Category: Sports

India achieved mixed results in Olympic sports in 2025, securing titles and medals at global and continental levels in shooting, boxing, athletics, archery, badminton, hockey, wrestling, and weightlifting, while also facing setbacks in various other sports.

Archery Success

In archery, the Indian men’s recurve team, comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Atanu Das, won a silver medal at the 2025 World Cup. India excelled in the compound section as well, with the women’s team and Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinching silver medals in both team and individual competitions.

Summer World University Games

India performed admirably at the 2025 Summer World University Games, winning 12 medals, including two gold and five silver. This competition is the top multi-discipline, multi-nations event held this year.

Athletics Highlights

Neeraj Chopra made headlines as he aimed to defend his gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Although he did not retain his title, he breached the 90m mark in javelin throw with a throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League, securing a silver medal. He also won gold medals in the Golden Spike Ostrava and NC Classic, through which he became an event organiser, and earned silver in the 2025 Diamond League Final.

Badminton and Cricket Insights

Badminton saw mixed results; apart from the top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, other players struggled to achieve consistency and medal wins. Conversely, cricket provided a major uplift to Indian sport, with the men’s team winning the Champions Trophy and the women making history by clinching their maiden ODI World Cup at home.

Weightlifting Achievements

Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu bagged gold in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships held in Ahmedabad, lifting a record-breaking total of 193 kg. Additionally, Priteesmita Bhoi and Dharamjyoti Dewghariya won gold medals in the women’s 44–48 kg and men’s 56–60 kg events, respectively.

Para-Sports Triumphs

India excelled in para-sports as well, winning six gold medals at the first World Para Athletics Championships held in India, finishing with 22 medals overall. However, as 2025 wraps up, the year 2026 brings new challenges in multi-disciplinary sports.

2026 Commonwealth Games Preview

The 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 23rd edition, will be organized in Glasgow, which previously hosted the Games in 2014, where India won 64 medals, including 15 gold. Performing well in the 2026 Glasgow edition will be challenging as it will feature a scaled-down version of the usual Games.

The Games will run from July 23 to August 2, featuring competitions in 10 sports: athletics, 3×3 basketball, bowls, boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting.

Impact of Sport Changes

A notable issue affecting India’s medal tally in 2026 is the absence of sports like shooting, badminton, table tennis, and wrestling, which India has historically excelled in at the Commonwealth level. These sports are not included in the 10 events on the programme; instead, the schedule features sports that are not India’s strong points. As a result, the overall medals available will be fewer than usual.

The Indian contingent will approach Glasgow with tempered expectations, as competitions will be held in athletics (43 disciplines) and para-athletics (16), alongside events like 3×3 basketball for men and women, bowls and para bowls, boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming, and track cycling.

Furthermore, some track events and cycling disciplines have been eliminated, with several sports formats undergoing changes. For instance, athletics will include a mixed 4x400m race, and the mile will replace the 1500m discipline.

Despite the reduced number of sports and disciplines possibly impacting India’s medal count, a strong performance in Glasgow is crucial as India is the sole bidder for the 2030 Games, with Ahmedabad recommended as the host city by the Commonwealth Sport executive board.

Glasgow 2026 will provide India with a significant test for the new competitions and increased funding. It is now up to the athletes to deliver results on the global stage.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have confirmed they will be re-signing Nico Paz, bringing him back in June, and have no intention of selling him for a profit later, as reported by Spanish newspaper AS.

Nico Paz’s Success in Italy

The 21-year-old Paz has enjoyed a successful 18-month stint since leaving Real Madrid for Como 1907 in the summer of 2024. The attacking midfielder has thrived under Cesc Fabregas’ guidance in Italy, accumulating 11 goals and 14 assists from 51 appearances.

Real Madrid has been impressed by the progress made by their former academy graduate and aims to re-sign him as several top clubs across Europe have also taken note of his development.

Returning Home

According to the report, the Argentine playmaker is nearing the end of his time in Italy, with a return home in the summer likely. “Over the next six months, the youngster will push hard and give his all at Como, not only to help his team strive for European football, but also to maintain Real Madrid’s satisfaction with his outstanding progress,” it stated.

Paz is eager to cement his place in the Argentine national team and aims for a spot in the squad for the upcoming World Cup. He is also keen to move to Spain, as playing in the high-profile league will keep him in the spotlight and help him pursue his dreams.

