The result was enough for Australia to secure a place in the semifinals, with the team advancing on the basis of a better goal difference. India needed a win to keep its World Cup campaign alive, while Australia only had to avoid defeat.

The match followed the Netherlands’ 4-1 victory over China, which left India and Australia fighting for the final semi-final spot.

India pushes for a goal

India started the match with attacking intent but could not find the breakthrough.

Australia appeared to have taken an early lead when a close-range effort struck Jyoti and went towards the goal. However, after India requested a review, the TV umpire ruled the incident as dangerous play and the goal was not allowed.

India then got an important opportunity through a penalty corner before half-time. However, Australia’s defence stood firm and kept the Indian attack away from the goal.

Nikki also had a chance to score, but she could not make proper contact with the ball.

Australia’s defence holds firm

India continued to look for a winning goal but struggled to break through Australia’s organised defence. With the clock running down, the pressure increased on the Indian side, as only a victory could have taken them into the semifinals. Australia, meanwhile, focused on protecting the result it needed to progress. The final result left India out of the tournament, while Australia moved into the last four.

India’s world cup journey

India began its World Cup campaign with draws against China and England before producing an impressive 6-1 win over South Africa to move into the second round.

However, a 0-2 defeat against the Netherlands made the next stage more difficult. India eventually needed a win against Australia but could manage only a draw, bringing its World Cup journey to an end.

Also Read | Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand create history, end India’s 14-year women’s doubles medal wait

India advanced to the second round after defeating Wales and Pakistan in Pool D but suffered a defeat against England. As a result, India will enter the second round without any points.

England will carry three points from its victory over India, while Netherlands will also start the second round with three points after progressing from Pool A. India, therefore, need victories against Netherlands and Argentina to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Harmanpreet stresses full-match focus

As per a news agency, Harmanpreet said India cannot afford to perform well for only one quarter and must remain focused until the final whistle. He stressed that even after taking the lead, the team's approach and intensity must remain unchanged.

“Playing well for one quarter will not be enough. All 60 minutes are important, and we have to perform well throughout the match. Even after taking the lead, there should be no change in our style or attitude. Until the final whistle, our body language and fighting spirit must remain the same,” Harmanpreet said.

India Working on defensive mistakes

The Indian captain revealed that the team has analysed videos of its mistakes from the last three matches and is focused on avoiding similar errors against the Netherlands. He said a strong defensive performance would give India the confidence to create opportunities inside the opposition circle and earn penalty corners.

“We have analysed our mistakes from the last three matches. The focus will be on not repeating them. If our defence remains strong, we know we can enter the opposition circle, create chances and win penalty corners. We cannot concede goals because of our own mistakes,” he said.

India have recent win over Netherlands

India defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in the FIH Pro League in June, a result that Harmanpreet believes can provide confidence ahead of Saturday's crucial encounter.

He said India maintained possession effectively in that match and did not allow the Dutch side to easily win the ball in India's half.

“If we can play intelligently with the same strategy and energy, we can repeat that performance,” Harmanpreet said.

Harmanpreet also praised the contribution of young players, including Rajinder, Jugraj and Dilpreet, while highlighting the experience available across India's different lines.

Also Read | Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand create history, end India’s 14-year women’s doubles medal wait

The Indian pair recovered from losing the opening game to win the quarter-final 16-21, 21-15, 21-13, booking their place in the semi-finals and ending a 14-year wait for a women’s doubles medal.

Treesa-Gayatri overcome fourth seeds

The victory was particularly impressive given India’s previous record against the Chinese duo. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand had lost all three of their earlier meetings with Jia and Zhang.

The Indian pair, however, produced their best badminton when the pressure was at its highest and turned the contest around after a difficult start.

China takes early advantage

The opening game belonged largely to the Chinese pair. Treesa and Gayatri fell 0-4 behind early and struggled to deal with the pace and power of their opponents. A long 57-shot rally further underlined the intensity of the contest.

India gradually settled into the match, with Gopichand finding success through her attacking shots while Treesa Jolly became more effective around the net.

The Indians went on a six-point run to reduce the deficit to 8-9, but Jia and Zhang maintained their advantage and eventually took the first game 21-16.

India fights back in second game

The second game saw a determined Indian response. Jolly and Gopichand stayed close to their opponents in the early exchanges before moving ahead for the first time near the interval.

The rallies became longer and more demanding, with neither side willing to give away easy points. India showed greater aggression and kept putting pressure on the Chinese defence.

A crucial 43-shot rally at 15-14 went India's way and helped the pair strengthen their grip on the game.

