by Richard Miller (US)

Thunder Triumph Over Kings 127-113, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams Shine

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder claimed a convincing 127-113 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, powered by standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander, delivering an MVP-caliber performance, scored 38 points on 15 of 26 shooting, while Williams added an impressive 32 points, making 13 of 20 shots, alongside nine assists and eight rebounds.

The win marked the Thunder’s first against the Kings this season after two previous encounters ended in defeat. Kings coach Mike Brown lauded Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty in containing him despite the team’s efforts. Williams’ efficiency also drew praise from Brown, highlighting his significant impact on the game.

Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren contributed to the Thunder’s victory with 17 and 14 points, respectively, with the team capitalizing on 30 points off 18 Kings turnovers. This win was a strong response from Oklahoma City, bouncing back from a 146-111 loss to Dallas the previous day. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault commended his team’s edgier play compared to their last outing, emphasizing the importance of adhering to their standards.

For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis achieved his second consecutive triple-double and fourth in six games this month, demonstrating his exceptional all-around play with 21 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. This achievement adds to his season tally of 17 triple-doubles and a career total of 49. Malik Monk led the Kings in scoring with 26 points, while De’Aaron Fox, averaging nearly 27 points per game before this matchup, was limited to 15 points on 6-for-17 shooting.

Daigneault praised Dort’s defensive efforts on Fox, especially in the first half, attributing the control they had over Fox to Dort and the team’s collective defensive strategy.

The Thunder established a solid lead by halftime, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams each scoring 19 points to secure a 67-57 advantage. The team extended their lead in the third quarter, with key contributions from Dort and Williams, and maintained control despite the Kings’ efforts to narrow the gap in the fourth quarter.

Reflecting on the win, Gilgeous-Alexander noted the team’s strong start and their adherence to their identity, which set the tone for the night.

Looking ahead, the Kings will visit Phoenix on Tuesday night, hoping to bounce back from this loss. The Thunder, meanwhile, will travel to Orlando for their next game on Tuesday, aiming to build on their impressive performance.

This victory for the Thunder not only showcases the talents of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams but also reinforces the team’s potential to compete at a high level and respond effectively to setbacks.

by Richard Miller (US)

Celtics Edge Heat 110-106, Continue Dominance in Season Series

MIAMI — The Boston Celtics maintained their winning form against the Miami Heat, securing a 110-106 victory on Sunday, showcasing their resilience in the face of a late rally from the Heat. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 25 points, while Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday added 20 and 15 points, respectively. Boston’s proficiency from beyond the arc was on full display, hitting 16 of 39 3-point attempts.

Reflecting on the Celtics’ recent history with the Heat, Tatum emphasized the competitive nature of their matchups, acknowledging the intensity brought by both teams. Boston’s victory marks their third win against Miami this season, continuing a trend of success against the Heat, including six wins in their last seven meetings.

The Heat, playing without their leading scorer Jimmy Butler due to a family bereavement, saw significant contributions from Tyler Herro, who scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half, and Bam Adebayo, who added 22 points. However, injuries to Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson compounded Miami’s challenges, with both players set for MRI exams following the game.

Miami’s comeback efforts in the third quarter, erasing a 15-point deficit, highlighted the team’s determination. Despite their rally, clutch free throws from Porzingis and Tatum in the final moments secured the win for Boston. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s execution, particularly in late-game situations.

The physicality of the game was evident, with a notable incident involving Brown and Duncan Robinson, leading to a flagrant foul on Brown and a personal foul on Robinson. The altercation underscored the intensity of the rivalry between the two teams.

As the Celtics prepare to face Brooklyn next, they carry momentum from their recent victories. The Heat, looking to rebound from this loss, will embark on a six-game road trip, starting with Milwaukee. Both teams continue to navigate the challenges of the season, with Boston solidifying its status as a contender and Miami aiming to overcome adversity and injuries.

by Abhishek Shukla

Gawad Claims Third Pittsburgh Open Title With Dominant Display Over ElShorbagy

World No.6 Karim Abdel Gawad downed England’s Marwan ElShorbagy in straight games to claim the Pittsburgh Open title. The tournament was the top seed’s first since a calf injury he sustained during the Hong Kong Squash Open in November 2023.

The match presented an opportunity for Gawad to earn his third Pittsburgh Open title after successful campaigns in 2014 and 2015, and for ElShorbagy, it was a chance to claim the title for a first time after losing the 2023 final to Diego Elias.

While both semi-finals saw long, arduous rallies to score points, the first game of the final saw the opposite, as every attempted winner seemed effective for the Egyptian.

Gawad looked strong in the early stages and ElShorbagy appeared slightly behind the pace of the match, perhaps due to playing 153 minutes of squash over the course of his quarter-final and semi-final matches.

The Egyptian took a 1-0 lead in emphatic fashion, capping the game off with an awkward cross-court to force the error from his opponent.

The ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ looked less energetic as he came out for game two, hitting the tin twice in quick succession to help the World No.10 to a 3-1 lead, but the Egyptian soon regained his form as he pushed on, hitting four consecutive points shortly after to earn a narrow 6-4 advantage.

The ‘Jackal’ fought back to 8-8, with the improvement in form visible in a deceptive hold before a quick backhand drive to make it 7-8.

The 32-year-old wouldn’t allow ElShorbagy any more chances in the second game as he secured a 2-0 advantage with three quick-fire points.

From 4-4 in the third game, Gawad maintained a slim lead for the rest of game despite a committed response from the 30-year-old to 9-10 and the former World No.1 claimed the title with a pin-point accurate backhand drop on championship ball.

“I’m feeling great, of course, winning,” said Gawad after the match. “Coming back from an injury, the toughest part is the mental side and in the last week of practice, I wasn’t very satisfied with how I was pushing mentally. I tried my best to change this in the tournament and luckily it worked well.

“I tried to push as much as possible mentally and yesterday, I was up and down in the games. When I was three up in the second game I dropped mentally and lost the game so I tried my best today. Marwan is very talented in coming back and winning points quickly so today I tried my best not to give him that chance.

“I tried to push mentally and physically from the very first point. Since I woke up I knew I had to give it 100% mentally and my warming up and everything was different today. I just tried to win the first game by any means.

When asked about ElShorbagy’s tiring route to the final, Gawad said: “Of course, it takes from your body. Especially playing on a traditional court is harder to win the points and it’s harder to move on court for too long. For him, he had two hard matches. I had a tough match yesterday and being the first tournament since the end of November, it’s hard because no matter how hard your training is, the pressure of the matches is different. It makes you get stiffer quicker and for me it was hard but tonight I tried my best.”

Result:

[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [2] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 (33m)

by Abhishek Shukla

Yellove! Chinna Thala Suresh Raina set to lead UP battalion at IVPL

Dehradun (Uttrakhand) [India], February 12: 

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, often referred to as Chinna Thala by fans, is set to reignite his love for the game as he will be donning the yellow jersey again but this time for his home side VVIP Uttar Pradesh in the first edition of the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL).

As Raina prepares to lead VVIP Uttar Pradesh, it marks a journey back to his roots, relishing his formative years when he first took the bat for his home State. Often regarded as one of the greatest T20 players for India, Raina is thrilled to be part of the IVPL to showcase his dynamic batting prowess and captaincy for VVIP Uttar Pradesh.

“Hello everyone. I’m Suresh Raina and I’m super thrilled to be part of the Indian Veteran Premier League, I will be playing for Team VVIP Uttar Pradesh. This is the chance to play with veteran cricketers once again,” said Raina in a statement.

Joining Raina in VVIP Uttar Pradesh are former IPL champions Rajat Bhatia and former Australian all-rounder Dan Christian. With their collective experience and skill, the team is poised to make a formidable impression in the IVPL, which is slated to be played from February 23 to March 3, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

Organized by the Board for Veteran Cricket in India (BVCI) and managed by 100 Sports, the IVPL is bringing together veterans such as Sehwag, Munaf Patel, Suresh Raina, Rajat Bhatia, Chris Gayle, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Herschelle Gibbs, and many more.

