India handed Vaibhav Suryavanshi a maiden T20I call-up after the 15-year-old’s record-breaking Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. While many expected him to be included straight into the playing XI, India have instead taken a patient approach.

Gautam Gambhir led team management did not decide to hand over Suryavanshi is the first movie During the two-match Ireland series. Despite India’s disastrous 0-2 defeat, the team stuck to the same combination for the first T20I against England, resulting in the young left-hander having to play another game on the bench.

Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel, himself one of India’s youngest Test debutants, said the team management should be clear in its communication with Suryavanshi. Parthiv said that if India wants to retain its T20 World Cup-winning opening pair, then they should tell Vaibhav that at present there is no place for him in the playing eleven.

“When you are part of the coaching staff, you have to make sure that you communicate clearly with the players. Even if you are not playing him, you have to tell him that. He is a 15-year-old kid, so you have to be very careful with him and advise him to be patient,” Parthiv Patel said on Geostar.

“There are a number of players who have performed really well. Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan, who is batting at No. 3, is the ICC’s No. 1 ranked T20I batsman, while Abhishek Sharma is No. 2. At the moment, There is no place for Vaibhav in the elevenAnd he needs to be really well informed,” he said.

However, the former India cricketer believes that Vaibhav is likely to make his debut at some stage during the ongoing England series, which still has four matches left.

India will play the second T20 match of the series in Manchester on Saturday, July 4. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to continue as the opening pair.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi of India (ANI photo)

The excitement surrounding Vaibhav Suryavanshi has extended far beyond India, with the 15-year-old capturing the attention of cricket fans around the world. Such has been the hype around the teenage sensation that supporters have been buying tickets for India’s T20I matches in Ireland in the hope of seeing him in action. However, Suryavanshi remained on the sidelines during the two-match series.The story didn’t change after India traveled to Durham for the T20I against England. Despite growing anticipation surrounding his international debut, the youngster once again had to make his way to the bench. His frequent misses have surprised many former cricketers including Ravi Shastri Sunil Gavaskar. Now, the former England captain michael vaughn And Alastair Cook has also raised questions on India’s decision.Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Vaughan admitted that he could not understand why Suryavanshi was not given a chance, even as he suggested that he would like to ask questions directly to the BCCI and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar.Vaughan said on the Stick to Cricket podcast, “We should be saying to the BCCI and the selectors, Ajit, how come he didn’t play against Ireland? Our guy, the kid,” Cook replied: “I’m there tomorrow, and I’m driving as a fan to make sure that 15-year-old kid plays.”While Vaughan and Cook’s comments reflect growing concern over Suryavanshi’s absence, the Indian team management seems unlikely to change its stance. The selectors and coaching staff have consistently said that Kishore will get his chance at the appropriate time.At present, Suryavanshi’s path to joining the playing eleven is closed. Abhishek Sharma And sanju samsonBoth of them are firmly established in India’s T20I team. After playing a key role in India’s third T20 World Cup win four months ago, neither batsman is expected to lose his place any time soon.Nevertheless, its omission has continued to spark debate given Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary growth over the past five months. This left-handed player, captaining India for the first time, led India to the Under-19 World Cup title and played a brilliant inning of 175 runs in the final. He then continued that momentum in the IPL and became the youngest Orange Cap winner by scoring 776 runs.Suryavanshi also impressed for India A in Sri Lanka, before joining the senior team for the Ireland tour. His match-winning 94 in the final included the fastest half-century in List A cricket and played a decisive role in India’s comprehensive victory, further strengthening the case for those eager to see the teenage prodigy make his international debut.

Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team “showed the world our identity” after the island nation’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign ended with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina in the round of 32 on July 3.

argentina vs cabo verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: highlight

Playing in their first World Cup and ranked 67th in the world, Cape Verde emerged as one of the biggest success stories of the tournament. They defeated former champions Spain and Uruguay in the group stage and then defeated Argentina for the full 120 minutes in a match that was not expected to be this close.

Despite the sadness of elimination, Bubista said that pride outweighed disappointment.

“The feeling in the dressing room is one of sadness,” Bubista told reporters.

“Of course, we are sad, because we are leaving the competition and because we have come so close, so close.

“Even if they were sad, the players were hugging each other, crying. That’s part of growing. It helps us grow, and also shows that the team has a spirit.”

the former defender said equaling the longest reigning world champion It was a testament to the confidence and character of his team.

