India made history at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (Mar 8) by becoming the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand in the final. India now are also the first side to win a T20 WC title at home and have three trophies to their name as well. The Men in Blue had previously won the T20 World Cup back in 2007 and in 2024.While the team battled it out on the field, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was also fighting an emotional battle of his own. During the post-match press conference, Kishan revealed that he had lost his cousin sister, to whom he was very close, in a car accident a day before the final. &nbsp;The wicketkeeper said he came to know about the tragic news during a practice session and was deeply disturbed.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-world-cup-2026-prize-money-3-million-for-indian-team-check-runners-up-semifinalists-share-1773004004609">T20 World Cup 2026 Prize Money: $3 million for Indian Team; check runners-up, semifinalists’ share</a>“I lost my cousin sister yesterday in a car accident. I got the news during the practice session. So, I want to dedicate my knock to her. When I looked up after the fifty, it was for her,” Kishan said.Despite the personal loss, Kishan delivered a brilliant performance in the final, scoring 54 off 25 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, as India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs.“She [My cousin] always wanted me to score runs. This one is for her. I dedicate this win to her, and today is Women’s Day, so it makes it all the more special,” he added.Kishan enjoyed an outstanding tournament with the bat. The left-hander finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the competition, amassing 317 runs in nine matches at an impressive strike rate of 193.29, including three half-centuries. The southpaw was called up to India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup following a stellar run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, where he scored 517 runs in 10 innings at a remarkable strike rate of 197.32.During the press conference, Kishan also recalled a conversation with India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav when he received the call-up to the national team.“When Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai called me, I took a screenshot thinking it was about the World Cup. He asked, ‘Will you help us win the World Cup?’ I replied, ‘Will you trust me?’ I told him I would do it, and he said, ‘Alright, done.’”Kishan also spoke about how he has changed his mindset in the last couple of years.The 27-year-old batter revealed that he has now stopped overthinking and now concentrates only on what he can control.“I have stopped thinking too much. I just focus on doing my job and not worry about things beyond my control. That’s something Virat (Kohli) bhai has always followed,” he said.

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was also fighting an emotional battle of his own. During the post-match press conference, Kishan revealed that he had lost his cousin sister, to whom he was very close, in a car accident a day before the final. 

India made history at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (Mar 8) by becoming the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand in the final. India now are also the first side to win a T20 WC title at home and have three trophies to their name as well. The Men in Blue had previously won the T20 World Cup back in 2007 and in 2024. While the team battled it out on the field, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was also fighting an emotional battle of his own. During the post-match press conference, Kishan revealed that he had lost his cousin sister, to whom he was very close, in a car accident a day before the final. The wicketkeeper said he came to know about the tragic news during a practice session and was deeply disturbed. Also Read - T20 World Cup 2026 Prize Money: $3 million for Indian Team; check runners-up, semifinalists’ share “I lost my cousin sister yesterday in a car accident. I got the news during the practice session. So, I want to dedicate my knock to her. When I looked up after the fifty, it was for her,” Kishan said. Despite the personal loss, Kishan delivered a brilliant performance in the final, scoring 54 off 25 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, as India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs. “She [My cousin] always wanted me to score runs. This one is for her. I dedicate this win to her, and today is Women’s Day, so it makes it all the more special,” he added. Kishan enjoyed an outstanding tournament with the bat. The left-hander finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the competition, amassing 317 runs in nine matches at an impressive strike rate of 193.29, including three half-centuries. The southpaw was called up to India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup following a stellar run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, where he scored 517 runs in 10 innings at a remarkable strike rate of 197.32. During the press conference, Kishan also recalled a conversation with India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav when he received the call-up to the national team. “When Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai called me, I took a screenshot thinking it was about the World Cup. He asked, ‘Will you help us win the World Cup?’ I replied, ‘Will you trust me?’ I told him I would do it, and he said, ‘Alright, done.’” Kishan also spoke about how he has changed his mindset in the last couple of years. The 27-year-old batter revealed that he has now stopped overthinking and now concentrates only on what he can control. “I have stopped thinking too much. I just focus on doing my job and not worry about things beyond my control. That’s something Virat (Kohli) bhai has always followed,” he said.

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was also fighting an emotional battle of his own. During the post-match press conference, Kishan revealed that he had lost his cousin sister, to whom he was very close, in a car accident a day before the final.&nbsp;

T20 World Cup 2026 | Ishan Kishan dedicates title win to cousin who 'died a day before final'

Ahmedabad is buzzing with excitement as the city prepares to host the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (Mar 8). Tricolour Indian flags and cricket jerseys featuring names of stars like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan alongside that of now 2024 champions Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can be seen lining the roads for nearly 3-4 kilometres around the stadium.The world’s largest cricket stadium is already sold out, with fans travelling from different parts of the country to witness the historic final. Demand for tickets and hotel rooms in the city has surged dramatically, with some fans even offering three to four times the original ticket price in hopes of securing a seat inside the stadium.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-t20-world-cup-2026-final-ace-players-to-watch-out-for-in-title-showdown-1772944773187">IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 Final | Ace players to watch out for</a>“IND vs NZ T20 World Cup final has everyone buzzing. Some of my friends are planning cafe screenings while others are hosting projector watch parties at home. People are calling me and begging for tickets at three to four times the price. And personally, I don’t want another 2023 final heartbreak at this stadium, we Ahmedabad people want to change that today,” Hardik, a cricket fan from Ahmedabad, said.However, the Narendra Modi Stadium hasn’t been particularly kind to India in recent World Cups. The Men in Blue have played two major World Cup matches here and lost both, the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the group-stage match against South Africa in the ongoing tournament.Despite that history, fans remain optimistic that the trend will change in the T20 World Cup final.“The curse will definitely break tomorrow and we will win. That’s it. I’ve been extremely excited since India reached the final. The Ahmedabad curse will definitely end because 1.4 billion people are praying for the nation to win,” said fan Shivi Gupta, who had come to the stadium area to soak in the atmosphere.The excitement is not limited to the stadium alone. Across the city, fans are planning watch parties at cafes and homes, with many opting for big-screen projector screenings to experience the final together.At the same time, supporters are aware that New Zealand remain a formidable opponent in ICC tournaments.“New Zealand are a tough side and definitely not easy to beat. With Seifert in fiery form, Allen coming off a century, and players like Santner, Mitchell and Phillips capable of changing the game, they have plenty of match-winners. India’s recent history against them in big tournaments hasn’t been easy. But if India get through the powerplay without damage and someone anchors the middle overs, they’ll be in a strong position,” said another Ahmedabad-based cricket fan Harshdev Parmar.With anticipation building across the city and the stadium packed to capacity, Ahmedabad is set for a thrilling night of cricket as India look to lift the T20 World Cup trophy on home soil.

