Richa Ghosh produced a breathtaking late assault but India’s brittle top-order batting proved costly as Dani Gibson’s sparkling all-round show powered England to a narrow five-run win in their final Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff on Wednesday. After Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bowl, England rode on half-centuries from Amy Jones (64 off 45 balls) and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (57 off 45 balls) before Gibson’s unbeaten 30 off just 12 balls lifted them to 171 for 6. India’s chase never quite gathered momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals, but Richa’s stunning 68 off 36 balls nearly pulled off the impossible before left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (3/42) held her nerve to bowl India out for 166 in 19.5 overs.

Gibson also took the wickets of Bhatia and Fulmali in the crucial middle overs phase to return with 2/17 from her two overs, while Charlie Dean (2/1) and Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2/22) also provided fine support.

The defeat exposed a few concerns for India ahead of the T20 World Cup, with the top order misfiring once again, and fielding lapses allowing England crucial extra runs.

Gibson smashed Renuka Singh for two fours and one six to collect 19 runs in the last over, and that proved decisive.

Smriti Mandhana‘s lean run continued as she fell for one, extending a worrying sequence in which her highest score in seven innings since her 82 against Australia in February has been just 37.

Shafali Verma made a brisk 13 off six balls before miscuing Issy Wong, while Yastika Bhatia (15), skipper Harmanpreet (17) and Bharti Fulmali (18) also failed to convert their starts.

At 132 for 7 in 17.3 overs, India looked well out of the contest before Richa launched a spectacular counter-attack.

Needing 38 from the last two overs, the Bengal wicketkeeper-batter tore into Wong, smashing three fours and a six in a 21-run penultimate over to bring the equation down to 17 off the final over.

Richa continued her charge against Smith, first sweeping her for a four and then launching a massive straight six to reduce the target to six runs from three balls.

However, with victory within sight, Smith lured Richa out of her crease and wicketkeeper Alice Capsey completed the stumping.

Renuka then holed out while attempting a big hit as India were dismissed with one ball remaining.

Earlier, England’s innings was built around a 70-run stand between Jones and Sciver-Brunt after India had kept things tight in the opening phase.

Jones punished anything loose during her 45-ball 64, while Sciver-Brunt, returned to rhythm with a 57-run knock with eight fours.

India’s bowlers did well to control the scoring for large periods, especially around the rain interruption, but Gibson’s late blitz tilted the balance decisively.

Shreyanka Patil was India’s standout bowler, claiming 2/29 and striking twice in successive deliveries in the penultimate over to dismiss Sciver-Brunt and Dean.

Four other bowlers picked up a wicket each.

India also gave the new ball to Shafali Verma, an indication that the team management views her as a potential sixth bowler. The off-spinner returned figures of 1 for 18 from two overs, including the key wicket of Jones.

However, veteran spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma was not used with the ball as India rotated six bowling options, while Shreyanka and Radha Yadav (1/38) once again made strong cases with disciplined performances.

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

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India’s women shone at the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament on Wednesday, with PV Sindhu leading the charge and teenager Tanvi Sharma registering a notable win to reach the second round.Sindhu, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, Isharani Baruah and Tanya Hemanth all advanced to the women’s singles round of 16. However, it was a disappointing day for the Indian men’s singles players as Kiran George, Tharun Mannepalli and qualifier Saneeth Dayanand exited in the opening round.Third seed Sindhu made a comfortable start to her campaign, beating Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo Salazar 21-13, 21-11 in 32 minutes.The two-time Olympic medallist controlled the match throughout and did not allow her opponent to build any momentum.Sindhu will next face fellow Indian Isharani Baruah, who defeated China’s Han Qian Xi 22-20, 10-21, 21-14 in a match lasting one hour and three minutes.The standout result for India came from 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma. The world No. 36 defeated fifth seed and world No. 11 Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei 21-12, 22-20 in 45 minutes.Tanvi will now face Malvika Bansod in the round of 16. Malvika recovered after losing the opening game to beat Thailand’s Tonrug Saeheng 15-21, 21-7, 21-13.Tanya Hemanth also moved into the next round after defeating USA’s Ishika Jaiswal 21-17, 21-18 in 39 minutes.She will next face Thailand’s second seed and world No. 8 Pornpawee Chochuwong.Indian men bow outIn men’s singles, Kiran George lost 19-21, 21-14, 15-21 to Malaysia’s Justin Hoh in a contest that lasted one hour and two minutes.Qualifier Saneeth Dayanand was beaten by China’s Hu Zhe’an 8-21, 10-21 in 35 minutes.Tharun Mannepalli came close to upsetting second seed and world No. 10 Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei before losing 21-18, 13-21, 23-25 in a match lasting one hour and 20 minutes.After winning the first game, Tharun fought back in the decider and earned match points, but Lin held on to seal victory.Dhruv-Manisha move aheadIn mixed doubles, Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K progressed to the second round with a 21-13, 21-14 win over Australia’s Lim Jayden and Victoria Tjonadi in 27 minutes.Mohit Jaglan and Lakshita Jaglan, however, lost to second-seeded Chinese pair Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui 6-21, 5-21 in 20 minutes.

