Author: Raghav Singh

The SG Pipers women are preparing to make their mark in the Hockey India League 2025–26, scheduled from December 28, 2025, to January 10, 2026. With renewed determination and focused minds, the team steps onto the Ranchi turf, heralding the start of an important phase in what promises to be a competitive tournament.

New Leadership

Head coach Sofie Gierts brings fresh leadership to the group, joining the team in Ranchi ahead of the season. She is supported by Indian hockey veteran and former India captain, Helen Mary, whose presence adds clarity and structure as the team gears up for close competition and aims to build crucial momentum.

Strong Squad

The Pipers boast impressive recent international form. Captain Navneet Kaur leads the team and has surpassed 200 international caps in 2025, solidifying her status as one of India’s most experienced attackers. Over the past year, she has been a cornerstone for India in high-stakes matches, orchestrating play in the forward line and enhancing their competitive edge in the attacking circle.

Udita anchors the defence after an exceptional season, where she was named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025. She showcased both defensive strength and attacking flair by scoring three penalty corner goals while effectively fulfilling vital defensive responsibilities against formidable opponents.

The squad is characterized by a blend of international experience and diversity, featuring players from various hockey nations. This mix provides the Pipers with depth and tactical versatility, crucial in a fast-paced league where recovery time is limited and adaptability often decides the outcome.

Coaching Insights

After joining the team in Ranchi, head coach Sofie expressed, “It feels great to be part of this talented group in person, especially in a hockey-crazy city like Ranchi. The team is well-balanced and every player is keen to get started. We have an exciting mix of players from different countries, and that diversity will be one of our biggest strengths. The focus now is on starting our preparation the right way and ensuring we are united and ready when the league begins on the 28th.”

Captain Navneet Kaur also shared her thoughts ahead of the season, stating, “The preparation heading into this season has been positive, and there is a strong sense of clarity and confidence within the group. The players are motivated, focused, and excited about what lies ahead.”

Season Goals

The SG Pipers women have set clear objectives for the season. Drawing from past performances, they aim for precise execution, winning critical moments in both circles, and maintaining competitiveness throughout each quarter. With the league returning to Ranchi, the Pipers are committed to turning their preparations into points right from the start of the tournament.

SG Pipers Women’s Squad | HIL Season 2

Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Teresa Viana Ache, Preeti Dubey, Priscila Jardel Mateos

Midfielders: Sunelita Toppo, Ishika, Shileima Chanu, Kaitlin Nobbs, Shilpi Dabas, Juana Morello

Defenders: Jyoti Singh, Manisha, Valentina Costa Biondi, Lola Riera, Udita, Thoudam Suman Devi

Goalkeepers: Bansari Solanki, Cristina Cosentino

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar described Shubman Gill’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad as surprising, suggesting that a lack of form and touch may have influenced the decision regarding the right-handed opener.

At a recent press conference at the BCCI HQ, Gill’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad and the series against New Zealand became a significant talking point. Since returning from the Asia Cup, Gill has struggled to regain his form, with his highest score being just 47 across 15 innings.

“It is a surprise. He is a classic, quality batter who had a fabulous season post the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yes, he struggled in a few matches against South Africa. But class is permanent, and form is temporary. He was also coming back after a long break and was out of rhythm. When you are not in rhythm in T20 cricket, where you have to attack from the start, it is hard. His natural game is more for Test cricket, playing along the ground. The shots needed in T20 do not come as easily to him. But he is a very good player. We have seen that in the IPL, so T20 is not new to him. Maybe just that lack of form and touch went against him,” Gavaskar stated on JioStar.

In Gill’s absence, Axar Patel has been appointed as India’s vice-captain. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar later explained that Gill’s exclusion was due to the team management’s preference for a wicketkeeper to open the innings, leading to Ishan Kishan’s return to the India T20I team for the first time since November 2023.

Kishan had an impressive run, scoring 517 runs in 10 innings during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while captaining Jharkhand to the title. “When you see someone performing, you pick him. Ishan Kishan has already been in the side and shown he can do it. That is a big plus. His current form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy proves that domestic cricket performance must be the selection criteria, not just the IPL. I am very happy for him. He was out of the team for a couple of years but made a fantastic comeback by leading his state team Jharkhand to a title-winning season,” added Gavaskar.

With India’s plans being reshaped, Jitesh Sharma also faced omission, while left-handed batter Rinku Singh was included to enhance the middle order’s firepower. “I feel for Jitesh Sharma though. He did nothing wrong. He was a very good wicketkeeper in his chances, and after MS Dhoni, he was perhaps the best at helping the captain with DRS calls from behind the stumps. It is tough on him, but he is young. He just needs to go back to domestic cricket and keep performing,” concluded Gavaskar.

