NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Saturday shared an emotional Instagram Story originally posted by Rajasthan Royals after the franchise’s IPL 2026 campaign came to a heartbreaking end. A valiant effort from the 15-year-old, who scored a magnificent 96 off 47 balls in Qualifier 2, ultimately went in vain as Rajasthan Royals suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans and crashed out of the tournament.Sooryavanshi, who was seen wiping away tears in the dugout after the defeat, reposted Rajasthan Royals’ heartfelt message after the franchise fell short of a place in the final. “Still can’t believe how quickly emotions can change in 20 overs. Tonight hurts. It hurts deeply. There’s sadness, frustration, disappointment and a lot we’ll have to sit with. Credit where it’s due, Shubman Gill and Gujarat Titans were outstanding tonight,” the post read.“To everyone who believed in this young team, stood by us, defended us, and cheered for us through all 16 games this season, thank you. We are grateful beyond words. But we are also sorry. Sorry we couldn’t give you the night you deserved. Sorry we let you down when it mattered most,” it read.“This one will stay with us. And we’ll carry it until we’re back and better, next season,” it further said.Sooryavanshi missed out on a century for the second successive match but once again showcased his class with a 47-ball 96, an innings featuring eight fours and seven sixes in New Chandigarh.His knock propelled Rajasthan Royals, who last won the IPL title in 2008, to a formidable 214/6 in 20 overs. In reply, Gujarat Titans chased down the target in 18.4 overs, powered by a century from captain Shubman Gill, to secure a place in the final.Sooryavanshi enjoyed a phenomenal first full IPL season, amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31.
Having taken apart the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins during the two-month competition, Sooryavanshi has only strengthened the belief that he is a rare talent capable of serving Indian cricket for years to come.After receiving endorsements from several former cricketers, including the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara also indicated that the young left-hander is ready for the highest level.Sooryavanshi’s performances against world-class bowlers in the IPL are proof that he is more than ready to represent India, Sangakkara said after Rajasthan Royals’ exit.“You never know if anyone’s ready until they play. And with everything Vaibhav’s shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he’s more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him. And I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soon,” said the Sri Lankan.“He’s batted with a lot of maturity, he has shouldered the responsibility of that opening partnership so well for us this season,” he added.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the fixtures for the Women’s Round of 16 of the 2026 President Federation Cup, with matches scheduled to take place at different centres across the country on June 2.
Defending champions Rivers Angels will face Abia Angels in one of the biggest matches of the round in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
Another exciting clash will see South-West rivals FC Robo Queens take on Remo Stars Ladies in Akure.
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In Awka, Edo Queens will battle Delta Queens in a tough encounter, while Bayelsa Queens will meet Ibom Angels in another highly anticipated game.
Elsewhere, Naija Ratels will go up against last year’s runners-up Nasarawa Amazons in Kaduna.
The Round of 16 matches are expected to deliver exciting football as clubs compete for places in the quarter-finals of Nigeria’s biggest women’s football competition.
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Full Fixtures • Rivers Angels vs Abia Angels — Eket, Akwa Ibom (4pm) • FC Robo Queens vs Remo Stars Ladies — Akure (1pm) • Ahudiyannem Queens vs Heartland Queens — Enugu (1pm) • Ibom Angels vs Bayelsa Queens — Awka (1pm) • Plateau United Queens vs Sunshine Queens — Abuja (4pm) • Confluence Queens vs Esthington FC — Enugu (4pm) • Delta Queens vs Edo Queens — Awka (4pm) • Naija Ratels vs Nasarawa Amazons — Kaduna (4pm)
Manchester City have their top transfer targets but their summer will also depend on which players in the current squad want to leave
Enzo Maresca will inherit a strong Manchester City squad. Under Pep Guardiola this season, they won two trophies and also pushed Arsenal into the final week of the Premier League season, with the Champions League the only major disappointment.
As City chased silverware in the final two months of the campaign, Guardiola made few changes as he largely settled on a best XI that – other than Bernardo Silva – will all still be here for the new manager. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo have made the summer transfer window easier with the way they instantly settled into the starting lineup after their January moves.
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How busy City are over the next few months will largely be guided by how many others in the squad want to stay though. Guardiola’s decision not to significantly rotate had a knock-on effect for many others in the group that saw them get little game time, giving them personal disappointment to end the campaign.
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As City players assess their options, there will be a number who at least think about whether the Etihad is still the right place for them going forward.
Savinho
For the second consecutive summer, Tottenham are interested in the Brazilian winger and City haven’t immediately turned them away. They did ultimately last season, but it has been another frustrating campaign for the 22-year-old that saw him even fail to make the 55-man longlist for the Brazil World Cup squad.
