The Economic Times

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, has received an invitation to attend the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final, both scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad later this month, Geo TV reported.

LSG captain Rishabh Pant has been fined for a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. Despite the penalty, LSG secured a seven-wicket victory. Mitchell Marsh starred with a rapid 90. Earlier, Kartik Sharma scored 71 for CSK. Akash Singh took three wickets for LSG. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad acknowledged LSG's strong batting performance.

India and Pakistan are set to clash in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener on June 14 at Edgbaston. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India faces Pakistan, captained by Fatima Sana, who has announced a 15-member squad featuring five debutants. Both teams aim to advance from Group 1 to the semifinals.

Virat Kohli stated he has nothing left to prove and will only play the 2027 ODI World Cup if he can contribute meaningfully to the Indian team. The 37-year-old, who retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup, emphasized his commitment to hard work and playing for the team.

Pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis is trying a longer 22-step run-up. He aims to enhance his performance for upcoming championships. Faith Kipyegon, a record holder, will also compete. She is participating in the 5,000m event to assess her current form. Both athletes are preparing for future competitions.

David Beckham has achieved a historic milestone becoming Britain's first billionaire sportsman. His wealth, combined with his wife Victoria's, now stands at an impressive 1.185 billion. This places them second among the UK's wealthiest sports personalities. Beckham's success stems from his football career and lucrative endorsements.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wishes for more preparation time before the FA Cup final. He acknowledges that winning other domestic trophies leads to a tight schedule. City faces Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Guardiola expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform despite the circumstances. The team aims to win the FA Cup after previous final losses.

Lucknow Super Giants secured a seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings. Chennai Super Kings posted 187 for five, with Kartik Sharma scoring 71. Mitchell Marsh's explosive 90 guided Lucknow Super Giants to the target. The opening partnership laid the foundation for the win. Nicholas Pooran and Mukul Choudhary finished the chase.

The Iran football team is preparing for the World Cup in the United States. They will train in Antalya, Turkey, before traveling to Arizona. The team faces visa delays for their US entry. Iran is scheduled to play a friendly match against Gambia in Turkey. The team had a send-off ceremony in Tehran.

FIFA has announced the official song for the 2026 World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy have released 'Dai Dai'. The song celebrates football, culture, and unity. Royalties will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will headline the final halftime show.

Romelu Lukaku has been selected for Belgium's World Cup squad. This marks his fourth World Cup appearance alongside Kevin de Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois. Lukaku's return follows a period of injury. The team also features experienced players like Axel Witsel. Belgium aims to improve on past performances in the upcoming tournament. Their campaign begins on June 15.

France's FIFA World Cup squad is out. Eduardo Camavinga and Antoine Griezmann are surprisingly excluded. Robin Risser and Maxence Lacroix receive call-ups. Coach Didier Deschamps explains Camavinga's absence due to his club season and competition. Kylian Mbappe remains a key player. Many new faces will experience the World Cup for the first time.

China Media Group has secured broadcasting rights for four World Cup tournaments. This deal covers the men's events in 2026 and 2030, and the women's tournaments in 2027 and 2031. Chinese fans can now watch these major soccer events. The agreement includes free-to-air and paid television, as well as online and mobile platforms.

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured replacements for injured pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara. CSK signed Kuldip Yadav for 30 lakh, while RCB brought in English bowler Richard Gleeson for 1.6 crore. Thushara also withdrew his legal case against Sri Lanka Cricket, citing the tournament's progression.

Ravi Shastri believes Sanju Samson is a strong candidate for India's T20 captaincy in the next two to three years. Samson's recent performances, including his Player of the Tournament award in the T20 World Cup and consistent IPL form, highlight his leadership potential. Shastri noted Samson has overcome past consistency concerns, showcasing maturity and destructive batting.

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has officially ended his 14-year association with the Mumbai Indians franchise. His departure includes stepping away from his role with MI Emirates in the UAE's ILT20 league. Singh, who was with MI since 2010, played a key role in their success, including five IPL titles.

