Category: Sports

  • New Zealand Claims Nail-Biting T20 Win Over Sri Lanka by 8 Runs

    New Zealand Claims Nail-Biting T20 Win Over Sri Lanka by 8 Runs

    In an exciting T20 match on Saturday, New Zealand narrowly defeated Sri Lanka by eight runs. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell each scored half centuries and together made a strong partnership of 105 runs for the sixth wicket. Their impressive performance helped New Zealand reach a total of 172 runs, even after they had struggled early on at 65 runs for 5 wickets.

    Sri Lanka started well, with Pathum Nissanka scoring a fantastic 90 runs, building a big opening partnership of 121 runs with Kusal Mendis, who added 46 runs. Just when it looked like Sri Lanka would win easily, things changed quickly. Jacob Duffy bowled an incredible over, taking three wickets for just one run, which completely turned the game around for New Zealand.

    By the time Nissanka was out, Sri Lanka was at 153 runs for 5 wickets, needing only 20 more runs to win. However, with several players getting out cheaply after that, Sri Lanka could not finish the job. Their captain, Charith Asalanka, expressed disappointment, saying the team should have performed better.

    New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Matt Henry and Zak Foulkes, did a great job towards the end, helping secure the win. It was a thrilling match, showing how quickly the game can change.

  • Kramnik Accuses Carlsen of Threatening FIDE Over Chess Tour Deal”

    Kramnik Accuses Carlsen of Threatening FIDE Over Chess Tour Deal”

    Vladimir Kramnik, a famous chess player, recently accused Magnus Carlsen of trying to bully the International Chess Federation (FIDE) into making a deal with a group called the Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC). Kramnik shared his thoughts on social media, asking FIDE why they agreed to host a private event, the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and claimed Carlsen threatened to drop out of another tournament if they didn’t comply.

    In a twist, Carlsen had earlier accused FIDE of threatening players who wanted to join the Freestyle Chess Tour. Recently, Carlsen was kicked out of a Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York for not following the dress code after being warned multiple times.

    FIDE’s chief, Emil Sutovsky, responded to both Kramnik’s and Carlsen’s claims. He clarifies that Carlsen hasn’t been banned but can return on Saturday. Sutovsky said that FIDE never threatened players who wanted to join the Freestyle Tour and that they are open to working with different chess events. He emphasized that only FIDE should approve any tournament called a “World Championship.”

    Sutovsky also mentioned he discussed this in an interview on an app called Take Take and invited fans to ask other players, like world champion D Gukesh, for the truth about what really happened.

    The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to start on January 4 and will include five events worldwide featuring famous players like Carlsen, Gukesh, and Viswanathan Anand. Kramnik also replied to a fan’s joke about trusting Carlsen or FIDE, saying, “Probably neither,” hinting he doesn’t fully back either side.

  • Arshdeep Singh’s 5-Wicket Haul Puts Punjab on Top Against Mumbai

    Arshdeep Singh’s 5-Wicket Haul Puts Punjab on Top Against Mumbai

    Arshdeep Singh had an amazing game for Punjab at the ADSA Railways Cricket Ground in Ahmedabad. He took 5 important wickets and helped his team keep the strong Mumbai batting lineup in check during their Vijay Hazare Trophy match.

    In his opening spell, Arshdeep got rid of 5 of the top 6 Mumbai batsmen. He started by bowling out both openers, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ayush Mhatre, who both fell to LBW (leg before wicket). Then, he took the wicket of Hardik Tamore with the help of Sanvir Singh.

    Arshdeep then returned to claim the big wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. This really helped Punjab, as Yadav and Shreyas Iyer tried to build a partnership but couldn’t get going. The Punjab captain, Abhishek Sharma, decided to keep Arshdeep bowling, and he responded brilliantly by bowling out Shreyas Iyer, who is known to be a dangerous player. Mumbai was in big trouble at 28/5.

