Sports

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Delhi Capitals (DC) bowling coach Munaf Patel said there is still no clarity on when Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc will join the franchise for IPL 2026, even as the Axar Patel-led side have won both of their matches without him.

Ahead of IPL 2026 season, DC had said they were awaiting a word on the NoC for Starc, who would miss the initial few matches due to his workload being managed by Cricket Australia (CA), keeping the international schedule in mind. But days later, it emerged that Starc is currently recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries.

"I ask people around everyday, about the timing of his arrival and by when he is coming and what the details are because he is important for us, as a main bowler. Actually I also have the same question everyday. Till now there is no update on when he will come because the update will come from the Australian board, his physio, or trainer,” said Munaf in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

DC have won both of their matches so far in this season in Starc's absence and are aiming to complete a hat-trick of wins when they take on a winless Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.

Munaf, a member of India’s 2011 Men’s ODI World Cup winning team, left no doubt about Starc's stature in the IPL, adding that he’s in a league of his own alongside India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

"We have won two matches now, so I don't think we are missing Starc. But in the upcoming matches, if he doesn't do well, then it depends on that. That is why people are not remembering him now because he is one of the best bowlers in the world. So everyone thinks that if we are winning, and there is no Starc, then it is fine.

"But your big bowler is obviously a big bowler. I don't think there is a bigger bowler than Starc in the entire IPL. There is only Bumrah, who you can compare with because you can see how much experience he has, how hard he can bowl. He can swing with a new ball at 140-plus - so that will be a different thing. That we are winning, and you are not remembering him, is a different thing," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill will be available for the team's upcoming IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals (DC), to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, confirmed his opening partner B Sai Sudharsan.

Gill missed GT’s clash against Rajasthan Royals, which they lost by six runs in Ahmedabad, due to a muscle spasm. “Shubman has no problem. He is completely fine, he will be fine. Of course, yes (he will open),” said Sudharsan in the pre-match press conference.

Gill's availability comes as a major boost for IPL 2022 winners GT, who are yet to open their account in the ongoing tournament after consecutive defeats. Sudharsan, however, expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back, especially in their middle order batters.

“I think it is a mixture of both - as opening batters and top three batters, if someone plays longer, it is always a great thing for the team. I think we believe in our middle order, they will (come good). This is the team which you know in which we played last year and we qualified.

“So it is just two games and I believe and the whole team believes that we will definitely have a great middle order and win games. IPL is such a tournament where in two-three days when you keep on playing matches, momentum is one of the important things in the tournament.

“Yes, we look back on these 2 games and we have learnt a lot for sure and I think we will look forward to doing that, so that we get our first win and get the momentum back,” he said.

Left-handed opener Sudharsan has made 86 runs in two games so far and was the leading run-getter in IPL 2025. He further stated that he is always working hard to evolve his batting as per the fast-growing demands of T20 cricket.

“I think I do not look at it as a different tournament. Wherever I play, whatever matches I play, the preparation is very similar and the effort or the hard work behind it is very similar. I am just grateful and lucky enough to execute it here.”

“Definitely as the sport is evolving and the T20 batting is getting greater and greater every season or even every 5-6 months if you can see, it is very important for me to learn from it and be versatile enough to have that in my kitty and equip myself with that. So definitely there are improvements to be made and of course, I am looking at it.”

Sudharsan also shed light on his mental preparation routine, which he said plays a decisive role in his performances. “In most of the part is mental preparation, I think once the pre-season camp is over, I think it is all about fine tuning and having your thoughts clear and having your mind sorted and organised is the biggest thing. I put a lot of time on that - I do yoga, meditation, and visualisation to keep myself mentally fit.”

Elaborating on GT’s batting approach at the top of the order, Sudharsan stressed on reading conditions and building a platform rather than going all guns blazing from the word go. “It is important to understand what is required on this wicket to do and then what is required for our team to have a very good start so that our middle order or the lower order have a very good platform to launch in the last four-five overs.