“I’m proud of our players and what they did. They did it with honor and courage,” he said.

“I think Argentina showed why they are world champions. I think I could say our team showed how willing they were to play this match.

“I don’t think any other team could have scored two goals against Argentina and taken the match to extra time. I think it shows the character of our team and how skilled our team is. They did it bravely and we never lost our identity.”

For Bubista, the campaign was about much more than results. It was an opportunity for Cape Verde, a country of over half a million people, to introduce itself to the world of football.

“More than just playing, it was about showing our identity to the world,” he said.

“We had a team that wanted to play throughout the tournament, as long as we were here, and play against the best teams in the world.

“We played fairly and we were on par with our opponents.

“I think everyone should thank the players for their tournament, because they showed what our little country is all about.”

Cape Verde left the tournament without making the quarterfinals but with a place in history. His fearless performance and extraordinary performance against Argentina ensured that the World Cup debutant received respect far beyond the result.

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Egypt created history on Friday by reaching the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup for the first time by defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in extra time.

Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly converted the winning penalty after Australia missed two spot-kicks, sealing a historic victory for the Pharaohs.

australia vs egypt, FIFA World Cup 2026: highlight

Imam Ashour gave Egypt the lead after 13 minutes with a header from Karim Hafez’s cross and scored his 250th goal of the tournament. Australia responded 10 minutes into the second half when Mohammed Hani inadvertently headed Aiden O’Neill’s dangerous free-kick into his own net, his second own goal of the tournament.

Egypt held their nerve in the shoot-out to seal their first World Cup knockout win and will now face the winner of Friday’s round of 32 clash between defending champions Argentina and World Cup debutants Cabo Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday.

(more to follow)

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England all-rounder Sam Curran Vaibhav has described Suryavanshi’s emergence in the Indian team as an “incredible story”, adding that the 15-year-old has attracted attention for himself, while hoping England can keep him quiet if he makes his international debut in the ongoing T20I series.The cricket world has been waiting for Suryavanshi to make his India debut after he was selected for the UK tour following his performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.Speaking to the media before the second T20 match, Curran said that he has watched Suryavanshi closely during the IPL.“I think it’s an incredible story. I watched a lot of IPL for a month, and I was just watching this guy, he looks so effortless. It’s really incredible and it’s right too, he’s getting the attention he deserves.“He’s very raw and he’s just enjoying his life, isn’t he? Playing for India at the age of 15 is a really cool story and I think even as the opposition, you have to admire the skills and things like that,” Curran said.Curran believes that the conditions in England could present a different challenge for the young player.“I think England will probably be a different challenge, the pitches are very different, much slower than India. People may have their own plans and all that kind of thing.“So I think, definitely we’ll have our plans, but I’m not saying they’re perfect plans, you never know because he’s playing really well.He added, “But at the end of the day, I will try and showcase my skills, but there is no doubt that he is very special at what he is doing.”Suryavanshi finished IPL 2026 as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of over 230.Curran also said that handling the attention that comes with playing for India could be Suryavanshi’s biggest challenge.“I think being an Indian cricketer in India is probably a lot bigger than us. So I think that will probably be his biggest challenge, how he handles it. He has played one or two IPL seasons and is now straight into the Indian team. I am sure there are people around him who are trying to help him. But I think you won’t know until he makes his debut and see how he performs.“I’m sure he’ll have his ups and downs like anyone else, but as a cricketer, you’ve got to enjoy what he’s doing because it’s so good. At the age of 15, I think I was knocking around at Surrey Indoor School.”

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has defended the team management’s decision to delay Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s international debut and asserted that it would be unfair to overlook established performers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson despite the growing enthusiasm for the teenage batting sensation.

Speaking ahead of the second T20I against England, Morkel stressed that the Indian team believes in rewarding players who have consistently performed well at the highest level rather than making changes driven by publicity or public demand.

Morkel clarified that India’s current opening pair has earned the confidence of the management through consistent performances over time.

“I think we just need to respect the fact that we have the number one batsman, or we have the number one batsman in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. You know, Sanju was a World Cup player,” Morkel told reporters ahead of the second T20 match.

Vaibhav, who became one of the biggest talking points after his breakout IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals where he finished as the leading run-getter, has been included in India’s T20I squad but is yet to earn his first cap.

