Sports Archives - National Times

24 Jun

Cristiano Ronaldo Makes History Again, Becomes First Footballer to Score in Six World Cups

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, TrendingCristiano Ronaldo

Houston (Rajeev Sharma): Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet another extraordinary achievement to his glittering career, becoming the first footballer in history to score in six separate FIFA World Cup tournaments after finding the back of the net for Portugal against Uzbekistan. The goal marked a landmark moment for the Portuguese captain, who has now scored in every World Cup edition from 2006 to 2026. The record further strengthens his place among football’s all-time greats and showcases his remarkable ability to remain relevant at the highest level across two decades. Ronaldo entered the match under pressure after failing to score in…

22 Jun

Dhoni and Kohli get tennis lookalikes as Sanju Samson draws ultimate Roger Federer comparison

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSportsCricket, MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, tennis, Virat Kohli, World Cup

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)—India's star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson shared intriguing insights into the personalities of cricket legends, drawing unique comparisons to some of the biggest names in tennis. Speaking during an appearance on JioStar, Samson likened former Indian captain MS Dhoni to Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer. He explained that Dhoni's calm, composed approach to the game, paired with an ability to deliver incredibly powerful and impactful performances with apparent effortlessness, mirrors the legendary tennis player's elegant demeanour on the court. In contrast to Dhoni's serene style, Samson compared current tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz to modern cricket icon Virat Kohli.…

22 Jun

Virat Kohli Shuts Door on Test Comeback, Says He Has Moved On from the Format

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, Trending

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Former India skipper Virat Kohli has firmly dismissed speculation surrounding a possible return to Test cricket, indicating that his journey in the longest format has reached its natural conclusion. The batting great made the remarks during a public event in Delhi when he was asked whether he would consider resuming his Test career and adding to his tally of 9,230 runs. Responding in his trademark candid style, Kohli made it clear that he has no intention of reversing his retirement decision. His statement is likely to settle months of discussions among cricket fans who had continued…

21 Jun

Virat Kohli Named in India’s ODI Squad for England Tour Pending Fitness Clearance

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSportsBCCI, India vs England, ODI Squad, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli

MUMBAI (Gurpreet Singh): Star batter Virat Kohli has been included in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International series against England, with his participation dependent on achieving a full fitness clearance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India finalized the line-up on Sunday, naming opening batsman Shubman Gill as the captain to lead the white-ball contingent, while senior batsman Rohit Sharma also returns to the 50-over format. Kohli, who sat out India's recent assignment against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Indian Premier League, is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive evaluation by medical…

20 Jun

Indian Cricket Team Triumphs Over Afghanistan to Clinch ODI Series Clean Sweep in Chennai

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSports

Chennai (Gurpreet Singh): The Indian cricket team completed a dominant clean sweep against Afghanistan, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the third and final One-Day International at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. This final win allowed the hosts to wrap up the three-match series with a flawless record. The comprehensive victory was built on a clinical bowling display in the morning followed by an assertive batting performance that chased down the target with significant time and wickets to spare. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna set up the match for the hosts by running through the visiting batting lineup with an exceptional…

19 Jun

Yuvraj Singh Set to Join Delhi Capitals as Batting Coach for 2027 IPL Season

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSportsDelhi Capitals, IPL 2027, Rishabh Pant trade, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Former white-ball stalwart Yuvraj Singh is all set to join the Delhi Capitals as the franchise's batting coach for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The assignment marks the first official coaching stint in the cash-rich league for the legendary left-hander, who played the last of his 132 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians in 2019 before retiring from competitive cricket. India’s player of the tournament in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj has previously worked closely as a personal mentor to top Indian batters including current India skipper…

18 Jun

Manpreet Singh Draws Level With Indian Hockey’s All-Time Appearance Record, Eyes Historic Milestone

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, Sports, TrendingPunjab

Jalandhar (Gurpreet Singh): Veteran Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh has reached a landmark achievement by equalling the highest number of international appearances for the country, joining an elite list of sporting greats after featuring in his 412th match for India. The Jalandhar-born star achieved the feat during India's clash against the Netherlands in Rotterdam, matching the long-standing record held by former India captain and current Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey. With the milestone, Manpreet now shares the distinction of being the joint-most capped player in the history of Indian hockey. The achievement reflects a career built on consistency, resilience and…

15 Jun

Iran Football Team Arrives in US Ahead of World Cup Opener Following Diplomatic Breakthrough

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, Trending, World NewsFIFA World Cup 2026, Iran

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The Iranian national football team has landed in the United States to begin its FIFA World Cup campaign, marking a significant moment that comes shortly after reports of a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. The squad arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday and is preparing for its opening Group G fixture against New Zealand. Their arrival follows weeks of uncertainty over travel arrangements and participation amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Before departing for the United States, the players received an enthusiastic farewell from supporters gathered outside their team hotel in Tijuana, Mexico. Fans waved Iranian…

07 Jun

Dominant India Declare on 564/8 After Captain Shubman Gill’s Hundred Defies Afghanistan

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSportsAfghanistan, Century, Chandigarh, Cricket, India, Shubman Gill, Test

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Indian cricket team firmly seized control of the New Chandigarh Test against Afghanistan on Sunday, declaring their first innings at a massive 564 for 8 during the second session. The visitors navigated a brief opening spell before the interval, moving safely to 12 without loss with opening batsmen Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal holding the fort. Leading the charge for the hosts, captain Shubman Gill top-scored with a commanding 126, while opening batsman KL Rahul laid the foundation with a precise 100. The momentum was sustained by fluent half-centuries from Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan,…

06 Jun

Shreyas Iyer Takes Over as India’s T20I Captain; Teen Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates History

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsSportsIndia T20 captain, Indian cricket team, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, youngest India player

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Indian cricket witnessed a significant transition on Saturday as Shreyas Iyer was entrusted with the captaincy of the national T20I team, ushering in a new chapter in the shortest format.The 31-year-old batter, who has enjoyed considerable success as a leader in domestic and franchise cricket, will now guide India’s T20 side as the team begins preparations for a busy international calendar. The squad announcement also brought a historic breakthrough for Indian cricket. Rising batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged just 15, received his first senior national call-up, becoming the youngest player ever selected to represent India at…