Kylian Mbappé’s brace sent France to the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, while Cristiano Ronaldo received his first international red card in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland, delaying their qualification.

France qualifies for 2026 World Cup; Ronaldo sent off as Portugal loses to Ireland

Kylian Mbapp&eacute;&rsquo;s brace sent France to the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, while Cristiano Ronaldo received his first international red card in Portugal&rsquo;s 2-0 loss to Ireland, delaying their qualification.

Kylian Mbapp&eacute; and France are going to the 2026 World Cup. And Cristiano Ronaldo might be banned from Portugal's first game there if his team finally wins its European qualifying group.
Two goals from star striker Mbapp&eacute; helped two-time champion France qualify with a 4-0 home win against Ukraine on Thursday. But Ronaldo was ejected for the first time in his international career, and Portugal will have to wait until Sunday to secure a qualifying spot for the seventh straight time after it was stunned 2-0 by Ireland in Dublin.
Midfielder Michael Olise and substitute forward Hugo Ekitik&eacute; added the other goals in a dominant second half from France, the World Cup runner-up in 2022.
Mbapp&eacute; sent the penalty straight down the middle to break the deadlock in the 55th minute before Olise turned inside the penalty area to curl home the second goal in the 76th at Parc des Princes in western Paris.
Mbapp&eacute; poked in France's third goal from close range in the 83rd following a goal-mouth scramble. He moved onto 55 goals &mdash; just two behind Olivier Giroud as France's all-time top scorer.
&ldquo;The French national team will always be better with him in it,&rdquo; coach Didier Deschamps said about Mbapp&eacute;. &ldquo;He makes things easier for us. He performed his role perfectly this evening, as both a player and the captain of the national team.&rdquo;
Mbapp&eacute; went close to a hat trick moments later but blazed over after going clean through.
France has won Group D with 13 points. Ukraine and Iceland are tied on seven points and will play for second place when they meet on Sunday.
Ronaldo's 1st international red card
Portugal will host last-place Armenia in the final qualifying game on Sunday, when Hungary hosts Ireland at the same time.
Portugal tops Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland is third with seven points.
Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea on the hour. The referee issued a yellow card but minutes later upgraded it to red after a video review.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said he thought the ejection was &ldquo;a bit harsh,&rdquo; pointing out that Ronaldo "has never been sent off before in 226 games.&rdquo;
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal plays Armenia. FIFA disciplinary rules require judges to impose a ban of &ldquo;at least two matches for serious foul play.&rdquo;
Troy Parrott put the hosts ahead with a close-range header following a corner in the 17th minute against the run of play, with Portugal dominant. Parrott added his second in the final minute before the break, beating Diogo Costa with a low shot from inside the area. Haaland's double
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway moved closer to qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 by beating Estonia 4-1 in Oslo.
The win virtually secures a spot for the high-scoring Norwegians in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Italy had to rely on late goals from Gianluca Mancini and substitute Francesco Pio Esposito to win 2-0 at Moldova and is second in Group I, trailing leader Norway by three points.
Italy will likely have to settle for the playoffs, where the four-time World Cup champion was eliminated in the past two editions. It hosts Norway on Sunday and would have to win by a nine-goal margin to directly qualify because of Norway's vastly superior goal difference.
Haaland has scored 14 of Norway's European-best 33 goals in seven group-stage games. The Manchester City striker was born two years after Norway last reached the World Cup.
&nbsp; Still perfect England Already-qualified England continued to cruise.
It beat Serbia 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to keep a perfect record in Group K and is yet to concede a goal.
Bukayo Saka fired England ahead on a rebound with a left-foot volley in the 28th minute after an initial shot by Nico O'Reilly was blocked. Substitute forward Eberechi Eze added the second in the 90th off a pass from another substitute, Phil Foden.
Albania beat Andorra 1-0 in the same group to secure the runner-up spot.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test against India in Kolkata. India brought back Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, while SA missed Kagiso Rabada due to injury.

1st Test: South Africa opt to bat, India pick four spinners including Axar

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test against India in Kolkata. India brought back Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, while SA missed Kagiso Rabada due to injury.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat against India in the opening Test at the Edens Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
A fit-again Rishabh Pant, who had suffered an injury in England in July, replaced all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Axar Patel was back in side in place of Sai Sudharsan in the playing XI as India opted to go with four spinners.
For SA, premier pacer Kagiso Rabada missed out due to a rib injury with Corbin Bosch replacing him.
Teams:&nbsp;
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj&nbsp;
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.&nbsp;

India begins a two-match Test series against South Africa in Kolkata, confronting a potent spin attack. Focus will be on batting application and patience to overcome last year’s home collapse against New Zealand.

