US considering use of ‘mother of all bombs’ in its war with Iran: Report

Researchers believe AI could cure cancer patients around the world

Russian woman and Bihar boy's love story goes viral after she reaches India to marry him

Arijit Singh 9-city India stadium tour to start from January: Check venue and ticket prices

Leave India notice to Imran Khan explained: What are OCI rules and why can't foreigners protest in India?

'Don't ever mess with nature!': Trump’s tiger attack post triggers social media backlash as victim's family issues heartbreaking tribute

Ankita Bhandari’s parents detained after overnight India Gate protest; released later: Why are they protesting

US judge blocks Trump administration sanctions on human rights groups supporting Gaza war crimes investigation

Washington calls for 'de-escalation' as Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions fuel war fears

US midterms: Trump rallies behind Husted as Brown mounts challenge in crucial Ohio race

US police foil alleged mass shooting plot targeting Illinois Hindu temple during Navratri; 19-year-old’s manifesto called Indians ‘subhumans’

Group of men cheered and asked 'when’s it my turn?' as woman was assaulted inside bathroom at University of Chicago frat party

‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay calls on US to 'get back to' being defender of human rights

Who is Abu Dhabi royal Mahrah Al Nahyan, found unconscious on London street with toddler after cocaine use

Iranian woman, 23, handed death sentence for ‘blasphemy’ in social media post; appeals for help

'Turn approver, resign, we'll forgive you': Rahul Gandhi claims receiving messages from CEC Gyanesh Kumar

'Leakers should be shot': Trump rages over leak of US military plans to attack Iran, slams media

Australian woman charged for adding snail poison to lover's curry at work

'Girls are uncomfortable': Salman Khan calls out paparazzi for bad angles, speaks on PR on Koffee With Karan

Bangladesh man killed after mob storms hospital, drags him away over blasphemy allegations

‘My president, I mean my husband’: Trump's new press secretary Katie Zacharia's first briefing goes off the rails in 14 minutes

Mars is not for man: Human heart is too weak to survive the trip, study shows

World's 7 most innovative countries in 2026 REVEALED: Did India make the list? | In Pics

Girl 'dead' for 8 hours wakes up at her own funeral, dad insists she wasn't breathing

India-Afghanistan relations: Growing India-Kabul ties to rattle Islamabad?

New OTT releases this week (October 12-18, 2026): Sacrifice, Koffee with Karan S9, Roadies Rebirth- 6 titles coming on Netflix, JioHotstar and more

Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India by the Mumbai Police days after participating in CJP-led protest

India’s naval priorities: Ex-Navy Chief calls for third aircraft carrier, more warships and submarines

Did the US withhold missile warnings? Ukraine questions Washington's 'bad weather' explanation after Russian strikes kill six, cut power to 600,000

'Troubling pattern of threats': Hindu groups issue advisory after man arrested for alleged plot to target Illinois temple

Hidden video recording device found on Australian Navy ship amid claims of secret filming

'White supremacist' terror plot against Illinois Hindu temple foiled by jammed gun: Who is Alexandros Paporakis?

Zelensky feels betrayed by Trump, urges Musk to restore Starlink in Ukraine; Musk responds

Is America trying to ‘destabilise’ India or change its regime? How influence operations became a recurring theme in political rhetoric

Indonesia Wildfires: Thousands deployed to fight massive wildfire 

US midterms 2026: Trump under election watch? Democrats deploy 100 observers across nine states

Debutant Manav Suthar announced himself on the international stage with an impressive display of classical left-arm spin, claiming three wickets to put India firmly in command on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan on Sunday (June 7). After piling up a massive first-innings total, India declared at 564/8, aided by an unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar. The all-rounder reached his fifty without any pressure and shared a valuable 54-run partnership with Suthar, who contributed a brisk 28 off 41 deliveries.&nbsp;India's bowlers then tightened their grip on the contest, with Suthar emerging as the standout performer. The young spinner ripped through Afghanistan's batting line-up, finishing the day with excellent figures of 3/21 from 15.5 overs. At stumps, Afghanistan were struggling at 113/5, still trailing significantly as India maintained complete control of the match.&nbsp;Earlier, centuries from KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill, along with valuable half-centuries from Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar, powered India into a commanding position at Tea on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. India resumed the second session on 475/6 with Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar at the crease. Suthar played a handy knock, smashing two sixes, including one that helped India cross the 500-run mark. The pair added a useful half-century partnership before Saleem Safi dismissed Suthar for 28 off 41 balls.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mexico-s-president-claudia-sheinbaum-tosses-football-during-press-conference-what-happens-next-surprises-everyone-1780827375380">Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum tosses football during press conference. What happens next surprises everyone</a>&nbsp;Mohammad Siraj then provided late fireworks with a quick 22 from just 12 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six. However, he too fell to Safi, who completed a remarkable six-wicket haul. Washington Sundar continued his impressive run in Test cricket, bringing up a composed half-century in 65 balls. India eventually declared at a formidable 564/8 in 127 overs, with Sundar unbeaten on 52 and Kuldeep Yadav not out on 9.&nbsp;Saleem Safi was Afghanistan's standout performer with figures of 6/140, becoming only the third Afghan bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Earlier in the day, India strengthened their position through another excellent partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. Resuming at 368/3, the duo added further runs before Gill was dismissed for a superb 126 off 177 balls, an innings featuring 15 fours and a six.&nbsp;Gill also achieved a major milestone, becoming the fastest Indian captain to complete 1,000 Test runs. His batting average of 82.8 as captain is currently the second-highest in Test history among skippers with at least 1,000 runs, behind only Sir Donald Bradman's 101.5. Gill and Pant's 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket became India's highest stand for any wicket against Afghanistan in Test cricket.&nbsp;Dhruv Jurel contributed 19 runs before suffering an unusual dismissal, leaving a straight delivery from Safi that crashed into the stumps. Pant looked set for a century but fell for 81 while attempting an aggressive shot against Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who claimed his maiden Test wicket. With India posting a massive first-innings total and striking early with the ball, the hosts ended the second session firmly in control of the contest.

Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar starred as India declared at 564/8 and left Afghanistan struggling at 113/5 in the one-off Test

Debutant Manav Suthar announced himself on the international stage with an impressive display of classical left-arm spin, claiming three wickets to put India firmly in command on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan on Sunday (June 7). After piling up a massive first-innings total, India declared at 564/8, aided by an unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar. The all-rounder reached his fifty without any pressure and shared a valuable 54-run partnership with Suthar, who contributed a brisk 28 off 41 deliveries. India's bowlers then tightened their grip on the contest, with Suthar emerging as the standout performer. The young spinner ripped through Afghanistan's batting line-up, finishing the day with excellent figures of 3/21 from 15.5 overs. At stumps, Afghanistan were struggling at 113/5, still trailing significantly as India maintained complete control of the match. Earlier, centuries from KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill, along with valuable half-centuries from Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar, powered India into a commanding position at Tea on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. India resumed the second session on 475/6 with Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar at the crease. Suthar played a handy knock, smashing two sixes, including one that helped India cross the 500-run mark. The pair added a useful half-century partnership before Saleem Safi dismissed Suthar for 28 off 41 balls. Also Read: Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum tosses football during press conference. What happens next surprises everyone Mohammad Siraj then provided late fireworks with a quick 22 from just 12 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six. However, he too fell to Safi, who completed a remarkable six-wicket haul. Washington Sundar continued his impressive run in Test cricket, bringing up a composed half-century in 65 balls. India eventually declared at a formidable 564/8 in 127 overs, with Sundar unbeaten on 52 and Kuldeep Yadav not out on 9. Saleem Safi was Afghanistan's standout performer with figures of 6/140, becoming only the third Afghan bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Earlier in the day, India strengthened their position through another excellent partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. Resuming at 368/3, the duo added further runs before Gill was dismissed for a superb 126 off 177 balls, an innings featuring 15 fours and a six. Gill also achieved a major milestone, becoming the fastest Indian captain to complete 1,000 Test runs. His batting average of 82.8 as captain is currently the second-highest in Test history among skippers with at least 1,000 runs, behind only Sir Donald Bradman's 101.5. Gill and Pant's 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket became India's highest stand for any wicket against Afghanistan in Test cricket. Dhruv Jurel contributed 19 runs before suffering an unusual dismissal, leaving a straight delivery from Safi that crashed into the stumps. Pant looked set for a century but fell for 81 while attempting an aggressive shot against Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who claimed his maiden Test wicket. With India posting a massive first-innings total and striking early with the ball, the hosts ended the second session firmly in control of the contest.

Centuries from Gill and Rahul, plus fifties from Pant and Sundar, powered India to a mammoth total of 564/8 before reducing Afghanistan to 113/5 at the end of Day 2

IND vs AFG, One-off Test, Day 2: Suthar shines with 3/21 on debut as hosts take control

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum surprised reporters during her regular morning press conference on Wednesday (June 4) by tossing a football into the crowd at the end of the briefing. The playful gesture was part of a promotional activity linked to the 2026 World Cup, which is set to open in Mexico City on June 11. As the ball flew into the audience, two journalists rushed to catch it. During the scramble, one reporter lost her balance and fell to the floor. Sheinbaum immediately stepped forward to assist the journalist before handing her the football. The light-hearted incident drew laughter from those attending the event.<h2>Watch the viral video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">⚽😂 | La presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum cerró su conferencia mañanera lanzando balones del Mundial 2026 a los representantes de la prensa. Una reportera estaba decidida a no irse con las manos vacías y, aunque terminó llevándose el balón, protagonizó una caída que rápidamente… <a href="https://t.co/4Eww2Oy9Xp">pic.twitter.com/4Eww2Oy9Xp</a>&mdash; 🔴 ESPACIO (@EspacioNoticias) <a href="https://x.com/EspacioNoticias/status/2062958518341153092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The moment came after Sheinbaum fulfilled a previous promise by giving away her ticket to the World Cup opening match. Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered a promise on Friday by giving away her ticket to the World Cup opening match. Sheinbaum, the first female president in the country's 200-year history, donated her ticket No. 00001 to Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua, a 21-year-old Indigenous woman from the eastern state of Veracruz. Mexico plays the opening match against South Africa on June 11 at Azteca Stadium. A jury selected Cervantes Cuaquehua after winning a contest for her ball-handling skills. "They are the pride of Mexico. They will not represent the president, or the head of government; they will represent Mexico," Sheinbaum said at a news conference to give away the ticket to Cervantes Cuaquehua.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-pope-has-chosen-leo-xiv-reveals-which-team-he-s-supporting-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-1780825376533">The Pope has chosen! Leo XIV reveals which team he's supporting at the FIFA World Cup 2026</a>&nbsp;Sheinbaum also gave away tickets to other matches being played in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, the Mexican venues for the World Cup, to three other amateur athletes aged 16, 22, and 23. They were selected by the jury as part of a government-organized contest. "Thank you so much for considering us," Cervantes Cuaquehua said.&nbsp;In March, Sheinbaum ruled out attending the opening game herself, saying she wanted to give the spotlight to young Mexican female soccer players. "I think a young woman who plays soccer is a great representative of our country. Very few people will be able to attend the opening," Sheinbaum said at the time. She added that she plans to watch the match at the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, where a Fan Fest will be held.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches taking place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website.Link: <a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sparked laughter after tossing a football into a crowd of reporters during a World Cup promotional event and helping a journalist who fell while trying to catch it

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum surprised reporters during her regular morning press conference on Wednesday (June 4) by tossing a football into the crowd at the end of the briefing. The playful gesture was part of a promotional activity linked to the 2026 World Cup, which is set to open in Mexico City on June 11. As the ball flew into the audience, two journalists rushed to catch it. During the scramble, one reporter lost her balance and fell to the floor. Sheinbaum immediately stepped forward to assist the journalist before handing her the football. The light-hearted incident drew laughter from those attending the event. Watch the viral video here

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum tossed a football to reporters during a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Here's what happened next

Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum tosses football during press conference. What happens next surprises everyone

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious event in international football, will get underway on Jun 12 across United States, Mexico and Canada. Historically, the World Cup has provided a platform for emerging stars to showcase their talent on the global stage and this edition is expected to continue that tradition with several youngsters set to make their mark.&nbsp;The youngest player selected for the 2026 tournament is Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, who is just 17 years old. The attacking midfielder represents Liga MX side Tijuana and has already made history at international level. In 2025, Mora became the youngest player to debut for Mexico when he featured in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.&nbsp;Remarkably, Mora was not yet born when veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, his national teammate, appeared at his first World Cup. Ochoa is now preparing for his sixth appearance at football’s premier event.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-team-told-to-enter-leave-us-on-match-days-under-strict-rule-1780804865166">FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter &amp; leave US on match days under strict rule</a>&nbsp;Among the other youngest players at the tournament are Czechia midfielder Hugo Sochurek (18 years, 4 days), Germany's Lennart Karl (18 years, 109 days), Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye (18 years, 138 days) and Egypt striker Hamza Abdelkarim (18 years, 161 days).&nbsp;Also Read -<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-iraq-forward-held-for-seven-hours-by-us-authorities-here-s-what-we-know-1780802263358"> FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for 7 hours by US authorities - Here's what we know</a>&nbsp;The record for the youngest player ever to appear at a World Cup remains with Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside, who was 17 years and 41 days old when he played at the 1982 tournament.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds.&nbsp;All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (<a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>).

