Top Trending Sports News & Highlights
Gautam Gambhirs Serious Pre-IPL 2024 Message To KKR
Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, which begins on March 22, Kolkata Knight Riders coach Gautam Gambhir had a direct message for his team. During a Star Sports conversation, Gambhir clarified that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a fantastic chance for young players to demonstrate their abilities in the "toughest league in the world," not about Bollywood or the post-match celebrations. The former Indian batter, who captained KKR to the IPL title in 2012 and 2014, added that since the league is most similar to international cricket, there is extra pressure on players and teams to perform well. "I stated unequivocally on Day 1 that I take the Indian Premier League seriously. It has nothing to do with Bollywood, you, the after-party, or other such things. It's about getting out there and playing competitive cricket, which is why I think this league is the hardest in the world because it's authentic cricket," stated Gambhir. "It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket field," he stated. Gambhir stated that the players must put in a lot of effort for the team's ardent fan base after KKR finished seventh in the previous season and missed out on the play-offs. "I believe there are ardent supporters. We must tell them the truth. We should probably try to put a smile on their faces because, in my opinion, Kolkata fans have been the most devoted because they have endured a lot over the first three IPL seasons," Gambhir remarked.
Published 04 Mar 2024 05:55 PM
Indian Boxers Renew Effort To Win Italys Spot in the Paris Olympics 2024
The 1st World Qualification Tournament, which begins in Busto Arsizio, Italy on Sunday, will feature nine Indian boxers vying for spots at the Paris Olympics, including the seasoned Shiva Thapa, Deepak Bhoria, and Nishant Dev. At the qualifiers run by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU), an ad hoc body established by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, seven men and two women from India will be vying for Olympic berths. If a boxer advances to the semifinals, they will automatically be guaranteed a ticket to Paris. The tournament has 49 quota spots available.In the women's 60kg division, however, only three spots are available, so the Olympic berths will be determined by a box-off between the losing semifinalists. While a number of boxers have already secured quota spots through their respective continental events, there are a number of elite fighters who will be eager to complete the deal in Italy this month. These fighters include Yuberjen Martinez of Colombia and Tomoya Tsuboi of Japan in the men's 51kg division, Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan as the current 57kg world champion, and Yoel Finol of Venezuela, the Olympic silver medallist.Over the past year, Bhoria and Dev have become formidable competitors in their respective weight classes. Hussamudin, a two-time bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games, will be competing again for the first time since the world championships last year after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Sanjeet (92kg), the former Asian champion, and Thapa (63.5kg), the six-time medallist, will be highly anticipated. Narender Berwal, a 92 kg super heavyweight boxer, is another serious contender. At the Asian Games, the first qualifying bout for the boxers on the continent, he was the closest of all the Indian male boxers to securing a quota.Jaismine Lamboria, a woman, will face difficulty in the women's 60kg division. Simranjit Kaur gave her fierce competition during the nationals in December, so the bronze medallist in the CWG will need to step it up if she wants to have a good result. Ankushita Boro, a former youth world champion at 66 kg, has been given an opportunity to face Arundhati Choudhary, who defeated the Assamese boxer in the national championship match in December.Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (50 kg), bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) from the Tokyo Olympics, Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Parveen Hooda (57 kg), and Nikhat Zareen (50 kg) have already booked their tickets to Paris. However, boxers still have a chance to qualify for the Paris Games because there will be one more qualifying event in Thailand in May or June.
