Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara opined that 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi “should definitely play Test cricket” if he gets the right opportunity and noted that the longer format of the game should be in every young player’s mind. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has already broken several records with this swashbuckling batting, has emerged as the highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season so far. He has scored 404 runs in 10 innings.

With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi consistently impressing with his explosive batting, there has been growing demand from fans and experts to fast-track him into India’s T20I squad.

However, Cheteshwar Pujara said that while Sooryavanshi is performing well in T20 cricket and is likely to earn an India call-up in the future, if the left-hander has the right opportunity and ability, he should definitely aim to play Test cricket, as the format helps build temperament, skill, and respect for the game, which every young cricketer should aspire to.

“Vaibhav is such a player who is doing very well in T20 cricket, and he will definitely get a chance in the Indian team. Whether he plays Test cricket or not, only time’ll tell. If he has the potential, opportunity, time, and he can play his game, then he should definitely play Test cricket, because your temperament, your ability, and the respect that you talk about come from Test cricket. So definitely, Test cricket should be there in each and every young player’s mind,” Pujara, an expert on JioHotstar’s ‘Champions Waali Commentary,’ said during an interaction with the media.

Pujara said that while Test cricket is the ultimate format, white-ball specialists also have the ability to succeed in other formats. He suggested that players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer should be used according to their strengths, supporting the idea of having different players for different formats.

“I do agree that Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game, but that doesn’t mean that the white-ball specialist players don’t have that ability. If there is a white-ball specialist, like Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) and Shreyas Iyer, then they should be playing that format. There should be different players for different formats,” he said.

Pujara also opened up about his role as JioStar’s CTV Hindi feed expert. Comparing it to the traditional in-studio commentary, he explained that his role blends storytelling with detailed match analysis. He said his experience as a player helps him break down on-field situations, explain players’ techniques and decision-making, and highlight bowling strategies. Pujara added that this perspective not only enhances viewers’ understanding of the game but also helps young cricketers learn from real match scenarios.

“This is commentary, but at the same time, there are a lot of stories that come out in this. Because as players you have a lot of experience, you have played cricket, what you have seen in a particular situation, how do you deal with that. Also, there is a lot of analysis of what happens on the field, what we feel that players can do, or sometimes we feel that someone is batting really well, what their positives are, and how they are able to play some shots technically. It is important that even for the viewers, many people want to know what happens on the field, how someone is able to execute a particular shot, if someone is bowling really well, what are the angles they are trying to use. So, it gives a different perspective to the viewers and even to some of the young players who want to learn the game,” Pujara said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery admitted his side executed the perfect plan after they earned a dominant 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to overturn a first-leg deficit and reach the Europa League final.

Chris Wood’s penalty in the first leg gave Vitor Pereira’s side the edge heading into the second leg but Ollie Watkins levelled the aggregate scores with the opener in the 36th minute.

Forest failed to deliver the type of performance that saw them go 10 games unbeaten and they went behind in the tie 13 minutes after the interval courtesy of Emi Buendia’s penalty before John McGinn’s double sealed a 4-1 aggregate win and a trip to Istanbul on May 20.

Villa are through to their first European final in 44 years where they will face German side Freiburg as Emery hunts a fifth Europa League title, having won three with Sevilla and one with Villarreal.

He told a press conference: “At Villa Park we were expecting something different.

“Today we tried to prepare better, push with the players and we did it. We were focusing on what we needed to improve and the players responded fantastic. How we won the match was in the plan we had.

“They were so focused. It was the only match we played with this circumstances, semi-final, we did two years ago in Conference League but we played the second leg away. Now we can feel happy and proud.”

The Prince of Wales was in attendance and even joined in celebrations inside the dressing room afterwards.

Emery added: “He was in the dressing room with the players and with me, and of course he is so happy as well.”

Villa will quickly switch their attention back to the Premier League where they have three games to secure their place in the Champions League next term.

Emery said: “We still have a final to play. We can win and we can lose the final and if we lose we have achieved nothing.

