SPORTS

Melbourne, Oct 31 (IANS) Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma’s 68 off 37 balls was the lone bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming Indian batting display, as the visitors’ were bowled out for 125 in 18.4 overs in the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.India’s innings never quite recovered from a top-order collapse triggered by Josh Hazlewood, who picked a sensational 3-13 by extracting seam movement and bounce and maintaining a probing length that left the visitors’ reeling in powerplay.Amidst all this, Abhishek mixed power with placement and found gaps with ease in his counterattacking knock laced with eight fours and two sixes. He also stitched a 56-run stand with Harshit Rana, who was promoted to number seven and made it count by making 35 off 33 b...

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Former India cricketer VVS Laxman lauded batter Jemimah Rodrigues for her "resilience and mental strength" after she opened up about battling anxiety during the early stage of the ongoing Women’s World Cup.After guiding India's highest successful run-chase in women’s ODI history to knock out Australia in the semifinal with her breathtaking 127 not out, Jemimah revealed that she went through anxiety during the early phase of the tournament and used to call her mother and cry to cope with the pressure.Commending her character, Laxman said true mental toughness and aggression are reflected in the ability to stand tall in adversity."This is what mental toughness, killer instinct and true aggression look like. It’s about standing tall when adversity hits and backing you...

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) The stage is set for the grand finale of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12, with the top two teams in the league preparing to battle it out for the ultimate prize. After nearly two months of intense competition, thrilling comebacks, and record-breaking performances, the stage is now set for Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C to be crowned champions at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Friday. The two teams were level on points (26) at the end of the league stage, with Aslam Inamdar’s Puneri Paltan securing first place on points difference. The two teams have faced off thrice this season, with all three games being decided in the tiebreaker.However, Dabang Delhi K.C. hold the advantage in the head-to-head record this season, with Ashu Malik’s team clinching two n...

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) A century ago, on November 7, 1925, Indian hockey became affiliated with the FIH - and what followed was not merely the rise of a sport, but the birth of national pride. Within three years came Amsterdam 1928, and with it a historic Olympic gold that announced India as a hockey superpower. Over the decades that followed, the tricolour dominated the world stage, earning eight Olympic golds - the most by any nation in hockey history - along with one silver and four bronze medals.It has been a journey of brilliance, testing phases, and stirring comebacks. The golden era from 1928–1959 shaped India’s sporting identity; the 1980s and 90s challenged its legacy; and then came the resurgence - highlighted by the iconic Tokyo 2020 bronze and reaffirmed at Paris 2024 with a...

Navi Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said her mindset while sharing a match-winning partnership with centurion Jemimah Rodrigues to get five-wicket win over Australia in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final was to stay together for around 30-40 overs and that the game would change in their favour. Jemimah hit an unbeaten 127 as India chased down a record 339 at the DY Patil Stadium to oust reigning seven-time champions Australia on Thursday. India will now face South Africa in the final at the same venue on Sunday, as both teams attempt to win the trophy for the first time.“When I went in to bat, Jemi was already there and she was playing at 20-30 runs. She was telling me that if we both stay for at least 30-40 overs, then this match will change. So our mindset wa...

Melbourne, Oct 31 (IANS) Australia and India players, match officials and staffers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) are wearing black armbands in memory of 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin, who died in Melbourne after being hit by the ball on the neck during training. Players of both the teams also observed the moment of silence before the play started. Austin died after being hit in the neck while facing a ball-throwing device in a nets session at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, before playing a local T20 game. Austin was rushed to hospital in critical condition but passed away at Monash Children's Hospital."The tribute will include: At approximately 15 minutes before play, both teams will stand with match officials and representatives from Ben’s Cricket Clubs, Cric...

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan expressed grief and extended condolences on the death of 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who succumbed to injuries sustained during a training session in Melbourne.Austin was facing balls in the nets ahead of a T20 match when he was struck in the neck by a ball during training at Ferntree Gully, in front of his teammates. Despite being rushed to the hospital and placed on life support, he passed away on Thursday, leaving his family, teammates, and the wider cricket community devastated.“No words can ease the pain of losing someone so young. Ben Austin was only 17, with dreams yet to take flight. Thinking of his loved ones and the entire cricket family in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Ben,” Dhawan wrote on X.The ...

Navi Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) Former India captain Mithali Raj credited flawless Jemimah Rodrigues for a stunning century against Australia in the Women’s World Cup semi-final at DY Patil Stadium on Thursday, which led the hosts to the summit clash. It was a sensational batting display from the local girl, who struck 14 boundaries, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur also played a crucial innings of 89, and also stitched a 167-run partnership with the former that laid the foundation of India’s historic chase of 339.“Well, this is exactly what a fitting semi-final in a World Cup should be, two top teams, India and Australia, going head-to-head. The storytelling continues. Jemimah Rodrigues’ knock was one for the ages, especially in a high-pressure semi-final where India needed individuals to rise t...

Navi Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was in full praise of her side and lauded the consistent hardwork and consistency that led them to the Women's World Cup final against South Africa, beating the seven-time champions Australia India pulled off a stunning batting display led by local girl Jemimah Rodrigues, who struck an unbeaten 127, to power the side to a historic chase in the tournament's history and seal the final berth. She got support from the captain too, who played a knock of 89 and stitched a crucial partnership of 167 runs that enabled India to chase 339 with nine balls to spare.“Scoring 300-plus runs regularly in ODIs doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of consistent hard work and intent. Sir (Amol Muzumdar) has been there day and night, pushing us t...

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Manuel Frederick, the stalwart goalkeeper from the golden era of Indian hockey and a member of the Indian team that clinched the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, passed away on Friday at the age of 78.Frederick holds the distinction of being the first Keralite to win an Olympic medal. A fiercely committed custodian of the goalpost, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, discipline and humility that continues to inspire generations of players and supporters alike.Born in Burnassery, Kannur, in 1947, Frederick’s journey in sport as a striker in football and a goalkeeper in hockey when he was recruited to the Army’s school team in Bengaluru. His club career saw him represent ASC and HAL in Karnataka, as well as Services, Uttar Pradesh and the iconic Mohun B...