MCG will play host to Sunday’s
Round 1 AFL game between St Kilda Saints and
Collingwood Magpies. The game kicks off at 7:20 pm with Collingwood Magpies heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St Kilda Saints vs.
Collingwood Magpies
game and give you our free tips and bets.
St Kilda’s bold recruiting drive will be put to the test when the Saints open their 2026 campaign against Collingwood in front of a big Sunday night crowd at the MCG. After a busy trade and free agency period that brought Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Liam Ryan and Sam Flanders to Moorabbin, expectations have risen for a side that finished 9–14 last season and is chasing its first finals win since 2020.
Collingwood, a preliminary finalist in 2025, begins the year with some question marks around an ageing list and early injuries to key defenders Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe. The Magpies did handle the Saints comfortably when the sides last met, winning 108–74 at Marvel Stadium in Round 15. On that day, brothers Josh and Nick Daicos dominated with 30 disposals each and a combined 970 metres gained, setting the tone in a decisive performance.
Welcome to Bag Spy, a GOLF series devoted to understanding the crucial equipment choices that define a player’s bag. With the help of players and/or their expert fitters, we dig deep beyond the photos to examine setups, specs and the thinking behind them. In this installment, GOLF Associate Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh takes you inside Si Woo Kim’s bag and new equipment setup for 2026.
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At first glance — and depending on what course you catch him — Si Woo Kim has a pretty old-school bag.
Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-iron through pitching wedge and just two wedges, a 52˚ and a 60˚. We don’t see a lot of that set-up on the PGA Tour anymore.
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But a deeper dive and conversation with Callaway Senior PGA Tour Player Development Representative Kellen Watson shows Kim actually has a unique relationship with gear. He focuses strictly on looks, and if it passes the first couple of swings, there usually won’t be much hesitancy with putting it in the bag.
“If there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson told GOLF. “The performance stuff, we’ll incrementally get exactly where we need to get to. But aesthetically, if it’s pleasing to his eye, there’s nothing bigger. If it goes through the ground perfectly, it’s going in the bag.”
Watson called Kim a “corporate dream” because he’ll put almost any club in his bag as long as it meets his eye test.
That’s notable because Kim held onto his Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond driver for two years before moving into the Quantum Triple Diamond this season.
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But he’s not afraid to try anything, and, in fact, Watson has to prevent him from trying too much.
“He gets some ideas, and he’ll just do it behind my back,” Watson said. “That’s why I try to stay in front of him all the time so we don’t allow him to do anything like that.”
Si Woo Kim and caddie Manny Villegas form an unlikely but endearing duo.
Warren Little/Getty Images
Watson also has to rely on Kim’s caddie, Manny Villegas, to help maintain Kim’s clubs. It’s usually Villegas who asks for regrips or loft/lie checks.
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“Manny’s almost playing offensive coordinator and Si Woo’s just the quarterback, just taking the play calls,” Watson said.
So far that’s been working well this season, as Kim, despite a bulky putter, had four top-11 finishes in his first four starts this season, including two top-5s. He’s 9th in the FedEx Cup standings and second in Strokes Gained: Approach with Callaway’s yet-to-be-released Apex MB ’26 irons.
Kim and Villegas, the brother of five-time Tour winner Camillo Villegas, form one of professional golf’s most unlikely player-caddie duos, but they’re also perhaps the most laidback and fun.
“I still think they should make a TV show of him and Manny, almost like there’s a sequel of ‘Rob & Big.’ I would watch that. I would watch them talk to each other all day long, every day,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s anybody there you want to be around more than Si Woo when you’re playing golf. And that just kind of goes for every day anyway. Some of it’s just because you never know what he’s going to say next.”
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Kim’s golf bag embodies much of that persona.
Keep reading below to dive into the bag of one of the PGA Tour’s best characters, Si Woo Kim.
Breaking down every club in Si Woo Kim’s bag
Ball
2022 Callaway Chrome Tour Dot
As a player who plays a fade and generally plays at a spin surplus throughout the bag, Kim is one of the many users of Callaway’s Chrome Tour Dot golf ball, a Tour-only version of the Chrome Tour X.
