The Indian Panorama

Tag: Sports news

  • From India’s T20 glory to Olympic excellence: A rewind

    From India’s T20 glory to Olympic excellence: A rewind

    As 2024 comes to a close, the global sporting fraternity pauses to reflect on a year that delivered extraordinary achievements, thrilling moments, and landmark events across disciplines. From cricketing glory and Olympic excellence to the electrifying circuits of Formula One and a new world champion in chess, 2024 has been a year that celebrated resilience, passion, and sheer talent. Here’s a comprehensive look at the year’s most memorable sporting highlights and what lies ahead in 2025.

    Cricket: India’s glorious resurgence
    India’s cricketing narrative in 2024 was one of redemption and triumph. Under the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team clinched their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a heart-stopping final. This victory, breaking an 11-year ICC trophy drought and a 13-year wait for a World Cup title, marked a historic resurgence for Indian cricket on the global stage.
    Meanwhile, spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket, marking the end of an era for India’s bowling attack. Indian women’s cricket also saw commendable performances, with the team continuing their ascent in bilateral series but failing to clinch the T20 World Cup title. Globally, cricket made strides in expanding its reach, with Major League Cricket in the USA captivating new audiences in non-traditional cricketing territories.
    Football: Triumphs and joy
    The UEFA Euro 2024, held in Germany, was a celebration of footballing excellence. Spain claimed its fourth UEFA European Championship title in history with a 2-1 victory over England in the final. In club football, Manchester City dominated the Premier League, while Real Madrid secured their 15th UEFA Champions League title, overcoming Borussia Dortmund in a pulsating final.
    Women’s football continued its rapid rise, with Barcelona securing the Women’s Champions League crown. Meanwhile, Argentina claimed their second consecutive Copa América title, defeating Colombia 1-0 with a 112th-minute goal from Lautaro Martínez, despite Lionel Messi sustaining a second-half leg injury.
    Tennis: A youthful revolution
    In 2024, the torchbearers of tennis’s next generation seized the spotlight. Carlos Alcaraz added the French Open and Wimbledon titles to his growing legacy, while Jannik Sinner claimed victories at the US Open and Australian Open.
    Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis during the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain, bringing an end to his extraordinary career. At the age of 38, he retired with 22 Grand Slam singles titles and a host of other achievements. In women’s tennis, Aryna Sabalenka reigned supreme with US Open and Australian Open titles, while Iga Swiatek triumphed at the French Open. At the Australian Open, Rohan Bopanna, aged 43, won his first men’s doubles Grand Slam title, becoming the oldest player to achieve this feat.
    Paris 2024 Olympics: A global showcase
    The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics captivated the world with its blend of tradition and innovation. Featuring 329 events across 32 sports, the Games introduced breakdancing and Formula Kite while celebrating the return of crowd favorites like surfing and skateboarding. India’s Paris 2024 Olympics campaign featured historic achievements and near-misses. Manu Bhaker made history with India’s first Olympic shooting medal, a bronze, followed by another in the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale added a third shooting medal, marking India’s best-ever performance in the sport. The men’s hockey team secured bronze, and Neeraj Chopra claimed silver in javelin. Aman Sehrawat became India’s youngest Olympic medallist with a wrestling bronze. However, India faced disappointment with six fourth-place finishes and Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification before her final.
    India also won the Women’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2024, defeating China 1-0 in the final. This historic victory secured their third title, making them joint most successful with South Korea.
    Paralympics 2024: India’s unprecedented success
    India delivered its best-ever performance at the 2024 Paralympic Games, winning 29 medals, including 17 in athletics, 5 in badminton, 4 in shooting, 2 in archery, and 1 in judo. Notable achievements included Avani Lekhara’s double gold, Sumit Antil’s javelin title defense, Mariyappan Thangavelu’s historic streak, and Harvinder Singh’s groundbreaking archery gold.
    Formula One: Verstappen’s continued reign
    The 2024 Formula 1 season proved to be one of the most exciting in recent years. Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship but faced strong competition from Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, McLaren triumphed in the Constructors’ Championship, securing their first title since 1998. The Dutchman now equals legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four titles, behind only Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Lewis Hamilton (7), and Michael Schumacher (7).
    Chess: A new king risesIndian chess witnessed a watershed moment in 2024 as Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at just 18, dethroning Ding Liren of China. Gukesh’s achievement, breaking Garry Kasparov’s decades-old record, heralded the advent of a golden era for I ndian chess, with prodigies like R. Praggnanandhaa adding to the nation’s growing dominance.
    Badminton: On the path to revival
    At the Syed Modi India International Super 300 tournament in Lucknow, India’s PV Sindhu ended the title drought by defeating China’s Luo Yu Wu 21-14, 21-16, securing her third win at the event. Lakshya Sen clinched his maiden title with a dominant 21-6, 21-7 victory over Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh. The highlight was Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who made history as the first Indian women’s doubles pair to win the title, beating Li Jing Bao and Li Qian 21-18, 21-11. This success marked a turning point for Indian badminton in 2024.
    Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also put up decent performances, winning the French Open and Thailand Open titles.
    A year to remember and a bright future ahead
    As we look back on the exhilarating year of 2024, it is clear that the sporting world was filled with unforgettable moments of triumph, resilience, and history-making performances. From India’s T20 glory to Gukesh’s chess crowning, athletes across the globe displayed remarkable skill, determination, and passion. These milestones not only created new legacies but also set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.
    In cricket, India’s resurgence under Rohit Sharma and their long-awaited T20 World Cup victory was a testament to the country’s resilience. In football, the Spanish national team’s triumph at Euro 2024, along with Real Madrid’s record-breaking Champions League victory, added to the drama and excitement of the season. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner symbolized a youthful revolution in tennis, while Max Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 and Gukesh’s rise in chess signaled the ongoing evolution of sporting dynasties.
    Meanwhile, India’s performance in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics was a testament to the country’s growing prominence in the global sporting arena, showcasing both breakthroughs and near-misses that fueled hope for the future. In badminton, India’s rising stars like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen took center stage, further cementing the nation’s position as a powerhouse in the sport.
    As we turn the page to 2025, the sporting world is full of excitement and anticipation. India’s continued rise in cricket, badminton, and shooting offers great promise, especially with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the 2025 World Athletics Championships on the horizon. The nation is also expected to build on its Paralympic success, with a strong focus on nurturing young talents for future global competitions.
    Tennis fans will continue to witness the next generation of stars battling it out on the courts, while in Formula 1, the competition to dethrone Max Verstappen promises thrilling rivalries. Football, too, will see the ongoing dominance of clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a host of emerging teams and talents looking to make their mark.
    As always, the world will eagerly await the Olympics, where athletes from around the globe will push their limits to secure their places in history. With emerging nations rising in prominence, 2025 is set to be a year where sportsmanship, passion, and excellence will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
    In sum, 2025 promises to build on the foundation of 2024’s successes, with a host of new stars, records, and unforgettable moments waiting to be written. Whether it’s in cricket, football, tennis, Formula 1, or chess, the world of sports will remain as exciting as ever. Fans and athletes alike have much to look forward to as they set their sights on new horizons and strive for even greater feats in the year ahead.

