The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and Haryana showcased remarkable talent at the 7th Youth Men & Women National Boxing Championships 2025. SSCB clinched the team gold in the men’s division, while Haryana triumphed in the women’s category.

Held over a week at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, this event also served as a qualifier for the prestigious Under-19 Asian Boxing Championship 2025. Twenty elite boxers who secured gold medals earned their spots in the upcoming championship.

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In the men’s category, SSCB delivered a stellar performance, dominating various weight classes and finishing the competition with six golds, one silver, and two bronze medals.

REC Limited put up a strong fight, securing second place with one gold, three silvers, and one bronze. Haryana’s commendable efforts earned them the team bronze, with two individual golds and bronzes.

In the women’s division, Haryana emerged victorious, claiming the team gold with a total of eight medals: three golds and five silvers. Delhi followed closely, securing the team silver with four golds, a silver, and two bronzes. Rajasthan completed the top three, taking the team bronze with two golds and three bronzes.

The championships were marked by individual excellence, particularly in the men’s division, where SSCB’s athletes excelled in key weight categories. Aakash Budwar won gold in the 47-50kg class, while Shivam emerged victorious in the 50-55kg category. Mausam Suhag topped the 60-65kg division, and Rahul Kundu clinched gold in the 70-75kg category.

In the heavier weight classes, Hemant Sangwan dominated the 85-90kg competition, and Krish secured gold in the 90+kg event, further establishing SSCB’s dominance.

Haryana’s women boxers displayed impressive skills and determination throughout the tournament. Yakshika took gold in the 48-51kg division, while Vini triumphed in the 57-60kg category. Nisha added to Haryana’s success with a gold medal in the 60-65kg class. Additionally, Shikha, Arju, Sarika, and Saniya contributed silver medals in their respective categories, highlighting the team’s depth.

On Day 9 of the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships, six out of seven Indian pugilists secured their spots in the U-17 finals, reinforcing India’s impressive performance. In total, 21 Indian boxers across U-15 and U-17 categories are now set to vie for gold.

The U-17 women’s team showcased their dominance, with Ahaana Sharma (50 kg) leading the charge by achieving a knockout victory in the first round against Kyrgyzstan’s Akmaral Amantaieva.

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Khushi Chand (44–46 kg) triumphed over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Cherevata with a close 3-2 decision, while Jannat (54 kg), Simranjeet Kaur (60 kg), Harsika (63 kg), and Anshika (80+ kg) also claimed decisive victories to advance to the finals.

In the men’s U-17 category, Devansh (80 kg) showcased a composed performance, defeating Vietnam’s Nguyen Trong Tien with a score of 4-1 to secure his place in the finals.

Results

Men’s U-17 – Semifinals

48 kg: Meetei Ambekar Lairenlakpam (IND) lost to Zobeir Eisazehi (IRI) – WP 1:4

50 kg: Aman Dev (IND) lost to Khalif Rassul (KAZ) – WP 0:5

52 kg: Tikam Singh (IND) lost to Temirali Temirbayev (KAZ) – WP 0:5

54 kg: Udham Singh Raghav (IND) lost to Bobomurod Boymirzaev (UZB) – WP 0:5

57 kg: Rahul Gariya (IND) lost to Zubair Akramov (KGZ) – WP 0:5

63 kg: Aman Siwach (IND) lost to Saidkhuja Sadillakhujaev (UZB) – WP 0:5

80 kg: Devansh (IND) def. Nguyen Trong Tien (VIE) – WP 4:1

Women’s U-17 – Semifinals

44-46 kg: Khushi Chand (IND) def. Oleksandra Cherevata (UKR) – WP 3:2

48 kg: Jiya (IND) lost to Nazokat Mardonova (UZB) – WP 2:3

50 kg: Ahaana Sharma (IND) def. Akmaral Amantaieva (KGZ) – KO R1

54 kg: Jannat (IND) def. Balym Gabitkyzy (KAZ) – WP 5:0

60 kg: Simranjeet Kaur (IND) def. Daria Serhiienko (UKR) – WP 5:0

63 kg: Harsika (IND) def. Kateryna Moroz (UKR) – WP 5:0

66 kg: Prachi (IND) lost to Dilyara Tursynbek (KAZ) – WP 0:5

70 kg: Himanshi (IND) lost to Kamila Ospanova (KAZ) – WP 0:5

75 kg: Sanvi (IND) lost to Diana Nadyrbek (KAZ) – WP 0:5

80 kg: Prachi Khatri (IND) lost to Friza Tazhibaieva (KAZ) WP 1:4

80+ kg: Anshika (IND) def. Elnura Kongyrat (KAZ) WP 5:0

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to expand, with the BCCI planning to increase the tournament to 94 matches starting from the 2028 cycle. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal announced that 20 additional matches will be added to the current schedule of 74 matches when the next media rights cycle begins, while clarifying that there are no plans for more teams.

The IPL, which currently features 10 teams, underwent a format change in 2022, increasing from a 60-match structure following the introduction of the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Although there were discussions about raising the number of matches to 84 by 2025, these plans have been postponed due to scheduling conflicts with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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Currently, the IPL is locked in its window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) until 2027, scheduled from mid-March to the end of May. However, Dhumal emphasized that the board is actively considering adopting a full home-and-away format, potentially encompassing 94 matches, once the new media rights cycle commences in 2028.

“Definitely, that could be a possibility. We’ve had discussions within the ICC and also in-house at the BCCI. Given the changing fan interests in bilateral and ICC events versus franchise T20 cricket, we need to take this conversation seriously to maximize value for all stakeholders,” Dhumal shared with ESPNcricinfo.

“Ideally, we’d want to expand our format from 74 to either 84 or 94 matches, allowing every team to play against each team at home and away. This requires a total of 94 games,” he added.

While Dhumal noted that expanding to 94 matches isn’t an immediate objective, he mentioned that the BCCI will evaluate the feasibility of such a plan moving forward.

“Considering our commitments related to bilateral cricket and ICC events, such expansion may not be feasible in the near term. However, as the landscape evolves, we may revisit this option,” Dhumal explained.

“There’s been an overload of cricket: following our Test series in Australia and the Champions Trophy, we are now also engaged with the IPL. This is why moving from 74 to 84 matches in 2025 seems impractical, but we will make a decision when the time is right,” he added.

No New Franchises

Amidst significant interest from potential investors, Dhumal confirmed that the BCCI doesn’t plan to introduce additional franchises in the immediate future.

“Ten teams are currently an optimal number. Our focus is on preserving interest in the tournament and ensuring the quality of cricket. There are no expansion plans in the short run. We will continuously assess the situation as it evolves,” he said.

Praising the current season’s success, Dhumal highlighted the competitive spirit among the teams and the rise of young Indian talent, expressing his hope for a new champion this season.

“Every year, the tournament has been growing. We are thrilled with how the fans have embraced this event, as reflected in phenomenal broadcast and in-stadium numbers. We are looking forward to the special 18th edition continuing its upward trajectory,” Dhumal said.

“I would love to see a team that has never won the trophy lift it this year. Teams like Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings have performed well but haven’t clinched a title. If they meet in the finals, I would be delighted to see a new winner emerge,” he added.