File photo: Virat Kohli (PTI photo)

TimesofIndia.com in Birmingham: Virat Kohli Spent nearly 30 minutes in a one-on-one animated discussion with the ODI captain Shubman Gill India began preparations for the three-match series against England with their first training session at Edgbaston on Saturday.The lengthy conversation appeared to revolve around batting plans for the series, with Kohli offering inputs on shot selection, strategy and how to deal with England’s bowling attack in the three matches starting on July 14. The senior batsman was seen demonstrating different strokes and discussing possible scoring options with Gill, before the pair departed after a two-hour session which included fielding practice and batting in the nets.With the rest of the Indian squad in Southampton for the fifth and final T20 match against England – a match which India ultimately lost by 56 runs and a disappointing 0–4 defeat in the series – only seven members of the ODI squad trained in Birmingham.Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul were the batsmen involved in the session, while Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Gurnoor Brar led the bowling group. India also utilized the services of local net bowlers, including two spinners and a fast bowler, to replicate various match scenarios.Kohli and Rohit looked particularly fluent during their time at the nets. Kohli, in particular, displayed a range of strokes, confidently driving down the ground, executing paddle sweeps and playing his trademark flicks down the leg side well. Bumrah and Brar consistently tested the batsmen by hitting the deck hard and gaining bounce, ensuring an intense opening session.Kuldeep also had a long spell, while the local spinners provided additional variety to the batsmen in preparation for English conditions.India’s support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, oversaw the training session as the visitors began fine-tuning their preparations.The ODI series now gives India a chance to recover after a disappointing performance in the shortest format. After a 0-2 defeat in the T20 series in Ireland, the team reached England and lost badly 0-4.India will begin the ODI series at Edgbaston on July 14 before traveling to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the second match on July 16. The series will conclude at Lord’s on July 19.

Fast bowler Kranti Goud’s first five-for and Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten half-century helped India Women tighten their grip after a strong performance on the second day of the one-off Test against England at Lord’s, taking the visitors closer to a famous victory.

At stumps, India were 154 for 1 in their second innings, taking their total to 269 runs after bowling out England for 170 in reply to the first innings score. With nine wickets still in hand and two full days left, India are firmly in control on the third day.

England vs India, Lord’s Test: Update | Achievement:

Gaud took charge

The day belonged to Kranti Gaur, whose aggressive spell of 5 wickets for 37 runs demolished England’s batting line-up and ensured that the hosts could never recover despite a spirited stand from the middle order.

After removing Tammy Beaumont late on the opening day, Goud wasted little time on Saturday, striking in her second over of the morning when Maia Boucher edged past wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia.

Her extraordinary wicket came soon afterwards when Alice Capsey was beaten with enough movement to cause her off stump to fall back.

Sayali Satghare trapped former captain Heather Knight LBW to reduce England’s score to 47 for 4, after which captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones took the innings forward.

The pair added 84 runs for the fifth wicket, with Jones scoring a brilliant half-century and Sciver-Brunt providing solid support as England threatened to erase India’s first-innings lead.

However, India responded strongly after lunch. Sneh Rana broke the partnership by dismissing Jones for 52, before Goud returned to wrap up the lower order, completing his first five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket. Satghare and Rana took two wickets each, as England lost their last five wickets for just 33 runs.

Mandhana’s height is tall

With a lead of 115 runs in the first innings, India started their second innings with discipline and authority, led once again by Smriti Mandhana.

The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten on 69 runs in 124 balls and after his half-century in the first innings, played another composed innings which kept the England bowlers under constant pressure.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India an ideal start by adding 88 runs for the first wicket. While Shafali was the more aggressive of the two, making 33 before being dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone to substitute fielder Emma Lamb, Mandhana opened the innings with trademark elegance.

His cover drive was a highlight of the innings, while a six straight off Ecclestone highlighted his growing confidence.

After this, Yastika Bhatia along with Mandhana further disappointed England, the pair made an unbroken partnership of 66 runs for the second wicket, taking India safely to the stumps.

With a lead of 269 runs, nine wickets in hand and batting conditions still favourable, India will resume on day three with their sights set on achieving a target well beyond England’s reach and a memorable Test win at the home of cricket.

– ends

While the two-year contract of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s support staff will expire after India’s ongoing England tour, fielding coach T Dilip is unlikely to get another extension.

Let us tell you that after this tour, the two-year tenure of fast bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is also ending. However, both have extension clauses in their contracts and from the BCCI’s point of view, there is a strong desire to retain both.

