Author: Raghav Singh

As the Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 season approaches, the Ranchi Royals and Tamil Nadu Dragons are solidifying their tactical identities. The Royals are focused on speed, versatility, and attacking transitions, while the Dragons prioritize a strong defensive setup backed by top-notch goalkeeping and dependable penalty-corner strategies.

Ranchi Royals’ Formation

The Ranchi Royals enter the league as the latest franchise, taking the place of the former Team Gonasika. They have created a lineup that emphasizes flexibility in midfield and rapid movement across the field.

The team is captained by Manpreet Singh, who recently became only the second Indian player to achieve 400 international caps. Under Head Coach Harendra Singh, the Royals have paired Manpreet with Belgium’s Tom Boon, the 2025 FIH Player of the Year, forming a dynamic midfield partnership that can control match tempo.

Defensively, the Royals have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Belgian defender Maxime Van Oots and Australia’s Tim Howard, alongside the experienced Indian defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess.

In terms of attack, the Royals will depend on Mandeep Singh’s finishing prowess and the speed and strength of young forward Araijeet Singh Hundal. Their campaign kicks off on January 4 against Vedanta Kalinga Lancers at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Dragons’ Strategy

On the other hand, the Tamil Nadu Dragons are building upon their 2025 semifinal finish with a focus on circle defense and efficient set plays. Captain Amit Rohidas, known as one of the most reliable defenders in global hockey, leads a team that includes one of the strongest goalkeeping units in the league. Ireland’s David Harte, a two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, will combine forces with Prince Deep Singh, who demonstrated his skills in shoot-outs at the 2025 Junior World Cup.

Offensively, the Dragons count on Australia’s Blake Govers, whose penalty-corner effectiveness poses a consistent threat. He is ably supported by Mohammed Raheel Mouseen in midfield and Germany’s Paul Kaufmann, who adds structure and discipline to the team’s play. The Tamil Nadu Dragons will launch their season at home on January 3 against Hyderabad Toofans, aiming to maximize their home advantage.

Ranchi Royals Squad: Suraj Karkera, Pankaj Kumar Rajak, Amir Ali, Joshua Beltz (Australia), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka, Manpreet Singh, Tom Boon (Belgium), Vishnukant Singh, Yashdeep Siwach, Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa), Araijeet Singh Hundal, Mandeep Singh, Tim Howard (Australia), Maxime Van Oots (Belgium), Ravneet Singh, Manmeet Singh Rai, Jack Waller (England), Sam Lane (New Zealand), Ashish Purti.

Tamil Nadu Dragons Squad: David Harte (Ireland), Princedeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Paul Kaufmann (Germany), Sander de Wijn (Netherlands), Anand Lakra, Pruthvi GM, Tom Sorsby (Great Britain), Tom Craig (Australia), Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Sheshe Gowda, Chandan Yadav, Arun J, Adrohit Ekka, Sushil Dhanwar, Blake Govers (Australia), Selvam Karthi, Nathan Ephraums (Australia), Uttam Singh, K Selvaraj.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting highlighted significant weaknesses in Cameron Green’s performances before what is likely to be a pivotal fifth Ashes Test, stating that Green needs to find a more effective method with his batting.

Green is currently under the most pressure after another quiet performance with the bat in Melbourne, where he scored 17 in the first innings and was dismissed for 19 in the second. Despite his strong Sheffield Shield form showcasing his ability, his Test average sits at 32.25, and expectations are rising as patience begins to fade, even considering his obvious talent at 26.

Ponting believes Green’s frequent changes in batting position have undermined his confidence. Speaking on SEN Radio, he noted that Green currently appears to be a “very nervous starter” amid his struggles to get going.

“Everything I’ve ever heard around the Australian camp about Cameron Green is just how good they all think he is and could potentially be, but he’s got to start working it out. He’s got to find a method and a tempo, especially with his batting, in Test cricket that’s going to work for him,” Ponting said.

