Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

SA20: Pretoria Capitals announce Mega Casino World as Principal Partner for Season Two

Mumbai: JSW-Owned Pretoria Capitals announced Mega Casino World, an igaming brand operating in the space of betting, casino and real money gaming, as Principal Partner for the upcoming season of SA20. The multi-year deal will see Pretoria Capitals sport the Mega Casino World brand on the front and back of their match and training shirts.

Speaking on the association, Divyanshu Singh, Chief Operating Officer of JSW Sports said, “We are delighted to have Mega Casino World as the principal partner for the Pretoria Capitals. The team has made quite the impression in the first season of the SA20, and the interest we have drawn from some top brands is a testament to that. I would like to extend Mega Casino World a warm welcome to the Pretoria family, and I am confident that we will have a season to celebrate.”

The Capitals’ squad features several internationals and South African talent, who played a crucial role in their run to the final last term. The fan-experience and atmosphere at Supersport Park, the Capitals’ home ground, was among the best in the League, and saw soaring attendances, in what was the inaugural edition of the competition.

Commenting on the partnership, Mega Casino World Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Lee Yong Fuk said, “We are very much delighted and thrilled to partner with Pretoria Capitals for SA20 Season 2. Cricket is recognized as a worldwide sport and has a fast-growing audience not only in South Africa but globally.”

In season one, Pretoria Capitals topped the league stage with seven wins in ten games. However, after a convincing win over Paarl Royals in the semifinal, they went down to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the summit clash. Pretoria begin the new season on January 12 with a fixture against Paarl Royals.

by Abhishek Shukla

Olympian Abhinav Bindra lauds Odisha’s state of the art Sports Science Centre at Kalinga Sports Complex

Bhubaneswar: In yet another significant development for sports in Odisha, the state-of-the-art sports science centre in Kalinga Stadium was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Odisha, Naveen Patnaik on Monday.  The comprehensive facility has been created to support sportspersons and para-sports persons from different sports by leveraging sports science and technology. It will serve as a centre for aiding in rehabilitation and recovery and improving performance of local sports talent and elite athletes from all over India.  

Speaking on the centre, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist highlighted the importance of the initiative. “This is an excellent facility and I believe sports science is the edge that athletes need to thrive at a global level. All global sporting superpowers incorporate sports science at all levels, right from talent identification to elite athlete training.”  

“I wish I had the opportunity during my career to access the wonderful technology and expertise available here. I am sure it would have helped me perform even better”, he further opined.  

The Sports Science Centre houses specialised labs including a Para-Athlete Performance Lab, Biomechanics Lab, Altitude Training Chamber, Cryotherapy and flotation therapy, Bindra lauded the Para Athlete Performance Lab and reiterated its significance.  “Sport is something that champions inclusivity and champions gender equality, it is marvellous to see how Odisha is using sport to imbibe these values in society.  I haven’t personally seen a state-of-the-art para training facility anywhere in the world. The entire facility is very thought through and inclusive and accessible in nature. It is also inspiring to see the number of young girls from Odisha who have taken up sport”, he said.  

While the integration of sports science has become a tenet of Odisha’s sport model, the Olympian appreciated the changing approach to sport, in Odisha, “Odisha is making a commendable effort to change the thought process around sports performance and embedding sports science and technology, not just at the elite level, but at the grassroots level.”  

He further added that focus on sports science is already starting to show with athletes from Odisha. “I had the pleasure of interacting with a few young athletes from Odisha and they were asking interesting questions that were scientific and performance related, even I did not think like that when I was an athlete. It was very heart-warming”.  

On the long-term implications of the Sports Science Centre at the Kalinga Stadium for sports in India, the shooter remarked, “Sports results take time, but I’m happy to see Odisha is on the path to develop many champions going forward. The entire ecosystem is incredible, you walk in here and you are taken to another world. The facility intends to improve the performance of athletes in Odisha, but at the end of the day we are one nation. It is about Indian sports and giving our athletes the best opportunities.” 

by Abhishek Shukla

ISL Match Preview: Kerala Blasters FC vs Punjab FC – A Battle of Contrasts

New Delhi, 13th December 2023 – The Indian Super League is set for an intriguing encounter as Kerala Blasters FC, one of the top teams this season, travel to the national capital to face Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This match, scheduled for Thursday, 14th December, pits two teams from opposite ends of the league table against each other in a game that promises to be full of excitement and strategic gameplay.

Punjab FC: Seeking a Turnaround

Punjab FC’s journey so far in their inaugural ISL season has been challenging, yet promising. They have equalled the record for the lowest points tally after nine games, a record shared with Hyderabad FC in the 2019-20 season. Despite this, their resilience is noteworthy, having drawn more matches than they have lost. Under the guidance of coach Staikos Vergetis, the team has shown a capability to stand toe-to-toe with more experienced sides. The lack of a decisive finishing touch has been their primary shortcoming, something they’ll be eager to overcome.

Defensively, Punjab FC needs to tighten up, having conceded 16 goals so far. Their style, characterized by agility and quick passes, has been effective in drawing fouls, leading the league in this statistic. The team will look to capitalize on set-pieces, utilizing their aerial strength. Key to their aspirations will be Luka Majcen, their Slovenian striker, who has been a consistent threat upfront.

Kerala Blasters FC: Maintaining Momentum

On the other side, Kerala Blasters FC comes off a narrow defeat to FC Goa and a high-scoring draw against Chennaiyin FC. Currently trailing the league leaders, the Blasters are focused on closing the gap and cannot afford to drop points. The team, known for its entertaining style of play, boasts of dynamic forwards like Dimitrios Diamantakos and Adrian Luna, alongside Indian stars such as Danish Farooq and Pritam Kotal.

The Blasters have been impressive in their start to matches, often scoring early and not conceding in the initial phases of the game. However, their inability to maintain clean sheets, especially in away games, remains a concern. This match provides another opportunity to address these issues and fortify their position in the league.

Key Players to Watch

  • Luka Majcen (Punjab FC): With his ability to score both inside and outside the box, Majcen will be central to Punjab’s attacking strategy. His aerial prowess and playmaking abilities make him a multifaceted threat.
  • Pritam Kotal (Kerala Blasters FC): A veteran in defense, Kotal’s interceptions, clearances, and overall game awareness will be critical in countering Punjab FC’s attacks. His leadership at the back will be key to Kerala’s defensive strategy.

Historical Context and Team Talk

This will be the first ISL meeting between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC. Kerala Blasters have struggled against new teams in the past and will be keen to overturn this trend. Both teams have expressed a strong commitment to their game plans, with Punjab focusing on disciplined execution and Kerala aiming to play offensive, chance-creating football.

Conclusion

As Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC prepare for their clash, the stakes are high for both teams. While Punjab seeks their maiden ISL win, Kerala Blasters aims to keep up their chase for the top spot. The contrasting styles and objectives of the teams set the stage for a fascinating match in the heart of the Indian capital.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIBA strategic partnership with Genius Sports to deliver next-gen AI-powered technology for Leagues and National Federations through 2035

LONDON/MIES (UK/Switzerland) – FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, has expanded its long-term partnership with Genius Sports Limited (“Genius Sports”) (NYSE:GENI) to deliver its revolutionary computer vision technology and AI-powered capabilities to Leagues and National Federations around the world from 2025 to 2035.

This new technology will transform the entire data and video ecosystem of international basketball, providing a unified, connected solution to automate and synchronize the collection of live game statistics and video production with advanced player tracking. Genius Sports’ optical system has been trained to read and understand live game plays and predict outcomes in real-time, turning raw live data and video into valuable, actionable game insights.

