AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event to win the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in her career. The victory also marked her first championship win in more than a decade.
Lee made The Man tap out twice during the match. At first, referee Jessika Carr was knocked out and couldn’t make the call. The opening allowed Lynch to bring a steel chair into the ring. She tried to use it to turn the match in her favor, but it was not enough to put The Geek Goddess away. Lee made Lynch tap out with a Black Widow to win the title.
Advertisement
Thanks for the submission!
The Top 10 Moments from Elimination Chamber! 🙌 Presented by @USAFrecruiting #AIMHIGH #WWETop10 ▶️ https://t.co/Obh2JdqH0V
Advertisement
Now, the 38-year-old is heading to WrestleMania 42 as champion with all the momentum on her side. In this article, we will look at three potential challengers for Lee.
#3. Lee could face Nikki Bella
Nikki Bella could be the first challenger for the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion. There is a long and storied history between the duo, and they seemingly still have unfinished business.
Lee and Bella’s history alone makes the idea of a match interesting. WWE would not need to build the rivalry from scratch. The tension is already there, and fans remember what they have put each other through. Although they have faced off before, revisiting their past could add real emotion to the feud.
It will be interesting to see how Bella fares against someone she faced during her first run with WWE. Battling a familiar opponent would show just how much she has evolved.
Advertisement
#2. Roxanne Perez could be a great opponent
Roxanne Perez has often been compared to AJ Lee ever since she made her debut. The 24-year-old has called Lee her dream opponent and has a great relationship with CM Punk. The Straight Edge Superstar was Perez’s mentor during the early stages of her WWE career.
The company has a chance to touch upon the real-life connection between AJ Lee and Perez by booking them in a match at WrestleMania 42. This could be a passing of the torch moment and provide The Prodigy with the exposure she’s been seeking since joining WWE.
#1. Bayley is AJ Lee’s dream opponent
AJ Lee named Bayley as her dream opponent in a recent interview. She said it would be fun to see how a match between them would play out at this stage of their careers.
The former Damage CTRL leader is friends with Lee in real life, which could help the duo bring out their best. Although both stars are currently babyfaces, WWE could book one of them to turn heel for a storyline.
Advertisement
If they face off in April, the duo could come up with a compelling storyline in the coming weeks on RAW. It will be interesting to see if the company can capitalize on the potential of this dream match.
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
For several years now, the No. 1 golf equipment story I have been obsessed with is Cobra’s 3D printing. Dig deep and you’ll find their process is the culmination of a decade’s-worth of work by a team who was challenged to think outside the box. Not only did this year find something new, they charged down a path of innovation that could be the greatest stride in golf equipment I will ever cover in my career.
The Fully Equipped team dove in on this story and spent two days with the Cobra team to discuss how they’ve gotten the project to where it currently sits, the trials they went through, the problem-solving they needed, special programs they use, and a glimpse into the future of what 3D printing means for the consumer customer. Here are my 3 biggest takeaways from our feature piece.
The very first question I asked when we sat down to begin discussing the project was, “Who will raise their hand and take credit for being in a board room years ago and proposing such a wild idea?” Turns out that, as Director of R&D Doug Roberts pointed out, that man was Ryan Roach. Roach leads the Innovation Team at Cobra Golf and his job, in a nutshell, is to dream. There’s some pressure attached to those dreams, of course; in actuality it’s Roach’s job to justify his dreams. And that’s exactly what Roach saw in 3D printing: A dream.
Advertisement
The man who raised his hand: Cobra Innovation Team Lead – Ryan Roach.
John Sodaro / GOLF
In theory, the idea was simple. Create the ability to make a 1-of-1 golf club for anybody who wants to order. Even 10 years ago, this was possible; it just cost a significant amount of money. You’d have to build the tooling for a set of irons, test those irons, make changes, invest in more tooling, create a new set, and repeat until you had the clubs you wanted. A single set made for a tour pro for example could cost tens of thousands of dollars. That may be worth it when you’re playing for millions on the PGA Tour, but not when you’re trying to win $5 off your buddies on the weekends. So the dream added an asterisk. Create the ability to make a 1 of 1 golf club for anybody who wants to order *and* at an accessible price point.
