Latest issue of Sportstar

Olympic medallist and multiple Grand Slam champion Leander Paes reflects on his testing but gratifying journey to the Hall of Fame..

In this issue

20-01-202422 STORIES

When India, the lowest-ranked team (102) in its group, takes the field in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, it will look to beat the odds under Croat Igor Stimac.

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Expectations tempered but India can take flight in Qatar

The Blue Tigers will open their Asian Cup campaign against the 2015 Asian champion, the Socceroos, one of the favourites to lift the title.

FILE PHOTO: Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri (left) and coach Igor Stimac during a training session.

Indian Football

India at AFC Asian Cup: A herculean task awaits Chhetri’s men

India (ranked 102) will play against Asian heavyweights Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria, making it near impossible for it to progress into the knocko

Time to set the record straight: After its Olympic debut in 1980, the Indian women’s hockey team qualified for the Summer Games for the first time in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Five years later, it fell agonisingly short of a medal in Tokyo.

The quest for Paris Olympics is on for Indian women’s hockey team

As the FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers unfold in Ranchi, the spotlight is on the Indian women’s team, which aims to secure a spot at the Summer Games in

India’s batters Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar walk off the field at the end of the second day of the one-off Test cricket match between India and Australia, in Mumbai.

Statsman: India women in Tests vs Aus - stats, trivia and records

IND v AUS Women’s Test: Here are all the key stats and trivia from the women’s Test between India and Australia.

No mercy: Former World No. 1, Simona Halep, was banned by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for four-years due to a positive test for Roxadustat in 2022 (after the US Open). She is the most prominent tennis player to fail a drug test since Maria Sharapova in 2016.

Of style and (no) substance

WADA maintains a regularly updated list of banned substances and it’s best for athletes to check this list to stay consistently informed about the sub

Two to tango: Two Indians have directly qualified for the Paris Games already — Neeraj Chopra did so with his first throw at the World Championships while Jena followed suit at the Asian Games with his silver medal-winning effort.

Paris Olympics 2024: Who will join Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena in javelin throw event

In the Olympic year, it might take more than just the Olympic standard to join Neeraj and Jena in Paris.

‘Tennis is one of the toughest sports on the planet. As a sport, it is demanding, and it’s also hard physically, mentally, and financially.’ — Leander Paes.

Leander Paes on Hall of Fame induction — ‘My parents’ encouragement and constant love are the reasons I could achieve it all’

Leander Paes, who won 18 Grand Slam titles in men’s and mixed doubles, has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Keeping fit: Roger Federer played his last competitive tennis match at the age of 41.

Improving longevity is key

Whether age is a number or a word, top sportspeople are better aware of their bodies.

Vijay Amritraj was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame (contributor category) in December 2023

Vijay Amritraj on Hall of Fame induction – ‘A very, very special present’

The legendary Vijay Amritraj, who was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame, shares his thoughts.

Chaos in Cincinnati: In a match where experience barely prevailed over youth. Djokovic, 36, had to stave off a match point to surmount Carlos Alcaraz, 20, in a thriller that lasted 3 hours, 49 minutes.

Vintage 2023: The Year That Was In Tennis

Let’s look back at the bests and the worsts of a memorable and often surprising year in tennis.

FILE PHOTO: Iga Swiatek finished as World No. 1 for the second year in a row but only after being challenged throughout the season.

Women’s tennis 2023 rewind: Iga Swiatek reigns supreme while Sabalenka, Vondrousova, and Gauff break through

The queen of women’s tennis faced three new contenders for her throne, who captured their maiden Grand Slam titles in 2023, but only after their persi

Top of the pile: By winning three of the four majors in 2023, Novak Djokovic set several records.

Novak Djokovic dominance in 2023 makes him the undisputed GOAT

In 2023, Djokovic overcame injury, illness, and controversy to cement his GOAT status as he surged past the declining Nadal (22) and the retired Feder

Old warhorses: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have fallen out of favour with the national selectors in recent times.

Can Ranji Trophy pass the test of time?

In recent years, excelling in the IPL has generally expedited a player’s inclusion in the Indian team, often surpassing those who diligently contribut

Taking the next step: The 16-year-old Anmol Kharb — ranked No. 1 in both U17 and U19 in singles — will focus on the senior category next year.

National Badminton Championship: Young guns make their mark, give glimpse into bright future

There’s a concern about the lack of successors in Indian women’s badminton after Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu. But the future looks tall.

Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh are flying Iran’s flag high in the Pro Kabaddi League with their unmatched skill and towering personalities.

PKL 10: Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh - the tale of the Sultan and his successor

Iranian powerhouses Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh might be at different ends of an athlete’s sporting journey but are powerful as

The Indian football referees have come under intense scrutiny this season.

Indian Football

ISL Diary: Lax refereeing, tough AIFF President

A storm is brewing in the country’s top domestic football leagues, with a string of refereeing errors prompting the AIFF president to step in and take

Picture-perfect: India’s win is its first in 11 women’s Tests against No. 1-ranked Australia since the sides first played in 1977.

Ind vs Aus Test review: ‘Aus-some’ win, but rocky road ahead

India’s victory was its second in Tests this month, having thrashed England by 347 runs in Mumbai. But its future in red-ball cricket is still in a li

Humbling defeat: India was thrashed by an innings and 32 runs by South Africa in the first Test in Centurion.

Gavaskar: India must play more first-class matches in preparation for overseas series

The first Test defeat against South Africa is pretty much a pattern for Indian teams touring the SENA countries, where they lose the first Test of the

Hot pursuit: Mohammedan SC’s David Lalhlansanga, who is the club’s top-scorer this season, and Lalremsanga Fanai were among the goals as the Black Panthers beat NEROCA 2-1.

Indian football news: Mohammedan Sporting in top gear in I-League

With a win over NEROCA, Mohammedan SC now leads the I-League table after slip-ups by close challengers, Real Kashmir and Sreenidi Deccan.

Petroleum’s Harmeet Desai and Poymantee Baisya (Railways) pose with their trophies and medals after winning the singles titles in the National table tennis championship in Panchkula.

National Table Tennis Championship 2023 review and analysis

TTFI’s old fault-lines remain but the year-ending National Championship offered a glimpse of the future of table tennis.

Jemimah Rodrigues was a bright spot for India in the ODI series, even battling poor health to take guard for India. The rest of the team however has much thinking to do as it looks ahead to the 2025 ODI World Cup at home.

IND v AUS Women’s ODIs: Test queens get harsh white-ball reality check

For India, there are still plenty of questions to answer before it hosts the ICC ODI World Cup in 2025.

D. Gukesh takes on Iran’s Parham Maghsoodloo in the third round on the third day of the Chennai Grand Masters Chess Championship at The Leela Palace hotel.

India’s Candidates windfall as Gukesh, Humpy make the cut

The Indian contingent constitutes over 30 per cent of participants in the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Canada.

Archive

+ READ THIS ISSUE 11-05-2024

+ READ THIS ISSUE 27-04-2024

+ READ THIS ISSUE 13-04-2024

+ READ THIS ISSUE 30-03-2024

Sign in to unlock all user benefits

Get notified on top games and events
Save stories to read later
Access to comment on every story
Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products