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“Just the higher spin guys — it’s just the flight’s a little bit better for him. The spin control is a lot better for him,” Watson said of the ball, which is also played by Xander Schauffele.
The Dot has an identical aero package to the Chrome Tour X, but it reaches a slightly lower peak height due to reduced spin. Otherwise, it flies similarly.
Players who play a fade generally are going to spin the ball more than players who draw it, so being able to retain control and wind performance with a touch lower spin, while keeping launch, speed and feel the same, is a good match for Kim.
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Callaway 2026 Chrome Tour X Golf Balls
SPEED TECHNOLOGY
Revolutionary new Tour Fast Mantle that increases distance through an optimized core/layer system.
ADVANCED SEAMLESS TOUR AERO®
Incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot.
PRECISION TOUR URETHANE COVER
Incredible feel and wedge control.
PRECISION TECHNOLOGY
Provides the ultimate in consistency. Every detail in the design, manufacture, and testing of the Chrome Tour X ball has been engineered to ensure maximized performance throughout your game.
Specs Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 9.0 Actual Loft: 8.9˚ OptiFit Setting: N/-1 Weights: 7 g front, 9 g back heel, 1 g back toe Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 6-X Length: 44 15/16″ EOG Tipping: 1″ Swingweight: D3.4
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Stock Carry: 290 yards
When it comes to his driver, there isn’t much unique about Si Woo Kim’s, but it is notable given he did not switch to Callaway’s Elyte driver last season.
You would think, after Kim hung onto a Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond for two seasons, that it would have been a long and arduous testing process to get him into a new Quantum Triple Diamond for this season.
But it took Watson only three swings.
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“We did kind of a preliminary fitting at Sea Island,” Watson said. “I think we gave him the 8.5. I remember every interaction with him and Manny because they’re some of my most fun times on Tour. But I think he hit it twice. Little low spin. Nine-degree first shot, and it was like, ‘Can we play this this week?’”
The start line was also important for getting Kim to switch from his Ai Smoke, which is why you’ll see above in his specs he keeps the back weight on the heel side of the club to encourage a left start line.
Unfortunately, at the RSM Classic last fall, where Callaway annually does testing with their staff players for the new driver, the Quantum was not yet on the USGA conforming list.
But Kim got his driver in mid-November and he was one of the first to put it in play the first week of December at the Australian Open when it hit the conforming list.
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One thing that Watson struggled with, however, was getting him to test a backup driver.
“He hates to do like a backup head, and I forced him to do like a backup head today (Tuesday at Bay Hill),” Watson said. “He’s like, ‘Nothing’s wrong with this one. This one will not fail.’ I’m just making sure, dude.”
Kim moved into the updated Fujikura Ventus Black with VeloCore+ during testing with the Elyte driver as they found the slightly softer profile had a better feel for him. It also aided his timing for a fade.
“If anything, a little less catch-up in the shaft, just being just like a touch softer is probably better for him, where the club will stay behind him at impact and he can kind of hit that fade a little bit better,” Watson said.
Specs Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver 11.5 Actual Loft: 11.2˚ Lie: 57˚ OptiFit Setting: -1/N (Flat Cog) Weights: 14 g front, 5 g back Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 7-X Length: 43.125″ Tipping: 2″ Swingweight: D3.1
In some ways, the mini driver has become synonymous with Kim, as he is famous for his DODs from anywhere.
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Fairway, rough, other, you name it, Si Woo Kim has probably tried to hit a driver off the deck from it.
That was the impetus for Kim in sticking with his Paradym Ai-Smoke mini driver, because it was much easier for him to hit off the fairway.
Watson intends to show Kim the new Quantum Mini Driver soon, but wanted to get more insight from the club from Min Woo Lee and Max Greyserman, both of whom already have it in the bag.
Kim loves the ability to swing the Mini Driver flatter and not down on it like a 3-wood.
While Kim doesn’t use the 3-wood often in favor of the longer Mini Driver, when he does, he likes to be aggressive with it. It’s to the point where Watson compared his divots to Sergio Garcia, one of the best and also steepest fairway wood players of all time.
The 5-wood is a better story as Kim previously played a Rogue ST LS 5-wood since the club came out in 2022.
But in the fall, Kim wanted to shorten the club and did so while in Japan for the Baycurrent Classic. Why?