The world’s largest cricket stadium is already sold out, with fans travelling from different parts of the country to witness the historic final. Demand for tickets and hotel rooms in the city has surged dramatically, with some fans even offering three to four times the original ticket price.

Ahmedabad is buzzing with excitement as the city prepares to host the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (Mar 8). Tricolour Indian flags and cricket jerseys featuring names of stars like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan alongside that of now 2024 champions Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can be seen lining the roads for nearly 3-4 kilometres around the stadium. The world’s largest cricket stadium is already sold out, with fans travelling from different parts of the country to witness the historic final. Demand for tickets and hotel rooms in the city has surged dramatically, with some fans even offering three to four times the original ticket price in hopes of securing a seat inside the stadium. Also Read - IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 Final | Ace players to watch out for “IND vs NZ T20 World Cup final has everyone buzzing. Some of my friends are planning cafe screenings while others are hosting projector watch parties at home. People are calling me and begging for tickets at three to four times the price. And personally, I don’t want another 2023 final heartbreak at this stadium, we Ahmedabad people want to change that today,” Hardik, a cricket fan from Ahmedabad, said. However, the Narendra Modi Stadium hasn’t been particularly kind to India in recent World Cups. The Men in Blue have played two major World Cup matches here and lost both, the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the group-stage match against South Africa in the ongoing tournament. Despite that history, fans remain optimistic that the trend will change in the T20 World Cup final. “The curse will definitely break tomorrow and we will win. That’s it. I’ve been extremely excited since India reached the final. The Ahmedabad curse will definitely end because 1.4 billion people are praying for the nation to win,” said fan Shivi Gupta, who had come to the stadium area to soak in the atmosphere. The excitement is not limited to the stadium alone. Across the city, fans are planning watch parties at cafes and homes, with many opting for big-screen projector screenings to experience the final together. At the same time, supporters are aware that New Zealand remain a formidable opponent in ICC tournaments. “New Zealand are a tough side and definitely not easy to beat. With Seifert in fiery form, Allen coming off a century, and players like Santner, Mitchell and Phillips capable of changing the game, they have plenty of match-winners. India’s recent history against them in big tournaments hasn’t been easy. But if India get through the powerplay without damage and someone anchors the middle overs, they’ll be in a strong position,” said another Ahmedabad-based cricket fan Harshdev Parmar. With anticipation building across the city and the stadium packed to capacity, Ahmedabad is set for a thrilling night of cricket as India look to lift the T20 World Cup trophy on home soil.

The world’s largest cricket stadium is already sold out, with fans travelling from different parts of the country to witness the historic final. Demand for tickets and hotel rooms in the city has surged dramatically, with some fans even offering three to four times the original ticket price.

T20 World Cup 2026 Final | Ahmedabad gears up for IND vs NZ as fans hope to erase memories of the 2023 heartbreak

India captain Suryakumar Yadav, on the eve of T20 World Cup final 2026 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, appeared relaxed during the pre-match press conference. Leading India for the first time at a World Cup, the skipper admitted there is pressure, but also expressed excitement ahead of the summit clash.“As a leader, there would be pressure; I cannot deny that. Definitely, there would be added pressure, the excitement is there of playing a World Cup final that too in India,” acknowledged SKY, as he is fondly called, while answering the question about Varun Chakaravarthy's place in the Playing XI for the final.<h2>Will Varun Chakravarthy be dropped from India's Playing XI in the final?</h2>The Indian captain addressed Varun Chakravarthy’s recent dip in form in the press conference as well. The mystery spinner, currently ranked number 1 in T20Is, was exceptional during the group stage of the tournament - &nbsp;picking up nine wickets in four innings at an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. Come Super 8, he has managed just four wickets in three matches, averaging 46.50, while his economy rate has climbed to 11.62.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-world-cup-final-how-will-ahmedabad-pitch-play-in-ind-vs-nz-clash-1772858139556">T20 World Cup 2026 Final: How will Ahmedabad pitch play in IND vs NZ clash?</a>Chakravarthy finished with figures of 1 for 64 in four overs against England in the semi-final, the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history. Despite the statistics, Suryakumar dismissed concerns about the spinner’s form.“Varun’s form is not a concern for us. Our focus is on winning games. He is the world’s No. 1 bowler and knows how to help this team win. We just want to keep things simple,” Suryakumar told reporters.When asked whether Chakravarthy could make changes to the playing XI for the final, the Indian captain responded with a cheeky remark, asking to “see the changes tomorrow. You want to know everything right away."<h2>Suryakumar responds to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-t20-world-cup-2026-final-kiwis-not-favourites-but-ready-to-break-hearts-says-nz-skipper-santner-1772892922034">Santner’s ‘silencing’ remark</a></h2>The Indian skipper also brushed aside Mitchell Santner’s remarks about silencing the crowd and said: “Everyone is now saying the same thing. Come up with something new."“The mood in the camp is very relaxed. Leading such a wonderful side on home soil. It's a special feeling, and everyone is excited for the T20 World Cup final,” he added.A similar statement had previously been made by Australia captain Pat Cummins ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final at the same venue, which Australia eventually won. India and New Zealand have both enjoyed impressive campaigns in the tournament, overcoming occasional setbacks to reach the highly anticipated final.The two teams are also familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Earlier this year, India hosted New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, which the hosts won 4-1. The upcoming encounter will also mark the second consecutive white-ball final between the two teams, following their meeting in the Champions Trophy 2025 summit clash.<h2>Suryakumar admits not watching New Zealand’s matches</h2>Interestingly, the Indian skipper admitted that he has not followed New Zealand’s matches closely during the tournament. “I haven't watched their T20 World Cup matches on television. We played them recently; the team is similar to the one we faced in the bilateral series. They have been playing some good cricket. We are also playing good cricket so that it will be a good match,” said the right-handed batter.<h2>India eye historic T20 World Cup title at home</h2>India, which have already created history by becoming the first defending champions to reach another T20 World Cup final, now aim to go one step further and become the first team to win the title at home. Shall they win, they would also be the first team to win three T20 WC titles, and the first to defend the title as well.Meanwhile, New Zealand would be eyeing to claim their maiden T20 World Cup title.