Shri Praveen Tyagi, the Acting President of BVCI and Chairman of IVPL said, “The veteran cricketers will infuse a new energy for Veteran Cricket in India. We welcome Suresh Raina to the IVPL family and I’m sure fans will be happy to see him back on the field.”

The participating teams include VVIP Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Legends, Red Carpet Delhi, Chhattisgarh Warriors, Telangana Tigers, and Mumbai Champions. Each team is a powerhouse of talent, as cricketing legends and regional stars come together to relive their passion for the game. Each team will have four to five iconic players from across the World.

The matches will be broadcasted live in India on the Eurosport channel, DD Sports, and Fancode, and tickets for the matches at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium will soon be available for purchase.

Fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the live cricketing extravaganza firsthand can secure their seats and be part of the electric atmosphere at the stadium.

by Abhishek Shukla

RIYADH SEASON ANNOUNCES PFL CHAMPIONS VS. BELLATOR CHAMPIONS TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 11, 2024) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Riyadh Season have announced tickets for the first-ever mega MMA event of the year, PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions that will be held on 24 February are available now. Tickets for PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions can be booked through the WeBook.com website and application through the link: https://webook.com/en/events/champs-vs-champs-boxing-tickets

The PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions weigh-ins will take place at The Kingdom Arena on the 23 February at 6 pm KSA time.

Emanating live from Saudi Arabia, an emerging hotspot for global sporting events, PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions is an unprecedented fight card that will feature World Champions and the biggest names in combat sports going head to head in the PFL SmartCage. The event will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

Headlining the card will be a battle between Heavyweight titleholders, as PFL Heavyweight Champion, Renan Ferreira meets Bellator Heavyweight Champion, Ryan Bader. PFL Light Heavyweight Champion, Impa Kasanganay, who will fight at 185-pounds takes on Bellator Middleweight Champion, Johnny Eblen. Two-time PFL Champion Ray Cooper III faces Bellator Welterweight Champion, Jason Jackson, and in the featherweight action, PFL Champion Jesus Pinedo meets Bellator Champion Patricio Pitbull.

The card will also feature the first-ever female MMA fight in Riyadh in which two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and women’s boxing champion Claressa Shields takes on Kelsey DeSantis in a Women’s Lightweight bout. PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions will also see Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, make his professional MMA debut. Other notable fighters on the card are Saudi Arabia’s own Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Thiago Santos, Yoel Romero, Clay Collard, AJ McKee, Aaron Pico, and many more.

The inaugural PFL PPV Super Fight event will be available on ESPN+ PPV and DAZN beginning at 3 pm ET. In addition, three major showcase bouts will take place during the preliminary card airing in the U.S. on ESPNEWS and ESPN+ in the U.S. beginning at 12 pm ET.

PFL is the only organization in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

Riyadh Season attracts people from all over the world to experience a wide range of international martial arts and boxing events. It also offers various entertainment options and international experiences. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy thousands of concerts, exhibitions, and other events in Riyadh. This unique entertainment includes participation from celebrities and well-known brands. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Charlton breaks world 60m hurdles record in New York with 7.67

Just minutes into the main programme of the Millrose Games, Devynne Charlton blazed to a stunning world 60m hurdles record*, clocking 7.67 at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in New York on Sunday (11).

The Bahamian sprint hurdler had been in superb form since opening her 2024 campaign one month ago. A 7.88 run in Louisville was followed one week later with a national record of 7.75. She came close to that mark with 7.76 at the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Boston last weekend.

In New York on Sunday, though, she nailed her start and stole a march on her rivals from the start. Drawn in between two-time world indoor champion Nia Ali and two-time world champion Danielle Williams, Charlton eased away from the field and crossed the line in 7.67.

Her time takes 0.01 off the previous world record set by Susanna Kallur exactly 16 years and one day ago.

Williams was second in 7.79, while Tia Jones – who clocked a big PB of 7.72 to win in Boston last week – was given the same time was Williams for third place.

“I heard the announcer say something that sounded like ‘world record’, but it didn’t hit me until I saw my name and time on the clock,” said Charlton, who took world indoor silver in 2022. “I can’t describe that moment.

“When I saw that clock, I felt relief. When you set a goal and work towards it all year, and then you achieve it, it makes you feel you’re on top of the world.”

*Subject to the usual ratification procedure

by Abhishek Shukla

Semenistaja wins singles title Jakupovic Santamaria capture doubles crown at L&T Mumbai Open Tennis Championships

Mumbai, February 11: Latvia’s Darja Semenistaja won the biggest singles title of her career so far after winning the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series Tennis Championships, being organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), on Sunday.

The 21-year-old from Latvia came from a set down and saved a match point late in the second set before prevailing over fellow southpaw Storm Hunter, of Australia, in a two-and-a-half-hour battle.

Semenistaja finally prevailed 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-2 to win the title and continue her purple patch on Indian soil in 2024. The Latvian won an ITF W50 title in Bengaluru last month and has also claimed two ITF doubles title in the country before capping her run with the Mumbai title this week.

Earlier on Sunday, second seeds Dalila Jakupovic/ Sabrina Santamaria captured the doubles title ending the hopes of India No. 1 Prarthana Thombare and Dutchwoman Arianne Hartono.

The second seeded Slovenian-American pairing won the first set 6-4 before Thombare/ Hartono struck an early break to lead 2-0 in the second. However, Jakupovic/ Santamaria fought back to take six of the last seven games and complete the 6-4, 6-3 win in one hour and 25 minutes. Jakupovic was also a finalist in the singles event at this tournament in 2017, when she lost to reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series Results, Sunday February 11, 2024

Singles Final

[6] Darja Semenistaja (LAT) def. Storm Hunter (AUS) 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-2

Doubles Final

(2) Dalila Jakupovic (SLO)/ Sabrina Santamaria (USA) def. Arianne Hartono (NED)/ Prarthana Thombare (IND) 6-4, 6-3

by Abhishek Shukla

Gujarat Giants seals playoffs spot with massive victory over Bengaluru Bulls

KOLKATA, 11 FEBRUARY 2024: The Gujarat Giants secured their place in the PKL Season 10 Eliminator beating the Bengaluru Bulls 50-28 at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today. Parteek Dahiya (13 points) and Fazel Atrachali (6 points) were the top performers for the Giants on a day of dominance. 

The game came with huge implications for both sides in their race to make the playoffs, and right from the Giants seized the moment to establish authority almost immediately. Having slowly built up a small lead, they relied on the enduring brilliance of Parteek Dahiya to surge into complete dominance.

In the eighth minute of the first half, Dahiya’s SUPER RAID to take out Surjeet Singh, Saurabh Nandal and Monu set up the first ALL OUT for the Giants to take a 9-3 lead. They did not let this momentum slip, as Dahiya kept chipping away up front while the Giants defence kept the rafters shut for the most part. A second ALL OUT right on the edge of half time gave them a massive 21-9 lead at the break.

The one-sided nature of the contest continued well into the second half, and soon enough the Bulls were making unforced errors of their own to gift points to the Giants. A series of them gave the Giants a third ALL OUT early in the second half to extend into a 17 point lead.

For their part though, the Giants defence was on absolute fire, led in particular by a brilliant Fazel Atrachali, who with 10 minutes to play, had six points from six tackles for the evening. A SUPER RAID by Nitin to take out Monu, Arulnanthababu and Amit Sheoran set up a fourth ALL OUT, the gloss on thoroughly dominant Giants performance that sealeed their spot in the playoffs.

Pro Kabaddi League Season 10, 2023
Points Table
PositionTeamMatchesWonLostTiedPointsScore DiffPoints concededPoints scored
1Puneri Paltan19142381233532765
2Jaipur Pink Panthers1913337788565653
3Dabang Delhi K.C.2011636943660703
4Gujarat Giants2012806534654688
5Patna Pirates2010736355691746
6Haryana Steelers181161603659662
7Bengal Warriors1989249-15726711
8Bengaluru Bulls20711248-73716643
9Tamil Thalaivas20812045-3718715
10U Mumba19611241-61738677
11U.P. Yoddhas19414129-70716646
12Telugu Titans19217016-234845611

Please see below the PKL Season 10 schedule for 12th February

Game 1 – U.P. Yoddhas vs Jaipur Pink Panthers- 8 pm

Game 2- Bengal Warriors vs U Mumba- 9 pm

Venue: Kolkata

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

India beat defending Champions Netherlands 2-2 (4-2) in a thrilling shootout

Bhubaneswar, 11th February 2024: Ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics in the shootout saw India pull off a thrilling 4-2 shootout win against the defending Champions the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Sreejesh made two stunning saves in the shootout, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Shamsher Singh converted their chances to help India bag a bonus point.

