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National and International Sports updates,  Important for Competitive Exams.

Khelo India Beach Games 2025 Inaugurated in Diu

The first edition of the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) was inaugurated on May 19, 2025, at Ghoghla Beach in Diu by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The colorful opening ceremony showcased India’s cultural diversity through traditional dance performances.

Over 1,350 athletes from more than 30 states and Union Territories are participating in the Games, competing in six medal events:

  • Football
  • Volleyball
  • Sepaktakraw
  • Kabaddi
  • Pencak Silat
  • Open Water Swimming

Additionally, Mallakhamb and Tug-of-War will be featured as non-medal demonstration sports.

India Wins SAFF U-19 Championship 2025

India clinched the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Football Championship 2025 by defeating Bangladesh 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout in the final held at the Yupia Outdoor Stadium, Arunachal Pradesh, on 18 May 2025. The match went into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with Shami Singamayum scoring the decisive penalty for India.

The Indian team received massive support from the home crowd and displayed a strong performance throughout the tournament. India entered the final as favourites, having secured dominant wins over Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives in earlier stages, including the semifinals.

This victory marks a significant triumph over the defending champions Bangladesh, and underscores India’s rising strength in South Asian youth football.

R Praggnanandhaa Wins Superbet Chess Classic 2025 in Romania

On May 16, 2025, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious at the Superbet Chess Classic 2025 held in Bucharest, Romania, after a tense three-way tiebreak playoff.

  • Praggnanandhaa, Alireza Firouzja, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave were tied at 5.5 points after nine rounds.
  • The first two tiebreak games ended in draws:
    • Praggnanandhaa vs Firouzja
    • Vachier-Lagrave vs Firouzja
  • Praggnanandhaa won the decisive third game against Vachier-Lagrave to claim the title.

In other results:

  • World Champion D Gukesh finished ninth, scoring 4 points, including a draw in the final round against Fabiano Caruana.

The next leg of the Grand Chess Tour, the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz, will be held in Croatia starting July 1, 2025.

Neeraj Chopra Breaks 90m Barrier, Finishes 2nd at 2025 Doha Diamond League

Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished second at the 2025 Doha Diamond League on 16 May 2025, despite achieving a record-breaking throw of 90.23 meters.

  • It was the first time in Neeraj’s career that he crossed the 90-meter mark, achieved in the third round.
  • However, Germany’s Julian Weber clinched first place with a final throw of 91.06 meters, surpassing Neeraj’s effort.

In another highlight:

  • India’s Parul Chaudhary finished 6th in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
  • She set a new national record with a time of 9:13.39, beating her previous best.

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Conclude: Maharashtra Tops with 158 Medals

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 concluded on 15 May 2025 with a colourful closing ceremony at the Pataliputra Sports Complex in Patna, Bihar. The games had commenced on 4 May 2025.

  • Maharashtra emerged as the overall champion with 158 medals (58 gold, 47 silver).
  • Haryana secured second place with 117 medals (39 gold, 27 silver).
  • Rajasthan stood third with 60 medals (24 gold, 12 silver).

Records and Achievements:

  • Multiple new records were set in weightlifting.
  • In athletics:
    • Kadir Khan (Uttar Pradesh) set a new record in the 400-metre race.
    • Aditya Pisale (Maharashtra) set a new record in the 100-metre sprint.

IPL 2025 to Resume on May 17 After Suspension Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the IPL 2025 will resume on 17 May, after a week-long suspension caused by rising India-Pakistan tensions following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The first match after resumption will feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

No matches will be played in Mohali or Dharamsala.

The Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians match, originally scheduled in Ahmedabad, will now take place at SMS Stadium, Jaipur on 26 May.

The IPL final is set for 3 June, with the playoffs beginning on 29 May:

  • Qualifier 1: 29 May
  • Eliminator: 30 May
  • Qualifier 2: 1 June
  • Final: 3 June

Playoff venues will be announced later.

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket, Concludes Glorious 14-Year Career

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, concluding a 14-year illustrious career in the format. He shared the news on social media, marking the end of an era in Indian Test cricket.

Kohli scored 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, making him India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Debuting in 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli became India’s Test captain in 2014, leading in 68 matches—the most by any Indian captain—with 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws, resulting in a win percentage of 58.82%.

Under his leadership, India achieved several milestones, including a historic series win in Australia in 2019. His last Test match was in the 2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which Australia won 3-1.

Kohli had previously retired from T20 Internationals after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory.

His retirement follows Rohit Sharma’s exit from Test cricket, with Shubman Gill now seen as the front-runner to become the next Test captain.

