The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is all set for another high-octane season with Season 11 kicking off in Hyderabad on October 18. In the dynamic world of PKL, the coaches alongside their players play a vital role in shaping the success of a team. Beyond the spotlight, coaches work tirelessly behind the scenes, preparing players for intense battles synonymous with the Pro Kabaddi League. With the PKL Season 11 just around the corner, let’s have a look at the head coaches who will be leading the 12 teams in the upcoming season. Bengal Warriors: Prashant Surve Bengal Warriors, the Season 7 PKL winners have named Prashant Surve as their new head coach ahead of their upcoming season. Prasant, who was a part of the franchise as an assistant coach since Season 9, has been promoted as the Warriors’ head coach. The Kolkata-based franchise parted ways with former head coach K Baskaran after Bengal Warriors failed to qualify for the playoffs last season. Additionally, Praveen Yadav, a former kabaddi player who has been providing free training for kids at the Gurugram Tau Devilal Stadium, has been named as assistant coach. Bengaluru Bulls: Randhir Singh Sehrawat A name that needs no introduction, Randhir Singh Sehrawat is the longest-serving coach in Pro Kabaddi League and has been renamed as the head coach of Bengaluru Bulls for Season 11. Randhir has been with the Bengaluru-based franchise since the inception of the league and coached them to their first PKL title in Season 6. The Arjuna Award winner has plenty of experience working with the Indian Railways’ men’s and women’s kabaddi teams before joining the Bulls. After narrowly missing out on playoff qualification last year, he will be looking forward to a solid campaign in Season 11. Dabang Delhi K.C.: Joginder Narwal Joginder Narwal, who was an assistant coach under former Dabang Delhi K.C. head coach Rambir Singh Khokar, has been promoted to the role of head coach ahead of the PKL 11. Also Read: Farm to fame: The PKL journey that elevated Sachin Tanwar to stardom Joginder, a former defender, led Dabang Delhi K.C. to a PKL title win as captain in 2018. Last year, the Delhi-based team missed out on a spot in the semi-finals after a close fight with the Patna Pirates in Season 10's Eliminator 1. Gujarat Giants: Ram Mehar Singh Ram Mehar Singh, a renowned coach in the Indian kabaddi ecosystem with a proven track record of success in the PKL, has been renamed as head coach of Gujarat Giants for the upcoming season. Ram Mehar Singh’s coaching prowess has been well-established, having coached Patna Pirates to title glory in Season 5. A two-time Asian Games Gold Medalist, Ram Mehar Singh joined Gujarat Giants in Season 9 and led them to a playoff finish in Season 10. Haryana Steelers: Manpreet Singh A former Pro Kabaddi champion as a player with Patna Pirates, Manpreet Singh has once again been renamed as the head coach of Haryana Steelers ahead of the upcoming season. His coaching journey began on a solid note in Season 5 as he led Gujarat Giants to consecutive runner-up finishes in the league. Manpreet joined Haryana Steelers in Season 9 and guided them to a runners-up finish in Season 10. Jaipur Pink Panthers: Sanjeev Baliyan PKL Season 9 champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers have decided to stick with Sanjeev Baliyan as their head coach for the upcoming campaign. The Arjuna Awardee boasts a magnificent coaching record in the PKL, winning titles with Patna Pirates in Season 3 and Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 9. Last season, the Jaipur-based franchise under his tutelage, finished second in the league stage. Patna Pirates: Narender Redhu Narender Redhu, a young kabaddi coach and former assistant coach of Haryana Steelers, has been reappointed as Patna Pirates head coach for the upcoming season. Redhu, who joined Patna Pirates’ camp in Season 10, has vast experience coaching international kabaddi teams. Last season, he helped guide Patna Pirates to the playoffs and Redhu will be hoping to help his team to title glory in PKL 11. Also Read: Aslam Inamdar: The face of Puneri Paltan’s kabaddi resurgence Puneri Paltan: BC Ramesh After coaching Puneri Paltan to their first-ever PKL final in Season 9, head coach BC Ramesh led them to championship glory last season. The Arjuna Awardee, with a proven track record