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New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) The Indian Golf Union (IGU) will send a three-member Indian team to compete in the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup next month at the Sentul Highlands Golf Club in Bogor, Indonesia. The event is scheduled from May 12 to 15.

The team will be led by 2025 Ladies Order of Merit champion Guntas Kaur Sandhu, who has been consistent in 2026 as well. The other members of the team are Haryana's Ceerat Kang and Keya Badugu of Delhi. Vandana Aggarwal will be accompanying the team as manager.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in association with The R&A (world golf rules governing body), a total of 15 countries including defending champions South Korea will be competing in the tournament – Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

2025 Ladies Order of Merit champion Guntas, who has been consistent in 2026 as well, has six wins under her belt and 17 top-10 finishes from 20 starts in the 2025-26 IGU season. She recently won the Ladies and Combined A&B category titles of the IGU West Bengal Ladies & Junior Girls Championship in April.

Guntas expressed her excitement about competing in the prestigious tournament, saying, "Representing the country is a huge honour. The Queen Sirikit Cup is a prestigious team event in amateur golf. It is a major event in my career as it gives me international exposure and opportunity to compete with the best players, work harder, stay focused and enhance my game. IGU has been extremely supportive in helping me improve my game."

The Queen Sirikit Cup, officially known as the Amateur Ladies Asia-Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championship and named after Thailand’s erstwhile queen, was inaugurated in 1979 and India has competed in this tournament ever since the inaugural edition that featured nine nations.

In 2023, Avani Prashanth won the individual title in the Queen Sirikit Cup, ending a 43-year title drought. "Avani Prashanth’s victory in 2023 is a big source of inspiration for me. Watching an Indian golfer achieve success at international stage gives me motivation and the belief that I can do it too,” the 15-year-old said.

Played over 54 holes, the event is made up of teams of three players with the best two daily scores being counted. The winning team receives an exemption into The R&A Girls Amateur.

Ceerat said that such events help her get out of her ‘comfort zone’ and express herself on different layouts. “I am excited to be participating in the Queen Sirikit Cup. It is something I have always looked forward to. It really helps me come out of my comfort zone in different conditions, different courses and against the best international players. I would like to thank the IGU as they have guided me throughout my golfing journey and helped me improve my game,” said the 19-year-old.

Terming the event a ‘special’ one in her career, Keya, 19, said, “It is the second time I am travelling with the Indian team. It is a special feeling to wear the Indian blazer and represent your country as a team in an event which has a rich history. I am really grateful to IGU for sending me to these international trips and giving me the necessary exposure to different events and conditions.”

The Queen Sirikit Cup has been the launchpad for many top international professional golfers like Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Sarah Kemp, Fiona Xu, Atthaya Thitikul, Seo Kyo-rim, Anna Parsons, among others.

--IANS

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Lucknow, May 6 (IANS) Bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will clash with the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 50th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are coming to the contest after losing six consecutive matches. In their most recent outing against the Mumbai Indians (MI), LSG lost by six wickets. With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they will aim to put up a strong performance against the visitors. LSG have played nine matches and won only two. They are currently placed at the 10th position in the points table with just four points.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are also coming to the contest after losing the match against the Gujarat Titans (GT) by four wickets. However, despite the loss, the team is placed second in the points table with six wins from nine matches. They would look to extend their lead and reach closer to the playoff berth after beating LSG, who are struggling for form.

LSG and RCB previously met each other on April 15, where Rajat Patidar led the side to crush LSG by five wickets at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB hold a clear edge over LSG in the head to head record as the 2025 champions have won five out of seven matches against LSG in IPL history, While Super Giants came victorious on just two occasions

When: Thursday, May 7, 7:30 PM IST

Where: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Where to watch: The LSG vs RCB match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game.

Squads:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh lyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.

Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (C), Aiden Markram, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahamad, Arshin Kulkarni, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ayush Badoni, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Anrich Nortje, Naman Tiwari, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan.

--IANS

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Suzhou (China), May 6 (IANS) India's U17 women’s team may have fallen 0-3 to Japan in their second Group B encounter at the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026, hope of reaching the knockout stage for the first-time ever is still alive as the team shifted its focus to the final group fixture against Lebonan.

While the result leaves India without points from two matches, their campaign remains very much alive. With Lebanon up next in the final group fixture, the qualification equation is more or less straightforward, a win could be enough to secure a historic quarter-final berth as one of the best third-placed teams.

India's main rivals for the best third-place slot are Group C sides Philippines and Chinese Taipei, who have a negative goal difference of 13 and 14, respectively. They will play each other on the last matchday, which means either side will need to win by a big margin to overhaul India's goal difference that currently stands at -5.

