Sports News

The World Cup draw is usually a spectacle. This time, FIFA hopes bigger is better

The World Cup is expanding to 48 teams. A record 64 nations will participate in the draw. The tournament will feature 104 games across North America. Ticket prices are at record highs. Some venues may face high temperatures. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to play in their sixth World Cup.

Joe Root goes from dud to dominator with breakthrough ton in Australia

Joe Root has finally scored his first Test century in Australia. This milestone came after facing criticism for his previous performances Down Under. Root's unbeaten 135 helped England reach 325 for nine on day one of the second Test. His patient innings, combined with a partnership with Zak Crawley, has injected much-needed life into England's Ashes campaign.

SMAT | Baroda makes short work of Gujarat; Abhisheks all-round show floors Pondicherry

Shami-Akash duo shares seven wickets before Porel and Abhimanyu seal Bengals win over Services; Yashvardhan smashes a 44-ball unbeaten 76 as Haryana gets the better of Himachal Pradesh

Smriti wedding postponed: Palak Muchhal breaks silence on 'tough times'

Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhals wedding, scheduled for November 23, was postponed after health-related issues in the family.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Kerala pulls off a heist as star-studded Mumbai implodes

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Nitin, Milind star as Hyderabad posts win over Jammu & Kashmir

SMAT | Tamil Nadu finally gets it act together with a win against Tripura

CRICKET | An all-round effort from Badoni highlights Delhis 45-run win over Karnataka; Rajasthan owes it to Nagarkoti whose unbeaten knock takes it past Saurashtra by two wickets

'We won that last hour' - Crawley hails England's 'perfect' end to the day in Brisbane

Australia's Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, lamented the state of the old pink ball and his team-mates' lack of situational awareness

'Absolutely filthy': Lyon voices anger after being dropped from Gabba Test

Australia opted for an all-pace attack for the Brisbane Test, leaving out Lyon. The team made two changes from the eight-wicket win in the opening Test in Perth. Michael Neser came in for Lyon, and Josh Inglis replaced injured opener Usman Khawaja. Lyon said he got to know about his omission only after reaching the ground.

HOCKEY | Authoritative India will be tested by the attacking Belgium

Wasim Akram 'still the pinnacle': Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc has become the leading left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history. He overtook Pakistan's Wasim Akram to achieve this milestone. Starc expressed humility, stating Akram remains unmatched. His exceptional performance with the pink ball continues to impress. Akram himself congratulated Starc on his achievement. England batted first, with Starc taking early wickets. Joe Root led England's recovery.

Mitchell Starc on left-arm wickets record: Wasim still the GOAT

Australian becomes leading Test wicket-taker among left-arm quicks with Gabba six-for

Zak Crawley settles the nerves as he bounces back from Perth pair

Opener produces vital half-century to help revive England from another wobbly start

Exclusive | From 'iPhone revolt' to 'Gukesh mode': Dutch No.1 opens box of not-quite-chess tales

Anish Giri found a crucial turning point in his chess career during the Global Chess League (GCL) last year, overcoming a dip in form and confidence. He shares humorous anecdotes about team bonding, food preferences, and even a playful iPhone mutiny. Giri sees the upcoming GCL season as a vital warm-up for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships.

Root's first Test ton in Australia lifts England after Starc's six-wicket blast

Joe Root, the worlds top-ranked batter and second on the all-time Test runs list behind Sachin Tendulkar, had never reached three figures in Australia despite three previous Ashes tours. On Thursday, he buried that narrative. Walking in during the third over with Starc swinging the pink ball under lights, he produced a near-flawless innings and reached his century with a gentle leg glance off Scott Boland.

Root ton, Starc six as England reach 325 for 9 on opening day in Brisbane

Root's first ton in Australia anchored an England first innings that at times showed restraint, but was also marked by reckless dismissals

Jaandaaron top in the main event

HOCKEY | Germany breaks the mould with shared leadership

Marsh fails in rare Shield outing as Elliott bags five

Mitch Marsh made nine om Sheffield Shield return amid speculation he's an outside contender for an Ashes spot, as Sam Elliott's 5 for 33 put Victoria in control

Valiant Stream, Skagen and Circle Of Dreams impress

Santissimo, Regina Memorabilis, Eagle Day and Psychic Star please

Joe Root's century big relief for Matthew Hayden; here's why

Joe Root finally ended his long wait for a Test century in Australia, reaching the milestone at the Gabba. This achievement brought relief to former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who had publicly vowed to walk nude around the MCG if Root failed to score a hundred on the tour. Root reached the milestone in 181 balls.

