Sports

Bengaluru, May 4 (IANs) The Indian women’s hockey team’s special goalkeeping camp, conducted by David Williamson under the supervision of chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, concluded at SAI, Bengaluru. The 11-day camp ran from April 22, enabling focused, high-performance training for the goalkeepers of the Indian team.

Senior goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo attended the sessions, allowing them to focus extensively on technical basics, decision-making, defensive organisation, and tactical awareness in match situations as the team prepares for major tournaments in the upcoming international calendar.

Speaking on the benefits of these kinds of focused camps for goalkeepers, Savita said, “Being a goalkeeper, I’ve always experienced that these kinds of camps help you learn a lot, while polishing and improving your skills. We recreate match-like situations in training and have plenty of discussions. That level of attention to detail in the camp helps us feel more comfortable when we face similar situations during matches. So, these specialised camps are always important and we’d like to thank Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, for their support.”

Sharing her experience as the senior player in the camp, Savita also shed light on how she embraces that role while mentoring the younger goalkeepers. “Being a senior player, I have to ensure that I don't only focus on my own performance but also pay attention to the young keepers and motivate them.”

“I’m always looking at how they’re doing and how I can guide them in little details, based on my experience. I’m always trying to keep a good environment because I believe that when you’re training in the right kind of environment, you want to do well. So, it’s about keeping everyone motivated and pushing them to do even better. Sometimes, we were really tired at the end of these sessions but overcoming that is part of the mindset as we try to make the most of these camps,” she added.

Bichu Devi Kharibam, who has already earned 60 senior caps for India, also spoke about the importance of such camps and how they help in preparation for major tournaments coming up this year. She said, “This camp was very important for us as we look to prepare for major upcoming tournaments this year. We’ve focused on improving our fitness, while also ensuring that our defensive structure on the field remains solid in match situations.”

Elaborating on some of her key learnings from the camp, Bichu Devi added, “Throughout the camp, there was focus on the defensive side of things. It’s not only about the structure and shape at the back, but also about ensuring communication. The attention to details helps improve performances as a goalkeeper.”

Meanwhile, Bansari Solanki, who has also made four appearances for the Indian senior side so far, was thrilled with the experience and nature of such camps. Sharing her key learnings, she stated, “The key learnings for me throughout the camp would be decision making under pressure, guiding and organising the defence, and staying as calm as possible while on field. Staying in control of these things allows a goalkeeper to bring more consistency.”

Also sharing an insight into how David Williamson and Sjoerd Marijne approached the camp, Solanki mentioned, “We had good goalkeeper sessions in this camp with David. We worked on making our basics stronger and highlighted some minor adjustments which can help us make big differences in our game. Meanwhile, with Sjoerd sir, we worked more on the tactical side of things - our skills, set pieces, and defensive work on penalty corners. His sessions were more focused on understanding the different situations of the game and organising the defence accordingly.”

--IANS

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Port Louis, May 4 (IANS) A promising start turned into a challenging finish for the Indian contingent as they slipped down the leaderboard in the final round of the 2026 MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius. Despite strong performances in the opening days, the trio could not maintain momentum on Day 3.

Diksha Dagar, who began confidently with rounds of 68 and 69, faltered with a 74 in the final round to finish tied 21st. Her round included a lone birdie on the ninth, but dropped shots on the first, 10th, and 15th holes cost her a higher finish.

Tvesa Malik also experienced a dip in form. After carding 70 and 71 in the earlier rounds, she posted a 73 to end tied 38th. Hitaashee Bakshi, who had impressed with rounds of 71 and 69, struggled the most on the final day, shooting a 76 and slipping to tied 58th.

While the Indian players faced setbacks, Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby delivered a composed performance to secure her second Ladies European Tour title. She emerged as the inaugural champion of the MCB Ladies Classic with a dramatic birdie on the final hole at the Legend Course, Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Soenderby finished the tournament at 14-under-par after a final-round 67. Her round began steadily with three pars, followed by a bogey on the fourth. She quickly recovered, producing an eagle on the sixth hole and adding birdies on the ninth and 10th to climb into contention.

Maintaining her composure on the back nine, she added another birdie on the 13th, briefly stumbled with a bogey on the 14th, but responded strongly with birdies on the 15th and the decisive 18th. Her final putt sealed a memorable victory, with her mother Kirsten serving as her caddie.

Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjäll delivered an impressive bogey-free 66 to set the clubhouse target at 13-under-par, eventually sharing second place with South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, who matched the score after a strong finish featuring a birdie on the 16th and an eagle on the last hole.

Italy’s Anna Zanusso produced one of the standout rounds of the tournament, firing a flawless 63—the lowest round recorded on the course—to claim solo fourth place. A group of five players, including Alice Hewson, Agathe Laisne, Kirsten Rudgeley, Alexandra Forsterling, and Celina Sattelkau, finished tied for fifth at 10-under-par.

The Ladies European Tour will now pause for a week before resuming with the Amundi German Masters in Hamburg from May 14–17.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is steadily recovering from a calf injury, but Chennai Super Kings bowling consultant Eric Simons confirmed that he has not travelled with the squad to New Delhi for their upcoming IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals, to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

“An update on MS Dhoni is way above my pay grade. He is not with us but steadily improving. He will be ready when he is ready and he knows when he is ready to play. No, he hasn’t travelled with the team,” Simons said in the pre-match press conference.

Dhoni hasn’t featured in a single game this season, with his last IPL appearance coming against Gujarat Titans on May 25 in the 2025 edition. Five-time champions CSK, meanwhile, sit at sixth place on the points table with four wins from nine games.

The equation is straightforward for CSK - they need at least four more victories from their remaining fixtures to stay in the hunt for the playoffs. A positive thing for CSK has been that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was among the runs in the past two games via unbeaten knocks of 74 and 67 respectively.

Describing Gaikwad as a ‘surgeon in this world of chaos batting,’ Simons noted that the right-handed opener has found his rhythm again. “We have been clear about the leadership group and he’s clearly the leader of the team. It was just again a case of when he gets his runs. He has had some tough innings in the sense that we have been in trouble.

“The wickets have been tough and he has battled through them. I think that is the hallmark of a really quality batsman – that he doesn't score runs on good wickets. For me I have always called him a surgeon in this world of chaos batting.

“He is the kind of guy that gets 50 runs in 22 balls and you haven't noticed him. We are starting to see that part of him again. The leadership has always been there. He has always been the captain. It is good that he is now scoring runs but there was never a doubt that he was going to,” elaborated Simons.

While the likes of Sanju Samson, Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma have come to the run-making party, Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis are yet to hit substantial knocks. Dube has offered glimpses of his hitting power, but has been patchy in consistency while making 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140.

Brevis, meanwhile, is yet to find rhythm in IPL 2026 - managing only 64 runs across four knocks, averaging 16 with a strike rate of 121 – after missing initial few matches due to a side strain. “Nothing is really ailing them. In this tournament, we have seen top players struggle for a bit before playing a breakout innings.

“With the quality those two individuals bring, it is just a case of when it happens rather than if it happens. So there is not an over concern around it. It is just the way it happens in this tournament - games come quick and fast.

“They play in a tough period of the game and you can go out there and try and accelerate the run rates and get out and before you know it two or three innings have gone by. They are both very, very experienced cricketers and very good cricketers with great records. It is just a case of when they come right,” added Simons.

--IANS

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Doral (Florida), May 4 (IANS) Sahith Theegala ended his week on a high note with a brilliant closing performance, climbing the leaderboard and regaining confidence despite an otherwise inconsistent outing at the Cadillac Championship.

While Theegala’s late push drew attention, it was Cameron Young who delivered a commanding performance from start to finish, securing a convincing victory.

Theegala carded a flawless 8-under 64 in the final round, matching his best score of the season. After opening with a steady 69, he struggled in the middle rounds with scores of 76 and 74, which pushed him down the standings.

However, his strong finish propelled him up 33 spots to a tie for 30th place. The round not only improved his position but also offered a much-needed boost as he continues working his way back toward the top tier of world rankings.

Starting on the back nine, Theegala picked up early momentum with birdies on the 12th and 16th holes. He found the rhythm on the front nine, which was his second nine, where he added six birdies. He birdied the first, second and the fifth and then added an impressive stretch of three consecutive gains to close his round. The bogey-free effort highlighted his potential when in full control.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju also made a notable move, finishing alongside Theegala at tied-30th after a clean round of 68 that included four birdies and no dropped shots.

Meanwhile, Akshay Bhatia experienced a mixed day. Despite recording an eagle on the par-4 16th and adding four birdies, two double bogeys and three other bogeys resulted in a 1-over 73, dropping him to tied-23rd after starting the day inside the top 10.

