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.
The Sports Ministry is set to review India's performance at the recent Asian Games on October 13. The focus will be on the underwhelming results of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the national team possesses the talent to breach the 300-run mark in T20 cricket soon, emphasising the importance of impactful performances over individual milestones.
Auqib Nabi proved unstoppable with the ball last season -- picking up 60 wickets in 10 matches at an incredible average of 12.56 last season to help J&K script history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title.
Hockey India has announced a cash award of Rs 50 lakh for the Indian women's team following their historic fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, their best result since 1974. The team achieved this milestone with a decisive win over Germany, showcasing remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.
India's track and field contingent delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Para Games, securing 22 medals, including five gold, and propelling the nation to fifth in the overall standings. Sprinter Simran, high-jumper Praveen Kumar, and shot-putter Sachin Khilari notably set new Games records, contributing significantly to India's medal tally across various para-sports.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
The Indian men's recurve archery team secured a silver medal at the Asian Games after a 1-5 defeat to defending champions Korea in the final. Despite a strong start, the Indian trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Bhoge, and Neeraj Chauhan couldn't maintain their lead.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's fifth-place finish at the World Cup, their best in 52 years, after defeating Germany 3-1. He highlighted the achievement as a significant confidence boost for the upcoming Asian Games, emphasising the young team's potential and the need for continued focus on their own game and consistency.
The Indian men's volleyball team secured its second consecutive victory at the Asian Games, defeating Hong Kong, China 3-0 in a Pool C preliminary round match.
Indian track cycling teams have qualified for the first round heats in both men's and women's team sprint events, as well as the women's team pursuit competition at the Asian Games.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
The Indian men's kabaddi team commenced its Asian Games title defence with a decisive 49-24 victory over hosts Japan in their opening Group A fixture.
Pranavi Sharath Urs delivered an exceptional 7-under 63 at the Asian Games golf competition, placing her in sole second position individually and elevating the Indian women's team to bronze medal contention. Her performance, marked by clean ball-striking and aggressive play, has created significant momentum for India's medal aspirations in both individual and team events.
Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain, 33, has been named in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Washington Sundar, marking a surprise call-up after impressive all-round performances for India A.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic Asian Games gold medal, defeating China 1-0, which also guaranteed direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Goalkeeper Savita Punia highlighted the team's focus on Olympic qualification and credited the new coaching staff for fostering unity and belief, transforming the team's performance and mindset over the past 10 months.
India's head coach Khalid Jamil is preparing his team for a historic football match against five-time world champions Brazil. Jamil emphasizes handling pressure, keeping things simple, and giving their best, despite the significant gap in rankings. Defender Anwar Ali also stresses the importance of staying calm and following the coach's plan for the high-stakes encounter.
The Indian women's recurve archery team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating 10-time Olympic champions South Korea. The team, comprising Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, and Kumkum Mohod, displayed exceptional nerve in challenging conditions.
The Indian women's hockey team defeated defending champions China 1-0 in the Asian Games final, securing a gold medal and an automatic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Coach Sjoerd Marijne credited the team's disciplined defence, tireless running, and collective effort for the historic victory.
The Indian 4x100m mixed relay team has successfully qualified for the final at the Asian Games, finishing second in their heat and third overall.
The Indian women's compound archery team, comprising Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep, won the gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating China 238-234 in the final. The team also equalled a world record score, marking a sensational performance and successfully retaining their title.
Abhishek Sharma's explosive 82-run innings led India to a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the opening T20 International in New Delhi, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Despite recent underwhelming performances, the Indian team showcased a strong collective effort, with key contributions from Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Ishan Kishan, while Afghanistan's skipper acknowledged their batting shortfall.
Kapil Dev, president of the Professional Golf Tour of India, praised Pranavi Urs for her historic individual gold and the women's team for their silver medal at the Asian Games, highlighting the growing strength of women's golf in India.
