Lucknow: Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP), clinched the 3rd Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2022 Uttar Pradesh (UP) field hockey men's title, in a tight encounter defeating Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, on penalties (3-2) on Thursday. Both teams were tied at three goals apiece after regulation time.
In the women's category Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, denied ITM, Gwalior, a hattrick of KIUG titles, defeating them 2-0 in the final played here at the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College (GGSSC) astro turf in Lucknow.
Sambalpur University clinched the bronze medal in the men's category defeating Veer Bahadur Singh (VBS) Purvanchal University, while Punjabi University beat University of Mysore to secure the bronze in the Women's category.
Double gold medals for Pragati in Archery
At the B.B.D University Cricket Ground, Pragati of Guru Kashi University (GKU), Talwandi Sabo, hogged the limelight, bagging a double gold in Compound Archery, the finals of which were held on competition day 10. She first secured the Compound Women's Individual title and later joined hands with Simranjot Singh to win the gold in the mixed team category for her University.
Rishabh Yadav won the honours in the men's individual category while Punjabi University secured both the gold medals in the team categories.
Fencing team events to start on Friday
The Fencing team events will start on Friday at the Ekana Sportz City Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, after the completion of the Individual events at the piste. Lokesh Vemani (Osmania University, Men's Epee), Bebit Bright Hentry (GNDU, Men's Sabre) and Maria Akshita (Jain University, Women's Foil) secured the gold medals on offer on the day.
Badminton finalists identified
At the B.B.D Badminton Academy, Badminton finalists were identified and the medal matches will be played on Friday, the concluding day of the Games.
Jain University, Karnataka, will face off against University of Delhi in the Women's category while Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) will meet Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak in the men's finals.
Yogasana underway at Varanasi
At the SAC Indoor Hall in IIT - BHU in Varanasi, Yogasana competitions got underway with the first medals of the discipline awarded. RTM Nagpur University won the first gold on offer in the Traditional Yogasana Team event, with a total of 407 points. Kurukshetra University (KUK) followed with 398.42 points and Ranchi University secured the bronze with 393.1 points—IANS

Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP), clinched the 3rd Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2022 Uttar Pradesh (UP) 

KIUG 2022: Punjabi, Maharshi Dayanand Universities Clinch Hockey Titles

London: Star couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma will attend the FA Cup final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Virat and Anushka, who are fondly called Virushka by their fans, have been invited by one of the popular athleisure brands PUMA (both of them are brand ambassadors) and the prestigious Manchester City Football Club for the FA CUP Finale 2023.
Manchester City and Manchester United will lock horns in the FA Cup Final on Saturday (June 3) at the fabled Wembley Stadium. The 2 clubs have been playing each other for many decades now. Given that now both the team are regularly ranked among the best football teams in the world, their clash is seen as one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the football fraternity. This will be the first time in history that a Manchester Derby will be conducted in the final of FA Cup.
Manchester United will be hoping to win their second title of the season after winning Carabao Cup in March.
Meanwhile, Kohli is gearing up for the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia.
The final between Australia and India is set to take place between June 7 and 11, with June 12 earmarked as the reserve day. In Test Cricket, Virat Kohli has scored 8416 runs in 183 innings.
His highest score 254 was against South Africa in 2019. He has scored 28 centuries and 28 half-centuries in Test format. His batting average is 48.93. Kohli started off the year 2023 with an ODI century against Sri Lanka. He continued his brilliant performances in big events, being the second-highest run-scorer, and highest-run scorer for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In four matches, he scored 297 runs at an average of 49.50, with best score of 186.Kohli had a great IPL 2023 season, in 14 matches of IPL 2023, he has scored 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate above 139. He has scored two centuries and six fifties this season, with best score of 101*. He is the third-highest run-scorer in the league so far. Talking about Anushka's work front, she will be next seen in the upcoming sports biopic film 'Chakda Xpress' which is based on the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, and will stream exclusively on Netflix. The final release date of the film is still awaited.—ANI

Star couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma will attend the FA Cup final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma To Attend FA Cup Final

New Delhi: Bengaluru FC midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, who has signed a new five-year deal with Bengaluru FC to ensure his stay with the club until the end of the 2027-28 season, has said that he always saw his future with the club.
The 22-year-old joined from the Indian Arrows in 2019 and has since made 84 appearances in all competitions for the club, contributing with one goal and three assists. He holds immense significance for the Blues and is a constant presence at the heart of Bengaluru FC's midfield.
"It was an easy decision for me. This city is my second home, and I started my professional career here, in this club. The fans and the club also really loved me. So I'm really delighted to be here," Wangjam told BFC TV.
Hailing from Manipur, the midfielder was a member of the AIFF Elite Academy that trained for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He further represented the Indian U17s side, which participated in the tournament. Following the event, Wangjam was selected to join the Indian Arrows team.
After a two-year stint with the All India Football Federation-owned team, he joined the Indian Super League (ISL) side ahead of the 2019-20 season. In his debut season in the ISL, the midfielder caught the eye of many with his composure on the ball and positional discipline.
"I still remember when I first joined here. It was during the 2019-20 season when we lost in the semifinals. I even gave a penalty (laughs).
When I joined here, I was just thinking of getting some game time. But I believe I have also done a great job here. At the same time, I have been surrounded by good people, and to be honest, I have really improved on and off the pitch. So I think it's been a great journey here," Wangjam said.
The progress he has made since joining the Blues has been remarkable. He has effectively showcased his skills and attributes, resulting in him being honoured with the 2020-21 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year award.
Wangjam is someone who relishes his time on the pitch, embraces responsibilities, and fights for every ball. The beauty of his game lies in the artistry of his movements, the precision of his passing, and his relentless work rate.
The Blues' no. 6 spoke highly of his previous coaches for placing their trust in him and contributing to his development as the player he is today.
"The coach trusted me a lot, and at the same time, he gave me more responsibility because playing as the number six in the team is a big responsibility. I want to thank the coach for believing in me. And yes, at the same time, it also brings pressure on me. But I love taking pressure, and I'm really enjoying it as well. Day by day and game by game, I also want to improve," said the midfielder.
The midfielder also reminisced about the time he signed for the club and the warm reception he received from both the club and its supporters.
He expressed his gratitude towards the Blues' faithful, acknowledging them as 'one of the best' in the country. He revealed that the love and affection from the fans played a significant role in his decision to sign the new contract.
"I don't know if 'lucky' is the right word, but when I joined here, I felt very fortunate. In the first season itself, the fans and the club welcomed me in a warm and friendly way. So, I always saw my future here only. I think that made me feel more at ease because I can't describe in words how much the fans love me and how much they love the club. I can proudly say that they are one of the best fan bases in the country. Signing (a new contract) was very easy for me because of them. I want to give my best for the club," Wangjam said.
The Indian international now dreams of playing in the biggest continental competition with Bengaluru FC and is determined to work hard in the coming seasons to fulfil this aspiration.
"We, as a club, have the dream of playing in the AFC Champions League, which is the biggest competition in Asia. So, yes, we are dreaming of that. But at the same time, we really need to work hard to achieve that goal," he said.
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Wangjam suffered an injury during the pre-season, causing him to miss out on the knockout stages of the Durand Cup, in which Bengaluru FC emerged victorious.
After recovering from his injury, Wangjam faced difficulties in regaining his form, coinciding with Bengaluru FC's challenging start to their ISL campaign.
The midfielder commends the Blues' head coach, Simon Grayson, for standing by his side during that phase and consistently pushing through those challenging times. He believes that support greatly contributed to his recovery and helped him regain his form.
"Firstly, I'd really like to thank the coach and the coaching staff because, to be honest, at the start of the season, I wasn't in form. I was injured during the pre-season, so I wasn't able to pick up my form. But the good part was that the coach trusted me, believed in me, and gave me a lot of chances. I think it was a great decision made by him as well," Wangjam stated.
"During that time, we were also losing many games. So, I just want to express my gratitude to him. He taught me small things, but in the game, they make a big difference," he added.&nbsp;
—IANS