Jolly and Gopichand closed out the second game 21-15, forcing a deciding game.

The third game was closely contested in the opening stages, but the Indian pair looked increasingly confident.

The home crowd played its part, turning every Indian point into a huge celebration. Jolly and Gopichand remained composed despite the pressure and continued to attack whenever opportunities appeared.

China tried to fight back, but the Indians had taken control of the contest. They eventually won the decider 21-13 to complete a memorable comeback.

First women’s doubles medal since 2011

The victory guaranteed India a medal in women’s doubles at the World Championships for the first time since Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta won bronze in 2011.

For 14 years, no Indian women's doubles combination had managed to reach the podium at the sport's biggest individual championship.

Jolly and Gopichand have now ended that drought and moved into the semi-finals, keeping their hopes of going all the way alive.

Also Read | National Sports Awards 2025: 17 Arjuna Award winners named, no Khel Ratna this year | Full list

The awardees were finalised on the recommendations of a selection committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

Hockey player Hardik Singh was reportedly in consideration for the country's highest sporting honour but was eventually left out. The last time India had no Khel Ratna recipient was in 2014.

Biggest delay in National Sports Awards

The announcement came after an unusually long wait, with more than half of 2026 already over. The delay followed a re-evaluation exercise by the ministry aimed at ensuring that only deserving candidates were selected and that the credibility and integrity of the awards were maintained.

It is reportedly the longest delay in announcing the National Sports Awards since their inception in 1991. The selection committee had initially recommended 24 names for the Arjuna Award, but the ministry ultimately approved 17.

Interestingly, the final list does not include a cricketer. No cricketer has received the Arjuna Award since fast bowler Mohammed Shami was honoured in 2023.

Divya Deshmukh, Tejaswin Shankar among Arjuna Award winners

The 2025 Arjuna Award list includes several prominent names from Indian sport.

Chess star Divya Deshmukh, athlete Tejaswin Shankar and badminton player Gayatri Gopichand are among the recipients.

Divya, 19, created history last year by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Her achievement also made her the fourth Indian woman to become a chess Grandmaster.

Tejaswin Shankar has also enjoyed a breakthrough period. He recently won a historic bronze medal in the decathlon at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a decathlon medal at the Games.

Other notable names on the list include chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, badminton player Treesa Jolly, boxer Narender, and deaf shooter Dhanush Srikanth.

Full list of Arjuna Award winners 2025

The 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award are:

Tejaswin Shankar — Athletics

Priyanka Goswami — Athletics

Narender — Boxing

Vidit Gujrathi — Chess

Divya Deshmukh — Chess

Dhanush Srikanth — Deaf Shooting

Rajkumar Pal — Hockey

Surjeet — Kabaddi

Rudransh Khandelwal — Para-Shooting

Ekta Bhyan — Para-Athletics

Arvind Singh — Rowing

Akhil Sheoran — Shooting

Treesa Jolly — Badminton

Gayatri Gopichand — Badminton

Lalremsiami — Hockey

Muhammed Ajmal — Athletics

Pooja — Kabaddi

The Arjuna Award recognises athletes for sustained performances over the preceding four years, along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.

I Arumainayagam gets Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement

Former footballer I Arumainayagam has been selected for the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was part of India's gold-medal-winning football team at the 1962 Asian Games.

Five coaches named for Dronacharya Awards

The government has also announced five Dronacharya Award recipients, including three under the regular category and two for Lifetime Achievement.

Boxing coach Chhote Lal Yadav is among the prominent names. He has been associated with the women's national boxing camp and was also part of the support staff that worked with legendary boxer M.C. Mary Kom.

The regular Dronacharya Award recipients are:

Parveer Singh

Chhote Lal Yadav

Neha Chavan

For the Lifetime Achievement category, the award will go to:

Dharmendra Yadav

Virender Kumar

The National Sports Awards recognise athletes and coaches who have made significant contributions to Indian sport, with the 2025 selections featuring achievers from disciplines ranging from chess and athletics to hockey, badminton, boxing and para-sports.

Also Read | Supreme Court rejects plea to replace hanging for death row convicts with lethal injection

His death has left the kabaddi community and his fans deeply saddened. Gurjit Singh was known for his strength, agility and defensive skills on the kabaddi field and had earned recognition in international circle kabaddi.

Also Read | Rajbir Ghuman is a pawn, real player is Bhagwant Mann: Bikram Majithia targets Punjab CM amid ED letter 

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Gurjit was a familiar name among kabaddi followers in Punjab and abroad. His performances on the field earned him a strong fan base and respect within the sport. His connection with Punjabi popular culture also brought him wider recognition. Punjabi singer Arjan Dhillon mentioned Gurjit Toot in his song 'Ilzaam'.

