The Times of India

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes India should fast-track Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's international debut. The young batter's record-breaking IPL 2026 season has impressed many. Hussain feels Sooryavanshi's extraordinary performances make him impossible to ignore for the national team. His talent is undeniable and he is set for further challenges.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif strongly backs Shreyas Iyer for the T20I captaincy, citing his IPL success with Gautam Gambhir and leading franchises to finals. Kaif believes Iyer's leadership and batting prowess make him the top choice, ahead of others like Jasprit Bumrah. He also suggested the team has moved past Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill for the role.

Alexander Zverev advanced to the French Open final after a four-set victory over Jakub Mensik. The German second seed, now a strong favorite with top contenders eliminated, will compete for his maiden Grand Slam title. Zverev overcame a brief resurgence from Mensik to secure his place in the championship match.

Nepal's Kushal Bhurtel is on a record-breaking spree at the Asian Games qualifiers, smashing back-to-back T20I centuries. Days after hitting six sixes in an over, he delivered another stunning century, powering Nepal to a massive win. This remarkable feat places him in an elite group of cricketers with consecutive T20I hundreds.

England opener Emilio Gay marked his Test debut against New Zealand at Lord's with a composed 57 in the second innings. His crucial half-century anchored the hosts against a disciplined pace attack. With this knock, Gay became the first England men's opener to score a debut fifty on home soil since Andrew Strauss in 2004, stabilising the top order.

Captain Shubman Gill emphasizes Test cricket's unparalleled satisfaction as India prepares for their one-off Test against Afghanistan. Acknowledging the challenging transition from IPL, Gill expressed confidence in young talents and highlighted the significance of this match for building momentum ahead of crucial World Test Championship fixtures. He stressed Afghanistan's formidable progress, urging against underestimation.

The BCCI will announce India's squads for the Ireland and England white-ball tours, after a selection meeting on Saturday. A press conference led by Ajit Agarkar and Devajit Saikia will begin at 1 PM IST. Shreyas Iyer is expected to become T20 captain, while youngsters Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could earn major roles.

Parisian sensation Maja Chwalinska, a surprise Roland Garros finalist, credits her simple routine and a 'free' mindset for her meteoric rise. The unseeded Pole, battling past depression, now stands one match from a historic title, her imaginative, left-handed game captivating fans and defying expectations after a year of qualifying struggles.

Rohit Sharma prediction: Greenstone Lobos bold take on 2027 World Cup and future

FIFA has cancelled around 60 World Cup tickets that were mistakenly issued for free because of a website checkout error. The affected fans have been asked to pay the correct amount to keep their reserved seats. The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of FIFA's ticketing system, which has faced criticism over pricing, resale policies and consumer protection concerns.

India's renowned shooting coach Jaspal Rana underwent a stent procedure after falling ill on a flight returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich. Rana, who mentors Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and several top Indian shooters, was taken to a Delhi hospital after landing. A Dronacharya Award winner, he currently serves as India's high-performance coach for pistol shooting.

Ravichandran Ashwin advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to pursue Test cricket, despite the 15-year-old's phenomenal white-ball success. Sooryavanshi's record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign, where he won the Orange Cap with 776 runs, has sparked debate about his future format. Ashwin acknowledges the changing landscape of cricket and the difficulty in forcing a player's hand.

Ravichandran Ashwin stresses that revitalizing first-class cricket is crucial for Test cricket's future, a global concern. He noted that while the BCCI has improved domestic salaries, players need stronger incentives to choose the demanding red-ball game. Ashwin, a legendary spinner, emphasized the unparalleled rewards of Test cricket and the importance of traditional coaching for aspiring players.

Praggnanandhaa remains firmly in contention for the Norway Chess 2026 title heading into the final round. The Indian grandmaster trails leader Wesley So by just half a point, with Alireza Firouzja also in the mix. A classical victory in his final game could propel Praggnanandhaa to the top, though the outcome will also depend on results involving So and Firouzja.

Rohit injured his hamstring during the IPL and was picked for the ODIs, subject to fitness clearance.

