![Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/opmooz/article70850888.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/Lead%20image%2011.png?ssl=1 "Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar")
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#Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar">Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar
Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.
“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.
“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.
ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026
“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”
Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.
“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.
“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”
Published on Apr 11, 2026
Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.
“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.
“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.
ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026
“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”
Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.
“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.
“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”
Published on Apr 11, 2026
Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh…
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#Deadspin #Valkyries #sign #Veronica #Burton #multiyear #deal">Deadspin | Valkyries sign Veronica Burton to multiyear deal
Mar 4, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Mist guard Veronica Burton (22) drives to the basket against Phantom guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of the Unrivaled championship game at Sephora Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Veronica Burton, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player last season, re-signed with the Golden State Valkyries on a multiyear deal, the team announced Saturday.
Burton, 25, posted career highs of 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals while starting all 44 games for the expansion franchise last season. She received 68 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in balloting for the award.
Entering last season, Burton had started just 20 games in three seasons.
“Veronica was the backbone of this team in our inaugural season,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She started every single game, led us in nearly every statistical category, and was the connective tissue between our locker room and our coaching staff.
“Her work ethic, leadership and voice were exactly what we needed in year one, and we cannot wait to see her continue to grow here in Golden State. Building this roster has always started with character, and Veronica is exactly the type of person we continue to build around.”
Burton also received WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors last season. She had 50 steals and 27 blocked shots.
The Northwestern product played for two seasons in Dallas (2022-23) and competed for the Connecticut Sun in 2024 before coming to Golden State in the 2024 expansion draft.
–Field Level Media
Mar 4, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Mist guard Veronica Burton (22) drives to the basket against Phantom guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of the Unrivaled championship game at Sephora Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Veronica Burton, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player last season, re-signed with the Golden State Valkyries on a multiyear deal, the team announced Saturday.
Burton, 25, posted career highs of 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals while starting all 44 games for the expansion franchise last season. She received 68 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in balloting for the award.
Entering last season, Burton had started just 20 games in three seasons.
“Veronica was the backbone of this team in our inaugural season,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She started every single game, led us in nearly every statistical category, and was the connective tissue between our locker room and our coaching staff.
“Her work ethic, leadership and voice were exactly what we needed in year one, and we cannot wait to see her continue to grow here in Golden State. Building this roster has always started with character, and Veronica is exactly the type of person we continue to build around.”
Burton also received WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors last season. She had 50 steals and 27 blocked shots.
The Northwestern product played for two seasons in Dallas (2022-23) and competed for the Connecticut Sun in 2024 before coming to Golden State in the 2024 expansion draft.
–Field Level Media
Mar 4, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Mist guard Veronica Burton (22) drives to the basket against Phantom guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of the Unrivaled championship game at Sephora Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Veronica Burton, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player last season, re-signed with the Golden State Valkyries on a multiyear deal, the team announced Saturday.
Burton, 25, posted career highs of 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals while starting all 44 games for the expansion franchise last season. She received 68 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in balloting for the award.
Entering last season, Burton had started just 20 games in three seasons.
“Veronica was the backbone of this team in our inaugural season,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She started every single game, led us in nearly every statistical category, and was the connective tissue between our locker room and our coaching staff.
“Her work ethic, leadership and voice were exactly what we needed in year one, and we cannot wait to see her continue to grow here in Golden State. Building this roster has always started with character, and Veronica is exactly the type of person we continue to build around.”
Burton also received WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors last season. She had 50 steals and 27 blocked shots.
The Northwestern product played for two seasons in Dallas (2022-23) and competed for the Connecticut Sun in 2024 before coming to Golden State in the 2024 expansion draft.
–Field Level Media
Mar 4, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Mist guard Veronica Burton (22) drives to the basket…
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Cameron Young of the United States plays his shot from…
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#IPL #Mumbai #Indians #battle #pesky #slow #starters #tag #RCB #calling">IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians battle pesky ‘slow starters’ tag as RCB comes calling
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a sense of renewed optimism. The long-standing jinx of opening-game defeats had finally been broken, and the early signs hinted at momentum. But as it returns to familiar surroundings for Sunday night’s marquee Indian Premier League clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the mood is likely more subdued than buoyant.
