Sports

 

National and International Sports updates,  Important for Competitive Exams.

India Bids to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 14 August 2025 approved India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. India will submit its final proposal by 31 August 2025. The Games will mark 100 years since the first edition in 1930 and 20 years since India last hosted (Delhi, 2010).

India has proposed Ahmedabad as the lead host city, with Delhi and Bhubaneswar as alternatives. Plans include new sports complexes like the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, and the inclusion of kabaddi, kho kho, shooting, wrestling, and archery.

With Canada withdrawing its bid, India’s chances have increased. The host country will be announced by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in November 2025 at Glasgow. The bid also supports India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Namrata Batra Becomes First Indian to Enter Wushu Final at World Games 2025

On 11 August 2025, Namrata Batra became the first Indian to reach the women’s 52 kg Wushu final at the World Games in Chengdu, China, defeating Philippines’ Krizan Faith Collado 2-0.

This assured India’s first-ever World Games medal in Wushu, with at least a silver guaranteed. She will face Mengyue Chen of China in the final.

Earlier, Rishabh Yadav secured India’s first individual medal at the 2025 Games with bronze in men’s compound archery. Batra recently won gold at the Moscow Star International Wushu Championship ahead of the Games.

India Beat England by 6 Runs in Final Test, Series Ends 2–2

On 4 August 2025, India defeated England by 6 runs in a thrilling final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, London, leveling the five-match series 2–2.

Chasing 374, England was bowled out for 367, with Mohammed Siraj starring for India by taking 9 wickets in the match, including 5 in the second innings. He was named Player of the Match.

India had scored 396 in their second innings, after trailing in the first. Shubman Gill (India) and Harry Brook (England) were named Players of the Series.

Durand Cup: Asia’s Oldest Football Tournament

Durand Cup 2025: from July 23 – August 23, 2025.

📜 Historical Legacy

  • Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the fifth oldest in the world.
  • Originally started as an Army Cup for British Indian Army troops, it later opened up to civilian teams, becoming a prestigious event in Indian football.
  • Named after Sir Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary of British India.

📍 Format & Participation

  • The tournament features 24 teams, including top clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and armed forces teams.
  • Teams are divided into six groups, with group winners and two best runners-up advancing to the knockout stage.
  • Matches are hosted across five cities: Kolkata, Shillong, Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Imphal.

Divya Deshmukh Creates History: Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025

On 28 July 2025, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final held in Baku.

  • The classical games ended in draws, leading to rapid tie-breaks.
  • Divya won the final 1.5–0.5, capitalizing on Humpy’s errors under time pressure.
  • With this win, she became India’s 88th Grandmaster and the fourth Indian woman Grandmaster.
  • Divya was the underdog, ranked No. 18 in classical and No. 22 in rapid chess, while Humpy was World No. 5 in classical and a two-time World Rapid Champion.
  • Divya had also won the 2024 World Junior Championship and helped India win gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

Divya Deshmukh Creates Becomes First Indian to Reach FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup Final

India’s Divya Deshmukh defeated China’s Tan Zhongyi in Game 2 of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 semifinal on 23 July in Batumi, Georgia, securing a 1.5–0.5 victory and a place in the final. With this win, the 19-year-old not only became the first Indian to reach the final of the Women’s World Cup but also secured her first Grandmaster norm and a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

She will face the winner of the other semifinal between Koneru Humpy (India) and Lei Tingjie (China), which is heading into tiebreaks after two drawn classical games.

The FIDE Women’s World Cup is a key event in the World Championship cycle, offering three spots for the Candidates Tournament.

India to Host FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 30 to November 27

India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 30 to November 27, marking its second time after Hyderabad in 2002.

  • 206 players will compete in a knockout format.
  • Top 3 finishers qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.
  • Indian stars like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Erigaisi expected to participate.
  • Follows India’s historic double gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
  • Host city to be announced; New Delhi and Goa are in contention.

Koneru Humpy become first Indian woman to enter FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup Semifinals

On 21 July 2025, Koneru Humpy made history as the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, defeating China’s Song Yuxin.

Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli will play tiebreaks at 4:35 PM (IST) to decide the last semifinalist.

Vaishali Rameshbabu lost to Tan Zhongyi, while top seed Lei Tingjie beat Nana Dzagnidze to enter the semifinals.

Ancy Sojan wins third place in women’s long jump at Lignano Continental Tour event

In Athletics, India’s Ancy Sojan secured third place in the women’s long jump at the Lignano Meeting, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event held in Italy on 13 July 2025.

Ancy recorded a best jump of 6.36m on her fourth attempt, showing strong consistency with five of six jumps crossing 6.15m. Her jump sequence: 6.26m, 6.35m, 6.19m, 6.36m, 6.18m, 6.11m.

Australia’s Delta Amidzovski won gold with a 6.47m jump, while South Africa’s Danielle Nolte took silver with 6.44m, below her season best of 6.54m.

Ancy improved from her previous 6.21m jump in Spain earlier this season. Her personal best is 6.71m, achieved in Bengaluru in September 2024.

She currently holds the final qualifying spot in the Road to Tokyo 25 rankings for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Chelsea Win First-Ever FIFA Club World Cup Title (2025)

On 14 July 2025, Chelsea Football Club made history by winning the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3–0 in the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

Match Highlights:

  • Cole Palmer emerged as the star of the match, scoring two goals in eight minutes and assisting Joao Pedro for the third goal just before halftime.
  • Chelsea’s third goal was a calm chip by Pedro after a brilliant pass from Palmer.
  • PSG failed to respond, and tensions rose when Joao Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.

Tournament Stats:

  • Chelsea ended the tournament as top scorers with 17 goals.
  • Other top-scoring teams: PSG, Manchester City, and Bayern (16 goals each).

Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek Clinch Wimbledon 2025 Titles

At Wimbledon 2025, Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling 4-set final to win his first Wimbledon title and fourth Grand Slam, becoming the first Italian to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon on 13 July 2025. Sinner avenged his loss in the 2025 French Open final against Alcaraz.

On the women’s side, World No. 4 Iga Swiatek crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in just 57 minutes, claiming her maiden Wimbledon title, sixth Grand Slam, and marking her 100th Grand Slam match win. She also became the first Polish player to win Wimbledon and the first woman in the Open Era to win the final without conceding a single game.

India’s Fastest Man: Animesh Kujur Clocks Historic 10.18 Seconds

Animesh Kujur, a 22-year-old sprinter from Chhattisgarh, set a new national record in the men’s 100m with a timing of 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Meet in Greece on July 2025.

He became the first Indian to run 100m under 10.20s, breaking Gurindervir Singh’s record of 10.20s. The feat was achieved at a World Athletics Continental Tour (Silver) event.

Kujur also holds the national 200m record (20.32s) and was part of India’s record-setting 4x100m relay team (38.69s).

India Defeat England by 336 Runs in 2nd Anderson-Tendulkar Test

India secured a record 336-run victory over England in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston, Birmingham, leveling the series 1-1.

  • It was India’s first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, ending a 58-year winless streak at the venue.
  • Despite a 100-minute rain delay on Day 5, Indian bowlers bowled out England by taking 7 remaining wickets.

🌟 Star Performers:

  • Akash Deep took a 10-wicket haul (4 in the first innings, 6 in the second), becoming the second Indian to do so in England after Chetan Sharma (1986).
  • Mohammed Siraj also starred with 7 wickets in the match.
  • Shubman Gill scored a record 430 runs across both innings (269 + 161) and was named Player of the Match.
    • His 430 is the second-highest aggregate in Test history after Graham Gooch’s 456.

India declared at 427/6 in their second innings, setting England a target of 608. England were all out for 271.

🗓️ The third Test will begin on 10 July 2025 at Lord’s.

India Qualifies for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 After 22 Years

On 6 July 2025, the Indian women’s football team defeated hosts Thailand 2-1 in their final Group B match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Chiang Mai Stadium.

Sangita Basfore scored both goals for India, helping the team qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup main event for the first time since 2003. Thailand’s lone goal came from Chatchawan Rodhong.

