The Times of India

India secured a historic 270-run victory against England at Lord's. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the team's resilience and support staff's collective effort. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a strong foundation for the win. Yastika Bhatia's century and the team's fielding were also highlighted. This memorable performance followed a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.

India registered a historic 270-run victory over England in the first-ever womens Test at Lords. Yastika Bhatias landmark 113, Richa Ghoshs unbeaten fifty and Smriti Mandhanas 70 helped set a daunting 457-run target. Kranti Gauds seven-wicket match haul and disciplined bowling from Sneh Rana and Sayali Satghare ensured India sealed a commanding, all-round triumph.

India's once-formidable spin attack is losing its edge. From repeated failures to take wickets in the middle overs against Ireland, England and in recent T20I series, to a thinning talent pipeline, India's traditional strength has become a growing concern, forcing the team management to increasingly rely on pace rather than spin.

The 2026 World Cup is witnessing an unprecedented number of long-range goals scored. This surge is attributed to the tournament's varied altitudes and a new football's unique aerodynamics. The Trionda ball's flight characteristics change based on impact points, affecting its speed. Goalkeepers are struggling to adapt to these unpredictable ball movements and faster trajectories. This combination has led to a record-breaking tally of goals from outside the penalty area.

Jannik Sinner showcased his trademark ability to elevate his game, defeating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final by finding another level at crucial moments. Zverev praised him as the worlds best player. Sinners resilience was shaped by recent setbacks, including a shocking Roland Garros collapse. Guided by his coaches, he responded with renewed focus, relentless work and mental strength, proving adversity had made him stronger.

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut was premature. He felt public excitement influenced the decision to play the young player. Jaffer suggested Sooryavanshi needed more time with the national team setup. Sanju Samson's subsequent omission from the Zimbabwe tour also surprised Jaffer. Yuvraj Singh, however, expressed strong confidence in Sooryavanshi's future.

Los Angeles Knight Riders advanced to the Major League Cricket Qualifier after defeating Texas Super Kings. Colin Munro and Matthew Tromp led a successful chase to secure their playoff berth. Texas Super Kings concluded their season with a fifth consecutive loss, finishing at the bottom. Shubham Ranjane's unbeaten fifty was insufficient for the Super Kings' total. The Knight Riders now prepare for a playoff clash against San Francisco Unicorns.

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised India's T20I series loss to England. He stated sacking players or coaches would be an easy but ineffective solution. Manjrekar believes overseas conditions and IPL preparation are the real issues. He argued IPL batting conditions mask players' true abilities abroad. The focus should be on those creating favorable IPL batting environments.

Iran's football federation has extended coach Amir Ghalenoei's contract until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Ghalenoei will lead the team after a memorable FIFA World Cup campaign. Iran drew all three matches in their challenging World Cup group stage. The experienced coach previously led the team to the 2007 Asian Cup quarter-finals. Iran now prepare for the 2027 continental tournament, having last won in 1978.

Yuvraj Singh has given Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the nickname Terminator 6. He sees the young player as a serious talent with a bright future. Singh previously mentored Abhishek Sharma and wishes to guide Sooryavanshi too. Both players attended the Wimbledon men's singles final recently. Sooryavanshi expressed his excitement about learning from his idol Yuvraj.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have ended Stephen Fleming's stint as head coach as the franchise reviews its cricket operations after two disappointing IPL seasons. Hemang Badani is in contention to join the set-up, while CSK's leadership is also evaluating trades, the coaching staff and the captaincy ahead of IPL 2027.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals showcase the top four ranked teams, a rare occurrence. Argentina will face England in a historic rivalry match after their quarterfinal wins. France and Spain meet in the other semifinal, continuing their competitive history. Both Messi and Mbapp are leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals. The final is scheduled for July 20 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Yastika Bhatia opens up on century, injury comeback & playing for India

In an innovative approach to enhance comfort and performance, professional footballers are altering their cleats by removing the heel section. This custom adjustment is particularly beneficial for those suffering from Haglund's syndrome, a painful condition affecting the Achilles tendon. Players like Pedro Neto have adopted this trend, showcasing how these changes help athletes alleviate discomfort and sustain their high-stakes careers on the pitch.

