by Tanish Prabhu
India bag Women’s Asia Cup title
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana star as India defeat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final. India have claimed their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title after defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in a dominant final in Dubai. Led by major contributions from Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, India posted 183 for five from their 20 overs before their bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111, with India’s Shree Charani taking four wickets to help seal a comprehensive victory. The result extends India’s record as the most successful side in Women’s Asia Cup history and provides a major boost ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships during their innings as India’s bowlers consistently applied pressure. Shree Charani was the pick of the attack, claiming four wickets as Sri Lanka’s batting order collapsed. Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 111, leaving India with a 72-run victory and another major trophy. The result also completed a memorable tournament for India’s players, who had shown their strength throughout the competition.
The victory marks India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, further establishing the country as the dominant force in the tournament’s history. For captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, the triumph arrives at an important point in the international calendar. India will now turn their attention towards the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where women’s cricket will again feature in the T20 format. With the Asian Games approaching, India’s Asia Cup triumph gives the defending champions considerable confidence as they prepare for another major tournament. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will take positives from reaching the final but will be left to reflect on a batting performance that ultimately cost them the title. For India, the focus now shifts from defending their continental crown to pursuing another gold medal on the Asian stage.
Zverev & Rybakina claim second Grand Slam title in 2026
What a year it has been for Alexander Zverev. Two Grand Slam wins and three finals to end the year on positive note. He beat Ben Shelton in four sets in the US Open Final.Zverev has been playing tennis for over a decade, with injuries and heartbreaks consistently being common factors for most of his career, but he finally had his moment in the sun to celebrate two titles in one season. Unlike the French Open, this tournament was a little tougher for him to book a spot in the final. The first two rounds he played, he struggled to grab points early on and easily too, but that didn’t matter too much in the end as he worked extremely hard for those points. Zverev is the third best player behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and if he does matchup with either player next year, the competition will be different to how it was before and someone with his talent who can challenge both players, who are in good form. Very different to Andy Murry and a better version of him as well, Zverev has created his own legacy that will forever remember him as the hidden talent who hunted for gold for a long period and finally got his moment more than once. He deserves all glory.
Ben Shelton’s natural style got the best of him. He had a great tournament and caused an upset against Carlos Alcaraz in the Quarter Final, but his aggressive style won’t work every time against someone who plays differently to him.
Since this year, different players in women’s singles have won titles in each tournament. World Number One Aryna Sabalenka hasn’t won a Grand Slam title since 2025, her last win in the US Open. The defending champion was outplayed by Elena Rybakina for the second time this year. The first time being in the Australian Open earlier this year where Sabalenka struggled to gain any points and was completely outplayed and then in the US Open where she was outdone in three sets. Sabalenka has struggled to make a breakthrough this entire year, but her form has not dipped, it’s the mentality.
Australia’s Zimbabwe tour to decide the fate of 2027 World Cup
After losing to Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup in February that saw Australia out of the tournament before the Super Eights, the Australian’s face them in a three match ODI series this week that will determine how they play in next year’s 50 over World Cup. The two have encountered in previous One Day games, where Zimbabwe beat Australia in the 2022 summer of cricket in the final ODI and before that a huge upset in 2014 in Harare.
Australia have a different looking team that does not consist of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, who have retired from the format. Their series loss to Bangladesh may inspire Zimbabwe to cause another upset against this slightly weaker side. However, the experience of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc may help the next generation bowlers for Australia to better prepare ahead of the World Cup.
But this series is the best opportunity for Australia’s next generation players to shine on the big stage. Oliver Peak, Cooper Connolly and Joel Davies have all been picked based off their form in first class cricket. Connolly’s 149 against Bangladesh was one of the best and most promising innings to be seen, and selectors are currently looking for players who can carry forward the legacy that makes the Australian team the greatest team in the world.
Antonelli beats Verstappen and Norris to claim eighth race win
Mercedes driver extends championship lead after dramatic Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid Kimi Antonelli continued his remarkable 2026 Formula 1 campaign with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, defeating Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at Madrid’s newly introduced Madring circuit.
The 20-year-old Italian secured his eighth win of the season after capitalising on a crucial Virtual Safety Car period that disrupted Norris’s strategy and changed the outcome of the race. Verstappen finished second for Red Bull, while reigning world champion Norris recovered from a frustrating pit stop to secure third place for McLaren. The result further strengthened Antonelli’s position at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, opening an 81-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell after 14 rounds.
Norris entered the race with confidence after producing an impressive qualifying performance to secure pole position, narrowly beating Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. The McLaren driver made an excellent start and successfully defended his position through the opening corners, gradually building a comfortable advantage over the Mercedes. Antonelli attempted to challenge Norris but struggled to find a way past, allowing the Briton to establish control of the race. However, the contest changed dramatically when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll stopped on track with brake problems, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Antonelli had reached the pit entry at the right moment, allowing Mercedes to change his tyres while losing less time than during a normal pit stop.
Norris had already passed the pit entrance when the VSC was deployed, leaving McLaren unable to take advantage of the same opportunity. A slow seven-second stop further damaged his chances, dropping him down the order and forcing him to fight his way back through the field. Despite recovering to third, the result was a disappointing outcome for a driver who had appeared capable of winning.
Although Antonelli celebrated another significant victory, the Mercedes driver admitted that Norris had been the stronger competitor during the early stages.
“It’s good to win, but it doesn’t feelgood because I think Lando today deserved to win,” Antonelli said after the race.
