The Times of India

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbapp believes he has a genuine chance of winning the Ballon dOr, despite lacking major team silverware. He says his individual achievements, including his World Cup Golden Boot and goalscoring record, strengthen his case. Asked who he would vote for, Mbapp confidently chose himself while acknowledging other voters may disagree.

Shubman Gill took over as Gujarat Titans captain after Hardik Pandya left the franchise. He led the team to the IPL final in 2026, after Pandya and Nehra had guided GT to the title in their first season in 2022 and another final in 2023. Nehra said Gill and Pandya are very different personalities and leaders, but both have the ability to keep learning.

Seema Kaliramnas journey back to the discus circle has been anything but ordinary.After giving birth to her son Rudra in 2022, the 27-year-old battled severe arthritis that left her unable to walk 10 metres or even pick up her child. With husband and coach Ravinder Monu Kaliramna by her side, she slowly rebuilt her body, fitness and confidence.From 57.19m in 2024 to a 59.73m personal best this year, Seemas comeback has now brought her a Commonwealth Games bronze in Glasgow.With the Asian Games i

Mitchell Santner said New Zealand's first target will be to win the ODI series against India at home. The Blackcaps will play five ODIs against India, followed by three ODIs against Sri Lanka at home. They will then travel to England for World Cup preparations in September 2027.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday that Fatima had breached Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The rule relates to using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.

Kevin Pietersen's international career ended controversially in 2014. Twelve years later, he is set to return to the England set-up as part of Brendon McCullum's coaching staff.

Wimbledon is set to enforce stricter guidelines for influencers during the upcoming summer tournament, distinguishing itself from the US Open, which takes a more lenient approach. Security personnel may remove distracting equipment such as ring lights from match areas. Amid rising concerns from players about etiquette and disruption, Wimbledon strives to promote inclusivity while respecting traditional match decorum.

For the first time since 1877, no male player with a one-handed backhand has reached a Grand Slam semi-final this season, marking the decline of a storied tennis tradition. Once dominant, the one-hander has given way to the more practical two-handed backhand. Modern coaching trends and the evolving speed of the game have contributed to its fading presence among top players.

After ending the opening day with a century, Ishan Kishan continued his attacking batting on Day 2 against Tilak Varma's South Zone. He went on to complete a double century, becoming only the fifth batter in Duleep Trophy history to score 200 or more runs in the final.

Mateo Messi captained Inter Miami Academy to the Naples Cup title. He proudly posed with the championship trophy after the victory. This achievement marks a significant moment in his footballing journey. Lionel Messi recently retired from international football after a long career. Mateo's success continues the family's strong connection with the sport.

Pakistan cricket is facing fresh integrity questions after seven players were dropped, two coaches were released and players' phones were reportedly confiscated during the England Test series. With PCB officials defending the sweeping changes and no explanation offered for the phone seizures, memories of Pakistan's troubled match-fixing past have resurfaced.

AB de Villiers, the former captain of South Africa, has expressed concerns about the character and determination of Pakistan's cricket players. He firmly believes that a lack of fight and hard work is hindering their success. Additionally, he pointed out the instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board due to constant changes in leadership, which he sees as a significant obstacle.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have crafted an impressive business empire, boasting a net worth of over 1,300 crore through diverse investments. Kohli has ventured into sectors such as fashion, hospitality, and technology startups. Meanwhile, Sharma has made her mark in fashion and film production, complemented by strategic investments. Their extensive luxury real estate portfolio significantly contributes to their financial success.

Keyaa Kunal Banerji made headlines at the World Championships, clinching a silver medal with her astonishing 140kg deadlift, which turned her into a social media sensation. Despite her success, she grapples with sexism and the unauthorised use of her photos online. Banerji feels frustrated that the conversations often revolve around her appearance, motivating her to strive for a gold medal for India in upcoming events.

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and president of the ACC, is set to attend the Women's Asia Cup final. Should India clinch victory, tensions may arise over trophy presentation, reminiscent of last year when India declined to accept the Men's Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi. As India approaches the semi-finals, they emerge as strong contenders for the title.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have emerged victorious at the China Masters BWF Super 750 tournament. In a riveting final against He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, the Indian pair turned the tide after a shaky start. Their adaptability and strategic finesse played a vital role in their triumph, instilling a strong sense of confidence as they prepare to defend their title at the upcoming Asian Games.

Nihal Sarin is excited to represent India at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, where India will defend its Open title, but is currently focused on the Global Chess League. The 22-year-old calls the Olympiad a long-time dream. Meanwhile, American Gambits lead the GCL standings after two days, despite Nihals individual win over Levon Aronian.

Pakistan Cricket Board is undertaking a significant rebuilding phase following poor tour performances. Senior players have been removed from the squad for the final Test match. Former bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes the board has lost confidence in the current team. He stressed the need to protect the careers of younger fast bowlers. The board is now focusing on developing a new generation of players for the future.

At Monza, Charles Leclerc experienced a severe crash that halted the race with a red flag, disrupting Ferrari's home grand prix. Fortunately, he emerged from his wrecked car unscathed. After a restart led by George Russell, Kimi Antonelli impressively raced to victory from a lower starting position, while Lewis Hamilton secured sixth place for Ferrari, rounding off their efforts in the race.

Seven players, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were asked to take charge of the red-ball team, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel and also stepped away from his batting consultant role at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana delivered a dramatic send-off to Shafali Verma after claiming her wicket, but India's response was decisive as they easily chased down a lacking total of fifty-five runs. Despite Fatima's stellar effort of taking three wickets amid a batting downfall for Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership secured India a convincing seven-wicket win, reinforcing their supremacy in the ongoing T20 Asia Cup tournament.

Opening the innings alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sooryavanshi gave East Zone a fiery start in the first session. The pair continued the good partnership they had built during the knockout matches and helped their team settle quickly.

In a crushing defeat, Pakistan's women faced a historic batting collapse against India in the Women's Asia Cup, recording their lowest T20I score. Despite this setback, mentor Wahab Riaz remains optimistic about the squad's future potential, citing necessary changes for upcoming tournaments. To move forward in the competition, Pakistan must secure a victory against Hong Kong.

Russias No. 1 chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has two tattoos. Both carry different stories. His left-arm full sleeve took eight sessions over eight months, with flights from Moscow to Munich to meet his tattoo artist. From a phoenix and a favourite quote to Greek mythology, chess pieces and the pain involved, Nepo opens up about the stories behind his ink.