Cricket: Shubman Gill Assumes ODI Captaincy, India Dominates West Indies

In a major development for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has been named the new One-Day International (ODI) captain for the upcoming three-match series against Australia, effective October 19. He replaces Rohit Sharma, who previously led India to the Champions Trophy 2025 glory and the 2023 World Cup final. This decision, announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, signals a strategic move towards the 2027 World Cup, with Agarkar stating it's "practically impossible to have three different captains for three formats." Gill will also lead India in Tests and T20Is. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both retained in the ODI squad, will play under Gill's leadership. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as Gill's deputy for the ODI format.

Concurrently, the Indian cricket team secured a resounding victory against the West Indies in the first Test match held in Ahmedabad. India defeated the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Ravindra Jadeja was a standout performer in this dominant all-round display.

Looking ahead, the Indian Women's Cricket team is set to face arch-rivals Pakistan on October 5 in Colombo as part of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. India holds a formidable 11-0 record against Pakistan in ODIs.

Para Athletics: Gold Rush for India at World Championships

Indian para-athletes have delivered exceptional performances at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, currently underway in New Delhi. On October 4, Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma clinched gold medals, significantly boosting India's standing in the medal table. Nishad Kumar set a new Asian record in the men's high jump T47 event on his birthday, while Simran Sharma secured the gold in the women's 100m T12 with a personal best time of 11.95 seconds. These stellar achievements have propelled India from seventh to fourth place in the overall medal tally, now boasting six gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. The championships, hosted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, are the largest Para sport event ever held in India, featuring 186 medal events and concluding on October 5.

Boxing: Manju Rani Advances in BFI Cup

In boxing news, World Championships silver medallist Manju Rani (Railways) showcased her prowess at the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Cup 2025, securing a commanding 5:0 win to advance to the semifinals.