of coaching teams in the PKL, was renamed Puneri Paltan’s head coach ahead of Season 11. Ramesh was also the assistant coach of Bengaluru Bulls in their triumphant Season 6 campaign and then head coach of Bengal Warriors in their only title-winning campaign in Season 7. Tamil Thalaivas: Udaya Kumar and Dharmaraj Cheralathan For the first time in PKL history, Tamil Thalaivas have gone with a dual-coach system by appointing Udaya Kumar as chief coach and Dharmaraj Cheralathan as strategy coach to guide the team collaboratively in Season 11. Udaya Kumar brings a wealth of experience to Tamil Thalaivas, having coached the Indian kabaddi team to gold medals in the Asian Games in 2002, 2006, and 2014. Cheralathan, a key player in Patna Pirates’ Season 4 PKL triumph, is known for his strategic acumen and quick thinking during in-match situations. Telugu Titans: Krishan Kumar Hooda Krishan Kumar Hooda, a well-respected figure on the PKL stage, has been appointed as the head coach of Telugu Titans ahead of Season 11. This move comes after Telugu Titans finished at the bottom of the points table for a third consecutive season. Players like Vijay Malik, Naveen Kumar and others rose to fame under Krishan Kumar Hooda’s coaching stint with Dabang Delhi K.C. as he led the team from the PKL title in Season 8. The Dronacharya Award winner will be hoping that his appointment as head coach of the Titans can result in a turnaround in fortunes for the franchise. U Mumba: Gholamreza Mazandarani PKL Season 2 winners, U Mumba, renamed Gholamreza Mazandarani as their head coach for Season 11. Mazandarani, currently in his second stint with the Mumbai-based franchise, previously led the Mumboys to the playoffs in Season 6 as head coach. Mazandarani has also coached the Telugu Titans in the PKL and is best known for guiding the Iran kabaddi team to gold in the 2018 Asian Games. UP Yoddhas: Jasveer Singh UP Yoddhas’ seasoned head coach Jasveer Singh has been reappointed in his role for the upcoming campaign. After retiring from the army, Jasveer joined the team in 2018. While the Yoddhas have mostly been consistent under his coaching, they finished 11th last season and it is something the former Services coach will be looking to change in PKL 11. (With agency inputs)
13 October,2024 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHaving failed to make an impact over the course of the last few Pro Kabaddi League seasons, Telugu Titans will look for a fresh approach in a revitalised and confident manner in Season 11 of the PKL. They finished at the bottom of the league standings in the last three seasons and will be eager to produce a more accomplished display in the upcoming campaign. Ahead of Season 11, the Titans appointed the vastly experienced Krishan Kumar Hooda as head coach. A Pro Kabaddi title-winning coach with Dabang Delhi K.C. in Season 8, as well as a Dronacharya Award winner, Krishan Kumar Hooda could prove to be the perfect coach to help bring about a turnaround in fortunes for the Titans. Highly active at the Season 11 Player Auction, Telugu Titans made several smart acquisitions in a bid to revamp their squad. They used their FBM card to retain Pawan Sehrawat for INR 1.725 crores and also roped in one of the best defenders in the league in Krishan for INR 70 lakhs. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the Titans’ strengths and weaknesses ahead of Season 11. Strengths A completely revamped unit under the leadership of head coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, the Season 11 Player Auction saw the Titans strategically invest in versatile all-rounders who can contribute effectively in both attack and defence. The third-highest raid points scorer in PKL history with 1,189 raid points, all-rounder Pawan Sehrawat will be the leader on the mat for the Titans. A former PKL MVP, Pawan Sehrawat is also handy in defence, as his 65 tackle points suggest. He, along with another quality all-rounder like Vijay Malik, who has amassed 409 raid points and 81 tackle points, are not just top-class additions to any team but also help with the team’s overall balance, thanks to their ability to contribute on both ends of the mat. Apart from Pawan Sehrawat and Vijay Malik, the Titans have also acquired the services of other talented all-rounders like Amit Kumar, Sanjeevi S and Shankar Gadai. While this trio