NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Players of the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy have been selected for the national squad camp organised by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). Additionally, five players will represent the country at the ISSF World Cup.

The training camp will be held from April 11 to April 26 at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, where a total of nine academy shooters will participate in shotgun events.

Following the camp, based on their performance, five shooters from the academy, Pragati Dubey, Neeru, Manisha, Varsha Barman and Vanshika Tiwari, have been selected to represent India at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The international competition is scheduled to be held from April 29 to May 11, 2026.

The other players selected for the camp include Manisha Shreshtha Sisodiya, Mansi Raghuvanshi, Shivani Raikwar and Jyotiraditya Sisodiya.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League clash against Delhi Capitals, which they won in a thrilling last-ball finish here.

Gujarat Titans secured their first win of the season with a one-run victory over the hosts in a high-scoring cliffhanger on Wednesday.

"Gujarat Titans (GT) Captain Shubman Gill has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 14 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi," said an IPL media advisory.
 

KOLKATA [Maha Media]: Out of tune and still searching for answers, three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be desperate to reset their campaign when they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their Indian Premier League clash at Eden Gardens here on Thursday, hoping home conditions can finally spark a turnaround.

After three games without a win, KKR find themselves at a crossroads early in the season. Their previous outing against Punjab Kings summed up their struggles, reduced to 16/2 inside two overs before rain intervened to hand them a solitary point. It was a narrow escape, but also a timely reminder of the fragility that has crept into their batting.

The immediate challenge will be handling a resurgent Lucknow attack led by Mohammed Shami. The experienced pacer is coming off a superb spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he removed Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head in quick succession, the two batters who had taken KKR apart not long ago. Back in familiar surroundings at Eden Gardens, Shami’s ability to seam the ball and hit disciplined lengths could pose a serious threat in the powerplay.

KKR have already had a taste of what to expect. Punjab Kings’ Xavier Bartlett exploited similar conditions earlier this week, using movement off a grassy surface to dismantle their top order. If

KKR are to avoid another early collapse, their batters will need to quickly adjust to the pace and bounce on offer.

The opening combination remains a key area of concern. Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen have shown glimpses but lacked consistency, and a reshuffle could be on the cards. Bringing in Tim Seifert to partner Allen again is one option, while Rachin Ravindra’s inclusion in the middle order could add both stability and an extra spin option.

KKR’s problems are not limited to the batting alone. Their bowling unit, traditionally a strength, has struggled to make an impact. Sunil Narine has managed just one wicket in two games, while Varun Chakravarthy is yet to open his account this season. Both missed the last game and could return, which would provide a much-needed boost. The team may also consider giving a longer run to emerging mystery spinner Daksh Kamra.

Their costliest signing, Cameron Green, has yet to justify his hefty price tag. With scores of 18, 2 and 4 and no overs bowled so far due to workload management, the Australian all-rounder is still searching for rhythm. KKR have continued to back him, though Rovman Powell’s inclusion in the last game suggests they are exploring alternatives.

Weather has hovered over the build-up, with persistent rain in the region over the past few days, but the late evening start should allow for a full contest.

Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after their recent win, powered by Rishabh Pant’s composed unbeaten 68. With Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram also in their top order, KKR’s bowlers will need to find answers quickly.

Squads
KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Blessing Muzarabani, Saurabh Dubey and Navdeep Saini
LSG: Rishabh Pant (c), Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahamad, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Anrich Nortje, Naman Tiwari, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Hockey India has announced a 24-member Indian Women's Hockey Team squad for the upcoming tour of Argentina, scheduled from 13 to 17 April 2026 in Buenos Aires. The four-match exposure tour against the world-class Argentine side comes at a pivotal moment in India's international calendar, with the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 and the Asian Games firmly on the horizon.

The squad is a blend of seasoned experience and exciting emerging talent, reflecting both the depth Indian women's hockey has built in recent years and the high standards head coach Sjoerd Marijne continues to demand. For the players, this tour is more than a preparatory exercise—it is a statement of intent.

Seasoned midfielder Salima Tete continues her captaincy of the side, bringing composure, intelligence and dynamism to the heart of India's midfield.

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated return to the squad is that of forward Deepika, who makes her comeback after a period of rehabilitation. Her return will be especially welcomed by the Chief Coach, as Deepika reassumes her role as India’s primary drag-flicker in what promises to be a crucial year ahead.

In her absence, players like Navneet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Udita, and Annu stepped up admirably. Notably, Annu impressed with her powerful drag-flicking ability during the qualifiers. With Deepika’s return adding depth and experience, the squad looks more balanced and dangerous going forward.

Navneet Kaur has emerged as one of the standout performers for Indian women’s hockey over the past year and will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s preparations for what promises to be a crucial season ahead.

Savita, India's veteran goalkeeper and one of the most decorated custodians in Indian hockey, returns to the squad after missing the recent qualifiers. Her return is timely-Argentina will test the defence thoroughly, and there is no better player to face that challenge.

When Savita was unavailable for the qualifiers, Bichu Devi stepped up and showed exactly why she belongs at this level. The young goalkeeper demonstrated maturity, reflexes and composure beyond her years, proving that India now has genuine quality in depth between the posts. Her continued inclusion alongside Savita ensures healthy competition for the gloves and gives the coaching staff confidence for the future.

Defender Jyoti and forward Mumtaz Khan, both of whom missed the qualifiers, are welcome returns to the squad.

Baljeet Kaur has been one of Indian hockey's standout performers over the past year, consistently delivering in attack with her pace and directness. She has shown herself to be a reliable option in front of goal at the international level, and her continued selection reflects the confidence the coaching staff have placed in her.

Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke , midfielder, has been impressive throughout the last year, providing energy, ball retention and creative forward runs from the middle of the park. Her consistency has made her a near-automatic selection, and she will be looking to continue her development against one of the best sides in the world.

Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika & Sakshi Rana — Three of the brightest young talents in Indian women's hockey, these players have caught the eye since their international debuts with their technical ability, confidence and hunger. Seeing them continue to grow and accumulate experience at this level, against formidable opposition like Argentina, is one of the most exciting storylines of this tour. Each match is an opportunity for them to cement their place in Indian hockey's future.

Speaking on the squad announcement, Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “This tour is a valuable opportunity for us to give more players international exposure and test them against a very strong opponent like Argentina. It’s important for us to build depth within the squad, and experiences like these help young players understand the demands of top-level hockey while also giving us a chance to test out various combinations.”

India will play four matches against Argentina on 13, 14, 16, and 17 April with all matches scheduled at 11:00 AM local time (7:30 PM IST).

24-member Indian Women’s squad for Argentina Tour

Goalkeepers
Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders
Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Manisha Chauhan, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Udita

Midfielders
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete Neha, Deepika Soreng, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika

Forwards
Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India’s Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 7 Lin Shi Feng of China in straight games to enter the second round of the men’s singles competition at the Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday.

World No 25 Ayush, who had won the US Open Super 300 title last year, registered a 21-13 21-16 victory in 51 minutes.

Lin raced to a 4-1 lead early on, but Ayush clawed back to level at 7-7 before gradually taking control to pocket the opening game.
 

GUWAHATI [Maha Media]: Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya said the bowlers need to take responsibility after his side lost to Rajasthan Royals by 27 runs in their rain-curtailed Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Pandya opted to bowl after the start of the match was delayed by more than two hours due to persistent rain. Mumbai bowlers conceded 150 runs.

"We did not execute the deliveries we were supposed to (in powerplay). They (RR openers) played well. Bowlers need to take responsibility. As a bowling group, we were not up to the mark," Pandya said at the post-match presentation.

