Sports
“Medals Very Important For Country To Glorify Its Name”: Swimmer Sajan Prakash Ahead Of CWG 2026
India’s senior swimmer Sajan Prakash said striking a balance between chasing personal best timings and winning medals is essential, stressing that while personal milestones reflect an athlete’s progress, medals bring glory to the country on the world stage. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will get underway with the Opening Ceremony on July 23 in Glasgow. The multi-sport event will be held over 11 days across four existing venues before concluding on August 2. The swimming events will be held from July 24 to July 29.
Ahead of the multi-sport event, Sajan, speaking in an interview, lauded the Sports Authority of India (SAI), saying personal best performances and medals complement each other.
“Personal best is always knowing that you have progressed. In training, a lot of times, that will replicate in the competition. And medals are very important for the country to glorify its name on the world stage. So both go hand in hand,” Sajan told reporters.
The 32-year-old Olympian also spoke about the responsibility of representing India as one of the country’s senior swimmers ahead of the Commonwealth Games, saying the responsibility remains the same irrespective of seniority, though experience brings added accountability.
“I’ve always been responsible when representing the country, irrespective of whether I’m a senior or not. But definitely, yes, I should know what to talk about, when to talk and how to talk to the media and everyone else. That is one. And my performance needs to be on point on the day of the race because there are many things that can spoil that, but I need to be much more prepared months before and days before. So definitely, yes, I have the weight on my shoulders to take it forward,” he told reporters.
For those unversed, Prakash scripted history for Indian swimming by becoming the country’s first swimmer to earn direct qualification for the Olympic Games through the qualifying standard, according to Olympics.com.
Sajan secured his place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after producing a historic performance in the men’s 200m butterfly at the 2021 Sette Colli Trophy in Rome. He clocked 1:56.38, setting a new national record and going below the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT) of 1:56.48 to seal a direct Olympic berth.
The achievement marked a watershed moment for Indian swimming, as no Indian swimmer had previously qualified for the Olympics by meeting the OQT, according to Olympics.com.
Tokyo 2020 was Sajan’s second Olympic appearance after making his debut at the Rio 2016 Games. While his Rio participation came through the universality quota, his qualification for Tokyo was earned on merit through the Olympic qualifying standard, making him the first Indian swimmer to achieve the feat.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Sajan also became the first Indian swimmer to compete in two editions of the Olympic Games, further cementing his place in Indian swimming history.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Ohtani had his knee drained over the All-Star break
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Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation as scheduled. Ohtani, who had his knee drained over the All-Star break and is managing the injury while he continues to serve as their designated hitter, was supposed to start on Wednesday, but that plan has changed.
“It’s gonna be some time, and I’d say that it’s not gonna be a day-to-day thing,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday (via MLB.com).
“We just want to continue to give (the knee) the best chance to get into a good spot,” he said (via The Athletic).
Ohtani served as the Dodgers’ DH and leadoff man on Friday and is in that spot for the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday. Whatever discomfort he’s still feeling while pitching is clearly not enough to stop him from hitting.
Some things to keep in mind here:
- Ohtani only threw 67 ⅓ innings last season in his return from Tommy John surgery. He did not have a minor-league rehab assignment, as he and the Dodgers prioritized getting him back into the lineup as quickly as possible as the full-time DH, so that was the entirety of his pitching output in 2025.
- This season, Ohtani has already worked 85 ⅔ innings on the mound.
- The two-time defending champion Dodgers have a 12-game lead in the NL West, which is to say that they have the luxury to slow play Ohtani’s return to the mound as they eye another deep October run and don’t want to overtax his arm.
- Do the math. If this were any other starter, the Dodgers would use the knee injury as an opportunity to put Ohtani on the IL and preserve his workload. But he’s not, so they’re keeping him in the lineup.
Something else to watch? With Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell currently on the injured list and concerns around a few other starters, it’s always possible the Dodgers try to grab a frontline starter before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Sports
Shohei Ohtani has next pitching start pushed back by Dodgers while left knee continues to recover
Shohei Ohtani will have his first start since the MLB All-Star break pushed back, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday.
Ohtani was originally scheduled to pitch on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, But his left knee hasn’t recovered enough for him to feel comfortable pitching. As a result, his next start has not been determined. Roberts said that he does expect Ohtani to pitch again this season.
This story will be updated with more information.
Trey Yesavage and the Toronto Blue Jays go for the series win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT, or follow along with our live tracker.
Sports
World Cup final half-time show: Who is performing, how long will it take and how can I watch it?
The World Cup 2026 final is drawing closer with Spain booking their place in Sunday’s match in New Jersey after a fine display to beat France 2-0.
England battle Argentina in tonight’s other semi-final in Atlanta to decide the other finalist.
But Fifa President Gianni Infantino has modernised the tournament with influence from its co-hosts United States and the way some of its biggest sporting events operate, including the Super Bowl in the NFL.
