Author: Raghav Singh

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicked off with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium. The event featured Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Honey Singh, who added plenty of glitz to the pre-match entertainment.

A Glorious Start

Harnaaz, the Miss Universe 2021 winner and actor, opened the evening with a monologue celebrating women’s achievements across India, declaring, “We are ready,” setting an inspiring tone for her performance. Jacqueline continued the energy with a dynamic performance of her popular film songs, captivating a massive crowd with her stage presence and dance moves.

Honey Singh Shines

Rapper-singer Honey Singh electrified the venue with a mix of his latest hits and classics. He kicked off his set between the MI and RCB captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, who appeared to be caught off-guard by the surprise. Singh had the crowd grooving to his songs like “Millionaire,” “Lungi Dance,” and “Blue Eyes.” The trio later came together on stage to conclude the opening ceremony, receiving cheers from fans.

Tournament Details

The first leg of WPL 2026 will be held at the DY Patil Stadium before moving to Kotmabi Stadium in Vadodara, which will also host the knockout rounds. The Mumbai Inddigihunt, under Harmanpreet, are the most successful team with two titles and are the reigning champions, while Mandhana’s RCB claimed the title in the 2024 edition. The Delhi Capitals, runners-up in all three previous seasons, will be aiming to break their title drought this year.

Opening Match Timing

The opening clash between MI and RCB commenced at 7:40 pm local time, following the entertainment that marked the start of the 2026 season. This is the first time the WPL is being held in the January-February window.

Sethu FC showcased their dominance with a commanding 4-1 victory against Garhwal United FC in a 2025-26 Indian Women’s League (IWL) clash at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata.

Game Overview

After a goalless first half, Sethu turned the tide dramatically in the second period within a span of just 10 minutes. Dhurga P. opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, followed by Malavika P. in the 60th minute, and Lynda Kom Serto netted her eighth goal of the season in the 62nd minute. Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam added a spectacular fourth goal in the 74th minute. Garhwal United managed to score in the 82nd minute through Esther Tingjoukim.

This win marked Sethu’s fourth consecutive victory, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches. They sit firmly in second place with 16 points from seven games, trailing only East Bengal. In contrast, Garhwal United faced their fourth loss of the tournament, placing them eighth in the standings as the first phase of the league concluded.

First Half Dynamics

The first half was tightly contested, with both teams cautiously probing for openings. Sethu came closest to scoring with attempts from Lynda Kom and Abigail Antwi, both hitting the woodwork. Garhwal United maintained a disciplined defense, absorbing pressure and ensuring a scoreless halftime.

Turning Point in the Second Half

The mood shifted dramatically after the halftime break. Sethu emerged with renewed vigor, breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute in a somewhat fortunate manner. Dhurga P. sent a hopeful ball into the penalty area, catching Garhwal goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu off-guard as the ball sailed over her into the net.

This goal opened the floodgates for Sethu. Just eight minutes later, Malavika P. doubled the lead with a remarkable individual effort, winning the ball inside the box, bypassing two defenders, and unleashing a powerful right-footed shot into the net.

Sethu struck again barely two minutes later. A defensive error by Ernestina Tetteh allowed Lynda Kom to seize a loose pass, and the in-form forward calmly curled the ball past Ribansi for her eighth goal this season.

Crowning Achievement and Late Consolation

Sethu remained in full control and delivered a stunning blow in the 74th minute when Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam executed a breathtaking free-kick from over 30 yards that flew past the helpless goalkeeper, making it 4-0.

Garhwal United did manage a consolation goal in the 84th minute when Esther Tingjoukim headed home from a corner delivered by Lhingdeikim, but it was too late to change the outcome of the match.

Soorma Hockey Club secured an exhilarating 3-1 victory in the shootout against Hyderabad Toofans after a 1-1 draw in regulation time during the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored for Soorma Hockey Club in the 20th minute, while Amandeep Lakra netted the equalizer for Hyderabad Toofans in the 46th minute.

Match Overview

In the first quarter, both teams displayed aggressive gameplay, resulting in several circle entries and opportunities. However, resilient defending from both sides prevented any goals. JSW Soorma Hockey Club came out strong and earned their first penalty corner in the third minute, but Harmanpreet Singh’s effort was denied by the first rusher.

Shortly after, Soorma continued to apply pressure with two promising attempts on goal, yet Hyderabad’s goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh made remarkable consecutive saves to keep the score level. The eighth minute saw Hyderabad Toofans win three penalty corners in a row, but Soorma’s defense held firm.

