Author: TheStateLine

Bengaluru, Feb 21 (IANS) Nat Sciver-Brunt (42), Harmanpreet Kaur (50) and Amanjot Kaur (34) came up cameo to seal Mumbai Indians’ four-wicket win over the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.However, the moment that stood out in the game came in the final over when the 16-year-old batter G. Kamalini struck the winning runs for Mumbai to seal victory for Mumbai with a ball to spare.After Elysse Perry’s 81-run contribution helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru scrape to 167/7 in their 20 overs, the defending champions struck first blood in the second over when wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia was caught by Kim Garth in front of the middle and off stump. However, Mumbai kept chipping away at the t...

Bhubaneswar, Feb 21 (IANS) India fought back from a 0-1 deficit to win 3-1 against Ireland in the ongoing men's FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 at the world-class Kalinga Hockey Stadium here on Friday. It was an equaliser from Mandeep Singh (22') that set the tone of the match for India while Jarmanpreet Singh (45') and Sukhjeet Singh (58') helped the hosts take the lead. For Ireland, Jeremy Duncan (8') was the lone goal scorer.The first quarter, however, was all Ireland as they made multiple circle entries and found themselves ahead of India in only the 8th minute when Jeremy Duncan smashed the ball past Krishan Pathak, making a swift foray from the right flank and no real threat from an Indian defender. It was Nelson's assist, that set up this fantastic opening goal. They made a few more a...

Karachi, Feb 21 (IANS) South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma lauded his team’s “clinical performance” as they opened their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a dominant 107-run win over Afghanistan here on Friday. Opting to bat first on an unfamiliar surface, South Africa posted a commanding 315/6, after a maiden ODI century from Ryan Rickelton. The bowlers then delivered a ruthless display, bundling Afghanistan out for 208 in 43.3 overs.“Clinical performance. We took the brave decision to bat first not knowing about the wicket. We were then clinical with the ball too, closest to one of our best performances. The wicket looked a lot different to what we are used to in Pakistan,” said Bavuma after the match.Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive 315/6, powered by Ryan Rickelton’s...

Karachi, Feb 21 (IANS) Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his side fell short in the batting department after they suffered a comprehensive 107-run defeat against South Africa in their ICC Champions Trophy opener at the National Stadium. Chasing a daunting target of 316, Afghanistan faltered early and never recovered despite a valiant 90 from Rahmat Shah.“I think the batting was not good enough today. The pitch was helping them in the second innings. We did well in the bowling, but not so good in the first 20 overs [batting],” Shahidi said after the match. “The toss was important, it was not a typical Karachi pitch. Their bowlers bowled well [too].”South Africa, led by Ryan Rickelton’s maiden ODI century, posted a commanding 315/6 before their pacers dismantled the Afghan ba...

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) With Liverpool holding a comfortable lead over Arsenal in the Premier League in Arne Slot’s first season as head coach of the club, the Dutch coach revealed the pressure of being a player has nothing to do with the title race rather it comes from wearing the shirt.Liverpool face a stern test as they travel to Manchester City to face the defending champions on Sunday. The Reds hold an eight-point lead over Arsenal but have played a game more than the Gunners. Any points dropped on Sunday could further add to the intensity of the title race.“You assume that we feel pressure, which we do every single day we are working at this club because we know what this shirt means, what the club has done in the past. So, we always feel the pressure of doing the best possible job ...

Pune, Feb 21 (IANS) Top seeds Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth kept the Indian flag high, reaching the doubles final, while sixth-seeded Brandon Holt of USA upset top seed Billy Harris of Great Britain to reach the last four in singles at the Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s Tennis Championship here on Friday. In the singles semifinals, unseeded players Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan and Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic will meet while Holt will clash with eighth-seeded Alexis Galarneau of Canada.Top-seeded Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth of India kept the Indian interest going as they ousted Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Courtney John Lock of Zimbabwe 7-6(5),6-3 in their semifinal clash.They will take on second seeds Australians Blake Bayldon and Mat...