Asianet Newsable

Olympic Day 2026: Tinku Roy leads rally in Agartala for sports awareness

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:30:53 +0530

Tripura Sports Minister Tinku Roy on Tuesday participated in the Olympic Day Celebration 2026 held in Agartala, joining a rally aimed at promoting the Olympic spirit and encouraging fitness awareness. The rally commenced from Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan and saw participation from sportspersons, students, coaches, and members of various sports organisations.

Tripura Sports Minister Roy also participated in the Olympic Day Celebration 2026 held in Agartala on Tuesday. Marking the occasion, he joined a rally that commenced from Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan along with sportspersons, students, coaches, and members of various sports organisations. The rally aimed to promote the Olympic spirit and encourage greater awareness about the importance of sports and fitness. Participants marched through different parts of the city carrying banners and placards advocating unity, discipline, and excellence through sports.

Minister Highlights Reforms in Sports Association

Speaking to ANI, Roy said, "The association had long been mired in corruption, because of which our local players were denied opportunities while outsiders played instead. We have finally been relieved of that situation, as the Indian Olympic Association has conducted elections and granted recognition to a newly formed association. The responsibility now lies with people who are truly connected to the sport. Olympian Dipa Karmakar has been appointed as the president..."

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from athletes and sports lovers, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for sports in the state.

The celebration concluded with a call to uphold the values of friendship, respect, and fair competition embodied by the Olympic movement. Dipak Majumder, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), was also present at the event. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Argentina vs Austria Highlights: Messi Magic Leads Argentina To 2-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 Win | Sports

Asianet Newsable English — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:01:03 +0530

Argentina continued their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a confident 2-0 victory over Austria in a thrilling encounter. Lionel Messi and Argentina showcased their class with attacking brilliance, smart game control, and a strong defensive display to secure another important win on the world stage. In this video: 00:00 – Kickoff: Argentina take early control 01:00 – Messi influences attacking play 02:00 – Second half goal seals 2-0 win

Saptak Talwar claims best finish outside India at English Open

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:58 +0530

Saptak Talwar produced his best performance outside India this season, narrowly missing out on a top-10 finish as he ended tied 12th at the English Open on the HotelPlanner Tour. The 27-year-old Indian signed off with a four-under 68 to finish at 10-under-par for the week, just one stroke shy of a share of seventh place after an impressive final-round charge at The Vale Golf Club.

It was Talwar's best finish outside India and his second-best result of the season after finishing runner-up at the DP World PGTI Open in March.

Starting the final day in a share of 24th at six-under, Talwar climbed rapidly up the leaderboard with his strongest round of the tournament. He made five birdies against just one bogey, picking up shots on the second, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th holes. A birdie on the closing 18th would have earned him a place inside the top 10, but he settled for par to finish tied 12th.

Talwar had opened the week with a three-under 69 before adding rounds of 71 and 70 to remain in contention heading into the final round. His closing 68 highlighted an encouraging return to form ahead of the coming weeks on the HotelPlanner Tour.

Catlin Claims Title in Marathon Playoff

The tournament was won by American John Catlin, who claimed his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title after a marathon seven-hole playoff against Norway's Kristian Krogh Johannessen. Catlin carded a bogey-free five-under 67 in the final round, while Johannessen fired a flawless six-under 66 to erase a one-shot overnight deficit. The Norwegian birdied the 16th and 17th holes to draw level after Catlin had held a two-shot advantage through 15 holes. Both players parred the 18th to force a playoff and then matched each other with six consecutive pars before Catlin finally rolled in a birdie on the seventh extra hole to seal victory.

The win was also the Americans' fifth National Open title.

English Open's Illustrious Return

The English Open, which returned to the golfing calendar for the first time in 24 years, featured a distinguished list of former champions, including Colin Montgomerie, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and Darren Clarke, with Catlin now adding his name to that illustrious roll of honour. England's Barclay Brown and Sweden's Per Langfors shared third place at 13-under-par, while Germany's Alexander Knappe and American Jhared Hack finished tied fifth at 12-under. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

‘Poster Boy of Indian Cricket’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s First India Jersey Sparks Social Media Frenzy

Hrishikesh Damodar — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:35:09 +0530

The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received his first Team India jersey ahead of the first T20I of the three-match series against Ireland, starting on June 26. Sooryavanshi was included in India's senior squads for the T20I assignments against Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games 2026.

Sooryavanshi’s fast-track to the Indian senior side is apparently part of the BCCI’s selection committee strategy to infuse fresh, dynamic talent into the T20I setup for the 2028 T20 World Cup and LA Olympics 2028 cycle. Following his stellar and record-breaking IPL season, where he amassed 776 runs and became the youngest Orange Cap winner, the precocious left-hander has firmly established himself as a generational talent.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was recently part of India A in the ODI Tri-Nation Series involving Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, which the Tilak Varma-led side clinched the trophy after defeating Sri Lanka A in the final in Dambulla.

Also Read: 'Temperament is a Choice': Anand Mahindra Hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Knock in IND A vs SL A Final

An Emotional Moment for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might’ve played for India U19 and India A, but receiving the senior national team jersey brought out an entirely different wave of emotion. In a video posted by BCCI on its X handle (formerly Twitter), Sooryavanshi was seen unboxing his maiden Indian jersey, which was delivered by throwdown specialist Raghavendra Dwivedi.

Expressing his overwhelming emotion after receiving his first senior Indian jersey, the 15-year-old stated that he was speechless and deeply emotional, saying it felt like a dream come true milestone, adding that something he had imagined since childhood but never expected so soon.

“Words cannot explain it. The reason I picked up a bat from day one and went to the cricket ground for practice, today that dream was fulfilled. The biggest step towards that journey was completed today,” Sooryavanshi.

“I truly cannot put this feeling into words. I felt like a dream. The moment I saw that T-Shirt, I couldn’t stop smiling. Sometimes, something happens that you never even imagined could happen. And when it finally does, you don’t know how to react. That was exactly how I felt,” he added.

Ladies & GentlemenThe moment the nation has been waiting for has arrived! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in #TeamIndia jersey. Witness this incredibly special moment ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sUUytFMPVw

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s selection to the India squad made him the youngest player to receive a senior national call-up, eclipsing former captain and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s 37-year-old record of being the youngest male cricketer to be selected for the senior Indian team.

A Nation Pins Its Hopes on the Teen Prodigy

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi receiving his first senior Team India jersey was not only his personal achievement, but also the achievement of those who demanded his inclusion for a long time. Fans and cricket enthusiasts on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), expressed unbridled excitement over the 15-year-old taking the next big step in his career.

Taking to his X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts celebrated Sooryavanshi as a generational talent and ‘poster boy’ of Indian cricket, praising his skill, humility, and aggressive style, while hailing his historic rise, emotional jersey moment, and predicting a long, record-breaking future in Indian cricket.

Others simply wished him success and saw it as the beginning of a long, promising international career.

Our boy is ready to rule the sport. https://t.co/mHPWxS8IX1

— Abinash (@abinashp01) June 23, 2026

Super talented Down to earth Honest Aggressive https://t.co/8YMDIyy51t

— Magadh Updates (@magadh_updates) June 23, 2026

I never thought that Sachin Tendulkar's record of being the youngest debutant for Team India will be broken after seeing the competitive nature of our domestic cricket and the IPL.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a special kid and may god protect him from all the evil eyes https://t.co/0GNaPwsVQm

— Abhishek (@vicharabhio) June 23, 2026

Such a beautiful moment of his life. And he's so humble to touch feet of person. May God bless you with happiness and health Vaibhav. ❤️ https://t.co/bCERWidno0

— Prapti Buch (@i_m_prapti) June 23, 2026

Youngest sensation in blue. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready to shine ✨#VaibhavSooryavanshi #TeamIndia https://t.co/8jseLHBkmw

— NeoCric (@ShrashuRishu05) June 23, 2026

So BCCI has officially madr him the poster boy of Indian cricket. He will be taken good care by TM but will be treated like a brand now by BCCI to crack deals with broadcasters and sponsors. #vaibhavsurvanshi https://t.co/47c29EK3X1

— Cricket Vibes_Arjav (@IamArjav) June 23, 2026

You have earned every bit of that jersey brother, wear it with pride & do justice to it❤️ you got millions behind cheering for you.Gonna see a lot of 03- Sooryawanshi over the next 20 years https://t.co/409kWLJ0wW

— Arnav (@TheDrArnav) June 23, 2026

This is it!Vaibav Sooryavanshi in #TeamIndia colours. https://t.co/HXf5IcKr3I

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) June 23, 2026

All the best, young man! A long road awaits, filled with records to break and new ones to create.After witnessing the debut of Sachin Tendulkar, we are now fortunate to witness the debut of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. History in the making once again! https://t.co/FmhxQ0GnXx

— Jyothi (@Jyothi_esl) June 23, 2026

From Dream to Reality: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Steps Up for India - A New Era Begins Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Blue #TeamIndia #INDvENG #INDvIRE https://t.co/IvReIdWg9i

— Rayapudi Dinesh Babu (@DineshRayapudi) June 23, 2026

Unreal player. Unreal moment ⭐️

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 23, 2026

Im not a huge cricket fan, but I am watching cricket now because of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. What an absolute legend!

— Suraj Sahoo (@suraajsahoo) June 23, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to make his international debut in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, which begins on June 26. With millions of eyes on the batting prodigy, the cricketing fraternity waits with bated breath to see if the young sensation can translate his domestic and IPL exploits onto the international stage.

Having already played in overseas conditions in England, Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe with the India U19 team, Vaibhav appears to be well-equipped with challenges of international cricket.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah's ODI Comeback: How Many Matches Has Pacer Missed Since 2023 World Cup Final?

Fit India: Mandaviya cycles in Thiruvananthapuram, promotes health

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:30:23 +0530

Mandaviya Promotes Fitness and Sustainability Through Cycling

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday participated in the 'Cycling by the Sea' event organised from Chacka ITI to Sankumugham Beach as part of the Fit India Movement. The event saw participation from over 250 members of a local cycle club, promoting fitness and sustainable transport.

"The experience of cycling in Thiruvananthapuram has been absolutely fantastic. Over 250 young members of the local cycle club joined us in this. If you want to stay healthy, start cycling; if you want to protect the environment, ride a bicycle to save fuel. Ride a bicycle to reduce pollution," the Union Sports Minister told ANI.

India's Sporting Preparedness

He further highlighted India's sporting preparedness for upcoming global events. Mandaviya added, "Indian athletes are always ready for any upcoming competition. Two major events--the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games--are coming up, and we hope our athletes will deliver outstanding performances."

Celebrating International Olympic Day

Mandaviya extended greetings on International Olympic Day, highlighting the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, while also underscoring India's growing sporting culture under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a post on X, Mandaviya said the day serves as a global reminder of the values that inspire millions across the world through sport. "Happy Olympic Day to everyone! Today, we celebrate the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect that inspire millions across the globe. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, India is witnessing an unprecedented sporting revolution, empowering our athletes and encouraging every citizen to embrace sports as a way of life," Sports Minister Mandaviya wrote.

For those unversed, International Olympic Day is observed worldwide on June 23 to mark the establishment of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the revival of the modern Olympic Games. First introduced in 1948, the day encourages physical fitness, inclusivity, and the Olympic principles of excellence, friendship, and respect.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

“I Was Very Angry” – Calm and Cool Messi’s Cryptic Fury After Shattering FIFA World Cup Record

Vaishnav Akash — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:26:08 +0530

Even the calm and cool Lionel Messi can get angry! The Argentinian captain was furious with himself after missing a penalty during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Austria on Monday night, Indian time. He admitted it himself after the game.

Although he left the field with a smile, Messi said, “There was a moment today when I was very angry. I missed the penalty. I took a very bad shot. Luckily, we were able to recover from that situation. We went ahead and got three very important points.”

Messi misses out on a hat-trick

After scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's first World Cup match against Algeria, Messi came very close to repeating the feat against Austria. But in the 9th minute of the match, he failed to score from the penalty spot. His low shot with his left foot went wide of the goalkeeper's left side.

He finally scored his first goal in the 38th minute and added a second in stoppage time. This took his total World Cup goals to 18, pushing him past former Germany striker Miroslav Klose to become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history. If he had scored that penalty, he would have set another new record with back-to-back hat-tricks, but he missed that chance due to his own mistake.

A bad habit of missing penalties

Nobody questions Messi's skills, but he isn't exactly famous for his penalty kicks. In fact, he has a bit of a habit of missing them. He failed to score from the spot in the 2022 World Cup against Poland. Before that, Messi also missed a penalty in the 2018 World Cup. This means he has now failed to score a penalty in three consecutive World Cups.

Norway vs Senegal FIFA World Cup Highlights: Late Thriller Ends 3-2, Norway Win | Football | Sports

Asianet Newsable English — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:26 +0530

Norway edged past Senegal in a breathtaking FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter, winning 3-2 in a high-intensity thriller. Both teams fought till the final whistle with end-to-end action, stunning goals, and late drama that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the match. In this video: 00:00 – Kickoff: High intensity start from both teams 01:22 – Goal-filled first half chaos 02:40 – Late drama seals Norway’s 3-2 win

Words cannot explain it: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on receiving India jersey

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:31:13 +0530

Rising sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expressed his overwhelming emotions after receiving his India jersey in a BCCI video, calling it a dream moment in his cricketing journey. The 15-year-old reflected on his early days in the sport and said the moment marked a major milestone in his career.

"I mean, words cannot explain it. The reason I picked up a bat from day one and went to the cricket ground for practice, today that dream was fulfilled, and the biggest step in that journey was completed today. I truly cannot put this feeling into words," Sooryavanshi said in a BCCI video, which was shared on X.

He further described the emotional significance of seeing the national jersey for the first time. "It felt just like a dream. The moment I saw that T-shirt, I couldn't stop smiling. Sometimes, something happens that you never even imagined could happen, and when it finally does, you don't know how to react. That was exactly how I felt," the 15-year-old added.

Ladies & Gentlemen The moment the nation has been waiting for has arrived! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in #TeamIndia jersey. Witness this incredibly special moment ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sUUytFMPVw — BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2026

Breaks Sachin Tendulkar's 36-year-old record

The 15-year-old cricketer was named in India's T20I squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games. He then became the youngest-ever player to be picked for the Indian national side, breaking a 36-year-old record held by legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar had made his India debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16, setting a record that stood for a very long time.

Record-breaking innings for India A

On June 21, Sooryavanshi continued his meteoric rise in world cricket with a breathtaking innings of 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest half-century in List A cricket history, during the tri-series final between India A and Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

The 15-year-old opener rewrote the record books by racing to his maiden India A fifty in only 11 deliveries, surpassing the previous List A record of a 12-ball half-century set by Sri Lanka's Kaushalya Weeraratne more than two decades ago. The knock adds another chapter to a remarkable year for the Bihar-born batter, who has rapidly emerged as one of India's brightest young prospects.

Sensational IPL 2026 campaign

Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden national call-up following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, where he amassed 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. His explosive season saw him finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer while smashing a record 72 sixes.

The youngster also swept multiple post-season honours, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes awards.

With India set to play T20I series against Ireland and England in the coming weeks, Sooryavanshi's latest record-breaking display has further strengthened expectations surrounding one of the most exciting talents in world cricket.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Major setback for India as Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of key tours

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:30:49 +0530

Reddy's Injury and Recovery Timeline

According to the report, Reddy initially picked up the injury while bowling in the first ODI in Dharamsala and was subsequently rested for the second match in Lucknow. Although he returned for the final ODI in Chennai, he bowled six overs, conceding 42 runs, after which he reportedly experienced discomfort. The all-rounder will now undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for at least a month, to regain fitness ahead of India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August, for which the schedule is yet to be announced.

Team Impact and Potential Replacements

The development comes as India are already without another key all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who was earlier ruled out of the England and Ireland tour while recovering from a leg injury sustained during a conditioning session at the CoE following IPL 2026. No official timeline has been set for his return.

Possible Inclusions

In the absence of Reddy, players like Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana could be considered as backup options, though both primarily offer single-dimensional skills. Selectors may also look at Suryansh Shedge as a like-for-like replacement after his recent performances for India A in Sri Lanka, where he scored a half-century but had modest returns with the ball.

India's Tour Schedule

India are scheduled to play two T20Is in Ireland on June 26 and 28, followed by a five-match T20I series in England starting July 1, which will be followed by three ODIs. The Ireland fixtures will mark India's first T20Is since their World Cup triumph earlier this year, with Shreyas Iyer set to lead the side in the format. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Yashasvi Jaiswal to Rishabh Pant: 5 Stars Likely to Switch Teams via Trade Ahead of IPL 2027 Season

Hrishikesh Damodar — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:10:16 +0530

Ahead of IPL 2027, major trade talks are heating up with five big players likely to switch franchises. Rumours include a Jaiswal–Pandya swap, Rishabh Pant’s return to Delhi Capitals, and Suryakumar Yadav’s speculated homecoming to KKR in deals.

It has not even been a month since IPL 2026 concluded, yet trade talks have already taken centre stage, with franchises reportedly exploring blockbuster player swaps ahead of the 2027 season.

Certain players hogged the spotlight with their performances in the recently concluded season, but there are others whose futures could be reshaped through potential high-profile trades, especially those who had a disappointing season with their current teams.

Since the pre-auction trading window begins soon, franchises are working around the clock to finalize player availabilities, clear up salary cap space, and negotiate directly with one another before submitting their finalized paperwork for approval.

On that note, let's take a look at 5 big stars who are likely to switch teams via trade ahead of the IPL 2027 season.

The left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a batting mainstay for Rajasthan Royals over the last few seasons, establishing himself as one of the most explosive and reliable young talents in the tournament. He performed well in the IPL 2026, amassing 427 runs, including 3 fifties, at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 152.50 in 16 matches.

However, with the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi completely overshadowing the top order by smashing a record-breaking 776 runs to claim the Orange Cap and MVP honours, Jaiswal's future at the Royals franchise has somewhat been cast into shade.

It was speculated that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be moving to the Mumbai Indians, with Hardik Pandya reportedly being offered as a potential mega-swap to bring the explosive opening batter to the Wankhede Stadium. A fresh environment might improve his chances of returning to India’s T20I setup, where he has recently missed out on regular selection.

Also Read: ‘Only Two Teams Bid For Me’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Opens Up on Feeling Upset at IPL Auction (WATCH)

Hardik Pandya's potential exit from the Mumbai Indians has already been on the cards after the five-time IPL champions endured a disappointing season under his captaincy, finishing a dismal ninth on the points table with just 4 wins from 14 matches.

Pandya’s appointment as captain, replacing Rohit Sharma in 2024, did not change the Mumbai Indians’ fortunes, as the team slumped to the bottom of the points table with a dismal 10th-place finish in 2024, before showing only marginal improvement over the next two editions.

The reported ift in the dressing room was further overshadowed by their disappointing campaign. It was reported that the Mumbai Indians are likely to trade Hardik to the Rajasthan Royals in exchange for flamboyant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, which would mark one of the most stunning swap deals in the history of the IPL

Rishabh Pant is all set to return to the Delhi Capitals after parting ways with Lucknow Super Giants, where he led the side in two successive IPL seasons. At the LSG, Pant was unable to justify his record price tag of INR 27 crore, as he endured two underwhelming seasons, both individually and as a leader, failing to take the team to the playoffs.

Pant’s exit from LSG was on the cards after the team management hinted at a change in leadership following his stepping down as captain. The 27-year-old is nearing a return to the Delhi Capitals, where he spent nine IPL seasons, reportedly taking an INR 12 crore pay cut.

Rishabh Pant will reportedly be traded for Kuldeep Yadav, who will move in the opposite direction to complete a high-profile swap deal between the two franchises, pending formal BCCI approval.

Suryakumar Yadav has been speculated to make his return to the Kolkata Knight Riders after experts and former cricketers predicted a high-profile homecoming for the star batter. The flamboyant batter is facing an uncertain future at the Mumbai Indians following a lean IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 270 runs at an average of 20.77.

His poor performance led to his removal as T20I captain, as well as exclusion from the national squad entirely by the selection committee, despite leading the Men in Blue to the T20 World Cup win in February this year. Due to a career setback, Suryakumar might return to his first franchise, KKR, where he spent four seasons from 2014 to 2017, for a fresh start.

The speculations of his potential exit from the MI arise as the five-time IPL champions look to revamp their leadership core, making a mutually beneficial trade highly likely.

Also Read: BCCI mulls new March-May window for IPL to minimise weather disruptions

Kuldeep Yadav is set to bid adieu to the Delhi Capitals after five seasons, as he will be moving to Lucknow Super Giants through a trade deal involving Rishabh Pant. Kuldeep and Pant represent a high-profile, cash-adjusted swap between the two franchises as both teams undergo major tactical resets ahead of the 2027 season.

Kuldeep's existing contract of INR 13.25 crore is expected to be directly absorbed by the LSG, allowing the Uttar Pradesh-born wrist-spinner to represent his home-state franchise. The DC will have to pay INR 13.75 crore in corporate cash to balance out the remaining financial difference in Rishabh Pant's incoming revised INR 15 crore contract from INR 27 crore, effectively closing out one of the most complex swap deals in IPL history.

Once the move officially happens, the highly anticipated step awaits ratification from the BCCI to officially reshape both teams' tactical and financial blueprints ahead of the 2027 season.

Olympic Day: Mandaviya hails India's sporting revolution under PM Modi

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:01:18 +0530

Mandaviya on India's 'Sporting Revolution'

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday extended greetings on International Olympic Day, highlighting the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, while also underscoring India's growing sporting culture under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ICC Chairman Extends Support

Meanwhile, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah marked International Olympic Day by extending support to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) initiative aimed at promoting health, well-being, and community engagement through sport. Jay Shah highlighted the global reach and unifying power of sport, particularly cricket, which he said has the ability to inspire and empower millions across the world. "On the International Olympic Day, we are fully behind the initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to harness the power of sport to promote health, well-being, and community engagement. With more than 2 billion fans around the world, Cricket has the ability to unite, inspire and empower at an unparalleled scale. Wishing everyone a happy Olympic Day and look forward to celebrating with all of you the Olympic spirit that motivates us to move, play, and thrive," ICC Chairman Jay Shah shared a post on X.

About International Olympic Day

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

France vs Iraq Highlights: France Outclass Iraq in 3-0 Victory | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Football

Asianet Newsable English — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:01:05 +0530

France delivered a dominant performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Iraq 3-0 with brilliant attacking football and strong defensive control. Les Bleus controlled the match from start to finish, sending a big warning to their tournament rivals with another impressive display. In this video: 00:00 – Kickoff & early control by France 01:00 – First breakthrough & opening goal 02:00 – Second half dominance & goals seal 3-0 win

Jay Shah backs IOC's Olympic Day initiative, highlights cricket's reach

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:00:23 +0530

Jay Shah Backs IOC's Olympic Day Initiative

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah marked International Olympic Day by extending support to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) initiative aimed at promoting health, well-being, and community engagement through sport. Jay Shah highlighted the global reach and unifying power of sport, particularly cricket, which he said has the ability to inspire and empower millions across the world.

"On the International Olympic Day, we are fully behind the initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to harness the power of sport to promote health, well-being, and community engagement. With more than 2 billion fans around the world, Cricket has the ability to unite, inspire and empower at an unparalleled scale. Wishing everyone a happy Olympic Day and look forward to celebrating with all of you the Olympic spirit that motivates us to move, play, and thrive," ICC Chairman Jay Shah shared a post on X. https://x.com/JayShah/status/2069261984252723569?s=20

India's Roadmap for Global Sporting Events

Last month, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya attended the National Sports Federation Conclave 2026, which brought together representatives from 37 National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the Indian Olympic Association, to deliberate on India's future sporting roadmap and preparations for major international events, including the Commonwealth Games 2026, Asian Games 2026 and Summer Olympics 2028, according to a press release.

Addressing the conclave, Union Sports Minister Mandaviya said, "The National Sports Federation Conclave marks a coordinated step towards India's preparation for upcoming global sporting events."

Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao highlighted the importance of collective responsibility and long-term planning in achieving India's sporting ambitions. "The nation that dreams big, prepares bigger; today's discussions will shape India's sporting future for 2036," he said. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Wonderkid Lamine Yamal Scores as Spain Thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0!

Vaishnav Akash — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:34:18 +0530

Atlanta: Young superstar Lamine Yamal has scored his first-ever goal in the FIFA World Cup. The 18-year-old, who many believe is the next big thing after Messi and Ronaldo, was simply brilliant against Saudi Arabia. His performance helped Spain register a massive 4-0 victory, opening their winning account in this World Cup.

Yamal found the back of the net in the 10th minute of the match, becoming the 8th youngest player to score a goal in World Cup history. More importantly, his goal brought huge relief to the Spanish team, which was struggling after a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their first match.

Mikel Oyarzabal then scored two quick goals in the 21st and 24th minutes, giving Spain a comfortable 3-0 lead. Early in the second half, Saudi Arabia's Hassan scored an own goal in the 49th minute, which was like a gift for Spain.

Iran Shocks Belgium!

Los Angeles: Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was the hero of the day, saving seven goal attempts from Belgium. His incredible performance helped his team secure a goalless draw against the World No. 10 side. However, Iran also failed to convert the chances they got.

This means Belgium is yet to score a single goal in this World Cup. In their first match, they were saved from a loss only because of an own goal by Egypt.

During Monday's match, thousands of fans in the stadium tried to provoke the Iranian players. Due to US entry rules, the Iranian team is only allowed in the country to play the match. They arrived in the US a day before the game and will leave immediately after it ends.

Egypt Registers First-Ever FIFA World Cup Win!

Vancouver: Egypt first played in the FIFA World Cup in 1934, but had to wait until 2026 for their first victory. Despite qualifying for the global football festival in 1990 and 2018, a win always eluded them. On Monday, they finally broke the 92-year-old jinx with a 3-1 victory over New Zealand.

New Zealand took an early lead when Finn Surman scored in the 15th minute. But Egypt completely dominated the second half. Mostafa Ziko scored in the 58th minute, followed by Mohamed Salah in the 67th, and Trézéguet in the 82nd minute.

Egypt will face Iran in their final group stage match. If they manage at least a draw, they will qualify for the knockout stage.

Cape Verde's Dream Run Continues: Holds Uruguay to a 2-2 Draw!

Miami: Debutants Cape Verde are continuing their unbeaten run in their first-ever World Cup. After holding Spain to a goalless draw in their first match, they pulled off another surprise on Monday. They drew 2-2 against a strong Uruguay side, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Cape Verde will face Saudi Arabia in their final group match. A win or even a draw in that game could see them through to the Round of 32.

Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's historic first World Cup goal in the 21st minute. But Uruguay didn't take long to hit back. Araújo scored in the 44th minute and Canobbio added another in the 45+6th minute to give Uruguay the lead. However, Hélio Varela scored in the 61st minute, saving Cape Verde from a defeat.

FIFA WC 2026: 'So far, so good,' says Haaland after historic brace

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:42 +0530

Norway striker Erling Haaland reacted after his side's 3-2 victory over Senegal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I clash. "So far, so good," Haaland wrote on X. So far, so good pic.twitter.com/9UPvUa5YUy — Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) June 23, 2026

Haaland Scripts History

Haaland continued his remarkable run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scripting history with another brace against Senegal to join an elite list of football greats and rewrite his country's record books. Haaland became only the sixth player in FIFA World Cup history to score multiple goals in each of his first two appearances at the tournament.

The Manchester City striker joined an illustrious list comprising Guillermo Stabile of Argentina, who achieved the feat in his first three matches in 1930, Hungary's Sandor Kocsis, who did so in his first four matches in 1954, France's Just Fontaine in 1958, Poland's Grzegorz Lato in 1974, and England captain Harry Kane in 2018.

Haaland, who is making his FIFA World Cup debut this year, has already scored four goals in just two matches. In doing so, he surpassed Norway's previous World Cup scoring record held by Kjetil Rekdal, who netted two goals across seven appearances at the tournament. Haaland is now Norway's all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup with four goals.

The Manchester City striker's overall numbers for the national side are equally staggering. Haaland has now scored 59 goals in 52 appearances for Norway and has found the net in each of his last 12 competitive matches for his country. Furthermore, he has scored at least once in 18 of Norway's last 21 competitive fixtures, underlining his consistency and importance to the national team.

Norway Secures Knockout Spot

Haaland's latest exploits helped Norway secure a 3-2 victory over Senegal and book a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the striker once again emerging as one of the standout performers of the tournament.

