AUS v IND: Steve Smith Finally Finds His Hands At The GABBA
He was never out of form, he was just out of runs. Or maybe he was just finding his hands. And today, he silenced his critics with a fantastic ton against the Indian Cricket Team. Yes, we are speaking about none other than Steve Smith. Steve Smith Returns To Form With 33rd Test Match Ton On Day 2 of the third test match at the GABBA, Steve Smith finally silenced his doubters and ended his yearlong century drought with a resolute and disciplined 101 runs against India. His 33rd Test century came before an electrified Brisbane crowd as the former Australian captain showed mental resilience and patience in a challenging battle against India’s relentless bowlers. A Steve Smith Sunday Masterclass Smith’s innings came off 185 balls and was a masterclass in composure. He found his rhythm despite the pressure of the moment and the testing spells from India. His drives and cuts were a reminder of the class that has defined his illustrious career. Dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah with an edge caught behind at slip, Smith departed with his trademark focus and poise, having re-established himself as one of cricket’s finest battlers. Steve Smith Celebrates Calmly The 82nd over of Australia’s innings was the turning point when Smith hit a boundary off Akash Deep and then took a single off the next delivery to take his hundred. Smith’s calm celebration was cheered by teammates and fans. Smith’s century was not just a personal triumph, it signaled his return to form during a crucial moment in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This century marked his first since December 2022 and his 10th century against India in 22 Tests and so far he has averaged over 60 against India. This was Smith’s first hundred in 2024. Therefore, it proved that Steve Smith is back to all guns blazing as more big knock would be needed in days to come. Steve Smith Century Sets Australia Through Fire Steve Smith shared an instrumental 241-run partnership with Travis Head for the fourth wicket, a partnership that proved crucial in pushing Australia past the 300-run mark on Day 2. Both Smith and Head capitalized on their opportunities to put Australia in a strong position against a competitive Indian Cricket Team. Rohit Catches Smith It was only by a spectacular catch from Rohit Sharma that ended Steve Smith’s innings at 101 while returning him to the pavilion. He had also given enough momentum and confidence to Australia going into the remaining parts of the game, despite being dismissed. Captain Cummins Backs Smith Steve Smith’s return to form came just days after Australian skipper Pat Cummins publicly backed him during his lean patch with the bat. Smith’s great display at the GABBA only seemed to reinforce that confidence, as he rode out the pressure and delivered when it mattered most. Over 2,000 runs against India alone and a proven record in big moments, Steve Smith has set the tone for a strong finish to the series. With this century behind him, all the remaining matches at Sydney and Melbourne will be focused on by Smith to continue his form, thus making his position stronger as one of the cricketing world’s most consistent performers. Steve Smith Turns To Be Mentally Strong Steve Smith’s drought-breaking century was a display of his mental toughness and ability to stay composed under pressure. In a year filled with challenges, Smith’s test match century against the Indian Cricket Team has not only lifted his personal confidence but has sent a clear message to the world, Smith is back in the groove and his hunger remains undiminished. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unfolds, all cricket fans and pundits can only wait to see if Steve Smith manages to maintain his rhythm with the bat and take Australian cricket to further heights of success. With his 33rd test match century now in the record-books and Australia in such a strong position at GABBA, Steve Smith has surely written another remarkable chapter to his storied career. Has there been a more popular hundred in the recent times? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Travis Head-Ache In GABBA Again
Australia’s Travis Head continued to hammer the Indian Cricket Team as he went on scoring another ton in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the GABBA. Travis Turns Out To Be A Head-Ache For India Travis Head continued his domination with the bat and continued with his excellent form when on Sunday, December 15, 2024, he scored his 9th Test century at the GABBA in Brisbane against India. The left-handed batter continued to flourish exactly from where he had left at the Adelaide test where he had scored a crucial 140 off 141 balls that ultimately gave Australia a win. Head’s Early Counterattack Steers Australia To Safety Travis Head walked in at a vulnerable stage for Australia, as the team was at 75 for 3 after Marnus Labuschagne got dismissed to Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 34th over. The southpaw straightaway set the tone by sending one down the leg-side off Reddy for a boundary and then did it once again against Jasprit Bumrah. Head’s aggressive first hour ensured that Australia would reach lunch in a much more stable situation, as Travis Head started building his rhythm from here on. Head’s Boundary Blitz In The Second Session After lunch, Travis Head