"I would not put this game on the batting. Definitely the bowling unit which had to take responsibility. It is always about bowling those good balls. If we would have executed, we would have been in the game."

Man of the Match Yashasvi Jaiswal (77 not out off 32 balls) and teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (39 off 14 balls) put on 80 runs for the opening wicket in just five overs to set up Rajasthan Royal's win.

"They (RR openers) also played tremendously. Their openers threw us off our game and we were playing catch-up."

On Sooryavanshi, Pandya said, "Quite fascinating to see a 17 or 16-year-old boy (15-year-old) play that way. Amazing to see the way he bats, the fearlessness he has. Wish him good luck for the future."

On their next game, Pandya said, "Just learn from the mistakes. Morning will come tomorrow, sun will rise, prepare well for the next game."

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag said the Jaiswal-Sooryavanshi combination is the number one opening pair in the tournament.

"Number one. They have got age on their side. Vaibhav is incredible. It is not one-way slogging. Jaiswal has been doing it for 3-4 years now. The skill they have plus their maturity - they are the best going around.

"We have a strong and young core. Hopefully we can keep on performing like this."

On his side's new ball bowlers, he said, "Jofra's messaging is to go out and bowl as fast as they can. Someone (like him and Burger) who bowls more than 140-145 and has control is crazy."

Jaiswal said he kept on giving positive messages to Sooryavanshi when they were together in the middle.

"The way he () Sooryavanshihas been playing is tremendous. I also get motivated (looking at him). We have these discussions on how can we go and I keep giving him positive messages - to play freely. He is amazing and understands the game well and is capable of doing stuff himself."

Talking about the duo's ultra aggressive batting, he said, "I had something in my mind because it was only a three-over powerplay, so was thinking who I could take on. DC (Deepak Chahar) bhai was bowling, so I thought I could take him (on).

"Then Bumrah bhai was going to bowl, so I was thinking Vaibhav can take him and then I can take (on) someone else."

On playing all formats, Jaiswal said, "Trying my best every single time. Making sure I develop different shots and what shots to use on which wicket. Helps when I prepare well.

"I am just trying to understand the situation and thinking what I can do for the team. If I know this is required, and these shots are required, I will go for it."
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Indian shooters Palak Gulia and Mukesh Nelavalli won a gold medal with a new junior world record in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup at Granada in Spain yesterday.

The duo scored a total of 487.7 points in the final, eclipsing the previous record of 481.3 created by Uzbekistan’s Nigina Saidkulova and Mukhammad Kamalov at the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi earlier this year. Palak scored 243.0, while Mukesh, making his senior debut, scored 244.7, This was Nelavalli’s maiden medal of any colour at ISSF World Cups.

Earlier, they performed well in the qualification round too, finishing second with a score of 581-17x and reaching the medal match. China’s team won silver with 484.8 points, and Hungary took bronze with 414.9.

18-year-old Palak had earlier won gold in the individual event and silver in the team event at the 2023 Asian Games, where she also set a record and earned a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mukesh is another rising star in Indian pistol shooting and is a junior world champion.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Under the lights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where anticipation fills the air, fans are set for a contest that feels like more than a routine league match.

It is a clash of narratives between a confident, in-form Delhi Capitals side and a Gujarat Titans team looking to rediscover its rhythm.

The plot thickens when one turns to the protagonists.

For Delhi, there is a sense of orchestration, of a symphony being conducted with growing assurance. Sameer Rizvi, the young man in imperious touch, has been striking the ball as though it carries a personal vendetta, unbeaten, unflustered, and utterly decisive in the moments that matter.

At the other end of the spectrum, KL Rahul—a man of elegance and experience, stands as the calm within the storm, searching still for that defining innings that could ignite his campaign into full flow.

Around them, Delhi's ensemble cast plays its part with quiet assurance. Pathum Nissanka offers measured starts, while the middle order, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller, wait as seasoned finishers, ready to convert a platform into a strong finish.

With the ball, Axar Patel leads with composure as captain and all-round contributor, supported by the probing craft of Kuldeep Yadav and the incisive pace of T Natarajan, Lungi Ngidi, and Mukesh Kumar. Together, they have not merely participated but dictated phases of the game with discipline and intent.

Turning to Gujarat, the tone shifts, and the stakes sharpen under the weight of necessity.

The burden of expectation rests heavily on Sai Sudharsan, who has shown a strong affinity against this opposition, with runs flowing fluently and timing remaining assured. Alongside him, the returning leader Shubman Gill is expected to bring structure and stability at the top, guiding the innings with composure.

Then there is Jos Buttler, a batsman of proven match-winning ability, still seeking a defining contribution that aligns reputation with output. The middle order — Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, and Shahrukh Khan — remains in a delicate balance between rebuilding and acceleration, with Phillips offering the potential to shift momentum when required.

With the ball, Gujarat rely on a blend of pace and spin. Kagiso Rabada brings pace and hostility, Mohammed Siraj offers movement and aggression, and Prasidh Krishna provides bounce and wicket-taking ability. Complementing them is Rashid Khan, whose variations and control make him a constant threat in any phase of the innings. Together, this attack carries significant potential, though cohesion remains a work in progress.

What emerges is a contest shaped not just by bat and ball, but by the alignment of individual contributions. Delhi arrive as a cohesive unit, their roles clearly defined and their execution consistent. Gujarat, while rich in talent, continue to search for collective rhythm, with their fortunes closely tied to whether their key performers can fire in unison.

The essence of this encounter lies in that balance, Delhi's momentum against Gujarat's need for a turnaround, with form, expectation, and execution converging under the Delhi lights.

Teams:
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (Captain), Shahrukh Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Arshad Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jason Holder, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Tom Banton, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Luke Wood, Kulwant Khejroliya
Delhi Capitals: Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (Captain), Ajay Jadav Mandal, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Auqib Nabi Dar, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T
 

GUWAHATI [Maha Media]: In one of the most anticipated and explosive clashes of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 edition, Rajasthan Royals teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi will go up against arguably the best T20 bowler in the world – Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians – as the two sides face off in match no. 13 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Riyan Parag’s RR team can rise to the top of the table by completing a hat-trick of wins to start off their IPL 2026 campaign.

Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, started off on a high at home with a record chase of 221 against Kolkata Knight Riders but were humbled by Delhi Capitals in their second game last week at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. MI will be boosted by the availability of their skipper Hardik Pandya for the clash against RR after missing the last match as he was unwell and Nita Ambani’s side were led by Suryakumar Yadav in his absence.

Pandya trained with the MI team for the last couple of days and should be available for Tuesday evening’s fixture. RR opener Suryavanshi has had an explosive start to the IPL 2026 campaign with a blazing 18-ball fifty in the opening game of the season against Chennai Super Kings.

But facing off against Bumrah – India’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2026 with 14 scalps – will be a different kettle of tea. Suryavanshi also had trouble while facing MI’s Deepak Chahar last season and will be looking for a better start come Tuesday.

Five-time champions MI have a slight edge when it comes to head-to-head encounters against RR with 16 wins as compared to 14 losses in 31 IPL matches so far. Only one game between the two sides ended in a no-result. In the IPL 2025 clash, MI had hammered RR by a massive 100-run margin in the only match between the two sides.

Teams
Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande/Ashwani Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Indian shooters are set to begin their campaign at the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup with mixed team events in 10m air rifle and 10m air pistol competitions at Granada in Spain today. 
 
In the pistol event, Palak Gulia will pair with Mukesh Nelavalli, while Sainyam will team up with Ujjawal Malik. They will face tough competition from top international shooters, especially strong teams from China, including world champions Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun and Olympic gold medallist Xie Yu with Shen Yiyao.
 
