Sports News: Exclusive Interviews for India's Head Coach; Williamson Resigns; USA vs SA T20 Preview; Mbappe Doubtful; Stimac's Farewell; Belgium vs Israel Match Cancelled

Interviews for the head coach position were conducted by the BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee, which included Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman. While Gautam Gambhir is reportedly miles ahead, Raman has seemingly left an everlasting impression by making a comprehensive presentation, as Gautam Gambhir was interviewed virtually. There will be an overseas candidate being interviewed later for the post. The head coach will have a say in the appointments of other support staff. Besides this, BCCI will finalise a new selector from North Zone and add Kishan Mohan, Nikhil Chopra, Mithun Manhas, and Reetinder Singh Sodhi to the candidate list. Between them, either Sodhi or Manhas will make it due to the frontline position in the senior selection committee.

In a surprising move, Kane Williamson has rejected a New Zealand Cricket central contract that would basically limit him to Test matches this summer. This comes as a consequence of the disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, after which Williamson had resigned from his position as captain of T20Is and ODIs but promised his long-term commitment to the BlackCaps. This move will now allow him to take up overseas T20 franchise commitments. Williamson, central to New Zealand cricket for over a decade, refused to rule out taking up future central contracts. Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson is likely to also turn down a central contract.

The USA cricket team co-hosted the first-ever T20 World Cup and moved into the Super Eight round by beating Canada and Pakistan and getting a point against Ireland. They open their Super Eight campaign against South Africa at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on 19 June. The USA team did well both in terms of batting and bowling during the group stage. South Africa, heading Group B, was unbeaten but batting remained a cause of concern. The weather will be mostly cloudy with temperatures and a 22% chance of rain in St George

France captain Kylian Mbappé is a doubt forEuro 2024 match against the Netherlands after breaking his nose in the 1-0 victory over Austria. The Paris St Germain forward was left with a bloody shirt after a first-half collision with Kevin Danso. He has been declared not needing surgery following examinations in Duesseldorf, but will wear a mask following treatment. France coach Didier Deschamps revealed his concern over the condition of Mbappe. An update on his availability for the Group D game in Leipzig will be provided soon.

Former Indian football head coach Igor Stimac penned an emotional letter to players and fans after his sacking, following India's exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Despite his contract termination and a payment dispute with the AIFF, Stimac expressed pride in the team's progress and their close call against Qatar. He emphasized the need for unity among all stakeholders for the sport to grow. Reflecting on overcoming challenges like the FIFA ban and the pandemic, Stimac thanked the team for memorable five years, ending with "Jai Hind."

The UEFA Nations League match scheduled to take place on 6 September will not be hosted in Brussels due to security risks following the conflict in Gaza. Ongoing demonstrations pro-Palestinian and past attacks by extremists elevated the safety concern. After consulting the federal government, police, and the Belgian Football Federation, the officials of Brussels have finally decided it would not be safe to hold the event at Stade Roi Baudouin for a match between Belgium and Israel. Ticket sales for its other matches, including the crucial ones with France and Italy, went off normally too. Belgium is playing in the German-based European Championship.