Match Summary

Coming to the match, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen put Norway ahead just before halftime, finding the net in the 43rd minute. Haaland then extended the lead with goals in the 48th and 58th minutes to put Norway firmly in control. Senegal responded through Ismaila Sarr, who pulled one back in the 53rd minute and added another in stoppage time. However, the late surge was not enough to deny Norway all three points.

The win took Norway to six points from two matches, though they remain second in Group I behind France on goal difference. Haaland, featuring in his maiden FIFA World Cup campaign, has now scored four goals in two matches and continues to be one of the tournament's standout performers.

Senegal, on the other hand, are yet to open their account in the group and will need a victory against Iraq in their final group-stage match to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2026 to be held in Bengaluru

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:01:21 +0530

The 7th edition of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament 2026 is scheduled to be held from June 23 to July 3, 2026 at the Air Force Station in Jalahalli, Bengaluru. The Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB) has been organising the tournament since 2018.

According to PIB, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh's passion for the game of Hockey was unparalleled. He was an inspiration to air warriors leading from front not only in war but also in the field of sports.

Indian Air Force has been consistently producing athletes who have represented India at various international competitions and brought laurels to the nation and for IAF.

Tournament Details and Dignitaries

Air Marshal S Sivakumar, VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration will be the Chief Guest during the Press Conference. A total of 16 Teams will be participating in this tournament. The matches will be played at Hockey Stadium, Air Force Station Jalahalli. The matches will be played on league cum knockout basis.

Prize Money

The prize money for the tournament are as follows: Winner - ₹10,00,000/- Runners Up - ₹8,00,000/- Man of the Match - ₹25,000/- (Each match) Player of the Tournament - ₹50,000/-

Ceremony Guests

Air Marshal S Sivakumar, VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration will be the Chief Guest during the Opening ceremony on June 23, while Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command will preside over the Closing ceremony on July 3. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026, Norway vs Senegal: Thrilling Win Against Senegal Puts Haaland's Side into Knockouts

Vaishnav Akash — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:34:58 +0530

FIFA World Cup 2026: As the group stage of the current Football World Cup progresses, the gap between stronger and weaker teams is becoming clear. Several teams have already qualified for the knockouts.

Erling Haaland was the star, scoring two crucial goals in the second half that powered Norway to a 3-2 victory over Senegal and into the World Cup knockouts.Defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen gave Norway the lead just before halftime, scoring in the 43rd minute to set the stage for a thrilling second half against Senegal.Senegal's Ismaila Sarr fought back hard, scoring two goals, including one in stoppage time, to keep the match tense until the final whistle in a narrow 3-2 defeat.After securing their spot in the next round, Erling Haaland led his team and fans in a spectacular Viking celebration, complete with drumming and a symbolic rowing gesture.With both teams qualified, Norway and France will now battle for the top spot in Group I. The match promises a thrilling duel between superstars Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.

FIFA World Cup 2026: France Storms Into Knockouts After Thrashing Iraq 3-0

Vaishnav Akash — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:10:38 +0530

Philadelphia: France is on a roll at the FIFA World Cup 2026. They just beat Iraq by a solid 3-0 in a one-sided match. Kylian Mbappe was on fire, scoring a double, while Ousmane Dembélé also got his name on the scoresheet, giving France an easy win. With these goals, Mbappe has now scored 16 in World Cups. He's now level with German legend Miroslav Klose and needs just two more goals to match Lionel Messi's all-time record.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the first half, thanks to an assist from Michael Olise. He then found the net again in the second half. Olise provided another assist, this time for Ousmane Dembélé, who scored the third goal to seal the deal for France. The match had a long delay at halftime. Heavy rain and lightning stopped the game for almost two hours. France was already leading 1-0 when the game was paused. After the rain delay, they came back and continued to dominate the match.

During the break, fans were asked to move to safer areas as a precaution. According to the weather rules in the US, a match has to be stopped immediately if there's lightning within an 8-mile radius of the stadium. Fans have to move to sheltered spots, while players and officials go back to their dressing rooms.

The game can only restart after 30 minutes have passed without any lightning since the last strike. If another lightning strike happens, the 30-minute countdown starts all over again. It's important to note that this safety protocol belongs to the US, not FIFA. So, FIFA has no power to interfere with or overrule these decisions.

Not a New Thing

Weather delays are actually quite common for football matches in the US. Last year, during the Club World Cup, six matches were delayed for a total of eight and a half hours. One match between Chelsea and Dortmund was held up for more than four hours.

World Cup’s Biggest Winner Isn’t on the Field: Economics Behind FIFA’s $9 Billion Tournament

Dr Krishna Kishore — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:00:42 +0530

Eleven American cities opened their doors to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle and others eagerly embraced the world’s biggest sporting event.

One major city did not.

Chicago said no.

Why would America’s third-largest city walk away from an opportunity to host the World Cup?

The answer has nothing to do with soccer. It has everything to do with money.

Former Chicago Mayor and U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel later explained why the city refused FIFA’s terms. FIFA wanted control of revenues from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, parking, concessions and hospitality. Chicago, meanwhile, would have been responsible for security, public transportation, police, fire protection and medical services. Including police security service to FIFA President Gianni Infantino!

“We were not going to let taxpayers become the dumb money,” Emanuel said. In his view, FIFA would reap the rewards while the city absorbed the risks.

That is where the real story of the 2026 World Cup begins.

Chicago is not alone in confronting the economic realities of hosting the tournament. New Jersey, which will host the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, offers another revealing example.

To move hundreds of thousands of fans to and from the stadium, NJ Transit had to add trains, personnel, security measures and operational support. Much of that cost falls on public agencies. The impact has been felt by travelers as well. A round-trip fare from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium that typically costs around $22 rose to $98 for World Cup service. For many families, transportation alone has become a significant expense before they even purchase a match ticket.

Supporters of the tournament argue that such investments are justified by the economic activity the World Cup generates. Critics counter that the examples of Chicago and New Jersey illustrate a broader reality: while FIFA collects much of the revenue, local governments and public agencies often shoulder many of the costs.

And there is a lot of revenue to collect.

Inside FIFA's $8.9 Billion Money Machine

The 2026 World Cup is expected to generate approximately $8.9 billion for FIFA, making it the most lucrative tournament in the organization’s history.

The single largest source of income is broadcasting and digital media rights, which are expected to bring in roughly $3.8 billion. The World Cup has evolved from a sporting event into one of the most valuable media properties on the planet.

Another $2.5 billion is expected to come from sponsorships and commercial partnerships. Global brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, Visa, Hisense and Aramco pay enormous sums for the privilege of associating themselves with the tournament.

Ticket sales, corporate suites and VIP hospitality packages are expected to generate more than $2 billion. The use of massive NFL stadiums across the United States has significantly increased FIFA’s hospitality inventory and premium seating opportunities.

Beyond that, FIFA earns additional revenue from merchandise, licensing agreements, video games, data services, betting-related data rights and other commercial ventures. In modern sports, the World Cup is no longer simply a competition; it is a global entertainment, media and technology business.

What makes 2026 particularly significant is a major shift in FIFA’s operating model.

In previous tournaments, local organizing committees played a larger role. For 2026, many analysts describe FIFA’s approach as resembling a franchise model. FIFA retains control of the brand and the revenue streams, while host cities and public agencies take responsibility for much of the operational infrastructure required to stage the event.

Cities accept this arrangement because they hope to benefit from tourism, hotel occupancy, restaurant spending, transportation demand and global exposure. FIFA estimates that the tournament will generate more than $40 billion in economic activity across North America and support approximately 185,000 jobs.

Whether those projections fully materialize remains a subject of debate among observers.

Yet the biggest economic story of this World Cup may be the tournament’s expansion itself.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar featured 64 matches. The 2026 edition has expanded to 104 matches — a 62.5 percent increase.

More matches mean more tickets sold. More broadcast inventory. More sponsorship opportunities. More hospitality packages. More advertising revenue.

Importantly, costs have not risen by the same proportion.

That is why many analysts believe the expansion from 32 teams to 48 teams was not merely a sporting decision. It was an economic one.

Put simply, the World Cup did not just get bigger on the field. It got bigger on the balance sheet.

The Real Winner of the 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the tournament as “104 Super Bowls.” While the comparison may sound exaggerated, it captures the scale of the business involved. A 30-second commercial during last year’s Super Bowl reportedly cost around $9 million. FIFA has effectively created 104 global spectacles capable of attracting massive audiences, sponsors and commercial partners.

There is another irony at the heart of this story.

Soccer is not America’s most popular sport. Baseball, American football and basketball still command larger domestic followings. Yet no country stands to gain more economically from the 2026 World Cup than the United States.

For one month, soccer has become a multi-billion-dollar industry across North America.

Eventually, one nation will lift the trophy. One team will be crowned world champion.

But when it comes to the economics of the 2026 World Cup, the winner is already clear.

The players are still competing for football’s biggest prize.

FIFA has already secured its own.

Punit Balan elected unopposed as Kabaddi Federation President

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:00:31 +0530

Pune-based sports administrator and entrepreneur Punit Balan has been elected unopposed as the President of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) for the 2026-2030 term during the federation's elections held in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Sunday. The newly-formed executive committee comprises 22 office-bearers representing various states across the country, according to a press release.

New Leadership Team

Representatives from 22 states participated in the election process. Former BJP MP Ramdas Tadas was appointed as President Emeritus, while Bihar's Rajkumar Singh was elected as Chief Patron. Ushi Reddy from Telangana was elected as the General Secretary of the federation.

Former High Court judge Justice Ratnakar Bhengra served as the Election Officer, while retired District Judge Pankaj Shrivastava supervised the election proceedings as Assistant Election Officer.

Several federation members and office-bearers, including Arun Singh, Dr Rajesh Gupta, Vivek Reddy, Rahul Singh, Chetan Govind Jha, Rajesh Singh, Manoj Sharma, Kunal M Tripathi, Sammi Singh, Sujal Keshari and Pradeep Tirkey, were present during the announcement.

Vision for Indian Kabaddi

Speaking after his election, Balan thanked the state associations and office-bearers for reposing faith in his leadership. "Kabaddi is India's traditional sport and deeply connected with the masses. We are committed to strengthening the sport at the global level, creating opportunities for talented rural players, developing modern training infrastructure and encouraging women and young kabaddi players," Balan said.

He further said that the federation would work collectively with all state associations for the overall development of Indian kabaddi and to help the country achieve greater success at the international level. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi's record brace sends Argentina to last 32

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:30:35 +0530

Lionel Messi reflected on Argentina's second victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after leading the defending champions to a 2-0 win over Austria with a record-breaking brace in their Group J fixture on Monday, June 22 (local time), describing the result as "a little step further" in the tournament.

The victory secured Argentina's place in the last 32 of the World Cup and continued their perfect start to the campaign. Argentina had earlier opened their tournament with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, powered by a Messi hat-trick.

A few hours after the match, Messi shared photographs from the game on Instagram and expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and progress in the competition. "Another victory in a complicated match, which serves us to take a little step further," Messi wrote on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Messi Rewrites History Books

The Argentine captain scored twice as he rewrote the history books by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's World Cup history ahead of his 39th birthday (June 24), flying past Germany's Miroslav Klose. He first scored in the 38th minute to surpass Klose's mark of 16 goals and then scored another in the stoppage time to now sit 18 goals in World Cup history, two strikes clear of second-placed Klose.

Messi also became just the second player in men's FIFA World Cup history to score four or more goals in three different editions of the tournament (2014, 2022 and 2026), according to Opta. The only other player to achieve the feat is Klose.

Notably, the two goals also take Messi atop the leading goalscorers list in the ongoing World Cup with five goals to his name in two matches. He came into this match on the back of a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina's campaign opener.

Match Recap: Argentina vs Austria

Coming to the match, the Argentine captain endured a frustrating start after missing a penalty in the sixth minute, sending his effort wide following a VAR-awarded spot kick. Austria responded with an energetic pressing display and troubled the defending champions for much of the first half.

However, Messi broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. A clever dummy from Thiago Almada allowed the ball to run through to the veteran forward, who calmly finished into the bottom corner to give Argentina the lead.

Austria continued to push after the break, but Argentina managed the game well through a series of tactical substitutions from head coach Lionel Scaloni around the 64th and 65th minutes, introducing fresh legs in Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez to exploit spaces as the match opened up.

As Austria committed players forward in search of an equaliser, Argentina struck again deep into stoppage time. Messi led a swift counter-attack and finished clinically in the 95th minute to seal a 2-0 victory and complete his brace.

Qualification and Another Milestone

The 38-year-old has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches and has equalled the all-time record of six straight World Cup games with a goal, a mark jointly held by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho.

The win moves Argentina to the top of Group J with six points from two matches, putting them through to the last 32. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

West Bengal to get new sports university, Rs 150 crore allocated

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:00:30 +0530

A new sports university with an allocation of Rs 150 crore, plans for an international outdoor stadium and indoor stadium in North Bengal, and the renovation of existing sports infrastructure, including Kolkata's Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, emerged as key highlights of the sports sector allocations in the West Bengal government's first state budget presented on Monday.

New Sports University to Boost Athlete Development

Speaking to ANI on the sports budget, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Indranil Khan, said that for the first time in the state's history, a budgetary provision has been made for setting up a sports university. He said the proposed university will cater to a wide range of sporting disciplines, including Olympic sports, and help build a robust support system for athletes through professional training and development programmes.

"For the first time in the history of West Bengal, there has been a budgetary allocation for a sports university. In West Bengal, we are going to see a new sports university where all kinds of sports disciplines, including Olympic disciplines, then football, cricket, hockey are there, and along with that, such as shooting, athletics, archery, long jump, high jump, etc., for their development, for professional development, their support system will be this sports university because it is our vision that within the next decade, the sportspersons of West Bengal, taking all the support, should not only make West Bengal proud but also become the pride of the entire country and emerge as medalists in various Commonwealth Games, Olympics, etc.," he said.

Infrastructure Boost for North Bengal and Existing Stadiums

He also said that North Bengal will get a new international stadium with an athletics track. Additionally, Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the renovation of existing stadiums in the state, including Rabindra Sarobar Stadium and Kanchenjunga Stadium.

"There are many people in West Bengal who have diversity. There, many people are experts and skilled in different disciplines, but there was no arrangement for their nurturing. For years, our sportspersons were deprived. Now, Khelo India is being implemented, and the benefit of this Khelo India will reach every assembly constituency," Khan said. "Five crores have been allocated for each assembly to build a stadium there. And along with that, North Bengal, which has been deprived for many years, will also have an international stadium in North Bengal, which will also have an athletic track. And along with that, many stadiums in West Bengal are neglected, which already exist, but are very neglected. For example, there is Rabindra Sarobar Stadium and Kanchenjunga Stadium, for the development and renovation of these stadiums, special allocation has been made. Allocation of 100 crores has been made only for these stadiums," he added.

Budget Outlay and Social Schemes

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presented a total budget outlay of Rs 4,38,775.29 crore for the financial year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new budget, the "Bhorsha Kormosuchi" scheme will provide a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 2,000 to other eligible unemployed youth aged 21-45 with an annual family income below Rs 1 lakh.

Key Financial Allocations for Sports and Youth

The state has proposed setting up a new sports university in West Bengal with an investment of Rs 150 crore to strengthen sports education and training.

A new international outdoor stadium and an indoor stadium are planned in North Bengal with a budget allocation of Rs 20 crore.

Moreover, existing stadiums, including Kolkata's Rabindra Sarovar Stadium, will be renovated with an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore.

Mini indoor stadiums will be constructed in all Assembly constituencies under the Khelo India initiative at a cost of Rs 5 crore per stadium.

Sports clubs participating in national-level competitions will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 crore each to support their activities.

A Rs 50 crore corpus fund has also been created to provide prize money for winners of national and international sporting events.

Students of government and government-aided colleges preparing for competitive exams will receive a one-time financial assistance of Rs 30,000.

The Swami Vivekananda Merit Scholarship will fully cover tuition fees and health insurance for students admitted to the world's top 100 universities for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

The state is also making preparations for hosting the National Games with a focus on improving infrastructure and overall sports development.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kylian Mbappe set for 100th France cap, eyes another major milestone

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:30:28 +0530

Kylian Mbappe is set to make his 100th appearance for France when he captains Les Bleus against Iraq on Monday, June 22 (local time) at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, marking another major milestone in his international career. According to the FIFA website, the French forward will become only the tenth player in France's history to reach 100 international caps for the national team.

Chasing World Cup History

At the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, Mbappe is also closing in on another significant record. The France captain has scored 14 World Cup goals so far and is just five goals away from surpassing Lionel Messi's all-time tally of 18 World Cup goals, putting him in contention to become the tournament's highest scorer in history.

A Storied International Career

Mbappe made his France debut on March 25, 2017, in a 3-1 win over Luxembourg during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers. He scored his first international goal later that year, finding the net in a 4-0 victory against the Netherlands at the Stade de France. Since then, Mbappe has established himself as one of France's most influential players, playing a central role in the country's performances on the global stage.

2018 World Cup Glory

While France first took notice of Mbappe after he helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title in 2017, the rest of the world truly saw his talent at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After scoring his first World Cup goal against Peru in the group stage, Mbappe announced himself on the biggest stage with a stunning performance against Argentina in the Round of 16. He won an early penalty that Antoine Griezmann converted before scoring twice himself in France's thrilling 4-3 victory. The win proved to be a key step in Les Bleus' march to the title.

In the final against Croatia, Mbappe became only the second-youngest player in history to score in a FIFA World Cup final after Pele. France went on to win 4-2, crowning him a world champion at just 19 years of age. The triumph elevated Mbappe to global superstar status.

UEFA Nations League Champion

Although France suffered disappointment at UEFA EURO 2020, he responded strongly by helping Les Bleus win the UEFA Nations League in 2021, scoring the winner against Spain in the final.

2022 World Cup Golden Boot

Mbappe reached new heights at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored eight goals during the tournament, including a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina. Despite France losing on penalties, he won the Golden Boot and set a new record with four goals in the World Cup finals.

France's All-Time Leading Scorer

Now captain of France, Mbappe continues to make history. In France's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he scored twice against Senegal to become his country's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud with his 58th international goal on his 99th appearance for Les Bleus.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pokemon UNITE Asia Tournament: India secures impressive runner-up spot

Asianet News Central — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:00:23 +0530

India delivered a standout performance at the AESF-sanctioned Pokemon UNITE Asia International Tournament, finishing as runners-up after an impressive campaign in a competition featuring 11 national teams from across Asia.

The closed international tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), featured 11 national teams from across Asia, including Hong Kong, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal, according to a release. The participating teams first competed in the online qualification stage on 14 June 2026. Delivering an impressive performance, Team India topped its group to secure qualification for the Grand Finals, which were held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 21 June 2026.

Team India's Tournament Journey

Team India showcased resilience, strategic depth and composure throughout the tournament to secure a place in the Grand Finals and finish second overall.

Led by captain Adnan Mohammed Badshah, alongside Sai Krishna Nalluri, Dipjyoti Laxman Nath, Rudra Narayan Nayak, Reuben Godfrey Fernandes and Deepkumar Vipulbhai Patel, under the guidance of coach Zeren Wang, the Indian side opened its campaign with a 2-1 victory over Singapore in Round 1. India then faced Japan in the upper-bracket semifinals but fell short against the eventual tournament leaders, dropping into the lower bracket.

The team responded strongly by defeating Singapore once again to secure a place in the Grand Finals and set up a rematch against Japan. Facing the dominant Japanese side for a second time in the tournament, India displayed impressive team-fight discipline and objective control, pushing the eventual champions in a hard-fought three-game Grand Finals series before ultimately settling for a runner-up finish.

Captain's Reaction

"It was a great tournament, and the matches were incredibly exciting. We really enjoyed competing against players from other countries and gaining valuable experience. We are looking forward to representing India at the Asian Games. A big thank you to the Esports Federation of India for giving us this opportunity. We'll continue to work hard and come back even stronger next time," said India captain Adnan Mohammed Badshah.

Valuable Experience for Asian Games

The event also served as valuable preparation for Sai Krishna Nalluri, Adnan Mohammed Badshah, Dipjyoti Laxman Nath, Rudra Narayan Nayak and Reuben Godfrey Fernandes, who are also part of India's Pokemon UNITE squad for the upcoming Asian Games. Competing against some of Asia's strongest teams provided crucial international match experience ahead of the continental showpiece.

ESFI Congratulates the Team

Congratulating the team on its performance, Lokesh Suji, Gen Secretary, Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice President, Asian Esports Federation (AESF), said, "Reaching the Grand Finals and finishing runners-up in a field featuring some of Asia's most competitive esports nations is a significant achievement for the team. Their ability to bounce back after a setback against Japan and fight their way back into the final reflects the resilience and growth of Indian esports athletes. Such opportunities are invaluable as we continue preparing our athletes to compete successfully at the highest level of continental competition."

The runner-up finish marks another encouraging result for Indian esports on the continental stage and highlights the growing competitiveness of the country's Pokemon UNITE athletes against Asia's leading teams. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lionel Messi's FIFA World Cup Destiny: A Record-Breaking Goal Leaves the Football World in Awe

Hrishikesh Damodar — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:06:20 +0530

The Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has further etched his name in footballing folklore, shattering the record for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history. The football legend achieved this historic feat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash against Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington on Monday, June 22.

In the first half of the match, the 38-year-old provided a response befitting his legendary status after missing a penalty in the ninth minute, when he cuffed his left-footed spot-kick just wide of the right post, leaving the fans in absolute shock and briefly delaying his destiny.

However, the historic moment came in the 38th minute when he beautifully redeemed himself by orchestrating and finishing a sweeping team move to etch his name into footballing immortality. The assist from Facundo Medina allowed Argentina's captain to fire a clinical first-time left-footed shot past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

LIONEL MESSI’S GOAL LOOKS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING FROM THIS ANGLE! pic.twitter.com/tMH0eq3Mky

— MC (@CrewsMat10) June 22, 2026

After missing out on the penalty goal, Lionel Messi gave Argentina fans as well as the entire footballing world a moment of breathtaking redemption, proving exactly why he remains the ultimate icon of the beautiful game.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: One Card Can Knock Your Team Out of the Tournament! Check the Fresh Rules

Messi Shatters Miroslav Klose’s Record

Lionel Messi entered his record sixth FIFA World Cup with 13 goals in the tournament, four goals behind the former Germany captain Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 goals. In Argentina’s opening match against Algeria, Messi dominated with a hat-trick to go level with Klose on 16 goals, setting the stage perfectly for his outright record-breaking moment against Austria.

The excitement among Argentina star’s fans and football enthusiasts around the world was very much palpable. When Messi missed out on the penalty goal, the entire stadium collectively gasped. Still, that momentary disappointment quickly transformed into sheer eruption and awe less than half an hour later when he found the back of the net.

When Lionel Messi netted his fourth goal of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, it marked his 17th career tournament goal, officially placing him alone at the summit of men's international football history. He broke the tie with former Germany captain Miroslav Klose, who held the previous record of 16 goals.

OFFICIAL: LEO MESSI IS WORLD CUP TOP SCORER EVER WITH 17 GOALS. pic.twitter.com/WhUddnewOY

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2026

Messi didn’t stop there, as the Argentina star netted his second goal of the match against Austria in extra time in the second half, further extending his newly claimed all-time World Cup scoring record to 18 goals.

2 World Cup games, 5 goals for Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/tM941EjZAM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2026

With 18 goals in 28 appearances at the FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi has firmly cemented an almost untouchable legacy on the grandest stage in football. Apart from Miroslav Klose, Argentine legend extended his lead over other legendary goal scorers on the all-time list, leaving Brazil's Ronaldo (15 goals), compatriot Gerd Muller (14 goals), and French superstar Kylian Mbappe (14 goals) trailing behind.

‘Scripted by the GOAT’: Fans React to Messi’s Dramatic Record-Breaking Goal

Lionel Messi’s record-breaking achievement in the history of the FIFA World Cup has set social media, especially X (formerly Twitter) and the internet ablaze, as fans and football enthusiasts poured in with heartfelt tributes and awe-inspiring reactions.

Taking to their X handles, fans and football enthusiasts flooded social media with admiration, celebrating Messi’s ‘banger-only’ record-breaking mentality, joking that he refused to rely on penalties, hailing his clinical strike as ‘GOAT behaviour.’

Others praised his resilience after the missed penalty, calling it a ‘scripted moment’ of redemption, while many hailed him as the ‘undisputed GOAT’ who continues to ‘complete football’ even at 38, with reactions filled with admiration, disbelief, and praise for his continued dominance on football’s biggest stage.

WE DONT NEED A WEAKASS PENALTY TO BECOME WORLD CUP TOP SCORER. WE ONLY SCORE BANGERS pic.twitter.com/zoQRruaRf7

— MESSIAH THA II (@07_messiah) June 22, 2026

Referee: Here's a penalty to become the all-time top scorer for the World Cup.Lionel Messi: Nope! I don't need a penalty to break the record.Also Lionel Messi: Here you go. I'll score a proper goal to break the record!

— Carey (@Carey3060831622) June 22, 2026

Miroslav Klose would be mighty proud that Messi broke his record

— Nasamajh Expert (@NasamajhExpert) June 22, 2026

He obviously did not want to break the top scorer record with a penalty, that’s my Goat pic.twitter.com/cZ6gLM0XAp

— Kelvin Osamudiamen (@KelvinOsam2002) June 22, 2026

*GOAT behavior. Messi just keeps rewriting history at 38 - 17 World Cup goals, sole all-time leader. What a legend. Argentina’s lucky to have him still delivering like this.

— Pure Football (@purefootbalFT) June 22, 2026

Goalboooooor I told you guys, Messi wants to score his trademark goal.Record broken, Record set! Messi is The god of football https://t.co/GHYj79GGzw

— Football Matter (@footbolmatter10) June 22, 2026

he’s completed football, man. https://t.co/J2RgRAZz5t

— Craig Mitch (@CraigxMitch) June 22, 2026

It's laughable when people claim Yamal, Kane, Mbappe or Dembele are the best player in the world. Until the day Messi hangs up his boots, he'll remain the best player on the planet. As long as he's still playing this beautiful game, that crown belongs to him. https://t.co/IsnynHMZBL

— Fozzy (@fozzywrites) June 22, 2026

World cup winnerWord cup highest goal scorerHe has conquered the world stage What is now left is just to play & entertain usThe greatest of all timeMessi https://t.co/tAYRIL9PTF

— Jaredad.®️ (@_Jaredad) June 22, 2026

Apart from becoming the all-time goalscorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup, the Argentine legend equalled Just Fontaine and Jairzinho’s record for scoring a goal in the most consecutive matches, further cementing his unparalleled consistency on the grandest stage in football.

Meanwhile, Argentina has qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Austria.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: ‘We’re Not Forced To Pass to Him,’ Says Portugal Teammate in Blunt Statement on Cristiano Ronaldo

FIFA World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe Ensures Cristiano Ronaldo Included in 'Best in the World' Debate (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:48:24 +0530

France captain and football star Kylian Mbappé was gentle enough to include his childhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the conversation around the best in the world. Mbappe, Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi are headlining the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Mbappe recently netted a brace in France's 3-1 win over Senegal in the Group I opener, marking a historic milestone as he surpassed Olivier Giroud to become France's all-time leading goalscorer with 58 international goals, while taking his tally to 14 goals in his World Cup career.

Having reached two FIFA World Cup finals, winning the 2018 triumph in Russia and securing a runners-up finish in Qatar 2022, where he won the Golden Boot, Kylian Mbappe is now fully focused on leading Les Bleus to glory in North America and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of football.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Why No Red Card For Messi? Algeria Slams Referee, Complains to Governing Body

Mbappe Includes Ronaldo in Best Player Conversation

As France is set to take on Iraq in the second round, captain Kylian Mbappe addressed a press conference, where he came across a journalist who attempted to put him on the spot by asking who the best player is between the French star, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi, completely omitting Cristiano Ronaldo from the list.

Mbappe picked Messi but also included Ronaldo, stating that the two football icons are "the best in the world", praising their 15-year dominance, while humbly focusing on his own performance.

"Lionel Messi, it's clear. He's the best in the world with Cristiano, it's clear. I think that he showed during 15 years that he had an amazing quality. Me, I try to do what I can do. I show my quality on the biggest stage."

El gran elogio de Mbappé a Messi "¿El mejor entre yo, Haaland, Kane y Messi? Leo Messi, está claro" "Es el mejor del mundo junto a Cristiano" pic.twitter.com/4mtLZihGb1

— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) June 21, 2026

Mbappe correcting a journalist's oversight showcases her deep respect for Cristiano Ronaldo, as he has been his admiration since childhood and idolised the Portuguese icon while growing up.