“So, as much as possible we try and do play the percentages whatever possibly we can do so that most of the time we come in a situation we win, so that is our mindset when we enter the game. It is not bang bang - we are not going all out.

“We are assessing the conditions when we see what is required on this wicket and which will be the best score for our bowling team to defend or let's say if we are chasing what will be the best six overs we can have if we have to have a very good last five overs of platform,” he concluded.

--IANS

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Monte Carlo, April 7 (IANS) World No.2 Tennis player Jannik Sinner met eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt after a dominant start to his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters, brushing aside Ugo Humbert in straight sets to move into the third round on Tuesday.

Sinner, who was making his debut in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, in a second-round match against Frenchman Humbert, was supported throughout the match from the stands on Court Rainier III by the sprint legend Bolt.

After winning the match, Sinner went straight to meet Bolt. In a video released by the ATP tour on X, Sinner expressed his gratitude towards the Jamaican athlete and said, "It is really nice to meet you. You are quite strong. It's nice seeing you around tennis courts." While Bolt replied with a smile and said, "It's a pleasure, thank you so much, you have a long way to go."

The legendary sprinter Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals across the Beijing 2008 Olympics, London 2012 Olympics, and Rio 2016 Olympics in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4x100 metre relay, has been in Monaco for the past few days.

He arrived earlier today to watch the opening Centre Court match between Matteo Berrettini and Roberto Bautista Agut, but the contest ended quickly after the Spaniard was forced to withdraw.

Earlier during his visit, Bolt was also present at a high-profile Ligue 1 clash between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille.

Meanwhile, Sinner carried his excellent form from hardcourts onto clay, securing a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win in Monaco. The Italian is not only aiming for his first ATP Masters 1000 title on clay this week but also competing to reclaim the top spot in the rankings from defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Humbert, who had impressed in the opening round, started confidently and even won an early rally to show his intention. However, Sinner quickly found his stride, dominating play with his characteristic baseline power and precision to take charge of the first set.

Once ahead, the 24-year-old elevated his game further, dominating the second set convincingly. He allowed his opponent only six points in the entire set, emphasising his authority as he advanced with ease. The victory also extended his remarkable streak at the Masters 1000 level, where he has now won 36 consecutive sets dating back to last season.

--IANS

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Pathum Thani (Thailand), April 7 (IANS) The Indian U20 women’s team will take on Chinese Taipei in a must-win fixture in their final Group C league match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Wednesday.

After suffering defeats in their opening two matches against Japan and Australia, both India and Chinese Taipei find themselves in an identical situation, chasing a result that could keep their hopes in the tournament alive.

India's goal difference of -11 makes things a bit more complicated than Chinese Taipei's -7. The Young Tigresses’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2004 rest on securing a place among the two best third-placed teams across all groups.

Their task will be simplified if either the Group A match between Vietnam and Bangladesh on Tuesday or the Group B match between Uzbekistan and Jordan on Wednesday ends in a draw. In that case, the winner of the India vs Chinese Taipei match will qualify for the quarterfinals, regardless of goal difference. But if there is a winner in both those games, India would need to beat Chinese Taipei by a handsome margin to avoid being the worst-ranked third-placed side in the three groups. At the moment, the goal differences of the other teams are - Bangladesh (-3), Vietnam (-6), Uzbekistan (-8), and Jordan (-9).

Head coach Joakim Alexandersson was clear about what is required from his side.

“We need to be a lot stronger and more determined in both 18-yard boxes, in how we defend our own box, and in how we score goals against them. We need to be more direct in attack, tougher, and more clinical. But we must also remember that we are facing a very good team," he said.

Across their first two matches, the Young Tigresses have shown glimpses of their ability, but have also been punished for lapses at key moments.

“We need to be strong in duels, communicate a lot, and be even more aggressive than in the first two games. When we win the ball, we need to be sharper and quicker in transition, and look to go for goal-scoring opportunities," the Swede added.

“The only thing that matters to us is that we have to go for the win, because that is our only chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. That is the only mindset," Alexandersson affirmed.