Published 02 Mar 2024 06:25 PM
A Look Into The Numbers: Steve Smith: Is The "Best Since Bradman" On Decline
During the first Test match against New Zealand in Wellington, star Australian batter Steve Smith continued his downward spiral as an opening batsman. He was removed by Matt Henry for 31 in 71 balls during the first Test, and Kiwi captain Tim Southee later dismissed him for a three-ball duck in the second inning. Smith's lean run, which began right at the beginning of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, has been further enhanced by this. Smith has scored 12, 11*, 6, 91*, 31, and 0 since the opening, for a total of 151 runs at an average of 37.75 in six innings. Even with such a small sample size, Smith hasn't exactly had his best opening performance. Regarding his total test results since the beginning of the WTC cycle 2023–25, they have been comparatively lackluster for someone who is widely regarded as the standard by which excellence and consistency in tests are measured. Smith has scored only 718 runs at an average of 37.78 across 22 innings in 11 Tests played under the new cycle, with just one century and four fifties. His highest rating is 110.Usman Khawaja (916 runs in 11 matches at an average of 43.61), Zak Crawley of England (808 runs in nine matches at an average of 47.52), and most recently Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opening sensation from India (971 runs in eight Tests at an average of 69.35), have all scored more runs than him, even though he is still the fourth-highest run scorer in the current cycle.Smith hasn't been able to sustain most of his excellent starts during this time, frequently faltering in his 30s and 40s or failing to reach a century without reaching a half-century. Additionally, Smith's strike rate over this entire period has been 50.42, which is less than his career strike rate of 53.54. His average has also suffered, dropping from 60.04 to 57.52 shortly after he hit the game-winning century against India in the ICC World Test Championship final.
Published 02 Mar 2024 06:16 PM
Ranchi Test Star To Jammu Tearaway: BCCI List For Quick-Bowling Contracts
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has awarded retainership contracts to a select group of rising Indian speedsters, including highly-rated Karnataka pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, Bengal speedster Akash Deep, who made his Test debut in Ranchi during the current red-ball series against England, and tearaway Umran Malik. As part of a carefully selected group for fast bowling contracts, the BCCI on Wednesday selected promising speedsters Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa. Cricket's highest governing body, the BCCI, announced in an official statement on Wednesday that "the Selection Committee has also recommended Fast Bowling contracts for the following athletes - Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa." Umran Malik made his limited-overs debut for India after he lit up the speedometer during his breakout season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, reaching speeds of more than 150 kmph. But Umran lost favour with the national selectors after posting mediocre results in his limited-overs cricket career for India. In the current Ranji season, the 24-year-old Jammu boy has struggled, taking just four wickets in five games for Jammu and Kashmir.
Published 01 Mar 2024 10:36 AM
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When David Warner plays Pakistan in his final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, everything revolves around him
When David Warner plays Pakistan in his final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, everything revolves around him.Warner has contributed to the build-up to what is essentially a game in which Australia has already secured the three-test series with wins in Perth and Melbourne. At the SCG, the visitors still have something to aim for because Pakistan last defeated Australia in a test match back in 1985.At a press conference on New Year's Day, Warner declared that one-day internationals will now be included on his retirement list. However, in true Warner manner, he stated that if requested, he will return for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. With HT, close off the previous year and get ready for 2024! Go here to go there. Following Australia's recent World Cup victory in India, when he led the winning team in runs scored, he stated that the time had come to call it a day for his ODI career to end. At least until the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean in June, Warner will keep playing Twenty20 cricket for Australia. "I was extremely at ease with the (ODI) decision," Warner, 37, stated to the Australian Associated Press. "To prevail in
Sports World, January 2, 2024: As It Happened: India U-19 Thunderbolt South Africa
Additionally, with the January transfer market being open, Kylian Mbappe's future at Paris Saint-Germain is still uncertain as he is free to meet with other teams. What transpired in the world of sports on Tuesday, January 2, 2024Now that New Year's Day has passed, athletic activity is intensifying. Prior to the second Test match between South Africa and India in Cape Town, the Indian men's cricket squad faced the media. After winning the third and final ODI match against India, the Australian women's cricket team solidified their triumph in the ODI series and carried that success into the New Year. In the meantime, the India U-19 team defeated South Africa in a World Cup practice match. Here is a summary of everything that happened in sports on January 2, 2024. (football news | cricket news)9:00 p.m.: India U-19 wins decisively The India U-19 men's cricket team defeated South Africa in their U-19 Tri-Nation Series, which will act as a qualifier for the next U-19 World Cup, thanks in part to Arshin Kulkarni's 91 off 106 balls. With four wickets in 46.1 overs, Aaradhya Shukla was the standout bowler for India as they restricted South Africa to 240 runs. After that, India reached the target with just three wickets lost, with to the scores of 50 and above shared by Adarsh Singh and Aravelly Rao with Kulkarni.8 p.m.: India Goes All Out! In the 33rd over, India's dismal batting display has come to an end, as Deepti Sharma is the only player left standing after an Australian thrashing. Australia would not allow their standards to slip after winning the series the last time around. Against a target of 339, the Aussies brought the whole Indian squad back to the pavilion for a mere 148 runs, with three wickets taken by Georgia Wareham. Smriti Mandhana scored the most runs for India with 29, followed by Jemimah Rodrigues and the undefeated Sharma with 25 apiece. Consequently, Australia won the series 3-0 after defeating India by 190 runs.
