SPORTS

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a reward of Rs 1.5 crore for right-handed opener Pratika Rawal, who was part of India’s title-winning squad at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) also confirmed an additional Rs 50 lakh prize for Pratika in recognition of her contribution to India’s historic triumph.Pratika was felicitated by the Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday in the presence of her father Pradeep Rawal, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley.The young batter represented Delhi in age-group and senior domestic tournaments before moving to Railways ahead of last season.Pratika was one of India’s standout performers in the tournament, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer w...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a reward of Rs 1.5 crore for right-handed opener Pratika Rawal, who was part of India’s title-winning squad at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) also confirmed an additional Rs 50 lakh prize for Pratika in recognition of her contribution to India’s historic triumph.Pratika was felicitated by the Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday in the presence of her father Pradeep Rawal, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley.The young batter represented Delhi in age-group and senior domestic tournaments before moving to Railways ahead of last season.Pratika was one of India’s standout performers in the tournament, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer w...

Guwahati, Dec 7 (IANS) India’s rising star Sankar Saraswat upset the experienced Mithun Manjunath to clinch the men’s single title in the Guwahati Masters Super 100 tournament at the National Centre of Excellence here on Sunday. Sanskar got the better of the experienced Mithun Manjunath 21-11, 17-21, 21-13 in an all-Indian men’s final.Saraswat, who is currently ranked 384th in the world, had an incredible run in Guwahati, winning the tournament after defeating Hong Kong's Jason Gunawan, a player ranked in the top 50 in the qualifiers.He got off to a great start in the final, dominating his senior countryman to win the first game without losing it. After taking a commanding 8-2 lead in the second game, he appeared certain to win in a straight game, but Mithun rallied and won the game to for...

Pune, Dec 7 (IANS) Rohit Pawar, the President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), expressed gratitude to the BCCI for awarding them the hosting rights of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) knockouts, adding that they are committed to provide a great experience of staging the matches for every stakeholder. The fixtures were originally scheduled to be held in Indore, but have been shifted to Pune by the BCCI owing to accommodation constraints caused by a major conference of doctors in the city.The Super League matches hosting will be split between the MCA International Stadium in Gahunje and the DY Patil Academy Ground, Ambi, while the final is set to be held on December 18.“We sincerely thank the BCCI for having faith in the Maharashtra Cricket Association and entrusting ...

Dubai, Dec 7 (IANS) Gaganjeet Bhullar has won each time he has teed up on the inaugural IGPL season. After three successes in Chandigarh, Jaypee Greens and Ahmedabad, Bhullar is all set to try and carry his form across the seas to Dubai and make it four in four. While icons Shiv Kapur and SSP Chawrasia have made previous appearances on the IGPL, this week Jeev Milkha Singh, a great proponent of new ideas in golf, make his debut on the IGPL Tour. Dubai is a city Jeev loves, and he has played here many times in the Desert Classic.Now it is milestone for the young IGPL, as it brings a long list of Indian golfing superstars to the Middle-East.“It is a big moment for IGPL, as we move abroad for the first time carrying a new Indian golf product. It has achieved a lot of success at home across th...

Brisbane, Dec 7 (IANS) England head coach Brendon McCullum said his side had over‑trained ahead of their heavy eight-wicket defeat to Australia in their second Ashes Test at the Gabba. Despite a defiant 96-run seventh wicket stand from Ben Stokes and Will Jacks on day four, England were outplayed across departments and are now 2-0 behind. [5:12 pm, 7/12/2025] Niharika Ians: "We had five to 10 training sessions leading into this game. Sometimes there is a tendency to overdo things to make up for it. If anything we trained too much. As we all know in this game it is played in the top two inches.""We all have to find a way that ensures that we feel prepared physically, technically and we are ready for the battle, but also to make sure we are fresh and make sure we can make those decisions in ...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has rejected Vinesh Phogat’s allegation of unfair treatment toward wrestler Nirmala Boora during the recent national trials, clarifying that Boora wished to compete under the Haryana Police banner, which is not affiliated with the federation, so how could she be permitted to participate in a state championship under such circumstances. Vinesh, who represents Julana constituency in the Haryana Assembly, took to social media on Saturday to put out a statement in support of Nirmala, saying denying Nirmala a chance to participate in the national trials was unfair."Nirmala Boora is a highly respected and accomplished athlete from Haryana... she was treated extremely unfairly during the National trials held in Haryana… Nirmala Boor...

Brisbane, Dec 7 (IANS) Australia captain Steve Smith hailed Michael Neser’s brilliant performance steering the hosts’ to an eight-wicket win over England at the Gabba, saying that the seam-bowling all-rounder was exceptional and he was delighted over him getting his maiden five‑wicket haul in Tests. Returning to Test cricket after more than three years, Neser picked figures of 1-43 and 5-41, his maiden five‑wicket haul, as Australia bowled out England for 241 and chased down 65 to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series."I'm pretty chilled now! It was good fun there. A great day of cricket. The guys toiled really hard there. It was a good partnership from Will Jacks and Ben Stokes but once we broke that we were able to get through and leave ourselves a chase of 60 odd so pleasing."“He did...

Brisbane, Dec 7 (IANS) After losing to Australia by eight wickets at the Gabba, England captain Ben Stokes said his side needs to show more fight to prevent defeats in further matches of the ongoing five-game series. On day four’s play, England showed rare resistance as Stokes hanged around for making 50 off 152 balls while Will Jacks contributed to 41 in a 96‑run seventh‑wicket stand. But once Jacks fell to a sharp catch from Steve Smith, England’s innings unraveled, as the last four wickets fall for 17 runs to leave England all out for 241.In reply, Australia chased down 65 with immaculate ease and take a 2-0 lead in the five-game series. "Very disappointing. I think a lot of it to me comes down to not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game, this format, when the game is o...

Brisbane, Dec 7 (IANS) Powered by Michael Neser’s maiden five-wicket haul, Australia strengthened their hold on the Ashes by securing an eight-wicket victory over England in the second Test at the Gabba on Sunday.On day four’s play, England briefly resisted with a 96-run partnership between captain Ben Stokes, who scored a fifty, and Will Jacks, who made 41. However, the lower order collapsed once Neser, drafted ahead of Nathan Lyon, delivered the decisive blows to take 5-41, leaving Australia to chase only 65 for victory.Australia’s pursuit of the target was swift, with Steve Smith’s unbeaten 23 off nine balls dashing any hopes of a late England comeback. The victory gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with the third Test set to start in Adelaide on December 17, followed b...