🏆 Top 20 Sports News Stories — India & World
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Today’s sports headlines feature India’s preparations for the Asian Para Games, major cricket results, the Denmark Open badminton tournament, international football, golf and developments across global sport.
🇮🇳 India Sports News
1. Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill Named ICC Players of the Month
Indian cricketers Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill have been named the ICC Women’s and Men’s Players of the Month for September 2026. Their performances during India’s successful campaigns in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games helped earn them the respective honours. The awards recognise outstanding performances in international cricket during the previous month.
2. India Prepares to Seal T20I Series Against West Indies
India will face the West Indies in the fourth T20 International in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14. India leads the five-match series 2–1 after winning the third match by 14 runs in Indore. The team will look to secure the series, with explosive opener Abhishek Sharma and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh among the players who impressed in the previous encounter.
3. India’s Asian Para Games Squad Confirmed at 166 Athletes
India has announced a contingent of 166 athletes across 10 sports for the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad includes prominent names such as archer Sheetal Devi, badminton star Pramod Bhagat and table-tennis player Bhavina Patel. The team will compete in the continental event beginning October 18, with India aiming for a strong medal performance.
4. Sports Ministry Removes Para-Shooting Coach Amid Controversy
The Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India’s Asian Para Games contingent following allegations concerning selection procedures and demands for kickbacks. The allegations prompted protests from athletes and calls for an investigation; they should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing. Experienced coach Jeevan L. Rai has replaced Nautiyal in the contingent.
5. India’s Asian Games Performance Faces Government Review
The Sports Ministry is reviewing India’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games, where the country finished fourth with 85 medals, compared with 106 in the previous edition. The review is examining results across sports, athlete preparation, injuries and the effectiveness of government support programmes. Shooting, athletics and badminton are among the disciplines expected to receive particular scrutiny following disappointing results from some experienced competitors.
6. PV Sindhu Begins Denmark Open Campaign
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among India’s leading players competing at the Denmark Open, which begins in Odense today. Sindhu is scheduled to face Germany’s Yvonne Li in the women’s singles round of 32. Young Indian player Tanvi Sharma is also in action against Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira, giving Indian fans two matches to follow at the opening stage of the tournament.
7. Lakshya Sen Faces Tough Opening Test at Denmark Open
Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen faces a challenging opening-round assignment against world No. 3 Chou Tien-chen at the Denmark Open. The match will test Sen against an experienced opponent known for his consistency and attacking game. A strong performance would provide an important boost as Sen seeks to make progress on the international badminton circuit.
8. Indian Shooters Miss Out on Medals at ISSF World Cup
India endured a difficult day at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, with Rhythm Sangwan narrowly missing out on a bronze medal and the men’s rifle team failing to reach the final. The results were disappointing for a shooting contingent that has traditionally produced strong performances at international competitions. The team will look to recover in the remaining events.
9. Tushar Deshpande’s Ranji Trophy Hat-Trick Puts Mumbai in Control
Mumbai fast bowler Tushar Deshpande produced a memorable performance against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy, taking five wickets for just 17 runs, including a hat-trick. Chandigarh were dismissed for 78 in response to Mumbai’s first-innings total of 429. The performance was particularly notable because Deshpande was playing his 50th first-class match and will be hoping to strengthen his case for higher honours.
10. Sahithi Varshini Becomes India’s Latest Woman Grandmaster
Indian chess player Sahithi Varshini Moogi has earned the Woman Grandmaster title after a journey marked by financial challenges and family sacrifice. Her father, Lokeswara Moogi Rao, coached her and made significant personal sacrifices to support her development. Her achievement adds to India’s growing presence in international chess and highlights the dedication required to reach elite levels of the game.
11. DP World India Championship Draws Golf’s Biggest Names
The DP World India Championship is scheduled to take place at Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood will return to compete against leading players including Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Ryan Fox. With a prize fund of $4 million, the tournament represents a major opportunity to showcase India as a destination for international professional golf.
12. India Targets AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Final
India has secured a third appearance in the final of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup, according to current football coverage. The achievement reflects continued development in women’s youth football and provides an important platform for emerging Indian players. The team’s progress will be closely watched as India seeks to strengthen its position in Asian women’s football.
🌍 World Sports News
13. Australia Defeats South Africa by 214 Runs in Durban Test
Australia secured a commanding 214-run victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. Matt Renshaw contributed scores of 190 and 82, while Josh Hazlewood took six wickets for 49 runs in the second innings. South Africa were dismissed for 206 in their chase, despite Aiden Markram’s determined 75. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Gqeberha on Sunday.
14. Afghanistan and Bangladesh Battle in One-Off Test
Afghanistan and Bangladesh are contesting their one-off Test in the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh posted 346 in their first innings and declared their second innings at 372 for seven, setting Afghanistan a substantial target. Afghanistan’s chase has continued into the final day’s play, with the contest providing an important opportunity for both teams to test their longer-format capabilities.
15. Cristiano Ronaldo Scores as Al-Nassr Wins 3–1
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr’s 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi in the AFC Champions League Elite. The match in Riyadh was delayed by approximately an hour following a security warning. Ronaldo’s latest goal takes his reported career tally to 981 for club and country, bringing the veteran forward closer to the milestone of 1,000 goals.
16. Asian Tour Reviews Saudi International Security Situation
The Asian Tour is closely monitoring the security situation in Saudi Arabia ahead of the PIF Saudi International, scheduled for November 18–21 in Riyadh. Recent deadly attacks and flight disruptions have raised questions about the safety of major sporting events in the kingdom. Organisers say decisions about the tournament will depend on the developing situation, with player and staff safety remaining the priority.
17. Rwanda Announces Plan to Bring Formula 1 Back to Africa
Rwanda has signed a 10-year agreement connected to plans to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix near Kigali. The proposal would represent a major development for African motorsport, which has not hosted a Formula 1 race since the 1993 South African Grand Prix. The plan also reflects growing competition among countries seeking to host major international sporting events.
18. Coventry City Stuns Newcastle United 4–1
Coventry City recorded a striking 4–1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League, ending a 25-year wait for a home league win over the club at this level. Goals from Jack Rudoni, Sidiki Cherif, Ellis Simms and S. Mfuni powered the result. The victory provides Coventry with a significant boost and leaves Newcastle needing to regroup after a difficult performance.
19. Milwaukee Brewers Move Closer to World Series
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7–4 in the National League Championship Series, moving within two wins of their first World Series appearance since 1982. William Contreras played a decisive role, delivering a tying home run and later driving in the go-ahead run. The result increases the pressure on the Dodgers as the series continues.
20. International Sports Calendar Features Tennis, Basketball and Football
The global sporting calendar is busy today, with ATP tennis in Shanghai, WTA action in Wuhan, NBA preseason games and UEFA Champions League fixtures. The Golden State Warriors are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a preseason contest in Las Vegas. The United States women’s national football team is also set to play Spain in an international friendly.
⭐ Five Sports Stories to Watch Closely
- India’s Asian Para Games preparations: The final squad and coaching controversy have put athlete welfare and selection procedures under scrutiny.
- India vs West Indies T20I series: India will have the opportunity to clinch the series on October 14.
- Denmark Open badminton: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen face important opening-round tests.
- DP World India Championship: Fleetwood, McIlroy and other international stars arrive in New Delhi for this week’s tournament.
- Saudi Arabia’s sporting calendar: Security concerns could affect upcoming international events, including the Saudi International golf tournament.
