Category: Sports

With a grand opening ceremony held separately at three different venues, the FIFA World Cup began on 12 June. Except for not holding it twice, when the world was at war in 1942 and 1946, the mega sports extravaganza has been consistently held every four years since 1930, and is now in its 23rd edition.
The Indian sports enthusiast is viewed as a consumer of sports rather than being physically on the ground (India, ranked third in the world, has a considerable adult and children population that is classified as obese), and is now all geared up for FIFA26. From which OTT or subscription channels are live-telecasting the FIFA matches, to which matches to view and which players not to be missed, while in action, all these calculations were clearly mapped by the Indian television audience much in advance and even before the games kicked off.

Whenever football is discussed, it inevitably brings the game into question, in contrast to the most popular game in India, cricket. No one would disagree with this choice. Despite the spirit of shrugging off colonial baggage and the decolonisation of various spheres of knowledge and ways of life, the game of cricket, handed down to Indians by the colonisers, still seamlessly sneaks into conversations people wish to have at typical social gatherings.

With the addition of the glamour quotient from Bollywood, which is a strong allyship to the game (cricketers’ affairs/marriages with Bollywood cine idols) and, in some instances, partnerships in the ownership of IPL teams (Periti Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla), as well as ownership of teams, has helped draw more viewers and spectators to the game.

Cricket is always regarded as a religion in India, and its demigods are followed by millions. Not long ago, the celebrations (victory parade) that culminated at the Chinnaswamy stadium left 11 people (RCB Fans) killed in a stampede. Just for argument’s sake, in India, is cricket and a cricketer worth dying for? This is altogether taking a different trajectory from the present argument. Though India has never played in FIFA, hopes are always high that cricket is one such game where both the men’s and women’s teams are sure to bring laurels.

The likes of Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri (called in after he retired from active participation) are among the very few men’s football players in the country whose names people usually drop. It would take some effort and would not immediately strike one’s mind to shout out a few more names. Though, for commercial interests, the Indian Super League (ISL) did generate some interest in Football amongst the TV viewers in India, it failed to be an economically viable proposition, muddled with bureaucratic hurdles. ISL failed to exist this year.

Which game has a longer historical past? The obvious answer is football. The modern game of football originated from the Chinese game of tsu chu (also known as cuju), which was played around 2500 BC. Tsu chu, which translates to ’kicking the leather ball with feet’, was part of physical instruction for troops during the Tsin Dynasty. The game has unquestionably grown to be the most popular, played, and watched game in the entire World, as it has spread to all corners of the globe over time. According to FIFA, more than 250 million people play Football across more than 200 Nations. Cricket is predominantly patronised by countries that were once British colonies. No wonder there is a strong lobby pushing to make cricket a permanent sports event at the Commonwealth Games.

When it comes to the nuances of both games, there are far too many rules that govern the game of cricket than football. Can anyone explain to someone without throwing them into a state of confusion about the DLS rule (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) in cricket? The rule (which involves a lot of calculations) is applied when a game of cricket is interrupted by conditions not suitable for playing. Football, however, is considered an all-weather game with fewer rules compared to cricket. No disruption to the game from rain or slight snow. Moreover, the equipment for the game of cricket is far larger in comparison to football, where 22 people huddle in and play with a leather ball. The UN has a special mention of the game and its power for global peace and solidarity. May 25 is designated as World Football Day by the UN. Except for offside, Football is simple to understand, follow, and play.

Cricket continues to attract viewership irrespective of the formats. May it be 20-20, IPL, Legends (players from yesteryears), Women’s IPL, or the extended version of a 5-day test series. An average Indian, on any given day, can double up as an expert in the game. From choosing the playing eleven to the role of winning the toss and making the right choices. The well-informed audience is aware of the pitch condition 22 yards pitch. How overcast weather can actually help the seamers, and the dew that makes the ball grip difficult.

Most discussions, predominantly on football, frequently start and end with the goal scores of teams. Not much discussion thereafter is sustained. Unless a first-world nation and a few look out to watch for players in this World Cup edition, or the underdog team becomes part of social interactions.
An extended game (soccer as in America and Football for the rest of the dwellers on the planet) lasts at least 90 minutes. With no result from the designated time, an extra 30 minutes is granted, and even when the result is a draw, it would be decided by penalty shootouts. Despite all this, at times the final score may be read as a draw. The predictability of the match is difficult because if the ball is found inside the net, the game would have been in the last few minutes/seconds before the final whistle is blown three times) Indicating the game headed towards its conclusion. Well, in a typical 20-20, each ball seems to be far more exciting. Even a dot ball leads to the planting of trees.

