News for 'opening matches'

Saransh Jain gets maiden India call up, Jadeja recalled for Sri Lanka Tests

Saransh Jain gets maiden India call up, Jadeja recalled for Sri Lanka Tests

Rediff.com16 hours ago

Uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain has been named as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, while the availability of key players Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan hinges on their fitness clearance.

1st T20I: Sooryavanshi becomes youngest batter to score T20I fifty

1st T20I: Sooryavanshi becomes youngest batter to score T20I fifty

Rediff.com5 days ago

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion, becoming the youngest batter to score a T20I half-century with a stunning 18-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday.

Will Bumrah Recover In Time For Sri Lanka Tests?

Will Bumrah Recover In Time For Sri Lanka Tests?

Rediff.com3 days ago

India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced next week, with fitness concerns surrounding pace leader Jasprit Bumrah.

England stun France in 10-goal thriller to finish third at World Cup

England stun France in 10-goal thriller to finish third at World Cup

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

England bagged third place at the World Cup after beating France 6-4 on Saturday, while Les Bleus' captain Kylian Mbappe became the tournament's all-time top scorer with 22 goals on coach Didier Deschamps' last game after 14 years in charge.

French Open chaos leaves Zverev one step from glory

French Open chaos leaves Zverev one step from glory

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Zverev, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and twice ATP Finals champion, has never won a Grand Slam trophy despite final appearances at the U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open, with Paris now offering the German his clearest opportunity.

CM Shivakumar Appeals For Calm During FIFA World Cup Final Screening

CM Shivakumar Appeals For Calm During FIFA World Cup Final Screening

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged football fans to maintain peace during the FIFA World Cup final and announced special permissions for hotels and restaurants to screen the match live until 3:30 AM. He is also set to join a public screening event in Koramangala, organised by the KSFA and DYES, to watch the final between Argentina and Spain with other enthusiasts.

French Open 2026 chaos: New champion set to emerge

French Open 2026 chaos: New champion set to emerge

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev are set to compete in their fourth-round matches at the French Open, while Casper Ruud and Elina Svitolina will also be in action.

Marathon Man Arnaldi Stuns Tiafoe To Enter French Open Quarters

Marathon Man Arnaldi Stuns Tiafoe To Enter French Open Quarters

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Matteo Berrettini reached the French Open quarterfinals by ousting giant-killer Juan Manuel Cerundolo, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Flavio Cobolli sealed their last-eight spots with contrasting wins.

Djokovic begins quest for 25th Grand Slam crown at French Open

Djokovic begins quest for 25th Grand Slam crown at French Open

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Alexander Zverev hopes to finally break through and win his first major. The tournament starts amid tensions over prize money and player influence.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Confidence Key After Record-Breaking T20I Fifty

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Confidence Key After Record-Breaking T20I Fifty

Rediff.com4 days ago

India's teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at 15 years and 118 days, became the youngest player to score a fifty in men's international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record.

French Open: Chwalinska shocks Shnaider, sets up Andreeva clash

French Open: Chwalinska shocks Shnaider, sets up Andreeva clash

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her fairytale run with a 76(4), 64 win over Diana Shnaider on Thursday, reaching her maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open and booking a title showdown with Russian Mirra Andreeva.

Why Is Gautam Gambhir Smiling?

Why Is Gautam Gambhir Smiling?

Rediff.com21 hours ago

Gautam Gambhir, known for his serious demeanour, surprised fans by sharing a series of memes on Instagram featuring a rare smile.

Errani-Vavassori retain French Open mixed doubles title

Errani-Vavassori retain French Open mixed doubles title

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori overcame a first-set deficit to defeat Evan King and Gabriela Dabrowski in a closely contested French Open mixed doubles final.

Sonmez trips over advertisement sign, tumbles out of French Open

Sonmez trips over advertisement sign, tumbles out of French Open

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez suffered a leg injury after tripping over an advertising sign during her doubles match at the French Open, forcing her to retire from the tournament.