The tag of ‘slow starters’ has resurfaced. Hardik Pandya and Co. have dropped both their away games, and the concern is less about the batting star power and more about a bowling unit that is yet to click. Across three matches, Mumbai Indians’ bowlers have managed only 11 wickets combined — a telling statistic that underlines their struggles. More worrying is that, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner (who has featured in only one game), every other bowler has conceded at an economy rate in double digits.
ALSO READ | Move over Mumbai Indians, Wankhede awaits its OG headliner – Virat Kohli
That lack of control has inevitably placed additional pressure on the batting unit. While the batters have shown flashes of form, they have not quite managed to dominate on the road. Against that backdrop, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will sense an opportunity to breach the Wankhede Stadium fortress.
RCB’s batting has largely been in rhythm, notwithstanding the middle-overs stutter against Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. The return of Krunal Pandya to face his former franchise, with younger brother Hardik leading the opposition, adds an intriguing sub-plot to a contest already headlined by the ever-compelling Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli duel.
ALSO READ | Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?
Krunal’s crafty left-arm spin played a key role in dragging RCB back into the contest after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s onslaught on Friday. On a surface he knows well, the allrounder will be keen to build on that performance.
While MI will be fretting over Mitchell Santner’s fitness, RCB faces a selection call. Rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh has been expensive in the first three games, and the think-tank may consider turning to Rasikh Dar, last season’s trusted death-overs option, for added control at the back-end.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a sense of renewed optimism. The long-standing jinx of opening-game defeats had finally been broken, and the early signs hinted at momentum. But as it returns to familiar surroundings for Sunday night’s marquee Indian Premier League clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the mood is likely more subdued than buoyant.
The tag of ‘slow starters’ has resurfaced. Hardik Pandya and Co. have dropped both their away games, and the concern is less about the batting star power and more about a bowling unit that is yet to click. Across three matches, Mumbai Indians’ bowlers have managed only 11 wickets combined — a telling statistic that underlines their struggles. More worrying is that, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner (who has featured in only one game), every other bowler has conceded at an economy rate in double digits.
ALSO READ | Move over Mumbai Indians, Wankhede awaits its OG headliner – Virat Kohli
That lack of control has inevitably placed additional pressure on the batting unit. While the batters have shown flashes of form, they have not quite managed to dominate on the road. Against that backdrop, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will sense an opportunity to breach the Wankhede Stadium fortress.
RCB’s batting has largely been in rhythm, notwithstanding the middle-overs stutter against Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. The return of Krunal Pandya to face his former franchise, with younger brother Hardik leading the opposition, adds an intriguing sub-plot to a contest already headlined by the ever-compelling Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli duel.
ALSO READ | Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?
Krunal’s crafty left-arm spin played a key role in dragging RCB back into the contest after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s onslaught on Friday. On a surface he knows well, the allrounder will be keen to build on that performance.
While MI will be fretting over Mitchell Santner’s fitness, RCB faces a selection call. Rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh has been expensive in the first three games, and the think-tank may consider turning to Rasikh Dar, last season’s trusted death-overs option, for added control at the back-end.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a…
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#Deadspin #Scottie #Scheffler #charge #Mastersbest">Deadspin | Scottie Scheffler makes charge with Masters-best 65
Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler vaulted up the Masters leaderboard with a career-low round of 65 at the Masters on Saturday to sit at 7-under-par through three rounds.
Scheffler’s previous low round at Augusta National was a 66 in the first round of 2024, when he went on to win his second Masters title.
His chances of capturing a third in 2026 appeared very slim as he began the third round at even par, 12 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy after recording his second-highest score at Augusta National with a 74 on Friday.
