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Budapest, Nov 10 (IANS) India's World No.7 R Praggnanandhaa, No. 12-ranked Arjun Erigaisi and top woman player Vaishali Rameshbabu are among the chess world's biggest stars descending on the Hungarian capital for the pilot event of Total Chess World Championship, an ambitious new tournament which tests an innovative format and explores a new direction for professional chess.

Among the biggest attractions is the arrival of Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), who arrived in Budapest late on Monday evening. Having held the world No. 1 position for 15 consecutive years, Carlsen's participation adds enormous star power to an already exceptional field and puts the spotlight firmly on the Hungarian capital.

The 24-player world-class field also includes elite stars like Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Levon Aronian, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and young talents like Abhimanyu Mishra of the United States.

This makes up an extraordinary gathering of international chess talent, featuring some of the biggest names in the game, multiple elite grandmasters and two of the world's leading female players. From established champions and former world championship challengers to the next generation of chess superstars, the Budapest Pilot promises a fascinating contest across the board.

The confirmed participants include beside Carlsen, Caruana, Erigiasi, Pragg and Vaishali, Wesley So (USA), Vincent Keymer (GER), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Anish Giri (NED), Alireza Firouzja (FRA), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL), Liem Le (VIE) Richard Rapport (HUN), Levon Aronian (USA), Hans Moke Niemann (USA), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE), Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), Jorden van Foreest (NED), Haik M. Martirosyan (ARM), Vladislav Artemiev (FIDE), Abhimanyu Mishra (USA), and the world's youngest Grandmaster Andrew Hong (USA) along with Women's World No. 7 Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ).

With a total prize fund of $650,000, the stakes could hardly be higher for a pilot event. The tournament brings together an exceptional collection of talent, with every player competing for the inaugural crown and the opportunity to be part of a defining moment in the evolution of professional chess.

"But the Total Chess Pilot is about more than finding a champion. At its heart is the testing of a new competitive format designed to bring a fresh dimension to elite chess, creating a more dynamic, engaging and compelling experience for players, fans and audiences worldwide," the organisers said.

Alongside the on-board competition, the event will introduce an enhanced broadcast experience featuring world-class production, an expert commentary panel, live insights and in-depth post-match studio analysis, bringing viewers closer to the players, their strategies and the drama behind every game.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour Pilot introduces a ground-breaking competition format designed to identify the world's most complete chess player by combining Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz into a single championship.

For the pilot event, the 24 elite players will begin the tournament in a group stage comprising four groups of six players each. Every group follows a double round-robin format over five days, with players contesting ten Fast Classical games (45 minutes plus a 30-second increment).

Victories earn three points, while draws are worth one point. A nine-round Blitz Swiss tournament held before the competition determines tie-break rankings.

Following the group stage, players progress into knockout brackets based on their finishing positions. Each knockout match is played over two days and tests competitors across all three disciplines—four Blitz games (3+2), two Rapid games (15+10) and one Fast Classical game (45+30)—with weighted scoring rewarding success in longer formats.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 10 (IANS) The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday hosted ‘Celebrating the Champions’, an evening to honour the winners of the T20 Mumbai League 2026 and celebrate the league’s growth, both on and off the field.

The event celebrated the league’s progress as a competitive platform for cricketing talent as well as its growing commercial strength, with the formal induction of the ninth franchise marking an important milestone in its journey.

The event was attended by World Cup-winning India captain and Triumph Knights MNE skipper Suryakumar Yadav, MCA President Ajinkya Naik, T20 Mumbai League Governing Council Chairman Rajdip Gupta, T20 Mumbai League players Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Sayali Satghare, players from the teams, MCA office-bearers, members of the MCA Apex Council and League Governing Council, team operators and commercial partners, and MCA Club Secretaries.

