The Times of India

As BCCI looks for successors, India T20I skipper unlikely to be called up for selection meeting

Gujarat Titans faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final. A surprising move saw Nishant Sindhu bat ahead of Jos Buttler after Shubman Gill's early dismissal. Head coach Ashish Nehra explained it was a tactical choice to involve Sindhu more. The decision did not yield the desired results, contributing to Gujarat's defeat.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is optimistic that Lamine Yamal will be fit for the team's World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15 despite a hamstring injury suffered in April. Yamal will miss the warm-up match against Iraq, while Nico Williams and Vctor Muoz are also sidelined. Spain are aiming to improve on recent World Cup performances.

Rajat Patidar captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second successive IPL title in 2026, scoring 501 runs at a strike rate of 192.69. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke highlighted Patidar as an underrated performer, emphasizing his leadership and middle-order batting prowess. Clarke believes Patidar's consecutive title wins warrant consideration for the Indian T20 and potentially ODI teams.

England captain Ben Stokes has defended Jofra Archer after criticism over the fast bowler missing the first Test against New Zealand following his IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals. Stokes said modern cricket offers players more opportunities than before and insisted Archer remains committed to England. He also warned that mishandling such situations could risk losing talented players from international cricket.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a stunning French Open quarterfinal defeat, blowing a set lead and a 4-1 advantage in the second set before losing to Diana Shnaider. Meanwhile, unseeded Polish player Maja Chwalinska continued her dream run, defeating Anna Kalinskaya to reach the semifinals after coming through qualifying and exceeding all expectations.

Jakub Mensik suffered a painful leg cramp during his post-match French Open press conference after reaching the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Joao Fonseca. The Czech youngster revealed he battled discomfort in his left leg during the match but was relieved it was only a tight muscle. Mensik now faces world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.

Former England batter Mark Butcher expressed bewilderment over Jofra Archer's exclusion from the first Test against New Zealand, despite a stellar IPL season. Butcher questioned the decision, highlighting Archer's value as a premier fast bowler and the limited home Test schedule. He also pondered Ben Stokes' move to bat at number seven.

Ayush Shetty kept Indias hopes alive at the Indonesia Open with a remarkable comeback win over Chinas Weng Hong Yang, reaching the pre-quarterfinals. Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde also progressed in mixed doubles. However, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retired hurt from their opening match due to Satwiks shoulder injury, while HS Prannoy suffered a first-round exit.

Haiti's sole home-based soccer star, Woodensky Pierre, has secured his US visa for the FIFA World Cup 2026, overcoming travel restrictions. The young midfielder, hailing from a troubled Port-au-Prince neighborhood, will now join his overseas teammates in Florida for the tournament. This marks Haiti's second World Cup appearance, with fans facing their own travel uncertainties.

Punjab Kings experienced a dramatic IPL 2026 collapse, losing six straight after a perfect start. Despite a strong coaching team, they missed playoffs. Sachin Tendulkar attributed Punjab's downfall to a shift from process to results. He also lauded Gujarat Titans' consistent performance, highlighting their ability to manage volatility throughout the season.

India stepped up preparations for the Afghanistan Test with an intense training session in challenging heat. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled lengthy spells, easing concerns over fitness after the IPL. Gurnoor Brar impressed with his bounce, while Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar were closely monitored in the spin battle. Mayank Yadav focused on fitness work as he continues his comeback.

Australian captain Pat Cummins is considering skipping IPL 2027 due to a demanding international schedule. With major tours and tournaments ahead, he indicated that franchise cricket might be sacrificed to prioritize national duties. Cummins emphasized Test matches and the ODI World Cup as his primary focus, suggesting workload management for the pace attack is crucial.

Indias top mens doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have withdrawn from the Indonesia Open 2026 after Satwik suffered an injury during their first-round match. The Badminton Association of India confirmed the duo will focus on recovery and rehabilitation. Their exit comes days after winning the Singapore Open title, ending a two-year wait for a BWF World Tour crown.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, just 15, has been hailed as the IPL 2026's true star, even surpassing RCB's title win. Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad lauded his record-breaking 776 runs at a blistering strike rate. His immense popularity in India and global recognition are unprecedented for a player yet to debut internationally.