“We need the Premier League. We need to try and focus on the match on Sunday to get Champions League positions and hopefully we can get it in the Premier League and then the final.”

Nottingham Forest were unable to cling on to their first-leg advantage and were beaten for the first time since a 1-0 defeat to Midtjylland in this competition in March.

Forest, who were without Morgan Gibbs-White, will now look to secure their Premier League status this weekend with a home fixture against Newcastle.

Pereira said: “If you look at our bench today we brought three players in condition to play and three players injured, three boys from the academy and Murillo with a risk to play.

“In the end, I’m proud of my team and players, of our supporters, but today we came without conditions to compete for the final. Difficult conditions for us.

“They tried everything but we didn’t have the solutions. It was a tough result but it was a long road till the semi-final.

“A sad and difficult day but we need to look for the future. It is difficult to compete at this level every three days losing players.”

Paris Saint-Germain secured a dramatic place in the UEFA Champions League final after edging Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in a thrilling semifinal second leg. Despite late pressure from the hosts, PSG held their nerve to complete a memorable two-legged victory and set up a final showdown against Arsenal in Budapest on May 30.

The visitors made a dream start at the Allianz Arena, with Ousmane Dembélé striking in the 3rd minute. The move was sparked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose clever run and assist carved open the Bayern defence, allowing Dembélé to finish calmly and extend PSG’s aggregate lead.

Bayern responded strongly through Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Jamal Musiala, all of whom created chances as the German side pushed for a comeback. However, PSG’s defensive resilience, led by key saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma and disciplined organization at the back, kept the hosts at bay for long stretches.

Manuel Neuer kept Bayern alive with several crucial saves, including a standout stop from Désiré Doué in the second half. PSG, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counter while also dropping into a compact defensive shape as the game progressed.

As the match entered its final stages, Bayern found a late breakthrough through Harry Kane, who powered home a finish to make it 5-6 on aggregate and briefly raise hopes of a dramatic turnaround. However, PSG managed the closing minutes effectively, slowing the tempo and holding possession under pressure.

After five minutes of added time, the referee’s whistle confirmed PSG’s qualification for back-to-back Champions League finals. The French champions once again demonstrated their resilience in Europe’s biggest competition, while Bayern were left to rue missed chances across both legs in a tightly contested semifinal.

Bayern XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Díaz; Kane. 

PSG XI: Safonov; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Steve Maclin has been through it all since he joined TNA Wrestling (TNA) in 2021.

He’s feuded with major stars in pro wrestling like Nic Nemeth, Josh Alexander, Moose, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Mike Santana just to name a few. He’s a two-time TNA international champion and an Impact world champion.

PRO WRESTLING STARS LEADING SHOWCASE TO BENEFIT TUNNEL TO TOWERS, SHARE WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS TO THEM

Steve Maclin, left, and Deonna Purrazzo are running a shot to benefit veterans and first-responders. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

Amid a recent wave of stars joining the free-agent market over the last two weeks, Maclin shared why anyone should consider TNA as a potential landing spot for the future.

“TNA has always been under the radar. It’s kinda been that land of misfit toys where you can go and reinvent yourself or invent yourself as a new character in general and kinda show the world who you are,” he told Fox News Digital. “TNA has always been giving me that opportunity, especially the day that I hit the ground running in TNA Wrestling, I haven’t stopped – becoming the world champion, becoming the first TNA international champion, and now, hopefully coming back and going back after the world title as well.

“It’s a place where you can grow and it’s a place that’s kinda that locker room that everyone has always been looking for and it’s that family orientation. And it’s said a lot in the world of pro wrestling but it’s very family oriented where we all take care of each other no matter how good or bad the creative is or how the upper echelon is, the locker room always takes care of the locker room. They’re the ones that make bad creative look like its good creative on television.”

Maclin has also been afforded the opportunity to run a benefit event with his wife, fellow pro wrestling champion Deonna Purrazzo, to help give back to veteran and first-responders.

