Category: Sports

Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been added to Australia’s 15-member squad for the fourth Ashes Test, starting on December 26.

Murphy has replaced Nathan Lyon, who will undergo surgery on his injured hamstring, edging out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for the spot. Murphy has played seven Tests for Australia, with his last appearance coming at the start of the year against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Australia confirmed that Nathan Lyon suffered a torn right hamstring while diving to stop a boundary on the final day of their Ashes-sealing third Test, prompting the need for surgery.

Steve Smith is set to resume captaincy, pending clearance regarding the inner-ear problem that sidelined him in Adelaide. Pat Cummins, however, will miss the Boxing Day Test.

Richardson is positioned to potentially replace Cummins after recently returning from injury and joining the squad in Adelaide before the third Test. In a career marred by injuries, the right-arm quick has played only three Tests, with his last outing against England in Adelaide back in 2021. Despite this, selectors still regard the 29-year-old highly.

Richardson’s inclusion in the squad marks his potential Test comeback after a four-year hiatus. He underwent his third shoulder surgery earlier this year and has gradually increased his bowling workload in recent weeks while training alongside the squad during the opening three Tests.

Meanwhile, all-rounders Michael Neser and Beau Webster, along with backup quick Brendan Doggett, remain in the squad despite not being selected for the recent Adelaide Test, which Australia won by 82 runs, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series.

Australia squad for fourth Test:
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been added to Australia’s 15-member squad for the fourth Ashes Test, starting on December 26.

Murphy edged out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli to replace Nathan Lyon, who is set to undergo surgery on his injured hamstring. Murphy has featured seven times at Test level for Australia, with his most recent match being against Sri Lanka in Galle at the start of the year.

Australia confirmed that Nathan Lyon will undergo surgery after suffering a torn right hamstring while diving to stop a boundary on the final day of their Ashes-sealing third Test.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith is set to resume captaincy, pending clearance for the inner-ear problem that ruled him out in Adelaide, while Pat Cummins will sit out the Boxing Day Test.

Richardson could be in line to replace Cummins after making a recent return from injury and joining the squad in Adelaide ahead of the third Test. The right-arm quick has played in just three Tests due to an injury-hit career, with his last appearance against England in Adelaide in 2021. Nevertheless, selectors continue to hold the 29-year-old in high regard.

Richardson’s formal addition to the squad puts him in contention for a Test comeback after a four-year absence. He underwent his third shoulder surgery earlier this year and has gradually built up his bowling workload in recent weeks, training alongside the squad during the opening three Tests.

All-rounders Michael Neser and Beau Webster, along with backup quick Brendan Doggett, retain their place in the squad despite missing out on selection in the recent Adelaide Test, where Australia registered an 82-run triumph, extending their unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series.

Australia squad (fourth Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

Faced with doubts over the age of its players in an age-group event, Pakistan was forced to withdraw its players from the US Open Junior Squash Championship after the organisers refused to accept its age verification process, according to a news report.

Around 977 players representing forty-five nations are competing in the 2025 U.S. Junior Open—the world’s largest individual squash tournament. Pakistan withdrew its players after the US Open organisers did not accept their age verification, as quoted by Telecom Asia Sport.

“To protect the integrity of the competition while allowing participation, the US Squash implemented a newly adopted policy. Where reasonable concern existed, affected players were permitted to compete only in the age group in which they are ranked domestically and/or most recently competed at their National Championships,” the organisers stated.

“No player was banned or disqualified, and all affected athletes remained eligible to compete. Age-category adjustments were applied solely to maintain fairness for all participants and do not change World Squash Federation (WSF) regulations.”

Pakistan Squash Federation secretary Amir Nawaz expressed concerns, stating that anything against the country’s process was unacceptable. “It is not that our players were overaged and withdrawn,” Nawaz said. “They raised objections to one of our players, but they did not accept our documentation and the process, which was properly endorsed.”

He added, “But they challenged our system, which is against our integrity, and in our executive committee, we decided that we will not participate in the event. They did not disallow our players but promoted them in age groups, which was not acceptable.”

