Mandhana's 83 powers India to 167-8
PRovidence: Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed a career-best 83 to power India to a competitive 167 for 8 against Australia in a group B match of the ICC Women's World Cup. Mandhana blasted 9 fours and 3 sixes in her 55-ball 83-run innings to anchor the Indian innings. She also became the second fastest India to compete 1000 runs in T20 internationals after Mithali Raj during her innings. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur too produced a strokeful 27-ball 43 studded with three sixes and as many fours to share a 68-run partnership for the third wicket with Mandhana. India, however, lost a bit of ground in the end following the quick wickets of Veda Krishnamurthy and Dayalan Hemalatha within a space of four balls. Both the teams have already advanced into the last four of this championship.
Chess stars on level at world c’ship
London: Three-time defending champion Magnus Carlsen was neck and neck with American Fabiano Caruana after eking out a draw in their sixth world championship game. "I made many mistakes," the 27-year-old Carlsen — nicknamed the "Thor of Chess" — said after a gruelling six-and-a-half hour match with 80 moves. "I just got way too casual," the Norwegian added. Carlsen is seeking to cement his reputation as one of history's greatest players, while Caruana is the first American to compete in the championship since the legendary Bobby Fischer in 1972. Playing white, reigning world champion Carlsen narrowly avoided a defeat to his 26-year-old American challenger. Both players now have three points after six draws.
Eves win 7 medals at Asian U-15 C’ships
New Delhi: Indian wrestlers bagged a rich maul of seven medals, including three Gold, to finish overall second at the just-concluded Asian Under-15 Girls Championships in Fujimi, Japan. Besides three Gold, including one won by World Cadet Bronze medal winner Sweety (43kg), India also won three Silver and one Bronze at the eight-nation event which concluded on Friday. Hosts Japan finished on top in the inaugural event by winning six Gold medals from out of 10 weight categories. India finished second in the team standings with 181 points, behind Japan (202), while Kazakhstan (125) finished third.
Croatia lose Rakitic for England clash
Barcelona: Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has returned to Barcelona with a hamstring strain and will miss the Nations League match against England on Sunday, the club said. Rakitic suffered the injury in the World Cup finalists' 3-2 win against Spain on Thursday. Barcelona said he had suffered "a strained hamstring in his right leg". The club gave no timescale for his recovery but Spanish press reports said he could be out for up to three weeks which could mean he misses the Liga clash with Atletico.