The evening saw MSC Maratha Royals felicitated for successfully defending their title in the men’s league, while SOBO Mumbai Falcons were also honoured after winning the inaugural women’s league. A key highlight of the evening was the formal induction of the league’s ninth franchise, representing Navi Mumbai. The addition reflects the growing interest in the competition among prospective investors.

Former India captain and Triumph Knights MNE skipper Suryakumar Yadav said, “I believe the most important thing for aspiring cricketers in Mumbai is to have the right platform. With cricket continuing to grow across the world, having access to such opportunities is extremely important, and every player looks forward to them. I still remember when I first heard about the T20 Mumbai League in 2018. I was really excited because, at the time, the opportunities were largely limited to the IPL and domestic tournaments. The league provided another important platform for players to showcase their abilities."

Speaking on the occasion, MCA President Ajinkya Naik said, “It is encouraging to see how far the T20 Mumbai League has come, both as a cricketing platform and as a sporting property. Today’s celebration is not just about honouring our champions but also recognising the progress the league has made over the years.

"Mumbai has always been one of the strongest centres of cricket in the country, and it is important that we continue to create opportunities for the next generation to carry that legacy forward. As MCA, we want to see the league grow while staying true to its primary purpose of developing local talent and strengthening Mumbai’s cricketing ecosystem,” he added.

Rajdip Gupta, Chairman, T20 Mumbai League Governing Council, said, “The league has come a long way since its inception, and the addition of a ninth franchise is an important milestone in that journey. The ₹106.88 crore franchise acquisition over six years reflects the confidence that investors have shown in the T20 Mumbai League and the potential they see in its future. We have worked towards building a sustainable franchise-based competition, with the right balance of sporting value and commercial opportunity. As we look ahead, our focus will be on strengthening the franchise ecosystem, building meaningful partnerships and taking the league to a wider audience.”

The evening also featured a fireside chat with Suryakumar Yadav, Ajinkya Naik, Rajdip Gupta and league partners, who shared their perspectives on the league’s journey, its growing stature, commercial potential and role in strengthening Mumbai cricket.

Since its inception in 2018, the T20 Mumbai League has provided a platform for emerging cricketers to showcase their talent and progress to higher levels of the game. Players such as Shivam Dube and Tushar Deshpande, who have gone on to represent India, are among the names associated with the league’s talent pathway. The introduction of the women’s competition in 2026 has further widened the platform, giving women cricketers an opportunity to compete and showcase their abilities.

The league’s growing franchise base has also added to its commercial appeal. The induction of the Navi Mumbai franchise, backed by an investment of ₹106.88 crore over six years, is a significant development in this regard. Alongside its franchise model and commercial partnerships, the league continues to build a platform that brings together cricketing talent, investors and brands.

With nine franchises now part of the competition, the T20 Mumbai League, one of India’s leading franchise-based domestic T20 tournaments, is well placed to build on its growing stature. With its expanding franchise base, increasing commercial interest and continued focus on nurturing local talent, the league will look to take further strides in the years ahead.

--IANS

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Munich, Nov 10 (IANS) Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has returned to the club's training ground as he continues his recovery from a medical condition that required hospitalisation after he collapsed towards the end of last month.

The 40-year-old Belgian was back at Bayern's training facility at Sabener Straße earlier this week and has also started rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. His return to the club comes as a positive development for the Bundesliga leaders, who had been without their head coach during his recovery period.

Kompany had been taken to hospital after falling ill while watching Bayern's second team train. Medical examinations diagnosed him with meningeal irritation, an inflammation affecting the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Bayern confirmed his return through a statement, expressing optimism about his recovery. The club said Kompany had resumed visits to the training centre at the beginning of the week and was continuing his rehabilitation there.

"Vincent Kompany is on the road to recovery and has been back at the training ground at Säbener Straße since the start of the week. Our head coach is also completing rehab on his injured shoulder there. Kompany was under medical care recently, with assistant coach Aaron Danks filling in," Bayern said in a statement on X.

