AB de Villiers initially viewed Virat Kohli as someone who exuded an air of arrogance and cockiness in their first encounters. Kohli's early confidence, evident even as a young player, was frequently misread by many. However, as time passed, De Villiers observed a remarkable evolution in Kohli, leading to a more balanced demeanor.
Mumbai Indians and Mahela Jayawardene have mutually agreed to part ways after the team won just four matches in IPL 2026. Jayawardene guided MI to three titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020. The franchise has shortlisted potential replacements, with interviews expected next week. Nita Ambani thanked Jayawardene for his leadership, commitment and contribution to the team’s success.
Abhishek Nayar pointed out that dismissing Shai Hope is crucial for India's prospects against the West Indies. Hope's outstanding performance, including several centuries, has made it difficult for India, leading to important match defeats. For the final T20I, Nayar is advocating for specific tactics to curtail Hope's runs, emphasizing that careful strategy will be key to securing a win.
Indian riders are at risk of being banned from international competitions due to governance issues within the Equestrian Federation of India. The International Equestrian Federation has suspended the EFI, effective from December 1, over unresolved leadership irregularities. A prolonged governance crisis has resulted in a lack of elections since February 2026 when the Delhi high court dissolved the executive committee.
Following India's defeat against West Indies, Mohammad Kaif expressed his apprehensions concerning the team's selection strategy. He emphasized that the bowling attack was inadequate throughout the series, leading to a failure in containing the West Indies' strong batting. Kaif also pointed out that Kuldeep Yadav's omission created an imbalance in the team, which is crucial as the series now stands at 2-2 with a decisive match upcoming.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to reach 25 Champions League goal contributions at 19 years and 92 days, breaking Kylian Mbappe’s record. During Barcelona’s 4-1 comeback win over Galatasaray, he provided two assists, including one after a stunning “near-rabona” dribble to set up Anthony Gordon, earning praise from teammates and fans.
Sanju Samson backed India’s young pacers after their 24-run defeat to the West Indies in the fourth T20I, saying experience would help them improve. He identified Tilak Varma’s dismissal as the turning point in India’s failed 248-run chase. Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102, while Keemo Paul took five wickets, levelling the series 2-2 ahead of Saturday’s decider in Bengaluru.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has suspended its secretary general Pramod Kumar with immediate effect over alleged financial irregularities, failure to cooperate with investigations and misuse of authority. BFI president Ajay Singh issued the suspension order on Tuesday, pending an inquiry into the allegations against Kumar. These include issuing a work order for broadcasting arrangements without the required approval.
WFI president Sanjay Singh criticised the US Embassy after nine Indian wrestlers were denied visas for the 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, blaming the decision for costing India potential gold medals. While the men’s freestyle team received clearance, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestlers were affected. Vishvajit More reached the 55kg Greco-Roman final, keeping India’s gold medal hopes alive.
Qais Ahmed grabbed attention in the closing stages of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The Afghanistan batter's injury moment reminded fans of Gulbadin Naib's incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Afghanistan put up a determined batting effort to secure a draw at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The hosts batted for 142 overs to avoid defeat against their Asian rivals.
Virat Kohli has joined LinkedIn, expanding his digital presence beyond Instagram and X. His debut post highlighted leadership, teamwork and learning, while offering a glimpse into his professional journey. The move has sparked interest in his business ambitions and future collaborations. Kohli’s growing entrepreneurial interests reflect how athletes increasingly build personal brands and explore opportunities beyond their sporting careers.
As the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games approaches, India faces significant challenges concerning athlete selections and administrative delays. Recent disputes regarding the omission of key coaches from the para shooting contingent have created unrest among athletes. Delayed approvals for several disciplines have further complicated preparations, impacting kit distribution and athlete readiness. Athletes from badminton and table tennis confront last-minute issues just days before their events begin.
Shaun Pollock has raised an intriguing idea about the use of pink balls in daytime Test matches to combat delays from poor light conditions. His proposal came after weather interruptions plagued the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban. While cricket's governing body permits pink balls in daytime matches with both captains' approval, Ashwell Prince advocates for the traditional red ball due to varying team experiences.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken the decisive step to relocate President's Trophy matches amidst ongoing political unrest. With governor's rule now imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, several matches planned for that area are being moved. While Peshawar and Abbottabad's fixtures are affected, games will continue in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Starting October 14, matches will be held in Sheikhupura and Lahore, illustrating how political issues are shaping the domestic cricket landscape.
Nathan McSweeney used YouTube videos of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to prepare for the challenge of batting against spin in India. His preparation proved effective as the Australia A batter topped the run charts in the one-day series against India A, helping his team secure a 2-1 win in Puducherry.
