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New Zealand Bowlers Dominate India in First T20I, Secure 21-Run Victory

Aditya Saikrishna
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New Zealand Bowlers Dominate India in First T20I, Secure 21-Run Victory

INDIA: The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi proved to be a spin-friendly venue on Friday, as New Zealand defeated India by 21 runs in the first T20I. The pitch offered turn and spongy bounce, making it difficult for batters to time their strokes.

However, the New Zealand team adapted well to the conditions, posting a strong 176 for six in their first innings. Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar put up a resistance, but their effort eventually fell short.

New Zealand Inning

New Zealand reached a good total thanks to enterprising knocks from Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway and Finn Allen. 

Pacers Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh struggled with the new ball, failing to hit the right areas and conceding too many full deliveries outside the off stump.

Once the Indian skipper bought Washington Sundar into the attack, the dominance of spin on the pitch became obvious. 

Sundar kept a perfect length and tricker Allen to mishit a sweep to deep mid-wicket, where Suryakumar caught the offering. 

Sundar foxed Mark Chapman in the same over with three flat skidders before bowling a flighted ball. Chapman prodded forward, offering a sharp return catch that Sundar took with a dive.

Conway kept batting with aplomb. He went onto one knee to negate the spinners. The southpaw departed in the 18th over, skying Arshdeep Singh to long-off.

Arshdeep’s reputation as a death-over specialist took a big hit in the final over, as he could not find the yorker length deliveries and ended up conceding 27 runs to Mitchell.

Indian Inning 

New Zealand
Photo Credit: Twitter/ICC

Spinners Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner led the way for the Kiwis, dismantling the Indian chase with their impressive bowling performances. 

Indian hopes of a win rested on Suryakumar Yadav, who looked comfortable during his 34-ball 47. His dismissal in the 12th over by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi put the home team in a difficult position. 

Captain Hardik Pandya’s fall a few deliveries later sealed India’s fate. Washington Sundar hit a few big shots to notch up his maiden T20I fifty, but it was too late. 

The Kiwis damaged the Indian chase early on when Santner, Bracewell and Jacob Duffy sent back the Indian top-order batters, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi, respectively, leaving India at 15/3.

Skipper and left-arm spinner Santner was particularly impressive, even bowling a maiden inside the Powerplay overs.

Daryl Mitchell won the Player of the Match award for his entertaining 59-run inning, which crushed the morale of the Indians.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Ties Babar Azam’s Record in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand 

Belgium Beat the Netherlands 3-2 Via Penalty Shootout in the Second Semifinal

Aditya Saikrishna
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Belgium Beat the Netherlands 3-2 Via Penalty Shootout in the Second Semifinal

INDIA: Vincent Vanasch proved why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world as he helped Belgium defeat the Netherlands and secure a spot in the World Cup final. 

The 35-year-old veteran staved off a determined Dutch challenge in the shootout, leading Belgium to a 3-2 victory after the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time.

Vanasch, named the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year three consecutive times (2017-19), denied Thijs van Dam and Terrance Pieters, while Seve van Ass missed his shot. 

Today’s win marks the second straight World Cup final spot for Belgium, and it is worth noting that Vanasch was also the hero in the final against the Dutch four years ago.

Despite Vanasch’s heroics, the Belgian team should have finished the game earlier. They dominated throughout the match, creating numerous shot opportunities, but were unable to find a way past Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak. 

Players such as Tom Boon, Arthur van Doren, Antoine Kina, and Florent van Aubel actively created opportunities and entered the Dutch circle. Still, they were unable to capitalise on their chances.

The first two-quarters of the match were focused on possession and percentages, with both teams splitting the honours for the first 30 minutes. 

The Belgians attempted to score from aerial passes but were unsuccessful in finishing their moves, while the Dutch tried to chip away at the Belgian defence but were also unable to breach it. 

It wasn’t until the 12th minute that Jip Janssen scored the first goal for the Dutch. However, Tom Boon levelled the score for Belgium three minutes before halftime with a powerful flick.

After halftime, Belgium became much more attacking and determined, dominating the third quarter. 

However, a turnover in the 35th minute led to back-to-back penalty corners for the Dutch, and Janssen scored again, putting the Dutch ahead 2-1. But Belgium did not give up and scored the equaliser through Nicolas de Kerpel’s goal in the fourth quarter.

