INDIAN luger Shiva Keshavan's 20-year Olympic odyssey comes to an end at the Pyeongchang Games this weekend with a familiar lament about the country's winter sports apathy.
A teenage Keshavan shot down the luge track on a borrowed sled at Nagano in 1998 and at the age of 36, he will compete in his sixth consecutive Games at the Olympic Sliding Centre.
There will be few compatriots to wish him well in the preliminary runs tomorrow (10), with cross-country skier Jagdish Singh the only other athlete to qualify from the country of 1.25 billion.
For Keshavan, the face of Indian winter sports for two decades, it has ever been thus.
He was the nation's sole athlete at the 1998 and 2002 Games and has never had more than a handful of team mates since.
Four years ago at Sochi, he was unable to compete under his country's flag due to an IOC ban of the Indian Olympic Association for electing corruption-tainted officials.
The ban was lifted during the Games after the Association held another election but not until after Keshavan's event.
Born to an Indian father and Italian mother in a hamlet in the Himalayas, the luger has relied more on hand-outs than government support to fund his Olympic dreams.
There will be a "little melancholy" involved when he takes his last four runs at the Olympic Sliding Centre.
"It's hard to give up the sports lifestyle and the Olympic movement, I love it and what it stands for," he said today (9).
"But I'm sure I'll stay involved in the sport because I want to build it up in India now and focus on that."
Keshavan will carry India's flag for a fifth time in the opening ceremony later today but his team mate Singh had not yet arrived in Pyeongchang.
There was no certainty he would even make it in time to march.
"It's part of the bigger problem, let's say, for sports, and especially winter sports, in India, and it's why I think it's time for me to take a step back as an athlete and go and give a much-needed push, because there is no reason why we should not be having a big team and not doing well," said Keshavan.
Since debuting at the 1964 Games, India has never come close to claiming a Winter Games medal and are unlikely to break the drought in Pyeongchang.
"We have the natural resources, we're not a poor country, we have a big enough talent pool and there's a lot of passion as well but something is missing," Keshavan added.
"We don't have the culture or the tradition of winter sports so I think I can fill in that role a little bit."
TOTTENHAM Hotspur defender Djed Spence made his England debut on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim to play for the national team.
The 25-year-old came on as a substitute in the 69th minute, replacing Chelsea’s Reece James during England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Belgrade.
"I was surprised because I didn't know I was the first, so it's a blessing," Spence, who was born in London, said after the match.
"It's good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing."
Spence’s debut was described as a significant moment for British Muslims, who remain under-represented in professional football despite making up 6 per cent of the UK population.
"It's a moment of celebration for British Muslims," said Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, an organisation that supports more than 400 Muslim athletes.
"Djed has big responsibility on his shoulders - not only is he playing for England, he is playing for Muslims around the world because he is now a role model breaking a barrier."
Spence started his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Tottenham in 2022. After loans to other clubs, he became a regular in the squad and featured in their Europa League final win last season.
His selection for England is being seen as a breakthrough for Muslim players in the country.
"We just haven't had the Muslim players coming through," said Yunus Lunat, grassroots coach and former chair of the FA's race equality advisory board.
"Muslims haven't had enough opportunities or enough role models for young, aspiring players to follow. It's not particularly good that it's taken until 2025 for a Muslim to play for England."
Spence said the moment carried deep meaning for him.
"Whatever religion you believe in, just believe in God," he said.
"Days like today are special because of God, for me. I was a little bit emotional because the journey hasn't been easy. But I am officially an England player now and I am over the moon."
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Indian team during a practice session at the International Cricket Council Academy (ICCA) in Dubai on September 8, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, enter as clear favourites with strong squad depth.
Pakistan drop Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, signalling a new phase.
Afghanistan’s spin trio seen as potential challengers to India’s dominance.
Associate nations like UAE, Oman and Hong Kong aim to showcase progress.
INDIA, led by Suryakumar Yadav, go into the Asia Cup T20 starting Tuesday as the clear favourites, with a significant gap in strength between them and the seven other teams, including Pakistan.
