Ankur Bhattacharjee and doubles specialist Akash Pal have been retained by Kolkata Thunderblades and reigning champion U Mumba TT, respectively.
Dempo Goa Challengers and PBG Pune Jaguars have opted against using their retention and will start the auction with a full purse alongside newly inducted UP Prometheans.
Teams will build their rosters through the auction system, with each franchise allocated a purse of Rs 1 crore tokens. The auction will follow a structured format with revised base prices across four pools — Rs 20 lakh, Rs 12 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh tokens—with bidding increments set at 20,000 tokens.
Among the international names, Welsh paddler Anna Hursey could become the first player from her country to feature in the UTT while France’s Prithika Pavade adds further depth to the women’s pool. The men’s field sees fresh international entrants, including Adrien Rassenfosse, Eduard Ionescu, Nicholas Lum, and Youssef Abdelaziz. Returning names include Bernadette Szocs, Quadri Aruna, Alvaro Robles, and Yangzi Liu.
The Indian contingent also features rising stars, headlined by prodigy Divyanshi Bhowmick, who enters the auction pool for the first time. Bhowmick made history by winning gold in the U15 girls’ singles at the 2025 Asian Cadet Championships—the first Indian to do so in 36 years—and followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2025 World Youth Championships.
Ankur Bhattacharjee and doubles specialist Akash Pal have been retained by Kolkata Thunderblades and reigning champion U Mumba TT, respectively.
Dempo Goa Challengers and PBG Pune Jaguars have opted against using their retention and will start the auction with a full purse alongside newly inducted UP Prometheans.
Teams will build their rosters through the auction system, with each franchise allocated a purse of Rs 1 crore tokens. The auction will follow a structured format with revised base prices across four pools — Rs 20 lakh, Rs 12 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh tokens—with bidding increments set at 20,000 tokens.
Among the international names, Welsh paddler Anna Hursey could become the first player from her country to feature in the UTT while France’s Prithika Pavade adds further depth to the women’s pool. The men’s field sees fresh international entrants, including Adrien Rassenfosse, Eduard Ionescu, Nicholas Lum, and Youssef Abdelaziz. Returning names include Bernadette Szocs, Quadri Aruna, Alvaro Robles, and Yangzi Liu.
The Indian contingent also features rising stars, headlined by prodigy Divyanshi Bhowmick, who enters the auction pool for the first time. Bhowmick made history by winning gold in the U15 girls’ singles at the 2025 Asian Cadet Championships—the first Indian to do so in 36 years—and followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2025 World Youth Championships.
Published on Apr 25, 2026
#UTT #Thakkar #Shah #Chitale #return #player #pool #Sathiyan #Manika #retained #ahead #Season #auction">UTT 2026: Thakkar, Shah, and Chitale return to player pool; Sathiyan, Manika retained ahead of Season 7 auction
Indian stars Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, and Diya Chitale headline the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 player pool, while stalwarts G. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra have been retained ahead of the auction.
Season 7 of UTT will be held from July 9 to July 26 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. The auction for the same will take place in Mumbai on April 28.
Thakkar and Shah return to the auction pool after missing last season due to international commitments, with the duo currently ranked World No. 5 in men’s doubles. Shah also plays with Chitale in mixed doubles, with the duo ranked World No. 6 and having created history as the first Indians to qualify for the WTT Finals.
Chitale, the most expensive pick in last season’s auction, returns to the pool after Dabang Delhi TTC opted to retain Sathiyan, extending his association with the franchise into a record seventh successive season. Batra, meanwhile, returns to the league after missing the previous edition due to injury, having been retained by Ahmedabad APL Pipers.
Ankur Bhattacharjee and doubles specialist Akash Pal have been retained by Kolkata Thunderblades and reigning champion U Mumba TT, respectively.
Dempo Goa Challengers and PBG Pune Jaguars have opted against using their retention and will start the auction with a full purse alongside newly inducted UP Prometheans.
Teams will build their rosters through the auction system, with each franchise allocated a purse of Rs 1 crore tokens. The auction will follow a structured format with revised base prices across four pools — Rs 20 lakh, Rs 12 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh tokens—with bidding increments set at 20,000 tokens.
