From the electrifying victory of the Indian cricket team in the recent T20 series to the rising star power of young badminton sensations, India's sporting landscape is ablaze with action! This week alone saw record-breaking performances in the Pro Kabaddi League, showcasing the nation's unwavering passion for indigenous sports. The upcoming Asian Games are generating immense anticipation, with athletes across disciplines sharpening their skills and aiming for glory on the international stage. We delve into the crucial role of sports sponsorships in nurturing talent and boosting India's sporting infrastructure. Furthermore, debates rage on about the future of cricket's dominance in India's sporting ecosystem, with other sports like hockey and football vying for increased attention and investment. Stay updated on all the latest scores, match analyses, and exclusive interviews with your favorite athletes. Explore the dynamic world of Indian sports—from the bustling stadiums to the quiet dedication of rising stars—right here. Discover the stories that shape the nation’s sporting spirit and witness the unfolding drama of the sporting year.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 22 (ANI): The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) announced significant format changes for Season 12 on Friday, introducing an enhanced league stage and revamped Playoff structure designed to intensify competition and provide fans with more thrilling kabaddi action. The upcoming season - commencing on August 29 - will travel to Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai and Delhi, bringing the PKL experience closer to fans deeper in India, as per a press release from PKL. -Enhanced League Stage Structure The upcoming season will feature an exciting league stage with 108 matches, where each team will play 18 matches. This format elevates the competition by ensuring teams face rigorous tests throughout the league stage, while maintaining high-intensity kabaddi action for fans. It will also provide every franchise with substantial opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. -Comprehensive Tie-Breaking System PKL Season 12 introduces a comprehensive tie-breaker rule system, including the Golden Raid format, to all league-stage matches. Previously limited only to Playoff matches, this system now ensures decisive outcomes throughout the tournament. In case of ties, teams will engage in a structured 5-raid shootout with special rules as follows: -Both teams field 7 players with the baulk line treated as baulk line cum bonus line -Each team nominates 5 different raiders who raid alternately -Out and revival rules dont apply - only points scored count -If still tied after 5 raids, the Golden Raid rule applies The Golden Raid format adds drama to crucial moments, where a fresh toss determines which team gets the decisive raiding opportunity. If both teams remain tied after golden raids, the winner is decided by a coin toss. This new rule maintains PKL competitive spirit while eliminating tied results, guaranteeing decisive outcomes and heightened drama in every match. -Simplified Points Table System As part of efforts to enhance clarity and accessibility for fans, the Pro Kabaddi League has simplified its points system for the upcoming season. Teams will now be awarded 2 points for a win and 0 points for a loss. The revised format makes the standings more straightforward and easier to follow, reinforcing the league commitment to providing a clear and engaging experience for its fans. -Introduction of Play-ins & Playoffs Format Revamp This season will see the introduction of Play-ins alongside a revamped Playoffs structure. For the first time, the top 8 teams from the league stage will have the chance to qualify for the Playoffs, opening up opportunities for more franchises to compete for the trophy. At the same time, the Play-ins ensure that every league-stage position carries greater weight, making each match more crucial than ever. Under the new structure: -Teams finishing 5th to 8th will battle in Play-in matches, with the winners progressing to the Eliminators. -Teams finishing 3rd and 4th will face off in a Mini-Qualifier. The winner moves ahead, while the loser still gets another chance later in the Playoffs. -The top two league-stage teams (1st and 2nd) will meet in Qualifier 1, with the winner going directly to the Final. The losing team will have another shot at the Final via Qualifier 2. -The Playoffs journey will now flow through three Eliminators and two Qualifiers, ensuring a thrilling build-up to the Final showdown. This new structure increases the intensity of the competition, keeps more fan bases engaged for longer, and raises the stakes in every match on the road to the championship. (ANI) Disclaimer: This news article is a direct feed from ANI and has not been edited by the News Nation team. The news agency is solely responsible for its content.
