The 34-year-old confirmed his decision shortly after the match, saying his 16-year journey with the Brazilian national team had come to an end.

The announcement followed an emotional night in New Jersey, where Brazil were knocked out despite Neymar scoring a penalty in stoppage time. Norway's victory was powered by two late goals from Erling Haaland.

After the match, Neymar said he had worked hard to recover from injury and return for one final World Cup, but accepted that his time with the national team was over.

The tournament was a challenging one for Neymar. He arrived carrying an injury and missed Brazil's opening matches before gradually returning to the squad under coach Carlo Ancelotti. Even after regaining fitness, he was mostly used as a substitute and made appearances against Scotland and Norway.

His final goal for Brazil came from the penalty spot against Norway, but it was not enough to prevent Brazil's exit from the tournament.

Neymar retires as Brazil's all-time leading men's goalscorer, with 80 goals in 129 international matches since making his senior debut in 2010.

Over four FIFA World Cups, he became the face of Brazilian football and carried the hopes of a nation aiming to win another world title. Although he never won the World Cup, Neymar enjoyed several major achievements with Brazil, including winning the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and leading Brazil to Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after winning silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile Singh has denied the allegations of assault and wrongful confinement made by the cook. Responding to the allegations, Shashank rejected the claims and questioned the timeline presented in the complaint.

“Nothing like that happened. A person who comes on the evening of the 25th and leaves on the morning of the 28th - how can you call that keeping someone hostage?” Shashank said. 

The cricketer also claimed that the cook had exaggerated his cooking skills and later admitted that he could not prepare many of the dishes he had originally said he could make.

According to Shashank, the cook had assured the family that he was an experienced chef capable of preparing a wide variety of food. However, he later acknowledged that he did not have the level of cooking expertise he had claimed, raising doubts about his credibility.

Shashank also accused the employee of recording videos inside private areas of the family's home. He alleged that the cook entered bedrooms, including rooms containing expensive and luxury items, filmed them, and shared the videos with other people.

The Punjab Kings batter said he had very limited interaction with the cook, mainly discussing his cooking experience. He added that the cook had been hired on the recommendation of one of his father's acquaintances and had asked for an advance payment soon after joining the household.

The 35-year-old batter ends an illustrious career that spanned more than 15 years. Williamson played 110 Test matches, scoring 9,515 runs at an average of 54.1, including 33 centuries and 38 half-centuries. His highest Test score was 251. He made his Test debut against India national cricket team in 2010 and also made his ODI debut during the same tour.

In One-Day Internationals, Williamson represented New Zealand in 175 matches, amassing 7,256 runs at an average of 48.7. His ODI record includes 15 centuries and 47 fifties, with a highest score of 148. His final ODI appearance came against England cricket team in October 2025.

In T20 Internationals, Williamson scored 2,575 runs in 93 matches at an average of 33.40, with a highest score of 95 and a strike rate of 123.1.

One of New Zealand's most successful captains, Williamson guided the team to victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 in June 2021. Later that year, he also led the Black Caps to the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.

Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the 2021 T20 World Cup. He was also part of New Zealand teams that finished runners-up at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In franchise cricket, Williamson featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where he maintained a strike rate of 125.6.

Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, Williamson leaves the international game as one of New Zealand's most accomplished cricketers and a respected leader whose calm demeanor and consistency helped shape one of the country's most successful eras in world cricket.

Rana, who was serving as the high-performance coach of India's pistol shooting team, reportedly experienced discomfort while returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich. After arriving in New Delhi, he was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket for treatment. 

Doctors diagnosed a blockage in his heart and performed a stent procedure. A second stent implantation was scheduled in the following days. Although early reports indicated that his condition was stable and improving, news of his passing surfaced on Friday morning.

"He experienced chest pain and discomfort during the ISSF World Cup in Munich, which he initially mistook for acidity, and continued with his travel plans. However, the discomfort returned during the journey back to India, prompting immediate medical attention upon his arrival in Delhi," his brother Subash Rana told the media.

