SportSutra

Top 10 Health & Fitness Apps for tailored training regime

Fitness is something that is an everyday process. You have to be disciplined to maintain a healthy physical state. However, in today’s fast-paced world, when the life is stuck in the 9-5 job, it’s hard to maintain a proper training schedule. But with technology, it’s easy to keep a track on fitness. Many apps offer tailored training regimes to suit individual needs. Here are top 10 Health & Fitness Apps for tailored training regime.

Also Read: Top Nutrition Myths That Hurt Athlete Performance

How to Choose the Right Fitness App?

Since there are numerous fitness apps available, it’s important to factor in your fitness goals. So, try to consider the following factors:

Fitness Goals: Have a clear picture about your fitness goals. Are you focusing on weight loss, muscle building, or mental well-being? Having a clear idea of your goals can help you identify the right app.
Budget: As Apps comes with special features, a lot of apps need subscription. So using an app depends on your budget and how much you are ready to pay for a subscription.
Equipment Access: Some apps comes with features that can be set up with your home or gym setup. So, choose app that meets your requirement.
Community and Motivation: Some apps offers features of building like-minded community, while some provide motivational quotes from time to time. Using these kinds of apps can keep you engaged.
Ease of Use: A simple, intuitive interface is essential for consistency.

1. MyFitnessPal

Overview:
MyFitnessPal is one of the best apps available for the fitness enthusiasts. This app helps with combining calorie tracking with fitness insights. Since this app boasts a vast food database, it’s a perfect platform for those seeking to balance diet and exercise.

Features:

Extensive food logging system with over 18 million food items to choose from.
Can track macronutrients and micronutrients.
This platform provides smooth integration with fitness trackers devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch.
Make personalized calorie goals based on your activity level and weight objectives – depending on whether you want to lose or gain weight.

Why MyFitnessPal Is Great?
The app has a user-friendly interface and offers features that can be customized. Whether you are looking to lose weight or are trying to customize your diet, it’s a perfect app for users of all levels.

2. Nike Training Club

Overview:
Nike Training Club offers a wide range of workouts designed by top professional trainers. From guidance on running patterns to improving cardio, this Nike Training Club app is loaded with features.

Features:

Offers on-demand workout videos for guidance and improvement.
This app has various training programs that can be tailored to your fitness goals.
Track progress effectively with detailed instructions.
Comes with free premium content that can be personalized for training experiences.

Why the Nike Training Club App Is Great:
The content on this app is of professional quality. If you are looking to level up your fitness goals, it’s a go-to app.

Also Read: Top Agility and Speed Drills for Indian Athletes

3. Cult.Fit:

Overview:

From offering group workouts to individual fitness sessions, Cult.fit is one of the most famous health and fitness apps amongst the urban population in India. This app also provides virtual workouts for those who prefer training at home. If you are a sports enthusiasts, Cult.Fit also offers sports sessions, like football zym training program, but the service depends on the location in which you are living.

Features:

Live and on-demand fitness classes for yoga, strength, cardio, and more.
Access to Cult.fit centers for offline classes.
Personalized meal plans with recipes.
Guided meditation sessions to promote mental wellness.
Health check-ups and consultations with experts.

Why It’s Great:
Cult.fit offers a seamless blend of online and offline experiences, making it a versatile choice for urban people seeking a well-tailored approach to fitness and wellness.

4. FitOn

Overview:
Combines unique social features with wide variety of exercises and diet plans. The app has plans for different fitness levels, including strength, cardio, yoga, and pilates.

Features:

Unlimited free workouts across various categories.
Celebrity trainer-led sessions.
Real-time progress tracking and leaderboards.
Options for personalized meal planning.

Why FitOn Is Great?
Provides guided fitness plans for individuals preferring to workout at gome.

5. Strava

Overview:
If you love running or outdoor activities such as cycling, Strava should be your go-to app. It focuses on tracking and analyzing physical activity with superb in-built features.

Features:

GPS tracking for running, cycling, and swimming.
Performance analysis tools.
Comes with features to compare your performance with others.

Why Strava is Great?
Strava is a perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts.

6. Centr

Overview:
Created by actor Chris Hemsworth, Centr offers a well-rounded approach to fitness. From personalized workouts, to diet plans and meditation, this app has everything for everyone.

Features:

Workouts designed by top professionals.
Funcationality to customize your meal plans.
Focus on on guided meditations.
Weekly updates to keep routines fresh.

Why Centr is Great?
Centr’s feature rich programs makes it ideal for those who want to find fitness, nutrition, and mental well-in a single app.

7. JEFIT

Overview:
JEFIT boasts a large database of exercise. It’s a perfect app for strength training and bodybuilding enthusiasts.

Features:

Extensive exercise library with video demonstrations.
Customizable workout plans.
Track your workouts.
Social features for workout motivation.

Why Jefit Is Great?
Its for more serious fitness enthusiasts as the app emphasis on structured weightlifting routines and analytics.

8. Headspace

Overview:
This app is primarily a meditation app. The Headspace is a proper mental health app that can help you improve focus and calm your mind.

Features:

Guided meditations and breathing exercises.
Sleep aids for recovery.
Movement sessions like yoga and stretching.
Progress tracking to measure mental health improvements.

Why Headspace is Great?
If you are looking for an overall well-being, Headspace can help complements physical training for a balanced fitness journey.

9. Peloton

Overview:
After making a name with its high-energy cycling classes, Peloton has now transformed into an all-fitness app that offers a variety of workouts, from running and strength training to yoga and meditation.

Features:

Live and on-demand classes led by expert instructors.
Ability to filter workouts by intensity, duration, and music preference.
Social leaderboard for friendly competition.

Why Peloton Is Great?
No need for any equipment. With Peloton, users can start training at the comfort of their home.

10. Freeletics

Overview:
Freeletics specializes in offering AI-driven personalized workout plans that also adapt to your progress. Users can also create their own plans, based on what they want to achieve when it comes to fitness.

Features:

AI-powered coach for tailored workout programs.
No equipment needed for most exercises.
Short, high-intensity workouts.
Community-driven challenges and inspiration.
Create your own diet plans.

Why Freeletics Is Great?
For fitness enthusiasts looking for a coach-like experience without gym equipment, Freeletics delivers efficiency and results.

Conclusion

Although fitness apps can help us improve our health, even this approach won’t give desired result in the absence of discipline. Maintaining a schedule is key to achieve the result. Also, it’s important to find the right app that caters to your need. So explore the app that match your goals and start your path to a healthier, fitter you today.

Top 10 Indian Athletes to Watch Out For in 2025

The year 2025 promises to be exciting for Indian sports and athletes. There is a host of talented athletes poised to etch their names in history books. Let’s look at the 10 Indian athletes who are primed to shine in 2025.

1. Lakshya Sen

Lakshya Sen emerged as India’s new superstar at the Paris Olympics 2024. The shuttler would look to enhance his reputation at upcoming events like the BWF World Tour Finals in China, World Badminton Championships in Paris India Open 2025, All England Open, Syed Modi International 2025 tournament, and more global events.