may not have as much PKL experience as Pawan Sehrawat and Vijay Malik, they have certainly shown their quality in the past. Needless to say, they will be itching to have a big impact in PKL Season 11 with the backing of an experienced coach and captain who can guide them effectively. Also Read: Akash Shinde battles adversity in quest for PKL trophy Weaknesses While having quality all-rounders can help plug gaps, there is no denying that the lack of a top-class support raider might be an issue for the Titans. Pawan Sehrawat will, of course, lead the attack from the front, but he will need help offensively, especially when he needs to be revived by a teammate, which was a major issue for the team last season. Both Prafull Zaware and Omkar Patil struggled to assist Pawan sufficiently last season and will need to perform much better in the upcoming campaign. Prafull Zaware contributed 43 raid points, and Omkar Patil notched up 19 raid points in Season 10. Prafull and Omkar, along with Manjeet, who has 125 raid points in his PKL career, will need to raise their game and be efficient support raiders in Season 11 if the Titans want the campaign to be a success. Opportunities The Titans have been crying out for a leader in defence over the last few seasons, and their acquisition of Krishan will help them go a long way towards filling that void. Second on the leaderboard for most tackle points (78) last season, Krishan will have to shoulder the bulk of the defensive responsibility for the Titans, and he will be looking to make the most of this opportunity as he aims to add to his 139 tackle points in the PKL. With Krishan leading the way, Telugu Titans will also hope that their other defenders, like Iranian Milad Jabbari and Ajit Pawar, can provide enough support and have a bigger impact on the outcome of matches than they did last season. Milad Jabbari managed 33 tackle points, and Ajit Pawar notched up 30 tackle points in PKL 10. Threats In terms of threats, the lack of quality backup defenders is certainly an issue for the Titans. Should Milad Jabbari and Ajit Pawar fail to provide sufficient support to Krishan, their other defensive options seem to lack the experience and know-how to perform at the highest level in the PKL. Sagar is a New Young Player, while the defensive trio of Ankit, Sunder, and Mohammad Malak combine for a total of 22 tackle points. As a result, the Titans’ defensive depth will be under scrutiny, and how their season fares could heavily depend on how well their backup defenders step up to the challenge. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 October,2024 10:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian hockey Olympic medal-winning skipper Harmanpreet Singh had an enthusiastic reaction to being the most expensive player in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL) auction and he also pointed out the league's importance for the youngsters. The auctions for the competition, making its return after seven years, are taking place from October 13 to 15. Speaking in a video by Hockey India, Harmanpreet said, "Harmanpreet Singh this side. I am really excited because I have been picked by the Punjab team. Our team's name is Soorma Hockey Club. Also more happier that HIL is coming back. It is a nice opportunity for our youngsters to showcase their talent and the future of hockey is brighter. Punjabi aagye oye (Punjabis are here)." Indian men's hockey Olympic medal-winning captain Harmanpreet's services were secured by Soorma Hockey Club for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League (HIL) for a massive Rs 78 lakh, becoming the most expensive player in the league. A brilliant drag-flicker and a man known to deliver in the most clutch and tense moments, has signed with Soorma, with his skills making him the most expensive player in the competition. He has scored 205 goals in 234 appearances for the national senior side. Also Read: 'Sweet memories’ of Paris bronze nudged Sreejesh to accept a mentorship role in Hockey India League Indian vice-captain Hardik Singh's services were also acquired by UP Rudras for Rs 70 lakhs. He was also a crucial part of the Paris Olympics bronze medal winning team and has been the architect of many of country's memorable wins on the field. In 142 appearances, Hardik has scored 11 goals. The revamped HIL 2024-25 will feature 8 men's teams and 6 women's teams, marking the first standalone women's league in the country that will run concurrently with the men's competition. In its previous edition back in 2017, Kalinga Lancers had become the champion, beating Dabang Mumbai for the title. The league will get underway on December 28 with matches played in two venues -- Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The women's league will conclude on January 26, 2025 in Ranchi, while the men's final is slated for February 1, 2025 in Rourkela. (With agency inputs)