“They’ve moved him from three to five to seven; he’s been all over the place… he’s a very nervous starter; he’s very stiff and very rigid, and being a big, tall man like he is, it probably doesn’t make it any easier. There are some challenges there for him. He’s got to work it out pretty quickly,” he added.

Ponting further pointed out Marnus Labuschagne as a player feeling the heat ahead of the SCG Test, noting that the 31-year-old has been inconsistent in this Ashes series, managing two half-centuries alongside six low scores, under 20, against England.

“I still believe there are a lot of technical flaws he’s got going on at the moment. When Marnus is at his best, he makes batting look relatively easy, but when he’s at his worst, he makes batting look really, really difficult. The last few weeks, he’s made batting look difficult.

“There’s definitely a question mark over him… July 2023 was his last Test hundred; that average has dropped dramatically during that period of time,” Ponting mentioned.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital in Nigeria following a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

On Monday, Joshua was involved in a fatal road traffic accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The vehicle, carrying a team of four, reportedly collided with a stationary truck, leading to the unfortunate deaths of Joshua’s friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Joshua and another passenger were swiftly taken to a specialized medical facility in Lagos. After thorough evaluations by medical professionals, both were found to be stable and did not require emergency medical intervention.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, the Ogun and Lagos state governments announced that Joshua was clinically fit to continue his recovery at home.

Joshua and his mother visited the funeral home in Lagos to pay their final respects to his two departed friends.

The statement from the Lagos and Ogun state governments noted, “Anthony Joshua was discharged from the hospital late this afternoon; though heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends, he was deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.” It further added, “Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening.”

Ayodele served as Joshua’s personal trainer, while Ghami was his strength and conditioning coach. Just hours before the accident, Joshua and Ayodele had shared clips on social media playing table tennis together.

The governments of Lagos and Ogun states expressed their condolences to the families of the two young men, stating, “We pray the Almighty grant the repose of their souls whilst granting their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this very sad and painful loss.”

Australia off-spinner Todd Murphy acknowledged that, despite his eyesight not being the best, he could clearly see the SCG pitch appeared quite green three days prior to the fifth Test. This has reignited discussions about the role of spinners in the ongoing Ashes series.

Murphy, 25, is vying to play his first Test on home soil after participating in seven matches overseas. However, his selection for Sydney is uncertain, especially after he was omitted from the Melbourne Test that concluded in just two days.

Recent images indicate that the SCG pitch, ahead of the fifth Ashes Test commencing Sunday, is predominantly green, raising the likelihood of Australia opting for an all-pace bowling lineup.

“I’ve only seen it from afar, and my eyes aren’t obviously amazing, so it’s hard to pick out exactly what it’ll be. But I suppose we’re three days out and there’s a bit of grass on it at the moment. I have no idea (what it will be like) as I haven’t looked at it closely yet,” Murphy stated to reporters at the SCG.

Familiar with the venue, as it is home to the Sydney Sixers, Murphy also competed there for Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match in November, where fast bowlers dominated. In that game, he bowled 12 overs and is aware that a ground once known for spin now tends to favor pace bowlers.

“Maybe not recently, but I definitely think it can spin. We’ve played on some BBL wickets here where it has taken spin. I’ve only played a couple of Shield matches, and I don’t think it’s ever done anything extraordinary out there. I don’t think recently that it’s been a massive spin out here, but it’s still been a big part,” he remarked.

“Shield cricket over the last couple of years – which is what I’ve had the main experience in – has evolved a bit to be more seam-friendly as well. I think that comes from the importance of results in four-day cricket, and I don’t think spin breaks up enough in four days so they’ve probably gone down the path of trying to make it speed up at the start of the game.”

Murphy added, “I still think that if you look across all games, spin still plays a massive part in games so there’s always a role for you to play. It might not be on day four where you’re bowling 30 overs of spin to bowl your team to victory, but it still feels like you’ve always got a part to play in the game.”

In the current Ashes series, spin has had limited influence, with spinners claiming only nine wickets. The green tracks and bouncy conditions have sparked concerns about the future necessity of spinners in Australia. However, Murphy, who could be the team’s primary spinner for the next decade, remains optimistic.