“I don’t feel like I’m out of the tournament,” Scheffler told CBS after the round. “It’s good to put myself back in position.”
Scheffler’s charge up the leaderboard started with an eagle on the par-5 second hole, where he knocked his approach to 6 feet. He then rolled in three consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 7-9 to make his turn 5-under 31. He added another birdie on the challenging par-4 11th to begin his trip through “Amen Corner.”
The momentum stalled out a bit from there, with Scheffler failing to pick up a stroke on either of the par-5s on the back nine. He did reach 7 under with a birdie on the par-3 16th and had a chance to close the gap even further, but his 8-foot birdie attempt on 17 slid right of the hole.
Scheffler pulled his drive left off the 18th hole and had to punch out from under branches. Just when it appeared his career-best score at Augusta National was in jeopardy, Scheffler knocked his third shot from 101 yards to 9 inches for a tap-in par.
When he walked off the course, Scheffler was in a tie for sixth, six shots behind McIlroy, who was still playing the front nine. His 65 on Saturday tied the tournament low thus far, matching the 65 McIlroy shot on Friday.
Other than his 66 in 2024, Scheffler’s lowest career Masters rounds had been a 67 in the second round en route to his first title in 2022. He has also carded four rounds of 68 through 27 career rounds at Augusta National.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler vaulted up the Masters leaderboard with a career-low round of 65 at the Masters on Saturday to sit at 7-under-par through three rounds.
Scheffler’s previous low round at Augusta National was a 66 in the first round of 2024, when he went on to win his second Masters title.
His chances of capturing a third in 2026 appeared very slim as he began the third round at even par, 12 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy after recording his second-highest score at Augusta National with a 74 on Friday.
“I don’t feel like I’m out of the tournament,” Scheffler told CBS after the round. “It’s good to put myself back in position.”
Scheffler’s charge up the leaderboard started with an eagle on the par-5 second hole, where he knocked his approach to 6 feet. He then rolled in three consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 7-9 to make his turn 5-under 31. He added another birdie on the challenging par-4 11th to begin his trip through “Amen Corner.”
The momentum stalled out a bit from there, with Scheffler failing to pick up a stroke on either of the par-5s on the back nine. He did reach 7 under with a birdie on the par-3 16th and had a chance to close the gap even further, but his 8-foot birdie attempt on 17 slid right of the hole.
Scheffler pulled his drive left off the 18th hole and had to punch out from under branches. Just when it appeared his career-best score at Augusta National was in jeopardy, Scheffler knocked his third shot from 101 yards to 9 inches for a tap-in par.
When he walked off the course, Scheffler was in a tie for sixth, six shots behind McIlroy, who was still playing the front nine. His 65 on Saturday tied the tournament low thus far, matching the 65 McIlroy shot on Friday.
Other than his 66 in 2024, Scheffler’s lowest career Masters rounds had been a 67 in the second round en route to his first title in 2022. He has also carded four rounds of 68 through 27 career rounds at Augusta National.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler vaulted up the Masters leaderboard with a career-low round of 65 at the Masters on Saturday to sit at 7-under-par through three rounds.
Scheffler’s previous low round at Augusta National was a 66 in the first round of 2024, when he went on to win his second Masters title.
His chances of capturing a third in 2026 appeared very slim as he began the third round at even par, 12 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy after recording his second-highest score at Augusta National with a 74 on Friday.
“I don’t feel like I’m out of the tournament,” Scheffler told CBS after the round. “It’s good to put myself back in position.”
Scheffler’s charge up the leaderboard started with an eagle on the par-5 second hole, where he knocked his approach to 6 feet. He then rolled in three consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 7-9 to make his turn 5-under 31. He added another birdie on the challenging par-4 11th to begin his trip through “Amen Corner.”
The momentum stalled out a bit from there, with Scheffler failing to pick up a stroke on either of the par-5s on the back nine. He did reach 7 under with a birdie on the par-3 16th and had a chance to close the gap even further, but his 8-foot birdie attempt on 17 slid right of the hole.
