The FIFA World Cup has always been a tournament of footballing eras. The 2026 edition may be the first to stage two of them at once. Lamine Yamal for Spain and Lionel Messi for Argentina. (AP Photos, Imagn pictures) This is already the biggest World Cup ever conceived: 48 teams, 104 matches and 1,248 players…
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar (ANI Photo) Sunil Gavaskar has strongly defended the IPL and the BCCI amid renewed criticism from former players and commentators over the growing influence of franchise cricket on the international calendar.The debate intensified during and after the 2026 IPL season, particularly in England, where concerns were raised about players prioritising…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: SLC) NEW DELHI: After a spectacular IPL 2026 campaign, the focus quickly shifted to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and was expected he will continue his six-hitting spree in the India A tri-nation one-day series in Sri Lanka. However, things did not go according to plan for the young batting sensation in his…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup referee, Omar Artan, from Somalia, who was denied entry to the US, received a massive welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday. A crowd of supporters and officials gathered to welcome him, and he also revealed that he planned to be at the next World Cup. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan is…
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Welcome to our live coverage of a blockbuster Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up clash as India Women take on England Women in a high-profile encounter. With the tournament just around the corner, both teams will view this match as a valuable opportunity to sharpen their strategies and finalise combinations. India…
MUMBAI: Fresh from an impressive Test debut against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar is set for his first stint in county cricket after signing a short-term deal with Warwickshire.The 23-year-old made an immediate impact in his maiden Test, returning match figures of seven for 62 — including six for 33 in…
Jemimah Rodrigues (AP Photo) India batter Jemimah Rodrigues has revealed how a timely message from cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar helped her stay grounded after one of the biggest moments of her career.Rodrigues played a match-winning unbeaten 127 against Australia in the Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal last year, helping India beat the dominant side and…
Kuldeep Yadav (Photo by @BCCI on X) TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: On the eve of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir categorically stated that one of Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey would be the fourth spinner for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, scheduled for August this year.Suthar, who eventually got…
Referee Omar Artan, center, of Somalia (AP Photo) Somalian referee Omar Artan received an emotional welcome on Wednesday after returning to Mogadishu, days after being denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.Artan had been on course to make history as the first referee from Somalia to…
For nearly two decades, football has revolved around Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Now comes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will see Messi headlining Argentina’s title defence. Meanwhile, Ronaldo will be looking to get the elusive trophy in his final attempt. There is a chance that…
