A RevSportz Exclusive : Vinesh Phogat: “I Will Not Leave Wrestling Un…

In an exclusive interview with RevSportz editor-in-chief Boria Majumdar, following the Asian Games trials, Vinesh Phogat spoke candidly about the ongoing dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), sharing her concerns over the unfairness that continues to surround the sport. Reflecting on her experience at the trials, she opened up about the discrimination she has faced and the wider issues of mismanagement that she believes could have lasting repercussions for the wrestling fraternity. newssport.cv

Vinesh also commented on what she described as unfair practices being permitted and supported within the system. Beyond the controversy, she detailed the immense challenge of returning to elite competition after a 10-month maternity break, shedding light on the physical and mental demands of making a comeback at this level.

Despite the setback, Vinesh spoke passionately about her unwavering spirit to keep fighting and competing, driven by her love for wrestling and her commitment to the sport. Looking ahead, she also shared her ambitions and plans for the LA28 Olympic Games.

Boria: The system is against you, and there is a lot of discrimination directed towards you. How difficult is the fight, and where does the courage come from?

Vinesh: I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it is to deal with these hindrances every single day. I am thankful to the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court for giving me this chance. Otherwise, it is an everyday battle.

It is even more difficult because I have my maternal responsibilities to take care of alongside all of this.

Getting a fair chance would set a good example for women athletes in the future, as they too would have the courage to fight in court if needed. As women, we go through the pain of bringing life into this world, yet we still do not get enough credit for it. Wrestling is a male-dominated sport that relies heavily on power and stamina, so even after going through my maternity phase, I wanted to return to the sport, only to face immense resistance from the system itself.

I try not to dwell on it too much and instead focus on moving forward. I love wrestling deeply and still feel that drive within me. I believe I can still win medals at the Olympics, and that is the sole reason I came back after maternity. I do not want to live with regrets, and I will continue to give my best as long as I feel I have it in me. The day I feel I no longer do, I will thank everyone and leave the sport happily. But under no circumstances will I say goodbye to my favourite sport because of external pressure or force.

I try to avoid the outside noise as much as possible, and my little one helps me do that. Looking at him and his smile gives me the strength to overcome all the negativity and distractions. My team and the love I receive from my country are also undeniable factors that keep me going.

I believe that once the system stands with its athletes, India will not have to wait long to win Olympic gold medals.

Boria: Is this the worst that the system can do to an athlete who simply wants to take part in the Asian Games trials?

Vinesh: Nothing can be worse than this. The only thing worse would be to shoot all the athletes and kill them. I have never seen a situation worse than this in wrestling. There is so much mismanagement.

Last night, just as I was about to go to bed, my team informed me that they had read an article stating that I would not be allowed to compete in the 53kg category. It came as a complete shock. On the eve of the trials, when an athlete should be resting, I was instead doing paperwork with my lawyer because of such childish moves by the federation.

Even the weighing machine was missing until the very last moment. I was then handed a letter stating that I had been placed in the 50kg category, something that had not been communicated to me earlier.

It is a wrestler’s right to choose the category in which they wish to compete. That has been the practice for the past 20 years. On one hand, they say I last competed in the 50kg category, and on the other, they disregard my participation at the Paris Olympics. The argument is completely baseless.

The overall system at the trials, from the weigh-in setup to the procedures leading up to the competition, was pathetic.

Boria: There was a moment when Somvir (Vinesh’s husband) became angry. What was it about?

Vinesh: It was a pinfall position where I was holding my opponent down, but the referee blew the whistle, claiming it was incorrect. They were clearly trying to create obstacles and confusion in the scoring process.

This prompted Somvir to challenge the decision, which eventually led the officials to admit that the referee was wrong.

My opponent in the semi-final kept intentionally twisting my fingers, yet there was no objection raised. Sanjay Singh kept clapping whenever my opponent scored points. He may be at the top, but in reality he is a puppet of former [WFI] chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and openly allows unfair practices.

There was no fairness at all. He literally signalled and attempted to interfere in the proceedings by trying to withdraw the objection during my semi-final bout against Meenakshi Goyat.

Boria: What’s the plan going forward?

Vinesh: I have no regrets, considering the comeback I was able to make after a 10-month maternity break. The target is LA28. This is just part of the journey.

As for the system, it is so haphazard that even younger athletes are beginning to lose faith. If the system does not know how to organise major events and manage them properly, which seems to be the current reality, India’s Olympic medal tally will continue to suffer.

It becomes even harder when the system is working against you rather than supporting you.

As for my future plans, I will continue to fight against all odds and work on my shortcomings. Life and wrestling have already given me a great deal, and as I said, I have no regrets. However, it is my love for wrestling that keeps me going.

But this is not just about me. It is affecting young athletes as well, and everyone knows it. Once the media starts questioning these wrongs more consistently, I believe it will make a difference.

