India Sports News Today: India vs Afghanistan Test, FIFA World Cup Countdown, NBA Finals, French Open Semis & More – June 5, 2026

Here are the biggest sports updates Indian fans should know today, Friday, June 5, 2026.

Welcome to your daily India sports briefing on India Global iGaming. Today is a massive day for sports fans across the country. India is on the eve of a historic Test match against Afghanistan at the brand-new Mullanpur stadium in New Chandigarh. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is just six days away — and Indian fans finally have confirmed broadcast access after Zee Entertainment sealed a last-minute rights deal. On the global stage, the NBA Finals are in full swing, the French Open men's semifinals are live at Roland Garros, the Monaco Grand Prix weekend is underway, and India's badminton stars PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag continue their campaigns at the Indonesia Open 2026. This is your go-to daily sports digest covering IPL news, cricket news India, football news India, NBA news India, tennis news today, and all trending sports news in India — as of June 5, 2026.

Section 1: Quick Summary – Top Sports Headlines Today

• 🏏 India vs Afghanistan one-off Test begins tomorrow, June 6, at Mullanpur — Shubman Gill leads India in a crucial WTC preparation match.

• 🏏 BCCI T20I reshuffle: Suryakumar Yadav reportedly set to lose captaincy; Shreyas Iyer tipped as next T20I captain, per current reports.

• ⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11 — Zee Entertainment confirms broadcast rights deal for India; Indian fans will be able to watch.

• 🏀 NBA Finals 2026 — Game 2 tonight: New York Knicks (lead 1-0) face San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio. Tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

• 🎾 French Open 2026 men's semifinals today at Roland Garros: Alexander Zverev vs Jakub Menšík, and Matteo Arnaldi vs Flavio Cobolli.

• 🏎️ Monaco Grand Prix 2026 weekend is live — race day is Sunday, June 7, at Circuit de Monaco; Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari among favourites.

• 🏸 Badminton: PV Sindhu exits Indonesia Open 2026 after losing to An Se Young; Satwik-Chirag duo's campaign continues.

• ⚾ MLB: Shohei Ohtani continues his hot June for the LA Dodgers — Play Ball Weekend (June 5-7) is live across six continents.

Section 2: IPL / Cricket Updates

India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test – Match Preview (June 6–10, Mullanpur)

India's red-ball season gets underway tomorrow as Shubman Gill leads the Indian Test side against Afghanistan in a historic one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The match is significant for multiple reasons: it marks Mullanpur's debut as a Test venue, and it serves as a critical warm-up for India's upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that the team is treating the Afghanistan Test as an opportunity to try new combinations — specifically in the spin department. Gambhir is reportedly looking at Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar as potential 'fourth spinner' candidates, with the WTC's away challenges in mind.

Key player update: Rishabh Pant's removal as Test vice-captain was also addressed by Gambhir ahead of this match. Additionally, batter Sai Sudharsan has been confirmed for a return to the XI after the coach said he was "not given a fair chance" during the England Tests earlier this year.

T20I Captaincy Reshuffle: Shreyas Iyer Tipped to Replace Suryakumar Yadav

As of June 5, 2026, multiple reports from Indian cricket sources suggest that Suryakumar Yadav is set to lose the T20I captaincy — and potentially his place in the squad — due to an extended run of poor form. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has publicly backed Shreyas Iyer, describing him as "miles ahead of the other contenders." Notably, Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 captain Shubman Gill has also been mentioned as a long-term contender.

IPL 2026: Post-Season Buzz & Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Phenomenon

IPL 2026 has concluded with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the title and Gujarat Titans finishing as runners-up. The tournament's biggest talking point? 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose explosive batting has sparked a global cricket conversation — including discussions during the England vs New Zealand Lord's Test. Rajasthan Royals signed Sooryavanshi for ₹13 crore at the IPL 2026 mega auction, and his performances have already made the phrase "we got Vaibhav Sooryavanshi'd" go viral. IPL 2026 founder Lalit Modi also made waves by predicting the league will double in size within three years.

