Sports / The Economic Times
Indian athletes and officials, led by star shuttler PV Sindhu and seasoned table tennis star Sharath Kamal as flagbearers, participated in the Parade of Nations at the River Seine during the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony on Friday. Despite the rain in Paris, the enthusiasm of India's contingent remained undiminished.
Olympics: French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Olympic Games open on Friday after a rainy ceremony featuring cheers for athletes along the Seine, rooftop dancing in Paris, and a performance by Lady Gaga.
India's shooting squad in Paris displayed renewed preparation with 21 shooters in 28 events, aiming for multiple medals. Abhinav Bindra noted their enhanced mental readiness while the NRAI implemented structured improvements. With top-notch training, mental conditioning coaches, and individual coaching, the team is optimistic about overcoming Olympic pressures.
Sehen is provisionally suspended while a disciplinary case is prosecuted, said the ITA, which oversees the games-time anti-doping program for the International Olympic Committee. This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity during the Olympic Games, the agency said.
The Indian contingent, led by PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal, participated in the Athletes' Parade during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics. India's delegation included 78 athletes and officials from 12 sports disciplines. Due to next-day competitions, some athletes opted out of the Parade. The event marked the first time the Opening Ceremony did not take place in a stadium but on the Seine River. The Indian roster also included notable athletes like Deepika Kumari, Lovlina Borgoha
India vs Sri Lanka Playing 11: India's white-ball cricket team faced Sri Lanka in a T20I series beginning July 27th at Pallekele. Suryakumar Yadav captained India, while Gautam Gambhir coached. India, ranked top in T20Is, fielded a strong squad including Gill and Jaiswal as openers. Sri Lanka featured key players like Nissanka and Hasaranga. India had dominated past encounters, winning 19 of 29 games.
India began a new T20 era against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, marked by leadership shifts. Suryakumar Yadav debuted as captain after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. India's squad featured fresh faces like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gautam Gambhir faced a wicketkeeper choice between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Sri Lanka also appointed Charith Asalanka as captain.
From Neeraj Chopra and P.V. Sindhu to Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain, discover the Indian athletes poised to win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Defending champions India secured a dominant 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Dambulla. Chasing a modest target of 81 runs, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma efficiently met the goal in just 11 overs. Mandhana scored an unbeaten 55 from 39 balls, including nine fours and a six, while Shafali added 26 not out. Earlier, Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav excelled with the ball, taking three wickets each to restrict Bangladesh to 80 for 8 in their all
The Olympic Torch Relay for the Paris 2024 Games will showcase a vibrant journey through Paris, highlighting the city's iconic landmarks and cultural heritage. The relay has commenced on July 14th, 2024, with the torch visiting renowned sites such as le de la Cit, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Former player and ex-chief selector Sandeep Patil believes Gautam Gambhir's main role as India head coach will be player management rather than coaching individual skills. Gambhir is set to lead the team on a limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka. Patil praised Gambhir's coaching success with Kolkata Knight Riders and expressed confidence in his ability to guide the Indian team.
India pacer Renuka Singh caused Bangladesh to suffer a significant defeat in the first semifinal of the women's Asia Cup. Renuka, who bowled four overs, received support from Radha Yadav and Ishma Tanjim. She also took her third wicket in as many overs. Bangladesh, with a 25 for three score, struggled to recover from their rapid start. Skipper Nigar Sultana, the highest run-getter in the tournament, was not able to provide a meaningful fight against the Indian bowlers.
India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming: India will begin their Sri Lanka tour on July 27 with a three-match T20I series, featuring Suryakumar Yadav as captain. The Men in Blue will aim to continue their victory run after defeating Zimbabwe 4-1 last month. The series will be followed by a 3-match ODI series, featuring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with youngsters like Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana.
Boxer-turned-politician Vijender Singh feels India needs more heroes beyond cricket to inspire the future generations if the country wants to become a sports superpower by 2047. These heroes, he believes, will also drive a cultural change, encouraging more young Indians to pursue sports as a profession. His comments were in response to a query on whether the government's stated goal of making India a sports superpower by 2047 was realistic.
Indian shuttlers, including PV Sindhu and the duo of Satwik-Chirag, began their Paris Games campaign. Sindhu sought her third Olympic medal, while Satwik-Chirag aimed to continue their successful run. Ashwini Ponnappa took part potentially for the last time. HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen also aimed for medals despite set challenges.
Indian boxers Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, and Nishant Dev have tough matches ahead as they try for India's best-ever Olympic boxing results in Paris. Zareen faces strong rivals in her weight class, Borgohain is up against top fighters in a new weight, and Nishant has a promising draw but still tough opponents. The boxing matches will be at the North Paris Arena and Stade Roland-Garros.
India's newly-formed coach-captain combination, Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav, will face off against Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series starting with three T20Is. Gambhir, who has built his coaching reputation in the IPL with three title wins for Kolkata Knight Riders, succeeds Rahul Dravid. The new coach faces a task cut out as the team under his predecessor reached the final in each of the ICC events in their respective last editions.
