The Times of India

England's FIFA World Cup preparations are back on track after most of their stolen equipment was recovered. Two men have been charged with receiving stolen property, with items like boots, jerseys, and even a World Cup ball returned. Authorities swiftly resolved the case, allowing the team to focus on their upcoming matches.

India's T20 World Cup journey begins with a clash against Pakistan in Birmingham. Despite a strong historical record against their rivals, the Indian squad, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, is emphasizing focus. Having had better preparation and recent wins, they know they can't underestimate Pakistan, even if the opposition isn't as ready.

India's victory over Afghanistan was marked by a heartwarming moment as Nitish Kumar Reddy paused his post-match press conference for a call from his mother. The young all-rounder's touching gesture resonated widely. On the field, debutants shone with the ball, while Shubman Gill's unbeaten 84 anchored India's chase to a seven-wicket win.

Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland, thanks to a stoppage-time own goal. Despite Switzerland dominating and taking an early lead through a Breel Embolo penalty, Qatar's resilience paid off. The result marks a significant milestone for the Gulf nation, offering renewed belief after a disappointing previous campaign.

FIFA has clarified a VAR incident during the Switzerland and Qatar World Cup match. A temporary technical issue affected on-screen graphics, not the review process. This led to questions about a penalty awarded to Switzerland. Qatar secured its first World Cup point with a late equalizer. Swiss players expressed disappointment over missed opportunities.

West Indies delivered a stunning upset, defeating defending champions New Zealand by seven wickets in their Women's T20 World Cup opener. A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and Aaliyah Alleyne's crucial four-wicket haul were instrumental in chasing down 163 with just one ball remaining, avenging their previous semifinal loss.

Brazil staged a spirited comeback to secure a 1-1 draw against Morocco in a thrilling World Cup Group C opener. Vincius Jnior's stunning strike canceled out Ismael Saibari's early goal, ensuring Brazil extended their unbeaten streak in World Cup openers to 21 matches. The result leaves Group C wide open.

Gurnoor Brar picked up three wickets on his ODI debut at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday. During his 29-ball spell, he not only impressed everyone with his pace but with his lengths as well. The Punjab quick showcased that he is far more than just raw pace, offering India a glimpse of a complete fast bowler for the future.

Nayeem was travelling in an auto-rickshaw near the Lalkhan Bazar area after arriving from Dhaka airport, according to a ESPNCricinfo report.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a brilliant century against India. He credited India coach Gautam Gambhir for his improved batting approach. Gurbaz had a conversation with Gambhir after a Test match loss. Gambhir offered advice on shot selection. Gurbaz implemented these suggestions during his innings. His century was a highlight despite Afghanistan's team total.

After being asked to bat, Australia recovered from an early wobble to post 172/8 in their 20 overs. South Africa, in reply, were bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs, with captain Laura Wolvaardt top-scoring with 44.

Shubman Gill showcased his mastery in ODI cricket with a composed unbeaten 84, guiding India to a seven-wicket victory against Afghanistan. His calm anchoring of the chase, despite a rain-truncated match and a challenging target, highlighted his leadership and focus on stabilizing the team ahead of the next ODI World Cup.

Led by captain Kathryn Bryce, Scotland scored 161/5 in their 20 overs. Ireland struggled in the chase, losing wickets regularly and were bowled out for 121 in 19.1 overs.

Shubman Gill etched his name in history, becoming the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs in just 61 innings against Afghanistan. This remarkable feat places him second globally, behind Hashim Amla. Gill's consistent brilliance and attacking flair solidify his status as a premier world batter, adding another jewel to his young, glittering career.

Folarin Balogun, scorer of two goals on his World Cup debut, was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents after his pregnant mother, visiting her sister in America, was reportedly advised against flying back to Britain, where she lived at that time. In the more extreme corners of the MAGA universe, that would make Balogun an anchor baby born to someone visiting the US. On Thursday night, he was simply called Man of the Match the undisputed hero of a squad that perfectly represents the beautiful, me

Rohit Sharma achieved a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian opener to score 16,000 international runs. This landmark was reached during the first ODI against Afghanistan. Sharma joins an elite group of opening batsmen in cricket history. He also surpassed Jacques Kallis' ODI run tally. The Indian captain continues to set new records.

Shubman Gill stole the spotlight with a spectacular one-handed diving catch as India tightened control in the rain-reduced first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala. Afghanistan posted a strong start through Rahmanullah Gurbazs quick century, but India struck back with regular wickets. Debutant Harsh Dubey impressed with key breakthroughs, while Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy supported well to restrict the visitors.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a record-breaking 48-ball century against India in the rain-affected first ODI. His explosive 102 off 51 balls, featuring eight fours and eight sixes, marked the fastest ODI hundred by an Afghanistan batter and the quickest in an India-Afghanistan encounter. Gurbaz's rapid fifty also secured a spot in Afghanistan's top ODI half-centuries.

At 39 years and 75 days, he went past former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath, who was 39 years and 36 days old when he played his last ODI for India in 1989.

Manav Suthar continued his impressive form by taking two wickets on his Warwickshire debut against Yorkshire in the County Championship, days after starring on his India Test debut against Afghanistan with a seven-wicket haul. Meanwhile, veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat shone for Sussex, claiming 4/29 to help dismiss Glamorgan for 155.

India handed ODI caps to Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar for their clash against Afghanistan. Despite initial weather concerns, the match will proceed as a 25-over per side contest. Captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to test new combinations ahead of the World Cup. Afghanistan, though preferring to bowl, expressed confidence in their batting.

