Sports

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...

World Champion Gukesh D and Magnus Carlsen are among over 360 players confirmed for the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in Doha. The event from December 25 to 30 features multiple world champions, top-rated competitors, and rising stars in the sport. A total of 233 players registered for the Blitz Open and 230 for the Rapid. Magnus Carlsen returns to the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, aiming to unseat the reigning 2024 World Rapid champion, Volodar Murzin, after previously sharing gold in the Blitz and missing out on the Rapid crown in New York. World Champion Gukesh D has confirmed his attendance, which is anticipated to attract significant public interest. His impressive performance in Zagreb earlier this year positions him as a favorite in the Rapid event. Ma...

Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith made an unusual remark directed at former England spinner Monty Panesar just before the first Ashes Test. Panesar had suggested that England should make Smith feel "guilty" over his involvement in the 'Sandpapergate' scandal of 2018, which led to Smith being removed from his captaincy after a ball-tampering incident against South Africa. This incident is frequently referenced by English fans as a taunt towards Smith. The question regarding Panesar's comments was introduced at a press conference shortly after it began, suggesting it may have been prearranged between Smith and the journalist. Smith referenced Monty Panesar's appearance on the BBC TV show Mastermind, where he provided only one correct answer, to illustrate a humorous point. He engage...

Bangladesh achieved their fourth win over India in football, securing their first victory in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers group. Shekh Morsalin's goal in the 11th minute led to India's 0-1 defeat, which placed them at the bottom of the group, alongside Singapore and Hong Kong, with one game remaining. The Indian football team's failure to avoid finishing bottom of a group including Bangladesh, Singapore, and Hong Kong is unacceptable, especially given their aspirations of becoming a strong competitor in Asia. The criticism of the coach and players is irrelevant in light of this disappointing outcome. Gavin Lee's Singapore will participate in the 2027 Asia's premier football competition, contrasting India's struggle within a failing football ecosystem. The outcomes for India and...

World Boxing is considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to review bouts, according to outgoing president Boris van der Vorst. The World Boxing chief recognized that addressing the controversial scoring system will be a key challenge for the organization overseeing the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The main challenge in boxing is maintaining the integrity of the competition, as the best boxer's hand is raised at the end of each bout, according to Van der Vorst during the World Boxing Cup Finals. He stated that they are currently exploring the use of AI to review boxing bouts in order to restore trust among fans and boxers, noting that it is a work in progress. Scoring in boxing, whether under the previous International Boxing Association (IBA) or the curre...

Following outstanding performances in their home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka this week, Pakistan's batter Salman Agha and spinner Abrar Ahmed have risen to their highest positions in the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings. After scores of 69 and five not out in the previous series against South Africa, Salman's game-winning 105 not out off 87 balls in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi helped him move up 14 spots to 16th in the batting rankings. In this format, he is now rated second among Pakistani players, behind seventh-ranked Babar Azam. Abrar moved up 17 spots to 20th among bowlers after collecting three wickets for 53 runs and four for 27 against South Africa. At 16th place, he is now just four spots behind Pakistan's best bowler in the format, Shaheen Shah Af...