The Times of India

Brazil, topping their group with seven points, gears up to face Japan in Houston for the Round of 32. Coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the need for mental fortitude and a clear strategy, highlighting the team's strong comeback after a slow start. Both nations enter the knockout stage undefeated, promising a tense encounter where Brazil's intelligent players are urged to embrace the high stakes of a single-match elimination.

Harshavardhan GB became India's 97th Grandmaster, ending a six-year wait since earning his IM title in 2020. Nicknamed legend by his chess peers for his creative brilliance, the 22-year-old overcame repeated near-misses, financial struggles and travel hardships. Backed by his family and coaches, Harshavardhan's emotional breakthrough has now set him on the path towards becoming a super Grandmaster.

At the NBA Rising Stars Invitational 2026, India's defeats revealed more than the gap to Asia's best. For NBA India Head Sunny Malik, the bigger story is the pathway now taking shape - from Jr. NBA to RSI and beyond - as the league looks to build an ecosystem that consistently produces elite basketball talent.

Ancy Sojan shattered a 22-year-old national record in the women's long jump, leaping 6.88m. This remarkable feat, achieved by a daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver and coached by another, fulfills long-held sporting dreams in their Kerala village. Her father and childhood coach, who themselves faced limited opportunities, now see their aspirations realised through Ancy's success, with hopes of her breaching the 7-meter mark.

Ireland achieved a historic 2-0 T20I series triumph over reigning world champions India, with debutant Jai Moondra emerging as the unlikely hero. The software engineer from Rajasthan claimed crucial wickets, including Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer, to seal a dramatic one-run victory. Moondra, named Player of the Match and Series, expressed disbelief at the monumental achievement.

Over six days in Singapore, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational evolved into far more than a high-school basketball tournament. With Asia's best young talent, NBA and WNBA legends, packed stands and a growing ecosystem around the game, the event offered a glimpse into where basketball in the region is headed.

Kemar Roach achieved a monumental career milestone, becoming the fifth West Indies bowler to claim 300 Test wickets during a crushing innings-and-217-run victory over Sri Lanka. This dominant win, one of the Caribbean's largest ever, was set up by a world-record 401-run partnership between Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase.

Ireland secured a historic 2-0 T20I series win over India, marking a tough start for captain Shreyas Iyer. India faltered in their chase of 155, falling short by one run despite a late surge. Iyer acknowledged Ireland's superior understanding of the conditions, admitting India's batting unit struggled to adapt. The defeat also ended India's impressive 16-series winning streak.

England captain Ben Stokes has revealed the profound emotional toll of the Ashes defeat as the primary reason for his international retirement. He confessed to his wife that he felt o more fight left to overcome the disappointment. Stokes cited overwhelming emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, accumulated over years of demanding cricket, as the driving force behind his decision to step away from the game he loves.

The loss meant India failed to qualify for the semi-finals despite posting 170 for four after being asked to bat.

Tilak Varma's resilient half-century was a lone bright spot for India in their narrow one-run loss to Ireland, despite becoming one of the slowest Indian fifties in T20Is. Walking in during a top-order collapse, Varma battled tough conditions to reach his milestone. Ultimately, Ireland secured a historic series win, ending India's impressive streak.

Australia knocked India out of the Women's T20 World Cup with a comfortable six-wicket win, thanks to a match-winning 100-run partnership between Ellyse Perry (56) and Ashleigh Gardner (53*). Earlier, Harmanpreet Kaur's explosive 56 off 27 balls helped India post 170/4, but the total proved insufficient as Australia advanced to the semifinals unbeaten.

Ireland achieved a historic one-run victory over reigning T20 World Cup champions India, securing a stunning 2-0 series sweep. Debutant Jai Moondra's fiery opening spell and disciplined death bowling proved crucial as Ireland defended a modest 154. Despite Tilak Varma's valiant 55, India's chase faltered, ending their impressive 16-series winning streak and exposing familiar batting frailties.

Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in women's international cricket, surpassing Jhulan Goswami's record with the dismissal of Australia's Beth Mooney during India's must-win Women's T20 World Cup clash. Earlier, captain Harmanpreet Kaur's explosive 56 off 27 balls, including three consecutive sixes in the final over, helped India post a competitive 170/4.

As Jannik Sinner begins his Wimbledon title defence, questions remain over his fitness following his dramatic collapse at the French Open. Despite making changes to his training and preparation, experts believe managing physical demands over long matches remains his biggest challenge. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka revealed she sought help from a psychologist after her own Roland Garros disappointment.

Tempers flared during India's Women's T20 World Cup clash against Australia after a mix-up between close friends Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues led to Mandhana's run-out. The pair exchanged angry looks before Mandhana later brushed off the incident. Meanwhile, captain Harmanpreet Kaur's explosive 56 off 27 balls powered India to a competitive total of 170/4.

India's T20I series against Ireland began disastrously in Belfast as both openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, were dismissed for golden ducks in the opening over, a rare feat in T20I history. Despite restricting Ireland to 154, India's chase faltered early, losing four wickets within the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma also added to his tally of ducks in the current calendar year.

The announcement came while Stokes was in the middle of a bowling spell. England Cricket released a statement confirming that the 35-year-old would step away from international cricket after the conclusion of the Test.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 features several title contenders facing crucial knockout tests. Brazil take on Japan, Spain face Austria, Norway meet Ivory Coast, France play Sweden, Portugal battle Croatia, and defending champions Argentina face debutants Cape Verde. With stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo involved, the knockout stage promises high drama.

India is set to host the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone 17 years after Hyderabad last staged the event. This return celebrates Indian badminton's remarkable transformation from a sport dominated by a few stars to a global powerhouse, evidenced by numerous World Championship medals and the historic Thomas Cup victory. Players express pride and excitement for this landmark occasion.

From the WPL to the WNBA, women's sport has entered a new era of growth. Yet, for Lauren Jackson, the bigger challenge is ensuring girls stay in sport long enough to become players, coaches and leaders. Speaking on the NBA's Her Time To Play leadership panel in Singapore, the Australian great argued that sustaining women's sport begins long before the professional stage.

Kushare created history by clearing 2.31m at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships on Saturday, improving the previous national record of 2.29m set by Tejaswin Shankar.

India aims to level the T20I series against Ireland after a surprising loss in the opener. Captain Shreyas Iyer has introduced two debutants, Suryansh Shedge and Prince Yadav, to the playing XI. The team is looking to bounce back and secure a victory in the second match of the series, with Shedge and Yadav eager to make their mark on the international stage.

Jangoo had earlier scored a century on his ODI debut for the West Indies, and his latest knock has now added another milestone to his international career.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled German legend Lothar Matthaus for the second-most FIFA World Cup appearances after playing his 25th match in Portugal's goalless draw against Colombia. The result sent both teams into the Round of 32, with Colombia topping Group K. Ronaldo also extended his unusual record of being caught offside 11 times across the last two World Cups.

Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has strongly criticized Team India's complacent approach following their unexpected 34-run loss to Ireland. He believes the team underestimated their opponents, prioritizing the upcoming England series over the T20I opener. Ramesh highlighted Ireland's smart execution, particularly with short-pitched bowling on larger grounds, and pointed to India's sloppy fielding and overconfidence as key factors in the shocking defeat.

India-origin Ireland pacer Jai Moondra has backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying age is just a number and insisting the youngster has the potential to produce something special. Moondra's praise came after his dream debut for Ireland, where he claimed 2/25, including the wicket of Sanju Samson, helping Ireland register their first-ever international win over India.

The Argentina captain scored with a free-kick in the 80th minute at AT&T Stadium on Saturday (local time). It was his sixth World Cup goal from outside the box, taking him past Brazil great Rivelino, who had held the record with five.

Brian MacNeice reveals what Ireland's 1st T20I win over India means

Former England captain Michael Vaughan lauded 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for revolutionizing T20 batting, pushing par scores to 230. However, Vaughan highlighted fielding endurance as Sooryavanshi's key challenge at the international level, suggesting England exploit this by having India field first. Despite this, Sooryavanshi's impressive U19 World Cup and IPL performances showcase his potential.