2. Manu Bhaker

Manu Bhaker is India’s athlete of the year 2024. Looking at the achievements and laurels of this sports legend in recent years, the two-medal winner is likely to win more accolades in 2025. She would have her eyes set on the World Rifle and Pistol Championships in Cairo later this year.

3. D Gukesh

The world chess champion and India’s pride D Gukesh has had a year to remember. The young chess prodigy has a packed schedule for 2025 and a chance to script history with more feathers in the cap.

4. Neeraj Chopra

India’s golden boy had a quiet and challenging 2024 season by his standards due to injury. In 2025, he would look to comeback stronger and regain peak performance. The javelin champ will have his eyes on the 2025 Tokyo World Championships to bag top honor on the world stage.

5. Swapnil Kusale

Swapnil Kusale bagged a bronze medal for India at the Paris Olympics. The shooter impressed sports fans with composure and precision and is now touted as the next big thing in the Indian shooting circuit.

6. Sarabjot Singh

Sarabjot Singh is another who proved his mettle on the biggest global stage, securing a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Fans have high hopes for the shooter in 2025.

7. Aman Sehrawat

Aman Sehrawat took the baton forward of India’s rich tradition of wrestling excellence at the Paris Olympics 2024 with a bronze medal. Sehrawat’s impressive performance has raised the hopes of enthusiasts and he has the potential to go up a notch in 2025.

8. Harmanpreet Singh

Harmanpreet Singh has established himself as one who would take Indian Hockey legacy forward. The 2024 year was incredible for the Indian Hockey team with a medal at the Paris Olympics. With him at the helm, Indian hockey fans are expecting bigger things in 2025 and in years to come.

Photo by Salman Ali/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Times

9. Praveen Kumar

Praveen Kumar, a para-athlete who won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and the Asian Para Games 2022 gold medalist, continues to thrive. With stronger performances year after year, Praveen is primed to shine in 2025.

10. Abhay Singh

Abhay Singh has made waves in the Indian Squash circuit over the years. He has won gold and bronze medals at the Asian Games and three gold medals at the Asian Championships. As of November 2024, he is ranked 51st in the world. 2025 could be Abhay’s breakthrough year.

Hoping for the best year yet for Indian Sports!

Sports Calendar 2025

Date	Event	Sport
December 28, 2024 – February 1, 2025	Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25	Hockey
January 12-26	Women’s Hockey India League 2024-25	Hockey
January 12-26	2025 Australian Open	Tennis
January 13-19	2025 Kho Kho World Cup	Kho Kho
January 14-19	India Open 2025, New Delhi	Badminton
January 18 – February 2	Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup	Cricket
February 7-14	2025 Asian Winter Games	Multi-sport
February 15 – June 29	FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Women)	Hockey
February 15 – June 22	FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Men)	Hockey
February 19 – March 9	2025 ICC Champions Trophy	Cricket
March 1-12	15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025	Hockey
March 10-11	World Athletics Relays, China	Athletics
March 11-16	All England Open	Badminton
March 14 – May 25	2025 Indian Premier League	Cricket
March 14-16	Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne	Motor Sport
March 16	English League Cup Final, London	Football
March 21-23	Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai	Motor Sport
April 4-6	Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka	Motor Sport
April 4-15	15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025	Hockey
April 7-13	2025 Masters Tournament	Golf
April 11-13	Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir	Motor Sport
April 18-20	Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah	Motor Sport
April 19 – May 5	World Snooker Championship	Snooker
April 27	London Marathon	Athletics
May 2-4	Miami Grand Prix – Miami	Motor Sport
May 15-18	PGA Championship, Charlotte, USA	Golf
May 16-18	Imola Grand Prix – Imola	Motor Sport
May 17-25	2025 World Table Tennis Championships	Table Tennis
May 21	Europa League Final, Bilbao, Spain	Football
May 23-25	Monaco Grand Prix – Monaco	Motor Sport
May 24	German Cup Final, Berlin	Football
May 24	French Cup Final, Paris	Football
May 24	Women’s Champions League Final, Lisbon	Football
May 25 – June 7	2025 French Open	Tennis
May 27-31	2025 Asian Athletics Championships	Athletics
May 28	Europa Conference League Final, Wroclaw	Football
May 30 – June 1	Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona	Motor Sport
May 31	Champions League Final, Munich	Football
June 4-8	UEFA Nations League Finals	Football
June 5-22	NBA Finals, United States	Basketball
June 12-15	US Open, Oakmont, Pennsylvania	Golf
June 13-15	Canada Grand Prix – Montreal	Motor Sport
June 14 – July 13	FIFA Club World Cup 2025	Football
June 14 – July 6	Concacaf Gold Cup	Football
June 27-29	Austrian Grand Prix – Spielberg	Motor Sport
June 30 – July 13	2025 Wimbledon Championships	Tennis
July 2-27	UEFA Women’s EURO	Football
July 4-6	British Grand Prix – Silverstone	Motor Sport
July 5-26	CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations	Football
July 5-29	FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025	Chess
July 11 – August 3	2025 World Aquatics Championships	Aquatics
July 12 – August 2	CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina	Football
July 17-20	The Open Championship, Portrush	Golf
July 25-27	Belgian Grand Prix – Spa	Motor Sport
August 1-3	Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest	Motor Sport
August 7-17	2025 World Games	Multi-sport
August 15 – September 15	Women’s World Cup, India	Cricket
August 25 – September 7	US Open	Tennis
August 25-31	World Badminton Championships, Paris	Badminton
August 27-28	Diamond League Final, Weltklasse	Athletics
August 29-31	Dutch Grand Prix – Zandvoort	Motor Sport
September 5-12	2025 World Archery Championships	Archery
September 5-7	Italian Grand Prix – Monza	Motor Sport
September 13-21	2025 World Athletics Championships	Athletics
September 13-21	2025 World Wrestling Championships	Wrestling
September 19-21	Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku	Motor Sport
September 25-28	Ryder Cup, New York, USA	Golf
September 27 – October 19	2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup	Football
October 1-10	World Weightlifting Championships, Forde, Norway	Weightlifting
October 3-5	Singapore Grand Prix – Singapore	Motor Sport
October 13-19	2025 BWF World Junior Championships	Badminton
October 17-19	US Grand Prix – Austin	Motor Sport
October 19-25	2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships	Gymnastics
October 24-26	Mexico Grand Prix – Mexico City	Motor Sport
November 6-16	World Rifle and Pistol Championships, Cairo	Shooting
November 7-9	Brazilian Grand Prix – São Paulo	Motor Sport
November 15-26	2025 Summer Deaflympics	Multi-sport
November 20-22	Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas	Motor Sport
November 25-30	Syed Modi International 2025, Lucknow	Badminton
November 28-30	Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail	Motor Sport
December 5-7	Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina	Motor Sport
December 10-14	BWF World Tour Finals, China	Badminton
December 21 – January 18, 2026	2025 Africa Cup of Nations	Football

IPL 2025: 7 Newcomers to watch out for

Indian Premier League is a dream for all cricketers growing up. IPL Trophy is inscribed with Sanskrit shloka, “yatra pratibha avsara prapnotihi” which translates to “where talent gets opportunity”. The tournament offers an opportunity for over 200 players in each edition to showcase their skills and talent. In the upcoming IPL 2025 edition, there are opportunities for a lot of exciting newcomers to play and show the world what they are built of.

