Delhi has brought in “monkey whisperers” and new anti-bird measures ahead of the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. A four-member team will keep monkeys away by copying langur warning calls. Organisers are also working to stop pigeons from entering the stadium. Vents and other entry points have been sealed. A non-toxic gel used by the Railways has been applied to stop birds from nesting. Ten machines that produce predator bird sounds have also been installed. The stadium has also upgraded 80 toilets and refurbished locker rooms. The tournament will begin on January 17.

Indian heavyweight boxer Narender Berwal shared a humorous anecdote with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with India’s 2026 Commonwealth Games medal winners. Berwal recalled defeating a Pakistani boxer at the 2015 World Military Games, after which his opponent reportedly joked that Berwal, his coach and India’s Prime Minister all had similar names. The boxer then said he had “started hating the name Narendra.” Modi reportedly burst into laughter while hearing the story. Berwal won a silver medal in the men’s 90kg boxing category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The interaction highlighted the lighter side of sporting rivalry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised boxer Lovlina Borgohain for objecting to a distorted map of India displayed at a restaurant in Glasgow during the 2026 Commonwealth Games. During a meeting with Indian Commonwealth champions, Modi highlighted Borgohain’s decision to speak up despite being in a celebratory mood after her silver-medal victory in the 75kg category. Borgohain said she politely pointed out the incorrect depiction and the restaurant subsequently made corrections. The Assam-born boxer’s action drew attention to the importance of accurately representing India’s territory. Modi called her response thoughtful and praised her awareness in raising the issue. (PC: PTI)

Carnatic vocalist and public intellectual T.M. Krishna has criticised the Indian hockey team’s decision to replace its traditional blue shirts with saffron kits, calling the move “deeply problematic”. Speaking at the Alipore Jail Museum in Calcutta, Krishna said blue symbolises resistance to oppression, citing the Indigo Revolt, Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran satyagraha and B.R. Ambedkar’s association with the colour. He argued that removing blue alienates Dalits, queer people and other marginalised communities. Hockey India has cited visibility issues on blue turf and saffron’s national significance for the change ahead of the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15. Former players, administrators and Opposition leaders have criticised the move. (PC: Barbican)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s medallists from the 2026 Commonwealth Games and shared a reel with them, using the message, “Jo Khelega Vo Khilega.” The Games were held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 1, with India finishing fourth on the medal tally behind Australia, England and Scotland. India won 39 medals, comprising 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze. Despite several sports that have traditionally contributed significantly to India’s medal haul being absent from this edition, the country produced a strong performance. Athletics contributed 16 medals, including three gold, seven silver and three bronze. Boxing delivered 10 medals, while weightlifting won eight and powerlifting added one.

Indian badminton player Ashmita Chaliha created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters women’s singles title. The 26-year-old defeated China’s fourth-seeded Han Qian Xi 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the final. Ashmita lost the first game but made a strong comeback in the next two games. She had struggled with the court conditions early in the match. Ashmita returned to competition in May after a three-month injury break. She had also reached the quarterfinals at the China Masters and Malaysia Masters. The win is expected to take her into the world’s top 40.  

Sarfaraz Khan has been added to India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan has been ruled out after failing to recover from a stress reaction in his right toe, sustained during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka. Sarfaraz’s selection marks his return to the Indian Test side after more than a year. The Mumbai batter now has an opportunity to strengthen India’s middle order ahead of the series opener in Galle on August 15. His inclusion also adds experience as India prepares for a challenging overseas Test assignment. (PC: X)

India pacer Mohammed Siraj surprised everyone with a powerful batting display against Sri Lanka in a warm-up match. India needed 16 runs from the final over to reach the target of 207. Siraj hit three straight sixes in the last over to finish the game. He had already hit one six in the previous over. India had reached 191/4 before the final over. Although the match was technically over after Siraj’s three sixes, both teams continued playing as warm-up rules allowed it. Siraj remained unbeaten on 32 runs from 15 balls. His performance showed his growing confidence with the bat.  

India’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) has faced scrutiny after several players suffered injuries, but Head of Cricket VVS Laxman said the facility’s role goes beyond rehabilitation. After meeting BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Laxman said there was no disconnect between the CoE, team management, medical staff and selectors. He explained that players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were selected subject to fitness clearance, with regular updates shared with selectors and coaches. Laxman also revealed that the CoE has struggled to appoint a Head of Sports Science and Medicine since Nitin Patel left. He added that the Bronco Test is being used to monitor players’ fitness during series. (PC: HT)

FIFA has defended president Gianni Infantino against what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine him and the organisation. The statement came after reports raised allegations about Infantino’s personal life, which FIFA and Infantino strongly denied. Infantino is also facing growing opposition in Europe following the collapse of his FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights. UEFA says it has lost confidence in him, while Norway’s football chief has called for his resignation. However, Infantino retains support from several football confederations and member associations. (PC: BBC)