Forward Sulanjana Raul, who scored twice in the qualifiers last year, did not shy away from the reality of the situation.

“We are in a difficult situation. The last match is a deciding match because we still have chances. We lost the first two matches in a very poor way, conceding five and six goals. So in this last match, we must win. We must perform very well and try to score as many goals as we can," the 18-year-old was quoted as saying by the official website of AIFF.

The emphasis on attacking efficiency, something India have worked on throughout their preparation, now becomes critical. She is also aware that the challenge will be equally fierce from the other side. The need for a strong start is another key factor.

“Right now, there is only one thing on my mind — to do very well in the last match. We have to take our chances, whatever opportunities we get. We know that they will also come fully prepared because they also want to win and qualify. It won’t be an easy match against Chinese Taipei. Whoever comes onto the pitch will want to win, so it will be a tough game.

“We definitely have to win. We need to score early as well. From an individual point of view, if I get a chance, I have to convert it as quickly as possible," Sulanjana added.

At the other end of the pitch, defensive discipline will be just as crucial. Defender Cindy Colney reflected on the lessons from the opening games and the responsibility of ensuring improvement. The 19-year-old started in the national team as a midfielder during her U17 days, but under Alexandersson, she has been converted into a solid centre-back. At 164 centimetres, she is the second-tallest outfield player in the squad, only behind her centre-back partner Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, who is 169.

“I was playing as a midfielder earlier, but then the coach asked me to play in defence,” Cindy said. "I’ve adjusted well here, and every time I get the opportunity, I try my best not to let the coach’s trust break.”

The defensive unit has come under pressure in the first two matches, and Cindy acknowledged the need for accountability.

“We have played two matches, and conceding so many goals is not something that should happen. We conceded due to some poor situations, and sometimes there were individual mistakes as well.

“Whatever mistakes we have made, we will learn from them and rectify. And about the things we have done well, we need to continue doing those.”

With everything on the line, the approach is all-in.

“For both teams, it is like a final. We will play as a team and give everything on the pitch. Chinese Taipei is a team that can defend well, and whenever they get a chance to counter-attack, they do it very effectively. So we need to stay focused every second," Cindy added.

Chinese Taipei head coach Hsieh Chih-chun acknowledged the challenge ahead and the balance between the two sides. “India are a very attacking side, and their fighting spirit and defensive mentality are excellent, but I feel that both our teams are very evenly matched in terms of ability," he said.

--IANS

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Ulaanbaatar, April 7 (IANS) India continued their impressive campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, with a total of eight boxers, six women and two men, storming into the finals. Minakshi and Jaismine led the charge in the women’s semifinals on Tuesday, while Vishvanath Suresh and Sachin added to the tally with strong performances in the men’s category.

In the women’s 48kg semifinal, Minakshi registered a confident 4:1 victory over Thailand’s Thipsatcha Yodwaree to seal her spot in the gold medal bout. Joining her in the final, Jaismine edged past Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova in a closely contested 3:2 decision in the women’s 57kg category.

In the men’s division, Vishvanath Suresh (50kg) delivered a dominant performance, outclassing Jordan’s Huthaifa Eshish with a unanimous 5:0 win to advance to the final. Sachin (60kg) also impressed with a solid 4:1 victory over Thailand’s Sakda Ruamtham in his semifinal clash.

In other results, Akash lost 1:4 to Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Abdurakhimov. Lokesh went down 0:5 against Jasurbek Yuldoshev of Uzbekistan. Narender suffered a 1:4 defeat to China’s Bayikewuzi Danabieke, with the bout being stopped in the first round due to a cut. Harsh Choudhary also lost 1:4 to Tajikistan’s Parviz Karimov.

India will now look to convert these strong performances into gold as several boxers gear up for the finals. In the women’s 48kg final, Minakshi will face Mongolia’s Nomundari Enkh-Amgalan. Jaismine is set to take on Thailand’s Punrawee Ruenros in the 57kg title clash.