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricket prodigy from Bihar, has created a massive buzz. Suryavanshi is the youngest player to have been picked for Indian Premier League. Born in Tajpur village on 27 March 2011, Vaibhav is blessed with enormous talent.

Vaibhav’s journey is another tale of hardships that is ultimately yielding fruits. The father of the budding cricket identified his potential early and sold his farm back home to support his passion for cricket.

The cricketer debuted in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy at the tender age of 12, scoring 400 runs in five matches. In January 2024, Vaibhav became the youngest Indian cricketer to make a first-class debut, playing for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy. At the time of FC debut, Vaibhav was just 12 years and 284 days old.

He grabbed eyeballs with a record-breaking 62-ball century in a youth Test against Australia. And, then came the IPL 2025 selection at just 13 when he was bagged by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.1 crore. After a few weeks, he proved his mettle again in the U-19 Asia Cup and India U-19 and is now being touted as a future star of Indian cricket.

2. Musheer Khan

Musheer Khan has made a name for himself in the last couple of years, coming out of the shadow of his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan. Musheer grew up honing batting skills at Azad Maidan under the guidance of his father, Naushad Khan, a former cricketer.

At the 2024 U19 World Cup, Musheer was one of the shining lights for India racking up 360 runs. Add to that, seven wickets with his left-arm spin in the tournament proved what a valuable player he could be.

He didn’t stop there! The exploits continued in first-class cricket as Musheer smashed a double century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarter-final against Baroda.

3. Allah Ghazanfar

Allah Ghazanfar is another budding mystery spin bowler from Afghanistan. Eighteen-year-old secured a ₹4.8 crore contract with the Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2025 season. The teenage spinner caught eyeballs during the 2024 U19 World Cup, where he bamboozled batsmen with a wide range of tricks. Later in 2024, Ghazanfar added to his reputation at the Emerging Asia Cup with the ability to trouble top-order batters over the course of the tournament. Now that one of the biggest IPL franchises Mumbai Indians is backing him, sure he is one to watch out for in the future.

4. Gurjapneet Singh

Gurjapneet Singh is a tall fast bowler who has been bagged by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping INR 2.2 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. The Punjab bowler moved to Chennai at 17 and was primed for success. During TNPL, he has been mentored by Ravichandran Ashwin and Yo Mahesh playing for Dindigul Dragons.

He has been a net bowler for CSK in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League. CSK management has put a trust in him this time for his ability to swing the ball consistently, both with the new and old ball.

5. Jacob Bethell

Jacob Bethell has already shown a glimpse of the cricketing talent he possesses in his short career with the England International side. Touted as the next white-ball star in England, Royal Challengers Bengaluru bagged 21-year-old Jacob Bethell for INR 2.6 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

Bethell was impressive at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup and added to his repertoire in the following years at various levels.

Besides being a batting powerhouse, Bethell gives value to his side with accurate left-arm spin bowling and is a livewire on the field. Now, he will share the dressing room with modern masters like Virat Kohli and it may unlock all his potential in the coming years.

6. Eshan Malinga

Eshan Malinga is one of the most talked about young players from Sri Lanka. For the skill and potential Malinga possesses, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) signed him for a significant sum.

ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 threw the Sri Lankan in the limelight. He continued to impress in the Lanka Premier League and Sri Lanka A program. We may get to see something special from the fast bowler who comes from the stable of Lasith Malinga.

7. Priyansh Arya

Priyansh Arya exploits in the inaugural Delhi Premier League earlier this year put him in the spotlight. Priyash sent social media into a frenzy by hitting six consecutive sixes in an over during his 120-run innings for South Delhi Superstarz. A few months later, the 23-year-old all-rounder was acquired by Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs 3.80 Crore.

Arya made sure to back DPL performances with a successful Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign where he emerged as Delhi’s top run-scorer.

For sure, the upcoming Indian Premier League is poised to be a spectacle of cricketing skill and talent. Looking forward to these exciting young talents to burst onto the stage and showcase their potential.

India vs Australia 5th Test Match Prediction, Possible Playing XI, Stats and Records

India and Australia will lock horns one last time in the thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in the fifth test match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the series lead 2-1 in favor of the hosts, there is still a lot to play for in the match.

India cricket team was handed a crushing 184-run defeat in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They must regroup to draw the series 2-2 level and retain the BGT trophy. Moreover, the match result holds immense significance for India’s likelihood of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

India vs Australia 5th Test Match Details

Date: 3 January 2024

Start Time: Starts at 5:00 AM IST; Toss at 4:30 AM IST

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

TV Broadcaster in India: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming in India: Disney+ Hotstar

India at the SCG

India’s test record at the SCG is not great, but the tourists can draw inspiration from some inspired past performances. In 13 Tests played at the SCG, India has only a solitary win to show. The only win for Team India at this venue came in 1978.

India’s SCG Record

Matches	13
Wins	1
Losses	5
Draws	7
Highest Total	705/7 declared (2004)
Lowest Total	150 all out (2000)

Player Stats

Highest Individual Score	Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* in 2004
Most Runs (Overall)	Sachin Tendulkar – 785 runs in 9 innings
Most Runs (Current Player)	Rishabh Pant – 292 runs in 3 innings
Best Bowling Innings	Anil Kumble – 8/141 in 2004
Best Bowling Match	Anil Kumble – 12/279 in 2004

India Recent Results at the SCG

Team	Result	Margin of Result	Start Date
India	draw	–	7 Jan 2021
India	draw	–	3 Jan 2019
India	draw	–	6 Jan 2015
India	lost	inns & 68 runs	3 Jan 2012
India	lost	122 runs	2 Jan 2008

Australia at the SCG

Australia enjoys an exceptional record at the Sydeny Cricket Ground (SCG) in test cricket. In 112 matches played at the iconic ground, the Aussie have won 67, lost 32, and drawn 17.

