Miffed by interview of Imran Khan’s sons, PCB considered boycotting L…

The Pakistan Cricket Board had considered not sending its players to the field after lunch break on the opening day of their second Test against England at Lord’s but eventually settled for a complaint after host broadcaster Sky Sports aired an interview of jailed former PM Imran Khan’s sons.

The PCB, when contacted, refused to comment on the matter, but sources aware of the development said a formal complaint has been sent to Sky Sports over the matter. Former England skipper Mike Atherton conducted the 18-minute interview with Imran’s sons, Kassim and Suleman. realschule-moosburg.de

The two expressed fears about the well-being of their 73-year-old father, who is a celebrated former captain under whom the country won their first and only ODI World Cup in 1992.

The PCB had objected to the telecast of the conversation recorded on Wednesday and even considered keeping its players off the field after lunch as a mark of protest if they went ahead with the broadcast, sources aware of the developments said. However, the visitors did take the field as scheduled and England ended the day at 248 for nine on Thursday.

Aus skipper Pat Cummins: Hope Imran is treated with dignity

Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins on Friday threw his weight behind the ongoing former international captains’ campaign seeking medical care for jailed Pakistan legend Imran Khan and said he should be treated with dignity.

Pat Cummins

“Adding my support here to GC [Greg Chappell] and the other former international captains. I hope the court-ordered medical assessment is allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves,” Cummins posted on X.

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FIH હોકી વર્લ્ડ કપ 2026 માં શાનદાર પ્રદર્શન બાદ પાંચમા સ્થાને રહેલી ભારતીય મહિલા હોકી ટીમને નોંધપાત્ર પુરસ્કાર મળ્યો છે. હોકી ઇન્ડિયાએ મહિલા ટીમ માટે ₹50 લાખની ઇનામી રકમની જાહેરાત કરી છે. સલીમા ટેટેની આગેવાની હેઠળની ભારતીય ટીમ વર્લ્ડ કપમાં મેડલ મેળવવામાં ચૂકી ગઈ હતી, પરંતુ તેઓ પાંચમા સ્થાને રહેવામાં સફળ રહી હતી, જે વર્લ્ડ કપના ઇતિહાસના છેલ્લા 52 વર્ષમાં તેમનો શ્રેષ્ઠ દેખાવ હતો.

જર્મનીને હરાવીને પાંચમું સ્થાન મેળવ્યું

ભારતીય મહિલા હોકી ટીમે 2026 વર્લ્ડ કપમાં પોતાના પ્રદર્શનથી બધાને પ્રભાવિત કર્યા હતા. ટીમે તેમની અંતિમ મેચમાં મજબૂત જર્મન ટીમને 3-1થી હરાવીને પાંચમું સ્થાન મેળવ્યું હતું. મહિલા વિશ્વ કપના ઇતિહાસમાં આ ભારતનું બીજું શ્રેષ્ઠ પ્રદર્શન છે. અગાઉ, 1974 માં યોજાયેલા મહિલા હોકી વર્લ્ડ કપના પ્રથમ સંસ્કરણમાં ભારતીય ટીમ ચોથા સ્થાને રહી હતી. 52 વર્ષ પછી, ભારતીય મહિલા ટીમે ફરી એકવાર વર્લ્ડ કપમાં પોતાની તાકાતનું પ્રદર્શન કર્યું, વિશ્વની ઘણી અગ્રણી ટીમોને પાંચમા સ્થાને રહેવા માટે પડકાર ફેંક્યો. આ ઐતિહાસિક પ્રદર્શન બદલ હોકી ઈન્ડિયાએ ટીમને રૂ 50 લાખનું રોકડ ઈનામ આપવાની જાહેરાત કરી છે.

ખેલાડીઓ ઈનામની રકમ વહેંચવામાં આવશે

હોકી ઈન્ડિયાએ સોશિયલ મીડિયા પ્લેટફોર્મ 'X' પર એક પોસ્ટમાં ભારતીય મહિલા ટીમને રૂ 50 લાખનું રોકડ ઈનામ આપવાની જાહેરાત કરી. હોકી ઈન્ડિયાએ જણાવ્યું હતું કે બેલ્જિયમ અને નેધરલેન્ડ્સમાં યોજાયેલા હોકી વર્લ્ડ કપ 2026માં ઐતિહાસિક રીતે પાંચમા સ્થાને રહેલી ભારતીય મહિલા હોકી ટીમને રૂ 50 લાખનું રોકડ ઈનામ મળશે. ટીમે 52 વર્ષમાં વર્લ્ડ કપમાં ભારતનું શ્રેષ્ઠ પ્રદર્શન કર્યું, જે ભારતીય મહિલા હોકી માટે એક યાદગાર ક્ષણ છે.

