The Times of India

Moroccan-American referee Ismail Elfath will officiate the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. Elfath has previously overseen several significant matches involving Lionel Messi. Online speculation has arisen due to these past coincidences and Messi's success in those games. FIFA has defended its referees against claims of favoritism towards Argentina. Elfath's disciplinary record suggests a tightly controlled contest for both teams.

MS Dhoni and Kriti Sanon attended the India versus England ODI match. England collapsed from a strong start to a low total. Jasprit Bumrah and Gurnoor Brar took key wickets. Joe Root and Liam Dawson led a spirited recovery for England. Axar Patel's late spell restricted England to 258 runs.

Axar Patel achieved a rare feat by taking four wickets in the death overs. He became the second Indian spinner to accomplish this milestone in ODI cricket. England recovered through Joe Root and Liam Dawson after a significant collapse. Axar's career-best figures restricted England to 258 runs. India's pace attack dominated the initial phase of the innings.

Dinesh Karthik suggests friction between Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar over selection priorities. India's recent T20I series losses in the UK have intensified scrutiny on the team's management. Karthik believes differing long-term plans and immediate winning desires cause selection confusion. The immense squad depth adds pressure on players struggling to secure their places. The BCCI will review these poor T20I performances and selections soon.

Bumrah reached the milestone in the opening ball of the 14th over of England's innings. He forced Brook into a tentative shot with a slower delivery that climbed on the batter, and Rohit Sharma completed a catch at first slip. The wicket was also Bumrah's 150th in ODI cricket.

Jos Buttler achieved his 200th One-Day International cap for England. He reached this significant milestone during the opening ODI against India. Former captain Eoin Morgan holds the record for most ODIs played. England batted first after winning the toss at Edgbaston. India welcomed back senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh is edging closer to approval, with the BCCI exploring a revised international schedule. To accommodate the six-match series, India's proposed T20Is against Afghanistan are likely to be pushed back by a few days, while the BCB remains optimistic about hosting the Men in Blue after a four-year gap.

Argentina will wear their dark blue away kit for the World Cup semifinal match against England. This choice is influenced by historical victories and fan superstition regarding the jersey. FIFA regulations regarding kit contrast and viewer visibility also play a significant role. The team hopes this iconic blue strip will bring them fortune in the crucial game. This decision has generated considerable discussion among football supporters worldwide.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli were not seen interacting during India's training. Gambhir spent considerable time with other squad members and coaching staff. Kohli engaged in a lengthy batting session and spoke with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma also had discussions with the head coach.

With four footballing heavyweights remaining, one of the biggest questions among fans is simple: Who is most likely to lift the trophy? Two of the largest prediction platforms, Polymarket and Kalshi, have attracted enormous interest throughout the tournament, with a combined betting volume of more than $5.3 billion across various FIFA World Cup markets. Around $4.2 billion has been wagered on Polymarket and $1.1 billion on Kalshi across predictions ranging from tournament winner and Golden Boot

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland returned home with a viral stuffed raccoon. He engaged fans by asking for name suggestions for his new companion. Norway received a massive hero's welcome from over 100,000 fans. The capital city celebrated the team's historic FIFA World Cup campaign. Crown Prince Haakon led a final Viking Row celebration with supporters.

From dedicating his maiden India call-up to his late father to reuniting with bowling coach Morne Morkel, Yash Thakur reflects on the journey behind his biggest career milestone. In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia. com, the Punjab Kings pacer opens up about Shreyas Iyer's faith in his bowlers, the winning mindset instilled by Ricky Ponting, and why pressure situations bring out the best in him.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir are not TALKING | India vs England

Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the young age of thirty-eight. He was recently removed from the FIFA World Cup 2026 officials list. Dieperink was arrested in Britain following an investigation which was later closed. The Netherlands football association and FIFA have expressed their deep sadness. Dieperink had a notable career, officiating many professional matches internationally.

