“Sometimes you’ve got to learn from opposition”: Skipper Gill after d…

Colombo [Sri Lanka], August 28 (ANI): Indian skipper Shubman Gill reflected on the draw against Sri Lanka at Colombo, saying that sometimes the team needs to learn from their opponents’ as well and expressed hope that Team India will have a great outing during two-match Test series in New Zealand later this year. catcross.org

Stubborn resistance from the tailenders and sweeps from run machine Sonal Dinusha swept away the clean sweep from Team India as both teams had to shake hands following a draw at Colombo. Even though India have won the series 1-0, their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) point percentage has taken a hit, and they are placed fifth in the standings ahead of the NZ Tests starting from November 19 onwards.

Speaking in a video by BCCI, Gill said, “A lot of learnings in this series. I think we played decently well. Obviously not the result that we wanted in this match. After day two, we hoped that it was going to be a win for us, and then Sri Lanka batting the way that they did for these three days. Sometimes you have got to learn from the opposition as well and give credit to them for the way that they played, and hopefully we have a good series in New Zealand."

He also hailed the ‘Player of the Series’ Devdutt Padikkal, who smashed two statement centuries, taking a giant leap in sealing the number three spot for India in Tests ahead of an injured Sai Sudharsan.

“We speak about once a batsman is set, he should make the most of it, and Devdutt showed that. Very positive signs for us, and the way he batted in the series was a treat to watch, you know, truly tells the mindset of a player, and that is a great positive sign for us," said Gill about Paddikal.

Paddikal was India’s top run-getter with 328 runs in three innings at an average of 109.33, with two centuries and a best score of 117. Now in four Tests and six innings, he has made 418 runs at an average of 69.66, including two centuries and a fifty.

Gill also hailed the leading wicket-taker of the series, spinner Manav Suthar, who took a ten-fer at Galle, saying that he looks like someone who could lead the spin attack for India for a long time and hailed his ability to make chances, something which he truly did for his team throughout the series.

“He has been magnificent for us, and I think he is going to be someone who is going to be leading the spin attack for India for a very long time. And the way he bowled in this match and even in the first match was a treat to watch. Every time he comes on to bowl, it feels like he is going to create those chances and going to get us wickets, and hopefully he keeps doing that," said the skipper.

Suthar finished the series with 16 wickets in two matches at an average of 21.06, with a four-fer and six-fer in the first Test, giving him his first career ten-fer. His best bowling figures were 6/55.

Coming to the match, India opted to bat first, with centuries from Padikkal (117 in 193 balls, with 12 fours), Dhruv Jurel (115* in 177 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) and half-centuries from Rishabh Pant (63 in 89 balls, with six fours and two sixes) and skipper Gill (50 in 108 balls, with six fours) taking India to 503/9, with Asitha Fernando taking four-fer.

In their first innings, SL was skittled out for 290, with Dinusha’s second century (103 in 162 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) and a fine 80 from Pasindu Sooriyabandara (in 133 balls, with nine fours) standing out. Prasidh Krishna and Suthar were among the wickets for India with three each.

During the follow-on, India had SL down for 218/6, but a 112-run stand between Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha (46 in 150 balls, with four boundaries) pushed Sri Lanka towards a sizeable lead. Dinusha (133* in 264 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) reached his third ton of the series, with the resistance from lower order, who soaked in deliveries to support him. SL ended at 429/9, drawing the Test. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Legendary Team India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has expressed his support to the families that are affected by the floods in Nepal. He also prayed for the safety of those who are awaiting news of their loved ones.

"There is perhaps no greater uncertainty than not knowing whether someone you love is safe. My heart goes out to all the families affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, especially those still waiting for news. Praying for their loved ones and for the rescue teams working tirelessly to reach them," he wrote in a post on his official social media handle.

There is perhaps no greater uncertainty than not knowing whether someone you love is safe. My heart goes out to all the families affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, especially those still waiting for news. Praying for their loved ones and for the rescue teams working…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 27, 2026

The floods wreaked havoc in Nepal, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that 85 Indian nationals have been rescued and 290 are still uncontactable. Nepal has launched search, rescue, and relief operations after the floods, in which at least 359 people have lost their lives.

According to the MEA's latest update issued at 8 pm today, 63 workers of the Trishuli-I project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu have been rescued.

The 21 Tamil Nadu nationals had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, while the 63 rescued workers were associated with the Trishuli-I project.

The MEA said efforts were continuing to ascertain the whereabouts and ensure the safety of Indian nationals who remain uncontactable in the flood-affected areas.

The development comes as Nepal grapples with the aftermath of a major flash flood that struck the Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, sending a powerful surge of water, sediment and boulders through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

According to the latest update from Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 359 bodies have been recovered, while 910 people remain missing or out of contact.