India Prepares for Challenging Test Series Against South Africa

India begins a two-match Test series against South Africa in Kolkata, confronting a potent spin attack. Focus will be on batting application and patience to overcome last year&rsquo;s home collapse against New Zealand.

India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack when the reasonably well-matched sides clash in an eagerly-anticipated two-match Test series beginning in Kolkata on Friday.
India would be haunted by the ghosts of last year's home debacle against New Zealand when their home record was shattered by Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips, who shared 36 wickets across three Tests, fashioning an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash.
Given South Africa's heavy reliance on tweakers right now, that collapse against sustained spin pressure will linger in the collective memory of the home side. The reigning World Test champions are known for fiery pacers historically but are currently armed with one of the most potent spin groups in world cricket.
The Proteas arrive on the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 draw in Pakistan, achieved without inspirational captain Temba Bavuma. South Africa's spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy accounted for 35 of the 39 wickets to fall across the series, outperforming Pakistan&rsquo;s own slow-bowling contingent of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Agha, who managed 21 wickets collectively.
It was little wonder then that India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate called the rival bowling line-up a "subcontinent-style attack". "They have got four spinners at their disposal, and most likely they will play three. It's a little bit like playing against a subcontinent team," he said. "We've addressed that early on. Hopefully, we've learned from the New Zealand series."
Simon Harmer, now 36 and holder of 1,000 first-class wickets, is no stranger to Indian conditions. As a 26-year-old on the 2015 tour under Hashim Amla, he featured in two Tests &mdash; in Mohali and Nagpur &mdash; and claimed prized scalps such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha, all known for their spin-playing prowess.
A decade later, Harmer remains as wily. He arrives in Kolkata after an eight-wicket match haul in Rawalpindi last month that spun South Africa to a series-levelling win over Pakistan. His control, drift, and subtle changes of pace make him an ideal foil for the left-arm spin of Maharaj, who is arguably one of the most accurate and attacking spinners in the modern game.
The Eden Gardens pitch has therefore become the most-watched element of this contest. While India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and captain Shubman Gill have made multiple pitch inspections, Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly has assured that it "won't be a rank-turner".
That will please Jasprit Bumrah, who could be India's trump card on a surface that historically gives early movement and late reverse swing. India would look to go with two pacers and it appears that Akash Deep, the local 'boy', will have the edge with his knowledge of the conditions.
Over the last 15 years, pacers have taken 61 per cent (97 of 159 wickets) in Tests here as seam and swing play a major role, especially in the early and closing stages.
While a young Indian side under Shubman Gill's debut captaincy drew 2-2 in England this summer, showing resilience and adaptability in seaming conditions, it is the New Zealand debacle at home that continues to rankle. The subsequent 2-0 win against a weak West Indies side in this WTC cycle did little to test India's revival.
For India, the focus will be on application and patience against spin. With Rishabh Pant fit again and an in-form Dhruv Jurel set to play as a specialist batter, the middle order looks more stable. Washington Sundar, who topped India's spin charts in that New Zealand series with 16 wickets, provides drift and bounce and lends depth with the bat.
Ten Doeschate underlined the mental readiness required after a gruelling multi-format schedule. "You've got to switch on mentally and be ready for 16&ndash;17 days of really tough work. The body will take care of itself &mdash; the mind has to be ready."
Given it's only a two-match series, the margin for error is slim. Falling behind early could prove fatal especially with unfamiliar conditions set to play their part in the final Test in Guwahati, which will make its debut as a Test venue.
For India, batting big and putting the opposition under scoreboard pressure will be the key to exorcising the ghosts of last year's collapse.
Teams: India: Shubman Gill (Capt), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK and VC), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (Capt), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
Match starts: 9.30am.

The Pakistan Cricket Board reschedules the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, moving all matches to Rawalpindi and delaying the opening game to November 18 due to security concerns after the Islamabad terror attack.

