The Economic Times

The Competition Commission of India has greenlit a massive $1.78 billion deal, allowing a consortium led by Aditya Birla Group and The Times of India to acquire Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, the entity behind the IPL and WPL franchises. Aryaman Vikram Birla will chair the franchise, with Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman.

Australia aims for another Women's T20 World Cup final as they face the West Indies in the semifinal. Unbeaten in the group stage, the dominant Australians, six-time champions, clash with a West Indies side that secured their spot after a mixed campaign. The match, held at Kennington Oval, promises an exciting encounter with Australia holding the edge.

Gabriel Martinelli's dramatic 95th-minute strike secured Brazil a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan, propelling them into the World Cup last 16. After falling behind to Kaishu Sano's solo effort, veteran Casemiro equalized for the five-time champions. The win sets up a knockout clash against Ivory Coast or Norway, with Brazil showcasing resilience despite a tough challenge from the spirited Japanese side.

India's cricket team is reeling from a surprising 2-0 T20 series loss to Ireland in Belfast. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attributed the defeat to the team's inability to adapt to the local conditions, particularly the pitch and larger boundaries, after their IPL experience. He emphasized the need for greater adaptability ahead of their upcoming England tour.

Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, despite significant investment in soccer and infrastructure, faced early exits from the World Cup. This highlights that substantial financial backing doesn't automatically translate to on-field success. While Saudi Arabia aims to build its national team for its 2034 hosting duties, Qatar, despite its hosting experience, also failed to advance.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 journey concluded as Australia secured a dramatic six-wicket victory at Lord's. Chasing 171, the defending champions mounted a remarkable comeback, with Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner smashing half-centuries to overhaul the target. Despite a strong start and Harmanpreet Kaur's fiery unbeaten 56, India's bowlers couldn't defend the competitive total, leading to their exit from the tournament.

India Women vs Australia Women Live Streaming: A thrilling encounter awaits as India faces Australia at Lord's on Sunday, June 28, for a crucial ICC Women's T20 World Cup semifinal spot. While Australia is nearly through, India needs a win to guarantee their place. A loss could see their fate hinge on other results. The match promises a balanced contest, with early assistance for pacers and spinners expected to dominate later.

Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a significant FIFA World Cup milestone, equaling Lothar Matthaus's 25 appearances, placing him second only to Lionel Messi. Despite Portugal's goalless draw against Colombia, both teams advanced to the Round of 32. Ronaldo also extended his unusual offside record. Colombia secured top spot in Group K, with Portugal finishing as runners-up after a tightly contested match.

Wimbledon kicks off with defending champion Jannik Sinner aiming for his fifth Grand Slam title, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka seeks her first major of the year. Novak Djokovic continues his quest for a record-breaking 25th major. Sinner, despite skipping warm-up events, feels prepared, and Sabalenka, after recent struggles, is working with a psychologist. Djokovic believes grass suits him better for his historic pursuit.

Ancy Sojan shattered Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long jump record with a stunning 6.88m leap at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships. She dedicated her gold medal to her father, fulfilling his dream. Meanwhile, Sarvesh Anil Kushare also set a new men's high jump national record, clearing 2.31m. Several other meet records also fell, with many athletes achieving Asian Games qualification.

Austria secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Algeria with two stoppage-time goals, propelling both teams into the Round of 32. Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer scored for Austria, while Riyad Mahrez netted twice for Algeria. Sasa Kalajdzic's late equalizer sealed Austria's second-place finish in Group J, setting up a clash with Spain. Algeria advanced as a best third-placed team to face Switzerland.

FIFA World Cup Jordan vs Argentina: Lionel Messi has etched his name in World Cup history, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive matches. His stunning free-kick against Jordan secured this remarkable feat, surpassing legends like Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. This scoring spree, which began in Qatar, continued through the 2026 finals, extending his record tally of World Cup goals to an impressive 19. Messi's consistent brilliance continues to captivate football fans worldwide.

