News for 'former players'

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Why India rose and Pakistan fell: Hockey great explains

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar attributes his country's hockey decline to the absence of a robust domestic structure, contrasting it with India's strategic investment in grassroots and domestic ecosystems after failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. He highlights India's subsequent success and calls for similar foundational changes in Pakistan.

ISRO, IN-SPACe Face Rocket Transfer Row

ISRO, IN-SPACe Face Rocket Transfer Row

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

There is no answer to the question of how IN-SPACe invited EOIs for ISRO's mature rockets and whether it was based on any government policy decision.

Sabalenka under pressure as US Open title defence looms

Sabalenka under pressure as US Open title defence looms

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Aryna Sabalenka aims to secure her third consecutive US Open title, a feat not achieved since Serena Williams. However, a recent dip in form and a challenge to her world number one ranking from Elena Rybakina cast doubt on her chances, with experts noting her vulnerability.

Unrelenting Djokovic refuses to give up on record major dream

Unrelenting Djokovic refuses to give up on record major dream

Rediff.com30 Aug 2026

The 146th US Open begins with Novak Djokovic aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title and Jessica Pegula hoping to secure her first major on home soil.

T20 hitters to Test heroes: Manjrekar cannot explain the seamless switch

T20 hitters to Test heroes: Manjrekar cannot explain the seamless switch

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his bewilderment at how the current generation of cricketers, primarily raised on T20 cricket, has managed to seamlessly adapt to the rigorous demands of Test cricket. He compared their transition to pop singers mastering classical ragas, highlighting the significant technical and mental adjustments required. Manjrekar's comments come as young Indian players, many with IPL backgrounds, are actively participating in Test series, showcasing their versatility across formats.

Pucovski Sues School Over Concussion Protocol Failures

Pucovski Sues School Over Concussion Protocol Failures

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Former Australian cricketer Will Pucovski has initiated legal proceedings against his former school, Brighton Grammar, alleging that the institution failed to adhere to proper concussion protocols after he sustained a head injury during a football training session in 2014. His lawyers claim this incident led to a traumatic brain injury, making him vulnerable to subsequent concussions and ultimately forcing his early retirement from professional cricket at age 27.

US Open PIX: Pegula shows grit to survive Fernandez test, keeps maiden Slam bid alive

US Open PIX: Pegula shows grit to survive Fernandez test, keeps maiden Slam bid alive

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

Jessica Pegula overcame a disastrous opening set against Leylah Fernandez, rallying with resilience and composure to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach the US Open fourth round.

Pegula's perfect start, Krejcikova's painful exit headline US Open opening day

Pegula's perfect start, Krejcikova's painful exit headline US Open opening day

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Jessica Pegula cruised into the US Open second round with a straight-sets win, while 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova became the first seeded casualty despite saving six match points.

What's Azharuddin Doing In London?

What's Azharuddin Doing In London?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin is enjoying a summer holiday in London, reflecting on his special connection with England, where he made a historic Test debut with three consecutive centuries in 1984-1985 and later scored memorable knocks.

Defending champions PSG land Barcelona, Man City in mouth-watering Champions League draw

Defending champions PSG land Barcelona, Man City in mouth-watering Champions League draw

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Defending champions PSG will face Barcelona and Manchester City in the Champions League league phase, while Real Madrid meet Inter Milan and Arsenal in marquee clashes.

Glenn Maxwell picks Virat Kohli as ODI cricket's 'best-ever'

Glenn Maxwell picks Virat Kohli as ODI cricket's 'best-ever'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Glenn Maxwell has named Virat Kohli the best-ever ODI batter, praising his exceptional timing, control and gap-finding ability while highlighting his remarkable record in successful run-chases.

Arsenal bounce back to beat Chelsea 2-1, maintain perfect start

Arsenal bounce back to beat Chelsea 2-1, maintain perfect start

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Arsenal successfully defended their Premier League title challenge by defeating Chelsea 2-1, recovering from an early concession with goals from Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard, maintaining a perfect start to the season.

'No curfew': Joe Root reveals England's new approach

'No curfew': Joe Root reveals England's new approach

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

England captain Joe Root has announced there will be no team curfew for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, expressing trust in his players to act responsibly. This decision comes amidst recent scrutiny over the team's culture following several off-field incidents and player suspensions. Root, who returned to captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement, believes players should be self-policing.

