News for 'The Beat'

Praggnanandhaa finishes second in Sinquefield Cup, qualifies for Grand Finale

Praggnanandhaa finishes second in Sinquefield Cup, qualifies for Grand Finale

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the Sinquefield Cup after losing to American Wesley So in the Armageddon game, but secured his spot in the Grand Chess Tour finale later this year.

Norway Chess: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen again; Gukesh's title hopes end

Norway Chess: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen again; Gukesh's title hopes end

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

R Praggnanandhaa dealt another stunning blow to hometown hero and World No 1 Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian in a classical game for the second time at Norway Chess 2026.

Sanya Vats Finishes Runners Up At Ballarat Open Squash

Sanya Vats Finishes Runners Up At Ballarat Open Squash

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

Indian squash player Sanya Vats secured a runner-up finish at the Ballarat Open squash tournament in Victoria, Australia, losing to local favourite Sarah Cardwell in the women's final.

Serena Williams-Alcaraz, Djokovic-Sabalenka exit US Open mixed doubles

Serena Williams-Alcaraz, Djokovic-Sabalenka exit US Open mixed doubles

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Tennis legend Serena Williams made a victorious return to the U.S. Open, partnering with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles to defeat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. This marked her first appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium since her 2022 farewell, delighting fans. While Williams and Alcaraz advanced, top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were surprisingly eliminated in the revamped mixed doubles format, which aims to attract more singles stars and fans.

Young Table Tennis Stars Shine In UTT National Quarterfinals

Young Table Tennis Stars Shine In UTT National Quarterfinals

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Rajvardhan Tiwari and Debanshu Chakraborty secured quarterfinal victories in the Under-11 Boys category at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Kanpur. The tournament also saw thrilling five-game matches and a remarkable comeback by unseeded Inaaya in the girls' section, highlighting emerging talent.

'He Might Want To Play IPL, But Don't Go There'

'He Might Want To Play IPL, But Don't Go There'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

'All the young players might want to play the shorter format, but India should be looking to preserve him for the Test format.'

Asian Games Tennis: India's Top Women's Singles Players Dropped from Squad

Asian Games Tennis: India's Top Women's Singles Players Dropped from Squad

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

India's top women's singles players, including Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Vaidehee Chaudhari, have been excluded from the Asian Games tennis squad after the Sports Ministry pruned the list, leaving the national challenge without its leading singles contenders.

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Harmanpreet stars as India win Hockey World Cup opener

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals helped India secure a 3-1 victory over Wales in their first match of the men's Hockey World Cup, with Sanjay also contributing to the scoreline.

'Save this league': India women make passionate plea for Women's HIL

'Save this league': India women make passionate plea for Women's HIL

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.

Indian Shuttler Ayush Shetty Creates Major Upset, Sindhu Advances

Indian Shuttler Ayush Shetty Creates Major Upset, Sindhu Advances

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty caused a major upset on the opening day of the BWF World Championships by defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu also comfortably advanced to the second round in women's singles, while other Indian doubles pairs, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Hariharan Amsakarunan-MR Arjun, secured their spots in the next round.

Complicated FIH Hockey World Cup Format Draws Criticism

Complicated FIH Hockey World Cup Format Draws Criticism

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

The current FIH Hockey World Cup format, featuring a crossover pool system where first-round results carry forward, is causing widespread confusion among teams, fans, and media. Many stakeholders believe the complex system detracts from the game's excitement, shifts focus to mathematical calculations, and potentially favours larger teams, leading to calls for a simpler structure.

How Lionel Messi's Legacy Drives Argentina's Hockey Team

How Lionel Messi's Legacy Drives Argentina's Hockey Team

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Argentina's men's hockey captain, Matias Rey, draws inspiration from football legend Lionel Messi as he leads his team in his sixth World Cup. Rey, like Messi, emphasizes the "never give up" philosophy learned from the national football team's success. The team, including goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, is preparing for a tough match against India, focusing on neutralizing key players like Harmanpreet Singh, while fans show their support by wearing Messi's jersey.

Sinquefield Cup: Praggnanandhaa's latest draw keeps him in title hunt

Sinquefield Cup: Praggnanandhaa's latest draw keeps him in title hunt

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured another draw against GM Levon Aronian of the United States in the sixth round of the Sinquefield Cup, keeping him in joint second place with 3.5 points.

