Sports

Mysore, Aug 22 (IANS) The Bengaluru Blasters notched up a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Shivamogga Lions to register back-to-back wins in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Stadium here on Thursday.

Electing to bowl first, the Blasters restricted the Lions to 111/9 in 20 overs, with Madhav P. Bajaj (4-12) and Naveen M.G. (3-30) doing the bulk of the damage. In reply, Rohan A. Patil smashed an unbeaten 74 off 45 balls to seal the chase with 32 balls to spare.

The Lions’ innings never got going after Dhruv P. (0) and Sanjay Ashwin C. (1) fell inside two overs to Hegde and Naveen. Skipper Nihal Ullal (14) and Aneeshwar Gautam (23) tried to stabilise, but the scoreboard read only 25 at the end of the Power-play.

Aneeshwar briefly lifted the scoring with four boundaries before holing out in the eighth over, while Ullal departed soon after, leaving the Lions at 44 for 3 after 10 overs.

Hardik Raj (13) was next to fall as Bajaj struck again, before Anirudha A. Joshi (19) hit the first six of the innings in the 16th over. Any hopes of revival ended when Bajaj removed Joshi and Ashok D. (0) off consecutive balls. Naveen returned to pick up Avinash D. (12) and Vasuki Kaushik (1), leaving only Dhuri’s 18 off 12 to push the Lions to 111 for 9.

It was a tentative start to the Blasters’ innings with Mayank Aggarwal (0) losing his wicket to Koushik V. in the first over, followed by Chethan L.R. (1) falling to Dhruv P. in the next over. However, Rohan A. (74) kept the runs flowing for the Blasters with occasional boundaries. His seven fours and three sixes acted as an anchor, propelling the Blasters’ tally to 48 runs at the end of the powerplay and giving them some room to breathe. Despite Bhuvan M. Raju’s (14) best efforts, he was unable to get going on the day and form a partnership with Rohan, losing his wicket to Avinash D. in the 10th over.

Rohan found his rhythm and kept going at the Lions’ bowlers, bringing up his half-century in 31 balls. Suraj Ahuja (20) joined him on the pitch and contributed with a boundary of his own, bringing the team’s total to 90, after 12 overs. The Blasters were well in control of the game with Rohan leading the charge, cruising to a seven-wicket victory with 32 deliveries to spare.

Brief scores:

Shivamogga Lions 111/9 in 20 overs (Aneeshwar Gautam 23, Aniruddha Joshi 19, Bharath Dhuri 18 not out; Naveen MG 3-30, Madhav P. Bajaj 4-12, Shubhang Hegde 1-9) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 117/3 in 14.4 overs (Rohan Patil 74 not out, Suraj Ahuja 20) by seven wickets.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) The Delhi Premier League (DPL) clash between Central Delhi Kings and West Delhi Lions turned into a nail-biter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, with the Lions holding their nerves to seal a dramatic three-run win.

Chasing 179, the Kings needed just seven runs in the final over, but Anirudh Chowdhary produced a masterclass in death bowling. Keeping his calm under pressure, Chowdhary conceded only three runs and dismissed skipper Jonty Sidhu (56 off 41) to deliver a memorable victory for the Lions. He finished with figures of 1-24 in three overs, with his final over proving decisive.

The Kings’ chase had begun on a shaky note, losing a couple of early wickets. But opener Yash Dhull kept them in the hunt with a fluent 72 off 49, stitching together a 79-run stand with his captain. Sidhu’s composed half-century, combined with a handy 23 off 12 from Aditya Bhandari, gave the Kings hope. Still, the late squeeze from Chowdhary and support from Shivank Vashisht (1-16 in three overs) tilted the contest in the Lions’ favour.

Earlier, batting first, West Delhi Lions endured their struggles, slipping to 65/4 before wicketkeeper-batter Krish Yadav anchored the innings. Yadav’s resilient 85 off 60 balls held the innings together, while Hrithik Shokeen (20 off 11) and Ravneet Tanwar’s late flourish ensured the Lions reached a fighting total of 178/8 in 20 overs. For the Kings, Arun Pundir was the pick of the bowlers, returning exceptional figures of 2-16 in four overs.