  • World Championships Rapid and Blitz: Koneru Humpy becomes world rapid champion for second time

    World Championships Rapid and Blitz: Koneru Humpy becomes world rapid champion for second time

    New York (TIP)- Grandmaster Koneru Humpy capped a wonderful year for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the women’s world rapid chess champion here on Sunday.
    India No. 1 Humpy, who had first won the event back in 2019, is only the second player after China’s Ju Wenjun to clinch the title more than once. Humpy’s achievement laced a sensational year for the chess fraternity after D Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren to emerge champion in the classical format World Championship recently. In September, India had also won its first-ever gold medals in the open and women’s categories in the Chess Olympiad.
    The Indian, who started the tournament here with a first-round defeat, was the lone winner in the 11th and final round. She topped the table with 8.5 points, half a point clear of six others including compatriot D Harika.
    “I’m very excited and happy. In fact, I expected it to be a very tough day, like some sort of tiebreak. But when I finished the game, the arbitrator told me (about winning), and it was a tense moment for me,” said Humpy. “So, this is quite unexpected because the whole year I have been struggling and I had very bad tournaments where I just ended up in last place. So, this came as a surprise,” she added.
    Wenjun finished second as the tiebreak was resolved while Kateryna Lagno of Russia ended third. Harika, who had eight points, had to be content with a fifth-place finish.
    Humpy credited her family for the success. “I think it was possible because of the support from my family. My husband and my parents… they support me a lot. My parents look after my daughter when I travel. It’s not easy to become a world champion at 37. It’s quite difficult when you get older to keep that motivation and stay sharp when required. I’m glad that I made it,” she said.
    The seasoned player said she was motivated to do well after her first round defeat, which saw her eventually slipping to 2.5 points after four rounds. Humpy said her victory will now prompt other Indians to take up chess.
    “I think it’s high time for India. We also have Gukesh as world champion and now I got the second world title in the rapid event. So, I think this will motivate a lot of youngsters to take up chess professionally,” she said.
    Meanwhile, in the open section, 18-year-old Russian Grandmaster Volodar Murzin won the gold medal ahead of a star-studded field showing tremendous nerves.

  • Workhorse Jasprit Bumrah picks 13th 5-wicket haul after hardest toil in MCG Test

    Workhorse Jasprit Bumrah picks 13th 5-wicket haul after hardest toil in MCG Test

    Melbourne (TIP)- Jasprit Bumrah delivered another bowling masterclass, securing his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India bowled out Australia for 228 on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Starting the day with the challenging task of breaking Australia’s stubborn resistance, Bumrah wasted no time. In just four deliveries, he dismissed Nathan Lyon, ending Australia’s second innings at 234. This left the hosts setting India a target of 340 runs for victory.
    Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 5 for 57 from 24.4 overs, delivering an exhausting yet immensely rewarding performance. This effort marked a career-high workload, as he bowled an incredible 53.2 overs in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the most he has bowled in his career.
    Bumrah’s dominance at the MCG is nothing short of phenomenal. With 24 wickets across six matches at a staggering average of 14.66 and a strike rate of 32.7, he has been the backbone of India’s success at the MCG. His latest five-wicket haul adds to a glittering resume that includes standout figures such as 6/33, 3/53, 4/56, 2/54, 4/99, and 5/57. This sustained brilliance not only underscores his mastery of the craft but also establishes him as one of the finest modern-day performers on cricket’s biggest stage.
    Australia’s innings began without fireworks as debutant Sam Konstas (8) fell early to Bumrah. Marnus Labuschagne stood firm with a gritty 70, but his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. From a steady 80/2, Australia slumped to 91/6, undone by India’s relentless pace attack. Pat Cummins fought valiantly with a defiant 41, supported by a frustrating final-wicket stand between Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon, which extended Australia’s lead to over 325. However, Bumrah’s precision ensured there was no escape for Australia.
    It has become crystal clear over the last few years that Jasprit Bumrah would end up as one of the best fast bowlers the game has ever seen. On Sunday, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he firmed up the general perception further with a tangible statistical milestone — the Indian pacer became the first bowler ever in Test cricket to claim 200 wickets at an average of under 20. He has picked up 200 Test scalps giving just 19.38 runs per wicket. If that doesn’t sound impressive enough, just look at the names that follow him on the list of fast bowlers having the lowest Test averages — the great Malcolm Marshall (20.94), Joel Garner (20.97) and Curtly Ambrose (20.99).
    Ahead of the Australia series, Bumrah had done enough to establish himself as a modern day great. With his breathtaking performance in this series, he has taken giant strides towards cementing his place in the league of all-time great fast bowlers. Out of the total 56 Australian wickets that have fallen so far in four Test matches, Bumrah has picked up 29, more than 50 per cent, at a strike rate of 29.10 and an average of 13.24. Bumrah has single-handedly kept India alive in the series, as far as bowling is concerned.

  • Uncapped Webster called into Australia squad for India series

    Sydney: Australia have added uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster to the squad for the second Test against India as cover for Mitchell Marsh, whose fitness remains a concern. Marsh had pulled up “sore” following Australia’s 295-run hammering in the series opener in Perth earlier this week.
    Webster, also a right-hand pace all-rounder like Marsh, has been the stand out performer in the Sheffield Shield over the past two years.
    The 30-year-old has collected 1788 runs including five hundreds and nine fifties. He starred in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales earlier this week, striking a 61 and 49 besides taking five wickets.
    “To get a few runs and wickets (for Australia A) was pleasing against a strong Indian side,” Webster was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au ahead of the announcement.
    “Any time you’re playing ‘A’ cricket, it’s the one step below Test level, so it does hold you in good stead. To get the call from ‘Bails’ (men’s selection chair George Bailey) at the end of the NSW game was a really proud moment and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
    “There’s a tight turnaround between the Adelaide and Gabba Test so I think (I’m there) just to have some cover there for that middle-order role, whichever way they go,” he added.

  • Sri Lanka collapse to their lowest Test score of 42

    Sri Lanka collapse to their lowest Test score of 42

    Sri Lanka were dismissed for their lowest test total of 42 after South Africa’s Marco Jansen produced bowling heroics to help the hosts take a firm grip on the first test by opening a 281-run lead by the close of play on the second day. The lanky Jansen took a career best 7-13 as Sri Lanka were all out inside 14 overs as 19 wickets fell on a lively surface at Kingsmead on Thursday, November 28.
    South Africa, put in to bat and 80-4 overnight, were bowled out for 191 by lunch in their first innings but were on 132-3 in their second as they chase victory to stay on track for a place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. Jansen, 24, is only the second bowler to take seven wickets inside seven overs of a test innings, emulating former Australia captain Hugh Trumble, whose 7-28 in 6.5 overs, including a hat-trick, bowled them to victory over England in Melbourne in 1904.
    Jansen’s haul also took only 41 balls after clean bowling three Sri Lankans, having three more caught in the slips and finishing off the innings with a caught and bowled as last man Asitha Fernando struck a delivery high into the sky.
    “We saw the ball was moving around earlier in the day and knew that if we put it in the right area, we could make things happen,” said Jansen. Sri Lanka’s score was the tied-ninth lowest innings in test history and their own worst total by 29 runs after their previous low of 71 against Pakistan in Kandy 30 years ago.

  • South Africa joins the 2036 Olympic bidders

    South Africa joins the 2036 Olympic bidders

    Chile, Egypt, India, Mexico, Qatar and Turkey also have evinced interest

    By Prabhjot Singh

    India has yet another rival in South Africa in bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games. While the BJP-led NDA government in India has fully backed the Indian Olympic Association’s bid to organize the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza in 2036, South Africa is the latest country to join the list of countries contending to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

    Others who have already announced their intentions to host the Olympic Games 2036 are Chile (South America), Egypt (Africa), India (Asia), Mexico (Americas), Qatar (Asia), and Turkey. Africa is the only continent still waiting to host its first Olympic Games.

    Interestingly, the bidders for the 2036 Olympic Games are mainly from three continents – Africa, Americas and Asia. Americas will hold the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028 – which will travel down under to Brisbane (Australia) in 2032. Now the eyes are set for the 2036 Olympic Games as some of the first-timers are pinning their hopes on the new venue selection criteria.