Mbappe hasn't gotten an opportunity to play alongside his idol, but played against him during the 2024 Euro quarter-finals when France locked horns with Portugal.

Ronaldo Omission Sparks Debate as Fans Praise French Captain

Kylian Mbappe's mention of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, after a journalist left the Portuguese icon out of the "best in the world" discussion has ignited a massive debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and football enthusiasts praising the French star's humility and sportsmanship.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts reacted with a mix of admiration and debate, praising Mbappe’s respect for Cristiano Ronaldo while also criticizing the reporter for omitting the Portuguese icon from the “best in the world” discussion.

Others said Ronaldo’s legacy cannot be ignored, while others called Mbappe’s response a classy example of sportsmanship.

Mbappe knows all the politics behind all these. Soo good to hear that he included Cristiano name

— Devanshu (@Imdevanshujani) June 22, 2026

Good man, fk that trashy reporter. Mbappe is kind here, I wouldn’t put that fifa golden child midget in the conversation with Ronaldo at all. No amount of world cups will change the fact that Ronaldo’s won trophies despite the media’s love in with Messi.

— Daniel (@cooltime2003) June 21, 2026

Media playing so hard to rule out RONALDO name but they’ll never succeed with that

— Basheer (@UTDBash7) June 22, 2026

Hate the revisionism Even Messi publicly admitted Cristiano is on his level

— Abraham (@paradoxicalabe) June 21, 2026

So Messi and CR7 get the crown, and the rest are just the court jester squad. Nice to see Mbappé keep the drama alive. pic.twitter.com/iGvfFnnjMR

— ZOEY r (@LindseyShe49125) June 21, 2026

At the top, excellence recognizes excellence....

— Kamran Khan (@ItsKamranK) June 22, 2026

Even when they try to leave him out, Ronaldo still gets mentioned

— ecii (@ecidhani) June 21, 2026

No best for Kylian without Ronaldo

— AKAACHII JR ✝️ (@KATOR_AJ) June 21, 2026

Proper fanboy

— Hamular Notch (@Zyukur_Opppu999) June 21, 2026

Kylian Mbappe has been following Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps to greatness, as he joined Real Madrid, where the legendary Portuguese forward spent his peak years and established himself as the club's all-time top goalscorer.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: ‘We’re Not Forced To Pass to Him,’ Says Portugal Teammate in Blunt Statement on Cristiano Ronaldo

Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 kicks off in Goa with 300 players

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:31:06 +0530

The 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 kicked off on Monday with a ceremonial launch here. Nearly 300 players representing 46 teams from 16 countries and territories across Asia Pacific and the Middle East have gathered for one of the largest international mind-sports events ever hosted in India, as per a release.

Goan Traditions Mark Grand Opening

The opening ceremony combined Goan cultural traditions with international sportsmanship, featuring a Shigmo Parade, Parade of Nations, and the Players' Oath. The event was launched in the presence of Franck Riehm, President of the World Bridge Federation, Prasad Keni, President of the Bridge Federation of India, and H. M. Bangur, Chairman of Shree Cement Limited, alongside officials from the Sports Authority of India and the Asia Pacific Bridge Federation.

'Asian Games of Bridge'

Prasad Keni, President of the Bridge Federation of India, said this championship is equivalent to the Asian Games of bridge. "With categories for men, women, mixed and seniors played under World Bridge Federation guidelines, it represents the highest level of competition. Hosting it in Goa is a proud moment for India as we welcome the finest minds in bridge from across the continent, building friendships while celebrating the spirit of the game."

India's Growing Stature in World Bridge

Franck Riehm, President of the World Bridge Federation, commended India's role and the scale of the event. "This is an extraordinary championship, and Goa provides the perfect backdrop. The magnitude of this gathering reflects India's growing stature in the world bridge. Over the next few days, we will see the elite of the sport competing at the highest level, showing why bridge continues to inspire brilliant minds worldwide. India has marvellous potential in this sport, and by organising such a top-level event, India shows it can be a very important member of world bridge."

Tournament Details and Participating Nations

Recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and supported by the Sports Authority of India, the tournament runs from June 21 to 27, 2026. Participating nations include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and host nation India.

Defending Champions Face Strong Challengers

India enters the championship as defending champions in multiple divisions, having won the Seniors Team Gold Medal and Women's Pairs Gold at the previous Asia Cup. This year's squad, packed with Asian Games medallists and national champions, faces strong challenges from Hong Kong China (Men's Team Champions) and Indonesia (Women's and Mixed Team Champions).

Event Schedule

The schedule features qualification rounds from June 22-25, semi-finals and pairs qualifiers on June 26, and culminates on June 27 with the Grand Team and Pairs Finals, Friendship Pairs, and Prize Distribution ceremony. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

India vs Pakistan hockey rivalry reignites in FIH Pro League London leg

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:30:48 +0530

The Indian Men's Hockey Team is set for a high-intensity London leg of the FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26, scheduled to be played from June 23 to 28 and headlined by two matches against arch-rivals Pakistan. India will take on Pakistan and host England twice each in a crucial set of fixtures following a strong showing in the Rotterdam leg of the tournament, a release said.

India-Pakistan Rivalry Rekindled

The India-Pakistan encounters are understandably the most anticipated fixtures of the leg, reigniting one of hockey's most storied rivalries on the international stage. Both matches are expected to draw significant attention as the two Asian rivals meet for the first time in nearly two years. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China, where India secured a 2-1 victory. The head-to-head over the last 10 years is dominatingly in favour of India, who remain undefeated across 17 encounters, with 15 wins and two draws.

Recap of the Rotterdam Leg

India head into the London leg of the FIH Pro League following an encouraging campaign in the Netherlands, where they secured two outright wins from four matches. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side began with a narrow 2-3 defeat against the hosts before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over reigning World Champions Germany. India then suffered a 1-2 loss in the return fixture against Germany, but finished the Rotterdam leg strongly with an impressive 3-2 win over the Netherlands.

Coach's Perspective

Speaking ahead of the matches against Pakistan and England, India's Chief Coach Craig Fulton said, "We had some very promising performances in the Netherlands leg. We worked very hard in the build-up and so it's good to see the consistency coming through."

On the fixtures against Pakistan, he stressed the importance of staying disciplined, adding, "For us, it's important that we treat the fixture against Pakistan like any other game and focus on our processes. If we really do that well, then the result takes care of itself."

On Facing England

Looking ahead to the challenge against the hosts, Fulton said, "England is one of the teams in form and playing well. Our squad is feeling confident and looking forward to the England block."

Current Standings and Schedule

India is currently eighth on the FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26 points table with 10 points. Hosts England are second with 26 points, while Pakistan are ninth and yet to secure a point. All three teams have played 12 matches each heading into the London leg.

India's opening match in London will be against Pakistan on June 23 before facing England on June 25. The team will then take on Pakistan once again on June 26 before concluding the tour with a second encounter against England on June 28. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

MS Dhoni is Roger Federer of cricket, Virat Kohli like Alcaraz: Samson

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:30:36 +0530

Dhoni is 'Roger Federer of Cricket', Kohli is 'Alcaraz': Samson

India's star wicketkeeper/batter Sanju Samson compared cricket legends to tennis stars, describing former Indian skipper MS Dhoni as the "Roger Federer of cricket" for his calm, composed demeanour and effortless yet impactful performances. He also likened Carlos Alcaraz to Virat Kohli, highlighting their aggressive approach, intensity and explosive style of play. "The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni. He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he performs, it looks effortless yet very powerful. Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, much like how Virat Bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness," Samson said on JioStar.

'Their Victory Set High Standards': Samson on Women's WC Triumph

Samson described India's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 triumph as a landmark moment that inspired the entire cricketing fraternity. He said the victory reflected years of hard work and determination, while also instilling belief among the men's team that they could emulate the achievement. Samson also felt that women's success raised expectations and played a role in motivating Indian cricketers to aim for World Cup glory on home soil. "We were all watching the final. My family members and everyone else were glued to the TV. It was a special moment for all of us in the country. We had been waiting for it for a long time. We knew we were capable of winning the World Cup, yet while we were so close, we were very far. I was very happy for all the players in the team. There was so much hard work behind it and so many great stories within the squad itself. It was a proud moment for all of us. I think the standards were set very high for us. They won the World Cup and put us on a stage where we felt that we could do the same in India. It was a great moment that both World Cups happened in India and that we won them. So, yes, that victory definitely played a part," he added.

Samson's Record-Breaking Performance

Samson amassed 321 runs in five innings in the tournament at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, hitting 27 fours and 24 sixes and ended as the third-highest run-getter in the T20 WC. He also surpassed Virat Kohli's total of 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup edition to have the most runs by an Indian during a single T20 World Cup edition.

India's Historic T20 World Cup Dominance

The victory made India the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win consecutive titles after their 2024 win, and the first to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024, and 2026). (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Harry Brook to lead England; uncapped James Coles in squad vs India

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:57 +0530

England have named a 17-player squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against the reigning T20 World Cup champions India, with Harry Brook set to lead the side. The headline inclusion is uncapped all-rounder James Coles, who has earned his maiden call-up to the England squad, as per the ICC website.

Also included are Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood, with the trio representing the key changes from the squad that featured at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton will miss the series as they continue to be unavailable due to injuries.

Speaking about the inclusion of James Coles, England Men's national selector Marcus North said, "James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place following his performances with the England Lions and in T20 competitions here and abroad during the past 12 months."

New T20I Cycle Begins

The series will begin on July 1 in Chester-le-Street. The India series marks the start of a new T20I cycle for England, leading into the Olympics (where England players are likely to dominate the Team GB squad) and the T20 World Cup in 2028. It will also see Shreyas Iyer take over from Suryakumar Yadav as India's captain, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could make his international debut.

England Squad

England Squad: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

AIFF mourns passing of influential Manipur coach Gift Raikhan at 45

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:51 +0530

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the untimely demise of Gift Raikhan, former head coach of NEROCA FC, who passed away at the age of 45. Gift Raikhan was one of the most influential coaches to emerge from Manipur and made a lasting contribution to Indian football through his work at both club and state levels, as per the AIFF website.

A Decorated Coaching Career

His coaching journey was most closely associated with NEROCA FC, where he served across multiple spells between 2015 and 2026. Under his guidance, the Imphal-based club won the I-League 2nd Division title in the 2016-17 season, earning promotion to the top flight for the first time in history. In their debut I-League campaign in 2017-18, NEROCA finished runners-up.

Raikhan's outstanding work that season earned him the Syed Abdul Rahim Award for the Best Coach in the I-League. He later coached Aizawl FC during the 2018-19 I-League season before returning to NEROCA for subsequent spells. Most recently, he led the Orange Brigade during the 2025-26 I-League 2 season. At the state level, he also served as the head coach of Manipur in the Santosh Trophy during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. He was also the Technical Director of Gokulam Kerala FC in 2021.

Career as a Player

Before embarking on his coaching career, Gift Raikhan enjoyed a professional playing career as a left-back. He represented Bengal Mumbai FC, Churchill Brothers, HAL, Indian Bank, Vasco SC, BEML and Pune FC. During his time with Churchill Brothers, he was part of the side that finished runners-up in the National Football League in the 2001-02 season.

AIFF Honours Raikhan's Contribution

The All India Football Federation joins the Indian football fraternity in mourning the loss of Gift Raikhan and honours his invaluable contribution to Indian football as both a player and a coach. His dedication to nurturing talent and developing the game, particularly in Manipur, will be remembered with great respect. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Ireland T20I captain Lorcan Tucker to lead depleted side vs India

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:30 +0530

Ireland have appointed wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker as their new T20I captain, with his first assignment set to be a challenging series against reigning world champions India. Tucker takes over the leadership role after veteran batter Paul Stirling stepped down as T20I captain following the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Major Injury Woes for Ireland

However, the new skipper will have to contend with a depleted squad, as Stirling remains sidelined with a calf tear. Ireland's injury concerns extend beyond their former captain, with five frontline seamers also unavailable. Josh Little is recovering from a stress fracture, Mark Adair is sidelined with an abdominal injury, Curtis Campher is nursing a fractured hand, Barry McCarthy continues his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Jordan Neill is ruled out with shoulder and foot issues.

The lengthy injury list leaves Ireland significantly weakened ahead of their clash with India, handing Tucker a stern early test in his first series as captain. Ireland will begin their series against India on June 26, which will mark the first assignment for Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain of the reigning world champions.

Opportunity Amidst Adversity

"We can't disguise the fact that we're hampered by injury at present, with at least five first-team regulars missing due to injury. However, my view in such circumstances is that one player's misfortune is another player's opportunity. As such, we've named three uncapped players in the squad of 14," Andrew White, Ireland's national selector, said as per ESPNcricinfo.

"I've been lucky to have some very special moments, none more so than in the T20 format, and I know there are a group of young men waiting to create those same special moments for themselves," Tucker said.

Ireland T20I Squad vs India

Ireland T20I squad vs India: Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matt Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (capt/wk), Reuben Wilson.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup: Kerala govt ensures free public screenings for fans

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:30:27 +0530

Keralam Sports Minister O. J. Janeesh on Monday announced that the public will now be able to watch FIFA World Cup football matches free of cost through non-commercial public screenings.

Government Intervenes After Licensing Concerns

Concerns had arisen after the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup in India were awarded to Zee Entertainment, and its streaming platform, Zee5, entered into an agreement with Kerala-based private football club Eagles FC Kerala for public streaming rights in the state. This led to apprehensions that licences would be required for all public screenings in Kerala.

Following urgent intervention by the state government, discussions were held with Eagles FC Kerala, resulting in a decision to provide free screening permission to those organising football screenings on a non-profit basis. The exemption will apply to screenings conducted without charging an entry fee by football fans' groups, clubs and residents' associations.

However, the exemption will not apply to commercial establishments and shopping malls conducting public screenings for financial gain. Under the earlier arrangement, organisers were required to pay FIFA licence fees ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh.

The government said it viewed commercial screenings by businesses and malls differently from free screenings organised by football enthusiasts, clubs and residents' associations. The state's position is that football lovers should be able to enjoy the matches in the manner they prefer without financial burden.

As soon as the issue came to its attention, the Sports Department intervened and urged stakeholders to facilitate free football streaming for fans. Continuous discussions were held with FIFA representatives, Zee officials and the owners of Eagles FC Kerala, culminating in a final decision on Friday.

How to Register for Free Screening

Those conducting or planning public screenings can register free of charge at EaglesFCKerala.com and obtain permission to screen the matches. The licence will be approved automatically.

The minister thanked the management of Eagles FC Kerala, Zee Channel officials and FIFA representatives for standing with football fans in Kerala.

Sports Department Special Secretary N Prashanth and Eagles FC Kerala Chairman Shafi Methar were also present at the press conference. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

From Roger Federer to Carlos Alcaraz: Sanju Samson Links Cricket Legends to Tennis Royalty

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:02:46 +0530

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has drawn fascinating parallels between legendary cricketers and tennis superstars ahead of Wimbledon 2026. The 139th edition of the prestigious Grand Slam will begin on June 29.

Samson is part of a promotional campaign for Wimbledon in India, and the Kerala cricketer traded his bat for a tennis racquet with Rohan Bopanna, taking part in a fun crossover challenge, showcasing his cross-sport reflexes while discussing the striking similarities between the gentleman's game and tennis.

When Wimbledon begins, Samson will be in England as he is part of the India squad for the T20I series against England. Before the UK tour, the 31-year-old will play a three-match T20I series against Ireland, with the opening match scheduled to be played in Dublin.

Also Read: French Open 2026: Why Did Sachin's Praise for Zverev's Maiden Grand Slam Title Spark Backlash? Explained

‘Dhoni Is Roger Federer of Cricket, Virat Kohli is Carlos Alcaraz’

With the main draw of Wimbledon 2026 set to begin next week, Sanju Samson drew parallels between Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz and their respective cricketing counterparts. Speaking on JioHotstar, Samson picked MS Dhoni as the Roger Federer of cricket due to his calm demeanour, while comparing Virat Kohli’s aggressive and explosive batting style to the dynamic energy of Carlos Alcaraz.

“The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni. He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he performs, it looks effortless yet very powerful." Samson said.

“Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, much like how Virat bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness," he added.

Sanju Samson Compares MS Dhoni to Roger Federer, Virat Kohli to Carlos Alcaraz.Ahead of Wimbledon, Sanju Samson drew a fascinating comparison between cricket and tennis legends.MS Dhoni = Roger Federer – Calm, composed, effortless, and elegant under pressure.Virat Kohli =… pic.twitter.com/Vav8SCAv0F

— S. (@ABCDdrs) June 22, 2026

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are two different personalities on the cricket field, yet both have established themselves as modern-day titans who have redefined how the game is played and captained.

Dhoni is known for his calm personality and exceptional captaincy, having led Team India to three ICC triumphs, including the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, while Kohli is celebrated for his fierce intensity, aggressive leadership, and unmatched consistency across all formats,

Samson Recalls Watching Women’s ODI World Cup Triumph

Sanju Samson was asked about India’s historic maiden Women’s ODI World Cup victory that took place in India, admitting that watching the girls lift the trophy laid down the marker for the men's team to achieve similar glory on home soil later on.

"We were all watching the final. My family members and everyone else were glued to the TV. It was a special moment for all of us in the country. We had been waiting for it for a long time. We knew we were capable of winning the World Cup, yet while we were so close, we were very far,” the Kerala cricketer said.

“I was very happy for all the players in the team. There was so much hard work behind it and so many great stories within the squad itself. It was a proud moment for all of us. I think the standards were set very high for us. They won the World Cup and put us on a stage where we felt that we could do the same in India.

“It was a great moment that both World Cups happened in India and that we won them. So, yes, that victory definitely played a part," he added.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India ended a 47-year drought of lifting their maiden ODI World Cup triumph, defeating South Africa in the final in front of a home crowd. With this, Team India became the fourth team after Australia, England, and New Zealand to lift the coveted trophy.

The Women in Blue are currently aiming for their maiden T20 World Cup triumph in the ongoing edition, determined to build on the incredible momentum generated by their historic 50-over success.

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2026: How Can India Qualify for the Semifinal after Defeat to South Africa?

Kukkiwon, ISSO Launch Landmark Taekwondo Education Program in India

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:30:33 +0530

The International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO), in collaboration with Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters, South Korea), and ISF Academy, launched the Kukkiwon International Taekwondo Education Program in India, a landmark initiative designed to strengthen coaching standards, technical excellence and athlete development pathways within the country's school sports ecosystem. The program was held on June 20 and 21 at Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School in Mumbai.

The program brought together educators and Taekwondo practitioners, including 40 coaches from India, for an immersive learning experience led by internationally acclaimed experts from Kukkiwon, the official World Taekwondo Headquarters, according to a press release. The initiative reflected a shared commitment by ISSO, ISF Academy and Kukkiwon to advance school sports through education, international collaboration and the adoption of globally recognised best practices. Participants gained direct exposure to Kukkiwon-standard poomsae training, technical skills development, coaching methodologies, athlete progression frameworks and contemporary approaches to high-performance Taekwondo education.

About Kukkiwon and Program Leadership

Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Kukkiwon serves as the global authority for Taekwondo Dan certification, instructor education and technical standardisation across more than 200 countries. Through its international education and instructor dispatch programs, Kukkiwon continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and development of Taekwondo worldwide.

The program was led by Master Ahn Hyung-Won, a Kukkiwon Dispatch Master and Associate Instructor, who is widely regarded as one of the leading educators in modern Taekwondo. A Kukkiwon 6th Dan Black Belt, Master Ahn is a U.S. Open Taekwondo Championship gold medallist, multiple Korean national champion, former Poomsae Instructor with the Asia Taekwondo Union and current Head Coach of the Egypt National Poomsae Team.

Fostering Global Partnerships

The collaboration marked another significant milestone in ISSO and ISF Academy's efforts to bring international-standard coach education opportunities to India. Over the past year, the organisations had successfully delivered educational programs in partnership with leading global sporting bodies, including FIBA, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Dixit, Founding Director, ISSO, said, "At ISSO, our vision is to create meaningful global learning opportunities for coaches, educators and student-athletes by partnering with the world's most respected sporting institutions. Our collaboration with Kukkiwon and ISF Academy is a significant milestone in bringing internationally recognised Taekwondo education and expertise to India. This program further strengthens our commitment to elevating school sports and empowering educators with global knowledge and best practices. We are proud to facilitate this opportunity and contribute to the long-term growth of Taekwondo within the Indian school sports ecosystem."

Kukkiwon's Commitment to Growth in India

The initiative was also supported by senior leadership from Kukkiwon Headquarters, including Na Young Jip, Senior Director, International Strategy Department, Kukkiwon, who oversees the organisation's global development programs and international partnerships. Na Young added, "Kukkiwon is committed to promoting the growth and development of Taekwondo across the world through quality education and international cooperation. We are delighted to partner with ISSO and ISF Academy to bring this important program to India, a country with immense potential and a rapidly growing Taekwondo community. Through initiatives such as this, we aim to strengthen coaching expertise, technical standards, and athlete development pathways while fostering deeper cultural and sporting exchanges. We look forward to working closely with our partners to support the continued advancement of Taekwondo in India."

The Kukkiwon International Taekwondo Education Program underscored a collective vision of building global standards in school Taekwondo through education, excellence and international collaboration. By connecting Indian educators and practitioners with globally recognised expertise, the initiative sought to create a lasting impact on the development of Taekwondo and school sport across the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mbappe dismisses star comparisons, says focus is on World Cup glory

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:00:25 +0530

Kylian Mbappe dismissed comparisons with football's biggest stars, saying Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best players and that such discussions are not for him. He said his focus is solely on winning another World Cup with his team. Mbappe emphasised living in the present and enjoying the tournament rather than worrying about comparisons or future legacy.

Mbappe stressed that his priority is helping France mount another successful World Cup campaign. "Messi is the best player, along with Cristiano, that's clear. I'm trying to help my team win another World Cup. The rest is just debate for the journalists. Right now, I'm not thinking about Haaland; maybe they're thinking about us, but I'm thinking about Iraq," Mbappe stated, as quoted by Marca as per Goal.com. "Messi has shown what we've seen, that's a debate for people, it's good, but it's not something on my mind. What I want is to bring the trophy home. I won't be here when I turn 40; they'll have kicked me out before then. I don't make future plans; I only think about the present moment, about enjoying the World Cup," he added.

Focus on Team Success Over Scoring Records

Mbappe also downplayed talk of breaking the World Cup all-time scoring record, saying his focus is on helping his team win and secure qualification. He acknowledged that goals will naturally bring him closer to the milestone, but stressed that team success matters most.

He also praised Messi's consistency in front of goal, saying he expected him to score. "It's always a pleasure to be there, and the important thing is the match because we have to qualify. I already knew Leo was going to score because he always scores. I'm behind him, but if you score, you get closer, but the most important thing for me is winning the World Cup," he said. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan’s Pre-Tournament Celebration Shoot Goes Viral After Early Exit (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:28:27 +0530

Pakistan’s campaign at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 came to an early end, as they suffered three consecutive group-stage defeats, which resulted in their early elimination from the tournament.

The Women in Green, led by Fatima Sana, were on the verge of an early exit following back-to-back losses to India and South Africa. Their shocking defeat at the hands of Bangladesh sealed their fate, dumping them out of the competition in the group stage. Pakistan’s two losses came while chasing the target, while the other was defending the total.

This marks the 10th successive Women’s T20 World Cup in which Pakistan have failed to progress beyond the group stage, underlining their continued struggles on the global stage. In the previous nine editions, the Women in Green finished almost at the bottom of the points table, reflecting their inability to make a mark among the world's elite cricketing nations.

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Chamari Athapaththu Admits Captaincy Failure as Sri Lanka Stare at Exit

Pakistan’s Premature Celebration Shoot Goes Viral

As Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament after three successive defeats in the group stage, a bizarre video emerged online showing the winless squad staging a cheerful victory photoshoot.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), Fatima Sana and her team were seen trying different celebration styles, while showing their beaming smiles for pre-tournament photoshoot purposes, which was originally intended to be used only if they registered victories in the competition, which never actually materialized.

Despite the innocent context of it being a promotional shoot, the ill-timed footage surfaced online just as the team's dismal group-stage exit was confirmed following their defeat to Bangladesh.

DELUSIONAL VICTORY CELEBRATION BY PAKISTANPakistan Women's Team Filming Victory Celebration, but haven't won a single match yet BTW, Pakistan Women have lost 3 consecutive matches and even lost 2 Warm-up matches So, they are still winless pic.twitter.com/R3FHzgyQFH

— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) June 22, 2026

Pakistan were the team to officially exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, followed by Ireland and the Netherlands, who also failed to secure a single victory in their respective groups. The Women in Green’s performance has come under scrutiny from both fans and cricket enthusiasts on social media, with many calling for an overhaul of the women's setup and domestic structure.

Despite the team having two more group-stage matches remaining against Australia and the Netherlands to see out their campaign, the premature promotional footage has undoubtedly cast a long, embarrassing shadow over their time in England.

0 Wins, Full Vibes: Fans Roast Pakistan's Premature Celebration

The viral video of Pakistan women’s pre-tournament celebration photoshoot has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), where fans and cricket enthusiasts did not hold back in expressing their amusement and frustration.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts reacted with a mix of humour, sarcasm, and heavy criticism, mocking Pakistan’s winless campaign and their pre-tournament celebration shoot. Many joked about ‘celebrating defeats’, ‘peak delusional,’, and compared it to their men’s team struggles.

However, others dismissed it as poor preparation and poor timing rather than confidence, saying the footage highlighted a lack of performance on the field.

It not their fault. They have learnt this from there Army. How to celebrate after losing.

— Rajneesh Kumar (@adv_rajneeshllb) June 22, 2026

Celebration practice krne se acha net mein practice kri hoti toh aaj 3 consecutively match naa haarti i thought only pakistan men team are clown but then i watched their women team

— Aditya (@adiisoboringg) June 22, 2026

They are celebrating on being equal and at par with their Men's team. Both are embarrassingly bad losers ...

— MITESH SHAH (@miteshrs) June 22, 2026

Deluded team of a deluded nation Pakis are used to fake, make believe celebrations

— BHARATIYA Rohhann (@Rohhann279581) June 22, 2026

So the plan was simple-show this celebration to their citizens (who btw dont hve any TV sets left to watch live matches) & claim "YET ANOTHER" victory which was not recorded....LOL!!!!!

— Rikhav Thakkar (@rikhavt) June 22, 2026

When you’re winless in the tournament + lost both warm-ups, but still drop a victory celebration video... Pakistan Women’s Team setting new standards in hopium #FailedStatePakistan https://t.co/nUuqd0T05V

— Alka Sharma (@AlkaaSharmaa) June 22, 2026

Winless and the reason explained in the end of this clip

— IK (@IkramKh87038365) June 22, 2026

0 wins, full victory lap — peak delusion or next-level belief? Either way, we’re entertained!

— Dead Guru (@PAPA_JI_4141) June 22, 2026

They have long history of celebrating defeats as win. Shahid Afridi tops the table

— iranna patil (@ibpatil_47) June 22, 2026

Pakistan’s Women’s T20 World Cup record is abysmal, as they have managed to win only nine games out of 36 outings across 10 editions so far, with a win percentage of just 25%, reflecting their continued struggles to compete consistently at the highest level.

Also Read: IND vs SA, Women's T20 WC 2026: Smriti Mandhana's Shot Selection Sparks Debate After Dismissal

ISSF Jr World C'ship: Pritam Kendre wins gold, India adds 4 medals

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:00:54 +0530

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced another successful outing for the Indian contingent at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026 in Suhl, Germany, with the country's shooters adding four more medals to their tally over the course of the competition.

Pritam Kendre Clinches Gold

India's Pritam Kendre clinched the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Men Junior event with a composed and outstanding performance, earning the country's fifth gold medal of the championship, according to a press release.

Team Events Secure Bronze Medals

India also secured a bronze medal in the 25m Pistol Women Junior Team event through the trio of Anjali Mahendra Bhagwat, Parisha Gupta and Nithila Ivy Darling Praveen Christopher, who combined to finish on the podium.

Another bronze medal came in the 25m Pistol Men Junior Team event, where Abhinav Choudhary, Raj Chandra and Jatin delivered a strong team performance to secure a place among the medal winners.

Earlier, Anvii Rathod had added to India's medal tally by winning a bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Women Junior event. Anvii delivered a composed performance to finish on the podium, further strengthening India's impressive campaign at the championship.

