Category: Sport

Shagun Chowdhary believes Indian shooting is well-placed to fetch a lot more medals in many future editions of the Olympics…reports Asian Lite News 

Shooting contributed in a major way to India’s medal tally at the 2024 Paris Olympics by bagging three medals, two of which were earned by Manu Bhaker. Shotgun shooter Shagun Chowdhary believes Indian shooting is well-placed to fetch a lot more medals in many future editions of the Olympics.  

“Indian shooting has been having quite a few glorious years and it’s just the amount of effort and hard work that the kids have put in that have culminated in results eventually. I think we all look for immediate gains, but what’s really needed is to focus on long term goals because sports is a long term association. 

“It takes a long time in order to (get results), as a lot of hard work and time and experience (is put in) to get that one medal. So just have patience and Indian shooting has a lot more to offer in the next, many, many Olympics,” said Shagun in an exclusive conversation with IANS on the sidelines of ‘TURF 2024’, the 14th Global Sports Summit organised by FICCI at their headquarters in New Delhi. 

Speaking about the need of having conversations around women in sports through events like this, Shagun said, “It’s very important to get everybody’s insight on what they feel about sports, especially of athletes and administrators, because that will build a bridge in terms of having a more cohesive environment for sports to thrive.” 

She also expressed how women can be included in more administration roles in sporting federations in India. “To get more women in sports administration, there should be at least like what Australia is doing, at least having a 40% attendance of women administrators in order to have a more balanced view of sport.” 

“It’s because now as we see we have as many girls as boys who have started to participate considering the way we are performing internationally. So if we have enough athletes, then we also need to have enough women administrators on the board in order to support them.” 

Shagun, who was a part of the double trap shooting team who won the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, revealed she hopes to be back in action in January next year. 

“The outlook for Indian shooting is always bright. It’s going to be always bright. Hopefully by January, I am back on the field. I broke my ankle in September this year. So I am just waiting for that to heal and then you will see me back in action.” 

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Scheduled to commence on Friday in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Sharjah), the event features an exciting lineup of young cricketing talent from across Asia…reports Asian Lite News 

As the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting showcase of young cricketing talent. With intense rivalries and a storied history, the tournament is set to deliver memorable matches and highlight the future stars of cricket. 

Scheduled to commence on Friday in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Sharjah), the event features an exciting lineup of young cricketing talent from across Asia. Organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament has a rich legacy and serves as a crucial platform for emerging cricketers. 

India stands out as the most successful team in U-19 Asia Cup history, having won the tournament eight times out of ten editions. Their dominance has been marked by consistent performances and a strong pipeline of young talent. Following India, Pakistan has also made its mark with multiple titles, showcasing its cricketing prowess at the youth level. 

The rivalry between the two cricketing giants, India and Pakistan, draws significant attention and is filled with high tension and excitement. And this epic rivalry will unfold for cricketing fans at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 30 and will be live telecast from 10:30 am IST on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi) channels. 

Some of the key players to watch from the Indian team include the enigmatic thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who recently became the youngest player to get picked up by a franchise in India’s premier T20 league. 

Adding to the team’s batting prowess is 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, whose stellar performances in the domestic circuit for Mumbai have caught the selectors’ attention. 

The middle-order batter from Uttar Pradesh, Mohammed Amaan, will lead India in the U-19 Asia Cup 2024. Other players to watch include Tamil Nadu’s C. Andre Siddarth, Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan, and Karnataka batters Hardik Raj and Samarth Nagaraj. 

Additionally, the rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have intensified over the years, with both teams delivering strong performances in recent tournaments. Bangladesh will enter the tournament as the defending champions, having won the 2023 final against the UAE by a margin of 195 runs. Other countries participating in the tournament include Afghanistan, Nepal, Japan and UAE. 

Catch all the action live on Sony Sports Network & livestream on Sony Liv from November 29. 

‘Tit for Tat’

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has insisted that the board remains “clear” in its view on hosting the Champions Trophy, and added that “it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here”.

“Our stance is very clear,” Naqvi said during a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium. “I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly. We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan over February and March next year. But India, who have not toured Pakistan since 2008, told the ICC their government had not given them permission to travel to Pakistan for the event earlier this month.

