Category: Sports

Mohammad Izhar had little time to savour the feeling of his IPL dream coming true. As his name was called out at the IPL 2026 auction, the left-arm pacer from Birpur in Bihar’s Supaul district was already racing against the clock—within 15-20 minutes, he needed to board a bus for a six-hour ride to Patna, where the Vijay Hazare Trophy camp awaited him.

“When the auction was on, I was at home with my brothers-in-law. While from the outside I was very excited and nervous, I was very anxious about whether my name will come in the auction or not. Finally, the Mumbai Inddigihunt picked me and it brought in a different level of happiness,” Izhar recalled.

“While I was feeling very good and excited about getting a chance to be in IPL, I became very emotional. Though everyone began celebrating at home, I had to leave to catch the bus for Patna, so I didn’t celebrate it much.”

The five-time champions have been renowned for unearthing uncapped gems through a robust scouting system. Though they had a small purse in the IPL 2026 auction, picking Izhar for his base price of Rs 30 lakh signals they may have found another gem in the making.

Even as he remained engaged with the trials of Kolkata Knight Riders, Izhar remembered how the five-time champions chose patience in assessing his skills. “Though Mumbai Inddigihunt is a big franchise, they are so humble, which even words cannot explain. When they called me for a trial, I was at KKR’s trial.”

“But despite being such a big team, they waited for me to come for the trials. When I reached, I was very tired, but I saw they waited for me and told me to rest for a while, so that I could bowl comfortably after recovering. I rested well and then went through the trials very well. It’s a very good franchise and the coaches there were very humble.”

Izhar’s cricketing journey began in Birpur, a town in Supaul district, where tennis ball cricket was the gateway to bigger dreams. His transition to leather ball cricket came through a chance observation by his local mentor Jaichand, who spotted raw talent that others missed.

“Jaichand bhaiya and Birbal bhaiya got me into leather ball cricket and taught me a lot for the last 2-3 years. Previously, I played tennis ball cricket and in one of the games, Jaichand bhaiya saw me bowling and then he told me to start playing with a leather ball.”

“I then went on to play for the district and initially it felt a little tough as I was straightaway playing these games without having played leather ball cricket before. But it began so well that I haven’t looked back after that. Birbal bhaiya is a star bowler himself. I learnt a lot from him and Jaichand, who himself was a cricketer.”

Watching legendary fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Shoaib Akhtar, and Brett Lee transformed Izhar’s casual interest into a junoon (passion) to play cricket. “Starc has always been my idol from the start. Then seeing Akhtar and Lee take wickets brought in a junoon in me about playing cricket. From the start, it was not like I will play for India or be in IPL. Gradually, I started playing and those things started to come in my mind.”

“You do get a good understanding of these things once you start to put yourself through the grind. I started setting aims that I want to play for the state and do well there. It was in my mind that I wanted to play in the IPL, though the goal of playing for India is still at the top. But I didn’t anticipate that I will get picked this year. So, I am very thankful to God that I got picked for IPL this year.”

Like many young cricketers from smaller towns, Izhar’s early journey wasn’t paved with automatic support. Bihar’s limited cricketing infrastructure meant initial struggles were there, but his father’s growing belief in him transformed everything.

“When I started playing, my father started giving me a lot of support. He began to understand that I have games to play and do well in them. The support from him grew so much that he started taking care of everything around me by himself. Whenever I got small bruises, he would put a bandage quickly at home.”

The Bihar Cricket Association’s faith proved equally crucial, especially after Izhar had a disappointing previous season. The backing from BCA officials, including previous President Rakesh Tiwari, allowed Izhar to rebuild confidence and rediscover form when it mattered most.

“Last year, I did not get anything great in terms of performances. I started preparing for this season early and the association trusted me to come good. So I am very thankful for that to all of them in BCA. I am very thankful for the chances because of which I got selected for the IPL.”

“I had a good performance this time in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (taking nine wickets in five games in Kolkata), where the IPL scouts saw me, called me for trials, got into the auction and now I will be in IPL.”

