Sports

Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS) Bengaluru FC, one of India's top football clubs, has signed Montenegrin striker Mihailo Perovic, who joins the Blues ahead of the upcoming 2026–27 Indian Super League (ISL) season.

The 29-year-old will arrive in India having established himself as one of Eastern Europe's most travelled and experienced strikers — a player who has competed across six countries and two continents before choosing Bengaluru.

Born in Podgorica, Montenegro, Perović began his professional career at Hungarian club Újpest FC, before going on to represent Vozdovac in Serbia, Budućnost Podgorica in Montenegro, Zorya Lugansk in Ukraine, and NK Olimpija in Slovenia, before heading back to Montenegro with FK Iskra and FK Jezero.

His most recent stint in Indonesia with Persebaya Surabaya — where he registered 6 goals and 1 assist in the 2025–26 Super League season—demonstrated his ability to thrive in Asian football conditions, making his move to the Indian Super League a natural and calculated one.

Speaking on his transfer, Perović said, “When I heard about the project with Bengaluru FC, I was more than happy to accept it because I wanted to have a new challenge in a different country. I am really looking forward to this chapter in India, and I cannot wait to get started".

BFC head coach Pep Muñoz also shared his thoughts on the club’s latest signing. “Mihailo is a player who fits perfectly with how we want to build the team for the coming season. He is an intense, physical, and imposing striker with experience in Europe and Indonesia, but most importantly, he's a team player. We're glad to have him at the club and look forward to welcoming him soon."

Bengaluru FC, founded in 2013 with the vision of bringing professional football to the forefront in Bengaluru, has set new standards in Indian football, winning the ISL.

The club was established by the JSW Group with the aim not only to form a competitive football team but also to foster a footballing culture in the city of Bengaluru, the state of Karnataka, and beyond.

In their journey so far, Bengaluru FC have won numerous accolades, including two I-League titles, an Indian Super League (ISL) title and a historic run in the AFC Cup, which saw us become the only Indian team to reach the final.

--IANS

bsk/

Kolkata, Aug 19 (IANS) Mohamad Basim Rashid converted the decisive spot-kick to help East Bengal FC prevail over Sporting Club Delhi 5-3 via penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time in the first semifinal of the 135th Durand Cup, booking their place in the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

In a tense contest that saw both sides create opportunities but fail to break the deadlock, goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill emerged as the hero for the Red and Gold Brigade, first denying Rodriguinho from the spot during regulation time before saving Juan Sebastian Peña’s penalty in the shootout.

East Bengal will face the winner of the second semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and NorthEast United FC, which will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.

SC Delhi head coach Tomasz Tchórz opted for his usual 3-5-2 formation, with Joseph Sunny and Rodriguinho leading the attack and Peña operating in central midfield. East Bengal head coach Antonio López Habas deployed a 4-4-1-1, with Dani Ramírez Fernández operating behind lone striker Jesin T.K. Thonikkara.

The opening exchanges were played at a brisk pace, with both teams looking to establish control. Peña tested the East Bengal defence early with a long-range effort, but his attempt sailed well wide.

East Bengal responded almost immediately. Edmund Lalrindika produced a clever backheel to release Jesin down the left, and the forward delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Bipin Singh made a run from the opposite flank but could not connect with the delivery.

East Bengal gradually began pressing higher and winning possession, with Edmund particularly influential in midfield. SC Delhi remained compact, with Lalrinliana Hnamte repeatedly dropping back to support the defence. The Red and Gold Brigade came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute when Basim Rashid's free-kick from the left struck the crossbar. A minute later, another clever combination between Edmund and Dani Ramírez created an opening for Rashid, but his effort was blocked by Hnamte.

Jesin then came within inches of putting East Bengal ahead when he won possession on the edge of the SC Delhi box and fired towards goal, only for the effort to strike the outside of the crossbar. SC Delhi continued to threaten on the counter, while captain Lamgoulen Semkholun produced an important defensive intervention to stop a rapid East Bengal break led by Jesin.

The capital side had their best opportunity of the half in the 33rd minute. Rodriguinho produced excellent footwork to evade Sandip Mandi inside the box, but the East Bengal defender brought him down, and SC Delhi were awarded a penalty.

Rodriguinho stepped up to take responsibility, but Prabhsukhan Singh Gill guessed correctly, diving to his left to make an excellent save and preserve the deadlock.

East Bengal continued to control possession after surviving the penalty scare. Manoj Mohammad produced an important interception to break up another attack, while Nora Fernandes comfortably collected a long-range effort from Edmund.

