Sports

D.T. Chandrasekar bowled himself into the record books when he scalped a perfect ten for Sea Hawks against Globe Trotters on day two of their TNCA first division league clash on Tuesday.

The left-arm spinner’s ten for 37 in a single unbroken spell of 15 overs ensured Trotters were bundled for just 91 in the second innings and helped his side clinch a thumping 10-wicket win.

Previously, former India off-spinner M. Venkataramana took 10 for 96 for Indian Bank against Southern Railways in the 1991-92 first division season.

“I am very happy. It is rare to take 10 wickets in any level of cricket, so it feels special. When I got six or seven wickets, I realised I had a chance to get all ten,” said Chandrasekar.

Hailing from a humble background and having even worked as a marker, Chandrasekar made his First-Class debut in the 2015-16 season, taking 18 wickets in five games.

However, in a State blessed with rich spin talent, he did not get a chance after that. The 32-year-old, though, hasn’t let that give up his love for the sport.

“In the last few years, I have improved my skills. I worked with R. Ramkumar when I was with Jolly Rovers, and focused on things like overspin and how to use the crease and angles. I am also grateful to the management at Freyer International and Tamil Kumaran, who have helped me.

“Though I haven’t been able to make a comeback, I have not lost hope and will continue to do my job, which is to pick wickets,” says Chandrasekar.

Mahler, Victoria Hugo, All Attractive and Shubankar excelled when the horses were exercised here on Tuesday morning (July 29).

Outer sand:

600m: Friya (Jagadeesh) 45. Easy.

1000m: All Attractive (Suhas) 1-14, 600/40.5. Moved fluently. Shubankar (Laxman S) 1-10, 600/41.5. Pleased. Edmonton (Antony) 1-16.5, 600/42.5. In fine trim. Aatherv (Sai Kiran) 1-15, 600/43. Note. Thessalian (Antony) 1-15, 600/42.5. Moved impressively.

1200m: Ice Of Fire (Sai Kiran) 1-29.5, 1,000/1-14.5, 600/42.5. In fine nick.

2400m: Victor Hugo (Rozario), Cigar Galaxy (Arvind) 1-43.5, 1,200/1-28.5, 1,10001-13.5, 600/43. They moved attractively. Mahler (Indrajeet) 1-38, 1,200/1-24, 1,000/1-10, 600/41. A fine display. Your Unforgettable (J. Chinoy) 1-45, 1,200/1-28, 1,000/1-13, 600/43. Moved on the bit.

The $4 million DP World India championship will be the biggest golf event in the country and Raj Khosla, president, Delhi Golf Club (DGC), assured it would be “the best”.

Khosla was delighted that multiple Major champion Rory McIlroy and company would compete in the heart of Delhi amidst the historic setting of heritage, when the event is staged from October 16 to 19.

“It is not just the club, but it is the country’s pride at stake. Already, experts have made several visits from Europe to ensure that every aspect is addressed, particularly the preparation of the grass. They want it to be at its pristine best during the event and are advising us on everything leading up to the event. It is technology and knowledge transfer for us,” said Khosla as he took time to discuss golf from his hectic schedule as the founder and Managing Director of MyMoneyMantra..

Stressing that logistics were being worked out, as to whether to have tickets, or allow free entry for all, and decide how many fans can be at the venue at a time, ensuring safety and security for all, Khosla said Indian golf would benefit in a big way from the event.

Assuring that golf in the country had evolved nicely over the years, Khosla said that the club was doing its bit in every way, supporting junior players, grooming talent and helping the under-privileged to play the game.

He was particularly appreciative of the splendid work done by Arjuna awardee Amit Luthra, through his Foundation, in guiding youngsters from the rural areas to play golf.

“You don’t have to be a member of the club to play golf. You just pay the green fee, and you can play,” said Khosla, even as he pointed out that the club had supported the young Shubham Jaglan’s golf to the extent of helping him get his education in USA.

“We support women’s golf, we give mini kits to the kids. You keep doing all the right things to nurture the ecosystem, and you will have a champion emerge,” he said.

Indian golf may not have many exciting talent, and Khosla stressed that the golfing community just needs to stay focused on the process and the results would emerge.

“We are a step or two behind the world, in terms of using technology for training. There is so much of analysis available for improvement and correction of the flow of the swing. We will get there soon,” he said.

Appreciating the government for the whole hearted support for sports, the DGC president insisted that the big event in October would inspire the Indian golf community to get to the next level in every way.

Back to full-strength training after the disappointing Pro League tour of Europe, the Indian men’s hockey team is putting in the hard yards to ensure better results in the upcoming Australia tour, with one eye on the Asia Cup back home later next month.

