Author: Abhishek Shukla

Owner of Sports India Live.
by Abhishek Shukla

Stroud Leads Texans to Decisive Playoff Win Over Browns

Houston – Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud’s outstanding performance led the Houston Texans to a resounding 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Saturday’s wild-card matchup. Stroud, demonstrating his growing prowess, threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns, setting a new benchmark as the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game.

Coach DeMeco Ryans lauded Stroud’s impact, recognizing his crucial role in the Texans’ success this season. Stroud, the second overall pick in the last draft, has quickly emerged as a leading figure in the team, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure.

The Texans’ defense complemented Stroud’s offensive exploits, returning two interceptions by Browns’ quarterback Joe Flacco for touchdowns. Steven Nelson and Christian Harris were instrumental in these decisive plays, significantly extending Houston’s lead in the third quarter.

For the Browns, led by the veteran Flacco, it was a day of missed opportunities and costly mistakes. Flacco, who had helped steer the Browns into the playoffs, couldn’t replicate his regular-season form, with his errors proving too much to overcome against a dominant Texans side.

Houston’s victory marks a significant turnaround for the franchise, transforming from a struggling team to AFC South champions under Ryans’ guidance and Stroud’s leadership. This win also signifies their first playoff appearance since 2019.

Despite making their third playoff appearance since their 1999 expansion rebirth, the Browns faced their worst postseason loss since 1968. The absence of key players like Deshaun Watson, who had led the Texans in their last playoff run, was felt, with Watson watching from the sidelines.

Apart from showcasing Stroud’s talent, the game also highlighted Houston’s effective team strategy and the enthusiastic support of their home crowd. The Texans continue their remarkable season with this victory, looking ahead to their next playoff challenge.

by Abhishek Shukla

Antetokounmpo’s 33 Points Lead Bucks to Victory Over Warriors

Milwaukee, Jan 13, 2024 – The Milwaukee Bucks, powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 points, triumphed over a depleted Golden State Warriors squad with a 129-118 victory on Saturday night. The Bucks’ strong fourth-quarter performance was key to their win, as they outscored the Warriors 46-37 in the final period.

The Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, struggled to keep pace. Curry was rested following a back-to-back road game, and Green is expected to return from suspension in the Warriors’ upcoming games against Memphis or Utah.

Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton also made significant contributions. Lillard scored 27 points, while Middleton added 24, including a crucial 13 in the fourth quarter, and dished out 10 assists. The Bucks were remarkably efficient in the final quarter, shooting 70% from the field.

Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 28 points, and rookie point guard Brandin Podziemski impressed with 23 points and 10 assists. Klay Thompson also added 21 points for Golden State.

Bucks rookie guard Andre Jackson Jr. marked a career milestone by recording his first professional double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. A highlight of the game was Jackson’s block on Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis, which led to a key 3-pointer by Lillard.

The game saw back-and-forth action, but key plays in the final minutes, including a rebound basket by Brook Lopez and an alley-oop from Middleton to Antetokounmpo, secured the Bucks’ victory.

The first quarter was dominated by the Bucks, with a strong 3-point shooting performance. However, the Warriors bounced back in the second quarter, briefly taking the lead before halftime.

Stephen Curry’s absence was felt by the Warriors, with coach Steve Kerr noting Curry’s fatigue after heavy reliance in recent games. Draymond Green, who missed 12 games following a suspension, is working his way back to game fitness.

Looking ahead, the Warriors will face Memphis on Monday, while the Bucks host Sacramento on Sunday, continuing their respective campaigns in a tightly contested NBA season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37 Points Propel Thunder to Victory Over Magic

Oklahoma City, Jan 13, 2024 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive 37-point performance led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-100 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, tying them with Minnesota for the Western Conference lead. Gilgeous-Alexander achieved his high-scoring feat without a single 3-pointer, focusing instead on his efficiency inside the arc and at the free-throw line.

The Thunder’s victory was aided by Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who scored 16 and 15 points respectively, bringing their season record to an impressive 27-11. Holmgren’s performance was particularly noteworthy in the first regular-season matchup between the top two picks of the 2022 draft, with Holmgren, the second overall pick, going head-to-head with last season’s Rookie of the Year and No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero.

Banchero led the Magic with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. However, Orlando’s lineup was significantly weakened due to injuries, missing key players like Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, and Joe Ingles.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant first half, where he scored 22 points, was instrumental in giving the Thunder a 49-40 lead at the break. His performance included a notable moment where he stole the ball and then scored from an awkward angle while drawing a foul.

Jalen Williams also provided a highlight with a long-range shot just inside halfcourt at the end of the third quarter, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 86-73. The Thunder maintained a comfortable lead throughout the remainder of the game, never allowing the Magic to close the gap to less than six points.

Looking ahead, the Magic will face the New York Knicks on Monday night, while the Thunder are set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Men’s Hockey Team leaves for tour of South Africa

Bengaluru, 14th January 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey team commenced their journey from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru to Cape Town in the wee hours of Sunday morning where they will play against France, South Africa and the Netherlands during their tour of South Africa between 22nd and 28th January.  

The Indian Men’s Hockey Team, which is ranked third in the world, will take on ninth-ranked France on 22nd January in their first game before playing them again on the 24th of January. They will then play hosts South Africa, which is ranked 14th in the world, on 26th January before playing the Netherlands, the no.1 team, in their final game of the tour on 28th January.  

With Captain Harmanpreet Singh leading the charge and FIH Player of the Year 2023 Hardik Singh playing deputy, the Indian team boasts of a rich blend of youth and experience and will look to make full use of the tour to build on their quality of hockey in the year of the Olympics.  

Before hopping on the flight from Bengaluru, Captain Harmanpreet Singh said, “It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to work on our game together as a unit while playing against some of the best teams in the world. We’ve had a preparatory camp in Bengaluru where everyone has developed clarity on their roles. There are a few youngsters who have been added to the squad so it’ll be great to see how they complement our team going forward especially with the Olympics nearing.”  

Vice-Captain Hardik Singh echoed his Captain’s thoughts saying, “We have a big squad and are quite excited about the prospect of playing against top quality international teams going into the season. It is the year of the Olympics and we would like for everyone to get the required exposure as we continue our bid to go from strength to strength at the international level.”  

The Indian Men’s Hockey team will begin their South African tour against France on 22nd January at 1430hrs IST.   

by Abhishek Shukla

Squash: El Hammamy Beats Gohar in 99-Minute Epic at SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open

Hania El Hammamy and Nouran Gohar produced another classic on semi-finals day at the SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open, with El Hammamy emerging victorious after 99 minutes of breathtaking action. 

Almost seven months on from their record-breaking encounter at the CIB World Tour Finals – the longest PSA Tour women’s match ever – the Egyptian pair put on another show, this time with a spot in the Florida Open final on the line. 