Hardik Singh (13′) and Harmanpreet Singh (58′) scored a goal each for India, while Jip Janssen (30′) and Koen Bijen (39′) got on the scoresheet for the Dutch in what was a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time.

The World No. 1 team was quick to get off the blocks and made attacking runs inside India’s circle in the opening minutes of the game. They took various shots on target, but Indian goalie Krishan B Pathak stood tall to deny the Dutch from taking the early lead.

India, on the other hand, took some time to settle in. Their first real chance came in the 12th minute, when they won back-to-back penalty corners, but couldn’t capitalise on it.

In the following minute, India broke the deadlock through Hardik from an open play. The midfielder made a stunning run down the right flank before playing it to Sukhjeet, who passed it back to Hardik. Hardik then skilfully slotted the ball into the net from an acute angle, giving India a 1-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

India started the second quarter brightly and enjoyed the ball possession, but couldn’t create much of a danger. They yet again earned back-to-back penalty corners but the Dutch denied the hosts from doubling the lead.

The visitors earned their first penalty corner in the 25th minute but missed out on converting it. However, they continued with the same attacking intent and were rewarded with yet another penalty corner in the dying seconds of the first half. Janssen made no mistake as he hammered the ball into the bottom corner, making it 1-1 at the half-time.

It was a cagey start to the second half, with both teams cautiously controlling the ball in the midfield and not giving away much space. However, the latter phase of the third quarter saw the Netherlands drawing a soft penalty corner. Pathak saved Jasper Brinkman’s drag-flick, but Bijen was at the right place, at the right time, to slot the ball home on the rebound, putting the Dutch 2-1 in the 39th minute.

With less than 30 seconds to go in the third quarter, the Netherlands had yet another penalty corner, but India survived the danger.

A thrilling start to the final quarter saw both teams creating goalscoring opportunities. While the Dutch missed out on converting their penalty corners, India kept missing the target in the striking circle.

India mounted relentless pressure on the Dutch and were presented with back-to-back penalty corners in the 55th minute, but couldn’t avail the opportunities.

With less than three minutes to go for the final hooter, India removed their goalkeeper to put an extra outfield player. They then took a video referral for a deliberate push from the Dutch defender and were rewarded with a penalty corner. Harmanpreet, playing his 200th match, stepped up and slotted the ball home to bring things back on level terms.

Sreejesh, who was called back into the field, made some scintillating saves in the dying seconds as the Dutch gave their all, but couldn’t find a goal, ending the regulation time in a 2-2 stalemate.

India will take on Australia in their third match on Thursday, 15th February at 1930 hrs IST.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC stuck in mid-table tussle after 1-1 draw

Jamshedpur, 11 February, 2024: Jamshedpur FC restricted Bengaluru FC to a 1-1 draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex to round off Matchweek 14 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. Suresh Singh Wangjam opened the scoring for the visitors with a screamer in the 14th minute, but Javi Siverio equalised in the second half to ensure that both teams settled for a point each from this lively encounter.

The Blues were chasing their fifth straight win against the Red Miners in the league, and they couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the same. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate Chingambam Shivaldo Singh earned a place in the starting XI and he was tireless on the right flank, launching in a fierce delivery that was flicked by Sivasakthi Narayanan onto the path of Sunil Chhetri inside the box.

Sivasakthi and Chhetri were positioned parallel to each other a few yards away from Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh. However, Chhetri was in a very acute angle to the goal, and hence refrained from taking the onus upon him to unleash a shot at goal. He instead laid up the ball for the onrushing Suresh, who showed sharp instincts to deposit the ball in the top corner of the net and thus immersing in a jubilant celebration with the captain.

Jamshedpur FC didn’t let the goal get the better of them though. Their dynamic frontline kept pushing the buttons of the Bengaluru FC backline, getting into dangerous spots inside the box to test their luck against Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Rei Tachikawa came touchingly close to drawing the scores level before the half-time break, as a miscued effort by Elsinho was pounced upon and then hit straight at the crossbar by the Japanese star.

However, their moment of reckoning arrived courtesy of Siverio. Jeremy Manzorro’s corner kick in the 70th minute was half-heartedly cleared by the Blues, and the ball led to Imran Khan on the inside channel of the right flank. The attacker, who had scored once each in the previous two games, ensured that he made an impact tonight. He swung in a curling cross for Siverio that the midfielder headed inside the net with perfect precision, leaving no chance for Sandhu to save the graces this time around.

Key Performer of the Match

Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC)

The central midfielder made 21 passes and completed 17 of them, making two clearances and three tackles during his hour-long stay on the field. He earned five fouls and struck a thumping goal that demonstrated his prowess moving forward on the field. 

What’s next for both teams?

Jamshedpur FC will play their coming game against Punjab FC in New Delhi on February 15, whereas Bengaluru FC will lock horns with Mumbai City FC next Sunday, i.e. February 18.

Brief Scores

Jamshedpur FC 1 (Javi Siverio 70’) – 1 Bengaluru FC (Suresh Singh Wangjam 14’)

Stats Pack:

Picture4.jpg
by Abhishek Shukla

Amit, Sachin clinch gold as India finish 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament with 8 medals

Sofia, (Bulgaria), February 11, 2024: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal and national champion Sachin delivered stellar performances to clinch gold medals at the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday.

Amit Panghal (51kg) pulled off a stunning 5-0 win over reigning world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay. Much like his previous performances in the tournament, Amit dominated his opponent with pinpoint precision and speed in his attack. The national champion Amit was on target on most occasions with his trademark jab & left hook and didn’t let loose the grip of the bout even for a second.

As the bout progressed, the Indian pugilist became more and more dominant and stayed in attacking mode even in the third round. Sazakh kept looking for a way out during the whole bout but Amit stood his ground, securing his fourth consecutive unanimous decision win of the tournament to clinch the gold medal.

Contrary to the first match, Sachin (57kg) took some time to settle in against Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Muzafarov. Both the boxers were equally dominant in the first round though Sachin managed to win it by a slight 3-2 advantage.

The boxer from Haryana grew in confidence as the bout progressed and used his height advantage while timing his punches to perfection in the second and third rounds to emerge victorious by a 5-0 margin.

Meanwhile, the reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen missed her third Strandja gold medal after going down 2-3 in a closely fought final against Uzbekistan’s Sabina Bobokulova. Nikhat did not have the best of starts as her Uzbeki counterpart went aggressive from the word go.

The Indian pugilist found it hard to settle in as she lost the first round 1-4. Nikhat did find her rhythm in the second round but the former Junio Asian champion Sabina was very solid defensively and her quick head movements made it difficult for Nikhat to connect the punches as she found herself behind 2-3 in the second round.

The momentum shifted in the third round as the 27-year-old boxer from Telangana went into a complete offensive mode winning the round 5-0. However, it wasn’t enough to win the bout as she settled for silver.

Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) nearly pulled off a historic win against China’s Yang Liu. The final went down to the wire with the reigning world champion Yang winning the bout 4-1. Both the boxers were hesitant at the start and did not engage in attack as they waited for each other’s move. Arundhati lost the first round 2-3.

The Asian Games gold medallist Yang relied on her experience, employing calculated moves and prioritizing her defence. She strategically scored points at regular intervals, ultimately winning the bout.
Barun Singh Shagolshem (48kg) lost 0-4 to Khodzhiev Anvarzhan of Kyrgyzstan in the final. The crowd witnessed an explosive start as both the boxers tried to earn points early in the match. Barun managed to make a mark in the initial minute but it was the boxer from Kyrgyzstan who was more aggressive among the two. Barun lost the first round 1-4. The Krygyz boxer took the challenge head-on in the second round and even forced a countdown against Barun to win it by 5-0.

