Siraj Reveals Bumrah’s Advice on Bowling Spree
Mohammed Siraj pressed for more stump attacks. After the first day of the Kolkata Test, Siraj revealed his bowling tactics. While speaking after the match, he admitted that Jasprit Bumrah encouraged him to rain attacks on the stumps as the situation was tougher for the batters. While talking after the match, Siraj stated, “Jassi bhai just told me that the wicket-taking option was if you bowl at the stumps – you’ve got LBW, bowled, and even catches coming into play when the line is accurate.” In the first test, Siraj snared two wickets and claimed a figure of 2/47 in his 12-over bowling row. After bowling out the Proteas for just 159, Team India’s howl bundled after 20 overs, acquiring 37/1. While talking about the batting spree, the bowler stated, “We are in a good position, having lost just one wicket. Earlier, Markram and Rickelton put on a good stand, but we did well to come back, and I think we’re ahead in the match at the moment.” While recapping the third session, South Africa continued their innings from 154/8. Bumrah claimed five wickets, and two among them were smoothly swept off after his gracious return from the tea. Jassi indeed showed remarkable form with his 5-wicket haul for just 27 runs. Bumrah became the first fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul on the opening day of a Test in India since Ishant Sharma achieved the feat in the 2019 day-night Test against Bangladesh at the same venue. While Kuldeep Yadav also showed great resilience, Siraj was slightly off; however, he too chipped in two wickets.
The First ever Para-Athlete Sheetal Devi creates history, selected in the able-bodied National Team
Sheetal Devi, the famous para-archer creates history. She became the first ever para-sports personality to have ensured a berth in an open archery championship, competing with normal athletes. “When I started competing, I had a small dream — to one day compete alongside the able-bodied. I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback. Today, that dream is one step closer,” Sheetal took to social media after the announcement. Devi after sealing the world compound championship now will feature in the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi — an athlete who also competes successfully in able-bodied events at the global stage. Proving her own versatility, the 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir competed alongside more than 60 able-bodied archers from across the country under the same conditions, finishing an impressive third overall at the demanding four-day national selection trials in Sonipat. Sheetal tallied a total of 703 points in the qualification rounds — scoring 352 in the first and 351 in the second — equalling top qualifier Tejal Salve’s aggregate. In the final standings, Tejal led with 15.75 points, followed by Vaidehi Jadhav with 15, while Sheetal claimed third place with 11.75 points, narrowly edging out Maharashtra’s Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by just 0.25 points. Training at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, Sheetal has already made history this year as the first female armless world champion in para archery. Teams Recurve: Men’s: Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Mayank Kumar (Haryana); Women: Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (Andhra Pradesh), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (Madhya Pradesh). Compound: Men: Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan); Women’s: Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (Jammu and Kashmir).
From 550 days’ Darkness to the Light of Blue Tigers: Akash sets Example of Grit and Courage
From an unwanted halt for 550 days to the chance to don an Indian jersey. Aakash Mishra’s story in football is no less than a Bollywood drama. While the Fatorda Stadium, Goa, holds a story of the winner of 2023-25, it is the same grass-scripted story of a terrific injury for Mishra. A ligament tear that kicked him out from football for over 550 days. However, like a natural revisit, Mishra’s return to competitive football was welcomed by the very same grassland and the very same stadium. While talking to the Sportstar, he stated, “I wouldn’t want any player to get such an injury because only I know what I went through and how difficult it was,” Akash tells Sportstar. Akash’s critical injury halted his club and international football journey for an entire season. The player was just a mere spectator who, donning India’s jersey, saw India finding an equaliser with Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers and mourned like a million others when India’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign was eliminated. “Mentally, it’s tough,” Akash stated. “When you look at other teams playing while you are sitting at home, doubts creep in—will I be able to play again? And even if I do, will I be the same?” Akash sustained the injury in May last year. Followed by his rehab at the Assam High Performance Centre in Kokrajhar. However, he returned with his spirit after almost 551 days, donning the Mumbai City jersey and sealing a 4-1 win over Sporting Club Delhi. Like the universe sending a message, it was in the same stadium; he left on crutches a little more than a year ago. Akash stated, “I am very thankful to the people I had, the medical team, of course, the club, my agent, and most of all my mom and dad and my younger sister. They supported me a lot to get back.” For the 2022–23 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year, acceptance became the turning point. He used it to reinvent his game, shifting his focus from raw pace to smarter positioning. “When you go out after playing at a level and