Category: Sports

  • Gukesh Crowned Youngest World Chess Champion Amid Controversies

    Gukesh Crowned Youngest World Chess Champion Amid Controversies

    In the recent World Chess Championship final held in Singapore, there was a lot of talk about the quality of play between D Gukesh from India and Ding Liren from China. After the match, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich spoke out about the criticism. He pointed out that mistakes happen in all sports, even at the highest levels, and that we shouldn’t blame top players for making errors under pressure.

    In the last game, defending champion Ding Liren made a big mistake that allowed the 18-year-old Gukesh to win, making him the youngest world champion ever. Some former world champions were not happy about the game. Vladimir Kramnik said Ding’s mistake was “childish” and even hinted that it seemed deliberate, calling for an investigation.

    Dvorkovich defended both players during the closing ceremony, saying, “Sports are about mistakes. Without them, there wouldn’t be exciting moments.” He congratulated both Gukesh and Liren for their performances.

    Kramnik said this match marked the “end of chess as we know it,” and expressed disappointment, saying no championship had ended due to such a silly mistake before.

    Magnus Carlsen, another former champion, also criticized the quality of the earlier games, suggesting they looked more like the early rounds of a regular tournament than a championship battle. However, five-time champion Viswanathan Anand encouraged Gukesh to focus on his victory and ignore the critics, saying such comments always come with success. “I was happy to watch history being made,” Anand shared.

  • Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Siraj vs Head Sparks Drama in Adelaide!

    Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Siraj vs Head Sparks Drama in Adelaide!

    The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India is heating up, and it’s getting a lot of attention. In Adelaide, there was a heated moment between Australian player Travis Head and Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj. After Siraj got Head out, he celebrated passionately, which upset the crowd who then booed him. Even though Australia won the match and evened the series, everyone was talking about this clash.

    Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar understood why Siraj acted that way after taking Head’s wicket. He mentioned that fast bowlers often get really fired up in tense moments. Siraj’s fiery celebration wasn’t liked by the audience, and they showed their displeasure loudly.

    On Day 1 of the next Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane, Siraj faced more boos from the crowd, and it seemed to bother him. Gavaskar pointed out that while Siraj’s actions might seem intense, Australia’s public has its double standards. He noted that Australian fans often cheer when their players act aggressively, but they boo foreign players for doing the same.

    Gavaskar also expressed surprise at Siraj’s reaction, suggesting that with the Indian Premier League (IPL) making players rich, some rivalries have softened over time. He emphasized that cricket still involves high intensity and passion but without the ugly behavior that used to be common. According to him, players should leave the ugly fights behind and focus on the game instead.

  • Siraj Booed as India and Australia Clash in Thrilling Third Test!

    Siraj Booed as India and Australia Clash in Thrilling Third Test!

    India’s fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, faced loud boos from Australian fans in Brisbane during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India won the toss for the third time in a row but chose to bowl first this time. Jasprit Bumrah started strong with a great first over against Usman Khawaja, while Siraj also had the new ball. However, every time Siraj ran to bowl, the crowd loudly booed him.

    The boos began during the second Test in Adelaide when Siraj celebrated aggressively after getting local player Travis Head out after he scored an impressive 140 runs. There were different stories from both players about what happened. While Head praised Siraj, Siraj felt disrespected. The ICC took action and docked Siraj 20% of his match fees, but Head only got a demerit point.

    India made two changes in their lineup after losing by 10 wickets in the previous Test. Ravindra Jadeja came in for spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, and Akash Deep replaced struggling bowler Harshit Rana. Australia made one change, bringing in Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland after his injury.

    Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Rohit Sharma will continue to bat at number six in the lineup, along with opening pair KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. As the five-match series stands at 1-1, the Gabba pitch appeared green and soft, hinting at a challenge for Australia’s batsmen. Rohit mentioned that the Indian team was very excited and looking forward to performing well in the match.

    Australia’s captain Pat Cummins was unsure what he would have chosen if he won the toss, but was excited about the sold-out crowd at the Gabba.

