News for 'former players'

Maharashtra's Tulsani, Karnataka's Kalbhairav Shine At National Ranking TT

Maharashtra's Tulsani, Karnataka's Kalbhairav Shine At National Ranking TT

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Prateek Tulsani of Maharashtra clinched the U-15 boys' title, while Tanishka Kalbhairav of Karnataka secured the U-11 girls' title at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships. Tulsani delivered a commanding performance, whereas Kalbhairav showed remarkable resilience to win her final.

Complicated FIH Hockey World Cup Format Draws Criticism

Complicated FIH Hockey World Cup Format Draws Criticism

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

The current FIH Hockey World Cup format, featuring a crossover pool system where first-round results carry forward, is causing widespread confusion among teams, fans, and media. Many stakeholders believe the complex system detracts from the game's excitement, shifts focus to mathematical calculations, and potentially favours larger teams, leading to calls for a simpler structure.

'Time To Drop Pant': Fans Fume After Galle Dismissal

'Time To Drop Pant': Fans Fume After Galle Dismissal

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Rishabh Pant's dismissal for 39 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle has once again brought his shot selection under intense scrutiny, with fans and former cricketers criticising his inability to convert starts into bigger scores.

India's Young Golf Talent Set To Shine At R&A Amateur Championship

India's Young Golf Talent Set To Shine At R&A Amateur Championship

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

A four-member Indian golf team, comprising Harjai Milkha Singh, Ishnidh Singh Virdi, Guntas Kaur Sandhu, and Rashi Mishra, is set to compete in the prestigious R&A Amateur golf championship across two courses in Scotland. The tournament features both boys' and girls' categories, attracting top junior talent globally, with winners earning significant exemptions into major championships.

Why brands still can't get enough of Sachin Tendulkar

Why brands still can't get enough of Sachin Tendulkar

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar maintains his position among India's top five celebrity brands, with a valuation of USD 125.9 million, according to the Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025 report. His enduring reputation, trust, and authenticity continue to make him highly attractive to various brands, solidifying his status as the only retired athlete consistently in the top 10.

'I Am Not A Junior Anymore': World Jr Squash Champion Anahat Singh Targets More Senior Events

'I Am Not A Junior Anymore': World Jr Squash Champion Anahat Singh Targets More Senior Events

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Anahat Singh, the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships, discusses her historic victory and dismisses the notion of Egyptian players having a psychological advantage.

Why make Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vice-captain now? Bhogle questions

Why make Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vice-captain now? Bhogle questions

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle has raised concerns over the appointment of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as East Zone's vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy, citing his limited red-ball experience, while selectors defend the decision as a long-term learning opportunity.

Like Father, Like Son: Norway Field Three Sons Of 1994 World Cup Stars

Like Father, Like Son: Norway Field Three Sons Of 1994 World Cup Stars

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Norway made history at the FIFA World Cup by fielding three sons of former World Cup players in the same match: Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, and Kristian Thorstvedt. This mirrored a 1994 World Cup match where their fathers played together. Erling Haaland marked his debut with a brace, leading Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq.

BWF Worlds: Lakshya Sen knocked out; Sindhu, Shetty advance

BWF Worlds: Lakshya Sen knocked out; Sindhu, Shetty advance

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

Lakshya Sen, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, faced a surprising second-round defeat to USA's Garret Tan at the BWF World Championships. Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and rising star Ayush Shetty successfully advanced to the pre-quarterfinals. Other Indian pairs also saw mixed results, with some progressing and others bowing out.

Indian Shuttlers Secure Key Seedings At BWF World Championships

Indian Shuttlers Secure Key Seedings At BWF World Championships

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has been seeded ninth in women's singles, while the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the fifth seeding for the upcoming BWF World Championships. India has seeded entries in four out of five categories, including Lakshya Sen and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto. The draw for the championships, set to be held in New Delhi from August 17-23, will take place on Wednesday.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Egypt hits out at VAR after Argentina heartbreak

FIFA World Cup 2026: Egypt hits out at VAR after Argentina heartbreak

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The Egyptian Football Association on Wednesday criticised refereeing decisions in Egypt's dramatic 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 defeat by Argentina, saying it would not remain silent over what it described as the improper use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Abhinav Tejrana: Goa's Lone Cricketer in South Zone Duleep Trophy Squad

Abhinav Tejrana: Goa's Lone Cricketer in South Zone Duleep Trophy Squad

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Goa's Abhinav Tejrana has been named in the South Zone squad for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, making him the only cricketer from Goa to achieve this distinction this year, a selection attributed to his consistent high-scoring performances in recent seasons.

