Category: Sports

India’s duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced a heartbreaking exit from the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in the semi-finals, losing 21-10, 17-21, 15-21 to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, the silver medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Strong Start

The Indian pair began strongly, dominating the opening game. However, the Chinese duo turned the tide in the later stages, ultimately securing the bronze medal.

Historical Context

It’s noteworthy that Indian shuttlers have only managed to win two medals at the BWF World Tour Finals. PV Sindhu remains the only gold medallist from India in this competition, having clinched the women’s singles title in 2018.

Match Progression

Third-ranked Satwiksairaj and Chirag initially struggled against the fifth-ranked Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who quickly took a 4-1 lead. However, the Indian shuttlers responded promptly, leveling the score at five all. From there, they dominated the first game to win it 21-10.

In the second game, the competition intensified, with Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang digging deep to clinch crucial points, eventually winning 21-17 and forcing a decider.

The final game proved to be one-sided, as Liang’s aggressive flick serves and Wang’s control at the net left the Inddigihunt struggling.

Head-to-Head Record

With this match, Satwik and Chirag have now lost eight out of their twelve encounters with the Chinese pair, five of which occurred in 2025. Earlier this week, the Indian duo had triumphed in both the group stage of the BWF World Tour Finals and the round of 16 at the BWF World Championships.

Former champions Sethu FC began their 2025-26 Indian Women’s League campaign on a positive note, coming from behind to register a 2-1 victory over Kickstart FC at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata on Saturday.

Match Overview

The contest was engaging from the outset, with both teams displaying attacking intent. Kickstart FC, eager to make a statement early in the season, were rewarded for their positive approach in the 12th minute. A corner from the left caused panic inside the Sethu penalty area. Although goalkeeper Anjila Subba managed to punch away the initial header, the danger was not fully cleared. Yangoijam Kiranbala Chanu chased the loose ball and was brought down inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Babysana Devi kept her composure and calmly converted the penalty, handing Kickstart the lead.

Sethu’s Response

Sethu FC did not allow the setback to dent their confidence and responded purposefully. Their forwards began to find pockets of space, and the midfield worked hard to push the team higher up the pitch. Lynda Kom Serto came close to restoring parity soon after, only to be denied by a sharp save from Kickstart goalkeeper Maibam Lingthoingambi Devi, who rushed off her line to smother the danger.

The equaliser eventually arrived in the 20th minute through Kaviya Pakkirisamy, who produced a moment of individual brilliance. Beating her marker with a clever change of direction, she curled a delightful effort that caught the goalkeeper off guard and nestled into the net. The goal lifted Sethu’s tempo, and the remainder of the first half saw both sides probing for an advantage, with the score locked at 1-1 at the break.

Second Half Dominance

Sethu emerged for the second half with greater urgency and control, pushing Kickstart deeper into their own half. Their intent paid off in the 50th minute from a set-piece situation. A corner from the left caused another scramble in the box, and although the initial header was kept out, Malavika P reacted quickest to slot home the rebound, giving the Madurai-based side the lead.

Kickstart FC attempted to mount a late response, pressing forward in search of an equaliser, but Sethu’s defence remained disciplined and organised. With calm game management in the closing stages, Sethu FC held firm to secure all three points and make a confident start to their league campaign.

A month after the epochal Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, India will be back in action as the T20I series against Sri Lanka begins at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Sunday.

Series Preparations

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized that this series is crucial preparation for the next T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England from June 12 to July 5. With only 11 T20Is lined up before the global event, the team aims to build rhythm and momentum.

Since their group-stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup, India has adopted a more aggressive approach, as demonstrated by their 2-1 series win over the West Indies and a 3-2 triumph over England in July.

“Our end goal is the next T20 World Cup in six months and before that, we want to play as many T20s as possible. From tomorrow it is going to start and some new players in the team; it is the right time to give them a fair chance to understand how we have to go in the next World Cup,” said Harmanpreet in the pre-series press conference.

Team Composition

India’s World Cup-winning squad largely remains intact against Sri Lanka, with Radha Yadav and Uma Chetry making way for newcomers Vaishnavi Sharma, a left-arm spinner, and wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini.

“It was hectic, but I want these kinds of schedules after every World Cup. So I don’t mind that, but looking forward to this series. We have been waiting for a month to get back on the field because, at the end of the day, we enjoy ourselves on the field. Tomorrow, we are starting our first game, so really looking forward to that,” added Harmanpreet.