For the first time ever, Leagues and National Federations will have access to an AI-powered automated player tracking system. This advanced technology will also provide users access to a suite of cutting-edge coaching tools and analytics, automated officiating, and broadcast augmentation tools.

Since 2004, Genius Sports and FIBA have provided over 200 Leagues and National Federations worldwide with both FIBA LiveStats and FIBA Organizer, helping to collect official play-by-play statistics and drive digital transformation at all levels. To date, FIBA LiveStats has captured full box score data from over a million basketball games as both products continue their availability to the FIBA Family.

Also, under the terms of the new agreement, Genius Sports has been selected as FIBA’s Official Data & Video Capture and Production Partner as well as the governing body’s Official Innovation & Technology Services Partner from 2025 for a 10-year term.

“For almost 20 years, FIBA and Genius Sports have joined forces in developing the most innovative tools for Leagues and National Federations across all levels of basketball,” said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. “Through this automated solution, our objective is to assist National Federations and Leagues to increase their reach and revenue and at the same time, reduce costs. We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Genius Sports to achieve this goal and equip the FIBA Family with first access to this cutting-edge technology in basketball.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our landmark partnership with FIBA, equipping Leagues and National Federations with state-of-the-art technology to transform how their fans, coaches, officials, broadcasters and sponsors interact with live data and video,” said Mark Locke, CEO at Genius Sports. “Powered by our unique AI-driven system, Leagues and National Federations at all levels of basketball will be able to automate data and video collection and utilize the highest quality player and team tracking data.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Suryakumar Yadav retains number one spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings

India star, Suryakumar Yadav solidified his position at the helm of the batters list of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings thanks to his quick-fire, half-century in the second T20I against South Africa in Gqeberha on Tuesday. The skipper sits comfortably on 865 ratings points in the weekly update, which considers the performances of the week up to 12 December.

Yadav smashed 56 from 36 deliveries to gain a total of 10 rating points to further extend his lead as the number one ranked batter in T20 international cricket.

In other movements following the match, Rinku Singh’s star continues to rise as he rocketed 46 slots to 59th among the batters, following his dazzling and unbeaten 68 from just 39 balls, which lifted him to career-best 464 rating points. The twenty-six-year-old now averages 82.66 with a strike rate of 183.70 in his 11 T20 international matches to date. 

South Africa went one-nil up in the three-match series after the opening match in Durban was washed out. Captain, Aiden Markram, remains in third place among the batters on 758 points, but advanced two slots to second place among the all-rounders (212 points), while Reeza Hendricks slid up a slot to take eighth place in the batters list.

The bowlers list saw the rise of Rashid Khan to joint-first place, sharing with India’s Ravi Bishnoi, who missed out on selection for the South Africa tour, while the Proteas’ Tabraiz Shamsi became the eighth spinner in the top 10 of the list when he hopped two places from 12th, moving to 654 points.

The latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings saw movement after the completion of the 1-1 tied series between Bangladesh and New Zealand. Glenn Phillips’ Player of the Match-winning performance saw him progress significantly in all three lists, reaching career-best rating points in all of them as he went. He shot up 59 slots to 55th among the batters with 502 points, then jumped 20 places to 65th on 290 points in the bowlers list and advanced 42 slots to 24th (145 points) in the all-rounders list. 

Phillips’ teammate Ajaz Patel rose seven places to 33rd on the bowlers’ list, while Bangladesh duo, Mehidy Hasan (up two spots to 21st) and Nayeem Hasan (up five slots to 44th) also made good progress. 

In the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings which follows West Indies’ historic 2-1 series win against England, Player of the Series and Windies captain, Shai Hope’s performances saw him park just shy of the top ten of the batters list, he remains in 11th place with 699 points.

For more information on player rankings, please click here.

by Abhishek Shukla

WWE SmackDown Preview, December 15, 2023: Roman Reigns Returns to Handle Tribal Business

Roman Reigns Returns to SmackDown to Handle Tribal Business

As the WWE Universe eagerly anticipates the upcoming Royal Rumble, the anticipation builds for next week’s SmackDown, where “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns is set to return. Reigns, known as “The Head of the Table,” will be facing the critical task of unifying and preparing his tribe for the challenges ahead. With WrestleMania on the horizon, Reigns’ leadership and strategic prowess will be crucial in navigating the path to one of WWE’s biggest events.

Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory: U.S. Title Tournament Showdown Despite Injury

In a continuation of the United States Championship Tournament, Kevin Owens is set to face Austin Theory next week. Owens, despite sustaining a broken hand during a confrontation with Grayson Waller, has shown resilience and determination. Known for his relentless fighting spirit, Owens has continued to confront his adversaries head-on. This upcoming match offers him an opportunity not only to advance in the tournament but also to seek retribution for his injury. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if KO can overcome his physical limitations and defeat Theory.

Carmelo Hayes Makes SmackDown Debut Against Grayson Waller in U.S. Title Tournament

The first round of the United States Title Tournament is set to conclude with an exciting matchup between Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller. Handpicked by Shawn Michaels, Hayes makes his SmackDown debut in what promises to be a high-stakes battle. Waller, on the other hand, is looking to solidify his position and reach new heights in his career. This clash will be a test of both Hayes’ potential and Waller’s ambition. The WWE Universe is buzzing with anticipation to see who will emerge victorious in this pivotal showdown.

by Abhishek Shukla

WWE NXT Results: December 12, 2023

The WWE NXT event on December 12, 2023, was a showcase of thrilling matches and intense rivalries.

Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match: Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, & Fallon Henley def. The Meta-Four

In a six-person mixed tag team match, the team of Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, and Fallon Henley emerged victorious over The Meta-Four, comprising NXT Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, and Lash Legend. The match witnessed high drama with Tiffany Stratton attacking Henley, leading to Briggs landing a massive lariat on Dar for the win.

NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament: Oba Femi def. Myles Borne

In the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament, the towering Oba Femi defeated Myles Borne. Femi’s raw power was on full display, overpowering Borne’s early momentum and securing his spot in the semi-finals with a devastating power bomb.

NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee def. Tyler Bate

The NXT North American Championship saw Dragon Lee successfully defend his title against Tyler Bate. Bate’s resilience and skill nearly caught the champion off guard, but Lee’s counter into Operation Dragon clinched him the victory and a standing ovation from the NXT Universe.

Singles Match: Eddy Thorpe def. Dijak via a disqualification

Eddy Thorpe won against Dijak by disqualification in a singles match marked by personal animosity. Dijak’s aggression spiraled out of control as he assaulted Thorpe with broken ring ropes, leading to his disqualification amidst a chorus of boos.

NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament: Riley Osborne def. Keanu Carver

Riley Osborne triumphed over Keanu Carver in another Men’s Breakout Tournament match. Osborne’s agility and determination saw him counter a massive pounce by Carver with a kick to the face, followed by a stunning shooting star press for the win.

Women’s Tag Team Match: Cora Jade & Blair Davenport def. Lyra Valkyria & Nikkita Lyons

In a women’s tag team match, Cora Jade and Blair Davenport defeated NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Nikkita Lyons. Valkyria’s dominance was interrupted by Tatum Paxley’s distraction, leading to Jade and Davenport capitalizing on the opportunity to claim a surprising victory.

by Abhishek Shukla

Volleyball: Women’s Club World Championship Returns To China

Six top-level women’s clubs will battle it out from 13-17 December at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Hangzhou, China for the ultimate title of Club World Champions. The women’s competition returns to the country after four years since Shaoxing hosted the 2018 and 2019 editions.

