India Must Beat Argentina With Semis Hopes Hanging By A Thread In Hockey WC

India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 are hanging by a thread, with the Harmanpreet Singh-led side needing a big win against Argentina and favourable results in the other Pool E match to stay alive in the tournament. India suffered a 1-3 defeat against defending champions and hosts the Netherlands in their opening match of the second stage, leaving them without a point and at the bottom of Pool E with a goal difference of -4. The final round of Pool E matches on Monday will see India take on Argentina at the Wagener Stadium, while England face the Netherlands. The Netherlands currently lead the pool with six points, while England and Argentina have three points each.

India therefore need to beat Argentina convincingly and hope England lose to the Netherlands to have any chance of finishing among the top two and progressing to the semifinals.

A three-goal victory would take India to three points and improve their goal difference to -1, while Argentina's would fall to -3. In that scenario, England would also need to lose by at least two goals to the Netherlands, taking their goal difference to -2 and allowing India to move ahead of both Argentina and England.

India have another possible route if they can produce an even bigger victory. A four-goal win over Argentina would mean any defeat for England against the Netherlands would be enough to take India through. However, England cannot draw, as a point would take them to four points and put them beyond India's reach.

The permutations underline the difficult task facing India, but the team will need to concentrate on controlling what is within its hands, starting with finding greater consistency in attack.

Captain Harmanpreet has been among India's leading performers, scoring six goals and sharing the tournament's top-scorer spot with Argentina's Tomas Domene. However, India have struggled to find the target consistently from open play, increasing their dependence on penalty corners.

Among the forwards, Abhishek has scored twice and Dilpreet Singh once, making them the only Indian forwards to have scored in the team's four matches so far.

India head coach Craig Fulton acknowledged the situation but insisted his team still has a chance to remain in the semifinal race.

“We have a lifeline to stay in the fight to reach the semifinals. It is quite clear what we have to do. We need the goals, but at the same time we still need to manage our own game and maintain our structure,” Fulton said.

Against Argentina, India will need greater movement in the final third, improved finishing and a more clinical approach in front of goal. With their World Cup campaign at stake, the Indian side will have little choice but to attack with intent while maintaining the defensive structure required to keep their slim hopes alive.

--IANS

sds/bsk/

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Treesa-Gayatri Lose Semi-Final, Clinch Maiden BWF World Championships Bronze

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand's extraordinary run ended with a fighting three-game loss to world No. 1 and defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women's doubles semifinals at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday, as the Indian pair signed off with a maiden bronze medal. The unseeded Indians produced a sensational start to pocket the opening game but could not sustain the pressure against the mighty Chinese pair, going down 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in an hour and 11 minutes. India last won a BWF World Championships medal in women's doubles in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa claimed bronze in London.

The Indian pair didn't have a favourable head-to-head record against the Chinese, having lost six times with just one to show in seven meetings so far.

However, Treesa and Gayatri raced to a 7-2 lead to put the Chinese pair under early pressure. Liu and Tan quickly fought their way back with a series of sharp rallies. Six straight points from the Chinese pair turned the match around as they moved ahead.

The Chinese made effective use of angled returns, forcing the Indians into errors, with several shots finding the net. A nine-point run took Liu and Tan to an 11-7 lead at the interval.

The rallies were generally short, averaging around 15 shots, but the Indians began to regain their rhythm after the resumption. Treesa ended the Chinese run with a well-executed point.

Another attack at the front court forced the Chinese long, before a 31-shot rally brought the Indians level at 12-12. A fabulous exchange followed, ending with a cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved ahead.

The Indians' attack was becoming sharper. Gayatri, however, was punished for a short lift as the Chinese regained the advantage at 15-13. Treesa then produced a superb return of serve to leave the Chinese pair stretched, cutting the deficit to 14-16. A fired-up Treesa followed it with a jump smash and another aggressive play at the front court as India drew level again.

The Chinese responded with relentless attacking play and moved to 18-16, but the Indians won a video referral to make it 17-18. Treesa then produced a crouching defensive return during a flat exchange to level the scores at 18-18.

Another superb rally ended with a scathing cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved to 19-18. The unseeded pair then earned two game points after Tan found the net. They converted on their first opportunity when the Chinese pair sent a shot long, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The ecstatic home crowd roared Treesa and Gayatri on.

