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Mohammad Siraj almost quit Cricket before international debut, reveals on 30th birthday

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BCCI shares video of the speedster’s tour of his hometown Hyderabad, showcasing his cricket origins and favorite spots

Published Date – 13 March 2024, 03:00 PM


Mohammad Siraj almost quit Cricket before international debut, reveals on 30th birthday


Hyderabad: On his 30th birthday, right-arm seamer Mohammad Siraj revealed that before making his international debut he was planning to quit cricket back in 2019-20 to do something good for himself.

In a video posted by the BCCI, the speedster took fans on a tour of his hometown Hyderabad, showing the pitch where it all began for him and his favourite hangout areas. Siraj stated that the ground Eidgah is where he feels tranquilly despite going all over the world these days.

“In 2019-20 I had thought I am giving myself this last year and after that, I will leave the game for good. As soon as I land in Hyderabad, my first thought is that I will go home. After home, I will go to Eidgah. Wherever in the world I go. I don’t get so much peace anywhere, to be honest. Whenever I go there, I get so much peace,” said Siraj.

The 30-year-old further said that he used to work as a caterer to support his father, who drove an autorickshaw and was the family’s primary source of income at the time. The pacer admitted that he used to burn his hands trying to flip roomali roti.

“I used to go to do a catering job. My family members used to say that son, please study.

I liked playing cricket very much because we used to live on rent also. My dad was the only earning member in the house. If I got a hundred or two hundred rupees, I was happy with it. I used to give 100 or 150 rupees at home and keep 50 for myself. My hands would burn as I had to flip roomali roti. But that’s ok. I have reached here after having my fair share of struggles,” the pacer added.

Siraj has so far played 27 Tests, 41 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for Team India. He has 74 wickets in Tests, including three five-wicket hauls, and 68 wickets in One-Day Internationals, including one five-wicket haul. In Twenty20 Internationals, he has 12 wickets.

The Hyderabad-born cricketer will be seen in action again in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, this time representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

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Alcaraz, Sinner advance to Indian Wells QF; Lehecka upsets Tsitsipas

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In an hour and fifteen minutes, the second seed’s aggressive baseline play secured his 50th ATP Masters 1000 match win, overwhelming his 24-year-old opponent and propelling him to the quarterfinals.

Published Date – 13 March 2024, 12:29 PM


Alcaraz, Sinner advance to Indian Wells QF; Lehecka upsets Tsitsipas


Indian Wells: The defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Fabian Marozsan to avenge his last year’s Rome loss to the Hungarian and reach the quarterfinal of the ATP Master 1000 event.

The second seed secured his 50th match win at the ATP Masters 1000 level with aggression from the baseline, producing heavy firepower to rush the 24-year-old and advance to the last -eight after one hour, and 15 minutes.

The duo began on level terms before Alcaraz broke in the seventh game. Marozsan managed to save the first two break points in the game but the Spaniard injected pace on another forehand for 4-3. A backhand passing shot sealed a second break and the set.

When Alcaraz broke for 4-2 in the second set, a similar scenario unfolded. The World No. 58 Marozsan saved two break points, only for Alcaraz to capitalise on his third chance with a breathtaking forehand passing shot.

Alcaraz saved the lone two break points he encountered in the ensuing game. Then at deuce, in one of the points of the match, the pair took to exchanging backhand slices. The Spaniard changed direction on the last one, giving him space to hit a forehand down the line to leave Marozsan in disbelief and eventually clinched the affair with a 12th forehand winner.

The two-time Grand Slam champion will next lock horns with German Alexander Zverev, who handed him a four-set loss in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

Zverev rallied to beat Alex de Minaur 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, improving to 7-2 versus the lightning-quick Australian.

On the other hand, Jannik Sinner continued his perfect 2024 season and extended his overall winning streak to 18 matches with a 7-6(4), 6-1 victory against home favourite Ben Shelton, reaching the Indian Wells quarterfinals.

The 22-year-old Italian earned his 150th hard-court tour-level win (150-46), becoming the first player born since 2000 to reach that milestone.

Next up for Sinner is a quarterfinal matchup with 32nd seed Czech player Jiri Leheckam who blasted past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4 to reach his first Masters quarterfinal.

The 22-year-old Czech has won his past six sets in Indian Wells, including straight-sets upsets against fifth seed Andrey Rublev and 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Lehecka did not allow a break point against Rublev on Sunday, and he saved all four of Tsitsipas’ break chances on Tuesday, according to ATP stats.

