Indian sports wrap, May 13: Jhulan Goswami calls Bengal Pro T20 League ‘huge platform’ for women’s cricket

CRICKET

Bengal T20 League changing women’s cricket landscape: Jhulan

On the sidelines of the Women’s Auction for the Bengal T20 League, former India pacer and Bengal cricket icon Jhulan Goswami, who also serves as the mentor of women’s cricket at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), hailed the tournament’s impact on women’s cricket in the state, calling it a “huge platform” for the next generation of players.

Earlier this week, the Bengal T20 League concluded its first-ever player auction for Season 3, where franchises built their squads from a pool of more than 1000 cricketers, with significant investments across both senior and emerging categories in men’s and women’s cricket. Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the top men’s pick at Rs. 12.20 lakh, while Mita Paul became the highest-valued player in the women’s auction at Rs. 3 lakh.

Crediting the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for investing heavily in grassroots cricket, Goswami said the women’s game in Bengal has witnessed tremendous growth over the years. “When I used to play for Bengal, hardly 60-70 girls used to play. Now more than 500 girls are enlisted in the Bengal T20 League,” she said.

Goswami believes the league is helping young cricketers gain exposure to professional environments while preparing them for the pressures of elite-level cricket. “There will be pressure, nervousness, social media engagement, and cameras around them. Many of them have never experienced these things before. Hopefully, they will overcome all of it and perform well,” she said.

– Team Sportstar

FOOTBALL

Minerva Academy crowned AIFF Sub-Junior League champions

Minerva Academy FC was crowned champion of the AIFF Sub-Junior League 2025-26 after registering a 4-1 win over Classic Football Academy at Scamper Park, FC Madras in Mahabalipuram on Wednesday.

Khutheipham Muktar Rehman opened the scoring in the eighth minute with an olimpico, curling a corner directly into the net to give Minerva an early lead.

The Punjab side, which dominated possession and created chances at regular intervals, doubled its advantage in the 27th minute when Ngayaiza Zingyo won the ball from Kangjam Rickson Singh and struck a powerful right-footed effort past the goalkeeper.

Minerva made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute through captain Rimoson Singh Huidrom, whose long-range left-footed shot struck the post before going in. By half-time, Minerva had registered seven shots on target and enjoyed 60 per cent possession.

Classic Football Academy pulled one back in the 70th minute when captain Ngangom Suman Singh scored with a looping header following a rebound from a corner. It almost added another immediately after, but Minerva goalkeeper Tonmoy produced a sharp save to keep his side’s two-goal cushion intact.

Minerva sealed the win in the 90th minute after substitute Thangmingun Kipgen was fouled inside the box by Ngangom Suman Singh. Khumanthem Lanchenba Meitei converted the penalty, sending goalkeeper Songarin the wrong way to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

The win helped Minerva Academy FC make amends for its defeat in last season’s final and finish a dominant campaign with the title

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

Pranavi, Avani and Vani look to make mark on Ladies European Tour in Germany tournament

The Indian trio of Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth and Vani Kapoor will compete in the Amundi German Masters golf tournament, which begins in Hamburg on Thursday, as they look to make their mark on the Ladies European Tour.

The tournament has steadily grown into one of the marquee stops on the LET calendar, and for Indian golf, it offers another important platform to showcase a new generation of talent alongside experienced campaigners.

Among the Indians in focus will be Pranavi, who continues to establish herself as one of the country’s brightest prospects on the European circuit. The Mysuru golfer has shown encouraging consistency over the past two seasons and already owns multiple strong LET finishes, including a tied-third result at the Andalucía Open last year.

Pranavi also has positive memories from Germany. At the 2024 edition of the tournament, she closed with a superb 69 to finish tied-24th alongside compatriots Diksha Dagar and Tvesa Malik. That performance underlined her ability to handle demanding European conditions and difficult layouts.

The Green Eagle course, known for its length and punishing rough, rewards patience and disciplined iron play — qualities that fit Pranavi’s steady style. Having gained valuable experience from regular LET starts, she arrives better prepared to contend deeper into the weekend.

Another player drawing attention is Vani, one of the senior figures in Indian women’s golf. A multiple winner on the domestic circuit, Vani has been working to translate that success onto the international stage. Her recent LET performances have shown flashes of promise, particularly in Germany last year when she climbed into the top 10 after the second round with a sparkling 70.

For Vani, the challenge has often been consistency across four rounds, but her experience could prove crucial on a course where strategy matters as much as power. With partial LET status, every strong finish carries additional importance in securing more starts and improving her standing on the tour.

The third Indian player to watch is teenage sensation Avani, whose rapid rise continues to excite Indian golf fans. The Bengaluru golfer turned professional after a decorated amateur career that included representing India at the Asian Games and becoming the first Indian amateur to win on the LET Access Series.

Avani’s fearless approach and aggressive shot-making have already made her one of the most talked-about young names on the LET. Though she withdrew from the 2024 German Masters because of a dental issue after an encouraging opening round, she has since gained further experience competing against stronger international fields. Her growing confidence could make her a dangerous contender if she gets off to a fast start.

Germany’s Esther Henseleit is back on the Ladies European Tour (LET) this week and competing on home soil. The two-time LET winner hails from just outside of Hamburg and is looking forward to the test the North Course at Green Eagle Golf Courses will provide.

With the event being so close to home, Henseleit will have plenty of family and friends supporting from the sidelines.

Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby is also here as a two-time winner this week following her victory at the MCB Ladies Classic – Mauritius. The Dane clinched her first win through a playoff at the 2023 KPMG Women’s Irish Open and secured her second thanks to a birdie putt on the last hole of the Legend Course at the Constance Belle Mare Plage.

-Press Trust of India

Published on May 13, 2026