Author: Raghav Singh

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has tipped Delhi Capitals (DC) to clinch the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and suggested that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana could emerge as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Delhi Capitals’ Title Aspirations

DC, three-time runners-up in the WPL, are aiming to break their title jinx under new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues. Chopra mentioned, “I think Delhi Capitals will win this time around. They have put together a very good squad and they have reached the finals all three times. Let them win it once,” during his discussion on JioStar.

Top Contenders for Individual Honors

Chopra believes that apart from Smriti, her opening partner Shafali Verma could also contend for the Orange Cap. “I think it could be RCB captain, Smriti Mandhana, to score the most number of runs this WPL season. Smriti Mandhana might be the frontrunner in the race to win the Orange Cap and she might even win it. Alongside her, I feel, Shafali Verma, who will open for the Delhi Capitals, could be a strong contender as well.”

Potential Award Winners

Chopra further noted that both Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani could bag significant awards in WPL 2026. “I think Deepti Sharma can register a hat-trick of winning the Player of the Tournament award. The form she is in currently, she has been unstoppable and I also think that since she has started doing well in the WPL, there has been a significant improvement in her overall game.”

He added, “This could be her season again. I think Shree Charani might win the Emerging Player of the Season award. She had a fantastic World Cup and I feel she will be the tournament’s best spinner.”

Opening Game Prediction

Chopra concluded by predicting the outcome of the MI-RCB opening game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 9. “I will go with Mumbai Inddigihunt for this clash. Obviously, very little to choose between the two sides, but Mumbai.”

Harry Brook’s gritty effort at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has reshaped the Test Rankings, as the England batter moved three places to be ranked second in the latest ICC rankings. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc edged closer to India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s top spot following a standout bowling display throughout the series.

Brook Climbs the Rankings
Brook, who scored a total of 59 runs in a low-scoring match, has moved to second position. The 26-year-old English star has surpassed the Australian duo of Smith and Travis Head, as well as Kiwi ace Kane Williamson, to grab the spot. He is now only behind his counterpart Joe Root, who stands tall at the top with 867 rating points.

Tongue and Teammates Shine
England fast bowler Joshua Tongue has also been rewarded in the rankings after a clinical performance in the fourth Test match of the ongoing Ashes, played at the MCG. Tongue, who turned the tide for England with career-best performances of 5-45 and 2-44, has moved up 13 places to achieve 30th position. His fellow teammates Gus Atkinson, up four slots to 13th, and Brydon Carse, up six places to 23rd, have also progressed after England’s four-wicket win in the fourth Test.

Australia’s Mixed Display
Australia’s poor display with the bat has affected their players’ ratings. However, the bowlers have brought some good news, with Starc and Scott Boland achieving career-best rankings. Starc has surpassed Australia captain Pat Cummins, who missed the MCG Test, and is now tied at second spot with Pakistan spinner Noman Ali. The 35-year-old fast bowler is also closing in on Jasprit Bumrah’s No. 1 crown, with just a 36 rating point gap between them.

Boland’s Breakthrough
Scott Boland, who took five wickets in the fourth Ashes Test, has attained a career-high ranking. The Australian bowler has moved to seventh spot and crossed the 800 rating mark for the first time in his career.

WTC Standings
Despite losing the MCG Test, the Australian cricket team has maintained their top position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with 85.71 percentage points. Former champions New Zealand and South Africa occupy the second and third spots, respectively.

Both Starc and Brook will now eye the top position in their respective domains when the fifth and final game of the Ashes series begins on January 4.

As the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) gears up for the 2026 season, previous finalists Shrachi Bengal Tigers and Hyderabad Toofans are preparing to kick off their campaigns with confidence, featuring a blend of experienced players and emerging talent.

Shrachi Bengal Tigers’ Campaign Ahead

Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the reigning champions, are set to begin the new season with most of their core team from last year intact. Jugraj Singh, who scored a hat-trick in the previous season’s final, will captain the team, under the guidance of German Head Coach Valentin Altenburg.

The Tigers’ HIL 2025-26 campaign opens on January 4 against Soorma Hockey Club in Chennai. Veteran goalkeeper James Carr will serve as the main defender, supported by Vivek Lakra.

Leading the defensive unit is Gauthier Boccard, an Olympic gold medallist in 2020 and silver medallist in 2016 with Belgium. Jugraj Singh, the top scorer from last season’s HIL, will also bolster the defense, along with Enrique Gonzalez De Castejon, Tommy Willems, and Parmod.

In midfield, the German duo of Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr, both two-time Olympic medallists, will guide the play, with support from Sean Findlay, Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep, and Pardeep Singh Sandhu.