Scheffler pulled his drive left off the 18th hole and had to punch out from under branches. Just when it appeared his career-best score at Augusta National was in jeopardy, Scheffler knocked his third shot from 101 yards to 9 inches for a tap-in par.
When he walked off the course, Scheffler was in a tie for sixth, six shots behind McIlroy, who was still playing the front nine. His 65 on Saturday tied the tournament low thus far, matching the 65 McIlroy shot on Friday.
Other than his 66 in 2024, Scheffler’s lowest career Masters rounds had been a 67 in the second round en route to his first title in 2022. He has also carded four rounds of 68 through 27 career rounds at Augusta National.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks the third green during the third…
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#ISL #Bipin #Nandhakumar #score #late #East #Bengal #beats #Chennaiyin">ISL 2025-26: Bipin, Nandhakumar score late as East Bengal beats Chennaiyin FC
Two late goals, including one by Tamil Nadu’s local boy Nandhakumar Sekar, broke Chennaiyin FC’s hearts as East Bengal beat it 3-1 in its first away match, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai on Saturday.
Chennaiyin had planned to turn the heat up — quite literally — on East Bengal on a sultry summer afternoon in Chennai. But East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon and the sun both had other ideas.
With the sunlight directly falling on the home fans’ stand, Chennaiyin’s twelfth man moved for cover. So did the players, who were subjected to early high pressure by the visiting side.
And within seven minutes, East Bengal was ahead.
Elsinho lost the ball, picking up an injury in the process, and the visiting side swarmed around him. Mohammed Rashid got the ball, passed to Saul Crespo, who threaded a through ball to Edmund Lalrindika in the final third.
While several of Chennaiyin’s players kept appealing for a foul on Elsinho, Edmund took off, entering the box and beating Mohammad Nawaz for his third goal of the season. Bruzon’s men had scored the first goal in four of their six matches in ISL so far. That became five in seven.
In the 20th minute, Farukh Choudhary whipped in a cross for Irfan Yadwad, whose header rattled the frame of the goal. Three minutes later, Yadwad tried another shot, this time from outside the box, prompting Prabhsukhan Gill to make another save.
AS IT HAPPENED | CHENNAIYIN VS EAST BENGAL HIGHLIGHTS
Chennaiyin was knocking on East Bengal’s door, and, with the afternoon giving way to dusk, the home fans were out in the open with chants and cheers. And by the half-hour mark, the host side had found a voice, both on and off the field.
Laldinliana Renthlei floated in a long diagonal ball for Yadwad, who had run behind East Bengal’s high defence, and the forward dinked the ball over Gill to make it all square.
‘Slender leads and high lines never sit well’ must have been one of the thoughts on Bruzon’s mind as he paced up and down in the technical area and raised his hand for the flanks to go forward.
PV Vishnu answered the call, overlapping with Edmund to get into the box.
However, a terrible miss in front of an open goal after dribbling past Nawaz only made the Spanish coach restless. Thirteen minutes later, Vishnu tried again, only to be denied by Nawaz.
His perseverance finally paid off in the last quarter of the match when East Bengal attacked on the counter. Vishnu’s cross from the left was guided into the net by Bipin Singh, seven minutes from time, sending the visiting fans into delirium.
It was East Bengal’s time now to ride the wave of support. And that support, with another quick counterattack, saw Miguel Damasceno set up Nandha to his left, who made no mistake with his first-time finish.
The win meant East Bengal leapfrogged its arch-rival Mohun Bagan Super Giant to sit third in the league standings on goal difference, while for Bruzon, it was another match against Chennaiyin, three goals scored, and finally, another win to cherish.
East Bengal will host Bengaluru FC in its next match on April 16, while Chennaiyin, which fell to third from bottom with the loss, will look to halt the in-form Sporting Club Delhi, which has won consecutive matches in the last two rounds.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
Two late goals, including one by Tamil Nadu’s local boy Nandhakumar Sekar, broke Chennaiyin FC’s hearts as East Bengal beat it 3-1 in its first away match, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai on Saturday.