Varun, currently ranked number 1 in T20Is, was exceptional during the group stage of the tournament -  picking up 9 wickets in four innings. Come Super 8, he has managed just 4 wickets in 3 matches, and in last match vs England in semis, he finished with 1/64 in 4 overs.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav, on the eve of T20 World Cup final 2026 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, appeared relaxed during the pre-match press conference. Leading India for the first time at a World Cup, the skipper admitted there is pressure, but also expressed excitement ahead of the summit clash. “As a leader, there would be pressure; I cannot deny that. Definitely, there would be added pressure, the excitement is there of playing a World Cup final that too in India,” acknowledged SKY, as he is fondly called, while answering the question about Varun Chakaravarthy's place in the Playing XI for the final. Will Varun Chakravarthy be dropped from India's Playing XI in the final? The Indian captain addressed Varun Chakravarthy’s recent dip in form in the press conference as well. The mystery spinner, currently ranked number 1 in T20Is, was exceptional during the group stage of the tournament - picking up nine wickets in four innings at an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. Come Super 8, he has managed just four wickets in three matches, averaging 46.50, while his economy rate has climbed to 11.62. Also Read - T20 World Cup 2026 Final: How will Ahmedabad pitch play in IND vs NZ clash? Chakravarthy finished with figures of 1 for 64 in four overs against England in the semi-final, the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history. Despite the statistics, Suryakumar dismissed concerns about the spinner’s form. “Varun’s form is not a concern for us. Our focus is on winning games. He is the world’s No. 1 bowler and knows how to help this team win. We just want to keep things simple,” Suryakumar told reporters. When asked whether Chakravarthy could make changes to the playing XI for the final, the Indian captain responded with a cheeky remark, asking to “see the changes tomorrow. You want to know everything right away." Suryakumar responds to Santner’s ‘silencing’ remark The Indian skipper also brushed aside Mitchell Santner’s remarks about silencing the crowd and said: “Everyone is now saying the same thing. Come up with something new." “The mood in the camp is very relaxed. Leading such a wonderful side on home soil. It's a special feeling, and everyone is excited for the T20 World Cup final,” he added. A similar statement had previously been made by Australia captain Pat Cummins ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final at the same venue, which Australia eventually won. India and New Zealand have both enjoyed impressive campaigns in the tournament, overcoming occasional setbacks to reach the highly anticipated final. The two teams are also familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Earlier this year, India hosted New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, which the hosts won 4-1. The upcoming encounter will also mark the second consecutive white-ball final between the two teams, following their meeting in the Champions Trophy 2025 summit clash. Suryakumar admits not watching New Zealand’s matches Interestingly, the Indian skipper admitted that he has not followed New Zealand’s matches closely during the tournament. “I haven't watched their T20 World Cup matches on television. We played them recently; the team is similar to the one we faced in the bilateral series. They have been playing some good cricket. We are also playing good cricket so that it will be a good match,” said the right-handed batter. India eye historic T20 World Cup title at home India, which have already created history by becoming the first defending champions to reach another T20 World Cup final, now aim to go one step further and become the first team to win the title at home. Shall they win, they would also be the first team to win three T20 WC titles, and the first to defend the title as well. Meanwhile, New Zealand would be eyeing to claim their maiden T20 World Cup title.

Varun, currently ranked number 1 in T20Is, was exceptional during the group stage of the tournament - &nbsp;picking up 9 wickets in four innings. Come Super 8, he has managed just 4 wickets in 3 matches, and in last match vs England in semis, he finished with 1/64 in 4 overs.

IND vs NZ, T20 WC 2026 Final | India skipper Suryakumar reveals if Varun Chakaravarthy will play or not

