Fans are so confident of India retaining the ICC World T20 title that that they would like March 8 (the day of the final) to be added to the list of special days in March as 'Indian cricket's double-triumph day'.
Retiring England women's cricket icons, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were paid a heartfelt tribute by the Indian cricket team after the historic one-off Women's Test at Lord's on Monday.
Here's a rundown on the leading run-getters and the ones with best strike rates in the T20 showpiece.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a U-19 World Cup champion, is now focused on securing an IPL title with the Rajasthan Royals, highlighting his journey from a young prodigy to a key player in the upcoming season.
'From the heartbreak of 2005 to the fight of 2017, every tear, every sacrifice, every young girl who picked up a bat believing we belong here, it all led to this moment.'
Defending champions India look to do something they have never done in World Cups and retain the trophy.
India appear well set for T20 World Cup title defence, feels former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and former Juventus manager, has reportedly been appointed as the new head coach of the Italian national football team on a four-year deal.
Lionel Messi made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, while Spain's Lamine Yamal became the third-youngest player ever to start the tournament's showpiece match, highlighting a generational clash.
Kapil Dev believes the Indian team management should continue to support Abhishek Sharma for the T20 World Cup final, despite his inconsistent performance in the tournament. He also praised Bumrah and Samson for their key contributions.
T20 World Cups have seen some explosive batting, with a few players etching their names in history by scoring centuries. Here's a look at T20 World Cup centurions over the years.
Tensions have emerged within Pakistan cricket after Shadab Khan's response to criticism following the team's defeat to India in the T20 World Cup. His remarks have drawn criticism from former players and prompted a response from the PCB and Shahid Afridi.
Lionel Messi is aiming for the Golden Boot and a record third Golden Ball at the World Cup final against Spain.
It takes a lot of mental strength to play in front of nearly 100,000 people in Ahmedabad. Even the bravest can succumb to the tension.
The end of coach Didier Deschamps' Midas-like reign turned into a Tantalus torment as France suffered a comprehensive World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain before losing 6-4 to England in a wild third-place playoff, but those disappointments will not tarnish his legacy.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj shared an emotional tribute to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal's exit from the FIFA World Cup. Siraj, a long-time admirer, stated that Ronaldo's greatness transcends a single game and thanked him for inspiring millions globally, including himself, often using Ronaldo's mindset and celebration as motivation.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring two goals. His performance was overshadowed by a viral post-match moment where he appeared to ignore a question about Lionel Messi. Ronaldo also made history by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups and surpassed Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament.
India hosts the event from a position of unprecedented strength with a string of titles under its belt.
Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian football star, has announced his retirement from international football following Algeria's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 by Switzerland. Mahrez confirmed his decision after Algeria's 2-0 defeat, concluding a distinguished career with 119 appearances, 40 goals, and 45 assists, including a pivotal role in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson drew parallels between cricket and tennis legends, comparing MS Dhoni to Roger Federer and Virat Kohli to Carlos Alcaraz. He also reflected on India's recent T20 World Cup victory, crediting the women's team for inspiring the men, and discussed the challenge posed by Australia. Former tennis player Rohan Bopanna shared his Wimbledon predictions and memories.
Lionel Messi has become the most prolific scorer in World Cup history, netting two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. This achievement, which saw him surpass Brazilian great Marta's record of 17 goals, also secured Argentina's place in the knockout stage with a game to spare. Despite missing a penalty, Messi expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and the crucial win.
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to retire from international football in September, with speculation suggesting his final match will be Portugal's UEFA Nations League fixture against Wales.
Sachin Tendulkar attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, where he shared a heartfelt memory from India's 2011 World Cup triumph.
Lionel Messi experienced an emotional rollercoaster in Argentina's World Cup last-16 tie against Egypt, missing a penalty but ultimately scoring a vital late equaliser to save his team's World Cup dream after being two goals down.
Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have paid heartfelt tributes to the late West Indies icon Sir Garfield Sobers, remembering his unparalleled legacy and personal interactions. Both stars expressed their sorrow and highlighted Sobers' immense contribution to the sport, inspiring generations of cricketers.
Former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel, and Aakash Chopra extended their birthday greetings to former India captain MS Dhoni as he turned 45. They lauded his inspiring journey from a ticket collector to a trophy-winning captain, highlighting his legacy beyond records and his impact on an entire era of cricket.
The fourth season of the Global Chess League will feature Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen's return and Indian FIDE Women's World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh's debut.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar hailed Sanju Samson after his match-winning knock powered India to a five-wicket victory in the must-win match against West Indies in the T20 World Cup.
The South Africans had only recently wiped away their reputation of being chokers. Finn Allen got them to choke again.
Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan are representatives of a new generation, unfazed by pace, bounce, or any bowler.
Cricket legend Kapil Dev has urged fans to celebrate Rohit Sharma's illustrious career and the joy he has brought to the sport, rather than feel sad about his eventual retirement. Dev's comments come amidst speculation about Sharma's future in international cricket.
England's Jos Buttler expresses frustration with his T20 World Cup form but remains committed to aggressive batting. Despite achieving milestones, he seeks to convert starts into significant contributions.
'But looking at our current performance, I'm confident that a medal in the World Cup is not far off.'
The FIDE World Cup for chess will be held between October 30 and November 27, 2025.
If Wednesday's World Cup match marked the last time Guillermo Ochoa appears in Mexico colours, the 40-year-old goalkeeper could not have wished for a better send-off.
'Bernard Julien was one of the quiet legends of the 1975 World Cup, a tournament that fifty years ago brought this region joy like no other as the West Indies lifted the first men's world title in the history of the game.'
The Women in Blue did more than just win a trophy -- they proved that hard work, and believing in themselves, can turn failure into success.
Before Diego Maradona's famous blue shirt became a $9.28 million auction item, it may have had a humbler beginning in Tepito, Mexico City's market district.
Former India coach Stephen Constantine shares his views on Lionel Messi, ranking him below Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho due to his reliance on teammates for defensive work. He also predicts Spain will win the upcoming final against Argentina, despite acknowledging Argentina's experience and Messi's match-winning ability. Constantine further discusses England's semi-final exit and criticises hydration breaks and refereeing controversies.
Indian cricketers Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma reveal the personal motivations and legendary advice that helped them perform under pressure during their maiden ODI World Cup title win last year.
