Category: Sports

At the renaming ceremony in the Saurashtra Cricket Association’s stadium in Rajkot, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA-West Indies. In consideration of the team’s outstanding performance, Shah’s declaration echoed his expectation for India’s triumph in the Barbados 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit’s captaincy.

Jay Shah emphasized the importance of supporting their skipper and allowing him to relax. He highlighted Rohit’s past experience in captaincy across different formats and his return for the Afghanistan match as significant points to consider in their approach. Shah stressed the need for confidence-building measures around Rohit’s leadership role, indicating a strategic stance towards team dynamics and performance optimization.

Owing to injury concerns, Hardik Pandya, who was named captain before, will now be vice-captain. Additionally, Rahul Dravid will take on the team’s training duties.

Along with supporting Virat Kohli’s decision to take a personal leave, Shah emphasised the BCCI’s power to control player workloads both before and during international competitions. In its strategic planning, the Indian Cricket Board continues to place a high priority on striking a balance between player welfare and performance optimisation.

Indian women’s batter Smriti Mandhana has jumped to fourth place in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for batters, surpassing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. England’s Nat Sciver Brunt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, and Australia’s Beth Mooney hold the top three positions, while India’s Harmanpreet Kaur remains at 10th.

Mandhana last played ODIs in a series against Australia, scoring 63 runs at an average of 31.50. In the bowling chart, England’s Sophie Ecclestone leads, with Deepti Sharma slipping to fourth. Mandhana has also risen to fifth on the ODI all-rounder list.

South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp climbed to second among bowlers after an outstanding performance against Australia. Kapp’s all-round effort helped South Africa secure their first-ever ODI victory over Australia. She retained the eighth position in batting and consolidated her top ranking among all-rounders. Chloe-Tryon moved up in rankings, advancing to 20th among batters, 43rd among bowlers, and entering the top 10 for all-rounders.

Australia saw players move up in rankings after a 2-1 win, with all-rounder Tahlia McGrath rising to 30th among batters, 60th among bowlers, and 21st among all-rounders after being named ‘Player of the Match’ in the final ODI. Alana King and Kim Garth also made notable progress.

Glenn Maxwell’s phenomenal 120-run knock against West Indies in the 2nd T20 match at Adelaide Oval not only powered Australia to a monumental 241-4 but also drew him level with Rohit Sharma’s T20I century record.

Maxwell displayed his exceptional hand speed and bowler-dominating abilities during his blazing performance, which included 12 boundaries and 8 sixes. Together, he and Tim David scored 92 runs, which strengthened Australia’s dominant lead.

Rovman Powell’s resilient 63 off 36 and Andre Russell’s stunning 37 off 16 gave West Indies optimism despite a rocky start. However, the relentless pressure from Marcus Stoinis (3-36) and debutant Spencer Johnson (2-39) ultimately stifled their chase, restricting them to 207-9 in 20 overs. With the wickets of Josh Inglis, Marsh (29 off 12), and David Warner (22 off 19), Australia’s batting suffered early blows, falling to 64-3 in 6.4 overs.

Nevertheless, Maxwell’s heroics and contributions from other batsmen powered Australia to an imposing total. Australia is ready for the T20 series to be successful after winning the opening game in Hobart by 11 runs. The third game between the two clubs is scheduled for Perth, and it should be an exciting one.

Qatar clinched a thrilling 3-2 win over Iran in the Asian Cup semi-final, securing a spot in the final against Jordan. The match unfolded with remarkable intensity as Qatar retaliated to Sardar Azmoun’s stunning opener with goals from Jassem Gaber and Akram Afif.

Despite a controversial penalty decision, Almoez Ali’s 82nd-minute strike sealed Iran’s fate. Intending to repeat Japan’s 2000 and 2004 Asian Cup victories, Qatar is trying to defend its championship in the forthcoming match against Jordan.

Iran persistently probed Qatar’s defence, applying relentless pressure, yet Qatar managed to level unexpectedly when Jassem Gaber’s shot, deflected, found its way into the net.

Despite Iran’s dominance, Akram Afif nearly tilted the scales with a close attempt, initially denying it, then missing the rebound. However, Afif later found success, skillfully weaving through Iran’s defence to score his fifth goal of the tournament. Energised for the second half, Iran secured a penalty through VAR, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh successfully converting to level the score. Amidst chaotic moments in the box, Qatar seized the opportunity with a decisive goal from Ali.

Iran’s chances further dwindled as Khalilzadeh received a red card, reducing them to ten men. Despite Jahanbakhsh’s late effort to strike the post, Qatar managed to hold on, clinching the final berth and dashing Iran’s hopes of advancement.

Vinesh Phogat, 29, a gold medalist at the Asian Games, won the 55kg gold medal at the Senior National Wrestling Championships.

Representing the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), Phogat defeated her opponent from Madhya Pradesh, Jyoti, with a convincing 4-0 victory. Her remarkable track record includes clinching gold in the 50kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and winning in the 53kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In another thrilling match, Anshu Malik, the 2021 World Championship silver medalist, outperformed Sarita Mor from Railways, the 2020 Asian Championship gold medalist, with a score of 8-3 in the 59kg category. The dominance of Haryana women was evident as they claimed the top position in the championships. They amassed 189 points, narrowly surpassing the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) with 187 points. Pondicherry scored 81 points to finish in a distant third place.