“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said multiple times. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here,” said Naqvi.

Naqvi further said that any decision taken at the ICC meeting would then be taken to the Pakistan government by the PCB for final approval.

He also urged Jay Shah, who leaves his post as BCCI secretary to take over as ICC chairman on Sunday, to show concern for the ICC’s benefit in his handling of the organisation.

“(Jay Shah) takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation.”

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 Rishabh Pant beat compatriot Shreyas Iyer, who had just become the most expensive player in league’s history, going to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 26.75 crores…reports Asian Lite News

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), being bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a massive Rs 27 crores during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction at Jeddah on Sunday. 

He beat compatriot Shreyas Iyer, who had just become the most expensive player in league’s history, going to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 26.75 crores a few minutes back. He had beat Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who marked his return to IPL after years with a record-breaking bid of Rs 24.75 crores. 

Initially, there was a bidding war between LSG and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with the latter giving up. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered the bidding war, trying to bolster their explosive batting attack and Delhi Capitals (DC) tried to use the ‘Right To Match’ card, but they could not match the value LSG put for Pant, breaking the bank for him and going beyond Iyer’s value. 

“THE RECORD IS BROKEN AGAIN! WOWZAAA Rishabh Pant goes to @LucknowIPL for INR 27 Crore! #TATAIPLAuction,” posted official IPL X handle. 

With this, LSG has finally received a proper top-order batter, wicketkeeper and captaincy option in Pant. 

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is an all-format for India and a livewire on the field. Having proven himself as a man for big stages in Test cricket, Pant’s T20 game is just as solid. Though he has scored 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is at an underwhelming average of 23.25, strike rate of almost 128 and just three fifties, his overall T20 numbers are way better, having made 5,022 runs in 202 matches at an average of 31.78, strike rate of over 145, with two centuries and 25 fifties. 

Pant has represented Delhi Capitals (DC) for his entire IPL career since 2016, scoring 3,284 runs in 110 matches at an average of 35.31, with a century and 18 fifties. He was appointed as the team’s captain in 2021 and led them to playoffs in the same season. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction from Sunday to Monday is all set to be two of the most intriguing days of this year’s cricketing calendar, with several international stars having entered the auction, records expected to be broken and the possibility of some unexpected crossovers. A total of 574 players have been shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574 names. These players will go under the hammer from November 24-25 in Jeddah. The list includes 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players. (ANI) 

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Langer sees India, rebounding from a New Zealand loss, as a tough challenge for Australia, now in Perth for the first Test…reports Asian Lite News 

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Perth on November 22, former Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer cautioned against underestimating the Indian team, saying one should never write off champions.  

India has won its previous two Test tours of Australia by identical 2-1 margins, but heads into the upcoming marquee series on the back of a 3-0 home series defeat at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month. 

“One thing you never do is write off champions, and that’s in every sport, because they are a champion for a reason. In India, there are one and a half billion cricket-loving people, and then count all the rest around the world, they expect nothing but excellence, and the team will be under intense pressure, so how they fight back will be important. 

“And they’ll be getting written off for being too old, but people say that all the time, and I just can’t wait to see them play. I just hope, if this is the last time (Kohli) is out here, people enjoy it because he is a superstar, so is Rohit Sharma, so is (Ravi) Ashwin, so is (Ravi) Jadeja, so is (Jasprit) Bumrah. 

“It’s the same with the Australians; the bowling attack is a very senior attack now… so really enjoy it while you can; they are not going to be around forever,” said Langer to The West Australian on Sunday. 

India has to win at least four games on their Test tour of Australia if they are to enter next year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Langer thinks that India, in their bid to recover from their defeat to New Zealand, could well turn out to be a dangerous opponent for Australia, who have landed in Perth on Sunday to prepare for the first Test. 

“India losing to New Zealand is a bit like North Melbourne beating Brisbane in the grand final at the moment. And not for one millisecond is that disrespect for New Zealand, because they are the great overachievers; they are brilliant. 

“I think they’d won two Test matches (in India), and to win the series 3-0, that’s an amazing achievement. They’ve just been beaten three-nil by New Zealand, so India will be humbled by that and equally determined to remedy it because the pressure on them will be intense,” he concluded. 

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