All eyes will be on Ahmedabad on Sunday (Mar 8) when defending champions India take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in T20 World Cup 2026 final. The stadium with a capacity of over 132,000 will be filled with the fans of the Men in Blue. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, however, has only one goal, that is "to silence the crowd."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-world-cup-final-how-will-ahmedabad-pitch-play-in-ind-vs-nz-clash-1772858139556">T20 World Cup 2026 Final: How will Ahmedabad pitch play in IND vs NZ clash?</a>"T20 cricket is fickle at times. We've seen South Africa playing very good cricket all the way through and then had a little hiccup against us and out. So I think for us, it's taking confidence from that and if we go about our business the same way, we can upset another big team," said Santner at the press conference on the eve of the final.New Zealand will take confidence from their performances in the tournament so far. They thrashed South Africa to win the semi-finals by nine wickets, thanks to Finn Allen, who blasted a 33-ball century - the fastest ever in the history of the tournament. However, the Black Caps did suffer defeats earlier in the competition against South Africa and England.<h2>Why does Santner aim to silence the crowd in the T20 World Cup 2026 final?</h2>The Kiwi skipper is aware that they aren’t the favourites to win the tournament but they are looking to break some hearts just like Pat Cummins’ Australia did in 2023 when they defeated India in the ODI World Cup final at the same venue.“It's going to be obviously a challenge. Everyone knows we're probably not the favorites, But we don't mind. We know we can, if we do our little things well and put in a strong team performance, put us in a pretty good position to hopefully lift the trophy. But yeah, I wouldn't mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once,” the New Zealand Captain said.<h2>What's at stake for India?</h2>India, the co-hosts and the defending champions, are aiming to become the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title and the first to lift the trophy on home soil. If Suryakumar Yadav's men manages to defeat New Zealand on Sunday, India would also become the first team to win the title three times.Meanwhile, New Zealand last reached a T20 final in 2021 when they lost to Australia and they have never won a white-ball World Cup.“I think there's obviously a lot of pressure on India to win this World Cup at home. I mean it would be, I guess if we don't win it'd be pretty cool to win a home World Cup so I think that comes with a lot of added pressure as well. So if we can go out there and try to put, I guess, the added pressure on them and see what happens,” Santner added on India's chances.

The Kiwi skipper is aware that they aren’t the favourites to win the tournament but they are looking to break some hearts just like Pat Cummins’ Australia did in 2023.

All eyes will be on Ahmedabad on Sunday (Mar 8) when defending champions India take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in T20 World Cup 2026 final. The stadium with a capacity of over 132,000 will be filled with the fans of the Men in Blue. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, however, has only one goal, that is "to silence the crowd." Also Read - T20 World Cup 2026 Final: How will Ahmedabad pitch play in IND vs NZ clash? "T20 cricket is fickle at times. We've seen South Africa playing very good cricket all the way through and then had a little hiccup against us and out. So I think for us, it's taking confidence from that and if we go about our business the same way, we can upset another big team," said Santner at the press conference on the eve of the final. New Zealand will take confidence from their performances in the tournament so far. They thrashed South Africa to win the semi-finals by nine wickets, thanks to Finn Allen, who blasted a 33-ball century - the fastest ever in the history of the tournament. However, the Black Caps did suffer defeats earlier in the competition against South Africa and England. Why does Santner aim to silence the crowd in the T20 World Cup 2026 final? The Kiwi skipper is aware that they aren’t the favourites to win the tournament but they are looking to break some hearts just like Pat Cummins’ Australia did in 2023 when they defeated India in the ODI World Cup final at the same venue. “It's going to be obviously a challenge. Everyone knows we're probably not the favorites, But we don't mind. We know we can, if we do our little things well and put in a strong team performance, put us in a pretty good position to hopefully lift the trophy. But yeah, I wouldn't mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once,” the New Zealand Captain said. What's at stake for India? India, the co-hosts and the defending champions, are aiming to become the first team to retain the T20 World Cup title and the first to lift the trophy on home soil. If Suryakumar Yadav's men manages to defeat New Zealand on Sunday, India would also become the first team to win the title three times. Meanwhile, New Zealand last reached a T20 final in 2021 when they lost to Australia and they have never won a white-ball World Cup. “I think there's obviously a lot of pressure on India to win this World Cup at home. I mean it would be, I guess if we don't win it'd be pretty cool to win a home World Cup so I think that comes with a lot of added pressure as well. So if we can go out there and try to put, I guess, the added pressure on them and see what happens,” Santner added on India's chances.

India play NZ in T20 World Cup 2026 Final on Sunday (Mar 8) at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.NZ skipper Santner aims to ‘break hearts’ like Pat Cummins' Australia in 2023 ODI World Cup final.India looking to become 1st team to defend as well as win 1st T20 WC title at home.

IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 Final | Kiwis not favourites but ready to 'break hearts', says NZ skipper Santner

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to begin on Friday (Jan 9) with two-time champion Mumbai Indians facing WPL 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Smriti Mandhana-led side, however, will be without ace Aussie all-rounder Ellyse Perry who withdrew days before the start of the tournament. Former India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra, in conversation with WION's Athira Sasidharan, spoke about how Perry's absence will impact RCB's season.<h2>Anjum Chopra on Perry missing for RCB-W in WPL 2026</h2>"It's a massive blow. She (Perry) is a match winner," Chopra conceded. "I still remember the 2024 campaign. 3 games back to back outstanding performances and there RCB was winning the title coming from an eliminator to holding the title in their hands. That was a Elyse Perry show very much. So, I guess even if she is not there in those two departments that's a massive blow."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2026-guide-full-squads-new-captains-and-full-schedule-for-navi-mumbai-vadodara-1767882744205">WPL 2026 Guide: Full squads, new Captains, two venues, and complete schedule</a>The former India skipper, however, also opined that Perry's absence opens up opporutinities for other players to 'stand up and get noticed.'

"Here lies the opportunity for others to maybe stand up and stand counted. It is haed to replace the skill and experience of Ellyse Perry with any player but at the end of the day, you have to find probably another two players to fit in the role that Perry does. So they will find that," Chopra added.Speaking on RCB-W squad composition for the WPL 2026, Chopra reckoned: "They have relied largely on their Indian talent specially in there bowling department. The coach said we picked up the best bowlers. They do have an Indian bowling lineup, they do rely on that and they feel if these players can deliver the goods for the team, why not. At the end of the day they have also one a WPL title. So, you can't count them out of the championship."<h2>Why is Perry not playing in WPL 2026?</h2>Perry withdrew from the tournament because of the personal reasons along with her Aussie teammate Annabel Sutherland who was picked up by Gujarat Giants in the WPL auction.

ormer India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra, in conversation with WION's Athira Sasidharan, opined that Perry's absence for RCB-W in WPL 2026 opens up opporutinities for other players to 'stand up and get noticed.'

