The Times of India

As New Zealand gear up to face India in the upcoming T20I series, focus shifts to young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Jacob Duffy acknowledges Sooryavanshi's impressive hitting skills exhibited during the IPL. The series kicks off in Christchurch, where bowlers may find a bit of an advantage. Duffy wishes for conditions that level the playing field, and all eyes will be on how Sooryavanshi adjusts to these challenges.

Team India arrive in New Zealand as the build-up to a long cricket tour begins. Watch the Indian stars touch down ahead of the IND vs NZ series.

Legends of Indian cricket, including Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir, took to social media to convey their warm Vijayadashami wishes, emphasising themes of valor and ethical righteousness. Suryakumar Yadav joined the festivities, advocating for universal peace. Known as Dussehra, this occasion celebrates the victory of Bhagwan Shri Ram over Ravana, prompting reflection on ones own shortcomings and the necessity to challenge societal evils.

Sheetal Devi and Swati Chaudhary are set to bring home at least two medals for India from the Asian Para Games. Sheetal triumphed over Japan's Shinohara Aya to secure her spot in the finals of the women's compound event. Meanwhile, Swati defeated South Korea's Lee Eunhee to advance in the women's W1 category. Both archers now have their sights set on clinching gold amidst continuing fierce competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo's walkout from Portugal's national team camp has resulted in a suspension and fine. The Portuguese Football Federation deemed the punishment adequate after his admission of wrongdoing. The disagreement arose during the Nations League campaign concerning his playing time and the coach's assurances. Ronaldo is expected to return for the next match against Denmark after serving part of his suspension.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a talented 15-year-old cricketer, is still waiting for his big break in the Indian senior team. Despite his impressive glimpses, established players like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma keep taking the spots. Former spinner Murali Kartik believes in the current squad and encourages Sooryavanshi to keep working hard for when his chance finally comes.

Deepthi Jeevanji won the gold medal in the women's 400m T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 after producing a superb performance in the final. Deepthi clocked 56.36 seconds to finish on top of the podium.

India's para archer Sheetal Devi broke a seven-year-old world record by scoring 149 in the women's compound elimination round at the Asian Para Games 2026. Sheetal surpassed the previous record of 148, set by Jessica Stretton, during her pre-quarterfinal match against Chan Yuen.

Bhavina Patel won a bronze medal in the women's singles Class 4-5 table tennis event at the Asian Para Games 2026. She lost in the semi-finals to Zhang Bian of China, finishing her singles campaign. Previously, Bhavina was the flag bearer for India at these Games. Her notable achievements include winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics and gold at the Commonwealth Games.

The weekend unrest in France led to severe vandalism and looting at Olympique de Marseille and Lille. Marseille's official store on La Canebire was damaged and will remain closed for repairs, while Lille's downtown store also suffered extensive vandalism and is closed until further notice. Both clubs have condemned these acts, expressing solidarity with their employees and supporters as authorities launch cleanup operations and impose restrictions.

India impressed on the opening day of the Asian Para Games 2026, clinching a remarkable 11 medals in total. Among these were four shining gold medals, with standout performances from Mona Agarwal in shooting and Nishad Kumar in long jump. The success was rounded off with two more gold medals in athletics, placing India fourth overall in medal standings after day one.

Initially placing third in the women's 1500m T11 event, Rakshita Raju faced disqualification, leading to Ravanni Valasanani clinching the bronze. China showcased exceptional prowess, taking home both the gold and silver medals. Meanwhile, India celebrated a remarkable day, securing medals in several events, highlighted by gold and silver accolades in the women's 1500m T12/T13 and men's javelin throw F46.

In a significant move, Pragyan Ojha has taken over as the chairman of the BCCI's Men's Selection Committee following Ajit Agarkar's departure. Joining him is former spinner Ramesh Powar, who brings a wealth of coaching experience. Ojha's appointment comes after Agarkar's successful leadership, which saw India clinch major ICC titles. The Cricket Advisory Committee fully backed Powar during recent discussions, as they aim to build on the team's impressive achievements.

Kokila from India has elevated her previous bronze medal achievement to a silver at the Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya. She showcased her skill by narrowly defeating reigning world champion Yi Liu in the semifinals. Although she faced Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy in the final, who clinched gold with a swift ippon, Kokila's silver illustrates her increasing prowess in the -52kg para-judo category.

Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have decided to part ways after a tough year, focusing on their commitment to their daughter Skai. Svitolina shared that her emotional challenges significantly influenced their separation. Both athletes are asking for understanding and privacy during this transition as Monfils also announced plans to retire from professional tennis.

Kapil Parmar achieved a remarkable feat by winning a bronze medal in the mens J1 -70kg judo competition at the Asian Para Games. His victory came when he defeated Indonesia's Rafli Ahnaf Shidqi by ippon in an impressive match lasting just over a minute. In another notable achievement, Kokila, a visually impaired athlete, reached the finals after defeating Yi Liu of China.

An Se-young has made history by surpassing Susi Susanti's impressive record of 46 titles, clinching her 47th international title with a thrilling win against Akane Yamaguchi in the Denmark Open final. This remarkable achievement contributes to her reign as world No. 1 for 105 weeks and highlights her extraordinary prowess in women's singles badminton, even overcoming an ankle injury during the match.

Aakash Chopra expressed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may not find a place in India's T20I squad soon. He noted the lack of available spots due to consistent performances from established top-order batters. Chopra suggested releasing Sooryavanshi for the Ranji Trophy if he continues to sit on the bench. He also defended Tilak Varma, stating that critiques of his performance are not justified.

Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara achieved a remarkable feat in the women's 10m air rifle event. Mona secured the gold medal with a score of 250.0 points. Avani followed closely behind, earning a silver medal at 249.6 points. Both shooters showcased their skills throughout the competition, finishing well ahead of their rivals. This performance adds to India's success at the 2026 Asian Para Games.

Kokila has triumphed by defeating China's Yi Liu in the para-judo semifinals and is now set to vie for gold against Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy. Meanwhile, Kapil Parmar is striving for a bronze in the mens J1 -70kg after a tough semifinal defeat. Additionally, Sheetal Devi equaled the world record in the women's compound ranking round, showcasing Indias impressive prowess at the Asian Para Games.

Mohammed Shami's omission from India's Test lineup against New Zealand has stirred controversy and prompted questions regarding the selectors' judgment. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif is advocating for clarity, highlighting Shamis impressive domestic performances. Having excelled as the top wicket-taker in the recent ODI World Cup, his lack of inclusion raises concerns about his fitness and bowling workload. Amid ongoing discussions, Shami's role remains critical to India's aspirations in intern

Ravi Shastri shared his enthusiastic endorsement of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami's selection for the T20I squad. With India's important tour to New Zealand commencing on October 22, Shastri underscores the need to strategically manage Jasprit Bumrahs workload in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, highlighting that seasoned players are vital to thrive in the tough conditions of New Zealand.

The match against Sri Lanka was his 355th in international cricket. However, he fell short of a half-century, getting out for 45 to Pavan Rathnayake off Eshan Malinga.

France is reeling from violent protests, widespread looting and mass arrests, and US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on French President Emmanuel Macron. In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump declared, France is burning! and blamed the country's immigration policies for the unrest, urging France to close its borders and take control before it is too late. The outburst comes after nationwide demonstrations over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public

France is reeling from scenes of destruction as violent protests, looting and fires leave streets scarred across major cities. From smashed luxury-store windows in Marseille to burning buildings in Lyon and clashes in Paris, the aftermath has left residents shocked, angry and demanding answers. Protesters also looted shops in Lille and Paris, carrying away goods as police deployed tear gas. Footage from Limoges showed a historic 143-year-old building engulfed in flames, with part of its roof col