At the top of the leaderboard, Cameron Young showcased consistency and composure throughout the tournament. Even after calling a one-stroke penalty on himself early in the final round, he remained unfazed.

His closing 4-under 68 brought him to 19-under for the week, giving him a comfortable six-shot victory. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished second once again, marking his third consecutive runner-up result.

The tournament conditions were impacted by early morning rain, which softened the notoriously challenging Blue Monster course and led to a delayed start. Preferred lies were in effect, making scoring slightly easier than usual.

Elsewhere, Ben Griffin secured third place, while Si Woo Kim, Sepp Straka, and Adam Scott shared fourth. Scott’s strong weekend performance may have helped him secure a place in the upcoming U.S. Open, potentially marking his 100th consecutive appearance in a major championship.

--IANS

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Madrid, May 4 (IANS) Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk scripted the biggest moment of her career by clinching her maiden WTA 1000 title, capping a dominant run on clay and surging to a new career-high ranking of World No. 15 in the latest WTA Rankings.

Kostyuk, who dropped just one set through the tournament, continues a strong 2026 season after earlier reaching the Brisbane final. Her Madrid triumph marks her third career title and second consecutive crown, underlining a resurgence following an injury-disrupted start to the year. Notably, she now boasts five Top 10 wins this season, putting her level with Aryna Sabalenka and just behind Elena Rybakina in that metric.

Teen sensation Mirra Andreeva also enjoyed a significant boost, rising to World No. 7 after finishing runner-up in Madrid, her third WTA 1000 final and first on clay. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek climbed back into the Top 3 despite an early exit due to illness.

Several players broke new ground with career-best rankings following impressive performances. American Hailey Baptiste climbed to No. 25 after reaching the semifinals, highlighted by a stunning upset of World No. 1 Sabalenka in which she saved six match points. Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian rose to No. 29, while Ann Li entered the Top 30 at No. 30 after a strong showing that included a win over Swiatek via retirement.

Among the standout stories was Anastasia Potapova, who became the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal in decades, jumping to No. 38 after defeating Rybakina en route. Fellow Americans Caty McNally and Argentina’s Solana Sierra also made notable gains, while former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova continued her comeback from injury, climbing sharply in the rankings after a quarterfinal appearance.

Elsewhere, Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee broke into the Top 100 for the first time, becoming only the fourth player from her country to achieve the feat.

On the WTA 125 circuit, former Top 10 player Daria Kasatkina lifted the title in La Bisbal d’Emporda, while Moyuka Uchijima, Katarzyna Kawa and Fiona Ferro also emerged victorious in their respective events.

In doubles, Katerina Siniakova reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking after winning the Madrid title alongside Taylor Townsend, marking their third successive WTA 1000 crown as a pair.

The Madrid Open has thus reshaped the rankings landscape, with emerging talents and experienced names alike making strong statements ahead of the remainder of the clay-court season.

--IANS

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Chennai, May 4 (IANS) Chennaiyin FC will be aiming to build momentum in the closing stages of their Indian Super League 2026 campaign when they travel to take on Punjab FC on Wednesday. With just three matches left in the season, the Marina Machans are focused on finishing strongly and carrying that impetus forward.

With two of their final three fixtures coming away from home, the clash against Punjab presents an important opportunity to set the tone for the run-in. The two sides have shared a closely contested record in recent meetings.

Chennaiyin registered a 2-1 win in their last meeting, while across the last five encounters, the Marina Machans have won two and drawn one, underlining the competitive nature of this fixture.

Looking ahead to the match, head coach Clifford Rayes Miranda emphasised the need to defend well against a challenging side.

“About Punjab, everyone knows they are a very good team going forward. Their strongest players are in the offensive third. They also have some very good Indian players. We know it’s going to be difficult, and we know they are a threat, especially when they play direct. They move the ball quickly, trying to split teams open and find their attackers early. From there, they rely on strong, powerful individuals. So, we need to defend well—really defend well as a group,” he said in his pre-match press conference on Monday.

Amid a difficult season, Chennaiyin have remained focused on building a clear identity under Miranda. Reflecting on that process, the head coach said, “We know exactly what we are trying to build, and I believe we are on the right path. This isn’t a normal season where you have a long pre-season and more time to implement ideas. When you try to do something different from what the team has been used to, it takes time. But I can already see the progress. We are clear about what we are trying to do.”