Sribhumi (Assam) [India], June 26 (ANI): Continuing her whirlwind tour of the Northeast, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse arrived in Sribhumi on Thursday under the Centre's Poorvottar Sampark Setu outreach initiative--an ambitious programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen administrative ties and accelerate development across the region. During a robust one-day engagement in Sribhumi, Khadse chaired a review meeting with officials from 26 departments. She underlined youth and sports as key drivers of social upliftment and assured enh ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the appointment of Sanjog Gupta as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A highly respected figure in the global media, entertainment, and sports ecosystems, Sanjog will assume office on July 7, 2025, becoming the seventh CEO of the ICC, according to a release from the ICC. Sanjog Gupta currently serves as CEO of Sports & Live Experiences at JioStar and brings with him over two decades of cross-functional experience. Sanjog is a visionary leader with proven expertise in building successful consumer franc ...Read More >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 13 (ANI): Bengaluru Bulls got the better of Jaipur Pink Panthers in the opening clash of the Jaipur leg, completing a convincing 28-23 win at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, as per a release by Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Deepak Sankar registered another High Five, while Alireza Mirzaian led the raiding department with eight points on the night for the visitors. For the Pink Panthers, Nitin Kumar also earned eight points, but lacked enough support from his teammates. The Bulls embodied the aggressive attitude of Season 12 right from the start, with Alire ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 (ANI): Telugu Titans registered a memorable win over the Patna Pirates at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, riding on a brilliant performance from Vijay Malik. Malik was unstoppable on the night, scoring a Super 10. This is Telugu Titans' third consecutive win, which has helped them move into the top three, according to a release from PKL. Patna Pirates' Ayan Lohchab also shone with a Super 10 of his own, keeping his side in the contest with some fine raids. However, his efforts were not enough as the Titans played a stron ...Read More >
Mohali (Punjab) [India], December 16 (ANI): A kabaddi player was shot dead after unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened indiscriminate fire during a kabaddi tournament in Sector 79 of Mohali on Monday evening, police said. The incident occurred during a kabaddi match in the Sohana area, triggering panic among players, organisers, and spectators at the venue. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans, two to three assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing the spot. "A kabaddi match was taking place in Sohana when two or three peo ...Read More >
Hardik Pandya played an excellent knock of 69 runs in 30 balls to lead Baroda to a three-wicket win over Tamil Nadu in a high-scoring Group B match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday. Hardik's innings included four 4s and seven 6s. Out of those seven sixes, four came in the 17th over bowled by left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh. Chasing a stiff total of 222, Baroda was at 121 for 4 when Hardik came out to bat after the dismissal of his elder brother Krunal. The equation came down to 66 needed off 24 balls when Gurjapneet, a 6'3" seamer bought for Rs 2.2 crore by five-time Indian Prem ...Read More >
Widely celebrated as the High Flyer of PKL, Pawan Sehrawat is one of the most dynamic players in the league's history. He became the most expensive player in PKL when Tamil Thalaivas signed him for ₹2.26 crores in Season 9. Representing the Reserve Bank of India, Pawan has also brought pride to the nation, winning the gold medal at the 2019 South Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship. Joining him in leadership is Arjun Deshwal, the Raid Machine of PKL, who takes on the role of Vi ...Read More >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 13 (ANI): Bengaluru Bulls got the better of Jaipur Pink Panthers in the opening clash of the Jaipur leg, completing a convincing 28-23 win at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, as per a release by Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Deepak Sankar registered another High Five, while Alireza Mirzaian led the raiding department with eight points on the night for the visitors. For the Pink Panthers, Nitin Kumar also earned eight points, but lacked enough support from his teammates. Also Read | England Become First Team to Score 300 Runs Against a Full-Member Nation in ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 29 (ANI): Dabang Delhi KC eked out another close victory, beating Haryana Steelers 38-37 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Monday in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12. In a match befitting the opening day of the Chennai leg, Dabang Delhi were in control, courtesy of Ashu Malik's Super 10. However, a late fightback in the final quarter nearly gave the Steelers the victory, as Jaideep's High Five and Vinay's 18 points went in vain, as per a press release from PKL. Also Read | RIP Roscoe: Did You Notice Lewis Hamilton's Fave Dog in ' ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 (ANI): Puneri Paltan completed the double over the Bengal Warriorz, registering a 49-44 win in a high-scoring encounter at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Aditya Shinde (18 points) and Pankaj Mohite (10 points) registered Super 10s to lead their side to victory, while Devank Dalal amassed 25 points on the night, also becoming the first to cross 150 raid points in PKL 12. It was a quick start to the game as Aslam Inamdar didn't waste any time getting the first points on the board for Puneri Paltan with his first raid. Vis ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 3 (ANI): The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) successfully hosted a five-day National Kabaddi Strength and Conditioning Camp from March 28 to April 1, in collaboration with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and Mashal Sports. The camp brought together 75 elite male and female kabaddi athletes - probables for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games - for an intensive, high-performance training programme designed to elevate physical conditioning and technical capabilities, according to a press release. As part of IIS's commitment to supporting high perfor ...Read More >
