Sports

In a recent Global Chess League match, world champion D Gukesh opted for the Sicilian opening while playing black against his mentor, Viswanathan Anand. Despite Anand being semi-retired, he demonstrated his enduring competitive spirit, leading his team, Ganges Grandmasters, to a 12-3 victory over Gukesh's PBG Alaskan Knights, forcing Gukesh to resign in 45 moves. The Sicilian Defence, favored by renowned players like Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer, begins with 1.e4 c5, aiming to disrupt symmetry and create a dynamic position. Recently, Gukesh chose the Kan Variation of the Sicilian in a match against 'Vishy sir', reminiscent of the 2014 World Championship match against Magnus Carlsen. Eleven years ago, Anand faced the Kan Variation of the Sicilian Defence in Game 6, where he was o...

As the Dubai 2025-Asian Youth Para Games came to an end, various countries celebrated historic achievements, and Team India won 56 medals, including 19 gold. The Maldives and Bangladesh both took home their first-ever medals from the competition; Bangladesh made an incredible start by winning three gold medals. 1,500 athletes from 35 countries participated in the Games, which were sponsored by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, as a celebration of youth, excellence, and inclusivity. The Games came to a conclusion on Saturday night, capping a historic edition that saw 25 records broken, including 16 continental and 9 global marks. This is a potent evidence to the expanding caliber of pa...

India suffered a 51-run defeat to South Africa, marking their second-largest loss in T20 history. This defeat has raised concerns regarding the form of India's captain and vice-captain, who are struggling to score runs. As the teams transition from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh for the third T20I in Dharamshala, they will compete in a five-match series that is currently tied. The hosts seek tranquility amid the backdrop of Indian cricket's turmoil. The 0-2 loss in the Test series highlighted India's weaknesses in red-ball cricket, though a victory in the ODI series marked a comeback for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose futures had been uncertain. The T20s were anticipated to be a relief, as they are India's strongest format, ahead of the World Cup defense preparations. However, the str...

The 2025 men’s FIH Junior World Cup, in which India secured a bronze medal, highlighted several promising young players who may advance to senior teams. This document examines four potential candidates for transition to the main squad in the near future. The No 16, initially a defender, has transitioned to goalkeeping and is now a serious contender for the national team, spurred by PR Sreejesh's influence. With Krishan Pathak's recent form lacking confidence, head coach Craig Fulton faces challenges selecting the squad for upcoming Pro League matches in February, particularly after evaluating Pawan's performance at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Princedeep's strong showing at the JWC. Additionally, India's goalkeeping options are bolstered by Mohith HS and Bikramjit Singh. Princedeep ha...

India's T20 cricket team, renowned for its powerful batting line-up, is equally bolstered by a formidable bowling attack as they prepare to defend the T20 World Cup. Alongside established players like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav, the inclusion of Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel enhances the team's strength, particularly with the spin options available as they approach the World Cup at home. In a cricket tournament, India's spinners, along with Washington Sundar, are poised to be key players, potentially raising concerns for bowlers Arshdeep and Bumrah. Hardik Pandya, if fit, could disrupt opposing strategies. India's batting order remains flexible, with head coach Gautam Gambhir suggesting that its structure is often overstated in white-ball cricket. By strateg...

After a last-minute effort and a rush to London for the open section of the London Classic tournament, India's R Praggnanandhaa has earned a place in the eight-man Candidates tournament. He is now the only Indian participant in this prestigious event, which is aimed at determining the challenger for the world champion title. The 2026 Open Candidates event will feature only one Indian participant, a disappointing decrease from the three—Pragg, Gukesh, and Vidit Gujrathi—who took part in the 2024 Candidates in Toronto. In contrast, the accompanying Women’s Candidates event in Cyprus, scheduled from March 28 to April 16 next year, will see three Indian women competing: Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, and Vaishali Rameshbabu. Praggnanandhaa secured his qualification for the elite chess ev...

Lionel Messi is visiting India next month for a four-city tour, marking his return since 2011 when he led Argentina in a friendly against Venezuela. His visit follows his 2022 World Cup victory, enhancing his status as the greatest of all time (GOAT) and serving to inspire young football talent in India. India has a strong passion for football, evidenced by widespread celebrations when Messi won a coveted trophy. Fans actively support major clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, indicating that football is immensely popular in the country, trailing only behind cricket. Messi’s arrival in India is a landmark event for the country's sports, facilitated by Satadru Dutta through his company, A Satadru Dutta Initiative. Dutta, an experienced sports promoter and global ...

At the age of 21, Hitesh Gulia proudly stands on the podium with a gold medal, yet he fondly remembers his initial purpose for entering the boxing ring: to lose weight. He visited the government stadium in his village, Jahangirpur, with the goal of getting fitter, but his coach, Hitesh Deswal, recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue boxing. Reflecting on his journey, Gulia states that his original aim was simply to improve his health, but this decision transformed his life, making him aware of his own capabilities. In 2015, in a small village in Jhajjar district, Haryana, an 11-year-old boy named Hitesh was actively engaged in boxing, while his father, a taxi driver, faced his own struggles outside the ring. Hitesh reflects on this experience, noting that his father never...

After leading by 288 runs in the first innings, South Africa ended Day 3 of the second Test against India at 26 without loss in their second innings, asserting their control in the match. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram ended the day's play with scores of 13 and 12, as South Africa faced eight overs in their final session after bowling India out for 201 runs in 83.5 overs during India's first innings. The Proteas lead by 314 runs after scoring 489 in their first innings, with two days remaining in the Test. In India's first innings, only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Washington Sundar (48) made significant contributions as the team faced a batting collapse, starting the day at 9 for no loss. The visitors had secured victory in the first Test by 30 runs in Kolkata. India was ...

During a recent Super 500 semifinal, badminton players Lakshya Sen and Chou Tien Chen delivered an extraordinary match that transcended ordinary live sports, extending over 85 minutes. Though their Olympic aspirations did not yield medals, the thrilling contest showcased their tenacity, proving that the excitement of badminton continues beyond the Olympic Games. He reached the second final of 2025 after Hong Kong, still seeking his first title in a challenging season. Ranked No. 12, he did not qualify for the World Tour Finals. However, Sen and Chou continue to make badminton captivating, despite it being an end-season competition with minimal stakes. Mid-set, badminton's unofficial snack-break for viewers, became the highlight of the match, overshadowing the actual first set and de...