China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank women’s volleyball club will be joined by Türkiye’s Istanbul rivals, Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul and VakifBank Spor Kulubu, Brazil’s Gerdau Minas of Belo Horizonte and Dentil Praia Clube of Uberlandia, as well as Vietnamese newcomers Sport Center I Women’s Club of Hanoi.Türkiye’s VakifBank Spor Kulubu launch their quest for a record-extending fifth world title on Wednesday when they face debutantes Sport Center I Women’s Club of Hanoi in the opening match of the tournament.

The Turkish giants, who lost 1-3 to Italy’s Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano in last year’s final, are in Pool B alongside South American champions Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia of Brazil and the Vietnamese newcomers.

Hosts and reigning Chinese league champions Tianjin Bohai Bank will begin their campaign against Brazil’s Gerdau Minas Belo Horizonte in the first Pool A match.

Two-time champions Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul of Türkiye, who are also in Pool A, will play their first match on Thursday against Gerdau Minas in what will be a repeat of last year’s third place play-off, which the Europeans won 3-1 to claim bronze.

Dentil Praia will hope to reach the podium in this year’s edition when they get their campaign underway against Asian champions Sports Center I on Thursday.

Despite losing Italian star opposite Paola Egonu, the reigning European champions VakifBank still remain the favourites. They have so far collected four world titles (2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021) which have contributed towards a total of eight podium finishes. These results mean they have secured a place on the podium every time they have participated, that being all editions of the tournament since 2016.

Brazilian outside hitter Gabriela Guimaraes, USA’s middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu and Turkish duo of Zehra Gunes and Cansu Ozbay are some of the key players head coach Giovanni Guidetti will be banking on to clinch a historic fifth title.

Eczacibasi qualified for their seventh Club World Championship appearance as 2023 CEV Champions League runners-up. They will rely on Serbian opposite Tijana Boskovic and Canadian outside hitter Alexa Gray to reclaim the title they last won in 2016.

Tianjin Bohai Bank will be looking to reach the knockout stages in their third appearance at the Club World Championships with the support of the middle blocker Xinyue Yuan and outside hitter Yingying Li.

The two Brazilian clubs return to the competition for the fifth consecutive time, after participating together in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. In 2018, Minas made it to the podium with silver, their second, after 1992 when they had their debut in the competition.

Minas will rely on the experienced Brazilian middle blockers Caroline Gattaz and Thaisa Menezes to steer them to the podium this year.

Dentil Praia are after their first podium, with a 2018 fourth place as their best result so far.

Vietnam’s Sport Center I will hope to emulate the strong performance of Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds in the men’s edition this year, in their first-ever appearance at the Championship.

After three days of preliminary matches, the top two sides in each pool will advance to the semifinals set for Saturday.

The final and bronze medal match will be played on Sunday.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 champions to be crowned at iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium

The iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus has been officially named as the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 venue in Greece.

Home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in Europe, the port city of Piraeus will serve as the backdrop for the Final Phase of the competition in addition to hosting one of the four groups.

Steeped in history and renowned for hosting top level events across different sports, the 11,847-seat Peace and Friendship Stadium will add to its legacy by welcoming the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket for the first time, having also been confirmed to host one of the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2024.

The announcement of Piraeus as the host city for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 coincides with the visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and Hellenic Basketball Federation President Vaggelis Liolios to the House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, where they met with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. 

The only previous time the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket was hosted in Greece was in 2003, when the event took place in the cities of Amaliada, Patras and Pyrgos.

“The growth of the popularity of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket, and women’s basketball in Europe at large, has been unprecedented in recent years and we’re thrilled to be able to bring our flagship event to the historic Peace and Friendship Stadium,” said FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak.

“The selection of Piraeus as one of the host cities, alongside the newly introduced multi-country hosting format gives the competition and our athletes a perfect platform to continue expanding the reach and impact of women’s basketball in Europe.”

The next edition of Europe’s flagship women’s basketball competition marks a historic milestone as the first ever to be organized across four nations, with Czechia, Germany, Greece and Italy confirmed as co-hosts earlier this year.

Brno in Czechia, Bologna in Italy, and Hamburg in Germany will join Piraeus as the four host cities for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025.

The 16-team event is set to take place from June 18-29, 2025, with all four hosts qualified automatically.

The remaining 32 teams participating in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, which tipped off earlier this year, will battle it out for the last 12 spots at the Final Round across three windows between November 2023 and February 2025.

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Ultimate Kho Kho announces Season 2 fixture, defending champions Odisha Juggernauts take on Rajasthan Warriors in opener

New Delhi, December 13, 2023: Hosts and defending champions Odisha Juggernauts will take on Rajasthan Warriors in the lung opener of the Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 which will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha, from Sunday, December 24, 2023.

Meanwhile, runners-up in the inaugural season, Telugu Yoddhas aim to go one step further as they face Mumbai Khiladis in their Season 2 opener in the second match of the day. Both teams will clash twice during the 30-match league stage, scheduled to be played between December 24 and January 09, 2024.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, Season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho will witness high-octane matches and thrilling action especially after its successful inaugural season. The league has recently become the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding from UK-based BNP Group.

The six-team tournament comprises Chennai Quick Guns (owned by KLO Sports), Gujarat Giants (Adani Sportsline), Mumbai Khiladis (Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, Punit Balan and Badshah), Odisha Juggernauts (Government of Odisha), Rajasthan Warriors (Capri Global Group) and Telugu Yoddhas (GMR Sports) will play on a basis of double round robin in the league stage. Top-4 teams will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on January 11, 2024. The final will be played on January 13, 2024.

We’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho, building on the incredible momentum of the inaugural season. With high-octane matches, exciting new talent, and a growing fanbase, we’re committed to making this season even bigger and better. This league is more than just a competition; it’s a platform to showcase the power and agility of Kho Kho, inspire the next generation of athletes, and contribute to the development of a vibrant sports ecosystem in India,” commented Vishal Sharma, League Director and COO of Ultimate Kho Kho.