In other key finals featuring Indian boxers, Preeti (54kg) will go up against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiao-wen, while Priya (60kg) faces North Korea’s Un Gyong Won. Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) is set to meet Kazakhstan’s Bakyt Seidish in her gold medal bout.

With eight finalists across categories, India heads into the final day with strong momentum at the continental showpiece.

--IANS

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Manchester, April 7 (IANS) Former captain Harry Maguire has extended his stay at Old Trafford as the 33-year-old central defender has signed a new contract with English club Manchester United on Tuesday.

The new contract will extend his stay at the club for one year, with the option to extend for a further year. The development came at a time when Maguire's contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019 from Leicester City with a world record transfer fee of 80 million Euros for a defender.

Since his inception, he has made 266 appearances for the club and also won the Carabao Cup and the Emirates FA Cup with the team.

“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together," Maguire said in a statement released by Manchester United on Tuesday.

“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”

Manchester United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, explained the reason behind extending Maguire's stay at Old Trafford.

“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad," he said in a statement.

“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” he added.

Meanwhile, Manchester United, who are placed in third position in the Premier League's points table with 55 points, will face Leeds in their next match to be played at Old Trafford on April 14.

--IANS

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Visakhapatnam, April 7 (IANS) Dhruv Sheoran, a winner on the DP World PGTI, posted an opening round of four-under 67 to set the pace in round one of the INR 1 crore Andhra Open 2026 being played at the East Point Golf Club (EPGC) in Visakhapatnam.

The 31-year-old Dhruv soared to the top of the leaderboard with an eagle on the par-5 12th and a run of three consecutive birdies from the first through the third. On the 12th, Dhruv hit a massive 372-yard drive followed by a gap wedge that left him two feet short of the hole, and he converted the putt for eagle on the par-71 course.

The Bengaluru-based PGTI winners Chikkarangappa S. and Khalin Joshi were tied second, one shot back at three-under 68.

The Andhra Open 2026 is supported by Host Venue East Point Golf Club (EPGC) and Event Partner Andhra Pradesh Golf Association (APGA).

The par-5 seventh has been adjusted to a 477-yard par-4, bringing the course par down to 71.

Gurugram-based Dhruv currently stands 11th on the PGTI Order of Merit from six starts, with a best finish of tied 6th at the Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship in Ahmedabad last month.

Talking about his round, Dhruv said, “The round was good. I kept giving myself chances and got momentum after the eagle on the 12th. I did drop a couple of shots late, but overall, I’m happy with how I played. The course sits in a valley, so the slopes and grain make the greens tricky to read, but I stayed patient and stuck to my process.”

Khalin Joshi, a former Asian Tour winner in 2018 who also finished eighth on the DP World PGTI Ranking in 2025, said, “I played really well today. The greens are tricky to read and not easy to hole putts, but I kept the ball in play and made some good birdies. I dropped a few shots with a couple of three-putts, but overall, I’m satisfied with the start and looking forward to the next three days.”

Angad Cheema, winner of the last event at EPGC in 2024, struck a 69 to be tied fourth.

Saptak Talwar, the DP World PGTI Order of Merit leader, stood tied 10th at one-under 70.

One of the highlights of the day was Nepalese golfer Subash Tamang’s hole-in-one on the 144-yard par-3 11th. Tamang also shot a 70 to end the day in tied 10th place.

--IANS

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Raipur, April 7 (IANS) The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 in Chhattisgarh has brought together sportspersons from the tribal community at different stages of their career on one major platform. For some, it was an exposure to what it feels like to compete in multi-discipline events, while for others, it was another step in an already developing career.

In all, 30 states and Union Territories took part in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) that saw close to 3800 participants compete in nine sports disciplines. A whopping 106 gold medals were on offer across archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling, while traditional sports like mallakhamb and kabaddi were the demonstration sports.

As India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 and positions itself as a potential host of the 2036 Summer Olympics, the Khelo India Tribal Games offered athletes from diverse tribal backgrounds an opportunity to showcase their potential and strengthen India’s bench strength across disciplines. The Games were held in three cities in Chhattisgarh – Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur.

