The Times of India

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has urged the ICC to increase 2027 ODI World Cup squad sizes from 15 to 17 players, saying the expanded format could become a war of attrition due to more matches. He argued larger squads would help teams manage injuries, cope with varying conditions and ensure the tournament features the best players throughout.

During the Zimbabwe tour, Yash Thakur consistently bowled hard lengths and back-of-a-length deliveries to return figures of 4-0-30-2 on debut. He retained his place for the third and final T20I and impressed once again, finishing with figures of 4-0-45-2.

Indian weightlifter Harjinder Kaur revealed she first called her mother after winning silver in the women's 69kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, adding that she was a little upset because Harjinder had been away competing for so long. The 29-year-old also said she was pleased with her consistency and proud to upgrade her Birmingham 2022 bronze to silver.

Knight Riders Sports has appointed former Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate as Head of Cricket Strategy. He will oversee scouting, recruitment, squad planning and player development across the franchise's global teams, while also serving as assistant coach for three overseas Knight Riders sides. Ten Doeschate previously won two IPL titles as a player and another as a coach with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pakistan slumped to the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings after a 90-run defeat to the West Indies, their eighth consecutive away Test loss. Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves starred in the win, while Babar Azam's unbeaten 58 went in vain. India are fifth in the standings, with Australia leading and South Africa second.

From walking Delhi's streets without a phone to becoming one of Indian cricket's most trusted support staff members, Rajeev Kumar's journey is one of resilience, humility and perseverance. The former India men's team masseur recalls his struggles, the people who shaped his career, and the unforgettable moments behind two generations in Indian cricket.

Sarvesh Kushare became the first Indian to win a silver medal in the mens high jump at the Commonwealth Games after clearing 2.25m. Jamaicas Romaine Beckford also cleared 2.25m but took gold on countback, having sailed over the height on his first attempt. Kushare needed all three attempts. Neither could clear 2.28m.

Shilpa produced a personalbest throw of 7.26m. She had initially finished fourth, but the Indian contingent successfully protested against Nigerian Eucharia Iyiazis 8.19m effort, which had been declared valid. Following a review, officials ruled the throw a foul, elevating Shilpa to the bronze-medal position.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam confirmed Shan Masood fractured his finger during the first Test against the West Indies, saying the injury disrupted the batting order in their 90-run defeat. Babar blamed the top-order collapse despite his half-century, while Justin Greaves starred with a match-winning bowling performance. Pakistan remain bottom of the World Test Championship standings.

Subhadeep Ghosh will now serve as India's new fielding coach. He replaces T Dilip, whose contract concluded after the England tour. Ghosh's initial assignment involves the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series. He previously worked with the National Cricket Academy and various Indian teams. Ghosh also had stints with the Indian women's team and IPL franchises.

Manu Bhaker won bronze in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou but said she had mixed feelings, believing she could have done better despite improving her performance. Esha Singh claimed gold as India secured a double podium finish. Bhaker thanked her team, family and fans, while Esha continued her impressive rise with another major international title.

Ravichandran Ashwin clarified his serve drinks comment about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He stated the remark aimed to highlight learning opportunities for the young batter. Sooryavanshi faced criticism after a poor series against England. He then performed well against Zimbabwe, earning Player of the Series. Ashwin urged patience, noting young players experience ups and downs.

India enjoyed a strong Day 6 at the Commonwealth Games 2026, led by Gulveer Singh's historic silver in the men's 10,000m, India's first-ever medal in the event, and Harjinder Kaur's weightlifting silver. Three Indian boxers secured semifinal spots, guaranteeing medals. India ended the day ninth in the standings with 12 medals, while Australia remained on top.

West Indies secured a ninety-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test match. Jayden Seales was the standout bowler, taking five wickets in the second innings. Pakistan's batting collapsed, losing wickets rapidly while chasing a target of 211 runs. Captain Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 58 but received little support from teammates. The second Test of the series is scheduled to commence on Sunday.

Indian athletes aim for more medals on Day 7 of the Commonwealth Games. Weightlifters and track and field stars will compete in several finals. Boxers will fight for semifinal spots and guaranteed medals in their bouts. Swimmers Sajan Prakash and Aneesh S Gowda begin their freestyle campaign. Lawn bowlers also feature in sectional play and singles matches.

Manipur Chief Minister congratulated Mirabai Chanu and Rishikanta Singh for their medals. Mirabai Chanu secured a gold medal in the women's 48kg category. Rishikanta Singh won a silver medal in the men's 60kg event. Both athletes expressed gratitude for the support received from Manipur and India. Their achievements brought pride and laurels to the state and the nation.