They split the opening two games before Gohar took command of game three, quickly moving to 5-0 up and then closing it out 11-5 following a video review. 

Back came El Hammamy once more, though, with a new ball in play to start game four, and she ensured the match would go to a decider after winning the game on a stroke. 

It looked as though that might’ve taken the wind out of Gohar’s sails, too, as El Hammamy was quickly 5-1 up in the fifth, with victory in her sights. 

But this time it was Gohar who fought back, eventually forcing a tie break after some more brutal rallies. 

El Hammamy had already squandered one match ball at 10-9 up when the tie break began, and missed another two at 11-10 and 12-11, with the tension inside the arena now palpable. 

Gohar would then have a match ball of her own, saved by El Hammamy on a short backhand volley, but the drama would finally come to an end moments later. 

After bringing up another match ball on a stroke decision, El Hammamy clinched victory in sensational fashion, diving for a forehand and then hitting a backhand from her knee, before Gohar hit the tin to bring an end to the match. 

“It’s always physical against Nouran, it’s always long,” El Hammamy said after her win. 

“I just heard it was 99 minutes, so yeah, it’s always tough. I think today was more about squash, so I’m definitely glad about my performance, I’m glad that I managed to fight.” 

Discussing what she was thinking during the fifth-game tie break, El Hammamy added: “I knew how I was losing my match points, I made a lot of errors.  

“I had two match balls that I think I lost with an error, so maybe on the third or fourth, I tried to play safe. Even if I wanted to go short, I tried to play safe, not hit a winner, and I think with that dive I saved myself from one of those winners that Nouran likes to play. I dug deep in that last rally and I’m very pleased and very proud of myself.” 

El Hammamy also touched on the help of Laura Massaro, who she’s been working with remotely. 

“We called twice this morning,” she said. “She tried to prepare me mentally as much as possible for this match.  

“This matchup is not always about squash. For the last three meetings, it was more than squash, it was more about interactions with the ref, interactions between both of us, so she prepared me mentally for these scenarios, she prepared me well to know how to deal with them, so thanks to her, and thanks to my coach Omar AbdelAziz as well.” 

That match capped a breathtaking semi-finals day in which two other matches also went the distance. 

Mostafa Asal came back from 2-1 down to beat his idol, Mohamed Elshorbagy, 3-2, after Mazen Hesham had upset top seed and home favourite Diego Elias in the first match of the day. 

Playing at his home club, Elias came into the match with an impressive record against the Egyptian, winning 12 of their last 15 meetings, including each of the last nine, but he was unable to add another win to that record, going down in 77 minutes on the glass court. 

“I’m very, very pleased,” Hesham said after his win. “I haven’t beaten Diego in God knows how long.” 

“It’s been a few years and he’s been at the top of the rankings for around the last two years. He’s improved so much, mentally and physically, and he’s such a nice guy outside of the court as well. 

“Inside the court, I think both of us were a bit feisty but that happens with this sport. We respect each other so much, and I was really pleased with how both of us fought and kept our composure at the end, and I was really lucky that it went my way. Other times, it wouldn’t go my way, but it did today.” 

Nour ElSherbini was the only player to record a straight-games win, beating Olivia Weaver 3-0 in the other women’s semi-final. 

The finals of the SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open take place from 15:00 (GMT-5) tomorrow, January 14. Watch the action live on SQUASHTV.    

Results: SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open 2024 – Men’s Semi-Finals 

[4] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [1] Diego Elias (PER) 3-2: 11-7, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7 (77m) 
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-2: 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-1, 11-2 (70m) 

Results: SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open 2024 – Women’s Semi-Finals 

[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [4] Olivia Weaver (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (38m) 
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-2: 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-1, 11-2 (70m) 

Draw: Men’s Final

[4] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 

Draw: Women’s Final

[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) v [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 

by Abhishek Shukla

Pascal Wehrlein and Porsche Top the Podium – Round 1 – 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix

MEXICO CITY, Mexico. Sat. 13 Jan. 2024 – Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche displayed masterful driving to clinch the first win of the season in an electrifying start to Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Mexico City today.

Wehrlein further solidified his renowned prowess at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez by leading from the start and converting his now-fourth Julius Baer Pole Position in Mexico to a second race win in the country. Although briefly ceding the lead during an ATTACK MODE charge under Full Course Yellow conditions, the German-Mauritian driver showcased his skill and resilience before a well-timed overtake to take back his lead and cross the finish line first. Wehrlein’s win also solidifies the success of the Porsche powertrain as the third Porsche-powered winner in each of the last three Mexico City E-Prix events. Joining Wehrlein on the podium were Sébastien Buemi for Envision Racing in second and Nick Cassidy, Jaguar TCS Racing’s new signing, in third.

The race also saw strong performances from Maximilian Guenther (Maserati MSG Racing) and Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing), with the latter engaging in a fierce, defensive battle with Jean-Éric Vergne (DS PENSKE), who made an impressive climb from 10th to sixth. Jake Hughes (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team), Stoffel Vandoorne (DS PENSKE), championship-defender Jake Dennis and Norman Nato (both Andretti Formula E) also put in notable performances, navigating through the pack to round out the top ten and secure points.

A relatively clean race was only interrupted on lap 9, after Robin Frijns found the wall on the exit of the Foro Sol. A Full Course Yellow would be required for the car’s removal, forcing Wehrlein to delay his attack on the then-leader Buemi.

Pascal Wehrlein, No. 94, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, said:

“It was a tough race because we were leading most of the race and that’s not so efficient for energy – but every lap was like a qualifying lap, trying to maximise speed. I saw a small mistake behind me which created a small gap, and from then I think it was pretty controlled. Thanks a lot to my team and thanks to all the fans here, it’s always a great to be here in Mexico; it’s a great atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”

Sébastien Buemi, No. 16, Envision Racing Formula E Team, said:

“I’ve had four podiums here now. They’re now calling me the veteran. It was a smooth race. Qualifying was the key point really. I know it’s quite difficult to pass here, but we’ve had a clean race. Pascal was fast, but I heard he was under investigation, so I decided to stick to P2, and if it becomes something more, then I’ll be happy with that.”

Nick Cassidy, No. 37, Jaguar TCS Racing, said:

“It’s the start of a really nice new chapter. I had high expectations with FP1 and FP2, it’s not been an easy weekend, but the team have been really awesome with me throughout. Hopefully this is the start of something cool and that’s just getting started; it was a great race. I think the grid can definitely challenge Pascal moving forward.”

