Sports Bulletin: Jithin MS Wins It for NorthEast, Pant Ruled Out

Football, cricket and tennis headline the latest sporting developments, with NorthEast United FC securing a dramatic ISL victory and Pakistan producing a record-breaking T20I performance against Sri Lanka. Australia's hopes in the Durban Test also hinge on Steve Smith's fitness after a blow to the helmet.

Elsewhere, Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India's first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, while England prepare to strengthen their Test coaching staff. Indian badminton players face challenging opening-round match-ups at the Denmark Open, and the tennis calendar has seen further changes following injuries and withdrawals.

1. Jithin MS scores stoppage-time winner as NorthEast United beat Mohun Bagan

NorthEast United FC began their ISL 2026-27 home campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Guwahati, courtesy of Jithin MS's stoppage-time goal. Introduced at half-time, Jithin struck in the 90+2nd minute after the initial effort was saved and the rebound came off the post. Mohun Bagan had threatened through Lee Erwin, whose early attempt hit the woodwork, while goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh made important saves to keep the hosts in the contest. NorthEast also had a goal from Alaeddine Ajaraie ruled out for offside before Mohun Bagan substitute Suhail Bhat struck the post in the 87th minute. Jithin's late finish ultimately secured all three points for the Highlanders.

2. Australia await Steve Smith fitness update after helmet blow in Durban Test

Australia are monitoring Steve Smith after the batter was struck on the helmet by an Anrich Nortje delivery during the second innings of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Smith did not take the field later in the day as medical staff continued to assess him, leaving his availability for the fifth and final day uncertain. Cricket Australia's concussion policy requires a minimum 24-hour stand-down if a concussion is diagnosed, while Smith has previously experienced concussion and vertigo symptoms. All-rounder Beau Webster expressed hope that Smith would recover in time to return either for the final day or the next Test in Gqeberha. South Africa face a steep challenge in the match, but spinner Keshav Maharaj insisted his team would continue fighting for a draw.

3. Pakistan post record home T20I total to beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs

Pakistan produced their highest men's T20I total on home soil, scoring 215/3 before restricting Sri Lanka to 133/7 to secure an 82-run victory in Rawalpindi. The result gave Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Young left-hander Maaz Sadaqat led the innings with 96, narrowly missing a century on the final ball, while captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 73. Sadaqat struck seven sixes and registered his second consecutive half-century, underlining his growing importance to Pakistan's revamped T20I side. Pakistan's 13 sixes equalled their second-highest tally in an individual men's T20I innings. Captain Farhan praised the team's aggressive approach, while Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis said his batters needed to take greater responsibility.

4. Rishabh Pant ruled out of first two India A matches against New Zealand A

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two four-day matches of India A's tour of New Zealand because of a left-side strain. The BCCI has named 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra as his replacement. Pant sustained the injury during the Irani Cup while captaining Rest of India and has been recovering under the supervision of the BCCI medical team. A decision on his availability for the third and final unofficial Test, scheduled to begin on November 7, will be taken later. Kushagra recently featured in all three matches of India A's red-ball series against Australia A and scored a century in the opening game. India A are scheduled to depart on October 16, with the first match beginning in Lincoln on October 24.

5. Eric Simons set to join England as Test bowling coach

Former South Africa head coach Eric Simons is set to join England's Test coaching staff as bowling coach under head coach Stephen Fleming. Simons has a longstanding professional relationship with Fleming, having worked alongside him at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. His appointment is expected to be confirmed alongside England's latest round of central contracts. Fleming is preparing for his first series in charge of the Test team, against South Africa in December, as England continue to divide coaching responsibilities across formats. Meanwhile, former England batter Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a batting consultant for the white-ball teams ahead of the 50-over World Cup. His role is expected to include the tours of Australia and South Africa.

6. PV Sindhu draws An Se-young as Lakshya Sen faces tough Denmark Open opener

PV Sindhu will face world No. 1 and defending champion An Se-young in the opening round of the Denmark Open Super 750 tournament in Odense. The two-time Olympic medallist enters the competition after winning the Japan Open in July and reaching the Arctic Open quarterfinals, but she has lost all 10 of her previous meetings with An. Lakshya Sen also faces a difficult opening match against third seed Chou Tien Chen as he looks to recover from an inconsistent run and a recent back injury. Ayush Shetty, who impressed at the World Championships, will meet Indonesia's Alwi Farhan, while Kidambi Srikanth opens against France's Arnaud Merkle. India's challenge also includes women's singles players Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha, Devika Sihag and Unnati Hooda, along with men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

7. Alexander Zverev set to finish year as world No. 1 after Alcaraz loss

Alexander Zverev has secured the year-end No. 1 ranking after Carlos Alcaraz's defeat to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters, with Jannik Sinner's season-ending knee injury also affecting the rankings race. The ATP Tour confirmed that Zverev will overtake Sinner before the season concludes next month. The German has enjoyed a breakthrough year, winning the French Open and US Open titles while also reaching the Australian Open semifinals and Wimbledon final. He said finishing the year at the top of the rankings was a dream after years of work, particularly following his serious ankle injury at the 2022 French Open. Zverev is scheduled to face Alexander Bublik in Shanghai.

8. Zheng Qinwen withdraws from Wuhan Open after China Open title

Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open because of a shoulder injury and fatigue, a day after winning the China Open title for her first WTA crown in two years. The Olympic champion said a demanding run of matches across the US Open, Billie Jean King Cup and China Open had left her body fatigued. Zheng defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday's final to become the first Chinese woman to win the China Open WTA 1000 title. The victory marked a major step in her comeback from an elbow injury that had seen her ranking fall from a career-high No. 4 to No. 160. She is now expected to return to the world's top 30. Andreeva has also withdrawn from the Wuhan event because of a change in schedule, with both players replaced by lucky losers in the main draw.