771 Wickets! Starc Surpasses Ashwin, Vaas in All-Time List

771 Wickets! Starc Surpasses Ashwin, Vaas in All-Time List

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational ten-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin and Chaminda Vaas in the all-time international wicket-takers list, and earning both 'Player of the Match' and 'Player of the Series' awards.

Roy Dias: Test, ODI Formats Remain Relevant, Youngsters Need Strong Technique

Roy Dias: Test, ODI Formats Remain Relevant, Youngsters Need Strong Technique

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Former Sri Lankan batter and veteran coach Roy Dias asserts that Test and ODI formats retain their relevance despite the rise of T20 cricket, advising young players to develop proper technique for success across all three versions.

Marizanne Kapp slams Anaya Bangar's cricket pathway: 'Should not be allowed'

Marizanne Kapp slams Anaya Bangar's cricket pathway: 'Should not be allowed'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has publicly criticised Cricket Australia's decision to offer a pathway back into competitive cricket for transgender athlete Anaya Bangar, stating, "Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed."

2nd Test: Jaiswal faces possible punishment after physical contact with Fernando

2nd Test: Jaiswal faces possible punishment after physical contact with Fernando

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is under scrutiny for a potential ICC Code of Conduct breach following a heated altercation with Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test. The incident involved physical contact, with Jaiswal's helmet touching Fernando's forehead after Jaiswal's dismissal. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged the 'heat of the moment' but stated Jaiswal should not have made body contact. Match referee Andy Pycroft may invoke Article 2.12, which could lead to a reprimand, fine, or demerit points for Jaiswal.

'Padikkal Is Your No. 3 For NZ Tour'

'Padikkal Is Your No. 3 For NZ Tour'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

'It's a no-brainer that in the next Test in New Zealand, your first choice has to be Devdutt.'

Will Dhoni Replace Fleming As CSK Coach?

Will Dhoni Replace Fleming As CSK Coach?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

M S Dhoni's appearance in Chennai has ignited fervent discussions among fans regarding the future of Chennai Super Kings.

Sports Ministry Suspends Table Tennis Federation Of India

Sports Ministry Suspends Table Tennis Federation Of India

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

The Sports Ministry has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to significant governance deficiencies, including delayed elections and failure to ensure athlete welfare. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been directed to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport until a proper governance structure is re-established.

US Open: Champion Sabalenka, Swiatek, Anisimova Off To Smashing Starts

US Open: Champion Sabalenka, Swiatek, Anisimova Off To Smashing Starts

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third successive US Open title with a dominant win against Colombia's Camila Osorio.

Indian Shuttlers Shine At Junior International Grand Prix

Indian Shuttlers Shine At Junior International Grand Prix

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

India's Arjun Reddy Aluguvelli caused an upset by defeating eighth seed Adithya Kiran from the UAE at the Indian Junior International Grand Prix badminton tournament. Other Indian players, Jagsher Singh Khangurra and Vaibhav Singh, also secured hard-fought victories.

Rishabh Pant breaks Adam Gilchrist's record for most sixes in Test cricket

Rishabh Pant breaks Adam Gilchrist's record for most sixes in Test cricket

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Rishabh Pant has surpassed Adam Gilchrist to become the third-highest six-hitter in Test cricket, achieving the feat during India's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

'70 per cent watch club games': Is bilateral cricket in danger?

'70 per cent watch club games': Is bilateral cricket in danger?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.

Rishabh Pant Fastest To Hit 100 sixes In Test cricket

Rishabh Pant Fastest To Hit 100 sixes In Test cricket

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Indian and fourth overall player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.

'Saffron Has Never Been Traditional Colour Of Indian Hockey': Dhanraj

'Saffron Has Never Been Traditional Colour Of Indian Hockey': Dhanraj

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

Hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay has voiced his displeasure over the Indian hockey team's decision to adopt saffron as its primary jersey colour, arguing that the blue jersey has been the sport's long-standing identity for decades.

'Seeds were sown much earlier': Vidit on Praggnanandhaa's rise

'Seeds were sown much earlier': Vidit on Praggnanandhaa's rise

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis, defeating GM Fabiano Caruana in a stunning comeback. Chess legends Garry Kasparov and Vidit Gujrathi congratulated him on this significant achievement.

Maguire: Rashford a 'Huge Threat,' Hopes He Stays at Man Utd

Maguire: Rashford a 'Huge Threat,' Hopes He Stays at Man Utd

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has expressed his hope that Marcus Rashford will remain at the club, calling the forward a 'huge threat' and a significant asset who can improve the team.

