The Times of India

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was hospitalised for observation after suffering a concussion from a Riley Meredith bouncer during the team's historic ODI series win over Australia. Despite the blow and subsequent discomfort, Miraz bravely continued to play, guiding Bangladesh to a memorable victory with an unbeaten 22.

Indian shooting mourns the loss of Jaspal Rana, a celebrated Asian Games gold medallist and multiple international winner, who passed away at 49. Rana, a prolific shooter and influential coach, shaped generations of talent, notably guiding Manu Bhaker to a historic two-medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His legacy as a mentor and athlete is profound.

India mourns the loss of legendary shooter and coach Jaspal Rana, who passed away at 49. President Murmu, Abhinav Bindra, and PM Modi led tributes, hailing his immense contributions as an athlete and mentor. Rana, a decorated champion, was instrumental in nurturing a generation of Indian shooting stars, leaving an indelible legacy.

Cricket Ireland is closely monitoring the unrest in Belfast ahead of India's T20I series, scheduled for June 26 and 28. While domestic matches are being reviewed, the board assures that player and fan safety is paramount. The series marks a new chapter for India's T20 side, potentially featuring a historic debut for young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Renowned shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana has passed away at the age of 49. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his death, calling it a profound loss to Indian sports. Rana was instrumental in nurturing a new generation of shooting stars, including Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker.

South Korea staged a dramatic second-half comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Czechia in their World Cup opener. After falling behind, Hwang In-beom equalized before substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the decisive goal in the 80th minute. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu's crucial late save sealed the win for the Taeguk Warriors.

After 14 years at Futbol Club Barcelona Femen, their captain and most decorated player, Alexia Putellas, wistfully announced her departure from the club. It has been a perfect story, she said in her message to her fans, and one that deserves to be told over and over again.

Renowned Indian shooter and coach Jaspal Rana passed away at 49 after falling ill following the ISSF World Cup in Munich. A former Asian Games gold medallist, Rana was instrumental in nurturing generations of shooting stars, including Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker. His impactful coaching career, recognised with the Dronacharya Award, leaves an irreplaceable void in Indian sport.

PV Sindhu advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals with a dominant 21-6, 21-9 victory over Chen Su Yu. This marks her second semi-final appearance this year, showcasing an encouraging return to form. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma also reached the quarter-finals, continuing her impressive breakthrough campaign.

Serena Williams' highly anticipated return to professional tennis was cut short at Queen's Club due to her partner Victoria Mboko's knee injury. The duo had secured an opening-round win, but Mboko's withdrawal forced them out of the quarter-finals. Serena Williams is scheduled to compete in the Berlin Open next week.

England and Wales are set to host the 10th ICC Women's T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5, featuring a record 12 teams. Defending champions New Zealand and six-time winners Australia are among the strong contenders. This expanded tournament boasts a record prize pool, promising intense competition across seven venues.

Team India eyes T20 World Cup glory in England, led by Harmanpreet Kaur. With key all-rounders injured, the team faces a selection dilemma: bolster batting or add bowling depth. Former captain Nasser Hussain advocates for a stronger batting lineup, emphasising fearless, aggressive play to secure above-par scores and chase the trophy.

Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora made history at the Estadio Azteca, becoming the youngest Mexican to ever play in a FIFA World Cup. Entering the match in the 65th minute, Mora, at 17 years and 240 days, broke a record that stood since 1930. His debut marks a significant moment for Mexican football, highlighting his rapid rise as a promising talent.

Julian Quiones made FIFA World Cup history by scoring the opening goal of the 2026 tournament as Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. The CONCACAF player's strike, his first of the competition, came in the ninth minute at the Estadio Azteca. This historic goal followed his impressive performance in the Saudi Pro League, where he outscored Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anil Kumble believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's experience will be vital for India's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign, offering crucial support to captain Shubman Gill. Kumble praised Gill's IPL leadership and highlighted how the veterans can guide him through high-pressure situations, easing his burden.

Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and retired from international football after failing to recover from a persistent foot injury. The Liverpool midfielder ends an 11-year international career with 73 appearances, having captained Japan in recent years. His absence leaves a major leadership void as Japan begin their World Cup campaign without one of their most influential figures.

Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will compete in two events at the upcoming Asian Games, including the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol. India's 30-member shooting squad, announced by NRAI, features several multi-event athletes, with a strategic focus on medal prospects due to quota caps.

Bangladesh achieved a historic maiden ODI series victory against Australia, securing a 2-0 lead with a five-wicket win. Despite a rain delay and a revised target, the hosts chased down 192 comfortably. Australia's batting faltered early, but Labuschagne and Bartlett's half-centuries offered some recovery. Bangladesh's disciplined bowling and steady batting sealed the landmark triumph.

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is set to make history by hosting its third FIFA World Cup opening match in 2026. This iconic venue previously witnessed legendary moments in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, including Pel's triumph and Maradona's 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century'.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is impressing beyond T20 cricket, showcasing adaptability in Sri Lanka's tri-series. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar lauded his versatile 44 off 22 balls against Afghanistan A, highlighting his potential for longer formats. Suryavanshi's innings, marked by timing and placement, earned praise for his technique, not just aggression.

Afghanistan A secured a surprising four-run victory over India A in a rain-affected tri-series match, successfully chasing a revised target of 294 in 38 overs. Despite India A posting a strong 349/9, Afghanistan A stayed ahead of the DLS par score when play was halted, clinching a memorable win.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed Ravichandran Ashwin with a dazzling 44 off 22 balls for India A. The 15-year-old showcased a blend of aggression and control, hitting nine boundaries. Despite missing a half-century, his performance highlighted his potential beyond T20s, earning praise from the former India spinner for his strokeplay and timing.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag underwent successful shoulder surgery in Mumbai, performed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwalla. The procedure comes after a challenging period for the player, who is now focused on recovery and rehabilitation. Parag is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season, with his rehab managed by the BCCI.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup shatters all previous records, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With a record 1,248 players from 449 clubs, legends like Ronaldo and Messi chase history. This monumental tournament promises unprecedented scale and potential record-breaking feats, making it the biggest spectacle yet.

Anvay Dravid, son of former India captain Rahul Dravid, has been selected for the India Under-19 squad touring Sri Lanka. The BCCI announced the squads on Thursday, with Anvay named as one of the wicketkeepers for the one-day matches. This selection follows his impressive performance in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

Delhi-born all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary has been named in Australia's T20I squad for the Bangladesh series, marking a significant milestone as the first Indian-born male cricketer in over 60 years to achieve this. His selection follows impressive performances in the Big Bash League, and he is now in contention for his international debut.

Suresh Raina has urged India to find a dependable backup for all-rounder Hardik Pandya, citing his persistent fitness issues. Pandya's recent injury, ruling him out of the Afghanistan series, underscores the team's need for depth in pace-bowling all-rounders ahead of the next ODI World Cup. Identifying and nurturing an alternative is crucial to avoid vulnerability.

India maintains its top spot in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, though its lead over New Zealand has tightened. Australia holds steady in third. South Africa has ascended to fourth, surpassing Pakistan. Significant shifts also occurred outside the top 10, with Ireland, USA, and UAE making notable gains.

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Former India pacer S Sreesanth has lauded teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently became the youngest player selected for an Indian men's team. Sreesanth emphasized Suryavanshi's commitment and perseverance, urging the 15-year-old to focus solely on cricket and avoid distractions from professional managers, trusting his family to handle off-field matters.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with an expanded 48-nation format across three host countries, promising unprecedented drama and more opportunities for upsets. With a blend of established powerhouses, emerging talents, and debutants, this tournament is set to deliver a thrilling spectacle for football fans worldwide.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dazzled with a blistering 44 off 22 balls, striking nine fours at a strike rate of 200, as India A built a strong platform against Afghanistan A. The 15-year-old shared a 74-run opening stand with Prabhsimran Singh before falling to Abdullah Ahmadzai. Prabhsimran remained unbeaten on 82, guiding India A to 163/2 after 20.4 overs.

