India pacer Harshit Rana is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan due to an ongoing hamstring injury, a BCCI source confirmed.
Kris Srikkanth has questioned Washington Sundar's inclusion for India's Afghanistan T20Is, saying the all-rounder must prove match fitness through competitive cricket after recurring injuries.
India's top centrally-contracted cricketers, including Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, underwent mandatory fitness tests at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. These assessments, featuring the Bronco Test, 2k run, and YoYo test, are crucial for the upcoming eight-month home season, which includes series against Afghanistan and West Indies, and the Asian Games.
India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel provided an update on Rishabh Pant's right shoulder injury, which led to Jurel taking over wicketkeeping duties during the second Test against Sri Lanka. Jurel also highlighted Pant's significant influence on his own game and their effective batting partnership.
The BCCI's fitness monitoring system is under scrutiny after pacer Harshit Rana was found overweight despite being cleared for selection for the England tour. This incident, coupled with other player injuries, has prompted the board to introduce stricter, uniform fitness benchmarks, including a fixed Bronco Test standard, to address inconsistencies and improve player fitness assessment.
India skipper Shubman Gill has shed light on the team's meticulous approach to player fitness, explaining that while constant monitoring is in place, risk-avoiding decisions are sometimes necessary, especially in the demanding format of Test cricket, to protect both the player and the team's long-term interests.
India's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has received clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence to participate in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah had been recovering from an impact injury sustained during the recent ODI series against England, which forced him to miss the third ODI. His return is crucial for India's World Test Championship aspirations.
India is set to face England in the second ODI, aiming for a series victory, but concerns over Shubman Gill's fitness after he walked off injured in the first match, and Rohit Sharma's inconsistent batting form, are prominent. The team will also consider potential changes to the playing eleven.
Kris Srikkanth questioned whether India's star-studded Afghanistan squad was picked out of fear after recent defeats, arguing the series offered an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.
Pakistan's Test team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has acknowledged ongoing fitness issues within the squad, despite a recent training camp. A new conditioning camp is planned to address these concerns before the team's crucial tours to the Caribbean and England. New Test captain Babar Azam is focused on improving fitness and discipline for better performance in red-ball cricket.
Amazfit has unveiled the Helio Strap Pro, a new fitness-focused wearable aimed at HYROX competitors and hybrid training enthusiasts.
The BCCI has summoned Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar and V V S Laxman to Mumbai on Thursday to review India's disappointing performances in Ireland and England.
Indian steeplechase athlete Avinash Sable details his arduous journey back to fitness after an ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which forced him to miss the Commonwealth Games. Despite a challenging recovery period filled with self-doubt, Sable has trained intensely at high-altitude facilities and the SAI Smart Track, expressing strong confidence in retaining his Asian Games 3000m steeplechase gold in 2026. He is set to compete in his first steeplechase event in a year, affirming his readiness for the upcoming continental challenge.
Rohit Sharma's ODI future was a major point of discussion during the review meeting, while also considering the recent fitness woes of key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana have been included in India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, pending fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
Harshit's fitness, Varun's longevity under scanner post hamstring injuries
Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami will be felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for completing 100 first-class matches. The felicitation will take place in Chennai ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, recognising his significant domestic career achievements and his ongoing efforts to return to the national team.
A look at what went wrong for India in the England ODI series.
However, Hardik Pandya's inclusion is once again subject to getting fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
India's national record holder in shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, is determined to breach the 22m mark, aiming to elevate the standard for future generations of Indian shot putters, drawing inspiration from Neeraj Chopra's impact on javelin throw. Despite a history of injuries, including a recent calf tear at the Commonwealth Games, Toor is now fit and focused on achieving a hat-trick of gold medals at the upcoming continental event.
All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to recover from their respective injuries and be available for selection for India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, providing a significant boost to the squad.