Bipin Singh then fired into the side netting before Edmund and Rashid both missed the target with further attempts. Edmund had another opportunity inside the box in stoppage time but could not find the near post.

SC Delhi also had one final chance before the interval when Joseph Sunny attempted to release Rodriguinho, but the pass carried too much weight. The teams went into half-time level at 0-0.

East Bengal resumed the second half with greater possession and continued to look for a breakthrough. However, SC Delhi remained dangerous on the counter.

In the 47th minute, a long clearance from Duvan Felipe released Rodriguinho, who raced past Anwar Ali and Sandip Mandi and entered the box. Just as the SC Delhi forward prepared to shoot, Anwar Ali produced a superb sliding interception to deny him.

SC Delhi continued to threaten through Rodriguinho, while Lamgoulen Semkholun's delivery from the right found the forward again in the 55th minute, only for Anwar Ali to clear.

East Bengal had a set-piece opportunity soon afterwards, but nobody could apply the finishing touch and SC Delhi cleared for a corner.

The contest remained finely balanced as the game moved into its final stages. SC Delhi's Peña and Rodriguinho combined to release substitute Sourav in the 69th minute, but his long-range attempt went wide.

Substitute Mohammed Aimen then made an immediate impact with a strong run down the left before combining with Sourav, whose cross into the box found no SC Delhi player.

The Red and Gold Brigade came close again in the 73rd minute when Basim Rashid unleashed another long-range effort. The ball took a slight deflection off Mohammed Azhar and struck the post, marking East Bengal's third effort to hit the woodwork in the match.

Two minutes later, substitute Christopher James Ikonomidis produced a clever cutback from the left to release David Lalhlansanga inside the box. The forward's shot appeared destined for the net, but Nora Fernandes produced an excellent save to keep SC Delhi alive.

Neither side could find the decisive pass or finish in the closing stages. Ashutosh Mehta and Manoj Mohammad stood out for SC Delhi with important defensive interventions, while East Bengal continued to send balls into the box without finding a finishing touch.

Deep into stoppage time, Lalchungnunga delivered another teasing cross, but SC Delhi defended well before Fernandes came off her line to collect. East Bengal continued to press until the final whistle, but the semi-final remained goalless after 90 minutes.

With nothing separating the teams, the first semi-final went to a penalty shootout.

East Bengal went first, with Anwar Ali converting. SC Delhi midfielder Peña saw his penalty saved by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill. Rohit Danu then scored for East Bengal before Rodriguinho converted for SC Delhi.

Lalchungnunga and Duvan Felipe Viafara Mina both found the net with the next penalties, followed by successful attempts from Christopher James Ikonomidis and Mohammed Aimen.

With the shootout finely poised, East Bengal captain Mohamad Basim Rashid stepped up and calmly converted the decisive penalty to send East Bengal FC through to the final.

--IANS

bsk/

Lucknow, Aug 19 (IANS) The sight of a bowler comfortably switching arms mid-over is a rarity in modern cricket, but 24-year-old Vijay Yadav is making it a familiar spectacle in the ongoing UP T20 League 2026.

Armed with the unique ability to bowl with both arms, the young spinner recently delivered a match-winning performance, picking up two crucial wickets for the defending champions, Kashi Rudras, in their win over his former franchise, the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions.

Yadav’s journey in the UP T20 League began when he was scouted as a promising local talent ahead of the 2024 season. He spent his first two years representing the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions before the Kashi Rudras roped him in for ₹5.2 lakh at the 2026 auction. For the young spinner, however, the price tag was merely a stepping stone rather than a distraction.

"Didn't think much about it," Yadav says, reflecting on his auction price. "For me, it's just that whatever you invest in cricket, God rewards you for it. Mostly, the money was just spent on equipment."

Hailing from Gorakhpur, Yadav’s cricketing dreams were born out of a historic national triumph. With a father serving as a Sub-Inspector in the police and his mother a homemaker, a career in sports wasn't necessarily the default path.

"I belong to Gorakhpur. My father is a Sub-Inspector in the police and mummy is a homemaker," he explains. "I started cricket in 2012 when India won the World Cup in 2011...I got inspired by that. I got a lot of motivation that I should also do something good for the country."

That inspiration translated into years of grinding through the ranks. Yadav went on to represent the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) in both the U-19 and U-23 domestic tournaments, catching the eyes of scouts with his rare ambidextrous skill. Mastering the art of bowling with both arms, however, was born out of tactical necessity rather than a desire to simply be different.

