The Economic Times

The BCCI is considering advancing the IPL window to March 10May 15 from next year to avoid extreme heat and pre-monsoon disruptions during the latter stages of the tournament. Secretary Devajit Saikia said the move aims to improve conditions for players and fans.

The World Cup is showcasing unheralded players alongside global stars. Livano Comenencia scored Curacao's first World Cup goal. Boualem Khoukhi helped Qatar earn a point. Jovo Lukic netted the first World Cup goal in Canada. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand. Emam Ashour earned man of the match for Egypt. These players are making their mark.

Colombia secured a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan in their World Cup Group K debut. Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz, and Jaminton Campaz scored for Colombia. Uzbekistan responded in the second half with their first World Cup goal. The match took place at the Estadio Azteca. Colombia extended their strong group-stage record.

India clinched a fantastic 3-1 victory against Germany during the intense FIH Hockey Pro League clash. Manpreet Singh made headlines by becoming India's all-time most capped player. Goals from Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, and Nilakanta Sharma highlighted a powerful performance, while a steadfast defense held the line.

England kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia. Harry Kane was instrumental, scoring twice, including a retaken penalty, to lead England's charge. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also contributed goals, securing a strong opening win for Thomas Tuchel's side.

England and Ghana kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns with victories in Group L. England triumphed 4-2 over Croatia in a thrilling encounter, with Harry Kane scoring twice. Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 win against Panama thanks to a late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, placing them second in the group.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by debutants Congo in their opening World Cup match. Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal, but Yoane Wissa equalized for Congo in stoppage time, marking their first-ever World Cup goal. Ronaldo, appearing in his sixth World Cup, missed opportunities to become the first player to score in six tournaments.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage continues with four key matches on June 18, featuring England vs. Croatia, Ghana vs. Panama, Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, and Czechia vs. South Africa. Crucial points are at stake as teams vie for early group control and to revive their campaigns.

Norway striker Erling Haaland made a strong World Cup debut with two goals against Iraq. His impressive performance secured a 4-1 victory for Norway. This win marks Norway's return to the World Cup finals after a long absence. Haaland's goals set the tone for his team's campaign. The team aims to improve for future matches.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has begun with record-breaking attendance and viewership. Over 44,000 fans attended matches in the opening weekend. The India-Pakistan game drew a sell-out crowd and massive digital viewership. Broadcast figures in India and the UK also show significant interest. Digital engagement across ICC platforms has surged, indicating growing popularity for women's cricket.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has kicked off with record-breaking attendance and viewership. The opening weekend saw nearly 45,000 fans, while the India vs. Pakistan match garnered over 25 million unique viewers in India. UK viewership on Sky Sports also reached an all-time high for a WT20WC match, signaling a historic start for women's cricket.

Already qualified for the semifinals, the Indian women's hockey team aims to finish the pool stage undefeated against Uruguay. India seeks to regain their Pro League spot by winning the FIH Nations Cup, with coach Marijne looking for improved field goal performance and defensive solidity ahead of major tournaments.

Noah Lyles, Olympic gold medalist, shattered the world best time in the 150 meters at the Golden Spike meet with a blistering 14.67 seconds. The four-time world champion in the 200m showcased his speed to defeat a field including Australian prodigy Gout Gout. This performance surpassed the previous record held by Kishane Thompson.

Shohei Ohtani's leadoff home run in the sixth inning secured a 1-0 victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays. Pitcher Justin Wrobleski delivered six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. The Dodgers' bullpen closed out the shutout, marking their eleventh home win since May 13.

Lionel Messi has equalled Miroslav Klose's FIFA World Cup goal tally. He achieved this after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's win against Algeria. Messi stated that numbers are just statistics and he feels honoured. He also spoke about his emotional reaction to scoring, attributing it to recent difficult times. Argentina will next play Austria.

Tennis star Serena Williams faced a setback in her comeback at the Berlin Open, losing her opening doubles match. Despite the loss, fans showed immense support. Williams also received a doubles wild card for Wimbledon alongside her sister Venus. The legendary player is contemplating a singles return at the prestigious tournament.

The United States has defended its handling of Irans World Cup travel arrangements after the team complained it was forced to leave immediately after its opening match instead of staying overnight for recovery. US officials said the schedule was pre-decided, requiring teams to depart on match day and return to their base camps shortly after games. Irans coach and captain criticised the arrangement, citing disrupted recovery routines and visa-related issues affecting staff and players, while US a

Argentina's football champions are back on the World Cup stage. Dedicated fans have traveled thousands of miles, some by bicycle, to support their team. Many are spending significant amounts of money to witness the matches. Lionel Messi, a legendary player, is a major draw for global fans.

Brazilian football star Neymar has returned to training with his World Cup squad. He is recovering from a leg injury sustained earlier. Neymar participated in physical conditioning sessions. He is not expected to play in the upcoming match against Haiti. Brazil's World Cup campaign began with a draw against Morocco. The team continues its preparations for the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, surpassing Pele's World Cup goal tally with 14, as France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opener. After a quiet first half, Mbappe's brace and a late goal from Bradley Barcola secured the win. Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal's lone goal in stoppage time.

Lionel Messi became the first man to play in six World Cup tournaments when he started for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday. Messi made his World Cup debut as a teenager at the 2006 tournament in Germany and announced the 2022 edition would be his last.

France vs Senegal India live streaming: France, seeking redemption after a 2022 final loss, kicks off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium. Led by stars like Kylian Mbappe, the French are strong contenders. Senegal, aiming for an early upset, hopes to build on their previous World Cup performance and advance deeper into the tournament.

