Indian Sports Wrap, May 21: Diksha leads Indian charge at Jabra Ladies Open; MP T20 League shifted to Gwalior

GOLF

Diksha leads Indian charge at Jabra Ladies Open

In-form Indian golfer Diksha Dagar will look to build on her top-10 finishes and aim for the title when she tees off at the Ladies European Tour’s Jabra Open starting at Evian-les-Bains, France, on Thursday.

Apart from Diksha, the Indian challenge will also include Tvesa Malik, Avani Prashanth and Hitaashee Bakshi.

Pranavi Urs, who injured her wrist during the Dutch Ladies Open and had to withdraw, will rest out this and the next week.

Diksha has moved into the top five of the Order of Merit after finishing tied ninth at the Dutch Ladies Open while Avani is placed 39th in that list after her tied 19th finish at the same event.

Hitaashee also impressed last week as she finished tied 12th in her first LET (Ladies European Tour) appearance this season. Tvesa will be keen to find her rhythm after she failed to make the cut at the Dutch Ladies Open.

The current leader of the Order of Merit, Mimi Rhodes of England, will look to continue her winning ways as she has already won three of the seven LET events this year.

-PTI

Madhya Pradesh T20 League shifted from Indore to Gwalior due to monsoon

The start of the upcoming Madhya Pradesh T20 League (MPL) has been rescheduled from May 27 to June 12 and the event has been shifted from Indore to Gwalior in view of the advancing monsoon, the event’s organisers said on Wednesday.

The latest season will be held at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Shankarpur in Gwalior.

“The Madhya Pradesh League has been relocated from Indore to Gwalior in view of the advancing monsoon in Indore and delay in the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL),” a press release from the organisers stated.

Gwalior also hosted the inaugural edition of MPL last year, making it a familiar venue for players and organisers alike.

Originally, the league was set to commence on May 27 in Indore, aligning with the Indian Premier League’s earlier scheduled conclusion on May 25. However, the IPL will now conclude on June 3 owing to a week-long halt.

-PTI

BOXING

Simranjit Kaur, World Championship bronze-medallist boxer, turns professional

Former World championship bronze medallist Simrajit Kaur has become the latest Indian boxer to turn professional.

The 29-year-old two-time Asian Championship medallist, who represented India in the Tokyo Olympics, decided to take the plunge by signing with former American professional boxer Roy Jones Jr. and Indian professional boxer Mandeep Jangra.

Simranjit, who finished second at the National Championship in the 65kg category in March, is the third Indian boxer to turn professional this year after World championship medallists Nishant Dev and Amit Panghal.

“I am very happy that my career is starting with such a promoter, who has given many star boxers to the world. Mandeep Jangra is already making the country proud in the professional ring and I will also try to get recognition for the country. Roy Jones Jr. is the best promoter and I will definitely take my career forward with him,” Simranjit said.

With this move, Simranjit follows in the footsteps of 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan, Sarita Devi and Neeraj Goyat, who also moved to professional boxing after a good run in the amateur circuit.

– PTI