વર્લ્ડ કપમાં ભારતીય મહિલા હોકી ટીમનું ઉત્કૃષ્ટ પ્રદર્શન

જ્યારે ભારતીય મહિલા ટીમ મેડલ જીતવામાં નિષ્ફળ રહી, ત્યારે તેઓએ સમગ્ર ટુર્નામેન્ટ દરમિયાન શાનદાર પ્રદર્શન કર્યું. ભારતીય ટીમ ટુર્નામેન્ટમાં ફક્ત એક જ મેચ હારી. મહિલા હોકી વર્લ્ડ કપ 2026માં, ભારતીય ટીમે ચીન, ઈંગ્લેન્ડ અને ઓસ્ટ્રેલિયા જેવી મજબૂત ટીમો સામે મેચ ડ્રો કરી હતી, જ્યારે દક્ષિણ આફ્રિકાને 6-1ના વ્યાપક માર્જિનથી હરાવ્યું હતું.

આ પણ વાંચો - Major dhyan chand વિશે ખાસ વાતો, જેમને હિટલરે જર્મની માટે રમવાની આપી હતી ઓફર

New Delhi [India], August 29 (ANI): On the occasion of National Sports Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several Chief Ministers on Saturday paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and lauded Indian sportspersons for their contribution to the country.

Rajnath Singh remembered Major Dhyan Chand, whose birth anniversary is observed as National Sports Day, and praised his contribution to Indian hockey.

“On National Sports Day, I pay homage to Major Dhyan Chand ji, whose unparalleled skill, dedication and love for hockey continue to inspire generations of Indians. I also salute our sportspersons who through their skills, hard work and remarkable achievements are carrying India’s tricolour with pride across the world. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi, a stronger sporting ecosystem is being built to empower athletes, nurture young talent and turn sporting aspirations into national achievements," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the hockey legend and extended wishes to players and sports enthusiasts.

“Saluting the unparalleled contributions and glorious legacy of ‘The Wizard of Hockey’ Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary. Heartfelt wishes to all players and sports enthusiasts on National Sports Day," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X.

“Sports instills discipline, confidence, positive thinking, and the ability to strive in our youth. We must encourage sports more at the grassroots level, so that every talent gets the opportunity to advance. Heartfelt gratitude to all players who have brought glory to India in various sports around the world," he added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the state’s growing sports infrastructure and emerging talent.

“On National Sports Day, as we pay tributes to the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, we celebrate Assam’s growing sports infra and the young talent emerging from every corner of the State. From Khel Maharan to the national and international arena, our athletes are shining everywhere," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also remembered Major Dhyan Chand and highlighted the values associated with sports.

“On National Sports Day, I pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, whose remarkable dedication and mastery of hockey continue to inspire generations. His contribution to Indian hockey and his three Olympic gold medals remain a proud chapter in our sporting history," Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wrote on X.

“As someone who has always valued sports, I know the discipline, determination and resilience they instil in us stay with us well beyond the field. These moments on the field are close to me because sport has always been about the joy of participation, the spirit of competition and the commitment to give our best," he added.

“Karnataka is home to immense sporting talent, and it is our responsibility to ensure that young athletes have access to quality training, infrastructure and opportunities. We are working to build a stronger sporting ecosystem across the State, so that talent from every part of Karnataka gets the support and platform it deserves," the Karnataka CM wrote.

“To every young sportsperson pursuing a dream, I say this, stay committed, embrace every challenge and keep striving for excellence. Your journey may begin on a field in Karnataka, but with the right determination, there is no limit to how far you can go," he concluded.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also remembered Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary.

“Remembering the legendary hockey maestro and Padma Bhushan Major Dhyan Chand, whose three consecutive Olympic gold medals carved India’s name in golden letters on the world stage, on his Birth Anniversary!" Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also paid tribute to the hockey legend and called for inspiring young Indians to take up sports.