Rashid Khan replaces Jordan Thompson in MI Emirates squad

It has been learnt that Rashid will not be available for the entire ILT20 and is likely to be around until December 20 before leaving for SA20

Joe Root ends century drought, scores first-ever hundred in Australia

Root reached the milestone in 181 balls, batting through a phase when England needed stability and control, and in the process, checked off one of the few achievements missing from his record.

Three-year-old Kushwaha becomes youngest to earn chess FIDE rating

Currently enrolled in nursery school, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha holds a rapid rating of 1,572

Early SMAT exit for Hardik Pandya! Set to join India T20I squad in Cuttack

Hardik Pandya has completed his domestic warm-up and will join the Indian squad in Cuttack on December 6 for the T20I series against South Africa. After recovering from injury, Pandya showed promising form with both bat and ball in two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches.

'Agar Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma ka dimaag ... ': Ravi Shastri's bold warning - WATCH

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has strongly defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against doubts about their ODI future. He emphasised that players of their stature should not be questioned, stating that if they perform, their critics will quickly fade away. Shastri's remarks come amid discussions about India's long-term team planning for the 2027 World Cup.

Organisers move Syed Mushtaq fixture after unusual crowd surge for Hardik

A Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Baroda and Gujarat was moved to a larger stadium due to security concerns arising from large crowds gathering to watch Hardik Pandya. Pandya, returning from an injury, bowled well and contributed with the bat as Baroda secured an eight-wicket victory.

Sunil Narine becomes third bowler to take 600 T20 wickets, joins elite club

Sunil Narine etched his name in T20 history, becoming the third bowler to claim 600 wickets in competitive matches during an ILT20 game. The spinner's remarkable achievement places him alongside elite bowlers like Rashid Khan and Dwayne Bravo. His consistent brilliance across various Knight Riders franchises underscores his legendary status in the format.

SA20: Quality domestic players hold tremendous value, says Sourav Ganguly

SA20 India Day saw franchise leaders discuss upcoming season strategies. Pretoria Capitals' Sourav Ganguly emphasised hands-on team involvement, while Durban's Super Giants' Tom Moody outlined his vision for a lasting legacy. Both highlighted the importance of domestic talent and strong leadership in building competitive squads for the new season.

'Where is Shami? Why isn't he playing?': Harbhajan fumes after India's defeat

Harbhajan Singh urges India to win without Jasprit Bumrah after South Africa's historic 359 chase. He suggests recalling Varun Chakaravarthy to the ODI squad, emphasizing the need for match-winners in shorter formats. The series is now tied 1-1 heading into the decider.

Australia deny playing 'silly buggers' over Cummins non-return

Speculation about surprise comeback had been rife, but ultimately Australia opted for discretion

Starc rewrites history! Surpasses Akram as most successful left-arm Test pacer

Mitchell Starc has become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket, surpassing Wasim Akram's record of 414 wickets. The Australian achieved this milestone at the Gabba, his debut venue, in his 102nd Test. Starc's early wickets provided Australia with a strong start in the Ashes Test, despite England's recovery.

Ruturaj Gaikwad press conference: Reveals Gautam Gambhir message, No.4 and more

Ruturaj Gaikwad press conference: Reveals Gautam Gambhir message, No.4 and more

JP Duminy Interview: Opens up on the art of finishing, why Tim David is special, coaching in ILT20

JP Duminy Interview: Opens up on the art of finishing, why Tim David is special, coaching in ILT20

Samson, Asif star in Kerala's win over Mumbai

Rahane, Sarfaraz and Suryakumar's efforts go in vain

'When did Siraj become a one-format player?': Ex-cricketer slams India's selection

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed bewilderment over Mohammed Siraj's exclusion from the ODI setup. He questioned the decision, highlighting Siraj's strong ODI record and contrasting it with the struggles of other young pacers who were preferred. Chopra finds it inexplicable that Siraj has seemingly become a red-ball specialist.

Mark Wood casts doubt on Adelaide return after painkilling injections

Fast bowler admits age may be slowing his recovery after recurrence of knee issue

When was the last time India lost an ODI despite a Virat Kohli century?