Tuning Into T20 Format

For India, this series is about fine-tuning and getting into the rhythm of T20Is. “T20 format is something which the team loves the most. I don’t think we need to forget what we achieved in the last month, as that’s something we worked really hard for. But we need to remember the things that brought us results and are relevant at this stage. As a team, we are really looking forward to the next World Cup,” Harmanpreet stated.

Pitch Conditions

It also benefits India that they played ODI World Cup matches against South Africa and Australia in Visakhapatnam. “The pitch is really good for batting. Dew is going to play a huge role at this ground. We played the (ODI) World Cup matches here. We know the kind of pitch here and how we have to respond,” concluded Harmanpreet.

Ishan Kishan’s childhood coach, Uttam Mazumdar, expressed his delight over the wicketkeeper-batter’s selection for the T20 World Cup, stating that his comments about Kishan’s inclusion have “turned into reality.” The 26-year-old has made it to India’s squad for the prestigious tournament and the T20I series against New Zealand.

Kishan, who dominated the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a remarkable 517 runs, captained Jharkhand to victory in the tournament. He was notably a surprise replacement for Shubman Gill in the T20I squad due to his impressive performances, including a spectacular 101-run innings in the final against Haryana. The team management aimed to secure a back-up wicketkeeper-batter capable of contributing in the top order, paving the way for Kishan’s return.

Mazumdar shared that he had encouraged Kishan during the knockouts of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, mentioning that a match-winning century in the final would earn him a spot in the World Cup squad. He expressed pride in Kishan’s achievement, as the player led Jharkhand to the trophy after being out of the national set-up for two years.

“When the Jharkhand team qualified for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts, I told Ishan that, ‘You have made a lot of runs. But if you hit a hundred in the final and make the team win the trophy, it should put your name in that team for the World Cup.’ It just came out of my mouth and I was literally manifesting that he has to be there in the team for the World Cup,” Mazumdar reminisced.

Kishan’s last appearance for India was in the third T20I against Australia at Guwahati in November 2023. Following a mental health break and the loss of his BCCI central contract, Kishan’s return to the Indian team was informed to Mazumdar during a religious ceremony he was conducting.

“After the news of his selection came, I got a call in the afternoon, informing me about this. I didn’t know of it before as I was busy with a puja since morning. We have organised a Bhagavad Gita paath for Ishan starting from today and it will go on for six days. It’s definitely divine intervention that he’s now in the World Cup squad,” he added.

Mazumdar noted that the 2025 version of Kishan exhibits inner stillness and maturity compared to his 2023 self, highlighting his recent consistent performances. “A theraav (stillness) has come now in Ishan. Plus, maturity, patience and focus have come within him, due to which there’s more consistency in his game.”

He firmly believes that Kishan should be an automatic choice in India’s playing eleven, potentially opening the batting alongside in-form Abhishek Sharma. “In all the competitions, Ishan has done very well. I don’t think the team management will be able to put Ishan out of the playing eleven because of the calibre he has. The Indian T20I team needs such an explosive player.”

Mazumdar expressed that he looks forward to discussing the developments with Kishan later in the day. “I think I will talk to him only in the night. He was in Jharkhand for two days and had to meet the CM as well. The players were very happy because it was a historical win. It was a moment of wonder for a lifetime.”

He fondly recalled the early days when Pranav Pandey approached him, seeking to mentor a seven-year-old Kishan, marking the start of a remarkable journey. Kishan continues to follow the ritual of seeking blessings from Mazumdar before major matches.

Mazumdar, affectionately calling Kishan ‘Ishu,’ is confident that Kishan will play a pivotal role in India’s title defense at the T20 World Cup. “I think Ishan has started a new journey. Even the Indian team needs explosive players like Ishan who can make the team win big games. With the zeal he has in him and consistency in his scores, I am witnessing a completely new version of Ishan.”

As the series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup approach, Mazumdar believes Kishan’s talent will be utilized effectively by the team management.

East Bengal FC etched their name in the history books after lifting the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship 2025 title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nepal’s Armed Police Forces (APF) in the final at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Undefeated Season

The Indian Women’s League (IWL) champions recently capped off an undefeated season, winning all their matches and not conceding any goals.

Fazila Ikwaput Shines Again

For the second time in the competition, Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput showcased her high-level performance, scoring both of her team’s goals in the finals (21 & 46 minutes), which brought her tournament total to nine goals. Alongside her, Shilky Devi Hemam scored the second goal of the finals (35 minutes), putting East Bengal in complete control.

Coach Andrews’ Leadership

Coach Anthony Andrews, who guided East Bengal through group play in the IWL, led his team to the finals after finishing first in their group. East Bengal began group play strongly, defeating Transport United from Bhutan 4-0. The team then recorded a 2-0 victory over Karachi City, the defending champions from Pakistan. East Bengal’s most impressive result came with a staggering 7-0 defeat of Nasrin from Bangladesh, where Fazila Ikwaput scored five goals in a single match.

