The Times of India

FIFA has recognised and apologised for the mismanagement of its World Cup commercialisation strategy. Senior officials expressed unwavering support for president Gianni Infantino despite the plan's retraction. As criticism escalates from various football entities, the European Leagues association deems the plan perilous, calling for reforms in governance.

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is just one wicket away from equaling the legendary Kapil Dev's career tally. As he sets his sights on surpassing Dale Steyn's remarkable wicket record, Starc emphasises the importance of continuous improvement over personal achievements. This mindset has played a crucial role in his enduring success on the field.

Ireland's hopes for direct qualification to the 2027 ODI World Cup have been dashed. An incessant downpour led to the cancellation of their opening match against Afghanistan in Bready, sealing their fate. Consequently, Ireland will now have to navigate the challenging ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament for a chance to secure a spot in the global event.

Coach Gautam Gambhir urged the Indian Test squad for complete preparation against Sri Lanka. The team began training and will play a warm-up match before the first Test. Several frontline batters are working on their game against spin bowling. Newcomers Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi were welcomed to the squad.

Jos Buttler has made headlines by becoming the all-time highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket, overtaking Kieron Pollard. He has high hopes for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose impressive form in youth competitions suggests he may one day challenge this record, signaling exciting times ahead for the future of Indian cricket.

Jos Buttler achieved a significant cricket milestone on Wednesday. He surpassed Kieron Pollard to become the leading T20 run-scorer. Buttler's unbeaten 51 powered Manchester Super Giants to victory. Tim Seifert also contributed a strong unbeaten 62 for the team. This win ended Manchester Super Giants' losing streak.

India achieved historic boxing success at the Commonwealth Games. This performance reflects years of dedicated investment and improved infrastructure. The upcoming Asian Games will truly test India's global boxing standing. Sustained success requires managing victories and focusing on future competitions. Indian boxing's journey continues towards Olympic aspirations and global recognition.

Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup for Inter Miami. He became the tournament's all-time leading scorer with his brace against San Luis. Inter Miami secured a 4-2 victory, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches. Noah Allen provided three assists, and Messi also contributed one assist. Luis Suarez was unavailable due to a six-match suspension.

Australia remain at the top of the World Test Championship standings. They have won seven of their eight matches, lost one, collected 84 points and have the best Points Percentage (PCT) of 87.50. Pakistan climbed to eighth after their win over the West Indies. They have won two and lost four of their six matches. Pakistan have 16 points and a PCT of 22.22.

Indian goalkeepers Savita Punia and Bichu Devi Kharibam received specialised training from Pirmin Blaak. These sessions focused on technical skills and the mental aspects of goalkeeping. Blaak provided remote guidance and conducted intensive on-field sessions in Germany. The goalkeepers are now better prepared for the upcoming World Cup matches. They aim to achieve their best performance in the tournament.

Ajinkya Rahane advised patience for young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's future in Test cricket. He noted the significant difference between IPL and international cricket pressures. Sooryavanshi had a mixed debut tour of England against the hosts. He then bounced back strongly in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The young opener finished that series as the Player of the Series.

The Indian team went through a change in fitness testing drills after Adrian Leroux replaced Soham Desai as the strength and conditioning coach last year. It is learnt that the BCCI medical team, which includes the CoE and the Indian team, has struggled to work in sync to assess the fitness of players. Since Leroux took over, it was decided that the Bronco test would be the primary test to judge fitness instead of the Yo-Yo test.

Luis Figo has called for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president, launching a fierce attack over the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The former Portugal captain accused Infantino of putting personal interests ahead of football and claimed the controversy had damaged FIFAs reputation. His comments add to growing pressure on Infantino amid calls for leadership change.

Gianni Infantino has reportedly been accused of offering Morocco the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in exchange for political support ahead of his re-election battle, claims FIFA has denied. The report comes as pressure grows on the FIFA president following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, with Infantino facing increasing scrutiny over his leadership and governance.

The two-match series finished 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs.

Ayush Shetty will get the chance to improve his win-loss record against top-ranked Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi in the first round of the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi that begin on August 17. PV Sindhu, chasing her sixth medal, could face top seed and nemesis An Se Young only in the semi-final.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly willing to do everything possible to help Gianni Infantino remain FIFA president despite mounting pressure over the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. While FIFA denies recent contact with the White House, reports claim Trump remains a loyal ally. Infantino now faces a far tougher 2027 re-election battle as opposition within world football grows.

