The Indian women’s hockey team secured a place in the semi-finals of the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 after registering a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan in their second Pool A match at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday.

Captain Salima Tete, who was named Player of the Match, and Lalremsiami Hmarzote scored for India, while Hiramitsu Ai netted the lone goal for Japan. The match also marked a major milestone for midfielder Jyoti, who completed her 100th senior international appearance for India.

With consecutive victories over the United States and Japan, unbeaten India climbed to the top of the Pool A standings with six points, strengthening their campaign in the prestigious tournament.

The opening half witnessed an intense contest, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but failing to break the deadlock before the interval. India and Japan displayed disciplined defensive structures, ensuring the score remained level at half-time.

The breakthrough finally came in the third quarter when India capitalised on a well-executed penalty corner variation in the 33rd minute. Navneet Kaur’s strike was expertly redirected by Nikki Pradhan towards Salima Tete, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to hand India a deserved lead.

Japan responded swiftly and restored parity just two minutes later. Hiramitsu Ai successfully converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute, bringing the world No. 15 side back into the contest.

With the match finely balanced heading into the final quarter, India found the decisive goal in the 49th minute. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam delivered a precise pass from the edge of the circle towards the goal, locating Lalremsiami Hmarzote, who produced a clinical deflection to score the winner and secure India’s second consecutive victory in the tournament.

Ranked ninth in the world, India will now face Uruguay in their final Pool A fixture on Thursday as they seek to maintain their unbeaten run ahead of the knockout stage.

The FIH Nations Cup carries significant importance, with the tournament champion earning promotion to the Hockey Pro League. India previously won the inaugural FIH Women’s Nations Cup in 2022 to secure promotion. This edition holds added significance as the 2026-27 Hockey Pro League season has also been designated as a qualifying pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making India’s strong start a major boost to its international ambitions.

India and Afghanistan begin a three-match One Day International cricket series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. The opening fixture is scheduled to commence at 1:30 p.m. local time, marking the start of a structured bilateral contest between the two sides.

The first encounter sets the tone for the series, with both teams competing in a high-profile international fixture at the Dharamsala venue. The match is the first of three scheduled ODIs that will determine the momentum of the tour.

Following the opening game in Dharamsala, the remaining two matches of the series will be played in Lucknow and Chennai, respectively. These venues complete the itinerary for the three-match contest across major Indian cricket centres.

The series arrangement reflects a coordinated international cricket schedule, ensuring competitive engagement across multiple cities. With Dharamsala hosting the opener and Lucknow and Chennai set for the subsequent fixtures, the series progresses through a structured multi-venue format.

The opening match in Dharamsala carries significance as it initiates the full sequence of the ODI series, with both teams aiming to establish early dominance before the action shifts to the remaining venues.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has once again drawn global attention after sharing a 31-second video of himself shadow-batting inside an aircraft aisle surrounded by luxury seating. The former India captain captioned the clip, “No matter the altitude, attitude should not change.”

The video captures Tendulkar casually practicing cricket strokes in the confined space of the aircraft aisle, reflecting his enduring connection with the sport even while traveling at approximately 30,000 feet above the ground.

Altitude jo bhi ho, attitude change nahi hona chahiye. 😄 pic.twitter.com/TPbsNUe2Op

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 12, 2026

The post rapidly gained widespread appreciation from fans across platforms, who praised his humility and unwavering passion for cricket. Many also revisited nostalgic moments, sharing clips of his iconic cover drives and his emotional farewell speech delivered at Wankhede Stadium in 2013.

Now 52 years old and long retired from international cricket, Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer in the history of the sport, with 100 international centuries, a record that continues to define his legendary career.

The light-hearted mid-air moment highlights how the former captain’s bond with cricket remains deeply personal and continues to resonate with fans across generations.

India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from the upcoming Twenty20 International series against Ireland and England after being advised rest under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) workload management programme. The decision, taken in consultation with the BCCI medical team and team management, has led to the inclusion of Prasidh Krishna as his replacement in both series.

According to the official statement issued by the BCCI, Siraj’s withdrawal is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring adequate recovery ahead of a demanding international season. The board confirmed that the fast bowler has been advised a period of rest following discussions between medical staff and team management, prioritising long-term fitness and workload balance.

The selection committee has formally named Prasidh Krishna as Siraj’s replacement in the squad for the T20I assignments against Ireland and England.

Siraj was recently acquired by the Warangal Warriors for ₹14 lakhs during the TG20 Cricket League auction. The tournament is scheduled to commence on June 21, raising questions over his participation depending on his recovery timeline and workload decisions.

