Pakistan's experienced batter Fakhar Zaman believes the team can end its long wait for an ICC trophy at the 50-overs World Cup next year. He highlighted the team's serious approach, extensive discussions, and preparations, including an upcoming tri-series, to build a winning combination. Zaman also distinguished white-ball plans from recent Test struggles.
AB de Villiers recently discussed his initial impressions of Virat Kohli during a podcast, admitting he found Kohli "arrogant and cocky" early in his career. De Villiers clarified that this perception stemmed from Kohli's high level of confidence as a young player, which he believes is essential for success. He also noted how Kohli's attitude matured over the years as he became more balanced.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament after defeating Japan's Riko Gunji. However, it was a disappointing day for Indian men's singles players, with Tharun Mannepalli, Tanvi Sharma, and Kidambi Srikanth all bowing out of the competition.
Gurkirat Singh scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser against his former club to help Punjab FC secure a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in their Indian Super League match. Leandro Otormin had put Mumbai City ahead from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, but Punjab fought back to earn a crucial point at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Australia's cricket coach Andrew McDonald indicated that selectors remain open to further changes in the batting order for the second Test against South Africa, depending on the pitch conditions in Gqeberha. This follows a successful, albeit surprising, lineup in the first Test where Nic Maddinson opened and Matt Renshaw excelled at number five. While former captain Steve Waugh urged consistency, McDonald emphasised the panel's flexible approach. The team is also monitoring the fitness of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis.
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel has lauded Joe Root's exceptional hunger for runs and remarkable longevity, stating it would be an "unbelievable" achievement if Root surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in Test cricket. Patel highlighted Root's determination as he closes in on Tendulkar's all-time Test record of 15,921 runs, with Root currently at 14,278 runs as of 2026. Patel also praised young England captain Harry Brook as an exciting talent.
French tennis star Gael Monfils has officially retired from professional tennis at the age of 40, as confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, ending a career marked by athleticism and 13 ATP Tour singles titles.
Former Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons and fielding coach James Foster have departed the IPL franchise to join England's Test team's backroom staff, following Stephen Fleming's appointment as the national side's head coach.
Rohit Sharma credits meticulous preparation, studying opposition bowlers and mental strength for handling pressure, while maintaining strong ODI form ahead of India's upcoming New Zealand and Sri Lanka series.
Harmanpreet Kaur, India's only World Cup-winning women's cricket captain, has stepped down from her leadership role across all three formats, stating she is now 'ready to play for the love of the game again' after fulfilling her duty as a leader.
Indian para-badminton players, including Paralympics medallists Suhas Yathiraj and Krishna Nagar, have made a strong start at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. Suhas Yathiraj secured a straight-game victory in men's singles SL4, while Krishna Nagar also won his opening SH6 match. Other Indian shuttlers also registered wins across various categories, though some pairs faced defeats.
SAI has defended the exclusion of five Indian tennis players from the Asian Games squad, saying they failed to meet the prescribed continental ranking criteria.
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab's opening Ranji Trophy match against Assam. While the official reason for his absence is not stated, he is expected to feature in the team's second game against Chhattisgarh. This aligns with the national selection committee's directive for international players to participate in domestic cricket.
'Blessed with talented players': Imran Tahir backs South Africa's young core to shine at 2027 World Cup
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli's sudden Test retirement in May 2025 stemmed from bitterness over how the situation was handled, suggesting the star player could have continued in the format.
Fourth seed Harmeet Desai and second seed Yashaswini Ghorpade faced unexpected defeats at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula on Monday. Unseeded Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula, both former top-ranked players, also exited the tournament in the Round of 32, while top seeds like Syndrela Das and Diya Chitale advanced.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel lauded Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, highlighting Kohli's mastery in run chases and Rohit's explosive batting and leadership. Patel also shared his 'Fab Four' picks and predicted semi-finalists for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
'Everyone is talking about the Pakistan team, and how it is the worst touring team in the last 50 years. But nobody is speaking about how the current board is the worst in the last 70 years.'
The Pakistan Cricket Board has come under fire from former players after sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, and sending back seven players, including national T20 captain Salman Ali Agha, in the middle of their Test series against England. The drastic changes followed Pakistan's heavy defeats in the first two Tests, prompting widespread condemnation for the timing and impact on team morale and stability.
Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has launched the Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS) in Indore, marking its first centre in Madhya Pradesh. The academy aims to provide world-class training to local talent, addressing challenges in Indian football development, such as providing proper platforms and fostering a football culture, especially among the youth.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 6-3 1-6 6-3 to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, while Rafael Jodar made history by becoming the youngest semi-finalist after beating Casper Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3. Medvedev will face Jodar next, with Alexander Zverev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina contesting the other semi-final.
