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WT20I WC : South Africa breach Australia fortress to reach final , Bosch , Wolvaardt shines

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South African women has breached the Aussie fortress in a sensational result in Womens World T20I semi final beating the mighty reigning champions  by 8 wickets  with 2 overs to spare . Australia has long dominated women's cricket. Of the eight Women's T20 World Cups held so far, they have won six. In fact, the Australian women's team has claimed the last three consecutive T20 World Cup titles. However, South Africa defeated them in the semi-final by 8 wickets, advancing to the final. This victory brings South Africa's women's team to the T20 World Cup final, following in the footsteps of their men's team. In the semi-final, Australia batted first. Despite having a strong lineup with players like Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Ellyse Perry, Australia could only manage a total of 134 runs. The reigning champions lost Grace Harris cheaply to Kaka , Wareham (5) failed to force the pace was caught behind off Kapp. Mooney and McGrath tried to set up the innings but

Indian batting horror show puts New Zealand in winning position on day 2 of 1st test

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  After a total washout of day 1 , the much awaited India vs New Zealand 1st test started at Bangaluru on day 2 . Batting first India put on a shocking display in swinging and damp conditions getting bowled out for a paltry 46 . New Zealand took full advantage of India's early debacle with a solid batting display to reach 180/3 at close .  Due to rain, the pitch remained covered for three days, naturally leaving it damp. The sky is also cloudy. Anyone with basic cricket knowledge would say that in such conditions, winning the toss and choosing to bowl first is the obvious decision. However, India’s captain Rohit Sharma did the opposite. He won the toss and chose to bat. As a result, India suffered an embarrassing collapse on home soil, bowled out for just 46 runs, something unprecedented in India's 92-year Test history at home. At the end of the day, New Zealand was 180/3, leading by 134 runs. New Zealand's lineup includes pace bowlers like Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Will

Sajid Khan leads Pakistan fightback as Eng struggle on day 3 of 2nd test

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  Pakistan made a strong comeback in the second Test against England in Multan. On the third day, Pakistan bowled England out for 291 runs. England's last eight wickets fell for just 80 runs. After gaining a 75-run lead in the first innings, Pakistan scored 221 in their second innings, setting England a target of 297 runs to win. By the end of the third day, both of England's opening batsmen had returned to the pavilion, with just 36 runs on the board. In England's first innings, Pakistan's spinner Sajid Khan took 7 wickets, while left-arm spinner Nauman Ali picked up 3 wickets, bowling England out for 291. Ben Duckett was England’s top scorer with 114 runs, and Jack Leach added an unbeaten 25. Despite losing 9 wickets for 262 runs, England managed to stretch their score to 291. Since this pitch was used in the first test at the same venue , on 8th day there is enough wear & tear for the spinnners to come into play and so it proved as Bashir & Leach dominated Pa

Sporting legends : Maria Gorokhovskaya: The Russian gymnast icon , career HLs & video

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  Maria Gorokhovskaya was a Soviet artistic gymnast and one of the most successful female Olympians of her time. Born on October 17, 1921, in Crimea, she became a key figure in Soviet gymnastics during the 1950s. She is best known for her extraordinary performance at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, where she dominated the competition and made history. Gorokhovskaya's elegance, precision, and versatility earned her a remarkable place in the history of gymnastics. Style of Play Gorokhovskaya's style of gymnastics was characterized by her grace, fluidity, and technical precision. She was known for her ability to perform complex routines with elegance and consistency. Her performances were marked by a perfect balance between strength and artistry, which made her a dominant force in women’s gymnastics. Gorokhovskaya excelled across all apparatuses, displaying her versatility and exceptional all-around abilities. Career Highlights 1952 Summer Olympics (Helsinki): The

Sporting legends : Aravinda De Silva : Sri Lankan batting icon & legend , Career HLs, video

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  Aravinda de Silva is one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated cricketers and played a pivotal role in the rise of Sri Lankan cricket in the 1990s. Born on October 17, 1965, in Colombo, de Silva was a key architect behind Sri Lanka’s rise to global prominence, particularly their historic victory in the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup. Known for his elegance and aggressive batting style, de Silva was equally capable of providing crucial wickets with his off-spin and was a reliable fielder. His contributions on and off the field helped establish Sri Lanka as a cricketing powerhouse. Style of Play Batting: Aravinda de Silva was known for his attacking and elegant style of batting. His ability to dominate fast bowlers and spin alike made him one of the most feared batsmen of his era. His technique was impeccable, and he had a wide range of shots, including the square cut and pull shot, which were his trademark. De Silva was a natural stroke player and was unafraid to take on bowlers in any condition

