The Times of India

Team India's assistant coach has made it clear that India's top three -- Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill will remain intact. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh is likely to be rested. Between Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul one will miss out as management wants all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy to get a fair run.

Cristiano Ronaldo's blank outing against DR Congo reignited questions over his place in Portugal's World Cup side. But the numbers paint a more complicated picture. While the 41-year-old failed to register a shot on target, FIFA tracking data shows he made 47 off-ball runs and was found only 10 times. His finishing deserves scrutiny, but Portugal's lack of service and creativity may have been just as responsible for a frustrating opening night.

Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against DR Congo ended in a surprising 1-1 draw, sparking online backlash against several teammates of Cristiano Ronaldo. Fans accused them of deliberately ignoring the veteran forward, a sentiment echoed by Ronaldo's sister. Despite playing the full match, Ronaldo had limited touches, and his sister's cryptic post fueled speculation about team dynamics.

WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal gear up for 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan

Matt Renshaw was the hero for Australia, smashing an unbeaten 89 and taking a crucial wicket to guide them to a seven-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I. His stellar performance powered Australia to a record 196/5, a total Bangladesh narrowly missed in a thrilling chase. This win secures the series for Australia with a 2-0 lead.

India to rotate squad! Ryan ten Doeschate reveals selection plans for 3rd ODI

Former pacer S Sreesanth has questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir's significant contribution to India's recent white-ball triumphs, emphasizing the crucial roles played by players like Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav. Sreesanth argued that on-field leaders and players made key decisions, contrasting this with a more involved coach like Ashish Nehra. He also linked India's Test struggles to Gambhir's tenure, advocating for a mentor over a coach.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has received clearance to travel to Canada for the World Cup match against Germany, despite facing an investigation in France for alleged betting offenses. The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the necessary permissions were secured, allowing the player to join his team. Wahi was previously detained and questioned in France regarding suspicious betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 match.

India has secured the ODI series against Afghanistan, using the matches to test new player combinations. While Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill impressed at number three, former captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth questioned KL Rahul's deployment in a lower batting order, advocating for him to bat higher. Srikkanth also raised concerns about player fatigue due to the demanding schedule.

Iran's football federation is lodging a formal complaint with FIFA, citing travel restrictions that disadvantage their national team during the World Cup. Officials claim denied requests for extended stays and forced immediate departures after matches have disrupted preparations and player recovery, impacting competitive fairness.

Kuldeep Yadav is set to join the Lucknow Super Giants for the 2027 IPL season. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is strongly expected to make a return to his former team, the Delhi Capitals, with the specifics of his move still being finalised. Both players had a torrid campaign in IPL 2026 for their respective teams.

Virat Kohli delivered another strong IPL season, finishing as RCBs top run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.84 - his highest-ever in a single edition. In the final, he played a key unbeaten 75-run knock that helped RCB become only the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to successfully defend their title.

Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh is set to join the Delhi Capitals support staff from the 2027 IPL season. This marks his first formal coaching role in the league, building on his extensive mentorship of young players. His hands-on approach and impact on careers has been considered to be highly valued.

Shivang Kumar defied convention by transforming from a top-order batter into a chinaman bowler, a move initially met with skepticism. This unique skill set, coupled with his explosive batting, earned him blockbuster contracts in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPLT20) and then with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

Brazil faces Haiti in their second World Cup 2026 match without star forward Neymar. The 34-year-old is sidelined with a calf strain, remaining in New Jersey for rehabilitation. Coach Ancelotti is prioritizing his long-term fitness, aiming for his return in the knockout rounds. Brazil, under pressure after a draw, will rely on Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

Faf du Plessis has just redefined age in T20 cricket, setting a record as the oldest centurion at 41 years and 340 days. His remarkable unbeaten score of 104 propelled the Texas Super Kings to a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Seattle Orcas in the electrifying MLC 2026 season debut.

