Gautam Gambhir (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has delivered a rousing message to his young Test squad ahead of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, urging Shubman Gill and his teammates to ensure they are mentally and physically prepared for every challenge from the opening morning in Galle.With the World Test Championship campaign gathering momentum and India looking to climb from fifth in the standings, Gambhir stressed that meticulous preparation over the coming days would determine how the visitors fare in spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions.The Indian team began training at Colombo’s Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) ground on Wednesday and will play a three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI from August 7 to 9 before heading to Galle for the first Test, beginning on August 15. The second Test will be played at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) from August 23 to 27.

‘Make sure we tick all the boxes’

Addressing the players in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gambhir laid down the challenge for the squad.“Guys, we know what’s in front of us. We know what we are playing for. We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes. Come 15th morning, whether we are batting first, or whether we are bowling first, we’re absolutely ready with every answer, every question that’s thrown at us and every answer we’re ready to give. So make sure we tick all the boxes from now on,” Gambhir said.The warm-up fixture assumes added importance after India’s recent struggles against quality spin bowling. Several frontline batters, including captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, had already begun working on their game against spin before arriving in Sri Lanka, but the three-day match is expected to provide a crucial taste of local conditions.Many members of the current squad are playing red-ball cricket in Sri Lanka for the first time, with only Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav having previous Test experience in the island nation.

Warm welcome for newcomers

Gambhir also used the team meeting to welcome newcomers Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi, along with newly appointed fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh.“Guys, welcome everyone. We’ve got a couple of new guys in. To start with, Saransh, congratulations, you’ve worked extremely hard to be here. Make sure that you make your family and country proud whenever you get that opportunity.“Secondly, I want to congratulate Auqib, you had a phenomenal last season, and made J&K win the Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again. Lastly, I want to welcome Joy as well.“He’s worked with so many teams for so many years. I’m sure his passion, his commitment will carry this team forward and make sure that his energy levels will help everyone achieve the target, which we want to do,” Gambhir added.India have further strengthened their preparations by drafting in four domestic spinners — Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam — as net bowlers to help the batters sharpen their game against spin.The visitors, however, head into the series with injury concerns. Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out after failing to recover fully from a knee injury, while Washington Sundar will miss the opening Test with a hamstring issue. Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep are also unavailable.The two-match contest forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with India currently fifth on the table with a points percentage of 48.150, one place above Sri Lanka, who are sixth with 41.67.

In the transfer market, Real Madrid are expected to officially announce the arrival of Yan Diomandé after reaching an agreement with Leipzig. The deal, reportedly worth €140 million, would make the Ivorian the most expensive player in the club’s history.

Mohamed Salah arrived in Turkey ahead of signing his contract with Trabzonspor on Thursday.

PSG suffered a 3-0 defeat to Mallorca in a pre-season friendly, one week before the UEFA Super Cup, while Inter Milan and AC Milan drew 1-1, Juventus beat Chelsea 1-0 and Arsenal lost to Real Betis 3-1.

In cycling, Demi Vollering won the fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes and remains second overall, 12 seconds behind Marlen Reusser. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot lost further ground.

In diving, Jules Bouyer won France’s first European medal with silver in the 3 metre springboard event.

At the Montreal Masters 1000, Terence Atmane, Arthur Fils and Arthur Rinderknech all secured victories, while Zverev was knocked out in his opening match.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino signed a letter in which the soccer governing body’s top brass finally accepted that the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was handled poorly.

The past couple of weeks have been quite uncomfortable for Gianni Infantino. Ever since reports came out about FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in their premier competitions to private investors, the soccer world has been up in arms.

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This isn’t great for Infantino, who is up for re-election in 2027. Already, FAs around the world are withdrawing their support for his presidency, and his future prospects are looking bleak.

FIFA has been forced to backtrack on their FFE proposal, too. After all the noise around the organisation and its president this week, fans have finally received some type of accountability.