Pro wrestling stars Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo were champions at TNA. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Maclin and Purrazzo will host the Battle for the Brave on June 6 in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Maclin served with the U.S. Marines.

“It’s a great cause just because that entire New York/New Jersey area, the Tri-State area, has really been affected by 9/11. It affected both of our lives,” Maclin told Fox News Digital in a story published earlier this week. “I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005. It just affected everyone. So, especially a lot of the talent that’s on the card as well, everybody has some type of story or link toward 9/11.

“And with Tunnel to Towers, a lot of people in that area love the cause and love what Tunnel to Towers does for the community by giving back to first responders’ families, paying off mortgages, smart homes for veterans who have been wounded and now paying off college tuitions for first responders’ and veterans’ families who have lost some loved ones.”

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TNA airs weekly programming Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

Floyd Mayweather provided a long overdue update on his rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

It was announced earlier this year that the two boxing icons would renew their money-spinning rivalry by facing off in a professional rematch. Pacquiao last competed in the paid ranks in 2025, fighting to a draw against then WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Mayweather, however, retired in 2017 and had shown no desire to put his 50-0 record on the line since.

Despite the fight being confirmed by Netflix, Mayweather poured cold water on the plans by claiming that it would instead be an exhibition. Pacquiao’s side responded by saying the comments contradicted what had already been agreed, and that binding contracts were in place.

As this dispute played out behind the scenes, Mayweather has also been busy preparing for an exhibition against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis.

As reported by ESPN’s Andreas Hale, at the official press conference for the bout, Mayweather commented on the Pacquiao rematch positively and said that it is on track to be completely finalised within two days.

Floyd Mayweather said that the Pacquiao fight is “close to the finish line” and believes it will get done in the next 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/H7nvoCps11

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) May 7, 2026

What was being negotiated after the initial announcement remains unclear, but given Pacquiao’s insistence that the fight would be a professional bout and his lack of interest in an exhibition, it appears the American – who won the first fight in 2015 by unanimous decision – is now back on board with those terms.

Given that The Sphere will no longer play host and that the most recent reports suggest the fight will be brought forward, a new announcement with updated details will come should Mayweather’s words ring true. This time, perhaps, it will be set in stone.

Deonna Purrazzo was credited with helping restart the women’s division in Ring of Honor (ROH) when she joined the company in 2015. She was featured in one of the first women’s matches in the company’s history in nearly a decade at the time.

She spent three years with the company before she landed back in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2024. By that time, AEW co-founder Tony Khan had bought Ring of Honor and it became a sister company of AEW. Upon her return to Ring of Honor, she was thrust into a tournament to determine the first ROH women’s pure champion.

PRO WRESTLING STARS LEADING SHOWCASE TO BENEFIT TUNNEL TO TOWERS, SHARE WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS TO THEM

Deonna Purrazzo celebrates after winning her match during AEW Collision on June 15, 2024, at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

In December, Purrazzo defeated Billie Starkz to be crowned the champion and has held the title ever since.

As a wave of new wrestlers hit the free-agent market over the last two weeks, Purrazzo touted the opportunities that Ring of Honor has for women’s wrestlers – something that was “really important” to the New Jersey native.

“I think what’s so great about Ring of Honor is that it kinda flies under the radar a little bit,” she told Fox News Digital. “So, you get to really develop and tell stories and show personality and maybe try something different than you would if you were on ‘Dynamite’ every single week. I think that there is really great women’s wrestling within Ring of Honor. Most weeks there’s four, five, six women’s matches and so I think that it doesn’t get enough credit online that it deserves for what it’s doing and the purpose it’s serving for women’s wrestling, which is, again, really important to me, starting in Ring of Honor, starting the women’s division 11 years ago.

“To get to see multiple women every single week grow and develop, I think it’s really important and I think that if more people saw it as a landing spot, we can maybe grow that perception in the public’s eyes.”