“On National Sports Day, we honour the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand ji and celebrate the passion, perseverance and sporting spirit of every Indian athlete. Let us inspire our youth to play, excel and make India proud on the world stage," Education Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote on X.

National Sports Day is observed in India every year on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, one of the country’s most celebrated hockey players. The day highlights the importance of sports and physical activity while promoting fitness, discipline, teamwork and sporting excellence.

The occasion holds significance for students, families, schools and communities as it encourages people to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. It also provides an opportunity to remember India’s rich sporting legacy and recognise the contributions of athletes, coaches and other members of the sporting community. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Team India’s tour of Sri Lanka has ended. The team secured a 1-0 win in the two-match Test series. But they could not win the second Test. As a result, they remain in fifth place in the World Test Championship standings.

The team has a busy September ahead. Their next match is the first T20I against Afghanistan on September 13. The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Afghanistan is the designated host, but all three matches will be held at the same venue. Each game is scheduled to start at 7 PM IST.

After the T20I series, India will take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series. The opening game will be played on September 27 at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The second ODI is scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati. The series finale will be played on October 3 at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Team India will also compete in the Asian Games. They have entered the tournament at the quarter-final stage. Their last-eight clash is scheduled for September 28 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The identity of their opponent will be determined based on earlier results. If they advance to the semi-finals, their next match will be played on October 1.

Indian Cricket Team Schedule For September-October

India’s Afghanistan T20I Series Schedule for September 2026

The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play a three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan in September 2026. The series is part of Afghanistan’s multi-format bilateral cycle in India. Afghanistan is the designated host team, but all matches will be played in India.

The series will run from September 13 to September 17. All three matches will be held at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi at 7:00 PM IST. The first match is on September 13, the second on September 15, and the third on September 17.

Afghanistan will be captained by Ibrahim Zadran. India’s captain for the series is yet to be confirmed. This series will be India’s next assignment after their tour of Sri Lanka. It will be followed by an ODI series against the West Indies and the Asian Games campaign.

India Begins Asian Games Cricket Title Defence Against Japan

Team India are the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s cricket events at the 2026 Asian Games. The cricket schedules for both tournaments have been officially released. The matches will be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The women’s competition will run from September 17 to 22. The men’s tournament will follow from September 24 to October 3.

The men’s groups are Afghanistan, Japan, and Nepal in Group A. Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Oman are in Group B. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have received direct entry as seeded teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. They will meet the four seeded teams there.

The men’s schedule starts on September 24. Afghanistan will play Japan, and Hong Kong will face Malaysia. The group stage continues until September 26. The quarterfinals are on September 28 and 29. India will play their quarterfinal at 10:30 AM IST on September 28. The semi-finals are on October 1. The bronze medal match and the final are on October 3.

India vs West Indies 2026: Full ODI and T20I Series Schedule

The West Indies cricket team will tour India in September and October 2026 to play a series of matches. The tour will include three One Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals. The fixtures were confirmed by the BCCI in March 2026 as part of the home international season.

The ODI series will begin on September 27 with the first match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The second ODI will be played on September 30 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati. The third ODI will take place on October 3 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

The T20I series will start on October 6 with the first match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The second T20I will be held on October 9 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. The third match is scheduled for October 11 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The fourth T20I will take place on October 14 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The final match of the series will be played on October 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

India’s New Zealand Tour 2026: Full Schedule

India will tour New Zealand for a full-format series from October to December 2026. The tour includes five T20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches. It will be only the third time India has toured New Zealand across all three formats, following previous visits in 2008-09 and 2019-20.

The series begins on October 22 with the first of five T20Is at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The second T20I will also be played at Hagley Oval on October 24. The third match moves to Hnry Stadium in Wellington on October 27, followed by the fourth at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. The fifth and final T20I will be held at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1. All T20Is are scheduled to start at 8:00 PM New Zealand time.

The ODI series starts on November 4 with the first match at Eden Park in Auckland. The second ODI will be played at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on November 7. The third match is scheduled for November 10 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The final two ODIs will be held at Bay Oval in Tauranga on November 13 and November 15. All ODIs are scheduled to start at 3:00 PM New Zealand time, which is 6:30 AM Indian Standard Time.

The two-Test series rounds off the tour. The first Test will be played at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to 23. The second Test will be held at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. Both Tests are scheduled to start at 11:00 AM New Zealand time, which is 3:30 AM Indian Standard Time.