UKK Season 2 fixture

  1. Odisha Juggernauts VS Rajasthan Warriors – Sun, 24th Dec
  2. Telugu Yoddhas VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sun, 24th Dec
  3. Rajasthan Warriors VS Gujarat Giants – Mon, 25th Dec
  4. Chennai Quick Guns VS Telugu Yoddhas – Mon, 25th Dec
  5. Gujarat Giants VS Mumbai Khaalis – Tue, 26th Dec
  6. Odisha Juggernauts VS Chennai Quick Guns – Tue, 26th Dec
  7. Telugu Yoddhas VS Rajasthan Warriors – Wed, 27th Dec
  8. Mumbai Khaalis VS Odisha Juggernauts – Wed, 27th Dec
  9. Rajasthan Warriors VS Chennai Quick Guns – Fri, 29th Dec
  10. Gujarat Giants VS Telugu Yoddhas – Fri, 29th Dec
  11. Chennai Quick Guns VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sat, 30th Dec
  12. Odisha Juggernauts VS Gujarat Giants – Sat, 30th Dec
  13. Telugu Yoddhas VS Odisha Juggernauts – Sun, 31st Dec
  14. Rajasthan Warriors VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sun, 31st Dec
  15. Gujarat Giants VS Chennai Quick Guns – Mon, 1st Jan
  16. Rajasthan Warriors VS Telugu Yoddhas – Mon, 1st Jan
  17. Chennai Quick Guns VS Odisha Juggernauts – Tue, 2nd Jan
  18. Mumbai Khaalis VS Gujarat Giants – Tue, 2nd Jan
  19. Mumbai Khaalis VS Telugu Yoddhas – Wed, 3rd Jan
  20. Rajasthan Warriors VS Odisha Juggernauts – Wed, 3rd Jan
  21. Telugu Yoddhas VS Chennai Quick Guns – Fri, 5th Jan
  22. Gujarat Giants VS Rajasthan Warriors – Fri, 5th Jan
  23. Gujarat Giants VS Odisha Juggernauts – Sat, 6th Jan
  24. Mumbai Khaalis VS Chennai Quick Guns – Sat, 6th Jan
  25. Mumbai Khaalis VS Rajasthan Warriors – Sun, 7th Jan
  26. Odisha Juggernauts VS Telugu Yoddhas – Sun, 7th Jan
  27. Telugu Yoddhas VS Gujarat Giants – Mon, 8th Jan
  28. Chennai Quick Guns VS Rajasthan Warriors – Mon, 8th Jan
  29. Odisha Juggernauts VS Mumbai Khaalis – Tue, 9th Jan
  30. Chennai Quick Guns VS Gujarat Giants – Tue, 9th Jan

Semi-Final and Finals schedule:

  • Thu 11th Jan: Semi Final 1 (Rank 2nd VS Rank 3rd)
  • Thu 11th Jan: Semi Final 2 (Rank 1st VS Rank 4th)
  • Sat 13th Jan: 3rd Place (SF 1 Loser VS SF 2 Loser)
  • Sat 13th Jan: Final (SF Winner 1 VS SF Winner 2)

The UKK is to be live from 24th December to 13th January, 7 PM onwards, with live and exclusive streaming on Sony Sports Network.

by Abhishek Shukla

FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023: Indian Colts ready for German challenge in Semi-Finals

Kuala Lumpur, 13th December 2023: Following an exhilarating comeback win against the Netherlands in the Quarter-Final of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023, the Indian Colts are set to face the formidable Germans in the Semi-Final round on Thursday, 14th December 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In the previous matches, the Indian Team secured a 4-2 victory against Korea, suffered a 4-1 defeat to Spain, and bounced back with a commanding 10-1 win over Canada, ultimately securing a second-place finish in Pool C. Notably, India triumphed over the Netherlands, a European powerhouse ranked fourth in world rankings, in a thrilling Quarter-Final clash, staging a remarkable comeback to conquer the Dutch with a 4-3 scoreline.

Reflecting on the incredible turnaround in the Quarter-Finals on Tuesday and playing under pressure, Captain Uttam Singh, “We are now used to playing under pressure. Be it the Asia Cup Final against Pakistan or the Bronze Medal match in the Sultan of Johor Cup, we have played and won under pressure. It’s something we have worked on and we have developed a skill set. It also helps that five players from the existing team were part of the previous Junior World Cup, so our experience also comes in handy.”

The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team has faced Germany four times this year and has lost on all four occasions, with their last defeat coming in the Semi-Finals of the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 3-6. Notably, India faltered to Germany by 2-4 in the Semi-Finals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 as well.

Eager to set the record straight the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach said, “Germany are a strong team and we faced them in the Sultan of Johor Cup recently but with a slightly different squad and a different approach. We have analysed all the teams in the World Cup, Germany included, and the added learning from the previous matches against them will put us in a good position ahead of the game. The players know that Germany isn’t unbeatable, it’s a matter of executing the plan.”

Being the only Asian team amongst the Semi-Finalists, Captain Uttam Singh is confident of a good performance. He said, “The dream of every player in the team is to win the Final and we are working tirelessly towards that goal. The team is in good form and we know the strengths and weaknesses of Germany after facing them so many times. We don’t want to just be participants at the world events. We want to win it and we play with that motivation. So we will use the remaining time to prepare ourselves for the match and ensure we give our best against Germany tomorrow.”

India will face Germany in the Semi-Final on 14th December at 1530 hrs IST.

The matches will be broadcast on Sports 18 – 3 and Sports 18 – 1 HD, as well as live-streamed on JioCinema.

by Abhishek Shukla

UCL: Ceballos Clinches Victory for Real Madrid in Thrilling Champions League Clash Against Union Berlin

Berlin: In an electrifying Champions League Group C finale, Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos emerged as the hero, netting a decisive 89th-minute goal to seal a 3-2 victory over Union Berlin. This win marks a flawless group stage campaign for Madrid, boasting six victories from six matches, while Union Berlin’s European journey concludes at the bottom of the table.

The match kicked off with Union Berlin showing early promise. Just 55 seconds in, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was called into action, executing a remarkable one-handed save to thwart Kevin Behrens’ close-range effort. Real Madrid soon responded, turning up the heat with Joselu coming close to scoring. His 16th-minute header ricocheted off the crossbar, and he narrowly missed another opportunity in the 43rd minute. The first half’s drama peaked when Luka Modric’s penalty was expertly saved by Union’s keeper Frederik Ronnow in the 45th minute.

As halftime approached, Union Berlin seized their moment. Kevin Volland capitalized on a David Alaba miskick, slotting the ball home in stoppage time, sending the hosts into the break with a surprise lead.

With their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread, Union Berlin faced relentless pressure in the second half. Ronnow once again showcased his goalkeeping prowess in the 55th minute, denying Rodrygo’s point-blank header. But he couldn’t keep Joselu at bay in the 61st minute, as the Madrid forward equalized with a header from a Fran Garcia cross.

Joselu wasn’t done yet, putting Madrid ahead in the 73rd minute with another header, this time from a near-post delivery. The match’s intensity didn’t wane as Alex Kral drew Union level with a low strike in the 85th minute.

However, Ceballos had the final word, ensuring Madrid’s victory in the 89th minute and propelling them to the top of the group with 18 points. Napoli followed into the knockout stage in second place with 10 points, while Braga and Union Berlin trailed behind with four and two points, respectively.

This match epitomized the drama and unpredictability of the Champions League, with Real Madrid demonstrating their class and resilience to emerge victorious in a challenging away fixture.

by Abhishek Shukla

BCCI Opens Bidding for IPL Title Sponsorship for 2024-2028 Seasons

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for acquiring the Title Sponsor Rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the seasons spanning 2024 to 2028. This announcement marks a significant step for one of the most lucrative and popular cricket leagues in the world.

The Governing Council of the IPL is looking for bids from reputed entities interested in securing these rights. This opportunity is a major draw for corporations looking to associate their brand with the globally recognized cricketing event. The ITT document, containing detailed terms, conditions, eligibility requirements, and bid submission processes, is accessible upon the payment of a non-refundable fee of INR 5,00,000 (Five Lakh Indian Rupees), plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax.

Entities interested in bidding for the title sponsorship must email the BCCI at ipltitlesponsor2023.itt@bcci.tv with details of the ITT fee payment as outlined in Annexure A of the notice. The ITT will be available for purchase until January 8, 2024, but simply purchasing the document does not automatically qualify an entity to bid.

The BCCI has emphasized that eligibility for bidding is contingent upon meeting the criteria set out in the ITT. Moreover, certain brand categories, detailed in Annexure B of the tender document, are restricted from bidding. The highest bid submitted will also be subject to Tata Sons Private Limited’s ‘Right to Match’ (RTM), as detailed in Annexure C.