With both teams level on points and goal difference before the match, it served as a virtual playoff. India now heads to the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) :It is the governing body of association football in Asia and Australia, responsible for organizing major tournaments.

India’s Best-Ever Medal Haul at World Boxing Cup 2025 in Astana

On 6 July 2025, India delivered its best-ever performance at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, clinching 11 medals — 3 Gold, 5 Silver, and 3 Bronze.

🥇 Gold Medal Winners:

  • Sakshi (54kg) defeated USA’s Yosline Perez with a unanimous decision.
  • Jaismine (57kg) won 4:1 against Brazil’s Jucielen Romeu.
  • Nupur (80+kg) beat Kazakhstan’s Talipova with a dominant 5:0 victory.

🥈 Silver Medalists:

  • Meenakshi (48kg) lost 2:3 to Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay.
  • Jugnoo (Men’s 85kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) all finished second.

🥉 Bronze Winners:

  • Sanju (60kg), Nikhil Dubey (75kg), and Narender (90+kg) secured bronze medals.

Gukesh Wins Rapid Title at Grand Chess Tour 2025 in Zagreb

Reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju won the Rapid section of the Grand Chess Tour 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia, on 5 July 2025. The 19-year-old Indian secured the title by defeating Wesley So in the final round, scoring 14 out of 18 points.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda finished second with 11 points, and Magnus Carlsen placed third with 10 points. Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu shared fourth with Fabiano Caruana, each scoring 9 points.

The Blitz rounds begin today, featuring top players like Gukesh, Carlsen, Caruana, and Praggnanandhaa. The combined scores from Rapid and Blitz will decide the overall winner.

This is the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2025, following events in Poland and Romania, where Praggnanandhaa won in Bucharest and finished third in Warsaw. Upcoming events include two in the US (August) and the final in Brazil (Sept–Oct).

India’s First Khelo India Water Sports Festival to Debut at Dal Lake in Srinagar in August 2025

The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be held at Dal Lake in Srinagar from 21st to 23rd August 2025, as announced by Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

The three-day event will feature five water sports:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing
  • Rowing
  • Water Skiing
  • Shikara Race
  • Dragon Boat

Over 400 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories are expected to participate in this open-age national competition.

Ayush Shetty Wins US Open 2025 in Badminton, Becomes First Indian BWF World Tour Title in 2025

In Badminton, 20-year-old Ayush Shetty made history by becoming the first Indian to win a BWF World Tour title in 2025, clinching the US Open 2025 on 29 June 2025.

  • He defeated Canada’s Brian Yang in the final with a straight-game victory: 21-18, 21-13.
  • In the semifinal, Ayush pulled off a major upset by beating World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen.
  • This win marks India’s first men’s singles title on the BWF Tour abroad since the Canada Open 2023.

In women’s singles, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma finished as runner-up after losing to top seed Beiwen Zhang in a close three-game match: 11-21, 21-16, 10-21. It was Tanvi’s first BWF World Tour final, and she impressed with her resilience despite the loss.

Khelo India University Games 2025 to Be Held in Jaipur in November

The Khelo India University Games 2025 will be held in November 2025 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, as announced by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

  • The event is expected to see participation from over 4,000 athletes representing more than 200 universities.
  • Competitions will be held across 20 sports disciplines.
  • These Games serve as a national platform for under-25 athletes, helping them to showcase their talent and get noticed by scouts and national selectors.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the University Games follow the Khelo India Youth Games for under-18 athletes, which were held in Bihar in May 2025, continuing the government’s mission to nurture sports talent at all levels.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Javelin Gold at Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 with 85.29m Throw

In Athletics, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra clinched the Javelin Throw title at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 meet in the Czech Republic on 25 June 2025. The 27-year-old Indian athlete secured the gold medal with a best throw of 85.29 metres.

  • Douw Smit (South Africa) came second with 84.12 metres
  • Anderson Peters (Grenada) finished third with 83.63 metres

This marks Neeraj’s second consecutive win, following his remarkable 90.23-metre throw at the Paris Diamond League last week—his first-ever throw beyond 90 metres.

