IPL
Kidambi Srikanth enters the first final in Malaysia Masters in six years

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on Saturday led to a storm in his first men’s singles final of a BWF event in six years with a direct game win over Yushi Tanaka of Japan at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur. The 32-year-old, the 2021 World Championship silver medalist, showed a great game, with a glimpse of his vintage self with a sharp net play and attacked Flair for World No. 23 Tanaka 21-18 24-22 in a thrilling competition. “I am very happy. It’s a while,” Srikanth said after the victory.
He will face the second seed Lee Shi Feng at the summit on Sunday.
This is Srikanth’s first last appearance on the BWF World Tour after completing the runner-up at the 2019 India Open.
A former world number one, Srikanth – currently ranked 65th – has tolerated a thick patch in the last few sessions due to form and fitness issues.
“Physically I am feeling well, but also the fact that I have not played a lot of matches last year, playing qualifying, so that touch of playing matches can be lost. And yes, everything worked this time.
He said, “I am working hard last month. This is just these victory, after a long time, this has been my feelings,” he said.
A naturally talented player, Srikanth became the first Indian to win four BWF titles in 2017 and then led the country in his first Commonwealth Games Gold at the Team event.
But his struggles started soon. Although he seemed to be in good touch in 2019, Srikanth missed the Tokyo Olympics due to a combination of injuries and cancellation of the qualifier due to the Kovid -19 epidemic.
He continued to suffer minor injuries, especially those related to the ankle, affecting their stability. He recovered timely to become the first Indian men shuttler to reach the finals of the 2021 World Championship in Spain.
He played an important role in India’s historic Thomas Cup Triumph in 2022, winning all his six matches before disappearing again.
Srikanth reached the quarter -finals in the Thailand Open Super 300 earlier this year, while his last semi -final performance came to the Swiss Open and Macau Open in 2023.
In the last three months, however, he passed through intensive training sessions, focused on fitness, and worked on injecting the speed in rallies under coach RMV Gurusudatta and Parupalli Kashyap’s attentive eyes.
Asked about his plans to move forward, Srikanth said: “I have not really planned anything. It is about physically fit, being hurt-free, and then play as many tournaments as possible. I don’t really have the goal of playing the next tournament this year.
“So it’s just about training and is about to be physically fit and obviously if I play, I will play to win clearly. I really want to give myself to heal, train and then play enough time to play at this time.” In the initial game, Srikanth made some errors trying to combat Tanaka’s speed and lagged behind 1–5.
With some straight straight slices and round-the-head smash, the Indian shut down the difference, but the Japanese kept a five-digit cushion with a crisp cross smash.
Srikanth gradually created rallies and forced the Japanese errors to make 8–9, although Tanaka gained a three-point lead in the break.
The Indian 14-All was leveled and took a 19–16 lead with brilliant cross-court returns. A down-line smash earned him two game points, and he converted to take the opener.
Tanaka again started firmly in the second game, leaving Srikanth some opportunities before 3–0 and 7-2 to 7-2.
But like the first game, Srikanth responded with aggression, reduced the deficit to 8–9 and level the score with a sharp net kiln.
Tanaka made soft errors because Srikanth proceeded from 13–10, but Japanese fought back to make it 17.
After an intensive fight, Srikanth earned a match point with a net error, but Tanaka saved the score level to leave at 20–20.
A tight net shot gave Srikanth a second match points, but Tanaka’s quick return made it 22. A backhand Push of Srikanth caught the line, and they sealed the match as Tanaka widened.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
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IPL
Duleep Trophy: Cricket News dominates North East region as Silver Patidar Slam Ton, near Danish Malver Double

