News for 'former players'

Serena Williams Faces Unknown Aussie On Wimbledon Return

Serena Williams Faces Unknown Aussie On Wimbledon Return

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to make her highly anticipated return to Wimbledon, facing Australia's Maya Joint in the first round.

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Portugal and Croatia face off in a high-stakes Round of 32 clash in Toronto on Thursday, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric both eyeing a deep World Cup run in what could be the final chapter of their legendary international careers.

Messi's March Through History Continues With World Cup Goals Record

Messi's March Through History Continues With World Cup Goals Record

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi, nearing 39, has broken the World Cup all-time goal-scoring record with 18 goals, surpassing Marta and Miroslav Klose. This latest achievement adds to his illustrious career, which includes numerous club and international titles, cementing his status as one of football's greatest players.

Haaland plays the underdog card against England ahead of FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash

Haaland plays the underdog card against England ahead of FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

Norway's star striker Erling Haaland is attempting to pile pressure on England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash, labelling them 'clear favourites' and urging the media to amplify expectations on the English squad.

Rishabh Pant must check his flamboyance and work on 'vulnerable' temperament: Kirmani

Rishabh Pant must check his flamboyance and work on 'vulnerable' temperament: Kirmani

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Former India cricketer Syed Kirmani says wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant needs to check his flamboyance, work on his physical fitness and "vulnerable" temperament if he wishes to play all formats for the country again.

FIFA World Cup: Argentina wary of 'tough' Cape Verde in round of 32 clash

FIFA World Cup: Argentina wary of 'tough' Cape Verde in round of 32 clash

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.

Pati Patni Aur Woh Do Arrives On OTT This July

Pati Patni Aur Woh Do Arrives On OTT This July

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

It's a rainy July, and the best way to enjoy it is to curl up on your couch and watch the telly.

Pakistan Super League grapples with player withdrawals amid IPL lure

Pakistan Super League grapples with player withdrawals amid IPL lure

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is facing logistical and contractual challenges as several overseas players withdraw to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which offers more lucrative contracts. The PCB is considering actions against players breaching contracts but fears deterring future talent.

Pakistan Cricket Selectors Drop Key Bowlers For West Indies Test Series

Pakistan Cricket Selectors Drop Key Bowlers For West Indies Test Series

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Pakistan's cricket selectors have opted for a significantly revamped pace attack for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies. Key players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and veteran spinner Nauman Ali have been dropped, making way for a mix of experienced and uncapped bowlers. This decision aims to build a squad better suited for Test cricket and future tours.

WPL, WC triumph driving India's growing depth in women's cricket, says Hussain

WPL, WC triumph driving India's growing depth in women's cricket, says Hussain

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Nasser Hussain says India's Women's Premier League and ODI World Cup triumph have created an "unstoppable force" in women's cricket, boosting talent depth and inspiring the next generation of players.

Why Suryansh Shedge's call-up could change everything

Why Suryansh Shedge's call-up could change everything

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Suryansh Shedge's India call-up may have come as a "lucky break", but the young all-rounder has been urged to treat it as a learning opportunity by soaking in everything inside a dressing room full of experienced players and young leaders.

Tendulkar a great example for Sooryavanshi to emulate: Dilip Vengsarkar

Tendulkar a great example for Sooryavanshi to emulate: Dilip Vengsarkar

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays some unreal shots with his hand-eye coordination, which makes his batting unbelievable, says former India captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar.

Vaibhav Sooryvanshi should be played according to his ability, says Kapil Dev

Vaibhav Sooryvanshi should be played according to his ability, says Kapil Dev

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has lauded young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, comparing his talent to that of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Dev emphasised that Sooryavanshi's ability, not his age, should be the primary factor in his selection for the national team, while also cautioning against excessive hype around the 15-year-old.

Protesters in US call on FIFA to kick Iran out of World Cup

Protesters in US call on FIFA to kick Iran out of World Cup

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Instead of pride, many Iranian-Americans feel shame about the Iran team's participation in the World Cup and are demanding that FIFA boots the country out of the competition, protesters said in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

'Don't know how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was provoked, he is a composed kid'

'Don't know how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was provoked, he is a composed kid'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule on Tuesday said that while it was difficult to know what provoked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's on-field altercation with a Sri Lanka A player.