Virat Kohli expresses his unwavering desire to play in next year's World Cup, but emphasizes a crucial condition: he won't tolerate an environment that constantly questions his worth. The star batter, who recently played the Vijay Hazare Trophy, stated he's committed to his preparations and will continue as long as his value is recognized by the team setup.

Virat Kohli expresses his unwavering desire to play in next year's World Cup, but emphasizes a crucial condition: he won't tolerate an environment that constantly questions his worth. The star batter, who recently played the Vijay Hazare Trophy, stated he's committed to his preparations and will continue as long as his value is recognized by the team setup.

IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders host Gujarat Titans in a must-win IPL encounter. KKR, battling inconsistency, aim to revive their campaign at home. Gujarat Titans, on a winning streak, are chasing a top-two finish. Key players like Varun Chakravarthy's potential return for KKR and Sai Sudharsan's form for GT will be crucial. The match starts at 7.30pm IST.

Mumbai Indians' all-rounder Shardul Thakur addressed fan concerns regarding skipper Hardik Pandya, confirming that his absence is solely due to injury. Thakur hinted at a possible return for Pandya in the upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders and reassured fans, quashing rumors about the skipper's future with the team.

Three seeded Indian entries, including Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (1), PV Sindhu (6), and Lakshya Sen (7), advanced to the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open on Thursday.

The U-15 girls spearheaded the campaign with a stellar 7 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals, while the U-15 boys contributed 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals

Tickets in South Korea for a football match against a visiting North Korean team sold out within half a day, Seoul'on Friday. Seoul's unification ministry said it will provide 300 million won ($200,000) to support South Korean civic groups planning to cheer both teams at the match.

Mumbai Indians secured a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in their IPL clash. Tilak Varma's unbeaten 75 guided MI to chase down 201 with one ball remaining. Will Jacks also contributed with a quickfire 25. Earlier, Shardul Thakur took four wickets for MI, but Punjab Kings still posted 200 for 8.

Mexico City gears up for the World Cup this summer. Visitors can explore historical sites like Zocalo and Chapultepec Park. The city boasts a diverse food scene from street tacos to fine dining. Eighteen public fan zones will broadcast matches for free. Public transport is recommended for reaching the Azteca stadium. Be mindful of traffic, pollution, and the high altitude.

Iran's football team faces uncertainty for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Federation chief Mehdi Taj reports no visas have been issued yet. The team awaits guarantees from FIFA regarding the visa process. Players are expected to travel for fingerprinting. Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Los Angeles and other US cities.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is now an official supporter for the 2026 World Cup in North America and Asia. This move strengthens the country's connection with global football. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. The partnership supports various football initiatives worldwide. This includes grassroots programs and youth development. The fund's commitment to international sports investments remains strong.

Jannik Sinner is on the verge of a historic win at the Italian Open. He is just two victories away from becoming the first Italian man to claim the title in fifty years. Sinner has also set a new record for consecutive wins in Masters 1000 events.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected for the India A squad. They will compete in a tri-nation 50-over series in Sri Lanka. The tournament features hosts Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. This series provides a platform for young talent. India A aims to perform well in the upcoming matches.

Delhi Capitals Cricket Academy is expanding its global reach. A new centre has opened in Seattle, USA. This academy will follow Delhi Capitals' coaching methods. It partners with Seattle Thunderbolts Academy. This collaboration aims to develop young cricketers. It also seeks to create pathways for players and coaches. This move strengthens Delhi Capitals' international presence.

The United States is easing travel rules for World Cup fans. Foreign visitors from countries that qualified for the tournament and bought tickets will no longer need to pay large visa bonds. This change applies to citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Chris Wood will lead New Zealand's football team at the World Cup. The squad aims to make history by securing their first-ever win. Wood, a prolific striker, expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete. The tournament begins next month. New Zealand faces Iran, Egypt, and Belgium in Group G.