Colombia and Portugal battled to a thrilling 0-0 draw in Miami, securing their spots in the World Cup's last 32 as Group K's top two. Despite Colombia's missed opportunities and dominance, they advance as group winners. Portugal, unable to find a winning formula despite their talent, also progresses.

Neeraj Chopra, the javelin champion, is ready to defend his Asian Games title later this year in Japan. The Athletics Federation of India confirmed his participation for the September-October event. Following a successful recovery from his injury, Chopra's performance remains impressive as he prepares for the Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, India is vying to host the 2031 World Athletics Championships in Ahmedabad, with results expected in September.

Indias Women's T20 World Cup encounter against powerhouse Australia looms on Sunday, with a semifinal opportunity on the line. Confronted by their own struggles in the field and shaky middle-order play, captain Harmanpreet Kaur must rally her team. For India, a win is a must to keep their semifinal hopes alive, whereas Australia can afford a rare misstep after already securing their spot.

Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 to finish top of Group H and qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, with Alex Baena scoring the decisive goal. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid winger netted his first World Cup goal, continuing his rise after spells with Villarreal and Girona. The defeat knocked Uruguay out of the tournament.

Cape Verde's incredible World Cup debut continues as they secured a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, propelling them into the knockout stages. This historic achievement, fueled by three group stage draws, sets them up for a monumental clash against Lionel Messi's Argentina. The island nation is one of the smallest ever to compete.

Ireland etched their name in history by securing their maiden victory against India in any format, triumphing by 34 runs in the first T20I. Lorcan Tucker's half-century and Gareth Delany's brisk 49 propelled Ireland to 182. India's chase faltered under a disciplined bowling effort, succumbing to 148 all out, despite Abhishek Sharma's 49.

The FIFA World Cup knockout stage is shaping up, with co-hosts USA facing Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada meeting South Africa. Other key clashes include Morocco vs. Netherlands and Japan vs. Brazil. Many teams have advanced but await their opponents, with the full Round of 32 to be confirmed after final group matches. This win-or-go-home phase promises intense competition.

Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to make a sensational return to Wimbledon after a four-year hiatus, instantly becoming the focal point of the women's singles draw. Despite a decade since her last Wimbledon title, her comeback, fueled by rigorous training and a reported weight loss, promises to captivate audiences.

Young Indian shuttler Rounak Chouhan stunned world number six Chou Tien Chen at the US Open, winning in straight games. The 18-year-old's impressive performance secured his quarterfinal spot. Meanwhile, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree, and Devika Sihag also advanced in the women's singles, with Kidambi Srikanth completing a successful day for India by defeating Lee Zii Jia.

Japan secured a spot in the World Cup knockout stage with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, thanks to Daizen Maeda's early goal. This marks Japan's third consecutive advancement from the group stage, setting them up for a clash with Brazil. Sweden also progressed, continuing their strong knockout round streak in World Cup appearances.

Australia secured a spot in the World Cup's round of 32 with a goalless draw against Paraguay. The Socceroos, finishing second in Group D, advanced to the knockout stage for the third time. Despite a physical match, Paraguay pushed late but ultimately faced a nervous wait to see if they would progress as a third-placed team. Australia's attacking intent showed promise but lacked a decisive finish.

Football fans are in for a treat as Norway's Erling Haaland faces France's Kylian Mbappe in a highly anticipated World Cup clash. Meanwhile, Cape Verde is on the cusp of a historic knockout stage berth. The Egypt-Iran match carries significant weight for Group G, while Uruguay faces a must-win against Spain. France's coach Didier Deschamps will miss the Norway game due to personal tragedy.

Turkey secured a 3-2 victory over the United States in their final World Cup match, with Kaan Ayhan scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. Despite the Americans already topping Group D, Turkey showed resilience with first-half goals from Arda Guler and Orkun Kokcu. Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter found the net for the US. Christian Pulisic made his return from injury.

With this win, India is in second place in Group A with three wins and a loss, giving them six points, below Australia, who have won all four matches. India still has one game to play against Australia and is not officially in the semifinals yet, South Africa, who have won two of their three matches, are also strong contenders to make it to the semifinals.

