“Don’t feel player as big as Rohit can have any pressure”: Batting co…

Cardiff [UK], July 17 (ANI): India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma despite his lean run with the bat in the ongoing ODI series against England, saying a player of his stature does not feel pressure even if runs have not come in the last two matches. freshyourfeel.com

Speaking at the post-match press conference after India’s four-wicket defeat to England in the second ODI, Kotak expressed confidence that Rohit would soon return to form.

The batting coach added that Rohit’s quality and experience make him capable of bouncing back quickly despite the recent setbacks.

“See, I don’t feel like a player as big as Rohit can have any pressure. He’s too good a player to feel that. Yeah, in two matches runs haven’t come, I don’t think that makes any difference. But today also, it looked like he’ll probably get a good innings out, but that’s okay," Kotak said.

In the ongoing ODI series against England, Rohit has managed scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches. Overall, the Indian captain has endured a difficult year with the bat, accumulating 241 runs in eight matches at an average of 30.12, with a highest score of 79.

Coming to the match, England bounced back to defeat India in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, levelling the three-match series 1-1.

Chasing 234, Joe Root anchored the innings with a match-winning unbeaten 99 off 133 balls and shared a crucial 72-run stand with Will Jacks (30) after England had slumped to 125/5. Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 23 as England reached the target with nearly six overs to spare.

India made an excellent start with the ball, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Ben Duckett off the first ball of the innings and Prasidh Krishna removing Jacob Bethell early. Debutant Gurnoor Brar claimed two wickets, while Bumrah, Krishna, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, England’s pace attack restricted India to 233 in 44 overs despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66).

Sharma scored 26 and Shubman Gill made 31, while Ishan Kishan, replacing the unwell KL Rahul, managed just one. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson starred with three wickets each, while Saqib Mahmood claimed two. The series will now be decided in the third and final ODI at Lord’s on July 19. (ANI)

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Birmingham [UK] July 17 (ANI): Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, who has ancestral roots in India, hailed teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is part of a new generation of young athletes flourishing across global sport, saying advances in technology and access to better information are helping elite talent emerge at increasingly younger ages.

Lindblad was speaking during his appearance on the broadcast of the first ODI between England and India at Edgbaston earlier this week, where the Shubman Gill-led side won by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead, according to a release.

The 18-year-old Racing Bulls driver was at the venue supporting England while also reflecting on his Indian roots. Lindblad also recalled his visit to Mumbai late last year, when he had a brief tryst with the sport himself.

“I enjoyed my time in Mumbai playing cricket with the kids at Azad Maidan. It was a wonderful experience," Lindblad told host broadcaster Sky Sports during a chat with commentators Ravi Shastri and Ian Ward, as quoted by the release.

“My Nana and Nani (maternal grandparents) are Punjabi. I am very connected to my Indian roots and love Indian food, particularly that cooked by my Nani," Lindblad said before discussing the rise of young talent in sports.

Asked why motorsport is witnessing an influx of young drivers, with talents such as 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli already competing alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, Lindblad said the trend extends well beyond racing.

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A post shared by Arvid Lindblad (@arvid.lindblad)

Football has seen teenage stars such as Lamine Yamal lead Spain into the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, while Indian cricket has witnessed the rapid rise of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who enjoyed a blockbuster IPL season before making his India debut and becoming the country’s youngest international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.

“I think this is happening in all sports. The technology is improving around it. We get better information from an earlier age, and that is why there are really good youngsters who are doing really well. This happens in all sports, even in cricket, with Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) doing really well. He is so young. I think this is just the nature of sport," Lindblad said, as quoted by the release.

He also reflected on finally achieving his lifelong ambition of racing in Formula One, admitting the emotions of making his debut in Melbourne earlier this year had caught up with him.

“All athletes, from an early age, have a dream of reaching the top. You always remain nervous, never really knowing if it’s going to come true. For me, this year in Melbourne, the fact that this was happening to me for real was special. I got a little bit emotional before it all," the Racing Bulls rookie said.

Lindblad also looked back on the significance of racing at Silverstone as a Formula One driver for the first time. “I had first been to Silverstone with my father when I was just five years old. Going there this year, thirteen years on, becoming an F1 race driver was really special to me, especially in front of the entire home support," he said.

During last week’s British Grand Prix weekend, Lindblad was also seen sharing a light-hearted moment in the paddock with India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, with both sharing Punjabi family roots.

Lindblad also joked that despite racing Formula One cars for a living, he is yet to obtain a road driver’s licence. “It is a bit sad that I still have not got my driver’s licence yet. It was funny for a bit, but now it is just getting a bit silly. I had my first driving lesson yesterday, so I need to get it soon," he said. (ANI)

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Montevideo [Uruguay], July 17 (ANI): Uruguay star footballer Luis Suarez shared a heartfelt post with Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario, describing him as “the best nine of all time" after meeting the former World Cup winner.

