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Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open 2026 due to a right knee injury, leaving the tournament without one of its leading title contenders. The 24-year-old won his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month but has not played since suffering the knee injury earlier this month. He withdrew from the Cincinnati Open and also missed the Canadian Open, both important hard-court events ahead of the US Open.&nbsp;“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the U.S. Open this year,” Sinner said in a statement posted on X.&nbsp;“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over ‌the ⁠last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.”&nbsp;Sinner’s withdrawal was announced a day after world number two Carlos Alcaraz confirmed his participation in the tournament following a four-month break from competitive tennis.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/diamond-league-2026-live-when-and-where-to-watch-neeraj-chopra-s-javelin-event-1787314132744">Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event</a>&nbsp;Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s US Open final and will now enter the tournament as the highest-ranked player. The Spaniard is also among the favourites to win the title despite his recent injury problems.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-satwik-chirag-suffer-heartbreaking-loss-in-quarterfinals-to-chinese-pair-1787319256986">BWF World Championships: Satwik-Chirag knocked out after losing to Chinese pair</a>&nbsp;With Sinner out, Alcaraz has lost one of his biggest challengers and could have a smoother route towards a potential eighth Grand Slam title.&nbsp;The US Open will be held from Aug 23 to Sep 13.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has confirmed that he will miss the US Open due to a right knee injury.

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open 2026 due to a right knee injury, leaving the tournament without one of its leading title contenders. The 24-year-old won his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month but has not played since suffering the knee injury earlier this month. He withdrew from the Cincinnati Open and also missed the Canadian Open, both important hard-court events ahead of the US Open. “Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the U.S. Open this year,” Sinner said in a statement posted on X. “We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over ‌the ⁠last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.” Sinner’s withdrawal was announced a day after world number two Carlos Alcaraz confirmed his participation in the tournament following a four-month break from competitive tennis. Also Read - Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s US Open final and will now enter the tournament as the highest-ranked player. The Spaniard is also among the favourites to win the title despite his recent injury problems. Also Read - BWF World Championships: Satwik-Chirag knocked out after losing to Chinese pair With Sinner out, Alcaraz has lost one of his biggest challengers and could have a smoother route towards a potential eighth Grand Slam title. The US Open will be held from Aug 23 to Sep 13.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has confirmed that he will miss the US Open due to a right knee injury.

Jannik Sinner withdraws from US Open 2026 due to Knee injury

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the five Indian batters fastest to 6000 Test runs. This list also includes Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid

From Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the five Indian batters fastest to 6000 Test runs. This list also includes Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid

Meet top 5 Indian batters fastest to 6000 Test runs

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the BWF World Championships 2026 after suffering a straight-game defeat to China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles quarterfinals in New Delhi on Friday (August 21). Playing in front of a home crowd, the Indian pair went down 18-21, 9-21 as Liang and Wang delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure their place in the semifinals.&nbsp;Satwik and Chirag started the contest strongly and stayed close to their Chinese opponents throughout the opening game. The Indians led 18-16 and appeared to be in control, but Liang and Wang responded with five consecutive points to turn the game around and take it 21-18. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the second game, quickly taking control of the proceedings. They led 11-5 at the interval and continued to extend their advantage as the Indian pair struggled to regain their rhythm.&nbsp;Satwik and Chirag committed several errors, particularly around the net, while Liang and Wang remained calm and capitalised on the mistakes. The Chinese pair eventually wrapped up the second game 21-9 to seal a place in the last four. Satwik’s shoulder issue also appeared to hamper the Indian pair during the match, restricting some of the shots he was able to play. The quarterfinal initially developed into a closely fought battle, with neither pair managing to establish a substantial advantage. The Indians held an 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval before Liang and Wang gradually shifted the momentum in their favour.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/diamond-league-2026-live-when-and-where-to-watch-neeraj-chopra-s-javelin-event-1787314132744">Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event</a>&nbsp;Despite the defeat, Satwik and Chirag produced a strong campaign at the home World Championships, reaching the quarterfinal stage before their run came to an end. While Liang and Wang advanced to the semifinals, attention will now turn to Satwik’s shoulder and his recovery following the physically demanding contest.&nbsp;Earlier, India’s women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a stunning comeback victory over China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to storm into the semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026. Treesa and Gayatri recovered after losing the opening game to register a 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory in a contest that lasted more than 70 minutes. The win assured the Indian duo of at least a bronze medal and marked another impressive performance by India’s women’s doubles combination on home soil.

Satwik-Chirag lose to Liang-Wang in the BWF World Championships quarterfinals, while Treesa-Gayatri enter the semifinals after a stunning comeback win

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the BWF World Championships 2026 after suffering a straight-game defeat to China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles quarterfinals in New Delhi on Friday (August 21). Playing in front of a home crowd, the Indian pair went down 18-21, 9-21 as Liang and Wang delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure their place in the semifinals. Satwik and Chirag started the contest strongly and stayed close to their Chinese opponents throughout the opening game. The Indians led 18-16 and appeared to be in control, but Liang and Wang responded with five consecutive points to turn the game around and take it 21-18. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the second game, quickly taking control of the proceedings. They led 11-5 at the interval and continued to extend their advantage as the Indian pair struggled to regain their rhythm. Satwik and Chirag committed several errors, particularly around the net, while Liang and Wang remained calm and capitalised on the mistakes. The Chinese pair eventually wrapped up the second game 21-9 to seal a place in the last four. Satwik’s shoulder issue also appeared to hamper the Indian pair during the match, restricting some of the shots he was able to play. The quarterfinal initially developed into a closely fought battle, with neither pair managing to establish a substantial advantage. The Indians held an 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval before Liang and Wang gradually shifted the momentum in their favour. Also Read: Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event Despite the defeat, Satwik and Chirag produced a strong campaign at the home World Championships, reaching the quarterfinal stage before their run came to an end. While Liang and Wang advanced to the semifinals, attention will now turn to Satwik’s shoulder and his recovery following the physically demanding contest. Earlier, India’s women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a stunning comeback victory over China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to storm into the semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026. Treesa and Gayatri recovered after losing the opening game to register a 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory in a contest that lasted more than 70 minutes. The win assured the Indian duo of at least a bronze medal and marked another impressive performance by India’s women’s doubles combination on home soil.

Satwik-Chirag exit World Championships after losing to Liang-Wang, while Treesa-Gayatri beat China to enter the semifinals and secure a medal

BWF World Championships: Satwik-Chirag suffer heartbreaking loss in quarterfinals to Chinese pair

After a successful Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, where he won a silver medal, Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is ready to compete at the Diamond League 2026. The event, also known as Athletissima, will be held at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Switzerland on Friday (Aug 21).&nbsp;The Lausanne meet will be Chopra’s third competition of the 2026 season after the Doha Diamond League and the Commonwealth Games.&nbsp;&nbsp;He returned to action in Doha in June after a long injury break and finished fourth with a throw of 85.69m. He then won silver in Glasgow with a best effort of 85.83m.&nbsp;This will be Chopra’s fourth appearance in Lausanne. He won the event in 2022 with a throw of 89.08m and successfully defended his title in 2023 with 87.66m. He finished second in 2024 after recording 89.49m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chopra will also look to end his wait for an international win, with his last victory coming at the NC Classic in July last year.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-pak-joe-root-scripts-test-history-breaks-record-for-most-catches-by-a-fielder-1787312617077">ENG vs PAK: Joe Root scripts Test history, breaks record for most catches by a fielder</a><h2>Neeraj Chopra at Diamond League 2026: Live streaming details</h2><h3>When is Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2026?</h3>Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event at the Diamond League 2026 is scheduled to start at 11:52 PM IST on Friday (Aug 21).<h3>Where to watch the Diamond League 2026 live streaming in India?</h3>Fans in India can watch the Diamond League 2026 live on the Diamond League’s official YouTube channel.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/here-we-go-carlos-alcaraz-announces-us-open-return-following-wrist-injury-layoff-1787307631660">'Here we go': Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff</a><h3>Where can fans watch Diamond League 2026 live telecast in India?</h3>There is currently no official update on the live telecast details for the Diamond League 2026 in India.<h3>Men's javelin: Full list</h3><ul><li>Neeraj Chopra (India)</li><li>Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka)</li><li>Anderson Peters (Grenada)</li><li>Artur Felfner (Ukraine)</li><li>Curtis Thompson (USA)</li><li>Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia)</li><li>Marc Minichello (USA)</li><li>Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago)</li><li>Simon Wieland (Switzerland)</li></ul>

Neeraj Chopra will be in action at the Diamond League 2026 today. Here’s everything you need to know about the event timings, schedule, live streaming and where to watch in India.

After a successful Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, where he won a silver medal, Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is ready to compete at the Diamond League 2026. The event, also known as Athletissima, will be held at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Switzerland on Friday (Aug 21). The Lausanne meet will be Chopra’s third competition of the 2026 season after the Doha Diamond League and the Commonwealth Games. He returned to action in Doha in June after a long injury break and finished fourth with a throw of 85.69m. He then won silver in Glasgow with a best effort of 85.83m. This will be Chopra’s fourth appearance in Lausanne. He won the event in 2022 with a throw of 89.08m and successfully defended his title in 2023 with 87.66m. He finished second in 2024 after recording 89.49m. Chopra will also look to end his wait for an international win, with his last victory coming at the NC Classic in July last year. Also Read - ENG vs PAK: Joe Root scripts Test history, breaks record for most catches by a fielder Neeraj Chopra at Diamond League 2026: Live streaming details When is Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2026? Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event at the Diamond League 2026 is scheduled to start at 11:52 PM IST on Friday (Aug 21). Where to watch the Diamond League 2026 live streaming in India? Fans in India can watch the Diamond League 2026 live on the Diamond League’s official YouTube channel. Also Read - 'Here we go': Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff Where can fans watch Diamond League 2026 live telecast in India? There is currently no official update on the live telecast details for the Diamond League 2026 in India. Men's javelin: Full list Neeraj Chopra (India) Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka) Anderson Peters (Grenada) Artur Felfner (Ukraine) Curtis Thompson (USA) Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia) Marc Minichello (USA) Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) Simon Wieland (Switzerland)

Neeraj Chopra will be in action at the Diamond League 2026 today. Here’s everything you need to know about the event timings, schedule, live streaming and where to watch in India.

Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event

England star Joe Root on Friday (Aug 21) has surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to become the fielder with most catches in Test cricket history. Root achieved the feat on Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, with a stunning catch at leg slip to dismiss Azan Awais off Jofra Archer.&nbsp;&nbsp;The dismissal came after a smart fielding plan between Root and Archer. A few balls earlier, Root had suggested adding a leg slip and short leg and Archer then bowled one that moved sharply into Awais. The Pakistan batter tried to guide it towards fine leg, but the ball took the inside edge and went straight to Root at leg slip.&nbsp;The catch took Root’s tally to 219 catches in 169* Test matches. Smith is second with 218 catches from 124 matches, while India legend Rahul Dravid is third with 210 catches in 164 matches. &nbsp;<h3>Most catches by a fielder in Test cricket</h3><ul><li>219 - Joe Root* (England)</li><li>218 - Steve Smith (Australia)</li><li>&nbsp;210 - Rahul Dravid (India)</li><li>205 - Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)</li><li>200 - Jacques Kallis (South Africa)</li></ul>Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/here-we-go-carlos-alcaraz-announces-us-open-return-following-wrist-injury-layoff-1787307631660">'Here we go': Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff</a><h3>England build strong lead at Headingley</h3>Root’s record came as England continued to control the first Test. England were bowled out for 409 early on the third day after starting at 366/8.&nbsp;The hosts added 43 runs to their overnight score, with Jofra Archer contributing a useful 23, including two fours and a six.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/battle-against-fear-nozomi-okuhara-reveals-painful-reason-behind-withdrawal-from-bwf-world-championships-1787308467690">'Battle against fear': Why Okuhara pulled out from BWF World Championships 2026</a>&nbsp;Khurram Shahzad took the final two England wickets, removing Jamie Smith for 25 before bowling Josh Tongue for eight. Shahzad finished with figures of 3/133.&nbsp;England’s first-innings total gave them a huge 238-run lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171 in less than two sessions on the opening day. &nbsp;

Joe Root has surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to become the fielder with the most catches in Test cricket history.

