LATEST SPORTS NEWS
Couldn’t have asked for better comeback: Sania Mirza after winning Hobart title
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza marked her return to top-flight tennis by lifting the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine.
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza marked her return to top-flight tennis by lifting the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine.
The duo defeated second-seeded Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang of China in the final.
The unseeded Indo-Ukrainian won in straight sets 6-4 6-4 in a match that lasted one hour and 21 minutes.
After winning the title, Sania said that she couldn’t have asked for a better comeback and went into the tournament with no expectations at all.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better comeback.”@MirzaSania | @HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/s3tZojPMSd
— WTA (@WTA) January 18, 2020
Playing her first tournament after giving birth to son Izhaan, Hobart title will serve as the perfect preparation for the Australian Open. With the Tokyo Olympics taking place this year, Sania Mirza’s return to form will prove pivotal for the Indian contingent.
The win was Sania’s 42nd WTA doubles title and the first since Brisbane International trophy in 2017 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Sania took a break from the WTA circuit and did not compete throughout the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Sania and Nadiia broke in the first game of the match before dropping the very next game on serve.
At 4-4, Sania and Nadiia broke again on their way to win the first set 6-4.
Second set was more competitive as the Chinese duo kept pushing Sania and Nadiia to draw level at 4-4.
Straight sets win ?
Nadiia Kichenok and @MirzaSania are your @HobartTennis Doubles Champions after defeating Peng/Zhang, 6-4, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/5rzrRbWcJp
— WTA (@WTA) January 18, 2020
The Indo-Ukrainian finished off the match by winning the set 6-4.
Sania and Nadiia split US$ 13580 as winner’s prize money and earned 280 ranking points each for brilliant performance.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
World Wrestling Championship: Antim Panghal wins bronze, secures plays in Paris Olympic
The two-time U20 global champion was at the top of her game as she won 16-6 on the basis of technical superiority (TSU), earning her first medal at the senior global Championships.
Indian wrestler Antim Panghal on Thursday, competing in her first senior World Championships, defeated Swedish champion and European champion Jonna Malmgren in the 53 kg division to secure a bronze medal and a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The two-time U20 global champion was at the top of her game as she won 16-6 on the basis of technical superiority (TSU), earning her first medal at the senior global Championships.
Panghal defeated current world champion Olivia Dominique Parrish of the US in the qualifying rounds before defeating Roksana Marta Zasina of Poland in the TSU to earn the bronze medal.
Following WFI’s suspension by the world governing body, the 19-year-old athlete from Haryana, who is competing as a neutral athlete, defeated Natalia Malysheva of Russia in the quarterfinal before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus in the semifinal on Wednesday.
The Haryana wrestler appears to be adjusting to the senior circuit without difficulty after standing out in the trials for the Asian Games and World Championships.
A category that Vinesh Phogat has dominated thanks to her incredible display over the past few years is seeing a rise in Panghal.
The 53kg quota will likely remain with Panghal as Phogat, a two-time World medalist, recovers from knee surgery.
The quota currently belongs to IOA. Phogat’s straight entry into the Asian Games was contested by Panghal, who claimed she was capable of defeating the seasoned Indian competitor.
Panghal, who just missed out on the gold medal match, has made a significant statement by taking home the bronze.
Panghal started with an early push-out point and quickly took a 5-0 lead. Malmgren used a takedown manoeuvre to fight and had the Indian in her grasp, but the Indian managed to escape.
The Swedish player’s brilliant double-leg attack further whittled down the deficit, and Malmgren’s six straight points gave him a razor-thin 6-5 lead.
Panghal scored a point on a counterattack just before the opening frame ended to tie the score at 6-6. Panghal dominated the second period as the two-time U20 winner executed move after move to extend her lead.
The strong Panghal used leg-lace to quickly widen the gap despite the determined resistance from the Swede and eventually prevailed through technical superiority.
With Panghal’s bronze medal triumph, India’s women’s championship campaign came to an end. India has only received one medal to yet.
Cricket news
India Vs Australia 2023 Schedule updates: Check Team India full fixtures and match venues for ODI series
All rounder Washinton Sundar and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also been picked for the three match one day international series. All rounder Axar Patel who had a hamstring injury will be available for the third match in the series.
Expectations are high as India take on Australia in the three match one day international series. Two teams have been announced by India for the crucial ODI series against the mighty Australian side. Captain Rohit Sharma, vice captain Hardik Pandya, batting superstar Virat Kohli and in form spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be unavailable in the first two matches of the ODI series against Australia.
All rounder Washinton Sundar and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also been picked for the three match one day international series. All rounder Axar Patel who had a hamstring injury will be available for the third match in the series.
Match Date Venue
India Vs Australia, 1st ODI 22nd September (Friday) Mohali
India Vs Australia, 2nd ODI 24th September (Sunday) Indore
India Vs Australia, 3rd ODI 27th September (Wednesday) Rajkot
All three matches of the India Vs Australia Series can be seen on live stream in India on Jio Cinema. The matches will start at 1:30pm onwards.
After making a remarkable comeback to international cricket in the Asia Cup Wicket Keeper- Batsman KL Rahul will captain the Indian team in the first two games of the ODI series against Australia. Indian Middle order batsman Shreyas Iyer will play the whole series. Iyer missed crucial matches in the Asia Cup due to back spasms. SuryaKumar who did not get a chance to play in the Asia Cup will make a comeback in the series against Australia.
Indian Team for first two matches:
KL Rahul(c), Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Suya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Verma
Indian Team for final ODI:
Rohit Sharma (c),KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, SuryaKumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Axar Patel,Kuldeep Yadav, Virat Kohli,Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur
Cricket news
Watch: India’s jersey for ICC World Cup 2023 unvieled
Adidas India’s kit partners also released an anthem of their own for the Indian Cricket Team. The anthem is 2 minute 21 second long. The anthem is called Impossible Nahi Yeh Sapna, 3 Ka Dream hai Apna.
There is a major change to the jersey that India wore in the the recent Asia Cup 2023. The white stripes have been replaced by India’s tri colour. The jerseys worn by Kohli, Rohit and others in the video has orange, white and green stripes on the shoulder. Social media users hailed the change from Adidas. Netizens said it is a master stroke and the tri colours has taken India’s World Cup jersey to a whole new level.
There will be no Dream 11 logo during the World Cup as according to ICC norms only the team’s name should be visible in the centre of the jersey. India has not won an ICC title since the Champion’s trophy in 2013. India is seen as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.
ICC launched the anthem of the ICC World cup 2023 on Wednesday. The anthem has Dil Jashn Bole has got mixed reviews on social media. Adidas India’s kit partners also released an anthem of their own for the Indian Cricket Team. The anthem is 2 minute 21 second long. The anthem is called Impossible Nahi Yeh Sapna, 3 Ka Dream hai Apna.
The Adidas Anthem has India Captain Rohit Sharma, Superstar Virat Kohli, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, pacers Shardul Thakur, Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The videos has a catchy rap which gives the message to put an end to India’s long wait to win an ICC trophy. The video also gives a sneak peak into India’s World Cup jersey
The main reason due to the favourable home conditions, recent form and a strong team. India has warmed up nicely by becoming the Asia Cup Champions eighth time in a row. India will start their World Cup journey against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. The first match of the World Cup will start with England Vs New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