His death is a significant loss for Indian shooting. Widely regarded as one of the nation's finest shooters and most influential coaches, Rana made a lasting impact on the sport through both his competitive achievements and his mentorship of multiple generations of pistol shooters. He remained closely involved with India's national shooting programme until the end of his life.

The squad announcement also brought a major reward for teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has received his first call-up to the senior national side. The 15-year-old impressed with a sensational IPL campaign and has now been included in India's squads for the Ireland and England T20I series, as well as the Asian Games.

The selectors have largely retained a young and dynamic core, with players such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar continuing to feature prominently in India's white-ball plans.

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan return to the setup, while experienced all-rounders Axar Patel and Shivam Dube provide balance to the side. The bowling attack for the Ireland and England tour will be led by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, with Varun Chakravarthy expected to spearhead the spin department.

For the Asian Games, the selectors have made a few changes to the bowling unit. Ravi Bishnoi and Harshit Rana have been included, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to strengthen the squad for the continental event.

India T20I Squad for Ireland and England Tour:

Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

India Squad for Asian Games:

Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah.

The victory carries added weight considering the strength of the competition. The tournament featured some of the biggest names in world chess, including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, reigning world champion D Gukesh, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and Keymer. Wesley So stayed in contention by defeating Firouzja in an Armageddon playoff, but Praggnanandhaa’s crucial final-round success ensured the title remained out of the American’s reach. Meanwhile, Carlsen ended a difficult campaign on a positive note by completing a classical-game double over Gukesh and moving past Keymer to finish fourth.

A standout aspect of Praggnanandhaa’s title-winning run was his exceptional record against Carlsen. The Indian star defeated the Norwegian icon twice in classical games during the event, becoming only the second player after Viswanathan Anand to achieve that feat in a single tournament. He also became the first player to beat Carlsen twice in classical chess in 2026.

The triumph is another milestone in Praggnanandhaa’s rapid rise at the highest level of the sport. Already established among the world’s top players and a qualified contender for the Candidates Tournament, the Chennai-born Grandmaster has now added one of chess’s most prestigious titles to an already impressive list of achievements.

While head coach Gautam Gambhir will be consulted before a final decision is made, sources indicate that the selectors are keen on identifying a long-term captain who can lead India through the next two T20 World Cups. Although Suryakumar guided India to World Cup success, concerns over his recent form have reportedly influenced the selectors' thinking.

Suryakumar struggled in IPL 2026, scoring just 270 runs in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, who finished ninth in the standings. In contrast, Iyer's leadership credentials and consistent performances in the IPL have strengthened his case for the role.

However, selectors are also keeping an eye on Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan as potential future leaders. If Iyer is handed the captaincy, one of the two young players is expected to be named vice-captain in the shortest format.

The BCCI is also set to announce the squad for the upcoming Asian Games, where India will field a full-strength side in an attempt to defend the gold medal won in 2022. Rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to earn a place in the T20 setup following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. The 15-year-old amassed 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.20 and swept multiple post-season awards, making a strong case for national selection.

Canada has emerged as a regular participant in major ICC tournaments in recent years, featuring in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup. The team has also appeared in four ODI World Cups — in 1979, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Cricket Canada has held Associate Member status with the International Cricket Council since 1968.

The Canadian squad includes several players with roots in the Indian subcontinent, particularly from India and Pakistan. Reports have suggested that Cricket Canada has been facing significant governance-related challenges, although the ICC has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind its latest action.

“The ICC Board resolved to suspend Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect due to serious breaches of its membership obligations.

"In taking this decision, the ICC Board was mindful of the importance of protecting the interests of Canadian players and ensuring they are not disadvantaged by the governance issues affecting the national governing body. Accordingly, Canadian national representative teams will continue to be eligible to participate in ICC events during the period of suspension.

"To support the continued participation and development of the national teams, Cricket Canada will be permitted to access ICC funding through a controlled funding mechanism, under the oversight of ICC management, solely for approved national team programmes.

"The ICC will also provide Cricket Canada with a set of reinstatement conditions aimed at addressing the governance and administrative issues identified by the Board. The progress against these conditions will be monitored by the ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by ICC management, with reinstatement of membership subject to the Board being satisfied that the conditions have been fully met,” the ICC said.

