Month: November 2023

In search of a new beginning, Indias selectors have discarded the flailing old-guard of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane from the tour of South Africa. Both are 35, both have been enduring a dry spell of runs, and the selectors deemed it was the ripest time to reward young batsmen knocking on their doors. Experience, of a combined tally of 188 Tests and 12,272 runs, would have been the sole factor the selectors would have weighed in, but the promise of youth surpassed it. There was a sense of inevitability about the decision. Time has been running out for Pujara for some time. He ended a two-year century drought in Bangladesh at the end of 2022, but big scores continued to elude him in subsequent outings. Since the unbeaten 102 in Chittagong, all he mustered was 211 runs in 10 outings, with a lone score beyond 50. The series against Australia was a rare blemish on home soil where he tends to score heavily, while his inability to influence the World Test Championship in Oval meant that he was living on borrowed time. Subsequently, he was discarded from the youth-heavy side to West Indies, but it was widely assumed that he would be back in the scheme for South Africa, in Indias pursuit of a maiden series win. But that was not to be, despite his exploits for Sussex in county cricket. His meagre numbers in Irani Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy also perhaps put paid to his aspirations. There has been no shortage of grit and heart to rediscover his daddy-hundred scoring prowess, but he has been rendered helpless, perhaps by age and diminishing reflexes. In contrast, Rahane seemed to revive his career, after being overlooked for the Test series against Australia and Bangladesh, with a counterpunching 89 in the WTC final on the back of a strong domestic season (634 runs at 57), but his dismal returns (11 in two innings) on the flat-beds in the Caribbean meant that he had run his international race too. In the WTC final, he had come in as the replacement of Mumbai colleague Shreyas Iyer. Now that the latter has made a resounding return to the fold, it was invariable that he displaced Rahane. The Oval knock, thus, was but a fleeting flicker of one of Indias middle-order pillars in the last decade.
That the new Test cycle is just a series old would have been another factor the selectors and team management would have assessed. With the five-Test series against England (at home) and Australia (away) scheduled this year, there would have been no better point for a break from underperforming veteran warriors and furnishing the youngsters the ideal exposure to blossom as batting mainstays.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates after he scored a century against West Indies. (FILE)In that sense, there simply was no space for the seasoned duo. The top five is more or less locked, with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer almost sealed their slots. There is the supremely talented Yashaswi Jaiswal vying for a spot after his haul of 256 runs in three innings in the West Indies. How and where the team accommodates him would be a fascinating sub-plot in the series. Ishan Kishan too has impressed in his two Tests, and he would be the closest clone to Rishabh Pant in his ability to impact games with the bat in quick time. Its likely that he would keep the wickets as it would be too taxing for Rahul to both open and wicket-keep for an entire Test match.
The lone surprise could be Ruturaj Gaikwad, who too was part of the West Indies tour, though he did not make his Test debut. He averages an impressive but not staggering 42 in first-class cricket, was just the sixth highest run-getter for his domestic side, Maharashtra, and often opens for his side. India have at least four options for No 1 and 2 (Rohit, Rahul, Gill and Jaiswal). But he is comfortable in dealing quicks, has a strong back-foot game, which could be a valuable asset on fast and bouncy tracks in South Africa, possesses a robust technique, and is a fluent stroke-maker, who could bat anywhere in the order. Besides, he has been in imperious form in recent times, especially the shorter formats. In the latest T20, against Australia in Guwahati, he stroked 128 runs in 57 balls, most of his runs accrued in classical style.
In the past Rohit has praised him. Ruturaj has got all the potential to be successful in Test cricket as well, he has shown his ability in T20 and I am pretty sure he is looking forward to scoring runs for Team India, he said during the West Indies series. Recently, former cricketer Ambati Rayudu too has waxed eloquent on him. His greatness is his talent. His timing on the ball, his shots, his fitness, his temperament. He has everything to become a world-class cricketer across formats. He is very, very calm. And he knows what he’s doing. He has a silent aggression in him. I think it’ll be a great asset for India, he would say in a TRS podcast.
Suddenly, India have struck a mouth-watering balance between the old and youth, the youthful vigour of Gill, Kishan, Jaiswal, Iyer and Gaikwad and the worldly wisdom of old hands Rohit, Kohli and Rahul. And this perhaps would be the recipe for conquering two elusive frontiers, South Africa and WTC final. And just like everything else in life, Rahane and Pujara, two glorious servants of Indian cricket, have to move on.

All four batters have scored an overseas century in Tests.In a month’s time, India will return to South Africa to avenge their 2-1 loss in the 202122 Test series. With a middle order sans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s spot in the playing XI uncertain, the onus for India’s success falls on the shoulders of the Indian openers. In an Indian lineup where options in the middle order are scarce, there are plenty of options for the two opening spots. But who to choose as your openers from Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul for the IND vs SA Test series?
Since his renaissance in red-ball cricket in 2019, Rohit has scored over 2000 runs as an opener in Tests. And as if that were not enough to cement his spot as India’s No. 1 choice opener, he is also India’s skipper in Test cricket. With Rohit settled, three remain. Who to choose between tried, tested, and discarded Rahul, up-and-coming southpaw Jaiswal, and India’s temporary no. 3 Shubman?
India has always been troubled to find two successful openers in Tests. That remains the case even now. While Rohit averages over 70 with 7 tons in just 31 innings, the others have 10 tons combined in over 106 innings. 

Player	Innings	Runs	Average	100s	50s
Rohit Sharma	31	2092	72.13	7	6
Shubman Gill	29	874	32.37	2	4
Yashasvi Jaiswal	3	266	88.16	1	1
KL Rahul	75	2551	34.94	7	12

stats while opening the innings in Tests ahead of IND vs SA Test series
Shubman Gill, who was India’s No. 2 opener, has spilled the pecking order after failing to live up to his potential. His technical difficulties with the incoming ball have seen him get troubled by pacers consistently.
The batter averages under in four of the five countries he’s batted in. Since he broke onto the scene in Australia, the right-hander opener has struggled against every opposition he’s played against.
Gill in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 202122
Yashasvi Jaiswal has played just 2 matches for India and has been a revelation. Making his debut in the West Indies, the southpaw hit one century and one fifty in three innings and currently averages over 85 in Tests. Apart from scoring tons of runs, his being left also matches him perfectly with Rohit.
KL Rahul has played the most matches as a Test opener among the four but stands at the bottom right now. Despite scoring tons in England, South Africa, and Australia, Rahul has never been a consistent performer in Tests. Scoring over 2500 runs in his 8-year career as an opener, he averages just 34.94. However, his experience in South Africa (5 Tests) can see him get picked over Gill and Jaiswal for the 2-match series.
KL Rahul in IND vs SA series (2021-22)