The Indian boxer did manage to put up a solid fight in the third round winning it by 3-2 but the final verdict went against him.

Rajat (67kg) was the last pugilist in action for Team India against Kazakhstan’s Bekbauov Dulat. The bout was evenly poised throughout as it looked like it could go in anyone’s favour. Both the boxers used their strength and delivered multiple blows at regular intervals. The second and third rounds saw the Kazakh boxer making calculative moves as he scored points regularly which also helped him in the last round, giving him a 3-2 victory in the match.

The Strandja Memorial Tournament is one of Europe’s oldest international sports competitions which saw the participation of over 300 pugilists from 30 countries.

by Abhishek Shukla

Mohite & Shadloui Power Puneri Paltan to PKL Season 10 Semi-Finals

KOLKATA, 11 FEBRUARY 2024: The Puneri Paltan put up a masterclass to register an emphatic 56-29 victory over the Tamil Thalaivas in Kolkata on Sunday. The Pune side also booked a place in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Semi-Finals through the victory.

Aslam Inamdar picked up a few raid points as the Puneri Paltan raced away with a six-point lead in the third minute. However, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi helped the Tamil Thalaivas get on board through a SUPER TACKLE on Pankaj Mohite. But Mohit Goyat effected a raid and Abinesh Nadarajan tackled Vishal Chahal as the Pune side inflicted the first ALL OUT of the match to take a big lead at 12-2.

 Mohite pulled off a brilliant raid in the 10th minute as the Puneri Paltan continued to forge ahead. Ajinkya Pawar tried to counterattack for the Thalaivas, but he couldn’t find a way to breach the Puneri defence line. The Pune side inflicted another ALL OUT and led comfortably at 28-10 at the end of the first half.

 Mohit Goyat took out M. Abishek as the Pune side continued to put relentless pressure in the second half. Abinesh Nadarajan tackled Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi and reduced the Thalaivas to just one player on the mat in the 27th minute. The Pune side rode on the momentum and inflicted another ALL OUT soon after to attain complete control of the game at 41-14.

The Thalaivas couldn’t find a way to get back into the contest for the rest of the game as the Puneri Paltan coasted to a place in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Semi-Finals.

Pro Kabaddi League Season 10, 2023
Points Table
PositionTeamMatchesWonLostTiedPointsScore DiffPoints concededPoints scored
1Puneri Paltan19142381233532765
2Jaipur Pink Panthers1913337788565653
3Dabang Delhi K.C.2011636943660703
4Patna Pirates2010736355691746
5Gujarat Giants1911806012626638
6Haryana Steelers181161603659662
7Bengal Warriors1989249-15726711
8Bengaluru Bulls19710248-51666615
9Tamil Thalaivas20812045-3718715
10U Mumba19611241-61738677
11U.P. Yoddhas19414129-70716646
12Telugu Titans19217016-234845611

Please see below the PKL Season 10 schedule for 12th February

Game 1 – U.P. Yoddhas vs Jaipur Pink Panthers- 8 pm

Game 2- Bengal Warriors vs U Mumba- 9 pm

Venue: Kolkata

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

Hockey India congratulates Harmanpreet Singh on completing 200 international caps

Bhubaneswar, 11th February 2024: Hockey India congratulated Harmanpreet Singh on completing 200 International Caps when India took on the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Harmanpreet Singh, the Captain of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team made his debut in 2015 and has been a pivotal part of the Indian defence ever since. He won the Gold medal with the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team at the 2015 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup in Malaysia later that year as well as the Gold in the 2016 Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

This was followed by a Silver medal for the deft defender with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in London. He then went on to win the Gold medal with the Indian Team in the 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh before helping India finish in third place at the 2016-17 Men’s FIH Hockey World League.

Harmanpreet, in 2018, won the Silver medal with the Indian Team at the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, the Bronze medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta and the Gold at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman.

Harmanpreet, who was part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team that finished eighth in the 2016 Rio Olympics, won his first Olympic medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan as the Indian Team finished in third place. He then went on to win another Bronze medal, this time at the 2021 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka. The Indian Men’s Hockey Team won the Silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England with Harmanpreet playing a significant role. He won the Gold medal with the Indian team at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai before winning yet another Gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year, which is his most recent achievement.

The 28-year-old Indian Men’s Hockey Team Skipper, when asked about his monumental achievement, said, “It is indeed a great honour to be able to represent India in 200 international matches. I am incredibly grateful to my family, friends, teammates and support staff for the amount of love and support they have given me. I will continue to do my best every time I step onto the field and give it my all.”

Congratulating Harmanpreet on achieving this milestone, Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “A hearty congratulations to Harmanpreet on representing India in 200 matches. He has made everyone proud with the efforts he puts into this game and deserves all the accolades that come his way. It is a matter of great joy to have such an individual serve our country and this game tirelessly for years together and we are sure that he will continue to do so for years to come.”

by Abhishek Shukla

India’s Karan Singh goes down fighting against No. 2 seed at DafaNews Bengaluru Open 2024 qualifiers

Bengaluru, February 11, 2024: Rising Indian player Karan Singh fought his heart out against second seed Dan Added as the home players endured a tough day in the opening round of the singles qualifiers at the DafaNews Bangalore Open 2024 at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Wild card entrant 20-year-old Karan made life tough for his French rival, fighting tooth and nail in a gruelling contest before losing  6-7(3), 7-5, 6-7(9) in the opening round that lasted two hours and 46 minutes.

Sasikumar Mukund also fell 4-6, 3-6 to fourth seed Italian S Vincent Ruggeri.

Former national champion Siddarth Vishwakarma, who entered the field as an alternate, also battled hard against seventh seed Ukrainian Eric Vanshelboim but eventually lost 4-6, 4-6.

The prestigious tournament is being organised by Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA). Final will be played on February 18. 

Two more Indian wild cards — Niki Poonacha and Adil Kalyanpur — also could not make the most of the opportunity, making an early exit.

Poonacha, who made a winning Davis Cup debut last week in Islamabad, also exited the event with a 3-6, 4-6 defeat against top seed Austrian Bernard Tomic, who was once a Top-20 player on the Tour.

Adil lost 4-6, 3-6 to eighth seed Korean Yun Seong Chung.  Moving to the next round were French Enzo Wallart and South African Kris Van Wyk. Wallart set aside the challenge of Japanese sixth seed Kaichi Uchida while Van Wyk pushed out Poland’s Olaf Pieczkowski 6-3 6-3.

The main draw will begin on Monday as the opening ceremony will be attended by chief guest R Ashoka, leader of opposition, Legislative Assembly of Karnataka and President, Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association and inaugurated by Manjunath Prasad, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Government of Karnataka.

by Abhishek Shukla

Punjab FC take positives to the home of Kerala Blasters FC

Kochi, 11 February, 2024: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 enters a new phase with the matchweek 15 kicking off with the clash between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Punjab FC resumed their ISL campaign after the mid-season break with a terrific 3-1 victory over Bengaluru FC at home.

That was only their second win in their maiden campaign in the top-tier and the team will be drawing confidence from that to take on the Yellow Army away from home. Kerala Blasters FC had edged past Punjab FC by a slender 1-0 margin, thanks to a Dimitrios Diamantakos penalty in the previous fixture between the two sides in New Delhi. Ivan Vukomanovic and his team will hence be looking to do the league double over Punjab FC, and thus in the process become the first team to do so against them in the ISL.

Vukomanovic & Co. anyways need to recover from the 2-1 defeat to Odisha FC, which has complicated dynamics at the top of the points table. They will be backing their odds in the comfort of their home, against a team that is yet to win in an away fixture this season. Dealing with injury concerns to key players, the team faces an uphill challenge to sustain their momentum in the second half of this campaign. This is when Vukomanovic’s coaching acumen and pedigree comes into play, as he has to ride over these challenges to put up a strong face against equally determined opponents.

What’s at stake?

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC might be third in the standings, but they have garnered 26 points from the first 13 games, which is their highest ever tally after these many games in any ISL campaign. In fact, they have won eight matches and that is the most number of matches they have emerged victorious in after playing the aforementioned count of encounters in any season of the competition. With a strong Indian core and impactful foreigners, the team has it in them to go the distance and Vukomanovic seems keen to make that happen after falling short of the finishing line in the last few campaigns.