Bengaluru FC midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, who has signed a new five-year deal with Bengaluru FC 

Always Saw My Future With Bengaluru FC, Says Suresh Singh After Signing New Deal

New Delhi: Former fast-bowler Jason Gillespie believes senior India pacer Mohammed Shami can ask good questions of the Australian battes' defensive techniques if he succeeds in finding some movement off the pitch during the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval from June 7-11.
With pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah absent, Shami will have an important role to play in leading India's charge with the ball in the WTC Final. Shami was the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2023 with 28 scalps, finding success by bowling majorly Test-match lengths.
Against Australia, Shami has picked 40 wickets from 11 Tests at an average of 31.27, with a career-best spell of 6-56. His record of playing Tests in England stands at 38 wickets in 13 games at an average of 40.52, with Shami yet to pick a five-wicket haul in the country.
"Shami impresses me a lot and I love how he keeps running in hard. He does a wonderful job for India. I love that he presents the seam, and releases the ball so well. His wrist and fingers are right behind the ball and you see the seam go all the way down the pitch and he gives the ball a chance to move off the seam. He can swing the ball in the right conditions and can get a little bit of swing," said Gillespie.
"But his seam presentation is as good as anyone in world cricket in my opinion. So I think he's going to play a big role in those conditions if there is any movement to be found off the pitch. Mohammed Shami can certainly exploit that and he can ask some really good questions of the Australian batters' defensive techniques, because he pitches the ball up and when he looks to just get a little bit of movement, then I think he's a fine bowler," said Gillespie in an interview with IANS.
Fellow-pacer Mohammad Siraj was Royal Challengers Bangalore's leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps and found rewards in sticking to an attacking line and length. Against Australia, Siraj has taken 14 wickets in six Tests and averages 32.64, while in England, he has scalped 18 wickets in five matches at an average of 33.
"Siraj is a fine young bowler as well, but he's a different type of bowler. He will look to run in and be quite aggressive and create opportunities for wickets. But he's a slightly different bowler to Shami. But both are fine bowlers and Siraj is going to have a long career ahead of him and for India. He can certainly be a 200-plus Test wicket-taker and he's good enough to do that," added Gillespie.
Bumrah's absence means India must pick either of Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat or Shardul Thakur as their third fast bowler or if conditions demand, take two out of the trio to form a four-man fast-bowling attack.
Gillespie, who previously coached Yorkshire and Sussex in County cricket, feels the Indian team has to make those decisions based on batting depth and who can contribute more in picking 20 wickets in the match.
"If they want some depth in their batting, they may well go with Thakur. I wouldn't be against that as I think he's a very good bowler. I've always liked Umesh Yadav. I just love how he runs in hard and hits the pitch hard. He's got a good bouncer and he bowls with really good airspeed. There's just a lot to like about him and so I wouldn't be against India playing him." "It also depends on what the makeup of the middle order looks like. If they feel they need more batting, they may go with Thakur. But ultimately, they've got to make a decision with their bowling attack -- on what is the lineup that is most likely going to take 20 wickets. That will ultimately decide which way they go, whether they go to the bowling all-rounder or the out-and-out fast bowler."
With spin usually coming into play at The Oval, which will be hosting a Test match for the first time in June and England experiencing mainly sunny weather, Gillespie stated India can play Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja together in the playing eleven, which he sees as an advantage for Rohit Sharma &amp; Co.
"That's the advantage India have -- they can have the wicket-keeper at six, with Jadeja and Ashwin at seven and eight and then pick their best three fast bowlers. That would be a very strong team, and there's no doubt about that because both Jadeja and Ashwin are very fine batters in their own right."
"So there's no reason why India couldn't go down that path. I would suggest they should pick their best three fast bowlers who they feel are going to make an impact and contribute to taking 20 wickets because Ashwin and Jadeja will contribute to taking those 20 wickets, but they'll also contribute really well with the bat."—IANS

Former fast-bowler Jason Gillespie believes senior India pacer Mohammed Shami can ask good questions 

WTC Final: Shami Can Ask Really Good Questions Of Australian Batters If He Finds Movement Off The Pitch: Jason Gillespie

Mumbai: Disney Star, the official TV broadcaster of IPL, announced a ground-breaking achievement as it delivered the grandest playoffs in the history of the league, accompanied by unprecedented viewership and ratings.
"The IPL 2023 playoffs have shattered all records, achieving an astounding 44% (Figures are for M15+ including OOH) increase in ratings compared to the previous year, surpassing the previous highest-rated playoffs recorded in IPL 2020. This extraordinary accomplishment demonstrates the unwavering support and enthusiasm of cricket fans nationwide, cementing the broadcaster's position as the premier sports broadcaster in India," a statement read.
Among the thrilling encounters that unfolded during the playoffs, the match between the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians (Qualifier 2) left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. This clash witnessed an unprecedented Peak TV Concurrency of 6.1 crore (Figures are for 2+ U+R including OOH) captivating fans across the nation. Not only did this match command immense attention, but it also soared to new heights, becoming the highest-rated playoffs match ever. The intense battle on the field and the players' stellar performances kept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the match. "The unparalleled success of the IPL 2023 playoffs is further accentuated by the colossal TV viewership numbers. The live broadcast of the IPL 2023 amassed a staggering 49.6 (Figures are for 2+ U+R including OOH) crore viewers and 40902 crore minutes (Figures are for 2+ U+R including OOH) of consumption until the finals, reaching unprecedented heights and setting a record for any IPL season."
Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports, Disney Star said, "The unparalleled viewing experience on Star Sports combined with the phenomenal quality of Cricket played during IPL 2023 has delivered unprecedented viewership on TV. The broadcast of TATA IPL 2023 was built on three strategic pillars - 'Big,' 'Community,' and 'TV Redefined,' driven by our overarching purpose of serving fans. 'Big' involved elevating the scale of the event in terms of its competition, teams, rivalries &amp; heroes; 'Community' was about targeting key audience cohorts and driving the habit of community viewing through the #BetterTogether campaign; 'TV Redefined' meant offering fans a richer, more immersive, and customised viewing experience. We are overjoyed that friends, families &amp; communities have come together to enjoy IPL on Disney Star and want to thank all fans for their overwhelming support. We would also like to express gratitude towards players, teams &amp; the BCCI for putting up such a riveting spectacle."—IANS

Disney Star, the official TV broadcaster of IPL, announced a ground-breaking achievement as it delivered the grandest playoffs 

