The Economic Times News

Russian athletes will compete as individuals without national symbols at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee confirmed this decision, maintaining its ban on Russia and Belarus following the invasion. This approach is expected to guide future Olympic hostings.

Mumbai Indians unveiled their WPL 2026 jersey, inspired by the city's vibrant energy and the Wicket Pulse theme. The design incorporates blue for constant motion, gold for confidence, and coral for warmth, reflecting Mumbai's spirit. Additionally, former Australian spinner Kristen Beams has joined as spin bowling coach, bringing extensive international and coaching experience to the team.

Sjoerd Marijne returns as chief coach for the Indian women's hockey team. He will lead the team for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad. Marijne expressed enthusiasm for his return and his vision for the team's growth. Hockey India welcomed Marijne and the support staff, emphasizing fitness for future success.

Jason Gillespie has quit as Pakistan's red-ball coach after just nine months. The former Australian star cited a lack of communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board as the main reason. He felt humiliated when his senior assistant coach was sacked without his knowledge. This led to Gillespie refusing to travel for a tour and resigning. Financial disputes also remain.

Usman Khawaja will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test. The veteran opener confirmed his decision, ending a distinguished career. Khawaja expressed satisfaction at retiring on his own terms. He will continue playing domestic cricket. Pat Cummins and Shikhar Dhawan congratulated Khawaja on his journey.

Venus Williams is set to compete at the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard. This marks her return to Melbourne Park after a five-year absence. The seven-time Grand Slam champion will also play at the Hobart International. Williams will be the oldest woman to feature in the Australian Open main draw.

Arsenal has widened its lead at the top of the Premier League. Manchester City and Liverpool both drew their matches. This has given Arsenal a significant advantage at the season's halfway point. Other teams also saw draws on a low-scoring night. City and Liverpool are showing signs of losing their attacking edge.

Indian skipper Shubman Gill looks back at a memorable 2025. He achieved significant success in Test cricket, especially in England, and captained India to a drawn series. Gill also led India to an ICC Champions Trophy win. However, his T20 International form saw him dropped from the squad. He carries these lessons into 2026.

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja is retiring from international cricket. His final match is the fifth Ashes test. Khawaja spoke about racial stereotyping he faced. He is the first Muslim to play for Australia. Khawaja had a strong late-career revival. He feels content with his career and hopes to have inspired people.

Thirteen Indian Super League clubs have informed the AIFF they may participate in the delayed 2025-26 season, but only if there are no participation fees and the federation covers organizational costs. They also requested a clear roadmap for financial sustainability and government support to ensure the league's viability.

Rishabh Pant's inconsistent form and lack of recent ODI opportunities raise questions about his place in the upcoming New Zealand series squad. Despite his potential, selectors face a dilemma with other in-form wicketkeepers and batsmen vying for spots, while bowling combinations are also being considered.

The year 2025 will forever be remembered as the season Indian women's cricket crossed its final frontier. From despair to dominance, from past scars to present glory, this World Cup triumph was not just a victory, it was a statement to the cricketing world.

The year 2025 brought incredible sporting triumphs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title. India's women's cricket team became world champions. Neeraj Chopra broke the 90-meter javelin mark. South Africa secured their maiden WTC title. Many other teams and athletes achieved historic milestones, ending decades of waiting for major trophies.

The year 2025 witnessed remarkable cricketing achievements. Shubman Gill led India with record-breaking performances. Jacob Duffy emerged as a top wicket-taker. Temba Bavuma captained South Africa to historic victories. Joe Root and Shai Hope displayed consistent batting prowess. Abhishek Sharma and Rachin Ravindra shone in T20s and ODIs respectively. Virat Kohli made a strong comeback.

Team India gears up for a demanding 2026 cricket calendar. The year begins with a series against New Zealand. The T20 World Cup, hosted in India, is a major focus. Following this, the team will participate in the IPL and embark on overseas tours to England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

India and New Zealand are set for an eight-match limited-overs series in January, featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. This series is crucial for India's preparations, with senior players returning to the ODI squad and the T20 side fine-tuning combinations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2026: Australia has announced a spin-heavy provisional squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, captained by Mitchell Marsh. The 15-member team includes key players like Pat Cummins and Cameron Green, with a strategic focus on spin for the expected slow pitches in Sri Lanka and India. Selectors prioritized balance and versatility, opting for Xavier Bartlett over a left-arm seamer.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Andre De Grasse has been named the international event ambassador for the 21st Tata Mumbai Marathon on January 18. De Grasse, a global athletics icon with seven Olympic medals, will bring his inspiration to the World Athletics Gold Label Race, highlighting the unifying power of sport.

