Monday, April 27
India’s presence on the BWF calendar has been cut, with the Syed Modi International downgraded to Super 100 and events in Guwahati and Odisha dropped, leaving just two tournaments. The India Open retains Super 750 status. BWF also announced major World Tour changes, higher prize money, new formats, and expanded competitions to boost global growth and player opportunities from 2027.
Gautam Gambhir hosted a special dinner for the Indian cricket team at his New Delhi residence ahead of their T20 World Cup match against Namibia on February 12, with BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla also attending. India began their campaign with a 29-run win over the USA, scoring 161/9 thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84. The USA were restricted to 132/8 by Indian bowlers
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed rumors of any tension between head coach Gautam Gambhir and star batter Virat Kohli, describing their relationship as cordial. Despite past IPL run-ins and speculation surrounding Kohli's career phases, Saikia stated he's never witnessed them fighting. Their successful partnership in India's 2025 Champions Trophy win further underscores unity.
Italy captain Wayne Madsen is likely to miss the rest of the T20 World Cup league stage after dislocating his shoulder while fielding against Scotland. Coach John Davison said scans will determine his return but called it “doubtful.” Despite the setback, Italy showed fight in the chase, and Davison hopes Madsen can still travel with the team and help as part of the coaching staff.
Arshi Gupta, a 9-year-old from Faridabad, became the youngest driver selected for the F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive (DYD) programme. Noticing her early love for speed, her father guided her into karting, leading to international training and wins in the UAE, UK, and India. Her journey highlights not only her exceptional talent but also India’s limited motorsport infrastructure.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra urged the ICC and top nations to offer sustained opportunities to associate teams like Nepal, citing their thrilling T20 World Cup 2026 performance against England. He criticized token participation, emphasizing that genuine growth requires regular bilateral series and tournaments, not just fleeting applause after major events.
KL Rahul scored a brilliant century to lead Karnataka to a four-wicket victory against Mumbai. This win secured Karnataka's place in the Ranji Trophy semifinals. Rahul's 130 runs were crucial in chasing down the target. Ravichandran Smaran also played a vital role with an unbeaten 83. Karnataka will now face Uttarakhand in the next round.