After the change of ends, the Chinese opened up a 3-0 lead. A short serve gave India its first point, while a lucky net cord made it 4-1 before Liu found the net. The Indians responded with a cross-court, cross-body combination and excellent follow-up play. An effective flick serve and counter-attack helped them close the gap to 4-5.

Gayatri then went long to make it 6-4. The Indians tried to put pressure on the Chinese with pushes towards the backline, but a few errors crept in, with Treesa sending one long to make it 7-4. Gayatri's attacking shots from the back court began forcing the Chinese wide.

Treesa's cross-court drop made it 6-8, before a Chinese smash into the net reduced the deficit further to 7-8. Treesa found the net, but followed it with another tricky cross-net shot to make it 9-10. India drew level at 10-10 before taking the lead when the Chinese defence produced two errors.

However, Liu and Tan wrested the lead back at 12-11.

A 49-shot rally followed, but Treesa eventually found the net. A tumble serve set up the next point for the Chinese, who opened a 14-12 lead. The Indians then sent another shot wide, followed by two net errors from Gayatri, allowing China to move to 17-12.

Another precise shot onto the backline made it 18-12, before Gayatri's long lift gave the Chinese a 19-12 advantage. Treesa then found the net as the Chinese earned eight game points. Liu and Tan converted their second opportunity to take the match into a decider.

The third game began with intense rallies, with India winning a 56-shot exchange to make it 2-2. The Chinese then changed the pace effectively to move 4-2 ahead. The Indians appeared slightly passive in defence, and Liu targeted Treesa with a body return to make it 6-2.

The Indians continued to fight, but errors began to hurt them. A net shot stayed inside, leaving Treesa disappointed, before another Indian error and a shot wide allowed China to take an 11-5 lead at the interval.

Treesa and Gayatri didn't dial up the same intensity as the first game as the Chinese moved to 12-5 before a flick serve took them to 14-5. It was a one-way traffic as the Chinese moved to 17-7. Eventually a perfect cross-court winner gave Liu and Tan 12 match points, and they sealed the contest with a cross-court shot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Has Political Stability, World Sees It As Bright Spot Of Growth: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Friday that reforms in all spheres are his government's commitment and that India continues to take several steps to ensure continued growth momentum.

Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, PM Modi also said India has political stability and continuity in its policies, and the world sees the country as a bright spot of growth and hope.

"India continues to take several steps to ensure continued growth momentum. India is pushing ahead with reforms across sectors and reforms are our commitment," he said.

The prime minister said the world has many concerns regarding growth as resources are getting weaponised, but India is being seen as a bright spot of growth.

He said the NDA government has a clear roadmap for reforms, with a strong focus on governance.

"Our government is rewarding higher production with incentives," he said.

PM Modi alleged that it was the policy of the previous regimes to keep people in scarcity, so that they beg before the government for even basic needs.

He said the licence raj of the previous governments used to add to the burden of unemployment, whereas his government's production-linked incentive model is creating opportunities.

"We are not just changing regulations, we are changing the entire policy of regulations. Our government believes that there should be no regulation for doing something that has not been explicitly prohibited under law," he said.

The prime minister said his government is bringing next-generation reforms at the policy level and implementing reforms at the governance level and for ease of living.

"We are moving from the 'prohibited-unless-permitted' approach to the 'permitted-unless-prohibited' model," he said.

PM Modi said India has moved away from the PLP (Production Linked Punishment) model of the previous governments to PLIs (Production Linked Incentives) now.

He said even small reforms in the Indian Railways, the Delhi Metro and the Namo Rapid Rail show that the country is changing with times.

The prime minister said earlier, no one could make India's map without permission even though foreign satellites could map India, but his government has changed this system.

He also said the government has decided that border infrastructure is India's strength and not weakness. "We have changed the picture of our border infrastructure," he said.

Modi said the world's cheapest data is available in India and the country is making the cheapest and best mobile phones. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Preparations Complete For Imran Khan's Transfer From Jail To Islamabad Hospital

Preparations have been completed for the possible transfer of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, with security tightened around the facility, according to local Pakistani media reports.

A heavy deployment of police and Rangers was reported outside the hospital as authorities finalised arrangements for Khan's possible transfer. Senior police officials also visited the facility to review the security plan.

Khan is expected to enter the hospital through Gate No. 1, according to the reports. Multiple media reports said that security was stepped up on Thursday night as the deadline approached for the transfer of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder for medical treatment under a Supreme Court order.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Government To Challenge SC Order To Move Imran Khan To Private Hospital

Roads around the hospital were cleared of vehicles, while senior Islamabad police officials inspected the arrangements. Pakistani media reported that Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, also reached Adiala Jail.

