India fined for slow over-rate in first match

  India fined for slow over-rate in first match 

COLOMBO, APRIL 29

India have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the first match of the Women’s Tri-series in Colombo on Sunday.

Vanessa de Silva of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur pleaded'guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Anna Harris and Nimali Perera, third umpire Lyndon Hannibal and fourth umpire Dedunu de Silva leveled the charge.

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12 teams for US Junior T20 League from July 15-21

12 teams for US Junior T20 League 2025

CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29

The US Junior League (USJL), a T20 professional cricket competition for players aged 14–23, is gearing up for its second season in 2025, expanding from six to twelve teams. 

The league’s growth from 6 to 12 teams reflects increasing interest with the franchise owners and players’ participation. Teams from the 2025 season included Austin Blaze, Baltimore BlueJays, California Astros, Columbus Falcons, Dallas Thunders, Denver Dynamites, Knight Riders United, MyGO Chicago Kings, Northwest Renegades, Raiders Unlimited, Seattle Seals, and Washington Royals.

Advisory Board: The USJL established an advisory board, including former Indian international player M.S.K. Prasad, to enhance strategic planning and talent development. Jatin Patel, a Cricket Hall of Famer with Lifetime Achievement Award and USA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is a multi-sport coach, mentor, administrator and Professional Performance Analyst. Lastly, we are honored to have the support of a world-renowned power-hitting coach Julian Wood, respected for his work with top cricket franchises around the world. This signals a commitment to professionalizing the league and improving competition quality.

Objectives: The USJL emphasizes nationwide reach, skill development, and providing a pathway to professional cricket, such as Minor League Cricket (MiLC), Major League Cricket (MLC) or USA national age-group teams. Organizers are planning new initiatives, including all-star teams and high-performance training programs, to nurture talent.

Leadership: Prithivi Raj Logan, founder and CEO of USJL, has highlighted the league’s goal to foster future cricket stars in the USA, with 2025 expected to bring more excitement and opportunities.

USJL player draft for 2.0 edition is scheduled to take place on April 27 at 7:30 PM CST

Each franchise team will comprise of 13 players in the combination of 3 - Under-23, 5 - Under-19 and 5 - Under 16 age group players. 

The US Junior League is proud to announce that all 12 team franchise owners have been officially finalized ahead of the league’s 2nd season. This marks a major milestone in the league’s journey to develop and showcase emerging talent across the country.

Over 350 players across the country and several international players have registered for the second edition. The highly anticipated Player Draft will allow the franchise teams to select from a registered pool of top junior talent.

Six franchise teams that participated in the first edition will be able to retain three players from each age category i.e. one each from Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 age groups and the new six franchise teams will be able to pre-draft one player from the registered pool. US Junior League 2.0 edition is scheduled for July 15 to 21 2025 at Houston Prairie View cricket complex (Address: Houston, Prairie View, TX 77445). The event is expected to set the stage for a competitive and exciting season, bringing fresh energy and passion to the sport.

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ICC welcomes announcement of cricket venue for LA28

 

ICC welcomes announcement of cricket venue for LA28 DUBAI, APRIL 29 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has welcomed the announcement of Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, as the venue for cricket at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The cricket competition at LA28 will feature six teams each in the men’s and women’s competition as the sport makes a return to the Games after 128 years. The ICC Chair, Mr. Jay Shah, has welcomed the confirmation of the venue and is looking forward to working in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure cricket’s success at the Games. Jay Shah: “We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics. “Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences. “On behalf of the ICC, I want to express my gratitude to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for their support and look forward to collaborating with them and ICC Members in preparing for LA28 and making cricket a huge success there.” Cricket, which made its only appearance in the Olympics at the Paris Games in 1900, was included in the Los Angeles Olympics after an IOC meeting in Mumbai in October 2023. Cricket joins five new sports at LA28 – baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash. The T20 format, which is recognized as the vehicle for the growth of the game by the ICC, has also featured in other multi-sport events in recent years. The Asian Games in 2010, 2014 and 2023 featured both men’s and women’s T20 competitions while the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games staged a women’s competition.

