The Indian men's hockey team, currently in the Dutch leg of the FIH Pro League, aims to conclude their campaign on a high note against hosts Netherlands. This tournament serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games, with coach Craig Fulton focusing on testing resources and addressing issues like conceding late goals. The team also looks forward to significant matches against England and arch-rivals Pakistan in London.
Defending champions Argentina are motivated by their passionate fans to win the World Cup again, with manager Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez highlighting the emotional connection with supporters as a key driver ahead of their final clash with Spain.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has appointed Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis as their new head coach on a one-year contract. Known for his attacking yet balanced style and ability to blend youth with experience, Dilmperis aims to build a disciplined and courageous side to compete for all trophies, acknowledging the high expectations and the significance of the Kolkata Derby.
There was large demand for India vs Pakistan, England vs Australia and the final, all of which were oversubscribed at every price band.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has urged the team management and selectors to provide clear communication to senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli regarding their roles and selection for the upcoming ODI World Cup, stressing the importance of backing them fully.
India opener Lokesh Rahul is set to miss the Champions Trophy in June after undergoing operation on his injured shoulder earlier this month, the 25-year-old has said.
Karnataka's Mohith HS, an accidental goalkeeper, is set to represent India at the FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. The 24-year-old, who impressed in the FIH Pro League, will join Suraj Karkera as one of the team's custodians. Mohith's journey began by chance in school, evolving into a promising career that saw him play in the Junior World Cup and now the senior national team, driven by a dream to win for India.
Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz will play no further part in the Champions Trophy after suffering an ankle problem during their defeat by arch-rivals India in their Group B clash on Sunday.
'That's not just a football victory -- that's the heartbeat of an entire nation'
With FIH chief, Leandro Negre all set to meet Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Tuesday, Hockey India (HI) on Monday expressed confidence that it will be able to convince the world governing body of the game to restore the Champions Trophy tournament back to the country.
South Korea fought their way back from two-goal down to overpower China 5-3 and win the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Ordos, China on Saturday.
The Champions Trophy, to be held in three months' time, would decide the fate of India's most successful cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his childhood coach Keshav Banerjee believes.
Lionel Messi said Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain had left "immense" pain but praised his team for reaching a second successive final and thanked supporters for uniting behind the national side.
Following are the statistical highlights of the Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and the West Indies played in Johannesburg.
Left-arm swing bowler Tsotsobe, who has recovered from a long-term injury, and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson are the only new players in the squad for the September 22 to October 5 tournament in South Africa.
Virat Kohli's form is not a cause of concern as India's fortune at the upcoming Champions Trophy doesn't depend solely on the Indian skipper, feels 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev.
India failed to make it to the elite six-nation hockey tournament after finishing at the bottom in the last edition in Chennai.
The ICC has approved trialling the use of pink balls in Test matches to maximise play in bad light, along with allowing coaches on the field during drinks breaks. Cricket Canada has been suspended due to breaches of membership obligations.
International Cricket Council President David Morgan termed the just-concluded Champions Trophy "a huge success" and said the event has proved to be a great advertisement for one-dayers.
The Indian sub-junior men's hockey team secured the gold medal at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1. This victory also ensured their qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. The Indian women's team also earned a silver medal, and Hockey India announced cash rewards for both squads.
Aware that the Champions Trophy is gradually losing its relevance, the ICC on Monday said it had plans to "rejuvenate and re-brand" the tournament which features the top-eight one-day teams.
The International Cricket Council's Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) on Wednesday recommended that the Champions Trophy be held in South Africa and not Sri Lanka as rainfall could affect the tournament to be held during September-October this year.
India's spin great Ravichandran Ashwin suggested Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the ideal successor for Stephen Fleming as CSK's head coach.
Bhajji, Afridi among 8 ambassadors for ICC Champions Trophy
Pakistan will not host the Champions Trophy this year after several teams voiced concerns about playing in the country, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Sunday.
Images from the ICC Champions Trophy 2009, Group B match between England and Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Friday.
Images from the ICC Champions Trophy Group A match between Pakistan and West Indies in Johannesburg.
High on confidence after their the tri-series triumph in Sri Lanka, the Indian team on Friday left to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa from September 22. Placed in Group A along with Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men will open their league engagements on September 26 against Pakistan.
Kevin McClean will replace Daren Powell in the West Indies' squad while Tim Paine will come in for Brad Haddin in Australia's squad after the ICC approved changes for the Champions Trophy, in South Africa from September 22 to October 5.
West Indies have named a weakened squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa despite their leading players ending a boycott over contractual disputes. Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo all refused to play in the 2-0 home Test series defeat to Bangladesh due to their disputes with the board.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot force teams to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September, chief executive Haroon Lorgat said on Friday. Lorgat said the ICC, cricket's governing body, would not comment on possible action if teams did not appear in the tournament.
Australia appear on the verge of pulling out of next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns in the strife-torn country, according to media reports on Tuesday.
Strengthening their pace attack, the Pakistani selectors on Tuesday included controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and his fellow paceman Umar Gul in the final 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy.
Lambasting the International Cricket Council's decision to let Pakistan keep the hosting rights of this year's Champions Trophy, the New Zealand Players' Association urged its cricketers to boycott the biennial event.
Paris St Germain players presented their Champions League trophies to the French Open crowd on Monday, two days after winning Europe's premium club competition for the second time in a row.
Cricket Australia is heading towards a major crisis with its leading cricketers set to boycott the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in September owing to security apprehensions, according to a media report in Melbourne on Thursday. The Sydney Morning Herald claimed most of the leading Australian cricketers would pull out of the event if the International Cricket Council is adamant to host the elite tournament in Pakistan.
Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal, but Inter Miami CF were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Nashville SC.
Disappointed at missing out of the Champions Trophy for the second consecutive time, India vice-captain Yuvraj Singh said it was his sheer bad luck that he sustained a finger injury at such a crucial time.
India's campaign at the upcoming Champions Trophy in South Africa received a shot in the arm after opener Gautam Gambhir was cleared to take part in the in the September 22 - October 5 tournament. Gambhir, who was forced to sit out of the just-concluded Compaq Cup tri-series in Sri Lanka, which India won, due to a groin injury, cleared a fitness test on Thursday afternoon and will leave for South Africa along with the rest of the players from Mumbai on Friday.
