Tag: Sports News

Sports

World Legends Pro T20 League Announces Squads, Captains, Fixtures for Inaugural Season in Goa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Goa, January 21, 2026: The World Legends Pro T20 League (WLPT20) has officially announced the six franchises, team captains, final squads, and the complete fixture schedule for its inaugural season. The tournament will be held at the 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium, Goa, from 26 January to 4 February 2026, featuring 18 matches including a league stage, two semi-finals, and a grand finale.


The six franchises—Rajasthan Kings, Delhi Warriors, Pune Panthers, Dubai Royals, Gurugram Thunders, and Maharashtra Tycoons—will feature 90 legendary cricketers from around the world, blending iconic international stars with top Indian domestic talent.

The league will kick off with a grand opening ceremony on 25 January, featuring a live performance by Sunidhi Chauhan, setting the stage for a cricketing and entertainment extravaganza.

“Seeing these squads and captains come together is incredibly exciting. Each team is well-balanced, blending legendary experience with T20 flair, and fans are in for a real spectacle—high-octane matches, unforgettable moments, and a chance to see some of the greatest players in cricket history light up the field once again,” said League Commissioner Michael Clarke.

“This league is built on a model where management and owners focus on creating long-term, sustainable value together. For the first time in years, Goa will host a major cricketing extravaganza, and we’re excited to bring world-class cricket to the city,” added Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO of SGSE.


Team Squads & Captains – WLPT20 2026
Rajasthan Kings – Captain: Eoin Morgan
Ben Cutting, Elton Chigumbura, Naman Ojha, Callum Ferguson, Angelo Perera, JP Duminy, Suresh Raina, Bipul Sharma, Pinal Shah, Jaykishan Kolsawala, Abhimanyu Mithun, Anureet Singh, Jesal Karia, Shadab Jakati

Delhi Warriors – Captain: Harbhajan Singh
Seekkugge Prasanna, Chadwick Walton, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Irfan Pathan, Isuru Udana, Shahbaz Nadeem, Chirag Gandhi, Shreevats Goswami, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Rahul Shukla, Diwesh Pathania, Suboth Bhati, Ravi Jangid

Pune Panthers – Captain: Kieron Pollard
Samiullah Shinwari, Upul Tharanga, Amit Mishra, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Martin Guptill, Robin Uthappa, Kamil Leverock, Rahul Yadav, Asad Pathan, Ankit Rajpoot, Faiz Fazal, Priyank Panchal, Ishwar Pandey

Dubai Royals – Captain: Shikhar Dhawan
Samit Patel, Piyush Chawla, Christopher Mpofu, Fidel Edwards, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Parvez Rasool, Gitansh Khera, Abhishek Raut, Peter Trego, Monu Kumar, Amit Verma, Kirk Edwards

Gurugram Thunders – Captain: Thisara Perera
Phil Mustard, Ross Taylor, Cheteshwar Pujara, Colin de Grandhomme, S Sreesanth, Stuart Broad, Rayad Emrit, Jermaine Blackwood, Amitoze Singh, Sheldon Jackson, Akshay Wakhare, Malinda Pushpakumara, Saurin Thakar, Pawan Negi

Maharashtra Tycoons – Captain: Dinesh Karthik
Carlos Brathwaite, Dale Steyn, Chris Gayle, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Stuart Binny, Peter Siddle, Shaun Marsh, Rahul Sharma, Pawan Suyal, Praveen Gupta, Baltej Singh, Manvinder Bisla, Siddarth Kaul


League Format
Each team plays five league-stage matches

Points awarded based on match results

Top four teams advance to the playoffs

Semi-finals: 3 February 2026

Grand Final: 4 February 2026

All matches at a single venue to ensure uniform playing conditions

Fixtures – WLPT20 2026

26 Jan: Delhi Warriors vs Dubai Royals, 7:30 PM
27 Jan: Pune Panthers vs Gurugram Thunders, 2:30 PM
27 Jan: Rajasthan Kings vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 7:30 PM
28 Jan: Dubai Royals vs Gurugram Thunders, 2:30 PM
28 Jan: Delhi Warriors vs Pune Panthers, 7:30 PM
29 Jan: Rajasthan Kings vs Dubai Royals, 2:30 PM
29 Jan: Gurugram Thunders vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 7:30 PM
30 Jan: Maharashtra Tycoons vs Delhi Warriors, 2:30 PM
30 Jan: Pune Panthers vs Rajasthan Kings, 7:30 PM
31 Jan: Gurugram Thunders vs Rajasthan Kings, 2:30 PM
31 Jan: Dubai Royals vs Pune Panthers, 7:30 PM
1 Feb: Pune Panthers vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 2:30 PM
1 Feb: Delhi Warriors vs Gurugram Thunders, 7:30 PM
2 Feb: Rajasthan Kings vs Delhi Warriors, 2:30 PM
2 Feb: Maharashtra Tycoons vs Dubai Royals, 7:30 PM
3 Feb: Semi-Final 1, 2:30 PM
3 Feb: Semi-Final 2, 7:30 PM
4 Feb: Grand Final, 7:30 PM

Sports

Indian Super League to Resume on February 14 with All 14 Clubs, Announces Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

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Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that the Indian Super League (ISL) will resume on February 14, bringing relief to football fans across the country after a temporary pause in the competition.

The announcement came following a crucial meeting involving the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and key stakeholders of Indian football. The league had been halted earlier due to the absence of a confirmed commercial partner, raising concerns over the continuity of the season.

