The Times of India

MS Dhoni returned to a cricket ground for the first time since missing IPL 2026 due to injury, attending the opening ceremony of the inaugural Jharkhand T20 League in Ranchi. The former India captain flipped the ceremonial coin and received a warm welcome from fans. His presence boosted the six-team tournament, which will feature 27 matches at the JSCA International Stadium Complex over two weeks.

Portugal head into the FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 warm-up win over Nigeria. Cristiano Ronaldo, set for a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance, missed several chances and failed to score before being substituted. Pedro Neto opened the scoring, Akor Adams equalised for Nigeria, and substitute Francisco Conceio netted the winner. Portugal will face Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation cannot influence government decisions after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US over security concerns, urging people to just chill, relax while FIFA works behind the scenes. Infantino also defended soaring World Cup ticket prices, backed Irans participation despite tensions with the US, praised Donald Trumps role in hosting the tournament, and said FIFA prioritised accessibility over potentially higher broadcast revenues.

Mohammed Siraj's withdrawal from the England and Ireland T20Is raised a curious question: how could a bowler who had drifted out of India's white-ball plans suddenly need rest? The answer lies in the format India have simply refused to play without him. While Jasprit Bumrah's workload was carefully managed, Siraj quietly became India's default fast bowler and the busiest quick in world cricket. For three years, he has been India's workhorse. Now, workload management has finally reached him too.

Argentina's World Cup preparations were hit by a reported security lapse that exposed the passport details of the entire squad, including Lionel Messi, after an unredacted team sheet was circulated. Despite the off-field issue, Argentina finished their warm-up campaign strongly with a 3-0 win over Iceland. Goals from Valentin Barco, Messi and Thiago Almada secured victory ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria.

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of Indias ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a quadricep strain during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Scans confirmed a sprain requiring at least two weeks of recovery. He will continue rehabilitation at the CoE, with a possible return before the England ODI series. Selectors will also review Virat Kohlis fitness ahead of squad selection.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the richest tournament in football history, with FIFA distributing a record $871 million to participating federations and $355 million to clubs. From prize money and qualification grants to player bonuses and club compensation, here's a complete breakdown of how World Cup payouts work, who gets paid, and where the money ultimately goes. (60 words)

The standout result for India came from 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma. The world No. 36 defeated fifth seed and world No. 11 Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei 21-12, 22-20 in 45 minutes.

Artificial intelligence has predicted Spain as the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 14.5% chance. England and France follow closely behind. The AI model analysed team performance, player quality, and betting odds, simulating the tournament 100,000 times to determine probabilities.

Team India hits the nets | Rohit, Shreyas, Ishan & Jaiswal gear up for ODI challenge

Rohit Sharma looked in fine touch during Indias optional training session in Mohali, a day after receiving CoE clearance. The veteran opener spent over an hour in the nets, while Shreyas Iyer also impressed ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan.

Stokes has been left out of the squad along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the pair breached the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday.

The 34-year-old referee had been selected on FIFA's final list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup and was due to join other referees at their training base in Miami before the tournament. The United States is co-hosting the World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.

Richa Ghosh's brilliant 68 off 36 balls almost secured a win for India in their Women's T20 World Cup warm-up against England. Despite her valiant effort, India fell short by five runs, finishing on 166 in pursuit of England's 171. Ghosh's aggressive innings, featuring nine fours and two sixes, was the highlight for India.

Krunal Pandya: On India comeback, Virat Kohli, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and more | Teaser

The concerns are not limited to former awardees. After the ministry announced the re-evaluation process, Asian Championships gold medallist decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who has been recommended for the Arjuna Award, publicly criticised the delay. This delay is not just de-motivating to athletes and coaches but also a sign of disrespect, he posted on X in April.

Sunil Gavaskar fiercely defends the IPL and BCCI against criticism from former players regarding franchise cricket's impact on international schedules. He highlights that overseas boards financially benefit from IPL player contracts, a fact often ignored by critics complaining about player unavailability for national duties. Gavaskar emphasizes the IPL's unique contribution to global cricket finances.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a modest debut for India A, scoring 14 in their tri-series opener against Sri Lanka A. Despite his early dismissal, India A secured an eight-run victory thanks to a dramatic late collapse by the hosts. Sooryavanshi will look to bounce back in their next match against Afghanistan A.