    After a few quieter overs, where Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge tried to steady the innings, Arshdeep got Dube out too, completing his five wickets and leaving Mumbai at 61/6.

    Even though Mumbai got off to a horrible start, their lower order fought back well. They managed to put together some important partnerships and reached a total of 248 runs. Suryansh Shedge scored 44 runs, while Atharva Ankolekar was the top scorer with 66 runs at number eight. Shardul Thakur also chipped in with 43 runs, showing Mumbai’s depth in batting.

    Arshdeep’s remarkable bowling figures were 5 wickets for just 38 runs in his ten overs. Now, Punjab needs to score 249 runs to win.

    Both teams came into this game with 2 wins and 1 loss each, making this match really crucial in the tight group C of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

  • Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli: A Competitive Spirit on the Cricket Field”

    Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli: A Competitive Spirit on the Cricket Field”

    Sam Konstas is a fierce competitor, much like Virat Kohli, and they could be seen laughing about a recent shoulder bump incident after the Boxing Day Test, according to Stuart Clark, a former Australian fast bowler. Kohli bumped into Konstas during the fourth Test in Melbourne, which earned him a fine from the ICC and some boos from the Aussie fans. Clark believes these two tough athletes will eventually get along well. “Konstas is driven and wants to do well, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Kohli takes him under his wing,” Clark shared.

    He went on to say there might be a photo of them smiling together after the match. Both players are competitive and won’t back down easily, which made the bump not a great moment. Clark, who has known Konstas since he was a teenager, noted that his first innings in Test cricket was not typical of his usual aggressive style. “I’m curious to see how he plays in his next innings. Will he play aggressively or use a more traditional approach?” he wondered.

    Clark also talked about a run-out that was caused by a mix-up between Kohli and his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 82 runs before getting out. “It was a genuine misunderstanding, and it’s not fair to blame Kohli for that,” he said. He also defended Rishabh Pant for a risky shot that led to his out, saying that players sometimes miss the mark with their big shots. “We shouldn’t be too harsh on him because he’s a world-class player. It was just the wrong moment for that shot,” he explained.

    Finally, Clark feels that India can still save the Melbourne Test since the pitch is not very challenging for batsmen. He described the pitch as mostly flat and good for batting, saying it wouldn’t be surprising if the strong Indian team successfully plays through the day in their second innings.

  • India’s Young Weightlifters Win 33 Medals at Doha Championships!”

    India’s Young Weightlifters Win 33 Medals at Doha Championships!”

    India’s young athletes did an amazing job at the Asian youth and junior weightlifting championships held in Doha from December 19 to 25. They brought home a total of 33 medals! Now, they are setting their sights on qualifying for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2026. The national coach, Vijay Sharma, who also mentored Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, thinks our future in weightlifting looks bright thanks to the strong performance in Doha.

    The competition featured 40 different categories, with 20 for youth (ages 13-17) and 20 for juniors (ages 15-20). In the youth section, India’s lifters earned 21 medals, including 7 golds. The junior team added 12 more medals to the tally. A standout performer was 16-year-old Jyoshna Sabar from Uttar Pradesh, who set an Asian record in the women’s youth 40kg class by lifting a total of 135 kgs!

    Khelo India has helped young athletes by spotting talent and training them to excel. Out of the 24 athletes from India, 22 were part of the Khelo India program. They trained at one of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centers located in Patiala, Imphal, and Aurangabad. Alakesh Baruah, who manages high performance in weightlifting at NIS Patiala, praised the youth athletes for their potential in future competitions.

    Maibam Martina Devi, who won silver in the women’s Junior +87kg category at the 2024 Asian meet, talked about her plans. She said, “In 2025, we will start trials for the Commonwealth Games 2026.” This series of events will happen in Ahmedabad, and she will also take part in the National Games in Uttarakhand.