PKL 2024: Ashu guides Dabang Delhi past Gujarat Giants, 35-28.
In the Pro Kabaddi League here on Tuesday, Dabang Delhi defeated Gujarat Giants 35–28 to extend their winning run to four games. Manjeet secured nine raid points, but stand-in captain Ashu Malik emerged as Delhi's standout performer with a Super 10.Delhi got off to a fast start, leading 4-0 until Rakesh HS's outstanding multi-point raid helped Gujarat get back into the game. Look at this Pro Kabaddi League 2024 point chart. Parteek Dahiya also devised a two-point raid right away, which left Delhi down to just a defender and caused chaos.Soon after, Gujarat led 11–9 as Delhi went into a 'All Out' while without its captain Naveen Kumar. Gujarat captain Fazel Atrachali achieved an incredible feat during the half, leading his team 16–14. He trapped Ashu in one of his signature ankle holds and hit the 450-tackle points milestone. In the meantime, Ashu took over at the half as Manjeet of Delhi gave his squad a flying start. Gujarat was having trouble, so Ashu outwitted four defenders in a few of raids, including Fazel. Delhi was leading 28–24 as he made a tackle on Sonu Jaglan to put his team ahead and then went for the 'All Out'.In the final five minutes, both teams traded awards, but Delhi's advantage proved too great for Gujarat to overcome. Delhi pulled off a valiant comeback victory as Ashu completed his Super 10 by outlasting Fazel once more on his penultimate raid. With this victory, Delhi moves up to third place on the points table, while Gujarat maintains their second-place ranking.
Rafael Nadal Prepares for Brisbane Round of 32 Match ICC Announces T20I Cricketer of the Year Nominees
In cricket, the second Test of India's visit of South Africa was played; in the two-game series, South Africa led 1-0. Australia, who had already won the series, played Pakistan in the same style elsewhere. In his last Test match as an Australian, David Warner started to bat, getting ready to call it a day on an incredible career. One of the four contenders for ICC Men's T20I Cricket Player of the Year is Suryakumar Yadav. In the meantime, preparations were underway for the other major tournaments of the month, which included the Australian Open, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the AFC Asian Cup. This is a brief summary of the news and athletic events from January 3, 2024.McIlroy Open To Play LIV Golf at 10:00 p.m. The second-best player in the world right now, Rory McIlroy, stated, "I would love for LIV to become the IPL of golf." "They require two calendar months. You go and carry out this teamwork, which is a little bit different in format. "If they were to do something like that I would say 'yeah that sounds like fun' because you are working within the ecosystem." Previously, McIlroy had been adamantly against the Saudi Arabian-backed project.
Lot To Do With Pitch: An Ex-Indian Stars Unambiguous Opinion On 23-Wicket Day
There are obviously going to be questions when 23 wickets fall in one day in a Test match—just two short of the all-time record. There must be something more going on than just bad batting or excellent bowling. There will be additional questions if those 23 wickets are lost on the opening day of a Test. That is the situation following Wednesday's first day of the second Test between South Africa and India in Cape Town.First, the Indian cricket team was dismissed for 153, and then South Africa was all out for just 55. With 62/3, South Africa concluded the day. 23 wickets fell in total. The greatest number of wickets lost on the first day of a test is 25, which occurred in an Ashes test in 1902. When asked why such a dramatic day transpired, former Indian cricket team player Sanjay Manjrekar gave a very basic response. "The pitch plays a big part in it. It is somewhat related to modern batting. Perhaps they shouldn't be concentrating on defenses, which makes sense given that Test cricket is currently the third format in terms of importance.
