Photo credit: X/@tndragonshockey

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Dragons moved to the top of the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) table with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over JSW Soorma Club here on Tuesday. Dominant for much of the match, the Dragons were pushed to the limit in the closing stages as Soorma mounted a late fightback, but the hosts held firm to claim an important win. Selvaraj Kanagaraj (28th), Uttam Singh (30th) and Blake Govers (47th) scored for the Dragons, while Maninder Singh (45th) and captain Harmanpreet Singh (58th) kept Soorma in contention until the final moments. Soorma began the match with patient possession in their own half, but the Dragons pressed high and forced an early save from goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch inside the first minute. Both teams entered the circle regularly but struggled to create clear chances. Dragons captain Amit Rohidas carried the ball forward in the 10th minute but found no support. The Dragons earned the first penalty corner in the 12th minute, which Soorma defended well through Victor Wegnez. Harjeet was later shown the green card as the opening phase ended scoreless, with both sides cancelling each other out. The intensity rose as the game progressed in the second quarter. The Dragons won another penalty corner through good work by Sander Kauffman, but Blake Govers’ flick was saved and his rebound attempt failed to trouble Vincent. Karthik then made a strong run down the flank and found Nathan inside the circle, but the shot went wide. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Selvaraj Kanagaraj finished cleanly after a well-timed pass from Chandan Yadav on the right. The goal gave the Dragons momentum, and they struck again just before half time. Uttam Singh doubled the lead in the 30th minute with a fine reverse hit to make it 2-0, moments after Soorma’s Gurjant Singh was shown a green card. In the third quarter, Soorma responded after the break with greater urgency. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, playing on his birthday, won their first penalty corner in the 36th minute but failed to convert. Akashdeep Singh later went close from a tight angle, while the Dragons remained disciplined in defence. Soorma’s best chance came in the 42nd minute when Vivek Prasad found space in the circle, but Dragons goalkeeper David Harte produced a sharp save. The closing seconds of the period brought drama as Nathan Ephramus goal for the Dragons was disallowed for a back-stick. From the resulting free hit, Harmanpreet sent a lofted ball into the circle, and a deflection fell to Maninder Singh, who fired home with just one second left. After a referral, the goal stood, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Soorma carried that momentum into the final quarter and continued to attack. Harte was tested again and stood firm. Against the run of play, the Dragons struck decisively when Tom Craig made a superb run from deep and slipped a precise pass to Blake Govers, who calmly finished in the 47th minute to make it 3-1. Soorma refused to give up and earned a series of late penalty corners. Rohidas blocked Harmanpreet’s effort in the 56th minute, and Harte saved another attempt soon after. Harmanpreet finally converted in the 58th minute with a powerful drag-flick to make it 3-2. The final minutes were tense as Soorma won two more penalty corners, but the Dragons’ defence held strong. Under heavy pressure, the hosts showed composure to close out the match and move to the top of the men’s Hockey India League table with five points.

Chris Paul and Damian Lillard. Image via: Getty Images

The NBA has quite a few players who have been making records ever since they joined the league. To name a few, we have Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul and Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard. And to tip it off, a comparison based on their net worths seems valid. Chris Paul’s net worth comes from a combination of his NBA salary, contract agreements, his lifetime endorsements, and a lot more to mention. While Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard is no less, and he too has been earning significantly from the big league, along with some prominent investments. Lillard previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Trail Blazers. From NBA salaries to career earnings, here is everything you need to know about the NBA veterans’ net worth.

Chris Paul’s net worth, NBA salary, contract details, brand endorsements, and more

The 12x NBA star has played for almost 10 seasons in the big league, and that speaks volumes about his net worth. As of 2025, Paul’s net worth stands at $180 million (per Celebrity Net Worth). His career earnings exceed $400 million, with some sources claiming the figures to be around $404.5 million during the 2024-2025 season, which means that Paul is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. As for his NBA salary for the 2025-2026 season, he is entitled to receive $3.6 million due to his one-year minimum contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Chris Paul has been involved with various high-end brands such as Jordan Brand (Nike), State Farm, Panini, Tissot, and Spalding, and he has been earning $6 million – $10 million per year from these endorsements. Paul’s career high stands at 43 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals, which he scored back in the 2007-2008 season against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Damian Lillard’s net worth, NBA salary, contract details, brand endorsements, and more

One of the terrific players of the NBA, who has opted out of the 2025-2026 season, is Damian Lillard. Lillard’s net worth in 2025 stands at approximately $100 million. His career earnings are over $365 million, as of late 2025, and with his contract agreement with the Trail Blazers, it exceeds that amount. His contract details involve a three-year, $42 million contract with his current team, which he signed back in July 2025, including a player option for the 2027-2028 season. The 9x NBA All-Star isn’t playing the 2025-2026 season due to his severe injury; however, his salary as of that very same year stands at $70 million, including his deals with the Milwaukee Bucks. His career high stands at 71 points, which he scored against the Houston Rockets, back on February 26, 2023. Also read: NBA injury update: Is Damian Lillard playing tonight vs Oklahoma City Thunder? Encouraging signs emerge as star stays optimistic about Achilles recovery

