Sports News Today: Rybakina's win, Kohli-Shinde's meet in London

In the ongoing US Open, Elena Rybakina registered a dominant win over Coco Gauff in the semi-final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. With this, she has sealed the berth in the final. Rybakina will lock horns with Aryna Sabalenka on September 13.

Meanwhile, Team India's star batsman Virat Kohli met Maharashtra's deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in London. asg-reflektory.pl

Sports News Today:

US Open: Elena Rybakina defeats Coco Gauff

Elena Rybakina mounted a comeback to defeat home favourite Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, earning her first-ever spot in the US Open final. The 27-year-old Kazakh recovered from a set deficit to beat Gauff in two hours and eight minutes, locking in a final clash with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026

Team India has defeated Bangladesh by 40 runs in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. With this, the "Women in Blue" have sealed a place in the title clash of the continental event, which is scheduled to be played on September 13 at the same venue.

Virat Kohli meets Maharashtra's deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Team India's star batsman Virat Kohli paid a goodwill visit to Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in London. During the visit, both discussed about the developments that are taking place in Maharashtra.

Yuki Bhamri's uncertain availability for Davis Cup match against Korea

India's Yuki Bhambri is a doubtful starter for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Korea in Seoul after suffering a right-leg strain during practice ahead of his US Open main draw match. Bhambri did not travel to Seoul with the first batch of Indian players that left on Thursday night, adding uncertainty over his availability for the crucial tie, where the winner will seal place in elite 8-team Davis Cup Finals.

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Edgbaston [UK], September 12 (ANI): Big knocks from Shan Masood and skipper Babar Azam and a lower-order blitz by debutant Razaullah and Mohammed Abbas helped Pakistan stage a commendable fightback on day three of the final Test against England at Edgbaston on Friday.

At the end of day’s play, Pakistan was skittled out for 449, setting 130 runs to chase for England, who scored 453 in their first innings in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 133.

449 runs is Pakistan’s highest team total in England since their 542 in the 2nd innings at the Oval in 2016.

Pakistan started the day at 52/2, with Azan Awais (29*) and Shan Masood (21*) continuing their stand after Pakistan was left 0/2.

Shaan reached his half-century in 81 balls, with seven fours while Azan reached his in 78 balls, with nine fours, with the duo helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.

Dan Lawrence broke the partnership for England, removing Awais for an 84-ball 59. Pakistan was 125/3.

Skipper Babar and Shan carried the innings forward and Pakistan past the 200-run mark. However, it was Gus Atkinson’s turn to strike, removing Shan for a 148-ball 95, with 12 fours. The 89-run stand was broken, with Pakistan at 214/4.

Babar reached his first fifty of the series in 76 balls, with eight fours as Pakistan kept edging towards the 320-run deficit. However, the 64-run stand between Babar and Saud Shakeel was undone by Josh Tongue, removing Babar for a 103-ball 76, with 11 fours and a six. Pakistan lost their half side for 278 runs.

Then came some quick wickets from English pacers, with Pakistan reduced to 318/8. However, Razaullah did not put his weapons down, taking Pakistan to a lead with a thumping six against Tongue.

Razaullah was ruthless, hitting Atkinson for three sixes in the 79th over, while Abbas also continued hitting some boundaries to give their side something worth fighting.

Razaullah smacked Jofra Archer for back-to-back sixes, racing to his fifty in 43 balls, with three fours and five sixes as Pakistan touched the 400-run mark.

The duo continued to demolish English pace, putting on a century stand for the ninth wicket in 95 balls.

Tongue ended the entertaining 121-run stand by getting Abbas for a well-made 42 in 67 balls, with five fours and two sixes. Lawrence soon produced the final wicket of Razaullah, who departed for a thrilling 81 in 63 balls, with four boundaries and nine sixes. His nine sixes were tied with NZ legend Tim Southee’s nine sixes as most sixes by a batter on Test debut.

Pakistan grabbed a 129-run lead as they ended at 449. Atkinson (3/109) was the top bowler for Pakistan, while Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Lawrence got two each.

England: 453: (Harry Brook: 75, Jamie Smith 69, Razaullah 4/148) trail Pakistan: 133 and 449 (Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Gus Atkinson 3/109) by 129 runs. (ANI).

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Birmingham [UK], September 12 (ANI): A standing ovation at Edgbaston brought a broad smile to Pakistan debutant Razaullah’s face as the 21-year-old seamer walked off after a fearless 81 against England, an innings that transformed a seemingly one-sided contest into a competitive finish.

“I enjoyed the standing ovation," Razaullah grinned later at the press conference, according to Cricinfo. “I like to enjoy life, and I was relishing the moment."

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Coming in at No. 9 with Pakistan still facing the prospect of an innings defeat, Razaullah took the attack to England’s pace trio of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, smashing nine sixes in his 63-ball knock.