Sport and Geopolitics

People who prefer following and commenting on geopolitics will be much more interested in watching Iran and the US face off on the pitch and in the field. Remember, during the Cold War, the Olympics were one of the battlefields to show superiority beyond military accomplishments and technological advancements. Sports, as one of the tools for the exhibition of soft power, may gather some traction in high-brow people’s gatherings. The ongoing war between the US and Iran (15 weeks since it began) is still dictating the world economy, grabbing headlines in the media, and competing for the Cup. With Iran and the US playing in different groups (Iran in G and the US in D), there is no immediate chance to play each other. However, the possibility may not be ruled out completely as the progress beyond the Group stage. Depending on the performances of both teams in the group stage and the various qualification permutations, an Iran–United States clash in the knockout rounds would not come as a surprise to either football fans or geopolitical observers.

This year will see a total of 6 women referees officiating in the FIFA tournament. Have we ever, by chance, witnessed women umpires in men’s cricket matches? Well, football has set the precedent of inclusivity in sports. The ever-encountering discourses in academia strongly speak about how to break away from Eurocentrism. Third-world nations, particularly Latin American countries, have so far won 10 FIFA World Cups. This is very close to the European countries’ tally of 13 wins. One can clearly place football as a sport that has come close to breaking away from Eurocentrism.

Fouls and rule-breaking are celebrated and fresh in the memories. The controversial ‘hand of gold’ (Maradona) statues are installed at various places. So is head-butted by Zidane. As a tribute to yesteryear football players who were legends in the game, roses were given their names. David Beckham is one of them. There are some streets and roadways named after football players for their contributions. Naming of food and drinks in celebration of a football player is not a new phenomenon. One of the primary sources of fashion is diffused through football. Inking of the body(tattoos), styling of the mane, wearing the wrong color shoes and socks.

Catching up about the highlights is another way to take part in those office conversations about last night’s game/games. This year’s tournament has a tri-nation fixture with the US, Canada, and Mexico hosting FIFA 2026. 48 teams from nations with populations as small as 5 lakh people (There are 46 cities in India with a population of 10 lakh and above) make the cut for the most-watched sport on the planet. Cabo Verde qualified for the present World Cup for the first time along with three more nations.
The question then pops up, which leads to what the youth of the country are doing and what the country is doing for sport. With over 350 million youth population, what has India’s contribution been in football? Does the game demand more endurance? Team camaraderie. A batsman or a bowler can decide the fate of the result in cricket. Football required more than a bit of anticipation, collaborative efforts expected from the playing 11. Can India, with its social hierarchies and favoritism exhibited on all fronts, be a good team? Well, the glories brought by hockey to the country stand as testimony to a team sport on display. What then is holding back football in India? Like all arguments and suggestions point out, at the end is the lack of proper infrastructure, nutrition, professionalism, and the incapacity of political offices and administration in encouraging and promoting sports culture. As a career, sports is always a second option. Gopichand, the all England badminton winner, cautioned the Indian middle class to keep their options open before choosing sports as a career.

The question of which nation will emerge as the best among the 48 competing teams will be answered in a month’s time. The experience is a sort of rarity, as the next edition will take place only in 2030. Till 19 July, happy owl-viewing for people who go by the IST.

Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated visit to Kolkata on December 13, 2025, as part of his “G.O.A.T India Tour” began with high expectations but ended in disorder and frustration for many fans at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The Argentina football captain arrived in the city early in the morning alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul to kick off the four-city tour covering Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Before the main event at the stadium, Messi’s itinerary included the unveiling of a 70-foot statue in his honour, which he inaugurated remotely from his hotel. He also met with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and local officials at a separate engagement.

Expectations were high as tens of thousands of ticket-holding spectators packed into Salt Lake Stadium, many having paid several thousand rupees for the opportunity to see the football icon in person. The event was meant to include a lap around the stadium by Messi, interactions with fans, a few penalty kicks and meet ups with former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee all in the span of two hours.

However, the scheduled programme was disrupted. As Messi entered the stadium, he was surrounded by a large group of VVIPs, officials and security personnel, creating a barrier that left many fans in the stands unable to see him clearly. Within minutes, Messi’s appearance was cut short, with him on the field for only about 20 minutes before being escorted away by security.