Mexico's Gilberto Mora, aged 17, is the youngest player selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the teenager earning a place in the squad after impressing for Liga MX club Tijuana.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious event in international football, will get underway on Jun 12 across United States, Mexico and Canada. Historically, the World Cup has provided a platform for emerging stars to showcase their talent on the global stage and this edition is expected to continue that tradition with several youngsters set to make their mark. The youngest player selected for the 2026 tournament is Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, who is just 17 years old. The attacking midfielder represents Liga MX side Tijuana and has already made history at international level. In 2025, Mora became the youngest player to debut for Mexico when he featured in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Remarkably, Mora was not yet born when veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, his national teammate, appeared at his first World Cup. Ochoa is now preparing for his sixth appearance at football’s premier event. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule Among the other youngest players at the tournament are Czechia midfielder Hugo Sochurek (18 years, 4 days), Germany's Lennart Karl (18 years, 109 days), Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye (18 years, 138 days) and Egypt striker Hamza Abdelkarim (18 years, 161 days). Also Read - FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for 7 hours by US authorities - Here's what we know The record for the youngest player ever to appear at a World Cup remains with Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside, who was 17 years and 41 days old when he played at the 1982 tournament. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (https://www.zee5.com/).

Mexico's Gilberto Mora, aged 17, is the youngest player selected for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the teenager earning a place in the squad after impressing for Liga MX club Tijuana.

FIFA 2026: Who is the youngest player at this year's World Cup?

Pope Leo XIV has publicly thrown his support behind the United States as the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off on June 11, giving a morale boost to the tournament's co-host nation. The pontiff, who made history as the first American leader of the Catholic Church, said he would be supporting the US national team throughout the competition, despite his demanding schedule.&nbsp;Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday, Pope Leo said, “I would certainly support the US. I don't know how many games I'll be able to see, but I wish them all the best.” The United States is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico. The American team will begin its Group D campaign against Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/meet-the-indian-origin-footballers-set-to-feature-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-1780747695549">Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026</a>&nbsp;Born Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburbs, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship after spending decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming Pope. His connection to both countries has often sparked curiosity about his football loyalties. Last year, Pope Leo indicated he would support Peru if the South American nation faced the United States on the field. However, Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leaving Team USA as the recipient of the Pope's backing.&nbsp;During the flight, the Pope was also asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona. Remaining diplomatic in his current role, he replied, “The Pope is for all teams.” He then referenced his pre-papal identity and added with a smile, “Prevost is for Real Madrid.” Pope Leo is currently on a week-long visit to Spain and the Canary Islands as excitement builds for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that will take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website.Link: <a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>

Pope Leo XIV supports Team USA ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The first American Pope also reveals his Real Madrid preference during a visit to Spain

Pope Leo XIV has publicly thrown his support behind the United States as the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off on June 11, giving a morale boost to the tournament's co-host nation. The pontiff, who made history as the first American leader of the Catholic Church, said he would be supporting the US national team throughout the competition, despite his demanding schedule. Speaking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday, Pope Leo said, “I would certainly support the US. I don't know how many games I'll be able to see, but I wish them all the best.” The United States is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico. The American team will begin its Group D campaign against Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye. Also Read: Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026 Born Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburbs, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship after spending decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming Pope. His connection to both countries has often sparked curiosity about his football loyalties. Last year, Pope Leo indicated he would support Peru if the South American nation faced the United States on the field. However, Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leaving Team USA as the recipient of the Pope's backing. During the flight, the Pope was also asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona. Remaining diplomatic in his current role, he replied, “The Pope is for all teams.” He then referenced his pre-papal identity and added with a smile, “Prevost is for Real Madrid.” Pope Leo is currently on a week-long visit to Spain and the Canary Islands as excitement builds for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that will take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website. Link: https://www.zee5.com/

With just a few days left before the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Pope Leo XIV has revealed the team he will be supporting and wishes them all the best

The Pope has chosen! Leo XIV reveals which team he's supporting at FIFA World Cup 2026

From Mithali Raj to Janette Brittin, here's a look at the top five players with most runs in Women's World Cup history. This list also includes Debbie Hockley, Charlotte Edwards and Laura Wolvaardt.

From Mithali Raj to Janette Brittin, here's a look at the top five players with most runs in Women's World Cup history. This list also includes Debbie Hockley, Charlotte Edwards and Laura Wolvaardt.

Meet top 5 players with most runs in Women's World Cup history

India A will tour Sri Lanka for a seven-match ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A from Jun 9 to Jun 21, with all fixtures, including the final, taking place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. The competition will follow a double round-robin structure, with each team playing the other two sides twice during the league stage. After six group matches, the top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final scheduled for Jun 21. Teams will earn two points for a victory, one point for a no-result and none for a defeat.&nbsp;Captained by Tilak Varma, India A boasts a squad packed with emerging IPL talent, however, much of the attention will be on 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.&nbsp;&nbsp;A tours are rarely broadcast and there were doubts about television coverage for this series. Yet Sooryavanshi’s immense popularity, after winning both the IPL 2026 Orange Cap and MVP award for Rajasthan Royals, has generated significant interest and is widely seen as a key reason for the tournament receiving broader coverage.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-team-told-to-enter-leave-us-on-match-days-under-strict-rule-1780804865166">FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter &amp; leave US on match days under strict rule</a>&nbsp;Afghanistan A will be led by Imran Mir, while Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige heads a squad featuring experienced campaigners Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama, all aiming to force their way back into the senior national setup.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-team-told-to-enter-leave-us-on-match-days-under-strict-rule-1780804865166">FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter &amp; leave US on match days under strict rule</a><h3>Live-streaming details</h3>Fans in India can watch the tri-series live on the Sony Sports Network. For online viewers, live streaming will be available through the SonyLIV website and app.<h2>Series schedule</h2>

<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Match</th><th>Venue</th><th>Start Time (IST)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Jun 9, Tuesday</td><td>Sri Lanka A vs India A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 11, Thursday</td><td>Afghanistan A vs India A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 13, Saturday</td><td>Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 15, Monday</td><td>Sri Lanka A vs India A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 17, Wednesday</td><td>Afghanistan A vs India A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 19, Friday</td><td>Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan A</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr><tr><td>Jun 21, Sunday</td><td>Final: TBD vs TBD</td><td>Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium &nbsp;</td><td>10:00 AM</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

<h2>Squads</h2><h2>India A Squad</h2>Tilak Varma (Captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (Vice-Captain), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj and Arshad Khan<h2>Afghanistan A Squad</h2>Imran Mir (Captain), Noor Rahman (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (Wicketkeeper), Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Farmanullah Safi, Shams Ur Rahman, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Mohammad Ibrahim and Abdullah Ahmadzai<h2>Sri Lanka A Squad</h2>Niroshan Dickwella (Vice Captain and WK), Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama (WK), Sahan Arachchige (Captain), Ahan Wickramasinghe, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Mohamed Shiraz, Dulaj Samuditha, Vishen Halambage, Ravindu Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara, Garuka Sanketh and Kugadas Mathulan

India A, featuring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma, Priyansh Arya and Riyan Parag, will tour Sri Lanka for a tri-nation series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.

India A will tour Sri Lanka for a seven-match ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A from Jun 9 to Jun 21, with all fixtures, including the final, taking place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. The competition will follow a double round-robin structure, with each team playing the other two sides twice during the league stage. After six group matches, the top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final scheduled for Jun 21. Teams will earn two points for a victory, one point for a no-result and none for a defeat. Captained by Tilak Varma, India A boasts a squad packed with emerging IPL talent, however, much of the attention will be on 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A tours are rarely broadcast and there were doubts about television coverage for this series. Yet Sooryavanshi’s immense popularity, after winning both the IPL 2026 Orange Cap and MVP award for Rajasthan Royals, has generated significant interest and is widely seen as a key reason for the tournament receiving broader coverage. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule Afghanistan A will be led by Imran Mir, while Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige heads a squad featuring experienced campaigners Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama, all aiming to force their way back into the senior national setup. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule Live-streaming details Fans in India can watch the tri-series live on the Sony Sports Network. For online viewers, live streaming will be available through the SonyLIV website and app. Series schedule

India A, featuring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma, Priyansh Arya and Riyan Parag, will tour Sri Lanka for a tri-nation series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.

India A Tri-Series in Sri Lanka 2026: Full schedule, venues, squads, timings & live-streaming details

BCCI (Men’s) Selection Committee chairman Ajit Agarkar said on Saturday that Jasprit Bumrah has been left out of the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England as part of workload management and to ensure his long-term fitness for ODIs and Tests. The India pacer has been rested from the T20I tours as the team shifts focus towards ODI preparations ahead of the 2027 World Cup, although he has been named in a full-strength squad for the 2026 Asian Games cricket competition.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Bumrah is also not part of the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan, which began on Jun 6. Speaking at the squad announcement press conference, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Bumrah remains a key player across formats, particularly for major events such as the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-team-told-to-enter-leave-us-on-match-days-under-strict-rule-1780804865166">FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran team told to enter &amp; leave US on match days under strict rule</a>&nbsp;He added that the focus is on keeping Bumrah fit for Tests and ODIs by carefully managing his workload in lower-priority series. "One-Day World Cup, obviously, like T20 World Cup, we know how important he is, plus the WTC cycle, we've still got a chance, if we play well enough over these next nine tests, this one is not part of WTC, the Afghanistan one. But if we can have Jasprit play majority of those games and still keep him fit and healthy, it's always the thing. There's a lot of T20 cricket; you can always bring him back. Asian Games, he will be there, so yeah, the main aim is to try and keep him fit for the Test and the ODI," Agarkar said. India will start their white-ball tour of Ireland and England with a two-match T20I series against Ireland, with games scheduled for Jun 26 and 28. They will then head to England for a five-match T20I series beginning on Jul 1.

India will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series in Belfast from Jun 26 to 28, before taking on England in a five-match series from Jul 1 to 11.

BCCI (Men’s) Selection Committee chairman Ajit Agarkar said on Saturday that Jasprit Bumrah has been left out of the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England as part of workload management and to ensure his long-term fitness for ODIs and Tests. The India pacer has been rested from the T20I tours as the team shifts focus towards ODI preparations ahead of the 2027 World Cup, although he has been named in a full-strength squad for the 2026 Asian Games cricket competition. Meanwhile, Bumrah is also not part of the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan, which began on Jun 6. Speaking at the squad announcement press conference, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Bumrah remains a key player across formats, particularly for major events such as the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule He added that the focus is on keeping Bumrah fit for Tests and ODIs by carefully managing his workload in lower-priority series. "One-Day World Cup, obviously, like T20 World Cup, we know how important he is, plus the WTC cycle, we've still got a chance, if we play well enough over these next nine tests, this one is not part of WTC, the Afghanistan one. But if we can have Jasprit play majority of those games and still keep him fit and healthy, it's always the thing. There's a lot of T20 cricket; you can always bring him back. Asian Games, he will be there, so yeah, the main aim is to try and keep him fit for the Test and the ODI," Agarkar said. India will start their white-ball tour of Ireland and England with a two-match T20I series against Ireland, with games scheduled for Jun 26 and 28. They will then head to England for a five-match T20I series beginning on Jul 1.

India will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series in Belfast from Jun 26 to 28, before taking on England in a five-match series from Jul 1 to 11.

'Main aim is to keep him fit for Test & ODI': Agarkar on Bumrah missing Ireland, England T20I series

Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, has stated that the country’s national football team will be required to enter the United States only on the day of each FIFA World Cup 2026 match and depart later the same day. The development comes after members of Iran’s World Cup squad received US visas on Friday, however, several officials accompanying the team, including Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, were reportedly denied visas, sparking fresh diplomatic tensions between the two countries.&nbsp;Iran’s squad departed for Tijuana in Mexico on Saturday, where they will be based throughout the tournament. The team had initially planned to establish its training camp in Arizona but opted for Mexico instead amid strained relations with the United States.<h3>Strict travel conditions</h3>According to Pasandideh, the visa terms imposed on the team require players and staff to enter and leave US territory on the same day as their fixtures.&nbsp;“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,” Iran’s envoy Pasandideh told reporters.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sacked-t20i-skipper-suryakumar-yadav-sends-classy-message-to-new-captain-shreyas-iyer-t20-mumbai-league-india-squad-for-uk-tour-1780763200350">‘Very, very happy for Shreyas’: Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer</a>&nbsp;His remarks appear to contradict earlier comments from team spokesperson Amir Mahdi Alavi, who said the visas granted to the squad permit multiple entries.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suryakumar-yadav-t20i-run-may-be-over-but-his-captaincy-record-eclipses-ms-dhoni-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-1780752584930">Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over,but his captaincy record eclipses greats</a>&nbsp;“The visas issued for the national team are multiple-entry visas, and the national team will arrive at the match venue one day before the first game and, for the following games, two days prior to each match,” Alavi had said.&nbsp;Competing in Group G, Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on Jun 15 and Jun 21 respectively, before concluding their group-stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on Jun 26.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds.&nbsp;All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (<a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>).