NBA Player Props - Evaluation and Forecast
See which NBA players are the best prop bettors to take under or above the given point total in this article. "Basketball Sphere" gives all of its readers daily forecasts for the games that are happening today.In case this is your first time reading our analysis, let us clarify that we provide our readers with a free "Acca of the Day" every day.Karl-Anthony Towns is having trouble maintaining a steady form. He occasionally performs at his level, but he has struggled and been unable to establish a consistent rhythm for the majority of the season.The New Orleans Pelicans will be hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. This squad appears to have a great defensive record, which is essential to their success—especially while playing in front of their home crowd. The tempo of play is a little slower for both teams. This means that there should be fewer possessions and points in the game. It is obvious that he will face a difficult task in securing a favorable match when taking this into account along with the Dominican player's performance.
Brisbane International semifinal pairing features Yuki Bhambri and Robin Haase.
On Friday, Yuki Bhambri of India and his Dutch partner Robin Haase advanced to the Brisbane International ATP Tour semifinals after defeating Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow of the United States in straight sets.In an hour and thirty-six minutes, the eighth-seeded Indo-Dutch team prevailed 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) in the quarterfinal encounter. In the semifinals, the Bhambri-Haase team will play the second-seeded English players Lloyd Glasspool and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands.Along with South African Lloyd Harris, the 31-year-old Bhambri of New Delhi took home his first ATP trophy at the Mallorca Championships doubles event last year.
January 5th, India TV Sports Wrap: Today's top 10 popular news articles
Sports Wrap-Up for India TV on January 5: Here are the top 10 trending sports news articles and the most recent events from the world of sports on January 5, including everything from the football action to the cricket circuit. The Indian women's cricket team is ready to play Australia in the opening game of the three-match T20I series at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai after losing the ODI series despite having a clean sweep. Conversely, as they are ready to play Adelaide Strikers in their home ground, Perth Scorchers aim to continue their winning run in the ongoing Big Bash League. That and a lot more are covered in today's sports wrap.
To stay ahead, Srihari LR upsets GM Savchenko.
In the ninth round of the Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament on Saturday, Russian GM Boris Savchenko was defeated by talented Indian youngster Srihari LR, who also holds a Grandmaster norm. This victory extended his impressive streak.Srihari traded his rook for a knight in an exciting game that saw him tear apart Savchenko's kingside. Savchenko gave up on the 42nd move after suffering a significant loss of reinforcement on the board.Now that he is in the championship match, Srihari will take on Belarusian GM Alexei Fedorov on Sunday in the final round. Vietnamese Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa, with 7.5 points, is second behind Srihari. Ten players, including Laxman RR of India, Nithin Babu, Abhishek Kelkar, Aakash G, Vijay Shreeram P, and Pawar Harshit, shared third place with 7.0 points.GM Savchenko is upset by Srihari LR to keep his advantage at the top. CHENNAI: In the ninth round of the Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess competition here on Saturday, talented Indian youngster Srihari LR, who also holds a Grandmaster norm, extended his impressive run by defeating Russian GM Boris Savchenko.
Mirabai Chanu is a legendary weightlifter who assists colleagues in winning gold.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has hardly yet set foot on a podium. One of such endeavours is no longer the Commonwealth Games. Under the watchful eye of the great Kunjarani Devi, a modest teenager came in Glasgow in 2014 and won a silver medal. Twelve years later, with medals from the Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games already in her cabinet, she returned to the same city as one of India's most accomplished athletes.It was expected that she would win the CWG gold medal for the third time in a row. She finished 22 kg ahead of the silver medallist, lifting 190 kg even when she wasn't performing at her best. Beyond the numbers, though, she showed a side that is rarely seen: she was using her words to boost the spirits of her countrymen rather than lifting weights. Mirabai became a vital component of India's support network with head coach Vijay Sharma. It was expected that she would win the CWG gold medal for the third time in a row. She finished 22 kg ahead of the silver medallist, lifting 190 kg even when she wasn't performing at her best. Beyond the numbers, though, she showed a side that is rarely seen: she was using her words to boost the spirits of her countrymen rather than lifting weights. Mirabai became a vital component of India's support network with head coach Vijay Sharma. She gave an explanation of why that mentorship position has come naturally to her after her return to India on Sunday.
