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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s BWF World Championships campaign got underway without the fifth seeds having to step onto court, after Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle withdrew from their opening-round fixture at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.

The Indian duo, who had been handed a first-round bye, were due to make their first appearance at the home World Championships against the Scottish pair on Tuesday in what would have been India’s last contest of the day. Their opponents’ withdrawal, however, gave the Asian Games champions a walkover and a place in the next round.

The advancement gives Satwik and Chirag additional time to prepare for what could be a considerably more demanding test. They are in line to face Indonesia’s 12th-seeded Raymond Indra and Nicolas Joaquin in the next round.

The Indian pair arrive at the tournament with confidence, having claimed the Singapore Open title in May. Playing in front of a home crowd, they will also have their sights set on extending an already significant World Championships record.

Satwik and Chirag have twice stood on the podium at the global showpiece, collecting bronze medals in 2022 and 2025. With another podium finish in New Delhi, Satwik and Chirag could move another step closer to become only Indian men’s doubles combination to have won multiple World Championships medals.

Only two Indian players have accumulated more medals at the event P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.

For now, their campaign has begun in unusual fashion, a place in the next round secured before a single rally was played.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila are expecting the home crowd to provide an extra push when they return to the court for their BWF World Championships Round fo 16 match, after the 15th-seeded Indian mixed doubles pair advanced to the pre-quarterfinals with a 21-11, 21-11 victory over Macau’s Leong Iok Chong and Ng Weng Chi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Indians had to wait to begin their campaign, entering the tournament at the Round of 32 stage. But the extended break between their opening match and their first outing did little to unsettle them, as they quickly found their rhythm and finished the contest in straight games.

Tanisha felt the pair handled the conditions better once the match got underway. The court offered an element of uncertainty before the contest, but the Indians adjusted without allowing it to affect their approach.

“It did, I feel we adapted quite well to the court conditions. Initially we thought we might have a little up-down with the condition being fast-slow, but I think once we started playing, we adapted well to the conditions and we were quite comfortable while playing,” she said.

The Indian pair's next assignment will carry a greater challenge, with one of the top seeds awaiting them. Tanisha believes their previous meeting has already given them a blueprint, even though the result went against them.

“We've played against that pair before and I think our planning then also was really good. It's just that they were better at that given day, but I think we are going to go in with a same plan, a better preparation for this match. And yes, of course, with the home crowd being here, there's going to be a lot of energy and a lot more confidence in us, so I think it's going to be a really good match and we are going to give it all out,” she added.

During the breaks against the Macau pair, Kapila said their coach's instructions were straightforward, particularly given the court conditions, which demanded attention to shot length.

“No, he was just trying to tell us to put a good length sometimes because the conditions you have to be prepared with, so that's all, nothing serious,” Dhruv stated.

The Indian mixed doubles duo will face China's Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui in the Round of 16 (pre-quarterfinals) on Thursday.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) The Indian mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto had a winning start to their BWF World Championships campaign on Wednesday after defeating Leong Iok Chong and Ng Weng Chi of Macao in the round of 32.

The 15th-seeded Indians, who had received a bye in the opening round, registered a 21-11, 21-11 here at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

Dhruv and Tanisha are India's remaining representatives in the mixed doubles event after Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde fought hard against Canada's Jonathan Bing Tsan Lai and Crystal Lai before losing 22-20, 19-21, 17-21.

Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh also went out after a close contest against Turkey's Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas, losing 21-16, 29-30, 22-24.

Dhruv and Tanisha, playing their second BWF World Championships, will now carry India's mixed doubles hopes into the third round. The duo, who had a quarterfinal exit at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, will next take on the sixth-seed Chinese pair of Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui.

Tanisha and Dhruv have previously won the 2023 Odisha Masters Gold and bagged silver at the 2024 Syed Modi International. They also ranked World No. 15 in May 2025, their highest ranking as a mixed doubles pair.

Later in the day, In the women's singles, former champion Pv Sindhu will play Wen Yu Zhang of Canada, while Unnati Hooda will face one of the more experienced players in the women's singles draw the 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada.

Lakshya Sen will look to build on his opening-round victory when he takes on USA's Garret Tan in the men's singles round of 32. Ayush Shetty, who caused the major upset by eliminating the defending champion Shi Yu Qi in the opening round, will take on Dumindu Abeywickrama of Sri Lanka.

The men's doubles pair M.R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan will face 15th seeds Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju of Korea.

Earlier, India's top women's doubles combination of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly upset 16th seeds Allison Lee and Lauren Lam with yet another solid performance on Day 2.