In the end, it was Chowdhary’s ice-cool final over that stole the spotlight, handing West Delhi Lions a thrilling victory.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Outer Delhi Warriors put up a commanding all-round display to defeat North Delhi Strikers by 7 wickets in a high-scoring Delhi Premier League (DPL) clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The victory gave the Warriors two crucial points.

Brief scores:

West Delhi Lions 178/6 in 20 overs (Krish Yadav 85, Hrithik Shokeen 20; Arun Pundir 2-16) beat Central Delhi Kings 175/5 in 20 overs (Yash Dhull 72, Jonty Sidhu 56; Anirudh Chowdhary 1-24, Shivank Vashisht 1-16) by three runs

–IANS

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New York, Aug 22 (IANS) American women have performed superbly in recent months and and three of their top stars — Coco Gauff (No. 3), Madison Keys (No. 6) and Amanda Anisimova (No. 8) — have been placed in the same half of the 2025 US Open women’s singles main draw, which was revealed on Thursday.

All three of the players are in the top 10 in WTA Rankings and will be the main threats in the bottom half, while compatriots Jessica Pegula (No. 4) and Emma Navarro (No. 10) will join defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the top half.

Considering that there have been no repeat titlists in Grand Slams this season so far, the US Open winner could be anyone in the top 10. But one trend has remained consistent — an American woman has competed in the past four consecutive Grand Slam finals.

Madison Keys started the trend in 2025 with a victory over Sabalenka in the Australian Open, while Gauff stopped Sabalenka in the Roland Garros final. As Sabalenka looks to defend her US Open title, it is a possibility that she may run into an American player in the last Grand Slam singles title of the year.

Last year, Sabalenka overcame Pegula to win her first US Open singles title, making her the first woman to claim both hard-court majors in a single season since 2016. The two could play a round earlier in New York this year, as No. 1 seed Sabalenka and Pegula have landed in the top half of the draw.

However, their path to the semis clash is quite tricky. Sabalenka will open against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova, while Pegula starts against Egyptian Mayar Sherif. Sabalenka’s first seeded match-up could come in the third round against No. 31 Leylah Fernandez, while Pegula could meet No. 30 Dayana Yastremska in the third round.

On the way to a potential semifinal, Sabalenka could also face recent Cincinnati runner-up and No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini, and Pegula could run into Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals, who has made it through to the quarters in both Wimbledon and Roland Garros this year.

The 2023 US Open champion will be on a hunt to reclaim the title here. She started this year strong, with a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open, followed by her Roland Garros championship. She’ll begin her 2025 campaign in Flushing with a first-round matchup with Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, who defeated 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams here in the American’s final career match in 2022. Gauff also enters the tournament with a new coach, biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, after parting ways with Matthew Daly just days before the tournament, and figures to come here especially determined, given her first-round exit at Wimbledon. Her best showing this summer has been a run to the quarters at Cincinnati.

Venus Williams back in the fray

After a hiatus last year, Venus Williams is returning to Flushing Meadows in her first Grand Slam singles appearance since the 2023 US Open. Venus is no stranger to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, playing in 24 of the past 27 US Open tournaments, and taking the women’s singles crown in 2000 and 2001.

She’s already gotten some practice on the blue courts, having competed in the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship with Reilly Opelka. A singles advance will take some doing, as having entered the tournament as a wild card, Williams will face No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova in the first round.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera has backed the island nation to once again prove themselves as a dangerous side in the upcoming 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, even if they are not considered outright favourites.

The Asia Cup will be staged in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, and Sri Lanka have been drawn in Group B alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. Perera believes the team’s adaptability, balance, and ability to rise to the occasion are qualities that make them particularly dangerous in multi-national tournaments.

He added that while other teams may start as favourites, Sri Lanka’s ability to gel as a unit under pressure often sets them apart.