"Like, from the start, my left hand used to work a little," Yadav says, explaining his evolution. "Right-handed batters attack right-handed bowlers more, so there was some difficulty in bowling to them. After that, I started my left arm and worked hard on it... and with practice, I got more control."

While it looks entirely seamless on television, he admits the physical toll of his craft is often misunderstood. "Bowling with both hands is tough, though. People find it easy, but I have to practice with both hands."

His hard work didn't go unnoticed in his formative years. "Coaches supported me a lot because I was doing well, and if I have to do even better, I know I have to work hard."

While he is gaining a reputation as a mystery spinner, Yadav is also a handy lower-order batter. Interestingly, he sticks to a more traditional stance when he has a bat in hand. "I only do right-handed batting. I am a lower-order batter, so mostly I try to hit sixes. Because I get fewer balls, I try to make a bigger impact."

When it comes to his mindset and approach to the game, Yadav looks up to a modern-day icon who is synonymous with a relentless work ethic. "My idol is obviously Virat Kohli. He is the inspiration. Looking at him, you feel like he has so much passion for cricket. It feels nice to see that. His motivation, dedication, aggression... I really like it."

With his performances in the UP T20 League, the 24-year-old is already knocking on the doors of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The exposure from the state-level franchise tournament has put him on the radar of some of the biggest teams in the country.

"This platform is very big. I have also got a good platform here," Yadav says, acknowledging the impact of the UP T20 League. "I have even given trials for MI (Mumbai Indians). Last year, SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad) also called me for trials."

As he continues to deceive batters with his ambidextrous craft for the Kashi Rudras, Vijay Yadav is rapidly becoming one of the standout stories of Season 4, a small-town boy with a rare talent, steadily bowling his way toward the big leagues.

--IANS

bsk/

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) On a mixed day for the hosts, former champion PV Sindhu and giant-killer Ayush Shetty had little trouble overcoming their second-round challengers while Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda crashed out of the BWF World Championships 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Sindhu, seeded ninth, defeated Canada's Zhang Wen Yu 21-16, 21-17 in the women's singles second round, while Ayush needed just 26 minutes to pack off Sri Lanka's Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-8, 21-10 to advance to the men's singles pre-quarterfinals.

In the Round of 16, Sindhu will face third seed Wang Zi Yi of China, who defeated Malaysia's Karuoathevan Letshanaa 21-16, 21-9 earlier in the day. Ayush also set up a pre-quarterfinal clash against Indonesia's 11th seed Alwi Farhan. The 2023 world junior champion had sailed through his second-round match against Joakim Oldorff of Finland 21-12, 21-9.

Two-time world championships bronze medallist Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also advanced to the Round of 16 without even entering the court after their Scottish opponents gave them a walkover due to an injury to Alexander Dunn.

While Sindhu and Ayush had little trouble in their second-round clashes, there was heartbreak for Lakshya and Unnati.

Lakshya, seeded 14th, was undone by 18-year-old Garret Tan of the USA in a bruising battle, 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 in an hour and 13 minutes, while Unnati failed to convert two match points against 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada and lost 11-21, 21-9, 23-21 in her world championships debut.

Lakshya bagged the opening game against Tan, but the American took the fight to the home favourite with his big, booming smashes. Lakshya came back in the second game by saving four game points but could not avoid a decider. In the third and final game, Lakshya again trailed 4-11 before fighting back to 16-17, but a couple of errors and an aggressive Tan put paid to his hopes of turning things around.

Earlier, Unnati came close to creating an upset as she earned two match points against Li. But on both occasions, her pushes went out on the side, and Li then grabbed the opportunity to close out the match with a down-the-line smash.

Important results:

Men's Singles: Ayush Shetty (IND) bt Dumindu Abeywickrama (SL) 21-8, 21-10; Gareth Tan (USA) bt 14-Lakshya Sen (IND) 19-21, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) bt Jia Heng Teh (SIN) 19-21, 21-19, 21-11; Rasmus Gemme (DEN) bt Lin Chun-Yi (TPE) 13-21, 21-17, 21-11;

Women's Singles: 9-PV Sindhu (IND) bt Zhang Wen Yu 21-16, 21-17; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt Unnati Hood (IND) 11-21, 21-9, 23-21

Mixed Doubles: 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) bt Leong Lok Chong/Ng Weng Chi (MAC) 21-11, 21-11

--IANS

bsk/

Kolar (Karnataka), Aug 19 (IANS) Shaurya Bhattacharya shot a five-under 67 to extend his lead to three strokes at nine-under 135 on Day Two of the second edition of the INR 1 crore Kolar Open at the ZION Hills Golf County on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old from Delhi, a two-time winner on the PGTI and currently 16th in the season rankings, began the day with a one-shot advantage. He made six birdies against a lone bogey to strengthen his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Starting from the 10th tee, Bhattacharya dropped his only shot of the day on the par-four 12th and remained one-over for his round through seven holes. However, he remained confident because of the quality of his ball-striking. “I made a slow start and was one-over through seven holes, but I knew I was hitting good shots,” said Bhattacharya.