Chatting with Ryan Roach with a table full of prototypes, projects, and problems in front of us.
John Sodaro / GOLF
Their first hurdle? Nobody knew how to do it and nobody knew where to start — until Roach brought the idea of 3D printing forward. It had been used in other industries, and the technology was rapidly improving, but the idea of bringing the technology to golf was unheard of. From what we’ve been told, those discussions alone were almost enough to stop the project from happening. Become an industry leader would take resources, people, and most terrifying of all: time.
Advertisement
The second hurdle? Tour adoption. This concept wasn’t going to work if it didn’t work in the hands of the best players. This mean that the made-from-powdered-metal, stainless steel, lattice filled irons would have to perform, feel, and sound just like the forged options that players have been using for years. Any sacrifice in any category would halt the project.
Thankfully Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Matti Schmid, Lexi Thompson, and others have all settled in very nicely to their new 3DP irons, all of which are personal builds.
Lexi Thompson’s custom 3DP irons based off of her faithful S2 Forged irons
John Sodaro / GOLF
Advertisement
Finding the digital speed to keep up with the analog speed
One of the most interesting things that came up during our interviews for the feature was their use of nTop. nTop is a computational design software that is a significant reason for the entire project’s success. Why it’s so interesting is because, in a weird turn of chance for the year 2026, the analog side of the 3D printing process was outrunning the digital side. Once a design was sent to the printer, it could be done in days, depending on the urgency. The issue was that the experimentation to actually design the clubs, particularly the internal lattice, was tedious and time consuming.
Bryce Hobbs talks about mass property research in our Cobra 3DP feature
John Sodaro / GOLF
Cobra’s Bryce Hobbs, R&D Team Leader, speaks in the feature about their research into mass properties. Mass properties are essentially the determination of how the weight in the head is going to be distributed depending on the performance outcome they are trying to achieve. If we take a look at the retail line of 3DP.MB, 3DP Tour, and 3DP.x you can see mass properties shift. The MB has its weight more central in the blade for better control and a higher overall center of gravity. The 3DP Tour uses over 100 grams of tungsten that’s set out towards the perimeter of the blade with a wider sole for increased forgiveness, and a lower, deeper CG placement. The 3DP.x takes that even further to spread the mass out towards the perimeter and create Cobra’s most forgiving 3DP platform design. And that’s all decided by how the internal lattice is constructed.
I’m not incredibly versed in computational design programs, but from what I got out of it was that nTop allowed them to speed up their digital design process by 10x; specifically in the way they design the internal lattice structures. The reason the internal lattice structure is so crucial to the irons is that it controls the performance characteristics of that design. Depending on the characteristics desired by the designer and the eventual player, tungsten weight needs to be moved around inside the head. With nTop, they’re able to prototype, design, and test different internal structures, shapes, and even materials with no delay in their overall manufacturing process. The digital design process can support the timelines of the analog manufacturing times, helping to speed up the overall process but also taking steps to learn faster. This is where the genius of the club design and the 3D printing engine really starts to hit home, and gives us a glimpse into what the future may actually look like in pursuit of the *accessible* 1-of-1 dream.
Advertisement
A look at Ben’s computer with the nTop software active
John Sodaro / GOLF
What ACTUALLY comes next?
It’s hard to know exactly what comes next, but we’ve now been given plenty of hints as to what is possible. It’s just a matter of what the Cobra team decides to do in the space, and how quickly they want to do it. Let’s recap what we know, and what we can infer for the future based off the available facts.
1. Tour pros are getting custom 1-of-1 irons.
For Cobra’s Tour staff and select others, there is nothing off limits. They can choose every aspect of their iron build that they want down to the head weight. CG placement, top-line thickness, sole shape, offset, speed, even the material the iron is made out? Everything is in play for those at the highest level of the game. They even converted longtime Cobra S2 Forged player Lexi Thompson into a new set of 3DP irons. How’d they do it? They printed her a set that visually retains the crazy offset those irons had and the interesting blade shape and sole, with an internal structure that gave her more speed and more forgiveness on off-center strikes. Mind you, Cobra’s S2 Forged came out 15 years ago. This is a pretty big deal.