Stokes came under scrutiny after footage emerged from post-Test celebrations at a nightclub following England's win over New Zealand at Lord's. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in an incident that also included Saracens academy rugby player Totoa Auvaa.

Virender Sehwag backs Yashasvi Jaiswal to become a regular in India's ODI side post-Rohit Sharma's retirement. Despite strong performances, including a century against South Africa, Jaiswal faces tough competition. Sehwag and Manoj Tiwary believe Jaiswal is poised to lead the future opening lineup once senior players depart after next year's World Cup.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India are aiming to add a second global title after winning the Women's ODI World Cup last year. The head-to-head record is firmly in India's favour, with India leading Pakistan 13-3 in women's T20Is.

Brazil will start their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign without star forward Neymar for their opening Group C match against Morocco. Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar is still recovering from a calf injury and is not expected to be ready for the June 14th fixture. However, there is optimism he could feature later in the group stage.

India begin their ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Pakistan on Sunday in Birmingham, aiming for a maiden title. Harmanpreet Kaurs side, which holds a 13-3 T20I advantage over Pakistan, will rely on Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for strong starts. The match starts at 7 PM IST and will be streamed on JioHotstar and telecast on Star Sports.

The United States began their FIFA World Cup journey with a strong 4-1 victory against Paraguay. The match saw a significant VAR intervention, marking a first in the tournament. Officials corrected a mistaken identity booking, overturning a yellow card for Tim Ream and issuing one to Miguel Almirn for simulation.

England shattered Women's T20 World Cup records with a colossal 219/1, powered by Danni Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten 105. A dominant batting display, including a record opening stand, set a daunting target. Sri Lanka crumbled under pressure, bowled out for 132 as Freya Kemp claimed a career-best 4 wickets, securing a resounding victory for the hosts.

Kane Williamson on retirement and his legacy

Ahead of Indias Womens T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan, Jemimah Rodrigues said the rivalry brings immense pressure, recalling how even her building watchman stresses the importance of beating Pakistan. Despite the expectations, she said the team remains focused on winning its maiden T20 World Cup title, with extensive preparation and mental conditioning boosting confidence.

PV Sindhus Australian Open 2026 campaign ended in the semifinals after a 22-20, 21-12 defeat to reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi in Sydney. The world No. 10 had impressed throughout the tournament, including a dominant quarterfinal win over Chen Su-yu. Despite missing the final, the deep run marked another encouraging result in Sindhus resurgent 2026 season.

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker expressed profound grief over the passing of her former coach Jaspal Rana, calling it an irreparable loss. She fondly remembered Rana as a mentor and friend who understood her deeply, crediting him for her resurgence and historic Paris Olympics success. Their reunited partnership brought immense glory to Indian sports.

Christian Pulisic became the United States' all-time World Cup assist leader, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo with his third career assist during a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Despite a precautionary halftime substitution due to a calf issue, Pulisic's early contributions set the tone for a historic performance by the USMNT on home soil.

Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya's injuries have forced India into transition mode as they begin preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ishan Kishan appears set to get the No. 3 role, Nitish Kumar Reddy could replace Hardik, while young pacers Prince and Gurnoor await opportunities.

Folarin Balogun announced his commitment to the United States with a stunning World Cup debut, scoring twice against Paraguay. His brace, alongside goal from Reyna, secured a historic 4-1 victory for the US in their opening match. Balogun's impressive performance marks a significant moment for American football.

More than a decorated shooter and coach, Jaspal Rana's enduring legacy lay in his generosity and unwavering commitment to nurturing Indian shooting. Through anecdotes from those closest to him and the grief his passing left behind, this piece explores how Rana's life came to embody the spirit of Rabindranath Tagore's Mrityunjay, becoming, in essence, greater than death.

Rohit Sharma looks rusty, struggles in the nets | India Playing XI surprise

Rohit Sharma faces an audition for his ODI future, needing to prove his fitness and form ahead of the next World Cup. Captain Shubman Gill grapples with selection decisions, potentially looking beyond the veteran. The series against Afghanistan also serves as a platform to test new batting combinations with Virat Kohli sidelined.

Football fans at the Mexico City stadium were amused by South African players' bewildered expressions during a FIFA World Cup match. A VAR announcement left them confused, reminding Indian fans of a similar viral moment involving cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The incident occurred during the Mexico vs South Africa clash, highlighting a shared moment of bewilderment across sports.

England launched their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a resounding 87-run victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. Danni Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten century powered England to a record 219/1, the highest team total in tournament history. Their bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 132, securing a dominant start.

Younger brother Aashirwad Sooryavanshi, aged 10, has scored a brilliant century in a local practice match, mirroring the cricketing talent of his elder brother Vaibhav. Vaibhav, a teenage sensation, proudly shared Aashirwad's achievement on social media while he is currently on tour with India A.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded Kane Williamson after his international retirement. Tendulkar praised Williamson's batting technique and gentlemanly conduct. He noted Williamson's departure would bring relief to bowlers. Williamson retires as New Zealand's top international scorer with numerous records. His leadership also left a significant mark on the sport.

Harshit Rana is set to join the Indian ODI squad in Chennai for the Afghanistan series, not as a replacement for Hardik Pandya, but to reintegrate into the international setup post-knee surgery. He's been bowling intensely and working on his batting, with official clearance expected soon.

Indian shooting legend Jaspal Rana, known for his fearless approach and straight talk, has passed away at 49. A trailblazer, he inspired a generation of shooters, proving Indians could win internationally. Rana challenged the system, championed athletes' rights, and later mentored champions like Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.