Harmanpreet Kaur reveals what cost India the match

Harmanpreet Kaur reveals what cost India the match

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur admitted India put pressure on themselves by consuming too many dot balls in the middle overs as England notched a 26-run victory in the second women's T20I to level the three-match series 1-1.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologises for World Cup final brawl

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologises for World Cup final brawl

Rediff.com5 days ago

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has apologised for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo following the chaotic World Cup final, an incident now under investigation by FIFA.

India dethrone England to become No 1 in T20Is again

India dethrone England to become No 1 in T20Is again

Rediff.com2 days ago

India has ascended to the No. 1 position in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, surpassing England, following their dominant 2-0 series lead against Zimbabwe. Key performances from batters Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, alongside strong bowling, secured the series victory and the top ranking.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran: Ultimate Table Tennis perfect for Asian Games prep

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran: Ultimate Table Tennis perfect for Asian Games prep

Rediff.com4 days ago

Indian table tennis star Sathiyan Gnanasekaran believes the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league is serving as ideal preparation for the national side ahead of the upcoming Asian Games, highlighting its role in team bonding and match practice.

BCCI seeks new title partner for India's home cricket season

BCCI seeks new title partner for India's home cricket season

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

The BCCI on Monday invited bids for the title sponsorship rights for its domestic and international home events, with the current agreement with IDFC FIRST Bank nearing the end of its tenure.

Against all odds, Andreeva and Chwalinska reach French Open final

Against all odds, Andreeva and Chwalinska reach French Open final

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Mirra Andreeva and qualifier Maja Chwalinska have both reached the French Open women's singles final, ensuring a new Grand Slam champion will be crowned. Andreeva defeated Marta Kostyuk, while Chwalinska overcame Diana Shnaider. The tournament has seen early exits for top seeds, paving the way for these new contenders. Additionally, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their mixed doubles title.

'Virus' attack forces Iga Swiatek out of Madrid Open

'Virus' attack forces Iga Swiatek out of Madrid Open

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

Iga Swiatek, the six-times Grand Slam champion, retired from her Madrid Open match against Ann Li due to illness, impacting her French Open preparations.

'Every 2-3 games...': Gill explodes over injury crisis

'Every 2-3 games...': Gill explodes over injury crisis

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

India's ODI captain Shubman Gill has voiced strong concerns over the recurring injury issues plaguing his bowlers, questioning their fitness commitment ahead of next year's World Cup. Following a 1-2 series loss to England, Gill highlighted that multiple key players were sidelined due to injuries, impacting team combinations and raising doubts about their ability to sustain performance through a long tournament.

FIFA World Cup Final Concern: Can Yamal Be Ready in Time?

FIFA World Cup Final Concern: Can Yamal Be Ready in Time?

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

Spain's Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro trained separately from the main squad in New Jersey as a precautionary measure ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina, with both players expected to be available.

Qualifier Chwalinska upsets Kalinskaya to reach French Open semis

Qualifier Chwalinska upsets Kalinskaya to reach French Open semis

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska became only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals - and the sixth to achieve the feat at a Grand Slam.

Kylian Mbappe Faces Immense Pressure Ahead Of World Cup Opener

Kylian Mbappe Faces Immense Pressure Ahead Of World Cup Opener

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Kylian Mbappe is under immense pressure and facing criticism regarding his recent performances and leadership ahead of France's World Cup opener. Despite a trophy-less season with Real Madrid, his teammates Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez defend him, highlighting his leadership within the French squad and his focus on the tournament. Mbappe has a strong World Cup record and aims to silence critics by performing well in the upcoming matches.

How Cancer-Stricken Dad's Note Spurred Saransh Jain

How Cancer-Stricken Dad's Note Spurred Saransh Jain

Rediff.com16 hours ago

Saransh Jain's domestic success motivated by his cancer-affected dad's inspiring note. Saransh received his India Test call-up for the Sri Lanka tour on Tuesday.

There have been several ups and down in the last 4 months: Sooryavanshi

There have been several ups and down in the last 4 months: Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com6 days ago

Indian batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi acknowledges a period of 'several ups and downs' over the past four months but asserts his confidence remains high as he prepares for the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Will Djokovic Return To The French Open Next Year?

Will Djokovic Return To The French Open Next Year?

