The Times of India

Joe Root expressed enthusiasm for leading England's Test team again. He cited incoming coach Stephen Fleming as a key reason for his excitement. Fleming's vision has Root looking forward to the team's future prospects. Root also acknowledged the positive impact of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. England's next assignment is a home series against Pakistan in August.

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta anticipates pressure on coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill. India has lost recent Test series, and this Sri Lanka tour is crucial. The team needs to show clear direction during this transition period. Winning seven out of nine remaining Tests is vital for WTC final hopes. Dasgupta stressed that no Test series can be taken lightly by India.

Asmita Dey's historic Commonwealth Games gold was shaped by far more than what happened on the judo mat. After losing her father, battling a Grade-2 ankle injury and overcoming severe financial hardship, the Tripura judoka found unwavering support in coach Yashapal Solanki, who stood by her like a father. Their emotional embrace after the final told the story of resilience, sacrifice and a dream fulfilled against overwhelming odds.

Preeti Pawar initiated India's gold medal streak in boxing at the Commonwealth Games. Several other Indian boxers followed her lead, securing multiple gold medals. Jaismine Lamboria and Sakshi Chaudhary also won their respective finals convincingly. Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary added to the gold medal tally with strong performances. However, some Indian boxers like Jadumani Singh and Lovlina Borgohain secured silver and lost their finals.

The triumph was particularly significant for Soman Rana, who was a national-level boxer before the accident abruptly ended his sporting career. He had trained alongside Vijender Singh and represented the Services Sports Control Board at 2005 Senior National Boxing Championships.

Narender Berwal earned a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games boxing finals. He lost a close heavyweight bout to England's Damar Thomas. Berwal expressed determination to improve and succeed at the upcoming Asian Games. Indian boxers experienced several narrow losses, impacting their overall medal potential. The team achieved its most successful Commonwealth Games boxing campaign with ten medals.

Ankush Panghal secured the men's 80kg gold medal with a remarkable comeback victory. He overcame a significant deficit to defeat England's Dimeji Shittu in the final bout. This win contributed to India's most successful boxing campaign ever at the Commonwealth Games. India achieved seven gold and three silver medals in total across the boxing events. The women's team notably secured five gold medals during the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo went viral after replying Fcil to a viral Instagram reel that ranked him as the most famous athlete in history, ahead of Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi. The Al Nassr captains confident one-word response sparked huge social media attention, while fans debated his global popularity, legacy, and extraordinary career achievements.

India enjoyed its best day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning 16 medals to climb to fourth in the standings with 39 medals overall. A historic boxing campaign delivered seven golds and three silvers, while athletics, para athletics and judo added six more medals. India also reached the mixed 4x400m relay final and remained in contention for more success on the final day.

India enjoyed its biggest day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning 16 medals to climb to fourth in the standings with one day remaining. A historic boxing haul of seven golds and three silvers led the surge, while medals in para athletics, athletics and judo lifted India's tally to 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze) in Glasgow.

Lionel Messi has returned to Inter Miami training after Argentinas 2026 World Cup final run, but the club is yet to decide when he will play again. Head coach Guillermo Hoyos confirmed Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are available for selection against Columbus Crew, though their involvement remains uncertain as Inter Miami manage their workload amid a congested schedule.

India finished on top of the boxing medal standings with seven gold and three silver medals, registering its best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games.

Sachin Siwach secured the men's 60kg boxing gold medal for India. He achieved this victory through a remarkable comeback in the final round. Ndevelo had led after the initial two rounds of the match. Siwach's persistence paid off with a decisive punch before the bell. This win marked India's sixth boxing gold at the games.

Former Bolivia captain Marco Antonio Etcheverry has urged Lionel Messi to continue playing for Argentina until the 2030 World Cup, even proposing a global petition to convince him. The MLS legend praised Messis 2026 World Cup performances and said football would not be the same without him, adding to growing calls for the eight-time Ballon dOr winner to extend his international career.

Arundhati defeated Reid by a unanimous 5-0 decision to give India its fifth boxing gold of the competition.