Leaked FIFA letter shows first hints of apology from Gianni Infantino

When FIFA announced that they would reconsider their proposal for financial investment, there was no admission of error. Now, there finally is one.

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Sky Sports correspondent Rob Harris shared a leaked letter, which has been seemingly signed by Infantino as well as Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. It includes an acknowledgment that mistakes were made.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her win against Alycia Parks of the United States during day four of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala extended her title celebration from ruling the Mubadala DC Open in Washington to giving Filipino fans in Toronto a thrilling three-set victory to kick off her Canadian Open campaign.

Just days removed from winning her first WTA Tour title, Eala carried the momentum and fended off American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to the delight of a Filipino-dominated crowd at center court on Thursday morning (Philippine time).

READ: Alex Eala, Filipino fans make rare Monday final one to remember

The first thing the Filipino tennis ace did after the grueling showdown was acknowledge her fellow Filipinos, who cheered her on throughout the match despite being reminded by the chair umpire several times to keep the noise down.

“Kamusta tayo ngayon, Toronto? I-wagayway niyo nga yung mga bandila niyo at patingin (How are you today, Toronto? Show me waving your flags). There are so many Filipinos in the crowd tonight, so many flags. Thank you!” said Eala shortly after the win.

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates after defeating United States’ Alycia Parks in National Bank Open tennis action in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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The 21-year-old expressed her gratitude to Filipinos in the stands and those following her matches from the Philippines despite the time difference.

“I am eternally grateful. I mean I just came off Washington so I really feel like this is a celebration,” she said.

“Alam niyo kababayan, linggo-linggo ko kayo nakikita, sinusuportahan ako, linggo-linggo ko nakikita kung gaano niyo kamahal ang kapwa niyong Pinoy. Kaya proud na proud ako maging Pinoy. Maraming salamat. Mahal ko kayong lahat.”

(I see you guys every week; I also see it every week how you love your fellow Filipinos. That’s what I’m so proud to be a Filipino. Thank you. I love you all.)

“Thank you to everyone who is supporting tennis and creating atmospheres like this. It’s really the pleasure of my life to experience these things.”

Eala, now World No. 20, has been playing the best tennis of her career, reaching the Wimbledon Round of 16 before capturing her first WTA 500 title in Washington with a victory over World No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

The No. 25 seed, who received a first-round bye, next faces another American, Caty McNally, in the round of 32.

Eala will also compete in doubles, reuniting with Venus Williams as a wild-card pair. They face Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the round of 32 on Friday.

When Aaron Donald retired from the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, his next stop seemed destined to be an induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, now, that journey might include one more stop — back with the Rams.

Donald has been flirting with the idea of returning to his old team because they’re stacked this season and about to embark on a chase for a Super Bowl championship, and he apparently likes the idea of being part of the journey.

That’s no secret.

What was a secret until Wednesday was how close Donald is to making a decision on his return after he requested and received a formal workout from the team to see how he feels.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald plays against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)

The workout was so formal the Rams reported it to the NFL, and it appeared on the league’s daily transaction wire. That wire is released across the league every day at 4 p.m.

Multiple league sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital that Donald donned his helmet and pads and went through a solid 45 minutes with club personnel.

This was all meant to give Donald an idea about his ability to not only come back, but come back and dominate as he did for a decade when he was arguably the best defensive lineman in the NFL.

DETROIT LIONS GREAT FRANK RAGNOW DETAILS HIS ABRUPT RETIREMENT, FAILED COMEBACK ATTEMPT

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) during the second half Nov. 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

This was not meant to give the Rams a comfort level regarding Donald’s ability. They already have that and have been transparent that if Donald wants to come back, Donald can come back.

It is unclear, however, how Donald actually did. No one has spoken publicly about it so far.

A decision could be imminent if it hasn’t already been made after this workout.

The Rams are conducting their training camp at Loyola Marymount University but return to their training facility in Woodland Hills Friday.