India Dominates Medal Standings

With these four medals, India's overall tally has now risen to 12 medals (5 Gold, 1 Silver and 6 Bronze). The Indian contingent continues to maintain its position at the top of the medal standings, reflecting its consistency and dominance across both individual and team events at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: England Captain Harry Kane Targeted with ‘Curse’ by Ghanaian Witch Doctor

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:26:50 +0530

Popular Ghanaian Spiritualist Nana Kwaku Bonsam vowed to put a ‘curse’ on England captain Harry Kane ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash at Boston Stadium in Fuxurborough on Tuesday, June 22.

England and Ghana won their respective opening matches in Group L against Croatia and Panama, earning three points each. Both sides will head into the clash with maximum momentum, making the Tuesday night encounter a crucial battle for the top spot in the group. The Three Lions are at the top spot due to goal difference, while the Black Stars are closely placed in the second position as an epic showdown looms.

However, ahead of the crucial clash, Harry Kane was targeted by a Ghanaian Spiritualist, who boldly declared that he was actively working on a spell to neutralise the English striker, who is expected to spearhead the Three Lions' attack in the high-stakes Group L encounter.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Why No Red Card For Messi? Algeria Slams Referee, Complains to Governing Body

‘Will Do Enough to Stop Against My Country’

A Ghanaian Spiritualist wanted to see his country secure a famous victory and insisted that his spiritual intervention would specifically hinder the English talisman. Speaking to the Daily Star, Nana Kwaku Bonsam said he wouldn’t inflict any harm on Harry Kane, but rather place a spiritual block on his scoring abilities to ensure he poses no threat to the Black Stars on the field.

“I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before, so I know what work I must do to stop him,” Bonsam said.

“I am very famous for my predictions. I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana," he added.

Ghanaian witch doctor Nana Kwaku Bonsam has vowed to put a curse on Harry Kane for Tuesday’s England vs Ghana "I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before so I know what work I must do to stop him. I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just… pic.twitter.com/bYr5fma7Hn

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 22, 2026

Nana Kwaku Bonsam first gained limelight when he famously claimed to have used juju to curse Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, blaming the Portuguese star’s persistent knee tendonitis on his spiritual intervention.

Ronaldo did indeed suffer from patellar tendinitis in his left knee before the 2014 tournament, which severely limited his appearance on the field as Portugal suffered a group-stage exit. However, the Portuguese still scored a goal in a 2-1 win over Ghana, which ironically sealed both teams' elimination from the competition at the time.

Football Fans Mock Witch Doctor’s Spell on England Captain

Ghanaian Spiritualist Nana Kwaku Bonsam’s viral claim of cursing England captain Harry Kane with his ‘juju’ has sparked widespread amusement and mockery across social media, especially X handle (formerly Twitter), where fans and football enthusiasts have reacted with a mixture of humour, disbelief, and outright mockery.

Taking to their X handles, fans and football enthusiasts reacted with humour and disbelief, with many joking about ‘Hogwarts-style defence against the dark arts,’ predicting Harry Kane would still score, and dismissing the claims as ‘clownery’ and superstition.

Others referenced Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2014 World Cup performance, saying similar ‘curse”’ claims then failed and dismissing the remarks about Harry Kane as baseless.

Kane needs to call hogwarts asap for a bit of defense against the dark arts Might as well being Potter into the squad as tactical advisor. Expecto Patronum their ankles or smth

— Cath—astrophe (@s0toayamm) June 22, 2026

I am definatelly beting on Kane scoring against Ghana!!

— Anexitilos (@Anexitilos1) June 22, 2026

What a clown, but I suppose he's providing alt entertainment with these witchcraft claims.

— Robert Paul (@DrRobPaul) June 22, 2026

Kane needs to score 10 goals just to spite him and end his career

— Baby Vegeta (@Tsufuruleader) June 22, 2026

Football is a game of chance not witchcraft. Kane is a good player

— Young Sam (@ysam400) June 22, 2026

He said same of CR7 when we played Portugal in Brazil 2014 world cup but Ronaldo still scored against Ghana so don't worry about what He's saying

— Douglas_Mawuko_Swerver (@kwasi_mawuko) June 22, 2026

Why can't he just work his magic for Ghana to win the #FIFAClubWorldCup than lying to us that he is able to bewitch their opponents.False witch doctor this one.Muti doesn't work in football otherwise an African team would have won atleast one of the past world cups.

— Malesa TJ (@malesatj) June 22, 2026

Beg him to put it on greedy politicians first please

— Grandma Bismark,, (@EthicaLrebel360) June 22, 2026

What if your magic reacts and makes him score hat trick

— The.. Right..over (@MudasirZek98401) June 22, 2026

Chale. This guy again? Every time he "tries to help" we end up loosing.

— Boanerges Wealth (@AnAnkuvie) June 22, 2026

He’s in the news again.. Said same thing about Ronaldo but he eventually scored..

— kobby snaq (@snaq11) June 22, 2026

Harry Kane is the joint-leading goal-scorer for England in the history of the FIFA World Cup, netting 10 goals across three appearances at the prestigious football tournament, further underlining his importance to the Three Lions ahead of the high-stakes clash against Ghana.

With the top spot in Group L on the line, the highly anticipated encounter promises to be an epic showdown, completely unaffected by the pre-match mystical drama.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: What a Comeback! Salah’s Egypt Clinches Historic First Win Against New Zealand

ICC launches post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines for cricketers

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:01:31 +0530

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched its Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines for female cricketers, providing players, Member Boards, medical professionals and coaches with a practical framework to support the return to cricket after pregnancy.

With women's cricket becoming increasingly professional and career opportunities continuing to expand, more players are choosing to start families during their playing careers and return to elite cricket after giving birth. These Guidelines have been formed to aid that process and are part of the ICC's broader commitment to player health, wellbeing and the continued growth of the women's game, according to a media release from ICC.

The 6 Rs Framework

The health and welfare of female cricketers are central pillars in the ICC's approach to women's cricket, which is one of the ICC's six strategic priorities. Part of this approach has seen the ICC roll out a range of women's health initiatives under the 100% Cricket movement to educate players and staff, while building awareness and normalising important conversations in sporting environments. The Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are designed to help Members develop their own pregnancy and return-to-play policies, in line with local legislation, while supporting player welfare through practical, physical and psychological guidance.

To support a safe and sustainable return to cricket, the Guidelines outline the 6 Rs framework: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine. The approach covers early recovery after birth, medical and wellbeing reviews, gradual return to structured training, cricket-specific conditioning, return to play and ongoing monitoring once a player is back in the cricket environment.

Expert-Led Practical Support

The drafting of the Guidelines was led by ICC Medical Advisory Committee member and Australia Team Doctor, Dr. Philippa Inge, who helped outline practical support considerations, including flexible training environments, continued access to facilities and services, childcare advice, suitable spaces for feeding or caring for babies at playing venues, and travel support, where possible.

Dr. Inge said: "The ICC's Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are designed to show players that having a baby doesn't need to be the end of their career, and what we're aiming to do with this policy is allow Member nations to facilitate the return to cricket for their players."

"We know that many Members haven't necessarily had these in the past, and the aim has been to make them adaptable for the unique environments in which our Members need to use them. The guidelines serve as a template for Members, and strong support for an athlete returning to cricket post-pregnancy needs to be individualised to the specific needs of them and their family," the Doctor said.

A Player's Perspective

The West Indies' Afy Fletcher, who is competing at the ICC World Cup 2026 after giving birth to her son in 2021, believes these Guidelines will lead to more players being in a position to return to cricket after pregnancy.

"I think it's really good that the ICC is giving cricket boards policies to look after women after pregnancy," said Fletcher. "It gives you a chance to have your family and then return, so I think that's one of the best things they could have done for women's cricket."

Of her own return to cricket, Fletcher said: "Physical recovery was challenging, but more than that, I struggled to leave my child and miss creating precious moments. That's why every moment I play on the field is driven by him. Every player's journey is different, but you have to have strong support, get healthy and trust the process."

ICC's Commitment to Player Welfare

ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, said, "The continued growth of women's cricket must be built on opportunity, inclusion and care for our players at every stage of their lives and careers. No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level."

"The ICC's Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are an important step in creating a more supportive and informed environment across the game. By providing Members with practical guidance, we want to ensure that female cricketers are supported through pregnancy and empowered to return to cricket with confidence," he added.

"As women's cricket continues to grow globally, it is essential that we protect player welfare, retain talented athletes and strengthen pathways for current and future generations. These Guidelines reflect our commitment to building a game where women can thrive, both on and off the field," he concluded. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

JKC Sports, BFI partner to professionalise bridge across India

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:01:18 +0530

JKC Sports and BFI Announce Landmark Partnership

On the opening day of the 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships in Goa, the sport of bridge got a massive professional boost as JKC Sports and the Bridge Federation of India (BFI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and professionalise the sport of bridge across the country.

The partnership brings together BFI, the apex governing body for contract bridge in India, and JKC Sports, the sports venture of the JK Group, to widen participation in the game and build a stronger ecosystem around it, according to a press release. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the sport and comes on the opening day of the 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships, being held in Goa from June 21 to 27. The scale and stature of the tournament are reflected in the participation of 290 athletes representing 46 teams from 16 countries, making it one of the premier continental bridge events in Asia. Host Nation India will be looking to defend their title against the region's event. The championship will feature competitors from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and host nation India.

Focus on Grassroots Development and Professional Structure

Riding high on an impressive performance in the previous edition, India will field a formidable contingent after its senior team secured the gold medal and the duo of Puja Batra and Asha Sharma emerged victorious in the women's pairs event. Under the MOU, JKC Sports will work on grassroots development, a structured mentor-mentee programme, and the Technical Director Academy (TD Academy). The partnership will support the growth of bridges across schools, colleges and new cities, while also creating greater awareness of the sport and encouraging wider participation. The aim is to bring more people to the game, identify talent early, and create clear pathways for new and developing players to progress.

Madhav Singhania, CEO & Joint Managing Director, JK Cement, and Co-Founder, JKC Sports, said, "Bridge has a long and serious following in India, but it has never had the kind of professional structure the sport deserves. Our partnership with the Bridge Federation of India is about building that structure. We want to invest in young players, support them through mentorship and the TD Academy, expand the sport into schools, colleges and emerging centres, and bring technology into how the game is taught and run. Through initiatives such as mybridge360.com, we hope to make the bridge more accessible, engaging and professionally managed for the next generation of players."

Digital Innovation to Enhance the Sport

The two organisations will also work to professionalise bridge through technology and digital innovation, including through platforms such as mybridge360.com. This includes strengthening the digital tools and systems that support coaching, competition and the way the game is administered and followed, so the sport can grow on a more modern and professional footing.

The partnership will also focus on creating a more structured and accessible bridge ecosystem by leveraging technology, education and outreach initiatives through BFI programmes, helping players, coaches, technical officials and enthusiasts engage more effectively with the sport.

Prasad V Keni, President, Bridge Federation of India, added, "This MOU is an important step for bridge in India. Working with JKC Sports gives the federation the resources and the expertise to take the game to more people, particularly the young, and to put it on a more professional footing. We share a common goal of growing the sport while protecting its competitive integrity, and we look forward to what this partnership can build together." The partnership will roll out over the coming seasons. JKC Sports and BFI will announce details of specific programmes, academy intakes and other development initiatives in due course.

India Defends Title Amidst Strong Competition

India's lineup, which includes Asian Games medallists and national champions, is expected to face strong challenges from some of Asia's leading bridge nations, including Hong Kong, the reigning men's team champions, and Indonesia, which enters as the defending champion in both the women's and mixed team categories.

Championship Schedule

The qualification stage for the men's, women's, mixed, and senior team events will take place from June 22 to 25. The team event semi-finals are scheduled for June 26, with the championship set to conclude on June 27 with the team finals and pairs finals.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

'Temperament is a Choice': Anand Mahindra Hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Knock in IND A vs SL A Final

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:44:15 +0530

The final of the tri-series between India ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ was played on Sunday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. But the star of the show was 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who won everyone's hearts with his explosive batting.

Vaibhav, who is creating a huge buzz in Indian cricket circles, let his bat do the talking in the final, giving a solid reply to his critics. His amazing performance has caught the eye of not just cricket fans and former players, but also big names from the business world, like Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra, who was full of praise for the young player.

Also Read: 'Songs Written from the Heart': India Star Virat Kohli Reveals his Go-To Track for Pre-Match Motivation

What did Anand Mahindra say?

Famous industrialist Anand Mahindra shared a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, praising the young cricket sensation. He was more impressed with how Vaibhav handled the pressure and his mental strength, rather than just his batting. He also used Vaibhav as an example to explain how one should face challenges and pressure in life and career with patience and mental fortitude.

In his tweet, he wrote, ‘Fifty off 11 balls. Incredible. But, for me, another stat is more praiseworthy. There was an on-field confrontation in the previous match. He could have easily carried that baggage into this game. But instead, he carried his bat and let it do the talking. Talent is a gift, but temperament is a choice. This very temperament will make him a star.’

Fifty off 11 balls. Incredible. But it isn’t only that statistic which I applaud Because after the earlier match’s on-field confrontation, he could have carried that baggage into this game.Instead, he carried his bat & let it do the talking.Talent is a gift. But…

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 21, 2026

Young batter gets his revenge with the bat!

Before this final, in a match on June 15, there was a heated argument between Vaibhav and the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team players. India ‘A’ had lost to Sri Lanka ‘A’ in a Super Over that day. While celebrating their win, the Sri Lankan players started sledging the Indian players. A

big fight broke out between Sri Lankan fielder Vishon Halambage and Vaibhav, which even involved some pushing. The match referee took the on-field fight seriously and took disciplinary action against both players, cutting 50% of their match fees.

Even though India lost the Super Over on June 15 and the Sri Lankan players were overly critical, Vaibhav did not lose his cool. Instead, in the final on June 21, he put all his energy into the field. He thrashed the Sri Lankan bowlers and took his revenge, with interest. In the end, the India ‘A’ team defeated the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team by a massive 66 runs in the final, lifting the trophy in style.

Also Read: ‘Jala Diya’: Sri Lanka Fan Hilariously Reacts to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Blitz in IND A vs SL A Final (WATCH)

Jharkhand T20: Royals enter semis on Virat's ton, Strikers win big

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:30:54 +0530

The league stage of the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League 2026 concluded with the Chota Nagpur Royals and Santhal Strikers registering comprehensive wins. While the Royals secured the last spot in the semi-final by crushing the Jamshedpur Steelers, the Santhal Strikers ended their campaign on a high note by defeating the Dhanbad Diamonds here at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, according to a press release.

Royals Ride on Virat's Century to Enter Semis

In the afternoon match, the Chota Nagpur Royals batted first and posted a massive 211/4 in 20 overs, riding on Player of the Match Virat Singh's splendid, unbeaten century (106* off 58 balls). He found an excellent ally in MD Nazim Siddiqui, who provided brisk support with a 32-ball 54. The dynamic duo put on a dominant 88-run opening stand before Siddiqui was dismissed, after which Shresth Sagar chipped in with a crucial 25 off 20 balls to maintain the momentum.

For the Jamshedpur Steelers, the bowling unit struggled, though Harsh Rana (1/29), Aman Kumar Singh (1/30), Pranjal Kumar (1/36), and Pratik Ranjan (1/50) managed to pick up a wicket apiece.

Chasing a daunting target of 212, the Jamshedpur Steelers never got going and were bundled out for just 126 in 19.1 overs. A devastating top-order collapse saw them lose their first six wickets with just 38 runs on the board, completely taking the wind out of their sails. It was only Harsh Rana's fighting innings of 46 off 35 balls that saved them from complete humiliation and helped the team reach a somewhat respectable total, while Shakti Singh chipped in with a gritty 22 off 34 balls lower down the order. The Royals' bowling attack was clinical, spearheaded by Rahul Rajak, who claimed a stellar 3/11 in his 2 overs, while Deepanshu Rawat locked things down with 2/25 from his 4 overs.

Strikers Dominate Diamonds in Final League Match

The evening fixture saw the Dhanbad Diamonds bat first, only to be bowled out for a meagre 106 in 18.1 overs. Ram Raushan top-scored with 32 off 20 balls, while Vikash Kumar Vishal made a quickfire 26 off 17 balls. For the Santhal Strikers, players of the match Sanjeet Sharma (4/10) and Anmol Raj (4/20) ran through the batting lineup, picking up four wickets apiece.

The Santhal Strikers made quick work of the chase, cruising to 107/1 in just 11.5 overs to cross the finish line with 9 wickets and 49 balls to spare. Kumar Suraj led the charge with an unbeaten 53* off 34 balls, well-supported by Vibhor Pandey's 32 off 27 balls. Vivekanand Tiwari (1/28) picked up the lone wicket for the Diamonds on a tough evening.

Knockout Stage Set

With the league stage wrapped up, the tournament now shifts to the high-stakes knockouts on June 22, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

3rd U-19 T20 National Deaf Cricket Championship kicks off in Anantapur

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:30:30 +0530

3rd U-19 T20 National Deaf Cricket Championship Begins in Anantapur

The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and recognised by the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) and the Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA), inaugurated the 3rd U-19 T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf on Monday, with a grand opening ceremony held at Anantapur's RDT Stadium Cricket Ground. The championship, which is being hosted by the Deaf Cricket Association of Andhra Pradesh (DCAAP), brings together some of the country's most promising young deaf cricketers and reflects IDCA's continued commitment to promoting inclusivity, excellence, and equal opportunities in sports, according to a press release. The competition will feature 23 league matches, to be played from June 22 to 26, 2026, at Anantapur's RDT Stadium Cricket Ground, with trophies awarded to the overall champions, runners-up, and third-place teams.

IDCA President on Celebrating Deaf Athletes

Speaking about the championship, Sumit Jain, President of IDCA, said, "I am delighted to see my dream gradually becoming a reality. The U19 3rd T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 showcases some of India's finest young cricketers from across the country and celebrates the spirit, resilience, and talent of our deaf athletes. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman of Serum Institute of India, for being our Principal Support Partner and for his unwavering support. The entire IDCA family is truly fortunate to have the blessings and encouragement of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group and KFC India. I would also like to thank all our support partners for their generous contributions and valuable guidance."

Andhra Pradesh Association Welcomes Teams

Challagali Raghu, General Secretary, DCAAP, added, "We are delighted to host the IDCA U19 3rd T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. We are pleased to welcome teams from ten state deaf cricket associations invited by IDCA. Nurturing deaf cricket talent is truly a celebration, and we are proud to be members of IDCA. We look forward to a tournament that will create excitement, goodwill, and further promote the cause of deaf cricket in Andhra Pradesh."

Participating Teams

A total of 10 teams from across the country are competing in the event: 1) Delhi 2) Mumbai 3) Haryana 4) Odisha 5) Karnataka 6) Madhya Pradesh 7) Gujarat 8) Andhra Pradesh 9) Telangana 10) Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Zealand Vs Egypt Highlights: Salah Inspires Stunning 3–1 Comeback Win for Pharaohs

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:15:35 +0530

Egypt produced a dramatic second-half comeback to beat New Zealand 3–1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash. After going behind in the first half, Mohamed Salah led the turnaround with a goal and assist as Egypt overpowered the All Whites to secure a crucial group-stage victory.

Is England Star Jacob Bethell's Secretly Dating an Indian Mystery Girl? Rumours Erupt

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:10:46 +0530

England's rising cricket star Jacob Bethell is making headlines, but this time, it's not for his game. His personal life is the new talk of the town.

Social media is buzzing with rumours that Bethell is dating a girl of Indian origin. A cosy photo of the cricketer with a mystery girl has gone viral, adding fuel to the fire.

Who is this mystery girl?

In the picture, Bethell has his arm around a girl's shoulder in a very romantic pose. But her face isn't clearly visible, leaving fans and netizens guessing who she is.

A few days ago, England's Jacob Bethell came here to play in the World Cup and stayed for 2 months, then came to play in the IPL and stayed for two months.Now, news of his affair is coming to light.There's a lot of buzz on the internet about their affair; the girl is from… pic.twitter.com/Nq1XNjOiJW

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) June 20, 2026

Social media detectives are pretty sure the girl is Indian. Many believe she is Ankita Patel, a well-known celebrity makeup artist from Mumbai. Ankita has worked with big Bollywood names like Shilpa Shetty, Palak Tiwari, and Hina Khan. However, neither Jacob nor Ankita has said anything officially about these dating rumours. So, the suspense is still on.

Also Read: England’s Harry Brook & Jacob Bethell Cautioned Over Nightclub Incident On Pre‑Ashes New Zealand Tour

Name also linked with an Indian actress!

But wait, there's a twist. It's not just Ankita. Jacob Bethell's name is also being linked with young Indian actress Aadhya Anand. Some social media users claim the two got very close during the IPL. Fans have also pointed out that Jacob regularly likes Aadhya's posts on social media.

Looks like the England all-rounder has been clean bowled by an Indian girl. But who is the lucky lady? We'll only know for sure when Jacob Bethell himself decides to spill the beans.

Also Read: Who Is Akshara Gupta? 15-Year-Old Bihar Cricketer Smashes Unbeaten Triple Century in U-19 Tournament

FIFA World Cup 2026: Why No Red Card For Messi? Algeria Slams Referee, Complains to Governing Body

Vaishnav Akash — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:47:51 +0530

So, Algeria lost 3-0 to Argentina in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, and now they're not taking it lying down. They've gone ahead and filed an official complaint with FIFA about the refereeing during the match. Their main point is that Lionel Messi should have been shown a red card in the first half, but wasn't. They're also calling out the ref for not acting on several other controversial moments. The match, which took place in Kansas City, saw defending champs Argentina win thanks to a Messi hat-trick. But the big talking point after the final whistle was a foul involving the Argentine captain and his Algerian counterpart, Aissa Mandi.

According to a Reuters report, Algeria has sent a letter to FIFA's Referees' Commission, targeting the officiating team led by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak. "The main focus of our complaint is the Messi foul. That was a clear red card," a source from the Algerian Football Federation told AFP. The complaint also mentioned, "We're not trying to say Argentina isn't a great team. But when we feel things have been handled unfairly, we can't just stay quiet. There were three incidents that needed serious action, and VAR didn't step in for even one of them."

And it wasn't just Messi's foul that Algeria highlighted. The federation's complaint also pointed to another incident in the second half, where Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister allegedly elbowed Ibrahim Maza while they were both going for the ball.

Should Messi have gotten a red card?

The whole controversy around Messi blew up about halfway into the first half. Messi came in from behind with a high boot and caught Mandi on the leg. The Algerian players were immediately up in arms, demanding a card. But surprisingly, neither the on-field referee nor the VAR team even took a second look. The incident quickly exploded on social media, becoming a huge talking point. Even South Africa's coach, Hugo Broos, weighed in on the matter.

He brought up how his own player, Themba Zwane, was slapped with a three-match ban for a very similar foul earlier in the tournament. "When I see what happened in Messi's case, I just can't accept the punishment my player got," Broos said. "I also want the best players like Messi to be on the pitch. But I really can't understand the difference in how these two incidents were treated."

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Chamari Athapaththu Admits Captaincy Failure as Sri Lanka Stare at Exit

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:32:45 +0530

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made a massive admission following the team’s five-wicket defeat in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group B match against West Indies at the County Cricket Ground in Bristol on Sunday, June 21.

Sri Lanka had a dismal outing with the bat as they were bundled out for 99 before the West Indies comfortably chased down the target, reaching 99/5 in 16.1 overs, sealing a crucial five-wicket victory. Despite the efforts of their bowlers, especially Kavisha Dilhari and Nimasha Meepage, Sri Lanka could not defend the modest total.

The defeat against the Caribbean side has put Sri Lanka on the brink of elimination, leaving their fate in the tournament effectively out of their own hands as they stare at an early group-stage exit.

Also Read: IND vs SA, Women's T20 WC 2026: Smriti Mandhana's Shot Selection Sparks Debate After Dismissal

‘I’m a Failure as a Captain’

Speaking at the post-match presentation following the defeat to West Indies, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was visibly emotional as she took full responsibility for the team's dismal campaign and her own underwhelming performances. She even admitted that her captaincy failure is a burden she will have to carry.

“Actually, it's a sadness beyond words. I think I played around 18 years for the national team, and I could never get a chance to take my team into a semi-final of a World Cup." the 36-year-old said.

“Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I'm a failure as a captain, because I think that's a big pain for a player. Actually, now I have to be with that pain," she added.

Strong words from Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu following the side's loss to the West Indies at the #T20WorldCup More https://t.co/JclT5fY7WQ pic.twitter.com/pS7KpXHBrz

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 22, 2026

Chamari Athapaththu is playing her 10th consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup and is leading Sri Lanka in the fifth consecutive edition of the tournament. However, the veteran Sri Lankan cricketer couldn’t take her team past the group stage in previous editions of the marquee event.

Currently, Sri Lanka are in a situation where their mathematical chances of reaching the semi-finals are hanging by a thread, relying heavily on other improbable results in Group B to avoid an early exit.

‘I Feel Like I Lost My Last Chance’

Further speaking on her performance, Chamari Athapaththu admitted that she should have played more responsibly than she did, expressing deep regret that she couldn't deliver when her team needed her the most.

“I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsibly than this, and if I have played more responsibly than this today, we could have won this match today. So, I regret that," Athapaththu said.

"Especially, I don't like to blame anyone, and I think I have more responsibility as a player, as the captain of the team, and as a player with more experience. So, I'm very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance," she added.

Chamari Athapaththu has been there since day 1 of the women's T20 World Cup pic.twitter.com/7uklsGG9RU

— Cricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 12, 2026

Sri Lanka have remaining group-stage matches against Ireland and Scotland. These fixtures will now be pride games as they attempt to salvage some pride from an otherwise disappointing campaign in the United Kingdom.

Currently, Sri Lanka are at the fifth spot with a win and two losses, and at the mercy of other teams' results, meaning they can no longer qualify for the semi-finals purely on their own merit.

Also Read: 'Songs Written from the Heart': India Star Virat Kohli Reveals his Go-To Track for Pre-Match Motivation

Lionel Messi Eyes More World Cup Records in Crucial Austria Clash

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:31:19 +0530

Lionel Messi stands on the verge of adding yet another chapter to his extraordinary FIFA World Cup legacy when Argentina face Austria in a crucial Group J clash on Monday in Dallas Stadium. The Argentine captain arrives at the match after a record-breaking performance in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, a game that further cemented his status as one of football's greatest players.

Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his career while making his 200th senior appearance for Argentina, helping the defending champions open their campaign in emphatic fashion. The 38-year-old has now scored in five consecutive World Cup matches and needs just one more goal against Austria to equal the all-time record of six straight World Cup games with a goal, a mark jointly held by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho.

On the Brink of Scoring History

Another goal would also move Messi clear at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring charts. He is currently level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals. Should that strike come from outside the penalty area, Messi would also set a new record for most long-range goals in World Cup history, having already scored five from beyond the box.

Milestones Already Achieved

Messi's display against Algeria shattered several other milestones. At 38 years and 357 days old, he became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's previous record set at the 2018 tournament. He also extended his record for combined World Cup goals and assists to 24 (16 goals and eight assists).

A Legacy of All-Time Records

The Argentina captain already holds records for most World Cup appearances (27), most minutes played (2,394), most Man of the Match awards (12) and most successful dribbles (125). Messi also holds the record for becoming the first player in football history to appear in six consecutive World Cups. A victory against Austria would be historic for Messi. With 16 World Cup matches won, a win on Monday would tie him with Miroslav Klose's record of 17 victories.

A Stern Test from Austria

Austria, however, promises a stern challenge. Coached by Ralf Rangnick, they opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan and will arrive on a four-match winning streak. With 10 wins, one draw and only one defeat in their last 12 matches, Austria have built a reputation for defensive discipline and consistency.

As Argentina seeks another step toward retaining its crown, the spotlight will once again fall on Messi, with the football world watching to see whether he can break more records against one of the tournament's most in-form teams. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Union Minister Mandaviya's Kerala visit to boost Fit India movement

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:30:31 +0530

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Keralam on Tuesday, where he will participate in a series of events promoting fitness, sports excellence and mass participation in sports. The Union Minister will begin his engagements by participating in 'Cycling by the Sea', a cycling event from Chackai ITI to Shankumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram, according to a press release from the Sports Ministry.

Engagements in Thiruvananthapuram

Organised to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the Fit India Movement, the initiative seeks to encourage people to adopt active and healthy lifestyles through cycling and other fitness activities. During the visit, Mandaviya will also visit G.V. Raja Sports School, Mylom, one of the country's renowned sports institutions that has contributed numerous athletes to Indian sports. The visit reflects the Government's continued emphasis on strengthening grassroots sports development and nurturing young sporting talent.

