Duleep Trophy 2024: India B and India C Set for Second Round Clash

Duleep Trophy 2024: India B and India C Set for Second Round Clash

Duleep Trophy 2024: India B and India C Clash in Second Round

The Duleep Trophy 2024 is underway, and the second round promises to be an exciting affair as India B and India C face off. Both teams enter the game on the back of victories in their first round encounters.

India B, led by Priyank Panchal, will be looking to continue their winning ways. Despite the absence of Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been called up to the national team, the arrival of Rinku Singh provides some much-needed firepower. Sarfaraz Khan, who was also called up by India, will feature for India B, as will his brother Musheer, who was the star of the first round.

India C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will be a tough opponent for India B. They remain completely unchanged from their first round victory and will be looking to build on their momentum. Gaikwad, who is in excellent form, will be the key man for India C.

The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams evenly matched. India B will be looking to make the most of their home advantage, while India C will be hoping to continue their winning streak.

Ganguly's Gabba Masterclass Silences Aussie Taunts

Ganguly’s Gabba Masterclass Silences Aussie Taunts

The 2003-04 India tour of Australia was marked by intense rivalry and verbal sparring even before the first ball was bowled. The Aussies, eager for revenge after their defeat in India in 2001, vowed to unleash “chin-music” on the Indian batsmen, particularly captain Sourav Ganguly.

The first Test at the Gabba, Steve Waugh’s last series, was crucial for both teams. Ganguly, known for his aggressive leadership, won the toss and surprisingly asked Australia to bat first. Despite rain interruptions, Zaheer Khan’s five-wicket haul restricted the hosts to 323.

India’s response began promisingly with a 61-run opening stand between Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag. However, the dismissal of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in quick succession left India reeling at 62/3.

Enter Sourav Ganguly. With his trademark elegance and aggression, Ganguly counterattacked the Australian bowlers. He drove through the covers, cut through point, and pulled to mid-wicket, showcasing his full range of shots. His fifty came off 74 balls, and his century off 135 deliveries.

Ganguly’s 146-run partnership with VVS Laxman (75) for the fifth wicket was a masterclass in batting. His 144-run knock was studded with 18 boundaries, earning applause even from some of the Aussie players.

The Test ended in a draw, but Ganguly’s performance at the Gabba sent a strong message to the Aussies. He had led India from the front, proving that they were not going to be pushovers in the series. This also set the tone for Steve Waugh’s farewell, as the former Australian captain had to dig deep into his experience and determination to save the series for his team in the final Test in Sydney.

Danielle Collins Suffers Fourth Straight Defeat, Falls to Qualifier in Guadalajara

Danielle Collins Suffers Fourth Straight Defeat, Falls to Qualifier in Guadalajara

Danielle Collins’ disappointing season continued on Wednesday night as she suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, this time to a 152nd-ranked qualifier at the Guadalajara Open. Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, who has been in impressive form at the WTA 500 event, defeated the No. 2 seed 6-3, 6-3.

Gadecki, 22, dropped serve just once and broke Collins four times throughout the match. The American, who is playing her final season on tour, missed a valuable opportunity to move up the leaderboard in the race to the WTA Finals. She currently sits in eighth place, but is on the outside looking in as Barbora Krejcikova, ranked two places behind, earns an automatic spot as a 2024 Grand Slam champion to the eight-competitor field if she finishes inside the Top 20.

In other action at the Guadalajara Open, Camila Osorio pulled off a tremendous comeback to oust seventh-seeded Veronika Kudermetova 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 7-5 in a marathon three-hour and 21-minute match. Osorio, who was down 0-5 in the deciding set, stormed back to secure the victory.

Kamilla Rakhimova also advanced to the quarterfinals after Victoria Azarenka retired from their encounter with a shoulder injury. Rakhimova was leading 6-2, 3-0 at the time of the retirement.

Rishabh Pant's Remarkable Comeback: From Car Crash to Match-Winner

Rishabh Pant’s Remarkable Comeback: From Car Crash to Match-Winner

Indian cricket’s rising star, Rishabh Pant, has made a remarkable comeback after a life-threatening car crash in December 2022. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has not only returned to competitive cricket but has also played a pivotal role in India’s recent successes.

Pant’s journey back to the field has been nothing short of inspiring. After sustaining multiple injuries in the accident, he underwent extensive rehabilitation and defied all expectations by making a comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. His impressive performances in the IPL earned him a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, where he played a key role in the team’s triumph.

With India set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series later this year, Pant’s presence in the middle-order will be crucial. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who coached Pant at Delhi Capitals, has hailed him as a “match-winner” and praised his exceptional talent.

“He’s an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket, he’s a winner, that’s what he is,” Ponting said. “He’s got about nine 90s as well. [MS] Dhoni played for 120 Tests (90) and made 3 or 4 hundreds (6), this is how good this guy (Pant) is. He’s a serious cricketer.”

Ponting was particularly impressed by Pant’s mental resilience and determination to return to cricket as soon as possible. “It’s a remarkable comeback. If you can see even his leg now and listen to the stories he tells about what he confronted during his car accident, just the mental scarring that comes with that but the physical side and the rehab he went through, I didn’t think he would play last year’s IPL (2024),” Ponting said.

Pant’s comeback is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support he received from his family, friends, and teammates. As India prepares for the upcoming Test series against Australia, Pant will be one of the key players to watch, as he looks to continue his impressive run of form and help India achieve success on foreign soil.

Harmilan Bains Overcomes Adversity, Inspires Young Athletes

Harmilan Bains Overcomes Adversity, Inspires Young Athletes

Harmilan Bains, a renowned Indian middle-distance runner, has faced adversity with resilience and determination. After an undefeated 2021 season, she underwent knee surgery that sidelined her for 10 months. Upon her return, she triumphed with silver medals in the 800m and 1500m at the 2022 Asian Games.

Despite her past success, Bains experienced a setback when she failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This led to a period of depression and suicidal thoughts. However, she drew strength from her situation and shared an inspiring message for young athletes.

“Enjoy your sport, don’t be stressed,” Bains advised. “I was under stress after missing my Olympics. I was almost in depression. Thoughts were coming in my mind, like suicide and just quitting everything, run away from my city.”

Bains emphasized the importance of parental support and encouraged youngsters to pursue their passions without excessive pressure. “My message to the parents is to let your child do whatever they want to and to the youngsters it is never too late to change your sport, your profession just enjoy whatever it is you’re doing,” she said.

As a guest of honor at the 63rd Subroto Cup Junior Boys tournament, Bains praised the event for its contribution to grassroots football development. “I would like to thank the Air Force for bringing me out here as I am enjoying a lot and it’s a really good opportunity for the athletes to perform at such a platform at such a young age,” she added.

Manipur’s T.G English School emerged victorious in the tournament, defeating Meghalaya’s Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School in a sudden death tie-breaker.

Bains also celebrated the remarkable performance of the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. India surpassed its previous record of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, winning 29 medals and finishing 18th in the medal tally. “I am so happy for the para-athletes and it was the first time India ranked so high in the medal tally,” Bains concluded.

Head's Over of Carnage Powers Australia to T20I Triumph

Head’s Over of Carnage Powers Australia to T20I Triumph

Travis Head’s Blitzkrieg Powers Australia to T20I Victory Over England

In a thrilling encounter at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, Australian opener Travis Head unleashed a devastating assault on England’s Sam Curran, smashing 30 runs off a single over to propel his team to a commanding 28-run victory in the first T20I.

Head’s pyrotechnics were the centerpiece of Australia’s innings, as he plundered 59 runs off just 23 deliveries, including four towering sixes and eight boundaries. His partnership with Matthew Short (41 off 26) laid the foundation for Australia’s competitive total of 179.

The carnage unfolded in the fifth over of the Australian innings, when Curran replaced Jofra Archer in the attack. Head greeted him with a flurry of boundaries before unleashing three consecutive sixes, sending the ball soaring over the ropes with effortless power. He capped off the over with another four, leaving Curran reeling and the crowd in awe.

England’s chase got off to a shaky start, with the hosts losing four wickets for just 52 runs in the first eight overs. Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran attempted to steady the ship with a 54-run partnership, but Australia’s bowlers maintained the pressure.

Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood proved to be the tormentors for England, claiming two wickets apiece. Zampa’s leg-spin bamboozled the English batsmen, while Hazlewood’s pace and accuracy kept them on the back foot.

In the end, England were bowled out for 151, falling short of Australia’s target by 28 runs. The victory gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second match scheduled for Friday in Cardiff.

Matthew Short Stakes Claim for Australia's T20I Opening Spot

Matthew Short Stakes Claim for Australia’s T20I Opening Spot

David Warner’s retirement from T20Is has opened up a coveted spot at the top of Australia’s batting order. While Jake Fraser-McGurk was initially seen as the frontrunner, Matthew Short has emerged as a strong contender after his impressive performance in the first T20I against England.

Short, who has been Australia’s most consistent domestic batter in recent years, made a blistering 41 off 26 in a match-winning partnership with Travis Head. His performance has put pressure on Fraser-McGurk, who has struggled to find consistency at international level.

Despite Fraser-McGurk’s impressive IPL campaign, his game still needs refining, as acknowledged by his IPL coach Ricky Ponting. Short, on the other hand, has a proven track record at the top of the order, averaging 29.96 and striking at 150.09 in T20s.

Australia’s selectors are keen to build flexibility in their T20I batting lineup, but Short’s performance has made it clear that he is most comfortable at the top of the order. His strike rate in the top three is significantly higher than in the middle order.

Short’s success in the opening game of the series does not guarantee his long-term selection, but it has put him in a strong position. Fraser-McGurk remains a talented prospect, but Short is applying pressure to give Australia a wealth of opening options.

Australia's Pace Bowling Woes Continue as Bartlett Suffers Side Strain

Australia’s Pace Bowling Woes Continue as Bartlett Suffers Side Strain

Australia’s pace bowling woes continue as Xavier Bartlett joins the injury list with a side strain sustained during the first T20I against England in Southampton. Bartlett’s injury, if confirmed to end his tour, would add to the absences of Spencer Johnson (side) and Nathan Ellis (hamstring).

Bartlett’s impressive performance in the match, claiming the wicket of Jordan Cox and extracting swing on a cold night, was cut short by his injury. The selectors now face the prospect of bringing in Riley Meredith, who was retained for the England T20 matches after Ellis’s injury, for the second T20I in Cardiff on Friday. Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly are also options for the side.

The selectors have yet to confirm who will replace Ellis in the one-day squad. New South Wales left-armer Ben Dwarshuis is set to join the team ahead of the ODIs, but his role is currently limited to providing cover.

Bartlett’s injury is a setback for the Australian team, as he had not been included in the ODI squad despite his impressive performances against West Indies earlier this year. The side injury could also impact his availability for the start of the domestic season with Queensland, with the Marsh Cup beginning later this month and the Sheffield Shield starting in early October.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood made a strong return to action in Southampton, taking 2 for 32 from his four overs, including the crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone. Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be part of the one-day series, while Pat Cummins is missing the entire tour to focus on strength and conditioning ahead of the home summer.

Tom Banton's Ankle Injury Casts Doubt on Somerset's Blast Hopes

Tom Banton’s Ankle Injury Casts Doubt on Somerset’s Blast Hopes

Somerset’s Vitality T20 Blast Finals Day hopes hang in the balance as star batsman Tom Banton faces an anxious wait to determine the severity of an ankle injury sustained during a pre-match football warm-up.

Banton, who has been in scintillating form for Somerset this season, went over on his ankle on Wednesday morning, forcing him to miss the field during Surrey’s first innings in the County Championship match at Taunton. An X-ray ruled out an ankle break, but an MRI scan on Thursday will provide a clearer picture of the damage.

Despite the injury, Banton displayed his unwavering commitment to the team by hobbling out to bat at No. 11 with a runner. He remained unbeaten on 28 off 28 balls, showcasing his determination to contribute even in limited capacity.

Somerset, the defending Blast champions, will face Surrey in the first semi-final on Saturday morning. Banton’s absence would be a significant blow to their title defense, as he is their leading run-scorer in the tournament with 515 runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.02.

Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, expressed concern over Banton’s injury but praised his resilience. “We will get him scanned tomorrow and will have more information by the end of play,” Hurry said. “His heroics in batting today show how passionate he is about the club.”

Hurry also defended the club’s decision to include football in their warm-ups, emphasizing its benefits in terms of energy levels and mental preparation. “As director of cricket, I am keen to support it because I understand the value players get from it,” he said.

Somerset will anxiously await the results of Banton’s MRI scan, hoping that their star batsman will be fit enough to play in the Blast Finals Day. His presence would undoubtedly boost their chances of retaining the title.

Para Badminton Champion Calls for Transfer to Paralympic Committee of India

Para Badminton Champion Calls for Transfer to Paralympic Committee of India

Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar has raised concerns over the lack of recognition and administrative support for para badminton within the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Kumar, who won a historic gold medal in the SL3 class at the Paris Paralympics, has called for para badminton to be transferred under the aegis of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for the sport’s betterment and progress.

Kumar expressed his dissatisfaction with BAI’s lack of attention to para badminton, despite the significant achievements of para shuttlers. “We have won 21 medals at the Asian Para Games, around 14-15 medals at the World Championships, and 5 medals at the Paralympics, but we don’t receive basic appreciation from BAI,” Kumar said.

He highlighted several administrative issues affecting para shuttlers, including delays, inefficiencies, and logistical problems. “There are significant administrative delays and inefficiencies. Often, only 1 or 2 people manage everything, and it’s kind of too much for them, they sometimes miss things,” Kumar said.

Kumar emphasized the need for a dedicated administration team, clear communication channels, and player involvement in selection procedures. “First and foremost, we need a proper administration team. Currently, all responsibilities often fall on one person, which at times gets overwhelming. With a dedicated team, tasks can be distributed effectively and managed more efficiently,” Kumar said.

He also raised concerns about the lack of support for para badminton in terms of funding, training facilities, and equipment. “We need more funding for para badminton. We need better training facilities and equipment. We need more coaches and support staff,” Kumar said.

Kumar’s call for the transfer of para badminton to PCI has received support from other para shuttlers and sports enthusiasts. They believe that PCI has a better track record of supporting para sports and can provide the necessary resources and support for the growth and development of para badminton in India.

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