CRICKET

India Under-19 Storm Into World Cup Final

A splendid batting performance from Shubman Gill (102*) coupled with great bowling from Ishan Porel (4-17) helped the boys in blue win by a massive 203 runs against opponents Pakistan during their Super League Semi-Final Two encounter at Christchurch, New Zealand. Batting first, India’s Under-19 notched up a huge 272-9 in 50 overs. Along with Shubman, Manjot Kalra contributed 47, while skipper Prithvi Shaw made 41. For Pakistan, Muhammad Musa was the pick of the bowlers, snapping 4-67 in his 10-over spell. In reply, Pakistan collapsed to a paltry 69 in 29.3 overs, as none of their batsmen were able to come through. India now face Australia in the World Cup Finals. Shubman Gill was awarded Man of the Match.

Top Buys Of IPL 2018

At the cash-rich Indian Premier League 2018 auctions in Bangalore recently, Ben Stokes was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping Rs. 12.5 Cr, along with Jaydev Unadkat for Rs. 11.5 Cr and Sanju Samson for Rs. 8 Cr. K L Rahul was taken at Rs. 11 Cr by Kings X1 Punjab. Manish Pandey got Sunrisers Hyderabad to also cough up Rs. 11 Cr and was joined in the same team by Rashid Khan for Rs. 9 Cr. Kolkata Knight Riders booked Chris Lynn for Rs. 9.6 Cr and Mitchell Starc for Rs. 9.4 Cr. Delhi Daredevils brought in Glenn Maxwell Rs. 9 Cr while Mumbai Indians got Krunal Pandya for Rs. 8.8 Cr.

India Wins 3^rd Test Match Against SA

Mohammed Shami’s outstanding five wicket haul (5-28) during Day-four of the contest, helped Team India win the third Test match against South Africa by 63 runs. India managed 187 during their first innings, courtesy half centuries from skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. South Africa scored 194 in their 65.5 overs as Hashim Amla top scored with 61. Jasprit Bumrah grabbed 5-54 in his 18.5 over spell. India’s second innings saw a score of 247 in 80.1 overs with Ajinkya Rahane’s vital 48. Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel picked three wickets each. In reply, the hosts managed just 177 in their second innings, with opener Dean Elgar unbeaten on 86. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was awarded the Man of the Match.

 

TENNIS

Paes-Cerretani Win ATP Challenger Doubles

The Indo-American pair of Leander Paes and James Cerretani defeated the American-Filipino pair of Denis Kudla and Treat Huey 6-4, 7-5 to win the ATP Challenger Doubles Title Finals of the Newport Beach event.

Roger Federer Wins Australian Open

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer beat Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in three hours and three minutes to win the Australian Open Title for the sixth time, at the Rod Laver Arena. Federer thus becomes the only tennis player to win a record 20^th Grand Slam title at age 36.

 

BADMINTON

Saina Loses Indonesia Masters Final

Star shuttler Saina Nehwal was defeated by World No. 1, Tai Tzu Ying 9-21, 12-21 in 27 minutes during the summit clash of the USD 350,000 Indonesia Masters.