During Kompany's absence, assistant coach Aaron Danks took responsibility for the team and guided Bayern through a successful run of results. The Englishman oversaw four victories and one draw across five matches, ensuring that the club maintained its momentum despite the absence of its head coach.

Kompany took charge of Bayern in 2024 after leaving Burnley and has since established the team among the leading contenders in German football. The former Manchester City captain previously enjoyed a distinguished playing career, winning multiple trophies during his time in England.

Bayern are scheduled to return to Bundesliga action against Cologne on November 20, following the conclusion of the international break. Kompany's recovery will remain an important consideration for the club as preparations begin for the upcoming fixture.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 10 (IANS) After enduring some difficult months after losing out on a spot in the squad for the shortest format of international game, India's 2026 Men's T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav is looking forward to leading Mumbai in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Surya is eager to lead Mumbai T20 side once again and wants to make up for missing out on being part of the Ranji Trophy side and is looking forward to interacting with young players in the side, exchanging ideas and dispensing the wisdom he has gained in the last 16 years as a player for Mumbai and India.

"I would be very happy and privileged to spend time with them and play for this association. I have always been around; I have been here for the last 16 years, and that energy and passion are still there. I would be very happy to take this forward, lead the team this time and win the tournament," said Suryakumar Yadav at an event organised by Mumbai Cricket Association to honour the men's and women's sections of the T20 Mumbai League.

"I have seen so many cricketers who have played alongside each other on the maidans of Mumbai cricket and learnt a lot of tricks from one another — how to handle situations, how to clear the sport. These are the things we discuss. Most importantly, we talk about how we can grow together.

"That's what I have seen over the last few months and years, whenever I have been part of the Mumbai dressing room and had the opportunity to spend time with the boys. Though I didn't get that opportunity during this Ranji Trophy season, going forward, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, there will definitely be good times ahead," said SKY at the 'Celebrating with Champions' event at which the MCA honoured the Maratha Royals team, the champions of T20 Mumbai League Season 4, and Mumbai Falcons, who won the first season of Women's T20 Mumbai League, earlier this year.

Though he has been playing cricket at various levels, the 35-year-old Suryakumar Yadav has learnt from all opportunities and is looking forward to doing the same in the future too.

"There is still a lot to learn, and I continue to learn from all the players. There are a lot of young cricketers in the team right now. These boys are getting a platform to play domestic cricket, get recognised by IPL franchises and eventually get picked by them. I think this is a very important time for them," said Surya, who also talked about his experiences when he made his Mumbai debut, around 16 years back.

"When I first walked into the dressing room in 2010-11, I had seniors like Sachin (Tendulkar) sir, Amol Muzumdar and Ajit Agarkar. There were so many players whom I used to look up to. Whenever they went out for practice, I would spend a lot of time with them, talking. Sachin sir even gave me his space in the Mumbai dressing room, where he used to sit in the right corner. So, it was quite a special moment, a very memorable one.

Surya also talked about how things have changed since then and how today's youngsters have a different kind of passion and ambition for the game.

"Obviously, as I gradually started taking over, things began to change. I don't want to talk about when I first became the captain of Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, because things were very different at that time. I was a completely different person then. I have changed a lot since.

"But now, when I look at all the boys and spend time with them, I see a completely different kind of passion and hunger. They want to achieve something, build a brand, represent Mumbai at the franchise level, play for the Mumbai Cricket Association and, ultimately, represent India," he said.

The Mumbai Indians star talked about how things were a bit difficult for him after the T20 World Cup and how life changed for him after the birth of his daughter in May 2026.

"Things have been a little difficult after the T20 World Cup. I don't want to run away from that fact. If you are not honest with yourself, it is very difficult to lead a happy life. So, to be very honest, it has been very difficult. But at the same time, during the IPL, I was blessed with a baby girl in May. The focus shifted completely towards her. The last few months, since she was born, have been very beautiful.