The Indian men’s team continued to be ranked 102 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, which were released on Thursday. Igor Stimac’s side also remained 18th in Asia, following an international break where they won one game and lost one.
India got their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign off to a perfect start, with a 1-0 win in Kuwait City, thanks to Manvir Singh’s late winner. However, they were brought back down to earth by Asian champions Qatar soon after, crashing to a 3-0 defeat in Bhubaneswar.
As a consequence of those two results, India gained 1.96 points this month, for a total of 1200.8, which is 1.97 points behind the next best team – Kosovo. Kosovo have 1202.77 points, having gained 12.03 points this month, following a win over Israel and a draw against Switzerland, both opponents ranked higher than them.
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The highest India have been ranked this year is 99th – which was in July, following their Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship victories. At that time, India had 1208.69 points.
However, losses to Lebanon and Malaysia in September and October have proved to be costly, with both being lower-ranked opponents, and hence subjecting India to a larger decrease in FIFA ranking points.
Stimac’s side will next be in action at the AFC Asian Cup in January, where they take on Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B. They will play Australia in their opening game in Al-Rayyan on January 13, followed by Uzbekistan at the same venue on January 18, and then will conclude the group stage against Syria at Al-Bayt Stadium on January 23.
All three of those teams are ranked higher than India – Australia are 25th, Uzbekistan 68th and Syria 91st, so even avoiding losses in those games will give India a larger increase in points.
Stimac said that he doesn’t consider the AFC Asian Cup as an important tournament for India. But with what’s at stake, its importance cannot be understated.
Meanwhile, world champions Argentina remain atop the standings, with France, England, Belgium and Brazil rounding out the top five.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be a fascinating team to watch out for in the mini-auction ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2024. They have released as many as ten players from their squad and have a few areas to fill in the IPL 2024 auction. LSG have reached the playoffs in both seasons but failed to win any game in the knockout stages.
They have already traded Avesh Khan with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and taken Devdutt Padikkal in return. It was an intriguing move, as Avesh was a domestic pacer who could have provided value in all the phases. Moreover, LSG already had plenty of top-order batters, and Padikkal might not fit in the XI.
Check out the squad changes for Lucknow Supergiants in IPL 2024 retained and released players. #KLRahulpic.twitter.com/TcaUGdzp7v
CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) November 26, 2023
We have a look at the five players LSG can target in the mini-auction.
Shahrukh Khan
LSG might have so many top-order batters, but they lack a genuine finisher who can power the team to strong finishes by hitting the pacers hard in the death overs. Marcus Stoinis can do it, but LSG would want an Indian who can be replaced by a bowler in the other innings. Shahrukh Khan fits in nicely.
The tracks in Lucknow are relaid, which means they wont be as sluggish. It will increase the value of Shahrukh Khan, who can be an absolute beast in the back end of the innings. Shahrukh might just be the right player for LSG somewhere at No. 7.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell will be an ideal middle-order batter for the Lucknow Super Giants. Mitchell is a terrific player of spin who can also thwack the pacers with his power. If Nicholas Pooran is slotted in the lower middle order, like last season, Mitchell can occupy No. 4 or No. 5 as per the requirement.
Mitchell also provides ample value with his bowling. The key thing is his ability to handle spin well, and it makes him a real deal for Lucknow, who dont have too many batters for this role. His presence also helps Marcus Stoinis to take on the pacers and do the finishing job.
Also Read: 5 Players Mumbai Indians (MI) Should Buy in IPL 2024 Auction
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) because he was overpriced. But he might be one of the hot properties in the IPL 2024 auction due to being an Indian pace all-rounder. The impact player rule might have reduced the value of such players, but they still have a lot to offer if used properly.
Shardul Thakur has the wicket-taking knack and can bowl his different cutters in the middle and slog overs to stifle the batters. Then, Thakur also provides value with the willow, as he is a more than capable batter who can be relied on somewhere at No. 8. Thakurs form wasnt as good last season, but being an Indian increases his overall value, and LSG might go after him in the auction.
Hrithik Shokeen
Hrithik Shokeen wont be a regular starter in Lucknow Super Giants, but he can be an ideal backup for Krishnappa Gowtham. Deepak Hooda endured a terrible season, and if he doesnt step up, LSG will be left with Gowtham only as an off-spinner. Hence, they would want another right-arm finger spinner as a backup in the squad.
Hrithik Shokeen also provides value as a batter and can be used in the lower order if required. He also has previous experience of playing in the league, which will also help him. Hence, LSGs IPL 2024 auction strategy might include Shokeen as a player to target.
Gerald Coetzee
Mark Wood is an injury-prone, and his availability will always be under the scanner. If he doesnt play, LSG only have Naveen-ul-Haq as a genuine overseas pacer for IPL 2024. While Naveen is good, Lucknow Super Giants will look to add at least one more overseas pacer in the IPL 2024 auction.
Gerald Coetzee is one of the options who has a genuine pace like Wood and can hurry the batters at times. If Coetzee becomes expensive and out of budget, LSG can target one of Pat Cummins or Jhye Richardson. Cummins also provide some firepower with the bat and will be a better option than Richardson, who also has the pace and carry to disrupt the batters and act as a middle-overs enforcer.
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Najmul Hossain Shanto became the first Bangladeshi cricket to hit a century on his debut as captain as the hosts tightened their grip on the first Test against New Zealand in Sylhet on Thursday. He also became the quickest Bangladeshi to score five Test hundreds in 24 matches beating Mominul Haque’s effort in 26 games.
Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto celebrates(AFP)
Shanto’s 104 helped Bangladesh extend its lead to 205 runs by reaching 212-3 at stumps on Day 3. Mushfiqur Rahim was batting on 43, after adding 96 runs with Shanto for the fourth wicket.
The captain helped his team regain the upper hand on a spin-friendly track after Bangladesh lost two openers in quick succession to leave them on 26-2.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel got the better of Zakir Hasan (17) for the second time in the match, with a delivery that spun sharply to rap him in front of leg-stump.
Mahmudul Hasan, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 86 in the first innings, was run out in unluckiest manner as a drive from Shanto touched bowler Tim Southee’s palm on the followthrough to hit his stump.
The two wickets in two overs brought the Black Caps back into the game but Shanto and Mominul Haque added 90 runs for the third wicket to give Bangladesh the edge.
Mominul survived a leg-before shout as New Zealand reviewed in vain but appeared to be confident against his favorite opponent, against which he has averaged a whopping 55.61. He was run out on 40 after hitting four boundaries from 68 balls.
Unlike his aggressive first-innings 37, Shanto stayed clam throughout the day to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers. He raised his fifth test hundred off 192 balls and his third in the last four innings, pushing a fuller delivery of Patel past extra cover from a single.
He then hit a boundary in the last ball of that over, his 10th in 193 balls as bad light forced stumps for the third consecutive day.
New Zealand had resumed the day on 268-8 and was bowled out for 317, in reply Bangladesh’s 310 in the first innings.
Captain Tim Southee Southee played the key role, scoring 35 off 62 with three fours while Kyle Jamieson added 23 off 70.
With the main bowlers failing to make any breakthrough, Shanto introduced occasional bowler Mominul who wrapped up New Zealand’s innings, dealing a double blow.
He trapped Jamieson leg-before to end a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership and, four balls later, also got the better of Southee to finish on his career-best 3-4.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took four wickets on Wednesday, including top scorer Kane Williamson for 104, but didn’t add to his haul on Day 3 and returned figures of 4-109 from 39 overs.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series in New Zealand.Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the side in both ODIs and T20Is and Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named his deputy in both squads. Some prominent names who had missed the ongoing Test series against the Black Caps due to injuries are also absent from the upcoming tour: Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed.
Whereas, Litton Das is back in the side after a paternity leave break.
The tour will feature three ODIs and as many T20Is and begins from 17 December.
New Zealand stay unbeaten with commanding Bangladesh victory | Match Highlights | CWC23
ODI squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Rakibul Hasan
T20I squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Rony Talukdar, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Schedule: 
ODIs
17 December, 1st ODI, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin.20 December, 2nd ODI, Saxton Oval, Nelson.23 December, 3rd ODI, McLean Park, Napier.
T20Is
27 December, 1st T20I, McLean Park, Napier 29 December, 2nd T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui 31 December, 3rd T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

ESPN India’s daily live blog is your best space to follow Indian sports – all the action and updates from the entirety of sport with an Indian bent. The blog is updated frequently, so don’t forget to bookmark (or pin the tab) and check back often.
Here are all the key updates from November 30, Thursday:
Bengaluru battle back to earn 3-3 draw against Punjab
Bengaluru FC battled back from two goals down to earn a draw against Punjab FC at home, but the result leaves them still eighth in the table, while Punjab are second from bottom. Simon Grayson will be pleased with his side’s ability to claw their way back, but Staikos Vergetis will rue two errors from goalkeeper Ravi Kumar that robbed them of their first win of the season.
Nikhil Prabhu opened the scoring in the 19th minute as the BFC defence fell asleep from a set-piece, but Punjab’s lead only lasted two minutes as Harsh Patre scored the equaliser after excellent interplay from Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez. Dimitrios Chatziisaias’ header (26′) and Luka Majcen’s stunner (30′) put Punjab firmly in control, but some poor goalkeeping from Ravi Kumar in the Punjab goal saw Curtis Main grab a goal back before the half-time interval. BFC’s half-time changes had the desired effect as they took control of the game in the second half. Their dominance told in the 67th minute as Chhetri sent Javi through on goal in the left channel, with the Spaniard’s shot at the near post going through Kumar’s legs and into the Punjab goal to make it 3-3. The hosts had their chanches to win the game late on, but had to make do with a point.
Syed Modi International – Day 3 update
Priyanshu Rajawat was the only Indian singles player to reach the quarterfinals in men’s singles, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced in women’s doubles at the Syed Modi Super 300 badminton tournament in Lucknow.
Priyanshu, who won the Orleans Masters this year, advanced after compatriot Sathish Kumar Karunakaran retired at 18-21 6-11 in the second round match. The world no. 31 Indian will next face Indonesian qualifier Alwi Farhan.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa and Gayatri, seeded fourth, defeated compatriots Dhanyaa Nandakumar and Ridhi Kaur Toor 21-9, 21-5 and are set to face another Indian pair next, Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponappa next.
As many as 10 Indians had participated in the men’s singles draw which has world no. 12 Japanese Kenta Nishimoto and world no. 14 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei as the top two world-ranked players. While HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen had withdrawn at the last-minute, the rest of the, apart from Priyanshu, failed to cross the second round at home.
Things were gloomier in women’s singles as none of the Indian players could cross the second round, though as many as 11 of them were in action. The draw has Japan’s world no. 17 Aya Ohori as the top ranked player.
Here are the other major Indian results from today:

• Kiran George lost to Chia Hao Lee of Taiwan 16-21 21-18 20-22
• Unnati Hooda lost to Nozomi Okuhara 9-21 13-21
• Ashmita Chaliha lost to Aya Ohori 21-7 21-13
• Janani Ananthakumar lost to Wong Ling Ching 15-21 12-21
• Anupama Upadhyaya lost to Sung Shuo Yun 16-21 17-21

Neeraj Chopra at ISL today – here’s what he had to say
A certain Neeraj Chopra is in the stands watching Bengaluru FC take on Punjab FC, and had some words to say to the crowd at half-time. He was pleased to see the size of the support for football in India, and also took pride in his excellent 2023 season – which saw him overcome injuries to win the Worlds and Asian Games gold medals. On his preparation for Paris 2024, the superstar noted he will start in full earnest soon, saying “I was very happy to spend some time with my family recently, but I will resume training in the first week of December. The focus will completely be towards the Paris Olympics – and I hope that just like I had made India proud in the Tokyo Olympics, I will do the same [in Paris]. Please do support me.”
Defences leaking like a sieve as Bengaluru and Punjab split 5 goals in first half
Punjab are leading away at the Kanteerava by a 3-2 scoreline, but it is anyone’s guess how this game will end. Nikhil Prabhu opened the scoring in the 19th minute as the BFC defence fell asleep from a set-piece, but Punjab’s lead only lasted two minutes as Harsh Patre scored the equaliser after excellent interplay from Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez. Dimitrios Chatziisaias’ header (26′) and Luka Majcen’s stunner (30′) put Punjab firmly in control, but some poor goalkeeping from Ravi Kumar in the Punjab goal saw Curtis Main grab a goal back before the half-time interval.
India outside top 10 in latest FIFA rankings
The Indian men’s team continued to be ranked 102 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings. Igor Stimac’s side also remained 18th in Asia, following an international break where they won one game and lost one.
Read more here
NSFs must have prepared a detailed programme ahead of Olympics: IOA chief Usha
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has said that all the national sports federations should have prepared a training-cum-competition roadmap for athletes bound for Paris Games, adding that “proper planning” was vital for their success.
“Proper planning is important to ensure all aspects of the preparation are taken care of during the buildup months to the Olympic Games,” said Usha in a press release on Thursday. “All the NSFs must have prepared a detailed programme for the international exposure-cum-competition plan for next year,” she added.
The IOA will conduct a special seminar for its core group of athletes to educate them on the anti-doping rules in order to avoid doping violations ahead of the Olympics. The seminar will be conducted in coordination with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) sometime in the coming months.
I-League players approached for match manipulation: AIFF
The All India Football Federation on Thursday revealed that several I-League players were recently approached for “match manipulation” and promised to investigate the matter.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey did not elaborate on how they received the information, which players were approached and who contacted them but insisted that the federation is committed to save the integrity of the game.
“We have received information of multiple approaches to our players. We will thoroughly examine the incidents, investigate, and take all necessary action,” Chaubey said in a statement. “We will also continue to strengthen our institutional capacities to not only counter such threats but also educate our players and officials on how to recognise, respond to, and report incidents of this nature,” he added.
The 2023 I League season began in October and more than 40 matches have already been played in the 13-team competition.
Amit Panghal in semis
Amit Panghal, the 2019 World Championships silver medallist (51kg), and 2021 Asian champion Sanjeet (92kg) secured their places in the semifinals with commanding victories in the quarterfinals along with 10 other boxers representing SSCB on day five of the 7th Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships in Shillong.
Amit Panghal, who represents SSCB faced Mohammad Aarif of Jammu and Kashmir in his quarterfinals bout. He dominated the proceedings throughout and ultimately won the bout comfortably in a unanimous decision. He will next face Ankit of RSPB.
Sanjeet took on 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Naman Tanwar of RSPB in the 92kg quarter-final and also won with a unanimous decision. Sanjeet will take on All India Police’s (AIP) Vicky in the semifinals.
The other 10 SSCB boxers who qualified for the semifinals include Barun Singh (48kg), Pawan (54kg), Sachin (57kg), Akash (60kg), Vanshaj (63.5kg), Rajat (67kg), Akash (71kg), Deepak (75kg), Lakshya (80kg), Jugnoo (86kg).
In other significant bouts, Shiva Thapa, representing Assam, beat Shashank Pradhan of Delhi with a commanding 5-0 victory and will square off against Harivansh Tawari of Maharashtra in the semifinals.
2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sagar (92+kg), who represents RSPB, was up against Navjot Singh of Chandigarh and was through in the first round only when the referee stopping the contest. He will fight it out against Vishal Kumar of Delhi next.
What’s in store today?

