The Times of India

Speaking on the eve of the match, Kotak praised the teenager's ability but said team selection must also be fair to players who have already been scoring runs.

Shafali Verma's explosive 53 off 34 balls against Bangladesh secured her third Player of the Match award in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, placing her among India's elite. She also surpassed 500 career runs with an exceptional strike rate of 133.07, the highest in tournament history for batters with over 500 runs. India comfortably chased down Bangladesh's total, showcasing strong batting performances.

FIFA has issued a five-match suspension to Qatar's Assim Madibo following a dangerous tackle that caused a severe injury to Canada's Ismael Kone in a World Cup match. This shocking incident overshadowed Canada's landmark victory, and while the ban is harsh, it is lighter than the infamous nine-match suspension given to Luis Surez in the past. Canada's challenge grows as they prepare to compete without their important midfielder.

India kept their Women's T20 World Cup semifinal hopes alive with a commanding five-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Shafali Verma's explosive 53 off 34 balls set the tone for a comfortable chase, despite persistent fielding concerns. Radha Yadav and Shree Charani impressed with the ball, restricting Bangladesh to 136/8. The win sets up a crucial final group match against Australia.

Tom Latham and Devon Conway etched their names in New Zealand's Test history with a colossal 317-run opening partnership against England at Trent Bridge. This monumental stand, the second-highest for New Zealand in away Tests, saw Latham score 151 and Conway 157, leaving England's bowlers searching for answers on a placid pitch. The partnership shattered previous records, setting a new benchmark in the series.

Shree Charani etched her name in history, becoming India's leading wicket-taker in a single T20 World Cup edition with 12 wickets. Her stellar performance against Bangladesh, where she claimed two crucial wickets, propelled her past Poonam Yadav's record. Charani's exceptional bowling, coupled with Radha Yadav's three-wicket haul, restricted Bangladesh to 136/8, setting India up for a potential victory.

Justice Arun Mishra (rtd), the ombudsman, in an order dated June 24, stated that Menon's tenure ended on Dec 16, 2025, nine days after he assumed charge following the elections held on December 7.

Who is responsible for so many goals in this World Cup? The ball? Bad defending? Hydration breaks? Read this and more in today's OFFSIDE.

A fifteen-year-old prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has earned a private dressing room in Belfast, highlighting his extraordinary talent. Despite his IPL heroics, selectors face a dilemma: debut him and disrupt a winning team, or wait for a less challenging opportunity. His mere presence, however, signals the arrival of the next generation of Indian cricket stars, a phenomenon already here.

Pakistan's Gull Feroza received a reprimand and a demerit point for throwing her bat and gloves in frustration after dismissal during the T20 World Cup match against Australia. This disciplinary action comes as Pakistan suffered a significant defeat, marking their fourth loss in the tournament. Captain Fatima Sana acknowledged the team's poor performance, urging reflection ahead of their final game.

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and chose to bat. India, coming into the match after a defeat against South Africa, made two changes, bringing in Radha Yadav and Renuka Thakur for Prema Yadhav and Arundhati Reddy. Bangladesh retained the same XI that beat Pakistan in their previous game.

Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker expressed awe at 15-year-old Indian batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rapid rise, calling it pretty incredible for the modern era. Tucker highlighted the excitement Sooryavanshi generates, especially among Ireland's Indian community, and acknowledged his potential as a global role model. Despite facing a tough series against a formidable Indian side, Tucker believes early wickets will be crucial for Ireland's chances.

India A dominated the opening day of their unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle, reaching a strong 333/4. Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a brilliant 132, anchoring the innings. Captain Dhruv Jurel (68 not out) and Shaik Rasheed (53 not out) continued the momentum with an unbeaten 116-run partnership, putting India A firmly in command.

As excitement around the youngster continues to grow, former India coach and Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid has shared his thoughts on the teenager.

After opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, Brazil have followed it up with two wins and finished top of Group C.

