Suruchi, Niraj, Samrat Rana shine at national shooting selection trials
Dehradun, June 29: Suruchi Inder Singh pipped Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker to win the women’s 10m pistol event at the national selection trials for Group ‘A’ athletes while Navy marksman Niraj Kumar completed a double in the 50m rifle 3 positions men’s competition here Sunday. In a star-studded final, Suruchi finished with a score of 245.6, 1.1 better than Bhaker who shot 244.5 to finish in second place, while the seasoned Rahi Sarnobat ended third with a score of 223.1. In the first final of the day, Samrat Rana leaped to first place with a 10.5 in the final shot ahead of Saurabh, who could only manage a 9.6 in the men’s 10m air pistol event. Eventually, Samrat ended with a score of 241.7 while Saurabh took second place with a total of 241.5. Aditya Malra finished in third with 217.8. Niraj produced a clinical performance in the men’s 50m rifle 3P final to win back-to-back trials. The Navy man shot 463, two better than Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar who took home another medal. World Championship medallist Akhil Sheoran finished third with a score of 448.8 while Paris Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Suresh Kusale ended fourth with 438.4. The trials will conclude on Monday with the 10m pistol shooters returning for T4 qualification which will be followed by the finals. (PTI)
Elite Women’s Boxing: Nikhat, Ankushita advance to semifinals
Hyderabad, June 29: Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen opened her campaign with a clinical 4:1 win over Uttar Pradesh’s Rashi Sharma in the 48-51kg category on the opening day of the the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament here on Saturday. Haryana’s Anjali scored an upset win over World Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun in the 57-60 kg category at the Hyderabad’s Saroornagar Indoor Stadium. Other notable Day 1 results included a win for 2023 world champion Nitu (Haryana) in 45-48kg over Rajani Singh (UP) 5:0 while Telangana’s Yashi Sharma defeated K Monisha (Tamil Nadu) 5:0 in the 60-65kg category. Another standout performer from the TOPS setup, Laxmi, posted a dominant 5:0 win in the 51-54kg bout against Ragini (UP). The gold and silver medallists in each of the 10 weight categories will be selected for the elite national camp to be held in Patiala. (PTI)
Daren Sammy fined for criticising TV umpire during first Test
Bridgetown (Barbados), June 29: West Indies coach Daren Sammy has been fined 15% of his match fee after publicly criticizing TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the first Test against Australia in Barbados. The sanction followed Sammy’s post-play press conference on day two, where he called for consistency in Decision Review System (DRS) rulings after a series of contentious calls at Kensington Oval. Sammy expressed frustration that his side were on the “sharp end of the stick” for two caught behind decisions that had been referred to Holdstock which saw Australia batter Travis Head given not out, while West Indies wicketkeeper batter Shai Hop was adjudicated out. The West Indies coach also referenced two contrasting lbw referrals involving the host’s skipper Roston Chase and Australia’s Cameron Green. “When there’s doubt in something, just be consistent across the board,” he said. “From the images that we’re seeing, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams… I just want fairness.” The 41-year-old, in his first Test as West Indies’ Test team coach, pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC’s code of conduct for “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment” toward a match official. Fast bowler Jayden Seales was also fined 15% of his fee for his send-off to Australian skipper Pat Cummins on day one. (AP)
Aus confident of Smith’s return for 2nd Test after he rejoins squad
Bridgetown, June 29: Steven Smith is on course to be available for Australia’s second Test against the West Indies in Grenada, following the compound dislocation he sustained during the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. Smith spent the past week in New York, where he resumed batting using a tennis ball and an “incredi-ball” (a soft cricket training ball), before rejoining the squad in Barbados on Saturday evening after their three-day win in the opening Test. He still has to complete a few medical protocols, with Tuesday’s training session in Grenada set to be a decisive one. However, head coach Andrew McDonald is confident Smith will be fit to return at No. 4, a move that will likely see Josh Inglis make way in the playing XI. The Australian head coach also made it clear that Smith, if returns, will not change his batting spot from No. 4 despite low returns from Cameron Green at No. 3. (IANS)