(With ANI Inputs)

Boria Majumdar

With National Sports Day set to be celebrated on August 29, marking the birth anniversary of the legendary Dhyan Chand, it is only fitting that we turn the spotlight towards hockey.

Over the last few days, we have brought you a number of important hockey conversations. We spoke to Savita Punia about what has changed in women’s hockey over the last eight months.

Today, we will air a detailed interview with India women’s head coach Sjoerd Marijne on how he went about restoring belief in the team and ensuring that the infighting, which had become a feature, was brought to an end.

Marijne, who has signed a contract to stay on until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, was tasked with cleaning things up after reports emerged that the players were divided, with multiple small groups within the team. Complaints had been made to Hockey India, and the team environment was anything but pleasant.

“Once I took over, I was very clear about what was acceptable and what was not,” said Marijne. “I did not care for a single individual if she wasn’t part of the collective. No individual matters, however good they are. I said to a number of them that they had no place in this team and left them out. For some others who continue to be part of the team, I made it clear what I wanted from them. The problem was everyone was playing for themselves. It was about these individuals and not the team. No one cared for the collective and that’s not how a good team can operate.

“Much more than on the field, it was off the field that things needed to be set straight. That’s what I went about doing. There is absolutely no question that the talent is there. Look at the number of youngsters playing in this World Cup. We have played the Netherlands twice in the last two weeks, first in a practice match and then in a World Cup game. Each time, they haven’t scored more than two goals, and each time our defensive shape was intact. They know that India isn’t an easy team to beat. While I was disappointed at not winning the match against China, I have to say that overall I am happy with the way the defence has shaped up.”

What makes Marijne’s approach refreshing is his willingness to take tough questions head-on. I asked him about not being with the team a month before the World Cup, and he offered his side of the story without hesitation. That transparency is refreshing, and it is something he has sought to pass on to the players.

“If they don’t compete with each other, they can never get better,” the coach concluded. “At the same time, when they are playing for India, they need to be there for each other all the time. That’s what team sport is all about.”

As India prepares to mark National Sports Day, this is a conversation about much more than hockey. It is about leadership, accountability, trust and the understanding that individual talent can only take a team so far.

Full interview out at 12 noon on RevSportz.

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The post Sjoerd Marijne and Restoring Belief in Indian Women’s Hockey appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

Imran Khan's sons have raised alarming issues regarding his health and living conditions in prison. They claim he is suffering from extended isolation and insufficient medical attention, with Kasim Khan revealing that their father's eyesight has notably deteriorated in one eye. Their attempts to visit him in Pakistan have been thwarted. Additionally, former international cricket captains are calling for humane treatment for Khan.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 28 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay congratulated Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa for his Grand Chess Tour (GCT) 2026 title win, saying that it is a “recognition of his extraordinary talent and unwavering perseverance".

Staging a memorable comeback that the young grandmaster will undoubtedly remember for his life, Praggnanandhaa went from trailing 3-9 in the classical phase to winning the title against the US’s Fabiano Caruana on Thursday.

The official X handle of the CMO Tamil Nadu posted, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the young Grandmaster from Tamil Nadu, Mr. Praggnanandhaa, who has created history by becoming the first Indian to win the champion’s title at the Grand Chess Tour 2026 held in St. Louis, USA."

“Competing against the world’s top players with remarkable mental fortitude and strategic brilliance, his victory in securing the champion’s title is a fitting recognition of his extraordinary talent and unwavering perseverance. This magnificent triumph not only instills new hope and inspiration in the younger generation but also brings immense pride to Tamil Nadu and India. I wholeheartedly wish Mr. Praggnanandhaa continued success in achieving many more milestones on the global stage," the post added.

https://x.com/CMOTamilnadu/status/2093204008341282919

He beat USA’s Fabiano Caruana in the title clash 15-13, despite trailing 3-9 by the end of two classical games.

In the first rapid game, the Indian won 0-4 and then followed it with a win in the second rapid game as well by 4-0, making it 11-9 in his favour.

The first blitz game was a draw, bringing the scores to 12-10, and the drama was heightened with Fabiano winning the second to level the scores.

Praggnanandhaa won the third rapid game, bringing back the lead 14-12, and drew the final game to make it 15-13 and to complete a memorable win.

Praggnanandhaa, USA’s Wesley So, USA’s Fabiano Caruana and Vincent Keymer were four players taking part in the Grand Chess Tour finale from August 22-27.

The Grand Chess Tour 2026 is a six-tournament affair, consisting of Super Rapid and Blitz Poland, Super Chess Classic Romania, Super Rapid and Blitz Croatia, St Louis Rapid and Blitz, Sinquefield Cup and finally the Grand Chess Tour Finals.

The Indian Grandmaster was the leading point-getter in the Sinquefield Cup alongside the US’s Wesley So, with 5.5 each. Praggnanandhaa’s excellent performances in the Sinquefield Cup and the win in the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz competition earned him a spot in the GCT Finals. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)