Carolina’s offseason started fast when they burgled Jaelan Phillips away from Philadelphia via an incredible $30 million per year contract in the opening minutes of free agency. A team well acquainted with roster holes, the Panthers intentionally filled arguably their biggest need at edge almost immediately, while bringing in several other players on day one including linebacker Devin Lloyd, offensive linemen Luke Forner and Stone Forsythe, cornerback Akayleb Evans, and other ex-Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver John Metchie III. And they kept signing – between 3/10 and 3/20, they signed 21 players in a mad dash of transactions that would leave Julian Vandervelde’s head spinning (they even signed yet another Philly alumnus, RB AJ Dillon … was the Red Rifle trade some kind of peace offering? (Probably not.)) While, of course, not all of these players are starters, Carolina’s activity helped fill holes, add depth, and potentially provide them optionality in the draft.
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Looking at their roster, Carolina has several bright spots. Adding Phillips and Lloyd to a defense featuring stars Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown as well other solid players like Tre’von Moehrig, Mike Jackson, Bobby Brown, Tershawn Wharton, and Nic Scourton has the makings for a competitive unit. On offense, while there are questions around Bryce Young, he has taken steps forward in years two and three, surpassing 3,000 yards and throwing for 23 TDs in 2025. Due to that progress, Carolina seems prepared to build around him and see if he continues to take positive steps. Around Young, Carolina has some O-linemen to potentially be excited about (at least at guard and tackle) and some skill players that could form a strong core – particularly AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan.
Having said all of that, there are certainly needs. Sites that cover the Panthers seem to vary on the severity of some of these but point out, to some degree, needs along both lines and possibly at WR or LB. However, many point to TE and S as the biggest holes on the roster. While I’m a proponent of selecting the best player available as a baseline M.O., it’s hard to ignore glaring needs on a building team and potentially erasing a void by adding someone who could have an immediate impact – a philosophical point espoused by head coach Dave Canales.
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Luckily for Carolina at pick 19, that impact just collided at the intersection of need and available players, despite just missing out on some great options. While Dillon Thieneman, a spice so strong it burns the S out of your mouth (such a fun name to say out loud), would have been a terrific fit here, he is no longer an option thanks to Vikings at No. 18. Neither are most of the top O-lineman or anyone who has ever even audited a class at Ohio State (4 out of the first 9 picks is impressive). But you know who is available? Another exciting safety prospect in Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Oregon’s standout TE Kenyon Sadiq, and a couple compelling edge defenders in Akheem Mesidor and Keldric Faulk. Honestly, I could make an argument for any of these four options and any of them could be a good pick at 19. However, if all of these young men are in range of one another talent/value-wise, and I think they are, one must consider positional value and need to help decide. While being an Eagles fan has taught me to lean edge over safety and TE, I have to look closely at a roster that has several pass rushers, including the gem of their free agent class, and the contrasting, significant needs at S and TE. With my options narrowed to choosing between McNeil-Warren and Sadiq, I can’t ignore the potential to surround Young with another dynamic playmaker. Kenyon Sadiq it is and here’s why:
Need
I don’t want to overemphasize need, but addressing Carolina’s TE needs is essential with no compelling option currently on the roster. Sadiq would change that. While Tommy Tremble was selected in the third round in 2021, he has not proven to be a proficient receiver having never topped 250 yards or 3 TDs in a season (2025 was his best receiving year with 27 catches, 249 yards, and 2 TDs). Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in 29 catches in 2025 for 190 yards (for a mere 6.6 avg) and a TD over 13 games – a down year after netting 33 catches for 342 yards and 1 TD in his rookie season, 2024.
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Good Production (at least in 2025)
Sadiq has averaged 11.2 yards per catch in college, getting better each year. In 2025, he caught 51 passes for 560 yards (11.0 avg.) and a strong 8 TDs. He was a significant contributor to Oregon’s strong season that saw them advance to the Peach Bowl where they fell to the ultimate national champion Indiana Hoosiers. In a season that saw QB Dante Moore (over 3,500 yards) successfully spread the ball around, Oregon had five players surpass 497 yards receiving, Sadiq’s 560 yards were second on the team and his 8 TDs finished first on the team and led the nation among tight ends. He was reliable, catching 51 of his 71 targets (approximate) for a nearly 72% catch rate. While 560 yards and an 11-yard average are not other-worldly, they are good production especially considering his catch rate, number of scores, and YAC ability. 214 of his 560 total yards came after the catch coming in at a 4.73 YAC average. While this is certainly connected to the high number of screen passes that he caught, it exemplifies his versatility (more on that soon), athleticism (much more on that even sooner), and his abilities with the ball in his hands. Dante Moore had a strong 145.5 passer rating when targeting Sadiq, which transparently is not as high as Moore’s overall regular season number (163.72), but also very good (in the top six among TE’s) and possibly reflective of the high frequency of short throws that came Sadiq’s way.