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad stated that the concluding leg of their multi-format tour of India served as valuable preparation ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

Despite suffering a 3-1 T20I series defeat to India, South Africa gained experience in conditions that will resemble those in the upcoming World Cup, although fog and dew will be less prevalent in February-March.

Preparation in Ahmedabad

South Africa is scheduled to play three of their four group stage matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Should they qualify, two of their three Super Eight fixtures will also take place at the same venue. Ending their India tour in Ahmedabad proved to be an important step in their preparations.

Conrad expressed, “It’s been a wonderful tour. You learn a lot about yourself and the game and conditions. This last bit has been wonderful for us in terms of conditions that we’re going to experience in a few months’ time when we come here for the World Cup.”

He added, “I’m really happy with the outcomes. Obviously, you want to win every series you play, but India are the world champions in this format for a reason and we’ve got to make sure that we come back in a few months’ time and try and topple them,” as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Key Players for the World Cup

Wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock is likely to open for South Africa in the mega event. Conrad mentioned, “At the top of the order, whether it’s opening or No. 3, I think we’ve got two in Quinton (de Kock) and Aiden and we’re probably looking at another batter at the top of the order. We’ve ticked quite a few boxes in terms of our middle order and middle to lower order.”

Pacer Anrich Nortje played only two matches in the T20I series against India and went wicketless, yet he remains a strong candidate for the World Cup squad. Nortje was the team’s leading bowler during the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Conrad remarked, “Anrich Nortje hasn’t played cricket in a very long time. And we obviously know that playing international cricket at the intensity that it’s meant to be played is really tough. We’ve ticked all of those boxes in terms of getting them through a series where it gives us a really good idea of who’s coming to this World Cup.”

He emphasized the importance of being cautious with players returning from injury, saying, “Guys like Anrich knew exactly how many games he was going to play coming here. We’ve got to bring them along slowly. There’s no point in rushing guys only for them to get re-injured again. I’m happy with how we’ve managed that. And certainly, they’re going to get a lot of match preparedness during the SA20.”

Indian athlete Vir Gahrotra has won a gold medal at the Pole and Aerial Sports World Championship, marking India’s first-ever podium finish at this international event held in Budapest, Hungary.

Vir, a 16-year-old from Mumbai, represented India in the Junior B Amateur Men (15–17 years) aerial silk category. He faced tough competition from countries known for their strong aerial sports traditions, including Ukraine, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Gahrotra delivered a technically demanding and winning performance.

Aerial silk is a performance-oriented form of aerial gymnastics that requires significant upper-body strength, endurance, flexibility, and artistic expression. At the championship level, routines are judged based on technical precision, execution, and artistry, in addition to difficulty. Gahrotra’s gold-winning routine stood out for its control, consistency, and calmness, even in the face of fatigue, earning him the highest scores from the judges.

India achieved a historic milestone by participating in the inaugural POSA World Aerial Championships 2025, organised by the Pole Sports & Arts World Federation (POSA). This prestigious international event in Budapest gathered top aerial and pole athletes from more than 40 countries.

Vir’s victory is a landmark achievement for Indian aerial sports, as he clinched the country’s first gold medal in the Junior B Men – Amateur Aerial Silks category. This success is a proud and significant moment for India’s debut on the global stage.

The four-day championship featured world-class rigging, overseen by certified international judges. It encompassed top disciplines such as Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Aerial Artistic, and Pole Sport. While the aerial competitions have concluded, the Pole Sport contests are ongoing, showcasing thrilling performances from athletes around the world.

The Indian team was led by head coach Ria Bajaj and coach Masuma Mun, with support from Indian Federation Committee members Shrikant Warankar, Suresh Gandhi, and Pankaj Kunde.

“This debut marks a powerful beginning for India at POSA. Our students have trained tirelessly, and witnessing them perform with confidence and excellence on a global stage is deeply inspiring,” Coach Ria expressed.

Mumbai Inddigihunt head coach Mahela Jayawardene stated that seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur’s addition will provide the team with a different structure in IPL 2026, emphasizing his versatility and experience as vital assets.

Thakur’s Background in IPL

Thakur, who has played 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for India, was traded to MI from Lucknow Super Giants, where he initially served as a support bowler in 2010. In 105 IPL matches, Thakur has claimed 107 wickets, with a highest score of 68 as a batter. He captains Mumbai in the domestic cricket circuit and developed his skills in the city after moving from Palghar. Alongside him, MI also acquired Sherfane Rutherford and Mayank Markande through trades.