Tilak Varma achieved a significant milestone by making 50 catches in T20Is against West Indies. This accomplishment makes him the fifth Indian fielder to reach this landmark. His efficiency is notable, with a dismissals-per-innings ratio of 0.757, the best among Indian players. In the match, he was involved in an unusual run-out but contributed 28 runs. India eventually won the match by 14 runs, leading the series 2-1.
Arunachal Pradesh have forfeited their Ranji Trophy Plate Group opener against Nagaland amid a leadership dispute within the state cricket association. A pending Gauhati High Court case has prevented the BCCI from intervening. The crisis also forced the state to miss an Under-19 match. Arunachal had finished last in their group last season, losing all five matches.
India's T20I bowling performance has declined in 2026 when Jasprit Bumrah is absent from the team. Without him, India's average has increased notably, and they are struggling to take wickets. The ongoing T20I series against the West Indies has highlighted these challenges, particularly on batting-friendly surfaces. Additionally, India's fielding issues, including dropped catches, are compounding their problems.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned India's bowling choices after their six-wicket defeat to the West Indies in Ranchi. He felt Mayank Yadav or Arshdeep Singh should have bowled the 18th over instead of Axar Patel. Gavaskar also suggested Kuldeep Yadav would have been a better option than Shivam Dube earlier, as India failed to defend 249 runs.
New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke will miss the upcoming series against India as he recovers from hamstring and calf injuries. Coach Rob Walter said the decision was made to avoid rushing his return. New Zealand hope O'Rourke will play domestic cricket in late December before featuring in the first Test against Australia in Perth on December 9.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured the state's 2026 Chess Olympiad medallists, distributing Rs 60 lakh among five recipients. D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa received Rs 15 lakh each, while Savitha Shri, R Vaishali and captain Srinath Narayanan were awarded Rs 10 lakh each. The state also launched its Dream Olympics 2036 scheme to support athletes with training and nutrition costs.
Dhananjaya de Silva has officially resigned as the Test captain of Sri Lanka, concluding an 18-match tenure. His decision was communicated to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. Under his leadership, the team celebrated victories over Afghanistan and Bangladesh. As it stands, Sri Lanka ranks seventh in the World Test Championship, with no announcement yet regarding his successor before the series against Pakistan.
In 2023, when India played New Zealand in a T20I at the same venue, Ajit Agarkar did the pitch report before the match. As part of the broadcast coverage, Agarkar assessed the playing conditions and pointed out the dimensions of the ground, the grass cover and the possible impact of dew.
Lionel Messi concluded his international career with a farewell match where he scored and assisted in a victory. Cristiano Ronaldo, his rival, honored Messi's achievements and expressed his respect in a social media post. More than 85,000 fans attended the match at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, celebrating Messi's legacy. Messi reflected on his 21-year journey representing Argentina and the emotions tied to his decision.
Virat Kohli expressed his condolences on social media after Nana Patekar's death due to cardiac arrest. Patekar was a prominent figure in Hindi and Marathi cinema, earning numerous accolades throughout his career. He made his mark with roles in films like Parinda and Prahar, and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013. His recent works included Housefull 5 and O’Romeo, showcasing his enduring talent in the industry.
Smriti Mandhana has succeeded Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team. Harmanpreet's leadership spanned a decade and included significant achievements like two Asian Games gold medals. Mandhana previously led the team in several T20Is and ODIs before her full-time appointment. She aims to continue building on the successes of her predecessor while leading the white-ball formats.
Aakash Chopra voiced his concerns regarding India's choice to omit Nitish Kumar Reddy from the first T20I lineup. Celebrating Naman Dhir's stellar bowling against the West Indies, he pointed out the unfortunate shortcomings of the opposing batting order. With Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford providing some resistance, their contributions were not enough, and India triumphed with an eight-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Australian cricketer Ash Gardner has addressed the alleged affair with teammate Georgia Voll that contributed to the end of her marriage to Monica Wright. Gardner admitted she was “naive” about how public the situation would become and said her reputation had been “tarnished”. She acknowledged Wright’s perspective, reflected on the difficult period and said her focus is now on moving forward.
Sourav Ganguly first joined Delhi Capitals in 2019 as an Advisor. Since then, he has held several roles within the franchise, including Director of Cricket for both the men’s and women’s teams. The 54-year-old was also the head coach of Pretoria Capitals, Delhi Capitals’ SA20 team, last year.
Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has vowed to compete seriously against Argentina in Lionel Messi’s farewell match, insisting, “We are not here to be tourists in Argentina.” While calling Messi a legend and expressing his admiration, Dandjinou said his job is to stop him from scoring, even if Messi takes a decisive penalty during his final appearance.