"No matter what happens, I will always be proud of these players. Since January, we have been working at 100 percent. At the end of the day, it’s football, and small details can decide things. I always tell the players to enjoy football and to be proud of themselves because we have worked very hard, often training twice a day. They must keep their heads high. Now, our focus shifts to Lebanon," Conti was quoted by AIFF.com.

Facing Japan for the first time ever at this level, a side with a decorated pedigree that includes four U17 Asian Cup and a World Cup title, India women approached the contest with a clear tactical plan, particularly in the defensive phase.

"I think it was a very good match from our side in the defensive phase. We knew Japan are a former world champion, four-time Asian champions and a global powerhouse at this level. It was normal that they would push forward strongly, and we knew we would suffer at times, but we handled it well,"

Despite Japan’s sustained possession and territorial advantage, clear openings, especially through the centre, were limited, reflecting the organisation and communication within the Indian backline.

"In the first half, they didn’t really threaten our goal, which is what we were aiming for. We tried to push a little higher, but their strength kept forcing us back. Still, tactically we were well organised, and that was the most important thing," Conti explained.

The Italian continued her captaincy rotation policy by handing the armband to centre-back Abhista Basnett after Julan Nongmaithem led the side in the opener. The 15-year-old, youngest member of the Indian squad, shared similar thoughts on the first half.

“I would say our team was brilliant in the first half because there was no space for Japan to take a shot. We didn’t concede any shots on target in the first half. We were very compact and had good communication. So overall, we played very well in the first half,” Abhista said.

However, the second half presented a different challenge. Japan’s sustained intensity and fresh legs off the bench eventually translated into goals, exposing moments where India’s transitions and defensive tracking fell short.

“During transitions, we were a bit slow. We weren’t tracking the opponents on the blind side, and that was our main mistake,” Abhista admitted.

Conti pointed to similar details as the difference-maker, while maintaining a broader perspective on the team's effort.

"In the second half, I think we also did well. It’s normal that physically we dropped a bit, unlike Japan, who maintained the same intensity. It was important for us not to concede too many goals, and that was our objective. Overall, I am happy.

"Could we have done more? I think we did everything we could. There isn't much more to ask. Maybe for the first goal, I need to review the entire play again, as there was likely a defensive error since the (Japanese) player came through the centre," she said.

--IANS

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Dubai, May 6 (IANS) Bangladesh players Towhid Hridoy, captain Litton Das, and bowlers Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam have improved their positions in the latest ICC T20I Player Rankings after performing well against New Zealand in a three-match T20I series at home.

The series ended 1-1, with one match washed out. Even though there was no winner, several players delivered strong performances and moved up in the rankings.

Hridoy, who was named Player of the Series, moved up two spots to 37th place among T20I batters after scoring 84 runs in two innings. Litton also improved slightly, moving up one place after scoring 26 runs in the final match in Mirpur.

India’s Abhishek Sharma continues to hold the number one ranking despite not playing international cricket since March 9. Ishan Kishan remains in second place, just four points behind him. Pakistan’s SahibZada Farhan is placed at third position with a point difference of 23 with Kishan.

Among bowlers, Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan moved up one spot to 17th, while Shoriful Islam made a big jump of nine places to reach 54th. While

For New Zealand, Ben Sears climbed 10 spots to 51st, and Ish Sodhi moved up four places to joint 88th. Sodhi also became the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the shortest format as he completed 165 wickets and surpassed Tim Southee, who has 164 wickets to his name.

There were also some changes in the ODI rankings after a tri-series involving Nepal, Oman, and the UAE.

Oman opener Jatinder Singh moved up seven places to joint 65th among ODI batters. His teammate Shakeel Ahmed rose nine spots to 31st in the bowlers’ rankings, making him one of the biggest movers.

Nepal also had something to celebrate, as Dipendra Singh Airee jumped 12 places to reach 31st among ODI all-rounders.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 fixture between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) could turn into a high-scoring thriller, with both sides showcasing similar strengths and match-winning potential.

The 49th match of IPL 2026, to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, holds great importance in the context of the points table. Punjab Kings are currently leading the standings with 13 points from nine matches, having registered six victories so far. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, are not far behind, sitting in third place with 12 points from 10 outings, including six wins and four defeats.

Sharing his views on the contest, Bangar pointed out that both teams possess aggressive batting units capable of posting massive totals. He noted that their top-order batters have been in excellent touch, which could set the stage for a run-fest.

“Both teams have the firepower to put up scores in excess of 220. Their combinations are quite alike, especially with strong top-order batting supported by quality pace bowling options,” Bangar told Jio Hotstar.