Suarez shared a photograph on X featuring himself alongside Ronaldo. Captioning the image, the Inter Miami forward wrote, “The best nine of all time!"

El mejor nueve de la historia! ‍ pic.twitter.com/pRPyZ0yrLP

— Luis Suárez (@LuisSuarez9) July 16, 2026

A few days back, Inter Miami star Suarez shared a special moment with England captain Harry Kane, exchanging jerseys and posing for a picture amid the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Suarez shared the image on X and wrote, “With a great 9! A pleasure to meet you @HKane."

The photograph showed Suarez and Kane holding each other’s No. 9 jerseys, with the two veteran forwards sharing a warm interaction.

Con un gran 9! Un placer conocerte @HKane ‍ pic.twitter.com/DMTL7YlccJ

— Luis Suárez (@LuisSuarez9) July 10, 2026

Suarez is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation. The Uruguayan forward, popularly known as “El Pistolero", currently plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami and has scored more than 600 goals in his professional career.

Born in Salto, Uruguay, on January 24, 1987, Suarez has enjoyed a distinguished career across Europe and South America. He first rose to prominence with Ajax, where he captained the Dutch club and established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific goal scorers.

The striker further enhanced his reputation during his spell at Liverpool, winning the Premier League Golden Boot and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the 2013-14 season. He later joined Barcelona, where he formed the iconic “MSN" attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar, helping the Spanish giants win multiple domestic titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the 2015-16 European Golden Shoe.

Suarez also played a key role in Atletico Madrid’s 2020-21 La Liga title-winning campaign before joining Inter Miami, where he reunited with several of his former Barcelona teammates.

At the international level, Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading goal scorer and ranks among the highest-scoring South American men’s footballers in international history. Renowned for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and relentless competitive spirit, he has cemented his place among football’s most accomplished forwards, despite a career that has also featured several high-profile on-field controversies. (ANI)

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New York [US], July 17 (ANI): Following a 2-1 victory over England, defending champions Argentina secured their place in the World Cup final against European champions Spain, setting up a generational matchup between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

Although Saturday’s (local time) final in New Jersey marks the first time the 39-year-old Argentina veteran and the 19-year-old Spain winger playing against each other but it is not their first actual meeting.

Almost 18 years back, Messi shared a memorable moment with Spain star Yamal nearly before the pair emerged as potential rivals on the biggest stage of international football.

Messi took part in a charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Diario Sport in 2008 while then playing for Barcelona. During the shoot at the club’s iconic Camp Nou stadium, the then-20-year-old Argentine posed with a baby Yamal, who was sitting in a small plastic bathtub alongside his mother, Sheila Ebana.

At the time, neither could have imagined that Yamal would grow into one of Spain’s brightest footballing talents, with the possibility of facing Messi in a FIFA World Cup final almost two decades later.

The iconic photoshoot was captured by freelance photographer Joan Monfort.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, UNICEF shared the now-iconic photograph of Argentina captain Messi with a baby Yamal, highlighting the remarkable journey of the two football stars from a charity photoshoot nearly two decades ago to becoming global ambassadors for children.

In a post on X, UNICEF wrote, “Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real. More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot."

UNICEF added that while both have gone on to inspire millions with their performances on the football field, they are also united by their work away from the sport.

“Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world," the post read.

UNICEF added that its shared mission with the two footballers is to ensure “that every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential," concluding, “We are proud to have them on our team."

Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.

More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.

Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices… pic.twitter.com/TSoUPDxia2

— UNICEF (@UNICEF) July 16, 2026

Barcelona also reacted to the iconic image, sharing it on X with the caption, “Magical photo by the @FundacioFCB."

Magical photo by the @FundacioFCB

The story behind this photo https://t.co/Nzm1L6Ou3h

Joan Monfort (Diari Sport) pic.twitter.com/ukT4XgyNph

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2026

Following their respective semi-final victories, defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain are set to face off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash between great Messi and teenage sensation Yamal.

Spain secured their place in the title clash with a 2-0 win over France, while Argentina produced a comeback to defeat England 2-1 after trailing 1-0, with a stoppage-time winner sealing their passage to the final.

Messi heads into the championship match at the top of the Golden Boot standings, edging France captain Kylian Mbappe after registering two assists in Argentina’s semi-final victory over England.

Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or at the age of 17, will now have the opportunity to face the Argentine legend for the first time as Spain aim to deny the defending champions and lift consecutive titles.

The final will also mark another remarkable chapter in the unique connection between the two players, who first met during a charity photoshoot when Yamal was an infant. (ANI)

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