His last rites are expected to be held at his native village of Toot in Ferozepur district.

SAD leaders raise drug overdose claim

Following Gurjit Singh Toot’s death, some Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders have claimed that the kabaddi player died due to a suspected drug overdose.

SAD chief spokesperson and legal cell president Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler raised the issue while expressing condolences to Gurjit’s family. He questioned the Punjab government over the alleged drug-related death and raised concerns about the continuing drug problem in the state.

However, the claim of a drug overdose has not been independently established in the information available about his death. The initial account states that Gurjit had been suffering from serious kidney and liver-related health problems and was undergoing treatment in Faridkot.

Further details about the exact cause of death may become clear following an official statement or medical findings.

The 41-year-old Portugal and Al Nassr star and 32-year-old Argentine-Spanish model Rodriguez tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Cascais on August 11. Their five children were also present at the ceremony. The couple later posted a picture showing their hands with wedding rings, confirming the marriage.

WEDDING RUMOURS CREATED CONFUSION

Before the actual wedding, reports claimed that Ronaldo and Rodriguez would get married at S Cathedral in Funchal, Madeira, Ronaldo's hometown. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the church hoping to see the couple.

However, the woman who arrived at the altar was not Rodriguez. A woman named Nicole was there to marry her partner Fabio. Ronaldo appeared to find the confusion amusing and reacted to an Instagram post about the incident with laughing emojis.

FROM GUCCI STORE TO MARRIAGE

Ronaldo met Rodriguez in 2016 when she was working at a Gucci store. They made their first public appearance together at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich in January 2017 and later confirmed their relationship.

In Rodriguez's Netflix series I Am Georgina, Ronaldo said he never expected their relationship to become so serious. He said he gradually realised that she was the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

A FAMILY OF FIVE CHILDREN

Ronaldo and Rodriguez announced their engagement on August 11, 2025, exactly one year before their wedding. Rodriguez shared a picture of her engagement ring and confirmed that she had said yes.

The couple have two daughters together, Alana and Bella. They also raise Ronaldo's eldest son, Cristiano Jr., and twins Eva Maria and Mateo.

The family faced a heartbreaking loss in 2022 when Bella's twin brother, Angel, died shortly after birth.

The arrest comes weeks after the Calcutta High Court directed the police to take Porel into custody without further delay.

Where and how the arrest happened

According to Hooghly Rural Police Superintendent Kunwar Bhushan Singh, Porel was arrested from the Dum Dum police station's jurisdiction. He was traced to Emami City, a residential complex in the area.

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The case dates back to June, when the complainant approached the Mogra police station in Hooghly district with her mother and filed a formal complaint. She accused Porel of rape, criminal intimidation and other serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In her complaint, the woman said she and Porel had been in a relationship for about three years. She alleged that he had physical relations with her on the promise of marriage, but backed out of that promise once problems developed between them last year. She also accused him of assault and intimidation during the course of their relationship.

The police had said at the time that an investigation was underway based on her complaint.

Court steps in

When the police did not arrest Porel for weeks after the FIR was filed, the matter reached the Calcutta High Court. Justice Saugata Bhattacharya heard the case and ordered the police to arrest Porel without delay. The court also directed authorities to seize his electronic devices, citing concerns that private material belonging to the complainant could be misused or shared further.

The court asked for a detailed progress report from the investigating team and the case was listed for a follow-up hearing.

Porel's response

Porel has repeatedly denied the allegations since they first surfaced. Speaking to reporters earlier, he said he would address the matter once the police began their investigation and that he had not yet been contacted by them at the time.

About Abishek Porel

Porel, a left-handed top-order batter, has played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL since 2023. In the most recent season, he scored 108 runs across four innings for the franchise. On the domestic front, he made his first-class debut for Bengal in the 2021-22 season and has since featured in 32 first-class matches and 23 List A games for the state side.

Neither Delhi Capitals nor the Cricket Association of Bengal has issued an official statement on the arrest so far.

Berwal recalled an interesting exchange with a Pakistani boxer following their bout at the 2015 World Military Games. His story about the repeated appearance of the name “Narender” in his life brought laughter to the room, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

#WATCH | "Pakistani boxer said to me 'Aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narendra hai. Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai'..." says Heavyweight boxer and silver medallist Narender Berwal narrating his conversation with a… pic.twitter.com/qvmwO5D2sz

— ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2026

Pakistani boxer’s reaction after the bout

Berwal told PM Modi that after defeating the Pakistani boxer, both athletes later found themselves in the medical room for treatment.  During their conversation, the Pakistani boxer reportedly pointed out the repeated presence of the name “Narender” around Berwal.

