India’s rising tennis star Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is set to compete at the Junior French Open as part of her long-term development plan rather than a pursuit of immediate results. The 16-year-old, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, views the clay-court Grand Slam as an opportunity to gain experience and strengthen her transition toward professional tennis. Maaya has already shown promise with junior successes on European clay and valuable exposure at Grand Slam junior events. Supported by a professional coaching team and government backing, she believes every match contributes to her growth. Her focus remains on improving her game, adapting to higher competition, and building a foundation for a future career on the WTA Tour. (PC: X)

Rajasthan Royals secured their IPL 2026 playoff place with a tactical win over Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium after promoting England pacer Jofra Archer up the batting order. Archer scored a quick 32 off 15 balls, shifting momentum after RR lost early wickets. Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag said the team wanted an aggressive batter to attack while another batter held the innings together. RR director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara described the move as a calculated gamble. Archer later contributed with the ball as RR defended 206 runs. The victory confirmed Rajasthan Royals’ place in the IPL playoffs. (PC: India Today)

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar won praise on social media after a video showed him greeting passengers and taking selfies during a commercial flight. In the viral clip, Tendulkar walked through the aisle to personally meet fans, many of whom were seen cheering and recording the moment. Sharing the video online, Tendulkar wrote, “Had to do a lap and meet everyone! Always appreciate the love people show me.” The gesture quickly drew admiration from fans, who praised the former cricketer for remaining humble and approachable despite decades of fame and global recognition. 

Sonam Zomba from Arunachal Pradesh has created history by becoming the first athlete from the state to win the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) Strawweight Championship title in mixed martial arts. She achieved the milestone with a dominant performance, showcasing strong striking, grappling control, and resilience inside the cage. Her victory marks a significant breakthrough for women’s combat sports in Northeast India, especially from a region with limited exposure to professional MMA platforms. Zomba’s success is being widely celebrated as a source of inspiration for young athletes. Officials and sports personalities praised her dedication, discipline, and determination, highlighting her achievement as a major step forward for Indian MMA on the global stage.

Gurindervir Singh produced a sensational performance at the National Senior Athletics Federation Cup in Ranchi, clocking a historic 10.09 seconds in the men’s 100m final to break the Indian national record and become the fastest sprinter in the country. The race, held at Birsa Munda Stadium, marked a defining moment in Indian athletics as the national record changed hands multiple times during the competition. Gurindervir not only reclaimed the record but also crossed the 10.10-second barrier for the first time by an Indian. His effort secured the gold medal and confirmed qualification for major international events, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, highlighting a new era in Indian sprinting excellence. (PC: India Today)

The Delhi High Court has allowed Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the 2026 Asian Games selection trials, delivering a major setback to the Wrestling Federation of India. The court strongly criticised WFI’s eligibility rules, calling them “exclusionary” and questioning whether they unfairly targeted Phogat after her maternity break. A bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya observed that motherhood cannot become a reason to sideline athletes. The court also objected to WFI describing Phogat’s Paris Olympics exit as a “national embarrassment.” The trials, scheduled for May 30–31, will now proceed with Phogat’s participation under independent observation. 

India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly facing an uncertain future as selectors debate moving on from him after a prolonged slump in form. According to reports, several BCCI selectors believe he no longer deserves a place in the playing XI purely as a batter, with his average dropping below 18 in recent T20 matches. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir is said to remain supportive of Suryakumar, making him a key voice in the final decision. Despite India’s recent T20 World Cup success, selectors are reportedly focusing on long-term planning ahead of future global tournaments, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

India’s T20I captaincy discussion has intensified, with reports naming Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma as leading long-term leadership candidates. While Shreyas Iyer’s strong IPL performances and captaincy credentials have impressed experts like Ricky Ponting, reports suggest head coach Gautam Gambhir may not fully back Iyer for the role. Gill’s calm leadership with Gujarat Titans and Tilak’s growing influence in India’s T20 setup reportedly make them strong contenders. The debate comes as selectors plan India’s future white-ball leadership transition beyond Suryakumar Yadav, with IPL performances heavily influencing decisions ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments. 

A tense moment between Virat Kohli and Travis Head during the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad sparked major controversy after Kohli appeared to ignore Head’s post-match handshake. The drama reportedly began during RCB’s chase when the two exchanged heated words on the field. Reports claim Head challenged Kohli aggressively, prompting a sharp response from the RCB star. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan later said the incident “could’ve been avoided,” adding that Kohli’s intense, aggressive approach often mirrors Australian-style competitiveness. The viral moment quickly triggered debates across social media and cricket circles. (PC: NDTV)

India is set to secure broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a deal worth around USD 30-35 million. An official announcement is expected next week. The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature 48 teams and 104 matches for the first time. FIFA sees India as an important market because of football’s growing popularity, especially among young viewers in cities like Kolkata, Bengaluru and Goa. Despite the Indian football team’s recent poor performance, interest in European football and the World Cup remains strong. Fans across India are expected to get full access to the matches. (PC: Getty Images)