    This week, when a delegation of the South African Olympic Committee visited the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, it was enthusiastically welcomed. The IOC welcomed South Africa’s proposal to begin preliminary discussions on the possibility of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. The initiative, presented at a meeting at the Olympic House in Lausanne, marks the start of an ambitious project that could see South Africa become the first African country to host the world’s biggest sporting event.

    The South African delegation was led by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, accompanied by South African National Olympic Committee President Barry Hendricks and CEO Nozipho Jafta. The project is supported by South African IOC member Anant Singh and honorary member Sam Ramsamy. They are both members of the Indian Diaspora.

    The IOC President Thomas Bach underlined the importance of this proposal from South Africa. “The IOC welcomes this proposal and the united commitment of SASCOC, the South African government and our representatives in South Africa. This project is not only about hosting an Olympic Games in South Africa but is intended as a project for the whole of Africa,” said Bach, underlining the historic impact that the first Olympic Games on the African continent would have. Minister Gayton McKenzie added: “We are at the beginning of an exciting process that could see South Africa host the 2036 Olympic Games. This vision brings us together as a nation and has the potential to show the world the best of Africa.”

    South Africa is not alone in the race for the 2036 Olympics. Countries that have already expressed interest include Chile, Egypt, India, Mexico, Qatar and Turkey. Each of these contenders is in preliminary talks with the IOC under the new venue selection model, which seeks to accommodate the needs of host regions and encourage sustainability.

    Barry Hendricks, President of SASCOC, emphasized the advantages of this new approach: “The old prescriptions of how a Games should be organized no longer exist. An Olympics in South Africa could showcase all the wonders of our country and inspire a new generation of athletes not only in South Africa but across the continent.”

    The IOC has introduced a flexible approach to the selection of future Olympic venues, allowing interested countries to work collaboratively to develop projects tailored to their realities. The body is currently in talks with more than a dozen stakeholders from four continents.

    The South African bid represents not only a milestone for the country but also a significant step for the Olympic Movement as it seeks to diversify venues and bring the Games to regions that have never hosted them before. It would be a symbol of unity and progress for the entire African continent.

  • Hockey India League appoints Josh Burt as Technical Delegate and Colin French as Umpire Manager for 2024-2025 edition

    Hockey India League appoints Josh Burt as Technical Delegate and Colin French as Umpire Manager for 2024-2025 edition

    The celebrated league officials with vast experience will ensure smooth conduct of the most-anticipated Hockey India League

    By Prabhjot Singh

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Hockey India League, on Thursday, named Josh Burt as Technical Delegate and Colin French as Umpire Manager for the most-anticipated 2024-2025 edition of the tournament which will feature global hockey stars turning up for their respective franchises.

    Josh Burt has been officiating at international tournaments since 2011 and has been part of the Technical Delegate for prestigious events such as Men’s Junior World Cup in 2013, Youth Olympic Games 2014, Hockey World League Semi-Final in 2015 and 2017, FIH Champions Trophy 2012 and 2018 respectively. He is also a veteran of three Olympic Games having officiated in Rio, Tokyo and Paris 2024.

    Speaking about his appointment, Josh said, “It’s both an honor and privilege to be appointed the Technical Delegate for the highly anticipated 2024/25 Hockey India League. It fills me with immense pride knowing that Hockey India and the franchises have placed their trust in me to ensure the success of this remarkable event. Their unwavering faith in my leadership abilities is truly humbling and I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and integrity throughout the tournament.”

    “As the leader of the officiating team, my pledge to you all is to ensure that every match is officiated with utmost precision and accuracy. I understand the significance of fair play and the impact it has on the overall experience for both the players and fans alike,” he added.

    Colin French, on the other hand, began his international umpiring career in 2013 with the Oceania Cup. He has since officiated at the Trans-Tasman Trophy, Youth Olympic Games, FIH Hockey Pro League, Commonwealth Games 2018 and 2022. His career spanning over a decade includes officiating at the prestigious Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2023.

    Speaking about his appointment, Colin said, “I feel very excited and privileged to be appointed as the Umpires Manager for the 2024/2025 Hockey India League. This will be an amazing hockey event hosted in majestic India, involving some of the finest hockey players, coaches, and officials within India and from around the world. The Hockey India League will showcase the very best of our sport with high class skills, passion, competitiveness, and an entertaining brand of hockey. I look forward to working alongside Hockey India to help deliver this amazing hockey league event. I can’t wait! “

    Commenting on appointing the officials, Dr Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India League Chairperson, said, “We are delighted to appoint Josh Burt as technical official and Colin French as the umpire manager for the Hockey India League. Both bring immense experience and under their expertise, we look forward to smooth conduct of matches upholding the sportsmanship and spirit of the game. While Josh and Colin will lead the technical delegation for HIL, we will also engage upcoming match officials from India to give them exposure and opportunity during the HIL.”

    Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Member of Hockey India League Governing Committee said, “Having good match officials and technical officials is absolutely essential in the success of the league and we are happy to appoint Josh and Colin, both of whom are veterans of the game and their experience will be imperative in smooth execution of the league.”

    The Men’s HIL begins on 28th December in Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela while the women’s HIL will begin on 12th January in Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium.

    The Men’s HIL will have two phases. In Phase 1, starting on 28 December, all eight teams will play against each other once until 18 January. Phase 2 will begin on 19 January, with teams divided into two pools: Pool A (Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers) and Pool B (Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, and UP Rudras). In Phase 2, teams will play against the other teams in their pool once each.

    Each team will also play one match in the alternate venue; the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The top four teams with the most points at the end of Phase 2 on 29 January will advance to the Semi Final slated for 31 January.

    Meanwhile, the Women’s HIL will commence on 12 January at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. All four teams will play against each other twice, starting with a match between Delhi SG Pipers and Odisha Warriors. The Women’s teams too will play one of their matches in their alternate venue; the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The top two teams at the end of the pool stage on 24 January will face off in the Final on 26 January.

    (Prabhjot Singh, is a Toronto-based award-winning independent journalist, He was celebrated by AIPS, the international body of sports journalists, for covering ten Olympics at its centennial celebrations held at UNESCO Centre in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games. Besides, he has written extensively about business and the financial markets, the health industry, the public and private sectors, and aviation. He has worked as a political reporter besides covering Sikh and Punjab politics. He is particularly interested in Indian Diaspora and Sikh Diaspora in particular. His work has also appeared in various international and national newspapers, magazines and journals. He can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com)

  • India beat China, defend Women’s Asian Champions Trophy

    India beat China, defend Women’s Asian Champions Trophy

    Rajgir (TIP)- The Indian women managed to overcome the disappointment of a pedestrian semifinal performance and upped their game when it mattered most, registering a 1-0 win against China in the final to successfully defend the Asian Champions Trophy at the Rajgir Sports Complex here on Wednesday, November 20. The scoreline may indicate it was a close contest and for the first half, it was so before the Indians, like in every game, shifted gears in the third quarter and took control. And while China deserved credit for not making it any easier for India, the host was not troubled much once they went ahead. Deservedly, it was Deepika — who topped the tables with 11 goals through the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament — who scored the lone goal of the match for India. Unlike previously, it was a cautious start by India, aware that the Chinese would come hard, come fast and create chances early on. They did and for the first few minutes, India had to fight hard to survive the Chinese onslaught before slowly settling down, getting better at ball control. A penalty corner for China in the 18th minute saw Lalremsiami — adjudged player of the match — rush out quickly before Bichu Devi went full stretch to clear the rebound with her stick. India’s constant push resulted in four quick penalty corners in the 20th minute but India’s poor form with PCs continued, a mix of off-target shots, ineffective variations and some good saves by the Chinese goalkeeper. China managed a 2nd PC three minutes later but to no avail. But the Indians were slowly growing in the game and within seconds of resumption in the 3rd quarter, India earned its 5th PC.
    The injection was not stopped cleanly but the ball was kept in play, dragged in and then Deepika unleashed a controlled reverse hit that the Chinese defence and goalkeeper had no answer to. The Indian attack was impressive even when it did not result in a goal. Sangita Kumari was a delight with her nippy runs and amazing ball control, repeatedly entering the Chinese circle.

  • Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Bumrah gets fifer as Australia bowled out for 104

    Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Bumrah gets fifer as Australia bowled out for 104

    Perth (TIP)- India captain Jasprit Bumrah deservedly got his 11th five-wicket haul while debutant Harshit Rana bowled a fiery opening spell as Australia were bowled out for 104 at the stroke of lunch despite a stiff last-wicket resistance from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood on the second day of the opening Test here on Saturday, November 23.
    The Indian team would be a touch disappointed that they couldn’t get a handy lead, which seemed to be on the cards once Australia were reduced to 79 for 9. But Starc (26 off 113 balls) shielded Hazlewood (7 not out off 31 balls) admirably during their 25-run last-wicket stand that lasted 18 overs and got the lead below 50 (46 runs), making it a contest of who bats better in the second innings.
    The day began on a bright note as Bumrah (5/30 in 18 overs), bowling the second over of the day, got one to rear up from back of the length and Carey’s edge carried at a good height to Rishabh Pant behind stumps.
    The skipper’s celebration was understated as he purposefully strode back to his bowling mark even before Nathan Lyon had arrived.
    At the other end, Bumrah started the day with burly Harshit Rana (3/48 in 15.2 overs) carrying on from where he had left off on the opening day.
    Unlike on the opening day, the rookie speedster used more short balls, and one such well-directed delivery accounted for Lyon, who was pouched at gully by KL Rahul.
    With 71 runs behind India’s first-innings score of 150, one had expected the visitors to get rid of the last pair. But the short-ball tactic didn’t work well against Starc, who chuckled while reminding his former KKR teammate, “I have a long memory Harshit”.
    Starc showed good defensive qualities before taking his chances now and then with some aerial hits. Harshit was replaced with Nitish Reddy for three overs but, with the ball being 40-plus overs old and the seam suppressed, there was not much incisiveness to his wicket-to-wicket bowling.
    Finally, Harshit, coming for his second spell of the day, had Starc trying to slog and the skier was taken by Pant. Source: PTI

  • Messi’s Argentina likely to play in Kerala in 2025

    Messi’s Argentina likely to play in Kerala in 2025

    Lionel Messi is likely to come to India. Again. Not to Kolkata this time but Kerala.
    Kerala’s sports minister V Abdurahiman said on Wednesday that the Argentina national football team, including its talismanic skipper, is expected to visit the state and play an international friendly next year.
    The statement was made following discussions between the state’s sports ministry led by Abdurahiman and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in Madrid last September. Kerala chief minister Pinayari Vijayan also made a similar announcement through a Facebook post.
    “The world’s number 1 football team Argentina including Lionel Messi will visit Kerala next year. The match will be held under the complete supervision of the state government. The state’s traders have promised to provide financial assistance to conduct the match,” Abdurahiman told reporters.
    The minister said the AFA officials will visit Kerala in the next one-and-a half months to hold further talks. Asked when the team including Messi are likely to visit and who they will play against, the minister said: “Those details will be chalked out later. The match will have to be conducted as per the FIFA window for international friendlies.” Kochi is one of the options to host the match, Abdurahiman said.

  • Champions league: Barcelona, Inter win again

    Champions league: Barcelona, Inter win again

    Paris (TIP)- Barcelona and Inter Milan won again in the Champions League though both former title holders are looking up in the standings toward upstart newcomers Brest. Aston Villa started the week atop the 36-team table but their winning run ended after a bizarre penalty was awarded when defender Tyrone Mings picked up the ball in the area at Club Brugge, resulting in a 1-0 loss that sent the English club plummeting to eighth place.
    Paris Saint-Germain, in their first season without Kylian Mbappe, trail far behind in 25th after Atletico Madrid scored in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win for the Spanish team at Parc des Princes.
    Barcelona’s blistering scoring form continued in a 5-2 win at Red Star Belgrade — a seventh straight win since the start of October at a rate of four goals per game. Robert Lewandowski scored twice and has 21 this season.
    Inter Milan stifled Arsenal in a 1-0 win at San Siro sealed by Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in first-half stoppage time. Inter are unbeaten on 10 points and in fifth place, one below Brest who won 2-1 at Sparta Prague. The French debutants look sure to advance to the knockout phase starting in February.Atalanta won 2-0 at Stuttgart to stay unbeaten on eight points and Salzburg got their first goals and points in a 3-1 win at Feyenoord. Bayern Munich won 1-0 at home to Benfica in a game that was delayed 15 minutes by crowd congestion and then was played in a muted atmosphere because of a medical incident for a fan.

  • Pant at 6th spot in ICC Test ranking

    Pant at 6th spot in ICC Test ranking

    India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant rose five places to sixth spot in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings following his strong performance in a losing cause in third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai last week.
    Pant made the jump on the back of a pair of half-centuries during the Mumbai Test, in a sure sign that he is back to his best following a serious car accident, with the attacking left-hander now just one spot behind the career-best fifth position he first occupied in July 2022.
    The other Indian batter in top Test batter’s chart is young left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth. New Zealand secured a narrow 25-run victory in Mumbai to claim an unprecedented 3-0 series whitewash over India, with Pant and visiting side’s Daryl Mitchell the main beneficiaries in the top 10 Test batter rankings. Source: PTI

  • Suryakumar sends ‘Test comeback’ message to Rohit Sharma after NZ whitewash

    Suryakumar sends ‘Test comeback’ message to Rohit Sharma after NZ whitewash

    Durban (TIP)- Suryakumar Yadav will be leading India in their upcoming four-match T20I series vs South Africa. India will also be hoping for good results after their 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home. During the Test series vs New Zealand, Suryakumar wasn’t part of the squad, having only once appeared for India in that format. Speaking ahead of the South Africa series, Suryakumar hoped for a Test comeback, and revealed that he was participating in all red-ball, white-ball domestic tournaments.
    “When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback. I am playing in all domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don’t miss any games. If a Test comeback is meant to happen, it will,” he said.
    His sole Test match was vs Australia in 2023, where he scored eight runs in his sole innings. In the same year, he was selected as a reserve player in the WTC final. Commenting on Rohit’s recent form, he said, “Whether Rohit is performing well or not, his character remains unchanged. That is a quality I believe every sportsman should have.”
    Suryakumar has appeared in 84 first class matches, registering 5656 runs at an average of 42.84, with 14 tons and 29 half-centuries across 140 innings, with 200 being his highscore.
    Suryakumar captained the Mumbai team for a brief period during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season, before getting replaced midway through the campaign. He registered 690 runs in ten matches in the tournament. He was also part of the Mumbai squad which won the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy title.
    He was amongst the top-five run-scorers in the season, with 788 runs and got three tons, including a knock of 115 runs in the second innings of the semi-final vs Madhya Pradesh. He also reached the 2016-17 Ranji final, but Mumbai lost to Gujarat in the final.
    ‘Make place for Cheteshwar Pujara as soon as possible’: Gambhir, Rohit get ‘need an anchor’ advice from Uthappa. India’s batting has landed into immense scrutiny in recent weeks, with that being a focus of the struggle as New Zealand whitewashed the team at home 3-0 in the recently-concluded series.
    It is now the focus of question-marks as India prepare for the always-tricky Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where batting technique and temperament both will be tested thoroughly on difficult tracks by Australia’s world class bowling attack. India will also be without Cheteshwar Pujara for the first time in Australia following his removal from the squad, with that being a matter of concern given Pujara was arguably the most important player with bat for India as they won the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series down under.