Later, the Union Minister will attend the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run Event at the Kerala University Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. The event forms part of the outreach activities leading up to the 2026 Asian Games and coincides with International Olympic Day celebrations.

The Fun Run is expected to bring together over 40,000 participants, including students, athletes, youth volunteers and members of the public. The large-scale event is set to showcase the spirit of sportsmanship and collective participation while highlighting Keralam's vibrant sporting culture and strengthening public engagement with the Asian Games movement.

International Yoga Day Celebrations

Earlier on Sunday, he participated in a mass yoga session during the 12th International Yoga Day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. During the session, he urged citizens to make yoga a part of their daily lives, describing it as India's gift to the world.

More than 3,000 participants joined the mass yoga session organised under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing", with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar performing yoga alongside Mandaviya and other attendees. Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya highlighted yoga's cultural and global significance and called upon people to embrace it as a daily practice. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

India's Harjai, Krish clinch APGC Junior Golf Championship team title

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:00:21 +0530

Harjai Milkha Singh combined with Krish Chawla to help India clinch the boys team title of the prestigious APGC Junior Golf Championship title at the Royal Colombo Golf Club in Colombo. The Indian duo with a combined score of nine-under par defeated the formidable South Korean pair of Jeyi Son and Jiyul Chun and the Thailand team of Jessada Chuangprayoon and Takrit Supagonchoowong by one stroke. Organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the three-day tournament witnessed participation from 64 junior golfers from 15 countries. The participating nations were Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and host nation Sri Lanka.

Harjai posted a brilliant performance, finishing runner-up three shots behind South Korea's Jeyi Son with an overall score of seven-under 206 (69-70-67). On the other hand, Krish ended tied sixth with a total score of two-under 211 (75-67-69). The Indian girls' team of Guntas Kaur Sandhu (18th) and Rashi Mishra (19th) failed to have a memorable outing. On arrival in Delhi, the team was welcomed by IGU officials with garlands.

Harjai on Victory

Speaking about his performance, Harjai said, "It gives me immense pride that I could contribute to the boys' team victory at the APGC Junior Championship. The Royal Colombo Golf Club was a real test, and keeping my head calm in spite of some of the best players from the Asia-Pacific region playing in it makes me happier. I would like to thank the IGU and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for providing us with all the support and guidance. I will do my best to help the Indian flag fly high." View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Indian Golf Union (@theindiangolfunion)

Indian Golf Union Applauds Victory

Congratulating the boys' team for their stupendous victory in the APGC Junior Championship, Indian Golf Union president Brijinder Singh said that the National Sports Federation is committed to taking golf to the grassroots. "I would like to share my heartiest congratulations to the Indian team of Harjai Milkha Singh and Krish Chawla for winning the boys team title of the APGC Junior Championship. I would also like to extend my best wishes to Harjai, especially for finishing as a runner-up in the individual boys category. Their achievement reflects the bright future of Indian golf. IGU is totally committed to spreading golf in the various nooks and corners of the country and forging partnerships with international federations with the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to fulfil the dream of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, who wants India to finish among the top-10 in the 2036 Summer Olympics," said Brijinder Singh, President of the Indian Golf Union.

Echoing the sentiments, Tushar Malhotra, Acting Director General of the Indian Golf Union, said, "Congratulations to the boys' team of Harjai and Krish for clinching the APGC Junior Championship title. I would like to sincerely thank the Sports Authority of India for their continued financial support to the IGU through the TOPS and ANSF schemes. Without their support, it would have been difficult for the federation to send teams for so many international tournaments." (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran captain thanks Mexico for 'amazing' welcome

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:30:25 +0530

Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Mexican people for their support during the FIFA World Cup 2026, saying the team has developed a special bond with the people of Mexico after relocating its tournament base to Tijuana. Jahanbakhsh praised the reception his team received in Mexico amid a challenging build-up to the tournament. Iran secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium in Los Angeles.

'We love Mexican people': A Special Bond in Tijuana

IRNA News Agency shared a video of Jahanbakhsh on X with the caption, "Alireza Jahanbakhsh, captain of the Iranian national team, appreciated Mexican people's hospitality and said, 'We love Mexican people.'" Alireza Jahanbakhsh, captain of the Iranian national team, appreciated Mexican people’s hospitality and said: “We love Mexican people.” pic.twitter.com/teNB2EPYdj — IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 22, 2026

"Talking about Tijuana, I would love to say we love Mexican people. I think everyone has the same feeling. It's just unbelievable how welcome we were there, and the hospitality there is amazing. And I think there's a really heartfelt feeling between the players of the team and the Mexican people now. And I would like to say, 'Muchas Gracias'!" the Iranian skipper told reporters, as per IRNA News Agency.

Iran moved their World Cup base camp from Arizona to Tijuana before the start of the tournament, following uncertainty surrounding travel and entry arrangements to the United States. Since then, Mexican supporters have turned out in large numbers to back Team Melli during their matches, helping create a home-away-from-home atmosphere.

Resilient Draw Against Belgium

On the pitch, Iran continued their impressive start to the tournament with a resilient draw against Belgium. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand produced a standout performance, making seven saves and frustrating the European side throughout the contest. His display earned him the Superior Player of the Match award.

Belgium's task became more difficult when defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 66th minute, but Iran had already demonstrated their defensive discipline and determination to secure a valuable point.

Path to the Round of 32

Iran opened their World Cup campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against New Zealand and now sit second in Group G with two points from two matches. Egypt lead the group following their victory over New Zealand, while Belgium are third. Team Melli will now travel to Seattle for a decisive final group-stage encounter against Egypt, with qualification for the Round of 32 still firmly within their grasp.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jasprit Bumrah's ODI Comeback: How Many Matches Has Pacer Missed Since 2023 World Cup Final?

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:28:37 +0530

Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made his comeback to ODI cricket after a gap of three years, as he was named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against England starting July 14. The BCCI announced the squad on Sunday, June 21, with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as captain and vice-captain, respectively.

Jasprit Bumrah’s return to 50-over cricket after a three-year hiatus headlined India’s squad announcement for the ODI leg of the England tour. The 32-year-old’s last appearance in ODIs was in the 2023 World Cup Final, where the Men in Blue suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the six-time champions Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Since then, the team management has strategically managed Bumrah’s workload, preserving him primarily for Test cricket and marquee T20I events, including the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. With the selectors focusing on the 2027 ODI World Cup, the pace spearhead returned to the ODI setup as part of the Men in Blue’s preparation in the build-up to the marquee event.

Also Read: England lose 12 WTC points, fined for slow over rate vs New Zealand

How Many ODI Matches has Bumrah Missed Since the 2023 World Cup Final?

After the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Jasprit Bumrah was deliberately rested and managed by the BCCI to preserve his fitness for Test cricket and T20I assignments, including the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups, where he played a pivotal role in leading the pace attack and helping the Men in Blue clinch both titles.

During the three-year hiatus, the 32-year-old didn’t play a single ODI match, and his return to the 50-over format after a long gap signals a major strategic shift in India's white-ball cricket planning, especially with the 2027 World Cup in focus.

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup Final on November 19, 2023, up until his inclusion in the squad for the England series, the 32-year-old has missed 26 ODI matches across seven bilateral series against South Africa (home and away), Australia (away), New Zealand (home), Sri Lanka (away), England (home), Afghanistan (home), and 5 matches at the Champions Trophy, including semifinal and final.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by jasprit bumrah (@jaspritb1)

Jasprit Bumrah was rested in the recently concluded ODI series against Afghanistan to keep him fresh after he had an unforgettable IPL 2026, where he carried a slight niggle from the intense T20 World Cup campaign. The break was strategically utilized to help him fully recover ahead of the England series.

Despite Bumrah’s absence, Team India has won 17 matches, 4 bilateral series, and the Champions Trophy during these three years, firmly establishing their depth in the 50-over format in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Why Bumrah’s Return is a Major Boost for Team India?

Having been away from the ODI setup for three years as part of his workload management by the BCCI selectors, Jasprit Bumrah provided a major boost to India’s pace bowling attack by bringing unmatched control, tactical brilliance, and early wicket-taking abilities back to the 50-over setup.

The pace bowling attack includes the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Gurnoor Brar, who retained his place in the squad after a dream seven-wicket ODI series against Afghanistan. With Bumrah’s return to the side, the Indian fast-bowling unit boasts an ideal blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned precision.

The 32-year-old’s experience of playing in English conditions, wherein he has picked up 30 wickets in 16 ODI matches, will be vital for the Men in Blue as they look to secure a statement series victory away from home. Being the most senior pacer in India’s pace attack, he will be expected to guide the younger fast bowlers through the intricacies of English pitches during the campaign,

As India continues their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Jasprit Bumrah’s form and performance are critical to providing the bowling unit with the lethal edge required to lift the coveted trophy.

Also Read: 'Songs Written from the Heart': India Star Virat Kohli Reveals his Go-To Track for Pre-Match Motivation

FIFA World Cup 2026: One Card Can Knock Your Team Out of the Tournament! Check the Fresh Rules

Vaishnav Akash — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:00:44 +0530

When you're watching a football match, you often see the referee flash a yellow or red card after a foul. But here's the thing – those cards aren't just for that one game. They can actually decide whether your favourite team makes it to the knockout stage.

Yes, FIFA's rules can be quite complicated. When teams in the group stage end up with the same number of points, the points from these cards are counted to decide who goes to the next round.

Here are the FIFA rules

According to FIFA's new format, there will be a total of 12 groups with 48 teams competing. Out of these, only 32 teams will qualify for the first knockout round. The top two teams from each group, making it 24 teams, will directly advance.

The real fight is for the remaining 8 spots. The top 8 teams with the best performance among those who finished third in their groups will get this chance.

Cards mean negative points

If the third-placed teams are tied on points, the first tie-breaker is the goal difference. If that's also a tie, the team that scored more goals moves ahead. If the winner is still not decided, that's when fair play points are calculated. This is where the cards received by players and team officials become the villains.

• A single yellow card gets you -1 point.

• An indirect red card (getting a second yellow and leaving the field) costs -3 points.

• A direct red card leads to a deduction of -4 points.

• If a player gets both a yellow card and a direct red card in the same match, a whopping -5 points are cut.

Even after all these calculations, if there's still a tie, FIFA will use its last official rankings to decide the qualifying team.

From third place to the final

If you look at history, there are many teams that finished third in their group stage and then went on to shake up the entire tournament. In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Argentina finished third in Group B, behind Cameroon and Romania. But they qualified as a best third-place team, beat Brazil in the pre-quarters, Yugoslavia in the quarters, and Italy in the semis to reach the final, where they lost to Germany.

Similarly, in 1994, Italy also finished third in their group and stormed into the final, only to lose to Brazil. In that same World Cup, Sweden and Bulgaria also came from third place to create history by playing in the semi-finals.

Ronaldo's team did it too

And who can forget the 2016 Euro Cup? Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal finished third in their group, behind Hungary and Iceland. But they picked up momentum and went on to win the cup that year, creating history. That's why in the world of football, you can never underestimate the teams that finish third in the group stage. They can become game-changers at any moment.

England lose 12 WTC points, fined for slow over rate vs New Zealand

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:00:44 +0530

England Hit with Severe WTC Penalty

England have been penalised 12 points in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and fined 50 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over rate during the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. The sanction comes after England were found to be 12 overs short of the required target after time allowances were taken into account.

Under WTC regulations, teams lose one championship point for every over they fall short, resulting in a 12-point deduction. According to ESPNcricinfo, the punishment effectively wipes out the 12 points England earned from their victory in the opening Test at Lord's.

In addition to the points penalty, England players were fined five per cent of their match fees for each over short. However, the ICC's Code of Conduct caps such fines at 50 per cent, which was the maximum penalty imposed on the side.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. Stand-in captain Joe Root accepted the offence and pleaded guilty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing before match referee Andy Pycroft.

Impact on Standings and Series

The setback compounds England's disappointment after their heavy 253-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Test, which levelled the three-match series at 1-1. Following the deduction, England sit seventh in the nine-team WTC table with 38 points from 12 Tests, giving them a percentage of points earned of 26.39.

History of Offences

This is the second slow over-rate offence committed by England in the current WTC cycle. They were previously docked two points following their 22-run win over India at Lord's in 2025. During the previous WTC cycle, England lost a total of 22 points because of similar offences and eventually finished fifth in the standings.

Looking Ahead to Decisive Third Test

England will now turn their attention to the decisive third Test against New Zealand, which begins at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday. Regular captain Ben Stokes is set to return after missing the second Test, while fast bowler Gus Atkinson is also available for selection. Both players sat out the Oval Test following the nightclub incident that embarrassed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Belgium Vs Iran Highlights: Beiranvand Masterclass Frustrates 10-Man Red Devils

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:20:58 +0530

Belgium were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Iran in a tense World Cup 2026 Group G clash. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, a brilliant Alireza Beiranvand performance and a red card to Nathan Ngoy denied the Red Devils, leaving the group wide open. In this video: 0:00 – Belgium Dominate Possession but Fail to Break Iran Defence 1:55 – Red Card to Nathan Ngoy Shifts Momentum in Group G Clash 3:25 – Beiranvand Produces World-Class Saves to Deny Belgium Victory

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: How Can India Qualify for the Semifinal after Defeat to South Africa?

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:57:49 +0530

Team India couldn’t secure an early qualification to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal after a six-wicket defeat in the Group A clash against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21.

After posting a total of 158/7 in 20 overs, despite a slowdown in the middle overs, India failed to defend it as South Africa chased a 159-run target with five balls to spare in the final over. The veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp played an unbeaten knock of 81 off 45 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 180.00.

Shree Charani led the bowling attack with figures of 3/24 at an economy rate of 6 in her spell of four overs. Shafali Verma picked up a wicket while conceding 22 runs at an economy rate of 5.50 in four overs. Apart from Charani and Shafali, the rest of the bowling line-up, including Deepti Sharma, Nandni Sharma, and Arundhati Reddy, failed to contain the aggressive Proteas batting lineup, leaking runs at crucial stages of the run-chase.

Also Read: Women's T20 WC: Dropped catches prove costly as India lose to SA

India’s Semifinal Qualification Gets Complicated After SA Defeat

Team India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, was on the verge of securing their semifinal berth after back-to-back victories against arch-rivals Pakistan and the tournament debutants, the Netherlands, and were at the top of the Group A points table before Australia’s win over the Dutch side slipped them to the second spot before this crucial fixture against the Proteas.

The Women in Blue were just a win away from earning their semifinal spot. However, things became tricky following the loss to South Africa. Despite the defeat, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side is still in second position in their group due to a superior net run rate compared to the Proteas.

India have an NRR of +2.511, while South Africa’s net run rate is currently at -0.546, giving the Women in Blue a massive cushion despite the loss. India’s loss to the South Africa cricket team doesn’t knock them out of the semifinal race, but it does mean qualification is no longer mathematically ‘done’ yet.

South Africa win by 6 wickets. #TeamIndia will now shift their focus to the next game against Bangladesh! Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/cIrb7Ekn0x#T20WorldCup | #WomenInBlue | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/AfxIJJgxXh

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 21, 2026

With two wins and a defeat, Team India currently sits on 4 points with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +2.511. Their path to semifinal qualification is still in their own hands, as they have two matches left in the group stage. Bangladesh and Australia are the two remaining opponents they must face in their final Group A encounters.

How Can India Qualify for the Semifinal?

Team India is currently in a situation where they have to win the remaining two group stage fixtures against Bangladesh and Australia to guarantee a direct passage to the semi-finals without relying on other Group A results.

Securing wins over Bangladesh and Australia will take the Women in Blue to a total of eight points, sufficient to seal a top-two finish in Group A and a guaranteed spot in the semi-finals. In case Team India wins one out of the remaining two fixtures, they will finish the group stage with 6 points.

In this scenario, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side would need South Africa to lose their remaining fixtures against the Netherlands and Bangladesh. If the Proteas win the remaining two fixtures and India finishes with six points and an inferior NRR, they risk elimination if multiple teams tie on points.

If the Women in Blue lose their remaining group stage fixtures, they will remain on 4 points and will almost certainly be eliminated from semifinal contention, unless other results produce an unlikely combination of outcomes and NRR scenarios. Therefore, Team India must win at least one, ideally both, of their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Australia to firmly control their destiny.

Also Read: Women's T20 WC: Kapp's all-round heroics power SA to win over India

FIFA WC 2026: Spain coach slams 'crazy' criticism after 4-0 win

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:30:54 +0530

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente launched a strong defence of his players after their emphatic 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting it was "crazy" to question a team that has now gone 33 matches unbeaten.

Spain arrived under pressure following a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening Group H fixture, but responded in style on Sunday with a dominant performance inspired by the return of teenage star Lamine Yamal to the starting lineup. The convincing win moved Spain to four points from two matches and restored confidence in a side that had faced growing scrutiny after their sluggish start to the tournament.

'It's crazy to question this team'

"I think it's crazy to question this team," De la Fuente said after the match, according to Reuters. "We have been unbeaten for 33 consecutive games. You can have better days, worse days, normal days, but questioning, doubting this generation of very young footballers with a bright future, I think it's unfair," he said.

The Spanish coach revealed that criticism had served as motivation for his squad, whose pride had been hurt by the reaction to the Cape Verde draw. "Nobody enjoys receiving criticism," he said. "Their pride was hurt, of course, because this is not a reality. We can do even better than this, as we've shown on other occasions. Those remarks that they hear, of course, sometimes make them react. And that's good because it's a very committed, dedicated team with amazing quality," he added, according to Reuters.

De la Fuente also stressed the importance of shielding his players from external noise. "You are great professionals. But there are things I wouldn't like to listen to. And that's why I don't listen to any programme, for example, and that's why I try to stay positive and to isolate myself from all that noise," the head coach said.

Oyarzabal answers critics

One player who answered his critics emphatically was Mikel Oyarzabal. The forward had come under scrutiny after struggling to make an impact against Cape Verde, but he delivered a superb response against Saudi Arabia, scoring twice and providing an assist in the first half.

Oyarzabal became only the second player since records began in 1966 to be directly involved in three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match, matching a feat achieved by Hungary's Laszlo Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982.

De la Fuente praises striker's massive impact

De la Fuente praised the striker's influence, insisting his value extends beyond goals and assists. "People who know about football value him greatly," the coach said. "Unfortunately, there are people who think that he doesn't have such a big impact. The impact Mikel has on the team is massive, probably bigger than any other player could have in the world. I'm convinced that he's a footballer that can really make history in Spanish football. His numbers are crazy. So I just celebrate his performance, and hopefully we will be able to value him properly," he concluded, according to Reuters.

Group H standings

Spain now sits on four points in Group H and will conclude their group-stage campaign against Uruguay on Friday. Saudi Arabia remains on one point after two matches and faces an uphill battle to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Spain vs Saudi Arabia Highlights: Lamine Yamal Shines as La Roja Crushes Saudi Arabia World Cup 2026

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:15:21 +0530

Spain delivered a dominant FIFA World Cup 2026 performance as they defeated Saudi Arabia with attacking brilliance and complete control by 4-0. Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight with his incredible skills, while Spain’s midfield and defence showcased why they are among the tournament favourites. In this video: 0:00 – Spain Start Strong With Full Control in World Cup Clash 1:30 – Lamine Yamal Lights Up the Game With Brilliant Attacking Play 3:00 – Spain Seal Comfortable 4-0 Victory Over Saudi Arabia

Iran's football team leaves heartfelt message after World Cup draw

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:30:21 +0530

Iran's national football team left an emotional message for supporters in the locker room of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after their FIFA World Cup 2026 draw against Belgium, thanking fans for their unwavering support and expressing pride in their performances.

A Heartfelt Message from Team Melli

According to the Iranian news agency ISNA, the team left a handwritten note for fans in Los Angeles following their second group-stage match. "From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast," the note read. "We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour and leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes. May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations," the message added.

Resilient World Cup Campaign

Iran's gesture came after a resilient start to their World Cup campaign. Team Melli opened Group G with an entertaining 2-2 draw against New Zealand before earning another point in a hard-fought goalless draw against Belgium.

Beiranvand's Heroics Secure a Point

The stalemate with Belgium was largely shaped by the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who produced a series of crucial saves to keep the European side at bay. The 33-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves, including four diving stops and three high claims, while also preventing an estimated 1.70 goals during the contest. Beiranvand's heroics earned him the Superior Player of the Match award as Iran secured a valuable point against a Belgian side that played the final stages with 10 men after defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 66th minute.

Path to the Knockout Stage

With two draws from their opening two matches, Iran sit second in Group G and remain firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 32. Egypt lead the standings following their victory over New Zealand, while Belgium are third and New Zealand remain bottom. Iran will now travel to Seattle for their final group-stage fixture against Egypt on Saturday, knowing a positive result could secure qualification for the knockout rounds.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mbappe defends 'vital' Dembele from criticism ahead of Iraq clash

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:27 +0530

France captain Kylian Mbappe has thrown his full support behind Ousmane Dembele ahead of Les Bleus' FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I clash against Iraq, dismissing criticism of the winger's display against Senegal and insisting the Ballon d'Or winner remains a vital figure in Didier Deschamps' side.

Speaking on the eve of France's second group-stage fixture, Mbappe praised Dembele's contribution in the opening match and highlighted the tactical influence that often goes unnoticed. "Ousmane? I have watched the game back twice; in the first half, he was the best of the four in attack, the one who stood out the most. In the second half, Michael and I were decisive, but he also contributed. He drew in an opponent and left free space for the first goal. Ousmane is very calm. He is the Ballon d'Or winner, and he has everyone's confidence. I am sure that, starting from tomorrow, he will move forward again. He is going to be a fundamental player for us, that is for sure," Mbappe said, as per goal.com.

Dembele faced scrutiny despite France opening their World Cup campaign with a victory over Senegal, but Mbappe was quick to underline the Paris Saint-Germain forward's importance to the team's attacking structure.

Mbappe on Leadership and Making History

The Real Madrid star, who is set to earn his 100th international cap, also reflected on the responsibility that comes with leading the national side on football's biggest stage. "I know what I represent, conscious of making history for my country," Mbappe said, as per goal.com. "Sometimes the pressure gets to you, but I have been lucky enough to play in this competition already, and I do not expect a brace in the first match to be enough."

Praise for 'Exceptional' Michael Olise

Mbappe also reserved special praise for Michael Olise, whose creativity and attacking flair have added another dimension to the French frontline. "He is an exceptional player with a style that everyone likes. There is a lot of movement, we have more talented people, and maybe tomorrow two other players will shine. He has the ability to create something different in every game," he added.

France Eye Round of 16 Qualification

France will take on Iraq on Monday, knowing that a victory would secure qualification for the Round of 16 with a group-stage encounter against Norway still to come. With Mbappe leading the attack, Olise in impressive form and Dembele determined to answer his critics, Les Bleus will be aiming to strengthen their position as one of the tournament favourites. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: What a Comeback! Salah’s Egypt Clinches Historic First Win Against New Zealand

Vaishnav Akash — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:23:39 +0530

VANCOUVER: Egypt has finally done it! They've bagged their first-ever World Cup victory, and in some style too.

In a thrilling Group G match in Vancouver, Salah and his boys pulled off a fantastic comeback to beat New Zealand 3-1. This win is extra sweet because it puts Egypt right at the top of their group, especially after Belgium's draw yesterday.

Things didn't start well for them, though. New Zealand got the first goal just 15 minutes into the game, thanks to Finn Surman. The Kiwis managed to hold on to their lead for the entire first half. But Egypt came out all guns blazing in the second half.

Mostafa Ziko was the one who got the party started for Egypt, scoring the equaliser in the 58th minute. Then, in the 67th minute, it was captain Mohamed Salah's turn to shine. He made a brilliant run from the right wing, cut in, and fired a classic left-footed shot into the right corner of the net. Vintage Salah!

Trézéguet sealed the deal with a third goal, making sure of the historic win.

With this victory, Egypt now has a solid chance to top Group G and march into the knockout stage. They are currently leading the table with four points. Iran, who managed to hold Belgium to a draw, is in second place. Both Iran and Belgium have two points each.

Now, all eyes are on June 27. The matches between Iran and Egypt, and Belgium and New Zealand will decide who goes through from Group G. It's going to be a nail-biter!

FIFA WC 2026: Egypt stages comeback to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Group G

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:38 +0530

Egypt produced a dominant second-half display to come from behind and defeat New Zealand 3-1 in their Group G clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place in Vancouver, securing their first-ever World Cup victory and moving to the brink of qualification for the Round of 32.

New Zealand Takes First-Half Lead

New Zealand started brightly and looked the more dangerous side during the opening stages. The All Whites created the first meaningful opportunity in the seventh minute when Liberato Cacace picked out Sarpreet Singh on the edge of the area, but his effort drifted wide.

Moments later, Marko Stamenic released Elijah Just inside the box, only for Egyptian goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir to produce a smart save at his near post.

The pressure eventually paid off from the resulting corner. Tim Payne delivered an inviting cross into the area, and defender Finn Surman rose above the Egyptian defence to power home a header, giving New Zealand a deserved lead.

Egypt struggled to find their rhythm early on but gradually improved before the break. Omar Marmoush forced Max Crocombe into action with a long-range strike, while Mohamed Salah came close with a free-kick that flashed narrowly wide.

Egypt Dominates Second Half to Seal Historic Win

New Zealand nearly doubled their advantage shortly after halftime when Callum McCowatt glanced a header towards goal, but Shobeir reacted brilliantly to tip the effort over the bar.

That proved to be a crucial moment as Egypt emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and purpose. The Pharaohs levelled the score just before the hour mark when Mohamed Hany delivered a precise cross into the box, and Mostafa Ziko guided a close-range header beyond Crocombe.

With momentum firmly on their side, Egypt completed the turnaround less than 10 minutes later. Ziko combined neatly with Salah inside the penalty area, and the Egyptian captain made no mistake, finishing clinically to put his side ahead.

Egypt continued to push forward and sealed the victory in the 82nd minute. Salah's corner found substitute Trezeguet, who powered a header into the net to cap an impressive comeback.

Group G Implications

The victory extends Egypt's unbeaten record against New Zealand to four matches and leaves them in a strong position heading into their final group fixture against Iran. Meanwhile, New Zealand must defeat Belgium in their last Group G match to keep their qualification hopes alive. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Neymar Jr. sparks return hopes with training pics

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:21 +0530

Brazil star Neymar Jr. has raised hopes of a long-awaited FIFA World Cup 2026 return after sharing images from training ahead of the Selecao's decisive Group C clash against Scotland. The 34-year-old forward posted a series of photographs from a training session on X on Sunday, accompanied by the message, "Thank you, my God. So incredibly happy!!" Gratidão meu Deus feliz demais!! pic.twitter.com/YUSTjJsgHT — Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) June 21, 2026

Neymar's Road to Recovery

The post offered the strongest indication yet that Neymar is nearing a return from the calf injury that has kept him out of Brazil's opening two matches at the tournament in North America.

Neymar was absent as Brazil opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti, a result that lifted Carlo Ancelotti's side to the top of Group C and left them well placed to advance to the knockout rounds.

While the squad travelled to Philadelphia for the Haiti match, Neymar remained at Brazil's training base in New Jersey to continue an individual rehabilitation programme. The veteran forward resumed on-field work over the weekend, taking part in physical and ball drills as he stepped up his recovery.

Ancelotti Eyes Scotland Comeback

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has already indicated that Neymar is close to rejoining the squad fully and could be available for the Scotland encounter. "Neymar will be training tomorrow individually and on Monday he's going to be training with the rest of the team," Ancelotti said after Brazil's victory over Haiti, as per Reuters. "He will be available for the match against Scotland."

If selected, the Scotland fixture would mark Neymar's first appearance for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. The setback sidelined him for an extended period and limited his involvement during Brazil's qualification campaign.

A Milestone World Cup

The Scotland match could also mark another milestone in Neymar's international career. The tournament is his fourth FIFA World Cup, having previously represented Brazil in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Despite his injury struggles, Neymar remained influential whenever available during qualifying, contributing two goals and three assists in four appearances.

With qualification for the knockout stages within reach, Brazil could receive a significant boost if their iconic No. 10 completes his recovery in time to face Scotland on Wednesday (Local Time).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA WC 2026: Beiranvand's masterclass earns Iran draw with Belgium

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:30:23 +0530

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand delivered a masterclass between the posts as Iran held Belgium to a hard-fought 0-0 draw in their Group G clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026, earning widespread praise and inspiring a patriotic social media tribute from Iran's state news agency.