Building the Team’s Balance

“We’re very pleased with the balance we’ve been able to build after the auction. Shardul (Thakur) gives us a different structure with his versatility, experience, and all-round depth. Him being a Mumbai boy … It’s a great story from where he started and then became part of Mumbai Inddigihunt,” said Jayawardene.

“Sherfane (Rutherford) is someone we’ve rated highly for a long time, and adding an overseas left-handed power-hitter gives us the flexibility we always look for. We’ve also brought back players like Mayank (Markande), who not only understand the MI philosophy but have also previously made an impact here.”

Focus on Continuity and Player Development

Jayawardene emphasized the importance of continuity, stating, “That continuity and clarity of role is something we value deeply. Even if players sometimes go away in big auctions, we always keep an eye on their progress and bring them back when the structure allows.”

MI advanced to Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025, and Jayawardene mentioned the hope that Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar will make a significant impact with his mystery spin. Ghazanfar missed IPL 2025 due to a vertebra fracture.

“What we’ve always prided ourselves on at MI is flexibility with a clear purpose, players understanding different roles and adapting to game situations, especially through the middle overs,” said Jayawardene.

“We’re also really excited to finally have Allah Ghazanfar available in our setup. We’ve always known his talent and what a mystery spinner brings to our attack. He’s progressed really well after his injury, and we’re looking forward to helping him evolve within the MI environment,” he added.

Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 was announced on Saturday, featuring a surprising exclusion as Shubman Gill was dropped from the side. Axar Patel has taken his position as vice-captain, while Ishan Kishan makes a noteworthy return to the international setup.

Changes in the Squad

In addition to Gill’s absence, Jitesh Sharma has been replaced by Rinku Singh. With Gill out, Sanju Samson is expected to return to the top of the order after his impressive performance in the recent fifth T20I against South Africa.

Press Conference Insights

A joint press conference at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) headquarters included secretary Devajit Saikia, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

On Dropping Gill

Chief selector Agarkar commented on the decision to leave Gill out, stating, “We’re looking at continuity; we want a keeper batting at the top. We know what a quality player Shubman is, even though he’s not found runs recently. It’s the combination more than anything else. Some people are going to miss out on a particular format because they are playing in another. Let’s not make much of it. Over the last few years, Gill has been the No.1 batter in the world. He knows what he has to do, and hopefully by the time the WC comes by, he’ll be back to being No.1.”

Agarkar emphasized the ongoing discussions about the best combination, mentioning, “Was somebody’s position compromised? Nobody is talking about (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, he was in the last T20 WC squad and now he’s not here. So, like I said, this is the best combination that we configured for the upcoming tournament.”

Ishan Kishan’s Selection

Discussing Ishan Kishan’s comeback and his selection after recent heroics in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Agarkar said, “He bats at the top in white-ball cricket and he’s been in good form. We felt a keeper at the top gives us more combinations.”

Strength in All-Rounders

Agarkar noted the inclusion of numerous all-rounders, stating, “The inclusion of so many all-rounders gives us flexibility. There are a couple of all-rounders in Axar and Washi. We are very fortunate to have a couple of wrist spinners as well. The combination we will play depends on the team we play; it’ll be decided on the day, but we’ve got a lot more options to work with.”

Team Composition Discussion

Addressing the players who missed selection, Agarkar remarked, “Even if you discuss 10 other names, this is the 15 we have picked for now. It’s always nice when players are performing across different tournaments, but this right now is what we believe is a formidable team.”

Captain’s Take on the Squad

Suryakumar expressed satisfaction with the selections, stating, “The squad looks balanced; we’ve filled all the spots really well and have a lot of different combinations. So we’re quite happy.”

Regarding Gill’s exclusion, he clarified, “It’s not about his form or anything; it’s just about combinations. We wanted to have a keeper at the top, and someone like Rinku or Washington in the lower order.”

On Tilak Varma’s position, he mentioned, “Me and Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) have started to feel that the left-right combination is a little overrated, but we have fixed that position in the batting order for Tilak.”

Speaking about the top-order strategy, Suryakumar said, “It’s important to have a good start in this format. We wanted to win the PowerPlay, and when we analysed how we could do that, we decided to go ahead with this combination. You go back to your old videos where you’ve been batting well. I’ve actually been batting beautifully in the nets.”

On his recent form, he noted, “This patch has been a little long; everyone goes through this in their careers. I know what to do and what to work on, and we have five matches against New Zealand where I can find some form.”

Reserve Players Query

Saikia addressed a question about the absence of reserve players, stating, “There are no standbys for this squad right now, as the tournament is taking place in our own country. Changes can and will be made accordingly, if needed.”