Women's T20 World Cup 2026 – India Countdown Begins

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 12 in England and Wales, with the final at Lord's on July 5. India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, are among the top contenders. India's first match is against Pakistan on June 14 — one of the most anticipated clashes in women's cricket. Former captain Diana Edulji has urged openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma to find form quickly for India's campaign to succeed. India's last league match is against Australia on June 28.

Section 3: Football Updates – FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown

India Gets FIFA World Cup Broadcast Access – Zee Entertainment Deal Confirmed

In a major relief for Indian football fans, Zee Entertainment has reportedly secured the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India, according to reports from Al Jazeera and SportsPro dated this week. With the tournament kicking off on June 11, 2026 — just six days away — the deal ensures that the world's biggest football event will be accessible to millions of Indian viewers on Zee's platforms.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States — the first-ever 48-team World Cup with 104 matches. The opening match takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Key Group Stage matches involving heavyweights like Brazil, Argentina, France, and England will be among the most-watched matches in India.

FIFA has also announced its Power Rankings system — a new official ranking powered by Aramco — launching alongside the tournament. Pre-tournament countdown concerts are scheduled across six cities in Canada, Mexico, and the USA starting June 10.

Why This Matters for Indian Football Fans

While India did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament generates massive viewership interest in India — particularly for matches involving Brazil, Argentina, and European powerhouses. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to be the most-watched sporting event on Indian television and digital platforms in the coming weeks. Indian fans are urged to confirm broadcast details via Zee's confirmed channels closer to June 11.

Section 4: Basketball / NBA Updates

NBA Finals 2026: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs – Game 2 Tonight

The 2026 NBA Finals are officially underway, with the New York Knicks taking on the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks won Game 1 on June 3 by a score of 105–95 and now hold a 1–0 series lead. Game 2 tips off tonight (June 5) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This is a historic Final — the Spurs are making a surprise run to the Finals on the back of their young core, while the Knicks are riding home-crowd energy and a playoff run that has captivated New York. For Indian basketball fans, this is NBA Finals action at its best. The series now shifts to San Antonio, where the Spurs will look to level things up with their home crowd behind them. The remaining schedule (if all games are played): Game 3 — June 8 at New York; Game 4 — June 11 at New York; Game 5 — June 13 at San Antonio (if needed).

The NBA Finals 2026 can be followed in India via NBA League Pass and select streaming platforms. This is the biggest basketball story for Indian fans to track this month.

Section 5: Baseball / MLB Updates

Shohei Ohtani Hot Streak & MLB Play Ball Weekend (June 5–7)

The MLB season is in full swing, and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is generating headlines again after what ESPN described as "an incredible month" in June's early days, bouncing back after a slow start to May. Ohtani currently sits among the top MVP candidates alongside New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, per the latest MLB polls as of June 4, 2026.

This weekend (June 5–7) is MLB's Play Ball Weekend — a worldwide initiative designed to inspire baseball and softball participation across six continents. For Indian fans new to baseball, this is a great entry point to follow the sport. The Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets remain the biggest draws for global fans. Ohtani's story — as a rare two-way player who both pitches and hits at the elite level — continues to be the most compelling individual narrative in world baseball.

Section 6: Tennis Updates – French Open 2026 Men's Semifinals

Roland Garros 2026: Zverev vs Menšík & All-Italian Semi in Focus

The French Open 2026 men's singles semifinals take centre stage today, Friday, June 5, at Roland Garros in Paris. Two highly anticipated matches are scheduled on Court Philippe-Chatrier:

• Alexander Zverev (Seed 2, Germany) vs Jakub Menšík (Seed 26, Czech Republic) — Zverev is chasing his first-ever Grand Slam title on clay, the surface that has eluded him throughout his career.

