Bhubaneswar is set for another high-voltage night as the Men’s Hero Hockey India League HIL 2025-26 reaches its most unforgiving phase. On Sunday evening, January 25, Hyderabad Toofans and Ranchi Royals will step onto the Kalinga Hockey Stadium turf knowing that there is no safety net left. One team will book a place in the…
For years, Indian swimming has lived in a fog of half-truths. We have spoken about potential, blamed facilities, argued about selection policies, and celebrated the occasional international medal without ever answering the most basic performance question: are Indian swimmers actually fast enough to compete at the Asian Games? Now, with the 2026 Asian Games qualification…
The international badminton calendar was jolted on January 24, 2026, when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed that the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) had relinquished its hosting rights for the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships. What was initially expected to be a routine organisational shift has instead revealed a much deeper structural crisis within the…
Ranchi, Jharkhand witnessed a display of depth, endurance and organisational strength on Saturday as athletes from the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) clinched both the senior men’s and women’s team titles at the 60th National Cross Country Championships, underlining their supremacy in Indian long-distance running. Competing on a challenging course that tested stamina and tactical…
The sixth round of the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee delivered a dramatic shift in the tournament narrative, as reigning World Champion D. Gukesh suffered a costly defeat to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, allowing the Uzbek grandmaster to take sole lead in one of the most competitive editions in recent memory. Gukesh, who had finally…
Defending champions West Bengal and a quietly efficient Rajasthan continued their winning runs on a dramatic Friday in Group A of the 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy Final Round, as late goals, comebacks and missed chances shaped a gripping day of football in Dhakuakhana and Silapathar. While West Bengal edged past a resilient…
The Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 reaches a decisive juncture on Sunday evening as Hyderabad Toofans and Ranchi Royals meet in Qualifier 2 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar. With a place in the Final at stake, this is a do-or-die contest that will determine who earns the right to challenge Vedanta Kalinga…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) took a significant step towards securing the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday by holding a virtual pre-bid conference for the league’s 2025–26 commercial and broadcast rights. The meeting, chaired by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan, brought together some of the…
Maharashtra Kesari climbed to the top of the Pro Wrestling League, PWL 2026 standings after producing one of the most dramatic team performances of the season, edging out the previously unbeaten Haryana Thunders 5–4 in a pulsating Match 10 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday night. With the tie locked at 4–4 going into…
Indian football’s return to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 is far more than a routine continental appearance. For the Blue Tigresses, the opening Group C fixture against Vietnam on March 4, 2026, at Perth Rectangular Stadium (HBF Park) is a decisive inflection point that could define their entire World Cup cycle. The tournament,…
India’s table tennis campaign at the WTT Contender Muscat came to a bittersweet close in the semifinals, with both Indian doubles pairs producing brave, high-quality performances before bowing out against formidable Chinese opposition. While neither Manav Thakkar–Manush Shah nor Ayhika Mukherjee–Yashaswini Ghorpade could cross the semi-final hurdle, their runs underlined how close Indian doubles is…
The National Selection Trials 1&2 Group A at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range delivered a day of elite-level shooting as Maharashtra’s Sakshi Sunil Padekar and Railways’ Shahu Tushar Mane both produced scores that eclipsed the existing national records in the 10m Air Rifle events. While these marks will not be officially ratified due to…
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers secured their place in the final of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Ranchi Royals in Qualifier 1 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday. In a match that was defined by defensive discipline, penalty-corner efficiency and moments of individual brilliance, Alexander Hendrickx…
Indian table tennis enjoyed one of its most significant mixed doubles moments in recent memory as Manush Shah and Diya Chitale lifted the WTT Contender Muscat title, defeating China’s Huang Youzheng and Shi Xunyao in a gripping five-game final. The third-seeded Indian pair prevailed 3–2 in a match that swung wildly in momentum before being…
The focus of Indian distance running will firmly be on Ranchi this Saturday as the 60th National Cross Country Championships double up as the official selection trial for the 18th Asian Cross Country Championships, scheduled to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, on February 21. With places in the Indian national team on the line, the…
As the international golf calendar moves into full swing, India’s leading professional Shubhankar Sharma begins his 2026 campaign this week at the prestigious Hero Dubai Desert Classic, one of the most celebrated tournaments on the DP World Tour. While his competitive season technically began with the BMW Australian PGA Championship in November, this week’s start…
