India’s women’s hockey team produced a historic performance by defeating Germany 3-1 to secure fifth place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen. Navneet Kaur scored twice, while Ishika Chaudhary added another goal as India delivered a strong second-half comeback against the higher-ranked Germans. The result marks India’s best World Cup finish since their fourth-place showing in 1974, ending a 52-year wait for a top-five finish. India’s campaign included just one defeat, against hosts Netherlands. Despite narrowly missing the semifinals, the team’s resilient performances provide significant momentum ahead of the upcoming Asian Games. (PC: X)

Anaya Bangar is aiming to return to cricket and pursue a place in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), with March 2027 emerging as a key eligibility milestone. Bangar has been in contact with Cricket Australia and sees the country as providing a pathway to women’s cricket rather than guaranteeing her a team spot. She remains focused on developing her game and meeting eligibility conditions before seeking opportunities in Australia. Her ambition is to establish herself in the Australian cricket system and earn a WBBL opportunity through performance, preparation and persistence.

India will face two-time FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay in an international friendly at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on October 6, 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed. Uruguay, currently ranked 20th in the FIFA World Rankings, will become one of three World Cup-playing nations visiting India during the FIFA window, alongside Brazil and Panama. The Uruguay fixture will come just three days after India’s planned clash against five-time world champions Brazil at the same Kolkata venue. It will be India’s third high-profile friendly of the window, following the September 26 match against Panama in Bengaluru. The Uruguay fixture gives Indian football fans another opportunity to watch a historically successful international side on home soil. (PC: X/@RevSportzGlobal)

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has said she will be eligible to play elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027 after receiving approval from Cricket Australia. The decision means Anaya can pursue opportunities in competitions including the Women’s Big Bash League, although she will still need to secure a contract. Cricket Australia requires eligible players to maintain serum testosterone levels below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months. Calling the decision an emotional milestone, Anaya said there was a time when she believed she had “lost cricket forever”.

India will face Uruguay in an international friendly in Kolkata on September 6, as the Blue Tigers prepare for a historic clash against five-time world champions Brazil next month. The match against Uruguay will give India another major test against top international opposition. India will also play Panama on September 26 before taking on Brazil at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on October 3. The Brazil match is expected to be one of the biggest occasions in Indian football, bringing the Blue Tigers up against one of the sport’s most successful teams. (PC: The Indian Express)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the ICC and BCCI to take stronger action against Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi over recent on-field confrontations.   Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando were fined 25% of their match fees and given one demerit point after their altercation during the second Test in Colombo. Manjrekar linked the incident to Sooryavanshi's earlier confrontation with Sri Lanka A players, warning that repeated misconduct without consequences could encourage such behaviour. Jaiswal, however, defended his actions, saying critics did not know what had been said before the confrontation. (PC: India Today)  

Fifteen-year-old Indian chess player Vandan Alankar Sawai pulled off a stunning victory over former world champion Magnus Carlsen in an online game. Sawai defeated the Norwegian chess great in 50 moves and later said he was shocked when Carlsen made a crucial blunder. The teenager seized the opportunity and converted his advantage to register one of the biggest wins of his young career. The victory has drawn attention across the chess world, highlighting the growing strength of India's young players and their ability to challenge the sport's biggest names. (PC: India Today)

Actor and motorsport enthusiast Ajith Kumar escaped unhurt after his racing car spun off the track during the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The incident took place at Turn 11 on August 22, when his No. 16 Ligier went into the gravel, prompting the Safety Car to be deployed. Ajith was competing in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for Ajith RedAnt by Virage. Despite the scare, the actor suffered no injuries. Ajith has previously survived several racing accidents and continues to compete in international motorsport events alongside his film career. (PC: Deccan Herald)

The football used by Diego Maradona to score his famous “Hand of God” goal at the 1986 World Cup has sold at auction for £2.5 million. Maradona punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory. He later scored the iconic “Goal of the Century” in the same match. The Adidas Azteca ball, kept by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser for more than three decades, was sold by Heritage Auctions in the United States. It previously sold for £1.74 million in 2022. The price, however, fell short of the expected £7.3 million. (PC: BBC)

India’s men’s hockey team crashed out of the FIH World Cup semifinal race after suffering a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their second-round pool match in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Monday. India needed a victory by at least two goals to remain in contention but failed to control the match. Argentina’s Tomas Domene and Joaquin Toscani scored two goals each, while Nicolas della Torre added another. For India, Sukhjeet Singh scored twice through field efforts, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke. Sukhjeet found the net in the 34th and 58th minutes, while Hardik scored in the 36th minute. The defeat ended India’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semifinals. (PC: Hockey India/X)