  • IPL auction: Stokes out, Jimmy makes debut

    IPL auction: Stokes out, Jimmy makes debut

    England Test skipper Ben Stokes is missing from the list of 1,574 players while his former teammate James Anderson, Italian quick Thomas Draca and India-born US medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar have all registered for the IPL mega auction to be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. The list, which will be shortened after the franchises provide their inputs, has all the marquee Indian players who were released from their teams including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal.
    India quick Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined from action due to various injuries since last November, was also released by his former team Gujarat Titans and has listed himself at Rs 2 crore and so has left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. Among the other Indian players in the list with the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore are Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar, Ishan Kishan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
    This list also includes Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Harshal Patel, Prasidh Krishna, T Natarajan, Washington Sundar and Umesh Yadav.
    India batters Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw, who were unsold in the last IPL auction, have registered themselves at the base price of Rs 75 lakh each.
    Stokes, who had decided to give the last season of the IPL a miss in order to manage his workload and focus on his fitness, has opted out for the 2025 edition as well.
    Netravalkar, who rose to prominence due to his stupendous performance for USA during the T20 World Cup earlier this year, has also lined up to go under the hammer in Jeddah. The software engineer in Oracle has a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
    Draca becomes first Italian player to register
    Medium pacer Thomas Draca has become the first player from Italy to register for the IPL. The 24-year has played four T20 Internationals since making his debut for Italy in June this year.
    He impressed with his recent performance at the Global T20 Canada in August. Draca was the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 11 wickets to his name from six innings at an average of 10.63 and an economy of 6.88.
    The Italian pacer was recently signed by the Mumbai Indians owned MI Emirates for the upcoming season of the ILT20 in the UAE. Draca has registered himself at abse prices of Rs 30 lakh in the all-rounders’ category.
    Anderson’s ‘first’ IPL
    The 42-year-Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has registered for the IPL for the first time. The veteran pacer last played a T20 10 years ago in 2014. He has never competed in a global franchise T20 league. He has a base price of Rs 1.25 crore.
    Ace Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has gone unsold in previous auctions, has also entered the fray with the a base price of Rs 2 crore. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was the most expensive buy in the IPL’s last auction at a price of Rs 24.50 crore, is back in the pool for this year’s auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore.
    25 players for each team
    With up to six players permitted to be retained ahead of the mega auction, IPL teams can build a squad of 25 players each and there will be 204 slots available after 46 players were retained by 10 teams put together. Each team will have a total purse of Rs 120 crore as Punjab Kings have Rs 110.5 crore available with them, followed by Royal ChallengeRs Bengaluru with Rs 83 crore, Delhi Capitals with Rs 73 crore and Gujarat Titans with Rs 69 crore. Source: PTI

  • Cricket: USA stays at the top in ICC ODI Series as Nepal-Scotland game abandoned after rain

    Cricket: USA stays at the top in ICC ODI Series as Nepal-Scotland game abandoned after rain

    • By Prabhjot Singh

    GRAND PRAIRIE , TX (TIP): Two North American teams – the USA and Canada – share the top position with 16 points each in the ICC Men’s World Cup League 2 after completion of their 12 matches each. On the better run quotient, the USA was placed at the number one position with its NRR reading of 0.428 while Canada with a similar number of wins – eight – was at the number two position with an NRR of 0.292.
    The US leg of the ICC ODI series or World Cup League 2 ended with the last game between Nepal and Scotland getting abandoned because of rain. Put to bat first, Nepal was 26 for one from six overs when rain prevented any further play in the game at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. In the first game between the two teams, Nepal recorded a convincing five-wicket win over Scotland with 20.1 overs to spare. Scotland could muster only 154 in its innings and Nepal responded with 157 for five from 29.5 overs for its only win in the series played at Grand Prairie Stadium.
    The US team proved that its successes in the last T20 World Cup that it jointly hosted with West Indies in June this year were no fluke as it beat Nepal in both its games. Though the USA was convincingly beaten by Scotland in both the games, its wins against Nepal helped it to climb back to the top of the table with a total of eight wins from 12 games.
    Its immediate neighbor and traditional rival Canada too has eight wins from its 12 games but is now placed at the number two position because of a little lower run quotient.
    Of eight teams in League 2, Scotland was now placed third with 15 points from its 12 games. Its last game against Nepal was abandoned.
    The Netherlands is the only team that has the potential to upset the apple cart of both the USA and Canada. The European Orange Jerseys have three games in hand as they have 12 points from nine games. They have two games against Oman and one against UAE in hand. In case they win all three, they will climb to the top of the table. Even with two wins from two games, they will join USA and Canada at the top. In such a case the run quotient will become decisive. At the end of the US leg of League 2, the home team captain Monank Patel was the top batter with 502 runs from 11 innings he played. He is followed by Harsh Thaker of Canada with 489 runs from 12 innings while Michael van Lingen of Namibia was the third top batter with 445 runs.
    Pargat Singh of Canada was placed fourth with 432 runs made from 11 innings.
    Canada’s Dilan Heyliger was on the top of the list among bowlers having claimed 25 wickets in 12 matches. Nosthush Kenjige (USA) was the second best with 20 wickets from 12 matches and Kaleem Sana (Canada) was the third on the list having claimed 19 wickets in 11 matches.