India Wins Tri-Nation Women’s ODI Series 2025 with Victory Over Sri Lanka

The Indian women’s cricket team clinched the Tri-Nation ODI Series title by defeating Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the final at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 11 May 2025. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana starred with a brilliant 116, her 11th ODI century, leading India to a strong total of 342/7. Key contributions also came from Harleen Deol (47), Jemimah Rodrigues (44), and Harmanpreet Kaur (41), while Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur added 90 runs in the final 10 overs.

In response, Sri Lanka managed only 245 in 48.2 overs, with Sneh Rana taking 4 wickets for 38 runs and Amanjot Kaur bagging 3 for 54. Despite efforts from Chamari Athapaththu (51) and Nilakshika Silva (48), India’s dominance secured a convincing win. The victory boosts team morale ahead of the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup.

BCCI Suspends IPL 2025 for One Week Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

On May 9, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the suspension of the remainder of the IPL 2025 season for one week due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after recent cross-border hostilities in Kashmir.

In an official statement, the BCCI confirmed that the revised schedule and venues will be shared after a full assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders. The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council following discussions with franchise representatives and key stakeholders.

Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket

Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, 2025, at the age of 38. He shared the news via Instagram.

Rohit debuted in 2013 and played 67 Tests, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. He was a pivotal figure in leading India to the World Test Championship final against Australia, and his leadership was a cornerstone of India’s Test team.

With his retirement, India must appoint a new Test captain ahead of the five-match series against England. Shubman Gill is reportedly a leading contender, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant.

Rohit will continue to play ODIs, keeping his presence alive in international cricket. His contributions as a player and leader have left a lasting legacy, marking the end of an era in Indian Test cricket.

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Begin in Bihar

The seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games began in Bihar on May 4, 2025, marking the first time the state is hosting this national multi-sport event. The games will continue till May 15 and are being held across five districtsPatna, Nalanda (Rajgir), Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai.

The event was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted the importance of sports in India’s future. The opening ceremony at Patliputra Sports Complex featured laser shows, cultural performances, and a performance by folk singer Maithili Thakur.

Over 8,500 athletes and 1,500 technical staff are participating in 28 sports, including archery, kabaddi, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, and boxing. Bihar is among the states fielding the largest contingent, along with Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

The event showcases Bihar’s upgraded sports infrastructure and serves as a stepping stone for India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics. With 284 gold medals to be won, the competition is intense. The games are being broadcast live on Doordarshan Sports.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy Receive Khel Ratna 2023 for Badminton Excellence

On May 1, 2025, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 in New Delhi.

The Minister praised their dedication and international achievements, calling the award a recognition of their exceptional performance and hard work.

The celebrated badminton duo reached World No. 1 in the BWF rankings in 2023 and won the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou. Although selected for the Khel Ratna in 2023, they had postponed the ceremony due to tournament commitments.

Indian Sprinters Set New National Record in Men’s 4x100m Relay, Clock 38.69 Seconds

On 30 April 2025, at the 2nd Indian Open Relay Competition in Chandigarh, sprinters Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain broke the national record in the men’s 4x100m relay.

They clocked 38.69 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 38.89 seconds set during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Cricket retained, MMA to debut at Asian Games 2026 in Japan

Cricket will return for the 2026 Asian Games, while Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will debut at the event, scheduled in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

This will be cricket’s fourth appearance at the Games since its debut in Guangzhou 2010. Although early editions lacked international status, ICC granted full international status to matches in Asian Games 2023, a practice expected to continue in 2026.

14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest centurion in IPL history

On 28 April 2025, in the IPL T20 match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals defeated Gujarat Titans by eight wickets. Chasing a target of 210 runs, Rajasthan Royals scored 212/2 in just 15.5 overs.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed a historic century (101 runs off 38 balls) and was named Player of the Match. He became the youngest centurion in IPL history at 14 years and 32 days, surpassing records held by Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, and Devdutt Padikkal. His century was also the second fastest in IPL history, behind Chris Gayle, and the fastest by an Indian, overtaking Yusuf Pathan’s record.

Yashasvi Jaiswal also contributed with an unbeaten 70 runs.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans, after being put to bat, scored 209/4. Shubman Gill top-scored with 84 runs, while Jos Buttler added an unbeaten 50, and Sai Sudharsan made 39 runs. For Rajasthan, Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets, and Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma took one each. For Gujarat, Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan took a wicket apiece.

