Indian Premier League suspended for a week due to India-Pakistan’s ongoing clash
The Indian Premier League has been suspended for one week in the wake of the rising tensions along the border between India and Pakistan. After the dramatic events of Thursday, the scheduled match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings had to be suspended in the middle of the game. BCCI’s official statement read: “The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans, while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders.” Royal Challengers Bengaluru were scheduled to play Lucknow Super Giants in Bengaluru at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. However, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians occupy the top four spots before the remainder of the league was suspended. Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have officially been out of the race, while Kolkata Knight Riders, too, are practically out of play-off contention. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are still fighting for the fourth (last) spot. India’s former Test captain Rohit Sharma supported the decision and wrote on his social media page, ‘With every passing moment, with every decision taken I feel extremely proud of our Indian Army, Indian Airforce & Indian Navy. Our warriors are standing tall for our nation’s pride. It’s important for every Indian to be responsible and refrain from spreading or believing any fake news. Stay safe, everyone! Virat Kohli also welcomed the decision and wrote on his social media page, ‘We stand in solidarity with, and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times. We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation.’ Significantly, former England international Michael Vaughan has offered an alternative thought for the IPL organizer writing on his social media page, ‘I wonder if it’s possible to finish the IPL in the UK .. We have all the venues and the Indian players can then stay on for the Test series, just a thought?’
Deepika, Parth reach recurve individual semifinals in World Cup Stage-2
Deepika Kumari and Parth Salunkhe booked their spots in the semifinals of the individual recurve events at the Archery World Cup Stage-2 in Shanghai on Friday. Parth stunned former Olympic and World Champion Mete Gazoz of Turkiye in a shoot-off in the first round. The Indian also defeated Korea’s Kim Je Deok, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in team events, in the third round. His semifinal will be against reigning Olympic Champion Kim Woojin, another Korean, on Sunday. Olympian Deepika took down China’s Li Jiaman, silver medallist in the team event at the Paris Olympics, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. Like Parth, Deepika will also face reigning Olympic Champion – Lim Sihyeon of Korea – in Sunday’s final-four battle. In the compound mixed team event, India’s Abhishek Verma and Madhura Dhamangaonkar went down 156-158 to Great Britain in the semifinals. Abhishek and Madhura will play against Malaysia’s Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh and Mohd. Juwaidi Mazuki in Saturday’s bronze medal match. The Indian men’s and women’s compound teams will face Mexico in their respective finals.
Despite the uncertainty, Kerala Sports Ministry’s effort to organize the Messi-match
Sudeep Pakrashi: Due to failure to arrange the appearance fees for Argentina’s World Cup-winning team including the captain Lionel Messi, the chances of organizing the two scheduled friendly matches in Kerala are slim. Still, Kerala’s sports ministry is making an effort to accumulate the funds to organize the match. The matches were scheduled to be held in October this year. According to reports from local newspapers, the organizers have failed to raise the minimum Rs 100 crore required to arrange the matches. Rs 70 crore was reportedly needed just as the appearance fee for the Argentina team. HSBC India, which associated itself with Argentina football team to promote the sport in India and Singapore, had also announced that the team would visit to India in October this year. The statement gave more strength to the hopes that Messi will finally be coming to India. But the bank has now stopped commenting on the issue. But according to Kerala Sports Ministry, efforts are still on to find out new corporate houses who can come forward with the needed financial investment to organize the match as the Sports Ministry is keen about the match to be happened in the state for the promotion of the game. In that case, the matches can be rescheduled sometime in 2026, after the Fifa World Cup to be held in June-July. Meanwhile, the Kerala Super League this year, scheduled to kick off at the end of August, also looks uncertain as two teams seem unwilling to make the investment and build up their respective teams so far due to their financial difficulties. It is believed the franchises were disappointed following the organizer’s failure to fulfill the financial commitment to the participating franchises after the inaugural edition of the league. It is learned that among the two teams unwilling to continue so far, one is the Kannur Warriors. According to sources close to the organizers, the top brass of the other participating teams is also waiting for the final status of Anil Kumar in the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Kumar, the secretary of Kerala Football Association (KFA), was the key man behind the introduction of KSL last year, and the Supreme Court has imposed a stay-order on his appointment as the Secretary General of the AIFF.
Sujata Kujur’s gain from the Australia series: Advice from her idol Sushila Chanu and appreciation from Savita Punia
Sudeep Pakrashi: Sujata Kujur added a feather to Bengal’s hockey legacy, becoming the first female field hockey player from the state to have represented the senior Indian team. The 22-year-old midfielder made her debut in one match only against the Australia-A team in the five-test series held from 26 April to 4 May. Three tests were played against Australia’s senior women’s squad. Previously, the midfielder had represented the country in the Junior Asian Cup in Japan in 2023, in Four-Nation junior tournament and in Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile in 2023. Sujata is now at her home in Sundargarh, Odisha. She has been given only a four-day rest before joining the women’s national preparatory camp in Bangalore for the national team’s European Leg of FIH Pro-League this year, set to be held in June. But the midfielder who originally played as a defender did not sound much elated, speaking over the phone from her home. She also smilingly disclosed that some of her neighbours and local friends were even aware that Sujata Kujur, the first India international from her village, returned home! When asked about the gain from her maiden international competition, she stated, “I have always idolized Indian international Sushila Chanu, and I was fortunate to have her with me on the trip. She gave me crucial advice and motivated me also before the match.” Sujata continued, “Secondly, I should mention Savita Punia’s name. Initially, I was slightly nervous after being selected for the team. But during the training period, Savita inspired me a lot, telling me, ‘enjoy the match’. More importantly, after the match, she appreciated my performance. Appreciation from such an experienced and renowned player will work as motivation for me.” When asked about the lesson she got on the field, Sujata explained, “I need to improve my speed and sense of positioning.” Sujata’s hockey journey, however, wasn’t an easy one. Growing up in Sundargarh, she looked up to Deep Grace Ekka and began playing hockey at the age of 10. Despite financial constraints, her determination never wavered. “I started playing in my hometown’s academy when I was quite young. At first, I didn’t even have my hockey stick or shoes, so I would borrow from my teammates. There were times I had to play barefoot because my shoes were torn, but I never stopped playing,” she recalled. The youngest of three siblings, Sujata says that support from her family has always been unwavering. “My parents have always stood by me. Not once did they say that I shouldn’t play hockey. They always encouraged me to give my best and work hard,” she said. Sujata, who expressed thankfulness to her SAI coach Mohanty for having nurtured her for the last nine years, is now eyeing a berth in the senior Indian squad for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