Special Ticket Announcement

In a new move for Formula E, fans now have the chance to secure their spot for the 2025 Mexico City E-Prix from the very start of the season. Following another sold-out event in front of more than 40,000 spectators, a limited quantity of grandstand tickets are available for this weekend at a discounted price of only $180 MXN. This unprecedented early sale offers fans an exciting opportunity to plan ahead for Formula E’s next thrilling visit to Mexico City next year.

The 2024 Mexico City E-Prix results bring Wehrlein to the top of the Drivers’ table and TAG Heuer Porsche as leaders of the Teams’ standings. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns in less than two weeks, with the first double-header of the season: The much-anticipated night race in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on 27 & 28 January.

by Abhishek Shukla

Magnus Carlsen withdraws from Candidates 2024, the spot goes to Nijat Abasov

Despite qualifying for the Candidates Tournament 2024 by winning the 2023 FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, world #1 Magnus Carlsen officially withdrew from the event. Carlsen had previously stated his disinclination after reaching the semifinals of the World Cup and in some private interviews; however, the formal Letter of Decline was received by FIDE today, January 13, 2024.

According to the FIDE Candidates qualification paths, the vacant spot at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 goes to the next highest finisher in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, Nijat Abasov (2641, Azerbaijan), who is fourth in the tournament final standings.

The current lineup of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 is the following:

– Ian Nepomniachtchi, FIDE, 2023 Match Runner-up

– Praggnanandhaa R, India, 2023 World Cup 2nd

– Fabiano Caruana, USA, 2023 World Cup 3rd

– Nijat Abasov, Azerbaijan, 2023 World Cup 4th

– Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, India, 2023 Grand Swiss 1st

– Hikaru Nakamura, USA, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

– Alireza Firouzja, France, Best by Rating

– Gukesh D, India, 2023 FIDE Circuit Winner

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 will take place in April 2024 in Toronto, Canada. The winner of this 8-player double round-robin (all-play-all twice) will become the Challenger for the chess crown and play in the FIDE World Championship Match against the reigning world champion Ding Liren (China).

by Abhishek Shukla

Palmer’s Penalty Clinches Narrow Victory for Chelsea Over Fulham

London, Jan 14, 2024 – Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge, marking their third consecutive Premier League win for the first time in 15 months, with Cole Palmer emerging as the match-winner. The 21-year-old’s first-half stoppage-time penalty was the difference, lifting Chelsea to eighth in the table, edging above Manchester United on goal difference.

Palmer, who has been pivotal for Chelsea this season, notched his ninth goal, equalling Christian Pulisic’s record for most strikes in a Premier League campaign by a player aged 21 or younger, set in the 2019/20 season.

The match began with Chelsea controlling possession, though their early efforts, including attempts by Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja, didn’t seriously test Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The visitors, despite their less dominant position, managed to create a significant chance when Antonee Robinson set up Harry Wilson, whose effort was saved by Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic.

The game’s crucial moment came in first-half stoppage time. Palmer, demonstrating his growing influence, played a key role in winning the penalty. His pass found Raheem Sterling, who was fouled in the box by Fulham’s Issa Diop, setting up Palmer to coolly convert from the spot.

The second half mirrored the first, with Chelsea unable to extend their lead despite maintaining control. Fulham showed flashes of threat, particularly in moments from Robinson and Raul Jimenez, but Chelsea’s Petrovic was up to the task.

Chelsea nearly secured a more comfortable margin late in the game, as Gallagher’s striking effort hit the post. The match concluded with a tense finale, including a frantic sequence following a free-kick from former Chelsea player Willian. Fulham’s late efforts, however, were in vain, as Chelsea held on to secure the victory.

The defeat extends Fulham’s unfortunate record at Stamford Bridge, where they remain winless in 19 league visits since 1979. The Cottagers, now 13th in the standings with 24 points, continue their struggle in away matches, extending their winless streak to 10 games.

Chelsea’s victory, however, is a sign of resurgence under their current setup, potentially setting the stage for a stronger second half of the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMfehq5eNwI
by Abhishek Shukla

Cincinnati Reds Sign Left-Hander Brent Suter

January 13, 2024

The Cincinnati Reds have officially signed left-handed pitcher Brent Suter to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million for the 2024 season. The deal also includes a $3.5 million club option for 2025 with a $500,000 team buyout.

Career Highlights

  • Suter had a successful 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies, recording a 3.38 ERA over 57 appearances, including two starts.
  • He is known for his ability to induce soft contact, with one of the lowest exit velocities and hard-hit percentages among pitchers with significant innings pitched.

Background

  • A Cincinnati native, Suter grew up in Anderson Township and is an alumnus of Archbishop Moeller High School and Harvard University.
  • Over his 8-year major league career with the Brewers and Rockies, Suter has a record of 40-22 with a 3.49 ERA.

The addition of Brent Suter provides the Reds with experienced left-handed depth in their bullpen, enhancing their pitching options for the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

FC Dallas Re-Signs Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer for 2024 Season

January 13, 2024

FC Dallas has re-signed veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer for the 2024 MLS season, as announced by the club. Along with his role on the field, Maurer will also take on responsibilities in the club’s front office as a Player Development Executive.

Jimmy Maurer, 35, has been with FC Dallas since joining on a one-week loan in 2017. Over the years, he has made 71 appearances for the club, including 14 clean sheets. Maurer’s experience and leadership have been invaluable, particularly in the 2021 season, where he played 24 MLS regular season matches and recorded three clean sheets.

In 2023, Maurer featured for FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and played in five MLS regular season matches. His most notable performance came in 2020 during the MLS Cup Playoffs, where he recorded seven saves in his debut against the Portland Timbers and helped advance the team to the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Player Professional Development role is a new initiative allowing MLS clubs to designate one player per year in this position. It enables the player to develop skills in different parts of the club’s business, including coaching, scouting, front office duties, and diversity liaison. Maurer’s dual role reflects his extensive experience and the trust FC Dallas places in his capabilities both on and off the field.

FC Dallas is preparing for the upcoming 2024 MLS regular season, which will kick off on February 24 when they host the San Jose Earthquakes. Maurer’s re-signing and his new role in player development indicate the club’s commitment to leveraging his skills and experience in various capacities.

