28 June 2026

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TG20 Season 1: Aryan Cariappa, Avanish Rao star as Ranga Reddy Risers outclass Palamuru Strikers
Women’s T20 WC: ‘The belief was always there,’ says Prendergast after guiding Ireland to victory
Indian mangoes prove a hit in Washington
‘Not misused official position’: Union Minister on row over farm subsidy from Ministry, Ashok Gehlot raises questions on ethics
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Manish Pandey guides Gulbarga Mystics to thrilling victory

INDIA TOP STORIES

Kerala’s 11-year-old girl Divi wins FIDE World Cup Under-12 title

27 June 2026 colorsnews.in

Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (IANS) Eleven-year-old Chess prodigy Divi Bijesh of Kerala scripted another chapter in Indian chess history by clinching the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship in Batumi, Georgia, becoming the first player from the state to win FIDE World Cup titles in both the Under-10 and Under-12 categories.

Representing India at the prestigious championship, Divi produced a commanding performance against a field of more than 85 of the world’s leading young players, finishing with nine points from 11 rounds.

She seized sole lead after the seventh round and never relinquished it, before drawing her final-round game against Russia’s Alisa Yunker to seal the world title.

The triumph marks Divi’s third world title in just two years, further underlining her emergence as one of the brightest young talents in world chess.

She had created history in 2025 by becoming the inaugural FIDE World Cup Under-10 Girls champion and also won the World Under-10 Rapid Championship the same year.

Her latest success also secures qualification for the FIDE World Cadet Championship to be held later this year, where she will once again represent India on the global stage.

Still only 11-years-old, Divi has now amassed 25 medals, including 13 international gold medals, in an extraordinary career that has rapidly placed her among India’s most accomplished young chess players.

A Class 6 student of Alan Feldman Public School in Thiruvananthapuram, Divi is the daughter of Bijesh and Prabha and the younger sister of Devnath Bijesh.

Her rise has been nurtured through the Chola Chess talent development programme, with guidance from Woman Grandmaster Aarthi Ramaswamy and Woman FIDE Master Harshini.

Her long-time coach and mentor, Sreejith G.S. of Masters Chess Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, has played a pivotal role in shaping her career.

Already the youngest Woman Candidate Master (WCM) from Kerala and recipient of the Kerala Ujjwala Balyam Award, Divi’s latest triumph adds another glittering milestone to Indian chess and reinforces Kerala’s growing reputation as a nursery for world-class talent.

–IANS

sg/khz

TG20 Season 1: Aryan Cariappa, Avanish Rao star as Ranga Reddy Risers outclass Palamuru Strikers

28 June 2026 colorsnews.in

Hyderabad, June 28 (IANS) Ranga Reddy Risers produced a clinical all-round display to defeat Palamuru Strikers by six wickets in the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s TG20 in Hyderabad on Friday. Aryan Cariappa’s four-wicket haul set up the victory before Avanish Rao and Gnana Prakash Reddy capped it with the bat.

It was a sticky start to the innings for the Strikers, who lost two wickets in as many overs to leave them reeling at 2/2. B Punnaiah struck first by removing Chaitanya Reddy (0 off 1), before Tanay Thyagarajann dismissed Pragnay Reddy (1 off 3) in the following over. Vignesh Reddy then attempted to rebuild alongside Rohit Rayudu, counterattacking with a six and a four to lift the score to 26/2 after five overs.

Just when the innings appeared to be stabilising, Aryan Cariappa delivered another breakthrough by dismissing Rohit Rayudu (7 off 12), reducing the Strikers to 31/3 at the end of the powerplay.

Shadab Ahmed (22 off 15) joined Vignesh Reddy, and the pair added useful runs through the middle overs, taking the score to 63/4 after 10 overs despite N Rakesh removing Shadab. Vignesh continued to anchor the innings while Pratheek Pawar (14 off 12) provided brief support.

The batting stumbled in the 15th over when Cariappa ripped through the middle order. After Pratheek struck a boundary, Cariappa dismissed him on the very next ball before trapping Afreedi Ahmed (0 off 1) to complete a double strike in the over. The twin blows left the Strikers reeling at 98/6 after 15 overs, with Vignesh Reddy still at the crease but running out of partners and time.

Strikers’ innings folded quickly after Tanay dismissed the well-set Vignesh in the 16th over. A brief flourish from Rishab Baslas (8 off 7) and Rathan Teja (15 off 9) was cut short by Punnaiah and Cariappa.

With nine wickets down, the drama intensified as Aryan Cariappa’s sharp bouncer struck Ravi Kiran on the helmet, forcing him to retire hurt and prompting a concussion substitute. Prithvi Reddy (5 off 4) came in as the replacement but was dismissed by Rakesh with the first ball of the final over, as the Strikers were bowled out for 130 in 19.1 overs – the joint-lowest total of the season.

Risers made a flying start to the chase, with openers Gnana Prakash Reddy and Avanish Rao taking complete control from the outset. Gnana blazed away with a series of boundaries and sixes, while Avanish matched him stroke for stroke as the duo raced to 66 without loss at the end of the powerplay before extending their opening stand to 87 in the ninth over.

Strikers finally found a breakthrough when Rishab dismissed Gnana Prakash for a scintillating 47-run knock in 27 balls, but the wicket did little to slow the scoring. Avanish kept the momentum going, taking the Risers past 100 in the 11th over. Although Baslas, Prithvi, and Rathan chipped away with wickets, Avanish continued to dominate, smashing three successive boundaries off Prithvi to keep the chase firmly on track, bringing up his second half-century before losing his wicket in the 12th over after scoring 50 off 32.

With the target well within reach, Tanay and Aditya Javvaji calmly guided the innings through the closing overs. The Risers never lost control, as Tanay finished with a boundary to steer his side to 131/4 in 14 overs, completing a commanding six-wicket victory with six overs to spare.

Brief scores:

Palamuru Strikers 130 all out in 19.1 overs (Vignesh Reddy 46, Shadab Ahmed 22, Aryan Cariappa 4/31, Bhuvanagiri Punnaiah 2/17) lost to Ranga Reddy Risers 131/4 in 14 overs (Avanish Rao 50, Gnana Prakash Reddy 47, Rishab Baslas 2/24, Rathan Teja 1/17) by six wickets

–IANS

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Women’s T20 WC: ‘The belief was always there,’ says Prendergast after guiding Ireland to victory

28 June 2026 colorsnews.in

TOP STORIES WORLD

Indian mangoes prove a hit in Washington

28 June 2026 colorsnews.in

INDIA TOP STORIES

‘Not misused official position’: Union Minister on row over farm subsidy from Ministry, Ashok Gehlot raises questions on ethics

28 June 2026 colorsnews.in