Second Quarter Action

The second quarter saw the game open up further when Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 20th minute with a low drag flick into the bottom left corner, giving JSW Soorma Hockey Club the lead. Soorma maintained control for the remainder of the quarter, heading into the second half with a slender advantage.

In the 34th minute, Hyderabad Toofans came very close to scoring, with Amandeep Lakra’s powerful penalty corner flick just missing the target. Four minutes later, Soorma was awarded another penalty corner, but Jeremy Hayward’s shot was brilliantly saved again by Bikramjit Singh.

Final Quarter Drama

As the final quarter began, Hyderabad Toofans earned a crucial penalty corner. Amandeep Lakra (46′) capitalized with a strong drag flick to equalize the score. In the 54th minute, Devindar Walmiki created a good chance, supplying an incisive pass to Tim Brand, whose deflection narrowly missed the goal.

Hyderabad Toofans pressed hard in the closing stages, with Arshdeep Singh managing to get a back-handed shot off, but JSW Soorma Hockey Club goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch made a critical save, leading to a shootout.

Shootout Showdown

JSW Soorma Hockey Club triumphed in the shootout by 3-1, with Harmanpreet Singh and Nicolas Keenan successfully converting their attempts. In a tense moment, Toofans’ goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh committed a penalty stroke for a stick-check during Nicolas della Torre’s attempt. Harmanpreet Singh stepped up once more and capped off his stellar performance by converting the stroke, securing the bonus point for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.

England pacer Lauren Bell expressed her excitement as she prepares for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) after joining the 2024 winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). She looks forward to her debut match against Mumbai Inddigihunt at the DY Patil Stadium.

Bell was acquired by RCB during the auction, having previously been signed by UP Warriorz (UPW) for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, although she withdrew from the latter. “It’s definitely been different. Different franchise and obviously RCB are pretty massive,” she noted.

“It’s been a crazy few days since I landed…trying to meet everyone and learn names and learn everything. It’s been really fun and I’m just excited for the first game tonight,” Lauren told broadcasters ahead of the match.

The 23-year-old is quickly settling into the RCB environment and shared a light-hearted moment with teammate Georgia Wareham at a café, where they attempted to make their own coffees. “It’s a surprise for me. I didn’t know what to expect. I think you don’t want to go into an auction with any expectations. I was obviously buzzing.”

“It’s an amazing franchise that want me. We went to the café today and Georgia backed herself as a barista, so they very kindly let us use the machine and make our own coffees. We’ve got a pretty good setup,” she added.

Mumbai Inddigihunt’ seam-bowling all-rounder, Nat Sciver-Brunt, attributed the franchise’s success to the supportive environment they have cultivated over the years. “I guess it comes down to the team. It might sound obvious, but different people stood up at different times. The environment we’ve created over the last three years has been really special.”

“Everyone backs each other, and in those key moments, someone always finds a way to step up. Not knowing too much on the sidelines, especially during the auction, that was probably the plan. Why change something that’s worked so well for us in this competition? We’ve also made some really good additions, so we’re excited to get the season started tonight.”

Looking ahead, Nat hopes to replicate her successful 2025 season, where she won both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the Orange Cap. “When I’m at my best, I’m just taking each ball as it comes and staying in the moment. I won’t think too much about last year, just try to stay in my zone and perform the same way,” she stated.

Nat’s entry video gained significant attention, and she shared that it was a fun experience. “I’d be lying if I said that was me, unfortunately! I did get a fright; my brother even asked if it was AI, which I don’t think it was. I’m pretty sure it was a body double. It would’ve been great fun to ride around Mumbai on a motorbike, but I’m not sure team management would’ve been too happy about that.”

Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Jonathan Batty expressed that his team is “raring to go,” looking forward to a positive start as they prepare to open their 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign against defending champions Mumbai Inddigihunt at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday.

Strong Leadership and Preparation

DC will be led by new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues and is coming off an intensive pre-season camp held in Goa. Batty shared, “It’s really nice to have a lot of familiar faces back in the squad from the last few years, and at the same time, it’s been great to bring in some fresh faces who add a new dynamic to the team.”

“It’s been a fantastic preparation period. The camp in Goa allowed us to combine team-building activities with high-quality training sessions. There’s been some really good cricket on display, and as we head into the tournament phase, everything feels really positive and we’re raring to go,” he added in a tournament release.

Aiming for Success

DC has reached the finals in all three previous WPL seasons but has never clinched the trophy. The team aims to improve on this in 2026. Batty noted, “I think we’ve got a really balanced squad. What excites me is building on the experience and quality we retained going into the auction, complemented by some high-quality recruitment. We’re obviously looking to go one better than in the last few years.”