A renowned World Cup prediction model, which accurately forecast the last three winners, suggests Argentina's reign as champions will end in the 2026 quarter-finals. Despite Lionel Messi's expected decisive role against Turkey, the model predicts Portugal's deeper squad will overcome the defending champions in a blockbuster clash.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh is backing his revamped side in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh after the visitors suffered a bitter 2-1 defeat in their one-day internationals. Australia struggled against Bangladesh's pace-heavy attack in the ODIs, losing the first two matches before salvaging some pride with a narrow win in the final match in Mirpur.

Tehran residents gathered in cafes to watch Iran's World Cup match against New Zealand. Despite the early morning kick-off, fans showed excitement for their team. The game unfolded amidst political tensions and a recent agreement between Iran and the United States. The team's performance, marked by a draw, brought cheers. Preparation challenges for the team were also highlighted.

Cape Verde's Vozinha became a global sensation after a remarkable goalkeeping display against Spain. The 40-year old goal keeper made seven crucial saves to secure a historic 0-0 draw against Spain. This achievement marked a significant moment for the small island nation on the world's biggest football stage. Vozinha's journey from street football to this global spotlight is an inspiring tale of resilience and belief.

US President Donald Trump will present the World Cup trophy. FIFA has approved his participation in the ceremony. This follows his role at the Club World Cup. Officials from Mexico and Canada will also attend. Trump is expected at the World Cup final on July 19. He will join the winners on the podium.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran fought back twice to lock in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup debut, demonstrating grit in the face of social unrest. The match, charged with emotion, saw both teams overcoming hurdles in preparation for this grand stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil faces the prospect of Neymar missing the entire World Cup group stage as medical staff prioritize his fitness for later rounds. The veteran forward is recovering from a calf injury and is unlikely to feature against Haiti or Scotland. The team aims for his return in the knockout stages, with his availability dependent on his recovery and Brazil's performance.

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni and defender Nicolas Otamendi emphasized Lionel Messi's crucial role ahead of their World Cup opener. Scaloni stated that everyone wants to see the icon play, dismissing concerns about his fitness. Otamendi described Messi as the est player in history and a competitive animal who inspires the team.

Egypt's bid for a first World Cup win was thwarted by Belgium. Emam Ashour scored early for Egypt. Romelu Lukaku came on and immediately forced an own goal to level the score. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mohamed Salah made a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday.

As Japan takes the stage in the World Cup, their journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for football that captivates fans worldwide. Their recent duel with the Netherlands highlighted a blend of technical finesse and strategic gameplay. This impressive showing is rooted in a vibrant athletic culture that thrives at schools and universities.

Iran's World Cup journey is proving difficult. Captain Mehdi Taremi highlights disruptions caused by the ongoing war with co-host United States. The team faced relocation and visa issues. Coach Amir Ghalenoei notes these conditions impact focus. Despite challenges, the team aims to bring joy to all Iranians.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup opener. Daichi Kamada scored the late equalizer after Koki Ogawa's header. The Netherlands had taken the lead twice through Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville. Japan's Keito Nakamura had earlier leveled the score. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made key saves for Japan.

Curacao achieved a historic World Cup debut, scoring its first tournament goal against Germany. Despite a strong first half, the team lost 7-1. Coach Dick Advocaat expressed pride in the team's performance and the joy it brought to their nation. The experience gained will be crucial for their upcoming matches against Ecuador.

Four-time winners Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday. Kai Havertz got two goals and Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also scored in Houston to secure Germany's first opening-match win at a World Cup since their successful 2014 campaign in Brazil, after Livano Comenencia had briefly cancelled out Felix Nmecha's opener. nf/gj

Dhiraj Bommadevara secured two gold medals at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya. He defeated South Korea in both the recurve mixed team and individual events. This historic achievement marks a significant moment for Indian archery. His parents' sacrifices were instrumental in his journey. This win fuels his motivation for future competitions.

India secured a dominant 64-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup debut. Deepti Sharma's exceptional bowling performance, taking five wickets, was key. Smriti Mandhana's strong batting contributed significantly to India's total. Pakistan was bowled out while chasing India's score. The Indian spinners proved too strong for the Pakistan batters.

Germany will target a winning start to their FIFA World Cup campaign, something they have not achieved since 2014, against tournament debutants Curacao in Houston. While Germany are expected to start with a victory, manager Julian Nagelsmann sees Curacao as dangerous since they are not heading into the 2026 World Cup as favourites.

Turkey's World Cup journey began with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Australia. Coach Vincenzo Montella acknowledged a slow start from his team. Despite dominating possession, Turkey struggled to penetrate Australia's defense. The team now faces Paraguay needing a win to advance. Turkey's return to the World Cup after 2002 did not start as planned.

India's athletics team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is announced. The 32-member squad includes star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. Athletes like Tejas Shirse, who set a new national record, are also part of the team. The women's contingent features strong contenders in various track and field events. This team aims for glory in Glasgow.

India's Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Mohod secured a stunning recurve mixed team gold at the Archery World Cup Stage 3. They defeated reigning Olympic champions South Korea in straight sets. This marks a significant achievement for the young Indian duo. Dhiraj's precision in the final moments secured the victory. Kumkum also contributed to a previous gold medal win for India.

A Mexican trade association leader has lost his job. This happened after a video showed him making a racist gesture at a South Korean influencer during a FIFA World Cup match. The incident sparked widespread criticism online. The leader's actions were condemned as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This led to his dismissal from the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers.

Pakistan's top table tennis players are reportedly shocked after the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) informed them they must fund their own participation in the Asian Games in Japan. Players were told they would receive no allowances for national trials and must arrange their own air tickets and daily foreign currency for the Games.

Morocco achieved a historic feat in the FIFA World Cup. The team fielded its first-ever starting eleven composed entirely of players born outside the country. This landmark selection was followed by an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil. The Atlas Lions showcased their global talent and delivered a strong performance.