Mohammad Qais Chosen to Represent India at Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championship 2026

Mohammad Qais Chosen

Mohammad Qais has been selected to represent India at the 2nd Asian Jr. Soft Tennis Championship, which will take place next month.

This is a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir, and an even bigger achievement for Mohammad Qais at such a young age. His selection shows his hard work, discipline, and growing talent in the sport.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Mohammad Qais is already a strong name in soft tennis. He is a three-time gold medallist at the District Srinagar level and has also won three gold medals at the UT level. Earlier, he proudly represented Jammu and Kashmir at the national level as well.

His journey is an inspiration for young athletes across the region, proving that dedication and passion can lead to international recognition.

Pahalgam Railway Line Is About Future, Not Fear—Connectivity Is Development

Kashmir’s Young Women Cyclists Shine Nationally as Sports Culture Grows Stronger in Jammu and Kashmir

Women Cyclists

In the changing sports landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, young women athletes are no longer standing on the sidelines. They are now leading from the front, creating success stories and matching performances with athletes from across India.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Over the past few years, sports activities in the Union Territory — from cricket to indoor and outdoor games — have grown steadily. Young female athletes, in particular, are now proudly representing India at national competitions.


Baramulla Cyclists Impress at National Event

In a recent achievement, a group of young women cyclists from Baramulla district in north Kashmir delivered strong performances at a national-level event, proving that the gap between male and female athletes is rapidly disappearing.

The cyclists took part in the Khelo India Asmita Women’s League, held in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

According to a sports official, the team included:

  • Ulfat Mushtaq
  • Mehak Mushtaq
  • Sofia Hilal
  • Sobiya Manzoor
  • Hoor-i-ein Lone

Individual Performances

  • Ulfat Mushtaq secured 10th position in the 30 km Time Trial and 11th position in the 60 km Mass Start.
  • Mehak Mushtaq finished 12th in the 30 km Time Trial and showed great determination by securing 13th place in the 60 km Mass Start despite suffering a crash.
  • Sofia Hilal and Sobiya Manzoor delivered standout performances, finishing 7th and 8th, respectively.
  • Hoor-i-ein Lone added to the team’s success with a 16th-place finish.

Historic First for J&K Women’s Cycling

Officials said this was the first-ever participation of a Jammu and Kashmir women’s cycling team in the Khelo India Asmita League. All the riders proudly represented District Baramulla, making the achievement even more special.

Sports officials described this progress as a very positive sign, showing how organised sports are shaping young lives and inspiring others across the Union Territory.


Government Support for Athletes

The sports department, officials said, is working to:

  • Create better sports facilities
  • Provide more competitive platforms
  • Help athletes represent Kashmir at national and international levels

Authorities believe that continued investment and exposure will help more young athletes succeed.


Plans for New Sports Infrastructure

In a related development, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched a major push to strengthen sports infrastructure across the Union Territory.

This followed a high-level meeting between J&K Sports Minister Satish Sharma and Rohan Jaitley, Chairman of the BCCI Infrastructure Committee and President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association.

The discussions focused on building new cricket stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir to support young talent and promote a strong sports culture.


Vision Beyond Sports

Minister Sharma highlighted the immense sporting talent in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for world-class facilities. He said the proposed stadiums could also allow the region to host national and international cricket matches.

He further pointed out J&K’s potential in areas such as:

  • Start-ups
  • Handicrafts
  • Tourism
  • IT-enabled services
  • Agri-based industries

Referring to youth-focused platforms like the Viksit Bharat Dialogue, Sharma said such initiatives are vital for achieving an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, ensuring inclusive growth across all regions.


The achievements of young women cyclists from Baramulla, combined with growing government support, reflect a new and confident chapter for sports in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Athletes Shine at National Dragon Boat Championship, Win Overall Second Place

National Dragon

Chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Tanvir Sadiq, on Monday congratulated athletes from Jammu and Kashmir for their excellent performance at the 12th National Dragon Boat Championship, where the Union Territory won the Overall Second Runners-Up Trophy.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

A team of 30 athletes, including 22 girls and 8 boys, brought pride to the region by winning a total of 30 medals — 2 gold, 10 silver and 18 bronze. Tanvir Sadiq praised the athletes, their coaches and support staff for their hard work and dedication, saying their achievement is a moment of great pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the Omar Abdullah–led government remains fully committed to promoting sports and youth development across the Union Territory. He added that continuous efforts are being made to improve sports infrastructure, increase access to training facilities, and provide strong institutional support so athletes can perform well at national and international levels.

