Author: Raghav Singh

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya capped off a memorable T20I series against South Africa with a stunning display of power-hitting and a touching gesture of sportsmanship during the fifth and final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He checked on the cameraman after one of his sixes bruised the latter’s shoulder.

Continuing his rich vein of form, Pandya smashed 63 runs from just 25 deliveries, peppering the stands with five towering sixes as India piled pressure on the visitors. One of those strikes, however, led to an unexpected moment when the ball crashed into a cameraman stationed near the boundary.

Fortunately, the cameraman escaped with just a bruise, prompting an immediate and heartfelt response from Pandya. Once the Indian innings concluded, the 30-year-old walked over to the boundary to personally check on the cameraperson.

In a video later shared by the BCCI, Pandya was seen inspecting the part of the body where the ball struck, assisting with an ice pack provided as first aid, and embracing the cameraman in an apologetic gesture.

Reflecting on the incident, Pandya admitted he was shaken by what could have been a far more dangerous outcome. “God was with me as well, that it didn’t go anywhere above that, it hit him in the place where it will be bruised tomorrow, but at the same point of time, he was a very lucky man. I am very grateful that it didn’t go higher. I got really worried inside because it was quite a clean hit. I just thought I would say sorry and check in. I have seen him around all the 10-11 years of my career. Just wanted to make sure that he was fine,” Pandya said in the video.

On the field, India were firmly in control throughout the contest. Tilak Varma complemented Pandya’s onslaught with a composed 73, guiding the hosts to an imposing total of 231 for 5. South Africa mounted a spirited chase, but Varun Chakravarthy’s four-wicket haul curtailed their momentum, restricting them to 201 for 8.

India ultimately secured a 30-run win, concluding the series with a decisive 3–1 outcome and emphasising their superiority in the shortest format.

Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten century has led the West Indies’ fightback in response to New Zealand’s mammoth first-innings score, ending Day 3 of the final Test at Bay Oval with the visitors at 381/6.

Hodge completed his second Test hundred, remaining not out on 109, as West Indies avoided the follow-on late on Day 3, giving them a chance to save this Test match. They are still 194 runs behind New Zealand’s total of 575 for 8.

Resuming from their overnight score of 110 for no loss, the Windies continued their strong start. However, Jacob Duffy dismissed John Campbell, who did not add to his overnight score. New Zealand maintained early pressure on the visitors, but Hodge broke the shackles with three boundaries in nine deliveries. Duffy struck again in the first hour, accounting for Brandon King at 63.

Then, Hodge and Tevin Imlach formed a 50-run partnership, and Hodge quickly moved to 50 as the visitors reached 206/2 just before lunch.

After the break, New Zealand ended the 66-run stand between Hodge and Imlach when Michael Rae dismissed the latter for 27. Alick Athanaze joined Hodge, and the pair added 81 for the fourth wicket before Athanaze was out for 45, giving Ajaz Patel his first Test wicket at home after 22 Tests.

Hodge and Justin Greaves struck some timely boundaries as the West Indies crossed the 300-run mark approaching tea. New Zealand took the second new ball as soon as it was available. Although Duffy found some movement, the Windies duo was able to safely navigate to tea at 310 for 4.

After the tea break, Hodge and Greaves continued to time the ball well, collecting boundaries in quick succession. However, Greaves fell victim to a nip-backer from Daryl Mitchell, leading to an LBW decision that he reviewed. Shortly after, Patel sent West Indies captain Roston Chase back for just two runs, while Hodge narrowly avoided a catch to mid-off. Anderson Phillip and Hodge endured some body blows from Michael Rae before Hodge reached his second Test hundred right before stumps.

Hodge and Phillip concluded Day 3 with the score at 381 for 6, still trailing by 194 runs.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 575/8d (Devon Conway 227, Tom Latham 137; Justin Greaves 2-83) lead West Indies 381/6 (Kavem Hodge 109*, Brandon King 63; Jacob Duffy 2-79, Ajaz Patel 2-94) by 194 runs.