Magnus Carlsen secured his ninth world blitz chess title in Doha. He faced a challenging field and admitted luck played a part. Carlsen defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final. Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi won a bronze medal. Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva claimed the women's blitz title.

2026 IPL full schedule, teams: The Indian Premier League 2026 will commence on March 26 and conclude on May 31. The auction saw record bids for players like Cameron Green and uncapped talents. Squads for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals have been revealed. The opening match venue remains uncertain.

The 54-year-old former right-hand batter had fallen ill in recent days, with Nine Newspapers reporting he is in an induced coma and fighting a bout of meningitis.

British boxing star Anthony Joshua was injured in a fatal highway crash in Nigeria, just ten days after defeating Jake Paul in a Netflix bout. The former heavyweight champion, who has a significant fan base and a decorated career including an Olympic gold medal, was in stable condition following the accident that claimed the lives of two friends.

India secured a dominant 15-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fifth T20I. This win completed a 5-0 whitewash for the Indian team. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 68 runs were crucial. Sri Lanka's chase fell short despite strong performances from their openers. India concluded their exceptional World Cup-winning year on a high note.

Deepti Sharma has achieved a significant milestone. She is now the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20 Internationals. Sharma surpassed Australia's Megan Schutt to claim this record. She continues to be the top-ranked bowler in the ICC rankings. Other Indian players like Renuka Singh Thakur and Shafali Verma have also seen positive movements in the rankings.

England has announced its provisional squad for the T20 World Cup. Batter Jamie Smith has been left out. Pacer Jofra Archer has been included despite a side strain. Archer's inclusion comes after his performance in the Ashes series. England's T20 World Cup campaign begins in February. The tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Indian mens cricket in 2025 was defined by success in white-ball formats, leadership transition, and setbacks in Tests. India won the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, adding to their limited-overs dominance, but lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and suffered a home Test whitewash against South Africa.

Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner narrowly missed a century, finishing on an unbeaten 99. His explosive innings helped his team post a strong total. Turner now joins an elite group of Big Bash League players who have been dismissed on 99 not out. This remarkable performance marks his fifteenth fifty in the tournament and takes him past 2,400 runs.

The Indian Olympic Association will host the inaugural National Athletes' Forum in Ahmedabad on January 10. This event aims to empower athletes in sports governance and accountability. Current and former athletes will engage in discussions on crucial issues. The forum seeks to translate athlete feedback into actionable reforms. This initiative marks a significant step towards athlete-centered decision-making in Indian sports.

Indian opener Shafali Verma has surged to sixth in the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings. Her recent half-centuries against Sri Lanka propelled her up the standings. Smriti Mandhana remains third, while Deepti Sharma leads the bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur also entered the top ten.

IND W vs SL W 5th T20I Playing XI: India Women aim for a clean sweep against Sri Lanka Women in the fifth T20I, having already secured the series 4-0. Sri Lanka, seeking to avoid a 5-0 loss, will target India's fielding lapses. Despite India's dominance, fielding concerns persist as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup.

Indian sportswomen dominated 2025 with historic wins in chess, cricket, shooting, and archery. Sheetal Devi became the first armless para world champion. Blind women's cricket team also won a world title. Men's cricket and hockey saw successes too. New sports laws and a Commonwealth Games bid were announced.

The Global Chess League (GCL) aims to make chess more engaging beyond its traditional, individual-focused format. Historically, chess has been a solitary, disciplined sport, respected but limited in broad emotional appeal. GCL introduces team-based franchises, faster formats, and digital innovations to retain the games intellectual integrity while making it more accessible and exciting for younger audiences.

The legacies of some of the biggest names were sealed as some once-elusive tasks/titles were ticked off, while some young rising talent just started writing their story as the torch-bearers of the next generation, who could lift on their shoulders hopes of their countrymen and take forward cricket as not only as a sport, but also a moolah-making, superstar-producing and glamorous industry it has turned into over the years.

Mumbai Indians have appointed Kristen Beams as their spin bowling coach for the upcoming 2026 Women's Premier League season. Beams, a former Australian leg-spinner, brings extensive playing and coaching experience. She expressed excitement about joining the team's winning culture and family environment. The Mumbai Indians, two-time champions, are preparing for the new season with a retained core and new additions.