As the Iranian team travels for the FIFA World Cup 2026, they have been informed that their visa conditions require them to enter and leave the United States on the same day as their matches.

Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, has stated that the country’s national football team will be required to enter the United States only on the day of each FIFA World Cup 2026 match and depart later the same day. The development comes after members of Iran’s World Cup squad received US visas on Friday, however, several officials accompanying the team, including Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, were reportedly denied visas, sparking fresh diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Iran’s squad departed for Tijuana in Mexico on Saturday, where they will be based throughout the tournament. The team had initially planned to establish its training camp in Arizona but opted for Mexico instead amid strained relations with the United States. Strict travel conditions According to Pasandideh, the visa terms imposed on the team require players and staff to enter and leave US territory on the same day as their fixtures. “We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,” Iran’s envoy Pasandideh told reporters. Also Read - ‘Very, very happy for Shreyas’: Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer His remarks appear to contradict earlier comments from team spokesperson Amir Mahdi Alavi, who said the visas granted to the squad permit multiple entries. Also Read - Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over,but his captaincy record eclipses greats “The visas issued for the national team are multiple-entry visas, and the national team will arrive at the match venue one day before the first game and, for the following games, two days prior to each match,” Alavi had said. Competing in Group G, Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on Jun 15 and Jun 21 respectively, before concluding their group-stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on Jun 26. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (https://www.zee5.com/).

As the Iranian team travels for the FIFA World Cup 2026, they have been informed that their visa conditions require them to enter and leave the United States on the same day as their matches.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule

Rohit Sharma has shared his thoughts on the leadership transition in India’s men’s T20I team, officially confirmed on Saturday (Jun 6), with Shreyas Iyer succeeding Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Rohit expressed confidence that Shreyas would have a good time in the role, while also praising Suryakumar’s remarkable journey from a late international debut to leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup triumph. Speaking at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during a Mumbai T20 League fixture between Suryakumar-led Triumphs Knights MNE and SoBo Mumbai Falcons, which featured Shreyas Iyer as batter, Rohit reflected on the importance of domestic competitions in developing talent alongside the IPL.&nbsp;“Surya led the team to the World Cup, and now Shreyas has been appointed the captain," Rohit said on the broadcast. “I am sure that, with how he has captained his franchise, Mumbai, he’s going to have a good time as well. Nothing has come easy for so many of these cricketers, especially for Surya. he made his India debut at 31, if I am not wrong, so that shows he was always up for the fight. When the chance came, he wanted to grab it with both hands, and he did."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-iraq-forward-held-for-seven-hours-by-us-authorities-here-s-what-we-know-1780802263358">FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for seven hours by US authorities - Here's what we know</a>&nbsp;After leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit retired from the format, paving the way for Suryakumar to take over and under his leadership, India enjoyed an unbeaten run in T20I series for two years and successfully defended their world title by defeating New Zealand in the 2026 final in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;However, despite a promising start as captain, Suryakumar’s batting form dipped after 2025. His average dropped into the 20s across international cricket and the IPL, while the explosive strike rate that once made him the world’s top-ranked T20 batter also declined.&nbsp;Although he produced occasional standout performances, including a crucial half-century against the USA during the World Cup, but his overall numbers were not convincing enough for selectors to retain him as captain.

Rohit Sharma praised Suryakumar Yadav for guiding India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title and also expressed confidence in new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, backing him to succeed based on his strong leadership in franchise cricket.

Rohit Sharma has shared his thoughts on the leadership transition in India’s men’s T20I team, officially confirmed on Saturday (Jun 6), with Shreyas Iyer succeeding Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Rohit expressed confidence that Shreyas would have a good time in the role, while also praising Suryakumar’s remarkable journey from a late international debut to leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup triumph. Speaking at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during a Mumbai T20 League fixture between Suryakumar-led Triumphs Knights MNE and SoBo Mumbai Falcons, which featured Shreyas Iyer as batter, Rohit reflected on the importance of domestic competitions in developing talent alongside the IPL. “Surya led the team to the World Cup, and now Shreyas has been appointed the captain," Rohit said on the broadcast. “I am sure that, with how he has captained his franchise, Mumbai, he’s going to have a good time as well. Nothing has come easy for so many of these cricketers, especially for Surya. he made his India debut at 31, if I am not wrong, so that shows he was always up for the fight. When the chance came, he wanted to grab it with both hands, and he did." Also Read - FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for seven hours by US authorities - Here's what we know After leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit retired from the format, paving the way for Suryakumar to take over and under his leadership, India enjoyed an unbeaten run in T20I series for two years and successfully defended their world title by defeating New Zealand in the 2026 final in Ahmedabad. However, despite a promising start as captain, Suryakumar’s batting form dipped after 2025. His average dropped into the 20s across international cricket and the IPL, while the explosive strike rate that once made him the world’s top-ranked T20 batter also declined. Although he produced occasional standout performances, including a crucial half-century against the USA during the World Cup, but his overall numbers were not convincing enough for selectors to retain him as captain.

Rohit Sharma praised Suryakumar Yadav for guiding India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title and also expressed confidence in new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, backing him to succeed based on his strong leadership in franchise cricket.

'Nothing has come easy...': Rohit Sharma breaks silence on Suryakumar Yadav's T20 captaincy snub

Iraq’s star striker, Aymen Hussein, was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours after arriving in the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to an Iraqi sports official. Hussein, whose goal secured Iraq’s place at the tournament, was stopped by authorities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport early Saturday and after undergoing extensive questioning, he was eventually permitted to enter the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Hussein was eventually allowed to enter, Iraq's national team photographer Talal Salah was refused entry after being held for more than 10 hours. An official familiar with the situation said Hussein's phone was also inspected during the lengthy interrogation process.&nbsp;&nbsp;"National team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States," the official said.&nbsp;Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor US authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security, immediately commented on the reported incidents.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sacked-t20i-skipper-suryakumar-yadav-sends-classy-message-to-new-captain-shreyas-iyer-t20-mumbai-league-india-squad-for-uk-tour-1780763200350">‘Very, very happy for Shreyas’: Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer</a>&nbsp;The incident occurred just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suryakumar-yadav-t20i-run-may-be-over-but-his-captaincy-record-eclipses-ms-dhoni-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-1780752584930">Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over,but his captaincy record eclipses greats</a>&nbsp;Videos shared on social media showed Iraqi supporters gathering at the airport in the early hours of Saturday to welcome the national team. Fans were seen waving Iraqi flags and taking photos with players as they arrived.&nbsp;Iraq are preparing for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The squad will be spearheaded by the 30-year-old Hussein, alongside Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi and emerging talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.&nbsp;&nbsp;Drawn in Group I, Iraq will face France, Senegal and Norway during the tournament’s group stage.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds.All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (<a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>).

While Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was eventually granted entry into the United States, national team photographer Talal Salah was denied after being detained for more than 10 hours.

Iraq’s star striker, Aymen Hussein, was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours after arriving in the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to an Iraqi sports official. Hussein, whose goal secured Iraq’s place at the tournament, was stopped by authorities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport early Saturday and after undergoing extensive questioning, he was eventually permitted to enter the country. While Hussein was eventually allowed to enter, Iraq's national team photographer Talal Salah was refused entry after being held for more than 10 hours. An official familiar with the situation said Hussein's phone was also inspected during the lengthy interrogation process. "National team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States," the official said. Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor US authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security, immediately commented on the reported incidents. Also Read - ‘Very, very happy for Shreyas’: Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer The incident occurred just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Also Read - Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over,but his captaincy record eclipses greats Videos shared on social media showed Iraqi supporters gathering at the airport in the early hours of Saturday to welcome the national team. Fans were seen waving Iraqi flags and taking photos with players as they arrived. Iraq are preparing for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The squad will be spearheaded by the 30-year-old Hussein, alongside Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi and emerging talents Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn. Drawn in Group I, Iraq will face France, Senegal and Norway during the tournament’s group stage. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (https://www.zee5.com/).

While Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was eventually granted entry into the United States, national team photographer Talal Salah was denied after being detained for more than 10 hours.

FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for seven hours by US authorities - Here's what we know

Hours after being officially sacked as Team India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav had just best wishes for the newly appointed skipper, Shreyas Iyer. The BCCI selectors announced squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England starting June 26 and for the Asian Games in late September, dropping SKY. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel picked Iyer as his replacement, marking a significant shift towards the future with an aim for gold at the LA28 Games and the record fourth T20 World Cup crown Down Under.&nbsp;Speaking at the toss for Triumphs Knights MNE against SoBo Mumbai Falcons on Saturday (June 6), Suryakumar was full of praise for his fellow Mumbaikar, emphasising a historic milestone for local cricket. He said what makes him happier is that the last three Indian T20I captains have been from Mumbai (Rohit, Suryakumar and now Iyer).&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suryakumar-yadav-t20i-run-may-be-over-but-his-captaincy-record-eclipses-ms-dhoni-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-1780752584930">Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit</a> &nbsp;“Very happy for Shreyas Iyer. We played a lot of cricket for Mumbai and India together. Most importantly, three back-to-back T20I captains for India from Mumbai now, and it is a very proud moment for all of us at Mumbai cricket,” SKY said. &nbsp;Interestingly, Iyer, representing SoBo Mumbai Falcons, was benched for the fixture.<h3>SKY performs after facing India axe</h3>Out of the T20I setup, SKY, 35, found his form back during the match, hitting 48 off just 24 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours. He was the highest run-getter for his team, with the Triumphs scoring 147 for eight batting first. &nbsp;Meanwhile, it was his lean patch that forced the selectors to look beyond SKY in the T20Is. On the other hand, with Iyer proving his captaincy credentials (having led KKR to its third IPL title in 2024) and batting form for the Punjab Kings in the past two seasons, he became the selectors’ first choice. &nbsp;Iyer will lead India’s T20I squads in the UK and at the Asian Games, which also include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.&nbsp;

Suryakumar Yadav breaks his silence hours after being sacked as India's T20 skipper, backing new captain Shreyas Iyer before smashing a blistering 24-ball 48 in the T20 Mumbai League.

Hours after being officially sacked as Team India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav had just best wishes for the newly appointed skipper, Shreyas Iyer. The BCCI selectors announced squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England starting June 26 and for the Asian Games in late September, dropping SKY. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel picked Iyer as his replacement, marking a significant shift towards the future with an aim for gold at the LA28 Games and the record fourth T20 World Cup crown Down Under. Speaking at the toss for Triumphs Knights MNE against SoBo Mumbai Falcons on Saturday (June 6), Suryakumar was full of praise for his fellow Mumbaikar, emphasising a historic milestone for local cricket. He said what makes him happier is that the last three Indian T20I captains have been from Mumbai (Rohit, Suryakumar and now Iyer). Also read | Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit “Very happy for Shreyas Iyer. We played a lot of cricket for Mumbai and India together. Most importantly, three back-to-back T20I captains for India from Mumbai now, and it is a very proud moment for all of us at Mumbai cricket,” SKY said. Interestingly, Iyer, representing SoBo Mumbai Falcons, was benched for the fixture. SKY performs after facing India axe Out of the T20I setup, SKY, 35, found his form back during the match, hitting 48 off just 24 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours. He was the highest run-getter for his team, with the Triumphs scoring 147 for eight batting first. Meanwhile, it was his lean patch that forced the selectors to look beyond SKY in the T20Is. On the other hand, with Iyer proving his captaincy credentials (having led KKR to its third IPL title in 2024) and batting form for the Punjab Kings in the past two seasons, he became the selectors’ first choice. Iyer will lead India’s T20I squads in the UK and at the Asian Games, which also include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Suryakumar Yadav breaks his silence hours after being sacked as India's T20 skipper, backing new captain Shreyas Iyer before smashing a blistering 24-ball 48 in the T20 Mumbai League.