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers (Image via Getty)

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.This game is shaped more by absences than star power. Both teams are missing key players, and rotations will be stretched on both sides. Cleveland is trying to hold its place in the playoff race, while Indiana is simply trying to stay competitive through another difficult stretch of the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report vs Indiana Pacers (January 6, 2026)

Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Donovan Mitchell, who is sitting out for rest after handling a heavy workload. Jarrett Allen is questionable with an illness, and Dean Wade is also questionable due to a left knee contusion. Max Strus remains out following left foot surgery, while Larry Nance Jr. is sidelined with a right calf strain. Luke Travers and Chris Livingston are unavailable due to G League assignments.With Mitchell out, the offense will run through Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. If Allen is limited or unable to play, Mobley’s role on both ends becomes even more important.

Indiana Pacers injury report vs Cleveland Cavaliers (January 6, 2026)

Indiana’s injury list remains one of the longest in the league. Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season, removing the team’s primary ball-handler and scorer. Bennedict Mathurin is out with a right thumb sprain. Isaiah Jackson is sidelined with a concussion, and Obi Toppin remains out due to a right foot stress fracture.That leaves Pascal Siakam as the central offensive option, with supporting players asked to take on larger roles than usual.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Game context and recent form

Cleveland Cavaliers enter the night at 20-17, sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are coming off a loss to a short-handed Pistons team, but they have still won four of their last six games. Their season has been uneven, largely due to injuries, but they remain firmly in the postseason mix.Indiana Pacers are 6-30, last in the East, and riding a 12-game losing streak. Injuries have stripped away much of what made the Pacers successful last season, leaving them with limited lineup options and little margin for error on a nightly basis.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Broadcast information (Jan 6, 2026)

The game will air locally on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. Streaming options include Fubo and other services carrying regional FanDuel feeds. Radio coverage is available on 93.5 FM and 107.5 FM The Fan for Indiana listeners, and 100.7 FM along with 1100 AM/106.9 FM in the Cleveland area.Also read: Is Donovan Mitchell playing tonight vs the Indiana Pacers? Latest update on the Cleveland Cavaliers star’s injury report (January 6, 2026)

What to watch tonight’s Cavaliers vs Pacers game

Cleveland enters as a road favorite of around five points, with a projected total near 236.5. Garland’s control of the offense, Siakam’s matchup against Mobley and Allen, and Indiana’s ability to generate scoring without its top creators will likely determine how close this game stays.

Vasai: Busting a suspected transnational cyber investment fraud ring, Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar (MBVV) crime branch’s unit 4 arrested seven persons hailing from Mumbai, Vasai and Karnataka for duping victims from 11 states of Rs 200 crore. Police said the kingpin, Abdul Sattar, who hails from Sakinaka, is currently holed up in Dubai and those arrested have a hand in 51 fraud cases.Five of the accused were nabbed from a lodge in Naigaon, Vasai, last year. Two others were arrested in Mumbai later. All seven—Roshankumar Shetty, Sabir Khan, Sanad Das, Rahul Rakeshkumar, Amir Sherkhan, Abhishek Narkar and Mohamed Rashid Fakir—are in judicial custody. “We seized several computers and phones from the lodge,” said MBVV police commissioner Niket Kaushik. Sandeep Doiphode, DCP (crime), MBVV, said the accused posed as finance professionals, targeted victims, including high-profile businessmen, on dating apps, matrimonial sites and social media platforms, and offered high returns on investments. Police said Shetty, Khan and Das offered their bank accounts to siphon off victims’ money for a commission, and Sherkhan ensured they stayed in a room while the transactions took place. Fakir was tasked with identifying such ‘mules’ across India and sharing the data with Narkar, who would collaborate with Sattar, they added. Pramod Badakh, senior inspector, crime branch unit 4, said they have identified 42 more mule accounts and their owners are being traced.