  • India lose first home series in 12 years as New Zealand win 2nd Test

    India lose first home series in 12 years as New Zealand win 2nd Test

    Pune (TIP)- India crashed to their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years with Mitchel Santner yet again exposing their frailties against quality spin bowling as the crushing 113-run defeat in the second match enervated the team’s pole position in the World Test Championship.
    If the hosts endured their first defeat after 18 consecutive Test series victories, New Zealand celebrated their first ever series-victory on the Indian soil in nearly 70 years.
    The Kiwis have been travelling to this part of the world since 1955 but Black Caps could never break the Indian citadel all these years.
    Indian batters, once considered the best players of the spin bowling, danced to the tune of Santner, who dominated the home line-up with 13 wickets in the match, including seven in the first innings.
    In pursuit of 359, Indian batters cut a sorry figure once again. They were bowled out for 245 with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 77 and Ravindra Jadeja (42) being the only ones to resist the Kiwis.
    India’s successive batting collapses, beginning with the historic low of 46 all-out in the first essay of Bengaluru Test which they lost by eight wickets, culminated with first series loss at home since 2012-13 when England vanquished them.
    Kiwis broke India’s string of 18 consecutive Test series wins at home. It was also India’s only fourth Test series defeat in their own backyard since turn of the century.
    The heavy defeat means that India stay on top in the WTC table with 98 points but their percentage points (62.82) got hit badly as Australia are now marginally behind at 62.50.
    Before travelling to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, it was imperative for India to win the series at home and consolidate their top position to ensure that they make the WTC final.
    India’s task has only got tougher now because of the sheer challenge Australia are going to pose before them.
    On Saturday, October 26, facing an uphill battle to keep the series alive and safeguard their record, none of the specialist Indian batters barring the 22-year-old Jaiswal, who smashed a 65-ball 77, could withstand the challenge of Santner’s orthodox left-arm spin.
    Santner’s (7/53 and 6/104) 13 wickets in the game heralded a remarkable triumph for New Zealand, who mastered the conditions and played better cricket than India to beat Rohit Sharma’s team in their own game.
    The Kiwis gave India a taste of their own medicine after putting first-innings runs on the board and squeezing the oppositions.
    The target could have been much bigger had India not fought back on the third morning to snaffle the remaining five wickets for 57 runs to keep New Zealand to 255.
    After losing the top and middle order, packed with greats of the game, India did not have much hopes left in the game but the pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin (18) did their best to delay the inevitable.
    It was a pitch where batters did not have any assurances unless they had a game plan — which Jaiswal showed on the final day of the contest.
    Jaiswal waged a lone battle of sorts with nine fours and three sixes but none of the famed Indian batters, including mainstays Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, could pose any challenge to the Kiwis.
    From a promising 81/1 at lunch, the home team lost six wickets for 97 runs, struggling to negotiate Santner who yet again weaved his magic around the Indian batters.
    Skipper Rohit, caught at short leg off bat-pad to defend as he charged down, was first to depart in the first session.
    Jaiswal though took the Kiwi attack by the scruff of its neck, batting with confidence and aggression. With Shubman Gill (23 off 31) he added 62 runs for the second wicket.
    The partnership broke when Gill was squared up by Santner to edge to the first slip and Jaiswal, the best of the lot by a long margin, too edged one to the first slip soon.
    Superstar Kohli (17) started off with a powerful flick for a four on the backfoot. He ran hard between wickets and batted with resolve until Santner forced him on the backfoot and trapped him in front of the wickets.
    Santner kept chipping away as the pitch played perfectly to his tunes, getting some deliveries to turn away from the bat while some to straighten up while pitching them all in same areas.
    Jaiswal, who was beaten by one from the left-arm New Zealander before he was dismissed, could not reach to the pitch of the ball before it kissed the bat’s edge to settle in Daryl Mitchell’s hands.
    India’s misery compounded with Rishabh Pant (0) getting run-out after a miscommunication with Kohli. In a final blow to India’s resistance, Sarfaraz Khan (9) failed to read the turn of the ball which crashed onto his off-stump as he jarred his bat into the ground in defence. Washington Sundar’s resistance lasted 47 balls for 21 and ended shortly before tea as Glenn Phillips (1/37) got his named added to the list of wicket-takers, getting the Indian all-rounder caught at short leg.
    Brief scores
    New Zealand: 259 and 255 all out in 69.4 overs (Tom Latham 86, Glennn Phillips 48, Tom Blundell 41) beat India: 156 and 245 all-out in 60.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 77, Ravindra Jadeja 42; Mitchell Santner 6/104 ).
    Source: PTI

  • Aaqib, Saqlain in fray to replace Kirsten

    Current senior selector Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are in fray to replace Gary Kirsten as Pakistan’s new white ball coach after the former Proteas batter stepped down due to his differences with country’s cricket board.
    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, officially confirmed that Kirsten had resigned and as an interim arrangement it has asked the red ball coach, Jason Gillispie to manage the team for the white ball series in Australia from November 4. But Gillespie has intimated that he would look at it as a one-off arrangement.
    “The problem is both Kirsten and Gillispie were not happy with their sudden demotion in powers with the selectors given powers to call all the shots,” one source said.
    He said since Gillispie was in the middle of the England series he reluctantly accepted the changes but has publicly made it clear he is no happy at not being involved in the selection process.
    “The situation now is that PCB has to appoint a new white ball coach given the number of white ball commitments of the national team coming up and leading up to the Champions Trophy early next year,” the source said.
    “One option is to let assistant coach Azhar Mahmood continue as interim head coach but Aaqib or Saqlain could also land the job.”
    Saqlain has remained head coach of the Pakistan team before but was replaced by Mickey Arthur early last year when Najam Sethi was in power in the board.

  • Australia wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade retires, moves to coaching role

    Matthew Wade, a T20 World Cup winner in 2021, on Tuesday, October 29, retired from international cricket, and will now start working in a coaching role in Australia’s white-ball set-up.
    Wade, a wicketkeeper-batter, will join Australia’s coaching staff under Andre Borovec for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, and the Tasmanian will also be with the group for the ODI series starting at Melbourne next week.
    The 36-year-old has played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is in a career that spanned across 13 years, and his last appearance for the national team was in this year’s T20 Word Cup.
    However, Wade will continue to play domestic cricket for Tasmania and Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes at least for the next two seasons.
    “I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup. My international retirement and coaching have been a constant conversation with George (Bailey) and Andrew (McDonald) over the past six months,” Wade said in a statement released by Cricket Australia.
    “Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, for which I am very grateful and excited,” he added.

  • Nepal loses to USA by three-wickets in a nail bite finish in ICC ODI series

    Nepal loses to USA by three-wickets in a nail bite finish in ICC ODI series

    By Prabhjot Singh

    GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (TIP): Cricket fans at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas could not have asked for more as the home team batters stole the thunder and recorded an exciting three-wicket win over fancied Nepal with two balls to spare in a tall-scoring game.

    Needing 286 to win, allrounder Shardyl van Schalkwyk plundered a six to long off on the fifth ball of the last over bowled by Sompal Kami to give the US a historic triumph, the first major win for the home team after its super run in the T20 World Cup in June this year.

    Earlier opener Shayan Jahangir and skipper Monank Patel figured in a 161-run second-wicket partnership before all-rounder Harmeet Singh took command of the game to make sure that the home team romps home victorious to the great cheers of Sunday revelers. Shayan completed a superb century by making 104 from 97 balls with 12 boundaries and four hits to the maximum.

    Sunday revelers enjoyed every bit of this high-scoring game, which saw 13 hits to the maximum as both teams crossed past the 280 mark.

    Put to bat first, Nepal started on an impressive note with openers – Anil Sah and Asif Shaikh – putting on 96 for the opening wicket partnership. Both completed their half-centuries in a game where their captain Rohit Paudal needing a boundary to complete his century was yorked by Saurabh Netravalker on the last ball of the Nepalese innings. Nepal made 286, a challenging total on a batter-friendly and even wicket.

    Anil Sah made 56 off 62 balls with the help of five boundaries while his opening wicket partner contributed 52 off 53 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a six. After the openers left, skipper Rohit Paudal and Aasif Shaikh took command of the game and added 56 for the fourth wicket. Rohit hit eight boundaries and three sixes in his 75-ball innings. Aasif Shaikh, who went before Rohit, made 37 from 45 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

    Nosthush Kenjige was the pick of the US bowlers as he ended with an impressive figure of four for 52. Saurabh claimed the 10th and last US wicket with the last ball of the innings. He finished with two for 63. Shadley (1/57), Jasdeep (1/69) and Harmeet Singh (1 for 46) were the other successful US bowlers.

    Though skipper Monank Patel promoted Andries Gous in his place to open the innings, the move did not work. Andries returned to the pavilion with only four runs on board. A second-wicket partnership between Monank and Shayan Jahangir enthused the local cricket fans as they not only kept on accelerating the run rate but also figured in a valuable 161-run second-wicket partnership.
    After their partnership, it was the Harmeet and Shadley pair that put on 71 runs for the seventh wicket to bring the home team to the brink of a historic win. After Harmeet left, it was Jasdeep Singh, who hit a towering six and made 11 runs in the 49th over to make the score 282 for seven. Needing only five runs in the last over, Shadley made sure of the triumph with a massive six to the long off boundary on the fourth ball of the 50th over.

    Nepal 286 in 50 overs (Anil Sah 56, Asif Shaikh 52, Rohit Paudel 96, Aasif Shaikh 37, Dipendra Airee 13, Nosthush Kenjige 4 for 52, Saurabh Netravalker 2 for 63, Shadley 1 for 57, Jasdeep Singh 1 for 69 and Harmeet Singh 1 for 46 lost to USA 291 for 7 in 49.4 overs ( Shayan Jahangir 104, Monank Patel 62, Harmeet Singh 57, Shadley 29 not out, Jasdeep Singh 11 not out, Sompal Kami 2 for 37 and Kushal Bhurtel 4 for 23) by three wickets and two balls to spare.