According to the video shared on PM Modi’s YouTube channel, Berwal recalled the boxer telling him that his own name was Narender, his oach was also named Narender and India’s Prime Minister was Narendra.

The boxer then jokingly remarked that he had started disliking the name “Narender” after the bout.

The unexpected comment prompted laughter from PM Modi and others present at the meeting.

Also Read | Meet 5-year-old Fateh Singh Gill: India's youngest Martial Arts Champion, gold medallist in Gatka on Skates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian athletes who won medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 and congratulated them for their hard work, dedication and performances.

The Prime Minister praised the athletes for representing India on the international stage and bringing laurels to the country.

Indian boxers deliver record CWG performance

Indian boxers had a highly successful campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning a total of 10 medals. According to the information shared, the performance marked India's best-ever boxing medal tally at the Commonwealth Games. India also surpassed the previous record of six gold medals achieved by England in 1934 and 2018 and Canada in 1986.

Berwal contributed to India's campaign by securing the silver medal in the men's 90 kg category.

India finishes fourth in overall medal standings

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow concluded after 11 days of competition, with India finishing fourth in the overall medal table.

India ended the Games with 13 Gold medals, 17 Silver medals, 9 Bronze medals and 39 Medals overall.

The strong performance across sports marked a notable campaign for the Indian contingent.

Commonwealth Games baton handed over to India

Following the conclusion of the Games in Glasgow, Scotland officially handed over the Commonwealth Games flag and baton to India. India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, which will mark the centenary edition of the event.

The handover has added significance as India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 2010.

While most children his age are busy learning basic school lessons and trying out new activities, Fateh has won a gold medal in Gatka on Skates at the World Martial Art Games 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Fateh's achievement is special because he performs Gatka, the traditional Sikh martial art, while skating, combining two different skills.

Fateh Started Learning Gatka at Two

Fateh's interest in martial arts was noticed when he was around two years old. His father, Ramandeep, who has competed in bodybuilding events in Europe, noticed that Fateh had unusual wrist movements that could be useful for Gatka.

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His mother, Navpreet Kaur, said Fateh's father quickly realised that the child had a natural ability with his hands. He later had a small kirpan specially made for Fateh and introduced him to Gatka.

Initially, the family thought Fateh might enter sports when he was around 10 or 11 years old. However, he progressed much faster than they expected.

His parents were surprised to see him achieve success in Sikh martial arts at such a young age, with his international gold medal marking another major milestone in his journey.

Fateh's family shared videos of him performing Gatka on social media, catching the attention of an official associated with a European martial arts championship. Soon, Fateh's father began training him for the competition, though the family had to overcome a visa roadblock before Fateh could amaze the world.

"His father trained him for three to four months leading up to the competition in May 2024. As a mother, I brought nappies, food, and other essentials to his training sessions because he was only three at the time and couldn't feed himself." For the family, the child's dedication was reason enough to give him full backing. "For three or four months, this child worked extremely hard. As parents, we had to support him, so we decided that we would not let any situation stop him," she said.

Gill did not take the field on the opening day of the practice match. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) described his absence as a precautionary measure, but reports suggest the Indian team management is not planning to risk him in the warm-up fixture.

With the first Test against Sri Lanka scheduled to begin on August 15, the priority is reportedly to ensure Gill is fully fit for the series opener.

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Shubman Gill injured his finger while training before the warm-up match in Colombo. Although the finger is said to be in good condition, the Indian management is understood to be taking a cautious approach.

As a result, Gill is unlikely to bat in the practice game. The decision is aimed at giving the India captain enough time to recover ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Gill's availability will be particularly important as India prepare for the Test series opener at Galle from August 15.

India prepare for two-test series against Sri Lanka

India are set to begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15. The warm-up match is being used by the team to prepare for the conditions expected in the Island nation.

The management will be keen to avoid any unnecessary injury concerns before the Test series gets underway. Gill sitting out the practice game is therefore being viewed as a precaution rather than a major injury setback.

Ajinkya Rahane warns India about Sri Lanka's spinners

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has also offered advice to the Indian batting unit ahead of the Test series.

