Sports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the resumption of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) following an earlier disruption. After extensive dialogue with government and security agencies, the Board has confirmed that the remaining 17 matches will be played across six designated venues from May 17 to June 3, 2025. This revised schedule includes double-headers on two Sundays and a full playoff slate leading up to the final.

As wrestling legend John Cena begins his retirement tour after defending the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash, WWE finds itself at the intersection of nostalgia and strategic opportunity. The tour is expected to culminate in a much-anticipated final match at TD Garden in Boston on December 13, during Saturday Night’s Main Event. The announcement has reignited fan engagement and led to renewed investor interest in TKO Group Holdings Inc., WWE’s parent company.

In a controversial decision that has drawn global attention, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration has imposed a nationwide ban on chess, citing concerns over its perceived connection to gambling, a practice forbidden under Islamic law. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice announced the prohibition, stating the game would remain outlawed until religious authorities determine its alignment with Sharia principles. The Afghanistan National Chess Federation has also been suspended.

India’s women’s cricket team delivered a comprehensive performance to secure a resounding 97-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series in Colombo. Led by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s fluent century and backed by a clinical bowling effort, the Indian side reaffirmed its dominance on the international stage. Mandhana’s 116-run masterclass set the platform for a formidable total of 342 for seven, while bowlers Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur decimated Sri Lanka’s chase.

Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers and a three-time Olympian, has made a heartrending exit from competitive wrestling after a dramatic and deeply emotional turn of events at the Paris Olympics. Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle final due to a weight infraction, ending her pursuit of Olympic gold just hours before the match.

In a landmark moment for global chess and Indian sport, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, defeating defending titleholder Ding Liren of China in a tense final match held in Singapore. With a score of 7.5–6.5, Gukesh surpassed Garry Kasparov’s long-standing record, previously set at age 22 in 1985. Upon his triumphant return to Chennai, the teenage grandmaster received a hero’s welcome—one more akin to a national sports icon than a traditional chess player.

A storm is brewing within Indian cricket as the transition under head coach Gautam Gambhir triggers a wave of retirements, internal conflicts, and disappointing on-field performances. Amid speculation about Virat Kohli’s Test retirement and Rohit Sharma’s emotional departure from red-ball cricket, questions swirl around the new leadership's vision and execution. Gautam Gambhir’s aggressive stance against superstar culture and a string of poor international results have cast a shadow over the future of Indian cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a cautious and coordinated approach to resuming the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 following recent geopolitical tensions that led to a temporary suspension of the tournament. With 16 matches remaining—including four high-stakes playoff fixtures—the BCCI is actively consulting the central government, franchises, broadcasters, and other stakeholders to finalize a new timeline. While the board aims to wrap up the season within May, logistical and security considerations remain paramount.

India delivered a standout performance at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, capturing three medals across the compound events—a gold in the men’s team category, a silver in the women’s team event, and a bronze in the mixed team competition. The men’s trio clinched victory over Mexico in a high-intensity final, while the women’s team and the mixed duo demonstrated remarkable competitiveness on the global stage. These achievements not only reflect India’s growing prowess in compound archery but also fuel optimism ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028.

In a decisive move reflecting the gravity of national security, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2025 for one week. This decision follows escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border and recent military operations conducted by Indian armed forces in retaliation to a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The suspension came immediately after the abrupt cancellation of a match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.