Perth Scorchers kicked off Big Bash League (BBL|15) with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the rain-affected opener at Optus Stadium, Perth on December 14, 2025. The match shrank to 11 overs per side after early downpours, setting the stage for high-octane T20 drama. Fans erupted as young gun Cooper Connolly‘s blistering 59 off 31 balls sealed the chase, earning him Player of the Match honours in a run-fest that showcased BBL fireworks.​

Sydney Sixers’ struggle culminate into a competitive total

Heavy rain delayed the start, reducing the game to 11 overs and setting a high run-rate challenge. Sydney Sixers openers Daniel Hughes fell for a duck to Aaron Hardie in the first over, followed by Babar Azam edging Brody Couch for 2, leaving them at 15/2 after the powerplay.​

Josh Philippe fought back with 28 off 18, including a six, but a run-out ended Moises Henriques’ brisk 9, and Philippe holed out soon after. Lachlan Shaw‘s explosive 19 off 10 fueled a 50-run stand by the seventh over, but Joel Paris dismissed him, triggering a collapse. Jack Edwards then unleashed 46 off 21 with six fours and two sixes, pushing Sixers to 113/5 alongside Ben Dwarshuis‘ quick 6; they crossed 100 in the final overs despite tight bowling from Couch (2/12) and Paris (1/29).​

Cooper Connolly’s fireworks take Perth Scorchers to a win in BBL|15 opener

Perth Scorchers lost Mitchell Marsh for a golden duck to Charlie Stobo, but Finn Allen‘s 16 off 8 set the tone before Todd Murphy struck. Enter Connolly, who anchored the chase with a masterful 59 (3 fours, 5 sixes), reaching 50 off 24 balls and racing to 39/2 by the fourth over.​

Hardie added 13 before Jack Edwards removed him, but Connolly-Ashton Turner partnership propelled Scorchers past 100 in the ninth over. Connolly departed at 105/4 to Ben Dwarshuis, who later nabbed Laurie Evans, yet Turner (16*) and Nick Hobson steered home with five balls left at 117/5. Fans erupted as Connolly earned Player of the Match, his strike rate of 190.32 proving decisive in the power surge phase. Scorchers’ bowlers and Connolly’s heroics underline their BBL pedigree.

Also READ: BBL 2025-26: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch the Big Bash League in Australia, India, USA, UK & other countries

Here’s how fans reacted:

NEXT BIG THING FROM AUSTRALIA IN WHITE BALL CRICKET IS HERE – Cooper Connolly. 🤞 pic.twitter.com/CJnopCwonW

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 14, 2025

🚨 LSG & GT are interested in acquiring Cooper Connolly. [ESPN]@ChennaiIPL pls think about the future. We bottled Bethell, so pls don’t bottle Connolly. 🙏💛
pic.twitter.com/EMW9ajiy1u

— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly smashed half century in just 24 balls.
Set 21. Base price 2 Cr. pic.twitter.com/lNEOKtXXKy

— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly 🔥💛 https://t.co/GbCvmGh63V pic.twitter.com/b3Hl6etb5m

— X007 (@voiceofmine007) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly in the Bbl today 👀

Cooper Connolly to Csk , Who Says No ? pic.twitter.com/QV6ab3lsNm

— CRICitism (@CRICitism) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly smashed 59 runs in just 31 balls for Perth in the first game of the BBL.

He has also registered for the IPL auction with a 2 CR base price. He is just 22 years old. He also played well against India and South Africa in the ODI series 🔥
pic.twitter.com/RPllR3AuNw

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly just before the IPL Auction 📈 https://t.co/QNJZNgW8Mg pic.twitter.com/bkRxaw4ZZy

— The Brevis (@Ben10Brevis) December 14, 2025

Both Jack Edwards (Base Price : 50 Lacs) and Cooper Connolly (Base Price 2 Crores) Performed Couple of Days Before IPL 2026 Auction 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GbGrRglDg3

— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly, this is how to announce oneself. It took just 1 year btw, compare to some others.