‘It is right to support your players’

Abhishek has established himself as one of India’s most destructive T20 batsmen over the last two years. The left-handed batsman played many explosive innings, Which also includes a quick century against Zimbabwe in 2024 And played a match-winning inning of 135 runs in 54 balls against England in 2025, and recently became the fastest batsman to hit 100 T20I sixes.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson’s recent performances have been mixed, but his reputation as a player who performs well in big matches remains intact. Strong role in India’s T20 World Cup victory Earlier this year, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

Morkel also highlighted Samson’s overall contribution, including his strong IPL season, as the key reason behind India’s decision to stick with the experienced opener.

Morkel said, “He (Samson) had a great IPL. So, I think as a coaching staff, it is appropriate to show confidence and support your players. Yes, a young guy is knocking on the door and it is exciting.”

The former South African fast bowler further said that supporting established players also strengthens the confidence of the dressing room and sends a clear message of confidence to the entire team.

“But I think it’s a good sign, not only for those two players at the top, but also for the rest of the group, that we show that we support you guys,” he said.

With India prioritizing continuity at the top of the order, Suryavanshi’s long-awaited international debut looks to be further delayed, even as one of the country’s most promising young talents continues to wait for her opportunity on the big stage.

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Hardik Pandya, right, celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan with teammate Ishan Kishan during the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday, February 15, 2026. (AP photo)

Pakistan men’s team head coach Mike Hesson has questioned the way his team is judged based on their results against India and said no team in world cricket has found a consistent answer to the current Indian team.Speaking to Cricinfo, Hesson said that Pakistan’s progress should not be measured only by matches against India. The former New Zealand coach, who takes charge of Pakistan’s white-ball teams in 2025, acknowledged India’s current position at the top in world cricket and said Pakistan is not the only team to struggle against them.The two teams have not played a bilateral series for over a decade due to political reasons. They now meet only in multi-nation tournaments, where India have dominated the rivalry since 2022, including three wins over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup and a 61-run win in the 2026 T20 World Cup.“For example, last year in the Asia Cup we won all the matches except India,” Hesson told Cricinfo. “The reality is that every single team in the world is struggling to beat India at the moment. Every team, not just Pakistan.”Hesson said that due to the focus on India, Pakistan’s performance against other teams is often ignored.He said, “Rightly or wrongly, Pakistan are judged by how they perform against India. And at the moment, India are not only the best team; they are the best team by a mile.” “In the T20 World Cup, we lost to England in the Super 8 because of Harry Brook’s century and a very tough game outside of that. We won every match [other] The game except India,” he said.The Pakistan coach pointed to the team’s improvement over the past year and said the results show they are moving in the right direction.“Till 2023-2025, we won’t be able to get out of the pool in ICC events. So unless you start winning more regular games of cricket, you can’t suddenly go from eighth in the world to being competitive. And it’s important for us to win about 20 per cent to three-quarters of our games in a year.”

For almost an hour, Cristiano Ronaldo looked as frustrated in Toronto as he has looked at any time during this World Cup.

Croatia eliminated them from the competition; His movement rarely got the passes he wanted, and the chances that came his way either went inches wide or ended with the offside flag raised. The Portugal captain managed only 17 touches in the first half and failed to register a shot from open play or a single touch inside Croatia’s penalty area, despite his team dominating possession and territory.

And yet, by going full-time, he finally achieved what he had spent two decades pursuing.

Ronaldo’s calmly taken penalty helped Portugal recovered from defeat and defeated Croatia 2-1. And, more importantly for them, they erased the only gap left in their extraordinary World Cup performance.

But when the 41-year-old finally passed the last statistical milestone that had eluded him, the Portuguese left Toronto with another conversation altogether.

Goncalo Ramos’s match-winning header and Roberto Martínez’s willingness to replace his captain have suddenly made the build-up to the round of 16 with Spain far more interesting than just a few hours ago.

This isn’t necessarily a debate about whether Ronaldo should start or not. This is a debate over what gives Portugal its best chance against one of the strongest opponents left in the tournament.

the game never got ronaldo

Portugal probably played some of its best football of the World Cup in the first half without Ronaldo involved.