Suryakumar Yadav's poor form and wrist injury are making him a focus for selection committee ahead of India's T20I series vs Ireland and England. Discussions are expected regarding his captaincy and future T20I leadership. The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, and coach Gautam Gambhir face the challenge of agreeing on a succession plan for the 2028 LA Games and T20 World Cup in the same year.

Aryna Sabalenka has welcomed Serena Williamss return to tennis, calling it very good news for tennis and expressing excitement about potentially facing the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Williams, ending a four-year retirement, will return in doubles at Queens Club alongside Victoria Mboko. Reports also suggest the American legend could make her singles comeback at the Berlin Open later this month

Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's second consecutive IPL title win, Virat Kohli shared a special moment with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Kohli, who was Player of the Match in the final, encouraged the young prodigy, who swept multiple season awards, to stay focused amidst his breakthrough campaign. Kohli's inspiring words and a memorable sign-off resonated with fans.

Gabriel Bonfim believes a win over former champion Belal Muhammad can establish him as a legitimate UFC welterweight contender. Riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a statement knockout of Randy Brown, the Brazilian enters his second consecutive main event with growing confidence. Yet Muhammad's relentless pressure, wrestling and ability to thrive in long fights present a different challenge. For the former champion, it is a chance to halt a slide. For Bonfim, it is an opportunity t

FIFA is enhancing offside calls for the 2026 World Cup with advanced semi-automated VAR technology, providing real-time audio alerts for quicker decisions. This aims to reduce delays and potential injuries. New 'out of bounds' and 'line of sight' tech will also clarify goal-line and offside situations, with AI-generated player avatars offering clearer animations.

Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey expressed his elation upon receiving his maiden call-up to the Indian senior national team for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The 23-year-old is particularly thrilled about the prospect of sharing a dressing room with his idols, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik have secured their spots in the French Open semifinals, setting up a compelling clash. Zverev, a tournament favorite, showcased his dominance, while 20-year-old Mensik achieved a career milestone by reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal. With top contenders out, Zverev emerges as a strong championship contender.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is making waves in cricket, following a stellar U-19 World Cup performance with a record-breaking IPL season. His exceptional batting has sparked widespread calls for his inclusion in the senior India squad, with selectors closely monitoring his progress for upcoming tours. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia acknowledged his extraordinary rise, hinting at potential opportunities.

India is set for a massive multi-format tour of New Zealand from October to December 2026, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches. This 12-game series marks India's first Test assignment in New Zealand since 2019-20 and will serve as crucial preparation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

Nineteen-year-old Tahsin Jamshid, born in Doha to Kerala parents, is set to become the first Indian passport holder to play in a World Cup after being named in Qatar's squad. He holds a Qatari mission passport, allowing him to represent the nation. His father, a former Kerala player, expressed immense pride in his son's achievement.

Australia secured a commanding 41-run victory over Pakistan in the second ODI, leveling the series at 1-1. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green anchored the Australian innings with crucial half-centuries, setting a target of 232. Nathan Ellis and Matthew Short then starred with the ball, restricting Pakistan to 190 and forcing a series decider.

Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions, embarked on their 2026 campaign with a special send-off ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. Their team aircraft received a traditional water salute before departing for the tournament. The Seleo, aiming to reclaim football's biggest prize, will kick off their Group C matches against Morocco on June 14.

Mohammed Siraj's availability for the Afghanistan Test remains uncertain, with selectors monitoring the pacer's workload after a long IPL season. Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi, one of the six net bowlers, is on standby and will join the squad if Siraj is rested.

After a breakthrough IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, Mukul Choudhary is set to fulfil a dream far bigger than cricket: helping his family clear a long-standing bank loan. From overnight bus journeys between Gurugram and Bharatpur to years of living in rented homes, the youngster's rise has been built on sacrifice, hard work and unwavering family support. Now, armed with lessons from Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, Mukul believes the IPL has changed his life and opened the

A pre-World Cup friendly between DR Congo and Chile in Spain was cancelled due to health concerns over the Ebola outbreak. Local authorities intervened after health experts warned of potential risks. DR Congo has already altered its training plans due to the epidemic.

