News for 'former players'

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.

Vijay nominates AIADMK turncoats for 2 Tamil Nadu bypolls

Vijay nominates AIADMK turncoats for 2 Tamil Nadu bypolls

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has announced its candidates, K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, for the upcoming October 6 bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. This marks the first electoral challenge for the TVK government since its formation, setting the stage for a direct contest with DMK and anticipated participation from AIADMK.

After dream revival, Carrick faces his biggest test yet in Manchester derby

After dream revival, Carrick faces his biggest test yet in Manchester derby

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Michael Carrick faces his biggest test as Manchester United's permanent manager when rising expectations, an indifferent league start and last season's revival meet Manchester City in Sunday's derby.

'I can play cricket again': Anaya Bangar gets Cricket Australia eligibility boost

'I can play cricket again': Anaya Bangar gets Cricket Australia eligibility boost

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Former Mumbai U-19 cricketer Anaya Bangar can play elite women's cricket in Australia from March 2027, subject to Cricket Australia's eligibility criteria.

Usain Bolt reacts to robot breaking his 100m world record: 'It just made me smile'

Usain Bolt reacts to robot breaking his 100m world record: 'It just made me smile'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt expressed amusement rather than frustration upon learning that a robot in China had broken his 100-metres world record by almost a second, stating, 'It just made me smile.'

Kevin Pietersen Returns To England Set-Up As White-Ball Mentor

Kevin Pietersen Returns To England Set-Up As White-Ball Mentor

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a Specialist Mentor for the England men's white-ball teams, aiming to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

'Targetted' Babar to take legal action against former players

'Targetted' Babar to take legal action against former players

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

It was also reported that evidence related to statements made by YouTubers and former cricketers is being collected by the Pakistan Cricket Board's legal department.

'I didn't have any support': Steve Smith Opens Up On 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal In South Africa

'I didn't have any support': Steve Smith Opens Up On 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal In South Africa

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Former Australia captain Steve Smith has revealed he felt 'thrown to the wolves' following the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, admitting he still experiences flashbacks to the media frenzy upon his return home.

'They've lost fans': Ramiz Raja's big Pakistan warning

'They've lost fans': Ramiz Raja's big Pakistan warning

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has issued a stark warning that the national team's consistent poor performances are causing a significant decline in its fan base. He emphasised that while fans don't expect wins every time, they demand a fighting spirit and competitive attitude, which the team is currently lacking, leading to growing disinterest among supporters.

India's biggest weakness exposed by England?

India's biggest weakness exposed by England?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Pundits and former players have raised concerns over the Indian cricket team's batting performance following consecutive T20 series defeats against England and Ireland. Experts like Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Gavaskar, and Harsha Bhogle, along with captain Shreyas Iyer, point to issues with adapting to conditions and a lack of rhythm in the middle order, suggesting these losses could be a crucial wake-up call for the team.

Australia's batting order faces scrutiny ahead of South Africa tour

Australia's batting order faces scrutiny ahead of South Africa tour

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Australia secured an innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, but the performance highlighted persistent issues with their top-order batting, particularly for Marnus Labuschagne, raising questions ahead of their South Africa tour.

Mamata to back Congress in Nandigram after candidate pulls out

Mamata to back Congress in Nandigram after candidate pulls out

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

Mamata Banerjee's faction of the Trinamool Congress announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll after its own candidate withdrew. This decision comes amidst a bitter dispute with the Election Commission over the freezing of TMC's traditional symbol and name, which Banerjee termed "arbitrary" and accused the BJP of trying to destroy opposition parties.

Ajeetesh Sandhu Takes Commanding Lead At Chennai Open

Ajeetesh Sandhu Takes Commanding Lead At Chennai Open

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Ajeetesh Sandhu has established a two-shot lead after the second round of the Chennai Open, firing a six-under 66 to reach 13-under 131. The Chandigarh golfer is ahead of Stepan Danek and Rashid Khan, with two more rounds to play.

US Open PIX: Tiafoe slays old rival Medvedev to enter quarter-finals

US Open PIX: Tiafoe slays old rival Medvedev to enter quarter-finals

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

American Frances Tiafoe defeated former champion Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling three-set match at the U.S. Open, reaching the quarter-finals. Tiafoe, who had a poor head-to-head record against Medvedev, showcased his best form, employing strategic net play and powerful groundstrokes to secure a significant victory.

