Sports

Don’t play for TV, play for skill: Srinath’s blunt message to young cricketers

18 Jun 2026 | 12:48 PM

Bengaluru, June 18 (UNI) Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath delivered a strong and direct message to young cricketers, warning them against playing for television appeal and urging them instead to rely on natural talent, discipline and long-term skill development.

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Mysuru set to emerge as Karnataka’s next cricket powerhouse: Santosh Menon

18 Jun 2026 | 12:25 PM

Mysuru, June 18 (UNI) Mysuru is being positioned as the next major cricket development hub in Karnataka, with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) laying out an ambitious roadmap centred on grassroots growth, infrastructure expansion and talent development across the state.

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Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to boost World Cup hopes

18 Jun 2026 | 10:14 AM

Mexico City, June 18 (UNI) Colombia produced a clinical second-half display to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in a FIFA World Cup Group Stage match at the Estadio Banorte here on Thursday, keeping their campaign on track with an impressive victory.

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England beat Croatia 4-2 in six-goal World Cup thriller

18 Jun 2026 | 10:05 AM

Texas, June 18 (UNI) England produced a dominant attacking display to defeat Croatia 4-2 in a pulsating FIFA World Cup Group Stage match at the AT&T Stadium here on Thursday, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice as the Three Lions moved a step closer to the knockout stages.

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Portugal held by spirited DR Congo in 1-1 World Cup draw

18 Jun 2026 | 1:20 AM

Houston, June 17 (UNI) Portugal squandered an early lead and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in a hard-fought Group Stage encounter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at NRG Stadium here on Wednesday.

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Trusted by FIFA, debated at home: Iran-born Aussie Alireza Faghani’s journey beyond the touchlines

18 Jun 2026 | 12:17 AM

Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) When Alireza Faghani walked onto the field to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match between France and Senegal, it marked yet another milestone in a remarkable career. The Iranian-born referee was appearing at his fourth World Cup, placing him among a select group of officials trusted by FIFA on football's biggest stage.

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Women’s T20 WC: Smriti, Shafali, Charani shine as India crush Netherlands by 95 runs

17 Jun 2026 | 11:24 PM

Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) In the lead-up to the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, cricket pundits identified Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma as the key to India’s hopes of winning a second successive ICC title within six months. On Wednesday, the opening duo justified the billing, putting the Netherlands under immense pressure with a blistering century partnership before Shafali later chipped in with the ball alongside left-arm spinner Shree Charani’s four-wicket haul to power India to a clinical 95-run victory at Headingley.

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Gill, Kishan tons seal emphatic victory as India outclass Afghanistan

17 Jun 2026 | 10:02 PM

Lucknow, June 17 (UNI) Centuries from captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan powered India to a commanding 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with a display of batting dominance and disciplined bowling.

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Messi's team sends email to police complaining of lax security during soccer icon's Salt Lake stadium appearance

17 Jun 2026 | 9:51 PM

Messi's team lodges police complaint regarding lax security during Salt Lake stadium appearance
Kolkata, June 17 (UNI) Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi's team has sent an email to the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner expressing their displeasure over the lax security at the Salt Lake stadium during the footballer's visit last December, sources said on Wednesday.

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Junior women’s hockey team to tour UK for seven-match series in July

17 Jun 2026 | 9:50 PM

New Delhi, June 17 (UNI): India’s junior women’s hockey team will tour the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14 for a seven-match campaign, including two fixtures against Scotland’s senior women’s side. The team will also take on the England Under-21, USA U-21 and Belgium U-21 teams during the tour.

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Srihari Nataraj breaks national record, retains 50m backstroke crown

17 Jun 2026 | 9:37 PM

Ahmedabad, June 17 (UNI) Asian Games medallist Srihari Nataraj shattered his seven-year-old national record in the men's 50m backstroke while retaining the title on the opening day of the National Aquatics Championships here on Wednesday.

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Gill eclipses Kohli, becomes fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs

17 Jun 2026 | 9:24 PM

Lucknow, June 17 (UNI) Shubman Gill on Wednesday eclipsed Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and every other Indian batsman to become the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs, capping a record-shattering assault on Afghanistan in the second ODI here.

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SPECIAL | Manpreet equals Dilip Tirkey’s record, set to become India’s most-capped hockey player

17 Jun 2026 | 8:54 PM

By Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Jun 17 (UNI) Indian men’s hockey team veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh from Jalandhar is on the verge of creating history after equalling the long-standing national record for the most international appearances by an Indian hockey player.

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Conway returns to NZ central contracts, Tickner earns recall

17 Jun 2026 | 6:26 PM

New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) Opener Devon Conway has returned to New Zealand Cricket's central contracts list for the 2026-27 season, while fast bowler Blair Tickner has also earned a recall. The duo replace Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas in the 20-member contracted players' list announced by NZC.

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Alexandra Eala gets off to winning start against Vekic at Berlin Open

17 Jun 2026 | 5:51 PM

Berlin, June 17 (UNI) Alexandra Eala continued her strong grass-court season with an opening-round triumph at the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open.
The Filipina world No. 35 defeated Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekić 7-5, 6-4 at the WTA 500 tournament on Wednesday (17 June), a seventh win on the surface this year.

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