The Times of India

What should children get out of sport a professional career, or something more fundamental? Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes challenges the pressure to treat sport as an investment, arguing that a healthy, active child is already a meaningful return.On Bombay Sport Exchange, host K. Shriniwas Rao speaks with Rhodes about sporting culture in India and South Africa, the role of parents in a child's development, and the habits that help athletes succeed. Drawing on his experience as an i

Alexander Zverev has made history by clinching the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the very first time. His remarkable journey to the top was amplified by Carlos Alcaraz's surprising defeat at the Shanghai Masters. Zverev's stellar season includes his inaugural Grand Slam triumphs at both the French Open and US Open.

Due to an unfortunate injury obtained in the Irani Cup, Rishabh Pant will miss the first two matches of India's tour to New Zealand. Kumar Kushagra has stepped in as his substitute. Starting October 24, India will engage in three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. Captain Dhruv Jurel will helm the squad, filled with experienced talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his Al-Nassr return, taking his career tally to 980 goals, while Portugal have made clear they want their captain back. Despite the disciplinary proceedings following his camp exit, Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus have left the door open for a reunion. With Novembers fixtures approaching, will Ronaldo return to Portugal after the fallout?

India's participation in the Asian Champions Trophy will proceed without traditional rivals Pakistan, which has withdrawn. Bangladesh will replace Pakistan in the tournament, altering the competitive dynamics among the teams. Suraj Karkera expressed that the intense rivalry's absence will be missed but emphasized the team's focus on performance. The tournament is scheduled from October 27 to November 5 across Jalandhar and Mohali in Punjab.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is the greatest footballer ever, insisting his 980 career goals speak for themselves as he closes in on the 1,000-goal milestone. Despite disciplinary proceedings following his departure from Portugals camp, the federation wants him back for Novembers fixtures. Meanwhile, Ronaldo continues scoring for Al-Nassr, leaving fans wondering when he will finally reach four figures.

During the thrilling third T20I against West Indies, Abhishek Sharma crossed the impressive landmark of 2,000 runs. With an explosive 69 from just 30 deliveries, he played a pivotal role in granting India a 2-1 series edge. Former cricketer Ajinkya Rahane lauded Abhishek's remarkable adaptability and relentless aggression at the crease.

BCCI has confirmed that the opening ODI match against Sri Lanka will indeed take place in Delhi on December 13, despite speculation about possible changes due to construction at Arun Jaitley Stadium. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reassured fans that no decision to relocate the match has been reached. Following this match, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will host the subsequent games until December 27.

Naman Dhir, primarily recognised as a batting all-rounder, has made a significant impact with his bowling, particularly in a recent T20I match against the West Indies where he secured two important wickets. He attributes his bowling success to his keen understanding of batting techniques. While he still prioritises his batting skills, Dhir is dedicated to enhancing his bowling contributions, prioritizing enjoyment in his cricket journey.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken the decisive step to relocate President's Trophy matches amidst ongoing political unrest. With governor's rule now imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, several matches planned for that area are being moved. While Peshawar and Abbottabad's fixtures are affected, games will continue in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Starting October 14, matches will be held in Sheikhupura and Lahore, illustrating how political issues are shaping the domestic cricket landscape.

Abhishek Sharma speaks about Indias aggressive approach against West Indies, his preparation to tackle bowlers plans, the importance of big overs and his batting partnership with Ishan Kishan.

Nathan McSweeney used YouTube videos of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to prepare for the challenge of batting against spin in India. His preparation proved effective as the Australia A batter topped the run charts in the one-day series against India A, helping his team secure a 2-1 win in Puducherry.

Tilak Varma achieved a significant milestone by making 50 catches in T20Is against West Indies. This accomplishment makes him the fifth Indian fielder to reach this landmark. His efficiency is notable, with a dismissals-per-innings ratio of 0.757, the best among Indian players. In the match, he was involved in an unusual run-out but contributed 28 runs. India eventually won the match by 14 runs, leading the series 2-1.

Abhishek Sharma's dynamic performance with a blistering 69 runs played a crucial role in propelling India to a total against the West Indies. With determined bowling efforts, India successfully limited the visitors to 209 runs, clinching the match by 14 runs. West Indies all-rounder Shamar Springer mentioned their strategy to curb Sharma's aggressive play. Despite facing tough opposition, India showcased resilience, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series.

India's U17 women's football team has etched its name in history once again by securing a spot in their second consecutive Womens Asian Cup. They dominated in the AFC qualifiers, thrashing Malaysia 4-0. Key contributions came from Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Pritika Barman, Anushka Kumari, and Nidhi, who collectively showcased the extraordinary talent emerging in women's football in India with 20 goals throughout the tournament.

Dilip Vengsarkar has voiced his concerns about the BCCI scheduling an India A tour during the Ranji Trophy season. He argues that this decision diminishes the prestige of the domestic tournament, as domestic players' performances might lose value with top players being diverted to the India A team. Vengsarkar advocates for an earlier acclimatisation trip for the main team instead.

India captain Shreyas Iyer praised his bowlers for their confident approach and clear plans after the team defeated the West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I at Holkar Stadium on Sunday. The victory gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. India successfully defended a target of 224, restricting the West Indies to 209/7. Arshdeep Singh took three wickets, while Naman Dhir picked up two scalps to help India stop the visitors from completing another successful chase.

Smith reached the landmark on Day 3 when he caught David Bedingham off Pat Cummins' bowling

Ravichandran Ashwin criticized Shai Hope's decision to keep Akeal Hosein bowling during the PowerPlay. Sanju Samson capitalized on this, scoring 82 runs off 41 balls. Despite India's strong batting performance, the West Indies managed to chase down 249 runs successfully. Shai Hope's unbeaten century led his team to level the series at 1-1. The upcoming matches could continue to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by bowlers.

Rahmat Shah became the first Afghan cricketer to score a century on his Test captaincy debut, making 105 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. However, Afghanistan were bowled out for 240, trailing Bangladeshs first-innings total of 346 by 106 runs. Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud claimed a hat-trick and five wickets, becoming the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to achieve a Test hat-trick.

Matt Renshaw showcased his extraordinary talent by scoring 190 runs in a thrilling match against South Africa. With Australia struggling at 124/6, he rallied by combining for 174 runs with lower-order batsmen, including a spectacular 134-run partnership with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket. This remarkable innings was pivotal in Australia's total of 390 all out, as South Africa responded with 27/1 at day's end.

India's T20I bowling performance has declined in 2026 when Jasprit Bumrah is absent from the team. Without him, India's average has increased notably, and they are struggling to take wickets. The ongoing T20I series against the West Indies has highlighted these challenges, particularly on batting-friendly surfaces. Additionally, India's fielding issues, including dropped catches, are compounding their problems.

Suresh Raina expressed optimism about Mohammed Shami's potential return to the national team. After Bhuvneshwar Kumar's successful comeback, Raina highlighted Shami's strong domestic performances. Despite concerns regarding Shami's IPL statistics, Raina remains confident in his abilities. Bhuvneshwar's recent contributions illustrate how discipline can lead to opportunities in international cricket. Raina noted that Shami is closely following Kumar's path to making a return.