Sharing his thoughts on Sri Lanka’s chances, Perera said, “I think we have a really good team. In any situation, when they play, they are the right combination. So I think it’s a good challenge for every team.”

Sri Lanka have a rich history in the Asia Cup, having won the title on six occasions across formats, with their most recent triumph coming in the T20 edition in 2022. They also reached the final in the ODI edition in 2023, further underlining their consistency in continental competitions.

Perera pointed out that Sri Lanka’s mix of experienced players and exciting youngsters makes them a well-rounded side capable of upsetting any opposition.

In the upcoming tournament, Sri Lanka’s group stage fixtures will see them open against Bangladesh on September 13 in Abu Dhabi, followed by matches against Hong Kong on September 15 in Dubai, and Afghanistan on September 18 in Abu Dhabi. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, where the competition is expected to intensify ahead of the final. Strong contenders India and Pakistan are in the other group.

–IANS

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Gwalior, Aug 21 (IANS) After 17 days of relentless panja action, Kiraak Hyderabad claimed the title in Season 2 of the Pro Panja League, emerging champions by beating Rohtak Rowdies 30-18 in the summit clash here on Thursday.

The winning team has also won a reward of INR 20 lakh on behalf of Pro Panja League. Nirmal Devi of Rohtak Roadies was awarded the ‘Player of the Day’ award. Satnam Singh of Kiraak Hyderabad was announced as the ‘Player of the Tournament’ while Stewe Thomas won the ‘Badshaho ka Badshah’ title.

Kiraak Hyderabad led the whole tournament in terms of points and on the final day lived up to their reputation and sealed a well-deserved and dominant victory. The runners-up from last season, who missed out on the championship by just one point, lifted the trophy this time and etched their name in history.

Stewe Thomas of Kiraak broke the Pro Panja League record by pinning Deepankhor Mech in just 0.09 seconds, breaking the previous record of 0.10 seconds set by Sachin Goyal.

Present during the event were the co-founders of Pro Panja League, Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani. Also in attendance were Organising Committee Chairman, Prabal Pratap Singh Tomar, Associate Vice President of Hockey India, Devendra Pratap Singh Tomar, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, Member of the International Olympic Committee, professional wrestler Saurav Gurjar, and former kabaddi player Rahul Chaudhari. Olympic medallist and Former boxer Vijender Singh was present, cheering for Rohtak Rowdies as team ambassador.

In the final, both teams played a total of 10 matches, four in the Undercard and six in the Main Card, sending one player in every category seen in the league so far to fight for the coveted crown.

The Undercard was all Kiraak Hyderabad as they enjoyed a clean sweep against Rohtak Rowdies to begin the contest. Aviliye Zuyie set the tone with a commanding 2-0 victory over Arshdeep Singh in the 90kg bout. Naveen MV doubled the lead, overpowering Nikhil Singh 2-0 in the 60kg category, before Rachna Jatav extended the advantage and her winning streak with another clean 2-0 win against Karabi Sonowal in the 55kg contest. Rowdies’ Billa Tajamul fought hard to keep his side alive, but the experienced Captain Asker Ali claimed the 80kg clash 2-0 to place his team in a comfortable position ahead of the Main Card matches.

In the Main Card, world champion Srinivas BV in the Specially-Abled Section claimed the opening points for Rohtak Rowdies as he defeated Chandan Kumar Behera of Kiraak Hyderabad 5-0. Nirmal Devi built on the momentum for Rohtak Rowdies as she activated the challenger round and claimed a flawless 10-0 triumph against Jincy Jose in the 65+kg category.

The 18-year-old Aabhas Rana shifted the tide back towards Kiraak Hyderabad in the 100+kg division, defeating Amit Chaudhary 5-0 in a gripping contest. Madhura KN of Kiraak Hyderabad outclassed Ribasuk Lyngdoh 5-0 in the 65kg bout. Madhura asserted her dominance with two flashpins in the first two rounds. Ribasuk tried to hold her opponent in the third round but couldn’t stop her opponent, giving away crucial points to Kiraak Hyderabad.

With the trophy on the line, Hyderabad’s Stewe Thomas delivered his best performance of the season, winning against Deepankhor Mech 10-0 in the 70kg clash. Stewe won the challenger round in style, pinning his opponent in just 0.09 seconds and claiming the title for Kiraak Hyderabad with one match remaining. Despite losing out on the title, Dara Singh of Rohtak Rowdies didn’t lose his spirit and defeated Jagadish Baruah of Kiraak Hyderabad 3-2 in the 100kg category to end the night.

The high-octane, adrenaline-fueled season reached its end on a glorious note, as Kiraak Hyderabad capped off their dominant campaign by lifting the coveted Pro Panja League Season 2 trophy.

–IANS

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New York, Aug 21 (IANS) The 2025 French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will run into 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles semifinals of the US Open to be played at Flushing Meadows here, before a potential summit clash with World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who defeated him in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz is bidding to win the year’s last Grand Slam for the second time after his triumph in 2022 and will face our-time winner Djokovic in a blockbuster clash in the last-four stage.

Fresh from his title run in Cincinnati, Alcaraz will start his campaign at the hard-court major against big-serving American Reilly Opelka, it was revealed in the draw conducted here on Thursday. Djokovic will start his campaign against NextGen ATP player Learner Tien.

It will be a mouth-watering clash as Djokovic leads Alcaraz 5-3 in the ATP head-to-head series, having rallied to a four-set win in their latest meeting in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January. Seventh seed Djokovic has not competed since reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon five weeks ago.

Top seed and defending champion Sinner, who is chasing a third major title of the season after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, opens his campaign against Czech Vit Kopriva. The 24-year-old Italian is seeded to meet last year’s semifinalist, Jack Draper, in the quarters this year. The Briton opens against a qualifier or lucky loser.

Sinner is on a semifinal collision course with third seed Alexander Zverev. The three-time major finalist, who fell to Sinner in this year’s Australian Open championship match, begins against Alejandro Tabilo.

Alcaraz may run into high-calibre opposition on his way to the quarterfinals, which includes former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, recent Toronto winner Ben Shelton, and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud. Sinner may also run into early danger in the top half of the draw. Alexei Popyrin, who last year stunned reigning champion Djokovic, is a potential second-round opponent.

The 10th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, who is currently ninth in the ATP Live Race To Turin and aiming to debut at the ATP Finals, starts against the 6’ 8” Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The Italian is seeded to meet Draper in the fourth round.

Last year’s finalist, Taylor Fritz, is in Djokovic’s quarter, which includes three young stars who competed in last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals. As well as Djokovic’s first-round opponent, Tien, Joao Fonseca, who won the 2023 US Open boys’ singles title, plays Miomir Kecmanovic, and 28th seed Alex Michelsen faces Francisco Comesana.

Alcaraz will hope to return to winning ways at Flushing Meadows following his shock second-round defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp last year. The 22-year-old Spaniard arrives with a Tour-leading 54 wins and six titles in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Van de Zandschulp could cause the 11th seed Holger Rune problems in their first-round clash. Alexander Bublik will face 2014 champion Marin Cilic in his first appearance of the North American hard-court swing, while Sebastian Korda begins against Cameron Norrie.

–IANS

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Lucknow, Aug 21 (IANS) UP Yoddhas unveiled their new jersey on Thursday in a special event, marking the start of their preparations for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. The team have appointed Sumit Sangwan as captain and Ashu Singh as vice-captain — two players who have been part of the team setup since Season 7.

Head coach Jasveer Singh echoed the sentiments, saying, “We have built a squad that balances experience with exciting new talent. The focus has been on giving our young players the confidence to play with freedom, while the senior members provide guidance and stability. We are preparing well and are confident of a strong season ahead.”

Newly appointed skipper and defensive stalwart Sumit Sangwan expressed his pride in leading the side. “It is an honour to lead the team in Season 12. The team has shown immense faith in me, and I want to repay that by delivering strong performances on the mat. We have a tight-knit group, and with the support of our fans, we are determined to make this season memorable.”

The Yoddhas have retained 13 players from last season to keep their core intact, while adding key signings from the auction. Six players from Yuva Yoddhas — the developmental side — have also been promoted to the senior squad. The academy setup has continued to play a crucial role in grooming young kabaddi talent from across Uttar Pradesh.

“Our philosophy has always been about consistency and positive energy in the team environment. We believe in providing opportunities to young talent and building squads with a long-term vision. As we step into the new season, we will continue to carry that positive mindset and our unwavering commitment forward,” said Satyam Trivedi, CEO of the team’s management group.

The team will open their campaign against Telugu Titans on August 30 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Vizag.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Teenaged Indian shooters dominated the headlines on day four of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, picking up as many as four of the five gold medals India won across individual and team competitions. It bulged India’s medal tally to 26 medals, including 14 gold, six silver, and bronze medals each, firmly cementing their position at the top of the standings.

Earlier, while all three shooters in the men’s 10m air rifle senior event shot brilliant qualification rounds to give India yet another team gold, Rudrankksh Patil and Arjun Babuta could not convert the opportunity into individual medals, finishing fourth and fifth in the final, respectively.

Patil looked more in contention for a medal right through the final, before bowing out after the 20th shot of the 24-shot final on a score of 207.6. Teammate Babuta had departed two shots earlier with 185.8 as local favourite Islam Satpayev of Kazakhstan took gold, Lu Dingke of China silver, with Park Haejun of Korea claiming bronze.

“Experienced” junior Abhinav Shaw, began the gold rush for India, first teaming up with Naraen Pranav (third with 631.1) and Himanshu (fourth with 630.9), to shoot 628.1 in qualification, not only clinching a spot in the final for himself, but also ensuring that the trio’s tally of 1890.1 was an Asian and world junior record apart from the gold for India.

He then shot a thrilling final, beginning fifth on the grid after the first five-shot series, and soaring to the lead after the second. The end stages were a battle of attrition with Lee Hyunseo, two years his senior, but Shaw showed admirable nerves to first lose the lead after two high 9s on his 17th and 18th shots, to piping the Korean by 0.1 in the end, not going below 10.4 for his last six shots. The 21st, a 10.9 being the icing on the cake.

It was the turn of Mansi Raghuwanshi over at the Shotgun ranges then, where she triumphed in the junior women’s skeet final, with a tally of 53 out of a possible 60 targets. Compatriot Yashasvi Rathore won silver with 52, while Kazakh Lidiya Basharova took bronze.

Mansi finished the strongest, catching all her last 10 targets, while Yashasvi missed two to settle for silver. Agrima Kanwar, the third Indian in the field, also reached the final to finish sixth.

In the junior men’s skeet, Harmehar Singh Lally (115, 3rd in qualification) and Jyotiraditya Singh Sisodia (110, 5th in qualification) won individual silver and bronze medals, each with scores of 52 and 43 in the final, respectively. Kazakhstan’s Artyom Sedelnikov won gold with 53 hits.

The duo was not to be denied gold on the day, however, as they combined with Atul Singh Rajawat (107) to bag the junior men’s skeet team gold with a tally of 338, four ahead of the silver-winning Kazakhs.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Thursday concluded its keenly contested elections with Ajay Singh emerging victorious in the Presidential race. In a one-sided fight, he secured 40 votes against challenger Jaslal Pradhan’s 26, reaffirming the support of state associations and extending his leadership of Indian boxing.

The elections, conducted with participation from 34 state associations representing 66 votes, also decided the other key office bearers – Secretary General, Treasurer, and Vice Presidents.