— Cong Du (@CongduNguyen2) December 14, 2025

😂 Cooper Connolly hit the first FIFTY of BBL 15 of just 24 balls 💥

👉 He peaked at right time just before the IPL Auction 🔥#IPLAuction#IPL2026#BBL2025 #PerthScorchers pic.twitter.com/r4rgzWC3Hk

— अभि 🇮🇳 (@abhi7781_) December 14, 2025

Cooper Connolly smashed 59 (31) in BBL today including 3 fours and 5 sixes at number 3 position 👀

Registered at a base price of 2 Cr. pic.twitter.com/rHUaRfRFRb

— Ismail (@wyd_ismail) December 14, 2025

Also READ: Big Bash League 2025-26: Complete squads of all 8 teams

Nagpur: Over 280km will be added to Mumbai region’s current Metro network of 91km in the coming years to boost east-west and north-south connectivity—132km in the next two years and another 151km later—said CM Devendra Fadnavis in the House on Sunday.On the state’s finances, he said Maharashtra’s economy remains robust, fiscally disciplined and investment-friendly, with its public debt at 18.87% of gross state domestic product (GSDP), well below RBI’s 25% ceiling. He said Maharashtra is one of only three states, along with Gujarat and Odisha, whose debt level is below 20% of GSDP. He said the fiscal deficit has been kept under 3% despite welfare schemes such as Laadki Bahin and free power for farmers. These schemes will complete five-year terms, he asserted. The CM said Maharashtra has exceeded the Centre’s benchmarks on capital expenditure, underscoring govt’s focus on infrastructure-led growth. Fadnavis said Maharashtra continues to lead the country in foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting Rs 1.6 lakh crore in 2024-25 and Rs 91,337 crore in the first two quarters of 2025-26, accounting for 31% of India’s total FDI inflows. He said 75% of MoUs worth Rs 17.6 lakh crore signed at Davos since 2022 have been implemented. Under the composite incentive scheme, investments of Rs 13.8 lakh crore are underway, which are expected to generate 7.1 lakh jobs, he added. The CM said govt is implementing other key MMR road projects: a Mumbai-Kalyan-Latur-Hyderabad public utility expressway that will slash the Mumbai-Hyderabad distance by 130km to 590km and the travel time between Mumbai and Latur to 4.5 hours, the Orange Gate-Marine Drive tunnel corridor, coastal road extensions from Versova to Uttan and Virar, Thane-Borivli and Goregaon-Mulund tunnels, the Panvel coastal road near the new airport, and an Atal Setu interchange, along with the Pune ring road and ‘missing link’ projects. He said prepaid smart meters won’t be installed for general domestic power consumers, adding that those who opt for smart meters are being given a 10% rebate in bills. Reiterating that Mumbai will “always remain an inseparable part of Maharashtra”, Fadnavis scotched speculation about its separation, saying that such claims surface during elections but have no basis.

ECs Will Pay When Cong Wins: Rahul

NEW DELHI: Taking his months-long campaign of “vote chori” to its climax, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi on Sunday led a packed Ramlila Maidan rally to raise the slogan of “vote chor, gaddi chhod”, as he claimed that the Modi-led BJP is winning elections by stealing votes but “Narendra Modi-RSS govt” would ultimately be evicted from power.Rahul said “vote chori” is principally BJP’s attack on Ambedkar’s Constitution that has enshrined the right to vote. He said BJP’s DNA has “vote chori” just as truth is Congress’s DNA, and accused Election Commission of working at BJP’s behest. Interacting with the party workers who had poured in from across the country for the rally, Rahul said PM Narendra Modi has lost his confidence which is reflected on his face, just like Amit Shah’s hands were trembling in Lok Sabha when he challenged the home minister to a debate on his press conferences about “rigged” elections.“You look at Modi’s face carefully. Have you seen it? It is so because he knows his ‘vote chori’ has been caught, and the country would know their reality in the coming time,” he said, referring to a point made by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her speech.Planned as a mass gathering to mark the conclusion of the party’s nationwide signature campaign on “vote chori”, the dais featured the Congress brass of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, CMs Siddaramaiah, Sukhwinder Sukhu and Revanth Reddy, CWC members Ajay Maken, KC Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, Abhishek Singhvi, Gaurav Gogoi and P Chidambaram, among others.In framing the argument made by speakers who linked “vote chori” to BJP’s desire for victory at all costs, Rahul started his speech by referring to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s reported statement in Andamans that “world recognises power, not truth”. “Hindu religion, and ideology of world religions, says that truth is most important, but Bhagwat says truth means nothing and power is important. That is the crux of the ongoing battle in India. It is a fight between ‘satya and asatya’,” he said, mentioning “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” and “Satyamev Jayate”.Rahul, as also Priyanka, kept the poll panel in their crosshairs, even leading the crowd in repeating the names of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and ECs SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. “Remember the names,” they said to the crowd in their separate speeches. Rahul said Congress govt will retrospectively remove the immunity provided to the ECs by the law brought by Modi in 2023, and would act against them, repeating the chilling warning he made during the debate in LS. “You are India’s EC, not Modi’s EC,” he said.