“I don’t think going into the series that there was ever a plan or an idea that spin wouldn’t play a role,” he responded when questioned about the spinners’ involvement this series. “I think it’s just been how it’s eventuated. I still think there’s definitely a role to play for spin, and I think it will evolve from year to year, and next year it could be different. I still think it (spin) is important,” he concluded.

The Central Government has notified the commencement of select provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The law is set to come into force from January 1, 2026, and will govern the functioning of national sports federations in the country.

The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025) was officially notified in the Gazette on August 18, 2025. Section 1(2) of the Act states that it will come into effect on a date appointed by the Central Government through a notification, with the possibility of different dates for various provisions of the Act.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the Central Government has announced January 1, 2026, as the date on which several provisions will be enacted. These include sections 1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2), and (4) of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sub-section (5) of section 8, sub-section (1) of section 11, sections 14 and 15, sub-sections (1) to (7) and (10) of section 17, sections 30 and 31, and sections 33 to 38.

The provisions being brought into effect pertain to the establishment and governance framework of National Sports Bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations, and Regional Sports Federations. Additional provisions include the constitution of the National Sports Board, compliance requirements for recognised sports organisations, privileges and duties of these organisations, the constitution of the National Sports Tribunal, and the rule-making powers of the Central Government, all of which will also take effect from January 1, 2026.

This phased commencement of the Act aims to ensure a smooth transition to a statutory sports governance framework. The Act seeks to promote transparency, accountability, ethical practices, and good governance in sports administration, ensure the welfare of sportspersons, and provide for effective and timely resolution of sports-related disputes, aligning with the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, and international best practices.

From January 1, 2026, the institutional mechanisms outlined in the notified provisions of the Act will become operational.

Trailing table-toppers Barcelona by four points, Real Madrid faced a setback on New Year’s Eve with forward Kylian Mbappé suffering an injury to his left knee. The Spanish club confirmed that he is likely to miss the next few matches.

In a brief statement, Madrid announced that the French superstar has been diagnosed with a sprain but did not specify a timeline for his recovery. “Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappé, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. His progress will be monitored,” the club stated on its official website.

According to French sports daily newspaper L’Equipe, without quoting a source, Mbappé will be unavailable for at least three weeks. The report indicated that he has been dealing with an issue involving the lateral ligament in his knee for several weeks, and an MRI conducted on Wednesday morning revealed a lesion that requires treatment and rest.

Due to the injury, the French star did not participate in the final training session of the year in Madrid. Mbappé’s injury is a significant blow for Real Madrid, as the striker has been in excellent form. Earlier this month, he scored his 59th goal for Madrid in 2025, tying the club record for the most goals in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2024, Mbappé has netted 29 goals this season, including a league-leading 18 goals in La Liga.

His absence could impact Real Madrid’s progress in the New Year as they gear up to continue their campaign after a short year-end break. The team’s next match is scheduled for Sunday.

With Real Madrid set to face cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in the second semifinal of the Supercup on January 8 in Jeddah, Mbappé has very little time to recover, making him a major doubt for the competition, which concludes with its final on January 11. There are concerns that Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso may be under pressure, with the team potentially playing for his future without their star player.

The SG Pipers delivered a composed and disciplined performance to edge past Soorma Hockey Club 1-0 in a tightly contested Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) encounter. The decisive moment came from the Pipers’ captain Navneet Kaur, whose early strike helped the table-toppers secure their second consecutive victory.

Early Breakthrough

The Pipers started the match with discipline, moving the ball with pace and purpose. Their early intent paid off when captain Navneet Kaur (4’) put her side ahead. After intercepting a pass in her own half, she surged forward on a brilliant run, dribbled past two Soorma defenders near the circle, and calmly fired a well-placed shot to open the scoring.

Defensive Strength

Soorma Hockey Club responded with a series of attacking moves, but the SG Pipers’ defence stood firm, working in groups to deny space and clear danger efficiently. Despite the sustained pressure from Soorma, the Pipers held onto their slender advantage heading into the first-quarter break.

