East Bengal FC won the Indian Super League 2025-26 title after defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a tense final-day clash. Inter Kashi stunned the title contenders with an early goal from Alfred Planas, putting East Bengal under pressure. However, the Kolkata giants mounted a strong comeback in the second half, with Youssef Ezzejjari leading the turnaround. The victory secured East Bengal’s first-ever ISL crown after an intense five-team title race that went down to the final matchday. Arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant also remained in contention until the closing stages, adding more drama to one of the most thrilling finishes in ISL history. (PC: X)

Teenage Rajasthan Royals star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed the meaning behind his viral “A” celebration after smashing a stunning 93 off 38 balls against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old said the gesture was spontaneous and emotionally connected to his mother, whose name begins with “A.” His explosive knock powered Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket victory while keeping their playoff hopes alive. The innings also helped him break multiple IPL records, including becoming the first Indian batter to hit 50 sixes in a single season. Fans and cricket experts widely praised the youngster’s fearless batting and maturity under pressure. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed that his viral ‘A’ celebration during Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants was dedicated to his mother. The 15-year-old batter made the hand gesture after reaching a milestone during his explosive 93-run knock off 38 balls in Jaipur. Fans had widely speculated about the meaning behind the sign, with some linking it to India A selection hopes. However, in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi clarified that the gesture represents the first letter of his mother’s name. His heartfelt tribute quickly won praise on social media.

Satadru Dutta, organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour, has filed a Rs 100 crore case against former West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas and others over alleged sabotage of the Kolkata event held in December 2025. The complaint, lodged at Bidhannagar South Police Station, also names former DGP Rajeev Kumar, councillor Juin Biswas and IAS officer Santanu Basu. Dutta alleged that mismanagement and interference led to chaos at Salt Lake Stadium during Messi’s appearance. Police confirmed receiving the complaint and said further legal action is being examined. (PC: X)

Vinesh Phogat failed to secure immediate relief from the Delhi High Court on Monday in her plea seeking permission to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games scheduled for May 30-31. The court declined to intervene without hearing the response of the Wrestling Federation of India and the Centre, but allowed Phogat to submit a comprehensive reply to the federation’s show-cause notice. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed WFI to conclude proceedings by July 6. WFI had declared her ineligible until June 26, 2026, citing anti-doping rules requiring a six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement. Phogat argued the policy unfairly ignored maternity-related breaks and hinted at targeted treatment linked to past controversies. (PC: PTI)

Chennai Super Kings veteran MS Dhoni is expected to attend CSK’s final home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, but the former captain is unlikely to play because of a thumb injury.   The 44-year-old reportedly injured his thumb during a training session before CSK’s trip to Lucknow and stayed back in Chennai despite initially booking travel tickets. Dhoni had skipped match-day appearances this season, including home games, but is now expected to be present at Chepauk. He trained for around 30 minutes on the eve of the match, though sources indicate he is unlikely to feature even as an Impact Player against Hyderabad. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iran has issued a sharp warning to FIFA over unresolved US visa approvals for its national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026. Iranian officials said blocking players from participating due to political tensions with the United States would violate the principles of international sport. Iran’s football federation confirmed no visas had yet been issued despite the tournament beginning next month. Federation president Mehdi Taj said FIFA must provide guarantees during an upcoming meeting. US President Donald Trump recently signalled support for Iran’s participation, though earlier he had suggested the country skip the tournament over security concerns. (PC: AP)

The BCCI announced a 15-member India A squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka, featuring hosts Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. Young batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received his first India A call-up after impressive performances in IPL 2026. Tilak Varma was named captain, while Riyan Parag will serve as vice-captain. The tournament will take place in Dambulla from June 9 to June 21, followed by two multi-day matches in Galle. The squad also includes Priyansh Arya, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu and Prabhsimran Singh as India continues focusing on grooming emerging cricket talent for the future. (PC: BCCI)

“Absolutely. I will bring Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and many others. Why should I stop?” football event organiser Satadru Dutta said months after the controversial Lionel Messi event in Kolkata triggered criticism and legal scrutiny. Dutta said organising international football events remains his “core competence” despite the backlash over crowd management and security concerns during Messi’s visit. He defended the event’s high ticket prices, saying such global tours involve huge costs and international payments. Dutta also claimed political interference worsened the Kolkata situation and insisted he was unfairly blamed for the controversy surrounding the event. (PC: X)

Sports organiser Satadru Dutta alleged that VIP interference and security failures caused the chaos during Lionel Messi’s controversial Kolkata tour event. In an exclusive interview, Dutta claimed members of Messi’s entourage blamed West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas for the breakdown after nearly 100 people allegedly crowded Messi for selfies inside restricted areas. Dutta said Messi became visibly uncomfortable in the claustrophobic environment, especially after being touched by attendees during photographs. The organiser, who spent 38 days in custody after the incident, described the Kolkata event as his “biggest regret” and claimed he ended the programme early to protect the remaining India tour events from cancellation.