However, form is perhaps the most instrumental factor in determining the outcome of any such match, and they don’t have it in their side right now whereas Punjab FC does. The tactician will be relying on Diamantakos to take up additional duties upfront, especially in the absence of Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah. With eight goals and two assists, the Greek forward has set the stage on fire and he will be keen to delight Manjappada yet again, come Monday.

Punjab FC

After 10 winless games, Punjab FC has now won twice in their last three league encounters. They now have their eyes set on bagging consecutive victories for the first time ever in the ISL, and a host of facets have come together to help them get some favourable results under their belt. Firstly, someone like Luka Majcen hasn’t been overburdened with goal-scoring duties, with Madih Talal and most recently Wilmar Jordan Gil chipping in at crucial junctures.

They need to work on starting games on the frontfoot, with Punjab FC being the only team failing to find the back of the net in the opening 15 minutes of any of their matches in this campaign. In contrast, Kerala Blasters FC have done that four times this season already, and their head coach Staikos Vergetis must be cognisant that the aforementioned phase of the match does not tilt the scales of the game against them.

Key Players

Pritam Kotal (Kerala Blasters FC)

Pritam Kotal has been a highly influential signing for Kerala Blasters FC. The seasoned defender has helped them keep four clean sheets so far, making 12 tackles, 22 clearances, and 27 interceptions so far. He has made an average of 2.1 interceptions per game, which is the highest in the league for any player who has played an average of seven matches.

Kotal averages 34 passes per game with 73% accuracy and has seamlessly slotted in to become a leader at the back for the team. Punjab FC ran circles around the Bengaluru FC backline in the previous match, unlocking their defence and taking regular shots against them. Kotal will have to help his counterparts hold the defensive unit together, and Punjab FC will have to devise particular plans to overcome him in the game.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

Punjab FC has sharp strikers in Gil and Majcen, but Madih Talal is someone who is even more threatening to the opposition because he can both set up and finish off goals. He has scored twice and assisted thrice in ISL 2023-24, and his involvement in the proceedings and stature has only been rising ever since. His fleet footedness has helped him win the most fouls (37) by any player in the competition. He has created an average of two goal-scoring opportunities per game, taking 29 shots in total. Talal is a livewire in the frontline, donning a free-flowing role and breaking apart defences with his vision and sharp deliveries into the box. Whether he can recreate his magic in Kochi will be closely looked out for.

Head-to-Head

Played – 1

Kerala Blasters FC – 1

Punjab FC – 0

Draws – 0

Trivia: Kerala Blasters FC midfielder Mohammed Azhar has completed 87% of his passes in the opposition’s half this season.

Team Talk

“This is one of the most important games of the season for us. That is because we want to begin in a good way at home. We will play four more home games, in addition to five away, and hence we need to try to collect as many points as possible,” said Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic in the pre-match press conference.

“One positive results helps the psychology of the player to get to a good level. It gives them confidence. I had seen from our Super Cup games that they have more confidence and this is something that was confirmed in the last game,” Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis remarked.

ISL Fantasy

Madih Talal (5.4cr)

Five goal contributions in ISL 2023-24 so far

Sachin Suresh (3.6cr)

Solid between the posts for KBFC

Dimitrios Diamantakos (8.4cr)

10 goal contributions until now in the ISL

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Points Table

by Abhishek Shukla

‘We hit form at the right time;’ Max Holden commends Dubai Capitals after second straight win

Abu Dhabi, 11 February 2024: Dubai Capitals defeated the MI Emirates by 19 runs in their final DP World ILT20 Season 2 league stage game at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The team defended 148 runs to secure an important win and possibly a place in the competition’s playoffs.
Speaking after the match, opener Max Holden said, “It’s good to get the win. With the bowlers we got, we felt in control of the game. With the start that we had, we would have wanted more runs on the board, but that has been the trend of this tournament. So, we knew we were in the game and always in T20 cricket, if you bowl and field well then you can defend your totals.”
Having scored 51 runs, he was happy with his own performance, “I’m happy to come in at the top of the order, I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a good opportunity. I’m grateful to contribute. It’s a big win for the team and hopefully we can progress to the knockouts. T20 cricket is all about momentum and we have peaked at the right time. It’s good to win a pressure game like this because that prepares us for the playoffs.”
The Englishman also thanked the fans and commended the DP World ILT20 for it’s competitive nature, “The DP World ILT20 is an amazing competition. The best players around the world are here and I get to test myself against them. I also get to learn from the likes of David Warner in our dressing room. Also, the atmosphere in the stadiums, especially at home in Dubai, has been amazing. I thank the fans for their support.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Lifter Popy Hazarika hopes KIUG 2023 will boost state’s sporting culture

Guwahati: Seasoned weightlifter Popy Hazarika, who represented India at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, acknowledged the importance of the platform that the Khelo India University Games 2023 will provide to the thousands of athletes participating from across 200 universities in the marquee event, starting February 19 here. 

Popy, a multiple medallist at the National Games, and the Commonwealth championships, believes the prestigious event, hosted in Assam for the first time, will boost the sporting culture in the state.

Welcoming the athletes to experience the warmth and hospitality in the Gateway of the Northeast, Popy said, “Khelo India University Games provides a perfect platform for every young athlete to establish themselves in the big league. Assam is known for its warmth and hospitality, and I’m sure the state government will leave no stones unturned to make it a grand success.”

Raised by a widowed mother, who worked as a farm hand and cook to support her four daughters after losing her husband, Popy had overcome multiple challenges after losing her father, a driver by profession. 

A product of the SAI centre in Golaghat, Popy, who won the 59kg gold in the Khelo India National Weightlifting Championships in 2022, said that the exposure athletes get by taking part at events like the KIUG is massive.  

“As an athlete, coming from a remote village in Assam, I have experienced how such tournaments help in boosting one’s confidence. I wholeheartedly wish all the participants the very best for the games. The exposure that the events like Khelo India University Games provide to young athletes is massive, and helps shape in one’s individuality,” she said.

The 25-year-old from Namti Salkathoni village in Sivasagar district, also reflected on the significance of the KIUG taking place in the state, “It’s a testament to our state’s rising stature in the field of sports.”

“Our state has successfully hosted multi-discipline events in the past, and this time, it will be bigger and better. The sports infrastructure in the state has improved massively, especially after the National Games in 2007, and then the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020,” she added.

Popy also spoke highly of the state’s support for athletes, while citing the Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government’s decision to provide jobs to medallists of major national tournaments.

“The state government has been really supportive towards sportspersons and this has brought in a sporting culture across the state. It’s no more limited to the bigger cities, but there’s a sporting culture growing in the remote areas, thanks to the infrastructure and support from the government,” she said.

“Right before the National Games in Gujarat, the government for the first-time announced flight travel for all athletes and support staff, participating at any major national event. The decision helped athletes save travel time and focus on training. Also, the medallists were given jobs, which is a massive boost,” she accounted.

Popy is hopeful that the KIUG 2023 will bring out a number of champions from the home state.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘We executed our plans brilliantly against U Mumba’ says Patna Pirates’ Captain Sachin

KOLKATA, 11 FEBRUARY 2024: The Patna Pirates put themselves within touching distance of a Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Playoffs spot after defeating U Mumba 44-23 in Kolkata on Saturday. Speaking about their victory, Patna Pirates’ Captain Sachin said, “Our defense and raiding departments played very well against U Mumba. This was a very important match for us as far as our qualification for the Playoffs is concerned. We wanted to play patiently and ensure that we won the match.”

Sachin also said that the players have received a huge boost of confidence, “The confidence is very high in our camp and we want to keep playing like this in our upcoming games. If we can control our performances, then we will certainly go very deep in the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Sudhakar M, who contributed with 7 raid points in the match against U Mumba said, “I’ve received a lot of support from our Coach and Sachin. My main focus is to practice very hard during the training sessions and then ensure that I also take enough rest to recover fully before every game.”