Focus on Team Culture

Batty emphasized that culture is a cornerstone of success: “For me, team culture is about having good people around the environment, from players and backroom staff to support, logistics, and marketing teams. There’s a lot of high-quality people within the Delhi Capitals organization, and it’s about striking the right balance between working hard, having fun, and spending time together.”

Boxing World Cup Finals silver medallist Jadumani Singh showcased his skills by dominating the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal in the semifinals of the men’s 50-55kg category. This victory sets up an exciting final clash against Pawan Bartwal during the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships, held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.

National Championships Overview

For the first time, the men’s and women’s National Championships are being conducted simultaneously at the same venue. A total of 600 boxers from across the country are participating in 10 weight categories each for men and women.

Semifinal Highlights

• Jadumani Singh scored a dominant 5:0 win over Amit Panghal.
• Pawan Bartwal matched this feat with a similar victory over Victor Singh of Manipur.

In the women’s categories, world champion Minakshi (45-48kg) of All India Police defeated Madhya Pradesh’s Malika Mor 5:0. Meanwhile, two-time former World Champion Nikhat Zareen (48-51kg) won her semifinal with a 4:1 split decision against UP’s Kusum Baghel.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain advanced to the final in the women’s 70-75kg category, defeating Imroz Khan of Uttar Pradesh 5:0. Preeti (51-54kg) outclassed Uttarakhand’s Aarti Dhariyal with another 5:0 win.

Men’s Section Update

In the men’s category, Sachin (55-60kg) triumphed over Punjab’s Bhupinder Singh. Rajasthan’s Vivek faced challenges against Hitesh Gulia (65-70kg), who advanced comfortably. Other finalists include Abhinash Jamwal (60-65kg), Sumit (70-75kg), and Narender (90+kg).

Earlier in the tournament, eminent boxers such as world champion Minakshi Hooda, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, and World Boxing Cup gold medallist Hitesh Gulia advanced to the semifinals with strong performances.

Minakshi (women’s 45-48kg) of All India Police bested Kashish Mehta of Punjab 5:0, while Nikhat (48-51kg) similarly defeated Manipur’s Lanchenbee Chanu Tongbram. In the men’s 65-70kg quarterfinals, Hitesh overcame Punjab’s Tejaswi by a margin of 5:0 to secure his place in the semifinals.

World Boxing Cup Finals silver medallist Pawan Bartwal (men’s 50-55kg), Jadumani Singh (50-55kg), and Sachin (55-60kg) all achieved unanimous decisions in their semifinal bouts. Pawan defeated Tyson from Arunachal Pradesh, Jadumani overcame Punjab’s Nikhil, and Sachin triumphed over Uttar Pradesh’s Karan. In the women’s 51-54kg quarterfinals, Preeti earned a decisive 5:0 win against Harmeet Kaur Virk of Punjab, while Sakshi defeated Poonam of RSPB with a 4:1 score.

Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach Michael Klinger expressed confidence in the team’s prospects for a successful run in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) as they prepare to kick off their campaign against UP Warriorz at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After making it to the playoffs for the first time in the 2025 WPL, GG has conducted an intensive pre-season camp in Mumbai and aims to build on that momentum. Klinger said, “Qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in WPL history was a fantastic achievement for Gujarat, but this season is a fresh start. Every team begins on an even playing field, and starting well is important as it helps build confidence within the group.”

He emphasized the dual focus of the team: “We’re here to win the competition, but we’re also here to enjoy the journey and focus on player development. Over the next month, our aim is that every player finishes this tournament as a better cricketer than when they arrived.”

From recent training, Klinger is optimistic about the season’s outcomes. “From the way the group has trained over the last four or five days, I have no doubt it will be a successful season, both in terms of results and individual growth,” he stated in a franchise release.

Highlighting the squad’s depth, especially among all-rounders, Klinger noted, “We’re going to have some selection headaches when it comes to picking our best XI, and that’s always a good thing. We’ve got genuine depth and plenty of options, particularly because of the number of high-quality all-rounders in the squad. When we looked at the most successful teams over the last few seasons, one common factor was the presence of strong all-rounders.”

He added, “Bringing in players like Sophie Devine, and Kim Garth as a bowling all-rounder, has strengthened us further. With six overseas players, choosing the four to start the season will be challenging because they’re all high-quality cricketers, but it’s a problem we’re very happy to have.”

Klinger also praised the young Indian talent in the squad. “From a batting perspective, we’ve brought in some exciting young talent. Anushka Sharma had an excellent domestic season, while Ayushi Soni has a bit more experience and has played some very good cricket for Delhi. Titas has already represented India, which adds valuable exposure to the group.”

