The India Open 2025 kicked off at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, showcasing intense matches and some remarkable performances from Indian players. Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the opening round, defeating Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj 21-17, 21-18 in a well-contested all-Indian battle. Her consistency and ability to engage in long rallies helped her dominate the match and advance to the second round, where she will face Japan's sixth seed Tomaka Miyazaki. However, young stars Malvika Bansod

As Indian cricket fans eagerly await the official squad announcement for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have shared their preferred team selections. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking an extension from the ICC to finalize the squad due to the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav’s availability, both Gavaskar and Pathan have made some notable omissions in their dream squads. Sunil G

Manoj Tiwary, former Indian cricketer, has criticized the selection of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team, stating that Gambhir is more suited for mentoring IPL teams rather than leading the national side. Tiwary cited several poor performances, including India's recent losses in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, to support his argument that Gambhir’s appointment was a mistake. He believes that Gambhir lacks the necessary coach

Team India's crushing 3-1 defeat to Australia in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has triggered intense debate over the future of star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their poor performances have left their places in the Test team uncertain, with increasing criticism over their lack of commitment to domestic cricket. A former BCCI official has called for a "strict message" to be sent to underperforming players, urging the selection committee to take stronger action.

The month of December witnessed some extraordinary Test match cricket performances, with Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, and Dane Paterson all receiving nominations for the Player of the Month award. The standout performances came from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Test series between South Africa and Pakistan. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, played a pivotal role in his team's success throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, securing Australia's spot in the ICC World Test

Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket has come under scrutiny after the Indian opener was left out of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. Officially, Rohit "opted to rest" from the game, but this decision has raised questions about his long-term role in the format. Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's cricketing legends, speculated that this might signal the end of Rohit's Test career, suggesting that the selection committee may look to younger players who can lead t

Rohit Sharma's future in India's Test cricket setup has become uncertain following the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Amidst poor batting performances and leadership criticism after India's loss to New Zealand, reports suggest that Rohit may not be part of India's Test plans beyond this series. Although his retirement is not imminent, the chances of his continuation in the format remain unclear. With Rohit possibly on the brink of his final Test ap

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

On Day 5 of the 4th Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India was bowled out for 155, handing Australia a crucial victory and a 2-1 lead in the 5-match series. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone fighter for India, scoring 84 runs before a controversial dismissal ended his innings, marking the second time in the match he fell short of a century. India’s downfall started when wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was caught while attempting a pull shot. Senio

India completed a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in the final Women's ODI in Vadodara on Friday, thanks to Deepti Sharma's career-best performance with the ball and a crucial unbeaten knock with the bat. Sharma claimed remarkable figures of 6/31, supported by pacer Renuka Singh, who took 4/29, as India bowled West Indies out for just 162. India faced a brief wobble while chasing, losing four quick wickets to be at 73/4, but Sharma (39 not out off 48 balls) guided them to victor

Nepal's tourism industry, which saw a post-pandemic resurgence with over a million foreign visitors this year, continues to grow, attracting tourists with unique experiences like the recently held hot-air balloon festival. The event, organized by Sabin Maharjan and his team, featured more than 10 countries participating in the thrilling balloon flights. The stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna range, mountains, lakes, and rolling hills provided an unforgettable experience for the p

India's stand-in captain, Smriti Mandhana, made history with her brilliant performance against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mandhana scored a match-winning 77 runs off 47 balls, marking her 30th fifty in T20 internationals. This remarkable achievement broke the long-standing record held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had scored 29 fifties. Mandhana’s milesto

Beleza by the Beach, a premier eco-conscious resort nestled between the green paddy fields and sandy shores of Colva, Goa, is setting a new benchmark in sustainable tourism. Their latest offering, the Two-Bedroom Plunge Pool Villas, is designed with a deep commitment to eco-friendly travel. The villas feature energy-efficient systems, low-impact lighting, and water conservation measures, all crafted using locally sourced, sustainable materials that blend harmoniously with the natural surround

India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to play their upcoming ICC tournament matches at neutral venues, following a dispute over the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, which was originally set to be hosted by Pakistan. The decision was made after India refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political tensions between the two countries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that matches involving both nations during the 2024-2027 cycle will take

Indian cricket team spinner R. Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket, made the announcement during a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma, after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin, with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, is the second-highest wicket-taker for India, following only Anil Kumble's record of

Vikram Ashok Deshmukh, a 31-year-old software engineer, tragically passed away from a heart attack while playing cricket at Mumbai's Azad Maidan last Sunday. Deshmukh, who worked in an IT company, was an avid cricket player and participated regularly in matches at the popular ground. On the day of the incident, he was playing in a 25-over practice match where his team was chasing a target of 159. During the match, Deshmukh complained of chest pain in the 10th over but continued pla

The Telangana Assembly was adjourned on Monday after BRS MLAs raised slogans and disrupted the debate on the Telangana State Tourism Policy. The debate, which resumed after a tea break, was halted when opposition members continued to protest against the Congress government. In response to the disruption, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu criticized the BRS legislators for not adhering to the rules and traditions of the House. Speaker G. Prasad Kumar intervened, directing

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to finalize the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Under this model, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other's countries for ICC events. The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be played in Dubai, with eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. T

Telangana has taken a significant lead in river tourism with its long-distance boat services on the Krishna River, operating weekend trips from Somasila in Kollapur to Nagarjunasagar. With a total capacity of 150 passengers, these boats offer a scenic 6-7 hour journey, taking tourists to destinations like Srisailam and providing meals along the way. The boats prioritize safety, including double engines, life jackets, and guides. However, services are suspended during the monsoon season and be