13 October,2024 06:45 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentTop-seeded Aryna Sabalenka fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday and reach the Wuhan Open final for the third time. Also Read: Bowlers help Baroda take 1st innings lead v Mumbai A champion in Wuhan in 2018 and 2019, Sabalenka improved her perfect record in the tournament to 16-0 and will next face Zheng Qinwen, who became the first Chinese player to reach a WTA 1000 final on home soil. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 October,2024 07:41 AM IST | Wuhan (China) | AFPNovak Djokovic fought through a knee problem to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) in an “incredible fight” on Saturday, setting up a blockbuster Shanghai Masters final with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Italian to stay on top Earlier, the Italian beat Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5, ensuring in the process that he will finish the year at the top of the rankings. “I won’t be a favourite on the court, but hopefully I’ll be able to come out physically fresh enough to challenge him for what may be a long match,” said Djokovic of Sunday’s final. Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: NZ-W in the race for semis spot after win over SL-W “I have to expect probably the toughest encounter of the tournament, and I have to be ready for it.” Sinner said playing Djokovic would make the final “even more special.” “It’s going to be a very tough one, it’s one of the biggest challenges we have in our sport,” he said. Djokovic has now beaten the USA’ Fritz at each of their 10 encounters. The Serb broke the 26-year-old US Open finalist in the fifth game to win the first set in 38 minutes. But the second set lasted twice as long, and was a much more tense affair, as the players sent each other scrambling across the court in a series of thrilling rallies. ‘Incredible fight’ The 24-time Grand Slam champion called it an “incredible fight.” “He could have easily won the second set... In the tiebreak it was really anyone’s game, [but] I feel like I was never giving up,” Djokovic said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 October,2024 07:37 AM IST | Shanghai | AFPThough there are some well-performed three-year-olds in the HPSL Pune Derby (Gr 1) to be run on Sunday, the Pesi Shroff-trained Santissimo towers over his rivals on the strength of fitness and form, and therefore, is expected to win the prestigious event. P Trevor will ride the Gusto - Beldon Hill colt. First race at 1.30 pm.Selections: Pune Police Commissioner's Trophy- Div II (Class IV; 1200m)Ariyana Star 1, Escape Velocity 2, Floyd 3. The Pioneer Trophy (Class II; 1600m)Tehani 1, In Thy Light 2, Christophany 3. Pune Police Commissioner's Trophy- Div I (Class IV; 1200m)Lord Eric 1, Dulari 2, Quicker 3. Also Read: IND vs BAN 3rd T20I: Samson ton powers India to T20 series sweep after record total Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million - Gr 3 (For 4y&o; 1200m)Time And Tide 1, Miss American Pie 2, Market King 3. HPSL Pune Derby - Gr 1 (For 3y; 2000m)Santissimo 1, Redefined 2, Dash 3. Jimmy Umrigar Trophy (For 3y, Maidens; 1400m)Mumtaz 1, Knight Crusader 2, Come September 3. Jayant M Shah & Champak M Shah Gold Trophy (Class IV; 2400m)Bugatti 1, Doron 2, Malakhi 3. Vinayak Trophy (For 4y&o, Class V; 1400m)Sorrento Secret 2, Showman 2, Whatsinaname 3. Recommendations Best bet: Santissimo (5-5)Upsets: Maysara (3-9), Snowfall (4-8) & Bluebird (6-1) Today's poolsSuper jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7,8Jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8Treble pool: I - 2,3,4; II - 5,6,7Tanala pool: All races