Advertisement
So you’d have to imagine that in pursuit of an *accessible* 1-of-1 irons program, that would all be up for grabs with the consumer in some way. I have no idea, they were very careful about not leaking that info. But I’m just telling you what we know is currently possible.
Ben Lemery talks about the team at Cobra being just on the cusp of getting to that light at the end of the tunnel
John Sodaro / GOLF
2.) The lattice is the key.
I would encourage you to watch the nTop portion of the feature over again and really pay attention to what Ben says. The lattice is the key to this entire thing. By being able to structurally achieved different mass properties, they can give players options that nobody else can. You love your MBs but you want that CG pushed a little bit lower? No problem. Massive performance change, zero visual change. Do you love the 3DP Tour but wish it had a bit less offset and spun a bit more? No sweat. Massive performance change, zero visual change. All by adapting the way the lattice is built and the weight inside the head is manipulated. And it’s all at the finger tips of Ben and his co-workers. It’s hard to even fully wrap a thought process around understanding the potential that that unlocks.
Advertisement
3.) Cobra WANTS us to be the beneficiaries of their dream
You hear it at the end from Caitlin Farley. Doug Roberts mentions the excitement they had for 3DP Tour to hit retail for the first time. Ryan Roach mentions his confidence in the project several times. Bryce Hobbs and Ben Lemery are both focused on the “light” at the end of the tunnel. That’s their dream. 1 of 1 sets for consumers. Cobra wants this. This project isn’t meant to stay a Tour-only thing. It’s meant to give every single player an accessible chance at creating whatever set of irons they need to shoot the best scores. The levels of this are hard to comprehend. If they can scan and print Lexi’s S2 Forged irons with 2026 performance inside, what’s to stop them from scanning any other iron?
Let’s all embrace this philosophy and maybe we’ll get our own customs sooner than we think.
John Sodaro / GOLF
Everything is on the table. We don’t know when. We still don’t quite know exactly how. And we don’t even know if they’ll stop at irons. What we do know is that this continues to be the coolest story in golf equipment innovation, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have a front-row seat to follow along and see the eventual impact it’s going to leave on our industry. Everything we know right now is truly the lead up, the Part 1 of this entire story. Part 2 has seemingly just started, and the introduction is already astonishing.
Advertisement
It’s like watching a sequel for a great movie and the first 60 seconds of the sequel have already made you forget the original. We’re watching that sequel in real time.
Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers helmets before the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack for the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler publishes the most thorough draft publication in the world every April, and after doing that recently, he has a follow-up mock draft freshly released. For the Minnesota Vikings in Round 1, he rolled with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.
Minnesota may need cornerback help, and McCoy’s rising stock is putting him firmly in the first-round conversation.
McCoy’s draft profile has soared in the last couple of weeks, so much so that many wonder if he’ll even be available at Pick No. 18
Advertisement
One Draft Analyst Sees a Clear Fit in Minnesota
The draft is seven days away. Fasten your seatbelts.
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates with a deflated gator after defeating the Florida Gators, with Oct 12, 2024 marking the rivalry game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. McCoy played a key role in the Volunteers’ victory and embraced the moment following the final whistle. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.
Brugler: McCoy to MIN
In Round 1, Brugler tabbed McCoy for Minnesota, who would be the Vikings’ first Round 1 cornerback in six years (Jeff Gladney, 2020, TCU).
He explained the pick, “McCoy is a tough player to project in a mock draft — some teams are comfortable with his 2025 knee injury, while others won’t consider him in the first round. I don’t know how the Vikings feel, but adding his level of talent to a Brian Flores defense would be fun to watch.”
Advertisement
As it stands, the Vikings have Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre lined up for CB duty in 2026, but no one would be too upset if the club invested in a potential young stud like McCoy.