Narak se swarag is the story of how one family transformed misery into a gold medal from the Commonwealth
Sharmila Dhankar’s journey to winning a gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games is one of the most inspiring sports stories of the year. Her life was filled with pain, struggle, and hardship long before she became a champion. In 2012, she was thrown out of her home by her first husband, who was addicted to drugs. Left on the road with her two young daughters, she had no place to go until her parents took her back. Even after facing such humiliation and emotional trauma, Sharmila refused to give up. Instead of letting those painful memories define her future, she chose to fight back with courage and determination. Her victory in Glasgow, where she won India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in para athletics in the women's F57 shot put event, became a symbol of hope for countless women who are fighting difficult battles in their own lives. The biggest turning point in Sharmila's life came after she remarried Ajit Singh in 2018. Ajit believed in her talent when very few others did. He encouraged her to take up sports, first introducing her to kabaddi before guiding her towards para athletics under coach Tek Chand. To support her dream, Ajit even left his own job and took loans so that Sharmila and her daughters could continue training without financial worries. He described his mission as turning "narak se swarag"—from hell to heaven—for his family. Sharmila's mother also played an unforgettable role by selling part of the family's farmland to fund her daughter's training after the death of Sharmila's father. Every medal, every training session, and every achievement came after years of sacrifice made by the entire family, proving that success is often built on love, faith, and unwavering support.Standing on the podium with the gold medal around her neck, Sharmila's victory represented much more than a sporting achievement. It showed that determination can overcome even the darkest moments in life. Her story is not just about winning a competition but about rebuilding a broken life through hard work, courage, and family support. Today, Sharmila is an inspiration for athletes across India and for every person who has faced setbacks but continues to dream. Her message to women is simple yet powerful: never accept abuse, never stop believing in yourself, and keep fighting until your struggles become your greatest strength. Her remarkable journey reminds everyone that true champions are not only made on the field but also through the challenges they overcome in life.
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Mirabai Chanu won weightliftings first gold for India.
India celebrated a proud sporting moment as Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won the country's first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Competing in the women's 48kg weightlifting event, Chanu delivered another outstanding performance to finish at the top of the podium. Her victory gave India a perfect start to its gold medal tally and once again highlighted her consistency on the international stage.The win was even more special because it marked Mirabai Chanu's third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, following her successes at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. With this achievement, she became the first Indian weightlifter to win three straight Commonwealth Games gold medals. Her calm approach, technical excellence, and determination helped her dominate the competition and strengthen her place among India's greatest athletes.After the event, Mirabai shared that the journey to the gold was far from easy. She revealed that she had made major sacrifices to stay within her weight category, including going without proper food for several days before the competition. Her comments gave fans a glimpse into the discipline and hard work required to compete at the highest level. The emotional victory reflected not only her talent but also her dedication and fighting spirit.Mirabai Chanu's latest success has inspired sports lovers across India and boosted the confidence of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games. Messages of congratulations poured in from across the country as fans celebrated another memorable achievement by one of India's most respected sportspersons. Her gold medal is expected to motivate the rest of the Indian team and inspire young athletes to dream big through hard work and perseverance.
