Category: Sports

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) raised eyebrows on Friday after announcing that 13 players from four clubs had not reported for the CAFA Nations Cup preparatory camp in Bengaluru. The absentees were linked to the ongoing Durand Cup knockouts, with Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United yet to release their players. Newly-appointed head coach Khalid Jamil had named 35 probables for the camp, but only 22 players reported on the opening day. Missing from both lists was Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time leading scorer and most capped footballer. Chhetri, who turned 41 earlier this month, was coaxed out of international retirement by former coach Manolo Márquez earlier this year, but Jamil appears to be moving forward without the Bengaluru FC striker. Also excluded were senior names such as Subhashish Bose, Ashish Rai, and Brandon Fernandes. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has returned to the squad after being dropped by Márquez. Jamil’s list included some surprise call-ups, including uncapped players Albino Gomes and Manvir Singh (both Jamshedpur FC), Hyderabad FC defender Alex Saji, and the biggest shock—Sunil Benchamin, a left-back from Army Red, currently on an amateur contract. Benchamin was playing in India’s third tier last season with Diamond Harbour. India will face Tajikistan (Aug 29), Iran (Sept 1), and Afghanistan (Sept 4) in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, Jamil’s first assignment as national coach. The AIFF expressed appreciation to Jamshedpur FC for releasing Jamil mid-season and urged other clubs to cooperate. However, officials admitted clubs are not obligated to release players until 48 hours before the FIFA window (Sept 1–9). With the Durand Cup final on Aug 23, most clubs are unlikely to release their players earlier. Adding to the shortage, 10 U-23 players from Mohun Bagan, Jamshedpur, and NorthEast United also skipped the senior camp, as they prepare separately under Naushad Moosa for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has informed selectors that he is available for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28 in the T20 format, a senior BCCI source confirmed. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to meet in Mumbai on August 19 to finalise the 15-member squad. “Bumrah has informed the selectors that he will be available for Asia Cup selection. The committee will take a call when they meet next week,” the source said. Bumrah, who was released from the Test squad for the fifth and final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval to manage his workload, featured in three of the four previous Tests against England, bowling 119.4 overs and claiming two five-wicket hauls. Given the shorter spells required in T20 cricket, the team management is confident of managing Bumrah’s workload during the Asia Cup. He will also benefit from a nearly 40-day gap between his last Test appearance in England and the tournament opener. Bumrah’s most recent T20I outing was the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, where his figures of 2/18 played a decisive role in India’s seven-run victory over South Africa. Meanwhile, the Indian team is expected to travel early to the UAE instead of holding a preparatory camp in Bengaluru. “Instead of having a camp here, the team will fly three-four days early so that players can get decent practice before the tournament starts,” the source said.

Arjun Tendulkar, 25, son of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, is engaged to Saaniya Chandok, granddaughter of prominent Mumbai businessman Ravi Ghai. The ceremony was a private gathering attended by close friends and family from both sides. Arjun, a left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder, currently represents Goa in domestic cricket and has also played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Starting his career with Mumbai in the 2020/21 season, he later moved to Goa in 2022/23, making both his first-class and List A debuts. In red-ball cricket, Arjun has played 17 matches, scoring 532 runs (one century, two fifties) and taking 37 wickets, including one five-wicket haul. In the IPL, he has featured in five matches for Mumbai Indians, claiming three wickets and scoring 13 runs at a strike rate of 144.44. Saaniya Chandok belongs to the influential Ghai family, known for their strong presence in the hospitality and food industries. She is a partner and director at Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP. Her grandfather, Ravi Iqbal Ghai, chairs Graviss Hospitality Ltd, which operates the InterContinental Marine Drive hotel and owns The Brooklyn Creamery ice cream brand. The Ghai family’s business roots trace back to IK Ghai, founder of the iconic Kwality Ice Cream brand. The engagement unites two high-profile Mumbai families from the worlds of sports and business.

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill could take on a leadership role in the T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025, with the final team expected to be announced on August 19 or 20. The selection will hinge on medical updates from the CoE’s Sports Science team, particularly on skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who has resumed batting at the NCA. Jasprit Bumrah is set to return for the Asia Cup, though he may be rested for the opening West Indies Test in October. Gill’s stellar form — 754 runs against England in Tests and a strong IPL season — puts him in the mix for vice-captaincy. However, Axar Patel was deputy in the last home T20I series, creating a form-versus-continuity dilemma for selectors. The top order of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya looks settled, leaving little room for Yashasvi Jaiswal or Sai Sudharsan. Samson is almost certain as first-choice wicketkeeper, with Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel competing for the second slot. Shivam Dube is likely to replace the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy as Hardik’s all-rounder backup. In pace, Bumrah will lead with Arshdeep Singh, while Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna vie for the third seamer spot. The spin unit should feature Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and either Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy. Likely India Asia Cup Squad:Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel. India open their campaign against UAE on September 10, followed by the marquee clash with Pakistan on September 14.