Joining Miranda at the pre-match press conference was defender Klusner Pereira, who addressed his debut and the difference between the top and the lower tiers of Indian football.

“I’m happy with my debut, although I had to come off with a small injury. I’m giving my best every day in training, and it’s been good working with this team. There are so many quality players, so the competition is strong. That pushes me to work hard every day and get back into the team,” Klusner said. “At this level, there is naturally more pressure, but football is always the same. No matter the level, winning requires the same mentality. That doesn’t change.”

With the season approaching its conclusion, Chennaiyin will look to make the most of their remaining fixtures as they continue to build towards the future. Miranda highlighted the same while underlining his and the team’s goals for the immediate and the long-term future.

“The most important thing is to understand the way we want to play, and that will not change until the last game. Of course, results matter, we want to win the remaining three matches. It won’t be easy, but we have to keep working hard, stay dedicated, and give 100 percent. We need to stay positive, step onto the pitch with the right mindset, while staying together as a unit, regardless of the result. Ultimately, we want to finish as high as possible,” the head coach said.

Lastly, Miranda confirmed he will have the whole team, barring Elsinho, available for selection, including the now-recovered Farukh Choudhary.

--IANS

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Malmo (Sweden), May 4 (IANS) Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi returned to the world’s top 10 after registering a crucial victory over Sweden’s Nils Grandelius in the third round of the TePe Sigeman & Co 2026 chess tournament.

The win not only marked Arjun’s first triumph of the event but also lifted him into a share of the lead alongside Magnus Carlsen, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Yagiz Erdogmus and Andy Woodward, all of whom are tied on two points after three rounds.

Coming into the tournament on the back of a difficult outing at the Masters earlier this year, where he endured a dip in form, Arjun appears to have rediscovered his rhythm. He began his campaign in Malmo with solid draws against top opposition, including Carlsen, before breaking through with a convincing performance against Grandelius.

Playing with the white pieces, Arjun entered an Open Sicilian, where Grandelius opted for the sharp Dragon Variation. The Indian responded with an aggressive setup inspired by a recent high-level encounter.

“I could only recall Vaishali’s last-round win from the Candidates, and I remember even though Black was trying to create some attack, her king was quite safe with this bishop on b3, so I thought I’ll put the bishop on b3 and try to take it from there,” Arjun was quoted by Chess.com.

Adopting a similar plan, he launched a direct kingside initiative with opposite-side castling, gradually building pressure and converting his advantage to secure the full point. The victory pushed his live rating to 2755.4, taking him back into the World No. 9 spot.

Elsewhere in the round, Turkish prodigy Yagiz Erdogmus continued his impressive run with a win over China’s Zhu Jiner, the only female participant in the tournament. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated clash between Carlsen and Abdusattorov ended in a draw, as did the encounter between Jorden van Foreest and Woodward.

With the tournament finely poised, the fourth round on Monday promises key matchups. Arjun will face Abdusattorov in a crucial contest that could shape the leaderboard, while Carlsen takes on Van Foreest and Erdogmus meets Grandelius.

Having regained momentum and confidence, Arjun will look to build on this result as he eyes a strong finish in the tournament and further consolidation within the world’s elite.

--IANS

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Dubai, May 4 (IANS) Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third women’s T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Saturday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that the Bangladesh skipper was found to have breached Article 2.2, which relates to the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match".

The incident took place during the Bangladesh innings when Nigar, visibly frustrated after being dismissed, threw her bat onto the ground before leaving the field. In addition to the formal reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Nigar’s disciplinary record.

This marks her first offence within a 24-month period. “Nigar admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” said the ICC in its statement on Monday.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Champa Chakma. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

Under ICC regulations, demerit points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months from the date of imposition. If a player reaches four or more demerit points within that period, they are converted into suspension points, leading to a ban. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, depending on the player's schedule.

Coming to the match, Sri Lanka completed a clinical 3-0 series sweep of Bangladesh after clinching a rain-shortened third T20I by three runs. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded the victory with a stellar all-round performance - top-scoring with 41 runs before returning to claim 2-15.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has hailed Jason Holder’s ‘outstanding’ spell of 4-24 playing a vital part in Gujarat Titans beating Punjab Kings by four wickets in IPL 2026, adding that the all-rounder’s success was down to him being disciplined with his lengths at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

That spell also ensured Holder won successive Player-of-the-Match awards for GT, who are now on a three-match winning streak. "Jason Holder was outstanding because of his discipline with length. He consistently hit that hard length, right around the six-to-eight metre mark, which made life difficult for the batters.