“I don’t know. I have no idea!” Watson said. Remember when Watson said he had to get between Kim and some of his “ideas?” This is why.
The club never felt the same to Kim after that. Watson built him a new 5-wood before the start of the season and the 3-wood just so he has options and doesn’t have to look for a new club in the middle of the season.
Specs Callaway Apex MB ’26 3-PW Shafts: KBS Tour V 125 Lofts: 19.3/21.4/24.9/28.5/32.3/36.6/40.5/44.5 Lies: 60/60.3/61.1/61.5/61.7/62.3/62.9/62.6 Length: 7-iron 37″ EOG Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)
3-iron Stock Carry: 221 7-iron Stock Carry: 174
Kim is one of a growing number of players on Callaway’s unreleased Apex MB ’26 prototype irons. He has played blades at times throughout his career, but not since his first year with Callaway in 2018.
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But when Kim first tested the new blades, like all of his other changes, the decision to switch was almost instant. Again, the swap was driven more by visuals.
Watson says the new MB has a longer blade length and a more Japanese-inspired pinched toe shape, similar to the X Forged, which was all familiar to him. Kim was one of just three staffers previously playing the Apex CB ’24, primarily due to the longer blade length.
“I think the longer the blade length for him, I think the better the results he gets,” Watson said. “For him, a longer blade length, the higher toe, the matched window of launch and spin being pretty much exactly where you need it — I think that is the determination of, is it going in play?”
In testing, Watson said the new MB “hits more of that CB kind of window” launch conditions which made the switch simple for Kim.
Looking at his specs, you’ll notice his irons are all bent 1-2 degrees strong. That’s not done for launch/spin or even turf interaction reasons. Keeping with the theme here, that’s all done to fit Kim’s eye. He’s played the stronger lofts since before he signed with Callaway in 2018.
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“If there’s something that really fits his eye — he’s a lot about aesthetics — if there’s something that fits his eye very nicely, you can be damn sure that either the wedge that it might be or the set of irons or the driver or whatever, it’s going in play like right away,” Watson said.
Kim’s high-spin tendencies allow him to play the blades all the way through to the 3-iron, a rarity on the modern PGA Tour where even 4-irons are starting ot become extinct.
But the 3-iron doesn’t actually get used that often and, Watson said, sometimes he’ll even be content with rolling with just 13 clubs.
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Callaway Apex MB Custom Irons
The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect.
A PURE BLADE IN A MODERN DESIGN
The new Apex MB Irons are developed for the absolute best in the game who are looking for a high level of performance in a modern Tour blade. With our Dynamic Sole Design, it provides more efficient turf interaction, enhanced workability, and the classic feel that elite players expect.
PURE FORGED PERFORMANCE
The Apex MB body and face are forged as one-piece in a proprietary forging process from 1025 carbon steel, creating the purest feeling iron imaginable.
PROGRESSIVE CG DESIGN FOR ADDED CONTROL
A progressive CG throughout the set improves trajectory control. The long irons feature a lower CG that promotes towering shots that land soft into greens while the short irons utilize a higher CG for a lower trajectory with more spin for added control.
DYNAMIC SOLE DESIGN FOR ENHANCED TURF INTERACTION
These irons feature a dual chamfer on the leading edge to cut through the turf more efficiently. A trailing edge chamfer provides relief from the turf after contact for enhanced feel. This Dynamic Sole Design maintains speed through the turf and promotes consistent contact on all shots.
Specs Callaway Opus SP RAW Lofts/Grinds: 52/10S @ 51.5˚, 60/8C @ 59˚ Shafts: KBS Tour V 125 Lie: 60.8/63 Length: 35″ EOG/34.625″ EOG Swingweight: D3 (“Or whatever feels good sometimes” – Watson)
52˚ Stock Carry: 114 60˚ Stock Carry: 89
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Just two wedges?! Yes! just two wedges.
While the conventional wisdom for a player with strong lofted irons is to usually add more wedges, Kim plays just a couple and relies on feel to gauge the proper distance.
“I think that has more to do with the incredible set of hands that Si Woo just has,” Watson said. “I think he does more of it just with his hands. Totally feel.
“He’s more of an artist than people kind of would lead you to believe.”
