India’s Commonwealth Games campaign continued to gather momentum with medals in athletics and weightlifting, while attention also turned to Friday’s blockbuster javelin final featuring Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem. Cricket saw significant developments both on and off the field, while football’s governance crisis deepened as UEFA escalated its opposition to FIFA’s proposed investment plans.
1. All eyes on Chopra-Nadeem as Pathirage emerges favourite
The men’s javelin final at the Commonwealth Games is set to headline Friday’s action, but it is Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage-not Neeraj Chopra or Arshad Nadeem-who enters as the favourite.
Pathirage topped the qualification round with a throw of 82.84m after dominating the season with multiple Diamond League victories and a world-leading effort of 92.62m. Defending champion Arshad Nadeem qualified seventh with 78.63m, while Chopra progressed in fifth after throwing 79.61m in difficult, windy conditions.
The final will feature five of the top seven finishers from the Paris Olympics, with India represented by Chopra, Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh.
2. Lovepreet Singh misses gold by one kilogram
India’s Lovepreet Singh settled for silver in the men’s +110kg weightlifting competition after falling agonisingly short of Commonwealth Games gold.
The Punjab lifter broke the Games snatch record with a lift of 176kg before finishing with a total of 388kg. New Zealand’s David Liti completed a dramatic comeback with a Games-record clean and jerk of 223kg to claim gold by a single kilogram.
Lovepreet’s silver took India’s final weightlifting tally at the Games to eight medals-one gold, six silver and one bronze.
3. UEFA threatens FIFA boycott over World Cup investment proposal
European football has escalated its opposition to FIFA’s proposed private equity investment plan, with UEFA announcing its members will boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeds.
Concacaf also rejected the plan, leaving FIFA facing resistance from two major confederations. UEFA’s stance would potentially exclude leading nations including Spain, England, France and Germany from future men’s and women’s World Cups unless the proposal is abandoned.
The dispute centres on FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in a commercial entity overseeing World Cup revenues, a move UEFA says threatens the governance and integrity of the sport.
4. Cricket pays tribute as Ajinkya Rahane retires
Tributes poured in for Ajinkya Rahane after the former India vice-captain announced his retirement from all formats of cricket.
Virat Kohli described Rahane as his favourite Test batting partner and praised his slip catching, while Sachin Tendulkar highlighted the composure that defined Rahane’s career. Virender Sehwag called him one of India’s most underrated cricketers and credited him for leading the country to its historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21.
Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2023.
5. Seema Kaliramna wins Commonwealth Games discus bronze
Seema Kaliramna secured India’s latest athletics medal by winning bronze in the women’s discus throw.
The 31-year-old produced a best throw of 58.65m in challenging conditions to finish behind Jamaica’s Samantha Hall and Canada’s Julia Tunks. Returning to elite competition after giving birth, Seema claimed her first major international medal and continued India’s strong tradition in the event at the Commonwealth Games.
Her podium finish became India’s fourth athletics medal of the Games.
6. ICC confirms 12 host cities for 2027 ODI World Cup
The ICC has officially confirmed the 12 host cities for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Eight South African cities will stage the majority of the matches, while Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Windhoek will also host fixtures. The tournament is scheduled to run from October 4 to November 21, marking the World Cup’s return to Africa for the first time since 2003.
7. East Zone explain Sooryavanshi’s vice-captaincy
East Zone selectors have defended the decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy.
Selectors said the role is intended to expose the teenage batting sensation to leadership responsibilities rather than indicate the team’s succession plan. They stressed that Sooryavanshi will learn alongside captain Ishan Kishan, while an experienced player would likely lead the side if Kishan were unavailable.
8. Hockey India’s saffron jersey sparks debate
Hockey India’s decision to unveil saffron jerseys for next month’s FIH Hockey World Cup has drawn criticism from former captain Viren Rasquinha.
The governing body defended the move, saying the colour change was made after consultation with players and support staff and was necessary for technical reasons. India will wear the new kit at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium instead of their traditional blue jerseys.
9. Stephen Fleming named England Test coach
England have appointed former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as their new men’s Test head coach, with Joe Root returning as Test captain.
Fleming will begin his tenure after England’s series against Pakistan, replacing Brendon McCullum, while Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach. Root resumes the captaincy following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket.
10. India to host Brazil in landmark football friendly
India will host five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in an international friendly on October 3 in Kolkata.
The match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan will be the highest-ranked opposition India have faced since the introduction of FIFA’s world rankings in 1992. AIFF officials described the fixture as one of the biggest occasions in Indian football history.
11. Pakistan lose Shan Masood for second West Indies Test
Pakistan have suffered a setback ahead of the second Test against the West Indies after batter Shan Masood was ruled out with a finger injury.
Masood sustained the injury during the opening Test in Trinidad and is also a doubt for Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against England. Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and uncapped batter Awais Zafar are among the options to replace him.
12. Djokovic closes in on Federer’s longevity record
Novak Djokovic has returned to the ATP top five at the age of 39 years and two months, moving closer to Roger Federer’s longevity record.
The Serbian achieved the milestone despite playing only five tournaments this season, thanks largely to his Australian Open final and Wimbledon semifinal appearances. Only Federer and Ken Rosewall have remained in the ATP top five at an older age.
13. Four Indians reach Taipei Open quarterfinals
India enjoyed a productive day at the Taipei Open Super 300 as Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag and Kiran George advanced to the quarterfinals.
Unnati and Devika set up an all-Indian quarterfinal, ensuring the country at least one semifinalist in the women’s singles draw. HS Prannoy and Anmol Kharb, however, bowed out in the second round.
Source link
#Sports #News #Today #Neeraj #Chopra #Ajinkya #Rahane #FIFAUEFA #Row #Commonwealth #Games #Highlights