Congratulating all the medal winners and their mentors, Tanvir Sadiq wished the team continued success. He said he was confident that athletes from Jammu and Kashmir would keep making the region proud on the national stage.

He further said that such achievements clearly show the huge sporting potential of the youth in the region. “These young athletes have not only earned national recognition but have also inspired a new generation to take up sports with passion and commitment,” he added.

Bangladesh Ask ICC to Move T20 World Cup 2026 Matches Outside India Over Security Concerns

World Cup 2026

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to venues outside India. The request has been made due to what the BCB described as serious “safety and security” concerns for Bangladeshi players and officials.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

In an official press release, the BCB said the Bangladesh national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current situation. The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

According to the board, an emergency meeting of the BCB’s Board of Directors was held to review developments over the last 24 hours. After detailed discussions and based on advice from the Bangladesh government, the board decided that travelling to India would not be safe for the team at this time.

“The Board expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the statement said. It added that the decision was taken keeping in mind the safety and well-being of players, team officials, board members, and other stakeholders.

The BCB confirmed that it has officially requested the ICC, as the event’s governing authority, to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to venues outside India. The board said it is now waiting for an urgent response from the ICC.

These developments come soon after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced that they had released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

In a media advisory, KKR said the move was made following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which regulates the IPL. The advisory stated that the franchise was directed to release Mustafizur due to recent developments.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia later confirmed that the board had asked KKR to release the Bangladesh player. He said the BCCI would allow the franchise to bring in a replacement if needed.

Mustafizur’s inclusion in the KKR squad had earlier triggered political debate in India, especially amid reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. He was bought by the three-time IPL champions for ₹9.20 crore during the IPL auction held in December last year.

The situation has now raised broader questions about regional tensions, player safety, and how international cricket events will be managed if security concerns continue ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Jammu and Kashmir Police Start 14-Day Enquiry After Cricketer Displays Palestine Logo on Helmet

Palestine Logo on Helmet

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a 14-day preliminary enquiry after a local cricketer was seen wearing a helmet with a Palestine logo during a match.

In a statement, the police said a video shared on social media showed a cricket player, Furqan Ul Haq, playing at KC Door, Muthi, while displaying the Palestine logo on his helmet. He is a resident of Tangipuna, Pulwama.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The police said a preliminary enquiry has been started under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). The enquiry aims to find out the facts of the case, the player’s intention, his background, and whether there are any links that could raise public order concerns.

Due to the sensitive nature of the matter, the enquiry will be conducted over 14 days at Police Station Domana.

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Police also confirmed that the cricketer and the organiser of the private cricket tournament were called for questioning. The player was reportedly seen wearing a helmet with the Palestine flag during a match held in Jammu.

Police said both the player and the organiser were questioned to understand the circumstances in which the flag was used. Authorities stated that the matter is under investigation and further details are awaited.

Al-Hilal Beat Sharjah FC 1–0 to Finish Group Stage Perfectly in AFC Champions League

Al-Hilal

Al-Hilal continued their dominant run in the AFC Champions League Elite with a narrow but important 1–0 victory over Sharjah FC on 22 December 2025 at Sharjah Stadium. The win confirmed Al-Hilal’s perfect group-stage record, as they finished with six wins from six matches.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The match was closely contested for much of the evening, with Sharjah FC showing discipline and defensive organisation, especially in the first half. Despite Al-Hilal enjoying greater possession and creating more chances, Sharjah managed to hold them off and keep the score level until late in the game.

The breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute, when Malcom found the back of the net for Al-Hilal. His goal proved decisive, silencing the home crowd and underlining Al-Hilal’s attacking quality at crucial moments.

Sharjah FC tried to respond in the closing stages and pushed players forward in search of an equaliser. However, Al-Hilal’s experienced defence remained solid and prevented any clear scoring opportunities. The Sharjah goalkeeper also put in a strong performance, making several saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

With this result, Al-Hilal topped their group with 18 points, confirming their status as one of the strongest teams in Asian football. Sharjah FC, meanwhile, remained on 7 points, leaving their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage hanging by a thread.

The victory highlights Al-Hilal’s depth, consistency, and winning mentality, all of which make them strong contenders for the title. Sharjah FC can take positives from their effort, but the gap in quality ultimately decided the outcome.

