Sports Desk

Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju  has weighed in on the ongoing debate around cheating allegations in online chess, stating that the issue has been “made bigger than it actually is.” The young Grandmaster clarified that while fair play is essential, the narrative around widespread cheating may be overstated. “Problem Exists, But Not as Big as Portrayed” Speaking about the controversy, Gukesh acknowledged that cheating in online chess is a concern, especially with the ava

New Zealand delivered a commanding all-round performance to eliminate Sri Lanka from the T20 World Cup 2026 , sealing a comprehensive 61-run victory in their Super Eight clash at Colombo. Early Blow Shatters Sri Lanka’s Momentum Chasing a challenging total, Sri Lanka’s hopes suffered an early setback with the fall of their in-form batter, a dismissal that proved to be a turning point. The morale-crushing wicket triggered a collapse from which the hosts never truly recovered.

Ahmedabad —  South Africa delivered a commanding performance to defeat India by 76 runs in their Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The match was headlined by a fiery spell from pacer Marco Jansen , who returned figures of 4 for 22 to dismantle the Indian batting line-up. 🏟 South Africa Post Competitive Total Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa put up a strong total on the board, with contributions fro

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has etched her name in the record books by becoming the highest-capped woman in international cricket, marking another milestone in an illustrious career that began in 2009. With her latest appearance for the India women's national cricket team, Harmanpreet surpassed the previous record to stand alone at the top in terms of total international matches played in women’s cricket. Since making her debut in 2009, Harmanpreet has represented India in

Former England batter Jonathan Trott has bid farewell to his role as head coach of the Afghanistan national cricket team following the side’s exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, bringing to a close a transformative three-year tenure. Trott, who took charge in 2022, guided Afghanistan through one of the most successful phases in its cricketing history. His stint was highlighted by a remarkable run to the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup — a historic achievement that fir

Football icon Lionel Messi has launched a new Major League Soccer campaign in what promises to be a landmark year for the sport in North America, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to reshape the global football landscape. Messi Kicks began the new Major League Soccer season leading Inter Miami CF, drawing packed crowds and worldwide attention as fans eagerly anticipate another standout year from the Argentine superstar. His presence continues to elevate MLS’s profile, both com

Young racing talent Divy Nandan took to the track at the high-octane Indian Racing Festival, representing the Hyderabad Blackbirds, a team owned by actor Naga Chaitanya. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Divy Nandan said he was at the festival not just to compete, but also to learn and gain valuable experience. “I’m here to win, learn, gain experience, and enjoy a bit of the races,” he said, reflecting a balanced approach to the competitive motorsport environment. The I

At the high-octane Indian Racing Festival , young racer Divy Nandan took the wheel for the Hyderabad Blackbirds , a franchise owned by actor Naga Chaitanya . The event witnessed intense on-track action as drivers from across the country competed in a series of challenging races, showcasing speed, precision, and strategy. Representing Hyderabad Blackbirds, Divy Nandan delivered a spirited performance, drawing attention for his composure and competitive drive. 🏁 Focused on Gro

India signed off from its home leg of the FIH Pro League  with yet another setback, suffering a 2–4 defeat against Argentina men's national field hockey team  on Sunday. The loss marked India’s fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament, raising concerns about form and consistency. 🏑 Match Summary Argentina started strongly, putting pressure on the Indian defence from the outset. The visitors capitalised on defensive lapses and converted their chances efficiently to take co

New Delhi/Hobart:  India will be led by Hardik Singh  in the upcoming Hobart leg of the FIH Pro League  after regular captain Harmanpreet Singh  withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons. The Indian team departed early Monday morning for Hobart , where they are scheduled to face Australia and Spain in the next phase of the tournament. 🏑 Leadership Change Harmanpreet’s absence comes at a crucial juncture for the team, which is looking to bounce back after a disappointin

A group of former international cricket captains from across the world has issued a joint statement calling for former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan to be treated with “dignity and basic human consideration” amid his ongoing legal and political troubles. The statement, signed by several prominent figures of world cricket, emphasized that while legal processes must take their course, Khan’s stature as a former national leader and sporting ico

In a high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, it wasn’t the usual headline names like Ishan Kishan or Jasprit Bumrah who stole the spotlight. Instead, 32-year-old all-rounder Hardik Pandya emerged as the game-changer, earning the Impact Player of the Match medal for his decisive contribution. Playing under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India delivered a commanding performance in a pressure-filled encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. While t

At just 25, Dhakshineswar Suresh is emerging as one of India’s most promising tennis talents, showcasing steady progress and a fearless brand of play that aligns perfectly with modern-day power tennis. The young player has built an impressive 4-0 record in the Davis Cup across just two ties — a remarkable achievement that underlines both his temperament and ability to perform on the big stage. Representing the India Davis Cup team, Suresh has demonstrated composure under pres

Ireland posted a commanding total of 235 for 5 against Oman in their T20 World Cup clash, riding on a blistering 94 from wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker. Coming into the contest, both Ireland national cricket team and Oman national cricket team were under pressure after losing their opening two matches of the tournament. The fixture was crucial for both sides as they searched for their first win to keep qualification hopes alive. Tucker Leads the Charge Batting first, Irela

Bangkok:  India A Women are under severe pressure against UAE Women after a shaky start in their ongoing match in Bangkok. Having won the toss and elected to bat first, India A found themselves in early trouble as wickets fell in quick succession. IND A vs UAE Within the first 12 overs, India A had already lost five wickets, putting the middle order under immense strain. The decision to bat first has so far backfired, with the UAE bowlers maintaining tight lines and extractin

New Delhi — The Union Sports Ministry has approved an extended overseas training programme for Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra in South Africa, reaffirming its commitment to supporting elite athletes in the run-up to major international competitions. The decision was cleared by the Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), functioning under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The extended training stint is aimed at providing Chopra with uninterrupt

In a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 encounter, Italy delivered a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss Nepal for a modest 123, putting themselves in a commanding position in the group-stage clash. Playing without regular skipper Wayne Madsen, who continues to recover from a dislocated shoulder, Italy showed remarkable composure in the field. The absence of the experienced captain did not affect their intensity, as the bowling unit executed its plans with precision from the o

Bengaluru:  The future of cricket matches at Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be decided at a crucial meeting scheduled for February 12 , Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara  said on Wednesday. The decision will hinge on whether the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)  has complied with safety norms following the tragic June 4 stampede  that claimed 11 lives. Addressing reporters, the Home Minister stated that the government is taking a cautious appro

The Indian cricket team is gearing up with enthusiasm for its much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. The team management has reiterated that the players are looking forward to the high-voltage clash, which is widely regarded as one of the biggest fixtures in international cricket. Positive Mood in the Camp India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the media and said there is a strong sense within the squad that the marquee match will

In a significant setback for Indian badminton, the Syed Modi International  tournament has been demoted from Super 300 to Super 100 category  under the newly restructured Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour calendar  for the 2027–2030 cycle , the international governing body confirmed on Monday. The decision comes as part of BWF’s broader reforms aimed at expanding World Tour events to new global locations , redistributing tournament categories, and increasing badmint