Australia’s SCG Record

Matches	112
Won	61
Lost	28
Drawn	23
Won Batting First	28
Won Batting Second	33
Highest Total	659/4 Declared vs India in 2012
Lowest Total	42 All Out vs England in 1888

Player Stats

Category	Record Holder	Score/Wickets
Highest Individual Score	Michael Clarke	329*
Most Runs (Overall)	Ricky Ponting	1480 runs
Most Runs (Current)	Steve Smith	1059 runs
Most Wickets (Overall)	Shane Warne	64 wickets
Most Wickets (Current)	Nathan Lyon	48 wickets

Australia Recent Results at the SCG

Year	Match	Result
2024	Australia vs Pakistan	AUS won by 8 wickets
2023	Australia vs South Africa	Match drawn
2023	Australia vs England	Match drawn
2021	Australia vs India	Match drawn
2020	Australia vs New Zealand	AUS won by 279 runs

India’s Probable XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal: India’s leading run-scorer this series with 359 runs at an average of 51.
Rohit Sharma (C): Rohit Sharma has struggled for form but will keep his place at the top of the batting order.
KL Rahul: KL Rahul has had a successful stint at the top of the batting order but he will continue to bat No. 3.
Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli has scored a hundred in the series and would look to add another in this IND vs AUS test.
Rishabh Pant (wk): Rishabh Pant has memorable performances at this venue – 159* in 2019 and 97 in 2021.
Ravindra Jadeja: The experienced all-rounder is likely to keep his place in the side despite modest performances in the BGT series so far.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Nitish has been a consistent performer with the bat lower down the order and would be brimming with confidence heading into the Sydney test.
Washington Sundar: Washington Sundar has shown value with both bat and ball.
Akash Deep: Akash Deep can play as the third seamer for Team India.
Jasprit Bumrah: With 30 wickets at an average of 12.83 in the bag, Jasprit Bumrah would look to another match-winning performance here.
Mohammed Siraj: Siraj has had a mixed bag on the tour so far but with limited options, he will be India’s second seam bowler.

Australia’s Probable XI

Sam Konstas: The youngster impressed everyone with his fearless approach on debut and is one to watch out for here.
Usman Khawaja: Usman Khawaja has had an average series but he would look to draw confidence from a stellar record at this venue.
Marnus Labuschagne: Marnus Labuschagne looked in good touch in the last match and would look to build on the recent return in form.
Steve Smith: Steve Smith the in-form Aussie batsman and would look to cash in at his home ground.
Travis Head: India’s nemesis in recent years, Head is the leading run-scorer in the BGT 2024-25 series with 443 runs at a batting average of 58.
Mitchell Marsh: Mitchell Marsh has not had the best of series but would keep his place in the side for the balance he provides to the XI.
Alex Carey (wk): Alex Carey has been reliable with the gloves and has put in some vital performances.
Pat Cummins (C): Pat Cummins has led from the front, contributing with both ball and lower down the batting order.
Mitchell Starc/Jhye Richardson: There is a question mark over Mitchell Starc’s fitness and if deemed unfit, Jhye Richardson or Sean Abbott is likely to come in.
Nathan Lyon: Nathan Lyon is Australia’s most successful bowler at the SCG and would look to exploit bowling conditions.
Scott Boland: Scott Boland has not let Aussie miss Josh Hazlewood and remains as big a threat for the tourists.

How Can India Qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

India’s road to the World Test Championship (WTC) final is still open. For India to secure their place in the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s, the team must secure a win in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. At the same time, India would root for Sri Lanka to defeat Australia in their upcoming series so that Australia drops WTC points for India to move up the WTC points table.

The stage is set for the high-stakes encounter! With pride to salvage and a spot in the WTC final to secure, expect a hard-fought battle between the two evenly matched teams at the SCG.

Is Sports Betting Legal in India?

Sports betting might be a new phenomenon in India, but it has been part of the sports culture in countries such as the USA, North America and the Europe. In USA, the betting culture is so engrained that the leagues like the NFL, MLB and the NBA, and the big-name players partners with betting organizations. It’s more or less the same in England the rest of Europe. However, in India, the question of its legality remains a topic of heated debate. That being said, sports betting has found a substantial audience in the country. But is the betting legal in India?

Also read: India’s Top 10 Sports Trends in 2024

Understanding Indian Betting Laws

If we compare Indian betting laws with other countries, they feel outdated, with different rules and regulations in some states. India’s betting organizations adheres to the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Violation of this law carries a penalty of a ₹200 fine or imprisonment for up to three months. But this law prohibits only the operation of public gambling houses or betting in establishments. It does not explicitly address online gambling or betting practices, which we see in the Indian market. In fact, most betting companies/organizations are operating under an umbrella of offering skill-based games. This has become a hot topic in the media that if the Indian government needs to take a relook at the policies around betting.

Difference Between Skill-Based Game and Chance

We are seeing a trend amongst companies who can be considered borderline betting organizations that they are offering skill-based games. One could argue that the games these companies offer are somewhat betting, but this is how they market their products – as a skill-based game. By doing this, Indian companies have found a way around the laws which clearly states that betting on games of skill is not considered gambling and is therefore legal. For example, rummy and fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 have been classified as games of skill.

On the other hand, betting on sports like predicting the outcome in a game of sports, such as cricket, or guessing what might happen in a match, let’s say in an over, is widely perceived as a game of chance, making it illegal under most state laws. But this is all about interpretation and it varies depending on the jurisdiction in a specific state.

Also Read: The Growth of Esports: Career Opportunities in the Gaming World

State-Specific Regulations on Sports Betting

India’s betting laws allows every state to regulate gambling within their territories. This is the reason why the rules around betting and skill-based games are different in most states. Though betting in India is not legal, skill-based gaming is, still, some states have banned the skill-based gaming altogether.

Sikkim: The state of Sikkim has its own rules and regulations around betting and skill-based games. The state even issues licenses for online sports betting platforms that are within the state.
Nagaland: Nagaland allows games based on online skill games but prohibits gambling.
Goa and Daman: Goa and Daman are amongst the few states who allow certain forms of gambling, such as casino gaming. However, sports betting remains largely unregulated.
Maharashtra: Maharashtra adheres to the law under the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887, which makes sports betting illegal in the state.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana made changes to their rules and regulations around betting, including skill games and online games.
Tamil Nadu: In April 2023, the government of Tamil Nadu introduced the TN Act. With this rule, the government implemented the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 to ban online gambling and real-money online games of chance in the state of Tamil Nadu.

How International Sports Betting Companies work in India?

There’s no argument that the demand for betting in India is huge. But the rules around gambling has complicated the legal landscape around gambling in India. Though Public Gambling Act of 1867 does not explicitly address online betting, betting platforms such as Betway, 1xBet, and Bet365 attract significant Indian participation. Since there’s no direct route for these international betting companies to work in India, they work under a blanket, a kind of an umbrella where there’s no check to keep a tab on the betting activities. With no system to measure the activities, it results in significant loss in the revenue for Indian government.

Benefits of making betting legal in India

There are benefits of making betting legal in India.

Better Revenue Generation: Legalizing betting can create a better stream of revenue for Indian government. Since people somehow manages to play online with International betting companies like Bet365, a lot of money goes into the black market. But regulated betting can contribute significantly to the economy.
Transparency: With betting being legal, it can help in transparency and fairness, as rules can protect consumers from fraud and exploitation.
Curbing Illegal Activities: As betting become legal, it reduces illegal betting activities. Rules can also stop money laundering and other betting related crimes.
More Job Creation: A legalized betting industry creates employment opportunities in various sectors, including technology, customer service, and operations.

Why betting is still not legal in India?

Social Concerns: The biggest reason why betting is still not legal in India is the general perception. for ages, gambling has been seen as something that becomes addiction, which can result in financial ruin for individuals and families.
Ethical View: Many argue that gambling is immoral as it can form into an addiction. It is believed that people with gambling addiction can, at times, take drastic measures to indulge in betting. Also, gambling goes against the sanctity of sports.
Challenges: Implementing betting laws in a country as vast as India with so much diversity poses significant challenges. Another big challenge is that many states government are from different political party than the central government.

Also Read: Revenue models in professional sports league in India

How other countries regulate Betting?

United Kingdom: The UK Gambling Commission oversees all forms of gambling. Since betting is legal, it ensures fair practices and consumer protection.
United States: The United States of America lifted the ban on sports wagering in 2018. With the rule effectively in place, it helps government in keeping a tab on the money floating in the market. It also creates space for a thriving legal betting industry.
Australia: Online betting is legal in Australia, but licensing rules are different in various states.
Canada: In August 2021, Canadian government made changes to rules around betting and gambling in the country. With the introduction of bill C-218, users can participate in single-game sports betting.

Conclusion

The legality of sports betting in India remains a complex issue. While old laws like the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibit gambling, they fail to address the realities of modern online betting. There’s a big demand for betting and there’ a supply as well, albeit companies work under the blanket.

Legalizing sports betting could offer numerous benefits to Indian government, including revenue generation, more regulation and reduced criminal activities. Time has come for India to make the necessary changes to its laws.

Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World

Sport is turning out to be one of the most lucrative professions worldwide. Year after year we see record-breaking earnings as athletes across various disciplines reach new financial heights. Here’s a sneak peek into the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2024.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024

Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2024, including their total earnings, on-field earnings, and off-field earnings

	Athlete	Sport	Total Earnings in INR	On-Field Earnings (INR)	Off-Field Earnings (INR)
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Soccer	₹2081 Crore	₹16,00,00,000	₹4,81,00,000
2	Jon Rahm	Golf	₹1712 Crore	₹15,84,00,000	₹1,60,00,000
3	Lionel Messi	Soccer	₹1074 Crore	₹4,60,00,000	₹5,60,00,000
4	LeBron James	Basketball	₹990 Crore	₹3,86,00,000	₹6,40,00,000
5	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Basketball	₹873 Crore	₹3,68,00,000	₹4,60,00,000
6	Kylian Mbappé	Soccer	₹881 Crore	₹7,20,00,000	₹1,60,00,000
7	Neymar	Soccer	₹864 Crore	₹5,60,00,000	₹2,20,00,000
8	Karim Benzema	Soccer	₹864 Crore	₹7,20,00,000	₹40,00,000
9	Stephen Curry	Basketball	₹797 Crore	₹3,86,00,000	₹3,60,00,000
10	Lamar Jackson	American Football	₹790 Crore	₹7,88,00,000	₹1,60,00,000

The above figures are approximate conversions from USD to INR

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be at the top of the highest-paid athletes list in 2024. The Portuguese footballer has a total earning of approximately ₹2081 crore INR. CR7’s on-field earnings from his contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia amounts to ₹16 billion. Off the field, the Sports Legend Ronaldo earns an additional ₹4.81 billion from brand endorsements and personal ventures.

Jon Rahm

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has exponentially increased his earnings to catapult to #2 on this list this year. The total earnings of the golfer stand at ₹1712 Crore. His on-field earnings stand at ₹15.84 billion, primarily from his performance in the LIV Golf Tour. Other off-field activities and endorsements contribute ₹1.6 billion to his income.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is arguably the most popular footballer of all time. The Argentine ranks third in the list with total earnings of ₹1074 crore INR. For his contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi earns ₹4.6 billion. From endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Apple, the football wizard adds another ₹5.6 billion to his income.

LeBron James

NBA superstar LeBron James stands fourth in this list of highest paid athletes worldwide. The basketball star earns ₹990 Crore with his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers contributing ₹3.86 billion. James’ business ventures and endorsements add another ₹6.4 billion to his total income.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo is fifth on the list with total earnings of ₹873 Crore. His on-field contract with the Milwaukee Bucks gives him ₹3.68 billion while brand endorsements like Nike and WhatsApp add another ₹4.6 billion to his total income and earnings.

Kylian Mbappé

The FIFA World Cup-winning French superstar Kylian Mbappé ranks sixth in this tally. The striker has total earnings of around ₹881 crore in which his on-field earnings from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contribute ₹7.2 billion. From the brand endorsements and off-field activities, Mbappé makes another ₹1.6 billion to add to his income.

Neymar Jr

The Brazilian football sensation, Neymar Jr ranks seventh with total earnings of ₹864 crore. PSG contract gives Neymar ₹5.6 billion while endorsements add another ₹2.2 billion to Nemar Jr’s income and earnings.

Karim Benzema

French footballer and forward Karim Benzema is in the eighth position in this list with a total earnings of ₹864 crore. From Saudi Pro League stint at Al-Ittihad fetches Benzema ₹7.2 billion while brand endorsements contribute ₹400 million.

Stephen Curry

NBA star Stephen Curry stands ninth with total earnings of ₹797 crore wherein his contract with the Golden State Warriors gives him ₹386 billion. The lucrative endorsement deals add ₹360 million to Stephen Curry’s income and earnings.

Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson is one of the highest paid American Football players. The star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens has a total income and earnings of ₹790 Crore. His Baltimore Ravens’ contract earns him ₹7.88 billion while endorsement deals get him an additional ₹160 million.

India’s Top 10 Sports Trends in 2024

2024 was an incredible year for Indian sports and athletes. The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, lifted the T20 World Cup to reignite the nation’s cricketing passion. At the Paris Olympics, India shone brighter than ever, achieving its best medal tally. D Gukesh etched his name in history becoming 18th World Chess Champion 18th and the youngest ever.

From cricket to the Olympics, Indian athletes inspired fans with their unmatched feats and accomplishments. Here’s a look back at some of the historic wins and unforgettable moments as we look at the top 10 sports trends in 2024 to celebrate the spirit of Indian sports.

1. Indian Premier League

The brand of the Indian Premier League is growing by leaps and bounds and has once again emerged as the top sports trend in India. Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third title in the 2024 IPL edition defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by 8 wickets. KKR’s all-rounder Sunil Narine bagged the Most Valuable Player award, run machine Virat Kohli scored a staggering 741 runs to win the Orange Cap award and Harshal Patel – 24 scalps for Punjab Kings – was the Purple Cap award winner. Nitish Kumar Reddy won the Emerging Player of the Year award for his breakthrough performances.

2. T20 World Cup

India was grappled with cricket fever in 2024. The country waited long for their second T20 world cup trophy, and also an 11-year wait since the 2013 Champions Trophy where India clinched their last ICC title. Captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front and Player of the Tournament winner Jasprit Bumrah put on memorable performances to etch their names as sports legends to look up to for ages.

3. Olympics 2024

India’s campaign at the Olympics 2024 was a success as the contingent brought home six medals from the event in Paris. 22-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker stole the spotlight becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympics event. Sarabjot Singh, Indian Men’s Hockey Team, Neeraj Chopra, Swapnil Kusale, and Aman Sehrawat were the other medal winners.