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Champions League: Arsenal advances to quarterfinals with penalty shootout win over Porto

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First Champions League Penalty Shoot-Out Since 2016 Final Sees Arsenal Triumph 4-2, Ending 14-Year Quarterfinal Drought

Published Date – 13 March 2024, 10:51 AM


Champions League: Arsenal advances to quarterfinals with penalty shootout win over Porto


London: Arsenal beat Porto 4-2 on penalties n the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

It was the first penalty shoot-out in the competition since the 2016 final – with David Raya the hero as the Gunners prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks to end a 14-year wait to feature in the quarterfinals.

Arsenal cancelled out Porto’s 1-0 first-leg advantage on 40 minutes when Leandro Trossard found the net, and after the break the Gunners thought they had gone in front but Martin Odegaard had a goal controversially disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Extra-time couldn’t separate the sides and as the tie went to penalties. Arsenal netted all four of their kicks, and Porto struck a post before Raya proved to be the matchwinner as he tipped Wendell’s penalty on to a post and clear before keeping out Galeno’s spot-kick to book Arsenal’s spot in the quarter-finals.

“It has been 14 years, which is a long time for a club like Arsenal and it shows how difficult it was. We really had to dig in to find the magic moment at the end. We’re starting to create an unbelievable energy in the stadium,” Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach said.

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WPL 2024: Perry’s stellar performance leads RCB to victory over Mumbai Indians

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RCB’s victory secures Playoff spot, dents Mumbai Indians’ hopes for direct Final berth in WPL.

Updated On – 13 March 2024, 09:08 AM


WPL 2024: Perry’s stellar performance leads RCB to victory over Mumbai Indians


New Delhi: Ellyse Perry claimed a superb 6-15 in a brilliant display of medium-pace bowling and scored a fine unbeaten 40 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defending champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets with 30 balls to spare in Match 19 of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Tuesday.

With this win RCB clinched their spot in the Playoffs, harming the chances of defending champions Mumbai Indians clinching a direct berth in the Final of the WPL. Mumbai Indians’ defeat brought glee to table-toppers Delhi Capitals as they now need to win their next match against Gujarat Giants — victory will help Delhi climb to 12 points and clinch their place in the final. A big defeat for Delhi Capitals will leave them at 10 points and probably behind Mumbai Indians in Net Run Rate.

Mumbai Indians ran into trouble after RCB won the toss and elected to field first. They raised 43 runs for the first wicket when Hayley Matthews got out for 26, caught by Perry off Sophie Devine.

Perry then cleaned up Sajeevan Sajana with a length delivery outside off for 30. Mumbai Indians then were left stunned when skipper and star batter Harmanpreet Kaur played-on, on an inside edge off an expansive drive off Perry crashing into the stumps for a duck.

The two wickets in two deliveries in the ninth over left Mumbai Indians at 65/3 and when Amelia Kerr was out four runs later in the 11th over. The procession continued as they kept losing wickets as Perry claimed six wickets in a row to finish with 6-15. Mumbai Indians could manage only a paltry 113, leaving RCB in a strong position.

In reply, RCB got off to a poor start, losing Sophie Molineux was out for nine runs with 22 runs on the board. Skipper Smriti Mandhana too fell cheaply, out for 11 off 13 balls. Sophie Devine too got out early and RCB were in trouble at 39/3 in the seventh over.

Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh raised 76 runs for the fourth wicket to help RCB win the match.

Perry scored an unbeaten 40 off 38 balls and Richa Ghosh scored 36 off 28 balls as RCB won the match with a lot to spare. Perry struck five boundaries and one six while Richa Ghosh, who got an early reprieve when she was dropped by Nat Sciver-Brunt, struck four boundaries and two sixes. They completed the half-century of their fourth-wicket partnership in 43 balls, with Perry contributing 15 runs and Richa Ghosh 28.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 113 all out in 19 overs (Sajeevan Sajana 30, Hayley Matthews 28; Ellyse Perry 6-15) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 115/3 in 15 overs (Ellyse Perry 40 not out, Richa Ghosh 36 not out) by seven wickets.

