Image credit: Mohun Bagan’s X handle

Amid unprecedented uncertainty in Indian football, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Wednesday handed a triple blow to Mohun Bagan Super Giant, imposing a continental ban and fines totaling USD 100,729 (approximately INR 91 lakh) after the club withdrew from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee ruled that the reigning Indian Super League champions wrongfully withdrew from the competition following their refusal to travel to Iran for a group-stage match against Sepahan SC. Mohun Bagan was handed a one-season ban from AFC competitions.

In Decision VVC 20251217DC21, the committee found the Kolkata-based club guilty of breaching Article 5 (Withdrawal from the Competition) of the ACL Two Competition Regulations after failing to fulfil its fixture once the group stage had begun.As part of the sanctions, the Mariners were “fined USD 50,000,” ordered to pay “USD 50,729 as compensation for damages and losses” claimed by the AFC and Sepahan SC, and “disqualified from participating in the next AFC club competition for which they would otherwise qualify, with the ban remaining effective up to and including the 2027–28 season.”The committee also ruled that Mohun Bagan would forfeit all subsidies linked to their participation in the 2025-26 ACL Two season, including participation fees, performance bonuses, and travel subsidies. Any amount already paid must be repaid within 30 days.“The compensation shall be paid to the AFC within thirty (30) days of the date that this Decision is communicated,” the order stated.Terming the decision “biased,” a Mohun Bagan official told PTI that the matter is pending at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and they are “hoping for a resolution.”“It’s a biased decision against our club; our matter is pending at CAS and we’re hopeful of a resolution. However, the club may pay up the fines,” he added.The ruling comes after Mohun Bagan cited player safety concerns, as six foreign players declined the trip to Iran following advisories from their governments. The club had requested a venue change and later approached CAS, but the AFC deemed it a withdrawal, triggering strict disciplinary action. The case mirrors the previous season, when Mohun Bagan similarly did not travel to Iran to face Tractor SC but had escaped sanction.AIFF fined USD 1,000 for delayed restartIn Decision VVC 20251217DC08, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee fined the All India Football Federation (AIFF) USD 1,000 for delaying the restart of the second half during India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 final-round qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18, 2025.The committee found that AIFF representatives caused a delay of one minute and 43 seconds in commencing the second half, breaching Article 2 (Official Countdown) of the AFC Competitions Operations Manual. The AIFF was ordered to settle the fine within 30 days, under Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.FC Goa fined USD 5,000 for security lapseIn another ruling (VVC 20251217DC19), the AFC fined FC Goa USD 5,000 for failing to ensure stadium safety during their ACL Two group-stage match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr on October 22.The committee found the club violated Article 64 (Organization of Matches) of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code after a spectator invaded the area surrounding the field of play. The ruling noted that FC Goa failed to fully comply with safety regulations and did not take all precautions required to maintain law and order. The fine must be paid within 30 days of communication.Indian football faces administrative paralysisThe AFC’s disciplinary actions come at a time when Indian football is grappling with deep structural and administrative uncertainty. The domestic season remains in limbo, with no confirmation on the ISL, I-League, or I-League 2 following the expiry of the 15-year agreement between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the AIFF on December 8.The ISL usually starts in September, while the I-League was scheduled to begin on October 19. With the impasse continuing, the Union Sports Ministry, led by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, has stepped in to hold meetings with all stakeholders to prevent a complete collapse of the domestic calendar.A proposed resolution is expected within the next week, as officials race against time amid fears that India could go without a men’s domestic league season for the first time since 1996—a scenario that would further damage the country’s standing in Asian football.

In a significant blow to the Men in Blue, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the fourth T20I against South Africa at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The opener is sidelined due to a foot injury sustained ahead of the clash on Wednesday, December 17.

India’s injury concerns grow with Shubman Gill ruled out of Lucknow T20I

Gill’s exclusion adds to India’s mounting availability concerns. The vice-captain had only recently returned to the squad after recovering from a neck issue that kept him out of the preceding ODI series. This setback follows the news that all-rounder Axar Patel will miss the remainder of the series due to illness.