France coach Deschamps backs Mbappe to break World Cup scoring record

France coach Deschamps backs Mbappe to break World Cup scoring record

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

'Every time he beats his own record, he does have the capacity to up his ante.'

BCCI Secretary On 2027 World Cup Roadmap: Not For Public Consumption

BCCI Secretary On 2027 World Cup Roadmap: Not For Public Consumption

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that India's roadmap for the 2027 World Cup, including discussions on senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is confidential and not for public consumption. He also clarified that the BCCI adheres strictly to the Government of India's policies regarding bilateral tours, such as the potential resumption of ties with Bangladesh, without concern for the political situation in other countries.

Wimbledon 2026: Sinner, Djokovic send title warning with contrasting wins

Wimbledon 2026: Sinner, Djokovic send title warning with contrasting wins

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon title defence gathered pace on Friday as the world number one swept aside American Jenson Brooksby 6-4 6-3 6-4 to enter the fourth round and reinforce his status as the man to beat at the All England Club.

Good innovation: RCB coach Andy Flower supports IPL's Impact Player rule

Good innovation: RCB coach Andy Flower supports IPL's Impact Player rule

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower shares his perspective on the Impact Player rule in the IPL, Josh Hazlewood's fitness, and the team's strategy for the upcoming season.

Buttler Smashes Century As England Demolish India To Complete 4-0 T20I Series Whitewash

Buttler Smashes Century As England Demolish India To Complete 4-0 T20I Series Whitewash

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Jos Buttler rolled back the years with a blistering century, while skipper Harry Brook hammered a quickfire 95 as England annihilated an out-of-sorts India by 56 runs in the fifth and final T20 International.

'Own it': Australia's coach slams players after T20 World Cup shock exit

'Own it': Australia's coach slams players after T20 World Cup shock exit

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald attributes the team's disappointing T20 World Cup performance to the players' failure to execute, dismissing claims of inadequate preparation.

Yastika Bhatia: Karate Kid To Lord's History Maker

Yastika Bhatia: Karate Kid To Lord's History Maker

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Yastika Bhatia scripted history by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's. Here's the inspiring story of her journey from Baroda prodigy and ACL injury comeback to India's latest cricket hero.

Irfan Pathan Explains India's World Cup Squad Strategy

Irfan Pathan Explains India's World Cup Squad Strategy

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan discusses India's ODI series against Afghanistan as a crucial opportunity to assess squad depth for the upcoming ICC World Cup, highlighting key players and their roles, especially for South African conditions.

3rd ODI: Afghanistan coach Mooney calls for batting resilience against India

3rd ODI: Afghanistan coach Mooney calls for batting resilience against India

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Afghanistan fielding coach John Mooney has urged his team's batters to focus on building longer innings and avoiding soft dismissals against India. He also called for bowlers to be more disciplined, while expressing hope for spin assistance from the Chennai pitch in the upcoming third ODI.

Ireland T20Is: Batting coach Kotak urges fairness amid Sooryavanshi selection buzz

Ireland T20Is: Batting coach Kotak urges fairness amid Sooryavanshi selection buzz

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed the potential debut of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the T20 series opener against Ireland. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent, Kotak emphasised that a player scoring runs should not be benched to accommodate a new talent, highlighting the challenge of team selection with abundant talent in Indian cricket. He also touched upon captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership and the BCCI's system for nurturing young players.

Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce's NYC Wedding: All The Details

Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce's NYC Wedding: All The Details

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Singer Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce are reportedly already married after a private ceremony, with their grand Madison Square Garden celebration now underway.

MSK Prasad Questions Suryakumar Yadav's Omission From T20I Squad

MSK Prasad Questions Suryakumar Yadav's Omission From T20I Squad

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Former chief selector MSK Prasad has expressed bewilderment over Suryakumar Yadav's exclusion from India's T20I squad, suggesting it's a rest rather than a drop. He also questioned the omission of Rajat Patidar despite his strong IPL performance and the inclusion of Shivam Dube, while praising the selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo, Modric eye one last act at tournament's tiniest venue

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo, Modric eye one last act at tournament's tiniest venue

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Portugal and Croatia's World Cup last-32 clash on Thursday could be Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric's final game on soccer's biggest stage, and the massive moment will unfold at the tournament's smallest venue.

