Author: Raghav Singh

Defending champion Divyanshi Bhowmik, Syndrela Das, Japan’s Miku Matsushima, and rising star Tanishka Kalbhairav commenced their U-17 girls singles campaign in the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender 2026 with comfortable victories in the group stage at the SAMA Indoor Stadium on Friday.

WTT Youth Contender Overview

The second edition of the WTT Youth Contender features competitions from U-11 to U-19, with the U-13 and U-17 boys’ and girls’ teams in action on the opening day.

Match Highlights

• Divyanshi Bhowmik: The reigning champion opened her campaign by defeating compatriot Neeza Kamat 11-4, 11-1, 11-2 in Group 1.

• Syndrela Das: She triumphed over Tania Karmakar with a score of 11-6, 11-6, 11-2 in Group 3.

• Miku Matsushima: Showing strong form, she secured wins of 11-3, 11-4, 11-2 against Swara Karmakar and then overcame Anvi Gupte with scores of 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 in Group 2.

In the boys’ U-17 category, top seed Ritvik Gupta won both his Group 1 matches, defeating Dhruva Malikarjunan 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, and Shreyas Mankeshwar 13-11, 11-6, 11-7.

Local Hero

Local boy Ved Panchal progressed to the knockout stage with three wins from three matches in Group 21. He first edged past Aarav Singhvi 11-9, 11-7, 11-7, then faced a tough challenge from Aarav Rathi, emerging victorious after a close match with scores of 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6. He capped his group stage with a win against Nitin Veeraraghavan, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7, to top the group.

Additional Winners

Aditya Das and Sahil Rawat from Groups 2 and 3 also topped their respective groups with two victories each.

In the U-13 boys category, Shaurya Goyal faced a tough match but managed to secure a 10-12, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-6 win over Suchet Dharennavar in Group 1.

Meanwhile, Divija Paul, the top-ranked player in the U-13 girls category, had a seamless performance in Group 1. She first defeated Inaaya 11-8, 11-3, 11-5, and then claimed victory over Pehel Gupta with scores of 11-9, 11-7, 11-2.

Argentina made a winning start in the 2026 edition of the United Cup mixed-gender team tennis competition, claiming their first team victory by beating Spain in their opening match in Perth on Friday. Singles wins by Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra gave Argentina a 2-0 lead before Guido Andreozzi and Maria Lourdes Carle triumphed in the mixed doubles match, securing a comprehensive victory.

Match Highlights

• World No. 66 Sierra clinched the win for Argentina in Group A with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 triumph over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. This followed Baez’s victory over Jaume Munar, with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
• Andreozzi and Carle then downed Yvonne Carvalle-Reimers and Inigo Cervantes 7-6(6), 6-2 in the mixed doubles rubber, earning Argentina a resounding 3-0 triumph.

Upcoming Challenges

The South American nation will next face top seeds and defending champions Team USA in their remaining Group A match. Argentina is hoping to advance from the group-stage play for the first time in three tournament appearances, bolstered by its second-highest and highest-ranked players in the ATP and WTA Rankings, respectively.

Sierra’s grit was a standout feature of the match, lasting 2 hours and 2 minutes as she regrouped emphatically after losing a 5-2 lead in the second set. She was two points away from a straight-sets victory twice in the second set, having 30-30 while serving at 5-3, and on return at 5-4. Ultimately, she needed three sets to top World No. 41 and notch her third career win over a Top 50 opponent, losing just eight points in the third set after dropping five straight games to lose the second.

Baez’s Strong Start

Earlier, in the first match of the 2026 ATP Tour season, World No. 45 Baez defeated Munar, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead. Making his debut at the mixed teams event, the 24-year-old Baez recorded a 6-4, 6-4 win against the Spaniard in one hour and 43 minutes during the Group A tie. This victory improved his head-to-head record against Munar to 2-0.

After both players traded breaks early in the first set, Baez gained control at 4-4 by breaking Munar and serving out the set in the next game. In the second set, the Argentine showed great composure by breaking back immediately after losing serve for a 4-3 lead. He managed to save four of the six break points he faced, according to ATP Stats.

With this victory, Baez secured his first Top 50 win since defeating then-No. 46 Mariano Navone on his way to the title in Rio last February.

England opener Zak Crawley expressed that a potential victory in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground would demonstrate the team’s unity, even though they cannot retain the urn.

After losing the first three matches, England found joy with their first Test win in Australia in 15 years at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

“I think there is a big difference, just internally in the group. It shows a lot about how united we are if we can get a win. It (the series) might not go our way, but if we can put in a good performance this week, I think it shows a lot about us,” Crawley told reporters on Friday.

Crawley praised England quick Matthew Potts for his work ethic and attitude during the long tour in Australia. Potts and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir have been added to the 12-man squad for the Sydney clash.

