The Times of India

Harmanpreet Kaur has become India's leading run-scorer in Women's T20 World Cup history, surpassing Mithali Raj. She achieved this milestone during a crucial match against Pakistan, contributing a vital 36 runs to a significant partnership after an early batting collapse. This achievement highlights Kaur's enduring presence and consistent performance on the international stage.

Australia secured a thrilling one-wicket win against Bangladesh in the final ODI. Cooper Connolly starred with a career-best 149 runs. He anchored the chase as Australia pursued 275. Shoriful Islam took six wickets for Bangladesh. Australia reached the target with three balls remaining. This prevented a series whitewash for the visitors.

The practice has been followed by Indian cricket teams since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor carried out by the Armed Forces thereafter last year. Indian players have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players at the toss and after matches since then.

Bangladesh began their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a strong six-wicket win against the Netherlands. Juairiya Ferdous scored a fluent half-century, setting up the chase. Sharmin Akhter then led a composed partnership to guide Bangladesh to victory. The team successfully chased down the target of 140. This marks a winning start for Bangladesh in the tournament.

India's 32-member athletics squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been announced, featuring a mix of seasoned athletes and emerging talent. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra's inclusion is conditional on meeting selection criteria, with similar stipulations for triple jumper Selva Prabhu. The contingent aims to fill India's entire quota across various track and field disciplines.

India secured a seven-wicket win against Afghanistan in the first ODI. Debutant Gurnoor Brar impressed with his fast bowling, taking three wickets. Captain Shubman Gill led the chase with an unbeaten 84. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a century for Afghanistan. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the series.

Facing one of the strongest teams in international archery, Dhiraj and Kumkum stayed in control throughout the match and made the most of key moments.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes discussions around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's futures are natural. He feels the upcoming England tour is crucial for Rohit. Swann is impressed by young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's talent. He also shared surprise at Suryakumar Yadav's removal as T20I captain. The focus remains on India's senior players and emerging stars.

The issue came to light during the ongoing two-day national trials in Lahore, where some players approached federation officials to ask about daily allowances and travel expenses for the event, PTI reported.

Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has thrown his support behind the Indian Women's T20 World Cup team ahead of their crucial match against Pakistan. The 15-year-old, who had a stellar IPL 2026, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, boosting team morale. India, with a strong historical record against Pakistan, aims for a winning start in Birmingham.

India and Pakistan will meet in a Group 1 fixture at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Manu Bhaker's father revealed legendary shooter Jaspal Rana's profound impact, instilling discipline, self-belief, and a result-oriented mindset in his daughter. Rana's unwavering support for Manu's dual-event ambition proved crucial in Paris. His guidance shaped her into a champion, emphasising hard work and confidence.

Road to 2027 ODI World Cup: Left-right combination sealed?

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign receives a significant morale boost as male cricketers send messages of support. Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and Shubman Gill have rallied behind the team, urging them to play fearlessly and bring home the coveted trophy. The Women in Blue are aiming for their maiden T20 World Cup title, starting their journey against Pakistan.

Gautam Gambhir's animated reaction to KL Rahul's stunning six highlighted India's dominant seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first ODI. Captain Shubman Gill led the chase with an unbeaten 84, supported by Rahul's quickfire 39, as India comfortably chased down 195. Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed with three wickets each, restricting Afghanistan to 194 despite Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century.

The T20 Mumbai League 2026 final saw a dramatic clash near the dugouts after a heated exchange between players following Gaurav Jathar's dismissal. Despite the controversy, MSC Maratha Royals defended their title, with Tushar Deshpande delivering a crucial spell. Deshpande lauded the fearless approach of Mumbai's emerging talent, highlighting the city's cricket depth.

Shubman Gill revealed Rohit Sharma was unbothered by their run-out mix-up in the first ODI against Afghanistan, brushing it off after seeing the replay. Gill's unbeaten 84 then steered India to a seven-wicket victory, overcoming a brilliant Gurbaz century and showcasing debutant bowlers' resilience.

England's FIFA World Cup preparations are back on track after most of their stolen equipment was recovered. Two men have been charged with receiving stolen property, with items like boots, jerseys, and even a World Cup ball returned. Authorities swiftly resolved the case, allowing the team to focus on their upcoming matches.

India's T20 World Cup journey begins with a clash against Pakistan in Birmingham. Despite a strong historical record against their rivals, the Indian squad, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, is emphasizing focus. Having had better preparation and recent wins, they know they can't underestimate Pakistan, even if the opposition isn't as ready.

India's victory over Afghanistan was marked by a heartwarming moment as Nitish Kumar Reddy paused his post-match press conference for a call from his mother. The young all-rounder's touching gesture resonated widely. On the field, debutants shone with the ball, while Shubman Gill's unbeaten 84 anchored India's chase to a seven-wicket win.

Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland, thanks to a stoppage-time own goal. Despite Switzerland dominating and taking an early lead through a Breel Embolo penalty, Qatar's resilience paid off. The result marks a significant milestone for the Gulf nation, offering renewed belief after a disappointing previous campaign.

FIFA has clarified a VAR incident during the Switzerland and Qatar World Cup match. A temporary technical issue affected on-screen graphics, not the review process. This led to questions about a penalty awarded to Switzerland. Qatar secured its first World Cup point with a late equalizer. Swiss players expressed disappointment over missed opportunities.

