Mandhana scripts history, surpasses Mithali Raj to become highest run…

Smriti Mandhana has made history as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, breaking Mithali Raj's enduring record during the Asia Cup. Her extraordinary performance included a remarkable 124 runs off just 64 balls, establishing new benchmarks for both individual scores and partnerships. This milestone is a pivotal moment, showcasing the evolution and rise of women's cricket on the global stage.

Team India is ready to take on Afghanistan in the T20I series for their upcoming schedule. The three-match is scheduled from September 13th to 17th. For this highly intense series, the Men in blue have already announced their squad.

Meanwhile, their opponents have already announced their players for the important series. The visitors will look for a massive victory in this series. On the other hand, Team India’s aim is to defeat Afghanistan with a clean series swoop in the series.

Gautam Gambhir to decide key players’ Duleep Trophy final availability

However, ahead of the India vs Afghanistan series clash, The Press Trust of India (PTI) claimed a big report for some of India’s key players in this series. As the Indian side’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will decide about players like Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan’s availability in the Duleep Trophy final for their respective teams. piekny-pies.pl

The reason behind it is that it might be a priority and commitment to the Indian team first, more than any domestic or other tournaments. Speaking about the current scenario in the Duleep Trophy, Ishan and Sooryavanshi’s side will face South Zone which includes players like Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj, even if they miss out on Tilak. So, this makes their chances more difficult to win the tournament, after a long gap of 13 years.

Meanwhile, if Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wouldn’t be available for the East Zone in the Duleep Trophy. The side had to bring players like Subhranshu Senapati and Shahbaz Ahmed to the team.

Tilak Varma shines with 167, Sooryavanshi continues to impress in Duleep Trophy

“The Indian team will assemble in Delhi on either September 9 or 10. If the head coach wants all three to report as per the T20I team’s itinerary, then the trio cannot play,” a source said.

“But if the head coach wants them to play the final and report to Delhi on September 10 late evening, they can also do that,” the source added.

If we discuss their performances for their respective sides in the Duleep Trophy, Tilak Varma is leading the table among them with a brilliant performance for his side with sitting on the third spot in the most runs list in the tournament. In a recent match of the tournament, Tilak Varma played a blistering knock against North Zone in the semifinal, where he scored 167 runs. Meanwhile, the pocket dynamite (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is also reaching good heights in the domestic tournament as he is moving forward with a dependable strike rate of 107.69.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 4 (ANI): The Indian contingent remains unbeaten at the end of the first day of the Team Event at the Pickleball World Cup, currently ongoing in Da Nang, Vietnam till the 6th of September 2026. This marks the end of the league stage, where a dominant India defeated Antigua and Barbuda, Israel and the Czech Republic.

The India pro squad, consisting of Harsh Mehta, Arjun Singh, Anish Froilan, Aman Patel, Pearl Amalsadiwala, Naomi Amalsadiwala, Aaliya Ebrahim and Mihika Yadav, dominated their first two matches, beating Antigua & Barbuda and Israel with a scoreline of 6-0 each, according to a press release from the Indian Pickleball Association.

The final match of the league stage was played against the Czech Republic, where India comfortably won with a scoreline of 5-1. Each tie had a total of 6 matches: Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles 1, Mixed Doubles 2, Women’s Singles and Men’s Singles. They will now face Portugal on Friday in the round of 32.

“The team morale is very high; we have started the tournament with positive energy and great results. Team members are all playing well, which is most important and hence the result. We are preparing mentally for eliminations tomorrow," said Harsh Mehta, Captain, India Team.

“It was an exhilarating feeling during the parade, walking as part of the Indian delegation during the opening ceremony of the Pickleball World Cup 2026. Competing internationally brings natural pre-match nerves, but true champions are defined by their ability to rise above anxiety and deliver when it matters most. We are delighted to see our athletes embodying this spirit, performing with resilience, passion, and determination and achieving victories that make the nation proud. Team India’s success is a testament to their commitment and the collective effort behind them. We look forward to their continued excellence as they showcase India’s growing strength in the sport of pickleball. Thanks to our sponsors Electrorush, Picklebay, Cosmic Birla Group and Lucknow Leopards for helping us through this journey," said Aalap Sharma, Treasurer, IPA.

The India Senior squad also finished strong on day 1 as they beat Germany and Nepal 4-0 each. Led by Suryaveer Singh, who is also the President of the India Pickleball Association made their place in the round of 32.

“Extremely proud of all the individual performances until today and the spirit that the contingent has brought into the team event. We are currently in 4th place on the medal tally, and we are confident that we will move a few places if this momentum continues," said Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President, Indian Pickleball Association.

Earlier in the event, India raked a total of 37 medals with 6 golds, 16 silvers and 15 bronze medals.

List of respective medal winners:

