SPORTS

Chiang Mai (Thailand), June 22 (IANS) The Indian senior women's team will kick off their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers campaign on Monday and will look to create new history in the 21st century after having three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981). India (ranked 70th) will face Mongolia (ranked 126th) on June 23, Timor Leste (ranked 158th) on June 29, Iraq (ranked 173rd) on July 2 and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th) on July 5, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium.Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.Apart from Thailand, India have n...

Mumbai, June 22 (IANS) It’s been exactly a week since the Rugby Premier League (RPL) kicked off its inaugural season. One of the Olympians, Aaron Cummings, who plays for Mumbai Dreamers, believes that the league has the potential to change the landscape of Rugby 7s.Further elaborating on how the format of the league sets it apart, the 27-year-old said, "This is something new, something exciting and I think the RPL might change the landscape of Sevens, with the way they are approaching it.""It’s just different. It’s more high-intensity. You see more high-impact collisions on the field. Usually, after four minutes or so, everyone gets tired, and the game gets a little bit slower. But with it just being four minutes a quarter here, you can keep that high intensity and high impact scoring. So,...

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) Canada have sealed their qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The hosts of the Americas Qualifiers confirmed their place at the tournament after securing a win against the Bahamas, their fifth consecutive victory in the ongoing campaign from as many outings.Kaleem Sana and Shivam Sharma picked up three wickets apiece as Canada bundled out Bahamas for just 57. The chase was wrapped up in just 5.3 overs, with Dilpreet Bajwa smashing an unbeaten 36 off 14 balls to seal a dominant win and qualification.Having featured at last year’s Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, Canada arrived into the qualifiers as one of the favourites to progress through.The Nicholas Kirton-led side kickstarted their campaign with a comprehensive...

Leeds, June 22 (IANS) Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah for his ability to manufacture a wicket every time he come into the attack and compared the Indian pace ace to New Zealand great Richard Hadlee, the first player to reach 400 Test wickets.When India bowled out for 471 in 113 overs after Shubman Gill's career-best 147 and Rishabh Pant's astonishing 134 – his seventh ton in the format, England had to deal with a menacing Bumrah, who picked 3-45. But Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett added 122 runs for the second wicket to bring some normalcy into England’s innings as the hosts ended the day 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs."We’ve seen four hundreds in the match so far — three from India and one from England — but which bowler has been truly special? For m...

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) In one of the most exciting moves during the PKL 12 auction, legendary raider Naveen Kumar has signed with defending champions Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.20 crore, marking his return to his home state and setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season. The PKL Season 8 champion, who amassed 1102 raid points for Dabang Delhi K.C. during his stellar six-season tenure, entered the PKL Player Auction for the very first time since making his debut. He expressed his joy at wearing the Steelers jersey. "I always thought I should play for Haryana Steelers, and finally I have become part of this team," Kumar said."The entire team and management have placed their trust in me, and I want to justify that faith. This is a champion team, and I want to become a ...

Charlotte, June 22 (IANS) Pachuca striker Salomon Rondon said his team will be better prepared to face Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup than when the sides met in last year's Intercontinental Cup final.Madrid won that match 3-0 against a Pachuca team that struggled with a heavy schedule."We already know what it's like to face Real Madrid, although this time we won't be as tired as we were in the Intercontinental Cup final, where it was clear we were coming off two extremely demanding matches," Rondon was quoted by Xinhua ahead of Sunday's game in Charlotte"There will be a noticeable difference in that regard, and I think it will be a great match to watch."The Mexican side must win to keep alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage after a 2-1 loss to Salzburg in their Group H ope...

Leeds, June 22 (IANS) England opener Ben Duckett lauded Ollie Pope for his unbeaten century on day two of the first Test between England and India at Headingley, admitting that he had goosebumps watching under-pressure Ollie raising his ton. Pope came into the series against India under pressure, with doubts about his spot at No 3 after a poor record against India and Australia and not quelled by that 171 against Zimbabwe. Many were even suggesting that Jacob Bethell should replace him, especially with the Ashes coming up this winter.Pope celebrated his ninth Test century , scoring 100 from 125 deliveries with 13 fours after inside-edging a Jasprit Bumrah in-seamer towards the leg side, as England trail India by 262 runs after reaching 209/3 in 49 overs at stumps on Day Two of the first Te...

Leeds, June 22 (IANS) England opener Ben Duckett lauded Ollie Pope for his unbeaten century on day two of the first Test between England and India at Headingley, admitting that he had goosebumps watching under-pressure Ollie raising his ton. Pope came into the series against India under pressure, with doubts about his spot at No 3 after a poor record against India and Australia and not quelled by that 171 against Zimbabwe. Many were even suggesting that Jacob Bethell should replace him, especially with the Ashes coming up this winter.Pope celebrated his ninth Test century , scoring 100 from 125 deliveries with 13 fours after inside-edging a Jasprit Bumrah in-seamer towards the leg side, as England trail India by 262 runs after reaching 209/3 in 49 overs at stumps on Day Two of the first Te...

Pasadena, June 22 (IANS) CA River Plate squandered the opportunity to reach the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 knockout stages after they were held to a goalless draw by Monterrey at the Rose Bowl. The Argentinian giants needed a victory to reach the Round of 16 but both sides struggled to make any chances in a game littered with fouls and breaks in play.In an ill-tempered start to the game, three yellow cards were handed out in the first half-hour. Lacking any real fluidity, the best chance of the opening half came on the stroke of half-time when River Plate full-back Lucas Martinez Quarta found space after a corner only to side-foot a volley wide of the post with the goalmouth gaping.After the break, River Plate wunderkind Franco Mastantuono brought the crowd to their feet with a curling effor...

Seattle, June 22 (IANS) Urawa Red Diamonds were dumped out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Italian giants FC Internazionale Milano after a pair of late goals helped Nerazzurri stage a late comeback to beat Urawa Red 2-1 on Sunday (IST). Ryoma Watanabe’s early strike looked like it was going to be enough to send shockwaves through the tournament but was captain Lautaro Martinez who rode to Inter's rescue with a stunning bicycle kick before substitute Valentin Carboni won it in stoppage time.Despite a bright start, Inter fell behind in the twelfth minute to a goal from Watanabe. Chivu’s men dominated possession throughout a difficult first half but failed to create clear-cut chances.The second half saw a noticeable shift in intensity. Inter poured forward, piling pressure on Urawa Red Diamonds...