FAQs

Q. When will India play Afghanistan in September?

A. The first T20I is scheduled for September 13.

Q. Where will India play the Afghanistan T20Is?

A. All three matches will be played in New Delhi.

Q. When will India play the West Indies in ODIs?

A. The ODI series starts on September 27.

Q. When will India play their Asian Games quarterfinal?

A. India will play their quarterfinal on September 28.

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On the occasion of Major Dhyan Chand’s 121st birth anniversary, as we celebrate the 15th National Sports Day, I would like to shed some light on an area in the sports ecosystem that deserves a bit more attention. I say this as someone who has covered a few national and international sporting events.

We in India are starved of champions. Major Dhyan Chand, perhaps one of the greatest athletes ever, is perhaps unknown to several members of Gen Z. It is not entirely their fault, but also a reflection of the ecosystem around them, where we haven’t told these stories enough.

If you have attended a cricket press conference or watched one on television, players like Shubman Gill, or someone like Gautam Gambhir, would anyway be expected to speak well and articulate their answers. But what stands out is how even the younger players and newcomers are so well versed in dealing with the media. They know how to frame their answers, converse and express their thoughts.

The BCCI has a proper, structured media team that works closely with its players. They work hard with the players and prepare them for media interactions. Perhaps it was not always the case, but it has been a gradual process through which the system has developed.

In football, the AIFF has a media team of its own which trains the players, especially the young ones, for media interactions. Rugby India, too, is doing a good job with its media team. Its social media posts involving the athletes attract a considerable audience to the sport.

However, there are several other sports in India that perhaps require more attention than the two sports mentioned above.

If you consider para-sports, don’t consider the likes of Sumit Antil or Yogesh Kathuniya. They are established stars and elites in their own right. They have received their fair share of media attention, and perhaps the nation knows their stories.

But on several occasions, especially when you go to cover multi-sport events, a majority of athletes do not know how to respond to media questions.

Even if you try to get their stories out in a quiet place away from the lights and glare of the event, most of them are reluctant to open up — not by choice, but by nature. Perhaps they are shy or simply not confident enough to face the camera.

It’s not their fault. They are not there to attend press conferences or interviews.

What becomes noticeable when you cover international multi-sport events is the difference in how athletes from some of the leading sporting nations handle media interactions. Athletes from countries such as Australia and the UK, even those competing at junior levels, often seem much more comfortable when speaking to journalists. They understand the basic media protocols and, more importantly, know how to put their thoughts and feelings into words.

That is something we need to look at.

And this is not about the English language. It is about being able to express yourself. An athlete can speak in their own language and it can be translated. The point is whether they are able to communicate what they are feeling, what they have gone through and what the moment means to them.

On multiple occasions, journalists struggle to get more than one-word answers from athletes who are perhaps in the early days of their careers. There are seniors as well who face the same difficulty.

Again, this is not the fault of the athletes. They are not there to be media-ready on their own. It is the responsibility of the federations to have their own media teams, who can train these players to speak to the media so that their stories can be documented in better ways.

It’s not only about sending reports through the respective PR agencies. An in-house media team would allow the media manager to interact with the athletes regularly. Over time, they would become familiar with each other and, more importantly, the athletes would become comfortable with the people working around them. That candidness can help them open up, especially because many of these athletes come from humble backgrounds. In the process, they would also become more comfortable and better prepared to face the global media.

There have been instances when, after an athlete has won a medal, the global media has wanted to speak to them but has failed to get a constructive answer.

It was not about the language, as mentioned earlier, either. It could have been translated. The problem was that the athlete was unable to express his or her feelings, explain what the moment meant to them and, ultimately, tell their own story.

And that is where I feel we are missing out.

This piece deliberately does not mention any particular sport, athlete or incident. It is not about singling out anyone or pointing fingers at a particular federation. Rather, it is a recollection of several instances experienced over the course of covering different national and international sporting events, which have repeatedly brought this aspect of our sporting ecosystem to notice.

On this National Sports Day, my two-pice advice to national sports federations that do not have a proper media team of their own and solely rely on PR agencies is simple: kindly develop an in-house media team that can work with the athletes on this front as well.

Because preparing an athlete is not only about preparing them to win. It is also about preparing them to tell the world about that win.

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The post We Are Starved of Champions — And Their Stories Need to Be Told Better appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.