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Hyderabad’s Deepak wins three gold medals in Asian Open Powerlifting Championship

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Hyderabad powerlifter P Mohnish Deepak delivered outstanding performance to win three gold medals in the Asian Open Powerlifting Championship

Published Date – 12 March 2024, 11:30 PM


Hyderabad’s Deepak wins three gold medals in Asian Open Powerlifting Championship

P Mohnish Deepak

Hyderabad: Hyderabad powerlifter P Mohnish Deepak delivered outstanding performance to win three gold medals in the Asian Open Powerlifting Championship held in Kyrgyzstan on Monday.

In the senior category, Deepak lifted a total weight of 557.5 kg – 222.5 kg in squat, 125 kg in bench press and 225 kg in deadlift to secure triple gold medals in these three categories. Inturi Rekha, president of WPC Telangana Powerlifting Association congratulated Deepak for his impressive achievement in the championship.

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WPL: Perry’s heroics takes Royal Challengers Bangalore to playoffs

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Ellyse Perry came up with an allround show as she snapped a record six-wicket haul and then smashed an unbeaten 40 to set up Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dominating seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and seal their play-off berth in the Women’s Premier League here on Tuesday.

Published Date – 12 March 2024, 11:40 PM


WPL: Perry’s heroics takes Royal Challengers Bangalore to playoffs

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Ellyse Perry celebrates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batter Harmanpreet Kaur during the WPL match.

New Delhi: Ellyse Perry came up with an allround show as she snapped a record six-wicket haul and then smashed an unbeaten 40 to set up Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dominating seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and seal their play-off berth in the Women’s Premier League here on Tuesday.

The star Australian allrounder, who had gone wicketless so far in the tournament, had a night to remember as she registered the best-ever bowling figures in the history of Women’s Premier League, snapping six for 15 runs as RCB dismissed MI for 113, their second lowest score in WPL, after opting to bowl first.

Chasing 114 to win, RCB were 39 for 3 in the seventh over. It could have been worse had Nat Sciver-Brunt held on to two catches off Shabnim Ismail. However, the 33-year-old Perry slammed a 38-ball 40, sharing an unbroken 76-run stand with Richa Ghosh (36 off 28) to take RCB across the finish line in 15 overs. With the win, RCB finished their league engagements at third position with eight points, while MI (10) stayed at the second spot behind Delhi Capitals (10) in the table.

Needing a win to seal their top-three position, Perry got the ball to nip back from the crease consistently to clean up four batters and trap two in front of the wicket to drain the life out of defending champions, leaving them tottering at 82 for 7 in 13 overs. Sent in to bat, Hayley Matthews (26) and Sajeevan Sajana (30), who was promoted up the order, provided a blistering start to MI, adding 43 off 35 balls.

Matthew was the aggressor at the start, using her slog shots to blast two fours and two sixes. While Renuka Singh was on the line for Matthews in the third over, Sajana picked Sophie Molineux in the fifth over for special treatment. However, Sophie Devine ended the powerplay dismissing Matthews, who holed out to Perry as MI were 43 for one in six overs.

Sajana then took over the reins and smashed Devine for a four and a six before Perry brought RCB back into the game. Perry bowled outside off length deliveries and both Sajana and Harmanpreet Kaur fell for the trap as the ball rattled their stumps to leave MI at 65 for 3 in 9 overs. Sajana hit five boundaries and a six in her 21-ball knock.

Perry continued to wreak havoc with the ball as she returned to trap Amelia Kerr (2) in front before cleaning up Amanjot Kaur (4) in the 11th over. Completing her bowling quota of four overs on the trot, the Australian then flattened the off stumps of Pooja Vastrakar (6) first and then deceived Nat Sciver-Brunt (10) with another inward seam delivery in her final over to grab a record six-wicket haul.

It was a sensational show from Perry, who took the six wickets off her last 15 balls. Asha Sobhana (1/12), Molineux (1/26) and Shreyanka Patil (1/3) were also among the wickets. Priyanka Bala, who replaced Yastika Bhatia in the XI, tried her bit smashing two sixes in her 18-ball 19 before MI folded up for a small total in 19 overs. It was only the second time that MI have been bowled out in WPL.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 113 (Sajeevan Sajana 30; Ellyse Perry 6/15) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 115/3 (Ellyse Perry 40 no, Richa Ghosh 36 no).