Visitors Pakistan replaced seven players and their head coach on Monday, after suffering two heavy losses to England in their ongoing three-Test series.
Golf star Rory McIlroy has voiced strong support for the DP World Tour's recent decisions concerning players involved with LIV Golf. He backed the Tour's move to restrict LIV players from its 2027 season and its right to protect business interests, while also highlighting the Tour's opportunity to showcase international golf during less crowded periods in the PGA Tour schedule. McIlroy, a DP World global ambassador, expressed his commitment to the Tour and shared his thoughts on returning to the Delhi Golf Club.
Former world number one Justin Rose believes more golfers are considering leaving LIV Golf to play on the DP World Tour, aiming for eligibility in next year's Ryder Cup. He also shared his evolving career goals, prioritising creating lasting memories over solely winning Major championships, and expressed his excitement about returning to India for the DP World India Championship after 22 years. Rose highlighted India's growing importance in global golf.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer wants Mohammed Shami back in India's ODI team, backing a Bumrah-Shami-Siraj pace attack ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
India commenced its Asian Para Games campaign with a spectacular performance, securing 11 medals, including four gold, across various sports on Monday. Notable victories came from shooter Mona Agarwal, long jumper Nishad Kumar, middle-distance runner Soumya, and javelin thrower Rinku, with archer Sheetal Devi also setting world records. The medal haul places India fourth in the overall standings.
Newly-appointed Delhi Capitals head coach Sourav Ganguly expresses confidence in Rishabh Pant's return to form and his perfect fit in the team's middle order for the upcoming IPL season. Ganguly also outlines his vision for the team, aiming to lead them to success after a period away from the franchise.
PGTI president Kapil Dev has called on authorities to facilitate fan access to the D P World India Championship amidst ongoing protests in Delhi. He also urged Gen Z to listen to others while acknowledging their intelligence, and advocated for shorter golf formats and improved infrastructure to boost the sport's popularity in India.
Mizoram's Chinmay Sutar achieved a rare feat by scoring an unbeaten 400 runs in a first-class Ranji Trophy match against Nagaland, becoming only the second Indian batter to reach this milestone after Bhausahab Babasaheb Nimbalkar in 1948.
Australian batsman Steve Smith admitted to feeling anxious after being hit on the head during the first Test against South Africa, fearing another concussion, despite passing all protocols.
Former national badminton coach Prakash Padukone expressed disappointment over India's performance at the recent Asian Games, where the country secured only a team bronze.
Iga Swiatek's left-leg injury paved the way for Maja Chwalinska's stunning Wuhan upset, while Sonay Kartal defeated error-prone Jelena Ostapenko to reach her maiden WTA 1000 final.
BCCI secretary Devaijit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will now attend all senior selection panel meetings to prevent miscommunication between the selectors and the COE, particularly regarding player fitness and rehabilitation. This decision follows past speculations of friction between Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar over player recovery timelines.
Manchester City's head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the club's players and supporters have grown closer following the Premier League's financial rule breach charges, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided an update on player injuries, with Martin Zubimendi potentially returning and Piero Hincapie still sidelined.
Indian para table tennis players Bhavina Patel, Prachi, and Sonalben have advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, guaranteeing at least three bronze medals for the country. Bhavina Patel won her Class 4-5 quarterfinal, Prachi secured a historic medal in Class 6, and Sonalben triumphed in Class 3, showcasing India's strong performance in the sport.
Ravichandran Ashwin discusses Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to the T20I squad, attributing it to his consistent IPL performance without chasing rewards. He also touches upon Mohammed Shami's potential comeback, his relationships with Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, and predicts India and South Africa as strong contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Former Pakistan Test spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has criticised the current generation of Pakistani cricketers for prioritising financial gain, particularly through leagues like the PSL, over dedicated skill development and game awareness, attributing this to a lack of vision among selectors and a general disinterest among young players.
Nikhil Chaudhary, who once dreamt of an IPL contract and playing for Punjab, made his international debut for Australia in a T20I against Bangladesh in June, a turn of events he describes as his "life's biggest moment" after being stranded in Australia during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC are set to reignite their southern rivalry in an Indian Super League match on Saturday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Bengaluru enters the game after a thrilling win, while Chennaiyin secured a draw. Both teams face key player absences and coaches have outlined their strategies for the crucial derby.
