The Times of India

Mexican football fans attempted to disrupt Ecuador's World Cup preparations by creating a noisy disturbance outside their team hotel in Mexico City. Chanting and using horns throughout the night, supporters aimed to unsettle the visiting squad before their crucial Round of 32 match. This incident precedes a high-stakes game where the winner advances to the Round of 16.

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has slammed Tilak Varma and other Indian batters following a shocking one-run defeat to Ireland. Srikkanth criticized their slow scoring and lack of attacking intent in the middle overs, stating that such an approach is unacceptable in T20 cricket. He highlighted a period of 45 balls without a boundary as particularly concerning, leading to India's first-ever series loss against Ireland in the format.

Germany's World Cup exit has ignited fierce debate, with Jurgen Klopp leading criticism of a disallowed extra-time winner. Klopp questioned VAR's interpretation of fouls, even referencing Arsenal's set-piece success. Legends Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger echoed these sentiments, lamenting VAR's perceived overreach and its impact on player psychology, particularly after Jonathan Tah missed a crucial penalty.

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy faces a race against time for the upcoming ODI series against England, with a minor left quadricep pull sidelining him. While the management is optimistic about his return next month, his participation in England appears unlikely. The Zimbabwe T20Is are being considered as a potential comeback opportunity.

Brazil narrowly avoided an upset, securing a 2-1 victory against Japan to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli's dramatic 95th-minute goal sealed the win. Coach Carlo Ancelotti explained Neymar remained on the bench, preserved for potential extra time which ultimately wasn't needed. Brazil now prepares for their next challenge.

Cricketer Shashank Singh and his father, retired police official Shailesh Singh, face charges in Bhopal after a domestic cook accused them of assault, abuse, and confiscating his mobile phone. The cook alleges he was forced out of the bungalow and had money deducted from his phone for food and accommodation. An investigation is underway following the FIR.

Paraguay's stunning World Cup upset over four-time champions Germany, securing a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 draw, has prompted President Santiago Pea to declare a national holiday. The dramatic Round of 32 match saw a controversial VAR decision overturn a late German goal, paving the way for Paraguay's historic win.

Ben Stokes has unequivocally backed Harry Brook as his successor to captain England's Test side. Despite a recent decision to appoint Joe Root in Stokes' absence, the retiring all-rounder emphasized Brook's vice-captaincy as a clear indicator of his readiness. Stokes believes Brook's leadership skills and growing influence make him the natural choice to guide the team's future, offering his full support for the Yorkshire batter.

Germany's World Cup dreams were shattered by a controversial VAR decision that disallowed Jonathan Tah's extra-time goal against Paraguay. Thomas Muller vehemently criticised the technology, expressing deep frustration over the heartbreaking erasure of a moment that Germany believed secured their victory. The match ultimately went to penalties, where Germany suffered a shock exit.

Morocco stunned the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout, securing a 3-2 victory after a 1-1 draw to advance to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou's crucial save paved the way for Ismael Saibari's winning penalty. The Atlas Lions fought back from Cody Gakpo's late goal, forcing extra time with a stoppage-time header, ending the Dutch's World Cup campaign.

India's Women's Selection Committee has unveiled the squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where they aim to defend their gold medal title. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team features a blend of seasoned stars and emerging talent, including Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The squad announcement sets the stage for another strong showing by the Indian women's cricket team on the international stage.

England's star all-rounder Ben Stokes has bid farewell to Test cricket, announcing his retirement after a memorable career. Despite a loss in his final match against New Zealand, Stokes received glowing tributes from opponents and teammates. New Zealand captain Tom Latham lauded him as a once-in-a-generation player, while Joe Root reflected on their long-standing friendship and the void Stokes' absence will leave in the dressing room.

Sachin Tendulkar led heartfelt tributes to Ben Stokes following his retirement from international cricket. Tendulkar lauded Stokes' fearless approach, match-winning ability, and inspirational leadership, calling him one of England's finest all-rounders and captains. Stokes, who bowed out after a Test series loss, expressed contentment with his decision, citing years of physical and mental demands as the primary reason for stepping away.

Wimbledon witnessed a heartwarming moment as Novak Djokovic invited himself to a fan's wedding after a proposal on Centre Court. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka turned heads with a striking Kill Bill-inspired kimono, a creative nod to her Japanese heritage amidst the strict dress code. Both athletes delivered memorable off-court performances alongside their on-court victories.