However, he also highlighted a common area of concern for both teams, suggesting that their performances in the middle overs could prove decisive. According to Bangar, whichever side manages to control that phase better is likely to gain the upper hand in the contest.

The former batting coach also singled out key players who could influence the outcome of the game. He identified Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Heinrich Klaasen and Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer as crucial figures, stressing that their contributions could play a pivotal role.

“With both teams aiming to recover from recent setbacks, this match promises to be closely fought. But given my association, I would lean slightly towards Punjab Kings,” he added.

PBKS and SRH clashed against each other earlier in the tournament. The Sunrisers were beaten significantly by six wickets in Mullanpur. However, they hold a dominant head-to-head record against the Punjab Kings in the IPL. Both teams have faced each other 25 times in the multi-team tournament. Out of these, SRH have won 17 matches, while PBKS have secured 8 victories.

--IANS

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Chennai, May 6 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey believes that wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson's calmness and match awareness helped youngster Kartik Sharma settle down during the chase as the duo forged a match-winning 114-run partnership against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Karthik, who came at a crucial phase during the chase as CSK lost back-to-back wickets, played a mature knock and remained unbeaten at 41 off 31 balls as CSK chased down a small target of 156 runs in just 17.3 overs.

Lauding the youngster's skills and temperament, Hussey also noted the benefit of having an experienced batter like Samson on the other end to help the 20-year-old batter in finishing the chase.

"I think it's really important for someone like Sanju with all his experience to be out there in the middle with a young player like Kartik, who's still learning his craft, really, just to keep him calm, talk him through the situation. But I thought Kartik showed a lot of maturity as well. He didn't panic when he was going at about a run a ball," Hussey said in a video released by IPL on X.

"It could have been easy to think I need to hit a few sixes here, but that's one of his real strengths. He's got good game sense and good batsmanship skills as well as some good power. And I truly believe that there's still a place in the modern game for guys that have good craft and be able to play the situation well, assess the conditions well, not just have power to be able to blast the ball out of the park," he added.

Meanwhile, after the win, CSK are currently placed at sixth position with 10 points in five matches. They will next face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 10.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 6 (IANS) Ahmedabad will host the IPL 2026 final, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for playoffs, marking the culmination of another exhilarating season.

After 70 league-stage matches, the playoffs begin with Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams in the standings, on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a direct berth in the final at stake.

The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to determine the second finalist.

"The season will conclude with the grand final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — the world’s largest cricket stadium — setting the stage for a spectacular finale. Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case," the BCCI said in a release.

The IPL final usually takes places at the home ground of the reigning champion, and in this case, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the previous edition, M Chinnaswamy would've hosted the summit clash. However, the BCCI stated that due to requirements from local authorities that fell 'beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols,' it would not be possible to hold the final in Bengaluru."

"Bengaluru was originally designated to host the final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned," the BCCI said.

Playoffs Schedule:

Qualifier 1: May 26 – HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala

Eliminator: May 27 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Qualifier 2: May 29 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Final: May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Akeal Hosein shared his preparation of bowling in the powerplay, revealing that former CSK star Dwayne Bravo advised him to be brave while bowling in the powerplay, where there are chances a spinner will get targeted by big hitters.

Hosein’s inclusion in the playing XI after three early defeats has coincided with a sharp turnaround in CSK’s fortunes – the latest of which got them a clinical eight-wicket win over DC. Hosein’s control in a power play reduced DC to 61/5, and that went a long way in CSK getting two crucial points.

"It’s about being brave. Dwayne Bravo told me, especially for spinners in the Powerplay, you’re going to get hit at some stage. The key is to remove that fear, trust your plans, and focus on your field placements. I also believe strongly in doing my homework and being well-prepared," Hosein told JioStar.

Super Kings made early inroads into the DC batting lineup, as the hosts were reduced to 69/5. Sameer Rizvi contributed 40 not out, while Tristan Stubbs scored 38 to help the hosts post 155/7.

In reply, Sanju Samson spearheaded the CSK's run chase. The right-hander scored an unbeaten 87*, with his knock studded with seven fours and six maximums. Kartik Sharma gave him excellent company, scoring a superb 41 not out.

Former England skipper Eoin Morgan highlighted Samson’s impact, saying the wicketkeeper-batter added more value to CSK's innings.

“I didn’t think his stock could get any higher, but he’s added even more value with this innings. The level of control he brings to the dressing room reflects experience and leadership, and he lets his performances do the talking. It was a joy to watch him marshal the run chase like a seasoned player, leading from the front while guiding a youngster like Karthik Sharma at the other end," he said.

The Samson-Kartik duo forged an undefeated alliance of 114 runs for the third wicket to help CSK past the finish line with 15 balls to spare.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar lauded Kartik’s growth and said the youngster fits perfectly at the No. 4 spot in CSK's lineup for the long term.

“He’s in the right franchise, one that gives young players opportunities without the pressure of immediate results. There’s a sense of security within the CSK setup, and he’s grown with every game. What stands out is his ability to play straight and back his strengths. That’s a key quality, and with time, he will only improve further. A player like him at No. 4 fits perfectly into CSK’s long-term plans," Bangar added while speaking on JioStar.

CSK have now posted their second win on the trot and currently occupy the sixth spot in the points table, only two points behind the four teams ranked from second to fifth.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta heaped praise on wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson for his consistency and match-winning ability after his unbeaten 87 helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) register a dominant 8-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (DC), saying this is the "best version of Samson" people have been wanting to see for a few years now.

Samson, who started IPL 2026 with three single-digit scores, turned things around from the next match and is now the top scorer of the team. He has so far scored 402 runs in ten innings at an average of 57.42 and a strike rate of 167.50.

According to Deep, things have changed since the T20 World Cup 2026, where he played match-winning knocks in the semi-final and final, and this is the best version of Samson that the cricket fraternity is seeing.

"This is the version of Sanju Samson we've been wanting to see for quite a few years now. So, every season you see a couple of those innings and go 'wow, what a player!' but then it would only end up being those couple of innings. But now, starting from the World Cup, he's been so consistent," he told ESPNCricinfo.

Propelled by a disciplined bowling effort that strangled the hosts on a tricky surface, CSK restricted DCto a modest 155 for 7. In response, Samson anchored the chase with his unbeaten 87 to ensure the visitors comfortably hunted down the target with 15 deliveries to spare.

"This is the only fifty he's got. Every time he goes past fifty, he gets a hundred, and he stays not out. Again, he does not stay out on 87, brilliant innings. It just seemed like he was playing on a different surface," he added.

Samson has played a big role in CSK's comeback to the playoff race in IPL 2026. With the help of his knocks, CSK are currently placed at the sixth position with 10 points in as many matches with five wins.

--IANS

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Auckland, May 6 (IANS) New Zealand Cricket has announced a squad comprising a host of emerging talent for the Women's A tour to Sri Lanka. The tour includes three one-day matches and three T20s, starting from May 12 in Dambulla.

Canterbury men’s assistant coach Brendon Donkers will lead the coaching unit, alongside Northern Brave Women’s head coach Peter Borren, and NZC pathway coach Sara McGlashan.

The squad features seven players with international experience in Kayley Knight, Jess Watkin, Bella Armstrong, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Kate Anderson and Bella James.

Top-order batter Anderson was recently awarded the Ruth Martin Cup for domestic batting at the NZC Awards after making 776 runs across the season, including 560 at an average of 70 in the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield.

Prue Catton will join Anderson in the batting department after playing a crucial role in the Hearts Super Smash campaign and finishing the competition as one of the top run scorers.

Off-spinner Xara Jetly, the second-highest wicket-taker in both the domestic one-day and T20 competitions, has earned her maiden New Zealand A call up after claiming 35 wickets for the Blaze this summer, including career-best List A figures of 6-39.

Pace bowler Marama Downes finished second equal to Jetly in the Super Smash leading wicket-taking chart also earning herself a maiden New Zealand A call up.

Seamer Emma Black adds her domestic experience to the pace bowling ranks off the back of another memorable season where she led the HBJ Shield wicket-taking charts with 21 wickets.

The squad depart to Sri Lanka on May 7 ahead of their first One Day match in Dambulla

This will be the first women’s New Zealand A tour to Asia providing the opportunity to test the next best women’s cricketers in subcontinent conditions.

NZC head of women’s high performance Liz Green said it was a busy winter for New Zealand’s top female talent.

“Sri Lanka’s going to be a really exciting tour for this group of talented athletes," said Green. “We know playing opportunities are crucial for player development, so it’s really pleasing to know we’ll have 15 players in England with the white Ferns and 15 players in Sri Lanka with New Zealand A, all at the same time."

Green said selecting the New Zealand A squad wasn’t easy. “The selection process was one of the most competitive to date. There were a number of impressive performers we saw this summer, which gave us a lot to think about.

"There’s varying levels of experience in this squad, and they’ve all shown skills consistent with what’s needed at the international level, so it should make for an exciting series."

--IANS

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