19-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal made history as he became only the third Indian to score a century in his debut Test match in Australia. His impressive performance helped India to secure a strong position against Australia in the Perth Test. The IPL mega auction, set to begin in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, is also making headlines in the world of sports. With Jaiswal's outstanding form, he has now become the leading Indian player in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, scoring four centuries.
The mega auction for IPL 2025 is currently happening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All ten franchises are making their moves to create a strong team for the upcoming 18th edition of the tournament. With Rs 110.50 crore in their purse, Punjab Kings have the biggest arsenal while Rajasthan Royals have the smallest with Rs 41 crore. In other news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged young people to join NCC and popular South Korean actors like Kim Soo-hyun and Byeon Woo-Seok are being recognized for their iconic roles. In cricket, India struggles against Australia in the 1st Test as half of their team has departed cheaply, including Rishabh Pant and Parag Jurel. Meanwhile, New Zealand's T20 World Cup champion has been ruled out for the rest of 2024 due to a bone stress fracture while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal's partnership in Perth breaks a 38-year-old record.
After a tough loss in the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup, the Australian men's national soccer team, the Socceroos, are gearing up for their next challenge: qualifying for the World Cup in 2026. With their next match against Saudi Arabia on November 14th in Melbourne, the team knows that this game is crucial in securing their spot in the World Cup. With Japan already securing the top spot, it will be a fierce battle between Australia and Saudi Arabia for the second spot. Stay tuned to The Sporting News for all the latest updates and analysis on the Socceroos' journey to the World Cup.
Nadhmi al-Nasr, CEO of Neom, the futuristic city development in Saudi Arabia, has suddenly stepped down and will be replaced by an acting CEO from the country's sovereign wealth fund. The Public Investment Fund's board deemed this a natural evolution and strategic move, but the reasons for Nasr's departure are unknown. Neom, envisioned as a 9-million-resident city with extravagant features like a floating business district and the world's tallest skyscrapers, has faced financial and leadership challenges since its announcement in 2017. With projects being delayed, downsized, or cancelled, securing foreign investors has become crucial, but the project's first phase has already exceeded its budget.
In a thrilling match at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al Riyadh thanks to a late goal by Sadio Mane. The win moves Al Nassr up to third place in the Saudi Pro League with 22 points, putting them within striking distance of first place. Despite the loss, Al Riyadh put up a valiant effort and remains in the top half of the table. Football fans across the country are buzzing with excitement after witnessing this intense clash between two top teams.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially submitted a 'Letter of Intent' to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, putting them in the race alongside over ten other competing countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia. With advanced sports facilities and recent experience in hosting major international events, these countries pose a strong challenge to India's bid. IOC President Thomas Bach notes that India has now moved from the 'Informal Dialogue' to the 'Continuous Dialogue' stage of the host selection process, where a feasibility study will be conducted to evaluate India's preparations and potential for hosting the Games.
In a thrilling start to the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, No. 3 Coco Gauff and No. 2 Iga Swiatek both secured wins in their respective opening matches. Gauff emerged victorious against No. 6 Jessica Pegula, while Swiatek rallied from a first-set loss to defeat Barbora Krejcikova in a three-set battle. The two young players will now go head-to-head on Tuesday, with Swiatek holding a dominant head-to-head record of 11-1 against Gauff. Both players showcased their impressive skills and determination, making for an exciting start to the tournament.
In a joint statement, the leaders of BRICS nations highlighted the urgency to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the UNCCD COP16 conference, these leaders emphasized the need for increased resources and stronger partnerships to address these environmental issues. The conference will feature the first-ever Green Zone to promote collaboration and innovation in land restoration efforts, with the aim of addressing the root causes of global food and water insecurity. This call for action comes amid current statistics that show 40% of the planet is affected by land degradation and 3.2 billion people are impacted globally.
The WWE's Crown Jewel 2024 event saw a thrilling night of matches, with the Bloodline war and Women's Tag-Team action wowing fans in Saudi Arabia. But things took an interesting turn with the return of Sami Zayn, who made a surprising choice to support his former teammates and attack Roman Reigns, leaving the division in a state of chaos.
WWE returned to Saudi Arabia for their long-standing partnership and awarded two top champions with the WWE Crown Jewel Title. Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther to win the Undisputed WWE Championship while Liv Morgan became the first-ever WWE Women's Crown Jewel Champion by defeating Nia Jax. The event also featured an entertaining match for the WWE United States Title between LA Knight, Andrade, and Carmelo Hayes. With two new champions crowned, fans are left wondering what's next for them and their opponents.