‘Very, very happy for Shreyas’: Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva stunned the tennis world with her maiden Grand Slam win at Roland Garros 2026. The fan favourite beat Polish Maja Chwalinska in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest French Open women’s singles champion since Monica Seles (18) in 1992. Her first major crown also sees her become the first player, man or woman, born after 2005 to win a tennis Grand Slam.<h3>WATCH Winning Moment -</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MIRRA THE CHAMPION 🏆<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/RolandGarros?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RolandGarros</a> <a href="https://t.co/mbInya59hj">pic.twitter.com/mbInya59hj</a>&mdash; Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://x.com/rolandgarros/status/2063272999843725594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chwalinska displayed some early nerves as she dumped two serves straight into the net on the very first point of the match, with Andreeva finally forcing a break at the end of a seven-minute-long opening game. But the Pole broke back instantly as Andreeva overcooked a backhand down the line following a series of looping defensive shots coming from both sides of the court at 30-40.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/roland-garros-2026-alexander-zverev-marches-into-second-french-open-final-after-comfortable-win-over-mensik-1780676999970">Flavio Cobolli to face Alexander Zverev in Roland Garros final on Sunday</a> &nbsp;Both players seemed to be struggling with the occasion, a situation not helped by blustery conditions on centre court, as two more consecutive breaks came about. &nbsp;Chwalinska then put an end to that as she held to love, bringing the crowd to their feet as she showed the variety of her shot selection by drawing Andreeva to the net with a drop shot before lobbing her with a perfectly weighted volley en route to taking a 3-2 lead. But Andreeva showed she was willing to go toe-to-toe with her opponent as she waited patiently to strike with a winner up the line before slamming down an ace to earn her first hold of the match. &nbsp;The Russian dug in and moved into the ascendancy as she pounced on a Chwalinska service game that was particularly impacted by the wind, as several court-side spectators saw their straw hats fly off in the breeze. She then reeled off a comfortable hold before powering to a one-set lead, breaking Chwalinska again with a crosscourt backhand winner. &nbsp;Andreeva kept on a roll as Chwalinska compiled errors to go behind early in the second frame. &nbsp;Two Andreeva errors and an unplayable drop shot gave the Pole the chance to instantly wipe out that advantage, but the teen showed serious mettle to pull off a battling hold, and at 3-0 the writing looked on the wall for Chwalinska. &nbsp;Andreeva then rattled through the next two games to move to the brink. But Chwalinska refused to give in and held to make it 5-1, before breaking Andreeva as she served for the match. &nbsp;However, the new world number six was not to be denied as she pounced in the very next game to claim the biggest trophy so far of her fledgling career. &nbsp;A backhand winner sending her crumpling to her knees as she surpassed her coach Conchita Martinez's 2000 runner-up finish at Roland Garros.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva has won the 2026 French Open, defeating Maja Chwalińska 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest Roland Garros champion since 1992. Read the full match report.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva stunned the tennis world with her maiden Grand Slam win at Roland Garros 2026. The fan favourite beat Polish Maja Chwalinska in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest French Open women’s singles champion since Monica Seles (18) in 1992. Her first major crown also sees her become the first player, man or woman, born after 2005 to win a tennis Grand Slam. WATCH Winning Moment -

Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva has won the 2026 French Open, defeating Maja Chwalińska 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest Roland Garros champion since 1992. Read the full match report.

Russian teen Mirra Andreeva stuns tennis world with maiden French Open crown

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted there was not much he could do other than hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his maiden India call-up for the upcoming UK tour and the Asian Games. Agarkar, who chaired the selection meet on Saturday in Mumbai, added, ‘Sooryavanshi picked himself’ after his IPL 2026 exploits. The 15-year-old batting sensation broke records in only his second IPL season. Winning the Orange Cap for scoring 776 runs in 16 matches was among the five awards he won, creating history. His tally alone also helped Rajasthan Royals reach the playoffs this season.&nbsp;"I think he just has picked himself, really," Agarkar said of Sooryavanshi’s selection. "With his performances, he has almost forced us to pick him with how well he has played. For a young kid… I don't need to talk about how well he is playing. And it's not just this season. He obviously had a great start [to his IPL career] last season. &nbsp;"And to back it up for a young kid in a competition that's as competitive and has a high-pressure environment, and how explosive he can be and a game-changer that he can be. Like everyone else that has watched T20 cricket in India, we have got high hopes of him,” he added. &nbsp;Following his IPL debut last season, the then 14-year-old smashed a record 35-ball hundred against the Gujarat Titans in only his third IPL match, becoming the youngest to do so and the quickest among Indians. Even this season, he took the attack to some of the best seamers in the world, including taking the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc to the cleaners.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suryakumar-yadav-t20i-run-may-be-over-but-his-captaincy-record-eclipses-ms-dhoni-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-1780752584930">Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit</a> &nbsp;Beyond the IPL colours, he also helped India’s Under-19 side to lift an ODI World Cup trophy early this year, smashing the second-fastest hundred (in 55 balls), clobbering a six-filled 175 against England in the final. His exploits elsewhere, too, convinced the selectors and broadcasters that he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. &nbsp;"I know his age, and how young he is, and how early in his career, but two IPLs in a row [he has done well]," Agarkar said. "We know what he was doing at the Under-19 level, and that's probably perhaps a step down to what the IPL is or slightly lower [than what] senior cricket is. But we can all see what kind of talent he has. We're hopeful that if and when he gets an opportunity to actually play for the country, he shows us the same sort of ability that he's shown. &nbsp;"Obviously, there will be tougher challenges when he plays for the country, but he's shown great promise and temperament. We always deliberate because there's so much talent around, especially when it comes to T20 cricket at this point. But it tells you a lot that his performances have made us pick him, and we're very hopeful,” he added.<h3>Excitement around his selection</h3>Agarkar revealed how everyone is excited about his selection in the senior men’s team.&nbsp; &nbsp;"We're very excited with what he's doing in T20 cricket. And hopefully, you know, us as selectors or the BCCI and the coaching staff can help him push in the right direction. At this point, we're just focused on what he can bring to the T20 team, and we'll take one step at a time,” he concluded. &nbsp;Meanwhile, for now, Sooryavanshi is part of the India-A squad for the ODI tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Dambulla, starting June 9.&nbsp;

"He just picked himself." BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar opens up on fast-tracking 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into India's senior T20I squad after his record-breaking 776-run IPL season.

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted there was not much he could do other than hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his maiden India call-up for the upcoming UK tour and the Asian Games. Agarkar, who chaired the selection meet on Saturday in Mumbai, added, ‘Sooryavanshi picked himself’ after his IPL 2026 exploits. The 15-year-old batting sensation broke records in only his second IPL season. Winning the Orange Cap for scoring 776 runs in 16 matches was among the five awards he won, creating history. His tally alone also helped Rajasthan Royals reach the playoffs this season. "I think he just has picked himself, really," Agarkar said of Sooryavanshi’s selection. "With his performances, he has almost forced us to pick him with how well he has played. For a young kid… I don't need to talk about how well he is playing. And it's not just this season. He obviously had a great start [to his IPL career] last season. "And to back it up for a young kid in a competition that's as competitive and has a high-pressure environment, and how explosive he can be and a game-changer that he can be. Like everyone else that has watched T20 cricket in India, we have got high hopes of him,” he added. Following his IPL debut last season, the then 14-year-old smashed a record 35-ball hundred against the Gujarat Titans in only his third IPL match, becoming the youngest to do so and the quickest among Indians. Even this season, he took the attack to some of the best seamers in the world, including taking the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc to the cleaners. Also read | Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit Beyond the IPL colours, he also helped India’s Under-19 side to lift an ODI World Cup trophy early this year, smashing the second-fastest hundred (in 55 balls), clobbering a six-filled 175 against England in the final. His exploits elsewhere, too, convinced the selectors and broadcasters that he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. "I know his age, and how young he is, and how early in his career, but two IPLs in a row [he has done well]," Agarkar said. "We know what he was doing at the Under-19 level, and that's probably perhaps a step down to what the IPL is or slightly lower [than what] senior cricket is. But we can all see what kind of talent he has. We're hopeful that if and when he gets an opportunity to actually play for the country, he shows us the same sort of ability that he's shown. "Obviously, there will be tougher challenges when he plays for the country, but he's shown great promise and temperament. We always deliberate because there's so much talent around, especially when it comes to T20 cricket at this point. But it tells you a lot that his performances have made us pick him, and we're very hopeful,” he added. Excitement around his selection Agarkar revealed how everyone is excited about his selection in the senior men’s team. "We're very excited with what he's doing in T20 cricket. And hopefully, you know, us as selectors or the BCCI and the coaching staff can help him push in the right direction. At this point, we're just focused on what he can bring to the T20 team, and we'll take one step at a time,” he concluded. Meanwhile, for now, Sooryavanshi is part of the India-A squad for the ODI tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Dambulla, starting June 9.

"He just picked himself." BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar opens up on fast-tracking 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into India's senior T20I squad after his record-breaking 776-run IPL season.

‘Think he just picked himself’: Ajit Agarkar on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s maiden India call-up

Team India’s SKY breached the skies to achieve greatness but fell on the other side of things as age and form caught up with him. Suryakumar Yadav, the most successful Indian T20I captain, found no place in the squads picked for the away UK tour and the Asian Games just months after leading the Men in Blue to its record third world title. While he was the most-talked-about player and captain in March after helping India defend its T20 crown, the selectors decided to replace him with Shreyas Iyer three months later.&nbsp;His time in T20Is might be up, but his legacy as a captain eclipses even the best, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. &nbsp;Moments after Rohit Sharma led the Indian Team to end its ICC trophy drought in 2024 in the Americas, with a thrilling win over South Africa in the final in Barbados, he decided to step aside from the format. His teammate and former captain, Virat Kohli, also followed the same path, leaving the selectors with the massive task of appointing a new leader and rebuilding the transition squad.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squads-for-england-ireland-tour-sooryavanshi-earns-call-up-shreyas-named-new-captain-1780732332687">India squads for England &amp; Ireland tour: Sooryavanshi earns call-up, Shreyas named new captain</a> &nbsp;With not many options to choose from, the selectors handpicked India’s best T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, as the T20I captain.&nbsp;<h3>The SKY era begins!</h3>His appointment brought a sea of changes to the side, with specialists finding a place in the XI for the home and away tours. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma became regulars, Ishan Kishan found his place back in the team, and Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya continued as mainstays. All began revolving around SKY and his leadership, with Team India benefiting the most. &nbsp;Since he took over as a permanent captain, Suryakumar’s Indian team has transformed into an unbeatable unit, playing a brand of cricket that is beyond fearlessness. Under his leadership, India scored 200s for fun, even at the most challenging grounds, with its top order clobbering hundreds just like that. &nbsp;The bowling improved by leaps and bounds, with Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah and the return of Varun Chakravarthy turning games on their heads. India's mystery spinner peaked in these two years, winning matches for India and also claiming the number one position in the ICC rankings for T20I bowlers.<h3>The final frontier</h3>Fast forward to the 2026 T20 World Cup, SKY maintained an unbeaten record as a captain in bilateral series and looked like the right man to lead India to another World Cup victory.&nbsp;Even though he failed to contribute enough with the bat at the showpiece event, his captaincy was top-notch, with the Men in Blue lifting the 2026 T20 WC trophy in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, little did he know that it would be the final time he would don the blue jersey. Although he hasn’t retired yet, his chances of returning to the T20I setup after the selection panel’s ‘eye on the future’ look bleak. Even if he doesn’t, his legacy as a batter and captain surpasses even the most talked-about skippers in Indian Cricket history.<h3>Dig into numbers</h3>To understand how good he actually was as an Indian T20I captain, here are the numbers.&nbsp;

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Captains</td><td>Matches</td><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>Win Percentage</td></tr><tr><td>Suryakumar Yadav</td><td>52</td><td>42</td><td>10</td><td>80.76%</td></tr><tr><td>Rohit Sharma</td><td>62</td><td>49</td><td>12</td><td>79.03%</td></tr><tr><td>Virat Kohli</td><td>50</td><td>30</td><td>16</td><td>64.58%</td></tr><tr><td>MS Dhoni</td><td>72</td><td>41</td><td>28</td><td>59.28%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run is over just months after a World Cup triumph. Dive into the historic stats that prove his captaincy record eclipses even MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.

Team India’s SKY breached the skies to achieve greatness but fell on the other side of things as age and form caught up with him. Suryakumar Yadav, the most successful Indian T20I captain, found no place in the squads picked for the away UK tour and the Asian Games just months after leading the Men in Blue to its record third world title. While he was the most-talked-about player and captain in March after helping India defend its T20 crown, the selectors decided to replace him with Shreyas Iyer three months later. His time in T20Is might be up, but his legacy as a captain eclipses even the best, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. Moments after Rohit Sharma led the Indian Team to end its ICC trophy drought in 2024 in the Americas, with a thrilling win over South Africa in the final in Barbados, he decided to step aside from the format. His teammate and former captain, Virat Kohli, also followed the same path, leaving the selectors with the massive task of appointing a new leader and rebuilding the transition squad. Also read | India squads for England & Ireland tour: Sooryavanshi earns call-up, Shreyas named new captain With not many options to choose from, the selectors handpicked India’s best T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, as the T20I captain. The SKY era begins! His appointment brought a sea of changes to the side, with specialists finding a place in the XI for the home and away tours. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma became regulars, Ishan Kishan found his place back in the team, and Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya continued as mainstays. All began revolving around SKY and his leadership, with Team India benefiting the most. Since he took over as a permanent captain, Suryakumar’s Indian team has transformed into an unbeatable unit, playing a brand of cricket that is beyond fearlessness. Under his leadership, India scored 200s for fun, even at the most challenging grounds, with its top order clobbering hundreds just like that. The bowling improved by leaps and bounds, with Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah and the return of Varun Chakravarthy turning games on their heads. India's mystery spinner peaked in these two years, winning matches for India and also claiming the number one position in the ICC rankings for T20I bowlers. The final frontier Fast forward to the 2026 T20 World Cup, SKY maintained an unbeaten record as a captain in bilateral series and looked like the right man to lead India to another World Cup victory. Even though he failed to contribute enough with the bat at the showpiece event, his captaincy was top-notch, with the Men in Blue lifting the 2026 T20 WC trophy in Ahmedabad. However, little did he know that it would be the final time he would don the blue jersey. Although he hasn’t retired yet, his chances of returning to the T20I setup after the selection panel’s ‘eye on the future’ look bleak. Even if he doesn’t, his legacy as a batter and captain surpasses even the most talked-about skippers in Indian Cricket history. Dig into numbers To understand how good he actually was as an Indian T20I captain, here are the numbers.

Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run is over just months after a World Cup triumph. Dive into the historic stats that prove his captaincy record eclipses even MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.

Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit

When the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, India will once again be watching from afar. The Blue Tigers failed to secure a place at football's biggest tournament, extending a wait that stretches back decades. Yet despite India's absence, traces of the country will still be present on the world stage. Four players of Indian origin are expected to represent different countries at the World Cup. Their stories are not merely heartwarming tales of a successful diaspora. They offer something far more important: a window into what modern football development looks like when talent is placed inside the right system. For Indian football administrators, coaches, and fans, the journeys of these players raise a difficult question. If footballers with Indian roots can reach the World Cup elsewhere, what are those countries doing differently?<h2>The World Cup dream India couldn't build</h2>For years, discussions about Indian football have revolved around passion. The country has millions of football fans. Stadiums fill up in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast. The Indian Super League has increased visibility and investment.Yet India remains absent from football's elite table. The stories of Indian-origin players competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 suggest the issue is not a lack of talent. Instead, the difference lies in the systems that identify, nurture, and develop that talent from childhood.<h2>Qatar's academy model: Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid</h2>One of the most fascinating stories belongs to Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, a young winger born in Doha to Malayali parents from Kerala. His development pathway reflects Qatar's long-term investment in football infrastructure. Rather than relying on chance, Qatar built an ecosystem designed to identify talented youngsters early and expose them to elite coaching, sports science, and international competition. The result is a teenager capable of competing on football's biggest stage before turning 20. For India, the lesson is clear: talent identification cannot depend solely on local tournaments or sporadic scouting. It requires a nationwide, organised system capable of finding and developing promising players from a young age.<h2>Australia's football ladder: Nishan Velupillay</h2>Nishan Velupillay's rise through Australian football highlights another area where India continues to lag. Born in Melbourne to a family with Tamil and Anglo-Indian roots, Velupillay progressed through community football before entering professional academy structures and eventually reaching the A-League. His journey followed a clear and predictable pathway. At every stage, there was a next step. From grassroots football to academy development and then professional football, the route was already mapped out. In India, many talented youngsters still struggle to find that bridge between local football and the professional game. Too often, promising careers end before they truly begin.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-england-s-secret-weapon-against-heat-a-device-that-cools-through-the-palm-1780732596198">FIFA World Cup 2026: Thomas Tuchel England's secret weapon against heat? A device that cools through the palm</a><h2>New Zealand's sporting culture: Sarpreet Singh</h2>Sarpreet Singh's story demonstrates the importance of culture as much as infrastructure. Born to Punjabi parents in New Zealand, Singh grew up playing multiple sports before emerging as one of the country's brightest football talents. His development eventually earned him a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs. But behind that success was a sporting environment that encouraged participation, experimentation, and long-term growth. Families could see a viable future in professional sport. That remains a challenge in India, where football often struggles for attention against cricket and where many parents remain uncertain about the long-term prospects of a sporting career. Building trust in football as a profession may be just as important as building stadiums and academies.<h2>Samuel Moutoussamy and the European standard</h2>Perhaps the most revealing example is Samuel Moutoussamy. Born in France to an Indo-Guadeloupean father of Tamil heritage and a Congolese mother, Moutoussamy developed within one of the world's most competitive football ecosystems. French football academies are renowned for producing technically gifted and tactically intelligent players capable of competing at the highest level. Every training session is intense. Every match carries consequences. Every young player faces fierce competition.That environment accelerates development. Indian football has made progress in recent years, but the overall intensity, tactical sophistication, and competitive depth remain far behind leading European and Asian football nations.<h2>The real lesson for Indian football</h2>The success of Indian-origin players at the FIFA World Cup 2026 challenges one of football's oldest misconceptions. For decades, critics have suggested that South Asians are somehow unsuited to elite football. The evidence increasingly points elsewhere. The issue is not heritage. It is an opportunity. These players were not created by extraordinary genetics or luck. They were products of systems that invested heavily in coaching, infrastructure, scouting, and player development. The countries they represent built pathways that transformed potential into performance.<h2>India's World Cup future depends on the blueprint</h2>For Indian football, the World Cup should not simply be viewed as a month-long spectacle. It should be treated as a case study.The journeys of Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, Nishan Velupillay, Sarpreet Singh, and Samuel Moutoussamy reveal what becomes possible when players of Indian origin grow up inside elite football ecosystems. India's challenge is not finding talent. Its challenge is building a system capable of developing that talent consistently. Until that happens, Indian football may continue to watch the World Cup from the sidelines, even as players with Indian roots take centre stage for other nations.

India failed to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026, yet four Indian-origin footballers will feature on the biggest stage. Here's what their success reveals about Indian football's development gap

When the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, India will once again be watching from afar. The Blue Tigers failed to secure a place at football's biggest tournament, extending a wait that stretches back decades. Yet despite India's absence, traces of the country will still be present on the world stage. Four players of Indian origin are expected to represent different countries at the World Cup. Their stories are not merely heartwarming tales of a successful diaspora. They offer something far more important: a window into what modern football development looks like when talent is placed inside the right system. For Indian football administrators, coaches, and fans, the journeys of these players raise a difficult question. If footballers with Indian roots can reach the World Cup elsewhere, what are those countries doing differently? The World Cup dream India couldn't build For years, discussions about Indian football have revolved around passion. The country has millions of football fans. Stadiums fill up in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast. The Indian Super League has increased visibility and investment. Yet India remains absent from football's elite table. The stories of Indian-origin players competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 suggest the issue is not a lack of talent. Instead, the difference lies in the systems that identify, nurture, and develop that talent from childhood. Qatar's academy model: Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid One of the most fascinating stories belongs to Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, a young winger born in Doha to Malayali parents from Kerala. His development pathway reflects Qatar's long-term investment in football infrastructure. Rather than relying on chance, Qatar built an ecosystem designed to identify talented youngsters early and expose them to elite coaching, sports science, and international competition. The result is a teenager capable of competing on football's biggest stage before turning 20. For India, the lesson is clear: talent identification cannot depend solely on local tournaments or sporadic scouting. It requires a nationwide, organised system capable of finding and developing promising players from a young age. Australia's football ladder: Nishan Velupillay Nishan Velupillay's rise through Australian football highlights another area where India continues to lag. Born in Melbourne to a family with Tamil and Anglo-Indian roots, Velupillay progressed through community football before entering professional academy structures and eventually reaching the A-League. His journey followed a clear and predictable pathway. At every stage, there was a next step. From grassroots football to academy development and then professional football, the route was already mapped out. In India, many talented youngsters still struggle to find that bridge between local football and the professional game. Too often, promising careers end before they truly begin. Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Thomas Tuchel England's secret weapon against heat? A device that cools through the palm New Zealand's sporting culture: Sarpreet Singh Sarpreet Singh's story demonstrates the importance of culture as much as infrastructure. Born to Punjabi parents in New Zealand, Singh grew up playing multiple sports before emerging as one of the country's brightest football talents. His development eventually earned him a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs. But behind that success was a sporting environment that encouraged participation, experimentation, and long-term growth. Families could see a viable future in professional sport. That remains a challenge in India, where football often struggles for attention against cricket and where many parents remain uncertain about the long-term prospects of a sporting career. Building trust in football as a profession may be just as important as building stadiums and academies. Samuel Moutoussamy and the European standard Perhaps the most revealing example is Samuel Moutoussamy. Born in France to an Indo-Guadeloupean father of Tamil heritage and a Congolese mother, Moutoussamy developed within one of the world's most competitive football ecosystems. French football academies are renowned for producing technically gifted and tactically intelligent players capable of competing at the highest level. Every training session is intense. Every match carries consequences. Every young player faces fierce competition. That environment accelerates development. Indian football has made progress in recent years, but the overall intensity, tactical sophistication, and competitive depth remain far behind leading European and Asian football nations. The real lesson for Indian football The success of Indian-origin players at the FIFA World Cup 2026 challenges one of football's oldest misconceptions. For decades, critics have suggested that South Asians are somehow unsuited to elite football. The evidence increasingly points elsewhere. The issue is not heritage. It is an opportunity. These players were not created by extraordinary genetics or luck. They were products of systems that invested heavily in coaching, infrastructure, scouting, and player development. The countries they represent built pathways that transformed potential into performance. India's World Cup future depends on the blueprint For Indian football, the World Cup should not simply be viewed as a month-long spectacle. It should be treated as a case study. The journeys of Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, Nishan Velupillay, Sarpreet Singh, and Samuel Moutoussamy reveal what becomes possible when players of Indian origin grow up inside elite football ecosystems. India's challenge is not finding talent. Its challenge is building a system capable of developing that talent consistently. Until that happens, Indian football may continue to watch the World Cup from the sidelines, even as players with Indian roots take centre stage for other nations.

From Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, Nishan Velupillay, Sarpreet Singh, and Samuel Moutoussamy, these four Indian-origin footballers will feature in the FIFA World Cup 2026

Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul scored hundreds as the hosts dominated day one of the stand-alone Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Batting first after winning the toss, India survived a few early scares but lost Yashasvi Jaiswal on 24, caught behind. Sai Sudharsan, who received his coach’s backing for an extended rope at number three, added 139 runs for the second wicket before being dismissed on a well-made 81.&nbsp;Rahul, nearing his first Test century of the season, joined hands with Gill to punish Afghanistan for loose bowling and poor fielding. A 67-run partnership saw KL complete his 12th Test hundred, with the crowd at the New Chandigarh stadium cheering the seasoned opener. However, soon after, he found a fielder at the covers, leaving India 247 for three. The right-hander smashed 11 fours on his way to another memorable ton.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-the-best-suryakumar-yadav-breaks-silence-after-shock-t20i-ouster-india-squads-for-ireland-england-asian-games-2026-shreyas-iyer-1780745938044">’All the best': Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after shock T20I ouster</a> &nbsp;“Yeah, I'm really happy that I could get some time in the middle and make that switch from T20 to Test cricket in a couple of days' time. And yeah, that was the most pleasing thing. But yeah, really hot, so there wasn't much time for me to feel happy or satisfied with the way I batted. I was just exhausted by the end of it,” Rahul said in a chat with the broadcasters after the day’s play. &nbsp;Gill and former vice-captain Rishabh Pant continued the wrath, with the pair putting India in the driver’s seat. Gill was quick to his fifty and made the most of the momentum to reach another Test hundred as the skipper.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sublime from the skipper! 👌 🎥 Glimpses of <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> Captain Shubman Gill&#39;s delightful shotmaking en route to his hundred! 👏 Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/Au50EfVM30">https://t.co/Au50EfVM30</a><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/INDvAFG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAFG</a> | <a href="https://x.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> | <a href="https://x.com/ShubmanGill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShubmanGill</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdlpM0c0kP">pic.twitter.com/YdlpM0c0kP</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2063222829282427231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pant, on the other hand, was back in his best mode, hitting sixes for fun. In an over off Abdul Malik, Pant smashed him for three sixes, increasing his tally to 97, just one behind Chris Gayle and Tim Southee.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Into the stands... three times in one over! 🚀 Vintage Rishabh Pant on display 👊 Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/Au50EfVM30">https://t.co/Au50EfVM30</a><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/INDvAFG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAFG</a> | <a href="https://x.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> | <a href="https://x.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> <a href="https://t.co/rtJfeZLPdT">pic.twitter.com/rtJfeZLPdT</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2063212275616690509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After Gill completed his hundred, Pant also reached his fifty, helping India score 368 for three at stumps on day one.

Shubman Gill and KL Rahul smashed brilliant centuries as India dominated Day 1 of the Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, reaching 368/3 at stumps. Sai Sudharsan hit a fluid 81 while Rishabh Pant provided late fireworks. Read the full match report here.