His patience was rewarded on the 17th, where a well-struck drive set up the first of five consecutive birdies. Bhattacharya continued his run through the 18th, first, second and third holes to take control of the tournament. “I struck a very good drive on the 17th and converted the opportunity, which started the run,” he said. “I kept giving myself good looks over the next few holes and managed to take advantage.”

Bhattacharya added one more birdie and did not drop another shot as he followed his opening 68 with the best round of the day.

Hyderabad’s Mohd Azhar (70-68), who began the day tied fifth, climbed to second place at six-under 138. Azhar mixed six birdies with two bogeys in a four-under 68 to emerge as Bhattacharya’s nearest challenger. Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma (69-72), Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema (73-68) and Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain (69-72) shared third place at three-under 141.

The wind strengthened during the second round, forcing players to control their ball flight on the exposed 7,330-yard layout. Bhattacharya felt his ability to adapt to the changing conditions played an important role. “The conditions required me to manufacture shots and control the flight of the ball, particularly when playing into the wind,” he said. “I thought I handled that well, found plenty of fairways and missed in the right places.”

Bhattacharya finished runner-up to Kshitij Naveed Kaul by two shots in the inaugural edition last year and is once again well-placed heading into the weekend. “I have good memories of this course despite coming up just short last year,” he said. “I’m in a good position and looking forward to the last two rounds.”

Current DP World PGTI Rankings leader Saptak Talwar (72-71), who spent the summer competing on the HotelPlanner Tour, moved from tied 11th to tied ninth at one-under 143.

Talwar was joined by Panipat’s Shubham Jaglan (70-73), who slipped four places from tied fifth after returning a one-over 73. Jaglan arrived in Bengaluru after securing his maiden professional title at last week’s Coal India Open in Kolkata. Defending champion Kshitij Naveed Kaul (73-75) of Delhi slipped from tied 15th to tied 22nd at four-over 148.

Only 12 players from the field of 132 finished the opening 36 holes at even par or better, underlining the challenge presented by the par-72 layout. The cut fell at eight-over 152, with 51 players advancing to the final two rounds.

--IANS

bsk/

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) The Duleep Trophy final will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 6 to10 so as to allow fans to watch the inter-zonal red-ball contest in the stadium.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS that the remaining matches of the competition are set to be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence grounds in Bengaluru.

The final was initially set to take place at the BCCI CoE Ground in Bengaluru, but since spectator entry was restricted at the venue, the BCCI decided to relocate the title match to Chennai.

"I will not say we are shifting the final venue. But we are hosting the final match of the Duleep Trophy at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Other matches will be in the BCCI CoE Grounds in Bengaluru. In Bengaluru, there is no crowd, which is due to some government restrictions - that we cannot allow crowds in that complex. So, the final match of the Duleep Trophy will be in Chennai," Saikia told IANS.

The BCCI secretary also stated that the whole tournament will be available to viewers via both digital streaming and on linear television, with the Chennai venue offering the possibility of spectators attending the final in person.

"All the matches will be telecast live on the digital channel as well as on linear TV. So, those who want to go and watch live, they can come to the stadium in Chennai and watch the final match live," Saikia said.

The Duleep Trophy, which is one of India's top domestic red-ball tournaments, is set to start on August 23 with the quarterfinals; East Zone will play North East Zone while North Zone meets West Zone in the two quarterfinal matches that will take place at the same time.

The semifinals are set to start on August 30, with the five-day final in Chennai taking place from September 6.

The competition is likely to include some of India's top domestic players, giving them valuable experience with the red ball before the next season. The Central Zone enter the tournament as champions, having defended their title after they had beaten the South Zone in the final of last year.

