Sports
Sony Sports bowls out Rising Stars in four languages
Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 airs 13 to 22 February.
MUMBAI: The future of Asian cricket is about to take guard, and it is coming with fresh flair, fearless strokes and a four-language commentary box. Sony Sports Network, part of Sony Pictures Networks India, is set to broadcast the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 from 13 to 22 February, putting the spotlight firmly on the next generation of women’s cricket in the region.
For the first time, Indian viewers will be able to follow the tournament in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The multi-language feeds will be available for all matches scheduled on 13 February, 15 February, 17 February, as well as the semi-finals and the final, widening the net for fans across the country.
One fixture already circled in red is the India vs Pakistan clash on 15 February, a rivalry that rarely needs introduction. Even in a Rising Stars format, that contest promises intensity well beyond its age bracket.
Leading the Indian charge will be Radha Yadav, captaining India A and bringing with her the calm authority of a seasoned campaigner. A consistent performer in the Women’s Premier League, Yadav’s all-round credentials and leadership experience will anchor a youthful side eager to make its mark.
The squad also includes debutant Anushka Sharma, a batting all-rounder who has impressed in domestic cricket and recent WPL outings, earning her maiden national call-up. Strengthening the middle order is Humairaa Kaazi, known for her match awareness and ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
Vrinda Dinesh adds solidity to the batting unit, her domestic performances reflecting technique and temperament in equal measure. Minnu Mani, another all-rounder on the rise, arrives with a growing reputation in the T20 format, valued for her ability to influence the game across disciplines.
Beyond India, the tournament will feature Esha Oza leading the UAE, Anushka Sanjeewani at the helm of Sri Lanka A, Fahima Khatun captaining Bangladesh A, Natthakan Chantham representing Thailand and Rubina Chettri carrying Nepal’s hopes. The line-up underscores the tournament’s broader ambition: to give emerging talent from across Asia a stage big enough to match their dreams.
The Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 will be broadcast live and exclusive across Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony Liv, ensuring that from 13 to 22 February, the continent’s brightest prospects are just a click or a remote away.
For fans, it is not merely another tournament. It is a glimpse of tomorrow’s headlines, written today.
Sports
SMK becomes first Indian helmet brand in Road to MotoGP championship
Partnership with Moto4 Latin Cup puts the brand on the international racing grid for the first time
NEW DELHI: An Indian helmet maker is stepping onto the global racing grid.
SMK Helmets has partnered the Moto4 Latin Cup as the official technical helmet sponsor, marking the company’s entry into international motorsport. The deal places the brand inside the prestigious Road to MotoGP ecosystem, a global ladder designed to groom young riders for professional circuit racing.
The move makes SMK the first global Indian helmet brand to enter a Road to MotoGP championship, a significant milestone for a company that has built its reputation on helmet engineering and manufacturing.
Riders in the championship will compete wearing SMK’s Titan Carbon Racing helmet, a race-spec model designed specifically for high-speed circuit competition.
The Moto4 Latin Cup forms part of the wider Road to MotoGP programme, which serves as a stepping stone for emerging riders aiming to climb the professional racing ranks. The 2026 season will feature 12 rounds across circuits in Brazil and Argentina, with young riders from across the Americas competing on identical Honda NSF250R race machines.
The championship begins from March 20 to 22 in Goiânia, Brazil, coinciding with the return of the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix. The series provides a professional platform for young racers to gain experience on international circuits and pursue what organisers call the “road to the dream”.
Backed by more than five decades of helmet manufacturing expertise, SMK is now extending its focus on safety and performance to the demands of the racing grid, where speed and precision leave little room for compromise.
Under the partnership, competing riders will be equipped with the Titan Carbon Racing helmet, built around a lightweight carbon-fibre shell and a race-oriented interior configuration. The helmet is ECE 22.06 certified and engineered to deliver protection, aerodynamic stability and comfort at racing speeds.
The design reflects modern racing priorities, combining lightweight construction, aerodynamic efficiency and rider-focused ergonomics.
The collaboration is also part of SMK’s longer-term strategy to expand its presence in international motorsport while advancing helmet technology through real-world racing insights.
Racing environments generate valuable data on aerodynamics, ventilation, stability and rider comfort at extreme speeds. Feedback from riders competing in the championship will feed directly into SMK’s ongoing helmet development programme.
“Motorsport represents the highest expression of performance, precision and human ambition,” said Shilpa Arora, head of global sales at SMK Helmets.
“For SMK, supporting the Moto4 Latin Cup is more than a sponsorship. It reflects our long-term commitment to rider safety and innovation,” Arora said.
Sidhartha Khurana, managing director and chief executive at SMK, said the company views racing as a crucial testbed for technology.
“As one of the world’s largest helmet manufacturers by volume, with over five decades of expertise, we believe racing plays an important role in advancing helmet technology,” Khurana said.
“These young athletes represent the future of the sport, and we are proud to stand beside them as they pursue their dreams. The insights gained through racing environments will continue to strengthen the technology that ultimately protects riders on roads across the world.”
Manufactured in India and sold across global markets, SMK’s entry into competitive racing also highlights the rising international recognition of Indian helmet engineering.
From factory floors in India to high-speed racing circuits in Latin America, the company is betting that the road to MotoGP can also become a road to global credibility.