In the aftermath, organisers faced sharp backlash from fans and authorities alike. Police detained the main organiser for questioning, and an investigation was launched into alleged mismanagement, including crowd control failures and misleading expectations around the event’s format. Discussions around ticket refunds were initiated as public pressure mounted. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded by issuing an apology to both Messi and the fans, expressing regret that the event did not proceed as intended. Hrishit Bhattacharya, a college student who attended the event said “We were supposed to have a once in a lifetime experience but the politicians and leaders in Bengal made sure that we are deprived of it. If not anything, we do expect a full refund from the concerned authorities.”

The Kolkata event concluded amid administrative scrutiny and public criticism, with authorities reviewing the arrangements that led to the disruption. While Messi’s tour continued in other cities without disruption, what was intended to celebrate a global football icon instead raised questions around planning, crowd management, and accountability.

In a historic night at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Indian women’s cricket team clinched their first-ever World Cup title, defeating the South African women’s cricket team by 52 runs in the final. The victory marked a historic achievement for the Indian team, which had previously reached the finals in 2005 and 2017 but fell short on both occasions.

Match Summary 

India won the toss and chose to bat, posting a total of 298 for 7 in 50 overs. Shafali Verma scored 87 runs off 78 balls, providing a strong foundation with a 91-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 44 runs. In the middle order, Deepti Sharma added 58 runs, stabilising the innings after a brief slump during the middle overs.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka was the most clinical bowler, taking three wickets for 57 runs, while Marizanne Kapp maintained tight control in the death overs.

In the second innings, South Africa fell short of the target, getting dismissed for 246 runs in 45.3 overs. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt scored a century (110 runs off 127 balls), but the rest of the batting order struggled to maintain partnerships. Renuka Singh Thakur took three wickets for 40 runs, and Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets, completing a strong all-round performance.

Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her contribution with both bat and ball, while Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Tournament award for consistent performances throughout the World Cup.

India’s Path to the Title

The Indian Women’s Team had a strong run, leading their group in the league stage and winning six of their seven matches, including victories over Australia, England, and New Zealand.

In the semi-final, India beat Australia by 17 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Shafali Verma scored 74 runs, and Renuka Singh took four wickets, which were key to their success. The final win against South Africa marked India’s first world title in women’s cricket after many years of coming close.

Team Composition

The core group included Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), and Renuka Singh Thakur. The bowling attack combined pace and spin effectively, with Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Shreyanka Patil contributing at crucial stages. Pratika Rawal, one of the youngest members of the team and a batting all-rounder, played a pivotal stabilising role in the middle order, scoring 308 runs (the second highest run scorer) before an unfortunate injury during the match with Bangladesh, which ruled her out of the final.

Harmanpreet Kaur, in her third World Cup as captain, provided tactical consistency and led the team to its most successful global campaign. The fielding unit, traditionally an area of concern, showed marked improvement through tighter positioning and reduced errors.

Conclusion

India’s 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup victory represents a significant moment in both sporting and institutional terms. Beyond the immediate celebrations, the challenge now lies in sustaining momentum through continued financial and infrastructural support. If maintained, the 2025 triumph may stand as the foundation of a new era for women’s cricket; one in which India is not only a participant but a defining power in the sport.

Veteran Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from the sport, bringing an end to an illustrious 22-year-long career. At age 45, Bopanna formally revealed his decision on 1st November 2025 via a statement on social media.

Over the years, he amassed 26 ATP tour‐level doubles titles, along with a landmark victory at the 2024 Australian Open alongside partner Matt Ebden, which helped him achieve the ranking of world No. 1 in men’s doubles, becoming the oldest player ever to do so. Starting his professional journey in 2003, he faced injuries and erratic performances before winning his first ATP title in 2008 at the Los Angeles Open while partnering with American player Eric Butorac. A big break followed in 2010 when he reached the US Open men’s doubles final with his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, which became known as the “IndoPak Express.” They were defeated by American legends Bob and Mike Bryan in straight sets: 6-7(5), 6-7(4). By 2013, Bopanna had become one of the top doubles players in the world, achieving a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 3.

Seven years later, Bopanna won the 2017 French Open mixed doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski, further establishing his status as a top doubles player. However, his most notable highlight was when he lifted the Australian Open in 2024, partnered with home hero Matthew Ebden, winning the men’s doubles title. In the finals, they defeated the Italian team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori with a score of 7-6 (0), 7-5. At 43 years old, Bopanna became the oldest male player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title. This victory also brought him to the world No. 1 men’s doubles ranking, marking the first time in his career. For Bopanna, this was his first men’s doubles Grand Slam title, following his previous win in mixed doubles at the 2017 French Open.

Throughout his career, Bopanna became an important mentor and supporter of Indian tennis. He helped younger players through his academy in Bengaluru, promoting doubles as a legitimate and strategic sport. His impact went beyond the court, encouraging professionalism and fitness among the next generation of Indian athletes.

