Sunday, May 03
The India Open badminton tournament faced significant embarrassment due to venue failures, raising questions about the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) responsibility. Issues like animal intrusion and poor hygiene at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, owned by SAI, marred the event, which was meant to be a rehearsal for the upcoming World Championships.
Vihaan Malhotra's brilliant 4/14 spell triggered a dramatic Bangladesh collapse, securing an 18-run DLS victory for India in a rain-hit Under 19 World Cup match. Despite a strong start in their chase, Bangladesh faltered against Malhotra's spin, falling short of the revised target. Earlier, Kundu and Sooryavanshi anchored India's innings.
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee was briefly delayed after climate activists from Extinction Rebellion dumped 2,025 kg of coal at the venue, accusing sponsor Tata Steel of pollution and “sportswashing.” Protesters highlighted alleged carbon and lead emissions, while organisers defended the event’s sporting and cultural value, urging respect and safety as the tournament resumed under heightened coordination with authorities.
Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav sought blessings at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple before the series decider against New Zealand. Kuldeep shared his spiritual joy, hoping for divine grace for team performance. Kohli recently reclaimed the ODI batting top spot and became India's highest ODI scorer against New Zealand, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.
Michael Carrick’s reign at Manchester United began in style as his side stunned Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League, easing the gloom at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a dominant derby win. Carrick called it a “great start” but stressed consistency. The victory lifted United’s Champions League hopes and extended City’s winless league run to four games.
