Latest news with #UNIBM
United News of India
21 hours ago
- Sport
- United News of India
McIlroy two behind Scheffler at Travelers Championship
Connecticut (US), June 20 (UNI) World number one Scottie Scheffler hit an opening-round 62 to tie the lead at the Travelers Championship, with Rory McIlroy just two shots behind on six under. Scheffler, 28, finished in the top 10 of last week's US Open and was back to his very best on Thursday with an eagle on the par-five 13th the highlight. The American won the event last year and joins Austin Eckroat at the top of the leaderboard in Connecticut, with five-time major winner McIlroy, Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark all hitting 64s. McIlroy said, "I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots. I think if you concentrate on that and you are concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself. "There's no point in thinking about the result right now. I'm just trying to play as good as I can and make good swings, and if I do that enough, more than likely I'll find myself in a position to have a chance to win." Three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth was forced to withdraw after 13 holes with a shoulder injury, according to BBC news Spieth was five over for his round, with no birdies, when he informed playing partner Luke Clanton he could not continue and was taken off in a cart. "I've never withdrawn from an event ever, anywhere, at any level, so I didn't really know what to do. It just became too much," Spieth said. "I didn't see it turning around until probably Saturday. These things kind of last an extra day, and no matter what I was going to do, it was just going to be... I don't know, it's unfortunate. "I've been doing everything right, and I think it was just very random." UNI BM
United News of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Not going to be easy: Shastri's advice for new India skipper
Leeds, June 19 (UNI) Shubman Gill is set to lead India in red-ball cricket for the very first time in the high-profile five-Test tour of England, and former head coach Ravi Shastri has shared thoughtful words of advice for the young batter. Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Shastri emphasised patience and composure as key for the young leader stepping into one of the most challenging roles. 'I think, take your time,' Shastri said, offering his initial guidance to the 25-year-old Gill. 'It's not going to be easy. He's been asked to do a tough job, that is to captain India on a tour of England,' Shastri said. It is still early days in Gill's Test career, with 1893 runs at a 35.05 average in 32 matches, since making his debut in December 2020. With English conditions known for testing even the most seasoned of cricketers, Gill's leadership debut will be one to look out for, especially in the absence of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who announced their retirement last month. The side have also not won a Test series in England since 2007. However, Shastri believes the tour could prove to be a significant developmental phase in the youngster's career. 'It's never easy, but I think he will learn from this exposure," he said. 'What I saw of him in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans, he seemed very composed and calm. He's got a good temperament,' Shastri said. Gill's rise through the ranks has been marked by elegant batting and a level-headed approach on and off the field, proven by his exploits in the white-ball format as well for India. Shastri was impressed with what he saw of Shubman Gill as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2025, saying he displayed maturity and tactical awareness, traits that impressed till his side's eventual exit in the Eliminators. 'He's matured as an individual, he's got some young players around with him, and I think it's a learning curve as far as Shubman Gill goes,' Shastri said. India take on England in the first of the five contests at Headingley, from June 20. The Test will also mark the two teams first series of the next ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. UNI BM
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
India go down 2-3 to Australia in FIH Hockey Pro League
Antwerp (Belgium), June 16 (UNI) Talisman Manpreet Singh's 400th milestone international match didn't go as he would have hoped, with India going down 2-3 to Australia in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Men) match here. It was goals by Tim Brand (4'), Blake Govers (5') and Cooper Burns (18') that set up the victory for Australia while Sanjay (3') and Dilpreet Singh (36') scored for India on Sunday. After getting off to a fine start, with an opening goal coming only in the third minute through the handy work of Sanjay who picked up the rebound from a PC to put India ahead by 1-0, India lost the lead with Australia responding swiftly with an equaliser in the very next minute. It was Tim Brand who scored in a sensational fashion and only seconds later, they stunned India with a second goal through Blake Govers. There was little India goalie Krishan Pathak could do to stop the blazing Aussie attack. It was perhaps one of the fastest 10 minutes in any game this far in the European leg of the tournament, with both teams living up to the billing producing a high-octane encounter. At the first quarter break, Australia was in lead by 2-1 and extended it to 3-1 when Cooper Burns struck one past Pathak in the 18th minute. This goal put India under the pump with Australia attempting to increase their advantage with fast-paced attack. The next few minutes saw both team trade PCs but neither found success, ending the first half with Australia leading by two goals. Following the ten-minute break, India returned with fresh vigour to reduce the deficit. Good stick work was on display when Abhishek set up Dilpreet to score a fine field goal in the 36th minute. This was an important goal to keep India in the hunt but Australian defence was relentless, not allowing any loop-sided marking in the circle. With just one goal difference between the two sides, it was going to be a nail-biting final quarter. There were a few moments that could have brought India back in the fold with an equaliser but they couldn't capitalize on the chances. Australia did well to restrict India in the final stretch to pick up the crucial winning points from this game. "It is unfortunate we have lost six back-to-back matches here. It has never happened before but if you see, all these games have been very close and we have done well overall but have not been able to finish well. This is something we will deliberate on and try to bounce back in the upcoming matches," stated Manpreet Singh after the game. UNI BM