Disney Star Delivers Highest-Ever Ratings For IPL 2023 Playoffs

Salalah: Holders India scored two goals in the first half and defended stoutly in the second to prevail 2-1 over archrivals Pakistan in a hard-fought final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Thursday.
This was the fourth clash between the two teams in the final of the Junior Asia Cup and the second successive after the Indians defeated Pakistan 6-2 in Kuantan, Malaysia to win the title in 2015. The event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
Both India and Pakistan have won the title thrice each since the event was started in 1988. They had played out a 1-1 draw in the league phase a few days back and had reached the final after beating their respective semifinal rivals. On Thursday, early goals by Angad Bir Singh (13') and Araijeet Singh Hundal (20') ensured India remained in command of the game while some outstanding saves by goalkeeper Shashikumar Mohith Honnenahalli kept India in the lead throughout the match.
With this victory, India has created a new record of winning the maximum titles at the Men's Junior Asia Cup. The team had previously won the title in 2004, 2008 and 2015 while Pakistan has won the tournament in 1988, 1992, 1996.
Recognising the team's effort and their unbeaten record in the prestigious tournament which saw them qualify for the FIH Men's Junior World Cup in Malaysia, the Hockey India Executive Board announced a cash award of INR 2 lakh each for players and INR 1 lakh each for support staff. Congratulating the team, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, "The Indian Junior Men's team has made us all extremely proud with their unbeaten performance at the Junior Asia Cup. The team has shown great promise over the past few months, particularly after their historic win at the Sultan of Johor Cup they have become a dominate force and I believe this big win will hold them in good stead for the Junior World Cup later this year. Hockey India has decided to honour the players for this feat with a befitting cash award. I congratulate the team and the support staff for their efforts."
An elated Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh also wished the team on their successful campaign. "The team showcased great character and spirit of the game in every match. The team's continued success at the Junior Asia Cup is a testimony to Hockey India's national program for the U21. I congratulate the team and the support staff for keeping up the Indian team's record intact at the Junior Asia Cup."
Going into the final on the back of a stupendous 9-1 win against South Korea in the Semi-Final match, India rode on confidence to get off to a roaring start. They pushed Pakistan on the backfoot with early opportunities to score. They capitalized on their opponents' errors in the circle and punished them by converting the PC earned in the 13th minute. While it was Araijeet Singh Hundal who took a powerful shot on goal, Angad Bir Singh was quick on his feet to pick up the rebound and find a perfect deflection. While the opening goal put India in command, a goal by Araijeet in the 20th minute helped in putting pressure on the Pakistani defence.
In the following quarter, the two teams lived up to the billing producing some tense moments that kept the full-house Salalah audience on their toes. Backed by a strong Pakistani fanbase, they were able to finally make a breakthrough in the 38th minute when Basharat Ali worked a brilliant field goal.
Though Pakistan found a number of opportunities to score through PCs in the last quarter, India custodian Shashikumar Mohith Honnenahalli made some sensational saves to keep India ahead.
It was a nail-biting finish, as Pakistan pushed for that elusive equaliser. But the spirited India Colts held their nerves to clinch the title in style and create history by clinching the fourth title in this prestigious competition.
"We wanted to win at any cost"
Speaking about the tense final, India captain Uttam Singh who was awarded the Player of the Match said, "After the 1-1 draw in the round robin stage, we were very aware of the areas we had to do well in order to beat Pakistan. It was quite a nervous Final. The team had never played in front of such a big crowd but I think created early goals helped us stay in control of the game."
Experienced India coach CR Kumar expressed that it was a good team effort. "It came down to executing our opportunities. Though I feel we could have scored a few more goals, when you are playing a big opponent like Pakistan there is a lot of pressure. But I am very happy with the way the players controlled their emotions and played to their potential."—IANS

Holders India scored two goals in the first half and defended stoutly in the second to prevail 2-1 over archrivals Pakistan

Junior Asia Cup Hockey: India Reign Supreme With 2-1 Win Over Pakistan; Bag Record Fourth Title

London: Australia's white-ball assistant coach Daniel Vettori is hoping that a lengthy stint in T20 format during the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not hinder preparations of his players, especially key all-rounder Cameron Green.
Vettori said a strong performance in the IPL 2023 has boosted the confidence of Green and the young allrounder is looking forward to doing well in his maiden Test tour of the United Kingdom.
Green was among the last players to join the Australia squad as he arrived late following his stint with Mumbai Indians in IPL Playoffs and joined the squad that had a four-day acclimatisation stint in Formby near Liverpool.
Despite joining the squad just 24 hours ago, Green was at hand as the Aussies' held their first major training session in Beckenham on Thursday ahead of their campaign in World Test Championship final and Ashes series. "Any cricket is preparation now. He is doing work in the background to make sure his bowling loads are up and he is actually ready for Test cricket," Vettori told reporters on Thursday.
"We look at it like if you are involved in high-intensity, high-class cricket, we are happy with that as it means you are playing cricket," Vettori was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"The hardest thing for guys is coming out of nothing and that might be a challenge for a couple of guys who have had an extended break and how they get up to speed as quickly as possible," said Vettori.
It was the first time that the full 17-man Aussie squad had assembled, with auxiliary pacemen Michael Neser and Sean Abbott also linking up with the group for a day-long centre-wicket nets practice.
Green, despite missing the squad's easing-in period, had a lengthy batting session on lively training wickets prepared at the Kent out-ground in southeast suburban London.
Green, who struck a 47-ball century at the Wankhede Stadium 11 days ago that propelled Mumbai Indians into the IPL Playoffs, is hoping that his stint in the shorter format will help him and not hinder his preparations for the Test matches upfront. The Australian coaching staff are looking on the bright side of the 23-year-old's white-ball heavy lead-in to the six-Test tour, cricket.com.au said in a report on Friday.
Vettori said they are satisfied with his preparations as Green played in the Playoffs, unlike the other Australian Test squad members that played in IPL.
Green is a crucial member of the Aussies squad as they bid to claim their maiden WTC title and reclaim their first Ashes series abroad in over two decades.
"It's great to have him back," Vettori was quoted as saying about Green, who scored his first Test ton in Ahmedabad in March before averaging more than 50 with a strike rate above 160 in the IPL.
"He offers so much to the team and had a great series in India for us and then is coming off the back of a successful IPL. It's great he's got some confidence... he's a huge part of the side," he said.
Meanwhile, opener David Warner, who returned from IPL with Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood a week earlier, sent a scare through the camp when he suffered a nasty knock to his left arm while batting. He needed treatment on the same arm as the one on which he fractured his elbow earlier this year to cut short his Test tour of India.
But the opener, whose place in the Test side has been all but assured for the early stages of the UK tour, shook off the blow and was the last player to leave the nets in the afternoon, the report said.—IANS

Australia's white-ball assistant coach Daniel Vettori is hoping that a lengthy stint in T20 format during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 

Australia Hoping Cameron Green’s Strong IPL Form Will Help In WTC Final, Ashes Series

