The Times of India

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.

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.