Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: The badminton world was left stunned on Wednesday as Denmark’s two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement at the age of 32, citing persistent back problems that have made it impossible to “compete and train at the highest level.” The decision brings down the curtain on one…
Rishabh Pant in pain (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: It was a worrying moment for Rishabh Pant and Lucknow Super Giants early in their IPL clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, as the skipper was forced to walk off the field after a painful blow to his elbow.Pant had just come in to bat and…
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli was not included in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s starting XI against Lucknow Super Giants in Bengaluru, but he was named among the Impact Players, meaning he could still come in to bat if needed. His absence at the start comes after he picked up an ankle injury in RCB’s previous match against…
Ben Stokes has revealed he feels “quite lucky” to be alive after a terrifying training incident left him with a broken cheekbone, underlining just how close he came to a far more serious outcome. The all-rounder was struck flush on the face by a cricket ball during a net session while coaching academy players at…
Vincent Keymer and Javokhir Sindarov (Photo by Freestyle Chess and Niki Riga) NEW DELHI: The chess world has a new apex predator, and his name is Javokhir Sindarov.In a breathtaking display of tactical aggression, the 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) clinched the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 on Tuesday, securing his right to challenge India’s D Gukesh…
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra. Lucknow Super Giants:…
R-L India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, and China’s Zhu Jiner (Photos by Michal Walusza) NEW DELHI: The hour of judgement has arrived. Unless a tie-breaker is forced and we have to wait for another day, it will be decided on Wednesday on the Mediterranean shores of Cyprus who will take the Women’s Candidates crown…
Munaf Patel, Gautam Gambhir Former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel has backed men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that if he is removed from his position as the head coach, it will become tough to handle players, adding that many people don’t like Gambhir because he is a genuine person.“Just remember this, if a…
NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane, captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, was on Wednesday fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.As this was the team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22…
Wisden condemns India over ‘Orwellian’ governance (Screengrab/x) The 2026 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, being published on Thursday, says that the game’s previous USP as a “refuge from realpolitik” has been poisoned by the growing politicisation of the sport under India’s “Orwellian” influence.The “Notes by the Editor” of the 163rd edition of the annual, targets India’s growing…