The Times of India

ngel Di Mara has urged Lionel Messi to continue his Argentina career despite their heartbreaking 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain. Di Mara praised Messis performances and said the captain can play for many more years if he chooses. He also backed Lionel Scaloni to remain in charge as Argentina look to build around their next generation of talent.

A leaked letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino congratulating Argentina on their 2026 World Cup runners-up finish has sparked controversy after praising the team's professionalism despite an ongoing FIFA disciplinary investigation into post-final clashes with Spain. The correspondence has drawn scrutiny over FIFA's handling of the incidents, with critics questioning the timing and tone of the private message.

Mirabai Chanu aims for a third Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow. Five weightlifters from Manipur represent India, showcasing the state's sporting prowess. Veteran coach S Brojendro Singh nurtured these athletes from their beginnings. Nirupama Devi and Martina Devi are also strong medal contenders for India. The team completed its final preparations for the upcoming competition.

Sachin Siwach advanced in boxing while Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh continued their lawn bowls unbeaten streak. India's artistic gymnastics team secured fifth place in their subdivision competition. Both swimmers failed to reach the 400m freestyle final, ending their pool challenge. The women's wheelchair basketball team faced a significant defeat against Wales.

Ishan Kishan Press Conference: On match-winning knock, comeback, team role & Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Jhandu Kumar secured India's first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He won bronze in para powerlifting after successful lifts of 181kg and 190kg. His journey began with polio and taunts over a name born from hardship. Kumar previously worked as an e-rickshaw driver to fund his training. He now aims to break records at future Para Asian Games and Paralympics.

Ishan Kishan's spectacular 81 powered India to a series-clinching T20 victory over Zimbabwe. He also provided amusement with a missed run-out opportunity during the match. India secured a commanding 90-run win, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Kishan's performance overshadowed a fielding lapse, which he later joked about. The team's bowlers also contributed significantly to the dominant series triumph.

Sahal Abdul Samad scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute, while goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a series of important saves to help Mohun Bagan keep a clean sheet.

India secured a dominant series victory against Zimbabwe under Shreyas Iyer's leadership. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma's aggressive batting propelled India to a substantial total. The bowlers then effectively restricted Zimbabwe to a manageable score in the second match. This series win highlighted the young team's positive and attacking approach to the game.

Chasing 220, Zimbabwe's task became difficult after losing five wickets inside the first nine overs. They were eventually bowled out for 129.

England gymnast Gabriel Langton suffered a severe head-first fall during the men's team final. This terrifying incident cast a shadow over the competition and halted proceedings. Canada secured their first men's team gymnastics gold medal in twenty years. Rival gymnasts expressed concern and offered support for the injured athlete. Langton was conscious and speaking with doctors before being taken to hospital.

The Indian Olympic Association's medical team works diligently to keep athletes competition-ready. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala leads the unit, which manages injuries and recovery protocols. With athletes housed in three hotels, medical personnel are deployed for immediate care. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are crucial for maintaining peak performance across disciplines.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland led guests in the Viking row celebration. This famous chant became synonymous with Norway's World Cup campaign. The event occurred during teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma's wedding festivities in Italy. Many prominent football personalities attended the lavish ceremony. Haaland's revival ensured the celebration's continued resonance with fans.

India achieved their ninth 200-plus total in T20Is for 2026. This performance matches their own world record set previously in 2024. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma led the strong batting effort against Zimbabwe. They built crucial partnerships after an early batting collapse. India's batting continues to set new standards in the shortest format.

The incident took place on Friday shortly after the match began, when the umpires noticed Pakistan had six players on the field. Under the rules of the five-a-side format, only five players are allowed.

India's women's lawn bowls pair Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh won their third match. They defeated Tonga in a tense tie-breaker to advance in the competition. This victory keeps their unbeaten run alive at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Meanwhile, Indian swimmers Dhakshan Shashikumar and Aryan Nehra did not qualify for finals. They competed in the men's 400m freestyle event at the swimming centre.

The 27-year-old fast bowler from Vidarbha earned his maiden India cap after consistent performances in domestic cricket and for India A.

Shreyas Iyer's remarkable eight-toss winning streak concluded in Harare on Saturday. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to field first. Iyer admitted he would have preferred batting on the improved pitch conditions. Yash Thakur debuted for India, replacing Ashok Sharma in the lineup. Zimbabwe retained their unchanged playing eleven from the first match.

The BCCI will announce India's squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka by Tuesday, secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed. The board will also review India's recent white-ball tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe in early August. The meeting will determine the future of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip, whose contracts have expired after the ongoing tour.