--IANS

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Galle, Aug 19 (IANS) Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna took a scalp each as India inched closer to achieving a resounding victory in the first Test after reducing Sri Lanka to 175/6 in 67 overs at lunch on day five’s play at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.

In the morning, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha, the centurion in the first innings, exhibited huge patience and resisted the Indian bowlers well by putting on a stand of 95 runs off 202 deliveries for the fifth wicket. But once de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella fell, the outcome is now slowly moving in India’s favour in what is also their 600th Test match, as they conceded just 91 runs in 33 overs.

Resuming on a pitch offering variable bounce, de Silva and Dinusha fought valiantly through the opening 90 minutes. After bringing up the fifty of their partnership, de Silva got his fifty by cutting Ravindra Jadeja through point for four, while Dinusha launched Kuldeep Yadav over deep midwicket for a maximum to reach his half-century in style.

However, India broke the frustrating 95-run stand through Jadeja, who extracted sharp turn and bounce on a fuller ball angled at stumps to catch de Silva’s top edge on an attempted sweep and gave a comfortable catch to Manav Suthar at short fine leg to fall for 59.

One brought two scalps for India as Krishna, operating with sustained heat, removed wicketkeeper-batter Dickwella for 10. Dickwella never looked comfortable at the crease and even had a quirky exchange with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was stationed at square leg.

On the last ball of the 60th over, Dickwella shuffled across his stumps to a back-of-a-length delivery outside the leg stump, but could only give a feather edge off Krishna behind to Rishabh Pant.

Keshara Nuwantha then joined a resolute Dinusha to safely navigate the remaining overs before the lunch break arrived. With the new ball just 13 overs away, India will aim to finish the game in the second session.

Brief scores: India 462 & 193 lead Sri Lanka 284 & 175/6 in 67 overs (Sonal Dinusha 65 not out, Dhananjaya de Silva 59; Prasidh Krishna 2-16, Manav Suthar 2-46) by 197 runs

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam is ready to make his return to the playing XI for the second Test against Australia, saying he is 'always ready' as the visitors look to complete a historic series victory down under.

Shoriful missed Bangladesh’s memorable nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Darwin after being sidelined with a hamstring injury, but the left-arm pacer has recovered in time to be considered for the second match at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.

“I am always ready. Let’s see what is in my destiny, InshaAllah, and hopefully I can play the match,” Shoriful told reporters in Mackay on Wednesday, as quoted by The Daily Star.

The pacer had picked up the injury during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe, forcing him to sit out the first Test. He travelled to Darwin after being cleared to join the squad for the second match and watched Bangladesh secure their first Test victory on Australian soil.

Despite not being part of the playing XI, Shoriful said he was delighted to share the historic moment with his teammates.

“I’m very happy to have been part of such a victory. At least I made it into the pictures (laughs), even though I wasn’t in the squad. It feels really good,” he said.

The 25-year-old said he had been hoping and praying for the Bangladesh players throughout the opening Test and was thrilled when they completed the landmark victory.

“I always prayed for the players who were playing, that they would give their best and that we would win. When we won the match, I was happier than anyone else in Bangladesh,” he said.

Bangladesh’s pace attack was instrumental in the Darwin triumph, with Hasan Mahmud claiming nine wickets in the match. The visitors’ seamers also accounted for all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings.

Shoriful has been part of Bangladesh’s emerging pace group and could provide another option for the visitors as they look to maintain the momentum from their historic opening-Test win.

The second Test begins on Saturday in Mackay, with Australia needing a victory to level the two-match series. Bangladesh, meanwhile, need only a draw to claim their first-ever Test series win over Australia.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis believes that global cricket will witness unprecedented strength once Associate nations receive equal opportunities, something which he believes can happen via the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), starting on August 26.

Du Plessis will serve as co-owner and captain of the Rotterdam Dockers in the inaugural edition of the tournament and admitted to being impressed by the associate nations performances in 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, held in India and Sri Lanka. "We all expected the Associate Nations to step up and challenge the bigger teams at some point. I was amazed to see it happen in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and it was definitely my highlight.

“I was sitting at home watching and thinking, 'How good is this?' I found myself supporting the Associate teams every time. I was hoping they would get through on so many occasions, right till the end. It was great to see, and I believe it is a stepping stone for the future.

“With the ETPL coming in, just imagine how strong the game of cricket will be two, three, five, or ten years from now, when every team has the same opportunities, whether you are from Scotland or South Africa," du Plessis said in a statement issued by the tournament on Wednesday.