The fast bowler last featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 for India in the shortest format, where he played a single match against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium. In that appearance, he claimed three wickets, delivering a notable performance.

India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tours includes Shreyas Iyer as captain, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. The squad features Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Prasidh Krishna.

India’s tour of Ireland is scheduled to begin with the first T20I on June 26, 2026, at the Civil Service Cricket Club, followed by the second T20I on June 28, 2026, at the same venue.

India’s tour of England will feature a five-match T20I series. The matches are scheduled as follows: first T20I on July 1, second on July 3, third on July 5, fourth on July 8, and fifth on July 11, 2026.

The development underscores India’s continued emphasis on workload management for fast bowlers amid a packed international calendar, reflecting a structured approach toward long-term player fitness and performance sustainability.

The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has formally announced the commencement of its national selection process to assemble India’s most competitive contingent for the Pickleball World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 30 to September 6. The initiative will determine participation across all competitive categories, including Open, 50+, 60+, and Junior divisions, marking one of the most extensive national team selection campaigns undertaken by India in the sport’s history.

The selection framework will be primarily based on performances at the IPA National Championships, along with results from all IPA-sanctioned tournaments leading up to and including the Picklebay Zonals. The Picklebay Zonals, conducted under IPA authorization, will serve as the final qualifying event within the selection window before the squad is officially finalized.

India’s previous appearance at the Pickleball World Cup in the United States marked its debut on the global stage, where the national team delivered a strong performance by securing 25 medals, including 8 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze. The team finished seventh in the overall medal standings and emerged as the only Asian nation within the top ten. The IPA stated that the current selection process has been designed to not only uphold but further elevate that benchmark of performance.

Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the Indian Pickleball Association, stated that the announcement builds upon a landmark moment for Indian pickleball, emphasizing that the selection framework is intended to strengthen India’s international competitiveness and sustain its upward trajectory on the global stage.

The national squad will be selected by the IPA Selection Committee through a structured, performance-driven process that will evaluate players based on past results in IPA-sanctioned events and current global rankings. Priority will be given to athletes demonstrating top-tier international standings to ensure representation across Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories at the highest competitive level.

In addition, fitness standards and current match form will be assessed concurrently. All shortlisted players will be required to sign a formal Performance Agreement with the IPA, committing to international-level physical standards, compliance with the IPA Code of Conduct, and full medical transparency. The Selection Committee will also retain the authority to include wildcard selections for players demonstrating exceptional potential or strategic value to team composition.

For the Junior category, the IPA will conduct a dedicated selection trial in Ahmedabad from June 12 to June 14. The outcomes of this trial, combined with year-long performances in IPA-sanctioned events, will determine the final Junior squad for the Vietnam-bound campaign.

The selected national team will also receive official backing from the Indian Pickleball League franchise Lucknow Leopards for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup. The franchise will act as the principal benefactor for India’s Open category athletes, reinforcing financial and structural support for the country’s top competitors on the international stage.

This partnership reflects the Lucknow Leopards’ stated commitment to strengthening the grassroots and professional ecosystem of pickleball in India, aiming to bridge domestic league success with international achievement and elevate India’s presence in global pickleball competition.

India produced a strong batting performance after skipper Tilak Varma won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation A Series match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

The innings, however, began on a shaky note as wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh fell early after scoring just 2 runs off 11 deliveries. Opening partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 14 runs from 12 balls, striking three boundaries before his dismissal.

Priyansh Arya provided stability with a measured 32 off 32 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. The highlight of the innings came from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who struck a brilliant century, scoring 101 runs off 114 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes. The innings marked a strong comeback for him following a lean run during the concluded IPL 2026 season.

Captain Tilak Varma contributed a composed 60 runs off 97 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six. Ayush Badoni added quick momentum with 24 runs off 18 deliveries, including two boundaries.

In the final phase of the innings, Suryansh Shedge remained unbeaten with an explosive 26 off 14 balls, hitting one boundary and two sixes, while Anukul Roy stayed not out on 1 off 2 deliveries, taking India to a competitive total.

From the Sri Lankan bowling attack, Mohamed Shiraz returned figures of 2 wickets for 67 runs in 9 overs. Chamika Karunaratne, Garuka Sanketh, and Wanuja Sahan picked up one wicket each, while Ravindu Fernando, Sahan Arachchige, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth went wicketless in the contest.

Meanwhile, India’s senior men’s team continue their international commitments against Afghanistan. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India registered a dominant victory by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan.