As one of Great Britain’s brightest amateur prospects, Odel Kamara appeared destined for a shot at Olympic glory in Los Angeles in 2028. Instead, the Liverpool standout has opted to forgo the amateur route and turn professional at just 22 years old, believing the move will better serve his long-term ambitions.

Fighting out of Salisbury ABC, Kamara won seven national titles and the Senior Elite Championship. Meanwhile, for GB Boxing, he claimed gold medals at both the Dacal Memorial World Cup and the World Boxing Cup in late 2024, and could have retained the latter in 2025 were it not for an injury that forced him to withdraw from the final.

The highlight of Kamara’s amateur career came back in September, when the World Boxing Championships made their way to his hometown of Liverpool. In his backyard, Kamara picked up the bronze medal in the 70kg category at the age of just 21, beaten only by eventual gold medallist Torekhan Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals.

As a result, many tipped Kamara as one of Team GB’s strongest hopes of a boxing medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Yet Kamara has decided that he won’t compete, instead favouring a move into the professional version of the sport.

Speaking with Boxing News, Kamara provided some insight into his decision, believing that additional professional experience will serve him better in the long run than the pursuit of a medal in L.A.

“I have decided to turn over in the end mainly for tactical reasons. A lot of people like to say being 24/25 when I turn over is perfect, I’ll have loads of experience, hopefully an Olympic gold medal and be pushed towards world title fights sooner. But, all of this ended up convincing me to go the other way because I believe in perfecting your craft, which can take years.

“At 22 years old I can perfect my pro boxing style and still be in contention for massive fights by time I’m 25/26 with a lot more experience then I would have had going the Olympics because, at the end of the day, pro and amateur boxing are different sports entirely.”

With that in mind, Kamara is content to bide his time and improve both his ability and profile before throwing himself in at the deep end of the super-welterweight division, where he confirmed he plans to campaign.

The Liverpudlian, managed by Sam Jones, has adopted a similar approach behind the scenes, planning to be patient when selecting who will be in his corner when he makes his professional debut.

“With me, I feel like there’s no actual rush. I would rather take a month or two to find the right coach, train hard and then whatever happens, happens. I’ll get some rounds in and when my team decide it’s the right time for titles, I won’t hesitate to take whatever one is in front of me.

“I am definitely going to travel around the UK, and possibly even the US [to identify the correct trainer], who knows? I just want the best guy possible for the job, I’m not taking anything lightly. I’m all in on becoming the best now, so whoever my team and I decide is the guy for the job will play a pivotal role.”

Still, despite not yet appointing a lead trainer, Kamara is aiming to make his professional debut before the end of 2026. There, he hopes to deliver a performance that puts the super-welterweight, middleweight and super-middleweight divisions on notice.

“Super-welterweight seems like the future of boxing right now with so many high-level contenders. I can see myself becoming top of the division someday and then transitioning through to middle and super-middle and doing the same there.

“I feel like my style will adapt perfectly to the pros. My speed, power and explosiveness will be expressed a lot easier and way more effectively with slower paced fights. I’m built for this.

