The Times of India

Rishabh Pant missed out on a century against Afghanistan, falling for 81 after a miscued attacking stroke. Former player Saba Karim suggested fatigue and dehydration, rather than poor shot selection, contributed to the dismissal. Pant's innings was crucial in India's strong first-innings total.

India dominated day two of the Test against Afghanistan. Hosts declared at 564/8, with centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Debutant Manav Suthar impressed with three wickets. Afghanistan ended the day at 113/5, trailing by 451 runs. Rahmat Shah reached 1,000 Test runs. India is in a strong position to win.

Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed bewilderment at the management of Kuldeep Yadav, contrasting the current setup with the consistent backing he received under Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. Ashwin noted Kuldeep's past match-winning performances and suggested Test cricket should now be his priority, while also commenting on Ravi Bishnoi's return to the T20I squad.

Manav Suthar made a dream debut for India, taking a wicket on the fourth ball of his Test career against Afghanistan. The young left-arm spinner became the eighth Indian to achieve this feat, joining an elite list of bowlers. His immediate impact justified the team's faith in his selection.

Manav Suthar's dream materialized with his maiden India Test call-up against Afghanistan, a moment his sister first shared. The left-arm spinner, who debuted receiving his cap from Kuldeep Yadav, spoke of years of hard work and family emotions. Inspired by Yuvraj Singh and R Ashwin, Suthar's journey from street cricket to the international stage is a testament to his perseverance.

Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah alleges that India frequently benefits from favorable umpiring and match-related decisions in India-Pakistan encounters. Speaking on the ARY Podcast, Shah claimed that decisions on and off the field, including those in the dressing room and match scheduling, often favor the Men in Blue.

Three years after catching Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's attention at Afghanistan's high-performance centre, Mohammad Saleem Safi delivered the performance of his life against India. The 23-year-old pacer claimed a maiden six-wicket haul, completing a remarkable journey from financial hardship and self-doubt to becoming Afghanistan's newest pace sensation.

Shubman Gill is experiencing a career-defining period as India's Test captain, transforming into a prolific run-scorer. His recent century against Afghanistan highlights his exceptional record, boasting 1,076 runs in 15 innings at an average of 82.76. Gill's captaincy has seen him achieve significant milestones, including becoming the second-fastest Indian captain to reach 1,000 Test runs.

The BCCI will cover all expenses for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's parents to accompany the 15-year-old on upcoming Ireland and England tours. This move aims to ease the teenage batting prodigy's transition into the senior Indian team environment after a stellar IPL 2026. The board prioritises his comfort and adjustment to international cricket.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi described his meeting with childhood idol Virat Kohli after the IPL 2026 final as like a dream. The 15-year-old batting prodigy, who won the Orange Cap, received encouraging words from Kohli, who advised him to stay focused on his batting and ignore external opinions. Kohli's interaction with the young star was heartwarming and went viral.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned a maiden India call-up for Ireland, England tours, and Asian Games after a stellar IPL 2026. The 15-year-old, who became the youngest Indian male player selected, dreams of excelling in all three formats, emphasising his dedication to red-ball cricket despite his explosive T20 success.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap winner, MVP, and Emerging Player, received a Tata Sierra SUV. However, the 15-year-old must wait three years for his driving license before he can legally drive his prize. He humorously stated he'll keep the car until he gets his license, planning to sit beside his father while he drives.

Sanjay Manjrekar believes Shubman Gill possessed stronger credentials for India's next T20I captaincy than Shreyas Iyer. However, Gill's difficulty in securing a consistent playing XI spot reportedly cost him the opportunity. Manjrekar feels Gill's long-term suitability was overlooked, with selectors opting for Iyer due to his guaranteed place in the middle order.

Afghanistan missed a crucial DRS opportunity to dismiss Rishabh Pant, who went on to score 81 runs. Replays later confirmed a clear edge on Pant's bat, a decision that proved costly for the visitors. Pant's entertaining knock was eventually ended by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa achieved a historic victory at Norway Chess 2026, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious title. He secured the championship with a stunning comeback in the final round, defeating Vincent Keymer and benefiting from a draw between his rivals. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen lauded Praggnanandhaa's clutch performance under pressure.

Brazil's football icon Neymar, their all-time leading scorer, has hinted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance. Despite a career marked by brilliance and injuries, the 34-year-old forward aims to lead a blend of seasoned and young talent in a quest for Brazil's sixth title, ending a 24-year drought.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh questioned selectors after Rajat Patidar's omission from the T20I squad. Patidar had a stellar IPL 2026 season, scoring 501 runs at a strike rate of nearly 200, and previously led RCB to back-to-back titles. Harbhajan believes Patidar is the best middle-order batter in India.

Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli secured a stunning pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix, defying expectations and Mercedes' first pole of the decade. Despite Ferrari's strong practice pace, Antonelli's decisive final lap edged out Max Verstappen, setting the stage for a thrilling strategic battle.

Shreyas Iyer, newly appointed India's T20I captain, marked his first day by leading SoBo Mumbai Falcons to victory over Suryakumar Yadav's Triumph Knights MNE in the T20 Mumbai League. Iyer's commanding 61 off 36 balls steered his team to a five-wicket win, overshadowing Suryakumar's 48. Despite the captaincy change, Suryakumar expressed pride and support for Iyer's appointment.

Former cricketer Atul Wassan views Virat Kohli's absence from the Afghanistan ODI series as a strategic advantage. This break aids workload management for the 2027 World Cup and provides a platform for emerging talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal. Wassan believes preserving key players like Kohli and Bumrah is crucial for major tournaments, highlighting India's batting depth.