The inaugural ETPL boasts a stellar star cast, featuring top international names alongside top European talent. Du Plessis further noted that the quality of overseas players involved demonstrates the tournament's immense potential.

"When you first hear about the ETPL, you wonder what it's all about. Then you look at the players involved, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and others. You see the quality of overseas talent, including myself and Heinrich Klaasen.

“It's a top-class lineup, the kind you see in the best leagues around the world. The second thing is the opportunity. This league is still in its early stages. It's fresh, and no one has yet captured its full potential. That makes you want to be part of the journey," he added.

Former South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes, who joins Du Plessis as co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise, stated that the league provides local European players with an ideal platform to test themselves against world-class opposition.

"The most exciting part about the ETPL is the chance it gives to players from smaller cricketing nations. We have already seen glimpses of incredible talent from Scottish, Irish, and Dutch players. They have shown they can compete, but they haven't always had the right platform.

“Now, with the ETPL, they have a proper stage to take their game to the next level. They will get to play alongside and against some of the best players in the world. That exposure will only help them grow. This is exactly what European cricket needs to move forward," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) After collapsing twice in four days during matches, Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala revealed he has been diagnosed with a treatable neurological condition causing temporary absence seizures.

The Germany star first sparked concern in Saturday's friendly against Leipzig, when he suddenly went down without any clear contact. He also collapsed during Bayern's 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Sunday, leaving the pitch shortly after coming on as a substitute, flanked by members of the medical staff.

Hours after the incident, the midfielder took to Instagram to reassure Bayern's supporters and explain what he is going through.

"First of all, I am fine," the German said. "And I am especially grateful for all your messages and support. I understand that many of you feel worried. Today I would like to reassure you and explain the situation a little."

"My condition has been diagnosed as short and temporary absence seizures, but they are easily treatable and are caused by a neurological disorder. This condition can lead to the incidents that occurred recently, such as what happened against Leipzig and now in Heidenheim," he explained.

He added: "I know it may seem frightening at first glance, but for me it has now become part of my daily life. I am receiving the best possible medical treatment, and I am very optimistic."

The 22-year-old made clear that the condition carries no additional health risk, and he has had full backing from the club.

"The important thing is that there is no health risk beyond that. In close coordination and regular exchange with experts, it has been my personal wish to face the challenge and with the release of the neurological specialists, to devote myself to what helps me most in recovery: to simply live my everyday life and my passion football. to play to follow up. I've taken responsibility for this. Overall I feel pretty good and I'm on a good track," he said.

The midfielder, who has made 231 appearances for Bayern, was sidelined for six months last season after fracturing an ankle at the Club Cup, but he recovered to return later in the campaign and played for Germany at the 2026 World Cup.

Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup next Saturday. They then open their new Bundesliga campaign at home to Stuttgart on Friday 28 August.

--IANS

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Darwin, Aug 19 (IANS) Riding high on the resounding success of hosting Bangladesh’s epic Test victory over Australia, Northern Territory Cricket (NTC) CEO Gavin Dovey said the association will push for Darwin to become a regular venue in Australia's home games calendar.

Marrara Stadium, which hosted its first Test match since 2004 last week, expects top marks from ICC match referee Richie Richardson following widespread acclaim for its ‘old-school’ drop-in surface prepared by curator Jake Pavlich. The four-day game drew over 15,000 spectators, including more than half travelling from other states.

Though two post-Ashes ODIs against New Zealand are already scheduled in Darwin for August 2027, Dovey remains optimistic about hosting more international games across all formats. "I'd like to think that the product was that good that some of those things can be solved. Once we get through the one-dayers (against NZ in 2027), I'm hoping that we can then we can sit down with the NT Government and CA and say, 'Right, what does the FTP (Future Tours Programme) look like, and what can the next three years look like?'

"Utopia would be we get to a point where there's six years of international cricket in a row, which would be a far cry from what it's been in the past. I think we're in a fantastic position. We had T20s last year, a Test this year, we've got one-dayers next year, so we get to sample and test and prove all three formats. But I think this week has just been so good – it's just been on another level – that I'd love to see more Test cricket here," Dovey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

While CA looks to offset the steep operational costs associated with northern venues like Darwin, Mackay, and Cairns through government and broadcast support, local attention in Darwin now shifts to the Top End T20 tournament. The event features teams from Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, Victoria; ACT, alongside sides from New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Bangladesh High Performance setup.

Interestingly, key architects of Bangladesh's historic Test win, player of the match Hasan Mahmud and centurion Tanzid Hasan, had played in previous Top End T20 editions. Speaking on the rapid growth of the tournament, Dovey said, "Last year was probably the biggest leap that the event took across lots of different areas. Hearing coaches and players in the BBL that were up here start talking about it as though this is the second best T20 comp in Australia now behind the BBL is quite sobering.