    Australia’s Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (w), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

    India’s Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (w), Rohit Sharma (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

  • Shakib Al Hasan Faces Bowling Ban in England for Illegal Action”

    Shakib Al Hasan Faces Bowling Ban in England for Illegal Action”

    Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in competitions run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) because his bowling action is not legal. Umpires reported him during one game he played for Surrey in September.

    Shakib was brought in to help Surrey in an important match against Somerset on a pitch known for being good for spin bowlers. He bowled well, taking nine wickets in total, but Surrey lost the game by 111 runs. Despite that loss, the team still won the championship.

    The ECB announced: “Shakib Al Hasan has been stopped from bowling in ECB games after an independent review of his bowling action.” This review found that Shakib’s elbow bent too much while he was bowling, going over the allowed limit of 15 degrees.

    His ban will start from December 10, 2024. Shakib has not signed with any English county for the 2025 season, meaning he can’t bowl in ECB competitions unless he passes another review of his bowling action.

    Shakib has played 71 Test matches, 247 one-day internationals, and 129 Twenty20 matches for Bangladesh, taking a total of 712 wickets.

  • Australia vs. India: The Exciting Third Test at the Gabba!

    Australia vs. India: The Exciting Third Test at the Gabba!

    The third Test match between Australia and India is set to kick off at the famous Gabba in Brisbane this Saturday. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied 1-1, both teams are eager to take the lead in this crucial match. The Gabba is known as a tough place for visitors, and the results of this Test could decide who wins the series.

    Adding to the excitement, the weather could play a role, as rain is in the forecast. Both teams have strong fast bowlers, and the Gabba’s conditions are likely to make batting tough.

    Pitch Report: What to Expect
    The Gabba pitch is famous for its speed and bounce. The ground’s curator, David Sandurski, said, “We always prepare the pitch the same way to get good carry, speed, and bounce.” However, the wicket may test the batters’ skills, especially after the Adelaide Test showed that players like India’s Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant need to work on their techniques.

    Weather Forecast: Rain on the Horizon
    While the Gabba pitch looks interesting, the weather might affect the game. According to NiftyStat, thunderstorms are likely on the first day with an 88% chance of rain. The following two days have 58% and 60% chances of rain, while the fourth day shows a 55% chance of precipitation. However, by the fifth day, the chance of rain drops to just 1%, giving hope for uninterrupted play if the match lasts that long. The humid and cloudy weather is expected to help fast bowlers, which could give an edge to both teams.

  • Malvika Bansod: Rising Badminton Star Aiming for the Top Rankings!

    Malvika Bansod: Rising Badminton Star Aiming for the Top Rankings!

    Malvika Bansod, who is currently ranked 32nd in women’s singles badminton, is quickly becoming one of the top players in the world. At just 23 years old, she made headlines by winning a silver medal in her first major tournament at the 2022 Syed Modi International.

    One of her biggest achievements was defeating legendary Indian player Saina Nehwal at the 2022 India Open. Malvika played an incredible match, winning 21-17, 21-9 to reach the quarter-finals before losing to Aakarshi Kashyap.

    In an interview with Hindustan Times, Malvika shared how her mother encouraged her to start playing badminton when she was around eight or nine years old. Her mother wanted her to have a disciplined and healthy lifestyle. Malvika says, “I started playing for fun, but then I began to excel in the sport.”

    After moving from Nagpur to Raipur for better coaching, she began eating like a professional athlete at 14 or 15 years old! She started competing internationally, and her win against Nehwal brought her a lot of attention, both in India and worldwide. Reflecting on that win, she said, “That was the biggest victory of my career until then, and I looked up to her as my idol.”

    Malvika also named her idol as Lin Dan, a famous Chinese player and two-time Olympic gold medalist. With the 2025 season around the corner, she hopes to rise further in the rankings. She shared that the main difference between top players and others is mental strength and consistency. “I want to break into the top 25 or 20 as soon as possible,” she said.

    To improve, she aims to sharpen her attacking skills while staying consistent in her performance. Malvika also praised Taiwanese player Tai Tzu-ying, calling her the best female badminton player despite her current injury struggles.