Among the international names, Welsh paddler Anna Hursey could become the first player from her country to feature in the UTT while France’s Prithika Pavade adds further depth to the women’s pool. The men’s field sees fresh international entrants, including Adrien Rassenfosse, Eduard Ionescu, Nicholas Lum, and Youssef Abdelaziz. Returning names include Bernadette Szocs, Quadri Aruna, Alvaro Robles, and Yangzi Liu.
The Indian contingent also features rising stars, headlined by prodigy Divyanshi Bhowmick, who enters the auction pool for the first time. Bhowmick made history by winning gold in the U15 girls’ singles at the 2025 Asian Cadet Championships—the first Indian to do so in 36 years—and followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2025 World Youth Championships.
#Deadspin #Paul #Skenes #perfect #game #bid #ends #7th #Pirates #onehit #Brewers">Deadspin | Paul Skenes’ perfect game bid ends in 7th, but Pirates one-hit Brewers
Apr 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Paul Skenes took a perfect game bid into the seventh inning and Konnor Griffin celebrated his 20th birthday with his first career homer to pace the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates over the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 on Friday in the opener of the three-game series.
Skenes (4-1) retired the first 20 hitters before Jake Bauers lined a 3-2 pitch for a single up the middle with two outs in the seventh for the Brewers’ only hit of the game. The Pirates, who played their first game in 1882, have yet to throw a perfect game. Their last no-hitter came in 1997.
Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, struck out seven without a walk in a dominant 93-pitch outing. Mason Montgomery followed with a perfect eighth and Isaac Mattson preserved the one-hitter despite a two-out walk in the ninth.
The Pirates, who had lost eight consecutive games to the Brewers, took a 3-0 lead off starter Brandon Woodruff (2-1) with singles runs in the third, fourth and fifth.
Griffin, who also had two singles and drove in three runs, staked the Pirates to a 1-0 lead with one out in the third with a 386-foot shot to right-center.
The Pirates added a run in the fourth when Brandon Lowe doubled to open and Bryan Reynolds walked. Lowe scored on Nick Gonzales’ two-out single, but Reynolds caught between second and third for the final out.
Pittsburgh made it 3-0 in the fifth when Spencer Horwitz walked and moved to third on Griffin’s single. Horwitz scored on Oneil Cruz’s fielder’s choice grounder.
Woodruff allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, striking out three and walking two in a 71-pitch outing as Milwaukee lost its third straight.
The Pirates continued the single-run approach in the sixth against Shane Drohan, recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Nashville. Ryan O’Hearn doubled with one out and scored on Horwitz’s two-out single to center.
Pittsburgh added a pair of unearned runs in the eighth to make it 6-0. The Pirates loaded the bases on a two-out single by O’Hearn and back-to-back infield errors. Griffin followed with a two-run single to center.
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25!
Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting return to the ground at which their partnership was first forged as their unbeaten Punjab Kings side looks to keep its winning run going against a Delhi Capitals side struggling for momentum this season.
Match details
Date & Time: April 25, 2026; 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Team news: Delhi Capitals has added Rehan Ahmed to its squad as a replacement for Ben Duckett, while Mitchell Starc has joined the team in India though he is expected to miss this match. Punjab Kings has been given another boost by the arrival of Lockie Ferguson.
Pitch/weather report: The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium could have something in it for the bowlers, possibly keeping a touch low. The heat in Delhi could also mean that the pitch could break up in this day game.
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the first match of today’s double-header between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Stay with us as we bring you all the happening from this fascinating match.
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25!
Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting return to the ground at which their partnership was first forged as their unbeaten Punjab Kings side looks to keep its winning run going against a Delhi Capitals side struggling for momentum this season.
Match details
Date & Time: April 25, 2026; 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Team news: Delhi Capitals has added Rehan Ahmed to its squad as a replacement for Ben Duckett, while Mitchell Starc has joined the team in India though he is expected to miss this match. Punjab Kings has been given another boost by the arrival of Lockie Ferguson.