• Bengaluru FC take on Punjab FC in the ISL and will have the ‘Special One’ in the stands: Neeraj Chopra.
• Day five of the men’s National Boxing Championships.
• Action from the third day of the Syed Modi badminton tournament.

What happened yesterday?

• Kerala Blasters played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Chennaiyin FC in the ISL.
• Kidambi Srikanth lost in the first round of the Syed Modi badminton tournament.
• Reigning Asian Games gold medallist Sift Kaur Samra and India’s best skeet shooters, Ganemat Sekhon and Anantjeet Singh Naruka, won gold at the National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.
• Amit Panghal and Shiva Thapa moved into the quarterfinals of the men’s National Boxing Championships.

You can check all the details of Wednesday’s news events here.

Get ready for an exhilarating encounter as Deccan Gladiators (DG) clash against Bangla Tigers (BT) in Match 8 of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2023 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. In head-to-head encounters, the Deccan Gladiators hold a dominant record of 4-1 against the Bangla Tigers in the last five years. Their previous showdown in the last season resulted in a convincing 10-wicket victory for the Gladiators, setting the stage for an intriguing battle.
Deccan Gladiators come into this match after a defeat against Delhi Bulls. Despite posting a formidable total of 120 runs in just 10 overs, they fell short as the Bulls chased down the target in a mere eight overs, securing victory by nine wickets. Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s explosive 42 runs and Andre Fletcher’s quick 34 were the highlights for the Gladiators. Luke Wood’s bowling performance, claiming a wicket, was the sole positive in an otherwise challenging match.
Bangla Tigers, on the other hand, faced a setback against New York Strikers in their recent encounter. A total of 101 runs in 10 overs proved insufficient as the Strikers successfully chased down the target in just seven overs, losing only two wickets along the way. Jordan Cox and Kusal Mendis set the foundation with vital runs in the top order, while Benny Howell’s crucial wicket-taking abilities stood out despite the team’s loss.