Pakistani bowlers fightback on day 2 of 2nd test after a debutant 100 from Gulam

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 After the crushing defeat in the first test , a revamped Pakistan XI in the 2nd test vs England has shown signs of fresh fight and is having England on the ropes at the end on an eventful day 2 . On day one Pakistan had scored 259/5 . After winning the toss and batting , Pakistan was initially rattled by losing Abdhllah Shafique & Shan Masood for singke dugit scores before the future of Pakistani batting , Saim Ayub & Kamran Gulam stitched a gallant 149 run stand to give stability.  Ayub made a watchful 77 while Gulam joined an illustrious list of batsmen who scored 100s on test debut . Playing spin superbly Gulam scored a fine 118 before getting out as Pakistan lost 3 wickets before close with England bowlers fighting back .  England's innings on day 2 initially seemed like a repeat of the first Test, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett scoring at a rate of seven runs per over. However, in the final hour, England's batting faltered, losing five wickets in quick successio

UEFA nations league : Spain Dominate Serbia, Portugal Held to Draw, Poland Stages comeback

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Spain cruised into the Nations League quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Serbia, thanks to goals from Aymeric Laporte, Álvaro Morata, and Alex Baena. Despite missing key players from their Euro 2024 triumph, Spain controlled the game, amassing 30 shots to Serbia’s three. Laporte opened the scoring with a header in the fifth minute, followed by Morata’s second after an earlier penalty miss. Serbia’s Strahinja Pavlović received a late red card, and Baena’s brilliant free kick completed the scoreline. Spain now tops League A Group One with 10 points, three ahead of Denmark and six clear of Serbia. Portugal moved closer to a quarter-final spot with a 0-0 draw against Scotland, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a key opportunity, and Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon made several crucial saves to deny Portugal. Portugal leads Group A1 with 10 points, three ahead of Croatia, who played out a dramatic 3-3 draw with

Sporting legends : Roberto Falcao - Brazilian football great , Career HLs & video

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  Paulo Roberto Falcão, often simply known as Roberto Falcão, is one of Brazil’s most celebrated midfielders, renowned for his elegance, intelligence, and technical proficiency on the football field. Born on October 16, 1953, Falcão gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as a vital player for both his club and country. His time with clubs such as Internacional and AS Roma, along with his contribution to the Brazilian national team, cemented his place as a football legend. Style of Play Falcão was the epitome of a complete central midfielder, known for his combination of creative vision, defensive intelligence, and technical finesse. His ability to read the game and dictate its tempo from midfield made him the focal point of many successful teams. As a deep-lying playmaker, Falcão possessed excellent passing range, the ability to control the pace of matches, and an eye for goal. His elegance on the ball, combined with his tactical understanding, allowed him to excel as both a p

Sporting icons : Jaques Kallis : South African great, Legendary all rounder, Career HLs & video

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  Jacques Henry Kallis, born on October 16, 1975, in Cape Town, South Africa, is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. With his remarkable ability in batting, bowling, and fielding, Kallis is a complete cricketer who dominated international cricket across all formats for nearly two decades. His calm demeanor, consistency, and versatility made him a cornerstone of South African cricket. Style of Play Batting Technique and Patience: Kallis was known for his classical technique, immense patience, and ability to bat for long periods. He was equally adept at playing both pace and spin. Power and Elegance: While primarily known for his solid defense, Kallis could unleash powerful shots, making him a reliable middle-order batsman capable of both anchoring innings and accelerating the scoring when needed. Match Situations: He excelled in adapting his game to various match situations, whether playing defensively to save a match or aggressively to dominat

Sporting legends - Melissa Belote : The Golden American Backstroker - career HLs

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  Melissa Louise Belote, born on October 16, 1956, in Washington, D.C., is a former American competitive swimmer who dominated backstroke events in the early 1970s. Known for her speed, technical prowess, and tactical swimming, Belote was a teenage sensation who set world records and won Olympic gold medals, cementing her place as one of the finest backstrokers of her era. Style of Play Melissa Belote’s swimming style was defined by: Technical Precision: Belote’s backstroke was technically near-perfect, with an efficient and smooth stroke that minimized resistance in the water. Speed and Power: Her natural strength allowed her to swim fast in backstroke events, often outpacing her competition in the early stages of the race. Tactical Excellence: She possessed a strong race strategy, allowing her to maintain consistent speed and conserve energy for strong finishes, making her particularly formidable in high-pressure finals. Career Highlights in Detail 1972 Summer Olympics (Munich) B