A rare defeat for India saw Virat Kohli's brilliant century go in vain as South Africa chased down 358 to level the ODI series. This marked the first loss in nearly seven years despite a Kohli ton, highlighting an unusual outcome. Aiden Markram's century also played a crucial role in the visitors' successful chase.

IND vs SA 2nd ODI: Markram praises collective batting effort in chasing down 359-run target

I just wanted to give our big-hitting middle and lower order a solid platform because they can do real damage, said the batsman

Virat Kohli's double century: Anushka Sharma proud, Sunil Gavaskar asks 'Who needs a superman?'

After hitting his 52nd ODI century in Ranchi, Virat Kohli hit another century in the match in Raipur against South Africa.

Ravindra 176, Latham 145 drive New Zealand into complete control

Dropped catches haunt West Indies as New Zealand take a 481-run lead on third day

People who haven't achieved much are deciding Ro-Ko's future: Harbhajan

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh passionately defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, questioning the authority of less accomplished individuals to dictate their future. He highlighted their current strong performances, emphasising they are setting benchmarks for younger players and deserve to be considered for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Harbhajan also advocated for better Test pitches in India.

Virat Kohli's second successive ton looked inevitable, he carried on confidence from Ranchi

Virat Kohli's second consecutive ODI century against South Africa was deemed inevitable by Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted the batsman's confidence from the first match. Kohli's 102, coupled with Ruturaj Gaikwad's 105, set a new record for India's third-wicket stand. Despite their efforts, South Africa chased down 358 to level the series, with Aiden Markram scoring a crucial maiden century.

'Privilege to have team's confidence': Gaikwad on batting at No.4 after ton

Ruturaj Gaikwad, batting out of his usual opening position at number four, silenced critics with a maiden ODI century (105 off 83 balls) against South Africa in Raipur. Despite an initial setback, Gaikwad embraced the challenge, showcasing his batting prowess and confidence in his new role, vindicating the team management's faith.

IND vs SA 2nd ODI: You dream of moments like these, says centurion Gaikwad on big stand with Kohli

Its a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management trusting an opener to bat in the middle order, said Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad: 'I was pretty much confident' of batting at No. 4

It's a privilege to have that kind of confidence from the management towards an opener, the batter says after his maiden ODI hundred

Womens hockey team faces crisis of trust, unity in ranks

The Indian women's hockey team faces renewed turmoil as head coach Harendra Singh resigns amid allegations of high-handedness and favouritism. Players have accused the captain and vice-captain of siding with the coach, leading to a breakdown in trust and team unity. Regional divides and a lack of cohesive dynamics are cited as ongoing issues plaguing the sport.

Harbhajan Singh interview: Lauds growth of ILT20, picks strongest team and more

Harbhajan Singh interview: Lauds growth of ILT20, picks strongest team and more

ILT20: Livingstone shines as Knight Riders beat Warriorz by 39 runs

Liam Livingstone's blistering unbeaten 82, featuring five sixes in the final over, propelled Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a formidable 233/4. Sharjah Warriorz, despite Tim David's rapid 60, faltered in their chase, succumbing to a 39-run defeat. Livingstone's explosive knock and crucial partnerships secured a commanding victory in their ILT20 opener.

SMAT knockouts: Rohit Sharma ready to play for Mumbai

Rohit Sharma, despite retiring from T20 Internationals, has expressed his keenness to represent Mumbai in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts. The star batter, currently engaged in the ODI series against South Africa, could feature for Mumbai in the tournament's final stages. This move aligns with BCCI's mandate for Indian players to participate in domestic cricket when available.

2nd Ashes Test Live: Starc on fire, dismisses Duckett, Pope early at Gabba

'I'm kicking myself': Rahul reveals 'real' reasons behind India's shock defeat

India captain KL Rahul attributed their four-wicket ODI loss to South Africa to the toss and heavy dew, despite a massive 358/5 powered by centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad. South Africa's record chase of 362/6 was lauded by skipper Temba Bavuma, who highlighted tactical decisions and internal competition as key factors in their victory.

