Sitanshu Kotak: Sooryavanshi was ready for debut from the time he came

Teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was set to make his debut from the time he was named in the Indian squad, said batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Monday, asserting that there wasn’t anything specific that the team management was working on to prepare the young batting sensation.

Sitanshu Kotak

Youngest Indian to debut

At 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi became the youngest Indian ever to play international cricket when he was named in the playing eleven for the second T20I against England last week. “He was set to debut from the point he came into the team; there is no such thing that he was ready [for his debut only] in the last match,” Kotak told reporters on the eve of the third T20I against England. “For us, it was all about his game, his instincts and the way he plays, and the way he has played all along to get till this point, he should continue playing that,” Kotak added. musojam.blog

Samson dropped vs Zim

Meanwhile, selectors left out Sanju Samson from India’s squad for the three T20Is in Zimbabwe. India will play three T20s on July 23, 25 and 27 in Harare.

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Romelu Lukaku made World Cup history as Belgium advanced past the United States. He became the first player to score as a substitute in four different World Cup matches. Belgium secured a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States in their knockout clash. Charles De Ketelaere also contributed significantly with two goals and an assist. Belgium will now face Spain in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Asuncion [Paraguay], July 7 (ANI): Paraguay Senator Celeste Amarilla has demanded an apology from France captain Kylian Mbappe and threatened legal action, responding at length to the footballer’s criticism following a controversy over her earlier remarks.

The controversy erupted after the Paraguayan Senator called Mbappe a “colonised Cameroonian" and “pretending hard to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly". Amarilla also said that France “won by a fluke and Mbappe was nervous and scared to death the whole match, like his entire team."

Mbappe called her a “despicable woman" who is unworthy of her position."Another goal for Kylian Mbappe. Against racism this time. All my support. When words defile, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity. @KMbappe".

In a post shared on X, Amarilla said her disagreement was with Mbappe personally and not with France, describing her long-standing connection with the country.

“The problem is between you and me. I’ve never said anything against France; on the contrary, I’m with you. I studied at a French school from the age of two until I was seventeen, and I finished my schooling there. I am who I am thanks to the Collège de l’Inmaculee Concepcion, and I am here because of the education it gave me. We sang La Marseillaise and honored its flag with our own. I speak French and I love visiting France. Last Christmas, I spent it with my family in Courchevel, and we welcomed the New Year in Saint-Tropez. It has nothing to do with France; the problem is with you," Amarilla wrote.

She accused Mbappe of displaying arrogance before and during the FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay.

“Your arrogance and contempt have been getting on my nerves since before the match, when you said, ‘If we have to get our hands dirty, let’s get dirty.’ We’re not stupid; we understand perfectly well that the dirty stuff was the Paraguayan team, and that we all are the Paraguayan team. Then you said they were going to remove the makeup. We understand that too, that you look so elegant with makeup, and we, poor and rough as we are, don’t even know what it is. All of Paraguay fell silent, myself included. We took it," she added.

https://t.co/w5e3apJ968 pic.twitter.com/xOqmRlwcio

— Celeste Senadora (@CelesteSenadora) July 7, 2026

Continuing her criticism, Amarilla wrote, “During the match, your arrogant behavior was evident, your contempt for each player, as if they were disgusting, and without even covering your mouth, when you said, ‘La concha de tu madre,’ an extremely aggressive phrase in Latin America, and you know it."

She further alleged that Mbappe failed to show respect to Paraguay’s goalkeeper after the match.

“And finally, you disregarded our goalkeeper’s health. That’s simply unacceptable. Respect between rivals after a match is almost sacred, in war as in peace, in defeat as in victory, and you didn’t shake his hand and you shouted your victory in his face–that’s simply unacceptable. You displayed your contempt, your arrogance, and your poor manners in a single second. It hurt me, it hurt my entire country, and deeply. France should hold you accountable, because it’s a nation of knights, with centuries of history and expertise. France should hold you accountable for your behavior," the post added.