India's T20 preparations in Ireland faced initial hurdles with sub-standard practice facilities, but the focus quickly shifted to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. His impressive net session with the senior team generated significant excitement among the Indian diaspora in Belfast. Despite the spotlight, Sooryavanshi appeared at ease, showcasing his attacking prowess. The young batter's arrival has created a buzz, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the emerging star.

Morocco triumphed 4-2 over Haiti in a thrilling World Cup encounter, with Ismael Saibari etching his name in history by scoring in his third consecutive tournament match. The Atlas Lions twice came from behind, ultimately securing their spot in the Round of 32 thanks to a late surge powered by Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine. Haiti exited with pride after a spirited display.

India's fielding woes continued as Bangladesh posted 136/8 in the Women's T20 World Cup. Multiple dropped catches, including four in the powerplay, proved costly. Despite some bowling successes, including Renuka Thakur's early wicket and Radha Yadav's three wickets, India faces a must-win situation in upcoming matches. The team's performance across all departments has been a concern.

West Indies vs Sri Lanka Playing 11: Following a successful white-ball campaign, West Indies and Sri Lanka are set to clash in the opening Test of a two-match series in Antigua, commencing June 25. This series holds significant weight for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with Sri Lanka currently third. Fans in India can catch the action live on FanCode.

Wimbledon's men's singles title race is heating up with Jannik Sinner, the world's top player, leading the charge. Despite a French Open stumble, Sinner is the favorite, especially with Carlos Alcaraz sidelined. Novak Djokovic eyes a record-equalling eighth crown, while Alexander Zverev, fresh off a Grand Slam win, seeks grasscourt mastery. Emerging threats Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, both strong on grass, are also poised to make a significant impact.

India faces a selection dilemma as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi eyes a debut against Ireland. The team management must decide whether to disrupt a winning top-order featuring Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, who have strong T20 credentials. Captain Shreyas Iyer aims for a series win to kickstart his captaincy, while the bowling attack seeks to prove its mettle with a second-string lineup.

Morocco star Achraf Hakimi expressed confidence and determination after his side secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Haiti in a Group C clash.

FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect, a significant setback for Nepalese football. This suspension bars national teams and clubs from international competitions and cuts off access to FIFA and AFC development programs. ANFA has lost all membership rights, and its teams cannot participate in global events until the suspension is lifted.

Belgium's Jeremy Doku has returned to the World Cup squad in Washington after a brief absence for the birth of his son, Praise. Teammates welcomed him warmly, with the Belgian FA celebrating the most important assist of his life. Doku's return is a significant boost for Belgium, who face a crucial match against New Zealand.

James Rodriguez's vintage performance powered Colombia to a 1-0 win over DR Congo, securing their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Daniel Munoz netted the decisive goal, marking his place in Colombian World Cup history. This victory ensures Colombia's progression with a game to spare, continuing their strong tournament run.

England Women vs West Indies Women Live Streaming: England and West Indies clash in a pivotal ICC Women's T20 World Cup match with a semi-final berth on the line. Both teams boast perfect records, aiming to be the first to qualify. Lord's pitch offers a balanced contest, favouring fast bowlers early before easing for batters. England holds a strong head-to-head advantage. Expect scorching temperatures for this crucial encounter.

Lionel Messi, celebrating his 39th birthday, has indicated he'll continue playing as long as he's physically capable and contributing to his team. While focusing on the present, the football icon remains non-committal about the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Argentina's dominant start to the 2026 World Cup, with Messi leading the charge and breaking scoring records, sets the stage for their knockout aspirations.

As the World Cup returns to Mexico, mothers like Norma Laguna are reminded of their missing children, a grim reality for over 135,000 families. These madres buscadoras tirelessly search dangerous territories for loved ones, often facing bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of support. Their efforts highlight the ongoing crisis of disappearances linked to cartel violence, with grassroots groups uncovering bodies and demanding answers.

India's women's hockey team will likely field a consistent squad for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games, with coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasising the latter as the Olympic qualifier. The World Cup will serve as crucial preparation, leveraging high-pressure matches to boost confidence for the Asian Games.