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to begin on Friday (Jan 9) with two-time champion Mumbai Indians facing WPL 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Smriti Mandhana-led side, however, will be without ace Aussie all-rounder Ellyse Perry who withdrew days before the start of the tournament. Former India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra, in conversation with WION's Athira Sasidharan, spoke about how Perry's absence will impact RCB's season. Anjum Chopra on Perry missing for RCB-W in WPL 2026 "It's a massive blow. She (Perry) is a match winner," Chopra conceded. "I still remember the 2024 campaign. 3 games back to back outstanding performances and there RCB was winning the title coming from an eliminator to holding the title in their hands. That was a Elyse Perry show very much. So, I guess even if she is not there in those two departments that's a massive blow." Also Read - WPL 2026 Guide: Full squads, new Captains, two venues, and complete schedule The former India skipper, however, also opined that Perry's absence opens up opporutinities for other players to 'stand up and get noticed.'

ormer India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra, in conversation with WION's Athira Sasidharan, opined that Perry's absence for RCB-W in WPL 2026 opens up opporutinities for other players to 'stand up and get noticed.'

WION EXCLUSIVE | WPL 2026: Former India captain Anjum Chopra on strategic impact of Ellyse Perry missing for RCB

India made history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup, beating South Africa by 52 runs on 2 November 2025. This victory became a proud moment for Indian women’s cricket and encouraged many young girls across the country to dream bigger. One of India’s standout players in the tournament, Shafali Verma, spoke exclusively with WION about her World Cup journey, the challenges she faced, her comeback, and her winning moments.&nbsp;Shafali, who played a crucial role in the final, joined the team as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the semi-final and final after getting injured in the match against Bangladesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the final match against South Africa, Shafali played with great confidence and scored 87 runs off 78 balls, and took two wickets to help India win.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award. But her journey wasn’t easy , she was initially left out of the squad and almost quit cricket earlier this year. In an exclusive chat with WION Sports Correspondent Athira Sasidharan, Shafali opens up about her challenges, comeback, and triumph.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-1st-t20i-when-and-where-to-watch-india-vs-south-africa-match-live-streaming-in-india-1765206588631">IND vs SA, 1st T20I: When and where to watch match live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Shafali smiled when asked if the happiness of winning the World Cup, now one month later, is still plastered on your face? Shafali said, “I think the smile is more plastered because we are all thinking that yes, we won the World Cup. Like we all said, in the beginning we didn't know if we won the World Cup or not. But nowadays we feel that we did, we are champions."&nbsp;&nbsp;While remembering her World Cup journey Shafali revealed, “To be honest, at the start of 2025, when I was dropped from both the T20 and ODI teams, I even thought about quitting the sport. I always play for the team, and not being selected made me feel like quitting cricket altogether. I was at a very low point. I cried a lot and didn’t do anything for some time. But my family supported me.” Watch full interview below:

Shafali Verma’s return to India’s one-day team reached a dream moment on the biggest stage, as the 21-year-old put on a brilliant all-round performance to help India win its first 50-over World Cup title.&nbsp;After spending almost a year away from the ODI squad, the young batter, who first made her name with fearless hitting, celebrated her comeback in spectacular style when the team needed her the most.&nbsp;Shafali returned hometown to a hero’s welcome and said that winning the trophy mattered much more to her than missing out on a hundred, and she thanked her family for standing by her during a tough and important year.&nbsp;

Shafali, who played a crucial role in the final, joined the team as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the semi-final and final after getting injured in the match against Bangladesh. 

India made history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup, beating South Africa by 52 runs on 2 November 2025. This victory became a proud moment for Indian women’s cricket and encouraged many young girls across the country to dream bigger. One of India’s standout players in the tournament, Shafali Verma, spoke exclusively with WION about her World Cup journey, the challenges she faced, her comeback, and her winning moments. Shafali, who played a crucial role in the final, joined the team as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the semi-final and final after getting injured in the match against Bangladesh. In the final match against South Africa, Shafali played with great confidence and scored 87 runs off 78 balls, and took two wickets to help India win. Her outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award. But her journey wasn’t easy , she was initially left out of the squad and almost quit cricket earlier this year. In an exclusive chat with WION Sports Correspondent Athira Sasidharan, Shafali opens up about her challenges, comeback, and triumph. Also Read - IND vs SA, 1st T20I: When and where to watch match live streaming in India? Shafali smiled when asked if the happiness of winning the World Cup, now one month later, is still plastered on your face? Shafali said, “I think the smile is more plastered because we are all thinking that yes, we won the World Cup. Like we all said, in the beginning we didn't know if we won the World Cup or not. But nowadays we feel that we did, we are champions." While remembering her World Cup journey Shafali revealed, “To be honest, at the start of 2025, when I was dropped from both the T20 and ODI teams, I even thought about quitting the sport. I always play for the team, and not being selected made me feel like quitting cricket altogether. I was at a very low point. I cried a lot and didn’t do anything for some time. But my family supported me.” Watch full interview below:

Shafali, who played a crucial role in the final, joined the team as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the semi-final and final after getting injured in the match against Bangladesh.&nbsp;

WION Exclusive | From almost quitting cricket to POTM in final: WWC hero Shafali Veram relives historic triumph - WATCH