Dilip, who joined the Indian team as part of Rahul Dravid’s coaching staff, has been one of the more popular members of the support group and will be remembered for his morale-boosting speeches and the introduction of the ‘Best Fielder Medal’ after every match.

T Dileep was sacked after BGT

He was the only member of Dravid’s coaching staff after Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathod and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey stepped down following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. However, after India’s disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia, Dilip was among the two Indian members of the support staff who were removed From their roles. He was later brought back in May 2025, just before India’s tour of England.

India’s fielding standards were scrutinized last year, especially during the Asia CupWhere the team dropped many important catches. Fielding was also one of the few flaws during India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. It is believed that BCCI has now decided to move in a different direction.

Morkel, Doschet likely to continue

Meanwhile, India are looking to retain Morne Morkel, who has earned praise for his work with the country’s fast bowlers across all formats. In particular, Jasprit Bumrah has reached another level under Morkel’s guidance, which was evident during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, where he finished as the standout bowler of the tournament.

India’s bowling attack has steadily improved over the last two years and with the ODI World Cup in South Africa followed by a crucial tour of New Zealand later this year, Gambhir is expected to push for an extension to Morkel’s contract.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is also expected to remain with the team. The former Netherlands captain has become an integral part of Gambhir’s coaching group over the last two years, working closely on player development and tactical planning.

– ends

Sanju Samson returns to the playing eleven (Image: BCCI)

captain of india Shreyas Iyer Two changes were made in the playing eleven after winning the toss and electing to bowl first against England in the fifth and final T20I in Southampton on Sunday.Suryansh Shedge replaced Washington Sundar, while Sanju Samson returned to the team in place of Vaibhav Suryavanshi.Explaining the decision of the toss, Iyer said that the team opted to chase the target after assessing the conditions.“We are going to bowl first. Based on the bowling we have done in the last few matches, we have experienced almost everything. There is a bit of wind and we were told that the wicket will not change much, so we decided to bowl first,” Shreyas Iyer said during the toss. “I just want the boys to give 100 per cent effort, no matter what the result is,” he said. Be in the moment, relax and try to get your best,” Iyer said. captain of england harry brookWhose team leads the five-match series 3-1, said a win will take his team to the top of the ICC T20I rankings.Brook said, “If we win today, we’ll move up to No. 1 in the world, so it’s definitely a prize we have our eyes on. We’ve performed well throughout the series and want to finish strong.” Brook also praised the experienced leg spinner adil rashidWho is playing his 150th T20 match for England. There is one change in their team, Liam Dawson returns in place of Rehan Ahmed. “He has been here for a long time. He is a very valuable player for us. And his skill and guidance and ability to trick players is amazing. And it’s wonderful to have him in there. “Brooke asked for Adil Rashid.

playing eleven

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethel, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tong.

India captain Shubman Gill may be making waves on the cricket field, but the 26-year-old revealed that if he got a chance to trade his bat for a tennis racket, there is only one player he would want in his team, two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Gill was among the star guests of Wimbledon on Friday During the men’s singles semi-finals, as the tournament reached its conclusion, he shared the championship with legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. The Indian batsman said that Alcaraz’s infectious energy and carefree attitude on the court make him his ideal doubles partner.

Speaking to GeoStar, Gill supported maintaining his hold on the tennis court.

Gil said, “Carlos Alcaraz is someone I want to play doubles with. He seems like someone who really enjoys being on the court. It would be fun to play with him. I don’t know the details, but I think I can hold my own in tennis, so it would be a fun match.”

Federer remains Gil’s sporting icon

While Alcaraz is Gill’s choice for a dream doubles partnership, the Indian skipper said his biggest tennis inspiration is Roger Federer. Gill drew parallels between the Swiss legend’s brilliant style and the perception that he too makes batting look effortless.

Gill said, “Roger Federer is my favourite. Growing up, many people said he made everything look effortless. But when you play a game yourself, you realize how much hard work goes into making it look like that. People have called me effortless in cricket too, but I know the effort behind it. The beauty and grace with which Federer played was special and that’s why I admire him.”

Gil also enjoyed a memorable moment during his trip to Wimbledon after meeting Federer. Indian captain Sachin became the fourth Indian male cricket captain after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to receive an invitation to the prestigious Royal Box at Center Court.