Swaaraj/Neev and Nainika/Riya/win doubles titles

Swaaraj/Neev and Nainika/Riya/win doubles titles

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 24

Top seed Swaaraj and his partner Neev Kothari lifted the boys under-18 doubles title after beating Shreyas Dogial / Dhruv Ghanghas 2-6, 7-6(  6), 10-7. in the doubles final in the CLTA-AITA National Series Tennis Tournament for Boys and Girls under-18 at the Sector 10 Tennis Stadium here today. 

In the girls under-18 doubles final Nainika Reddy and Riya Sachdeva defeated Afreen and Ranjan 6-2,7-6 (2),

Fifth seed Armaan Walia and Ribhav Saroha advanced into semifinals in the boys under-18 singles.  Armaan Walia outplayed Dhruv Ghangas of Haryana 6-4, 6-0 in straight set. Armaan Walia played in a top form and won the first set 6-4. 

In the second set Armaan maintained his momentum and raised his level of game, finally Armaan closed the second set and match 6-0 without conceding a single game.

 In the another quarter final Ribhav Saroha upset 10th seed Anuj Tehsildar of Maharashtra 6-2,6-2 in straight set. Top seed Swaaraj and Nithin also advanced into semi- finals

In girls singles ninth seed Sherry Sharma and third seed Nainika moved into semi-finals. Sherry Sharma upset 2^nd seed Riya Sachdeva of Delhi in three setter marathon match 6-4,4-6,6-3. In the another quarter finals Nainika Bendram of Maharashtra won from Iha Joshi 6-3,6-2 in straight set. Other girls who move into semi-finals are 4^th seed Shagun Kumari and Ranjana Sangram.

Dr. Indra Rattan distributed the prizes to the winners and runners-ups of Boy’s and Girl’s doubles events

Results: Boys under-18 singles (q-finals):  Swaraaj Shailendra Dhamdhere (MH) [1] bt. Vivaan Bidasaria (MP) (Q) 6-3, 6-2,   Armaan Walia (PB) [5] bt. Dhruv Ghanghas (HR) [4] 6-4, 6-0,  Ribhav Saroha (CH) bt. Anuj Tashildar (MH) [10] 6-2, 6-2,   Nithin Barath KS (KR) bt. Megh Maulik Patel (GJ) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.  

Girls under-18 singles (q-finals):   Ranjhana Sangram (PB) (Q) bt. Manshi Singh (DL) [11] 6-4, 6-4,  Shagun Kumari (UP) [4] bt. Pal Vipulkumar Upadhyay (GJ) [8] 7-6(5), 6-2,   Nainika Naren Bendram (MH) [3] bt. Iha Joshi (HR) 6-3, 6-2,  Sherry Sharma (HR) [9] bt. Riya Sachdeva (DL) [2] 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Doubles (finals): Boys Under-18: Swaraj Dhamdhere / Neev Kothari [1] bt. Shreyas Dogial / Dhruv Ghanghas 2-6, 7-6(6), 10-7. 

Girls Under-18: Nainika Reddy Bendram / Riya Sachdeva [1] bt. Afreen Rahil / Ranjana Sangram 6-2, 7-6 (2).

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Gaurav Pratap Singh fires course record of 63, takes first-round lead

 

(L – R) Mr. Vinod Chandiok, PGTI President, tournament host and Indian cricket legend Mr. Kapil Dev, leading Indian professionals Gaganjeet Bhullar and Tvesa Malik, former Indian cricketer Mr. Ajit Agarkar and Grant Thornton Bharat CEO Mr. Vishesh C Chandiok, seen unveiling the trophy on Thursday

 Gaurav Pratap Singh fires course record of 63, takes first-round lead 

BENGALURU, APRIL 24

Gaurav Pratap Singh of Noida fired a course record score of nine-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the INR 2 crore Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational 2025 being played at the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru.