The Central Zone dominated the early day of the Dalip Trophy quarter -final against the North East Zone in Bengaluru on Thursday, reaching 4 out of 2 in 77 overs to 432 in 77 overs before the rain played. Vidarbha’s Danish Malevar remained unbeaten on 198 Silver Scored a quick 125 off 96 balls.The pair performed an impressive batting, collectively kills 56 borders. Malevar, who first scored in a century Ranji Trophy In the final last season, hit 35 fours and a six in his innings. Patidar’s aggressive knock included 21 fours and three sixes.The partnership between Malav and Patidar began when 60, who batted at 60, was hurt after Aryan Juyal was killed in the stomach area. He added 199 runs for the second wicket in just 28 overs.Mallever performed extraordinary batting skills for 1,000 runs in her tenth first -class game. His third first -class century included 20 borders, in which the hundredth run was coming through a limit.Patidar showed his class by hitting three consecutive reverse sweeps against North East Zone captain Rongsen Jonathan, who scored 130 runs in 15 overs. He arrived in his 14th first class century with cover drive in the following over.
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Patidar’s innings ended when he attempted to sweep Pesar Feeriizam Jotin and was caught by Ankur Malik in deep square leg boundary.After Patidar’s dismissal, Malwar formed another strong partnership with his Ranji team partner Yash Rathore. The pair added 85 runs for the unwavering third wicket stand, with Rathod unbeaten at 32, the rain disrupted the game.21 -year -old Malevar is now on the verge of her first class double hundred, showing her ability as a growing talent in Indian domestic cricket.
IPL
Sanju Samson wreaked havoc! The Asia Cup hit 21 sixes as an opener ahead of 2025. Cricket news

Sanju Samson The Kerala Cricket League (KCL) is set with its explosive hit, cleaning ropes 21 times in just three matches as a opener. The 30 -year -old form has not only operated its side, but has also ruled the debate about its role in India’s Asia Cup squad starting on 9 September. In the latest match, playing for Kochi Blue Tigers against Adani Trivandrum Royals, Samson scored 62 runs in 37 delivery, including five sixes, as posted by his team in 191. Before the tournament, he produced 89 runs knocks from 46 balls against Thrissur Titans, although his side decreased in that competition. His standout came in the innings when he made his way for 121 runs, sent the ball to the stand seven times. Samson has also shown customization ability, transferring his versatility with his natural invasive nature, transferring to number 6 in one of the fixtures.In these 3 games, he made a compelling to score 272 runs, which more than enough to bend the head and emphasize the fact that he can distribute if he is used as an opener in his Go-to roll. His form has discussed India’s batting order for the Asia Cup fresh. Former captain Ajinkya Rahane supported Samson on his YouTube channel, “Shubman is back in the team, I am sure he is most likely to open with Abhishek Sharma. Personally, I would like to see Sanju Samson in the team because he is really done well. He is a very confident man, he is a very good team man, and this is very important.” However, not everyone agrees. Former industry batsman Akash Chopra suggested that Samson may still remember despite his KCL form. “With the return of Shubman Gill, the fate of Sanju Samson has been sealed less or less. He will no longer allow XI to play. You will not leave Tilak Verma or Hardik Pandya, which means that Samson sits out and Jitesh Sharma will get the node again,” Chopra commented.
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As India prepares for the continental tournament, Samson’s explosive run has ensured that its case is making it difficult to ignore, even if the dynamics of selection are making its immediate future clouded.
IPL
Watch: Sachin Tendulkar and family pray in Lalbagcha Raja

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar And his family visited the famous Lalbagcha Raja in Mumbai today, demanded blessings on the occasion of Ganesh ChaturthiSachinWife Anjali, son Arjun and daughter Sara were seen in traditional dress as they prayed before the prestigious Ganesh idol. His journey was surrounded by a large number of fans, in which the cameras captured the family’s darshan, before they make their way through a large crowd. Arjun, dressed in a brown kurta, matching with his father, with the family in the pandal. This appearance comes at a time when he has been in the headlines after the news of her engagement for Sania Chandok earlier this month.Earlier, Sachin, Anjali and Arjun visited Raj Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai, which had pictures of going viral online. That occasion marked Arjun’s first public appearance since the engagement. The news of Arjun’s engagement was initially spread through reports, but during a redit, Sachin Tendulkar himself asked me anything session. In response to a fan, batting Mahan said, “Yes he did and we are all very excited for the new phase in our life.” Arjun, 25, on August 13, exchanged the ring with close relatives and friends at a private ceremony with 26-year-old Sania. Sania is the granddaughter of businessman Ravi Gai, whose Gravis Group manages the India franchise and Brooklyn Creemiry of Bascon Robins. Despite paying attention, Arjun has stayed away from making any personal announcements online. His last social media post, on 9 August, had a Raksha Bandhan message to his sister Sara. No details about the wedding plans have been shared by any family so far.
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As the celebration continues in Mumbai, Tendulkars’ visit to Lalbagcha Raja attracted significant interest, once again entered the public’s eyes amidst the ceremonies and best wishes around Arjun’s new chapter.
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