Author: Raghav Singh

New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Weenink has announced his decision to step down from his role, effective January 30, 2026, after a two-and-a-half-year tenure.

Weenink cited differences with “several Member Associations, and the NZCPA, on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand” as the reason for his departure.

“After careful consideration, it has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA, on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand. Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here,” Weenink stated.

He added, “It has been a privilege to lead NZC, and I am proud of what the organisation has achieved in the past two and a half years. We have delivered exceptional results on and off the field. While I am saddened to leave after such a successful period, I do not wish to create ongoing instability by continuing without the support of some key stakeholders.”

Looking ahead, Weenink will return to the role of Executive Chair of Xceda Group, subject to regulatory approvals, in the new year. “I will take with me great memories of my time with NZC,” he stated.

The former Wellington first-class cricketer was appointed as the CEO of New Zealand Cricket in August 2023, succeeding David White. He had previously been the chair of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) before taking on the CEO role.

Weenink is the fifth chief executive to lead NZC since the adoption of the Hood Report recommendations in 1995, joining the ranks of David, Chris Doig, Martin Snedden, and Justin Vaughan.

NZC Board Chair, Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, expressed gratitude, saying, “NZC acknowledges and thanks Scott for his positive contribution to New Zealand Cricket during his time as CEO, and wishes him well for the future.”

Former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand kept her hopes alive for advancing from women’s singles Group B with a convincing victory over China’s third seed Han Yue in the preliminary league stage of the BWF World Tour Finals.

In a match played on Court 1 of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, Ratchanok secured a 21-17, 21-10 win in just 38 minutes.

Group A Standings

In Group A, Korea’s top seed Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi finished atop the standings, both advancing to the semifinals. Se Young completed the group unbeaten with three wins out of three matches, while Yamaguchi ended second with two wins from three matches. Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani finished third with one point from one win in three matches, while Tomoka Miyazaki ended last in the four-player group with three losses and no points.

Se Young triumphed over fourth-seed Yamaguchi in a tight contest, bouncing back after losing the first game to win 13-21, 21-5, 21-14 in 47 minutes.

In another match on Court 2, Indonesia’s Putri defeated Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in two games, finishing with scores of 21-17, 21-9 in 38 minutes.

Evening Session Expectations

In the evening session, India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will look to conclude their group stage with a victory against second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in a Group B clash.

Earlier, India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, recorded their second consecutive win at the BWF World Tour Finals, defeating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a thrilling three-game match. The Indian duo, ranked No. 3 in the world, demonstrated authority and composure, winning 21-11, 16-21, 21-11. This victory extended their unbeaten streak in Group B, putting them in a strong position for a semifinal spot.

With less than two months remaining before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is set to meet at its Mumbai headquarters on Saturday to finalize India’s squad for the marquee tournament.

During the meeting, the selection committee will also announce India’s squad for next month’s white-ball series against New Zealand, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is.

Team India is currently participating in a five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with the final game of the series scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on Friday.

“The Senior Men’s Selection Committee will meet at the BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday to pick India’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It will be followed by a press conference to be addressed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and selection committee chairperson Ajit Agarkar,” BCCI stated.

Before the T20 World Cup, starting from February, India will host New Zealand for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is, scheduled from January 11 to 31.

The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, comprising 29 days of high-intensity cricket played at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7.

Defending champions India have been placed in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and former winners Pakistan.

India is the co-host of the tournament along with Sri Lanka, and will play its group matches across four venues—Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, and Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

The Indian team will take on the USA in Mumbai in its tournament opener as it aims to become the first team to defend the Men’s T20 World Cup crown.

Two-time World T20 champion India won the inaugural edition in 2007 in South Africa.

KuPS gave Crystal Palace a scare while Fiorentina lost at Lausanne-Sport, but both teams advanced on a dramatic final day of league phase action, finalizing the line-up for the UEFA Conference League knockout stages.

KuPS Surprises Crystal Palace

A thrilling 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park secured KuPS a spot in the knockout phase play-offs. Goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse within three minutes shocked the Eagles after Christantus Uche’s superb opener in the fifth minute.

