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Sony acquires broadcasting rights for Asian Games 2026 in India Sony Pictures Networks India has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19-October 4.As per the deal, the continental showpiece will be telecast on Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony LIV across India and the subcontinent. This will be the third consecutive time that the broadcasting giant will show the Asian Games in India.“India’s historic performance at the last edition, where the nation crossed the 100-medal milestone (India won 107 medals) for the first time, has ignited unprecedented interest in multi-sport events,” Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International, SPNI said in a release.The Asian Games, one of the biggest multi-sport events globally, will feature 41 disciplines, including 32 Olympic sports, with new additions such as mixed martial arts and surfing.It is scheduled to take place at the Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan between September 19 to October 4.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #Sony #acquires #broadcasting #rights #Asian #Games #India

Sony acquires broadcasting rights for Asian Games 2026 in India

Sony Pictures Networks India has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19-October 4.

As per the deal, the continental showpiece will be telecast on Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony LIV across India and the subcontinent. This will be the third consecutive time that the broadcasting giant will show the Asian Games in India.

“India’s historic performance at the last edition, where the nation crossed the 100-medal milestone (India won 107 medals) for the first time, has ignited unprecedented interest in multi-sport events,” Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International, SPNI said in a release.

The Asian Games, one of the biggest multi-sport events globally, will feature 41 disciplines, including 32 Olympic sports, with new additions such as mixed martial arts and surfing.

It is scheduled to take place at the Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan between September 19 to October 4.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Sony #acquires #broadcasting #rights #Asian #Games #India

Sports news , , , , , ,

Sony Pictures Networks India has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19-October 4.

As per the deal, the continental showpiece will be telecast on Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony LIV across India and the subcontinent. This will be the third consecutive time that the broadcasting giant will show the Asian Games in India.

“India’s historic performance at the last edition, where the nation crossed the 100-medal milestone (India won 107 medals) for the first time, has ignited unprecedented interest in multi-sport events,” Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International, SPNI said in a release.

The Asian Games, one of the biggest multi-sport events globally, will feature 41 disciplines, including 32 Olympic sports, with new additions such as mixed martial arts and surfing.

It is scheduled to take place at the Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan between September 19 to October 4.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

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Deadspin | Dodgers belt 5 homers, escape Colorado with split <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28774425.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28774425.jpg" alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) rounds the bases on a solo home run in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Max Muncy homered twice and finished with four hits, Dalton Rushing also went deep twice, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 12-3 in Denver on Monday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Miguel Rojas homered and singled twice to reach 1,000 career hits, Santiago Espinal had two hits and Shohei Ohtani had a hit and two walks to extend his on-base streak to 52 games, one behind Shawn Green for second on the club’s all-time list since the move to Los Angeles.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski (3-0) allowed one run on eight hits in seven innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>TJ Rumfield homered, Jordan Beck had three hits and Willi Castro and Brett Sullivan each singled twice for Colorado.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Rumfield entered the game in the bottom of the first when Tyler Freeman left with an illness.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The teams split the four-game series as the Dodgers’ snapped their first two-game losing streak of the season.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>The Rockies took a 1-0 lead when Beck and Brenton Doyle opened the first with consecutive doubles, but Los Angeles jumped on top in the second when Muncy and Rojas hit back-to-back homers.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>The Dodgers padded the lead in the third. Ohtani and Alex Call hit singles, Ohtani scored on an error by third baseman Kyle Karros, and Call came home on a double play. Los Angeles made it 5-1 in the fourth when Colorado starter Jose Quintana balked with the bases loaded, bringing home Muncy.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Muncy and Rojas began the sixth with singles to chase Quintana, and Muncy eventually scored when Tanner Gordon walked Call with three aboard.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Quintana (0-2) allowed six runs — four earned — on eight hits in five-plus innings. He walked one and fanned one.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Los Angeles added a run in the seventh when Gordon misplayed Rojas’ sacrifice bunt for Colorado’s third error of the game. Two more scored in the eighth on Rushing’s home run and an RBI single by Teoscar Hernandez.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Rumfield homered in the eighth and Muncy led off the ninth with his second of the game and eighth of the season. Rushing hit a two-run homer later in the ninth, his seventh of the year.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Dodgers #belt #homers #escape #Colorado #split