Shubman Gill’s golden run with the bat shows no signs of slowing down. The 26-year-old’s century led India’s charge on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.&nbsp;&nbsp;The India skipper brought up his 10th Test hundred in the 130th over, much to the delight of the Delhi crowd during the second session on Saturday.&nbsp;Gill reached the milestone of 177 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries and a six. His unbeaten 129 is his highest score since the 269 he made against England in Birmingham earlier this year.&nbsp;This is Gill’s fifth Test century as India captain, and his first of the ongoing series. He had earlier scored four centuries in his maiden series as Test captain during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-women-s-odi-world-cup-2025-all-you-need-to-know-about-indian-women-s-team-schedule-squad-fixtures-and-more-1758556378933">Women's ODI World Cup 2025: All you need to know about Indian women's team schedule, squad, fixtures and more</a><h2>Gill surpasses Rohit Sharma</h2>The 26-year-old is now the Indian player with the most centuries in World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing Rohit Sharma, who retired earlier this year with nine WTC hundreds.&nbsp;Gill also equalled Virat Kohli’s record for the most centuries by an Indian captain in a calendar year with five. Kohli had achieved the feat twice, in 2017 and 2018.In doing so, Gill went past Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored four centuries as India’s Test captain back in 1997.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/5-players-with-most-runs-in-women-s-odi-world-cup-history-debbie-hockley-mithali-raj-janette-brittin-charlotte-edwards-suzie-bates-1757606297874">From Mithali Raj to Janette Brittin, 5 players with most runs in Women's ODI World Cup history</a><h2>A record-breaking year for Gill</h2>Statistically, this has been Gill’s finest year in red-ball cricket. In 14 innings, he has amassed 966 runs at an average of 74.30 and a strike rate of 63.34.&nbsp;Gill declared India’s first innings at 518/5, remaining unbeaten on 129 after Dhruv Jurel fell for 44 in 134.2 overs .&nbsp;Earlier, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out on a double century, run out for 175 following a mix-up with Gill. Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed a handy 43 after walking in at number five.&nbsp;India currently lead the two-match Test series 1-0, having won the first Test at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The hosts are eyeing their first-ever home Test series win under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.&nbsp;

Shubman Gill reached the milestone of 177 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries and a six. His unbeaten 129 is his highest score since the 269 he made against England in Birmingham earlier this year.

Shubman Gill’s golden run with the bat shows no signs of slowing down. The 26-year-old’s century led India’s charge on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The India skipper brought up his 10th Test hundred in the 130th over, much to the delight of the Delhi crowd during the second session on Saturday. Gill reached the milestone of 177 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries and a six. His unbeaten 129 is his highest score since the 269 he made against England in Birmingham earlier this year. This is Gill’s fifth Test century as India captain, and his first of the ongoing series. He had earlier scored four centuries in his maiden series as Test captain during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. ALSO READ | Women's ODI World Cup 2025: All you need to know about Indian women's team schedule, squad, fixtures and more Gill surpasses Rohit Sharma The 26-year-old is now the Indian player with the most centuries in World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing Rohit Sharma, who retired earlier this year with nine WTC hundreds. Gill also equalled Virat Kohli’s record for the most centuries by an Indian captain in a calendar year with five. Kohli had achieved the feat twice, in 2017 and 2018. In doing so, Gill went past Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored four centuries as India’s Test captain back in 1997. ALSO READ | From Mithali Raj to Janette Brittin, 5 players with most runs in Women's ODI World Cup history A record-breaking year for Gill Statistically, this has been Gill’s finest year in red-ball cricket. In 14 innings, he has amassed 966 runs at an average of 74.30 and a strike rate of 63.34. Gill declared India’s first innings at 518/5, remaining unbeaten on 129 after Dhruv Jurel fell for 44 in 134.2 overs . Earlier, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out on a double century, run out for 175 following a mix-up with Gill. Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed a handy 43 after walking in at number five. India currently lead the two-match Test series 1-0, having won the first Test at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The hosts are eyeing their first-ever home Test series win under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.

Shubman Gill reached the milestone of 177 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries and a six. His unbeaten 129 is his highest score since the 269 he made against England in Birmingham earlier this year.

IND vs WI, 2nd Test: Gill surpasses Rohit, Sachin with his latest ton century vs West Indies

Records were broken left, right and centre on Saturday (Sep 20) as the Indian women’s team took on Australia as they prepared for the upcoming ODI World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. While the contest had a lot riding on it, it was the Indian women’s team that made the headlines. If you were tuning into the India-Australia women’s match and wondering why the Women in Blue have traded their usual jersey for pink in the final ODI against the visitors at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, here is the reason.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙖 𝘿𝙤𝙩! 🩷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> will be wearing special pink-coloured jerseys in the Third ODI today to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, in partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/SBILife?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SBILife</a> 👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> <a href="https://t.co/qnJukLLxoh">pic.twitter.com/qnJukLLxoh</a>&mdash; BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen/status/1969250164431818851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why was Indian women’s team wearing pink?</h2>The team was wearing pink to promote breast cancer awareness. This was the first time that India’s women’s team has sported this special jersey. The Board of Control for Cricket in India released a video ahead of the decider in which captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, “Let us make breast self-examination a monthly routine and take a stand against breast cancer.”&nbsp;According to the National Library of Medicine, female breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality in India. The disease accounted for 13.5% of new cancer cases and 10% of cancer-related deaths in 2020.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-asia-cup-2025-full-squads-complete-fixtures-date-time-venue-and-live-streaming-details-check-all-details-1755585771834">Asia Cup 2025: All you need to know - full squads, complete fixtures, date, time, venue and other key details</a>&nbsp;In Australia, the Pink Test is held every year at the Sydney Cricket Ground to raise awareness about breast cancer. The entire stadium is transformed, and players wear pink clothing. Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath lost his wife, Jane, to the disease. After her diagnosis, McGrath founded the McGrath Foundation, which has since collaborated with Cricket Australia every year to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a><h2>Similar Causes in the Past</h2>India’s men’s team has also worn special kits in the past to promote different causes and pay tribute. In 2019, the men’s team wore camouflage caps to honour the soldiers who died in the Pulwama terrorist attack during an ODI against Australia in Ranchi. In 2016, MS Dhoni’s India wore jerseys with their mothers’ names on the back as a gesture of love and recognition for the strongest women in their lives.<h2>Series Decider</h2>Saturday’s game is crucial for the Indian team, with the series currently level at 1–1. India lost the opening ODI of the series by eight wickets but came back stronger in the second ODI, handing Australia their heaviest defeat by runs, a massive 102-run margin. The win also ended the Women in Blue’s eight-match losing streak against Australia in ODIs.If India win today, they will secure their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory over Australia. This match also serves as their last piece of competitive action before the much-awaited Women’s ODI World Cup, which begins on 30 September in Guwahati.

