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“I was at this Championship just to announce to the world that I am getting back”: Sushil Kumar

Veteran wrestler Sushil Kumar said he fought in the recently concluded Wrestling World Championships 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan to announce to the world that he is getting back.

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7 years ago

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World Champion Sushil Kumar

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Veteran wrestler Sushil Kumar said he fought in the recently concluded Wrestling World Championships 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan to announce to the world that he is getting back. 

“I lost but I felt good on the mat. I was faster than Jakarta. I was at this Championship just to announce to the world that I am getting back. And even the foreign coaches around said, ‘you look like getting back’,” Sushil told PTI in an interview.

Though he won gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 editions of the Commonwealth Games, he struggled at the Jakarta Asian Games leading to questions on whether he was good enough to go any further at 36. He did fight better this time than the Jakarta Games but nonetheless exited after a first-round defeat in the 74kg category.

He did show glimpses of the raw talent that made him an Olympic legend, the only one from India with two individual medals, when he twice troubled Azerbaijan’s Khadzhimurad Gadhiyev with four-point throws.

Two-time Olympic medalist said he is on a 90-day training programme with Russian coach Kamal Malikov to get back to his best and win a Tokyo Olympic quota for India.

“I lack in stamina and defence as of now. My coach Malikov had said he wants 90 day-training to put me back in shape. It’s about 50 days as of now. I had put on weight and I had slowed down too,” he said.

 “But today, I have lost weight, I have become faster. The body is in competition mode. My coach says I am better from what I was two years ago,” he said.

“He is technically, a very sound coach. Every aspect was looked into before finalizing the contract with him. He is respected in Russia,” he said about his coach. 

 Sushil Kumar also said his coach Malikov has urged him to fight more often even as he shied away from competing regularly. Notably, Sushil has competed in only 7 tournaments over the last 7 years.

 “I thought, I should play only bigger tournaments but the coach said no, I have to be in competition every month or in every 45 days to have enough mat-time,” he explained.

Asked on why he was not competing for years, he said, “Honestly, I did not feel like competing but people who are close to me said, even If I have 10-20 percent of wrestling left in me, I should not quit. So I decided to train and qualify for the Olympics. I will try to qualify from the Asian event next year.”

Sushil said while the years of experience behind him make him technically sound, his training methods have changed as he is not young anymore.

“As you age, you have to change. I can’t put myself to rigours after a certain age. You can’t break your body. I still love wrestling, so still here,” he said.

“I am doing everything but not going the whole hog. I have to do everything. I have to run, I have to be on the mat, in the gym, do some power training. The coach makes my schedule. And when it’s competition, its different training,” he said.

Expressing his love for wrestling and support from loved ones as the main reason for his comeback, Sushil said, “I still love wrestling. I have the support of my family and my Guru Mahabali Satpal ji. He says, ‘even if you have a 10 percent of wrestling left in you, you must not leave the mat’.”

 “In 2009 I was close to World Championship title, in 2003 I missed it by a very close margin. The world champions lose and the Olympic champions also lose,” he pointed out.

Also Read: The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019: Lionel Messi, Megan Rapinoe wins FIFA Player of the Year awards

“I lost in Belarus and at the World Championship but I am analysing. I have learnt to digest defeats. If I win I don’t become arrogant and If I lose, I don’t lose heart.”

Sushil returned to the World Championships after eight years and found that a lot has changed in the Indian wrestling.

“There are a lot of people helping our boys. It was not the case before. Tata Motors, the WFI, JSW, OGQ, they all are doing their bit.

“If you will compare the India team and the USA team, you notice we too have a very good support staff. We have personal foreign coaches attached with the wrestlers.

“There are physios, doctors travelling with the team all the time. This is a big change in last 8 years and it only good for the sport,” he said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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No discussion on Ajit Agarkar’s extension, BCCI clarifies after key meeting absence

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained Ajit Agarkar’s absence from a key meeting and denied that his tenure extension was discussed.

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2 days ago

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September 3, 2026

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday addressed speculation surrounding chief selector Ajit Agarkar after he was absent from an important meeting involving India’s senior cricket leadership.

The meeting was attended by India captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, BCCI officials and Centre of Excellence director of cricket VVS Laxman. Agarkar, however, was not present either in person or virtually.

His absence led to speculation about his future as chairman of the men’s senior selection committee.

BCCI explains Agarkar’s absence

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice.

According to Saikia, Agarkar was in an area where he could not join the meeting online despite making efforts to do so.

Saikia’s clarification came amid reports and speculation over whether Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector could be extended.

No discussion on Agarkar’s extension

Asked whether the BCCI discussed extending Agarkar’s tenure during the meeting, Saikia said there was no such discussion.

He also rejected speculation about VVS Laxman being appointed as the BCCI’s director of cricket, saying the board had neither discussed such a move nor had any intention of doing so.

Agarkar’s tenure marked by key decisions

Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector has included several high-profile decisions involving India’s leadership and squad selection.

One notable decision was the backing of Suryakumar Yadav as a long-term T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya.

Another major call involved replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain. Both decisions attracted considerable attention and criticism, but Agarkar publicly defended the selection committee’s decisions.

For now, the BCCI has made it clear that Agarkar’s absence from Thursday’s meeting was due to logistical circumstances and that no discussion on extending his tenure took place during the meeting.

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Jasprit Bumrah returns as India name squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Jasprit Bumrah returns to India’s squad for the Afghanistan T20I series, while Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also make the cut.

Published

4 days ago

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September 1, 2026

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Jasprit Bumrah

India have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah making a return after an injury break.

Bumrah last represented India in an ODI against England on July 16, when he suffered a left-knee injury. His inclusion in the Afghanistan squad is subject to fitness clearance. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also part of the squad subject to fitness clearance.

The Afghanistan series will begin on September 13 in New Delhi and will be played ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. The second T20I is scheduled for September 15, followed by the third match on September 17.

Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi included

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has returned to the T20I squad, while teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also been included following his strong performances against Zimbabwe.

Sooryavanshi will be among the top-order options alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson and Ishan Kishan. Samson and Kishan are the two designated wicketkeepers in the squad.

Shreyas Iyer has been named captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Shivam Dube is also part of the middle order.

Bumrah to lead pace attack

Bumrah is set to spearhead the pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, with Harshit Rana providing another fast-bowling option.

The all-rounder group consists of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi form the spin options.

Hardik Pandya does not feature in the announced squad.

India squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*.

*Subject to fitness clearance.

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Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after 21 years with Argentina, ending a decorated career with the national team.

Published

4 days ago

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September 1, 2026

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Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his celebrated 21-year career with the Argentina national team.

The 39-year-old forward confirmed his decision after leading Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time, with Messi’s international career ending after another appearance in a World Cup final.

Messi made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to become the country’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer. He finished his international career with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

Messi’s Argentina career

Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team included several painful defeats before he eventually led the side to major international honours.

He won the Copa América in 2021 before guiding Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Argentina also won the 2024 Copa América during his later international career.

The 2026 World Cup became his sixth appearance at the tournament. Argentina reached the final but fell short against Spain.

In announcing his decision, Messi said the choice was painful but that he understood the time had come to close this chapter of his career. He also expressed his continued love for representing Argentina.

Messi’s international records

Messi leaves Argentina as its most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

His international honours include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. His international career also included Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008.

Messi’s decision applies to international football and does not mean he has retired from the sport altogether. He remains a player for Inter Miami at club level.

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