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Deadspin | CJ McCollum, Hawks rally late, even series vs. Knicks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28775044.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28775044.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>CJ McCollum scored six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night for the visiting Atlanta Hawks, who stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference first-round series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Hawks ended on a 15-6 run to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece. Game 3 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Thursday night in Atlanta.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Hawks, whose only lead before their concluding surge was at 36-35, trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. Atlanta fell behind 100-92 when Jalen Brunson hit a floater with 5:26 left.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The teams traded empty possessions before Atlanta scored on its next three possessions to pull within 100-99 on Jalen Johnson’s layup with 3:25 remaining. McCollum drove past Brunson for the go-ahead layup with 2:08 left.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>New York’s OG Anunoby missed two free throws and McCollum hit a short jumper, after which Brunson sank a 3-pointer to tie the score at 103-103. McCollum committed a turnover and Brunson missed a mid-range jumper before McCollum put the Hawks ahead for good with a fadeaway jumper from the left baseline with 33.5 seconds left.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Nickeil Alexander-Walker blocked Brunson’s shot and fed Johnson for a dunk to put the Hawks up 107-103 with 10.2 seconds left. Following a timeout, Brunson hit a 3-pointer that circled around the rim and went in, after which McCollum was fouled by Hart but missed both free throws.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The Knicks had a timeout left, but they pushed the ball up the court and Hart dished to Mikal Bridges, who missed a 12-foot attempt for the win from the left wing as time expired.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Hawks shot 72.2% (13-for-18) in the fourth while the Knicks shot just 22.7% (5-for-22).</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points off the bench for the Hawks while Johnson (17 points) and Onyeka Okongwu (15 points) also got into double figures.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Brunson scored 29 points for the Knicks. Hart recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds while Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points. Anunoby finished with 14 points, and Mitchell Robinson scored 13 points off the bench. Bridges added 10 points.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #McCollum #Hawks #rally #late #series #Knicks

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In my last column, I wrote that the soaring valuations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals were less a triumph of Indian sport and more a triumph of one sport. But perhaps, the larger question lies beyond valuation: what comes after the franchise boom?

Because while India has spent the last decade trying to replicate the IPL, many of the world’s mature sporting cultures have spent the last century building something more durable.

A franchise can win titles, sell sponsorships and command television ratings. But sporting institutions shape a city, develop generations of athletes and survive cycles of victory and defeat. India has many of the former, but it needs more of the latter.

If you are ever in Barcelona, you will quickly understand that FC Barcelona is not merely a football club. It is a cultural identity. The same crest lives across basketball, women’s football, handball, futsal and youth sport. Real Madrid, for all its global glamour, follows a similar pattern. Olympiacos in Greece, Fenerbahce in Turkey and Sporting CP in Portugal are not simply clubs but social organisms of their cities.

They live by a simple maxim: one badge, many sports; one fan base, many emotional entry points.

The model compounds powerfully. A child may enter through basketball and stay for football. A sponsor may buy one property and inherit five. A city remains engaged across the calendar, not merely during a single league window.

Despite the astronomical success of the IPL, and the more modest gains made by the Pro Kabaddi League, Women’s Premier League, Hockey India League and the Indian Super League, much of Indian sport remains event-led rather than institution-driven.

Every year, IPL teams appear, compete, market themselves for a few months and then recede from public consciousness. Fan engagement is intense but episodic. Sponsorship is sold season by season. Youth pathways remain peripheral, and cities host teams without fully owning them.

If the first wave of sports investment in India was about buying a franchise and entering a league, the next wave should focus on building permanent sporting institutions that are deeply integrated into cities.

Imagine a Bengaluru sporting institution operating cricket, football, women’s cricket, volleyball and academies under one umbrella. Imagine Kolkata reviving its historic club culture into a modern multi-sport platform. Imagine Chennai, Ahmedabad or Lucknow building year-round city brands rather than seasonal, cricket-centric assets.

Sponsors would buy into annual ecosystems. Fans would engage for 12 months. Academies would become both a pipeline and a business, while merchandise, memberships and content would generate recurring revenue.