13 October,2024 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviTwo-time Pro Kabaddi League champions Jaipur Pink Panthers will be bidding to get their hands on the prestigious PKL title again once Season 11 gets underway on October 18. One of the most consistent teams over the past two seasons and semi-finalists in PKL 10, Jaipur Pink Panthers will be looking to set things right by going all the way in the upcoming campaign. They will be led by head coach Sanjeev Baliyan - a two-time PKL winner who coached Patna Pirates to the coveted trophy in Season 3 before repeating the feat with Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 9. One of the most active teams at the Season 11 Player Auction, Jaipur Pink Panthers bought as many as 12 players to add to their squad ahead of the new campaign. With that in mind, here’s a look at the two-time champions’ strengths and weaknesses ahead of PKL 11. Strengths Both Jaipur Pink Panthers’ raiding and defensive unit look solid on paper. While Arjun Deshwal, who is eighth in PKL's all-time raid points (947) charts is once again set to lead their attack, the Panthers have further strengthened their attack following the additions of two experienced left raiders in Shrikant Jadhav and Vikash Kandola. Raiders with lots of PKL pedigree, Shrikant Jadhav has scored 681 raid points, while Vikash Kandola has 800 raid points in PKL history. Additionally, Neeraj Narwal is another raider who can contribute significantly to the team having accumulated 175 raid points in his PKL career so far. The Panthers’ defence also looks robust with the likes of Ankush, Surjeet Singh and Reza Mirbagheri, all expected to play crucial roles. Also Read: Aslam Inamdar: The face of Puneri Paltan’s kabaddi resurgence Second on the all-time leaderboard for tackle points (404), Surjeet Singh is certainly a name that needs no introduction. He will be looking to form a formidable defence with the likes of Ankush and Reza Mirbagheri, who have scored 159 and 96 tackle points respectively in two seasons each in the PKL. Ankush, in fact, was the best defender in Season 9 with 89 tackle points and he finished sixth on the leaderboard for tackle points (70) in PKL Season 10. Weaknesses Even though their defence looks well settled on paper, one area of concern for the Panthers will be the departure of ex-captain Sunil Kumar, who formed a core of their squad over the last few seasons and was a crucial defender as well as inspirational leader in the team. While Surjeet Singh can be considered as a good replacement for the former Jaipur Pink Panthers skipper, there’s no denying the fact that Sunil Kumar has been a lot more consistent over the last few seasons. His leadership qualities which sees him boast a 61%-win percentage as captain, winning 65 out of the 107 matches he captained in the league makes his absence from the Panthers’ team even more telling and it will be interesting to see how the two-time champions deal with Sunil Kumar’s departure. Opportunities Season 11 will also be a great opportunity for players like Neeraj Narwal, Lucky Sharma and Ravi Kumar to produce impactful performances. After the Panthers let go of Sahul Kumar at the Season 11 Player Auction, Lucky Sharma can hope for a lot more opportunities. While Lucky will be eager to step up, the likes of Neeraj Narwal and Ravi Kumar will also want to make the most of their opportunities. After an underwhelming campaign from a personal point of view the last time around, both raider Neeraj Narwal and defender Ravi Kumar will be hoping to return to their best. More than capable of taking the game to the opposition on their day, Neeraj Narwal will look to add to his 175 raid points while Ravi Kumar will be keen to add to his tally of 218 tackle points in Season 11. Also Read: Farm to fame: The PKL journey that elevated Sachin Tanwar to stardom Threats One potential area where Jaipur Pink Panthers could perhaps have done better in during the Season 11 Player Auction was their acquisition of all-rounders. Currently, they have just one all-rounder in their squad in the form of Aamir Wani, who is yet to make his PKL debut. Although their star raiders and defenders are likely to plug this gap and not let the Panthers feel the importance of a genuine all-rounder in the team, it’s worth mentioning that having a player who can contribute on both ends of the mat not only helps with a team’s overall balance but also gives them a slight edge in close games where players with all-round ability can often be the difference between teams. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 October,2024 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesIn the heart of rural Maharashtra, a young boy's passion for kabaddi has blossomed into a remarkable success story that embodies the transformative power of sport. Aslam Inamdar, the current captain of PKL team Puneri Paltan, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a champion in the world’s top kabaddi league. Aslam's tryst with kabaddi began in 2010 when he was just a school student in third grade. However, the path was far from easy. "My brother used to play kabaddi, and seeing him, I started. Our family's financial condition wasn't good. I worked wherever I got the opportunity to earn money, but I never stopped playing kabaddi," Aslam recalls, highlighting the determination that would later become a key part of his career. The advent of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014 revolutionised the sport in India, offering players like Aslam a platform to showcase their talents. For him, the opportunity came in Season 7. "My life changed completely when I came to PKL in Season 7. Now, I'm able to fulfill most of the dreams I had." One of those dreams was particularly close to his heart. "It was to take my mother for a ride in a four-wheeler that I bought myself," Aslam shares with pride. "I was able to do this after Season 9. This was my dream - to make my mother travel in a car." Aslam's success has had a ripple effect in his village. "There are many boys on my ground already practicing. Many good players are also from my village. Now, three Pro Kabaddi League players are playing for one team from my village, which is a matter of great pride, he says. Also Read: PKL Season 11: Puneri Paltan's SWOT analysis The India international player’s journey is intertwined with the success of his team, Puneri Paltan, which has taken a unique approach to nurturing talent. "In Season 7, our owner Mr. Jay Kotak and our mentor Ashok Shinde sir had a meeting. They decided to start an academy in Mumbai for young players," he explained. This academy system has been a game-changer for Puneri Paltan. "Puneri Paltan was the first to start this concept in Pro Kabaddi. We kept 12-15 players for practice throughout the year," says Aslam. The results speak for themselves: "We qualified for the final in Season 9, and became champions in Season 10, so that proves that this system works." Also Read: Akash Shinde battles adversity in quest for PKL trophy Aslam's message to aspiring kabaddi players is clear: "Just dedicate yourself completely to your hard work. Have faith in your hard work. Focus a bit on how you can turn your weaknesses into positives... The harder the work you do, the longer you'll be able to play, the longer your name will last." Aslam's journey from a village ground to becoming the captain of a PKL champion team is a testament to the power of hard work. As kabaddi continues to grow in popularity, stories like Aslam's serve as an inspiration for countless young players dreaming of making it big in the sport. (With agency inputs)
12 October,2024 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesAyhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee achieved another first for Indian table tennis by assuring themselves of a medal at the Asian TT Championships on Saturday. The Mukherjees, who had beaten the world champions from China on the way to a historic bronze at the Asian Games last year, bounced back to beat South Korean of Kim Nayeong and Lee Eunhye 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 in the quarterfinals. The world number 15 pair from India faces Japan's Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kishara in the semifinals on Sunday. The Asian TT Championships final is also scheduled for Sunday. Ayhika plays with an anti-spin rubber that helps her slow down the game for Sutirtha, who uses a short pimpled rubber, to attack on the following return. Manav, Manush stun higher-ranked South Koreans In the men's singles, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah exceeded expectations to reach the pre-quarterfinals. Manav, ranked 60th, recorded one of the biggest wins of his career by upsetting world number 14 Jang Woojin from South Korea 5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7 