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There is still time for things to click and Maresca could revitalise him – he always looks better on the left rather than the right – but equally there is a clear opportunity for a change of Premier League environment that could be the spark that Savinho needs. With Jeremy Doku having his best season and Semenyo fresh competition, Savinho has to decide if he wants the fight at City or a new challenge elsewhere.
James Trafford
Trafford has done very well this season to retain if not enhance his value given that he was replaced as No.1 after three league games. He has impressed in the limited opportunities he has had and won two trophies at Wembley in his role as cup keeper as well as earning a spot at the World Cup with England as third-choice keeper.
The 23-year-old has been thinking about an exit for some time given he wants to be No.1 for club and country, and is not short of interest in England and Europe. At the same time, the arrival of Maresca back at City may give him pause for thought given the two had a strong relationship when they were in the academy together.
Nico Gonzalez
Nico Gonzalez has had the bigest fall from grace of any City player this season. Nobody made more consecutive starts than him as he clocked up 15 in the first part of the campaign, but by the end of it he was left out of matchday squads entirely; missing the FA Cup final completely after scoring a banging winner in the semi must have hurt.
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Eighteen months since signing for £49m, Gonzalez still doesn’t really have a role in the squad and he and Maresca will have to work out how to get the best out of him on a regular basis – or if anyone is best served with a move.
Josko Gvardiol
The silver lining for Josko Gvardiol’s season is that he has recovered in time for the World Cup. There was a chance that his broken leg could have seen him miss the summer tournament but he worked hard to return in four months rather than the six it could have been.
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Gvardiol has the chance to show on the biggest stage once again that he is one of the best defenders in the world, and that will only enhance his appeal to the best clubs in the game that have recognised he is yet to sign a new deal at the Etihad. There are still two years on his contract, but this would be the last summer for City to get big money for him if he makes it clear he wants to look elsewhere after a bruising two years in English football.
Omar Marmoush
Marmoush hit the ground running when he signed in January 2025 but this season has been a write-off. Being back-up to Erling Haaland is a role with a limited shelf life because of the frustration that comes with not playing, and makes being asked to contribute without any rhythm so much harder.
There is every chance that Marmoush vows to turn things around and force his way back into the team next season, but at the same time, looking over to Spain to see how Julian Alvarez has flourished since being Haaland’s No.2 will make a move seem more attractive.
Rico Lewis
It was a dream start to the season for Lewis, shunning a move to Forest and earning a new City contract after a standout performance in the opening game. Things very quickly went downhill though and he has barely been seen in the second half of the season, with the writing seemingly on the wall for his City career unless there is a shock U-turn.
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Lewis had been seen as a player similar to Bernardo Silva so could try his chances of filling in for that role, but with Elliot Anderson likely to be on his way that is the more likely destination for most of Silva’s minutes. Lewis has had plenty of time to consider a move and it feels like he needs a new start somewhere.
Rodri
City don’t want him to move on but he is approaching the final 12 months of his contract and heading to the World Cup without signing a new deal. Similar to Gvardiol, as he goes away with his national team, he will have to think about whether the brutal schedule in England is still something he thinks is best for his body or if there are other routes to challenging for major trophies that will give him a better chance of avoiding injuries.
Freya Kemp of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues during the England and India, 2nd Women’s IT20 match at Seat Unique Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Bristol, England. (Photo/Getty Images)
Freya Kemp starred with both bat and ball as England defeated India by 26 runs in the second Women’s T20I in Bristol on Saturday to level the three-match series 1-1.Kemp first gave England a late boost with an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls before returning figures of 2/15, dismissing Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues as India finished at 142/9 while chasing 169.The series will now be decided in the third and final T20I in Taunton on Tuesday.Earlier, India looked in control for most of England’s innings after restricting the hosts through the middle overs. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani continued her impressive start to international cricket, picking up 3/25.However, Kemp changed the course of the innings at the death. England scored 39 runs in the final two overs, including 24 runs from the last over bowled by Arundhati Reddy. Kemp struck two sixes and two fours during her innings as England reached 168/5.India made a positive start to the chase through openers Shafali Verma and Mandhana. Shafali scored 22 off 14 balls while Mandhana made 32 off 25 as the visitors kept pace with the target.Even after losing the openers, India were placed comfortably at 78/2 after 10 overs.The match turned during the middle overs when England’s spinners Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone slowed the scoring. Boundaries became difficult to find and the required run rate kept climbing.Yastika Bhatia, who was dropped by Dean on 29, struggled to increase the scoring rate and was eventually retired out after making 33 off 36 balls as India looked for quicker runs.Dean built pressure with a series of economical overs while Ecclestone also kept the Indian batters under control from the other end.India captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to keep the chase alive with 28 off 22 balls. During her innings, she became only the third batter in Women’s T20Is to score 4,000 runs, joining Suzie Bates and Smriti Mandhana.But England continued to strike at key moments.Kemp removed Jemimah shortly after she came to the crease, while Dean delivered a major blow by dismissing Richa Ghosh (8) and Harmanpreet within four balls.Harmanpreet edged Dean behind while trying to attack outside off, and her dismissal left India with too much to do.With the required rate rising rapidly and wickets falling regularly, India were unable to recover as England sealed the win and kept the series alive.