Oliver Glasner’s substitutions sparked life into the home side; a perfect cross from Tyrick Mitchell, who had just come off the bench, found an unmarked Justin Devenny at the far post. However, Palace could not find the winner that would have sent them through to the round of 16, instead finishing 10th in the league phase and joining their Finnish visitors in the knockout phase play-offs.

Fiorentina’s Narrow Defeat

Lausanne-Sport narrowly missed a top-eight finish despite beating Fiorentina 1-0 in Switzerland. The first half had few chances, with a Sekou Fofana attempt skewing wide being the closest either side came.

The second half was more eventful; after Enzo Kana-Biyik skimmed the post with a deft effort, his cross found Gabriel Sigua, who headed in from close range. Beyatt Lekoueiry could have added a second but was denied by Viola goalkeeper Tommaso Martinelli. Fiorentina will enter the play-offs after finishing 15th in the rankings.

Other Match Highlights

In another match, two late goals secured Strasbourg a 3-1 victory against a valiant Breidablik, ensuring that the French side finished top of the league phase with 16 points.

Additionally, Luka Jovic converted a penalty in the 15th minute of added time as AEK Athens won 3-2 against Universitatea Craiova, condemning the Romanian side to an exit from the competition. The Greek side, trailing 2-1 after 90 minutes, saw Derek Kutesa level the scores, and the victory meant they finished third in the table.

Athletic Bilbao and Betis advanced to the Copa del Rey last 16 after overcoming tough away challenges, while Getafe became the latest top-flight casualty in a series of upsets.

Athletic Bilbao’s Thrilling Extra Time Victory

Athletic Bilbao required extra time to defeat third-tier Ourense, with Mikel Jauregizar clinching the win with a precise volley in the 107th minute. Ourense, having already eliminated Oviedo and Girona, proved to be a challenging opponent on a pitch heavily affected by torrential rain.

Betis Secures Hard-Fought Win

Real Betis also faced a tough contest against third-tier Real Murcia, winning 2-0. Cucho Hernandez scored from the penalty spot to give Betis the lead in the first half, while an 85th-minute own goal by Murcia’s Diego Piñeiro sealed the result.

Getafe’s Disappointment

Getafe started well at Burgos, taking the lead in the 32nd minute when Alex Sancris netted following a corner. However, Burgos responded during first-half stoppage time as David Gonzalez equalized from the penalty spot. Inigo Cordoba then struck twice in the second half, finding space behind the Getafe defense to put Burgos 3-1 ahead. Getafe had a chance to revive the match late on, but Borja Mayoral missed a penalty.

Progress of Other Teams

FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid have also progressed to the last 16. However, top-flight teams Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Levante, Villarreal, and Sevilla have all been eliminated. Real Madrid edged into the fourth round with a nervous 3-2 away win over third-tier Talavera, while Atletico Madrid managed a 3-2 away victory over third-tier Atletico Baleares despite coach Diego Simeone rotating his squad.

Rayo Vallecano is set to play its tie at Granada on January 6, following Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League win over Drita Gjilan.

Winning the first game in any event is quite satisfactory, but when it happens after a series of defeats, it becomes even more enjoyable. Dommaraju Gukesh, the reigning World Champion, was clearly elated after securing his first match victory in Season 3 of the Global Chess League at the Royal Opera House on Thursday.

Gukesh Delivers for PBG Alaskan Knights

Gukesh, alongside compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, delivered in a must-win situation, helping PBG Alaskan Knights achieve their first win of the tournament. With Gukesh winning his initial game, the last edition’s runners-up, the Alaskan Knights, triumphed over Alpine SG Pipers.

The reigning World Champion Gukesh, who had faced challenges in the tournament so far, executed a clinical finish to defeat Fabiano Caruana in 39 moves. Leinier Dominguez also bested R Praggnanandhaa, and Kateryna Lagno overcame Hou Yifan to complete the scoreline.

Post-Match Reactions

Reflecting on his first win in the GCL, Gukesh remarked, “It’s a very special feeling to get my first win. From the start, we felt we were in control, but towards the end, a few things became tricky. When I looked at the other boards, Dominguez’s game seemed around even, maybe slightly better for him, so I knew I had to push for a win. By then, I already had good chances, and my opponent was running low on them.”