"I think that's a good reflection of where we've got it to. You're seeing international teams and international-quality players now very much a part of it. Our broadcast was exceptional last year … right up there with Major League Cricket. So we've certainly gotten to a point where we think it's a great product and a great example of what winter cricket can look like up here."

Dovey, who spent 11 years managing the Australian men's team before taking the NTC role, admitted to feeling mixed emotions following Bangladesh's historic upset over Australia. "It's hard because the event has gone so well. Everyone is talking up Darwin, and everyone is talking up Test cricket, an old-school Test cricket wicket and game, and this historic win for a minnow, per se, rolling one of the best Australian teams that we've seen.

“All of that is great for cricket in the Territory. But in the same sense, I very much feel for a group of players that are obviously copping a lot of darts and are very good, care deeply, and just got outplayed," he concluded.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Aditya Bhandari's blistering half-century and a disciplined effort from spinner Gavnish Khurana propelled Central Delhi Kings to a clinical 30-run victory over East Delhi Riders in the 2026 Delhi Premier League (DPL) game.

Opting to bat, Central Delhi Kings recovered from an early top-order collapse to post a competitive 179 in 19.5 overs, before Khurana choked East Delhi Riders' chase to restrict them to 149/7 in 20 overs.

The Kings got off to a disastrous start as pacer Simarjeet Singh struck twice in quick succession - removing in-form openers Siddharth Joon and Yash Dhull to leave them reeling at 14/3 inside the powerplay.

Jonty Sidhu (41 off 28 balls) and Keshav Dabas (18 off 23 balls) momentarily steadied the ship with a 54-run fourth-wicket stand. However, the departure of Dabas triggered another slide, leaving the burden on Sidhu, who was eventually dismissed after playing a brisk knock.

With the Kings in dire straits, Bhandari turned the game on its head with a sensational counter-attacking knock. The middle-order batter took the opposition attack to the cleaners by smashing an explosive 63 off just 29 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper-batter Vansh Bedi provided the late flourish with a quickfire 14-ball 27 to take the side to 179 before they were bowled out in the final over. Simarjeet was the standout bowler for the Riders, returning with impressive figures of 3-29 in his four-over spell.

In reply, East Delhi Riders struggled to gain momentum from the outset, suffering a similar fate as they were reduced to 32/3 early in the chase. Arpit Rana (25 off 26 balls) and Suryansh Raina (38 off 24 balls) showed resilience in the middle by stitching a brief 28-run partnership to keep the Riders in the hunt.

But Khurana (3-28) struck at crucial junctures to trigger a collapse from which East Delhi Riders could never truly recover. None of the lower-order batters could keep up with the required run rate as Central Delhi Kings, who have already qualified for the playoffs, comfortably sealed the contest.

--IANS

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Cincinnati, Aug 19 (IANS) Brandon Nakashima saved three match points to overcame Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open.

The 25-year-old American, with his latest victory, moved level with Medvedev for the second-most hard-court wins on Tour this season with 20. Only Jakub Mensik, with 21, has more.

Trailing 0/40 at 4-5 while serving in the second set, Nakashima appeared on the brink of seeing his run at the ATP Masters 1000 event come to an end. Instead, the in-form American responded with composed ballstriking and a fearless attitude, turning the momentum against former Cincinnati champion Medvedev before completing a two-hour, 51-minute victory, ATP reports.

He will next face Nuno Borges, who ended a five-match ATP Head2Head losing streak against Andrey Rublev with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the 13th seed to reach the fourth round of a Masters 1000 for the sixth time.

In another action, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the fourth round at the ATP Masters 1000 event. He has now reached at least the fourth round in Cincinnati five times in the past six years.

He will be next meeting with the 2024 finalist Frances Tiafoe, who outlasted fellow American and good friend Learner Tien 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a two-hour, nine-minute battle.

Elsewhere in Ohio, Taylor Fritz extended his winning streak on American soil to seven matches with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against rising Spaniard Daniel Merida. The 28-year-old, who lifted the trophy at the ATP 500 event in Washington earlier this month, has now reached the Round of 16 in Cincinnati for the fourth time in the past five years.

He will next meet Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell.

Portuguese qualifier Faria, who shocked Ben Shelton in the second round, earned another memorable win Tuesday in Cincinnati. The 23-year-old rallied past Adam Walton 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) to advance to the fourth round at a Masters 1000 event for the first time.