Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that their player selections during the IPL 2025 mega auction might not have been ideal, following the team’s seventh defeat in nine matches. They lost by five wickets to Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.

This loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat, contributing to CSK’s worst-ever home performance in the league, significantly diminishing their chances of playoff qualification.

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“It’s difficult to say we got everything right given our recent performances,” Fleming remarked after another disappointing batting display at home. “We’ve been reviewing our style of play and how the game is evolving.”

“It’s a challenge, and that’s why we take pride in our past achievements. Consistency over the years is commendable, but it doesn’t take much for things to shift. Other teams have improved, which is the objective of the auction, but we have struggled to adapt,” he elaborated.

The former New Zealand captain emphasized the need for greater understanding and effort from the players. “Responsibility must be taken from the top down, and we must demand more from the players. We need to reflect on the auction outcomes; they didn’t meet our expectations.”

Describing the auction, Fleming referred to it as a “very fluid beast,” expressing confidence in the squad while noting the impact of injuries and unformed players.

“It’s not an exact science. The auction involves intense decision-making, which can be both mentally and physically draining. I still believe we have a good squad, and we’re close. Injuries and form issues have hindered us, and we’ve struggled to establish a consistent game plan,” he stated. “There’s a lot of responsibility and introspection, and I take that responsibility fully.”

In terms of team changes, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed reluctance towards frequent adjustments but may be compelled to make significant changes due to current player performances. After Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victory on Friday, which marked their first win at Chepauk, a visibly disappointed Dhoni reflected on the challenges when several key players underperform.

“In a tournament like this, if you can address one or two issues, it’s manageable. But when most players struggle, adjustments become necessary. You typically stick with performing players for a few games, but if several fail simultaneously, changes must be made to improve run production,” Dhoni noted.

Next, CSK will face the Punjab Kings on April 30 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Shambhavi Kshirsagar from Maharashtra bested world championship medalists, Olympic finalists, and national champions to clinch the women’s 10m air rifle title at the 23rd Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship (23rd KSSM) held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Faridabad.

The 16-year-old, who placed fifth at the junior worlds in Lima last year, excelled in the qualifications with an impressive score of 633.5. She concluded the final with a remarkable 10.8 in her last shot out of 24, surpassing Haryana’s Ramita, an Olympic finalist. West Bengal’s Mehuli Ghosh, a bronze medalist at the world championship, secured the third position.

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Shambhavi truly shined on Saturday at the Karni Singh range, later winning a silver in the junior women’s event and securing another gold in the youth women’s competition.

The senior women’s crown was particularly noteworthy, as Shambhavi competed alongside notable athletes like Mehuli, Ramita, Ananya Naidu (recently crowned national champion), and junior world championship medalist Shreya Agrawal.

As they approached the final two shots of the 24-shot final, Ramita held a narrow lead of 0.1. Both competitors recorded identical scores of 10.2 on their 23rd shots, but Shambhavi’s final shot landed her a score of 252.9, outpacing Ramita’s total of 252.1. Mehuli had exited after the 22nd shot with 231.0.

Ramita, however, avenged her earlier defeat by claiming victory over Shambhavi in the subsequent junior women’s final with a margin of 1.5. Manya Mittal from Uttar Pradesh secured third place.

Despite this setback, Shambhavi remained undeterred and showcased her resilience by winning the youth women’s title, finishing with a score of 253.6, ahead of Karnataka’s Nidhi Mittal by 1.8 points. Madhya Pradesh’s Gautami Bhanot claimed third place.

The senior qualification round attracted a diverse field of 411 shooters.

On Saturday, Yang Hansen, a teenage center from China, publicly declared his intention to enter the 2025 NBA Draft.

“This is the most significant decision of my life. I aspire to showcase my skills on a larger platform,” the 19-year-old shared in a recent interview with Xinhua.

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Reflecting on his journey, Yang noted, “Two years ago, I faced some of the top players in my age group globally at the FIBA U19 Men’s Basketball World Cup. That experience bolstered my confidence and ignited my ambition to reach greater heights.”

“Last year, I also participated in the NBA Summer League with our national team, which was an essential opportunity for me to gain valuable experience.”

During the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs, Yang showcased his talent by leading the Qingdao Eagles to the quarterfinals, despite a close 3-2 defeat to the top-seeded Zhejiang Lions in the best-of-five series.

“I believe it’s time for me to evolve and learn at a higher level. I want to thank my club and our fans for their steadfast support,” emphasized the 2.18-meter center.

In January, Yang’s domestic agency announced his signing with Klutch Sports Group, a prominent agency founded by Rich Paul, known for representing NBA stars such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and De’Aaron Fox.

“Klutch Sports Group has connected me with experienced coaches who will come to China to offer guidance in basketball skills, tactics, and lifestyle habits. There are additional training programs planned in the United States,” Yang explained. “I feel fully prepared, both mentally and physically.”

In the 2024-2025 CBA regular season, Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game, with an impressive average of 2.6 blocks, making him the league leader in that category. He earned a spot in the CBA All-Star starting lineup and was named to the All-CBA Chinese Player First Team.

In February 2024, during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Yang made a significant impact in his senior national team debut, scoring 13 points and providing four assists in just 19 minutes, contributing to China’s commanding 80-49 victory over Mongolia.