Category: Sports

Lucknow: India’s crushing defeat to South Africa this week was not merely a loss—it was a self-inflicted wound, a tactical blunder that exposed deeper flaws in our cricketing mindset. What unfolded was not the triumph of a superior opposition alone, but the collapse of an approach built on miscalculations, misplaced confidence and leadership lapses. The Indian think tank’s attempt to outsmart the world champions by preparing an exaggerated turning track backfired spectacularly. The pitch, designed to empower India’s famed spinners, instead empowered the visitors, who adapted more intelligently and punished…

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New Delhi: India’s top boxers are gearing up for a power-packed performance as the World Boxing Cup Finals begin here on Sunday, marking the last major event of the season. With crucial ranking points on offer—and next year’s Asian Games and Commonwealth Games on the horizon—Indian pugilists are targeting both a strong finish and a rankings boost. The World Cup series, introduced earlier this year after World Boxing took over the sport’s governance, will now culminate in its inaugural finals. Medal winners from the three World Cups held this season,…

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Lucknow: Boom Boom Bumrah has once again displayed his unmatched class, virtually knocking the Springboks out of the first Test on Day 1 itself. On a pitch curated to favour spinners, Bumrah’s brilliance stood out. His skill, variety, and sheer willpower allowed him to extract life even from a slow, docile surface—something even cricket pundits had not anticipated. He has reconfirmed why he is regarded as the world’s No. 1 pace bowler in the current era. India are aiming to win the two-match series against South Africa—reigning world champions—to secure…

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Kolkata: India’s World Cup-winning wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh was accorded a grand felicitation at Eden Gardens. In a glittering ceremony attended by dignitaries and fans, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally handed over her appointment letter as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), along with the prestigious ‘Bangabhushan’ award and a gold chain. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also presented Richa with ₹34 lakh, calculated as ₹1 lakh for each run she scored in the World Cup final, where she played a match-winning knock of 34 runs off 24 balls…

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Lucknow: For six years now, a steady but muffled plea has echoed across Uttar Pradesh’s cricketing corridors: the state must field four teams, not one. It is a demand shaped by sheer arithmetic as much as lived experience. A state of 25 crore people—larger than many cricket-playing nations—simply cannot dream of doing justice to its sprawling talent pool through a single, overburdened side. Yet, despite repeated appeals and scattered movements, the idea has been pushed into the shadows time and again, surfacing only to be suppressed by inertia and entrenched…

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Mumbai: Haryana’s pride, Sangram Singh, has become India’s new sensation in Europe. The two-time Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion made his MMA debut on November 2 in Amsterdam at the Levels Fight League, competing in the 93kg category against Tunisia’s Hakim Trabelsi. Having fought and overcome serious illnesses in his childhood, Sangram’s journey is a testament to resilience. Now, he steps into the cage carrying the Indian tricolor with unwavering pride. “I can give my life, but I will never let the name of my country bow,” Sangram said. Every kick, every…

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New Delhi: Ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, top Indian players Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma have been retained by their respective franchises. Harmanpreet Kaur will continue with Mumbai Indians, Smriti Mandhana remains with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), while Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma will stay with Delhi Capitals. In contrast, international stars Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning along with New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr have been released by their franchises. Additionally, Deepti Sharma, who was set to lead her team in the absence…

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Delhi: Former cricketer Praveen Gupta, renowned for his outstanding domestic and national-level cricketing achievements, has been appointed as the Chief Selector for Delhi Junior Cricket. Gupta will now oversee the selection of Delhi’s Under-19, Under-16, and Under-14 teams, a role considered crucial for shaping the future of the city’s cricketing talent. Cricket experts believe Gupta’s vision and experience will significantly benefit Delhi’s young players in the coming years. Having represented Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket for several years, Gupta made a mark in the Ranji Trophy with his bowling prowess…

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New Delhi: Midfielder Jyoti Singh has been named captain of the Indian team for the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup 2025, scheduled from 1st to 13th December in Santiago, Chile. India’s squad comprises 20 players, including 18 main players and 2 reserves, placed in Pool C alongside strong teams Germany, Ireland, and Namibia. India will open its campaign on 1st December against Namibia, followed by matches against Germany on 3rd December and Ireland on 5th December. The top teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, running…

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Kolkata: Ahead of the first Test against South Africa starting Friday at Eden Gardens, Indian captain Shubman Gill inspected the pitch alongside Chief Coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitashu Kotak, consulting with curator Sujan Mukherjee to gauge the pitch conditions. Gill also discussed the bounce and movement of the surface with South Africa’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, understanding how the Eden track tests both batsmen and bowlers. Eden Gardens is known for its lively pitch during the initial two days, favoring fast bowlers, with spinners coming into play as…

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