The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
India secured a dominant 40-run victory over Bangladesh to advance into the Women's Asia Cup 2026 final. Shafali Varma's explosive 64-run innings provided a strong foundation for India's competitive total. India's bowlers applied sustained pressure, restricting Bangladesh to 109 runs in their chase. Deepti Sharma was instrumental with the ball, claiming crucial wickets throughout the match. This win extends India's unbeaten streak and sends them to their tenth consecutive final.
Shree Charani has made history by becoming the fastest Indian bowler to take fifty wickets in women's T20 internationals, completing this achievement in her twenty-ninth T20I appearance. This pivotal moment elevates her status among the world's top bowlers. Furthermore, India's journey in the Asia Cup semifinal has added to the excitement surrounding her performance in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the 2027 ODI World Cup is quite a way off and hasn't made any promises regarding his participation in the global event. His current form keeps alive the possibility of an international cricket return. Additionally, the BCCI has played down any speculation surrounding his future, with Rohit mentioning that a bus parade celebration could be out of the question.
Karnataka hurdler Krishik M encountered a setback after being excluded from the Asian Games squad, despite achieving the qualifying standards on three occasions. His third-place finish at the recent Inter-State meet was used by the Athletics Federation of India as the basis for his exclusion. While other athletes faced leniency, Krishik is resolute in his pursuit of future competitions and securing his qualification marks.
Bangar, the daughter of former India cricketer and ex-batting coach Sanjay Bangar, played age-group mens cricket for Mumbai before beginning her gender transition in 2022. She underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026.
Pakistan's cricket team has reached a new low in their batting performance during the ongoing Test series against England. Their total runs have not only been disappointing but even fell short of Shubman Gill's impressive solo efforts last year. Despite trying various combinations, the team faced yet another collapse in the third Test match, with England's bowlers executing a masterclass, leaving Pakistan with minimal scores.
Masked protesters wrongly gathered outside a Portsmouth hotel expecting asylum seekers. They later learned the hotel housed Pakistan's Under-19 cricket team members. A local councillor clarified the misunderstanding, and the protesters departed quickly. This incident occurred amid rising tensions following asylum seeker arrivals in the city. The England and Wales Cricket Board is reviewing security for the visiting team.
Brazil's new coach Carlo Ancelotti has named a 26-player squad for upcoming matches. The team will face Australia twice in September and then India. This selection marks a significant reshaping of the national team after their World Cup exit. Ancelotti is looking to integrate young talent for future tournaments. Brazil aims to rebuild its strength and challenge for the next World Cup.
As Afghanistan prepare to face India in a three-match T20I series, starting Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, star all-rounder Rashid Khan opened up about the challenges he faced as a child in the war-torn country and how those experiences helped shape his mindset.

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