Mangalore: Chennai's, Groms surfer, Kishore Kumar, stunned everyone with his performance under testing conditions and made his way into the semifinals of the 4th edition of the Indian Open of Surfing with the highest score of 12.67 at the Sasihithlu beach, here on Thursday.
Apart from Kishore, the other surfers who got high scores from the judges were Tayin Arun (10.83), Dinesh Selvamani(09.53), Sekar Pachai (09.0) Harish P(8.63) and Selvam M(08.53).
Winds and rain played spoilsport at the end as the judges had to call it a day before the proceedings of the Women's Open semi-finals could begin. The said category will now be played on Day 2 on Friday.
The first day's round saw Karnataka and Tamil Nadu surfers dominate the proceedings in both the Men's open and Groms (U16) categories. 12 surfers from Round 1 in men's category today advanced to the Round 2 where they will meet another 16 surfers who already have qualified for the second round based on their rankings in last year.
A total of 28 surfers from the men's open category will battle it out tomorrow in the Round 2 to ensure their place for the quarterfinals that are scheduled to be held later in the day. Dinesh Selvamani, who registered the highest score of 09.53 on Thursday from the judges in the men's open category said,"The conditions and competitions were equally challenging. The field for tomorrow's Round is very strong and anyone can make their way into the quarterfinals. I am looking forward to surfing in my natural style and seal a quarterfinal spot."
The Groms (U16) category also saw a stiff competition from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka surfers as four surfers from each state have booked their semi-final berths which are scheduled for tomorrow.
Speaking after securing his semifinal slot, the Surfing Federation of India's future talent programme scholar Kishore Kumar said, "This wasn't my best performance as the waves were different from what I am used to back home in Chennai. The conditions were also very challenging today and I could have made a better score but I am satisfied that I made it to the semi-finals. I hope the conditions will be favorable tomorrow as I take on the waves and seal my finals slot."
Earlier, the day began with an energetic performance from local students who performed a folk-dance form of Karnataka called Chende. This was followed by the official opening of the Indian Open of Surfing competition by dignitaries, Dhananjaya Shetty, Director Surfing Swamy Foundation, Manikya Jain, Deputy Director Karnataka Tourism Mangalore and Ram Mohan Paranjape, VP, Surfing Federation of India and Partner, Mantra Surf Club.
"The conditions were good and clean early in the morning. Wind set in a little earlier than expected, so competition went on hold at Noon. Overall it was a good start to the competition with surfers making best of the conditions available," Competition Director, Nawaz Jabbar was quoted as saying in a media release. The fourth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing, which begins the calendar year for Indian Surfing, is being hosted from June 1-3. The three-day premier surfing competition of India is the official national championship of the Surfing Federation of India -- the governing body for the sport of surfing.—IANS

Chennai's, Groms surfer, Kishore Kumar, stunned everyone with his performance under testing conditions and made

Indian Open Of Surfing: Groms Wonder Boy Kishore Kumar Shines On Opening Day

New Delhi: Swiss Boxing, Switzerland's boxing federation, has announced its decision to quit International Boxing Association (IBA) with immediate effect to join the newly-formed World Boxing Association.
Swiss Boxing has ended its membership citing the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to strip the IBA of the right to host the boxing competition at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, including qualifying competitions.
The announcement comes 10 days after the IBA suspended four national federations -- New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, due to their participation in a World Boxing. "The Swiss Boxing Association Council has decided to withdraw from the International Boxing Association (IBA) with immediate effect and to join the new World Boxing Association. This resolution has immediate effect, but is subject to subsequent approval by the delegates' meeting," the Swiss Boxing statement read.
Switzerland is among countries that boycotted IBA events earlier this year over its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian boxers to compete.
"The reason for this is the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the IBA - formerly AIBA - will withdraw the hosting of the Olympic boxing competition for the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, including qualifying competitions. The reason for this is massive allegations of corruption and breaches of ethics," the statement further read.
Earlier this year, the group of countries including the USA and Britain announced the formation of a new organization called 'World Boxing' hoping to ensure the sport's continuation in the Olympic programme.
Switzerland have become the second National Federation to officially announce its resignation from IBA after the USA to join the newly-formed boxing body.
USA Boxing revoked its 77-year membership in IBA in April this year, hence, depriving their athletes, coaches, and officials of taking part in any events organised by IBA and affiliated members.
However, IBA acknowledged the intention of the Swiss Boxing Council to terminate the relationship with the IBA immediately.
"It is with deep regret that the International Boxing Association (IBA) confirms receipt of the resignation of Swiss Boxing as of June 1, 2023. The decision can only come into force at Swiss Boxing's next General Assembly where its Statutes will be amended to reflect this," IBA said.
IBA also said that Swiss Boxing violated their Statutes by involving politics in sport, specifically, Article 4 which stated that "Swiss Boxing is politically and denominationally neutral."
The IBA has been suspended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its governance and other issues since 2019. This led to IOC administering boxing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 directly and is managing the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics as well. It is uncertain that boxing will feature in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games as the sport has been left off from the initial programme list of the Los Angeles Olympics.—IANS

Swiss Boxing, Switzerland's boxing federation, has announced its decision to quit International Boxing Association (IBA)

Swiss Boxing Withdraws From IBA To Join Newly-Formed ‘World Boxing’

Mumbai: Six franchisees will look to lock in the best combinations for Season 4 of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) when a total of 40 paddlers will feature in the Player Draft, which gets underway at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI), here on Friday.
Bengaluru Smashers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis and U Mumba TT will be part of the UTT Season 4, scheduled at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune from July 13 to 30.
Out of the 40 players, 36 will be available for selection after the retentions of Sharath Kamal (Chennai Lions), Sathiyan (Dabang Delhi TTC), Manika (Bengaluru Smashers) and Manav (U Mumba TT) was utilised by four of the six franchisees.
Each team can draft two foreigners -- one male and one female; and four Indians -- two male and two female, to complete their six-member squad.
As Goa Challengers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis have not retained any players, they will have the opportunity to make their picks in Round 1 while the remaining teams will begin their selections from Round 2.
The draft will be attended by the UTT co-promoter Vita Dani and Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Secretary General Kamlesh Mehta, alongside franchise owners and Indian table tennis players Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, Manav Thakkar and Diya Chitale. The draft pool comprises a diverse array of talent, including top international and Indian paddlers.
Among the foreign players to watch out for are: Aruna Quadri (WR16) from Nigeria, Alvaro Robles (WR43) of Spain, who won the doubles silver medal at the 2019 World Championships, and USA's Lily Zhang (WR24).
Among Indians, the key players in the draft include Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medallist Sreeja Akula, who has won back-to-back national titles, Harmeet Desai, a member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, and exciting young talents such as the U-19 boys national champion Payas Jain, Diya Chitale, S Fidel R Snehit, and Ankur Bhattacharjee.
The franchise-based league is promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the TTFI.—IANS

Six franchisees will look to lock in the best combinations for Season 4 of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT)