4. Pro Kabaddi League

The stature of the Pro Kabaddi League is growing each year. The highly engrossing sport of Indian origin entertained fans again with spectacular non-stop action. Haryana Steelers won their first PKL trophy in Season 11 trophy with a resounding 32-23 win over Patna Pirates. Mohammadreza Shadloui (Haryana Steelers) was awarded Most Valuable Player Best Raider was Devank Dalal (Patna Pirates) and Best Defender in Pro Kabaddi 2024 award went to Nitesh Kumar (Tamil Thalaivas). Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates) won the New Young Player of the Year while the Super Coach award went to charismatic Manpreet Singh (Haryana Steelers).

5. Indian Super League

In a cricket-crazy nation, football is not too far behind. The popularity of the Indian Super League proves it! It was another year where India’s premier football league enthralled football fanatics with performances to remember.

6. Women’s Premier League

The second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) created a buzz among fans. More so because Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won their first-ever IPL trophy across men’s and women’s tournaments. RCB Women beat Delhi Capitals in the final of the 2024 WPL.

7. Copa América

Copa América was another trend that established football as incredibly popular in India. In the final, Argentina defeat Colombia 1-0 to secure their record-breaking 16th title. The Copa America trophy solidified Argentina’s legacy as a football powerhouse as they won third successive major tournament win, after 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

8. Duleep Trophy

The 2024 edition of the Duleep Trophy was a star-studded affair as a lot of regular Indian players graced the tournament, and the excitement for the first-class cricket tournament went sky-high. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were some of the notable names to play in the tournament this year.

9. The UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA Champions League final is one of the most-watched sports events in the world. The UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on 1 June 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London lived up to the hype. Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory in the final, to extend their trophy tally to 15 titles.

10. Under-19 Cricket World Cup

Indian cricket fans look up the Under-19 Cricket World Cup as the stepping stone for top-flight cricket. The reason is simple: the tournament has unearthed some of the biggest cricket superstars like Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh. It was a major heartbreak for India Colts in the finals as Australia defeated India in the final by 79 runs to win their fourth Under-19 Cricket World Cup title.

However, there were a lot of exciting young talents on display in the 2024 edition from across the globe that the fans would keep an eye on. Musheer Khan, Saumy Pandey, Uday Saharan, and Sachin Dhas were some of the notable performers from the Indian contingent.

As 2024 comes to a close, sports fans can look back on a year filled with great performances and memorable sporting events. Here’s looking forward to another great year in sports.

Pro Kabaddi 2024 Best Raider, Best Defender, Awards, Prize Money & Winner List

The Haryana Steelers won the Pro Kabaddi 2024 (PKL Season 11) trophy with an emphatic 32-23 victory over the Patna Pirates. The best team of the tournament, Steelers prevailed in the high-octane PKL final to win their first Pro Kabaddi title with a final score of 32-23.

Top Performers in the PKL final 2024 for Haryana Steelers Best Raider – Vinay (6 raid points) Best Defenders – Shivam Patare and Mohammadreza Shadloui (5 tackle points each), Patna Pirates Best Raider – Devank (5 raid points) Best Defender – Gurdeep (6 tackle points).

Most Valuable Player of the Season was awarded to Mohammadreza Shadloui for his tremendous all-round performance. The charismatic coach Manpreet Singh won Coach of the Season for his strategic brilliance and fantastic team management.

Pro Kabaddi 2024 Award Winners

Raid of Season 11: Manjeet (Telugu Titans)

Tackle of Season 11: Ankit (Patna Pirates)

Best Raider of Season 11: Devank Dalal (Patna Pirates)

Best Defender of Season 11: Nitesh Kumar (Tamil Thalaivas)

New Young Player of Season 11: Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates)

Most Valuable Player of Season 11: Mohammadreza Shadloui (Haryana Steelers)

Super Coach of Season 11: Manpreet Singh (Haryana Steelers)

Check Sports Legends who continue to inspire generations.

Complete PKL Winner List

Season	Winner	Captain	Final Match Result	Runner-Up	Captain
1	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Navneet Gautam	35–24	U Mumba	Anup Kumar
2	U Mumba	Anup Kumar	36–30	Bengaluru Bulls	Manjit Chillar
3	Patna Pirates	Manpreet Singh	31–28	U Mumba	Anup Kumar
4	Patna Pirates	Dharmaraj Cheralathan	37–29	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Jasvir Singh
5	Patna Pirates	Pardeep Narwal	55–38	Gujarat Fortune Giants	Fazel Atrachali
6	Bengaluru Bulls	Rohit Kumar	38–33	Gujarat Fortune Giants	Sunil Kumar
7	Bengal Warriors	Maninder Singh	39–34	Dabang Delhi	Joginder Narwal
8	Dabang Delhi	Joginder Narwal	37–36	Patna Pirates	Prashanth Kumar Rai
9	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Sunil Kumar	33–29	Puneri Paltan	Fazel Atrachali
10	Puneri Paltan	Aslam Inamdar	28–25	Haryana Steelers	Jaideep Dahiya
11	Haryana Steelers	Jaideep Dahiya	32-23	Patna Pirates	Ankit Jaglan

Top Raiders of PKL 2024 Season

Patna Pirates’ Devank Dalal took home the Best Raider award with an impressive haul of 301 raid points in 25 matches of PKL Season 11. Ashu Malik and Arjun Deshwal were among the other raiders who recorded 200+ raid points.

	Player	Team	Raid points	Matches
1	Devank Dalal	Patna Pirates	301	25
2	Ashu Malik	Dabang Delhi	262	23
3	Arjun Deshwal	Jaipur Pink Panthers	227	23
4	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	U Mumba	185	23
5	Ayan Lohchab	Patna Pirates	184	25
6	Vijay Malik	Telugu Titans	172	22
7	Vinay	Haryana Steelers	164	24
8	Guman Singh	Gujarat Giants	159	22
9	Shivam Anil Patare	Haryana Steelers	158	24
10	Bhavani Rajput	UP Yoddhas	151	22

Most Super 10 in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	Super 10s
1	Ashu Malik	23	18
1	Devank	25	18
3	Arjun Deshwal	23	10
4	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	23	9
5	Pawan Kumar Sehrawat	13	8
5	Bhavani Rajput	22	8
7	Vijay Malik	22	7
7	Gagan Raju Gowda	18	7
7	Ayan Lohchab	25	7
10	Shivam Anil Patare	24	6

Most Super Raids in PKL 2024

	Player	Team	Matches	Super Raids
1	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	Left Raider	23	9
2	Devank	Raider	25	8
2	Ashu Malik	Right Raider	23	8
4	Gagan Raju Gowda	Right Raider	18	7
5	Ashish Kaptan Narwal	Raider	22	5
5	Pardeep Narwal	Left Raider	20	5
5	Pawan Kumar Sehrawat	Raider	13	5
5	Pankaj Deepak Mohite	Raider	22	5
9	Guman Singh	Raider	22	4
9	Vinay	Raider	24	4

Who is the most successful raider in Pro Kabaddi League history?

Pardeep Narwal is the most successful raider in Pro Kabaddi League history, with over 1700 raid points in the bag.