This future is not theoretical. JSW already owns teams across cricket, football and kabaddi while investing in Olympic sports. Reliance has built beyond teams into pathways and infrastructure. RPSG spans cricket and football. But many such investments remain scattered rather than rooted in one geography.

Seven IPL franchise owners have already expanded overseas, buying teams in South Africa, the UAE, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Profits generated in India are being exported to acquire cricketing assets abroad. But when one sport already commands more than 80 per cent of the domestic sports economy, there is a legitimate question: should some of that capital instead be reinvested into the underfunded Indian sports ecosystem? Should governments remain passive, or design smart incentives through tax rebates, infrastructure credits, co-investment schemes and grassroots grants as cross-sport ownership benefits for franchise groups that invest meaningfully in city-based multi-sport development?

The opportunity now is to build across sports within India: an RCB football team in Bengaluru, a CSK women’s cricket team in Chennai, an LSG hockey team in Lucknow, a Gujarat Titans volleyball team in Ahmedabad, all tied to a city crest.

To make these teams not just tenants of the city, but part of its psyche and consciousness.

The next phase of Indian sport should not be global acquisition but local permanence. Franchises must become sporting institutions embedded in the heartbeat of their cities.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Offside #Indian #sport #institutions #teams">Off-side: Indian sport needs institutions, not just teams In my last column, I wrote that the soaring valuations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals were less a triumph of Indian sport and more a triumph of one sport. But perhaps, the larger question lies beyond valuation: what comes after the franchise boom?Because while India has spent the last decade trying to replicate the IPL, many of the world’s mature sporting cultures have spent the last century building something more durable.A franchise can win titles, sell sponsorships and command television ratings. But sporting institutions shape a city, develop generations of athletes and survive cycles of victory and defeat. India has many of the former, but it needs more of the latter.If you are ever in Barcelona, you will quickly understand that FC Barcelona is not merely a football club. It is a cultural identity. The same crest lives across basketball, women’s football, handball, futsal and youth sport. Real Madrid, for all its global glamour, follows a similar pattern. Olympiacos in Greece, Fenerbahce in Turkey and Sporting CP in Portugal are not simply clubs but social organisms of their cities.They live by a simple maxim: one badge, many sports; one fan base, many emotional entry points.The model compounds powerfully. A child may enter through basketball and stay for football. A sponsor may buy one property and inherit five. A city remains engaged across the calendar, not merely during a single league window.Despite the astronomical success of the IPL, and the more modest gains made by the Pro Kabaddi League, Women’s Premier League, Hockey India League and the Indian Super League, much of Indian sport remains event-led rather than institution-driven.Every year, IPL teams appear, compete, market themselves for a few months and then recede from public consciousness. Fan engagement is intense but episodic. Sponsorship is sold season by season. Youth pathways remain peripheral, and cities host teams without fully owning them.If the first wave of sports investment in India was about buying a franchise and entering a league, the next wave should focus on building permanent sporting institutions that are deeply integrated into cities.Imagine a Bengaluru sporting institution operating cricket, football, women’s cricket, volleyball and academies under one umbrella. Imagine Kolkata reviving its historic club culture into a modern multi-sport platform. Imagine Chennai, Ahmedabad or Lucknow building year-round city brands rather than seasonal, cricket-centric assets.Sponsors would buy into annual ecosystems. Fans would engage for 12 months. Academies would become both a pipeline and a business, while merchandise, memberships and content would generate recurring revenue.This future is not theoretical. JSW already owns teams across cricket, football and kabaddi while investing in Olympic sports. Reliance has built beyond teams into pathways and infrastructure. RPSG spans cricket and football. But many such investments remain scattered rather than rooted in one geography.Seven IPL franchise owners have already expanded overseas, buying teams in South Africa, the UAE, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Profits generated in India are being exported to acquire cricketing assets abroad. But when one sport already commands more than 80 per cent of the domestic sports economy, there is a legitimate question: should some of that capital instead be reinvested into the underfunded Indian sports ecosystem? Should governments remain passive, or design smart incentives through tax rebates, infrastructure credits, co-investment schemes and grassroots grants as cross-sport ownership benefits for franchise groups that invest meaningfully in city-based multi-sport development?The opportunity now is to build across sports within India: an RCB football team in Bengaluru, a CSK women’s cricket team in Chennai, an LSG hockey team in Lucknow, a Gujarat Titans volleyball team in Ahmedabad, all tied to a city crest.To make these teams not just tenants of the city, but part of its psyche and consciousness.The next phase of Indian sport should not be global acquisition but local permanence. Franchises must become sporting institutions embedded in the heartbeat of their cities.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Offside #Indian #sport #institutions #teams