England star Joe Root on Friday (Aug 21) has surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to become the fielder with most catches in Test cricket history. Root achieved the feat on Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, with a stunning catch at leg slip to dismiss Azan Awais off Jofra Archer. The dismissal came after a smart fielding plan between Root and Archer. A few balls earlier, Root had suggested adding a leg slip and short leg and Archer then bowled one that moved sharply into Awais. The Pakistan batter tried to guide it towards fine leg, but the ball took the inside edge and went straight to Root at leg slip. The catch took Root’s tally to 219 catches in 169* Test matches. Smith is second with 218 catches from 124 matches, while India legend Rahul Dravid is third with 210 catches in 164 matches. Most catches by a fielder in Test cricket 219 - Joe Root* (England) 218 - Steve Smith (Australia) 210 - Rahul Dravid (India) 205 - Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 200 - Jacques Kallis (South Africa) Also Read - 'Here we go': Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff England build strong lead at Headingley Root’s record came as England continued to control the first Test. England were bowled out for 409 early on the third day after starting at 366/8. The hosts added 43 runs to their overnight score, with Jofra Archer contributing a useful 23, including two fours and a six. Also Read - 'Battle against fear': Why Okuhara pulled out from BWF World Championships 2026 Khurram Shahzad took the final two England wickets, removing Jamie Smith for 25 before bowling Josh Tongue for eight. Shahzad finished with figures of 3/133. England’s first-innings total gave them a huge 238-run lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171 in less than two sessions on the opening day.

Joe Root has surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to become the fielder with the most catches in Test cricket history.

ENG vs PAK: Joe Root scripts Test history, breaks record for most catches by a fielder

Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open 2026 after spending four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spanish star will return to New York to defend his title at the tournament, which will be held from Aug 30 to Sep 13.&nbsp;&nbsp;“HERE WE GO!” Alcaraz wrote in an X post on Thursday and confirmed his participation.&nbsp;The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since April. He suffered the wrist injury during the Barcelona Open and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. The injury also kept him out of the French Open, Wimbledon and the hard-court events in Toronto and Cincinnati.&nbsp;Alcaraz won his second US Open title last year after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final and later went on to win the Australian Open.&nbsp;Despite his long absence, Alcaraz has managed to hold on to his No. 2 position in the ATP rankings.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/battle-against-fear-nozomi-okuhara-reveals-painful-reason-behind-withdrawal-from-bwf-world-championships-1787308467690">'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has also been out of action since winning Wimbledon. The Italian pulled out of the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, putting his fitness for the US Open under doubt.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sl-kamil-mishara-sahan-arachchige-join-sri-lanka-squad-for-second-test-1787305975896">IND vs SL: Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige join Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test</a>&nbsp;The Cincinnati Open confirmed Sinner’s withdrawal on its official X account, meaning the tournament missed both of the sport’s leading young stars, Sinner and his biggest rival, Alcaraz.&nbsp;“Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury. Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion, and can’t wait to see you again next year!,” posted the tournament’s official handle.&nbsp;Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open. At 19, he also became the youngest player in history to reach the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

The Spaniard has been sidelined since Apr 14, missing both Wimbledon and Roland Garros as he recovered from the injury.

Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open 2026 after spending four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spanish star will return to New York to defend his title at the tournament, which will be held from Aug 30 to Sep 13. “HERE WE GO!” Alcaraz wrote in an X post on Thursday and confirmed his participation. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since April. He suffered the wrist injury during the Barcelona Open and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. The injury also kept him out of the French Open, Wimbledon and the hard-court events in Toronto and Cincinnati. Alcaraz won his second US Open title last year after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final and later went on to win the Australian Open. Despite his long absence, Alcaraz has managed to hold on to his No. 2 position in the ATP rankings. Also Read - 'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships Meanwhile, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has also been out of action since winning Wimbledon. The Italian pulled out of the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, putting his fitness for the US Open under doubt. Also Read - IND vs SL: Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige join Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test The Cincinnati Open confirmed Sinner’s withdrawal on its official X account, meaning the tournament missed both of the sport’s leading young stars, Sinner and his biggest rival, Alcaraz. “Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury. Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion, and can’t wait to see you again next year!,” posted the tournament’s official handle. Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open. At 19, he also became the youngest player in history to reach the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings. With inputs from agencies

The Spaniard has been sidelined since Apr 14, missing both Wimbledon and Roland Garros as he recovered from the injury.

'Here we go': Carlos Alcaraz announces US Open return following wrist injury layoff

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara has revealed that she was forced to withdraw from her BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery she underwent last month became too difficult to manage. The 31-year-old Japanese shuttler had battled through a three-game match against USA’s Ishika Jaiswal in the previous round. The 57-minute contest appeared to have taken a physical toll on Okuhara, who was unable to continue in the quarterfinal.&nbsp;Okuhara had already given a walkover to double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open last month before undergoing surgery on July 22. Despite having just over a month to recover, she was determined to make it to the World Championships. “Since it was decided that I would undergo surgery on July 22, I have been aiming to step onto the court at this tournament," Okuhara tweeted on Friday morning.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">7月22日に手術をすることになってから、今大会コートに立つことを目標にして来ました。怖さとの戦い、様々な葛藤がありましたが、ここまで夢のような時間を過ごせました。今日もコートに立ちたかったですが、叶わずとても残念です。また次へ向けて。応援ありがとうございました。 <a href="https://t.co/lDrDUWcoAD">pic.twitter.com/lDrDUWcoAD</a>&mdash; Okuhara Nozomi 奥原 希望　バドミントン選手 (@nozomi_o11) <a href="https://x.com/nozomi_o11/status/2090684022582341941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, the lingering pain ultimately forced her to withdraw, handing Chochuwong a place in the semifinals and guaranteeing the Thai shuttler her maiden World Championships medal. Chochuwong is expected to meet second seed Akane Yamaguchi in the last four. Okuhara had enjoyed a strong run earlier this season, reaching the Australian Open semifinals in June before winning the Orleans Masters in March.&nbsp;The Japanese star has two World Championships medals to her name. She won gold at the 2017 Glasgow edition and claimed silver at the 2019 tournament in Basel. Okuhara entered the 2018 World Championships in Nanjing as the defending champion but saw her title defence end in the quarterfinals against Sindhu. The Indian defeated Okuhara in straight games, reversing the result from their memorable 2017 final.&nbsp;Okuhara had won her first BWF World Tour title at the Thailand Open Super 500, defeating Sindhu 21-15, 21-18. At the 2019 World Championships, where she was seeded third, Okuhara defeated He Bingjiao and Ratchanok Intanon to reach the final once again, setting up another showdown with Sindhu.&nbsp;The rematch of the 2017 World Championships final ended in a one-sided defeat for Okuhara, as Sindhu won 21-7, 21-7 to claim the title and leave the Japanese player with silver. Okuhara later added another major achievement to her resume by winning her second All England Open title in 2021, five years after her first triumph in 2016. She defeated Chochuwong in the final to lift the prestigious trophy.

Nozomi Okuhara withdraws from the BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery forced her to quit

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara has revealed that she was forced to withdraw from her BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery she underwent last month became too difficult to manage. The 31-year-old Japanese shuttler had battled through a three-game match against USA’s Ishika Jaiswal in the previous round. The 57-minute contest appeared to have taken a physical toll on Okuhara, who was unable to continue in the quarterfinal. Okuhara had already given a walkover to double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open last month before undergoing surgery on July 22. Despite having just over a month to recover, she was determined to make it to the World Championships. “Since it was decided that I would undergo surgery on July 22, I have been aiming to step onto the court at this tournament," Okuhara tweeted on Friday morning.

Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from her World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from recent surgery forced her to quit

'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships

Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige have been added to Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the second match against India in Colombo, as the hosts look to recover from their 165-run defeat in the series opener in Galle. The batter and all-rounder have been called up for the must-win Test, which starts on Aug 23.&nbsp;Both uncapped players earned their places after producing strong recent performances. Arachchige was the leading run-scorer for his team in the series against India A, while Mishara has impressed with his consistent performances in domestic cricket. &nbsp;Sri Lanka are also facing a growing injury crisis, as head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed that Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Pathum Nissanka will miss the second Test, leaving the hosts short of key batting options.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-pakistan-cricketer-blames-skipper-babar-azam-for-decline-in-bowling-prowess-1787303508459">Former Pakistan cricketer blames skipper Babar Azam for decline in bowling prowess</a>&nbsp;Mendis is still recovering from a serious hamstring injury, while Nissanka is yet to return after wrist surgery. Chandimal suffered a concussion on the fourth day of the first Test and will have to complete a mandatory seven-day stand-down period.&nbsp;&nbsp;With three regular batters unavailable, Mishara and Arachchige could be given a chance in the playing XI as Sri Lanka aim to level the two-match series.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-treesa-jolly-gayatri-gopichand-script-history-end-india-s-15-year-wait-as-duo-assured-of-medal-1787301484191">BWF World Championships: Treesa-Gayatri make epic comeback, assured of medal</a>&nbsp;India won the first Test by 165 runs, with Manav Suthar taking his maiden 10-wicket haul and Devdutt Padikkal scoring 167 in the first innings to play major roles in the victory.<h3>Sri Lanka squad for second Test against India</h3>Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando

Sahan Arachchige and Kamil Mishara have been included in Sri Lanka’s 14-member squad for the second Test against India in Colombo.

Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige have been added to Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the second match against India in Colombo, as the hosts look to recover from their 165-run defeat in the series opener in Galle. The batter and all-rounder have been called up for the must-win Test, which starts on Aug 23. Both uncapped players earned their places after producing strong recent performances. Arachchige was the leading run-scorer for his team in the series against India A, while Mishara has impressed with his consistent performances in domestic cricket. Sri Lanka are also facing a growing injury crisis, as head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed that Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Pathum Nissanka will miss the second Test, leaving the hosts short of key batting options. Also Read - Former Pakistan cricketer blames skipper Babar Azam for decline in bowling prowess Mendis is still recovering from a serious hamstring injury, while Nissanka is yet to return after wrist surgery. Chandimal suffered a concussion on the fourth day of the first Test and will have to complete a mandatory seven-day stand-down period. With three regular batters unavailable, Mishara and Arachchige could be given a chance in the playing XI as Sri Lanka aim to level the two-match series. Also Read - BWF World Championships: Treesa-Gayatri make epic comeback, assured of medal India won the first Test by 165 runs, with Manav Suthar taking his maiden 10-wicket haul and Devdutt Padikkal scoring 167 in the first innings to play major roles in the victory. Sri Lanka squad for second Test against India Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando

Sahan Arachchige and Kamil Mishara have been included in Sri Lanka’s 14-member squad for the second Test against India in Colombo.

IND vs SL: Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige join Sri Lanka squad for second Test

Pakistan are currently in England for a three-Test series and are dismally behind in the ongoing first Test at Leeds. The visitors were bowled out for 171 in the first innings, thanks to five-wicket each by Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson, and England have piled up 366/8 so far, leading by 195 runs. Pakistan's struggle on the pitches with assist to bowlers isn't new and now even the bowlers are being rendered ineffective. Former Pak women's cricketer Urooj Mumtaz has blamed the decline of Pak pacers on skipper Babar Azam.<h2>Ex-Pak cricketer blames Babar for decline in bowling prowess</h2>Pakistan were once known for thier fearsome pace bowling with names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar which were succeeded by Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, and Mohammed Irfan. Nowadays, however, Pak bowling looks toothless even on assisting pitches as visible in first Test against England. &nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uk-athletics-coach-leon-baptiste-believed-missing-is-serving-prison-term-in-morocco-1787297306595">UK Athletics coach Baptiste, believed missing, is serving prison term in Morocco</a>Speaking to Sky Sports, former Pakistan women's cricketer Urooj Mumtaz put the blame of the situation on lifeless pitches in domestic cricket, which were backed by Babar Azam's first stint as captain. "There’s obviously a problem with the pitches that we prepare back home. One of the examples of that was England touring Pakistan both times around," she said."We’ve gone so far away from it because our batters, especially when Babar was captain, wanted flatter tracks, wanted the batsmen to dominate the way things ran more. Even in first-class cricket, grass was taken off. So, you were almost putting the fast bowlers up against the wall, giving them zero assistance in first-class cricket, and providing a lot of batters to score runs without any test, really. And that’s where I feel they’ve just fallen off the boil," added Mumtaz.<h2>Pakistan on ropes in 1st Test vs England</h2>Pakistan had lost the first two wickets early in their first innings, but things seems to stabilize with 91-run stand for third wicket between Imam-ul-haq and Abdullah Shafique. England, however struck back decisively and bowled them out for 171. In reply, the hosts are nearly 200 runs ahead at 366/8, thanks to Jordan Cox (73), Joe Root (66), Harry Brook (91), and Dan Lawrence (51). For Pakistan, Ali Usman was pick of the bowlers with 5/92.

Pakistan were once known for thier fearsome pace bowling with names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar which were succeeded by Mohammed Amir, Wahaz Riaz, Umar Gul, and Mohammed Irfan.

