The Economic Times

Football icon Lionel Messi faces a hamstring injury scare. Medical tests reveal muscle fatigue in his left leg. This comes just weeks before the World Cup. Messi's return timeline remains unclear. Argentina prepares to defend its World Cup title. The team's squad announcement is expected soon. Pre-World Cup friendlies are scheduled in the United States.

Daniil Medvedev has been eliminated from the French Open in the first round. He lost to Australian wildcard Adam Walton in a five-set match. This marks another early exit for Medvedev at Roland Garros. Walton will now face Zachary Svajda in the next round. The match featured significant shifts in momentum on the clay courts.

RCB Qualifier 1 Victory, Match Highlights: Royal Challengers Bengaluru shattered IPL playoff history by posting a colossal 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Rajat Patidar's blistering 93 off 33 balls anchored the innings, supported by strong contributions from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya. This monumental score surpassed Gujarat Titans' previous record, setting a new benchmark for playoff totals.

Rajat Patidar's explosive unbeaten 93 off 33 balls powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record 254/5 in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1. His blistering innings, featuring a strike rate of 281.82, included nine sixes and five boundaries, driving RCB to a commanding victory. Patidar's dominant display, aided by dropped catches, solidified his reputation as a formidable playoff performer.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill made a key selection for IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kulwant Khejroliya joins the playing XI. Gill chose to bowl first after winning the toss. This high-stakes match determines direct entry into the IPL 2026 final. RCB entered as table toppers. Gujarat Titans also finished strongly.

India's men's football team will play two friendly matches against Tajikistan on June 5 and 9 in Hisor. The Blue Tigers are currently in London for the Unity Cup. They will depart for Tajikistan on May 31. This comes after their bronze medal win at the CAFA Nations Cup eight months ago at the same venue.

India has launched the first World Yogasana Championship 2026. This event aims to make Yogasana a recognized global sport. It will be held in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8, 2026. Over 60 countries are expected to participate. The championship will feature various Yogasana categories. This initiative seeks eventual Olympic recognition for the sport.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises is in discussions with FIFA. The company aims to broadcast and stream the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India. This move could end uncertainty for Indian viewers. Zee is also launching new sports channels. These channels will feature various sports including football. The talks with FIFA are part of Zee's strategy to expand its sports broadcasting presence.

IPL 2026 SRH vs RR Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals clash in the IPL 2026 Eliminator on May 27 in New Chandigarh. SRH, enjoying a strong league campaign and a five-match winning streak against RR, are favored. RR, who secured their playoff spot late, will look to key players like Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja to turn their fortunes around in this crucial knockout encounter.

Riyan Parag has led Rajasthan Royals to an IPL playoff berth. Despite past criticism and recent challenges, his batting and captaincy have been crucial. He overcame a slow start and injury to guide the team. Parag's journey highlights resilience and belief from the franchise management. He aims to take the Royals further in the tournament.

South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt expressed the team's heightened desire for an ICC title after successive near-misses, fueled by a recent series win over India. Reaching back-to-back T20 World Cup finals has intensified their hunger to finally cross the final hurdle and clinch the trophy.

IPL Qualifier 1: Ahead of Gujarat Titans massive IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sai Sudharsan has become one of the biggest stories of the season. The 24-year-old finished the league stage as the Orange Cap holder with 638 runs, continuing a remarkable rise that began with his unforgettable IPL 2023 final knock against CSK. Alongside Shubman Gill, Sudharsan has now formed one of the most dominant opening pairs in IPL history.

Nuvama Private has been announced as the title sponsor for the T20 Mumbai League 2026 and the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League. Both tournaments will be held concurrently at Wankhede Stadium from June 1 to June 13. This partnership signifies a major commercial milestone for the league, which serves as a crucial talent development platform for Mumbai cricketers.

Iran's national soccer team will not stay in the United States during the World Cup. Instead, they will be based in Mexico. The team will travel to the U.S. only for their scheduled matches. This decision comes after U.S. authorities declined to host the squad throughout the tournament. Mexico's president confirmed the arrangement.

