Sport

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has warned the team’s seamers that the Kookaburra ball could soften after 25-30 overs in Sri Lanka. He urged them to adapt to the heat, humidity and changing conditions while maintaining intensity throughout the Tests

Dhruv Jurel faces a crucial Test audition against Sri Lanka after a string of modest scores and repeated dismissals to spin. With Sarfaraz Khan competing for his batting slot, Jurel needs to adapt quickly to Galle’s conditions and deliver

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sakshi Chaudhary has shifted her focus to the Asian Games 2026 after a dominant campaign in Glasgow. The Indian boxer said she will use her Commonwealth Games experience to sharpen her skills and target another major international title

Australia vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner has asked for privacy amid a personal controversy involving her estranged wife, Monica Wright. Gardner thanked Cricket Australia for retaining her in the leadership role and said she would focus on supporting her teammates in the coming season

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi’s long wait for an India Test call-up ended after he was drafted into the squad as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement against Sri Lanka. Nabi said patience, consistent performances and his family’s support helped him realise his dream

Mitchell Starc became Test cricket’s most successful left-arm bowler after surpassing Rangana Herath’s tally of 433 wickets. The Australian pacer reached 434 wickets during the Bangladesh Test and is now closing in on Dale Steyn’s mark for a place in the top 10

Goalkeeper Savita Punia believes India’s women’s hockey team has the confidence and ability to challenge the world’s best at the 2026 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup. She said the Nations Cup triumph has boosted morale and strengthened the team’s belief ahead of the tournament

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has warned that the rise of T20 leagues, led by the IPL, could threaten bilateral international cricket. He urged stakeholders to protect Test cricket, calling it the sport’s ultimate examination amid changing player and fan preferences

England Test captain Joe Root has scrapped the team’s midnight curfew ahead of the Pakistan series, urging players to behave responsibly and make smart decisions. Root also reflected on Brendon McCullum’s departure, Jofra Archer’s workload and his return to captaincy

The ISSF Electronic Scoring Target Course has begun in New Delhi, bringing together 28 technical officials from India, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Hosted by the NRAI, the five-day programme aims to strengthen expertise in electronic scoring systems

Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the two-Test Sri Lanka series. With spin expected to dominate, Siraj’s experience, intensity and ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs could prove decisive for India

Former India spinner Murali Kartik has backed Kuldeep Yadav for a consistent role in the Test side, saying the Sri Lanka series will be crucial for India’s WTC campaign and spin transition. He also favoured Dhruv Jurel ahead of Sarfaraz Khan

Sports Coaching Foundation in Masab Tank will organise the Md Habib Memorial Junior Football Tournament from August 17. The tournament will be held for Under-12 and Under-14 players. Interested players can register by contacting the SCF team on the given number

Shubham Dey of AVSC and Jatin Jairam of SITTA advanced to the boys’ Under-11 final of the sixth Gujarati Seva Mandal Telangana State-ranking table tennis tournament after recording five-game semifinal victories in Hyderabad on Wednesday

Former India spinner Murali Kartik says the Sri Lanka Test series will be crucial for India’s WTC hopes and for identifying the next generation of spin leaders. He believes Kuldeep Yadav must receive consistent backing as Ravindra Jadeja approaches the end of his career

UP Warriorz coach Abhishek Nayar says women cricketers are exceptionally eager to learn and improve, with their enthusiasm enriching his coaching experience. Ahead of WPL 2027, Nayar also discusses UPW’s Bengaluru camp, talent scouting, player development and the growth of women's cricket

Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has urged the men’s hockey team to stay calm, trust its preparation and enjoy the World Cup occasion. He backed India to target a top-four finish despite its eighth-place showing in the FIH Pro League

Amee Kamani and Brijesh Damani made winning starts at the $400,000 Apex Sports 3rd WPA Heyball World Championships. Amee beat Australia’s Lilly Meldrum 6-2, while Damani defeated Morocco’s Ayoub Bakhtaoui 7-3 on the opening day in Pune

Former India captain PR Sreejesh has urged the men’s hockey team to stay calm, trust their training and focus on their roles at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium. He backed India to target a top-four finish at the tournament

The Telangana Cricket Association has questioned the Hyderabad Cricket Association over alleged statutory and constitutional violations, including unauthorised trials and district committees. TCA general secretary D. Guruva Reddy said HCA’s jurisdiction was limited to Hyderabad under existing judicial directives

The Hyderabad Cricket Association plans to promote cricket across all 33 districts of Telangana through district units, zonal academies and T-10 tournaments. HCA official T. Seshnarayan said the initiative aims to identify talent and expand opportunities beyond the twin cities

Sri Lanka have named a 16-member squad for the first Test against India, with key batters Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka ruled out through injury. Off-spin all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha earned his maiden Test call-up, while Niroshan Dickwella was recalled

South Africa batter David Miller hopes to finish his career with a World Cup trophy, targeting the 2027 edition on home soil. The veteran middle-order batter also reflected on his IPL triumph with Gujarat Titans and memorable pressure-filled centuries

Babar Azam has returned to the ICC Test batting top 10 after Pakistan’s eight-wicket win over West Indies in Port of Spain. Abdullah Shafique climbed 25 places, while Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali and Ali Usman also gained ground.