Priya Ghanghas secured a comeback win to reach the semifinals. Preeti Pawar and Jadumani Singh also advanced, assuring India of medals. Parveen Hooda and Kapil Pokhariya were eliminated in their quarterfinal bouts. Ghanghas overcame a slow start and a hostile crowd to win. Pawar dominated her opponent to reach her first Commonwealth Games semifinal.

Gulveer Singh secured a historic silver medal in the men's 10,000m race. He became the first Indian to achieve this feat at the Commonwealth Games. Singh finished second behind Australia's Ky Robinson in Glasgow. The national record holder clocked a time of 27:49.78 during the event. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian athletics.

Harjinder Kaur secured a silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event. She achieved a combined total of 227kg, lifting 101kg in the snatch. Kaur then lifted 126kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new record. Canada's Charlotte Simoneau claimed the gold medal with a total of 240kg. Australia's Nya Phebe Hayman earned the bronze medal with 218kg.

UEFA strongly criticises FIFA's ambitious plan to create a new commercial company. This new entity aims to manage major football tournaments and seek private investment. UEFA declares that football's governing institutions have crossed a dangerous and unacceptable line. The European body questions the transparency and governance of this significant proposal. FIFA defends the plan, stating it will strengthen global football.

Indian batter Pratika Rawal joins Warwickshire Bears for the 2026 season. She will strengthen the team's batting in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Rawal returns to cricket after recovering from a knee injury. Warwickshire aims for the tournament's knockout stage with her addition. She expressed excitement for county cricket and playing at Edgbaston.

An amateur cricket match has sparked controversy over alleged umpire deception. A fielder reportedly clicked his fingers to simulate an edge off the bat. This incident has led to a formal investigation by the league officials. Other similar allegations have also surfaced against the same club. The league is now examining the dismissals for deliberate deception.

Tejaswin Shankar's Commonwealth Games high jump ended due to injury. He then coached Sarvesh Kushare, who won a historic silver medal. Kushare credited Shankar's advice for his improved performance during the competition. Shankar's own medal hopes were dashed before the event truly began. He now aims to compete in the decathlon despite his knee issue.

Nirupama Devi's medal hopes ended after failing all clean and jerk attempts. She had been in contention after a strong snatch performance. Canada's Maude Charron set new records and won gold in the event. Sarah Davies Smale secured the silver medal for England. India's weightlifting team continues to be a strong performer at the Games.

Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy's new head coach, tasked with rebuilding the national team. He previously led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021. The team failed to qualify for the last three FIFA World Cups. Claudio Ranieri joins as the federation's new technical director. Mancini faces immediate challenges in the Nations League competition.

Ryan ten Doeschate has resigned as India's assistant coach after two years. Subhadeep Ghosh will now serve as the team's new fielding coach. Ten Doeschate cited personal reasons for stepping away from the demanding role. His final assignment was the recent white-ball tour of England. Ghosh's first international assignment will be the Sri Lanka Test series.

Geneva, Switzerland, will host the 2026 FIDE World Championship Match. Reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju will defend his title against Javokhir Sindarov. This historic contest will feature the youngest players ever to compete for the championship. The match is scheduled to take place from November 25 to December 15. FIDE selected Geneva as a neutral venue for this significant chess event.

Zaheer Abbas, the former Pakistan captain, has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. He emphasises that their vast experience and skills are crucial for Indias success. Abbas argues that fitness and scoring abilities should outweigh any concerns about age. Rohits recent impressive century against England has particularly strengthened his support for both senior players.

Manjot Kalra remains in Sri Lankan custody after a court rejected his bail plea. Investigators are pursuing a high-profile corruption probe linked to the Lanka Premier League. Several Sri Lankan cricketers have lodged complaints regarding alleged match-fixing approaches. Authorities possess recorded evidence connecting to the alleged approaches made to players. The controversy has also led to the termination of the Jaffna Kings franchise ownership.

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the French national football team. He has signed a four-year contract with the French Football Federation. Zidane expressed his excitement and called this the happiest day of his coaching career. He had waited five years for this opportunity, turning down other offers. Zidane's first match will be against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League.

Saransh Jain earned his maiden Test call-up after consistent domestic performances. Coach Chandrakant Pandit championed his inclusion, believing in his talent for years. Jain's strong red-ball record with bat and ball impressed selectors. A technical adjustment by Pandit significantly enhanced his bowling effectiveness. Jain's dedication and focus on red-ball cricket set him apart.

At 33, with a wealth of domestic cricket experience behind him, Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain on Tuesday earned his maiden India call-up. Jain impressed former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during a five-day camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, where he caught the legend's eye. Four months later, the off-spinner will board a flight to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, starting on August 15 in Galle.

Fresh from scripting history as India's first World Junior Squash champion, Anahat Singh is already looking ahead. The 18-year-old speaks about staying grounded despite rising expectations, shutting out the hype around ending Egypt's dominance, leaning on her parents and coaches in pressure moments, and why the Asian Games and the road to the LA Olympics are now firmly in her sights.