Virat Kohli plays his 300th ODI for India against England. England coach Brendon McCullum praised Kohli's global influence and competitive spirit. Kohli returns to the ODI format after missing the T20 series. He is close to surpassing Rahul Dravid's ODI run record in England. India seeks a fresh start in the ODI series after T20 disappointment.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth criticised the team management's handling of young player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He questioned the decision to drop the fifteen-year-old after just three T20 international matches. Srikkanth compared this situation to his own captaincy experience with Sachin Tendulkar. He emphasized the importance of backing young talent for confidence building. The former opener expressed strong disappointment with the current leadership's approach.

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal feels no pressure facing France in the World Cup semifinal. He believes Spain is well-equipped to handle the high-stakes match and prove themselves. La Roja enters the semifinal on an impressive 36-match unbeaten streak in regulation time. France also arrives with momentum, having won all their group matches and knockout games. This semifinal marks a national record for France's head coach Didier Deschamps.

France will take on a confident Spain side that reached the semifinals after beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Spain have not lost in their last 36 matches and will be looking to continue that run by booking a place in the World Cup final. The winner of the blockbuster semifinal will face either Argentina or England in the final on July 20.

After a disastrous T20I tour, India begin their ODI World Cup build-up against England at Edgbaston. With injuries forcing changes, Shubman Gill's side will look to reset, test combinations and lean on the experience of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah as preparations for the 2027 World Cup gather pace.

Virat Kohli needs 68 runs to surpass Rahul Dravid's tally of 648 runs. Rohit Sharma requires 239 runs to move ahead of Dravid's total. Dravid currently holds the record with 648 runs from 20 matches. This series presents a big chance for Kohli to claim the top spot.

Brendon McCullum has apologised to England fans after his removal as Test coach. He accepted the decision, stating the team's results were not good enough. McCullum admitted disappointment over failing to win major series against India and Australia. He took full responsibility for the team's culture and tactical performances. The former New Zealand captain will continue as England's white-ball coach.

New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory against West Indies in the second ODI match. Jayden Lennox took five wickets for nineteen runs, triggering a West Indies collapse. The hosts were bowled out for a mere 138 runs in their innings. New Zealand chased the target with ten wickets in hand, leveling the series. This win marked New Zealand's 400th ODI victory, tying the series at one apiece.

Indian captain Shubman Gill advocates for the 50-over format's preservation. He suggests reviving triangular or quadrangular series to enhance engagement. Gill also congratulated the women's team on their historic Test victory. He is planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup with Virat Kohli. Jasprit Bumrah's return to the ODI squad is welcomed by Gill.

How Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma made fans' day in Birmingham

Amol Muzumdar on India's big win at Lord's, Yastika's century & Test cricket

FIDE has approved a new format for the 2027 World Cup and Women's World Cup, reducing the events from 27 to 19 days by introducing a Swiss qualification stage before the knockout rounds. Both tournaments will feature more players, expanded qualification pathways and a combined prize fund of USD 3.3 million, making the competitions more inclusive and rewarding.

India train hard for one last time before 1st ODI against England

England opener Ben Duckett stated they will test Indian batters with short balls. He acknowledged the challenge will differ from the T20 series. Duckett also discussed facing Jasprit Bumrah in the ODI format. He believes England players have individual plans for Bumrah. Despite T20 success, England anticipates a tough ODI series challenge.

Brendon McCullum press conference: On getting sacked as Test coach, future and more

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sparked outrage after saying France's football team had o French players ahead of the World Cup semi-final. Leaders in Spain and France condemned the remarks as xenophobic and racist. France defended the diversity of its national team, stressing all players are French citizens and should be judged by talent, not their background.

Dinesh Karthik believes Andy Flower would be an excellent choice for England's Test coach. However, he feels Flower's existing commitments make this move highly unlikely. Flower has a three-year contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL. This would mean missing parts of England's Test matches. The schedule presents significant challenges for such a dual role.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in sublime touch | Exclusive visuals from Birmingham

Shubman Gill press conference: On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, World Cup and more

Jacob Bethell will open batting with Ben Duckett for England's first ODI. Jos Buttler plays his 200th ODI match, marking a significant career milestone. England's bowling attack features a spin-heavy approach against India's strong batting lineup. Jofra Archer returns to the ODI squad after a strong T20I performance. The three-match series begins at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

India captain Shubman Gill reaffirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain central to the ODI team's 2027 World Cup plans, calling them the backbone of Indias batting. Emphasising their experience in pressure situations, Gill said Indias settled core will stay intact while younger players are gradually integrated through opportunities in upcoming ODI series.