Madrid’s Intentions

Real Madrid is fully aware of the talent they have in Nico and wants him to return to complete his development at the Santiago Bernabeu, especially given the team’s evident need for a creator in midfield this season.

Madrid’s determination was further strengthened by interest from Manchester United in Paz, while Como also attempted to retain him but could not make a strong bid due to clauses in the loan deal.

John Robertson, a star performer for Nottingham Forest and a Scotland legend, has passed away at the age of 72. He was suffering from a long illness and died peacefully at home on Christmas morning with his family by his side.

Robertson is survived by his wife, Sharyl, daughter Liz, and sons Andrew and Mark, along with granddaughters Jess and Phoebe.

Rising from the second tier of English football, Robertson became a key player and guided Nottingham Forest to back-to-back European Cups, securing multiple major honours throughout his career.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson,” the club stated. “A true great of our Club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled talent, humility, and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends, and all who loved him. Rest in Peace, Robbo… Our greatest.”

Robertson played for Nottingham Forest from 1970 to 1983, then joined Derby County from 1983 to 1985 before returning to Forest for the 1985-86 season. He was affectionately known as ‘Robbo’ and represented Scotland, scoring the winning goal against England in 1981 and another against New Zealand during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Overall, he appeared for Scotland 28 times, scoring eight goals.

In a statement, Robertson’s family shared: “John passed away peacefully on Christmas morning with his wife and family by his side, after a long illness. Our only comfort in our grief is that his struggles are now over, and he is reunited with his daughter Jessica. ‘Robbo’ was treasured by many as a footballing hero, but to us, he was just John and dad, the family man … kind, loving, witty, fun, and loyal. Although our hearts are breaking, we will always be grateful for the years we were privileged to share with him and the amazing memories.”

After retiring from playing, Robertson transitioned to coaching. He served as an assistant to his former Nottingham Forest teammate Martin O’Neill at various clubs, including Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City, Leicester City, Celtic, and Aston Villa.

As they prepare for their opening match in the SA20, MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan is relying on the experienced players in his squad to adapt to the conditions and maintain their strong performance in this edition of the competition.

Rashid Khan aims to extend his team’s impressive record at Newlands during their opening SA20 Season 4 match against Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) on Friday. The defending champions have gone unbeaten in five home matches in Season 3, turning Newlands into a fortress and leading their campaign to a title-winning success.

The home side is stacked with superstars including Proteas Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch, along with internationals Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, and new arrival Nicholas Pooran, who are all set to entertain MI Cape Town fans.

Captain Rashid Khan believes his team is ready to showcase their skills after claiming the title last season.

“There was more pressure last year than this year, you know, we came at the bottom twice in a row and to come up from that and win the trophy was a big thing for us as a team,” Rashid Khan said.

“I think what we did right was we played collectively as a team, and we took responsibility at certain points of the game. Every player is well experienced, and they will adjust themselves to the condition and the position of the team quite quickly. Everyone is so professional; they have played so much cricket around the world, and I think it won’t be that difficult for them to acclimatise.”

MI Cape Town are eager to kick off the new campaign on a strong note, with Rashid Khan anticipating Pooran will hit the ground running with his new team.

“He (Pooran) is going to bring lots of energy to the game,” he said. “We know how dangerous and how good a cricketer he is. He is the kind of person who comes in smashing lots of sixes, you will see. He’s a guy full of energy and entertainment, and I am sure he is going to love his time here.”

Durban’s Super Giants have revamped their squad and are more than capable of spoiling MI Cape Town’s homecoming.

New captain Aiden Markram, a two-time winner with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to Lance Klusener’s team.

The Super Giants feature an impressive mix of talent, with Markram joined by England’s former T20 World Cup-winning captain Jos Buttler. The batting lineup includes New Zealand legend Kane Williamson and former Proteas white-ball hitter Heinrich Klaasen.

Although West Indian Sunil Narine is currently unavailable, the Super Giants have recruited Proteas Test hero Simon Harmer to enhance a spin attack that already includes Afghanistan mystery bowler Noor Ahmad.

“There is a really nice balance in the setup, and we have a nice group of guys. We have some really good all-rounders, mixed with 2-3 world-class players like Buttler, Klaasen and co,” Markram stated.