Leading the attacking front is last season’s Player of the Tournament, Sukhjeet Singh, partnered by Ajinkya Jadhav, Gursewak Singh, and Abhishek. The forward line also features 14-year-old prodigy Ketan Kushwaha, marking him as the tournament’s youngest player ever.

Hyderabad Toofans Eye Improvement

Hyderabad Toofans are eager to better their previous performance. As last season’s runners-up, they will kick off the new season on January 3 against the Tamil Nadu Dragons in Chennai. Under head coach Pasha Gademan, the team boasts a young goalkeeping lineup featuring Jean Paul Danneberg and Bikramjit Singh, who was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the last men’s edition of HIL.

The defensive pillar for the Toofans is Olympic gold medallist Arthur De Sloover from Belgium, backed by players such as Amandeep Lakra, Devindar Sunil Walmiki, along with younger talents Sundram Singh Rajawat and Mukul Sharma.

In midfield, Nilakanta Sharma provides extensive experience, while Olympic bronze medallist Zachary Wallace adds further depth. Nic Woods and Michel Struthoff bring a mix of experience and energy, complemented by Rajinder Singh, Sumit, and Rahim Aakib Sayyed.

With Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jacob Anderson and New Zealand’s Tim Brand leading the forward line, Hyderabad Toofans have ample experience upfront. Shilanand Lakra joins the attack, along with Arshdeep Singh, recognized as the Upcoming Player of the Tournament last season, having netted four goals at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025.

Squads Overview

Shrachi Bengal Tigers Squad:

• Vivek Lakra
• James Carr (New Zealand)
• Tommy Willems (Belgium)
• Gauthier Boccard (Belgium)
• Parmod
• Enrique Gonzalez De Castejon
• Jugraj Singh (Captain)
• Christopher Ruhr (Germany)
• Tom Grambusch (Germany)
• Sean Findlay (New Zealand)
• Jaskaran Singh
• Affan Yousuf
• Pradhan Poovanna Chandura
• Atul Deep
• Pardeep Singh Sandhu
• Ajinkya Jadhav
• Ketan Kushwaha
• Gursewak Singh
• Sukhjeet Singh
• Abhishek

Hyderabad Toofans Squad:

• Jean Paul Danneberg (Germany)
• Bikramjit Singh
• Mukul Sharma
• Amandeep Lakra
• Devindar Sunil Walmiki
• Arthur De Sloover (Belgium)
• Sundram Singh Rajawat
• Nilakanta Sharma
• Sumit
• Zachary Wallace (Great Britain)
• Rajinder Singh
• Michel Struthoff (Germany)
• Nic Woods (New Zealand)
• Rahim Aakib Sayyed
• Tim Brand (New Zealand)
• Shilanand Lakra
• Irengbam Rohit Singh
• Talwinder Singh
• Jacob Anderson (New Zealand)
• Arshdeep Singh.

India’s off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma expressed her exhilaration upon being recognized as the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, stating it gives her “an amazing feeling.” She emphasized that her main focus is on creating breakthroughs whenever she has the ball in hand.

In the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium, Deepti surpassed Australia’s Megan Schutt to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, achieving her 152nd wicket by dismissing Nilakshika Silva lbw. She concluded the match with figures of 1-28 as India defended 175 to secure a 15-run victory and complete a 5-0 series sweep. Earlier this year, Deepti received the Player of the Tournament award in India’s triumphant campaign in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

“Listening to that I’m the leading wicket-taker in T20Is, I get an amazing feeling. I feel very good, but whenever I play a match and have the ball in my hand, I think about how much impact I can make with the ball and how many opportunities I can create for picking wickets against whichever opponent is playing,” shared Deepti in a video posted by the BCCI on their social media accounts.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy also made notable contributions, scoring an unbeaten 27 while achieving bowling figures of 1-16. “Whatever I do, I want to create an impact, whether I bowl, bat or field. I’m always wanting the ball when I bowl. But I always wanted to bat – this was the first game that I got to bat.

“I was really happy and excited for that opportunity because I’ve been working really hard on my batting. Of course, with fielding, I’ve always been that player who’s given her 100% on the field. That’s what I want to be and continue doing. My hard work is significant, along with my passion and the fact that I never give up. You can push me to the wall, and I’ll still keep coming back. That’s the kind of player that I’ve always been and will continue to be until I play,” she added.

Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma also shared her unique wicket-taking celebration with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. “Before entering the field, we were all standing outside in a huddle. I thought, let’s do something special when we take a wicket, perhaps a new celebration.

“So I asked Harry di, when I take the wicket, should I come to you like this? She agreed, so we planned it. I had intended to do it in the third match, but I didn’t get the wicket then. However, I got the wicket in the fourth match, and that’s when the celebration was completed,” she explained.

