Cricket: India Gears Up for Women's World Cup Final Showdown
The Indian women's cricket team is poised for a historic clash against South Africa in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 final today, November 2, at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This marks India's third appearance in a Women's World Cup final, and they are seeking their maiden ICC title. The Proteas, making their first final appearance, will challenge India on home soil.
The build-up to the final has seen immense support for Harmanpreet Kaur's side, with messages pouring in from top male cricketers and coach Gautam Gambhir urging the team to play fearlessly. A significant incentive awaits the winner, as the BCCI is reportedly planning to offer a prize money of INR 125 crore if India lifts the trophy, matching the reward given to the men's team for their 2024 T20 World Cup success. This record prize sum of approximately Rs 39.78 crore for the winners would be the largest ever awarded in cricket World Cup history, for both men's and women's tournaments.
Key Indian performers like Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored an unbeaten 127 in the semi-final against Australia, are expected to be pivotal. There are also concerns about potential rain affecting the final, though a reserve day has been set aside by the ICC.
Historic Medal Haul at Asian Youth Games 2025
India achieved its best-ever performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Manama, Bahrain, securing a record 48 medals. The impressive tally included 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze medals, surpassing previous records from 2009 and 2013. Highlights included the girls' kabaddi team winning India's first gold and Priteesmita Bhoi setting a world youth record in the girls' 44kg clean and jerk event to claim the nation's first individual gold. India's strong finish on the final day, with 15 medals, including seven golds from boxing and beach wrestling, also served as a qualifier for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.
Badminton: Unnati Hooda's Semi-Final Run Ends at Hylo Open
India's challenge at the Hylo Open 2025 badminton tournament in Saarbrücken, Germany, concluded with Unnati Hooda's exit in the women's singles semi-finals. The 18-year-old, competing in her first BWF Super 500 semi-final, lost to world No. 7 Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia in straight games. Other Indian shuttlers, including Lakshya Sen, Kiran George, and Ayush Shetty, also competed in the tournament.
Hockey: Indian Oil Mumbai Clinches Surjit Trophy
Indian Oil Mumbai secured their third consecutive and seventh overall title at the 42nd Indian Oil Servo Surjit Hockey Tournament 2025. They defeated Indian Railways Delhi 2-1 in the final match held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. Both of Indian Oil Mumbai's goals came from penalty corners.
Chess: FIDE World Cup 2025 Inaugurated in Goa
The FIDE World Cup 2025 officially opened in Goa, with the tournament trophy notably renamed the Viswanathan Anand Cup in honor of India's first world chess champion. India will field a record 24 players in the event, marking the country's largest-ever representation.
Football: Lionel Messi's 'GOAT Tour' Adds Hyderabad Stop
Lionel Messi's much-anticipated 'GOAT Tour to India 2025' has expanded its itinerary to include Hyderabad, ensuring more fans across the country can witness the football icon. This addition comes after the cancellation of the proposed Kochi leg of the tour. The tour, spanning Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, is scheduled for December.
Indian Hockey Mourns Manuel Frederick
Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, a bronze medallist at the 1972 Munich Olympics, passed away at the age of 78. Hailing from Kannur, Kerala, he was the first athlete from the state to win an Olympic medal in hockey. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey paid tribute to Frederick, calling him a "true guardian of the post whose legacy will inspire generations."