“I think a lot of it comes down to finding our strength as a team and our identity and what gives us the best chance to play good cricket and win games, so it’s obviously a new and exciting challenge for us in a competition with a lot of new faces.”

India’s upcoming juniors Tanvi Sharma, Rounak Chauhan, and Tanvi Patri showcased their talent in the Senior National Badminton Championships as they secured strong victories to reach the quarterfinals.

Tanvi Sharma Shines

World junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma triumphed over 10th seed Devika Sihag with scores of 21-11, 10-21, 21-10. Meanwhile, Tanvi Patri defeated Parul Choudhary 21-14, 21-17 in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals.

Sharma will now face Rakshita Sree, who won against Sneh Lamba with a score of 21-13, 21-11. Patri is set to compete against experienced player Aakarshi Kashyap, who ousted third seed Anmol Kharb 21-18, 21-18.

Strong Performances from the Top Seeds

Top seed Unnati Hooda and second seed Anupama Upadhyaya also advanced to the quarterfinals with contrasting wins. Unnati came back from a game down to defeat M Meghana Reddy 19-21, 21-14, 21-12, while Anupama defeated Anvi Rathore decisively with scores of 21-13, 21-5.

Men’s Round of 16 Highlights

In the men’s Round of 16, Rounak Chauhan caused an upset by defeating sixth seed Lakshya Sharma 21-16, 21-16. Second seed M. Tharun ended Abhinav Garg’s run with a convincing 21-15, 21-5 win.

Aryaman Tandon also made headlines by overcoming third seed M Raghu with scores of 17-21, 21-11, 21-14 in the round of 32. Abhinav Garg and Rithvik Sanjeevi S. achieved upsets to reach the pre-quarters, with Garg defeating 10th seed Abhinav Thakur 21-19, 21-16, while Rithvik took down 13th seed Orijit Chaliha 21-15, 21-19. In mixed doubles, Nitin Kumar and Kanika Kanwal upset the 6th seeds Kevin Wong CC and Pranavi N with a score of 23-21, 21-15.

Experience Prevails

Earlier in the day, experienced players Shruti Mundada and Parul Choudhary upset higher-ranked opponents to advance to the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals. Shruti defeated seventh seed Jiya Rawat 21-14, 21-9, while Parul edged past 9th seed with scores of 18-21, 21-18, 21-12. Tanvi Patri also eliminated eighth seed Isharani Baruah with a score of 22-20, 21-19.

On Wednesday, Women’s top seed Unnati, world junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, experienced player Aakarshi Kashyap, and promising junior Rounak Chauhan all registered convincing wins to move on to the next round.

Talismanic India batter Virat Kohli has extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to fans worldwide, wishing joy and prosperity for the festive season. The former India captain conveyed his message through his Instagram stories on Thursday, while the world celebrated Christmas.

“Merry Christmas And Happy New Year. May this season fill your home with warmth, your heart with joy, and your life with happiness that lasts all year long. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” wrote Kohli in an Instagram post on Thursday.

Kohli, who has quit Test and T20Is and now only plays 50-over cricket at the international stage, struck a match-winning 131 to guide Delhi to a four-wicket victory over Andhra Pradesh in their Elite Group D clash during the opening round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday.

This innings was Kohli’s 58th List A hundred, with his 131 coming off 101 balls, featuring 14 fours and three sixes, as Delhi chased down a challenging target of 299 in 37.4 overs. The knock also propelled him past 16,000 List A runs, making him only the second Indian male batter, after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, to achieve this landmark. Kohli, the right-handed batter who only plays ODI format internationally, will next be in action when Delhi faces Gujarat in their second round fixture at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Friday.

The second round matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which will be livestreamed on JioHotstar, include Assam vs Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand vs Rajasthan. Fans will not be able to see Kohli’s batting live and will have to rely on the BCCI website scoreboard for updates.

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s cricket team has been in Christmas mode in Thiruvananthapuram, where they will take on Sri Lanka in the third T20I on Friday. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Arundhati Reddy celebrated Christmas together and shared festive photos embracing the holiday spirit.

Vaishnavi Sharma’s inclusion in the Indian team for the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka highlights her impressive domestic performances, according to head coach Amol Muzumdar.