Treesa-Gayatri Stun 16th Seeds Lauren-Allison At Badminton World Championships

Treesa-Gayatri Stun 16th Seeds Lauren-Allison At Badminton World Championships

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Unseeded Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships after stunning 16th seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee of the United States.

Nathuram, Gopal Godse were 'active RSS workers': Savarkar's grandnephew

Nathuram, Gopal Godse were 'active RSS workers': Savarkar's grandnephew

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

The Congress party has demanded that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) clarify its stance on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, being an RSS member. This demand follows a court statement by Satyaki Savarkar, V D Savarkar's grandnephew, who testified that Nathuram Godse and his brother Gopal Godse were "active workers" of the RSS. The statement was made during a defamation complaint hearing filed by Satyaki Savarkar against Rahul Gandhi.

5 Reasons Why Toxic Is A 'Tabaahi' Of Our Expectations

5 Reasons Why Toxic Is A 'Tabaahi' Of Our Expectations

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Toxic looks spectacular, but beneath its glossy, brutally violent exterior lies a hollow, confused film that mistakes style and swagger for substance, observes Sreeju Sudhakaran.

Indian eves secure Hockey World Cup second round spot after goalless draw with England

Indian eves secure Hockey World Cup second round spot after goalless draw with England

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

The Indian women's hockey team advanced to the second round of the FIH World Cup after a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. Despite a challenging performance and facing numerous penalty corners, India's goalkeepers played a crucial role in preserving the draw and securing qualification.

Maharashtra's Tulsani, Karnataka's Kalbhairav Shine At National Ranking TT

Maharashtra's Tulsani, Karnataka's Kalbhairav Shine At National Ranking TT

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Prateek Tulsani of Maharashtra clinched the U-15 boys' title, while Tanishka Kalbhairav of Karnataka secured the U-11 girls' title at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships. Tulsani delivered a commanding performance, whereas Kalbhairav showed remarkable resilience to win her final.

Hockey World Cup: India face stern test against Olympic champions Netherlands

Hockey World Cup: India face stern test against Olympic champions Netherlands

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

India faces a critical challenge against co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in their Hockey World Cup second-round opener.

10 Malayalam Songs That Capture Onam Best

10 Malayalam Songs That Capture Onam Best

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

From timeless classics to modern favourites, these 10 Malayalam songs capture the colour, warmth and togetherness of Onam like few others can.

French Badminton Makes History With Double World Titles

French Badminton Makes History With Double World Titles

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

France achieved a historic double victory at the World Championships, with Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue winning mixed doubles and Alex Lanier securing the men's singles title. This unprecedented success is attributed to decades of strategic investment in a national badminton system, including national and regional centres, coach education, and a focus on holistic player development, aiming to elevate France among traditional Asian powerhouses in the sport.

Bangladesh eye historic series win after Australia shock

Bangladesh eye historic series win after Australia shock

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Australia is under pressure to secure a decisive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match series, following an embarrassing nine-wicket loss in Darwin. The team has made personnel changes, including recalling Matt Renshaw, and is looking for a strong bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic win and a successful shift to a pace-centred bowling attack, is confident of continuing their strong form and potentially sweeping the series.

Ravindra Jadeja hails Manav Suthar's 'dream ball' in Galle Test

Ravindra Jadeja hails Manav Suthar's 'dream ball' in Galle Test

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja lauded young spinner Manav Suthar's opening delivery in the first Test against Sri Lanka, describing it as a 'left-arm spinner's dream ball' after it dismissed Dinesh Chandimal with sharp turn and bounce.

India's Hockey World Cup Journey: From 1971 to 2023

India's Hockey World Cup Journey: From 1971 to 2023

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

India's men's hockey team has experienced a varied journey in the World Cup, from winning bronze in 1971 and gold in 1975 to a prolonged period without a podium finish.

Q1 PSU Stake Sales Beat FY26 Divestment Total

Q1 PSU Stake Sales Beat FY26 Divestment Total

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Divestment has emerged as a priority for the government following a moderation in direct tax collections.

Hope returns to Old Trafford as Carrick plots Manchester United's rise back to the top

Hope returns to Old Trafford as Carrick plots Manchester United's rise back to the top

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Michael Carrick aims to build on Manchester United's revival, balancing renewed confidence, squad reinforcements and Champions League demands while pushing the club toward sustained success among England's Premier League elite.