BENGALURU: The television screen flickered with anticipation as three Pro Kabaddi League franchises locked horns in an intense bidding war. Sitting in his modest home, Yogesh Dahiya watched his fate unfold in real-time, his heart racing with each escalating bid. "I was watching the player auction live on TV. I could see Bengaluru Bulls bidding, then Patna Pirates, then Bengal Warriorz. I was watching all this unfold," recalls the 23-year-old defender. He emerged as the most expensive Indian defender bought during a PKL Player Auction, after he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for a staggering IN ...Read More >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 8 (ANI): The moment Uday Parte name echoed through the Pro Kabaddi Season 12 League Player Auction hall on June 1 as the second most expensive player from Category D, the 23-year-old from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, felt a surge of emotions he could barely contain. Nothing was going on in my mind at that time, I was just thinking, taking it all in, that it, he recalled with humility about the life-changing moment that would see him don the Jaipur Pink Panthers jersey for the upcoming campaign, as quoted from a press release by PKL. For Uday, the journey to profess ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar / Keonjhar (Odisha) [India], August 6: Sweta Rani Mahanta of Jindal Sports Hostel was felicitated by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi for winning Bronze Medal in the 48 kg category at the 12th Asian Junior Wushu Championship held in China. The Chief Minister felicitated her during the closing ceremony of the 64th Senior Men's Inter-District Football Championship Final for the Sahani Cup, held at Keonjhar Stadium. Also Read | 'Come via Proper Channel': Election Commission Tells Asaduddin Owaisi, Randeep Surjewala As They Flag 65 Lakh Voters Being 'Left Out' During SIR ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14 (ANI): Reigning champions Haryana Steelers will be aiming to become just the second team to successfully defend their Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) crown in the upcoming season. Since their Pro Kabaddi debut in 2017, the Steelers have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years and have reached the Playoffs in four of the seven seasons that they have competed in. Manpreet Singh, one of the most successful coaches in PKL history, will continue as head coach of the Steelers after guiding them to their maiden PKL triumph last season. Under his guidan ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: Medulla Communications Pvt. Ltd., one of the world's most awarded healthcare-specialist advertising agencies, has announced the launch of its new hub in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience in solving complex healthcare challenges, Medulla is now looking to create a super-specialist category as the first digital healthcare advertising agency in Asia. New Hub to Deliver Scalable, Specialist Healthcare Marketing Solutions Across APAC. Also Read | New Cheque Clearing System: Banks To Clear Cheques Within Few Hours Starting October 4, Announces RBI. ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 (ANI): Ahead of the 12th season of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Bengaluru Bulls coach BC Ramesh spoke on his team focus on defence for this season, saying that the aim is to have one of the best defensive units. The 12th season of PKL will kickstart from August 29 onwards, with the one-time PKL champion set to play Puneri Paltan on that day during their campaign opener. Speaking ahead of the tournament during a media day organised by JioStar, Ramesh said, This season we have focused on our defence. Our aim is to have one of the best defensive units. We ha ...Read More >
IMAGE: Mumbai Meteors finished the league stage of the Prime Volleyball League atop the points table. Photograph: Prime Volleyball/X Mumbai Meteors breezed past Bengaluru Torpedoes to go top of the Prime Volleyball League points table, in Hyderabad, on Wednesday. The Mumbai outfit won 15-13, 15-13, 18-20, 15-10 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. Having finished first in the league stage, the Meteors will face off against the team that will finish in the fourth position in the first semifinal on ...Read More >
Bellary (Karnataka) [India], April 1 (ANI): Indian kabaddi star Jaideep Dahiya has praised the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Bellary for providing world-class facilities and training, calling it the best sports centre in India for Kabaddi players.The Haryana Steelers star, who has been associated with the franchise for five years, added that both pre-season and off-season camps at the IIS have significantly enhanced his preparation. Dahiya, who is a left-cover defender, made his Pro Kabaddi ...Read More >