continued his attack by taking two successive boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja in the 55th over. He got his fifty in just 71 balls, and from that time, he started appearing quite solid at the crease. He kept going for the attack and was not even showing signs of getting slowed down while hitting boundaries both against spinners and pacers. Head Dominates In Brisbane The Brisbane crowd was in awe of Travis Head’s sublime batting, as he began to take control over the Indian pacers, Mohammad Siraj in particular. He really started attacking in this period with a flurry of amazing boundaries that sent him marching towards his milestone. Travis Head did not let the momentum get disturbed even after Bumrah came back to bowl and took his 100 off 115 balls with the help of his 13th boundary of the innings. Travis Head’s Love Affair With The Indian Bowlers Continue With his latest century, Travis Head extended his strong record against India in the longest format. This century marks his third test hundred against Rohit Sharma’s Indian Cricket Team and saw him surpass 1,000 runs against them at an average of more than 51. Notably, Head has been a prolific run-scorer against India, having amassed over 600 runs in his last seven innings against the side alone. Head Continues To Set The Benchmark In The BGT Sunday’s century also established Travis Head as the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as he surpassed the 300-run mark during his blistering innings. His performance in Brisbane brings to notice his ability to consistently score runs against one of the world’s most formidable cricketing teams. Travis Head’s Sunday Showdown Travis Head’s 9th test match hundred will be remembered not only for its individual performance but also as another chapter in his growing dominance against the Indian Cricket Team. Head was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah on 152 off 160 as Rishabh Pant caught him behind the stumps. Has Travis Head according to you once again proven why he is one of Australia’s most reliable performers? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
WPL 2025 Auction: What Do Each Team Need?
As the third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction is set to take place on December 15, 2024, a total of 120 players are in the fray for a maximum of 19 slots that the five WPL teams have to fill up with. Four WPL franchises are in the market for four players, while one has three slots available. Here’s what each WPL franchise is in the market for as they look to strengthen their squads ahead of WPL 2025. Delhi Capitals Slots remaining: 4 (1 overseas)Purse remaining: INR 2.5 croreRetained players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Marizanne Kapp, Titas Sadhu, Alice Capsey, Minnu Mani, Taniya Bhatia, Jess Jonassen, Sneha Deepthi, Arundhati Reddy, Annabel Sutherland What Do They Need? DC are searching for a backend wicketkeeper and a hard-hitting middle-order batter for depth in the squad. They will also look at another frontline fast bowler to support Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey. Candidates like Lauren Bell, Kim Garth, or the left-arm pacer Lauren Cheatle could be of interest. They could also target a leggie such as Alana King after the release of Poonam Yadav. Gujarat Giants (GG) Slots Remaining: 4 (2 overseas) Purse Remaining: INR 4.4 crore Retained Players Ashleigh Gardner Beth Mooney Harleen Deol Dayalan Hemalatha Tanuja Kanwar Shabnam Shakil Laura Wolvaardt Phoebe Litchfield Meghna Singh Mannat Kashyap Kashvee Gautam Priya Mishra Sayali Satghare Bharti Fulmali What Do They Need? GG had a tough time with their bowling during WPL 2024, especially in the death overs. The focus at the auction will remain on getting bigger bowling stocks with stronger economy rates. Darcie Brown is one good option as she bowls at a speed. Tess Flintoff is also there who has the value of seam bowling along with hard-hitting capability. Mumbai Indians (MI) Available slots: 4 (1 overseas)Purse remaining: INR 2.65 crore Retained players: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur, Saika Ishaque, Hayley Matthews, Chloe Tryon, Jintimani Kalita, Shabnim Ismail, Sajeevan Sajana, Amandeep Kaur, SB Keerthana What Do They Need? MI have leaned heavily on their strength with the bat at the top-order, and they would look to bolster their lower-middle order by bringing in a reliable finisher. Seam bowling and lower-order firepower from players like Nadine de Klerk would strengthen the side. Maybe, along with her batting skills, they might look for a back-up wicketkeeper in Nandini Kashyap, who impressed with her batting in domestic T20s. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Remaining slots: 4 (0 overseas) Purse remaining: INR 3.25 crore Players retained: Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Kanika Ahuja, Asha Sobhana, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, Ekta Bisht, S Meghana, Sophie Molineux Players traded in: Danni Wyatt (from UP Warriorz) What Do They Need? RCB’s pace line-up that has very much banked on Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine in WPL 2024 will require augmenting. A frontline fast bowler to go along with Renuka Singh is a necessity. Yashasri from the Under 19 T20 World Cup-winning team or Falak Naz, both have been pretty handy. The side can also look for a middle-order batter, and Tanusree Sarkar and Tejal Hasabnis could fit the bill. UP Warriorz (UPW) Slots remaining: 3 (1 overseas) Purse remaining: INR 3.9 crore Retained players: Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shweta Sehrawat, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana, Chamari Athapaththu, Uma Chetry What Do They Need? UPW’s reliance on overseas stars makes them look for a few Indian batters to strengthen their batting line-up. They do need some finisher to share more responsibility from Deepti Sharma. They would surely go in for a good fast-bowling option after releasing Bell. Dottin can be a great choice, as she is a tremendous power player in the lower order and also with seam-bowling options. Alternatively, Chinelle Henry or Orla Prendergast, both accomplished all-rounders could also be looked at. As the auction looms, all franchises will strategize on their bids and would be keen to fill gaps and make their squads more formidable for the season of 2025. Which player are you keen to see in your favorite WPL team the next season? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Sports Wearables Show Modest Growth In Q3 2024
The global wrist-worn smart device market, which includes smart bands, sports wearables, basic smartwatches and advanced smartwatches, has grown modestly by 3% in Q3 2024 over the same quarter last year, with 52.9 million units shipped. Although this is a slight growth, the market remains complex, with growth and challenges interwoven across product categories and regions, especially within the sports wearable segment, where sports technology and sports science are playing a bigger role. Sports Wearables Bands Lead The Charge In the key growth drivers, smart bands were the biggest positive contributor to growth, up 7% to 10.4 million units, the first quarter of growth since Q3 2020 for smart bands after several quarters of decline. Canalys analysts said much of this growth was due to demand in emerging markets, where improved hardware of affordable smart bands meant they were being bought by first-time buyers. Mass models such as Xiaomi Smart Band 9 and Samsung Galaxy Fit3 are popular in the region. The new generation of smart devices also reached the burgeoning market for sports wearables with fitness and sports science-focused features, thus becoming even more appealing to a wider audience. Xiaomi Surge In Market Share Xiaomi has become one of the main challengers to Apple with shipments as high as 8.5 million in Q3 2024, showing a market share of 16.1% per shipment. The success goes hand in hand with Xiaomi’s popular Smart Band 9, which also had its shipments grow by 70% year over year. As the market for sports wearables grows, Xiaomi is also improving its sports technology, offering features such as heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and advanced sports science capabilities, appealing to fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike. Challenges Faced By Xiaomi To Become Profitable Units at Xiaomi are increasing, but returns are financially different. The Chinese technology firm accounted for just 4% of the shipment value, while Apple tallied 40%, accounting for the majority of market value at $10.9 billion – that’s a 5.6% increase from the previous year. This disparity will partly be due to the fact that Xiaomi is moving even more towards the low-end product line with its ASP declining by 9% and now reaching its lowest level since Q1 2021. The sports wearable segment continues to be a significant challenge for Xiaomi as it strives to find a balance between affordability and advanced sports technology and sports science features that appeal to casual users as well as athletes. It must, therefore present some new challenges to its currently led advanced smartwatch segment-especially the mature markets such as North America. Even a dominant player like Apple is today witnessing decline in demand on certain higher-end and older models with its prime position in smartwatch’s premium market remained un-threatened but upgrading reasons now seem to take many fewer options as manufacturers don’t provide enough compelling ones, sometimes. Sports wearables, driven by sports technology, are enabling Apple to retain market leadership through fitness tracking, integration of sports science, and performance enhancements. Fitbit, also a leader in its own smartwatch category, remains sliding down because consumers don’t see much hope to upgrade to the next generation except when some revolutionary functionality of sports wearables and sports science pops up. Trends In Sports Wearable Market Recent growth in the sports wearable market can be said to be driven more by the shift towards cheap and affordable entry-level smart bands, particularly in emerging markets, although the premium smartwatch is growing slowly and with competition. The sports wearable category is gaining traction as more people seek devices tailored for fitness, activity, and sports science. This maturing phase has thrown significant challenges to all existing global leaders like Apple who have to innovate further into sports technology offerings, as well as to emergent challengers like Xiaomi in this shifting landscape of sports wearables. What sports wearable trends are you expected to see in the coming year? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: What The Pitch Has To Offer At The GABBA?