Tilottama Sen underlined her growing stature in Indian shooting with another high-quality performance at the National Selection Trials 1 & 2 Group A, clinching the 10m Air Rifle Women (Trial 1) title at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range on Thursday. Coming on the back of her sweep of the 50m Rifle 3 Positions trials…
Indian squash continues to announce itself on the world stage, and on Thursday in New York, Anahat Singh delivered another statement performance. The 17-year-old Indian, ranked World No. 31, defeated Lucy Turmel of England (WR 32) in four games to advance to the Pre-Quarterfinals of the prestigious Tournament of Champions 2026, a PSA World Tour…
The BMW Golf Cup has long been synonymous with premium amateur golf, but the 2026 edition in India represents a step-change in ambition, scale, and reach. Now in its 16th year in the country, the tournament is set to become the largest amateur golf series ever staged in India, with 19 qualifying events across 13…
The Indian sports fan is no longer a passive spectator confined to a television screen. Over the last 15 years, India’s sports ecosystem has undergone a structural transformation one that has shifted the country from a cricket-dominated entertainment market into a diversified, digitally powered, multi-sport economy. Valued at roughly USD 19 billion today, the industry…
The 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 burst into life on Wednesday, January 21, with a high-energy opening day across Dhakuakhana and Silapathar in Assam, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested Final Round. Defending champions West Bengal announced their intent in emphatic fashion, while Tamil Nadu and…
The Indian men’s football team began 2026 with a modest but symbolic rise in the FIFA Rankings, moving up one place to 141st in the latest January update. While the Blue Tigers did not play a single international match since their defeat to Bangladesh in November, the reshuffle in global rankings has still worked in…
The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), in partnership with the Indian Golf Union (IGU), the Professional Golfers’ Association of India (PGAI) and The Golf Foundation (TGF), has unveiled a transformative grassroots programme aimed at reshaping the future of Indian golf. Launched at the Delhi Golf Club on January 22 in the presence of tennis legend…
JSW Soorma Hockey Club produced one of their most dominant performances of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26, crushing SG Pipers 6–1 in their final group-stage match in Bhubaneswar. Yet, in a cruel twist of sporting fate, even that emphatic scoreline was not enough to carry them into the Qualifiers. Soorma needed a seven-goal…
India’s stylish batter Jemimah Rodrigues has taken another significant step in her growing global career after being signed by Southern Brave for the 2026 season of the Women’s Hundred. The 25-year-old’s move marks a new chapter in her association with one of England’s most competitive franchises and further underlines her rising stature in the world’s…
Stage Three of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 delivered exactly what a decisive mid-race chapter is meant to provide attrition, tactical tension, and a dramatic sprint that reshaped the balance of the overall contest without yet settling it. Set against the undulating terrain of the Western Ghats Gateway, the 22 January stage tested the…
Manika Batra came within touching distance of one of her most memorable wins of the 2026 season before bowing out in a pulsating five-game battle against China’s Shi Xunyao in the Round of 16 at the WTT Contender Muscat. In a contest that swung wildly in momentum and intensity, Shi eventually edged past the Indian…
Indian duo Manush Shah and Diya Chitale produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the tournament at the WTT Contender Muscat on Thursday night, overturning a two-game deficit to defeat Thibault Poret and Charlotte Lutz in a gripping Mixed Doubles semifinal at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. After dropping the opening two games, Shah…
In the depths of winter, when most of the Himalayan region slows under heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, the frozen expanses of Spiti come alive with the sound of skates carving ice and sticks striking pucks. From February 7 to 11, 2026, the Spiti Cup powered by Royal Enfield will return for its third season,…
In a league that thrives on spectacle as much as sporting excellence, the Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals have taken a decisive step towards shaping their identity by unveiling their official team anthem for Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2.0. Rooted in Mumbai’s contemporary rap culture and layered with traditional regional sounds, the anthem is more than…
India’s rising table tennis pairing of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale produced one of their most composed and complete performances on the international stage to defeat Koen Pang (Netherlands) and Zeng Jian (China) 3–1 in the mixed doubles quarterfinals at the WTT Contender Muscat 2026, booking their place in the semifinals after a tense, high-quality…
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB’s dream run in the Women’s Premier League 2026 has continued to gather momentum, with the defending champions becoming the first team to confirm a playoff berth after five wins from five matches. At the heart of this remarkable start is a combination of tactical clarity, squad depth and an unshakable belief…
The L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series is poised to reclaim centre stage in Indian tennis as it returns for its fifth edition, bringing with it an impressive roster of international stars and a growing reputation as one of the most important women’s tournaments in South Asia. The qualifying rounds will be held on January…