I will continue my fight too. That is my way of trying to make things better for the next generation of wrestlers.

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The grand finale of IPL 2026 will feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru locking horns with Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on 31^st May at 7:30 PM IST.

Get the best RCB vs GT Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the Final match of the IPL 2026. Expert analysis and more.

Also Read: Bhuvneshwar Kumar snubs Jasprit Bumrah; picks Sunil Narine first in death-over challenge

Hot Picks for RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:

Captaincy Picks:

Top Picks:

Budget Picks:

RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Captain and Vice-captain Choices:

RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction Team 1:

• Keepers – Jos Buttler
• Batsmen – Virat Kohli ©, Rajat Patidar, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan (vc)
• All-rounders – Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya
• Bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada

RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction Team 2:

• Keepers – Jos Buttler (vc)
• Batsmen – Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar ©, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan
• All-rounders – Jason Holder
• Bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan

RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today Match Final IPL 2026 Players to Avoid:

RCB vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today Match Final IPL 2026 Expert Advice:

RCB vs GT Match Preview:

The Indian Premier League 2026 reaches its grand finale as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns with Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The championship clash will get underway at 7:30 PM IST, with both teams aiming to cap off an outstanding campaign with the coveted trophy. RCB enter the summit clash brimming with confidence after dismantling Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at Dharamshala. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, Bengaluru have showcased remarkable consistency throughout the season, combining an explosive batting lineup with a disciplined bowling attack. As a result, they will chase a second consecutive IPL title and further strengthen their growing legacy.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans have earned another opportunity to fight for the crown after overcoming Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Although they took the longer playoff route, the Titans have displayed tremendous resilience and character at crucial stages of the tournament. Moreover, they return to familiar surroundings in Ahmedabad, where they have traditionally produced some of their finest performances.

Captain Shubman Gill continues to lead from the front alongside the prolific Sai Sudharsan, while the bowling department draws strength from Purple Cap holder Kagiso Rabada and the ever-dangerous Rashid Khan. Consequently, Gujarat will look to maximize home conditions and overturn their earlier playoff setback against Bengaluru.

Furthermore, the final sets the stage for a fascinating contest between two of the most balanced sides in the competition. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru will rely on their aggressive brand of cricket and big-match experience, Gujarat Titans will bank on their tactical discipline and home-ground advantage. With the IPL trophy on the line and two powerhouse teams ready for battle, Ahmedabad is set to witness a thrilling showdown worthy of the tournament’s grand finale.

RCB vs GT Head-to-Head Record:

RCB vs GT Weather & Pitch Report:

Record of chasing teams:

RCB vs GT Playing 11s (Predicted):

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing 11:

1) Virat Kohli

2) Venkatesh Iyer / Phil Salt

3) Devdutt Padikkal

4) Rajat Patidar ©

5) Krunal Pandya

6) Tim David

7) Jitesh Sharma (wk)

8) Romario Shepherd

9) Bhuvneshwar Kumar

10) Josh Hazlewood

11) Rasikh Salam

12) Jacob Duffy / Suyash Sharma

Gujarat Titans Playing 11:

1) Shubman Gill ©

2) B Sai Sudharsan

3) Jos Buttler (wk)

4) Washington Sundar

5) Nishant Sindhu

6) Jason Holder

7) Rahul Tewatia (Impact)

8) Rashid Khan

9) R Sai Kishore

10) Kagiso Rabada

11) Prasidh Krishna

12) Mohammed Siraj

RCB vs GT Match Winner Prediction:

Considering the current performance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to win this match.

RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final: Royal Challengers Bengaluru are aiming to become just the third side in the history of Indian Premier League to defend their title after powerhouses Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as they take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Rajat Patidar’s side have been the dominant team in the league, the first to book the berth in the IPL 2026 Playoffs and first to reach the title clash after their massive 92-run win over GT in the Qualifier 1 match on Tuesday.

GT, on the other hand, took the long route to the final, beating Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 on Friday thanks to a brilliant century by their skipper Shubman Gill. But the ‘home side’ will be heading into the title match just less than a day’s break after their delayed arrival in Ahmedabad due to storm en route from Chandigarh.

RCB, meanwhile, had to wait for 18 years to win their maiden IPL title in the 2025, where they had defeated Punjab Kings by six runs to win their first-ever crown. Now ahead of their move to new owners – Aditya Birla-led consortium – they can double their IPL trophy tally on Sunday night.

“It is important to know your strength. You cannot compare yourself with other teams. It is more important to focus on your team and how you play throughout the tournament. According to me, it is more important to play to our strength,” RCB captain Rajat Patidar said in the pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

“Both teams have done really well throughout the tournament. It will be exciting and challenging for both teams,” he added.

