India opener Abhishek Sharma has returned to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings after scoring a century against New Zealand. His 113-run knock off 38 balls helped him reach 897 rating points. He replaced teammate Ishan Kishan, who dropped to third place due to missed matches. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan ranks second. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Marco Jansen has become the world’s No. 1 Test bowler and Test all-rounder. His strong performances against Australia helped him reach the top in both lists. India’s Ravindra Jadeja has dropped to second among Test all-rounders.

Indian para-athlete Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, has reportedly died by suicide at the age of 42. According to PTI, he is suspected to have consumed poison. India’s chief para-athletics coach Satyanarayana confirmed his death. Yadav reportedly faced emotional distress after missing the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, due to a doping suspension. He won javelin gold at the 2018 Jakarta Games and gold medals in javelin and discus at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Diagnosed with post-polio paralysis at seven, he later became a leading name in para-athletics.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh equalled a world record after taking one wicket in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday. He finished with figures of 1/33 in four overs as India restricted New Zealand to 198/3 before securing a six-wicket victory. Arshdeep’s dismissal took his 2026 tally to 39 wickets in 30 T20I matches, matching Ireland’s Joshua Little, the former Gujarat Titans pacer, who claimed 39 wickets in 2022. Arshdeep has taken 149 wickets in 102 T20Is since his 2022 debut, making him India’s leading T20I wicket-taker. He is now one wicket away from reaching 150 international T20 wickets. (PC: Getty Images)

India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in Wellington on October 27, chasing 199 in just 13.2 overs and securing an unassailable 3-0 series lead with two matches remaining. Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 44 off 19. The opening pair added 133 runs in 7.1 overs, helping India score 118 runs during the powerplay. India reached 50 in just 2.2 overs and crossed 100 within five overs. The victory also extended India’s record in rapid successful chases: the team became the first to complete five chases of 150 or more in fewer than 15 overs, surpassing Australia’s previous mark. (PC: BCCI)

India produced a record-breaking batting display to beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the 3rd T20I in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. Chasing 199, India reached 199/4 in just 13.2 overs, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series. Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls, hitting 9 fours and 11 sixes, and completed his century in just 35 balls. Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 45 off 19 balls as the pair shared 133 runs. India scored 118 without losing a wicket in the powerplay, setting a new T20I record. (PC: HT)

England captain Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or in London on Monday, becoming the first English player to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Spain dominated the ceremony, winning 8 of the 13 awards. Alexia Putellas claimed her third Women’s Ballon d’Or, while Yamal won the men’s young player award. Barcelona was named Women’s Club of the Year, Paris Saint-Germain took the men’s honour, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for humanitarian work. (PC: HT)

Harry Kane became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal at a ceremony in London on Monday. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker earned football’s prestigious individual honour after scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country during the 2025–26 season. Kane also claimed the European Golden Shoe after finishing as the leading goalscorer across Europe’s domestic leagues. He became the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen. Lionel Messi, who won in 2012 aged 25, remains the last player aged 27 or younger to claim the men’s prize. (PC: Reuters)

Indian tennis stars Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi have filed nominations for the Sports Person of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections in the All India Tennis Association (AITA), ahead of the November 7 polls. Their entry signals a push for greater representation of prominent players in the federation’s administration. Leander Paes, whose presidential candidature was backed by the Bengal Tennis Association, is absent from the nominees’ list. His omission effectively ends his prospects of contesting for the top post under the current eligibility rules. Paes, the only player in Tier I of the 40-member roster, needed to qualify through the SOM process because he lacked the required tenure as an office-bearer. (PC: PTI)

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment after his team suffered consecutive defeats against India in the five-match T20I series. India secured both matches by four wickets, taking a 2-0 lead. Walter said New Zealand performed well for nearly 80% of both games but failed to capitalise on crucial opportunities. He also highlighted fielding mistakes and a no-ball that proved costly. Despite the setbacks, Walter praised his players’ efforts, including Glenn Phillips’ batting and Mitchell Santner’s bowling. New Zealand will aim to bounce back in the third T20I in Wellington. (PC: ANI)

India’s PV Sindhu lost to South Korea’s world No. 1 An Se Young in the women’s singles final of the French Open 2026 on Sunday. Sindhu started strongly, winning the opening game 21-16, but An Se Young fought back to take the second game 21-11 and the decider 21-12. The match lasted three games, with the South Korean extending her winning record against Sindhu to 11-0. The victory also secured An Se Young’s third consecutive French Open title. Despite the defeat, Sindhu put up a strong fight against the top-ranked player in world badminton. (PC: NDTV Sports)