Australia and India are set to lock horns in the third test at the GABBA in Brisbane and focus will turn to what the GABBA pitch will offer as both sides seek to break the deadlock in the series at 1-1. The GABBA has a history of providing bounce and pace and the state of the pitch could well dictate the outcome. GABBA’s Specialty The GABBA’s reputation as a testing ground for touring teams is already well entrenched, with its lively pitch often revealing the fragilities of the visiting batters who have not had long to settle into the conditions of Australia. The Australian players have long argued for the GABBA to maintain this position as the early summer conditions normally provide much livelier wicket. Insights From The Curator At The GABBA David Sandurski, curator of the GABBA, confirmed that early-summer pitches generally have more bounce and movement, which suits the bowlers. Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them. This is in line with previous trends, where the GABBA has consistently offered more for bowlers earlier in the summer compared to matches played later in the season. Australia To Play Carefully At The GABBA The Australian players know well about the difference in handling of the pitch, based on past experiences and what is going to happen in the latter part of the summer after this instance in 2021. The series against India was lost and Australia was unable to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India defeated Australia at Brisbane, a venue which Australia had never lost at since 1988. That particular test was played in mid-January. What to Expect At The GABBA? For the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the GABBA pitch is expected to remain as pacey and bouncy as it has been in the past. Sandurski confirmed that the pitch would be prepared to offer good carry and a traditional GABBA wicket. However he also said that there would be a better balance between bat and ball, almost a comparison to the solitary Sheffield Shield game played here in the season so far. In that game, 15 wickets fell on day one and though runs were hard to come by initially, the track did ease out to let batsmen get set and score. An Evenly Poised Contest And if the series level beckons and there seems every prospect that the coming days will see plenty of rain in Brisbane, it promises to be quite an interesting contest. Australia will look to exploit the conditions at the GABBA, while India can look at seeing some form from their top order as they failed to make them appear in the first two tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch appears to be good for everyone and at GABBA, it shall indeed prove to be a fascinating battle. Whom do you think will go one-up in the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
India To Launch 12 National Leagues Under Khelo India Initiative
As part of the initiative to change the face of Indian sports, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced today it will establish 12 National Leagues in different sports as part of its flagship initiative, Khelo India. The aim is to develop an integrated and strong sporting structure where every sport in the country has its professional league. Khelo India To Lead The Change In Indian Sports Under the initiative, Khelo India will lead in the restructuring of Indian sports with the creation of National Leagues. The Ministry looks to streamline, make it efficient and sustainable, sports development in the country under the programme. This is one move that will give a structured pathway for young athletes, allowing them to train and compete in a competitive environment. The Khelo India vision cannot be just about organizing the leagues; it is a step for professionalizing sports at various levels, from grassroots to elites. National Leagues As The Foundation of Khelo India The core objective of the Khelo India initiative is to create a sporting ecosystem where athletes can thrive. With the launch of 12 National Leagues, Khelo India seeks to provide a platform where young and upcoming talent can showcase their skills and climb the ranks. These leagues are expected to be a critical element in nurturing athletes and fostering competitive sports culture across the nation. For every sport, it is envisaged to have its professional league in place to expose athletes, provide them with proper training and all resources required to produce the best performance. National Sports Federations To Join Hands With SAI The project is aimed at the improvement of most of the NSFs that are not operating efficiently and thus stalling their athlete development process. As part of Khelo India, the NSFs will collaborate closely with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which will oversee the creation and management of these leagues. This collaboration aims to overcome the current limitations faced by the NSFs, ensuring that each sport receives the attention and resources it requires to grow and succeed. Private Sector Support To Enhance The Leagues In addition to the involvement of the NSFs and SAI, the Ministry is open to the idea of utilizing the private sector in organizing and marketing