In the men’s greco-roman section, the RSPB emerged as the overall winner with a total of 208 points. The Services Sports Control Board came in second place behind them with 127 points, and Maharashtra came in third with 113 points. The upcoming final day of the competition will feature men’s freestyle events, adding further excitement to the tournament’s conclusion.

New Jersey is set to host the grand finale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the finale of a tournament spanning three nations and featuring a total of 104 matches.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada will jointly host the event, with the inaugural match slated for June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca.

FIFA announced that the finale of the 2026 World Cup, along with its comprehensive schedule, will unfold in New Jersey, home to the esteemed New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League. The collaborative effort of the United States, Canada, and Mexico in hosting the 48-team World Cup will culminate on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Canada will host 13 matches, with Toronto and Vancouver each hosting ten group-stage games, while Mexico is slated to host 13 matches, including ten in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey during the initial group phase.

The tournament’s remaining events will take place in eleven cities across the United States. Inaugural matches for the national teams of the host countries will occur in Toronto, Mexico City, and Los Angeles. MetLife Stadium, boasting a capacity of 82,500 seats, previously hosted the 2016 Copa America Centenario final.

Ivory Coast made a stunning comeback to win Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal, earning a place in the semifinals, where South Africa would later join them.

Oumar Diakite emerged as the star player, netting a remarkable backheel in added time, sealing a thrilling 2-1 win over Mali. He initially took the lead through Nene Dorgeles. Despite Odilon Kossounou’s red card reducing Ivory Coast to 10 men, Simon Adingra equalised in the 90th minute, pushing the game into extra time. Diakite’s decisive strike in extra time clinched victory but earned him a red card for removing his shirt in celebration.

However, Ivory Coast faces setbacks as suspensions sideline key players including Diakite, Kossounou, Serge Aurier, and Christian Kouame for the upcoming semifinal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The last time Ivory Coast reached the semifinals was in 2015, winning the tournament for the second time after defeating DR Congo 3-1.

Despite difficulties, Ivory Coast has persevered throughout this competition, narrowly making it to the knockout round and defeating host Senegal in a tense match. Mali’s missed opportunities, including Adama ‘Noss’ Traore’s saved penalty, added to their defeat. Post-match, the Malian team faced potential disciplinary actions for confrontations with the referee.

On January 30th, the emblem and mascot for the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 were unveiled, showcasing the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Ladakh region. The magnificent snow leopard, affectionately named “Sheen-e She” or ‘Shan’, takes the spotlight as the official mascot of the event. This choice pays homage to the region’s unique ecosystem and traditional values.

Scheduled from February 2nd to 6th in Gulmarg and Leh, followed by a second phase from February 21st to 25th in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 promise thrilling sportsmanship against the breathtaking backdrop of the Union territories.

The snow leopard’s selection as the mascot stems from a joint initiative by the J&K Sports Council and the Ladakh sports department, highlighting the challenges of high-altitude living and the fragile balance of the local ecosystem. It signifies the importance of conservation efforts to protect the natural habitat of this beautiful big cat and ensure its survival in the future.

Incorporating the essence of the region, the Games’ logo proudly features the Indian tricolour against the backdrop of Chanspa, Leh’s hills, with a prominent ‘dharma chakra,’ or wheel of dharma, symbolising spiritual enlightenment and unity.

Haryana player Anmol Kharb created history by clinching the title in Jodhpur. The tournament, organised by the Rajasthan Badminton Association, was organised by the Badminton Association of India.

The rising badminton star, Anmol, showcased her exceptional skills throughout the tournament. Despite facing tough opponents, she displayed remarkable resilience and determination. In a thrilling final match against Aalisha Naik from Maharashtra, Anmol staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game. She eventually secured victory with a scoreline of 13-21, 21-11, and 21-19.

Anmol won impressive matches against well-known competitors like S. Rakshitha Sree, Navya Kanderi, Shruti Mundada, Isharani Bhruah, Shriyanshi Valishetty, and Purva Barve on his way to winning the title.

Sixteen-year-old Anmol has already significantly impacted Indian badminton. Her recent win adds to her growing list of achievements, following her notable victory over Tanvi Sharma at the 85th Senior Nationals in Guwahati.

In the men’s singles category, S. Bhargav emerged as the champion by convincingly defeating Saeeth Dayanand. The final witnessed an all-Karnataka clash, with Bhargav dominating his opponent to clinch the title. With this triumph, Bhargav has cemented his place among the nation’s best badminton players by demonstrating his expertise and dominance on the court.

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Jannik Sinner, the rising star of Italian tennis, earned his name in history by clinching the Australian Open title. He became the first Italian male to win the Grand Slam title since 1976.

Seeded fourth, Sinner’s journey to the final showcased his unparalleled prowess. Against Daniil Medvedev, a gripping spectacle unfolded, with Sinner scoring a remarkable comeback, triumphing 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Sinner only lost one set before the championship match, demonstrating his unwavering dominance throughout the competition. His achievement represents the comeback of Italian tennis and recalls memories of Adriano Panatta’s triumph at the French Open.

Notably, the 22-year-old steered Italy to its first Davis Cup victory in nearly five decades, adding to his growing legacy. Sinner’s achievement has grabbed audiences’ attention globally.

Upon returning to Rome, Sinner received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscoring his profound impact on Italian sports. He is set to be honoured by President Sergio Mattarella later on Thursday.

As per the organisers of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, Sinner has opted out of the forthcoming event scheduled to commence on February 5. However, the rationale behind his decision remains undisclosed.