Keeping pace with the taste of today’s generation, we are unveiling a newer, bolder Sportstar, while still holding on to the ethos of honest journalism that we have always practised. We profile nine of the brightest talents in the country in our Cover section.

In this issue

27-05-202320 STORIES

In his nearly two-decade-long career, Ghosal has not been a stranger to success. He weighs in on the system of the sport in India, the positives and what can and needs to improve.

Saurav Ghosal: Indian squash needs to improve its coaching standards

“At the moment, we have coaches who can produce good junior players and not world-class players. For that, we need to get foreign coaches and train ou

Anju Bobby George and Shaili Singh, during the launch of the redesigned newlook SPORTSTAR magazine, in Bengaluru on May 14

Anju Bobby George: New, confident faces brighten our chances on the world stage

Even the top athlete can fumble on a particular day but we are preparing our athletes to be on the podium, says Olympian Anju Bobby George.

“Everyone knows who Anju ma’am and Neeraj Chopra are. I want people to also know who Shaili Singh is.”

Shaili Singh: The 19-year-old long jumper making big strides towards OIympic glory

Meet Shaili Singh, the 19-year-old long jumper who Olympian Anju Bobby George tips as her heir apparent.

These days, Lakshya is eyeing a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The reigning Commonwealth Games champion is focussed on raising his ranking.

Lakshya Sen: Indian badminton’s torchbearer hoping to shine at the Paris Olympics

Currently, India has three players in the world’s top 25 bracket: H. S. Prannoy (9th), Kidambi Srikanth (22nd), and Lakshya Sen (23rd). Among them, L

Sunil Chhetri is the captain of the Indian men’s football team.

Sunil Chhetri: Consistently qualifying for major continental tournaments key for Indian football

When I look at the youngsters around me in the national team, it fills my heart with hope. These are boys who are talented and are willing to add the

It was not too long ago when this footballer from Karaikudi, a small town in Tamil Nadu, kept getting rejected in selection trials across the state. Now, Sivasakthi is keen to make up for lost time.

Sivasakthi Narayanan: Bengaluru FC superstar eyeing national team glory

Sunil Chhetri called him a superstar. Igor Stimac has hailed him as a key figure in attack. Meet Sivasakthi Narayanan, the 21-year-old Karaikudi man w

Avani Lekhara is the first Indian woman to win gold at the Paralympic Games.

Avani Lekhara: The wunderkind of Indian para shooting

With Paralympic medals in the bag, ace para shooter Avani Lekhara is settling into her role as an advocate for better facilities and support for the p

“I took up badminton by chance. Growing up, all children my age wanted to play cricket,” says Pramod Bhagat, paralympic gold medallist, reigning SL3 men’s world champion.

Pramod Bhagat: Making Indian stadiums more inclusive must be a priority

With each passing year, more youngsters are taking to para sports to create better lives for themselves.

Mansher Singh is a former Olympian shooter and winner of the first World Cup medal for the country in 1997.

Mansher Singh: Strong domestic coaches need of the hour for Indian shooting

Efforts have been made by the national federation to address specific issues in a scientific way, and there is no reason why Indian shooting cannot st

Rhythm, although from a different sporting discipline, reveres six-time boxing world champion Mary Kom.

Rhythm Sangwan: The teenager who became India’s new shooting sensation

Rhythm Sangwan’s laser-sharp focus has propelled her to the top in Indian shooting.

FILE PHOTO: Anil Kumble during IPL 2022.

Anil Kumble: Batting on spin-friendly pitches a major challenge

The amount of cricket being played the world over has led to players getting injured more as they stay busy through the year.

Alka Tomar holds the Indian flag after winning the gold medal, beating the two-time Olympic medallist Tonya Verbeek of Canada in the 59kg freestyle wrestling, in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Alka Tomar on Indian wrestling: Emphasis has to be on speedwork and stamina

“In our time, we used to focus on the technical side of the game and learnt by watching others. Our wrestlers needed to change with time and they have

Aman Sehrawat has what it takes to be the crown jewel of Indian wrestling in the years to come.

Aman Sehrawat, the next wrestling sensation from Chhatrasal Stadium

Aman Sehrawat continues to push his limits as he looks to overcome bigger challenges and tougher competition.

With quite a few of his contemporaries also in contention, it has become important to be ahead of the others, but Yashasvi Jaiswal is competing with himself.

Yashasvi Jaiswal strides into limelight with IPL summer blockbuster

Riding on the back of his stunning IPL and domestic form this year, the 21-year-old has shown he is the man to watch out for in the future.

Wall class: Chepauk’s tribute to cricket legends is the talk of the town.

IPL Diary: Legends immortalised at Chepauk, the unmatchable CSK fan base and the Chennai DJ turning heads in IPL 2023

IPL diary: All about CSK - from some gorgeous murals added to the walls of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and a stadium DJ who has wowed the co

The BCCI is no longer the body in the thrall of the Western world as it probably was in the first three or four decades of its existence, nor are its players enamoured of foreign leagues, Sunil Gavaskar writes in this fortnight’s On The Write Line.

Sunil Gavaskar: ‘Burnout’ moaning heard no more; International players’ associations have no relevance

It is hard to understand why, when most countries have their own players’ bodies, there is a need for an international one.

Duo on the charge: The battle for the drivers title is heating up between Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Verstappen vs Perez: Bullish days head

Red Bull is leagues ahead of the competition with their two drivers dominating this season.

Virat Kohli achieved a unique milestone in Bengaluru while Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a memorable hundred at the Wankhede Stadium during IPL 2023.

Statsman: Kohli becomes first batter to 3000 T20 runs at single venue, Jaiswal joins elite list with maiden IPL century

From Kohli’s record T20 run-tally at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to Jaiswal’s 124 at the age of 21 years and 123 days in a losing cause, here are some

One for the ages: Napoli players celebrate their latest Serie A title at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy.

Napoli ends Serie A title drought, Messi’s PSG future clouded by desert visit

While Spalletti’s men kept Maradona’s legacy alive by clinching the top honour in Italian top-flight football, a ruthless Manchester City continued to

FILE PHOTO: Despite his inimitable success, Jones will leave behind a legacy tained by off-field controversies.

Jon Jones: Man born for the Octagon prepares for final hurrah

At 35, there’s nothing left to prove for Jones, who continues to rule the Octagon. While he prepares for a final hurrah, he will still have to live wi

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