Maurer’s continuation with FC Dallas promises to be an asset, providing stability and expertise as the club embarks on the new season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Results from the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 on January 13, 2024

The results from the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 on January 13, 2024, at the Axiata Arena are as follows:

Court 1

  1. XD: 🇰🇷 KIM Won Ho [7] / 🇰🇷 JEONG Na Eun bt. 🇸🇬 HEE Yong Kai Terry / 🇸🇬 TAN Wei Han Jessica – 21-16, 21-16
  2. WS: 🇹🇼 TAI Tzu Ying [4] bt. 🇨🇳 CHEN Yu Fei [2] – 17-21, 21-15, 21-18
  3. XD: 🇯🇵 Yuta WATANABE [2] / 🇯🇵 Arisa HIGASHINO bt. 🇨🇳 JIANG Zhen Bang [5] / 🇨🇳 WEI Ya Xin – 21-15, 12-21, 21-15
  4. WD: 🇨🇳 ZHANG Shu Xian / 🇨🇳 ZHENG Yu bt. 🇰🇷 BAEK Ha Na [8] / 🇰🇷 LEE So Hee – 21-17, 21-17
  5. WS: 🇰🇷 AN Se Young [1] bt. 🇨🇳 ZHANG Yi Man – 21-17, 21-11
  6. WD: 🇨🇳 LIU Sheng Shu / 🇨🇳 TAN Ning bt. 🇯🇵 Rin IWANAGA / 🇯🇵 Kie NAKANISHI – 21-11, 21-16
  7. MS: 🇩🇰 Anders ANTONSEN bt. 🇹🇼 LIN Chun-Yi – 21-16, 21-7
  8. MD: 🇮🇳 Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY / 🇮🇳 Chirag SHETTY bt. 🇰🇷 KANG Min Hyuk / 🇰🇷 SEO Seung Jae – 21-18, 22-20
  9. MS: 🇨🇳 SHI Yu Qi [7] bt. 🇩🇰 Viktor AXELSEN [1] – 21-12, 19-21, 21-17
  10. MD: 🇨🇳 LIANG Wei Keng [1] / 🇨🇳 WANG Chang bt. 🇯🇵 Takuro HOKI [7] / 🇯🇵 Yugo KOBAYASHI – 21-12, 19-21, 21-13

These results reflect the final day’s play, featuring a mix of tightly contested matches and impressive victories, concluding a remarkable tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

Shamil Gasanov Overwhelms Oh Ho Taek To Win By Unanimous Decision In ONE Fight Night 18 Main Event

January 13, 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand: ONE Championship™ (ONE) put together a captivating evening of martial arts action in U.S. primetime with ONE Fight Night 18: Gasanov vs. Oh.

In the main event, #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov leaned on his impeccable grappling to prevail over “Spider” Oh Ho Taek.

The Russian powerhouse authored a commanding performance, leveraging his superior ground game to consistently outmaneuver Oh from bell to bell.

In the second round, “The Cobra” came close to sealing the deal with a tight rear-naked choke. However, his South Korean opponent showed uncanny resilience and valiantly fought back, pushing the bout into the third stanza.

Gasanov picked up where he left off in the final five minutes of the match, dominating Oh with grappling excellence to win by unanimous decision.

In the co-main event, Suablack Tor Pran49 pushed himself to the limit to defeat Stefan Korodi in a fiercely contested bantamweight Muay Thai fight.

Despite a strong start, Suablack faced adversity in the second round when Korodi connected with a powerful right hand to send the Thai to the canvas. Suablack regained his composure after beating the 10-count, and then he responded with a barrage of devastating strikes, turning the tables on Korodi by dropping the Irishman twice in that same round.

In the third and final frame, both men stood toe-to-toe and unloaded their heaviest attacks. However, Suablack’s effective combination striking down the stretch ultimately secured him a unanimous decision victory on the scorecards.

See complete results below. For all remaining bout reports, please visit www.onefc.com.

For ONE Fight Night 18, ONE Championship has been proud to partner with Stage Front VIP (global VIP experience partner), Monster Energy (exclusive energy drink partner), TUMI (official premium luggage partner), and Fairtex (official glove partner), featuring branding in-stadium and inside the Circle, custom branded content across broadcast and digital, and more.

Performance bonus winners: Kwon Won Il (US$50,000), Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong (US$50,000)

ONE Fight Night 18 Complete Results

Shamil Gasanov defeats Oh Ho Taek via unanimous decision (MMA – featherweight)

Suablack Tor Pran49 defeats Stefan Korodi via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – bantamweight)

Kwon Won Il defeats Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 2:40 of round two (MMA – bantamweight)

Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong defeats Shakir Al-Tekreeti via TKO (3 knockdowns in 2nd round) at 1:44 of round two (Muay Thai – lightweight)

Artem Belakh defeats Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu via TKO (referee stoppage, flying knee-punch combo) at 4:55 of round two (MMA – bantamweight)

Liam Nolan defeats Ali Aliev via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – lightweight)

Kang Ji Won defeats Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 4:09 of round two (MMA – heavyweight)

Beybulat Isaev defeats Yuri Farcas via unanimous decision (kickboxing – light heavyweight)

Ibragim Dauev defeats Mark Abelardo via unanimous decision (MMA – bantamweight)

by Abhishek Shukla

Stalemate in Doha: China PR and Tajikistan Play Out Goalless Draw

Doha, Jan 14, 2024 – In a fiercely contested match at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, China PR and Tajikistan played to a goalless draw in their AFC Asian Cup encounter. This result marked Tajikistan’s first-ever match in the tournament, ending in a commendable draw against the more experienced Team Dragon.

The match saw both teams creating chances but failing to convert them into goals. The defensive lines of both sides stood firm, thwarting any significant threats. This outcome leaves the group wide open, with Qatar leading following their victory over Lebanon.

Tajikistan, making their debut in the tournament, showed commendable resilience and tactical discipline. Their performance against the established Chinese team will be seen as a positive start to their campaign in Asian football’s premier competition. China PR, on the other hand, might view this as a missed opportunity to secure three points early in the group stage.

The match’s significance goes beyond the scoreline, as it showcased the rising standards of football in Central Asia, with Tajikistan proving to be a tough opponent for the traditionally stronger teams. China PR, while unable to break the deadlock, will take lessons from this game as they plan their strategy for the upcoming fixtures.

As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on this performance. For Tajikistan, every match in this tournament is a learning experience, while China PR will aim to refine their approach to secure a spot in the knockout stages. The draw sets an intriguing tone for the rest of the group stage matches, promising more exciting football in the days to come.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Warriors inflict fifth successive loss on U.P. Yoddhas in PKL Season 10  

13th January, Jaipur:  The Bengal Warriors subjected the U.P. Yoddhas to their fifth defeat in a row, beating them 42-37 at the SMS Indoor Stadium on Saturday. Despite Pardeep Narwal’s 16 points, the U.P. Yoddhas were outdone by the all-round teamwork of the Bengal Warriors. Maninder Singh (14 points) and Nitin Kumar (10 points) were the best performers for their team on a winning night.

The contest was billed as a raider’s paradise and did not disappoint early on, with Maninder Singh in particular keen to stamp his authority on the game. The Bengal Warriors’ raider grabbed 9 points in the first half alone, and was not tackled once. And yet he wasn’t the only one making hay. At the other end, his counterpart Pardeep Narwal took 7 points in the half, to keep his side in the game.  

