Prannoy, Sourabh in 2nd round
Fullerton: Rising India shuttler Lakshya Sen stunned senior compatriot Parupalli Kashyap to enter the second round, while HS Prannoy and Sourabh Verma also advanced in the men’s singles competition of the US Open here. Apart from Kashyap, it was curtains for some of the other Indians in fray as well — Ajay Jayaram, Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli and Aruna Prabhudesai. Lakshya posted a 21-11 21-18 win over Kashyap in a match that lasted just 31 minutes and will next take on another Indian in Sourabh, who prevailed over England’s Toby Penty 21-23 21-15 22-20 in an hour and four-minute contest. In another first round match, Prannoy came back from a game down to register a 21-23 24-22 21-18 victory over Yu Igarashi of Japan. He will meet Heo Kwang Hee of Korea in the second round. (PTI)
Former Bengal leggie dies at 77
Kolkata: Former Bengal and Railways leg-spinner Soumendranath Kundu died here on Thursday at the age of 77.”This is a great loss for Bengal cricket. He was a leg spinner in the classic mould. His legbreaks and googly made him unplayable at times. I offer my deepest condolences to his near and dear ones,” Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint-secretary Avishek Dalmiya said. He took 127 wickets including 13 five-wicket hauls with a career-best 8/104 during his 30 first class matches between 1958-59 and 1968-69. He also took 10 wickets in a match three times. He was conferred the Lifetime Achievement award in 2013-14 when late Jagmohan Dalmiya was the CAB president. (PTI)
India eves disappoint in shooting
Lonato del Garda: The likes of Saniya Sheikh Khan and Areeba Khan produced below-par scores as Indian shooters drew a blank in the women’s skeet event of the ISSF Shotgun World Championship here. Saniya was the best-placed Indian with a score of 112 to finish in the 30th position. Other Indians in fray, Areeba and Kartikki Singh Shaktawat finished far behind in the 47th and 50th spots respectively with scores of 109 and 108. Reigning Olympic champion Diana Bacosi of Italy won the women’s skeet competition. Hosts Italy topped the medal standings with 15 medals including six golds. USA came in second position with five gold and 15 medals even as India could not make it to the medals tally. (PTI)
Konsa joins Aston Villa
Birmingham: Ezri Konsa has signed a contract with Aston Villa from Brentford on Thursday.Konsa, who is 21-year-old, was a part of the England squad at the recent European U21 Championship in Italy. Moreover, he was member of the England squad that won the U20 World Cup in 2017.Head Coach Dean Smith said that Konsa fits the profile of a player that they have been looking for.”Ezri fits the profile of the type of player we were searching for.” Smith added. (ANI)