Author: WebDesk

One, two, three, four, five, six and seven. No, we aren’t in the business of counting numbers. In a nutshell, that is just the number of catches dropped by Pakistan in their all-important Women’s T20 World Cup game versus New Zealand, played at the Dubai International Stadium. On expected lines, those fluffed chances proved to be costly as New Zealand usurped Pakistan by 54 runs and qualified for the semi-finals. With Pakistan slipping to a loss, India’s campaign also came to an end. Sadia Iqbal, Omaima Sohail, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar and Syeda Aroob Shah bowled incisively, extracting a…

After a seven-year break, the much-awaited return of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 is set to make history, with the introduction of an exclusive women’s league for the first time. The women’s auction, scheduled for 15th October 2024, will see over 350 players available for selection, marking a significant milestone in the development of women’s hockey in India. The launch of a dedicated women’s league alongside the men’s tournament highlights a significant step towards greater equality and inclusivity in Indian sports. The HIL’s new format ensures that female athletes have a platform to showcase their skills at the…

The opening day of the 2024/25 Hockey India League auction saw intense bidding as all eight franchises splurged on the Indian Men’s Hockey team’s key players. Gurjant Singh was the first player snapped up, going for 19 lakh to Soorma Hockey Club. Meanwhile, Indian captain and drag-flick expert Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive player of the day, fetching a staggering 78 lakh from the same club, owned by JSW Sports. Abhishek became the second-highest buy, joining Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for 72 lakh, while UP Rudras secured Hardik Singh for 70 lakh. Other standout signings included Amit Rohidas, sold…

Over 400 domestic and over 150 overseas men’s players have registered for the auction The much-anticipated revival of the Hockey India League is set to take off with the Men’s Auction in New Delhi on Sunday. 400 domestic and over 150 overseas men’s players have registered to stand a chance to feature in one of the eight Men’s Teams when the Hockey India League kicks off in Rourkela later this year. Each team will have a purse of ₹4 crores to pick players that have been categorized under three base price slabs: ₹2 lahks, ₹5 lahks and ₹10 lakhs over…

Mahesh Bhupathi Rafa came to the Tour when he was an incredibly young boy. I remember watching him play at Monte Carlo in the players’ lounge. Everyone was intrigued about this new and upcoming upstart. He beat Karol Kucera, who was top 10 in the world at the time, if I remember right. Immediately, his demeanour, his confidence, his ability — everyone knew there was something special: someone was going to do great things in this sport. I played him numerous times in doubles. In my opinion, he is one of the best doubles players ever (11 doubles career titles…

Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher were the mainstays of West Indies’ crushing eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup game played in Sharjah. After the two spinners ran through Bangladesh’s batting order, the Caribbean side chased down the target of 104 in a mere 12.5 overs. Right from the time the off-spinner, Karishma, dismissed Shathi Rani for nine, the West Indies maintained ascendancy in the game. Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary tried to steady the innings, before the former fell to Karishma. Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh skipper, then held the innings together with a 44-ball 39. However, she…

The stage is set for the much-anticipated return of the Hockey India League (HIL), as the players’ auction for the 2024-25 season is scheduled to take place from 13th to 15th October at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi. After a 7-year hiatus, HIL 2024-25 is making its comeback with an expanded format that includes both men’s and, for the first time ever, an exclusive women’s league, running concurrently. With Hockey India League restarting for Men and inaugural season for Women’s Hockey India League set to start this season, the players’ auction will mark a pivotal moment in shaping the…

Khushi, won India a brilliant bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) on competition day five (Wednesday, Oct 2) of the on-going International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Lima, Peru, taking India’s medal tally to 15, which now includes 10 gold, one silver and four bronze medals, as they continued to stay on top of the standings. The youngster shot 447.3 in the final to finish behind Caroline Lund of Norway who won silver with 458.3. Caroline’s compatriot Synnoeve Berg won gold with 458.4. Khushi rallied brilliantly in the final Standing position in qualifying,…

Parth Rakesh Mane claimed the junior world champion title in the 10m air rifle event, spearheading India’s impressive performance at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru. The 16-year-old secured two golds, including a team victory alongside Ajay Malik and Abhinav Shaw in the men’s 10m air rifle team event. The women’s 10m air rifle team also struck gold, with Gautami Bhanot, Sambhavi Kshirsagar, and Anoushka Thakur taking the top spot. Mane’s standout performance came in the 24-shot final, where he scored 250.7 to edge past China’s junior Asian champion Huang Liwanlin by just 0.7 points. Braden Peiser from…

-AIFF Media Team India 2 (Mohammed Kaif 58’, Md Arbash 90+5’) beat Bangladesh 0 THIMPHU, BHUTAN: India’s stranglehold over the SAFF U17 Championship remained unscathed when they retained the title defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the final of the 2024 edition at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Monday, September 30, 2024. After a barren first half, Mohammed Kaif put India ahead with a beauty of a header in the 58th minute. Whatever challenges Bangladesh were left with were finished off by Md Arbash in the 95th minute with a stinging left-footer. Indian boys called the shots from the…