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Magnus Carlsen smiles as Nihal Narin rejects draw offer, then dominates Indian GM: ‘I just got completely crushed today'

Magnus Carlsen smiles as Nihal Narin rejects draw offer, then dominates Indian GM: ‘I just got completely crushed today'

Hindustan Times6 days ago
It was supposed to be a showdown between a speed demon and probably the greatest-ever Grandmaster in chess history. But it turned out to be a complete whitewash as Magnus Carlsen thrashed Nihal Sarin in their Esports World Cup quarter-final showdown, winning 2.5-0.5 on Thursday. Magnus Carlsen thrashed Nihal Sarin to qualify for the semi-finals of Esports World Cup.(Twitter)
The first game saw both GMs play out a draw and then in the second game, Carlsen bagged a win, even though earlier, he had offered a draw by repetition to his opponent, which was rejected. Carlsen simply smiled in response.
Then in the third game, it was all Carlsen as he totally destroyed Sarin and clinched victory to qualify for the semi-finals.
'I just got completely crushed': Nihal Sarin
Speaking after his defeat, Sarin said, 'Of course, I just got completely crushed today, but yeah, I mean, I for sure could have played better. I think for the first one and a half game, I was matching him or maybe playing even better.'
'I mean, he's Magnus for a reason,' he added.
Before ending his post-match interview, the Indian GM said, 'I'm just very happy to play against Magnus; he's my biggest inspiration. It's my first time getting to play him in a match. I wish him good luck.'
Sarin was considered an underdog in this tournament, and he will be disappointed by the manner of his defeat to Carlsen. He was representing S8UL in the tournament, and Carlsen was playing for Team Liquid.
A child prodigy, Sarin crossed the Elo rating of 2600 in 2018 at the tender age of 14-years-old, which at the time made him the third youngest player in history to do so.
He got his GM title at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Masters, which also made India's 53rd and the 12th youngest in history at the time. He recently won the Tashkent Open in March 2025, with an unbeaten score of 8/10.
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Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's comparisons with Virat Kohli as captain: ‘It never happened like that…just go through the motions'
Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's comparisons with Virat Kohli as captain: ‘It never happened like that…just go through the motions'

Indian Express

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  • Indian Express

Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's comparisons with Virat Kohli as captain: ‘It never happened like that…just go through the motions'

A bit of spice to the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy was added during the third Test at Lord's when Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett tried to run down the clock on the evening of Day 3. Indian skipper Shubman Gill and the other players got quite agitated with the methods used by Crawley, and there was a bit of a heated exchange between both parties. Immediately after that, comparisons were drawn between Gill and Virat Kohli, the captain. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra did say that even after the Lord's Test, the body language of the side did not look good at Old Trafford, and he noted that it would have never happened under Kohli. 'Many questions were raised, and there were a few comparisons as well. If Virat Kohli is king, his name (Gill's) has been kept prince, so the comparisons start quickly. I remember two or three very interesting comparisons. The first was the fight that happened at the Lord's ground. You lost the match after that,' Aakash Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel. 'A ruckus started at that stage as to why was he fighting, and that he should play in his own style. After that, you reached Old Trafford, and it was said that the body language didn't look good, and that it never happened like that in Virat Kohli's captaincy, where you just go through the motions,' he added. This is the first series for Gill as Test captain, and it ended 2-2. Chopra said his captaincy is still a work in progress. 'The captaincy is a work in progress, but he is 25 years old. He will learn. It was just his first series. He was seen following the ball at times, but we have seen that with all captains. We have seen that with Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and everyone, that they placed fielders wherever the ball went at some stage,' Chopra said. 'Could he have been braver in his team selections? I will say yes, he could have been braver, but it's easier said than done. I do feel very strongly that Kuldeep Yadav should have been played matches, but if you keep yourself in Shubman Gill's shoes, you would say the batting is not doing that good, the No. 3 hasn't gotten settled, Rishabh Pant has gotten injured, and I don't know what needs to be done at No. 6,' Chopra concluded.