Organisers maintained that fairness was paramount. “US Squash is fully committed to fairness, transparency, and athlete welfare in local, national, and international competitions. In the lead-up to the 2025 U.S. Junior Open, concerns were raised regarding the age eligibility of a small group of international junior players. These concerns were based on documentation, domestic competition histories, and global ranking patterns that suggested potential discrepancies in reported ages.”

“The review identified system-level challenges that made it impossible to determine chronological age with certainty in some cases. These included delays in birth registration, the possibility of conflicting or duplicate documents, and domestic competition patterns that were inconsistent with reported ages. Importantly, this review did not reflect on the character, integrity, or intentions of any individual athlete, family, or federation,” a spokesperson for the organisers said.

The PSF mentioned that it will raise the matter with the World Squash Federation in due course.

Pakistan had been a power at the international squash scene with Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan ruling the landscape in the last three decades of the previous century, but has not won any senior event since their retirements. However, the country is making a comeback in the global arena with Hamza Khan winning the Junior World title in 2023—Pakistan’s first junior world title since 1986. Noor Zaman also won the Under-23 title earlier this year.

Despite these recent successes, the overage allegations present a setback for the country, particularly where birth records are not properly maintained in rural areas.

Arsenal won the English Premier League title way back in the 2003-04 season and have come close to regaining it since, only to fall short. In the last three seasons, they finished second to champions Liverpool in the 2024-25 season. However, the Gunners’ Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres believes their title drought will end this ongoing season.

Current Standings

Arsenal currently leads the Premier League standings with 39 points from 17 matches, while Manchester City sits in second place, just two points behind them.

Team Spirit and Focus

“We are all optimistic. I believe the team has a strong spirit and a positive atmosphere at the training ground. It is important to maintain that energy, keep doing the things that are working well, and continue improving together every day. Right now, we are focusing on winning the upcoming games rather than thinking too much about the end goals,” Gyokeres shared in an interview.

Praise for Mikel Arteta

Speaking to JioStar, Gyokeres praised manager Mikel Arteta for his style of play and leadership qualities. “I think he is an excellent manager, especially in terms of our style of play. Equally important is his ability to understand the different personalities within the team and tailor his approach to each player. He excels at that. His determination and strong will to succeed inspire everyone. His energy is clearly felt not only during regular training sessions but also before matches. That is something everyone can truly sense,” he said.

Impact on the Field

The 27-year-old Gyokeres is known for his tireless running during matches, significantly reshaping how opponents approach Arsenal’s attack. Previously, teams often doubled up on Bukayo Saka, but with Gyokeres adding his pace and skill to the mix, he has become a serious threat at Arsenal’s frontline.

“I believe it’s easier to observe these things from the outside. For me, it’s about doing the right things on the pitch to help the team and to get the best out of myself and my teammates. So far, we have performed very well this season. I think it’s important to continue doing those things and to keep improving,” Gyokeres stated in his conversation with JioStar.

Personal Performance

Gyokeres joined Arsenal this season from Sporting Clube de Portugal and has scored five goals in 15 matches played so far.

The death of a key figure in last year’s political uprising and the cancellation of the opening ceremony in Dhaka over political unrest have raised doubts about the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). As franchises ramp up preparations, concerns linger about the tournament’s ability to commence on schedule amid ongoing political unrest and security issues across Bangladesh, a news report indicated.

Despite this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains confident that the BPL T20 will kick off on December 26 in Sylhet. However, uncertainties have surfaced following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, an activist linked to the previous political uprising, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport. This incident has reignited fears that large-scale sporting events could be disrupted.

The BPL Governing Council had initially announced an opening ceremony in Dhaka on December 24; however, this plan was later scrapped due to security concerns. The postponement has heightened speculation about the smooth progression of the tournament itself.

Nonetheless, franchises began their training camps in Dhaka and Sylhet from December 20, a sign that officials believe the situation may be stabilising. “I think there is no uncertainty regarding BPL, and we are optimistic that it will start on time. The fact that franchises have started full preparation suggests that the law-and-order situation is now under control,” a senior BPL official commented to Telecom Asia Sport.

According to the BCB, maintaining constant communication with law enforcement agencies has been crucial for managing risks ahead of the tournament. “We are in continuous discussion with the agencies. They have confirmed that there is no problem. Everything is ready, including the grounds, to host the tournament,” the official added.