NEW DELHI: In the middle of Laxmi Nagar market is a single room, easy to miss in the chaos, that holds a few chairs. Seated are young men and women from Delhi, UP and Haryana, busy polishing ‘Ikura desu ka’ and ‘tetsudatte kuremasu ka’, Japanese phrases that translate, respectively, to ‘how much is this’ and ‘can you help me’.Some labour on the ‘u’, only to be reminded by the teacher not to dwell on it. “Not ikoora. Suppress u, stress ra.”It’s not an easy lesson for this group of native Hindi speakers but motivation is strong, so they keep at it. Getting spoken Japanese right will earn them a ticket to a job that will pay more than anything they are likely to get here.With curbs on immigration rising in the West, Indians have in Japan been presented with a destination in the east that has a high demand for young workers, especially in caregiving and blue-collar occupations like plumbers and electricians. In Aug this year, the Indian and Japanese governments signed a pact for potential exchange of 5 lakh personnel in five years, including 50,000 skilled workers.And with jobs beckoning, Japanese language teaching has taken off in NCR, not just in physical classrooms like the one in Laxmi Nagar but in online listings of tutors saying ‘Konichiwa’ to not just Japan job seekers but also those preparing for JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) and anime fans as they promise proficiency tailored to the learner’s need.

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According to data with Japan Foundation on language education abroad, the number of Japanese learners in India went from 5,446 in 2003 to 52,946 in 2024. The total number of teachers – at primary, secondary and higher education levels – has risen from 256 to 5,446 in the corresponding period.Owing to its ageing population, Japan needs caregivers at hospitals and for eldercare. Salaries in these jobs, converted to INR, begin at about Rs 80,000 a month. A nursing qualification is not mandatory; basic proficiency in the language – which is the N4 level – is enough.Sudha Rotili has already secured a job and will be flying to Hokkaido soon. While pursuing a master’s in maths from a Delhi University college, she felt her degrees might not be enough to get a good job abroad and enrolled in a Japanese course earlier this year. “My friend, who is a nurse, learnt it last year and now works in Japan as a caregiver. I thought this was something I could do. It would also give me a headstart abroad,” Sudha says, adding she will make a saving that will also let her remit money back home.Japanese has three scripts – Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Though it has almost no similarity to languages widely spoken in India, some teachers say it comes easier to native Hindi speakers because the grammar is similar. “They do not have to first think of translating to English and then Japanese, they can do a Hindi to Japanese translation in their minds,” says a teacher.Anushka, a 21-year-old nursing graduate learning Japanese at a centre in Okhla, doesn’t know if that worked to her advantage, but is confident about holding a basic conversation in Japanese. “Watashi wo namae wa Anushka. Hajimemashite (My name is Anushka. Nice to meet you),” is how she introduces herself to make her point.Anushka says her lack of fluency in English made her apprehensive about attempting to take on Japanese. But once she dived in, she began enjoying herself, downloading an app to practise and watching Japanese TV shows.Jaspreet Kaur, a first-year political science student, says she is ready to take up any job in Japan for the exposure. She enrolled at the Okhla centre this year and will start applying for jobs soon.Divesh Birla, who has been teaching Japanese since 2007, says he gets two kinds of students – schoolkids who want to pick up a language early, and of late, adults who are learning for the purpose of employment. Birla, who teaches at Govt Polytechnic College in Haryana, says many students are coming from lower-income backgrounds. “They feel like a job in Japan will be their family’s ticket to a good life,” he says. Ambica Gupta, who runs Masaru Institute for Japanese language in Faridabad, says though she has been teaching for the last 12 years, it’s only in the last four that she has seen a boom in interest. “I used to have just two-three students per class, but from 2021, every batch has 10-15 students. I don’t want to make the classes bigger, but there are more people expressing interest. Every batch is full,” she says.Shrishti Arora, who started NEC Institute in Lajpat Nagar seven years ago, adds: “I’ve noticed that people who come to us are not just interested in learning the language, they are serious about the opportunities it can get them. They inquire about jobs and higher studies.” (Additional reporting by Ayantika Pal)