"The first two months, though, were very difficult. But then I thought, why not go back to thinking about how I was before? How I started my cricket journey, when all I used to think about was playing age-group cricket for Mumbai and eventually representing Mumbai in first-class cricket. I sat down and thought about all these things and started chatting with my wife. She said the same thing. She felt I needed to bring back the love and passion for the game that I had when I was a 15-year-old kid who wanted to represent Mumbai in Under-15 cricket," said Surya.

He said that period got him thinking, and he started doing things with the same passion as he did 10-15 years ago.

"So, that's what I started thinking about, and I am now following the same things I did 10-15 years ago. I am training again, following the same passion and the same love for the game. Everything is back to normal now. When you start thinking about it and focus on playing this sport, you want to do well for your team and your family. Things change completely, and that's what I am doing right now," he said during an interaction at the MCA event.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 10 (IANS) Being the lone male player at a three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop organised as part of the FIFA Player Impact Programme has given former India captain Sunil Chhetri special insights into the world of women's football.

The 42-year-old Chhetri was in Boston a few months ago, along with 10 female players to explore how they can turn their football influence into meaningful change for the causes that matter most to them. Chhetri's participation in the female-only programme in June reflects the programme's growing ambition and reach.

Chhetri was part of the cohort that gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, to explore how they can turn their football influence into meaningful change for the causes that matter most to them. He is expected to soon put together a project to drive positive social change in the country and, along with other participants, present it at the next stage of the Impact Accelerator Workshop in London in December this year.

The 11 members of the 13-strong second cohort of FIFA's Player Impact Programme were united for the initiative, which empowers players to harness their voice, platform and resources to drive positive social change, said a report on www.fifa.com.

The three-day conclave in Boston, at which the players took the first step in their impact journeys, was attended by Alexia Putellas, a FIFA Women’s World Cup winner with Spain, Casey Phair of Korea Republic, Gabi Nunes of Brazil, Hina Sugita of Japan, Jessie Fleming of Canada, Kenza Dali of France, Maria Sanchez of Mexico, Michelle Agyemang of England, Phallon Tullis-Joyce of the USA, Racheal Kundananji of Zambia and Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria, Rebekah Stott of New Zealand besides Sunil Chhetri.

The programme, which builds upon the success of its female-only pilot in 2025, recognises that the stars, besides excelling on the football field, also have a unique opportunity to inspire future generations and create lasting impact around the world, backed by FIFA's support.

Drawing from their experience and inspired by each other’s stories, players left with a clearer understanding of how the nine-month programme will support them with the skills, resources and guidance needed to turn their projects into reality, the report said.

Over three days in Boston, the group shared their personal journeys and the goals they have set for themselves through group discussions, practical exercises and expert-led sessions. The result was a series of powerful, engaging and constructive exchanges that will ultimately create lasting change in their communities.

"I’m really happy that I got this opportunity,” Chhetri was quoted as saying in a report on the programme in fifa.com. Chhetri, who at 42 is still playing in his homeland, said: “I cannot wait to put those lessons into practice. I don’t think there is a difference (between) a man and a woman here, (we are) just meeting amazing personalities, some amazing top-class players from different countries.”

The next milestone in their impact journey will come in December, when participants gather in London and join virtual sessions to present their projects to their peers.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Nov 10 (IANS) Sachin Baisoya will have an immediate opportunity to get back at Gaganjeet Bhullar when the Phoenix Invitational 2026 gets under way at Vooty Golf County on Wednesday.

There is unfinished business between the two. Just last week, Baisoya took the early runaway leader Bhullar all the way to the play-off at the Green Fuels Maritime Invitational in Vizag.

If Bhullar’s week, a very consistent one, was built around his shortened second round of 6-under, Baisoya’s challenge on the final day, which was again shortened because of rain, came on the strength of a remarkable seven-under round.

That erased the six-shot advantage Bhullar and sent the clash into a play-off.