Australian cricket vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner faces controversy after her estranged wife made infidelity claims. Monica Wright publicly accused Gardner of cheating and named teammate Georgia Voll. The marriage reportedly deteriorated quickly after their wedding in April 2025. Wright removed wedding photos from her social media. Neither Gardner nor Voll has publicly commented on the allegations.

England and Argentina will meet in a 2026 World Cup semifinal match. Former England player Joe Cole believes his nation can stop Lionel Messi. Both teams have battled hard to reach this crucial semifinal stage. Argentina are the defending champions and seek consecutive World Cup titles. This highly anticipated match will occur at Atlanta Stadium.

Brendon McCullum has been dismissed as England's Test coach after four years. He will continue his role with the white-ball teams, as announced by the ECB. This decision follows a difficult period including Ashes humiliation and recent defeats. The aggressive 'Bazball' approach initiated by McCullum and Ben Stokes is now officially over. The ECB aims for an Ashes victory at home next summer with this change.

Teenage cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi attended the Wimbledon men's singles final. He watched Jannik Sinner win his second Wimbledon title on Sunday. Sooryavanshi was accompanied by former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. Abhishek Sharma also joined them, recalling his own admiration for Yuvraj. The young player expressed gratitude for Yuvraj's guidance and Sharma's assistance.

Argentina secured a tense victory against Switzerland in their quarterfinal match. Julian Alvarez scored a crucial goal deep into extra time for Argentina. The Swiss team faced a setback after Embolo's expulsion for simulation. Argentina will now face England in a historically significant semifinal clash. This match carries the weight of past encounters and a desire for revenge.

Rohit Sharma put in an extensive match-simulation batting session during India's training at Edgbaston ahead of the first ODI against England, while Virat Kohli sharpened his game against both pace and spin before sharing valuable insights with young pacer Gurnoor Brar as preparations gathered momentum.

Jannik Sinner secured his second consecutive Wimbledon title after defeating Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev humorously acknowledged his losing streak against Sinner during the trophy ceremony. Sinner's victory marked his fifth Grand Slam title and a strong comeback performance. Despite his loss, Zverev will ascend to world number two in the rankings. Carlos Alcaraz dropped in rankings due to injury absence from tournaments.

Teenage Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi attended the Wimbledon men's singles final. He watched Jannik Sinner win his second Wimbledon title against Alexander Zverev. Sooryavanshi, who recently debuted for India, was dressed formally for the occasion. He admitted his outfit was arranged quickly in the last minute. Several other Indian cricketers were also present at the prestigious event.

Jannik Sinner secured his second Wimbledon championship on Sunday. He defeated Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought four-set match. Zverev sustained an injury during the third set, impacting his performance. Sinner's victory marked his fifth Grand Slam title overall. The win also extended Sinner's dominance over Zverev to ten consecutive matches.

India Women are nearing a historic maiden Test victory at Lord's. Yastika Bhatia scored a record-breaking century, powering the team's strong performance. Indian bowlers then reduced England to 130/6 in their chase. Amy Jones and Mady Villiers offered some resistance for the hosts. India requires just four wickets to secure their landmark triumph.

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England's Bazball era transformed Test cricket with aggressive tactics and a focus on wins. This approach saw significant victories, including a whitewash in Pakistan. However, the team struggled against India and failed to win the Ashes. The philosophy faced its limitations when confronting elite opposition consistently. Ultimately, this influential chapter in English cricket concluded with key departures.

Yastika Bhatia achieved her first Test century at Lord's Cricket Ground. She became the first woman to score a Test hundred at this historic venue. Bhatia reached the milestone on Day 3 of the ongoing Test match. Her composed innings ensured England remained under pressure throughout the game. This landmark century secured her place in cricketing history.