Though Potts has not played throughout the series, he is in line to earn his 11th Test cap after last featuring in the playing eleven against New Zealand in late 2024. “Every time I face him he impresses me. He’s got the heart of a lion, a lot of skill, and if he gets the nod this week, he thoroughly deserves it,” he remarked.

Crawley also mentioned that the touring batters plan to attack off-spinner Todd Murphy should he be selected for his first Test on Australian soil. Murphy is in contention for the last Ashes game after being left out of the Boxing Day match at the MCG, where Australia opted for an all-pace attack.

“Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team is to try and put pressure on people. Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.

“That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning, it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers,” he concluded.

Kickstart FC finally opened their account in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26 in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to defeat Sribhumi FC 2-1 with two late goals at the Kalyani Stadium on Friday.

Match Highlights

• Babysana Devi scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 85th minute after Loveth Njideka Edeh (81’) cancelled out Yumnam Kamala Devi’s (12’) first-half spot kick for Sribhumi.
• This victory marked Kickstart’s first of the campaign after a challenging stretch of results, lifting them to three points from five matches. Meanwhile, Sribhumi remained on six points from four games.

First Half Action

Sribhumi began the contest on the front foot, dictating the tempo with confident passing and sustained possession. Facing a Kickstart side low on confidence after four consecutive defeats, they pressed high and forced errors in the opening exchanges.

Sribhumi’s pressure paid off in the 12th minute when a corner floated into the box led to a foul, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Yumnam Kamala Devi stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, despite Kickstart goalkeeper Maibam Linthoingambi Devi guessing the right way.

Buoyed by the early lead, Sribhumi continued to create chances. Kayenpaibam Anju Chanu tested the goalkeeper with a driven effort, while Kamala nearly turned provider with a perfectly weighted through ball for Rimpa Haldar, who lifted her shot over the bar in a one-on-one situation with Linthoingambi. Despite their dominance, Sribhumi failed to add to their lead before the interval.

Second Half Turnaround

Kickstart absorbed the pressure and regrouped during the break, emerging with greater composure and defensive discipline in the second half. They limited Sribhumi’s space in midfield and gradually began to look for openings on the counter, aware that one goal could shift the momentum.

That breakthrough arrived in the 81st minute following a moment of hesitation at the back. A routine pass was allowed to roll inside the Sribhumi penalty area, with defender Poonam Sharma expecting goalkeeper Moirangthem Monalisha Devi to collect. Rafiyat Titilayo Aweda reacted sharply, intercepting the ball and laying it off for Loveth Njideka Edeh, who finished clinically to restore parity.

Stunned by the equaliser, Sribhumi soon found themselves under pressure again. Four minutes later, Anju Chanu was penalised for handling a shot inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in the match. Babysana Devi showed composure under pressure, converting the penalty in the 85th minute to complete the turnaround.

Kickstart saw out the closing minutes with determination, sealing a morale-boosting win that could yet revive their campaign. At the moment, the Bengaluru side remains in the relegation zone in seventh place.

Defending champions Mumbai Inddigihunt recently unveiled the WPL 2026 jersey, continuing their tradition of drawing inspiration from the vibrant city of Mumbai and its people.

Jersey Inspiration

The jersey reflects the rhythmic essence of everyday Mumbai — always in motion, always playing on. This season features the iconic blue and gold, complemented by coral, symbolizing movement, resilience, and momentum.

“The core theme is the ‘Wicket Pulse,’ with blue adorning the front and back of the jersey, inspired by Mumbai’s constant motion – from local trains to sea waves. It encapsulates the never-slowing mindset that defines both Mumbai and the Mumbai Inddigihunt,” MI stated.

“The gold adds confidence and continuity, elements that power the spirit of Mumbai, while the subtle coral accents bring warmth and balance that the people of Mumbai share, making the #OneFamily unique,” it added.

Pre-Season Training

Mumbai Inddigihunt have commenced their pre-season training under head coach Lisa Keightley, alongside bowling coach and team mentor Jhulan Goswami, batting coach Devieka Palshikaar, and other support staff. The players already at the camp include Saika Ishaque, Sajana S, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, N Kranthi Reddy, Rahila Firdous, Shabnim Ismail, and the Australian duo of Milly Illingworth and Nicola Carey.

As the squad comes together steadily, more star players such as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amanjot Kaur are set to join in the coming days.

Upcoming Matches

The defending champions will kick off their campaign on the opening day of the tournament on January 9 against the WPL 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Notably, after three seasons of the WPL, the Mumbai Inddigihunt remain the most successful team, having won the first and third editions of the tournament. With Harmanpreet Kaur at the helm, they aim to defend their title successfully.

