SPORTS

Nisshin, Oct 1 (IANS) Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan admitted that representing the country at the Asian Games brings a unique kind of pressure that is different from playing regular international fixtures, adding that the quest of clinching a medal creates a distinct, heart-felt emotion in the entire squad.At the Korogi Sports Park, Kishan hit a magnificent 80 that propelled India to post 169 and clinch a convincing victory by bundling out Sri Lanka for just 45 in the semi-finals. "To be very honest, I was thinking about this and it does make a difference in your heart, at least, when you're playing for India, especially when it's about the medal. It's not just a thing where you're related to the BCCI - it's always about India here.“There are so many flags going around and so ma...

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Several international stars were picked in the Abu Dhabi T10 League player draft on Wednesday as teams completed their squads ahead of the upcoming season, which gets underway from November 7.Naseem Shah (Royal Desert Champions), Noor Ahmad (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Amir (UAE Bulls), Alzarri Joseph (Arabian Aces), Dasun Shanaka (Yas Lions), Shadab Khan (UAE Bulls), Kusal Perera (Emirates Eagles) and Chris Jordan (Royal Desert Champions), among others, headlined the draft.Several leading UAE players also joined the squads, with the likes of Alishan Sharafu (Arabian Aces), Aayan Afzal Khan (Royal Desert Champions), Muhammad Waseem (Royal Desert Champions), Haider Razzaq (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Bulls), Ansh Tandon (Yas Lions) and Luqman Faisal (Emirate...

Guwahati, Oct 1 (IANS) Expressing disappointment over the stark imbalance between bat and ball during India’s record-breaking run chase of 406 against the West Indies, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak admitted that the pitch at the ACA Stadium practically offered no assistance to the bowling unit.India chased down a massive 406 with 39 balls to spare in the second ODI on Wednesday, in a match that saw five centuries, including a double century from skipper Shubman Gill, and 811 runs being scored in all."There was not a lot for the bowlers. We wish that it is equally balanced. Maybe on a 300 runs wicket, other team had to fight hard to get that 300, 320 (is ideal). The outfield was quick and 20, 30, 40 runs go from there. Particularly in this game, yes, you do feel for the bowlers," said Kotak ...

Kakamigahara, Oct 1 (IANS) India held their nerve through a dramatic late Pakistan fightback to beat their arch-rivals 4-3 and storm into the men’s hockey final at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday here at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. The defending champions have now confirmed themselves another medal and are just one win away from booking a ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.The victory not only kept India’s title defence alive but also created a piece of Asian Games history, with both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams reaching the final at the same edition of the Games for the first time since 1998.India appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory after racing into a 3-0 lead, only for Pakistan to claw their way back and level the contest early in the final q...

Udaipur, Oct 1 (IANS) Mahesh Kumar Beniwal, who studied in Udaipur and hails from Padiyal village in Jodhpur, has brought pride to Rajasthan and India by winning the gold medal in the Junior 120kg powerlifting category at a Commonwealth competition in Canada. Mahesh's achievement comes against the backdrop of a family struggle. His father, a truck driver, took a loan of around Rs 4 lakh against his truck to help finance his son's international competition. The family raised approximately Rs 6 lakh in total, including their savings, to enable Mahesh to travel to Canada and compete.Mahesh delivered a strong performance in the competition, recording a 280-kg squat, 172-kg bench press and 300-kg deadlift. His 300-kg deadlift played a crucial role in his performance, as he finished at the top o...

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna, Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riaz after the Indian women’s squash team secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya."I congratulate Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna, Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riaz on securing the Bronze Medal in the Women’s Team event in Squash at the Asian Games 2026. Your collective effort has earned India another medal in squash. I commend the team for this achievement,” President Murmu wrote on X.India settles for the bronze after going down 2-1 to Hong Kong in a closely fought semi-final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.Anahat Singh began the tie against Chan Sin Yuk and was involved in a marathon contest before eventually losing 3-2. The Indian teenager won the opening t...

It is understood that India pacer Anshul Kamboj, who has been pulled out of the ongoing red-ball game between India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ is likely to be named as his replacement in the squad. In the ongoing day’s play in Puducherry, Kamboj was replaced by fast bowler Praful Hinge in the playing eleven.It is understood that India pacer Anshul Kamboj, who has been pulled out of the ongoing red-ball game between India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ is likely to be named as his replacement in the squad. In the ongoing day’s play in Puducherry, Kamboj was replaced by fast bowler Praful Hinge in the playing eleven.“Prasidh is definitely not playing the third ODI due to the hamstring injury he has picked. He will now report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further scans, and his recovery...

Nagoya, Oct 1 (IANS) Sumit Nagal lost his men's singles quarterfinal to China's Wu Yibing in straight sets 4-6, 4-6 on Thursday at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center here.Nagal's loss ended India's tennis campaign at the Asian Games as India went without a medal for the first time at the continental showpiece since 1986. Sumit could not avenge the loss he suffered against the Chinese at the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai tournament, where he suffered a round-of-128 defeat. Nagal didn't land first serves well, with only 66% of those being legal. He won 62% of points from his first serve and 59% from the second serve but was broken three times in the match. Before Nagal, Suresh Dhakshineswar also suffered a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Chinese Taipei's Tseng Chun-hsin in the round of 16 in the men's single...

Kakamigahara, Oct 1 (IANS) Forty-four years after their only Asian Games women’s hockey gold, India will have another opportunity to reclaim the continental crown when they face defending champions China in the title clash at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday.The final carries significance beyond the medal. The Asian Games champions will also secure a berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, raising the stakes for two unbeaten teams that have navigated contrasting tests on their way to the summit.India’s only women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games came in 1982. Since then, they have reached the final twice — in 1998 and 2018 — but had to settle for silver after defeats to South Korea and Japan respectively.The current side enters the decisive contest with considerable momentum. In...

Nagoya, Oct 1 (IANS) Anish Bhanwala finished seventh in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol men's individual final here at Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery on Thursday, concluding India's shooting campaign with 15 medals. Anish was tied with other shooters on 11 but was eliminated on the countback after his lower qualification ranking placed him seventh. Indian shooters concluded their campaign with three gold, eight silver and 4 bronze medals.Anish qualified for the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol final despite finishing ninth in qualification with a score of 576-17x. Three South Korean shooters finished inside the top eight, but only two shooters per NOC are allowed in the final, which paved the way for Anish to take the eighth and final qualifying spot.Indian pistol shooters had a disappoin...