Sports
Dhawan: Can’t Overlook India for Team’s CT 2025 Prospects

Shikhar Dhawan, a key figure in India’s triumph at the 2013 Champions Trophy, is confident that the current Indian team has the potential to end their 12-year wait for another 50-over ICC title.
Having amassed 17 ODI centuries and 39 fifties from 2010 to 2022, Shikhar is optimistic that the Indian squad can compensate for the absence of prominent bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is sidelined with a back injury.
“I can’t look past India. I am very confident,” he expressed.
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“This team is solid and performed exceptionally against England in the recent ODI series. The unavoidable concern is the loss of Jasprit Bumrah; he will definitely be missed, and the impact will be significant.
“To me, he is the world’s best bowler, and his precision is irreplaceable. Additionally, his calm demeanor is vital in high-pressure ICC events like this.”
With Bumrah out of the lineup, India will need other fast bowlers to rise to the occasion. Shikhar has high hopes for talented 23-year-old pacer Harshit Rana.
Harshit, who has participated in just three ODIs this year, made a strong debut with figures of 3/53 against England in Nagpur. He took six wickets at an average of 24.33 during India’s 3-0 series victory, maintaining an impressive economy rate of under seven runs per over.
“Harshit Rana’s inclusion is thrilling – keep an eye on him; he could have a breakout tournament,” Shikhar said.
“His attitude is commendable. He is ambitious and fearless, ready to take on challenges. His recent form in the England series gives me confidence that he will grab this opportunity and possibly provide an X factor for India.”
“There are numerous reasons to feel optimistic about India. Their squad is balanced, particularly in batting, showcasing a great mix of experience and youth.”
Shikhar Dhawan was the leading run-scorer in both Champions Trophy tournaments he participated in, scoring 363 runs in 2013 and 338 runs in 2017. He regards the 2013 tournament as his breakthrough moment, having scored his first ODI century in India’s opening match against South Africa.
“Triumphing in 2013 was a monumental achievement and certainly one of the highlights of my career. I scored a century in the first match against South Africa, which was a huge relief as it marked my return to ODI cricket,” he recalled.
“I still remember the feeling of liberation after scoring that century; it was as if I was announcing my arrival to the world – a pivotal moment in my career.”
“Scoring heavily at the beginning of a tournament boosts a player’s confidence, propelling them forward, and I continued to rack up runs after that. My self-assurance soared, and I felt like I truly belonged on that stage. It was an exhilarating sensation that changed my life.”
India batted first in the Final against England, successfully defending 129/7 to clinch a nail-biting victory by just five runs in Birmingham, amidst a challenging environment.
“I can still recall the tension as my hands got sweaty from the pressure – but then Ishant Sharma came in and took two crucial wickets, shifting the momentum in our favor. Great teams find ways to control their emotions and body language, and they discover ways to secure victory. That’s exactly what teams need to do in Pakistan,” he stated.
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Sports
India Secures 43 Medals at Asian U-15 and U-17 Boxing Championships

Team India has secured a total of 43 medals at the inaugural Asian U-15 & U-17 boxing championships, organized by the newly recognized Asian Boxing body under World Boxing. On Day 7, four additional pugilists advanced to the semifinals, ensuring India will take home at least 25 medals in the U-15 category and 18 in the U-17 category, as all semifinalists automatically receive bronze.
Aman Siwach (63kg) and Devansh (80kg) made significant strides in the U-17 boys’ segment, both claiming Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) victories over opponents from the Philippines and Jordan, respectively, during the final quarterfinals.
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In the girls’ division, Simranjeet Kaur (60kg) achieved a dominant 5-0 victory over Jordan’s Aya Alhasanat, while Himanshi (70kg) earned an RSC win against Palestine’s Farah Abou Layla in the very first round, advancing to the semifinals alongside her teammates.
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Results:
Men’s U-17 – Quarterfinals
60 kg: Sahil Duhan (IND) lost to Amirali Mehrabi (IRI) – WP 2:3
63 kg: Aman Siwach (IND) def. Ziadrach James Cabrera (PHI) – RSC R2
66 kg: Anant Gaurishankar Deshmukh (IND) lost to Daniyal Shalkarbay (KAZ) – WP 0:5
75 kg: Priyansh Sehrawat (IND) lost to Khurshidbek Juraev (UZB) – WP 0:5
80 kg: Devansh (IND) def. Abdallah Aldabbas (JOR) – RSC R3
80+ kg: Loven Gulia (IND) lost to Farhoud Ghorbani (IRI) – WP 0:5
Women’s U-17 – Quarterfinals
60 kg: Simranjeet Kaur (IND) def. Aya Alhasanat (JOR) – WP 5:0
70 kg: Himanshi (IND) def. Farah Abou Layla (PLE) – RSC R1
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Sports
Fleming Acknowledges Auction Errors as CSK’s Playoff Chances Diminish

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.”
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“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.
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Sports
Shambhavi Clinches Double Gold at the 23rd KSSM Championship

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.
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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.
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