India’s Squad:

• Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
• Tilak Varma
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Varun Chakravarthy
• Shivam Dube
• Hardik Pandya
• Harshit Rana
• Sanju Samson (wk)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Ishan Kishan (wk)
• Axar Patel (vice-captain)
• Arshdeep Singh
• Rinku Singh
• Kuldeep Yadav.

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon spearheaded the bowling attack on Day 4, putting Australia within striking distance of an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes by reducing England to 207/6 in their chase of 435 at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Match Situation

On the final day, England needs 228 runs to win, while Australia just requires four wickets to secure the series with an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Australia added 78 runs to their overnight score of 271/4, concluding Day 4 at 349 in their second innings and setting England a daunting 435-run target. The hosts maintained control, establishing a massive 434-run lead that brought them close to clinching the Ashes. In a brisk morning session, Travis Head and Alex Carey made significant contributions to the scoreboard, rapidly pushing Australia’s lead beyond 400 runs.

Key Performances

Head’s impressive innings came to an end at 170 when he was dismissed by Josh Tongue, and Carey was caught at leg slip off Ben Stokes. Tongue was the standout bowler for England, taking four wickets and providing some resistance.

Cummins provided an early breakthrough in England’s innings, as Ben Duckett was sent back to the pavilion just before Lunch, thanks to a sharp catch by Marnus Labuschagne, leaving England at 5/1 at the break.

Chasing 435 in the fourth innings presented a daunting challenge, and the intense performance of the Australian bowlers made it seem almost insurmountable for England.

Turning Points

The Aussie skipper Cummins continued the team’s momentum by dismissing Ollie Pope. Zak Crawley and Joe Root provided a ray of hope with a 78-run third-wicket partnership, but Cummins struck again, sending Root back and marking the 13th time he dismissed the England batter in Tests.

Both Brook and Crawley did well to add 68 runs, reaching 106/2 at Tea. However, England’s batting unit soon succumbed to a collapse. Nathan Lyon spun a web, dismissing Brook before also removing skipper Stokes, contributing to a dramatic downturn.

Lyon returned for his third over and captured his third wicket, trapping Jack Crawley. At the end of Day 4, Jamie Smith and Will Jacks remained unbeaten, with England at 207/6 at stumps.

In a surprising development, defending champions India have left out Shubman Gill from their squad for next year’s T20 World Cup and T20Is against New Zealand. The squad was announced by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with Axar Patel named as the vice-captain.

Key Changes in the Squad

Apart from Gill, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma also misses out, as Ishan Kishan makes an impressive return to the team following his explosive form that led Jharkhand to a recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory. Additionally, Rinku Singh returns to the T20I team after missing out on the 3-1 series win in South Africa.

Agarkar explained, “We are looking at combinations. Our thought was to have another keeper. Gill is a quality player, unfortunate to miss out, but it is the combination we want. Ishan bats at the top, he has been in good form, and played before for India. He wasn’t there because Jurel and Pant were ahead. Sanju is at the top. Ishan at the top. That is the combination we are looking at right now. We felt he is the best back up keeper at this point.”

Tournament Details

The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8, featuring 40 group matches scheduled to take place until February 20. The top two teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Super Eights starting on February 21.

India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the Men’s T20 World Cup for the second time. Sri Lanka hosted the 2012 edition, while India last held the competition in 2016. Following the completion of the three-match ODI series, India will play five T20Is against New Zealand, starting on January 21 in Nagpur, with subsequent games in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Group Stage Details

In the Men’s T20 World Cup, defending champions India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. The Men in Blue will aim to become the first team to successfully defend the Men’s T20 World Cup title, to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, and to clinch the T20 world title for a third time.

India will kick off their Cup campaign against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 12.

The marquee clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, before India plays their final league match against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18.

India Squad:

• Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Sanju Samson (wk)
• Tilak Varma
• Hardik Pandya
• Shivam Dube
• Axar Patel (vice-captain)
• Rinku Singh
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Arshdeep Singh
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Harshit Rana
• Washington Sundar
• Ishan Kishan

Nihal Cheema, Drona Singh Dhull, and Prince Bainsla among the boys, and Naaysha S Sinha, Gairat Kaur Kahlon, and Shiksha Jain among the girls, delivered outstanding performances in the fifth edition of the US Kids Golf Indian Championship at Classic Golf and Country Club.

Local Golfers Shine Despite Challenges

Despite challenging weather conditions and smog, local golfers made a clean sweep of the titles, showcasing commendable resilience. The Tournament Committee had to reduce the final round for all sections to nine holes due to insufficient daylight from a delayed start.

