Hopman Cup Postponed to 2025 Due to Olympic Conflict

Hopman Cup Postponed to 2025 Due to Olympic Conflict

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and its partner Tennium have announced the postponement of the 2024 Hopman Cup to 2025. This decision was made due to the scheduling conflict with the Olympic Summer Games in Paris, which will also take place in France this year.

ITF President David Haggerty explained the rationale behind the postponement: “With both the Hopman Cup and Olympic Games due to take place in France this year, hitting pause on the Hopman Cup until 2025 is a sensible decision. The players who had committed to this year’s event have been informed, and we look forward to seeing them in the Cote d’Azur next year.”

The Hopman Cup, which was first launched in Perth in 1989, has long been considered the premier mixed-gender event in tennis. After a three-year absence, it returned to the calendar in 2023, moving from its traditional spot as a season opener to the summer. The event was held at the Nice Lawn Tennis Club in France.

The 2023 Hopman Cup featured a week of thrilling tennis, headlined by Top 10 players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune. The final saw Croatia, led by Borna Coric and Donna Vekic, claim their second Hopman Cup title with a victory over Team Switzerland’s Céline Naef and Leandro Riedi.

Kristoff Puelinckx, Tennium Founder & CEO, expressed his anticipation for the 2025 Hopman Cup: “We are already looking forward to the 2025 Hopman Cup, and I’m excited to see more of the same thrilling tennis and fantastic crowds we enjoyed in 2023.”

MS Dhoni Arrives in Chennai for CSK's IPL Preparations

MS Dhoni Arrives in Chennai for CSK’s IPL Preparations

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has arrived in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The defending champions shared a photo of Dhoni exiting a vehicle on social media, captioning it “#THA7A Dharisanam!”

Dhoni’s arrival has sparked speculation that this season could be his last as a player. Last season, the 42-year-old often entered the crease towards the end of CSK’s innings.

CSK began their pre-season training camp on Saturday, with the first group of players arriving a day earlier. The current group includes Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Simarjeet Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Ajay Mandal, Shaik Rasheed, and Nishant Sindhu.

CSK will open their IPL 2024 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. Ahead of the clash, Dhoni praised the IPL for bringing together players from around the world.

In a video posted by Star Sports, Dhoni recalled the CSK team of 2008, which included Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, and others. He emphasized the importance of understanding each player’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.

Dhoni’s arrival in Chennai has generated excitement among CSK fans, who are eager to see their captain lead the team to another IPL title. The upcoming season promises to be a memorable one for Dhoni and CSK, as they aim to defend their crown and create more unforgettable moments in the history of the tournament.

Chahal's Match-Winning Spell Powers Income Tax to T20 Cup Victory

Chahal’s Match-Winning Spell Powers Income Tax to T20 Cup Victory

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal showcased his exceptional skills in a DY Patil T20 Cup match on Tuesday, leading Income Tax to a resounding 135-run victory over Canara Bank. In his first appearance in the corporate tournament, Chahal delivered a match-winning spell of 4-0-22-4, restricting the opposition to a meager total.

Income Tax had earlier set a formidable target of 244 for five, thanks to Vishal More’s blistering 28-ball 61 and Sumit Kumar’s unbeaten 18-ball 53. More’s innings featured eight boundaries and three sixes, while Kumar’s knock included five sixes and four fours.

Chahal’s spell was a masterclass in spin bowling. He bowled 10 dot balls and conceded only two fours, effectively stifling Canara Bank’s batting lineup. His performance highlights his continued excellence and versatility as a bowler.

Prior to the match, Chahal had made headlines by predicting the potential Orange Cap winners in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. In a video on his YouTube channel, he expressed his belief that either Jos Buttler or Yashasvi Jaiswal would emerge as the highest run-scorer.

Chahal’s prediction is based on his observations of Buttler’s consistent performances for Rajasthan Royals and Jaiswal’s impressive form in domestic cricket. He also picked himself as the potential leading wicket-taker, followed by Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan.