The FIFA World Cup 2026's group stage is nearing its end, with 13 teams already securing spots in the Round of 32. A thrilling race is underway for the eight best third-placed teams to also advance. FIFA's ranking system, prioritising points, goal difference, goals scored, conduct, and FIFA rankings, will determine these crucial qualifiers. Several high-stakes matches remain, promising to finalise the knockout picture by Sunday morning.

The Mexico goalkeeper reached the milestone during his side's final Group A match against the Czech Republic in Mexico City on Wednesday.

India's white-ball tour of Ireland commences Friday, June 26, with Shreyas Iyer set to captain the T20I side for the first time. Excitement builds around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential international debut. The matches begin an hour earlier at 6:00 PM IST to avoid a clash with India's Women's T20 World Cup fixture. Sony Sports Network will broadcast the series live.

Japan. South Korea. China. Australia. Through the first three days of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the same basketball nations have continued to separate themselves from the rest. Watching India's lone representatives up close offered perhaps the clearest explanation why.

New Zealand opted to bat first in the series decider against England, but face significant challenges with key players Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips sidelined due to injuries. The hosts, meanwhile, have made several changes, including the return of captain Ben Stokes. This crucial Test will determine the series winner, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake.

Cricket Ireland has shifted the start times for both T20Is against India to 1:30 pm local time, an hour earlier than usual. This adjustment aims to avoid a direct clash with India's crucial Women's T20 World Cup match against Australia on June 28. Broadcasters have agreed to the revised schedule, ensuring fans can catch more of both exciting encounters.

Indian pacer Akash Deep tied the knot with Akshita Raj in Varanasi, sharing joyous moments on social media. When asked about the absence of cricket stars like Dhoni, Kohli, and Sharma, Akash humorously quipped about the potential chaos their presence might cause in Banaras. This personal milestone follows his recovery from a recent injury that sidelined him from international and IPL action.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses, 12 teams have already booked their tickets to the Round of 32. Football powerhouses including Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are shining brightly, while others like the Netherlands and Japan are engaged in nail-biting battles, desperately fighting for knockout stage opportunities as the group phase draws to a close.

Neymar made his long-awaited World Cup return in Brazils 3-0 win over Scotland, becoming only the fourth Brazilian to appear at four World Cups and just the second after Pel to wear Brazils iconic No. 10 shirt across four editions. The 34-year-old impressed in a brief cameo as Brazil finished top of Group C and advanced unbeaten to the Round of 32.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the youngest ever selected for India's men's team, is poised for a potential international debut against Ireland. His rapid rise, marked by a record-breaking List A fifty and a stellar IPL 2026 season, has generated immense excitement. With his parents present in Belfast, fans eagerly await his first cap, a dream fulfilled for the 15-year-old prodigy.

Vincius Jnior starred as Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring twice to complete a historic group-stage record of goals in all three matches. The Real Madrid forward moved to four tournament goals, joined Brazils elite World Cup scorers list, and strengthened his Golden Boot challenge as the Seleo topped Group C unbeaten.

As the Cricket vs Football debate resurfaces during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this analysis argues that population figures alone don't determine a sport's global reach. While cricket's tournament nations represent more people, much of that comes from India and Pakistan. Football's strength lies in its wider geographic spread, while cricket enjoys deeper popularity in a smaller number of densely populated countries.

Young cricketer Ashirvad Sooryavanshi, just 10 years old, is making waves with his exceptional batting. He recently smashed a stunning 168 off 119 balls in a practice match, following a debut century. Despite only six months of playing, his aggressive style and big scores are drawing attention, even from his brother Vaibhav, who is currently with the Indian team.

Morocco staged a dramatic comeback, twice trailing Haiti before securing a thrilling 4-2 victory to advance to the FIFA World Cup round of 32. Substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine netted crucial late goals, sealing Morocco's place in the knockout stages. Despite the loss, Haiti made history with their first World Cup goals, pushing a favored opponent to the brink.

Brazil sealed top spot in Group C with a dominant 3-0 win over Scotland at the 2026 World Cup, led by Vincius Jniors first-half brace and Matheus Cunhas strike. Neymar returned from injury as a substitute. Scotlands spirited effort fell short, leaving them third and dependent on results to reach the knockout stage as a best third-placed team overall campaign.