The ODI series between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to begin on June 13 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. The second ODI will be played on June 17 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow, followed by the final match on June 20 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

This match underscores India’s strong batting depth and momentum across both emerging and senior squads as they continue their packed international calendar across formats.

India continued its remarkable performance at the World Yogasana Sports Championship 2026, with Rohan Tayde securing a gold medal in the boys’ sub-junior artistic single competition in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The young athlete expressed his happiness after achieving the prestigious victory on the international stage.

The latest triumph further strengthened India’s dominance in the championship, where the country has emerged as the leading contender. With Tayde’s victory, India’s medal tally has risen to seven medals, including six gold medals, in the world-class yoga competition.

India’s success continued across multiple categories. On Friday, the Indian sub-junior boys’ traditional group team defeated Nepal to claim the gold medal. The Indian junior girls’ traditional group team also overcame Nepal to secure another gold medal for the country.

The consistent performances across various events have enabled India to maintain its position at the top of the medal standings. The achievements of the athletes underscore the country’s growing strength and excellence in Yogasana sports at the global level, reinforcing India’s status as the dominant force in the championship.

India’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup have highlighted both strength and selection complexity, as the team continues to evaluate a 15-player squad in which several strong performers may still miss out on a place in the playing XI.

In a warm-up match held in Cardiff, India registered a comfortable 26-run victory over the West Indies, even while resting a few established starters. The contest provided an opportunity for fringe and less frequently used players to showcase their abilities, and they responded with notable performances across both batting and bowling departments.

Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front, delivering a fluent 39 off 23 balls to provide India with a strong start to their innings. The responsibility of anchoring the middle order was taken up effectively by Bharti Fulmali, who capitalised on her opportunity with a well-constructed 56 off 40 deliveries, stabilising India’s innings after the Powerplay phase.

India’s batting unit ensured a competitive total, with the overall innings remaining just under the 200-run mark, putting pressure on the West Indies chase.

With the ball, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav strengthened their claims for selection consideration, sharing seven wickets between them and applying sustained pressure on the opposition lineup.

The West Indies, meanwhile, struggled with their top-order start, a concern acknowledged by stand-in captain Chinelle Henry after the match. She noted that the initial six overs remained a key area for improvement, although she also highlighted the team’s strong recovery in the final 12 overs, which helped restrict India to under 200 runs.

Despite the defeat, West Indies found encouragement in the form of a composed innings from Deandre Dottin, who scored 49 off 44 deliveries and anchored the chase. However, the lack of substantial middle-order support ultimately proved decisive, as the side fell 26 runs short in their allotted 20 overs.

Henry described Dottin’s return to form as a positive sign ahead of the tournament, emphasizing her importance to the team’s batting structure going forward.

India will continue their World Cup preparations with another warm-up fixture against hosts England on Wednesday in Cardiff, while the West Indies will face Australia on Thursday in their final preparatory match before the tournament begins.

The contrasting performances have set the stage for a highly competitive selection phase for India, with depth across departments presenting both opportunity and challenge for the selectors.

Zee Entertainment on Monday announced that it has secured the rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 38 additional FIFA events through 2034, bringing an end to a months-long impasse over the tournament’s availability in one of the world’s last major unsold media markets.

The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. However, FIFA had initially sought approximately $100 million for the India rights package covering the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups before reducing its asking price to $60 million, according to previous reports by Reuters.

The deal comes just 10 days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The acquisition marks a significant development in India’s sports broadcasting landscape after negotiations involving several major broadcasters. JioStar, the Reliance-Disney joint venture and India’s dominant sports broadcaster, had submitted an offer of around $20 million for the rights package. The proposal was rejected by FIFA, according to earlier Reuters reports.

JioStar had previously aired the 2022 FIFA World Cup through its predecessor, Viacom18. Meanwhile, Sony, which held the broadcasting rights for the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups in India, also engaged in discussions regarding the rights package but ultimately did not submit a bid.

With the agreement now finalized, Zee Entertainment will hold the rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 38 other FIFA events through 2034, securing a major position in the Indian sports media market and ensuring that one of the world’s most-watched sporting events reaches audiences across the country.

Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi has called for the demolition and complete reconstruction of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, arguing that the venue fails to deliver a satisfactory experience for spectators despite being one of the world's largest cricket stadiums.

Speaking during an interview with Humans of Bombay, Modi sharply criticized the Gujarat Cricket Association over what he described as poor maintenance and inadequate fan facilities at the 132,000-seat venue. He pointed to issues including unclean facilities and long waiting times for food and services, claiming that spectators are often left hungry during matches because of operational shortcomings.