Rahane believes India's batters will need to be proactive against Sri Lanka's spinners rather than becoming overly defensive, particularly on spin-friendly pitches. “In Sri Lanka, the first day wicket generally is very good. But being top of the bowler as a batsman is very important. That's what I have learned in Sri Lanka. You cannot be too defensive,” Rahane was quoted as saying by a news agency. 

Rahane knows the conditions well. During India's 2017 tour of Sri Lanka, he played an important role in the team's 3-0 Test series victory, scoring more than 200 runs, including a century and a half-century.

Rahane wants Indian batters to be proactive

According to Rahane, Sri Lanka's bowling attack could pose a serious challenge because of the quality of spinners in the team.

He stressed that Indian batters must stick to their individual plans while maintaining an aggressive and positive approach.

“You have to probably be more proactive because they will have spin friendly wickets, and Sri Lanka do have decent spinners in their side,” Rahane said.

He also warned India against underestimating the home team, pointing out that playing in familiar conditions gives Sri Lanka an advantage.

The former India batter added that having a clear individual game plan and staying proactive would be crucial throughout the Test series.

India vs Sri Lanka Test Series

The India vs Sri Lanka Test series will begin at Galle on August 15. India will hope that Gill's finger issue remains minor and that the captain is available for the opening Test.

For now, the Indian team management appears focused on avoiding unnecessary risks with Gill. His absence from the warm-up game could allow him additional recovery time before the important Test series begins.

The 49-year-old said he had thought about retiring earlier this year after his WrestleMania match against Oba Femi, which pushed him to his limits. Lesnar admitted he felt that his wrestling career had ended after that bout, but he decided to return for one final match inside Hell in a Cell in Minneapolis before officially calling it quits.

Lesnar built a legendary career with his unique mix of power, athleticism and intensity. After leaving WWE in 2004, he briefly pursued a career in the NFL and joined the Minnesota Vikings during the preseason, but was later released.

“I’m here today to let the world know I am retired," Lesnar said. “Saturday was a very emotional day for me. It was kind of weird. When Oba Femi slammed me at WrestleMania, I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I think I’m done.’ But the business [called], and I still had some fuel in the tank. Saturday, for Brock Lesnar, that’s it. That’s it for me in the squared circle and everything else."

He then moved to mixed martial arts and joined the UFC, where he won the heavyweight title in just his fourth fight by defeating Randy Couture in 2008. Lesnar's final UFC appearance came against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in 2016.

Reflecting on his journey, Lesnar said his success was driven by hard work and determination. He described himself as a small-town boy from South Dakota who achieved big dreams despite having limited opportunities.

“I was just a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream, a big heart and a big-ass chip on my shoulder," Lesnar said. “I’m just grateful to be 49 years old and have been able to do what I did in this lifetime. I thank God and everybody that supported me."

The verdict, delivered by Delhi's Rouse Avenue District Court, marked a significant development in a legal battle that began nearly three years ago following allegations of sexual harassment against the former WFI chief.

RELATED NEWS | Ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted in women wrestlers' sexual harassment case

RELATED NEWS | 'If even one allegation was true, I would have hanged myself': Brij Bhushan after acquittal, hits back at wrestlers

'We are deeply disappointed'

In a statement shared on social media, Vinesh said the complainants were saddened by the court's decision, adding that several women wrestlers had continued to pursue the case despite immense challenges.

She alleged that the legal fight was sustained by the determination of the complainants but said the court did not find Brij Bhushan guilty of the allegations.

'The system protected Brij Bhushan'

Vinesh also accused the government and the establishment of shielding the former WFI chief throughout the legal proceedings. According to her statement, the entire system had worked to protect Brij Bhushan from the beginning of the case.

Wrestlers to challenge verdict

Making it clear that the legal battle is far from over, Vinesh confirmed that the complainants have instructed their lawyers to file an appeal against the acquittal.

She said the appeal would be moved before a higher court at the earliest and asserted that the wrestlers have not lost hope.

According to Vinesh, the women wrestlers will continue fighting for justice through the legal process.

Case that sparked nationwide protests

The case emerged in 2023 after several women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI president. The allegations triggered months of protests led by Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, who demanded Singh's arrest and removal from the top post in the wrestling federation.

Earlier this year, Vinesh publicly revealed that she was one of the six complainants in the case. She had said she withheld her identity during the trial in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the identity of survivors in sexual harassment cases.

Brij Bhushan welcomed the verdict

Following the acquittal, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh welcomed the court's decision and reiterated that he had maintained his innocence from the very beginning.

He said he was happy with the verdict and described it as good news for both himself and his supporters, adding that he would not comment further on the matter.

