Sports

Pune, Dec 16 (IANS) Defending champions Puneri Paltan and the Patna Pirates played out an absolute thriller, winning 37-32 in a Season 11 clash of the Pro Kabaddi League in the Badminton Hall of the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Monday. The Patna Pirates rode on Devank, who got 11 points, Ayan adding nine, and Shubham Shinde registering a High-5. For the Puneri Paltan, who put in a superb fight on the day, Abinesh Nadarajan scored seven points and Aman registered a High-5 too.

The two sides started with two tackle points each in the early exchanges, which meant Patna Pirates’ raiders Devank and Ayan were having a tough start to the game. Pankaj Mohite scored the first raid point of the game in the fifth minute, which gave the Puneri Paltan a slender.

Abinesh Nadarajan, Aman, and Sanket were holding fort in defence for the Puneri Paltan, as they made life very difficult for the Patna Pirates’ raiders. Midway through the first half though, both sides were on level terms, with the Patna Pirates starting to make their presence felt.

Ayan was leading the charge for the Patna Pirates, but the Puneri Paltan’s Akash Shinde and Pankaj Mohite were ensuring that the opposition would stay within touching distance.

With about five minutes to go, Abinesh Nadarajan then put in a Super Tackle on Devank and the defending champions once again got their noses out in front. The first half ended with the Puneri Paltan leading 16-13.

The Patna Pirates started off the second half with an All Out on the Puneri Paltan. And right after Devank wiped out the deficit, and both sides were back on level terms. The three-time champions had started the second half quite strongly and Devank was looking menacing.

Close to the half-hour mark, Aman registered his High-5 for the Puneri Paltan, but Devank then landed an All Out as the Patna Pirates picked up a five-point lead.

In the final phase of play, the Puneri Paltan tried their best to mount a comeback but the Patna Pirates were just about keeping them at bay. With five minutes to go, the deficit was down to 3 points. Eventually, the Patna Pirates managed to close the door on the comeback and clinched the contest in the final couple of minutes.

--IANS

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Muscat, Dec 15 (IANS) Indian hockey team beat China 3-2 in penalty shootout in the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, here on Sunday, to lift the title for the second time in a row.

After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the title clash went to a shootout which saw the defending champion come out victorious.

Hockey India (HI), on the occasion, announced the cash reward for the team.

"Team India secured an epic victory over China in the Junior Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Final, winning a thrilling penalty shootout. As a reward for their outstanding performance, Hockey India announces a cash prize of Rs2 lakhs for each player and Rs1 lakh for the support staff," the HI wrote on X.

Jinzhuang Tan (30’) scored the first goal for China but Kanika Siwach (41’) bagged the equaliser in the third quarter for India as the match went into a penalty shootout. India’s goalkeeper Nidhi made three crucial saves during the penalty shootout to help her side lift the title.

Both sides were equal stride for stride in the first quarter as they tried to find an opening goal. The possession was shared and both teams created good opportunities but couldn’t break the deadlock. India received two penalty corners but they were defended well by the Chinese to keep it all square.

India started the second quarter strong by dictating the play but couldn’t create a good scoring chance in the shooting circle. China gained the upper hand towards the end of second quarter and pressurised the Indian backline. With just 14 seconds left on the clock, China received a golden opportunity in the form of a penalty stroke. Jinzhuang Tan stepped up to the spot and scored past the Indian goalkeeper to give China a slim lead heading into the second half.

The third quarter saw India aggressively attack and dominate the game. Deepika broke into a solid dribble, broke through the Chinese defense and won a penalty corner for her side. Deepika attempted a drag flick towards goal which was met by a string of saves by the Chinese goalkeeper. Moments later in the 41st minute, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika progressed the ball ahead with some clinical passes and found Kanika Siwach inside the shooting circle, who scored a beautiful field goal to get back on level terms. The score was 1-1 as both sides entered the fourth quarter.

It was all to play for in the final fifteen minutes of the game as both sides went hammer and tongs in search of a winning goal. India received a penalty corner with ten minutes left on the clock but the chance went begging and Deepika's shot went narrowly wide. Moments later, China too squandered a penalty corner in a similar fashion. Despite both sides going all out on the field, they couldn’t be separated in the four quarters played and the final went into a penalty shootout.

Sakshi Rana, Ishika and Sunelita Toppo scored for India in the penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Nidhi made three brilliant saves against Lihang Wang, Jingyi Li and Dandan Zuo to ensure India defended its title.

