India triumphs in PD Champions Trophy with win over England
COLOMBO, Jan 21: Aided by Yogendra Bhadoria’s quick-fire half-century and a four-wicket haul by Radhika Prasad, India thrashed England by 79 runs to lift the Physically Disabled Champions Trophy here on Tuesday.India posted a fighting 197/4 in 20 overs and then bowled England out for 118.The title clash saw some fine batting from Bhadoria, who dominated the England attack to score 73 runs off just 40 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes at a strike rate of 182.50.Prasad then led the charge with the ball, returning figures of 4/19 in 3.2 overs to demolish the opponents, while Vikrant Keni took 2/15 in his miserly three-over spell. Ravindra Sante kept up the pressure to grab two wickets for 24 runs in his four overs.“Leading this incredible team to victory in the PD Champions Trophy is the proudest moment of my career. Our journey through the playoffs shows the depth of talent and fighting spirit in this team,” said Keni.“Each player has contributed significantly to this achievement. This trophy belongs not just to us, but to every differently-abled person who has ever dreamed of playing cricket for India.” Head coach Rohit Jalani attributed the win to the players quickly getting used to the environment and the challenges the opponents threw at them.“The boys showed tremendous character throughout the tournament, adapting to different conditions and rising to every challenge. What makes this win special is not just the trophy, but the way our team played — with heart, determination, and a spirit that truly represents the best of Indian cricket,” said Jalani. (PTI)
Haas appoints Laura Mueller as F1’s first female race engineer
NORTH CAROLINA, (USA) Jan 21: Haas has appointed Laura Mueller as the first female race engineer in Formula 1.Mueller will be working with French driver Esteban Ocon this year, Haas said on Tuesday.Race engineer is a very visible role in F1 since they’re on the radio to drivers during races and those messages are broadcast.Haas was seventh in the constructor standings last year and has a new lineup with Ocon and Ollie Bearman.Mueller was promoted from her role as performance engineer. The German has been with Haas since 2022.“She’s a pretty determined character,” Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu was quoted as saying on the F1 website. “And then she’s very hard working. Her work ethic is really, really good.” (PTI)
Mandhana gains a spot to reach 2nd in women’s ICC rankings
DUBAI, Jan 21: India opener Smriti Mandhana inched closer to the top position, climbing to the second spot in the latest ICC women’s ODI batting rankings following a stellar series against Ireland.Mandhana, the only Indian in the top 10, had blasted 135 in the third ODI, besides scoring 41 and 73 in the opening and second game.The 28-year-old currently has 738 points to her name, while South Africa’s Wolvaardt (773 points) is at the top, followed by Sri Lanka’s Athapaththu (733) in the third place.Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored her maiden hundred against Ireland, jumped two place at the 17th spot, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who missed the series, is at the 15th spot. Deepti Sharma, with 344 points, is placed at the sixth spot in the allrounders’ list.In the bowling rankings, headed by Ecclestone, Deepti also improved a spot to fourth with 680 rating points. (PTI)