In the 10m air rifle event, India will field two teams: Sonam Maskar with Gajanan Khandagale, and Shruti with Arshdeep Singh. They will compete against top-ranked shooters, including world No. 1 Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei of China, along with other strong teams from Norway, Germany, and Hungary.
 
India has selected shooters ranked 4th to 6th nationally, giving younger athletes a chance to prove themselves. 
 
With the World Championships later this year offering qualification spots for the 2028 Olympics, this event is important for testing form and building experience ahead of major competitions like the Asian Games.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India opener Sanju Samson and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah were on Monday named among the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month award for March following their success at the T20 World Cup.

South Africa batter Connor Esterhuizen completes the shortlist following an outstanding debut T20I series in New Zealand that saw one of the best statistics after five games by anyone from his country.

Samson's sizzling form towards the end of the T20 World Cup, which earned him the player of the Tournament award, puts him in the fray alongside Bumrah, who was adjudged the player of the match in the final.
 

GORAKHPUR [Maha Media]: Divya Singh (28), a teacher from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has become the first Indian woman and the second woman globally to reach Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC) on a bicycle, NDTV reported.

She began her journey from Kathmandu and reached the base camp at an altitude of 17,560 feet after a 14-day expedition.

During the journey, Divya faced extreme conditions, including temperatures dropping to -12°C, low oxygen levels, and strong winds. She cycled for 10 to 12 hours daily across steep and rugged mountain terrain. In stretches where cycling was not possible, she carried her bicycle on her shoulders to continue the climb.

Her path from Kathmandu included challenging stretches through Saleri, Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and finally Gorakshep before reaching the base camp.

A video of her reaching EBC, where she is seen holding the Indian tricolour beside her bicycle against the Himalayan backdrop, has gone viral on social media.

"Congratulations Divya Singh; you have become the first woman of India to reach Everest Base Camp by bicycle. It's a proud moment for our Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India," the video was captioned on Instagram.

Her accomplishment has drawn widespread praises and congratulatory posts on social media. The feat has also filled her hometown of Gorakhpur with pride and is inspiring aspiring athletes and adventure enthusiasts across the country.

One user wrote, "Congratulations to you. This is why I love women with determination in their eyes. Keep on growing and making history like this."

Another commented, "This is so inspiring. Thank you for something like this. Such things always motivate."

Divya reportedly prepared for the expedition through rigorous self-training despite limited resources. The journey was flagged off by local officials in Gorakhpur, who later hailed her accomplishment as a proud moment for the region and a significant achievement for women's empowerment in India.
 

KOLKATA [Maha Media]: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Punjab Kings in Match 12 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at Eden Gardens, here, with both teams entering the contest in contrasting form and confidence levels.

Kolkata Knight Riders have endured a difficult start to the season, suffering back-to-back defeats and slipping down the points table. Their batting unit has shown flashes of potential but has lacked consistency, with captain Ajinkya Rahane expected to provide stability at the top.

Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been one of the positives so far, while Finn Allen offers explosive intent in the powerplay. The middle order, featuring Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh, will need to convert starts into impactful contributions to challenge a strong opposition.

KKR’s bowling attack has struggled for control, with Varun Chakaravarthy yet to find rhythm in the middle overs.

Pace options such as Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, and Blessing Muzarabani will be key in providing early breakthroughs, while all-round options like Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy add balance. Depth in the squad is further supported by experienced campaigners such as Manish Pandey.

In contrast, Punjab Kings have started the season strongly with consecutive wins and appear well settled across departments.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer has been in good touch and holds an impressive record against KKR, making him a central figure in their batting lineup. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly have given solid starts, while the middle order, including Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, provides depth and firepower.

Punjab’s bowling unit has also been effective, led by Yuzvendra Chahal, whose wicket-taking ability in the middle overs will be crucial. The pace attack, featuring Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and all-round option Marco Jansen, adds both variety and control. Impact players such as Priyansh Arya further strengthen their bench.

The Eden Gardens surface is expected to be batting-friendly, with high scores likely given recent trends at the venue. Conditions under lights may assist chasing sides due to dew, making the toss an important factor, with teams likely preferring to bowl first.

Overall, the contest presents a clear contrast: Kolkata Knight Riders searching for stability and a first win of the season, while Punjab Kings aim to extend their winning streak and consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Teams
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Finn Allen, Rahul Tripathi, Sarthak Ranjan, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Cameron Green, Rachin Ravindra, Sunil Narine, Daksh Kamra, Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prashant Solanki, Kartik Tyagi, Matheesha Pathirana, Blessing Muzarabani, Saurabh Dubey, Navdeep Saini
Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Harnoor Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Mitchell Owen, Musheer Khan, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Suryansh Shedge, Cooper Connolly, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Praveen Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Ben Dwarshuis, Vishal Nishad
 

MUMBAI [Maha Media]: Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl against Mumbai Indians in their IPL clash on Saturday.

Mumbai were forced into a late change in leadership as regular skipper Hardik Pandya missed the match due to illness. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav was handed the captaincy for the game.

The five-time champions also reshuffled their playing XI, with Deepak Chahar coming in as a replacement for Pandya. Additionally, Corbin Bosch and Mitchell Santner were included in place of Trent Boult and Allah Ghazanfar.

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, decided to stick with their existing combination.

Teams:

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Naman Dhir, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
 

HYDERABAD [Maha Media]: Lucknow Super Giants will need to step up their batting as they seek their first win of the season against an explosive Sunrisers Hyderabad in a tricky away IPL clash, here on Sunday.

SRH head into their first home game of the season brimming with confidence after rediscovering their batting mojo, hammering 226/8 to crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs at Eden Gardens.

Returning to Uppal, where conditions are expected to favour strokeplay in an afternoon game, only adds to the challenge for LSG.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently expressed their interest in existing and new areas of cooperation in cricket with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through a letter.

"We maintain regular communication with various countries' cricket boards. As part of that regular communication, we recently reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India via a letter, through an email, to communicate with them", Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Director (Cricket Operations) of BCB, told ANI, over the phone.

"In the letter, we mentioned that the Indian national cricket team is scheduled to come to Bangladesh in September to play a series, and after that, our women's team is supposed to go to India. We also included in the letter a request to explore any other possibilities for reciprocal cricket collaborations," he added.

Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL), had hired a Bangladeshi player, Mustafizur Rahman, to play in the tournament. However, due to political objections from local parties, the BCCI didn't permit Mustafizur to play. And this created a bit of a rift between Bangladesh and India.

After the controversy, Bangladesh boycotted the T20 World Cup in India.

After the election on February 12, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government took power, and relations between Bangladesh and India have been improving.

On April 7 and 8, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, is visiting India. In the context of improving relations between the two countries, cooperation in cricket is also increasing.
 

AHMEDABAD [Maha Media]: Rajasthan Royals have entered a new era - new ownership, new coach, new captain - and amid all the novelty, they want to adopt a new style of play. Smart cricket is what Riyan Parag terms it to the world, one that relies on assessing conditions well and adapting to them.

Parag is in his seventh season with the franchise now, and has worked for a long time with Kumar Sangakkara within the setup to understand what hasn't worked for the team over the years. Their fresh approach was on display in the most glorious fashion in their tournament opener in Guwahati, a venue where they will play three of their marquee league matches. They outbowled and outbatted Chennai Super Kings, keeping a 47-ball separation between the two.

Unlike Guwahati - which serves as their second home ground - they will be visiting Ahmedabad only once this season. It's a city where Gujarat Titans' top-order have marked their authority, and asserted their dominance. Not only do they all average above 50 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, but also strike at over 155.

