India introduced 68 Test debutants between 2006 and 2026, but only a handful became long-term pillars as fierce competition reshaped the national side

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill (L-R)

Business Standard

India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee clash of the Women's T20 Asia Cup on September 5 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Asian Cricket Council announced on Thursday.
The eighth-team tournament will begin on August 28, with Hong Kong taking on Thailand in the opening Group A fixture, and will run until September 13.
Group A features seven-time champions India, Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong and China.
Defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Indonesia have been placed in Group B.
The sixth edition of the Women's Asia Cup to be played in the T20 format will see teams compete in a single round-robin group stage.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for September 10 (A1 vs B2) and September 11 (A2 vs B1), with the final on September 13.
In Group B, Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh on September 6, with hosts UAE and Indonesia completing the pool.
Sri Lanka enter the tournament as defending champions, while Bang

India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee clash of the Women's T20 Asia Cup on September 5 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Asian Cricket Council announced on Thursday.

Press Trust of India

Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday's practice session and will sit out the opening day as a precautionary measure.

Root, who captained England between 2017 and 2022, returns to lead the side after Stokes' retirement from Test cricket.

The men's cricket competition will once again be played in the T20 format and staged at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

India, the highest-ranked team in the 12-team competition, have been kept apart from arch-rivals Pakistan, who have been placed in Pool B alongside Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand.

Asian Games 2026 hockey

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)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday decided to field two separate teams for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup beginning late September and for the international friendly against Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata, a move opposed by former captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup, to be held during the international friendly window of September 21 to October 6, was introduced by the global governing body to elevate football in Southeast Asia by providing high-quality, competitive international matches. India, China and Hong Kong were invited for the tournament. China, however, declined the offer.
India have been drawn into Group A of Division 1, or the Premier Division, for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The Blue Tigers will face Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in the group stage.
But the FIFA-sanctioned tournament's dates clashed with the friendly match against Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata.
"One of the principal decisions taken during the meeting was to confirm 

AIFF

India have been drawn into Group A of Division 1, or the Premier Division, for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The Blue Tigers will face Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in the group stage.

Real Madrid has reached a deal with Leipzig for the transfer of young Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande.
The Spanish powerhouse said Thursday that the 19-year-old forward will be linked to the club for the next seven seasons.
Diomande had an outstanding World Cup, and some Premier League teams were reportedly interested in signing him. Leipzig had been saying he was not for sale.
Ivory Coast was eliminated by Norway in the World Cup round of 32.
Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer said Diomande "impressed us with his carefree attitude, willingness to learn, and courage from day one."
"He quickly established himself at the highest level with us, showcasing his speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring threat."
He said the club was proud that Diomande's performances "garnered significant international attention."
Paris Saint-Germain also was reportedly interested in signing the young forward.
It was not yet clear if Diomande would initially be registered with Madrid's B

Yan Diomande

Real Madrid has reached a deal with Leipzig for the transfer of young Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande.

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.

Brazil star Vinicius Junior has agreed to a contract extension with Real Madrid to remain at the Spanish powerhouse through June 2032, the club has announced.
The 26-year-old winger had entered the final year of his contract and reportedly had drawn interest from Premier League champion Arsenal.
Vinicius has scored 128 goals in 375 matches since joining Madrid at age 18 and has helped the club win 14 titles, including La Liga three times and the Champions League twice.
"Vinicius Jr has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history," the club said in its announcement on Thursday.
Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.
Vinicius wrote on Instagram: "Eight years at the Bernabeu are too few ... 6 more years, and forever!"
Los Blancos enter the 2026-27 season with a new coach - Jose Mourinho, for a second stint - and renewed expectations among fans.
Madrid hasn't won a major title in two years with superstar striker Kylian 

Vinicius Jr Saudi Pro League Real Madrid

Brazil star Vinicius Junior has agreed to a contract extension with Real Madrid to remain at the Spanish powerhouse through June 2032, the club has announced.

The latest criticism comes amid one of the most turbulent periods of Infantino's presidency, with UEFA, CONCACAF and several influential football stakeholders openly questioning FIFA's leadership.

Gianni Infantino

All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has urged the Tata group to reconsider its "shocking" decision of withdrawing Jamshedpur FC from the embattled Indian Super League (ISL).
The Tata group has made it clear that JFC's exit from the ISL was a long-planned strategic decision to ensure that the company returns to its core ideal of grassroots football development. Tata Steel vice President (Corporate Services) D B Sundara Ramam has also insisted that the move has "nothing to do" with the uncertainty surrounding the ISL's commercial future and would not be reconsidered.
However, Chaubey said the AIFF would still hope for a rethink by the legacy corporate house.
"AIFF would be happy if Tata remains in football, especially in senior top tier football. If an AIFF request or application can change their mind...the AIFF would like to appeal that for the interest of the players and football, Tata should remain in the senior football league," Chaubey told PTI in an ...

Kalyan Chaubey

The Tata group has made it clear that JFC's exit from the ISL was a long-planned strategic decision to ensure that the company returns to its core ideal of grassroots football development.

The Gunners are closing in on a deal for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with negotiations progressing towards a full agreement after weeks of talks.

Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal

FIFA said it had apologized for errors made over Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that senior staff in attendance at a crisis meeting in Morocco "reaffirmed their full support" for his presidency.
World soccer's governing body attempted to present a unified front amid the turbulence caused by Infantino's controversial plans, with calls for him to step down.
In a statement, FIFA said Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and members of the management board in attendance in Rabat had given their support to the embattled president.
Referring to the plans to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the statement said "mistakes made were acknowledged" and that the "process should have been handled differently."
FIFA said a letter had been sent to FIFA Council and member associations apologizing for errors and committed to "ensure they do not happen again."
Grafstrom's stated support was notable a

FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the stands

Football's governing body acknowledged mistakes in handling the proposed World Cup commercial venture, while senior officials reaffirmed their support for president Gianni Infantino

Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atletico San Luis 4-2 on a rainy night.
The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area.
Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches - one ahead of Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament's four-year history.
Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored, and Noah Allen had three assists as Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches.
Messi returned to Miami's starting lineup in his second match since the World Cup, where he led Argentina to its second straight final appearance before La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old played 37 minutes as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
After being held off the scoresheet against Columbus, it didn't take Messi long

Lionel Messi

Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches

The National Women's Soccer League will kick off its season earlier than ever before next year to work around the Women's World Cup in Brazil.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman gave a wide-ranging midseason State of the League address Wednesday during which she discussed next season's schedule, the impact of the men's World Cup and other topics impacting the league.
The league's 15th season will open on Feb. 11, more than a month earlier than this season. The annual Challenge Cup match will be played on Feb. 6. The NWSL will pause from June 24 to July 25 during the Women's World Cup as many of the league's players will be on national teams that qualify for the tournament. The playoffs will start on Nov. 5 and the league championship will be played on Nov. 20.
"We know that major tournaments inspire millions of people to follow the sport, and our schedule allows us to be part of the lead-in and the lead-out of that big moment," Berman said.
The league is intentionally launching the .

National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League will kick off its season earlier than ever before next year to work around the Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Police in Scotland said they had received reports that "several" athletes were unaccounted for following the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Ugandan sporting news website NBS Sport said four members of the nation's boxing squad had reportedly gone missing in Scotland and did not rejoin the rest of the delegation before the team's scheduled return to Uganda on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Today newspaper also reported a missing boxer from the Pakistan team.
"Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for. Enquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office," a Police Scotland spokesperson said.
There have been numerous cases of athletes seeking asylum following previous Commonwealth Games, including 2018 on the Gold Coast in Australia and in 2014 when hosted by Glasgow again.
"We've welcomed nearly 3,000 athletes to the city from 74 nations. We want to deliver a safe and secure games, so we work real

Qudratullah

There have been numerous cases of athletes seeking asylum following previous Commonwealth Games, including 2018 on the Gold Coast in Australia and in 2014 when hosted by Glasgow

The Commonwealth Games flag was formally presented to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.
After returning from Glasgow, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the flag to Patel during the cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, symbolising the commencement of preparations for the upcoming event.
Sanghavi, along with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P. T. Usha, participated in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, where the Commonwealth Games Flag was formally handed over to India as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.
"Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi formally presented the Commonwealth Games Flag, with full honour and dignity, to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during the state cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar," according to an official release.
Para-athletes Rakesh Bhatt and Rohit Majgul, who

CWG 2030

The Commonwealth Games flag was formally presented to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.

The Pakistan Boxing Federation has again come under the scrutiny after boxer Qudratullah slipped away from the team hotel at the end of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
It is not the first time that the PBF has come under the spotlight for the wrong reasons as in the past in nearly every big international event there have been instances of boxers slipping away in foreign countries.
A reliable source close to the Pakistan Olympic Association said on Tuesday that Qudratullah after competing in his weight division in the CWG vanished from the team hotel.
"The interesting thing is Qudratullah disappeared despite his passport being with the team manager," the source added.
Even during the 2022 Commonwealth Games two national boxers, Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan disappeared in Birmingham although their passports reportedly were with the contingent head.
In the World Olympic Qualifiers in Italy in 2024, Asian gold medallist boxer, Zohaib Rasheed stole his roommates foreign curre

Even during the 2022 Commonwealth Games two national boxers, Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan disappeared in Birmingham

Asmita Dey, who became the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, said she always believed she would script history for the country and that unwavering self-belief proved to be the defining factor in her triumph.
"Even before I boarded the flight to Glasgow, I had only one thing in my mind -- I had to win the gold medal. I kept telling myself that I would return to India with the gold," Asmita told PTI on the sidelines of the felicitation ceremony for the judo medallists at Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's residence here on Tuesday.
Recalling her memorable campaign, Asmita admitted there was a brief moment in the final when she feared the gold might slip away, but timely encouragement from her coach Yashpal Solanki helped her regain control.
"The competition was tough because my opponent in the final was from Canada. She was ranked just below me, so we were almost at the same level. When she scored against me, for a couple of seconds I thought I might ...

Asmita Dey, Asmita

Recalling her memorable campaign, Asmita admitted there was a brief moment in the final when she feared the gold might slip away

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

Fifa says the stake sale would unlock billions for development, but Uefa and Concacaf fear an opaque deal could make football's biggest events answerable to investors.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (L-R) (PIC: Reuters)

The 2026-27 season will feature 19 professional tournaments across 10 cities, beginning in Mumbai in August 2026 and concluding in Bengaluru in June 2027

(From left) Jigar Doshi, co-founder, PadelPark India; Santosh Iyer, managing director and chief executive officer, Mercedes-Benz India; Pratik Doshi, co-founder, PadelPark India; and Brendon Sissing, vice-president, sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz

As the official sports goods partner, ASICS will support the 2026 edition and use the platform to engage with the country's growing community of recreational and competitive runners

ASICS has renewed its association with the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon

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