Chahal’s exclusion from the BCCI’s central contracts has raised eyebrows among cricket experts. Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed surprise at the decision, suggesting that the selection committee may be considering other options.

Chahal’s performance in the DY Patil T20 Cup serves as a reminder of his exceptional talent and his ability to make a significant impact on matches. As the IPL 2024 season approaches, his predictions and his own performances will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts.

Shahbaz Nadeem Retires from Cricket to Focus on T20 Leagues

Shahbaz Nadeem Retires from Cricket to Focus on T20 Leagues

Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner from India and Jharkhand, has bid farewell to all forms of cricket in the country. This decision stems from his desire to participate in T20 leagues worldwide, including legends competitions.

“I’ve been contemplating this decision for a while, and now I’ve decided to retire from all three formats,” Nadeem told ESPNcricinfo. “I’ve always believed that if you have the motivation to play for India, you’ll always push yourself to perform well. However, I recognize that I may not get another chance in the Indian team, so it’s best to give younger cricketers a chance. I also intend to play in T20 leagues around the world.”

Nadeem, 34, has amassed 542 wickets in first-class cricket, including eight in two Test matches for India. He made his Test debut in Ranchi against South Africa in 2019 and had to wait nearly two years for another opportunity, which proved to be his last. In the IPL, he represented Delhi Daredevils from 2011 to 2018 and Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2019 to 2021, claiming 48 wickets. Despite being acquired by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2022, he did not feature in any matches.

“I always put emotions aside when making decisions,” Nadeem said. “I’ve been with the Jharkhand team for 20 years. While we haven’t won the Ranji Trophy, we’ve built a strong team that consistently reaches the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments. As a result, no one takes the Jharkhand team lightly anymore. I believe it’s time to pass the torch to the younger players, and I’m confident they’ll bring home trophies in the future.”

Nadeem began playing for Jharkhand at the age of 15 and received his India call-up at the age of 30. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy in 2015-16 (51) and 2016-17 (55). He also finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 with the most wickets (24), including a List-A record spell of 8 for 10 against Rajasthan.

Nadeem was named Player of the Match in Jharkhand’s victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2010-11 final, which remains one of his most memorable matches. “Apart from winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the most memorable game for me would be the one against Rajasthan. But nothing can compare to playing for India. Looking back on my career, I feel I could have accomplished more, but I’m content.”

Nadeem expressed his gratitude to his childhood coach, Imtiaz Hussain, saying, “He taught me how to bowl. I still seek his advice on my bowling. I’ll never forget how much S Rahman of Indigo Club assisted me. I’ve been able to continue my cricket journey for so many years because of these individuals and my family.”

Nadeem joins Saurabh Tiwary and Varun Aaron (only red-ball cricket) as the third Jharkhand player to announce his retirement this Ranji Trophy season, in which he claimed 23 wickets, the most for Jharkhand.

Suryakumar Yadav Hilariously Trolls Jasprit Bumrah on Instagram

Suryakumar Yadav Hilariously Trolls Jasprit Bumrah on Instagram

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav, currently sidelined during the Test series against England, took to social media to playfully tease teammate Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who is set to return for the final Test against England, posted images with support staff Yogesh Parmar and Arun Kanade on Instagram. The pictures featured similar poses, prompting Suryakumar to comment, “Find the difference wala game hai kya?”

Bumrah, who was released from the squad for the fourth Test in Ranchi as part of the team’s workload management policy, will lead the Indian attack in the final Test in Dharamsala, beginning March 7. India has already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead, following their victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi.

Suryakumar, who was recently spotted with his wife Devisha Shetty at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, has been a key player for the Mumbai Indians since 2018. He has played a crucial role in the team’s success, contributing with both bat and ball.

Suryakumar’s playful comment on Bumrah’s post highlights the camaraderie within the Indian team. Despite the intense competition on the field, the players share a strong bond off the field. This camaraderie is essential for team success, as it fosters a positive and supportive environment.

Bumrah’s return to the Indian team is a significant boost for the side. The pace spearhead is one of the best bowlers in the world and his presence will strengthen the Indian bowling attack. With Bumrah leading the charge, India will be confident of securing a series victory against England in the final Test.

PCI Suspension Revoked Ahead of Para Shooting World Cup

PCI Suspension Revoked Ahead of Para Shooting World Cup

The Ministry of Sports has lifted the suspension imposed on the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after the body initiated the process for its long-pending elections. The elections, which were initially scheduled for January 31, 2024, were postponed to March 28 due to the impending Para Shooting World Cup.

The PCI has now proposed March 9 as the new date for the elections and has begun the process of nominations. Most of the top posts are set to be filled without any contest, including the position of President, which will be held by multiple-time Paralympic medallist Devendra Jhajharia.

The Ministry of Sports stated that the “main ground for suspension of government recognition” has been addressed. The ministry also noted that the PCI is hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup from March 6-15 in New Delhi, which was a factor in the decision to revoke the suspension.

The Para Shooting World Cup offers 24 Paris Paralympic quota places, and over 500 shooters from 52 countries are expected to participate in the event. Jhajharia, who has won gold medals in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics, is the only candidate who filed nomination papers for the PCI chief’s post.

Other key positions that will be filled unopposed include Secretary General (Jayawant Hammanawar), Vice-Presidents (R Chandrashekhar and Satya Prakash Sangwan), Treasurer (Sunil Pradhan), and Joint Secretaries (Lalit Thakur and T Diwakara).

The PCI had received support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after the suspension. The IPC had stated that it would continue to recognize the PCI as the only body for para sports in India.

Praggnanandhaa Stuns Abdusattarov, Stakes Claim for Prague Masters Title

Praggnanandhaa Stuns Abdusattarov, Stakes Claim for Prague Masters Title

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has emerged as a strong contender for the top honors at the Prague Masters chess tournament in Prague. In a crucial sixth-round encounter, Praggnanandhaa defeated overnight sole leader Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan, bringing him within striking distance of the top spot.

Praggnanandhaa, playing with the black pieces, displayed exceptional skill and strategy. He countered Abdusattarov’s Ruy Lopez opening with deft maneuvers, gradually gaining an advantage on all sides of the board. As the game progressed, Abdusattarov found himself under increasing pressure and eventually succumbed to Praggnanandhaa’s relentless attack.

This victory propelled Praggnanandhaa to second place in the standings, with 3.5 points, just half a point behind Abdusattarov. The tournament, a ten-player round-robin event, still has three rounds remaining, and Praggnanandhaa is well-positioned to challenge for the title.

Meanwhile, other Indian players faced mixed fortunes. D Gukesh suffered a setback, losing to Mateusz Bartel of Poland. Vidit Gujrathi also experienced a disappointing result, going down to Vincent Keymer of Germany.

In the other matches of the sixth round, Nguyen Thai Dai Van of the Czech Republic defeated Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran, while David Navara of the Czech Republic drew with Richard Rapport of Romania.

With three rounds remaining, the Prague Masters tournament remains highly competitive. Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Abdusattarov has injected excitement into the race for the top spot, and the Indian prodigy will be determined to maintain his momentum and secure a podium finish.

Mumbai Indians Opt to Bowl First in Reverse Fixture Against Delhi Capitals

Mumbai Indians Opt to Bowl First in Reverse Fixture Against Delhi Capitals

Mumbai Indians Opt to Bowl First Against Delhi Capitals in Reverse Fixture

In the reverse fixture of the tournament opener, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Kaur cited the unfamiliar surface, which has played quicker than expected, as a factor in her decision.

Mumbai welcomed back fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who missed the previous two games. Issy Wong and SB Keerthana were omitted from the XI. Delhi Capitals made a like-for-like swap, bringing in Marizanne Kapp for Annabel Sutherland. Jess Jonassen, who has taken six wickets in her last two outings, retained her place.

Both teams have won three of their four matches, with Delhi Capitals holding a slight edge in net run rate. In their first encounter, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious by four wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish, with Sajana Sanjeevan hitting a six to seal the win.

Delhi Capitals XI:

* Meg Lanning (c)
* Shafali Verma
* Alice Capsey
* Jemimah Rodrigues
* Marizanne Kapp
* Jess Jonassen
* Arundhati Reddy
* Radha Yadav
* Taniya Bhatia (wk)
* Shikha Pandey
* Titas Sadhu

Mumbai Indians XI:

* Yastika Bhatia (wk)
* Hayley Matthews
* Nat Sciver-Brunt
* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
* Amelia Kerr
* Pooja Vastrakar
* Amanjot Kaur
* Sajeevan Sajana
* Humaira Kazi
* Shabnim Ismail
* Saika Ishaque

Vidarbha on Cusp of Ranji Trophy Final, Madhya Pradesh Face Uphill Battle

Vidarbha on Cusp of Ranji Trophy Final, Madhya Pradesh Face Uphill Battle

Vidarbha tightened their grip on their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Madhya Pradesh, inching closer to a thrilling victory in Nagpur on March 5. With just four wickets remaining, the hosts are poised to set up a date in the summit clash with Mumbai.

Madhya Pradesh, chasing 321 to win, reached 228 for six at stumps on day four. Their hopes of reaching their second final in three years suffered a major blow when Aditya Sarwate (2/51) dismissed Yash Dubey (94) in the penultimate over of the day.

Dubey had played a valiant knock, consuming 212 balls and hitting 10 fours. He forged a crucial 106-run stand with Harsh Gawali (67), but once they were separated, Vidarbha kept making inroads.

Madhya Pradesh lost first-innings centurion Himanshu Mantri for a mere eight in the second essay. The failure of their middle-order trio of Sagar Solanki (12), Shubham Sharma (6), and Venkatesh Iyer (19) further hurt their cause.

Akshay Wakhare was the star for Vidarbha, accounting for these three batters. Sarwate’s late strike to dismiss Dubey put the two-time winners in the pole position.

Earlier in the day, Vidarbha added 59 runs to their overnight score of 343 for six, setting a target of 321 for Madhya Pradesh. Yash Rathod brought up his century and finished with a high score of 141, hitting 18 fours and two sixes.

For Madhya Pradesh, Anubhav Agarwal returned 5/92. Madhya Pradesh had taken a lead of 82 runs in the first innings, responding with 252.

Rinku Singh Rumored for T20 World Cup Squad After Dharamsala Visit

Rinku Singh Rumored for T20 World Cup Squad After Dharamsala Visit

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, but rumors of Rinku Singh’s inclusion have been circulating on social media. These speculations stem from the young batter’s recent trip to Dharamsala, where India’s Test team is preparing for the fifth and final Test against England.

While Rinku has not officially joined the Test squad, sources suggest he was summoned for a pre-T20 World Cup photoshoot with the team. This timing coincides with the conclusion of India’s Test assignments before the World Cup, making it an ideal opportunity for the BCCI to capture images of potential players.

Rinku’s impressive performances have also fueled the rumors. In T20Is, he boasts an exceptional average of 89, despite playing as a finisher. He has amassed 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.24, including two half-centuries.

During his visit to Dharamsala, Rinku was photographed with England head coach Brendon McCullum, his former coach at the Kolkata Knight Riders. This reunion further fueled speculation about Rinku’s potential inclusion in the World Cup squad.

The BCCI selection committee is expected to finalize the roster midway through the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins after the England series. This timing allows the selectors to assess players’ form and fitness before making their final decisions.

Rinku’s inclusion in the World Cup squad would be a testament to his remarkable rise in Indian cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and his impressive batting average make him a strong contender for a place in the team.

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