Germanys long-standing reputation as World Cup penalty shootout specialists came to an end as Paraguay defeated them 43 on penalties after a 11 draw in Boston. It was Germanys first-ever shootout loss, ending a 44-year perfect record dating back to 1982. Despite dominance in possession, missed penalties proved decisive, while Paraguay maintained their flawless shootout record.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner battled through a tough three-hour match, overcoming a two-set deficit to secure his 94th Grand Slam win, equalling an Italian record. Despite a shaky start and 52 unforced errors, Sinner found his rhythm. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka made a strong return from injury with a swift victory, while French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska narrowly missed a win after a late slip.

Paraguay produced a stunning World Cup shock in Boston, beating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw that they largely survived under relentless pressure. Germany dominated possession, chances and territory for 120 minutes but lacked cutting edge, while Orlando Gills heroics and Paraguays deep defensive resilience kept them alive. It ends Germanys first-ever World Cup shootout defeat.

Lionel Messi may be leading the Golden Boot race, but Germany's Deniz Undav has emerged as FIFA's highest-rated attacking player after the 2026 World Cup group stage. The substitute striker edged Messi in FIFA's official performance rankings through extraordinary efficiency off the bench, while stars including Kylian Mbapp, Vincius Jnior and Erling Haaland also featured among the tournament's top-rated performers.

The federation cited her suspension period and an unsatisfactory reply to its show-cause notice as reasons for the rejection.

Sunil Gavaskar has backed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his India debut in the first T20I against England, believing the youngster can help India bounce back from their 0-2 series defeat to Ireland. Gavaskar also urged patience with new captain Shreyas Iyer, backed Rohit Sharma's ODI future, and warned that an in-form Jofra Archer could trouble India.

Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerged as one of the biggest attractions in the Global Chess League Season 4 player draft, joining American Gambits after a bidding battle. The Bengaluru-based tournament, scheduled from September 3-13, will feature top stars including Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, who switched teams to join PBG Alaskan Knights, as all six franchises finalised their squads.

Stokes was never a man of averages. He belonged to moments, and moments have an inconvenient habit of resisting arithmetic. The 258 at Cape Town, the fastest Test 250 ever scored, tells you more about him than any spreadsheet could. The mean is for actuaries. Stokes dealt in extremes, in tamasha, in the improbable stories grandparents tell children who politely pretend they have never heard them before.

Chasing 373, England resumed the final day on 103 for 4 but never managed to build the partnerships needed to threaten the target. They were bowled out for 212 shortly after lunch, handing New Zealand their first comeback series win in a three-Test series after losing the opening match.

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has questioned who will take responsibility for India's 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland, arguing that captain Shreyas Iyer should not be made the sole scapegoat. Tiwary urged critics to address the elephant in the room, indirectly pointing towards the team management and coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir for the disappointing result.

I think there is a little bit of disbelief, we have just won a World Cup. We have been outdone, outsmarted by a team which did their basics very well. Firstly credit to Ireland and secondly the learning for us (is) in terms of being able to adapt to different conditions and against different teams and that is the biggest takeaway from this series, Ten Doeschate said at the post-match press conference.

Kidambi Srikanth finished runner-up at the US Open Super 300 after losing 15-21, 21-16, 9-21 to Chinese Taipei's Su Li-yang in the men's singles final. Srikanth fought back brilliantly to force a decider, but Su's aggressive play proved decisive. The victory marked Su's first-ever BWF World Tour title, while Srikanth settled for second place.

Ireland completed a 2-0 sweep after beating India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday. It was Ireland's first-ever series win over India in any format. They had won the opening match by 34 runs a few days earlier against the reigning T20 world champions.

India's young batting lineup faltered in Ireland's seamer-friendly conditions, leading to a surprising 2-0 T20I series loss. Former player Sanjay Manjrekar points to an over-reliance on all-rounders, advocating for a specialist middle-order batter. He suggests Shubman Gill, with his adaptability, is a prime candidate for a return to T20 plans, offering depth on challenging pitches.

Former England pacer and Ashes winner Steve Harmison has called for England head coach Brendon McCullum to step down following Ben Stokes' retirement. Harmison criticised McCullum's Bazball approach, calling it amateur and arguing that Stokes and McCullum were a joint project. Meanwhile, Stokes said he retired due to burnout and to rediscover his love for cricket.