40 Paddlers Available For Selection In UTT Season 4 Player Draft

Lucknow: Ten gold medals in a single day helped Panjab University, Chandigarh (PUC), soar to the top of the third Khelo Indian University Games (KIUG) 2022 Uttar Pradesh (UP) medal tally, leaving behind rivals Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, who are now second, with initial leaders and defending champions Jain University, Karnataka, now finding themselves in third position.
PUC picked up five golds in Rowing, two each in Athletics and Shooting and one in Judo, to end the day with a tally of 21 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals.
Competition day 9 of the Games also saw three new Games records being created, all at the Athletics competition at the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College (GGSSC) grounds in Lucknow. The Men's Pole Vault, Women's Javelin and Heptathlon KIUG records were re-written.
Sidharth AK of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam (MGU, Kottayam) cleared 4.90m to create a new record in Men's Pole Vault while Harita of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University (CBLU) sank the ols Women's Javelin record with a throw of 50.14m enroute to gold. Harita's mate Pooja then made a new games mark in Heptathlon accumulating 4991 points over her seven events.
A total of 15 golds were decided on the final day of the Athletics competition and MGU, Kottayam were the most successful with three golds.
Panjab win 11 golds in Rowing
In Rowing the table toppers bagged five of the 15 golds on offer on the final day at the Ramgarh Taal in Gorakhpur. Panjabi University picked up three while Calicut University won two gold medals. Overall, PUC won 11 gold, four silver and six bronze medals in Rowing for a total of 21 medals, a big reason for their top position in the standings.
Their winners on the day included Ravinder and Dinesh Kumar in the Light weight Men's Doubles Sculls, Sonu Verma, Ajeeth, Sudarshan Lamba and Gurpreet Singh in the Light Weight Men's Fours, Khushpreet Kaur and Diljot Kaur in the Light Weight Women's Doubles Sculls, Khushpreet, Diljot, Gurbani and Poonam in the Women's Fours Sculls and finally Sukhdeep, Rajat, Sahil and Aditya in the Men's Fours 500 meter races.
Pair of Manu, Sarabjot win Mixed Team Pistol gold
Over at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting range, Olympian Manu Bhaker and India international Sarabjot Singh won the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team gold medal with a facile 16-2 victory over Varun Dubey and Vibhuti Bhatia of Delhi University. These were the first of two golds won at the range by PUC with Prabh Pratap Singh Chahal and Parinaaz Dhaliwal winning the Mixed Team Skeet competition. It was Parinaaz's second gold at the KIUG 2022 UP, after she had won the women's individual Skeet gold earlier.&nbsp;
Recurve Archery, Football finalists identified
Across three venues of Lucknow, finalists in the Recurve Archery and Football disciplines were also identified on the day. At the BBD University Cricket Ground, Guru Jambeshwar University (GJU) and Punjabi University reached two finals each in Recurve Archery. Pawan of the latter will take on Ankit Rana of Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU) in the Men's Recurve final while Bhargaviben Bhagora of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University (HNGU) will clash with Anshika Kumari of Kolhan University, Jharkhand, for the Women's individual Recurve title on Friday.
On the same day, Adamas University of Kolkata will take on Punjabi University in the Men's Football final at the GGSSC, Lucknow. Also, at the Ekana Sportz City, GJU will take on CBLU in the women's football final. While Punjabi University were 2-1 winners over MGU, Kottayam in their semi-final today, Adamas had to come through penalties over GNDU, Amritsar. GJU, Hisar were 3-2 winners over GNDU in the first women's semis while CBLU defeated Annamalai University, Chidambaram, by a solitary goal.
Yogasana to begin in Varanasi
Competition day 10 will see the commencement of the Yogasana competitions at the IIT-BHU Indoor hall in Varanasi. The three-day competition will culminate with the Closing Ceremony of the Games in the same city.—IANS

 Ten gold medals in a single day helped Panjab University, Chandigarh (PUC), soar to the top of the third Khelo Indian University Games (KIUG)

Ten-Gold Day Help Panjab University Soar To The Top At KIUG 2022

New Delhi: The Indian Junior men's hockey team stormed into the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 when they defeated Korea 9-1 in the first semifinal in Salalah, Oman on Wednesday.
For the Indian team the scorers were Sunit Lakra (13'), Araijeet Singh Hundal (19'), Boby Singh Dhami (31', 39', 55'), Angad Bir Singh (34'), Captain Uttam Singh (38'), Vishnukant Singh (51'), Sharda Nand Tiwari (57'). Meanwhile for Korea it was Keonyeol Hwang (46') who scored the only goal.
In the early exchanges, it was the Koreans who looked more dangerous; however, they came up against a well-organised Indian defensive unit, that absorbed the pressure well. Just after the half-way mark in the quarter, India started to go through the gears, pushing Korea back into their half, with a couple of attacks originating from the right. With a couple of minutes left in the first quarter, Sunit Lakra (13') smashed it into the net, giving India a 1-0 lead against Korea at the break.
Both sides began the second phase well, matching each other toe to toe in the early exchanges, before India doubled the lead. Araijeet Singh Hundal (19') found himself in space inside the area and finished masterfully from close range. From then on in, the Koreans kept looking for a way to goal, but India's defenders kept them at arm's length. Meanwhile, the Uttam Singh-led side almost added a third goal but went into the half-time break leading the semifinal 2-0.
Right after the start in the third quarter, Boby Singh Dhami's (31') high press came in handy as he recovered possession and smashed it home to make it 3-0 for the Indian team. A few minutes later, Angad Bir Singh (34') made it 4-0 as Uttam Singh and co took control of proceedings. India continued to attack and soon after added a couple of more goals in quick succession, as Captain Uttam Singh (38') and Boby Singh Dhami (39') netted to make it 6-0 in their favour. A rare Korean attack almost led to a goal, however Goalkeepr Mohith Shashikumar stood firm to see India through the 3rd quarter break with a healthy lead.
Keonyeol Hwang (46') got Korea on to the scoresheet, making it 6-1 when he converted a Penalty Corner in the first minute of the final quarter. India restored the six-goal lead shortly after, when Vishnukant Singh (51') made it 7-1 from a Penalty Corner. With five minutes left in the contest, Boby Singh Dhami (55') completed his hat-trick, as the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team extended the lead to 8-1. A couple of minutes later, Sharda Nand Tiwari's (57') well directed shot from a Penalty Corner made it 9-1, giving the fans present a fair amount to be happy about.
The Indian Junior team, who are three-time winners of the Men's Junior Asia Cup, will be eyeing a fourth title and will play the winner of the second semifinal between Malaysia and Pakistan. The final is scheduled for June 1.—IANS

The Indian Junior men's hockey team stormed into the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 when they defeated Korea