  • Bollywood Stars Vidya Balan, Kartik Aaryan attend grand opening of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11

    Bollywood Stars Vidya Balan, Kartik Aaryan attend grand opening of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11

    Hyderabad (TIP)- The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 kicked off on a star-studded note as Bollywood celebrities Vidya Balan and Kartik Aaryan graced the opening match between the Telugu Titans and the Bengaluru Bulls. The actors’ presence to promote their upcoming movie ‘Bhool Bhulaiya 3’ added glamour to the already electrifying atmosphere at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. Kartik Aaryan, talking about his childhood, shared, “I used to play gali kabaddi’ as a kid but not on a professional level the way it is being played here at the Pro Kabaddi League. It is a lot of fun to watch.”
    Vidya Balan, the First Shero of our time, expressed her excitement for the season, saying, “I have enjoyed watching kabaddi. Today we met Pawan (Sehrawat) and Pardeep (Narwal) who are fantastic players. Good luck to the teams for the first match. Pawan is a high-flyer and Pardeep is a record-breaker so I wish them luck for the season.”
    The opening night promises thrilling action, featuring star raiders Pawan and Pardeep, followed by a clash between U Mumba’s Sunil Kumar – the most expensive Indian defender in PKL history at INR 1.015 Crores – and Dabang Delhi K.C.’s attacking powerhouse, Naveen Kumar. PKL 11 made history even before the first whistle, with eight players crossing the INR 1 crore mark in the auction. The league is set to unfold across three cities, starting in Hyderabad, then moving to Noida, and concluding in Pune.
    With its blend of celebrity glamor, record-breaking player valuations, and a focus on fan experiences, PKL 11 is set to take over the sporting excitement as the season rolls into the households for the next three months.
    For all updates on the Pro Kabaddi league, log on to www.prokabaddi.com, download the Official Pro Kabaddi app or follow @prokabaddi on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X.
    The Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar from October 18.
    For further information, please contact:
    WordsWork Communications Consulting
    Dhruvan Sharma | + 91 9501730311 | dhruvan@wordswork.in
    Abhimanyu Sen | +91 9818768691 | abhimanyu@wordswork.in
    Noel Adrian Corera |+91 8851537227 | noel@wordswork.in

  • Virat Kohli crosses 9,000 runs in Test cricket

    Virat Kohli crosses 9,000 runs in Test cricket

    Bengaluru (TIP)- Batting maestro Virat Kohli became the fourth Indian to cross 9000 runs in Test cricket, scaling another peak in a glorious career during the third day of the opening match against New Zealand here on Friday, October 18. Kohli joined an august company featuring Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Rahul Dravid (13265) and Sunil Gavaskar (10122). However, he is the slowest among them to reach this landmark, having taken 197 innings. The 35-year-old Kohli reached the mark after crossing his half-century in India’s second-innings. Batting at No. 3, Kohli fell for a nine-ball duck in the first innings as India were all out for 46. In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kohli became the quickest batter to complete 27,000 international runs in only 594 innings.
    Meanwhile, a counter-attacking India kept alive the hopes of a miracle turnaround through free-flowing fifties from the troika of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Sarfaraz Khan, reaching 231/3 in their second innings on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand.
    Kohli (70), who completed 9,000 Test runs during the course of his knock, got out to Glenn Phillips off the last ball of the day, edging to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, leaving Sarfaraz (70) at the crease at close. The deficit at the end of an overcast day was a less intimidating 125. Kohli and Sarfaraz added 136 runs for the third wicket after skipper Rohit did the early running with a fluent 52.
    This was after New Zealand posted a total of 402 all out to gain a massive lead of 356 runs thanks to Rachin Ravindra (134) and Tim Southee (63), who added precious 134 runs for a flowing eighth-wicket stand.
    The largest deficit India has overturned to win a Test in their cricketing history is 274 during the iconic Kolkata Test against Australia in 2001.
    Such an epic is still some distance away, but hopes will be flickering after the day’s effort with the bat.

  • Champions trophy: Play in Pak and return home same day: PCB to India

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reached out to the BCCI and proposed an arrangement, allowing India to return to either New Delhi or Chandigarh in between matches during the Champions Trophy next year if the team is not willing to stay in Pakistan due to security reasons. The PCB has “verbally” suggested to the BCCI that the Indian team can set up camp in either New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and use chartered flights to travel to Lahore for their matches. A PCB source though confirmed that the board had not made any suggestions in writing to their Indian counterparts. “It is true that these options have been discussed verbally between officials as a way to ensure that India play their matches in Pakistan,” the source said.
    The Champions Trophy is slated to take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Due to its proximity to the Indian border and logistical ease, the PCB has planned India’s matches in Lahore. India’s three group-stage matches in the tournament are slated for February 20 (against Bangladesh), February 23 (against Pakistan), and March 2 (against New Zealand). The ICC is considering a hybrid model for the tournament, with some matches played outside of Pakistan. The hybrid model is being considered due to India’s unlikely participation in the tournament, as they have not toured Pakistan since 2008.

  • Rafael Nadal: Timeline of a Legendary Tennis Career

    It’s inevitable, a crude truth of life. All good things come to an end, as has the highly entertaining tennis career of Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard on Thursday announced he will retire after the end of Davis Cup finals in November and thus draw curtains on a career that brought him 22 Grand Slam titles, global stardom, epic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, some painful injuries and a treasure trove of memories he can fondly look back on.
    Here’s a look at Nadal’s storied career
    – 2002: At 15 years and 10 months old, Nadal recorded his first ATP match win in hometown of Mallorca.
    – 2003: Reached third round in Wimbledon debut at 17, youngest man to get that far at the All England Club since Boris Becker was 16 in 1984.
    – 2004: Beat then-No. 1 Roger Federer in Miami. Won first ATP title in Sopot, Poland, on clay. Defeated Andy Roddick to help Spain top the United States and win the Davis Cup.
    – 2005: Won title in French Open debut; 11 trophies for the year were most in a season for a teenager in ATP history. Moved into top 10 in April; remained there until 2023. Finished the year ranked No. 2.
    – 2006: Earned second French Open title, beating Federer in the final, before losing rematch in Wimbledon final. Stretched clay winning streak to record 62 matches.
    – 2007: Third consecutive French Open title came via another victory over Federer — and, once more, Federer beat him in the Wimbledon final. Clay winning streak reached 81 matches before loss to Federer at Hamburg, Germany.
    – 2008: Topped Federer in Roland Garros final for fourth straight trophy there; first man since Bjorn Borg in 1978-81 with that long a streak in Paris — and first since Borg to win the title without dropping a set. Met Federer in the final at the All England Club, but this time won 9-7 in the fifth set in fading light. Won Beijing Olympics gold; reached Australian Open and U.S. Open semifinals. Ended the year ranked No. 1. Dealt with tendinitis in right knee.
    – 2009: Won first Australian Open title, defeating Federer in a five-set final, after edging Fernando Verdasco in a five-set semifinal. His 31-match unbeaten run at the French Open ended with a fourth-round loss to Robin Soderling. Nadal was troubled by knee tendinitis and sat out Wimbledon. Dealing with an abdominal issue, reached the U.S. Open semifinals before losing to champion Juan Martin del Potro.
    – 2010: Stopped during Australian Open quarterfinal because of an injured right knee, but returned to top form at the French Open: He won his fifth title in Paris and didn’t drop a set, beating Soderling in the final. Won Wimbledon for the second time, then completed career Grand Slam by beating Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final. Finished the year ranked No. 1.
    – 2011: Hurt left leg muscle at the Australian Open, but was fine by the French Open and tied Borg’s career mark for men with a sixth championship, beating Federer in the final. Nadal lost seven of 10 finals that season, with six of those setbacks against Djokovic, including at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
    – 2012: Beat Djokovic for seventh French Open title. At Wimbledon, lost to Lukas Rosol in the second round while hampered by a left knee problem that kept him out for the rest of the season.
    – 2013: After seven months off the tour because of his left knee and a stomach virus, put together a 10-title season that put him back at No. 1. Won eighth French Open and second U.S. Open, raising Grand Slam total to 13
    – 2014: Pulled even with Sampras by adding French Open title No. 9, beating Djokovic in the final. Lost to 144th-ranked Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round at Wimbledon, then missed three months with a bad right wrist. After returning, sat out two events because of an appendicitis.
    – 2015: Lost to Djokovic in French Open quarterfinals; bowed out at that stage or earlier at other three majors, ending 10-year run with at least one Grand Slam trophy.
    – 2017: After losing Australian Open final in five sets to Federer, returned to dominance at the French Open, dropping 35 games through seven matches en route to his 10th title, beating Stan Wawrinka in the final. Added third U.S. Open trophy — his 16th major moved him within one of Federer — and finished at No. 1 in the rankings for the fourth time.
    – 2018: Won 11th championship at Roland Garros. Stopped playing two Grand Slam matches elsewhere because of injuries and skipped other tournaments with knee, hip and abdomen issues.
    – 2019: French Open title No. 12 and U.S. Open title No. 4 arrived, as did a return to No. 1 at age 33. Lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open final, to Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals. Was troubled by thigh, knee, left hand and abdominal problems at various points.
    – 2020: Pulled even with Federer with 20 Slam trophies with a 13th title at the French Open, defeating Djokovic in the final. Won multiple titles in a season for 16th consecutive year.
    – 2022: Moved into sole possession of the record for most Grand Slam singles titles, one ahead of Federer, by claiming No. 21 at the Australian Open, coming back to beat Daniil Medvedev after dropping the first two sets. Got No. 22 at the French Open, where he overcame what he said was debilitating pain in his left foot to lift the trophy for the 14th time by beating Casper Ruud in the final.
    – 2024: Finally makes his on-court return at the Brisbane International where he didn’t make it past the quarters. Sustained another injury during the competition which forced him to miss the Australian Open. He recovered in time for the French Open but made his first ever opening round exit at the year’s second Grand Slam tournament. He skipped the Wimbledon before flying to Paris for the Olympics where he lost in the second round of men’s singles. He teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz for the men’s doubles event too and ended his Olympic career with a quarterfinal exit.