This will mean a half-time show appealing to more forms of culture and new fans.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Fifa World Cup 2026 final half-time show:
When and where is the half-time show?
The half-time show will be on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, USA, the location for the final match, with kick-off set at 8pm BST (3pm ET), the half-time show is due to start from 8:50pm BST (3:50pm ET), with stoppage time and additional time to set up the stage and infrastructure perhaps leading to a start time after 9pm BST (4pm ET).
How long will the half-time show last?
Sources tell the Independent that the show will be around 20 minutes. There is the prospect of the usual 15-minute half-time break, followed by the planned 11-minute show, with Infantino emphasising the figure is inspired by 11 players on the pitch for each team.
Due to the laws of the game, governed by Ifab (the International Football Association Board), it is understood half-time breaks should “not exceed15 minutes,” but Sunday is due to break that law.
There is a precedent set from last year’s Club World Cup final between eventual winners Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, which was also organised by Fifa and held in the same venue in New Jersey. That show lasted 24 minutes, with Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly featuring.
Where can I watch the half-time show?
The game is on both BBC and ITV in the UK, with ITV revealing that it will broadcast the entire World Cup half-time show at the New York New Jersey Stadium, as well as match analysis.
The BBC will confirm its plans in the coming hours. Alternatively you can follow The Independent’s coverage in our live blog, which will be packed with updates from the show and reaction from social media and our reporters in the stadium.
Who is performing at the half-time show?
The 11-minute Super Bowl-style show will be co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira and K-pop boy band BTS.
Justin Bieber was added to the bill, while Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay also involved, and Chris Martin has curated the show.
Is there a closing ceremony and how is performing?
The closing ceremony starts at 18:30 BST (1:30pm ET), with the show including Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed. And Jennifer Hudson is to sing the United States’ national anthem.
India pacer Gurnoor Brar endured a difficult outing at Lord’s on Sunday, registering the most expensive bowling figures by any bowler in the venue’s ODI history during the series-deciding third match against England. The right-arm seamer finished with figures of 0 for 97 from his 10 overs as England piled up 387 for 3, eclipsing the previous unwanted Lord’s record held by former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri, who conceded 81 runs in 11 overs against England in 1975. Brar’s spell also entered India’s record books. His return of 0/97 is now the third most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket, behind only Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s 1/106 against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in 2015 and Vinay Kumar’s 1/102 against Australia in Bengaluru in 2013.Most expensive figures by an Indian bowler in an ODI1/106 (10) Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs SA Wankhede 20151/102 (9) Vinay Kumar vs Aus Bengaluru 20130/97 (10) Gurnoor Brar vs Eng Lord’s 20261/92 (10) Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs NZ Kanpur 2017 The expensive spell came as England’s top order dominated an inexperienced Indian bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the match because of reactive swelling in his left knee following an impact injury sustained during the second ODI. Ben Duckett led England’s charge with a superb 141, while Jacob Bethell contributed 91 as the pair stitched together a commanding 192-run opening partnership that laid the platform for a massive total. Brar found little relief throughout his spell as England’s batters continued to attack in the closing overs. Joe Root accelerated with an unbeaten 74 from just 49 balls before Jos Buttler hammered 41 not out off only 13 deliveries, taking the hosts to 387 for 3, the highest ODI total recorded at Lord’s. India’s pace attack struggled collectively. Prasidh Krishna returned figures of 2 for 69, Arshdeep Singh went wicketless while conceding 72 runs, and Prince Yadav claimed one wicket but leaked 79 runs. Together, the four fast bowlers, with a combined experience of just 51 ODIs, were unable to contain England’s aggressive batting. England’s 387 for 3 also surpassed their own previous highest ODI total at Lord’s of 334 for 4 against India in 1975, setting a new benchmark at the iconic venue. For Brar, the outing marked a harsh learning experience, with his figures becoming an unwanted part of both Lord’s and Indian ODI history.
Joe Root etched his name into England’s record books by becoming the first batter from the country to register six consecutive fifty-plus scores in One-Day Internationals during the series-deciding third ODI against India at Lord’s on Sunday. The former England captain continued his remarkable consistency with an unbeaten 74 off just 49 balls, extending an extraordinary run of scores that now reads 61, 75, 111 not out, 76 not out, 99 not out and 74. Root’s latest knock came as England piled up a daunting 387 for 3 after being asked to bat first in the final match of the three-match series. The innings also marked Root’s third successive half-century of the series, having remained unbeaten with scores of 76 and 99 in the opening two matches. His latest effort ensured he became the first England batter to record six successive ODI innings of 50 or more. England’s imposing total was built on a dominant 192-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell. Duckett led the charge with a magnificent 141, while Bethell contributed a fluent 91 as the pair dismantled an inexperienced Indian pace attack. India sorely missed Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the decider because of reactive swelling in his left knee following an impact injury sustained during the second ODI. Without their premier fast bowler, the visitors struggled to contain England’s batters, with the four-man pace attack conceding runs at regular intervals. After Duckett and Bethell laid the foundation, Root ensured England maintained the momentum. Accelerating through the closing overs, he struck another composed half-century before Jos Buttler added a blistering unbeaten 41 from only 13 deliveries to push England close to the 400-run mark. Root’s latest milestone further underlined his exceptional form in the format as England strengthened their position in the decisive encounter with another commanding batting display.
