The Economic Times

Film actor-producer Anushka Sharma has acquired a minor stake in Agilitas Sports, joining husband and cricketer Virat Kohli as an investor in the sportswear firm founded by former Puma India executives.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's coach, Manish Ojha, hailed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) young batting sensation for his explosive and entertaining batting displays in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the youngster's latest knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was a truly exceptional innings rarely witnessed in the tournament's history.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a God's gift and urged his immediate inclusion in India's upcoming white-ball tour of England. Gavaskar was impressed by Sooryavanshi's fearless 97 off 29 balls in the IPL, advocating for his T20 International readiness despite his young age.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada have come together to establish unified travel restrictions due to rising concerns over Ebola. Targeted towards individuals arriving from specific high-risk areas in Africa, these measures are designed to ensure the safety of citizens and international visitors during the upcoming World Cup festivities.

French Open favorite Jannik Sinner has been knocked out in the second round. Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a gruelling match. He struggled significantly with the high temperatures on court. Sinner was on a long winning streak before this unexpected defeat. This loss ends his bid for a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros this year.

Neymar will miss Brazil's upcoming friendlies and their World Cup opener. Scans revealed a grade-two calf injury. The forward faces two to three weeks on the sidelines. This means he will be out for the match against Panama and Egypt. He is also unlikely to play in Brazil's World Cup debut against Morocco.

Updated IPL 2026 Orange Cap: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 680 runs, showcasing explosive batting and consistency. Established stars like Sai Sudharsan, Heinrich Klaasen, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli remain strong contenders as the tournament enters its decisive playoff phase. The competition is exceptionally tight, with every run crucial in this closely fought battle.

Scotland's football coach Steve Clarke has signed a new contract. This deal will keep him in charge until the 2030 World Cup. Clarke led Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years. He is already Scotland's most successful coach. This new contract could make him the longest-serving coach.

The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is heating up as the league stage nears its end. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada are tied at the top with 26 wickets each. Jofra Archer and Anshul Kamboj are also strong contenders, with playoff performances set to decide the ultimate winner.

Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have reached the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open. Sindhu secured a dominant win, while Sen advanced due to his opponent's retirement. The men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also progressed. HS Prannoy's campaign ended after a late collapse in his match.

Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has lauded teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his sensational knock in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), calling his composure and game awareness emarkable for a 15-year-old.

The Wrestling Federation of India is gearing up for a legal showdown, having approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court verdict. This ruling paves the way for Vinesh Phogat, returning from maternity leave, to compete in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026. The previous decision highlighted issues with the Federation's policies as being exclusionary.

The Sports Ministry will deploy IT Consultants to National Sports Federations. This initiative aims to enhance digital systems for better coordination. The plan supports India's preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. It also aligns with long-term Olympic ambitions. The consultants will assist federations with digital operations and data management.

PV Sindhu reached the Singapore Open quarterfinals with a swift win. The Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also progressed after a tough match. The mixed doubles duo Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto secured their quarterfinal spot. Indian players continue their strong performance in the tournament.

As the Gujarat Titans gear up for a pivotal IPL Qualifier 2 encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, all eyes are on their formidable bowling lineup. Key to their success will be containing the rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose aggressive style poses a major threat. The Titans' upper-order batsmen must step up to support their bowlers.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's latest extraordinary innings was hailed by cricket greats on Thursday, as calls grow for the 15-year-old phenomenon to be propelled straight into the senior India team. India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded Sooryavanshi's technique calling the innings simply spectacular.

The IPL stage witnessed a new star in the making as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the pitch ablaze with an incredible 97 runs from a mere 29 balls in the nail-biting Eliminator match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His spirited play not only clinched victory for the Rajasthan Royals but also saw him obliterate Chris Gayle's single-season sixes record.

Around the clock, Indian sports supporters are more connected than ever. YouTube stands out as a pivotal platform for sports engagement, with influencers acting as conduits between events and fans. This digital transformation is prompting brands to rethink their marketing approaches, especially towards audiences like Gen Z. Young fans find themselves impacted by ads linked to sports content.

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi's powerful IPL innings. He called Suryavanshi a special player but cautioned against fast-tracking him to the Indian team. Chopra believes there is ample time for the young talent's national debut. He also offered a strategy for Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming qualifier.