Izhar’s bowling arsenal centers on both inswing and outswing, complemented by variations of slower balls essential for success in T20s. Operating around 135 kmph, Izhar acknowledges his game remains a work in progress, particularly his execution of yorkers and consistency with swing deliveries.

“I also have the yorker in my repertoire, but I need to groom and polish it more. In all, I need to do everything better because I am not always perfect. Like my inswing and outswing is not perfect yet, and I need to work on it more. I always try to work on the small things and make my bowling better. Plus, there are some variations of slower balls that I need to polish and groom more.”

With an IPL deal in hand, Izhar will have access to two masters of the craft – Trent Boult, whose left-arm swing bowling mirrors Izhar’s own style, and Jasprit Bumrah, whose yorkers and control have redefined modern-day fast bowling. “Boult bowls with the left arm like me and Bumrah swings the ball well. His yorkers are deadly. I am going to learn a lot from them.”

For youngsters from modest cricketing outposts, Izhar’s rise carries a clear message: patience and persistence outweigh the lure of instant success. His journey from tennis-ball matches in Birpur to an IPL contract with MI stands as validation of that belief.

“I would say just focus on the process, keep going by working hard and wait for the right time. You do not get success in a very short span, as it demands a lot of time. You have to be consistent and believe in God. Plus, you have to believe in yourself that you can do it. When the time comes, you will get the reward. If you work hard, you will get success.”

Now on the cusp of wearing MI’s iconic blue and gold in IPL 2026, Izhar’s emergence adds fresh momentum to his promising cricketing story. It underlines once more that, with the right backing, cricketing talent can emerge from the game’s most unheralded corners.

In a surprising move, two long-serving women cricketers of Thailand, Nattaya Boochatham and Rosenan Kanoh, announced their retirements from international cricket after claiming their sixth consecutive gold medal in the Women’s T20 competition at the SEA Games Thailand 2025.

Nattaya Boochatham’s Final Bow

Veteran all-rounder Nattaya Boochatham confirmed that the final was her last appearance in international cricket. At 39 years old, she has been a central figure in Thailand’s rise on the regional and global stage, consistently contributing as a left-handed top-order batter and a reliable off-spinner.

The gold-medal win against Malaysia provided a fitting end to Boochatham’s time in national colours. A cornerstone of the Thailand women’s team for more than a decade, she played key roles in the side’s successes across ICC and ACC tournaments, including appearances at the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia and multiple Asia Cup campaigns. She was also part of the squad that recently lifted the ICC Emerging Nations Trophy.

Boochatham finished her career with more than 100 wickets in official women’s T20 internationals, a mark that stood as a national record until Thipatcha Putthawong surpassed it recently. Her value as a dependable all-rounder leaves a significant gap as Thailand transitions into their next phase.

Rosenan Kanoh’s Memorable Farewell

Joining her in retirement was all-rounder Rosenan Kanoh, who ended her international career on a high during the same final. Thailand were under pressure at 19/3 while chasing a modest target of 59 when the 26-year-old walked to the crease.

Kanoh responded with a calm and assured innings, backing herself to play her shots as she guided Thailand home. She brought the scores level with a six before striking the winning runs, sealing the gold medal and signing off from international cricket on a high.

As Thailand women’s cricket moves forward, the impact and legacy of both Boochatham and Kanoh will remain deeply woven into the team’s international journey.

Sakib Hussain was at Bihar’s Vijay Hazare Trophy camp in Patna when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him for his base price of Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. This marks the start of a new IPL chapter for Hussain, the right-arm pacer who tasted championship glory with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, though he didn’t play a single game.

Excitement at the Auction

“At the time of the auction, we were at the Vijay Hazare Trophy camp in Patna. When SRH picked me, I felt really good because the things where I had my shortcomings, I improved on them during the IPL and implemented that in domestic games. I have made sure to leave no stone unturned in overcoming those shortcomings and do well whenever a chance comes to play in the tournament,” Hussain shared in an exclusive conversation.