Shubman Gill earns 9/10 but Siraj takes the crown; Nair, Shardul fail to repay faith: India's report card vs England
Shubman Gill earns 9/10 but Siraj takes the crown; Nair, Shardul fail to repay faith: India's report card vs England

Hindustan Times

time6 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Shubman Gill earns 9/10 but Siraj takes the crown; Nair, Shardul fail to repay faith: India's report card vs England

India's five-match Test series in England came to a dramatic close with a nerve-shredding six-run victory at The Oval, levelling the contest 2-2. It was a series that had everything: momentum swings, on and off-field drama, and last-day thrillers. Despite the absence of experienced stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, India managed to match England blow for blow. India captain Shubman Gill and teammates Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal and others celebrate after defeating England by 6 runs(@BCCI X) The Oval win epitomised the grit and fight shown by this relatively young Indian side, culminating in a drawn series that offers great promise for the future. As the Indian team returns home with its heads held high, let's take a look at the side's report card, player-by-player. Yashasvi Jaiswal: 7/10 Jaiswal continued to impress with his aggressive approach at the top. His counterattacking mindset kept England's pacers from dictating terms early in the innings. However, his erratic shot selection at times handed the opposition an easy way back in. More frustratingly, his sloppy fielding in the slips, particularly the three drops in the first Test, invited serious criticism and could have drastically swung the game's momentum if caught cleanly. Still, his comfort against swing and pace remains a valuable asset, ensuring India have a long-term match-winner in the making. KL Rahul: 8.5/10 Rahul was the steady hand India needed at the opening spot after the retirements of India's batting stalwarts. For the first time in years, he played a series entirely as an opener and thrived, scoring over 500 runs. His patience and technique were on display throughout, especially during tricky morning spells. His partnerships with Jaiswal, as well as the other batters in India's top orders, gave India a stable platform more often than not. Karun Nair: 4/10 Karun Nair's return to Test cricket was a mixed bag. He couldn't quite capitalise on the chances offered to him, but he did show application in tough batting conditions. Although he failed to convert starts into big scores, his composure at the crease helped India avoid collapses on more than one occasion. After being dropped in the fourth Test, he also made his opportunity count in the fifth with a pressure-absorbing half-century, which took India to a competitive score of 224 in the first innings and gave the side a fighting chance. As a senior batter, however, Nair was expected to convert his knocks, which he failed to do in England. Sai Sudharsan: 5/10 Sudharsan was dropped from the Test XI after his debut in the opening match in Leeds, but made a commendable return in the high-pressure fourth Test. With India trailing 1-2, he stepped in and scored a critical half-century in the first innings, building a steady foundation for others to flourish. It was a significant contribution, especially for someone playing just his second Test. While a big innings eluded him, Sudharsan's 38 in the first innings of the final Test was also important, given the early wickets. In tricky conditions, Sudharsan's composure with the bat showed that he is in for the long haul. Shubman Gill: 9/10 Thrust into leadership and batting at No. 4, many had expressed their doubts about Shubman Gill's outing ahead of the series. Gill had long faced questions over his overseas credentials, but the newly appointed Indian captain responded with a series for the ages. Amassing 754 runs in five Tests, the second-most by an Indian in a single series, Gill emphatically silenced his critics. Far from being burdened by leadership, it seemed he used the captaincy as a fuel, rather than a distraction. Though some of his tactical choices as captain came under scrutiny, they were overshadowed by the grit he displayed, rescuing India with the bat in the fourth Test and his decision-making in the fifth. Rishabh Pant: 8.5/10 Pant made a strong return to form, both with the bat and behind the stumps. Battling physical discomfort and injury on more than one occasion, he still delivered key contributions, including a gutsy half-century at Manchester with a fractured toe. His energy and intent sparked momentum shifts, as Pant lived up to his reputation as the game-changer. More than anything, however, it was his ability to play to the situation which earned him plaudits. Dhruv Jurel: 7/10 As the backup wicketkeeper, Jurel was excellent behind the stumps. He was slightly nervy at Lord's, but his performances at Old Trafford and The Oval redeemed