The Times of India

Algeria's captain, Riyad Mahrez, has retired from international football after their World Cup exit. The 35-year-old's illustrious career, marked by 119 caps and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, concluded with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland. Mahrez leaves behind a legacy of 40 goals and 45 assists, solidifying his status as an African football great. His departure signals the end of a significant era for Algerian football.

MI New York defeated Seattle Orcas by five runs in a thrilling Major League Cricket contest. Quinton de Kock's 61 guided MINY to 132/8 before Romario Shepherd's 3/16 restricted Seattle's chase. Marcus Stoinis fought with 36, while Jasdeep Singh's late assault sparked hopes, but Kieron Pollard held his nerve in the final over.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the VAR decisions in his side's dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia, insisting here were no bad decisions and backing the use of ball technology. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic criticised the officiating as very bad refereeing but admitted his side had chances to win before Goncalo Ramos' stoppage-time winner.

Spain's Lamine Yamal has etched his name in history, becoming the youngest European player to achieve 10 major tournament victories at just 18 years old. He surpassed Kylian Mbappe's record by a significant margin during Spain's dominant 3-0 win over Austria. Despite an injury setback, Yamal showcased his electrifying form, earning Player of the Match. Spain's flawless defensive record continues as they advance to face Portugal.

Cricket circles are buzzing over teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's delayed India debut. While assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate advocates for a gradual integration, former Proteas captain AB de Villiers argues the Ireland series was the perfect platform. Legends like Shastri and Vaughan also voiced similar sentiments, suggesting Sooryavanshi should have been given a chance to gain international experience against a less formidable opponent.

India's endurance movement is steadily growing beyond a niche community of runners and cyclists. Record participation at road races, the rise of run clubs and a younger generation embracing marathons, triathlons and ultra-runs reflect a changing fitness culture. IRONMAN triathlete Renee Noronha and ultra-runner Sufiya Sufi are among the athletes witnessing that change, while speaking about the preparation, patience, and consistency that endurance sports demand.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans after his side's dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia. Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal before Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time winner. Croatia's late equaliser was controversially ruled out by VAR, sparking protests, while Ronaldo and longtime former teammate Luka Modric shared an emotional post-match embrace.

Switzerland secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a commanding 2-0 win over Algeria, thanks to goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. This victory marks their fourth consecutive appearance in the knockout stages, and they now aim for a deeper run, having not won a last 16 match since 1938. Youngster Johan Manzambi has been a standout performer, driving their success.

FIFA confirmed that Croatia's dramatic 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal was correctly ruled out after Connected Ball Technology detected a slight touch by Igor Matanovic before the ball reached offside player Mario Pasalic. The decision, backed by the match ball's IMU sensor data, denied Croatia a late equaliser as Portugal advanced with a 2-1 victory.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its thrilling Round of 16, with Portugal's dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia, fueled by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, setting up a highly anticipated clash with rivals Spain. As the knockout bracket solidifies, other confirmed ties include Canada vs Morocco and Brazil vs Norway, with England facing Mexico. The stakes are higher than ever as teams vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.

On Thursday, Croatia's stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal was ruled out after VAR determined that Igor Matanovic had made a slight touch before the ball reached offside player Mario Pasalic, who assisted Josko Gvardiol's goal. Officials used ball sensor Snicko technology to confirm the touch, sparking outrage among Croatian players and fans.

Croatia's World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak after a 103rd-minute equaliser by Josko Gvardiol was ruled out by VAR for offside against Portugal. The decision sparked protests from Croatian fans and players. After Ivan Perisic's opener and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty equaliser, Goncalo Ramos scored the winner, sending Portugal into the last 16.

Cabo Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha has issued an emotional plea for national unity ahead of their historic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Argentina. The smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages, the Blue Sharks, are preparing to face the defending champions. Vozinha emphasised that omorrow we are one. One people, one flag, one heart beating for Cape Verde, inspiring his nation to dream big.

Born exactly 50 years after Garry Kasparov, 13-year-old chess prodigy and maths Olympiad star Pratitee Bordoloi scripted history by winning India's only medal at the 2026 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship. The story explores her extraordinary rise, analytical brilliance, disciplined upbringing, and the unique blend of academic excellence, humility, and competitive ambition shaping her journey.