Jude Bellingham found himself at the centre of World Cup controversy after being filmed covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana captain Jordan Ayew during England's 0-0 draw. However, FIFA's new mouth-covering rule applies only to confrontational exchanges, allowing Bellingham to avoid punishment. The midfielder later addressed a separate heated clash with Ghana's coaching staff following a reckless challenge.

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is on the cusp of cricket history, needing just one wicket against Bangladesh to become the leading wicket-taker in women's international cricket, surpassing Jhulan Goswami. Despite a recent loss, Deepti's consistent performance, especially her five-wicket haul, highlights her prowess. However, Team India faces middle-order batting concerns and fielding lapses ahead of this crucial World Cup encounter.

Gurindervir Singh shattered the 100m national record, clocking 10.09 seconds and aiming for a sub-10 finish. Overcoming past health struggles and financial hardships, the Indian Navy sprinter credits his transformation to meticulous training under coach James Hillier. With upcoming major games on the horizon, Singh is focused on pushing boundaries and achieving greater success for India.

Eighteen-year-old Anushka Yadav etched her name in history at the National Inter-State Championships, becoming the youngest Indian athletics national record holder. She shattered the women's hammer throw record with a remarkable 67.02m, surpassing the previous mark twice during the competition. Hailing from a farming family, Yadav's journey from rural Uttar Pradesh to national glory is an inspiring tale of dedication and talent.

India's 2036 Olympic hosting aspirations gained momentum as the IOC approved a new selection process, aiming for a host announcement by mid-2029. This revamped system introduces a Strategic Dialogue phase for greater transparency and clarity. Candidates, including India with Ahmedabad as the proposed city, will undergo rigorous evaluation, including financial guarantees and site visits, before a final decision is made.

India A's multi-day tour of Sri Lanka commences with a two-match unofficial Test series in Galle, offering emerging talents a vital platform. Led by Dhruv Jurel, the squad features promising players like Aquib Nabi, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal, all vying for higher honours. This series is a crucial assessment of bench strength and potential future national contenders, especially with challenging conditions expected.

England's goalless World Cup draw with Ghana drew attention after Ghanaian witch doctor Nana Kwaku Bonsam claimed he had cursed Harry Kane and later lifted the hex following the striker's missed chance. The bizarre story sparked headlines, while pundits criticised England's flat performance and said they were fortunate to avoid defeat. Despite concerns, most believe Thomas Tuchel's side remains well placed ahead of its final group-stage match against Panama.

England captain Ben Stokes said he apologised to teammates after he and Gus Atkinson missed the second Test for breaching the team's midnight curfew. Stokes admitted the nightclub controversy overshadowed the debuts of several young players and affected the squad. Cleared of serious misconduct but issued warnings, Stokes stressed accountability, denied any rift with coach Brendon McCullum, and said the team is now fully focused on winning the series decider against New Zealand.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, recently called up to Indias national team, could become the countrys youngest international cricketer if he debuts against Ireland. During the England tour, he will use a separate changing room under ICC and ECB safeguarding rules for under-16 players. The ECB and BCCI are coordinating arrangements, while his parents are expected to accompany him throughout the tour.

On Day 13, Carlos Queiroz's Ghana poured cold water on England's optimism, Ronaldo broke his duck against minnows Uzbekistan and Croatia turned back the clock. Read this and more in today's Offside.

As Lionel Messi turns 39, his career remains a testament to extraordinary longevity. From scoring his first senior goal at 17 to surpassing 900 career goals, the Argentine has continued to thrive well beyond his prime years. With 351 goals after turning 30, World Cup glory, countless trophies and ongoing success with Inter Miami, Messi has proved that greatness has no age limit.

Lionel Messi, celebrating his 39th birthday, defied expectations by hitting the gym for an intense workout instead of taking a break. The football icon's dedication was evident in a viral Instagram video showcasing his commitment to peak performance. Messi's continued brilliance is central to Argentina's success in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he has already broken scoring records.