Sports News Bulletin: Yuvraj Joins DC, Lakshya Sen Exits Denmark Open

The latest developments across Indian and international sport feature a major coaching appointment at Delhi Capitals, dominant performances in the Ranji Trophy and Australia’s emphatic start to their Test series against South Africa.

Elsewhere, Netflix has secured World Cup broadcasting rights in Spain, Indian shuttlers have experienced mixed fortunes at the Denmark Open, and Kolkata is preparing to host a legends’ edition of El Clásico. Indian boxing has also received a ₹40 crore funding commitment ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

1. Yuvraj Singh Joins Delhi Capitals as Assistant and Batting Coach

Delhi Capitals have appointed former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as their Assistant and Batting Coach ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The move marks Yuvraj’s first formal coaching role and reunites him with the franchise for which he played all 14 matches in the 2015 season, after Delhi Daredevils signed him for a then-record ₹16 crore. The 44-year-old enjoyed a distinguished international career, featuring in 304 ODIs, 40 Tests and 58 T20Is, and played key roles in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs. He also accumulated 2,750 runs and 36 wickets in 132 IPL appearances. Yuvraj said he was excited to begin the new chapter and work with the squad, including Sourav Ganguly, as he looks to contribute to the team’s success.

2. Ranji Trophy: Siraj Leads Hyderabad as Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai Record Big Wins

Mohammed Siraj helped Hyderabad secure an innings-and-40-run victory over Tripura in their opening Group B fixture, while Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai registered emphatic wins in the Ranji Trophy. Leading Hyderabad for the first two matches, Siraj took two wickets in the second innings, but left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan was the standout bowler, finishing with nine wickets in the match. Aniketh Reddy had claimed five wickets in the first innings, while Ruthik Yadav Mende’s 61 and contributions from Tanmay Agarwal, Rahul Radesh and Chama V Milind helped Hyderabad post 294. In Group A, Uttar Pradesh defeated Bihar by an innings and 267 runs after posting 540, powered by Madhav Kaushik’s 150 and Rinku Singh’s 112; Kartik Yadav, Karan Sharma and Zeeshan Ansari led the bowling effort. Mumbai beat Chandigarh by an innings and 155 runs, with captain Siddhesh Lad scoring 86 and Tushar Deshpande taking a hat-trick before completing a five-wicket haul in the first innings

3. Josh Hazlewood Takes Six as Australia Beat South Africa by 214 Runs

Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead, with Josh Hazlewood taking six wickets for 49 runs on the final day. Chasing 421, South Africa were dismissed for 206, despite Aiden Markram’s determined 75, which came after nearly six hours at the crease. Hazlewood broke important partnerships, including the stand involving Markram and Marco Jansen, before the final four wickets fell for just five runs in 16 deliveries against the second new ball. Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match after scoring 190 and 82 across the two innings and claiming his first Test wicket. Steve Smith also set a new record for the most catches by a fielder in Test cricket, taking his match tally to five. Australia recovered from 124 for six on the opening day to control the contest, leaving South Africa needing a response in the second Test in Gqeberha, starting Sunday, October 18.

4. Netflix Secures 2030 Men’s World Cup Broadcasting Rights in Spain

Netflix has secured the rights to broadcast the 2030 men’s FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra, marking the subscription streaming platform’s first deal to show the men’s tournament. The company said it would stream all 104 matches live, while one match per match-day will be available free to viewers in Spain. Spain’s matches and the final will also remain available on free-to-air television, according to Netflix. The 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay staging matches as part of celebrations marking the World Cup’s centenary. Netflix has previously expanded into live sport through events involving WWE, the NFL and boxing, and also holds the rights to the 2027 and 2031 editions of the women’s World Cup in the United States and Canada.

5. Lakshya Sen Exits Denmark Open as Srikanth and Tanvi Sharma Progress

Lakshya Sen suffered a first-round defeat at the Denmark Open 2026, losing 18-21, 21-13, 15-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in a 63-minute men’s singles contest. The result adds to a difficult season for Lakshya, who also suffered early exits at the 2026 Asian Games and the BWF World Championships in August. Kidambi Srikanth, however, advanced to the round of 16 after defeating France’s Arnaud Merkle 22-20, 21-19. Srikanth, ranked world No. 31, will face the winner of the match between seventh seed Alex Lanier and Hu Zhe An. In women’s singles, Tanvi Sharma defeated Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira 21-17, 16-21, 21-19 to move into the next round, where she could meet PV Sindhu if the Indian beats Germany’s Yvonne Li.

6. Kolkata Set to Host Barcelona Legends vs Real Madrid Legends on November 25

Kolkata is set to host a legends’ edition of El Clásico, with Barcelona Legends scheduled to face Real Madrid Legends at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on November 25, 2026. West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Khan announced the proposed exhibition match on Facebook, raising expectations of a high-profile football event in the city. Former stars Luís Figo, Iker Casillas and Carles Puyol have been reported as potential attractions, although the final squads have not yet been confirmed. The event would add to Kolkata’s football calendar following recent international friendlies involving Brazil and Uruguay. The city previously hosted Barcelona Legends against Mohun Bagan’s former players in September 2018, while the Barcelona and Real Madrid legends teams met in Navi Mumbai in April 2025, when Real Madrid Leyendas won 2-0 through goals from Fernando Morientes and David Barral.

7. Indian Boxing Gets ₹40 Crore Boost Ahead of Los Angeles Olympics 2028

Indian boxing has received a ₹40 crore funding commitment over two years through a collaboration involving Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the Sports Authority of India and the Boxing Federation of India. The initiative is intended to strengthen the sport’s development pathway, supporting grassroots talent identification as well as preparation for elite international competition. The funding is expected to contribute to better athlete support, training facilities and structured preparation as Indian boxing builds towards the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The programme aims to develop emerging boxers while helping established athletes maintain the standards required to compete internationally. With the next Olympic cycle approaching, the focus will be on converting India’s performances at events such as the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games into sustained success at the highest level.