Sports Current Affairs 7 October 2026

Last Updated: 07 October 2026, 11:15 AM IST

Sports Current Affairs 7 October 2026 covers the latest important sports developments from India and around the world, with a focus on cricket, Asian Games, shooting and major team changes. The biggest recent update is the appointment of Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team across white-ball formats after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down.

Other important developments include India's eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Lucknow, Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 102, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour and India's final 85-medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games.

Current Status: As of 10:38 AM IST on 7 October 2026, the latest verified sports developments include major cricket decisions and results announced on 6 October, along with the final Asian Games and shooting updates from the preceding days.

Key points at a glance: Smriti Mandhana appointed India's women's white-ball captain; Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down; India beat West Indies by 8 wickets in the first T20I; Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102; Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the T20I squad; India finished the Asian Games with 85 medals.

Quick Highlights

Sports Development	Key Update
Smriti Mandhana	Appointed captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team for white-ball cricket.
Harmanpreet Kaur	Stepped down as India's women's captain across all formats.
India vs West Indies	India won the first T20I by 8 wickets in Lucknow and took a 1-0 lead.
Shreyas Iyer	Scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls in the first T20I against West Indies.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	Returned to India's T20I squad for the five-match New Zealand series.
Asian Games 2026	India finished with 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
ISSF Junior World Cup	India topped the medal tally with 29 medals, including 14 gold, at the New Delhi event.

Smriti Mandhana Appointed India's Women's Captain

Mandhana Takes Over White-Ball Captaincy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has appointed Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team. She will be the full-time captain in white-ball cricket following Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down from the leadership role.

Mandhana has previously led India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru and led the franchise to Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.

Her appointment was confirmed by the BCCI on 6 October 2026. The first upcoming assignment listed by the BCCI is India's home series against Zimbabwe, comprising three T20Is followed by three ODIs.

The T20I series against Zimbabwe is scheduled to begin on 16 October in Raipur, while the ODI series begins on 23 October in Vadodara.

Exam Point: Smriti Mandhana is the new captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team in white-ball cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down

Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team across all formats on 6 October 2026. The BCCI acknowledged her contribution and leadership of the national side.

Harmanpreet had led India to the country's first Women's Cricket World Cup title in 2025 and was also part of the team that successfully defended its women's T20 cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

She has not retired from international cricket. The BCCI's announcement concerns the captaincy, while the squad announced for the Zimbabwe series includes Harmanpreet as a player.

Exam Point: Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India's women's captain across all formats, while continuing as a player.

India Beats West Indies in First T20I

Shreyas Iyer Scores Unbeaten 102

India defeated West Indies by 8 wickets in the first T20I at Lucknow on 6 October 2026. West Indies scored 171 runs before being bowled out, while India chased the target by scoring 172/2.

Captain Shreyas Iyer played the main innings of the chase, scoring an unbeaten 102 runs from 43 balls. He hit 10 fours and six sixes.

Ishan Kishan supported Iyer with an unbeaten 37. The pair added an unbeaten 137-run partnership for the third wicket as India reached the target in 14.4 overs.

Naman Dhir was India's leading wicket-taker with 3 wickets for 31 runs. India therefore took a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

Exam Point: Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden T20I century, an unbeaten 102, as India defeated West Indies by 8 wickets.

Second T20I Scheduled in Ranchi

The second T20I of the five-match India-West Indies series is scheduled to be played in Ranchi on 9 October 2026.

The first match in Lucknow therefore gave India an early 1-0 advantage in the series, while the remaining matches will determine the final series result.

Exam Point: India leads the five-match West Indies T20I series 1-0 after the Lucknow match.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India's T20I Squad

New Zealand Tour Squad Announced

The BCCI has announced India's T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. Shreyas Iyer will continue as captain, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the T20I setup after last representing India in the format in November 2022.

The five-match T20I series against New Zealand will begin on 22 October 2026 in Christchurch. The remaining matches are scheduled for Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.

The 16-member squad includes Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

Bhuvneshwar's selection is notable because it brings an experienced fast bowler back into the T20I setup after nearly four years.

Exam Point: Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour after last playing a T20I in November 2022.

India A Squad for New Zealand

The BCCI also announced the India A squad for three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of India A.

The three matches are scheduled in Lincoln and Christchurch between 24 October and 10 November 2026.

Exam Point: Dhruv Jurel will captain India A during the three-match multi-day tour against New Zealand A.

Asian Games 2026: India's Final Medal Tally

India Finishes with 85 Medals

India concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. India finished fourth in the overall medal standings.

The men's hockey team secured India's final gold medal of the Games by defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final. India's cricket teams also won gold medals in the men's and women's T20 events.

Several individual achievements were recorded during the Games. Kumkum Mohod became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games, while Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win an individual golf gold medal at the Games.

Neeru Dhanda also won women's trap gold, while she and Kynan Chenai won the mixed trap team gold. Indian archery, boxing, wrestling, shooting, hockey, cricket, golf and other disciplines contributed to the final medal tally.