Athena sits at the top of the women’s division in ROH. She’s held the ROH Women’s World Championship for more than 1,200 days. Red Velvet is the current ROH Women’s World Television Championship and has held it for more than 150 days.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Deonna Purrazzo attends Shaq’s Fun House at XS nightclub at Encore Las Vegas on Feb. 9, 2024. (Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

Purrazzo also has the opportunity to help veterans and first-responders in need.

She and her husband, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling star Steve Maclin, are putting on the Battle for the Brave on June 6. The charity event will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Purrazzo stressed how important giving back to military veterans was to her in an interview with Fox News Digital earlier this week, especially as a military wife. Maclin served in the U.S. Marines.

“Growing up in New Jersey as well, 9/11 was such a big deal. For me, I was in second grade,” she said. “I didn’t understand what was going on but in the days after, I felt a sense of unity in that everyone came together, everyone was proud to be an American, and we were going to fight back and stand together and be one, united country. And I think that, that feeling has always stuck with me but being a veteran’s wife, it’s taken on a completely different role.

“Steve opening up about his service and things he’s seen and experienced with me has given me a new passion to let veterans know that, yes, war will always come home with you but it doesn’t have to define you. Steve was so lucky that he was able to find wrestling right after he got out of the Marine Corps and it saved him, in a way, from falling down the unknown path of ‘What am I? Who am I next?’

Pro wrestling stars Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo stare at each other. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“And I think that’s something that our veterans deal with unbeknownst to the rest of the public. It’s not talked about enough. They say 22 veterans but right now the math is leading toward 44 veterans a day lose their lives to that battle – an identity crisis of who am I after service. So, that’s what it means to be American for me now, is showing that support for our veterans, showing that our country is here for them and we’re here to support them and we’re here to give them the resources that they need to live healthy and successful lives after service.”

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

MUNICH— Ousmane Dembélé scored early and Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich with a 1-1 draw to reach the Champions League final again on Wednesday.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia raced clear after playing a simple one-two with Fabián Ruiz in midfield, then picked out the unmarked Dembélé to sweep the ball in under the crossbar in the third minute of the semifinal second leg.

READ: ‘Magical’ Dembele brace fires Paris Saint-Germain top in France

By the time Harry Kane equalized in stoppage time it was too late to keep alive Bayern’s dream of a Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble.

The draw gave PSG, the defending champion, a 6-5 win on aggregate after edging their encounter 5-4 in the first leg in Paris last week.

The French league leader will face Arsenal in the final in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, after the Gunners defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Tuesday to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

READ: French fans finally have capital city derby with PSG vs PFC

“It’s magnificent, two finals,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “Now we will go there and try to fetch a second star. I said to the players we are warriors.”

PSG’s defense — breached four times in Paris last week — kept Bayern’s much vaunted attack of Kane, Luis Díaz and Micheal Olise largely in check.

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

“We know how to suffer and we’re ready for what we have to face,” PSG midfielder João Neves said. “We’re very proud of how far we’ve come.”

By the time Kane let fly for his 55th goal across all competitions including the German Supercup for Bayern this season, PSG’s substitutes were already lining up to celebrate.

The England captain’s goal ensured Bayern has scored in every competitive match this season. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany struck an optimistic tone despite the disappointment.

“We made progress this season,” Kompany said. “We have to do it again.”

Real Madrid was the last team to achieve back-to-back titles — winning three in a row from 2016-18.

“Shoot us into the final,” the Bayern fans had urged their team with a huge choreography as the combatants emerged on the field.

Bayern only needed one goal to level the tie, but it soon turned to two after Fabián sent Kvaratskhelia on his way.

If the Georgia star was surprised by how much space he was offered by the absent defense, he didn’t stop to question it. Desiré Doué was another option queuing beside Dembélé to take a shot with Luis Díaz the closest Bayern player back.

Bayern’s players complained the already-booked Nuno Mendes should have been booked again when the ball hit his arm in the first half, but referee João Pinheiro blew instead for a handball from Konrad Laimer.