The Patna Pirates, who are currently in the fourth position with 63 points, will be up against Telugu Titans in their next match on Tuesday.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 10 matches today

Game 1 – Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan – 8 pm

Game 2- Bengaluru Bulls vs Gujarat Giants – 9 pm

Venue: Kolkata

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

Australia clinch U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup crown with emphatic win over India

A dominant Australian side produced a superb all-round performance to secure their fourth ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup crown, overcoming a formidable Indian side amid a vibrant final atmosphere at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Sunday.

Led by Hugh Weibgen, Australia put in an exceptional display in the blockbuster finale, first posting the highest total ever recorded in a U19 Men’s CWC final and then executing a flawless display of bowling to dismantle India’s chase and secure the win by 79 runs.

Echoing the dominance of Pat Cummins and his senior counterparts in India a few months earlier, the young Aussie team secured their country’s first U19 title since Mitch Marsh led his team to victory in 2010.

India, who entered the tournament as defending champions, came off second best in what was their fifth consecutive final appearance in the U19 Men’s CWC.

Australia beat India by 79 runs

Australia 253/7 (50 overs) v India 174 (43.5 overs)

Australia won the toss and opted to bat under a cloudy sky in Benoni, and immediately got off to a fiery start. Harry Dixon stayed true to his burgeoning reputation as a David Warner replica by smashing Naman Tiwari for two fours and a swivelled pull for six in the second over, setting a blistering tone to the innings.

Raj Limbani was the first to strike from an Indian bowling outfit that had looked so dominant before the final, producing a brilliant inswinger to go through the defence of Sam Konstas. 

India introduced Saumy Pandey into the attack early, hoping to capitalize on any vulnerability Hugh Weibgen may have had against left-arm spin. The Australian skipper had been dismissed by left-arm spinners in three matches in the tournament prior to the final, and once by Pandey himself in a warm-up game in January.

But with the left-handed Dixon at the other end, the Aussie pair rotated strike easily against the Indian bowlers. Captain Uday Saharan turned to Musheer Khan, another left-arm spinner, to save Pandey’s overs, but the Webgen-Dixon partnership grew in confidence.

Though the introduction of spin momentarily slowed the scoring rate, it failed to yield wickets. Consequently, India reverted to pace after 11 successive overs of spin. It immediately reaped dividends. Tiwari induced a miscue from Weibgen, who drove straight to Musheer at backward point for 48.

Tiwari struck again in his next over, coaxing Dixon to lob one skyward with a well-disguised knuckle ball. With two quick wickets, India clawed their way back into contention, but Harjas Singh, who had previously struggled for form in the tournament, rose to the occasion with a crucial knock.

Teaming up with Ryan Hicks, Harjas anchored the Australian innings. With only two frontline quicks and the medium pace of Arshin Kulkarni at their disposal, India had little choice but to turn back to spin. However, the Aussie pair continued to accumulate runs with minimal risk.

Harjas opened up against Priyanshu Moliya, smashing him for a six and a four to assert his dominance on the bowling attack. He continued to take full toll on the spinners while Hicks found gaps to rotate the strike regularly.

The return of Limbani brought a wicket as the seamer trapped Hicks in front for 20 to break the partnership. Harjas continued unperturbed and completed a fine half-century – his first in the tournament – off 59 balls.

Pandey came back into the attack in the 38th over and trapped Harjas in front for 55 to give India a massive breakthrough. Musheer added another scalp, that of Raf MacMillan, in the 40th over and Australia slipped from 165/3 to 187/6.

Ollie Peake, coming in off a match-winning knock in the semi-finals, and Charlie Anderson built steadily before Limbani picked up his third wicket by trapping the latter in front in the 46th over. 

Peake remained unbeaten on 46 as Australia finished on 253, the highest total registered in a final of an U19 Men’s CWC. 

India had a daunting target ahead of them against a formidable pace attack. Callum Vidler started the second innings with a maiden over and Anderson, who had taken four wickets in the warm-up game against India, bowled another tight over with the new ball.

The mounting pressure gave way to the first wicket – Vidler had Kulkarni edging behind off a delivery that seamed away. Australia had their first strike, and it forced India into defensive mode with Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan aiming to survive the new ball spells from the Aussie quicks.

Musheer showed early glimpses of promise with some fine shots, one of them a seamless punch down the ground for four. However, Mahli Beardman was introduced into the attack and the extra pace of an angled delivery into the right-hander exposed a gap in the batter’s defence.

India’s most reliable batter in the tournament, their skipper Uday Saharan, joined Adarsh in the middle with his side in huge trouble. The scoring rate hadn’t picked up, and they were staring at a big target with two wickets down already.

Saharan attempted to break free after a cautious start, but an aggressive drive resulted in a thick edge that found its way to Weibgen at backward point as Beardman struck for the second time in quick succession. 

India’s woes compounded as Sachin Dhas, the in-form batter, perished to MacMillan’s first ball. The off-spinner had Dhas caught behind for nine as India leaving India in dire straits at 68/4.

Adarsh found some company from Moliya and the stand got India into the nineties, but he top-edged a pull off Anderson and the resistance was broken.

Aravelly Avanish gave a return catch to MacMillan in the next over and India were six down.  

Sensing the increasing need to add runs, Adarsh attempted to accelerate his subdued innings, finding boundaries with a four and a six off Vidler. However, he ultimately nicked a short ball from Beardman to the ‘keeper, departing after a patient vigil at the crease, having scored 47.

Murugan Abhishek provided some late fireworks, but it was too little, too late for India, who were too far adrift from the target to mount a successful comeback. He finished on 42, miscuing a pull off Vidler’s final over. 

India were bowled out for 174, finishing second-best to an effective Australian unit that reserved their best performance for the final of the tournament. Beardman walked away with the Player of the Match award for what proved to be a match-winning spell of three for 15 from his seven overs.

Australian skipper Hugh Weibgen was proud of the effort from his team, especially the quicks, and also had a few words of encouragement for India.

“Our plan was to bat first and try and get runs on the board. We backed ourselves. A quality innings from Harjas [Singh]. Full credit to the coaches for sticking with him. They [pacers] can go far as a unit, they know their roles so well. I’ll be surprised if the four of them don’t go a long way in their careers. India are a class side, they dominated the whole tournament, just came out on the wrong side.”

Indian captain Uday Saharan commended the fighting spirit of his team and hoped to learn from the experience.

“I’m proud of the boys, they played very well and showed good fighting spirit. We played a few rash shots and didn’t spend time in the middle. We were prepared but couldn’t quite execute well. There are a lot of learnings from the tournament. We learnt a lot from the coaches and support staff and more importantly from the games themselves.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Squash: Top Seed Gawad Battles To Third Pittsburgh Open Final After 80-Minute Clash

Top seed Karim Abdel Gawad defeated compatriot Youssef Ibrahim in an 80-minute clash to keep his hopes alive of a third Pittsburgh Open title, while World No.10 Marwan ElShorbagy defeated No.3 seed Youssef Soliman in a testing five-game affair in the second semi-final.

The points in the first game of Gawad and Ibrahim’s clash were almost exclusively won through drops, cross-courts and strokes which is a perfect indication of the rapid, aggressive squash on show between the two Egyptians. Gawad got the better of the early stages and Ibrahim showed visible frustration as the former World No.1 pulled away to 10-3 on the scoreline.

The 24-year-old managed to fend off three game balls, but the lead was too significant as the 32-year-old fired an irretrievable cross-court shot into the back right corner to secure a 1-0 lead.

The World No.6 began the second gain in a similar vein of form as he amounted an 8-3 advantage, but soon Ibrahim looked sharper, attacking the ball higher up the court and volleying more often, as he battled back to parity at 8-8.

A well-disguised backhand drive, a cross-court and a forehand drive in quick succession earned the younger Egyptian the second game after winning eight consecutive points.

The No.1 seed rediscovered his first-game dominance, taking an early 6-2 lead in game three. Ibrahim looked to have a way back into the game as Gawad miscalculated a trickle boast without any pressure from his opponent, but the older Egyptian pushed on from there, winning the game 11-4 with a pin-point accurate drop into the front right corner.

The ‘Gunslinger’ showed some flair in the start of the fourth game as he won a point by deploying a behind-the-back shot, and battled to a 7-6 lead. Ibrahim maintained his slim lead to 10-9, but Gawad forced the tie-break. The pair battled through four lets, one of which saw Gawad on the floor after a collision, until finally Ibrahim found his way through, winning the game 12-10 to level the match.