Gaurav’s flawless round broke the previous course record of five-under 67 set by Rashid Khan in 2012.

Gaurav Pratap Singh

Delhi’s Arjun Prasad, fresh from his runner-up finish in Delhi last week, continued his fine form with an eight-under 64 as he held second position on day one.

Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi struck a 65 to be placed third at the first-of-its-kind PGTI event with a mixed field of men and lady professionals.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, Om Prakash Chouhan and Yuvraj Sandhu were among the prominent names bunched in tied sixth with scores of 67.

Hitaashee Bakshi had the best score among the lady golfers after she returned a 69 to be tied 19th.

Gaurav Pratap Singh began his day with a tap-in birdie on the first and followed that up with a 20-feet eagle conversion on the fifth. Some outstanding tee shots with the 3-wood and great wedge-play helped Gaurav, a winner of four pro titles including two on the PGTI main tour, collect five more birdies between the eighth and the 16^th. The 40-year-old finally drained a 15-footer for birdie on the 17^th to close the day with a phenomenal 63.

“Everything came together well today as far as my game is concerned. I was nursing a couple of injuries in my knee and wrist in the previous weeks but right now the body is in good shape and I’m injury-free.

“This course is in peach condition and requires a lot of planning. I’m playing with a clear plan and using my 3-wood more often than the driver because I’m looking to place the ball well off the tee. The plan seemed to work for me today. The eagle early on in my round gave me a lot of momentum and was one of the highlights of my round.

“It’s great to play this new format where the lady professionals are also competing for the main prize. I’m also looking forward to playing alongside the amateurs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank PGTI President Mr. Kapil Dev and Grant Thornton for getting this event back on the PGTI schedule.”

Arjun Prasad, currently placed second on the PGTI Order of Merit with five top-10s this season, posted nine birdies and a bogey on Thursday. He landed it within five feet on five occasions and knocked in three birdie putts from a range of 10 to 12 feet.

Arjun said, “The game is in great shape and that is evident from the fact that this is my second straight round of eight-under. I fired an eight-under in the last round of last week’s event in Delhi. So, it feels like I resumed from where I left off the previous week.”

Earlier in the day, the tournament was inaugurated with the unveiling of the trophy and ceremonial tee-offs by PGTI President, tournament host and Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev, Grant Thornton Bharat CEO Vishesh C Chandiok, Vinod Chandiok, leading Indian professionals Gaganjeet Bhullar and Tvesa Malik as well as former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar.

The tournament combines the Professional Championship with a thrilling Pro-Am component, bringing together professionals and amateurs in a dynamic and engaging way. The three-day, 54-hole championship features 60 men and 12 women professionals competing for the same prize purse. The event will also feature three Pro-Am rounds in a rotational format, with 48 professionals teeing off in the morning, while the remaining 24 pair up with 72 amateurs in the afternoon session. Each Pro-Am team will comprise one professional and three amateurs, with scores combining the pro’s stroke play and the amateurs’ scramble format. Prize money will be awarded to the top three professionals in the Pro-Am standings.

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MoU signed between KCW and Laurentian University

 

MoU signed between KCW and Laurentian University

 AMRITSAR, APRIL 4

 

Khalsa College for Women (KCW) and Laurentian University (LU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic collaboration and provide better educational opportunities for students. Laurentian University, located in Sudbury, Ontario, is a leading bilingual institution in Canada, recognized for its excellence in education, research, and community engagement. Laurentian University fosters a dynamic learning environment and plays a crucial role in regional development while making a global impact through its academic and research contributions. The signing ceremony took place at the office of Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, Honorary Secretary, Khalsa College Charitable Society, Amritsar, in the presence of dignitaries from both institutions.