West Indies, a two-time T20 World Cup champion, faces a potential Olympic absence at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Their qualification hinges on a global playoff, but the IOC's recognition of individual Caribbean nations, unlike the ICC, creates a unique hurdle. A regional tournament will determine which of these separate NOCs can even compete for the final Olympic spot, a complex path for the cricketing powerhouse.

From spending hours plotting against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to dismantling India's star-studded batting line-up, Jai Moondra's dream debut for Ireland was years in the making. His childhood coach and mother recount the relentless work ethic that transformed an engineering student from Tonk, Rajasthan into Ireland's hero in their historic series win over India.

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu wasn't surprised by India's T20I series loss to Ireland, citing the team's lack of preparation for the challenging conditions post-IPL. He highlighted technical issues with batters struggling to adapt from flat pitches. Rayudu also advised patience with young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasising learning over immediate debut, and anticipates better batting conditions in England.

Pakistan Cricket Board has granted the Pakistan Super League full administrative and financial autonomy, a significant governance shift. Domestic cricket sees a Rs1 billion budget increase, with player match fees for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy more than tripling. Central contracts are revised, and women's cricket receives dedicated tournament funding. Furthermore, Rs6. 7 billion is allocated for stadium upgrades and infrastructure development.

Will the Dutch trip against Morocco? Can Germany beat Paraguay? Read this and more in today's Offside.

Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exclusion from the Ireland T20Is, believing he should have debuted before tougher England assignments. Despite the omission, Gavaskar anticipates Sooryavanshi's eventual call-up, citing his record-breaking domestic feats. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, however, urged patience, emphasising faith in established players while acknowledging the youngster's readiness.

World Champions stunned! Ryan ten Doeschate reacts to Ireland's historic win over India

Avesh Khan opens up on knee surgery, frustrating rehab & desire to play for India again

Former England captain Michael Vaughan speculates that a breakdown in trust between Ben Stokes and the ECB might have contributed to his sudden international retirement. Vaughan observed Stokes seemed ot quite right even before the Lord's Test, suggesting a loss of confidence in those around him, including the board, as a significant factor alongside other recent challenges.

San Francisco Unicorns have reclaimed the top spot in the MLC 2026 standings with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Washington Freedom. Chasing 191, the Unicorns achieved the target in just 15.1 overs, propelled by a blistering 102-run opening stand. Player of the Match Lhuan-dre Pretorius highlighted management's backing for his consistent performance, including a rapid 16-ball fifty.

After a year-long battle with injury and knee surgery, Avesh Khan says he is ready to return to the grind. Fresh off a successful Madhya Pradesh Premier League campaign, the fast bowler speaks about his rehab, Test cricket ambitions, preparing for the Ranji Trophy, and why he sees high-scoring T20s as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket, despite his omission from the Ireland tour. Following a shock T20I series loss to Ireland, the coach emphasised that Sooryavanshi must still follow the team's established selection process. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the team's struggles with conditions and Ireland's superior execution.

Cape Verde's captain, Ryan Mendes, is under investigation by New Zealand Police following an alleged rape by a Brazilian interpreter during the FIFA Series in March 2026. The woman claims Mendes entered her hotel room without permission and assaulted her. Police are actively investigating, reviewing CCTV and forensic evidence. FIFA has stated it takes such allegations seriously and is cooperating with authorities.

Canada have etched their name in World Cup history with a dramatic stoppage-time victory, propelling them into the Round of 16 stage. This historic win marks their first-ever appearance in the Round of 16. The tournament's expanded format has seen a record-breaking group stage, with nine African nations advancing. The intense Round of 32 matches are underway, leading to a thrilling weekend of sudden-death football.

India's T20I series loss to Ireland, their first ever, has been labelled a 'reality check' by former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He believes the young Indian batters, accustomed to flat IPL pitches, struggled on Ireland's seamer-friendly surfaces. Ashwin highlighted that true international value is tested on challenging wickets, which ultimately aids player development for varied conditions.

Tennis icon Serena Williams has voiced strong disapproval of the sport's anti-doping system, calling its current testing protocols unprofessional and unreasonable. Williams revealed these stringent rules nearly deterred her from returning to professional tennis, citing the difficulty of adhering to whereabouts requirements while managing a busy life as a mother and businesswoman.

Brazil, topping their group with seven points, gears up to face Japan in Houston for the Round of 32. Coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the need for mental fortitude and a clear strategy, highlighting the team's strong comeback after a slow start. Both nations enter the knockout stage undefeated, promising a tense encounter where Brazil's intelligent players are urged to embrace the high stakes of a single-match elimination.