Pakistan are currently in England for a three-Test series and are dismally behind in the ongoing first Test at Leeds. The visitors were bowled out for 171 in the first innings, thanks to five-wicket each by Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson, and England have piled up 366/8 so far, leading by 195 runs. Pakistan's struggle on the pitches with assist to bowlers isn't new and now even the bowlers are being rendered ineffective. Former Pak women's cricketer Urooj Mumtaz has blamed the decline of Pak pacers on skipper Babar Azam. Ex-Pak cricketer blames Babar for decline in bowling prowess Pakistan were once known for thier fearsome pace bowling with names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar which were succeeded by Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, and Mohammed Irfan. Nowadays, however, Pak bowling looks toothless even on assisting pitches as visible in first Test against England. Also Read - UK Athletics coach Baptiste, believed missing, is serving prison term in Morocco Speaking to Sky Sports, former Pakistan women's cricketer Urooj Mumtaz put the blame of the situation on lifeless pitches in domestic cricket, which were backed by Babar Azam's first stint as captain. "There’s obviously a problem with the pitches that we prepare back home. One of the examples of that was England touring Pakistan both times around," she said. "We’ve gone so far away from it because our batters, especially when Babar was captain, wanted flatter tracks, wanted the batsmen to dominate the way things ran more. Even in first-class cricket, grass was taken off. So, you were almost putting the fast bowlers up against the wall, giving them zero assistance in first-class cricket, and providing a lot of batters to score runs without any test, really. And that’s where I feel they’ve just fallen off the boil," added Mumtaz. Pakistan on ropes in 1st Test vs England Pakistan had lost the first two wickets early in their first innings, but things seems to stabilize with 91-run stand for third wicket between Imam-ul-haq and Abdullah Shafique. England, however struck back decisively and bowled them out for 171. In reply, the hosts are nearly 200 runs ahead at 366/8, thanks to Jordan Cox (73), Joe Root (66), Harry Brook (91), and Dan Lawrence (51). For Pakistan, Ali Usman was pick of the bowlers with 5/92.

Pakistan were once known for thier fearsome pace bowling with names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar which were succeeded by Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, and Mohammed Irfan.

Former Pakistan cricketer blames skipper Babar Azam for decline in bowling prowess

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand continued their remarkable underdog run at the BWF World Championships 2026, securing India’s first medal of the tournament with a stunning comeback win over fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan. The Indian pair recovered from losing the opening game to defeat the Chinese duo 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Arena. With the win, Treesa and Gayatri booked their place in the semifinals and guaranteed India a medal on home soil.&nbsp;It was a performance defined by belief, composure and fighting spirit. Zhang and Jia showed why they are among the world’s elite, particularly in the opening game, but the Indian pair refused to allow the Chinese shuttlers to dictate the contest. The first game proved to be a battle of momentum. Treesa and Gayatri struggled to find their rhythm early on as Zhang and Jia established a healthy lead. The Indians, however, slowly fought their way back and reduced the deficit to 14-16, bringing the packed arena firmly into the contest.&nbsp;The Chinese pair responded at the crucial stage, regaining control of the rallies to close out the opening game 21-16. The second game started with Zhang and Jia once again taking the initiative, racing to a 5-1 lead. Their combination of powerful smashes, clever drop shots and deceptive flicks created problems for the Indians. But Treesa and Gayatri refused to let the gap widen. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, moving to within one point at 5-6 before drawing level at 10-10.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-the-wisest-thing-to-do-anders-antonsen-sticks-to-game-by-game-approach-1787247952481">BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach</a>&nbsp;For the first time in the match, the Indian pair then moved ahead, making it 11-10. The momentum had shifted. With the home crowd roaring behind them, Treesa and Gayatri began playing with greater authority. Their attacking game became increasingly effective, while their composure under pressure stood out during the closing stages. They maintained their advantage to win the second game 21-15 and force a decider.&nbsp;The third game followed a similar pattern. Zhang and Jia made the early running, but Treesa and Gayatri quickly responded to level the score at 4-4. From there, the Indians took control. Fueled by the deafening support from the stands, Treesa and Gayatri surged ahead 8-4 before reaching the interval with an impressive 11-5 lead. Their defensive resilience and attacking intent kept the Chinese pair under constant pressure. The Indian duo continued to dictate the rallies and stretched their advantage to 17-9. At that stage, the pressure was firmly on the fourth seeds, who struggled to find a way back into the contest.&nbsp;Treesa and Gayatri kept their nerve through the closing points to complete a memorable 21-13 win in the decider. The victory was more than just a place in the semi-finals. It guaranteed India its first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 and marked another significant milestone in the rise of Treesa and Gayatri.&nbsp;Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Arena, the young Indian pair produced one of their biggest performances on the world stage. They were tested repeatedly, fell behind on multiple occasions and yet found a response every time. For an Indian team looking to keep its medal streak alive, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have delivered a moment to savour, and their underdog story is not over yet.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 to seal India’s first medal at BWF World Championships 2026

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand continued their remarkable underdog run at the BWF World Championships 2026, securing India’s first medal of the tournament with a stunning comeback win over fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan. The Indian pair recovered from losing the opening game to defeat the Chinese duo 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Arena. With the win, Treesa and Gayatri booked their place in the semifinals and guaranteed India a medal on home soil. It was a performance defined by belief, composure and fighting spirit. Zhang and Jia showed why they are among the world’s elite, particularly in the opening game, but the Indian pair refused to allow the Chinese shuttlers to dictate the contest. The first game proved to be a battle of momentum. Treesa and Gayatri struggled to find their rhythm early on as Zhang and Jia established a healthy lead. The Indians, however, slowly fought their way back and reduced the deficit to 14-16, bringing the packed arena firmly into the contest. The Chinese pair responded at the crucial stage, regaining control of the rallies to close out the opening game 21-16. The second game started with Zhang and Jia once again taking the initiative, racing to a 5-1 lead. Their combination of powerful smashes, clever drop shots and deceptive flicks created problems for the Indians. But Treesa and Gayatri refused to let the gap widen. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, moving to within one point at 5-6 before drawing level at 10-10. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach For the first time in the match, the Indian pair then moved ahead, making it 11-10. The momentum had shifted. With the home crowd roaring behind them, Treesa and Gayatri began playing with greater authority. Their attacking game became increasingly effective, while their composure under pressure stood out during the closing stages. They maintained their advantage to win the second game 21-15 and force a decider. The third game followed a similar pattern. Zhang and Jia made the early running, but Treesa and Gayatri quickly responded to level the score at 4-4. From there, the Indians took control. Fueled by the deafening support from the stands, Treesa and Gayatri surged ahead 8-4 before reaching the interval with an impressive 11-5 lead. Their defensive resilience and attacking intent kept the Chinese pair under constant pressure. The Indian duo continued to dictate the rallies and stretched their advantage to 17-9. At that stage, the pressure was firmly on the fourth seeds, who struggled to find a way back into the contest. Treesa and Gayatri kept their nerve through the closing points to complete a memorable 21-13 win in the decider. The victory was more than just a place in the semi-finals. It guaranteed India its first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 and marked another significant milestone in the rise of Treesa and Gayatri. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Arena, the young Indian pair produced one of their biggest performances on the world stage. They were tested repeatedly, fell behind on multiple occasions and yet found a response every time. For an Indian team looking to keep its medal streak alive, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have delivered a moment to savour, and their underdog story is not over yet.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stunned fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan to secure India’s first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026

BWF World Championships: Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand script history, end India's 15-year wait as duo assured of medal

Leon Baptiste, British Athletics coach, who was not reacheable since his visit to Morocco more than two months ago, has now been found to be lodged in a prison in Marrakech. He was training a number of British athletes for the Commonwealth Games and European Championship before suddenly going missing after his trip to Morocco. Baptiste had won the 200m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2010 and was working as consultant sprinting coach with UK Athletics.<h2>What happened to Baptiste in Morocco?</h2>According to the BBC Sport, citing a Moroccan Ministry of Justice source, Baptiste was arrestd in May in Marrakech for sexually assualting a minor. &nbsp;He was subsequently convicted and handed a 10-month prison sentence, which was later reduced to eight months on appeal. He is currently serving his sentence in Al-Oudaya prison.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2002-winner-ronaldinho-46-set-for-unbelievable-professional-comeback-1787288686499">FIFA World Cup 2002 winner Ronaldinho, 46, set for unbelievable professional comeback</a>"The foreign national concerned had not lost contact with his surroundings and was not subject to any disappearance or unexplained absence. He is currently being held at the local prison in Marrakech, where he is serving a custodial sentence following his conviction by the competent judicial authorities in connection with a misdemeanour case," said the source.On Tuesday (Aug 19), an email was sent to athletes coached by Baptiste in which the jailed consultant resigned citing ill health.<h2>How did the UK Foreign Office respond?</h2>The UK Foreign Office spokesperon, when asked about Baptiste, said: "We are supporting a British national who is detained in Morocco and are in contact with the authorities."The coach had travelled to Marrakech with three other former athletes, all of whom have returned to the UK. Baptiste's absence hurt the preparation of British sprinters Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw for the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and European Championships in Birmingham.In his absence, European gold medallist Adam Gemili and relay coach Martyn Rooney chipped in to provide assistance.

British Athletics coach Leon Baptiste was jailed in Marrakech after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Originally handed a 10-month sentence, it was reduced to eight months on appeal.

Leon Baptiste, British Athletics coach, who was not reacheable since his visit to Morocco more than two months ago, has now been found to be lodged in a prison in Marrakech. He was training a number of British athletes for the Commonwealth Games and European Championship before suddenly going missing after his trip to Morocco. Baptiste had won the 200m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2010 and was working as consultant sprinting coach with UK Athletics. What happened to Baptiste in Morocco? According to the BBC Sport, citing a Moroccan Ministry of Justice source, Baptiste was arrestd in May in Marrakech for sexually assualting a minor. He was subsequently convicted and handed a 10-month prison sentence, which was later reduced to eight months on appeal. He is currently serving his sentence in Al-Oudaya prison. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2002 winner Ronaldinho, 46, set for unbelievable professional comeback "The foreign national concerned had not lost contact with his surroundings and was not subject to any disappearance or unexplained absence. He is currently being held at the local prison in Marrakech, where he is serving a custodial sentence following his conviction by the competent judicial authorities in connection with a misdemeanour case," said the source. On Tuesday (Aug 19), an email was sent to athletes coached by Baptiste in which the jailed consultant resigned citing ill health. How did the UK Foreign Office respond? The UK Foreign Office spokesperon, when asked about Baptiste, said: "We are supporting a British national who is detained in Morocco and are in contact with the authorities." The coach had travelled to Marrakech with three other former athletes, all of whom have returned to the UK. Baptiste's absence hurt the preparation of British sprinters Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw for the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and European Championships in Birmingham. In his absence, European gold medallist Adam Gemili and relay coach Martyn Rooney chipped in to provide assistance.

British Athletics coach Leon Baptiste was jailed in Marrakech after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Originally handed a 10-month sentence, it was reduced to eight months on appeal.

UK Athletics coach Leon Baptiste, believed missing, is serving prison term in Morocco

Former Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is set to make a comeback to professional football at 46. The famous footballer had last played in a professional match more than a decade ago in 2015 for Fluminense. He has now signed with Italy's third-division Serie C club Ravenna. The former Ballon d'Or winner (2005) has confirmed that he will play for, even if 'for a few minutes' before being introduced to the fans. Ronaldinho has joined the club as a shareholder and a registered player as well, fuelling the possibilities to him playing in one of the matches.<h2>What did Ronaldinho say about playing at 46?</h2>Ronaldinho was presented to fans amid much fanfare and was asked if he would play a professional match, to which, while talking to Flashscore, he replied: "Yes, it’s true! Let’s say it’s a challenge for me, too. I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-2026-announces-record-prize-money-including-140k-for-first-round-losers-1787283363057">US Open 2026 announces record prize money, including $140k for first-round losers</a>The former Barcelona and AC Milan player was also asked about his fitness, to which he said: "I’ll do my best. In any case, I will be part of the Ravenna project, and I can tell you there are many new developments to come."<h2>Ravenna president on Ronaldinho signing</h2>While the news of Roanldinho coming out of retirement got the fans excited, it had every bit of skepticism as well with the footballer being 46. Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani, however, has quashed the 'marketing gimmick' narrative in plain words."This is not a simple facade or a marketing ‘play’ to get people talking about us. Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna. That is the central point of the operation," Cipriani said."In addition, he has decided to make an immense gift to this city and his new team: he will take to the field for an official professional match with Ravenna. He will play with one clear and romantic objective: to try to score the final goal of his career."<h2>Ronaldinho's career in numbers</h2>The mid-fielder was part of Brazil's fifth and last FIFA World Cup win in 2002 where he scored two goals. He also took part in 2006 edition, but did not score any goal. As for club football, he has played for Barcelona in La Liga, AC Milan in Serie A, and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, scoring 70 goals for Barcelona (145 matches), 20 goals for AC Milan (76 matches), 17 goals for PSG (55 matches).