in the round of 32. World number 115 Manush made short work of 23-ranked An Jaehyun from South Korea 11-9, 11-5, 11-6 in a head turning performance. Both Manav and Manush play their pre-quarterfinal later on Saturday. Also Read: Manika Batra becomes first Indian woman to break into top-25 of world singles rankings Harmeet Desai's singles campaign ended in the round of 32 with a straight game loss to 30th ranked Lim Jonghoon in the round of 32. Veteran Sharath Kamal, India's highest ranked player at 42, had suffered a shock defeat against 506th ranked Mohammed Alqassab on Friday evening. G Sathiyan went down against North Korean Ham Yu Song, who doesn't feature in the ITTF rankings. Manika Batra is scheduled to face Japan's Miwa Harimoto in a round of 16 clash on Saturday. (With agency inputs)
12 October,2024 05:01 PM IST | Astana | mid-day online correspondentOnly eight three-year-olds chose to stay in the final line up for the HPSL Indian Derby (Gr 1) to be run on Sunday at the Pune racetrack to decide the best three-year-old presently in training in western India. For most quitters, the likely reason was perhaps the presence of Santissimo, a Gusto - Beldon Hill colt trained by Pesi Shroff. Top star Bred at the Track Supreme stud, Santissimo began his career at Mumbai, winning all three races he ran during the last Mahalaxmi season (2023-24). Later, summering at Bangalore, he won two of his three starts including the Gr 1, HPSL Bangalore Derby, about six weeks ago. His solitary loss came about in the Gr 1, Colts Championship Stakes at Bangalore when African Gold, unbeaten in four starts so far, managed to put his neck in front at the wire in a photo finish verdict. Needless to mention, whosoever wants to win the HPSL Pune Derby will have to beat Santissimo who will be ridden by P Trevor on Sunday. The hopefuls 1. Dark bay colt Redefined [Phoenix Tower - Symi], bred at Manjri, trained by Prasanna Kumar. The trainer has been raiding the plum events of this Pune season. Winner of the SA Poonawalla Million in last start, Redefined will be ridden by Akshay Kumar. 2. Bay colt Dash [Phoenix Tower - See The Sunrise], also bred at Manjri stud, trained by Malesh Narredu, and to be ridden by his son Yash. Interestingly, after the first two victorious runs, Dash lost the next four races, but his connections have still paid a hefty "final entry" fee to get him into the Derby field--something may be brewing!--keep an eye. 3. Chestnut colt Inquilab [Planetaire - Sapphire Rose], bred at Sohna stud, trained by Imtiaz Sait, winner of one race from three starts, jockey Anthony Raj will ride. 4. Bay filly Treat [Moonlight Magic - Plum Sugar], two wins from three starts, bred at Equus stud, trained by Imtiaz Sait, will be ridden by India's top saddle artist Suraj Narredu. Frankly, on paper, Santissimo towers over his rivals on the form factor, but the saying "no race is won until it is run" is famous in racing for a reason; and therefore, the HPSL Pune Derby (Gr 1) is a race to watch out for.
12 October,2024 11:52 AM IST | Pune | Prakash GosaviThe Dallas Todywalla-trained Spanish Eyes, to be ridden by A Sandesh, attracts as the best betting proposition of the Saturday afternoon at the Pune racetrack. The Excellent Art - Irish Bailey three-year-old filly is expected to win the Bawaji Plate for Class III horses over the trip of seven furlongs from Mother's Grace and Rambler. First race at 2 pm. Selections: Highlander Plate (Class II; 1000m)Portofino Bay 1, Dexa 2. Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy - Div II (Class IV; 1600m)Amadeo 1, Marcus 2, Picasso 3. NK Pudumjee Trophy (For 3y Maidens; 1000m)Dazzling Duchess 1, Scaramouche 2, Esconido 3. Bawaji Plate (Class III; 1400m)Spanish Eyes 1, Mother's Grace 2, Rambler 3. Also Read: Juliette posts imperious win in feature event Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy - Div I (Class IV; 1600m)Chagall 1, Pride's Prince 2, Star Gallery 3. K Raghunath Plate (For 5y&o, Class V; 1200m)Red Dust 1, Demetrius 2, Precioso 3. Suresh Mahindra Trophy (Class I; 3200m)Magneto 1, Ramiel 2. Recommendations Best bet: Spanish Eyes (4-4)Upsets: Endurance (5-4) & Spirit Bay (6-3) Today's poolsSuper jackpot pool: 1,2,3,4,5,6Jackpot pool: 2,3,4,5,6Treble pool: 4,5,6Tanala pool: 2,3,4,5,6
12 October,2024 08:58 AM IST | Pune | Prakash GosaviADVERTISEMENT
