The Times of India

India take on Uruguay in an important FIFA friendly in Kolkata, with both sides looking to gain valuable experience and momentum. As the teams prepare for the clash, there is plenty at stake ahead of the highly anticipated international fixture.

In the sixth instalment of TimesofIndia.com's series looking back at India's medal-winning campaigns at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Koneru Humpy opens up about playing through illness to help the women's team win bronze. The 39-year-old reveals how diarrhoea and stomach pain forced her to take medicines and play almost every day. Humpy also discusses the physical demands of playing 10 of 11 rounds, Vaishali's struggles, her busiest stretch of the season and what lies ahead.

More than 100 women gathered at the Kyoto City Budo Centre to practice sumo wrestling. Despite historic resistance, female participation in sumo is increasing, with over 600 women involved in various clubs. The Japan Sumo Association does not recognise women's sumo, leaving many to rely on private clubs for training. Coaches and athletes express hope for future Olympic inclusion as they work to build awareness.

The ECB could provide financial support to Cricket West Indies to ensure Englands women play a Test in the Caribbean next spring. The match is viewed as vital preparation for the 2027 Ashes, with England seeking more red-ball cricket. Despite CWIs financial difficulties and recent cost-cutting measures, the Test and wider multi-format tour remain on schedule.

In a stunning display of skill, India's U17 women's team triumphed over Iraq with a jaw-dropping 14-0 victory in their qualifiers. Anushka Kumari shone brightly as the star of the match, scoring five goals and clinching the Player of the Match accolade. Abhista Basnett was instrumental as well, netting two goals and highlighting the team's cohesive efforts. After a brief pause due to weather, the team quickly regained their momentum.

Sir Alex Ferguson built dynasties from Aberdeen to Old Trafford, while Pep Guardiola has spent his career managing footballs richest and most powerful institutions. With Manchester Citys financial breaches and Barcelonas Negreira affair now part of the historical record, the old debate over who was the greater manager looks increasingly lopsided.

Sahibzada Farhan is set to captain Pakistan's T20I team in the much-anticipated series against Sri Lanka beginning October 9. The three matches will be hosted at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium over consecutive days. Notably, former captain Salman Ali Agha has been omitted from the T20I setup but will retain his place in the ODI lineup, where Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue leading the team during the upcoming trilateral series.

Daniil Medvedev's China Open semifinal ended abruptly due to his disqualification for hitting a spectator. The incident occurred while he was trailing Novak Djokovic 5-7, 3-5 during the match. Djokovic expressed shock and sympathy for both Medvedev and the injured fan following the event. Earlier in the day, Alex de Minaur advanced to the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired due to injury.

Morne Morkel highlights the significance of young athletes absorbing knowledge from their veteran counterparts. While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn't make a notable mark at the Asian Games, his involvement with the team will enhance his growth. Morkel believes that fostering a conducive atmosphere is essential for development, regardless of on-field activity.

India head coach Khalid Jamil reflects on the lessons from the Brazil defeat and discusses the challenge ahead of the Uruguay friendly. Jamil stresses the need for concentration, recovery and a strong performance against a physically and tactically strong Uruguay side.

Indian wrestlers shone at the Asian Games, clinching six medals and aiming for Olympic success. A standout performance saw Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal grab gold in their categories. Nitesh Siwach made a triumphant comeback with silver, while Deepak Punia took bronze in a new weight class. Antim Panghal secured silver, showing improvement, and Sunil Kumar etched his name in history with a second medal.

In a bid to boost attendance at the upcoming friendly match between India and Uruguay, ticket prices have plummeted from Rs 1,999 to just Rs 199 for select seats. This move follows a lackluster turnout during the Brazil match, which left many seats empty. Furthermore, organisers will distribute around 22,000 complimentary tickets to spectators from a recent event, aiming for a more festive atmosphere at this crucial clash in Kolkata.

India's archers returned from the Asian Games with a record tally of medals and Olympic qualifications. The compound and recurve teams showcased impressive performances, leading to significant victories. A number of young athletes contributed to the success, demonstrating a narrowing gap with global competitors. The systematic preparations and supportive structures played a vital role in their achievements.

Uttar Pradesh are set to split their captaincy and coaching responsibilities between red-ball and white-ball cricket. Aryan Juyal and Gyanendra Pandey will lead the Ranji setup, while Karan Sharma and Sudip Tyagi will handle the white-ball teams. Yash Dayal, Zeeshan Ansari and Abhinandan Singh are among the notable names in the Ranji squad.

Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma are optimistic about the potential of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Indian cricket. They emphasise the need for interaction outside cricket to help Sooryavanshi feel comfortable. Iyer acknowledges the challenge of balancing winning and experimentation in upcoming matches against the West Indies. Abhishek highlights the responsibility of senior players to support the young talent during his rise.

In India's third ODI against the West Indies, Rohit Sharma displayed remarkable skill by scoring 92 runs amid challenging conditions. Following a string of early dismissals, he adopted a cautious approach before stepping on the gas. Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik hailed Rohit's experience as vital for upcoming international matches, particularly in South Africa, showcasing how seasoned players can thrive under pressure.

Asian Games gold medallist Lovlina Borgohain reflects on her special triumph, winning gold on her birthday after a silver medal at the previous Asian Games. The boxer discusses her World Championships qualification, Olympic ambitions, comeback from tough phases, mental strength and the growing confidence of Indian boxing.

India and the West Indies were fined for slow over-rates in the third ODI, with India penalised 20 per cent and the visitors 10 per cent of their match fees. Both captains accepted the charges. West Indies ended the series on a high, chasing 352 behind Shai Hopes unbeaten 162. The teams now turn to the five-match T20I series.

KL Rahul is sharpening his batting techniques against an older ball, focusing on his contributions during the middle overs. After an impressive 129 runs, he shared insights about the challenges faced with a softer ball that begins to reverse swing. With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, he emphasizes the need for India's middle order to elevate their scores to over 350.

With the India A series overlapping with the T20Is and ODIs, selectors face a delicate balancing act in New Zealand. Several Test regulars could feature in the A games, while Jasprit Bumrah's workload and the composition of the Test squad will be major talking points.

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 Tendulkars long-standing record.

A bizarre incident in the Canada's premier T10 cricket league semi-final saw Ali Khans wide bouncer clear the boundary, but Toronto Sixers received only five runs. Under MCC laws, a ball not hit by the bat counts as four, plus one for the wide. Toronto beat Mississauga Masters by nine runs and reached the final, where they will face Vancouver Anchors.

In the fifth instalment of TimesofIndia.com's series on India's medal-winning Chess Olympiad campaigns in Samarkand, R Praggnanandhaa reflects on India's silver-medal finish and his individual bronze. The 21-year-old discusses battling illness, missed winning chances, the decisive defeat to Uzbekistan, the team's resilience, his recovery from the Candidates disappointment, and much more.

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has left the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return after the 41-year-old left the squad last week. Jesus said the decision is Ronaldos, while federation president Pedro Proenca backed the captain and called the episode a misunderstanding. Ronaldo remains Portugals record scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

English fast bowler Craig Miles has retired from professional cricket at 32 to prioritise his mental health. The Gloucestershire pacer, who last played in June, ends a 15-year career with more than 500 wickets. Miles said mounting pressure, self-doubt and high expectations made continuing difficult. He reflected proudly on his career, while Gloucestershire praised his courage and backed his decision.