And when their batting didn't quite click against Punjab Kings in their opening game, their bowling attack announced that they were ready for the season, and willing to take on the extra load to make the competition stiff for the opposition.

In their own den, Titans know the perfect blueprint; Royals would be seeking that. By the time they take the field on Saturday evening, they would hope to have assessed the conditions, and be ready to adapt to the smartest brand of their cricket.

When: Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 PM IST

Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]:  In a familiar script that seems to repeat itself with minor variations, Delhi Capitals will once again find themselves up against Mumbai Indians in what promises to be a closely contested Saturday day match yet a quietly lopsided narrative in the Indian Premier League 2026, with both sides chasing their second win of the season.

Delhi arrive after a six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, a result that offered encouragement without quite erasing the old anxieties that linger at the top of their batting order.

Mumbai, meanwhile, have already rediscovered their rhythm with a comfortable win over Kolkata Knight Riders, reminding everyone that form, like history, has a habit of favouring the familiar.

Under Axar Patel’s leadership, Delhi have shown a certain balance, particularly in their bowling and lower middle order. It is the top order, however, that continues to invite concern. KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, men of pedigree and expectation, failed to deliver in the previous outing, leaving the side to depend on rescue acts rather than platforms.

Sameer Rizvi’s recent half-century has offered a temporary cushion, while Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller wait in the wings to either stabilise or salvage depending on how the innings unfolds.

Their bowling unit, in contrast, appears more assured. Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and T Natarajan bring a mix of pace, spin, and variation that can trouble even the most confident batting line-ups. Ngidi’s knack for early strikes and Kuldeep’s control in the middle overs may well decide whether Mumbai’s batting is contained or allowed to flourish.

Mumbai, led by Hardik Pandya, continue to operate with a quiet confidence that borders on habit. Their record against Delhi, five wins in the last six encounters, serves less as a statistic and more as a reminder of a psychological edge that has grown over time. Their batting, which clicked efficiently in the previous game, remains their strongest suit.

At the top, Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma provide both aggression and assurance, capable of setting or chasing imposing totals. The middle order, featuring Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya, adds both flair and depth, while Sherfane Rutherford and Naman Dhir ensure that momentum does not taper off too early.

The bowling, however, remains an area where Mumbai would prefer greater consistency. Jasprit Bumrah, their most reliable asset, will once again shoulder the responsibility of leading the attack, supported by Trent Boult, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Markande, and AM Ghazanfar.

Their performance on a batting-friendly surface will be crucial in determining whether Mumbai can maintain control or merely react to the flow of the game.

The conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium are expected to favour batsmen, with the surface offering minimal assistance to spinners and only moderate help to pacers who rely on variations. With the average first-innings score last season hovering around 203 runs, another high-scoring contest appears likely.

Chasing has been the preferred route here, with six of the last seven matches won by teams batting second, making the toss an early determinant of strategy.

Weather conditions are expected to remain partly cloudy, with temperatures around 24°C at the start of play and moderate humidity, offering generally comfortable playing conditions.

Historically and statistically, Mumbai hold the upper hand, both in head-to-head records and in overall team composition. Delhi, despite showing improvement at home and winning their last three matches at this venue, continue to grapple with consistency and execution when faced with stronger, more settled opposition.

On paper, Mumbai appear marginally ahead due to their superior batting depth and proven record in this fixture. Yet, cricket, like most things in Delhi, has a way of defying logic when least expected. The conditions are favourable, the stakes are balanced, and the opportunity exists — whether Delhi can seize it or once again defer to history remains the central question in this understated rivalry.

Teams:
Delhi Capitals: Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (Captain), Ajay Jadav Mandal, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Auqib Nabi Dar, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson
Mumbai Indians: Naman Dhir, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Danish Malewar, Sherfane Rutherford, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Raj Bawa, Will Jacks, Mayank Rawat, Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Atharva Ankolekar, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Mayank Markande, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma, Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar
 

KOLKATA [Maha Media]:Sunrisers Hyderabad vice-captain Abhishek Sharma has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and has also accumulated one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team's IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders here.

He admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.3 and accepted the match referee's sanction.

For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the match referee's decision is final and binding.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Stung by a humbling defeat to Rajasthan Royals in their opener, Chennai Super Kings return to familiar territory on Friday, hoping the comforts of home can steady an early wobble. At the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, where expectations are as high as the humidity, CSK will look to quickly move past a night to forget and put on a show in front of their supporters.

There had been a quiet buzz and renewed intrigue around the squad following the arrival of Sanju Samson. But the opening match served as a harsh reality check, suggesting little had changed from the previous season, when they finished rock bottom. Against the Royals, CSK were outplayed, outthought and, at times, outclassed. A stunning assault from 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi laid bare the frailties in their bowling attack.

Injuries have not helped CSK’s cause either. M.S. Dhoni’s calf issue has ruled him out for two weeks, while also offering an opportunity to test the bench strength. Dewald Brevis’ side strain has further compounded their problems. His absence forced a rethink in the batting order, with Australia’s Matthew Short drafted in, but his outing was fleeting. CSK’s top order faltered badly, limping to 41 for four in the powerplay and leaving too much for the middle order to repair.

The lone resistance came from England all-rounder Jamie Overton, whose fighting effort pushed the total into three figures and lent some respectability to an otherwise underwhelming display. Brevis is unlikely to return, having missed the training on the eve of the match. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad also confirmed that Dhoni will remain on the sidelines for two weeks.

Back at Chepauk, changes appear imminent. The surface and conditions are expected to favour spin and CSK may well recalibrate their combination accordingly.

“A lot depends on the weather. I feel there was not much dew during the World Cup games in February. In good conditions, the Chennai wicket usually plays well, but at night, if there is excessive dew and moisture, it tends to change, especially in the second half of the innings. So, we are not really sure how it will behave this year,” Ruturaj said.

Punjab Kings, meanwhile, arrive with momentum. Skipper Shreyas Iyer shrugged off a wrist scare in their opener, while IPL debutant Cooper Connolly made an immediate impact. Batting at No. 3, the Australian looked anything but new, crafting a composed 72 off 44 balls and guiding Punjab to a tense chase against Gujarat Titans with five balls to spare.

Punjab assistant coach Brad Haddin said Shreyas is nursing some swelling but is expected to be fit for Friday’s clash.
 

KOLKATA [Maha Media]: The Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on their home ground today in the sixth match of IPL 2026. This match is scheduled to begin at Eden Gardens at 7:30 PM, while the toss will take place at 7:00 PM.

Both teams suffered defeats in their respective opening matches. In the season's inaugural fixture, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, four-time champions Kolkata faced a defeat against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

So far, 30 IPL matches have been played between Kolkata and Hyderabad. Of these, Kolkata has won 19 matches, while Hyderabad has secured 10 victories. One match ended in a tie, which Kolkata eventually won in a Super Over. The two teams have faced each other 11 times at Eden Gardens. The home team, Kolkata, has dominated at this venue, winning 8 matches, while Hyderabad has found success in 3 encounters.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Indian marathon athlete Kartik Karkera expressed his pride and determination as he prepares to represent the country in the upcoming Asian Games 2026.

Speaking during an ASICS Ekiden India T-shirt launch event on Tuesday, Kartik said that representing India on the global stage is a great feeling and a huge honour.

"Representing India in the upcoming Asian Games is a great feeling. Having 'India' on your back is a huge honour. I aim to secure the top spot and listen to our national anthem. It's a significant achievement for me, and I'll work hard for it," Indian Marathon Athlete Kartik Karkera said.

