The Times of India

India's search for consistent middle-over wickets has prompted a shift in strategy, with Shubman Gill backing tall fast bowlers like Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana to shoulder the responsibility. The captain explained why India is prioritising pace, bounce and flexibility over fixed bowling roles ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

The result also confirmed Germany's place in the knockout stage after their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast earlier in the day.

Rohit Sharma or Yashasvi Jaiswal? India's biggest selection headache before England ODIs

The 37-year-old will lead India in a key Group A clash against South Africa at Old Trafford.

Japan and Tunisia will make FIFA World Cup history when they contest the tournaments 1,000th match at Monterrey Stadium. The landmark Group F encounter marks a milestone nearly a century in the making, prompting special FIFA tributes and global attention. Beyond its historical significance, the match carries crucial implications for both nations hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

The Netherlands secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Sweden at FIFA World Cup 2026, bouncing back from their opening draw with Japan to book a place in the Round of 32. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored twice each, while Crysencio Summerville added a fifth. Despite Swedens dominance in shots, Dutch clinical finishing proved decisive in Group F.

India all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out of the remainder of the Womens T20 World Cup after suffering a right ankle injury against the Netherlands. Calling it her toughest setback, Shreyanka thanked fans for their support and vowed to return stronger. India have named leg-spin all-rounder Prema Rawat as her replacement ahead of the South Africa clash.

Englands Joe Root became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to surpass 14,000 Test runs, reaching the milestone during the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. The 36-year-old achieved the feat in his 302nd innings and now ranks second on the all-time run-scoring list, further cementing his status among Test crickets greatest batters.

Shubman Gill press conference: On Rohit Sharma future, squad for England ODI, Playing XI and more

Shubman Gill admitted India have a good kind of headache over the opening combination after Yashasvi Jaiswal's second ODI hundred in three matches intensified the selection debate around Rohit Sharma ahead of the England tour. While backing Jaiswal's talent, Gill said the final XI would depend on the squad and players' fitness.

Australia continued their unbeaten Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 98-run win over the Netherlands. Beth Mooney starred with 74 before retiring hurt as Australia posted 219/6, equalling the tournament's highest total. The Netherlands managed 121/3, with captain Babette de Leede scoring an unbeaten 56 as Australia secured their third successive victory.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 110 and Rohit Sharma's 79 powered India to a nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in Chennai and a 3-0 ODI series sweep. Earlier, Prasidh Krishna's career-best 5/23 reduced Afghanistan to 36/4 before captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's maiden ODI century helped the visitors recover to 218, which India chased down in 28.4 overs.

The Indian women's hockey team showcased a dominant performance, thrashing Chile 6-0 in the semifinals of the Nations Cup to secure a spot in the final against hosts New Zealand. Navneet Kaur and Deepika each scored twice, with Neha and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal adding one goal apiece. The team's fluid play and clinical finishing, especially from penalty corners, have them brimming with confidence for the title clash.

Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a bizarre moment during the third ODI against India when a top edge from Rohit Sharma bounced off his knees and ran away for four, leaving fans amused. Gurbaz appeared to hurt himself while attempting the save but resumed play after treatment. Afghanistan later posted 218, with Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring a century.

India launched their chase against Afghanistan with a record-shattering 23 runs in the opening over, fueled by Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive batting and several extras. This remarkable start, following a five-run penalty against Afghanistan, set the tone for the chase. Earlier, Afghanistan posted 218, with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring a century, but were undone by Prasidh Krishna's stellar 5-wicket haul.

India's chase against Afghanistan began with a surprising 5/0 score, thanks to a five-run penalty awarded after Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi repeatedly ran on the protected pitch area. Despite this, Shahidi scored a maiden ODI century, guiding Afghanistan to 218. Prasidh Krishna was the star bowler, taking a career-best 5/23.

Prasidh Krishna starred with a career-best 5 for 23, becoming the first Indian to take an ODI five-wicket haul in Chennai and setting a new venue record. His early burst reduced Afghanistan to 36/4, but captain Hashmatullah Shahidi fought back with a maiden ODI century as the visitors recovered to post 218 before being bowled out.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi achieved a significant milestone, scoring his maiden ODI century with a resilient 102 against India. This landmark hundred came after a remarkable 4,644-day wait since his debut, placing him among the longest-waiting players for their first ODI ton. Shahidi's determined innings, battling through trouble and cramps, guided Afghanistan to a respectable 218 after an early collapse.

Pakistan's hockey team faces a major blow as captain Ammad Shakeel Butt is denied a visa for the upcoming FIH Pro League matches in England due to a past overstay. Head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan also awaits clearance. This comes as the team struggles, having lost all 11 matches and facing potential relegation, adding to pre-World Cup concerns.

Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia to move top of Group C and strengthen their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage. Matheus Cunha scored twice in the first half, becoming the first Brazilian since Neymar in 2014 to net multiple first-half World Cup goals. The defeat officially ended Haiti's hopes of progressing.

Captain Rohit Sharma achieved a rare fielding milestone in Chennai, becoming the fourth Indian to be involved in the first three dismissals of an ODI innings. He took all three catches at first slip against Afghanistan, marking a spectacular start to the match. This remarkable feat adds another chapter to his illustrious career as India aims for a series whitewash.