Men’s Jr Hockey Asia Cup: India  Defeat Korea 9-1, Progress To Final

Paris: World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, experienced a shocking defeat in the opening round at the French Open this year as the highest-ranked player to be eliminated so early when he fell to Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild, 7-6(5), 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Before the clay-court major, Seyboth Wild had only competed in one Grand Slam tournament - the 2020 US Open - and hadn't yet claimed a main draw victory at a Tour-level event, reports Xinhua.
"I've watched Daniil play throughout my entire junior career and up until today," said Seyboth Wild, who will face Argentine Guido Pella in the next round. "I've always dreamed about playing on this court, playing these kind of players. In my best dreams I've been beaten them, so it is a dream come true."
The 23-year-old made 69 winners and, after losing two set points in the second set tie-break, elevated his game in the final two sets to record the most significant victory of his career.
Medvedev arrived in Paris freshly triumphant, having secured his first clay-tournament title just a week prior in Rome, but his second Grand Slam title hopes were dashed at the outset.
"For sure I'm really disappointed," Medvedev confessed in a crowded press conference. "I'm going to be thinking about this match for a week. But for the moment, I don't see anything wrong I did."
"I felt like I'm doing what I have to and he played well, so let's continue," Medvedev said.
The 27-year-old, who claimed the US Open championship in 2021, had won five titles this season, including two ATP Masters tournaments, surpassing any other player on the Tour.
In women's play, top seed Iga Swiatek was initially challenged in the opening set against Cristina Bucsa. However, she swiftly found her momentum, dispatching the Spaniard 6-4, 6-0, setting up a second-round clash against American No. 102 Claire Liu.
American sixth seed Coco Gauff, the 2022 Roland Garros finalist, rallied from a set down to overcome Spain's Rebeka Masarova 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, avoiding an early exit.
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan triumphed 6-4, 6-2 over Brenda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic.
Earlier in the day, last year's men's finalist Casper Ruud returned to Paris in winning style. The Norwegian advanced to the clay-court major's second round for the sixth successive season, defeating Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
The fourth seed struck 28 winners against 17 from his No. 155-ranked opponent, concluding the victory in two hours and seven minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. "It was tough. First match after one of the best tournaments of my life," Ruud admitted. "Obviously a bit nervous. You have to defend what you did last year," said Ruud, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the final 12 months ago. The 24-year-old is aiming for his maiden Grand Slam title after two consecutive final appearances last year, one at Roland Garros and another at the US Open where he was narrowly defeated by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Ruud claimed his 10th Tour-level trophy in Estoril in April and reached the semifinals in Rome before coming to Roland Garros. His next opponent will be another qualifier, Giulio Zeppieri of Italy, who defeated Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik to advance. Germany's Alexander Zverev, who sustained a serious ankle injury during the semifinals here last year, celebrated a triumphant return. The two-time French Open semifinalist won two tiebreaks to defeat South African Lloyd Harris 7-6(6), 7-6(0), 6-1, advancing to the second round.
The 26-year-old was wheeled off the court during his semifinal match against Nadal last year and was sidelined for six months with torn ligaments. "It's very, very nice to be back," Zverev expressed on the court. The 22nd seed will confront Slovakia's Alex Molcan next.—IANS

 World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, experienced a shocking defeat in the opening round at the French Open

French Open: Medvedev Suffers Shocking First-Round Defeat, Swiatek Battles Through

Dubai: With IPL fever only just settling down, India now have little time to switch gears for a format change with the ICC World Test Championship Final starting on June 7.
Several members of the India squad have already reached England and kicked off their preparations for the big finale at the Arundel Cricket Club.
While they managed to catch a glimpse of the thrilling IPL 2023 final, all-rounder Axar Patel, who was among the training group, confirmed that their preparations were going well for the WTC showdown against Australia. The switch between formats in a short timeframe comes with its challenges, but Axar revealed that the preparations had begun during the IPL season itself where they practiced with the red ball. "We knew about this before the start of IPL," Axar told the ICC.
"So even during the IPL, it was discussed that we will bowl with the red ball. We had red balls, so we were using them. You know when and how to play, how much time you have. This mental switch from white ball to red ball is obviously tough, but we have enough time."
"Those who did not qualify (for IPL Playoffs) got more time. So I don't think there will be many problems because we have had a good time to prepare." While India play their red-ball games at home with the SG ball, the WTC Final will have the Dukes ball which is used in English conditions. Axar stated that they were practicing with the Dukes ball during the IPL, but maintained that the focus was on hitting the right spot irrespective of the ball used.
"The difference is the Dukes ball remains shinier for longer. But during the IPL, we had ordered the ball, so were practising with it and have gotten used to it.
"As I said, we switch from white ball to red ball. It is a similar switch to go from SG to Dukes, you have the use your talent and skill. You have to execute your plan, your bowling rhythm. Irrespective of the ball, if you bowl a good ball at a good spot, it works," Axar said.
"So that's what we're doing. Since the match is in England, which is different from India, we are planning what lines and lengths will work here. The same thing in practice, we are good to go."
Aside from the quick change in format, there's also the challenge of adapting to the relatively mild conditions in England from the sweltering heat of the Indian summer. "We came after playing IPL, where it was 40-45 degrees in India. After that it feels great here. We have taken out our winter clothes and are roaming around wearing jumpers. It's also a bit windy. Whenever we come to the UK, we enjoy the weather. It remains a little cool, there is no heat." Bowling plans are yet to come together, and Axar is happy to leave that to the bowling coach, but neither he nor the team is sweating over the complete contrast in conditions. "Obviously, the conditions in India and England are different. The fast bowlers have more of a role here. In India, spinners play a more important role," Axar said.
"The conditions are the same for both teams. In England, the wind assists swing bowling and offers good bounce if you bowl at the right spots. The team is getting together slowly, so the planning will go on. We'll leave the planning to our bowling coach."—IANS

With IPL fever only just settling down, India now have little time to switch gears for a format change 

Axar Patel Confident Of India Shifting Into Top Gear For WTC Final

New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the alleged manhandling by Delhi Police of protesting wrestlers over the weekend by calling it "disturbing" and urged the authorities to ensure the "well-being of the athletes" throughout the investigation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) sidelined chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Close on the heels of a similar statement by United World Wrestling, the sport's world governing body, the IOC also urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take all necessary action to protect the protesting wrestlers. Since April 23, prominent Indian wrestlers led by Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat have been staging a protest at the Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment of female athletes, including a minor.
"The treatment of the Indian wrestling athletes over the weekend was very disturbing. The IOC insists that the allegations by the wrestlers are followed up by an unbiased, criminal investigation in line with local law.
"We understand that a first step towards such a criminal investigation has been made, but more steps have to follow before concrete actions become visible. We urge that the safety and wellbeing of these athletes are duly considered throughout this process and that this investigation will be speedily concluded," IOC said in a statement given to some media houses.
The IOC also confirmed its close communication with the United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport, regarding the matter.
"From the very beginning of the allegations, the IOC has been in close contact with United World Wrestling (UWW), which has already taken measures.
"The IOC supports UWW as the competent sporting authority to address this issue as it pertains to the governance of the sport of wrestling in India. We have been informed by UWW that the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is currently not in charge.
"The IOC will continue to support UWW in all their efforts and in the framework of the IOC Guidelines for International Federations and NOCs for safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sport.
"The IOC also urges the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take all necessary actions to protect the athletes and to make sure that the elections of WFI are happening as planned and in line with the regulations of UWW as an International Federation," the statement further read.
Last weekend, the protesting wrestlers were detained by the Delhi Police during their march towards the new Parliament building.
As the protesters tried to breach the security cordon, a fierce tussle broke out -- the wrestlers and cops pushed, shoved and grappled with one another.
The following day, the wrestlers threatened to discard their medals into the river Ganga in Haridwar and go on an indefinite hunger strike at the India Gate.
After the incident, UWW condemned the manhandling of the wrestlers on Tuesday in a strong statement and also threatened of suspending the Wrestling Federation of India if the election process is not completed within the 45 days deadline.
The IOA appointed a two-member Ad-hoc Committee of Suma Shirur and Bhupender Singh Bajwa to oversee the Wrestling Federation of India's office. A retired High Court Judge will also be appointed to ensure impartial and transparent voting.—IANS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the alleged manhandling by Delhi Police of protesting wrestlers 

Wrestling Mess: IOC Condemns Police Action Against Wrestlers, Urges IOA To Protect Athletes