Traits
Driving these numbers are notable strengths, particularly as a receiver. An incredible athlete (wait for it), Sadiq also exhibited good balance, hands, technique, extension, separation, and body control through the catch process. For example, his two TD game against Rutgers was filled with highlight catches, including an over-the-shoulder TD grab that many college tight ends just cannot do. He has a good feel for finding holes in zone defenses, making contested catches and then breaking tackles thereafter. He had a handful of gloriously angry runs this season that are just too fun to watch.
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Coupled with his strength and ability on screens and in open zones, he has unbelievable speed (wait for it) for a TE. He has the potential to blow the top off a defense from the slot, exposing safeties and linebackers that simply cannot keep up with him. Frankly, he’s going to eat up small slot CB’s and blow past LB’s and most safeties. He’s a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Rare Athleticism
Where Sadiq really stands out is athleticism. His combine numbers were elite. While there are some concerns about his agility, his speed and lower body power are remarkable. Nicknamed “The Freak” by his complimentary if not derivative teammates (Jevon Kearse much, anyone?!), this young man can freakin’ run and freakin’ jump.
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Sadiq set three TE records at the combine this year (caveats aplenty). That day, he tied David Njoku’s nine-year broad jump record of 11’1” AND Dorin Dickerson’s 2010 vertical jump record of 43.5”. While he was moments later out jumped by Eli Stowers in both categories (11’3” broad and 45.5” vertical – both new TE records), his jumping numbers are ostensibly elite. One record that Stowers did not beat… his combine 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds. While many sources established this as the new record over Vernon Davis’s 4.40 time, many contest that Davis actually ran it in 4.38. Either way, Sadiq is a special athlete.
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Positional Flexibility
Sadiq is a chess piece (which is an odd analogy for versatility since most chess pieces are highly specific, but whatever), able to move all over the formation. He played inline and detached, in the slot, and can even line up out wide or in the back field in some sets. He caught 37% of his passes behind the line (well above average) and 31% between 0 and 9 yards. That 68% mark shows his ability to work in traffic and highlights his YAC skills as mentioned above. 20% of his targets were medium length (10-19 yards) and 13% of them were beyond 20 yards. He can line up just about anywhere and has ability at all depths of target. He truly is a receiving weapon who strains a defense, particularly if playing in an offense that utilizes pre-snap motion, which the Panthers did more of in 2025 at 57% (at least compared to an abysmal 22% of their snaps in 2024) but could still increase. In a copy-cat league, it is worth noting that 2025 marked an all-time high in pre-snap motion across the league at 63.9%. A player like Sadiq could unlock new twists and multiply how the Panthers offense operates, scheming him and his teammates open.
Weaknesses
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The main concerns with Sadiq are his blocking (due to “tweener” size), relative experience, and consistency translating his traits and strengths play-in and play-out. Blunt truth: Sadiq is small for an NFL tight end. At 6’3” (15% among TE’s), and 241 lbs. (9%) with 31.5” arms (7%), he is not going to overwhelm a defensive lineman with his size. Understand, he is not weak. He actually played in line 44% of the time and recorded a 68.7 career PFF Run Block Grade (65%) which is a favorable comparative mark to recent TE sensations Colston Loveland and Brock Bowers (not saying he is on the same level as them). However, he is obviously not a mammoth blocking TE and should not be used as one, at least too frequently.
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As a player that translates more as a big slot or movable piece than he does as an inline blocker, he needs to be fit into a role that maximizes his strengths. To be clear, “blocking want-to” is not an issue. Sadiq plays hard, is strong, and seems to enjoy blocking, especially in the open when he can level a guy and look for another. He can be a tenacious blocker. There are just moments when he does not match up well against larger players (specifically in pass protection) and could use technique refinement. That limitation may give some teams pause in the first round.
