore, featuring 30 teams across three divisions. The tournament includes a promotion and relegation system, adding competitive intensity as teams vie for the national title and advancement between divisions.
A suspect in a Rs 1.53-crore gold robbery and murder case in Rajkot was shot in the leg by police after he opened fire on officers during evidence recovery. The accused, Anurag Singh Rajput, was among 10 arrested for the October 14 robbery where an employee was killed.
Defending champions India began their Asian Games campaign with a dominant 13-1 victory over Indonesia in their opening Pool A match. Striker Dilpreet Singh led the charge with four goals, supported by braces from Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh. India's focus remains on securing the gold medal and a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Indian women's junior squash team secured a commendable fifth-place finish at the World Squash Junior Team Championships in Ontario, defeating England 2-0 in the play-off match.
Four senior Indian hockey players, including Mandeep Singh and Amit Rohidas, have expressed surprise and disappointment over reports that they are set to retire after the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. The players, who recently won gold at the Asian Games, stated they were not consulted and are keen to continue playing, with eyes on the 2028 Olympics.
Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has voiced concerns over the country's tennis system, stating it's 'still not great' and that India loses talented players during their transition from junior to senior levels, despite an abundance of potential.
The Sports Ministry has rescheduled its review meeting with National Sports Federations to October 15 to discuss India's performance at the recently concluded Asian Games. The focus will be on the underwhelming show of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics, following a lower medal count compared to the previous edition.
The India U17 men's football team secured a dominant 4-0 victory over hosts Myanmar in their second friendly match on Wednesday, concluding their tour on a high note. Captain Dallalmoun Gangte, an own goal, Kamgouhao Doungel, and Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi contributed to the scoreline, marking head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo's first win. Both teams are preparing for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