Midfielder Tyler Fletcher was given his Scotland debut as a half-time substitute and Clarke confirmed the 19-year-old was one possible replacement for Gilmour.
The Manchester United player – son of former Scotland captain Darren – is one of four youngsters that have trained with the squad this week.
None of those are part of the squad for the World Cup matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, and neither are Rangers’ Conor Barron, Andy Irving of Sparta Prague and Udinese’s Lennon Milller, who Clarke also named-checked.
“Those three are on standby and obviously Tyler joined us this week,” he said. “He’s trained well this week, so he’s a little bit closer than the other three, but I’d need to have a big discussion with my staff and decide the best way to go.”
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Fletcher – whose twin Jack plays age-grade football for England – made his senior debut for his father’s former club in February and also came on in the final game of the season against Brighton.
Former Scotland winger Neil McCann put it to Clarke on BBC One Scotland that he looked “really accomplished” in a holding role.
Clarke responded: “Everybody was impressed – the players were impressed, the coaching staff were impressed, I had no doubts.
“I actually thought about putting him on as Billy came off but I just thought I’d have a little look, see how the game panned out before introducing him at half-time.”
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Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean played with Darren Fletcher at the start of his own international career and said he “can’t speak highly enough” of Tyler.
“I said to the lads after his first session, I could see something special in him, so I was glad that he’d got on today. He deserved it after the week he’s had,” the Norwich City midfielder said.
“In my first session with Scotland, Darren stood out a mile. Fortunately for us, his son is pretty similar. There’s a lot of potential, it’s about using him the right way.”
The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is widely considered the most prestigious club football competition in the world. Bringing together Europe’s top teams every season, the tournament serves as the ultimate stage for clubs seeking continental supremacy and global recognition.
Although other confederations such as CONMEBOL, AFC and CAF organize their own elite club competitions, none enjoy the same level of international attention, viewership and commercial success as the Champions League.
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A Competition Steeped in History
The tournament was first launched in 1955 as the European Cup and initially featured only the champions of domestic leagues across Europe. For decades, it operated as a straight knockout competition before undergoing major changes in the early 1990s.
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The introduction of a group-stage format in 1991 transformed the competition, while further expansion in the 1997-98 season allowed multiple clubs from Europe’s strongest leagues to qualify, increasing both competitiveness and commercial appeal.
New Era Under the Revamped Format
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Beginning with the 2024-25 campaign, UEFA introduced a new structure for the Champions League. The traditional 32-team group stage was replaced by a 36-team league phase.
Under this system, each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, creating a more varied and competitive schedule compared to the previous format.
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Leading leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 continue to provide the majority of participants. UEFA has also explored the possibility of future expansion, with discussions around increasing the competition to 48 teams.
Who has won the most UCL titles?
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Real Madrid hold a special place in Champions League history as the inaugural winners of the tournament. The Spanish giants also established one of football’s most remarkable records by winning the first five editions consecutively, a feat that remains unmatched. They have won the most number of UCL titles – 15 followed by AC Milan with 7 titles.
Defending champion Coco Gauff was sent spinning out of the French Open as Austria’s Anastasia Potapova claimed a 4-6 7-6(1) 6-4 victory to reach the fourth round on Saturday and stay on course to win her maiden Grand Slam title.
Potapova rattled Gauff with powerful baseline hitting and broke to love in the opening game, before taking a 4-2 lead when the American slipped and dropped to the floor of Court Philippe Chatrier while trying to reach for the ball.
Gauff dusted herself off and won the next two games in `front of a sparse centre court crowd, with the attention split between Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League soccer final with Arsenal in Budapest and Frenchman Moise Kouame in action at Roland Garros.
The 22-year-old raised her game again to take the first set, but Russian-born Potapova immediately ramped up the pressure and targeted the American’s wobbly serve to grab a double break at the start of the second set.
Potapova was on the verge of levelling the match while ahead 5-2 but Gauff moved through the gears to surge ahead by claiming four games in a row, only to lose the next game and then the set in a tiebreak where her serve let her down.
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Anastasia Potapova of Austria and Coco Gauff of United States shake hands at the net (Getty)
The pair traded breaks in a breathless decider, but world number four Gauff lost her way as Potapova took control and went through in style for a meeting with 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round.
Reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff lost in three sets to Austrian Anastasia Potapova to end to her Roland Garros title defence on Saturday. The fourth seed was defeated in the third round 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 by the 28th seed after being a break up in the deciding set. “I think I’ve had a few (big wins) before, but I’d put it top three for sure,” Potapova said on court after earning a career third win over Gauff. Despite losing her first service game to open the match, Gauff struck back to break the Russian-born Austrian in the eighth and 10th games and take the lead.
Potapova responded with two consecutive breaks of her own to race 3-0 ahead at the start of the second frame.
The 25-year-old’s serve then deserted her as well, as the next five games all produced breaks, with Potapova passing up two set points behind her own delivery.
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Gauff responded to that reprieve by earning her first hold of the set to force Potapova to serve again for the frame.
The two-time major winner broke the world number 30 to level at 5-5 before holding again.
But Potapova then refound her own serve to force a tie-break.
A double fault dropped Gauff 5-0 behind, before she finally got on the board when Potapova overcooked a backhand.
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It was too little, too late, however, as the Austrian powered to the next two points and sent the match into a deciding set.
Gauff drew first blood in the decider, pouncing on Potapova’s serve in the third game to nose in front, before being pegged back to 3-3.
A double fault in the next game brought Gauff two break-back points, but gutsy play allowed Potapova to hold.
A booming backhand winner down the line and a miss-hit Gauff forehand from deuce put Potapova 5-4 ahead with the world number four serving to keep her title defence alive.
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But from 30-0, Gauff quickly unravelled and Potapova fell on her back in celebration as the American returned long and departed the tournament.
Potapova will meet Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya for a spot in the quarter-finals.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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New Zealand have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Mitchell Santner for the Test series against England starting at Lord’s on Thursday.
Santner, 34, the Black Caps’ white-ball captain and key spinner, was initially ruled out of the first Test by a shoulder injury suffered last month in the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand had hoped he would recover for the second or third Tests but he will now join the squad before the first Test next week.
All-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who received his first call-up as cover, will return home.
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New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in this week’s one-off Test in Stormont.
They already have a strong bowling line-up featuring seamers Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner with Santner’s return a further boost.
He has taken 78 wickets in his 32 Tests and also made his one Test century against England in 2019.
New Zealand squad to play England: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (traveling reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain following his loan spell at Barcelona
Marcus Rashford has issued a clear message as his future at Manchester United remains unclear, with his loan spell at Barcelona about to come to an end.
Rashford spent the campaign on loan at the Camp Nou from United, having expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford last summer.
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The England international enjoyed an impressive season at Barca, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions, with such form helping him earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
However, Rashford’s future remains uncertain as the summer transfer window nears. The 28-year-old played the final game of his loan spell with Barcelona earlier this month, and it now remains to be seen where he will be playing his football next season.
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Barcelona have the option of signing Rashford on a permanent deal for £26million this summer, but are running out of time to activate that clause before it expires.
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Amid the ongoing uncertainty, Rashford has posted a message on social media. The United loanee has posted a series of photos on Instagram to his 22.2 million followers of himself taking part in an individual training session, along with a three-word caption which read: “Keep it moving”.
It remains to be seen what Barcelona have planned for this summer when it comes to Rashford’s future, having already invested in signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
Gordon officially became a Barcelona player on Friday, with the England international moving to the Camp Nou from St James’ Park in a deal reported to be worth €80million (£69.3m).
Barcelona’s decision to sign Gordon has created uncertainty about whether they will now look to bring Rashford back on a permanent basis, with both players typically operating in the same position on the pitch.
There have also been reports that Barcelona are looking to sign Bernardo Silva on a free transfer, with the Portugal international leaving Manchester City this summer.
A report in Spanish publication Sport claimed that if Barcelona were to move for Silva, they would then choose not to pursue a permanent deal for Rashford this summer.
If that were to happen, it would leave United with a decision to make on Rashford’s future, which could include looking for another club to sign the forward or look to bring him back into the first-team squad under head coach Michael Carrick.
Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum gestures during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine guard Adrian Nocum had his best game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday, but even his numbers weren’t enough to give the Elasto Painters a crucial 3-2 lead.
“We just need to be smarter so we can get past the semifinals. We have to work on our things and watch out for our mistakes. We fell short. We just have to see where we lacked and made mistakes so that when Sunday comes, we’ll fix our mistakes.”
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Nocum paced Rain or Shine on offense with 25 points, while import Jaylen Johnson finished with a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Elasto Painters look to stay alive and force a deciding Game 7 on Sunday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“We really have to watch what we have to adjust. We have to be smarter. Coach told us, whoever’s smarter will advance. We just need to stick together.”
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“It’s on us if we want to win and no one else.”
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