Indian football head coach Khalid Jamil believes playing five-time world champions Brazil and two-time winners Uruguay at home will be a historic turning point for the sport in the country. These high-profile matches are crucial for preparing the team for next year's Asia Cup qualifiers and will boost player confidence and learning.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the FIT India Cyclothon in Mumbai, advocating for cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. The event, attended by Narsingh Yadav and Jackie Shroff, highlighted the importance of cycling for personal health, environmental sustainability, and energy conservation, especially amidst global fuel supply concerns.
A woman's partially decomposed and decapitated body was discovered in her Guwahati home, with her head found in a refrigerator. Her husband, Ramanuj Goswami, has been arrested after confessing to the murder, claiming it was a fit of rage over his wife's alleged extra-marital affair.
Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the senior men's selection committee, was notably absent from a BCCI review meeting discussing India's recent limited-overs tour performances against Ireland and England, citing travel issues. The meeting, attended by captains and coaches, did not address his contract extension, which is due to expire soon.
Krunal Pandya kept his India comeback hopes alive after missing the Afghanistan T20I squad, following a strong IPL season where he impressed with bat and ball.
The Ladakh Marathon has registered around 8,000 participants, with Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra reviewing preparations. The event is gaining international recognition, showcasing Ladakh's natural beauty and promoting high-altitude sports and tourism. Local participation is encouraged to enhance the event's vibrancy and strengthen Ladakh's identity as a premier destination for adventure sports.
World number two Elena Rybakina defeated Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2 6-4 to progress to the third round of the U.S. Open. Rybakina, aiming for a third Grand Slam title and the top WTA ranking, showcased a dominant performance despite a late service break. She expressed happiness with her win and her recovery from fitness doubts, setting up a clash with Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Dr Bhairavi Joshi, a member of the Cycling Federation of India's Development Committee, has been awarded the United Nations World Bicycle Day Founder Leszek Sibilski's Certificate of Excellence for her significant efforts in promoting cycling across India through various community initiatives.
Carlos Alcaraz swapped his headline-making tank top for an undershirt after revealing too much chest, then beat Wu Yibing in straight sets to reach the US Open fourth round.
Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has reportedly informed Subramaniam Badrinath that he will not play as an Impact Player in the IPL, preferring to continue as a full-time wicketkeeper if he plays.
Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and the men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faced early exits at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Hooda lost in women's singles, while the doubles pair retired due to apparent fitness issues, marking a challenging start for the Indian contingent.
India's Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first cricketer, male or female, to captain a team in 150 T20 Internationals.
A female cheetah named Nirva, part of India's reintroduction programme, was successfully rescued from Shivpuri district after an 11-day search. The 6-year-old South African cheetah had gone missing from Kuno National Park, and her satellite collar was malfunctioning. Forest officials, with local support, located and replaced her collar, confirming she is healthy.
Tilak Varma is emerging as India's potential middle-order backup, offering left-handed batting variety and developing off-spin as selectors seek younger, flexible options ahead of the ODI World Cup.
Second seed Elena Rybakina secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin in the first round of the US Open, easing concerns about her recent leg injury. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, showed no signs of discomfort as she began her quest for the title and the world number one ranking. Frodin, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't overcome the Australian Open champion.
rediffGURU Anu Krishna recommends being patient, and consulting with a professional to help rebuild intimacy and strengthen communication in the marriage.
Sony Sports Network has secured exclusive television broadcast rights for the upcoming three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan, scheduled from September 13 to 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series will feature India led by Shreyas Iyer and Afghanistan led by Ibrahim Zadran, with both teams showcasing aggressive T20 cricket. This acquisition strengthens Sony's sports portfolio and offers a platform for Afghanistan to demonstrate its talent against a top-tier team.
Football administrator Ranjit Bajaj has filed a writ petition in court, seeking directions for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to immediately schedule and complete elections for its Executive Committee. Bajaj argues that the AIFF has already adopted a compliant constitution, making further deferment unjustified.