With the Ajit Agarkar-led national senior selection committee set to meet online on Saturday to finalize India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, the debate over whether Rishabh Pant can retain his place in the squad will be under significant focus.

Key Players Retained

A majority of players who featured in the 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa, including veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are expected to make the squad for the matches against a New Zealand team that features a blend of youngsters and seasoned campaigners.

The series kicks off in Vadodara on January 11, followed by games in Rajkot and Indore on January 14 and 18, respectively. However, the discussion surrounding Pant’s inclusion is likely to be a hot topic during the selection meeting.

Pant’s Recent Performance

Pant’s form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy has been inconsistent, with only one half-century in four matches, totaling 121 runs at an average of 30.25. He hasn’t played an ODI since facing Sri Lanka in August 2024, having missed a significant amount of time recovering from injuries sustained in a life-threatening car accident in December 2022.

His recent domestic performances have not strengthened his case, especially with KL Rahul excelling as a first-choice keeper-batter, leaving Pant warming the bench. In 2025, Pant did not feature in a single ODI and was an unused squad member during the victorious Champions Trophy and the series win over South Africa.

Emerging Competition

The situation becomes more challenging for Pant with the resurgence of Ishan Kishan, who has been named in the T20 World Cup squad following impressive form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, along with Dhruv Jurel, who has also made significant runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Having already been omitted from India’s T20I side and with his ODI prospects looking grim, Pant will have few opportunities, focusing mainly on the IPL and a few Tests later this year to maintain his relevance in India’s white-ball strategy.

Discussion Highlights

Another name likely to come up in the selection discussions is in-form left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal, who has scored three centuries in four matches in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, with captain Shubman Gill returning alongside Rohit, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, it will be intriguing to see how the selectors accommodate Padikkal into the squad.

Bowling Choices

With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya expected to be rested for the ODIs in light of the T20 World Cup, it will be interesting to observe if Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh feature in the series. Should the young players be rested to keep them fresh for the T20 tournament, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami could be in line for a comeback, though his selection remains uncertain. The spin department seems well settled with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has responded to Usman Khawaja’s comments on racism in Australian cricket, stating that he never encountered racial discrimination during his international career and always felt strongly supported by his teammates and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Khawaja, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the final Sydney Ashes Test, has criticized racial stereotypes in Australian cricket, claiming he has experienced differential treatment throughout his career.

“Thankfully, I never faced any racial discrimination while playing for England. I always received strong support from the team and the board. They were very supportive,” Panesar remarked when asked about his reaction to Khawaja’s revelations regarding racism during his emotional press conference on Friday.

During the 50-minute press conference, Khawaja mentioned he continues to battle stereotypes in his final season, alleging that some of the criticism surrounding his Ashes preparations had racial undertones.

“I’ve always felt a little bit different, even now. I am a coloured cricketer, and the Australian cricket team is, in my opinion, the greatest national team. It’s our pride and joy. But I’ve also felt very different by the way I’ve been treated and by how certain things have happened,” Khawaja stated to the media.

He also discussed the backlash he received for playing three days of golf before the Perth Test, where he suffered back spasms that hindered his ability to open in both innings.

“I had back spasms, and it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and past players came out and attacked me, I could have copped it for two days, but I copped it for about five days straight.”

“These are the same racial stereotypes I’ve grown up with my whole life. We obviously haven’t fully moved past them, because I’ve never seen anyone being treated like that in the Australian cricket team before, not for the uncontrollables the way you guys went at me,” Khawaja concluded.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune is likely to host a few Rajasthan Royals (RR) home games in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), sources familiar with the matter have informed.

Previously, it was reported that RR and defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were in the running to get the venue in Gahunje as their home base for IPL 2026. RR conducted an inspection of the stadium and made an initial assessment of nearby facilities.

Sources indicate that RR is more likely to secure Pune as their home venue, which would replace Jaipur, their base since the inception of IPL in 2008. “Things are going very close for both MCA and RR to close the deal. Many discussions are going on, so this is likely to be a reality,” the sources noted.

RR’s decision to shift some of their home matches away from Sawai Mansingh Stadium stems from ongoing disagreements with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). Tensions escalated in IPL 2025 when an RCA official made match-fixing allegations against the franchise, which RR has categorically denied while calling for strict action against the individual involved.

Currently, the RCA is managed by an adhoc committee led by Deen Dayal Kumawat, and it is understood that the lack of order within the RCA is a significant factor in RR’s potential move to Pune for their home games.

RR, the IPL 2008 winners, also have another home ground at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. “It’s like a matter of time now for this announcement to come anytime soon from the BCCI,” commented another source tracking the developments.

The MCA Stadium in Pune has hosted men’s international matches in all formats, including the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and the Women’s T20 Challenge. In IPL, it has served as the home ground for Pune Warriors India, Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings at various times throughout the 2010s.