This process presents a unique opportunity for brands to be prominently associated with the IPL, a league that has consistently attracted massive viewership and fan engagement both in India and internationally. The IPL has been a game-changer in the world of cricket, known for its high-octane matches, international player participation, and significant impact on the global cricketing calendar.

The BCCI, however, reserves the right to amend or cancel the bidding process at any stage without prior notice or explanation. This move by the BCCI is expected to generate considerable interest among major corporate entities, setting the stage for a competitive bidding process.

With the IPL’s growing global footprint, the title sponsorship rights are not just a significant revenue stream for the BCCI but also a golden opportunity for the winning bidder to enhance its brand visibility on an international scale. This announcement is eagerly awaited by cricket enthusiasts and the business community alike, as it opens a new chapter in the commercial aspects of cricket in India.

by Abhishek Shukla

ISL: FC Goa, Mumbai City FC play out a gritty goalless draw

Goa, 12th December 2023: League leaders FC Goa held Mumbai City FC to a goalless draw at the Fatorda Stadium tonight as Petr Kratky secured a point for the visitors in his first ever game coaching in the Indian Super League (ISL).

The Gaurs began impressively, chasing their first win against the Islanders in their last eight encounters. Carl McHugh, primarily tasked with shielding the FC Goa defence, was on the move forward tonight, unlocking their attackers with key passes near the final third.

A headed attempt at goal in the sixth minute was followed by McGugh placing a perfect pass on the path of Boris Singh. The winger took a shot at Phurba Lachenpa in the 12th minute, but the Mumbai City FC goalkeeper thwarted the threat for the time being.

The home team fell back on their creative attacking duo of Victor Rodriguez and Noah Sadaoui soon afterwards, with the two of them pushing the Mumbai City FC backline behind and carving open spaces to keep Lachenpa on his toes, all the time.

Abdenasser El Khayati, the former Chennaiyin FC star who netted the opener in the Islanders’ 4-0 triumph over Bengaluru FC last week, was eager to get going, with some enterprising moves near the opposition’s box.

However, efforts from neither of the two sides could culminate in a goal-scoring move, with Noah’s shot courtesy of a pass by Rodriguez flying over the posts at the brink of the half-time whistle.

Yoëll van Nieff, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Bipin Singh came on to enable the Islanders to take a more direct approach in the second essay of the game. Van Nieff drew fouls near the box whereas Bipin made some flashy runs on the left flank. Cutting in, he unleashed a shot in the 68th minute, but a disciplined FC Goa defence that has conceded only thrice so far this season, held right to ward off the winger’s effort.

Marquez unrolled the last roll of his dice by substituting Carlos Martinez on for Sadaoui, with a hope of putting numbers inside the box and banking on the Spaniard to make the most of whichever chances came his way. But, it was not the night for that, as Mumbai City FC weathered that and instead applied pressure back by amplifying their efforts to seek the winner.

Key Performer of the Match

Carl McHugh (FC Goa)

The midfielder was the engine for his side at the centre of the park, completing 77% of his passes, making several forward forays to crack open the Mumbai City FC backline and also emerging as an aerial threat inside the Islanders’ box. McHugh created one goal-scoring chance and made two tackles as well.

What’s next for both teams?

FC Goa will travel to face the Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 23, whereas Mumbai City FC will meet East Bengal FC at home on December 16.

Brief Scores

FC Goa 0 – 0 Mumbai City FC

Stat Pack:

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by Abhishek Shukla

WWE NXT Deadline 2023: A Night of High-Octane Action and Surprising Victories

WWE NXT Deadline 2023 showcased a series of exhilarating matches, with athletes pushing their limits in the ring. Here’s a breakdown of the key results:

  1. Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer: In a showdown of high-flying agility, Axiom emerged victorious over Nathan Frazer. Both athletes displayed remarkable speed and athleticism, but Axiom’s Spanish Fly and Golden Ratio secured his win in this friendly yet fiercely competitive match.
  2. Dragon Lee Wins NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee claimed the NXT North American Championship from “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. The match was emotionally charged, with Rey Mysterio in attendance. Mysterio’s attempt at his father’s signature 619 backfired, allowing Lee to execute a devastating powerbomb and an athletic twisting slam for the win.
  3. Blair Davenport Triumphs in Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Blair Davenport stood out in the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge, defeating Tiffany Stratton, Kelani Jordan, Lash Legend, and Fallon Henley. Davenport’s agility and strategic moves, including a knee strike on Henley in the final moments, earned her the title of Women’s Iron Survivor.
  4. Carmelo Hayes Defeats Lexis King: In a match fueled by personal animosity, Carmelo Hayes overcame Lexis King. Hayes maintained his focus amidst mind games from King, using his signature move, “Nothing but Net,” to secure the victory.
  5. Trick Williams Wins Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match: Trick Williams outlasted Bron Breakker, Dijak, Josh Briggs, and Tyler Bate to become the Men’s Iron Survivor. The match was a rollercoaster of pinfalls and stunning moves, with Williams ultimately seizing the opportunity for a spectacular win.
  6. Kiana James Overcomes Roxanne Perez in Steel Cage Match: The rivalry between Roxanne Perez and Kiana James reached a boiling point in a Steel Cage match. James, aided by a new ally, Izzi Dame, managed to claim victory over Perez in a dramatic and intense battle.
  7. Ilja Dragunov Retains NXT Championship Against Baron Corbin: In the main event, NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov defended his title against Baron Corbin. Dragunov endured a brutal onslaught from Corbin, ultimately unleashing his fury with a Torpedo Moscow to retain his championship. The event concluded with Trick Williams, the Men’s Iron Survivor winner, confronting Dragunov in a tense staredown.

NXT Deadline 2023 was a testament to the athleticism and storytelling prowess of the NXT roster, delivering a night filled with drama, action, and memorable moments for WWE fans.

by Abhishek Shukla

WWE Raw Results: December 11, 2023 – Explosive Confrontations and Surprising Outcomes

In an action-packed WWE Raw event on December 11, 2023, fans witnessed a series of intense battles and dramatic confrontations.

  1. Drew McIntyre Triumphs Over Jey Uso: The Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre, continued his dominant run by defeating Jey Uso. The match, a continuation of their escalating rivalry, saw McIntyre cunningly use a dislodged top-rope turnbuckle to his advantage, setting up his victory with a Claymore kick.
  2. Rhea Ripley Subdues Maxxine Dupri: Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley asserted her dominance in the ring, overcoming a surprising hurricanrana from Maxxine Dupri. Ripley quickly recovered, delivering the Riptide and securing a submission victory with the Prism Trap.
  3. CM Punk’s Raw Signing and Royal Rumble Declaration: In a significant development, CM Punk decided to sign with Raw, following a tense face-off with World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. This confrontation sets the stage for potential high-stakes encounters in the future.
  4. Bronson Reed Bests Ivar: The colossal Bronson Reed faced off against Ivar in a rematch marked by raw power and agility. Reed emerged victorious after executing a ring-shifting Superplex on Ivar, demonstrating his formidable strength in the “beef planet” division.
  5. R-Truth and The Creed Brothers versus The Judgment Day: R-Truth, joined by The Creed Brothers, engaged in a fierce brawl with The Judgment Day, equalizing the odds in a heated clash that showcased the ongoing animosities between these factions.
  6. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance Overcome Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance continued their impressive win streak in the women’s tag team division. They defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, solidifying their position as formidable contenders in the tag team landscape.
  7. Nia Jax’s Bold Claim Against Becky Lynch: A verbal confrontation saw Nia Jax assert that she was instrumental in creating “The Man” persona of Becky Lynch, adding more fuel to their fiery rivalry.
  8. The Miz & #DIY Outmaneuver Imperium: In a thrilling Six-Man Tag Team Match, The Miz, along with #DIY’s Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, overcame the formidable trio of Imperium. Despite their complex history, the match featured high-octane action and showcased the cohesion of The Miz and #DIY.
  9. Cody Rhodes Wins by Disqualification Against Shinsuke Nakamura: In a first-ever meeting between two former Royal Rumble winners, Cody Rhodes was on the brink of victory against Shinsuke Nakamura. However, Nakamura resorted to using his notorious red mist, leading to his disqualification but leaving a lasting impact on Rhodes.