Bopanna’s journey from a hopeful young player in Coorg to a Grand Slam champion and a model of sportsmanship represents one of Indian sport’s most impressive stories. In the end, Rohan Bopanna leaves the game just as he played it: with grace, gratitude, and strong passion.

Grandmaster R. Vaishali has officially qualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament after winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This marks her second consecutive Grand Swiss title and places her alongside fellow Indians Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh as confirmed participants in the Candidates.

Vaishali clinched the title with 8 points from 11 rounds, tying with Russia’s Kateryna Lagno at the top. The tie-break, determined by the average rating of opponents, went narrowly in her favour, confirming her as the champion. It was her second straight Grand Swiss victory, and with it came the coveted Candidates berth, an event that decides the challenger for the Women’s World Championship.

For Vaishali, the past few months have been a journey of sharp contrasts. At the Chennai Grand Masters Challengers, she suffered a rare collapse, losing seven consecutive games and finishing last in the standings. The setback cost her rating points and, more importantly, dented her confidence to the point where she briefly considered stepping away from competition. Yet just weeks later, in Samarkand, she turned that disappointment into motivation, putting together a resilient run at the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss that not only restored her momentum but also sealed her place in the 2026 Candidates.

Her qualification also contributes to a broader landmark for Indian chess. For the first time, three Indian women will appear in the Candidates: Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, and now Vaishali. It is a testament to the country’s deepening bench strength in the women’s game, long carried by Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, but now increasingly defined by a younger generation.

Vaishali credits her decision to press on to her family’s encouragement, particularly from her younger brother, fellow Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa. Their household has already become a symbol of India’s chess renaissance, and with this latest result, the narrative of the “sibling duo” reaches another milestone.

The road to the Candidates will demand even greater preparation, but Vaishali’s victory in Samarkand already illustrates her resilience and ability to respond under pressure. From the lows of Chennai to the highs of Grand Swiss, her qualification is another sign of the growing presence of Indian women at the highest levels of world chess.

India made an unforgettable debut at the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup by placing third, following a close penalty shootout win over Oman. The result marked a historic podium finish for the Blue Tigers on their very first appearance in the tournament.

An Asian (C)affair

The tournament, held from 29 August to 8 September and co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, featured six core CAFA nations alongside guest teams including India and Oman. Established in 2015, CAFA is one of the five regional bodies under the Asian Football Confederation, and its flagship tournament is seen as a showcase for Central Asia’s footballing talent.

India, initially entering as one of the lower-ranking teams, slowly crept its way up with commendable poise. India won over Tajikistan 2- 1 in their first match, and despite a 3-0 loss to Asian giants Iran, India had done enough to earn a spot in the knockout phase.

The Big Game

During the playoffs for the bronze with Oman, the Middle Eastern team went ahead after a shot from Jameel Al-Yahmadi in the 55th minute, before Udanta Singh Kumam scored a goal following a long throw-in in the 81st minute, making the score equal. A 1-1 draw, even after extra time, led to a penalty shootout. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahul Bheke, and Jithin MS converted their attempts, and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s save on the decisive penalty sealed the win for India, marking their first-ever triumph over Oman in nearly a dozen encounters.

New Coach, New Team?

At the heart of India’s success story was the influence of new head coach Khalid Jamil. Jamil is a former professional footballer who has represented India internationally and previously coached the Indian Super League (ISL) Club Jamshedpur FC. Now, as head coach for the Indian football team with the CAFA cup being his debut tournament, Jamil reshaped the team’s identity by tightening the defence, instilling tactical balance, and using long throws as offensive weapons. The equalising goal against Oman was executed through a long throw. Under his guidance, the team seems to be defensively sound and tactically aware than under previous coaches, a hallmark of Jamil’s style also seen at Jamshedpur.

This podium finish is significant because it highlights India’s growing ability to compete beyond South Asia. Defeating Oman for the first time and winning a medal can boost the team’s morale and reputation. It also provides the squad with important momentum as they prepare for upcoming tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in 2027.

What’s Next?

Going forward, consistency and sustaining momentum are what the team needs to focus on. With the proper guidance and determination, the team can compete with stronger nations and continue to grow on the international stage. The next big target will be the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where India faces Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh in the group stage. Alongside this, friendlies and youth-level tournaments will provide opportunities to test new talent and build depth. If the team can carry forward the confidence from their CAFA Nations Cup performance, they will be better prepared for these challenges and steadily strengthen their place in Asian football.