With the T20 World Cup approaching in February, these injuries are a concern for the team management as they look to finalize their core lineup during the remaining games against South Africa and the upcoming home series against New Zealand.

A struggling series for the Indian vice-captain

Before the injury, Gill was facing a dip in form. Tasked with finding his rhythm after a lukewarm Asia Cup campaign, the opener struggled to find his footing against the Proteas’ attack:

• Total runs: 32 runs in 3 matches
• Series average: 10.66
• Strike rate: 103.22
• Recent scores: 4 (Cuttack), 0 (Mullanpur), and 28 (Dharamshala).

Overall, 2025 has been a quiet year by Gill’s standards, with the right-hander accumulating 291 runs in 15 matches at an average of 24.25.

Also READ: IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya scripts history with unique milestone during 3rd T20I

Sanju Samson may return at the top

Gill’s absence is expected to pave the way for Sanju Samson to return to the playing XI. Samson, who last featured in a T20I during the tour of Australia, boasts an impressive record as an opener. In 2024, he was a standout performer for India in the shortest format.

Fog delays start in Lucknow

While the team news has fans buzzing, the match itself faces a weather-related hurdle. The toss at the Ekana Stadium has been delayed due to heavy fog in Lucknow. Groundstaff and officials are monitoring the visibility levels to determine when play can safely commence.

Also READ: Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav discusses his current lean patch in T20Is ahead of Lucknow clash vs South Africa

US stocks were largely steady in early trade on Wednesday as oil prices rebounded from multi-year lows, with energy stocks lending support after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers into Venezuela, according to an AP report.The S&P 500 was up 0.1% in early trading, coming off three straight sessions of losses but still hovering near record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 171 points, while the Nasdaq composite was flat. Shares of oil producers led gains as US crude climbed 1.4%, clawing back some losses after sliding to its lowest level since 2021 in the previous session.The move in oil followed Trump’s order to block sanctioned Venezuelan tankers, a step that came after US forces last week seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast. The action marked an escalation in pressure on the Nicolás Maduro government amid a broader US military buildup in the region, AP reported.Asian and European markets traded mostly higher earlier in the day, supported by gains in technology stocks and the jump in crude prices. In Europe, Germany’s DAX rose 0.3%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.1%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 surged 1.4%.In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.3% as investors awaited a Bank of Japan decision on interest rates later this week. Expectations of a rate hike were bolstered by data showing Japan’s exports rose 6% in November from a year earlier, with shipments to the US increasing for the first time since March. A trade deal with the Trump administration that lowered proposed tariffs on Japanese goods also supported sentiment.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 0.9%, Shanghai’s Composite index jumped 1.2%, and South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1.4%, led by strong gains in chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. Australia’s benchmark index slipped 0.2%.On Tuesday, Wall Street saw mixed trading as economic data failed to provide clarity on the future path of US interest rates. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Dow dropped 0.6%, while the Nasdaq edged up 0.2%. Reports showed the US unemployment rate at its weakest level since 2021, even as job creation exceeded expectations. Separate data pointed to stronger-than-expected retail revenue growth.Markets continue to weigh hopes that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates in 2026 against concerns over persistent inflation. Investors are now awaiting inflation data due on Thursday, which is expected to show consumer prices rising faster than policymakers would prefer.Oil prices, after sliding sharply on expectations of ample global supply, rebounded early Wednesday. US crude rose to about $56 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed to nearly $60. In currency markets, the dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen, while the euro slipped slightly against the US dollar.

Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Carlos Alcaraz has announced the end of his long and hugely successful partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, bringing to a close a seven-year journey that took the Spaniard to the very top of men’s tennis. The world No. 1 confirmed the decision on Wednesday through a message on social media, while Ferrero released a separate statement expressing his gratitude and disappointment that their time together had come to an end. Ferrero began working with Alcaraz when he was just 15, and under his guidance the young Spaniard enjoyed one of the most remarkable rises in the modern game. During their time together, Alcaraz won six Grand Slam titles, lifting the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open trophies twice each. He also collected 24 tour-level titles, including eight Masters 1000 crowns. “After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our chapter as coach and player,” Alcaraz wrote. “Thank you for turning childhood dreams into reality. We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and you have been with me on an incredible path both on and off the court. I enjoyed every single step.” One of the defining moments of their partnership came in 2022, when Alcaraz won the US Open at the age of 19 to become the youngest player in history to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings. Ferrero described the separation as an emotional moment, reflecting on the bond they had built over the years. “Today is a difficult day,” he said. “Saying goodbye is never easy, especially after so many shared experiences. We have worked hard, grown together, and lived unforgettable moments.” Alcaraz did not indicate whether he would immediately appoint a new head coach. Last year, Samuel Lopez was brought into the setup to work alongside Ferrero, and both Ferrero and Lopez were recently named ATP Coaches of the Year. The award followed another outstanding season for Alcaraz, who reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking after winning 71 matches, the most of his career in a single year. He finished the season with eight titles, including triumphs at Roland Garros and the US Open. Despite stepping away, Ferrero expressed confidence in Alcaraz’s future. “We have been an incredible team despite the difficulties,” he said. “I am sure he will continue to achieve great success. I wish I could have continued, and I believe good people and good memories always find a way to cross paths again.”

The mutual fund industry in India reached a milestone in November, with total assets under management rising to Rs 80.80 lakh crore, marking a 18.7 per cent year-over-year growth from Rs 68.08 lakh crore. It added over Rs 12.7 lakh crore to its asset base in the past year, according to Franklin Templeton’s “Mutual Fund Industry Dashboard” report released for November.Monthly SIP flows surged to Rs 29,445 crore in November, up 16 per cent year-on-year, representing a doubling of SIP flows in less than three years. Average SIP ticket size expanded to Rs 2,939 per month compared to Rs 2,476 annually, indicating participation is broadening to higher-income segments. Aggregate SIP flows over the past 12 months reached Rs 3.30 lakh crore, up 27 percent from Rs 2.59 lakh crore in the comparable prior period.Meanwhile the industry also marked 5.84 crore unique investor accounts in November, while adding 66 lakh new investors over the past year. This expansion signifies a reach beyond traditional metropolitan bases, with new account registrations climbing to 57.14 lakh in the same month compared to 49.47 lakh a year earlier.Equity-oriented funds continue to receive the largest share at 60.2 per cent of industry AUM, or approximately Rs 58.26 lakh crore. Within equity funds, SIPs have become increasingly prominent, representing 28.4 percent of total equity AUM, up from 27.5 percent a year ago. Equity net sales have maintained positive momentum for 57 consecutive months, nearly five uninterrupted years. Additionally, passive fund investments grew 24.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 13.72 lakh crore, with their share rising from 16 per cent to 17 per cent of total AUM, marking a structural shift toward low-cost, index-based strategies.In addition to the top-15 (B30) cities, smaller metropolitan and tier-2 centers now account for 35 per cent of industry AUM, compared to just 26 per cent in September 2020. This shift indicates mutual funds are penetrating deeper into India’s semi-urban populations, significantly expanding the investor base. Notably, Haryana and Rajasthan led state-level growth, marking increase of 23.74 per cent and 22.31 per cent respectively.The mutual fund industry’s relative importance in finance has been increasing, with MF AUM now representing 33.3 per cent of bank deposits, up from 31.2 per cent a year ago. Individual investors, combining retail and high-net-worth categories, accounted for 60 per cent of total industry AUM, with assets growing at a 23 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past decade. Domestic institutional investors generated net inflows of Rs 7.4 lakh crore over the past 12 months, while foreign portfolio investors recorded net outflows of Rs 2.9 lakh crore, showing the industry’s dependence on robust domestic capital flows.Global mutual fund markets’ steady expansionThe global mutual fund market reached $85 trillion in regulated open-end funds during the third quarter of 2025, reflecting 13 percent year-on-year growth. North and South America together hold a 57 per cent share of global assets, while Europe accounts for 32 percent and the Asia-Pacific region comprises 11 per cent.In the US, the mutual fund and ETF sector has more than doubled, growing at a 10 percent compound annual growth rate over the past decade. Passive funds now represent 52 percent of total AUM, up from just 24 percent in 2015. This structural shift toward passive investing reflects a global trend toward low-cost, index-based investment strategies that continues to reshape the international financial landscape.