This edition of Raw exemplified the intense competition and dramatic storylines that continue to captivate WWE fans worldwide.

by Abhishek Shukla

Three Nations Vie for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Hosting Rights

Date: December 13, 2023

Three strong bids have been submitted to FIFA for hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, a significant development in women’s football. The candidates – a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Brazil, and a combined bid from Mexico and the United States – each present unique propositions and strengths.

UEFA Trio: Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands

The European triumvirate of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands officially announced their joint bid on October 19, 2020. These nations have a rich footballing history, with Germany having previously hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 and the UEFA European Women’s Championship in 2001. Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosted the UEFA European Championship in 2000, and the Netherlands hosted the Women’s Euro in 2017. The proposed cities for this joint bid include Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Enschede, Heerenveen, and Rotterdam.

Brazil’s Standalone Bid

Brazil, a country deeply connected to football, has also expressed interest in hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Despite withdrawing from the 2023 edition due to governmental and financial challenges, Brazil has showcased its capability by hosting major events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Brazilian Football Confederation, along with cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, have confirmed their intent to host, with other cities like Salvador, Brasília, Cuiabá, Belém, Manaus, and Fortaleza also showing interest. The opening match is planned at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, with the closing at the iconic Maracanã.

Mexico-United States Joint Proposal

The Mexico-United States joint bid, announced on April 19, 2023, projects a significant revenue of $3 billion. The United States, having hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, and Mexico, with its experience in hosting the men’s World Cup in 1970 and 1986, bring combined expertise and infrastructure to this bid. This North American collaboration, if successful, would see the U.S. hosting the Women’s World Cup one year after co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico.

FIFA’s Selection Process

The FIFA bidding process, which began on March 23, 2023, involves several key phases. These include submitting expressions of interest, confirmation of bidding intentions, bid workshops, and the submission of final bids. FIFA plans to organize on-site inspections in February 2024 and publish a bid evaluation report in May 2024. The FIFA Congress will appoint the host(s) for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Bangkok in May 2024.

These bids represent a significant step in the evolution of women’s football, highlighting the growing interest and investment in the sport globally. Each bid brings its unique flavor and promise, setting the stage for an exciting decision-making process by FIFA in the coming months.

by Abhishek Shukla

How to watch FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™ on FIFA+

The FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™ gets under way on Tuesday, 12 December – and the tournament’s curtain-raiser between Al Ittihad FC and Auckland City FC will be streamed live on FIFA+.

The first-round clash at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium kicks off at 21:00 (local time) and pits the reigning Saudi Pro League champions against the OFC Champions League 2023 winners.

Watch the opening match live on FIFA+ here. An initial list of territories where the live stream will be available can be found below, with further information to be confirmed in the coming days. Commentary is available in English and Spanish. 

Initial set of territories with FIFA+ live streaming access

Americas

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire + Sint Eustatius + Saba, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,  El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States of America, United States Virgin Islands, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Asia

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China PR, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia,  Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.

Europe

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Oceania

American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

*Territories’ live streaming access is subject to change

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Wizards And Gujarat Panthers Sit atop By The End Of Day 1 Of Tennis Premier League Season 5

Pune, 12th December 2023: The first day of season 5 of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) powered by Clear culminated with a round of blockbuster matches. The matches commenced after a grand opening ceremony at the magnificent Balewadi Stadium in Pune, which featured a charcoal-colored court for the first time in India.
 
The round of fixtures began with the Bengal Wizards taking on the Hyderabad Strikers for the first match of the fifth season of the Tennis Premier League. The match began with the Women’s Singles Category. Maria Timofeeva from Bengal Wizards took on Ellen Perez of Hyderabad Strikers, which ended in a 10-all draw. The match was followed by the Men’s Singles Category which was played between Sriram Balaji of the Bengal Wizards and Niki Poonacha of Hyderabad Strikers, in which Sriram Balaji came out on top with a score of 16-4. The next category was that of the Mixed Doubles in which Maria Timofeeva and Anirudh Chandrasekar of the Bengal Wizards took on Ellen Perez and Saketh Myneni of the Hyderabad Strikers in a match that ended 5-15 in favour of the Hyderabad Strikers. The last category was the Men’s Doubles Category which saw Sriram Balaji and Anirudh Chandrasekar of the Bengal Wizards go head-to-head against Saketh Myneni and Niki Poonacha of Hyderabad Strikers. The match ended 15-5 in favour of the Bengal Wizards. The match ended 46-34 in favour of the Bengal Wizards, who had secured a stunning victory over last year’s champions the Hyderabad Strikers in their first-ever match in the TPL. Sriram Balaji of the Bengal Wizards was awarded the Player of the Match award for his stunning display in the clash.
 
The second fixture saw the home team Pune Jaguars take on Delhi Binny’s Brigade. The match began with the Women’s Singles Category. Diana Marcinkevica of the Pune Jaguars took on Sahaja Yamalapalli of Delhi Binny’s Brigade, which ended 12-8 in favour of Diana. The game was followed by the Men’s Singles Category played between Lukas Rosol of the Pune Jaguars and Dennis Novak of Delhi Binny’s Brigade, in which Novak emerged victorious as the tie ended 7-13 in his favour. The next category was that of the Mixed Doubles in which Diana Marcinkevica and Rithvik Bollipalli of the Pune Jaguars took on Sahaja Yamalapalli and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan of the Delhi Binny’s Brigade in a match that ended in a 10-all draw. The last category was the Men’s Doubles which saw Rithvik Bollipalli and Lukas Rosol of the Pune Jaguars go up against Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Dennis Novak of Delhi Binny’s Brigade. The match ended 9-11 in favour of the Delhi Binny’s Brigade. The Delhi Binny’s Brigade edged out the Pune Jaguars, as the match ended 38-42 in their favour. Diana Marcinkevica of the Pune Jaguars was awarded the player of the match for the fixture.
 
The penultimate fixture of the day saw Punjab Patriots take on Bengaluru SG Mavericks. The match began with the Women’s Singles Category. Conny Perrin of the Punjab Patriots took on Arina Rodionova from Bengaluru SG Mavericks, which ended 13-7 in favour of the Swiss player. The tie was followed by the Men’s Singles Category, played between Digvijay Pratap Singh of the Punjab Patriots and Ramkumar Ramanathan of the Bengaluru SG Mavericks. Ramkumar Ramanathan emerged victorious with a score of 9-11. The next game was that of the Mixed Doubles Category in which Conny Perrin and Arjun Khade of the Punjab Patriots took on Arina Rodionova and Vishnu Vardhan from Bengaluru SG Mavericks. The game ended 12-8 in favour of the Punjab Patriots. The last clash was the Men’s Doubles category which witnessed Digvijay Pratap Singh and Arjun Khade of the Punjab Patriots go up against Ramkumar Ramanathan and Vishnu Vardhan from Bengaluru SG Mavericks. The match ended 7-13 in favour of Bengaluru SG Mavericks. The Punjab Patriots secured the victory as the match ended 41-39 in their favour. The Punjab Patriots’ Conny Perrin was awarded the Player of the Match.
 