--IANS

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Kandy, Dec 15 (IANS) Galle Marvels registered a dominating 7-wicket win against Colombo Jaguars in Lanka T10 Super League at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium after pacer Zahoor Khan bagged a hattrick and ended up picking a four-wicket haul.

Jaguars were off to a disappointing start as they lost early wickets and could only manage to put 82/9 in 10 overs on the board. Najibullah Zadran top-scored with 26 off 15 while opener Dan Lawrence got 22 off 16.

Zahoor eventually returned with bowling figures of 4/15 in 2 overs. Captain Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay picked two wickets apiece for Marvels.

In reply, the Galle team was off to a flying start in the chase as openers Niroshan Dickwella and Alex Hales stitched an opening stand of 48 runs in 4.2 overs. Hales struck 38 off 18 before getting out while Dickwella scored 20 off 12. The side lost three wickets quickly but Shakib Al Hasan and Chamindu Wickramasinghe took the side over the line in 8th over.

Jaffna Titans register thumping win vs Nuwara Eliya Kings

Jaffna Titans thumped Nuwara Eliya Kings by 53 runs to continue their form in the tournament. The side posted a mammoth 153/4 in 10 overs, courtesy Tom Abell's 24-ball 59 and Charith Asalanka's 33 off 17. Apart from them captain David Wiese also chipped in with an unbeaten 14 off 6 while Dwaine Pretorius got 18 not out off 5 to help the side put up a strong total.

Later, Jaffna bowlers rattled Kings' batting unit and reduced them to 12/5 before they were eventually restricted to 100/8. Chamika Karunaratne was the lone warrior for the side as he struck 58 not out off 26. But his efforts weren't really enough to take the side home.

Pramod Madushan picked up three wickets for eight runs while Nuwan Thushara and Dunith Wellalage bagged a couple each.

--IANS

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Pune, Dec 15 (IANS) Jaipur Pink Panther put on an effective all-round display as they eliminated Tamil Thalaivas from the playoffs race after the match ended with a 34-27 score at the Badminton Hall in the Balewadi Sports Complex on Sunday.

In what was match 113 of PKL 11, Arjun Deshwal found ample support from the likes of Neeraj Narwal and Abhijeet Malik while Ankush Rathee led the defensive charge. For the Tamil Thalaivas, Nitesh Kumar’s High 5 went in vain.

Jaipur Pink Panthers skipper and star raider Arjun Deshwal had good support from his supporting raiders Abhijeet Malik and Neeraj Narwal as the two-time PKL champions began to take an early lead. Arjun started the point-scoring with a running hand touch on Amir Hossein Bastami while Abhijeet Malik secured a Do-Or-Die raid against Aashish.

For the Tamil Thalaivas, a Super Tackle sent Arjun Deshwal to the bench but the impressive start by their defenders did not last for too long. Six consecutive points for the Jaipur Pink Panthers saw Sai Prasad caught by Surjeet Singh just after Abhishek Manokaran surrendered to Neeraj Narwal for an ALL OUT. This gave the team a good platform as the score read 20-13 at the end of the first half.

The script of the game was the same as the Jaipur Pink Panthers piled the pressure on the Tamil Thalaivas. For every point won by the Thalaivas, Arjun Deshwal’s side had a very strong response. Using their defensive prowess, the Jaipur Pink Panthers continued to dominate the second half of the match, consistently neutralising the Tamil Thalaivas' offensive attempts.

In a commanding display of Jaipur Pink Panthers' defensive lineup, led by stellar performances from Ankush Rathee – who scored a High 5 – systematically dismantled the Thalaivas' raiders. He stepped up as Arjun Deshwal struggled to find his rhythm, repeatedly getting tackled by the Thalaivas' defenders.

Tamil Thalaivas rode on the raids of Abhishek and Chandran Ranjith, who stepped up to maintain the team's momentum. The Jaipur Pink Panthers effectively controlled the Do-Or-Die raids that helped expand their lead. As the match came to a close, the Jaipur Pink Panthers decisively outperformed the Tamil Thalaivas, ultimately securing a comprehensive seven-point victory.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 15 (IANS) Suryakumar Yadav's 48 and Suryansh Shedge's blistering 36 not out guided Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a five-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh in the final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 175, Mumbai reached the target with 13 balls to spare to lift their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy silverware.

Mumbai's chase didn't have an inspiring start with opener Prithvi Shaw (10) losing his wicket early to Tripuresh Singh in the second over. Captain Shreyas Iyer joined the in-form Ajinkya Rahane in the middle and the duo stitched a brief 32-run partnership before Tripuresh sent the former back to the pavilion for 16 in the fifth over.

