Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed his decision to retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that his country's potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not alter his plans. He believes WTC entry will significantly boost Zimbabwe's cricketing growth and also discussed the challenges of home advantage for the 2027 World Cup and highlighted promising young talents.
Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.
Sri Lankan cricket officials are considering a balanced pitch for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), moving away from a spin-friendly track. This decision aims to provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers, similar to the Galle pitch, and support their young batting lineup. The SSC pitch character has evolved over the years, with less home advantage since the retirement of legendary players.
Sri Lanka fought back with seven wickets from Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha on rain-hit Day 2 of the first Test, but Devdutt Padikkal's superb 167 powered India to 460-9.
Brazil's star centre-back Marquinhos discusses the significance of their FIFA international friendly against India in Kolkata. He views the match as a "golden opportunity" for the Selecao to gain experience and kickstart a new cycle after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Marquinhos acknowledges India's strong fan base for Brazil and emphasises the team's commitment to every game, regardless of its "friendly" status, as they focus on rebuilding confidence and winning.
Sonal Dinusha was named ICC Men's Player of the Month after tormenting India with 420 runs at 140, including three centuries, across Sri Lanka's two-Test series.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed an innovative, low-cost device capable of screening for anaemia and sickle cell disease using just a single drop of blood. This point-of-care approach measures blood smear length to detect differences in viscosity, which are indicative of these conditions. The patented device is designed for cost-effective manufacturing and ease of use, making it ideal for areas with limited access to conventional diagnostic laboratories. The technology is currently licensed to an IIT Bombay startup and is moving towards regulatory approval.
Australia A has established a commanding 364-run lead over India A on the third day of their second four-day match in Puducherry. India A, chasing an improbable target of 365, finished the day at 28 for one, still needing 337 runs. Key contributions from Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Jason Sangha helped Australia A declare their second innings at 173 for four.
India finished Day 2 on 460/9 after rain restricted play to just two sessions in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday.
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.
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced plans to significantly scale up the company's chip assembly and testing facility in India, moving from "vision to execution" in the nation's semiconductor ambitions. He highlighted the success of the Sanand, Gujarat plant, which is already producing "Made in India" memory chips, and the company's substantial engineering contributions from its Indian centres. Mehrotra also emphasised the critical role of memory chips in the AI era, driving Micron's growth.
Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc likens winning upcoming away Test series in South Africa, India, and England, plus retaining the ODI World Cup, to Rory McIlroy's golf Grand Slam, acknowledging the team's ageing profile and the immense challenge ahead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'We Will Do It' slogan, aiming for India to become a developed nation by 2047 through visionary policies and hard work, while also addressing the challenge of societal division.
India's women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating defending champions China 1-0. This victory, marked by Lalremsiami's early goal and a resilient defensive performance led by goalkeeper Bichu Devi, also earned India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, ending a 44-year wait for the title.
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.
A report in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monthly bulletin suggests that satellite-based night-time lights data and Google search trends can significantly improve quarterly economic growth estimates for Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, reducing errors by up to 62 per cent.
Smriti Mandhana takes over the captaincy of the Indian women's cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation. The article discusses the timing of this elevation for Mandhana, who is considered the country's best batter, and the history of leadership transitions within the team, highlighting potential challenges and the team's aspirations for major tournament victories.
Young Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel scored his second Test century in Colombo, dedicating it with a 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan' tattoo tribute. His patient 115 not out helped India declare on 503/9, earning praise for his maturity and all-round game.
Gautam Gambhir reflects on two years as India coach, accepting successes and failures, praising four captains for their team-first approach, and backing Shubman Gill's leadership future.
Ollie Robinson's devastating two-wicket opening over left Pakistan reeling at 52-2, with England needing just eight wickets to seal a 3-0 series sweep at Edgbaston.
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is set to begin on Sunday, featuring several prominent India cricketers like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their participation aims to provide valuable red-ball practice and fine-tune skills, while also offering a platform for players like Mohammed Shami to impress selectors. The tournament will also highlight emerging young talents from various states.
Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten praised Sonal Dinusha's twin centuries and pressure-handling ability, while calling India's Dhruv Jurel a world-class player with superb technique and short-ball skills.
Nandan Nilekani, head of the task force on exam reforms, stated on Tuesday that technology and a systematic approach can solve the issue of question paper leaks. He suggested generating exam papers from a large question bank at the last minute to remove economic incentives for leaks and also proposed moving towards computer-based testing.
Punjab secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Chhattisgarh in their Group B Ranji Trophy clash in Mullanpur. Led by three-wicket hauls from spinners Harjas Singh and Emanjot Singh Chahal, Punjab first posted a massive 456, then bowled out Chhattisgarh twice, enforcing a follow-on. Despite a spirited second innings resistance from Chhattisgarh, Punjab comfortably chased a modest target of 86 runs. The article also briefly mentions other Ranji Trophy matches.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated on Sunday that the Indian Air Force's Operation Sindoor demonstrated its capability to strike targets across the Western front, serving as a warning to adversaries. He highlighted the operation's validation of the IAF's capability-centric approach, indigenous weapon systems, and commitment to zero collateral damage, while also outlining the force's long-term vision for 2047 to become a multi-domain aerospace power.
Devdutt Padikkal reflects on his Player of the Series performance in Sri Lanka, his preparation against spin and turning domestic form into Test success.
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar could be the 'X-Factor' for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, suggesting he would be tempted to hand the 26-year-old his debut.
Sonal Dinusha's maiden Test hundred sparked Sri Lanka's fightback in Galle, but India retained firm control after bowling out the hosts for 284 to secure a 178-run lead.
The CBI has registered an FIR against five individuals for allegedly defrauding Haryana villagers of Rs 2.41 crore in a sophisticated fake government job scam. Aspirants underwent fake tests, medical exams, police verifications, and even a three-month "training" programme, believing they had secured government positions, only to discover they were duped by individuals posing as politically connected figures.
Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115, supported by Rishabh Pant's fifty, helped India declare at a commanding 503-9 on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka. India then took two quick wickets, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 8-2, still 495 runs behind, before rain and bad light stopped play.
India A recovered from a precarious position of 97 for five to reach 257 for five against Australia A on the opening day of their four-day match, thanks to resilient fifties from Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, and Tanush Kotian. Kotian and Kushagra forged a crucial 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket, stabilising the innings after early setbacks.
Gambhir strongly advocates three-Test series, arguing they give teams that lose the opening match a genuine opportunity to recover, compete harder and still win the series.
India's spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has indicated that Ravindra Jadeja's prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup are strong, with his all-round skills being a crucial factor. The team is actively assessing various spin options, including Axar Patel, and using current series to experiment with combinations and fine-tune the squad for the upcoming showpiece event in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Indian para-athlete Anmol Vasistha has been banned for three years by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after failing a doping test for the anabolic steroid DHCMT at the New Delhi 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in March. His suspension began on April 24, and all his results from the competition have been disqualified.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has expressed surprise and concern over Yashasvi Jaiswal's decision to take up wicket-keeping at 24, advising the Test opener to instead focus on his primary skill of batting, especially with India's New Zealand tour approaching.
Australia A, powered by Sam Harper's century and effective spin bowling from Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli, gained a significant advantage over India A on Day 2 of their second four-day match in Puducherry, leaving India A trailing by 236 runs.
India U-19 secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Australia U-19 in the third and final Youth ODI, completing a 3-0 series sweep. Skipper Lakshya Raichandani led the chase with an unbeaten 110, while Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan starred with the ball. The teams will now prepare for a two-match Youth Test series.
Defending champions India are set to face lower-ranked Sri Lanka in their second Pool A match of the Asian Games men's hockey competition.
India's Deepthi Jeevanji secured her second consecutive Asian Para Games gold medal in the women's 400m T20 event, setting a new Games record. The 23-year-old athlete, who also holds the Asian record and is a Paralympic bronze winner, overcame a challenging background with support from her parents and Pullela Gopichand.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
