CRICKET

India women beat Sri Lanka women by 11 runs in second T20 of three-match series

Opener Tanishka Sharma’s superb fifty was complemented by the bowling duo of Janhavi Veerkar and Maitri Maniar as India defeated Sri Lanka by 11 runs in their U-19 women’s T20 game here on Wednesday.

Opting to bat, India suffered an early setback losing Deeksha Katragadda (0) in the second over but Sharma made a composed 56-ball 58 laced with eight fours to anchor the innings.

She added 57 runs with Ira Jadhav (26 off 21) for the second wicket, while Kumari Palak (21 off 18) and Kashvi Kandikuppa (12) also chipped in with useful contributions as India posted 134 for six.

Defending the total, Janhavi Veerkar (3/14) and Maitri Maniar (3/26) snared three wickets each as Sri Lanka could manage just 123 for 8 in the stipulated 20 overs.

Vimoksha Balasuriya smashed a 52-ball 61 with the help of eight boundaries to give them a good start to the chase. She added vital runs with other opener Sanjana Kavindi (14) and Manudi Nanayakkara (24) to keep them in the chase.

However, Kashvi (1/24) dismissed Sanjana in the 7th over and then Maitri cleaned up Manudi in the 16th over to leave Sri Lanka at 95 for 2.

Maitri returned to get rid of the dangerous Vimoksha next in the 18th over as the hosts lost their way to succumb to their second loss in as many matches.

The two teams will face off in the third and final T20 on Saturday.

– PTI

TG20: Harshit Choudhary century carries Warrangal Warriors to a five-wicket win over Khammam Aces

Harshit starred with an unbeaten 121 to help his side chase down 202.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Two days after Aman Rao’s dazzling century ended in heartbreak, Harshit Choudhary ensured he avoided a similar encore. He struck a breathtaking and eventually match-winning ton to carry Warrangal Warriors to a five-wicket win over Khammam Aces in their TG20 clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first, Aces got off to a flyer, registering 77 in the first six overs courtesy brisk partnership between Wafi Kachchhi and Mayank Gupta. It was followed by a quickfire 24-ball 47-run stand between Mayank and Himateja Kodimela, before the latter fell in the final over of the PowerPlay. 

Mayank, now joining forces with Mickil Jaiswal, seized control of the innings, steadily wearing down the Warriors’ attack in the process. They were rewarded with half-centuries – Mayank in 32 balls and Mickil in just 21 – as Aces looked destined for a total well beyond 240. 

But a spectacular unravelling followed. Murugan Abhishek’s dismissal of Mickil brought along six other Warriors wickets in the space of 22 deliveries and for just 27. The side folded for 202. 

Despite losing Aman early, Harshit ensured the chase never lost direction. He first combined with Rishiket Sisodia (29-ball 51-run stand) before forging a decisive partnership with Bhavesh Seth (68 off 36) that wrested complete control of the contest.

He raced to a magnificent century off just 48 balls, immediately turning towards the dugout to seek his coach Adnan Bafna’s blessings.

A. Mani Kiran launched the winning blow straight down the ground into the first tier, sealing the contest with seven balls to spare.

The third and final leg of the Andhra Premier League got off to a thrilling start as Ricky Bhui’s scintillating unbeaten century powered Vizag Lions to a narrow four-run victory over Royals of Rayalaseema at the ACA Mangalagiri Academy Ground here on Wednesday.

Lions suffered an early setback, losing N. Himakar and K. Haneesh Veera Reddy inside the first two overs. Undeterred, skipper Ricky Bhui launched a stunning counterattack, racing to a 27-ball half-century with a towering six over long-off. He continued to dominate both pace and spin, bringing up a magnificent century in just 53 deliveries with a pull to the fine-leg boundary.

Bhui’s masterclass, coupled with M. Dhanush’s 12-ball 26 cameo in the closing stages, lifted Lions to a formidable 190 for five.

In reply, Royals were anchored by G.S.P. Teja, who struck 62 off 38 balls, including seven fours and a six. However, the chase never quite gathered sustained momentum as Lions struck at regular intervals. 

Teja’s dismissal to B. Vinay Kumar proved a crucial turning point. Although Sai Surya Teja Reddy kept hopes alive with a brisk 10-ball 28, his departure effectively ended Royals’ chances.

-Anirudh Velamuri

HOCKEY

Khaidem Shileima Chanu to lead Indian junior women’s team during tour of UK

Mid-fielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu will lead a 24-member Indian junior women’s squad for an exposure tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14, Hockey India announced on Wednesday.

Under its new coach Tim White, the team will play seven matches across Scotland and England as part of its preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the Junior Asia Cup.

The young squad will be led by captain Chanu with Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz as the two goalkeepers.

The defensive unit comprises Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii and Parwati Topno.

The mid-field features Chanu, Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu.

The forward line includes Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane and Krishna Sharma.

The tour will begin with two matches against the Scotland senior women’s team at the University of Edinburgh before the Indian side travels to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in England to face the junior teams of the United States, England and Belgium.

Through this competitive experience, coach Tim White will look to fine-tune combinations and strategies to prepare for the tournaments ahead.

“As we will be playing against highly-competitive opposition, we expect to be challenged. However, we will take every game as a learning opportunity while also implementing the way of play we have been working on for the last 10 weeks,” White said.

“I am certain this will be great preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup as we will use this tour to confirm our strengths as a team and also the key areas we need to improve,” he added.