Top defender of the PKL 2024 season

Haryana Steelers’ Mohammadreza Shadloui has been the best defender in the Pro Kabaddi League for the last couple of seasons now. The Iranian bagged the top defender of the PKL 2024 season award with 82 tackle points in 24 matches. Patna Pirates’ Ankit Jaglan finished second in the tally with 79 tackle points in 25 games against his name.

	Player	Team	Tackle points	Matches
1	Mohammadreza Shadloui	Haryana Steelers	82	24
2	Ankit Jaglan	Patna Pirates	79	25
3	Nitesh Kumar	Tamil Thalaivas	77	22
4	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	Dabang Delhi	75	22
5	Nitin Rawal	Bengaluru Bulls	74	22
5	Hitesh	UP Yoddhas	74	23
7	Rahul Sethpal	Haryana Steelers	73	24
8	Sumit Sangwan	UP Yoddhas	72	23
9	Ankush Rathee	Jaipur Pink Panthers	68	23
10	Deepak Singh	Patna Pirates	64	25

Most High 5s in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	High 5s
1	Nitesh Kumar	22	8
2	Hitesh	23	7
3	Gaurav Khatri	21	6
4	Aman Mukesh	16	5
5	Jitender Yadav	19	5
6	Nitesh Kumar	21	5
7	Nitin Rawal	22	5
7	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	22	5
9	Mohammadreza Shadloui	24	5
10	Sombir Goswami	17	4

Most Super Tackles in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	Super Tackles
1	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	22	10
2	Hitesh	23	9
3	Ankit Jaglan	25	8
3	Fazel Atrachali	19	8
3	Sunil Kumar	23	8
3	Nitin Rawal	22	8
7	Sumit Sangwan	23	7
7	Rahul Sethpal	24	7
7	Jitender Yadav	19	7
7	Arul Nandha Babu Velusamy	17	7

Who is the most successful defender in Pro Kabaddi League history?

Iran’s Fazel Atrachali is the most successful defender in Pro Kabaddi League history with over 500 tackle points. He is the only player to have reached the milestone of 500.

What is the Pro Kabaddi League Prize Money breakup?

The champions of Pro Kabaddi League 2024 Season, Haryana Steelers were awarded with the prize money of INR 3 crore. The runners-up, Patna Pirates were awarded prize money of INR 1.8 Crore.

India vs Australia 4th Test Match Report: Analysis, Reactions, Key Performances

What a game of Test cricket India vs Australia 4th Test at MCG turned out to be! In the end, it was Australia delivering a thrilling win and seizing the final day to clinch the match. After the fourth test of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25, the hosts AUS take a 2-1 lead in the series.

On the fifth and final day, cricket fans were glued to their seats as India battled out of their skins to save the match. However, Indian resistance fell apart after the team as they lost seven wickets for just 34 runs to concede the test match.

Melbourne Test was a great advertisement for test cricket as it produced a rollercoaster matchup between the two evenly matched sides, with both battling fiercely over five days.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be on the line in the fifth test match of the series at Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on 3 January 2025. Australia has not won a Test series against India in a decade, and they would fancy their chances with winning momentum on their side. With everything to play for both sides, expect a thriller finale to the BGT.

Brief scorecard of IND vs AUS 4th Test, India’s tour of Australia 2024-25

AUS 474 (Steven Smith 140, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99) & 234 (Marnus Labuschange 70, Jasprit Bumrah 5/57)

IND 369 (Nitish Reddy 114, Scott Boland 3/57) & 155 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 84, Pat Cummins 3/28)

Match result – Australia won by 184 runs

Top 5 performances in AUS vs IND 4th Test at MCG

Pat Cummins: What an inspired performance from the Aussie captain, with both bat and bowl! Pat Cummins led from the front with 6 wickets in the match and handy batting exploits (49 & 41).
Steve Smith: One of the best test batsmen of this generation, Steven Smith set the game up for the hosts with a swashbuckling 140 in the first innings. It was his efforts that helped Australia dismantle the Indian spirit posting a mammoth 474.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian fast bowler is built differently. Match after match in BGT 2024-25, Jasprit Bumrah has produced fantastic performances. His nine-wicket haul in the match (4/99 & 5/57) will go down as one of the best performances by touring fast bowlers in Australia. With three 5-fers, Jasprit Bumrah now has 30 wickets in the series so far (second best is 20).
Nitish Reddy: Nitish Reddy has emerged as the find of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 for the Indian National Cricket Team. He backed his performances so far in the series with a maiden test hundred that will be remembered for ages.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Indian opening batsman, Yashasvi Jaiswal had the most run aggregate in the match (82 & 84). He is now second on the most runs in the BGT 2024-25 tally, with 359 runs at a batting average of 51.29.

India vs Australia 4th Test Post Match Reactions

Pat Cummins (Australia captain and Player of the Match): What an amazing Test match, one of the best to be part of, the crowd has been ridiculous and cricket has been just as good, pretty happy change room at the moment, pretty happy to contribute. Marnus helped me out in the second innings big time, never really know what you going to get with our batting, fortunately it came off in this game. Happy to contribute, amazing innings from Smith to hold the first innings together. Getting more than 400 in the first innings set the game for us. You always think anything can happen. We bowled well in the first session to have them 3/30. They batted well in the middle session. We knew that we had to get one breakthrough and anything can happen and that proved to be the case. We had plenty of runs to play with, we had plenty of fielders with the helmet around. We talk about a lot about us as a lower order, we put a lot of work into it. We know it can be the difference in a lot of Test matches and we work on ourselves a lot, to try and contribute a few more runs. (On whose idea was to give Head a bowl right after Tea) I give the coach the credit for that one, we were also behind on the over-rate so we thought let’s get Travis in there and he might get a breakthrough. (On Smith’s knock in the first innings) Amazing, it wasn’t an easy wicket, he showed how to bat on it. He got an opportunity and he pounced and really upped the ante with the tailenders. He also took some catches which often go unnoticed. We are really happy with the way we played, we will savour this one before we head on to Sydney.

Rohit Sharma (India captain): Pretty disappointing. Not that we went with the intent of not putting up a fight, we wanted to fight till the end but unfortunately couldn’t do it. It will be tough to assess just the last session. We have to look at the overall Test match, we had our opportunities, we had our chances, but we didn’t take them and we let Australia come back into the game when we had them 90/6. I know things can get difficult but that is what we are here for, we wanted to be in tough situations and play hard cricket, I just don’t want to look at one incident in the game. I went back to my room and thought about it, what else we could have done as a team but we tried everything we could, we threw everything we had but they fought hard with the last wicket partnership, we had our chances and we didn’t grab them, probably cost us the game little bit there. We know 340 wasn’t going to be easy for us. We tried everything we could, if we have wickets in the final two sessions then we could go for the target, but they bowled really well. We wanted to set the platform but that didn’t happen. There are ways to win games and we are falling short. He (Nitish Reddy) is coming here for the first time, these conditions can get tough but he has shown lot of character and fight, showed solid technique as well. He has bright future ahead of him and he has all the skills to be successful. We know the quality of him, we have been watching him for a number of years now, coming here and getting the job done for the team, he is not a statistical person, wants to just come out there and play for the country, that is what he has been doing on this tour, unfortunately he needs little more support from the other side as well. The way he has managed himself is outstanding.