With only 80 catches in college, he does not have the body of work that some top TE’s in other years did and despite a high catch rate, there do seem to be the occasional concentration-lapse, possibly from trying to turn and run just a moment too soon. While most of these weaknesses can improve with coaching and experience, especially issues of technique and focus, his size may limit how offenses can use him consistently.
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Impact
Recognizing that I wrote way too much about need above, I want to qualify that it’s not just about a hole on the roster, it is more about the impact Sadiq can have on the offense. In an offense with a potentially budding star WR in McMillan and other pass catchers with potential, a potent RB pair in Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard and a mobile, progressing QB like Bryce Young, Sadiq could prove to be an offensive weapon that makes Carolina an incredibly tough matchup for defenses. His ability to find a hole in the zone or take a screen pass and churn out tough yards / generate YAC as well as his elite speed to create down field are special and require attention by defenses. They have to plan for him. He has the ability to produce yards and points or to simply preoccupy safeties and clog the middle when necessary to loosen up coverages for teammates on the edges.
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Adding Kenyon Sadiq instantly makes the Carolina offense fun and competitive. The Panthers won the weak NFC South with an 8-9 record last year, taking it over Tampa Bay and Atlanta via tiebreakers. In a weak division, this team could become a consistent playoff team and potentially one that brings some joy to their fanbase, one that has not seen much success over the last decade. For me, Sadiq is a special talent and could be a piece that takes the Panthers’ offense to a new level.
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*That was as TLDR as possible. Work sucked this week and I needed this. I hope it was enjoyable to read. Thanks.
Apr 15, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Players and coaches are wearing number 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Two teams trending in opposite directions meet when the St. Louis Cardinals aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
St. Louis beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday for their sixth straight win, while Los Angeles’ offense has gone quiet during its four-game losing streak.
Michael McGreevy tossed six scoreless innings on Saturday to help the Cardinals move a season-best seven games over .500 at 20-13.
“We’re going to give you hell when you play us,” McGreevy said. “There (were) a ton of expectations put on us in the offseason, and it’s been so freeing for the guys just to be able to show up and play.”
Jordan Walker hit his 10th home run of the season Saturday and is 6-for-8 with four RBIs in the first two games of the series.
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“It just feels nice that the work that I put in during the offseason is showing up here,” Walker said. “Now the main focus is just keeping it consistent, and it feels like I know what it feels like, so when I get (off track), just get back on.”
The Dodgers have gone five straight games without a home run and have hit a total of three homers in their past 11 games. Los Angeles also hit into four double plays in Saturday’s loss.
“It’s what every team is going to go through in baseball throughout the course of a season,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I felt tonight, although it didn’t show for the first eight innings, I thought the intentions were better on balls in the hitting zone.”
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Los Angeles has been held to two runs or fewer in six of its last 11 games.
After opening the season on a tear at the plate, Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages has eight hits in his last 38 at-bats. He struck out twice Saturday.
“Just trying to focus on what I can do, not focus so much on the whole,” Pages said through an interpreter. “Just focus on taking good at-bats, doing good turns, not really trying to get too ahead of myself. Baseball is really hard. So offensively, there’s gonna be times where we’re not clicking, and that’s one of those times right now.”
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (4-0, 1.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Dodgers. He won his fourth straight start last Sunday, allowing four hits over six solid innings in a 6-0 home win over the Chicago Cubs.
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Wrobleski, 25, has allowed two runs on 16 hits in 26 innings across his last four outings.
Pedro Pages is 4-for-6 with two homers against Wrobleski, who is 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus St. Louis.
The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Dustin May (3-2, 5.28), who spent the first five-plus seasons of his career from 2019-25 with the Dodgers.
May, 28, gave up two runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Monday. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, going 3-0 in those outings. May is facing his former team for the first time.
Ulster welcome Exeter Chiefs to the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening (5:30pm) with a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup final on the line—and the bookmakers have them slight favourites at -2.
It’s a tight spread for a knockout game, but the team news from Richie Murphy suggests Ulster are going all-in to get the job done on home soil.
Big Guns Return at the Right Time
There are 14 changes from last week’s URC outing, which tells you everything about where Ulster’s focus has been. This is close to full strength—and it shows.