Journey to SRH

Hussain’s journey back to the IPL involved trials with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and KKR before SRH eventually secured him. Shortly after the auction, he received a motivating call from the franchise’s bowling coach and former India pacer Varun Aaron.

“Varun Aaron told me to get ready and that I have to do well and move ahead by working hard. On hearing this, first of all, I thanked him and the SRH team for taking me in. He replied telling me that this is just the fruit of your hard work.”

Valuable Lessons at KKR

Despite not getting game time in IPL 2024, Hussain’s tenure with KKR was invaluable. The Gopalganj native gained insights from cricketing stalwarts like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and coach Abhishek Nayar.

“All of them taught me a lot of good things. Like, the way they planned, playing with a different mindset on match day, and how to judge a player. I learnt a lot there,” he said.

Hussain also discovered a crucial lesson during his time with KKR — that physical talent alone isn’t enough at higher levels. “One big thing I learnt was cricket is a mind game. The one who thinks well plays well on the field. Everyone is talented, but it’s those who think and plan effectively who excel.”

Support System

Hussain’s journey started at Tunna Giri Cricket Academy in Gopalganj, where coach Robin Singh became his pillar of support through every high and low.

“People like Saket bhaiya and Kumar bhaiya at the academy have supported me. My coach Robin Singh is the most special person in my life. He has been there through my ups and downs. He’s supported me a lot,” he said.

He also acknowledged the role of the Bihar Cricket Association leadership—President Harsh Vardhan, Rakesh Tiwari, and Secretary Rahul—for creating the pathways that helped him pursue his dreams. “They all have helped me go from playing in a small town to such a big stage. I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

Eager to Learn in SRH

Looking forward to his stint with SRH, Hussain is eager to learn from captain Pat Cummins and other international stars in the setup. “In IPL, you have good coaches and mentors who can guide you. But everywhere you go, the main interest is to play at any opportunity and that aids your growth. In the Hyderabad team, legendary players like skipper Pat Cummins are present, which allows me to learn a lot.”

Impressive Domestic Performance

Hussain’s impressive pace in domestic performances caught the attention of IPL scouts, particularly highlighted by a remarkable 10-wicket haul against Arunachal Pradesh in the first half of the Ranji Trophy and six wickets in Bihar’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league games in Kolkata.

“In matches, I focus on keeping things simple and aim for timely breakthroughs. I don’t think too far ahead and concentrate on doing things in the present moment.”

Rising Talent from Bihar

Hussain’s return to IPL signifies a broader resurgence in Bihar’s cricket, with players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and fellow pacer Mohammad Izhar also securing IPL deals. “Bihar has talented players like me, Vaibhav, Izhar, and many others. The environment for cricket in Bihar is very good, which is why so many players are emerging, and more great cricketers will come in the future.”

Hungry for Success

Having experienced the joy of an IPL title with KKR, Hussain expressed eagerness to replicate that success in SRH colors. “Definitely, we will try to become a winning team again in the IPL next year. It would be fantastic to have a picture with the trophy on my Instagram profile once again. I am very excited to learn a lot and perform well to win the trophy for SRH this time.”

Australia’s rising left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, Cooper Connolly, views his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) stint with Punjab Kings in 2026 as a crucial opportunity to sharpen his skills by learning from elite spinners in the competition.

Developing Skills

“I think I’m still developing my game with the ball. But it’s super exciting. I think I’m just going to try to develop my bowling as much as I can. What’s happened over the last three years has been a big factor in me trying to get my bowling up to speed. I feel like it’s starting to slowly become a threat. It’ll be nice to learn off some guys there and watch how some go about it. But it’s something I’ve been working hard on and looking forward to getting stuck in and challenging myself,” Connolly said in a virtual round table organized by the franchise.

Auction Highlights

Punjab Kings acquired Connolly’s services for ₹3 crore in last week’s auction in Abu Dhabi, following his match-winning unbeaten 61 off 53 balls in Adelaide against a visiting Indian side in October, where he guided Australia from a precarious 132/4 to chase down 265 and secure a series win.

