Sports

Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who won gold in women's boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics, is under scrutiny following a leaked medical report revealing she has internal testicles and XY chromosomes, indicating a condition known as 5-alpha reductase insufficiency. The report, created by experts in Paris and Algiers, highlights her biological traits, including the absence of a uterus and the presence of a micropenis. This information has reignited debates about gender classification in sports, especially after the International Boxing Association had previously banned Khelif from competing in the World Championship Gold Medal fight due to her biological classification. The case raises significant questions about fairness and inclusion in women's athletics.

The 2025 IPL season is shaping up with the announcement of player retentions by all ten franchises ahead of the mega auction. Notably, Heinrich Klaasen was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹23 crore, making him the highest earner. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals’ surprising release of star player Rishabh Pant and others, including KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, adds intrigue to the upcoming auction. With franchises like Punjab Kings holding a budget of ₹110.5 crore, the stage is set for an exciting bidding war filled with both domestic and international talent.

New Zealand achieved a historic milestone by defeating India by 113 runs in the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune on October 26, securing their first-ever Test series victory in India after 69 years. All-rounder Mitchell Santner played a pivotal role, taking 13 wickets in the match. Despite a strong innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 77 runs, India fell short, marking their second consecutive defeat in the series. New Zealand's win also ended India’s long-standing home Test winning streak, while India remains atop the World Test Championship standings.

Team India faced a dismal outing in Test cricket, bowled out for just 46 runs on Day 2 of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Captain Rohit Sharma admitted to misreading the pitch conditions, stating, "Clearly, it was a misjudgment on my part; I didn't read the pitch well enough." Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan both failed to contribute significantly, while only Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) and Rishabh Pant (20) reached double figures. Rohit acknowledged that the batting lineup struggled to execute their plans, emphasizing the challenges they faced against the New Zealand bowlers. He remarked, "We had a bad day, but we've been part of such matches. It’s a challenge, and you have to challenge yourself."

India faced a humiliating defeat in the first Test against New Zealand, bowled out for just 46 runs, marking their lowest total in Test cricket at home. At the end of the second day, New Zealand was comfortably positioned at 180 for 3, with Devon Conway scoring 91 runs. The Indian batting lineup struggled, with five players, including Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, failing to score. Captain Rohit Sharma's early dismissal set a negative tone, and the team's decision to bat first on a moisture-laden pitch raised questions about their strategy. New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Tim Southee and Matt Henry, capitalized on the conditions, leading to a significant gap in performance between the two teams. Despite a late breakthrough by R Ashwin, India faces a challenging path ahead as they seek to recover in the match.