Mammooty, Vijay Amritraj among 2nd batch of Padma award honorees

Mammooty, Vijay Amritraj among 2nd batch of Padma award honorees

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma awards upon 65 eminent personalities, including tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, and singer Alka Yagnik, in the second civil investiture ceremony. The awards recognised contributions across various fields, with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.

Wimbledon 2026: Injured Chwalinska suffers first-round exit; Andreeva, Sabalenka cruise

Wimbledon 2026: Injured Chwalinska suffers first-round exit; Andreeva, Sabalenka cruise

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska crashed out of Wimbledon in the opening round following a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 loss to Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Monday after the Pole fell and hurt herself while on match point.

Chouhan, Srikanth, Devika Advance To US Open Semifinals

Chouhan, Srikanth, Devika Advance To US Open Semifinals

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Young Indian shuttler Rounak Chouhan continued his impressive run at the US Open badminton tournament, defeating Misha Zilberman to reach his first BWF World Tour Super 300 semifinal. Devika Sihag also advanced by upsetting third seed Riko Gunji, and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth secured his spot in the semifinals, raising hopes for an all-India final.

Dawood Ahmadzai's Journey: From Refugee Struggles to France's T20I Trailblazer

Dawood Ahmadzai's Journey: From Refugee Struggles to France's T20I Trailblazer

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Former Afghanistan U-19 cricketer Dawood Ahmadzai overcame hardship, exile and years of struggle to become France's leading T20I wicket-taker, with his sights now set on helping the country qualify for a historic Cricket World Cup.

Pollard becomes T20 cricket's leading run-scorer with century for MI New York

Pollard becomes T20 cricket's leading run-scorer with century for MI New York

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Pollard becomes T20 cricket's leading run-scorer with century for MI New York

Rayudu: India's IPL hangover exposed in Ireland

Rayudu: India's IPL hangover exposed in Ireland

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Ambati Rayudu says India's 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland was the result of poor preparation for challenging conditions, urges Tilak Varma to improve against slow bowling, and advises patience with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Yuvraj Singh Named Delhi Capitals' Batting Coach

Yuvraj Singh Named Delhi Capitals' Batting Coach

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh is slated to become the batting coach for Delhi Capitals for the 2027 IPL season. This marks his first coaching assignment in the league, joining a revamped support staff under Sourav Ganguly, who will serve as Director of Cricket.

Captain Donnarumma denies Italy players demanded bonus for World Cup qualification

Captain Donnarumma denies Italy players demanded bonus for World Cup qualification

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said he was hurt by reports claiming the national team's players had demanded a bonus if they qualified for this year's World Cup.

What happened when Michael Clarke met Haryana CM?

What happened when Michael Clarke met Haryana CM?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to discuss enhancing cricket development, nurturing youth talent, and fostering greater sporting engagement between India and Australia. Clarke expressed interest in establishing a cricket academy and facilitating player exchanges, while CM Saini affirmed Haryana's commitment to strengthening its sports ecosystem.

'India call-up fulfilment of his dream': Yash Thakur's emotional tribute to late father

'India call-up fulfilment of his dream': Yash Thakur's emotional tribute to late father

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Vidarbha pacer Yash Thakur, 27, has received his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20 International tour of Zimbabwe, a dream he shared with his late father.

Pragg is more dangerous than Carlsen: Pravin Thipsay

Pragg is more dangerous than Carlsen: Pravin Thipsay

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

On current form, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa can be considered one of the most dangerous opponents in world chess, even more dangerous than world No. 1 Carlsen, says Pravind Thipsay.

'Impact Player takes a lot of the skill out of the game'

'Impact Player takes a lot of the skill out of the game'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

Delhi Capitals pacer Kyle Jamieson has criticised the IPL's Impact Player rule, joining a growing number of players who believe it diminishes the skill aspect of the game.