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Australian tennis coach Todd Clark praises the Khelo India initiative for giving Indian teenagers a sense of purpose and opportunities in sports, potentially leading to careers. He believes the games promote health, wellness, and infrastructure development, while also highlighting the need for better talent identification and sport counseling in India.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opted out of the upcoming IPL mini-auctions, ending his long association with the tournament. Despite being a destructive hitter, his recent form and declining demand among franchises led to this personal decision. Maxwell expressed gratitude for the league's impact on his career and personal growth.

IPL Mini- Auction 2026: The Indian Premier League 2026 mini-auction is set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Over 1,300 players have registered. Notable Indian names are listed. Overseas talent from various countries is also included. Glenn Maxwell has decided not to participate this year. Forty-five players are in the highest base price bracket of two crore rupees.

Bangladesh and Ireland face off in a thrilling series decider on Tuesday, with the T20I contest locked at 1-1. Following a dramatic comeback win, Bangladesh aims to leverage home advantage and squad depth. Ireland, however, seeks a significant confidence boost ahead of the T20 World Cup, making this a must-watch encounter.

India eyes a series win against South Africa in the second ODI. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's strong performances are key. The team faces challenges with batting order adjustments. South Africa showed resilience in the first match. Both teams are preparing for future tournaments. The match takes place in Raipur.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed relief as key players Pedri and Frenkie de Jong return from injury and personal reasons respectively, ahead of a crucial match against Atletico Madrid. Despite being top of La Liga, Flick acknowledged the team needs to improve their form and potential, though Ronald Araujo remains sidelined.

Marco Jansen is emerging as a top fast-bowling all-rounder for South Africa. He is now a valuable asset with both bat and ball. Jansen's bowling offers steep bounce and movement. His batting has improved significantly, rescuing the team from tough spots. He recently scored 93 against India in a Test. His contributions are vital in all formats of the game.

The Odisha Cricket Association has offered the first ticket for the India versus South Africa T20 match to Lord Jagannath. This gesture seeks divine blessings for the smooth conduct of the game. The ticket was placed at the deity's feet in Puri. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also purchased tickets for the upcoming international cricket match.

Virat Kohli's dedication to cricket remains strong even at 38. Former South African pacer Dale Steyn praised Kohli's unmatched commitment. Kohli's 52nd ODI century against South Africa shows his ODI game is unaffected. He remains mentally young and eager to play for India.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has strongly defended Virat Kohli's position in the ODI team. Kotak stated that discussions about Kohli's future are unnecessary given his excellent form and fitness. He highlighted Kohli's crucial role and contributions to the team.

Virat Kohli has put an end to speculation about a Test cricket return. He confirmed he is only playing one format of the game. Rumours had suggested the BCCI might ask him and others to reconsider their Test retirements. Kohli recently scored a century in an ODI against South Africa, showing his continued form.

The ODI series kicked off with a thrilling victory for India in Ranchi, where they outlasted South Africa by 17 runs. Pacer Prasidh Krishna was the hero of the hour, displaying grit in the tense final over. Indias bowlers managed to dismiss South Africa for 332, while Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the star, bagging four wickets.

Virat Kohli achieved a significant milestone during the India versus South Africa ODI match. He scored his 52nd century, becoming the first player to reach this number in a single format. This remarkable feat places him ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 51 Test hundreds. Kohli now stands alone as the only batter to surpass 50 centuries in one format.

The 37-year-old Russell, who has been an integral part of of the KKR side since IPL 2014, will join their coaching staff as a power coach ahead of the 2026 edition for which an auction will be held in Abu Dhabi. He played a total of 140 matches in the IPL and scored 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18 with 12 fifties.

Abhishek Sharma hit a blistering 148 off 52 balls against Bengal. His innings powered Punjab to 310-5, the fourth highest T20 total. Sharma reached his century in just 32 balls. He also set a new Indian record for most T20 sixes in a calendar year. This performance strengthens his case for the T20 World Cup squad.