Former World Cup winner Ronaldinho, 46, has signed with Serie C's Ravenna as a shareholder and player. Set for a brief final appearance, he aims to score his career's last goal after a decade away.

Former Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is set to make a comeback to professional football at 46. The famous footballer had last played in a professional match more than a decade ago in 2015 for Fluminense. He has now signed with Italy's third-division Serie C club Ravenna. The former Ballon d'Or winner (2005) has confirmed that he will play for, even if 'for a few minutes' before being introduced to the fans. Ronaldinho has joined the club as a shareholder and a registered player as well, fuelling the possibilities to him playing in one of the matches. What did Ronaldinho say about playing at 46? Ronaldinho was presented to fans amid much fanfare and was asked if he would play a professional match, to which, while talking to Flashscore, he replied: "Yes, it’s true! Let’s say it’s a challenge for me, too. I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel." Also Read - US Open 2026 announces record prize money, including $140k for first-round losers The former Barcelona and AC Milan player was also asked about his fitness, to which he said: "I’ll do my best. In any case, I will be part of the Ravenna project, and I can tell you there are many new developments to come." Ravenna president on Ronaldinho signing While the news of Roanldinho coming out of retirement got the fans excited, it had every bit of skepticism as well with the footballer being 46. Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani, however, has quashed the 'marketing gimmick' narrative in plain words. "This is not a simple facade or a marketing ‘play’ to get people talking about us. Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna. That is the central point of the operation," Cipriani said. "In addition, he has decided to make an immense gift to this city and his new team: he will take to the field for an official professional match with Ravenna. He will play with one clear and romantic objective: to try to score the final goal of his career." Ronaldinho's career in numbers The mid-fielder was part of Brazil's fifth and last FIFA World Cup win in 2002 where he scored two goals. He also took part in 2006 edition, but did not score any goal. As for club football, he has played for Barcelona in La Liga, AC Milan in Serie A, and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, scoring 70 goals for Barcelona (145 matches), 20 goals for AC Milan (76 matches), 17 goals for PSG (55 matches).

Former World Cup winner Ronaldinho, 46, has signed with Serie C's Ravenna as a shareholder and player. Set for a brief final appearance, he aims to score his career's last goal after a decade away.

FIFA World Cup 2002 winner Ronaldinho, 46, set for unbelievable professional comeback

The US Open 2026, year's last tennis grand slam to be played from Aug 30, will be played without players protesting over the prize money as they had done prior to French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. This comes after the US Open announced a 20 percent increase in prize money, making it $5.5 million for the winners of men's and women's singles. The <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/prize_money.html">total prize money at the Flushing Meadows</a> would be a record $108 million. Apart from the prize money, the tournament organizers have also announced to commit a $2 million fund to be used to provide benefits and help in existing pension funds as well.<h2>How does US Open record prize and new $2 million fund affect other grand slams?</h2>The players have welcomed the record prize money at the US Open 2026 which also guarantees $140,000 for the losers in the first round, but have remained firm on their demand of standard revenue-sharing model instead of every year announcement.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/defending-champion-carlos-alcaraz-set-to-comeback-in-us-open-1787280015880">Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz set to comeback in US Open</a>"This is a substantial increase in prize money. While this is not yet tied to an agreed revenue-sharing formula, players remain committed to that principle and will continue to work with each of the grand slams toward that goal," said a player spokesperson as reported by the Guardian.The new $2 million fund by the US Open for player benefits also puts pressure on the other grand slams to come up or replicate the same steps. Apart from record prize money and the player fund, all four grand slam organizers will also set up a joint Player Advisory Council as well."Players have also strongly welcomed the decision by the four Grand Slams to establish a Player Advisory Council, a significant milestone, as it reflects real responsiveness on one of the requests players laid out to the Grand Slams eighteen months ago," the spokesperson added.<h2>What players said about the developments?</h2>"These steps represent important progress in the ongoing conversations between players and the US Open over the past 18 months," a spokesperson for the players said.“Players value the meaningful commitment to player welfare and are keen to discuss how it can grow to fully meet the needs identified in the players’ July 2025 proposal.”

The US Open’s record $108M purse ($5.5M to champions, $140K for 1st round) and $2M player welfare fund set a new benchmark, pressuring other Grand Slams to replicate similar payouts, pension support, and formalize revenue sharing via the new joint Player Advisory Council.

The US Open 2026, year's last tennis grand slam to be played from Aug 30, will be played without players protesting over the prize money as they had done prior to French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. This comes after the US Open announced a 20 percent increase in prize money, making it $5.5 million for the winners of men's and women's singles. The total prize money at the Flushing Meadows would be a record $108 million. Apart from the prize money, the tournament organizers have also announced to commit a $2 million fund to be used to provide benefits and help in existing pension funds as well. How does US Open record prize and new $2 million fund affect other grand slams? The players have welcomed the record prize money at the US Open 2026 which also guarantees $140,000 for the losers in the first round, but have remained firm on their demand of standard revenue-sharing model instead of every year announcement. Also Read - Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz set to comeback in US Open "This is a substantial increase in prize money. While this is not yet tied to an agreed revenue-sharing formula, players remain committed to that principle and will continue to work with each of the grand slams toward that goal," said a player spokesperson as reported by the Guardian. The new $2 million fund by the US Open for player benefits also puts pressure on the other grand slams to come up or replicate the same steps. Apart from record prize money and the player fund, all four grand slam organizers will also set up a joint Player Advisory Council as well. "Players have also strongly welcomed the decision by the four Grand Slams to establish a Player Advisory Council, a significant milestone, as it reflects real responsiveness on one of the requests players laid out to the Grand Slams eighteen months ago," the spokesperson added. What players said about the developments? "These steps represent important progress in the ongoing conversations between players and the US Open over the past 18 months," a spokesperson for the players said. “Players value the meaningful commitment to player welfare and are keen to discuss how it can grow to fully meet the needs identified in the players’ July 2025 proposal.”

The US Open’s record $108M purse ($5.5M to champions, $140K for 1st round) and $2M player welfare fund set a new benchmark, pressuring other Grand Slams to replicate similar payouts, pension support, and formalize revenue sharing via the new joint Player Advisory Council.

US Open 2026 announces record prize money, including $140k for first-round losers

Carlos Alcaraz announced on Thursday that he will return at the US Open to defend his title after recovering from a wrist injury that has sidelined him for the past four months. "I'm back," the seven-time Grand Slam champion said in a video posted on social media. "Here we go." The Spaniard has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April with a right wrist injury, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon.Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam in January with his triumph, at age 22, at the Australian Open.He added the ATP hard court title in Doha in February.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fih-women-s-hockey-world-cup-india-hold-england-to-goalless-draw-advance-to-round-2-1787241065514">FIH Women’s Hockey WC: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2</a>But after withdrawing in Barcelona he pulled out of tournaments in Madrid and Rome before withdrawing from Roland Garros, where he was the two-time reigning champion.He pulled the plug on the French Open a month before the tournament was to start and withdrew from Wimbledon almost six weeks before The Championships were to begin.His camp has been stingy with details of the injury, reported to be tenosynovitis -- in which fluid accumulates in a tendon sheath.At Wimbledon rival Jannik Sinner prevailed for the second year in a row, beating French Open winner Alexander Zverev in the final.In the wake of that victory, Sinner voiced the hope that he would soon renew his rivalry with the Spaniard."We hope that Carlos is coming back ... because tennis needs him," Sinner said.Zverev had moved into second in the world rankings ahead of Alcaraz after Wimbledon, but Alcaraz has since regained the No. 2 spot ahead of the German.Alcaraz had been slated to return for this week's hard court tournament in Cincinnati, the last big tune-up for the US Open.When he withdrew it sparked concerns he wouldn't be ready to defend his title at Flushing Meadows, but those fears were allayed somewhat when photos of Alcaraz playing practice sets with ATP rival Holger Rune surfaced on social media this week.Until this year Alcaraz had missed just one Grand Slam since making his main draw debut at the 2021 Australian Open, missing Melbourne in 2023 with a hamstring injury.

The Spaniard has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April with a right wrist injury, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz announced on Thursday that he will return at the US Open to defend his title after recovering from a wrist injury that has sidelined him for the past four months. "I'm back," the seven-time Grand Slam champion said in a video posted on social media. "Here we go." The Spaniard has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April with a right wrist injury, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam in January with his triumph, at age 22, at the Australian Open. He added the ATP hard court title in Doha in February. Also Read - FIH Women’s Hockey WC: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2 But after withdrawing in Barcelona he pulled out of tournaments in Madrid and Rome before withdrawing from Roland Garros, where he was the two-time reigning champion. He pulled the plug on the French Open a month before the tournament was to start and withdrew from Wimbledon almost six weeks before The Championships were to begin. His camp has been stingy with details of the injury, reported to be tenosynovitis -- in which fluid accumulates in a tendon sheath. At Wimbledon rival Jannik Sinner prevailed for the second year in a row, beating French Open winner Alexander Zverev in the final. In the wake of that victory, Sinner voiced the hope that he would soon renew his rivalry with the Spaniard. "We hope that Carlos is coming back ... because tennis needs him," Sinner said. Zverev had moved into second in the world rankings ahead of Alcaraz after Wimbledon, but Alcaraz has since regained the No. 2 spot ahead of the German. Alcaraz had been slated to return for this week's hard court tournament in Cincinnati, the last big tune-up for the US Open. When he withdrew it sparked concerns he wouldn't be ready to defend his title at Flushing Meadows, but those fears were allayed somewhat when photos of Alcaraz playing practice sets with ATP rival Holger Rune surfaced on social media this week. Until this year Alcaraz had missed just one Grand Slam since making his main draw debut at the 2021 Australian Open, missing Melbourne in 2023 with a hamstring injury.

The Spaniard has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April with a right wrist injury, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz set to comeback in US Open

England’s batters put their team in a strong position despite a five-wicket haul from Ali Usman on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. The hosts finished the rain-affected day on 366-8, giving them a 195-run lead after Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in the first innings.&nbsp;Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries for England but missed the chance to turn their scores into hundreds.&nbsp;Earlier, rain delayed the start and only 58 overs were possible during the day. Cox and Root resumed their innings under cloudy skies but handled the Pakistan bowlers well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Both batters reached their fifties in back-to-back deliveries, with Cox bringing up his maiden Test half-century.&nbsp;Cox was dismissed for 73 when he edged Usman behind the stumps. Root soon followed after Khurram Shehzad trapped him lbw.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-the-wisest-thing-to-do-anders-antonsen-sticks-to-game-by-game-approach-1787247952481">BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach</a>&nbsp;Brook and Lawrence then came together and continued England’s strong batting display and the pair added 120 runs and put the Pakistan pace attack under pressure.&nbsp;Lawrence, playing his first Test since an unsuccessful spell as an opener, was dismissed soon after reaching his fifty while attempting a slog-sweep against Usman. Brook also missed out on a century, losing his wicket for 91 after his stumps were hit.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fih-women-s-hockey-world-cup-india-hold-england-to-goalless-draw-advance-to-round-2-1787241065514">FIH Women’s Hockey WC: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2</a>&nbsp;Usman was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking 5-92. It was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket and came in only his third match.&nbsp;Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali also picked up a wicket apiece but failed to trouble England’s batters much.

Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence hit half-centuries as England built a 195-run lead despite Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul.

England’s batters put their team in a strong position despite a five-wicket haul from Ali Usman on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. The hosts finished the rain-affected day on 366-8, giving them a 195-run lead after Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in the first innings. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries for England but missed the chance to turn their scores into hundreds. Earlier, rain delayed the start and only 58 overs were possible during the day. Cox and Root resumed their innings under cloudy skies but handled the Pakistan bowlers well. Both batters reached their fifties in back-to-back deliveries, with Cox bringing up his maiden Test half-century. Cox was dismissed for 73 when he edged Usman behind the stumps. Root soon followed after Khurram Shehzad trapped him lbw. Also Read - BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach Brook and Lawrence then came together and continued England’s strong batting display and the pair added 120 runs and put the Pakistan pace attack under pressure. Lawrence, playing his first Test since an unsuccessful spell as an opener, was dismissed soon after reaching his fifty while attempting a slog-sweep against Usman. Brook also missed out on a century, losing his wicket for 91 after his stumps were hit. Also Read - FIH Women’s Hockey WC: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2 Usman was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking 5-92. It was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket and came in only his third match. Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali also picked up a wicket apiece but failed to trouble England’s batters much.

Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence hit half-centuries as England built a 195-run lead despite Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul.