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Unlike most pros on the PGA Tour, Kim doesn’t use a clock system to hit distance wedge shots.
Like the rest of the bag, Kim had little issue switching into the new Opus SPs.
“I think he picked up both of them, just put them in the bag, like, ‘Okay, you take these two. I’ll play these two,” without even the waiting,” Watson said. “It’s like… ‘Yeah… Cool.’”
SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION
A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins.
NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™
The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots.
SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE
Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom.
X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE
Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.
The flatstick has been a club holding Kim back this season as he ranks second in Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green this season, but is losing nearly seven-tenths of a stroke on the greens. While this year is one of his worst, Kim has never gained strokes putting since joining the PGA Tour in 2016.
This Odyssey O-Works 3T is new this season and Kim loves the look of it, but this week, he’s testing out a new Odyssey prototype TRTL mallet putter.
Si Woo Kim doing some work with an Odyssey Prototype TRTL mallet putter.
This is similar to the proto Mini Woo Lee switched to at Pebble and finished T2. Four interchangeable weights on the corners, but Si Woo has some big ole strips of lead tape across the bottom center.… pic.twitter.com/u5hJu2uv6I
It’s the same putter that Min Woo Lee is using and it obviously passed the eye test for Kim to consider using it this week. The specs match his current O-Works 3T.
Putter has been a revolving door the past two seasons for Kim after he stopped using an Odyssey 2-Ball 10 Broomstick.
Watson doesn’t know exactly why the run with the broom came to an end — nobody does, he said — but he has his guesses.
“He might have been getting sick of the look and just wanted to look at something different,” Watson said. “That would be my answer… and that wouldn’t be odd as an answer to the question about Si Woo with anything.”
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Will the new TRTL be the next one to have staying power? We’ll see if it even makes it to the bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast.
The only goal of the match came in the eighth minute through Bukayo Saka. His shot took a slight touch off Carlos Baleba and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before going into the net.
The result was important for Arsenal as Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest earlier in the day. The Gunners are now seven points clear, although they have played one game more.
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Brighton controlled most of the match and had 60 per cent of the ball. They started strongly and almost scored after two minutes when David Raya passed the ball straight to Baleba. His chip beat the keeper, but Gabriel cleared the ball off the line.
Arsenal defended very well despite missing injured defender William Saliba. Gabriel and Piero Hincapie stood firm at the back and stopped Brighton from finding a way through. Raya also made an important save from Georginio Rutter in the second half.
Brighton pushed forward for most of the game but managed only a few clear chances. The home fans were unhappy as they felt Arsenal wasted time in the closing stages.
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Substitute Kai Havertz nearly made it 2-0, but his effort was saved by Verbruggen. Arsenal then had to stay calm in the final minutes before the referee blew the final whistle.
When news came that Manchester City had drawn their match, Arsenal’s travelling supporters celebrated loudly as their team strengthened their position at the top of the table.
It appears Stefon Diggs is going to have to find his fourth NFL team in the same number of years.
The New England Patriots are expected to release the veteran wide receiver after the new league year begins on March 11, ending his time with the team right after playing a role in helping them reach Super Bowl LX.
Diggs, 32, inked a three-year deal with the Patriots, worth $63.5 million, in free agency this past offseason. But he seemingly confirmed the reports with an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots talks to teammates in a huddle prior to an AFC wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
“THANK YOU for a hell of a year,” Diggs posted with a photo of himself in a Patriots uniform on the field. “We family forever [heart emoji].”
Diggs, who finished his 11th season in the NFL this past year, led the Patriots in key receiving stats, including targets (102), receptions (85) and yards (1,013). He was a key reason why second-year quarterback Drake Maye was an MVP finalist, providing stability at a position the team needed to upgrade this past offseason.
While making an appearance at the NFL Scouting Combine this past week, head coach Mike Vrabel praised Diggs, making his expected release an interesting one.
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“He worked extremely hard in the time that he was rehabbing from the knee,” Vrabel said to the media, referencing his torn ACL suffered with the Houston Texans in 2024. “I think he was just a really good presence each and every week.”