Following the result, IRNA News Agency shared a picture of Beiranvand protecting the Strait of Hormuz and wrote on X, "Ali Beiranvand, goalkeeper of Iran's national team, had promised Iranian fans in an interview before the World Cup matches that he would keep the national team's goal as sealed as the Strait of Hormuz."

Ali Beiranvand, goalkeeper of Iran's national team, had promised Iranian fans in an interview before the World Cup matches that he would keep the national team's goal as sealed as the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/CklTfuJZts — IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026

Beiranvand's Heroics Earn 'Superior Player' Award

The 33-year-old goalkeeper lived up to that promise with an outstanding performance at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday (Local Time). Beiranvand made seven saves in total, including four diving stops and three high claims, while also preventing an estimated 1.70 goals. His heroics ensured Iran secured a valuable point and earned him the 'Superior Player of the Match' award.

Dramatic Clash Sees Red Card and Disallowed Goal

Belgium began the contest on the front foot and dominated possession during the opening stages. Maxim De Cuyper tested Beiranvand with a powerful long-range effort, but the Iranian shot-stopper was equal to the challenge. Iran remained threatening on the counterattack and thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute when Mehdi Taremi converted a cleverly worked free-kick routine. However, a VAR review ruled the goal out for a marginal offside.

The Belgian attack continued to probe throughout the first half, creating several opportunities, but Beiranvand repeatedly came to Iran's rescue with a string of crucial interventions.

The game shifted dramatically in the 66th minute when Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card for bringing down Taremi after a defensive mistake left the Iranian striker through on goal. The dismissal, the eighth red card of the tournament, forced Belgium to adopt a more cautious approach for the remainder of the match.

With the numerical advantage, Iran pushed forward in search of a winner, introducing fresh attacking options and applying sustained pressure on the Belgian backline. Despite a series of late attacks, they could not find the breakthrough.

Group G Standings

The draw leaves Group G finely balanced, with Iran sitting top and Belgium second on two points. New Zealand and Egypt are both on one point, keeping qualification prospects open for all four teams heading into the final round of group-stage fixtures.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Asian Relay Championships 2026: Indian women win 4x100m gold

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:00:23 +0530

The Indian women's 4x100m relay team of Srabani Nanda, Sneha Shanuvalli, Sudeshna Shivankar and Tamanna clocked a season's best 43.85 seconds to win the women's 4x100m relay title at the Asian Relay Championships 2026. Notably, the quartet was coached by Reliance Foundation coach Martin Owens. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RF Youth Sports (@rfyouthsports)

China won the silver medal after clocking 44.09 seconds, while Thailand took the bronze with 44.11 seconds, according to Olympics.com. Tamanna and Sneha Shanuvalli ended the championships with two medals each, having earlier helped India win bronze in the mixed 4x100m event alongside Animesh Kujur and Pranav Gurav.

Disappointment in 4x400m Relays

However, India's men's and women's 4x400m relay teams failed to replicate their podium success from the inaugural edition in 2024, when both had won silver in Bangkok. This time, the women's team of M R Poovamma, Rashdeep Kaur, Ansa Babu and Saloni Nagar finished fourth in 3:47.22 seconds, while Vietnam won gold with 3:31.16 seconds.

In the men's 4x400m, Theerthesh P Shetty, Avinash Kumar, Suraj Alagar Raja and Barath Sridhar placed fifth with a time of 3:05.33 seconds, as Vietnam took the title with 3:02.60 seconds.

India's Overall Performance

India finished the championships with a total of three medals -- one gold, one silver and one bronze. The mixed relay teams had secured silver in the 4x400m and bronze in the 4x100m on the opening day.

India did not field a men's 4x100m team due to injuries. The 2026 edition served as a key build-up event ahead of a busy season, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, while India is set to host the next Asian Relays Championships in 2027 in Chandigarh. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium vs Iran: Goalkeeping Heroics Deny Both Sides in a Thrilling 0-0 Draw

Vaishnav Akash — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:53:21 +0530

The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between Belgium and Iran had everything – drama, excitement, attacks, counter-attacks, brilliant shots, and even better saves. The only thing missing was a goal. The match ended in a goalless draw, with both teams fighting tooth and nail.

The real heroes of the match were the goalkeepers. Iran's Alireza Beiranvand was simply outstanding, pulling off several stunning saves to deny Belgium what looked like certain goals. At the other end, Belgium's Thibaut Courtois also put on a brilliant show, making crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Both keepers were undoubtedly their team's biggest strength on the day.

Despite the lack of goals, the fans were treated to an exciting, end-to-end contest. The mood in the camps after the match was mixed. Belgium felt a sense of relief for securing a point after playing with 10 men for over 25 minutes, but they were also disappointed about missing out on a win. Iran, while let down by not winning, was happy to take a point from a strong opponent like Belgium.

Controversy Over Disallowed Goal

The match saw a major flashpoint in the 25th minute. Iran's Mehdi Taremi found the back of the net from a clever free-kick routine. Instead of shooting directly, Iran's captain Ehsan Haji Safi passed the ball to Taremi, who was in the wall and slotted it home. However, after a VAR check, referee Dario Herrera ruled the goal out for offside. TV replays showed that Taremi was offside by a whisker. The decision left the Iran team furious and sparked a huge controversy.

10-Man Belgium Holds On for a Draw

Belgium's task became much harder in the 67th minute when their player Nathan Ngoy was shown a red card. Forced to play the rest of the match with 10 men, they showed great character to hold on for a point.

This draw puts Iran at the top of Group G with two points from two games. Belgium is right behind them, also with two points from two matches, but Iran is ahead on goal difference.

FIFA World Cup 2026: ‘We’re Not Forced To Pass to Him,’ Says Portugal Teammate in Blunt Statement on Cristiano Ronaldo

Vaishnav Akash — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:49:18 +0530

Cristiano Ronaldo Controversy: Portugal's superstar and legendary footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, is just another player for his national teammates! This shocking claim was made by Portugal's footballer Francisco Conceicao. According to him, Ronaldo is just like any other player on the team, trying to help them win. After drawing their first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Portugal is now set to face Uzbekistan. They must win this match to qualify for the knockout stage. This controversy surrounding Ronaldo right before such a crucial game could affect the team's performance.

Portugal players not forced to pass to Ronaldo!

Speaking at a press conference before Portugal's second World Cup match, Juventus winger Francisco said, 'I think no one else can score goals like Cristiano. But we don't feel we need to pass to him all the time. We are not forced to give him the ball. We try to pass to whichever player is in an open position on the field. Just like any other player, Ronaldo is also on the field to help the team.'

Portugal under pressure after draw with Congo

Portugal is definitely feeling the heat after their draw against DR Congo in their first World Cup match. Francisco admitted that the team is under pressure. He said, ‘Before we answer to anyone else, we have to prove to ourselves that we can bounce back. We want this difficult phase to end quickly. The whole team has to work together. Cristiano is part of the team. He will try to help the team win, just like the rest of us.’

MPL 2026: Jabalpur Royal Lions clinch thrilling win over Gwalior

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:30:25 +0530

Jabalpur Royal Lions pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gwalior Cheetahs, chasing down a challenging target of 186 with two balls to spare in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.

Gwalior Cheetahs' Innings

Batting first, Gwalior Cheetahs posted a competitive 185/5 in their 20 overs. Kartik Parihar and Parth Chaudhary gave the innings a steady start, adding 36 runs for the opening wicket before Parihar departed for 15 off 17 deliveries. Chaudhary then combined with Kuldeep Gehi for a 30-run partnership before falling for a brisk 39 off 23 balls, according to a release.

Gehi continued to hold the innings together and found strong support from skipper Rajat Patidar (who has played 4 international matches for India). The pair stitched together a crucial 80-run stand for the third wicket to put the Cheetahs in a commanding position. Patidar, who had earlier survived after a no-ball reprieve, eventually fell for 37 off 27 deliveries.

Gehi carried on to score a well-compiled 57 off 39 balls before being dismissed late in the innings. Arpit Patel provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 21 off just 12 deliveries. For Jabalpur Royal Lions, Punit Datey was the standout bowler, delivering an economical spell of 1/23 from his four overs.

Jabalpur Royal Lions' Chase

In reply, the Royal Lions endured a difficult start, losing wickets at regular intervals and slipping to 86/5 in the 12th over, with the team's leading run-scorer, Ajay Rohera, also back in the pavilion.

With the chase hanging in the balance, Rahul Batham and Sanjog Nijjar came together to rebuild the innings. The duo added a vital 61-run partnership, bringing the equation down to 50 runs required from the final four overs. Batham's fighting knock came to an end due to a misunderstanding with Sanjog, leading to him being run out for 21 off 16 balls, leaving the Lions needing 39 runs from the last 20 deliveries.

Nijjar, however, remained unfazed and took charge of the chase. The required equation was reduced to 30 runs from the final three overs and then 11 from the last two. Although the Lions suffered another setback when Punit Datey was run out for 14 off 9 balls, Nijjar ensured there were no further twists in the contest. The right-hander produced a sensational unbeaten 66 off just 30 deliveries and guided Jabalpur Royal Lions over the line.

'Grateful for the Opportunity': Sanjog Nijjar

The Lions bounced back strongly in the tournament after suffering back-to-back defeats. Reflecting on the team's win and his knock, Sanjog said, "First of all, I'm grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to bat on a stage like this and express myself. The franchise, management and team showed a lot of faith in me, backing me to finish games, and that belief gave me confidence. If you don't believe in yourself, it becomes very difficult to succeed. I'm thankful to everyone who continued to support me."

"The message was very simple, watch the ball and play according to it. I focused on staying calm, breathing properly and keeping my intentions clear. We always talk about maintaining positive intent, and when your mindset is positive and your intentions are right, things usually fall into place," he concluded. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Asian Fencing: Matsuyama wins gold, Bakaldina makes history in Delhi

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:30:26 +0530

The third day of the 26th Asian Senior Fencing Championships in New Delhi witnessed several upsets and intense contests as the individual events concluded at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday. Serving as a key qualifier for the upcoming Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the competition saw Japan continue its strong run through Kyosuke Matsuyama's men's foil gold, while Irina Bakaldina made history by securing Kazakhstan's first-ever individual women's epee title at the championships, according to a press release.

Indian Contingent's Performance

The young Indian contingent delivered promising performances on home pitches. In the Women's Epee, Prachi Lohan led the local charge with a 22nd-place finish, followed closely by rising star Taniksha Khatri in 29th. Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari finished 35th, and Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer took 43rd. On the Men's Foil side, Sachin Sachin paced the home squad in 25th place, while Sanasam Hemash Singh finished 37th, Tejas Manoj Patil took 47th, and Aditya Aditya finished 57th.

Upsets Topple Tournament Favourites

The day became a graveyard for tournament favourites. In Men's Foil, Hong Kong's reigning back-to-back Olympic gold medalist Cheung Ka Long was shocked in the quarterfinals by South Korea's Im Cheolwoo, leaving Cheung in 6th place overall. Defending Asian champion Choi Chun Yin Ryan of Hong Kong was also knocked out in the quarterfinals, falling to Japan's Kyosuke Matsuyama to finish 5th. In the Women's Épee bracket, South Korea's defending champion Song Se-ra was stopped in the semifinals by Kazakhstan's Irina Bakaldina, forcing her to settle for bronze.

Finals Roundup: Japan and Kazakhstan Strike Gold

The finals delivered incredible intensity. In Men's Foil, Japan showed its strength as teammates Kyosuke Matsuyama and Kazuki Iimura fought in an all-Japanese final. Matsuyama won the match to take Gold, leaving Iimura with Silver, while South Korea's Im Cheolwoo and Jeonghyun Youn shared the bronze.

In Women's Epee, Irina Bakaldina clinched a historic first-ever individual women's epee gold for Kazakhstan by defeating Hong Kong's Kaylin Sin Yan Hsieh in a fierce final. Hsieh took home the silver, while Tamaki Terayama of Japan and South Korea's Song Se-ra shared the bronze.

With these results, Japan holds the championship lead with 3 gold medals from the first four events. These final individual standings now set up the brackets and psychological momentum for the highly anticipated team events starting tomorrow. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Women's T20 WC: Dropped catches prove costly as India lose to SA

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:00:21 +0530

India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur lamented the team's missed chances in the field after their six-wicket defeat to South Africa in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, admitting that the dropped catches proved costly.

Defending 158/7, India endured a disappointing outing in the field, missing a potential chance off Tazmin Brits when she was on 18 and giving Marizanne Kapp two reprieves on 25 and 65 through substitute fielder Radha Yadav. The South African pair capitalised on the opportunities, with Kapp remaining unbeaten on 81 to guide her side to a victory and hand India their first loss of the tournament.

'Couldn't take those chances'

After the match, Harmanpreet said India's dropped catches proved costly, as the team failed to capitalise on key opportunities in the field. While she praised the bowling efforts of Shree Charani and Shafali Verma, she noted that the lack of support from the fielders hurt India's chances. "We got a couple of chances in between, but couldn't take those chances. We have two matches and this is the time to stay positive. Shree Charani and Shafali bowled well but the fielders didn't support them. We have to take opportunities at this level. We were not lucky enough with that. We have two matches and this is the time to think about that. We will sit and rethink about what to do and then will see the changes to be done. [On Kapp] She took the game away from us. She gave us two chances and those were the crucial moments and that took the game away from us," the Indian captain said in the post-match presentation.

Harmanpreet said the defeat offered several lessons and positives, stressing the importance of staying strong and maintaining a positive mindset. "Lots of learning, lots of positive moments and lots of moments where I have to stay strong. Now is the time to stay positive and think what to do in the upcoming games. Hopefully, we come up better in the next games," she said.

India will next lock horns against Bangladesh on June 25 before facing off against Australia on June 28.

Match Summary

Coming to the match, Marizanne Kapp starred with both bat and ball as South Africa defeated India by six wickets in the Women's T20 World Cup in Manchester. Kapp first claimed 2/27 to help restrict India to 158/7 before smashing an unbeaten 81 to guide her side to 161/4 in 19.1 overs.

India made a strong start through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, but regular wickets prevented them from capitalising. Shafali top-scored with 31, while Deepti Sharma made 29 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 24 in her 200th T20I appearance.

In reply, South Africa were reduced to 25/2 after a brilliant spell from Sree Charani, but Kapp and Tazmin Brits (40) added 97 runs to revive the chase. Kapp then finished the job in style, helping South Africa complete their highest successful chase in Women's T20 World Cup history and hand India their first defeat of the tournament.

The victory lifted South Africa to third place in Group A, while India remained second. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA WC 2026: Messi shares training pics ahead of Austria clash

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:00:21 +0530

Argentina captain Lionel Messi shared pictures from the team's training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group-stage clash against Austria on Monday (local time). Taking to Instagram, Messi posted a series of images featuring himself and his Argentina teammates as they prepared for their second match of the tournament. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Hat-trick Heroics in Opener

The post comes after Messi delivered a sensational performance in Argentina's opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, leading the defending champions to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria with a hat-trick. The Argentine skipper opened the scoring with a powerful long-range effort before doubling the lead with a poacher's finish following a rebound. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a composed curling strike to seal the win for the defending champions.

Record-Equalling Goal Tally

The hat-trick was Messi's first in FIFA World Cup history and saw him draw level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in men's World Cup history with 16 goals. The milestone came just days before Messi's 39th birthday and exactly 20 years after he scored his first World Cup goal in 2006. The hat-trick also saw Messi surpass legends, including Gerd Muller and Brazil's Ronaldo, on the all-time World Cup scoring list.

More Milestones for Messi

The Argentine captain had already entered the record books before kick-off as the first player to appear in six World Cups. Making his 200th appearance for Argentina, Messi produced a vintage display of creativity, control and finishing to guide La Albiceleste to a convincing victory.

Upcoming Fixtures

Argentina will next face Austria in Dallas on Monday, June 22 (local time), while Algeria are scheduled to take on Jordan in San Francisco.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup: Ronaldo 'focused on mission' after poor start

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:43 +0530

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo shared training pictures with teammates as the team prepared for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Group stage match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday (June 23). Taking to X, Ronaldo posted multiple images from the training session and wrote, "Focused on the mission" in the caption. Focados na missão pic.twitter.com/XFZLopKA1w — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 21, 2026

Scrutiny Over Opening Match Performance

The post comes after a difficult outing for the 41-year-old in Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, where the veteran striker struggled to make an impact.

Ronaldo finished the match with 25 touches, three shots without hitting the target, and won just one duel, reflecting a tightly marked performance by the DR Congo defence. It was also one of the lowest involvement games of his World Cup career, marking the second-fewest touches he has ever recorded in a World Cup start, highlighting his limited influence in Portugal's attacking play.

The frustration adds to a growing concern over his form in major tournaments, as Ronaldo has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring in major competitions, an unwanted streak that continues despite his experience and status on the global stage.

Teammate Ruben Dias Defends Skipper

Meanwhile, Portugal defender Ruben Dias has downplayed recent criticism directed at skipper Ronaldo, describing the surrounding talk as "noise" and simply part of football.

Speaking after recent external chatter around the veteran forward, Dias said the team remains unaffected and focused on its objectives. "It's not an issue for us," Dias insisted as quoted by One Football. "It's insignificant, just a bit of fuss and noise. It's all part of the game."

"First and foremost, the criticism isn't directed at just one player. Cristiano is a major focus of attention, but I think we're all in the firing line. Above all, apart from what I've just said, I don't think anything out of the ordinary is happening. It's always been like this since I've been here. I believe it will continue to be so in the future. In the end, it's noise. We isolate ourselves from it and focus on doing our thing," he added.

With Portugal aiming to bounce back in their next fixture, attention will remain on Ronaldo and the team's response as they continue their World Cup campaign.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Captain Lionel Messi on Verge of Two Major Milestones

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 02:52:51 +0530

Will Lionel Messi become the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer tonight? The Argentine captain is on the brink of a massive record. He scored a fantastic hat-trick in Argentina's opening match against Algeria, taking his total World Cup tally to 16 goals. This puts him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most goals in the tournament's history.

Just one more goal will make Messi the undisputed top scorer. His fans are hoping he will set this new record in the match against Austria. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, but he has never won the Golden Boot for being the top scorer in a single World Cup. This year, the legend might just add that to his collection.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi's Young Fan's Special Goal Celebration Request Goes Viral (WATCH)

Can Messi match the record of Just Fontaine and Jairzinho?

Only two players in World Cup history have ever scored in six consecutive matches. French legend Just Fontaine did it in the 1958 World Cup, and Brazil's star Jairzinho achieved the feat in 1970. If Messi scores against Austria, he will join this elite list.

His scoring streak began in the 2022 World Cup. Messi scored against Australia in the pre-quarter-finals, the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Croatia in the semi-finals, and France in the final. He continued this form by scoring in Argentina's first match of the current World Cup. This means he is standing on the verge of multiple records tonight.

A win against Austria will seal Argentina's spot in the knockouts

The defending champions, Argentina, are already close to the knockout stage after a 3-0 win in their first game. Austria also started strong, winning their first match 3-1 against Jordan. The team that wins this match will secure its place in the next round. Supporters are confident that Argentina will come out on top.

Also Read: Brazil secure convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti in FIFA World Cup 2026

'Songs Written from the Heart': India Star Virat Kohli Reveals his Go-To Track for Pre-Match Motivation

Asianet Newsable English — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 02:24:42 +0530

You know how some songs just stick with you? They become the soundtrack to your life's biggest moments and toughest struggles. For India's star batsman Virat Kohli, there's one such song that he feels a deep emotional connection with. At the recent global premiere event for One8, Kohli revealed that Punjabi singer Karan Aujla's track ‘Winning Speech’ is his absolute favourite.

Why does Virat Kohli connect so much with Karan Aujla's song?

In a video, Virat Kohli praised Karan Aujla, explaining that he connects the most with his song ‘Winning Speech’.

Kohli said that Aujla writes his songs from the heart, and that's what makes him special. He mentioned that the song reminds him of the journey Karan Aujla has been through, and he also sees many similarities with his own life in it.

Also Read: Why Ravindra Jadeja Was Dropped From India ODI Squad For England Series? Reason Explained

The Pain of Losing a Father at a Young Age

Virat Kohli shared that he, too, had lost his father at a very young age. This is why the song is extremely close to his heart. He said:

“You write songs from the heart. The song I connect with the most is ‘Winning Speech’. It probably shows the journey you've been on. I also see a glimpse of my own life in it. I also lost my father at a young age, so this song is very special to me. I have listened to it many times before going to play a match.”

Virat Kohli's reaction when sings "Aujle de kanna vich nathiya" pic.twitter.com/mrS4vOorrj

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) June 21, 2026

‘I Never Believed Match Was Lost’: Virat Kohli

At the same event, Virat Kohli also spoke about his famous never-say-die attitude. He explained that throughout his career, he has always maintained a positive mindset and never gave up hope of winning until the very last moment. Kohli said he loves matches where people assume a comeback is impossible, but then the situation turns around. He said:

“That's just how I am. I love those situations when people think it's all over, and then somehow you turn the match in your favour. I've seen things from this perspective since I was a child. I have never, until the last moment, believed that we have lost or cannot win.”

Recalling The Innings against Pakistan in Melbourne

To explain his point, Virat Kohli gave the example of his memorable innings against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. He said he was later told that India's chances of winning the match at that point were only around 3 percent. But he never thought that way. Kohli said:

“If there's even a 1 percent chance, it's still a chance. Until the match is completely over, anything is possible. For me, that match played against Pakistan in Melbourne will always be special. Some magical things happened in that contest.” He added, “Until you've actually lost the match, the game isn't over.”

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 29-ball 94 powers India A to tri-series win

Karan Aujla's Grand Concert Finale in Delhi

Meanwhile, Karan Aujla wrapped up his music tour with a massive concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. The event was attended by over 70,000 fans. During the concert, Karan Aujla performed many of his popular songs like ‘Tauba-Tauba’, ‘Gangster’, ‘Bachke-Bachke’, ‘Boyfriend’, and ‘For A Reason’. The audience absolutely loved his performance.

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: 5 Key Takeaways from India’s 6-Wicket Defeat to South Africa

Hrishikesh Damodar — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 02:04:40 +0530

Team India suffered a defeat to South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup 20266 despite a strong bowling effort from Shree Charani. Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 guided the chase, while India’s fielding lapses and middle-order slowdown proved costly.

Team India suffered a six-wicket defeat in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against South Africa at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on Sunday, June 21.

After posting a total of 158/7 in 20 overs, India failed to defend it as South Africa chased a 159-run target with five balls to spare in the final over. The veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp played an unbeaten knock of 81 off 45 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 180.00.

On that note, let’s take a look at key takeaways from India’s defeat to South Africa in Manchester.

Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s attempt to go for an unconventional shot after getting off to a flying start came under scrutiny. Opening the innings alongside Shafali Verma, Mandhana raced to 17 off 11 balls, including three fours, including three fours, two against Shabnim Ismail and one against Marizanne Kapp.

However, in the third over of the innings, Mandhana attempted to play an uncharacteristic scoop shot off Kapp’s back-of-the-length delivery. The ball completely evaded her bat and crashed directly into the stumps, cutting short what was shaping up to be a spectacular innings.

The 30-year-old’s attempt at a cheeky shot while building momentum sparked debate on social media, with many questioning the need for an unnecessary risk at that stage of the innings.

After Smriti Mandhana’s dismissal, Shafali Varma (31 off 15 balls) led the charge with her aggressive batting and helped race Team India to 54/1 before her dismissal, and completed the powerplay with a total of 59/2 at a blistering strike rate of 163.89.

However, after Shafali’s dismissal, the momentum was completely lost as the Indian middle order struggled to rotate the strike against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. During the middle overs (7-15 overs), India could score only 56 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, and the scoring rate went down from 9.83 runs per over during the powerplay to a stagnant 6.22 runs per over.

The loss of momentum prevented India from putting up a commanding total, ultimately restricting them to 158/7 in their 20 overs.

Also Read: Women's T20 WC: Kapp's all-round heroics power SA to win over India

One of the key takeaways from India’s defeat to South Africa was their sloppy fielding and missed opportunities, which ultimately allowed the Proteas to chase down the 159-run target comfortably. One of the key catches dropped was of Marizanne Kapp, who got a lifeline not once but thrice, including two from Radha Yadav.

The fielding errors during the Proteas’ run chase put India under immense pressure, as the missed chances allowed the dangerous South African side to settle in and build match-winning partnerships. Even the fielding placements also came under scrutiny, particularly when Harmanpreet Kaur left massive gaps in the deep.

These costly fielding lapses took away the game from Team India, as South Africa capitalized on these reprieves to secure a comfortable 6-wicket victory with five balls to spare.

After putting South Africa on the back foot by reducing them to 25/2 in the powerplay, Team India thought the momentum was entirely theirs, but the veteran all-rounder completely shifted the tide with a masterclass in controlled aggression.

Her arrival at the crease and leveraging three dropped catches, Marizanne Kapp played a match-defining knock that completely broke the back of the Indian bowling attack. Kapp’s calculated aggression alongside sensible contributions from the other end completely nullified India’s early breakthroughs.

Taking full advantage of the three lifelines she was handed, the veteran South African all-rounder paced her innings flawlessly, ultimately remaining unbeaten to command the Proteas to a victory.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: 5 Key Takeaways from India's ODI Squad Announcement for England Series

Shree Charani once again led India’s bowling attack. After a four-wicket haul against the Netherlands, the spinner continued to showcase her exceptional form. Charani provided early breakthroughs for the Women in Blue, picking two wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen, leaving the Proteas briefly stumbling in their pursuit of 159.

Charani grabbed the spotlight with a double-wicket maiden over that completely turned the tide and gave India a glimmer of hope. She also picked a wicket of Nandine de Clerk to finish with stellar figures of 3 for 24 in her quota of 4 overs. Despite ending up on the losing side, Shree Charani was a standout performer for India.

Currently, she is the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing T20 World Cup, with 10 wickets, including 4-fer, at an average of 6.40 and an economy rate of 5.33 in 3 matches.

Women's T20 WC: Kapp's all-round heroics power SA to win over India

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:38 +0530

An incredible all-round performance by Marizanne Kapp powered South Africa to a thrilling six-wicket win over India in the Women's T20 World Cup in Manchester on Sunday, as per the ICC website.

Kapp claimed 2/27 to restrict India to 158/7 and then turned the match around with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 81, which included four towering sixes, to take her team to 161/4 in 19.1 overs. It was South Africa's highest successful chase in a Women's T20 World Cup, and the third highest overall. The win over one of the tournament's heavyweights may just be the spark the Proteas needed to get their World Cup campaign back on track after two shaky performances.

For India, this was the first defeat of the campaign.

India's Innings

Electing to bat first, India made a flying start as Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma powered them to 23 in the first two overs.

Just when the Indian openers were threatening to run away with it, Marizanne Kapp struck with the wicket of Mandhana. Attempting a scoop, the southpaw left the stumps exposed, and Kapp was on the money.

Shabnim Ismail then dealt a big blow, dismissing the in-form Verma, who had already struck four fours and a six (the only one of the innings as it happened) for a quickfire 31.

Having posted 59/2 in power play, India did not capitalise on the quick start. All the Indian batters got starts, but they failed to convert. In her landmark 200th T20I, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 24, while a cameo of 29 by Deepti Sharma made sure India got past 150.

South African bowlers, led by their fiery pace duo of Kapp and Ismail (2/28), shackled the power-packed Indian batting line-up in the second half. They conceded 76 runs and picked four wickets in the last 10 overs.

South Africa's Chase

India came out of the mid-innings break firing. Not only did they starve South Africa of runs early on, but a double-wicket maiden by Sree Charani (3/24) in the final over of powerplay also had them reeling at 25/2.

But with her team on the ropes, Kapp came up with one of the knocks of the tournament. She stitched a 97-run partnership with Tazmin Brits (40) to guide South Africa back on track.

The South African batters navigated the tricky early phase by picking the gaps and keeping the scoring rate ticking. Once they had their eye in, they flipped the switch in the 15th over, reaping 16 runs from it.

Though Kapp lost Brits and Nadine De Klerk along the way, she kept the pressure on India by going for her shots.

With South Africa needing 18 runs to win in the last two overs, she launched into two sixes against Deepti Sharma, the joint-highest wicket-taker in women's international cricket, and knocked off 16 runs in the over.

Kapp watched from the non-striker's end as Chloe Tyron wrapped up victory with a thick edge that ran down for four. Even as the South African dug out erupted in celebration, an emotional Kapp sank to a knee, the adrenaline leaving her body after the match-winning heroics.