Amarilla acknowledged that she had deleted her earlier post after reconsidering its language.

“My posts were filled with boiling blood, that mixed-race blood, that beautiful blend of Indigenous blood with the Spanish blood that flows in my veins. That’s what I wrote about today’s posts when you mocked those immense Paraguayan players who fought on equal terms until the end of the match. However, right away, I regretted mistreating you with the same insults I receive, because I too am despised for being mixed-race and Latina, called dirty. I regretted it and deleted the post. I realized I was repeating patterns I hate, and I deleted it. I understand that it bothered you, because it is humiliating," she said.

The senator also demanded that Mbappe withdraw his remarks against her.

“Now, I demand that you also retract your statement and apologize to me. I, too, will not tolerate your violence. You don’t know me, you have no idea who I am, and you have no right to say that I am a despicable woman, unworthy of the office I hold. I am a Senator of the Paraguayan Nation, elected by the people. Before that, I was a National Deputy, also elected by the people. Thousands of Paraguayans voted for me and consider me their voice. My primary commitment is to be the voice of the Paraguayan people, to speak out against their silence, and to defend my country with my life. That is what is expected of me," Amarilla wrote.

She continued, “I represent my country because I was elected in free elections. I was freely elected to make its laws and to be its voice. You have no idea what it means to be elected to defend your country, to be the voice of the people. I was elected National Senator; I don’t know if you realize the importance of my position."

Concluding the post, Amarilla accused Mbappe of political and gender-based violence and warned of possible legal action.

“Who are you to call me unworthy or despicable when you don’t even know me?! Pure and simple gender violence! Political violence against a woman who got where she is with the popular vote of her people. You despise me precisely because of my gender; you offend me precisely because I am a woman. You are not attacking my skin color, my preferences, my status as a woman, or my political position. Retract your statement with me, honor your French citizenship, and apologize, or I may take legal action for gender violence," Amarilla concluded. (ANI)

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Atlanta [US], July 7 (ANI): Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been a challenging tournament for all teams, with no side able to establish complete dominance, ahead of the defending champions’ Round of 16 clash against Egypt, according to ESPN.

Speaking at a press conference, Scaloni highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, pointing out that even some of the strongest contenders have faced difficulties.

“I think this World Cup is proving to be difficult for everyone. There isn’t one truly dominant team. France seemed strong, and they still are, but they struggled against Paraguay," Scaloni said ahead of Argentina’s knockout fixture, as quoted by ESPN.

“Spain struggled until the very end. No team has maintained the form they showed before the World Cup. The opponents are playing well, and the conditions are different from what we’ve been seeing. The players, who have played many matches, are feeling it," he added.

Scaloni also provided an update on captain Lionel Messi’s fitness, confirming that the Argentina legend is available for selection as he prepares to make his 30th FIFA World Cup appearance, further extending his record for most appearances in the competition.

“Leo is fine. He didn’t report any issues, despite playing 120 minutes the other day at the age of 39," Scaloni said.

The Argentina manager said his side remains among the contenders due to its consistent performances over recent years, while acknowledging there are areas that need improvement.

“This team has been a candidate for years wherever it goes, and has always played well – even when things don’t work out, or the opponent makes it difficult for you. Our level is acceptable. We won all four matches, and that’s something to be satisfied with. As always, there are things to correct," he said.

Looking ahead to the knockout encounter, Scaloni warned his players against underestimating Egypt, praising their quality and experience.

“We are alert because Egypt is a good opponent. They are a very good team; they have players with experience and a coach who has been working with them for a long time," he added.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah will face Argentina for the first time in his career as he looks to extend his team’s best-ever performance in a World Cup.

“Salah is a great player; it will be a pleasure to face him. This team has faced great players before, and we have always taken precautions at a collective level," Scaloni added, as quoted by ESPN.

The winner of Tuesday’s match will go on to play against Colombia or Switzerland. (ANI)

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