Pakistan stars in trouble after Zambia league

Pakistan stars in trouble after Zambia league

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering a two-year ban for several former national players who participated in the unsanctioned Asian Legends Cup in Lusaka, Zambia. The tournament, which was not approved by the ICC or the Zambia Cricket Union, saw players like Mohammed Irfan, Imran Nazir, and Yasir Shah take part, while others like Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik withdrew. The PCB has warned of severe disciplinary action, including ineligibility for future cricketing assignments.

Deepadhar Dominates Opening Day Of East Zone Bridge Championship

Deepadhar Dominates Opening Day Of East Zone Bridge Championship

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Deepadhar, featuring former Asian Games gold medallists, has taken an early lead in the fifth East Zone Bridge Championship in Kolkata, accumulating 65.22 Victory Points after four rounds. The tournament, a Bridge Federation of India Ranking Two event, involves around 300 players from 50 teams across East Zone states competing for a Rs 6 lakh prize purse, with the top 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage.

Manpreet Singh India's most-capped hockey player

Manpreet Singh India's most-capped hockey player

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Manpreet Singh on Wednesday became India's most-capped hockey player with his 413th appearance for the country during the FIH Pro League match against Germany in Rotterdam.

Why ISRO Staff Are Worried About ISRO's Future

Why ISRO Staff Are Worried About ISRO's Future

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

A rocket designed and developed by ISRO is being transferred to industry for production.
Nine ISRO associations want to know whether this is simply an effort to expand India's industrial capacity or part of a larger policy under which ISRO itself will eventually withdraw from rocket manufacturing.

'Fully focused on defeating Germany': India eye fifth place at World Cup

'Fully focused on defeating Germany': India eye fifth place at World Cup

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

India's Women's Hockey team will compete against higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff at the Women's Hockey World Cup, aiming to conclude their impressive campaign with a victory and build momentum for the upcoming Asian Games.

Brydon Carse out of Pakistan Test amid ECB probe

Brydon Carse out of Pakistan Test amid ECB probe

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been dropped from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan following an investigation by the Cricket Regulator into an incident at a club in Derby. Carse, who was reportedly seen in handcuffs but not arrested or charged, will be replaced by Sonny Baker. This incident follows a series of off-field controversies involving England cricketers, prompting renewed scrutiny of player conduct.

No Khel Ratna for 2025; Tejaswin, Divya and Gayatri Gopichand among Arjuna awardees

No Khel Ratna for 2025; Tejaswin, Divya and Gayatri Gopichand among Arjuna awardees

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Seventeen Indian sportspersons, including World Cup winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, and shuttler Gayatri Gopichand, have been named for the prestigious Arjuna Award for 2025.

India all-rounder Mahipal Lomror signs with Surrey

India all-rounder Mahipal Lomror signs with Surrey

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Indian all-rounder Mahipal Lomror has signed with Surrey for the remainder of the County Championship season. He becomes the second player from Rajasthan to join the English side this season, filling a gap left by injuries and international call-ups.

Shreyas Gopal's 100th First-Class game: From Kumble Fan To 305 wickets

Shreyas Gopal's 100th First-Class game: From Kumble Fan To 305 wickets

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Shreyas Gopal celebrates his 100th first-class match, reflecting on his journey from imitating Anil Kumble to becoming a successful leg-spinner and all-rounder in domestic cricket. He discusses the challenges of red-ball cricket, his dismissals of Virat Kohli, and his cherished moments with Karnataka and MS Dhoni.

Rishabh Pant scripts history, becomes India's top WTC run-scorer

Rishabh Pant scripts history, becomes India's top WTC run-scorer

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill, and also overtook MS Dhoni as India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.

'That silence in the dressing room will stay me': Ex-fielding coach T Dilip on his best moment with Team India

'That silence in the dressing room will stay me': Ex-fielding coach T Dilip on his best moment with Team India

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Former Indian fielding coach T Dilip shared his most cherished memory with the team, highlighting the profound silence in the dressing room after their T20 World Cup 2024 victory.

Chelsea's 'Not Too Xabi' Era Brings Joy Back to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's 'Not Too Xabi' Era Brings Joy Back to Stamford Bridge

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, has shown renewed attacking vigour with two Premier League wins and a League Cup victory, highlighted by a 4-3 win over Brighton, but defensive vulnerabilities persist, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in 18 league games. The arrival of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez is expected to bolster the backline.