Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer announced a massive nationwide talent hunt targeting children aged 5 to 15 to identify and nurture future athletes, aiming for 30-40 medals at the 2036 Olympics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Indian students for their exceptional performance at the International Biology and Chemistry Olympiads, where they secured multiple medals, including Gold. Modi highlighted the global impact of India's youth and expressed pride in their scientific achievements, hoping to inspire more young minds.
M S Dhoni celebrated his 45th birthday by watching the 3rd T20I between India and England in Nottingham, where he was mobbed by fans and received a huge roar from the Trent Bridge crowd, despite India's 125-run loss.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid attributes the nation's recent cricketing success to the realisation of its immense potential, supported by strong infrastructure, talented players, and passionate fans.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to receive ample opportunities in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. Pathan believes this exposure is crucial for Jaiswal to establish himself as a backup opener for the next year's ODI World Cup. He also highlighted the importance of testing India's bench strength, especially with several key players participating in the Asian Games, and backed Naman Dhir's inclusion for his all-round capabilities.
Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has urged the 30-member Indian shooting contingent for the Asian Games to prioritise individual medals over team events. He also highlighted the need for significant improvements in coaching, advocating for more former international medallists in the system, and stressed the importance of better grassroots talent identification, drawing comparisons with China. Kumar also commented on the void left by coach Jaspal Rana's death and questioned recent selection policies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that India's Olympic performance can significantly improve by increasing participation in sports where the nation currently lacks representation. Speaking at the Khelo India Dialogue, Modi highlighted that India competes in only half of the Olympic sports, leading to a missed opportunity for medals. He also reiterated his vision for sports as a nation-building process, not just about winning medals, and mentioned a nationwide talent hunt for young children.
Akash Madhwal opens up on MS Dhoni's influence at CSK, Rohit Sharma's role at MI and the positive team culture behind both franchises' success.
The Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, are set to feature top athletes across various disciplines. This preview highlights key contenders like swimmers Pan Zhanle, javelin throwers Haruka Kitaguchi and Arshad Nadeem, badminton star An Se-young, gymnastic sensation Carlos Yulo, tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala, and the formidable Indian cricket teams, all poised to make a significant impact.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
India faces a critical challenge against co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in their Hockey World Cup second-round opener.
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have announced former India pace bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for the IPL 2027 season, replacing long-serving Stephen Fleming.
Former India international and coach Soumyadeep Roy is set to join the national table tennis squad for the upcoming Asian Games as a personal coach, five years after being embroiled in a match-fixing controversy at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite the past issues and the suspension of the TTFI, Roy aims to guide his players and contribute to India's medal prospects.
The Indian men's chess team, led by D Gukesh, Nihal Sarin, and Vidit Gujrathi, secured a 3-1 victory over Thailand in their opening match at the 46th World Chess Olympiad, despite Arjun Erigaisi's unexpected loss.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly defends veteran pacer Mohammed Shami against claims of neglect by selectors, praising his domestic performances. Ganguly also expresses optimism about Ishan Kishan's potential return to Test cricket, highlighting his strong form in recent domestic finals.
The India U-20 men's football team has concluded its preparations for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers with an unbeaten run in four friendly matches, securing three wins and a draw without conceding any goals. The team is now heading to Uzbekistan for the crucial qualifiers, aiming for a strong performance.
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana sponsored a rifle for Asian Championship gold medallist Meghana Sajjanar, enabling her to access world-class equipment and achieve success. Sajjanar, who recently won gold and bronze medals, credited Khurrana's support for her improved performance, highlighting his selfless act to promote Indian athletes on the global stage.
Devdutt Padikkal's assured batting at number three and Manav Suthar's strong performance as a lead Test spinner are the biggest gains for India from their recent Test series in Sri Lanka, addressing key questions surrounding the team's future.
Indian cricketers Manav Suthar, Auqib Nabi, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mayank Agarwal showcased strong performances in the English County Championship, with Suthar's seven-wicket haul leading Warwickshire to an innings victory.
India secured a 5-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-octane FIH World Cup match. Despite the win, captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed concerns about defensive lapses and the team's inability to retain possession, urging improvements before facing top teams. Coach Craig Fulton praised the team's adherence to the game plan under pressure, while Pakistan acknowledged their mistakes.
Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the Asian Games after a controversial shift to saffron kits sparked widespread criticism and internal discord within Hockey India. The decision to revert to blue was confirmed by HI president Dilip Tirkey, who had previously questioned the saffron kit's adoption without proper approval.
Shree Charani and Prema Rawat wreaked havoc with the ball as a dominant India trounced Pakistan by seven wickets in a one-sided match in the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday.
India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal was forced to withdraw from the Asian Games after blacking out during a solo weight-cutting session, citing a lack of support staff. He expressed disappointment but also pride in the team's overall medal performance despite logistical challenges and his late inclusion in the squad.
The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the formidable Netherlands in their FIH World Cup Pool E encounter, with goals from Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla, both from penalty corners. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a victory against Australia to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a silver medal at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, losing 2-4 to China in the final. Despite the loss, their strong performance, including an 8-1 semi-final win against Kazakhstan, earned them a qualification spot for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. Hockey India also announced cash prizes for the team and support staff.
India's men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, secured a 3-1 victory over Wales in their Hockey World Cup opener. Harmanpreet, who scored two goals, expressed satisfaction with the win, emphasizing the importance of a strong start. Despite conceding a late goal, the team remains confident and focused on a podium finish.
Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker, a flagbearer at the Asian Games, has called upon her fellow athletes to concentrate on their performance and not be distracted by the organisational challenges and logistical issues marring the event's build-up. She emphasised that the opportunity is rare and should be seized with full dedication.
Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has called for a complete 60-minute performance from his squad in their "do-or-die" FIH World Cup match against Olympic champions Netherlands. Both Harmanpreet and coach Craig Fulton believe India can upset the hosts by playing smartly, maintaining impeccable defense, and capitalising on their underdog status.
Ajit Agarkar has informed the BCCI he will not continue as chief selector, prompting the board to begin searching for his successor as his contract ends October 4.
England's white-ball captain Harry Brook revealed that former Ashes and T20 World Cup-winning batter Kevin Pietersen has been instrumental in teaching the squad how to effectively play spin.
The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the FIH Women's World Cup, faces England in their final Pool D match. A draw secures India's top spot, but England desperately needs a win to advance. India's strong attacking and defensive performances have built confidence, though coach Sjoerd Marijne warns against complacency, highlighting England's previous victory over India and their strong play. The team aims to continue its impressive run and potentially secure a podium finish.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, urging them to perform under pressure and continue the nation's impressive medal growth. He highlighted India's significant increase in medal tally from 2014 to 2023, attributing it to an improved sports ecosystem, and expressed confidence in the 503-member squad's potential.
The Indian women's cricket team secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup, bowling them out for just 55 runs. This one-sided win prompted former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan to revive his viral "Sunday" joke on social media, referencing past India-Pakistan clashes.
India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in a crucial FIH Men's Hockey World Cup Pool D match, needing at least a draw to advance, while Pakistan must win to stay in the tournament.
A High Performance national coach for rifle shooters, Manoj Kumar, is under inquiry by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for allegedly conducting private coaching at a government facility and discriminating against non-attendees. Complaints from shooters and guardians detail pressure to name him as their official coach and unequal distribution of ammunition. The National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) secretary general has refuted the charges.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal reflects on his challenging 2026 season, marked by injuries and mental toll. He discusses his decision to stop "playing the victim" and focus on enjoying the game rather than solely chasing results, a mental shift that has improved his performance in recent months.
Indian kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat, known as the 'High Flyer' for his six-foot jumps, shared the origin of his nickname and his journey in the sport. He also expressed pride in being a flag bearer and India's ambition to defend its Asian Games gold medal in kabaddi.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded the team's productive warm-up victory against Sri Lanka, highlighting strong performances from both batters and bowlers, including Shubman Gill's quick 44 and Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142, which set a positive tone for the upcoming two-match Test series.
India's men's hockey team head coach Craig Fulton believes the squad can defeat any country if they stick to their game plan, following confidence-boosting victories against Germany and the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League, despite finishing eighth overall. The team's improved performance and maturity are seen as crucial stepping stones for upcoming major tournaments like the World Cup and Asian Games.