Mumbai: For a Monday evening, the mood is upbeat at a small office near Arthur Road Naka with Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS and NCP (SP) flags and banners adorning it as well as the pandal outside. The office functions as a Sena (UBT) shakha. While UBT workers wait for the arrival of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, former mayor and three-term corporator Kishori Pednekar, who is contesting the BMC elections from ward 199—which comprises parts of Curry Road, Chinchpokli, Lower Parel and Dhobi Ghat, among others—arrives at the shakha. As Pednedkar, who is banking on her past work and personal connect with voters, settles in, local party workers and office bearers including those from the MNS pour in to meet her. She tells her colleagues the younger generation needs to be taught the history of the Shiv Sena. Pednekar keeps emphasising that the two brothers, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, are coming together for the Marathi manoos. A little later, excitement breaks through among the workers as Uddhav Thackeray and son Tejas arrive and greet party workers. After they depart from the shakha, Pednekar steps out with a group of workers led by a band for campaigning on the N M Joshi Marg including areas such as Mogul House and Shiv Shakti Park after 7.30 pm. While walking on the footpath, Pednekar reminds a pan shop owner “humne chota bada dekha nahin” and tells him “sabko bolo mashaal”. While she treads the pavement she calls out to her voters by their names and appeals to them to vote for the mashaal. A little later Pednekar enters a balwadi-cum-yoga centre and does a high five to the children present and asks them to say her name and what is her party symbol, and appeals to them to inform their parents. In the bylanes, women residing in tenements and buildings welcome Pednekar with a haldi-kumkum ritual and in some areas she is welcomed with a burst of crackers, as workers shout slogans such as ‘Water, meter, gutter; kaam karnar Pednekar’.Pednekar has promised completion of pending works including issues with water supply and that she will pursue cluster redevelopment of Mhada buildings, which has already been initiated. She tells voters about the work carried out by her and her party leaders during Covid. Pednekar is contesting against Shiv Sena’s Rupal Kusale, wife of a former party colleague; Shashikala Jaiswar of BSP; and Nandini Jadhav VBA.

NOIDA: A marriage that began in January 2024 has led to a police case, with a woman alleging she was misled by her husband on multiple counts, including his appearance, education, income, and involvement in international drug smuggling, according to news agency PTI.Lavika Gupta, a resident of Gaur City Avenue-1 in central Noida, filed the complaint against her husband, Sanyam Jain, and four in-laws.

Gupta claimed she was promised a husband with “thick hair,” but discovered after the wedding that Jain is completely bald and uses a hair patch.The couple married on January 16, 2024. According to the FIR at Bisrakh police station, Gupta said her husband had concealed key facts about his life, including his true income and educational background.She further alleged that Jain blackmailed her, threatened to release her private photographs, and physically assaulted her. “The woman has also alleged that her husband assaulted her during a trip abroad and pressured her to bring marijuana from Thailand to India,” police said.A police case has been registered against five people, including the husband and his four in-laws, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), Section 316 (criminal breach of trust) and Section 115 (assault). Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act have also been invoked.Police said the investigation is ongoing.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) returns for its fourth edition in 2026, and the Delhi Capitals (DC) are entering a new era. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the franchise has hit the reset button on its leadership, appointing Jemimah Rodrigues as captain following the release of Meg Lanning. With a blend of explosive Indian talent and world-class overseas stars, DC are once again hunting for that elusive maiden title.

Withdrawals and new faces in DC

The build-up to WPL 2026 has not been without drama for the Capitals. The franchise retained a strong core but faced a significant setback just weeks before the tournament.

Star Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who was retained for ₹2.2 crore, withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons. Sutherland was a vital cog in DC’s pace attack and lower-order batting. Acting swiftly, DC signed Australian leg-spinner Alana King as Sutherland’s replacement. King brings extensive T20 experience and adds a new dimension to the spin department, though the team sacrifices some pace-bowling depth with this swap.

In the mega auction, DC bolstered their squad by signing South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (₹1.10 Cr) and West Indies power-hitter Chinelle Henry (₹1.30 Cr). They also invested heavily in domestic talent, picking up all-rounder Nallapureddy Shree Charani for ₹1.30 Cr.

DC’s best playing XI for WPL 2026

1. Shafali Verma

• Role: Opening batter
• Strength: Explosive power-hitting
• What she brings: Shafali remains the X-factor at the top. Her ability to dismantle bowling attacks in the Powerplay allows DC to dictate the tempo early. Without Lanning, she will need to take slightly more responsibility while maintaining her natural aggression.

2. Laura Wolvaardt (Overseas)

• Role: Opening batter
• Strength: Technical class & consistency
• What she brings: The “Cover Drive Queen” is the perfect foil for Shafali. Wolvaardt brings stability and experience to the top order. She can anchor the innings if wickets fall early or accelerate effortlessly when set, ensuring the team posts competitive totals.

3. Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain)

• Role: Top-order batter
• Strength: Gap-piercing & strike rotation
• What she brings: Now the captain, Jemimah is the heartbeat of this team. Her busy game keeps the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs, neutralizing spin effectively. Her leadership will be tested, but her tactical reading of the game has always been sharp.

4. Marizanne Kapp (Overseas)

• Role: Pace Bowling All-rounder
• Strength: Swing Bowling & Clutch Temperament
• What she brings: Kapp is arguably the most valuable player in the format. She invariably picks up wickets in the Powerplay with her swing and serves as a reliable finisher with the bat. She is the fierce competitor the team rallies around.

