CRICKET
Richa Ghosh named in Bengal state team for 2026-27 season
The Cricket Association of Bengal has named World Cup winner Richa Ghosh among 28 probables for the state women’s team ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The probables: Richa Ghosh (wk), Titas Sadhu, Mita Paul, Tanusree Sarkar, Priyanka Bala (wk), Saika Ishaque, Prativa Rana, Dhara Gujjar, Rupal Tiwari, Sujata Dey, Bidisha Dey, Piyali Ghosh, Jahanbi Raj Paswan, Chandrima Biswas, Sushmita Paul, Ankita Chakraborty (wk), Payel Vakharia, Ipshita Mondal, Prativa Mandi, Sushmita Ganguly, Mamta Kisku, Tithi Das, Bristi Maji, Hrishita Basu (wk), Remondina Khatun, Shreyosi Aich, Shivanshi Tiwari and Priti Mahato.
-Team Sportstar
2026 Pondy Premier League: Unbeaten Villianur unstoppable
Defending champions Villianur Mohit Kings rode on fifties by skipper Aman H Khan (54, 17b) and opener Bhanu Anand (59 n.o., 45b) to beat Genid Yanam Royals by seven wickets on Monday to record their ninth victory in as many outings in the 3rd Pondicherry Premier League.
Brief scores: Genid Yanam Royals 136/9 in 20 overs (Sahil Dutta 3-29, Samar Khan 3-29) lost to Villianur Mohit Kings 139/3 in 14.4 overs (Aman H Khan 54, Bhanu Anand 59 n.o., Irfan-Ul-Haq 2-30).
-Team Sportstar
HOCKEY
Bhola Nath elected unopposed as Hockey Jharkhand president for fourth term on the trot
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh was elected unopposed as Hockey Jharkhand president for a fourth consecutive term.
The election comes in the middle of a legal challenge to his ability to function as an administrator. The National Sports Governance Act 2025 states that “a person may continuously hold the position of either the presidnent or the secretary general of the treasueer, as the case may be, for up to three consecutive terms, separately, or in combination thereof.”
The state association, however, maintained that Bhola Nath’s re-election was in accordance with the National Sports Policy 2025.
“Owing to being an office-bearer in an international sports federation, Bhola Nath Singh was elected Hockey Jharkhand president for a fourth consecutive time,” an association statement said.
Besides these roles, Bhola Nath has also been the vice-president of the Asian Hockey Federayion (AHF) since his election to the post in March 2023.
-Team Sportstar
Indian men and women register easy wins in FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian C’ships
The Indian sub-junior men’s and women’s teams made a winning start to their respective campaign at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 here on Monday.
The Indian teams are placed in the elite pools of the men’s and women’s competition.
The Indian women’s team was the first to start its campaign on the tournament’s opening day, against Kazakhstan, and won 8-3. The men’s team faced Bangladesh in their opening and registered a 7-3 victory.
The tournament is also the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
-Team Sportstar
CHESS
Global Chess League launches Road2GCL initiative ahead of Season 4
The Global Chess League (GCL) on Monday launched Road2GCL, a six-week community engagement initiative featuring competitions, community events and creator collaborations ahead of the fourth season of the league in Bengaluru from September 3 to 14.
The initiative, announced on World Chess Day, aims to engage players, clubs, schools, creators and chess enthusiasts through a series of activities leading up to the franchise-based tournament.
A key feature of the programme is Road2GCL Contenders, a multi-stage competition that will give aspiring players an opportunity to earn a chance to compete against Global Chess League stars.
Season 4 of the league will be held in Bengaluru from September 3 to 14 and will feature 36 Grandmasters across six franchises.
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen will return to the league and compete in India for the first time, while reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh is set to make her league debut.
Apart from the Contenders competition, Road2GCL will include Shining Stars, which will organise chess activities at clubs and educational institutions, and Road2GCL Creators, a programme aimed at engaging new audiences through content creators.
-PTI
FOOTBALL
Punjab FC finishes RFDL Japan exposure tour with two wins
Roundglass Punjab FC concluded its Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Tour 2026 with a narrow 5-6 loss in sudden death against FC Baleine Shimonoseki after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time at Nogihama Park on Monday.
Following its 5-0 thrashing of Avispa Fukuoka Under-18 and a commanding 3-1 victory over Giravanz Kitakyushu, ‘The Shers’ entered their final fixture aiming to complete a perfect tour.
While the penalty shootout did not go PFC’s way, the Indian side finish the exposure tour unbeaten in regulation time.
-Team Sportstar
Published on Jul 20, 2026