The 28-year-old, who is also an Orthopedic Surgeon by profession, attributed his consistent performances and success to a strong mindset and disciplined approach.

"For me, it's more about mindset. My professional career has made me very strong mentally, and that is helping me run good races, stay consistent, and achieve strong results. Being a surgeon requires resilience and discipline, and now everything is aligning--I am exactly where I want to be," Karkera said.

When asked about his preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, the 28-year-old Kartik said that he is aiming for both a gold medal and the national marathon record.

"Preparations are going very well. I have been training consistently and very hard. And I feel that I have a very good chance to get to the top spot. And eventually, I will also focus on breaking the national record of India in the marathon," he said.

ASICS Ekiden India 2026 will bring the spirit of Japan's legendary Ekiden relay to India, where teams of four runners will collectively cover 10 kilometres, passing the traditional Tasuki to symbolise trust, continuity and shared purpose.

The event will take place on 5th April 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, and will feature a diverse mix of Indian and Japanese runners, reinforcing cross-cultural collaboration through sport.

ASICS athlete Kartik said during the event, "Distance running teaches you discipline, patience and consistency, but Ekiden brings a completely different dimension to the sport through teamwork. When you carry the Tasuki, you are not just running your own race; you are carrying your team's effort, trust and expectations with you. That sense of responsibility makes the race very special, and it is wonderful to see ASICS bringing this format to India and introducing runners here to the spirit of team running." 
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Italy’s agonising World Cup exile continues after they fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw.

Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the playoff stage to miss the last two World Cups, and their last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia’s only previous appearance. Since lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy have won one game at the finals.

Bosnia will play in Group B at the World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland, while Italy will be left with some serious soul-searching to do after yet another failure.

Bosnia had suffered plenty of playoff heartbreak themselves, missing out on the 2010 World Cup and the last four European Championships, but they came from behind on Tuesday and their keeper did not need to make a save when the shootout came around.

“These boys have a character and we knew they will make us proud,” Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez told reporters.

“These young players have this feeling, they don’t think at all, they go to the pitch with brutal calmness.”

Italy got off to the perfect start, with Moise Kean putting them ahead in the 15th minute, but had Alessandro Bastoni sent off three minutes before the break to raise the hopes of the home side.

Bosnia levelled 11 minutes from time through Haris Tabakovic and both Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed their penalties while the hosts made no mistake from the spot to repeat their semi-final shootout win over Wales.

Kerim Alajbegovic came off the bench to net the winning penalty against Wales, and the 18-year-old again showed nerves of steel, converting one of Bosnia’s spot kicks against Italy.

“I am so proud that we fought fiercely till the end,” he said.

“I knew that I’d score the penalty regardless of who the goalkeeper is. Thanks everybody for being at the stadium, the atmosphere was brutal, we are going now to celebrate.”

World Cup qualification was once a mere formality for Italy — their only previous absence before this barren spell came in 1958 — but they are now the only tournament winners to miss out on three successive finals.

“Italian children will see another World Cup without Italy,” tearful winger Leonardo Spinazzola told RAI.

“I still can’t believe that we went out like this, after playing with 10 men. With grit, we took it to penalties, we could have scored three or four goals and it’s really a great disappointment for everyone.”

The expected cagey affair never materialised, with a frantic start and the pace rarely letting up in an enthralling game in Zenica.

A poor attempted pass out from Bosnia keeper Nikola Vasilj allowed Italy to take the lead.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India will head to Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series in July for their first assignment since clinching their World Cup title this year.

The BCCI informed in a statement on Wednesday that the Indian men’s team will play three games against the hosts at the Harare Sports Club on July 23, 25 and 26 respectively.

This will be the first of the two bilateral series slated for the 2026-27 season between India and Zimbabwe, who are slated to travel for a three-match ODI series to be played on January 3, 6 and 9 in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai respectively.

India had won the T20 World Cup for a second consecutive time last month, beating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad. India have previously won the T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2007.

India had last toured Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series in 2024, which they had won 4-1.
 

LUCKNOW [Maha Media]: The fifth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be played between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.

Last year, in the 18th edition, LSG and DC met twice, with Delhi Capitals dominating both encounters against Lucknow Super Giants. In their first match on March 25 in Vizag, DC secured a thrilling 1-wicket victory with three balls to spare. In the next clash, the Delhi-based franchise again secured an 8-wicket victory in Lucknow, finishing the chase with 13 balls remaining on 22 April.

However, in the last season, neither LSG nor DC qualified for the playoffs, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively, in the standings. Interestingly, both sides are still chasing their maiden IPL title. This season, under the leadership of Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, it will be exciting to see if either Delhi or Lucknow can finally lift their first IPL trophy.

Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have played against each other seven times in the IPL so far. Out of these encounters, Delhi have won four matches, while Lucknow have secured victory on three occasions.

VENUE: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
TIME: 7: 30 PM IST
 

CHANDIGARH [Maha Media]: The fourth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played today between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. The match will start at 7:45 PM at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.

This will be Gujarat Titans' fifth season. The team won the title in their debut season in 2022, while the team finished fourth in the previous season. 

On the other hand, Punjab Kings are still waiting for their first title. Punjab were the runners-up in the previous season.

So far, six matches have been played between Punjab and Gujarat in the IPL, with both teams winning 3 matches each. In the IPL 2025 clash, Punjab defeated Gujarat by 11 runs. The two teams faced each other once in New Chandigarh, where Gujarat defeated Punjab by 3 wickets.

Team Update: 
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will not be available for the initial few matches due to paternity leave. The team might give an opportunity to Xavier Bartlett or Ben Dwarshuis in the starting matches in his place.'
 

MUMBAI [Maha Media]: Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has sustained a calf strain and has been subsequently ruled out for the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the franchise said in a statement.

The 19th edition of the tournament is set to begin on Saturday, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain-raiser at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

CSK are set to play their campaign opener on Monday against the inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals. However, Dhoni, who has led the franchise to five titles, the joint-most in the league across all seasons, will miss the first few matches and sit out for the first two weeks.

“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026,” the franchise said in a statement on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the franchise shared a video of the team’s practice match, a match-like simulation, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where Dhoni batted and Samson kept the wickets. The 44-year-old unleashed some terrific shots, sending the ball over the boundary line on multiple occasions.

With the veteran now out for some time, Samson is most likely to keep the wickets for CSK in the initial few games as they aim for a record sixth IPL title. Samson, previously the captain of RR, was traded to CSK as the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side traded out all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

While the English all-rounder has been ruled out of IPL 2026 owing to an injury, it will be interesting to see Samson and Jadeja going up against their former franchises on Monday, when RR take on CSK at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Former world number one Tiger Woods was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road near his Jupiter Island home in Florida on Friday afternoon, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.

The 15-times major champion was released later on Friday, with Florida law requiring him to remain in jail for at least eight hours before he could post bail.

Woods had been overtaking a work truck pulling a trailer at high speed when he clipped the back of it, causing his vehicle to roll onto its driver’s side, Sheriff John Budensiek told a press conference.

The 50-year-old crawled out of the passenger door before law enforcement officers arrived. A breathalyzer test at Martin County Jail returned no trace of alcohol, with investigators believing his impairment was drug or medication-related.

Woods refused to submit to a urine test, an offence that carries a separate charge under Florida law. No injuries were reported to Woods or the driver of the other vehicle.

Woods was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, all misdemeanor charges.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had heard about the incident.

“I feel so badly. There was an accident. He’s got some difficulty. There was an accident, and that’s all I know. A very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man,” Trump said.