The Supreme Court had ordered Khan's transfer to a hospital for treatment for several days and directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family.

The government subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the scope of the order, arguing that some aspects could have wider implications for the prison healthcare system.

Pakistan Today reported that Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government had until midnight to implement the transfer order and that the Islamabad administration was working on the arrangements.

In the Senate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would ensure that Khan received the treatment required under the court's directive. He said that if the necessary facilities were unavailable at a government hospital, treatment could be arranged at Shifa International Hospital or another better-equipped facility.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Arrests Over 100 Imran Khan Supporters During Nationwide PTI Protests

“There is no intention to oppose or create hurdles in the provision of necessary medical treatment,” the minister said.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed the government had withdrawn its review petition after objections from the court's filing branch and demanded immediate implementation of the order.

PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram, meanwhile, urged supporters not to create obstacles to Khan's treatment, saying his health should take priority over political activity or public gatherings.

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Elon Musk’s X Considers Stablecoin-Based Payments for Influencers and Content Providers

X is reportedly exploring the use of stablecoins such as Circle’s USDC to pay royalties to influencers and content creators, according to CoinDesk. The discussions come as stablecoins gain traction for faster and cheaper cross-border payments. X recently replaced its Revenue Sharing model with the Original Content Rewards Program, while Elon Musk’s SpaceX is already using stablecoins for payments from some Starlink customers. The move could expand stablecoin use across creator payments and digital platforms.

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Badminton WC: Sindhu And Ayush Enter Rd Of 16, Lakshya Sen Knocked Out

Badminton World Championships 2026 Highlights: PV Sindhu is in Round of 16, so is Ayush Shetty. However, India had a mixed day at the Badminton World Championships on Wednesday. While Sindhu and Ayush Shetty entered the next round it was curtains for Lakshya Sen. Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals after receiving a walkover in their opening match. Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round exit, going down to USA's 18-year-old Garret Tan in a three-game thriller.

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Vijay Wants To Shift His Office. BJP Alleges Corruption In Tender Process

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's plan to shift to a new office has landed him in the middle of a raging political controversy, with the Opposition alleging irregularities in the tender process.

Vijay intends to shift the Chief Minister's Office from Fort St. George to Namakkal Kavingar Maaligai in Chennai to provide more workspace for his staff. According to reports, construction is already underway.

Recently, a Rs 5.5-crore tender was floated by the government for the shifting.

Levelling the first-ever corruption allegation against the three-month-old government, the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the tender had been released a month after construction commenced.

Also read: Shoutout To Gen Z, Warning For Rivals In Vijay's First Independence Day Speech

"In stark contrast to all the tall claims made by the new TVK government about bringing in transparency to the government tender process, a news article by a leading daily today has openly alleged many discrepancies in the tender process in connection with the new chief minister's office for Vijay. The article states that the tender work is worth about Rs 5.5 crores, and that there have been multiple irregularities in the tender process. It has been only 100 days since the TVK government came to power, and already the government is under the scanner," said BJP leader CR Kesavan.

DMK MLA EV Velu also reacted to the row.

"Shifting his office is his personal choice. We can't interfere in it. Even we are happy in a way with the chief minister shifting his office, as that building was constructed by Kalaignar Karunanidhi. But an Indian newspaper report says there are irregularities in the tender, which was not floated online either. We seek clarification from the government. You speak about purity in tenders. But news reports say the tender has been invited after works began for the office," he said.

Also read: Row Over 3 'Poachers' Shot Dead In Karnataka, Vijay Says They Were Tamils

TVK Reacts

Tamil Nadu minister Aadhav Arjuna has refuted the allegations. 

"The news reports are false," he said.

"The chief minister feels that just like him, everyone else who's working with him should also have a comfortable workspace. His officers and staff are now working in a space that's not even 100 sq ft. That's why we are planning a temporary shift of his office. Our chief minister is naturally down-to-earth and flexible...During campaigns, he'll even be okay with resting in a simple hotel or a van," he added.

He further said that former chief ministers M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa wanted to establish a new secretariat but could not due to political circumstances.

"We have had the same building for over 100 years. The office hasn't changed in consonance with the change in administration. Hence, we need to update it," he added.

He assured that the tender process will be transparent.

"No benami companies will be used. We will ensure no leakage to the government's treasury," he added.

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