India's young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has signed a short-term deal with Warwickshire for two County Championship matches, marking his first county stint. The 23-year-old arrives after an impressive Test debut against Afghanistan, where he took seven wickets. Suthar, who has 129 first-class wickets, hopes to aid Warwickshire's title challenge while gaining valuable experience ahead of India's Sri Lanka tour.

Manav Suthar's dream debut has further crowded India's spin department. With Ravindra Jadeja set to return for the Sri Lanka tour, Washington Sundar firmly established as an all-rounder and the management prioritising multi-skilled cricketers, Kuldeep Yadav finds himself under pressure as his batting limitations and recent performances come under scrutiny.

Somali referee Omar Artan faced a disappointing setback after being denied entry to the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup, despite holding a valid visa. He was welcomed home by hundreds in Mogadishu, vowing to attend the next tournament. The incident sparked international criticism and raised questions about U.S. hosting capabilities amidst stricter immigration policies.

Jemimah Rodrigues has revealed that a message from Sachin Tendulkar helped her stay focused after her match-winning 127 against Australia in the Women's ODI World Cup semifinal. Tendulkar reminded her to start from zero before the final. Meanwhile, Shafali Verma drew inspiration from her father's motivational voice note and delivered an all-round performance to help India clinch the title.

England cricket captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson face scrutiny after a reported team curfew breach and altercation. The incident has delayed squad announcements and intensified focus on Stokes' leadership. Former captain Geoffrey Boycott calls for a suspension, not a fine, emphasizing discipline. An investigation is ongoing, with the outcome pending.

Shubhi Guptas rise to World No. 4 in girls chess is a story of many things. After overcoming setbacks, including a vision problem that ruined her first independent foreign tournament and later competitive disappointments, she won national and world titles, excelled academically, and achieved major international norms. Now Indias top-ranked girl player, she is pursuing the most difficult titles.

Nahid Rana starred as Bangladesh defeated Australia Cricket Team by 86 runs (DLS) in the first ODI. Rana took 4/41 and was involved in a brief on-field exchange with Australian captain Josh Inglis after dismissing him. Earlier, Mosaddek Hossain scored an unbeaten 86 as Bangladesh posted 284/8 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Indian chess prodigy Pranesh Munirethinam faces uncertainty over his participation in the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong due to a pending visa. Coach RB Ramesh has sought urgent help to expedite the process. Pranesh is part of the ChessGurukul team led by R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu.

Pakistan has named Sahibzada Farhan as captain for the 2026 Asian Games cricket tournament, leading a youthful, experimental squad. Several uncapped players feature, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain. This selection marks Farhan's first white-ball captaincy. Notably, established stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are absent from the 15-member team.

Lionel Messi eased fitness concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by scoring shortly after coming off the bench in Argentina's 3-0 win over Iceland. Returning from a hamstring injury, the captain converted a penalty just two minutes after entering the match. The victory boosted confidence as Argentina prepare to defend their World Cup title, with Messi set for his sixth tournament.

Rishabh Pant is a celebrated match-winner in Indian Test cricket, known for his aggressive style. However, his tendency to play high-risk shots, particularly in the 80s and 90s, has led to frustrating dismissals. Ravichandran Ashwin believes Pant, with over 50 Tests, needs to prioritize game awareness and convert promising scores into centuries for greater team rewards.

Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to a mild leg sprain sustained during training. The all-rounder, who was at peak fitness, will remain in Bengaluru for at least two weeks for recovery under the guidance of medical staff. This setback prevents him from joining the squad as planned.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is facing unprecedented challenges. High ticket prices, travel bans, and visa delays are creating frustration. A war involving a host nation adds to the turmoil. Political tensions are impacting team participation and fan access. This tournament is shaping up to be a difficult event for football fans worldwide.

India's ODI team begins World Cup preparations amid dressing room dynamics concerns. Shubman Gill's captaincy has seen mixed results, with senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli facing questions about their future. Head coach Gautam Gambhir needs to assert authority in the ODI format to align the team for the 2027 tournament.

Real Madrid publicly confirmed a 150 million bid for Julian Alvarez, but city rivals Atletico Madrid rejected the offer and pointed to the striker's release clause of 500 million. Alvarez scored 20 goals and provided nine assists last season. The rejection gained extra attention after Atletico appeared to mock Real on social media with laughing emojis following the announcement.

England captain Ben Stokes faces scrutiny over a reported nightclub incident involving a rugby player, alongside an ECB investigation for alleged curfew breaches. This controversy fuels speculation about his future in cricket, with retirement reportedly considered. Former player Ravi Bopara urges patience, emphasizing Stokes' importance and hoping any departure isn't solely due to this situation.

After nearly four years away, Serena Williams made a winning return to professional tennis at Queen's Club, partnering Victoria Mboko in doubles. The 44-year-old fired serves up to 193 km/h as the pair beat third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2. Williams praised Mboko after the victory, while the teenager called it an honour to play alongside the tennis legend.

England captain Harry Kane amused fans by posting, Always ready if needed, @englandcricket & @RCBTweets! after playing cricket during FIFA World Cup preparations. A friend of Virat Kohli, Kane recently congratulated IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, England boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to manage Kane's workload during the World Cup.

England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub altercation in Chelsea after drinking with England rugby players, including Maro Itoje. A dispute over VIP tables allegedly sparked the incident. The ECB is investigating a breach of team protocols, and both players could miss Englands next Test while the inquiry continues.

India still had one foot in an older version of T20 cricket when Surya came into the side. Now when he has been left out of the squad, India have become a team filled with T20 specialists who go full throttle from ball one and hit more sixes than ever before. Surya was not solely responsible for that change, but he was at its centre.

The 2026 FIFA World Cups expanded 48-team format has reopened the possibility of a historic Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo clash, something never seen in tournament play. With Argentina and Portugal drawn into separate groups, any meeting depends entirely on knockout progression. Depending on results, they could meet in the Round of 16, quarter-finals, or even the final.

The decree aims to improve traffic movement and road safety as Mexico City prepares to host the opening day of the tournament, when a large number of visitors are expected to arrive.

India A players were left fuming after a controversial run-out decision in their Tri-Nation A Series clash against Sri Lanka A. Wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh dislodged the bails before the ball hit the stumps, leading to Chamika Karunaratne being given not out despite appearing short of his crease.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has re-entered the top 10 of the ICC Women's T20I batting rankings, a significant boost ahead of the World Cup. Her match-winning half-century against England propelled her back into the elite list. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Melie Kerr reclaims the top all-rounder spot, setting up an exciting contest with Hayley Matthews.

The board said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to help the fast bowler recover ahead of a busy international season. Prasidh Krishna has been named as Siraj's replacement for both tours.

A strange mix-up saw Priyansh Arya run out in the tri-series opener against Sri Lanka A. His bat collided with the wicketkeeper's foot while trying to make his ground. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century to rescue India A after an early collapse. Late contributions helped India A post a competitive total.

India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from the T20I squads for the Ireland and England tours as part of a workload management programme. The BCCI said the move was precautionary to ensure adequate recovery before a busy season. Prasidh Krishna has been named as his replacement in the Shreyas Iyer-led squad, which also includes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Arjun Tendulkar won hearts in the Mumbai T20 League after checking on a young fan accidentally hit on the head by one of his sixes. He later gifted the child a signed match ball. Arjun also starred on the field, taking 3/11 and scoring an unbeaten 66 as Arcs Andheri cruised to a nine-wicket win over Bandra Blasters.

Sri Lanka clinched the ODI series 1-0 against West Indies after the third match was washed out without a ball being bowled, following a similar fate for the second game. Their 41-run win in the opening ODI proved decisive. Captain Kusal Mendis celebrated his first series win as skipper, while West Indies captain Shai Hope credited Sri Lankas strong performance.