The players have been training here for the last fortnight and, although the squad for Australia has been decided, the trials for the Asia Cup are scheduled for Friday as coach Craig Fulton zeroes in on his final 18 for the World Cup qualifying event in Rajgir.

“It’s going good, and it’s nice to have the India A group back as well and good competition, we are excited about the Asia Cup, that’s the main priority for the year. We specifically chose Australia to tour for that reason (tougher opponents than the teams in Asia Cup) because we want to make sure we have covered all bases. To play a top team like Australia, from a physical and a tactical point of view, it will highlight quite quickly if we are on track or not.

“It’s not always easy, we had a tough time when we went there the last time but 3-4 months later, we beat Australia for the first time (in the Olympics). That’s the ideal scenario, to play someone better than you and then close the gap between where you started and where you finished,” Fulton said after training on Tuesday.

The India A side also had mixed results on its Europe tour recently, but Fulton insisted it was part of a long-term process. “With the India A, it’s all development, they are not there to win games against Holland and Belgium and England.

“At the same time, we are looking at developing the next group of talented athletes. But they need good games, and they need to be tested, and I think we really got a good balance of seeing that. 

“We just want to create more depth because what happens now with the Under-21s? They finish the World Cup, they can’t come straight into the senior group, where do they go? This squad is for that, and then it’s always really competitive so that whatever comes in is better than what’s currently going out and that’s how we are trying to manage that programme,” he said. 

As for the Asia Cup, he isn’t thinking about the line-up just yet. “I assume it’s going to be Pakistan because if it’s anyone lesser, I can’t do anything about it. I’m preparing for Pakistan and that’s how we’re approaching it. The worst thing to do is not prepare and if they arrive, then use the excuse, ‘Oh we didn’t think they were coming’. “

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) involved in a heated exchange of words with the Oval’s chief curator Lee Fortis and was heard telling him “you don’t tell us what we need to do” while pointing fingers at the ground staff.

The Oval will host the fifth and final Test between India and England from Thursday (July 31, 2025), and the Indian team has hit the ground running two days after staging a remarkable comeback to draw the fourth match in Manchester.

During the training session, videos that have now gone viral on social media clearly showed an upset Gambhir getting into a verbal altercation with the curator, prompting India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak to intervene and douse the situation.

The tiff started when Fortis told Gambhir: “I will have to report this” and to that the Indian head coach replied rather tersely: “You go and report whatever you want to report.” Kotak stepped in at this point, took the Englishman to a different corner and said: “We won’t damage anything.” Other Indian support staff such as bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate were seen listening keenly to the argument.

While it was not clear why the two got into an argument, Gambhir and Fortis appeared to be arguing over the conditions of the pitches for practice.

However, Gambhir turned back again to tell Fortis that he should not be telling his side “what to do.” “You can’t tell us what to do. You are just one of the groundsmen, nothing beyond,” Gambhir was seen telling in the video.

Fortis and Gambhir then went their separate ways, with the India coach returning to oversee the net session.

Later while walking from the field to his room, Fortis said: “It’s a big game, and he (Gambhir) is a bit touchy.” Meanwhile Sai Sudharsan, who registered a half-century and a duck in the Manchester Test, was the first one to arrive at the venue for practice, where left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also seen putting in some hard yards.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh too was seen bowling under the watchful eyes of Morkel.

Maharashtra government will felicitate the teenage sensation Divya Deshmukh for becoming the FIDE Women’s World Cup winner defeating Humpy Koneru in tiebreak.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulating Divya Deshmukh, the International Master from Nagpur, said, “The 19-year-old newly crowned Grandmaster will be honoured by government. It is a great joy that Nagpur and Maharashtra girl Divya Deshmukh won the Women’s World Cup.”

He also spoke to Ms. Deshmukh on a video call, congratulating her for the phenomenal victory at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup. Taking to X, he said, “At just 19, she has etched her name in history as India’s 88th Grandmaster and the first Indian woman to win this prestigious title. From the vibrant lanes of Nagpur to the global chess arena, her journey is a testament to talent, determination, and relentless hard work. You’ve made Maharashtra and India immensely proud!”

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated her for massive victory. Mr. Modi called her victory a “phenomenal day for Indian Chess”, while Mr. Gandhi said, “She achieved an extraordinary feat.” Referring to Divya Deshmukh and her rival Humpy Koneru, he said, “Two Indian women. One world stage. A nation beaming with pride.”

Several actors, business, and sports star, including former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also wished her to win big at such an age.