The difference really was the fact that the Warriors had other raiders chipping in with points, and a defence that logged 4 points to the U.P. Yoddhas one. It helped the Bengal Warriors inflict the first ALL OUT of the game and they went into the break holding a comfortable lead.

The U.P. Yoddhas kicked off the second half at a furious pace and within three minutes had inflicted an ALL OUT of their own to reduce the deficit to 20-24. The Warriors were in no mood to capitulate though, and slowly picked up the pieces to rebuild their lead.

Narwal was working overtime to reduce the deficit almost on his own, with the rest of the team failing to back up his performance. His relentless raiding though helped the U.P. Yoddhas inflict a second ALL OUT, reducing the deficit to three points with under 2 minutes to play. In the end though, the Warriors held their nerve and smartly played down the clock to take a well deserved victory.

below the PKL Season 10 match on 14th January

Game 1 – Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Game 2 – Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Semi-finals decided at World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger in Dubai

Fans at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai witnessed a great advert for the continuing global growth of rugby sevens as teams from four different continents qualified for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger semi-finals following a sequence of hotly contested quarter-finals.

Argentina are the only unbeaten team in the women’s competition as they backed up pool victories over Poland, Hong Kong China and Paraguay with a hard fought 22-12 win over a very competitive Thailand team. China proved too strong for Poland in the second women’s semi-final, running out convincing winners by a 31-10 scoreline.

Belgium had recorded a perfect record of three wins to top their pool but were beaten 17-12 by Uganda in an enthralling quarter-final. There was further African joy as the large Kenyan contingent in the crowd celebrated a 22-12 victory over Czechia to secure their place in the semi-finals. China will face Uganda and Argentina play Kenya in the women’s semi-finals.

The men’s competition was equally intense and the quarter-finals began with a blockbuster between Kenya and Japan, two teams who will showcase their skills at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 having qualified via their regional competitions. Kenya reached the Olympics by beating the mighty South African Blitzboks and showed their quality once again to overcome a valiant Japan 21-19 to reach the semi-finals.

Uruguay – another team set to star at the Olympic Games in Paris – will face Kenya in the semi-finals after they overcame last year’s Challenger champions Tonga by a 21-14 scoreline.

The third quarter-final saw Germany in impressive form to beat Hong Kong China 19-7. Germany are the only unbeaten team in the men’s tournament following pool phase wins over Kenya, Uganda and Mexico, and they will face Chile in the semi-finals after the South American’s saw off six-man Georgia 26-7 in the last quarter-final to bring down the curtain on a thrilling day of rugby sevens in the Dubai desert.

The action gets under way at 11:15 local time (GMT+4) on Sunday with the semi-finals kicking off at 12:53. The women’s and men’s finals will take palce at 16:59 and 17:33 respectively.

There is more to play for than ever before in this year’s Challenger with the competition expanded to three rounds and the top four placed men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the new promotion and relegation play-off competition at the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Final in Madrid.

The Challenger tournaments replicate the Olympic Games competition format, with the 12 teams drawn into three pools of four teams each. The top two from each pool as well as the two best third-placed finishers will qualify for the knockout stages with quarter-finals and

The Challenger was introduced in February 2020 to boost the development of rugby sevens across the globe and provide a clear promotion pathway to reach the top level of global rugby sevens for the short format of the game which has experienced huge growth over the past two decades since the introduction of the global sevens series and becoming an Olympic sport at the Rio 2016 Games.

The bigger and better than ever 2024 edition of the Challenger kicks off with combined events at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai on 12-14 January, followed by Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo, Uruguay on 8-10 March before standalone women’s and men’s events at Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland and Dantestadion in Munich, Germany respectively on 18-19 May.

by Abhishek Shukla

World Champions Lochner/Fleischhauer win 2-man bob World Cup in St. Moritz

St. Moritz (RWH) The 2-man bobsleigh World Champions Johannes Lochner/Georg  Fleischhauer (GER) are the winners of the fourth BMW IBSF World Cup in winter  2023/2024. At the Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz-Celerina, Lochner/Fleischhauer relegated  their German team-mates with Olympic Champion Francesco Friedrich and push athlete  Alexander Schüller (GER, 0.25 seconds behind) to second place. Lochner thus celebrated  his third win of the season in the race series.  Third place in St. Moritz was contested between the Swiss local heroes Michael  Vogt/Sandro Michel and Simon Friedli/Andreas Haas. With the better run time in the second  heat, the Vogt/Michel duo ultimately came out on top and secured the remaining podium  place in third ahead of Friedli/Haas in fourth place. Cédric Follador/Gregory Jones  completed the good result for the Swiss World Cup hosts in seventh place.  In the overall standings for the BMW IBSF World Cup 2023/2024, Johannes Lochner (GER,  885 points) extended his lead at the halfway stage of the World Cup. Francesco Friedrich  (GER, 830) is second overall after four of eight races, ahead of 2023 World Championships  bronze medallist Michael Vogt (SUI, 809), who finished on the podium in three of the four  2-man bobsleigh races. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Arjun Deshwal’s 16-point performance helps Jaipur Pink Panthers stage comeback win over Puneri Paltan

13th January, Jaipur: The Jaipur Pink Panthers ended the Puneri Paltan’s eight-match winning streak after defeating them 36-34 in Jaipur on Saturday. The Puneri Paltan held a huge lead at 20-11 at the end of the first half, but the Panthers fought back and clinched a gripping victory in the end.  Arjun Deshwal was the star for the Panthers with 16 points on the night.

Arjun Deshwal picked up a couple of raid points as the Panthers clinched the lead at 3-2 in the third minute. The Puneri Paltan levelled the scores at 5-5, but Deshwal kept picking up raid points to propel the Panthers to a three-point lead at 9-6 in the 9th minute. However, the Puneri Paltan defence unit stood tall and kept its team in the game at 8-10 in the 12th minute.

Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh upped his game as the Pune side levelled the scores once again at 11-11 in the 16th minute. Pankaj Mohite pulled off a magnificent double-point raid in the 18th minute and helped the Puneri Paltan inch ahead at 14-11. Moments later, the Pune side inflicted an ALL OUT to extend their lead further. The Puneri Paltan led comfortably at 20-11 at the end of the first half.

The Panthers tackled Mohit Goyat in the opening minutes of the second half, but Shadloui picked up tackle points from the other end and kept Pune in the lead at 21-13 in the 25th minute. However, Arjun Deshwal pulled off a SUPER RAID as the Panthers reduced the Pune side to just one member in the 29th minute. Moments later, the home side inflicted an ALL OUT and narrowed the gap between the two sides at 22-23. The Panthers rode on the momentum and clinched the lead at 24-23 soon after.