AIFF has deferred a decision on the proposed club-led ISL model until next week, while also considering changing its name to Football Federation of Bharat. The ISL is scheduled to begin on September 4.

In a startling incident during Australia's World Cup clash with the USA, referee Felix Zwayer collapsed due to heat exhaustion, prompting a six-minute stoppage. Demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship, Australian defender Aiden O'Neill rushed to aid Zwayer, providing leg stretches. Remarkably, Zwayer managed to recover and continue officiating, etching a memorable moment into the tournament's history.

Prasidh Krishna and Rohit Sharma etched their names in ODI history as India began their final match against Afghanistan with a bang. Krishna claimed the first three wickets of the innings, all caught by Sharma at first slip. This remarkable bowler-fielder partnership marked a unique first for India in over a thousand ODI matches, setting a dominant tone for the hosts.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar will be available for the decisive World Cup Group C clash against Scotland after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him for the first two matches. His return comes as Brazil face uncertainty over Raphinha's hamstring problem, following a 3-0 win over Haiti that boosted their knockout-stage hopes.

India is gearing up to potentially host a Formula 1 race again, with the Sports Ministry forming a task force to study its feasibility. Following discussions with stakeholders, the government aims to revive motorsports, targeting a 2028 return for F1 at the Buddh International Circuit.

India has made three changes for the final ODI against Afghanistan, with KL Rahul notably absent from the playing XI. Despite already securing the series 2-0, the team aims for a clean sweep. Captain Shubman Gill indicated the side will focus on improving their big-chasing abilities. Afghanistan, opting to bat first, also introduced several new faces to their lineup.

Hardik Pandya is out of India's upcoming ODI series due to a quadriceps injury, needing more time to recover for the format. Virat Kohli, recovering from a hamstring issue, is likely to be included subject to a fitness test on June 22. The team selection for the July series is imminent, with both players' availability crucial for future plans.

The incident took place just before half-time with Paraguay leading 1-0.

Rishabh Pant is reportedly set for a homecoming to Delhi Capitals, potentially involving a trade with Kuldeep Yadav moving to Lucknow Super Giants. Amidst this, former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh has advised KL Rahul to seek an auction if Pant returns. Rahul has excelled for Delhi Capitals, while Pant's stint with Lucknow was less successful, prompting Ganesh's suggestion for Rahul to consider his options.

Ishan, playing ODIs after nearly three years, first chipped in with 34 runs at No. 3 in the series opener against Afghanistan. In the second ODI, at No. 4, he went several steps further, producing a superb 125 off 79 balls to make a compelling case in a series where India are experimenting with batting roles.

Shubman Gill's captaincy has coincided with a remarkable surge in his batting prowess across formats. Since taking charge, he's transformed into a dependable scorer, notching centuries at an impressive rate. This leadership role appears to have unlocked a new level, with his Test average nearly doubling and his run-scoring significantly boosted, raising questions about the impact of the armband on his game.

Messi had already put Argentina ahead before the challenge and later went on to score a hat-trick.

Kuldeep Yadav's place may not be under immediate threat, but his form has become a talking point. As India begin building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, the team management is backing the left-arm wrist spinner to rediscover his wicket-taking touch and lead the middle overs once again.

Morocco opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 1-0 win over Scotland, but Ismael Saibaris 71-second strike stole the headlines. The PSV midfielder set a new fastest-goal record, secured back-to-back World Cup scoring history, and lifted Morocco to four points from two matches, significantly strengthening their chances of reaching the Round of 32.

Tensions between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth have reignited, nearly 18 years after the infamous IPL 2008 slapgate. Sreesanth challenged Harbhajan to a fight, citing a recent advertisement he believes exploits the incident. Despite past reconciliations and apologies, Sreesanth feels the controversy, which deeply affected his family, is being revisited for financial gain, leading him to block the spinner.

Cristiano Ronaldo's effectiveness for Portugal is under intense scrutiny following a goalless draw against DR Congo. Despite his legendary status, the 41-year-old's limited touches and lack of decisive impact raise questions about his role in the 2026 World Cup. The team's attacking rhythm and statistics suggest a need for tactical evolution.

The United States booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a composed 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle. Goals from a Cameron Burgess own goal and Alex Freeman secured a second consecutive Group D win, marking the Americans' first back-to-back men's World Cup victories since 1930 and underlining their growing tournament credentials.

Neeraj Chopra made a strong return to competition at the Doha Diamond League, securing a fourth-place finish with a season-best throw of 85.69 meters. Despite missing a podium spot after an injury layoff, the Olympic champion's performance comfortably met the Commonwealth Games qualification standard. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage clinched the victory with an impressive 88.68 meters, highlighting a competitive field.

Henry Nicholls marked his return with a stellar unbeaten century, guiding New Zealand to a commanding 252 for 3 on day three against England at The Oval. His 119, coupled with Rachin Ravindra's 76, forged a record partnership, extending New Zealand's lead to 352. This dominant display, built on Matt Henry's five-wicket haul, puts the hosts in a precarious position for a challenging fourth-innings chase.