The Times of India

After more than two years out of the Indian team, Mukesh Kumar is back on the selectors radar following his selection for India As tour of New Zealand. The Bengal pacer discusses rediscovering his rhythm, improving his fitness and seam position, managing the demands of a packed cricket calendar, and his determination to fight his way back into the national setup.

Nana Patekar, renowned actor, passed away at the age of 75 after a cardiac arrest at his residence. Former cricketer Basit Ali shared heartfelt memories of his enduring friendship with Patekar throughout the years. Ali recalled how Patekar supported him during difficult times, including his mother's illness and his own health issues. Tributes from the Pakistani cricket fraternity, including Umar Akmal, honored Patekar's legacy and contributions.

After lackluster performances in the T20I series against the West Indies, Sanju Samson is under fire from critics. Aakash Chopra advises against dropping him for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, asserting that Samson's previous accomplishments merit further chances. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy's entry into the squad is debated but seems unlikely imminently. The talks surrounding India's opening combination will likely persist as long as performance concerns remain.

Pranavi Urs, 1st Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games golf gold, wants to bring more attention to a sport she believes is still misunderstood in India. From the rise of women's golf, influence of Aditi Ashok to the support system behind her career, Pranavi speaks on what the medal can do for the sport, overcoming a final-round setback and her belief that an LET title will eventually come.

Ishan Kishan is returning to his hometown of Ranchi, ready to take on the West Indies in the second T20I. This match offers a golden opportunity for Kishan to demonstrate his skill and confidence. The batting coach of India highlighted their unwavering fearless attitude towards the game. With selection decisions on bowlers and batting spots pending, players are eager to impress.

The BCCI's Centre of Excellence reported a rise in rehabilitated players, with 32 men undergoing treatment recently. A budget increase of nearly Rs 35 crore was allocated for injury management and rehabilitation. Soft-tissue injuries predominated among the cases, with notable players affected. Communication issues between Team India and the CoE's Sports Science Medicine team have been highlighted.

The young batter went on an attacking spree in the nets, repeatedly hitting the ball over the boundary and towards the stands. With every big hit, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed why he has become one of the most talked-about young batters in the Indian squad.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has played down concerns that Usman Khawajas upcoming autobiography could bring fresh attention to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate. Australia are returning to South Africa for the first time since the scandal. The three-Test series begins at Kingsmead on Friday, but Cummins said the incident had already been dealt with and the team had moved on.

Abhishek Sharma is on the brink of achieving a remarkable milestone, needing just 53 runs to cross 2,000 T20I runs during the second T20I against West Indies. With a chance to eclipse Suryakumar Yadav's record for the fastest attainment of this feat, Sharma's current high strike rate demonstrates his game-changing prowess.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 12 is scheduled from March 18 to May 2, 2027, aligning with IPL 2027. The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed this timeline while maintaining the eight-team format. Notably, last season saw overseas players opted out in favor of IPL contracts, impacting the league's dynamics. In a fresh approach, this season will implement a player auction, enhancing fan engagement and building on last years success.

In this episode of Bombay Sport Exchange, Times Internet's Head of Content (Sports) K Shriniwas Rao speaks to sports lawyers Aahna Mehrotra and Riya Sharma as they take a deep dive into the business of Indian sport and question the growing tendency to package every sport as the next big league.From the economics of sports leagues and the pressure to replicate the IPL model to celebrity culture, foreign-player exposure and the sustainability of competitions, this conversation examines what it re

On October 13, officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will evaluate India's performance at the Asian Games. The nation secured far fewer medals than in previous tournaments, prompting a detailed review of financial allocations and the performance of seasoned athletes who fell short of expectations. Additionally, the existence of injuries before the Games has raised questions about the overall fairness of the competing teams.

At 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in Indias T20I setup, four years after his last international appearance. His recall followed a 28-wicket IPL season for RCB and a strong UP T20 campaign, but the numbers tell only part of the story. His strength and conditioning coach reveals how Bhuvneshwar cut his body fat from 19% to 14%, spent up to seven hours a day training and rebuilt his fitness to force his way back.

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 ORomeo, showcasing his enduring talent in the industry.

Naman Dhir had scored 318 runs in IPL 2026 but did not bowl a single over during the tournament. His international debut showed that he can offer India another option with the ball. Former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Dhirs emergence could seriously hurt Washington Sundars chances in white-ball cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin asserts that Bhuvneshwar Kumars display in New Zealand might have a significant impact on his chances for World Cup selection. Having last participated in an ODI in 2022, Bhuvneshwar is set to make his return to international cricket. His capacity to swing the ball could enhance India's bowling lineup for next years championship.

Wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel has been included in Bengal's squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy match. He was previously arrested on allegations of rape but has since been granted bail. The team has named a strong squad with senior pacers Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep included. Bengal's match against Delhi is set to take place in Kalyani to mark the season opener.

Facing a troubling drop in performance, with no scores exceeding 30 in his last ten T20I outings, Shreyas Iyer turned to Abhishek Nayar for help. Their two-hour conversation revolved around critical adjustments to Iyer's batting style. The results were evident as Iyer responded with a stellar 102 not out in the first T20I against West Indies, underscoring his tenacity and capacity to rebound from tough situations.

Pedro Rodriguez bids farewell to football after an illustrious 20-year journey, celebrated at clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea, where he amassed numerous trophies. A member of the victorious Spanish team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012, he leaves behind a legacy of 794 club appearances and 197 goals. His retirement follows closely behind that of Lionel Messi, signaling the closure of a golden chapter in the sport.

Gary Lineker expressed his sadness over the conclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo's international journey, contrasting it with Lionel Messi's heartfelt farewell with Argentina. While Messi received an emotional send-off, Ronaldo's exit was steeped in controversy. Lineker advocates for a more fitting tribute to Ronaldo's legacy, recognising his significant impact on football.

Following inflammatory comments from football players, South Korea is rethinking its policy on military service exemptions for athletes. This reevaluation comes amidst public outcry over the equity of the existing regulations. Culture and Sports Minister Chae Hwi-young noted a shift in societal attitudes towards military service, leading the Defence Ministry to explore removing additional service requirements for athletes.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has urged the US Embassy in New Delhi to reconsider the cases. It has also requested the Embassy to grant visas to the wrestlers who are scheduled to appear for their appointments on Thursday.

India is set to unveil 'Rising Together' as its vision for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted how sports can significantly transform the nations future. The Indian Olympic Association, under the leadership of PT Usha, is thrilled at the chance to harness the vibrant energy of India.