Indian sports wrap, December 7: Saraswat clinches maiden super 100 title at Guwahati Masters

BADMINTON

Saraswat clinches maiden super 100 title at Guwahati Masters

Rajasthan’s Sanskar Saraswat clinched his maiden Super 100 title after eking out a three-game victory over fellow Indian Mithun Manjunath in the men’s singles final of the Guwahati Masters on Sunday.

The 19-year-old from Jodhpur showcased grit and firepower while unleashing a barrage of smashes to outwit former national champion Manjunath 21-11, 17-21, 21-13 in an all-Indian final that lasted 50 minutes.

Saraswat, who trains at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati, has been making rapid strides on the domestic circuit. He won his maiden senior national doubles title alongside Arsh Mohammad in Bengaluru last year and had earlier claimed a junior singles crown.

The duo also finished runners-up in the under-19 event at the 31st Smit Krishna Khaitan Memorial Badminton Tournament in September last year.

-PTi

FOOTBALL

Manipur win Junior Girls’ National Football Championships for 12th time

Manipur on Sunday clinched the Junior Girls’ National Football Championships Tier 1 title for the whopping 12th time with a thumping 9-0 victory over Bengal in Anantapur.

Chingkhamayum Redima Devi (8th, 41st, 65th), Longjam Nira Chanu (29th, 55th, 59th) slammed a hat-trick each, while Yaiphabi Thokchom (68th, 76th) struck a brace and Mongjam Pusparani Devi (75th) scored once.

Manipur was the dominant side throughout the championships, named after legendary Indian footballer Dr Talimeren Ao. Bengal, chasing a fairy-tale finish. Bengal was outplayed in the final by the tiny but formidable northeastern state.

The triumph sealed a remarkable hat-trick of titles for Manipur, having also won in the 2023-24 and 2024-25.

-PTI

GOLF

Indian superstars Jeev, Bhullar, Chawrasia and Kapur set for IGPL UAE

Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar has won each time he has teed up in the inaugural IGPL season. After three successes in Chandigarh, Jaypee Greens, and Ahmedabad, he is all set to try and carry his form to Dubai and make it four in four.

While Shiv Kapur and SSP Chawrasia have made previous appearances on the IGPL, this week veteran Jeev Milkha Singh makes his debut on the IGPL Tour.

Other past Asian Tour winners include the legendary Gaurav Ghei, Harmeet Kahlon, C Muniyappa and Chiragh Kumar.

The presence of three Indian women, Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth, and Hitaashee Bakshi, who have secured their Ladies European Tour for 2026, lends further star value to the event.

-PTI

PICKLEBALL

Mumbai Smashers trumps Hyderabad Smashers to secure IPKL title

Mumbai Smashers defeated Hyderabad Royals 5-1 to win the Indian Pickleball League on Sunday.

Mumbai started stronger of the two in the title showdown, with the Quang Duong getting the better of Tejas Gulati 15-4 win.

Later, Duong returned with his men’s doubles partner Ammol Ramchandani, edging the Hyderabad duo of Ben Newell and Divyanshu Kataria 15-10 in a gritty battle to put Mumbai 2-0 up.

In need of a miracle, Hyderabad turned to Megan Fudge who shifted gears and won 10 straight points for a 15-5 victory against Sindoor Mittal.

Mumbai, though, hit back in the women’s doubles as Allison Harris and Pearl Amalsadiwala came back from 6-8 down to win 15-10.

Mumbai came out roaring in the Grand Rally, taking a 6-1 lead before Hyderabad clawed back at 5-8 to keep the tie alive. But the Smashers refused to loosen its grip, rebuilding a strong cushion at 17-11 and tightening the screws with every exchange.

At 21-14, Mumbai closed it out in style, sealing the championship and completing its fine run.

Duong claimed both the ‘Male MVP’ and ‘Best Men’s Singles Player’ title, while Fudge earned the ‘Female MVP’.

-PTI

Published on Dec 07, 2025