Despite a few opportunistic runs by the Dutch along the baseline on the counter, they had little to show for their efforts, barely managing to get the ball inside the Belgian circle. 

The Belgian team dominated the match, and a penalty stroke in the 51st minute could have sealed the win for Belgium, but Blaak stood tall and denied the Belgian squad, taking the game into the shootout. In the end, it just wasn’t the Dutch team’s day.

Also Read: Germany Secures Hockey World Cup Final Spot with Last-gasp Victory

Germany Secures Hockey World Cup Final Spot with Last-gasp Victory

Aditya Saikrishna
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Germany Secures Hockey World Cup Final Spot with Last-gasp Victory

INDIA: Germany advanced to its fifth World Cup final on Friday with a 4-3 win over Australia, avenging its Tokyo Olympics defeat. 

The Germans, known for their reputation as the most dangerous side in world hockey, secured the victory with six seconds left on the clock. 

A free hit from near the half-line by Mathias Muller, a dead stop by Gonzalo Peillat on the backline, and a desperate dive by Niklas Wellen through the smallest of spaces proved instrumental for the winning goal.

The win marks the first time Germany has advanced to the World Cup final since 2010.

Despite Australia taking a 2-0 lead at halftime with goals in the first two quarters, Germany ultimately proved to be the better team. 

The Germans had three penalty corners cancelled after Australian referrals and a stroke in the 3rd quarter, but still managed to have an impressive 13 penalty corners throughout the game, showing their dominance in the front and exposing the shaky Australian defence.

Germany had more possession but struggled with final connections and wayward flicks in the first half. 

Christopher Ruhr, Niklas Wellen, Marco Miltkau, and captain Mats Grambusch worked tirelessly to control the midfield and build moves from the flanks but could not find the final touch. 

However, they remained patient and kept their structure, eventually breaking through the Australian defence.

The Aussies, usually known for creating their own opportunities, relied more on counter-attacks. With the game evenly balanced between the two teams in the first 20 minutes, Germany took control and dominated the game in the later stages. 

Argentine-turned-German drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat, who had been under scrutiny for his lack of effectiveness, picked the perfect game to come into form and scored a hat-trick. 

Peillat was also instrumental in defence and often found himself high up inside the Australian circle to assist with scoring. His final pass from the backline set up the winning goal for Wellen and secured Germany’s spot in the final.

Also Read: Hockey World Cup: India Thrashes Japan 8-0 in 9-16 Classification Match

“The FIA Has Rented Out the Championship,” Says FIA Boss

Aditya Saikrishna
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“The FIA Has Rented Out the Championship,” Says FIA Boss

UNITED KINGDOM: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reminded F1 managers that “the championship is ours, and we have only rented it out” amid rising tensions between the FIA and F1 management in the ongoing war of words.

The F1 World Championship has “two popes,” according to Alpine F1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer, referring to the power struggle between the FIA and F1 administration.

The “two popes” are the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, and Liberty Media, who own the media rights to Formula 1, having purchased a controlling interest in the F1 group in mid-2017.

While the FIA’s jurisdiction is to guarantee safety and uphold the rules and regulations of the sport, the F1 group is accountable for all business undertakings.

However, the two are currently in constant conflict over practically everything to do with the game.

Strains started to climb last season when the F1 bosses clashed with the FIA over their impedance regarding porpoising. 

The FIA enforced a rule change for the 2023 F1 season, while the competing teams requested an increased budget cap.

F1 was further unimpressed with the FIA’s treatment of the Italian Grand Prix and its implementation of red flags two races later, when a recovery vehicle on the track at the Japanese Grand Prix brought back memories of Jules Bianchi’s shocking 2014 accident at the same circuit.

They’ve recently disagreed over the FIA’s longing to acquire an eleventh team in Formula 1, with Ben Sulayem pushing for Andretti to join the grid.

The other teams, and F1 in general, aren’t keen on the expansion and have expressed their desire to keep the game down to ten groups.

As the contentions keep counting up, the most recent connects with an article in media reports that proposed Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was keen on buying F1 from Liberty Media for $20 billion. The F1 bosses allegedly dismissed the proposition.

Learning of this, Ben Sulayem scrutinised the “alleged inflated price tags of $20 billion being put on F1.” His remarks incurred the wrath of the F1 bosses, who shot off a letter saying he had “overstepped the bounds of his remit.”

However, Ben Sulayem, or the FIA, controls whether Liberty Media can sell F1. They can also control who the purchaser is.

As per media reports, while “the FIA isn’t permitted to meddle in F1’s commercial choices,” the matter for F1 administration is more complex than it sounds.

Assuming the sale of privileges, the purported “Don King Clause” would come into force. 

The extraordinary clause in the agreement was named after a boxing advertiser and gave the FIA a denial right should there be a potential change in F1’s ownership.

The FIA allocated the option to utilise “Formula 1” to Bernie Ecclestone back in 2000 in a 100-year deal. The ex-F1 supremo sold the rights to Liberty Media.

Ben Sulayem has made it clear: “The championship is ours; we have only rented it out.”

He added that there are just rumours of a potential deal so far. However, the FIA ought to have a say and have the option to offer counsel.

Also Read: Happy Birthday Lewis Hamilton: F1 Legend Turns 38

Hockey World Cup: India Thrashes Japan 8-0 in 9-16 Classification Match

Aditya Saikrishna
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Hockey World Cup: India Thrashes Japan 8-0 in 9-16 Classification Match

INDIA: The Indian Men’s Hockey team took on Japan in a 9-16th World Cup classification match that proved to be a one-sided game between the two Asian sides. 

With a final score of 8-0, India dominated the game from start to finish, with Japan struggling to score a single goal throughout the match.

India vs Japan

The match began with India earning a penalty corner, with Shamser Singh injecting the ball. However, despite the rebound, Harmanpreet Singh was unable to convert for India. But it wouldn’t take long for India to get on the scoreboard. 

In the next play, Abhishek found the goal after a pass from Nilakanta Sharma, putting India up 1-0.

Japan tried to respond with a penalty corner of their own, but India’s defence was able to deflect the ball aside. 

India continued to press forward, with Akashdeep and Mandeep earning another penalty corner. But this time, Japan asked for a referral as Akashdeep’s foot was involved outside the circle.

Despite Japan’s best efforts, India continued to score. Vivek Prasad passed the ball to Abhishek, who was alone in the Japanese circle and managed to find the goal, putting India up 2-0. 

In the next play, India earned yet another penalty corner, with Shamser Singh injecting the ball. Vivek scored on the rebound this time, putting India up 3-0.

As the match progressed, it became clear that Seren Tanaka-led team was struggling to score against India’s defence. 

India’s star players, Harmanpreet and Abhishek, continued to score goals, with Manpreet Singh adding another goal with a quick flick to the right corner. 

In the game’s final minute, India earned yet another penalty corner, and Harmanpreet was able to score, putting India up 7-0. And in the game’s dying seconds, Sukhjeet Singh scored India’s eighth and final goal.

Also Read: FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: The Netherlands Crushes Korea 5-1 in the Quarterfinal

Land Moto’s District Scrambler Electric Bike Takes Off-roading to the Next Level

Aditya Saikrishna
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Land Moto’s District Scrambler Electric Bike Takes Off-roading to the Next Level

UNITED STATES: In recent times, strong electric cruisers to give a mob of a ride have been springing up left and right, and Ohio-based Land Moto has followed suit with the District Scrambler.

Land Moto’s District Scrambler features

Land Moto is a relatively new electric-bike company, and it delivered its most memorable model, the District, a café-racer enlivened electric motorbike, back in April 2022. The company has given the electric bicycle a rough wind by sending off the District Scrambler.

Right away, it’s obvious to see the distinctions between the two models. First, while Land Moto fitted the standard District with disc wheels, the Scrambler model is furnished with burlier alloy wheels with a ten-spoke structure.

There’s likewise a high front bumper and long travel suspension on the two closures. It likewise has an enormous back sprocket, ideal for sending stores of force to the rear wheel.

In terms of performance, the District Scrambler boasts a mid-mounted electric engine with an output of 17 kilowatts at 23HP. Stunningly, Land Moto claims the electric bike delivers a torque of 206 lb-ft.

The District Scrambler has a top speed of 70 mph upon deploying its most powerful riding mode.