Germany secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the United States in a friendly, extending their winning streak to nine matches ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Kai Havertz opened the scoring early, and Leroy San's second-half strike proved decisive. The win builds significant momentum for the four-time world champions.

Three months after leading India to the T20 World Cup title, Suryakumar Yadav has lost both the captaincy and his place in India's T20I setup. The selectors insist the decision was driven by form and the need to look ahead to the next World Cup cycle. A deep dive into the numbers reveals why. From one of the greatest peaks in T20 history to declining returns, waning match-winning influence and rising competition from younger rivals, the data explains why India chose the future over the past.

The 20-year-old from Chennai began the second half of the event from the bottom of the open-category standings, only to produce a remarkable comeback that included two classical victories over Carlsen, a win over the reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh and a final-round classical win over Germany No. 1 Vincent Keymer.

Suryakumar Yadav has graciously congratulated Shreyas Iyer on his appointment as India's new T20I captain for the upcoming Ireland and England series. Despite being replaced as captain and dropped from the squad after leading India to a T20 World Cup victory, Suryakumar expressed pride in his Mumbai teammate's achievement, highlighting the strong representation from Mumbai cricket.

After a 12-year hiatus, the desert state is back in the Test arena, thanks to a young left-arm spinner from Sriganganagar, Manav Suthar.

Acknowledging the team's achievement, Hockey India announced a cash award of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the gold medal-winning team and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India's T20I squads for the tours of England and Ireland, naming Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain.

How India dominated Day 1 of the Test against Afghanistan

The victory made the 19-year-old Andreeva the youngest player to win the French Open women's singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she claimed her third straight Roland Garros crown in 1992.

I've been the one endorsing him for the role and telling the Indian selectors that if they give him a chance, I don't think they'll be disappointed. As I said, it's a great achievement. It's terrific recognition for the hard work he has put in over a long period of time, and I'm sure he'll do a great job as captain of India, Ponting added.

Sai Sudharsan, backed by coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, expressed immense freedom after scoring a gritty 81 against Afghanistan. He highlighted the mental certainty provided by their support, allowing him to play his natural game. Sudharsan also praised KL Rahul's composure and game-reading during their substantial partnership, emphasizing tactical adjustments made after IPL.

Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus on Saturday took a sly dig at KL Rahul after the India opener chose not to walk despite edging the ball behind the stumps. At that stage, Rahul was batting on 16 and went on to complete his 12th Test hundred.

Sai Sudharsan credits KL Rahul after impressive partnership

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India squad: Father gets emotional, Samastipur goes WILD

India seized control on day one against Afghanistan, reaching a formidable 368 for 3. Centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, showcasing contrasting styles, anchored the innings. Sai Sudharsan's 81 and Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 50 further solidified India's dominance, leaving Afghanistan's bowlers struggling.

KL Rahul's patient century and Sai Sudharsan's fluent 81 guided India to a strong position on Day 1 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Both batsmen successfully transitioned from T20 to Test cricket, overcoming initial rustiness and justifying the team management's faith. Their partnership laid a solid foundation for India's dominance.

Ajit Agarkar press conference: Why SKY was sacked, on new captain Shreyas & Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

For nearly two years, Shreyas Iyer kept knocking on the door. As Suryakumar Yadav's returns dipped in both IPL and international cricket, Iyer's weight of runs and consistency at No. 4 made him the obvious successor as India's T20I captain.

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain for India's upcoming T20 tours of Ireland and England, marking his return to the T20 setup. Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also earned a historic maiden call-up as the youngest player ever selected for an Indian team. This signals a new direction for India's T20 squad.

India's T20I squad for Ireland and England tours sees Shreyas Iyer appointed captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Six players from the T20 World Cup squad are out, including Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, while six new faces, notably 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, have been included, signaling a new era for Indian white-ball cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday named Shreyas Iyer as India's new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. Soon after the announcement, Suryakumar posted an Instagram story backing the team.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden senior national call-up, potentially becoming India's youngest male debutant. After a stellar U-19 World Cup and a remarkable IPL season, the batting sensation is included in squads for upcoming T20I tours and the Asian Games, poised to break Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record.

Dhruv Jurel will captain India A in their upcoming two multi-day matches against Sri Lanka A, with Devdutt Padikkal as vice-captain. The squad features new faces like Auqib Nabi, a standout fast-bowling all-rounder, alongside established domestic performers. This tour is crucial for developing emerging red-ball talent in challenging spin-friendly conditions.

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of India's men's squad for the 2026 Asian Games, signaling a shift in leadership. The squad also features the maiden senior T20 call-up for 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose exceptional performances in the U-19 World Cup and IPL earned him a spot.

Virat Kohli will miss the upcoming Afghanistan ODI series due to a hamstring injury sustained in the IPL final. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed the setback, stating Kohli might be fit for the England tour starting July 14. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement for the Afghanistan series, which begins June 13.

Shreyas Iyer will captain India's T20I squad against Ireland and England, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning a maiden call-up. Jasprit Bumrah is rested for workload management, while Hardik Pandya is undergoing rehabilitation. Both are included in the Asian Games squad.

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. Tilak Varma is the new vice-captain. The squads for Ireland, England, and Asian Games were announced, with Jasprit Bumrah returning for the latter. Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also earned a spot in both squads.

Shreyas Iyer will captain India's men's cricket squad at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning a maiden call-up. This selection signals a new direction for India's white-ball strategy, blending experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah with emerging talent for the continental event.