India’s Madhura Kar won four gold medals at the IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in South Africa. The 17-year-old competed in the 52kg category and lifted a total of 292.5kg.   She won gold in squat with 107.5kg, bench press with 60kg and deadlift with 125kg. She also won gold for her overall performance.   Madhura is a Class 12 student and has won several national titles. Meanwhile, India’s Keyaa Banerjee won a silver medal in the junior 47kg category after lifting a total of 140kg.  

India produced a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai. Pakistan struggled against India’s spin attack and were bowled out for just 55 runs, their lowest-ever T20I total. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma took two, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup. India initially lost three top-order wickets for 29 runs but recovered calmly. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma scored 12 not out. India reached 57 for three in just 8.4 overs, winning with 68 balls remaining and advancing unbeaten to the semifinals. (PC: The Hindu)

West Bengal’s 17-year-old powerlifter Madhura Kar has made India proud by winning four gold medals at the IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. Competing in the Sub-Junior Women’s 52kg category at a body weight of 49.35kg, the Jalpaiguri athlete recorded a total of 292.5kg. She won gold in the squat with 107.5kg, bench press with 60kg, deadlift with 125kg and the overall total. A Class XII student, Madhura previously won national championships in 2024 and 2025 and a National Bench Press gold in 2026. 

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has joined former cricketers calling for proper medical care and humane treatment for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Lara said he was shocked that Khan was not being cared for and called for independent medical attention. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 after convictions in corruption cases. Concerns over his health have drawn criticism from his family and former cricketers. Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell and Pat Cummins have also spoken about Khan’s treatment and need for dignity. (PC: India Today)

India produced a dominant seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A clash in Dubai on Saturday. Pakistan were bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs, their lowest-ever score in women’s T20I cricket. India’s spinners led the collapse, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat taking three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma claimed two. India chased down the target in just 8.4 overs, finishing on 57/3 with 68 balls remaining. The victory gave India their third straight win and the top spot in Group A. Harmanpreet Kaur also became the first cricketer to captain 150 T20I matches. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has rejected the BCCI’s request for special accommodation for India’s cricketers at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The IOA said the BCCI must either accept the accommodation provided by organisers or arrange separate facilities at its own expense. BCCI concerns reportedly include room-sharing and player facilities. The board plans to send an advance team to Japan next week to inspect the arrangements before taking a final decision. The development highlights the IOA’s policy of equal treatment across India’s sporting contingent, while the BCCI weighs player comfort against additional logistical responsibilities and costs. (PC: AFP)

Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji, 21, has spoken out about severe online abuse following her silver-medal-winning 140kg deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in South Africa. Her performance went viral, but the attention reportedly led to sexual harassment, impersonation, offensive comments about her identity, and thousands of AI-generated images using manipulated versions of her face and body without consent. Banerji created a new Instagram account after her private profile was suspended, saying she wants control over her identity and sporting story. She stressed that she simply wants to be known as a girl who enjoys deadlifting. 

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her third-round US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova after a strong cannabis smell drifted onto the court at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sabalenka alerted chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, saying the odour was unusually strong and distracting her during play. The interruption was brief, and the two-time defending champion resumed the match and defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Sabalenka later urged spectators not to smoke near the courts. Officials investigated the incident, while reports suggested the smell may have been carried from nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park by the wind.(PC: X)

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana created history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai, surpassing legendary Mithali Raj to become the highest-ever run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats. Mandhana crossed Raj’s career tally of 10,868 runs while producing a spectacular 124 off 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes. She reached the landmark at 113 runs with a six in the 18th over. Her innings also delivered her 18th international century, moving her ahead of Meg Lanning. India posted 193/5 and defeated Hong Kong by 137 runs. (PC: NDTV)

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman will coach India’s men’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He returns to the role after guiding India to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Laxman, currently associated with the BCCI Centre of Excellence, will be supported by former spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. The appointment comes as head coach Gautam Gambhir will be unavailable because of India’s international commitments during the tournament. India will aim to defend its Asian Games cricket title, with the men’s competition scheduled for later this month.