ACTION-PACKED 2026

NEW DELHI: Exciting and challenging in equal mea- sure, plenty would be at stake for Indian sports in 2026 with world titles up for grabs across disciplines and a fresh Olym- pic qualification cycle, prom- ising some early tickets to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, set to kick off.

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As India’s sporting heroes, both old and new, gear up for the grind, PTI takes a look at the highlights of a choc-a-bloc calendar that is sure to have fans thoroughly engaged from the first month to the last.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH

‘The first quarter will be all about cricket as the country’s favourite obsession has three World Cups this year.

It starts with the 50-over Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 where breakout teenaged stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre will be closely followed.

A day after the final of this age group showpiece that has thrown up stars of Virat Kohli’s stature, the senior men will begin their defence of the T20 world title in a home World Cup that will also have some games in Sri Lanka. The senior event will be held from February 7 to March 8. The Australian Open of tennis will take place in its usual, January 12 to February 1 window, but the Indian challenge is unlikely to generate much buzz. The All England Championships of badminton though would be keenly followed from March 3 when a fit-again P V Sindhu and the rest of the Indian players look to rebuild after a rather disappointing season. Indian football fans would have something to look forward to as well when the AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicks off from March 1 in Australia where the country’s team has qualified after a long time.

APRIL-MAY-JUNE