But the team was evaluating what to do with Diggs, especially considering his cap hit would go from $10.5 million to $26.5 million for the 2026 season.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots smiles during an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
There are also his legal troubles off the field that factor into New England’s decision, as he is facing felony strangulation and other criminal charges from an alleged altercation with his personal chef in December 2025. He was arraigned on Feb. 13, just days after the Patriots fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
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“We’re going to let all that take care of itself, and then we’ll have to see what the judgements are in those particular cases,” Vrabel added about Diggs’ legal issues, which continues April 1 with an additional pre-trial hearing.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California.(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Diggs, who made four straight Pro Bowls during his years as Josh Allen’s favorite receiver with the Buffalo Bills, continues to be one of the more reliable receivers in the league, no matter where he is. And he showed in New England that his rehab for the torn ACL went well, tallying over 1,000 yards for the seventh time of his career.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says defeat to 10-man Newcastle “hurts a lot” and he is “bitterly disappointed” after the 2-1 loss at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
Longtime Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self was ejected before halftime of Tuesday night’s game against Arizona State after a heated exchange with officials over a foul call on one of the Jayhawks’ star players.
Self was assessed two technicals after arguing a call involving Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Peterson, coming off a screen, got tangled along the baseline with Arizona State guard Bryce Ford, and officials called a foul on Peterson as he tried to drive past Ford.
Kansas head coach Bill Self walks off the court after being ejected during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on March 3, 2026.(Rick Scuteri/AP)
After the game, Self admitted that the first technical was merited but felt that the second was a stretch.
“They threw me out before they even said anything. That was probably not a great call, but I came out of the box and he gave me a (technical), which is fine, but by no stretch did I do anything to deserve a second (technical), but that’s those guys for you,” he said, via The Athletic.
“He told me to get back into the box, and I didn’t get back in there quick enough, so that’s on me.”
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after being ejected from the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on March 3, 2026.(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Kansas was trailing by the time Self got ejected, but that margin grew to 20 points by the end of the first half. Arizona State would complete the upset 70-60 behind Moe Odum’s 23 points. For Self, while the officiating didn’t help, it wasn’t to blame for the Jayhawks’ loss.
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“I’m disappointed in myself that I wasn’t out there with the guys to finish the game, but that was a pretty temperamental crew tonight, but that didn’t cost us,” Self continued, via The Athletic. “What cost us was that we weren’t ready to play, and we’re not good enough. Our players are not talented enough not to be ready and be energized.”
Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts after being ejected during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on March 3, 2026.(Rick Scuteri/AP)
ASU fans stormed the court after the game, marking what could be Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley’s final home game as he is in the final year of his contract.
Former England seamer Stuart Broad has issued a strong warning to England ahead of their semifinal clash against India, singling out Hardik Pandya as the player who could decisively swing the contest.Broad stressed that Pandya’s impact goes far beyond numbers on the scoreboard. The Indian all-rounder has the rare ability to alter the tempo of a match, whether through late-innings power-hitting or by delivering crucial overs with the ball. According to Broad, Pandya relishes high-pressure scenarios and carries a self-assurance that energises those around him.
India arrive for final net session before T20 World Cup semifinal
The semifinal also presents an added layer of comfort for Pandya, as it will be played at his IPL home venue. Familiarity with the surface and conditions, combined with strong crowd backing, could further enhance his influence on the game.Offering a tactical perspective, Broad suggested England must be smart about when Pandya comes to the crease. He believes the key lies in forcing him to bat earlier than he would ideally prefer, before he can slip seamlessly into his devastating finishing role.“If I am an England bowler, I think I need to get him in after 12 overs so I can bowl when he’s not in the hitting zone straightaway. He might think I would like to look at a few before going at the end. I would see that as my chance to get him out before he can hurt me in the last four overs. If India are just three or four down entering the death overs, that’s where India get over 200, and you are in a bit of trouble,” Broad said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.Broad further explained that Pandya becomes especially dangerous if India lay a strong foundation in the first half of the innings. With a solid platform in place, the all-rounder’s confidence and presence can take over the game.“If India sets up a good first ten overs, Hardik Pandya becomes a huge danger. When he walks in, he’s extremely confident. He has got an aura about him and an ego on him in a positive way. He just believes he can do the job. He is so wiry and slim that you think how he can hit the ball 100 metres like he does. But he does it so effortlessly,” he added.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman defended the United States men’s hockey team for their reactions to President Donald Trump talking about the women’s team following their gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Games.