Bhavani Rajput effected a brilliant raid to take out Shadloui as the Panthers attained a decent lead at 28-23 in the 34th minute. Moments later, Deshwal picked up a raid point and reduced the Pune side to just one member on the mat. The Panthers inflicted another ALL OUT soon after and led comfortably at 32-26. However, the Puneri Paltan fought back and reduced the Panthers to just one member on the mat in the dying seconds of the game. But Bhavani Rajput held his nerve on the final raid of the game and took his team to a thrilling victory.

Please see below the PKL Season 10 match on 14th January

Game 1 – Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – 8 pm

Game 2 – Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates – 9 pm

Venue: Jaipur

Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and for free on Disney+ Hotstar.  

by Abhishek Shukla

Novak Djokovic opens up about his love for India and bond with Virat Kohli

Mumbai, January 13, 2024: In the lead-up to the Australian Open 2024, tennis legend Novak Djokovic has been making headlines with his fitness and determination at the age of 36. With a potential 25th Grand Slam title up for the grabs, Djokovic sat down with Sony Sports Network, the official broadcaster for the tournament in India, to discuss his admiration for India and what drives him towards achieving great things every day. 


 
Regarding his connection with India, the 24-time Grand Slam winner expressed, “I’ve felt that for many years. I visited India only once around 10 or 11 years ago for a two-day exhibition event in New Delhi. It was a brief stay, and I hope to return soon to explore the country’s rich history, culture, and spirituality. I’ve great relationships with eminent personalities like Sachin, Virat and many others. I’ve been in touch with Virat Kohli over texts for a few years, but we have never met in person. It was a privilege to hear him speak kindly about me. I admire his career and achievements.”
 
The 10-time Australian Open winner, Novak, will face Croatian Dino Prižmić in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, in the year when Novak is all set to eye a Golden Slam.
In the exclusive interview conducted with Somdev Devvarman – Olympian & Former No. 1 India Tennis Player, Asian Games & Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, and panellist on Extraaa Serve, Novak also discussed his motivation on and off the court. Djokovic said, “I feel blessed to be in this position, living my dream. I have been working all my life to be in this position and to be in this kind of circumstances I find myself right now. As a 4-5-year-old boy in Serbia, I’ve always dreamt of reaching the greatest heights of Tennis, Winning Grand Slams and making history in this beautiful sport that has given me and my family so much. Coming from a country that faced challenges in the ’90s, my family had to gather money and resources for me to able to continue pursuing my dream and to play tennis. This humble upbringing makes me appreciate my achievements and where I am now. I use this platform for good, enjoying myself, growing my brand, and pursuing my passions while sticking to my core values. Whether through early childhood education through the Novak Djokovic Foundation for the past 15 years in Serbia or through the joint efforts with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), where we are trying to improve the livelihood of tennis players.”
 
Sony Sports Network will bring all the LIVE action from the tournament in English and Hindi, while Tamil and Telugu language feeds will be added from the Quarterfinals stage onwards.

by Abhishek Shukla

KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open begins today

Bengaluru, Jan 13: The third edition of the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open begins today with the qualifying rounds to be played on Sunday and Monday at the KSLTA Stadium. The event boasts of a prize purse of US $40,000 and has attracted the best of women’s tennis talent from around the world.

The qualifying includes 32 players vying for eight spots in the main draw. Meanwhile, promising lass 15-year-old Kasvi Sunil from Mandya has been given a wild card for the qualifiers. The other names include Lakshmi Gowda, Vanshita Pathania Pratibha Narayan Prasad and Paavanii Pathak.

Meanwhile Diana Marcinkevica of Latvia has been given the top billing in the qualifying draw while Anna Siskoca of Czech Republic is seeded second. Rina Saigo of Japan is seeded No.3 while Tina Nadine Smith of Australia and Thasaporn Naklo of Thailand have been seeded fourth and fifth respectively.

by Abhishek Shukla

Australia Defeats India 2-0 in AFC Asian Cup Group B Opener

January 13, 2024

In a gripping AFC Asian Cup Group B encounter, Australia triumphed over India with a score of 2-0 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, showcasing a dominant second-half performance.

First Half: A Battle of Missed Opportunities

The first half was marked by Australia’s dominance in possession and attempts, with over 70% of the ball and 14 shots. However, the Indian defense, spearheaded by Sandesh Jhingan, put up a resilient show, thwarting the Australian advances. Despite the pressure, the most significant chance of the half fell to Indian captain Sunil Chhetri, whose header from Nikhil Poojary’s cross in the 16th minute went wide, missing a golden opportunity to put India ahead.

Second Half: Australia Finds the Breakthrough

The game’s tempo escalated in the second half, with Australia continuing their offensive push. Their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Jackson Irvine capitalized on a failed clearance by Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to score the opening goal. The match then saw a brief moment of hope for India when a misjudged backpass almost resulted in an own goal for Australia. However, the Socceroos doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when substitute Jordan Bos scored from his first touch, following a brilliant run and assist from Riley Mcgree.

Historic Match with First Female Referee

The match was historic as Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan became the first woman to referee an AFC Asian Cup match. She was assisted by compatriots Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, marking a significant moment in the tournament’s history.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Australia has positioned themselves strongly in Group B, while India faces an uphill battle to advance. India’s next fixture is against Uzbekistan on January 18, and Australia will play against Syria on the same day. The match was a display of Australia’s strength and India’s fighting spirit, setting the tone for an exciting AFC Asian Cup tournament.

by Abhishek Shukla

New York Red Bulls Complete Transfer of Swedish Youth International Noah Eile

January 15, 2024

The New York Red Bulls have officially completed the transfer of Swedish youth international Noah Eile from Malmö FF. The 21-year-old defender has signed a four-year Major League Soccer (MLS) contract through 2027, with an option for 2028, as a U-22 Initiative player.

Eile’s Career and Achievements

Eile spent the last two seasons on loan with Mjallby AIF, where he made a significant impact with 52 appearances, one goal, and five assists. During this time, he demonstrated solid defensive skills and a notable tactical understanding of the game. His performance in the Swedish top division, the Allsvenskan, has been particularly noteworthy, having played in 49 matches in the league.

Prior to his time with Malmö FF, Eile began his career with Bjarreds, playing in their youth system. He signed his first professional contract in December 2020 with Malmö FF, where he made four career appearances and was part of the team that won the Allsvenskan in 2021.

Role and Expectations at New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls have expressed excitement about adding Eile to their roster, recognizing his potential as a promising young defender. With his considerable experience in Sweden’s top division, Eile is expected to bring quality and depth to the Red Bulls’ defensive lineup.

Head Coach Sandro Schwarz has highlighted Eile’s talent and skillset, anticipating his contribution on the pitch at Red Bull Arena this season. Eile’s arrival will provide the team with strategic options and greater squad depth, especially in central defense.

