The Essentials

The ODI series tests India’s batting resilience against a formidable English pace attack on challenging away pitches.
Indian badminton contenders aim for crucial world ranking points during the highly competitive BWF Japan Open in Tokyo.
The Indian men’s cricket squad remains the primary focus this week as they seek to establish dominance on foreign soil.

The Pulse

This week’s sporting calendar is anchored by a massive test for Indian cricket as they face England in a definitive three-match ODI series. Commencing on Tuesday, 14 July – 15:30 IST, this series offers a real assessment of India’s technique against a hostile pace attack. It is the perfect opportunity for the squad to assert their dominance away from home.

Meanwhile, the global football landscape reaches its absolute peak as the FIFA World Cup 2026 wraps up. The knockout tension peaks starting Wednesday, 15 July – 00:30 IST with the semi-finals, leading straight into the ultimate final on Monday, 20 July – 02:30 IST.

For motorsport purists, the Belgian Grand Prix promises relentless speed. The main race hits the track on Sunday, 19 July – 18:30 IST, offering vital championship points at Spa-Francorchamps.

Finally, do not ignore the BWF Japan Open, where top Indian shuttlers look to secure deep tournament runs. The finals are set for Sunday, 19 July – 07:30 IST, rounding out a relentless week of elite sports.

The Snapshot

Unboxed Daily HQ Match of the Week: India Tour of England (1st ODI) – 14 July, 15:30 IST on Sony LIV / Sony Sports Network

Sport	Event or Match	Date	Time (IST)	Venue	Where to Watch in India
Cricket	India Tour of England (1st ODI)	14 July	15:30 IST	Edgbaston Stadium	Sony LIV / Sony Sports Network
Cricket	India Tour of England (2nd ODI)	16 July	17:30 IST	Sophia Gardens	Sony LIV / Sony Sports Network
Cricket	India Tour of England (3rd ODI)	19 July	15:30 IST	Lord’s Cricket Ground	Sony LIV / Sony Sports Network
Football	FIFA World Cup (Semi-Final 1)	15 July	00:30 IST	Dallas Stadium	ZEE5 / Unite8 Sports
Football	FIFA World Cup (Semi-Final 2)	16 July	00:30 IST	Atlanta Stadium	ZEE5 / Unite8 Sports
Football	FIFA World Cup (Bronze Final)	19 July	02:30 IST	Miami Stadium	ZEE5 / Unite8 Sports
Football	FIFA World Cup (Final)	20 July	02:30 IST	New York New Jersey Stadium	ZEE5 / Unite8 Sports
F1	Belgian Grand Prix (Practice 1)	17 July	17:00 IST	Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps	FanCode / F1 TV Pro
F1	Belgian Grand Prix (Practice 2)	17 July	20:30 IST	Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps	FanCode / F1 TV Pro
F1	Belgian Grand Prix (Practice 3)	18 July	16:00 IST	Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps	FanCode / F1 TV Pro
F1	Belgian Grand Prix (Qualifying)	18 July	19:30 IST	Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps	FanCode / F1 TV Pro
F1	Belgian Grand Prix (Main Race)	19 July	18:30 IST	Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps	FanCode / F1 TV Pro
Tennis	ATP 250 Bastad & Gstaad (R1 to Quarter-Finals)	13–17 July	14:30 IST	Båstad & Gstaad	FanCode
Tennis	ATP 250 Bastad & Gstaad (Semi-Finals)	18 July	16:30 IST	Båstad & Gstaad	FanCode
Tennis	ATP 250 Bastad & Gstaad (Finals)	19 July	15:00/17:00 IST	Båstad & Gstaad	FanCode
Badminton	BWF Japan Open (Rounds 1 & 2)	14–16 July	05:30 IST	Tokyo	Sports18 / JioCinema
Badminton	BWF Japan Open (Quarter-Finals)	17 July	06:30 IST	Tokyo	Sports18 / JioCinema
Badminton	BWF Japan Open (Semi-Finals)	18 July	06:30 IST	Tokyo	Sports18 / JioCinema
Badminton	BWF Japan Open (Finals)	19 July	07:30 IST	Tokyo	Sports18 / JioCinema
WWE	WWE RAW	14 July	05:30 IST	US Venues	Netflix
WWE	WWE NXT	15 July	05:30 IST	US Venues	Netflix
WWE	WWE SmackDown	18 July	05:30 IST	US Venues	Netflix
WWE	Saturday Night’s Main Event	19 July	05:00 IST	US Venues	Netflix
Golf	The Open Championship (Rounds 1 & 2)	16–17 July	11:00 IST	Royal Birkdale	Star Sports Select
Golf	The Open Championship (Rounds 3 & 4)	18–19 July	15:30 IST	Royal Birkdale	Star Sports Select
Table-Tennis	WTT Youth Contender Ulaanbaatar	14–17 July	07:30 IST	Ulaanbaatar	TBC
Table-Tennis	WTT Feeder Ulaanbaatar	19–23 July	08:30 IST	Ulaanbaatar	TBC
MMA	UFC Fight Night (Prelims/Main Card)	19 July	01:30/04:30 IST	UFC Apex	Sony LIV / Sony Ten

The Big Picture

Historically, Indian cricket teams have found English soil highly challenging, securing only three bilateral ODI series victories there over the last thirty years. This week provides a vital platform to improve that record and establish psychological dominance for upcoming global tournaments. Simultaneously, international sports fans witness a monumental transition as the FIFA World Cup crowns a champion, while the iconic Royal Birkdale tests the world’s finest golfers at The Open. This convergence of high-stakes cricket and global championships creates an incredibly dense and rewarding viewing schedule.

The Inside Intel

The Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, hosting this week’s Belgian Grand Prix, features the longest lap on the Formula 1 calendar at 7.004 kilometres. Drivers spend nearly 80% of this lap driving at full throttle, experiencing extreme gravitational forces through the legendary Eau Rouge and Raidillon section. In cricket, India holds a surprisingly strong recent ODI record against England, having won their last bilateral series on English soil in 2022.

The Unbox Truth

Unbox Daily HQ recognises this as a definitive week for Indian sports fans. The primary emotional storyline rests on how India negotiates swinging English conditions, making the first ODI on Tuesday at 15:30 IST a non-negotiable live watch. You must also tune in to the FIFA World Cup Final on Monday at 02:30 IST; witnessing the crowning of global football royalty is absolutely essential viewing. We recommend catching highlights for the Belgian Grand Prix unless you are a dedicated motorsport purist, though Sunday’s race at 18:30 IST is perfectly timed for an evening broadcast. Ultimately, this calendar balances national pride on the cricket pitch with the sheer scale of global sporting championships.

Best for: Indian cricket loyalists who want to witness an overseas challenge alongside major global finals.

Who Is This For: Perfect for 22–48 year olds in urban centres who follow international cricket closely.

The Checkout

Stream the India Tour of England Live on Sony LIV

The Source