these National Leagues, which are part of Khelo India. The goal behind collaborating with private organizations here would be to inject into the leagues additional resources and infrastructure, and also knowledge that could help improve its quality and visibility. This may be a key aspect through which the leagues are properly structured and sustainable financially by the private sector. A Step To Host Olympics 2036 In India These National Leagues under the umbrella of Khelo India form part of the broader plan of India hosting the Summer Olympics in 2036. With the country planning its bid for the games, these leagues will help build the momentum of enhancing Indian performance in international competitions. It aims to develop a pool of world-class athletes who can bring home more medals and elevate the nation’s standing in international sports by providing athletes with structured, professional platforms to compete. Existing Leagues To Continue As Part Of Khelo India Existing leagues, like successful leagues such as Indian Premier League or PKL (Pro Kabaddi League), as well as Indian Super League, will operate under this structure as before. It won’t disturb the huge existing patronage of leagues already enjoyed widely by these successful leagues. However, the NSFs will be responsible for ensuring that such leagues make long-term and sustainable contributions to the growth and development of the sports they are meant for in the service of the broader Khelo India vision. Khelo India To Help India Unleash Its Full Sporting Potential According to the Ministry of Sports, India has the capability to bring out world-class athletes. Under Khelo India, with the right leadership in the NSFs and the proper intent behind sports development, India can shine at international levels. With India setting its sights on hosting the 2036 Olympics, this National Leagues under Khelo India initiative is bound to be a game-changer in organizing a much more competitive and sustainable sporting culture across the nation. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Khelo India Winter Games: Leh to host in Jan, Gulmarg in Feb
New Delhi, Dec 11: The Khelo India Winter Games dates have been announced. The Union Territory of Ladakh will host the ice events from January 23 to 27, 2025 while the UT of Jammu & Kashmir will host the snow events from February 22 to 25, 2025. The Winter Games will flag-off the Khelo India season with the Youth & Para Games scheduled in Bihar in April next year. The Khelo India University games are also on the cards. The Khelo India Winter Games started in 2020. Almost 1000 athletes, including 306 women, took part in the inaugural edition. The participation has increased over the years. More than 1350 athletes in 2021 and 1500-plus in 2022 highlighted the growing attraction of the Games in J&K. The 2024 iteration of KIWG saw participation of 1200-plus participants including more than 700 athletes, 141 support staff, 113 technical officials, 250-plus volunteer and sports specific volunteers and a total of 136 medals at stake. This (2024) was also the first time Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India along with Sports Authority of India managed the technical conduct of the Games in association with the National Sports Federations and Indian Olympic Association. “We are once looking ahead to an exciting season of Khelo India Games. The Winter Games will be important because India needs to find the best athletes to represent the country at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Hon’ble Union sports minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. This will be the second year running that UT Ladakh will host a portion of the Khelo India Winter Games. Before the 2024 edition, J&K used to host all the events. Leh successfully hosted ice events like skating and hockey in February 2024. Gulmarg, like always, hosted the snow events like skiing and snowboarding. “It is our endeavor to promote winter sports and encourage more athletes to take up skiing and skating. We have already seen many athletes from remote Himalayan villages participating in these Games. That’s very encouraging,” said Dr Mandaviya. (EOM) Press Release, Sports Authority Of India
Upcoming Sports Events And Exhibitions In 2024-25
The sports, fitness and wellness industry is transforming and major events and exhibitions in 2024-25 are providing perfect opportunities for networking, innovating and business development. Here are some of the top events that are lined up in India in 2024 and 2025. INTERNATIONAL HEALTH, SPORTS, FITNESS AND WELLNESS TRADE SHOW (IHFF) 2024 EVENT DATE: 20th December, 2024 – 22nd December, 2024EVENT DETAILS:The IHFF Expo is one of India’s biggest and most successful exhibitions dedicated to health, fitness, sports and wellness. Taking place in Mumbai, this 3-day extravaganza draws in the best industry leaders and exhibitors from around the world. With multiple segments and pavilions, the event will explore a wide spectrum of trends, technologies and innovations in fitness, wellness, sports equipment, and more. From workshops and live demonstrations to networking opportunities, IHFF offers a great