Suryakumar came in to bat at No. 4 and shifted the momentum in Mumbai's favour with a 52-run stand with Rahane. The duo kept the scoreboard moving rapidly and played their shots freely, relieving the pressure from the side. The partnership was ended by Venkatesh Iyer in the 12th over with Rahane's dismissal and kept MP's hope alive in the summit clash. Rahane departed after scoring 30-ball 36 including four boundaries.

From the other end, India T20I captain continued his free-flowing innings with Shivam Dube failing to support his partner in the chase. Dube fell for spinner Kumar Kartikeya in the 14th over with Mumbai requiring 54 runs to win in 41 balls.

In the 16th over, Shivam Shukla got the all-important wicket of Suryakumar, who contributed 48 of 35 balls studded with three sixes and four fours, before cameos from Atharva Ankolekar and Suryansh Shedge sealed victory for Mumbai in the 18th over. The duo stitched a match-winning partnership of 51 runs in 19 balls.

Ankolekar smashed two sixes and remained unbeaten for 16 in six balls while Shedge smashed 36 not out laced with three sixes and as many boundaries.

Shedge was awarded Player of the Match for his late blitz while Rahane was named Player for the Series for scoring 469 runs - the most in the tournament.

Earlier, captain Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 40-ball 81 decored with six sixes and as many fours took Madhya Pradesh to 174/8 in 20 overs.

For Mumbai, Shardul Thakur and Royston Dias bagged two scalps apiece.

Brief scores: Madhya Pradesh 174/8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 81*, Subhranshu Senapati 23; Shardul Thakur 2-41, Royston Dias 2-32) lost to Mumbai 180/5 in 17.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 48, Ajinkya Rahane 37, Suryansh Shedge 36 not out; Tripuresh Singh 2-34) by five wickets.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 15 (IANS) The defending champions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have reinforced their squad with a well-thought-out strategy in the WPL Auction on Sunday. With their four domestic picks, RCB have bolstered their roster with players who bring versatility, depth, and a competitive edge while staying true to their bold and fearless style of cricket.

Going into the auction RCB had Rs 3.25 crore in the purse and four slots to fill. All of these four slots have been filled with players who have shown promise in the domestic circuit and were carefully chosen to provide more edge to RCB’s established core, ensuring a more dynamic and balanced squad.

As highlighted by head coach Luke Williams, adaptability was central to RCB’s strategy heading into the auction, given the unpredictability of venues and match conditions.

"We’re delighted with the work our scouts have done throughout the season and during the camps we hosted, which gave us the chance to carefully evaluate players," said Williams.

He added that Prema's control as a wrist spinner is invaluable in the shortest format of the game.

"Prema brings great control as a wrist spinner, which is invaluable in T20 cricket, and strengthening our spin arsenal was a key priority. Additionally, the pace-bowling all-rounders provide the flexibility we need to handle various match scenarios."

He further emphasised the immediate focus of RCB’s selections: "We’ve built this squad with the upcoming tournament in mind, and we’re confident that these players can make an impact in the XI right away."

RCB’s 2024 title-winning season was highlighted by outstanding performances from players like Ellyse Perry, who won the Orange Cap with 347 runs, and Shreyanka Patil, who claimed the Purple Cap with 13 wickets. To further bolster their squad, RCB made a key move in October, trading in England’s star top-order batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge, renowned for her ability to deliver under pressure.

With a balanced mix of experienced internationals and fresh domestic talent, RCB are determined to maintain its dominance in the upcoming WPL season.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to accept to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in a hybrid format following India's refusal to travel across the border has caused discontent in the organisation with sources telling IANS that many members are unhappy with the way Pakistan has accepted the decision.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed a proposal for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 in which India will play their matches in Dubai while Pakistan will host the rest of the tournament.

As compensation, Pakistan has been allowed to play their matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo. Pakistan has also been allotted the hosting rights for an ICC women's event after 2027.

With the PCB accepting this formula, fighting has started within the PCB over the hybrid model. Some members expressed displeasure, saying the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi should not get carried away with ICC tactics, sources told IANS.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif is one of those who are not happy with the way PCB has agreed to the hybrid model. He said being offered the women's cricket tournament after 2027 was no compensation for hosting CT 2025 in a hybrid model.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 15 (IANS) Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who quit international cricket for a final time on Saturday, hung up his boots with two regrets -- not getting to bowl against India on home soil and hosting Virat Kohli at his Lahore residence. With a UK passport, Amir also hopes to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he can.