There were more protests shortly afterward when Vitinha struck teammate João Neves’ arm with the ball in the penalty area with a clearance.

Kompany played down the importance of the referee’s calls, though he also said more time should have been played in stoppage time.

While Bayern dominated possession, PSG was more efficient, with Doué and Kvaratskhelia keeping Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer alert after the break.

“PSG were killers with their five goals and how they scored (last week),” Neuer said. “That’s what we needed today. I think we were close to the final but couldn’t finish the job.”

PSG already had good memories of Munich. The city was the scene of PSG’s triumph in the final last season when it demolished Inter Milan 5-0 to fulfill its Qatari owners’ quest to become European champion for the first time. A relatively unchanged team is well-placed to deliver the second title.

The 2026 Truist Championship continues on Friday, May 8, with the second round at Quail Hollow in North Carolina. You can find full Truist Championship tee times for Friday’s second round at the bottom of this post.

Featured tee time for Round 2

Slowly but surely, Rickie Fowler is working his way back into the elite echelons of the PGA Tour. Though he didn’t qualify for the Masters, Fowler has collected top-10 finishes in his last two starts at the RBC Heritage and Cadillac Championship, both Signature Events.

He’s moved into the all-important 30th position in the FedEx Cup standings, the cutoff for access to the season-ending Tour Championship. His major absence will end next week when he tees it up in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink.

But first, Fowler is trying to secure his comeback moment with a victory at this week’s Truist Championship, another Signature Event.

After starting on the back nine for the opening round, Fowler will switch to a 1st-tee start in Friday’s second round.

Fowler will tee off for Round 2 at 12:50 p.m. ET alongside Alex Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland.

You can watch Friday’s second round of the 2026 Truist Championship from 2-6 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET on Friday, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.

Check out the complete Round 2 tee times and groupings for the Truist Championship below.

Hoping to wager on the Truist Championship? Sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” to receive a special welcome offer.

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2026 Truist Championship tee times for Friday: Round 2

Tee No. 1

11:00 a.m. – Tom Hoge, Patrick Rodgers, Sam Stevens
11:11 a.m. – Tony Finau, Daniel Berger, Austin Smotherman
11:22 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Akshay Bhatia, Ben Griffin
11:33 a.m. – Jacob Bridgeman, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay
11:44 a.m. – J.J. Spaun, Robert MacIntyre, Sungjae Im
11:55 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Webb Simpson, Andrew Putnam
12:06 p.m. – Lucas Glover, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Kristoffer Reitan
12:17 p.m. – Adam Scott, Ryo Hisatsune, Pierceson Coody
12:28 p.m. – Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman, Ludvig Åberg
12:39 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose
12:50 p.m. – Alex Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Rickie Fowler
1:01 p.m. – Matt McCarty, Bud Cauley, Chandler Blanchet

Tee No. 10

11:00 a.m. – Jason Day, Michael Kim, David Lipsky
11:11 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Ryan Gerard, Alex Noren
11:22 a.m. – Sepp Straka, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth
11:33 a.m. – Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas
11:44 a.m. – Chris Gotterup, Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim
11:55 a.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Sahith Theegala, Max Homa
12:06 p.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Alex Smalley
12:17 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Matt Wallace, Denny McCarthy
12:28 p.m. – Ricky Castillo, Andrew Novak, Corey Conners
12:39 p.m. – Nico Echavarria, Keegan Bradley, Harris English
12:50 p.m. – Nick Taylor, Maverick McNealy, Harry Hall
1:01 p.m. – Brian Campbell, J.T. Poston, Nicolai Højgaard

Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has made explosive remarks about the atmosphere inside the Indian team under head coach Gautam Gambhir, claiming that not every player is comfortable with the former opener’s intense and uncompromising approach. Wassan, who has previously been critical of Gambhir and once served as a Delhi selector during a controversial phase of Gambhir’s domestic career, suggested that tensions exist within the current Indian dressing room despite the team’s success in white-ball cricket.