"With his height, the extra bounce becomes a real challenge; the ball climbs onto the splice and is hard to control. He didn’t offer width either. So, there were very few scoring opportunities. On top of that, he mixed in his variations smartly and even got some sideways movement later in the innings. It was a complete spell, perfectly suited to the conditions," said McClenaghan on JioHotstar.

He also weighed in on left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan making 57 off 41 balls, adding that his dominance with the bat in a chase of 164 was aided by a lack of tactical flexibility from the Punjab Kings bowling line-up. “Sai Sudharsan is in excellent form. Once he gets going, he tends to carry that momentum through the innings. What stood out was his composure in challenging conditions.

“He built key partnerships and ensured the chase stayed on track. From Punjab Kings’ perspective, they didn’t quite adjust their plans to him. They allowed him to access his strengths, especially square of the wicket, and kept offering pace, which suited him.

“At this level, you need to adapt to the batter, even if conditions suggest otherwise. He never really had to step out of his comfort zone and controlled the game throughout,” he added.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, May 4 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s young all-rounder Jacob Bethell says observing seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli has helped him grasp the nuances of chasing in T20 cricket, as the Englishman continues to grow into his role in the IPL.

Now in his second season with the franchise, the 23-year-old reflected on his journey from Barbados to one of the biggest stages in world cricket. “I grew up in Barbados, always with a bat and ball. Around 10–12, I started taking it seriously. I moved to England for school, progressed to Warwickshire, and signed my first contract in 2021. A stress fracture set me back, but I came back strong, earned an England call-up, and then arrived in Bengaluru,” Bethell said, outlining his path to the IPL.

Adjusting to the attention that comes with playing in India has been a unique experience for the youngster. “The limelight is a funny thing, life is still the same, but when people want to watch you play, it’s a privilege. I don’t know how many people in India would be calling me Starboy. It’s pretty incredible,” he added.

Bethell admitted that stepping into the IPL required a shift in mindset, particularly given the pace and intensity of the competition. "When I got to RCB, I was curious about the experience. Watching Virat, Rajat, and speaking to DK, I realised the game shifts here. It’s played at a high tempo; you have to be aggressive and brave," he noted.

Elaborating on Kohli’s influence, Bethell highlighted the importance of composure in run chases. "Watching Virat chase, you understand the art of batting, how to control a chase and stay not out. It’s about shifting gears based on the situation,” he observed, pointing to the value of adaptability in high-pressure scenarios.

He also spoke about the deep-rooted cricket culture in India, which he believes contributes to players’ development. “People here love talking about cricket. It’s more hands-on, with more information shared. The passion and volume of cricket at a young age is incredible,” Bethell said.

Working alongside experienced coaches has further sharpened his game awareness. “Andy observes and speaks only when needed; you listen when he does. DK is excellent at spotting things and identifying scoring areas quickly,” he remarked, referring to head coach Andy Flower and mentor Dinesh Karthik.

Looking ahead, Bethell emphasised his desire to keep improving in the tournament. “I wanted to be better than last year. Whether you play a few games or many, it’s about hunger. This is the marquee tournament, if you don’t improve here, when will you?” he said.

He also recalled the intensity of playing in front of RCB’s passionate fanbase. “Walking out with Virat, hearing the crowd, it was loud. You have to stay completely switched on,” he added.

Backing the youngster, head coach Andy Flower praised Bethell’s temperament and potential. “My first sight of Bethell was in the Under-19 World Cup, a very talented batsman with real flair. We targeted him straight away. He’s got a mature cricketing brain and won’t be cowed or bullied by anyone, which is a trait you see in top players,” Flower said.

Highlighting his ability to process information effectively, Flower added, “One of the key skills at this level is filtering information well, and he does that exceptionally. The IPL and RCB environment will stand him in really good stead, I expect great things from him. He’s ready not just to compete with the best, but to thrive in that company.”

As Bethell continues to adapt and evolve, his exposure to high-level cricket and mentorship within the RCB setup appears to be shaping him into a confident and versatile performer.

--IANS

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