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul scored hundreds as the hosts dominated day one of the stand-alone Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Batting first after winning the toss, India survived a few early scares but lost Yashasvi Jaiswal on 24, caught behind. Sai Sudharsan, who received his coach’s backing for an extended rope at number three, added 139 runs for the second wicket before being dismissed on a well-made 81. Rahul, nearing his first Test century of the season, joined hands with Gill to punish Afghanistan for loose bowling and poor fielding. A 67-run partnership saw KL complete his 12th Test hundred, with the crowd at the New Chandigarh stadium cheering the seasoned opener. However, soon after, he found a fielder at the covers, leaving India 247 for three. The right-hander smashed 11 fours on his way to another memorable ton. Also read| ’All the best': Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after shock T20I ouster “Yeah, I'm really happy that I could get some time in the middle and make that switch from T20 to Test cricket in a couple of days' time. And yeah, that was the most pleasing thing. But yeah, really hot, so there wasn't much time for me to feel happy or satisfied with the way I batted. I was just exhausted by the end of it,” Rahul said in a chat with the broadcasters after the day’s play. Gill and former vice-captain Rishabh Pant continued the wrath, with the pair putting India in the driver’s seat. Gill was quick to his fifty and made the most of the momentum to reach another Test hundred as the skipper.

Shubman Gill and KL Rahul smashed brilliant centuries as India dominated Day 1 of the Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, reaching 368/3 at stumps. Sai Sudharsan hit a fluid 81 while Rishabh Pant provided late fireworks. Read the full match report here.

IND vs AFG Day 1: Captain Gill and KL Rahul smash centuries as India score 368/3

Suryakumar Yadav broke his silence after being axed from India's T20I squads for the away UK tour and the Asian Games, with the BCCI selectors replacing him with Shreyas Iyer. Suryakumar was the captain of the T20I side that lifted the World Cup earlier this year; however, his extended lean patch with the bat, which carried into IPL 2026 as well, led to his removal as T20I captain. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England, and for the Asian Games in September.&nbsp;On Saturday (Jun 6), the selectors named Iyer as the new T20I skipper, eyeing glory at the LA28 Games and the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the same year. The teen batting prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, also earned his maiden India call-up for the two series, with ace quick Jasprit Bumrah rested. Bumrah, however, returns to the full-strength team for the Asian Games in Japan.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squad-for-asian-games-2026-shreyas-iyer-to-lead-bumrah-returns-1780735949578">India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns</a> &nbsp;Taking to his Instagram story, SKY posted, "Wishing this highly skilled group all the best for challenges ahead.”&nbsp; &nbsp;His message reflects his acceptance of his fate and admiration for the team picked for the T20I series.<h3>New faces, new roles, exciting times!</h3>Sooryavanshi’s selection marks a historic moment in Indian Cricket, as he could become the youngest player since the great Sachin Tendulkar to make his India debut at just 15. Sachin was 16 years and 205 days old when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989. &nbsp;Meanwhile, on the newly appointed T20I captain, Iyer, who returned to India’s T20I side for the first time since December 2023, Agarkar said, “We have got a bit more time for the next WC, and his (Shreyas) performances as captain, having won (the IPL) with KKR and a couple of good seasons with PBKS. He was very close to always being there in the team but could not find the spot.” &nbsp;India will first tour Ireland for two T20Is on June 26 and 28 in Belfast before heading to England for five T20Is and three ODIs, starting July 1. Cricket at the Asian Games will take place from September 24 to October 3.

Suryakumar Yadav has broken his silence after being axed from India's T20I squad. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain for the UK tour and Asian Games, while 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns a historic call-up. Read SKY's classy reaction and view the full squad details.

Suryakumar Yadav broke his silence after being axed from India's T20I squads for the away UK tour and the Asian Games, with the BCCI selectors replacing him with Shreyas Iyer. Suryakumar was the captain of the T20I side that lifted the World Cup earlier this year; however, his extended lean patch with the bat, which carried into IPL 2026 as well, led to his removal as T20I captain. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England, and for the Asian Games in September. On Saturday (Jun 6), the selectors named Iyer as the new T20I skipper, eyeing glory at the LA28 Games and the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the same year. The teen batting prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, also earned his maiden India call-up for the two series, with ace quick Jasprit Bumrah rested. Bumrah, however, returns to the full-strength team for the Asian Games in Japan. Also read | India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns Taking to his Instagram story, SKY posted, "Wishing this highly skilled group all the best for challenges ahead.” His message reflects his acceptance of his fate and admiration for the team picked for the T20I series. New faces, new roles, exciting times! Sooryavanshi’s selection marks a historic moment in Indian Cricket, as he could become the youngest player since the great Sachin Tendulkar to make his India debut at just 15. Sachin was 16 years and 205 days old when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989. Meanwhile, on the newly appointed T20I captain, Iyer, who returned to India’s T20I side for the first time since December 2023, Agarkar said, “We have got a bit more time for the next WC, and his (Shreyas) performances as captain, having won (the IPL) with KKR and a couple of good seasons with PBKS. He was very close to always being there in the team but could not find the spot.” India will first tour Ireland for two T20Is on June 26 and 28 in Belfast before heading to England for five T20Is and three ODIs, starting July 1. Cricket at the Asian Games will take place from September 24 to October 3.

Suryakumar Yadav has broken his silence after being axed from India's T20I squad. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain for the UK tour and Asian Games, while 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns a historic call-up. Read SKY's classy reaction and view the full squad details.

'All the best': Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after shock T20I ouster

Just two weeks ago, Maja Chwalinska arrived in Paris as a qualifier with modest expectations and little certainty about her run in the tournament. Now, she is one win away from a Grand Slam title, in what has become one of the most remarkable stories in recent tennis history. Her journey at Roland Garros goes far beyond results on the court. It is best understood through a simple reality she faced midway through the tournament, when she was unsure whether she could afford to remain in Paris.&nbsp;The 24-year-old arrived at the French Open without sponsorship support and ranked well outside the sport’s top tier. After advancing through qualifying and unexpectedly reaching the fourth round, she admitted that paying for her stay in the French capital had become a genuine worry.&nbsp;“I hope there are still some rooms available out there… or that I have enough money,” Chwalinska admitted. Although prize money in tennis is not paid out immediately and despite earning more than she ever had from a single tournament, Chwalińska still had expenses to cover in one of Europe’s most expensive cities.&nbsp;Her comments quickly resonated across the tennis community. Soon after, Polish nutrition company Oshee stepped in with sponsorship support, covering her expenses and allowing her to focus entirely on her tennis rather than her accommodation costs.&nbsp;Financially, the tournament has transformed Chwalinska’s career. Before this year’s French Open, her total career prize money stood at approximately $864,000. By reaching the final, she has guaranteed herself at least $1.6 million, nearly double what she had earned throughout her entire professional career.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squad-for-asian-games-2026-shreyas-iyer-to-lead-bumrah-returns-1780735949578">India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns</a>&nbsp;A few years ago, Chwalinska’s future in the sport looked uncertain as she underwent major surgery in 2022 and after that she spent years rebuilding her fitness, confidence and ranking. She arrived in Paris ranked No. 114 in the world and had to win three qualifying matches just to secure a place in the main draw.&nbsp;What followed was an extraordinary sequence of performances, as first, she emerged from qualifying and then she continued upsetting higher-ranked opponents, advancing deeper into the tournament with each round. Even as her run gathered momentum, Chwalinska struggled to process what she was achieving.&nbsp;“If someone had told me before the tournament that I would reach the round of 16, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” she said.&nbsp;Grand Slam breakthroughs happen every year, but this one is very unexpected. Chwalinska has played three more matches than most of her opponents because she started in the qualifying rounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;Before this tournament, she had never gone past the second round of a Grand Slam and now she has put together one of the most impressive runs seen at Roland Garros in recent years.&nbsp;Victories over Anna Kalinskaya and Diana Shnaider carried her all the way to the championship match, where she will face Mirra Andreeva. Her remarkable run is also set to trigger a dramatic rise in the rankings, with projections placing her around world No. 30 after the tournament, a huge gain from her starting position of No. 114.&nbsp;&nbsp;The French Open has produced countless unforgettable champions and moments, but some of its most compelling stories come from players who arrive with little fanfare and leave having changed the course of their careers.&nbsp;Not long ago, Maja Chwalinska was wondering if she could afford another night in her hotel. Now, she is preparing to compete in her first Grand Slam final.

Maja Chwalinska, who once struggled to afford her stay in Paris during the French Open 2026, will now compete in the final on Saturday against Mirra Andreeva.

Just two weeks ago, Maja Chwalinska arrived in Paris as a qualifier with modest expectations and little certainty about her run in the tournament. Now, she is one win away from a Grand Slam title, in what has become one of the most remarkable stories in recent tennis history. Her journey at Roland Garros goes far beyond results on the court. It is best understood through a simple reality she faced midway through the tournament, when she was unsure whether she could afford to remain in Paris. The 24-year-old arrived at the French Open without sponsorship support and ranked well outside the sport’s top tier. After advancing through qualifying and unexpectedly reaching the fourth round, she admitted that paying for her stay in the French capital had become a genuine worry. “I hope there are still some rooms available out there… or that I have enough money,” Chwalinska admitted. Although prize money in tennis is not paid out immediately and despite earning more than she ever had from a single tournament, Chwalińska still had expenses to cover in one of Europe’s most expensive cities. Her comments quickly resonated across the tennis community. Soon after, Polish nutrition company Oshee stepped in with sponsorship support, covering her expenses and allowing her to focus entirely on her tennis rather than her accommodation costs. Financially, the tournament has transformed Chwalinska’s career. Before this year’s French Open, her total career prize money stood at approximately $864,000. By reaching the final, she has guaranteed herself at least $1.6 million, nearly double what she had earned throughout her entire professional career. Also Read - India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns A few years ago, Chwalinska’s future in the sport looked uncertain as she underwent major surgery in 2022 and after that she spent years rebuilding her fitness, confidence and ranking. She arrived in Paris ranked No. 114 in the world and had to win three qualifying matches just to secure a place in the main draw. What followed was an extraordinary sequence of performances, as first, she emerged from qualifying and then she continued upsetting higher-ranked opponents, advancing deeper into the tournament with each round. Even as her run gathered momentum, Chwalinska struggled to process what she was achieving. “If someone had told me before the tournament that I would reach the round of 16, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” she said. Grand Slam breakthroughs happen every year, but this one is very unexpected. Chwalinska has played three more matches than most of her opponents because she started in the qualifying rounds. Before this tournament, she had never gone past the second round of a Grand Slam and now she has put together one of the most impressive runs seen at Roland Garros in recent years. Victories over Anna Kalinskaya and Diana Shnaider carried her all the way to the championship match, where she will face Mirra Andreeva. Her remarkable run is also set to trigger a dramatic rise in the rankings, with projections placing her around world No. 30 after the tournament, a huge gain from her starting position of No. 114. The French Open has produced countless unforgettable champions and moments, but some of its most compelling stories come from players who arrive with little fanfare and leave having changed the course of their careers. Not long ago, Maja Chwalinska was wondering if she could afford another night in her hotel. Now, she is preparing to compete in her first Grand Slam final.

Maja Chwalinska, who once struggled to afford her stay in Paris during the French Open 2026, will now compete in the final on Saturday against Mirra Andreeva.

French Open Fairytale: Maja Chwalinska, who once feared hotel eviction, now one step from glory

Batting veteran Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting June 14, due to a hamstring injury, with BCCI selectors announcing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as his replacement. Kohli suffered the injury while batting for RCB during the IPL 2026 final last Sunday (May 31), helping his franchise lift their second trophy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed this development during a presser in Mumbai on Saturday (Jun 6), while adding that Kohli could regain his fitness in time for the England ODIs, starting July 14.&nbsp;"With Virat at this point, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the [IPL] finals. We don't know the timelines yet," Agarkar said. "But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squad-for-asian-games-2026-shreyas-iyer-to-lead-bumrah-returns-1780735949578">India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns</a> &nbsp;Kohli now only plays ODIs, having retired from Tests and T20Is, with his last appearance coming during the New Zealand series in January this year, which India lost 1-2. Unsurprisingly, Kohli top-scored for India in that series, registering 240 runs in three matches, including a hundred and striking at 105.26.&nbsp; &nbsp;‘King Kohli’ carried his ODI form into the IPL, scoring 675 runs in the triumphant campaign, averaging over 56 and striking at 165.84.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jaiswal, on the other hand, would be back playing ODIs for the first time since December 2025, when he scored a match-winning 116 against South Africa. Since making his ODI debut in February last year, Jaiswal has only featured in four One-Dayers thus far, with the Afghanistan series providing a chance to impress. &nbsp;Moreover, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is undergoing a fitness test at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, with batting great and former captain Rohit Sharma also likely to report to the facility in the coming days. The two, however, have been included in India’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.<h3>India's updated ODI squad vs Afghanistan</h3>Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India's upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury suffered in the IPL 2026 final. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement, while updates on Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been revealed. Check out the updated squad here.