Deadspin | Oneil Cruz’s HR caps Pirates’ ninth-inning rally for win over Rangers Apr 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) rounds third base and scores during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nick Gonzales beat the tag at home plate and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. Gonzales came home on pinch hitter Jake Mangum’s slow roller to third base. Jalen Beeks then replaced Cole Winn (1-1) on the mound, and Oneil Cruz greeted the new reliever with a three-run homer off the top of the right field foul pole. The ninth-inning rally allowed Pittsburgh to even the three-game series at one victory apiece. Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft scattered four hits, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out five in a seven-inning, 94-pitch outing. Gregory Soto (1-0) blew a lead by allowing two runs in his lone inning, but he emerged with the win. Bryan Reynolds collected two hits and two RBIs and Spencer Horwitz added two hits for the Pirates. Josh Jung had a two-run homer and a single for the Rangers. With Pittsburgh up 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen led off with an infield single. Brandon Nimmo hit a one-out double, and Jake Burger’s two-out single drove in both runners to tie the game. The Pirates used a two-out rally in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Reynolds doubled to the gap in left field and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s line-drive single to left. In the second, Jung’s opposite-field, two-run shot down the right field line scored Joc Pederson, and the Rangers led 2-1. In the fifth, Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI single scored Horwitz and tied the game at 2-2. Reynolds then singled to drive in Henry Davis. However, Nimmo’s throw from right field was well off target and up the third base line. As Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter backed up the play, he tripped over Pittsburgh hitters’ equipment in the on-deck circle. Lowe scored on the throwing error and the Pirates took a 4-2 lead. Leiter remained in the game after a few warmup pitches and finished the inning. He wound up allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Oneil #Cruzs #caps #Pirates #ninthinning #rally #win #RangersApr 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) rounds third base and scores during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nick Gonzales beat the tag at home plate and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.

Gonzales came home on pinch hitter Jake Mangum’s slow roller to third base. Jalen Beeks then replaced Cole Winn (1-1) on the mound, and Oneil Cruz greeted the new reliever with a three-run homer off the top of the right field foul pole.

The ninth-inning rally allowed Pittsburgh to even the three-game series at one victory apiece.

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft scattered four hits, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out five in a seven-inning, 94-pitch outing. Gregory Soto (1-0) blew a lead by allowing two runs in his lone inning, but he emerged with the win.

Bryan Reynolds collected two hits and two RBIs and Spencer Horwitz added two hits for the Pirates.

Josh Jung had a two-run homer and a single for the Rangers.


With Pittsburgh up 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen led off with an infield single. Brandon Nimmo hit a one-out double, and Jake Burger’s two-out single drove in both runners to tie the game.

The Pirates used a two-out rally in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Reynolds doubled to the gap in left field and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s line-drive single to left.

In the second, Jung’s opposite-field, two-run shot down the right field line scored Joc Pederson, and the Rangers led 2-1.

In the fifth, Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI single scored Horwitz and tied the game at 2-2.

Reynolds then singled to drive in Henry Davis. However, Nimmo’s throw from right field was well off target and up the third base line. As Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter backed up the play, he tripped over Pittsburgh hitters’ equipment in the on-deck circle.