Olympic Champion Andre De Grasse has been named International Event Ambassador for the 21st edition of the Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, set to take place on January 18.

A Journey of Inspiration

One of the most accomplished sprinters of his generation, De Grasse is a global athletics icon whose journey continues to inspire millions worldwide. Rising from humble beginnings, he was discovered sprinting at a local meet in basketball shoes and borrowed spikes, marking the start of an extraordinary career.

Today, De Grasse ranks among the elite of world athletics, with an exceptional tally of seven Olympic medals. His breakthrough came at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he claimed silver in the 200m and bronze in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.

He cemented his legacy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, winning gold in the men’s 200m and finishing on the podium in the 100m and the 4x100m relay. Most recently, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, De Grasse showcased leadership and composure by anchoring Canada to gold in the men’s 4x100m relay.

World Championships Success

Beyond the Olympic stage, De Grasse has consistently delivered at the World Championships, securing six medals across five editions, including gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene. This further underscores his status as one of the defining sprinters of this era.

De Grasse’s Statement

Speaking on his association with the event, De Grasse stated, “Running teaches discipline, belief, and resilience – values that stay with you long after the race is over. The Tata Mumbai Marathon embodies the power of sport to unite people, inspire courage, and encourage everyone to take the first step towards their own goals. I am honoured to be part of the 21st edition of this iconic event as the International Event Ambassador, standing alongside runners of all abilities who are driven by purpose, passion, and the joy of movement.”

Celebrating Endurance and Community

As the Tata Mumbai Marathon enters its 21st edition, the event continues to celebrate endurance, community, and the transformative power of sport—values that resonate deeply with Andre De Grasse’s remarkable journey and enduring legacy.

Vivek Singh of Procam International, promoters of the event, remarked, “Andre De Grasse’s journey is a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected beginnings. His achievements, humility, and commitment to giving back align seamlessly with the spirit of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. His presence at the 21st edition will further elevate the event’s global standing and inspire runners across India to push their limits and realise their potential.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his support for Usman Khawaja to retire on his own terms after the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting January 4.

Speculation has been rampant regarding whether Khawaja’s 88th Test at the SCG against England will mark his final appearance for Australia. The 39-year-old, who celebrated his birthday during the third Ashes match in Adelaide, has shown confidence since transitioning to the middle order.

With selectors feeling the pressure to rejuvenate an aging Australian Test squad, the Sydney fixture is viewed as a potential farewell for Khawaja. “I would say to Usman, ‘Don’t let them decide. You decide your destiny.’ When someone has been playing for so long, we’ve just got to let them decide,” Vaughan remarked.

“Usman has had an incredible career, and not many get the chance to say goodbye on their own terms at their own venue. If he doesn’t do that, he runs the risk of his career ending not on his own terms. I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye than at his home ground in an Ashes series,” he continued.

“If Uzzie has got the energy and capacity to really want to fight on, yeah, I could see that happening. But leaving in Sydney in an Ashes series sounds pretty good to me. The likes of Matt Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney, Campbell Kellaway, and Ollie Peake, they’re the players we’ve got to get into the Australian side in the next year or so,” he added.

England heads into the SCG Test under pressure to avoid a significant defeat, with Vaughan stating that the outcome may influence the future of the Brendon McCullum–Ben Stokes leadership duo. “For the future and for this management in particular, they need to win a strong game of cricket here … that’s not a two-dayer,” he stated.

“For this management to continue, the likes of Ben and Baz – I’m pretty sure they will carry on – but I think they need a good week for that to be absolutely rock solid. There’s a huge appetite within the group to keep (McCullum) on. But fundamentally, if they get pummelled in Sydney, there needs to be some honest conversations.”

Vaughan noted, “I think chopping and changing is not necessarily the right thing for English cricket. Whatever happens at the end of this tour, they’ve got to accept that they got a lot of things wrong. If they’re going to be so stubborn to think that they were a bit unlucky, or things didn’t quite go the way they wanted … well, we have a problem going forward.”

“The key is maturity, and that’s the one thing that I think this team can be a lot better at in terms of the way they play and talk. If they can accept that, I have no problem with the management staying the same,” he concluded.

The organisers of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) have announced that player auctions will be held on January 3. The league has also revealed the names of the six franchises that will compete in PWL 2026, returning to action after a six-year hiatus.

PWL 2026 Schedule

The fifth season of PWL 2026 will run from January 15 to February 1, 2026, and is expected to showcase elite Indian and international talent competing in a fast-paced, high-intensity format.

