Dominant India U-18 men beat Australia 6-3 to level hockey series
Bhopal, May 18: A clinical Indian U-18 men’s hockey team bounced back to register a commanding 6-3 victory over their Australian counterparts in the third match of the series at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre here on Monday. With this win, the hosts have levelled the four-match series 1-1. India held the Aussies to a 2-2 draw in the series opener before losing the second match 1-3 on Sunday. India took early control of the match with a blistering first-half performance. Akash Deep (10th minute) opened the scoring in the first quarter, followed quickly by a strike from Shahrukh Ali (14th). The hosts intensified the pressure in the second quarter, with Ketan Kushwaha (25th) and Romit Pal (26th) finding the back of the net in quick succession to give India a comfortable cushion. Kushwaha (40th) continued his fine form to score his second of the match in the third quarter, before Ansh Bahutra (45th) capped off India’s scoring fest. Australia attempted a fightback with goals from Owen Taylor (23rd), Oscar Freeman (29th) and Jack Weller (32nd), but the Indian defence stood firm in the final quarter to deny the visitors any further breakthrough and secure a comprehensive win. The fourth and final match of the series will be played on Wednesday at the same venue. (PTI)
Tete to lead HI women’s team for Aus tour; Lalthantluangi in squad
New Delhi, May 19: Defender Lalthantluangi on Monday received her maiden senior team call-up for the upcoming tour of Australia, where seasoned mid-fielder Salima Tete will lead the Indian women’s hockey team. The tour, scheduled from May 26 to 30 in Perth, is a part of preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26, which will be held in Auckland from June 15-21. The Indian team heads into the tour on the back of a strong showing in Argentina earlier this year, where it displayed plenty of fight to secure two wins in the four-match series. Salima, a bronze medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, will have plenty of experience alongside her with the likes of Savita, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalremsiami and Navneet Kaur, as well as exciting young talent including Sonam, Hina Bano and Lalthantluangi. Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam will be the reliable options in the goalkeeping department. In defence, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi and Jyoti will feature alongside Shilpi Dabas, who has earned her maiden senior team call-up. (PTI)
Goa to host 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships from June 21
Goa, May 19: The prestigious fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championships will be held from June 21-27 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Goa, the Bridge Federation of India (BFI), the apex governing body for the game of contract bridge in the country, announced on Monday. Held once in four years, the Asia Cup ranks among the most distinguished continental Bridge Championships, conducted under the aegis of the Asia Bridge fraternity, with participation from leading nations across Asia and Oceania. This year, the championship is expected to welcome participants from over 20 countries, including India, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. (PTI)
Madison Keys withdraws from French Open warmup tournament
Strasbourg (France), May 19: Madison Keys has withdrawn from a French Open warmup tournament because of an injury to her left thigh, organizers said on Monday. The 19th-ranked American was scheduled to play at the Internationaux de Strasbourg this week, where she won the title in 2024. “I’ve decided it’s best to withdraw from Strasbourg to get healthy and ready to compete in Roland Garros,” Keys said. The French Open starts on May 24 in Paris. Keys made it to the semifinals at the clay-court Grand Slam in 2018. She retired from the final of the Clarins Trophy while leading Diane Parry 6-3, 3-3 on Sunday. (AP)
Bharat Singh Chauhan re-elected as Commonwealth Chess’ Chairman
New Delhi, May 19: Veteran Indian sports administrator Bharat Singh Chauhan has been re-elected unanimously as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for a four-year term. The elections were held during the Annual General Body Meeting of the Commonwealth Chess Association in Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka on Sunday. The 68-year-old Chauhan has previously served as the secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF). He is currently the Chairman of the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) Advisory Board and also the Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). (PTI)