  • 22 Slams later, Rafa, who never gave up, bids adieu

    22 Slams later, Rafa, who never gave up, bids adieu

    Months before the world was introduced to Rafael Nadal the professional tennis player, Rafael Nadal the fighter was already on show. Wimbledon champion Pat Cash was to play Boris Becker for an exhibition match in the Spanish island of Mallorca in 2001. Becker had to withdraw, and a 14-year-old local player was summoned as a last-minute scramble.
    Let’s not bulldoze the kid, Cash thought. The kid beat the 36-year-old Aussie.
    The only way Nadal knew to play tennis — no matter as a 14-year-old turning up for an exhibition — was to fight for every point, sprint from side to side, hustle from the baseline to the net and back. The only way Nadal knew to play tennis was to not give up at any point and for any point — not at 40-0 in the first game of the first set, not at 0-40 in the last game of the final set; not as a rising teen taking his first steps to greatness, not as a greying great well into his late-thirties.
    But on Thursday, October 10, at age 38, Nadal, one of the greatest players to have graced the sport, decided that he no longer has it in him to play professional tennis.
    In a video message posted on his social media, the Spaniard announced that he will retire after turning up one last time for his country at the Davis Cup Finals next month.
    Yes, the King of Clay has called it a day, after all. The raging bull has decided to halt.
    “It’s obviously a difficult decision, which has taken me a long time to make,” Nadal said in the video, speaking in Spanish. “I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to what has been a long and much more successful career than I could have ever imagined.”
    Playing a physically brutal style that made many wonder about his sustainability, Nadal will sign off with 22 Grand Slams, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24, in the all-time list. He pocketed 92 ATP titles, spent 209 weeks as the world No.1, and is a two-time Olympic gold medallist. His record 14 French Open titles are certain to stand the test of time, and a 112-4 win-loss record on the clay courts of Roland Garros a jaw-dropping testament to his unmatched superiority on a surface that is most demanding on the body.
    It’s almost fitting that his last Grand Slam triumph would be at the French Open in 2022, yet perhaps not that his final French Open outing would be a first-round defeat (to Alexander Zverev this year). Nadal’s recent physical troubles, though, overpowered his seemingly undying mental resolve to play on. Hampered by multiple injuries over the last couple of years, he spent a large part of his time away from the sport — Nadal competed in only seven tournaments this year — and admitted last year that 2024 could possibly be his final sighting on the tour.

  • ICC Women’s T20 World Cup : India skims past Sri Lanka to stay in the hunt for a last 4 berth

    ICC Women’s T20 World Cup : India skims past Sri Lanka to stay in the hunt for a last 4 berth

    By Prabhjot Singh

    A strokeful unbeaten 52 off 27 balls by skipper Harmanpreet and a 98-run opening wicket partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Madhana helped India to defeat Sri Lanka by 82 runs for its biggest ever win the women’s T20 World Cup. India’s previous best win was against Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup, winning by 79 runs.
    It was India’s second win in three games, putting it in the number two spot in the pool behind the defending champions Australia. With this loss, Sri Lanka has gone out of contention for a place in the knockout round with three defeats in as many matches.

    After suffering a humiliating loss in its opener against New Zealand, India had to record a win by a minimum of 45 runs to stay in the run for a semi-final berth from its pool. India did it by dominating its continental rivals in all departments – batting, bowling, and fielding.
    “It was a total team effort. We batted well, bowled well, and fielded well. This is a great morale-boosting win for us ahead of our crucial game against the defending champions Australia,” said Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who also got the Player of the Match award.
    After winning the toss, India elected to bat first. The opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Madhana started well maintaining a good average of six runs an over before escalating the run rate after the eighth over. Smriti, who was a little slow in the beginning opened up and smashed six and four boundaries while completing her first 50 of the tournament. She faced 38 balls and was unluckily run out while trying to steal a single in the 13th over. On the very next ball, her partner, Shafali, who also batted well for her score of 43 made from 40 balls with four hits to the fence, departed on the next ball making India 98 for two.
    This brought skipper Harmanpreet and Jemnich Rodrigues together. They continued their offensive against the Sri Lankan bowlers. Rodrigues left after contributing 16 from 10 balls. It was at this stage that skipper Harmanpreet went all out as she smashed Sri Lankan bowlers for eight boundaries and a towering six to complete her fifty from 27 balls. Her unbeaten knock helped India to amass its biggest total of the tournament. India put up a huge challenge to Sri Lanka of scoring 173 runs for a win.
    Indian bowlers were quick to strike back as Renuka Singh and S. Patel brought initial luck to the team. Except for a 34-run stand between Kavisha Dilhari (21) and Anushka Sanjeewani (20) and some lusty hitting by Ama Kanchana, the Sri Lankans could manage to each 90 before being bowled out in 19.5 overs thus giving full two points. Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana were the main wreckers of the Sri Lankan innings with three wickets apiece, each conceding 19 runs in four overs each bowled by them. Renuka Singh ended with two for 16 while S. Patil (1 for 15) and Deepti Sharma (1 for 16) were the other successful bowlers for India.
    (Prabhjot Singh is a senior journalist. He writes with equal aplomb on sports and politics. He can be reached at Prabhjot416@gmail.com)