India's sports governance is set for a major overhaul. The Union government has notified new rules for a National Sports Board and a National Sports Tribunal. These bodies will regulate sports organizations and resolve disputes. This move aims to improve transparency and accountability. It also aligns Indian sports with global standards.

Mexico will host the Iranian national football team during the World Cup. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the decision after the United States reportedly declined to host the team. FIFA approached Mexico after the US refusal. The Iranian squad will be based in Tijuana, Mexico. This move aims to avoid visa issues. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.

India's top badminton players Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu are set to compete at the Singapore Open Super 750. They aim to break their title drought and regain consistent form. Other Indian players like Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy are also set to feature in the tournament. The doubles pairs are also in contention. The event begins on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals' IPL journey concluded with a sixth-place finish. Coach Hemang Badani cited inconsistent play and missed opportunities as reasons for the team's failure to reach the playoffs. Crucial losses, dropped catches, and batting collapses hampered their campaign. The absence of Mitchell Starc also impacted the side. Delhi Capitals continue their quest for an IPL title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru meet Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala for Qualifier 1. A direct place in the final is at stake. Both teams finished the league stage with 18 points. RCB boasts aggressive batting and a strong bowling unit. GT relies on a formidable bowling attack and a solid top order. Key match-ups will decide the contest.

Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara highlights Jofra Archer's discipline and leadership. Archer's all-round performance powered Rajasthan to the IPL playoffs. He consistently delivers despite a demanding schedule. Rajasthan faces Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator.

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh acknowledges his recent performances have not met expectations. He is preparing for his World Championship title defense later this year. Gukesh will participate in Norway Chess and the Chess Olympiad before his crucial match against Javokhir Sindarov. He expressed happiness about potentially defending his title in India, despite the added pressure.

Alexander Zverev began his French Open campaign with a dominant straight-sets victory over Benjamin Bonzi amidst sweltering Parisian heat. The German second seed, aiming for his maiden Grand Slam, efficiently advanced. Meanwhile, the tournament faced significant withdrawals due to injuries, with Jannik Sinner emerging as the men's favourite. Marta Kostyuk, despite personal turmoil, secured a second-round spot.

Magnus Carlsen is Norway's sporting icon. His presence defines Norway Chess. Carlsen's return to the tournament brings excitement. He is a seven-time champion. His influence extends beyond chess. He is a cultural phenomenon in Norway. His participation is the main attraction.

Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash at Eden Gardens on Sunday, as disciplined bowling and key breakthroughs at crucial moments helped them defend a target of 204 and finish their league-stage campaign on a winning note.

Jammu's Rajesh Dhar will manage the Indian men's cricket team for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The tour includes a Test match and a three-match ODI series. Dhar, a seasoned cricket administrator and coach, expressed pride in serving the national team. He hopes for more opportunities for Jammu and Kashmir talent at the national level.

Gujarat Titans will be facing the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 26 at Dharamsala in a battle between 'The King' Virat Kohli and 'The Prince' Shubman Gill. Both players have been the linchpins of their respective batting line-ups, providing the foundation on which their more fiery partners can display their batting pyrotechnics.

In a remarkable feat, Max Dowman has etched his name in football history as the youngest player ever to kick off a Premier League match, achieving this at the tender age of 16 years and 144 days. This season, he has also claimed the titles of both the league's youngest goal scorer and the youngest competitor in Champions League play.

Rajasthan Royals secured their IPL playoff spot with a commanding 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. This win significantly tightens the qualification race for Kolkata Knight Riders, making their upcoming match against Delhi Capitals crucial for their playoff hopes. Delhi Capitals, already eliminated, aim to finish their season strongly.

Gurindervir Singh set a new men's 100m national record with a time of 10.09 seconds. Vishal TK became the first Indian to run 400m under 45 seconds, clocking 44.98 seconds. Both performances were continental bests for the season. These historic achievements occurred on the second day of the National Senior Federation Competition in Ranchi.