Without using force, Lovlina Borgohain guaranteed a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Lovlina Borgohain has become the first Indian athlete to secure a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow—even before stepping into the ring. Competing in the women's 75 kg boxing category, Lovlina received a direct entry into the semifinals because the event featured a small number of competitors. Under the tournament format, all semifinalists are guaranteed at least a bronze medal, meaning India has already opened its medal tally without Lovlina having to throw a single punch. The Olympic bronze medallist and 2023 World Champion will now face a boxer from Tuvalu in the semifinal on 31 July. A victory in that bout will guarantee her at least a silver medal and a place in the gold-medal match. Lovlina is considered one of India's strongest boxing hopes, and this early medal assurance has boosted the country's confidence ahead of the rest of the Games. India's early success also highlights the nation's continued strength in boxing at major international events. While the automatic semifinal berth came because of the limited draw size rather than a walkover in competition, Lovlina will still need to win her remaining bouts to upgrade the guaranteed bronze into silver or gold
Criticising Sooryavanshi after just two or three matches is not justified, Raza said.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has supported young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying that people should not judge the teenager too quickly after only a few international appearances. Raza said that criticising a young player after just two or three matches is unfair because adjusting to international cricket takes time and patience. Sooryavanshi, who has attracted huge attention because of his fearless batting style at a very young age, has faced pressure and expectations after making a strong impression in domestic and franchise cricket. Raza believes that young talents need support and guidance rather than immediate criticism when they struggle in the early stages of their careers. Raza praised Sooryavanshi’s ability and potential, describing him as a player who could become a special talent in world cricket. He highlighted that every cricketer goes through difficult phases, and a few low scores do not define a player's future. The Zimbabwe skipper also stressed that international cricket brings different challenges, including pressure, expectations, and tougher opponents. According to him, fans and experts should allow young players enough time to learn, improve their skills, and gain confidence at the highest level. Sooryavanshi has already created headlines with his aggressive batting performances, including impressive displays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. His ability to play attacking cricket has made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers, but Raza believes patience will be important for his long-term growth. Raza’s message reflects a broader view in cricket: young players should be judged on their overall ability and development rather than a small number of matches. He believes Sooryavanshi has the talent to succeed if he receives the right support and continues working on his game.
Rodri: Lionel Messi, the World Cup winner, dodged a policeman like a burglar does
The headline "Rodri: The World Cup-winner Lionel Messi avoided like a thief avoids a policeman" refers to an analysis of how Spanish midfielder Rodri dominated the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Lionel Messi. The phrase is a metaphor, suggesting that Messi deliberately stayed away from Rodri during the match because of Rodri's outstanding defensive positioning and ability to stop attacks. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rodri played a key role in Spain's victory by controlling the midfield, breaking up Argentina's attacks, and limiting Messi's influence throughout the match. Although Rodri did not score a goal or provide an assist during the tournament, his intelligence, positioning, passing, and defensive work made him the most influential player on the field. He was later awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. The article explains that Rodri's impact cannot always be measured by goals or assists. Instead, his calm passing, tactical awareness, and ability to read the game allowed Spain to control possession and prevent Argentina from creating clear chances. Coaches and football experts often describe Rodri as the "traffic controller" of Spain because he dictates the pace of the game and keeps the team organized. His performance in the final was compared to legendary midfielders such as Sergio Busquets. The article also looks back at Rodri's personal journey. As a teenager, he spent time in the United States on a student exchange program, where he continued practicing football despite the sport being less popular among his classmates. He later developed under managers Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola, who helped shape him into one of the world's best midfielders. Winning the World Cup and the Golden Ball has further strengthened Rodri's reputation as one of football's greatest midfielders of his generation.
StatisticsAt Lords, Rohit and Root break records
In the third ODI between India and England at Lord's, both Rohit Sharma and Joe Root created history with remarkable batting performances. The match turned into a record-breaking contest as several individual and team milestones were achieved. Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 138 runs off 110 balls, registering his 34th ODI century. He became the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at Lord's, and his innings is now the highest ODI score by an Indian at the iconic venue. Despite his outstanding knock, India could not complete the chase. Joe Root continued his excellent form by scoring an unbeaten 74 runs, becoming England's leading ODI run-scorer. His innings helped England build a massive total and added another milestone to his already impressive international career. England also set a new record for the highest ODI total at Lord's, scoring 387/3. Opener Ben Duckett made 141 runs, the highest individual ODI score ever recorded at Lord's, while England's opening partnership also entered the record books. Although Rohit Sharma's century kept India in the chase, England won the match by 27 runs and claimed the three-match ODI series 2-1. The game will be remembered for the numerous batting records achieved by both teams at one of cricket's most famous grounds.