Former India pacer S Sreesanth has challenged Harbhajan Singh to an in-ring fight, reigniting their 2008 'Slapgate' feud. Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of profiting from the incident and urged him to settle their differences through genuine combat rather than advertisements. The challenge comes after a recent ad featuring Harbhajan reportedly reopened old wounds for Sreesanth.

Another youngster from the Sooryavanshi household is beginning to attract attention. Ten-year-old Ashirvad Sooryavanshi, who started playing cricket only six months ago, smashed 103 off 87 balls in his first match for Cricket Academy Tajpur. A right-handed batting all-rounder and fish lover, Ashirvad trains on the same pitches where elder brother Vaibhav honed his skills and dreams of watching him score a century in the UK.

England captain Ben Stokes might return for the third Test against New Zealand as investigations into a nightclub incident near conclusion. Optimism is growing within the team for his comeback. The ECB has cleared him for competitive cricket, with a decision on his immediate future pending the Cricket Regulator's findings.

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could spearhead a Test cricket revival if he realises his vast potential. Srikkanth urged patience, highlighting the 15-year-old's dominant style and unique aura, stating he is simply outstanding for Indian cricket and he son of God in cricketing terms.

Germany's legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer confirmed his international retirement post-World Cup 2026. The 40-year-old, a 2014 World Cup winner, cited the physical and mental toll of continued national duty. Neuer's return to the squad, after a brief hiatus, was driven by strong club form, and he emphasized team unity despite initial selection debates.

Faf du Plessis, at 41, smashed an unbeaten 113 off 52 balls to lead Texas Super Kings to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Seattle Orcas. His historic century, the oldest in T20 history, guided TSK in their pursuit of 221, securing a winning start to their MLC 2026 campaign.

Virat Kohli is making significant progress in his hamstring injury recovery and is on track to return for India's upcoming ODI series in England. He has begun rehabilitation and is expected to undergo a fitness assessment soon. The Indian ODI squad for the England tour will be selected later this week.

Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, is receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. The Messi family has issued an emotional appeal for privacy and restraint from media and the public. They confirmed Jorge Messi is stable and progressing well. This comes after Lionel Messi spoke of personal difficulties following Argentina's World Cup win.

Glenn Phillips achieved a historic maiden Test century, propelling New Zealand to a strong 391 against England. Despite a fighting half-century from Emilio Gay, England faltered, losing key wickets to Matt Henry. At stumps on Day 2, the hosts trail by 169 runs, facing a tough challenge to stay in the game.

Fast bowler Harshit Rana has joined the India squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan after completing his rehabilitation. This move provides the team management with an extra pace option as they assess combinations for future tournaments. Rana's inclusion signals his importance in the selectors' long-term plans, aiming to build depth in the all-rounder department.

Mexico have secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea. A goalkeeping blunder gifted Luis Romo the decisive goal, while goalkeeper Ral Rangel's crucial saves sealed the win. This marks a strong tournament start for El Tri, guaranteeing them a place in the knockout stages.

Gurnoor Brar, a 26-year-old Punjab pacer, has ignited excitement in Indian cricket with his consistent 140+ kmph pace and ability to hit the deck hard. He recently impressed by taking six wickets against Afghanistan in two ODIs. Brar emphasizes preparation over results and has learned valuable lessons from his IPL experiences, even without playing, by observing senior bowlers.

Canada secured a dominant 6-0 World Cup victory over Qatar, but the win was marred by a severe leg injury to midfielder Ismal Kon. Kon's injury, sustained from a late tackle, led to a red card for the Qatar player and drew strong criticism from teammates, including a scathing assessment from hat-trick hero Jonathan David.

Canada secured a historic 6-0 FIFA World Cup victory over Qatar, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick. However, the triumph was marred by a post-match confrontation. Tensions flared after a reckless tackle injured Canada's Ismal Kon, leading to two Qatar red cards and a heated exchange between both teams.

Canada achieved a historic 6-0 FIFA World Cup win against Qatar, marked by Jonathan David's hat-trick. However, the victory was marred by a severe leg injury to Ismal Kon, leading to a red card for Qatar's Assim Madibo. Substitute Nathan Saliba honored Kon with an emotional goal celebration, showcasing the team's spirit amidst the triumph.