Bhullar eventually prevailed with a 40-foot putt on the extra hole, but Baisoya had made it clear that the gap between the two was not as wide as the final result suggested.

The ‘Rematch at Vooty’ gives Baisoya another chance to test himself against the most successful player on the Indian Golf Premier League circuit. The 11-time Asian Tour winner, Bhullar has now won six IGPL titles, including three this season, and his ability to find a way to win even when his game is not at its best remains a significant advantage.

For Baisoya and his Phoenix Hyderabad teammates, Ranjit Singh, Raghav Chugh and Arjun Bhati, it is a chance to showcase their team in the main event and the X-golf, a innovative new competition, events.

At a meeting with the media, Uttam Singh Mundy CEO of IGPL said, “It has been an exciting 2026 for AM Green IGPL, with 10 events completed, including six international stops, as we come together for our 11th event. Our league-integrated tour is building camaraderie and bringing men and women professionals together to compete for equal prize money. Through our partnerships with golf bodies and Special Olympics, we are committed to growing the sport, while discussions on two centres of excellence in India aim to create a pathway for young golfers. We hope to finalise these plans by year-end, and we thank Hyderabad Firebirds G.C. and Dream Valley Group for hosting us at Vooty, where players have praised the course’s excellent condition.”

Baisoya, meanwhile, has shown that he can put together low scores under pressure. His charge in Vizag was built on aggressive golf and a series of birdies when he had little room for error. The challenge now is to sustain that level over the tournament rather than rely on a late charge.

Baisoya, the main pillar of Phoenix Hyderabad Firebirds, added, “We’re all ready to put our best foot forward and give our best. We were victorious at HGA in Hyderabad two weeks ago, so we’re coming in with some good form, although last week wasn’t great. I feel X-Golf is a great format. Having spent four years in the US, I’ve seen how big sports are and how engaged everyone is. Golf can be a little long and tough to follow, so I feel this change is necessary. India has so many people, and the scope is enormous. This is a great platform, and the players are extremely excited. I hope you’ll all come and watch us this week at Boulder Hills for X-Golf. Thank you.”

Baisoya and Bhullar will not be playing in the same group in the opening round. Bhullar starts at 10.42 am from the first tee alongside Varun Parikh and Kapil Kumar, while Baisoya tees off at 11.04 am with Aryan Roopa Anand and Sukhman Singh. Their paths may be separate on Wednesday, but the leaderboard could bring them together again as the week progresses.

Bhullar arrives with a formidable recent record. His victory at the Krishna Invitational in Hyderabad in October was followed by the Vizag triumph. He has positioned himself as the player to beat in the league, combining his Asian Tour experience with an understanding of how to manage the pressure of the shorter AM Green IGPL format.

The contest, however, is unlikely to be restricted to these two. The field has several players capable of making a strong run, and the Vooty layout will demand consistency as much as scoring ability.

Arjun Prasad, who made a winning impression on his IGPL debut, will be one to watch. He opens at 9.14 am alongside Ravi Kumar and Harshjeet Singh Sethie. Veteran Shiv Kapur, a multiple Asian Your winner, another player with considerable international experience, tees off at 11.15 am with Kanav Chauhan and Danish Verma.

There is considerable interest in the younger contingent. Aryan Roopa Anand, who has been making his presence felt and had a win in Africa, gets an early test alongside Baisoya. Sukhman Singh, who recently moved into the professional ranks, completes that group. Their performance will be worth following against an experienced player who has shown he can contend for titles.

For Bhullar, the objective is to maintain his winning run. For Baisoya, it is about showing that last week's performance was not a one-off. And for the rest of the field, the task is to prevent the two from making the tournament another chapter in their growing rivalry.

--IANS

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Al Amerat (UAE), Nov 10 (IANS) Young India batter Aaryavir Sehwag revealed that he had promised his father and former India opener Virender Sehwag a big hundred ahead of his match-winning 160 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the U19 Asia Cup, which helped the team secure a 70-run victory and a place in the semifinals.