Modi proposed transforming the stadium into a modern entertainment destination designed to prioritize spectator comfort and convenience. His vision includes integrated shopping complexes, escalators, air-cooled public areas, premium restroom facilities, and an advanced access system that would allow visitors to enter and exit the stadium within five minutes.

His remarks have sparked debate among cricket followers and sports observers. Some supporters of his views cited complaints raised during recent Indian Premier League matches, including concerns over expensive food, hygiene standards, and overall crowd management. Others questioned the criticism, pointing to Modi's own corruption-related ban from cricket administration and highlighting the stadium's recent upgrades.

The Narendra Modi Stadium underwent approximately $100 million in modernization work and is widely recognized for its large capacity, modern infrastructure, and strong sightlines for spectators. Critics of Modi's proposal argue that the venue already possesses many contemporary features and has recently benefited from significant investment.

The comments have reignited discussion about the balance between stadium size and spectator experience, with the debate focusing on whether further redevelopment is necessary at one of cricket's most prominent venues. Modi's call for a complete rebuild has placed renewed attention on fan amenities, operational efficiency, and the future evolution of major sporting infrastructure in India.

Fifteen-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced one of the most remarkable individual campaigns in Indian Premier League history, sweeping multiple major awards during the 2026 season and establishing himself as the tournament's standout performer.

Purchased by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore, the teenage sensation finished as the highest run-scorer of IPL 2026, amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. His explosive batting included a record-breaking 72 sixes, surpassing the previous tournament benchmark set by Chris Gayle.

Sooryavanshi secured the prestigious Orange Cap as the league's leading run-scorer, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve the feat. His extraordinary season was further recognized with the Most Valuable Player award, Emerging Player award, Super Striker award, and Super Sixes award, completing a historic sweep of the competition's top individual honors.

In another landmark achievement, Sooryavanshi became the first player in IPL history to win both the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards in the same season. His campaign featured five half-centuries and one century, underlining his consistency and dominance throughout the tournament.

Although Rajasthan Royals fell short of reaching the final, Sooryavanshi's performances remained one of the defining stories of the season. The championship match saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defend their title against Gujarat Titans.

The young batter's achievements earned admiration from some of the sport's biggest names, including Virat Kohli, who praised his fearless approach and shared a heartfelt embrace with the teenager following his breakthrough campaign.

Beyond the accolades, Sooryavanshi's award earnings exceeded ₹55 lakh during the season, taking his overall earnings to more than ₹2.5 crore.

His record-breaking run tally, unprecedented collection of individual honors, and fearless batting display have cemented IPL 2026 as a historic breakthrough season for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, marking the arrival of one of Indian cricket's most exciting young talents.

After months of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes negotiations, India is set to officially secure the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the formal announcement expected next week. The deal, estimated to be valued between USD 30 million and USD 35 million, will ensure full television and digital access to the tournament across India, covering one of the largest and fastest-growing football viewership markets in the world.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark a historic expansion of the tournament format. FIFA has increased the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, resulting in a rise in total matches from 64 to 104. The expanded structure is widely expected to make the tournament the most commercially lucrative and globally viewed edition in World Cup history.

Despite the Indian national team’s limited success on the international stage, FIFA continues to regard India as a strategically vital broadcast territory. Football viewership in the country has surged in recent years, driven by the popularity of European club competitions and the FIFA World Cup itself. Strong fan bases persist in cities such as Kolkata, Kochi, Goa, and Bengaluru, while younger audiences in major metropolitan regions increasingly follow global clubs and star players.

Reports suggest that FIFA has adopted a more flexible commercial strategy across certain Asian markets. China is understood to have secured its 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights at a discount of nearly 80 percent compared to previous cycles. In contrast, World Cup media rights in Europe continue to command premium valuations, reflecting the sport’s established commercial dominance in the region.

The development comes at a challenging time for Indian football domestically. The national men’s team has experienced a significant decline in FIFA rankings following a series of disappointing results. The inability to maintain momentum after qualification-related performances in the AFC Asian Cup has intensified scrutiny over the country’s football structure.

Systemic concerns related to grassroots development, governance, and competitive depth continue to impact the domestic football ecosystem. While international football consumption continues to grow rapidly among Indian audiences, the domestic game faces ongoing structural and performance-related challenges.

The contrast between rising enthusiasm for global football and the struggles of the national setup highlights a growing disconnect in Indian football. As FIFA secures its commercial future in one of its key emerging markets, Indian viewers are set to gain uninterrupted access to more than 100 World Cup matches. The tournament’s expanded scale is expected to further deepen engagement, even as questions persist over the long-term development of the sport within the country.