get injured, then people’s expectations remain the same, and if, after injury, any part of your body is opened, it will not be the same,” Akash says. Akash’s journey has been nothing short of beautiful to witness. From a fearless, attack-minded full-back to a composed defensive force. The player has grown into someone you can trust to hold that left flank like a fortress. And then came that moment — Khalid Jamil, India’s men’s head coach, sitting in the stands in Goa, scouting for the Asian Cup qualifiers. He saw what we all saw. On November 5, Akash’s hard work paid off: a call back to the national camp. “My main focus is to build up slowly. We have played three games now, and Coach Khalid must have seen something to call me up. So, I will give my 100 per cent in the camp, and if he feels I deserve a chance, there’s nothing that tops it,” Akash says. “Playing for India has always been a dream since I started playing football. I have played for India before, and I am looking forward to doing that again after returning from my injury.” Needless to say, Akash proved himself to be a strong link against Kerala Blasters, holding the fort for his team. Now, the fans wait for his remarkable journey to become the fort for the Indian team.
A Man Allegedly Molests Australian Players; Raise Security Concerns
Women cricketers’ participation in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Indore turned into a horror. The two Australian cricketers were allegedly stalked, and one of them was molested by a man on a motorcycle near Khajrana Road on Thursday morning. This incident occurred when the players were walking down to a cafe near their hotel. A man on a bike stalked them and fled after inappropriately touching one of the players. The man, Akil Khan, was arrested. The players urgently reported to the team security officer, Danny Simmons, who got the local security liaison officers involved and coordinated a vehicle for assistance. Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra has visited the players and taken their statements to go on with their procedure. The MIG police have registered an FIR under Sections 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on charges of using criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty and stalking. Akil Khan, the suspect, was arrested the following day, with the assistance of a local who noted the motorcycle number. “Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him, and an investigation is on in the case,” said Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi. The investigation is further continued by the police, as the situation occurred during the ongoing Women’s Cricket World Cup tournament.
A Master’s Degree holder in psychology wins the challenge with ‘psychological strength’!
Pratika Rawal is a master’s Degree holder in psychology, and that reflected in her rock-solid innings of 122 against New Zealand along with Smriti Mandhana, guiding Indian women to ensure a berth in the semi-final of the ongoing women’s World Cup on Thursday. Amidst today’s fast-paced world, which hardly gives time and space to relax and often offers the grief of failure, psychologists quietly hold the power to resurrect mental well-being. For Pratika, however, she is her own therapist, her own guide—navigating the pressure cooker of international cricket with the calm precision of someone who understands the mind as well as the game. With over 75 per cent marks in her psychology degree, she has mastered theory—but it’s the practical application that shone brightest against the White Ferns. The start was not as seamless as her early career flares against the West Indies and Ireland. Momentum seemed elusive. Yet, as the game unfolded, Pratika showed composure and grit that have become her hallmark. She is not a product of the Women’s Premier League hype. Her journey has been forged on the hard grounds of domestic cricket with Delhi, tournaments that rarely command the attention or fanfare that the Ranji Trophy or Vijay Hazare Trophy do in the men’s game. Even when she played match-winning knocks, the recognition she deserved was often elusive. Like many greats, Pratika didn’t burst onto the scene as a teenage prodigy. It’s only in her mid-20s that she truly began to rise, quietly but steadily. Anjum Chopra, the first Indian woman to score a century in ODIs, praised her for her unwavering focus, her ability to stick to her game, and her determination to navigate challenging conditions with poise. In Pratika, perseverance isn’t just a trait—it’s a way of life. While speaking to Star Sports, Chopra explained, “For me, Pratika Rawal’s evolution is remarkable. Coming from domestic cricket without WPL experience, she stepped into the international team and made an immediate impact against Ireland and West Indies.” She continued, “Even when conditions were challenging in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, she hung in there. She continued that form in the first two World Cup matches as well. The effort she’s put in under pressure and expectation is, to me, more significant than just reaching 1000 runs in 23 innings. Yes, that milestone is important, but the effort, especially playing her first World Cup, is top-notch,” Chopra added. Pratika Rawal’s childhood coach, Shravan Kumar, who has also coached Ishant Sharma and Harshit Rana, praised the youngster for her performance as well. Speaking to IANS, Kumar commended Rawal’s consistent outings with the bat, saying, “She has been playing consistently. Many had been critical of her for her scoring rate, saying her strike rate was low, even the coach. But more than strike rate, the consistency with which she has scored matters more. And her strike rate isn’t even that low.”