Wimbledon has long been a meeting place for sporting icons from all disciplines, and this year’s championships were no different, with Gill, Tendulkar and Lara joining a host of global stars and former champions at the All England Club.

– ends

australian giants nathan lyon He says he is on track to return for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin next month after making significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury. The veteran off-spinner has not played a match since suffering an injury during the third Ashes Test in December. Lyon underwent surgery to reconstruct a damaged hamstring and has since focused on regaining full fitness ahead of a tough tour of Australia, with 20-21 Tests scheduled over the next 13 months. The first Test against Bangladesh begins in Darwin on August 13 and the 38-year-old is optimistic of regaining his place in the playing eleven. “I’m pretty confident I’ll be here next month,” Lyon told reporters in Darwin. “I’m feeling great. Rehab has been really good. It’s been about 26 weeks now since I had surgery and I’m back to doing everything. Running fast, doing everything like that. I’m looking forward to it.” Lyon, who has played 141 Tests for Australia, is the country’s fifth most capped male Test cricketer. He is now just four matches away from being level with the legendary leg spinner shane warneWho finished his career with 145 test matches. The off-spinner was left out of Australia’s two most recent pink-ball Tests in Kingston and Brisbane, where the selectors opted for a pace attack. However, with both the Darwin and Mackay Tests against Bangladesh scheduled as day matches, Lyon is expected to return to his familiar role. Australia’s busy Test calendar also includes challenging series against South Africa, India and England and Lyon believes he still has a lot to offer despite reaching the final stages of his career. “I’m still trying to get better,” he said. “I still feel there is a lot for me to learn there, and I still feel I have a big role to play in Cricket Australia. “You’re always feeling pressure; no one deserves to be selected for Australia… It’s not just my position that people are going for; people are trying to knock down steve smith Too. This is the challenge that will keep us older friends alert. “It’s a big training program now to make sure we go out here ready on August 13, and then after we get that done we’ll worry about the next series.” Lyon’s recovery following the severity of his injury has attracted considerable attention. Cricket Australia’s physical performance coach Ross Herridge described the hamstring injury as “pretty painful”, while national selector george bailey Admitted that there was uncertainty over whether the veteran could return to his previous level. The inclusion of Todd Murphy in Cricket Australia’s central contract list also fueled speculation about Lyon’s long-term future in the Test team. Reflecting on the injury earlier this year, Bailey said: “A hamstring tendon injury for a 38-year-old is quite significant, perhaps it’s a high level injury, or a sense of realism that it may never get back to the upper level where you need it to be. “So what does that look like? It might mean that the ability to play big blocks of games isn’t necessarily important, and you have to look at that. “But having said all that … with a really good block to make it as strong as possible and get back to bowling as well as he can, he’s got a great opportunity for that and it’s tracking well at the moment.” Lyon’s return will be a big boost for Australia as they begin a crucial phase of Test cricket starting with the two-match home series against Bangladesh.

England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he played a round of golf with US President Donald Trump almost 18 months ago, describing the experience as “surreal” and saying the president played “very well” golf.

Trump, who earlier this week revealed he and the Bayern Munich striker played together, praised Kane as both a footballer and golfer after England’s 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16.

Speaking in Miami on Friday before England FIFA World Cup In the quarter-final against Norway, Kane confirmed that the pair met in Palm Beach, Florida, when Trump invited him for a round of golf.

“To be honest, I played absolutely fine,” Kane told reporters. “When I was in Palm Beach they invited me to play. So yeah, when the president invites you somewhere…

“Meeting him and obviously playing golf with him was a pretty surreal experience. His golf is pretty good, honestly. I hope when I’m his age I can play as good as him. So yeah, it was a unique experience and I’m just grateful he invited me to play.”

Trump was the first to praise Kane on his social platform Truth after the England captain’s win over Mexico.

“England’s Harry Kane is a great player!!!” Trump wrote.

The following day, the US President told reporters that the two had previously shared a round of golf.

“I think Ken is a great player,” Trump said. “I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer. He’s really great.”

Kane has enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign, scoring six goals and pipping Erling Haaland to one in the race for the Golden Boot, as England prepare to face Norway for a place in the semi-finals.

Trump dominates World Cup headlines this week After speaking to FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the suspension given to American forward Folarin Balogun after being shown a red card in the group stage.