The team was wearing pink to promote breast cancer awareness. This was the first time that India’s women’s team has sported this special jersey. 

Records were broken left, right and centre on Saturday (Sep 20) as the Indian women’s team took on Australia as they prepared for the upcoming ODI World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. While the contest had a lot riding on it, it was the Indian women’s team that made the headlines. If you were tuning into the India-Australia women’s match and wondering why the Women in Blue have traded their usual jersey for pink in the final ODI against the visitors at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, here is the reason.

The team was wearing pink to promote breast cancer awareness. This was the first time that India’s women’s team has sported this special jersey.&nbsp;

IND-W vs AUS-W: Here's why Indian women's team was wearing pink jersey in final ODI vs Australia

Shubman Gill is set to embark on a new chapter in his cricketing journey as he takes over the reins of the Indian Test team for the first time. Leading the national side in red-ball cricket is often considered one of the most demanding jobs in world cricket — and Gill has inherited the mantle at a crucial time. The Indian team will take the field without three modern-day stalwarts — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom have retired from Test cricket following India tour of Australia (BGT 2024-25) - which the visitors lost 1-3. Their absence marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a bold, new one under Gill's captaincy.As expected, the 25-year-old is surrounded by a storm of opinions, advice, and expectations, but among the many voices offering guidance, one stands out — India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev - also one of the three Indian skippers to win a Test series in England.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-england-name-playing-xi-for-hit-through-the-line-pitch-at-headingley-test-vs-india-1750264461375">IND vs ENG: Only four specialist bowlers in playing XI as England ask for 'hit through the line' pitch for Headingley Test</a>"Just go and enjoy yourself. Listen to everybody, but do what you think is best — because the selectors chose you to lead the side,” Kapil Dev said in a message of encouragement in an exclusive interview to WION on Wednesday (Jun 18). “Nobody is better than you at this stage. That’s why you're the captain. Just express yourself,” he added, urging Gill to tune out negativity and play with freedom.India’s History in EnglandIndia’s first Test series win on English soil came in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar, who guided the team to a historic 1-0 win in a three-match series. It wasn’t until 1986 that India conquered England again, this time under Kapil Dev’s leadership, with a dominant 2-0 series win in three-Test series.Then came a long drought - India failed to win a single Test series in England for the next 21 years — until Rahul Dravid and his men stunned the hosts in 2007 with a memorable 1-0 victory in a three-match series.Now, 18 years later, Gill and his youthful squad will aim to break the jinx again when the first Test of the five-match series kicks off at Headingley on June 20, marking the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for India and England.Since making his Test debut in December 2020, Shubman Gill has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. Known for his elegant stroke-play and composure at the crease, Gill will now shoulder the additional responsibility of leadership — and a new batting role.At a pre-match press conference, his deputy Rishabh Pant confirmed that Gill will move down to No. 4 in the batting order, filling the void left by the legendary Virat Kohli. Kohli, who amassed 9,230 Test runs including 30 centuries, leaves behind a massive legacy — and a crucial middle-order position that Gill now inherits.

Gill has inherited the mantle at a crucial time as the Indian team will take the field without three modern-day stalwarts — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom have retired from Test cricket following India tour of Australia (BGT 2024-25).

Shubman Gill is set to embark on a new chapter in his cricketing journey as he takes over the reins of the Indian Test team for the first time. Leading the national side in red-ball cricket is often considered one of the most demanding jobs in world cricket — and Gill has inherited the mantle at a crucial time. The Indian team will take the field without three modern-day stalwarts — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom have retired from Test cricket following India tour of Australia (BGT 2024-25) - which the visitors lost 1-3. Their absence marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a bold, new one under Gill's captaincy. As expected, the 25-year-old is surrounded by a storm of opinions, advice, and expectations, but among the many voices offering guidance, one stands out — India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev - also one of the three Indian skippers to win a Test series in England. Also Read - IND vs ENG: Only four specialist bowlers in playing XI as England ask for 'hit through the line' pitch for Headingley Test "Just go and enjoy yourself. Listen to everybody, but do what you think is best — because the selectors chose you to lead the side,” Kapil Dev said in a message of encouragement in an exclusive interview to WION on Wednesday (Jun 18). “Nobody is better than you at this stage. That’s why you're the captain. Just express yourself,” he added, urging Gill to tune out negativity and play with freedom. India’s History in England India’s first Test series win on English soil came in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar, who guided the team to a historic 1-0 win in a three-match series. It wasn’t until 1986 that India conquered England again, this time under Kapil Dev’s leadership, with a dominant 2-0 series win in three-Test series. Then came a long drought - India failed to win a single Test series in England for the next 21 years — until Rahul Dravid and his men stunned the hosts in 2007 with a memorable 1-0 victory in a three-match series. Now, 18 years later, Gill and his youthful squad will aim to break the jinx again when the first Test of the five-match series kicks off at Headingley on June 20, marking the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for India and England. Since making his Test debut in December 2020, Shubman Gill has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. Known for his elegant stroke-play and composure at the crease, Gill will now shoulder the additional responsibility of leadership — and a new batting role. At a pre-match press conference, his deputy Rishabh Pant confirmed that Gill will move down to No. 4 in the batting order, filling the void left by the legendary Virat Kohli. Kohli, who amassed 9,230 Test runs including 30 centuries, leaves behind a massive legacy — and a crucial middle-order position that Gill now inherits.