IND vs SA 1st ODI Live: India aims to bounce back in the ODI series opener against South Africa in Ranchi today. Led by KL Rahul, the Men in Blue will heavily rely on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Fans anticipate Yashasvi Jaiswal's potential ODI debut, while Quinton de Kock poses a significant threat for the visitors.

Former tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are seen enjoying the sport again. Nadal played with a young player from his academy. Williams shared moments with her daughters on the court. Roger Federer also hit balls at Wimbledon. These glimpses show their pure love for tennis, away from the competitive spotlight.

Arsenal, leading the Premier League by six points, travels to face Chelsea. This top-of-the-table clash holds the power to either intensify the title race or make it a one-sided affair. Arsenal is on a strong unbeaten run. Chelsea, despite a squad costing over a billion, is considered to be developing. Cole Palmer's return boosts Chelsea's chances.

Videos of India players going to meet or emerging from meeting Mahendra Sigh Dhoni did the rounds on social media. While Dhoni is still in the mix for Chennai Super Kings, he slammed the door firmly shut on international cricket a while ago, his last appearance being more than five years ago. The aura of Dhoni in limitedovers cricket remains undiminished because he began as a top-order bat who hit the ball ferociously to all parts and ended as the finisher who knew how to work the ones and twos

Piastri's sprint win gave him eight points with seven going to Mercedes driver George Russell in second place. The championship leader Norris took six points for his third-place finish, and Verstappen got five for finishing fourth.

Ahmedabad is set for a significant transformation. Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games will drive major infrastructure upgrades. The real estate and hospitality sectors will see strong growth. New jobs will be created. This development also strengthens Ahmedabad's bid for the 2036 Olympics. The city is preparing for a bright future.

Pickleball and padel are rapidly growing in India, driven by their social nature and ease of play. Urban millennials, professionals, and families are embracing these sports, with corporates increasingly using them for wellness and team-building. Infrastructure and equipment costs vary, with pickleball being more affordable and padel positioned as a premium offering.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will not participate in the 2026 IPL auction after a 14-season stint, opting for a new challenge in the Pakistan Super League. Du Plessis, who won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, expressed gratitude for his time in India and looks forward to experiencing Pakistani hospitality and a new league.

India stormed into the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final after a dominant 14-3 win over Canada, driven by a four-goal performance from Jugraj Singh. India led 4-1 in the first quarter and kept building through steady conversions, with Rajinder, Rohidas, Dilpreet, Karthi, Sanjay and Abhishek also scoring. Canada managed three goals, but Indias young squad controlled the game throughout.

India begin a three-match ODI series against South Africa on Sunday with several unresolved selection questions and the high-profile returns of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With only six ODIs scheduled over the next two months, these games serve as an early but important audition that could influence their chances for the 2027 World Cup.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicks off on January 9 with a Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash. Franchisees have finalized their squads after a mega auction, promising a thrilling season. All five teams, including Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz, have their playing rosters set.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 will commence on January 9 with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The BCCI has released the full schedule for the 22-match tournament, which will be held across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara from January 9 to February 5, 2026.

Iran will skip next weeks 2026 World Cup draw in Washington after the U.S. denied visas to members of its delegation, state media reported. An Iranian football federation spokesperson said the visa hurdles went beyond sports matters. The federation has contacted FIFA in hopes of resolving the issue.

After a tough Test series setback, Indias bowling mentor Morne Morkel highlighted the urgency of pivoting towards white-ball formats. He observed the growing confidence in the South African side, conveying that to turn the tide, a solid start in the upcoming ODI series is crucial for re-establishing their competitive edge.

Ayush Mhatre will lead the Indian U19 team in the upcoming Asia Cup in Dubai. Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a key player. The tournament runs from December 12-21. It serves as preparation for the U19 World Cup. India faces a qualifier and Pakistan in their opening matches.

Ahmedabad is accelerating infrastructure development, including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, following its selection to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. This ambitious push is also a strategic step towards a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, aiming to transform the city into India's sporting hub.

The Indian women's cricket team will face Sri Lanka in a five-match T20I series from December 21 to 30 in Visakhapatnam and Trivandrum. This marks the 'Women in Blue's' first series after their ODI World Cup triumph. The schedule was announced by the BCCI following the postponement of a series against Bangladesh.

