The Times of India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hailed the inclusion of two players of Indian heritage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a proud moment for Indian football fans. Qatars Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, whose roots are in Kerala, and Australias Nishan Velupillay, with family origins in Tamil Nadu, were highlighted. Tharoor said they follow the path of former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo and praised the Indian diasporas growing impact on footballs biggest stage.

India arrived in New Chandigarh on Tuesday for a one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6, marking their return to red-ball cricket after IPL 2026. Led by Shubman Gill, India will use the match to prepare for upcoming overseas tours. Afghanistan aims to test itself against a top side. The teams last met in a Test in 2018, when India won convincingly.

PV Sindhu battled past Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 25-23, 21-16 to reach the second round of the Indonesia Open and is likely to face world No. 1 An Se-young next. It was otherwise a disappointing day for India, with Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Malvika Bansod, Treesa-Gayatri, and Dhruv-Tanisha exiting, while Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun advanced.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has returned to the world's top 10, climbing to No. 8 in the June 2026 FIDE ratings after gaining 10 points. He is the only Indian in the top 10. Strong performances, including at the TePe Sigeman tournament in Malm, boosted his ranking. Although he lost a playoff to Magnus Carlsen, Erigaisi's overall results secured his comeback among chess's elite.

If the question is which batter produced the most extreme combination of volume, speed and power across a single IPL season, the evidence points overwhelmingly in one direction. The IPL has seen bigger run tallies. It has seen cleaner six-hitters. What it had never seen before 2026 was a player score nearly 800 runs while striking at 237 and smashing 72 sixes. For 18 seasons, volume and violence existed separately. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi merged them, and that is why his IPL campaign 2026 may be on

Cristiano Ronaldo has begun training with Portugal ahead of the FIFA World Cup, sharing a photo captioned, The World Mission Begins! The 41-year-old is set for a record sixth World Cup appearance and hopes to win the only major trophy missing from his career. Ronaldo enters the tournament in top form after helping Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to serve as a farewell stage for several of footballs most iconic players. From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Luka Modri, Neymar and Mohamed Salah, a generation that has defined the modern game could be making its final World Cup appearances. For some, it is one last chance at glory; for others, a final opportunity to cement enduring legacies.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for more foreign captains in the IPL, saying teams should select the best leader regardless of nationality. While acknowledging that Indian captains boost a franchises brand value and fan appeal, he argued that leadership quality should take precedence. Manjrekar cited successful overseas skippers like David Warner and Pat Cummins as examples.

Hardik Pandya is set to undergo fitness drills at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from June 2, aiming for the ODI squad against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Test team begins training in Mullanpur for their one-off match. Auqib Nabi might be a late addition to the Test camp.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive IPL 2026 performance, including 776 runs and 72 sixes, has ignited calls for his immediate promotion to India's T20I squad. While many former cricketers back the young talent, ex-player Sanjay Manjrekar urges caution, advocating for gradual exposure to international conditions and allowing his career to develop organically.

Lalit Modi has predicted a meteoric rise for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026. Modi believes the Rajasthan Royals prodigy could score a T20 double century and become a global superstar, surpassing even Hollywood and Bollywood actors.

Moments after RCBs IPL 2026 victory, Patidar shared an emotional embrace with childhood friend Abhishek Pathrod, saying, Dekha, jeet gaye. Kar diya na maine. The triumph capped a remarkable rise for the soft-spoken leader, whose calm captaincy and prolific batting helped transform RCB from perennial underachievers into back-to-back champions.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are celebrating a historic back-to-back IPL title win. Following their 2026 victory, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat challenged the team to achieve an unprecedented three consecutive championships. Captain Rajat Patidar and players like Virat Kohli embraced the prospect of making IPL history, igniting a frenzy of excitement as they aim for a 2027 triumph.

Krunal Pandya was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL title wins in 2025 and 2026. He delivered crucial performances throughout the season, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged his vital role in the team's historic success.

In the sensational IPL-2026 season, young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the spotlight, smashing records left and right. Not to be outdone, the legendary Virat Kohli proved that age is just a number with his phenomenal performances on the field. Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar steered RCB to triumph, securing a remarkable second title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans. Amidst the celebrations, Phil Salt and Suyash Sharma achieved a rare IPL title hat-trick, winning three consecutive trophies with Kolkata Knight Riders and then RCB. They join Karn Sharma as the only players to achieve this remarkable feat.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka showcased a dominant performance, defeating former champion Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 to reach the French Open quarter-finals. Sabalenka's powerful serving and precision were key, and she delighted the crowd with a memorable Michael Jackson moonwalk celebration after her victory.

Round 7 of Norway Chess saw Indian stars bounce back after a difficult previous round. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Alireza Firouzja in a commanding classical game, while Divya Deshmukh beat Koneru Humpy in an Armageddon tie-break to remain second in the womens standings. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh won their Armageddon games but remained at the bottom of the open-section leaderboard.

An official announcement is awaited, but the matches are slated to be played on Sept 13, 16 and 19. Afghanistan are touring India for a one-off Test and three ODIs starting from June 6.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated IPL 2026, earning the Most Valuable Player award with a record 72 sixes and 776 runs. The explosive opener, known for his fearless approach, expressed his ambition to excel in Test cricket, a sentiment echoed by former chief selector MSK Prasad who urged his immediate inclusion in the Indian squad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. England captain Harry Kane congratulated Virat Kohli and RCB on their historic back-to-back championship wins. Skipper Rajat Patidar also joined an elite list of captains to achieve this feat, crediting Kohli for his support.