Why? Well, Minnesota hasn’t successfully drafted a cornerback of any kind since 2015 or 2016 (Trae Waynes & Mackensie Alexander).
The Full Haul per Brugler
Because Brugler is about as thorough as it gets, he completed a full seven-round mock. Here’s the Vikings’ full haul, according to him:
Advertisement
Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee) | R1
Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech) | R2
A.J. Haulcy (S, LSU) | R3
Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State) | R3
Jeff Caldwell (WR, Cincinnati) | R5
Mason Reiger (EDGE, Wisconsin) | R6
J.C. Davis (OT, Illinois) | R7
Seth McGowan (RB, Kentucky) | R7
Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) | R7
Fans would be especially elated by Hunter in Round 2 and Hecht with the Sam Darnold compensatory draft pick.
Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter (2) gestures toward the sideline during second-quarter action against the West Virginia Mountaineers, with Nov 29, 2025 marking the game at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. Hunter remained active in communication as the Red Raiders managed defensive adjustments on the field. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz on Hunter: “When it comes to big-bodied run stuffers at defensive tackle, I like the idea of Hunter at 49 a lot more than Kayden McDonald at 18. He had 31.5 tackles for loss over the past three seasons at UCF and Texas Tech.”
“Hunter didn’t test very well athletically and isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he could be just what the Vikings need as a powerful nose tackle in the middle of their defense.”
McCoy’s Scouting Report
McCoy’s draft stock is rapidly rising, potentially putting him out of Minnesota’s reach by the time their selection is made. Widely regarded as the second-best cornerback in this year’s class, he trails only Mansoor Delane from LSU, who is projected as a 1st-Round pick.
Still only 20 years old, McCoy is returning from a torn ACL sustained in 2025 while at Tennessee. When healthy, he typically lines up as an outside cornerback, handling boundary responsibilities.
Advertisement
McCoy is 6’1″ and 190 pounds with 4.37 speed. He’s known for his ball skills, timing, fluidity, and press-man technique. He must improve his tackling and run support. The ACL tear in January 2025 also isn’t ideal.
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) reacts after securing a fumble during second-quarter play, with Nov 30, 2024 marking the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. McCoy showed quick awareness on the turnover, helping the Volunteers shift momentum during the in-state matchup. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador-The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to Tyson Campbell and noted, “McCoy is a toolsy outside corner with CB1 flashes, but an ACL tear robbed him of a much-needed third season. Hips and feet are smooth, allowing for quality lateral transitions and efficient gathers to match hard-breaking curls. He’s athletic in his recoveries but average acceleration leaves him chasing too often on go routes.”
“More focused, physical press disruption should make the rep easier to control. He’s opportunistic with strong ball skills at the catch point. His route squeeze and zone awareness should improve with more reps. We should expect McCoy’s athletic traits and instincts to help him make up for lost time once he gets into camp.”
RB Neglected for the Most Part
In Brugler’s mock, the Vikings didn’t nab a running back until Round 7, hopping into bed with McGowan of Kentucky, who will be a 25-year-old rookie and offers an RB2-RB3 skill set. Most fans expect — and want — a more serious young running back.
Advertisement
Before Round 7, men like Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), and Nick Singleton (Penn State) will be available to Minnesota. First-rounder Jeremiyah Love, also from Notre Dame, will be long gone before Minnesota is summoned to pick.
Here’s to hoping that the Vikings land a tailback before Round 7. It’s time.
TaylorMade is at the top of the list when it comes down to limited- or special-edition clubs and their new Shadowfall family continues to build on that notion. Let’s take a look at what makes the Shadowfall family unique and what pieces you may be able to snag for your own bag.