Rafael Leao was tireless down the left, Pedro Neto constantly stretched Croatia’s defense and Bruno Fernandes repeatedly found space between the lines. Portugal created chances, but they rarely reached the areas where Ronaldo wanted them.

A Neto cross went inches wide of his diving header. Another teasing delivery flashed untouched into the six-yard box. A trademark free-kick hit the wall, before an offside flag denied his chance of success.

Croatia deserves huge credit for this.

Marin Pongracic and Josip Sutalo squeezed every yard around Ronaldo, while Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic continued to build for Portugal through wide areas rather than feeding their captain through the middle.

The game was revolving around Ronaldo rather than him, a sign of age and the passing of time for a player who has spent two decades being the center of almost every Portugal attack.

The numbers reflected this. Ronaldo completed 19 of his 20 passes but created no chances, attempted no dribbles and finished with only one shot in 81 minutes, a penalty.

Ronaldo’s first World Cup knockout goal

Portugal’s equalizer came when Renato Veiga was pulled down inside the box during a corner. VAR is finally giving a penalty After a long review. And from the moment of the decision to the time the cameras reached the 12-yard spot, there was no doubt in the entire world as to who would take it.

Ronaldo fired the penalty straight into the center to score his 11th World Cup goal and, ultimately, his first goal in the knockout stage. A moment that had somehow eluded him in six tournaments despite everything he had achieved in international football.

The goal changed the atmosphere in the stadium, but it did not immediately change the pattern of the game.

Martínez’s quadruple attacking substitution left Portugal dangerously open through midfield after Ivan Perisic had put Croatia ahead. Kovacic repeatedly drove into wide spaces, hitting the post and forcing Diogo Costa into another superb save as Croatia looked the more dangerous side.

With nine minutes remaining, Ronaldo’s turn came.

The Portugal coach added Ruben Neves, sacrificing his captaincy for more control in the midfield. Ronaldo did not hide his disappointment, but the substitution was probably the manager’s first correct decision at this World Cup.

More than just another forward, Portugal needed another midfielder.

Martínez made a big call.

Luckily for him, it worked.

Enter: Super Sab Ramos

Neves helped restore the balance, Portugal regained control and then came the decisive moment.

Leão, Portugal’s most talented attacker all evening, sent a cross towards the far post, where Goncalo Ramos rose above two Croatian defenders to almost score the winner with his first meaningful involvement.

Ronaldo was the first player off the bench to celebrate with him.

It was an appropriate image. A striker has finally completed his World Cup story. The other just made sure it would continue.

Ramos’ contribution shouldn’t automatically turn this into a baseless Ronaldo-versus-Ramos debate. Both offer completely different properties.

Ronaldo has the biggest presence in this Portuguese team. His movement inside the box, composure in decisive moments and clear aura make him a player that opponents must reckon with.

Ramos, meanwhile, brings something different.

He applies constant pressure, stretches defensive lines with his running and gives Portugal more mobility without the ball. Against Croatia, he needed only one real chance to show why Martínez continues to trust him.

With Spain waiting this difference suddenly matters a lot more.

Spain offers a different exam

Croatia exposed a weakness that Portugal cannot overcome in the Round of 16.

Once Martínez chased the game by flooding the pitch with attackers, Portugal lost complete control of the midfield. Kovacic repeatedly burst into the center, Perisic found space to create from wide areas and Croatia thought they had taken extra time on three separate occasions, before VAR ruled them out each time.

Spain is unlikely to be so forgiving.

Luis de la Fuente’s side certainly look to be the most balanced team after France at this World Cup.

A tiki-taka show of controlling the match through midfield before pressing the opponents without the ball. If Croatia could create those positions, Spain would be confident that they could exploit them even more ruthlessly.

That’s why the biggest question before the Round of 16 is not just whether Ronaldo will start or not.

The point is whether Martinez prioritizes experience or balance.

He has already shown against Croatia that emotions will not dictate his decisions. With the game hanging in the balance, replacing Ronaldo required conviction, although we have seen little of that from the boss or the team.

Whether he goes a step further against Spain is a different question, but Ramos’s winner at least showed him the inevitable existence of an option.

Ramos hasn’t displaced Ronaldo with a header, nor should a performance erase everything the captain still has to offer.

But against a Spain team that on paper appears to be one of the favorites for the tournament, Martínez now has a tactical decision that did not seem as complex as it faced Croatia.

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