With the resumption confirmed, all 14 ISL clubs, including traditional powerhouses Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, will participate in the remainder of the league. The season will follow a home-and-away format, comprising a total of 91 matches, ensuring a full competitive calendar for teams and fans alike.

The decision is seen as a significant step towards stabilising Indian football’s premier league and restoring confidence among players, clubs, broadcasters, and supporters. Officials expressed optimism that the renewed momentum would strengthen the league’s commercial prospects and overall growth.

The ISL’s return is expected to reinvigorate the domestic football ecosystem and maintain India’s growing presence in the Asian football landscape.

Sports

Joe Root’s Gritty 160 Anchors England on Final Ashes Day

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Joe Root once again underlined his status as one of modern cricket’s finest batters with a commanding 160-run innings on day two of the fifth Ashes Test, anchoring England in challenging conditions on Australian soil.

The 34-year-old’s knock marked his 41st Test century, drawing him level with Australian legend Ricky Ponting, and his second hundred of the series in Australia. Root faced 242 deliveries, striking 15 boundaries, and showcased immense patience, technique, and temperament as England battled back from early trouble.

England found themselves in difficulty after losing early wickets, but Root’s calm presence at the crease steadied the innings. His crucial 154-run partnership with Harry Brook shifted momentum and kept England competitive in a contest where Australia already holds an unassailable 3–1 series lead.

Root’s innings finally came to an end when he was dismissed by Michael Neser, but by then, he had laid a strong foundation and reaffirmed his reputation as England’s dependable pillar in Test cricket.

The match also carries emotional weight for Australia, serving as a farewell Test for veteran opener Usman Khawaja, who has announced his retirement. Khawaja’s contribution to Australian cricket was widely acknowledged, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praising his legacy, even as opinions remain divided over Khawaja’s off-field activism.

As the Ashes series draws toward its conclusion, Root’s milestone innings stands out as a reminder of cricket’s enduring ability to blend records, resilience, and legacy on the game’s grandest stage.

Sports

Goa’s IM Ethan Vaz Creates History with Gold at National Junior U-19 Chess Championship

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Goa’s young chess prodigy IM Ethan Vaz has created history by becoming the first Goan to clinch the gold medal at the National Junior Under-19 Chess Championship (Open). The prestigious tournament was held in Jamshedpur from December 16 to 24, 2025, and witnessed some of the country’s finest young chess talents in action.

At just 14 years of age, Ethan delivered a sensational performance, scoring an astounding 10.5 points out of a possible 11 rounds. His commanding display saw him finish a remarkable 1.5 points clear of the rest of the field, underlining his dominance throughout the championship.

Ethan’s triumph is being hailed as a landmark achievement for Goan chess, showcasing the State’s growing presence on the national chess map. His composure, tactical sharpness, and consistency against top-rated opponents reflected maturity well beyond his years.

The historic gold medal not only adds a major national title to Ethan Vaz’s growing list of achievements but also serves as an inspiration for young chess players across Goa and India. With this victory, Ethan has firmly established himself as one of the brightest prospects in Indian chess.

Sports

Goa Enter Knockouts After Resolute Stand Against Bengal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa entered the knockout stage of the Cooch Behar Trophy Elite cricket tournament after holding Bengal to a hard-fought draw on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run in Group ‘D’. With three wins and one draw from four matches, Goa now stand at an impressive 23 points, securing qualification with one league match still remaining. The match, played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, showcased Goa’s discipline, determination, and ability to stand strong against one of the tournament’s toughest sides.

Bengal declared their second innings at 255 for 9 in 43 overs, setting Goa a challenging target of 229 runs. With the pitch favouring the bowlers and time running out, Goa approached the chase with caution and composure. They finished at 126 for 6 in 74.5 overs, ensuring the match ended in a draw and earning a valuable three points. Bengal settled for one.

Resuming from their overnight score of 185 for 4, Bengal added 70 runs in 12 overs but lost five wickets in the process. Goa’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Chigurupati Venkata leading the attack by taking 3 wickets for 58 runs. Shiven Borker supported well with figures of 2 for 52, while Mihir Kudalkar claimed a wicket. Bengal also suffered three run-outs, which helped Goa tighten their grip at crucial moments.

In Goa’s second innings, skipper Yash Kasvankar anchored the batting with a fighting 43 off 98 balls, hitting six boundaries in an innings defined by patience and responsibility. Opener Sarthak Bhike contributed a determined 30 off 130 balls, blunting Bengal’s attack and consuming valuable time. Shantanu Nevagi and Dishank Misquin played important supporting roles despite low scores, holding their wickets when the team needed stability the most. Aradhya Goyal remained unbeaten on 11 off 57 balls, while Mihir Kudalkar and Sai Naik ensured Goa did not crumble under pressure in the final session. For Bengal, Rohit Das and Rohit took two wickets each.

Earlier in the match, Bengal had posted 325 in 100.1 overs in their first innings. Goa responded strongly with 352 in 113.3 overs, gaining an important 27-run lead that played a crucial role in the final outcome. With momentum on their side and confidence running high, Goa now prepare for their final Group D match against Chandigarh on December 16.

The draw against Bengal reflects Goa’s growing maturity, depth, and resilience as a team. Their qualification for the knockouts highlights their consistent performances throughout the tournament and sets the stage for an exciting next phase as they chase greater glory.