Weather forecasts indicated a chance of rain during the grandiose opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the Seine River. Meteo-France expected overcast skies and morning showers, with possible evening rain. The ceremony would proceed as planned at 1:30 pm EDT/7:30 pm CEST, lasting over three hours. Roughly 6,800 athletes were set to parade on boats along the Seine, with about 320,000 spectators anticipated.
Thousands of athletes sailed through Paris's city center during the high-risk, unprecedented opening ceremony of the Olympics. French President Macron promised an incredible event. Security was tight with 45,000 police on duty. Notable performers included Lady Gaga and Aya Nakamura. The ceremony aimed to showcase diversity, gender equality, and French history.
Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to the Olympics on the clay courts of Roland Garros -- scene of his greatest moments -- as Novak Djokovic attempts to prevent the sun setting on tennis's golden generation. But Nadal has won eight of their 10 meetings at Roland Garros, triumphing in their most recent clash in the 2022 quarter-finals.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, India's 117-member contingent aimed for a record-breaking double-digit medal haul. This could be transformative for Indian sports, moving beyond its cricket-centric reputation. With impressive recent performances at the Tokyo Olympics and the Hangzhou Asian Games, expectations were high. Key athletes included the largest-ever group of 21 shooters, wrestlers, boxers, and shuttlers like PV Sindhu. Enhanced support from the sports ministry and federations, along with cor
Pickleball League Asia and The Times Group collaborated to launch the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) and World Tours. The first PWR World Series was hosted by GCC in March 2025. Times Group managing director believes pickleball participation will surpass tennis. PWR founder announced $15 million prize money for the World Tour.
India's vice-captain Shubman Gill praised new head coach Gautam Gambhir for his clear communication and vision. Gill, aiming to be an all-format player, expressed excitement for upcoming matches and partnerships. He mentioned the coaching transition and highlighted the new strategies under Gambhir and assistance from Abhishek Nayar.
Samit Dravid, son of Rahul Dravid, was acquired by Mysuru Warriors for Rs 50,000 in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 auction. The Warriors, led by Karun Nair and featuring Prasidh Krishna, aim to excel this season. Samit recently played for Karnataka under-19 and KSCA XI.
The 2024 Paris Olympics, starting July 26, will feature 117 Indian athletes aiming to surpass their Tokyo 2020 medal tally. With a mix of debutants and seasoned competitors, key events include archery, badminton, athletics, and more. Noteworthy athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker are set to compete in multiple disciplines. Fans can catch all the action on sports channels and streaming platforms as India strives for Olympic success.
The article explores controversies and challenges in Indian Olympic sports, focusing on wrestling, weightlifting, and shooting. It covers historical rivalries like Kaka Pawar and Pappu Yadav's wrestling saga, Narsingh Yadav's doping scandal, and ongoing disputes within sports federations impacting Olympic preparations.
Hardik Pandya has been overlooked for T20I captaincy as new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar preferred Suryakumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill as deputy. Ashish Nehra was not surprised by this shift, linking it to differing leadership approaches. Fitness concerns were cited for excluding Pandya from the captaincy role.
England batter Joe Root closed the gap on top-ranked Kane Williamson by 7 points in the latest ICC Test Rankings after scoring his 32nd Test century against the West Indies. The Ben Stokes-led team's dominant performance in the second Test saw multiple players rise in the rankings, with Harry Brook reaching a career-best third place. England bowler Chris Woakes also made a significant move up the rankings after taking six wickets in the match.
The 2024 Paris Olympics, from July 26 to August 11, will feature a unique opening ceremony along the Seine River and introduce new sports like Breaking and Extreme Slalom. With events spread across iconic venues in France and free viewing options for Indian audiences, the Games promise a historic and inclusive celebration.
Indian archers are aiming for their first-ever Olympic medal in Paris with a full six-member squad competing in all five events. Veterans Tarundeep Rai and Deepika Kumari lead the team, hoping for a top-10 finish in the qualification round. Debutant Dhiraj is seen as a promising prospect, while Deepika seeks redemption after a stunning comeback. Despite a controversial build-up, the team looks forward to overcoming their quarterfinal jinx.
Mohammed Shami's last competitive cricket match was back in November when he played the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad, which India lost. Shami had a tournament to remember, as he amazed fans and experts alike with his pace and swing, taking 24 wickets in just seven games at an average of 10.70 and an economy rate of 5.26, with a four-wicket haul and three five-wicket hauls. His best figures were 7/57 against New Zealand in the semifinal.
India secured their spot in the semifinals of the women's Asia Cup with an 82-run win over Nepal in their final group match. Shafali Verma and Dayalan Hemalatha contributed to the total, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhala led the side. India restricted Nepal to 96 for nine, with experienced Deepti Sharma delivering impressive figures.
Khelo India secures Rs 900 crore in the sports ministry's budget, showing a continued focus on grassroots sports development. Additional funding for National Sports Federations and Sports Authority of India also noted. Budget allocations detailed for various sporting programs and agencies.
Neeraj Chopra's rise from a young boy in a rural Indian village to an Olympic champion has sparked a surge of interest in sports across the country. His success has set the stage for India's ambitious goal of hosting the 2036 Olympics, marking a significant shift in the nation's sporting landscape.