Indian sports wrap, January 15: Chotrani in maiden PSA Silver-level event quarters
SQUASH
Squash in the Land 2026: Chotrani books PSA silver quarterfinal spot for first time
Veer Chotrani booked a PSA Silver-level event quarterfinal spot for the first time at the ongoing Squash in the Land 2026 in Cleveland (US) with an 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 victory over Swiss eighth seed Yannick Wilhelmi in the round-of-16.
World No. 52 Chotrani will take on Mexican second seed Leonel Cardenas in the last-eight stage.
In Detroit, Ramit Tandon advanced to the quarterfinals of the DR21 Motor City Open, a PSA Silver-level tournament, while compatriot Velavan Senthilkumar bowed out in the round-of-16 to American seventh seed Timothy Brownell in four close games.
World No. 41 Tandon defeated Egyptian third seed Mohamed Abouelghar 11-8, 10-12, 11-2, 13-11, and will next meet Egyptian eighth seed Yahya Elnawasany.
-Team Sportstar
CYCLING
Dhoni named ambassador of Pune Grand Tour
Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Thursday named ambassador of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, the first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage road race cycling event in India, to be held from January 19 to 23.
The five-day Continental Road Cycling Race for Men will wind through a 437km route across the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, featuring sharp bends and challenging elevations.
“With the emergence of the Pune Grand Tour, India is pedalling into a new chapter in cycling as a professional sport. I wish the organisers great success with the initiative. A special mention to the Indian national team—this is their moment to shine in front of home fans and bring glory to the nation,” said Dhoni.
Leading the international charge will be Spain’s Pro Team Burgos Burpellet BH, ranked 27th in the UCI rankings, followed by China’s Li Ning Star (36th) and Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team (37th). The host challenge will be led by renowned rider Naveen John.
The event has attracted 171 riders from 29 teams across 35 countries.
The race is being organised by the Pune District Administration under the aegis of Cycling Federation of India.
-PTI
KHO KHO
Maharashtra, Railways win titles in Kho Kho Nationals
Defending champion Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) and Maharashtra clinched the titles in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, at the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship in Kazipet on Thursday.
While Railways (men) registered victory for the second time in a row, Maharashtra (women) clinched the title for the fifth consecutive time.
In the women’s category, Maharashtra defeated Odisha 23-22 in a tightly contested match. In the men’s category, Railways triumphed over Maharashtra in a thrilling 26-21 final.
Interestingly, both Odisha and Maharashtra won silver in the women’s and men’s category for the second time.
-PTI
GOLF
Jasmine fires bogey-free 65 to start year with win
Jasmine Shekar got off to a flying start in the new season as she won the opening leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour 2026 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Bengaluru golfer completed a wire-to-wire win as she compiled the week’s best card of 5-under 65, which was bogey free.
With rounds of 67-70-65, she totalled 8-under 202 and won by four shots over Ridhima Dilawari (67). Jasmine held a one-shot lead after day one, extended it to two after two rounds and doubled it to four by the end of the event.
Jasmine was the only player to card par or better on each of the three days at the Par-70 course.
Jasmine picked up the winner’s cheque of Rs. 2.30 lakh from a total purse of Rs. 17 lakh. Ridhima earned Rs. 1.70 lakh, while the third-placed Lavanya Jadon took home Rs. 1.40 lakh.
It was Jasmine’s fourth win on the WPG Tour since turning pro in 2023. She won twice in 2024 and once in 2025 and has now opened the 2026 season with a convincing victory.
The win also showed Jasmine’s consistent progress since becoming a pro. She finished sixth on the Order of Merit in her rookie year in 2023, was fifth in 2024 and third last year.
-PTI
Published on Jan 15, 2026