India’s KL Rahul bats during a training session in Lucknow. (AP Photo) LUCKNOW: For Shubman Gill led Team India, who play Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Ekana Stadium here on Wednesday, this series is also an early marker on the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup. The immediate target is a series…

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi celebrated a historic night with tears, a hat-trick and yet another record as Argentina began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J at the Kansas City Stadium.The 38-year-old was seen emotional after scoring the first of his three goals, leaving fans wondering…

Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket masterclass ensured India began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign on the right note, but Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will know there is still room for improvement when they take on Netherlands, who are T20 World Cup debutants, in their second group fixture in Headingley on Wednesday.India’s objective will extend beyond collecting…

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Pic credit: BCCI) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found himself at the centre of another talking point on Wednesday after the India A opener survived on nought following a contentious third-umpire call during the 5th match of the Tri Nation A Series in Sri Lanka against Afghanistan A.The 15-year-old, who has endured a modest series so…

Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian (23) waves to fans after the World Cup Group G match against New Zealand in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. (AP Photo) WASHINGTON: In a dazzling display of footballing resilience, Iran’s national football team managed a creditable 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles. It was a remarkable feat, considering the squad…