Fortunately, all players and support staff were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. However, the incident left the squad stranded on the roadside for nearly an hour before alternative arrangements were made.

The bus fire capped off a disappointing night for Gujarat Titans, who suffered a five-wicket defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final.

The incident also came after a demanding travel schedule for the franchise. Gujarat Titans had travelled from Dharamsala to Mullanpur on May 27 for their Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals on May 29. Their planned return to Ahmedabad on May 30 was significantly delayed due to bad weather in Mullanpur, forcing the team to arrive at their home base only on Saturday evening.

While the fire sparked concern, the timely evacuation ensured the safety of everyone on board, preventing what could have been a far more serious situation.

Virat Kohli smashed the fastest half-century of his IPL career to put Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a strong position against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Chasing a target of 156 runs, RCB were 116/4 after 12 overs, with Kohli and Tim David batting in the middle.

Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, who scored 32 runs off 16 balls, gave RCB a blazing start. However, Rashid Khan brought GT back into the contest by taking two wickets in a single over.

Earlier, RCB's bowlers delivered an impressive performance to restrict GT to 155/8 in their 20 overs. Captain Rajat Patidar's decision to bowl first proved effective as GT lost both captain Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan during the powerplay.

Washington Sundar made the most of a dropped chance and scored a valuable half-century. Rasikh Salam Dar was RCB's standout bowler with three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two wickets each.

RCB are aiming to win their second consecutive IPL title, while Gujarat Titans are also chasing their second championship crown.

Three years later, Gujarat have returned to the final and once again face the possibility of rain in Ahmedabad. In the 2023 final, Gujarat, who were defending champions at the time, lost to Chennai. They failed to reach the final in the next two seasons and slipped to eighth place in 2024 after the departure of Hardik Pandya. However, the team bounced back strongly, reaching the playoffs in 2025 and now making another run to the final in 2026.

This time, Gujarat will take on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have already beaten them twice in three meetings this season, including in Qualifier 1 earlier this week.

Ahmedabad witnessed bright sunshine on Sunday morning, with temperatures above 40°C. However, the weather department has issued a yellow alert for parts of Gujarat. While some rain is expected in and around the city, current forecasts suggest there is only a small chance of rain affecting the match.

Still, weather can change quickly at this time of year, so showers during the final cannot be completely ruled out.

What if rain interrupts the IPL 2026 final?

Rain will not automatically lead to the match being abandoned. Officials will first wait for the weather to improve and try to complete the game.

If there is a long delay, the number of overs may be reduced. At least five overs per side are needed for a result. For a five-over match to take place, play must begin before the revised cut-off time, which is usually 11:55 PM IST.

If no play is possible on the scheduled day because of rain, the IPL 2026 final will be shifted to the reserve day on Monday, June 1.

“I have not failed,” Vinesh said shortly after the loss. The two-time World Championships medallist also alleged that she had been battling against the system for a long time and claimed she was not treated fairly during the selection process.

“I was standing alone while everyone else was on the other side. I had to fight for every single point,” she said, referring to her ongoing differences with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Vinesh further stated that she would continue preparing for future competitions and promised to make a strong comeback, though she did not reveal her next tournament.

The day had already been filled with confusion and drama before the trials even began.

During the official weigh-in earlier in the morning, Vinesh was reportedly informed that she would only be allowed to compete in the 50-kg category. Officials cited her participation in that division during her last four international tournaments, including the Paris Olympics, as the reason behind the decision.

However, Vinesh objected strongly and accused the federation of denying her the right to compete in the category of her choice.

The issue reportedly escalated at the venue before WFI president Sanjay Singh stepped in. Following discussions, the federation eventually allowed Vinesh to participate in the 53-kg trials as well.

Her entry into the category came after legal intervention. Vinesh had approached the courts regarding her participation and was permitted to compete after receiving relief from the Delhi High Court, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

Things got heated at the venue before WFI president Sanjay Singh stepped in and cleared the way for her to enter the 53kg trials. "We do not want to discriminate anyone," he was quoted as saying by PTI, adding that she had not informed the federation which category she wanted beforehand, yet they let her in anyway.

