Bengaluru, Aug 30 (IANS) Shubham Sharma struck a fine 122 while skipper Rajat Patidar and Yash Rathod hit fifties each to help Central Zone consolidate their dominance over North East Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy clash at the BCCI COE Ground 2 on Saturday.In the morning, the North East Zone’s innings ended swiftly when they were bowled out for 185, giving the Central Zone a mammoth lead of 347 runs. After choosing not to enforce the follow-on, Shubham piled on the misery in his knock of 1…

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Curtains were drawn on the 16th Asian Shooting Championship (All events) in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, and after 12 exhilarating competition days, the Indian team registered a historic best-ever showing, finishing with an unprecedented 50 golds to top the tally- also a first in the history of the premier continental championship.Particularly pleasing was the senior team’s performance in the 15 Olympic events across the rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines, where Indian sh…

Ahmedabad, Aug 30 (IANS) The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), the recognised National Sports Federation for Pickleball under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), on Saturday commenced selection trials at the IPA Centre of Excellence here to form the first-ever official Indian pickleball team.The two-day trials (August 30–31) will determine the squad that will represent India in the second edition of the Pickleball World Cup, sanctioned …

Milan, Aug 30 (IANS) AC Milan have completed the signing of French forward Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea FC on a permanent deal, with the 26-year-old committing his future to the Rossoneri until June 2030.Nkunku, born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, on November 14, 1997, brings a wealth of experience across Europe’s top leagues. A product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy, he broke into the senior side in 2015 and went on to make 78 appearances, scoring 11 goals.”AC Milan is delighted to announ…

Newcastle upon Tyne, Aug 30 (IANS) Newcastle United have completed a club-record deal to sign forward Nick Woltemade from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, the Premier League club said on Saturday. The 23-year-old Germany international becomes the Magpies’ fifth addition of the summer after penning a long-term deal at St. James’ Park.Nick began his career with Werder Bremen, where he progressed through the youth system to become their youngest-ever Bundesliga player as a 17-year-old in 2020.He made…

Nottinghamshire, Aug 30 (IANS) Nottingham Forest have signed Nicolo Savona from Juventus on a five-year deal, the club confirmed on Saturday. The defender joins the club having been with the Turin side since the age of eight. The versatile 22-year-old made his debut for The Old Lady in August 2024 and went on to play 40 times for Juventus in all competitions.As well as playing 28 times in Serie A, Savona brings European experience to Trentside, featuring in seven Champions League games in the 20…

Visakhapatnam, Aug 30 (IANS) On a day filled with nostalgia, the Kabaddi fraternity celebrated a man who changed the way the sport is played – Pardeep Narwal, the Dubki King – on the first day of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12.Yet, when Pardeep spoke at his felicitation, it wasn’t the numbers that defined his voice; it was the emotion. “I came here today only for the fans,” he said. “Even now, when they call or message me, I feel like I must return for them.”He remembered frien…

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) India reaffirmed its commitment to building an Atmanirbhar Bharat in the sports sector as Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired the first-ever Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave held in New Delhi on Saturday. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the conclave brought together representatives from NITI Aayog, Commerce Ministry, DPIIT, FICCI, CII, MSMEs and leading sports industry stakeholders to chart a new roadmap fo…

Bengaluru, Aug 30 (IANS) Centuries by skipper Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull powered North Zone to a commanding position against East Zone, as they reached 388/2 in 90 overs at stumps on Day Three of their Duleep Trophy clash at the BCCI COE Ground 1 here on Saturday.Ankit remained unbeaten on 168 off 264 balls, laced with 16 fours and a six, and shared a solid 240-run partnership with Dhull, who hit 133 off 157 deliveries, including hitting 14 fours and three sixes, as North Zone extended their dom…

Oeiras (Portugal), Aug 30 (IANS) Portugal have chosen to honour Diogo Jota by transferring his No. 21 national team jersey to his close friend and former teammate Ruben Neves, a tribute confirmed by head coach Roberto Martinez roughly a month after the forward died in a car accident.Neves, who plays midfield for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral, underscoring the depth of their relationship beyond the pitch. Jota, aged 28, died alongside his younger broth…