The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) has announced that the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026 will take place in February 2026 at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. This international tournament is expected to bring together top tennis players from around the globe alongside leading Thai athletes, marking a significant boost for the country’s tennis landscape.

The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Kritachai Neiyocha, Executive Director of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage. He was supported by Nannaphat Nantasuk, the International Relations Officer of the LTAT, along with Thai national team players Thanapet “Owen” Chanta and Pawit “Mangpor” Sornlaksup. Representatives from the organizing partners, including Sachin Kumar, Chairman of Red Talent Group, and President Pankaj Tomer, were also present.

The LTAT has partnered with Red Talent Group to organize the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026, officially certified by the association. This collaboration aims to enhance Thailand’s presence on the Asian and global tennis stage while providing valuable competitive exposure for local players against high-level international opponents.

The tournament will span eight days and feature a total of 31 matches, following a Round Robin format. Sixteen top-tier players from around the world will compete alongside Thailand’s leading tennis talents. The event carries a total prize purse of more than USD 67,000, or approximately 2.18 million Thai Baht.

Officials stated that the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026 reflects the LTAT’s ongoing commitment to developing tennis in the country by hosting high-quality international events. The tournament is also expected to attract strong interest from fans and contribute to the growth of tennis as a competitive sport in Thailand, while showcasing the nation’s capability to host major international sporting events.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is hosting its inaugural Coaches Development Program – Para Badminton (Grassroot) in Raipur from December 16 to 20. This marks a significant step in enhancing the coaching infrastructure that supports the sport’s rapid growth in the country.

The five-day event brings together coaches from across India for specialized training aimed at developing long-term capacity in para-badminton. The course is led by Gaurav Khanna, a Dronacharya Awardee and the national head coach of the Indian para-badminton team. Participants will receive comprehensive training that includes both classroom instruction and practical on-court experience.

Key areas of learning include:

– Disability awareness
– Para-sport governance
– Classification systems
– Assistive devices
– Coaching techniques
– Medical support needs
– Event organization

These topics provide participants with a well-rounded understanding of the field.

India’s para-badminton scene is witnessing steady growth, as evidenced by recent successes on the international stage. Indian players secured 18 medals at the 2024 BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, demonstrating their prowess across various categories. This momentum carried into the Summer Paralympics 2024, where India clinched five medals, solidifying its status as a top contender in the sport. With improving standards, a focus on structured coach education is crucial for sustaining this progress.

Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of BAI, commented, “This coaching course is an important step in strengthening the ecosystem around para-badminton. The performances of our athletes on the global stage underline both the potential and responsibility we have. By focusing on coach development and specialized education, we are supporting the sport’s growth in a measured and sustainable way.”

In addition to Khanna, who is recognized as a key figure in India’s para-badminton history and has guided Indian athletes to over 1,000 international medals, the program also receives support from Murali Krishna. Krishna has represented the Indian team at various events, including the World Championships and the Hangzhou Asian Games, as well as numerous international tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

“Para-badminton demands a specialized coaching approach,” Khanna stated. “As the sport grows, it is essential that coaches understand classification, equipment, movement patterns, and athlete care in depth. This course is focused on equipping coaches with that knowledge so they can better support athletes at every level.”

BAI aims to expand this initiative with similar programs in the future as part of its broader goal to enhance the ecosystem and promote the ongoing development of para-badminton in India.

Ahead of the upcoming Hockey India League season, Kalinga Lancers have announced the appointment of India’s Sanjay and Belgium stalwart Arthur Van Doren as co-captains of the team.

HIL 2026 Schedule

The HIL 2026 will take place from January 3 to 26, 2026, across Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar. Kalinga Lancers will kick off their HIL 2026 campaign against Ranchi Royals on January 4, 2026, in Chennai.

Player Achievements

India drag-flicker Sanjay recently led the national team to a runners-up finish, while Van Doren captained Belgium to the title at the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November 2025. This highlights the leadership qualities that both players bring to Kalinga Lancers for the new season.