– PTI

MORE SPORTS

NODWIN gaming unveils India’s star-studded VALORANT team for Esports Nations Cup 2026

The roster brings together some of the most accomplished and experienced players in Indian VALORANT.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

NODWIN Gaming, India’s National Team Partner (NTP) for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, has officially announced the country’s VALORANT roster for the global nation-based esports competition set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026.

The roster brings together some of the most accomplished and experienced players in Indian VALORANT. The roster is anchored by Hellf, one of India’s most experienced VALORANT competitors.

A former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player, he has enjoyed success across multiple eras of Indian esports, with notable titles including VCC 2022 Stage 1, TEC Challenger Series 7, Skyesports Championship 3.0, and multiple editions of The Esports Club Gauntlet.

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

In-form Theegala and Bhatia ready to travel for final Signature week

Within days of finishing in the top 20 at the US Open, Indian-origin golfers Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia are set to tee off at the Travellers Championship, the eighth and final Signature Event of the 2026 season.

Theegala finished T-11 at Shinnecock Hills, while Bhatia was T-17.

Bhatia will be keen to recreate the success he enjoyed earlier this year when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He will also carry fond memories of the Travellers Championship from 2024, when he finished T-5.

Theegala endured a difficult 2025 season and did not play this event as injuries affected his campaign.

Bhatia began his 2026 season with two missed cuts before recording two top-10 finishes and winning his first Signature Event. He has proven his ability to win titles and boasts a perfect playoff record, having claimed his third PGA Tour title through his third playoff victory.

Theegala was unfortunate to miss out on a top-10 finish at the US Open in what could only be described as extremely difficult conditions.

Another notable player in the field is PGA champion Aaron Rai, who finished T-11 at the US Open at Aronimink Golf Club. Rai is the first Indian-origin player to have won a major championship.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju, who has been putting together a strong rookie season on the PGA Tour, is now the first reserve with one day remaining before the start of the tournament week.

Yellamaraju secured his place in the US Open by finishing T-8 at the RBC Canadian Open. He has already demonstrated his ability to perform on bigger stages, highlighted by a T-5 finish at The Players Championship.

-PTI

Confident Diksha, Avani and Pranavi to tee off at Czech Ladies Open

Diksha Dagar and Avani Prashanth, who had superb top-three finishes last week, are among the six Indian women who are part of the field at the Czech Ladies Open here this week.

While Diksha and Avani were T-3, another Indian star, Pranavi Urs, was T-5. They will be joined by Hitaashee Bakshi, Vani Kapoor and Ridhima Dilawari.

Last week, the 25-year-old Diksha reached an impressive milestone, making her 150th appearance on the LET.

Four days ago, Diksha and Avani finished T-3 at the Dutch Ladies Open after missing the playoff by a single stroke.

Vani and Ridhima have earned their spots this week through sponsor invites.

Vani has proven her ability over the years in India, having never missed the cut at the Women’s Indian Open since her first appearance in 2011.

In 2025, she finished in the top 10 on the LET on two occasions. She finished T-10 at her home event and recorded a T-6 result at the Amundi German Masters.

Ridhima is not a new name either, as she has made several appearances on the LET over the last few years. She is making her first start of the 2026 season this week.

Diksha is currently the strongest performer among the Indian contingent, placed 11th on the LET Order of Merit on the back of four top-10 finishes this year. She won her breakthrough LET title in 2019 and added another when she claimed the Czech Ladies Open title in 2023.

Now chasing her second title, Diksha returns to one of her strongest venues in red-hot form after recording two consecutive top-10 finishes.

Diksha admitted to being excited for the week in Beroun. “I’m a much better player than I was when I won here because the learning process continues, and it’s all about hard work.

“Coming back here brings back amazing memories of how I won here. It reminds me of the holes I played well on and the holes where I made birdies,” she said.

“This golf course surprises me every year. It’s in great condition, and I really love this course.”

-PTI

FENCING

Confident India will win fencing medal at Asian Games: Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is confident that Indian fencers will not only win medals at the upcoming Asian Games but also qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Rijiju, a former Union Sports Minister, also said the sport could capture the imagination of Indian youth as it is a “very interesting” game, and stressed the need to focus more on popularising fencing in the country.

“When I was sports minister, I gave it priority and the sport has seen quite a bit of progress. I am hopeful that at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, India will win medals in fencing,” Rijiju said during the closing ceremony of the Asian Fencing Championships on Wednesday.

“Today, we have hosted Asian Championships. India can also host the World Championship. I feel for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, two to four players will qualify from India in fencing given the way they are practising and performing,” he said.

Rijiju said there was significant scope to popularise the sport among the youth.

“Hosting the Championships in India is a very big achievement. I came to know that several Indian players lost by a margin of just one or two points. They played very well.

“In future, more focus should be given to fencing because it is a very interesting sport. There are 12 gold medals at stake in fencing at the Olympics, and its events in foil, epee and sabre are very interesting. They will catch the imagination of youth and the sport will become more popular,” he added.

On ace Indian table tennis player Manika Batra not being included in the Asian Games contingent, Rijiju said the government does not interfere in the internal affairs of sports federations.

Manika was left out of the Asian Games squad for failing to meet the selection criteria of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), which required participation in national events.

The Olympian has sought Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s intervention in the matter, asserting that she “deserves transparency, consistency, and accountability in the selection process.”

“We can speak about players and promotion of sport. In sports, we do not interfere in internal administration,” Rijiju said.

-PTI

Published on Jun 24, 2026