Pakistans Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem blamed Glasgows cold weather for his ninth-place Commonwealth Games finish, saying it stiffened his body and affected his run-up. Despite the setback, he urged fans not to lose faith and promised a strong comeback. Nadeems next challenge is the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21, where he will face Neeraj Chopra.

Indias mens doubles coach Tan Kim Her believes Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty can challenge for the World Championships title if they stay mentally strong. While Satwiks shoulder has recovered significantly, injury remains a concern. Tan also stressed the need to regain match rhythm after breaks, manage expectations and focus on one match at a time.

Prince Ali, who heads the Jordan Football Association, said the federation has still not received the prize money for finishing runners-up in the FIFA Arab Cup held in Qatar last December

Gianni Infantino faces growing pressure ahead of FIFA's 2027 presidential election after the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. While major football nations have withdrawn support, six countriesQatar, UAE, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, and Kuwait, remain key backers. UEFA continues to criticise FIFA's governance, and potential challengers are emerging as scrutiny over Infantino's leadership intensifies.

Scottish police are probing reports of athletes from Pakistan and Uganda going missing after the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Four Ugandan boxers reportedly disappeared, with one seeking asylum, while Pakistani boxer Qudratullah was also reported missing. Pakistan finished with just one medal, a bronze for Fatima Zahra, marking its poorest Commonwealth Games campaign in decades.

The five-match ODI series between Ireland and Afghanistan began on Wednesday in Bready. According to a report in The Guardian, Ireland's decision to host Afghanistan could affect its future cricket ties with England.

Ajinkya Rahane believes Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri toughened Indian cricket. They instilled a fearless and aggressive approach, especially in overseas matches. India achieved significant success under their leadership during this period. Rahane expressed concern about the current Test cricket mentality and resilience. He noted a decline in the patience required for difficult match phases.

After retiring in 2024 due to recurring injuries, Olympic gymnast Dipa Karmakar has begun coaching young gymnasts in Agartala. She enjoys being an elder-sister figure to beginners while passing on her experience. Having completed a Level 1 coaching course, Dipa hopes to nurture future champions, with two students already showing promise. She also dreams of India winning gymnastics medals at the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The All India Chess Federation has rescheduled the senior National Chess Championship to November 29-December 9, 2026, in Varanasi, after GM Abhijeet Gupta objected to its proposed March 2027 dates. AICF held discussions with stakeholders to come up with a solution while retaining the venue. Gupta had cited school board exams and the risk of effectively losing the 2026 edition.

The PCB has taken disciplinary measures against former Pakistan cricketers who engaged in an unauthorised league in Zambia. These players face potential two-year bans from PCB-sanctioned events, which also impacts their ability to take on coaching or consultancy positions with the board. The PCB emphasized the importance of obtaining necessary approvals for international participation.

Australia will not engage in practice matches leading up to the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, opting instead for a comprehensive training camp in India. This preparation phase will kick off following their concluding home series against New Zealand. Depending on local conditions, squad choices for the Indian tour might change. Fans can mark their calendarsthe five-Test series launches in Nagpur on January 21, 2027.

India have already arrived in the island nation and will play a four-day practice match in Colombo from August 7 before the Test series starts. Before the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo starting on August 7. The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to an ongoing wrist injury, raising concerns about his chances of successfully defending his US Open title. This absence not only jeopardizes his ranking points but also limits his preparation on hard courts. Having already missed two Grand Slam events this season, Alcaraz now finds himself at World Number three in the ATP rankings.

Neeraj Chopra secured the silver medal with a best throw of 85.83m, while debutant Yashvir Singh won bronze as India celebrated two medals in the event. Chopra's final attempt ended in a foul, but his earlier effort was enough to seal second place in his second Commonwealth Games appearance. The Indian javelin star said the last 10 months were extremely difficult and thanked everyone who helped him during his recovery.

Gautam Gambhir's coaching career highlights a notable dichotomy: outstanding results in white-ball cricket juxtaposed with disappointing performances in Test matches. With a pivotal series against Sri Lanka approaching, questions arise about his tenure. While his white-ball teams celebrated significant victories and a bold playing style, the lackluster Test outcomes raise concerns about possible exclusion from the WTC final.

Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up after an outstanding IPL 2026 season. He was picked for the tours of Ireland and England but did not get a game in Ireland. After Sanju Samson struggled with the bat, the team management handed Sooryavanshi his debut in England. However, the teenager had a difficult start, scoring 14, 13 and 15 in the three T20Is he played before being left out of the fifth and final match.