Lakshmi Puja - its significance & celebration of this hindu festival

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  Lakshmi Puja is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. Celebrated during Diwali, it holds great spiritual and cultural importance as people seek the blessings of the goddess for material and spiritual wealth. Lakshmi represents not just financial well-being but also harmony, purity, and abundance in all forms of life. It is believed that performing Lakshmi Puja brings peace, prosperity, and success to homes and businesses. The festival is rooted in the belief that Goddess Lakshmi visits the homes of her devotees on Diwali night, blessing them with wealth and good fortune for the upcoming year. It is also a time to acknowledge the importance of cleanliness, light, and positivity, as it is said that Lakshmi prefers to dwell in spaces that are well-kept and bright. How Lakshmi Puja is Celebrated 1. Cleaning and Decoration: People thoroughly clean their homes and offices to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Entrances are decorated

West Indies women send England crashing out of WT20I World cup

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  Strong favourites England women crashes out of WT20I world cup . West Indies womens team created a major sensation by beating England women in the final group game of the T20I world cup and the result was enough to bundle out England from the event . It was an imperious batting  performance by the Windies women as they plundered 67 runs for no loss in the powerplay that set up the exciting win.  Sent in to bat first at Dubai , England women started on a scratchy note having lost 3 wickets for 34 after 6.1 overs as both openers could not extend their starts and Capsey went cheaply . The 2 senior pros , skipper Heather Knight & Nat Sciver Brunt got into a fine partnership of 60 till disaster struck as Knight  had to retire due to a calf injury at 21 scored off 13 balls . Sciver held the innimgs together but did not get much support as later order batters fell without any significant contributions.   A last over six by Ecclestone (7) helped England to reach a fighting 141/7 with Nat

Bank Employees Among Eight Arrested in Rs 97-Crore Stock Investment Fraud

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On October 15, Bengaluru Police announced the arrest of eight individuals, including a manager and three sales executives from Axis Bank, in relation to a Rs 97-crore fraud scheme that promised large returns through stock investments. According to a police statement, 254 cases tied to this scam have been registered across India. Investigators discovered that fraudulent transactions totaling Rs 97 crore were facilitated through six bank accounts, which had been opened by bank employees. The arrested individuals were identified as Kishore Sahu, a manager at Axis Bank’s Nagarabhavi branch in West Bengaluru, and sales executives Manohar, Karthik, and Rakesh. Additionally, four others, namely Lakshmikanta, Raghuraj, Kengegowda, and Mala CP, who managed mule accounts, were also detained. An Axis Bank spokesperson commented that the matter is under investigation and that the bank is cooperating fully with authorities to expedite the process. The investigation was launched after a resident of

Travel : Baltimore: Highlights of the charm city of USA

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  Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, is a historic seaport with a vibrant cultural scene, notable for its charming neighborhoods, waterfront attractions, and rich history. Known as "Charm City," Baltimore has played a significant role in American history, from the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 (which inspired the U.S. national anthem) to its industrial heritage as a major shipbuilding and manufacturing hub. Today, the city boasts world-class museums, a revitalized harbor, and diverse cuisine reflecting its cultural melting pot. Best Spots to Visit in Detail 1. Inner Harbor Baltimore's Inner Harbor is a bustling waterfront area filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions. It's home to several landmarks, including the National Aquarium, where visitors can explore marine life exhibits, and the Maryland Science Center, which offers interactive displays and a planetarium. Highlight: Take a boat tour of the harbor or visit the historic ships docke

UEFA nations league: Germany , Italy, France secure contrasting wins as Belgium, Netherlands lose

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  Germany secured their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals on Monday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Group A3, thanks to Jamie Leweling's goal on his international debut. Leweling, one of two debutants for Germany, had an early goal disallowed for offside in the second minute but found the back of the net in the 64th minute. His decisive shot came after the Dutch failed to properly clear a corner, allowing him to fire the ball into the top corner. Germany now lead the group with 10 points from four matches, ensuring their place in the last eight. The Netherlands trail by five points in second, with Hungary behind on goal difference. Bosnia sit at the bottom with just one point after a 2-0 defeat to Hungary. Germany controlled much of the game, putting pressure on the Dutch from the outset. Aside from Leweling’s winner, Tim Kleindienst and Maximilian Mittelstaedt both had opportunities to score, while the Netherlands, led by Ronald Koeman, strugg