Drivers and Fairways
All three of TaylorMade’s Qi4D driver models are available in the new Shadowfall collection. Whether you’re an LS, CORE, or Max user, all the benefits of the fast, forgiving, and fittable lineup are now cloaked in a high-gloss, blacked-out look. If you were disappointed by the matte crown of the stock lineup, you’ll be thrilled by the high-gloss black finish of the new Shadowfall options. Personally, I’m on team gloss here; and these look gorgeous. The Qi4D Core fairway is also available in the new Shadowfall collection with the same high-gloss black finish. It throws me back to vibes that feel very similar to if an old M2 fairway wood was blacked out. The family of Qi4D Shadowfall drivers are available for $699.99. The LS and Core models are available in multiple lofts both left and right-handed, and the Max is available in a right-handed configuration. The Shadowfall Qi4D Core Fairway is available at retail for $399.99 in 3W, 5W or 7W offerings. All the metal woods include a special edition headcover.
P790 Irons and MG5 Wedges
TaylorMade’s infamous P790 irons get the Shadowfall treatment with a lustrous deep black finish that’s unlike anything they’ve ever produced before. Last year we were treated to the ‘Battleworn’ and lots of players loved because of its anti-glare properties and striking looks, and the new Shadowfall finish seems to take that even deeper. If ‘Battleworn’ was Captain America in the second Avengers movie, ‘Shadowfall’ is Tom Hardy’s Venom. The Shadowfall P790 irons are available for $1499.99 as a right-handed 4-PW set complete with a Nippon Modus 105 Luxury Black shaft and black Golf Pride Z Grip Plus 2 grips.
The MG5 wedges feature an anti-glare matte charcoal finish that lets the user focus on their shotmaking with no distractions. Combined with the RAW face, they produce an extremely attractive visual behind the ball and inspire confidence in any golfer looking for a new set of wedges that’s sure to draw some eyes. MG5 Charcoal wedges will retail for $199.99 and are available in both right- and left-hand options in multiple lofts.
Advertisement
Soft Goods
The Shadowfall collection from TaylorMade includes a few soft goods items as well for players who want to rep their favorite OEM subtly. A t-shirt, hoodie, hat, towel and their Signature Bag in a 4-way and 5-way top are up for grabs in the new collection. Each with a different blacked-out theme with subtle logo placement. As a personal side note: the TaylorMade hoodies are some of my favorites. I have a couple and they’re among the most comfortable I own.
But after inconsistent results since Enzo Maresca’s departure and the hiring of Liam Rosenior, fans have underlined “an erosion of trust” with the owners and the project, but Eghbali maintains the club’s approach will evolve in the coming months, instead targeting some “ready-made” players, despite a committed approach to signing younger, unproven talent in recent years.
“The view was to recruit and build elite players that can, frankly, be together and have that stability in the squad. We’re still in the 40th, 50th minute of that process,” Eghbali said at the CAA’s World Congress of Sports conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
“But the view is to keep, sign and retain and compensate and extend some of the world’s best players, and ultimately the view was you need, eight, 10, 12, 15 elite players to win and win sustainably, year after year.
Advertisement
“I think we’ve done a few things right, a lot of things right. We’ve got to be better on a few things, to add more ready-made players at this part of the project, to take it to the next level, to be consistent over time.”
Eghbali also admitted regret at the mid-season departure of Maresca, adding: “Our policy has been no in-season [head coach] changes.
“You certainly review and hold not only the manager, but the management team, the sporting team, accountable, but typically in the summers, not in season.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali in the stands at Stamford Bridge (PA)
“It’s not a change we wanted to make [Enzo Maresca leaving]. It’s a change that had a bit of a negative impact in the season, when you’re changing systems and personnel, and it’s one we’ve got to fight our way out of.
“We still have six matches in the Premier League, and an FA Cup semi-final coming up. So, hopefully the story of this season hasn’t been written yet, and you’ve got a lot to fight for. In my perspective, when you get punched in the face, you’ve got to fight back, you’ve got to stand up and fight. And it’s going to hopefully show a lot about the character of this squad.”
Advertisement
The Blues reported a pre-tax losses of £262.4m for the last financial year, a Premier League record, with around £1.5bn spent on transfer fees since the new ownership group took charge in 2022.
And now the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) has said there is a “lack of confidence” in the owners.
Chelsea were beaten comprehensively by Manchester City on Sunday (PA Wire)
“These concerns are not driven by short-term results, and they will not be resolved by them. They relate to the underlying direction of the club, and they will persist regardless of fluctuations on the pitch,” said the CST.