Batting veteran Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting June 14, due to a hamstring injury, with BCCI selectors announcing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as his replacement. Kohli suffered the injury while batting for RCB during the IPL 2026 final last Sunday (May 31), helping his franchise lift their second trophy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed this development during a presser in Mumbai on Saturday (Jun 6), while adding that Kohli could regain his fitness in time for the England ODIs, starting July 14. "With Virat at this point, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the [IPL] finals. We don't know the timelines yet," Agarkar said. "But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet." Also read | India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns Kohli now only plays ODIs, having retired from Tests and T20Is, with his last appearance coming during the New Zealand series in January this year, which India lost 1-2. Unsurprisingly, Kohli top-scored for India in that series, registering 240 runs in three matches, including a hundred and striking at 105.26. ‘King Kohli’ carried his ODI form into the IPL, scoring 675 runs in the triumphant campaign, averaging over 56 and striking at 165.84. Jaiswal, on the other hand, would be back playing ODIs for the first time since December 2025, when he scored a match-winning 116 against South Africa. Since making his ODI debut in February last year, Jaiswal has only featured in four One-Dayers thus far, with the Afghanistan series providing a chance to impress. Moreover, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is undergoing a fitness test at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, with batting great and former captain Rohit Sharma also likely to report to the facility in the coming days. The two, however, have been included in India’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series. India's updated ODI squad vs Afghanistan Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India's upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury suffered in the IPL 2026 final. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement, while updates on Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been revealed. Check out the updated squad here.

Virat Kohli ruled out of Afghanistan ODIs with injury, Jaiswal named replacement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled India’s squad for the men’s T20 cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan. Recently appointed T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is expected to compete for an opening spot alongside established batters Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, giving India significant depth at the top of the order.&nbsp;The middle-order department features Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and power-hitter Shivam Dube. India’s spin attack will be led by Sundar, supported by Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, while the pace department includes Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.&nbsp;Although star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for India’s upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England as part of workload management ahead of the 2027 World Cup, selectors have included him in the 15-member squad for the Asian Games.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-fans-allowed-to-bring-sealed-water-bottles-into-stadiums-during-world-cup-1780727388945">FIFA 2026: Fans allowed to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during World Cup</a>&nbsp;The men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be played in the T20 format from Sep 24 to Oct 3, with ten teams, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman, will compete for the gold medal.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squads-for-england-ireland-tour-sooryavanshi-earns-call-up-shreyas-named-new-captain-1780732332687">Shreyas named captain, Sooryavanshi earns call-up for England &amp; Ireland tour</a>&nbsp;The tournament opens with the preliminary qualifying stage from Sep 24 to 26, followed by quarter-finals on Sep 28 and 29. The semi-finals are set for Oct 1, while the bronze-medal match and the final will both be played on Oct 3.<h2>India squad for the 2026 Asian Games (Men’s T20)</h2>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah

India have announced their 15-player squad for the Asian Games 2026, with the cricket tournament scheduled for September and October in Japan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled India’s squad for the men’s T20 cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan. Recently appointed T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is expected to compete for an opening spot alongside established batters Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, giving India significant depth at the top of the order. The middle-order department features Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and power-hitter Shivam Dube. India’s spin attack will be led by Sundar, supported by Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, while the pace department includes Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Although star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for India’s upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England as part of workload management ahead of the 2027 World Cup, selectors have included him in the 15-member squad for the Asian Games. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Fans allowed to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during World Cup The men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be played in the T20 format from Sep 24 to Oct 3, with ten teams, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman, will compete for the gold medal. Also Read - Shreyas named captain, Sooryavanshi earns call-up for England & Ireland tour The tournament opens with the preliminary qualifying stage from Sep 24 to 26, followed by quarter-finals on Sep 28 and 29. The semi-finals are set for Oct 1, while the bronze-medal match and the final will both be played on Oct 3. India squad for the 2026 Asian Games (Men’s T20) Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah

India have announced their 15-player squad for the Asian Games 2026, with the cricket tournament scheduled for September and October in Japan.

India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns

Fans attending FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in the United States and Canada will be allowed to bring one factory-sealed disposable water bottle into stadiums, FIFA announced on Friday, revising its earlier policy that barred reusable bottles over safety concerns. Under the updated rules, spectators may carry a soft plastic bottle containing up to 20 ounces (590 ml) of water into match venues, however, the governing body also confirmed that hard-sided containers and reusable bottles will remain prohibited.&nbsp;FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi explained that the rule is intended to enhance safety and security, noting that bottles are among several objects that could potentially be thrown inside stadiums and pose risks to spectators and participants.&nbsp;The clarification comes after FIFA amended its Stadium Code of Conduct, which reversed earlier guidance that had permitted empty, transparent reusable plastic bottles inside venues, but that provision was later removed, prompting criticism from fans concerned about staying hydrated during matches, especially in locations where temperatures are expected to exceed 25°C.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-squads-for-england-ireland-tour-sooryavanshi-earns-call-up-shreyas-named-new-captain-1780732332687">Shreyas named captain, Sooryavanshi earns call-up for England &amp; Ireland tour</a>&nbsp;To address heat-related concerns, FIFA said host cities will provide measures such as hydration stations, misting areas and cooling zones around stadiums. The governing body also stated that water sold inside venues will be priced similarly to rates charged during other events held at the same stadiums.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-york-knicks-edge-san-antonio-spurs-105-104-to-take-2-0-lead-in-nba-finals-1780721505871">New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals</a>&nbsp;The latest announcement follows FIFA’s earlier decision to reverse its original World Cup policy and prohibit fans from bringing water bottles into stadiums across North America.&nbsp;According to the New York Times, FIFA's official Stadium Code of Conduct included a clause which said: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”&nbsp;The FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Azteca Stadium. Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions after lifting the trophy at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

FIFA has announced that fans will be allowed to carry one soft plastic, factory-sealed, disposable water bottle of up to 20 ounces (590 ml) into matches held in the United States and Canada.

Fans attending FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in the United States and Canada will be allowed to bring one factory-sealed disposable water bottle into stadiums, FIFA announced on Friday, revising its earlier policy that barred reusable bottles over safety concerns. Under the updated rules, spectators may carry a soft plastic bottle containing up to 20 ounces (590 ml) of water into match venues, however, the governing body also confirmed that hard-sided containers and reusable bottles will remain prohibited. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi explained that the rule is intended to enhance safety and security, noting that bottles are among several objects that could potentially be thrown inside stadiums and pose risks to spectators and participants. The clarification comes after FIFA amended its Stadium Code of Conduct, which reversed earlier guidance that had permitted empty, transparent reusable plastic bottles inside venues, but that provision was later removed, prompting criticism from fans concerned about staying hydrated during matches, especially in locations where temperatures are expected to exceed 25°C. Also Read - Shreyas named captain, Sooryavanshi earns call-up for England & Ireland tour To address heat-related concerns, FIFA said host cities will provide measures such as hydration stations, misting areas and cooling zones around stadiums. The governing body also stated that water sold inside venues will be priced similarly to rates charged during other events held at the same stadiums. Also Read - New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals The latest announcement follows FIFA’s earlier decision to reverse its original World Cup policy and prohibit fans from bringing water bottles into stadiums across North America. According to the New York Times, FIFA's official Stadium Code of Conduct included a clause which said: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.” The FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Azteca Stadium. Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions after lifting the trophy at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With inputs from agencies

FIFA has announced that fans will be allowed to carry one soft plastic, factory-sealed, disposable water bottle of up to 20 ounces (590 ml) into matches held in the United States and Canada.

FIFA 2026: Fans allowed to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during World Cup

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has started, but for many teams, the biggest opponent may not be another country. It may be the weather. With climate scientists warning that temperatures across much of North America could reach dangerous levels during the tournament, national teams are already searching for ways to protect players from the effects of extreme heat. Among them is England, whose innovative approach to heat management is attracting attention across the football world.<h2>What is the England team doing to beat the heat?</h2>Under manager Thomas Tuchel, England's squad has started using palm-cooling devices during training sessions. The technology is designed to rapidly lower an athlete's core body temperature by cooling blood vessels located in the palms. Sports scientists believe the process can improve recovery, reduce fatigue, and help players maintain performance levels in demanding conditions. The move comes amid growing concerns about the environmental conditions expected during the expanded 48-team World Cup.&nbsp;&nbsp;Several host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are projected to experience high temperatures and humidity levels during the summer tournament, creating additional challenges for players, coaches, and tournament organisers. Heat has become one of the defining issues heading into the competition. FIFA has already announced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half of matches when conditions require them. The governing body has also expanded medical and welfare protocols to ensure players are monitored more closely during games and training sessions.&nbsp;England's adoption of palm-cooling technology reflects a wider trend in elite sport. Marginal gains have long separated winners from losers, but in 2026, simply staying cool could prove just as important as tactical preparation. Recovery tools, wearable sensors, hydration tracking, and climate-specific training programmes are increasingly becoming part of a modern footballer's toolkit. Yet the debate over heat management extends beyond the players.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-are-the-fifa-world-cup-2026-debutants-full-list-of-first-time-qualifiers-1780724183758">Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants? Full list of first-time qualifiers</a> While teams are investing in sophisticated cooling systems and recovery technologies, FIFA has faced criticism over stadium policies affecting supporters. Fans attending matches will not be allowed to bring their own reusable water bottles into many venues due to pre-existing safety regulations. Critics argue that limiting personal water containers during a tournament expected to be played in extreme summer conditions sends a mixed message about spectator welfare.&nbsp;The contrast is striking. On one hand, players are being equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to protect their health and optimise performance. On the other hand, supporters may be required to purchase water inside stadiums despite growing concerns about heat exposure. The issue highlights a broader challenge facing global sport. As climate change continues to push temperatures higher, sporting organisations are being forced to rethink everything from scheduling and infrastructure to athlete recovery and fan safety. What was once considered an occasional inconvenience is rapidly becoming a central part of tournament planning.&nbsp;For England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, palm-cooling technology may offer a competitive advantage. But its adoption also serves as a reminder of a much larger reality. The FIFA World Cup 2026 could become the first tournament where adapting to the heat is nearly as important as adapting to the opposition. And if temperatures rise as expected, England's latest piece of technology may not just be a training aid; it could be a glimpse into football's future.<h2>How does palm-cooling technology help players?</h2>The science behind palm-cooling technology is surprisingly simple. The palms of the hands contain specialised blood vessels located close to the skin's surface. When these areas are exposed to controlled cooling, blood circulating through the body can shed heat more efficiently before returning to the core.&nbsp;For footballers, this can have significant benefits. A lower core body temperature helps delay fatigue, reduces cardiovascular strain, and allows players to recover more quickly between intense bursts of activity. In high-temperature conditions, athletes often experience a decline in sprint speed, decision-making, and endurance as their bodies work harder to regulate heat. Cooling the palms can help counter some of those effects.&nbsp;Research has also suggested that athletes using palm-cooling devices may be able to sustain high-intensity efforts for longer periods and recover faster between training drills. For a tournament expected to be played in scorching summer conditions, even a small reduction in body temperature could make a meaningful difference over the course of a match. For Thomas Tuchel's England team, the technology is not just about comfort. It is about preserving performance when temperatures rise. In the FIFA World Cup 2026, where heat could become a major factor, staying cool may prove as important as tactical preparation, fitness levels, or squad depth.

England is using palm-cooling technology to combat extreme heat ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Here's how the device works and why it could help players perform better

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has started, but for many teams, the biggest opponent may not be another country. It may be the weather. With climate scientists warning that temperatures across much of North America could reach dangerous levels during the tournament, national teams are already searching for ways to protect players from the effects of extreme heat. Among them is England, whose innovative approach to heat management is attracting attention across the football world. What is the England team doing to beat the heat? Under manager Thomas Tuchel, England's squad has started using palm-cooling devices during training sessions. The technology is designed to rapidly lower an athlete's core body temperature by cooling blood vessels located in the palms. Sports scientists believe the process can improve recovery, reduce fatigue, and help players maintain performance levels in demanding conditions. The move comes amid growing concerns about the environmental conditions expected during the expanded 48-team World Cup. Several host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are projected to experience high temperatures and humidity levels during the summer tournament, creating additional challenges for players, coaches, and tournament organisers. Heat has become one of the defining issues heading into the competition. FIFA has already announced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half of matches when conditions require them. The governing body has also expanded medical and welfare protocols to ensure players are monitored more closely during games and training sessions. England's adoption of palm-cooling technology reflects a wider trend in elite sport. Marginal gains have long separated winners from losers, but in 2026, simply staying cool could prove just as important as tactical preparation. Recovery tools, wearable sensors, hydration tracking, and climate-specific training programmes are increasingly becoming part of a modern footballer's toolkit. Yet the debate over heat management extends beyond the players. Also Read: Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants? Full list of first-time qualifiers While teams are investing in sophisticated cooling systems and recovery technologies, FIFA has faced criticism over stadium policies affecting supporters. Fans attending matches will not be allowed to bring their own reusable water bottles into many venues due to pre-existing safety regulations. Critics argue that limiting personal water containers during a tournament expected to be played in extreme summer conditions sends a mixed message about spectator welfare. The contrast is striking. On one hand, players are being equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to protect their health and optimise performance. On the other hand, supporters may be required to purchase water inside stadiums despite growing concerns about heat exposure. The issue highlights a broader challenge facing global sport. As climate change continues to push temperatures higher, sporting organisations are being forced to rethink everything from scheduling and infrastructure to athlete recovery and fan safety. What was once considered an occasional inconvenience is rapidly becoming a central part of tournament planning. For England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, palm-cooling technology may offer a competitive advantage. But its adoption also serves as a reminder of a much larger reality. The FIFA World Cup 2026 could become the first tournament where adapting to the heat is nearly as important as adapting to the opposition. And if temperatures rise as expected, England's latest piece of technology may not just be a training aid; it could be a glimpse into football's future. How does palm-cooling technology help players? The science behind palm-cooling technology is surprisingly simple. The palms of the hands contain specialised blood vessels located close to the skin's surface. When these areas are exposed to controlled cooling, blood circulating through the body can shed heat more efficiently before returning to the core. For footballers, this can have significant benefits. A lower core body temperature helps delay fatigue, reduces cardiovascular strain, and allows players to recover more quickly between intense bursts of activity. In high-temperature conditions, athletes often experience a decline in sprint speed, decision-making, and endurance as their bodies work harder to regulate heat. Cooling the palms can help counter some of those effects. Research has also suggested that athletes using palm-cooling devices may be able to sustain high-intensity efforts for longer periods and recover faster between training drills. For a tournament expected to be played in scorching summer conditions, even a small reduction in body temperature could make a meaningful difference over the course of a match. For Thomas Tuchel's England team, the technology is not just about comfort. It is about preserving performance when temperatures rise. In the FIFA World Cup 2026, where heat could become a major factor, staying cool may prove as important as tactical preparation, fitness levels, or squad depth.