Sanjay, hailing from Haryana, quickly ascended through the junior ranks, participating in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the 2021 Junior World Cup, where he served as vice-captain and was the team’s top goal-scorer. He made his senior team debut in the 2022–23 FIH Hockey Pro League and has since been a regular in the Indian setup.

He was part of India’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the 2023 Asian Games and the historic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Arjuna Awardee has represented India in 78 international matches to date.

Arthur Van Doren is one of modern hockey’s most decorated defenders, with significant achievements including a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal and a 2023 World Cup championship. He also claimed silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2023 World Cup. Currently leading Belgium in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League, Van Doren has earned 276 international caps since his senior debut in 2012.

Quotes from the Captains

Speaking on his new role, Sanjay said, “It is a very special moment for me to lead Kalinga Lancers in the Hero Hockey India League. I have grown up watching this league, and getting this opportunity is truly remarkable. I am grateful to the franchise management and coaching staff for the trust they have shown in me. Sharing the leadership role with a player of Arthur’s stature will be a great learning experience, and together we will give our absolute best to win the title.”

Arthur Van Doren added, “I am really excited to take on this role with Kalinga Lancers. Leadership is something I am enjoying with the national team, and captaining a side in the HIL will be a new and thrilling experience. I would like to thank the owners and coaches for the opportunity. I am looking forward to reuniting with Sanjay and the rest of the squad and getting started.”

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, expressed, “We are delighted to appoint Sanjay and Arthur Van Doren as co-captains ahead of the new HIL season. They represent the perfect blend of youth, experience, and leadership within our squad. Both have recently led their national teams to the finals of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which speaks volumes about their temperament and ability to lead from the front. With less than a month to go for the new season, we are excited to begin our preparations and work towards achieving our goals.”

Former pace legend Dale Steyn was full of praise for India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah after the team’s commanding performance in the fifth and final T20I against South Africa that set the stage for the Men in Blue’s 3-1 series win, as the hosts clinched a 30-run victory.

Key Partnerships Lead to Victory

India’s victory was built on a significant 100-run partnership between Tilak Verma and Hardik Pandya, providing the team with a strong total. The bowlers then dominated the match, with Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy delivering crucial spells that disrupted South Africa’s chase and secured the series victory convincingly.

Steyn Analyzes South Africa’s Collapse

Speaking on JioStar, Dale Steyn dissected South Africa’s chase collapse against Bumrah. He stated, “It’s the Bumrah effect—you can’t let him bowl four overs without damage. South Africa played it safe, surviving him while attacking others, but once he got Quinton de Kock, it triggered Hardik’s wicket, then Chakaravarthy’s flow. Chasing 230-240 demands fighting fire with fire; you can’t let elite bowlers dictate. Bumrah always creates that window for others—South Africa should’ve gone after him harder, as he’ll get you out anyway if you just wait.”

Chakaravarthy’s Impact on Middle Order

Steyn also commented on Chakaravarthy’s impact over South Africa’s middle order, saying, “Many South Africans struggle to pick Varun Chakaravarthy—Aiden Markram reads him best but still gets out to him often because he plays aggressively. Others like Ferreira get completely foxed by his soft prods and uncertain spin. He has a clear edge over their middle order; even Markram’s now cautious, which is the last mindset a batter wants against him.”

Lauding Hardik Pandya’s Performance

Dubbing Pandya as a ‘superhero’ and lauding his mental dominance, Steyn added, “Hardik was fantastic—he’s transcended sportsman into celebrity territory, walking out like a superhero in a scripted movie plot where nobody alters his plan. It’s not a bad attitude; it’s pure dominance, an aura where nobody else can match what he does. You see it in his stance and presence—he’s operating at another level mentally, unbreakable in a game that’s all about mental battles. All these players are skilled, but he’s elevated beyond.”

Former India batter Robin praised Hardik Pandya’s energy on the field, likening him to the legendary Vivian Richards after the Indian all-rounder’s outstanding performance helped India secure a victory against South Africa in the five-match T20I series, winning 3-1 with a comprehensive 30-run triumph in the fifth T20I at Ahmedabad.

