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.
Mumbai City FC has announced the signing of Serbian defender Lazar Cirkovic on a one-year deal for the 2026-27 Indian Super League season. The experienced 34-year-old has previously played for other ISL clubs and brings a wealth of international experience from European leagues.
Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have expressed their condolences following the passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died at 75 after a cardiac arrest. Both cricketers remembered Patekar's significant contributions to Indian cinema and his impactful personality.
India's men's hockey team successfully defended their Asian Games gold medal by defeating Malaysia 5-1, securing a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Veteran cricketer R Ashwin has expressed his disappointment over Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series, suggesting that the lack of international game time could negatively impact the young opener's confidence and form.
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 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.
India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 85 medals, a significant dip from the previous edition's record haul. While traditional strongholds like shooting and athletics underperformed, breakthroughs in archery, wrestling, golf, boxing, hockey, and cricket showcased a broadening sporting base. The performance serves as a reality check on sustaining progress towards top global rankings and highlights areas for improvement in mental conditioning and preparation.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed respect for the Indian team ahead of their match in Kolkata, viewing it as an opportunity for his squad rather than a test. He discussed the challenges of managing a national team, the importance of commitment and joy in football, and the ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including significant squad changes and the blend of youth and experience. Ancelotti also reflected on Brazil's recent World Cup disappointment and the evolving nature of football.
Indian men's and women's skeet teams have both secured bronze medals at the Asian Games. The women's team, comprising Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, finished third, while the men's team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, and Bhavtegh Singh Gill also claimed bronze. Additionally, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal have qualified for the individual women's skeet final, adding to India's medal tally from the shooting range.
India is set to host five-time world champions Brazil in a historic invitational football friendly in Kolkata. The match, while offering invaluable exposure for the Indian team, has also drawn criticism over its cost and the decision to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The event carries political significance and marks a key step in Brazil's rebuilding process.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0, and simultaneously qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This remarkable turnaround is largely attributed to head coach Sjored Marijne, who transformed a divided and underperforming squad into a united, fearless, and successful team within nine months.
Defending champions India, currently unbeaten in the men's hockey Pool A at the Asian Games, are set to face hosts Japan in a crucial match. Both teams have won all their games, but India holds a superior goal difference. The winner of this match will secure the top spot in the pool and a direct semifinal berth, with India's forwards showing exceptional form.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner discussed India's young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of the five-match T20 International series.
Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir, 11, has signed with Kart Republic (KR), a prestigious team led by Dino Chiesa, known for nurturing Formula 1 champions like Lewis Hamilton. This move provides Mir a significant platform to advance her career in the OKJ category, with Chiesa praising her raw speed and potential to achieve great things for India.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite being written off in 2022, is set to make a national comeback in 2026, showcasing his enduring swing bowling prowess and strong work ethic, particularly after stellar performances in the IPL.
Former India chief selector Chetan Sharma has lauded his successor Ajit Agarkar for a highly successful three-year tenure, which saw India win three ICC trophies and achieve significant white-ball cricket dominance.
Indian pacer Navdeep Saini has voiced strong support for Mohammed Shami's return to the national team, highlighting Shami's consistent hard work and performances in domestic cricket. Saini also drew inspiration from Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recent recall for the T20I series against New Zealand, seeing it as proof that consistent performance can lead to a comeback.
'But sometimes I am cuckoo in the head. I sit late at night, and I think of how I want to play and how I want to be as a cricketer.'
The Indian women's hockey team secured its fourth consecutive victory at the Asian Games, defeating hosts Japan 3-1, a win that virtually guarantees them a semi-final berth.
After India's 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies, Shubman Gill says it is time to settle the team's World Cup combination and reduce experiments.
Five-time world champions Brazil are set to play India in an invitational friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, marking their first-ever international meeting. The match, while a spectacle for Indian fans, has drawn criticism regarding its cost and impact on Indian football development, with former captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioning its value over long-term investment. For Brazil, it's part of a rebuilding process, while India aims to gain invaluable experience against a top-tier team.
A veteran White House reporter has revealed that the Clinton administration used a decoy aircraft during President Bill Clinton's high-risk visit to Pakistan in 2000, a security measure disclosed to journalists off-the-record due to the significant dangers involved.
