Sports

Rafael Nadal, one of tennis's greatest players, has announced his retirement in an emotional video, marking the end of an era. The 22-time Grand Slam champion expressed his farewell to the sport that made him a beloved figure worldwide. Last month, Nadal withdrew from the Laver Cup 2024, intended as his final professional event, raising concerns about his future. He holds a 12-7 match record this season and recently faced Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics, where he was eliminated in the second round. Known as the 'King of Clay,' Nadal's remarkable legacy includes numerous battles against the world's top players. As he departs, he leaves behind a lasting impact on tennis and its fans.

India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana led the team to a dominant victory over Sri Lanka, scoring half-centuries as India posted a tournament-high score of 172-3. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 90 runs, with Indian bowlers Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana each taking three wickets. This win brings India to two victories in three matches as they prepare for a crucial showdown against six-time champions Australia. Despite concerns about the batting form of players like Mandhana and Richa Ghosh, the team's improved bowling gives them hope. With a potential elimination looming, India must secure a significant win against Sri Lanka to enhance their standings in the tournament.

Dipa Karmakar, India’s first female gymnast to compete in the Olympics, has announced her retirement at the age of 31, concluding a groundbreaking career that broke multiple barriers. Known for mastering the challenging Produnova vault, she made history at the Rio 2016 Olympics, narrowly missing a medal by just 0.15 points. Reflecting on her decision, Karmakar expressed gratitude for her gymnastics journey and emphasized her desire to remain connected to the sport by mentoring and supporting young athletes. In an emotional farewell, she celebrated her achievements and the pride of representing India on the global stage.

India secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I, thanks to Hardik Pandya's explosive 39 runs off 16 balls and strong bowling performances from Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, who combined for six wickets. Pandya finished the match with consecutive boundaries, helping India chase down the target despite Bangladesh taking key wickets. The match highlighted India's strength even in the absence of senior players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah. The second T20I is scheduled for October 9 in Delhi. Bangladesh, without Shakib Al Hasan, features Mehidy Hasan Miraz and several pace options, aiming to bounce back in the series.

In a decisive match at the Dubai International Stadium, India Women defeated Pakistan Women by six wickets in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan batted first, scoring 105 runs, with Nida Dar top-scoring at 28. India chased down the target in 18.5 overs, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur's crucial 29 runs and Shafali Verma's 32. The Indian bowlers, especially Shreyanka Patil and Arundhati Reddy, played a vital role in restricting Pakistan's innings, ensuring India's first victory in the tournament.