those jitters. He was alert, vocal behind the stumps, and contributed with the bat in supporting roles. Given more time, he could evolve into a reliable Test option. While Jurel will be well aware that Rishabh Pant's exceptional form and proven pedigree make it tough for anyone to displace him as India's first-choice wicketkeeper, his own skillset ensures he remains a high-quality, ready-to-go backup. Shardul Thakur: 3/10 Thakur's comeback to the Indian Test setup was underwhelming. He couldn't find rhythm with the ball, and his batting contributions were minimal. While he's known for breakthroughs in overseas Tests and his contributions with the bat in the lower-order, this series saw very little of that spark. With stiff competition for the all-rounder's slot, Thakur may have slid down the pecking order. Nitish Kumar Reddy: 4.5/10 Playing in his first Test series in England, Reddy showed flashes of potential, especially with the ball at Lord's. His batting needs work, but he bowled a few tight spells that built pressure. His series was cut short just as he was beginning to find rhythm after an unfortunate injury during a gym session. While Reddy still remains raw, India might persist with him, especially if he can bulk up his batting returns. Washington Sundar: 8/10 A reliable performer in many ways, Sundar's batting was crucial in the Manchester Test, where he stitched a game-saving partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, while also reaching his maiden century in the format. His bowling was economical, though underutilised. It was a testament to his performance at Lord's that Gill was questioned for his decision not to introduce Gill until the 65th over of the first innings in the Manchester Test. With added experience and confidence, he could evolve into a mainstay as a lower-order bat and support spinner. Ravindra Jadeja: 9/10 With five successive 50+ scores, Jadeja silenced critics who had been raising concerns over his batting. He was rock-solid in the middle order and helped shepherd the tail on multiple occasions. He also took seven wickets to go along with a herculean batting effort, and on many occasions, contained the flow of runs against the attacking English batters. While one could argue that he could've been more aggressive with his bowling, Jadeja knew his role and played it to near-perfection. Jasprit Bumrah: 8/10 Though he played only three Tests, Bumrah was relentless. His spells in Headingley and Lord's broke the back of England's batting, as he picked five-wicket hauls in both Tests. Bumrah did lack support from the other end at times, but still emerged as a potent wicket-taking threat. His Manchester outing was one of the few dips in an otherwise stellar run, and while workload remains a concern, his influence when in rhythm is simply unquestionable. Prasidh Krishna: 5/10 Prasidh Krishna may have gone down as a 3/10, had it not been for his brilliant comeback in the final Test at The Oval. The tall fast bowler had underwhelming outings in the first two Tests, where he also leaked significant runs. However, his performance in the fifth Test showed he can bowl under pressure. It was Prasidh who took out the dangerous Joe Root in the second innings, which proved catalyst to England's implosion in the 374-run chase. Krishna will need to work on fitness and consistency if he wants to cement a long-term spot. Akash Deep: 6.5/10 Akash impressed with the bat as much as he did with the ball, scoring a valiant half-century in the final Test. After missing the first Test, he made a stellar return in Edgbaston, where he picked six wickets in the second innings and 10 overall to help India achieve their first-ever win at Edgbaston. While his showing at both Lord's and The Oval didn't live up to Edgbaston heroics, Akash Deep compensated brilliantly with his half-century. Mohammed Siraj: 9.5/10 The undisputed star of the series. Siraj bowled the most overs, took the most wickets, and displayed infectious energy throughout. His match-winning spell at The Oval turned the game on its head. In Bumrah's absence during key phases, Siraj rose to the occasion with fire, shedding the image of a supporting act to establish himself as a frontline pacer. His series was laced with a personal redemption arc, too, from the heartbreak of a cleanly struck defensive shot resulting in his dismissal and India's narrow defeat at Lord's, to the agony of stepping on the boundary rope while catching Brook at The Oval. Fittingly, it was Siraj who took the last wicket to not just hand India a series-levelling win, but also take a five-wicket haul. Anshul Kamboj: 3/10 Drafted in as an injury replacement just a week before the Manchester Test, Kamboj was thrust into the spotlight with a debut appearance. But the outing turned out to be a harsh initiation, as he bowled 18 of the 157.1 overs in England's innings and conceded 89. He did, however, deny Ben Duckett a century, dismissing him for 94.