Aaryavir, who struck 17 fours and seven sixes in his 168-ball knock, said he was determined to bat deep and make a substantial contribution despite the challenges posed by the turning wicket at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

"I started and decided to play long and bat for 40-odd overs. There were challenges on the wicket. I didn't get bothered about the dot balls. I knew I would catch up. And I wanted to make a big score," Aaryavir said after the match.

The 18-year-old also disclosed that he had made a promise to his father, who is known for his aggressive batting and appetite for big scores during his illustrious international career. "I had promised someone to make a big score today, and thankfully I made it. And that person is my dad. I told my dad I would get a big hundred. I have a legacy to live up to as he only likes big hundreds," he added.

Aaryavir's knock anchored India's innings as the visitors posted 309/7 in their 50 overs. He shared a massive 193-run partnership for the third wicket with VK Vineeth, who contributed 67 off 69 deliveries.

India were well-placed at 255/1 after 44.1 overs but lost momentum in the closing stages, managing only 54 runs while losing six wickets to finish at 309/7. UAE medium-pacer Naseem Khan was the standout bowler with figures of 4-48 in his 10 overs.

In reply, UAE were bowled out for 239, with Ishan Sood leading India's bowling effort with four wickets for 37 runs in seven overs.

Ahmed Khudadad top-scored for UAE with 74 off 74 balls, while Noorullah Ayobi provided a late flourish with a 25-ball 39. However, their efforts were not enough to prevent India from registering their second victory in three group matches.

The win confirmed India's place in the semifinals, where the eight-time champions will face Afghanistan on Thursday. Defending champions Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the other semifinal.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) World Athletics has released the qualification system for the athletics events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, outlining the entry standards, qualification periods and quota places for athletes competing at the global sporting event.

The athletics competitions at the LA28 Olympics will be held from July 15 to 30, 2028. The qualification framework, approved by the World Athletics Council, will follow a two-way system, with 40 per cent of the available places expected to be filled through entry standards and the remaining 60 per cent through world rankings.

The athletics programme will feature 48 events, including 23 men's and 23 women's competitions, along with two mixed events. The mixed 4x100m relay will make its debut at the Olympic Games, joining the mixed 4x400m relay.

World Athletics has clarified that achieving the entry standard will not automatically guarantee an Olympic place. If the number of athletes meeting the required mark exceeds the available quota in an event, only those with the best performances during the qualification period will secure places. In such cases, no additional athletes will qualify through world rankings.

The qualification windows will vary according to the events. For the marathon, the period will run from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028. The 10,000m, combined events, race walks, and relays will have a qualification window from December 19, 2026, to June 18, 2028. For all other track and field events, the period will begin on June 19, 2027, and end on June 18, 2028.

The entry standards include 9.93 seconds in the men's 100m and 10.96 seconds in the women's event. In the men's and women's 200m, the qualifying marks have been set at 19.95 and 22.25 seconds, respectively. For the men's marathon, the standard is 2:05:00, while women will need to achieve 2:22:20.

Special qualification rules have also been introduced for road races and relays. The top 56 athletes on the filtered marathon qualification list as of March 19, 2028, will be considered qualified. The first 12 finishers in the half marathon race walk events at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in China on April 9, 2028, will also earn automatic qualification.

In the relay events, the first 14 national Olympic committees at the World Athletics Relays in The Bahamas on April 22 and 23, 2028, will secure Olympic places. Teams will have two opportunities to qualify at the World Relays – if unsuccessful on day one, another chance will be provided on day two of the competition.

--IANS

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Al Amerat, Nov 10 (IANS) Aaryavir Sehwag, son of India icon Virender Sehwag, scored a masterful 160 from 168 balls to help India U19 beat UAE U19 by 70 runs in the U19 Asia Cup at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2) here on Tuesday.