India women’s ODI World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down from captaincy in all three formats. Kaur had been India’s full-time T20I captain since 2018 and took charge of the ODI team in 2022, succeeding legendary batter Mithali Raj.
The BCCI has deputed two three-member selection committees to Bihar to pick its senior and junior teams. Former India selectors Harvinder Singh and Sridharan Sharath are part of the senior panel for the Ranji Trophy, while another committee will select Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 teams. Bihar, promoted to the Elite Group, will begin against Uttar Pradesh on October 11.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history earlier this year when he became the youngest Indian to play international cricket. He made his T20I debut against England at the age of 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
India finished fourth at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan with 85 medals, including 21 golds. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest-ever gold medallist after winning cricket gold, while 50-year-old Mairaj Ahmad Khan became the country’s oldest medallist with a skeet shooting bronze. Japan’s Yuki Kurihara and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Rashidi were the overall youngest and oldest medallists.
Lionel Messi has joined Argentina’s camp ahead of his expected international farewell against Benin at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday. The 39-year-old captain has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances and won the World Cup and two Copa America titles. Several teammates will join him, while Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will miss the emotional occasion.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India’s defensive organisation and counter-attacking approach despite Brazil’s 4-0 win in Kolkata. India stayed competitive for 25 minutes before Brazil took control after Estevao’s opener. Brazil dominated possession, shots and attacking play, while India worked hard defensively. Ancelotti called the match a good experience and an entertaining, intense test for both teams.
In an unexpected twist at the China Open, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a straight-set defeat to Nikola Bartunkova, who is ranked 34th. Bartunkova seized the match with scores of 6-4 and 6-3, exploiting Sabalenka's inability to convert break-point chances. The early exits of both Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina indicate a major shift in the tournament landscape. Bartunkova is set to take on Sinja Kraus in her next match.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men’s cricket final to win gold. Batting first, India posted 211/6, led by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 61 off 28 balls and late contributions from Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. Pakistan fought back through Hasan Nawaz’s 96, but India’s disciplined bowling secured a thrilling victory and completed a memorable all-round performance.
Indian archer Neeraj Chauhan won the bronze medal in the men's recurve individual event at the Asian Games 2026 after defeating compatriot Dhiraj Bommadevara 6-4 at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Saturday. In an all-Indian medal contest, Chauhan held his nerve to finish ahead of Bommadevara and claim the bronze medal.
The stage is set as India faces Pakistan in the Asian Games cricket final, a momentous first encounter. India seeks to reaffirm their dominance post a decisive win over Sri Lanka in the semis, while Pakistan booked their place by edging past Bangladesh in a rain-affected game. Both teams have navigated rainfall challenges, intensifying the anticipation for the final scheduled on October 3, 2026, at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
With an unbeaten 80 runs, Ishan Kishan played a key role in guiding India to the final of the Asian Games. India's strong performance was underscored by their bowlers, who restricted Sri Lanka to just 45 runs. Kishan recognized the importance of maintaining concentration ahead of the challenging match against Pakistan, acknowledging the intense pressure associated with vying for a medal.
Prasidh Krishna has been sidelined for the third ODI against West Indies due to a hamstring strain. After bowling five overs in the previous match, he had to retire early. He will head to Bengaluru for medical treatment prior to the upcoming tournament. This situation opens the door for Mohammed Siraj to step in for the final ODI.
At the Asian Games 2026, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru clinched a bronze medal in the men's individual compound archery event, triumphing over Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang with a score of 149 to 144. His exceptional accuracy is evident as 14 of his 15 arrows hit the 10s. This achievement marks India's fourth medal in compound archery, contributing to an overall tally of 63.
Ishan Kishan exhibited remarkable resilience, remaining unbeaten at 80 runs during the semifinal clash against Sri Lanka. Despite the Indian team facing early difficulties with multiple wickets falling swiftly, Kishan emerged as a stalwart, enabling India to set a competitive target of 170 runs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brisk 38 runs laid a solid foundation, although the Sri Lankan bowlers, spearheaded by their captain, consistently struck at crucial moments.
India's men's and women's squash teams secured semifinal berths in the Asian Games after winning their quarterfinal matches. The men's team defeated Kuwait with a strong performance, while the women's team triumphed over Singapore. Veer Chotrani and Abhay Singh led the men's team, whereas Tanvi Khanna and Anahat Singh contributed to the women's victory. Both teams are now guaranteed medals and will compete in the semifinals.
Neeru Dhanda added another medal to her impressive Asian Games campaign as she teamed up with Kynan Chenai to win the gold medal in the trap mixed event at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday. The Indian pair finished on 34 points to clinch the gold medal. For Neeru, it was her third medal at the Asian Games 2026.