Lowe scored on the throwing error and the Pirates took a 4-2 lead. Leiter remained in the game after a few warmup pitches and finished the inning. He wound up allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oneil #Cruzs #caps #Pirates #ninthinning #rally #win #Rangers">Deadspin | Oneil Cruz’s HR caps Pirates’ ninth-inning rally for win over Rangers Apr 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) rounds third base and scores during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nick Gonzales beat the tag at home plate and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. Gonzales came home on pinch hitter Jake Mangum’s slow roller to third base. Jalen Beeks then replaced Cole Winn (1-1) on the mound, and Oneil Cruz greeted the new reliever with a three-run homer off the top of the right field foul pole. The ninth-inning rally allowed Pittsburgh to even the three-game series at one victory apiece. Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft scattered four hits, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out five in a seven-inning, 94-pitch outing. Gregory Soto (1-0) blew a lead by allowing two runs in his lone inning, but he emerged with the win. Bryan Reynolds collected two hits and two RBIs and Spencer Horwitz added two hits for the Pirates. Josh Jung had a two-run homer and a single for the Rangers. With Pittsburgh up 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen led off with an infield single. Brandon Nimmo hit a one-out double, and Jake Burger’s two-out single drove in both runners to tie the game. The Pirates used a two-out rally in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Reynolds doubled to the gap in left field and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s line-drive single to left. In the second, Jung’s opposite-field, two-run shot down the right field line scored Joc Pederson, and the Rangers led 2-1. In the fifth, Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI single scored Horwitz and tied the game at 2-2. Reynolds then singled to drive in Henry Davis. However, Nimmo’s throw from right field was well off target and up the third base line. As Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter backed up the play, he tripped over Pittsburgh hitters’ equipment in the on-deck circle. Lowe scored on the throwing error and the Pirates took a 4-2 lead. Leiter remained in the game after a few warmup pitches and finished the inning. He wound up allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Oneil #Cruzs #caps #Pirates #ninthinning #rally #win #Rangers

Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian men’s team will aim to reclaim the title, while the women’s side looks to punch above its weight at the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup beginning here on Friday.

India will open its campaign against Canada on Friday, followed by matches against Australia on Monday (April 27) and China on Wednesday (April 29).

Four years ago, India did the unprecedented, clinching the Thomas Cup crown, considered the World Team Championship of badminton. A bunch of bravehearts, led by Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy, defied all odds as they tamed Denmark, Malaysia and Indonesia en route to that epic moment in Indian badminton history.

That week witnessed Srikanth emerge as the invincible leader, Prannoy the decider specialist, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty the gentle giants. Two years later, India’s title defence ended against China in the quarterfinals.

Cut to 2026, there is renewed hope as the Indian men, with the same core and the exuberance of rising star Ayush, eye a repeat.

Ayush is coming off a strong show at the Badminton Asia Championships, where he became the first Indian to reach the final in 61 years, while Lakshya Sen recorded a second runner-up finish at the All England Championships last month.

Both the Indians produced some stunning performances against top players such as Li Shi Feng and Jonatan Christie.

After missing action due to a shoulder injury, Satwik and his partner Chirag will be back with a fresh mind and body as India face Pan American champion Canada, Oceania champion Australia, and 11-time winner and defending champion China in Group A.

“We will have a good chance to win the Thomas Cup again. With Ayush and Lakshya in singles and Satwik and Chirag in doubles, of course, everything will have to click,” former India coach Vimal Kumar said.

“India and China should pull through from the group.”

The onus will mainly be on the young guns to take India through, as Srikanth and Prannoy are not in the best of form.

While Srikanth had two runner-up finishes last year, he has struggled in the BWF World Tour events. Prannoy too has been bogged down by niggles and endured a forgettable season since the 2024 Olympics, when he battled through chikungunya.

While India will rely on their experience, Kiran George might be called into service for the third singles. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun will shoulder the second doubles responsibility.

India should reach the quarterfinals first, though it is likely to face resistance from world championships bronze medallist Viktor Lai of Canada, which also has a good player in Brian Yang.

In fact, China no longer has that invincible aura of the past, and on its day, Indian shuttlers are capable of taming them, as Ayush and Lakshya have shown in the recent past.

In the knockout stage, India has the wherewithal to take on any team, and there will be no dearth of motivation and team camaraderie as the core remains the same.

Tough road ahead for women

In the Uber Cup, the Indian women’s team, led by double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu, will face Denmark on Friday (April 24), Ukraine on Saturday (April 25), and China on Monday (April 27).

India has won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions, but it will be an uphill battle this time, especially without the services of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, who is nursing an ankle injury.