From Baramulla to IPL Spotlight: Auqib Nabi Bags Rs 8.40 Crore Deal with Delhi Capitals

auqib-nabi

From a quiet Baramulla village to cricket’s biggest auction room, Auqib Nabi’s pace finally found its perfect length.Snapped up for Rs 8.40 crore by Delhi Capitals, the J&K fast bowler’s IPL entry caps years of grind, turning domestic consistency into a life-changing breakthrough on the sport’s grandest stage.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

On Tuesday, Auqib scripted a landmark moment in his career after he was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crore at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, marking his maiden entry into the world’s biggest franchise T20 league.

Soon after Auqib was sold, celebrations went on across J&K cricket circles, as he emerged as one of the most high-profile buys from the region.

Notably, Auqib’s selection comes on the back of consistent performances across formats, particularly his impressive outings in the recent domestic season, where his pace, discipline, and ability to strike at crucial moments stood out.

His rise had already generated strong buzz ahead of the auction, with multiple franchises tracking his progress during trials.

Speaking earlier to Greater Kashmir, Auqib had expressed optimism but remained grounded.

“You don’t think too much about selection or rejection. You just keep working hard. Whatever happens, happens,” he said.

Soon after Auqib was sold to Delhi Capitals, celebrations erupted in Sheeri village in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where locals gathered outside his residence to congratulate the family and celebrate the young cricketer’s achievement.

People from the area expressed happiness and pride over Auqib’s success, terming it a historic moment for local cricket. At home, emotions ran high as the hammer finally came down in his favour. Auqib’s father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, who had spoken of belief and patience ahead of the auction, said the moment was a reward for years of perseverance.

“We always believed in his hard work. As a family, we prayed and left everything to Allah,” he said.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Dar said the family’s joy knew no bounds.

“I’ve no words. I’m thankful to Allah. Auqib worked hard, and today he has received the reward for that hard work,” he said.

Local cricket and sports bodies also joined the celebrations, stating that when Auqib returns after the IPL, his visit to the area should be marked as a historic occasion.

Auqib has been in remarkable form this season, delivering consistent performances across tournaments, particularly in the Duleep Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

During the bidding process, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) also showed interest in the J&K pacer.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also engaged in a strong bidding battle for the J&K pacer before Delhi Capitals eventually secured him.

The achievement also drew congratulatory messages from several political leaders of J&K.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on microblogging site ‘X’, congratulated Auqib Nabi on the landmark deal, saying the entire region was proud of the young fast bowler.

“Congratulations to Auqib Nabi Dar for this amazing achievement. We are all very proud of him and I’m pleased that his hard work has been rewarded. Now we wait for the season to start so we can celebrate Auqib’s successes. Speaking for myself, I’m now a Delhi Capitals supporter and can’t wait to cheer them on from the sidelines,” CM Omar posted.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Party (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra also extended his heartiest congratulations to Auqib.

“This historic accomplishment is a matter of immense pride not only for Auqib and his family, but for the entire youth of J&K. His dedication, discipline, and hard work have truly paid off, proving that talent from our region can shine on the biggest national and international platforms,” he said in a statement. “I wish Auqib great success in the IPL and in his future cricketing career. May he continue to excel, inspire countless young aspirants, and bring laurels to J&K and the country.”

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Para termed Auqib’s IPL contract a proud moment for J&K, highlighting the depth of sporting talent in the region.

“Proud moment for the whole J&K! Auqib Nabi, son of the soil, makes it big with Rs 8.4 crore IPL contract, a proof of raw talent from J&K. Handholding and the right direction are key; we have no shortage of talent. Sports has always remained a priority, and such achievements reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the talent,” Para posted on X.

NIT Srinagar Wins All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2025

NIT Srinagar

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Sunday won the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2025, defeating NIT Hamirpur by 10 runs in the final played at the MANIT Sports Complex, Bhopal. With this victory, NIT Srinagar clinched the title for the third time.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The four-day tournament, held from December 11 to 14, was hosted by Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, and featured participation from 24 NITs across the country.

Winning the toss, NIT Srinagar opted to bat first and posted a competitive 129 runs for 9 wickets in 15 overs. The innings was built on steady contributions from the middle order, with Faisal Irshad and Dr. Pankaj Kumar scoring 22 runs each.

Shahid Hamid added a vital 19 runs, while Sohail Ahmad Baba chipped in with 16 runs, helping the team reach a defendable total on a challenging pitch.