How Messi and Argentina unleashed mayhem in a historic comeback victory
Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final, with Lionel Messi once again proving why he remains football's biggest game-changer. The defending champions trailed 1-0 after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute. England then dropped deeper to protect their advantage, but that tactical decision allowed Argentina to dominate possession and push more players forward. The turning point came when Lionel Messi began operating from the right side, pulling England's defenders out of position and creating space in midfield. Instead of focusing on scoring himself, the 39-year-old captain became Argentina's chief playmaker. His vision and passing unlocked England's defence, first setting up Enzo Fernández's equaliser in the 85th minute before delivering another brilliant assist for substitute Lautaro Martínez, who scored the winning goal in stoppage time. Reuters described Messi's display as a masterclass in leadership and creativity, even without finding the net himself. Argentina's relentless pressure exposed England's increasingly defensive approach. Coach Lionel Scaloni encouraged his players to attack with numbers, while England struggled to regain possession after retreating into their own half. Messi's movement, quick passing and ability to slow or speed up the game created confusion across England's back line, allowing Argentina to control the closing stages. The victory sent Argentina into another World Cup final, where they will face Spain. Messi's two assists increased his World Cup record to 12 assists, adding to his remarkable international legacy. Despite not scoring, he was widely praised as the match's outstanding performer for inspiring Argentina's comeback with intelligence, experience and leadership.
Who is this England coach, Thomas Tuchel, who is constantly at odds with his own players
Recent reports have focused on why Thomas Tuchel often appears to be in conflict with his own players. According to several sports analysts, this is not because he dislikes his squad but because he believes public criticism and demanding high standards help players improve. His strict coaching style has followed him throughout his managerial career at clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and now the England national team.The discussion intensified after England's World Cup campaign when midfielder Jude Bellingham reacted with a brief "whatever" after being told about Tuchel's criticism of the team's performance. Tuchel had praised England's fighting spirit but also insisted that the quality of play needed to improve if they wanted to win the World Cup. The exchange sparked debate about whether his tough comments motivate players or create unnecessary tension. Football writers point out that Tuchel has a long history of challenging his players. He regularly demands tactical discipline, hard work, and constant improvement. Former players and coaches say he is extremely detailed in training and is never afraid to point out mistakes, even after victories. While some players have flourished under his methods, others have found his approach demanding and difficult to accept.Despite the headlines, many football experts believe Tuchel's approach has also produced positive results. England has remained competitive under his leadership, and players such as Harry Kane, Elliot Anderson, and Morgan Rogers have received praise for their performances. Tuchel continues to push his squad to reach higher standards rather than simply celebrating wins.As England prepares for the later stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tuchel's management style remains one of the biggest talking points. Supporters are divided over whether his public criticism is the best way to motivate players, but there is little doubt that he demands excellence from everyone in the squad. His ability to balance discipline with player confidence could play a major role in England's chances of lifting the World Cup trophy.
The 10-man USA eliminates Bosnia to go to the round of 16 and maintains the World Cup dream.
Despite playing with ten men in the closing stages following Folarin Balogun's dismissal, the co-hosts defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the World Cup Round of 16 thanks to a spectacular late free-kick from Malik Tillman.Despite playing the last stages with ten men, the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to secure a spot in the round of 16 and keep their World Cup dream alive. Folarin Balogun gave the co-hosts the lead before being sent off, but Malik Tillman's incredible late free kick sealed the victory as the Americans persevered to win the match.The triumph maintains aspirations of matching or surpassing their historic run to the quarterfinals in 2002 alive and advances the Americans to the Round of 16, where Belgium will be waiting in Seattle on July 6.The home fans cheered the co-hosts over the finish line as Matt Freese recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament with three saves. For the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the World Cup knockout stage and got off to a great start. The visitors attempted to grab the lead from an early corner, forcing Freese to make consecutive saves from Ermedin Demirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic.Over time, the Americans became more comfortable with the game and started to control possession. In the 78th minute, Christian Pulisic believed he had broken the impasse, but the attempt was disallowed for offside. Prior to that, in first-half stoppage time, the hosts had finally applied pressure. The ball ricocheted off Tarik Muharemovic and into Balogun's path due to a defensive error. The striker responded fastest, halting, moving onto his left foot, and neatly sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for his third goal of the competition. Shortly after, Balogun slammed Sergino Dest's pass against the crossbar, nearly doubling the lead.Over time, the Americans became more comfortable with the game and started to control possession. In the 78th minute, Christian Pulisic believed he had broken the impasse, but the attempt was disallowed for offside. Prior to that, in first-half stoppage time, the hosts had finally applied pressure. The ball ricocheted off Tarik Muharemovic and into Balogun's path due to a defensive error. The striker responded fastest, halting, moving onto his left foot, and neatly sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for his third goal of the competition. Shortly after, Balogun slammed Sergino Dest's pass against the crossbar, nearly doubling the lead.