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“This year is going to be graft, but at the end of it, people will know I’m the future of boxing.”

News regarding Kamara’s promoter is expected imminently – he will not have been short of offers ahead of what could prove to be both a fascinating and fruitful professional career.

Even supporters from countries not subject to travel bans have faced uncertainty.

BBC Scotland reported cases involving Scottish supporters who had already received travel authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process, only to see their approvals revoked days before departure.

The Speirs brothers from Kirkcaldy applied for their ESTAs in December and were initially approved. Months later, shortly before travelling to support Scotland at their first World Cup since 1998, their status reportedly changed to “travel not authorised.”

For many supporters, the financial burden has compounded the bureaucratic hurdles. While ESTA approvals cost around $40, supporters requiring standard visitor visas face fees of approximately $185 before even considering flights, accommodation or match tickets.

A Tournament Built on Inclusion

When FIFA awarded hosting rights to the United States, Canada and Mexico, the decision was presented as a celebration of football’s global reach.

The expanded 48-team format was designed to make the World Cup more inclusive by allowing more nations to participate. Countries such as Haiti, Uzbekistan and Curacao qualified for the tournament for the first time, creating opportunities for new footballing communities to experience the sport’s biggest stage.

Yet critics argue that while qualification has become more accessible, physically attending the tournament has become increasingly difficult for many of the very people FIFA claims to be including.

Visa Issues Create Unprecedented Challenges

One of the biggest controversies surrounding the tournament has been access to the United States.

Iran has faced some of the most significant logistical difficulties. State media reported that at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff members, described as being “integral” to the national team’s campaign, were denied visas.

While US authorities maintained that all “necessary” support staff had been granted entry, the Iranian Football Federation alleged that authorities had also revoked portions of Iran’s ticket allocation for group-stage matches.

“We are upset about this behaviour,” Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said. “It has certainly never happened before.”

The complications forced Iran to establish its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than inside the United States. Reports suggested the team could face repeated cross-border travel for group-stage matches, creating logistical challenges rarely seen at a World Cup.

For many observers, the situation represented a significant departure from FIFA’s long-standing principle that qualified teams should be able to participate without political or administrative obstacles.

Security screenings spark global debate

The treatment of some teams upon arrival in the United States has also generated criticism. According to multiple reports, members of the Senegal national team underwent detailed bag inspections directly on the airport tarmac after landing in San Antonio.

Uzbekistan’s squad reportedly encountered drug-sniffing dogs and extensive security checks upon arriving at their training base in New York. Images and videos quickly spread across social media, prompting strong reactions from supporters.

Critics accused authorities of treating players “like criminals” rather than welcoming them as participants in one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

One social media user questioned whether the treatment was selective, writing: “Did any white teams get treated like this, or is this treatment reserved for Senegal? Bizarre.”

The controversy deepened after reports emerged that Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained for seven hours at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, while Iraq’s team photographer was reportedly denied entry following an extensive screening process.

In a separate incident, award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States altogether.

These episodes have intensified concerns that some nations are facing significantly different experiences from others despite all being participants in the same tournament.

The cost of inclusion

While immigration issues have dominated headlines, financial accessibility has become another major point of contention. Ticket prices for many matches reached levels rarely associated with previous World Cups.

Premium tickets for the final were initially priced around $11,000, while FIFA’s dynamic pricing system meant supporters often paid vastly different amounts for identical seats.

As the tournament approached, reports indicated that some remaining final tickets were still being listed for thousands of dollars, with certain premium seats reaching extraordinary prices.

Critics argue that rising ticket costs, expensive travel requirements and hospitality-focused packages have transformed the World Cup from a global football festival into an event increasingly accessible only to wealthier supporters. For many fans, the barriers are no longer merely geographical, they are financial as well.

Can Football Still Unite?

The World Cup has historically provided moments that transcend politics. Fans from rival nations have shared celebrations in fan parks, communities have united behind underdog stories and players from vastly different backgrounds have inspired audiences across the globe.