Inside London Spirits new era: New coach, new players &520m investment

Jhandu Kumar secured India's first medal, a bronze, in para powerlifting. He achieved this by lifting 190kg in the heavyweight category. This victory marked India's initial medal at the Glasgow Games. Ashok finished fourth in the lightweight event, while Paramjeet Kumar placed seventh. Indian women also competed in their respective para powerlifting categories.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has dismissed rumors regarding Rohit Sharma's retirement. He stated there is no question of the Indian opener retiring at this stage. Sharma himself has expressed his desire to continue playing for India. He aims to secure a place in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Shukla also defended the current leadership group against calls for changes.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieved a significant milestone by scoring a T20I half-century. He became the youngest player ever to reach this batting achievement. This performance followed his earlier inclusion and subsequent exclusion from the team. Former player Krishnamachari Srikkanth criticized the decision to drop him. Sooryavanshi's dedication and fearless approach were also highlighted.

Shreyas Iyer achieved his initial T20I captaincy victory against Zimbabwe. The team secured a seven-wicket win in the opening match of the series. This result provided significant relief for the captain after previous defeats. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a historic half-century in eighteen balls. Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to achieve this international milestone.

With The 2030 Commonwealth Games As Its Proving Ground, Ahmedabad Is Pouring Billions Into Venues, Transport & Civic Infrastructure & Building Its Case To Host The 2036 Olympics

Mayank Yadav made a strong comeback in his first international match since October 2024. He secured Player of the Match for his impressive bowling performance against Zimbabwe. This marked a significant return after a period of injury-related setbacks for the young bowler. Ravichandran Ashwin urged patience for players recovering from difficult physical and mental challenges. The team secured a convincing victory in the opening T20I match.

India opened its Commonwealth Games 2026 medal tally on Day 2 as para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar won bronze in the men's heavyweight event. Ashok Malik and Karthik Budigina narrowly missed medals with fourth-place finishes, while boxer Jadumani Singh advanced, Srihari Nataraj exited in the semifinals, and India's lawn bowls teams continued their impressive run in Glasgow.

Bihar's Jhandu Kumar won India's first para powerlifting medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, claiming bronze in Glasgow after years of struggle. A former e-rickshaw driver who overcame financial hardship and polio, he lifted 190kg to reach the podium. I feel as if I'm flying, Jhandu said, thanking his family, coaches, TOPS and SAI for their support.

It is expected to be a relatively quiet day for India in terms of medal chances, with no confirmed medal events involving Indian athletes unless they qualify for the finals in artistic gymnastics and swimming.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has joined Colo Colo on a free transfer, ending speculation over a move to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The 40-year-old earned global recognition after starring at the World Cup, where he nearly inspired Cape Verde to a shock win over Argentina. The veteran, with 92 international caps, now begins a new chapter after leaving Chaves.

Travis Head dismissed rumours of a feud with Virat Kohli following their IPL 2026 handshake controversy, saying there was othing to patch over. The incident sparked online abuse directed at Head's wife, Jessica Davies, and affected their family. Head praised his wife for handling the situation with grace, adding that public scrutiny is part of professional sport.

South African swimmer Chad le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history after winning his 19th medal with bronze in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay. I shouldnt be crying at bronze, I should be crying at gold, but honestly this means the world, he said. The 34-year-old is also targeting more medals and hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympics.

Argentinas World Cup final defeat continues to spark debate as the AFA urges fans to accept Spains victory despite a viral replay petition crossing 100,000 signatures. President Claudio Tapia rejected claims of corruption, admitting Spain were the better side while warning supporters against misinformation. Lionel Scaloni also dismissed conspiracy theories, insisting Argentina must move forward after the painful loss.

Argentina's World Cup final controversy has escalated after the Argentina Out petition closed with more than 23.3 million verified signatures, narrowly missing a Guinness World Record. President Javier Milei hit back with defiant social media posts as FIFA continues investigating the post-match brawl, while a rival campaign demanding a replay of the final has also gathered widespread support.

Australia midfielder Cristian Volpato is reportedly under investigation after allegedly testing positive for cocaine following two police traffic stops in Sydney on the same night, just days after representing the Socceroos at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Sassuolo midfielder was also accused of speeding twice, with authorities awaiting laboratory confirmation of the roadside drug test result.

Harry Kane is set to open contract talks with Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga champions move to secure the England captain's long-term future. With his current deal entering its final year and interest growing from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia, Bayern are determined to avoid losing their star striker for free after another sensational season and impressive World Cup campaign.

Jhandu Kumar opened India's medal account by winning bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event.

Ferran Torres delivered Spain's World Cup-winning goal, but his funniest post-tournament moment came during a royal reception when Princess Leonor reminded him of a pre-tournament promise to shave his head if Spain lifted the trophy. The Barcelona forward laughed off the question, while several other Spain stars still face unusual challenges after their historic triumph.

Jrgen Klopp has warned he will quit as Germany manager if his family becomes the target of public scrutiny, setting a clear boundary during his unveiling as national team coach. The former Liverpool boss takes charge until 2030 as he begins the task of rebuilding Germany following another disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign and Julian Nagelsmann's departure.

The International Olympic Committee will not investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino. This decision stems from a complaint regarding Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension reversal. The IOC stated it lacks jurisdiction over FIFA's internal governance matters. Norway's Football Federation will consider filing its own ethics complaint against Infantino. FIFA has not yet commented on the ethics complaints or its decision.