Enforcement Directorate raids across three states have uncovered a vast network of shell companies allegedly masterminded by a cough syrup racket kingpin and his father

LUCKNOW: A day after conducting raids across 25 locations in UP, Gujarat and Jharkhand, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Lucknow zone unit on Saturday claimed to have uncovered a vast web of shell companies and financial layering allegedly masterminded by cough syrup racket kingpin Shubham Jaiswal and his father Bhola Prasad to divert and launder proceeds of crime.During searches at the Varanasi residence of Shubham, ED officials recovered a cache of high-end luxury items, including Prada and Gucci handbags, Rado and other premium watches. Investigators also found evidence suggesting that Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore in cash was spent on interior work of the house. While the valuation of the interior was carried out, officials said the final estimate of seized luxury goods was pending. At the Ranchi office and godown linked to Shubham and Bhola Prasad, the ED recovered extensive documentation relating to 189 firms. These firms, officials said, prima facie appear to be bogus. The entities were allegedly used to project sham transactions as genuine trade, enabling the diversion and siphoning of funds. The ED is now tracing the money trail and final beneficiaries. Searches on the premises of chartered accountant Vishnu Aggarwal yielded documents connected to 140 firms. Investigators are examining how many of these entities were shell companies and whether they were used for layering and rotation of funds to conceal the origin of illicit money. In Saharanpur, the ED searched the residential and office premises of a syndicate member Vibhor Rana and his associates, where evidence pointed to the use of 125 firms for fund diversion. Preliminary analysis of their bank accounts indicates that these were allegedly used to collect, park, and transfer large sums through multiple channels. Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, ED teams searched the premises of Ms Aarpik Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd and its sister concern Ms Idhika Life Sciences. Investigators found a similar pattern of trading through suspected bogus entities. Two mobile phones belonging to the directors were seized and sent for forensic examinations to analyse financial communications and transaction trails. The ED said probe was on to reconstruct the entire money trail, determine the role of professionals and associates, assess the quantum of proceeds of crime involved, and further searches and attachments were likely.

India U19 produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Pakistan U19 by 90 runs in the 5th match of the U19 Asia Cup 2025. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 240 in 46.1 overs, built around a classy knock from Aaron George and a vital contribution from Kanishk Chouhan. Pakistan’s chase never truly took off, as India’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals to bowl them out for 150 in 41.2 overs. Chouhan’s impact with both bat and ball earned him the Player of the Match award.

Aaron George anchors India’s innings

India U19 started with positive intent but lost early wickets, allowing Pakistan to apply pressure in the powerplay. Amid the fluctuations, George emerged as the backbone of the Indian innings. Displaying maturity beyond his years, George compiled a well-paced 85, mixing solid defence with timely aggression. He rotated strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries, ensuring India did not lose momentum during the middle overs.

Kanishk provided excellent support to George with a fluent 46. The right-hander played a calculated knock, counter-attacking when Pakistan tried to squeeze runs. Their partnership steadied the innings and laid the platform for India to reach a competitive total. However, Pakistan clawed back late in the innings through disciplined bowling.

Pakistan U19’s bowling was spearheaded by Abdul Subhan, who emerged as their most effective bowler. Subhan picked up 3 wickets for 42 runs, breaking key partnerships and preventing India from accelerating freely in the death overs. His ability to vary pace and hit consistent lengths helped Pakistan restrict India to 240 instead of a more daunting total.

Despite Subhan’s efforts, Pakistan’s fielding lapses and inability to sustain pressure from both ends allowed India to cross the 230-run mark, which proved well beyond Pakistan’s reach in the end.