India Dominates Asian Yogasana Sport Championship 2025 with Record Medal Haul

India delivered a dominant performance at the Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, securing a record 83 gold medals to top the medal tally at the event held in Delhi on 27 April 2025. India finished with a total of 87 medals (83 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), far ahead of Japan, which won 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals. Mongolia, Oman, and Nepal completed the top five standings.

Other strong performers included Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Bhutan, reflecting yogasana’s growing popularity across Asia. The championship featured participation from over 21 countries and concluded with a grand closing ceremony attended by Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, along with officials from the Asian and World Yogasana federations.

Koneru Humpy Wins Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2025

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won the Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix on 23 April 2025, finishing with 7/9 points after defeating Bulgarian IM Nurgyul Salimova. Chinese GM Zhu Jiner also scored 7/9 by winning her final game, but was placed second on tiebreaks. Both players will share the Grand Prix points and prize money.

Humpy’s win significantly boosts her chances of qualifying for the next Women’s Candidates Tournament. Indian IM Divya Deshmukh secured third place with 5.5/9 points after drawing her final game.

Churchill Brothers Clinch I-League 2024-25 Title

Churchill Brothers FC Goa clinched the I-League 2024-25 title on April 19, 2025, following a ruling by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Appeals Committee. The club had provisionally finished at the top of the league table with 40 points after the final round of matches on April 6, 2025. However, the championship was delayed due to a dispute involving second-placed Inter Kashi, whose appeal regarding points from a controversial match on January 13, 2025, was dismissed.

This victory marks a historic achievement for Churchill Brothers, as they earned promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) for the first time. The ruling brought closure to one of the most dramatic seasons in Indian domestic football.

Himanshu Jakhar wins Gold in U-18 Asian Athletics Championships in Javelin Throw Saudi Arabia

Himanshu Jakhar made history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at the Asian U18 Athletics Championships in the men’s javelin throw held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. His throw of 67.57 meters, although below his personal best of 74.56 meters, secured the top spot on the podium.

With this, India ended the championship with 11 medals: 1 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze

Other key performances:

  • Devak Bhusan won silver in men’s high jump with a leap of 2.03 meters, behind Kuwait’s Mohammad Alduaij (2.05 meters).
  • Aarti won bronze in women’s 200m (22.41 seconds) and had earlier claimed bronze in the 100m.
  • The men’s medley relay team (Chiranth P, Sayed Sabeer, Saket Minj, Kadir Khan) secured silver, finishing in 1:52.15, behind China.
  • The women’s medley relay team did not finish due to a baton drop.

Inder Singh Suruchi and Saurabh Chaudhary win gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at ISSF World Cup 2025

At the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, Peru, the Indian duo Inder Singh Suruchi and Saurabh Chaudhary won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, defeating China’s Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu 17-9 in the final.

Meanwhile, the Indian pair Manu Bhakar and Ravinder Singh narrowly missed a bronze, losing to China’s Qianke Ma and Yifan Zhang.

Magnus Carlsen Wins Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris

World number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris by defeating American GM Hikaru Nakamura 1.5-0.5, earning $200,000. Nakamura secured second place with $140,000. Fabiano Caruana beat Vincent Keymer for third place, winning $100,000 and a spot in the Las Vegas Grand Slam.

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi claimed fifth place with a 1.5-0.5 win over France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, earning $50,000. Arjun will next compete at the Grenke Freestyle Open starting April 17.

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 to Be Hosted in Bihar: Dates, Mascot & Key Highlights

Bihar will host the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from 4th to 15th May across cities like Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur. The mascot “Gajsimha”, symbolizing the strength of an elephant and the courage of a lion, was unveiled along with the logo by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The mascot is inspired by the Pala dynasty’s heritage from Nalanda and Bodhgaya, while the logo reflects Bihar’s rich culture and the enthusiasm of youth, using vibrant orange.

Over 8,500 athletes and 10,000 delegates are expected to participate, making it the second-largest sporting event in India after the National Games. The games will feature 27 sports disciplines, including traditional events like Malkhamb, along with volleyball, football, basketball, boxing, kabaddi, and 18 events in Athletics and Sepak Takraw.

Sourav Ganguly Reappointed as ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chairperson

Sourav Ganguly, former Indian cricket captain, has been reappointed as the chairperson of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee as of April 13, 2025. He first took on the role in 2021, succeeding Anil Kumble.

The ICC Men’s Cricket Committee advises the ICC Board on key areas such as playing conditions, rule changes, and the sport’s long-term development. Under Ganguly’s leadership, the committee aims to further modernize and grow the game globally.

Joining him on the committee are prominent names like VVS Laxman, Temba Bavuma, Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, and Jonathan Trott, bringing diverse and global perspectives.

