Cricket: India Begins New Test Era Against West Indies
The Indian men's cricket team is embarking on a new chapter today, October 2nd, as they kick off a two-match Test series against West Indies in Ahmedabad. This series marks Shubman Gill's debut as the home Test captain, and significantly, it's the first time in 15 years that India will play a home Test match without the presence of its "legendary trio" (likely referring to stalwarts like R Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma). The first match is being held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, with play scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST. India will be looking to re-establish its home dominance in Test cricket, especially after a challenging previous home season. The second Test of the series is slated for October 10th in Delhi.
India A Sets Record Total Against Australia A
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, India A smashed a record total of 413/6 against Australia A in an unofficial One Day International (ODI) held in Kanpur on October 1st. The innings was highlighted by centuries from young opener Priyansh Arya, who scored 101 off 84 balls, and captain Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a classy 110 off 83 balls. Contributions from Prabhsimran Singh (56), Riyan Parag, and Ayush Badoni further bolstered the score, making it India A's highest List-A total at home.
Asia Cup Trophy Controversy Lingers
The aftermath of the Asia Cup 2025 final continues to generate headlines, with the controversy surrounding the trophy presentation still unresolved. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on October 1st that the Indian team is "welcome" to collect the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC office in Dubai. This comes after reports that the Indian team had reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the presentation ceremony. The BCCI reportedly raised strong objections regarding the trophy not being duly handed over to the Suryakumar Yadav-led side, which had defeated Pakistan in the final.
ICC Women's ODI World Cup Updates
In the ongoing ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, defending champions Australia secured a dominant 89-run victory over New Zealand in Indore on October 2nd. India's opening match against Sri Lanka witnessed the highest-ever turnout for a group stage fixture at any ICC women's event. The Indian team has also reportedly adopted a "no handshake policy" with Pakistan during the tournament.
Chess: Grandmaster P. Iniyan Crowned National Champion
In non-cricket news, Grandmaster P. Iniyan of Tamil Nadu emerged victorious in the 62nd National Chess Championship held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Iniyan clinched the title by remaining unbeaten throughout the 11 rounds, securing 7 wins and 4 draws.