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Novak Djokovic expresses uncertainty about his future participation in the French Open after a surprising defeat to Joao Fonseca, raising questions about his continued presence at Roland Garros.

India's Women's Pairs Secure Thrilling Bowls Victory At Commonwealth Games

India's Women's Pairs Secure Thrilling Bowls Victory At Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com5 days ago

India's Women's Pairs team, comprising Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, secured a thrilling tie-break victory against Malta in their opening Bowls event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Indian duo showcased resilience after Malta fought back, ultimately winning the decisive final bowl.

How Dempo Goa Challengers Achieved An Unprecedented Unbeaten League Season

How Dempo Goa Challengers Achieved An Unprecedented Unbeaten League Season

Rediff.com6 days ago

Dempo Goa Challengers completed an unbeaten league phase in the UTT 2026 season, defeating UP Prometheans 10-5. The two-time champions secured their top spot in the standings, heading into the semifinals with a perfect record, thanks to stellar performances from Alvaro Robles and Bernadette Szocs.

Kalinskaya, Chwalinska, Shnaider seal French Open last-eight berth

Kalinskaya, Chwalinska, Shnaider seal French Open last-eight berth

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Anna Kalinskaya reached her maiden French Open quarterfinal with a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) win over 28th seed Anastasia Potapova on Monday, marking only the second time the Russian has entered that stage of a Grand Slam.

Can MI Break Opening Match Curse?

Can MI Break Opening Match Curse?

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The five-time champions finished last in IPL 2024 with everything going wrong for them. This time, MI is focused on ensuring that everything goes right, and that their journey towards a sixth title is back on track from the beginning.

Durand Cup Expands To Five Cities, Welcomes Seven New Teams

Durand Cup Expands To Five Cities, Welcomes Seven New Teams

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

The Durand Cup football tournament will feature 24 teams, including seven debutants, across five cities from July 25 to August 23. Kolkata remains the primary hub, hosting the final, while Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, and Guwahati will also host matches, bringing together a diverse mix of Indian and overseas teams.

Ten-Man Paraguay Secure Crucial World Cup Victory Over Turkey

Ten-Man Paraguay Secure Crucial World Cup Victory Over Turkey

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Ten-man Paraguay secured a vital 1-0 victory over Turkey in a dramatic World Cup Group D match, breathing new life into their campaign while condemning Turkey to an early exit.

Wounded India eye redemption against spirited Zimbabwe in T20s

Wounded India eye redemption against spirited Zimbabwe in T20s

Rediff.com6 days ago

Shreyas Iyer leads a young Indian squad in a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, aiming for a crucial series win after recent defeats and facing selection dilemmas, particularly concerning the batting order and all-rounders.

Comeback from injury was very difficult and challenging, says Mayank Yadav

Comeback from injury was very difficult and challenging, says Mayank Yadav

Rediff.com5 days ago

India pacer Mayank Yadav has described the two-year injury-enforced absence from international cricket as the most difficult phase of his young career, admitting that battling repeated setbacks at the age of 22-23 tested him mentally.

40-year-old's Granollers-Zeballos defend French Open crown in style

40-year-old's Granollers-Zeballos defend French Open crown in style

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos successfully defended their French Open men's doubles title, defeating Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in straight sets to secure their third Grand Slam crown together.

Birthday blow! Swiatek crashes out of French Open

Birthday blow! Swiatek crashes out of French Open

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Iga Swiatek's French Open campaign ended in a stunning defeat to Marta Kostyuk, adding to the series of upsets at Roland Garros.

Zverev moves closer to maiden Grand Slam at French Open

Zverev moves closer to maiden Grand Slam at French Open

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to defeat Rafael Jodar and secure a spot in the French Open semi-finals, continuing his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title.

PV Sindhu's Indonesia Open journey ends with defeat to World No. 1

PV Sindhu's Indonesia Open journey ends with defeat to World No. 1

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was defeated by world No. 1 An Se Young at the Indonesia Open, marking her tenth consecutive loss to the Korean. Meanwhile, the Indian men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun caused a significant upset, advancing to their first-ever BWF World Tour Super 1000 quarterfinals.