    In the men’s category, Sairaj Pardeshi broke a national record with an overall lift of 310 kgs in the 81kg youth category. Sairaj, who joined NIS Patiala after training in Maharashtra, expressed gratitude for the support from SAI centers, saying they greatly helped him with discipline, diet, and coaching.

    Overall, India’s young weightlifters show great promise for the future!

  • Nitish Reddy’s Maiden Century Rescues India in 4th Test vs Australia

    Nitish Reddy’s Maiden Century Rescues India in 4th Test vs Australia

    In an exciting match on Saturday, December 28, 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy showed off his amazing skills as he made his first Test century. Playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he stepped in to bat when India was in big trouble at 191-6, chasing Australia’s tall score of 474 runs. But with a brilliant innings of 105 not out off 176 balls, Reddy turned the game around!

    After reaching his century, Reddy struck the famous ‘Baahubali’ pose, celebrating his special moment. He became the first No. 8 batter to score a hundred at the MCG, beating the previous record of 92 runs set by Mitchell Johnson in 2012.

    Reddy teamed up with Washington Sundar, who also played well with a solid 50 runs from 162 balls. Together, they built an important partnership of 127 runs for the eighth wicket, which helped India reach 358-9 by the end of the day. This was crucial because it reduced the gap to 116 runs and kept India from the follow-on.

    Reddy’s innings showcased how determined and aggressive he can be. He hit ten fours and one six, bringing up his century with a beautiful shot over mid-on off the bowler Scott Boland. Earlier in the innings, he impressed everyone with a fantastic cover drive against Mitchell Starc, showing he can handle tough bowlers.

    Starting the day at 164-5, India faced more challenges as Rishabh Pant scored only 28 runs and Ravindra Jadeja got out for 17. With the team’s top players already out, Reddy and Sundar proved to be the heroes, lifting the spirits of Indian fans at the MCG.

    This knock from Reddy, in only his debut series, has been one of the biggest highlights for India. So far, he has scored 282 runs in just six Test innings with an average of over 70, making him an exciting addition to the team. The day ended early due to bad light, but Reddy stood strong, giving India hope for the next day.

  • Nitish Kumar Reddy Scores Stunning Maiden Century in Test Cricket!

    Nitish Kumar Reddy Scores Stunning Maiden Century in Test Cricket!

    Nitish Kumar Reddy reached his first Test century in an exciting way! He hit a ball from Scott Boland over mid-on for a boundary just as he was about to lose his chance. Before this, he had seen his teammate Jasprit Bumrah get out, leaving him with only Mohammed Siraj as the last batsman. Reddy was nervously waiting on 99 not out, and when he finally got his century, he couldn’t hold back his tears, knowing his dad was cheering for him in the stands.

    At that moment, the light was fading quickly, and everyone was looking at the umpires, hoping they wouldn’t stop the game. Reddy’s century was a big relief for the Indian team, helping them avoid a tough situation and giving the bowlers some rest.

    The 21-year-old was a surprise choice for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy team. Many thought he was selected for his skills in T20 and IPL, but Reddy has shown he is one of the best players on this tour. In the first four innings of the series, he scored the most runs in three of them, finally getting his well-deserved century in the Boxing Day Test.

    Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy?

    Nitish Reddy is a top-order batsman and a genuine medium-fast bowler. This is quite rare in Indian cricket. Many believe he could become India’s next great all-rounder in all formats. Reddy was born in Visakhapatnam and began playing cricket at just five years old, showing talent as both a batter and a bowler. He caught the eye of former Indian selector MSK Prasad during state-level tournaments.

    His big moment came in the 2016-17 Vijay Merchant Trophy when he scored 441 runs against Nagaland and took 26 wickets, winning the ‘Best Cricketer’ award for U16 players.

    Reddy got his big break in the IPL when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him in 2023. He played in only two games in his first season, but in 2024, he stood out with two fifties and took three wickets. His great performance helped him join the T20I squad, where he scored 74 runs in his debut series against Bangladesh, proving he can handle spin bowling well.

  • Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Epic Century Revives India’s Hopes Against Australia

    Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Epic Century Revives India’s Hopes Against Australia

    In an exciting match against Australia, India’s young player, Nitish Kumar Reddy, made a fantastic debut. After India’s batting struggled and they lost 5 wickets on the first day of the Boxing Day Test, Reddy stepped up like a true hero. He scored a beautiful century, which is certain to be remembered for a long time. India managed to restrict the Australian team to 474 runs in their first innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a strong start, but then things took a turn. Amid the pressure, Reddy kept his cool and hit 100 runs off just XX balls. He partnered well with Washington Sundar, putting together a strong partnership of over 100 runs. Reddy’s performance brought hope and joy to millions of Indian fans watching.

  • Greg Gumbel: A Trailblazer in Sports Broadcasting Passes Away

    Greg Gumbel: A Trailblazer in Sports Broadcasting Passes Away

    Greg Gumbel, a famous CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer. His family announced the sad news on Friday. Greg worked in sports broadcasting for over 50 years and inspired many with his passionate voice. He is remembered by his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle for his dedication and love.

    In March, Greg missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997 due to family health concerns. He had been a CBS host since 1998 and signed a contract extension last year to keep hosting college basketball. Greg was a trailblazer, becoming the first Black announcer to call a major sports championship when he announced Super Bowl 35 in 2001.

    David Berson, president of CBS Sports, praised Greg for breaking barriers and being a voice for sports fans, especially during NFL games and March Madness. Greg had two periods with CBS, first leaving for NBC and returning when CBS got football back in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the Winter Olympics and called baseball games during that time.

    Greg hosted NFL Today from 1990 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2005. Earlier this year, he remembered how it felt to take over from legendary broadcaster Brent Musburger in 1990.

    Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports analyst, expressed his sadness and gratitude for knowing Greg, saying he was a wonderful person. Greg was the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, the host of NBC’s Today show.

    Born and raised in Chicago, Greg graduated from Loras College in Iowa in 1967. He initially wanted to be a teacher, but followed his brother into sports broadcasting. He started at WMAQ-TV in Chicago in 1973 and worked hard to become a well-known face on screen.

    James Brown, who hosts NFL Today, called Greg “Mr. Versatility” and a great friend. Greg earned many local Emmy Awards and won the Pat Summerall Award for his excellence in sports broadcasting.

    Beyond his career, Greg supported the March of Dimes and served on boards for children’s causes for many years

  • South Africa Takes Charge in First Test Against Pakistan”

    South Africa Takes Charge in First Test Against Pakistan”

    Pakistan’s cricket team looked disappointed as they left the field on Day 2 of their first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. Due to bad light, play ended early, and Pakistan’s score was just 88 runs with 3 wickets lost, trailing by 2 runs. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel were still at the crease, scoring 16 and 8 runs, respectively.

    Corbin Bosch was the star of the day. He scored an incredible 81 runs off 93 balls, helping South Africa reach a total of 301 runs and giving them a 90-run lead. His score set a new record for the highest runs made by a debut number-nine batsman.

    When it was time to bowl, South Africa was eager to take early wickets. Pakistan’s opening batsmen, Saim Ayub and captain Shan Masood, got off to a good start with a 49-run partnership. However, things changed when Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen bowled well. Rabada quickly got Ayub out with a fast delivery that Ayub hit to the slips. Masood didn’t last long either, getting caught by Tristan Stubbs off Jansen’s bowling.

    Kamran Ghulam, who played well in the first innings, couldn’t score this time. Jansen got him out with a bounce that Ghulam edged to Ryan Rickelton. As the day went on, Babar and Saud Shakeel held their ground and avoided further losses.

    Earlier, Aiden Markram led South Africa’s batting, supported by captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who both contributed important runs. Although Pakistan managed to get Bavuma and Bedingham out, Bosch’s strong batting kept South Africa in control, leading them to a strong total of 301 runs