The Indian sporting landscape has been vibrant over the past 24 hours, highlighted by a mix of exhilarating victories, tough defeats, and notable accolades across various disciplines.
Women's Cricket: India Enters World Cup Final with Record Chase
In a historic achievement, the Indian Women's Cricket team secured a berth in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup final by defeating defending champions Australia in a thrilling semi-final clash held at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on October 31, 2025. Chasing a formidable target of 339 runs, India successfully overhauled it with 5 wickets in hand and 9 balls to spare. The chase was powered by an outstanding unbeaten 127 runs off 134 balls from Jemimah Rodrigues, who was named Player of the Match, and a crucial 89 runs off 88 balls by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. India will now face South Africa in the summit clash on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Men's Cricket: T20I Setback Against Australia and Ranking Implications
The Indian Men's Cricket team experienced a setback in the second T20 International against Australia, losing by four wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025. This defeat means Australia now leads the five-match series 1-0, with the first match in Canberra ending in a no-result due to rain. India was bundled out for 125 runs, despite Abhishek Sharma's top score of 68 off 37 balls, as Josh Hazlewood's impressive spell of 3/13 restricted the Indian innings. This loss has put India's top spot in the ICC T20I rankings in jeopardy, as Australia is now only two points behind in second place. The third T20I is scheduled for November 1, 2025, where India will aim to bounce back and protect its ranking.
Pro Kabaddi League: Dabang Delhi Crowned Champions
Dabang Delhi K.C. emerged victorious in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12, claiming their second title after defeating Puneri Paltan in a thrilling final. This marks another significant triumph for Dabang Delhi, who previously won the title in Season 8.
Chess: FIDE World Chess Cup Trophy Named After Viswanathan Anand
In a proud moment for Indian chess, the trophy for the FIDE World Chess Cup 2025, currently underway in Panjim, Goa, has been named the "Viswanathan Anand Cup." This honour pays tribute to India's first Grandmaster, Viswanathan Anand, celebrating his enduring legacy and India's growing prominence in global chess. The tournament began on October 31, 2025, and will conclude on November 27, 2025.
Football: East Bengal Advances in Super Cup
In the AIFF Super Cup, East Bengal displayed a resilient performance, holding Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a goalless draw. This result allowed East Bengal to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament based on a superior goal difference.
Boxing: Indian Boxers Shine at Asian Youth Games
Indian boxers delivered strong performances at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain. Six Indian boxers successfully reached the finals of their respective categories. Additionally, Anant Deshmukh secured a bronze medal for India in the men's semi-final bout.
Obituary: Hockey Olympian Manuel Frederick Passes Away
Manuel Frederick, a distinguished Indian hockey player and Munich Olympics bronze medallist, passed away. Hailing from Kerala, he was the state's first Olympic medallist, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian sports.