MS Dhoni returned to a cricket ground for the first time since missing IPL 2026 due to injury, attending the opening ceremony of the inaugural Jharkhand T20 League in Ranchi. The former India captain flipped the ceremonial coin and received a warm welcome from fans. His presence boosted the six-team tournament, which will feature 27 matches at the JSCA International Stadium Complex over two weeks.

Portugal head into the FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 warm-up win over Nigeria. Cristiano Ronaldo, set for a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance, missed several chances and failed to score before being substituted. Pedro Neto opened the scoring, Akor Adams equalised for Nigeria, and substitute Francisco Conceio netted the winner. Portugal will face Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation cannot influence government decisions after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US over security concerns, urging people to just chill, relax while FIFA works behind the scenes. Infantino also defended soaring World Cup ticket prices, backed Irans participation despite tensions with the US, praised Donald Trumps role in hosting the tournament, and said FIFA prioritised accessibility over potentially higher broadcast revenues.

Mohammed Siraj's withdrawal from the England and Ireland T20Is raised a curious question: how could a bowler who had drifted out of India's white-ball plans suddenly need rest? The answer lies in the format India have simply refused to play without him. While Jasprit Bumrah's workload was carefully managed, Siraj quietly became India's default fast bowler and the busiest quick in world cricket. For three years, he has been India's workhorse. Now, workload management has finally reached him too.

Argentina's World Cup preparations were hit by a reported security lapse that exposed the passport details of the entire squad, including Lionel Messi, after an unredacted team sheet was circulated. Despite the off-field issue, Argentina finished their warm-up campaign strongly with a 3-0 win over Iceland. Goals from Valentin Barco, Messi and Thiago Almada secured victory ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria.

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of Indias ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a quadricep strain during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Scans confirmed a sprain requiring at least two weeks of recovery. He will continue rehabilitation at the CoE, with a possible return before the England ODI series. Selectors will also review Virat Kohlis fitness ahead of squad selection.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the richest tournament in football history, with FIFA distributing a record $871 million to participating federations and $355 million to clubs. From prize money and qualification grants to player bonuses and club compensation, here's a complete breakdown of how World Cup payouts work, who gets paid, and where the money ultimately goes. (60 words)

The standout result for India came from 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma. The world No. 36 defeated fifth seed and world No. 11 Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei 21-12, 22-20 in 45 minutes.

Artificial intelligence has predicted Spain as the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 14.5% chance. England and France follow closely behind. The AI model analysed team performance, player quality, and betting odds, simulating the tournament 100,000 times to determine probabilities.

Team India hits the nets | Rohit, Shreyas, Ishan & Jaiswal gear up for ODI challenge

Rohit Sharma looked in fine touch during Indias optional training session in Mohali, a day after receiving CoE clearance. The veteran opener spent over an hour in the nets, while Shreyas Iyer also impressed ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan.

Stokes has been left out of the squad along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the pair breached the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday.

The 34-year-old referee had been selected on FIFA's final list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup and was due to join other referees at their training base in Miami before the tournament. The United States is co-hosting the World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.

Richa Ghosh's brilliant 68 off 36 balls almost secured a win for India in their Women's T20 World Cup warm-up against England. Despite her valiant effort, India fell short by five runs, finishing on 166 in pursuit of England's 171. Ghosh's aggressive innings, featuring nine fours and two sixes, was the highlight for India.

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The concerns are not limited to former awardees. After the ministry announced the re-evaluation process, Asian Championships gold medallist decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who has been recommended for the Arjuna Award, publicly criticised the delay. This delay is not just de-motivating to athletes and coaches but also a sign of disrespect, he posted on X in April.

Sunil Gavaskar fiercely defends the IPL and BCCI against criticism from former players regarding franchise cricket's impact on international schedules. He highlights that overseas boards financially benefit from IPL player contracts, a fact often ignored by critics complaining about player unavailability for national duties. Gavaskar emphasizes the IPL's unique contribution to global cricket finances.