While on the phone with the men’s team after they defeated Canada to win gold, Trump said he would “have” to invite the women’s team, which also defeated Canada to win Olympic gold, to last week’s State of the Union address. He added that he “probably would be impeached” if he did not extend an invitation to the women’s team.
Members of both teams have said they supported each other throughout the Olympics, and Bettman agreed with that sentiment.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media prior to a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)
“I know for a fact that the men’s team had no intention of doing anything to slight the women’s team,” Bettman said on Tuesday, via Sportsnet. “If anything, both teams were chanting, ‘Two for two.’
“What happened and how it was portrayed, I wish didn’t happen the way it did, and I think it was unfair to the men’s team. And again, I don’t think the women’s team had a different view of it. I mean, look at (U.S. women’s captain) Hilary Knight and the others talking about what happened. These two teams respected each other.”
Jeremy Swayman, the men’s team’s backup goaltender, admitted the team “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s comments. But he and Jack and Quinn Hughes all spoke highly of the women’s team and their relationships with them.
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Megan Keller (5) of the United States and Hannah Bilka (23) of the United States celebrate after winning the gold medal in women’s ice hockey after defeating Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 19, 2026.(Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
Jack Hughes told reporters after his gold medal-winning goal that the first thing he thought about when the puck went in was Megan Keller, who scored the golden goal for the United States women’s team against Canada three days earlier.
The brothers’ mother, Ellen, a former Team USA player and current player development staff member, said the players only cared about “bring[ing] so much unity to a group and to a country.”
Team USA men’s hockey gold medalists have irked liberal pundits and news organizations despite captivating the nation with their Olympic accomplishment.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
This season of Big Ten women’s basketball has featured must-watch games and a deep pool of talent. The conference is now getting together for the Big Ten Tournament this week at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Action tipped off Wednesday afternoon, and Sunday’s championship game airs on CBS.
UCLA was the outright champion of the conference regular season title after completing the first perfect Big Ten season in more than a decade. The Bruins are the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament and have likely already locked in a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa is the No. 2 seed for the Big Ten Tournament as Jan Jensen continues to succeed in the post-Lisa Bluder and post-Caitlin Clark era. Earlier this season, the Hawkeyes got three consecutive wins against top-15 opponents for the first time in program history.
USC has struggled without star JuJu Watkins, as reflected by the Trojans’ 17-12 overall record. However, they have had a few bright spots, including a win over Iowa on Jan. 29. Jazzy Davidson is a top Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate as she has led the Trojans in every major category.
The biggest surprise this season has been Minnesota, a team that has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2018. The Gophers are not just set to return to the Big Dance, they are projected to host for the first time ever as a top-four seed. They earned the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten, which means a double-bye this week.
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Women’s basketball Big Ten Tournament bracket
Women’s basketball Big Ten Tournament schedule
All times Eastern
Wednesday, March 4 — First Round
Game 1: No. 13 Indiana 72, No. 12 Nebraska 69
Game 2: No. 15 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 Illinois — 25 min. after Game 1 (Peacock)
Game 3: No. 14 Purdue vs. No. 11 Oregon — 25 min. after Game 2 (Peacock)
Thursday, March 5 — Second Round
Game 4: No. 9 USC vs. No. 8 Washington — 12 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Game 5: Indiana vs. No. 5 Ohio State — 25 min. after Game 4 (BTN)
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 7 Michigan State — 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. 6 Maryland — 35 min. after Game 6 (BTN)
Friday, March 6 — Quarterfinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. 1 UCLA — 12 p.m. (BTN)
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 4 Minnesota — 25 min. after Game 8 (BTN)
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 2 Iowa– 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. No. 3 Michigan — 25 min. after Game 10 (BTN)
Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals
Game 12: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner — 2 p.m. (BTN)
Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner — 4:30 p.m. (BTN)
Sunday, March 8 — Championship
Title game: Game 12 winner vs. Game 13 winner — 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
New Zealand opener Finn Allen created history in Kolkata by smashing the fastest century ever in a T20 World Cup on Wednesday, powering New Zealand into the final with a crushing nine-wicket win over South Africa.Chasing 170 in the first semi-final, Allen went on a rampage, scoring an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls.