    Recently, Malvika signed a partnership with JetSynthesys and Real Sports to help her focus more on her training rather than distractions. She expressed gratitude for their support and is excited for a strong partnership. JetSynthesys’ Founder, Rajan Navani, said, “Malvika’s journey shows talent and hard work. We’re here to help her succeed in sports and beyond.”

    In summary, Malvika Bansod is a talented young badminton player aiming for even greater success in the future!

  • Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion at Just 18

    Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion at Just 18

    Eighteen-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest world chess champion ever by defeating China’s Ding Liren. This incredible achievement happened over 14 intense games in a World Chess Championship that tested Gukesh’s skills and patience.

    What many don’t know is that Gukesh had help from a mental coach named Paddy Upton. Paddy has worked with famous sports teams, including the Indian cricket team during their 2011 World Cup victory. He saw Gukesh’s mental strength and was impressed with how he handled the pressure of such big matches.

    Paddy spoke about the excitement he felt watching Gukesh play. He mentioned how remarkable it was for Gukesh to keep his cool, especially after losing the first game. Gukesh didn’t let that early setback stop him; he proved he could stay focused, even during long hours of play.

    When preparing for the championship, Gukesh put a lot of thought into every detail. He paid close attention to his meals, sleep, and even how he relaxed. This careful planning ensured there were no mistakes during the tournament. He wanted to be sure that no matter the outcome, he would have no regrets.

    In games, Gukesh has been seen closing his eyes and taking a moment to gather himself. This technique helps him recharge and refocus during the long matches.

    Paddy started working with Gukesh in May, after being introduced to him by his sponsor. At first, he wasn’t sure about working with a chess player, but soon realized Gukesh was unique and special. After the championship, they shared a hug to celebrate his victory.

    Over the years, Paddy has formed a strong connection with India, having helped various sports teams achieve success. He believes that working with Gukesh is a wonderful addition to his experience in India.

    Paddy highlighted how working with Gukesh is different from sports like cricket and hockey. Chess requires a different type of mental focus because the game is entirely based on strategy and thought, rather than physical skills. Even though Paddy doesn’t know much about chess, he helps Gukesh prepare mentally for the games.

    In their sessions, Gukesh asks questions, and they spend time discussing answers that help him improve. This approach makes it a fun and educational experience for both of them.

    Paddy pointed out that mental strength is really important in chess. Sometimes, a player might miss an important move if they lose focus, just like in cricket. Gukesh has shown incredible self-awareness and maturity for his age, which sets him apart from other young athletes.

    What makes Gukesh even more special is his great character and humility. After winning the championship, he praised his opponent and thanked those who helped him along the way. His genuine nature and respect for others will inspire young athletes everywhere.

    Moving forward, Gukesh and Paddy plan to discuss their future together, but for now, they are both focused on enjoying this big win!

  • India and Australia Clash in Crucial Gabba Test: Rohit & Kohli Under Pressure

    India and Australia Clash in Crucial Gabba Test: Rohit & Kohli Under Pressure

    Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to showcase their skills when India faces Australia in the third match of the Border-Gavaskar series at the Gabba, starting Saturday. The series score is tied at 1-1, making this game crucial for both teams as they strive for success in the World Test Championship.

    India’s hopes rest on exploiting Australia’s weak batting, especially if Travis Head isn’t at his best. Meanwhile, Steve Smith is struggling with his form, just like Kohli. India’s star bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been exceptional, but he needs more support from his teammates, along with solid runs from Rohit and Kohli.

    Recently, there’s been much talk about Rohit and Kohli’s dropping performance levels, but they both want to step up, especially after India’s historic win in Brisbane back in 2021. This season, their first innings averages are disappointing—Rohit at 6.88 and Kohli at just 10. Kohli did score a century in Perth, easing some pressure for himself, but Rohit needs to lead by example.

    Rohit has been amazing in white-ball cricket, but he needs to choose the right batting position at the Gabba. Should he open or bat lower down the order? That’s a key question for the captain to answer. Additionally, bringing Ravindra Jadeja into the team could strengthen India’s batting, as he has done well in tough conditions in the past.