Vaishnavi made a strong entry into her T20I career by taking 2-32 in the second T20I against Sri Lanka, following her debut in the series opener in Visakhapatnam, where she conceded only 16 runs in her four overs. “I think she responded really well to what we had asked for. Credit to her that she comes from the under-19s. Her exploits in the under-19 were probably rewarded, and also her domestic performance. I would like to stress here that domestic performance was rewarded by the selectors. So real credit to them,” said Muzumdar in the pre-match press conference.

Part of the Under-19 side that won the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, Vaishnavi ended as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps. The left-arm spinner has further showcased her skills this domestic cricket season, claiming 21 wickets in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and leading the charts with 12 dismissals in five matches at the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20s.

Despite going unsold in the WPL 2026 mega auction, she has delivered a commendable performance against Sri Lanka so far. “I think in the last two games, what we have seen, it seems very promising. The control that she has shown, not just in her skills but also in her mental control, is out there. She’s calm, collective. As I said, she looks promising,” added Muzumdar.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled in June-July 2026 in England, Muzumdar emphasized the need for a settled team combination leading up to the mega event. “We try to be as settled as possible. We had this thing going during the ODI World Cup as well. Six months down the line, there is a T20 World Cup. We are well aware of certain things. What we need to improve and in what direction we want to take this T20 side. Trying out a lot of stuff but at the same time making sure that we look and we are well settled, well and truly before the World Cup,” he added.

While India has had some inconsistencies in fielding, Muzumdar noted their commitment to improvement across all areas of the game. “We consistently speak about improving all three facets of the game, not just fielding. In fact, there is a fourth one now, which is fitness, so it’s batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness. We consistently talk about all the facets. Nothing in particular about one facet of the game. We are and want to be a progressive side. We have long chats and short chats also. It’s that we are constantly trying to improve day by day in all facets of the game.”

Life after winning the ODI World Cup has brought a new energy to the side, and Muzumdar remarked on the positive atmosphere during practice and matches. “I haven’t seen any changes in 45 days. But I think it’s a pleasant change, isn’t it? They seem to be happier on the ground as well. It’s a good thing to be in. It makes you feel good, doesn’t it? The tag, they will always carry that from 2nd November onwards. I think they are well-equipped to carry that tag along.”

Reflecting on the first two games, he noted, “You can see in the first, at least whatever I saw in the first two games, it was a fantastic effort. Sri Lanka is a very good side. There is no doubt about it. Every side, every opponent, we look at it as a challenge. They have got some fantastic players. We respect that. Every opponent, we do treat them with equal respect.”

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca has set an ambitious goal for the upcoming year: to break into the world’s top 15 men’s tennis players. The 19-year-old, who enjoyed a successful 2025 season on the ATP Tour with two titles, views this achievement as just the beginning of his journey.

“I intend to break into the world’s top 15. It’s bold, but I’m thinking big,” said Fonseca in an interview with Veja. He added, “I will also be aiming for consistent results, without ups and downs.”

Starting the year ranked 113th, Fonseca has made impressive strides, climbing to No. 24 after clinching victories in Buenos Aires (ATP 250) and Basel (ATP 500). His standout moments in 2025 also included reaching the third round at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Beyond his tennis aspirations, Fonseca shared some personal New Year’s resolutions. “In my free time, I want to learn Italian, take a poker course, and manage my money,” he stated.

Brazil’s only men’s Grand Slam singles champion is Gustavo Kuerten, who triumphed at the French Open in 1997, 2000, and 2001.

In 2025, Fonseca has showcased his talent by reaching at least the second round in all four Grand Slam tournaments, having made it to the third round at both the French Open and Wimbledon. He has also represented Brazil in the Davis Cup, holding a 4-2 win-loss record in the prestigious men’s team competition.

In August 2024, he broke into the top 175, achieving a ranking of No. 166, after securing his first Challenger title at the 2024 Lexington Challenger, where he won without dropping a single set—making him the youngest Challenger champion of that season at 17.

Fonseca qualified for the 2024 Next Generation ATP Finals on November 29, 2024, and emerged victorious, despite being the lowest-ranked player in the tournament.

Continuing his upward trajectory in 2025, he captured his second Challenger title at the very first tournament of the season, the 2025 Canberra Tennis International, defeating American Ethan Quinn in the final. This win marked his 10th consecutive victory and elevated him to a new career-high ranking of No. 113.

India’s off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma is fit and available for selection for the third T20I against Sri Lanka, head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed on the eve of the match.

