The Times of India

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.

Arjun Tendulkar starred for Arcs Andheri in the T20 Mumbai League 2026, delivering a match-winning all-round performance. He took 3/11 with the ball and then smashed an unbeaten 66 to guide his team to a nine-wicket victory. Captain Shivam Dube lauded Tendulkar's effort, highlighting his crucial role in the win.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshis first outing for India A after his impressive IPL 2026 season ended with a 14-run knock off 12 balls against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla. The teenager hit three fours before falling to Mohamed Shiraz. Ahead of the match, Sri Lanka A vice-captain Niroshan Dickwella had praised Sooryavanshis talent and said his team had plans to keep him in check.

Viswanathan Anand praised R Praggnanandhaas Norway Chess triumph, calling his comeback and fighting style impressive. He urged world champion D Gukesh, who struggled in the event, to take inspiration from Praggnanandhaas persistence and hard work. Anand also highlighted the healthy rivalry among Indias top young stars and said India is now firmly among the worlds leading chess nations.

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are under ECB investigation after breaching a midnight curfew and becoming involved in a nightclub altercation in Chelsea. Reports claim a Saracens academy rugby player threw a punch at Atkinson but hit an ECB security guard, who needed stitches. ECB sources insist the cricketers were not the aggressors. Stokess captaincy is now under scrutiny.

When it is time to defend their title, champions find themselves battling age, fatigue and footballs unforgiving evolution.

Virat Kohli celebrated RCBs back-to-back IPL titles with an emotional post calling the franchise HOME, a message that quickly went viral. The star batter played a key role in the 2026 final, scoring an unbeaten 75 as RCB beat Gujarat Titans. Kohli praised the teams belief and maturity, while also highlighting how younger players continue to push him to improve.

Glenn McGrath lauded teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, comparing his fearless style and backlift to legends Brian Lara and Garry Sobers. McGrath was amazed by Sooryavanshi's IPL power-hitting, noting his high six-to-four ratio. He expressed interest in seeing how the young batsman performs outside the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka A vice-captain Niroshan Dickwella anticipates a strong performance from Indian talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Dickwella acknowledges Sooryavanshi as an exciting player and a motivation for young cricketers globally. Sri Lanka A plan to execute their basic strategies against the Indian batting lineup.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das has again denied that players decided to skip the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. He said the squad wanted to play and was only informed of the decision, not consulted. Challenging safety concerns, Litton noted Bangladesh had toured Pakistan despite tighter security, saying, they used to stand with guns outside the room.

Manav Suthar's impressive debut performance has positioned him as a key player in India's red-ball spin strategy. His six-wicket haul against Afghanistan showcased his potential, making him a strong contender for the Test XI. The BCCI's long-term development project for spinners like Suthar highlights India's focus on building a potent spin attack for future challenges.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking IPL 2026 season earned him a maiden India call-up at just 15. The left-hander amassed 776 runs and smashed 72 sixes, dismantling bowling attacks with a unique technique that allows him to dominate length, short and full deliveries alike. While yorkers offered some control, his remarkable adaptability and power suggest Indian cricket may have uncovered a generational talent.

Ben Stokess England captaincy is under threat after he and Gus Atkinson allegedly broke a team curfew and became involved in a nightclub altercation following the win over New Zealand. The ECB is investigating, though sources say the players were not the aggressors. A security guard was injured, Stokes may miss the next Test, and Harry Brook is expected to captain.

England's preparations for the second Test against New Zealand are marred by controversy as captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Gus Atkinson face an investigation for an alleged breach of team protocols. The ECB confirmed an incident occurred at a nightclub early Monday morning, with further details pending the investigation's completion.

Japan placed second with three gold, three silver and five bronze medals. Argentina finished third, with its lone athlete Nabila Barraza winning two gold and three silver medals.

Hardik has been recovering from a back spasm, while Rohit sustained a hamstring injury during the IPL. Both players missed multiple matches during the tournament.

Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya assured ISL clubs that the 2026-27 season will proceed as scheduled after a key meeting involving clubs, AIFF officials and ex-chief Praful Patel. A new proposal favouring a club-led model, under which AIFF would receive Rs 15.4 crore higher than the projected earnings from the proposed Genius Sports partnership. Stadium costs also emerged as a topic of concern.

Manav Suthar's dream debut powers India to massive win over Afghanistan

India will play five T20Is and three ODIs in England between July 1 and July 19. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the ECB has advanced the start times of three evening T20Is by one hour following discussions with broadcasters. The matches were originally scheduled to begin at 6.30 pm local time (11 pm IST), as announced last year. However, they will now start at 5.30 pm local time (10 pm IST), making them more viewer-friendly for Indian audiences.

In his prime, Alexander conquered much of the landmass known to ancient Greeks, which was still only 3-4% of the actual landmass of the world, and supposedly wept that there was no land left to conquer. His namesake, on the other hand, had another reason to weep: his inability to conquer the one territory that had kept defeating him, a Grand Slam.

Despite a record innings victory over Afghanistan, Sunil Gavaskar believes India's batting, not bowling, presents the biggest challenge. He urged the team to shed the 'transition' narrative and focus on maintaining Test cricket standards. Gavaskar highlighted the need for greater batting discipline and longer innings, warning against T20 mindset creeping into red-ball cricket.

The event, scheduled from June 9 to 11 at Lucknow Golf Club, marks the fifth stop of the 2026 NexGen season and carries added significance as a tribute to legendary Lucknow golfer Vijay Kumar, who passed away unexpectedly on April 28 at the age of 57.

India batting coach praises Manav Suthar after dominant performance vs Afghanistan

Manav Suthar made a dream Test debut for India. He earned Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance. Suthar took seven wickets in the match. India secured a massive innings victory over Afghanistan. His debut effort is among the best by an Indian bowler. Suthar emphasized consistency and patience in Test cricket.

India captain Shubman Gill hailed his team's dominant innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan as a near-perfect performance, highlighting the bowlers' ability to secure 20 wickets. Gill emphasized the importance of posting substantial first-innings totals, like their 564/8 declared, and trusting the bowling attack. The win showcased India's promising future with a young squad.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi has the skill to succeed in Test cricket but questioned whether the teenager would want to take that path.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised debutant Manav Suthar's rapid rise, defended Rishabh Pant's attacking style, highlighted India's successful switch from IPL cricket to the red-ball format, and expressed excitement about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's immense potential while stressing the importance of players staying true to their natural game.

Manav Suthar on Sunday bagged a six-wicket haul in his debut Test outing. The 23-year-old, who was given the nod ahead of Harsh Dubey for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, became only the tenth Indian bowler and seventh Indian spinner to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut.

Manav Suthar made a dream Test debut, claiming seven wickets to guide India to a massive innings and 300-run victory over Afghanistan. The young spinner, named Player of the Match, emphasised patience and consistency as crucial for success in the longest format. His stellar performance, including a first-innings 6 for 33, set the stage for India's dominant win.

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