Impact on Standings

South Africa is well and truly back in the race to the semi-finals as they climbed to No. 3 in Group A, while India maintained second place on the leaderboard. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sreenidhi University TG20 kicks off with glittering opening ceremony

Asianet News Central — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:26 +0530

Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20 got off to a spectacular start on Sunday evening as a packed Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium came alive for a glittering opening ceremony that celebrated the arrival of Telangana's premier T20 competition. The vibrant event brought together some of the biggest names in Indian cricket and entertainment, setting the perfect stage for the inaugural season of the tournament, according to a press release.

Star-Studded Opening Ceremony

The glittering opening ceremony marked the formal commencement of Telangana's premier T20 competition. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, which was also was attended by Telangana Director General of Police C V Anand Garu, BCCI Apex Council Member V Chamundeswaranath, HCA Secretary M Jeevan Reddy, HCA Treasurer Anil Kumar, HCA Joint Secretary Basava Raju, Governing Council Chairman V Agam Rao, Governing Council Member C Sanjeev Reddy, and Sreenidhi University TG20 Brand Ambassador Vijay Deverakonda.

The evening also featured the presence of former India cricketer and Sreenidhi University TG20 Head of Cricket Operations Ambati Rayudu, and India International Mohammed Siraj. The evening combined cricket, entertainment and celebration in equal measure, with Thaman S adding to the festive atmosphere and fans responding enthusiastically throughout the programme.

With fans filling the stands and an atmosphere of excitement sweeping through the stadium, the opening ceremony showcased the growing stature of the competition and its ambition to become a key platform for emerging cricket talent across Telangana.

Stars Rally for Telangana's Future Cricketers

Addressing the young cricketers and fans in attendance, Vijay Deverakonda spoke passionately about the opportunities the tournament can create for aspiring players from the state. "With this league, I'm hoping we get more superstars from Telangana. I'll be so happy to see players playing for the Indian team," said Vijay, highlighting the role the league can play in shaping the next generation of cricketers.

Rayudu, who has been closely involved with the development of the competition, urged participants to make the most of the opportunity and dream bigger for Telangana cricket. "The talent that we have here is immense. Over the years, the number of players from Hyderabad and Telangana should double," he said while encouraging youngsters to leave their mark on the game.

Siraj, one of Hyderabad's most successful cricketing exports and a role model for aspiring fast bowlers, echoed those sentiments and called upon players to enjoy the experience. "It's a very big platform for everyone. Express yourself and enjoy this tournament," Siraj said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

‘Jala Diya’: Sri Lanka Fan Hilariously Reacts to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Blitz in IND A vs SL A Final (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:56:07 +0530

The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering performance in India’s A Tri-Nation ODI Series Final against Sri Lanka in Dambulla became the talk of the town, leaving even the opposition supporters in absolute awe of his once-in-a-generation talent.

On Sunday, June 21, Sooryavanshi played a blistering knock of 94 off 29 balls, including 10 fours and 8 sixes, at an astonishing strike rate of 324.14, to help post the Men in Blue a total of 337/9 and set a 378-run target for the hosts to chase. The total was eventually defended, as India bundled out Sri Lanka for 311 in 47.1 overs, sealing a 66-run win and taking home the trophy.

However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose attacking style of batting in the 50-over format was questioned, silenced all his doubters spectacularly. His carnage left the Sri Lankan bowlers absolutely clueless, as every corner of the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was treated to a breathtaking exhibition of clean hitting.

Also Read: IND vs AFG, 3rd ODI: Coach Gives Straight-Up Warning to Kuldeep Yadav, Says 'Perform or Get Dropped'

Sri Lanka Hilariously Reacts to Vaibhav’s Knock

The ODI Tri-Nation Series Final didn’t attract a large crowd, as only a handful of local fans witnessed the carnage firsthand from the stands. The Sri Lankan supporters were completely left in awe of an absolute masterclass from the teenage prodigy, with one fan's reaction perfectly capturing the mood on social media.

Taking to his Instagram account, a passionate Sri Lankan supporter, Shehan Malik, shared a highly relatable and amusing reaction that perfectly summed up the mood of the opposition dugout.

“Aa Gaya, Jhagda Kiya, Maar Diya, aur Jala Diya,” a Sri Lanka supporter said. (He arrived, picked a fight, hit us, and burned us down.)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shehan Malik (@shehan_malik)

In the last match against Sri Lanka A, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a heated verbal altercation with Vishen Halambage, which had nearly spilled over and set the tone for an intense rivalry in the summit clash. The fiery face-off appeared to have fuelled Sooryavanshi to launch a calculated assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers, turning the final into his personal stage.

A Sri Lanka supporter’s reaction to Sooryavanshi’s knock entirely sums up the helplessness and sheer disbelief of the opposition as the teenage prodigy took their bowling attack to the cleaners.

Sleepless Nights for Bowlers: Fans Awed by 15-Year-Old’s Unstoppable Aura

The viral reaction by a Sri Lanka supporter to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s knock has sparked reactions on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts flooding the platform with hilarious memes and awe-struck tributes.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts hailed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive knock, calling it a ‘jalla diya’ moment for Sri Lanka. Many said the teenage batter had left bowlers sleepless with his dominance, while others described him as a “nightmare” for the opposition.

A few praised his fearless intent and called it a once-in-a-generation innings that completely dismantled the bowling attack.

Jala diya indeed! Sri Lanka fans feeling the pain today. Better luck next time bhai

— Dead Guru (@PAPA_JI_4141) June 21, 2026

Neend nhi aayegi inke bowlers ko aaj… sooryavanshi hi dikhayi dega har side

— YellowShade India (@YellowShadeind) June 21, 2026

Look at the reaction of a Sri Lankan fan after Vaibhav Suryavanshi responded with his bat, smashing the Sri Lankan bowlers. At the age of 15, he is becoming a nightmare for Sri Lanka. The aura of Vaibhav Suryavanshi is unreal. pic.twitter.com/R0QmwZCeVn

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) June 21, 2026

Shrilankan finally found Hanuman ji again jala diya

— Jahangir Palan (@JPPalan777) June 21, 2026

अब सभी टीमों को पता होना चाहिए कि इस यूनिवर्सल बेबी बॉस से नहीं उलझना चाहिए ख़ास कर तब जब अगला मैच कोई बड़ा मैच हो ।

— nick (@vermank50) June 21, 2026

15 sal ke bache ne pel dia https://t.co/i8p81gc6U8

— fahh (@Sumitbishnoe) June 21, 2026

@nibraz88cricket He came, he conquered, he left. That's our #BabyUniverseBoss https://t.co/8Ivtzla7XG

— Amir Hussain (@Iam_amir86) June 21, 2026

That's a great sportsmanship shown by the fan. Link his insta so we can like and make his clip viral.

— Zitin (@TheGvs0) June 21, 2026

Across five matches, Sooryavnshi has aggregated 211 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 42.2 and an impressive strike rate of 200.95.

Now, the teenager will look to carry on his red-hot form in the upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England, with expectations continuing to grow around one of India’s most exciting young batting talents.

Also Read: Why Ravindra Jadeja Was Dropped From India ODI Squad For England Series? Reason Explained

India's road to 2027 ODI World Cup has already begun, says BCCI

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:01:23 +0530

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia stressed that India's road to the 2027 ODI World Cup has already begun, with the board prioritising sustained preparation, squad development and strategic planning through a packed ODI schedule.

The 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup is provisionally scheduled to be held from October 4 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The dates were agreed upon during the ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad in May, with final confirmation expected at the ICC Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh in July.

BCCI Outlines 2027 Preparations

The BCCI on Sunday also announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, beginning on July 16. "BCCI is planning a pathway running up to the 2027 ODI World Cup in October-November, and we have a sufficient number of matches till then. We have announced the team for the 3 ODI matches in England to be held from 14th to 19th July... The selectors are on board along with the support staff and head coach," Saikia told the reporters.

World Cup Format and Host Details

The 2027 ODI World Cup will mark the first men's tournament in Africa since 2003. South Africa has, however, hosted the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2009 Champions Trophy, and 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe and Namibia recently co-hosted the Under-19 Men's World Cup.

The tournament will return to a 14-team format after the previous two editions featured 10 teams. Teams will be divided into two groups of seven, with the top three from each group advancing to the Super Six stage. South Africa and Zimbabwe, as Full Members, automatically qualify, while Namibia must go through the qualification process.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Virat Kohli rules out Test cricket return: 'I'm done with it'

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:00:42 +0530

'I'm done with it': Kohli rules out Test cricket return

Indian batting icon Virat Kohli ruled out any possibility of returning to Test cricket, saying that he is "done with it". Virat was speaking at the launch event of the sportswear brand one8, a brand where he is a co-founder, in the national capital on Sunday.

Famous host and comedian Danish Sait, observing that one of the shoes of the brand cost 9,230 rupees, the same number as his Test runs, asked the 37-year-old if he would like to return to Test cricket in order to score more runs and boost the item's profitability, to which Virat humorously replied, "I would rather undersell, I'm done with it (Test cricket), thank you."

An Illustrious Career in Whites

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May last year, marking an end to an illustrious 14-year-old career which saw him dominate a variety of conditions, regions, and opponents in whites, both as a batter and captain. In his Test career, the 36-year-old made 123 appearances in white clothing, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is India's fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).

Batting Prime and Captaincy Record

Between 2016 and 2019, Virat had one of the strongest batting primes ever for a Test cricketer, piling up 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, with 16 centuries and 10 fifties in 69 innings and the best score of 254*. This also included seven double centuries, most by a captain in Test cricket history.

He was India's most successful Test captain, with 40 wins in 68 matches, since he first took over the reins in 2014 during the tour of Australia in the absence of an injured MS Dhoni.

'Delhi will always remain a part of me'

Later, while speaking in front of a packed crowd at Dwarka, Virat reflected on how his journey began as a cricketer in Delhi, and expressed happiness at being able to launch the brand where it all started for him. "Delhi is the place where everything started for me. I was born in Delhi, my cricket journey started in Delhi, and Delhi will always remain a part of me. So, to be able to launch One8 in Delhi after so many years, a vision, a dream to come true like this, being the co-founder, is something that I always dreamt of. I was not sure it was going to turn into reality, but it's the love of all of you fans over so many years that's got us to this moment," he added.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NZ thrash England by 253 runs at The Oval to level series 1-1

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:00:24 +0530

New Zealand thrashed England by 253 runs at The Oval on Sunday to level the three-match Test series 1-1. It was a complete team performance from the visitors across all five days.

Phillips Century Lays Foundation

A superb century from Glenn Phillips formed the backbone of New Zealand's first-innings total of 391, putting the visitors in a strong position.

Henry's Devastating Spell

Seamer Matt Henry then produced a devastating spell in England's first innings, claiming a five-wicket haul as the hosts were bowled out for 291, handing New Zealand a crucial 100-run first-innings lead.

Kiwis Set Daunting Target

New Zealand made the most of favourable batting conditions in their second innings, with Henry Nicholls notching up his 11th Test century and Rachin Ravindra adding a fluent 76, as the visitors piled on the runs and set England a daunting target of 463.

England's Chase Crumbles

Chasing a daunting 463-run target, England were on the back foot from the outset. Their openers failed to provide a solid foundation, while Jacob Bethell was unable to convert his start. Joe Root and Harry Brook briefly raised hopes of a fightback with a promising partnership, but Matt Henry struck at a crucial juncture to dismiss both batters and effectively end England's resistance.

Quick Finish on Final Day

Heading into Day 5, it took New Zealand less than 50 minutes to wrap up the proceedings on the final day. New Zealand needed just five wickets to seal victory, and Matt Henry quickly wrapped up proceedings with ease.

After taking five wickets in the first innings and six in the second, Henry finished with a remarkable 11-wicket match haul, emerging as the standout performer with the ball.

Behind the wickets, Tom Blundell showcased his class with some outstanding glovework throughout the Test.

Contrasting Fortunes for Both Sides

England have lost six of their last eight Tests. The Kiwis, on the other hand, have won six of their last eight Tests. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

IND vs SA, Women's T20 WC 2026: Smriti Mandhana's Shot Selection Sparks Debate After Dismissal

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 22:30:24 +0530

Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s shot selection came under scrutiny following her dismissal in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21.

After being opted to bat first by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, India posted a respectable total of 158/7 in 20 overs, with Shafali Verma (31), Harmanpreet (24), and Deepti Sharma (29) making vital contributions. The rest of the batting line-up struggled to accelerate in the middle overs, as disciplined bowling from the Proteas kept pegging them back.

For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp (2//27) and Shabnim Ismail (2/28) were the pick of the bowlers, while Nadine de Klerk (1/16), Ayabonga Khaka (1/31), and Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/33) also chipped in with crucial wickets to ensure the pressure remained firmly on the Indian batters throughout their innings.

Also Read: Women's T20 WC: SA bowlers restrict India to 158/7 in Manchester

Mandhana’s Dismissal Under Scrutiny

After back-to-back fifties against Pakistan and the Netherlands, Smriti Mandhana was in the spotlight as she walked out to open the innings alongside Shafali Verma, looking in sublime touch right from the very first ball.

Mandhana quickly settled into her rhythm rather than wasting any deliveries, effortlessly finding the boundary and putting the South African bowling attack on the back foot early on. The left-handed opener quickly raced to 17 off 12 balls, including three fours, two against Shabnim Ismail and one against Marizanne Kapp.

A massive moment in the game! An adventurous scoop from Smriti Mandhana ends in disappointment as Marizanne Kapp strikes for South Africa!ICC Women's #T20WorldCup 2026 | #INDvSA | LIVE NOW https://t.co/LwG4gG8UfK pic.twitter.com/2KuoaoBB1F

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2026

Mandhana’s dismissal was more of a self-inflicted blow, as her attempt to go for an unconventional shot rather than carrying on with traditional cricketing strokes left everyone completely baffled.

Since Team India's vice-captain already played two fluent knocks in the tournament before this game, her attempt to try something cheeky when runs were already flowing easily sparked debate on her shot selection, which led to her dismissal.

‘Why, Smriti, Why?’: Social Media Erupts in Disbelief After Tragic Dismissal

Smriti Mandhana’s unconventional dismissal triggered strong reactions on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), where fans and cricket enthusiasts questioned her decision-making at a crucial moment of her innings.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts expressed frustration and disbelief over the dismissal, with many criticising the ‘unnecessary’ and ‘poor shot selection’ when she was batting fluently. Some called it a self-inflicted wicket that cost India momentum, while others noted she looked in control and should have continued with conventional strokes.

A few pointed out that Mandhana’s intent to innovate may have backfired in the situation, suggesting the shot was not required given her rhythm at the crease.

Acchhe khaase sidha sidha khel le mast runs aa rahe the .that was very bad shot selection Smriti. So annoying

— Archer (@poserarcher) June 21, 2026

Smriti was looking so smooth and in command. It was an unusual shot to play with SA looking frazzled.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 21, 2026

#T20WorldCup Damn, Smriti Mandhana was looking in dream touch, timing the ball so crisply. And then tries to play a cheeky lob... she misses, Marizanne Kapp hits. Big blow for India.Kapp sends back a death stare. pic.twitter.com/N1nj4fBVl8

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) June 21, 2026

Smriti Mandhana what have you done? There was absolutely no need for that. Self destruction

— The Reverse Sweep (@trspodcastt) June 21, 2026

Dumbass shot played by Smriti Mandhana. Gave away her wicket so easily. She was in such good touch. Unbelievable!

— Arnab Jyoti Das (@Arnabjd) June 21, 2026

There was no need for that shot, Smriti Mandhana. Why, why, why??She was looking in great touch today as well, but that unnecessary shot.

— Eshwar (@ej_memezz__) June 21, 2026

Why Smriti goes for that backward approach, only she knows... ??

— CricPal (@AnupPalAgt) June 21, 2026

Sometimes the most surprising wickets are the ones that come when a batter looks least likely to get out.

— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) June 21, 2026

Smriti Mandana Spoiled today's match with SA, with a negligent shot. When Ball is coming into Bat, she made it directly to Stumps. When runs are coming well with traditional shots, why making experiments like a part time bats man in skog overs. Very irresponsible player.@BCCI

— BHANOJIRAO KURMAPU (@BKurmapu) June 21, 2026

Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana is currently the leading run-getter of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup, amassing 159 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 154.37 in three matches.

Also Read: IND A vs SL A Final: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 'Clutch' Knock of 94 Earns Big-Match Player Tag

Women's T20 WC: SA bowlers restrict India to 158/7 in Manchester

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 21:30:28 +0530

Manchester [UK], June 21 (ANI): A collective bowling display from South Africa Women's restricted India to 158/7 in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash on Sunday in Manchester.

South Africa's Bowling Fightback

South Africa fought back after a strong start by India. After Marizanne Kapp castled Smriti Mandhana (17), Shabmin Ismail has struck back with the wicket of Shafali Verma (31).

Both the openers were back in the pavilion as India finished the powerplay at 59/2.

Ayabonga Khaka joined the party as she trapped Yastika Bhatia's leg before the wicket.

Though India have lost their top 3, they ticked at a good rate. After 10 overs, India are 82/3.

Seasoned campaigners Nadine De Klerk and Shabmin Ismail landed a couple of blows to peg India back to 116/5 in 15 overs.

Jeminah Rodrigues fell to a caught and bowled off De Klerk, while Ismail's final over garnered the wicket of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and just three runs. Kaur playing her 200th T20 made her the first cricketer to reach the landmark.

Innings Summary

It was an impressive bowling performance by South Africa in the second half to restrict India's power-packed batting to 158/7.

The last 10 overs accounted for 76 runs and four wickets.

This is the second time that India Women have gone past 150 without an individual 50-plus score in the Women's T20 WC, after 163/5 against Bangladesh Women in Bengaluru in 2016.

Top Performers

With the bat for India, Shafali Verma top-scored with 31, while Deepti Sharma (29) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (24) made useful contributions to the innings.

With the ball, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail picked up two wickets each, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk claimed one wicket apiece.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil President's 'Work From Home' Player Joke on Neymar Goes Viral (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:53:24 +0530

Brazil's President Lula da Silva has taken a friendly dig at superstar footballer Neymar, calling him a 'work from home' player. The Brazilian star is yet to play a match in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ahead of the prestigious football tournament, Neymar suffered an injury setback after sustaining a grade two calf injury in late May 2026. Due to injury, the 33-year-old missed Brazil's first two group stage matches against Morocco and Haiti. Although the Brazilian star returned to training, he was ruled out of the previous match against Haiti.

Neymar's injury has sparked widespread conversation back in Brazil. While the 34-year-old sat out the opening 1-1 draw against Morocco and the subsequent 3-0 victory over Haiti, his absence has turned into a major talking point. Rather than travelling with the squad to Philadelphia, the Brazilian stayed back at the team's camp base in New Jersey to undergo an intensive rehabilitation program, reportedly training twice a day.

Also Read: Brazil secure convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti in FIFA World Cup 2026

Brazilian President Trolls Neymar

As Neymar's participation in the final group C fixture against Scotland and the potential knockout stages, the Brazilian president Lula da Silva took a hilarious dig at the superstar forward, comparing his current recovery process to remote corporate work.

During an interaction with the crowd, Lula asked a young kid about the best player in Brazil, to which he responded, saying, ‘Neymar’. The Brazilian President reminded him that the star player is not playing because he is injured, jokingly labelling him a 'work from home' footballer. The video went viral on social media.

"But my friend, Neymar, isn't playing at all right now. He's the world's first home office player," Lula said.

"This is a joke I saw on the internet the other day. If things go on like this, one day we'll have to use artificial intelligence to create a national team with 11 Peles," he added.

-LULA: “¿Quién es el mejor jugador de Brasil?”-NENE: "¡Neymar!"-LULA: “¡Neymar ni siquiera está jugando! He leído que es el primer jugador convocado en un Mundial que hace teletrabajo”.Sí, el PRESIDENTE DE BRASIL. pic.twitter.com/LnljAJCGWh

— Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) June 19, 2026

Will Neymar Feature in Final Group Clash vs Scotland

Neymar is likely playing his final FIFA World Cup, as the injuries have continuously hampered his international appearances. The 34-year-old wasn't part of the preliminary squad before he was included in the final 26-member list for the mega-event. However, a grade two calf injury sustained in late May has kept him sidelined for the first two matches against Morocco and Haiti.

However, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar will play Brazil's group stage fixture against Scotland, which will take place on Thursday, June 25.

"Neymar will be training tomorrow individually, and on Monday, he's going to be training with the rest of the team," Ancelotti said in a post-match presentation.

"He will be available for ⁠the match against Scotland," he added.

Neymar is an all-time top goal scorer for the Brazilian national team. The 34-year-old has scored 79 goals in 129 matches. His career has been plagued by injuries, causing him to miss many important matches and tournaments, and this is expected to be his last World Cup. He currently plays for the Brazilian club Santos.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Morocco One Step Closer to Knockouts After Saibari's 70-Second Goal Stuns Scotland

World Boxing Cup: Jyoti clinches gold, India adds 3 silver medals

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:30:36 +0530

Jyoti delivered a standout performance to clinch India's lone gold medal at the World Boxing Cup 2 in China, defeating Uzbekistan's Farzona Fozilova, the reigning World Boxing Cup Brazil gold medallist with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision in the 48kg final. Jyoti's emphatic victory against a top-tier opponent capped off an impressive campaign and highlighted her growing stature on the international stage, according to a press release.

Silver and Bronze Medals Bolster India's Tally

India added three silver medals through strong final appearances. Minakshi (51 kg), the World No. 1 in 48 kg, competing in a higher weight category, settled for silver after going down 0-5 against China's Wu Yu in the final. Prachi (57kg) also finished with a silver medal, losing 0-5 to Uzbekistan's Nigina Uktamova in her title bout, following an otherwise impressive run in the tournament. In the men's category, Deepak (70kg) secured a silver medal after a 0-5 loss to Kazakhstan's Ablaikhan Zhussupov in the final.

Earlier, India had already confirmed two bronze medals through Jugnoo (85kg) and Nikhil (55kg), taking the country's overall tally to six medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze).

India's performance across categories once again underlined its depth and consistency on the global boxing stage, with multiple finalists and podium finishes reflecting a strong showing at the World Boxing Cup circuit. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Assam Premier League launched to boost state's cricketing journey

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:30:33 +0530

Assam Cricket Association (ACA) on Sunday marked a historic milestone in the state's sporting journey with the official launch of the Assam Premier League (APL) at the 91 Yards Club Auditorium, ACA Stadium, Barsapara, Guwahati.

The landmark occasion was graced by Chief Guest Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, who formally unveiled the league's official logo, trophy, and team identities of the competing teams in the esteemed presence of Guest of Honour Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with Taranga Gogoi, President, Assam Cricket Association; Sanatan Das, Secretary, Assam Cricket Association; other officials, administrators, franchise owners, and members of Assam's cricketing fraternity, which the association described as the beginning of a structured, home-grown competition for cricketers in the state.

Good news for budding cricketers of Assam! Launched the Assam Premier League, our own cricket league where 8 teams will vie for glory. It's an excellent effort by @assamcric to give a platform to grassroot level players so they can make it to the domestic & national teams. pic.twitter.com/zmeGQ8SnEZ — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 21, 2026

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Rajdeep Oja, Chairperson, Assam Premier League, who outlined the vision behind the league and emphasised its role in creating a professional and sustainable platform for emerging cricketers while elevating the standard of domestic cricket across the state, according to a press release.

The launch of the Assam Premier League marks a significant milestone in ACA's vision to give the state's domestic players a regular competitive platform at home and to widen the talent pool that feeds Assam's white ball tournament and age-group sides.

A 'Defining Moment' for Assam Cricket

Speaking on the occasion, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, said, "Cricket occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam, and the launch of the Assam Premier League represents a defining moment for the sport in our state. This initiative will provide a dedicated platform for talented young cricketers to showcase their abilities and pursue their aspirations at the highest level. This league belongs to the people of Assam, and I am confident it will grow into one of the impactful state leagues in the years to come."

BCCI Extends Support to APL

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said, "The BCCI has always encouraged the growth of strong domestic cricket, and a professionally managed state league like the Assam Premier League adds significant depth to the cricketing structure. Assam possesses immense cricketing potential, and a platform of this nature will help talented players gain valuable competitive exposure. I congratulate the Assam Cricket Association on this important initiative and extend my best wishes for the successful inaugural season of the league."

"I extend my gratitude to Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for his vision and leadership, which have helped transform Assam into an emerging destination in India's sporting ecosystem," added Saikia.

The unveiling of the APL logo, the league's trophy, and participating franchise identities represents the first major milestone in the lead-up to the league's inaugural edition. Further announcements regarding the player auction, tournament schedule and other details will be made in the coming weeks.

Inaugural Franchises Unveiled

A major highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the identities of the eight participating franchises that will compete in the inaugural edition of the league:

• Jorhat Stallions • Tezpur Titans • Dibrugarh Warriors • Barak Legends • Nagaon Rangers • Barpeta Braves • Guwahati Royals • Charaideo Sunrisers.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 29-ball 94 powers India A to tri-series win

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:00:25 +0530

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a stunning display of power-hitting to power India A to a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final at Dambulla on Sunday in Sri Lanka. The teenage sensation struck a blistering 94 off just 29 deliveries, producing one of the most destructive innings in List A cricket history. His explosive knock helped India A post a formidable total of 377 for nine, before they went on to restrict Sri Lanka A to 311 in reply and seal the title in emphatic fashion.

Sooryavanshi Rewrites Record Books

The 15-year-old opener rewrote the record books by racing to his maiden India A fifty in only 11 deliveries, surpassing the previous List A record of a 12-ball half-century set by Sri Lanka's Kaushalya Weeraratne more than two decades ago. Needing just six more runs for a century, Sooryavanshi was within touching distance of equalling the fastest List A hundred ever recorded. Australia's Jake Fraser-McGurk currently holds that record after reaching three figures in 29 balls for South Australia against Tasmania in 2023.

Powered by a sensational 94 from Sooryavanshi, along with key contributions from Priyansh Arya (39), Ruturaj Gaikwad (40), skipper Tilak Varma (67) and Kumar Kushagra (36), India posted a commanding total of 377.

Sri Lanka's Chase Falters

In reply, Sri Lanka A were bowled out well short of the target despite fifties from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Wanuja Sahan. Their chase faltered early as Yash Thakur struck crucial blows in the powerplay, removing the top order and putting India firmly in control. Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never managed to build enough momentum to threaten the target.

Brief Scores

India A 377/9 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 94, Tilak Varma 67; Wanuja Sahan 2-39) beat Sri Lanka A 311 in 47.1 overs (Wanuja Sahan 62, Sadeera Samarawickrama 52; Yash Thakur 3-45) by 66 runs. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Women's T20 WC: Matthews stars as West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 5 wkts

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:00:23 +0530

West Indies continued their strong run in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a low-scoring contest in Bristol on Sunday. Hayley Matthews starred with the ball once again, claiming her second successive three-wicket haul to help restrict Sri Lanka to just 99. In reply, the West Indies batting unit struggled for fluency but managed to chase down the target, finishing on 99 for 5 in 16.1 overs.

With this being their third consecutive victory of the tournament, West Indies have strengthened their push for a semi-final spot. They currently sit second in Group B, level on points with England but behind on net run rate.

Matthews rattles Sri Lanka

Electing to field first, Matthews spearheaded her team's challenge as she bagged three wickets in her first two overs, as per the ICC website. After dismissing Vishmi Gunarathne in the first over of the innings, she dealt big blows in the next as she snapped Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama. With Chinelle Henry chipping in with the wicket of Imesha Dulani, Sri Lanka were reeling at 23/4 at the end of powerplay.

Silva's lone resistance

Nilakshika Silva, who had guided Sri Lanka to victory against defending champions New Zealand on Tuesday, once again tried to shore up the innings. She stitched a 34-run stand with Kavisha Dilhari to stem the slide and went on to top score with 30 off 26 balls. Towards the end, Kawya Kavindi (17) was the only Lankan batter to provide some resistance as the innings fell apart around her. A disciplined bowling performance from West Indies had made sure that Sri Lanka never got their teeth into contest. Matthews finished with 3/15 in her four overs, while Karishma Ramharack mopped the tail-end (2/15) on a day where all West Indian bowlers were amongst wickets.