Priya Ghanghas secured India's fourth boxing gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She defeated Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh in a close 60kg final bout. The judges awarded Priya the victory by a narrow 4-1 split decision. This win continued India's impressive performance in the boxing ring. PT Usha presented the medals to the victorious athletes.

Sakshi Chaudhary secured the women's 51kg boxing gold medal for India. She defeated England's Ruby White by unanimous decision in a composed performance. Chaudhary dominated the opening rounds, utilizing her reach advantage effectively. Her superior ring control earned her the second round and brought her closer to victory. This triumph marked India's third boxing gold medal of the day.

India's para athletes achieved their finest-ever performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. They secured seven medals, matching all previous editions combined in a single campaign. Para athletics led the success, contributing six medals including three gold and two silvers. Indian athletes achieved multiple one-two finishes in several track and field events. This historic showing marks a significant leap forward for Indian para sports.

Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage secured Commonwealth Games gold with a strong throw. Neeraj Chopra returned from injury to claim the silver medal. Yash Vir Singh surprised many by winning a bronze medal. Pathirage's victory establishes him as the current world leader. This event signals a developing rivalry for future competitions.

US President Donald Trump said he never discussed FIFA's controversial private investment proposal with Gianni Infantino, distancing himself from speculation over the plan's reported links to Thrive Capital. His comments came before FIFA abandoned the FIFA Forward Enterprise project following fierce global opposition, ending a week-long governance crisis that sparked boycott threats and internal resignations.

Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. He credited veteran boxer Sarita Devi for her significant support and guidance. Sarita Devi's daily advice and encouragement were crucial to his journey. The young boxer aims to improve and perform well in future competitions. This silver medal will motivate him to work even harder.

Tejaswin finished with 7,976 points in the demanding 10-event competition held over two days. He competed despite dealing with chronic patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee), the same injury that had forced him to pull out of the men's high jump event earlier in the Games.

Jaismine Lamboria won the Commonwealth Games 57kg gold medal after a significant illness. She battled a high fever and concussion during the Asian Championships earlier. This victory marked a remarkable comeback after months of uncertainty and pain. Her coaches supported her through the difficult recovery period. The gold medal fulfilled her aim of improving on her previous performance.

FIFA's ambitious $20 billion commercial venture has been abandoned after facing significant opposition. UEFA expressed a loss of confidence in the current FIFA leadership and its processes. The European body criticised the lack of transparency behind the failed proposal. Several football organisations and advisors also voiced their disapproval of the plan. This setback signals a potential challenge to Gianni Infantino's presidency.

The decision to change the colour of the Indian hockey team's jersey is not merely a sports-related choice, but a matter deeply connected to the sentiments of millions of Indians and our sporting traditions.

Rajat Patidar will captain the Central Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy tournament. Rinku Singh has been named as his deputy for the prestigious domestic competition. Saransh Jain is expected to miss early matches while with the national Test team. The Central Zone squad features experienced batters and promising young domestic talents. This tournament marks the beginning of India's domestic red-ball cricket season.

Lost father at 3, now India's first 2026 Esports Chess WC qualifier: Aravindh Chithambaram Exclusive

India achieved a one-two finish in the men's F57 shot put event. Soman Rana secured the gold medal while Shubham Juyal earned the silver medal. Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran added silver and bronze in the triple jump. Soman Rana's journey highlights his resilience and dedication to para athletics. These victories mark a memorable day for Indian athletes at the games.

Ajinkya Rahane's Test career is one of Indian cricket's greatest statistical paradoxes. His average of 38.46 falls short of the elite, yet the numbers hide a batter who thrived overseas, delivered in crises and played defining roles in historic victories. This data-driven feature explores why Rahane's legacy extends far beyond conventional statistics and career aggregates.

Joe Root will lead England's Test team again. He returns with valuable leadership experience from his previous tenure. Root captained England in sixty-five Test matches previously. He is set to begin his second stint as captain soon. England will host Pakistan in the first Test match.

