Iran’s national football team will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup despite ongoing conflict, officials confirmed. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the team is fully prepared, with logistics managed by the sports ministry. Participation had been uncertain after US-Israeli strikes in February and safety concerns over matches scheduled in the United States. Iran is set to play all group-stage fixtures in American cities, including games against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. While earlier remarks from Iranian officials questioned involvement, and Donald Trump raised safety concerns, FIFA has insisted the team will compete. Authorities hope conditions improve, allowing the tournament to proceed peacefully. (PC: Shutterstock)

Former BCCI chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has spoken about the controversial omission of Rohit Sharma from India’s 2011 World Cup squad, calling it an “unfortunate” decision. Srikkanth admitted the call was difficult and acknowledged that Rohit later proved his worth with outstanding performances for India. At the time, selectors prioritised other players based on form and team balance, but the exclusion remains one of Indian cricket’s most debated decisions. His remarks have reignited discussions among fans and experts about selection choices and how they impact players’ careers in major tournaments. (PC: NDTV)

Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering resting key players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah for the one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6 in Mullanpur, just six days after IPL 2026 ends. The move aims to manage workload ahead of crucial ODI assignments and upcoming World Test Championship fixtures, especially since the Afghanistan Test carries no WTC points. Emerging players such as Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, and Manav Suthar are likely to get debut opportunities after strong domestic performances. Final selection may depend on IPL playoff participation of senior players. (PC: PTI)

Lucknow Super Giants will soon get a boost as Josh Inglis is set to join the squad. He will arrive before their May 4 match against Mumbai Indians. Inglis missed the first half of IPL 2026 due to his wedding. He was bought for ₹8.6 crore. The batter is expected to play the last six matches. LSG are currently struggling after three straight losses. The team is placed eighth on the points table. Inglis scored 278 runs last season. His return is expected to strengthen the batting line-up.

Mumbai Indians defeated Gujarat Titans by 99 runs in IPL 2026. It is GT’s biggest loss in the league. Tilak Varma scored 101 runs off 45 balls. Ashwani Kumar took four wickets. MI posted 199 for 5 after batting first. GT were all out for 100 in 15.5 overs. “It is their biggest defeat,” match records showed. GT’s previous worst loss was by 83 runs in 2025. The win ended MI’s four-match losing streak. The match was played in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya’s team delivered a strong performance with both bat and ball. (PC: Creimas)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised Chennai Super Kings for mismanaging MS Dhoni amid his ongoing fitness struggles in IPL 2026. Dhoni, recovering from a calf injury, has yet to feature even after six matches, leaving uncertainty over his availability. Manjrekar defended captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, blaming team decision-makers instead. He also highlighted how Dhoni’s massive fan following has complicated team dynamics. With CSK showing inconsistent form and lacking clarity on Dhoni’s role, concerns remain over how the franchise plans to utilize the veteran going forward. 

The BCCI is preparing a larger T20 player pool to field two India teams during overlapping schedules later this year. One side may play the Asian Games, while another could face West Indies in a T20 series. A board official said India needs a pool of 30 to 35 players ready for international duty. Shreyas Iyer is likely to captain one of the teams. The upcoming Ireland tour may include a bigger squad as part of the plan. Selectors are tracking strong IPL performers. The move aims to improve squad depth and help India manage a busy cricket calendar. (PC: NDTV)

Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be a major threat to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Powerplay at Eden Gardens. KKR are still winless after six matches and sit last on the table. RR are third with eight points from five games. Sooryavanshi has scored 200 runs from 76 balls this season. He has hit 36 boundaries, with 33 of them in the first six overs. KKR have struggled badly with the new ball. They have conceded 60 boundaries in 180 legal Powerplay balls, the worst rate in the league. If KKR stop Sooryavanshi early, they can bring their spinners into the game. (PC: HT)

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli sparked a social media frenzy after allegedly liking a photo of German influencer Lizzalazz on Instagram. The interaction quickly went viral, triggering memes and speculation before reports suggested the “like” was later removed. Reacting to the buzz, Lizzalazz said she only learned about it through news reports and felt “sorry” for Kohli over the unexpected attention. She also expressed gratitude for the support. The incident has reignited debates around accidental likes, algorithm glitches, and the intense scrutiny public figures face online for even minor social media activity.

The Hyrox Bengaluru 2026 drew around 9,000 participants to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, each paying over ₹9,000, generating more than ₹8 crore in revenue. The event featured high-intensity workouts combining running and functional exercises typically performed in gyms, sparking debate over the growing commercialisation of fitness in India. Critics argue Hyrox reflects a “status symbol” culture driven by social media validation, while supporters see it as a structured, competitive fitness movement gaining global traction. The turnout highlights shifting urban fitness trends, where curated experiences and community-driven challenges are increasingly valued over traditional gym routines, despite significantly higher participation costs. (PC: X via Divya George)