Rams coach Sean McVay has said Donald’s decision to return would likely come after the return to Woodland Hills.

Most media are portraying it as a near certainty that Donald will make the jump back into the NFL. It’s not quite so simple.

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He apparently wants to do it.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFC wild-card playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 10, 2026. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The idea appeals because the Rams are so good that they reached the NFC Championship game last season. In the offseason, they added All-Pro defensive lineman Myles Garrett and both of the Kansas City Chiefs outstanding starting cornerbacks, including Pro Bowler Trent McDuffie.

Did we mention defending league MVP Matthew Stafford is the Los Angeles quarterback?

That kind of talent suggests the Rams are going to be serious Super Bowl contenders, even in a division with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.

But there’s a catch for Donald: He wants to be close to if not as good as he’s always been.

He doesn’t wish to look diminished in what could then be portrayed as a selfish chase for a Super Bowl ring rather than a valuable addition to a Super Bowl contender. So, the player who has not played since 2023 has been working very hard to get in shape for the attempt.

Wednesday’s workout was meant to give everyone involved a view of whether Aaron Donald is ready.

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The passers are still battling. The men responsible for snapping the ball aren’t.

Blake Brandel is looking like he’s got the C1 job locked up at Vikings training camp. All along, the likeliest scenario was that he was going to earn the starting spot, but there was some sliver of doubt. That doesn’t appear to be the case more than a week ahead of the debut preseason game. Like a news network confident enough to make the call on election night, VT is saying there’s a winner with some votes still being counted.

Vikings Training Camp: Blake Brandel Appears to be Clear C1

Long before he was the starting center, Mr. Brandel told Vikings Territory that he could play center.

— READ MORE: Vikings Rookie Keeps Upping the Ante at Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Young Vikings Trenchman Breaks Through with Starters —

“You take all those scout team reps,” Brandel said when chatting about his past, “if you’re not a starter, you’re on the look team, and so just kind of continuing to progress. Like I was saying, I knew in order to stick around I was going to have to play multiple positions, so I started playing guard, started playing center. And just trying to show them that I was willing to kind of learn whatever it took in order for me to stick around and they were super helpful through that process, coaching me up and getting me better.”

What was once just a possibility — a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option — now looks like it’s starting to get written in the ink used to write down the starting lineup.

Go ahead and consider what some of his teammates have been saying.

Right tackle Brian O’Neill chatted with the media. “Blake’s awesome,” O’Neill begins. “Young offensive lineman need to look at Blake” for inspiration, claims O’Neill, before indicating that he’s “really hopeful and confident that [Brandel] has a great year.”

Starting left guard Donovan Jackson expressed confidence, as well. Ironically, Jackson is the one who replaced Brandel, but that hasn’t slowed the sophomore from kicking over praised: “He’s quick and efficient with his calls, and that allows everyone else on the o-line to communicate effectively within the shot clock. So he’s done an amazing job and we’re just trying to go where he takes us.”

Finally, consider that the man himself is doing some media, chatting with KFAN for close to ten minutes. Brandel quipped that he “love[s] playing center” and that “it fits my personality a little bit in terms of yelling at people and telling them what to do.”

Vikings training camp is still pretty young. In theory, much remains to be determined since there’s several weeks between now and the great descent to the 53-man roster. There’s then a couple weeks before the Week 1 game when the Packers arrive in the Twin Cities for a tilt inside of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Still, this one appears to be case closed. Brandel is running away with the competition. As a result, the focus is shifting toward who is going to secure the backup job(s). All of Michael Jurgens, Gavin Gerhardt, and Delby Lemieux (among others) need to start jostling for the backup job. Could Henry Byrd be an out-of-nowhere contender?

Playing on the final year of his contract, Brandel looks like an extension candidate. Locking him up for another couple of seasons could mean arriving at some rare continuity along the offensive line.

Blake Brandel is 29.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Manchester United are yet to complete adding to their squad this summer

With under a month remaining in the summer transfer window, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick still has plenty of big decisions to make.

