Referee Omar Artan, center, of Somalia (AP Photo) Somalian referee Omar Artan received an emotional welcome on Wednesday after returning to Mogadishu, days after being denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.Artan had been on course to make history as the first referee from Somalia to…
England’s Ben Stokes (AP Photo) England’s preparations for the second Test against New Zealand have been overshadowed by a fresh off-field controversy involving captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson. The pair are reported to have broken the team curfew after England’s 115-run victory in the opening Test at Lord’s and later become involved…
Subhi Gupta (Special Arrangements) NEW DELHI: Imagine it is your first international chess tournament on your own. Your parents have burned a hole in their pockets to take you to the scenic country of Uzbekistan. There, you are supposed to play the toughest of opponents from across the globe. You reach the venue, and you…
Nahid Rana angers Josh Inglis (Screengrab) Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana produced a match-winning spell and briefly ignited tempers as the hosts stunned Australia by 86 runs via the DLS method in the opening ODI of the three-match series.The fiery fast bowler was at the centre of attention during Australia’s chase when he dismissed stand-in captain…
Vaishali’s mother Nagalakshmi, Pranesh M, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, and Vaibhav Suri (Photo by Michal Walusza) NEW DELHI: A visa issue has cast uncertainty over Indian chess prodigy Pranesh Munirethinam’s participation in the upcoming FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong, prompting an urgent appeal from coach RB Ramesh.Taking to X on Tuesday,…
Vaishali’s mother Nagalakshmi, Pranesh M, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, and Vaibhav Suri (Photo by Michal Walusza) NEW DELHI: A visa issue has cast uncertainty over Indian chess prodigy Pranesh Munirethinam’s participation in the upcoming FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong, prompting an urgent appeal from coach RB Ramesh.Taking to X on Tuesday,…
India’s Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo) TimesofIndia. com in Mullanpur: Hardik Pandya is set to miss the upcoming three-ODI series against Afghanistan due to a leg sprain. It is understood that the premier all-rounder was at peak fitness and had been training hard at the BCCI Centre of Excellence since June 2. He was supposed to…
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images) Real Madrid’s attempt to sign Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez has ended in disappointment after their massive €150 million offer was turned down by their city rivals.The Spanish giants confirmed the bid in an official statement on Tuesday, making public what would…
The FIFA World Cup Trophy (AP) There is no sporting event in the world that enjoys such a feverish build-up to the main event. Such is the global appeal of the ‘beautiful game’ and the FIFA World Cup. However, the 2026 edition, the first to feature as many as 48 teams, has struggled to adhere…
India captain Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir (Getty Images) Mohali: When India’s ODI team assembles here in Mohali on Wednesday, it will be the formal onset of their preparations for the ODI World Cup in South Africa in Oct-Nov 2027. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are expected to be declared fit for the three-match ODI…