Pitch/weather report: The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium could have something in it for the bowlers, possibly keeping a touch low. The heat in Delhi could also mean that the pitch could break up in this day game.
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the first match of today’s double-header between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Stay with us as we bring you all the happening from this fascinating match.
Published on Apr 25, 2026
#PBKS #Live #Score #IPL #Unbeaten #Punjab #Kings #visits #struggling #Delhi #Capitals #toss #300PM #IST">DC vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Unbeaten Punjab Kings visits struggling Delhi Capitals; toss at 3:00PM IST
DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Catch the updates and highlights from the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25!
Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting return to the ground at which their partnership was first forged as their unbeaten Punjab Kings side looks to keep its winning run going against a Delhi Capitals side struggling for momentum this season.
Match details
Date & Time: April 25, 2026; 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Team news: Delhi Capitals has added Rehan Ahmed to its squad as a replacement for Ben Duckett, while Mitchell Starc has joined the team in India though he is expected to miss this match. Punjab Kings has been given another boost by the arrival of Lockie Ferguson.
Pitch/weather report: The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium could have something in it for the bowlers, possibly keeping a touch low. The heat in Delhi could also mean that the pitch could break up in this day game.
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the first match of today’s double-header between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Stay with us as we bring you all the happening from this fascinating match.
#Deadspin #Ducks #rally #upend #Oilers #grab #series #lead #Game">Deadspin | Ducks rally to upend Oilers, grab series lead in Game 3
Apr 24, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (left) celebrates with center Mikael Granlund (right) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson scored goals 42 seconds apart early in the third period to spark the host Anaheim Ducks to a 7-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday and give them a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Mikael Granlund tallied once in a three-point performance, while Mason McTavish, Alex Killorn, Jeffrey Viel and Jackson Lacombe added a goal apiece for Anaheim. Carlsson and Lacombe each notched an assist and goaltender Lukas Dostal made 20 saves.
Connor McDavid collected one goal and one assist, while Vasily Podkolzin, Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored once for the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard posted two assists apiece and Goalie Connor Ingram made 32 saves.
Game 4 of the best-of-seven Western Conference series will be Sunday in Anaheim.
With the score tied 3-3, Sennecke scored his first goal of the playoffs at the perfect time. After an Edmonton turnover, Sennecke was sprung on an odd-man rush on which he elected to shoot and found the mark at 2:53 of the third period.
Carlsson gave the hosts a two-goal edge right after another Oilers turnover. Troy Terry made the pass on a 2-on-1 rush that Carlsson converted.
McDavid netted his first goal — and Edmonton’s first power-play marker — of the series at 8:36 to cut the deficit to 5-4, but Viel provided the insurance goal with 3:03 remaining and Lacombe’s empty-net goal rounded out the scoring.
The matchup has been a high-scoring, back-and-forth series, and that trend continued.
The Oilers were outshot 11-3 to start the game, but Podkolzin opened the scoring with a high shot at 13:12 of the first period of the back-and-forth affair. Edmonton has scored first in all three games.
McTavish replied three minutes later with a deflection tally, and Granlund put Anaheim ahead 87 seconds after that with his team’s fourth power-play goal of the series.
Kapanen tied the clash when he unloaded a quick shot from just inside the left circle on a feed from Draisaitl at 3:57 of the second period, and Nugent-Hopkins put Edmonton ahead a second time less than two minutes later by burying a loose puck.
Killorn tied the clash 3-3 just past the midway mark of the second period by finishing a tap-in tally set up by Granlund.
“When you are commanding the situation, you make bowlers bowl where you want. He made the wicket look easy, but it wasn’t,” Dahiya noted, adding that the knock came against “world-class bowlers”.
“I think it’s amazing. If you look at his energy… his awareness, his energy and his willingness.
“That willingness to do well… his mindset sets him apart from a lot of other people.”
“He is still one of the best runners and keeps pushing youngsters for extra runs. That willingness to do well — that ‘ zid (relentless drive)’ — is what stands out,’ Dahiya said.
The GT assistant coach stressed that Kohli’s motivation is internal rather than driven by external expectations.