Experience in India

This wasn’t Connolly’s first experience related to India. He has modeled his batting on former batter Shaun Marsh, who played for PBKS from 2008 to 2017 in the IPL. Connolly toured India with the Australia A side in September-October, where he excelled in both red-ball and white-ball games in Lucknow and Kanpur. He also attended a 12-day training camp organized by Cricket Australia at the MRF Academy in Chennai in 2023. Connolly acknowledged that his experience in Indian conditions would be valuable in IPL 2026.

“It’s very valuable. I think I’ve been to India a couple of times now, and any chance we get to go over there is always a chance to understand those conditions. I always take a lot of learnings. It’s not as fast and bouncy as Australia, but just looking at the different pitches and wickets that can spin. I’ve taken a lot of learnings, and there’s still going to be time for me to learn more about the conditions when I’m over there. But it’s just trying to understand it quickly so that I get the best out of myself when I’m out there in the middle,” he added.

Rapid Ascent in Cricket

Connolly, who captained Australia in the 2022 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup in the West Indies, has seen a rapid ascent through international cricket. He remains grateful for the chances coming his way and is keen to maximize the opportunities to continue his impressive trajectory.

Although Connolly faces stiff competition for a spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad given the team’s depth, his all-round abilities and the tournament’s location in India and Sri Lanka could work in his favor.

“Everything’s happened fast over the last three years; it’s been pretty surreal. I’ve had a couple of moments recently where I’ve looked back at what’s happened. It’s obviously an honour to represent your country in all three formats. I’m still 22, and there’s a lot of cricket for me to play. So, every opportunity I get at the moment, I’m just trying to make the most of it and put my best foot forward.”

Eager to Learn from Iyer

Connolly is particularly eager to work under PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, whom he briefly met during the Australia A tour of India. “When I was over there for the Australia vs India ‘A’ games, I spoke to him a little bit. Just watching him go about his work, he’s a world-class player. I’m keen to pick his brains a little bit and understand what makes him successful and how he goes about it. I’m sure those communications will happen once I’m over there. I’m looking forward to picking his brains. It’s going to be an enjoyable experience.”

Connolly concluded, “There are some guys that I haven’t met yet, so I’m looking forward to getting over there and meeting them all and trying to pick up everyone’s brains on how to play in Indian conditions. It’s going to be an unbelievable tournament.”

India openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, along with pacer Arshdeep Singh, have been named in Punjab’s 18-man Vijay Hazare Trophy squad.

Squad Details

The team also includes Prabhsimran Singh, Naman Dhir, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sanvir Singh, Harpreet Brar, Gurnoor Brar, and Krish Bhagat.

Punjab, who were last season’s quarterfinalists, are slotted in Elite Group C and will begin their campaign against Maharashtra on December 24, playing all seven league matches in Jaipur. The league-stage fixtures conclude on January 8, three days before India’s first ODI.

Availability Concerns

The availability of Gill, Abhishek, and Arshdeep remains unclear, as India are scheduled to play three ODIs against New Zealand starting January 11, followed by five T20Is from January 21.

Gill, who was dropped from the T20I squad for the T20 World Cup and the New Zealand T20Is, will captain the ODI side, while Abhishek and Arshdeep are part of the T20I squad.

Domestic Competition Opportunity

With a three-week gap between India’s final T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on December 19 and the opening ODI against New Zealand on January 11, 2026, in Vadodara, this window can be utilized by all India players to participate in the 50-over domestic competition for their respective states.

Earlier, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant had already been included in Delhi’s probables list, and the duo will be available for Delhi until India’s ODI series against New Zealand from January 11 to 17, 2026. Meanwhile, former skipper Rohit Sharma was also named in the Mumbai squad for the first two Vijay Hazare Trophy games.

Punjab’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad:

• Shubman Gill
• Abhishek Sharma
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
• Harnoor Pannu
• Anmolpreet Singh
• Uday Saharan
• Naman Dhir
• Salil Arora (wk)
• Sanvir Singh
• Ramandeep Singh
• Jashanpreet Singh
• Gurnoor Brar
• Harpreet Brar
• Raghu Sharma
• Krish Bhagat
• Gourav Choudhary
• Sukhdeep Bajwa

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has reiterated his belief that the current Australian team is the weakest Ashes side England has faced in 15 years, despite the hosts referencing his comments during their celebrations in Adelaide.

