India beat Australia 3-2
Melbourne: Young striker Affan Yousuf scored a brace to guide Indian men's hockey team to a 3-2 win over world champions Australia in the opening match of the two-game series, here on Tuesday. While Yousuf scored two field goals (19th minute) in quick succession, dragflicker V R Raghunath netted the winner for India in the 44th minute. Australia's goals came from the sticks of Matthew Willis (36th) and Trent Mitton (43rd). Yousuf opened the scoring for India in the 19th minute with a wonderfully constructed field goal and then doubled his tally with another field strike in the very next move as India went into halftime firmly in control with a two goal cushion. Australia, on the other hand, were incisive and precise, and drew themselves level via goals from Willis (36th) and Mitton (43rd). India, however, regained their lead a minute later from a penalty corner, which was dully converted by Raghunath.
Thakur stars for mumbai
Nagpur: Shardul Thakur's career-best spell in First Class cricket helped Mumbai bundle out Bengal for 99 runs on day one of the Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Tuesday. After bowling out Bengal in 35.3 overs, Mumbai made 164 for five taking a 65 run lead at stumps on the opening day. While Thakur stood out with the ball, opener Kaustubh Pawar scored a solid 78 off 112 balls. Three quick wickets towards the end of the day gave Bengal something to cheer about. Delhi bowled out Vidarbha for 183 before Shikhar Dhawan lasted just nine balls on day one of the Group B Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday. Dhawan, playing his second competitive game since recovering from a thumb injury, was dismissed for six runs just before close of play. In response to Vidarbha's 183, Delhi were 12/1 in 3 overs.
ATK draw 1-1 against Kerala
Kolkata: Former champions Atletico de Kolkata secured a place in the play-offs for the third successive season following their 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters in an Indian Super league football match here on Tuesday. Playing the role of a lone striker in Steve Coppell's 4-1-4-1 scheme of things, C K Vineeth put Kerala ahead in the eighth minute in what was a poor judgement from an otherwise impressive ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder. Keen on improving their woeful home record this season, ATK were not to budge as they put up a beautiful link-up play among Iain Hume, Helder Postiga and Stephen Pearson who got the goal on his name in the 18th minute.