“At the heart of supporter concern is a simple point: the current model has demanded a huge amount of faith from the fanbase, while giving too little clarity in return. Supporters have watched relentless upheaval. Players, managers, staff, and structures have changed at pace. This has been presented as part of a long-term plan.
“Yet four years on, there is still no sufficiently clear or convincing explanation of how that plan delivers sustained success while preserving a recognisable Chelsea identity. The vision remains unclear, its execution inconsistent, and its leadership insufficiently accountable.”
Ryder Cup star Jon Rahm was calm about the future of LIV Golf amid speculation the series’ Saudi backers could be about to pull funding.
The breakaway competition launched in 2021 and sent shockwaves through the sport, positioning itself as a rival to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
However, speculation has mounted this week that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to end its backing, which is reported to be approaching 5 billion US dollars (£3.7bn) since the series was launched.
Spanish star Rahm, who is reported to have earned £64million since joining the series in 2023, was interviewed after the first round of the ongoing LIV event in Mexico City.
“Until the people in charge told me if the rumours were valid or not, it didn’t make sense for me to think about it or to waste time thinking about it,” he said, in quotes reported by Sky Sports.
Advertisement
“As everything suddenly came out, so quickly, I wasn’t too worried about that, because normally, before the rumours come out, we know something.
“There’s always someone in the league who knows something. It was so fast that I didn’t really worry about it.”
The Telegraph has reported that players and staff have been told that the PIF funding is only guaranteed until the end of the current season, and that outside investment would be needed to keep going beyond then.
LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil was bullish about the league’s future in an interview on Thursday.
Advertisement
“If we keep the trajectory going the way we are and the revenue growth going, this is going to be a really good business for a really long time,” he said.
On Thursday it was announced that the PIF had sold a 70 per cent stake in Al Hilal, one of four Saudi Pro League clubs it owns.
David Payne’s modest stable has a proven flair for developing Group 1 runners, with hopes high that the two-year-old Persian Wonder will follow suit.
The budding star contests Saturday’s Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, targeting his breakthrough top-tier success after promising runs, notably a solid second to Southend in the Baillieu (1400m) at Rosehill a month ago.
From South African origins, Payne has amassed over 100 Group 1 wins internationally, polishing Australian champions including Criterion, Ace High and Montefilia.
His operation continues to exceed its scale, operating on a tight budget and small team.
Advertisement
While the trainer modestly points to luck, his expertise in picking yearlings is unquestionable.
“I have been in the game a long time and I’ve been lucky with buying horses,” Payne said.
“But you’ve got to find the horse first. We buy maybe ten at the sales, other stables might buy 250. But we always find one, and we’ve got a couple there at the moment.”
Alongside Bangkok Hottie, fresh from a Wednesday win at Warwick Farm and set for a spell before the spring Princess Series, Persian Wonder stands as a future stable standout.
Advertisement
A challenging wide gate at Randwick adds difficulty, but with his affinity for rearward positions, Payne will stick to settling him back.
On his previous run closer to the front under James McDonald, he fell short of winning, yet Payne valued the experience.
“It was a good run. I thought he might have been a bit too handy, but it’s good that James taught him to get out of the gates,” he said.
“It’s a tough race on Saturday so we’ll ride him quiet and see what happens.
Advertisement
“We have been aiming him at this for a while, so we’ll see if he’s good enough.”
McDonald stays with Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Campione D’italia, bringing Chad Schofield back for Persian Wonder after his striking fourth placing in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) on March 14.
Visit betting sites to find the top racing odds for the Champagne Stakes.
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has come under scrutiny following the team’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season. With just one win in five matches, MI languishes second from the bottom of the points table. On Thursday, the five-time champions were brushed aside at home by Shreyas Iyer‘s Punjab Kings (PBKS), marking their fourth defeat of the campaign. MI’s lone victory this season came against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, former India batter Manoj Tiwary criticised Hardik’s captaincy against PBKS, arguing that the all-rounder’s leadership has been below par since he took charge of the franchise.