Gujarat Titans' Jos Buttler described a frightening safety scare after their IPL final loss. The team bus caught fire due to a short circuit, forcing players and staff to evacuate. This incident compounded their disappointment after falling short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, adding a bizarre end to their campaign.

At Norway Chess Round 8, R Praggnanandhaa defeated Magnus Carlsen for the second time in two weeks, outplaying the World No. 1 in a sharp French Defence to stay in title contention. Meanwhile, Gukesh suffered another classical setback against Alireza Firouzja after a preparation mix-up in the Ragozin Defence. In the womens event, Divya Deshmukh lost to women's leader Bibisara Assaubayeva.

Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL heroics have ignited a debate on his national team prospects. While some advocate for a fast-track, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar urges caution, emphasizing the difference between T20 success and red-ball cricket. Manjrekar believes Sooryavanshi should chart his own career path, free from undue pressure and public speculation.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hailed the inclusion of two players of Indian heritage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a proud moment for Indian football fans. Qatars Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, whose roots are in Kerala, and Australias Nishan Velupillay, with family origins in Tamil Nadu, were highlighted. Tharoor said they follow the path of former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo and praised the Indian diasporas growing impact on footballs biggest stage.

India arrived in New Chandigarh on Tuesday for a one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6, marking their return to red-ball cricket after IPL 2026. Led by Shubman Gill, India will use the match to prepare for upcoming overseas tours. Afghanistan aims to test itself against a top side. The teams last met in a Test in 2018, when India won convincingly.

PV Sindhu battled past Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 25-23, 21-16 to reach the second round of the Indonesia Open and is likely to face world No. 1 An Se-young next. It was otherwise a disappointing day for India, with Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Malvika Bansod, Treesa-Gayatri, and Dhruv-Tanisha exiting, while Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun advanced.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has returned to the world's top 10, climbing to No. 8 in the June 2026 FIDE ratings after gaining 10 points. He is the only Indian in the top 10. Strong performances, including at the TePe Sigeman tournament in Malm, boosted his ranking. Although he lost a playoff to Magnus Carlsen, Erigaisi's overall results secured his comeback among chess's elite.

If the question is which batter produced the most extreme combination of volume, speed and power across a single IPL season, the evidence points overwhelmingly in one direction. The IPL has seen bigger run tallies. It has seen cleaner six-hitters. What it had never seen before 2026 was a player score nearly 800 runs while striking at 237 and smashing 72 sixes. For 18 seasons, volume and violence existed separately. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi merged them, and that is why his IPL campaign 2026 may be on

Cristiano Ronaldo has begun training with Portugal ahead of the FIFA World Cup, sharing a photo captioned, The World Mission Begins! The 41-year-old is set for a record sixth World Cup appearance and hopes to win the only major trophy missing from his career. Ronaldo enters the tournament in top form after helping Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to serve as a farewell stage for several of footballs most iconic players. From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Luka Modri, Neymar and Mohamed Salah, a generation that has defined the modern game could be making its final World Cup appearances. For some, it is one last chance at glory; for others, a final opportunity to cement enduring legacies.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for more foreign captains in the IPL, saying teams should select the best leader regardless of nationality. While acknowledging that Indian captains boost a franchises brand value and fan appeal, he argued that leadership quality should take precedence. Manjrekar cited successful overseas skippers like David Warner and Pat Cummins as examples.

Hardik Pandya is set to undergo fitness drills at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from June 2, aiming for the ODI squad against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Test team begins training in Mullanpur for their one-off match. Auqib Nabi might be a late addition to the Test camp.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive IPL 2026 performance, including 776 runs and 72 sixes, has ignited calls for his immediate promotion to India's T20I squad. While many former cricketers back the young talent, ex-player Sanjay Manjrekar urges caution, advocating for gradual exposure to international conditions and allowing his career to develop organically.

Lalit Modi has predicted a meteoric rise for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026. Modi believes the Rajasthan Royals prodigy could score a T20 double century and become a global superstar, surpassing even Hollywood and Bollywood actors.