England is using palm-cooling technology to combat extreme heat at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where many host cities face dangerous temperatures

FIFA World Cup 2026: Thomas Tuchel England's secret weapon against heat? A device that cools through the palm

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s T20I squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England on Saturday (Jun 6), with the series scheduled in June and July respectively. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the new T20I captain, replacing T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who has been left out of the squad. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up following a standout IPL 2026 season for Rajasthan Royals. Meanwhile, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for both series, although he has been included in India’s squad for the Asian Games later this year.&nbsp;India will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series in Belfast from Jun 26 to 28, before taking on England in a five-match series from Jul 1 to 11.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-york-knicks-edge-san-antonio-spurs-105-104-to-take-2-0-lead-in-nba-finals-1780721505871">New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Presenting <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a>&#39;s T20I squads for the tours of England &amp; Ireland 2026 🇮🇳<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/IREvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IREvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/f84kSSAIDf">pic.twitter.com/f84kSSAIDf</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2063164567484797250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Shreyas Iyer last played a T20I for India in Dec 2023. He was also part of the home series against New Zealand earlier this year but did not get a chance to play and was not picked for the World Cup squad.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/norway-chess-2026-r-praggnanandhaa-scripts-history-becomes-first-indian-champion-in-tournament-history-1780716711063">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa becomes first Indian champion</a>&nbsp;However, his strong performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, where he has played well as both a batter and captain, helped him make a comeback and has now been given the captaincy by the selectors.<h2>India squad for Ireland series</h2>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav<h2>India squad for England series</h2>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav

Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the T20I series against Ireland and England, while teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden call-up ahead of the Asian Games.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s T20I squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England on Saturday (Jun 6), with the series scheduled in June and July respectively. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the new T20I captain, replacing T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who has been left out of the squad. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up following a standout IPL 2026 season for Rajasthan Royals. Meanwhile, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for both series, although he has been included in India’s squad for the Asian Games later this year. India will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series in Belfast from Jun 26 to 28, before taking on England in a five-match series from Jul 1 to 11. Also Read - New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the T20I series against Ireland and England, while teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden call-up ahead of the Asian Games.

India squads for England & Ireland tour: Sooryavanshi earns call-up, Shreyas named new captain

Curacao, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde will make their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. See their historic journeys

Curacao, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde have qualified for their first FIFA World Cup. Meet football's newest dreamers. Let us look at their incredible journey as only few days remain for the biggest tournament to start

Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants? Full list of first-time qualifiers

Jalen Brunson calmly converted the game-changing free throw as the New York Knicks survived a dramatic late comeback from the San Antonio Spurs to secure a 105-104 victory on Friday, taking a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. The Spurs now face a difficult challenge as the series moves to New York for Games 3 and 4. Victor Wembanyama committed a costly turnover in the closing moments before missing a potential game-winning jumper with two seconds remaining. Till now, no team in NBA history has come back to win the Finals after losing the first two games at home.&nbsp;Only the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets previously opened the Finals with two road victories and both teams ultimately captured the championship.&nbsp;The Knicks extended their playoff winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest postseason run ever and and are now close to clinching their first NBA title since 1973.They will have an opportunity to continue their push in front of a home crowd at Madison Square Garden, where US President Donald Trump is expected to attend Monday’s game.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/norway-chess-2026-r-praggnanandhaa-scripts-history-becomes-first-indian-champion-in-tournament-history-1780716711063">Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian champion in tournament history</a>&nbsp;Despite controlling much of the contest, New York were forced to withstand a strong fourth-quarter comeback as San Antonio wiped out a 14-point deficit with a 14-0 run, setting up a tense finish.&nbsp;After a slow first half, Victor Wembanyama scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half. His three-point play with 57.3 seconds left gave the Spurs a 104-102 lead, their first since the second quarter.&nbsp;The game was level at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds remaining when Wembanyama got a rebound after Brunson missed a shot, but he then threw a loose pass that hit his teammate Stephon Castle, causing a turnover.&nbsp;Brunson quickly recovered the loose ball, drew a foul and made one of two free throws to restore New York’s lead.&nbsp;San Antonio had one last chance, coming out of a time out with 7.5 seconds left. They got the ball to their superstar but his jump shot clanged off the rim.&nbsp;"I threw that one away," 22-year-old Wembanyama said. "I messed up. We didn't play great as a team. We needed to win that game."&nbsp;Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds admitted he was praying when Wembanyama put the Spurs' final attempt.&nbsp;"A great player got a great shot, and it just didn't go in," Towns said.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

The New York Knicks have become only the third team in history to win the first two games of an NBA Finals series on the road, joining the Chicago Bulls (1993) and Houston Rockets (1995).

Jalen Brunson calmly converted the game-changing free throw as the New York Knicks survived a dramatic late comeback from the San Antonio Spurs to secure a 105-104 victory on Friday, taking a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. The Spurs now face a difficult challenge as the series moves to New York for Games 3 and 4. Victor Wembanyama committed a costly turnover in the closing moments before missing a potential game-winning jumper with two seconds remaining. Till now, no team in NBA history has come back to win the Finals after losing the first two games at home. Only the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets previously opened the Finals with two road victories and both teams ultimately captured the championship. The Knicks extended their playoff winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest postseason run ever and and are now close to clinching their first NBA title since 1973. They will have an opportunity to continue their push in front of a home crowd at Madison Square Garden, where US President Donald Trump is expected to attend Monday’s game. Also Read - Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian champion in tournament history Despite controlling much of the contest, New York were forced to withstand a strong fourth-quarter comeback as San Antonio wiped out a 14-point deficit with a 14-0 run, setting up a tense finish. After a slow first half, Victor Wembanyama scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half. His three-point play with 57.3 seconds left gave the Spurs a 104-102 lead, their first since the second quarter. The game was level at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds remaining when Wembanyama got a rebound after Brunson missed a shot, but he then threw a loose pass that hit his teammate Stephon Castle, causing a turnover. Brunson quickly recovered the loose ball, drew a foul and made one of two free throws to restore New York’s lead. San Antonio had one last chance, coming out of a time out with 7.5 seconds left. They got the ball to their superstar but his jump shot clanged off the rim. "I threw that one away," 22-year-old Wembanyama said. "I messed up. We didn't play great as a team. We needed to win that game." Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds admitted he was praying when Wembanyama put the Spurs' final attempt. "A great player got a great shot, and it just didn't go in," Towns said. With inputs from agencies

The New York Knicks have become only the third team in history to win the first two games of an NBA Finals series on the road, joining the Chicago Bulls (1993) and Houston Rockets (1995).

New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa created history on Friday (Jun 5) by becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title, securing the prestigious crown with a crucial final-round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer in Oslo. Beginning the day in third place on 15 points, the 20-year-old rose to the occasion when it mattered most and his classical win, worth three points, lifted him to 18 points overall and secured one of the most prestigious titles in world chess.&nbsp;The victory marked a milestone for the 20-year-old from Chennai, as he achieved what several top Indian players, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand and reigning world champion D Gukesh, had previously been unable to accomplish since the tournament began in 2013.&nbsp;Appearing in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa overcame a difficult start in the six-player elite field and steadily built momentum in the second half of the tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-one-off-test-manav-suthar-makes-test-debut-gill-chooses-to-bat-1780718177747">IND vs AFG, One-off Test: Manav Suthar makes Test debut, Gill chooses to bat</a>&nbsp;One of the standout moments of his campaign was defeating seven-time tournament winner and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical games, a remarkable feat that highlighted his resilience after a disappointing showing at the Candidates Tournament earlier this year in Paphos.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-grants-visas-to-iran-players-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-2026-1780715191972">US grants visas to Iran players ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026</a>&nbsp;While Gukesh slipped out of the title race in the closing rounds, Praggnanandhaa carried India’s hopes forward and ultimately converted them into a historic victory.&nbsp;The door to the title opened after American Grandmaster Wesley So, who entered the final round as the leader on 15.5 points, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja, forcing their match into an Armageddon tie-break.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the standings finely balanced, Praggnanandhaa knew a classical win against Keymer would be enough to move ahead of the field and he delivered, claiming a landmark title and creating a new chapter in Indian chess history.

R Praggnanandhaa etched his name into the record books by becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess, sealing the title with a crucial final-round win over Vincent Keymer in Oslo.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa created history on Friday (Jun 5) by becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title, securing the prestigious crown with a crucial final-round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer in Oslo. Beginning the day in third place on 15 points, the 20-year-old rose to the occasion when it mattered most and his classical win, worth three points, lifted him to 18 points overall and secured one of the most prestigious titles in world chess. The victory marked a milestone for the 20-year-old from Chennai, as he achieved what several top Indian players, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand and reigning world champion D Gukesh, had previously been unable to accomplish since the tournament began in 2013. Appearing in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa overcame a difficult start in the six-player elite field and steadily built momentum in the second half of the tournament. Also Read - IND vs AFG, One-off Test: Manav Suthar makes Test debut, Gill chooses to bat One of the standout moments of his campaign was defeating seven-time tournament winner and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical games, a remarkable feat that highlighted his resilience after a disappointing showing at the Candidates Tournament earlier this year in Paphos. Also Read - US grants visas to Iran players ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 While Gukesh slipped out of the title race in the closing rounds, Praggnanandhaa carried India’s hopes forward and ultimately converted them into a historic victory. The door to the title opened after American Grandmaster Wesley So, who entered the final round as the leader on 15.5 points, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja, forcing their match into an Armageddon tie-break. With the standings finely balanced, Praggnanandhaa knew a classical win against Keymer would be enough to move ahead of the field and he delivered, claiming a landmark title and creating a new chapter in Indian chess history.

R Praggnanandhaa etched his name into the record books by becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess, sealing the title with a crucial final-round win over Vincent Keymer in Oslo.

Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian champion in tournament history

sports

Sports, News on Sports, stories on Sports, articles on Sports, Sports stories at Wion, Sports news, Sports latest news

sports

IND vs AFG, One-off Test, Day 2: Suthar shines with 3/21 on debut as hosts take control

Mexico's president tosses football during presser. Here's what happened next

FIFA 2026: Who is the youngest player at this year's World Cup?

Pope Leo XIV reveals which team he is supporting at FIFA World Cup 2026

Meet top 5 players with most runs in Women's World Cup history

India A Tri-Series in Sri Lanka 2026: Full schedule, venues, squads & more

'Main aim is to...': Agarkar on Bumrah missing Ireland, England T20I series

FIFA 2026: Iran team told to enter & leave US on match days under strict rule

Rohit Sharma breaks silence on Suryakumar Yadav's T20 captaincy snub, says

FIFA 2026: Iraq forward held for 7 hours by US authorities - Here's what we know

Sacked T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav sends classy message to new captain Iyer

Russian teen Mirra Andreeva stuns tennis world with maiden French Open crown

‘Think he just picked himself’: Agarkar on Sooryavanshi’s maiden India call-up

Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I run may be over, but his captaincy record eclipses Dhoni, Rohit

Meet the Indian-origin footballers set to feature at FIFA World Cup 2026

IND vs AFG Day 1: Captain Gill and KL Rahul smash centuries as India score 368/3

'All the best': Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after shock T20I ouster

Maja Chwalinska on brink of French Open 2026 glory

Virat Kohli ruled out of Afghanistan ODIs with injury, Jaiswal named replacement

India squad for Asian Games 2026: Shreyas Iyer to lead, Bumrah returns

FIFA 2026: Fans allowed to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during WC

Beat the heat: England turn to palm-cooling tech ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Shreyas named captain, Sooryavanshi earns call-up for England & Ireland tour

Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants? Full list of first-time qualifiers

New York Knicks edge San Antonio Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa becomes first Indian champion