 

The MOU was signed in the presence of Dr. Parvinder Arora, Faculty Dean of Business, Aarti Ravat, Global Official Representative and Viren Singal, Global Strategy and Recruitment Partner Head, who came from Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, and RMS Chhina, Dr. Surinder Kaur, Principal/Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr. Khushwinder Kumar, Registrar, Khalsa University, and Dr. Suman Nayyar, Head Department of Commerce and Management.

 

The MoU focuses on the BBA program and includes student and faculty exchange programs, industry collaborations, joint research, and skill development initiatives. It will also provide students with opportunities for internships, entrepreneurship training, and exposure to digital business strategies. This partnership is especially beneficial for students seeking international exposure and global learning experiences. The curriculum of the programme is designed as per New Education Policy-2020. The ceremony concluded with an exchange of mementos and a vote of thanks by Dr. Ritu Dhawan.

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Saptak Talwar bags maiden title at Adani Invitational Golf Championship

 

 Saptak Talwar (centre) receives the trophy from Mr. Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited (right) and Mr. Kapil Dev, President, PGTI (left)

 Saptak Talwar bags maiden title at Adani Invitational Golf Championship  

 GREATER NOIDA, APRIL 4

Saptak Talwar of Greater Noida ended a long wait for his maiden title after he outshined his nearest rivals at his home course with a flawless final round of five-under 67 at the INR 1.5 crore Adani Invitational Golf Championship 2025 played at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida.

The 26-year-old Saptak’s (67-72-69-67) superb last round effort lifted him two spots from his overnight third position. Talwar, who had previously posted two runner-up finishes on the PGTI since turning pro in 2021, ended the week with a winning total of 13-under 275 and a one-stroke victory margin.

Talwar, who studied at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, USA, prior to turning professional, picked up the winning cheque worth INR 22,50,000 that propelled him from seventh to fourth position in the PGTI Order of Merit.

Overnight joint leaders Arjun Prasad (68-69-69-70) of Delhi and Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Sandhu (70-67-69-71) finished second and third at 12-under 276 and 11-under 277 respectively.

Saptak Talwar, who was two off the lead at the start of round four, enjoyed a hot start on Friday as he capitalized with birdies on the first two par-5s, the second and fourth holes. Saptak then added two more birdies on the fifth and 10^th using his wedges to great effect. He narrowly missed a five-feet eagle putt on the par-5 12^th where he picked up his fifth birdie of the day.

Talwar, who had made three three-putts for bogeys earlier in the week, then saw it home with pars on the last six holes. He made a crucial par save from eight feet on the 16^th that helped keep his card bogey-free and gave him the momentum towards the end.

Saptak said, “It’s great to win at my home course in the presence of my family and friends. This is my fifth straight week of competition and my endurance was my biggest asset this week. The fact that it was a relatively stress-free week because I was playing in home conditions and there was not much preparation needed also helped.

“At the start of the day, my approach was to just be patient and keep myself in the mix as long as possible as I knew the course well and was aware that I will have my opportunities at some stage. After the good start, the eight-feet par putt on the 16^th I feel was a pivotal moment for me today. It helped me keep my card clean and gave me the confidence to finish well.”

Arjun Prasad, also searching for his first title, produced five birdies and three bogeys during his fourth round of 70. Arjun had the opportunity to take the match into a playoff before he bogeyed the final hole.

Yuvraj Sandhu, a two-time winner on the PGTI this season, sank five birdies on the last day but an early double-bogey and two bogeys on the back-nine put him out of contention as he signed for a 71.

There was a hole-in-one by Sri Lankan N Thangaraja on the 14^th during his fourth round of 71. He secured tied 17^th place at two-under 286.

Nineteen-year-old Sukhman Singh of Greater Noida, the lone amateur to make the cut, won the prize for the best performance by an amateur. Sukhman totaled six-over 294 for the week to finish tied 46th. 

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