The Times of India

India added two medals on Day 8 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Lovepreet Singh winning silver in weightlifting and Seema Kaliramna securing bronze in discus. Indias tally reached 17 medals, while Tejaswin Shankar stayed in decathlon medal contention, Neeraj Chopra and two other javelin throwers reached the final, and both Indian triple jumpers advanced to the medal round.

India added two medals on Day 8 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Lovepreet Singh winning silver in the mens +110kg weightlifting final after a record-breaking performance and Seema Kaliramna claiming discus bronze. Indias tally rose to 17 medals (3 gold, 10 silver, 4 bronze), while Tejaswin Shankar remained in medal contention in the decathlon and Neeraj Chopra advanced to the javelin final.

Liti produced a Commonwealth Games record lift of 223kg in the clean and jerk to move ahead of the Indian and win gold with a total of 389kg, just one kilogram more than Lovepreet. Liti had lifted 166kg in the snatch.

UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously backed a boycott of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with its proposed $20 billion commercial restructuring. European football leaders described the plan as an existential threat to the sport, while insiders revealed absolute unity in opposing the proposal ahead of a September 19 vote by FIFA's member associations.

Senior European football officials are discussing Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a potential challenger to FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid growing opposition to FIFAs proposed World Cup commercial investment plan. Although Al-Khelaifi has publicly ruled out a presidential bid, discontent over FIFAs restructuring proposal has intensified debate over the future leadership and governance of world football.

The ICC has revealed twelve host venues for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will jointly host the prestigious fifty-over tournament. This event marks the World Cup's return to Africa after a twenty-four-year absence. The tournament will feature fifty-seven matches and fourteen teams competing across three stages. The official brand identity 'Three Nations, One Heartbeat' symbolises unity among the co-hosts.

UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions, UEFA said after the meeting. The next FIFA event on the calendar is the Women's Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Poland from September 5.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abduls Commonwealth Games campaign ended in controversy after he was disqualified against Englands Damar Thomas and accused officials of unfair treatment. Abdul claimed racism played a role in the decision, but Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare rejected the allegations, insisting the ruling was a legitimate field-of-play decision and that athletes were treated fairly.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed the fixture on Wednesday after reports in Brazilian media over the past few days.

In a gripping performance at the Commonwealth Games, Martina Devi Maibam secured a fifth-place finish in weightlifting, showcasing her grit after overcoming initial setbacks. Her total lift of 245kg was impressive but fell just short of medal contention, as she lost on failed attempts against another lifter. England's Emily Campbell captured gold with record-setting lifts, while Martina's determination signals a bright future ahead.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged fifteen, has been appointed East Zone vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Selectors believe this move invests in the future of Indian cricket and accelerates his development. Ishan Kishan will captain the team, easing immediate leadership pressure on the young player. Sooryavanshi's prior leadership roles and strong IPL performance informed this significant selection.

The womens T54 1500m wheelchair final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be rerun after a chaotic race featuring multiple crashes, a disqualification and appeals. Scotlands Melanie Woods, Englands Ellis Kottas and Australias Mikaela Dingley must compete again after initially claiming the medals, with the controversial decision overturning a dramatic record-breaking victory.

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits at next month's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Floor cleaner CJ Miller has become one of the biggest viral stars of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after entertaining crowds with energetic dance routines while mopping the netball court. Nicknamed Mop Man, the professional dancer's performances have amassed millions of views online, transforming routine cleaning breaks into crowd-pleasing spectacles and earning praise from fans worldwide.

Indian athletes secured spots in the Commonwealth Games 2026 finals today. Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu advanced in the men's triple jump event. Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav, and Yash Vir Singh qualified for the men's javelin throw final. All three Indian javelin throwers achieved qualification for the medal round. The athletics competition saw strong performances from the Indian contingent.

Everything in the country is being saffronised, said former India captain Pargat Singh while criticizing Hockey India's decision.

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Sachin Tendulkar led tributes, recalling Rahane's dedication and leadership qualities. Former coach Ravi Shastri praised his yeoman service to Indian cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virender Sehwag also celebrated his career achievements. Rahane retires with 5,077 Test runs and an unbeaten captaincy record.