Deepti missed the second T20I in Visakhapatnam, which India won by seven wickets, due to a mild fever. The BCCI medical team was closely monitoring her recovery. “Deepti is absolutely fine. She’s available and fit,” said Muzumdar in the pre-match press conference.

India haven’t yet tried out pacer Renuka Singh Thakur in the series, and Muzumdar attributed this to experimenting with different combinations. “For Renuka, again, we were looking at a different combination. Also trying out a few things, and she’s an integral part of this team, as you’ve known in the last two years. It’s just about trying out a few things within the group,” he explained.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 69 not out and 26 in the games in Visakhapatnam, skipped the practice session as a precautionary measure. “Jemimah had a little bit of an issue, but I think she’s fine. She’s just resting today. The doctors and the physios are having a close look at her, monitoring her consistently. She should be fine. It’s just a mandatory rest that she wants. We’ll decide the playing XI on the morning of the game.”

This matchup will mark the first time India plays a women’s international game at the Greenfield International Stadium. Muzumdar expressed the team’s eagerness to assess their game plan for a series win at the venue. “We haven’t had the opportunity to have a look at the venue. We’ve just arrived, but I think we’re very happy to explore Trivandrum, and it’s a new venue for us. As far as I remember, this is the first time we’re playing an international women’s game here in Trivandrum. Very happy to be here in Trivandrum and nice to be here in God’s own country.”

“It’s not about challenges, it’s about just identifying or knowing the conditions and catering to them. It’s not constantly about challenges or ‘oh, we haven’t done this, so we’ll do this’. It’s just about whether we feel that bowling first is a good option, then bowling first is a good option, and if we feel that batting first could be a better option on this ground, then we will decide so,” he added.

“We’ll have a better idea of the ground and the pitches today. That’s the reason we are here for our nets session. We’ll get a fair idea of the pitch as well as the entire ground. We intend to spend a lot of time on the main ground, so we’ll get a fair idea after that, and we’ll decide accordingly,” he concluded.

Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy, Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat, S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy, and Army Boys Sports Company secured decisive wins on Day 2 of the 3rd Hockey India Junior Men Academy Championship 2025 – Zone A & B being played in Surat, Gujarat.

Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy Dominates

In Pool D, Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy dominated Raja Karan Hockey Academy with a stunning 15–0 victory. Tashu scored four goals in the 19th, 52nd, 55th, and 58th minutes. Siddharth netted a hat-trick with goals at the 22nd, 35th, and 56th minutes. Nishant added two goals in the 16th and 28th minutes, while Duvish also contributed twice with goals at 58th and 59th minutes. Additionally, Captain Yuvraj Singh (6’), Jay (26’), Yash (44’), and Kapil (52’) each scored once.

Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy Shines

In the same pool, Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy of Sonepat achieved an 8–0 victory over Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy. Nikhil scored four goals, finding the net in the 13th, 31st, 41st, and 45th minutes. Himanshu added two goals at the 27th and 51st minutes, while Yashmit Deswal and Aryan each scored once at 25th and 37th minutes, respectively.

S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy’s Convincing Win

In Pool C, S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy convincingly defeated Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society with a score of 15–1. Sukhdev Singh netted four goals at 43’, 45’, 49’, and 58’. Diljeet Singh scored twice at 5’ and 16’, while Mehakdeep Singh also scored two goals at 20’ and 60’. Jarmandeep Singh contributed with goals at 25’ and 41’. Inderpreet Singh added braces at 38’ and 53’. Arshdeep Singh and Sukhraj Singh completed the scoring with goals at 18’ and 59’ respectively. The only goal for Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society came from Anubhav at 19’.

Army Boys Sports Company Triumphs

In Pool A, Army Boys Sports Company defeated Cheema Hockey Academy 6–1. Goals came from Bara Chhitij (1’, 4’), Venkateswara Kolnati Rao (22’, 47’), K.T. Aiyappa Linith (7’), and R.P. Rithveesh (57’). Harmanjot Singh scored the only goal for Cheema Hockey Academy.

Day 3 Summary:

• Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy beat Raja Karan Hockey Academy 15–0 in Pool D.
• Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat triumphed over Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy 8–0 in Pool D.
• S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy achieved a 15–1 win against Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society in Pool C.
• Army Boys Sports Company won 6–1 against Cheema Hockey Academy in Pool A.