Panaji (Goa), July 18 (IANS) Defending champions U Mumba TT produced a record-breaking display to overpower UP Prometheans 13-2 in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 at the Dr Shayama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao near Panaji on Saturday.The emphatic victory saw U Mumba register the biggest winning margin in the competition’s five-match format while also setting a new record with 11 consecutive game wins, climbing to first in the table.U Mumba’s Lilian Bardet and Anusha Kut…

Ranchi, July 18 (IANS) The Trophy Tour of the 135th Durand Cup arrived in Ranchi on Saturday, marking the Jharkhand capital’s debut as a Durand Cup host venue. Following its successful stop in Guwahati, the tournament’s three iconic trophies were welcomed at the Kerketta Auditorium, Dipatoli Military Station, during a grand ceremonial function organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.The event was attended by Shri Sudivya Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Y…

Chennai, July 18 (IANS) GM Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian player to win a game in the fourth edition of the Chennai Grand Masters 2026, India’s most prestigious classical chess tournament, when he convincingly defeated GM Hans Niemann of the USA in the third round at The Westin Chennai Velachery Hotel in Chennai on Friday.Arjun, who drew his first two matches, kept the pressure on Niemann after gaining the advantage in the middle game and tightened the noose around his opponent’s Kin…

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on the intense selection pressures in Indian cricket ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that the senior players are under pressure because the national set-up is full of quality bench strength.Karthik’s remarks come amid intense speculation surrounding veteran India opener Rohit Sharma’s future in the 50-over format, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia firmly quashing the suggestion that the third and f…

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) India’s Anahat Singh has been given top billing in the women’s section of the World Squash Junior Championships starting on Monday in Ontario, Canada, while Aryaveer Dewan is seeded 5/8 among men.Women’s world No 20 Anahat, who has won 16 singles titles on the circuit so far after turning pro in 2023, will be looking to clinch her maiden world junior crown following her bronze-medal-winning semifinal finish last year.Meanwhile, Aryaveer will aim to build on his gr…

Panaji (Goa), July 18 (IANS) Manika Batra produced a commanding straight-games victory over Prithika Pavade as Ahmedabad APL Pipers jumped to the top of the table with a 10-5 win over PBG Pune Jaguars in Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 at the Dr Shayama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao near Panaji on Saturday.Manika sealed the tie in style after Ahmedabad had laid the platform through their foreign duo Adrien Rassenfosse and Sofia Polcanova and the mixed doubles pairing of Payas …

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has backed his compatriot Justin Langer to clinch the vacant position of England’s men’s Test head coach, while revealing that he himself has not been approached for the high-profile job.The England Test coaching role fell vacant following the sacking of Brendon McCullum last week. Former England coach Andy Flower has already ruled out a return to the post due to his franchise commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the…

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Badminton Association of India (BAI) President and Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Saturday unveiled the official mascot, Peacko, and launched the official anthem for the BWF World Championships 2026, marking the final 30-day countdown for badminton’s biggest tournament to be held in New Delhi.Featuring PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and India’s …

New York, July 18 (IANS) Mauricio Pochettino says he expects to decide his future as USA football head coach next week, with the USMNT hoping to keep the Argentine in charge despite the team’s disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign.The 54-year-old’s current contract expires after the tournament, but the federation has reportedly offered him a new four-year deal that would keep him at the helm until the end of the 2030 World Cup, according to the Daily Mail.Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena…

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Badminton Association of India (BAI) Secretary General Sanjay Mishra has expressed confidence that India’s emerging crop of shuttlers will sustain the country’s rise on the global stage, saying the federation’s focus on grassroots coaching, sports science, and junior development is aimed at building long-term success across disciplines.Mishra spoke to IANS on Saturday during the official mascot and anthem launch of the BWF World Championships 2026 at The Lalit in New De…