    On Australia’s side, their batting looks shaky too. Travis Head has often done well against India, but Smith’s form is worrying. Marnus Labuschagne has not been at his best either. The Australians know that if they can handle Bumrah’s first spell well, they put pressure on the other Indian bowlers.

    Teams:
    – Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
    – India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
    – Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal.

    Match begins at 5:50 am IST.

  • Gukesh Dommaraju: Youngest Chess Champion Celebrated by Kasparov

    Gukesh Dommaraju: Youngest Chess Champion Celebrated by Kasparov

    Garry Kasparov, a former world chess champion, is really excited about Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old Indian grandmaster. Gukesh just made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion ever! He beat the defending champion, Ding Liren, and in doing so, he broke Kasparov’s long-standing record of being the youngest champion at age 22 in 1985.

    In a series of messages on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), Kasparov called Gukesh’s victory a huge achievement. He praised Gukesh for his courage and determination throughout the tough matches. Kasparov congratulated him by saying, “My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summited the highest peak of all: making his mother happy.”

    Kasparov also talked about some mistakes made during the last match, including a big mistake by Ding Liren in Game 14. He pointed out that mistakes can happen in any championship and reminded everyone that even the greatest players have their share of blunders.

    Vladimir Kramnik, another former champion, also discussed Ding Liren’s mistake, saying it had big consequences during the match. After Gukesh won by a score of 7.5 to 6.5, Kramnik made a statement on social media saying, “It’s the End of chess as we know it.”

    Kasparov emphasized that Gukesh prepared really well, and the best player won. He mentioned that Gukesh’s win adds to India’s impressive recent achievements in chess, including their success in the Chess Olympiad. He believes India is full of talented players, and the future of chess looks bright with Gukesh leading the way.

    In a fun coincidence, Kasparov noted that the date, December 12, marks 40 years since he won his very first game against Anatoly Karpov in 1984, a pivotal moment in his career.

  • Prithvi Shaw’s Struggles: Can He Bounce Back?

    Prithvi Shaw’s Struggles: Can He Bounce Back?

    Prithvi Shaw, once called a “special talent,” is now at a tricky point in his cricket career. He was a star player who helped India win the 2018 U19 World Cup and made a great start in international cricket with a century on his Test debut. However, things have changed for him recently.

    At just 24 years old, Shaw has faced trouble keeping his performance consistent. He hasn’t played for the national team in three years and didn’t get any offers from teams for the Indian Premier League (IPL). His struggles in domestic cricket have left many confused about what went wrong for this once-promising player.

    Shaw’s childhood coach, Jwala Singh, talked about his struggles, saying it hurts to see him facing these difficulties. Jwala shared, “I’ve been disappointed. Prithvi was my first student to play the U19 World Cup. He started his career so well, scoring a century on his Test debut and being named the next Sachin Tendulkar. Now, he’s getting dropped from Ranji matches and didn’t get picked in the IPL. It’s sad to watch.”

    Jwala noticed that Shaw, who used to be very disciplined, seems to have fitness and discipline issues now. “I haven’t seen him since 2017, and he used to come to me 2-3 times a week for coaching. He was very dedicated back then. He has achieved a lot at a young age, but now he’s not performing well, and people are questioning him,” he added.

    But Jwala believes Shaw is still young and can make a comeback if he works hard and reflects on what he needs to improve. “He needs to focus on his game and find self-motivation,” he said.

    Jwala also mentioned that the influence of money from the IPL can affect young players. He warned Shaw to resist these temptations and focus on cricket. “Anyone can be distracted by money. It’s how you manage yourself after you start earning that matters. Prithvi hasn’t improved his game and still struggles with certain shots. He needs to respect good bowlers and adapt,” he explained.

    In conclusion, Jwala emphasized that while Shaw has a bright future ahead, he needs to realize the importance of hard work and dedication. “You have your entire life to enjoy, but right now, focus on cricket,” he said.