Galle, Aug 20 (IANS) India’s young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar revealed that he practised with the Kookaburra ball at home before the Sri Lanka series to adapt quickly to the conditions, and his preparation paid off in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium. Suthar produced a match-winning performance in only his second Test, claiming 10 wickets as India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the opening Test on Wednesday.The spinner returned figures of 6-55 in Sri Lanka’s second innin…

Dehradun, Aug 20 (IANS) IPL star Akash Madhwal and India U-19 vice-captain Lakshya Raichandani will lead Mussoorie Thunder in the inaugural Dehradun T20 League 2026 as the league unveiled its player pre-signings. The inaugural edition will be played from September 2 to September 9, 2026, at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun, as six franchises battle for supremacy while providing a platform for the next generation of Uttarakhand cricketers to make their mark.Player pre-signings are bringing t…

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) After Aryan Gaur produced a match-winning 75 off 42 balls to help Purani Dilli 6 defeat North Delhi Strikers by 20 runs, the batter revealed his approach and said he believes in sticking to the basics, trusting his game and making the most of the opportunities coming his way. Aryan’s 75-run knock came at a crucial stage of the innings. After Samarth Seth and Aryan provided Purani Dilli 6 with a brisk start, Aryan joined hands with Dev Lakra to completely shift the moment…

Cincinnati, Aug 19 (IANS) World No. 35 Sara Bejlek registered a major upset at the Cincinnati Open by eliminating Aryna Sabalenka with a 7-6 (7), 6-4 win over World No. 1. With a win, Bejlek advanced to the first quarterfinals of WTA 1000 tournament, earning her first win of a top ranked player on the WTA Tour Bejlek is through to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal and just her fifth at WTA level overall, following quarterfinal appearances in Prague in 2025 and 2026, Abu Dhabi and Athens in 2026. S…

Ujjain, Aug 20 (IANS) Double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker fulfilled a long-standing personal wish on Thursday as she visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.Bhaker, who created history by becoming the first Indian athlete in the post-independence era to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympic Games in Paris , took time out from her schedule to offer prayers at one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas.Expressing her joy after th…

Cincinnati, Aug 20 (IANS) Frances Tiafoe notched a milestone victory at the Cincinnati Open when he upset second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to advance to his second Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season. Having also reached the last eight in Miami, it is the first time in his career that Tiafoe has reached multiple Masters 1000 quarter-finals in a single season.Tiafoe capitalised on Auger-Aliassime’s uncharacteristic lapses throughout the clash, with the Canadian committing 37 unforc…

Chester, Aug 20 (IANS) Inter Miami CF secured a point with a 2-2 draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union in MLS regular season action. Daniel Pinter and captain Leo Messi scored the team’s goals tonight at Subaru Park.The home side opened the scoring in the 11th minute through a goal from Indiana Vassilev. Inter Miami levelled the scoring in the 21st minute through Academy product Pinter’s first MLS goal. Messi delivered a ball for Suarez down the left side of the box, who redirected…

Madrid, Aug 19 (IANS) Rayo Vallecano coach Benat San Jose expressed his frustration at his side having to play its La Liga matchday 2 game in 2026-27 season at Leganés’ Butarque Stadium on Thursday rather than in the club’s own Vallecas home.Rayo has been forced to temporarily move to the nearby second-division side’s ground after the Madrid regional government suspended its license to play in Vallecas, citing several breaches of safety regulations.The club from the south of Madrid tried to hav…

Guwahati, Aug 19 (IANS) Denish Das smashed the tournament’s fastest hundred off just 40 balls as Barpeta Braves secured a thrilling 12-run victory over Jorhat Stallions in the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.Put into bat after Jorhat Stallions won the toss and opted to field, Barpeta Braves piled up a formidable total of 196/7 in their 20 overs. Opener Hrishikesh Das laid a solid foundation with a well-made 53 off 40 balls, hittin…

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) The Indian under-11 girls’ team has secured a bronze medal at the prestigious ASEAN Chess Championship, held in Singapore at Tampines Hub, delivering a strong performance on the international stage.India’s under-11 team, comprising Varenya Lakshmi Vaka and Aligiri Amrutha Hemal of Andhra Pradesh and Maya Siddharth Narula of Mumbai, who represents the Mumbai Chess Centre (MCC), put up an impressive performance to finish on the podium with a total tally of 14.5 points.Vietn…