Football legend Lionel Messi has officially become a billionaire. He joins Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers to reach this elite status. Messi's wealth comes from salaries, bonuses, investments, and endorsements. Meanwhile, a street in New Jersey has been named 'Leo Messi Way' in his honor. This celebrates his impact on American football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

IPL Match Today: KKR vs DC Pitch Report promises a high-scoring contest at Eden Gardens, with Pitch No. 5 expected to heavily favour batters. The surface has a history of producing big totals in T20 matches. Dew is likely to become a major factor in the second innings, making bowling difficult and giving a clear advantage to the chasing side in Kolkata tonight.

Rohit Rajpal will lead India's contingent at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Ravi Bengani is the Deputy Chef de Mission. Vandana Rao and Rahul Swami will serve as general team managers. IOA president P T Usha is also part of the senior leadership. Rajpal's extensive administrative experience and good relations across federations made him a suitable choice.

IPL MI vs RR: Mumbai Indians (MI) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their last Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 group-stage match, on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Notably, Jasprit Bumrah sits out the clash as the Mumbai Indians have rested the speedster.

Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman highlighted the challenge of foreign player availability in the IPL, citing international cricket calendars and national board commitments. He stressed the need for better collaboration between the BCCI, foreign boards, and franchises to ensure star players are available throughout the tournament, improving planning and fan experience.

Sachin Tendulkar praised his son Arjun's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Arjun Tendulkar showed patience and skill in his first match. He bowled well and took a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar expressed pride in his son's performance and attitude. Arjun's journey in cricket continues with this notable debut.

Societal norms often lead to the selective enforcement of laws, with many minor infractions overlooked. This article explores how such leniency can desensitize individuals to the impact of their actions, as seen in a recent incident involving cricketer Arshdeep Singh.

Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros on Sunday, facing Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Despite a recent shoulder issue and limited clay-court practice, the 39-year-old aims to capitalize on Carlos Alcaraz's absence. Other notable players in action include Alexander Zverev and Mirra Andreeva.

Jannik Sinner is poised to win the French Open men's singles. His recent victories and undefeated clay record make him the undisputed favorite. In contrast, the women's singles title race is wide open. Several strong contenders are vying for the championship. This French Open promises exciting tennis for fans over the next two weeks.

Tottenham must avoid defeat against Everton on Sunday to guarantee their place in the Premier League next season as Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah prepare for emotional farewells. Battle for Europe Liverpool should ensure a terrible season does not end on a fresh low note by securing a top-five finish in Mohamed Salah's farewell to Anfield.

The upcoming World Cup features more teams and games, sparking debate about its impact. While FIFA aims for global reach, concerns exist about diluted quality and player endurance. Despite potential drawbacks, the tournament anticipates significant revenue. Interest in international football remains strong, suggesting continued fan engagement with the expanded format.

The Enhanced Games in Las Vegas allows athletes to use performance enhancers, aiming to challenge mainstream sports' anti-doping efforts and athlete pay. Organizers promise athlete safety and better pay, while critics question its legitimacy and compare it to a Doping Olympics. The event also explores the potential medical benefits of these substances for society.

Shreyas Iyer's brilliant unbeaten 101 powered Punjab Kings to a crucial seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, ending a six-match losing streak. This win keeps their IPL playoff hopes alive, but their fate now hinges on other results. Punjab needs to defeat LSG and hope Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals lose their respective matches to secure a spot.

Punjab Kings secured a crucial seven-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants. Skipper Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 101 led the chase. This win keeps Punjab's playoff hopes alive. They now await the outcome of other matches to determine their fate. The team's performance was a significant boost after a string of losses.

The seven players, who were part of the 28-member India squad selected by coach Khalid Jamil for the four-nation tournament, were scheduled to fly to London from Bengaluru on Sunday. The camp was being held in Bengaluru.

The Delhi High Court has permitted wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials. The court found the Wrestling Federation of India's policy exclusionary for not accommodating iconic players like Phogat, who is returning after maternity leave. The trials will be video-recorded with observers present.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul, while both sides grapple with bowling inconsistencies.