ENG vs PAK 1st Test, Day 2: England batters dominate despite Usman’s five-for

Anders Antonsen has no intention of getting carried away despite a major reshuffle in the men’s singles draw at the BWF World Championships. With several elite players already out of the competition, Antonsen is through to the quarterfinals after another demanding victory and is now preparing for a familiar challenge in Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. But rather than changing his approach because the draw has opened up, the Dane believes the smartest thing to do is keep things simple. “I think that would be the wisest thing to do. Stick to game by game and then see how far it can bring you,” Antonsen said after his win.&nbsp;Antonsen had endured a gruelling 100-minute battle the previous day, but his next match against Toma Junior Popov was a completely different test. “Today’s match was super different from yesterday’s match. This one was way more like fast-paced, flat play,” he said. “Toma is really good in that type of game and that's what he tried to do. So yeah, way more like fast play on the right.” The Dane was able to negotiate that challenge and now has little time to recover before facing Naraoka in the last eight.&nbsp;The Japanese shuttler is a familiar opponent, but Antonsen does not believe that past meetings give either player a clear advantage. “It’s a 50-50 match. We know each other very well. I have won, he has won many times. So we’ll see,” Antonsen said. The quarterfinal will also mark the first meeting between the two in some time, something Antonsen is looking forward to. “Always fun and anxious against him. And it's been a long time since we played against each other so I'm looking forward to it,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-there-s-still-that-fire-inside-me-michelle-li-34-ready-for-akane-yamaguchi-challenge-1787247215337">BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge</a>&nbsp;With the World Championships reaching the business end, recovery has become just as important as preparation. Antonsen, however, is not planning any drastic changes to his routine. “Just sticking to whatever I do. Try to relax in between matches, get a massage, stretch, maybe some cold crunch for the body and stuff,” he said. Mental adjustments are equally important for Antonsen. When he finds himself trailing during a match, his focus is on constant evaluation rather than panic. “Constantly trying to analyse what's going on. What's going a little wrong now compared to earlier in the match and what can we change. That's constant evaluation,” he explained.&nbsp;That approach will be crucial against Naraoka, one of the players renowned for his ability to extend rallies and test an opponent physically and mentally. For Antonsen, however, there is no reason to overcomplicate the challenge. The draw may have become more open, but his philosophy remains unchanged: take it one match at a time. And with Naraoka standing between him and a place in the World Championships semifinals, the Dane knows there is little to separate the two. “It’s a 50-50 match.”

Anders Antonsen discusses his BWF World Championships run, recovery and upcoming quarterfinal against Kodai Naraoka, calling the clash a 50-50 match

Anders Antonsen has no intention of getting carried away despite a major reshuffle in the men’s singles draw at the BWF World Championships. With several elite players already out of the competition, Antonsen is through to the quarterfinals after another demanding victory and is now preparing for a familiar challenge in Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. But rather than changing his approach because the draw has opened up, the Dane believes the smartest thing to do is keep things simple. “I think that would be the wisest thing to do. Stick to game by game and then see how far it can bring you,” Antonsen said after his win. Antonsen had endured a gruelling 100-minute battle the previous day, but his next match against Toma Junior Popov was a completely different test. “Today’s match was super different from yesterday’s match. This one was way more like fast-paced, flat play,” he said. “Toma is really good in that type of game and that's what he tried to do. So yeah, way more like fast play on the right.” The Dane was able to negotiate that challenge and now has little time to recover before facing Naraoka in the last eight. The Japanese shuttler is a familiar opponent, but Antonsen does not believe that past meetings give either player a clear advantage. “It’s a 50-50 match. We know each other very well. I have won, he has won many times. So we’ll see,” Antonsen said. The quarterfinal will also mark the first meeting between the two in some time, something Antonsen is looking forward to. “Always fun and anxious against him. And it's been a long time since we played against each other so I'm looking forward to it,” he said. Also Read: BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge With the World Championships reaching the business end, recovery has become just as important as preparation. Antonsen, however, is not planning any drastic changes to his routine. “Just sticking to whatever I do. Try to relax in between matches, get a massage, stretch, maybe some cold crunch for the body and stuff,” he said. Mental adjustments are equally important for Antonsen. When he finds himself trailing during a match, his focus is on constant evaluation rather than panic. “Constantly trying to analyse what's going on. What's going a little wrong now compared to earlier in the match and what can we change. That's constant evaluation,” he explained. That approach will be crucial against Naraoka, one of the players renowned for his ability to extend rallies and test an opponent physically and mentally. For Antonsen, however, there is no reason to overcomplicate the challenge. The draw may have become more open, but his philosophy remains unchanged: take it one match at a time. And with Naraoka standing between him and a place in the World Championships semifinals, the Dane knows there is little to separate the two. “It’s a 50-50 match.”

Anders Antonsen expects a 50-50 battle against Kodai Naraoka as the Dane prepares for the BWF World Championships quarterfinal after two contrasting wins

BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach

Michelle Li may be 34, but the Canadian veteran insists the fire to compete, and win, is burning as brightly as ever. After battling past Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in a three-game thriller at the BWF World Championships, Li admitted that she relishes exactly these kinds of contests: long, intense battles where momentum constantly shifts and every point becomes a test of nerve. “I enjoy every bit of it. I love the fact that it's always back and forth and there's rallies and the chess game of it, I really enjoy,” Li said after her victory.&nbsp;Li had chances to close out the match more comfortably but was forced into a tense third game after allowing Miyazaki to fight her way back. The Canadian admitted that nerves and unforced errors nearly cost her after she had built a healthy lead in the decider. “I think not letting nerves get in the way and I think clean up my own unforced errors. I think I had a very good lead in the third, but I made too many unforced errors which gave her the confidence to come back and made it a lot tighter than it needed to be,” she said.&nbsp;But rather than viewing the long match as a burden, Li sees it as an opportunity. “I don't specifically mind it, but obviously if I could win in straight, that would be really good for the confidence,” she said. “But I think being able to pull it out in three is also a good time spent on court and just more time to get used to different scenarios.” That mindset will be tested again when Li faces another Japanese opponent in the quarterfinals, former world no. 1 and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi.&nbsp;Li knows the challenge that awaits. “It's always a tough match against Akane. I think she's always had my number, but I think I'm not going to think too much about the past,” she said. “Obviously, tomorrow is a different day and I think I'll be ready and I'm feeling good.” Li also refused to look too far ahead, with South Korea's Sim Yu Jin another possible opponent depending on the draw and results. “It's always a tough match against Akane… I'm ready for a tough battle tomorrow and hopefully I can perform really well,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-i-don-t-know-if-she-was-hurt-or-it-was-her-strategy-pv-sindhu-after-defeat-to-wang-zhi-yi-1787246317366">BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi</a>&nbsp;The Canadian heads into the quarterfinal with confidence, although she knows there are still areas she needs to sharpen. “I'm feeling confident. I think I was showing it in the third game today that I'm ready and I think I have to clean up some of my focus and nerves, but I think tomorrow I'll keep focused and do better.” At 34, Li is also enjoying a career phase that she feels is surprisingly different from where she was a decade ago. “I think right now my body feels better than it did 10 years ago which is very surprising and shocking,” she said.&nbsp;Li credited the support around her for helping her continue competing at the highest level. “I feel I have the right team and support right now that I never had since before Paris,” she said. “I'm very grateful for my club, for my team, for my therapist, for even my boyfriend. Everybody that's supporting me right now has really uplifted me and there's still that fire inside me to compete with even people that are half my age.”&nbsp;For Li, the motivation is simple: enjoy the sport while continuing to challenge herself. “I'm trying not to think too much about that and just kind of enjoy the game and just do my best,” she said. Li and fellow Canadian Victor Lai have both reached the quarterfinals, with Lai already assured of a medal. For Li, that represents a dramatic change from the Canada she represented when she first appeared at the World Championships. “You rewind that to any other world championships, you wouldn't even see a Canadian,” she said. “So it's like for me, starting from the beginning when I first played my first world championships, Canada wasn't even competitive.”&nbsp;Now, with two Canadians in the last eight, Li believes the country's rise can inspire an entirely new generation. “It really lifts the standards and it has given a lot of hope and inspiration to the next generation from Canada and that we can definitely be competitive and we can definitely change the sport globally, not just in Asia.”&nbsp;There is also another looming change that Li will have to adapt to. Asked about the proposed 15-point scoring system, she admitted she is not particularly fond of the idea. “I'm not totally fond of the 15 points, but I think we all have to adapt and I really think that the athletes will adapt and we'll find a way. But it's just a different game,” she said.&nbsp;For Li, what could be lost is the drama that comes with a long badminton battle. “The long battles is what makes it exciting. I think that's what makes it like, who's going to win? And it's just the test of the athlete's will,” she said. “When it's 15 points, sometimes it ends too quickly.” But before worrying about the future of badminton, Li has a much more immediate challenge: Yamaguchi. And after a three-game battle that tested her nerves, fitness and resilience, the Canadian veteran believes she is ready for another chess match.

Michelle Li discusses her three-game win over Tomoka Miyazaki, Canada’s historic run and her Akane Yamaguchi quarterfinal at the BWF World Championships

Michelle Li may be 34, but the Canadian veteran insists the fire to compete, and win, is burning as brightly as ever. After battling past Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in a three-game thriller at the BWF World Championships, Li admitted that she relishes exactly these kinds of contests: long, intense battles where momentum constantly shifts and every point becomes a test of nerve. “I enjoy every bit of it. I love the fact that it's always back and forth and there's rallies and the chess game of it, I really enjoy,” Li said after her victory. Li had chances to close out the match more comfortably but was forced into a tense third game after allowing Miyazaki to fight her way back. The Canadian admitted that nerves and unforced errors nearly cost her after she had built a healthy lead in the decider. “I think not letting nerves get in the way and I think clean up my own unforced errors. I think I had a very good lead in the third, but I made too many unforced errors which gave her the confidence to come back and made it a lot tighter than it needed to be,” she said. But rather than viewing the long match as a burden, Li sees it as an opportunity. “I don't specifically mind it, but obviously if I could win in straight, that would be really good for the confidence,” she said. “But I think being able to pull it out in three is also a good time spent on court and just more time to get used to different scenarios.” That mindset will be tested again when Li faces another Japanese opponent in the quarterfinals, former world no. 1 and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Li knows the challenge that awaits. “It's always a tough match against Akane. I think she's always had my number, but I think I'm not going to think too much about the past,” she said. “Obviously, tomorrow is a different day and I think I'll be ready and I'm feeling good.” Li also refused to look too far ahead, with South Korea's Sim Yu Jin another possible opponent depending on the draw and results. “It's always a tough match against Akane… I'm ready for a tough battle tomorrow and hopefully I can perform really well,” she said. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi The Canadian heads into the quarterfinal with confidence, although she knows there are still areas she needs to sharpen. “I'm feeling confident. I think I was showing it in the third game today that I'm ready and I think I have to clean up some of my focus and nerves, but I think tomorrow I'll keep focused and do better.” At 34, Li is also enjoying a career phase that she feels is surprisingly different from where she was a decade ago. “I think right now my body feels better than it did 10 years ago which is very surprising and shocking,” she said. Li credited the support around her for helping her continue competing at the highest level. “I feel I have the right team and support right now that I never had since before Paris,” she said. “I'm very grateful for my club, for my team, for my therapist, for even my boyfriend. Everybody that's supporting me right now has really uplifted me and there's still that fire inside me to compete with even people that are half my age.” For Li, the motivation is simple: enjoy the sport while continuing to challenge herself. “I'm trying not to think too much about that and just kind of enjoy the game and just do my best,” she said. Li and fellow Canadian Victor Lai have both reached the quarterfinals, with Lai already assured of a medal. For Li, that represents a dramatic change from the Canada she represented when she first appeared at the World Championships. “You rewind that to any other world championships, you wouldn't even see a Canadian,” she said. “So it's like for me, starting from the beginning when I first played my first world championships, Canada wasn't even competitive.” Now, with two Canadians in the last eight, Li believes the country's rise can inspire an entirely new generation. “It really lifts the standards and it has given a lot of hope and inspiration to the next generation from Canada and that we can definitely be competitive and we can definitely change the sport globally, not just in Asia.” There is also another looming change that Li will have to adapt to. Asked about the proposed 15-point scoring system, she admitted she is not particularly fond of the idea. “I'm not totally fond of the 15 points, but I think we all have to adapt and I really think that the athletes will adapt and we'll find a way. But it's just a different game,” she said. For Li, what could be lost is the drama that comes with a long badminton battle. “The long battles is what makes it exciting. I think that's what makes it like, who's going to win? And it's just the test of the athlete's will,” she said. “When it's 15 points, sometimes it ends too quickly.” But before worrying about the future of badminton, Li has a much more immediate challenge: Yamaguchi. And after a three-game battle that tested her nerves, fitness and resilience, the Canadian veteran believes she is ready for another chess match.