Franchises Competing

The six franchises set to compete in the upcoming season five are:

• Haryana Thunders
• Tigers of Mumbai Dangals
• Punjab Royals
• Maharashtra Kesari
• Delhi Dangal Warriors
• UP Dominators

These teams represent some of India’s most prominent wrestling regions, reinforcing PWL’s national footprint and its team-based competitive model.

Player Auction Expectations

The player auction on Saturday is expected to be a major focal point in the lead-up to the season, with over 300 professional wrestlers from more than 20 countries set to be auctioned off. The auction pool features Olympic and World Championship medallists, along with a strong contingent of Indian men and women wrestlers, underscoring the league’s international reach and depth of competition.

Official Statement

Akhil Gupta, CEO of Pro Wrestling League, stated, “PWL 2026 marks an important phase in PWL’s evolution. With the teams now confirmed and the player auctions set to take place, we are laying the foundation for a competitive, transparent, and athlete-centric season. The response from wrestlers across the world has been extremely encouraging, and we look forward to a high-quality auction process.”

With its refreshed identity and reimagined competitive structure, beginning with the January 3 auction, the league aims to usher in a new chapter for professional wrestling in India, combining world-class competition with renewed fan engagement.

After India completed a commanding 5-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur took home the Best Fielder medal for her exceptional fielding.

“I think the best fielder of the series, without a doubt, was Amanjot Kaur,” said head coach Amol Muzumdar in a video shared by the BCCI on their social media accounts, where Amanjot received the medal and huge cheers from her teammates.

In the final game of the series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, India beat Sri Lanka by 15 runs. Amanjot produced a composed all-round effort, scoring 21 off 18 balls and registering figures of 1/17, in addition to showcasing her sharp fielding skills.

The series win over Sri Lanka capped off a remarkable year for India, during which they won the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on home soil, retained the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup trophy, and secured series wins against England on the white-ball tour.

“Wishing you a very happy new year. Let’s get into 2026 in the same way that we got into 2025. Well done once again. 5-nil is a statement,” added Muzumdar.

Once the New Year break is over, the Indian team members will join their respective sides for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), set to take place from January 9 to February 5 across two venues: DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

The tournament kicks off with two-time champions Mumbai Inddigihunt, led by India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, hosting 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana.

While MI enter the tournament as defending champions, RCB are the only other side to have lifted the WPL trophy. Delhi Capitals, to be captained by Jemimah Rodrigues this year, have finished runners-up thrice under Meg Lanning’s leadership, while Gujarat Giants, led by Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, and UP Warriorz are yet to make it to the final at the event.

Australia opener Travis Head has expressed hope that England and Australia will revive their tradition of meeting for a drink after the Ashes. This practice was somewhat disrupted in 2023 due to deteriorating relationships during the series.

Series Overview

Australia currently leads the series 3-1 and has already secured victory, marking their fifth consecutive Ashes series win and maintaining their hold on the urn.

Tensions During the Series

Relations between the two sides worsened significantly during the second Test of the 2023 Ashes in England after Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow when Bairstow stepped out of his crease while ducking a ball from Cameron Green. The incident led to ugly scenes at Lord’s, where Australian players faced verbal abuse from MCC members in the Long Room. Following this, England head coach Brendon McCullum stated that considering the events, he could not foresee how the teams could come together for their customary end-of-series drink.

Head’s Comments

“There’s definitely mutual respect. I get along with a couple of them really well. There’s some really good relationships with both teams. I’m looking forward to having a beer with Ducky (Ben Duckett). So, yeah, it’d be a nice moment. It’s obviously nice going there knowing that we’ve won the series,” Head was quoted as saying by The Australian newspaper.

Post-Series Gatherings

McCullum later mentioned that the teams would eventually meet after England won the final Test, which resulted in a 2-2 series draw. However, this delay drew criticism from sections of the Australian media, suggesting that England had deliberately avoided the traditional gathering. Captain Ben Stokes refuted these claims, clarifying that England’s post-series commitments at The Oval extended longer than planned due to farewell moments for players and staff.

Contrast with Future Ashes

In contrast, the 2025 Ashes in Australia has unfolded in a far more amicable atmosphere. Any controversy has largely centered on issues affecting both teams, such as disputed snicko readings and the surface for the fourth Test at the MCG, which led to the second two-day Test of the series.

Performance Analysis

The calmer tone has also been influenced by England’s struggles on the field. After failing to match Australia in the opening three Tests, they fell to a 3-0 deficit and surrendered the Ashes, extending their dry spell to five consecutive years. Their ultra-aggressive approach under Stokes and McCullum backfired, intensifying scrutiny and criticism, even though they managed to end a 15-year wait for a Test victory in Australia with their win at the MCG.