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Captain Iain Henderson returns to lead the side, partnering Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row. More importantly, the back row gets a serious lift with the return of Nick Timoney from injury, alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus.
That trio gives Ulster real bite at the breakdown and ball-carrying power—something they’ve lacked at times this season.
Up front, Tom Stewart anchors the front row between Sam Crean and Tom O’Toole. It’s a solid unit, but it will need to stand up physically against a typically abrasive Exeter pack.
Midfield Power and Back Three Threat
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Ulster’s strength arguably lies in their midfield. Stuart McCloskey is back pulling the strings at 12, bringing his usual mix of direct running and distribution. Alongside him, Jude Postlethwaite continues to grow into the role at 13.
Out wide, Jacob Stockdale returns on the left, with Zac Ward—Ulster’s leading try-scorer this season—on the right. Add in Michael Lowry at 15, and there’s plenty of attacking spark if Ulster can get quick ball.
The half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy will be key. Doak’s control and kicking game, in particular, could decide whether Ulster play this in the right areas.
Bench Impact Could Be Decisive
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Murphy has gone with a 5:3 split on the bench, signalling a clear intent to win the physical battle late on.
Eric O’Sullivan and Tom McAllister provide fresh legs in the front row, while Bryn Ward adds energy in the back row.
In the backs, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy offer versatility and attacking threat if the game opens up.
In tight knockout matches, that depth often proves the difference—and Ulster look well covered.
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The Betting Angle: Is -2 Too Low?
A -2 handicap is about as tight as it gets. It’s essentially asking one question: do Ulster win the match?
Given the return of key players, home advantage, and Exeter’s patchy away form, the line looks slightly on the conservative side.
That said, semi-finals are rarely straightforward. Exeter will bring physicality, set-piece pressure, and enough experience to keep this close if Ulster don’t start well.
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The biggest risk for Ulster is discipline and game management. If they give Exeter territory or easy points, this turns into a dogfight quickly.
Verdict
Ulster have named a team capable of winning this—and more importantly, one built for knockout rugby.
With Henderson leading, Timoney back, and McCloskey carrying in midfield, they should have enough control and power to edge it.
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It won’t be pretty, and it won’t be comfortable—but it doesn’t need to be.
Joshua is set for the biggest payday of his career for the fight with Fury but the latter’s promoter, Frank Warren, has said the bout fight will not happen if Joshua loses to Prenga.
“There is a lot of pressure going into this fight but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered,” said Hearn. “Physically, mentally, fighting again at all and that’s why it’s needed.
“We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm up fight – he wasn’t quite ready’.
“We want to be 100% ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him and he’ll knock him out.”
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Joshua’s was beaten by Daniel Dubois in his last fight before beating Paul and his last win against a recognised opponent came against Otto Wallin in December 2023.
“100%, I think there is no doubt about that,” said Hearn when asked if Joshua’s fight against Fury would be off he lost to Prenga. “There’s no doubt, and that’s the risk that we take.
“Even before the incident in Nigeria, we were always having this fight. Now he has been through that, we probably need this fight even more, if I’m honest.
“Now don’t get me wrong, the risk of that versus the pot of gold at the end, it is a risky game, especially when you are fighting a guy that not many people know about, has had 20 knockouts in 21 wins and has got absolutely nothing to lose.
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“We know it’s dangerous, but if you can’t beat that guy then you don’t really deserve to be in a ring with Tyson Fury.
“I think with AJ that is a fair assessment and he understands that as well.
“It’s not about trying to protect money here – ‘Oh we don’t want to take that fight because if we get beat we won’t get paid the money’.
“We have to look good in that fight because we want to beat Tyson Fury. We’ve got no interest in just turning up and taking the money.”
Nico O’Reilly expects the title race to go to the wire as Manchester City chase Arsenal.
City, trailing the Premier League leaders by six points but with two games in hand, need to win at Everton on Monday to keep the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Three successive wins — including a crucial victory over Arsenal — have given City a momentum they are determined to maintain.
O’Reilly, who has excelled in left-back and midfield roles this term, said: “We’re confident in ourselves. There are still a few games to go and it could go down to the last game.
“We’re going to try and win every game and score as much as we can. We’re going into every game trying to put a good performance in and win.”