The 10 man USA eliminates Bosnia to go to the round of 16 and maintains the World Cup dream.
Despite playing with ten men in the closing stages following Folarin Balogun's dismissal, the co-hosts defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the World Cup Round of 16 thanks to a spectacular late free-kick from Malik Tillman.Despite playing the last stages with ten men, the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to secure a spot in the round of 16 and keep their World Cup dream alive. Folarin Balogun gave the co-hosts the lead before being sent off, but Malik Tillman's incredible late free kick sealed the victory as the Americans persevered to win the match. The triumph maintains aspirations of matching or surpassing their historic run to the quarterfinals in 2002 alive and advances the Americans to the Round of 16, where Belgium will be waiting in Seattle on July 6.The home fans cheered the co-hosts over the finish line as Matt Freese recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament with three saves. For the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the World Cup knockout stage and got off to a great start. The visitors attempted to grab the lead from an early corner, forcing Freese to make consecutive saves from Ermedin Demirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic.Over time, the Americans became more comfortable with the game and started to control possession. In the 78th minute, Christian Pulisic believed he had broken the impasse, but the attempt was disallowed for offside. Prior to that, in first-half stoppage time, the hosts had finally applied pressure. The ball ricocheted off Tarik Muharemovic and into Balogun's path due to a defensive error. The striker responded fastest, halting, moving onto his left foot, and neatly sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for his third goal of the competition. Shortly after, Balogun slammed Sergino Dest's pass against the crossbar, nearly doubling the lead.Over time, the Americans became more comfortable with the game and started to control possession. In the 78th minute, Christian Pulisic believed he had broken the impasse, but the attempt was disallowed for offside. Prior to that, in first-half stoppage time, the hosts had finally applied pressure. The ball ricocheted off Tarik Muharemovic and into Balogun's path due to a defensive error. The striker responded fastest, halting, moving onto his left foot, and neatly sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for his third goal of the competition. Shortly after, Balogun slammed Sergino Dest's pass against the crossbar, nearly doubling the lead.
Ramakrishna Ghoshs injury has been replaced by Macneil Noronha.
Macneil Noronha, an all-rounder from Karnataka who recently won the MA Chidambaram Trophy at the Naman awards for being the highest run-getter in the 2024/25 Colonel CK Nayudu Trophy, will join Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 30 lakh as a replacement for Ramakrishna Ghosh, who injured his right foot during their game against Mumbai Indians on May 3rd and is out for the season. He will not play this season.Macneil Noronha will take Ghosh's place at CSK for INR 30 lakh.Noronha, a Karnataka all-rounder, has won the MA Chidambaram Trophy at the Naman Awards for scoring the most runs in the Colonel CK Nayudu Trophy for 2024–2025. Noronha was called up by the Karnataka team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after an outstanding season, and he played in three games for his state.For the remainder of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, the Chennai Super Kings have selected Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Noronha to replace injured uncapped player Ramakrishna Ghosh.He was called up to Karnataka's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad as a result of his domestic achievements, and he played in three games. Noronha made an impressive 34 off 21 deliveries in his most recent match against Tripura in December 2025. He also contributed a wicket. The move comes after Ghosh was sidelined for the rest of the season due to a right foot injury he sustained during Chennai's match against Mumbai Indians on May 3. Ghosh had just made his eagerly anticipated IPL debut in that match, contributing to Chennai's decisive eight-wicket victory. Introduced into the attack in a high-pressure match, the young player returned figures of 1 for 24 from his three overs, taking the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, who had looked dangerous after reaching 21 off just 12 balls. In that match, Ghosh made his eagerly anticipated IPL debut and contributed to Chennai's convincing eight-wicket victory. The youthful player, who was brought into the attack in a high-stress match, recorded figures of 1 for 24 from his three overs, taking the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, who had appeared dangerous after reaching 21 off only 12 balls.Chennai will be hoping that Noronha will offer valuable depth as they continue to strive for a play-off position in spite of the setback.