JioStar Bags Exclusive Rights To Broadcast US Open In India For Five Years
JioStar Bags Exclusive Rights To Broadcast US Open In India For Five Years

News18

time24 minutes ago

  • News18

JioStar Bags Exclusive Rights To Broadcast US Open In India For Five Years

Last Updated: The landmark partnership will see every match from the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. JioStar announced that it has acquired the exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for the US Open Tennis Championships for the next five years on Wednesday. Secured by the USTA's media rights agency, IMG, this landmark partnership will see every match from the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar, delivering every ace, rally, and match point directly to millions of Indian screens. One of the most prestigious Grand Slams in global tennis, the US Open is a celebration of high-octane action, electrifying crowds, and iconic night matches. This year's edition promises edge-of-the-seat drama, rising stars, and battles between a growing generation of legends as the men's and women's singles Main Draw will be played across 15 competition days. Indian fans will be treated to breathtaking tennis action with Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Novak Djokovic, and Coco Gauff taking the court, while Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka look to defend their men's and women's singles titles respectively. The tournament has also announced a reimagining of its US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, which this year will feature 16 star-studded pairs all vying for US$ 1 million in prize money for the winning team. The blockbuster field will include many of the men and women ranked in the Top 10, nine Grand Slam singles champions, and veritable legends of the game. Alcaraz will be pairing up with Emma Raducanu, Sinner with Emma Navarro, Świątek with Casper Ruud, Djokovic with fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic, and Venus Williams with Reilly Opelka. Additionally, Ben Shelton will pair with world doubles No. 1 Taylor Townsend, and the defending US Open Mixed Doubles Champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will compete to defend their title. As part of its coverage, JioStar will continue to bring its host of tech-driven and fan-first innovations that will redefine how one of the largest-attended annual sporting events in the world is experienced. From multi-language commentary to exclusive behind-the-scenes access on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, viewers will enjoy immersive storytelling and interactivity around the tournament like never before. Harry Griffith, Head of International Acquisitions and Syndication, JioStar, said, 'We are thrilled to add the US Open to our expanding portfolio of world-class sporting events. This association with the USTA deepens the range of premier global sports content available to fans on our platforms." 'With the US Open, JioStar is now the home of two of the four prestigious Grand Slams, offering year-round tennis coverage and reaffirming our commitment to delivering top-tier live action to every corner of the country," he said. Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer of USTA, said, 'We are delighted to partner with JioStar to bring the US Open to our fans across India." 'JioStar's forward-thinking, digital-first approach and their vast scale make them the ideal partner to carry the tournament into a new era. We look forward to connecting with tennis fans on the platforms they use most, delivering a world-class viewing experience that is innovative and engaging," he added. The addition further strengthens JioStar's reputation as India's premier sporting destination, holding rights to ICC events, India Men's and Women's Cricket teams, TATA IPL, TATA WPL, Premier League, Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi League, and much more. With a calendar filled with premium sporting content, JioStar continues to lead the way in providing fans with seamless access to the most anticipated sporting moments from India and around the world. Experience all the action from the US Open 2025 from August 18 to September 7, as a grand spectacle of elite tennis unfolds for fans across the country like never before. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : JioHotstar JioStar Star sports us open view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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