Match Highlights

India’s victory was built on a crucial 100-run partnership between Tilak Verma and Hardik Pandya, setting up a competitive total. The bowlers then took charge, with Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy delivering decisive spells that halted the Proteas’ chase and clinched the series emphatically.

Uthappa provided an insightful breakdown of India’s dominant bowling performance and South Africa’s collapse in the series decider, emphasizing the impact of Bumrah and Chakaravarthy on a challenging surface.

Bowling Performance

“Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy were phenomenal on this wicket. Bumrah is India’s banker when things go sour. He gave just six runs in his first couple of overs and got the crucial wicket of Quinton de Kock when India desperately needed it, bringing us right back,” Uthappa said on JioStar.

“Then Hardik dismissed Dewald Brevis in his second over, and Suryakumar showed great captaincy bringing Varun back—he got Aiden Markram immediately, followed by Donovan Ferreira and one more in quick time. What stands out about Varun is his ability to come back strong. He first hits his length, then attacks the batter’s weaknesses—that’s exactly what he executed brilliantly today,” he added.

Praise for Hardik

Uthappa reserved special praise for Hardik Pandya, who showcased an all-round performance with the bat and in the field, dazzling viewers with his fiery 14-ball fifty.

“His energy on the field is exactly like Sir Viv Richards. He comes in with that swagger, and it’s a great attitude for youngsters to learn from. That’s the energy the opposition feels, a sense of intimidation even before you’ve played a ball. It’s a phenomenal attitude to carry,” Uthappa mentioned.

India’s next T20I outing will be against New Zealand in January 2026, serving as a preparatory series for both sides ahead of the T20 World Cup, starting February 7.

Inter Milan was knocked out of the Supercoppa Italiana after losing to Bologna in a penalty shootout during the semifinal.

Despite a strong performance, the Nerazzurri were held to a 1–1 draw by Bologna after 90 minutes. Inter created numerous chances but ultimately fell to the Rossoblu in the penalty shootout.

Match Overview

The match began dramatically, with Thuram scoring a stunning goal just over a minute in. However, Bologna equalized in the 35th minute through Orsolini, who converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Bisseck following a VAR review.

In the second half, Inter came close to securing a win multiple times, with Ravaglia making crucial saves against Luis Henrique, Dimarco, and Lautaro, who was substituted in after the break. At the end of regular time, Martínez made an impressive save against Fabbian to maintain the 1–1 scoreline.

Penalty Shootout

The penalty shootout swung in Bologna’s favor. After Lautaro scored, Inter missed three consecutive penalties—Bastoni and Bonny had their attempts saved, while Barella shot over the bar. Bologna stumbled with missed penalties from Moro and Miranda, but Immobile found the net, sending Italiano’s side through to the final against Napoli.

Post-Match Comments

After the final whistle, Henrikh Mkhitaryan reflected on the match, saying, “We should have killed it off earlier; once it goes to penalties, it’s a different story. The whole team played well up until the shoot-out. In the second half, we dominated the game and created a lot, but if you don’t take your chances, it costs you – that’s football. We’re sorry about that.”

Mkhitaryan added, “We have to work on closing matches out as early as possible, because when you create that much you should put it to bed. We also have to believe we can win games even when we concede or go through difficult moments. Bologna were here on merit after winning the Coppa Italia. We tried to win and didn’t – this is football. There’s no need for excuses or justifications: we have a lot to work on for what lies ahead. It hurts, it’s a big disappointment, but we know what we need to do and we’ll work harder to achieve our objectives.”

“We have to forget this match, even though there’s disappointment. Now we focus on Atalanta – different competition, and the importance of points to keep moving forward,” he concluded.

Opening batter Tom Jones will lead New Zealand’s 15-member squad, featuring five domestic talents, for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The tournament, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, is set to take place from January 15 to February 6.

