SPORTS

Noida, Jan 23 (IANS) Amit held his nerve under intense pressure in the decisive final contest to steer Maharashtra Kesari to a well-earned 5–4 victory over Haryana Thunders, handing the previously unbeaten side their first defeat of the season in Match 10 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 on Friday night, here at Noida Indoor Stadium.With the tie locked at 4–4, Amit produced a composed performance win in the 86kg men’s category to secure the win by a single point, lifting Maharashtra Kesari to the top of the standings with six points from four matches. Haryana Thunders were pushed all the way in a high-quality encounter that swung repeatedly in momentum. Tevanyan Vazgen from Maharashtra Kesari was named Player of the Match, while Kajal Dhochhak earned Fighter of the Match honours for keepin...

Raipur, Jan 23 (IANS) After playing a match-winning knock of 76 in 32 deliveries, Player of the Match Ishan Kishan underlined how scoring runs in domestic cricket helped answer his own doubts, rebuild confidence, and carry momentum into the international arena in the second T20I against New Zealand in Raipur on Friday.India successfully chased down the target of 209 with seven wickets and with 28 balls remaining to record the second-highest successful chase in the hosts' T20I history. The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Pakistan’s 24-ball victory against New Zealand in Auckland in 2025 and Australia’s 23-ball win over West Indies in Basseterre that same year.He explained that chasing a big...

Raipur, Jan 23 (IANS) Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said the hosts want their batters to play with freedom and express themselves, hailing Ishan Kishan’s fearless strokeplay as a reflection of the team’s mindset after India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I in Raipur on Friday.Despite having a little help from the dew, India's chase of 209 started out shakily. Sanju Samson went out for 6, Abhishek Sharma made a golden duck, and all of a sudden, the hosts were down to 6 for 2. However, what followed was a mind-blowing counterattack. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav put up 122 runs in a mere 48 balls for the third wicket, suddenly turning what had looked like a tough chase into an easy stroll.Kishan inflicted the majority of the damage with his aggression early on and h...

Raipur, Jan 23 (IANS) New Zealand skipper credited Indian batters for successfully chasing down a stiff target of 209 runs with 28 balls remaining, jokingly saying that even 300 might not be enough against India, acknowledging how aggressive and deep they bat on good surfaces.Skipper Suryakumar Yadav was unbeaten (82) as Ishan Kishan's fiery (76) guided hosts to a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I to go 2-0 up in the five-match series. It was also the second-highest successful chase in India’s T20I history. Only India’s 211/4 against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009 stands above it, with the Raipur effort also eclipsing chases of 209/4 vs West Indies (Hyderabad, 2019), 209/8 vs Australia (Vizag, 2023), and 204/4 vs New Zealand (Auckland, 2020).The New Zealand captain said facing a side li...

Melbourne, Jan 23 (IANS) Top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka surged to contrasting wins in the third round, while former finalist Daniil Medvedev dug deep to keep his Australian Open title hopes alive at the tennis courts of Melbourne Park on Friday.Third round action started on Day Six with Sabalenka surviving a scare to beat Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) in just over two hours in Melbourne. The 27-year-old has reached the second week in Melbourne for the sixth straight year. "She played incredible tennis. I was able to still fight for every point, and I'm super happy to get this win," said Sabalenka, who will next play 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.Third seed Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to beat American compatriot Hailey Baptiste 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in one hour and ...

Raipur, Jan 23 (IANS) Skipper Suryakumar Yadav finally produced a big one, scoring an unbeaten 82 while Ishan Kishan contributed a fiery 76 as India romped to a seven-wicket victory with 28 balls remaining against New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, and go 2-0 up in the five-match series.It was also the second-highest successful chase in India’s T20I history. Only India’s 211/4 against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009 stands above it, with the Raipur effort also eclipsing chases of 209/4 vs West Indies (Hyderabad, 2019), 209/8 vs Australia (Vizag, 2023), and 204/4 vs New Zealand (Auckland, 2020).The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Paki...

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) In a dramatic turn of events, the ownership of the most popular and successful franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been restored to its original founder-owner after his two brothers were found to have illegally taken shares from the elder brother, a news report said on Friday.Lahore Qalandars have won the title thrice in the PSL that started in 2016 and finished runner-up once. They were embroiled in controversy because of a dispute between the brothers over the ownership of the popular and successful franchise.“The original owner, Fawad Rana, was the one who bought the franchise and made it popular through his endearing demeanours highlighted by his dance in jubilation and show of remorse in defeats. But Fawad was usurped by his two younger brothers – Sa...

Bhubaneswar, Jan 23 (IANS) Alexander Hendrickx bagged a brace of goals as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers booked their spot in the final of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2026, securing a 2-1 win against Ranchi Royals at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.Hendrickx bagged a brace of goals to give his side a 2-0 lead before Mandeep Singh pulled one back for the Royals. But in the end, they failed to find the equaliser and went down fighting.Ranchi Royals began the game on the front foot, keeping possession and moving the ball around neatly to make inroads. Having sustained the early pressure by staying steady at the back, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers grew into the game and eventually broke the deadlock after Alexander Hendrickx (12’) converted his dragflick from a penalty corner, g...

Ahmedabad, Jan 23 (IANS) Malaysia’s Muhammad Nafis Najmie Bin Darnalis carded a four-under 68 to take the first-round lead at Pre-Qualifying III of the PGTI Qualifying School 2026, being played at the Kensville Golf & Country Club in Ahmedabad.Nafis, who plays on the Malaysian tour, began on a solid note with a birdie on the 11th followed by an eagle on the 14th. He then went on to add two more birdies on the fourth and sixth before dropping his only bogey of the day on the eighth.The 25-year-old Nafis, making his first trip to India, said, “I’m really excited to be here in India. I recently turned professional and found out about the PGTI from the internet. I felt that the PGTI was a great platform for me to begin my professional journey. I putted really well today, having made a lot ...

Leh (Ladakh), Jan 23 (IANS) Hosts Ladakh and ITBP women marched into the final of the ice hockey competition in the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 in commanding fashion to set up a repeat of the women’s ice hockey summit clash of KIWG 2025 in Leh, Ladakh, on Friday.On an icy day in Leh, the 1000 metres long-track finals for men and women at the Gupukh’s Pond were impacted due to heavy snowfall, the first in weeks in this Union Territory. Due to poor visibility and the condition of the 333 metres course, the women’s final was badly impacted towards the middle stages. The men’s race did not start.Defending champions Army sealed their berth in the men’s ice hockey semifinal from Group A. Playing at their ‘home’ turf, the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre rink, Army thrashed Jammu & Ka...