The final fixture of Day 1 saw the Mumbai Leon Army take on the Gujarat Panthers. The fixture began with the Women’s Single Category. Sowjanya Bavisetti of the Mumbai Leon Army took charge against Karman Kaur Thandi of the Gujarat Panthers, the match ended 6-14 in favour of the Gujarat franchise. Ernest Gulbis of the Mumbai Leon Army took on Sumit Nagal of the Gujarat Panthers in the Men’s Singles category which ended 8-12 in favour of Nagal. The match was followed by the Mixed Doubles category in which Sowjanya Bavisetti and Vijay Sundar Prashanth of the Mumbai Leon Army were edged past by Karman Kaur Thandi and Mukund Sashikumar of the Gujarat Panthers after the clash ended 9-11. In the Men’s Double Ernest Gulbis and Vijay Sundar Prashanth of the Mumbai Leon Army played out an intense clash with Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sashikumar of the Gujarat Panthers that ended 11-9 in favour of the Mumbai Leon Army. The Gujarat Panthers came out on top at the end of the match as the scores read 46-34 in their favour. Karman Kaur Thandi of the Gujarat Panthers was adjudged to be the best player of the match.
 
At the end of Day 1 of the Tennis Premier League season 5, The Bengal Wizards sat atop the leaderboard with 46 points, they were closely followed by the Gujarat Panthers who had also amassed 46 points at the end of Day 1.  Delhi Binny’s Brigade was third with 42 points, while Punjab Patriots were fourth with 41 points. The Bengaluru SG Mavericks occupied the fifth spot on the table with 39 points. The home team, Pune Jaguars were sixth at the end of Day 1 with 38 points. The Mumbai Leon Army and Hyderabad Strikers occupied the seventh and eighth spots on the table respectively after both teams amassed 34 points on Day 1.
 
Tennis Premier League Season 5 will be telecast LIVE on Sony Ten 2 SD and HD from December 12-17, 2023 starting from 4 pm IST. 

by Abhishek Shukla

PKL 10: Maninder, Nitin & Shrikanth’s massive Super 10s inflict a first for Patna Pirates

BENGALURU, 12th December 2023: Backed by a massive raiding performance, Bengal Warriors inflicted a first loss of the season on the Patna Pirates, beating them 60-42 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday, making this the 4th highest match points in PKL’s history with a total of 102 points being scored. Maninder Singh’s 15 points, Nitin Kumar’s 14 and Shrikanth Jadhav’s 12 points extended the Warriors unbeaten run for the season, at the cost of the only other unbeaten team in the league.

A game between two unbeaten teams was always going to centre on who blinked first. As it was, it was the Bengal Warriors, whose talisman Maninder Singh was caught on his first raid of the evening. A tight Pirates defence ensured that they did not leak points while at the other end Sachin kept picking up points sporadically to keep them up on the scorecards.

A SUPER RAID with 5 points (in a single raid) by Nitin Kumar changed the complexion of the game in the final ten minutes of the half, the Warriors going from a three point deficit to leading by one. It sparked a three minute turnaround that saw the Warriors inflict the first ALL OUT of the evening, streaking into a 16-11 lead.

The Patna Pirates started the second half down by 11 points and despite a brief comeback, soon faced a second ALL OUT as the Warriors extended into a 34-22 lead. Maninder and Jadhav had completed their SUPER 10s a quarter of the game yet to go, and the Pirates were basically staving off the inevitable.

The Warriors inflicted a third ALL OUT in the final minutes of the game before wrapping up the points and breaking the Pirates’ unbeaten run with a massive 18 points victory.
 

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 match on Wednesday: 

Schedule for 13th December, 2023 – 

Match #21 – Tamil Thalaivas Vs Telugu Titans – 8 pm 

Match #22 – Bengaluru Bulls Vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – 9 pm

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ hotstar.

by Abhishek Shukla

Revised schedule unveiled as ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 heads to South Africa

A revised schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has today been revealed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), confirming five venues in South Africa that will host the 15th edition of the celebrated event between 19 January and 11 February, following the decision taken by the ICC Board in November to relocate the event from Sri Lanka.

The most exciting young talent in world cricket will compete for the silverware across 41 matches held at established international venues; Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Buffalo Park in East London, Kimberley Oval in Kimberley, JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and finally Willowmoore Park in Benoni – the venue selected to host the Semi-Finals on 6 and 8 February, and the Final on 11 February.

The new schedule sees the hosts kick off their campaign against the West Indies in Potchefstroom on opening day, while defending champions India start the defence of their crown a day later against former champions Bangladesh, who claimed the silverware when the tournament was last hosted in South Africa back in 2020.

The event will welcome a new format for this edition, where teams progressing from the group stages will enter a new Super Six stage, starting 30 January, where two groups of six teams will clash to determine the Semi-Finalists and the subsequent Finalists.

In the group listings, holders India are joined by Bangladesh, Ireland and USA in Group A. Group B consists of England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland. Group C features Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia while Group D is made up of Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley commented, “In the past 12 months we have seen South Africa successfully deliver two milestone events for the sport – the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year, and the groundbreaking ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that immediately followed.

“The relocation of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 to South Africa allows us the opportunity to build on this momentum and welcome the best young cricketers on the planet to five notable international venues.

“This event has a long-standing tradition of unveiling the newest stars onto the international stage, and with fans given the opportunity to witness these players in action for free, we firmly believe the stage is set for another thrilling edition.”

Tournament Director, Wanele Mngomezulu added, “As Cricket South Africa we are humbled by the ICCs show of confidence in our abilities to stage international cricket events. While the task of hosting the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has been conferred upon us with very tight timelines, we are happy to take on the challenge. Hosting this event allows us an opportunity to further sharpen our skills and capabilities in the run up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 which will be held in South Africa.

“Hosting the tournament on home soil is opportune for us to promote cricket to sport loving South Africans and attract new fans and young talent to the game, thereby driving our strategic pillars of excellence, access, and inclusion.”

Ahead of the event, each competing team will play two warm-up matches between 13 and 17 January in venues in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the springboard for some of the most recognisable stars of the global game. South Africa will be hoping to claim their second U19 trophy, after previously winning the 2014 event from which future Proteas stars Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada made their introduction onto the world stage.

Through the history of the event, India are the most decorated with five U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup titles, Australia have won the event three times, Pakistan twice, while England, Bangladesh, West Indies and 2024 hosts South Africa have each been crowned once.

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket: Mirpur pitch rated as “unsatisfactory”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that the pitch for the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur has been rated as “unsatisfactory” under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

ICC Match Referee, David Boon, submitted his report to the ICC expressing the concerns of the match officials and after consulting with the captains of both teams. Following the assessment, the venue has received one demerit point.

The report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who now have 14 days if they wish to appeal against the sanction.

Mr Boon said: “The outfield was very good and held up extremely well with the rain. However, it appeared that the pitch may have been under prepared, as it was not hard and was covered in grass clippings on day one. From the first session onwards, throughout the remainder of the match the bounce was inconsistent with numerous balls bursting the surface. Deliveries from spin bowlers often went over the batter’s shoulder when playing forward and then occasionally stayed very low.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Stop Clock trial to get underway from opening West Indies vs England T20I

In its ongoing efforts to speed up the pace of play in international cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a stop clock, on a trial basis, in Full Member Men’s ODI and T20I matches (approximately 59 fixtures) between December 2023 and April 2024.

The trial will start with the first T20I match between the West Indies and England on 12 December in Barbados.

The stop clock will restrict the amount of time taken between overs, meaning that the bowling team will need to be ready to bowl the first ball of their next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. Failure to do so for the third time in an innings (following two warnings) will result in a five-run penalty being imposed against the fielding team.

Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket said: “We are continually looking at ways to speed up the pace of play across international cricket.

“The stop clock trial in white ball international cricket follows the introduction of a successful new playing condition in 2022, which resulted in the fielding team only being allowed four fielders outside of the inner circle if they were not in a position to bowl the first ball of their final over in the stipulated time.

“The outcomes of the stop clock trial will be assessed at the end of the trial period.”    

by Abhishek Shukla

Head and Akter voted ICC Players of the Month for November

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month award winners for November 2023 after shortlists were announced on Thursday last week.

Australia’s Travis Head is crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November after orchestrating their memorable march to Cricket World Cup glory with Player of the Match contributions in both the semi-final win over South Africa, and the blockbuster final victory over India in Ahmedabad.

Spin maestro Nahida Akter lost out in October’s voting, but clinches the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for November for her wicket-taking exploits during last month’s competitive ODI series victory over Pakistan on home soil.

Head was nominated for his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award back in June 2023 for his role as chief architect in Australia’s ICC World Test Championship Final victory over India. He goes one better this month, winning the award after two remarkable performances in the knockout stages inspired their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup title.

South Africa were the first opponents to be undone by Head’s brilliance in the semi-final showdown in Kolkata. Bowling first, the spinner removed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen in consecutive balls, limiting the Proteas score to a modest 212. With bat in hand, the opener then set a brisk pace in response, and top scored with 62 from 48 balls as Australia chased down the target with three wickets in hand.

His crowning glory however came in the final triumph over India. An economical bowling display and a phenomenal running catch in the outfield to dismiss Rohit Sharma preceded an outstanding performance with the bat that clinched the silverware.

With 241 set for victory, Head cemented his growing reputation as a player for the big occasion by hitting a sparkling 137 in 120 balls to see Australia overcome the tournament hosts.

Reacting to his award win, Head commented, “It’s been an incredible 12 months for the team which it has been a real privilege to be a part of. The way we have navigated a home summer, away trips to India, England, South Africa, India and the World Cup has been great credit to Pat, the players and the staff.

“I was fortunate that they kept the faith in me for the World Cup after breaking my hand, so it was a great opportunity for me to pay them back. I felt the World Cup was amongst the best I have ever batted, so maybe having a rest before every campaign is the key.

“It’s a great honour to be recognised with this award, but it is a team effort. Without my team-mates across all formats this wouldn’t have happened; so these types of awards are as much for them as they are for me.”ICC Women's POTM – November 2023

ICC Women’s POTM – November 2023

Nahida Akter also celebrates her maiden Player of the Month crown after tearing through opposition batters in her side’s closely fought victory over Pakistan in Mirpur last month.

The first ODI encounter of the series saw Akter claim three wickets for 30 with a consistent spell of pressure bowling. With Pakistan chasing down a lowly 82 for victory, the spinner kept the contest competitive, claiming the wickets of Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz to trouble the tourists in their charge to victory.

A quieter second match followed before Akter once more starred in the decisive third fixture. A superb economical 10-over spell produced three wickets for 26 runs as the tourists stumbled to 166 for nine in their 50 overs, laying the foundations for Akter’s teammates to seal the series with the bat in a seven-wicket victory.

Akter claimed the Player of the Series accolade after having taken seven wickets at an impressive average of 14.14 across the three matches.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month, Akter said, “This is a moment to cherish. To be recognised by such a distinguished panel of cricket experts means a lot and winning the ICC Women Player of the Month award will be a massive source of inspiration and motivation for me.

“We have played some amazing cricket in recent months and I am so happy to have contributed to the successes we have tasted as a team. I must thank my captain, coaches and teammates for always believing in me and that has allowed me to play my natural game against quality opponents and perform under pressure.”

Head and Akter emerged victorious from a process which gathered votes from global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Head overcame fellow World Cup winner Glenn Maxwell and record-breaking Indian bowler Mohammed Shami to claim the November crown, while Akter wins from two other stars of the same series, compatriot Fargana Hoque and Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Khelo India: Losing a leg was not a deterrent for 200m champion Rajesh

New Delhi, 12 December 2023: When the 200m final of the T64 category started at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday, it was being telecast live on a big screen at Annai Vailankanni College in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, thousands of kilometers away from here because one of the blade runners of this college, Rajesh K was participating in the first-ever Khelo India Para Games.
 
The college administration wanted every child to see Rajesh performing because his story is that of immense courage.
 
Rajesh lit up the track of JLN Stadium with his performance and won the gold medal in 200 meters. After this, Rajesh also took part in long jump on Tuesday but he finished disappointingly in fifth place. But there is no place for words like disappointment or frustration in the personal life of Rajesh, who lost his leg at the age of just 6 months.
 
The personal life of Rajesh, who practices under the supervision of Nitin Choudhary at the Sai Center in Gandhinagar (Gujarat), is full of such incidents that would make anyone sigh, but he never considered himself an object of pity. Rajesh wants to register his name in history.
 
Rajesh said, “I want to earn a name like India’s gold medal winning Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu. I want to be like German para long jump athlete Markus Rehm, who made the world record in the T64 long jump category. Disability never became an obstacle in my path. I never let it affect me and always thought like a normal person. I have never made myself an object of pity.”
 
When asked whether he was disabled by birth, Rajesh said, “No, I am not disabled by birth. I was born a normal child but due to an infection in my legs, I had to undergo treatment. While giving the injection, the needle broke in my leg and the poison spread due to this. Then, following the advice of my parents, the doctors amputated my leg to save my life,” recalled Rajesh of his agony.
 
Rajesh told that at the age of 10 months, he got his first artificial leg, with the help of which he started living his future life, but when he was in class seventh, his parents left him.
 
According to Rajesh, “Life seemed normal after getting an artificial leg but then my parents separated with mutual consent. We did not get anyone’s support. My twin brother and I were forced to live with our grandfather and grandmother. My grandfather raised us by driving an auto.”
 
On how he got into running despite having artificial legs, 24-year-old Rajesh said, “I have been doing blade running for the last five or six years. I started my journey in 2018 but in the year 2016, I was inspired by watching Mariyappan Thangavelu winning the T42 category high jump gold medal on television at the Rio Paralympics and since then I had decided that I too want to become an Olympian.”
 
Rajesh further said, “One day a friend of mine called and said that your dream of playing for the country can be fulfilled. You meet Vijay, Tamil Nadu’s first wheelchair player. When I met him at Nehru Stadium, he advised me to take up blade running. I started practicing in 2018 and played Nationals twice. I won the bronze medal in the 21st Para Nationals held in Pune in March 2023. After this, the Tamil Nadu government gave me a new blade, which costs Rs 7.50 lakh.”
 
Rajesh told that his aim is to participate in Paralympics and Para Asian Games. “I want to win medal for the country in Paralympic and Para Asian Games. Right now I am preparing for the Para Nationals to be held in Goa from 9th to 15th January. There is less cold there, so my performance will be better. After this I want to prepare for the Grand Prix to be held in Dubai in February 2024.”