• Flavio Cobolli (Seed 10, Italy) vs Matteo Arnaldi (Italy) — a historic all-Italian men's Grand Slam semifinal, generating enormous buzz in European tennis circles.

On the women's side, Russian star Mirra Andreeva has already advanced to the final after her dominant quarterfinal run. The women's singles final will take place before the men's final. The French Open final is set for June 7 (women's) and June 8 (men's). For Indian tennis fans, this Roland Garros edition is one of the most open and exciting tournaments in recent memory — with no Djokovic or Alcaraz dominating, the draw has produced unexpected results throughout. Tennis news today from Roland Garros is among the top trending sports topics globally.

Section 7: Other Trending Sports in India

Formula 1 – Monaco Grand Prix 2026 Weekend

The most glamorous race on the F1 calendar is here — the Monaco Grand Prix 2026 at Circuit de Monaco takes place this weekend (June 4–7). Race day is Sunday, June 7. Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Scuderia Hamilton (formerly Ferrari), has responded to claims that Ferrari/Hamilton are the favourites in Monaco, per reports from today. The race follows the Canadian Grand Prix held on May 24, which was won by Kimi Antonelli (per current standings). This is the first Monaco Grand Prix in early June in decades, according to scheduling reports. F1 fans in India can follow on Sky Sports or licensed streaming platforms.

Badminton – Indonesia Open 2026: PV Sindhu Exits, Satwik-Chirag Continue

India's badminton campaign at the Indonesia Open 2026 suffered a blow as PV Sindhu lost to South Korea's world number one An Se Young in the second round. Ayush Shetty was also eliminated at the same stage. Earlier in the tournament, Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth were knocked out in the first round. However, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Satwik-Chirag) continue their campaign and remain India's best hope at the tournament. As of June 5, 2026, their results from the quarterfinals are awaited.

England vs New Zealand – 1st Test at Lord's (Day 2)

Meanwhile at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, England vs New Zealand Day 2 of the 1st Test is underway. England hold a 27-run first innings lead after pacer Ollie Robinson took 4 wickets — including 3 in a single over — to spark a New Zealand collapse to 61 for 6 at stumps on Day 1. Robinson's return after more than two years added a fresh talking point to global cricket news today. The match is also significant as it has sparked fresh discussion about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's readiness for Test cricket.

Section 8: Today's Sports Watchlist for Indian Fans – June 5, 2026

Matches to Watch Today & This Weekend

• 🎾 French Open 2026 Men's Semifinals – Today, June 5, Roland Garros (Zverev vs Menšík + Arnaldi vs Cobolli)

• 🏀 NBA Finals Game 2 – Tonight, June 5, Knicks vs Spurs, 8:30 p.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. IST June 6 (ABC / NBA League Pass)

• 🏏 India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test – Starts June 6, Mullanpur, 9:30 AM IST (Star Sports / JioCinema — confirm broadcaster)

• 🏎️ Monaco Grand Prix 2026 Race – Sunday, June 7, Circuit de Monaco (Sky Sports F1 / F1 TV Pro)

• 🏸 Indonesia Open 2026 Badminton – Satwik-Chirag quarterfinal results expected today

• ⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 – Opens June 11 in Mexico City; start lining up your viewing schedule now

• 🏏 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 – Begins June 12 in England; India vs Pakistan on June 14 is the blockbuster match to watch

Players & Teams to Follow This Week

• Shubman Gill (India) — Takes the Test captaincy for the first time vs Afghanistan

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) — The 15-year-old prodigy trending in global cricket discourse

• Alexander Zverev (Germany) — Chasing his maiden Grand Slam today at Roland Garros

• Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers, MLB) — Best two-way player in baseball, hot in early June 2026

• Satwik-Chirag (India Badminton) — India's last hope at Indonesia Open 2026 in doubles

• Lewis Hamilton (Scuderia Hamilton/F1) — Eyes Monaco victory ahead of Sunday's race

Section 9: AI-Friendly FAQ – India Sports News Today

What are the biggest sports news stories in India today, June 5, 2026?