West Indies stumble in chase

Chasing a modest total, the Caribbean side made heavy weather for it. After a 28-run opening stand, West Indies handed Sri Lanka the breakthrough as Matthews was run out while attempting a cheeky single. Silva charged in from mid on and nailed the direct hit at the non-striker's end to pack off the West Indian captain. With Deandra Dottin falling to a Nimasha Meepage on the final ball of powerplay, West Indies were pushed back to 36/2. The Sri Lankan bowlers kept coming at West Indies, striking at regular intervals. Kavisha Dilhari was especially difficult to get past and she finished with 2/22 to give Sri Lanka a fighting chance.

Taylor ensures victory

However, Stafanie Taylor kept the pressure at bay with steady unbeaten 27. Her 29-run partnership with Jannillea Glasgow saw West Indies knock off the requisite runs with almost four overs to spare. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Playing His Final Innings: Ahmedabad Bids Tearful Farewell to Young Cricketer with Bats and Balls (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:36:42 +0530

A local Ahmedabad cricketer received a tearful and deeply moving farewell from his community, following his tragic and sudden passing while doing what he loved most. Away from the spotlight and glitz of professional stadiums, the local cricketers across India play the sport with pure passion.

The unadulterated passion for the game and the deep bonds formed on dusty neighbourhood pitches often go unnoticed, but those who play the sport at this level understand that the pitch is more than just twenty-two yards; it is a second home. The local cricketers may not be chasing international glory under stadium lights, but their love for the game burns just as bright.

The recent tragedy in Ahmedabad serves as a stark, heartbreaking reminder of this profound connection. The young cricketer, who was identified as Rohit, might not have worn the blue Indian jersey or played in front of a huge crowd, but he was recognised by everyone in his neighbourhood for his unwavering dedication, infectious smile, and sheer love for the sport.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, hits fastest List A fifty in history

Ahmedabad Cricketer Gets Touching Farewell

The young cricketer from Ahmedabad left for the heavenly abode not only as a player but as a true champion of the sport, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone he played alongside. In an emotional homage that has touched the entire cricketing fraternity, thousands took to the streets to ensure his final walk to the crease was one to remember.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), thousands of mourners, the majority of whom played alongside the late cricketer, can be seen marching alongside the funeral procession. A few were carrying his bier, while countless others held up cricket bats and balls, raising them toward the sky in a collective, silent salute.

The sea of willow and leather moving through the streets captured a grief that transcends words, leaving an indelible impact on everyone who has come across the footage online.

Look at the way people in Ahmedabad paid their final respects to young cricketer Rohit. Thousands of people joined his funeral carrying cricket bats and balls as a heartfelt tribute. He was a popular local cricketer who tragically passed away while playing cricket after… pic.twitter.com/de4hJvlhUn

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) June 20, 2026

The young cricketer was reportedly battling for his life after a prolonged illness, but in a cruel twist of fate, he collapsed and breathed his last while doing what he loved most, playing a game of cricket on the field.

The farewell serves as a haunting yet beautiful tribute to a young cricketer who gave his heart to the sport, reminding viewers of the fragile, precious nature of life and the profound brotherhood forged on the cricket field.

The Emotional Farewell Made Netizens Move

The viral video of the funeral procession has since triggered an outpouring of grief and condolences across various social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing deep sorrow over the emotional farewell.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts were emotional by the touching gesture, with many saying “everyone needs friends like these,” while others called it a ‘great gesture.’ Several users simply reacted with ‘Om Shanti,’ reflecting the collective grief and emotional impact of the farewell.

Everyone in life needs to have friends like these

— Cricket Panda (@CricketPandaa) June 21, 2026

Great gesture

— Sportybuzz Cricket (@Sportybuzz1) June 21, 2026

AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL TO A CRICKETER IN AHMEDABAD A local cricketer in Ahemdabad was fighting with life from some days and he passed away. His friends gave him a farewell with bats in his last rites ✨️Everyone needs friends like this pic.twitter.com/z4Fv1yPzrE

— Venky Mama (@venkymama100) June 21, 2026

Om Shanti

— dp (@iamdipu21) June 20, 2026

Om Shanti

— dp (@iamdipu21) June 20, 2026

Om Shanti

— Santosh Salgar (@santoshsalgar) June 20, 2026

Om Shanthi

— Navuduri (@vilaswa) June 21, 2026

The local cricketers who play on the dusty pitches of India often share a bond that goes far beyond mere teammates, functioning more like an extended family. The poignant farewell to a departed soul highlights a profound truth - while international stars command stadiums, grassroots players build their legacies in loyalty, shared sweat, and enduring brotherhood.

Therefore, the farewell highlighted the deep, family-like bond among local cricketers, where teammates stand together in life and death, turning grief into a powerful symbol of unity and love for the game.

Also Read: Virat Kohli returns for England ODIs, Hardik Pandya dropped from squad

Tunisia vs Japan Highlights: Japan Crush Tunisia 4-0 In Historic World Cup 1000th Match Masterclass

Asianet Newsable English — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:12:08 +0530

Japan delivered a dominant performance against Tunisia, winning 4-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F clash that also marked the 1000th match in World Cup history. Goals from Daichi Kamada, Ayase Ueda (2), and Junya Ito sealed a one-sided victory as Japan showcased attacking brilliance and tactical discipline from start to finish.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, hits fastest List A fifty in history

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:00:54 +0530

As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a stunning innings against the Sri Lanka A team, his coach, Manish Ojha, praised his intent and ability to capitalize on loose deliveries, highlighting his powerful shots over cover and down the ground.

Sooryavanshi continued his meteoric rise in world cricket with a breathtaking innings of 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest half-century in List A cricket history, during the tri-series final between India A and Sri Lanka A at Dambulla on Sunday in Sri Lanka. The 15-year-old opener rewrote the record books by racing to his maiden India A fifty in only 11 deliveries, surpassing the previous List A record of a 12-ball half-century set by Sri Lanka's Kaushalya Weeraratne more than two decades ago.

'Vaibhav Batted Magnificently': Coach

"Vaibhav batted magnificently. Right from the very first ball, he maintained his intent and aggression, converting every loose delivery into runs. He broke Yuvraj Singh's record for a 50 off just 11 balls, hitting 5 sixes and 5 fours in the process...his batting was outstanding, particularly the strokes he executed over the covers and the sixes and fours he hit down the ground over the bowler's head," Ojha told ANI.

Sooryavanshi launched a stunning assault on the Sri Lankan bowling attack from the outset, peppering the boundary ropes with audacious strokeplay. His whirlwind knock featured 10 fours and eight sixes as he dominated the powerplay and put India A in a commanding position after being asked to bat first. Needing just six more runs for a century, Sooryavanshi was within touching distance of equalling the fastest List A hundred ever recorded. Australia's Jake Fraser-McGurk currently holds that record after reaching three figures in 29 balls for South Australia against Tasmania in 2023.

India A Seal Comprehensive Victory

India ended the tri-series on a high, producing their best performances in the final two matches, including a must-win league game against Afghanistan A, before sealing a comprehensive 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the final on Sunday Powered by a sensational 94 from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, along with key contributions from Priyansh Arya (39), Ruturaj Gaikwad (40), skipper Tilak Varma (67) and Kumar Kushagra (36), India posted a commanding total of 377.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

IND vs ENG: 5 Key Takeaways from India's ODI Squad Announcement for England Series

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:09:26 +0530

BCCI named India’s 15-man ODI squad for England with Shubman Gill as captain. Bumrah returns after 3 years, Kohli is included, while Hardik Pandya is ruled out injured. The squad also features new pacers and keeper-batters Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul.

The BCCI selection committee announced India’s 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England, starting on July 14. The series will take place after the upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England.

Shubman Gill will lead the side, with Shreyas Iyer as his deputy. Virat Kohli has been included in the ODI, but he was subjected to fitness testing following a hamstring injury, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj were notable absentees from the squad. The all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the series due to a fresh quadriceps strain (leg strain) during rehabilitation at the BCCI CoE.

On that note, let’s take a look at five key takeaways from the India squad for the ODI series against England.

After a three-year hiatus, Jasprit Bumrah made his return to ODI cricket for the upcoming series against England. Bumrah’s last appearance in the 50-over format was in the 2023 final against Australia. Since then, the team management has strategically managed his workload, preserving him primarily for Test cricket and marquee T20I events, including the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups.

With the selectors focusing on the 2027 World Cup, the 32-year-old has returned to the ODI setup as part of the Men in Blue’s preparation in the build-up to the marquee event, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, bringing invaluable experience and penetration to a youthful bowling attack.

Bumrah was rested for a One-Off Test and the recently concluded three-match ODI series, as well as upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England, in order to keep him fresh and fully recovered for the upcoming 50-over contests.

Also Read: IND vs AFG, 3rd ODI: Coach Gives Straight-Up Warning to Kuldeep Yadav, Says 'Perform or Get Dropped'

The selection process is often considered ruthless and tough when it comes to international cricket, and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion upon Virat Kohli’s return highlights exactly how unforgiving the selection dynamics can be.

Jaiswal, who was drafted into the India squad as a replacement for Virat Kohli in the recently concluded ODI series against Afghanistan, slammed an unbeaten 110-run knock in the Chennai ODI. However, following the established convention of the selection committee, wherein a stand-in player makes way when the first-choice senior cricketer returns from injury, the southpaw misses a spot in the 15-member roster for England ODIs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has played six ODIs and scored 285 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 71.25, but he unfortunately becomes the odd man out in a fiercely contested batting lineup.

The inclusion of Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as wicketkeeper-batters in the India squad for the ODI series against England has apparently confirmed that the selection committee has prioritised versatility, dynamic batting resources, and multi-faceted utility over specialist, single-role players.

Despite reports of Rishabh Pant returning to the ODI setup following his recent exclusion from white-ball squads, the selectors and the team management have clearly opted for players who offer dual utility as top-order accumulators or aggressive floaters.

Ishan retained his place in the ODI squad after his comeback performance, including a century, in the Afghanistan series, while Rahul brings immense value as a reliable middle-order anchor and seasoned gloveman who has proven his pedigree in English conditions.

India’s pace bowling attack for the upcoming ODI series in England wears a distinctly fresh, dynamic look, blending elite experience with raw, untapped potential. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the pace attack, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna provide a proven white-ball pedigree.

However, the inclusion of Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar signals a clear shift towards adding genuine pace and aggressive variety to the squad. Rana recently returned after an injury layoff and was included in the squad for the final ODI against Afghanistan, while Brar impressed on debut, taking seven wickets in three matches.

With a mix of experienced and fresh talents, the bowling lineup looks incredibly well-rounded and prepared to tackle the challenges of English conditions.

Also Read: Gurnoor Brar sets new Indian record for wickets in debut ODI series

The spinning and multi-core dimensional, comprising Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, has been entrusted with overlapping duties in English conditions. Axar was picked ahead of the veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to provide better left-arm orthodox control and dynamic lower-order batting depth.

Washington is another vital multi-dimensional asset, offering tidy off-spinner and handy lower-order batting capabilities. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to serve as the primary attacking spin option, utilizing his variations to break partnerships in the middle overs, while Nitish Kumar Reddy shoulders the pace-all-rounder workload in the absence of Hardik Pandya.

With clearly defined roles, the balance of the squad leans heavily toward multi-skilled cricketers who provide captain Shubman Gill with immense tactical flexibility in the field.

Why Ravindra Jadeja Was Dropped From India ODI Squad For England Series? Reason Explained

Hrishikesh Damodar — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:54:29 +0530

The veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was surprisingly excluded from the India squad for the upcoming ODI series against England, which will start on July 14 2026. The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, picked a 15-member India ODI squad for the tour of England, heavily leaning on youth and dynamic, aggressive white-ball specialists.

The three-match ODI series against England will take place after India’s upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England. Following the ODI series sweep against Afghanistan, with the Men in Blue sealing a commanding 3-0 clean sweep, the Ajit Agarkar-led side picked up a squad for the England ODIs.

News India’s ODI squad for the England tour announced.: Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the Ireland T20I Series as he continues his rehab at the BCCI COE.More Details ▶️ https://t.co/wOdXTQqJto #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/t0GypgM4kp

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2026

The ODI series against England is part of Team India’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and the selectors have apparently picked up the players who fit into the aggressive, multi-dimensional template required for sub-continental and pace-friendly overseas conditions alike.

Also Read: Virat Kohli returns for England ODIs, Hardik Pandya dropped from squad

Why was Jadeja Omitted from the India Squad for England ODIs?

While the veteran players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (subject to fitness) were included in a 15-member squad for the ODI series against England, Ravindra Jadeja’s exclusion from the squad came as a big surprise, as the veteran all-rounder has been an integral pillar of the team's white-ball setup for over a decade and played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy triumph last year.

The 39-year-old was rested for the One-Off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Earlier, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that in white-ball cricket, they are currently exploring and assessing newer options with an eye on the 2027 World Cup conditions, though the door has not been permanently shut on the veteran all-rounder.

“With regards to one-day cricket, again with 15-16 months left to that World Cup, somewhere around there we want to obviously try and assess what our options are, particularly keeping in mind the conditions in South Africa and give a little bit of exposure to some of the newer guys,” Agarkar said during the squads announcement for the home series against Afghanistan.

In place of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, who returned to the ODI squad after the Afghanistan series due to workload management, and Washington Sundar have been preferred to provide the desired left-right spin-bowling all-rounder combinations.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan retained his place in the ODI after his comeback performance in the recently concluded series against Afghanistan, and Harshit Rana Gurnoor Brar were included in the 15-member roster, giving the pace attack formidable depth alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna.

Is Indian Cricket Moving On From Jadeja in ODIs?

The exclusion of Ravindra Jadeja from the India squad for the series against England has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts questioning whether this marks the end of his ODI career.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts expressed mixed but intense reactions over Ravindra Jadeja’s exclusion, with many questioning the selection calls and the team’s direction. While some criticised the decision to pick a young over an experienced all-rounder like Jadeja, others suggested it could mark a transition phase in India’s ODI setup.

Several users felt the move signals the end of Jadeja’s ODI career, whereas a few acknowledged it as part of a broader shift towards building a younger core for future ICC events.

An all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja is already in the Indian team, yet they’re going with Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. I honestly don’t know what clueless thinking is going on in GG’s mind. pic.twitter.com/HWX4aLS4JO

— truth (@NehaRoy1030732) June 21, 2026

Ravindra Jadeja has been left out once again, raising serious questions about his future in India's ODI setup. It's a difficult situation for one of India's greatest all-rounders, who now faces a challenging road back into the squad.

— ᴡᴀᴘ7 :ᴀʟᴏᴋ ᴋᴀꜱʜʏᴀᴘ (@alokkashyap24) June 21, 2026

Ravindra Jadeja Should Retire From ODI Cricket?Ravindra Jadeja was not included in the ODI series against Afghanistan and has also been omitted from the ODI squad for the England series. Is this a sign that his ODI career is nearing its end, or will he make a comeback soon pic.twitter.com/J4lLLUjIs7

— Central Cricket (@arshdeep3444) June 21, 2026

Teams progress and outgrow the players that once made them. Ravindra Jadeja had a huge impact with the number of games he paused for India against the flow with his bowling. But it was coming. He had survived plenty but couldn't this time. Focus on Tests.

— KASHISH (@crickashish217) June 21, 2026

Seems like the end of Ravindra Jadeja in ODIs A great great career but the right time One of India’s finestStill very important in Tests. Hope he plays 100 tests. More than deserved to be part of that club

— AayushKataria (@AKTalksSports) June 21, 2026

Odi career over for Ravindra Jadeja

— YellowShade India (@YellowShadeind) June 21, 2026

RAVINDRA JADEJA'S ODI CAREER OVER?- Dropped from the England ODI series.- Earlier left out of the Afghanistan ODI & Test squads.- Axar Patel included in the England ODI squad.- Axar now likely to be India's first-choice spin all-rounder.A major transition may be… pic.twitter.com/Uxt9dghGjI

— Sam (@cricsam02) June 21, 2026

Jadeja’s White Ball career has permanently been shut down by BCCI. pic.twitter.com/CTZn3bP1TA

— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) June 21, 2026

BIG BREAKING Ravindra Jadeja appears to be completely out of India's ODI plans at the moment. A tough phase for the veteran all-rounder, as he continues to miss out on selection despite his vast experience and contributions over the years.

— ᴡᴀᴘ7 :ᴀʟᴏᴋ ᴋᴀꜱʜʏᴀᴘ (@alokkashyap24) June 21, 2026

How come Jadeja left out? He hasn’t done anything wrong. Is this the end for jadeja or is he injured?

— Engr Ashish (@ShadowOf_Gotham) June 21, 2026

For wot they're ignoring jadeja? for that gt blood washi? Even after being a consistent performer for ICT he is getting treated like this why? This isn't fair to a legend like him man, atp they're just forcibly moving on... https://t.co/OsUoqSf1Hy

— (@bhooljaoge) June 21, 2026

They made Jadeja retire from ODIs without anyone realising. https://t.co/mGfJyhhew8

— Prantik (@Pran__07) June 21, 2026

Ravindra Jadeja was part of three ODI World Cups, 2015, 2019, and 2023, playing a key role as one of India’s most reliable all-rounders across multiple campaigns. In his ODI career, Jadeja has aggregated 2905 runs, including 13 fifties, at an average of 32.27 in 210 matches.

With the ball, the all-rounder picked up 232 wickets, including 7 four-wicket hauls and 2 fifers, at an average of 36.54 and an economy rate of 4.88.

Also Read: IND vs AFG, 3rd ODI: Coach Gives Straight-Up Warning to Kuldeep Yadav, Says 'Perform or Get Dropped'

Virat Kohli: Marksheet Goes Viral, Unexpected Academic Record Stuns Fans!

Indrakshi Samanta — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:48:20 +0530

Virat Kohli himself shared his Class 10 marksheet online, and now it's gone completely viral. Want to know what he scored in Maths? The number will definitely make you do a double-take!Virat Kohli is the face of modern cricket. People call him 'King Kohli' because he has broken almost every record in the book. Now, his old marksheet is breaking the internet.

After legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Dhoni, Kohli is now ruling the cricket world. He is always full of energy and is known to be very straightforward in his personal life.

Virat Kohli returns for England ODIs, Hardik Pandya dropped from squad

Kohli keeps his fans updated on social media platforms like X and Instagram. He often shares photos and videos of his family time and gym workouts.Virat Kohli is on a record-breaking spree in the IPL. He became the first Indian player to score 13,000 runs in T20 cricket and also the first to hit 1,000 boundaries in IPL history.On top of that, Virat Kohli is the second player ever to score 100 half-centuries in T20 cricket. He also played a key role in his team's win against Rajasthan Royals, scoring 62 runs.Recently, Virat Kohli's Class 10 marksheet went viral on the internet. He had originally shared it himself back in 2023 on the social media app 'Koo'.This is the marksheet that is now doing the rounds on social media. It shows the marks Virat Kohli scored in different subjects in his Class 10 board exams.

Netizens are sharing the marksheet like crazy. Some fans are leaving funny comments like, "Wow! Kohli got such low marks in Maths? He's just like us!"

Why Ravindra Jadeja Was Dropped From India ODI Squad For England Series? Reason Explained

Others pointed out that marks don't matter in the long run. They said, "Even with average marks, Virat Kohli became number one in his field through sheer hard work and dedication."

So what were the scores? He got 83 in English, 75 in Hindi, 51 in Maths, 55 in Science, 81 in Social Science, and 74 in Intro to IT. His total score was 69.8 percent.

Japan thrash Tunisia 4-0 in 1000th FIFA World Cup match, a historic win

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:31:28 +0530

The 1000th match in FIFA World Cup history turned into a landmark occasion for Japan as the Samurai Blue registered the biggest victory in their World Cup journey, thrashing Tunisia 4-0 in a Group F clash at Estadio Monterrey on Sunday.

Ninety-six years after the first World Cup match was played in Montevideo, Uruguay, Japan marked the tournament's 1000th game by becoming the first Asian nation to score four goals in a FIFA World Cup match. The emphatic result also extended their unbeaten run at the World Cup to four matches, the longest such streak in the country's history. The victory lifted Japan to four points in Group F, level with leaders Netherlands but behind on goals scored. Tunisia, meanwhile, were eliminated in the group stage for a seventh successive World Cup appearance, extending an unwanted record.

A historic moment for Japan - their national anthem at the 1,000th @FIFAWorldCup match pic.twitter.com/Rg4KKB9BeG — FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 21, 2026

Only Scotland, with eight previous appearances, have played in more World Cups without ever reaching the knockout rounds.

Japanese Stars Set New Records

According to ESPN, Japan's fast start produced another record when Daichi Kamada found the net after just 3 minutes and 27 seconds, the quickest goal ever scored by a Japanese player in FIFA World Cup history.

Ayase Ueda emerged as the star of the night, becoming the first Japanese footballer to score a brace and register three goal contributions in a single World Cup match. His two goals and overall influence spearheaded a dominant performance that left Tunisia chasing shadows for much of the contest.

Match 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ in @FIFAWorldCup history! This special fixture, representing a significant milestone in the tournament's history, saw Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 at Monterrey Stadium. pic.twitter.com/LJeqRgnJ8V — FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 21, 2026

Tunisia Reaches World Cup Milestone

The match against Japan was Tunisia's 20th FIFA World Cup match. They became only the fourth African nation to reach that mark after Cameroon (26 matches), Morocco (25) and Nigeria (21).

Dominant Display Sees Japan Score Four

Japan seized control early through Kamada after a flowing team move exposed the Tunisian defence. Ueda doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a low finish into the corner before Junya Ito added a third midway through the second half after racing clear of the defence. Ueda completed the scoring late on with a looping header, sealing Japan's first-ever four-goal World Cup performance and strengthening their hopes of automatic qualification for the Round of 32.

Path to the Knockouts

Japan now need only a point from their final group match against Sweden, while Tunisia bow out after another group-stage exit. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Indian Women's Hockey team wins FIH Nations Cup, beats New Zealand 2-0

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:31:16 +0530

The Indian Women's Hockey Team was crowned champion of the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 after defeating the hosts 2-0 in the final at Auckland on Sunday. Navneet Kaur (4') gave India the early lead before Sunelita Toppo (15') doubled India's advantage. The team produced a stellar defensive display to protect their lead and win the title, which also marked their return to the FIH Hockey Women's Pro League next season, according to a press release.

Individual Honours and Tournament Journey

Lalremsiami won the 'Player of the Match' award in the final, while Deepika finished as the joint-top scorer in the tournament with six goals to her name - sharing the honours with USA's Ashley Sessa. This is India's second Nations Cup title, having won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2022. India remained unbeaten throughout their campaign, defeating USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2) in the Pool A matches, before registering a commanding 6-0 win over Chile in the semi-final. They delivered an excellent performance in the final to clinch the title with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand.

To recognise the teams' achievements, Hockey India announced a cash award of INR 3 lakh for each player and INR 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.

Final Match Recap

In the title match on Sunday, the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession in the early exchanges as they looked to make early inroads. However, the visitors manufactured the first meaningful opportunity of the game when Navneet won a penalty corner. She converted from the set-piece with a thunderous hit in the 4th minute, putting India in front.

India were exceptional in transition, causing all sorts of problems for New Zealand's defence with their intensity. They doubled their advantage through their fifth penalty corner of the opening quarter, with Sunelita Toppo deflecting a sharp attempt from Deepika, handing India a 2-0 lead in the 15th minute.

India were disciplined in the second quarter, while New Zealand began to grow into the game as they looked to claw back. The visitors too had a couple of opportunities to extend their lead. However, neither side could find the back of the net, resulting in India holding onto their two-goal advantage at half-time.

India remained resolute in the third quarter, putting up a remarkable defensive display that kept the hosts at bay and denied them any clear goal-scoring opportunity. With their high intensity, the visitors forced a mistake from the New Zealand defence, but Navneet's reverse hit was saved by the goalkeeper.

New Zealand earned a penalty corner in the opening exchanges of the fourth quarter. The resulting set-piece, however, was saved by Savita - keeping India's two-goal lead intact. The visitors remained superb in maintaining a tight defensive structure and eventually secured a 2-0 win to clinch the title. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

India bags 12 medals, 8 gold, at Czechia Grand Prix boxing meet

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:31:13 +0530

India delivered a commanding performance at the 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem (European Boxing Gold Tournament) in Czechia, finishing with 12 medals, including eight gold, three silver and one bronze, in one of their strongest outings on the international circuit this season.

The Indian contingent enjoyed a highly successful campaign against quality international opposition, with the women's team leading the charge by winning four gold medals and one silver from five boxers, according to a press release.

Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), reigning Asian champion Preeti Pawar (54kg), Sakshi (51kg) and Priya (60kg) all struck gold in emphatic fashion, registering unanimous victories in their respective finals. Parveen (65kg) added a silver medal to complete an impressive showing by the women's squad.

The men's team matched the women's success with four gold medals. Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Ankush (80kg) and Narender (+90kg) emerged champions in their respective categories.

BFI President Congratulates Boxers

Congratulating the team, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh said, "Congratulations to all our medal winners for their outstanding performance at the 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem. Winning eight gold medals and three silver medals against strong international competition is a remarkable achievement and reflects the dedication, discipline and fighting spirit of our boxers.

"A special appreciation to our women's team for their exceptional performance, securing four gold medals and one silver medal from just five boxers. This is a proud moment for Indian boxing. Congratulations also on your well-deserved selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. This is another important step in your journey. We wish all of you the very best for the Commonwealth Games. Train hard, stay focused and compete with confidence. May you continue to deliver outstanding performances and bring glory to India," he added.

Final Match Highlights

Lovlina defeated Italy's Melissa Gemini 5-0 in the final, while Preeti outclassed France's Jeyssa Marcel by a similar margin. Sakshi beat France's Mayssoun Bourega 5-0 and Priya secured a dominant win over home favourite Barbora Maxova of Czechia.

Jadumani defeated England's Abdul Burton 4-1 in the final, while Sachin and Ankush registered comprehensive 5-0 victories over Hungary's Veres Rohland and Czech Republic's Florian Daniel respectively.

Narender edged past Armenia's Davit Chaloyan 3-2 in a closely fought heavyweight final.

Aditya Pratap Yadav (65kg) and Kapil Pokhariya (90kg) settled for silver medals after narrow defeats in their title bouts, while Sumit Kundu (70kg) claimed bronze.

The tournament, one of Europe's oldest and most respected boxing events, served as an important international assignment for Indian boxers as preparations continue for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.

India's Medal Winners

Gold: Sakshi (51kg-W), Preeti Pawar (54kg-W), Priya (60kg-W), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg-W), Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Ankush (80kg), Narender (+90kg)

Silver: Parveen (65kg-W), Aditya Pratap Yadav (65kg), Kapil Pokhariya (90kg)

Bronze: Sumit Kundu (70kg). (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ecuador vs Curaçao Highlights: Goalless Thriller Ends in Hard-Fought World Cup Draw

Asianet Newsable English — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:01:44 +0530

Ecuador and Curaçao played out a tense 0-0 draw in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E clash. Both teams created opportunities but failed to find the breakthrough. Watch full highlights, chances, key moments and all the action from this exciting World Cup battle.

Virat Kohli returns for England ODIs, Hardik Pandya dropped from squad

Asianet News Central — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:31:35 +0530

India's ODI Squad for England Series Announced

Virat Kohli returned to India's ODI setup while senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya was the notable absentee as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, beginning on July 16.

The Men's Selection Committee unveiled the squad, which will be led by Shubman Gill, with Shreyas Iyer named vice-captain. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav were also included in the squad, alongside returning stars Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah.

Kohli's Return Subject to Fitness

Kohli makes his comeback after missing the home ODI series against Afghanistan. The veteran batter was rested from that assignment after sustaining a right hamstring injury during his match-winning knock in the IPL 2026 final, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title. However, his participation in the ODI series is subject to his fitness clearance.

Pandya's Omission and Youngsters' Inclusion

Pandya's omission emerged as the biggest talking point from the squad announcement, although the BCCI did not provide any specific reason for his absence. Meanwhile, fast bowler Gurnoor Brar retained his place after impressing during India's recent home assignments, while young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy continued to earn the selectors' backing.

Changes to T20I Squad for Ireland

In a separate development, the BCCI announced that pacer Prasidh Krishna has been added to India's T20I squad for the two-match series against Ireland. He replaced mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who remains sidelined while recovering from a left foot injury suffered during IPL 2026. According to the BCCI, Chakaravarthy is in the final stages of rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) and is yet to receive clearance for competitive cricket.

India's Upcoming Schedule

India's immediate assignment is the two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28. The Men in Blue will then take on England in a five-match T20I series before shifting focus to the ODI leg of the tour.

The three-match ODI series against England will begin at Edgbaston, followed by the second ODI in Cardiff on July 16. The final match of the series will be played at Lord's on July 19.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)