The case had drawn nationwide attention after leading wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, led prolonged protests demanding action against  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

Court acquits Brij Bhushan and Vinod Tomar

The verdict was delivered on Monday after the court heard final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

Following the judgment,  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh described the verdict as a moment of relief and happiness for himself and his supporters. He thanked his legal team and said he would comment further only after reading the detailed court order.

RELATED NEWS | Ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted in women wrestlers' sexual harassment case

'Court has acquitted me with honour'

Reacting to the verdict,  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh recalled his statement made at the beginning of the controversy, when he had claimed he would accept the harshest punishment if any allegation against him was proven. He said the court had now "honourably acquitted" both him and Vinod Tomar after nearly three years of legal proceedings.

Singh also maintained that he had always believed he was innocent and had complete faith in the judicial process.

#WATCH | Delhi | After being acquitted by Rouse Avenue Court in the women wrestlers alleged sexual harassment case, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, "... I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day,… https://t.co/6O1R8HjBeD pic.twitter.com/Btlt3pWJZA

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Former WFI chief calls allegations a conspiracy

The former WFI president reiterated that he had consistently maintained the allegations were part of a conspiracy.

He said he never felt guilty during the course of the case and expressed satisfaction over what he described as a victory in a fight to protect the interests of junior wrestlers.

Responds to calls for strict punishment

During his interaction with the media, he referred to the public criticism and protests that followed the allegations in 2023.

He said there had been demands for his execution and other severe punishments during the protests, adding that those who had made such demands should now reflect on the court's verdict. He also said he would respond to the allegations in detail at an appropriate time.

Background of the case

The case originated after several women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as the head of the Wrestling Federation of India. The allegations led to a prolonged protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, demanded Singh's arrest and action against him.

The protests received widespread public attention and sparked a national debate on athlete safety, accountability and governance in Indian sports.

Delhi Police had filed chargesheet

In 2023, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh , accusing him of offences, including sexual harassment, use of criminal force against women, and criminal intimidation. Vinod Tomar was also named as a co-accused in the case.

Final hearing before the verdict

Before delivering the judgment, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar heard detailed submissions from both sides.

Senior advocate Rebecca John represented the complainants during the final arguments, while Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh  defence was led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati.

After completing the hearings, the court had reserved its verdict and directed both parties to submit written arguments before pronouncing the judgment.

The acquittal now concludes the criminal proceedings in a case that remained at the centre of public and political debate for nearly three years.

India welcomed the world with a colourful cultural presentation that blended its rich heritage, traditions and modern creativity. The event also marked the beginning of Ahmedabad's preparations to host the 100th edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

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IOA President PT Usha, Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, and India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra take charge of the Commonwealth Games Flag as the host duties officially shift to India for 2030! #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #Glasgow2026… pic.twitter.com/E8y5jdSrHo

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2026

The handover ceremony began with a parade of the Commonwealth Games flag, which was carried across the stadium before being lowered and folded as part of the official tradition.

The flag was first presented by Glasgow's Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren to Commonwealth Games Scotland vice-chair Susan Jackson, Scottish netball player Emily Nicholl and Commonwealth Sport president Dr Donald Rukare.

It was then handed over to India's representatives—Neeraj Chopra, PT Usha and Harsh Sanghavi—officially transferring the hosting responsibilities for the 2030 Games to India.

Following the formal ceremony, the event turned into a vibrant celebration of India's culture, with a three-part performance highlighting the country's heritage, diversity and artistic traditions.

Australia topped the standings with 171 medals, including 70 gold, followed by England with 110 and Canada with 62. India and hosts Scotland both ended with 39 medals, but India secured fourth place thanks to a higher silver-medal count.

With sports like shooting, badminton, wrestling, hockey and table tennis not included, India relied on strong performances in athletics, boxing, weightlifting, judo and para sports.

Athletics and para athletics were India's best-performing disciplines, bringing home 16 medals—three gold, eight silver and five bronze. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won silver in the men's javelin throw, while para athletes Dilip Mahadu Gavit, Sharmila and Soman Rana claimed gold medals. Gulveer Singh also impressed by winning silver in the men's 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m.

Boxing was India's biggest source of gold medals, producing 10 medals overall—seven gold and three silver. Gold medallists included Ankush (80kg), Sachin (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Priya (60kg), Sakshi (51kg), Jaismine (57kg) and Preeti (54kg).

Weightlifting added nine medals, led by Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, who won gold in the women's 48kg category. The sport also contributed seven silver medals and one bronze.

Judo earned four medals, with Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey creating history by winning gold. Yamini Mourya secured silver, while Unnati Sharma took bronze.