space for businesses to scale and gain recognition in this fast-growing industry. For more details visit: https://ihff.asia/ SPORTS & FITNESS EXSPO 2024 EVENT DATE: 12th December, 2024 – 14th December, 2025EVENT DETAILS:Held in conjunction with IHFF, the Sports & Fitness EXSPO will be a convergence of the best in sports, wellness and innovation under one roof. The expo will give visitors the opportunity to discover the latest trends in fitness, test the latest equipment and learn from the experts. The event will feature live demonstrations, interactive sessions and a hands-on experience zone, aiming to inspire the visitor to embrace a healthier lifestyle while unlocking their full fitness potential. For more details visit: https://show.exspo.com/ CFOSE 2024 (Cycling & Fitness Expo) EVENT DATE: 31st January, 2025 – 2nd February, 2025EVENT DETAILS: The 15th edition of CFOSE is going to be Asia’s leading exhibition in the cycling and fitness industry. It will cater to the domestic as well as international markets, focusing on cycles, e-bikes, electric vehicles, fitness and outdoor sports. It will be an effective networking, business development and knowledge sharing platform focused on technological advancement and innovations. Seminars, workshops, and live demonstrations will provide precious learning opportunities to B2B as well as B2C visitors. For more details visit: https://cfoseindia.com/ 13TH INDIA INTERNATIONAL SPORTING GOODS SHOW (SPORT INDIA 2025) EVENT DATE: 12th August, 2025 – 14th August, 2025 EVENT DETAILS:Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will be the venue for Sport India 2025, one of the largest flagship exhibitions of the sporting goods industry. The 13th edition of this international exhibition will showcase sports goods, wearables, gym and rehabilitation equipment, adventure sports gear, motorsports accessories and much more. With its emphasis on innovation and the latest trends in sports technology and equipment, it will be the most popular destination for industry professionals who want to develop their business and explore new opportunities in the sector of sports and fitness. For more details visit: https://www.iisgs.com/ ENGIEXPO 2025 EVENT DATE: 01st February, 2025 – 03rd February 2025 EVENT DETAILS:Engiexpo is set to be held in Surat. ENGIEXPO is one of the largest industrial exhibitions that demonstrate technology up-gradation, machinery up-gradation and innovative solutions to the industry. Manufacturers, dealers and traders from all over India come to this fair to explore the latest updates on the industrial front. ENGIEXPO will definitely help bridge the gap between companies, thus bringing growth for all industries, especially sport and fitness technologies. For more details visit: https://engiexpo.com/Exhibition_Overview RIDEASIA 2025 EVENT DATE: 18th April, 2025 – 20th April, 2025 EVENT DETAILS: RideAsia is a key B2B event that brings together manufacturers, distributors, and entrepreneurs from the e-vehicle, e-bike and cycling industries. Organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, RideAsia will have the latest trends in electric vehicles, cycling and outdoor sports. It is focused on technological innovation by providing live product demonstrations, and networking and gathering consumer opinion for exhibitors. In RideAsia, the aim of connecting Indian and international markets builds long-term business relationships by promoting industry growth. For more details visit: https://rideasia.in/home.php These sports events not only serve as a display of the latest products and technologies but also serve as important platforms for networking, knowledge exchange and business development. Whether you are an entrepreneur, an investor or a fitness enthusiast, these sports exhibitions and trade shows provide ample opportunities to engage with the best in the industry and stay ahead of the curve. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024 Medallists Return To National Shooting Championships
India’s Paris Olympics 2024 medallists are expected to return to competitive shooting at the Senior National Shooting Championships, which will commence on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Olympic Medalists Return To Action At National Shooting Championships The Senior National Shooting Championships will feature big names such as Swapnil Kusale, who will be competing in the rifle events and Sarabjot Singh, who will compete in the pistol events. However, the star of India’s Paris 2024 campaign, Manu Bhaker, will only compete in the Minimum Qualification Score (MQS) section, meaning that her scores will not be taken into account in the competition. Will Manu Bhaker Participate At National Shooting Championships? Manu Bhaker was a double medallist at the Paris Olympics 2024. She has sought to be considered for the MQS section while she continues to recover and polish her skills. After a long break following her success at Paris 2024, she traveled with her personal coach, Jaspal Rana to Lugano, Switzerland, to focus on improving the technical aspects of her weapon at the Morini factory. Currently, Bhaker has been training at Delhi’s Karni Singh Shooting Range however she prefers to take more time before fully re-engaging in high-level competition. Manu, the other two Olympic medallists—Kusale and Singh—are returning from a break in training by skipping the October World Cup. Selection Trials And National Games After selection trials, the National Games are scheduled in Uttarakhand starting from January 28,2025 to February 14, 2025. Even the NRAI has not stated its official selection policy in place yet, though debate is going on about alterations. Among such, one important proposal on table includes the right to practice the national campers with personal coaches outside the national camps, which is similar to that adopted by the NRAI a few years back at Paris Olympics where shooters ready to head for the Games can meet their personal coaches who remain in touch with national coaches. NRAI Policy Discussions And Support Elite Shooters With domestic competition still growing, another proposal in discussion is to help shooters who have fallen out of the national team’s ecosystem. It is challenging for many shooters to re-enter the national camp once they are out for some time. This new policy may help in technical support and coaching for such talents. Participation At Senior National Shooting Championships A record 13,522 shooters have enrolled for the national championships, which will be participated in rifle events, with the maximum number of entries (7,013). Rifle competitions will be held from December 15-31 at the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal. Pistol competitions will be conducted at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi. Also, 837 shotgun shooters will be taking part in skeet, trap, and double trap competitions with defending champions Anant Jeet Singh Naruka and Ganemat Sekhon eyeing title retention in men’s and women’s skeet. Which athlete are you looking forward to perform at the National Shooting Championships? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Ellyse Perry Hits A Unique 150 In ODI Cricket
Ellyse Perry has made history by becoming the first Australian female and eight overall to play 150 One-Day International (ODI) matches in women’s cricket. Perry achieved this when she was included in the playing XI of Australia for the third ODI against India at the WACA in Perth. Perry’s achievement speaks of her longevity and excellence in international cricket, thus making her one of the best in the sport. How Perry Became A Double-Sport Icon? Ellyse Perry is a name that will go with success in both cricket and football. She started her elite sport journey as a teenager. It is surprising that at the age of 16 years, Ellyse Perry made her debut for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team. Simultaneously, she made her first appearance with the Matildas, the Australian Women’s Football Team, just 13 days later. With these great achievements in two international games, Perry is one of the few athletes to participate for her country in the multi-disciplinary fields at an international level. So far, Perry is the only one who has represented Australia both in the cricket and the football World Cups. Perry’s Career Defined By Achievements A force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket, Ellyse Perry is the world’s top-ranked all-rounder and has collected a plethora of awards throughout her career. She was the ICC Women’s Cricketer Of The Year in both 2017 and 2019 and was crowned the ICC Player Of The Decade in 2020. At home, she won the Belinda Clark Award for Australia’s Women’s International Cricketer Of The Year three times (2016, 2018, 2020). Perry’s Impact On The Game Perry’s list of cricketing achievements would be a thing to believe. She helped Australia lift the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the years 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023. She even won Player Of The Match in the final of the 2010 edition of the tournament. Perry is credited with the best bowling in an ODI by an Australian woman, which was also 7 for 22 against England from 10 overs. She gained Player Of The Series while touring women’s Ashes in 2019 in England. How Perry Became A Versatile Athlete Across Multiple Formats? Perry’s success is not limited to cricket alone. In the Women’s Big Bash League in 2019, she became the first player to score 2000 runs. Her consistency in international cricket, with numerous half-centuries and a historic 213* in the Ashes 2017, speaks volumes of her resilience and adaptability. How Perry Is An Inspiration Beyond The Field? Off the field, Ellyse Perry is a passionate supporter of women’s sports. She has written a four-book series encouraging young girls to chase their dreams. Perry inspires others through her charitable work with organizations such as the McGrath Foundation and Sporting Chance. Perry’s Legacy Of Excellence Ellyse Perry’s achievement of representing Australia in 150 ODIs simply adds to a glorious book on her career, making her one of Australia’s most revered and powerful sportswomen. Do you know the other female cricketers who have surpassed the 150 ODIs landmark? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye