As the Centre of Excellence approaches its second anniversary, those involved in its creation have recalled how the project moved from an idea to a functioning high-performance facility.

BCCI CoE

Business Standard

Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan on Sunday replaced injured Sai Sudharsan in the Indian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15.
The left-handed Sudarshan had suffered a toe injury during the India A tour last month and is recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru.
The BCCI said Sudarshan has made significant progress in his recovery and its medical team is closely monitoring his progress.
"The men's Selection Committee has named Sarfaraz Khan as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka," BCCI said in a release.
"He will link up with the Indian squad in Colombo before the team travels to Galle for the first Test match, starting August 15, 2026."
The 28-year-old Sarfaraz has played six Tests for India, his last being a game against New Zealand in Mumbai in 2024.
India's updated squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja

Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan on Sunday replaced injured Sai Sudharsan in the Indian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15.

Press Trust of India

With Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the players currently unavailable for India's upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, questions regarding rehab are being raised.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has said the IPL can "fit" into his team's hectic international schedule, but the demands on his Test stars mean they will have to "balance it out" with workload management, particularly for the fast bowlers.
Beginning with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh on Thursday, Australia are set to play 20 Tests and 14 white-ball matches across next 12 months, with the 2027 IPL window expected to fall between a five-Test tour of India and the World Test Championship final, before the Ashes in England.
"I know people will start talking about the IPL and filling that time and what does that look like," McDonald told Cricinfo.
"I've said this before, the IPL is part of our management plan for a lot of our players, and to expose our best players in what I believe is the best competition in terms of T20 cricket has its performance benefits as well. You've just got to balance that out."
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and ..

Beginning with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh on Thursday, Australia are set to play 20 Tests and 14 white-ball matches across next 12 months.

Talented top order batter B Sai Sudharsan was on Saturday ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a big toe injury sustained during the India A tour of the island nation last month.
Sudharsan, who scored two tons in two 'A' Test matches, was hit during the second game against Sri Lanka 'A' and since then has been in rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
"Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Doctors have advised more time for biological healing. Significant improvement, but not yet sufficient for a safe return to Test cricket," according to the update from the Sports Science team which is monitoring the rehabilitation of the player.
The Sports Science team has informed the management and national selection committee.
The medical cum fitness advice for Sudharsan reads: "Rehabilitation, strength & conditioning, and cricket-specific loads should be increased gradually and under close

Sudharsan, who scored two tons in two 'A' Test matches, was hit during the second game against Sri Lanka 'A' and since then has been in rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC believe that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's recent plan to sell an interest in the World Cup was a "fundamental breach of trust" with the institutions world soccer's governing body serves.
In an "open letter to the football family" revealed on Monday, UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC also said that "when trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned."
UEFA runs soccer in Europe, CONCACAF does the same for North, Central America and the Caribbean, while the AFC governs the sport in Asia.
The letter was co-signed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and three general secretaries.
"Football is the world's greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution. It belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations and every institution ...

Gianni Infantino

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC believe that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's recent plan to sell an interest in the World Cup was a "fundamental breach of trust" with the institutions.

Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain has strengthened its defense by signing left back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa on a three-year contract.
PSG announced the deal on Sunday evening without giving financial details. Sports daily L'Equipe said it paid the Premier League club 10 million euros ($11.6 million).
The 33-year-old Digne was born in the Paris suburbs and previously played for PSG after joining from Lille in 2013. He then represented Roma and Barcelona before spending eight years in the Premier League with Everton and Villa.
An energetic defender with accurate passing, the left-footed Digne became a France regular in recent years under former coach Didier Deschamps. He played at the recent World Cup, where Les Bleus reached the semifinals, and has 64 caps.
"I am very honoured to be returning to Paris Saint-Germain following the wonderful experience I had here more than 10 years ago," he said. "I am particularly impressed by how the club has developed over the ...

PSG sign Lucas Digne

Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain has strengthened its defense by signing left back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa on a three-year contract.

In what appears to be a setback for Pakistan ahead of the FIH World Cup, the national federation has elevated its goalkeeping coach Bob Johan Veldhof to the position of head coach, after Herman Kruis returned to the Netherlands to continue with his existing assignment.
Just hours before the Pakistan squad departed for the World Cup, the Pakistan Hockey Federation announced that veteran Dutch coach Kruis, who had been originally named head coach, would instead serve as an adviser to the federation, while Veldhof would take charge of the national team.
The PHF had roped in the Dutch duo of Kruis and Veldhof along with Christopher Bowen following the FIH Pro League in Europe in June-July, appointing them as head coach, goalkeeping coach and assistant coach respectively as part of a coaching shakeup.
A reliable source said Kruis had informed the PHF that he would only be able to take up a full-time coaching assignment with the Pakistan team after the World Cup.
"He had left for the ...

Bob Veldhof

A reliable source said Kruis had informed the PHF that he would only be able to take up a full-time coaching assignment with the Pakistan team after the World Cup.

The organisers of the upcoming BWF World Championships in India have taken extensive steps to upgrade the venue, the Indira Gandhi Stadium, to avoid the embarrassment that rocked the India Open earlier this year.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) -- the venue's owner -- learnt their lesson the hard way. During the India Open in January, pigeons twice halted a second-round match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew. The subsequent complaints regarding hygiene and Delhi's smog left the BAI in a difficult position.
With the BWF World Championships returning to India after 17 years, the organisers are leaving no stone unturned to avoid further controversies. They have put anti-bird measures in place and even roped in monkey whisperers to host the world-class event from August 17 to 23.
The vents have been sealed, wooden doors have been replaced with a double-door entry system, and an automatic outer door has been added ahead of the regular .

IGI Stadium

With the BWF World Championships returning to India after 17 years, the organisers are leaving no stone unturned to avoid further controversies.

The study, based on BARC data and Nielsen consumer research, found that the Premier League's combined reach across linear television and digital platforms has increased 2.4 times in five years.

Arsenal Premier League

Michael Carrick has confirmed that Rashford will join Manchester United's squad in Dublin for the next stage of their pre-season preparations, alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez.

Marcus Rashford

During the interaction, PM Modi said athletes have been among the most frequent visitors to his residence and appreciated their consistent efforts over the years to achieve success for India.

PM Modi lauds CWG medallists

National senior record holder high jumper Pooja Singh failed to live up to the expectations, finishing seventh in the final, as India ended their World Athletics U20 Championships campaign with three medals here.
The 19-year-old Pooja could only clear 1.84m, way below her national senior record height of 1.93m. She failed to sail over 1.87m in three attempts.
Izobelle Louison-Roe of Australia won the gold with 1.92m, while Lilianna Batori (1.90m) of Hungary and Aitana Alonso (1.90m) of Spain bagged the silver and bronze respectively.
In May, Pooja had won gold in the Asian U20 Athletics Championships with the senior national record height of 1.93m. She is also the reigning gold medallist at the Senior Asian Athletics Athletics Championships.
The Indian women's 4x400m relay team, meanwhile, finished ninth and last in the final, clocking 3 minute 45.28 seconds. The team comprised Bhoomika Nehate, Tahura Khatun, Tanu Chaudhary and Thiya Arumugam.
USA won the gold with a time of 3:29.

Athletics India U20 World C'ships

The 19-year-old Pooja could only clear 1.84m, way below her national senior record height of 1.93m. She failed to sail over 1.87m in three attempts.

Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute to help Monterrey to a 2-1 win over Inter Miami, which played without Lionel Messi, in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night.
Messi returned to his native Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in the day. It is not known when the 39-year-old star forward will return to the club.
The 39-year-old Messi took a two-week break after leading Argentina to a runner-up World Cup finish. He made his first appearance as a reserve when Inter Miami tied Columbus 2-2 in an MLS match Aug. 1. Messi then had two goals and an assist in Inter Miami's first Leagues Cup match  a 4-2 win against Atletico San Luis on Wednesday.
Miami (1-1-0, 3 points) won the 2023 Leagues Cup and reached the final last year, but its chances of advancing to the knockout stage appear bleak with one match remaining in its 18-team group.
The strike by Rossi, who was acquired July 3 from the Columbus Crew, capped a two-goal second hal

Diego Rossi

Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute to help Monterrey to a 2-1 win over Inter Miami, which played without Lionel Messi, in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night.

Premier League clubs, in particular, have once again dominated the market, accounting for a large share of the biggest deals completed so far.

Football transfers

Arsenal completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle on Saturday.
The Premier League champion paid a reported 75 million pounds ($101 million) for Guimaraes, who signed a long-term deal at the Emirates.
"I'm very excited," Guimaraes said. "I'm at the point of my life where I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it."
Newcastle did not want to sell its captain, but the 28-year-old Guimaraes had told the club he wanted to leave.
Newcastle signed Guimaraes from Ligue 1 club Lyon in January 2022 and he swiftly established himself as a talisman for the team, as well as one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League.
Guimaraes helped Newcastle win the English League Cup in 2025 - the club's first major domestic trophy in 70 years - and also played a pivotal role in the team twice qualifying for the Champions League.
He joins an Arsenal midfield anchored by Declan Ri

Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal

Arsenal completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle on Saturday.

FIFA has issued a statement defending its president, Gianni Infantino, against what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine his leadership of the organization.
The statement was released Saturday, a day after a report by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph raising questions about an exit package paid by UEFA to a female staffer who worked with Infantino when he was general secretary of European soccer's governing body.
UEFA confirmed that a "departure payment" was made to the employee and said it was "in line" with regulations at the time.
Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years before being elected FIFA president.
In the statement Saturday, FIFA accused Infantino's critics of trying to weaken his authority and remove him from office without due process.
"It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president," the FIFA statement said. "Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should

FIFA has issued a statement defending its president, Gianni Infantino, against what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine his leadership of the organization.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain for objecting to a distorted map of India at a restaurant in Glasgow during his light-hearted interaction with the CWG medal-winners here.
The PM cracked jokes and heard from the medallists about their experiences building up to the Games and during their stay in Glasgow in the interaction which took place on Sunday. Modi's office released its video on Monday.
"Kya hua wo restaurant waale se jhagda kar rahi thi? (What happened, you were fighting with that restaurant guy?)" he asked Lovlina, who won the 75kg category gold.
The Assam boxer laughed and replied, "It was a happy occasion sir, we were celebrating and I didn't like to see the distorted flag. I politely told them and they have made the changes also."
The PM, while applauding her, said it was a thoughtful gesture at a time when she was just out to celebrate her triumph.
"To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a t

PM Modi praises Lovlina Borgohain

The PM cracked jokes and heard from the medallists about their experiences building up to the Games and during their stay in Glasgow in the interaction which took place on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Indian boxer had endured injuries, missed major international events and made a significant change in weight category before finally getting her opportunity at the CWG 2026.

Sakshi Choudhary and Virat Kohli

Country does well in Commonwealth and Asian games but must aim higher

India's Tejaswin Shankar celebrates with the national flag after winning the bronze medal in the men's decathlon event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 (PTI Photo)

Para-athlete and Commonwealth gold medalist Dilip Gavit could not meet MNS chief Raj Thackeray here even after waiting for nearly two hours on Thursday, his coach claimed.
Gavit, who won the gold in the men's 100m T47 final in the Commonwealth Games, had been invited to meet Thackeray who is touring Nashik, said his coach Vaijanath Kale.
A video showed MNS workers placating Kale and asking him to wait for some more time.
"We were waiting for quite some time....Sir (Thackeray) is busy. We will meet him later," Kale is heard saying.
MNS spokespersons' reaction was not immediately available.
India scripted history in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games, securing a historic one-two finish in the men's 100m T47 final as Dilip Gavit won the gold and Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath claimed the silver.

Dilip Gavit

Para-athlete and Commonwealth gold medalist Dilip Gavit could not meet MNS chief Raj Thackeray here even after waiting for nearly two hours on Thursday, his coach claimed.

Fintech companies, artificial intelligence firms, software businesses and sovereign-backed organisations are increasingly moving into football, bringing with them a different sponsorship landscape.

Premier League sponsors

Two-time Indian Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Friday became the co-owner of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup having already served as the programme's Ambassador for the past two seasons.
The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is one of a grassroots initiatives, designed to introduce children to sports through fun, inclusive and accessible competition. It has engaged more than 250,000 children across 2,500 plus schools in five cities.
"Over the last two seasons, I have seen the impact that UBS Athletics Kids Cup has created for children across schools," said Chopra, who added a Commonwealth Games silver to his crowded cabinet last month, in a release.
"Every child deserves an opportunity to discover and showcase their talent, and becoming Co-owner felt like the natural next step because I truly believe in the vision we're building together.
"Our ambition is to reach one million children and inspire many more youngsters to embrace sport. I look forward to sharing my own experience

India's javelin thrower and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Neeraj Chopra

The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is one of a grassroots initiatives, designed to introduce children to sports through fun, inclusive and accessible competition.

The former India batter has finished fourth in Kroll's India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025, with an estimated brand value of $125.9 million.

Sachin Tendulkar

Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan on Tuesday became the co-owner of four-time champions Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
The Stockholm-based global sports ownership group Anchor Sports AB completed the acquisition of the Kings, and has officially rebranded the team as Anchor Jaffna Kings.
Zaheer joins Anchor Sports owner Nagendra Siddoutam as co-owner as the group continues to expand its presence in global franchise cricket.
The Kings are the current table toppers with 11 points from eight matches.
Welcoming the new ownership, Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Founder and CEO of Innovative Production Group (IPG), the official rights holder of the Lanka Premier League, said: "We welcome Anchor Sports on board and to the LPL family as they take over the iconic Jaffna franchise. We are confident that Anchors Sports will build on this remarkable legacy, bringing fresh vision and energy to the franchise."
Sri Lanka Cricket had terminated the franchise agreement with Sports Commun

Zaheer Khan

The Stockholm-based global sports ownership group Anchor Sports AB completed the acquisition of the Kings, and has officially rebranded the team as Anchor Jaffna Kings

BS provides the latest news and updates on sports events like football, cricket, FIFA 2019, hockey, badminton, lawn tennis, IPL and more related sports news. Catch sports breaking news at Business Standard.

Buzzing :

Sports News

The Latest

Football news

Commonwealth Games

Business of Sports