Here is a sneak peek at a few athletes who are making an impact on the national and international stage, and some who showed the potential to excel in the near future.

Manikanta L. (Swimmer)

The most decorated athlete of the Games, Manikanta L., bagged eight gold medals and a silver in the swimming competition, laying the foundation for Karnataka to clinch the overall champions crown. The 21-year-old, who already has bagged medals at the Khelo India University Games in the past, has been preparing to make it to the Indian team for the upcoming Asian Games and opted to participate in multiple disciplines as part of his preparations.

The 200m breaststroke specialist managed to dominate most of his races and said he feels that the performance here gives him the confidence to prepare with more focus for the Asian Games qualification.

Anjali Munda (Swimmer)

The 15-year-old from Odisha’s Jajpur district was one of the brightest stars to emerge from the swimming competition. Her rich haul of five gold medals – 200m Freestyle, 200m IM, 100m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, and 4x100 medley – not only underlined her versatility with various strokes but also her ability to outpace her much older opponents.

The Kalinga Institute of Social Studies student was participating in her first Khelo India Games but hardly looked flustered despite the scale of the event, and she definitely has the potential to shine on the international stage.

Komalika Bari (Archer)

Only the second Indian after Dipika Kumari to be crowned World Cadet and World Youth Champion, she is also one of the front-runners to make it to the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games. She has been preparing for the selection trials in Pune, and given the competition level at the Khelo India Tribal Games, felt that participating here would provide her valuable match practice.

And she was not wrong. Though she will go home with an individual gold and mixed team gold in Recurve, the archer from Jharkhand was made to work hard in each match, and in the women’s team, they had to be satisfied with a silver medal after they went down against Nagaland in the final.

Kiran Pisda (Football)

The Chhattisgarh women’s football team captain led from the front and even in the penalty box, donning the goalkeeper’s gloves in the semifinals during the shoot-out, to help her team win the gold medal. Kiran was not just the highest scorer for her team but also led the young squad with aplomb and showed how good leadership can transform an outfit.

Kiran has already represented India in SAFF competitions and has also played in the Croatian League. The 24-year-old now hopes to become a regular in the Indian national squad as she is versatile enough to play in any position.

Babulal Hembrom (Weightlifter)

The 19-year-old from Jharkhand had become the first weightlifter from his state to win a Khelo India Youth Games gold in 2024 and is the first international weightlifter for the state to win a medal in the IWF World Youth Championships and Asian Youth Championships.

The lifter from Keribanda village in Ramgarh district is now making a transition from junior to senior circuit and is training in the National Camp in SAI Patiala. The silver medal in the Khelo India Tribal Games has given him the confidence that he can challenge the seniors now.

Shiv Kumar Soren (Sprinter)

The Jharkhand dasher clinched the gold medal in both the 100m and 200m with relative ease. He clocked a 100m time of 10.58s, while he stopped the clock at 21.51s in the 200m race. The trainee of the Centre of Excellence in Bokaro has a muscular build and has the potential to go a lot faster.

Jhilli Dalabehera (Odisha)

One of the most decorated lifters from Odisha, Jhilli, won the gold medal in the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships in the 45kg category and a silver medal in the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in the 49kg category. The Indian Railways employee participated in the 53kg category in the Khelo India Tribal Games and took home the gold medal.

Bhargavi Bhagora (Archer)

The 21-year-old from Gujarat lost the recurve individual final against Komalika Bari in Raipur, but the way she pushed her more experienced opponent till the end would give her a lot of confidence ahead of the selection trials for the Indian team for the Asian Games in Japan. Hailing from the Aravalli district in Gujarat, Bhargavi has also won three medals at the Khelo India University Games in various editions and currently trains at the Nadiad High Performance centre supported by the Sports Authority of India.

--IANS

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Monte Carlo, April 7 (IANS) Jannik Sinner made a dominant start to his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters, brushing aside Ugo Humbert in straight sets to move into the third round on Tuesday.