PCB reworks schedule of tri-series against Zimbabwe, SL amid security concerns

The Pakistan Cricket Board reschedules the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, moving all matches to Rawalpindi and delaying the opening game to November 18 due to security concerns after the Islamabad terror attack.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has rescheduled the opening of a T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to November 18, besides making Rawalpindi the sole venue for the tournament owing to the visiting teams' security concerns in the wake of a suicide attack in Islamabad.&nbsp;
The second game of the seven-match rubber has also been postponed by a day to November 20.
Earlier, Lahore was scheduled to host five games of the event, including the final on November 29, but the three boards have agreed to hold the proceedings exclusively in Rawalpindi now. "The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements," the PCB said in a statement after a night of hectic negotiations to ensure that the Lankan players do not leave an ongoing ODI series midway.
The Zimbabwe cricket team reached Islamabad early Thursday morning amid tight security for what is being described as an "important preparatory platform ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup," by the PCB. The Sri Lankan cricket team will also continue with its bilateral tour of Pakistan, and no player or official is planning to return home, according to its team manager, Mahinda Halangoda.
Eight players had expressed concerns about continuing the tour after the terror attack in Islamabad, which left 12 dead and several injured. But after SLC spoke to them and gave them assurances, they have decided to stay for the assignment. Halangoda said that no player would be returning to Sri Lanka. "I can confirm that," he asserted.
A reliable source aware of the developments said it had taken massive behind-the-scenes efforts to convince the players that they would be safe in Pakistan and should continue playing the series. "The Sri Lanka board President Shammi Silva and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan got involved and things are settled for now," he said.
PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he was grateful to the Sri Lankan team for the decision to continue the Pakistan tour.
The PCB later announced a slight change in the schedule of the remaining two one-day games. The PCB announced that the two matches will now be played on Friday and Sunday in Rawalpindi, instead of the originally planned dates of November 13 and 15.

Pakistan has beefed up security for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team following recent militant attacks, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi assured the team of full protection amid heightened regional tensions.

Security beefed up for Sri Lanka team following suicide bombing in Islamabad

Pakistan has beefed up security for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team following recent militant attacks, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi assured the team of full protection amid heightened regional tensions.

Security has been beefed up for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team after the recent militant attack in Pakistan.
Sources said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Federal Minister for Interior, had met officials of the Sri Lankan team and assured them of fool-proof security.
Pakistan has indirectly blamed Afghanistan's Taliban government again for allowing its land to be used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to carry out terror attacks in Pakistan. Tensions have been high between the two countries after peace talks failed in Doha following military action by Pakistan on areas inside Afghanistan, where the military says the TTP has camps.
On Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated himself outside a judicial complex in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring scores, while in Northern Pakistan's Wana area a terror attack on the Wana Cadet College was foiled by security forces and around 300 students were safely evacuated.
Federal Minister for Information Ata Tarar said if security forces had not acted swiftly, Pakistan could have witnessed a bigger incident like the Peshawar school attack in 2018.
Three years back, the New Zealand team cancelled a white-ball series in Rawalpindi and returned home without playing a match after receiving credible intelligence about a possible terror attack targeting the visitors. "That is why Mohsin Naqvi personally went to the stadium and met with the visiting team members and assured them they would be safe and secure," the source said.
Back in March 2009, TTP terrorists had attacked the Sri Lankan team bus close to the Gaddafi Stadium, resulting in the closure of international cricket in Pakistan for nearly 10 years as foreign teams refused to visit the country due to security concerns.
"Security has been beefed up with Pakistan Army and the paramilitary rangers now deputed to monitor security for the visiting players and officials," the source said.
Sri Lanka, after playing three ODIs in Rawalpindi, will then take part in a T20 triangular series also involving Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, says the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his illustrious career. The Portuguese superstar plans to retire from football in the next one to two years while continuing at Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, says the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his illustrious career. The Portuguese superstar plans to retire from football in the next one to two years while continuing at Al Nassr.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years".
"Definitely, yes," he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. "I'm gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment."
Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire "soon".
"Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game," he said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.
Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.
Last month, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he netted twice against Hungary to reach 41 goals, overtaking retired Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz's 39.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 strikes.
During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Ronaldo opened up further about the realities of his looming retirement.
"It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I'm an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes," he said.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a second time in late 2022, a move that heralded a influx of late-career stars to the oil-rich kingdom.
Ronaldo initially signed for 200 million euros a year, according to a source close to Al Nassr at the time, and inked a two-year contract extension in June.
Last month, he was named by Bloomberg as the sport's first billionaire, and topped the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in a decade.
With on-and off-field earnings of an estimated $280 million, Ronaldo will earn more than double that of second-placed rival Lionel Messi during the upcoming season, according to Forbes.
Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host of the 2034 World Cup last December.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi will be dismantled and rebuilt into a state-of-the-art Sports City with multi-discipline facilities and athlete lodging, the Sports Ministry said.

Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to be dismantled, redeveloped into world-class Sports City

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi will be dismantled and rebuilt into a state-of-the-art Sports City with multi-discipline facilities and athlete lodging, the Sports Ministry said.

The iconic Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in the national capital will be "dismantled" to create a Sports City that will cater to all major disciplines and include lodging facility for athletes, a Sports Ministry source said on Monday.
The 102 acre area of the stadium will be rebuilt but as of now, the plan is merely a proposal and therefore the time-line for the project and the estimated cost has not yet been worked out.
"The stadium will be dismantled. All offices inside the stadium, including the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and the Income Tax department will be relocated as and when the project takes off," the ministry source said.
"Currently the over 100 acres of land that it occupies is not being used to its optimal level. A Sports City will ensure that we have hosting facilities for major disciplines, training facilities, lodging for athletes when they compete there and even verticals like entertainment will be covered," he added.
The stadium also houses the headquarters of the Sports Authority of India, which owns the venue, and the government's flagship Khelo India project office.
A Sports City project would require synergy between multiple ministries, including the Urban Development Ministry, and departments. Given the long-drawn process, an immediate start to it is unlikely.
"It is an idea at this stage but let's see how the feasibility study works out. But the ministry is very serious about going ahead with it," the source said.
Sports cities in Qatar and Australia are being assessed to finalise the modalities. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was in Doha recently and it is reliably learnt that he visited the Sports City there.
The Doha Sports City is spread over 617 acres. It has facilities for football, aquatics and 13 different indoor sports besides an academy. It also houses a specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital.
Australia's multi-purpose facilities include the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne that can host cricket, Australian rules football, rugby, cricket and soccer.
Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Complex is an example closer home, having facilities for cricket, aquatics, tennis and athletics among others. It is spread over 250 acres and was built at a cost of Rs 4600 crore. The city is currently bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games and is set to be awarded the 2030 Commonwealth Games later this month.
"The JLN project will also be big in scale. This project will ensure that existing infrastructure, that was crumbling inside JLN, will get rebuilt," the source said.
The JLN Stadium was built in 1982 for the Asian Games held that year. It later hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games for which it was refurbished at a cost over Rs 900 crore.
It recently hosted the World Para-Athletics Championship for which it underwent another facelift, leading to the laying of the renowned MONDO track, which is considered a faster surface that reduces risk of injury.
Besides being a prime athletics venue, the stadium has a football pitch where national and international-level games have been held.
It has hosted a couple of cricket ODIs as well in 1984 and 1991 before the ICC found it unsuitable for the sport due to technical reasons.
The stadium is used for non-sporting commercial activities too with concerts by Indian and international singers held here regularly.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had recently hiked the booking price for such events and introduced a clause for penalties if the stadium was not handed back to it in good condition at the conclusion of such programmes.

Suryakumar Yadav lost his cool at Shivam Dube during India’s 4th T20I win over Australia, as spin attack led to a 48-run victory.

Suryakumar Yadav loses cool at Shivam Dube in 4th T20I vs Australia

Suryakumar Yadav lost his cool at Shivam Dube during India&rsquo;s 4th T20I win over Australia, as spin attack led to a 48-run victory.