In response, NIT Hamirpur fought hard but fell short, managing 119 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 15 overs. Neeraj Dhiman (WK) anchored the chase with a well-crafted 49 runs, supported by Aman Kumar (26) and Surender Kumar Soni (Captain), who scored 16 runs. However, disciplined bowling by NIT Srinagar ensured that the target remained out of reach.

The bowling attack was led by Tanveer Hussain, who produced a match-winning spell, claiming two crucial wickets in three overs at a decisive stage of the game.

Mudasir Qadir and Shahid Hamid picked up one wicket each, while tight fielding and smart game awareness played a key role in restricting the opposition. For his exceptional all-round performance, Tanveer Hussain was declared the Man of the Match.

Dr. Syed Mohsin Shabir played a crucial role in NIT Srinagar’s title-winning campaign with his incisive bowling, consistently applying pressure on opposition batters.

Leading the pace attack, he delivered disciplined spells, maintaining tight lines and lengths that curtailed the scoring rate and forced mistakes.

Dr. Mohsin’s ability to extract movement and bounce proved vital in restricting teams to modest totals during key matches of the tournament. His economy and accuracy were instrumental in keeping opposition run-scoring in check.

The trophy was formally presented to NIT Srinagar by Prof. Karunesh Kumar Shukla, Director, MANIT, Bhopal, along with Dr. Alka Bharat, Dean, Faculty Welfare, during the closing ceremony.

Both dignitaries praised NIT Srinagar for its consistent performance, sportsmanship, and team spirit throughout the All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2025.

Dr. Milind Pralhad Kamble, Chairman of Board of Governors (BoG), NIT Srinagar, praised the accomplishment and extended his congratulations to the entire team for upholding the values of discipline and teamwork.

Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, congratulated the team, calling the victory a matter of immense pride for the institute.

“This triumph reflects not only the sporting talent within our institution but also the determination, discipline, and teamwork of our faculty and staff. Such achievements significantly enhance the institute’s reputation and promote a culture of excellence beyond academics,” he said.

Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, also lauded the players. He stated that the team has brought great honour to NIT Srinagar.

“Their unity, perseverance, and sportsmanship are exemplary. The institute remains committed to encouraging sports and holistic development among its faculty and staff,” he said.

The 15-member NIT Srinagar squad included Dr. Shakeel Waseem (C), Faisal Irshad Ganai (vc), Sohail Baba (wk), Dr Tanveer Rasool, Dr Malik Parvaiz, Dr Manoj Kumar, Dr Pankaj Kumar, Dr Ved Prakash, Dr Syed Mohsin Shabir, Mr Shahid Hamid, Mr. Basarat Bashir, Aaqib Jan, Mr. Tanveer Hussain, Mr. Towheed Hussain, and Mudasir Qadir.

The team was accompanied by Security Officer Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Abdul Hamid, and other officials.

The players dedicated the victory to the entire NIT Srinagar community and expressed heartfelt gratitude to MNIT Bhopal for its excellent arrangements and warm hospitality, which ensured the successful conduct of the prestigious tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, NIT Srinagar showcased consistent dominance. In the league stage, played at the Nehru Nagar Police Line Ground, Bhopal, the team registered a commanding 105-run victory over NIT Andhra Pradesh, with Faisal Irshad scoring 56 runs.

In another league encounter, NIT Srinagar defeated NIT Kurukshetra by 63 runs, highlighted by a blistering 80 off 40 balls by Aaqib Jan.

The knockout stages brought further excitement. In the quarterfinal, NIT Srinagar edged past VNIT Nagpur in a dramatic Super Over, after both teams were tied at 88 runs at the end of regulation play.

Under immense pressure, needing 14 runs to win, Aaqib Jan rose brilliantly, hitting two crisp fours and a powerful six in just three balls, bringing his team to a thrilling Super Over victory and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.The team then carried its momentum into the semifinal, defeating NIT Jalandhar by 25 runs to book a place in the final.

IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi: Full Player List, Reserve Prices and Team Retentions

IPL 2026 Auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. The player list for the 2026 season auction has been finalised, with 350 players, including 240 Indian cricketers and 110 overseas.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Earlier, a total of 1390 players registered for the IPL 2026 player auction, of which 350 were shortlisted. The pool also comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year’s auction roster.

Franchises will compete for 77 slots in total, including 31 reserved for overseas players. The highest reserve price remains Rs 2 crore, with 40 players choosing to enter the auction in this bracket.

Nine players are in the Rs 1.5 crore bracket. Four players have set a reserve price of Rs 1.25 crore, and 17 have set their base price at Rs 1 crore.