The women’s team is clubbed with European Team Championships runner-up Denmark, bronze medallist Ukraine, and 16-time champion China.

India has a young core, with world junior championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma, Thailand Open Super 300 winner Devika Sihag, Unnati Hooda, winner of three Super 100 titles and two International Challenge titles, and Isharani Baruah sharing responsibility for the second and third singles.

In Treesa-Gayatri’s absence, the pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will handle the second doubles, while Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi are likely to play the first doubles, with the experience of Tanisha Crasto also coming into play.

A lot will depend on Sindhu as she plays the first singles, but she has struggled to maintain consistency in recent times, with a Malaysia Open semifinal her best show this season.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Thomas #Uber #Cup #India #Men #repeat #history #Women #eye #strong #run">Thomas and Uber Cup 2026: India Men look to repeat history; Women eye strong run Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian men’s team will aim to reclaim the title, while the women’s side looks to punch above its weight at the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup beginning here on Friday.India will open its campaign against Canada on Friday, followed by matches against Australia on Monday (April 27) and China on Wednesday (April 29).Four years ago, India did the unprecedented, clinching the Thomas Cup crown, considered the World Team Championship of badminton. A bunch of bravehearts, led by Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy, defied all odds as they tamed Denmark, Malaysia and Indonesia en route to that epic moment in Indian badminton history.That week witnessed Srikanth emerge as the invincible leader, Prannoy the decider specialist, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty the gentle giants. Two years later, India’s title defence ended against China in the quarterfinals.Cut to 2026, there is renewed hope as the Indian men, with the same core and the exuberance of rising star Ayush, eye a repeat.Ayush is coming off a strong show at the Badminton Asia Championships, where he became the first Indian to reach the final in 61 years, while Lakshya Sen recorded a second runner-up finish at the All England Championships last month.Both the Indians produced some stunning performances against top players such as Li Shi Feng and Jonatan Christie.After missing action due to a shoulder injury, Satwik and his partner Chirag will be back with a fresh mind and body as India face Pan American champion Canada, Oceania champion Australia, and 11-time winner and defending champion China in Group A.“We will have a good chance to win the Thomas Cup again. With Ayush and Lakshya in singles and Satwik and Chirag in doubles, of course, everything will have to click,” former India coach Vimal Kumar said.“India and China should pull through from the group.”The onus will mainly be on the young guns to take India through, as Srikanth and Prannoy are not in the best of form.While Srikanth had two runner-up finishes last year, he has struggled in the BWF World Tour events. Prannoy too has been bogged down by niggles and endured a forgettable season since the 2024 Olympics, when he battled through chikungunya.While India will rely on their experience, Kiran George might be called into service for the third singles. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun will shoulder the second doubles responsibility.India should reach the quarterfinals first, though it is likely to face resistance from world championships bronze medallist Viktor Lai of Canada, which also has a good player in Brian Yang.In fact, China no longer has that invincible aura of the past, and on its day, Indian shuttlers are capable of taming them, as Ayush and Lakshya have shown in the recent past.In the knockout stage, India has the wherewithal to take on any team, and there will be no dearth of motivation and team camaraderie as the core remains the same.Tough road ahead for womenIn the Uber Cup, the Indian women’s team, led by double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu, will face Denmark on Friday (April 24), Ukraine on Saturday (April 25), and China on Monday (April 27).India has won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions, but it will be an uphill battle this time, especially without the services of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, who is nursing an ankle injury.The women’s team is clubbed with European Team Championships runner-up Denmark, bronze medallist Ukraine, and 16-time champion China.India has a young core, with world junior championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma, Thailand Open Super 300 winner Devika Sihag, Unnati Hooda, winner of three Super 100 titles and two International Challenge titles, and Isharani Baruah sharing responsibility for the second and third singles.In Treesa-Gayatri’s absence, the pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will handle the second doubles, while Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi are likely to play the first doubles, with the experience of Tanisha Crasto also coming into play.A lot will depend on Sindhu as she plays the first singles, but she has struggled to maintain consistency in recent times, with a Malaysia Open semifinal her best show this season.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Thomas #Uber #Cup #India #Men #repeat #history #Women #eye #strong #run

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