EXPLAINED SPORTS NEWS

Why F1 finds itself in an existential battle, balancing new rules with driver complaints

The horrific crash at Suzuka involving Oliver Bearman has underlined safety risks in the 'lift and coast' style of driving, where drivers need to slow down for the sake of electric batteries.

How sex test using saliva or cheek swab will determine a woman’s eligibility to compete in elite sports

IOC said that any woman wanting to compete in international sport must now undergo a mandatory SRY gene screening, or a sex test. What does that entail? We explain. 

Explained: The Olympics’ policy to bar transgender people from women’s sports, and its far-reaching impact

Inclusion in women’s sports has long been a subject of polarising debate. It has garnered further attention as issues related to diverse gender and sexual identities have become ideological battlegrounds in politics in recent years.

Banked bends on indoor tracks make races challenging for track and field athletes

Relative smaller lane width also means athletes have less space and jostling for places in common in indoor athletics.

Two wars, two similar timelines, two rules: How money and power shape sport’s responseSubscriber Only

Two wars, two strikingly similar timelines. In one case, world sport moved swiftly to sanction Russia. Four years later, the same organisations are taking a far more cautious approach to the US-Israel attacks on Iran.

Explained: The rule changes reshaping Formula 1 in 2026 — new engines, smaller cars, no DRSSubscriber Only

As the season-opener Australian Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday, here's a look at some of the most sweeping rule changes in the history of F1

Being Eileen Gu: The sparkle and shadow around the American representing China in the Winter OlympicsSubscriber Only

Eileen Gu is 'the most decorated freeskier of all time', with six Olympic medals. She is also a model and studies at Stanford University. Here's a look at the remarkable life and choices of the 22-year-old.

A century later, how the ‘Nazi Games’ overshadow Germany’s pitch for 2036 OlympicsSubscriber Only

India is also among the countries hoping to host the 2036 Olympics. Germany has signalled its willingness, but this has prompted uncomfortable questions.

Why Gopichand has made peace with badminton’s proposed 15×3 format: ‘The sport has gotten too physical’Subscriber Only

In an interview with The Indian Express, the national coach talks about athlete welfare, scheduling overload, television demands, and unintended tactical consequences of the proposed change

Ahead of Ind vs Pak T20, revisiting debate over Usman Tariq’s bowling actionSubscriber Only

Ind vs Pak: The primary talking point is the brief pause in Tariq’s delivery stride before he releases the ball. Ahead of the clash against India on Sunday, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha questioned the scale of the controversy.

Can a long-lasting leatherette ball be a game-changer for cricket academies?Subscriber Only

Super 50 promises these academies a longer lasting product that is priced at a slight premium. So, is it a game-changer for cricket academies that have an eye on their bottom-line?

Data may not be the new steroids, but Australian Open organisers see a line being crossedSubscriber Only

The top women’s player, Aryna Sabalenka, too, was asked to do the same. That’s how the ultra-advanced version of your daily 10,000-step counter came under scrutiny, spotlighting the role of data as a “performance-enhancer” in sports.

From suitcase to starting line: How modern racing bikes travel continentsSubscriber Only

Sleek, modern racing cycles — like the ones seen at the recent Pune Grand Tour — rarely touch any road outside of race tracks while in transit. They simply travel in a case the size of a 55-71 inch LED TV box.

Tree-hugger, extreme-dieter, reiki believer: The science and superstitions behind Djokovic’s ageless runSubscriber Only

Novak Djokovic is 38 but has shown no sign of slowing down. His unconventional wellness practices have drawn both awe and ridicule. ‘No-vax’, ‘anti-science’? He would prefer ‘open-minded’ instead.

Towel of intrigue: Was it juju that helped Senegal win the African Cup?Subscriber Only

Voodoo, miracles, or juju, the storylines in African football have always brimmed with mischief and fantasy. Here's a brief history.

Yearender 2025 | Sports: T20 overdose in 2026: 146 Games in India in 181 days before FIFA World Cup, CWG and Asian GamesSubscriber Only

After a quiet 2025, the coming year promises a flood of sporting events and sagas — a last World Cup clash for Messi and Ronaldo, Rohit and Kohli’s defiance of time, Neeraj’s CWG comeback chance and an overdose of T20 cricket

Battle of the Sexes: Can women beat men in tennis? Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios reignite a decades-old debateSubscriber Only

Tennis power comparison: With women’s tennis being the most famous, fully commercialised women’s sport, can women really beat men in a professional match?

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is just 5 feet tall. Here’s how she became an all-time sprinting greatSubscriber Only

Long legs don't equal greater speeds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce proved this is in a dominant reign marked by lightning-quick starts, energy-efficient strides, core strength — and raw talent.

The delicate art of deception: A badminton trick shot and its unlikely inspirationSubscriber Only

How Danish legend Peter Gade found inspiration for his ‘double action’ shot from football icon Michael Laudrup

Could Total Football influence a sleight of hand in a split second of badminton?Subscriber Only

The Indian Express speaks to Danish badminton legend Peter Gade about how he took inspiration from football icon Michael Laudrup

As Virat Kohli scores back-to-back tons, why is dew hogging headlines along?Subscriber Only

Dew significantly skews the game in favour of the batting side. Since India lost both tosses and had to bat first, its bowlers bore the brunt of the dewy conditions

Why Steve Smith is wearing eye blacks in nets ahead of pink-ball Ashes Test at BrisbaneSubscriber Only

Before Steve Smith, West Indian batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul was known for batting with eye blacks. What are eye blacks, why can they be useful in pink-ball matches, and what do studies say?

Why is Iran boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in the United States next week?Subscriber Only

The decision highlights how political tensions directly influence international sporting events

Turkish football’s darkest hour: 1,000 players and 149 referees face betting allegationsSubscriber Only

Between 2021 and 2025, the under-fire match officials reportedly made 18,278 transactions on gambling sites. Here’s all about the scandal, and what it means for a Turkish team witnessing a revival of sorts.

First India versus SA test, ‘tricky’ Kolkata pitch and the complications of an ‘imperfect’ scienceSubscriber Only

India’s defeat in the first Test at Kolkata against South Africa led India head coach to blame the surface. Here’s why making a spin track is a complex affair.

👁 Indianexpress

👁 Indianexpress

👁 Indianexpress