Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer (ANI Photos)

NEW DELHI: India captain Shreyas Iyer has thrown his weight behind teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, expressing confidence that the youngster has learned from his difficult introduction to international cricket and is ready to make a stronger impact.Speaking on the eve of the series opener in Harare, Iyer said he had no concerns about Sooryavanshi’s ability to bounce back after the 15-year-old endured a challenging tour of England.The teenager, who became India’s youngest-ever international cricketer during the England series, managed only modest returns before being left out of the fifth match as Sanju Samson returned to the playing XI.Despite the setback, Iyer believes the youngster has used the break productively.“All the youngsters, I think, they have definitely practiced. There was a decent gap after the T20 series. So he (Sooryavanshi) must have rectified where he went wrong. So personally, I don’t have to give much advice,” Iyer said.

Iyer urges fearless cricket

India head into the Zimbabwe series looking to recover from a disappointing white-ball tour of Ireland and England under Iyer’s captaincy.The skipper urged his young squad to play with freedom rather than worrying about criticism or the fear of failure.“I don’t think they should fear failure because when you have such thoughts at the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don’t have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself,” Iyer had said.With India travelling directly from England and having only one practice session before the opening match, Iyer acknowledged the challenge but backed his side to adapt quickly.Reflecting on his own comeback from injury, the 31-year-old said overcoming setbacks had made him mentally stronger.“It has made me more confident as an individual. When you overcome the injury phase, mentally it makes you very positive. Whatever challenges you face on the field, you know how quickly you can overcome them,” he said.

Sooryavanshi ready to move on

Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, admitted that the last four months have been an emotional rollercoaster but insisted his confidence remains intact.“Yes, there have been several ups and down in the last four months; it’s part of cricket it will keep happening but I have to follow the process and give my 100 per cent for the team,” the youngster told bcci.tv.His omission from the final T20I against England had sparked criticism of the team management, with several former cricketers questioning the decision to drop the teenager after just three innings.However, Sooryavanshi said the support from the coaching staff helped him regain his focus.“It’s an obvious thing that whatever I want (guidance etc), the coaches are making it available and whatever practice I require I am getting that. Feeling very good, there is confidence also,” he said.The Zimbabwe tour also carries special significance for the youngster. It was at the same venue in Harare that he starred in India’s triumphant Under-19 World Cup campaign earlier this year, smashing a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls against England in the final.“It’s a very memorable ground for me. Just four months back, we had played the U-19 World Cup Final and won, so a very special ground,” he said.Confident of the knowledge he gained during that tournament, Sooryavanshi said he hopes to use his familiarity with the conditions if selected for the opening T20I.“I will back my practice which I have done so far and try to back my game… whatever contribution I can make for the team I will try to give that,” he said.

A day after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, which Argentina lost to Spain, a video went viral showing Lionel Messi saying something to his teammates. “Come on, guys. Calm down, calm down is the most important thing. Let’s stay calm. Let’s just think about playing, nothing else. Calm down, let’s forget about everything. Let’s just play, let’s think about playing. That’s all, guys, let’s go,” the captain of the Albiceleste was heard saying.

With Messi being heard trying to ‘calm down’ his teammates, asking them to forget everything and move on just minutes before the start of the title showdown, the internet was intrigued.

Carlos Mac Allister, father of Alexis Mac Allister – Messi’s teammate – sent his son a message to find out what was behind it.

“I texted Alexis: ‘Hey, what happened in the locker room? Did something happen?’ I was just as worried. If I was worried, thinking that if something had happened my son would have told me right away, imagine how everyone else felt!” said “Colo” in an interview with Radio La Red.

La charla completa de los jugadores de la Selección Argentina antes de entrar a la cancha.

El video que despeja todas las dudas. pic.twitter.com/g0MKTtmCqu

— De Primera (@DePrimeraa) July 21, 2026

Advertisement

“He told me no, that they were talking about going out to play, in the football sense, about playing, passing, rotating, creating triangles, not kicking the ball high, not giving away possession. That’s what they were referring to. Then a lot of doubts started to arise. These days, also because of that post that was made, many people write to me and some people have said this to me,”  the former footballer, who played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, added.

Now, an extended video has been released on social media, highlighting what happened right before kick-off. In the video, Messi can be seen leading his troops from the dressing room to the waiting area.

Messi walks out of the dressing room wearing a white Argentina jacket over his kit. Chants of “Vamos muchachos” (“Let’s go, guys!”) can be heard, while the support staff also seem to be cheering the team.

The video later shows Messi with teammates behind him. The camera follows him as he moves forward. As Messi reaches the waiting area where both teams line up before walking onto the pitch, he deliberately goes around greeting players from Spain.

He makes a point of shaking hands, patting shoulders, or briefly hugging several of them, particularly those associated with Barcelona, the club where Messi spent most of his career.

Featured Video Of The Day

Yamal Laughs At Paredes vs Gavi ‘Fight Of The Year’ Poster During Parade

ONE featherweight Muay Thai contender Luke Lessei of the United States walked away from ONE Fight Night 45 with his hand raised, but the perfectionist inside him is still chasing something sharper.

“The Chef” outpointed “The Eagle” Mohamed Younes Rabah of Algeria via unanimous decision in the featherweight Muay Thai main event on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

Lessei took full control as the fight wore on and badly rocked the Algerian with a thunderous hook in the third round.

Rabah survived, and all three judges ultimately sided with Lessei. Still, the 30-year-old cannot shake the feeling that a golden opportunity slipped through his fingers in that very moment.

“There was one shot in the third round, a big hook, and my coach tells me, like, it should have been an eight-count,” he told the promotion after the fight.

“I wish I had gotten that eight-count. I could have smelled blood and went for the kill, chasing the 50K bonus.”

Still, the Iowa native is thrilled to be back in the win column, adding:

“But it is what it is. I’m happy with the shots that I landed. I can always improve. I can always do better, and I think I could push the pace even more.”

Luke Lessei reveals his shortlist of next opponents

With the win pushing him back into featherweight Muay Thai world title contention, Luke Lessei already has a shortlist of names he wants next.

He would like to run it back with foes who beat him in the past, and will even welcome a kickboxing transition.

“I just heard [Shadow] has a broken jaw right now, so I’m not sure how soon he’ll be back, but all three of the names, Bambi, Nico, Shadow, whoever,” he told ONE Championship.

“The Chef” continued:

“I’ve always been interested in putting the big gloves back on, doing kickboxing, since there’s no big-glove Muay Thai. But, yeah, I love banging in whatever style it is for striking.”

ONE Fight Night 45 is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.