Suryakumar Yadav, usually calm and composed on the cricket field, had a rare moment of visible frustration during India&rsquo;s fourth T20I against Australia.
The match at Carrara Oval, Queensland, was intense, but India emerged with a crucial 48-run victory in a must-win game.
The incident unfolded on the final ball of the 12th over of Australia&rsquo;s innings. The hosts were steadily chasing 168 when Shivam Dube dismissed Tim David, giving India a slight advantage. Dube then bowled two dot balls to new batter Marcus Stoinis in the same over.
However, the last delivery drew Suryakumar&rsquo;s ire. Dube delivered a short ball wide outside off-stump, which Stoinis smashed over backward point for a boundary. The four runs eased the pressure on Stoinis, and Suryakumar expressed his frustration at Dube for the loose delivery.
Washington Sundar played a key role, taking three wickets in five deliveries, helping India secure the 48-run win.
India&rsquo;s spin attack accounted for six wickets in total, triggering an Australian collapse from 91 for 4 in 11.3 overs to 119 all out in 18.2 overs. Australia lost seven wickets for just 28 runs across 41 balls, posting their second-lowest T20 total on home soil after 111 versus New Zealand in Sydney in 2022.
With this win, India now hold an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series, which concludes Saturday in Brisbane.
Individually, Sundar finished with 3-3 from 1.2 overs, left-arm spinner Axar Patel picked up 2-20 in four overs, and Varun Chakravarthy returned 1-26. Axar&rsquo;s wickets and his quick 21 not out off 11 balls, which helped India surpass 150, earned him the Player of the Match award.
"I got a chance to bat at No. 7 and it helped me understand the wicket," Axar said. "The ball was not coming on and there was unexpected bounce. I tried bowling wicket to wicket. If I have an impact for my team it's the best game for me."
Shubman Gill scored 46 off 39 balls as India posted 167-8 after being sent in, while Australia&rsquo;s wrist spinner Adam Zampa finished with 3-45 in four overs.

United Spirits Ltd, owned by Diageo, announced a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd — owner of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru — indicating a possible sale by March 2026.

United Spirits to review ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru; hints at possible sale

United Spirits Ltd, owned by Diageo, announced a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd &mdash; owner of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru &mdash; indicating a possible sale by March 2026.

United Spirits Ltd (USL), part of multinational alcoholic beverages company Diageo, on Wednesday said it is going to have a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), the entity that owns IPL T20 team Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Hinting towards the sale of the business, USL, in a regulatory filing on Wednesday, said it is "initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, RCSPL."
RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the &ldquo;Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)&rdquo; franchise teams that participate in the Men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually.
RCB, the team that had India's cricket star Virat Kohli, won its first Indian Premier League title earlier this year. The company expects the entire process of strategic review to be completed by the end of this fiscal. "It is expected the process will conclude by March 31st, 2026," said USL Managing Director &amp; CEO Praveen Someshwar.
According to Someshwar, though RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset for USL, it&rsquo;s non-core to our alcoholic beverage business. "This step reinforces USL&rsquo;s &amp; Diageo&rsquo;s commitment to continue reviewing its India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all its stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL&rsquo;s best interest in mind," he said.
RCB was one of the founding teams of the IPL, which was founded in 2008 by its previous owner Vijay Mallya. It came into the fold of Diageo, after it took Mallya's liquor business United Spirits Ltd.
RCB, whose home ground is M Chinnaswamy Stadium, won their first title in 2025 and finished as the runners-up on three occasions -- 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Earlier, in September, some media reports had claimed that Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla was in talks with USL for a possible acquisition of RCB. Recently, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) platform, Poonawalla said, &ldquo;At the right valuation, RCB is a great team,&rdquo; signalling his interest in acquiring the 2025 IPL champion team.
Earlier, in May 2022 after the strategic review of selected Popular brands, USL had sold and franchised selected brands to Inbrew Beverages.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli turns 37, marking a career spanning record-breaking performances in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, ICC events, and the IPL, cementing his place among the greatest in modern cricket.

Virat Kohli turns 37: A career of records, milestones, and cricketing excellence

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli turns 37, marking a career spanning record-breaking performances in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, ICC events, and the IPL, cementing his place among the greatest in modern cricket.