Ahead of the series, Broad claimed Australia were at their lowest ebb since England last won the Ashes in Australia in 2010–11, emphasizing that his assessment was “not an opinion” but “a fact.” He pointed to Australia’s transition and uncertainty around player selection as the basis for his view.

These remarks clearly resonated within the Australian camp. After Australia secured the Ashes with a victory in the third Test in Adelaide, Marnus Labuschagne referred to Broad’s comments during a post-match interview with the ABC.

Travis Head added to the conversation by sharing a photo of himself with captain Pat Cummins on social media, captioned “Is it 2010 yet?” followed by three laughing emojis.

Following Australia’s 82-run win, which gave the hosts an unassailable 3-0 series lead, Broad maintained that his original comments still stood, arguing that England had not performed to their potential.

“Do I regret saying that? No. I did say Australia would have to play very badly and England would have to play very well. Australia haven’t played very badly, and England haven’t played very well,” Broad stated on his For The Love of Cricket podcast.

He also pointed out several factors he felt left Australia exposed entering the series, including Cummins missing the opening two Tests, Josh Hazlewood being unavailable for the entire campaign, and Usman Khawaja dealing with back spasms.

“From England’s point of view, what would they have liked coming into this series? A lot of things have gone England’s way. But England haven’t been good enough ultimately. Australia have been relentless in what they’ve done. Do I think the 2013-14 (Australian team) man-for-man was a better side? Yes, probably still. I don’t think individually they are better than any other team since 2010-11, but they’ve been relentless in the pressure they’ve managed to put on England.”

Right-arm quick Jhye Richardson is likely to be included in the XI for the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series after recovering from shoulder surgery.

After undergoing surgery in January, Richardson returned to cricket with his club, Fremantle, last month. He also spent time with the Test squad ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth, before playing for a Cricket Australia XI and Australia A against England Lions.

Richardson got a golden chance to push his claims for a Test recall after taking 4-35 against the England Lions, as he was called in to bowl with Australia’s Test attack ahead of the third Ashes Test.

With skipper Pat Cummins expected to sit out the Melbourne Test, and potentially the rest of the series, this opens a vacancy in the pace attack, meaning Richardson is very close to being in consideration.

The fact that Richardson has been called into camp to bowl in front of the coaching staff shows he remains very much in Australia’s plans, despite playing his last Test in December 2022.

Moreover, with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon being ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury, Australia will need to find a replacement for the veteran of 141 Tests.

Todd Murphy is likely the frontrunner to replace Lyon in the squad, with Corey Rocchiccioli, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Swepson, and Cooper Connolly also in the fray.

Murphy was selected for his Test debut at 22 during Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India in 2023. He took a stunning 7-124 on debut and dismissed Virat Kohli four times throughout the series.

Murphy was called in as Lyon’s injury replacement during the 2023 Ashes and returned to the Test team against Sri Lanka in January this year, taking one wicket in Australia’s innings victory.

Hockey India on Monday announced that tickets for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 will be free for fans eager to watch the games, as part of their effort to expand the sport’s fanbase across multiple cities.

Tournament Schedule

The Women’s HIL starts on December 28th in Ranchi and concludes on January 10th. The Men’s HIL begins on January 3rd in Chennai, then moves to Ranchi from January 11th. The final leg will be held in Bhubaneswar, known as the cradle of hockey, from January 17 to 26.

Ticket sales for the Ranchi leg of Hero HIL started today at 1100 hours, while tickets for Hero Men’s HIL in Chennai will be available from Wednesday at 1100 hours. Like the previous edition, Hockey India is committed to bringing the sport to every part of the country and making it more accessible for its passionate fans.