Also Read | Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for India debut? Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes…

GT openers Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the second and third-highest run-scorers in the IPL 2026 season behind Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who holds the Orange Cap with 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike-rate of 237.3.

While Gill has scored 722 runs in 15 matches at a strike-rate of 163.71 with 1 century and 6 fifties, his opening partner Sudharsan has 710 runs in 16 matches at a strike-rate of 159.55 with 1 century and 8 fifties. For RCB, former captain Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer with 600 runs in 15 matches at a strike-rate of 164.38 with 1 hundred and 4 fifties.

But strength of both teams lies in their bowling attack. GT fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has taken away the Purple Cap from RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar after Qualifier 2. Rabada has 28 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 20.78 while Bhuvneshwar has 26 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 18.15.

“When you have top bowlers like Bhuvi and Hazlewood, you still need support from the other bowlers as well. The way Rasikh has come in and contributed to the team, providing those breakthroughs, has been important. You cannot win a competition or a match with just one or two bowlers. The way Rasikh has bowled throughout the tournament has been superb and it has really helped the team,” Patidar said.

RCB have a slight edge when it comes to head-to-head record with GT with 5 wins as compared to 4 losses but at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, both sides have won one game each.

: Season 1⃣9⃣ Finale. Dropping tomorrow. ‍#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/NoWrfOp6a6

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 30, 2026

Here are all the details about Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match…

When is Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match going to take place?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match will take place on Sunday, May 31.

Where is Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match going to take place?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match will be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

What time will Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match start?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match will begin at 730pm IST. The toss for the match will be held at 7pm.

Where can I watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match on TV in India?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match will be available LIVE on TV on Star Sports network channels in India.

How can I watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match in India?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match will be available for livestreaming on JioHotstar website and app in India.

RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final preview. (Source: NotebookLM)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Final match Predicted 12

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer/Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/Suyash Sharma

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

"Boss Baby" Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has received the ultimate endorsement for his Team India and Test cricket prospects. The "God of Cricket" Sachin Tendulkar himself has said that the teenager could play Test cricket in the future.

Sooryavanshi had a record-breaking IPL 2026 where he made 776 runs at a strike rate of 237 and broke Chris Gayle's 14-year-old record for the most sixes in an IPL season.

The breaking point came when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 97 runs from just 29 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator and came within inches of breaking Gayle's record for the fastest century in IPL history by balls faced.

Right now, Sooryavanshi still holds the IPL 2026 Orange Cap but could lose it during the IPL final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans on Sunday.

"He is something truly special" - Sachin Tendulkar

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Tendulkar spoke about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and what makes the 15-year-old so good. Tendulkar explained that the boy wonder's wrist work was the defining factor behind his exploits.

"Everyone is talking about Sooryavanshi, and I watched him bat - it was magnificent," Tendulkar said. "I mean, he is something truly special. And not just the ability to hit the ball, but what also fascinated me was the wrist work that he has.

"To be able to play in all directions of the ground, you need good wrist work. And he is not slogging the ball. He is just picking the line and length earlier than the rest of the guys, and he can clear the rope comfortably," he continued.

"I would tell him to just be himself" - Sachin Tendulkar

When asked what advice he would give to the youngster if the southpaw wanted to succeed in Test cricket, Tendulkar said that no pressure should be put on the boy.

Tendulkar said that Test cricket would come with its own challenges, but that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needed to stay true to himself and not get muddled by the multiple things said to him.

"I would tell him to just be himself," he said. "There is always a first time. In Test cricket, along with age, he will learn how to deal with various challenges. [It's about] having a solution-oriented mindset. Problems are always going to be there. Problems will be there till the last day of your career, till the last ball you face."

"The bowler is asking a question every ball. Now, what solutions do you find? He's kind of a player who looks very confident, very, very sure of what he wants to do, and I would not want to play around with his instincts," he said.

"The way he sees the ball and the way he responds to that, if that signal is interrupted - if you put a lot of hurdles in between that by telling him multiple things - that's where the real challenge would be. I would give him the freedom to go out and bat the way he does. Along with time, he will learn to deal with other challenges of the game," Tendulkar added.

"An exciting talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needs encouragement" - Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar concluded his address by saying that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needed to be encouraged to go further in his career.

He also said that no pressure should be put on the youngster and that nature should take its due course in handing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a Test debut rather than rushing him into things.

"Not just me, but everyone would want to see him [playing Test cricket] at some stage. I don't know when that is going to happen. But an exciting talent needs encouragement. And if he's doing well, then we need to encourage and support him and enjoy above all, and not put pressure on him constantly, you know, he should play this, or he shouldn't be doing this, or he should be picked in whatever squad. Leave that to the guys [selectors] who are responsible for that," Tendulkar said.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar proposes massive T20 and IPL change; wants Impact Player rule scrapped