Media caption, ‘Putin hates Clinton’ and other things the FBI learned about Russia
FBI director James Comey has confirmed for the first time that the FBI is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
However, Mr Comey said his agency had seen no evidence to back up President Trump’s claim that his phones had been tapped by the Obama administration.
He was giving evidence to the congressional intelligence committee.
The Trump administration said nothing had changed and there was “no evidence of Trump-Russia collusion”.
Russia has always denied attempting to influence the US presidential election.
The FBI investigation would examine possible links between individuals in the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was co-ordination between the Trump campaign and Russia, Mr Comey said.
The FBI would also assess whether crimes were committed, he said.
Mr Comey said the investigation was “very complex” and he could not give a timetable for its completion.
“We will follow the facts wherever they lead,” he said.
Media caption, What FBI director Comey said on Trump, Russia and wiretaps
Image caption, Mr Putin “hated Mrs Clinton so much” that he had a strong preference for her rival, Mr Comey said
But White House press secretary Sean Spicer suggested the administration was not concerned, saying: “You can continue to look for something, but continuing to look for something that doesn’t exist doesn’t matter.”
National Security Agency (NSA) chief Admiral Mike Rogers also appeared before the committee.
He said the NSA stood by an intelligence community report published in January, which said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a campaign to harm the campaign of Mr Trump’s rival, Hillary Clinton.
Mr Comey said he had no information on unsubstantiated claims tweeted by Mr Trump this month that former President Barack Obama had ordered a wiretap on Trump Tower.
This was despite looking carefully for such evidence, he said. The Department of Justice also had no information, he said.
What FBI director James Comey didn’t say during intelligence hearings today on possible Russian meddling in the 2016 US election was as important as what he did say.
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who had ties to pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians? No comment. Long-time Trump adviser Roger Stone, who reportedly had communications with individuals who hacked the Democratic National Committee emails? No comment. Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign after leaked evidence surfaced that he had communicated with a Russian ambassador about US sanctions? No comment.
“I don’t want to answer any questions about a US person,” Mr Comey said.
All of this is evidence that the investigation isn’t just ongoing, it’s substantive and far-reaching.
While Democrats will likely be encouraged by this, it was telling that Republicans pursued the White House line – that the topic of greatest concern was the intelligence leaks that put this story in the headlines.
If Mr Trump can consolidate his party’s support, it will go a long way towards insulating the president against any fallout from this investigation.
Will FBI investigation ensnare Trump?
Meanwhile, Adm Rogers strongly denied that the NSA had asked Britain’s GCHQ intelligence agency to spy on Mr Trump – a claim that had been repeated by Sean Spicer.
The allegation “clearly frustrates a key ally of ours”, he added.
GCHQ had described the claim as “utterly ridiculous”.
Image caption, Mr Trump raised eyebrows after he suggested both he and Mrs Merkel had been wiretapped by Mr Obama
Mr Trump’s recent joke about how Mr Obama had wiretapped both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and him “complicates things” with an ally, Adm Rogers added.
However, Devin Nunes, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said it was still possible that other surveillance activities had been used against Mr Trump and his associates.
In January, US intelligence agencies said Kremlin-backed hackers had broken into the email accounts of senior Democrats and released embarrassing messages in order to help Mr Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
“That was a fairly easy judgement for the community,” Mr Comey said. “Putin hated Secretary Clinton so much that the flipside of that coin was he had a clear preference for the person running against the person he hated so much.”
However, late last summer the Russians concluded that Mr Trump had no chance of winning, based on polls at the time, and so focused on undermining Mrs Clinton, Mr Comey said.
Media caption, Trump’s wiretap saga explained in two minutes
Both intelligence chiefs said that Russia had made its intervention in last year’s election campaign unusually obvious, perhaps to further its aim of undermining US democracy.
Mr Comey said Russia had succeeded in this goal, by sowing chaos, division and discord.
Mr Trump has since faced allegations that his campaign team had links to Russian officials.
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has said he saw no evidence of any collusion, up until the time he left his post in January.
Two senior officials in the Trump administration have been caught up in the allegations – former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and Attorney-General Jeff Sessions.
Mr Flynn was fired last month after he misled the White House about his conversations with the Russian ambassador before he was appointed national security adviser.
Image caption, Michael Flynn encouraged a softer policy on Russia and a harder line on Iran
He allegedly discussed US sanctions with ambassador Sergei Kislyak. It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Mr Sessions was accused by Democrats of lying under oath during his confirmation hearing in January.
He said he had “no communications with the Russians”, but it later emerged that he had met Mr Kislyak during the campaign.
Mr Sessions denied any wrongdoing, but removed himself from any FBI inquiry into Russia’s alleged interference.