Australia's Jordan Bos is a breakout star at the FIFA World Cup, showcasing blistering speed that outpaces Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The 23-year-old full-back, now a key player for the Socceroos, faces Egypt in a historic knockout clash. Bos's rapid ascent from Australia's domestic league to European giants highlights his impressive talent as the nation chases a World Cup breakthrough.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal paid tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota after a dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia. Ronaldo wore Jota's No. 21 shirt after the match and scored a historic equaliser, becoming the oldest player to score in a men's World Cup knockout game. Gonalo Ramos netted the winner as Portugal advanced to face Spain next Monday.

Shabnim Ismail has made history, becoming the first bowler to take 50 wickets in the Women's T20 World Cup. The South African pace spearhead achieved this remarkable feat during the semifinal against England. Despite her early brilliance, England fought back with a strong partnership to secure a victory, ending South Africa's campaign and advancing to face Australia in the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious international career is reportedly nearing its end, with his sister suggesting the 2026 World Cup will be his last dance for Portugal. The football icon recently became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match, a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia. Despite facing criticism, Ronaldo's resilience and continued record-breaking performances underscore his enduring legacy.

In a thrilling World Cup showdown, Portugal triumphed over Croatia with a 2-1 scoreline, courtesy of a last-minute header by Goncalo Ramos. Croatia initially led with a goal from Ivan Perii, but Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the match from the penalty spot, making history as the tournament's oldest scorer. A contentious offside call thwarted Croatia's hopes for a late equalizer, marking a bittersweet end to Luka Modri's remarkable international journey.

Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name in World Cup history, becoming the oldest goalscorer in knockout stages at 41 years and 147 days with a penalty against Croatia. This remarkable feat also places him second overall on the all-time World Cup scoring list. His appearance also marked him as the oldest outfield player to start a knockout match, underscoring his enduring legacy.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's inspiring comeback from injury powered her team into the Women's T20 World Cup final. Her record-breaking partnership with Heather Knight secured a 40-run victory over South Africa. England now face unbeaten Australia in a highly anticipated title clash at Lord's, aiming for their first World Cup win since 2009.

Ben Stokes, the recently retired England all-rounder, leaves behind a truly unique Test record: he's the only player to have batted in all 11 positions and dismissed batsmen from every spot in the order. This remarkable feat underscores his immense versatility throughout a distinguished 15-year career, marked by match-winning performances and iconic victories. Stokes' adaptability across batting and bowling cemented his status as one of England's greatest modern cricketers.

Samit Dravid's batting technique in the Maharaja Trophy drew immediate comparisons to his legendary father, Rahul Dravid, with fans noting the striking similarities. While his batting impressed, Samit is carving his own path as a pace-bowling all-rounder, having excelled in age-group cricket. Meanwhile, younger brother Anvay Dravid is also making strides as a wicketkeeper-batter, recently selected for India's U-19 squad.

Berrettini, who had slipped out of the top 100 in May, lit up Centre Court to knock out the gifted Frenchman Arthur Fils, the 20th seed, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 and storm into the third round at Wimbledon.

Rajasthan Cricket Association's ad hoc committee has been dissolved by the High Court, paving the way for democratic elections within three months. A sole administrator has been appointed to oversee this process. This judicial intervention is expected to revive stalled projects like the Chonp stadium and secure the Rajasthan Royals' IPL home matches in Jaipur, addressing long-standing administrative and financial disputes.

The plan is to shrink draw sizes, which currently stand at 16 for doubles and 28 for singles at ATP 250 events. At the 500 level, it is 16 for doubles and 32 for singles, while Masters 1000 tournaments feature 16 for doubles and 32 for singles. That could be reduced to eight teams at ATP 250 and 500 events, and 16 teams at Masters 1000 level.

Perry retired hurt during Australia's semi-final win over West Indies at The Oval after feeling what the team described as minor quad awareness. She walked off after facing seven balls, with Australia later saying the decision was taken as a precaution because they were in control of the match.

India leads the global list of dope offenders, prompting the Sports Ministry to announce the National Anti-Doping Bill will be tabled in Parliament's Monsoon Session. The amended bill proposes a five-year jail term for trafficking and distributing prohibited substances to athletes, aiming to target suppliers, including medical practitioners. This move follows India's consistent topping of WADA's list for three years.

After hosting 36 international sports events since 2025, India plans to host 11 more in the next six months. Ahmedabad, India's bid city for the 2036 Olympics, is due to hold three of them. In Delhi, the BWF World Championships will be held as a test of infrastructure improvement following the India Open fiasco in January.

With 2026 Asian Games qualification process nearing its end, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made clear that only those teams and athletes who can bring laurels to the country will be green lit. The extensive personal support staff will not be approved at the public's expense.

