The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has revised match timings for the Asia Cup 2025, with 18 of the 19 matches now starting at 8:00 PM IST to avoid extreme Gulf heat and boost primetime viewership. The only exception is the UAE vs Oman clash on September 15, which will begin at 5:30 PM IST. The tournament, held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, features eight teams split into two groups. The marquee India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for Sunday, September 14 at 8:00 PM IST in Dubai. The final will be played on September 28, with a reserve day on September 29 to accommodate weather disruptions. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

Rahul Dravid, the former India captain, has stepped down as head coach of Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise announced today that, following a structural review after a disappointing 2025 campaign—where the Royals finished ninth with just four wins in 14 matches—Dravid declined an offer to take on a broader strategic role within the setup . Dravid first joined as a player in 2011, later serving as captain, mentor, and team director before returning as head coach for IPL 2025 . The franchise praised his influence on team values and culture, thanking him for his lasting contribution. (PC: PTI)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced Rs 25 lakh financial aid for families of 11 fans who died in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2025 title celebrations on June 4. The tragic incident occurred after RCB's historic first IPL championship victory, ending their 18-year wait by defeating Punjab Kings 190-184 in Ahmedabad. RCB launched "RCB CARES," a long-term commitment program honoring victims' memory through meaningful action. The franchise expressed deep grief, calling deceased fans "part of the RCB family" whose absence will echo forever. This compensation represents RCB's first major response since breaking social media silence after 84 days of grieving. The initiative promises ongoing compassionate support beyond financial assistance. (PC: News X & Mint)

India is dominating the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, with 29 gold, 11 silver, and 14 bronze medals, taking its total tally past 50. In women’s trap, Neeru Dhanda won individual gold while also securing team gold with Aashima Ahlawa and Preeti Rajak. Indian junior women swept the 25m pistol podium—Payal Khatri (gold), Naamya Kapoor (silver), and Tejaswini (bronze)—with the team earning silver behind Korea. In men’s trap, Bhowneesh Mendiratta bagged silver. With three competition days still remaining, India has firmly established itself as the championship leader. (PC: News On Air)

At the BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris, PV Sindhu faced Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in a high-stakes quarterfinal. Trailing early at 3–6, Sindhu showcased her trademark resilience, leveling the score and shifting momentum. A win would make her the first woman to win six medals at the prestigious event. Despite recent struggles and injuries, Sindhu credited her turnaround to focused training with coach Irwansyah. The head-to-head stood at 2–2, with Wardani winning their last encounter. Known for her deceptive net play and long rallies, Wardani posed a tactical challenge. Meanwhile, India’s mixed doubles hopes ended as Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila exited in straight sets.(PC: The Indian Express & India Today)

PV Sindhu stunned World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi with a dominant 21-17, 21-15 victory at the BWF World Championships in Paris on August 28, marking her first quarterfinal appearance since 2019. The 30-year-old Indian shuttler rediscovered her vintage form, silencing critics after a string of early exits. Sindhu’s aggressive play left Wang unsettled throughout the 48-minute match. She will next face Indonesia’s ninth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani. Earlier, India’s mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto pulled off a major upset, defeating Hong Kong’s fifth seeds Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet to also reach the quarterfinals. (PC: India Today)

Former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has undergone another skin cancer surgery, this time to remove cancer from his nose. Clarke, who led Australia to the 2015 World Cup, shared a photo after the procedure and urged people to get regular skin checks. He was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 and has since undergone several surgeries. Clarke said prevention and early detection are key, especially in Australia, which records the world’s highest skin cancer rates. Despite health challenges, Clarke remains one of Australia’s most respected players, remembered for his batting and leadership achievements. (PC: Instagram)

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa qualified for the Grand Chess Tour finale after finishing runner-up at the Sinquefield Cup. American Grandmaster Wesley So won the title by defeating him in the playoff. So first beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final round to tie with Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana at 5.5 points. In the playoff, Praggnanandhaa beat Caruana but lost to So, who then held Caruana to a draw to secure the trophy. Caruana finished third. With Maxime Vachier-Lagrave leading the standings, Levon Aronian also qualified for the finale. The Grand Tour will now move to Uzbekistan for the Grand Swiss. (PC: X)

Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, Virender Sehwag named Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, and Varun Chakaravarthy as India’s key game-changers excluding popular picks like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson. Sehwag praised Bumrah’s lethal pace and past World Cup heroics, Abhishek’s explosive strike rate of 193.84 with two centuries in 17 T20Is, and Varun’s mystery spin that rattled batters during India’s Champions Trophy win. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will face UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in Group A, starting September 10 in the UAE. Sehwag believes these three players can single-handedly turn matches, making them vital to India’s title hopes. (PC: News 18 & The Telegraph)

The Union Cabinet has cleared India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, choosing Ahmedabad as the host city. Officials highlighted the city’s strong infrastructure, including the Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The Games are expected to involve 72 nations, boost tourism, and create jobs. India last hosted the CWG in New Delhi in 2010. The move is also seen as a step toward India’s larger dream of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. The Cabinet assured financial support to Gujarat if the bid is approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation. (PC: India Today)