Cricket Veteran Cheteshwar Pujara Announces Retirement
Veteran Indian Test cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his resilient batting, has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The 36-year-old right-handed batsman, who last played for India in 2023, concludes his career as the country's eighth-highest run-scorer in Test matches. Pujara played 103 Tests and five One Day Internationals for India, accumulating over 7,000 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His retirement marks the end of an era for a player often regarded as the last of India's Test purists.
NorthEast United FC Clinches Durand Cup Title
In Indian football, NorthEast United FC has successfully defended its Durand Cup title. The team secured a dominant 6-1 victory over Diamond Harbour FC in the final held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This win marks their second consecutive Durand Cup triumph, with goals from Parthib Gogoi and Asheer Akhtar contributing significantly to their early lead.
Dream11 Reportedly Withdraws as Team India's Title Sponsor
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to invite new bids for the Indian cricket team's title sponsorship as Dream11 has backed out of its three-year contract, which was valid until 2026. This development comes ahead of the Asia Cup and is attributed to a new law regulating money-based online gaming. The withdrawal of Dream11 will necessitate a new title sponsor for the national team.
Other Sports News:
- Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen are gearing up for a challenging campaign at the BWF World Championships in Paris. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, will look to regain form after a recent defeat, while Lakshya Sen faces a tough opener against top seed Shi Yu Qi.
- Discussions are ongoing within Indian cricket regarding the fitness regime, with former India strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai and cricketer R Ashwin highlighting a "big problem" with the frequent changes in fitness tests like the newly introduced Bronco Test and the traditional Yo-Yo Test.
- Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has expressed his discontent regarding the scheduled India vs. Pakistan clash in the 2025 Asia Cup, questioning the decision amidst recent political tensions and the Pahalgam attack.