Naveen Kumar Goyat, once a reluctant student, now shines in Pro Kabaddi League. Haryana Steelers acquired him for a significant amount. Goyat attributes his success to his father's support and PKL's impact. Surjeet Singh Narwal, another kabaddi star, highlights the challenges faced and PKL's role in elevating the sport. Both players acknowledge PKL's positive influence on kabaddi's popularity and players' lives. Naveen Kumar Goyat used to play kabaddi in his childhood to escape studying, and tod ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 29 (ANI): Dabang Delhi KC eked out another close victory, beating Haryana Steelers 38-37 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Monday in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12. In a match befitting the opening day of the Chennai leg, Dabang Delhi were in control, courtesy of Ashu Malik Super 10. However, a late fightback in the final quarter nearly gave the Steelers the victory, as Jaideep High Five and Vinay 18 points went in vain, as per a press release from PKL. The opening 10 minutes between the defending champions, Haryana Steelers, a ...Read More >
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 3 (ANI): Praising Chhattisgarh players for their impressive performance in the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced cash prizes for all the medallists and even promised a financial windfall for anyone making it to the Olympics. Chhattisgarh finished ninth on the medals tally with 3 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals. Karnataka were crowned the overall champions, claiming 23 gold along with 8 silver and 7 bronze. Odisha finished second with 21 gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze medals. Odisha were the only contingent to cr ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 28 (ANI): Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is here and is set to be an exciting and the most aggressive one yet, which commences from the picturesque port city of Vizag in Andhra Pradesh. The league returns here after a seven-year gap on August 29, which also marks the National Sports Day of India, according to a release from PKL. This Season of PKL will see home favourites Telugu Titans take on Tamil Thalaivas in the curtain-raiser, whilst the Bengaluru Bulls and the Puneri Paltan play the second match of the day, at the Vishwanadh Spor ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 (ANI): Puneri Paltan completed the double over the Bengal Warriorz, registering a 49-44 win in a high-scoring encounter at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Aditya Shinde (18 points) and Pankaj Mohite (10 points) registered Super 10s to lead their side to victory, while Devank Dalal amassed 25 points on the night, also becoming the first to cross 150 raid points in PKL 12. It was a quick start to the game as Aslam Inamdar didnt waste any time getting the first points on the board for Puneri Paltan with his first raid. Vish ...Read More >
After 108 league-stage encounters across four cities, the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) moves to its business end as eight teams qualify for the Playoffs. The competition begins with the Play-ins on Saturday, where the defending champions, Haryana Steelers will take on the Jaipur Pink Panthers. Meanwhile, the Patna Pirates will take on U Mumba in the second play-in. The winners from there will progress to the Playoffs. The playoffs will begin from Sunday at the Thyagaraj Indoor St ...Read More >
Guwahati, July 1: The phone call that changed everything came when Aanil Mohan was fast asleep. By the time he woke up, his life had been changed. U Mumba had just secured his signature for a staggering Rs 78 lakhs - the highest-ever bid in Category D in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history - but the young man from the small village of Jasui in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district was still processing the magnitude of what just happened. "At first, I couldn't believe it," Aanil recalled. "When I found out that U Mumba bought me for Rs 78 lakhs, I just couldn't believe it was real." In the world o ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 22 (ANI): The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) announced significant format changes for Season 12 on Friday, introducing an enhanced league stage and revamped Playoff structure designed to intensify competition and provide fans with more thrilling kabaddi action. The upcoming season - commencing on August 29 - will travel to Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai and Delhi, bringing the PKL experience closer to fans deeper in India, as per a press release from PKL. -Enhanced League Stage StructureThe upcoming season will feature an exciting league stage with 108 matches, where eac ...Read More >
Kolkata, Aug 26 (PTI) Bengal Warriorz on Tuesday announced star raider Devank Dalal as their captain for season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League, with veteran defender Nitesh Kumar appointed defence captain. Devank, the most expensive Indian signing at Rs 2.205 crore, is coming off a record-breaking 301 raid points in Season 11, just two years after recovering from a life-threatening skull injury. Nitesh, the only player to cross 100 tackle points in a PKL season, has over 400 career tackles and proven leadership to Bengal's defence. "I've fought hard to be back on this stage, and I want to lea ...Read More >
Surat (Gujarat) [India], August 21: KP Group, a leading name in India's renewable energy sector, is stepping up its expansion with a clear goal of reaching 10 GW capacity by 2030. With projects already underway in Gujarat, the Group is working on projects in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, supported by a strong order book and government partnerships. KP Group has signed memoranda of understanding with Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for over 2.6 GW of renewable projects, while exploring new opportunities in other states. The Group has already e ...Read More >
IMAGE: Bengaluru Bulls, who have six points from as many outings, are placed fifth on the points table. Photograph: Pro Kabaddi League/X Bengaluru Bulls defeated Jaipur Pink Panthers in the opening clash of the Jaipur leg of the Pro Kabaddi League, with a convincing 28-23 win at the SMS Indoor Stadium on Friday. Deepak Sankar registered another high five, while Alireza Mirzaian led the raiding department with eight points for the visitors. For the Pink Panthers, Nitin Kumar also earned eight p ...Read More >