Vinesh weighed in at 53.9kg and was placed in the 53kg draw.

The Delhi High Court had already told the WFI to treat her as an "iconic player" and let her participate in the trials.

Now Vinesh faces a tough field. She will go up against Antim Panghal, a strong and proven name, along with the in-form Meenakshi Goyat. The winner gets to represent India at the Asian Games.

Vinesh kept it short when speaking to reporters: "I am here for at least two years."

On May 22, the Delhi High Court allowed Vinesh Phogat to take part in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court observed that the WFI’s selection policy was restrictive as it did not provide flexibility for accomplished athletes returning after maternity leave.

The High Court also directed the WFI to video-record the trials. It further ordered that one independent observer each from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) should remain present during the process.

While granting relief to Vinesh Phogat, the court said motherhood cannot become a reason to deny opportunities to women athletes. It noted that her break from wrestling due to pregnancy and recovery should not be treated as a professional disadvantage.

The court also criticised the WFI for calling Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics a “national embarrassment” in a show-cause notice issued to her. The Bench termed the remark “deplorable” and said such language should have been avoided.

Vinesh Phogat had challenged the WFI’s selection policy before the High Court, arguing that the eligibility criteria unfairly excluded her because the qualification period overlapped with her maternity break. According to her plea, the policy created an inflexible system that discriminated against athletes returning after childbirth.

Earlier this month, the WFI declared Vinesh Phogat ineligible to compete in domestic events till June 26, citing anti-doping rules that require athletes coming out of retirement to serve a six-month notice period.

Despite the restriction, Vinesh Phogat participated in the National Open Ranking Tournament held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

She had earlier been at the forefront of the 2023 protest by women wrestlers against former WFI chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

In August 2024, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50-kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics after she was found 100 gram  overweight during the morning weigh-in.

He breathed his last at the age of 79. Singh is survived by his wife Vinita and daughters Mahima, Sunaina and Rajeshwari.

“He had a brain stroke earlier and could not recover. He died this morning at about 10.30am in Delhi. The cremation will be held at Haridwar tomorrow. It’s a huge loss for shooting and the Olympic movement. We were together in Indian trap team for more than 20 years and our friendship completed 50 years this year,” Gurbir Singh Sandhu, former president, Punjab Shooting Association, and father of Former world champion Manavjit Sandhu

Born in the Royal family of Patiala, Randhir Singh was one of the most influential figures in the country's Olympic movement with a distinguished shooting career and first Indian shooter to win gold at the Asian Games after claiming the top position in the trap event.

Randhir Singh left an indelible mark in spoorts fraternity and an enduring legacy both as a decorated athlete and a powerful administrator.

While he was competing as a shooter, he forayed into sports administration and became the Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia. During his last international competition in 1994, he became the first person to compete in the Asian Games while being an office bearer in a continental sports organisation.

Singh had recently stepped down as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) citing health concerns. Earlier he had served the organisation for more than two decades including as Secretary Genral from 1991 to 2015. 

Hearing Vinesh Phogat’s plea against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the court observed that allowing her to compete was necessary in the interest of both sports and justice. The High Court also remarked that the federation’s selection policy appeared discriminatory.

To ensure transparency in the process, the court directed the WFI to video-record the trials. It further ordered that two observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) remain present during the selection process.

The decision comes a day after the Delhi High Court strongly criticised the WFI for preventing Vinesh Phogat from participating in domestic competitions. During the earlier hearing, the court questioned why exceptions had earlier been granted to renowned athletes while she was being treated differently.

The court had also suggested the formation of an expert panel and observed that Vinesh Phogat, who is returning to competitive wrestling after maternity leave, should be given an opportunity to compete in the Asian Games trials.

The Wrestling Federation of India had declared Vinesh Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events until June 26, 2026, citing anti-doping regulations. Challenging the decision, the wrestler approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief.

The Delhi High Court also told the Centre to form an expert panel to assess Vinesh’s fitness and chances of returning to competition.