India's upcoming Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, while outside the WTC cycle, serves as crucial preparation. The Shubman Gill-led side will use the match to reconnect with red-ball cricket and fine-tune strategies before a demanding WTC schedule. For Afghanistan, it's a historic second Test against India, offering a valuable opportunity to compete against a traditional powerhouse.

India ready for Test challenge; Gautam Gambhir upbeat on WTC final

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) is making a significant return to sports broadcasting by acquiring rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and future tournaments. The company has launched Unite8 Sports channels and offering content on Zee5. Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer of Unite8 Sports, speaks about the acquisition and long-term vision.

India's Test transition is entering a new phase. Gautam Gambhir believes the rebuilding process that began in England is still well underway, and the focus must now shift from experimentation to stability. From backing Sai Sudharsan and identifying a fourth spinner for future tours to stressing better red-ball preparation and mental toughness, the India coach outlined how the team plans to navigate a crucial phase of the World Test Championship cycle.

World Champion D Gukesh faces a crucial final-round clash against Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess 2026. Currently last with eight points, Gukesh must defeat Carlsen in their classical game to move ahead of the Norwegian and avoid finishing at the bottom. Meanwhile, Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa, and Alireza Firouzja remain locked in a thrilling three-way battle for the tournament title.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir supports the ICC's new rule allowing a pink ball under floodlights to combat bad light in Test matches. He believes this proactive measure will help ensure matches reach a conclusion, especially in crucial World Test Championship scenarios, preventing teams from being denied results due to weather.

Gautam Gambhir press conference: Playing XI, Rishabh Pant, No.3 and more

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke was involved in a serious road accident in India shortly after the IPL 2026 final. His vehicle crashed into a semi-trailer, leaving him with bruises and the car written off. Clarke expressed gratitude for the support from locals and the BCCI following the frightening incident.

Pant was removed as India's Test vice-captain when the BCCI announced the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month

Former India selector Devang Gandhi advocates for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's immediate India T20I debut following his stellar IPL 2026. Gandhi highlighted the young batsman's remarkable strike rate and adaptability, suggesting he possesses the potential to trouble even Test bowlers. He emphasised Sooryavanshi's maturity and all-around game, calling him a 'nightmare' for opposition attacks.

The number three position has remained unsettled for India in Test cricket since Cheteshwar Pujara moved out of the side. Since then, seven different batters have been tried at one-drop, but none have managed to make the spot their own. Several of them were also not given an extended run in the role.

Former selector Saba Karim believes Virat Kohli is a certainty for the 2027 ODI World Cup due to his consistent performances and fitness. In contrast, Rohit Sharma faces significant pressure to improve his fitness and batting to be considered for the tournament. Kohli's evolving strike rate and commitment impress selectors, while Rohit's recent IPL form raises concerns.

Robinson, playing his first Test since February 2024, finished the day with figures of 4/10 from six overs as New Zealand ended the day still trailing England's first-innings total of 140.

Liverpool have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, aiming to revive the club's aggressive, high-pressing style. Iraola, who previously transformed Bournemouth into European qualifiers, arrives with a reputation for intense tactics. He faces the significant challenge of restoring Liverpool to domestic and European glory.

His throw now trails only Arshad Nadeem's Olympic gold-winning mark of 92.97m from Paris 2024 in the Asian all-time list.

Pakistan secured a 2-1 series victory over Australia in the final ODI, chasing a modest target of 158 on a challenging spinning wicket. Shadab Khan starred with an unbeaten 29 and two wickets, guiding Pakistan home with Abdul Samad after a tough chase. Australia collapsed to 157 despite Josh Inglis's 65, losing their last seven wickets for 38 runs.

France and Spain, both FIFA World Cup contenders, experienced unexpected setbacks in their warm-up matches. Ivory Coast stunned France with a 2-1 victory, while Iraq held Spain to a 1-1 draw. These surprising results serve as a stark reminder that form and reputation may not guarantee success in the upcoming tournament.

Chwalinska made history on Thursday by becoming only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final. The Polish player defeated Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the semifinals.