United News of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Hockey legend Manpreet Singh etches his name in history
Antwerp, June 15 (UNI) As the sun dipped behind the stands of Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp and the Indian national anthem played once again, there stood a familiar figure—poised, composed, with eyes filled with purpose. For the 400th time, hockey icon Manpreet Singh walked out wearing the India jersey, adding his name to an elite list of legends who have graced the world stage with unwavering consistency and heart. In that moment, Manpreet wasn't just a player lining up against Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25—he was a symbol of longevity, leadership, and an era that has seen Indian hockey return to global reckoning. The 33-year-old midfielder from Punjab, a place synonymous with Indian hockey folklore, now stands as the second-highest capped Indian men's player of all time, behind only former Captain and current Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey (412 caps). What makes Manpreet's story even more compelling is that it's far from over. From his debut in 2011 as a spirited 19-year-old to becoming the heartbeat of the Indian midfield, Manpreet's career mirrors Indian hockey's resurgence. But for Manpreet, it was never about the medals alone. It was about showing up — every single game and every training session — with the same fire he felt when he first picked up a stick on the dusty fields of Mithapur, Jalandhar. Speaking on the milestone, an emotional Manpreet said, 'I still remember the goosebumps I felt in my debut game. To be standing here, 400 games later, is beyond anything I imagined. This milestone is shared with every coach who pushed me, every teammate who backed me, and every fan who believed in me when I needed it most. I'm still learning, still growing — and I play with the same hunger today as I did at 19.' Hockey India President and the only Indian player ahead of Manpreet in the all-time caps list, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, lauded the achievement and stated, 'Very few athletes achieve this level of consistency and endurance. Manpreet has been the spine of Indian hockey through its most transformative decade. His fitness, leadership, and composure under pressure set him apart. We are proud to see him carry forward the legacy with such grace.' Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, '400 caps is not just a number — it's a legacy built on sacrifice, discipline, and devotion to the sport. Manpreet has set the bar for professionalism and pride in wearing the India jersey. He has been a true ambassador of Indian hockey and a generational role model.' UNI BM
United News of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Indian Men's Hockey Team handed narrow 3-4 defeat by Argentina in FIH Hockey Pro League
Amstelveen, June 12 (UNI) The Indian Men's Hockey Team put on a very spirited display against Argentina, but went down narrowly with the scores at 3-4 in their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 (Men's) game, at the Wagener Hockey Stadium here in Netherlands. For India, Harmanpreet Singh (12', 33') netted twice whilst Abhishek (42') added a third. For Argentina, the goals came from Matias Rey (3'), Lucas Martinez (17'), Santiago Tarazona (34') and Lucio Mendez (46') on Wednesday night. With all to play for, it was Argentina who came out of the blocks quicker than India. And the early pressure paid off as Matias Rey (3') was on hand to fire the Argentine side into the lead. After that, the Indian Men's Hockey Team absorbed the pressure and started to build in attack, causing their opponents some moments of worry. India continued to push for the equaliser, and just before the break, it was Harmanpreet Singh (12') who smashed it home, to end the quarter at 1-1. The Indian Men's Hockey Team were looking to build momentum in the second quarter, but Argentina had other plans. Lucas Martinez (17') scored an early goal to put India under some pressure. However, the Indian Men's Hockey Team fought back as they went on the hunt for a second equaliser. But Argentina managed to hold on despite the waves of attack from India, and went into half-time with the lead. Early in the third quarter, Mandeep Singh earned a penalty stroke for India, and Captain Harmanpreet Singh (33') stepped up and hammered it into the bottom corner. India were back on level terms with Argentina. However, within a minute, Argentina responded with a third goal of their own as Santiago Tarazona (34') found the back of the net. From then on in, India started to up the ante, and pushed Argentina back into their own half. The continued pressure eventually paid off, as Abhishek (42') hit it into the roof of the net to make it 3-3, just before the end of the quarter. The final quarter also had a quick start, as Argentina found a way through India's defence and Lucio Mendez (46') finished it off from close range. In the final phase of the match, India gave it their all in attack, as they marched on in the hunt for another equaliser. The Indian Men's Hockey Team though could not conjure up a fourth goal, and came away with a 3-4 defeat. India is currently fourth in the points tally having accumulated 15 points from 11 games. UNI BM