R. Praggnanandhaa achieved a significant victory against Magnus Carlsen in the Norway Chess tournament. The classical game was dramatic, with momentum shifting before Carlsen's decisive blunder. Praggnanandhaa expressed happiness over the fighting game. Other matches saw draws decided by Armageddon tie-breaks. Alireza Firouzja leads the men's standings. In the women's section, Bibisara Assaubayeva maintains her lead despite close contests.

Vaibhav Sooryanshi, the 15-year-old, has stunned the IPL with his fearless batting. He has taken on champion bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins. His teammate Dhruv Jurel praises his self-belief and focus on the ball. Sooryanshi's aggressive style led to a match-winning 97 off 29 balls. He also set a new record for most sixes in a season.

Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been hailed as a generational talent. The 15-year-old smashed 97 off 29 balls, breaking Chris Gayle's record for most sixes in an IPL season. His performance secured a win for Rajasthan, keeping their final hopes alive. Sooryavanshi's potential is considered frightening by his opponents.

India's men's football team exited the Unity Cup 2026 semifinals after a 0-2 loss to Jamaica. Courtney Clarke scored early, and Kaheim Dixon sealed the win for Jamaica. India will now play Zimbabwe for third place. The match saw debuts for Noufal PN and Ricky Shabong. Edmund Lalrindika earned his first start.

Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina arrived at Roland Garros as the second seed following her Australian Open victory in January and earned her tour-leading 31st match victory after dismantling Veronika Erjavec in the opening round.

Gujarat Titans bowlers set new IPL records. Kagiso Rabada took the most powerplay wickets in a season. The team also achieved a historically balanced bowling performance with five bowlers taking 15 or more wickets. Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a record playoff total. The match saw significant batting and bowling achievements.

RR Eliminator Victory, Match Highlights: Rajasthan Royals have advanced to Qualifier 2 after a commanding 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL Eliminator. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 97 off 29 balls powered RR to 243/8. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger then starred with the ball, restricting SRH to 196. SRH is now out of the tournament.

New York and New Jersey are investigating FIFA. They suspect the football governing body exploited fans with extremely high World Cup ticket prices. The probe will examine ticket practices and alleged misleading information. Fans faced confusion and aggressive pricing. This comes as the tournament is set to begin soon. Many fans find ticket costs unaffordable.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old from Rajasthan Royals, hit a stunning 97 off 29 balls. He broke Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Sooryavanshi's performance also saw him surpass Gayle's tally of sixes. His batting display was dominant. He achieved a remarkable strike rate this season.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old opener, shattered Chris Gayle's 14-year-old record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. He achieved this feat during the IPL 2026 Eliminator. Sooryavanshi surpassed Gayle's tally of 59 sixes, setting a new benchmark. His performance also marks him as the batter with the most sixes in any T20 tournament.

India will host major athletics events. Chandigarh will stage the 2027 Asian Relays. Bhubaneswar is set to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships. This marks a proud moment for the nation. India is also bidding for other global athletics championships. These events highlight India's growing role in international sports.

It will be a do-or-die match-up for SRH against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator, as the winner will get a shot at the trophy by facing Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Qualifier two. Abhishek has had his best season so far statistically and will be aiming to continue making an impact after a slump during the T20 World Cup and the early stages of the IPL.

Football is now India's second-most popular sport among adults, trailing only cricket, according to new Nielsen research. The sport's popularity is growing globally, particularly among diverse audience segments, with Hispanic communities in the U.S. showing deep engagement and brand loyalty.

Harmanpreet Singh will captain the Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming FIH Pro League in Europe scheduled next month. This tournament serves as vital preparation for the World Cup in August. The squad features a mix of experienced players and young talent. Matches will be played against Germany, Netherlands, Pakistan, and England.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a spot in the IPL final. Director of cricket Mo Bobat highlighted the team's collective efforts and fearless approach. Skipper Rajat Patidar's exceptional batting performance was crucial. The team displayed a strong all-round bowling effort. Several players consistently stepped up in high-pressure situations, contributing to wins.

Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad clash in a high-stakes IPL Eliminator. Sunrisers Hyderabad carry momentum and a psychological edge, having beaten Rajasthan Royals twice. Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, aim to overcome the explosive Sunrisers top order. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless batting will be key for Rajasthan. Jofra Archer is expected to deliver crucial wickets for the Royals.

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.