Discussing his game against Caruana, Gukesh noted, “The position was more or less even. He was fine out of the opening, but there was always some tension. At some point, he couldn’t find a clear plan, and I started getting a lot of play.”

Time to Relax

After the intense match, Gukesh and his teammates enjoyed their time at Marine Drive, taking a relaxing walk to unwind after a tough day. “After a tough day, it was nice to just forget about chess for a while. We went out together as a team and reminded ourselves that we win and lose as a group. We spoke about different things, relaxed, and I genuinely had a lot of fun,” he shared during his post-win media interaction.

Handling Pressure

On the pressure faced during crucial moments, Gukesh said, “It actually made things easier. I just had to play fast, and the position almost played itself. Winning in a clutch moment always feels nice, even if it wasn’t the toughest challenge.”

Gukesh also appreciated the crowd support at the Royal Opera House, remarking, “I was pointing to the audience. The cheering today was incredibly loud—louder than any other day so far. Seeing so many kids in the crowd really motivated me. I felt I couldn’t afford to play below my level.”

He added that the venue was packed because many local coaches brought in their students. “A lot of coaches had come with their students from different academies. Before the game, Arjun and I even joked that since so many people were here, it was time to start winning,” he concluded.

Nagesh Trophy 2025: High-Scoring Victories Mark Exciting Day for Blind Cricket

New Delhi, Dec 18 (digihunt) – An exhilarating day unfolded in the 8th Edition of the Nagesh Trophy – Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind, with Vidarbha, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Jharkhand emerging victorious at three venues across the country: Vijayawada, Gandhinagar, and Delhi.

The day was filled with emphatic wins, thrilling finishes, and impressive all-round performances, showcasing the vibrant landscape of blind cricket in India.

Vidarbha vs. Manipur
Vidarbha secured a closely fought 13-run win over Manipur. Posting 158/9 in Gandhinagar, captain Maniklal Dhikar’s composed innings laid the groundwork. In response, Vidarbha’s bowlers held their nerve, restricting Manipur to 145/7. Ganpat earned the Player of the Match honors for his all-round performance.

Goa vs. Jammu & Kashmir
In another Gandhinagar clash, Goa triumphed under pressure, edging past Jammu & Kashmir by 13 runs. Nilesh anchored the innings with a fluent 87 off 64 balls, helping Goa post 170/8. Their disciplined bowling then limited Jammu & Kashmir to 157 all out. Nilesh was named Player of the Match for his impressive contributions with both bat and ball.

Andhra Pradesh vs. Uttar Pradesh
Host team Andhra Pradesh delivered a commanding 111-run victory, amassing 220/3. Skipper T. Durga Rao shone brightly with a stellar 108 off 67 balls. Uttar Pradesh fell short, bowled out for just 109. T. Durga Rao (B3) was recognized as the Player of the Match.

Uttarakhand vs. Tamil Nadu
Uttarakhand recorded the day’s most emphatic win, dominating Tamil Nadu by 155 runs. Captain Deepak Singh Rawat played a sensational innings of 128 off 75 balls, leading Uttarakhand to a total of 232/6. Tamil Nadu could only manage 77/7 in reply. Deepak Singh Rawat was declared Player of the Match.

Delhi vs. Telangana
Delhi showcased their authority with a 106-run win, thanks to a phenomenal unbeaten partnership. Rambir Singh scored 146 off 73 balls, while Sanjay Kumar Shah added 98*, propelling Delhi to an imposing total. Telangana finished at 161/6. Sanjay Kumar Shah earned Player of the Match recognition.

Jharkhand vs. Chandigarh
Jharkhand continued the trend of high scores with a 97-run victory, posting 222/9 and limiting Chandigarh to 132/9. Ravindra’s impressive bowl of 3/18, alongside sharp fielding efforts, sealed a comprehensive win. Sanjeev Kerketta was named Player of the Match.

From nail-biting finishes to substantial run margins, the league stage of the Nagesh Trophy 2025 continues to display remarkable skill, resilience, and sporting excellence. As teams gain momentum, the tournament promises even greater excitement in the days to come.