Fresh from his historic ‘Sunshine Double’ victory, achieved without dropping a set, the World No. 2 carried his excellent form onto clay, securing a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win in Monaco. The Italian is not only aiming for his first ATP Masters 1000 title on clay this week but also competing to reclaim the top spot in the rankings from defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Humbert, who had impressed in the opening round, started confidently and even won an early rally to show his intention. However, Sinner quickly found his stride, dominating play with his characteristic baseline power and precision to take charge of the first set.

Once ahead, the 24-year-old elevated his game further, dominating the second set convincingly. He allowed his opponent only six points in the entire set, emphasising his authority as he advanced with ease. The victory also extended his remarkable streak at Masters 1000 level, where he has now won 36 consecutive sets dating back to last season.

"It was a good performance from my side. You have to change your game style a little bit, how you approach certain situations... The first tournament [on clay] is never easy. I come here with good feelings but, at the same time, not many expectations,” Sinner said after his win.

A two-time semi-finalist at Monte-Carlo, Sinner will next take on either Francisco Cerundolo or Tomas Machac as he continues his pursuit of a breakthrough title on clay. With Alcaraz on the opposite side of the draw, a potential final showdown between the two rivals remains on the cards.

Elsewhere, Matteo Berrettini progressed after his opponent, Roberto Bautista Agut, was compelled to retire early in their match due to injury. Berrettini, who has struggled with fitness issues in recent seasons, now faces a challenging second-round match against seventh seed Daniil Medvedev. A defeat could see the Italian drop out of the top 100 in the rankings for the first time since April 2024.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya emphasised the importance of quality over quantity in training, advising youngsters to focus on practising “right” rather than simply spending long hours, while also highlighting the need to stay adaptable and react effectively during match situations.

Speaking about preparation and mindset, the Mumbai Indians skipper underlined that performance on the field is shaped well before a player steps into a game, stressing the value of intent during practice sessions.

“I think it comes how well you prepare, what your intent is during your preparation. I think that's a very important lesson to all the youngsters that in the game you don't decide what you're going to do. In the game you just react to what's going to come to you,” he said in a video shared by IPL.

Expanding on this, Pandya pointed out that the ability to respond effectively under pressure is rooted in the quality of preparation, rather than the duration of practice.

“And for you to react the best in your capacity, you need to really spend a good amount of hours here by practising right, not practising long. See, confidence is that I can do this. Overconfidence is that only I can do this,” the all-rounder added.

The two-time T20 World Cup-winning champion also spoke about focusing on factors within one’s control, noting that outcomes in a match are often unpredictable despite thorough preparation, as he said, “I think it's about controlling the controllables. What happens in the game, how well I'll do, what I'll do is, to be very honest, not in my hand. It's always good to back yourself but always be mindful of taking the right advice.

Highlighting the importance of humility and continuous learning, Pandya urged young players to remain open to guidance and patient in their journey. “Hearing people out and you never stop learning, I think that's the difference. The fine line is only crossed when you think that you know everything. People have to remember and especially all the youngsters as well that good things take time, so have patience,” he said.

He further elaborated on the perception of confidence and “swag,” explaining that what is often seen externally reflects deep-rooted preparation and mindset.

“There's terms between swag, there's terms between confidence but that sheer comes through hard work, that sheer comes through the preparation, that's the mindset which I have over the years got myself into and that just translates into my body language because I am confident due to the fact that I have prepared really well. The outer layer to people and what people see is maybe swag but I think the inner, deeper definition for that is just the mindset. I believe I am the best in this world,” he explained.

Pandya concluded by stressing the importance of self-belief and a team-first mentality, revealing how his mindset shapes his approach every time he takes the field.

“When I enter the field, I have no doubt that I am here to win the game, I have no doubt I am here to do something magical. I think that mindset of winning, that mindset of being selfless, that mindset of making sure that you put your team forward, that has helped me to have that confidence, to have that mindset, have that attitude and it turns out it looks cool as well.”

--IANS

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