Indian sports wrap, August 26: Women’s World Cup 2025 trophy reaches Indore

WOMEN’S CRICKET

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour ignites excitement in Indore

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour made a stop in Indore, sparking excitement across the city in celebration of the upcoming global event.

The trophy visited some of the city’s most historic and scenic landmarks, including Rajwada Palace, Gandhi Hall, Central Museum, Sirpur Lake and Pitra Parvat.

A key highlight of the five-day tour was its visit to schools across Indore.

On the final day, the trophy arrived at the Holkar Stadium, one of the official venues for the upcoming tournament. The tour will continue its journey across select cities in India and Sri Lanka, with Mumbai as its next stop.

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place from 30 September to 2 November across DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai), ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam) and R Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka).

– Team Sportstar

SQUASH

SRFI honours Asian and World medallists

The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) along with its long-standing supporter HCL, felicitated the World and Asian medallists, and presented the players and coaches, a total cash award of Rs.11 lakh, here on Tuesday.

Even though a bunch of youngsters won everyone’s hearts for their impressive performances, the fiery foursome of Joshana Chinappa, Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar, came for universal applause for having swept all the three gold medals in the Asian doubles championship.

The world doubles champion with Dipika Pallikal, Joshana thanked the National federation and HCL for all the support to the players and the felicitation function.

“HCL has played a huge part in our progress. I hope they continue to support the next generation. Team events are always fun. It was special to be part of this team. It was fun playing doubles with Anahat, and sharing the room with her, as she is one of the most entertaining players on team,” said Joshana.

The secretary general of SRFI, Cyrus Poncha, who conducted the function in a crisp way, praised Abhay Singh for winning an 89-minute marathon with Velavan, and quickly coming back to win the mixed doubles with Anahat.

“Anahat can listen on court, and not off it. She executed the game plan very well,” said Abhay.

Competing in both the juniors apart from the professional events, Anahat had to make repeated walks to the stage to receive the awards, from the SRFI president Anil Wadhwa, and the Head of Brand Strategy of HCL, Rajat Chandolia.

Indian players had won two gold, three silver and three bronze for their best haul in the Asian junior championship in Korea, apart from medals in the Asian junior team championship in Hong Kong. They had also won two medals in the World junior championship in Cairo, including the individual medal by Anahat.

Conceding that it was quite tough to compete in so many events, Anahat said that she loved doing it.

“It is the sport I love. I like to travel and meet people. I really enjoy competing around the world,” said Anahat.

“Our focus is to multiply human potential. We are in it for a long haul”, assured Rajat Chandolia, as he expressed delight at the way the game has progressed in the last decade.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

BOXING

Indian junior pugilists impress at 3rd Belt and Road International Training Camp cum Competition in Xinjiang

India’s young boxers are making their presence felt at the 3rd “Belt and Road” International Youth Boxing Gala – Under-17/Under-19/Under-23 International Training Camp & Tournament, currently underway in Xinjiang, China.

On August 25, the junior girls began their bouts, with Khushi Chand (46kg) defeating China by RSC in the 3rd round in Ring A, and Priya (66kg) also defeating China by RSC in the 3rd round in Ring B.

On the same day, the junior boys delivered strong performances with Dhruv Kharb (46kg) defeating Iran’s Akbari Maghsoudian Amirmahdi 5:0, Ritesh Kumar (57kg) overpowering Kyrgyzstan’s Ergeshov Alikhan 5:0, and Aryan (60kg) advancing against Kazakhstan’s Dulat Aziz via disqualification. Despite losses for Lanchenba Singh, Sahil Duhan, and Bhavya Pratap, the team displayed resilience against experienced opponents.

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

Sneha, Amandeep headline 12th leg of Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour

Sneha Singh and Amandeep Drall, fresh off a stint in Sweden, will headline the 12th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Clover Greens, starting Wednesday.

Last week’s winner Heena Kang, who claimed her maiden title, has withdrawn from the Rs 15 lakh event citing a back strain.

A total of 34 players including five amateurs will tee up this week at Clover Greens, which recently hosted a men’s professional event also.

Sneha and Amandeep, who among others are trying to get ready for the upcoming Hero Women’s Indian Open by playing as many events ahead of it as possible, will be among the leading contenders.

Sneha has already won two times and Amandeep has also won on the Hero WPGT schedule this season.

Some of the other strong players in the field are Ridhima Dilawari, Seher Atwal, Jasmine Shekar and Vidhatri Urs. Another name to reckon with is the hugely talented amateur Mannat Brar.

The field includes five winners from the current season — Sneha, Amandeep, Ridhima Dilawari, Jasmine Shekar and Rhea Purvi Saravanan.

-PTI

Published on Aug 26, 2025