Check Point Software Technologies has appointed Krishnan V V as its Managing Director and Country Head for India and South Asia. He will be responsible for business strategy, P&L, go-to-market execution, and organisational development, leveraging his three decades of leadership experience in the cybersecurity and technology sectors.
Indian archers returned from the Asian Games with a historic haul of 5 gold medals, 2 Olympic quotas, and other medals, celebrating their success and triumphs over global powerhouse South Korea. Coaches and athletes expressed elation, crediting rigorous training, teamwork, and a supportive ecosystem for their unprecedented performance.
The Indian Super League 2026-27 season is set to begin with renewed optimism after a turbulent previous season.
Indian swimmers concluded their Asian Games campaign without securing any medals. Sajan Prakash finished seventh in the men's 200m butterfly final, while Rishabh Das and Utkarsh Patil placed sixth and seventh respectively in the men's 200m backstroke. Other Indian participants also failed to qualify for their respective finals.
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.
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.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
The Indian football team, ranked 138th, achieved a commendable 1-1 draw against world No. 44 Panama in a FIFA International friendly. Ryan Williams scored for India, while Omar Valencia equalised for Panama. This result is considered a significant achievement under coach Khalid Jamil and provides a morale boost ahead of upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.
Chola Chiefs, already out of playoff contention, defeated defending champions Rajputana Royals 5-3 in the Archery Premier League Season 2. This loss jeopardises the Royals' chances of defending their title, leaving them with eight points and one match remaining. Chiefs' victory was attributed to a tactical change in their shooting order, with archers like Alejandra Usquiano and Rajat Chauhan playing crucial roles.
Indian skeet shooter Anantjeet Singh Naruka has positioned himself strongly for the Asian Games final, tying for the lead after four qualification rounds. While other Indian male shooters struggled, Naruka's performance offers hope. In women's skeet, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal are also in contention for individual medals, and the women's team holds a bronze medal position, though facing tough competition. The final qualification rounds are crucial for India's medal aspirations.
India's Davis Cup team faces a significant challenge in their qualifier against South Korea as key doubles player Yuki Bhambri has been ruled out due to a thigh injury. This forces captain Rohit Rajpal to re-evaluate the doubles combination, a crucial aspect for advancing to the finals. The team is now experimenting with new pairings, with N Sriram Balaji emerging as a leading option.
India achieved its most successful day at the Asian Games, securing 10 gold medals, 21 silver, and 29 bronze, bringing the total to 60 and improving its ranking to seventh. Compound archers swept all team golds, including an Olympic quota, while trap shooters Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai also won mixed gold. Boxing and wrestling added bronze medals, and the women's hockey team reached the final, assuring at least a silver.
Indian shooting contingent members, including Elavenil Valarivan, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anantjit Singh Naruka, and Raiza Dhillon, received a warm welcome upon their return to Delhi after winning medals at the Asian Games. Elavenil expressed confidence despite missing gold, highlighting her win against world and Olympic champions.
India's medal tally at the Asian Games surged to 65, highlighted by rare silver medals in men's skiff sailing and Greco-Roman wrestling. The men's cricket and hockey teams secured their spots in the finals with impressive victories, while squash teams and compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru contributed bronze medals. Indian golfers are also in contention, and sepaktakraw guaranteed at least a bronze, showcasing a diverse sporting performance.
India all-rounder Naman Dhir discusses his bowling development, crediting veteran Ravindra Jadeja's advice and training at the Mumbai Indians camp. Despite not yet taking a wicket in his two ODIs, Dhir maintains a good economy rate and is working on his all-round game, including his batting, ahead of the third ODI.
India achieved significant milestones at the Asian Games, securing its first-ever women's trap gold through Neeru Dhanda and another gold in the women's 4x400m relay. These victories pushed India's medal tally past 50, placing the country in the top 10. The day also saw strong performances in boxing, volleyball, archery, squash, and tennis, contributing to a successful outing despite some disappointments in other events.
Zimbabwe is buzzing with excitement to co-host the ODI World Cup next year, marking their return after a 12-year absence. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza and coach Justin Sammons express enthusiasm for playing on home soil and testing themselves against top teams like India, while also highlighting caution regarding Afghanistan's strong "X-factor" players.