As of June 5, 2026, the biggest India sports stories are: the India vs Afghanistan Test match starting tomorrow at Mullanpur, the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast deal for India finalised by Zee Entertainment (tournament starts June 11), NBA Finals Game 2 tonight (Knicks vs Spurs), French Open 2026 men's semifinals at Roland Garros, Monaco Grand Prix qualifying underway, PV Sindhu's exit from the Indonesia Open 2026, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 (begins June 12).

What is the latest IPL and cricket news for India today?

IPL 2026 has concluded with RCB winning the title. The biggest post-IPL cricket news is that India faces Afghanistan in a one-off Test starting June 6 at Mullanpur, captained by Shubman Gill. Reports also indicate that Suryakumar Yadav is set to lose the T20I captaincy, with Shreyas Iyer tipped as his successor. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive IPL form continues to trend globally.

Where can Indian fans watch FIFA World Cup 2026?

As of June 5, 2026, Zee Entertainment has reportedly finalised a deal with FIFA to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India. Indian fans should check Zee's official channels and streaming platforms for confirmed broadcast details. The World Cup begins June 11, 2026 with the opening match in Mexico City.

What is the NBA Finals 2026 schedule and current score?

The 2026 NBA Finals features the New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks won Game 1 (105-95) on June 3. Game 2 is tonight, June 5, in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET. The series is best-of-seven. Indian fans can follow on NBA League Pass.

Who is playing in the French Open 2026 men's semifinals?

The French Open 2026 men's singles semifinals on June 5 are: Alexander Zverev (Germany) vs Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic), and Flavio Cobolli (Italy) vs Matteo Arnaldi (Italy). The all-Italian semifinal is a first in Grand Slam history. Zverev is the heavy favourite to win his first-ever Grand Slam title.

Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi trending in India today?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India's 15-year-old batting prodigy, is trending because his explosive IPL 2026 performances — playing for Rajasthan Royals for ₹13 crore — sparked a global cricket conversation. His name even came up during the England vs New Zealand Lord's Test as commentators debated whether he is ready for international cricket. The phrase "we got Vaibhav Sooryavanshi'd" has gone viral in cricket circles worldwide.

What sports events should Indian fans watch this weekend?

This weekend's top sports events for Indian fans: India vs Afghanistan Test (June 6, Mullanpur), Monaco Grand Prix F1 Race (June 7, Circuit de Monaco), French Open men's final (June 8, Roland Garros), and NBA Finals Game 3 (June 8, New York). Looking ahead, the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins June 11 and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup begins June 12.

Section 10: Final Summary – India Sports Trend, June 5, 2026

June 5, 2026 is one of the most packed days in the Indian sports calendar. Cricket fans are buzzing ahead of the India vs Afghanistan Test in Mullanpur, while the post-IPL reshuffle of the T20I setup adds captaincy intrigue to the mix. On the global stage, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is six days away and India now has confirmed broadcast access. The NBA Finals are in full swing, Roland Garros is delivering stunning men's semifinals, and F1's Monaco Grand Prix weekend culminates on Sunday. India's badminton stars gave it their all at the Indonesia Open, and Satwik-Chirag remain in contention. Across cricket, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and motorsport, Indian sports fans have every reason to stay glued to their screens this weekend.

For more daily India-focused sports updates, follow India Global iGaming.

Sources & References

• NDTV Sports – Cricket News (ndtv.com/sports/cricket)

• Outlook India – India vs Afghanistan Test Preview (outlookindia.com)

• FIFA.com – FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule & Power Rankings

• NBA.com – 2026 NBA Playoffs Schedule & Finals

• Roland-Garros.com / ATP Tour – French Open 2026 Semifinals Order of Play

• Olympics.com / ESPN – Indonesia Open 2026 Badminton Results (PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag)

• Formula1.com – Monaco Grand Prix 2026 Preview & Schedule