The District Scrambler packs a swappable 72-volt CORE battery pack. As indicated by Land Moto, this battery pack ought to be great for a range of up to 120 miles on a single charge.

The District Scrambler is available in two variants — an off-road-only model and one furnished with every one of the essential fancy odds and ends to justify street legitimateness.

The street-legal variant has a complete LED lighting arrangement, turning indicators, and rear-view mirrors. Land Moto has fixed the starting price of the District Scrambler at $7,800.

Also Read: Mercedes-AMG Debuts SL 63 Motorsport Collector’s Edition

Pramac Racing Turns Heads with New Livery for 2023 MotoGP Season

Aditya Saikrishna
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Pramac Racing Turns Heads with New Livery for 2023 MotoGP Season

ITALY: After finishing fourth in the teams’ standings and contributing eight podiums to Ducati’s successful march to the constructors’ championship, the Pramac team, owned by Paolo Campinoti, ended the previous year as the most successful independent team.

Pramac will continue to be a satellite team for Ducati in 2023 and the only customer team for the 2023 MotoGP season that the factory fully supports.

Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin will remain on the team, with Jorge Martin signing on with Pramac for another season after Enea Bastianini beat him to the factory Ducati team seat.

Pramac unveiled a largely unchanged red, purple, and white livery on Wednesday during the season’s launch in Italy. 

The new livery debuted in 2022, when the team signed a title partnership agreement with Prima.

Zarco finished the 2022 MotoGP season eighth in the standings with 166 points, 14 points behind teammate Kevin Martin in ninth because neither of them added to the team’s victory total from 2022.

The failure to add big points was mainly due to Pramac using a different GP22 model, which had an engine the factory team decided not to use before the first race of the season in Qatar.

Zarco and Martin fought for much of the season with a more aggressive power delivery from the engine than on the 2021 bike.

Along with the factory team, Gresini Racing, and VR46, competing in the 2023 season on 2022-spec bikes, Pramac is one of four teams representing Ducati on the grid in 2023.

After the factory Yamaha team, Gresini, and Ducati earlier this week, Pramac is the fourth team to announce its 2023 colours this winter. On Thursday, the 2023 livery will be unveiled by the factory KTM team.

The first preseason test for 2023 will be held in Malaysia from 10 to 12 February. The second test will be held in Portugal from March 11 to 12 before the season begins in the same location two weeks later.

Also Read: Nyck de Vries Faces Legal Challenge as 2023 F1 Season Approaches

WAG12: India’s 12000 HP Locomotive Sets New Standards in Power and Efficiency

Aditya Saikrishna
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WAG12: India’s 12000 HP Locomotive Sets New Standards in Power and Efficiency

INDIA: Indian Railways is moving in the right direction and has been making steady progress in several areas, and its latest electric locomotive engine, the WAG12, is a testament to this.
 
The development of the Bullet train, the increase in the use of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains on various routes, and the refurbishment and modernization of Indian Railways’ stations are just a few recent developments.
 
The 100th unit of the world’s most powerful locomotive was installed by Indian Railways, which is included on the list of such developments. Under the Make in India program, the Madhepura Electric Loco Factory in Bihar produces the electric locomotive known as the WAG12.
 
From the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, the world’s most powerful electric locomotive, built locally, made its first run in May 2020.
 
The train left in a long-haul formation with 118 wagons from the Dhanbad Division of the East Central Railway. This was the first time the powerful locomotive had been used on a broad-gauge track.
 
One hundred of these e-locos were recently installed by the Indian Railways. In the meantime, the locomotive has travelled more than 4.8 million kilometres through 17 states and two union territories.
 
An IGBT-based, three-phase drive system produced 9000 kW (12000 hp) power for the world’s most powerful locally manufactured locomotive, the WAG12.
 
The train has a pulling power of 706 kN, making it capable of starting and operating a 6000 T train with a gradient of 1 in 150. The twin Bo-Bo locomotive has a 22.5 T (tonne) axle load and can be upgraded to a 25 T (Tonnes) axle load. It has a design speed of 120 kmph.
 
This locomotive fundamentally alters the movement of coal trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor. The operators can strategically track the locomotives with GPS using built-in software and antennas, communicating with servers on the ground via a microwave link.
 
The locomotive runs on railroad tracks with standard OHE lines and dedicated freight lanes with high-rise OHE lines.
 
Driver cabs with air conditioning are located on either side of the locomotive. Due to its regenerative braking system, the locomotive uses significantly less energy when it is in use.
 
The railway ministry planned that these powerful locomotives would help clear congested lines and raise freight trains’ average speed.

Also Read: Indian Manufacturer Ignyte Achieves World-Class Standards with ECE-Certified IGN-7 Helmet

FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: The Netherlands Crushes Korea 5-1 in the Quarterfinal

Aditya Saikrishna
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FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: The Netherlands Crushes Korea 5-1 in the Quarterfinal

INDIA: The Netherlands defeated Korea 5-1 in a thrilling match, securing their spot in the semifinals to face Belgium. The Dutch dominated the game, with goals coming from various players.

The match began with a penalty corner for the Netherlands, but they could not convert it into a goal. 

Korea also had a chance with a penalty corner, but the Netherlands’ goalkeeper, Blaak, blocked their attempt. 

As the game progressed, the Netherlands’ offence began to assert itself with a goal from Bijen off a penalty corner rebound, giving them a 1-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Netherlands continued to dominate with a goal from Blok, who chipped the ball past Korea’s defence and goalkeeper, Kim Jaehyeon. 

The game was briefly halted when the Netherlands’ player Steijn van Heijningen was injured in the face, and the umpire was also hit in the face due to the ball’s bounce. 

Reserve umpire Raghu Prasad was brought in to replace the injured umpire.

The third quarter was the best for the Dutch, scoring two back-to-back goals within six minutes. 

First, van Heijningen attempted a goal; however, Lee Seunghoon got the ball deflected from his stick and it went into the corner of the net past Kim Jaehyeon. Then, Beins scored off a penalty as the ball hit Jaehan’s gloves and went inside the goal. The Netherlands now leads 4-0.

Korea finally scored their first goal in the fourth quarter with a goal from Seo Inwoo, who flicked the ball off the reverse. 

The Netherlands sealed the victory with one final goal from Beins, bringing the final score to 5-1 in favour of the Dutch. The Netherlands will now face Belgium in the semifinals.

Also Read: FIH Hockey World Cup: Germany Defeats England 4-3 Via Penalty Shootout

FIH Hockey World Cup: Germany Defeats England 4-3 Via Penalty Shootout

Aditya Saikrishna
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0
FIH Hockey World Cup: Germany Defeats England 4-3 Via Penalty Shootout

INDIA: In a closely contested match, England and Germany drew 2-2 in their quarterfinal FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup match before going down 4-3 in penalty shootouts. The game was filled with drama and tension as both teams fought for a spot in the semifinals.

Germany vs England

The match began with Germany snatching ball possession from England in the first few minutes. 

However, England’s defence was able to hold off the German attack and maintain its record of not conceding a goal in the tournament. The first quarter ended with ENG leading 1-0, with a goal from Wallace.

The second quarter saw Germany’s Hinrichs and Grambusch leading the attack, but they could not break through England’s man-to-man marking. The England team made it hard for Germany to adapt and maintain possession of the ball.

However, in the final minutes of the first half, Germany earned a penalty corner, and Sorsby was able to stop it. The third quarter saw Germany earn another penalty corner, but Payne saved Peillat’s flick. 

On the other hand, England earned two consecutive penalty corners, but the increased reaction time by the England flickers made it easy for the German defenders. The quarter ended with ENG leading 2-0.

The fourth quarter saw a dramatic turn of events, with Germany making a brilliant comeback. With seven minutes to go, Germany took off their goalkeeper Stadler and brought in another player. 

Two minutes later, the German captain attacked the baseline, and Mats Grumbusch deflected off the pass to score a goal for Germany. 

With only two minutes remaining, Tom Grumbusch scored the equalizer during a penalty stroke. The match ended in a draw and proceeded to a penalty shootout to decide who would face Australia in the semifinals.

Germany opted to change its goalkeeper to Danneberg for the penalty shootouts. Albery, Wallace, and Roper scored for ENG. At the same time, Wellen, Muller, Prinz, and Ruhr hit the ball past the English goalkeeper to send Germany into the semifinals on 27th January.

Also Read: FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: Defending Champions Belgium Defeat New Zealand 2-0

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