Category: Sports

Out-of-favour Shardul Thakur, an Indian all-rounder, has signed with Essex for the forthcoming 2025 County Championship season in England. On Tuesday, February 18, while Shardul was playing for Mumbai versus Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, Essex made the announcement.

Shardul’s debut season in County Cricket will see him play seven matches for Essex. The County Championship, England’s highest first-class tournament, will begin on April 4, exactly two weeks after the IPL 2025, which begins on March 22.

Despite not being sold in the IPL big auction, the 32-year-old all-rounder has been in outstanding form in the Ranji Trophy, delivering with both bat and ball for Mumbai.

“I’m excited to join Essex this summer,” Shardul stated.

The County spell comes at an important time for his career, as India prepares for a five-Test tour of England from June to August. His achievements could bolster his case for a return to the national squad.

Essex Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood hailed the deal, saying, “We wanted a quality fast bowler with batting skills, and Shardul fits in perfectly.”

Shardul, who last played a Test in December 2023, is determined to reclaim his place in the Indian team.

Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has achieved history as the first half-marathon runner to breach the 57-minute mark. He accomplished this astounding achievement in a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds at the World Athletics Gold Label road race in Barcelona on Sunday. This new world record is a significant achievement in long-distance running.

The 24-year-old Kiplimo, a two-time global cross-country champion, previously held the half-marathon mark from 2021-2024. With his remarkable effort, he recovered the record, shaving 48 seconds off the previous world record of 57:30 established by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in October.

Kiplimo’s feat is the most significant single improvement in the men’s world half-marathon record. The perfect weather conditions of 13°C (55°F) and little wind contributed significantly to his success. During the race, Kiplimo established a world record of 39:47 for the 15-kilometer mark, demonstrating his incredible endurance and speed.

“I am very excited about what I did today,” Kiplimo said. He started strong and maintained his focus throughout, never expecting to smash the world record. As he observed the pace, he realised he had to keep it till the end.

Indian athlete Gulveer Singh, who won bronze in the 10,000m race at the Hangzhou Asian Games, has begun his new season with a bang. At the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, the 26-year-old broke the men’s 3000m indoor national record that had stood for 16 years.

Gulveer ran an outstanding 7:38.26s to finish second in the event. He broke the old Indian indoor 3000m record of 7:49.47, set by Surendar Singh in 2008. Surendar has recently transitioned into coaching.

Following this achievement, Gulveer has set his eyes on qualifying for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the 10,000m, where the entry requirement is 27:00.00.

“I’m thrilled to have run such a strong time in my season’s first indoor race,” he remarked. “This performance has given me immense confidence for upcoming outdoor races.”

Gulveer, who owns national records in the 5000m (13:11.82) and 10,000m (27:14.88) outdoor events, continues to test the limits.

Meanwhile, Rahul, another Indian athlete, ran 8:08.27 in the 3000m indoor race, and Kartik Kumar finished the 5000m indoor event in 14:05.67.

A squad of Indian middle and long-distance runners is now training at high altitude in Colorado Springs, USA, under coach Scott Simmons in preparation for major upcoming championships.

Shubman Gill, India’s young batting star, continues to set records with his incredible consistency. Since making his ODI debut in 2019, Gill has produced numerous memorable innings, demonstrating why he is regarded as India’s next cricketing superstar.

During the third One-Day International against England, Gill became the fastest cricketer in history to reach 2,500 runs in ODIs. He reached this milestone in just 50 innings, beating South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who needed 53 innings.

Gill also outperformed fellow Indian Shreyas Iyer, who set the previous record by scoring 2,500 runs in 59 innings. Gill has been in spectacular form at the top of the order, scoring three successive half-centuries in this series (87, 60, and 78*).

So far, he has scored nearly 2,500 runs at an average of more than 60, with a strike rate of 101.84, including 16 half-centuries and six centuries.

His form provides a significant boost to India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, in the third ODI, India scored 147/2 in 23 overs, with Gill and Iyer at the crease after Virat Kohli was dismissed for 52.

India set a new ODI record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, scoring their highest total at the venue. The Men in Blue scored a strong 356 in 50 overs against England in the series’ third and final ODI on Wednesday. This is India’s joint-third highest total in ODIs against England, matching the 356 for 7 they scored in Pune in 2017 in 48.1 overs.

India’s best-ever ODI total versus England is 387 for five, scored in Rajkot in 2008. The second-best score was 381 for six by India in Cuttack in 2017. In both instances, India won convincingly. Prior to this match, India’s best ODI total at Ahmedabad was 325 for 5 against the West Indies on November 15, 2002.

Shubman Gill’s stunning century of 112 (102) powered the most recent high-scoring innings in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom scored half-centuries, helped to improve India’s innings. Although captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, KL Rahul’s quickfire 40 off 29 balls helped India achieve a formidable total.

With this game, India had already secured the series, having won the first two ODIs and led 2-0. They also dominated the previous five-match T20I series, winning 4-1.