India&rsquo;s cricketing legend and one of modern cricket&rsquo;s most celebrated icons, Virat Kohli, turned 37 on Wednesday.&nbsp;
Since his debut on the international stage in 2008 as a chubby-faced teenager from West Delhi, Kohli has reached heights in world cricket that few have managed, amassing a mix of personal and team milestones that could leave many of his contemporaries envious.&nbsp;
From leading India to a U19 World Cup title in Kuala Lumpur as a youngster, it was evident that Virat was cut from a different cloth&mdash;distinct even from his seniors Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly.&nbsp;
While he mirrored Sachin&rsquo;s consistency and technique and channeled Ganguly&rsquo;s on-field aggression, he transformed these qualities into a larger vision, shaping India&rsquo;s next generation of cricket alongside MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
A Test Ambassador: Record-Breaking Highs and Lows
In Test cricket, Virat played 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a highest score of 254*.
He retired as India&rsquo;s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests. His prime from 2016 to 2019 was extraordinary, producing 4,208 runs in 43 matches at an average of 66.79, including 16 centuries, 10 fifties, and seven double hundreds&mdash;the most by any captain in Test history.
Although he faced a dip in form in the 2020s, scoring only three more centuries and averaging around 30 before retiring this year, his influence on Test cricket extended beyond numbers. Virat helped revive interest in the format, turning five-day contests between elite teams into thrilling spectacles.
As India&rsquo;s captain, he recorded 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws in 68 Tests, including seven victories in South Africa, England, and New Zealand (SENA) countries&mdash;the most by any Indian captain&mdash;and remains the only Indian skipper to win a Test series in Australia (2019).&nbsp;
Under his leadership, he scored 5,864 runs at an average of 54.80, including 20 centuries and 18 fifties, establishing India&rsquo;s dominance at home and fostering a generation of elite fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav.
His focus on fitness, including the Yo-Yo Test, set new standards for Indian cricket. India also held the number one Test ranking for 43 months under his captaincy, from October 2016 to May 2020.
An ODI Titan: The Master of Chases
In One-Day Internationals, Virat Kohli has arguably been India&rsquo;s greatest batter, scoring 14,255 runs in 305 matches at an average of 57.71, with 51 centuries, 75 fifties, and a best score of 183. He is the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history. Known as a &lsquo;Chasemaster,&rsquo; he dominates run-chases with 6,072 runs in 108 matches at an astonishing average of 89.29, including 24 centuries and 27 fifties in 102 innings.
Virat also holds records as the fastest to 8,000 through 14,000 ODI runs. His trophy cabinet includes the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with crucial performances in knockout matches. He ranks second in all-time World Cup runs, with 1,795 from 37 games at an average of 59.83, including five centuries and 12 fifties.
In the 2023 World Cup, Virat delivered a career-defining campaign, scoring 765 runs in 11 matches at an average over 95, including three centuries and six fifties. His 117 in the semifinals against New Zealand marked his 50th ODI century, making him the first to reach this milestone, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' award even as India finished runners-up.
A Consistent T20I Performer
Virat&rsquo;s T20I record is equally impressive: 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate above 137, including one century and 38 fifties. In successful run-chases, he has scored 1,651 runs in 42 matches at an extraordinary average of 78.61, with 16 fifties, often leading iconic chases from Mohali to Melbourne.
He was the star in India&rsquo;s 2024 T20 World Cup win, scoring 76 in the final against South Africa, and has earned two T20 World Cup 'Player of the Tournament' awards. He is also the most decorated batter in T20 World Cups, amassing 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.72, including 15 fifties. His record in successful chase innings is staggering: 519 runs in 12 matches at an average of 173, with eight unbeaten scores. Even in death overs, his strike rate of over 198 remains exceptional.
An ICC Event Giant
Virat has conquered ICC events with a 50-over and T20 World Cup and two Champions Trophies. He is the only player with three 'Player of the Tournament' awards in ICC events. Across these tournaments, he has scored 3,834 runs in 90 matches at an average of 61.33, including six centuries and 33 fifties. In knockout matches, including World Test Championship finals, he has over 1,000 runs in 22 matches, averaging over 51, with one century and nine fifties.
The IPL Icon
In the Indian Premier League, Virat has been synonymous with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since 2008. After 18 years with the franchise, he finally won an IPL title this year.
With 8,661 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.54, including eight centuries and 63 fifties, he is the top run-scorer and century-maker in IPL history.
His peak came in 2016, scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.40 with a strike rate above 152, including four centuries and seven fifties, winning the Orange Cap. He claimed the Orange Cap again last year with 741 runs in 15 matches, averaging 61.75 with a century and five fifties.