Michelle Li embraces long badminton battles after beating Tomoka Miyazaki and now faces Akane Yamaguchi in the BWF World Championships quarterfinal

BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge

PV Sindhu was left to rue a lack of patience in the closing stages after her BWF World Championships campaign ended with a defeat to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu, who was involved in a closely fought battle, felt the contest was largely under her control but admitted that she could have handled the crucial moments at the end better. “I think in the overall game, especially in the end, I should have been a little more patient,” Sindhu said after the match.&nbsp;“I can't see any loopholes in between the points. I think in the end especially I should have been a little more patient. That's what I can see from today's game and in the last 3-4 points.” The former world champion was understandably disappointed with the result, particularly after being in contention for much of the match. “Yeah, disappointed of course. Sad about it, I should have converted that. But yeah, I mean that's how it is, that's how sport is,” Sindhu said. “You learn, you lose a lot, you win a lot. I mean when you lose you need to deal with it and bounce back stronger from your mistakes.”&nbsp;Sindhu also acknowledged that defeat is an unavoidable part of a sporting career and stressed the importance of learning from setbacks. “Because you know, you can't win all the time. At the same time, when you lose you should be able to take it as well,” she said. The Indian also addressed the situation surrounding Wang during the match, with the Chinese player appearing to struggle physically at certain stages. Sindhu said she could not know for certain whether Wang was genuinely injured and instead had to remain focused on her own game. “I think there's nothing being tough. I don't know if she's injured or not. Maybe that is her strategy or her way of doing it. You never know. Maybe that's her gameplay,” Sindhu said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-treesa-gayatri-create-history-satwik-chirag-enter-quarters-while-sindhu-and-ayush-bow-out-1787245802814">BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out</a>&nbsp;“But I had to be very focused and very patient and focus on every point.” For Sindhu, the immediate focus now shifts towards identifying the areas that need improvement ahead of the Asian Games. “Definitely a lot of lessons to be taken. From today's game, I'm going to go and discuss with my coach what needs to be done. And accordingly we'll work out whatever it is. Physically or mentally or stroke-wise or whatever it is,” she said.&nbsp;The defeat, however, has not diminished Sindhu's hunger to return stronger. “Yes, definitely yes,” she said when asked if the loss had made her more determined. “Because you want to win, you have that urge to win always. But it is disappointing when you lose. I think that also gives you a chance where you want to come back and bounce back stronger.”&nbsp;Sindhu also took a positive from the match, pointing to her physical condition and the fact that she still had plenty left in the tank deep into the contest. “That is a positive thing. I think I should just go back and maybe just work a little bit on my strokes,” she said. “And yeah, I think it was just her day today. That is all I can say because overall it was a good badminton.” For Sindhu, then, the World Championships exit is less a full stop than another lesson. The former champion knows exactly what she wants to take away from the defeat, greater patience when the biggest points arrive.

PV Sindhu admitted she lacked patience in the final points of her BWF World Championships defeat to Wang Zhi Yi and vowed to bounce back stronger.

PV Sindhu was left to rue a lack of patience in the closing stages after her BWF World Championships campaign ended with a defeat to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu, who was involved in a closely fought battle, felt the contest was largely under her control but admitted that she could have handled the crucial moments at the end better. “I think in the overall game, especially in the end, I should have been a little more patient,” Sindhu said after the match. “I can't see any loopholes in between the points. I think in the end especially I should have been a little more patient. That's what I can see from today's game and in the last 3-4 points.” The former world champion was understandably disappointed with the result, particularly after being in contention for much of the match. “Yeah, disappointed of course. Sad about it, I should have converted that. But yeah, I mean that's how it is, that's how sport is,” Sindhu said. “You learn, you lose a lot, you win a lot. I mean when you lose you need to deal with it and bounce back stronger from your mistakes.” Sindhu also acknowledged that defeat is an unavoidable part of a sporting career and stressed the importance of learning from setbacks. “Because you know, you can't win all the time. At the same time, when you lose you should be able to take it as well,” she said. The Indian also addressed the situation surrounding Wang during the match, with the Chinese player appearing to struggle physically at certain stages. Sindhu said she could not know for certain whether Wang was genuinely injured and instead had to remain focused on her own game. “I think there's nothing being tough. I don't know if she's injured or not. Maybe that is her strategy or her way of doing it. You never know. Maybe that's her gameplay,” Sindhu said. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out “But I had to be very focused and very patient and focus on every point.” For Sindhu, the immediate focus now shifts towards identifying the areas that need improvement ahead of the Asian Games. “Definitely a lot of lessons to be taken. From today's game, I'm going to go and discuss with my coach what needs to be done. And accordingly we'll work out whatever it is. Physically or mentally or stroke-wise or whatever it is,” she said. The defeat, however, has not diminished Sindhu's hunger to return stronger. “Yes, definitely yes,” she said when asked if the loss had made her more determined. “Because you want to win, you have that urge to win always. But it is disappointing when you lose. I think that also gives you a chance where you want to come back and bounce back stronger.” Sindhu also took a positive from the match, pointing to her physical condition and the fact that she still had plenty left in the tank deep into the contest. “That is a positive thing. I think I should just go back and maybe just work a little bit on my strokes,” she said. “And yeah, I think it was just her day today. That is all I can say because overall it was a good badminton.” For Sindhu, then, the World Championships exit is less a full stop than another lesson. The former champion knows exactly what she wants to take away from the defeat, greater patience when the biggest points arrive.

PV Sindhu reflects on her defeat to Wang Zhi Yi at the BWF World Championships, admitting she needed more patience in the crucial final points

BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a dominant performance to script history at the BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian women's doubles pair in 11 years to reach the quarterfinals. The world no. 39 Indians stunned seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan 21-16, 21-12 to book their place in the last eight. They will next face fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shi Xian of China.&nbsp;Two-time bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also kept India's medal hopes alive with a hard-fought 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 victory over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Indian duo will take on third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in the quarterfinals. However, it was a disappointing day in the singles events for India. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's bid for a sixth World Championships medal came to an end after she lost 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 to third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China. Rising Indian star Ayush Shetty was also knocked out, going down 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan.The contrasting results meant that Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag carried India's hopes of extending its World Championships medal streak, which began in 2011.<h2>Treesa and Gayatri deliver a historic win</h2>Treesa and Gayatri controlled much of their match against the Japanese seventh seeds, combining aggressive attacking play with smart changes of pace. The Indians raced to a 13-9 lead in the opening game before Iwanaga and Nakanishi responded with longer rallies and forced errors from their opponents. The Japanese pair then won seven consecutive points, putting themselves in a strong position.&nbsp;But Treesa and Gayatri responded brilliantly. They regrouped immediately and produced an eight-point winning streak of their own to take the opening game. The second game was far more one-sided. Riding the momentum from the first, the Indians kept their opponents under pressure with quick drops and crosscourt smashes. They closed out the match in just 44 minutes.&nbsp;Their victory marks the first time an Indian women's doubles combination has reached the World Championships quarterfinals since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the feat at the 2015 edition in Jakarta. "Initially, it was neck to neck and our coaches asked us to attack. Attacking game is our strength and we were very calm when we were leading," said Gayatri. Treesa and Gayatri had previously broken into the world top 10 but were forced to deal with injuries that affected their progress. Their latest victory now puts them within two wins of a World Championships medal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fih-women-s-hockey-world-cup-india-hold-england-to-goalless-draw-advance-to-round-2-1787241065514">FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2</a><h2>Satwik-Chirag survive thriller</h2>Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were made to work hard by Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Malaysians edged a closely contested opening game despite the Indian pair saving two game points. Satwik and Chirag then showed composure in the second game, fighting back from 16-18 down to force a decider. The final game followed a similar pattern. The Indians trailed 12-15 but levelled the scores at 17-17 before winning the next four points to secure their quarterfinal place. The victory keeps alive the hopes of the two-time bronze medallists, who will now face China's third-seeded pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.<h2>Sindhu falls after gruelling battle</h2>Earlier, PV Sindhu fought for 88 minutes against third seed Wang Zhi Yi but ultimately fell short in a dramatic three-game contest.Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm in the opening game, allowing Wang to take control. The Indian responded strongly in the second, however, winning six consecutive points from 15-15 to force a decider.&nbsp;Sindhu made the better start to the final game, opening an 8-4 lead. Wang fought back to level at 9-9 before Sindhu again moved ahead 13-10. The Chinese player then capitalised on a series of errors from Sindhu to take the lead after winning five straight points. The intensity increased in the closing stages, with both players involved in several rallies lasting more than 30 shots. One 54-shot exchange at 17-18 left both competitors visibly exhausted. Wang eventually sealed victory with a crosscourt smash.&nbsp;The defeat ended Sindhu's unbeaten World Championships record against Wang and also brought her hopes of winning a sixth medal at the event to an end. "I should have stayed patient (in the third game). It was going good and I am disappointed with the final result as I should have converted the advantage," Sindhu said after the match.<h2>Ayush Shetty's campaign ends</h2>Ayush Shetty's impressive run also came to an end in the men's singles. After making headlines as a giant-killer earlier in the tournament, the Indian lost 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. With Sindhu and Ayush eliminated, India's remaining medal hopes now rest heavily on the doubles combinations, with Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag both targeting semifinal berths.<h2>Important results:</h2>Men's Singles: 7-Victor Lai (CAN) bt 13-Loh Kean Yew (SGP) 22-20, 21-18; Rasmus Gemke (DEN) bt 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) 11-21, 21-13, 21-18; 11-Alwi Farhan (INA) bt Ayush Shetty (IND) 21-19, 21-11; 10-Kodai Naraoka (JPN) bt 8-Li Shi Feng (CHN) 13-21, 23-21, 21-11Women's Singles: 1-An Se Young (KOR) bt 16-Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) 21-16, 21-10; 10-Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) bt 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) 15-21, 25-23, 21-17; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt 8-Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) 17-21, 21-16, 21-18; 2-Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt 14-Sim You Jin (KOR) 21-17, 21-10; 15-Line Chirstophersen (DEN) bt 6-Putri Wardani (INA) 21-18, 21-17; 3-Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) bt 9-PV Sindhu (IND) 21-11, 15-21, 21-17Men's Doubles: 5-Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (IND) bt Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King (MAS) 21-23, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt Kim Astrup/Anders Rasmussen (DEN) 22-20, 8-21, 21-19Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (IND) bt 7-Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (JPN) 21-16, 21-12; 4-Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian bt Hsieh Pei Shan/Hung En-Tzu (TPE) 21-11, 21-18; 13-Febriana Kusuma/Meilysa Puspitasari (INA) bt 5-Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) 20-22, 21-18, 21-12;Mixed Doubles: 6-Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (CHN) bt 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) 21-16, 21-5; 11-Yang Po-Husan/Hu Ling Fang (TPE) bt 3-Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Boje (DEN) 21-13, 9-21, 21-14

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand make history at the BWF World Championships, while Satwik-Chirag reach quarters and PV Sindhu exits