Exam Point: India finished the 2026 Asian Games with 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze — and ranked fourth.

ISSF Junior World Cup 2026

India Tops Medal Table in New Delhi

India finished at the top of the medal table at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.

The Indian junior shooting contingent finished with 29 medals, comprising 14 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze. The final-day events included 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and 50m Rifle 3 Positions competitions.

The result adds another important international shooting achievement to India's 2026 sports current affairs. Shooting is also an important examination topic because questions can ask about ISSF events, venues, medal tallies and Indian athletes.

Exam Point: India topped the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 medal table in New Delhi with 29 medals, including 14 gold.

Sports Current Affairs One-Liners

1. Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team for white-ball cricket.

2. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as India's women's captain across all formats.

3. Smriti Mandhana has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs.

4. India defeated West Indies by 8 wickets in the first T20I at Lucknow.

5. Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 in the first T20I against West Indies.

6. India leads the five-match West Indies T20I series 1-0.

7. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour.

8. Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

9. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of India A for the New Zealand A tour.

10. India finished the 2026 Asian Games with 85 medals.

11. India's Asian Games 2026 medal tally included 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.

12. India topped the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 medal table with 29 medals.

Sports Current Affairs MCQs

Q1. Who has been appointed captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team for white-ball cricket?
A. Harmanpreet Kaur
B. Smriti Mandhana
C. Shafali Verma
D. Deepti Sharma
Correct Answer: B. Smriti Mandhana

Q2. Who stepped down as captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team across all formats?
A. Smriti Mandhana
B. Jemimah Rodrigues
C. Harmanpreet Kaur
D. Shafali Verma
Correct Answer: C. Harmanpreet Kaur

Q3. Who scored an unbeaten 102 against West Indies in the first T20I?
A. Ishan Kishan
B. Abhishek Sharma
C. Shreyas Iyer
D. Tilak Varma
Correct Answer: C. Shreyas Iyer

Q4. By how many wickets did India defeat West Indies in the first T20I?
A. 5 wickets
B. 6 wickets
C. 7 wickets
D. 8 wickets
Correct Answer: D. 8 wickets

Q5. Who returned to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour after last playing a T20I in November 2022?
A. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
B. Umesh Yadav
C. Mohammed Shami
D. Deepak Chahar
Correct Answer: A. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Q6. Who has been named captain of India A for the New Zealand A tour?
A. Yashasvi Jaiswal
B. Dhruv Jurel
C. KL Rahul
D. Sai Sudharsan
Correct Answer: B. Dhruv Jurel

Q7. How many total medals did India win at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. 75
B. 80
C. 85
D. 90
Correct Answer: C. 85

Q8. How many gold medals did India win at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 20
D. 21
Correct Answer: D. 21

Q9. How many medals did India win at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in New Delhi?
A. 24
B. 27
C. 29
D. 31
Correct Answer: C. 29

Q10. How many gold medals were won by India at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in New Delhi?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
Correct Answer: C. 14

Quick Revision

Topic	Important Fact
Women's Cricket Captain	Smriti Mandhana appointed India's full-time white-ball captain.
Former Women's Captain	Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down across all formats.
India vs West Indies	India won the first T20I by 8 wickets.
Shreyas Iyer	Scored unbeaten 102 off 43 balls in the first T20I.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	Returned to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour.
Dhruv Jurel	Captain of India A for the New Zealand A multi-day series.
Asian Games 2026	India won 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
ISSF Junior World Cup	India won 29 medals, including 14 gold, in New Delhi.

Final Takeaway

The latest Sports Current Affairs include important changes in Indian women's cricket, India's T20I series against West Indies, the upcoming New Zealand tour and India's recent multi-sport achievements.

For competitive examinations, the most important facts are Smriti Mandhana's appointment as India's white-ball captain, Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation from captaincy, Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 102, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return and India's 85-medal Asian Games campaign.

The ISSF Junior World Cup result is also useful for questions on shooting because India finished first with 29 medals, including 14 gold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team?

Smriti Mandhana has been appointed the full-time captain of the Indian Women's Cricket Team for white-ball cricket.

Who was India's women's cricket captain before Smriti Mandhana?

Harmanpreet Kaur was India's women's cricket captain before stepping down across all formats on 6 October 2026.

Who scored 102 runs in India's first T20I against West Indies?

India captain Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 runs from 43 balls in the first T20I at Lucknow.

Who returned to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour?

Veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to India's T20I squad after last playing a T20I in November 2022.

How many medals did India win at the Asian Games 2026?

India finished the 2026 Asian Games with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.

What was India's rank in the Asian Games 2026 medal table?

India finished fourth in the final medal standings with 85 medals.

How many medals did India win at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026?

India topped the medal table with 29 medals, including 14 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze.

Who will captain India A on the New Zealand A tour?

Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of India A for the three-match multi-day series against New Zealand A.

Sources referred: BCCI, ICC, Asian Games/official results reporting, National Rifle Association of India and verified sports reports.