New Delhi: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli might hold the keys to India's hopes in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final and said the Australian team will be discussing the batting stalwarts in anticipation of the upcoming match.
Pujara has scored more Test runs and tons against Australia than any other team and can turn to that record to play a critical role in the WTC Final, according to Ponting.
The reliable No.3 batter has already amassed 2033 runs and five centuries in 24 Tests against Australia and will now be crucial to I'dia's chances when the teams clash in the WTC Final from June 7. Virat Kohli is seen as the other key to India's hopes in the decider, especially now that he has returned to form and compiled a confident 186 in the fourth Test in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in March.
"The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they'll be talking about Pujara. They're the two," Ponting said on The ICC Review.
"Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past, and in Australia, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they'll have to get him early.
"They also know that Virat over the last few weeks is probably just about back to his absolute best, albeit in T20 cricket.
"He told me that the feeling he's getting right now is that he's almost back to his best, and that's an ominous warning for the Australians going into a one-off game" he added.
While Ponting added skipper Rohit Sharma as a batter that India will need to influence the WTC Final at The Oval, he also backed young opener Shubman Gill to have an impact on the result. Gill was selected for the last two Tests in the recent four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and pressed his claims for a spot in the WTC Final with a fine 128 in Ahmedabad Test earlier this year.
The 23-year-old made his Test debut in 2020 on the India tour of Australia and impressed with 259 runs at an average of 51.8 but is yet to secure a consistent place at the top of the order.
With K.L. Rahul ruled out of the WTC Final due to injury this could be the time for Gill to shine and make his mark in a high-stakes clash.
"He looks like a terrific young guy. He's got that bit of attitude about him as well. He's got a bit of swagger. He has some serious class. That sort of front foot pull shot that he plays against the fast bowlers will be a shot that he'll probably need against this Australian attack," Ponting said.
With ongoing injury concerns for Jaspri' Bumrah diminishing India's pace threat, Ponting believes Mohammad Shami will have to be at his best if India are to match Australia's acclaimed attack. "I think he has to step up or try and take his game to another level if India are going to win this game. When you talk to the Australian batters as well, they understand how good Shami is whether it's a new ball or an old ball, whether it's in Australia or India.
"They know the skillset he's got a'd how dangerous he can be. It's going to have to be him," Ponting said.—IANS

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli might hold the keys to India's hopes 

WTC Final: ‘Australian Team Will Be Talking About Virat, Pujara’, Says Ponting On India’s Key To Success At The Oval

Athens: Having started his season with early success in an international jumping meet in Greece, Commonwealth Games medallist Murali Sreeshankar is looking forward to continuing that throughout the busy and challenging competitive season leading to Asian Games in China. Sreeshankar clinched gold with a jump of 8.18m at the International Jumping Meet 2023 in Kallithea, Greece earlier this month. In a release issued by the Inspire Institute of Sport, Sreeshankar talked about his thought process during the meet in Greece.
"I didn't quite intend to push this hard, but of course, 8.20m was my target for this competition. I had competed in two meets prior as preparatory competitions to check where my body stood at that time. The competitive phase of the season has just started. So, I didn't want to push that hard, but of course, since 8.20m was my target for this competition, I wanted to hit my target," the 24-year-old was quoted as saying in the release.
The 24-year-old from Kerala said he struggled to hit the mark he had set for himself for the meet in Greece.
Sreeshankar, who won a silver medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, said, "The wind played a major part on the day and this was the first time in Kallithea that we faced a headwind. Usually, we have a good tailwind and the day before when we had the warm-up, the conditions were quite ideal. I was not quite able to get into my rhythm, so I had to keep my approach more in front because I was lacking some speed also."
The International Jumping Meet 2023 held in Greece was the Inspire Institute of Sport athlete's first competitive meet after injury.
"This was my second international competition of the season but my first competitive tournament. I have not been able to execute exactly as we planned. Usually during the competitions, my approach used to move back by around 30 or 40 centimetres, but this time around it came in front like 20-30 centimetres because I was lacking speed.
Sreeshankar also talked about his fitness and conditioning going into the busy season.
"I have to put in more effort getting into the rhythm and getting the feeling right towards the boat. So, in the next couple of competitions, I think I'll be able to get into the rhythm better and go for big jumps as I ease my body and mind into a competitive mode," Sreeshankar said.
Sreeshankar, who is great friends with fellow Indian jumper Jeswin Aldrin, with whom he shares a very healthy competitive spirit, spoke about how they push each other on the track.
"Jeswin had an incredible jump of 8.42m, which not only set the tone for Indian jumpers but also for all the jumpers in the world. This healthy competition will of course help all the other jumpers rise and improve our own performances.
"It's very important that during this period, we get to compete with each other at international competitions to gain more international exposure with top athletes from around the world. We want to get prepared for the big stage events like the World Championships and Asian Games which are lined up for this year," said Sreeshankar.
Sreeshankar will compete in the Paris Diamond League that will be held on June 9, where he will go up against the best athletes from across the globe. Sreeshankar, who is coached by his father S. Murali, a former triple jump athlete and silver medallist at the South Asian Games, went on to talk about the fast-approaching hectic competitive season. Sreeshankar said, "This season is pretty challenging because the Asian Games will be happening in the first week of October and the Asian Games qualifiers will take place in the first week of June. So, we have to plan the season very carefully so that we could maintain the form and sustain the performances till the Asian Games. We have the World Championships in August, and the Asian Championships in July, so we have to prioritise the kind of events which we have to focus on and give our best towards the main competition, which will be the World Championships."
He concluded by talking about what he feels he should focus on for performing at his peak. "Right now the main focus for me will be to get the rhythm right on the approach, that's what I'm lacking a bit. We figured it out in the first competition which we had in Kallithea. So now we are trying to figure out how I can improve my last phase of the approach and the overall rhythm so that I will be able to execute the take-off properly for the jumps," Sreeshankar said.—IANS

Having started his season with early success in an international jumping meet in Greece, Commonwealth Games medallist Murali Sreeshankar

Long-Jumper Sreeshankar Keen To Improve  Performances Ahead Of Busy Competitive Season

London: Members of Australia's men's cricket team have started their preparations for the upcoming World Test Championships (WTF) final and the Ashes series against England at their United Kingdom-based training centre in South London.
As the Australians step up their preparations for their first challenge of facing India in the WTC final at The Oval from June 7, Pat Cummins' side will be going all-out in the chase of their maiden World Test Championship title.
However, the team management is also keeping a wary eye on The Oval ground where they have a poor record at The Oval where they will start their summer campaign. They would have liked to have started their campaign at the Lord's rather than The Oval. "But given the evidence tendered by more than 140 years of Test cricket in the United Kingdom, they might have fancied their chances of taking the title even more if the showpiece was staged at Lord's rather than The Oval," cricket.com.au reported on Thursday.
From 39 matches at Lord's since 1884, Australia have 17 wins for a success rate of 43.59 per cent. By contrast, Australia's record at The Oval - where the rivalry that became the Ashes was spawned in 1880 - is markedly worse, with just seven wins from 38 starts (18.42 per cent).
When the World Test Championship was first planned in 2010, the final of the four-year competition was planned to be held at the Lord's. As the event could eventually start only after a gap of a decade, Lord's has not hosted the WTC final due to commercial realities.
But the global Covid-19 pandemic scuppered that plan, with the final instead held at Southampton's Rose Bowl where on-site accommodation ensured competing teams New Zealand and India could maintain a level of bio-security isolation, the report said.
When venues for the 2023 final were discussed last year, it emerged that financial considerations - in particular, the ICC's stipulation for a 'clean' stadium free from existing membership requirements and adorned in its own sponsors' livery - meant Lord's faced potential commercial conflicts. And so the event was awarded to The Oval, the report said.
So, while hosts England will take on Ireland in a one-off Test at Lord's starting on Thursday, their Ashes rivals will face the challenge posed by India at The Oval and prepare for that with a first full training session of their UK sojourn on county club Kent's quaintly bucolic out-ground at Becke-nham, 20km from central London. Meanwhile, the remaining players of the Indian squad, who were involved in the IPL Playoffs, have reached London and will also be starting their preparations for the WTC Final.—IANS