His assault helped Pakistan recover from a difficult position and eventually set England a target of 130 after being bowled out for 449 on the third day of the final Test.

Razaullah had little regard for the reputation of England’s attack as he repeatedly took on the short ball, an approach that had troubled several of Pakistan’s specialist batters during the series.

“I was being selective with which balls to slog, but they all seemed within range," he said casually.

“I wanted to take it as deep as possible. I wasn’t scared of pace. I wanted to punish the balls from Archer that landed on a hard length. There’s nothing to be scared of when you’re playing for your country. I was just enjoying myself," the young seamer added.

Razaullah’s fifty came in just 43 balls, the fastest half-century by a Pakistan batter on Test debut. He struck a six to reach the landmark and continued attacking as England struggled to contain his clean hitting.

“My favourite ball [to face] is the short ball. I just believed in myself. I thought if I played 50 balls, I’d get a positive result. And thankfully that happened," he said.

He also shared a crucial 121-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who made 42, to frustrate England’s attempt to wrap up the match quickly. Tongue eventually broke the stand by dismissing Abbas, before Razaullah followed soon after, missing out on what could have been a remarkable century on debut.

The youngster’s innings came after Pakistan’s top order had laid the platform for a recovery. Shan Masood scored 95, while Azan Awais made 59 in a 125-run opening partnership after Pakistan had lost both openers for no runs.

Babar Azam then added 76 as Pakistan recovered strongly from their disastrous start and ultimately finished with 449, just four runs short of England’s first-innings total of 453.

Razaullah’s late assault ensured England had to bat again and left them needing 130 runs to win, giving Pakistan an opportunity to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

The youngster, who had scored a first-class century as an opener after asking his coach to promote him up the order, showed the same attacking intent despite stepping into a vastly different challenge at No. 9 on his Test debut. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Pistol shooter Anish Bhanwala and grappler Antim Panghal are only 23 and 24 years old. Still relatively young, both heading to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya have been representing India since they were teens.

Rapid fire ace, Anish has already participated in two Asian Games — 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou, but did not win a medal. Antim won a bronze at the last edition in the 53kg weight category. Both have been to the Olympics as well. Now battle-hardened, somewhat more mature, they want the big podium finish in Japan — the Asian Games begin on September 19 and conclude on October 4.

Medal run

With wrestling, shooting, and athletics being India’s core sports disciplines, the number of gold medals will decide India’s place on the Asian map. At the 2022 Asian Games, India won 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze medals to finish fourth in the medals tally. With a total of 107 medals, this was the best ever show.

“This would be my third Asian Games, but I am not hyping it too much. This unnecessarily adds to the noise and makes you tense. I have been to the Olympics and World Championships and without meaning to disrespect Asian Games, in shooting our only big opponents are the Chinese and Korean shooters,” Anish said.

“I have already been at the podium in the past three Asian championships and cannot explain how I feel. I am shooting the same way when I was 17. Feels like everything is in rhythm and I am relaxed. I am very confident that we will match the medals tally from the last Games for sure,” he added.

Antim doesn’t want to disclose her expectations, but exudes confidence that she is a far better wrestler now. Having already recovered from a back injury and a few upsets, including failing in the trials for the Asian Championships earlier this year, the 23-year-old says she is more focused now. “I want to give my best this time. I have been working very hard on both my offensive and defensive techniques so I feel I am ready. I am also watching footage of all my prospective opponents,” the two-time World Championships bronze medallist says.

On the other end of the spectrum is one of India’s most known faces when it comes to 3000m steeplechase: Avinash Sable. The 31-year-old has recovered from a knee injury that he suffered during the 2025 Monaco Diamond League. Now fit, he wants to retain his title in Japan. “I am mentally and physically strong now to face any challenge,” the Hangzhou gold medallist said, who had also won the silver medal in the men’s 5,000m in 2022.

Young archers on the big stage

While the optimism is high, there are a few disciplines, including archery, where the team is young and inexperienced. Apart from Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhagat in recurve and V Jyothi Surekha in women’s compound archery, the rest of the team is fresh. Former India international Dola Banerjee advises patience. “In crunch times, experience comes in handy. Most of our archers have been promoted from the youth setup so we have to be mindful of that,” Banerjee says. “We should just let them enjoy this big experience and whatever they achieve should be celebrated. Having said that, fresh faces do not approach competitions with any baggage, and can come up with surprising results,” she adds.

Defending the cricket, hockey titles

The Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams head to Aichi-Nagoya to defend their titles won in the last edition. The men’s hockey team will also look to defend its gold medal as winning the podium will mean booking a spot for the 2028 LA Olympics.

India will also look to end its Asian Games drought in weightlifting. Karnam Malleswari’s 1998 silver was the last time an Indian stood on the podium at the Asian Games.