Pakistan struggle in chase despite Huzaifa Ahsan’s resistance

Chasing 241, Pakistan U19 needed a solid start but lost wickets early, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. Huzaifa Ahsan stood tall amid the collapse, playing a fighting knock of 70. He showed composure against both pace and spin, attempting to revive the chase with calculated strokeplay.

However, the lack of support from the other end proved costly. Regular wickets ensured Pakistan never built a threatening partnership, and the required run rate kept climbing steadily.

Also READ: ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: Complete squads of all 8 teams

Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran seal the win

India’s bowling attack was clinical, led by Player of the Match Kanishk. After contributing with the bat, Chouhan returned figures of 3/33, using his variations cleverly to dismantle Pakistan’s middle order. Deepesh Devendran was equally impressive, ripping through the lower order with outstanding figures of 3/16.

The disciplined bowling effort ensured Pakistan were bowled out for 150 in 41.2 overs, sealing a comprehensive 90-run victory for India U19.

Here’s how fans reacted:

For his fantastic all-round performance, Kanishk Chouhan is adjudged the Player of the Match 👏

India U19 register a convincing win by 9⃣0⃣ runs 👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/9FOzWb0aN7#MensU19AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/CjcQ32QVUh

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 14, 2025

46 runs in 46 balls in a low scoring game!
3 crucial wickets in just 33 runs!
The boy is here to rule : POTM Kanishk Chouhan .#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/yZIW4vEgvG

— A⁷ (@anushmita7) December 14, 2025

Picture of the day ❤️

A small gesture, a big message. Cricket is more than just winning and losing. Great sportsmanship on display.👏

#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/WmW4TTfcMx

— The King Kohli (@THeGoatVirat) December 14, 2025

It’s definitely a Player of the Match performance by Kanishk Chouhan. With the bat, he played an important knock of 46 runs off 46 balls, and with the ball, he delivered a brilliant spell-3 wickets, including a maiden over. Overall, it was a great all-round performance by Kanishk pic.twitter.com/C9leCetahC

— v. (@vir20064) December 14, 2025

With a dominant performance, India U19 register a huge win and qualify for the semis with a game to spare 🇮🇳#DPWorldMensU19AsiaCup2025 #INDvPAK #ACC pic.twitter.com/DXvCciPJEq

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) December 14, 2025

🔥 India crush Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup 2025! 🇮🇳

Another one-sided Sunday for Pakistan as India dominate yet again. 💪😮‍💨#U19AsiaCup #INDvPAK #TeamIndia #Cricket #SundayVibes pic.twitter.com/1idvuTTDMa

— TrollKaTaj | Memes • Polls • IPL (@trollkataj) December 14, 2025

Young Lions Roar🦁🇮🇳

India U19 dominate arch-rivals Pakistan U19 with a commanding 90-run victory in the U19 Asia Cup!💥

Aaron George’s gritty 85 anchors 240 then bowlers fire Kanishk Chouhan & Deepesh Devendran shine bright!

The future is BLUE!🔥 #INDvPAK #U19AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/QsjyrCj43K

— अभिजितसिंह राजपूत 👑🚩(सनातनी) (@kingranarajput) December 14, 2025

India’s U19 boys have smacked Pakistan U19 by 90 runs in a low scoring game ! Just another day, another win against Pakistan for India 💪🏼 🇮🇳#INDvPAK #U19AsiaCup2025

— Harsh Tegta (@iamharshtegta) December 14, 2025

This is very nice to see… Great sportsmanship shown by the young Indian fielder 🇮🇳 👏👏 #INDVPAK pic.twitter.com/4FNCKPleV1

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) December 14, 2025

Aaron George Playing some aesthetic cricket 🥵#U19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/UUxHHXYC6c

— 𝙉𝙄𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙏 🏏 (@_Cric_Addicted_) December 14, 2025

IND U19 has beaten PAK u19 comprehensively by a margin of 90 runs in the #U19AsiaCup.On a pitch which had extra bounce & something for the bowlers all day, Aaron George played a great innings of 85 with cameos from Mahatre & Kanishk chauhan(took 3 wkts too).3 wkts for Deepesh too pic.twitter.com/cyNgvpFXDc

— Cover Drive (@day6596) December 14, 2025

A fantastic knock — full of aesthetic shots, sensible cricket, and maturity beyond his age.