India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's impressive podium streak concluded at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. Despite this, Chopra achieved a significant milestone by crossing the 90-meter mark for the first time in his career. He also secured victories and top finishes in various other prestigious events throughout the 2025 season, showcasing his continued dominance in the sport.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices. He cited immense demand and revenue generation for global football. Millions of ticket requests flooded in for the upcoming tournament. These revenues support football in 150 countries. Dubai will also host the FIFA Best Awards next year. The awards celebrate top players, coaches, and teams.

Indian football endured a difficult 2025. The sport saw administrative turmoil and the Indian Super League's suspension. Lionel Messi's tour faced chaos in Kolkata. The men's national team hit a historic low in FIFA rankings. However, the women's teams achieved significant qualifications for upcoming tournaments. Indian football looks to rebuild in 2026.

Mumbai dominated Chhattisgarh by nine wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Skipper Shardul Thakur took four wickets early. Shams Mulani also claimed five wickets. Chhattisgarh was bowled out for 142. Mumbai chased the target easily with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Siddhesh Lad scoring fifties. Mumbai topped Group C with this win.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will miss the third round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with both Delhi and Mumbai set to play without their biggest names as the domestic tournament continues on Monday. The two senior India players had committed to limited appearances in the competition, ruling them out of the upcoming round of league matches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian chess stars Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi. They both secured bronze medals at the FIDE Rapid Chess Championship in Doha. Arjun Erigaisi achieved his first bronze. Koneru Humpy also finished strongly in the women's section. The Prime Minister praised their achievements and dedication to the sport. The World Blitz Championship is now underway.

Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey has made history. The 22-year-old spinner took eight wickets in a T20 international match. He achieved this remarkable feat against Myanmar. Yeshey's performance helped Bhutan secure an 82-run victory. This sets a new record for the most wickets taken by a bowler in this format. The previous record was seven wickets.

Smriti Mandhana has reached a significant milestone, scoring 10,000 runs in international cricket. She is the fourth woman and second Indian player to achieve this feat. Mandhana's performance in the recent T20I against Sri Lanka was instrumental in India's victory. She emphasized the importance of starting fresh in every match.

Indian cricket saw a year of highs and lows in 2025. The women's team achieved a historic World Cup victory. The men's team dominated white-ball cricket, winning key tournaments. However, the men's Test team suffered a significant home series defeat. The IPL and WPL continued their financial success. The year highlighted both achievements and areas needing improvement.

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar believes Ravi Shastri could lead England's cricket team to success. Shastri's proven track record in building winning units, especially against Australia, makes him a strong candidate. Panesar highlighted India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins under Shastri's guidance.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains passionate and motivated to reach his 1,000 career goal target, currently sitting at 956. After being named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, the Portuguese forward expressed his desire to continue playing for one or two more years, emphasizing his enjoyment of the game regardless of location and his ambition to win trophies.

Pakistan has recalled allrounder Shadab Khan for the upcoming T20 series in Sri Lanka, while uncapped batter Khawaja Nafay also earned a maiden call-up. The selectors are using a rotation policy ahead of the T20 World Cup, resting key players like Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The media reports of Laxman being approached to become India's next Test coach has been doing the rounds since yesterday. The news comes just a few weeks after India suffered a 0-2 Test whitewash to South Africa at home under Gautam Gambhir, their second whitewash in back-to-back years following a humiliating 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year under the same coach, which marked India's first Test series loss at home since 12 years and starting of crumbling of India's great Test empire, guarded we

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated India's sporting triumphs in 2025. The Men's Cricket team secured the ICC Champions Trophy. The Women's Cricket team won their maiden World Cup. Para-athletes achieved significant success at the World Para Athletics Championships. The Women's Blind T20 World Cup was also won. These victories marked a memorable year for Indian sports.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground curator is in shock after a two-day Ashes Test. Excessive grass on the pitch led to a rapid collapse of wickets. This resulted in a massive financial shortfall for Cricket Australia. Many fans had their tickets refunded. This is the first time in 129 years that two Ashes Tests have ended so quickly.

The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2025 concluded in Mumbai, showcasing India's growing ambition in exporting sports formats. While online viewership booms, the article explores the contrasting live experiences of chess events, from the quiet intensity of the FIDE World Cup in Goa to the energetic spectacle of the GCL, highlighting the evolving nature of the sport.