Impact on the Team’s Performance

Eile’s signing is part of the Red Bulls’ strategy to build a competitive squad, focusing on young and versatile players. His addition is expected to bolster the Red Bulls’ defense, which was among the best in MLS last year, helping the team reach a 14th-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Upcoming Season

The Red Bulls are set to begin their new era on February 25, visiting Nashville SC for their regular-season opener. Fans and the team alike will be eager to see how Eile integrates into the squad and contributes to their performance in the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Seattle Sounders FC Sign Forward Braudílio Rodrigues

January 13, 2024

Seattle Sounders FC has announced the signing of forward Braudílio Rodrigues to a contract for the 2024 season, with options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. This move signifies a significant step in Rodrigues’ career as he transitions from the Tacoma Defiance, Seattle’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, to the first team.

Braudílio Rodrigues’ Path to Seattle Sounders

Braudílio Rodrigues, originally from Lisbon, Portugal, has shown promising talent throughout his young career. Before joining Tacoma Defiance in February 2023, he had a prolific collegiate career at Franklin Pierce University. During his time there, Rodrigues recorded 31 goals and 25 assists in 45 career matches over two seasons. His impressive performance in 2022, which included 20 goals and 22 assists, led his team to a 25-0-1 season and a National Championship. Following this, Rodrigues was awarded the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year award and the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year, along with several other honors.

In his first professional season with Tacoma Defiance, Rodrigues set a single-season club record for the team with 15 regular-season goals. He added two more goals in a Western Conference Quarterfinals victory over Houston Dynamo 2 and became only the third player in club history to record a hat trick. Rodrigues appeared in all 30 matches for Tacoma Defiance, starting 28 of them, and contributed four assists.

Seattle Sounders FC’s Expectations

Sounders FC General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel expressed satisfaction with Rodrigues’ signing, noting his ability to score goals at every step in his career. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer also praised Rodrigues’ development and is looking forward to seeing him work once preseason training begins.

The signing of Rodrigues adds depth and offensive prowess to the Sounders’ attacking options. Seattle finished the 2023 regular season second in the Western Conference with 53 points, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals before falling to LAFC. The club is currently preparing for the 2024 season, which kicks off against LAFC on February 24 at BMO Field.

Transaction Details

As part of the deal to bring Rodrigues to the first team, Seattle acquired the College Protected Period Priority for him from New York City FC in exchange for a natural third-round selection in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. NYCFC retains a sell-on percentage and could receive up to $50,000 in General Allocation Money if certain performance-based metrics are met.

Braudílio Rodrigues’ addition to Seattle Sounders FC reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening its squad as they look forward to another competitive season in MLS.

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket: Two most recent champions the teams to watch in Group A

The finalists of the 2020 edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, India and Bangladesh, will be joined by Ireland and USA in Group A.

India are also the defending champions, having beaten England in an epic see-saw encounter back in 2022 in the West Indies. 

The Group A fixtures begin on January 19 with Ireland playing USA in Bloemfontein. 

Here we take a look at the four teams, their make-up and some of the future stars to look out for.

India

Defending Champions India have been serial winners in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history, winning five titles in the 14 editions.

Going into the 2024 campaign, they will again be one of the strong favourites to go deep in the tournament. In fact, only once – in the inaugural edition in 1988 – has India failed to make it past the group stage in an U19 Men’s CWC.

Uday Saharan will lead the side and hope to put his name in an elite list of Indian captains – Mohammed Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw and Yash Dhull – to have lifted the U19 World Cup trophy.

Their recent semi-final exit at the ACC U19 Asia Cup will serve as fuel for a determined Indian side to aim for the stars. 

Their undefeated run in the pre-tournament tri-nation series against South Africa and Afghanistan will give them confidence, making them formidable contenders with their eyes set on a historic sixth title in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Squad

Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (c), Avanish Aravelly, Saumy Kumar Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan, Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani and Naman Tiwari.

Fixtures

20 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
25 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
28 January: v USA, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Naman Tiwari

Naman Tiwari has enjoyed a great start to his cricket career, starting with a five-for against Bangladesh in a tri-series in November. In four matches, he picked up 12 wickets to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker in the series.

The 18-year-old followed it up with five wickets in three Asia Cup games and has built great momentum with seven wickets in three games in the recent tri-series while familiarising himself with the South African conditions.

Naman offers India a trait that has been a bit of a rarity over the years – left-arm pace. With his stellar performances, he undoubtedly becomes one of the key players to keep a close eye on in the upcoming tournament.

What they said

Uday Saharan, India captain: “Our preparation has been intense, and the team has been working tirelessly to fine-tune every aspect of our game. We understand the challenges that come with representing our country at this level, but the excitement within the squad is palpable. The prospect of competing against the best U19 teams from around the world is both thrilling and motivating.”

Bangladesh

Brimming with confidence following their triumph in the ACC U19 Asia Cup, Bangladesh will be looking to carry forward their momentum into the U19 Men’s CWC 2024.

In keeping with the overall progress of Bangladesh cricket over the past decade, their U19 team has mirrored this success, reaching the quarterfinals twice, making the semi-finals once, and securing the trophy once in the last four editions.

The pinnacle of their success came in the 2020 edition in South Africa, when they secured their maiden U19 World Cup, the first-ever ICC trophy won by Bangladesh, defeating India in a thrilling final.

In the upcoming tournament, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and his teammates to further the U19 team’s commendable journey and build on the positive strides they have made in recent years.

Squad

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (c), Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury Md Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Shihab James, Ahrar Amin, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha

Fixtures

20 January: v India, Bloemfontein
22 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
26 January: v USA, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby

Following Bangladesh’s tradition of producing left-hand batsmen and left-arm orthodox all-rounders, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby has emerged as a standout performer with both bat and ball in the past year. In a total of 20 matches, Rabby showcased his skills by scoring 367 runs and claiming an impressive 32 wickets.

Leading Bangladesh to triumph in the U19 Asia Cup, Rabby not only captained effectively but also ended as the second-highest wicket-taker (9 wickets) for the team.

His noteworthy performances have garnered attention, leading to his recent debut in List A cricket during the Bangladesh Cricket League One-Day competition. 

What they said

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Bangladesh captain: “We will go there to win the World Cup. Bangladesh has done that before and there is no reason why we can’t carry the momentum from the Asia Cup to South Africa.”

USA

Making their third U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup appearance, USA returns to the competition for the first time since 2010. Before that, USA made their maiden appearance in the 2006 edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka.

Securing qualification in a thrilling manner, USA triumphed over Canada in the final Americas Qualifier match, determined by the DLS method. Despite both teams finishing level on points, the USA’s superior net run rate ultimately earned them the coveted spot in the premier U19 tournament.

