Teams from Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh emerged victorious in the 14th Hockey India Sub-junior Women's National Championship 2024, which saw several entertaining matches being played on the third day of competitions at the South Central Railways Sports Complex here on Thursday.

In Pool B, Hockey Jharkhand hit all the right notes and prevailed 5-0 over Chhattisgarh Hockey. Jamuna Kumari (8’, 37’, 50’) bagged an impressive hattrick and was backed by a brace by Hemrom Fulmani (23’, 41’).

Hockey Uttarakhand beat Hockey Rajasthan 3-1 in Pool D to grab all three points. Raeen Kehkasha Ali (9’, 37’) scored the opening goal and despite Hockey Rajasthan equalising courtesy of Guddi (36’), Raeen scored again followed by a goal by Vansi (50’) to seal the victory.

The IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah saw plenty of uncapped Indian players who earned good deals after being star performers in their respective state-based T20 leagues. Punjab Kings was amongst those sides who heavily invested in some of them – like opener Priyansh Arya, who was bought for INR 3.8 crore, shone bright in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) by amassing 608 runs in 10 innings with a whopping strike rate of 198.69 and made headlines for hitting six sixes in an over en route to making a blazing century.

The side also roped in promising players like Harnoor Pannu, who was a member of India's team winning the U19 World Cup in 2022 and amassed 578 runs in 12 matches, including hitting 33 sixes in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 tournament. Others like Musheer Khan, who made big runs this year at the U19 World Cup, Ranji Trophy, and Duleep Trophy, Suryansh Shedge, Pyla Avinash, and Pravin Dubey are other youngsters who were picked by Punjab, after catching the eye of their scouts.

As the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting showcase of young cricketing talent. With intense rivalries and a storied history, the tournament is set to deliver memorable matches and highlight the future stars of cricket.

Dubai, Nov 28 (IANS) As the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting showcase of young cricketing talent. With intense rivalries and a storied history, the tournament is set to deliver memorable matches and highlight the future stars of cricket.

Scheduled to commence on Friday in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Sharjah), the event features an exciting lineup of young cricketing talent from across Asia. Organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament has a rich legacy and serves as a crucial platform for emerging cricketers.

Opener Nathan McSweeney said his Test debut against India in Perth was unlike anything he had encountered before in his playing career, especially in terms of the quality of the bowling he faced.

On his debut, McSweeney was trapped lbw twice by Jasprit Bumrah for 10 and 0 as Australia lost to India by 295 runs to be 1-0 behind in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

"In Shield cricket, we get to see guys day in, day out, get used to facing them and when you play the international guys, we haven't experienced anything like it. So it's just a little bit different, unique action and it's a little bit tricky to pick up some cues but I'll be better for the run. I'm really looking forward to getting another chance out here in Adelaide," said McSweeney to 9News Adelaide.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir revealed that he focused on controlling his line with the wind after he returned with the figures of 4-69 on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand.

Bashir got the wickets of Rachin Ravindra (34), Tom Blundell (17), Nathan Smith (3) and Matt Henry (18) to restrict New Zealand to 319/8 in 83 overs at stumps on Day 1. Comeback man Kane Williamson was the top-scorer for the home with a knock of 93 runs studded with 10 fours after being put to bat first by Ben Stokes.

Pacers Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse also grabbed two scalps apiece to keep the hosts under pressure at Hagley Oval.

To prepare for next year’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa has retained the Kayla Reyneke-led side that beat Ireland 5-0 in a series at Tshwane earlier this month for the upcoming India tour.

The squad, coached by Dinesha Devnarain, will also have Seshnie Naidu and Karabo Meso, who have been a part of the senior women’s team set-up. South Africa U19 team will play in a round-robin tri-series alongside India U19 A and B teams from December 3-12 at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

"This tour to India is an invaluable opportunity for our young players to gain international exposure and experience challenging conditions ahead of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The Tri-Series will provide our team with a platform to measure themselves against quality opposition and further refine their skills in high-pressure matches.

Liverpool are the first team to have confirmed their place in the round of 16 play-offs after beating Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield, a fifth straight league phase win for the Reds.

Both sides missed penalties in a game which ended with Liverpool maintaining their perfect league phase record, thanks to two well-worked team goals. Alexis Mac Allister combined with Conor Bradley to put the hosts ahead early in the second half, before Caoimhin Kelleher saved Kylian Mbappé's spot kick.

Mohamed Salah then sent his own penalty wide off a post for Liverpool, but the Reds did get a second goal through substitute Cody Gakpo, who nodded in a short corner expertly executed by Andy Robertson.

In other match, Borussia Dortmund have taken a huge step towards the round of 16 as last year's finalists triumphed 3-0 away to Dinamo Zagreb to bring their points tally to 12.

The Women’s Selection Committee has picked India Women’s U19 A and B squads that will be part of the triangular series also featuring the South Africa U19 team on Wednesday. The triangular series between India U19-A, B, and South Africa U19 will act as preparation ahead of the upcoming Women’s U19 Asia Cup.

India have been placed with Pakistan and Nepal in Group A of the inaugural Women’s U19 Asia Cup, to be played in the 20-over format at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Malaysia from December 15-22. The Women’s U19 Asia Cup will serve as a key preparatory tournament for all Asian teams before the 2025 ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, to be hosted by Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.

India are the reigning champions of the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, after winning the inaugural edition in 2023 in South Africa.

Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Delhi Hockey register crucial wins on the second day of the 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship 2024.

The first fixture of the day was between Telangana Hockey and Chhattisgarh Hockey in Pool B which was won 7-0 by the latter. Damini Khusro (31’, 48’), captain Sidar Madhu (36’, 38’) and Shyamlee Ray (44’, 45’) scored braces for Chhattisgarh Hockey and Anjli Ekka (54’) contributed with a solitary goal.

Uttar Pradesh Hockey prevailed over Hockey Uttarakhand as they won their Pool D fixture with a scoreline of 5-0. Chauhan Shraddha (13’, 60’), Mitra Akansha (28’), Sonkar Payl (29’) and Sanjana Raikwar (37’) were the goalscorers for the winning side.

The organisers of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) have announced that the Playoffs and Final of Season 11 will be held at the Badminton Hall in Balewadi Sports Complex here from December 26 to 29.

The top two sides in the league stage will qualify for the semifinals directly, while the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-placed teams will face off in the Eliminator stage on December 26. The team that finishes in third place will take on the side that finishes in sixth place in Eliminator 1. The side placed fourth at the end of the round-robin league will take on the fifth-placed team in Eliminator 2.

The winner of Eliminator 1 will be up against the table toppers in Semifinal 1 and the winner of Eliminator 2 will take on the second-placed side in Semifinal 2 on December 27. Thereafter, the grand finale will be held on December 29 to decide the winner of PKL Season 11.