Current Affairs - Sports

Gary Kirsten, a former South African international cricketer and experienced coach, has been appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lanka Men’s national cricket team beginning on April 15, 2026, for a two-year term ending on April 14, 2028. He is widely respected for his calm leadership style and strong emphasis on team discipline and mental conditioning. Kirsten previously achieved major coaching success with India, guiding the team to victory in the 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and helping them reach the No.1 Test ranking. He also coached South Africa to the No.1 ranking across all three formats in 2013, making him one of cricket’s most accomplished coaches.

Finn Allen, the explosive New Zealand opener, made history by scoring the fastest century in T20 World Cup history with a remarkable 33-ball hundred during the semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata. This extraordinary innings broke the previous men’s record of a 47-ball century set by Chris Gayle in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Allen also became the first player ever to score a century in a T20 World Cup knockout match. His innings featured a strike rate above 300 and included 18 boundaries, equaling the record for the most boundaries in a men’s T20 World Cup innings. The powerful performance helped New Zealand dominate the match and secure a place in the tournament final.

Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma from India achieved a remarkable feat by setting the Guinness World Record for the fastest 50-meter limbo skating with a time of 7.46 seconds on February 28, 2025. The record was set at Sai Dham City in Maharashtra and involved skating under a series of descending horizontal poles without touching them. Limbo skating is a challenging sport that demands exceptional flexibility, balance, and speed. Sharma broke her own previous record of 9.59 seconds set in Italy in 2023. By improving her time by 2.13 seconds, she demonstrated extraordinary skill and control, further strengthening her position as a world leader in this unique sporting discipline.

Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, received a unique honour when Mattel created a Barbie doll in her likeness ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026. The doll was introduced as part of the Barbie Dream Team initiative and serves as a non-commercial tribute celebrating her achievements and role as an inspiration for young athletes. Mandhana has also made history by becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats—Tests, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals. This recognition highlights the growing global influence of Indian women’s cricket and encourages more girls to pursue sports professionally.

Jammu & Kashmir secured its first-ever Ranji Trophy title in the 2025–26 season, marking a historic achievement after 67 years of participation in India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament. The team defeated Karnataka in the final held at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi. This victory is regarded as a transformative milestone for cricket in the Union Territory, symbolising resilience, consistent talent development, and competitive growth. The Ranji Trophy, organized annually by the BCCI since 1934–35, features teams from states and union territories across India, making this triumph especially significant.