“From where will ownership come? One has to look at oneself as well. You need to see how you have been playing. According to me, just because you are not having success this year doesn’t mean the mistakes happened only this year. You need to look at the root cause as well. From 2015-2023, Rohit Sharma helped the Mumbai Indians win several trophies,” said Tiwary.
Advertisement
Tiwary also urged Hardik to relinquish the captaincy and return it to Rohit Sharma, noting that the veteran batter led the franchise to five titles between 2013 and 2023.
“In 2023, there was no trophy. In 2024, there was no trophy, and the chances of the same happening are high this year too. I think the captaincy is weak. I don’t want to be harsh. But Hardik is not leading the team the way it should be. It’s very important to be proactive as a captain. I think that if a solution is needed, Hardik should step back from the captaincy and hand the responsibility back to Rohit. When you removed Rohit, you did an injustice,” he added.
Beyond the leadership change, Tiwary slammed Hardik’s tactical choices during the defeat to PBKS, specifically his decision to promote himself up the order ahead of Sherfane Rutherford. Furthermore, he questioned the move to open the bowling with Deepak Chahar despite the pacer’s recent struggles.
“Hardik shouldn’t have promoted himself against the Punjab Kings. He scored 14 runs off 12 balls. Sherfane Rutherford just got five balls. If Rutherford had played as many balls, he would have hit 3-4 sixes. Hardik Pandya thought he could do it. Yes, he could have done it. You should have pushed Rutherford up. And secondly, there is no point in giving Jasprit Bumrah the second over when you are not giving him the first. Deepak Chahar just isn’t able to swing the ball,” he said.
Advertisement
Featured Video Of The Day
IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
After Saturday last weekend’s call-out, Anthony Joshua is under pressure to accept a mammoth fight against Tyson Fury. Now, super-middleweight icon Carl Froch has had his say on how he thinks the potential bout may play out.
Fury boxed his way to a comfortable decision win against Arslanbek Makhmudov, claiming a first victory since 2023 and doing so after 16 months of inactivity, in what he hopes will be the first outing of a two-fight year.
Instead, Joshua remained calm and collected, refusing to publicly agree to the fight but saying that he does believe it will happen this year.
Speaking to his YouTube channel, Froch said that he sees Fury as the favourite, impressed by his Saturday showing against Makhmudov.
“I think that AJ will be the underdog for this one. I think that Fury is the favourite, especially off the back of that performance; he eased in tonight, it was just steady, he took his time, still looks good.
“I envy that actually, 16 months out of the ring and he is able to come and do a performance like that. Okay, he was in with Makhmudov, he is not in with a world beater, but it was a good 12 rounds’ work.”
Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru will not feature in Genclerbirligi’s league match against Galatasaray this weekend after being left out by the coaching staff.
The Nigerian joined Genclerbirligi last summer on a free transfer, but he has struggled to make an impact. He has not scored or provided an assist in 19 appearances this season and has only picked up one yellow card.
There have also been reports of problems off the pitch, including issues over unpaid wages earlier in the campaign. It was claimed that Onyekuru and some teammates refused to train at one point due to salary concerns.
Advertisement
Ahead of the match against his former club, coach Volkan Demirel asked Onyekuru to train separately from the rest of the squad. As a result, he has been ruled out of the game.
A report from the club’s technical staff described his recent performances as “inadequate and unmotivated”, with an official statement expected soon.
The decision comes at a difficult time for Genclerbirligi, who are battling relegation and sit just two points above the drop zone with five matches left.
Advertisement
Onyekuru’s situation has drawn criticism, with some observers questioning his commitment. His performances have not helped his case, as he has struggled to influence games under several different managers this season.
There has also been attention on his lifestyle off the pitch, with regular social media posts showing a luxurious way of life. While this does not directly affect his performances, it has added to the negative perception during a tough period for the club.
Despite the criticism, there are suggestions that the club may also be trying to move him on to reduce financial pressure. More details are expected soon, but for now, his future at Genclerbirligi remains uncertain.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login