McCullum's exit brings an end to the Bazball era, despite England's review of the Ashes series earlier this year backing both him and ECB managing director Rob Key.

After coming back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16, Argentina were again pushed hard by Switzerland before scoring twice in extra time to book their place in the semifinals.

Jos Buttler press conference: On whitewashing India, century and more

India suffered a significant 0-4 T20I series defeat against England. Former player Mohammed Kaif expressed strong criticism of team management's decisions. He questioned the handling of young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson. England's dominant performance saw them replace India as the top T20I side. The teams now prepare for an upcoming ODI series.

England booked their place in the last four in Miami, with Bellingham scoring both goals. While the players celebrated on the pitch, Tuchel made it clear in his post-match interview that he was not satisfied with the overall display.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a young South African cricketer, has declared his strong preference for Test cricket. He has achieved significant success in various franchise leagues globally. Pretorius aims for a long and distinguished Test career for his nation. His Test debut saw him become South Africa's youngest centurion. He hopes to score ten thousand Test runs in his career.

Abhishek Sharma achieved a unique T20I record during India's fifth match. He played his fifty-third T20I without appearing in Tests or ODIs. England secured a dominant series victory by winning the final match. Jos Buttler's exceptional century powered England's high score. India's bowlers and fielders struggled throughout the disappointing encounter.

Indian cricket board may need new support staff after England tour concludes. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fast bowling coach Morne Morkel are considering leaving. VVS Laxman will lead a separate coaching team for the Zimbabwe series. Fielding coach T Dilip is also under scrutiny due to team performance. The board is discussing options to resolve these potential staff departures.

Fast bowler Prince Yadav has replaced Harshit Rana in India's squad for the ODI series against England. Harshit has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Shreyas Iyer's T20I captaincy faces scrutiny after recent series defeats. Former player Abhishek Nayar urges patience, emphasizing captaincy development time. He believes Iyer needs freedom to build his own team effectively. Nayar suggests judging Iyer's leadership after he shapes the squad. Patience is advised as India enters a new T20 cricket phase.

India's national record holder Tejas Nandakumar has been ruled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite qualifying, after his para sport classification failed to meet eligibility requirements. Speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com, the 20-year-old reveals how administrative delays, despite months of international travel and personal expense, shattered his Glasgow dream, while urging systemic reforms to prevent similar heartbreak for future para athletes.

Lionel Messi had a tense moment with the referee during Argentina's quarterfinal match. Argentina secured a dramatic extra-time victory against Switzerland to advance. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring early for Argentina with a header. Switzerland equalized after the break, but Breel Embolo received a red card. Julin lvarez and Lautaro Martnez scored in extra time to seal the win.

Lionel Messi provided a crucial assist for Argentina's opening goal against Switzerland. The defending champions secured a 3-1 extra-time victory in their quarterfinal match. Messi's nine-game scoring streak ended, but his influence remained evident. Argentina now advances to face England in the semifinals of the tournament. Coach Scaloni praised Messi's consistent performance and dedication to excellence.

Erling Haaland's World Cup debut ended with Norway's quarterfinal loss to England. He scored seven goals, establishing himself as a top tournament scorer. Haaland described the experience as unforgettable and the coolest six weeks of his life. He believes Norway's performance has put the nation on the football map. The striker is now looking forward to a well-deserved break.

San Francisco Unicorns secured top spot and a semifinal place with a thrilling chase. Hassan Khan's powerful hitting sealed the victory for the Unicorns against Seattle Orcas. Seattle's bowlers missed Ottneil Baartman as they struggled to defend their total. Matthew Breetzke led Seattle's recovery with a strong batting performance. The Unicorns will now join three other teams in the playoffs.

Norway's coach Stale Solbakken believes the ball hit an overhead camera cable before Jude Bellingham's goal. He stated the referee did not see the incident and received no official notification. FIFA later claimed no evidence showed the ball touching the wire and altering its trajectory. Despite the controversy, Solbakken praised his players' tournament performance and accepted the outcome.