Official Statements

Hockey India League (HIL) governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey stated, “We have once again decided to offer free tickets for hockey fans to come and enjoy all the matches across Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. While the women’s matches will be in Ranchi, the men’s HIL will be played across three cities. We want to fill the hockey stands with fans who wish to see their favourite stars in action. We will have some of the world’s top players this season and we are eager to witness some fantastic hockey over the span of a month.”

Hockey India League (HIL) governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh echoed similar sentiments and said, “Hero HIL will be a month-long celebration of hockey, and we invite the hockey fans to come watch #hockeykajashn. It was our aim to increase the fanbase for our sport across regions, and we look forward to packed stadiums throughout the season.”

This year’s Hockey India League will showcase an impressive roster of eight men’s teams and four women’s teams, with both leagues offering fast-paced, exciting games through their newly revamped formats.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has showered praise on New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who delivered an impressive five-wicket haul on Day 5 of the final Test against the West Indies, helping his team secure a 2-0 victory in the three-match series.

Duffy claimed outstanding figures of 5/42 in the West Indies’ second innings as the Caribbean side was bowled out for 138 while chasing a substantial target of 462 runs. His remarkable performance also set a new New Zealand record, surpassing the previous mark of 80 wickets in a calendar year held by Kiwi legend Richard Hadlee. Duffy concluded the year with 81 international wickets, establishing a new benchmark for the Black Caps.

Throughout the series, Duffy took 23 wickets, playing a crucial role in New Zealand’s 2-0 series triumph and marking a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign.

“What a cricketer Jacob Duffy is turning out to be. 2025 has been his coming of age year. 23 wickets at 15.43, 40.3 strike rate and MOS in the tests against the Windies. He’s also the current #1 ranked T20I bowler, with a sensational 2025 in T20s with 57 wickets at 18.9, 7.89 economy, and an elite 53.1 per cent dot ball rate. At 31, he’s operating at peak efficiency. Absolute steal by RCB to pick him up at a base price of 2 Cr. Sensational coup,” Ashwin expressed on X.

On the fifth day at Mount Maunganui, Duffy spearheaded the attack as the hosts clinched a 323-run victory in the final session, turning what looked like a likely draw into a commanding win. He dismissed top-scorer Brandon King (67) and swiftly dismantled the middle order, taking out Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, and Roston Chase for a mere seven runs combined. Duffy also claimed the final wicket to seal the victory for his team.

New Zealand climbed to second on the ICC World Test Championship table after completing a dominant 323-run win over the West Indies in the third and final Test at Mount Maunganui.

The comprehensive victory lifted New Zealand above South Africa, with only Australia ahead of them in the WTC standings. New Zealand’s next assignment is a three-match World Test Championship series against England, scheduled for the middle of next year. The West Indies, meanwhile, remain ninth on the table and will return to action at home next year in a series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Match Highlights

The Black Caps sealed the result midway through the final session at Bay Oval, with left-arm seamer Jacob Duffy claiming the final wicket to bring the match to a close. This performance capped off an outstanding series for Duffy, earning him the Player of the Series award.

Duffy was the standout bowler in the West Indies’ second innings, returning figures of 5/42 as the visitors were bowled out for 138 while chasing a daunting target of 462. He finished the series with 23 wickets, playing a central role in New Zealand’s 2-0 series win and a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign.

In the process, the left-armer surpassed a long-standing national milestone, breaking Richard Hadlee’s record for the most wickets by a New Zealander in a calendar year. His third five-wicket haul of the series took his tally beyond Hadlee’s previous mark of 80.

“I saw that list (most wickets in a calendar year) at lunch time, and there were some cool names on there, so to be up there on any sort of list with those sort of names was special,” Duffy admitted.

Batting Brilliance

New Zealand’s bowlers were supported by a monumental effort with the bat, led by openers Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham. The pair made history by becoming the first opening combination in Test cricket to each register two centuries in the same match.

Conway’s contributions were particularly impressive, as his scores of 227 and 100 made him the first New Zealander, and just the 10th player overall, to record both a double century and a century in a single Test. He was rewarded with the Player of the Match accolade.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It will take some time for me to get my head around what happened in this Test match. But I’m really glad we got the win,” Conway said.