Neeraj Chopra’s next event will be the Neeraj Chopra Classic, India’s first global javelin competition, scheduled for 5 July 2025 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Paris Diamond League 2025 Men’s Javelin Throw

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra claimed victory at the Paris Diamond League 2025 held on 20 June at Stade Sébastien Charléty with a best throw of 88.16 meters on his first attempt.

🥇 Top 3 Results:

  • Neeraj Chopra (India) – 88.16 m (Gold)
  • Julian Weber (Germany) – 87.88 m (Silver)
  • Luiz Maurício da Silva (Brazil) – 86.62 m (Bronze, South American Record)

📈 Performance Highlights:

  • Neeraj followed his winning throw with:
    • 85.10 m (2nd attempt)
    • Three fouls
    • 82.89 m (final attempt)
  • First time in 2025 that Neeraj defeated Julian Weber, who had beaten him at the Doha Diamond League last month.
  • In Doha, Weber threw 91.06 m, while Neeraj achieved a personal best and Indian record of 90.23 m.

ICC Announces Schedule for 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the schedule for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which will be held from 30th September to 2nd November in India and Sri Lanka.

Although India is the official host, Sri Lanka will host all of Pakistan’s matches due to political tensions between the two countries. This marks the fourth time India hosts the Women’s ODI World Cup and the first since 2013.

  • India’s opening match is on 30th September against Sri Lanka at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
  • The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for 5th October at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • Defending champions Australia will face New Zealand in their opening game on 1st October in Indore.
  • The round-robin stage ends on 26th October, with semifinals on 29th and 30th October, and the final on 2nd November.

The eight participating teams are:
India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

South Africa Wins First ICC World Test Championship Title

On June 14, 2025, South Africa made history by winning their first ICC World Test Championship title, defeating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s Cricket Ground. This ended a 27-year wait for a senior men’s ICC trophy.

The match was a thrilling contest:

  • Australia set a target of 282, after scoring 212 and 207 in their innings.
  • South Africa scored 138 in their first innings but made a stunning comeback in the fourth innings.
  • Aiden Markram was the hero, scoring a brilliant 136.
  • Captain Temba Bavuma contributed a valuable 66 runs.
  • Kagiso Rabada dominated with the ball, taking 9 wickets in the match.

Despite early losses on Day 4, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne struck the winning runs, securing a 5-wicket victory and sparking jubilation across the South African camp.

MS Dhoni Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

MS Dhoni, legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batter and former captain, has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, announced by the International Cricket Council on 10 June 2025. He is among seven cricketers honoured this year, including Matthew Hayden (Australia) and Hashim Amla (South Africa).

Renowned for his calm under pressure and tactical brilliance, Dhoni is celebrated as one of the game’s greatest finishers, leaders, and wicketkeepers. His international career boasts 17,266 runs, 829 dismissals, and 538 matches for India — a reflection of his consistency, fitness, and longevity.

Dhoni led India to three ICC titles:

  • 2007 T20 World Cup
  • 2011 ODI World Cup
  • 2013 Champions Trophy

His ODI achievements include:

  • Most stumpings in ODIs (123)
  • Highest score by a wicketkeeper (183)*
  • Most matches as India’s captain (200)

Reacting to the honour, Dhoni said it’s a wonderful feeling to be named among all-time greats and something he will cherish forever.

Though he retired in 2020, Dhoni continues to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, now cemented in cricketing immortality.

French Open 2025 : Carlos Alcaraz Defends Crown, Coco Gauff Clinches First Title

Men’s Singles Final – June 8, 2025

  • Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) pulled off a remarkable comeback to defend his French Open title, defeating World No. 1 Jannik Sinner (Italy) in a five-set thriller:
    4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.
  • Alcaraz was down two sets and faced three championship points, but rallied to win.
  • With this win:
    • Alcaraz clinched his second Roland Garros title.
    • He now holds 5 Grand Slam titles, unbeaten in all five major finals.
    • Ended Sinner’s 20-match winning streak at the Grand Slams.
    • Head-to-head vs. Sinner now 8-4 in favor of Alcaraz.

