The much-awaited 2025 Schools Rugby Season is gearing up for an intense start, with the Knockout Tournament kicking off on April 24 and running until May 18. This year’s edition will feature 12 top-tier teams along with four qualifiers from Division 1B, all competing under the guidance of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). Defending champions Isipathana College will be determined to defend their Knockout title against strong opposition.

Following the Knockout battle, the Inter-Schools Rugby League will commence on June 2, featuring 18 teams split into three competitive groups of six. St. Peter’s College, last year’s League winners, will aim to maintain their dominance, but with significant investments in player development and strong sponsorship backing across schools, the competition is set to be fiercer than ever.

League Group Breakdown:

🔹 Group A: St. Peter’s, DS Senanayake, Wesley, Science, St. Anthony’s, Ananda
🔹 Group B: Isipathana, S. Thomas’, Zahira, Kingswood, Mahanama, Dharmaraja
🔹 Group C: Royal, Trinity, Vidyartha, St. Joseph’s, Sri Sumangala, Thurstan

With top-tier schools, passionate rivalries, and immense fan support, the 2025 Schools Rugby Season promises high-octane action from start to finish. Stay tuned for live updates, match results, and exclusive insights on Sri Lankan Sports TV!

Barcelona delivered a commanding performance at home, dismantling Valencia 7-1 in a high-scoring La Liga encounter. The emphatic victory saw Barcelona regain momentum in the title race, with young star Fermin Lopez leading the charge with a brace.

Dominant First Half for Barcelona

The Catalan giants wasted no time asserting their dominance. Frenkie de Jong opened the scoring within the first three minutes after an assist from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Ferran Torres soon doubled the lead with a precise finish off Alejandro Balde’s cross, setting the tone for an explosive first half.

Raphinha extended the advantage with a well-taken goal, rounding Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili with ease. Lopez then got on the scoresheet after a brilliant lofted pass from Pau Cubarsi, which was initially flagged offside but later validated by VAR. Before the halftime whistle, Lopez struck again on the volley, sealing a five-goal lead for Barcelona.

Valencia’s Fightback Falls Short

Valencia attempted a response in the second half, with Hugo Duro pulling one back from a Diego Lopez assist. However, Barcelona quickly reasserted their dominance with the introduction of star striker Robert Lewandowski. The Polish marksman clinically finished his chance for his 17th league goal of the season, leaving Valencia with little hope of a comeback.

A late own goal by Valencia defender Cesar Tarrega compounded their misery, as Torres’ driven cross led to the final blow.

Manager Hansi Flick Praises Team Performance

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick hailed his side’s dominant display, emphasizing Fermin Lopez’s impressive all-round performance. “He was excellent in attack and defense, showing great composure with the ball,” Flick stated in the post-match interview.

Meanwhile, Valencia’s captain Jose Gaya issued an apology to the fans, acknowledging the disappointing performance. “It was a step backward, and we must channel our frustration into the next match,” he said.

La Liga Standings and Upcoming Fixtures

The victory keeps Barcelona’s title hopes alive, though they remain third in the standings, trailing leaders Real Madrid by seven points and Atletico Madrid by three.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao played out a goalless draw against Leganes, while Getafe climbed to 14th place with a 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad. Rayo Vallecano also secured a crucial 2-1 comeback win against Girona.

Barcelona will look to maintain this momentum as they prepare for their next fixture in the Spanish top flight

New Delhi, January 27, 2025 – Cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting Virat Kohli’s highly anticipated return to domestic red-ball cricket will be disappointed, as no live telecast or streaming has been confirmed for Delhi’s final group-stage Ranji Trophy match against Railways.

The match, set to begin on January 30 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, marks Kohli’s first Ranji Trophy appearance since 2012, when he last played against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. Despite the excitement surrounding his comeback, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make arrangements for a live broadcast of this marquee domestic fixture.

Excitement in the Delhi Camp

Kohli, who has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers with 80 international centuries, will be a valuable addition to Delhi’s squad, led by Ayush Badoni. His presence is expected to provide crucial exposure and learning opportunities for younger players. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma highlighted how this experience will benefit the squad, noting that apart from Navdeep Saini, none of the current Delhi players have played alongside Kohli in the Ranji Trophy.

Security & Spectator Arrangements

To accommodate the influx of fans, Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has ramped up security measures and made special arrangements, including opening additional stands at the Ambedkar Stadium End (Gate Nos. 7, 15, and 16). Spectators can enjoy free entry to witness the action, with provisions for clean drinking water and hygienic restrooms.

No Live Broadcast – A Major Letdown for Fans

While the excitement is high, the lack of a confirmed live broadcast remains a disappointment. According to a DDCA official, BCCI’s match broadcasting schedule is finalized months in advance, and Delhi’s fixture was not selected for TV or online streaming. Matches like Mumbai vs J&K, Karnataka vs Haryana, and Bengal vs Punjab have been prioritized for telecast.

Though there is speculation about a last-minute arrangement for live streaming given Kohli’s presence, officials have indicated that such a decision would be challenging due to the logistical demands of a multi-camera production setup.

Delhi’s Squad for the Match

Squad: Ayush Badoni (C), Virat Kohli, Pranav Rajvanshi (WK), Sanat Sangwan, Arpit Rana, Mayank Gusain, Shivam Sharma, Sumit Mathur, Vansh Bedi (WK), Money Grewal, Harsh Tyagi, Siddhant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dhull, Gagan Vats, Jonty Sidhu, Himmat Singh, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rahul Gehlot, Jitesh Singh.

Final Thoughts

While Kohli’s return to domestic cricket is a historic moment, the lack of live coverage remains a significant letdown for fans eager to watch their favorite star in action. However, spectators in Delhi will have a golden opportunity to witness Kohli’s presence at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Will BCCI reconsider and bring this match to fans worldwide? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates on cricket and other sports!