Azlan Shah Cup: India-Belgium match rescheduled for today
Ipoh (Malaysia), Nov 24: The Indian hockey team’s second round robin match against Belgium in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament was rescheduled to Tuesday due to inclement weather here. The match between India and Belgium started on time but after just three minutes heavy showers forced the on-field umpires to stop the contest. Thereafter, the match was rescheduled to start at 8:45 PM IST but the weather didn’t improve, forcing the organisers to reschedule the contest. “This is to inform you that the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s match against Belgium in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 has been postponed. The match is now scheduled to resume tomorrow (25th November) at 10:00 MYT (7:30 AM IST),” a statement from the organisers read. India, competing in the prestigious tournament after a gap of six years, had defeated Korea 1-0 in their opening match on Sunday. (PTI)
Williamson returns for Black Cap’s 3-Test series against West Indies
Wellington, Nov 24: Kane Williamson has been included in New Zealand’s 14-man squad for a three-test series against the West Indies next month after missing the Black Caps’ last Test series in Zimbabwe and most of their white-ball matches so far this season. Williamson has a limited contract with New Zealand Cricket which allows him to play in overseas leagues while still playing for New Zealand when he is available. Williamson played in the first two of New Zealand’s three one-day internationals against England last month before sustaining a minor groin injury. Pace bowlers Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner also are selected in the squad. Foulkes took nine wickets on test debut against Zimbabwe in August. Tickner last played a test for New Zealand in 2023. Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are unavailable with injuries and Kyle Jamieson is being rested as he continues his comeback from a back injury. Daryl Mitchell also returns to the squad after overcoming a groin injury sustained during New Zealand’s recent ODI series against the West Indies. Glenn Phillips is still recovering from an injury. (AP)
Pranjali wins 25m pistol gold in Deaflympics
Tokyo, Nov 24: Indian shooter Pranjali Prashant Dhumal dominated from start to end to win gold in the women’s 25m pistol event, her third medal in the Deaflympics here on Monday. She had earlier won gold in the mixed pistol event with Abhinav Deshwal, and a silver in the women’s air pistol. Mosina Halyna of Ukraine won the silver and Jeon Jiwon of Korea took the bronze. Anuya Prasad, who had won gold in women’s air pistol event, finished at fourth place. Pranjali had qualified for the finals with a new qualification world record and Deaflympic record score of 573 out of 600. Pranjali finished with a score of 34 in the final, two more than Mosina who won the silver. Jeon won the bronze medal with a score of 30, after having overcome India’s Anuya Prasad in a shootout. (PTI)
Medvedev, Bopanna in same team for WTL’s India debut
Bengaluru, Nov 24: Russian star Daniil Medvedev and Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna will play in the same squad, while Sumit Nagal is part of a side that features former world number 6 Gael Monfils for the World Tennis League to be held here from December 17 to 20. Nick Kyrgios, and Canadian star Denis Shapovalov are the other big draws that will headline the franchise-based event comprising four teams. The 2025 edition will feature 16 international and Indian players across four teams at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, marking the league’s first staging outside the UAE. Fresh from his Almaty Open title last month, world number 13 Medvedev will turn out for defending champions Game Changers Falcons, teaming up with doubles great Rohan Bopanna. Shapovalov leads debutants VB Realty Hawks, who also feature India’s Yuki Bhambri. (PTI)