The tournament begins with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, but attention will be on Dubai, where India open against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
The Asia Cup has often served as preparation for the T20 World Cup, but this edition comes with a sense of inevitability.
India carry the weight of expectations, not just for their past record, but also because the balance of power appears firmly in their favour. With strong leadership and squad depth, this is seen as India’s tournament to lose.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir showed confidence in their squad by naming 15 players, despite being allowed 17 by the Asian Cricket Council. This left out players like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Winning the Asia Cup for the ninth time (seven in ODIs and once in T20 in 2016) would not add extra credit for Suryakumar or Gambhir, but falling short would bring criticism, especially with the T20 World Cup just over four months away.
India are expected to play around 20 games, including the Asia Cup, before the global event. Settling on the right core combination will be a key objective.
The BCCI has the resources to field multiple competitive T20 teams. Suryakumar has led with an 80% win record, while Shubman Gill, named vice-captain, is expected to take over in the future. The alignment between the T20 and Test captains will be watched closely.
India’s batting, shaped by IPL experience, has redefined T20 cricket. Pakistan and Sri Lanka, once level with India, have found it harder to keep pace.
Who can challenge India?
The main question around this Asia Cup is not who will win, but who can stop India.
Pakistan, under Salman Ali Agha, have dropped Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, signalling a shift. Their performance will depend on how Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali perform against India’s batting. Pakistan recently beat Afghanistan in a tri-series final, with their spinners dominating on a slow Sharjah pitch.
Sri Lanka, captained by Charith Asalanka, have potential but face questions about consistency across a full tournament. Bangladesh remain unpredictable and may lack the strength to sustain a long run. In Group B, they are seen as likely to join Hong Kong in early elimination.
Afghanistan stand out as the possible challengers, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and A Ghazanfar leading a strong spin attack, and an improved batting line-up.
The associate teams
For teams like UAE, Oman and Hong Kong, this tournament is a chance to test themselves against top opposition and showcase their progress. Oman’s deputy head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni told PTI that while there will be nervousness, matches against India and Pakistan are an opportunity to perform in front of larger audiences.
India will face 12 NRIs in the group stage—six from UAE and six from Oman. These associate nations have improved their infrastructure and attracted better expat players from India and Pakistan in recent years.
Facing Suryakumar Yadav or Jasprit Bumrah will be a rare challenge for these sides.
For now, the Asia Cup carries one clear theme: it is India’s tournament to lose.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Alcaraz has now won seven of the last eight meetings with Sinner, leading their rivalry 10-5 overall.
CARLOS ALCARAZ defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets on Sunday to win the US Open final, which was delayed by the arrival of President Donald Trump.
Alcaraz, 22, won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam overall. The Spaniard avenged his loss to Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July, which was his only defeat in a major final.
"It's a great feeling. I'm working really hard just to lift this trophy. It's my second one but it's still a dream come true," said Alcaraz.
With the win, Alcaraz will return to world number one on Monday, ending Sinner’s 27-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams. He last held the top spot in September 2023.
"It was one of the first goals that I had, to recover the number one (ranking)," said Alcaraz, who had also beaten Sinner in the French Open final in June.
Alcaraz has now won seven of the last eight meetings with Sinner, leading their rivalry 10-5 overall.
"I tried my best today. I couldn't do more," said Sinner. "I felt like he was doing everything slightly better today. He raised his level when he had to... He played better than me today."
The two have won the past eight Grand Slams between them, four each, establishing their dominance over the rest of the field, including Novak Djokovic.
But while Sinner has gone 109-4 against other players on tour over the past two seasons, Alcaraz continues to hold the upper hand in their rivalry.
"It's going to be on me if I want to make changes or not," said Sinner. "That's what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player."
Sinner’s defeat extends the longest streak in the Open era without a successful men’s title defence at a Grand Slam. No player has retained the US Open men’s title since Roger Federer won five in a row from 2004 to 2008.
The match was the third consecutive Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner and was further highlighted by Trump’s presence. The US President, who had also attended the Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup final in July, appeared before the national anthem and was met with mixed reactions from the crowd.
