Yastika Bhatia says it is ‘unbelievable’ to be on Lord’s honours board Yastika Bhatia said it felt “unbelievable” to have gained a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards after becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the ‘Home of Cricket’ on Sunday.Yastika’s 113 was the cornerstone of India’s second-innings 341-7 declared on Sunday that left England needing a mammoth 427 to win the inaugural women’s Test at Lord’s.At stumps on the third day, England had slumped to 130-6 with India well-placed to complete victory in a fixture being played 142 years – and 150 matches – on from the first men’s Test at the celebrated London ground.Yastika’s innings, her maiden international century, was all the more creditable as it took place just six months after she endured surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee.RELATED | Yastika’s century brings India to the precipice of victoryAnd the 25-year-old also had the additional responsibility of keeping wicket at Lord’s amid soaring temperatures in London.“I think it’s unbelievable,” Yastika told reporters after stumps.“Six months ago, I was in a very different place. And if you would have told me then I would have my name on the honours board, I wouldn’t have believed it.”‘Your time will come’Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.As well as admiring the opener’s qualities as a batter, Yastika said Mandhana had also provided important guidance in her rehabilitation after also suffering an ACL injury.“I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said this is going to be the turning point in your career.“We also met when I was in rehab and a little nervous But she said ‘you are a sincere kid, you are a good human — just keep doing the hard work and your time will come’.”But Yastika stressed it had been a long road back to full fitness.“I had to start from scratch,” she explained. “Each muscle you train, all the muscles around the knee you have to train.“And then slowly, slowly progress will happen, not like in one or two days. So it’s very frustrating missing out on big tournaments and just doing rehab.”Yastika, who thanked her family for their support, said it was wicket-keeping training that rekindled her love for cricket. Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP “Just catches I did, not even batting, first I did keeping. So I was very happy. That day I was like a little kid smiling whole day that I did keeping after four months… And I felt the love of the game again after that.”Yastika had one moment of good fortune when to the first ball of Sunday’s play and still on her overnight 39 not out, a delivery from Lauren Bell brushed her off stump without dislodging the bails.But from then on she was in complete command, with Yastika 91 not out at lunch.There were no ‘nervous 90s’ for Yastika as she raced to her century in the first over after the interval, consecutive fours off Issy Wong taking her to 99 before a single off the fast bowler completed a century in 145 balls including 12 fours.“I thought that if I get some loose deliveries, I’ll try to make the most of it,” Yastika explained.“There was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure.“We also had wickets in hand. I always play best when I play for the team, so I was thinking that if we accelerate here, get some runs at good pace, it will be good.”Yastika eventually holed out to Sophie Ecclestone, with the England left-arm spinner also securing a place on the honours boards with a five-wicket haul.“She batted so well, and she really deserved that,” said Ecclestone of Yastika. “It’s pretty cool for her to be on the honours board.”Published on Jul 13, 2026 #Yastika #Bhatia #unbelievable #Lords #honours #board

Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.

Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.

The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.

“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.

“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.

“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.

“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.

ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers

“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.

She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.

“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.

“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.

However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.

As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.

Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.

“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.

ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG

She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.

“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.

“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.

“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.

“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.

However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.

“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.

“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.

The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.

“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">

India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWGShe alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.Published on Jul 14, 2026 #Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games

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Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.
Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.
The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.
“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.
“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.
“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.
“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.
ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers
“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.
She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.
“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.
“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.
However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.
As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.
Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.
“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.
ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG
She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.
“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.
“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.
“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.
“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.
However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.
“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.
“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.
The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.
“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.
Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games