Can India qualify for World Test Championship final?

Yes, India can still qualify for the World Test Championship final. However, the equation is a lot tougher after the defeat in AUS vs IND 4th test. To qualify for the WTC final 2025, India must win the fifth test of BGT 2025 at Sydney. In the event of a loss or draw in Sydney, their WTC hopes will finish. Moreover, they would root for Sri Lanka to beat Australia at least 1-0 to keep their WTC final hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Australia’s strengthened their case to play the World Test Championship final 2025 at Lord’s. With South Africa already securing their spot, there is only one spot vacant for either India or Australia to grab.

Top Indian Universities Offering Sports Scholarships

If you are an athlete pursuing a career in sport, the best possible scenario is to get into a college that offers sports scholarship. Considering career in sports is very short comparing to traditional career, pursuing higher education and earning a degree from a top university can open better avenues post the sports career. Luckily, there are several top Indian universities that offers sports scholarships to athletes.

Benefits Of Sports Scholarship Programs:

Encourages sports amongst aspiring athletes, also encouraging them to pursue sports as a viable career option.
Providing the necessary tools for the overall development of athlete.
Allows the student-athlete to focus on sports, giving them room to grow their sports skills.

Also Read: Balancing Academics And Sports: A Guide For Young Athletes

Top Indian Universities Offering Sports Scholarships

1. University of Delhi (DU)

Delhi University is amongst the best educational institutions in India. Students from all around the world enroll for the various programs that the university offers. Other than quality education, the university also offers sports scholarships to students who have demonstrated exceptional talent in various sports. Amongst many benefits, the university provides financial assistance, hostel accommodations, and access to training facilities. Scholarships are awarded based on performance in sports trials and past achievements.

Scholarship Criteria: Only those students are eligible for scholarships who represent Delhi University in inter-university sports tournaments.
Financial Support: University also offer financial support of up to INR 2000 per month.

Also Read: Sports Legends: Icons Who Shaped the World of Sports

2. University of Mumbai

Several colleges in Mumbai offers sports scholarship to deserved students athletes. Colleges affiliated to Mumbai University offer scholarship through sports quota. All students need is to take trails and pass them in order to get benefits under the sports scholarship. It includes financial assistance and access to sports facilities.

Scholarship Criteria: Only those students who pass the trail and meet the minimum criteria can get the sports scholarship.
Financial Support: Financial Support: University also offer financial support to deserved athletes.

3. SRM University, Tamil Nadu

SRM University is ranked amongst the very best in India. The university boasts a foreign faculty, as well as a flexible curriculum that caters to the demand of students. SRM university has gained reputation for exceptional academics, world-class facilities, and a lively campus life.

Scholarship Criteria: SRM university holds trials for students seeking admission under sports quota. Student athletes must register through the online registration form.
Financial Support: Students may also get financial support.

4. Netaji Subhas National Institute Of Sports

Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) is the largest sports institute located in the city of Patiala, Punjab. NSNIS is amongst the finest institution in India which promote sports among students, awarding scholarship to students under its sports quota program.

Scholarship Criteria: Selection in NSNIS is based on performance and merit. Students seeking admission must have to go through a selection process to obtain sports scholarship.
Financial Support: No college fee, free accommodation.

5. Amity University, Noida

Amity University is amongst India’s top-class education institution. Not only it provides world-class academic curriculum for students but the university also offer scholarships for talented athletes.

Scholarship Criteria: Selection is done on the basis sports achievement. Student-athletes must be in possession of a sports certificate, highlighting their participation.
Financial Support: 100% scholarship for students playing at the international level. 50% scholarship for students for winning a medal and 25% for playing at the national level.

6. Panjab University
Every year Panjab University provides sports scholarships to students athletes, both boys and girls, under its stipend program named Shri G.L. Kohli & Smt. Indravati, Kohli Memorial stipend. The number of stipends offered under this program are four, two each for boys and girls.

Scholarship Criteria: Scholarship is done on the need-cum-merit basis. As per the criteria, minimum family income for the Endowments on Need-cum-Merit basis should be below Rs. 5 lacs.
Financial Support: As mentioned above, students athletes get stipends.

7. University of Kerala
From providing financial incentive to hostel accommodation, the University of Kerala offers sports scholarships to athletes who excel in sports. Seats are limited and are filled through a trial.

Scholarship Criteria: Student must pass the trials conducted by the Kerala University.
Financial Support: Sports Training Incentive of Rs. 4000/- each is given to every athlete who wins medals in All India Inter-University games.
University offers scholarships of Rs. 1200/- each for Kerala University team members
In addition, the university also award grace marks to sports persons who excel in University, State, National and International sports and games competitions.

8. University of Mysore
The University of Mysore takes sports very seriously and felicitate sports persons in a number of ways. Not only the university gives cash prizes to student athletes for excelling in sports, but they also offer sports scholarship.

Scholarship Criteria: Every student athletes seeking an admission in University of Mysore under sports quota and avail the sports scholarship must meet the eligibility criteria set by the university.
Financial Support: University of Mysore offers financials assistance to student athletes. The student-athletes who Secure Medals at the All India Inter-University Competitions are given a cash award of Rs.30,000 for Gold medal, Rs. 25,000 for Silver Medal and Rs. 20,000 for Bronze Medal along with Sports Scholarship of Rs.3000/ each, on a Regular Basis.

Other Sports Scholarships

1. Anjum Chopra Sports Scholarship: Promotes women’s participation in the game of cricket. This program awards 10 talented women cricketers every year with the sports scholarship.

Scholarship Criteria:
Female athletes must be part of state teams.
Only women cricketers aged between 14 and 25 years are eligible to apply.
Financial Support: Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will get up to INR 1 Lakh per annum.

2. ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme: Encourages young athletes to take up sport and reward them with numerous benefits under ONGC Sports Scholarship scheme.

Scholarship Criteria:
Athletes must be between 14 and 25 years.
For sports such as Swimming, Gymnasts and Chess, the minimum age will be 10 years.
Athletes should not receive any other scholarship during this period.
Financial Support:
Insurance coverage of up to INR 5 Lakh.
Stipend of up to INR 30,000.

3. Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons: Promotes sports amongst young athletes. Under this sports scholarship program, deserved athletes get financial support as well as coverage for educational expenses.

Scholarship Criteria: Athlete must have played at state, national, or international level in the last 3 years.
Must be an Indian citizen and should be aged between 14 and 25.
The annual family income shouldn’t exceed INR 6 Lakh per annum.
Financial Support: Deserved athletes are awarded with INR 15000 to INR 24000.

4. Colgate Keep India Smiling foundational Scholarship: Provides necessary support to deserved athletes. Encourages sport amongst youth in India.

Scholarship Criteria:
Only Indian citizen who are aged between 9 and 20 years are eligible for scholarship.
Annual income of family should not exceed INR 5 Lakh per annum.
Should have played for their state or at the state and national level in the last 3 years.
Financial Support: Deserved athletes can get financial benefits of up to INR 75000 per annum for 3 years.