Saturday, September 7

Author: Kajoli Anand Puri

Kajoli Anand Puri is a writer with over 10 years of experience. She's written for leading technology and lifestyle publications, and is now foraying into the world of sports news. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading, doodling, cooking, and listening to music.
Palak Kohli Gears Up for Paris Paralympics After Overcoming Surgery and COVID
Sports, Sports Stars

Palak Kohli Gears Up for Paris Paralympics After Overcoming Surgery and COVID

Palak Kohli and her journey in para-badminton is a testament to her unwavering determination. The 21-year-old shuttler recently claimed a World Championship bronze medal in Thailand, marking a remarkable comeback after major surgery and a COVID setback. From School Discouragement to Paralympic Debut Born with an underdeveloped left arm, Kohli's passion for badminton faced discouragement during her school days. However, a chance meeting with national coach Gaurav Khanna in 2016 opened doors to para-badminton. At the young age of 18, she represented India in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the Tokyo Paralympics. Surgery and Doubts, But Not Defeat A bone tumor surgery a year later forced Kohli to take a break from the sport. Even her coach advised her to prioritize hea...
Delhi Capitals Dominate Gujarat Giants, Seal Final Berth in WPL 2024
Cricket, Sports

Delhi Capitals Dominate Gujarat Giants, Seal Final Berth in WPL 2024

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 witnessed a lopsided encounter in its final league stage match. While the result itself held no bearing on the standings, Delhi Capitals displayed their dominance yet again, thrashing Gujarat Giants by a convincing seven-wicket margin. Giants Flounder Despite Late Fightback Opting to bat first, Gujarat Giants got off to a disastrous start. Openers Beth Mooney and Jess Jonassen fell cheaply to Marizanne Kapp and D. Hemalatha respectively. Laura Wolvaardt followed soon after, caught by Shafali Verma off Kapp's bowling. Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield offered brief flickers of hope but were dismissed by Minnu Mani and Shikha Pandey respectively. The saving grace for Giants came in the form of a 68-run partnership between Bharti Fulmal...
Homegrown vs. Foreign Coaches: The Debate Continues in Indian Sports
Sports

Homegrown vs. Foreign Coaches: The Debate Continues in Indian Sports

The quest for sporting glory in India often ignites a heated debate – homegrown coaches versus foreign coaches. Should we place our faith in familiar faces who understand the Indian psyche, or entrust the reins to experienced outsiders with global exposure? Both approaches offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the answer may lie not in a binary choice, but in a strategic blend. In Favor of the Foreign Coach: A Fresh Perspective and Global Expertise Foreign coaches bring a wealth of experience from international circuits. They possess a tactical acumen honed by exposure to diverse playing styles and strategies. This injects fresh ideas into the national team, potentially breaking free from ingrained habits and pushing players to adapt to new approaches. Statistics s...
FIH World Rankings Shakeup: Indian Hockey Sees Mixed Results
Hockey, Sports

FIH World Rankings Shakeup: Indian Hockey Sees Mixed Results

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released its latest world rankings, bringing both positive and negative news for Indian hockey. Let's dive into the details for each team and their FIH World Rankings. FIH Men's Rankings: India Slipped to Fourth One Step Back: India fell one spot to fourth in the men's rankings. Germany's Rise: This drop comes after Germany's impressive performance at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers and the FIH Pro League. Top of the Table: Netherlands continues its reign at the top, while Belgium remains firmly in second place. Shifting Landscape: Australia climbed to fifth place, surpassing England. Why the Slip for India? https://youtu.be/s2EFG1O77m4?si=xgk4297G0zFSXOR9 Qualification Advantage: India had already secured qualif...
Ellyse Perry Powers RCB to Playoffs with Dominant Performance Against MI
Cricket, Sports

Ellyse Perry Powers RCB to Playoffs with Dominant Performance Against MI

The pressure was palpable at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as Royal Challengers Bangalore faced Mumbai Indians in a do-or-die encounter for a place in the WPL 2024 playoffs. The home crowd roared their support for RCB, amping up the tension as both teams knew the stakes were high. Stepping up to the challenge in a magnificent display of all-round brilliance, Ellyse Perry steered RCB to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. Ellyse Perry: Six Wickets and a Composed Knock With the weight of expectation on her shoulders, Perry delivered a performance worthy of a true champion. Her bowling spell was nothing short of exceptional. Ellyse Perry ripped through the MI batting order, claiming a remarkable six wickets for a minimal cost. Her accuracy and variations proved too much for the visito...
Sindhu Shines, Prannoy and Srikant Falter at All England Championships
Badminton, Sports