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Bengaluru, Dec 18 (digihunt) – In an exhilarating showdown, Sumit Nagal triumphed over Dhakshineswar Suresh in a golden-point decider, leading AOS Eagles to victory against Aussie Mavericks Kites in the ongoing World Tennis League (WTL), which is making its debut in India at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium on Thursday.

Match Highlights

The opening match of the day featured a men’s singles battle between Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh, showcasing distinct styles of play. Nagal, known for his exceptional counter-punching, faced Suresh, towering at 6’5, renowned for his powerful serves and aggressive game.

After a closely contested set, Nagal and Suresh engaged in the tournament’s inaugural tie-break. At 6-6 in the breaker, WTL’s unique ‘golden point’ rule came into play. Nagal seized the moment to win the point, subsequently clinching the game and set, thereby completing a clean sweep for the Eagles, who secured a commanding 25-13 victory.

Badosa Sets the Tone

Paula Badosa set a strong precedent for the Eagles by overpowering Marta Kostyuk 6-1 in the opening set. A 2025 Australian Open semi-finalist, Badosa showcased her top form after battling injuries in the latter half of the season, exhibiting remarkable stroke-making prowess against the Ukrainian.

Badosa maintained her dominant display as she partnered with Gael Monfils in mixed doubles. Their synergy was evident as they outperformed Suresh and Marta Kostyuk 6-3. In the men’s doubles, the duo of Monfils and Nagal defeated Suresh and Nick Kyrgios with a similar score of 6-3.

WTL Debut in India

The WTL, now in its fourth season, offers Indian audiences a fresh perspective on many of tennis’s biggest stars. The atmosphere has been fun and relaxed, allowing players to showcase their personalities, with Australian star Kyrgios demonstrating his team spirit and Badosa and Monfils bringing a lively energy to their performances.

This year, four franchises are competing, each facing off in a round-robin format before the top two teams advance to the final. Each tie consists of four sets: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s/mixed doubles. Victory is determined by the number of games won, with each game won accounting for one point.

Results:

• AOS Eagles vs Aussie Mavericks Kites: 25-13
• Paula Badosa (Eagles) bt Marta Kostyuk (Kites): 6-1
• Paula Badosa-Gael Monfils (Eagles) bt Dhakshineswar Suresh-Marta Kostyuk (Kites): 6-3
• Sumit Nagal-Gael Monfils (Eagles) bt Nick Kyrgios-Dhakshineswar Suresh (Kites): 6-3
• Sumit Nagal (Eagles) bt Dhakshineswar Suresh (Kites): 7-6

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Hangzhou (China), Dec 18 (digihunt) – India’s premier men’s doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, notched their second consecutive victory at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, overcoming Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a thrilling three-game encounter at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Thursday.

The Indian pair, currently ranked No.3 in the world, displayed authority and poise to secure a 21-11, 16-21, 21-11 victory, enhancing their unbeaten record in Group B and solidifying their chances for a semi-final spot. With two wins from as many matches, Satwik and Chirag now top the group, establishing a significant points difference.

Match Overview

• Game 1: The Indian duo dominated the opening game, never trailing and controlling rallies to win it convincingly at 21-11.
• Game 2: The Indonesdigihunt, who claimed the China Open Super 1000 earlier this year after forming their partnership in 2025, mounted a comeback. Despite the Inddigihunt leveling at 12-12 after recovering from an early 8-3 deficit, they ultimately lost the game 16-21.
• Game 3: In a strong response, Satwik and Chirag pulled ahead after brief exchanges, establishing leads of up to eight points and comfortably closing out the match at 21-11.

The duo will next square off against second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia on Friday in their final group match.

Group A Breakdown

Group A features the top-seeded pair Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae from Korea, along with Wei Chong Man/Wun Tee Kai from Malaysia, Sabai Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani from Indonesia, and Chiu Hsiang-Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin from Chinese Taipei.

In women’s singles, fourth seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan rebounded from losing the first game to Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia, ultimately winning the match 22-24, 21-19, 21-13. Meanwhile, top seed An Se Young of Korea cruised past Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan in straight games with a scoreline of 21-9, 21-6 in a 33-minute clash.

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