Boult tips Rahul as India's key batter, but warns of cold weather in NZ Tests

Boult tips Rahul as India's key batter, but warns of cold weather in NZ Tests

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Former New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has identified KL Rahul as India's primary batter for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, praising his batting style and anticipating challenging cold conditions for the late October-November tour.

PHOTOS: Gael Monfils Creates History On 40th Birthday At US Open

PHOTOS: Gael Monfils Creates History On 40th Birthday At US Open

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday by defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round of the US Open, making him the oldest player since Jimmy Connors in 1992 to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows on his birthday.

Coco Gauff ousts Paula Badosa; stays on course for second US Open title

Coco Gauff ousts Paula Badosa; stays on course for second US Open title

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

World number four Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory against Paula Badosa in the second round of the U.S. Open. Despite Badosa's strong challenge and previous wins against Gauff, the American triumphed in two sets, 6-4, 7-6(5), on a sweltering evening at Arthur Ashe Court, advancing her quest for a second title at Flushing Meadows.

Shiv Kapur Backs Indian Golfers For Asian Games Gold

Shiv Kapur Backs Indian Golfers For Asian Games Gold

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.

Dhoni-Pant Viral Video Sparks New Hookah Debate

Dhoni-Pant Viral Video Sparks New Hookah Debate

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

A recent viral video featuring M S Dhoni and Rishabh Pant has once again brought Dhoni's alleged hookah habit into the public spotlight.

Agarkar absent as BCCI reviews England, Ireland failures; tenure extension still unclear

Agarkar absent as BCCI reviews England, Ireland failures; tenure extension still unclear

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

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.

Sehwag to Host Rise and Fall

Sehwag to Host Rise and Fall

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

Rise and Fall Season 2 will feature Virender Sehwag as host, with 15 celebrities divided into Rulers and Workers, navigating power, money, alliances and shifting strategies.

West Bengal Government Arranges Public Screenings For FIFA World Cup Final

West Bengal Government Arranges Public Screenings For FIFA World Cup Final

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

The West Bengal government is organising live public screenings of the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at Nandan in Kolkata and other district locations. Each district has been allocated Rs 1 lakh for arrangements, with security and logistics being coordinated for the event.

Mumbai Indians Appoint Zubin Bharucha As Director of Performance

Mumbai Indians Appoint Zubin Bharucha As Director of Performance

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Mumbai Indians have appointed Zubin Bharucha, a former first-class cricketer and ex-Rajasthan Royals official, as their Director of Performance.

Indian team will benefit from international friendly against Brazil: Cafu

Indian team will benefit from international friendly against Brazil: Cafu

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Former Brazil captain Cafu discussed India's upcoming friendly against Brazil, highlighting the learning opportunity despite ranking differences. He also suggested India popularise football among children for growth, commented on Brazil's World Cup drought, and reflected on the evolving role of fullbacks in modern football.

FYERS American Gambits Extend Lead In Global Chess League Standings

FYERS American Gambits Extend Lead In Global Chess League Standings

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

FYERS American Gambits defeated Triveni Continental Kings to retain their top position in the Global Chess League standings, ahead of Alpine APL Pipers. Other matches saw Ganges Grandmasters secure a dominant win over Continental Kings, while Mumba Masters suffered two defeats, including a loss to PBG Alaskan Knights. The Gambits, Pipers, and Grandmasters have all won four matches, with Gambits having played one more round.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Spain final brings tutor and former ward face to face

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Spain final brings tutor and former ward face to face

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

It happened in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain's youth teams, was among the figures who helped guide a recently retired player taking his first steps towards management.

Gurucharan Hora Enters Race For AITA Secretary General

Gurucharan Hora Enters Race For AITA Secretary General

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Gurucharan Singh Hora, current Joint Secretary (Interim) of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), has announced his candidature for the Secretary General post. His decision comes amidst ongoing legal challenges and governance reforms within the AITA, with fresh elections mandated by the Delhi High Court.