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a dominant performance to script history at the BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian women's doubles pair in 11 years to reach the quarterfinals. The world no. 39 Indians stunned seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan 21-16, 21-12 to book their place in the last eight. They will next face fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shi Xian of China. Two-time bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also kept India's medal hopes alive with a hard-fought 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 victory over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Indian duo will take on third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in the quarterfinals. However, it was a disappointing day in the singles events for India. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's bid for a sixth World Championships medal came to an end after she lost 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 to third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China. Rising Indian star Ayush Shetty was also knocked out, going down 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. The contrasting results meant that Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag carried India's hopes of extending its World Championships medal streak, which began in 2011. Treesa and Gayatri deliver a historic win Treesa and Gayatri controlled much of their match against the Japanese seventh seeds, combining aggressive attacking play with smart changes of pace. The Indians raced to a 13-9 lead in the opening game before Iwanaga and Nakanishi responded with longer rallies and forced errors from their opponents. The Japanese pair then won seven consecutive points, putting themselves in a strong position. But Treesa and Gayatri responded brilliantly. They regrouped immediately and produced an eight-point winning streak of their own to take the opening game. The second game was far more one-sided. Riding the momentum from the first, the Indians kept their opponents under pressure with quick drops and crosscourt smashes. They closed out the match in just 44 minutes. Their victory marks the first time an Indian women's doubles combination has reached the World Championships quarterfinals since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the feat at the 2015 edition in Jakarta. "Initially, it was neck to neck and our coaches asked us to attack. Attacking game is our strength and we were very calm when we were leading," said Gayatri. Treesa and Gayatri had previously broken into the world top 10 but were forced to deal with injuries that affected their progress. Their latest victory now puts them within two wins of a World Championships medal. Also Read: FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2 Satwik-Chirag survive thriller Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were made to work hard by Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Malaysians edged a closely contested opening game despite the Indian pair saving two game points. Satwik and Chirag then showed composure in the second game, fighting back from 16-18 down to force a decider. The final game followed a similar pattern. The Indians trailed 12-15 but levelled the scores at 17-17 before winning the next four points to secure their quarterfinal place. The victory keeps alive the hopes of the two-time bronze medallists, who will now face China's third-seeded pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. Sindhu falls after gruelling battle Earlier, PV Sindhu fought for 88 minutes against third seed Wang Zhi Yi but ultimately fell short in a dramatic three-game contest. Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm in the opening game, allowing Wang to take control. The Indian responded strongly in the second, however, winning six consecutive points from 15-15 to force a decider. Sindhu made the better start to the final game, opening an 8-4 lead. Wang fought back to level at 9-9 before Sindhu again moved ahead 13-10. The Chinese player then capitalised on a series of errors from Sindhu to take the lead after winning five straight points. The intensity increased in the closing stages, with both players involved in several rallies lasting more than 30 shots. One 54-shot exchange at 17-18 left both competitors visibly exhausted. Wang eventually sealed victory with a crosscourt smash. The defeat ended Sindhu's unbeaten World Championships record against Wang and also brought her hopes of winning a sixth medal at the event to an end. "I should have stayed patient (in the third game). It was going good and I am disappointed with the final result as I should have converted the advantage," Sindhu said after the match. Ayush Shetty's campaign ends Ayush Shetty's impressive run also came to an end in the men's singles. After making headlines as a giant-killer earlier in the tournament, the Indian lost 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. With Sindhu and Ayush eliminated, India's remaining medal hopes now rest heavily on the doubles combinations, with Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag both targeting semifinal berths. Important results: Men's Singles: 7-Victor Lai (CAN) bt 13-Loh Kean Yew (SGP) 22-20, 21-18; Rasmus Gemke (DEN) bt 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) 11-21, 21-13, 21-18; 11-Alwi Farhan (INA) bt Ayush Shetty (IND) 21-19, 21-11; 10-Kodai Naraoka (JPN) bt 8-Li Shi Feng (CHN) 13-21, 23-21, 21-11 Women's Singles: 1-An Se Young (KOR) bt 16-Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) 21-16, 21-10; 10-Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) bt 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) 15-21, 25-23, 21-17; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt 8-Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) 17-21, 21-16, 21-18; 2-Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt 14-Sim You Jin (KOR) 21-17, 21-10; 15-Line Chirstophersen (DEN) bt 6-Putri Wardani (INA) 21-18, 21-17; 3-Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) bt 9-PV Sindhu (IND) 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 Men's Doubles: 5-Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (IND) bt Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King (MAS) 21-23, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt Kim Astrup/Anders Rasmussen (DEN) 22-20, 8-21, 21-19 Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (IND) bt 7-Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (JPN) 21-16, 21-12; 4-Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian bt Hsieh Pei Shan/Hung En-Tzu (TPE) 21-11, 21-18; 13-Febriana Kusuma/Meilysa Puspitasari (INA) bt 5-Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) 20-22, 21-18, 21-12; Mixed Doubles: 6-Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (CHN) bt 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) 21-16, 21-5; 11-Yang Po-Husan/Hu Ling Fang (TPE) bt 3-Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Boje (DEN) 21-13, 9-21, 21-14

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Satwik-Chirag reach World Championships quarters, while PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty exit in singles

BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out

India have advanced to the second round of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after playing out a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. The result was enough for India to finish second in the pool behind China.&nbsp;India knew that a draw would be enough to qualify, but they did not start the match with a defensive approach, as they earned three penalty corners in the first quarter but failed to score from any of them. They also created a few field-goal chances, but Ishika and Salima Tete could not find the net, according to ESPN.&nbsp;England grew stronger as the match progressed. After an evenly fought second quarter, they dominated the third period. Similar to India’s opening match against China, they struggled to keep possession as England created repeated attacks and won several penalty corners. However, India’s defence remained strong.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bpl-t20-league-cancelled-by-bangladesh-after-heavy-financial-losses-1787239497755">BPL T20 League cancelled by Bangladesh after heavy financial losses</a>&nbsp;India entered the final quarter knowing they needed to hold on for another 15 minutes to secure their place in the next round. Bichu Devi made key saves to deny England and secure the draw.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/raised-the-bar-ab-de-villiers-picks-kohli-over-tendulkar-in-test-debate-1787235148651">‘Raised the bar’: AB de Villiers picks Kohli over Tendulkar in Test debate</a>&nbsp;India will now face the Netherlands in the opening match of the second pool phase on Friday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

The draw gave India a crucial point, taking their tally to five and securing second place in the pool behind China, which earned them a spot in the next round.

India have advanced to the second round of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after playing out a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. The result was enough for India to finish second in the pool behind China. India knew that a draw would be enough to qualify, but they did not start the match with a defensive approach, as they earned three penalty corners in the first quarter but failed to score from any of them. They also created a few field-goal chances, but Ishika and Salima Tete could not find the net, according to ESPN. England grew stronger as the match progressed. After an evenly fought second quarter, they dominated the third period. Similar to India’s opening match against China, they struggled to keep possession as England created repeated attacks and won several penalty corners. However, India’s defence remained strong. Also Read - BPL T20 League cancelled by Bangladesh after heavy financial losses India entered the final quarter knowing they needed to hold on for another 15 minutes to secure their place in the next round. Bichu Devi made key saves to deny England and secure the draw. Also Read - ‘Raised the bar’: AB de Villiers picks Kohli over Tendulkar in Test debate India will now face the Netherlands in the opening match of the second pool phase on Friday evening. With inputs from agencies

The draw gave India a crucial point, taking their tally to five and securing second place in the pool behind China, which earned them a spot in the next round.

FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will not be held this year as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to restructure the troubled T20 competition, BCB president Tamim Iqbal said on Thursday (Aug 20). The decision comes after several financial and administrative issues affected the league, including franchise rule violations, corruption allegations, unpaid payments and problems with bank guarantees.&nbsp;The BPL is one of the oldest and most popular T20 leagues, but the tournament has faced growing uncertainty in recent years. The 2025 edition was criticised for poor scheduling and logistical issues. Several players also went unpaid for an extended period, while a brief player strike added to the problems.&nbsp;“The BPL will not happen this year,” Tamim told reporters, saying the board needed to solve the existing issues before bringing the tournament back.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/raised-the-bar-ab-de-villiers-picks-kohli-over-tendulkar-in-test-debate-1787235148651">‘Raised the bar’: AB de Villiers picks Kohli over Tendulkar in Test debate</a>&nbsp;Tamim revealed that the BCB has suffered losses of around $3.3 million (approximately INR 31 crore) from the BPL over the last two years. He said the league’s financial structure must be improved before another season is organised.&nbsp;“The BPL is a great product and there is a lot of interest in it. If we can do it properly, the interest will increase even more,” Tamim said.&nbsp;“BCB is supposed to make a profit from franchise cricket, not a loss. So until we fix this, holding a tournament at a loss is not important,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-india-s-mixed-disability-team-recreates-ganguly-s-iconic-lord-s-celebration-1787227160155">WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s Lord’s celebration</a>&nbsp;The former Bangladesh captain made it clear that the decision to skip this year’s tournament does not mean the BCB is ending the BPL. Instead, the board will use the extra time to build a stronger and more sustainable system.&nbsp;“Our intention is 1,000 percent to host BPL. But I do not want to rush. I want to do it properly; if it takes six months or 12 months, I will take that time,” he added.&nbsp;Tamim made the comments after being appointed chairman of the International Cricket Council’s newly formed Franchise League Committee. He said Bangladesh’s plans to rebuild the BPL could also provide an example for franchise cricket worldwide.&nbsp;“If franchise cricket does not run properly in my country, then stopping it, and rebuilding it, will be a big message for my committee,” he said.&nbsp;The BCB has already started talks with the current franchises and expects to complete the franchise process by Apr or May next year. The longer timeline will also give the board the opportunity to consider new teams if any existing franchise fails to meet its financial obligations.&nbsp;Tamim also said the BCB could explore the possibility of bringing foreign franchises into the BPL as part of the restructuring process.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been cancelled this year due to financial and administrative challenges, putting the popular T20 tournament on hold for the season.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will not be held this year as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to restructure the troubled T20 competition, BCB president Tamim Iqbal said on Thursday (Aug 20). The decision comes after several financial and administrative issues affected the league, including franchise rule violations, corruption allegations, unpaid payments and problems with bank guarantees. The BPL is one of the oldest and most popular T20 leagues, but the tournament has faced growing uncertainty in recent years. The 2025 edition was criticised for poor scheduling and logistical issues. Several players also went unpaid for an extended period, while a brief player strike added to the problems. “The BPL will not happen this year,” Tamim told reporters, saying the board needed to solve the existing issues before bringing the tournament back. Also Read - ‘Raised the bar’: AB de Villiers picks Kohli over Tendulkar in Test debate Tamim revealed that the BCB has suffered losses of around $3.3 million (approximately INR 31 crore) from the BPL over the last two years. He said the league’s financial structure must be improved before another season is organised. “The BPL is a great product and there is a lot of interest in it. If we can do it properly, the interest will increase even more,” Tamim said. “BCB is supposed to make a profit from franchise cricket, not a loss. So until we fix this, holding a tournament at a loss is not important,” he added. Also Read - WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s Lord’s celebration The former Bangladesh captain made it clear that the decision to skip this year’s tournament does not mean the BCB is ending the BPL. Instead, the board will use the extra time to build a stronger and more sustainable system. “Our intention is 1,000 percent to host BPL. But I do not want to rush. I want to do it properly; if it takes six months or 12 months, I will take that time,” he added. Tamim made the comments after being appointed chairman of the International Cricket Council’s newly formed Franchise League Committee. He said Bangladesh’s plans to rebuild the BPL could also provide an example for franchise cricket worldwide. “If franchise cricket does not run properly in my country, then stopping it, and rebuilding it, will be a big message for my committee,” he said. The BCB has already started talks with the current franchises and expects to complete the franchise process by Apr or May next year. The longer timeline will also give the board the opportunity to consider new teams if any existing franchise fails to meet its financial obligations. Tamim also said the BCB could explore the possibility of bringing foreign franchises into the BPL as part of the restructuring process.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been cancelled this year due to financial and administrative challenges, putting the popular T20 tournament on hold for the season.

BPL T20 League cancelled by Bangladesh after heavy financial losses

South Africa batting great AB de Villiers said former India captain Virat Kohli took Indian batting to a higher level in overseas conditions and inspired other players to perform better outside the country.&nbsp;De Villiers explained that Sachin Tendulkar was the first Indian batter to set the standard abroad, but Kohli pushed it even further. Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 15,921 runs and 51 centuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;While, Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in 2025, ended his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn’t as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar,” said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.&nbsp;“Because of that, there are quite a few players now like [KL] Rahul and Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-india-s-mixed-disability-team-recreates-ganguly-s-iconic-lord-s-celebration-1787227160155">WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s iconic Lord’s celebration</a>&nbsp;De Villiers, who scored 8,765 runs in 114 Tests at an average of over 50, also spoke about KL Rahul’s performances overseas and praised his technique but said the opener needs to convert his starts into bigger scores away from home.&nbsp;“KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big asset in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away from home. So you’ll expect more and that is one area where he has to work on. He has to get bigger scores once he gets in and not just get a 100 but make it a 180 because that first-ball duck and getting out to the newish ball is always around the corner. So for him, the name of the game will be to make the big scores even bigger,” said de Villiers.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/canada-coach-monty-desai-steps-down-amid-corruption-probe-1787224674348">Canada coach Monty Desai steps down amid corruption probe</a>&nbsp;The 34-year-old, Rahul, scored a useful 81 for India in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka this week, while Devdutt Padikkal hit his maiden Test century at No. 3 as India went on to win the match by 165 runs.

AB de Villiers said Sachin Tendulkar set the benchmark for India overseas, but Virat Kohli took it to another level.

South Africa batting great AB de Villiers said former India captain Virat Kohli took Indian batting to a higher level in overseas conditions and inspired other players to perform better outside the country. De Villiers explained that Sachin Tendulkar was the first Indian batter to set the standard abroad, but Kohli pushed it even further. Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 15,921 runs and 51 centuries. While, Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in 2025, ended his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85. “I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn’t as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar,” said de Villiers on his YouTube channel. “Because of that, there are quite a few players now like [KL] Rahul and Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin.” Also Read - WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s iconic Lord’s celebration De Villiers, who scored 8,765 runs in 114 Tests at an average of over 50, also spoke about KL Rahul’s performances overseas and praised his technique but said the opener needs to convert his starts into bigger scores away from home. “KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big asset in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away from home. So you’ll expect more and that is one area where he has to work on. He has to get bigger scores once he gets in and not just get a 100 but make it a 180 because that first-ball duck and getting out to the newish ball is always around the corner. So for him, the name of the game will be to make the big scores even bigger,” said de Villiers. Also Read - Canada coach Monty Desai steps down amid corruption probe The 34-year-old, Rahul, scored a useful 81 for India in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka this week, while Devdutt Padikkal hit his maiden Test century at No. 3 as India went on to win the match by 165 runs.