Amir, who had a fairytale international debut as a 17-year-old in the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in the UK, said India's decision not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 has deprived him of the chance to bowl at the Indian cricketers like Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

"India not touring Pakistan has saddened me," Amir told Telecom Asia Sport from Sri Lanka where he is playing in a T10 league. "Had they (Indian players) come to Pakistan they would have realised their popularity in our country. Fans wanted to see Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishab Pant and Jasprit Bumrah," Amir told Telecom Asia Sport in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

Amir, who claimed the wicket of the legend Sachin Tendulkar in the Champions Trophy game in Centurion which led to Pakistan's first win over India in ICC events, has good memories of touring the neighbouring country.

"I have also toured India so I know how much love I got from the fans and players there. It would have been great had Indian players visited Pakistan. They have a huge following in Pakistan," said Amir, whose burgeoning career was halted due to a five-year ban because of his role in the spot-fixing scandal of 2010.

Amir made an immediate impact when he returned to the international stage after serving out the ban and starred in Pakistan's triumph in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India, rocking them with wickets of Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.

He has a lot of respect for Virat Kohli and cherishes the bat that the Indian great gave him ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup match in Kolkata. "Virat is great and admires talent," said Amir. "For sure, I would have hosted him at my house."

"Virat gifted me his bat and I was overwhelmed by his action," Amir reminisces. "I have always been a great admirer of his batting and he is of my bowling. I played some good knocks with his bat."

His wish to host Kohli can come true in London where both spend time and are about to relocate in the future. "I have UK status now," said Amir whose wife Narjis is a UK citizen. "Insha'Allah I will get my UK passport in February 2025, so that wish can come true in the UK," Amir was quoted as saying by Telecom Asia Sport.

With a UK passport, Amir is also dreaming of featuring in the IPLas as an overseas player. "Why not?" said Amir when asked about the possibility. "Maybe in 2026, I will be able to play in the IPL as I am still playing leagues around the world."

Amir said he was satisfied with his international career, which he ended with 119 wickets in 36 Tests, 81 in 61 ODIs and 71 in 62 T20Is.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 14 (IANS) Varun Muthappa of Karnataka will take on Anshul Mishra in the final of the IGU 123rd All-India Amateur Golf Championship of India held in the Chandigarh Golf Club. The two young stars qualified for the championship laden with history by winning close matches.

Muthappa beat Ayaan Gupta on the 19th hole after both players were level at the end of 18 holes. In the other semifinal, Anshul Mishra beat Anant Ahlawat on the 18th hole. Muthappa was the eighth seed while Mishra was the 15th seed and now they will battle it out in the 36-hole final.

In the semis, Muthappa was 1-up over Gupta after three and nine, they were all square after thirteenth. Muthappa was again 1-over Gupta after fifteen but had an all-square after the eighteenth. Finally, Muthappa won over Gupta on the 19th hole.

In the other semifinal, Mishra and Ahlawat saw Mishra go 1 over Ahlawat. While they were at an all-square after eight and twelve, Ahlawat put up a tough competition, putting up 1-up over Mishra after thirteen. After having an all-square after the 16th hole, Mishra won over Ahlawat on the 18th hole.

A total number of 32 players came through the stroke play event for the match play segment. After the first round, it came down to 16 players in the pre-quarterfinals of the prestigious event.

Results of the pre-quarterfinals:

32-Arjun Singh Bhatia beat 17-Sukhman Singh 4 & 3;

8-Varun Muthappa beat 24-Akshath Sharma 3 & 2;

4-Ayaan Gupta beat 13-Sagar Uppal 3 & 2;

5-Aaditya Gupta beat 12-Umed 4 & 3

2-Jaibir Singh Kang lost to 15-Anshul Mishra vs 2 UP;

7-Tushar Pannu 21 beat 23-Rakshit Dahiya on the 21st hole;

3-Jujhar Singh lost to 14-Anant S Ahlawat vs 3 & 2;

27-Ritesh beat 11-Deepak Yadav 3 & 2

Results of the quarterfinals:

32-Arjun Singh Bhatia lost to 8-Varun Muthappa 1-up;

4-Ayaan Gupta 20 beat 5-Aaditya Gupta 20th;

15-Anshul Mishra beat 7-Tushar Pannu 19th;

14-Anant S Ahlawat beat 27-Ritesh 6 & 5

Results of the semifinals:

8-Varun Muthappa beat 4-Ayaan Gupta 19th hole;

15-Anshul Mishra beat 14-Anant S Ahlawat 1-up

--IANS

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Gurugram, Dec 14 (IANS) Pritish Karayat and Shambhavi Chaturvedi were adjudged the overall winners in the fourth edition of the US Kids Golf Indian Championships at the Classic Golf and Country Club. Indians won most of the group titles with the exceptions being Rohin Patel (Boys 8) and Rayan Patel (Boys 10). Both Rohin and Rayan are from the United States.

In a competition dominated by local golfers, other international stars who did well were Shwaas Kurada of the US, who was second in Boys 12 and in Girls 11-12, Malaysia’s Woo Kay-Lin was third as another Swedish player Mahi Srivastava was fourth.

Pritish shot the best round of the week with 6-under 66 on the first day and that helped him keep his lead through the week as he beat Arshvant Srivastava, whose valiant attempt fell short. Pritish totalled 3-under 213, the best total among those playing 18-hole rounds. He was also adjudged the overall winner with World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.

In the seniormost section, where WAGR points were on offer, Arshvant had two doubles and four other bogeys against five birdies for a 75 as Pritish played a steady round. It was his second under-par round in three days with four birdies and two bogeys for a 70 that gave him a 3-under 213 total. Arshvant shot 5-over 221.

Shambhavi Chaturvedi earned WAGR points as she totalled 16-over for three days in Girls 13-14, which was one shot better than Girls 15-18 winner, Ayesha Gupta, who won with 17-over. The most consistent performer of the week was young Nihal Cheema, who turned in three straight under-par rounds of 34-35-34 in his three nine-hole rounds for Boys 7 and under and he won by a big margin over his nearest rival, Shabd Agarwwal.

US golfer Rayan Patel (9-over), rallied from four shots behind to win by one over Jot Sarup Gupta (10-over) in Boys 10 with a fine come-from-behind victory. Jot Sarup led after the first two rounds, before losing because of three bogeys in the last five holes. Rayan had a very solid even par on the back nine.

Among girls, Ahana Shah was a consistent performer with 37-35-36 for an even-par total to finish ahead of second-placed Naasyha S Sinha, who dislodged Aahana Srivastava from the second place in the Girls 8 section. Naina Kapoor who opened the week with 2-under 70 had a big win over Aanya Dandriyal in Girls 11-12. Naina totalled 3-over. Kabir Goyal in Boys 9 had two fine rounds of 1-under 71 each while winning his section over Sahib Aujla, second, and Divjot Gupta, third.

Siddhant Sharma, leader after two rounds stayed ahead to beat a charging Adit Veeramachaneni in Boys 11, as Smyaan Gupta kept Sohang Singh Kantor at bay by one shot to win in Boys 13-14.

Among other winners were Vidit Aggarwal in Boys 12, Aaradhya Bhatnagar in Girls 9-10 and Ayesha won the Girls 15-18 section.

Leading scores: after the third and final Round of the 2024 US Kids Golf Indian Championship:

Boys 7&U: 1. Nihal Cheema 34-35-34; 2. Shabd Agarwwal 48-50-55;

Boys 8: T-1. Rohin Patel (US) 46-38-40 2. Samar Singh 46-43-40;

Boys 9: 1. Kabir Goyal 71-74-71; 2. Sahib Aujla 75-75-74;

Boys 10: 1. Rayan Patel (US) 77-77-71; 2. Jot Sarup Gupta 71-79-76;

Boys 11: T-1. Siddhant Sharma 75-70-72; 2. Adit Veeramachaneni 76-71-73;

Boys 12: 1. Vidit Agarwal 78-80-85; 2, Shwaas Kurada 92-85-92;

Boys 13-14: 1. Smyaan Gupta 74-80-80; 2. Sohang Singh Kantor 78-79-78;

Boys 15-18: 1. Pritish Singh Karayat 66-77-70; 2. Arshvant Srivastava 74-72-75

Girls 8 & U: 1. Ahana Shah 37-35-36; 2. Naaysha S Sinha 41-36-36

Girls 9-10: 1. Aaradhya Bhatnagar 92-86-85; 2. Aaliyah Kalra 94-88-84;

Girls 11-12: 1. Naina Kapoor 70-75-74; Aanya Dandriyal 81-78-84;

Girls 13-14: 1. Shambhavi Chaturvedi 75-79-78; 2. Kriti Parekh 80-79-80

Girls 15-18: 1. Ayesha Gupta 80-72-81; 2. Nayonika Kapoor 85-92-85.

--IANS

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