Search for Equals

In the second quarter, Soorma came out with renewed energy, searching for an equaliser and earning the first penalty corner of the match. However, they could not capitalize on this opportunity. Sensing a potential momentum shift, the SG Pipers focused on maintaining possession through crisp passing, forcing Soorma to chase the game and absorb pressure.

Towards the end of the second quarter, Soorma won another penalty corner, but a poor trap let them down, and their frustrations in front of goal continued. With neither side able to score further, the Pipers went into the half-time break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

Third Quarter Resilience

JSW Soorma Hockey Club came out aggressively after the break, repeatedly testing the Pipers’ defence. However, the Pipers remained resolute, soaking up the pressure and maintaining their lead throughout the third quarter.

Final Push

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern, with Soorma applying sustained pressure and earning a third penalty corner, but once again failing to convert. The SG Pipers also missed chances, including back-to-back penalty corners and a one-on-one opportunity for Navneet Kaur that was smartly denied by goalkeeper Savita.

In a late attempt, Soorma earned a fourth penalty corner, but the variation came to nothing. The Pipers held on for a hard-fought 1-0 win, remaining at the top of the points table with two victories from two matches.

India’s charismatic batter Virat Kohli stepped into the new year 2026 with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, posting a photo on social media. The former India captain shared a photograph on Instagram featuring the couple wearing masks, with Kohli’s playful Spiderman-style mask adding a touch of humour to the frame.

Taking to Instagram, Kohli wrote, “Stepping into 2026 with the light of my life.”

The post instantly garnered views and was flooded with comments from fans and followers wishing the lovely couple good luck ahead of the new year 2026.

After retiring from T20I and Test cricket, Kohli has been in the best form of his life in ODI cricket. This 35-year-old cricketer returned to India’s top domestic One-day tournament for the first time in 15 years and made a great comeback by scoring 131 runs and 77 runs consecutively, showcasing his talent and desire to excel at this level of cricket.

Kohli’s recent run of form has been historic as he achieved 16,000 runs in List A cricket, making him the fastest player to do so, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record. He is scheduled to play against Railways on January 6 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, located in Bengaluru.

Kohli’s resurgence in the domestic arena follows his outstanding performance during the ODI series against South Africa, where he scored two centuries and one fifty, leading India to victory in the three-match series 2-1.

The Indian team will gather in Vadodara on January 8 to prepare for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The ODI series with the Black Caps will kick off with a clash in Vadodara on January 11, followed by the second and third matches in Rajkot and Indore on January 14 and 18, respectively. This will be followed by a five-match T20I series to be played between January 21 and January 31.

The result of their previous round match in the Premier League has put pressure on Manchester City, while also presenting an opportunity to Liverpool as the two sides prepare for their respective games on New Year’s Day.

Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa has lifted Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear at the top of the table, placing the onus on Manchester City to secure all three points during what is likely to be a tough and chilly visit to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

The African Cup of Nations will play a role in this match, with five Sunderland and two Manchester City players currently competing in Morocco. Additionally, John Stones and Jeremy Doku are unavailable for the visiting side.

Manchester City appears to be peaking after achieving eight consecutive wins in all competitions, while Sunderland has only experienced four losses since their return to the elite.

Chelsea’s draw at home to Bournemouth gives Liverpool a chance to establish a five-point lead over fifth place if Arne Slot’s side can win at home against a resilient Leeds United, who are currently unbeaten in five games and pushed Manchester City to the limit in their last defeat.

Liverpool have sacked set-piece coach Aaron Briggs due to struggles in defending corners and free kicks. Leeds may see this as an opportunity to challenge a side that, despite recovering, still leaves rivals with chances to score.

Tottenham coach Thomas Frank returns to face Brentford, where he served before taking charge at Spurs. Brentford, now ninth in the table, is enjoying its best-ever first half of the season, while Frank’s position is still under pressure despite a recent win against Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace will again be tested at home against Fulham, who are now level on points with Palace after three consecutive wins, while Oliver Glasner’s team has suffered three straight defeats.