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City moved top of the table on goals scored by beating Burnley last time out but FA Cup involvement and the league schedule have since allowed Arsenal to move back in front.
The Gunners now have the advantage of points on the board, but O’Reilly insists that has not affected City’s approach.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m feeling good and positive and ready for the last few weeks. Everyone is feeling good and we’re excited for the last few weeks of the season.”
O’Reilly has been one of the stars of City’s campaign, first establishing himself as a member of the back four before being handed opportunities in his more natural midfield position.
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He is among the leading contenders for young player of the year awards, but O’Reilly is focusing only on the immediate task.
“It would be a great achievement but there are still a few games to go and we’ll see what happens,” said O’Reilly, whose form also looks set to earn him an England World Cup spot.
“I just need to knuckle down and keep working hard.
“With all the games and how intense it is, I don’t think there’s much time to reflect yet. I think that’s when we have time off.”
With all of the playoff basketball going on, it seems like I’ve forgotten all about baseball. However, that’s not the case. I’ve still been monitoring it, and we’ve collected some cash on the few bets I’ve put out on the game lately. Today, I have a really strong look at the game between the Reds and Pirates that takes place in Pittsburgh.
The Reds are one of the best teams in baseball, which is not exactly something that I expected to write this season. They made the postseason last year, but considering the lack of moves in the offseason, I just didn’t expect them to be great.
What is probably the most surprising about the Reds is just how good they have been on the road this season. Last year, there wasn’t really any good road team. Those that were above .500, with the exception of the Astros, made the postseason.
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A Cincinnati Reds cap with a special logo is seen during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 3, 2021. Cincinnati defeated Chicago 3-2.(Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Today, the Reds look to keep that success going with Rhett Lowder on the hill. For the year, Lowder is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has made six starts for the year, with exactly half coming at home and on the road. He has an ERA a full run lower on the road than at home, allowing five earned over 17.1 innings. Four of those runs came in one game against the Marlins. The Pirates are hitting just 2-for-11 against Lowder in their careers.
The Pirates are better than they were last year, but not exactly a successful club at the moment. They are hovering around .500 for the season, which is about what they were doing last year. The team still needs to figure out hitting, but they are doing better than last year.
They lost five straight games before this series, losing one to the Brewers and four to the Cardinals. Maybe it was just a bad stretch, or maybe it is a sign of things to come. In those games, they allowed 35 runs and scored 18. That’s an average of seven allowed and 3.6 scored.
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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 26, 2026.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
Trying to get the Pirates back on track is Carmen Mlodzinski. For the year, he is 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has been substantially better at home, but most of his opportunities have come on the road. He is pitching to a 1.69 ERA and allowed just two earned runs over 10.2 innings. His lone home start saw him go six scoreless innings and allow two hits and two walks. In his history, he has allowed just three hits in 27 at-bats against the Reds.
We have two starters today who are in better situations for them. Mlodzinski has been better at home, and Lowder better on the road. These are still small sample sizes, but it is a bit encouraging. The way the Pirates have been bleeding runs makes me concerned that the under will be toast. The Reds have been a bit all over the place with scoring and runs allowed.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws a pitch during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 21, 2026.(Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
In this particular situation, I think it makes the most sense to back the under. Both teams have been playing higher-scoring games right now, but with these two hurlers, we should see fewer runs.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has expressed concern over the continued detention of Senegalese football supporters in Morocco after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The fans were reportedly arrested after the final match between Senegal and Morocco during the tournament hosted by Morocco.
Speaking on the issue, President Faye said he personally reached out to Mohammed VI in a bid to secure the release or pardon of the detained supporters, but efforts have not produced any positive outcome.
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“I wrote to the King of Morocco to congratulate him on hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and to ask him to pardon our fans,” Faye said.
“I addressed the legal, diplomatic, and religious aspects, but he did not issue any positive response.”
The situation has continued to attract reactions from football fans in Senegal, with many urging both governments to find a diplomatic solution to the matter.