Top Performers in Boys’ Categories

Nihal Cheema in Boys 8 was the only player to shoot par or better across all three days, emerging as the clear winner over his main rival, Zowra Sikand. The Chandigarh golfer posted impressive rounds of 36-34-33. On the final day, he was bogey-free and scored three birdies.

Drona Singh Dhull, representing Haryana, made his mark in Boys 11 by birdieing four of the nine holes. He recorded the best round of the day with a 4-under 32, achieving four birdies and no bogeys.

Prince Bainsla shone in the Boys 15-18 category, having the best round of the week with a remarkable 6-under 66 on the first day. He secured victory ahead of Shashank Sachin Gadre, who maintained par scores on all three days, while Arshvant Srivastava finished third.

Exceptional Girls’ Performers

In the Girls’ categories, standout players included Aanya Dandriyal in Girls 11-12 and Preitisha Kaur Gill in Girls 15-18. Aanya and Malaysia’s Choi Quinn Cie were locked in a tight battle, both totaling 196 over 45 holes. The tie-breaker favored Aanya, who recorded an eagle and a birdie against four bogeys in her regulation round.

Other notable performances among the girls included Naaysha S Sinha in Girls 8, Gairat Kaur Kahlon in Girls 9-10, and Shiksha Jain in Girls 13-14.

Impressive Boys’ Talent

Additional stars in the Boys’ section were Taanush Kumar in Boys 9, Vedaansh Jain in Boys 10, Siddhant Sharma in Boys 12, and Arihaan Beri in Boys 13-14.

Cash Prizes for All Winners

For the first time, winners up to fifth place received cash prizes. The champions earned Rs. 25,000, while second and third places received Rs. 10,000 each, and the subsequent three places were awarded Rs. 5,000 each.

“While the US Kids Indian Championship offers Priority Status for leading performers, the introduction of cash prizes aims to attract golfers and their families, who invest significant effort in nurturing their kids as champions,” said Rajesh Srivastava, President and Founder of US Kids Golf India and Asia.

Future Plans and Championships

“We also plan to bring foreign coaches and send children abroad for training,” he added. “Currently, we have spread across Asia in nearly a dozen countries, welcoming Indian kids to play, and inviting kids from other countries to visit India. In a year’s time, we aspire to host an Asian Championships for US Kids from all over Asia at a top-class Championship course.”

The US Kids Indian Championships also featured Skills contests with various prizes.

Upcoming dates for local Tours, likely to feature double the number of events split into two halves of the season, will be announced later, alongside the various US Kids National Championships in different Asian countries.

Troy Cooley’s tenure as fast bowling coach at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) has come to an end. The decorated Australian coach joined in late 2021 with the aim of building and nurturing India’s next set of fast bowlers.

Coaching Contributions

During his time, Cooley worked closely with the pacers in coordination with VVS Laxman, the head of cricket at CoE, previously known as the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Cooley was the bowling coach of the Indian women’s team during the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February 2023 and also served in the same capacity for the India men’s A team on their tour of England earlier this year.

Departure Details

Sources indicate that Cooley, 60, will leave the CoE facility on Saturday. Currently, there is no official announcement regarding who will fill the gap left by his departure, creating yet another vacancy in the CoE’s coaching structure.

Recent Vacancies

Last month, Rajib Datta’s tenure as the bowling coach and lead faculty at CoE also came to an end. In August, the BCCI had advertised for resident faculty in batting and bowling. Additionally, the position of head of sports science and medicine at CoE is yet to be filled. Following former head Nitin Patel’s exit, an advertisement was released inviting prospective applicants in August, but there has been no update on who will occupy this critical post.

New Roles and Responsibilities

Last month, the BCCI called for applications for the role of Head – Cricket Education at the CoE after Sujith Somasunder left to become the vice-president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The deadline for applications was December 8, and it remains to be seen how quickly this position can be filled.

With players’ all-format workloads needing sustained care and monitoring for both men’s and women’s teams, Indian cricket cannot afford further delays in filling these important roles at CoE.

Team Coaching Changes

It is also understood that Munish Bali has transitioned from the CoE to work full-time with the India women’s team, in a capacity similar to that of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak with the men’s side. Bali, who was part of the coaching staff when the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side won the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at home, had previously been contracted to the CoE before making this full-time shift.

Additionally, AI Harrsha will continue as the India women’s team strength and conditioning coach for the upcoming five-game T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Pending Appointments

The arrival of Nathan Kiely, expected to join the Indian women’s team as their S&C coach, is still pending. The Australia-based Kiely resigned from his role as the Bangladesh men’s S&C coach in October citing personal reasons, and there is hope that he could join the team during their all-format tour of Australia, scheduled from February 15 to March 6 next year.