CWG medallists Rishikanta, Bindyarani receive grand welcome in Imphal…

Imphal (Manipur) [India], August 10 (ANI): India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medal-winning weightlifters, Chanambam Rishikanta Singh and Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam, both from Imphal, received a warm and grand welcome at Imphal Airport on Monday. Both athletes expressed their determination to perform strongly in their upcoming competitions.

While Rishikanta won the silver medal in the men’s 60kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Bindyarani Devi won the bronze medal in the women’s 58kg event. lebandit.lat

Speaking to reporters at the Imphal Airport, Rishikanta credited his parents, elder brother, family, friends, coaches, support staff, the National Sports Academy, the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Weightlifting Federation for supporting his journey despite coming from a financially disadvantaged background. He said he had aimed for gold but settled for silver after struggling with knee pain, adding that he was happy with the result. He also said his future focus is on preparing for the Olympics and Asian Games.

“First of all, I give credit to my mom and dad. After that, my elder brother and my family members and my nearby friends circle. Also, the National Sports Academy, the Sports Authority of India and the Weightlifting Federation of India. I want to give credit to all of them because I come from a very poor family. We are not rich. I don’t know; credit should be given to everyone who supported me- the staff, coaches, all of them. The plan for the future is to prepare for the Olympics and Asian Games," he said.

“I hoped for a gold medal. But I won the silver medal. I hoped for a gold medal with a lot of preparation for training before. But unfortunately, my knee pained. But I won the silver medal; I’m so happy," he added.

BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh congratulated Rishikanta and his family, praising his achievement as a proud moment for the country. He also acknowledged the support of those who helped Rishikanta win the medal and highlighted Manipur’s strong sporting tradition.

“It’s a very proud moment for our country. He (Chanambam Rishikanta Singh) is from my constituency. It’s hearty congratulations to him and also to his family and also to all the people who have supported him in making sure that he wins a medal. He brought laurels to our country. Manipur has always excelled in sports," he said.

On the other hand, Bindyarani Devi also expressed happiness after winning a bronze medal at her second Commonwealth Games. She said she is looking forward to the upcoming events and hopes to perform well in them.

“I feel happy; this is my second time participating in the Commonwealth Games, and I won a bronze medal. I am truly delighted. There are many upcoming events, and I hope to perform well in them," she said.

Notably, the 2026 Games were hosted under a compact format, leading to the removal of major Indian medal-earning events like shooting, wrestling, and badminton.

India finished fourth in the medals table at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze. (ANI)

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On Friday, Sarfaraz Khan posted a photo on Instagram from the 2019 Telugu film ‘Jersey’ with a caption that read: “I may not fit in, but I’ll fight with everything I’ve got.” Just 48 hours later, the 28-yearold was rewarded for his seemingly endless ‘fight’ when he replaced the injured Sai Sudharsan in the Indian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka. After finally receiving the news he had been waiting for, Sarfaraz shared his first post on social media, posting a couple of pictures in the Team India travelling jersey.

Belfast [Ireland], August 11 (ANI): An all-round effort from star spinner Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan seal an automatic spot in the 2027 ODI Cricket World Cup with a three-wicket win over Ireland in the third ODI at Belfast.

With this win on Monday, Afghanistan is 2-0 up in the five-match series. The first match was abandoned without a ball bowled.

In the previous ODI World Cup in 2023, Afghanistan were promising, finishing sixth in the points table with four wins and five losses, narrowly short of contention for a semifinal spot. With wins over defending champions England and former champions Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, they still had a tournament to be proud of.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first. Half of the Irish side was back in the hut for 89 runs in the 22nd over.

Gavin Hoey (36 in 67 balls, with two fours) and Jai Moondra (31 in 33 balls, with five fours) put up 76-runs for the ninth wicket. Afghanistan skittled out Ireland for 206 runs in 46.3 overs.

Allah Ghazanfar (3/29) and Rashid (3/44) were exceptional with the ball for Afghanistan.

During the run-chase, openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (12) put on a 53-run opening stand.

Gurbaz kept one end steady, but he was the fifth wicket down for 71 in 77 balls, with two fours and five sixes at a score of 149. From there, Afghanistan sank to 176/7 in the 36th over and were in a tricky situation.

Rashid played a useful knock of 37* in 43 balls, with four boundaries, putting on a 31-run stand with Yamin Ahmadzai (4*) to take Afghanistan to a win in the 45th over with three wickets in hand.

Rashid won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-winning performance. (ANI)

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India's oldest living Test cricketer, wicketkeeper-batsman Dr Chandrakant Patankar, 95, had no idea that the country will be playing its 600th Test match when they take on Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15. But he was delighted to learn about the same when mid-day paid him a visit at his Sewri residence on Monday.

Patankar, who played only one Test (against New Zealand at Kolkata in 1955-56), reckoned that the longest format is not just here to stay alongside the game’s highly successful ODI and T20I versions, but is also evolving in every aspect with everyone, including the current generation and the former cricketers and their families, enjoying its benefits.

India players celebrate the wicket of Ravindu Rasantha during the warm-up match vs SLC XI at the NCC Ground, Colombo, on Sunday. Pic/BCCI

“There is a huge difference in today’s cricket and when we used to play this game. Facilities-wise, skill-wise, the player’s approach towards this game has changed a lot. Now, there are matches around the year and playing across most of those 365 days requires top fitness levels. That’s why today’s players are much fitter than what we used to be. Test cricket is progressing well and will continue to do well in the future.

Taking Test cricket to smaller venues is boosting interest among spectators and upcoming players too. Day-Night Tests are also a great idea,” Patankar told mid-day at his ground floor home at Maharashtra Cooperative Housing Society in Ambekar Nagar, where he has been residing for the last 40 years.

Selection day news on radio

Patankar, who represented both Mumbai and Maharashtra in first-class cricket, also hailed BCCI for working for the benefit of cricketers. “I received Rs 250 for playing that Kolkata Test, and in those days, that amount was big enough. Nowadays, financially things have improved so much for the current lot. Even we, former players, are receiving a good pension. I get Rs 60,000 per month from BCCI and I’m very grateful,” said Patankar, going on to recall how he got the news of his India selection back in the day: “I used to live at my elder cousin’s home in Girgaon and we didn’t have a radio so the day India’s team was announced for the series against NZ, I stood in the gallery [balcony] of our home, trying to listen to the announcement on our neighbour’s radio. And when I heard my name, I ran into the hall, shouting ‘I got selected’. The next day, I went to the BCCI office [at Brabourne Stadium] to collect my India selection letter, submitted my leave application to my employers, BEST, and headed off to do my rail reservation for Kolkata.”

Patankar revealed he made his Test debut wearing his Shivaji Park Gymkhana (SPG) cap at Kolkata, where he scored 13 and one not out, took three catches behind the stumps and effected one stumping in the drawn encounter.

‘Kohli’s fit, Shubman superb’

When asked what it feels like to be India’s oldest living Test cricketer, wheelchair-bound Patankar paused while slowly sipping on his cup of evening tea, looked up and replied with a smile: “I’m fortunate and enjoying every moment of it. I watch every match on TV; I follow our women’s cricket team too as they are very competitive. I particularly admire Virat Kohli for his fitness and commitment to the game. Also, Shubman Gill is a cool, confident and composed cricketer. I hope he can lead India to a Test series win over the Lankans,” Patankar signed off.

[popcorn number="26" desc="No. of first-class matches played by Dr Chandrakant Patankar, including one Test" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="19 months" desc="Dr Chandrakant Patankar’s age when India played its first Test, against England at Lord’s in June 1932" class="Default"]

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