2nd Test: Bowlers rock SL after Jurel ton propels India to 503 for 9 on Day 2

2nd Test: Bowlers rock SL after Jurel ton propels India to 503 for 9 on Day 2

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Dhruv Jurel notched up an unbeaten 115 to propel India to a commanding 509 for 8 before they declared the first innings against Sri Lanka on day two of the second Test in Colombo.

Why KL Rahul's Galle 50 could change everything

Why KL Rahul's Galle 50 could change everything

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

KL Rahul's patient half-century in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka highlights his evolving role as a consistent and strategic anchor for the Indian team. Despite a slower strike rate, his ability to stonewall spinners and build partnerships has been crucial, earning praise from coaches and teammates. This performance underscores his growing importance, especially after the departure of senior batters, as he aims to make a significant impact in the current Test series.

Srikkanth urges RCB to drop this player for IPL 2026 final

Srikkanth urges RCB to drop this player for IPL 2026 final

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth advises Royal Challengers Bengaluru to exclude Romario Shepherd from their playing XI for the IPL final against Gujarat Titans, citing concerns over his expensive bowling.

Bumrah Setback Puts BCCI's Centre of Excellence Under Scanner

Bumrah Setback Puts BCCI's Centre of Excellence Under Scanner

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

A significant communication breakdown between the Centre of Excellence's (CoE) sports science team and the senior national men's selection committee has been exposed by Jasprit Bumrah's unexpected absence from the Test series against Sri Lanka, alongside other player injury concerns.

BWF Worlds: Sindhu gets dream start, Ayush faces defending champ

BWF Worlds: Sindhu gets dream start, Ayush faces defending champ

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Top Indian shuttlers have received a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, with PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen getting relatively favourable starts, while Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty faces a formidable opening round against defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China.

Duleep Trophy: Gharami, Shahbaz hit tons after Sooryavanshi, Ishan's flop show

Duleep Trophy: Gharami, Shahbaz hit tons after Sooryavanshi, Ishan's flop show

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Teen batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored just eight runs on his Duleep Trophy debut for East Zone before Sudip Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed hit hundreds to power them to 355 for 6 against North East.

'K L Rahul better off without captaincy'

'K L Rahul better off without captaincy'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes K L Rahul performs best when not burdened by captaincy.

'Clicky Ponting' Suspended for Finger-Clicking Trickery

'Clicky Ponting' Suspended for Finger-Clicking Trickery

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

An English amateur cricketer, nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting', has been suspended by his club, Saltburn Cricket Club, following allegations of finger-clicking trickery to deceive umpires during a Division Two game.

Trump vs UEFA explodes over FIFA Balogun decision

Trump vs UEFA explodes over FIFA Balogun decision

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Former US President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn a red-card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun, a decision UEFA called 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable' and which has sparked widespread criticism over the integrity of the game.

'Remember Kambli, Shaw': Uthappa warns Sooryavanshi

'Remember Kambli, Shaw': Uthappa warns Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the potential to make a bigger impact on white-ball cricket than Sachin Tendulkar, but stresses that his future hinges on proper management and a strong support system, citing examples like Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw.

'Be Proactive': Rahane's Key Advice For Indian Batters To Counter Sri Lankan Spinners

'Be Proactive': Rahane's Key Advice For Indian Batters To Counter Sri Lankan Spinners

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane shares crucial advice for Indian batters facing Sri Lankan spinners in the upcoming Test series, emphasising a proactive approach.

How Badminton's New Scoring System Will Impact Players: Sindhu Explains

How Badminton's New Scoring System Will Impact Players: Sindhu Explains

Rediff.com15 May 2026

PV Sindhu believes badminton's new 15-point scoring format will favour attacking players but will also be physically and mentally demanding. The BWF's approved system will be implemented from January 2027.

Jeev Milkha Singh Offers Crucial Asian Games Golf Advice

Jeev Milkha Singh Offers Crucial Asian Games Golf Advice

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Indian golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh offers crucial advice to the national golf team ahead of the Asian Games, emphasising the importance of a strong short game and adapting to Japan's fast greens and windy conditions to secure medals.