West Indies delivered a stunning upset, defeating defending champions New Zealand by seven wickets in their Women's T20 World Cup opener. A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and Aaliyah Alleyne's crucial four-wicket haul were instrumental in chasing down 163 with just one ball remaining, avenging their previous semifinal loss.

Brazil staged a spirited comeback to secure a 1-1 draw against Morocco in a thrilling World Cup Group C opener. Vincius Jnior's stunning strike canceled out Ismael Saibari's early goal, ensuring Brazil extended their unbeaten streak in World Cup openers to 21 matches. The result leaves Group C wide open.

Gurnoor Brar picked up three wickets on his ODI debut at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday. During his 29-ball spell, he not only impressed everyone with his pace but with his lengths as well. The Punjab quick showcased that he is far more than just raw pace, offering India a glimpse of a complete fast bowler for the future.

Nayeem was travelling in an auto-rickshaw near the Lalkhan Bazar area after arriving from Dhaka airport, according to a ESPNCricinfo report.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a brilliant century against India. He credited India coach Gautam Gambhir for his improved batting approach. Gurbaz had a conversation with Gambhir after a Test match loss. Gambhir offered advice on shot selection. Gurbaz implemented these suggestions during his innings. His century was a highlight despite Afghanistan's team total.

After being asked to bat, Australia recovered from an early wobble to post 172/8 in their 20 overs. South Africa, in reply, were bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs, with captain Laura Wolvaardt top-scoring with 44.

Shubman Gill showcased his mastery in ODI cricket with a composed unbeaten 84, guiding India to a seven-wicket victory against Afghanistan. His calm anchoring of the chase, despite a rain-truncated match and a challenging target, highlighted his leadership and focus on stabilizing the team ahead of the next ODI World Cup.

Led by captain Kathryn Bryce, Scotland scored 161/5 in their 20 overs. Ireland struggled in the chase, losing wickets regularly and were bowled out for 121 in 19.1 overs.

Shubman Gill etched his name in history, becoming the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs in just 61 innings against Afghanistan. This remarkable feat places him second globally, behind Hashim Amla. Gill's consistent brilliance and attacking flair solidify his status as a premier world batter, adding another jewel to his young, glittering career.

Folarin Balogun, scorer of two goals on his World Cup debut, was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents after his pregnant mother, visiting her sister in America, was reportedly advised against flying back to Britain, where she lived at that time. In the more extreme corners of the MAGA universe, that would make Balogun an anchor baby born to someone visiting the US. On Thursday night, he was simply called Man of the Match the undisputed hero of a squad that perfectly represents the beautiful, me

Rohit Sharma achieved a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian opener to score 16,000 international runs. This landmark was reached during the first ODI against Afghanistan. Sharma joins an elite group of opening batsmen in cricket history. He also surpassed Jacques Kallis' ODI run tally. The Indian captain continues to set new records.

Shubman Gill stole the spotlight with a spectacular one-handed diving catch as India tightened control in the rain-reduced first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala. Afghanistan posted a strong start through Rahmanullah Gurbazs quick century, but India struck back with regular wickets. Debutant Harsh Dubey impressed with key breakthroughs, while Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy supported well to restrict the visitors.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a record-breaking 48-ball century against India in the rain-affected first ODI. His explosive 102 off 51 balls, featuring eight fours and eight sixes, marked the fastest ODI hundred by an Afghanistan batter and the quickest in an India-Afghanistan encounter. Gurbaz's rapid fifty also secured a spot in Afghanistan's top ODI half-centuries.

At 39 years and 75 days, he went past former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath, who was 39 years and 36 days old when he played his last ODI for India in 1989.

Manav Suthar continued his impressive form by taking two wickets on his Warwickshire debut against Yorkshire in the County Championship, days after starring on his India Test debut against Afghanistan with a seven-wicket haul. Meanwhile, veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat shone for Sussex, claiming 4/29 to help dismiss Glamorgan for 155.

India handed ODI caps to Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar for their clash against Afghanistan. Despite initial weather concerns, the match will proceed as a 25-over per side contest. Captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to test new combinations ahead of the World Cup. Afghanistan, though preferring to bowl, expressed confidence in their batting.

Stokes came under scrutiny after footage emerged from post-Test celebrations at a nightclub following England's win over New Zealand at Lord's. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in an incident that also included Saracens academy rugby player Totoa Auvaa.

Virender Sehwag backs Yashasvi Jaiswal to become a regular in India's ODI side post-Rohit Sharma's retirement. Despite strong performances, including a century against South Africa, Jaiswal faces tough competition. Sehwag and Manoj Tiwary believe Jaiswal is poised to lead the future opening lineup once senior players depart after next year's World Cup.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India are aiming to add a second global title after winning the Women's ODI World Cup last year. The head-to-head record is firmly in India's favour, with India leading Pakistan 13-3 in women's T20Is.

Brazil will start their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign without star forward Neymar for their opening Group C match against Morocco. Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar is still recovering from a calf injury and is not expected to be ready for the June 14th fixture. However, there is optimism he could feature later in the group stage.

India begin their ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Pakistan on Sunday in Birmingham, aiming for a maiden title. Harmanpreet Kaurs side, which holds a 13-3 T20I advantage over Pakistan, will rely on Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for strong starts. The match starts at 7 PM IST and will be streamed on JioHotstar and telecast on Star Sports.