Members of Australia's men's cricket team have started their preparations for the upcoming World Test Championships (WTF)

WTC Final: Australia Start Their Preparations At Kent For Battle With India

Dubai: With IPL fever only just settling down, India now have little time to switch gears for a format change with the ICC World Test Championship Final starting on June 7.
Several members of the India squad have already reached England and kicked off their preparations for the big finale at the Arundel Cricket Club.
While they managed to catch a glimpse of the thrilling IPL 2023 final, all-rounder Axar Patel, who was among the training group, confirmed that their preparations were going well for the WTC showdown against Australia.
The switch between formats in a short timeframe comes with its challenges, but Axar revealed that the preparations had begun during the IPL season itself where they practiced with the red ball.
"We knew about this before the start of IPL," Axar told the ICC.
"So even during the IPL, it was discussed that we will bowl with the red ball. We had red balls, so we were using them. You know when and how to play, how much time you have. This mental switch from white ball to red ball is obviously tough, but we have enough time."
"Those who did not qualify (for IPL Playoffs) got more time. So I don't think there will be many problems because we have had a good time to prepare."
While India play their red-ball games at home with the SG ball, the WTC Final will have the Dukes ball which is used in English conditions. Axar stated that they were practicing with the Dukes ball during the IPL, but maintained that the focus was on hitting the right spot irrespective of the ball used.
"The difference is the Dukes ball remains shinier for longer. But during the IPL, we had ordered the ball, so were practising with it and have gotten used to it.
"As I said, we switch from white ball to red ball. It is a similar switch to go from SG to Dukes, you have the use your talent and skill. You have to execute your plan, your bowling rhythm. Irrespective of the ball, if you bowl a good ball at a good spot, it works," Axar said.
"So that's what we're doing. Since the match is in England, which is different from India, we are planning what lines and lengths will work here. The same thing in practice, we are good to go."
Aside from the quick change in format, there's also the challenge of adapting to the relatively mild conditions in England from the sweltering heat of the Indian summer.
"We came after playing IPL, where it was 40-45 degrees in India. After that it feels great here. We have taken out our winter clothes and are roaming around wearing jumpers. It's also a bit windy. Whenever we come to the UK, we enjoy the weather. It remains a little cool, there is no heat."
Bowling plans are yet to come together, and Axar is happy to leave that to the bowling coach, but neither he nor the team is sweating over the complete contrast in conditions.
"Obviously, the conditions in India and England are different. The fast bowlers have more of a role here. In India, spinners play a more important role," Axar said.
"The conditions are the same for both teams. In England, the wind assists swing bowling and offers good bounce if you bowl at the right spots. The team is getting together slowly, so the planning will go on. We'll leave the planning to our bowling coach."
—<span style="color: rgb(53,53,53);background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-size: 14px;font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji;">IANS&nbsp;

With IPL fever only just settling down, India now have little time to switch gears for a format change with the ICC World Test Championship Final

Axar Patel confident of India shifting into top gear for WTC final

Formby: Experienced Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is hopeful of getting fit for the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval next month and working hard in the practice sessions.
Hazlewood has been battling a side issue in recent times and had to cut short his time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier this month when the injury flared up.
But Hazlewood has returned to full training and was bowling at 'close to full pace' when Australia enjoyed a training session at Formby Cricket Club in England's north on Tuesday in preparation for the one-off Test against India at The Oval that commences on June 7.
The session at the picturesque ground here was just the second time the 32-year-old pacer had rolled his arm over since arriving in England last week and the 32-year-old is confident he will be fit to feature in Australia's XI for the upcoming Test against India.
"My fitness is pretty good and it is just a matter of ticking off every session from here until that date (June 7) basically. We will probably have anywhere from three to four more sessions - bat versus ball and then a couple of longer days in the nets as well or centre wicket down in London - so it is just ticking off those last few boxes and pulling up well from every session," Hazlewood was quoted as saying by ICC.
"It was pretty close (to full pace today). I came down for a little bowl yesterday just to loosen up and to get a bit more out of today's session, so it is feeling good.
After a long few travel days it is always a case of the first one getting the cobwebs out and stretching out and doing some run-throughs just to get the blood flowing. It is always good to get the first one out of the way and when we get to London we will steam in," he added.
The side issue Hazlewood is attempting to overcome isn't the only concern the tall quick has been battling in 2023, with the right-arm pacer also picking up an Achilles injury during the third Test against South Africa at the SCG at the start of the year.
It meant Hazlewood failed to feature during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India in February and March and only returned to the bowling crease with three matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IPL.
While Hazlewood only bowled nine overs during his stint in the domestic Indian league, the veteran seamer said the fact he was in T20 mode and trying to utilise so many different types of deliveries may have led to his side issue.
"In T20 you are bowling a lot of various different balls every over," Hazlewood noted.
"A wide yorker, to a bouncer, to a slower ball and it probably got jammed up a little bit and a bit of scar tissue from previous injuries flared up. It calmed down pretty quickly, I had a week off but I didn't quite get back to going 100 percent at IPL. But the last few bowls have been good and I have been building up nicely," he added.
With Australia set to take on arch-rival England in a five-match Ashes series following the one-off clash with India, Hazlewood knows his chances of appearing in all six Test matches are extremely unlikely.
The pacer revealed all of Australia's quicks would likely find themselves rotated in and out of the side during the matches, with skipper Pat Cummins the only fast bowler in contention to play every game.
"If you asked that question three years ago I probably would have said I would have liked to play all six but it is just different now," Hazlewood said.
"It is just so tightly consumed together now and coming off not an ideal build up ... but we have got enough quicks here and a couple of others playing County cricket to cover all bases.
Pat is perhaps looking at (playing) all six potentially depending how much we bowl in each, so you play it by ear a little bit. It is such a dense schedule, it is tough," he added.
And with the likes of Scott Boland waiting in the wings and fellow fast bowlers Michael Neser and Sean Abbott already in England and producing some eye-catching performances in the County Championship, Hazlewood thinks it may work in Australia's favour to have so many quality quicks in form ahead of such a hectic upcoming schedule.
"Ness (Neser) was on the (Ashes) trip last time in 2019, Sab (Abbott) has always been there or thereabouts as the next cab off the rank and Scotty - everyone knows (how good he has been) in the last three or four years," he said.
"It feels like that is what you need to win a big series like this and with six Tests in particular we are probably going to lean on every one of them," he added.—IANS

 Experienced Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is hopeful of getting fit for the World Test Championship final 

IND Vs AUS: Josh Hazlewood Hopeful Of Getting Fit For WTC Final

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