Liverpool sign Barcelona's Ronald Araujo on season-long loan

Liverpool sign Barcelona's Ronald Araujo on season-long loan

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

Liverpool have secured Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for approximately 47 million, as the Premier League club seeks to reinforce its injury-plagued defence.

Why Messi's Kerala Visit Never Happened: Report Submitted To Govt

Why Messi's Kerala Visit Never Happened: Report Submitted To Govt

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.

Loss to Bangladesh forces PCB to consider coaching and captaincy changes

Loss to Bangladesh forces PCB to consider coaching and captaincy changes

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering sacking Test team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and captain Shan Masood following a 0-2 series defeat against Bangladesh. The board is also in talks with former players Younis Khan and Muhammad Hafeez for key positions, including chief selector and a role in the international cricket department.

How Yuvraj's prank nearly cost Ganguly his captaincy

How Yuvraj's prank nearly cost Ganguly his captaincy

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh recounted an elaborate April Fool's Day prank in 2005 where he and Yuvraj Singh convinced then-captain Sourav Ganguly that he had publicly criticised his teammates, leading Ganguly to panic and offer to resign.

11-YO Bodhana, 17-YO Shreyas create history at British Chess Champs

11-YO Bodhana, 17-YO Shreyas create history at British Chess Champs

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Indian-origin chess prodigies Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, and Shreyas Royal, 17, have made history by winning the 2026 British Chess Championships. Bodhana became Britain's youngest-ever Women's chess champion, while Royal scooped the overall British title, establishing their status as emerging world-class talents.

Why Ranjit Bajaj Rejected India Manager Role For FIFA U-15 World Cup

Why Ranjit Bajaj Rejected India Manager Role For FIFA U-15 World Cup

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

Ranjit Bajaj has declined the manager role for the India U-15 men's national team for the upcoming FIFA U-15 World Cup, citing fundamental differences in footballing philosophy with head coach Bibiano Fernandes.

Gambhir suffers big blow as trusted coach steps down

Gambhir suffers big blow as trusted coach steps down

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

Ryan ten Doeschate has resigned as India's men's assistant coach after the England white-ball series, reportedly to join IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. He was a key part of the coaching staff under Gautam Gambhir, contributing to India's white-ball successes but also witnessing Test struggles.

USA Cricketer Akhilesh Reddy Banned for Eight Years For Fixing

USA Cricketer Akhilesh Reddy Banned for Eight Years For Fixing

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

USA player Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has been banned from all cricket for eight years by an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal for breaching three counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, including attempting to fix matches in the Abu Dhabi T10 2025.

Pujara snubbed again! Former player slams decision

Pujara snubbed again! Former player slams decision

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

Karsan Ghavri questions decision to ignore Pujara for England series

'India late for 2036 Olympics, winning 30-40 medals is...'

'India late for 2036 Olympics, winning 30-40 medals is...'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Former Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi believes India's ambitious target of 30-40 medals at the 2036 Olympics is a 'distant prospect', citing significant delays in talent identification, scouting, and critical infrastructure improvements.

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Rudi Garcia's comments about Senegal's tactical structure, along with other pundit remarks, have reignited scrutiny over racially coded language in World Cup commentary, drawing criticism from scholars and anti-racism advocates who argue such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Black players and African teams.

Belgium entrust Mark van Bommel with Nations League, Euro 2028 mission

Belgium entrust Mark van Bommel with Nations League, Euro 2028 mission

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Belgium have appointed former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a two-year contract running until the 2028 European Championship.

Explained: The controversy behind South Korea's World Cup elimination

Explained: The controversy behind South Korea's World Cup elimination

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

South Korea's World Cup group-stage exit has sparked a nationwide football crisis, with coach Hong Myung-bo resigning, President Lee Jae Myung ordering an investigation, and growing calls for sweeping reforms within the Korea Football Association.

'I gave my 200 per cent': Rahane on retirement

'I gave my 200 per cent': Rahane on retirement

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.

Rohit Sharma hails T Dilip's 'magic' and 'workhorse' efforts for Indian cricket

Rohit Sharma hails T Dilip's 'magic' and 'workhorse' efforts for Indian cricket

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Indian batter Rohit Sharma lauded former fielding coach T Dilip for his significant contributions, including two T20 World Cup wins and the Champions Trophy, calling him a 'legend' and a 'workhorse' who 'created magic within the group.' Dilip, who served from 2021 until recently, expressed gratitude for his tenure, especially cherishing the popular fielding medal ceremony.