Play the situation, don't get bogged by expectations: Yuvraj Singh tells women cricketers ahead of ODI World Cup

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Been there, done that, former India star Yuvraj Singh has one advice for the Indian Women’s cricket team that is hoping to end their trophy drought in ICC events in the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup starting on September 30. Play the situation and don’t get bogged down by the huge expectations from the fans who would want them to win their maiden ICC World Cup at home. India had twice reached the ODI World Cup final but ended runners-up on both occasions.The Indian wom…

Bhatia finishes T-6 at St. Jude Championship, climbs to FedEx Cup Top 30

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Memphis, Aug 11 (IANS) Akshay Bhatia delivered a steady final round to claim a share of sixth place at the St. Jude Championship, boosting his FedEx Cup ranking into the Top 30 and keeping his Tour Championship hopes alive.Bhatia closed with a 1-under 69 on Sunday at TPC Southwind, capping a week that began with a dazzling 8-under 62 in the opening round. His four-day total of 10-under par left him six shots behind eventual champion Justin Rose, who outlasted JJ Spaun in a playoff.Bhatia’s rou…

India's Suraj Narredu makes history with Shergar Cup 2025 win at Ascot

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New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Suraj Narredu-led Team Asia has brought home the Shergar Cup 2025 trophy. From India to Ascot, Narredu delivered on his promise to leave a global mark. Alongside Japanese jockeys Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata, he won two of six races and secured a crucial second place, snatching the win by just one point ahead of Europe. Asia prevailed 68–67 over Europe, with Great Britain & Ireland third on 62 and the Rest of the World on 55. Hugh Bowman clinched the Silver Saddle …

'A child as precious as gold has turned to dust': How para shuttler Abu Hubaida proved everyone wrong

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Lucknow, Aug 11 (IANS) “When I was two years old, I got polio in my right leg. 60% of my right leg was left disabled. People in my neighbourhood and even relatives would tell my parents, ‘A child as precious as gold has turned into dust.’ It hurt my parents deeply, and somewhere inside, they too would wonder, ‘What will my child do in life?’ That is how Abu Hubaida, now World No. 4 in men’s doubles para-badminton, remembers his earliest years. Today, he stands as one of India’s mos…

‘Ready to give our 100 pc,' say Harman, Smriti, and Jemimah as 50-day countdown for ODI World Cup starts

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) After losing the finals of the 2017 edition and finishing fifth in 2022, India women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, her deputy Smriti Mandhana, and top batter Jemimah Rodrigues know that hopes and aspirations can run into major hurdles in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.So, they are not talking big on the upcoming 2025 edition of the competitions, but are confident of giving their 100 per cent in the event, which India will be co-hosting with its neighbour, Sri Lanka.Though…

Ford Trophy to kick off New Zealand’s domestic cricket calendar again

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Wellington, Aug 11 (IANS) The 50-over Ford Trophy, starting on October 25, will open New Zealand’s domestic cricket calendar for the second consecutive year, said New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday. It will be followed by the women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HBJ) starting on November 15.NZC had reshuffled the order of the men’s domestic competitions last year for the first time in two decades, with an aim to provide varied pitch conditions across formats and to align better with the …

17 years ago, a medal was placed around my neck: Abhinav Bindra reminisces about 2008 Beijing Olympic glory

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New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Former India shooter Abhinav Bindra reminisced about his historic gold medal win from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when he became the country’s first individual Olympic gold medallist after finishing in top spot in the men’s 10m air rifle event.In a gripping finale of the men’s 10m air rifle finals at the Beijing Games, Bindra was tied with Finland’s Henri Hakkinen at the top of the standings with one shot remaining. Bindra held his nerve, scoring 10.8 with his last att…

2025 Women’s CWC comes at a defining moment for the women’s game: Jay Shah

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) With the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup now just 50 days away, ICC chairman Jay Shah said the upcoming showpiece event is coming at a defining moment for women’s cricket and serves as a great chance to grow the sport further. At an event in Mumbai on Monday, former skipper Mithali Raj and ex-India allrounder Yuvraj Singh were part of star-studded panels to talk about the upcoming competition alongside India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, bat…

'Friendship lasts off the mat…', Aslam and Akash on PKL 12 opening night showdown

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New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is set to witness an exciting clash between former teammates Aslam Inamdar and Akash Shinde, now part of rival sides when Bengaluru Bulls faces Puneri Paltan in the second match of the opening day on Friday. The Instagram Live — part of a special Thursday series running every week until the season starts — gave fans a glimpse of the competitive fire and mutual respect between the two players. “We’ve shared the same jersey for year…

Teenager Maphaka makes mark against Australia with career-best fiery spell

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Darwin, Aug 11 (IANS) Despite South Africa falling short by 17 runs in first T20I to Australia, teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka managed to leave his mark with a career-best fiery spell of 4-20. Maphaka, 19, mixed raw pace with aggression to claim the scalps of Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Adam Zampa and Ben Dwarshuis at Marrara Stadium on Sunday. He first uprooted Owen’s off stump with a 144kph delivery, and conceded only 14 runs off the 11 balls he bowled to David before removing him in the pe…