Having retained Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, Delhi Capitals further strengthened their Indian core by signing N.and Sneh Rana, making it four players from India's recent World Cup triumph in the squad.

The India round was dropped from the calendar after the opening race in Hyderabad in 2023 following a change in government in Telangana.

The WPL once again will be played in a caravan model, with the first half the tournament will be played at the DY Patil Stadium, the same venue where India lifted the women's ODI World Cup earlier this month

UP Warriorz retained star all-rounder Deepti Sharma for 3.2 crore at Thursdays Womens Premier League (WPL) mega auction in New Delhi, using their Right to Match (RTM) card. An intense bidding war with Delhi Capitals saw the price rise from her base of 50 lakh before UP Warriorz matched the final bid.

Sports for Life (SFL) has secured 21.57 crore in Series A funding led by Fireside Ventures and Genesia Ventures. The investment will fuel SFL's expansion to more cities, enhance its multi-sport academy network, and bolster its technology for personalized youth sports development. The company aims to build a trusted, accessible grassroots sports ecosystem for children across India.

India's formidable home record in Test cricket has been broken. Recent losses to New Zealand and South Africa have shaken the team's aura of invincibility. Fans and commentators are expressing concern over the team's performance, especially against spin.

The Women's Premier League faces a dramatic shift with new retention rules forcing franchises to release top players like Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma. This deepens the auction pool significantly, promising fierce bidding wars. Teams are prioritizing balance and long-term strategy, leading to unexpected exits and a more unpredictable mega auction.

The Perth Stadium pitch received a 'very good' rating from the ICC after the first Ashes Test between Australia and England concluded in just two days. Pace bowlers dominated the match. Australia secured an eight-wicket victory. Travis Head played a key role with a rapid century.

Following a Test series loss, Team India aims for a strong comeback against South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting November 30, 2025. KL Rahul will captain the side in the absence of injured Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to be key players.

The WPL 2026 auctions are poised for a high-stakes bidding war in New Delhi, with 277 players vying for 73 spots. Franchises with significant purses, like UP Warriorz, are set to target key overseas batters. Players such as Laura Wolvaardt, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr, and Phoebe Litchfield are expected to command intense interest, potentially shaping team compositions.

The Women's Premier League 2026 auctions begin soon. Teams will bid for top players, with a focus on bowlers. UP Warriorz holds the largest budget for the event. Several Indian bowlers are expected to attract significant attention from franchises. This auction promises high stakes as teams aim to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.

As the WPL 2026 auction approaches, several Indian batters are poised to attract significant bids. Pratika Rawal's World Cup heroics and domestic form, Deepti Sharma's all-round prowess, Harleen Deol's consistent WPL performances, Kiran Navgire's explosive hitting potential, and Disha Kasat's all-round domestic record highlight the talent pool.

The Women's Premier League is set for a significant commercial boost. New partner agreements for the 2026 and 2027 seasons are valued at Rs 48 crore. ChatGPT and Kingfisher join as Premier Partners. CEAT renews its association, and Bisleri comes on board as Beverage Partner. These developments highlight the league's growing commercial strength and global appeal.

Gautam Gambhir expressed frustration over India's heavy Test defeat, hinting at Rishabh Pant's 'playing to the gallery' approach. Despite avoiding individual blame, Gambhir stressed the need for greater care for the team and red-ball cricket, citing mental and technical improvements required. He also pointed to scheduling challenges impacting preparation.

Max Verstappen triumphed at the dazzling Las Vegas Grand Prix, claiming his second victory in just four races. This win reignites his championship hopes as he closes the gap to the top of the standings. Lando Norris took home a commendable second place, with George Russell rounding out the podium in third.

Travis Head delivered a stunning performance in the fourth innings. He scored a match-winning 123 runs off 83 balls. This century was the fastest in the fourth innings of a Test match. Head's innings broke a long-standing record. He also achieved the highest strike rate in a successful Test run chase. Head expressed that the moment felt special.