5. Chinelle Henry (Overseas)

• Role: Seam Bowling All-rounder
• Strength: Athleticism & Hard-hitting
• What she brings: Filling the fast-bowling all-rounder void left by Sutherland, Henry brings Caribbean flair. She hits a “heavy ball” as a bowler (good for hitting the deck hard) and can clear the boundary with ease late in the innings.

6. Sneh Rana

• Role: Spin Bowling All-rounder
• Strength: Resilience & Off-spin
• What she brings: A shrewd buy at the auction, Rana adds immense depth. She is a partnership breaker with the ball and a gritty batter who can stop a collapse. Her experience effectively replaces the domestic all-round value of players like Radha Yadav.

7. Taniya Bhatia

• Role: Wicketkeeper
• Strength: Glovework
• What she brings: While her batting is often a topic of debate, Taniya is arguably one of the best pure keepers in India. On turning tracks, her lightning-fast stumpings are crucial. DC will hope she can contribute quick runs down the order if required.

8. Minnu Mani

• Role: Off-spinner / Batting All-rounder
• Strength: Flight & Turn
• What she brings: The Kerala cricketer has grown in confidence with international exposure. As a left-handed batter, she offers a tactical advantage against leg-spinners and off-spinners, and her bowling is tidy and economical.

Also READ: Meg Lanning reflects on her appointment as UP Warriorz captain for WPL 2026

9. Alana King (Overseas)

• Role: Leg Spinner
• Strength: Control & Variations
• What she brings: Coming in as Sutherland’s replacement, King is a massive upgrade to the spin department. She is a genuine wicket-taker who attacks the stumps. Her ability to bowl the difficult overs makes her a lock for the playing XI.

10. Nallapureddy Shree Charani

• Role: Left-arm Spinner
• Strength: Accuracy & Domestic Form
• What she brings: With a price tag of ₹1.30 Cr, expectations are high. She offers the vital left-arm orthodox angle that teams crave to counter right-handed heavy lineups. She represents the “youth” injection into the bowling attack.

11. Nandani Sharma

• Role: Medium Pacer
• Strength: Swing
• What she brings: With the squad light on Indian pacers, Nandani Sharma is likely to get the nod to support Kapp and Henry. Her primary job will be to bowl disciplined lines in the middle overs and not leak runs while the spinners attack.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

File photo: Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal with European Union commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic

NEW DELHI: India and the European Union (EU) will hold ministerial-level discussions on January 8-9 in Brussels to bridge differences in the proposed free trade agreement and push for an early conclusion of negotiations, an official statement said on Tuesday.Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will hold discussions with European Union commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic during a two-day official visit.

The primary objective of these interactions is to provide strategic guidance to the negotiating teams, resolve pending issues, and expedite the conclusion of a balanced and ambitious agreement, the commerce ministry said.“The visit underscores the intensifying diplomatic and technical engagements between New Delhi and Brussels, signalling a decisive push toward concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” it said.Leaders are expected to carry out detailed deliberations across key areas of the proposed agreement, aiming to narrow divergences and ensure clarity on outstanding matters, it added.The ministerial engagement follows a week of intensive deliberations in Brussels, building upon the groundwork laid during high-level discussions held earlier this week (6-7 January) between India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Director-General for Trade of the European Commission Sabine Weyand.India is pushing for zero-duty access for its labour-intensive sectors, such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts, the statement said.Issues that need ironing out of differences include steel, cars, and the EU’s carbon tax on products like steel and cement.The meetings between Goyal and Sefcovic are also important, as the India-EU Summit is expected on January 27 here.The top EU leadership will grace the Republic Day parade as the chief guest on January 26.On December 15, Agrawal stated that negotiations between India and the 27-nation bloc, the EU, have entered the “most difficult” stage, and both sides are engaged to bridge the differences and close the talks soon.The 16th round of negotiations between the two sides concluded earlier this month (3-9 December) here.In June 2022, India and the EU bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive FTA, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications after a gap of over nine years. The talks were stalled in 2013 due to differences on the level of opening up markets.India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU was USD 136.53 billion in 2024-25 (exports worth USD 75.85 billion and imports worth USD 60.68 billion), making it the largest trading partner for goods.The EU market accounts for about 17 per cent of India’s total exports, and the bloc’s exports to India constitute 9 per cent of its total overseas shipments.Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles and medical devices, the EU wants tax reduction in products like wine, spirits, meat, poultry, and a strong intellectual property regime.Indian goods’ exports to the EU, such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products, and electrical machinery, can become more competitive if the pact sails through.The India-EU trade pact negotiations cover 23 policy areas or chapters, including trade in goods, services, investment, trade remedies, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, competition, government procurement, dispute settlement, intellectual property rights, geographical indications, and sustainable development.