Sports

Ankita Raina creates history

Published

3 years ago

February 8, 2021

(Asian News Hub) – Ankita Raina, on Sunday, became only the fifth Indian woman tennis player to secure a place in the main draw of a Grand Slam as she made the cut for the women’s doubles event of the Australian Open.

After missing out on the women’s singles main draw, she still had a chance to qualify as a ‘lucky loser’ till the completion of the first round, but the 28-year-old realised a long-time dream when she signed up with Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnecu and earned a direct entry.

Nirupama Mankad (1971), Nirupama Vaidyanathan (1998), Sania Mirza and Indian-American Shikha Uberoi (2004) have competed in the Grand Slam main draws for the country.

Ankita is only the second Indian after Sania, a six-time Grand Slam champion, to compete in the women’s doubles of a tennis major.

Nirupama was the first to crack a singles Grand Slam main draw, back in 1998 at Australian Open, while Nirupama Mankad played the 1971 Wimbledon mixed doubles with Anand Amritraj.

Shikha had competed in the 2004 US Open and reached the singles second round.

Now India will have four Indians competing in the season’s first Grand Slam.

Sumit Nagal will compete in the men’s singles while Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will present their challenge in the men’s doubles with their respective partners.

Nagal has drawn Lithiania’s Ricardas Berankis as his first round opponent.

Bopanna and his Japanese partner Ben McLachlan will take on Korean wild card entrants Ji Sung Nam and Min-Kyu Song.

Sharan and his Slovakian partner Igor Zelenay will take on German combo of Yannick Hanfmann and Kevin Krawietz. (Agencies)

Sports

India thrash Sri Lanka to win 8th Asia cup

Published

2 weeks ago

September 17, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

India defeated Sri Lanka in a one-sided final to win the Asia Cup for the 8th time. India last won the tournament in 2018. On Sunday, Mohammed Siraj took 6 for 21 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50, the lowest ODI team total against India.

INDIA THRASH SRI LANKA TO WIN THEIR 8TH ASIA CUP! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/82Kkc8E0Oq— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 17, 2023

Sports

Anantnag’s all-rounder Rubia Syed to play for Gujarat Giants in Womens’ IPL

Published

4 weeks ago

September 8, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

Rubia Syed Sheikh, a 29-year-old female cricketer from Badasgam village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has been called up by the Gujarat Giants for the upcoming season of the Women’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rubia is an all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. She has been playing cricket since 2012 and has represented Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) for the last ten years. She has also played in the Ranji Trophy and Senior Women’s T-20.

Rubia said, “I received a call from officials who told me that I will be part of the IPL team Gujarat Giants for the upcoming season.”

Rubia said her father, Ghulam Qadir Sheikh, a fruit businessman, has always believed in her and supported her. She said there is a lot of excitement among her family members and fans and every one of them wants to see her playing for the Gujarat Giants.

“I will give my best to contribute to the team’s success,” she said.

Jasia Akhter, another female cricketer from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was selected for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in February this year. She was taken by Delhi Capitals for Rs 20 lakh in the auction. KNO

Sports

Night football tournament lights up Kashmir’s Apple town, triggers enthusiasm

Published

3 months ago

July 19, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

Sopore is witnessing buzzing sports activities during night drawing an impressive crowd to watch matches.

Also Read: Rains wreak havoc in J&K: 3-yr-old, teenagers among 8 killed in house collapse, landslides in Kathua’s Bani

With floodlights illuminating the field, Khushal Sports Stadium has become an epicenter for football enthusiasts in north Kashmir.

Locals told that Khushal Sports Stadium which was usually quiet during evenings is experiencing an electrifying atmosphere now.

The bright floodlights painted the stadium with a magical glow, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable show of talent, they said.

The tournament organizers, along with local football associations, have planned the tournament to ensure a seamless and exciting experience for all.

Enthusiastic cheers, applause, and friendly banter reverberate through the stadium as the players compete passionately under the shimmering floodlights during night.

“I can’t believe we have a football tournament under the stars. The floodlights make it even cooler, and I’m so excited to cheer for my favorite team,” said football aficionado Sameer.