--IANS

hs/bsk/

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Ace Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu moved into the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi with a composed 21-16, 21-17 victory over Canada’s Zhang Wen Yu on Wednesday, overcoming a spirited challenge to keep her campaign on course at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

The ninth-seeded Indian made an assured start, racing to four consecutive points before Zhang settled into the contest. The Canadian managed to stay within touching distance, but Sindhu maintained control through the opening phase and entered the interval with a narrow 11-9 advantage.

Zhang continued to test Sindhu after the break, yet the Indian veteran remained composed as the opening game reached its decisive stages. Sindhu created a four-point cushion at 19-15 and then closed out the game 21-16 in 16 minutes.

The second game proved considerably tighter. Zhang refused to allow Sindhu to dictate the exchanges and overturned the early momentum to move level at 9-9. The Canadian then carried a 11-9 lead into the interval, leaving Sindhu with work to do.

The Indian responded with the experience that has defined her career at the biggest stages. A five-point burst after the interval shifted the momentum back in her favour, allowing Sindhu to regain the lead and put herself within sight of victory.

Zhang continued to fight, but Sindhu held firm when the finish came into view. She converted her advantage to take the second game 21-17 and completed the contest in 34 minutes.

The win sends Sindhu into the last 16, where she will face a substantially tougher assignment in third seed Wang Zi Yi of China. Wang advanced earlier on Wednesday with a 21-16, 21-9 win over Malaysia’s Karuoathevan Letshanaa.

Sindhu’s progress came on a day when India also celebrated Ayush Shetty’s advancement in the men’s singles. The Indian needed only 26 minutes to dispatch Sri Lanka’s Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-8, 21-10 and book his place in the pre-quarterfinals.

For Sindhu, however, the focus now shifts to Thursday and a high-profile meeting with Wang, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

--IANS

vi

Dublin, Aug 19 (IANS) Ireland have named a 14-member women's squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against England next month, with national women's selector Lauren Rowles stressing the importance of competition for places and regular exposure against top-ranked teams through the ICC Women’s Championship.

Gaby Lewis will take on the role of captain, and opener Amy Hunter will aim to keep up her excellent form since she scored 193 runs in the most recent series against the West Indies at an average of 64.33.

Ireland are currently in ninth place in the ICC Women’s Championship table and hope to revive their campaign after their three-match series was beaten by the West Indies last month.

The team now have Arlene Kelly and Alice Tector back from injury, with Kia McCartney still holding her position as a spinner. Aimee Maguire, Sarah Forbes and Ava Canning, though, are still injured and therefore unavailable.

"There is real competition for places in the short-term, and there is an exciting depth of talent coming through the pipeline which is promising for the medium-to-long term," Rowles said.

"To have genuine competition for places within a senior squad is important as it drives standards and raises the desire of players to achieve more with every opportunity they get," she added.

Rowles also underlined the value of Ireland regularly facing the world's leading teams as they look to strengthen their competitiveness.

"That’s why the ICC Women’s Championship is so important. It provides a regular programme of fixtures against the world’s best sides, which in turn benefits the development and competitiveness of our players," she said.

Ireland's three-match series against England will start on September 1 at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester, with the second ODI to take place at The County Ground in Derby on September 3 and the series being concluded at New Road in Worcester on September 6.

Ireland squad:

Gaby Lewis (captain), Christina Coulter Reilly, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell and Alice Tector.

--IANS

hs/bsk/

Shillong, Aug 19 (IANS) Defending champions NorthEast United FC will look to qualify for their third straight final when they take on 17-time winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second semifinal of the 135th Durand Cup, which will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.

NEUFC have been relentless in their title defense. The Highlanders stormed into their fourth consecutive Durand Cup semifinal following a breathtaking quarterfinal victory over home favourites Shillong Lajong FC. Overcoming a 2-1 half-time deficit, they turned the tide with a spectacular four-goal blitz in the second half to seal a 5-2 triumph.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan, the most successful club in the tournament's history with 17 titles, have built their campaign on defensive solidity and clinical execution. After a flawless group stage without conceding a single goal, the Mariners held their nerve in a gripping quarterfinal. Following a 1-1 regulation-time draw against Jamshedpur FC, they survived a marathon sudden-death penalty shootout (9-8), courtesy of goalkeeper Vishal Kaith's heroics.

For the Highlanders, this encounter carries the weight of history. They are chasing a third consecutive Durand Cup crown, eyeing an unprecedented "three-peat" to firmly stamp their authority on the Indian football landscape.

Acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead, NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali emphasised the challenge posed by their star-studded opponents. "It's the semi-final of the Durand Cup, a very important game for us, and also for Mohun Bagan," said Benali. "It will not be easy for either team. We're talking about an opponent where nearly all their domestic players are national team regulars, combined with highly talented foreign players and a great coach."

