The sporting world delivered no shortage of headlines on June 11, with major developments unfolding across cricket and football. From Suresh Raina urging
India to prepare for life beyond Hardik Pandya's fitness concerns ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, to Bangladesh scripting history with their maiden ODI series triumph over Australia, the day was packed with significant talking points.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his remarkable rise with another eye-catching performance for India A, while former England captain Nasser Hussain backed Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana to shine at the Women's T20 World Cup.
Elsewhere, Rahul Dravid's son Anvay earned a coveted India Under-19 call-up, Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary moved closer to making history with Australia, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway with grand opening celebrations across three host nations.
Here's a look at the biggest stories making headlines in the world of sport today.
Bangladesh Create History with Maiden ODI Series Win Over Australia
Bangladesh scripted one of the biggest achievements in their cricketing history by securing their first-ever ODI series victory against Australia. The Tigers defeated the visitors by five wickets in the second ODI in Dhaka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The victory was built on a disciplined bowling effort led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, who reduced Australia to a shocking 0/3 at the start of the innings. Despite a fighting recovery led by Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett, Australia could only reach 187/8 before rain interrupted play. Bangladesh were set a revised target of 192 and approached the chase with composure. Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto provided early momentum before Towhid Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz guided the hosts home. The win represents a major milestone for Bangladesh cricket, highlighting the team's growth against elite opposition. Having previously challenged top teams sporadically, Bangladesh now have a landmark series triumph over one of world cricket's traditional powerhouses. The result also underlines the effectiveness of their pace attack and growing confidence in home conditions.
Raina Urges India to Groom Hardik Pandya's Backup Before 2027 World Cup
Former India batter Suresh Raina believes India's road to the 2027 ODI World Cup must include identifying and developing a dependable backup for Hardik Pandya. While Hardik remains one of India's most valuable all-rounders, his recurring injury concerns continue to be a talking point. Raina stressed that India cannot afford to enter another major ICC event without adequate cover for a player who contributes significantly with both bat and ball.
The former World Cup winner pointed towards Nitish Kumar Reddy as a promising candidate, citing the youngster's rapid development as an all-rounder. Raina highlighted how Nitish has improved his batting while also becoming a more disciplined and effective bowler.
According to him, careful workload management and regular opportunities at the international level could help Nitish evolve into a genuine match-winner. Raina also emphasised the importance of experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India's World Cup plans. He believes their experience in handling pressure situations during ICC tournaments will be invaluable for captain Shubman Gill.
Afghanistan A Stun India A via DLS Defeat; Sooryavanshi Impresses
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his impressive rise by producing another eye-catching innings for India A during their tri-series encounter against Afghanistan A in Dambulla. Although India A eventually lost the rain-affected contest by four runs via the DLS method, Sooryavanshi once again showcased why he is regarded as one of India's brightest prospects.
Opening the innings, the 15-year-old played with remarkable confidence and intent, racing to 44 off just 22 deliveries. His innings featured nine boundaries and demonstrated his ability to dominate quality bowling attacks from the outset. India A went on to post a formidable 349/9, powered by half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad and captain Tilak Varma.
However, Afghanistan A kept themselves ahead of the DLS par score through an unbeaten partnership between Imran and Bahir Shah before rain eventually halted play. While the result did not go India's way, Sooryavanshi's performance further strengthened his growing reputation.
Nasser Hussain Backs Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana Ahead of Women's T20 World Cup
Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the Women's T20 World Cup could provide the ideal stage for Indian stars Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana to rediscover their best form. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Hussain expressed confidence that major ICC events often bring out the best in experienced players, regardless of their recent performances in bilateral series.
Deepti, one of India's most dependable all-rounders, received strong backing from the former England skipper, who highlighted her understanding of English conditions through her participation in domestic competitions such as The Hundred.
Hussain described her as the type of player every captain would want in pressure situations due to her experience and cricketing intelligence. He also identified Mandhana as a player capable of quickly turning around her fortunes despite a relatively modest run of scores in recent matches.
Coach Wahab Riaz Wants Pakistan Women to Play Fearless Cricket
Pakistan women's head coach Wahab Riaz has called on his players to adopt an attacking and fearless approach during the Women's T20 World Cup. Despite being drawn in a challenging group featuring India, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, Wahab has urged his squad to embrace the occasion rather than fear the competition.
The former Pakistan fast bowler believes that World Cups provide players with opportunities to express themselves and make lasting impressions on the global stage. According to Wahab, his message to the squad has been simple: play naturally, enjoy the experience and remain positive regardless of the outcome.
Pakistan recently toured Ireland and participated in warm-up matches to prepare for English conditions, which differ significantly from those back home. While results have been mixed, Wahab insists the exposure gained during these matches will prove valuable during the tournament. He also reiterated Pakistan's ambition of reaching the semi-finals despite the tough group.
Rahul Dravid's Son Anvay Earns India Under-19 Call-Up
Indian cricket witnessed another notable family milestone as Anvay Dravid, the younger son of legendary batter Rahul Dravid, earned selection in India's Under-19 squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The wicketkeeper-batter has been rewarded for his impressive performances in age-group cricket, particularly his contributions during Karnataka's run to the quarter-finals of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
Anvay scored 220 runs in six matches, including an unbeaten 82, showcasing both temperament and consistency. The Junior Cricket Committee selected him as one of the wicketkeeping options in the one-day squad for the Sri Lanka tour. While comparisons with his illustrious father are inevitable, Anvay's selection has come on the back of his own performances and steady progression through the domestic pathway.
The tour will include three one-day matches and two multi-day games, providing young players with valuable international exposure.
Delhi-Born Nikhil Chaudhary Makes History with Australia Call-Up
Delhi-born spin-bowling all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary is on the verge of creating history after earning selection in Australia's T20 squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.
His inclusion makes him the first Indian-born male cricketer in more than six decades to be named in an Australian national squad. Chaudhary's rise has been built on strong performances in franchise and domestic cricket, including an impressive stint in the Big Bash League. Having secured Australian permanent residency, he has steadily climbed the ranks and caught the attention of national selectors.
Australia's selection panel praised his recent performances and believes the Bangladesh tour will provide him with valuable experience at the international level. The upcoming series could potentially see Chaudhary make his debut for Australia, adding another chapter to the growing story of Indian-origin cricketers succeeding abroad.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Kicks Off with Grand Multi-Nation Opening Ceremonies
The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially begins today, ushering in a new era for international football. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament is set to be the biggest World Cup in history. For the first time, FIFA has planned three separate opening ceremonies across the host nations, reflecting the scale and significance of the event.
Produced by renowned creative director Marco Balich, the ceremonies will blend football, music and culture while showcasing the unique identities of the three host countries. Mexico will host the first ceremony before the tournament opener against South Africa, followed by celebrations in Canada and the United States over the next two days.
The expanded format and tri-nation hosting arrangement represent a landmark moment in World Cup history. Millions of fans around the world are expected to tune in as the month-long festival of football gets underway.
Beyond the action on the pitch, FIFA hopes the ceremonies will celebrate diversity, unity and the global appeal of the sport. With anticipation reaching fever pitch, the 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most memorable sporting spectacles ever staged.