Vishal Choudhary & Siddharth Reddy -

Ajeet Bhardwaj and Vasudevan Kothandaraman -60+ Men’s Doubles – Bronze

Bhushan Akut & Ashok Rohira 60+ doubles – 4.5 Men’s Doubles – Gold

Bhushan Akut – Men’s Singles 60+ 4.0 – Gold

Ashok Rohira – Men’s Singles – 60+ 4.0 – Silver

Nikhil and Vignesh 30+ Men’s Doubles 4.5 – Silver

Sreekar and Vivek Reddy 40+ Men’s Doubles – 4.5 – Bronze

Vishal and Siddharth – 40+ for

Kiran - Men’s Singles 50+ ( 4-4.5) – Silver

Sanjana Sirimalla – Women’s doubles 4.5 – Silver medal

Naveen Tummala – 50+ Men’s Singles – 3.5 to 4.0 category – Bronze

Lokesh Bhavsar – Men’s 30+ Singles below 4.0 – Silver

Roshan Mishra – Men’s Singles 30+ below 4.0 – Bronze

Kiaan Contractor – Men’s Singles 4.5 – Silver

Eswaran Annamalai – 60+ Men’s Singles 3.5 – Bronze

Raghav Mallik – 60+ Men’s Singles 3.5 – Silver

Rocky Raghavan – 50+ 3.5 and above – Mixed Doubles – Bronze

Siddharth Reddy and Fayrouz Zaidi 40+ 4.0 – 4.5 Mixed Doubles – Silver

Bhushan Akut(India) – 60+ 4.5 Mixed Doubles – Gold

Vishal Choudhary – 40+ Mixed Doubles

Vivek Reddy – 40+ Men’s Singles >4.5 – Gold

Shaks Devnani – 60+ Women’s Singles >4.5 – Bronze

Neha Arora – 40+ Women’s Singles

Fayrouz Zaidi – 40+ Women’s Singles

Sanjana Sirimalla – Open Women’s Singles

Prashanti Lakamsani – 50+ Women’s Singles

Petulia Balaji – Women’s Singles 60+-3.0 – Silver

Harsh Mehta – Pro Men’s Doubles Open – Bronze. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Tashkent [Uzbekistan], September 4 (ANI): The India U20 men’s team suffered a 0-4 defeat against hosts Uzbekistan in their second AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers match at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Thursday.

Ulugbek Maratov opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Kuvonchbek Abraev doubled Uzbekistan’s advantage with a free-kick. Shorakhim Shorakhmedov added the third in the 67th minute, while substitute Nurbek Sersenbaev completed the scoring in the 90th, according to a press release from the AIFF Media.

Despite the loss, India remain second in Group B on the head-to-head criterion, courtesy of their 1-0 victory over Syria in the opening match.

The Blue Colts, aiming to end their 20-year absence from the AFC U20 Asian Cup, will face Bangladesh in their final group fixture on September 6. A victory for India, coupled with Syria failing to beat Uzbekistan, will see Mahesh Gawali’s side finish second and give them a strong chance of qualifying as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups.

Uzbekistan threatened from the outset and almost took the lead in the seventh minute, even before India could settle into the contest. Abdulfayz Bobomurodov floated a corner from the left into the penalty area, and an unmarked Asilbek Aliev charged forward to head the ball into the net.

The goal was disallowed, however, after Maratov was adjudged to have obstructed India goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam while standing in an offside position.

The hosts continued to probe and nearly found the opener three minutes later. Bobomurodov tried his luck from distance, but Suraj reacted well to make the save.

Uzbekistan threatened again in the 27th minute. Diyor Ermanov laid the ball off for Kuvanishbek Saydaliev, who unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from around 20 yards. Suraj was beaten, but the effort cannoned off the crossbar.

The pressure finally told two minutes later when Uzbekistan broke the deadlock from another set-piece. Abraev delivered a corner from the right towards the far post, where the unmarked Mukhammadali Dilshodbekov headed the ball back across goal.

Ermanov redirected it into Maratov’s path, and the forward calmly guided a right-footed finish past the Indian defence.

India were undone by another set-piece when Abraev produced a superb free-kick from 25 yards. His strike hit the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net, leaving Suraj with no chance and giving Uzbekistan a two-goal cushion heading into the break.

Gawali made a double substitution in the 53rd minute, introducing Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam in place of Danny Meitei Laishram and Vishal Yadav.

Uzbekistan nevertheless continued to apply pressure after the interval. In the 59th minute, Abraev connected with a close-range volley, but Suraj was equal to it and produced another important save.

The hosts scored their third goal in the 67th minute following a well-worked attack down the left. Substitute Behruzjon Kupaysinov pulled the ball back for Shorakhmedov, who evaded the Indian defenders before finding the net with an excellent left-footed finish.

Omang Dodum replaced Hateem Ali shortly afterwards, while Md Arbash and Rohen Singh Chaphamayum were introduced in the 78th minute as India searched for a way back into the game.

Uzbekistan added a fourth in the final minute of regulation time. Bobomurodov sent a looping delivery into the penalty area, and Sersenbaev timed his run behind the Indian defence before calmly placing the ball past Suraj.

India U20 Men: Suraj Singh Aheibam (GK); Yaipharemba Chingakham, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum (C), Shami Singamayum, Danny Meitei Laishram (Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam 53’), Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Vishal Yadav (Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam 53’), Rishikanta Meitei Laishram (Md Arbash 78’), Hateem Ali (Omang Dodum 68’), Prashan Jajo (Rohen Singh Chaphamayum 78’). (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

In a major boost for South Zone, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal have been added to the squad for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone, which will be played from September 6-10 at Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

With Rahul, Siraj and Padikkal not involved in the T20I series against Afghanistan or the Asian Games, the trio will be available for South Zone’s Duleep Trophy final. Their inclusion is also in line with the BCCI’s policy of ensuring centrally contracted and capped players turn out for domestic cricket whenever their international commitments allow.

All three players were part of India’s squad that won the two-match series against Sri Lanka last month. Padikkal was the Player of the Series after finishing as his team’s leading run-scorer. Rahul also did well with the bat, but for some reason, Siraj did not look at his best with the ball.

With the addition of these three players, South Zone are expected to make multiple changes to their playing XI.

South Zone have also added Chama Milind to the squad as cover for Vidhwath Kaverappa. The Karnataka seamer sustained an injury during the semi-final against North Zone, which ended on Wednesday.

The availability of captain Tilak Varma, however, remains uncertain. It is yet to be decided whether he will be cleared to play the final in Chennai or instructed to report to the T20I squad in Delhi ahead of the Afghanistan series. As reported by RevSportz, India head coach Gautam Gambhir will take the final call on the T20I squad members who are also in contention to play the Duleep Trophy final.

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