Ashes Test: Inglis to get nod for second Test as Cummins comeback rumours grow

Travis Head, who made a match-winning century as a makeshift opener in Perth, is set to remain at the top of the order in place of the injured Usman Khawaja, with England-born Inglis slotting into the middle order

Players' complaints on 'outdated and dictatorial' coaching style led to Harendra's resignation

Harendra Singh, who joined the team in April 2024, surprised the fraternity by resigning as head coach on December 1

Rohit Sharma makes a wish after Pant spots fallen eyelash - WATCH

A heartwarming moment saw Rishabh Pant remove an eyelash from Rohit Sharma's face before India's impressive 358/5 in the second ODI. Virat Kohli's 53rd century and Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden ton powered the score. Rohit also unveiled India's new T20I jersey, expressing confidence for the 2026 World Cup.

Babar, Rizwan in focus: PCB clears NOCs for Pak players, but with a catch

Pakistani cricketers are prioritising national duty over Big Bash League commitments for the upcoming Sri Lanka T20 series in January. Conditional No Objection Certificates from the PCB mandate players to choose national assignments. Key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, slated for BBL action, must now select the Sri Lanka tour, crucial for T20 World Cup 2026 preparations.

'If Pakistan has Haris Rauf, India has Prasidh Krishna' - Trolls mock pacer

Prasidh Krishna faced severe online criticism after India's four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI. His expensive spell, conceding 85 runs in 8.2 overs, allowed South Africa to comfortably chase a target of 359. Despite centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad, Markram's 110 led the visitors to a memorable victory, leveling the series.

Mandaviya promises end to Indian football stalemate

An official, who attended the meeting, said the Minister started by asking how Indian football ended up in such a mess, a question which did not fetch any clear answers from those present

Joshna stuns second seed Garas, in last four

Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh, the reigning mens and womens National champions respectively, and top seeds, recorded straight-games victories while mens second seed Veer Chotrani bowed out

Arsenal beat Brentford to extend Premier League lead: Key stats

Arsenal reclaimed their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Brentford.

Kush Maini to drive latest Formula 1 car in Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi

The test will take place December 9, two days after the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion is decided on the same track

Oval Invincibles is MI London as RIL concludes Surrey deal

Reliance Industries has acquired a significant stake in The Hundred's Oval Invincibles. The team will be known as MI London starting in 2026. This move expands Reliance's global cricket presence. Other franchises have also seen new ownership and investment. The Hundred league continues to grow in value.

Bazball under microscope as England face pink ball demons in second Ashes test

England's Bazball strategy faces a stern test at the Gabba. The team confronts its pink ball weaknesses and the prospect of a two-nil Ashes deficit. Australia holds a strong record in day-night matches. England needs a significant turnaround to compete in the series. The match begins on Thursday.

Lionel Messi to visit Mumbais Wankhede on December 14, interact with young footballers

Young footballer Suhana Mandal will meet Lionel Messi thanks to the Maharashtra government's 'Maha Deva' project. This initiative provides scholarships and training to 60 talented children from across the state. The program aims to develop future Indian football stars and contribute to India's Olympic medal aspirations by 2036. Corporates are funding this ambitious sports development plan.

AUS vs ENG, 2nd Test Day 1 Playing 11: When & where to watch live, pitch report and weather update

Australia vs England 2nd Test Day 1 Live Streaming: The Ashes series moves to Brisbane for the second Test. England has announced its team, but Australia's playing XI is not yet final. Pat Cummins' participation remains uncertain. The Gabba pitch is expected to favor fast bowlers. The match is scheduled from December 4 to 8, 2025. Fans can watch the live action on JioHotstar and Star Sports.

A Yingcredible career for a magician with the racquet

The Taiwanese player won almost everything in the sport; Tzu Ying danced on the court, deceived like a conjurer, and played with a freedom that seemed closer to art; she held the World No. 1 ranking for more than 200 weeks and defeated every top player

Harbhajan Singh lauds ILT20, picks Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as favourites

Harbhajan Singh praised the ILT20 and the ECB for opening doors to players from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, calling it a sign of crickets growing footprint in the region. The former India off-spinner lauded the participation of Indian veterans and backed Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as early favourites after their dominant show in Sharjah, saying they are the team to beat this season.

Rahul: Toss plays a 'huge part' and 'making a huge difference' with dew

India captain also said they wanted to get another 20-25 runs to give the bowlers cushion when bowling with the wet ball

South Africa beat India by four wickets in 2nd ODI

South Africa leveled the ODI series 1-1 against India by chasing down a massive target of 359. Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored centuries for India, but Aiden Markram's century and fifties from Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis guided South Africa to a four-wicket victory with 4 balls to spare.

