Sports

Mitchell Starc delivered a career-best six-wicket haul as Australia dominated Day 1 of the second Test against India in Adelaide. After India opted to bat, they were reduced to 180 all out, with Nitish Reddy’s 42 providing the only resistance. Australia reached 86 for one at stumps, with Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney at the crease. Starc's inswinging deliveries, along with key contributions from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, saw India collapse after a solid start. Australia will be confident of surpassing India’s total on Day 2, with easier batting conditions expected.

India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in a thrilling final to win the 2024 Men's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat. Araijeet Singh Hundal was the star of the match, scoring four goals, including two crucial strikes in the second half. The match saw early tension with Pakistan taking a 1-0 lead, but India quickly equalized. The game remained competitive, with both teams exchanging goals, including a 3-3 draw in the third quarter. Hundal's two late goals sealed India's victory, marking their third consecutive Junior Asia Cup title. The win underscores India's dominance in junior hockey.

Ace badminton player PV Sindhu is set to marry Venkata Datta Sai, an executive director at Posidex Technologies, on December 22 in Udaipur. The couple's families, who have known each other for years, finalized the wedding just a month ago, with the date chosen to fit Sindhu's busy schedule. Following the wedding, a reception will be held in Hyderabad on December 24. Sindhu, 29, has confirmed she will continue her badminton career, aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Her recent victory at the Syed Modi International tournament has boosted her confidence as she prepares for the upcoming season.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the hybrid model is the only viable solution for the 2025 Champions Trophy, following India's refusal to send its team to Pakistan. Despite the PCB’s insistence on hosting all matches in Pakistan, the ICC made it clear that this would not be feasible. The PCB is expected to consult with the Pakistani government and may eventually agree to the hybrid model, which would allow India’s matches, semi-final, and final to be held in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament would take place in Pakistan. A decision is expected after the ICC Board reconvenes on November 30.

Ding Liren found himself in a desperate time scramble during Game 3 of the World Chess Championship, needing to make nine moves in under two minutes. His downfall came after a reckless move, pushing his light-squared bishop to c2, where it became trapped by Gukesh, who expertly capitalized on the mistake. Despite attempts to extricate the bishop, Ding was unable to recover, eventually running out of time with three moves still to make. Gukesh’s strategic opening and relentless pressure both on the board and clock sealed a crucial victory, putting him in a strong position heading into the first rest day of the match.