Ranji Trophy: Bihar thrash Manipur by 220 runs to win Plate Group title

and prioritise the wellbeing and safety of Indian women athletes.

The Indian sports administrators often claim that they have a ‘robust’ system, which gives a level playing field to athletes irrespective of their gender. However, the recent development and serious allegations have burst that bubble. No doubt, things have improved drastically for Indian athletes in the last few years. Whether it’s a male or female sportsperson, they have far better access to facilities, coaches and grounds. Even people in general have changed their mindset towards the country’s female athletes.

PATNA, JAN 29 (IANS):

Bihar thrashed Manipur by 220 runs in the Plate Group final of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 at the MoinUl Haq Stadium, here on Sunday.

After getting reduced to 107/4 by stumps on the fourth day in a chase of 545, Manipur needed something spectacular on the final day to pull off a draw but they were bowled out for 324 in their second innings with Nawaz Khan claiming 5 for 95.

With this, Bihar and Manipur, the two finalists of the Plate Group, will be promoted to the Elite division next season. Resuming Day 5, Langlonyamba

Keishangbam continued to put up a fight alongside the other overnight batter, Bikash Singh. They added runs at a brisk rate to cause a bit of concern in the Bihar camp. Bikash smashed three sixes to race to 79 whereas the skipper Keishangbam helped himself to a century. The two batters put on 140 for the fifth wicket to raise hopes of a stunning comeback for Manipur. But Nawaz dismissed Keishangbam (117) and it triggered a collapse.

From there on, Nawaz went on a roll and continued to pick up wickets, including that of Bikash (79). Lowerorder batter Pheiroijam Jotin played an entertaining knock of (48 not out off just 40 balls) but that cameo was not enough as Manipur were eventually bowled out for 324. Nawaz, who finished with five wickets in the innings, ended up with a 10-fer in the game after producing a sensational performance (five for 82) in the first innings as well.

Earlier, Sakibul Gani’s fantastic double ton (205) had helped Bihar put up 546 on the board in the first innings.

Brief scores: Bihar 546 (Sakibul Gani 205, Bipin Saurabh 155) & 335 (Sachin Kumar 132; Kishan Singha 7/94) beat Manipur 337 (Prafullomani Singh 82; Nawaz Khan 5/82) & 324 (Langlonyamba Keishangbam 117; Nawaz Khan 5/95) by 220 runs

Bayern share spoils with Frankfurt in Bundesliga

BERLIN, JAN 29 (IANS):

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich drop points for the third straight time in 2023 after Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani canceled out Leroy Sane’s opener to ensure a 1-1 draw in the 18th round.

Both sides started offensively minded into the clash and exchanged attacks from the opening whistle, as Kolo Muani pulled wide from a promising position in the 12th minute before Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich tested Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in quick succession at the half-hour mark, reports Xinhua news agency. Muller remained in the thick of things as the German veteran set up for Sane, who made no mistake and slotted home with a low shot from inside the box in the 34th minute. Frankfurt couldn’t respond before the break whereas Bayern wasted two presentable chances of extending their lead

Chelsea sign Gusto on contract to 2030

LONDLON, JAN 29

(AGENCIES): Chelsea have signed right back Malo Gusto from Olympique Lyonnais on a deal until June 2030 and loaned him back to the French side for the rest of the season, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

Gusto, who has played in France’s under-21 team, has played 15 times in Ligue 1 this campaign after the 19-year-old broke into the starting lineup last season. Financial details were not revealed but Sky Sports said the transfer fee was 26.3 million pounds ($32.60 million).

“The defender will now continue his impressive progress on loan at the Groupama Stadium before joining up with the Blues in the summer ahead of the new campaign,” Chelsea said in a statement.

Gusto is Chelsea’s seventh recruit in the midseason transfer window after the London club signed Mykhalo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos and David Fofana while Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Bayern staged a slow start into the second half and had to wait until the 60th minute before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting came close.

Frankfurt suddenly sparked to life and restored parity in the 69th minute when Daichi Kamada sent Kolo Muani, who beat Bayern custodian Yann

Sommer from a tight angle into the far post corner. The Eagles gained momentum in the closing stages but Djibril Sow, Mario Gotze, and Rafael Santos Borre couldn’t clinch the winner despite dangerous opportunities.

“We wanted to break the spell and we staged a good first half. We should have scored more goals though. Frankfurt made our life difficult in the second half. It is what it is. We are still on top but of course, our lead melts away,” said Bayern captain Muller.

“We had some problems with Bayern’s style of play in the first half but overall, a great performance by the boys,” commented Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner.

Elsewhere, Union Berlin move on second and reduced the gap behind Bayern to one point after beating uninspired Hertha Berlin 2-0 in the capital derby. Freiburg returned to winning ways as first-half goals from Michael Gregoritsch and Lucas Holer paved the way for a 3-1 victory over Augsburg. Werder Bremen ended Wolfsburg’s winning run as Niclas Fullkrug donated a brace to edge the Wolves 2-1. Jonas Hofmann’s double strike helped Borussia Monchengladbach down Hoffenheim 4-1, while Mainz crushed Bochum 5-2.

Beterbiev stops Yarde in eight to retain light-heavyweight titles

LONDON,

Jan 29

(AGENCIES): Unbeaten light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev stopped Britain’s Anthony Yarde in a thrilling eight rounds at London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday to retain his WBC, IBF and WBO belts.

The Russian-born Canadian sent the Briton to the canvas with a punishing right and, after a count, the challenger’s corner signalled to referee Steve Gray to stop the fight two minutes and one second into the round.

Montreal-based Beterbiev, 38, was behind on two of the three judges’ scorecards at that point but the victory, against an underdog who turned out to be a real threat, took his professional record to 19-0-0.

Yarde, 31, is now on 23 wins with three defeats and no draws.

Both men suffered facial cuts as they traded blows at a ferocious pace from the opening bell, Yarde under his right eye and Beterbiev to his left eyelid.

Yarde twice lost his gumshield in a pulsating fight that saw both men hammered against the ropes and landing stinging blows.

Beterbiev made every punch count but Yarde held in there and landed a crunching right in round five before then being caught by an uppercut.

Round seven was another classic, Yarde pushing Beterbiev into a corner but the champion turning it around to rain down blows on the Briton.

“He gave one of the best fighters in the world the toughest fight he’s ever had,” said promoter George Warren of Yarde.

“I had him up (on the scorecard). It was a pendulum fight almost, it swung like a pendulum. Anthony started really well. He showed that he can hurt him and keep him off him and at bay.”

Beterbiev, booed as he entered the ring and applauded as he left it, sank to his knees in joy as the referee stepped in and said afterwards he was prepared to take the punches and counter.

Asked about a future bout with Russia’s unbeaten WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed title, Beterbiev said he hoped that might happen.

“I want Bivol,” he said.

“This right now is everything. In this fight we have four belts, it’s a really good fight I think.”