It was the second time Woods has faced DUI charges, having been arrested in 2017 in Jupiter, Florida, later pleading guilty to reckless driving.

Woods was also involved in a serious car crash in February 2021, suffering severe leg fractures.

His injury history spans more than two decades and includes multiple back surgeries, ACL reconstruction, Achilles tendon ruptures and chronic knee issues, all of which have significantly limited his competitive schedule in recent years.

Woods had only just returned to competitive action, representing his Jupiter Links Golf Club in a TGL Finals match on Tuesday, his first appearance since missing the cut at the 2024 British Open.

He had not confirmed whether he planned to compete at this year’s Masters, which starts on April 9 in Augusta.

Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has won 15 major championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus with 18, and 82 PGA Tour events, a record he shares with Sam Snead.

His major titles include five Masters, three U.S. Opens, three British Opens and four PGA Championships.

Woods spent a record 683 weeks as world number one and is the only player to hold all four major titles at the same time, a feat achieved across the 2000-2001 seasons and known as the “Tiger Slam”.

He won the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 strokes, the largest winning margin in major championship history.

Woods’ 2019 Masters victory, his last major title, is considered one of sport’s greatest comebacks after years of debilitating back injuries and personal problems had threatened to end his career.
 

RAIPUR [Maha Media]: Karnataka continued their dominance at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, riding on a strong showing in swimming to extend their lead atop the medals tally on Day 3. Manikanta L once again stood out, adding two gold medals and a silver to his growing haul, as Karnataka surged to 13 gold, five silver and one bronze. Odisha remained a distant second with six gold medals, while Assam held third place.

Hosts Chhattisgarh enjoyed their best outing of the Games so far, securing one silver and two bronze medals. Anushka Bhagat clinched her third silver, finishing second in the women’s 50m breaststroke, while Nikhil Xalco and Nyasa Paikra contributed bronze medals in their respective events. Maharashtra’s Tanvi Dhurve emerged as a notable performer, becoming the first swimmer outside Karnataka and Odisha to win gold, finishing well clear in the women’s 100m butterfly.

In the pool, Karnataka’s Meghanjali claimed her third gold of the Games in the women’s 50m breaststroke, underlining the state’s dominance in swimming events. Manikanta added gold medals in the men’s 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly before settling for silver in the 50m freestyle, where teammate Dhoonesh N touched ahead.

Elsewhere, weightlifting saw Arunachal Pradesh open its gold medal account through Anai Wangsu in the women’s 58kg category, before Richin Chongruju doubled the tally with a win in the men’s 79kg event. Odisha’s Bidu Smita Bhoi also secured gold in the women’s 63kg category. With participation from 30 states and Union Territories and over 3,800 athletes competing across disciplines, the Games have begun to see a wider spread of medals, with 14 states already on the podium and six claiming at least one gold.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to kick off on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, marking the start of the two-month-long tournament that will run until the 31st of May.
 
Royal Challengers Bengaluru begin their title defence at home under new captain Rajat Patidar. Sunrisers Hyderabad will be led by stand-in captain Ishan Kishan, who takes the reins after Australian pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out with an injury. The Impact Player rule, which continues this season, is also expected to influence team strategies. 
 
In a departure from the league’s usual high-octane pageantry, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cancelled the traditional opening ceremony. The decision serves as a mark of respect for the 11 fans who died in a stampede outside the venue during RCB’s title celebrations in June. Officials confirmed that 11 seats will remain permanently vacant at the stadium this season as a memorial.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]:  In South Asian Football Federation,SAFF Under-20 Championship,  India’s men’s team will begin their campaign with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan in Malé, today.

Placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Bangladesh, India face a tight schedule in the three-team group, where every point is crucial. They will take on Bangladesh in their second match on Saturday.

With only two group matches, even a single win could be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals.

The stakes have risen further after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 2-nil in the opening Group B match. Pakistan now must win to keep their knockout hopes alive.

On this occasion, India Under-20 coach Mahesh Gawali has emphasised the importance of starting the tournament on a positive note.

The championship also serves as preparation for the upcoming AFC Under 20 Asian Cup qualifiers.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India batter KL Rahul has joined Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

DC posted the video of KL's arrival at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. On arriving at the pitch, KL pulled out his famous 'Kantara' movie celebration, which he had done during the match against eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his home state of Karnataka.

After playing an aggressive 93* run knock in 53 balls in chase of 164 set by RCB, KL, usually a calm, collected and reserved figure in the dressing room, was seen unusually animated and aggressive, thumping his chest and pointing towards the ground and at his jersey as if saying that it (M Chinnaswamy Stadium) is his territory. He moved his bat on the pitch in a circular way and aggressively tapped it on the ground. Later, he revealed the celebration to be inspired by the 2022 Kannada movie, Kantara.

Making a reference to KL's words after that win, DC posted, "Ye tera ground hai, Rahul. Welcome back home."

In the last season, KL was at his most aggressive in years, scoring 539 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.90, with a strike rate of almost 150, including a century and three fifties. He was DC's top run-getter and overall ninth-highest. He was also DC's leading six-hitter, with 21 maximums.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games to begin in Chhattisgarh today. The competition will continue until April 3rd, featuring events in seven sports disciplines.

The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be formally launched in Raipur today. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will inaugurate the event, with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also attending.

The objective of this event is to provide a national-level platform to youth from tribal regions across the country, enabling them to gain recognition and opportunities for their sporting talent.

The Khelo India Tribal Games will be held across three cities in Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur. Raipur will host competitions in football, hockey, archery, swimming, weightlifting, and kabaddi. Bastar will host athletics events, while Surguja will host wrestling and mallakhamb competitions.

More than 3,000 tribal athletes and officials from nearly thirty states and Union Territories are participating in the Games.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: As Hockey India prepares to host the 8th Annual Awards 2025 on March 27 in the national capital, Indian hockey players Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur have expressed gratitude after being nominated for the prestigious Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year.

Alongside the top honour, Hardik has also been shortlisted for the Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year, while Navneet is in contention for the Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year, reflecting their consistent performances over the past season.

Both players played key roles in India’s international campaigns in 2025. Hardik was instrumental in the team’s gold medal victory at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, delivering impactful performances in midfield. Navneet, on the other hand, starred in the Women’s Asia Cup, where India secured silver, with her six goals proving crucial. She also reached the milestone of 200 international appearances during the tournament.

Navneet continued her strong form at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad, where India again finished with a silver medal. She emerged as one of the top performers, scoring four goals and earning the Player of the Tournament award.

Reacting to his nomination, Hardik said such recognition validates the hard work and commitment athletes put into the sport. Reflecting on the past year, he described the Asia Cup triumph as a standout moment, especially given the team’s struggles leading into the tournament.

He also credited his passion for hockey and the support of his teammates and family for his consistency, adding that he remains focused on upcoming major events, including the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games.

Navneet also welcomed the nominations, calling them a source of motivation for players. She acknowledged the support of her family and teammates, noting that their encouragement has been vital to her journey.

Looking back, she described the Women’s Asia Cup as a memorable experience, particularly as it marked her 200th match for India. She attributed her recent form to sustained effort, continuous improvement, and growing experience.

With major tournaments ahead, Navneet said she is eager to contribute her best and help the team achieve success on the global stage.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Swashbuckling India batter Smriti Mandhana retained her second spot, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur moved up to 14th in the latest ICC women's T20I rankings for batters released here on Tuesday.

Apart from Mandhana, the big-hitting Shafali Verma was the other Indian in the top 10, holding on to her sixth position, while Jemimah Rodrigues remained joint 11th.