FIFA later converted Balogun’s one-match ban to a suspended sentence, making him eligible for the round of 16 tie against Belgium. Infantino said Trump’s intervention had no impact on the disciplinary decision. Balogun participated in the match, but the United States were eliminated after a 4–1 loss to Belgium.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends

TimesofIndia.com in Birmingham: Over 200 kilometers away from Southampton, where India’s T20I team will be looking to avoid a crushing defeat in the fifth and final match against England, preparations for the ODI team will begin. Seven members of India’s ODI squad are likely to take to the nets at Edgbaston ahead of the start of the series on July 14.Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli And Shubman Gill is in London ahead of the three-match series. As reported by TimesofIndia.com, Rohit did a few sessions at local clubs in and around London, using the support of young bowlers.This is an important task for 39-year-old Rohit and 37-year-old Virat. Rohit was affected by a hamstring injury during the IPL, but returned in time for the series against Afghanistan where he scored 16, 48 and 79 respectively.Meanwhile, Kohli will be playing for the first time since the IPL 2026 final, where he picked up a hamstring problem. This caused him to miss three ODIs against Afghanistan and was replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now that Kohli is fit and available, Jaiswal is not being counted out despite scoring a century against Afghanistan.Kohli has also come into the field after getting everything clear in the CoE at the end of June. He is undergoing a semi-regular session at Lord’s, the venue of the third ODI.Captain Gill has also been in the UK for the past week and has done several training sessions at the local grounds. He also attended the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone and graced the Wimbledon Royal Box for the semi-final between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Gurnoor Brar and KL Rahul reached Birmingham on Friday. The quartet are also expected to play a part in one of the three practice sessions for India before the series begins.The ODI series begins in Birmingham on July 14 before moving to Cardiff (July 16) and London (July 19).

Lamine Yamal believes Spain have nothing to fear in their blockbuster FIFA World Cup semi-final against France, insisting Didier Deschamps’ team must look over their shoulders. The teenage sensation made the bold statement as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals as Kylian Mbappe prepares for a heavyweight clash with France in Dallas on July 14.

Another player of the match performance, Yamal admitted that this was what everyone expected when the tournament started.

spain vs belgium, FIFA World Cup: : highlighted

“We are really excited. When the World Cup started, we were all looking forward to this match. I think we are the two best teams in the tournament,” Yamal said after Spain secured their place in the last four.

The Barcelona winger also made it clear that Spain have no intention of changing their identity against one of the tournament’s favourites.

“I expect a team that will come at us, but not for the whole match. We will play the way we know how,” he said.

Then came the row that would add even more spice to Tuesday’s semi-final.

“I think if France has anyone to fear it is us, because we are the ones who have beaten them before.”

The comment refers to Spain’s memorable 2-1 win over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals, where 16-year-old Yamal announced himself on the biggest stage with a superb long-range strike before Dani Olmo returned the favor. Spain won the European title, and Yamal believes recent history gives his team every reason to approach another meeting with confidence.

Yamal wants France again

Spain’s confidence has increased further during this World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s side have swept past Austria, Portugal and now Belgium, with Mikel Merino proving the hero once again after coming off the bench to score a dramatic late winner in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Yamal may have scored only one goal this tournament, but his overall impact has been huge. The teenager leads the World Cup with 17 chances and has registered nine shots in Spain’s last two matches, underlining how central a part he has become to La Roja’s attack.

However, personal numbers are the last thing on his mind.

“It doesn’t make me disappointed. I won the Euros by scoring just one goal. As long as we keep moving forward, I’ll be very happy. The team is what matters,” he said.

Asked if he would like to have another iconic moment against France, Yamal smiled and said: “Hopefully I can do it again. I really want to do that.”

MBAPE vs Yamal: Big semi-final clash

Tuesday’s clash will also pit two of world football’s biggest stars against each other.

Mbappe has been in sensational form, with eight goals and three assists in five games to lead Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Yamal’s figures tell a different story. Although he has only found the net once, he has consistently been Spain’s creative heartbeat, troubling defenders with his dribbling, movement and vision.

However, for Yamal, reputation will no longer matter once the whistle blows.

“We have no fear. We have beaten France in the last two matches,” he said.

“We are very happy to reach the semi-finals. We have been much better. All the other teams are behind us. We are here to win and that is what matters.”

“They should be afraid of us. We’ve beaten them twice. We’re not afraid of them. I think we’re the two best teams.”

With Spain chasing its second World Cup final and France aiming for a third consecutive title appearance, Dallas is primed for a contest worthy of the final. And if Yamal’s words are to be believed, Spain are assuming that the pressure is entirely from their opponents.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends