分类： sports

Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has made a triumphant return to the field, set to play a pivotal role in the upcoming two-test series against South Africa, commencing on November 14 in Kolkata. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been sidelined since sustaining a foot injury during the five-test series in England earlier this year, is back in action and will serve as vice-captain under Shubman Gill, a role he previously held during the England tour. Pant’s comeback follows a successful stint with India A, where he led the team to a three-wicket victory against South Africa A in Bengaluru, scoring an impressive 90 runs in the second innings. He will continue to captain India A in the second unofficial test starting this Thursday. The senior test squad also includes promising talents like KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, and Mohammed Siraj, who are set to bolster India’s lineup. Notably, wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been released from India’s T20 tour to Australia to focus on the South Africa series. However, Mohammed Shami and Karun Nair remain absent from the squad despite their strong performances in domestic cricket. South Africa, the reigning world test champion, recently drew 1-1 in Pakistan, setting the stage for an intense showdown with India.

DUBLIN (AP) — Tadhg Beirne, the Ireland backrower, has been cleared to participate in the upcoming match against Japan this Saturday following the successful appeal of his red card. The decision to rescind the red card was announced after an independent disciplinary committee reviewed the incident on Tuesday. Beirne had initially received a yellow card for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett during the third minute of Ireland’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago. The yellow card was subsequently upgraded to a 20-minute red card after a bunker review. However, the disciplinary committee concluded that while Beirne’s action constituted foul play, it did not warrant a red card. ‘Having considered the player’s and the other evidence and reviewed the footage, the disciplinary committee accepted the player’s submissions that whilst an act of foul play had occurred, it did not meet the red card threshold,’ stated the committee, as reported by the BBC. Ireland is set to face Australia and South Africa in additional test matches later this month.

In a nail-biting finish at Faisalabad, Pakistan clinched a dramatic two-wicket victory over South Africa in the first of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 264, Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha emerged as the hero, scoring a crucial 62 runs to guide his team to victory with just two balls to spare. The match, marked by intense moments and strategic plays, showcased the resilience of both teams. South Africa, batting first, posted a competitive total of 263, thanks to notable contributions from Quinton de Kock (63) and Corbin Bosch (41). Pakistan’s chase was anchored by a solid 87-run opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman (45) and Saim Ayub (39), followed by a pivotal 91-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan (55) and Salman. Despite a late collapse that saw three wickets fall in quick succession, new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi steadied the ship to secure the win. The series continues on Thursday at Iqbal Stadium, which is hosting international cricket after a 17-year hiatus.

Coco Gauff showcased a masterful display of tennis prowess on Tuesday, securing her first victory at the WTA Finals with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Jasmine Paolini. The 21-year-old American, who had struggled with 17 double faults in her previous match against Jessica Pegula, significantly improved her game, committing only three double faults this time. Gauff’s strategic play and precision on the court proved too much for the eighth-seeded Italian, who was eliminated from the tournament. The defending champion quickly established a 3-0 lead in the first set, and despite Paolini’s brief resistance, Gauff maintained control, winning the set 6-3. In the second set, Gauff’s relentless strategy of forcing Paolini to cover the court paid off, as she secured back-to-back breaks to lead 5-2. The match concluded with a powerful serve from Gauff that Paolini could only return into the net. Reflecting on her performance, Gauff acknowledged the importance of the win, stating, ‘I knew today’s win was crucial to staying in the tournament. If I lost, I would have been out.’ She also credited her smart serving and noted that Paolini might not have been at her best. The victory keeps Gauff’s hopes alive in the Group Steffi Graf, where top seed Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Jessica Pegula later in the day.