Among bowlers, spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma climbed one spot to third with pacer Renuka Singh Thakur retaining her sixth place. Seamer Arundhati Reddy, however, slipped out of the top 10 to 11th.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: An all-rounder himself, Axar Patel on Monday became the latest Indian cricketer to criticise the Impact Player rule in the IPL with a blunt "I don't like it" response before insisting that it hurts the growth of his tribe.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have spoken against the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute anyone in the playing XI with one of the five listed substitutes at any point of the match. It was introduced in 2023 and will stay until at least 2027.

In 2024, Rohit had said that he was not a fan of the strategic rule saying it hampered the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket while the following season, Hardik said it had become to difficult pick an all-rounder in the side unless he was equally good with both bat and ball.

Responding to a news agency query seeking his views on the rule, the Indian T20 vice-captain too weighed in on the subject ahead of his second season as Delhi Capitals captain.

"I don't like this rule as I am all rounder myself (laughs). Earlier we used to pick all-rounder for this role (batting and bowling). Now team management goes with a particular batter or bowler, they say why do we need an all-rounder?

"Being an all-rounder myself I don't like it but at the same time rules are rules. We have to follow them. But personally I don't like it," said Axar.

Axar bowled only 204 balls in the last IPL season compared to 264 balls a season earlier. He said it was not because of the Impact Player rule, but a finger injury that had bothered him leading up to the IPL.

"I did not bowl a lot. It wasn't because of Impact Player. After the Champions Trophy, my spinning finger got cut. After that it got worse because of the seam of the ball. Later, it developed into a deep cut, I was not able to apply pressure and rotation on the ball.

"That is why I was bowling only when required and nursing my finger. After seven games, it became better and I bowled frequently," said Axar who has been tasked to take Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL title.
 

RAIPUR [Maha Media]: Chhattisgarh is set to host the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 from March 25 to April 3. The event will take place across three cities – Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja – bringing together over 6,000 participants, including 2,300 athletes. 
 
With over 32 percent of its population belonging to tribal communities and a living legacy of indigenous cultures, traditions, and athletic excellence, Chhattisgarh stands not just as a host but as the natural home of these Games. 
 
The KITG will feature a diverse range of disciplines, including Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Swimming, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Mallakhamb, and Kabaddi, hosted across key venues in Chhattisgarh. 
 
The games will also feature two demonstrative disciplines, namely Mallakhamb & Kabaddi, which will be showcased as indigenous sporting traditions with national visibility.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Local favourites Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won the men's and women's titles respectively on the final day of the JSW Indian Open 2026 at the CCI on Sunday.
 
The men's title clash was an all-Indian battle with the second-seeded Abhay overpowering his fourth-seeded compatriot Veer Chotrani 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-4), according to a release. Young sensation Anahat Singh, on the other hand, blew away Hana Moataz of Egypt 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6) in the women's final.
 
Abhay was in superb form in the men's final. Although Chotrani produced a spirited fight in the first two games, the second seed zoomed up a gear as the match progressed.
 
The opening game was a hard-fought battle with every point contested fiercely. Abhay Singh finally prevailed in the see-saw battle to take the opening game 11-9 and take the lead.
 
The second game followed a similar script, with every point witnessing long rallies keeping the spectators hooked. However, Abhay managed to quell an intense challenge by his compatriot to win 11-8 and extend his lead.

Abhay cranked up the intensity in the third game, with Chotrani finding it difficult to read his deceptive angles and powerful smashes. The second seed took the game 11-4 to win the match and the title.
 
On winning the JSW Indian Open 2026, Abhay Singh said, "I'm really happy to have won the tournament. Indian squash is very healthy right now with four men in the top 50, Anahat leading the charts in the Women's World Champs. Obviously, the goal individually is the LA Olympics, but we all have a big year ahead and need to defend gold. As much as we're competing against each other on tour, this year is also about coming together, pushing each other, and backing each other to win gold in Japan."
 
Earlier, top-seeded Anahat Singh of India came up with a sublime performance to outclass Hana Moataz of Egypt and clinch the women's title.
 
Although the second-seeded Egyptian was a much-experienced contender, the younger Anahat was in a league all her own. The top-seeded Indian came up with a lethal combination of deception and speedy cross-court movement to leave her second-seeded opponent struggling to match her pace.
 
During the initial exchanges, both opponents were equally matched, matching each other blow for blow. The first game saw the lead change hands after almost every other rally before the Indian rattled off six consecutive points to take it 11-5 and surge into the lead.
 
Anahat continued her dominance in the second game as well, building up a comfortable 5-1 lead in double quick time. Although Hana did her best to put up a strong fight, she failed to match up to the in-form India, who went on to win the second game 11-6 and double the lead.
 
Despite being outgunned during the first two games, Hana staged a spirited comeback in the third game, taking a tight 11-9 verdict to stay alive in the contest.
 
The Egyptian tried to slow down the rallies in an effort to counter her much faster Indian opponent, while the difficult angles of her shots stood her in good stead.
 
The third game loss seemed to break Anahat's rhythm, with Hanna forcing the pace. The Egyptians raced into a 4-1 lead in the fourth game. To her credit, Anahat managed to pick herself up and fought back to claim the lead at 5-4 before winning five back-to-back points to win the game 11-6 and claim the title.
 
On winning the JSW Indian Open for the second consecutive year, Anahat Singh (India #1), said, "I think I played well in the first two games; I went a bit off track in the third. I was excited that I was winning. But I spoke to my coach when he came to my corner in the middle of the game, and he told me to focus on getting a good start because it was important not to let it go to the fifth. I started the fourth well, and I'm glad I was able to get through it. I tell myself to focus because I lose focus quite easily, and if I lose two points in a row, I remind myself to stay motivated, focus on the next few points, and get back into the game.
 
I think it's really amazing how Hana played. She was not well the past week, reached the finals after a tough full-hour match yesterday, and still came out and put on such a great performance. It's amazing to see. I'm glad we were able to put on a good fight for the audience, and hopefully everyone had fun watching."
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In Orleans Masters Badminton, India’s Tanvi Sharma will take on former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the semifinals of Women’s Singles at Palais des Sports in France this evening. Tanvi defeated Japan’s sixth seed Natsuki Nidaira 21-14, 21-14 in the quarter-final clash yesterday. 
 
In the last four clashes, India’s Isharani Baruah will face Thailand’s Pitchamon Opatniputh tonight. Isharani stormed into the semi-final after Malvika Bansod retired midway during the Women’s Singles quarter-final match while lagging 9-21, 7-15 in an all-Indian clash.
 
Earlier in the day, Indian Men’s Doubles pair of Arjun Madathil Ramachandran and Hariharan Amsakarunan bowed out of the tournament after losing to the Indonesian duo of Bagas Maulana and Leo Carnando 12-21, 20-22 in the quarterfinal. 
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Cricket legends are set to return to India as the International Masters League (IML) gears up for its much-anticipated second season. Scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 14, 2026, the tournament will be held across Mumbai, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam, promising another exciting showcase of T20 cricket featuring iconic players.

The inaugural season witnessed India Masters lifting the title, with several global greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara taking part. Building on its successful debut, the upcoming season aims to bring together some of the most celebrated names in cricket once again.

The league made a strong impression in its first edition, becoming the second most-watched men’s T20 competition in India, reaching an audience of 246 million across television and digital platforms.

League Commissioner Sunil Gavaskar said the response to the first season highlighted the enduring popularity of cricketing legends. He added that the next edition would aim to enhance the overall experience with more competitive matches and memorable moments for fans.