The experience of the 2016 World Champion proved too much in the fifth as he fought to an 11-8 win to secure a place in the the final, the match finishing with a stroke.

“I’m a bit tired of course after a long match, but I’m happy and glad to be in the final here in Pittsburgh,” said Gawad after the match, “I’m looking forward to the final tomorrow.

“Playing Youssef is always hard, he’s a very talented player, a great mover on court and the way he’s playing, it’s very hard to play against especially for me and for many top players.

“Today I had to push mentally until the very last point. I was down 6-4 and 7-6 but I had to push to the last point of the match and I’m glad I managed to win today.

On Ibrahim’s second game resurgence, Gawad said, “It’s always not nice when you’re leading, especially in a crucial game and winning 8-3 and then you lost eight points in a row it’s hard and to come back, obviously you’re a bit mentally down after losing a game in that way, but I had to refocus and just try and forget about that game and try to start from the beginning, and luckily I managed to regroup.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s final, it would be great to win a tournament after coming back from my injury. First tournament of the year for me so it would be good to win tomorrow, I just had to recover well today, sleep well, eat well and study whoever wins today for tomorrow’s match.”

In the second semi-final, England’s Marwan ElShorbagy faced a difficult opponent in World No.12 Youssef Soliman. The two players met in last year’s semi-final, where the then-29-year-old won 3-1 in 83 minutes.

The No.3 seed started the match in emphatic fashion, going from 5-4 to 11-5 after a series of dramatic, close-fought rallies, with the game ball being won through ElShorbagy hitting the tin with a rash return.

The Englishman came into the second game looking refreshed and traded points with his opponent to 10-10. A backhand drive from Soliman gave him a chance to take a two-game advantage, but a trickle boast from ElShorbagy followed by a tight squeeze along the left wall gave the 30-year-old a chance to level the match, which he claimed after a stroke.

The match was marred by refereeing decisions throughout, as the two players pushed hard for a chance to face the No.1 seed in the final.

Game three brought about a second tie-break, as the pair remained inseparable to 7-7, but the 27-year-old earned the opportunity to retake the lead with two game balls.

The World No.10 upped his game and showed his mettle as he won four consecutive points to take a 2-1 lead, encapsulated by an accurate forehand drop at game ball.

It was the Englishman that had a quick start in the next game, accruing a 6-1 lead over the Egyptian, but Soliman soon found his form as he levelled the match to 8-8.

An unforced error from the No.2 seed, followed shortly by a stroke and a particularly gentle drop from the Egyptian in the front right corner brought the match back level at 2-2.

The decisive fifth game saw a different story as ElShorbagy took control of the match, quickly picking up points as he sped from 4-2 to 10-2, ending the match by forcing Soliman into the front corner with a backhand drop before unleashing a straight drive to the opposite corner of the court.

“Another tough one, I’m happy to win,” said ElShorbagy after the match, “It was quite close. I was lucky to win that second game. I had a couple of game balls, he had a couple of game balls in the third.

“I felt I was a bit in control in the second game. I played him here last year, and he’s really hard to play here. I think the court suits the way he plays. He surprised me a bit with the way he rushed me in the first game, but I knew it would be difficult to play like this for five games so I knew he would maybe break down after the first so I’m glad.

“I played well. I thought I was in control for most of the match. It’s hard to win a point on this court, you have to accept that you have to be patient, you can’t win it on the first, second, third opportunity so you have to be patient.

“When I played in New Zealand, I remember I was able to play two matches that went to five, and when I lost to Paul [Coll], surprisingly I wasn’t tired. So I know tomorrow I’ll be fine if I do the right recovery, I’ve got some more experience now with that stuff and I know what to do, so I’m just going to do what I know.

“Recovery’s really important now, I’m just going to recover, watch a bit of TV and sleep.”

The final of the Pittsburgh Open commences at 12:00 (GMT-5) on Sunday, 11th February, with action from court two live on SQUASHTV.

Results: Pittsburgh Open 2024 Semi-Finals

[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 3-2: 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8 (80m)
[2] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bt [3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 14-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-2 (74m)

Draw: Pittsburgh Open 2024 Final

12:00 [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [2] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG)

by Abhishek Shukla

Squash: Home Favourite Weaver Defeats Elaraby To Defend Title At DAC Pro Squash Classic

World No.6 Olivia Weaver defended her title at the DAC Pro Squash Classic and made it two titles on the PSA World Tour in as many weeks after a sublime straight-game victory over the in-form Rowan Elaraby. 

USA No.2 Weaver, who arrived in Detroit this week on the back of victory at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup, settled into her groove from the very first point at the Detroit Athletic Club, finding her length and forcing Elaraby into some tough movements in the back two corners. 

The defending champion took an early 4-1 lead and continued to cause Elaraby issues as the game progressed, hitting the ball on the rise and creating pressure with her tight lines. Despite some counter-punches from the Egyptian in the latter stages of the game, Weaver took a one-game lead by an 11-8 scoreline. 

Weaver continued to mount the pressure on Elaraby as the match entered the second, refusing to give away any cheap points from her own racket. The No.2 seed raced into a 5-1 advantage and refused to let her opponent back into the game, doubling her lead in the match after 22 minutes of action. 

No.3 seed Elaraby, who claimed a momentous five-game victory over top seed Nouran Gohar in the semi-finals, continued to throw her all at Weaver, but the impressive movement of the American was forcing Elaraby into hitting two or three rally-winning shots before securing a point on the board. 

Any potential of a comeback for the World No.10 was squashed at the beginning of the third as Weaver raced into a 5-0 lead – with the 28-year-old starting to fire the ball in short with the luxury of her two-game buffer. Weaver powered her way to nine championship balls, and at the second time of asking, sealed victory when Elaraby drifted a forehand drop into the tin. 

After claiming her seventh title on the PSA Tour, Weaver said: “I’m really happy with my performance today. I knew that Rowan would be feeling so good after yesterday, so I knew was going to have to be on it from the very first point and make a statement that I was ready to be out there all day long. 

“Fortunately, I think I managed to play some of my best squash and I’m super happy with how I played. I maintained my focus throughout the course of the match, Rowan is so dangerous and can beat anyone on her day, so I’m really pleased. 

“This is the first time that I have ever defended a title, so I knew this was an exciting challenge. I think the quick start was super important today. I wasn’t sure whether Rowan might be a little flat because she and Nouran had such a tough match yesterday. I just wanted to come out, hit my targets and play more consistently towards the back and find my length. I felt from the get-go I executed that. 

“I’m trying not to focus on results, but instead on the squash I’m playing. I’m constantly learning and improving and evolving as a player. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and the challenge of continuing to play this way and improving.”

Result: DAC Pro Squash Classic 2024 Final 

[2] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt [3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-2 (29m)

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian stars Nagal and Ramkumar draw French rivals for opening round as DafaNews Bengaluru Open 2024

Bengaluru, February 11, 2024: India’s top singles players have drawn French players as their singles main draw first round rivals at the DafaNews Bengaluru Open 2024 with second seed Sumit Nagal set to take on Geoffrey Blancaneaux and Ramkumar Ramanathan clashing with Maxime Janvier.

The prestigious tournament is being organised by Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) at KSLTA Stadium. Qualifying rounds will begin today while the final is scheduled on February 18.

Blancaneaux is not a new rival for Nagal, who he has beaten three times so far. Nagal, ranked 121, had even beaten him in the Australian Open Qualifiers and would look to extend his dominance over the French player.

Ramkumar has a 1-1 head-to-head record against Janiver and if he clears the first round hurdle, he is likely to run into top seed Italian Luca Nardi. Nardi has been drawn to meet a qualifier in his opening round.

“It is always exciting to see Indians in the main draw. Hosting international tournaments in the country helps local players as they get to play alongside top global names. With the presence of players like former World No. 25 Vasek Pospsil, Sumit Nagal and Luca Nardi, the tournament will witness intense competition as fans can expect a week full of exciting and high voltage action at the KSLTA Stadium,” Tournament Director Sunil Yajaman said.