Players and coaching staff across franchises have expressed similar optimism, continuing their logistical planning and training schedules for what remains Bangladesh’s only franchise-based T20 league.

Beyond security, the BPL also faces an integrity crisis that threatens its long-term credibility. On December 21, BCB Integrity Chief Alex Marshall met with senior officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to finalise anti-corruption measures for the upcoming season. Marshall, the independent chair of the BCB’s newly formed Integrity Unit, discussed enforcement strategies during the tournament with CID chief Sibgat Ullah.

“It was a very fruitful meeting where several issues were discussed to ensure a successful BPL. Organisers are keen to deliver a clean tournament, especially after fixing allegations damaged the league’s reputation and the country’s image,” a senior official close to the developments revealed to Telecom Asia Sport.

The urgency surrounding integrity reforms follows a damaging previous edition of the BPL, which was plagued by widespread match-fixing allegations. Based on a 900-page investigation report, Marshall barred nine cricketers from participating in the BPL auction, delivering a strong message ahead of the new season.

This move highlights the high stakes for the BCB: another controversy could significantly undermine sponsor confidence, broadcaster interest, and the league’s standing in global T20 cricket.

This season’s BPL is not just about cricket. It serves as a test of governance, security preparedness, and institutional credibility. Any disruption, whether on or off the field, could have long-term ramifications for Bangladesh’s flagship T20 product.

For the moment, the board is projecting calm and control. But as the countdown to December 26 progresses, the BPL stands at a decisive juncture, one that could either restore confidence or deepen the challenges facing Bangladesh cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an increase in the fee for women’s domestic matches during an online meeting of its Apex Council. Under the new proposed structure, the daily match fee for senior women’s tournaments (50-over and multi-day) will be raised to Rs 50,000 for the playing XI members and Rs 25,000 for reserves.

For senior women’s T20 matches, the revised rates will be Rs 25,000 and Rs 12,500, respectively. Similarly, domestic T20 match fees have also seen an increase, with the playing XI now set to receive Rs 25,000 per match day in national T20 competitions, while reserves will earn Rs 12,500.

The Apex Council has also raised fees for junior cricket players. Reserves will receive Rs 12,500 in ODI games, while players in the Under-23 and Under-19 divisions will earn Rs 25,000. The playing XI will get Rs 12,500 for T20 matches, while reserves will receive Rs 6,250.

Match officials are expected to benefit significantly under the proposed revisions, with a noteworthy increase in match fees for umpires and match referees in domestic tournaments. For league-stage matches, officials are expected to earn Rs 40,000 per day, with remuneration increasing during the knockout stages to between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per day, depending on the importance and stage of the game.

This fee hike for domestic matches comes after the Indian women’s cricket team triumphed in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, beating South Africa in the final played in Navi Mumbai. This increase is a clear indicator of the rising status of women’s cricket in the country. With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) bringing financial gains for top stars, it is the right time for these benefits to extend to domestic players, attracting new talents and helping to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level.

Leon Luke Mendonca’s draw on the prodigy board proved more valuable than a win for Alpine SG Pipers as they qualified for the final against table-topper Triveni Continental Kings, despite losing their last league match 6-11 against PBG Alaskan Knights in Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL) at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai.

Final League Match Scenarios

Alpine SG Pipers had their fate in their hands during their final league game. They were tied on 15 match points with Ganges Grandmasters and needed to either defeat the Alaskan Knights or secure at least six game points to solidify their second spot on the leaderboard based on game points. Ultimately, Pipers finished with 84 game points compared to 83 for the Grandmasters, in an event jointly organized by Tech Mahindra and FIDE.

The Alaskan Knights also required a win to qualify for the third-place play-off, which they achieved impressively. World champion Dommaraju Gukesh capitalized on an error from Fabiano Caruana, while Arjun Erigaisi overcame Anish Giri with black pieces to earn eight crucial points.

Key Performances for the Pipers

For the Pipers, three-time Women’s World Champion Hou Yifan secured her third victory in as many matches, defeating Kateryna Lagno in just 20 moves. At that point, it seemed Pipers were in a strong position to advance. However, the two top Indian chess stars provided a masterclass that led to some anxious moments for the Pipers.

With Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Nino Batsiashvili drawing their matches, the Pipers’ fate hinged on Mendonca managing a draw against Daniel Darda on the prodigy board. He ensured Darda could not gain further ground, concluding the game with a draw after 42 moves, despite his opponent holding a slight advantage.

Ganges Grandmasters Update

Earlier, Ganges Grandmasters kept their hopes of reaching the final alive by defeating Fyers American Gambits 12-3 in their last league match. On the final day, Pipers, Grandmasters, and upGrad Mumba Masters were engaged in a three-way battle for the second spot, with Grandmasters being the first to take the board against American Gambits.

Grandmasters’ Strong Performance

Playing with the white pieces, Viswanathan Anand drew against American Gambits’ Hikaru Nakamura on the icon board. However, Vincent Keymer provided the team with an early boost with a victory over Vladislav Artemiev in 39 moves. Player of the Match Raunak Sadhwani triumphed against World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin in 42 moves, further solidifying their advantage. Stavroula Tsolakidou also secured a win against Teodora Injac to round off the tally, putting pressure on the other teams. However, this effort was insufficient, and they will face the Alaskan Knights for third place.

Mumba Masters Challenge

In the other match of the day, Mumba Masters faced a tough challenge from table-toppers Triveni Continental Kings. Although Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Vidit Gujrathi and Bardiya Daneshvar overcame Marc’Andria Maurizzi, which earned their team eight valuable points, Mumba Masters ultimately fell short. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave lost to Alireza Firouzja on the icon board, Wesley So was outclassed by Wei Yi, and Koneru Humpy could not match Zhu Jiner, leading to a narrow defeat of 10-9 for the local favourites.

A brand new Poligras Paris GT Zero hockey turf for the SAI Centre in Bengaluru and the replacement of existing electronic targets with laser target systems at the Karni Singh Shooting Range are among the key projects approved by the Governing Body (GB) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) during a meeting chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

In addition to these two proposals, the SAI GB approved a wide range of infrastructure development and upgrade projects across the country.

Key Projects Approved

• The procurement of Poligras Paris GT Zero hockey turf for SAI NSSC, Bengaluru, which serves as the training hub for the Indian men’s and women’s national and ‘A’ hockey teams.
• Replacement of existing electronic shooting targets with laser target systems at the Karni Singh Shooting Range (KSSR), the training ground for India’s elite and emerging shooters.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of strengthening the Indian sports ecosystem, stating, “The Indian sports ecosystem is now in its youth, and it is the need of the hour to strengthen it in every possible way so that it has a bright future. The decisions we are taking today are athlete-centric and aimed at ensuring that players have the best infrastructure that they need so that the medal counts that we have in mind for CWG and Olympics are met.”

Additional Approvals

The meeting also greenlit the construction of three multipurpose halls at:

• SAI NCOE Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly SAI Aurangabad)
• SAI NSNIS Patiala
• SAI LNCPE Trivandrum

These facilities will support intensive training and comprehensive athlete development. The facility at SAI NCOE Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will feature a dedicated weather-proof boxing training zone, a strength and conditioning area, and designated indoor spaces for volleyball and badminton. The indoor training hall at SAI NSNIS Patiala is expected to enhance indoor training capacity and provide a modern, integrated ecosystem for sports performance, sports science support, conditioning, and recovery.

Moreover, India’s premier academic institution and high-performance training centre, LNCPE Trivandrum, will be equipped with a new multipurpose hall to ensure uninterrupted year-round training and academic activities.

Athletics Infrastructure Development

The GB also approved the construction of a 400-metre, 8-lane synthetic athletics track at SAI STC Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Notably, SAI STC Jalpaiguri has emerged as a key centre for athletics training and has consistently delivered commendable performances at both regional and national levels despite limited infrastructure.

In addition to SAI STC Jalpaiguri, the committee also approved the laying of a new synthetic track in SAI CRC, Bhopal. This centre trains athletes from multiple sporting disciplines and has consistently produced international-level athletes, including two Olympdigihunt.

