The Times of India

Orlando Holley-Sotomi of Wales delivered a powerful knockout during the Commonwealth Games boxing quarterfinal. His opponent, Refiloe Thai, was sent through the ropes after a devastating right hand landed. Medical staff quickly attended to the injured boxer, who thankfully showed signs of recovery. This victory guarantees Holley-Sotomi at least a bronze medal in the competition.

Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira revealed Lionel Messi surprised him by speaking English before their World Cup knockout clash, congratulating him on reaching the tournament. The MLS rivals had faced each other regularly, but Messis unexpected gesture stood out. Moreira later praised Cape Verdes historic debut campaign, despite their dramatic extra-time defeat against Argentina.

LeBron James became an NBA legend through far more than talent. This story explores the sacrifices that shaped his journey, from a difficult childhood in Akron to years of relentless training, recovery, travel, and time away from family. It also reveals the emotional side of his career, including his honest reflections on missing moments with loved ones while chasing greatness. From the Miami Heat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Philadelphia 76ers, this feature un

The Commonwealth Games witnessed India's boxing squad achieving an impressive milestone by winning all five matches. Five Indian athletes have now made it to the semifinals, guaranteeing at least nine bronze medals for the country. Sakshi Choudhary and Arundhati Choudhary kick-started the victory parade with their bouts, complemented by the triumphs of Sachin Siwach, Ankush Yadav, and Narender Berwal.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed vice-captain for the East Zone squad. He will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan in the Duleep Trophy 2026. Experienced pacer Mohammed Shami also returns to domestic cricket action. The squad features a blend of international cricketers and emerging talent. Riyan Parag and Akash Deep are absent due to rehabilitation.

Glasgow's weather challenges the 2026 Commonwealth Games athletics events. Athletics regulations permit competition in rain if safety is maintained. Modern facilities and drainage systems manage wet conditions effectively. Athletes adapt to challenging weather as part of elite competition. Reserve days are not kept due to complex scheduling and logistical issues.

Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad faced ICC sanctions for code of conduct breaches. Shahzad received a fine and demerit point for his aggressive celebration after a dismissal. Abbas was officially reprimanded and given a demerit point for a similar on-field action. Both players accepted responsibility for their actions, concluding the process without formal hearings. This disciplinary action follows Pakistan's opening Test defeat against the West Indies.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vini has retired after officiating the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, ending a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades. Despite criticism over his handling of Spains victory over Argentina, no evidence linked his retirement to the controversy. Vini leaves the game after refereeing major UEFA finals, two World Cups, and achieving footballs highest officiating honour.

Tony Romo was arrested on 23rd July by the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office on charges of OWI, sparking chaos among many. With the new bodycam footage, there have been new theories now.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has jumped 230 places in the ICC T20I batting rankings. Ishan Kishan retains his world number one position with a historic rating. Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer also saw gains in the rankings. Ravi Bishnoi made significant progress in the T20I bowling rankings. Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl and Blessing Muzarabani also achieved career-best rankings.

Connor McDavid is one of hockey's biggest stars, but away from the Edmonton Oilers, his life is golf, family, travel, fitness, recovery and community work. His marriage to Lauren Kyle McDavid, love of golf and involvement in Edmonton charitable causes show a quieter side of the NHL captain, and how he balances his relaxation with preparing for another season.

Sachin Tendulkar honored his late mentor, Ramakant Achrekar, on Guru Purnima. He visited Achrekar's memorial at Mumbai's Shivaji Park to express his gratitude. Tendulkar reflected on the invaluable lessons his coach imparted throughout his career. Achrekar was instrumental in nurturing Tendulkar's talent and discipline from a young age. A memorial celebrating Achrekar's contribution was unveiled at Shivaji Park in 2024.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru holds the IPL's top brand value at over $300 million. This valuation reflects strong performance and fan engagement, according to a recent study. The franchise's recent acquisition by a consortium highlights its significant market appeal. The Indian Premier League's overall business value also reached $20.6 billion. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings follow RCB in brand value rankings.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald desires Ben Stokes' return for the 2027 Ashes series. He believes this would create a compelling narrative for the cricket rivalry. Stokes retired from Test cricket earlier this year after a home series defeat. A new England coach might persuade him to reconsider his decision to play again. Stokes has continued playing domestic cricket, showing he still has ability.

Shubman Gill has reclaimed the world number one ODI batting ranking spot. Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand slips to second place after missing recent matches. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also feature prominently in the top five rankings. Indian batters Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are ranked within the top twenty. Other notable movers include Bernard Scholtz and Justin Greaves in bowling categories.

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.