Women’s Singles Final – June 7, 2025

  • Coco Gauff (USA) defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus):
    6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 to win her first French Open and second Grand Slam title.
  • Gauff became:
    • The first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
    • The youngest American to win the French Open since Serena in 2002.
    • The youngest to win both the US Open and French Open since Serena.

RCB Wins Indian Premier League (IPL) Trophy 2025 Final Against Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title on 3 June 2025, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

  • RCB’s Batting: Scored 190/9 in 20 overs;
    • Virat Kohli top-scored with 43 runs
    • Captain Rajat Patidar added 26 runs
  • PBKS’ Bowling:
    • Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson took 3 wickets each
  • PBKS’ Chase: Ended at 184/8;
    • Shashank Singh scored an unbeaten 61 runs
  • RCB’s Bowling:
    • Krunal Pandya gave away just 17 runs in 4 overs and took 2 crucial wickets, earning Player of the Match

Post-Match Awards:

  • 🧡 Orange Cap: Sai Sudarshan (Gujarat Titans) – Highest run-scorer
  • 💜 Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna (Gujarat Titans) – Most wickets
  • ⭐ Most Valuable Player (MVP): Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

RCB captain Rajat Patidar dedicated the win to Virat Kohli and fans, crediting team management and coaching staff for their support.

IPL 2025 Final: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings

The grand finale of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is here! Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to battle it out for their maiden IPL title at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on June 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST.

🔥 Key Highlights:

  • RCB’s Road to the Final: Finished second in the league stage and secured a dominant 8-wicket victory over PBKS in Qualifier 1.
  • PBKS’ Comeback: After losing Qualifier 1, PBKS bounced back with a thrilling five-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.
  • Star Players to Watch:
    • Virat Kohli (RCB) – 614 runs this season, aiming for another explosive performance.
    • Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – 603 runs, looking to lead his team to glory.
    • Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – Needs four wickets to claim the Purple Cap.

🏆 A Historic Moment Awaits!
Neither RCB nor PBKS have won the IPL title before, making this a first-time champion moment. Will RCB finally break their finals curse, or will PBKS rise to the occasion?

📺 Where to Watch:

  • TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (India)
  • Live Streaming: JioCinema (India), Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports Cricket (UK).

Asian Athletics Championships: Gulveer Breaks Record in Men’s 5000m

On May 30, 2025, India had a spectacular outing at the Asian Athletics Championships, with multiple medals and national records:

  • Gulveer Singh won his second gold, taking the men’s 5000m title in a Championship Record time of 13:24.78, beating the previous 2015 record. He had earlier won the 10,000m gold.
  • Pooja, an 18-year-old high jumper, clinched gold with a 1.89m leap, a U-20 national record and only the second Indian woman to medal in this event after Bobby Aloysius.
  • Nandini Agasara claimed gold in women’s heptathlon, scoring 5941 points.
  • Parul Chaudhary set a new national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with 9:12.46, earning silver.
  • Animesh Kujur reached the final of the men’s 200m after clocking 20.81s in the semifinal.

India now stands second in the medal tally with 18 medals (8 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze), trailing China which leads with 24 medals (15 Gold, 8 Silver, 3 Bronze).

Asian Athletics Championships 2025 – Golds for Sable, Yarraji, and 4x400m Relay Team

At the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, on 29 May 2025, Indian athletes delivered a stellar performance, winning three gold medals in a single day, pushing India’s overall medal tally to 14.

  • Avinash Sable won gold in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase with a season-best time of 8:20.92, becoming the first Indian man in 36 years to win this event at the Asian Championships.
  • Jyothi Yarraji claimed gold in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.96 seconds, setting a new championship record and defending her title.
  • The women’s 4x400m relay team — Jisna Mathew, Rupal Chaudhary, Kunja Rajitha, and Subha Venkatesan — won gold with a season-best time of 3:34.18.

In total for the day, India bagged 3 golds, 2 silvers, and 1 bronze, reinforcing its strong presence at the championship.

Scroll to Top