Ganges Grandmasters kept their hopes of making it to the finals alive after securing a convincing 12-3 victory over Fyers American Gambits in their last league match of Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL) at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai on Monday.

However, their fate hinges on whether PBG Alaskan Knights can stop the winning streak of Alpine SG Pipers in the final group stage match later in the day. The Grandmasters are tied on 15 points with the Pipers, who have a game in hand.

If the Pipers win or draw against the Alaskan Knights, or if they score at least six points even with a loss, they will finish in second place, leapfrogging the Grandmasters on a better game score. The Alaskan Knights also have a chance for the second position if they can win all six games with black pieces.

The Grandmasters executed their strategy perfectly to keep their final hopes intact.

At the start of the day, Pipers, Grandmasters, and Mumba Masters were embroiled in a three-way battle for the second spot, with the Ganges Grandmasters being the first to take the board against the American Gambits.

Playing as white, Viswanathan Anand managed a draw with Hikaru Nakamura on the icon board. However, Vincent Keymer provided a boost by defeating Vladislav Artemiev in 39 moves. Raunak Sadhwani, named player of the match, triumphed over World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin in 42 moves, further extending their advantage.

Stavroula Tsolakidou then secured victory against Teodora Injac, finalizing the tally and applying pressure on the other teams.

Mumba Masters faced a daunting challenge against table-toppers Triveni Continental Kings while playing with black pieces. Although Shakhriyar Mamedyarov secured a win against Vidit Gujrathi and Bardiya Daneshvar triumphed over Marc’Andria Maurizzi, the losses incurred by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave against Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So to Wei Yi, and Koneru Humpy to Zhu Jiner resulted in a narrow 10-9 defeat for the local favorites, eliminating them from contention for the second spot.

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy, Salute Hockey Academy, Sail Hockey Academy, Army Boys Sports Company, and S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy secured victories on the opening day of the 3rd Hockey India Sub-Junior Men Academy Championship 2025 – Zone A & B at the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Hockey Ground in Surat, Gujarat.

Pool C Highlights

In Pool C, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy overwhelmed Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy with an 11-1 scoreline. Varinder Singh shone brightly, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 9th, 53rd, and 54th minutes. Karan Kumar also netted a hat-trick with goals in the 22nd, 29th, and 38th minutes. Arjandeep Singh (7′, 60′) and Arshdeep Singh (19′, 34′) added to the tally with a brace each. Ankit (14′) contributed another goal, while Alfesh Rajakbhai Musagara (50′) scored the only goal for the Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy.

Salute Hockey Academy followed suit in the same pool, achieving a 7-1 victory against Cheema Hockey Academy. Saurabh Kumar displayed his talents, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 21st, 39th, and 40th minutes. Yogender Saini (12′), Arun (14′), Sunny (49′), and Pankaj (56′) also scored, after Saihbaz Singh (7′) opened the scoring for Cheema Hockey Academy.

Pool B Updates

In Pool B, Sail Hockey Academy triumphed 3-1 over HAR Hockey Academy. Bikash Kaetha (36′), Arun Lakra (40′), and Captain Dinesh Barla (60′) were among the scorers for Sail Hockey Academy, while Jatin (50′) managed to score the lone goal for HAR Hockey Academy.

Army Boys Sports Company also secured a 3-1 win against Markandeshwar Hockey Academy in the same pool. Arjun (9′) scored the opener, with Captain Prasnt Aind netting a brace in the 27th and 50th minutes. Garv Gill (3′) scored the only goal for Markandeshwar Hockey Academy.

Pool D Results

In Pool D, Khushbir Singh (34′) scored the sole goal of the match, leading S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy to a narrow 1-0 victory against Ritu Rani Hockey Academy.

Tournament Format

Pool C consists of S.G.P.C. Hockey Academy, Ashwini Sports Academy, Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society, and Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy. Pool D includes Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy, Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta, Raja Karan Hockey Academy, and Pritam Siwach Sports Promotion Foundation.

All teams will compete in a round-robin format within their respective pools, earning 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The top team from each pool will advance to the Semi-Finals on December 29, followed by the 3rd/4th place match and the Final on December 30, 2025.