“An all-Indian final. A historic win. Congrats Divya Deshmukh, India’s first Women’s World Cup Champion and newest Grandmaster. Full credit to Koneru Humpy for a thrilling contest yesterday,” Tendulkar posted on X, while actor Jackie Shroff congratulated her, saying, the champion and Grandmaster at just 19 is making India proud.

Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra praised her mother and said, “Behind the Grandmaster is the caring mother…As always, the unsung hero behind many stars.”

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Monday (July 28, 2025) hosted and splashed gifts on the triumphant national women’s football team, who overcame poor preparations and missing payments to win their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Super Falcons’ comeback 3-2 victory over host Morocco in Saturday’s thrilling final was applauded by Tinubu and many in Nigeria, a football-loving nation where passion and hard work often triumphs over institutional challenges.

The continental success, analysts say, papers over the mismanagement of the women’s team by the country’s authorities. The success of the country had come in spite of the country.

“They have been able to dominate even though the Nigerian football authorities do not put as much funding, care, attention, and planning into the way the women’s national team is run,” Solace Chukwu, a Lagos-based football analyst, told The Associated Press.

Underfunding, corruption

The team had been owed match bonuses for years, once resulting in a training boycott in 2022. Even as they triumphed on the way to the finals in Morocco, the backlog of payments was only approved by the president days before Saturday’s final. They also could not hold competitive friendly matches and their training kits were said to not have been available.

It is a common problem in Nigeria where sporting competitions are often dogged by issues of underfunding, corruption and mismanagement that have led to high-profile scandals resulting in athletes choosing to represent other countries in protest.

Women’s teams are affected the most, partly because of how women have always been viewed in the Nigerian society, according to Oluwashina Okeleji, a sport analyst with focus on Africa.

“The argument from the (Nigerian) federation is that the men bring more money than the women, but the truth is the women bring most prestige, honours and titles to Nigeria,” Okeleji said.

A spokesperson for the Nigeria Football Federation, the country’s governing football body, declined to respond to the allegations.

Dominance

The Nigerian women’s team has exercised a near-total dominance in African football, which is partly credited to a head-start in the women’s game. Nigeria created the first football league for women in 1978, years before their counterparts on the continent.

However, the gains have not catapulted the team to similar achievements on the global stage in what analysts say is a failure of the authorities to capitalize on this early advantage.

“The men’s team is huge generally within the administration of Nigerian football as the cash cow,” Chukwu said.

The gifts now promised by the president, including money and property, have not convinced the fans.

“This one-time payment and apartment does not make any sense. For what? What they need is investment in the facilities, the staff, and payment. The lack of investment in women’s football is one of the reasons why it is not as high quality as the men’s,” Funmi Obasa, a football fan in Abuja who follows the women’s team, told AP.

Australia completed a sweep of the Twenty20 international cricket series with a three-wicket victory over West Indies to finish its Caribbean tour with an 8-0 record.

Australia went into the last game on a 7-match winning streak following the 3-0 test series sweep and victories in the first four of the T20 internationals.

After winning the toss for the eighth straight time, Australia sent the home team in to bat and dismissed West Indies for 170 two balls short of the allotted 20 overs on Monday (July 28, 2025) night.

Shimron Hetmyer’s 52 from 31 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s 35 off 17 propped up the innings but the target wasn’t big enough to put genuine pressure on the Australian batters.

Ben Dharshuis took 3-41 and Nathan Ellis finished with 2-32, while spinner Adam Zampa returned 1-20 in his 100th T20 international after taking a wicket and having a chance dropped off his bowling in the penultimate over.

The Australians reached 173-7 with 18 balls to spare, with a 63-run fifth-wicket partnership between Mitchell Owen (37 off 17 deliveries) and Cameron Green (32 off 18) stabilizing the innings.

Aaron Hardie finished not out on 28.

West Indies had Australia in trouble in the opening powerplay with Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph taking two wickets apiece, but the runs kept flowing.

Holder dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, the first ball of the second over, when the Australian allrounder swung at a ball that shaped away and edged to short third-man where Jediah Blades juggled the catch but held the second grab.

Holder also removed Josh Inglis (10) at the end of the second over.

Joseph bowled Mitch Marsh (14) as Australia slipped to 29-3 after 2.2 overs and, after on onslaught of sixes, he had Tim David (30 from 12 balls) caught in the deep as Australia slipped to 60-4 in the fifth over.

From there, Owen and Green dominated with a succession of sixes, including one by Owen that landed on the roof on a pavilion.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein was finally introduced to the attack to change the pace, and had an immediate impact with his second delivery to dismiss Owen and break up the important partnership.

Hosein also dismissed Green and Ben Dwarshuis to return 3-17.