New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) Former India pacer Praveen Kumar has not applied for a position in the BCCI senior men’s selection panel, sources close to the bowler told IANS on Friday. There were earlier reports suggesting that Praveen had applied for one of the two advertised spots in the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, whose application deadline ends on September 10.Praveen, who represented India in six Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is between 2007 and 2012, picked up 112 international wickets. H…

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) With South Africa’s youngsters shining in series wins over Australia and England, SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith believes the league has helped the young guns perform at a high level when called up to the international stage. South Africa registered a five-run win over England in the 2nd ODI to seal the series victory. Matthew Breetzke became the first South African player to score 50+ scores in his first five ODI outings for the nation, showcasing a positive tre…

Chennai, Sep 5 (IANS) Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday launched the country’s first-ever 5150 Triathlon Chennai under the prestigious IRONMAN brand. Scheduled for January 11, the race will be held at the MGM Beach Resort, East Coast Road.The Chennai launch builds on IRONMAN’s expanding footprint in India, which began with the debut of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa in 2019. Over the years, Goa has grown into the nation’s triathlon capital, drawing over 1,200 athletes from…

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) Alessia Russo has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal after helping Arsenal Women win their second UEFA Champions League title the previous season. Alessia joined Arsenal in July 2023 and has since scored 36 goals in 72 appearances for the club, helping them to win the League Cup in 2024 and the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2025.“Arsenal feels like home,” said Alessia. “This is such a special club and it has felt that way to me from the moment I joine…

Windhoek, Sep 5 (IANS) Zimbabwe and Namibia have secured spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, set to be held in Nepal early next year. The ten-team tournament will determine the final four spots for the expanded 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England. Neither Zimbabwe nor Namibia have previously qualified for a women’s cricket World Cup in any format. Their progression to the global qualifiers makes for a huge moment in the development of women’s cricket in the African region….

New York, Sep 5 (IANS) Amanda Anisimova continued her breakout season with another statement victory, edging past Naomi Osaka to book her place in the US Open final. Just two months after reaching her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, the American rallied from a set down to defeat the four-time major champion 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in a thrilling contest that stretched just under three hours inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.Anisimova’s win was historic, making her the first player to ever beat Osaka…

Vizag, Sep 5 (IANS) Patna Pirates visited a school for visually challenged children in Vizag yesterday as part of their campaign to make sure that the team gives back to every community that they will be competing at this season of the Pro Kabaddi League.Captain Ankit Jaglan along with Ayan Lochab, Maninder Singh and Deepak Rathi spent the entire evening with over 50 children and left feeling extremely inspired by the meeting.The evening ended with Ankit, Ayan, Maninder and Deepak serving dinner…

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) With the September 10 deadline approaching in applying for two vacancies in the Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s selection committee, former India fast bowler Praveen Kumar has applied for a place on the five-member panel. In the current selection committee, former India pacer Subroto Banerjee is representing the Central Zone. Sources told IANS on Friday that Praveen, who played six Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India and picked up 112 wickets from 2007 to 2012, has sent…

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) After what was Lionel Messi’s final competitive match in Argentina in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, the all-time great was visibly emotional and said he does not think he will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi grabbed a brace in his final competitive game in his home nation and admitted he dreamt of signing off in this way.”We’ll see. There are so many emotions, I’ve experienced so many things on this fie…

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay secured their places at the FIFA World Cup 26 on a decisive night in the South American Qualifiers, while Lionel Messi lit up Argentina’s farewell in Buenos Aires and Brazil’s prodigy Estevao dazzled at the Maracana. In Barranquilla, Colombia ended a painful wait for qualification with a commanding 3-0 win over Bolivia. James Rodríguez opened the scoring to become his country’s all-time leading marksman in World Cup qualifying, before…