Hazlewood, 35, has played 76 Tests but has never been part of an Australian team that won a Test series in India or England. Australia last won an away Ashes series in 2001, while their last Test series win in India came in 2004.

Chopra, who won the Commonwealth Games title in 2018, finished fifth with a best throw of 79.61m. Rohit Yadav was ninth with 78.37m, while Yashvir Singh took 10th place with 78.36m, ensuring all three Indian athletes progressed to the medal round.

Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England men's Test head coach. He replaces Brendon McCullum and will begin his tenure later this summer. Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach for the Pakistan series. Fleming expressed excitement about working with returning captain Joe Root. The new partnership aims to rebuild England's red-ball cricket fortunes.

Neeraj Chopra and two other Indian javelin throwers advanced to the medal round. Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh also secured their spots in the final contest. Chopra focused on qualifying while managing his recovery from injury. Difficult weather conditions affected all competitors during the qualification event. The Indian contingent aims for podium finishes in the upcoming final.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen now understands parents facing hospital crises more deeply. His daughter Harper's birth has profoundly changed his perspective on children's health struggles. Allen spoke emotionally at his 117 Holes for Charity event, which supports Golisano Children's Hospital. This fundraiser recently helped the Patricia Allen Fund reach seventeen million dollars in donations. Fatherhood has reshaped Allen's priorities and his connection to the community.

Ajinkya Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. The Mumbai batter finished his Test career with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In ODIs, he scored 2,962 runs in 90 matches at an average of 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties. He also played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs.

Hockey India will use saffron jerseys for the 2026 World Cup. According to Hockey India, the traditional blue jersey blended with the blue artificial turf used in international hockey, making it difficult for players to spot teammates during matches. The federation said players and coaches suggested different colours before saffron was chosen.

Ajinkya Rahane retired from international cricket after a distinguished career spanning 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. Best remembered for leading India to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia in 2020-21, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs. The dependable batter also set several unique records and vowed to continue contributing to cricket beyond retirement.

TOI understands that Bumrah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.

Neeraj Chopra begins his bid for a second Commonwealth Games javelin gold in Glasgow, but faces one of the toughest fields of his career. Rivals including Arshad Nadeem, Anderson Peters and Rumesh Tharanga make the competition highly competitive. Returning from a back injury, Neeraj will hope to rediscover his best form after finishing fourth at the Doha Diamond League.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket. He shared this news through a video message posted on his Instagram account. Rahane represented India in all three formats during his extensive international career. He played 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for the country. Rahane was also part of India's historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21.

While the qualifiers are scheduled for Thursday, the final on Saturday night is unlikely to be a walk in the park as he will be up against long-time rival Arshad Nadeem, besides the likes of Anderson Peters, Julius Yego and Sri Lankas Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agencys (WADA) 2024 Testing Figures Report, released in Dec 2025, India registered 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) from 7,113 samples collected during the year a positivity rate of 3.6%. Among countries conducting more than 5,000 tests annually, India recorded the highest positivity rate in the world for the third consecutive year.

Gulveer Singh made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men's 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games, claiming silver at the 2026 edition. His achievement sparked celebrations in his village, with his mother and wife expressing pride. The Army runner clocked 27:49.78, finishing behind Australia's Ky Robinson after a strong final-lap sprint.

Gulveers silver run completed another lap of sorts. He has joined the late Milkha Singh and Avinash Sable, both of whom won non-relay medals at the Commonwealth Games before him. Sable landed his steeplechase silver at Birmingham in 2022 while Milkhas 440yard gold at the 1958 Cardiff Games was the countrys first medal at the Commonwealth Games. Incidentally, all of them have been athletes from the Indian Army.

Saltburn Cricket Club have suspended a player nicknamed Clicky Ponting after he was accused of clicking his fingers to fake an edge during a local league match in England. The viral incident, viewed over 7.5 million times on X, sparked widespread criticism. The club said it is fully cooperating with the investigation, while the player remains suspended pending its outcome.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal remains hopeful for India's tour. India last toured Bangladesh in 2022 for a two-match Test series, where they registered a 2-0 clean sweep. The BCB president admitted that while he is working towards bringing India to Bangladesh, there are certain matters that are beyond his control.