Those moments still exist at the 2026 tournament. However, the surrounding controversies have created an uncomfortable contrast with FIFA’s messaging around inclusion and unity.

When some supporters struggle to obtain visas, when participating nations face travel complications, and when fans question whether the event remains financially accessible, the idea of the World Cup as football’s universal gathering place inevitably comes under scrutiny.

The bigger question facing FIFA

The central question is not whether football remains capable of uniting people. It clearly does.

The question is whether the structures surrounding the modern World Cup are making that unity harder to achieve. The expansion to 48 teams was intended to make the tournament more global than ever before. Yet for many supporters, journalists and even some participants, access has become more complicated, expensive and uncertain.

As the tournament unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the football itself may still deliver the drama and joy that have defined World Cups for generations.

But away from the pitch, FIFA faces an uncomfortable challenge: proving that the world’s biggest sporting event remains a force for bringing people together rather than another example of the divisions shaping the modern world.

Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez are credited with being two of boxing’s modern greats, but in the eyes of a shared former sparring partner, Jack Catterall, there is one active fighter who trumps them both as ‘the best he has shared the ring with’.

Last month, Catterall decisioned Shakhram Giyasov to get his hands on the WBA Regular welterweight world title; a win which he hopes will tee up a showdown for a shot at super champion, Rolando Romero.

Catterall, who boasts wins over both Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, had been preparing for world level far before he arrived, sharing the ring with Mayweather and Canelo in the past.

In 2015, the Chorley operator was brought in as one of many sparring partners for Mayweather ahead of his long-awaited mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao. Then, just days later, Catterall ventured to San Diego to help Canelo prepare for his bout against James Kirkland.

Yet, speaking with Pro Boxing Fans, Catterall claimed to be more impressed by former stablemate Jaron Ennis, whom he expects to halt Xander Zayas when challenging for the unified super-welterweight world titles later this month.

“I would go as far as saying that he is one of… the best fighter that I have sparred or been in the ring with; the speed, the power, the timing, the footwork.

“So, I am excited for that fight. I am going to try and make the trip over there and support him. I think that it is a good night’s work for him.

“I believe [that he will stop Zayas].”

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Ennis established himself as the leading welterweight of the post-Terence Crawford era, unifying the IBF and WBA world titles before moving up to 154lbs in search of further championships.

He faces on Zayas on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as Ennis seeks to capture the unified titles.

A top AEW star has shared a major personal update and has received support from many pro-wrestling stars, including Chelsea Green and Britt Baker.

The star in question, Deonna Purrazzo, has competed under an All Elite Wrestling contract since January 2024. Although her tenure began brightly and includes a run in ROH as Women’s Pure Champion (still ongoing), the Virtuosa’s TV time in AEW has declined sharply since mid-2025. As Purrazzo continues to thrive in Ring of Honor and strives to return to All Elite Wrestling programming, the 32-year-old revealed that she and her husband, Steve Maclin, who was recently released by TNA, put on their own wrestling show.

On Instagram, Purrazzo revealed that having their own show had never been a dream for Maclin and her; instead, they used the opportunity to raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The event took place at the Rahway Rec Center in New Jersey. Her post received an outpouring of love from top wrestling stars, including WWE’s Chelsea Green, Mickie James, and AEW’s Britt Baker and Shane Taylor.

Check out the stars’ reactions below:

AEW star Deonna Purrazzo’s emotional message to husband Steve Maclin following TNA release

Steve Maclin’s departure from TNA after a five-year tenure was one of the bigger developments in pro wrestling this month. Some time after Maclin’s release, Deonna Purrazzo took to X and shared a heartwarming message for her husband, calling him the epitome of wrestling before declaring her love for him.

“You are the epitome of a professional. You gave more blood than anyone I’ve ever seen. You have more heart than anyone I know. And you made the most of every minute you were given. This kind of feels like the end of era… but I know it’s the start of something even more magical. I love you,” she wrote.

Her post on X can be viewed here.

Steve Maclin is a respected veteran in professional wrestling. At 39, the former TNA International Champion still has plenty left in his locker, and if rumors are to be believed, Maclin could soon be declared ‘All Elite’.