Sports

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna has criticised the decision to reduce India’s tennis squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The two-time Asian Games gold medallist questioned the selection approach. Bopanna argued that athlete performance and sporting merit should play the central role in selection decisions. His comments have sparked a wider discussion about how India’s teams should be selected for major international competitions. The issue has attracted attention ahead of the Asian Games, where Indian athletes will compete across multiple disciplines. The debate is likely to continue as preparations for the Games progress.

Indian chess star R Praggnanandhaa has qualified for the Grand Chess Tour final after defeating Vincent Keymer. His latest performance has added another major achievement to India’s growing presence in international chess. Praggnanandhaa continued to show strong form against high-level opposition. His victory over Keymer secured his place in the final stage of the prestigious tournament. The achievement is another positive moment for Indian chess, which has produced a strong group of young international players. Fans will now be watching closely as Praggnanandhaa prepares for the final.

India’s men’s hockey team suffered a 5–3 defeat against Argentina, ending their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The result extended India’s wait for another men’s World Cup podium finish. India struggled to convert several opportunities while Argentina made better use of its chances. Despite India’s efforts to fight back, Argentina maintained enough control to secure the victory. The result has led to renewed discussions about India’s performance and preparations at the international level. Former goalkeeper P. R. Sreejesh has also raised concerns about the team’s management and long-term planning.

India strengthened their position in the second Test against Sri Lanka after a strong batting performance. Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 115, while Rishabh Pant contributed 63 runs as India took command of the match. Jurel’s century was a major highlight of India’s innings. His confident batting helped India build a substantial advantage after the team had already taken a 1–0 lead in the series. India’s bowlers will now look to maintain the pressure as the Test progresses. The team is aiming to strengthen its series position with another convincing performance against Sri Lanka.