Duane Ward, one of the most accomplished and beloved relievers in Toronto Blue Jays history, has died at age 62, the team announced Sunday.
Ward passed away of natural causes in Toronto, the team said.
He had travelled to the city on Friday alongside his teammates from the 1992 and 1993 World Series championship teams, but was absent from Saturday’s pre-game ceremony for the unveiling of the franchise’s newest statue.
Ward spent 10 seasons with the Blue Jays from 1986 to 1995, appearing in 452 games and establishing himself as one of the most dependable late-inning relievers in franchise history. He finished his Toronto career with 121 saves, ranking among the club’s all-time leaders, while serving as both a dominant setup man and closer during one of the most successful eras in team history.
The right-hander played a key role in helping the Blue Jays capture those back-to-back World Series titles. His best season came in 1993 when he was named an American League All-Star and led the league with 45 saves.
Ward’s contributions to baseball were recognized with his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — George Russell retired on lap one of the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday after contact with Lewis Hamilton in a heavy blow to his Formula 1 title chances.
Russell was trying to retake a place from Lewis Hamilton around the outside when the Ferrari driver clipped his rear wheel and sent him spinning into the gravel trap. That brought out the safety car. Russell raised his hands in disbelief before leaving the stranded car.
“Car crossed over right in front of me,” Hamilton said.
Russell’s Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, the standings leader, was leading after he took pole position Saturday in qualifying. Russell has been struggling to match Antonelli’s pace in recent races and has suggested an issue with the Mercedes car may be holding him back.
Sports
‘War can’t be solution to our problems’: Visit to Nagasaki museum leaves Indian footballers speechless | Football News
KURATE (JAPAN): It’s the kind of visit that makes people pause and ponder, offering a deeply moving glimpse into one of humankind’s darkest chapters.A group of young Indian footballers, who are here for the Reliance Football Development League (RFDL)’s exposure trip to Japan, were left with a sobering experience after paying a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum on Saturday. During the final days of World War II, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan — “Little Boy” on Hiroshima on August 6 in 1945, and “Fat Man” on Nagasaki three days later — completely destroying the two cities and killing hundreds of thousands of people. “When I was a student, I had read about this tragedy of the grandest scale. But now seeing the pictures here and feeling how humanity suffered on a day like this has left me speechless,” FC Goa youth team coach Israil Gurung told TOI.“At the same time, the museum also offers a timely education in how Japan has managed to get back on their feet despite having undergone such a destruction of humankind and become a world power again. This is an important lesson from a sporting perspective as well. However big the fall is, if you have desire and strong will-power, nobody can stop you from bouncing back and re-establishing yourself. This is the message I’ve given to my players while visiting the place,” remarked Gurung, a former winger and an I-League winner with Churchill Brothers.Players from Bengaluru FC Reserves under Renedy Singh and Punjab FC youth team under Praveen Kumar also joined their FC Goa counterparts in the museum tour.“Behind every photograph in the museum, behind every item displayed there, there’s a story and a reminder how life could be changed in a matter of seconds,” Punjab FC coach Praveen said. According to him, such large-scale destruction caused by nuclear weapons should always be avoided.“We come to know about the darker chapters of history through this visit. War can’t be the solution to our problems and we must live in a peaceful coexistence,” he added. The three Indian youth teams, who have finished in the top three of the RFDL 2025-2026, have already played two games each against Japanese U-18 sides.Their last-round matches are on Monday. (The writer is in Japan on RFDL’s invitation.)
Chelsea have agreed a club-record £117 million deal to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old is expected to sign a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of an extra year. He will undergo a medical on Monday after returning from England duty at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The transfer makes Rogers the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history, breaking the previous record of £107 million paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2023. It also becomes the biggest transfer fee ever paid for an English player.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is continuing to reshape his squad ahead of the new Premier League season, with Rogers becoming one of his major signings.
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for an initial £8 million deal that could rise to £15 million. During his time at Villa, he scored 21 league goals in 85 appearances and helped the club win the UEFA Europa League last season.
Middlesbrough are also set to benefit from the transfer. A sell-on clause in Rogers’ contract means the Championship club will receive at least £20.4 million from the deal.
The England international has made 22 senior appearances for the Three Lions, scoring once, and featured in seven matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Rogers is the second Villa midfielder to leave this week after Youri Tielemans completed a move to Manchester United. Villa have already responded by signing Switzerland international Johan Manzambi from Freiburg and are also closing in on Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.
At Chelsea, Rogers is expected to compete for places with Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda as Alonso prepares for the new campaign.
Shohei Ohtani’s next pitching start postponed amid Dodger star’s knee injury
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