George Russell seized pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashed out in qualifying. Russell's Mercedes outpaced Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who will start second and third respectively. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth, while Verstappen will start fifth. The race promises a thrilling Mercedes-Ferrari showdown with Verstappen aiming to climb the field.

England captain Ben Stokes was seen rallying Jofra Archer to join team celebrations during the third Test against New Zealand. After spinner Shoaib Bashir took a wicket, Archer initially stayed apart, seemingly frustrated by a dropped catch earlier. Stokes' decisive gesture emphasized team unity, drawing Archer back into the fold, a moment that resonated with fans praising his leadership.

Africa is celebrating its finest FIFA World Cup performance, with a record nine nations advancing to the Round of 32. Morocco, South Africa, and Senegal are among the teams making history. Debutants DR Congo secured their first-ever World Cup win, while Cabo Verde continued their fairytale run by progressing without a group stage victory. This marks a significant leap for African football on the global stage.

DR Congo's iconic football fan, Lumumba Vea, missed a crucial World Cup match against Uzbekistan due to a US visa denial. Known for his unique tribute to Patrice Lumumba, his absence was felt, though the team secured a historic 3-1 victory, advancing to the Round of 32 for the first time. His journey to the tournament was already hampered by travel restrictions.

Argentina concluded their group stage with a perfect record, defeating Jordan 3-1. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez found the net before Lionel Messi, coming off the bench, added a historic free-kick goal. This victory secured Argentina's top spot in Group J, setting them up for a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde.

James Rodrguez became Colombias all-time World Cup appearance leader during the 2026 draw with Portugal, marking his 11th tournament game. The milestone came as Colombia topped Group K unbeaten, with James once again pulling the creative strings. Despite a VAR disallowed late goal, Colombias dominance ensured progress, adding another historic chapter to their captains enduring World Cup legacy.

Lionel Messi etched his name in World Cup history, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive matches with a stunning free-kick against Jordan. This remarkable goal, his 19th in the tournament, extended his all-time scoring record. The Argentine captain, rested for the start, came off the bench to secure a 3-1 victory, showcasing his enduring impact on the global stage.

Colombia topped Group K at the 2026 World Cup after a historic 0-0 draw with Portugal in Miami, their first ever goalless match in 23 World Cup games. Despite dominating chances and forcing Diogo Costa into multiple saves, they were held by Cristiano Ronaldos side. The result confirmed both teams progression, with Colombia finishing unbeaten group leaders.

Colombia topped Group K at the 2026 World Cup after a dominant but goalless draw with Portugal in Miami. Despite 26 shots and relentless pressure, Diogo Costas heroics and a late VAR offside call denied a winner. Ronaldo was largely contained as James Rodrguez orchestrated play for Colombia. Both teams advance, but Colombia finish unbeaten group leaders.

Born months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster forced his parents to leave Japan, Ethan Vaz's journey to becoming India's 96th Grandmaster at just 14 has been defined by sacrifice and remarkable family support. From replacing cartoons with chess to navigating financial uncertainty, Ethan's rise mirrors both extraordinary talent and a family's all-in pursuit of a dream.

England decisively ended New Zealand's Women's T20 World Cup reign with a nine-wicket victory. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge starred with an unbeaten 89, powering England's chase after New Zealand posted 163/6. Wyatt-Hodge's stellar performance also saw her break the tournament record for most runs in a single edition. The defeat marked the end of international careers for New Zealand veterans Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu.

Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill recently shared a memorable encounter with football legend Ronaldinho at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States. This meeting of sporting icons has captivated fans online. Gill's career is soaring, having recently reached No. 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Meanwhile, Ronaldinho is making headlines again with a new signing in Italian football.

Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has a bright international future, urging him to emulate Sachin Tendulkar's discipline and focus. Despite not debuting against Ireland yet, Sooryavanshi's IPL success has drawn comparisons to Tendulkar. Vengsarkar is confident the young batter will seize his opportunity, highlighting his immense potential and unique style, though cautioning that his Test capabilities remain to be seen.