In the Rs 75 lakh category, 42 players have entered, and four have chosen Rs 50 lakh. Additionally, seven players have a reserve price of Rs 40 lakh, and the largest group, 227 players, is in the Rs 30 lakh bracket.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to be one of the most expensive picks, given that several teams will be looking for a hard-hitting all-rounder and will feature in the first set. South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, George Linde and Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage, who were initially not in the list, have been included in the final roster.

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL 2026 Auction War Room’, JioStar expert Robin Uthappa commented on Kolkata Knight Riders’ bidding strategy for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Chennai Super Kings’ likely approach for the 2026 auction.

“I knew CSK would also go after a middle-order all-rounder. I thought they would go somewhere around 25-28 crore. Realistically, I think they would go up to around ₹20 crore in the actual auction, because they would want to keep space for other Indian and overseas players as well. But in the mock auctions, I was ready to go up to 35 crore for a player like Green. I think Cameron Green should bat at No. 3 in the order,” Uthappa said.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 16 players including 4 overseas retained, Total spent: Rs 81.60 crores, Cap remaining: Rs 43.40 crores

List of 16 players retained: Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson (T), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel.

Delhi Capitals (DC): 17 players retained (3 overseas). Total spent: Rs 103.20 crores; Cap remaining: Rs 21.80 crores.

List of 17 players retained: Abhishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, Nitish Rana (T), Sameer Rizvi, T. Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam.

Gujarat Titans (GT) 20 players retained (4 overseas). Total spent: Rs 112.10 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 12.90 crores

List of 20 players retained: Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Kumar Kushagra, Manav Suthar, Mohammad Siraj, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Prasidh Krishna, R. Sai Kishore, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) 12 players retained (2 overseas). Total spent: crores 60.70. Cap remaining: Rs 64.30 crores.

List of 12 players retained: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) 19 players retained (4 overseas). Total spent: Rs 102.05 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 22.95 crores.

List of 19 players retained: Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar (T), Arshin Kulkarni, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Md Shami (T), Mitchell Marsh, Mohsin Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Prince Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shahbaz Ahmed.

Mumbai Indians (MI) 20 players retained (7 overseas). Total spent: Rs 122.25 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 2.75 crores.

List of 20 players retained: Allah Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande (T), Mitchell Santner, Naman Dhir, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Robin Minz, Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Shardul Thakur (T), Sherfane Rutherford (T), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Trent Boult, Will Jacks.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) 21 players retained (6 overseas). Total spent: Rs 113.50 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 11.50 crores.

List of 21 players retained: Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) 16 players retained (7 overseas). Total spent: Rs 108.95 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 16.05 crores.

List of 16 players retained: Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira (T), Jofra Archer, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-Dre Pretorious, Nandre Burger, Ravindra Jadeja (T), Riyan Parag, Sam Curran (T), Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Charak.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) 17 players retained (6 overseas). Total spent: Rs 108.60 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 16.40 crores.

List of 17 players retained: Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) 15 players retained (6 overseas). Total spent: Rs 99.50 crores. Cap remaining: Rs 25.50 crores.

List of 15 players retained: Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins, Smaran Ravichandaran, Travis Head, Zeeshan Ansari. (ANI)

SWJA Defeats Sopore Police in Friendly Cricket Match to Promote Unity and Sportsmanship

SWJA Defeats Sopore Police

In a spirited display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, Sopore Working Journalists Association (SWJA) today clinched a win over Sopore Police in a friendly 12-over cricket match played at Eiden Park (MET) Ground, Sopore.

The Sopore Police XI was led by Senior Superintendent of Police Sopore, Iftikhar Talib, while the journalists’ team was captained by Lone Mehraj, representing the media fraternity.

Batting first, the Journalists’ XI (SWJA) set a competitive target of 118/5 in 12 overs, powered by a blistering 84 off 40 balls from Junaid Bhat, while the Sopore Police side responded with a spirited chase, finishing at 112/4 and handing SWJA a narrow six-run victory in an exciting finish.

The friendly encounter was conceived as a community-oriented sports initiative to further improve relations between police and the media fraternity, besides inspiring local youth to embrace sports and shun drugs and other anti-social activities.

SSP Sopore Iftikhar Talib and SWJA president Lone Mehraj congratulated both teams for displaying exemplary sportsmanship and reiterated that Sopore Police and the journalist fraternity will continue to hold similar events to nurture talent, promote peace and encourage constructive engagement among youth in the region.(KNS)