Rishabh Pant, set for his 50th Test, displays his usual cheerful demeanor despite a shift in leadership role. While his playful spirit remains, the team management seeks adjustments to his game, focusing on situational play. This milestone match marks a new chapter for the impactful batter, emphasising his commitment to senior player responsibilities.

During a discussion on Sky Sports on the opening day of the first Test between England and New Zealand on Thursday, the idea of Sooryavanshi opening in Tests was raised.

Emerging talent Madhav Tiwari, a 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, made a significant Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals in 2026 season, showcasing his all-round abilities with both bat and ball. Despite limited prior experience, Tiwari impressed by taking crucial wickets and playing a match-winning cameo, fueling his ambition to represent India.

Maja Chwalinska has achieved a historic feat at Roland Garros, becoming the first qualifier to reach the French Open women's singles final. She will face teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in a captivating showdown. Chwalinska's remarkable journey from qualifying to the final is a testament to her grit and skill, captivating tennis fans worldwide.

Three days after the IPL final, Team India are attempting to reset their body clocks and shed T20 habits ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reveals how the team is tackling sleep cycles, technical adjustments and the challenge of switching from IPL nights to Test-match mornings.

R Praggnanandhaa boosted his Norway Chess title hopes with a third straight classical victory, defeating world champion D Gukesh in their Round 9 rematch. After weathering Gukeshs early aggression in the Nimzo-Indian Smisch, Pragg defended accurately. The win avenged his earlier loss to Gukesh and moved him within half a point of leader Wesley So heading into the final round.

Marta Kostyuk again refused to shake hands with Russian player Mirra Andreeva after their French Open semifinal, continuing a stance she has maintained since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Ukrainian views the gesture as a show of solidarity with her country. Kostyuk has also used her platform to highlight the war's humanitarian impact and support for Ukrainians.

Pakistan has decided not to send its fencers to the Asian Senior Fencing Championships in New Delhi despite receiving an invitation from organisers. The event, being hosted by India for the first time, will feature participants from over 30 countries. Meanwhile, some nations, including Hong Kong and Australia, are facing visa-related issues, though authorities are working to resolve them before the tournament.

England's batting order collapsed spectacularly against New Zealand at Lord's, being bowled out for just 140. Iceland Cricket humorously commented on the situation, suggesting Zak Crawley's spirit remained with the team despite his absence from the squad. Harry Brook was the lone fighter with 56 runs.

Bhutan's Ritshi Choden became the first woman batter to be timed out in international cricket after taking more than 90 seconds to reach the crease during a T20I against Nepal in the ACC Premier Cup. Nepal's appeal was upheld, leaving Bhutan 0 for 2. Although the dismissal was legal, Nepal's cricket board later apologised, saying it went against the spirit of the game. Bhutan eventually lost by 51 runs.

Serena Williams will return to professional tennis after nearly four years away, competing in doubles at the Queens Club tournament in London. The 44-year-old will partner 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, who called the opportunity an honor. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, retired in 2022. She has not yet confirmed whether she will play Wimbledon or the US Open in 2026.

Rajdip Gupta on T20 Mumbai League's vision, young talent & growth

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav says he is fully focused on Test cricket ahead of the one-off Afghanistan Test. After Delhi Capitals' early IPL exit, he used the extra time to prepare for red-ball cricket, admitting the transition from T20s is tough. With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel rested, Kuldeep will lead the spin attack and has backed youngsters Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar to perform well.

Murali Kartik lauded Ajinkya Rahane as IPL 2026's top captain, highlighting his leadership of a depleted Kolkata Knight Riders squad. Despite injuries and early criticism, Rahane guided the team to playoff contention until the final league day, a remarkable turnaround from a winless start. Kartik emphasized Rahane's ability to rally the side against adversity.

Former selector Saba Karim suggests India's T20 team may see a major transition before the 2028 World Cup, with Suryakumar Yadav's place under scrutiny due to inconsistent form. Karim also backs Rajat Patidar for captaincy, citing his IPL success, while questioning Hardik Pandya's leadership. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also highlighted as a potential national selection candidate.