Season two will feature six teams representing India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka. More details regarding match schedules, team line-ups, and ticket sales are expected to be announced in the coming months.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: A 24-member India women's Under-20 football team arrived here on Friday to begin a nearly fortnight-long acclimatisation camp ahead of the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup in Thailand early next month.

The age-group side, which has qualified for the continental tournament after a gap of two decades, will undergo 13 days of acclimatisation before beginning its Group C campaign against Japan on April 2.

India will then take on Australia on April 5, followed by a clash against Chinese Taipei on April 8.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India’s Tanvi Sharma and the men’s doubles duo of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun delivered strong performances to advance to the next stage on the second day of the Orleans Masters 2026 in France.

World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi, who registered a notable win over second seed Supanida Katethong of Thailand on Day 1, set up an all-India Round of 16 clash at Palais des Sports on Thursday. She defeated fellow emerging youngster Anmol Kharb in straight games, 21-14, 21-17, progressing further in the tournament, with a total prize fund of USD 250,000.

In men’s doubles, Hariharan and Arjun secured a convincing victory over Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle. The Indian pair edged a closely fought opening game 26-24 before dominating the second 21-14, sealing the match in 35 minutes to enter the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, in women’s singles, India’s Isharani Baruah defeated Wen Yu Zhang of Canada in three hard-fought games, winning 21-11, 14-21, 21-17 their Round of 16 clash in 53 minutes on Court 1.

Earlier in the first round, Aalarshi Kashyap lost to Yeo Jia Min of Singapore, ranked 33rd in the world, in straight games.

In the mixed doubles, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will take on top seeds T Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France on Court 1, while India’s eighth-seeded Ayush Shetty will play Yudai Okimoto of Japan in a men’s singles Round of 16 clash.

Earlier, Tanvi Sharma was part of the Indian team that participated in the Badminton Asia Team Championships at Qingdao, China. India’s campaign came to an end after the women’s team lost 0-3 against favourites China in the quarterfinals.

World junior championship silver medallist Tanvi Sharma played a key role in India’s victory over Myanmar in the Badminton Asia Team Championships at Qingdao, defeating Thet Htar Thuzar 21-13, 21-16 in the first singles.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Four leading Australian pacers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, are set to miss the start of the upcoming Indian Premier League season later this month, dealing an early setback to their respective franchises.

According to a report in cricket.com.au, Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood will miss at least the start of IPL while Nathan Ellis is set to be ruled out of the tournament completely.

The report said Cricket Australia (CA) is taking a cautious approach with their pacers ahead a busy schedule from August that includes 21 Test matches in a 12-month period.

Australia will tour South Africa, India and England before defending the ODI World Cup title in 2027.

"The trio's availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks," the report said.

Test captain Cummins has featured in only one Test last summer due to a back stress injury, while Hazlewood missed the entire series due to hamstring and Achilles issues.

The duo also missed the T20 World Cup.

Starc played all five Ashes Tests and the back-end of the Big Bash League, but not the T20 World Cup as he has retired from the format.

Australia selector Tony Dodemaide had said that Cummins and Hazlewood's availability for the IPL purely was a "timing issue".

"If it was in reverse, the IPL was first and the World Cup was second, then they'd be missing the IPL to play in the World Cup," said Dodemaide.

"It's not going to be frustrating for us at all. We know their commitment to want to play and succeed for Australia."

Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Starc plays for Delhi Capitals and Hazlewood for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The IPL begins on March 28 in Bengaluru.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In Badminton, India’s Aakarshi Kashyap entered the women’s singles main draw at the Orleans Masters 2026 badminton tournament after winning both her qualifying matches yesterday. Competing at the Palais des Sports in France, Aakarshi Kashyap began her campaign with a hard-fought 21-19, 17-21, 21-13 win over compatriot Shriyanshi Valishetty in the women’s singles rankings. The Indian badminton player then went on to secure a 21-17, 21-19 victory against Lee Yu-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei.

Aakarshi Kashyap will take on Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yeo Jia Min of Singapore in the first round. In the Men’s doubles first round, Lai Po-Yu and Tsai Fu-Cheng of Chinese Taipei defeated Arjun Reddy Pochana and Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu with a score of 21-7 and 21-9 last night. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, as well as youngsters Ayush Shetty, Malvika Bansod, Anmol Kharb and Tanvi Sharma will begin their campaigns at the BWF Super 300 tournament today. India’s top doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Paris 2024 semi-finalist Lakshya Sen have opted to skip the Orleans Masters.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Traditional rivals India and Pakistan have been grouped in the same Pool D for the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 and will play their matches in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in the event jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Matches will be played in Amsterdam and Wavre (Belgium) from August 15 to 30, 2026.

England and Wales are the other teams in Pool D in the 16-team draw in which teams have been divided in four groups of four each. It’s a tough draw for India as they will have to top England and Pakistan to bag the direct spot in the quarterfinals, while the second and third placed teams in each ground will participate in the Cross-Over matches to clinch their berths in the top-eight stage.

In the Women’s FIH World Cup, which will be held on the same dates by Belgium and the Netherlands, Indian women will again face England, along with Asian champions China, and African champions South Africa in Pool D.

The Indian women’s hockey team had lost 0-2 to England in the final and finished second in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers played in Hyderabad, Telangana, a couple of days back. The two sides will meet again in the main event.

An exciting official draw ceremony was held on Tuesday at the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands – one of the two venues where the upcoming World Cup will be held, alongside the brand-new Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium. It determined the eight Pools, for men’s and women’s sections, of the group stage of the FIH Hockey World Cup, Belgium and Netherlands 2026:

The draw threw up the most interesting match-up of the Men’s World Cup, with the 1975 winner India placed in the same Pool with traditional rivals and four-time champions Pakistan.

This will be the first time that India and Pakistan will be meeting in the first round of the Hockey World Cup since the 2010 edition in New Delhi. India had defeated Pakistan 4-1 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 edition, and though they made it to the 2018 edition, in Bhubaneswar, India and Pakistan were in separate groups for the first round, and while India qualified for the quarterfinals, Pakistan lost to Belgium in the Cross-Over stage. Pakistan did not qualify for the 2023 edition that was held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, defending champions Germany will face hosts and former winner Belgium, neighbours France, and Malaysia in Pool B, while the Netherlands have to contend with Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan in Pool A.

The draw was done by international hockey legends Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen, and Teun de Nooijer, as well as DJ La Fuente, who was announced as Dutch Ambassador for the World Cup during the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Today’s draw marks another major milestone on the road to the most prestigious FIH event, the FIH Hockey World Cup! The upcoming edition, for both women and men, co-hosted by two hockey powerhouses, promises to be a resounding success. We are very grateful to both Belgium and the Netherlands for hosting our top athletes and the global hockey community in less than six months.

“In today’s fractured world, sport—and events such as this in particular—can play a substantial role in bringing people together. It can foster peace at times when our world is torn apart by conflict,” the FIH quoted Tayyab Ikram as saying in a release.

The full match schedule for both the men’s and women’s World Cup will be on Wednesday (March 18).

Mascots unveiled
Another important World Cup duo was revealed on Tuesday: two playful and energetic mascots, representing the joy, teamwork, and energy of hockey! One per gender. Round – just like a hockey ball and like our world – they symbolise how hockey brings people together from every corner of the globe. A campaign will soon be launched to invite fans to give names to these mascots.

The Groupings:

Men:
Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan (Will play in the Netherlands)

Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia (Belgium)

Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa (Belgium)

Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales (Netherlands)

Women:
Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan (will play in the Netherlands)

Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland (Belgium)

Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland (Belgium)

Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa (Netherlands).