The Times of India

Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, was overcome with emotion after a stellar Player of the Match performance against Spain, a 0-0 World Cup draw. Tears flowed not just from the historic result, but for his late grandparents and a mother unable to attend due to visa issues. His seven saves secured a memorable debut for his nation.

Iran showcased remarkable resilience, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their politically charged World Cup opener. Mohammad Mohebbi's late equaliser capped a spirited comeback for Team Melli, who have faced a turbulent build-up to the tournament. The match, played before a passionate pro-Iranian crowd, saw Iran overcome deficits to claim a valuable point.

Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces potential sanctions after a heated post-match altercation with a Sri Lanka A player. The 15-year-old was involved in a physical exchange following India's Super Over defeat. The incident could lead to fines or demerit points under the ICC Code of Conduct, with the match referee to decide on sanctions.

Veteran squash player Joshna Chinappa is set for a record seventh appearance at the 2026 Asian Games, becoming the Indian sportsperson with the most continental appearances. Despite facing multiple surgeries, including a recent knee operation, the 39-year-old continues to compete at the highest level, demonstrating remarkable longevity and a strong fighting spirit.

New pace sensation changed his action after injury three years ago to increase pace, get swing and become Indias big fast-bowling hope.

Neymar's World Cup participation remains uncertain as the veteran forward underwent further tests on his injured calf, raising concerns he might miss the group stage. Brazil's medical team is prioritizing his long-term fitness, targeting a return for the knockout rounds. The team has struggled creatively in his absence, highlighting his importance despite squad selection debates.

Uruguay avoided an upset at the FIFA World Cup. Maxi Araujo scored ten minutes from time to secure a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had taken the lead in the first half. Uruguay dominated possession and created many chances. The draw leaves Group H wide open after Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw.

Romelu Lukaku's dramatic 23-second impact off the bench saved Belgium from an opening World Cup upset, securing a 1-1 draw against a spirited Egypt. Despite trailing to Emam Ashour's goal, the Red Devils, heavily reliant on veterans, narrowly avoided a shock defeat. Coach Rudi Garcia stressed the need for improvement ahead of their crucial match against Iran.

A dramatic Tri-Nation A Series match between India A and Sri Lanka A saw confusion over a Super Over due to fading light, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi involved in heated exchanges with umpires and a Sri Lankan player. Sri Lanka A ultimately won the Super Over after a thrilling contest.

England coach Brendon McCullum expressed concern for captain Ben Stokes, who was dropped and is under investigation for a nightclub incident. Stokes and Gus Atkinson's exclusion follows a breach of team protocols, casting doubt on their Test futures. McCullum emphasized supporting the players while addressing the standards they failed to meet.

Cape Verde's Vozinha made history as the second-oldest debutant in men's FIFA World Cup history at 40. The veteran goalkeeper, with over a decade of international experience and 81 caps, showcased a composed performance against Spain. His journey from starting his professional career in 2007 to this World Cup debut highlights dedication and a dream realized.

Ashok Sharma's rapid rise continues as the 23-year-old pacer earns an India A call-up for the Sri Lanka tri-series after replacing injured Yudhvir Singh. Fresh from a domestic switch to Gujarat, the speedster now has a golden opportunity to push his case for higher honours.

A Tri-Nation A Series match between India A and Sri Lanka A descended into chaos with a controversial tie, a Super Over, and heated exchanges. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was at the center of the drama, involved in arguments with umpires and Sri Lankan players after India's defeat.

The incident took place after the final ball of the Super Over. Chasing 19 for victory, India A needed eight runs off the last delivery. Sri Lanka A pacer Kugathas Mathulan bowled a yorker, and Vaibhav failed to make contact as Sri Lanka A sealed the win.

A thrilling Tri-Nation A Series clash between India A and Sri Lanka A in Dambulla ended in a Super Over after a controversial leg bye and a no-ball call. Sri Lanka A ultimately held their nerve to win the Super Over, despite fading light and a spirited chase from India A.

The season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at Ahmedabad to win their second successive IPL title.

A novel ball-contact technology, akin to cricket's 'Snicko', made its debut in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between Sweden and Tunisia. This innovation proved crucial in overturning an offside call, awarding a goal to Sweden's Mattias Svanberg. The technology confirmed a touch by Alexander Isak, leading to a 5-1 victory for Sweden.

Deepika scored twice for India, while Navneet Kaur added the third goal. Ashley Sessa and Madeleine Zimmer scored for the USA. The winner of the Nations Cup will earn promotion to the FIH Pro League, from which India were relegated last season.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra returns to competitive action at the Doha Diamond League on June 19, his first event of the 2026 season. After training in Switzerland, Chopra aims for a strong start and to surpass the Glasgow Commonwealth Games qualification standard. He faces a star-studded field, including athletes who have already thrown over 85 meters this season.

India's women's cricket team continued their 'no handshake' policy against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, a trend observed since last year's terror attacks. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan's Fatima Sana abstained from the customary greeting at the toss. Following India's victory, Pakistan's coach expressed unawareness of the reasons behind the gesture, stating it wouldn't significantly impact relations.

NBA sees India as a long-term growth market driven by a young population, rising discretionary spending and strong basketball participation at school level. Through initiatives like BUDX NBA House and broad media distribution, the league is building culture around the sport. In an interaction, Sunny Malik and Rajah Chaudhry highlight how India requires a tailored strategy, with sustained growth expected across participation, viewership and engagement.

In a bizarre turn of events during a cricket match, Sri Lanka A was awarded 10 runs before their innings began. India A was penalized twice for repeated pitch infringements by their batsmen, leading to the unusual scoreline. Despite the setback, India A posted 265, thanks to crucial half-centuries.