The court asked the government to make sure Vinesh gets a chance to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.

During the hearing, the judges said motherhood is respected and celebrated in India and should not become a reason to stop an athlete from competing. The Bench also remarked that the federation should not behave with “vengeance”.

Vinesh Phogat had approached the High Court after a single-judge Bench earlier refused to give her immediate relief regarding participation in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.

Her lawyer argued that the WFI was trying to keep her out unfairly. He pointed to a show-cause notice sent to her on May 9, just before she participated in a domestic tournament in Gonda.

The court also criticised the language used in the notice, especially the statement calling her Paris Olympics disqualification a “national shame”.

The judges questioned why the federation changed its earlier practice of allowing reputed athletes to return after breaks. The court said the change in rules raised serious questions.

Vinesh became a mother in July 2025 and is now trying to return to wrestling after her maternity break.

The WFI had declared her ineligible till June 26, 2026. The federation said wrestlers returning after retirement must follow a mandatory six-month notice period under anti-doping rules.

Despite the restriction, Vinesh still took part in the National Open Ranking Tournament held in Gonda.

Vinesh Phogat was also one of the leading wrestlers who protested in 2023 against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

In the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh was disqualified from the women’s 50kg final after she was found 100 gram overweight during the morning weigh-in.

Kohli led India in 68 Test matches and guided the team to 40 victories, making him one of the country’s most successful captains in the longest format of the game. Before leaving the Test captaincy, he had also stepped down as India’s T20I captain and was later removed from the ODI captaincy.

Speaking at the third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab’s Indian Sports Summit, Kohli admitted that the responsibility of leading the team and performing with the bat slowly consumed him.

He said he was deeply focused on keeping Indian cricket at the top and did not realise how much pressure he was carrying every day. According to Kohli, by the time he left captaincy, he was mentally and emotionally drained.

Kohli said handling expectations became extremely difficult, especially when his form was not consistent. He added that during his best years, his main aim was to ensure that insecurity never entered the dressing room.

The batting star also credited former India head coach Ravi Shastri and the team management for supporting him during that phase.

Kohli further revealed that the period after leaving captaincy was emotionally challenging. However, he thanked former India coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour for helping him rediscover the joy of playing cricket.

He said their caring and supportive approach made him feel valued again and motivated him to perform for the team. Kohli also shared that they reminded him of everything he had already achieved in his career.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a strong run in Test cricket in 2023 and said he remains grateful to Dravid and Rathour for standing by him during one of the toughest phases of his career.

Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in the ODI squad. However, the participation of Rohit and Hardik Pandya will depend on clearance under the BCCI’s fitness protocols.

Young players Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Prince Yadav (for ODIs only) have received their first India call-ups. Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series.

With the T20 World Cup completed and the focus now shifting toward the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the selectors are expected to use this series to begin shaping a squad capable of competing for the title.

India’s likely top order appears straightforward, with Gill and Rohit expected to open the innings, followed by Kohli at number three.

Rohit had missed five consecutive IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians because of a right hamstring injury. He later returned only as an Impact Substitute. Although his batting form remained solid — scoring 268 runs in seven matches — concerns remained over whether he could handle the physical demands of batting for long periods and fielding through a full 50-over match.

Despite those concerns, he has still been selected in the ODI squad.

India Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc) Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel

India's ODI squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

The Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams, will be played on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, with a direct spot in the final on the line.

The action will then shift to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International PCA Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host both the Eliminator on May 27 (between the third and fourth-placed teams) and Qualifier 2 on May 29. Qualifier 2 will decide the second finalist, with the loser of Qualifier 1 facing the winner of the Eliminator.

The tournament will culminate with the final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Originally, the final was scheduled to be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, due to certain requirements from the local association and authorities—beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines—the venue was shifted and reassigned.

After 70 high-intensity league-stage matches, the tournament now enters its decisive phase, with playoffs being conducted across three venues this season as a special operational arrangement.

Schedule

Qualifier 1 – May 26 – HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala

Eliminator – May 27 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Qualifier 2 – May 29 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Final – May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad