The Economic Times

DC vs RR Pitch Weather Report: Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals face off in a crucial IPL 2026 clash, with both teams needing a win to boost their playoff hopes. Delhi's inconsistent home form and batting struggles are a concern, while Rajasthan battles its own batting and bowling inconsistencies despite a slight edge on the table.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty fought hard in the Thailand Open Super 500 men's doubles final. They saved four championship points against Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin. The Indian pair ultimately finished as runners-up after a close contest. This marks another strong performance for the consistent Indian doubles duo.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer leads his team in his 100th IPL captaincy match. After a tough losing streak, Iyer seeks a significant turnaround. He has a strong captaincy record, matching MS Dhoni's win percentage. Iyer's personal form has dipped recently. He faces challenging bowlers in this crucial encounter.

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Cameron Green stated the team took time to identify player roles. The team has since found balance and is on a strong winning streak. This has kept their playoff hopes alive in IPL 2026. Green contributed with an unbeaten fifty against Gujarat Titans. The team is now seventh in the standings.

Conor McGregor is set to return to the octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas, facing Max Holloway in a lightweight/welterweight bout. This marks his first fight since a broken leg injury in July 2021. McGregor, a former two-weight champion, has had a notable career, including a historic title unification and a high-profile boxing match.

Cameron Green achieved a significant milestone, crossing 1,000 runs in the Indian Premier League. He reached this landmark during Kolkata Knight Riders' match against Gujarat Titans. Green's performance contributed to KKR's victory. The match saw strong batting from both sides. KKR secured a win, while GT remains in a strong playoff position.

Shubman Gill etched his name in IPL history, joining batting greats with his second 500-run season as captain. His explosive 85 against KKR propelled him past the milestone. Despite Gill's valiant effort and a strong partnership, Gujarat Titans fell short against Kolkata Knight Riders' formidable total. KKR secured a victory, while GT remains second in the standings.

Indian football fans are defying geopolitical tensions, high airfares, and a weakening rupee to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026. This year, a growing number of travelers, including those from tier-2 cities, are willing to spend significantly on customized itineraries, viewing the tournament as a significant lifestyle investment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill pointed to dropped catches as the reason for their 29-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders. The team's fielding faltered, allowing KKR to post a massive 247. Finn Allen capitalized with a blistering 93. Gill stated the team did not deserve to win due to the fielding lapses.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a vital 29-run victory against Gujarat Titans. Finn Allen and Angkrish Raghuvanshi powered KKR to a massive 247. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler fought back for Gujarat Titans but fell short. This win keeps Kolkata Knight Riders' playoff aspirations alive in the IPL.

Aronimink Golf Club transformed from inviting to brutal for the PGA Championship, with challenging pin placements and thick rough turning the course into a test of accuracy and nerve. The compressed leaderboard reflects a demanding setup that prioritizes strategic play and putting over raw power, promising a compelling weekend finish.

Tennis legend Venus Williams is set to grace the French Open doubles court at 45. She will partner with Hailey Baptiste. Williams is driven by her passion for tennis and a desire to live life on her own terms. Her presence offers a captivating sub-plot beyond the usual tournament narratives. Fans can expect to witness an icon embracing her craft.

The Mumbai Indians, a team built around the core of India's T20 World Cup champions, faced an early elimination in IPL 2026. Despite their individual brilliance, the players, seemingly fatigued from their international triumph, struggled to unite as a cohesive unit, leading to fan frustration and questions about the team's future.

Football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set for their sixth World Cup appearances. This marks their final tournament as they aim to add to their storied careers. Messi continues to excel, while Ronaldo remains Portugal's captain. Both players are chasing individual and team glory in this historic event. Their journeys culminate in North America, promising thrilling performances.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi will not travel to Ahmedabad for the ICC Annual Board Meeting. He will attend the meeting virtually. The meeting is scheduled for May 31 on the sidelines of the IPL final. This virtual attendance is a standard ICC practice. Top cricket administrators are expected to be present.

GT vs KKR Pitch Weather Report: Gujarat Titans, on a five-match winning streak, meet Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. GT leads the points table, aiming for a top-two finish. KKR, defending champions, need wins to keep playoff hopes alive after a mixed season. The Eden Gardens pitch is expected to favor batters. Kolkata weather will be hot and humid.

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.