Jaismine Lamboria secured the women's 57kg boxing gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She defeated Michaela Walsh by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final bout. This victory marked India's seventh gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 event. The win followed Preeti Pawar's earlier boxing gold medal success. Both boxers showed mutual respect after the memorable competition concluded.

Preeti Pawar secured the women's 54kg boxing gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She defeated Canada's Scarlett Delgado by unanimous decision in the final bout. Pawar controlled the contest from the opening bell, showcasing superior accuracy and ring craft. The Indian boxer swept all rounds, demonstrating her dominance throughout the match. This victory marked India's first boxing gold medal of the day.

Alzarri Joseph addressed head coach Daren Sammy's comments regarding his Test series absence. Joseph stated his decision stemmed from physical readiness concerns after a lengthy injury layoff. He explained his body was not prepared for another Test series after recent ODI matches. The fast bowler emphasized his commitment to representing West Indies professionally. Joseph clarified personal relationships do not impact his dedication to the team.

India's boxing contingent has secured a historic ten finalists at the Commonwealth Games. These boxers will compete for gold medals on Saturday in Glasgow. Lovlina Borgohain leads the women's charge in the 75kg category final. Four men's boxers are also vying for gold medals in their respective divisions. This marks a significant opportunity for India's most successful boxing campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian athletes for their performances. Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal in the men's javelin throw event. Yash Vir Singh and Yamini Maurya also won bronze and silver medals respectively. Tejaswin Shankar earned a bronze medal in the men's decathlon competition. India's medal tally at the games now stands at twenty-three.

Tejaswin Shankar secured a historic bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games decathlon. He overcame a sudden leg injury that threatened his participation in the event. Shankar focused on each moment and session to achieve his best performance. He finished the 1,500m race to seal his podium finish. This medal marks his second Commonwealth Games achievement.

East Zone selectors appointed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy. This move aims to develop his leadership skills by observing the captain closely. Experienced players like Abhimanyu Easwaran were not considered for this specific role. Ishan Kishan will lead the team as captain, with Sooryavanshi as his deputy. Both players are seen as future prospects for India's cricket setup.

Gianni Infantino wanted to create a $20 billion company to manage FIFA's commercial business, including the men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cups. Under the proposal, private investors would own a 20% stake in the new company. The proposed anchor investor was a New York-based investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Rishabh Pant trains with MS Dhoni in Ranchi for the upcoming Test series. Pant is preparing for the crucial Sri Lanka series after a recent IPL season. India needs strong performances in this series for the World Test Championship. Dhoni remains away from competitive cricket due to injury concerns. He is reportedly considered for a mentorship role with Chennai Super Kings.

Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared his 2027 ODI World Cup squad selections. He categorized players into 'Yes', 'Maybe', and 'No' lists for the tournament. Ashwin included veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his preferred squad. He believes Bhuvneshwar can perform well in South African conditions. Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson were notably absent from Ashwin's top picks.

Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal in the javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games. He shared the podium with fellow Indian Yashvir Singh, who won bronze. Yashvir achieved a personal best throw on his final attempt to claim the medal. Chopra expressed happiness at sharing the podium with another Indian athlete. This silver medal adds to Chopra's extensive collection of career achievements.

India's top pole vaulters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar will compete in the men's final, while Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran will take part in the men's triple jump final.

Asmita Dey secured India's first judo gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She defeated Canada's Heidi Quach in a dramatic women's 48kg final match. This victory fulfilled a dream she feared was lost after her father's death. Her father had always supported her aspirations and encouraged her to dream big. Dey credited the support from SAI Bhopal for her continued progress.

Yashvir Singh secured a historic bronze medal with a personal best throw. Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal with his season's best performance. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage claimed the gold medal in the event. Sharing the podium with Yashvir made the achievement more special for Chopra. Both athletes achieved significant milestones during the competition.

India produced its biggest day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning six medals to take its tally to 23. Historic judo golds for Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, athletics medals from Tejaswin Shankar, Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh, plus a perfect 10-for-10 boxing run into finals highlighted a memorable Day 9 in Glasgow.