Remember the name ‘Aaron George’

Surely he’ll be one of the big names in the near future. 👏🏏#INDvsPAK #U19AsiaCup #indvspakU19pic.twitter.com/XwH2f6HewM

— 𝙉𝙄𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙏 🏏 (@_Cric_Addicted_) December 14, 2025

Fifty vs UAE U-19
Fifty vs PAK U-19***

While others swing for the fences, Aaron George brings composure, class, and clutch at No. 3 🔥

Elite temperament 🥵 India’s future looks safe 🇮🇳✅ pic.twitter.com/ythUhblNMg

— 𝗥𝗚 (@rg31cric) December 14, 2025

Fifty for Kerala Prodigy Aaron George. Loved it when they said there is so much Virat Kohli in him.. Back to back fifties #U19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/qrvliaUM7E

— 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗨 (@Brutu24) December 14, 2025

Well done Kanishk Chouhan
Well done India #U19AsiaCup #INDvsPAKU19#INDvPAK @icc @BCCI @ChennaiIPL @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/27oJ78TGB4

— Sunil Bisla (@Sunil_Bisla) December 14, 2025

Kanishk chouhan can bat pretty well, gonna be huge asset #AsiacupU19

— Mitul Makwana (@MitulMakwana8) December 14, 2025

A very important knock of 85 Aaron George & an all round performance of 46 with the bat & crucial 3 wickets by Kanishk Chouhan and ably supported by Kishan Kumar & Deepesh D have helped us 🇮🇳 win the game comfortably against Pakistan U -19 .#ACC men’s under-19 World Cup 2025

— MithunManhas5 (@MithunManhas) December 14, 2025

Also READ: GOAT India tour 2025: When Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Gukesh vs Hikaru Nakamura (GCL Photo)

NEW DELHI: Mumba Masters secured a commanding victory against Ganges Grandmasters with a score of 17-4, winning four out of six boards on the opening day of the Global Chess League (GCL).At Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, defending champions Triveni Continental Kings began their title defence with a 9-7 victory over Alpine SG Pipers.

The GCL Season 3 opener featured a notable clash between Alireza Firouzja and Fabiano Caruana. Caruana chose an aggressive Sicilian Dragon as Black but the strategy backfired as Firouzja gained control and secured victory in the endgame.Pipers’ Nino Batsiashvili scored the season’s first points by defeating Alexandra Kosteniuk with Black pieces. Kings countered through Wei Yi’s victory over Anish Giri in a Vienna Game.The matches between Vidit Gujrathi and R Praggnanandhaa, Zhu Jiner and World No.1 Hou Yifan, and Marc’Andria Maurizzi and Leon Mendonca all ended in draws. Firouzja earned Player of the Match honours.“I feel happy that we won. Wei Yi also deserves this (MOTM award). I’ll share it when I go back. I remember we had a very good run last year, and we have to defend (the title) now. Our opponents (Pipers) were one of the strongest teams; they have so many great players. To get this win was important,” Firouzja said.In the Mumba Masters versus Ganges Grandmasters match, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Viswanathan Anand playing with Black pieces. Masters gained early advantage when Bardiya Daneshvar won against Raunak Sadhwani. Wesley So and Vincent Keymer’s game ended in a draw with perpetual check. Harika Dronavalli and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov secured wins for the Masters.Polina Shuvalova scored the only win for Grandmasters by defeating Koneru Humpy. Harika and Mamedyarov’s victories sealed the dominant performance for Masters, with GCL newcomer So receiving Man of the Match honours. In the day’s final match, Alaskan Knights faced American Gambits in an intense board-by-board contest.The highlight was the game between Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura, where Gukesh maintained consistent pressure in a tactical battle, but Nakamura managed to secure a draw.Teodora Injac claimed a crucial victory, while other boards saw close draws.The decisive game featured Leinier Dominguez against Richard Rapport, with Rapport securing the win to give the Gambits an 8-5 victory.Teodora Injac was named Player of the Match for her performance.Monday’s schedule includes American Gambits facing Mumba Masters, followed by SG Pipers versus Ganges Grandmasters. The day will conclude with Alaskan Knights taking on defending champions Triveni Continental Kings.