Will Enzo Fernandez Stay At Chelsea? Here's What Xabi Alonso Said

Will Enzo Fernandez Stay At Chelsea? Here's What Xabi Alonso Said

Rediff.com21 Aug 2026

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed speculation surrounding midfielder Enzo Fernandez's future ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham.

Greatest Indian cricketer: Ashwin picks Sachin Tendulkar as No. 1

Greatest Indian cricketer: Ashwin picks Sachin Tendulkar as No. 1

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin crowned Sachin Tendulkar India's greatest cricketer in his all-time bracket, while making surprise calls by choosing Sehwag over Dhoni and Bumrah over Virat Kohli.

Magnus Carlsen drops hint about his chess future

Magnus Carlsen drops hint about his chess future

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Chess legend Magnus Carlsen expresses his enjoyment in the game's evolution and new formats but acknowledges his time at the top is "limited." He advises organisers not to tailor the future of chess solely to his preferences, despite his continued participation in events like the Global Chess League. Grandmaster Levon Aronian also weighs in on the sport's growing online popularity and the need for continued innovation to attract wider audiences.

'Don't Give Him Special Treatment': Ashwin on Pant

'Don't Give Him Special Treatment': Ashwin on Pant

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his concern over Rishabh Pant's shot selection, stating that while his attacking style brings unforgettable moments, the wicketkeeper-batter needs to learn when to rein himself in and prioritise the team's needs over his natural instinct to attack.

'Don't see Sanju Samson as back-up opener for 2027 World Cup'

'Don't see Sanju Samson as back-up opener for 2027 World Cup'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has expressed doubts about Sanju Samson's suitability as a backup opener for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, citing consistency issues in ODI cricket.

Asian Games Participants Face Strict Safeguarding Code Of Conduct

Asian Games Participants Face Strict Safeguarding Code Of Conduct

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has implemented a stringent Safeguarding Code of Conduct for athletes and officials participating in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The code prohibits inappropriate relationships, degrading language, and harassment, with violations leading to severe penalties including suspension. It also addresses social media use and places special emphasis on protecting minor athletes.

'Test cricket is dying'

'Test cricket is dying'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas has called on cricket authorities to actively work towards preserving Test and 50-over formats, warning that they are 'dying' amidst the growing global preference for T20s and franchise leagues.

Deep Dasgupta reveals how Sourav Ganguly's bold mindset transformed Team India

Deep Dasgupta reveals how Sourav Ganguly's bold mindset transformed Team India

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

Deep Dasgupta said Sourav Ganguly's "I am the king" mindset transformed India's response to sledging, encouraging teammates to openly give back instead of silently channelling their anger.

Tragic End For Veteran Cricket Coach In Colombo

Tragic End For Veteran Cricket Coach In Colombo

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

A 62-year-old cricket coach, Sumith Fernando, who mentored Kusal Mendis, died in Colombo following an altercation with two school players over drinking water during a match. A 17-year-old player has been arrested and placed under child probation custody.

'Super grateful for the joy he gave us': Argentina reacts as Messi bids emotional farewell

'Super grateful for the joy he gave us': Argentina reacts as Messi bids emotional farewell

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, has announced his retirement from the national team, a decision he described as 'a decision that hurts the soul.'

Javed Miandad breaks down while pleading for Imran Khan's release

Javed Miandad breaks down while pleading for Imran Khan's release

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

Javed Miandad broke down while pleading for Imran Khan's release, defending his former captain as honest and urging authorities to resolve his imprisonment amid growing health concerns.

'I Don't Know Anything': Sarfaraz on Imran Interview Row

'I Don't Know Anything': Sarfaraz on Imran Interview Row

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

A controversy overshadowed Pakistan's Lord's Test after reports emerged of the PCB threatening to boycott the match if Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran Khan's sons. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed denied any knowledge of such a threat, despite the interview being broadcast and the team returning to play. The incident highlights the political tensions surrounding Imran Khan's imprisonment impacting the cricket team.

BCCI Review Meeting: Gill, Gambhir, Agarkar discuss Rohit Sharma's ODI Future

BCCI Review Meeting: Gill, Gambhir, Agarkar discuss Rohit Sharma's ODI Future

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

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.