The Indian men's 10m air pistol team finished fourth at the Asian Games, missing out on a bronze medal. None of the Indian shooters qualified for the individual finals, continuing a disappointing performance for the country's shooting contingent, which also saw the women's team fail to secure medals.
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes for their Asian Games performance but stressed the critical need to enhance the country's high-performance sports ecosystem. He highlighted the urgency required for preparations, with the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, advocating for robust systems that support athletes from early stages to build resilience and ensure timely expert intervention.
India's squash campaign at the Asian Games concluded with two bronze medals in the team events. Both the men's and women's teams fell short in their respective semifinals against Malaysia and Hong Kong, respectively. Despite strong individual performances, including Tanvi Khanna's comeback, India couldn't advance to the finals, adding to their overall medal tally of two silvers and three bronzes in squash.
The Indian women's shooting team, comprising Neeru Dhanda, Aashima Ahlawat, and Manisha Keer, won a silver medal in the trap team event at the Asian Games.
The Indian women's hockey team secured its second consecutive Pool B victory at the Asian Games, defeating Indonesia 17-1. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored a hat-trick, contributing to the dominant performance. Coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction but highlighted the upcoming match against Japan as the real challenge for topping the pool and securing direct Olympic qualification.
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams have secured their spots in the semi-finals of the Asian Games after dominant performances in their respective Group A fixtures. The men's team defeated Chinese Taipei 37-21, marking their fourth consecutive win, while the women's team topped their group by beating hosts Japan 50-25, remaining unbeaten. Both teams showcased strong offensive and defensive play, continuing India's legacy of dominance in Asian Games kabaddi.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas lauded the Indian men's cricket team for retaining their Asian Games gold medal, highlighting their exceptional performance under pressure against arch-rivals Pakistan and commending individual contributions from players like Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma.
The Indian women's cricket team secured their eighth Women's Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, a triumph that has garnered widespread congratulations from top Indian leaders.
Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi has equalled the world record in the women's compound qualification round at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, scoring 704 points.
The Indian men's badminton team secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at the Asian Games, advancing to the quarterfinals. Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and K Srikkanth all won their respective matches without dropping a game, setting up a clash with hosts Japan. Lakshya Sen also shared insights on his form and the camaraderie among players.
India's women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating defending champions China 1-0. This victory, marked by Lalremsiami's early goal and a resilient defensive performance led by goalkeeper Bichu Devi, also earned India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, ending a 44-year wait for the title.
India women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne addressed concerns regarding his pre-World Cup leave, asserting his continuous involvement in the team's preparations. He reflected on the team's creditable fifth-place finish at the World Cup, emphasising the need for sustained hunger and improvement. Marijne also discussed the advantages of his second stint, his focus on team discipline, and the positive impact of the Women's Hockey India League on player development.
The real victory in New Zealand is not about winning every match but returning from it knowing exactly what kind of team India should have for the future, points out K R Nayar.
The Indian women's cricket team, fresh from their T20 Asia Cup victory, has arrived in Japan for the Asian Games, aiming to defend their gold medal. Coach Amol Muzumdar emphasised the importance of embracing the multi-sport event atmosphere, while key player Shree Charani's strong form boosts the team's prospects ahead of their quarterfinal match against Japan on September 18.
Indian Army athletes achieved their best-ever medal haul at the recently concluded Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing 20 medals, including six gold, eight silver, and six bronze. This significant contribution accounted for nearly one-fourth of India's total 85 medals. Standout performers included Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda in trap shooting and Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh in distance running, who also set a national record. The Army's increased representation and performance, particularly from women athletes, highlight the robust sporting ecosystem within the Indian Army.
IOA chief PT Usha met the Indian Cricket Team after their thrilling win over Pakistan to win the Asian Games gold medal in Nisshin on Saturday.
India's men's foil and women's epee fencing teams were both eliminated in the round of 16 at the Asian Games. The men's team lost to Hong Kong, while the women's team was defeated by Uzbekistan, marking a double setback for the nation in the fencing events.