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Australia set a target of 254&nbsp;for India in Final Raj Limabani takes crucial 3-wicket haul Harjas Singh (55), Hugh Weibgen (48) top score for AUS

Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and support from Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel helped India bowl out South Africa for 159 in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Jasprit Bumrah's Five-Wicket Haul Dominates South Africa in Kolkata Test

Jasprit Bumrah&rsquo;s five-wicket haul and support from Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel helped India bowl out South Africa for 159 in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah took a five-wicket haul as India bowled out South Africa for 159 on day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.&nbsp;
Bumrah's (5/27) victims included openers Aiden Makram and Ryan Rickleton, Ton de Zorzi, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.&nbsp;
Pacer Mohammed Siraj (2/47), spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2/36) and Axar Patel (1/21)shared five wickets among themseleves.&nbsp;
It was a disappointing batting performance from the visitors after winning the toss. Wiaan Mulder and de Zorzi were the joint top scorers.&nbsp;
Brief Scores: South Africa 1st innings 159 all out in 55 overs (Wiaan Mulder 24 , Toni de Zorzi 24; Jasprit Bumrah 5/27).&nbsp;

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a crucial qualifier in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Possible World Cup Opening Match Ban

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal&rsquo;s opening match at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O&rsquo;Shea during a crucial qualifier in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected.
The soccer superstar was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea in the second half of a qualifying game Thursday that Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin.
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of &ldquo;at least two matches for serious foul play.&rdquo; The ban should be &ldquo;at least three matches for violent conduct&rdquo; or &ldquo;at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.&rdquo; A FIFA ban would apply to competitive games and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
Ronaldo spun round and swung his right elbow into O'Shea's back as they waited for the ball to be crossed around the hour mark at Aviva Stadium with Ireland holding a surprise 2-0 lead.
The referee issued a yellow card but minutes later upgraded it to red after a video review at the pitchside monitor.
Ronaldo curled his lips in a wry look as he walked off the field being jeered and mocked by Ireland fans. He stopped and looked at the fans, clapped his hands toward them and raised two thumbs up in an apparent sarcastic gesture.
Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February, is aiming to play at a record sixth World Cup tournament. The tournament draw is made Dec. 5 in Washington DC when Portugal, if it qualifies, will learn its schedule of three opponents in the group stage.
Ireland forward Troy Parrott had scored twice in the first half Thursday to revive Irish hopes of qualification likely through the playoffs ahead of facing second-place Hungary on Sunday.
Portugal tops Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland is third with seven points.

Kolkata Knight Riders appoint New Zealand legend Tim Southee as their bowling coach for IPL 2026, leveraging his vast international experience to mentor and strengthen the team’s bowling attack.

Tim Southee Appointed as KKR Bowling Coach for IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders appoint New Zealand legend Tim Southee as their bowling coach for IPL 2026, leveraging his vast international experience to mentor and strengthen the team&rsquo;s bowling attack.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday announced the appointment of New Zealand cricket legend Tim Southee as the team's bowling coach for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).&nbsp;
Southee represented his country in 107 Test matches, 161 ODIs, and 126 T20 Internationals, taking 776 wickets.&nbsp;
Southee was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad (2021, 2022, 2023) in the IPL during his playing career.&nbsp;
"KKR has always felt like home to me, and it&rsquo;s an honour to return in this new role. The franchise has an incredible culture, passionate fans, and a great group of players. I look forward to working closely with the bowlers and helping the team achieve success in IPL 2026," said the New Zealander.&nbsp;
Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, said, "We are delighted to welcome Tim Southee back to the KKR family, this time in a coaching capacity. Tim&rsquo;s vast experience and technical expertise will be instrumental in shaping our bowling unit. His leadership qualities and calm approach make him an ideal mentor for our young bowlers."

Mohammed Siraj’s brilliant double strike and clinical spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav reduced South Africa to 154/8 at tea on day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens.

Siraj, Bumrah rip through South African line up as India tighten grip; visitors 154/8 at tea

Mohammed Siraj&rsquo;s brilliant double strike and clinical spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav reduced South Africa to 154/8 at tea on day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens.