A standout performance for the team in the Americas Qualifier was when they put up a mammoth 515 against Argentina before bowling out the opposition to win by a whopping 450 runs.

Squad

Amogh Arepally, Rayaan Bhagani, Aaryan Batra, Khush Bhalala, Prannav Chettipalayam, Arya Garg, Siddarth Kappa, Bhavya Mehta, Aarin Nadkarni, Manav Nayak, Parth Patel, Rishi Ramesh (c), Utkarsh Srivastava, Ateendra Subramanian, Aryaman Suri.

Fixtures

19 January: v Ireland, Bloemfontein
26 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
28 January: v India, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Prannav Chettipalayam

The leading run-scorer in the Americas Qualifier, USA’s Prannav Chettipalayam has piled on a mountain of runs over the last year.

He started the tournament with a half-century against Bermuda and followed it up with two more fifties in the next three games.

In a standout performance, Chettipalayam smashed a remarkable 136 off 104 balls in USA’s penultimate game, significantly boosting their net run-rate. Displaying composure in the final Qualifier match, he remained unbeaten, guiding his team to victory and securing their qualification for the U19 Men’s CWC 2024.

What they said

Rishi Ramesh, USA captain: “Personally I will be looking towards our game against India, because I think they are historically one of the biggest teams in cricket. A win against them specifically would be quite historic for the nation of the USA.”

Ireland

This year marks the 10th time Ireland have qualified for the U19 Men’s CWC, and the team will be eager to surpass their previous performances.

Ireland’s display in the previous edition will give them confidence. They achieved their joint-best finish by securing the 10th position in 2022, matching their accomplishment in 2010.

Ireland toured South Africa in March last year, with 10 of the 15 squad members gaining valuable experience. Additionally, the team enters the competition with the confidence of a significant achievement – their first-ever victory against England U19 during the summer of the previous year.

Squad

Philippe le Roux (c), Macdara Cosgrave, Harry Dyer, Daniel Forkin, Kian Hilton, Ryan Hunter, Finn Lutton, Scott Macbeth, Carson McCullough, John McNally, Jordan Neill, Oliver Riley, Gavin Roulston, Matthew Weldon, Reuben Wilson.

Fixtures

19 January: v USA, Bloemfontein
22 January: v Bangladesh, Bloemfontein
25 January: v India, Bloemfontein

Watch out for

Philippe le Roux

Making his second appearance in the U19 World Cup, Philippe le Roux has been entrusted with the captaincy for Ireland in the upcoming tournament.

In the 2022 edition, le Roux emerged as the leading run-scorer for the team, amassing 165 runs in six matches with an impressive average of 41.25. 

His standout contribution came in a Player of the Match-winning performance against Canada, where his unbeaten 83 helped Ireland to victory in their sole triumph of the tournament. 

Now captaining the side, le Roux will hope to build on his past success and guide Ireland to a promising campaign in the U19 World Cup.

What they said

Phillippe le Roux, Ireland captain: “We want to leave having put Ireland on the map at this level, like the senior team has done over the last few years, as a team that will not be pushed over easily.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Lisa Buckwitz in St. Moritz with third monobob victory in a row

St. Moritz (RWH) Bobsleigh pilot Lisa Buckwitz has celebrated her third consecutive  Monobob victory in the fourth race of the winter at the BMW IBSF World Cup in St. Moritz  (SUI). At the Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz Celerina, Buckwitz was in third place after the first  run and took the lead in the second run with a season track record (1:10.89 minutes).  

Monobob World Champion Laura Nolte (GER, 0.13 seconds back), the leader after the first  run, dropped back one place and finished second. Australia’s Breeana Walker finished  third, 0.15 seconds behind winner Lisa Buckwitz and celebrated her third podium in a row  in Monobob World Cup.  

Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) missed out on her first monobob  podium finish of her comeback season in St. Moritz and finished fourth. Local hero Melanie  Hasler from Switzerland finished in fifth place.  

With her victory, Lisa Buckwitz (GER, 843 points) also took the lead in the overall standings  for the BMW IBSF World Cup 2023/2024. Breeana Walker (AUS, 794) remains second  overall. Previous leader Kaysha Love (USA, 779), ninth in St. Moritz, is now third overall. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Jelle, Orel to clash for singles title, Indian pair lifts doubles title at PET ITF Mandya Open

Mandya, Jan 13: The Indian challenge in the men’s singles of the PET ITF Mandya Open ended when Karan Singh and Siddharth Vishwakarma bowed out in semifinals of the PET ITF Mandya Open. While Karan Singh lost to Jelle Sels of The Netherlands 1-6, 4-6, Siddharth went down fighting against third seed Orel Kimhi of Israel 6-2, 5-7, 4-6 at the PET Stadium here on Saturday.

After having two second place finishes in the doubles, it was third time lucky for Manish Sureshkumar and his partner Parikshit Somani as the all-Indian duo came back from a set down to lift the doubles trophy after defeating the pair of Woobin Shin of Korea and Karan Singh 4-6, 6-1, 10-8.

In the first semifinals, Karan adopted an aggressive approach which proved detrimental as he lost his serve in the second game itself. The 20-year-old showed a glimpse of recovery when he broke his rival’s serve in the third game but could not sustain the sudden rush of form. Jelle displayed some quality tennis shots and won five games in a row to seal the first set 6-1.

Karan began with renewed zeal in the second set and played some great cross court winners and gained an early break in the second game and went 3-0 up. However, the Indian began committing unforced errors which gave Jelle the upperhand. The 28-year-old who was ranked 127th in the world two seasons ago, served well and often attacked the net which fetched him the next five games and handed him a 5-3 lead. Karan held his serve in the ninth game before Jelle served out for the match that lasted only 70 minutes.

In the second semifinal, National Games champion Siddharth made a breezy start, whipping his forehand and dishing out big serves and took a 3-0 lead with a break in the second game and broke once again in the eight game to take the first set 6-2. The 20-year-old Israeli then began stitching his game in the latter part of the second set where he was 1-3 down but came back to level at 3 and broke Siddharth’s serve in the 11th game before serving out for the set.

In the deciding set, the games went with the serve until the sixth game after which Orel achieved the crucial break in the seventh game and finally served out for the match after both the players had held their respective serves. The match lasted 2 hours and 29 minutes.

Results (all Indians unless mentioned, prefix denotes seeding)

Singles (Semifinals)

Jelle Sels (NED) bt Karan Singh 6-1, 6-4; 3-Orel Kimhi (ISR) bt Siddharth Vishwakarma 2-6, 7-5, 6-4

Doubles (Final)

4-Parikshit Somani/Manish Sureshkumar bt Woobin Shin (KOR)/Karan Singh 4-6, 6-1, 10-8.