Justin Greaves made Test cricket history with five consecutive wicket-maidens. He achieved this remarkable feat against Pakistan during the opening Test match. Greaves finished with career-best figures of five wickets for just twenty-seven runs. This performance triggered a dramatic collapse in the Pakistan batting lineup. The West Indies all-rounder secured a significant first-innings lead for his team.

Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic headline the initial 16 teams entered for the revamped US Open mixed doubles championship, which offers a $1 million prize. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori return, while Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud and Naomi Osaka are also among the entries. The main draw will be played on August 25

Glenn McGrath believes Prasidh Krishna possesses the necessary qualities to partner Jasprit Bumrah. He notes Krishna has matured and transformed potential into consistent performances. India is preparing for a demanding white-ball cricket schedule and needs strong pace attacks. McGrath also highlighted the importance of workload management for bowlers like Bumrah. He advocates for strengthening bowlers rather than overprotecting them after injuries.

Sharmila Dhankar secured India's first para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She achieved a season-best throw of 9.81m in the women's shot put F57 event. Dhankar overcame poverty and domestic abuse to pursue her athletic aspirations. She previously competed in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Asian Para Games. Her success fuels her dream of providing opportunities for her daughters.

Rishikanta Singh Chanambam secured a silver medal in the men's 60kg weightlifting competition. His family watched the event from Rajasthan while supporting his father's treatment. He dedicated his achievement to his parents and supportive elder brother. Rishikanta overcame financial struggles and a past knee injury to reach this point. This medal marks a significant achievement for Manipuri weightlifting.

Tamil Nadu weightlifter Muthupandi Raja secured a silver medal after overcoming significant injuries. His parents' daily wage labor provided the foundation for his athletic aspirations. Raja contemplated quitting the sport due to health setbacks and surgeries. However, he completed a strength and conditioning course during his recovery period. His elder brother expressed pride and hopes for Raja's Olympic future.

Indian weightlifters secured five medals, including gold and silver, at the Glasgow Games. Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi added two silvers and a bronze to the medal tally. Tejas Shirse qualified for the men's 110m hurdles final, a historic achievement for India. Long jumpers M Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan also advanced to their respective finals. Boxers Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal reached the quarterfinals in their weight categories.

India's fastest man Gurindervir Singh crashed out of the Commonwealth Games men's 100m heats despite finishing second after clocking 10.39 seconds, with coach James Hillier later revealing he had been carrying a hamstring injury for a month. The 24-year-old, who set a national record of 10.09 seconds in May, finished 28th overall and missed the semifinals.

The men's selection committee announced the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. Ravindra Jadeja returns to the team after being rested for the Afghanistan Test. Saransh Jain has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian squad. Washington Sundar remains unavailable for the first Test match. Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah's availability depends on fitness clearance.

Abhishek Sharma's poor T20I form has drawn criticism from former captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth. Srikkanth believes selectors must make a difficult decision regarding Sharma's future. Mayank Yadav returned from injury and impressed with his bowling performances. Yadav claimed multiple wickets across the series with consistent pace. The article highlights the emergence of young talent within the Indian team.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI futures remain debated by selectors and coaches. Both players continue to perform well for India in the ODI format. Recent series performances have fueled discussions about their long-term plans. Former player Deep Dasgupta believes their places are secure based on merit. The focus remains on immediate impact and consistent performance from the veterans.

Indian athletes aim for multiple medals on Tuesday, July 28, at the Commonwealth Games. Weightlifters Nirupama Devi Seram and Harjinder Kaur compete in finals for podium finishes. Boxers pursue semifinal spots and guaranteed bronze medals in their quarterfinal bouts. Athletes participate in high jump and 10,000m finals, while swimmers contest heats and semifinals. Para swimmers also compete in freestyle heats and potential finals.

India's six-medal haul on Day 5 of the Commonwealth Games lifted the country to eighth in the standings with 10 medals (2 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze). Sharmila Dhankar's historic para-athletics gold led the charge, supported by three silvers and two bronzes. Australia remained atop the table with 59 medals, ahead of England (32) and Canada (21).

India enjoyed a memorable day at the Commonwealth Games as Sharmila Dhankar became the country's first-ever para-athletics gold medallist, while Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav won silver medals. Bindyarani Devi added bronze, Indian boxers advanced to the quarterfinals, but athletics and swimming saw mixed results, with Gurindervir Singh and Tejas Shirse enduring disappointing outings.

The 31-year-old national record holder cleared 2.25m to claim the silver medal. Jamaica's Romaine Beckford won gold, while England's Jack Kimani took bronze with a jump of 2.20m.