The three medals added on Wednesday took India's overall tally to 15 medals, including three gold, nine silver and three bronze, helping the country remain eighth on the medal table.

Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha criticised Hockey Indias decision to replace the teams iconic blue jersey with saffron ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup, calling it embarrassing and questioning the change. Hockey India said the new colour symbolises courage, sacrifice & victory and represents new beginnings. Indias men and women will begin their World Cup campaigns in Group D.

Neeraj Chopra makes his highly anticipated debut in the men's javelin throw qualification event. Tejaswin Shankar begins his challenging decathlon campaign, aiming for a strong performance. Indian weightlifters Martina Devi Maibam and Lovepreet Singh will compete for medals. Additional medal opportunities exist in athletics for shot put and discus throw. The nation anticipates a successful day with multiple athletes vying for podium finishes.

Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Ankush Panghal (80kg), Narender Berwal (+90kg) and world champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) joined Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Jadumani Singh (55kg) in the semifinals of their respective weight categories. India had finished with seven boxing medals in Birmingham - three gold, one silver and three bronze.

Sreeshankar continued his impressive run at the Commonwealth Games by winning silver in the men's long jump with a best effort of 8.09m. He had also finished second at the 2022 Games, becoming the first Indian to win back-to-back Commonwealth Games medals in the event.

Stephen Fleming is reportedly the frontrunner for England's Test head coach position. He has emerged as the preferred candidate after a thorough interview process. Fleming will replace Brendon McCullum, who is now leading England's white-ball teams. Fleming recently concluded a successful eighteen-year tenure with Chennai Super Kings. Joe Root will temporarily lead the team before Fleming's official start.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has attacked FIFAs plan to sell a minority stake in a new commercial company managing World Cup rights, warning it could damage footballs identity. His comments come amid growing opposition from UEFA, the FA and Concacaf. However, critics have questioned Blatters credibility, citing the corruption scandals that ended his FIFA presidency.

Will Ferrell has revealed Lionel Messis strict rule for commercial shoots, claiming production crews get just 30 minutes with the Argentina captain before he leaves. The insight came from Steve Carell after filming a Lays campaign with Messi. Ferrell said the tight deadline creates a frantic rush, highlighting Messis disciplined approach to managing his packed commercial schedule.

Dilip Gavit secured gold in the men's T47 100m race with a new Games Record. Mohammed Basil Morssinganakth followed closely, earning the silver medal for India. This remarkable performance ensured a historic one-two finish for the Indian contingent. England's Kevin Santos claimed the bronze medal in the competitive event. The athletes delivered strong performances on the track.

Murali Sreeshankar secured the silver medal in the men's long jump event. He achieved a best leap of 8.09m in the fiercely contested final. Jamaica's Tajay Gayle won gold with a jump of 8.15m in the fourth round. Scotland's Stephen Mackenzie claimed the bronze medal with a jump of 8.08m. Lokesh finished fifth in his Commonwealth Games debut competition.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set to join Chilean giants Colo-Colo after his breakout 2026 World Cup performances, but league rules could force him to drop his famous nickname from his shirt. Colo-Colo have requested a special exemption, while the 40-year-old insists he wants to be valued for his football, not his newfound global fame.

FIFA's plan to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial subsidiary has sparked fierce backlash from UEFA, the FA and Concacaf over transparency and governance concerns. UEFA is considering an emergency meeting, with a potential World Cup boycott among options. Gianni Infantino insists the proposal would unlock $10 billion in funding for member associations through 2030.

FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against Argentina players and officials. Charges include assault allegations and unsporting behaviour after the World Cup final. The Argentine Football Association faces accusations for fan conduct and political demonstrations. Players and staff may receive match suspensions and financial penalties for their actions. FIFA will review all submissions before announcing its final verdict.

Spain defender Marc Cucurella has fulfilled his unusual World Cup promise by getting a tattoo of manager Luis de la Fuente after La Rojas 2026 triumph. The Real Madrid-bound left-back revealed the tribute nine days after Spain defeated Argentina, with the tattoo showing De la Fuente holding the trophy. Cucurella previously made a similar promise after Spains Euro 2024 victory.