Gill has inherited the mantle at a crucial time as the Indian team will take the field without three modern-day stalwarts — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom have retired from Test cricket following India tour of Australia (BGT 2024-25).

IND vs ENG: 'Listen to everybody, but...,' ex-skipper Kapil to new Test captain Shubman Gill

Chess has transformed from a niche interest to a national obsession in cricket-crazy India. The year 2024 marked a pivotal year, with D. Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and India shining at the Chess Olympiad. Players like R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Koneru Humpy are now household names.
India now boasts 85 Grandmasters, a remarkable leap from just one&mdash;Vishwanathan Anand&mdash;in 1987.
Leading this chess revolution is MGD1, India&rsquo;s first startup dedicated to nurturing the country&rsquo;s brightest chess talent. In an exclusive interview with WION's Athira Sasidharan, co-founder Manu Gurtu reveals how it all began and what the future of Indian chess holds.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Question: How did the idea of investing in chess and creating the first chess management company come about?</h2>
It was during the pandemic that I got involved with the Indian chess team when they were playing the online Olympiad. With my background in tech, I was able to help the team with some technical issues they were facing when playing online. I was put in touch with the captain of the team GM Srinath Narayanan with whom I interacted throughout the pandemic.
He made me aware of the various problems that our players go through on a daily basis. One thing led to another. I roped in my co-founder who has a background in Marketing and branding. We registered this entity to make an honest attempt at solving some of the issues.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-pak-champions-trophy-2025-all-you-need-to-know-check-live-streaming-head-to-head-stats-pitch-report-squad-8745841" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ind vs Pak Champions Trophy 2025: All you need to know, check Live streaming, Head to head, stats, pitch report, squad</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Question: What made you choose chess over other more widely known sports?</h2>
I have been following and playing chess since I was a child. Have always had an interest in the sport. That certainly plays a role. More than that though, other than cricket the only other sport India is truly excelling at is Chess. Our time is now. There are enough companies working on other sports. This is where we thought we needed to be.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Question: Can you share with us your journey in the chess industry? How has it evolved over time?</h2>
When I started out it was never really a plan to set up an entity and do this full-time. As time passed by I gravitated towards helping the athletes out in whatever way possible and making a sustainable difference in their lives. We have been very lucky to have been welcomed into the ecosystem by all the chess fraternity. We also think more outsiders with different perspectives should be entering this space. It will certainly bring the much-needed freshness into the sport.
Question: Since India's historic victory in the Olympiad, along with Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and Arjun breaking the 2800 Elo rating mark, how has the landscape of Indian chess changed?
A lot has happened, a lot more needs to be done. The major difference in the landscape has been that across the country at various levels of the government, the sport is being taken more seriously than ever before. There are more tournaments happening. There is more participation than ever in the sport. Having a world champion from your own country certainly brings in a lot of eyeballs to the sport.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Question: What do you see as the future of chess in India?</h2>
The future looks bright. Corporates and governments need to get more involved and support the sport in a bigger way. We are living in the golden era of chess in India.

Sports: In an exclusive interview with WION's Athira Sasidharan, co-founder Manu Gurtu reveals how it all began and what the future of Indian chess holds.

Chess has transformed from a niche interest to a national obsession in cricket-crazy India. The year 2024 marked a pivotal year, with D. Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and India shining at the Chess Olympiad. Players like R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Koneru Humpy are now household names. India now boasts 85 Grandmasters, a remarkable leap from just one—Vishwanathan Anand—in 1987. Leading this chess revolution is MGD1, India’s first startup dedicated to nurturing the country’s brightest chess talent. In an exclusive interview with WION's Athira Sasidharan, co-founder Manu Gurtu reveals how it all began and what the future of Indian chess holds. Question: How did the idea of investing in chess and creating the first chess management company come about? It was during the pandemic that I got involved with the Indian chess team when they were playing the online Olympiad. With my background in tech, I was able to help the team with some technical issues they were facing when playing online. I was put in touch with the captain of the team GM Srinath Narayanan with whom I interacted throughout the pandemic. He made me aware of the various problems that our players go through on a daily basis. One thing led to another. I roped in my co-founder who has a background in Marketing and branding. We registered this entity to make an honest attempt at solving some of the issues. ALSO READ | Ind vs Pak Champions Trophy 2025: All you need to know, check Live streaming, Head to head, stats, pitch report, squad Question: What made you choose chess over other more widely known sports? I have been following and playing chess since I was a child. Have always had an interest in the sport. That certainly plays a role. More than that though, other than cricket the only other sport India is truly excelling at is Chess. Our time is now. There are enough companies working on other sports. This is where we thought we needed to be. Question: Can you share with us your journey in the chess industry? How has it evolved over time? When I started out it was never really a plan to set up an entity and do this full-time. As time passed by I gravitated towards helping the athletes out in whatever way possible and making a sustainable difference in their lives. We have been very lucky to have been welcomed into the ecosystem by all the chess fraternity. We also think more outsiders with different perspectives should be entering this space. It will certainly bring the much-needed freshness into the sport. Question: Since India's historic victory in the Olympiad, along with Gukesh becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and Arjun breaking the 2800 Elo rating mark, how has the landscape of Indian chess changed? A lot has happened, a lot more needs to be done. The major difference in the landscape has been that across the country at various levels of the government, the sport is being taken more seriously than ever before. There are more tournaments happening. There is more participation than ever in the sport. Having a world champion from your own country certainly brings in a lot of eyeballs to the sport. Question: What do you see as the future of chess in India? The future looks bright. Corporates and governments need to get more involved and support the sport in a bigger way. We are living in the golden era of chess in India.

Exclusive | India’s chess revolution: Manu Gurtu opens up on rise and challenges

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