 

Sports

Shilpa wins gold in Telangana State Classic Power Lifting Championship

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Shilpa lifted a total of 205kg – squat 70kg, bench press 40kg and dead lift 95kg to finish ahead of A Indu of Hyderabad, who lifted a total of 175 kg

Published Date – 12 March 2024, 11:00 PM


Shilpa wins gold in Telangana State Classic Power Lifting Championship

D Shilpa

Hyderabad: D Shilpa of Medchal showcased exceptional strength and skill by securing gold medal in the Women’s 84 kg category in the 10th Telangana State Classic Power Lifting Championship for Sub-Junior, Junior (Boys & Girls) (Men & Women) Senior Masters held at GHMC Hall, Chandanagar, Hyderabad on Monday.

Shilpa lifted a total of 205kg – squat 70kg, bench press 40kg and dead lift 95kg to finish ahead of A Indu of Hyderabad, who lifted a total of 175 kg.

Results: Women 52 Kgs: 1. Smruti (Hyd) Squat 82.5kg, Bench Press 47.5kg, Dead Lift 112.5kg, Total:242.5kg; 2. Vaishnavi (RR) Squat: 80kg, Bench Press 40kg, Dead Lift 90kg, Total:210; Women 57 Kgs: 1. Sonia (Hyd) Squat:90kg, Bench Press:45kg, Dead Lift:95kg, Total:250kg; 2. SS Prasanna Devi (Sanga Reddy) Squat:35kg, Bench Press:20kg, Dead Lift:67.5kg, Total:122.5kg; 66 Kgs: 1. Tarshiya Tarannum (Hyd) Squat:90kg, Bench Press: 37.5kg, Dead Lift: 110kg, Total:237.5kg; 2. V Anupama Roy (Hyd) Squat:60kg, Bench Press: 35kg, Dead Lift:70kg, Total:165kg; 69 Kgs: 1. N Sowmya (Hyd) Squat:92.5kg, Bench Press:50kg, Dead Lift:120kg, Total:262.5kg; 2. Parvathi Sri Ram (Hyd) Squat:80kg, Bench Press: 47.5kg, Dead Lift:115kg, Total:242.5kg; 76 Kgs: 1. SFT Sulthana (Hyd) Squat:90kg, Bench Press:35kg, Dead Lift:92.5kg, Total:217.5kg; 84 Kgs: 1. Deepti Bhattacharjee (Hyd) Squat:80kg, Bench Press:45kg, Dead Lift:135kg, Total:260kg; 2. K Bharatee Devi (Sanga Reddy) Squat:50kg, Bench Press:42.5kg, Dead Lift:80kg, Total:172.5; 84 Kgs: 1. D Shilpa (Medchal) Squat:70kg, Bench Press:40kg, Dead Lift:95kg, Total:205kg; 2. A Indu (Hyd) Squat:60kg, Bench Press:35kg, Dead Lift:80kg, Total:175kg.

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Sunder helps Ashoka to 7-wicket win over Hyatt Place in HRATS T20 Cricket Tournament

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Sunder’s brilliant bowling effort led to Hyatt Place bundle out for 112 in 18.4 overs. In reply, BW Ashoka reached home in 14.4 overs, Md Shahid top-scored with 30 runs

Published Date – 12 March 2024, 11:15 PM


Sunder helps Ashoka to 7-wicket win over Hyatt Place in HRATS T20 Cricket Tournament

Sunder’s brilliant bowling effort led to Hyatt Place bundle out for 112 in 18.4 overs. In reply, BW Ashoka reached home in 14.4 overs, Md Shahid top-scored with 30 runs

Hyderabad: Shyam Sunder Reddy shines with 4/16 to help BW Ashoka to a 7-wicket win over Hyatt Place in the Hotel & Restaurants Association of Telangana State (HRATS) T20 Cricket Tournament in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Sunder’s brilliant bowling effort led to Hyatt Place bundle out for 112 in 18.4 overs. In reply, BW Ashoka reached home in 14.4 overs, Md Shahid top-scored with 30 runs.

Brief Scores: Hyatt Place 112 in 18.4 overs (Mousam 21; Shyam Sunder Reddy 4/16, B Debbarma 2/12) lost to BW Ashoka 113/3 in 14.4 overs (Md Shahid Ali 30; Mousam 2/23); Novotel HICC 165/8 in 20 overs (Pappu Das 48, Rajesh 30 no; Rajasekhar 2/27, C Rohan 2/33) bt The Park 82 in 13.2 overs (Joy 23; C Rohan 18; Pradeep Rana 4/15).