Indian doubles specialist N. Sriram Balaji and Austrian partner Neil Oberleitner produced one of the most gripping matches of the opening rounds at the Australian Open 2026, edging past the experienced pairing of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Jordan Thompson in a nerve-shredding three-set thriller to book their place in the second round at Melbourne Park. The…
Indian men’s doubles stars Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar produced a commanding performance to defeat Noshad Alamiyaan and Navid Shams in the quarterfinals of the WTT Contender Muscat 2026, sealing a 3–1 victory and booking their place in the semifinals at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The final scoreline 11–3, 11–3, 9–11, 11–8 underlined India’s…
Bengaluru FC’s decision to appoint Renedy Singh as head coach ahead of the Indian Super League 2025–26 season is far more than a routine managerial change. It is a declaration of intent not about chasing glamour or expensive signings, but about survival, sustainability, and redefining what success means in Indian football’s most turbulent year. Announced…
The Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 reaches its most decisive phase on Thursday evening as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers lock horns with Ranchi Royals in Qualifier 1 at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium. Scheduled for a 5:00 PM IST start on 23 January, the clash pits the top two sides from the league stage…
In one of the most gripping ties of the Pro Wrestling League, PWL 2026 so far, Maharashtra Kesari edged past UP Dominators 5–4 in Match 9 at the Noida Indoor Stadium, thanks to a stunning late fall by Harshita Mor in the women’s 76kg bout. The result lifted Maharashtra Kesari to second place on the…
PV Sindhu once again underlined her enduring class and competitive fire at the Indonesia Masters 2026, as she defeated Denmark’s Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt in straight games to book a place in the quarterfinals. The 21–19, 21–18 victory, achieved in 42 intense minutes in Jakarta, was significant for more than just progression in a Super 500…
New Delhi witnessed another high-quality day of shooting at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range as India’s elite rifle and pistol shooters continued their battle for national selection in Group A. The spotlight belonged firmly to Tilottama Sen, who made it two wins out of two in the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, while…
Bihar once again underlined their dominance in India’s age-group rugby as they were crowned champions of the Boys’ Under-15 category at the 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship, defeating hosts Odisha in the final at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday evening. The defending champions produced a composed and clinical performance to win 25–5, retaining the…
The opening round of the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2026 delivered a powerful snapshot of where Indian badminton stands in early 2026 a mix of resilience, heartbreak, promise and the growing depth of the women’s singles pipeline. While PV Sindhu once again showed why she remains India’s most reliable performer on the World Tour, the results…
The Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons held their nerve under pressure to defeat Ranchi Royals 4–2 in a dramatic shootout after a thrilling 3–3 draw in regulation time in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Tuesday night. While the Dragons walked away with the valuable shootout bonus point, the…
Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues produced a captain’s knock under pressure, scoring a composed unbeaten half-century to guide Delhi Capitals to a crucial seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday. On a surface that slowed considerably as the innings progressed, Rodrigues’ calm presence ensured Delhi…
Indian junior tennis enjoyed a significant boost in Melbourne on January 21 as Diya Ramesh produced one of the standout results of the Australian Open Juniors qualifying rounds. The Chennai-based teenager stunned fourth seed and world No. 86 Anita Tu of the United States in straight sets, winning 7–5, 6–2 to move into the second…
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 continued to live up to its reputation as one of the most demanding stage races on the Asian calendar as Stage Two unfolded across the rugged and historic Maratha Heritage Circuit on Tuesday. Stretching 105.3 kilometres through the heart of Pune district, the route took the peloton across a…
Bengaluru is set to become the centre of Indian tennis next month as the national team prepares to host the Netherlands in the Round 1 Qualifiers of the Davis Cup on February 7 and 8, 2026. With World Group progression at stake, the two-day tie promises intense, high-quality tennis and an atmosphere that only the…
When Udita lifted the Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 trophy with SG Pipers, it marked the pinnacle of a remarkable season for her team. But the significance of that moment stretched well beyond the podium. Watching from the sidelines of the men’s competition was her husband, Mandeep Singh, the Ranchi Royals attacker who now…
PV Sindhu once again reminded the badminton world why she remains one of the sport’s most formidable competitors, producing a comeback that embodied grit, belief, and elite match temperament at the Indonesia Masters Super 500. In her opening-round clash at the iconic Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Sindhu overturned a deeply challenging situation to defeat Japan’s…
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 delivered its first true test of endurance and tactical nous on Tuesday as Stage 1, the Mulshi–Maval Miles, unfolded across an unforgiving 87.2-kilometre route beginning at TCS Circle near Hinjewadi. What followed was a high-speed examination of nerve, positioning and teamwork, ending with a thrilling sprint finish that underlined…