Lamine Yamal is set to feature for Spain in their World Cup 2026 opener against Cabo Verde, though he will start on the bench as Spain carefully manages his return from injury. This historic match marks Cabo Verde's World Cup debut, while Spain aims for a strong start to their title challenge.

Germany's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign kicked off with a historic 7-1 thrashing of debutants Curaao, propelling them past Brazil as the all-time leading World Cup scorers with 239 goals. Despite an early equaliser from Curaao, Germany dominated, with Kai Havertz scoring twice. This resounding victory boosts Germany's confidence ahead of their next match.

The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway across the US, Mexico, and Canada, with the opening days already delivering drama. Half of the groups have completed their first matches, and the tournament is set to feature major stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as they begin their campaigns this week.

England's fast bowler Ollie Robinson has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand due to knee soreness, a significant blow after his match-winning performance in the first Test. This injury setback reignites concerns about his fitness. The hosts face further selection challenges with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson unavailable, potentially paving the way for Jofra Archer's return.

India began their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run win over Pakistan, powered by Deepti Sharma's five-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhana's 68. After the victory, Shreyanka Patil revealed she battled depression and even considered quitting cricket during her injury layoff. The all-rounder credited her family's support and love for the game for helping her return.

Shaun Evans, a referee involved in the FIFA World Cup 2026, is under scrutiny after allegedly making an upside-down 'OK' gesture during Germany's match against Curacao. Critics claim the sign is linked to white supremacist groups, prompting Fare Network to demand his removal. FIFA has yet to comment, while the gesture has sparked controversy in sport before.

Manuel Neuer became Germany's oldest-ever player at a major tournament, aged 40, during their dominant 7-1 FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Curaao. His return from international retirement marked a historic night as Germany secured a resounding victory, restoring confidence after recent World Cup disappointments.

Deepti Sharma press conference after India vs Pakistan in 2026 Women's T20 World Cup

Yasin Ayari scored twice as Sweden began their FIFA World Cup campaign with a dominant 5-1 victory over Tunisia. The win propelled Sweden to the top of Group F, with goals also coming from Alexander Isak and Viktor Gykeres. Tunisia's lone goal came from Omar Rekik.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again failed to convert a promising start into a substantial score for India A. After racing to 21 off 14 balls against Sri Lanka A, he was caught at point. This follows similar dismissals in previous matches, highlighting a recurring pattern of quick starts but a lack of significant conversion.

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed doubts about India's T20 World Cup 2026 prospects despite a dominant win over Pakistan. He cited a lack of power-hitting depth compared to rivals like Australia and England. The article highlights Smriti Mandhana's crucial 68, Richa Ghosh's explosive 34*, and Deepti Sharma's historic 5/10 haul, which secured a 64-run victory.

Japanese football fans captivated the world by cleaning stadium stands after a thrilling 2-2 World Cup draw against the Netherlands. This heartwarming tradition, rooted in respect for players and venues, saw supporters use blue bags to collect litter. The gesture, first seen in 1998, highlights a unique aspect of Japanese sporting culture, leaving AT&T Stadium spotless.

Indian team management sees Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential seam-bowling allrounder. He is being developed as an alternative for the injury-prone Hardik Pandya. Reddy recently impressed with his bowling against Afghanistan. He is actively working on improving his bowling skills. This development aims to strengthen the Indian team's options.

Dhiraj Bommadevara achieved a significant double at the World Cup Stage-III in Antalya, securing a historic recurve mixed team gold with Kumkum Anil Mohod and then clinching the individual recurve gold. This marks India's first World Cup recurve mixed team gold since 2022 and a personal best for Bommadevara.

Manpreet Singh marked his 412nd international appearance, equalling Dilip Tirkey's record, as the Indian men's hockey team lost 2-3 to the Netherlands in their FIH Pro League opener. Despite an improved performance and strong goalkeeping from Suraj Karkera, India conceded a late penalty corner to seal their defeat.

Amad Diallo's dramatic 90th-minute strike secured a 1-0 victory for Ivory Coast against Ecuador in their FIFA World Cup return. The Manchester United winger's brilliant left-footed effort broke a tense stalemate, handing Les lphants a crucial three points in Group E. The win puts Ivory Coast level with Germany after their opening match.

Japan secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup opener, thanks to Daichi Kamada's late header. The Samurai Blue fought back twice after the Dutch took the lead, showcasing their resilience. This result leaves Group F wide open as both teams begin their campaigns with a point.

Germany launched their World Cup campaign with a resounding 7-1 victory over debutants Curaao. Despite a spirited first-half display from the Caribbean nation, marked by their historic first World Cup goal, Germany's superior quality ultimately prevailed. Kai Havertz and Julian Musiala were among the scorers as the four-time champions began their redemption mission with a dominant performance.

Deepti Sharma achieved a career-best 5/10 and became the highest wicket-taker in Women's T20 Internationals. Her bowling masterclass helped India defeat Pakistan by 64 runs in their T20 World Cup opener. Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh powered India to a strong total earlier. India began their campaign with an emphatic win.

Mandhana's 68 off 44 balls and Richa Ghosh's 34 from 17 deliveries helped India post 170 for 6 after being asked to bat. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, with Muneeba Ali's 41 off 35 balls being their highest score.

A record-breaking crowd of 18,814 witnessed India's dominant victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston, setting a new attendance record for a Women's T20 World Cup group-stage match. Smriti Mandhana's 68 and Deepti Sharma's career-best 5/10 propelled India to a commanding 64-run win, highlighting the growing popularity of women's cricket and the India-Pakistan rivalry.

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup remuneration despite being denied entry into the United States due to vetting concerns. Despite this setback, Artan was warmly welcomed home and remains determined for future tournaments, having also been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.

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.