Ben Stokes retired from international cricket in June during England's Test series against New Zealand. The 35-year-old had an outstanding career, playing a key role in England's 2019 ODI World Cup triumph and producing his unforgettable match-winning innings in the Ashes Test at Headingley later that year.

Pakistan will look to dismiss the remaining batters quickly on Day 4 and chase a modest target to secure their first away Test victory since 2023. West Indies, meanwhile, are aiming to complete a 2-0 series sweep after winning the opening Test by 90 runs.

Savitha Shri Baskar never set out to become the familys chess star. She first picked up the game by watching her elder brother, but soon became the one her father chose to back. He quit his job in Singapore, pawned jewellery and stretched the familys finances to keep her career going. Now, at 19, Savitha is headed to the Olympiad.

Mohammed Kaif believes Rohit Sharma will not retire from ODIs voluntarily. He suggests the selectors will make the final decision on his career. Sharma's recent century at Lord's indicates his continued focus on playing. Kaif also highlighted the need for clear communication from team management. The BCCI's timely statement prevented unnecessary speculation surrounding the match.

Pakistani boxer Qudratullah reportedly went missing in Glasgow hours before the national teams departure, with his passport and return ticket remaining with the team manager. Pakistan finished the Commonwealth Games with just one medal, a bronze for Fatima Zahra. Her historic achievement made her the first Pakistani female boxer to win a CWG medal, while Arshad Nadeem missed out.

Sreeshankar Muralis comeback from a career-threatening knee injury has been remarkable, with his father comparing it to preparing for IIT and Civil Services simultaneously. After extensive surgery and rehabilitation, Sreeshankar returned to win Commonwealth Games silver with an 8.09m jump. He now targets the Asian Games, hoping to improve on his previous silver and fight for gold.

The BCCI thanked Ryan ten Doeschate and T Dilip for their service. Both coaches played key roles in the Indian men's cricket team's recent journey. Ten Doeschate has now taken a new role with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Dilip's contract expired after his second spell with the national side. The board wished them success in their future endeavors.

Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia said citizens have the right to protest but should avoid abusive language, especially against the Prime Minister. Manu Bhaker also urged youngsters to use respectful words. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, said he did not want the protesters punished, calling their actions mistakes and hoping they would learn from them.

OTD! Mohammed Siraj inspires India to a thrilling six-run victory at The Oval

Sunil Gavaskar lauded Ajinkya Rahane's leadership during India's historic Australia tour victory. Rahane captained the team through significant challenges and injuries to secure a remarkable series win. Gavaskar noted Rahane's exceptional captaincy record, which often went unappreciated by the public. He highlighted Rahane's crucial century after a devastating defeat, inspiring a comeback. Rahane departs cricket with immense respect from all involved in the sport.

Tejaswin Shankar thanked Vinesh Phogat for motivating him after a knee injury ended his high jump campaign at the Commonwealth Games. He later won his second CWG medal in the decathlon with 7,976 points. Meanwhile, Vinesh said women wrestlers will appeal Brij Bhushan Sharan Singhs acquittal in a sexual harassment case, alongside co-accused Vinod Tomar.

Former England captain Ben Stokes desires to coach the national team in the future. He is currently pursuing his Level Three coaching qualification while still playing. Stokes confirmed his international playing career has concluded, dismissing Ashes return speculation. He expressed surprise at Joe Root's appointment as Test captain over Harry Brook. Stokes praised Stephen Fleming as the new Test coach and wished Root success.

India's 39-medal Commonwealth Games campaign highlighted the impact of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which funds elite athletes through customised training, competition exposure and sports science support. This TimesofIndia.com explainer details how athletes are selected, funded and reviewed, while outlining the government's enhanced investment in high-performance sport as India builds towards the 2036 Games ambitions.

Team India heads to Sri Lanka for crucial Test series

India's World Test Championship final hopes depend on the Sri Lanka series. A 2-0 loss would significantly hinder qualification prospects for the Indian team. Winning the series 2-0 improves India's standing but not dramatically. Upcoming away series in New Zealand and Australia present further challenges. India faces a tough schedule with little room for error ahead.

Ben Stokes believes cricket's drinking culture is deeply embedded across all levels. He stated this culture has not changed despite increased professionalism in the sport. This discussion follows a recent disciplinary issue involving team curfew breaches. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson faced suspension for a late-night outing. The ECB subsequently introduced stricter alcohol guidelines for England players.