India-Pakistan matches were never meant to be predictable -- it was meant to be unforgettable, notes K R Nayar.
Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver, securing the country's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory and moving top of Group G.
A post-mortem report for the 15 victims of the Lucknow Aliganj fire revealed that they died from suffocation due to smoke inhalation, not major burn injuries. Doctors found soot in nasal passages and swelling around faces, indicating heavy smoke exposure. The tragedy has led to a high-level probe, arrests, and a directive for fire safety inspections across Uttar Pradesh.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is optimistic of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz to be fit to play in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15.
Karnataka's G Sindhushree, an unheralded pole vaulter, achieved a new national record of 4.25m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. This performance not only secured her a gold medal but also a spot in the Asian Games. Overcoming personal hardships, Sindhushree dedicated her achievement to her late father. The event also saw other athletes like Animesh Kujur, Harshita Bhadra, Manpreet Kaur, Gowthami Jayaraman, Mohammed Afsal, and N Thowfeeq qualify for the Asian Games in various disciplines.
Ishan Kishan has all the requisite skills to be a successful Test batter but unfortunately the Indian red ball squad doesn't have any place for him, former skipper and ex-selection committee chairman Krishnamachari Srikkanth said.
Jagdish Suthar, a retired Physical Education teacher from Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, had travelled all the way to Mullanpur with his family to watch his elder child Manav make his Test debut for India but left for home without watching his son's on-field exploits on second day of the match against Afghanistan on Sunday.
Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz credited India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his technical inputs after smashing a 51-ball 102 in the rain-hit first One-Day International.
The Netherlands secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden in a World Cup match, with Brian Brobbey scoring an early double and Cody Gakpo adding two more in the second half. Crysencio Summerville sealed the rout with a late goal, despite Anthony Elanga pulling one back for Sweden. This win places the Netherlands at the top of Group F.
Rohit Sharma remains an important member of the Indian ODI team not just for his batting but also for his leadership abilities, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said.
'It's not OK to get physical on the field, whatever the provocation'.
A passenger in Lucknow allegedly caused a false bomb alert on a train at Aishbagh station because he couldn't find a seat. The hoax triggered panic and a multi-agency security check, but no suspicious objects were found. The accused, Saini Jackie, has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings are underway.
A special court in Mumbai has denied bail to a cricket coach accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old trainee, citing the gravity of the offence and the risk of him re-offending or absconding.
Curacao and Cape Verde, two of the smallest nations globally, have achieved an unprecedented feat by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
The Sports Ministry has introduced stricter guidelines for selecting coaches for India's Asian Games contingent, prioritising demonstrable contribution and regular association with athletes to manage the increasing number of requests.
Ten-man Paraguay secured a vital 1-0 victory over Turkey in a dramatic World Cup Group D match, breathing new life into their campaign while condemning Turkey to an early exit.
Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut has opened online registrations for its 2026-27 academic session, offering new undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes in sports, including direct admission for elite athletes and a 10% reservation for outstanding sportspersons.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returned to his natural game to produce a match-winning performance against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Sunday.
Competing at last year's World Championships with a back injury was not a good decision, conceded seasoned Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra before assuring that he "feels fit" as he gears up for a delayed start to his season at the Doha Diamond League on Friday.
Brazil is facing significant defensive challenges, particularly at right-back, ahead of their World Cup opener against Morocco.
Dinesh Lad, the formative coach of former India captain Rohit Sharma, believes the batter should ignore critics questioning his fitness and form, and simply enjoy his game to return stronger in his favourite World Cup format next year.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar excelling on his Test debut is a testament to the robust structure that BCCI has created for talent identification, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Monday after the home team trounced Afghanistan inside three days in Mullanpur.
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves in the 0-0 draw with Ecuador -- the most in a 90-minute match in the World Cup history.
Goalless Turkey were ousted from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after losses to Australia and Paraguay in Group D, thwarted by poor finishing and a staunch opposition defence.
India will look to seal the ODI series against Afghanistan while continuing to test combinations for the 2027 World Cup, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal among those pushing for opportunities in the second match.
Talismanic Mohamed Salah scores twice to help Egypt rally to 3-1 win over New Zealand on Sunday.
Young Indian batsman Sai Sudharsan discusses how head coach Gautam Gambhir's confidence has given him the freedom to perform, leading to an impressive 81 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. He also shared insights on batting with KL Rahul and strategies for playing spin on the evolving Mullanpur pitch, which he expects to offer more turn and become slower.
Skipper Shubman Gill on Saturday hoped that "phenomenal" Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue to churn out big performances to keep himself in contention in India's ODI scheme of things.
Canada achieved their first-ever World Cup finals victory, thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick. The win boosts Canada's chances in Group B, despite an injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to significantly increase match fees and monthly retainers for centrally contracted players, particularly those in the red ball Track A category, for the 2026/27 cycle. The new contracts also introduce format-based categories and substantial bonuses for winning ICC and Asia Cup events.
Kerala Blasters have appointed Ashley Westwood as their new head coach until the end of the current Indian Super League season, replacing David Catala.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the decision to replace Rishabh Pant with KL Rahul as Test vice-captain, emphasising the importance of game awareness and reassuring that Pant remains a key figure despite the leadership change.
A man was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a women's coach of a train at Danapur railway station in Bihar. The body was discovered after the train arrived from Pune, and staff found the coach locked from the inside. Police are investigating the incident and working to identify the deceased.
Carlos Ancelotti's Brazil commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against plucky Morocco, who come into the mega event on the back of some pre-tournament turbulence.
The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.
The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.
A 17-year-old JEE aspirant, Aryan Ojha, was found dead by suicide in his Kota hostel room, marking the sixth such incident in the coaching hub this year. Police are investigating the case, and no suicide note was found.
Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is playing too many horizontal shots and throwing his wickets away, according to his formative coach Devender Sharma, who has advised him to play more vertical and more on the off-side.