Australian Adam Walton has been seeded third and will open his campaign against Indian wild card entrant Prajwal Dev.    

In the doubles main draw, French Dan Added and Korea’s Yun Seong Chung have been given the top billing and will clash with the Australian pair of Tristan Schoolkate and Adam Walton.

Australia’s Christopher Matthew Romios and Poland’s Piotr Matuszewski are seeded second and will take on Taipei’s Ray Ho and Australia’s Calum Puttergill.

There are nine Indians in the doubles main draw. N Sriram Balaji and his German partner Andre Begemann. They will clash with the German combination of Mark Wallner and Jakob Schnaitter.

by Abhishek Shukla

Bengal Warriors put Telugu Titans to the sword in massive 20-point victory

KOLKATA, 10 FEBRUARY 2024: The Bengal Warriors inflicted a heavy 55-35 loss on the Telugu Titans to take a much-deserved victory in front of their home crowd at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today. Nitin Kumar’s brilliant 13 points and Maninder Singh’s 8 points put the Warriors in charge of the game and won them the five points. 

With a loud and packed crowd backing them the Warriors were keen to put on a show, and right from the off were keen to settle the affair easily. Within seven minutes of the first half, they had inflicted the first ALL OUT of the game to surge into a 11-3 lead. Maninder Singh, in particular, scythed through the Titans’ defence in those early exchanges setting the tone for an ultimately fruitful evening. 

While Maninder kept his looming threat large on the Titans, Nitin Kumar quietly went about his business as the other raider to keep hurting them with touch points and limiting their numbers on the mat. A second ALL OUT came with two minutes of the first half left, as the Warriors took a comprehensive 12-point lead at the break. 

S Vishwas’s SUPER RAID early in the second half started yet another Titans collapse which led to a third ALL OUT, a Warriors victory looking all but sealed. For the Warriors though, this was a chance not just to get the points but also boost their point differential and hope to make the playoffs.     

They never let up. and another SUPER RAID, this time by Nitin Kumar, to take out Shankar Gadai, Mohit and Milad Jabbari saw the Warriors inflict a fourth ALL OUT to take a massive 49-21 lead. The Titans put the Warriors in trouble right at the end of the game, but even then the Warriors’ spirit showed through. A series of SUPER TACKLES by Dipak Shinde meant that the Titans couldn’t really close the gap. The Titans finally did get their ALL OUT though, with 10 seconds on the clock remaining, too little to change the result. The Warriors took the massive 20-point victory with glee. 

Please see below the PKL Season 10 schedule for 10th February

Game 1 – Patna Pirates vs U Mumba – 8 pm

Game 2- Bengal Warriors vs Telugu Titans – 9 pm

Venue: Kolkata

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

Indian Men’s Hockey Team begins FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 season with 4-1 over Spain

Bhubaneswar, 10th February 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team started their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 season with a dominant 4-1 over Spain in their opening match held on Saturday at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Harmanpreet Singh (7′, 20′) starred with a brace, while Jugraj Singh (24′) and Lalit Upadhyay (50′) scored a goal each to help India seal a 4-1 win in their opening match of the season. Spanish Captain Marc Miralles (34′) was the lone goalscorer for the visitors.

Both teams were cautious in their approach, as they focused on maintaining their structure, with accurate passes in the midfield. It was India who came up with the first real attack as Hardik Singh made a stunning run from the right flank to draw the first penalty corner, which was duly converted by Harmanpreet with a fiery low drag-flick, making it 1-0 in the 7th minute.

Although Spain had better ball possession, India were disciplined in the defence. They did not allow the visitors to create spaces and ended the opening quarter with a narrow 1-0 lead.

In their bid to score an equaliser, Spain started the second quarter brightly. They created a couple of goalscoring opportunities, and also had a penalty corner, but Indian goalie PR Sreejesh stood tall to deny visitors from equalising.

India immediately responded as they had as many as three back-to-back penalty corners, with the third one being rewarded into a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet once again stepped up and slotted the ball home with ease, making it 2-0 for the hosts in the 20th minute.

India rode on the momentum as they extended their lead through Jugraj’s low drag-flick that went through Spanish goalie Luis Calzado’s legs, making it 3-0 in the 24th minute.

With less than two minutes to go for the first half, Spain earned their second penalty corner of the match, but missed out on converting it. They also made forays inside India’s circle in the dying seconds, but the home side survived the danger, ending the first half with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Spain upped their ante and started the third quarter aggressively. They piled pressure on the Indian defence, and a stick tackle by Gurjant Singh gave away a penalty stroke to the visitors in the 34th minute. Miralles made no mistake in pulling a goal back for Spain as he slotted the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

The latter phase of the third quarter saw some end-to-end action, with both teams looking for spaces inside each other’s halves. India had their seventh penalty corner, but Jugraj’s drag-flick was off target.

Spain came out all guns blazing in the final quarter. They were relentless in their pursuit, and made dangerous runs inside, but Indian defence led by Sreejesh kept the visitors away from the goal.

India went on to add the fourth goal on the counter-attack. Sukhjeet orchestrated a fine run on the left, playing the ball to his teammate from the top of the circle. However, the deflection from Spanish defenders fell to Lalit, who was at the right place, at the right time, and hammered the ball into the nets through a reverse flick in the 50th minute.

Spain, on the other hand, had a glorious opportunity to pull a goal back in the 56th minute, but missed out on converting yet another penalty corner.

With less than two minutes to go for the final hooter, India were down to 10 men as Gurjant Singh was given the yellow card. Spain could make much of it as India ran down the clock to seal a comfortable 4-1 win. 

India will take on the defending Champions the Netherlands in their second match on  Sunday, 11th February.
 

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.

by Abhishek Shukla

India player combines with Holland’s Hartono to reach doubles final of L&T Mumbai Open Tennis Championships

Mumbai, February 10: Prarthana Thombare kept Indian hopes alive. The Indian No. 1 doubles player Thombare along with her Dutch partner Arianne Hartono reached the doubles final at the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series Tennis Championships, being organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), on Saturday.

Maharashtra’s Thombare and Hartono showed terrific understanding and combined perfectly to record a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over the Kazakhstan-South Korean pairing of Zhibek Kulambayeva and Sohyun Park in the second semi-final played under floodlights at the iconic CCI courts.

In the finals, the Indo-Dutch combination will clash with second seeds Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia and American Sabrina Santamaria. The Slovenian-American duo defeated Great Britain’s Naiktha Bains and Hungary’s Fanny Stollar 6-4, 6-1 in the other semi-final.

Earlier, sixth seed Darja Semenistaja of Latvia, and Storm Hunter of Australia, cruised into the singles final.

The 21-year-old Latvian Semenistaja, who won an ITF title in Bengaluru last month, continued her success on Indian soil with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Dutchwoman Arianne Hartono at the floodlit CCI courts on Saturday evening.

Hunter, the world’s third-ranked doubles player, upset eighth seed Katie Volynets 6-4, 7-6 in the first semi-final of the day. The 29-year-old left-hander, a Grand Slam champion in the mixed doubles format, continued her strong start to the season in singles. Last month, she qualified and went on to reach the third round of the Australian Open women’s singles draw – her best performance in a singles Grand Slam event. Hunter also reached the semi-finals of the women’s doubles event in Melbourne.

Sunday’s clash between the two left-handers will be the first career meeting between Semenistaja and Hunter. Both will also be playing their first singles final at the WTA $125K Series level and whoever triumphs would claim the biggest singles title of their career so far.

L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series Results, Saturday February 10, 2024

Singles Semi-Finals

[6] Darja Semenistaja (LAT) def. Arianne Hartono (NED) 7-5, 6-4

Storm Hunter (AUS) def. [8] Katie Volynets (USA) 6-4, 7-6 (4)

Doubles Semi-Finals

(2) Dalila Jakupovic (SLO)/ Sabrina Santamaria (USA) def. Naiktha Bains (GBR)/ Fanny Stollar (HUN) 6-4, 6-1

Arianne Hartono (NED)/ Prarthana Thombare (IND) def. Zhibek Kulambayeva (KAZ)/ Sohyun Park (KOR) 6-2, 6-1