Kranti Gaud achieved her personal goal by inscribing her name on the Lord's honours board. Her exceptional bowling secured a historic 270-run victory for India against England. Gaud claimed seven wickets across both innings, earning her Player of the Match honors. This comprehensive win marked India's first women's Test victory at the iconic venue. The team extended its unbeaten Test record on English soil with this triumph.

MSK Prasad advised patience regarding coach Gautam Gambhir's early tenure. He noted key players Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were absent during recent losses. Prasad stated assessing Gambhir requires a full-strength team for future matches. He also criticized the decision to drop Sanju Samson after a few low scores. The former selector also expressed concern over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's gradual introduction.

England train hard ahead of 1st ODI against India | Exclusive visuals

Indias historic 270-run win over England in the first womens Test at Lords extended their unbeaten Test record in England to 40 years. Yastika Bhatias landmark century and Kranti Gauds seven-wicket match haul powered the victory. India now lead the overall head-to-head 4-1, with 11 draws, underlining their growing dominance in womens Test cricket.

India secured a historic 270-run victory against England at Lord's. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the team's resilience and support staff's collective effort. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a strong foundation for the win. Yastika Bhatia's century and the team's fielding were also highlighted. This memorable performance followed a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.

India registered a historic 270-run victory over England in the first-ever womens Test at Lords. Yastika Bhatias landmark 113, Richa Ghoshs unbeaten fifty and Smriti Mandhanas 70 helped set a daunting 457-run target. Kranti Gauds seven-wicket match haul and disciplined bowling from Sneh Rana and Sayali Satghare ensured India sealed a commanding, all-round triumph.

India's once-formidable spin attack is losing its edge. From repeated failures to take wickets in the middle overs against Ireland, England and in recent T20I series, to a thinning talent pipeline, India's traditional strength has become a growing concern, forcing the team management to increasingly rely on pace rather than spin.

The 2026 World Cup is witnessing an unprecedented number of long-range goals scored. This surge is attributed to the tournament's varied altitudes and a new football's unique aerodynamics. The Trionda ball's flight characteristics change based on impact points, affecting its speed. Goalkeepers are struggling to adapt to these unpredictable ball movements and faster trajectories. This combination has led to a record-breaking tally of goals from outside the penalty area.

Jannik Sinner showcased his trademark ability to elevate his game, defeating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final by finding another level at crucial moments. Zverev praised him as the worlds best player. Sinners resilience was shaped by recent setbacks, including a shocking Roland Garros collapse. Guided by his coaches, he responded with renewed focus, relentless work and mental strength, proving adversity had made him stronger.

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut was premature. He felt public excitement influenced the decision to play the young player. Jaffer suggested Sooryavanshi needed more time with the national team setup. Sanju Samson's subsequent omission from the Zimbabwe tour also surprised Jaffer. Yuvraj Singh, however, expressed strong confidence in Sooryavanshi's future.

Los Angeles Knight Riders advanced to the Major League Cricket Qualifier after defeating Texas Super Kings. Colin Munro and Matthew Tromp led a successful chase to secure their playoff berth. Texas Super Kings concluded their season with a fifth consecutive loss, finishing at the bottom. Shubham Ranjane's unbeaten fifty was insufficient for the Super Kings' total. The Knight Riders now prepare for a playoff clash against San Francisco Unicorns.

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised India's T20I series loss to England. He stated sacking players or coaches would be an easy but ineffective solution. Manjrekar believes overseas conditions and IPL preparation are the real issues. He argued IPL batting conditions mask players' true abilities abroad. The focus should be on those creating favorable IPL batting environments.