In a significant development for Indian cricket, the national team suffered a 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The defeat occurred on a challenging pitch that saw the match conclude in less than three days, prompting former Indian cricketers to criticize the team's batting performance against spin and question selection strategies. Reports suggest that the Indian team management had requested a spin-friendly wicket, a strategy that has reportedly backfired in recent times. Adding to the concerns, Indian opener Shubman Gill was hospitalized with a neck spasm, making his participation in upcoming matches doubtful.
Meanwhile, in international archery, India celebrated a gold medal as Kushal Dalal emerged victorious in the men's compound category at the GT Open Indoor World Series in Strassen, Luxembourg. Dalal defeated former world number one Stephen Hansen of the U.S. in a double shoot-off. Another Indian archer, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, also earned a bronze medal in the Under-21 men's compound category at the same event.
The Indian Women's Blind Cricket team delivered a stellar performance, securing an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup for the Blind. This win marked India's fifth consecutive triumph and ensured their qualification for the semifinals. The match was also highlighted by a display of exceptional sportsmanship, with players from both teams exchanging handshakes and sharing a bus, fostering goodwill despite broader bilateral tensions.
India also showcased its talent at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, where Dhanush Srikanth won a gold medal in the air rifle event, setting a new world record with 252.2 points. His compatriot Mohammed Vania secured the silver medal, contributing to India's strong start at the games.
In other cricket news, the India A team faced an eight-wicket defeat against Pakistan A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament held in Doha. A significant batting collapse after a strong start led to India A being bowled out for 136 runs, with Pakistan A chasing the target comfortably.
Furthermore, India is currently hosting the World Boxing Cup 2025 Finals in Greater Noida, which commenced on November 16. On the opening day, Indian boxers performed strongly in the quarterfinal bouts, with several athletes securing victories and advancing to the semifinals.