“He is not playing to prove a point to anyone. It’s about the man in the mirror — trying to be better than yesterday,” he explained.
On the match, Dahiya admitted GT may have fallen short by some more runs with the bat, having been restricted to 205 after looking good for more than 220 at one stage.
“We probably could have had a few more runs on the board,” he said, while maintaining that the team’s aggressive template remains unchanged.
“The approach has been driven by fearless cricket, especially from youngsters,” he added.
Dahiya also dismissed suggestions that experienced batters need to take cues from the younger generation.
“It’s not about young or experienced. Everyone has a role. Experienced players know how to adapt, and they are self-inspired,” he said.
“When you are commanding the situation, you make bowlers bowl where you want. He made the wicket look easy, but it wasn’t,” Dahiya noted, adding that the knock came against “world-class bowlers”.
“I think it’s amazing. If you look at his energy… his awareness, his energy and his willingness.
“That willingness to do well… his mindset sets him apart from a lot of other people.”
“He is still one of the best runners and keeps pushing youngsters for extra runs. That willingness to do well — that ‘ zid (relentless drive)’ — is what stands out,’ Dahiya said.
The GT assistant coach stressed that Kohli’s motivation is internal rather than driven by external expectations.
“He is not playing to prove a point to anyone. It’s about the man in the mirror — trying to be better than yesterday,” he explained.
On the match, Dahiya admitted GT may have fallen short by some more runs with the bat, having been restricted to 205 after looking good for more than 220 at one stage.
“We probably could have had a few more runs on the board,” he said, while maintaining that the team’s aggressive template remains unchanged.
“The approach has been driven by fearless cricket, especially from youngsters,” he added.
Dahiya also dismissed suggestions that experienced batters need to take cues from the younger generation.
“It’s not about young or experienced. Everyone has a role. Experienced players know how to adapt, and they are self-inspired,” he said.
Published on Apr 25, 2026
#RCB #IPL #Kohlis #mindset #sets #Gujarat #Titans #assistant #coach #Dahiya #fivewicket #loss">RCB vs GT, IPL 2026: Kohli’s mindset sets him apart, says Gujarat Titans assistant coach Dahiya after five-wicket loss
Gujarat Titans (GT) assistant coach Vijay Dahiya heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli, saying the former India captain’s relentless drive and hunger to improve continue to set him apart.
Kohli won the Man of the Match award for his match-defining 44-ball 81 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) five-wicket win against GT in the Indian Premier League fixture in Bengaluru on Friday.
Dahiya revealed that Kohli was disappointed despite his strong innings, reflecting the batter’s high standards.
“After the game, he was saying he could have converted it into a hundred. That tells you about his mindset,” Dahiya said at the post-match press conference.
Highlighting what makes Kohli special, Dahiya pointed to his energy, awareness and ability to control the game.
“When you are commanding the situation, you make bowlers bowl where you want. He made the wicket look easy, but it wasn’t,” Dahiya noted, adding that the knock came against “world-class bowlers”.
“I think it’s amazing. If you look at his energy… his awareness, his energy and his willingness.
“That willingness to do well… his mindset sets him apart from a lot of other people.”
“He is still one of the best runners and keeps pushing youngsters for extra runs. That willingness to do well — that ‘ zid (relentless drive)’ — is what stands out,’ Dahiya said.
The GT assistant coach stressed that Kohli’s motivation is internal rather than driven by external expectations.
“He is not playing to prove a point to anyone. It’s about the man in the mirror — trying to be better than yesterday,” he explained.
On the match, Dahiya admitted GT may have fallen short by some more runs with the bat, having been restricted to 205 after looking good for more than 220 at one stage.
“We probably could have had a few more runs on the board,” he said, while maintaining that the team’s aggressive template remains unchanged.
“The approach has been driven by fearless cricket, especially from youngsters,” he added.
Dahiya also dismissed suggestions that experienced batters need to take cues from the younger generation.
“It’s not about young or experienced. Everyone has a role. Experienced players know how to adapt, and they are self-inspired,” he said.
Apr 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images 
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