India‘s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav faced questions about his prolonged batting struggles during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, where India secured a seven-wicket victory to lead the five-match series 2-1. Scoring just 12 off 11 balls before falling to Lungi Ngidi, Suryakumar extended his lean run across 21 T20I innings, with only two notable scores, a 75 against Bangladesh and an unbeaten 47 versus Pakistan, disrupting an otherwise consistent record. His 2025 T20I average dipped to 14.20, highlighting challenges against pace bowling at a strike rate below 126.​

India captain Suryakumar Yadav reacts to criticism over T20I slump

Suryakumar dismissed form concerns post-match, emphasizing sharp net practice and confidence in an imminent turnaround.

“I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. When the runs have to come, they’ll come. Not out of form, definitely out of runs,” he stated during the post-match presentation.

He praised the team’s resilience after the second T20I loss in Mullanpur, crediting a return to basics from the Cuttack win, productive bowler meetings, and honest discussions that fuelled the comeback.​

Also READ: IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya scripts history with unique milestone during 3rd T20I

Suryakumar’s toughest T20I phase

The drop in Suryakumar’s T20I production throughout 2025 is stark when compared to his historic peak where he maintained a career-best rating of 912 points. In the current calendar year, his numbers have plummeted to a mediocre average of 14.2 across 18 innings, with a strike rate that has dipped from his usual 170+ range to a more restrained 125.29.

Suryakumar, once the undisputed world number one in the format, is currently navigating the most challenging statistical slump of his international career. Throughout 2025, the batter formerly known as “Mr. 360” has struggled to replicate the explosive, game-changing innings that became his trademark between 2021 and 2023. This downturn has been particularly evident during the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, where he has recorded scores of 12, 5, and 12, failing to provide the middle-order impetus India has come to expect.

While he remains a tactical asset as a leader, having recently guided India to an Asia Cup T20 title, the disconnect between his record-breaking IPL 2025 form and his international output has sparked concerns among experts and fans alike. With the next T20 World Cup fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on the skipper to rediscover his rhythm and silence the growing scrutiny regarding his batting consistency.

Also WATCH: Arshdeep Singh removes Reeza Hendricks with a beauty in 3rd T20I – IND vs SA

Luthra brothers (File photo)

NEW DELHI: A Goa court on Wednesday sent Saurav Luthra and Gaurav Luthra to 5-day police custody in connection with the devastating fire at an Arpora club venue. The Luthra brothers are the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which was engulfed in fire that claimed 25 lives.The brothers were produced before the Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court after being brought back to Goa from Thailand. The court remanded them to police custody to allow investigators to question them about the circumstances leading to the blaze and alleged safety lapses at the club.

Before being produced in court, the duo underwent multiple medical examinations. After landing at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, around 10.45 am under police escort, they were first taken to a primary health centre in Siolim and later to the District Hospital in Mapusa for health check-ups.On court directions, they were again sent for a fresh medical examination before being presented before JMFC Puja Sardesai, who ordered five days of police custody.The fire broke out on December 6 around 11.45 pm during a crowded event at the nightclub, when electric firecrackers allegedly struck the wooden ceiling, triggering a massive blaze. 25 people, including tourists and staff, lost their lives, while several others were injured.According to the police, the brothers fled India within hours of the incident. They left for Thailand on December 7, even as rescue operations were under way and a criminal case was registered against them at the Anjuna police station. Goa Police subsequently launched a nationwide and international manhunt, issuing a lookout circular and seeking an Interpol Blue Notice.After their passports were suspended by the ministry of external affairs, Thai authorities detained the brothers in Phuket for illegal stay. They were later deported to India on emergency travel documents issued by the Indian embassy. The duo landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, where they were arrested by Goa Police and produced before a Delhi court, which granted a 48-hour transit remand.Police have booked them under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence.Investigators have also arrested several others linked to the nightclub’s operations and are probing allegations that the venue was operating with expired licences and without mandatory safety clearances.