APF’s Notable Performance

In the IWL group stage, the only team to hold East Bengal to a draw (0-0) was APF, thanks to a sensational performance by their goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar, who kept East Bengal from scoring. Unfortunately for the Nepali side, they couldn’t replicate that performance in the finals.

Match Highlights

Both teams started cautiously, but East Bengal quickly took control. Ikwaput opened the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Shilky Devi’s goal just before halftime, giving East Bengal a commanding 2-0 lead at the break. After halftime, Ikwaput found the net again, sealing the match.

East Bengal managed the game professionally after securing a three-goal lead, ultimately claiming the championship. They achieved this milestone without conceding any goals throughout the tournament, finishing with four wins and one draw and being crowned the first-ever champions of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship.

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik was taken aback by the exclusion of India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup 2026 and the New Zealand T20I series. Alongside Gill, Karthik also expressed disappointment over Jitesh Sharma’s removal from the squad.

The squad announcement was made by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with Axar Patel designated as vice-captain. Ishan Kishan makes a notable return after his standout performance leading Jharkhand to victory in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rinku Singh also rejoins the T20I squad after missing the 3-1 series win in South Africa.

Karthik admitted to his surprise regarding Shubman Gill’s omission, calling both Gill and Jitesh Sharma shocking exclusions from the squad.

“The big news of the day: India World Cup T20 squad is announced and guess what? Shubman Gill, the current vice captain of the T20 team, incumbent opener has been dropped. Not just from the XI but from the squad. They wanted to bring in an extra opener and they brought in Ishan Kishan and dropped Jitesh Sharma as well. And instead of Jitesh Sharma, it’s gonna be Rinku Singh. That is huge news. Dropping Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma. I didn’t see it coming. Just tells you there’s a little bit of clarity lacking. They have backed Shubman Gill for so long and come the day they pick the squad, they have let him go,” Karthik stated on Instagram.

Karthik believes India heads into the upcoming T20 World Cup with a strong squad on paper, filled with match-winners. He highlighted that India has the best opener in Abhishek Sharma, the best spinner in Varun Chakaravarthy, the world’s premier all-rounder in Hardik Pandya, and arguably the best fast bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. This ensures a robust playing XI even before final combinations are settled.

However, he pointed out potential vulnerabilities, noting that for the first time, India will compete in a T20 World Cup without the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He also raised concerns about Suryakumar Yadav’s recent form but backed him to convert it into a strength once he finds his rhythm.

“India looks a strong squad on paper no matter what names you add there, this team is solid. Across every skillset, they have the best in the world: best opener: Abhishek Sharma, best spinner: Varun Chakaravarthy, best all-rounder: Hardik Pandya, the best fast bowler ever maybe: Jasprit Bumrah. With those four in the squad, you are going to have a strong XI walking into that World Cup. A couple of areas of vulnerabilities that India would have: For the first time ever in a T20 World Cup, they will have no experience of the greatest two that have probably ever played in Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in a World Cup team. And the second point would be Suryakumar Yadav’s form. But we all know how good he is. That vulnerable aspect will it change into a strength when he finds form? It definitely will. Well, let’s just finish by saying: Shubman Gill. Didn’t see that coming. And I feel really bad for Jitesh Sharma. Two shocking omissions from this squad,” he added.

India’s T20 World Cup campaign will commence on February 7 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium against the United States. Following that, on February 12, they will face Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The significant match against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will take place on February 15, with India concluding their group stage on February 18 against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has named Richard Ngarava as the new captain for both Test and One-Day International (ODI) formats, with Brian Bennett serving as vice-captain.

The appointments were confirmed during the ZC Board’s fourth-quarter meeting in Harare on Friday. Ngarava, a left-arm fast bowler, takes over from veteran batter Craig Ervine, who is stepping down after guiding the team through an important rebuilding phase.

ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani congratulated the new leadership team and acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing captain. “Ngarava has shown remarkable growth as a player and leader over the years. He commands respect within the dressing room and has consistently delivered for Zimbabwe across all formats. We believe he is ready to lead the team into its next chapter. Brian’s appointment as vice-captain reflects our confidence in his cricketing intelligence, maturity, and long-term leadership potential.

“He represents the future of Zimbabwean cricket. Craig Ervine led with professionalism, resilience, and dignity during a challenging period. ZC is deeply grateful for his contribution to the team’s stability and progress,” Mukuhlani stated.