In the contest for Secretary General, Pramod Kumar of Uttar Pradesh, who is known for his tireless efforts in ensuring all the domestic national championships take place smoothly, triumphed over Digvijay Singh, the former treasurer, polling 36 votes to 30. The Treasurer’s position was a three-way fight which saw Pon Baskaran secure the post with 28 votes, defeating Anil Kumar Bohidar and R. Gopu.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said, “This victory is a reaffirmation of the trust and faith my colleagues from across the country have placed in me. It is not just a mandate, but a recognition of the relentless work we have done together to take Indian boxing forward. I would like to thank Fairuz Mohamed, Chairperson, BFI Interim Committee and Observer, World Boxing, for conducting a free and fair election. I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected office bearers. With the World Championship and World Cup ahead, our singular focus will be on enabling our boxers to deliver their best, bring home medals, and make India proud.”

“My foremost commitment is to ensure that every ounce of energy now goes into strengthening grassroots programs, empowering our junior and youth athletes, and building on India’s growing stature in world boxing,” he further added.

Overall, the elections brought clarity to the future of Indian boxing administration. With Singh at the helm, the federation is set to build on a period of stability and progress that has seen Indian boxing reach new heights.

Under his leadership as BFI President and later as Chairman of the Interim Committee, the sport successfully navigated a challenging phase, with the timely organisation of national championships across all levels and categories, ensuring continuity for athletes. At the same time, India registered impressive triumphs on the international stage, reinforcing the country’s growing stature in world boxing.

The conclusion of the Interim Committee’s tenure now paves the way for a full-fledged leadership team to take charge.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Australia opener Cameron Bancroft has signed a new two-year contract with Gloucestershire, confirmed the English county club on Wednesday

The extension will see Bancroft, 32, remain at the Bristol County Ground until the end of the 2027 season. Since joining Gloucestershire in 2024, Bancroft has amassed nearly 4,000 runs across formats and was appointed as the side’s captain for the 2025 County Championship campaign in February.

“I’m really excited to extend my stay at Gloucestershire for another two years. It’s a fantastic Club with a great environment, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far, and I’m eager to build on that in the coming seasons. Can’t wait to see what we can achieve together,” said Bancroft in the statement issued by the club.

The extension comes on the back of Bancroft hitting a match-winning knock of 141 not out beat Glamorgan in the One Day Cup just last week – an innings that sits as the 11th highest List A score in Gloucestershire’s history.

In the ongoing county championship season, Bancroft has piled on 796 runs, including two 150-plus scores against Derbyshire and Glamorgan. He played the last of his 10 Tests for Australia during the Ashes series against England in 2019, which came on the back of him returning from his nine-month ban due to sandpaper gate in 2018 Cape Town Test.

“It’s fantastic news for us to secure the return of Cam Bancroft for the next two years. He is an integral part of a batting unit that has shown great potential and performance over the past two seasons.”

“It’s great to have him commit to the continued progression of this group as we – the Glorious – and the players will benefit hugely from his experience and considered application,” said Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) India left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career that saw her represent the national team in both white-ball formats.

“Adieu with a smile – after years of wearing the Indian jersey with pride, passion, and purpose, the time has come to pen down the most emotional note of my cricketing journey. With a heart full of memories and eyes welled with gratitude, I announce my retirement from all forms of the game.”

“From the dusty bylanes of Hyderabad to the grand stages of world cricket, this journey has been nothing short of a dream – one etched with sweat, sacrifice, and countless hours of silent grind.”

“To have represented India at the highest level in World Cups, tours, and battles that tested both skill and spirit has been the greatest honour of my life. Every wicket taken, every dive in the field, every huddle with my teammates has shaped the cricketer and the person I am today,” said Gouher in a post on her Instagram account on Thursday.

In 50 ODIs, Gouher picked 66 wickets at an average of 19.39 and an economy rate of 3.32, apart from amassing 96 runs with the bat. In 37 T20Is, she picked 29 wickets at an average of 26.27 and an economy rate of 5.73. Gouher last played for India in 2014 and was dropped from the national set-up after the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in the same year.

In domestic cricket, Gouher, known for her flight, spin, and accuracy, turned out for Hyderabad, Puducherry, Railways, and Bengal. She also managed to play four games for UP Warriorz in two seasons of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), though she couldn’t get a single scalp.

“There were days of triumph and nights of introspection. Injuries, comebacks, heartbreaks, and high-fives – the game gave me everything. And now, as I step away from this cherished chapter, I do so with no regrets, only overwhelming gratitude.”

“To my teammates – thank you for the camaraderie and the countless shared battles. To the coaches, selectors, support staff, and administrators who believed in me, thank you for giving wings to my ambition. To my mother and sister – you were my anchor, my storm, and my calm.”

“Cricket will always be home. Though the curtain falls on my career as a player, my love for the game burns brighter than ever. I look forward to contributing to the sport in newer ways to inspire, guide, and serve the game that made me who I am. This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of a golden chapter,” concluded Gouher.

–IANS

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Srinagar, Aug 21 (IANS) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, declared open the Khelo India Water Sports Festival through a video message here on Thursday. The inaugural edition of the KIWSF got off to a sparkling start with a local shikarawalla, Mohsin Ali, winning the first gold medal of the Games.

The three-day event, ending on August 23, will see more than 500 athletes from 28 states and Union Territories taking part in five events. While rowing, canoeing, and kayaking will have 24 medals up for grabs, shikara sprints, Dragon boat race, and water skiing will be the demonstration events.

The opening ceremony of the KIWSF was graced by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse. The Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, was the chief guest while the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was the guest of honour. J&K’s sports minister Satish Sharma was also present.

The opening ceremony, besides the Dal Lake, was an attractive affair. Folk dancers and local artists added the local flavour as athletes, coaches, and volunteers lined up at Sheri Kashmir International Convocation Centre to welcome the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025. In the expanding Khelo India calendar, the KIWSF is the second addition after the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu in May.

“Today, when athletes step into Kashmir’s Dal Lake with zeal and enthusiasm to create history, the sight will not only thrill all sports lovers, but will also present to the world a powerful picture of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India),” said Dr Mandaviya, adding: “I extend my best wishes to all the young athletes participating in this Khelo India Water Sports Festival. My wish is that you continue to uphold the pride of our nation with the same sporting spirit. With these words, I declare the Khelo India Water Sports Festival Open.”

Dr Mandaviya said, “Since 2014, when the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, we have been clear in our vision to make India a global sporting powerhouse. Under the Khelo India Games, we started organizing different sporting events across the country. We are proud to introduce the Khelo India Water Games in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Through the Khelo Bharat Niti (National Sports Policy), we want to make sports the culture of the nation. With the goal of Har Ghar Khel, Ghar-Ghar Khel (Sports in every home), our government has been consistently working in this direction for the last 11 years,” said Dr Mandaviya.

Dr Mandaviya further added, “Just last week, the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 was passed in Parliament. Through this, we have now moved towards historic reforms not only in sports but also in sports governance.”

“Water sports are very attractive, and when they happen in the backdrop of natural beauty, it becomes even more thrilling. These Games are a great advertisement to youths to engage in a sports activity. In India, we have so many water bodies and natural surfaces to take part in adventure sports. It is PM Modi’s dream to lift the sporting culture of the nation, and I think these Games and the Winter Games provide wonderful opportunities,” Mrs Khadse said.

For hosts Jammu and Kashmir, it was a wonderful start to the Games. Mohsin Ali, a 17-year-old who also works as a shikarawalla in the Dal Lake, won the first gold medal of KIWSF 2025. It came in the men’s singles kayaking race. Ali clocked 4:12.41 seconds in the 1000m race to win his first national-level gold ahead of Odisha’s Naoram James Singh (4:14.68) and Mayank of Madhya Pradesh (4:23.28).

Two more gold medals were decided in the canoeing and kayaking competition. Vishal Kumar of Uttar Pradesh won the gold in the canoe singles. For the 1000 metres race, Vishal clocked 4:30.59 seconds. Krishna Jat of Madhya Pradesh (4:31.36) got silver, while Mohammed Hussain of Jammu & Kashmir got the bronze with a timing of 4:32.83 seconds.

–IANS

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