Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has secured the television and digital broadcasting rights for all New Zealand-based men’s (blackcaps) and women’s (white Ferns) matches in India and related territories for the next seven years. From May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2031, this agreement will cover India's summer tours to New Zealand in 2026–27 and 2030–31, as well as bilateral Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. All matches will be live telecast on SPNI's sports channels and streamed on Sony LIV. The deal, valued between $90 million and $100 million (Rs 749-Rs 833 crore), enhances SPNI's sports po
Virat Kohli made history by notching his 100th fifty-plus score in T20 cricket, a feat unmatched by any other Indian player and achieved by only two others globally. During the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli's outstanding 77 off 49 balls, including 11 boundaries and two sixes, highlighted his return to form after a previous disappointing performance. Throughout his brilliant 378-match T20 career, Kohli has accumulated 12,092 runs at an average of 41.26, adorned with eight hundred and 92 fifties. His best score to da
Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna, alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden, showcased their skill at the Miami Open, securing a hard-fought victory against Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski, propelling them into the men’s doubles quarterfinals. The formidable duo endured a challenging battle lasting one hour and thirty-nine minutes before clinching a 7-5, 7-6 (3) win over Monaco's Nys and Poland's Zielinski in the ATP Masters 1000 event on Monday night. Despite facing formidable opposition, the 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden exhibited remarkable resilience and skill throughout the match.
Dinesh Karthik has distinguished himself as one of the most effective finishers in the IPL, particularly in the crucial death-over phase. During IPL 2024, representing RCB, Karthik showcased his strength yet again, elevating himself to the esteemed position of the second-highest run scorer in the death overs since 2022. In a gripping encounter against PBKS in Bengaluru, Karthik played a crucial role in RCB's thrilling victory. His blistering cameo, characterised by an unbeaten 28 runs from a mere 10 deliveries, adorned with three boundaries and two towering sixes, highlighted his ability t
On Friday, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto made history in Montreal by clinching her third consecutive figure skating world title, a feat not seen since Peggy Fleming's achievement in 1968. Despite starting in fourth place after the short programme, Sakamoto's captivating free skate, set to music by Lauryn Hill, escalated her to victory with an impressive score of 222.96 points. American skater Isabeau Levito secured the silver medal, while South Korea's Chaeyeon Kim claimed bronze. Belgium's Loena Hendrickx, initially leading, finished fourth after a fall during her routine. In the ice dance
Chennai is all set to host its first IPL final in 12 years at Chepauk on May 26, with the stadium having hosted finals in 2011 and 2012. The city will also host the second qualifier on May 24. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad will host the first qualifier on May 21 and the eliminator on May 22. The second phase of IPL 2024 is scheduled to begin on April 8, with CSK playing the Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai. All playoff matches will be evening games. The ten teams are split into two groups, playing a mix of intra and inter-group matches. CSK's group includes the Gujarat Titans, RCB, Sunrisers, an
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the exceptional performance of 15-year-old badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma from Punjab. Sharma's stellar displays at both national and international levels during the 2023 Badminton Championships have captured the nation's attention, particularly her gold medal triumph at the Senior Asian Championship in Malaysia. PM Modi conveyed heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the entire nation, recognising her outstanding achievements on the global stage. Through initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), he stressed the government's commitmen
The introduction of a Smart Replay System (SRS) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) aims to revolutionise decision-making processes, enhancing both speed and accuracy. According to a report, SRS will integrate the TV umpire directly with operators of the Hawk-Eye system, who will be stationed alongside, providing inputs based on images captured from eight high-speed cameras strategically positioned around the ground. This innovative setup eliminates the need for a TV broadcast director to act as an intermediary between the umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators, streamlining the deci
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is urging national federations to detach from the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA) and form a new governing body to ensure boxing's place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Since 2019, the IOC has disavowed the IBA due to financial and governance issues, with the Paris 2024 boxing events overseen by the IOC. However, boxing's inclusion in LA28 remains uncertain without a recognised governing body. IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell emphasised the need for a new body driven by national federations to facilitate the sport's future pa
Indian tennis sensation Sumit Nagal made an impressive debut at the Miami Open, displaying remarkable composure as he clinched a straight-set victory over Canada's Gabriel Diallo in the first-round qualifier match. The 26-year-old, who recently ascended to the top 100 of the world rankings after winning the Chennai Open, displayed steely composure on Monday as he defeated the imposing 6 feet 8 inches tall opponent 7-6(3) 6-2. Nagal's deft performance in the first set's tiebreaker and his dominance in the second set, during which he secured crucial breaks in the first and seventh games,