Henry, Smith, Santner ruled out of remainder of Test series against WI
Christchurch, Dec 8: Christchurch, Dec 8 (IANS) New Zealand have been hit hard by injuries, with Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Mitchell Santner ruled out of the remainder of the Test Series against the West Indies, the country’s cricket board announced on Monday. Pace duo Matt Henry (calf) and Nathan Smith (side) injured themselves during the opening Test of the series in Christchurch that finished as a draw, while key all-rounder Mitchell Santner hasn’t fully recovered from his groin problem. With first-choice keeper Tom Blundell also ruled out of the second Test after he sustained a hamstring injury on the opening day of the first Test, it leaves the Kiwis struggling for personnel ahead of the next match that begins at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday. Keeper-batter Mitch Hay is likely to stand in for Blundell and make his Test debut, while New Zealand could also be tempted to include star all-rounder Glenn Phillips as he returns from his own injury issues. (IANS)
Equestrian: Team India clinches gold in FEI Children’s Classic Silver
Mumbai, Dec 8: Team India recorded an impressive victory at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Children’s Classic – Silver Tour, securing the gold medal in the Team category, a competitive field of riders from Zone 9 countries. The Indian team comprised Stasya Pandya, Sresht Mantena, Harshvardhan Singh Gulia, and Prithiv Krishna, who delivered steady and well-executed rounds to finish at the top of the leaderboard. Riding her horse Cougar, Stasya Pandya of Amateur Riders’ Club (ARC) played an important role in the team’s success with consistent, controlled, and technically sound performance. Her global ranking is now 12th in the Overall Individual Classification (Silver Tour) at the FEI Jumping Children’s Classics 2025 Final. The FEI Children’s Classic is recognised internationally as a key development platform for young riders, offering exposure to global standards of show jumping. (IANS)
Bridge: Team Mohota, Hemant Jalan in Ruia Gold Cup final
Kolkata, Dec 8: Team Mohota produced the biggest upset of the Ashok Ruia Memorial Winter National Bridge Championship, knocking out defending champions Indian Railways 173-121 to storm into the final of the Gold Cup team event here on Monday. Mohota will face Team Hemant Jalan in the title clash after the latter created a mild flutter by overcoming former champions and strong contenders Formidables 119-95 in the other semifinal at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town. In the Phoenix Market City IMP pairs event, the duo of Swarnendu Banerjee and Raju Tolani emerged champions with 96.3 international match points (IMPs). Swapan Desai and Pijush Kanti Baroi finished runners-up with 85.5 IMPs, while Wrik Chakraborty and Prasanta Bera secured third place with 79.9 IMPs. Earlier, in the quarterfinals, Mohota beat Third Eye 134-86, Hemant Jalan defeated Monica Jajoo 166-95, Formidables outplayed Deepadhaar 194.25-86, and Indian Railways got past Shri Radhey 134-86. (PTI)
Indian Deaf Cricket Association unveils team jersey for T20s in UAE
New Delhi, Dec 8: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) on Monday unveiled the team jersey for the upcoming 3-match T20 series – between IDCA Deaf vs Dubai Deaf – to be played in Sharjah, UAE, from December 10 to 13. The unveiling ceremony was held in the presence of the Indian deaf cricket team participating in the prestigious series, IDCA support partners and IDCA board members. (PTI)
