Lakshya Sen faltered at the final hurdle of the All England Badminton Championships in Birmingham. His 10-21, 15-21 loss to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen means India’s 21-year-old jinx at this tournament continues - Pullela Gopichand was the last Indian to win the title in 2001. It was sweet revenge for Axelsen, who had lost to his training partner Lakshya in the semifinal of the German Open last week. Disappointed with his loss, Lakshya said, “I came with a strategy on how to play the final. But today he was solid. In the first game, I made a lot of errors. In the second game I did well but he was too good. Credit to him. He played very well.” Axelsen was obviously delighted. “I am very happy, as happy as I was when I won the title here the first time. I wanted to start by hitting hard. I also think Lakshya was a little tired after the tough match a day earlier.”
Jhulan becomes 2nd women cricketer to play 200 ODIs
Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami achieved yet another milestone as she becomes the second women cricketer to play 200 ODIs on Saturday against Australia in the ongoing ICC women’s ODI World Cup 2022. Mithali Raj holds the record of playing the highest number of ODIs in women’s cricket. She has played 230 ODIs so far. Mithali is leading Team India in the current World Cup. At number three is former England cricketer Carlot Edwards, who played 191 ODIs. Earlier, the 39-year-old became the first player to take 250 wickets in women’s ODIs. Jhulan had become the highest wicket-taker in the Women’s World Cup. Jhulan surpassed the tally of 39 wickets taken by Lynette Ann Fullston of Australia from 1982 to 1988.
Family, friends say goodbye to Warne
Shane Warne’s family and friends have attended a private funeral in his hometown of Melbourne to pay their final respects to the cricketing legend. Warne’s three children, parents and friends including retired Test captains Mark Taylor and Allan Border and former England skipper Michael Vaughan, were among about 80 guests at the service on Sunday. Warne was widely regarded as one of the top players of all time. He died on March 4 while on vacation with friends on Samui Island in southern Thailand. An autopsy report said the 52-year -old died of a suspected heart attack. His remains were repatriated from Bangkoka week ago.
Mohit Sharma roped in as net bowler by Titans
Cricket fans have been left shell-shocked after it has emerged that former India limited-overs pacer Mohit Sharma, who was the IPL 2014 purple cap winner, had been roped in as a net bowler by new IPL franchise Gujarat Titans alongside left-arm fast bowler Barinder Sran for the upcoming season beginning on March 26. Sharma, representing CSK, had emerged the highest wicket-taker in the 2014 IPL season, taking 23 wickets at an average of 19.65 in 16 matches. The 33-year-old Sharma found no takers at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction last month. Gujarat Titans will open their IPL 2022 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants in Mumbai on March 28.
Rabada, De Kock lead SA to easy win over Bangladesh
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took 5-39 as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second one-day International at The Wanderers on Sunday to square the three-match series. Bangladesh chose to bat and could only manage 194 for nine in 50 overs. The home side had no trouble chasing down the target, which they reached with 76 balls to spare. They earned 10 points on the ICC’s World Cup Super League table, where South Africa are battling to break into the top eight to automatically qualify for the tournament in India next year. Scores: Bangladesh 194/9 (A Hossain 72; Rabada 5-39) lost to South Africa 195/3 in 37. 2 overs (Q de Kock 62, K Verreynne 58*)