Mumbai Indians etched their name in cricket history on May 2, 2026, becoming the first team ever to surpass the 50,000-run mark in T20 cricket. The milestone was achieved during their IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. Entering the match needing 114 runs to reach the landmark, MI crossed the historic threshold in the 15th over of their innings.Interestingly, the record came in a game where Mumbai posted a below-par total, but the significance of the achievement overshadowed the result. In their 308th T20 appearance, the franchise became the first to breach the 50,000-run barrier, underlining their longevity and dominance in the shortest format.Mumbai Indians’ tally includes runs accumulated across 286 IPL matches and 22 Champions League Twenty20 games. Their consistency over the years has made them one of the most successful and prolific teams in T20 history.Top ContributorsLeading the charge is former captain Rohit Sharma, who has been the backbone of MI’s batting with 6,286 runs. He is followed by Suryakumar Yadav (3,933 runs) and Kieron Pollard (3,915 runs), both of whom have played crucial roles in the franchise’s success.Global T20 Run Leaders (as of May 2, 2026)
Mumbai Indians – 50,003 runs (308 matches)
Somerset County Cricket Club – 48,244 runs (303 matches)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 47,304 runs (295 matches)
Chennai Super Kings – 46,438 runs (286 matches)
India national cricket team – 45,241 runs (281 matches)
Coming to the match, MI collapsed from a promising position to finish at 159/7, with Naman Dhir top-scoring with 57. The middle order once again faltered, unable to capitalise despite a solid platform. CSK’s bowling was led by Anshul Kamboj (3/32), while Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton applied consistent pressure through the middle overs.In reply, CSK chased down the target comfortably, powered by an unbeaten 67 from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and a steady 54* from Kartik Sharma. The victory at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium not only completed a league double over their arch-rivals but also dealt a significant blow to Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes, while keeping CSK firmly in contention.
MUMBAI : In a significant boost to her career, Delhi Capitals pacer Nandani Sharma has earned her maiden India call-up for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with the BCCI naming a 15-member squad on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has also been picked for the historic one-off Test at Lord’s from July 10, immediately after the tournament.
The uncapped Chandigarh seamer forced her way into contention with a standout debut WPL season, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps in 10 games for runners-up Delhi Capitals. Her campaign, highlighted by a hat-trick in just her second match, marked her out as one of the season’s breakout stars.
The squad also sees the return of wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, while Anushka Sharma and Uma Chetry miss out. Injuries ruled out promising allrounders Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (knee), opening the door for Radha’s recall and strengthening India’s spin depth alongside Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani.
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Explaining the omissions, chief selector Amita Sharma said Kashvee would undergo surgery, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed Amanjot could be sidelined for up to five months.
Yastika, returning after an ACL surgery that ruled her out of the 2025 ODI World Cup, last played a T20I in April 2024. Her comeback adds experience to the lower-middle order and wicketkeeping group led by Richa Ghosh.
Radha, who has featured in 89 T20Is and taken 103 wickets, returns in time for her fifth T20 World Cup, bringing experience and control to India’s bowling attack.
India will open their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham and are placed in a challenging Group A alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The squad will assemble for a pre-tournament camp at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence from May 10 before heading to England for a three-match T20I series, which will serve as preparation.
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Harmanpreet, set to feature in her 10th T20 World Cup and lead India for the fifth time, will be aiming to end India’s wait for a maiden T20 World Cup title after their 50over World Cup triumph.
Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as Golden Tempo surged from last place to triumph by a neck at Churchill Downs.
Jockey Joe Ortiz urged the 23-1 shot past 4-1 favourite Renegade – ridden by his brother Irad Ortiz Jr – on the line in a breathtaking finish, while Ocelli was third in the 152nd edition of the race.
“Today’s my day and Golden Tempo’s day,” said Joe Ortiz, after winning American Flat racing’s most prestigious event at the 11th attempt.
“I want [brother Irad] to win the Derby, of course – I know it’s his dream as well – but it happened that way. I think he should be happy, his horse ran a very good race.”
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Winning trainer DeVaux said she never imagined she would be victorious in the Kentucky Derby.
“I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed bushy tailed exercise rider and I would not believe that I would be sitting up here today,” she added.
Golden Tempo was at the back of the 18-strong field with half a mile of the one and quarter mile race to go.
Renegade was also off the pace, about 15 lengths back midway through the race as he tried to become the first horse to win from the inside gate in 40 years.
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But after storming down the final stretch it looked like the favourite had secured victory, only for Golden Tempo to edge past him on the line, winning in a time of two minutes 2.27 seconds.
Joe Ortiz followed up his victory in the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always A Runner on Friday to become just the ninth jockey to win both races in the same year.
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