India ended its Pro League campaign with a 3-2 shootout win over England after a goalless draw in London on Sunday. The result helped India finish eighth with 19 points from 16 matches, after winning only four games during the season. Only Pakistan finished below them in the nine-team table.

Indian badminton is embracing a new scoring system, shifting to a 3x15 rally-point format across domestic tournaments starting this month. This change, debuting at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Senior Ranking Tournament, aims to prepare players for the Badminton World Federation's global adoption next year. The revised rules, including shorter games and adjusted intervals, promise faster, more intense matches, ensuring Indian shuttlers are well-equipped for international competition.

The AIU list has 162 names from India, the highest among all countries. Kenya is second with 148 names, while Russia is third with more than 60 cases.

Portugal's World Cup journey intensifies as they face Croatia in the Round of 32, carrying a profound motivation. The match falls on the first anniversary of the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and Andr Silva. Jota, a key forward and Nations League winner, is remembered as an inspiration, with the squad aiming to win the World Cup in his honor, fulfilling his unachieved dream.

Sooryavanshi has travelled with the Indian squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England but is yet to make his international debut. India have instead continued to back the top-order trio of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, all of whom played important roles in India's 2026 T20 World Cup triumph.

Pooja Chaudhri on sports PR, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma & why performance beats social media

Michael Vaughan has launched a fierce critique of England's cricket leadership, demanding the resignations of coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key following Ben Stokes' international retirement. Vaughan expressed deep dissatisfaction with the team's dismal recent Test record, stating English cricket must strive for better than its current seventh-place ranking. He believes sweeping changes are necessary to revive the team's fortunes and restore pride.

Dinesh Karthik backs Sanju Samson despite recent struggles, urging continued faith in the experienced batter over rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Karthik highlighted Samson's past T20 World Cup performance as a reason for backing. He also commented on India's decision to bat first against England, attributing it to an 'Ireland hangover'. Captain Shreyas Iyer's crucial half-century was praised for relieving pressure.

Former Australian cricketer Aaron Summers faces a possible jail sentence after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse and grooming offences committed in 2018 while he was with the Hobart Hurricanes. Summers, who previously served prison time for separate child exploitation offences, was remanded in custody after a Tasmanian court rejected the possibility of a suspended sentence. He will be sentenced in August.

Day 22 saw Harry Kane save England from Congolese chaos with a thunderbolt for the ages, Belgium summon one last Golden Generation miracle from the penalty spot, and the US survive both Bosnia and Herzegovina and VARs latest audition for villain of the tournament.

The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle from August 15 to 19. The second Test will take place at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

Shreyas Iyer made history in Durham, becoming the first Indian captain to score a T20I half-century on English soil with a brilliant 68. His composed innings, crucial after an early collapse, helped India post 189/7. Though rain forced an abandonment, Iyer's return to form and record-breaking knock provides a significant boost for India ahead of the next match.

India's first T20I against England was abandoned due to rain after the visitors posted 189/7. Abhishek Sharma starred with a record-breaking 59 off 24 balls, registering the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian in England, while captain Shreyas Iyer scored 68. Shivam Dube's unbeaten 42 provided a late flourish before persistent rain forced a no-result.

USA secured a spot in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, striker Folarin Balogun made unwanted history, becoming the fourth player to score and get sent off in a knockout match. Despite his red card for an accidental foul, the US team held on for the victory, but Balogun's suspension creates a selection headache for their next game against Belgium.

Congo DR's World Cup dream ended in heartbreak as England secured a 2-1 victory. Minutes after the match, coach Sbastien Desabre received devastating news of his father's passing during a post-match press conference. The emotional announcement stunned reporters and brought the media interaction to an abrupt halt, overshadowing the team's historic tournament run.

Pape Gueye announced he is taking a break from international football while Senegal's current coaching staff remains in charge following the team's dramatic FIFA World Cup exit to Belgium. Senegal squandered a two-goal lead before losing in extra time. Despite the heartbreak, they made history as the first African nation to score 10 goals in a single World Cup edition.

Dreams do come true! Cricket star Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrated a major milestone by attending the exciting France vs. Sweden FIFA match in New York, wearing an Argentina jersey, in honor of Lionel Messi. This appearance arrives as he takes a breather following an unusual absence from the most recent ODI selections, with eyes set on rejoining the Test series against New Zealand.

Harry Kane's stunning late brace against Congo DR has ignited the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race, propelling him to five goals, just one behind leaders Messi and Mbapp. Kane's heroics secured England's comeback win and kept their World Cup dreams alive, setting up an enthralling battle for the top scorer title as the knockout stages commence. He also surpassed Pel on the all-time World Cup scoring list.