Sindhu Shines, Prannoy and Srikant Falter at All England Championships

The All England Championships witnessed mixed fortunes for the Indian contingent on Tuesday. While PV Sindhu cruised into the second round, both HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth suffered opening-round exits. Sindhu on Course, Nemesis Awaits? Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu began her campaign on a positive note. The former World Champion dominated the first game against German opponent Li Yvonne Li (21-10). However, Li retired due to undisclosed reasons, allowing Sindhu a smooth passage to the next round. Sindhu's next opponent is likely to be her nemesis, Korean top seed An Se Young. Se Young boasts a perfect record against Sindhu, having won all six of their previous encounters. Disappointing Day for Indian Men's Singles at All England Championships It was a forgett...
Sports

Rajasthan Royals Reeling After Prasidh Krishna Ruled Out of IPL 2024

The Rajasthan Royals' preparations for IPL 2024 have been dealt a double blow with the news that pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna will miss the tournament due to a quadriceps surgery. This comes as a major setback for the Royals, who were banking on Krishna's experience and firepower after retaining him for the upcoming season. A Recurring Nightmare for Prasidh Krishna This is the second year in a row that Krishna will be absent from the IPL due to injury. He missed the entire 2023 season as well, leaving a significant void in the Royals' bowling attack. In 2022, Krishna was a vital cog in the Royals' journey to the IPL final, picking up 19 wickets in 17 matches. A Hefty Investment on Hold The Royals had placed their faith in Krishna's abilities, acquiring him for a whopping...
Level Playing Field: Stricter Doping Tests for Track and Field Athletes from 4 Countries Ahead of Paris Olympics
Sports

Level Playing Field: Stricter Doping Tests for Track and Field Athletes from 4 Countries Ahead of Paris Olympics

Athletes from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Portugal will face more frequent anti-doping tests before competing in the Paris Olympics. This stricter testing regime comes due to deficiencies in their home countries' anti-doping programs. Failed to Heed Warnings: Following warnings issued after the 2022 World Athletics Championships, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) found all four nations lacking in "out-of-competition" testing for the 2023 edition. This prompted the unprecedented targeted testing program. Qualifying for Paris Olympics: To participate in Paris, non-elite athletes from these countries must now provide at least three surprise doping samples during training in the ten months leading up to the Olympics. Additionally, stricter testing will be implemented for athle...
Sports

Nishant Dev: Olympic Dream Put on Hold After Quarterfinal Loss

Indian boxer Nishant Dev's quest for a Paris Olympics quota has suffered a setback. Nishant Dev fell short in his quarterfinal bout at the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy, losing a close 1-4 split decision to American Omari Jones in the men's 71kg weight class. Missed Opportunity The 23-year-old Dev, a World Championships bronze medalist in the featherweight category, needed a win to secure his spot at the upcoming Summer Games. With only four quota places available in the 71kg weight class, Dev's loss extinguishes his chance to clinch a quota at this qualifier. A Close Fight for Nishant Dev Despite starting slow, Dev displayed commendable fighting spirit. He dropped the opening round with all five judges awarding Jones perfect 10s. However, D...
Hockey India Updates: 28 Players Selected for National Coaching Camp
Hockey, Sports

Hockey India Updates: 28 Players Selected for National Coaching Camp

Get ready for hockey action! Hockey India has announced a 28-member core group for the upcoming senior men's national coaching camp, starting March 12th at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar. This intensive training period will be crucial for the Indian team as they gear up for the prestigious Paris 2024 Olympics. Building on Pro League Success The selected players, a mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters, will be aiming to refine their skills and strategies. This camp comes on the heels of a successful performance in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, where India currently sits in third place. The team will resume their Pro League campaign in May before focusing their attention on the Olympics. Focused Training and Looking Ahead India's Chief Coach, ...