India's final medal came in para powerlifting, where Jhandu Kumar won bronze in the men's heavyweight event.

The team had visited Mister Singh's India – The Home of Curry, where Lovlina noticed that the map omitted India's Northeast. The Assam-born boxer said the depiction was hurtful and urged the restaurant to ensure that all parts of the country are represented correctly.

Lovlina said she was disappointed to see the inaccurate map displayed not only on the napkins but also outside the restaurant.

"Please don't take this the wrong way. I felt a little hurt by this. In the map of India, our North East is missing. Yes, even outside, the map that's displayed has cut off the North East. As someone from the North East, that really hurts us. That's all I wanted to say. Please keep this in mind next time. Thank you so much," Lovlina said.

Her concerns were supported by Ajay Singh, who said the map also failed to fully depict Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the restaurant management to remove the incorrect design and replace it with an accurate representation of India's territorial boundaries.

The controversy came shortly after India completed its most successful boxing campaign in Commonwealth Games history.

The Indian women's team won five gold medals, with Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Arundhati Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas winning gold in their respective weight categories.

In the men's events, Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal added two more gold medals, taking India's total to a record seven boxing titles.

Lovlina narrowly missed winning gold herself, settling for silver in the women's 70kg final after a closely contested 4-1 defeat to Emma-Sue Greentree of Australia.

The 17-year-old from Punjab wrapped up the title in just 36 minutes, adding a major milestone to her young career. Tanvi had finished runner-up at the US Open Super 300 last year and has now gone one step further by lifting her maiden World Tour trophy.

Coached by Park Tae-sang, the former mentor of P. V. Sindhu, Tanvi also became the first Indian woman since Saina Nehwal to win the Taipei Open women's singles title, with Saina having achieved the feat in 2008.

Tanvi dominated the opening game with sharp drop shots, deceptive strokes and powerful cross-court smashes to race to a big lead. Although she briefly lost momentum with a series of errors, she regained control to take the first game before comfortably sealing the second.

One of the most memorable moments came after the victory when Tanvi removed her gold medal and placed it around coach Park Tae-sang's neck before the two celebrated together with photographs.

At 17 years and 222 days, Tanvi also became the youngest finalist in Taipei Open history, breaking the previous record held by Korean doubles legend Lee Yong Dae, who reached the men's doubles final in 2006 at 17 years and 287 days.

Tanvi has already built an impressive résumé at a young age. She became the first Indian to win two medals at a single edition of the World Junior Championships, claiming silver in girls' singles and bronze in the mixed team event. She was also part of India's historic squad that won its maiden Asian Team Championships gold medal.

A former world junior No. 1, Tanvi had reached her first Super 300 final at the 2025 US Open at the age of 16 and also finished runner-up at the Odisha Masters Super 100 and Guwahati Masters Super 100. Her Taipei Open triumph marks the biggest title of her career so far.

The day also witnessed encouraging performances from several Indian athletes, although there were disappointments in the race walk and para middle-distance events.

Also Read | Commonwealth Games 2026: Neeraj Chopra's silver medal win powers India to 2-3 win, Sri Lanka wears crown

Also Read | Commonwealth Games 2026: 18 months of pain, one night of redemption: Neeraj Chopra's silver medal story

Asian Para Games silver medallist Soman Rana produced his best throw of the season to win the men's F57 shot put title.

Rana registered a throw of 13.40 metres, which was enough to secure the gold medal and finish at the top of the standings.

India completed a one-two finish in the event as Shubham Juyal claimed the silver medal with a season-best effort of 13.28 metre.

Cedric Azamdzi of Cameroon finished third with a throw of 12.57 metre to take the bronze medal.

Praveen Chitravel wins triple jump silver

Asian Games bronze medallist Praveen Chitravel continued his impressive form by winning the silver medal in the men's triple jump.

Chitravel recorded a best jump of 16.58 metre, improving on his previous performance at Glasgow and earning another major international medal.

Selva Prabhu claims first major international medal

India celebrated another podium finish in the same event as Selva Prabhu Thirumaran secured the bronze medal with a jump of 16.52 metre.

The bronze marked the first significant international medal of Selva Prabhu's career.

Jordan Scott of Jamaica won the gold medal after producing the best jump of the competition at 16.72 metre.

Mixed results for other Indian athletes

In the para athletics competition, Ramesh Shanmugam finished seventh in the men's T54 1500m final, clocking 3 minutes 23.59 seconds.

There was disappointment in the women's 10,000m race walk as Priyanka Goswami finished seventh despite recording a season-best time of 45:53.93.