Security arrangements for Trump’s attendance delayed the start of the match by 30 minutes, leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium only three-quarters full when play began.
Alcaraz broke Sinner in the opening game and took the first set 6-2. Sinner recovered in the second, going 3-1 up and levelling the match. But Alcaraz regained control in the third set with two breaks and carried the momentum into the fourth.
Although Sinner saved two break points early in the fourth set, Alcaraz broke in the fifth game and held on to close the match. The win made him only the fourth man to win multiple majors on hard courts, grass, and clay.
A number of celebrities attended the final, including Bruce Springsteen, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Douglas, and Stephen Curry.
(With inputs from agencies)
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India's Hardik Pandya celebrates with teammates after he took a wicket during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024 group match against Pakistan on June 9, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
India and Pakistan to meet for the first time since May’s conflict
Asia Cup begins Tuesday in the UAE as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup
Harbhajan Singh opposes the fixture, citing tensions between the nations
India are defending champions and lead Pakistan 10-3 in T20 internationals
INDIA and Pakistan will meet for the first time in cricket since their military conflict in May when they face each other in the Asia Cup starting Tuesday.
The Twenty20 tournament, played in the United Arab Emirates, will also act as preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. The competition opens in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan against Hong Kong.
India and Pakistan are in the same group and will play in Dubai on September 14. They could meet as many as three times before the tournament ends on September 28.
Former Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram urged players and supporters to “remain disciplined and not cross the line” ahead of the contest.
The two countries have not played a bilateral series since 2012 and now meet only in tournaments at neutral venues.
Tensions remain high after the four-day conflict in May, the most intense since 1999, which left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges before a ceasefire was declared.
Relations were also strained when India’s team of retired players, led by Yuvraj Singh, pulled out of matches against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends held in England earlier this year. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, part of that team, said he opposed the Asia Cup match.
“Blood and sweat cannot co-exist,” Harbhajan told The Times of India. “It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter.”
India and Pakistan last played in Dubai in February during the 50-over Champions Trophy. India won by six wickets and went on to claim the title. India are also the defending Asia Cup champions.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have a 10-3 record against Pakistan in T20 internationals. Pakistan will be without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been dropped from the format due to poor form.
India won the 2023 Asia Cup, played in the 50-over format, by beating Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan — qualified automatically for the tournament. They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE, who progressed from the ACC Premier Cup.
Group A features India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman. Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round and the final in Dubai.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Rehaan Edavalath. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
WORCESTERSHIRE batter Rehaan Edavalath has signed a new two-year contract, committing his future to New Road until the end of the 2027 season.
The 21-year-old, a product of the club’s academy, has steadily progressed through the county’s youth pathway to the senior side.
He made his first-class debut against Derbyshire in 2023, although that remains his only red-ball appearance so far. Edavalath has been more involved in white-ball cricket, featuring seven times in Worcestershire’s One-Day Cup campaign last summer.
While he has not played senior cricket this season, Edavalath has captained the second XI with distinction. He struck 110 not out against Leicestershire at Leicester and added half-centuries against Lancashire at Southport and Northamptonshire, showing consistent form across formats.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Edavalath said committing to Worcestershire was a proud moment in his career. “It’s always special playing for Worcestershire. I want to push on and keep developing, so to know I am here for the long term is incredibly special,” he said. “I want to keep learning, keep improving, and contribute to the team whenever I’m called upon.”
Head coach Alan Richardson praised both Edavalath’s performances and his leadership qualities. “Rehaan is a player we’ve been lucky enough to see progress through the ranks, who has excelled in the second XI in recent times and to captain them at such a young age is testament to his progress,” Richardson said.
“He’s shown a great deal of maturity and shown his skill in all formats, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop. After such a bright start to his senior career and showing a lot of positive characteristics, there are some exciting times ahead of him.”
Edavalath’s commitment is seen as another positive step for Worcestershire, who continue to bring academy graduates into the senior squad. His new contract means he will remain at New Road for at least the next two seasons as he looks to build on his early promise.