Ngarava, who debuted internationally in 2017, is a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s bowling lineup. As a left-arm fast-medium bowler, he has played in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is and is the first Zimbabwean to reach 100 T20I wickets.

His career highlights include match-winning five-wicket hauls in both Test and ODI cricket, as well as a key contribution in Zimbabwe’s first home Test victory in 12 years. Bennett, a talented young all-rounder, has advanced quickly since leading the Under-19 team and making his senior international debut in all formats by age 21.

His recent milestones include centuries in both Test and ODI formats, setting the record for the fastest Test hundred by a Zimbabwean, and notable performances in both red-ball and limited-overs cricket. ZC stated that these appointments are part of its long-term plan to develop a competitive and sustainable national team.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and team management deserve ‘10 out of 10’ for the changes made to the side selected for next year’s T20 World Cup, where they enter as defending champions.

Positive Changes
Harbhajan expressed his satisfaction with the return of Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan, along with Axar Patel being appointed vice-captain. He noted that it’s not the end of the road for Shubman Gill in the shortest format. Gill was appointed as the deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the Asia Cup in September but did not breach the 50-run mark. In the recently concluded 3-1 series win over South Africa, Gill scored 4, 0, and 28 before missing the fifth match due to a right foot injury.

“I give chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the management 10 out of 10. It must have been tough to leave out Shubman Gill, but it is not the end for him in T20s. The team combination was the priority. I am very happy Rinku Singh is in the team, and Ishan Kishan has also returned,” said Harbhajan.

Team Balance
He added, “With Gill out, you need a powerful hitter at the top who can also keep wicket, so these two changes are good. Having Axar Patel as vice-captain is a very good decision. Overall, they have done a very good job. I hope the team plays well and wins the cup.”

Harbhajan acknowledged that Gill’s exclusion from the T20 WC squad and the series against New Zealand was based on team balance rather than his batting abilities. “Shubman Gill being left out does not make him a lesser player. We know his quality in any format. He is a very well-prepared player. When he plays, he can outshine others. This is not the end for him. A player will feel this setback, but I am sure the management or Ajit Agarkar will talk to him.”

Looking Ahead
“He should use this as motivation to become even better. If I could tell him, I would say this is the beginning of something big for him,” he said.

Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, shared his perspective on why India’s last-minute changes for the T20 World Cup were a brave and necessary decision. “The selection committee first looks at the top-order batters, especially in T20. Once they decided they needed a wicketkeeper to open, everything else fell into place. This looks like a course correction, and it is a bold call.”

“My compliments to Ajit Agarkar and the committee, because we rarely see two big changes just before a World Cup. They have relied on current form and solid backup options. Everyone knows Shubman Gill is a class player, but he was tried in the T20 setup and failed to meet expectations.”

“This is a massive course correction, and I am glad they did it before the World Cup. It was a huge call, but they have picked a strong 15 that can help India retain the title,” he concluded.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed delight at India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, stating that the team was ready for its “title defence.” He shared his happiness for his ‘brother,’ Sanju Samson, and praised Ishan Kishan’s selection, who has made a comeback to international cricket.

In a surprising move, defending champions India have excluded Shubman Gill from their squad for next year’s T20 World Cup and the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand. As announced by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and vice-captain Axar Patel, this squad highlights notable changes.

Besides Gill, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma is also omitted, as Ishan Kishan makes a remarkable comeback after showcasing explosive form while leading Jharkhand to victory in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rinku Singh also returns to the T20I squad after missing out on the 3-1 series win in South Africa.

“Title defence loading. Superb squad. Great to see Rinku back and happy for my thambi Sanju, who will now rightfully open alongside Abhishek. Adipoli Chetta! Huge applause for Ishan, who showed his hunger by grinding hard in the domestic circuit,” Ashwin wrote on X.

### T20 World Cup 2026 Format

The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, taking place from February 7 to March 8, will feature 40 group matches, with all matches scheduled to be played by February 20. The top two teams from each of the four groups will move on to the Super Eights, beginning on February 21.

### Host Details

India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the Men’s T20 World Cup for the second time. Sri Lanka previously hosted in 2012, while India last held the event in 2016. After finishing a three-match ODI series, India will play five T20Is against New Zealand starting on January 21 in Nagpur, with matches also scheduled in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

### Group Stage Matches

In the Men’s T20 World Cup, defending champions India are in Group A with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. India kicks off its tournament against the USA at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a match against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 12.

India’s high-profile match against Pakistan is set for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Their next and final league game will be against the Netherlands, taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18.

### India Squad

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