Varun Aaron retires from ‘representative cricket’
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: India pacer Varun Aaron, who was once regarded as the country’s fastest bowler before injuries hampered his promising career, announced retirement from “representative cricket” on Friday after his home state Jharkhand’s campaign ended in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.The 35-year-old Aaron made the announcement on social media after Jharkhand failed to go beyond the preliminary stage of the marquee domestic one-day event. After a dazzling start, Aaron struggled with erratic form, which was made worse by injury breakdowns, and he had not represented India since 2015.“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket,” Aaron posted on his Instagram account At just 21, Aaron burst onto the scene during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his raw pace and making a mark with a blistering 153kph delivery against Gujarat in the final.His ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150kph quickly caught the attention of the Indian cricketing fraternity and he soon made his international debut in an ODI against England in Mumbai in 2011.This was followed by a Test debut at the same venue against the West Indies, again in 2011.However, the relentless demands of bowling at high speed took a significant toll on his body. He played nine ODIs and as many Tests, taking 29 wickets across the two formats for India.Over the course of his career, he endured as many as eight back stress fractures and three foot fractures, which severely hampered his progress.Injuries had forced him to give up red-ball cricket last year. (PTI)
Bhambri-Olivetti team exits ASB Classic
AUCKLAND, Jan 10: India’s Yuki Bhambri and his French partner Albano Olivetti frittered away a solid start to make a semifinal exit from the ASB Classic in Auckland on Friday.The unseeded Indo-French combine had the momentum but the top seeded pair of Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus bounced back strongly to win 3-6 6-1 5-10 in the last-four pairs match of the ATP 250 event.Bhambri and Olivetti took 90 points each and spilt USD 10150 for their effort in the hard court tournament.Before teaming up with Olivetti, India No. 2 Bhambri gained valuable experience on the Tour partnering with Venus, entering the Australian Open well-prepared. (PTI)
ITF J300: Maaya to fight for girls’ singles title, Senthil exits
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Talented Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi lined herself up for her first singles title in more than a year with yet another upset win but top seed Senthil Kumar’s impressive run at the ITF J300 event ended with a semifinal defeat.Maaya has been in red-hot form which she utilised to knock out second seed Eleejah Inisan of France in a fiercely-fought girls’ singles semifinal at the DLTA Complex.Passing the test of nerves with flying colours, the 15-year-old Maaya eked out a 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 win to set up the title clash with Tupitsyna, who too had to fight hard against Polina Berezina.Tupitsyna emerged a 6-3 4-6 6-1 winner in the tight semifinal. Senhtil has been in a superb touch but his run was finally halted by Korean fourth seed Donghyun Hwang, who came out 6-4 6-1 winner.Once Senthil lost the opening set, the Korean raced away to the finish line with a double break.Hwang will clash with unseeded American of Indian origin Roshan Santhosh, who prevented an all-Korean boys’ singles final with his 6-4 6-0 win over Hyeon Seok Seo in the other semifinal.The boys’ doubles title was grabbed by the fourth-seeded pair of Artem Bogomlov and Roman Kharlamov, who bounced back in the final against equally formidable combination of Alan Aiukhanov and Alexey Shibaev, winning 5-7 7-6(6) 10-1.The girls’ doubles trophy went to the top seeds Konstantinova Yoana and Rada Zolotareva, who emerged winner against the Korean-Taipei team of Yesung Lin Choo and Yu-Chen with a 6-3 6-2 scoreline. (PTI)
National Boxing: Boxers Chahar, Govind advance
BAREILLY, Jan 10: Defending champion Lakshya Chahar (80kg) gave a dominant performance to beat Railways’ Sahil by a unanimous decision as boxers from traditional powerhouse Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) continued to dominate the senior men’s National Championship here.With this win, Chahar, who has represented India at the Asian Games, and the World and Asian Championship, advanced to the second round of the event on Thursday.Railways’ Govind Sahani (60kg), who began his campaign with a commanding win over Mohammad Aarif of Jammu & Kashmir on Wednesday, continued his impressive run beating Gourav Mazumder of Assam 5-0.This was the second consecutive win for Sahani, a silver-medallist from the 2023 Strandja Memorial International Boxing Tournament.It was also a productive day for Punjab’s boxers with Gopi securing a well-earned victory in the flyweight (50kg) category, while Jayshandeep Singh showcased his skills to triumph in the bantamweight (55kg) division.Adding to the team’s success, Nikhil claimed a decisive win in the lightweight (60kg) category, while Kanwarpreet Singh capped off the day with an impressive performance in the super heavyweight (+90kg) division. (PTI)
Aston Martin replaces Mike Krack as team principal
SILVERSTONE, (England) Jan 10: Aston Martin has replaced Mike Krack as team principal but is keeping him in a high-profile role at F1 races after a disappointing 2024 season.The team said Friday that Krack, who had been team principal since 2022, would move to a new role as Chief Trackside Officer focusing on “getting the most performance out of the car at the racetrack”.Chief executive Andy Cowell – who led Mercedes’ engine program during its run of titles in the 2010s – will now double up as team principal.Cowell joined the team last year and became chief executive in October. Krack’s trackside team will report to Cowell, and so will the staff at Aston Martin’s headquarters.Aston Martin said the change was made to ensure “clarity of leadership and as part of a shift to a flatter structure.” (PTI)