India's Hockey Coach Marijne Demands More Precision From Team

India's Hockey Coach Marijne Demands More Precision From Team

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

India's women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's 6-1 victory over South Africa at the FIH Women's World Cup but emphasised the need for improved precision in passing and finishing. Despite topping their group, Marijne cautioned against complacency, highlighting the upcoming crucial match against England. He also praised forward Lalremsiami, who found added motivation from her Arjuna Award nomination.

15-Year-Old Delhi Teen Stuns World No 1 Magnus Carlsen

15-Year-Old Delhi Teen Stuns World No 1 Magnus Carlsen

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Fifteen-year-old Delhi chess prodigy Vandan Alankar Sawai stuns World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in an online blitz tournament.

India Beats Uruguay To Secure Top Spot In FIH Women's Nations Cup Pool A

India Beats Uruguay To Secure Top Spot In FIH Women's Nations Cup Pool A

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

India's women's hockey team defeated Uruguay 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the FIH Women's Nations Cup in New Zealand, securing the top position in Pool A and advancing to the semifinals. Deepika scored two goals, including the winner, while Deepika Soreng added another.

'It's Do-or-Die': Harmanpreet's 60-Minute Challenge to India

'It's Do-or-Die': Harmanpreet's 60-Minute Challenge to India

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has called for a complete 60-minute performance from his squad in their "do-or-die" FIH World Cup match against Olympic champions Netherlands. Both Harmanpreet and coach Craig Fulton believe India can upset the hosts by playing smartly, maintaining impeccable defense, and capitalising on their underdog status.

India Inc Sees Fastest Revenue Growth in 15 Quarters

India Inc Sees Fastest Revenue Growth in 15 Quarters

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Indian listed companies experienced their fastest revenue growth in 15 quarters during Q1FY27, with combined net sales rising 18.4% year-on-year, while net profit grew 16%, primarily driven by mining, metals, and banking sectors, despite a contraction in operating margins due to higher input costs.

Case against Tamil Nadu teacher who caned, injured 10 female students

Case against Tamil Nadu teacher who caned, injured 10 female students

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

A government school teacher in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, has been booked for allegedly caning 10 Class 10 female students, causing severe hand injuries and preventing them from taking exams. The incident led to a police case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Juvenile Justice Act after a parent's complaint.

East Bengal edge SC Delhi in penalty shootout to enter Durand Cup final

East Bengal edge SC Delhi in penalty shootout to enter Durand Cup final

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

East Bengal secured their spot in the Durand Cup final by defeating SC Delhi 5-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout, following a goalless draw in regulation time. Captain Mohammed Rashid scored the decisive fifth penalty, sending East Bengal to their record-equalling 17th final appearance.

Barcelona win Rodri race: Ballon d'Or winner arrives from Manchester City in $88.56m deal

Barcelona win Rodri race: Ballon d'Or winner arrives from Manchester City in $88.56m deal

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Barcelona have signed midfielder Rodri from Manchester City on a deal until June 2030, the LaLiga champions announced on Tuesday, ending the Spaniard's glittering, trophy-laden spell with the Premier League club in a major coup for the Catalan side.

Iga Swiatek reaches her first final of season at Canadian Open

Iga Swiatek reaches her first final of season at Canadian Open

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Iga Swiatek fought back from a break down in the deciding set to defeat Elina Svitolina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 at the Canadian Open.

Slapped by teacher for not doing homework, KG boy dies in Vizag

Slapped by teacher for not doing homework, KG boy dies in Vizag

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

A six-year-old UKG student tragically died at a private school in Visakhapatnam after allegedly being slapped by a teacher inside the classroom, an incident captured on CCTV footage.

Historic Double! Gulveer First Indian To Win 2 Athletics Medals In Single CWG

Historic Double! Gulveer First Indian To Win 2 Athletics Medals In Single CWG

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

Gulveer Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a 5000m medal at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze.

FIFA WC 2026: Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to make semis

FIFA WC 2026: Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to make semis

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Alexis MacAllister has puts Argentina ahead in the10th minute.

BWF Worlds: Lakshya Sen Suffers Shock Exit

BWF Worlds: Lakshya Sen Suffers Shock Exit

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round exit at the BWF World Championships after losing to USA's 18-year-old Garret Tan in a thrilling three-game contest in New Delhi on Wednesday.

After Ashwin and Jadeja, Manav Suthar looks ready to lead India's new spin generation

After Ashwin and Jadeja, Manav Suthar looks ready to lead India's new spin generation

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul against Sri Lanka showcased his skill, meticulous preparation and growing maturity, marking him as India's potential next spin leader.