On the flip side, MBSG’s newly-appointed head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis will be desperate to secure his maiden silverware with the club ahead of the ISL 2026-27 campaign. Benali also touched upon his familiarity with his opposite number, adding, "Panos is a friend, but inside the field, there are no friends. He is a great coach leading a very good team."

Adding to the pre-match intrigue is the all-time head-to-head record, which heavily favours the Kolkata outfit -- in 13 past meetings, Mohun Bagan have emerged victorious 10 times, compared to NEUFC's two wins and a solitary draw. Both camps head into the fixture boasting fully fit rosters.

For the Mariners, Sahal Abdul Samad has been in sublime touch under Dilmperis. The attacking midfielder has already netted five goals, putting him firmly in the Golden Boot race—while continuing to orchestrate the team's creative play. At the back, their defensive rigidity heavily relies on the structural discipline of the back four led by Subhasish Bose.

NEUFC’s quarterfinal resurgence was fueled by a sensational hat-trick from Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie. However, their defensive anchor, Spanish centre-back Eneko Satrustegui, will be equally crucial. Still adapting to Indian conditions, his vast LaLiga experience against European juggernauts like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be vital to neutralize Mohun Bagan's lethal attacking trio of Jamie Maclaren, Dejan Drazic, and Liston Colaco.

Behind Satrustegui, goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh remains a vital line of defense. The 2025 Golden Glove winner stressed the importance of psychological readiness heading into the blockbuster tie. “My expectation is to start the game with the right mentality, stay focused from the first minute, and give everything for the team,” Gurmeet said. “We’ve worked hard in training, and now it’s about executing our plan on the pitch. Hopefully, we can put in a strong performance and get the result we want.”

Echoing his manager's respect for the opposition, Gurmeet outlined the tactical approach required to blunt the Mariners' attack. “They are a good side, and we know they will give us a tough game. They have quality players and will look to put us under pressure, so we have to be disciplined and focused throughout the 90 minutes. For us, the key will be to stay compact, win our individual battles, and take our chances when they come. We respect them, but we are confident in our own ability as well.”

With both Kolkata powerhouses advancing deep into their respective sides of the bracket, Thursday’s high-octane battle could finalize a dream scenario. The tantalising prospect of a historic Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal derby final is just 90 minutes away. Will the Highlanders move one step closer to a three-peat, or will the Mariners set the stage for a monumental Kolkata showdown?

--IANS

bsk/

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) India’s Ayush Shetty advanced to the third round of the BWF World Championships 2026 with a commanding straight-games victory over Sri Lanka’s Dumindu Abeywickrama at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

It took Shetty only 26 minutes to beat Abeywickrama with scores of 21-8 and 21-10 in the second round, following up his earlier convincing win against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi with another confident performance.

The Indian player began strongly and soon established an 8-0 lead, extending it to 11-3 by the break of play. Abeywickrama had great difficulty countering Shetty's accurate shots and quick movements, as the Indian player controlled the rallies right from the beginning.

Shetty soon reached the game point at 20-8 and clinched the first game 21-8 in just 11 minutes.

In the second game, the 20-year-old stuck to the same approach, remaining calm as he kept his Sri Lankan opponent under constant pressure. Shetty reached 11 points while Abeywickrama had trouble keeping up with his speed and accuracy.

As the game went on, the Sri Lankan player showed more resistance and did manage to get up to 10 points, but Shetty still kept firm control of the proceedings. He finished the second game 21 to 10 within 15 minutes and thus secured his spot in the last 16.

This win has left Shetty as the sole Indian men's singles player still in the competition since Lakshya Sen suffered an unexpected defeat in the second round earlier that day.

Lakshya, who was the 14th seed and had won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, lost the match after having led by one game against Garret Tan of the USA, the score being 19-21, 21-19, 21-17, and the game lasting 73 minutes.

The 18-year-old Tan mounted a strong comeback after losing the first game and kept bothering Lakshya with his reliable net play and aggressive smashes.

In the decider, Lakshya launched a late fightback and reduced a seven-point deficit to only two points, the score being 10-12, but his momentum was disrupted when Tan received a medical stoppage at 17-15. The American then won four of the next six points and thus achieved a memorable comeback.

With Lakshya's campaign now completed, Shetty carries India's hopes in the men's singles section as he aims to continue his remarkable series of successes on home soil.

--IANS

hs/bsk/