The victory also helped India U19 confirm their place in the U19 Asia Cup semifinal as they have finished their Group A in second place behind Pakistan U19, who had edged past the Indian side earlier in the league stage.

India have two wins in three matches as they had earlier defeated the Nepal U19 side too. In the semifinal, the eight-time U19 champions India will be up against 2017 winner Afghanistan U19 on Thursday.

Coming to the match, the Indian U19 side made a strong total of 309/7 in 50 overs. Opener Aaryavir scored 160 with 17 fours and seven sixes to hold the team's innings together. No.3 VK Vineeth was the only other player with a notable score as he made 67 from 69 balls. The junior Sehwag and Vineeth put up a 193-run partnership for the third wicket and put India U19 on the door of a strong total.

The Indian side lost its way a bit in the death overs as, from 255/1 in 44.1 overs, they slipped to 299/7 in 49.1 overs and ended up making 309/7.

For UAE, medium-pace bowler Naseem Khan was the pick of the bowler for having taken 4-48 in his 10 overs.

Coming into the chase, India kept a lid on the UAE side with regular wickets. Right-arm fast bowler Ishan Sood stood out with 4-37 in his seven overs, while all of the other six bowlers also took a wicket each to bowl UAE for 239.

No.4 Ahmed Khudadad was the only saving grace for the UAE side as he made a run-a-ball 74 and did the damage control. Captain and opener Ayaan Misbah (27) and other opener Zainullah Rehmani (16) got starts but could not capitalise, as did Yayin Rai, who scored 29 but fell to Yashbardhan Chauhan.

While the wickets were falling, Khudadad held one end up to put up a lone fight, and despite Noorullah Ayobi coming with a 25-ball 39-run cameo, UAE were considerably short in the end.

While India U19 will meet Afghanistan U19 in the second semifinal, defending champions Pakistan U19 will lock horns against Bangladesh U19 in the first semifinal, which is also scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Brief Scores: India U19 309/7 in 50 overs (Aaryavir Sehwag 160, VK Vineeth 67; Naseem Khan 4-48, Noorullah Ayobi 1-59) beat UAE U19 239/10 (Ahmed Khudadad 74, Noorullah Ayobi 39; Ishan Sood 4-37, Aryan Savsani 1-21) by 70 runs

--IANS

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London, Nov 10 (IANS) England have handed maiden senior international call-up to Bournemouth defender James Hill ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain after injuries forced changes to Thomas Tuchel's squad.

The 24-year-old centre-back has joined the Three Lions squad for the November international window after impressing with his performances for Bournemouth this season. Hill has made 15 appearances for the Premier League club, earning recognition from England head coach Tuchel.

Hill, who has previously represented England at under-20 and under-21 levels, will now get an opportunity to make his senior debut as the national team prepares for two important Group C encounters.

His inclusion follows the withdrawal of Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, who picked up an injury during his club's Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Guehi was substituted at half-time and will remain with his club for further recovery.

Newcastle United's Dan Burn was brought into the squad on Monday as a replacement for Guehi. The defender, who has 11 international caps, joined the England camp at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground.

Meanwhile, Arsenal centre-back Ezri Konsa will also miss Thursday's meeting with Croatia at Wembley as he continues an individual fitness programme. He is expected to resume full training later this week and could be available for England's subsequent trip to Spain.

Hill will compete for a place in the central defensive positions alongside Burn, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah.

England will host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Madrid to face Spain on Sunday, November 15, in their final two group-stage matches.

Tuchel's side are currently second in Group C and need to avoid defeat against Croatia to guarantee qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals, scheduled for March next year. England can finish top of the group if they win both remaining matches and finish with a superior goal difference to Spain.

The November camp also features first-time senior call-ups for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Fulham's Josh King, who have earned promotion from the England under-21 setup.

--IANS

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