In the last two IPL seasons, Bhuvi has taken a combined 45 wickets, including 28 wickets this season. It is his best IPL performance, going close to his IPL 2016 (23 wickets) and IPL 2017 (26 wickets) tallies. In the last two seasons, no one has been as lethal as Bhuvi with Prasidh Krishna (41 wickets) coming closest. Among the bowlers who've bowled at least 100 overs, his economy (8.55) is only marginally behind Noor Ahmed (8.27). This season he finished just one short of eventual Purple Cap wi

Rasikh Salam Dar's rise from a two-year ban and career-threatening injury to becoming a key figure in RCB's title-winning campaign is a story of resilience and belief. Guided by family, shaped by hardship, and driven by an unwavering dream, the Kashmiri pacer has earned redemption.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy ended a 742-day wait for a BWF World Tour title by winning the Singapore Open, their third Super 750 crown. The Indian duo overcame injuries, ranking setbacks and near misses to reclaim momentum. Rejecting claims of inconsistency, Chirag said injuries disrupted rhythm, not performance. Backed by coaches Mathias Boe and Tan Kim Her, the pair now target bigger success ahead.

Serena Williams will return to competitive tennis for the first time since the 2022 US Open after accepting a wild card for the women's doubles event at Queen's Club. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 44, is expected to partner Victoria Mboko. Williams fuelled excitement with a social media teaser, while her comeback follows her re-entry into tennis' anti-doping programme last year.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles praised RCB's IPL 2026 title win as a symbol of the strong India-Australia partnership. Highlighting the contributions of Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, Marles said their combined success reflected growing cooperation between the two nations. He also noted Kohli's popularity in Australia and described meeting Kapil Dev as a special fan moment.

RCB completed a remarkable transformation by winning back-to-back IPL titles, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final after years of heartbreak. Rajat Patidar's side dominated the season with 11 wins, powered by a balanced squad rather than relying solely on Virat Kohli. Kohli led the batting with 675 runs, while Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David and Krunal Pandya provided strong support.

The ICC Board resolved to suspend Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect due to serious breaches of its membership obligations, the ICC said in a statement.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took responsibility for Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 defeat, admitting they were 10-12 runs short against Gujarat Titans. The 15-year-old felt he should have kept more of the strike on a difficult pitch instead of exposing new batters. Despite the heartbreak, Sooryavanshi enjoyed a sensational season, finishing as IPL 2026's highest run-scorer with 776 runs.

French Open organisers fined Paraguayan player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 65,000 euros after he said his second-round match should have been umpired by a man. Vallejo criticised Brazilian official Ana Carvalho following his loss to Moise Kouame, claiming she struggled to control the crowd. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo called the remarks unacceptable, while Vallejo insisted his comments were about crowd management, not officiating ability.

Virat Kohli starred with an unbeaten 75 as RCB beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL final, securing another title. The veteran finished the season with 675 runs and was hailed by coach Andy Flower as the teams heartbeat. While fans celebrated Kohlis heroics, RCB skipped a public homecoming, with captain Rajat Patidar dedicating the trophy to supporters lost in last years tragedy.

Football fans in India can rejoice as Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has secured broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, along with the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and other FIFA events until 2034.

Gujarat Titans narrowly missed the IPL 2026 title, falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a home final. Despite a shaky start, the consistent Titans reached their third final in five seasons, showcasing strong performances from Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler. Their bowling attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, also impressed throughout the campaign.

RCB's back-to-back IPL titles were built on more than performances on the field. From Andy Flower and Mo Bobat to Dinesh Karthik, Malolan Rangarajan and Omkar Salvi, a formidable backroom team laid the foundations for the franchise's sustained success.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner, revealed his father's profound influence, drawing inspiration from tales of Sunil Gavaskar. His father would recount how Gavaskar fearlessly faced fast bowlers without a helmet, motivating a young Vaibhav during challenging practice sessions against bouncers. These stories fueled his journey to becoming a record-shattering teenage sensation.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's journey from perennial underachievers to champions is complete. With back-to-back IPL titles and two WPL crowns in three seasons, RCB have evolved from a star-driven franchise into a system-driven team. Their journey from one of the teams making up the numbers mirrors the transformation - and success - of Manchester City in England.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans. Star batter Virat Kohli expressed his joy and pride in the team's historic achievement. He highlighted the collective effort and the squad's depth throughout the season. Kohli also spoke about adapting his game and the confidence the team gained.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. Virat Kohli, aged 37, starred with an unbeaten 75, earning Player of the Match and becoming the second-oldest recipient. This victory also saw Kohli surpass Rohit Sharma for the most Player of the Match awards by an Indian player.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli's stellar performance earned him Player of the Match in the final, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated with multiple individual awards, marking an explosive and record-laden season.

How Rajat Patidar's RCB outclassed GT to win back-to-back titles

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. Captain Rajat Patidar became the third skipper to achieve back-to-back titles, joining Dhoni and Sharma. Patidar highlighted the team's dominant performance and praised Virat Kohli's invaluable influence.

Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL title, sealing the victory with a signature six. Post-match, Kohli shared a heartwarming moment with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who dominated the awards ceremony with multiple accolades after a record-breaking season.