The squad will depart on January 2 and will have a training camp in Bulawayo before the warm-up matches begin on January 9.

Jones, attending his second U19 Cricket World Cup, recently scored an impressive 119 on his First Class debut for Otago last month.

Additional squad members with domestic experience include Northern Districts batter Snehith Reddy and wicketkeeper Aryan Mann, Otago fast bowler Mason Clarke, and Auckland bowling allrounder Jaskaran Sandhu. Reddy and Clarke made their List A debuts earlier this year for their respective Major Associations and also participated in the last tournament in South Africa alongside Jones. Reddy achieved the highest score of the tournament (147*) against Nepal, while Clarke impressed with figures of 4-62 against runners-up India.

Seventeen-year-old batter Hugo Bogue was selected following an excellent performance for Otago at the National Under-19 Men’s Tournament in Lincoln last week. Bogue was the tournament’s third-highest run scorer, averaging 72, with a high score of 169 against Northern Districts.

Joining him in the batting unit are Auckland’s Brandon Matzopoulous, Marco Alpe, and Jacob Cotter, who ranked as the tournament’s fourth, fifth, and sixth top run scorers, respectively.

The pace bowling unit will be strengthened by allrounders Harry Burns and Flynn Morey, each having taken a five-wicket haul during the tournament and finishing with a total of 10 wickets.

Former New Zealand player Anton Devcich will head the coaching unit, along with NZC High Performance coaches Paul Wiseman and Graeme Aldridge. Head coach Devcich expressed his satisfaction with the squad, stating, “With such a talented pool of players, there were some difficult selection calls, but we think we’ve landed the right balance.”

Devcich, who attended the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2004, emphasized that the tournament provides players with a glimpse into top-level cricket. “The Under-19 World Cup is a really exciting opportunity for the best age-group talent to showcase their skills on the world stage and experience their first taste of international cricket. For most of the players, it’ll be their first time representing New Zealand, which will be a special moment for both players and coaches,” he said.

Squad:
Tom Jones, Marco Alpe, Hugo Bogue, Harry Burns, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cotter, Aryan Mann, Brandon Matzopoulos, Flynn Morey, Snehith (‘Lucky’) Reddy, Callum Samson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Selwin Sanjay, Hunter Shore, Harry Waite.

Filmmaker Kabir Khan had a memorable encounter during his recent visit to Kashmir.

While soaking in the beauty of the Valley, he met a little girl named Aru, who was a fan of cricketer Smriti Mandhana. Aru expressed her wish for Kabir to tell Smriti that she is her favourite player. The director also interacted with several kids playing cricket, using a mountain stream as their boundary.

Sharing stunning photos from the location on his official Instagram handle, Kabir wrote, “Walking with my camera in Kashmir always rewards me with magical moments. Like this little girl in Aru who wanted me to tell @smriti_mandhana that she is her favourite player. I hope Smriti gets to see this post. (sic).” He further added, “Or the boys whose playground has a mountain stream as the boundary. If you hit a 6 the ball will flow all the way down the valley into the Jhelum river.”

As Kabir hoped, the post caught Smriti’s attention, and she asked him to give Aru a big hug from her side. In the comment section, she wrote, “Please give the little champ in Aru a big hug from me and tell her I’m cheering for her too! (red heart emoji) (sic).”

On the professional front, Kabir expressed pride in Kartik Aaryan, who was named ‘Best Actor’ at the Filmfare Awards 2025 for his outstanding performance in “Chandu Champion.” He stated, “This is what hard work and dedication of an actor looks like. I always knew, for an actor it was going to be very challenging to essay the role of Murlikant Petkar in CHANDU CHAMPION but @kartikaaryan rose to the occasion and delivered EVERYTHING that I had desired as a filmmaker (sic).”

Kabir added, “I’m so proud today to be standing with him and applauding him for winning the Filmfare BEST ACTOR award. He’s not only a star who delivers commercial blockbusters but also an actor who is hungry for roles that challenge him – a very rare combination in our industry. More power to you Champion. May you fly higher.”