Having already reinforced the midfield with the high-profile arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, attention at Old Trafford has reportedly changed to bolstering his defensive options. United have been linked to a whole host of additions at the back, and now a new name has emerged in connections with the Reds.

Meanwhile, several senior squad members have already moved on this summer – including Radek Vitek’s seemingly imminent transfer to Middlesbrough – and one further outgoing could be clinched in the coming weeks.

Defensive target

United retain an interest in Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, according to The Telegraph. The 22-year-old has already accumulated 137 appearances for the Serie A outfit and would offer much-needed reinforcement to Carrick’s defensive line, given the fitness concerns surrounding Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt last season.

The Italy international is no stranger to the United hierarchy, having previously been watched by the club. The centre-back can also operate as a defensive midfielder on occasion and completed an impressive 88% of his passes last term.

The Telegraph reports that Carrick is no longer prioritising the acquisition of a third midfielder, with the remaining transfer budget potentially being redirected towards a defensive signing. According to Transfermarkt, the defender is valued at £32m (€38m), though his injury record could give the United manager cause for concern.

He has missed 81 matches over the past three years, including 14 games last season, owing to four separate fitness complaints.

Zirkzee potential exit

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United are yet to strengthen their attack this summer, beyond the return of Marcus Rashford, yet that hasn’t prevented Carrick from entertaining the prospect of allowing Joshua Zirkzee to depart.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus are keen on securing the Dutch striker on a season-long loan. The 25-year-old has struggled to cement his place at the club since his £36.5million arrival in 2024, netting just nine goals in 75 appearances across all competitions.

The report suggests that Zirkzee has already given the green light to the Serie A heavyweights, with openings at United becoming increasingly scarce last year due to the presence of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The Ultimate 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

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Sky’s Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season with more than 1,400 live games across the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.

Every subscription now comes with 135 channels alongside free subscriptions to HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.

The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason schedule from Canton, Ohio, as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. New head coach Mike LaFleur makes his debut for Arizona, which looks to improve upon a 4-13 2025 campaign. Carolina went 8-9 last year but hopes to build off a surprise postseason berth after winning the NFC South. Bet Cardinals vs. Panthers at DraftKings:

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The latest Cardinals vs. Panthers odds have Carolina as a 1.5-point favorite, while the over/under for total points scored is 35.5. Before making any Panthers vs. Cardinals picks or 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game predictions, be sure to see what NFL expert R.J. White has to say.

White has worked as a writer and editor for CBS Sports full time since 2014, currently serving as the managing editor of betting and Fantasy content. His betting content can be found at SportsLine, where he’s delivered remarkable success on NFL picks since 2017, especially against the spread, ranking as SportsLine’s most profitable expert during that span. Anybody following his NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.  

Now, White has zeroed in on Cardinals vs. Panthers. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Cardinals vs. Panthers:

Top Cardinals vs. Panthers predictions

After examining Panthers vs. Cardinals from every angle, White is learning Over 35.5 points. Different teams and coaches treat preseason games different from one-another, but this opening game has trended Over recently. It’s possible LaFleur looks to make an offensive statement in his first game on an NFL sideline as a head coach. 

“I’m a slight lean on the Over after the last four HOF Games made it to 37+ points,” White told SportsLine. “But the highest scoring of the four only made it to 41 so we don’t have much of a margin for error, particularly if the Panthers coaching staff is on autopilot.” You can see which team to back at SportsLine.  

Make NFL predictions at Kalshi. New users can sign up here:

How to make Cardinals vs. Panthers picks

For Panthers vs. Cardinals in the NFL Hall of Fame Game, the elite NFL expert has found a critical x-factor that has him jumping on one side of the spread. See what it is at SportsLine.

Who covers in Cardinals vs. Panthers, and what critical x-factor makes one side hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cardinals vs. Panthers spread you need to jump on, from one of SportsLine’s premier NFL experts, and find out.