Linsey Smith achieves full-circle moment with first England central contract

Em Arlott and Emma Lamb awarded skills contracts for the first time

'Another day where I miss your presence': Tendulkar remembers late coach

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar honored his late coach Ramakant Achrekar on his birth anniversary, sharing a heartfelt tribute. Achrekar, a pivotal figure in Mumbai's cricket scene and mentor to over a dozen international players, including Tendulkar, received prestigious awards for his contributions. His enduring legacy continues to inspire, as evidenced by Tendulkar's own remarkable career achievements.

Tamil Nadus struggles in SMAT, result of a collective failure

MI London set to make its debut as Reliance, Surrey CCC join forces in The Hundred

Reliance Industries has partnered with Surrey County Cricket Club. They will now own 49% of the Oval Invincibles franchise. From 2026, the team will be known as MI London. This move expands the Mumbai Indians brand to seven teams globally. The MI brand has a strong record of winning titles.

Movement of horses from BTC suspended; Dec. 5 races cancelled

Sirajthe other name for commitment

Super Cup semifinals are here after a month-long break

FC Goa gears up for semifinal showdown with Mumbai City FC; East Bengal will be wary of plucky Punjab FC

Kohlis Vijay Hazare comeback: Will fans be allowed in Bengaluru?

Virat Kohli is set to return to domestic white-ball cricket after 15 years in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing for Delhi in Bengaluru. His participation, confirmed by DDCA president Rohan Jaitley, adds significant star power alongside Rishabh Pant. While fixtures are set, spectator access at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium remains uncertain, pending government approval.

Mohit Sharma retires from all forms of cricket

The pace bowler from Haryana played 34 matches for India and 120 games in the IPL

'Without Virat, cricket is nothing': Another Kohli ton shakes up internet

Virat Kohli has achieved his 53rd One Day International century against South Africa. This marks his second consecutive hundred in the series. Kohli's performance included a controlled 102 runs off 93 balls. He previously scored 135 runs in Ranchi. Ruturaj Gaikwad also scored a century. Kohli is nearing 28,000 international runs.

Litchfield's 61 trumps Glenn four-for as Heat remain winless

Heat's only point came from an abandoned fixture while Thunder have just three wins from nine matches

Rohit unveils Indias 2026 T20 World Cup jersey

Shubman Gill gets vice-captain role for South Africa T20Is with one major BCCI condition

Shubman Gill has been named Suryakumar Yadav's deputy for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, pending medical clearance. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah also return to the 15-member squad. Rinku Singh has been omitted from the team that recently toured Australia. The series commences on December 9.

Kohli moves up to No. 4 in ODIs, Ayub regains top spot among T20I allrounders

South Africa's Marco Jansen is ranked fifth in the Test bowlers' charts and second among the allrounders

Virat Kohli closes in on No. 1 spot after century lifts him to fourth in ICC ODI batting rankings

Virat Kohli is closing in on the top ODI batting spot after a century. Other cricketers also saw their rankings change. Saim Ayub is back at No. 1 in T20I all-rounders. Bangladesh and South Africa players made gains after recent series wins. These shifts reflect recent performances in international cricket.

IND vs SA: Kohli, Gaikwad set new record during 2nd ODI in Raipur

Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad etched their names in history with a record-breaking 195-run partnership for India against South Africa in the second ODI. Gaikwad notched his maiden ODI century, while Kohli secured his 53rd, propelling India past 300. This remarkable stand surpassed the previous record held by Tendulkar and Karthik.

Glad to be part of American Gambits at Global Chess League: Murzin

Hardik back in T20I squad, Gill to play subject to fitness

Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were dropped from the T20I side

Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad hundreds help India set 359-run target against SA

Raipur: Virat Kohlis successive hundred, maiden century from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105), and KL Rahuls quickfire 66 not out propelled India to a formidable 358 for five against South Africa in the second ODI here on Wednesday. Kohli (102 off 93 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s) and Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, 12x4s, 2x6s) reset the record for Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

India T20I squad vs South Africa announced; Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya return

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has revealed the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team as captain, with Shubman Gill as his deputy. The series comprises five matches, commencing on December 9, 2025.