AB de Villiers said Sachin Tendulkar set the benchmark for India overseas, but Virat Kohli took it to another level.

‘Raised the bar’: AB de Villiers picks Kohli over Tendulkar in Test debate

India’s mixed disability cricket team turned back the clock at Lord’s by recreating Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration from 2002 after securing a memorable win at the home of cricket. India defeated England by 118 runs in the seventh and final T20I of their mixed disability series in London on Wednesday, however, the hosts won the seven-match series 4-3.&nbsp;After the match, the Indian players and officials went to the Lord’s balcony, took off their blazers and celebrated with the Tricolour. The scenes reminded fans of Ganguly’s famous celebration after India beat England in the NatWest Trophy final at the same venue 24 years ago.&nbsp;A video shared by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) showed the Indian team celebrating on the balcony.&nbsp;<h2>WATCH</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">India&#39;s Mixed Disability team celebrates its massive 118-run win over their English counterparts in a T20 match at the iconic Lord&#39;s Cricket Ground by waving their shirts like Sourav Ganguly famously did way back in 2002!! <a href="https://x.com/dcciofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dcciofficial</a> <a href="https://t.co/gx0cDt9CUQ">pic.twitter.com/gx0cDt9CUQ</a>&mdash; Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) <a href="https://x.com/toi_gauravG/status/2090157320840061392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“When India wins at Lord’s, the celebrations hit different. A moment of pure cricketing joy on the Lord’s Balcony — coats off, spirits high, and the Tricolour flying with pride. 118 runs. One unforgettable celebration,” DCCI wrote on X.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arya-concedes-feeling-pressure-in-ipl-but-feels-proud-on-performance-1787223481540">Priyansh Arya concedes feeling pressure in IPL but 'feels proud on performance'</a>&nbsp;The celebration followed a dominant performance by India in the series finale.&nbsp;Batting first, India scored 206 for four, their highest total in the seven-match series. Arjun Gawre top-scored with 68 off 44 balls, while captain Majid Magray produced a stunning late attack, hitting an unbeaten 63 off just 19 deliveries. Sai Akash also made a valuable contribution as India posted a strong total.&nbsp;While, England struggled throughout their chase and were bowled out for just 88. Hilal Ahmad Wani was the pick of the bowlers for India with four wickets for 21 runs, while Jayesh Parmar picked up three for 14.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/infantino-faces-fresh-setback-as-senior-fifa-official-pulls-support-1787220570397">Infantino faces fresh setback as senior FIFA official pulls support</a>&nbsp;The defeat ended England’s successful series on a disappointing note. Captain Callum Flynn said his team had hoped to finish the series with a win at Lord’s.&nbsp;“Ultimately India were too good for us today, but we can be happy that we’ve won the series,” Flynn said.&nbsp;“It’s been an amazing series. The standard and the competition has risen every series we’ve had against India.”

India’s mixed disability cricket team recreated Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration at Lord’s after a 118-run win over England.

India’s mixed disability cricket team turned back the clock at Lord’s by recreating Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration from 2002 after securing a memorable win at the home of cricket. India defeated England by 118 runs in the seventh and final T20I of their mixed disability series in London on Wednesday, however, the hosts won the seven-match series 4-3. After the match, the Indian players and officials went to the Lord’s balcony, took off their blazers and celebrated with the Tricolour. The scenes reminded fans of Ganguly’s famous celebration after India beat England in the NatWest Trophy final at the same venue 24 years ago. A video shared by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) showed the Indian team celebrating on the balcony. WATCH

India’s mixed disability cricket team recreated Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration at Lord’s after a 118-run win over England.

WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s iconic Lord’s celebration

Monty Desai has left his role as Canada’s head coach after just three months, as Canadian cricket faces continued fallout from the T20 World Cup and an ongoing dispute with the ICC. Desai became interim head coach in May, soon after the team’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. During his short stint, he guided the side in two Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series.&nbsp;“A short chapter, but a meaningful one,” Desai wrote on Instagram. “Grateful to Cricket Canada for the opportunity to serve as Interim Head Coach over the past three months.”&nbsp;“Every environment leaves you with learnings. This experience further strengthened my belief that sustainable performance is built through time, trust, preparation, strong relationships and collective ownership."&nbsp;&nbsp;This was Desai’s second spell with Canada, having first worked with the team in 2019. He returned after Canada lost all four of their matches at the T20 World Cup. The team’s campaign later came under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arya-concedes-feeling-pressure-in-ipl-but-feels-proud-on-performance-1787223481540">Priyansh Arya concedes feeling pressure in IPL but 'feels proud on performance'</a>&nbsp;The investigation focused on allegations linked to Canada’s match against New Zealand. At the same time, separate issues emerged over the administration of Cricket Canada and its compliance with ICC membership rules.&nbsp;The ICC suspended funding for Cricket Canada in May and later suspended the country’s Associate membership. The board remains suspended and must meet certain conditions before it can be reinstated.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/infantino-faces-fresh-setback-as-senior-fifa-official-pulls-support-1787220570397">Infantino faces fresh setback as senior FIFA official pulls support</a>&nbsp;On the field, Canada are currently sixth in the CWC League 2 table with four matches left. The top four teams will qualify for next year’s ODI World Cup Qualifier and Canada’s next games will be against Oman and Nepal in Oman, starting Oct 9.&nbsp;The baord has begun the search for Desai’s replacement, with applications open to interested candidates until Aug 28.&nbsp;

Canada has parted ways with interim head coach Monty Desai after three months, as the cricket team remains under ICC scrutiny and battles for World Cup qualification.

Monty Desai has left his role as Canada’s head coach after just three months, as Canadian cricket faces continued fallout from the T20 World Cup and an ongoing dispute with the ICC. Desai became interim head coach in May, soon after the team’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. During his short stint, he guided the side in two Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series. “A short chapter, but a meaningful one,” Desai wrote on Instagram. “Grateful to Cricket Canada for the opportunity to serve as Interim Head Coach over the past three months.” “Every environment leaves you with learnings. This experience further strengthened my belief that sustainable performance is built through time, trust, preparation, strong relationships and collective ownership." This was Desai’s second spell with Canada, having first worked with the team in 2019. He returned after Canada lost all four of their matches at the T20 World Cup. The team’s campaign later came under investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Also Read - Priyansh Arya concedes feeling pressure in IPL but 'feels proud on performance' The investigation focused on allegations linked to Canada’s match against New Zealand. At the same time, separate issues emerged over the administration of Cricket Canada and its compliance with ICC membership rules. The ICC suspended funding for Cricket Canada in May and later suspended the country’s Associate membership. The board remains suspended and must meet certain conditions before it can be reinstated. Also Read - Infantino faces fresh setback as senior FIFA official pulls support On the field, Canada are currently sixth in the CWC League 2 table with four matches left. The top four teams will qualify for next year’s ODI World Cup Qualifier and Canada’s next games will be against Oman and Nepal in Oman, starting Oct 9. The baord has begun the search for Desai’s replacement, with applications open to interested candidates until Aug 28.

Canada has parted ways with interim head coach Monty Desai after three months, as the cricket team remains under ICC scrutiny and battles for World Cup qualification.

Canada coach Monty Desai steps down amid corruption probe

Delhi boy Priyansh Arya, who became Punjab Kings' power hitter after making his debut on March 25, 2025, has maintained his formidable consistency in the IPL for the last two seasons. He scored 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.25 in the 2025 season and 364 runs in 2026. Seeing the consistency, BCCI has also selected him in the India-A squad in the Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka for the long-over format, where his 58-run knock against Afghanistan-A helped India-A book a place in the final.&nbsp;Recently, on the sidelines of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), where he is representing Outer Delhi Warriors, Arya spoke candidly about the mounting pressure that comes with progressing through the ranks of Indian cricket from domestic tournaments like the Delhi Premier League (DPL) to the IPL and International matches.&nbsp;Arya also reflected on how the intensity of competition builds as players climb each level of the game. When asked how much pressure he feels transitioning from domestic cricket and the DPL to international matches, Arya acknowledged that players definitely encounter mounting pressure as they play different formats. "There is pressure, of course; every cricketer feels it," he told WION.&nbsp;However, he was quick to add that this pressure acts as a reward in the sport because it makes us feel very proud. "It's a lot of fun too; if you perform under pressure, you feel very proud," he explained, highlighting the sense of accomplishment that comes from delivering results in high-stakes situations.<h3>Difficult bowler for Priyansh Arya</h3>During the conversation, he was also asked about his personal experiences facing some of the cricket's premier bowlers. When asked to name the toughest bowler, Arya did not hesitate, naming India's premier pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The acknowledgement of Arya comes because of Bumrah's reputation as one of the most difficult bowlers in world cricket to face. He is known for his unorthodox action, pinpoint yorkers, and ability to trouble even the most experienced batters.&nbsp;Arya's rise through the ranks from domestic cricket to a DPL and IPL contract with Punjab Kings, as well as India A selection, reflects the growing depth of young Indian batting talent emerging through small platforms like the DPL. Priyansh's entry into the IPL came after his marvellous performance in the inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League, where he amassed more than 600 runs, prompting Punjab Kings to bid for him for a massive amount of INR 3.80 CR.&nbsp;In the 2024 season of the DPL, while playing for South Delhi Superstarz, he smashed six sixes in a single over off Manan Bhardwaj, scoring 120 runs off 50 balls. He was also part of a massive 286-run stand with Ayush Badoni, who scored 165 off 55 in the same match. The inning was a monumental effort by the two young stars from Delhi.

When asked how much pressure he feels transitioning from domestic cricket and the DPL to international matches, Arya acknowledged that players definitely encounter mounting pressure as they play different formats.

Delhi boy Priyansh Arya, who became Punjab Kings' power hitter after making his debut on March 25, 2025, has maintained his formidable consistency in the IPL for the last two seasons. He scored 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.25 in the 2025 season and 364 runs in 2026. Seeing the consistency, BCCI has also selected him in the India-A squad in the Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka for the long-over format, where his 58-run knock against Afghanistan-A helped India-A book a place in the final. Recently, on the sidelines of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), where he is representing Outer Delhi Warriors, Arya spoke candidly about the mounting pressure that comes with progressing through the ranks of Indian cricket from domestic tournaments like the Delhi Premier League (DPL) to the IPL and International matches. Arya also reflected on how the intensity of competition builds as players climb each level of the game. When asked how much pressure he feels transitioning from domestic cricket and the DPL to international matches, Arya acknowledged that players definitely encounter mounting pressure as they play different formats. "There is pressure, of course; every cricketer feels it," he told WION. However, he was quick to add that this pressure acts as a reward in the sport because it makes us feel very proud. "It's a lot of fun too; if you perform under pressure, you feel very proud," he explained, highlighting the sense of accomplishment that comes from delivering results in high-stakes situations. Difficult bowler for Priyansh Arya During the conversation, he was also asked about his personal experiences facing some of the cricket's premier bowlers. When asked to name the toughest bowler, Arya did not hesitate, naming India's premier pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The acknowledgement of Arya comes because of Bumrah's reputation as one of the most difficult bowlers in world cricket to face. He is known for his unorthodox action, pinpoint yorkers, and ability to trouble even the most experienced batters. Arya's rise through the ranks from domestic cricket to a DPL and IPL contract with Punjab Kings, as well as India A selection, reflects the growing depth of young Indian batting talent emerging through small platforms like the DPL. Priyansh's entry into the IPL came after his marvellous performance in the inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League, where he amassed more than 600 runs, prompting Punjab Kings to bid for him for a massive amount of INR 3.80 CR. In the 2024 season of the DPL, while playing for South Delhi Superstarz, he smashed six sixes in a single over off Manan Bhardwaj, scoring 120 runs off 50 balls. He was also part of a massive 286-run stand with Ayush Badoni, who scored 165 off 55 in the same match. The inning was a monumental effort by the two young stars from Delhi.

When asked how much pressure he feels transitioning from domestic cricket and the DPL to international matches, Arya acknowledged that players definitely encounter mounting pressure as they play different formats.

Priyansh Arya concedes feeling pressure in IPL but 'feels proud on performance'

From Virender Sehwag to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the top five Indian batters fastest to 4000 Test runs. This list also includes Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara

From Virender Sehwag to Sachin Tendulkar, here's a look at the top five Indian batters fastest to 4000 Test runs. This list also includes Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara

Meet top 5 Indian batters fastest to 4000 Test runs

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WATCH | India’s mixed disability team recreates Ganguly’s Lord’s celebration

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Meet top 5 Indian batters fastest to 4000 Test runs