He mentioned, “Happy brings genuine raw pace, something you don’t see too often in the women’s game, while Bharti, though slightly more experienced than the others, offers real quality and power. Shivani also adds depth as a batter and can double up as a wicketkeeper. Overall, we’re in a strong position, and the WPL will give them opportunities to step up at different stages of the tournament.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia recently met with VVS Laxman, the head of BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), to discuss the future roadmap for the center. The meeting took place at the BCCI headquarters and was attended by other officials, including President Mithun Manhas and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla.

In a Facebook post, BCCI secretary Saikia stated, “Had a fruitful meeting with VVS Laxman, Head of BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, in the presence of BCCI office-bearers today at Mumbai. Reviewed current activities and charted the roadmap for the Centre’s future course, aimed at further strengthening India’s cricketing talent pipeline.”

Saikia also addressed rumors regarding Laxman potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir as head coach of Team India following disappointing performances in red-ball cricket.

Laxman has been leading the CoE since 2021, succeeding former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid. The BCCI has poured significant resources into nurturing the Under-19 squad, with a renewed emphasis on player development at the CoE, focusing on emerging talents like Ayush Mhatre among other U19 cricketers.

About a year ago, the BCCI announced plans to expand the Centre of Excellence to provide young cricketers with a world-class facility, ensuring they have all the tools necessary to succeed.

The recent disappointing loss of the Under-19 India team in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup has raised concerns regarding the CoE’s effectiveness. Reports have also surfaced about BCCI officials being dissatisfied with Gautam Gambhir due to the team’s recent struggles, and there was speculation about Laxman stepping in as head coach. However, some sources indicated that Laxman was hesitant to leave his current role as CoE chief, given the additional travel responsibilities involved.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have won the toss and elected to bowl first against defending champions Mumbai Inddigihunt (MI) in the opening match of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the electrifying DY Patil Stadium.

This edition of the WPL marks the first time it is being held in the January-February window. After winning the toss, skipper Smriti Mandhana mentioned that their overseas players include Grace Harris, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, and Nadine de Klerk.

“Dew plays a huge role at this venue, especially in the second half, and it’s a ground where conditions can change quickly. We want to bowl tight lines early and restrict the opposition. It’s been amazing. The girls have gelled really well. It’s a young group, the overseas players have settled in nicely, and it’s been a fun environment. Everyone’s worked extremely hard, and we’re really excited to get started,” she said.

MI, the two-time winners, will be without all-rounder Hayley Matthews due to illness, leading to a brand new opening combination with Nat Sciver-Brunt and G. Kamalini for starting their title defense.

“We were also looking to bowl first, considering the dew later on. But it’s the first game of the season, so we’ll see how things go. It’s been really good. We’ve been practicing for the last 10 days, and everyone looks in good touch. We’ve got a well-balanced side, pretty similar to what we’ve had over the last three seasons, so we’re confident heading into the game,” said captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

Playing XIs:

Mumbai Inddigihunt: Nat Sciver-Brunt, G Kamalini (wk), Amelia Kerr, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, and Saika Ishaque.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.

Following England’s 4-1 Ashes series defeat against Australia, Kevin Pietersen has called for changes in the national coaching setup and backed former head coach Andy Flower as a potential successor to Brendon McCullum.

The 41-year-old England star made a post on X to support his ex-coach. Pietersen expressed his idea of bringing Flower back into the fold, noting that the Zimbabwe legend has evolved, understands the modern-day player, and gets Test cricket.

“This is a WILD thought. I reckon one of my wildest. Can England bring back Andy Flower now that he’s changed and in line with the modern-day player? He gets Test cricket. I’ve been told by many players that he’s changed his ways since our drama. He’s winning leagues so really does get the modern-day player. VERY IMPORTANT! Wild, I know! Thoughts?” said Pietersen on X.

Andy Flower boasts an exceptional coaching record, highlighted by leading England to a 2010 T20 World Cup win and three Ashes series victories in 2009, 2010-11, and 2013, propelling them to the top spot in the Test rankings. He later became a dominant force in T20 leagues, winning titles with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, Trent Rockets in The Hundred, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2025, establishing himself as a leading T20 coach with consistency across formats and leagues.

McCullum’s ECB contract runs until the end of the 2027 Ashes, but as England’s players left Australia, he admitted there may be someone better suited for the role of head coach.

The New Zealand player started his coaching stint with England on a high, with the team thrashing New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, and Sri Lanka in Test cricket with an aggressive approach. However, recent years have seen more losses than wins, which has become a worrying sign for the 44-year-old coach as he walks on a tight rope. McCullum, who is also England’s white-ball coach, will now hope to turn things around in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be played in the subcontinent.