Chennai Super Kings have signed Dian Forrester as a replacement for injured Jamie Overton. Forrester, a South African all-rounder, joins CSK for Rs 75 lakh. He made his international debut in March 2026. CSK hopes Forrester will contribute with bat and ball as the tournament enters its crucial phase. The team is currently fifth and faces Lucknow Super Giants next.

Canada's soccer team is set for a major moment in the 2026 World Cup. The nation hosts matches, aiming to build on its growing popularity. With a strong squad featuring stars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, the team targets success. This event is expected to boost soccer's profile across Canada. The team believes in its potential to compete.

Thousands gathered in Tehran for Iran's World Cup send-off. Players showcased their new kit and made patriotic statements. However, concerns linger about the team's entry into the United States for the tournament. Iran's FA is relying on FIFA to resolve visa issues. The team will train in Turkey before the competition.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has revealed the India A squad for an upcoming ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka. This tournament is scheduled for June 2026. Tilak Varma will lead the team as captain. Riyan Parag has been appointed as the vice-captain. The squad includes promising young cricketers.

FIFA World Cup India Match Timings: Football fans eagerly await the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament begins June 11 and ends July 19. It will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For the first time, 48 teams will compete. Indian viewers can watch matches early morning or late night.

Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass with an unbeaten century against Kolkata Knight Riders. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar lauded Kohli's performance, highlighting his ability to chase targets. Kohli silenced critics and proved his enduring skill in the IPL.

Disastrous IPL campaigns are putting three captains in the hot seat, with sources indicating potential job losses at season's end. Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant have struggled to lead their teams to playoff contention for two consecutive seasons. Will leadership changes be on the horizon for these franchises?

Global music stars Shakira, Madonna and K-pop group BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, with proceeds supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aimed at expanding access to education and football for children worldwide

Virat Kohli's dropped catch proved expensive for Kolkata Knight Riders. He went on to score an unbeaten century, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win. KKR coach Abhishek Nayar acknowledged the costly mistake. He also cited the absence of Varun Chakravarthy as a factor. RCB's Devdutt Padikkal praised Kohli's remarkable performance.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America faces a significant risk from soaring temperatures. Scientists warn that many matches could be played in dangerous heat conditions, potentially impacting player welfare and performance. Some games may even require postponement. FIFA is implementing heat-management measures, but concerns remain for players and spectators, especially in non-air-conditioned stadiums.

In a thrilling encounter, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team clinched a 1-1 draw against rivals Al-Hilal thanks to a last-minute own goal. With the Saudi Pro League title hanging in the balance, Al-Nassr remains in the lead by a five-point margin, needing only a win against Damac to claim the championship.

IPL 2026: Virat Kohli achieved this milestone against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 105* in 60 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 175.00.

Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh voiced disappointment after his removal as junior men's team coach. His 17-month tenure saw five medals in five tournaments, including a Junior World Cup bronze. Sreejesh questioned Hockey India's continued reliance on foreign coaches, citing a preference for overseas expertise over Indian talent for national development.

Virat Kohli scored his ninth IPL century. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by six wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders. This victory moved RCB to the top of the IPL points table. Kohli's innings was crucial for the chase. He holds the record for most IPL centuries. The win highlights RCB's strong performance.

The 108th PGA Championship begins this week at Aronimink Golf Club. Top golfers will compete for glory. Indian-origin players Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju are also participating. They bring skill and craft to the major championship. Their presence signifies an expanding global reach in golf. The championship tests skill, timing, and patience.

Chennai Super Kings have signed promising all-rounder Macneil Hadley Noronha as a replacement for the injured Ramakrishna Ghosh for the remainder of the 2026 IPL season. Noronha, who was the highest run-scorer in the 2024-25 Colonel C.K. Nayudu Trophy, joins CSK to bolster their squad depth as they push for a playoff spot.