Sports News Bulletin July 23: Commonwealth Games Begin, India vs Zimbabwe, Argentina FIFA Row, Kuldeep's County Move

The sporting spotlight today is split between the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, continuing fallout from Argentina's FIFA World Cup campaign, and several major cricket developments across the international game. India begin another Commonwealth Games campaign with hopes of extending a remarkable medal streak, while football, hockey and tennis also provide plenty of talking points.

1. India target another top-five finish as Commonwealth Games begin

The 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway in Glasgow with India aiming to extend a run of top-five finishes stretching back to Manchester 2002.

The Games return in a scaled-down format after Glasgow stepped in to replace Victoria as hosts, featuring just 10 sports and approximately 3,000 athletes. India faces a tougher challenge than previous editions because wrestling, badminton, table tennis and shooting have all been dropped from the programme, removing 25 medals from the country's Birmingham 2022 tally.

India will instead rely heavily on athletics, boxing and weightlifting. Olympic stars Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain headline India's medal hopes, while the country also expects strong performances from its relay teams, para athletes, judokas and lawn bowls contingent.

2. Argentina FA denies reports of US court summons amid FBI investigation

The Argentine Football Association has denied reports claiming president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were summoned by US courts following the FIFA World Cup.

The statement comes after reports suggested FBI agents questioned Tapia before Argentina's departure from the United States as part of a money laundering investigation involving more than $300 million in AFA-linked commercial contracts. The AFA confirmed only that a third party had been summoned before a US grand jury and insisted neither official had been ordered to testify or had their electronic devices seized.

3. India seek winning formula against Zimbabwe in T20I series

India begin their five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe hoping to arrest a worrying run of defeats after losing consecutive series to Ireland and England.

Shreyas Iyer remains without a victory since taking over as T20I captain, while the tour provides opportunities for emerging talents including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, arrive with renewed confidence after reaching the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup and securing recent victories over Bangladesh, making them dangerous opponents on home soil.

4. Gavi opposes suspensions after World Cup final altercation

Spain midfielder Gavi believes Argentina's Leandro Paredes should not be suspended for his role in the confrontation that followed the FIFA World Cup final.

FIFA has appointed a disciplinary prosecutor to investigate the incidents involving several Argentine players and coaching staff after Spain's 1-0 victory. Despite being caught up in the altercation himself, Gavi said football has always contained a physical and emotional side, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has already apologised for his involvement in the melee.

5. Kuldeep Yadav joins Yorkshire for maiden county stint

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has signed for Yorkshire in a two-part deal that will see him play in both the One-Day Cup and County Championship.

Kuldeep will feature in five one-day matches before returning to India for the Test series in Sri Lanka and then rejoining Yorkshire later in the season. The move comes after the left-arm wrist-spinner was surprisingly left out throughout India's recent white-ball tour of Ireland and England despite injuries within the squad.

6. Afghanistan appoint Rahmat Shah as ODI and Test captain

Afghanistan have named Rahmat Shah as their new ODI and Test captain following the resignation of Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Rahmat, Afghanistan's leading ODI run-scorer, has previously served as vice-captain and will now lead the side with Rahmanullah Gurbaz as his deputy. The appointment completes Afghanistan's leadership transition across all three formats following the arrival of head coach Richard Pybus.

7. Harmanpreet Singh eyes historic Hockey World Cup triumph

India captain Harmanpreet Singh believes the national team has the quality to end its 51-year wait for the men's Hockey World Cup title.

India's only triumph came in 1975 under Ajit Pal Singh, and Harmanpreet hopes to emulate that achievement after leading the team to consecutive Olympic bronze medals. Drawn alongside England, Pakistan and Wales, India begin their World Cup campaign against Wales on August 15.

8. India prepares cultural showcase for Commonwealth Games closing ceremony

Singer Shankar Mahadevan and actor Rashmika Mandanna will headline India's cultural presentation during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Glasgow.

The ceremony will include the formal handover of the Commonwealth Games flag to Ahmedabad, which will host the centenary edition in 2030. India's 20-minute showcase is expected to celebrate the country's cultural heritage through music, dance and traditional performances.

9. Lalit Modi plans India return after legal victory

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi says he hopes to return to India later this year or early next year after securing major legal relief in the long-running IPL 2009 FEMA case.

The appellate tribunal recently ruled that the overseas remittances made to stage the IPL in South Africa were current account transactions that did not require prior RBI approval, while also holding that Modi was not responsible for the BCCI's FEMA compliance. Modi, who has lived in London since 2010, described the verdict as vindication after 16 years of litigation.

10. Bublik advances as ATP Tour produces major upsets

Defending champion Alexander Bublik eased into the quarter-finals of the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel with a straight-sets victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Baez upset third seed Arthur Rinderknech, while Mariano Navone eliminated Jan-Lennard Struff. In Portugal, world No. 427 Tiago Torres continued his dream run by knocking out another seeded player to reach the quarter-finals of his home tournament.