India's other participant in the event, Ravina, was disqualified.

The national teams representing India dressed in blue jerseys for as long as fans can remember will now turn up in saffron at the upcoming World Cup. The sudden transition has drawn significant traction and fire from former players and supporters alike. 

However, amid serious backlash over the colour change of the national team's jersy and subsequent speculated theories, there lies a more troubling story. 

'Change merely technical'

The reason stated was merely technical. Hockey India stated that reason behind change in jersey colour was technical as its blue colour makes it difficult to spot on a blue turf. However what remains questionable is not the reason but the timing. 

Presenting the new India jersey! ????????

Every stitch tells a story. Every pattern, every colour carries India's pride.

Our teams are ready to once again do the country proud at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.

????: Select 2 (SD HD) Khel & JioHotstar
????️: August… pic.twitter.com/8GvwbByapq

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 27, 2026

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey on Friday shot off two separate emails to senior office-bearers and Executive Board members, seeking an explanation over the decision to change the jersey colour.

In the first email, Tirkey wrote to Executive Board members that the issue was not about the colour itself but about the decision-making process.

“I wish to bring to your attention the recent change in the colour of the Indian national team’s jersey. This decision appears to have been taken and implemented without being placed before the Executive Board for discussion and without my prior knowledge.”

In a second email sent later to Hockey India executive director R K Srivastava, Tirkey instructed him to circulate a detailed note to all Executive Board members by 5 pm, July 31.

“the background and rationale for changing the traditional colour of the Indian National Team jersey”;

“the authority under which the decision was taken”;

“the process followed in arriving at the decision, including the officers, committees or other persons involved”;

“whether any consultation was undertaken with the President, the Executive Board, current players, coaches, former international players or other relevant stakeholders”;

and “the reasons why neither the President nor the Executive Board was informed or consulted prior to the public announcement.”

In the emails, Tirkey, a former India captain, said the decision had been implemented without being placed before the Executive Board or brought to his notice, and directed officials to provide a detailed account of how it was approved.

Meanwhile, the HI responded to the criticism saying that the decision was made in consultation with the payers, coaches and support staff, dismissing the allegations. 

Jersey change diversion tactic ?

The latest controversy has highlighted growing differences within Hockey India's leadership and comes at a time when the federation is already under scrutiny over its functioning.

The issue has surfaced while an inquiry is underway into allegations involving Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh.

Former India captain and current selector Asunta Lakra has alleged that Singh threatened her after she raised concerns about the handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a coach.

Following the allegations, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports directed Hockey India to place Lakra's complaint before its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and conduct an independent investigation into the matter.

Asmita powered India to  secure its first ever gold in judo at Commonwealth Games said that her father was the only one who supported her. 

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2026: Neeraj Chopra's silver medal win powers India to 2-3 win, Sri Lanka wears crown

"When my father passed away, I thought everything had finished because he was the one who supported me," Asmita said, struggling to hold back tears after her historic triumph.

The jubilation reminisced the time when Deh's father carried the dreams long before it became India's dream. 

"I am from a very small village in Tripura. People there don't dream this big. But Papa always supported me," she said.

Juggling through financial difficulties and living in a mud house, her father repaired bicycles for a living, earning around Rs 300 a day, just enough to keep the household running. Despite financial hardships, her father made sure to never let them become a hiccup in his daughter playing the sport she loved. 

When a knee injury threatened to derail her career, he took her to Delhi for treatment, bought medicines and did everything within his means to ensure she could return to the mat.

"He brought me to Delhi for treatment and bought medicines," she recalled.

His sudden demise left Asmita completely shattered. The man who carried those dreams and did whatever he could to make transition them into reality was the one who was no longer there to witness. With his passing, Asmita's constant source of reassurance and dream of competing on big stage also lost. 

However while Asmita was struggling to come to terms with the loss, her mother quietly stepped into her husband's shoes. 

Just 10 days after the funeral, she asked her daughter to return to training.

"If I stop you today, your father will think I am shattering your dreams," she told her.

Asmita packed her bags and returned to the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhopal.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, she had full of anxiety and endured sleepless nights.

"I have worked so hard for this. Before this medal, I was unable to sleep in India. I used to stay awake thinking about the fights. Even if my body was tired, I was not able to sleep. I used to feel restless and then wake up for training at 5.30." The nerves stayed with her after she arrived in Glasgow.

"When I reached here, I felt very anxious thinking what will happen. I just kept thinking I have to beat everyone and win." That determination extended beyond the training hall. Even small pleasures became reminders of the goal she was chasing.