Sports Bulletin Oct 25: MS Dhoni Admits RCB's Dominance, PV Sindhu Reaches French Open Final, BFI Power Struggle Deepens

New Delhi, Oct 25: MS Dhoni has acknowledged Royal Challengers Bengaluru's recent dominance over Chennai Super Kings, admitting that RCB's consistency has outshone CSK's struggles over the past two seasons. The former CSK captain remains hopeful of a strong comeback in IPL 2027 as the franchise looks to overcome its recent challenges.

In badminton, PV Sindhu stormed into her maiden French Open final after a hard-fought semifinal victory over Japan's Hina Akechi. She will now face world number one An Se Young in the title clash.

Meanwhile, the power struggle within the Boxing Federation of India has intensified ahead of a crucial October 28 meeting, with a faction seeking a no-confidence motion against president Ajay Singh.

Here is your daily sports wrap from the Sports Bulletin for October 25.

MS Dhoni Acknowledges RCB's Dominance Over CSK

Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni acknowledged Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) recent dominance, admitting that CSK has struggled over the past two seasons. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Dhoni noted that RCB has performed consistently and won back-to-back titles, while CSK faced difficulties and a lack of consistency. Having missed the 2026 season due to fitness issues, Dhoni expressed optimism about resolving team challenges, avoiding injuries, and mounting a strong comeback in the 2027 IPL season.

New Zealand Announce Key Updates to T20I Squad for India Series

New Zealand has announced several squad updates for the remaining T20I matches against India to manage fast bowlers' workloads. Lockie Ferguson will miss the third T20I before returning for the final two games, while Matt Henry stays back in Christchurch to prepare for the upcoming ODI series. Matt Fisher joins as temporary pace cover for the third match only, and Kyle Jamieson remains available for the third T20I and a domestic fixture before shifting to ODIs. Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson join for the final matches.

Lockie Ferguson to Miss Third T20I

New Zealand has made key changes to its T20I squad for the remaining matches against India due to injuries and workload management. Lockie Ferguson will skip the third T20I in Wellington as a precaution following a minor concern in the second match, but he will return for the final two games in Auckland and Hamilton. Meanwhile, Matt Henry will sit out the rest of the series and stay in Christchurch to prepare for the upcoming ODI matches.

PV Sindhu Reaches Maiden French Open Final

PV Sindhu advanced to the French Open final after a hard-fought 73-minute semifinal victory over Japan's Hina Akechi, winning 21-10, 20-22, 21-16. Reflecting on her struggles and recent physical recovery, Sindhu expressed readiness for the title clash. She is now set to face World No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea in the final, aiming to secure her first win against the reigning world champion.

Para Athlete Simran Sharma Makes Serious Allegations, SAI Rebuts

Asian Para Games gold medallist Simran Sharma alleged that officials at Delhi's JLN Stadium harassed her by demanding an additional fitness certificate before she competed in Japan. Despite the hurdles, she triumphed by winning two gold medals. Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) rebutted the allegations, suggesting the claims may be linked to an ongoing administrative review regarding unauthorised hostel occupancy concerning her husband.

BFI Power Struggle Intensifies Ahead of Crucial October 28 Meeting

The power struggle within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has intensified ahead of a Special General House Meeting on October 28. A faction led by Pramod Kumar is pushing for a no-confidence motion to oust President Ajay Singh, citing transparency issues and poor administrative functioning. This move follows Singh's suspension of Kumar over alleged financial misconduct. Kumar's camp requires backing from 22 of the 33 state units to succeed and pave the way for fresh elections.