Ganguly’s reappointment signals the ICC’s trust in his vision and progressive leadership, promising positive strides for the future of cricket.

India Wins Gold in Compound Mixed Team Archery at World Cup 2025

The Indian archery duo of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav won the gold medal in the compound mixed team event at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Florida, USA, on April 12, 2025. They defeated Chinese Taipei’s Huang I-Jou and Chen Chieh-Lun with a score of 153-151.

After a slow start, losing the first two series, the Indian pair staged a strong comeback, dominating the final two rounds. This was Rishabh Yadav’s first World Cup gold and Jyothi’s 11th. Notably, they became the first-ever champions in this category since it was officially added to the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Mohun Bagan Wins ISL 2024-25 Title with 2-1 Victory Over Bengaluru FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) title with a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC on April 12, 2025, at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata. Bengaluru took the lead via an own goal by Alberto Rodríguez in the 49th minute, but Jason Cummings equalized with a penalty in the 72nd minute. Greg Maclaren scored the winning goal in extra time, sealing the title.

This marked Mohun Bagan’s second ISL title (after 2022-23) and made them only the second team after Mumbai City FC to win both the League Winners Shield and ISL Cup in the same season.

Indian Men’s Recurve Archery Team Enters World Cup Final

The Indian men’s recurve archery team—Dhiraj Bommadevara, Atanu Das, and Tarundeep Rai—has reached the final of the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Florida, USA. They defeated Spain 6-2 in the semi-finals on April 10, 2025, after a 6-2 win over Indonesia in the quarterfinals.

The team will face China in the final on Sunday evening.

Cricket at Los Angeles Olympics 2028: T20 Format Confirmed

Cricket will be played in the T20 format at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with six teams each in the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. The IOC Executive Board has approved the event programme and athlete quotas, allowing 90 players per gender (15 per team).

Cricket is one of five new sports added to LA 2028, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. Venues for cricket matches are yet to be finalised.

India Shines at ISSF World Cup 2025 as Suruchi Singh and Vijayveer Sidhu Strike Gold

India continued its dominance in shooting at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with stellar performances on April 8, 2025, by Suruchi Singh and Vijayveer Sidhu.

  • Suruchi Singh, just 18 years old, won her first-ever gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event, defeating top Chinese contenders. With a final score of 244.6, she outshot China’s Qian Wei and Jiang Ranxin, securing a major international breakthrough.
  • Vijayveer Sidhu made history by becoming the first Indian ever to win gold in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol. His composed, world-class performance reaffirmed his place among India’s elite shooters.

These victories lifted India to the top of the medal tally, with a total of 4 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, marking a remarkable run at the event. This performance reflects India’s growing prowess in shooting and raises high hopes for upcoming Olympic shooting events.

Rudrankksh Patil Wins Gold at ISSF World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires

Indian shooter Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil won the gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires on April 6, 2025. This is Patil’s second individual World Cup gold, having previously won the title at the 2023 Cairo edition.

Local favorite Marcelo Julian Gutierrez secured bronze with a score of 230.1. India now jointly leads the medal tally alongside China, with both countries winning 2 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze so far. The USA also has two golds and ranks third, while Hungary secured one gold medal. There are still eight finals left in the competition.

Meanwhile, Arjun Babuta, who finished fourth in the Paris 2024 Olympics, ended seventh in the final with a score of 144.9, narrowly missing the podium again. Kiran Ankush Jadhav, who shot 631.5 in qualifications, did not compete in the final as he was participating under Ranking Points Only (RPO).

This victory marked India’s fourth medal at the first ISSF World Cup of the 2025 season.

Hitesh Gulia win Gold medal at World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025

Hitesh Gulia has etched his name in the annals of Indian boxing history by clinching the gold medal at the prestigious World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 on 6 April 2025. Competing in the 70kg weight category, Gulia emerged victorious in the final held at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. His opponent, Odel Kamara of England, was unable to compete due to injury, granting Gulia a walkover.

This remarkable achievement marks the first time an Indian boxer has won gold at the World Boxing Cup. Gulia’s journey to the final was nothing short of extraordinary, as he defeated French Olympian Makan Traore with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision in the semifinals. A sailor with the Indian Navy, Gulia has consistently showcased his prowess, having previously won gold at the Senior National Boxing Championships and the Uttarakhand National Games.

India’s campaign at the World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 concluded with an impressive haul of six medals: one gold, one silver, and four bronze. This milestone not only highlights Gulia’s individual brilliance but also underscores the growing strength of Indian boxing on the global stage.

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