Cricket: India Suffers Rare Home Test Defeat, Gill Injured
The Indian cricket team experienced a rare home defeat, losing the first Test against South Africa by 30 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The match was notably low-scoring, with both teams being bowled out for under 200 runs in all four innings, a phenomenon not seen in India for 66 years. Following the match, Indian skipper Shubman Gill is now doubtful for the second Test in Guwahati due to a neck injury. Gill was discharged from the hospital but has been advised rest and is not recommended to travel immediately. The team's performance and head coach Gautam Gambhir's strategy, particularly the preparation of a "rank turner" pitch, have come under scrutiny. However, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar defended the pitch, attributing India's loss to poor batting technique and temperament.
In other cricket news, Kumar Sangakkara has been reappointed as the head coach for Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026 season. Additionally, the venues and fixtures for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 are expected to be finalized on November 26.
Boxing: Strong Start at World Cup Finals
Indian boxers delivered an impressive performance on the opening day of the World Boxing Cup Finals held in Greater Noida. All four Indian participants ā Minakshi, Preeti, Ankush, and Narender ā successfully advanced to the semi-finals in their respective categories. A standout victory was recorded by Hitesh Gulia, who defeated former world champion Okazawa to secure his semi-final spot.
Archery: Kushal Dalal Secures Gold
Indian archer Kushal Dalal clinched the GT Open Indoor World Series title in the men's compound category. The victory came in Strassen, Luxembourg, where Dalal overcame former world number one Stephen Hansen of the U.S. in a rare double shoot-off.
Chess: Arjun Erigaisi Advances in FIDE World Cup
Indian chess player Arjun Erigaisi has reached the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup in Goa. However, another Indian contender, Harikrishna, was eliminated from the tournament.
Blind Cricket: Indian Women Continue Dominance
The Indian Women's Blind T20 team showcased their strength by defeating Pakistan by 8 wickets in a World Cup match held in Colombo. This victory marked their fifth consecutive win in the tournament.
All India Forest Sports Meet: Chhattisgarh Retains Title
Chhattisgarh successfully defended its title at the 28th All India Forest Sports Meet, held in Dehradun. The state secured the championship for the second consecutive year, accumulating an impressive 150 medals, including 74 gold, 34 silver, and 42 bronze, totaling 578 points. Notable individual performances included Nikhil Zalko (Best Male Athlete), Sangeeta Rajagopalan (Best Female Athlete), and Thota Sankirtana, who was named "Golden Girl" for her five gold medals.
Miscellaneous Sports News
The "Fit India, Hit India"-themed Sansad Sports Festival commenced in Jaipur on November 17, attracting over 100,000 participants across various traditional and modern sports. In football, the East Bengal women's team made a strong start in the AFC Women's Champions League, securing a 3-1 victory against Iran's Bam Khatoon.