Why India vs England semi-final match will be a nightmare for bowlers | T20 World Cup 2026
His knock broke the previous World Cup record of 47 balls set by Chris Gayle. New Zealand chased down the target in just 12.5 overs, finishing the match with 7.1 overs to spare.After the game, Allen said: “Yeah I would say it’s up there. Wanted to get into good positions and hit the ball. Wanted to put them on the back foot early. The way Seifert batted and got us to a flier helped me as well. We wanted to hit straight and enjoyed it together. “You adapt to the wicket, training is important. The boys played a lot on the blacksoil pitches against India before the World Cup so that was good intel. We look forward to the final on Sunday.”Allen’s 33-ball hundred is now the fastest in T20 World Cups, the fastest against a full-member team in T20 internationals, and joint third-fastest in all T20Is.Earlier, South Africa posted 169/8 in 20 overs, with Marco Jansen top-scoring with 55. But their total proved nowhere near enough. Tim Seifert gave New Zealand a flying start with 58 off 33 balls, setting the stage for Allen’s record-breaking blitz.With this dominant performance, New Zealand stormed into the final in style.
Chelsea significantly bolstered their Champions League aspirations with a commanding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, spearheaded by a sensational hat-trick from Joao Pedro.
Pedro’s first Premier League treble propelled Liam Rosenior’s side into the top five, narrowing the gap to a struggling Villa in fourth place to just three points.
Cole Palmer also found the net on a memorable evening for the Blues, who displayed remarkable resilience to overturn an early deficit following Douglas Luiz’s opening goal.
The performance marked the strongest display of Rosenior’s two-month tenure, instilling considerable confidence for the remainder of the season.
Despite Luiz striking within three minutes, initially raising Villa’s hopes of solidifying their own Champions League ambitions, the night ultimately soured for the home side.
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They have now won just one of their last six games and are in real danger of slipping out of contention for a place in next season’s most prestigious club competition.
And Unai Emery’s men are looking increasingly like they will need to win the Europa League as their route into it.
Chelsea boss Rosenior decided to drop goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after a difficult time against Arsenal on Sunday and replaced him with Filip Jorgensen.
And the Dane was picking the ball out of the net after just 150 seconds as Villa made a flying start.
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Leon Bailey did well down the right and his cutback was dummied by Ollie Watkins, allowing Luiz to flick home his first goal of his second spell at Villa Park.
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, left, celebrates his hat-trick goal at Villa Park (Nick Potts/PA)
Chelsea responded well and Villa needed Emiliano Martinez’s flying save to keep out Pedro’s header before Palmer then forced the Argentinian into another save with a shot from distance.
But Villa should have doubled their lead in the 23rd minute. Martinez kicked the ball long, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana fell over looking for a free-kick and Watkins raced in on goal but weakly shot straight at Jorgensen under pressure from Trevoh Chalobah.
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Watkins had another good chance soon after Emiliano Buendia played him in but Jorgensen beat the shot away with his arm.
The busy goalkeeper then got down well to keep out Morgan Rogers’ 34th-minute shot and that proved vital as 44 seconds later the game changed course.
Enzo Fernandez played in Malo Gusto, who beat the offside trap and laid the ball on a plate for Pedro to stab home from close range and level.
Villa thought they were back ahead five minutes later as Watkins finally beat Jorgensen, but he carelessly went a fraction early on his run and was ruled offside by VAR.
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But it was Chelsea who went in at half-time in front as Pedro struck again in the sixth minute of time added on. The former Brighton striker was slipped in by Fernandez and his smart dinked finish found the bottom corner.
Things got even better for the visitors 10 minutes after the restart as Palmer made it 3-1. Martinez recklessly palmed Reece James’ cross straight to the England international, who powered home a low finish through a crowd of bodies.
Villa were getting picked apart and Pedro claimed the match ball in the 64th minute with his hat-trick goal. Alejandro Garnacho raced down the left and teed up his team-mate, who could not miss from close range.
Garnacho could have made it five from another counter-attack, but he shot straight at Martinez.
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