World Cup hero Vozinha stunned Spain and captured global attention, but his Rs 40 lakh market value sparked a heated debate in India. Why are several Indian players valued at two or three times more? Former internationals Robin Singh and Mehtab Hossain explain the economics, inflation and hidden forces shaping Indian football.

Canada's men's World Cup journey began with a historic 6-0 thrashing of Qatar, fueled by Jonathan David's sensational hat-trick. The dominant performance saw Canada rack up 33 shots to Qatar's two, securing their biggest ever World Cup win. Despite a serious injury to Ismal Kon, the team's emphatic victory propels them to the top of Group B.

India's ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign faces a significant blow as off-spinner Shreyanka Patil is ruled out due to an ankle injury. Uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat has been named as her replacement, having impressed in domestic and developmental tournaments. Patil sustained the injury during the match against the Netherlands.

India's youngest cricket prodigy, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, will have his parents accompany him on his maiden senior national tour to Ireland and England. This unprecedented decision by the BCCI aims to help the young opener adjust to an adult environment, ensuring his comfort and well-being as he embarks on his international career.

In Manikas absence, Indias womens team will be led by Sreeja Akula and comprise Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee and 17-year-old Syndrela Das. Manika and Swastika Ghosh have been named among the reserves for the Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

DR Congo's iconic 'statue fan', Lumumba Vea, missed their World Cup opener against Portugal due to Ebola quarantine. Famous for his motionless tribute to Patrice Lumumba, his absence was noted. Fortunately, he's expected back for their next match, a welcome sight for fans after the team's surprising 1-1 draw.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi stunned World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships. Erigaisi capitalized on a late blunder by Carlsen to secure a crucial victory for Team MGD1. This win highlights the rising prowess of India's young chess talents, with Arjun joining the ranks of players challenging the world's best.

England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to return to competitive cricket for Durham in their County Championship match against Northamptonshire. He was previously omitted from England's second Test against New Zealand due to a nightclub incident. Both Stokes and Gus Atkinson have now been cleared for domestic play, with a decision on their international availability expected soon.

India achieved a dominant 170-run win against Afghanistan in the second ODI. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan scored centuries, forming a significant partnership. This victory gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The focus now shifts to the final ODI as India aims for a clean sweep.

Former captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth sees Test potential in Ishan Kishan, currently sidelined by a packed Indian team. He also highlights Yashasvi Jaiswal as an all-format player deserving more white-ball chances. Srikkanth notes the difficulty in selection due to top-order talent and calls for continuity in team choices for domestic performers.

Pakistan's centrally contracted cricketers are set for substantial pay hikes under the new 2026-27 contract system, with Track A red-ball players to see the biggest increase. The PCB's format-based contracts will also offer attractive performance bonuses, including a 500% match fee bonus for winning an ICC tournament.

Shubman Gill's exceptional batting form continued with a magnificent 154, leading India to an ODI series win against Afghanistan. His stellar performance, coupled with a strong showing from young pacers like Gurnoor Brar, earned praise from Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted the positive impact of personal form on captaincy.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcaster Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. will contribute 15% of its subscription revenue from football to uplift the sport in India. This initiative, starting immediately, aims to identify and train young talent nationwide through collaborations with various organisations.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra feels Mohammed Siraj was prematurely labelled a one-format player. Chopra argues Siraj has consistently proven his mettle across all formats, particularly in white-ball cricket, despite facing periods of being out of favour. He questioned decisions regarding Siraj's white-ball selections, especially his omission from the Champions Trophy squad.

Major League Cricket kicks off its fourth season on June 18, featuring a new venue and a historic debut. The Knight Riders Cricket Field in Los Angeles will host its first top-level match, while ex-India spinner R Ashwin joins the San Francisco Unicorns, marking his first foreign league appearance. Elsewhere, defending champions MI New York remain strong contenders.