Viraj Sarawgi, a Grade 5 student at Royal Global School in Guwahati, Assam, has made an impressive debut in the chess world by earning a silver medal at the prestigious Bangkok Rapid Chess Championship.

The competition, held at Kings College in Bang Phong Phang, Bangkok, attracted over 250 players from seven different countries, making it an intense and highly competitive event. Viraj played in the Under-12 division, earning an excellent 5.5 points out of six rounds.

What makes his accomplishment even more remarkable is that he joined the event as an unranked participant. Despite this, he performed admirably, defeating two experienced FIDE-rated opponents, Kultungkijsaree Poom (1502) and Juntongjin Prin (1496). His only loss came against the tournament’s gold medallist, Ayan Mukherjee (1596).

Viraj’s devotion and courageous gameplay have been crucial to his success. He looks forward to Grandmaster D Gukesh and hopes to become a global champion in the future. Coaches Durga Nagesh Guttula and Shrikanth Malladi helped mould his journey.

Viraj’s next task is the Abu Dhabi Junior Chess Championship in August, and he is determined to improve his game and bring more glory to India.

On Thursday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a partnership with Singapore to launch a series of basketball activities. This collaboration will begin with a multi-year arrangement with an immersive basketball and entertainment festival in June.

The festival will feature open courts, exclusive player appearances, meet-and-greet sessions, clinics, and an opportunity for fans to snap selfies with the historic Larry O’Brien Trophy awarded to NBA Finals champions.

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational, a prestigious competition comprising elite boys’ and girls’ high school teams from 11 nations and territories in Asia and the Pacific, will be a major highlight of the event.

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasised the importance of the project, adding that “basketball is the second most popular sport among Asian youth.” Our goal for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational is to continue this trend and give a competitive platform for young athletes.”

NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh expects the occasion to inspire young players. “When kids witness opportunities they never imagined, it changes everything,” said the two-time NBA champion.

The NBA has been growing its presence in Asia, opening a regional office in Singapore in 2022 to supplement its existing offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai, and Shanghai.

India’s para cyclists put up an amazing display on Day 2 of the Asian Road & Paracycling Championship in Phichit, Thailand. Their endurance and determination culminated in four more medals for the country, bolstering India’s burgeoning prominence in the para-cycling world.

Jyoti Gaderiya of Maharashtra won gold in the Women’s C2 Road Race, and Prashant Arkal of Maharashtra took silver in the Men’s H4 Handcycling Road Race. Andhra Pradesh’s Arshad Shaik won another silver medal in the Men’s C2 Road Race, while Bihar’s Jalaluddin Ansari took bronze.

These accomplishments reflect the para-athletes’ unwavering dedication to training under the competent guidance of the Aditya Mehta Foundation. Sponsors such as Invesco, Alcon, and GMMCO have provided invaluable resources to assist them reach new heights. Their success is a reflection of their perseverance, discipline, and enthusiasm for the sport.

As India prepares for the forthcoming World Championships and the 2028 Paralympics, these competitors continue to smash barriers and inspire future generations. The Aditya Mehta Foundation thanked all fans and well-wishers who stood with these champions, believing in their ability to achieve history.

Sonja Chong will make history as Singapore’s first ice skating official at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, from February 7 to 14. The 59-year-old will act as a starter for short-track speed skating, assuring fair race starts and competitive integrity. Her selection is a significant step forward for Southeast Asia’s winter sports officiating.

Chong, who was president of the Singapore Ice Skating Association (SISA) from 2007 to 2019, is one of just 20 ISU-level stars worldwide, and one of only four in Asia. She has officiated at several important events, including the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea.

“This moment demonstrates that winter sports are no longer limited to traditional strongholds. “I hope my journey inspires other officials from developing countries,” Chong remarked.

As vice president of the Asian Skating Union (ASU), she hopes to mentor aspiring officials, emphasising that having more skilled referees will raise the region’s competitive standards.

Following Harbin, she will conduct ceremonies in Canada, Indonesia, and India.

SISA president Alison Chan and ASU president Chang Myong-hi complimented Chong’s accomplishments, describing her as a trailblazer for Southeast Asia in international ice skating officiating.

Rashid Khan, an Afghan leg-spinner, has made his mark on T20 history by becoming the format’s all-time leading wicket-taker at the age of just 26. He broke Dwayne Bravo’s record of 631 wickets by reaching this milestone during the SA20 qualifier against the Paarl Royals.

Rashid, who was quite happy, said that he was proud to represent Afghanistan on such a big stage. He has become a global T20 phenomenon since his debut in 2015, surpassing 500 appearances and winning titles in the IPL and PSL. Batsmen from all over the world have been confused by his misleading bowling style, which is defined by quick deliveries and unpredictable turns.

Rashid’s ability to put constant pressure on batsmen makes it difficult for them to score against him, even though his wickets are a testament to his skills. His all-round abilities have also improved, and his batting ability, which includes his characteristic “snake shot,” has added another depth to his game.

His contributions with both the ball and the bat have made him a highly sought-after player in competitions around the world, as demonstrated by his substantial IPL deal with the Gujarat Titans.