Mohammed Siraj's double strike added to South Africa's woes as India tightened their grip on the opening Test, reducing the visitors to 154 for eight at tea on day one at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
Having conceded 34 runs in his first six overs, Siraj toiled relentlessly and finally cracked open the lower middle order with a brilliant double-wicket burst in his 10th over, removing Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the space of four balls.
Verreynne (16), who was dropped twice in the 34th over, was undone when the ball struck his pad and then bat as he tried to defend towards mid-off. South Africa reviewed for the third time in the innings and burned their final referral.
Jansen (0) received a short ball first up, but Siraj then produced a length delivery that began reversing before pitching around off, darted back sharply and went through his gate.
At the stroke of tea, Axar Patel opened his account by trapping Corbin Bosch (3) leg before wicket as India suddenly looked poised to bat on the opening day itself despite Shubman Gill losing yet another toss.
The session had begun with Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah continuing from where they had left off. The left-arm spinner continuing to ask tough questions with drift, dip and length variations, keeping the batters under constant scrutiny.
After the early losses of Temba Bavuma and the openers, Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi tried to steady the innings with circumspect batting.
Mulder applied himself for more than 50 balls, looked compact against India&rsquo;s four-pronged spin attack, but lost focus 15 minutes into the second session Attempting to break free with a reverse sweep against Kuldeep, he missed it completely and was trapped lbw.
India struck again in the third over after lunch as Bumrah, following a probing first spell of 7-4-9-2, returned to remove the in-form de Zorzi (24).
Earlier, in the morning session, Bumrah showcased his mastery with two unplayable deliveries to dismiss both thte openers, Aiden Markram (31) and Ryan Rickelton (23), after South Africa raced to 57 for no loss in 10 overs.
Kuldeep added the wicket of Bavuma (3) as India seized control before lunch and tightened the noose further by tea.

Jasprit Bumrah took two early wickets and Kuldeep Yadav removed Temba Bavuma as South Africa reached 105 for 3 at lunch on Day 1 of the first Test.

Jasprit Bumrah Impresses With Key Wickets Against South Africa

Jasprit Bumrah took two early wickets and Kuldeep Yadav removed Temba Bavuma as South Africa reached 105 for 3 at lunch on Day 1 of the first Test.

Jasprit Bumrah showcased his mastery with two unplayable deliveries to dismiss both openers while Kuldeep Yadav added the prized wicket of skipper Temba Bavuma as India dominated the first session to reduce South Africa to 105 for 3 in 27 overs at lunch on day one of the opening Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
Opting to bat with an extra all-rounder in Wiaan Mulder, South Africa bossed the first 50 minutes, racing to 57 for no loss in 10 overs, before Bumrah (2/9 in 7 overs) turned the morning on its head with two wickets in five balls across successive overs.
Aiden Markram, after 23 dot balls, opened up with a straight drive and a flowing cover drive, later twice punishing Axar Patel and unfurling a deft late cut past backward point. He also launched Axar for a wristy six over mid-wicket as the run-rate surged above five an over. At the other end, Ryan Rickelton&rsquo;s hit-and-miss 22 off 23 (4x4) added to India's frustration.
Just as India appeared to be leaking runs after Shubman Gill lost yet another toss, Bumrah produced a peach from around the wicket. A 140 kmph length ball straightened late, beating a tentative Rickelton to uproot his off stump, sending the Eden Gardens crowd of more than 30,000 roaring.
His next over was even better. A short-of-length delivery reared sharply on a surface already showing the odd ball stay low, forcing Markram (31 off 48; 5x4, 1x6) to glove to Dhruv Jurel. The contrast in bounce underscored the pitch's fickle nature.
Bumrah also troubled Bavuma with a thigh-pad strike in the same over before India introduced Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner struck in his second over, Bavuma falling to a smart leg-slip trap, Jurel snapping a sharp inside-edge chance.
India used all four spinners before lunch, with Washington Sundar bowling the final over as the pitch continued to show variable behaviour, with odd balls staying low and leaping. At the break, Mulder (22 off 43) and in-form Tony de Zorzi (15 off 38) &mdash; both playing their first Tests in India &mdash; were at the crease.
Earlier, India sprang a bold selection call under Gautam Gambhir&rsquo;s think-tank, fielding four spinners for the first time since the 2012 Nagpur Test vs England, recalling Patel in place of designated No. 3 Sai Sudharsan, who was seen training separately with physio Adrian Le Roux in the morning.
South Africa picked just two spinners, leaving out Senuran Muthusamy &mdash; Player of the Series in their 1-1 draw in Pakistan &mdash; while Kagiso Rabada&rsquo;s rib injury meant Marco Jansen and Mumbai Indians pacer Corbin Bosch formed their two-man pace attack. Brief Scores: South Africa 1st innings: 105 for 3 in 27 overs (Aiden Markram 31; Jasprit Bumrah 2/9) against India.

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