Oscar Admits The Mistake of Changing Goal Keeper
Pratyusha Jana: East Bengal’s defeat in the IFA Shield has to be the dramatic part. However, the shocking part for the fans was East Bengal changing their goalkeeper at the tiebreaker. Gill saved the match after their 1-1 equaliser. However, at the tiebreaker, Debjit Majumder was seen to take the stage. While there are many factors to be considered, the change of goalkeeper has indeed affected the match and tie-breaker, forcing EBFC on the road to defeat. While talking about this change, coach Oscar Bruzon has admitted the mistake; he ruefully stated, “While planning, we usually take many options into consideration. I listen to my coaches and other strategists as well, but yes, it was a fault. It was my fault for changing the goalkeeper at the essential time.” In the tiebreaker only Jay Gupta was seen missing the net. Gupta, while giving an impressive performance throughout the tournament, is indeed a new player. Trusting him with the responsibility of tiebreaker was also questionable. In the press conference Oscar admitted and stated, “Well, yes, he is a new player. But we have to encourage them because they are good players. I wanted to encourage him.” He further stated that “Yes, we played well today. We are continuously improving, and Mohun Bagan has the advantage of knowing their players, while we have relatively more new faces, but we are looking forward to the Super Cup.” Oscar looks forward to beat Mohun Bagan in the Super Cup. The winning side’s coach, José Molina, seemed rather upbeat. He stated, “We are the champions; let it seep in first.” While talking about the Super Cup, he stated, “Yeah, we will face East Bengal again.
East Bengal Reach Final With Convincing Victory Over Namdhari
Pratyusha Jana East Bengal sealed their position in the IFA Shield Finals! They thrashed Namdhari Sports Academy with a 2-0, while it might have been a wider margin. While East Bengal went all attack from the opening minute of the match. However, Namdhari has played quite an attacking role. After today’s match many of the East Bengal players seemed to get injured. Talking about Oscar Bruzon, he stated, “Namdhari has played a rough game; they have tried to intimidate us, but I told my players about the emotional control.” He added, “They have control over the match, and they have played very well.” For the red and gold brigade, Mohammed Bassim Ahmed Rashid and Vishnu PV found the back of the net. Rashid opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a brilliant right-footed strike, followed by Vishnu’s precise low shot in the 42nd minute, giving East Bengal a comfortable 2-0 lead by halftime. In the press conference, while talking about the game, Harpreet Singh, the Namdhari Sports Academy’s coach, stated, “We tried our best; a few players are injured now. It was a tough match today.” It is widely anticipated that the IFA Shield final will be a classic Derby clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal FC. Speaking on the upcoming encounter, Singh remarked, “Both teams are strong and have excellent players, but I feel Mohun Bagan may have an advantage. East Bengal have made several changes to their squad, so it will take time for the players to gel, whereas Mohun Bagan’s team remains more settled.” Coach Óscar Bruzón appeared dissatisfied with the IFA’s management, expressing his concerns after the match. He stated, “We are one of the top teams in India and have participated in the IFA Shield numerous times. Yet, our first match was scheduled at Kalyani Stadium, where the field conditions were far from ideal.” “The pitch was uneven, there was no proper irrigation system, and it posed a real risk for the players. We feel mistreated and cannot understand why our opening match had to be held there.” In the second half, East Bengal tried to extend their advantage, but no further goals were scored. The IFA Shield final is scheduled for Saturday, as the club aims for its 30th title. With this win, East Bengal has now reached the final for the 41st time in the tournament’s storied history. It is evident that the IFA Shield final is shaping up to be a thrilling Derby clash. Speaking about the speculation regarding Namdhari’s comments in favour of Mohun Bagan, Coach Óscar Bruzón responded firmly: “How can anyone decide the outcome beforehand? Namdhari lost to us, and Mohun Bagan is yet to qualify for the final. How can anyone predict what will happen?!” He added, “I have full faith in our players, and I am confident they can face any challenge that comes their way.”
Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaks Unmukt Chand’s record with most sixes in Youth ODI
India’s teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi set another record for the maximum sixes in Youth ODI cricket during India’s second Under-19 One Day International match against Australia Under-19 at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday. The 14-year-old surpassed compatriot Unmukt Chand’s previous record by hitting his 39th Youth ODI six. Chand had struck 38 maximums across 21 matches, while it took Suryavanshi only 10 innings to reach the milestone. The attacking left-hander smashed six sixes during his 70-run knock against Australia before falling to Australian skipper Yash Deshmukh, courtesy of a remarkable catch by Aryan Sharma. Suryavanshi who has already set multiple records, now scored 540 runs in Youth ODIs. 26% of the run came out of boundaries. He currently has 41 sixes to his name. Among Indians, after Suryavanshi and Chand, Yashasvi Jaiswal has the most maximums in Youth One-Day cricket. Jaiswal, now an established name in the Indian set-up, struck 30 sixes in the 27 matches he played between 2018 and 2020.
PCB under Fire Over ‘Cheap Quality’ Kit-Row!
The Pakistan Cricket Board is getting slammed after an indelible performance. Well, the player’s performances have gotten some attention; however, now the PCB is under the radar due to the cheap quality kit they provide their players with in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The former cricketer and current coach Atiq-uz-Zaman chose social media to condemn the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The players were seen wearing jerseys drenched in sweat, dripping and sticking onto their bodies, on their ongoing march against UAE, 17th September. He went on to their “X” handle after Pakistan’s win. He stated, “Pakistan players are sweating through low-quality kits while others wear proper dry-fits. This is what happens when tenders go to friends, not professionals. Corruption dripping more than the sweat,” in his tweet. After his tweet, many others voiced their consent on this matter. While diving into it, it was found that, in the PCB website, there was no mention of a kit sponsor for their national team. Other than that, the sponsors like Pepsi, TCL and Parkview City have found their space on the website. Pakistan has been leading the headlines through the off-field controversies. After the India game, the controversies started with the handshake row, to which PCB responded with a removal request of Andy Pycroft as a match referee for the UAE game. When the demand was not met, the Pakistan team was asked to remain at the hotel, delaying the game by an hour. After Pycroft apologised for the miscommunication, the PCB permitted the players to head to the stadium and face the UAE. Thursday’s win gave Pakistan a green light for the Super 4 stage, which means they will face India again.
A ‘new kid on the block’ in Indian tennis, named Dhakshineswar Suresh
Dakshineswar Suresh is the ‘new kid on the block’ in Indian tennis. The 25-year-old Madurai-born tennis player has been chosen as the singles player, along with Sumit Nagal, in India’s forthcoming Davis Cup tie against the formidable hosts Switzerland for the World Group I indoor tie, beginning on Friday. The six-foot-five-inch tennis player had drawn the attention of India’s tennis fraternity after drubbing Alejandro Tabilo, who was the world’s former 19th-ranked player, and achieved a special victory against legendary Novak Djokovic last year. India’s captain in the Davis Cup Rohit Rajpal when asked about his decision to field Suresh in a crucial Davis Cup match against Switzerland, revealed that he had convinced the coaches of Suresh in USA and they allowed Suresh to fly for Switzerland from the USA directly. Commenting on the reason behind selecting Suresh in the team, Rajpal said, “Dhakshineshwar has a powerful serve and it is going to be an asset in indoor court ties. There were visa issues so I had requested Dhakshineshwar’s coaches in US College to prepare him on indoor courts.” Rajpal also added that he was already impressed by Dakshineswar’s recent performance in a few international matches. “He defeated quite a few quality players recently on the tour,” stated Rajpal.
