Current Affairs - Sports

India won the Asia Cup Final 2025 by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, 2025. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, India restricted Pakistan to 146 all out, with key contributions from bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav (4/30), Varun Chakravarthy (2/30), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/25). In their chase, India overcame an early loss of three wickets to successfully reach 150/5 in 19.4 overs, thanks to Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69* and Shivam Dube’s 33. This victory highlights India’s strong middle-order performance and strategic bowling under pressure.

India clinched the 7th SAFF U-17 Championship title after defeating Bangladesh 4-1 in a thrilling penalty shootout at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo. This victory marked India’s seventh U-17 title, further cementing its dominance in South Asian football. Under the guidance of coach Bibiano Fernandes, who has now secured his fifth SAFF championship win, the team showcased resilience and skill. Earlier in May 2025, Fernandes also led India to victory in the SAFF U-19 Championship in Arunachal Pradesh. The win highlights the consistent growth of India’s youth football program and its strong presence in regional tournaments.

Mithun Manhas, former Delhi captain, has been elected unopposed as the 37th BCCI President at the 94th annual general meeting. He succeeds Roger Binny, who resigned in August 2025, while Rajeev Shukla had been serving as interim vice-president. Manhas brings with him a rich domestic cricketing career spanning two decades from 1997 to 2017, during which he played 157 first-class matches scoring 9714 runs, 130 List A matches scoring 4126 runs, and 91 T20 games amassing 1170 runs. His appointment reflects the growing trend of experienced cricketers contributing to cricket administration in India.

Sergio Busquets, a highly decorated Spanish midfielder, announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 MLS season while playing for Inter Miami. Over his 20-year career, he became a key figure at Barcelona, making 722 appearances and winning 32 major trophies including 9 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Reys, and 3 UEFA Champions League trophies. Internationally, he earned 143 caps for Spain, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 UEFA Euro Championship. Renowned for his tactical intelligence, positional awareness, and composure, Busquets has left an enduring legacy in global football.

The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 took place at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. India, hosting the event for the first time, showcased exceptional performance by winning five medals, including a clean sweep in the women’s 50m prone rifle event. The tournament featured 208 shooters from 19 countries, with the 69-member Indian contingent performing strongly on home soil. Hosting the event highlighted India’s growing stature in international shooting sports and provided young athletes with a platform to gain experience, exposure, and recognition at a global level.