Chennaiyin had planned to turn the heat up — quite literally — on East Bengal on a sultry summer afternoon in Chennai. But East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon and the sun both had other ideas.
With the sunlight directly falling on the home fans’ stand, Chennaiyin’s twelfth man moved for cover. So did the players, who were subjected to early high pressure by the visiting side.
And within seven minutes, East Bengal was ahead.
Elsinho lost the ball, picking up an injury in the process, and the visiting side swarmed around him. Mohammed Rashid got the ball, passed to Saul Crespo, who threaded a through ball to Edmund Lalrindika in the final third.
While several of Chennaiyin’s players kept appealing for a foul on Elsinho, Edmund took off, entering the box and beating Mohammad Nawaz for his third goal of the season. Bruzon’s men had scored the first goal in four of their six matches in ISL so far. That became five in seven.
In the 20th minute, Farukh Choudhary whipped in a cross for Irfan Yadwad, whose header rattled the frame of the goal. Three minutes later, Yadwad tried another shot, this time from outside the box, prompting Prabhsukhan Gill to make another save.
AS IT HAPPENED | CHENNAIYIN VS EAST BENGAL HIGHLIGHTS
Chennaiyin was knocking on East Bengal’s door, and, with the afternoon giving way to dusk, the home fans were out in the open with chants and cheers. And by the half-hour mark, the host side had found a voice, both on and off the field.
Laldinliana Renthlei floated in a long diagonal ball for Yadwad, who had run behind East Bengal’s high defence, and the forward dinked the ball over Gill to make it all square.
‘Slender leads and high lines never sit well’ must have been one of the thoughts on Bruzon’s mind as he paced up and down in the technical area and raised his hand for the flanks to go forward.
PV Vishnu answered the call, overlapping with Edmund to get into the box.
However, a terrible miss in front of an open goal after dribbling past Nawaz only made the Spanish coach restless. Thirteen minutes later, Vishnu tried again, only to be denied by Nawaz.
His perseverance finally paid off in the last quarter of the match when East Bengal attacked on the counter. Vishnu’s cross from the left was guided into the net by Bipin Singh, seven minutes from time, sending the visiting fans into delirium.
It was East Bengal’s time now to ride the wave of support. And that support, with another quick counterattack, saw Miguel Damasceno set up Nandha to his left, who made no mistake with his first-time finish.
The win meant East Bengal leapfrogged its arch-rival Mohun Bagan Super Giant to sit third in the league standings on goal difference, while for Bruzon, it was another match against Chennaiyin, three goals scored, and finally, another win to cherish.
East Bengal will host Bengaluru FC in its next match on April 16, while Chennaiyin, which fell to third from bottom with the loss, will look to halt the in-form Sporting Club Delhi, which has won consecutive matches in the last two rounds.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
Two late goals, including one by Tamil Nadu’s local boy Nandhakumar Sekar, broke Chennaiyin FC’s…
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4 Books That Wouldn’t Exist Without ‘Interview With the Vampire’
Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire revolutionized the horror genre when it was published in…
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रफ्तार में लवकुश फ्लाईओवर का काम: इंदौर में दूसरी 400 टन वजनी गर्डर का निर्माण शुरू, एक महीने में होगी तैयार
लवकुश चौराहा पर बनाए जा रहे डबल डेकर फ्लाईओवर की दूसरी भुजा पर रखी जाने…
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#Deadspin #Raptors #strive #secure #topsix #playoff #spot #clash #Nets">Deadspin | Raptors strive to secure top-six playoff spot in clash vs. Nets
Dec 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts after making a shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images The Toronto Raptors can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win on Sunday night against the visiting Brooklyn Nets in the teams’ regular-season finale.
The Raptors (45-36) dropped to sixth — the final guaranteed playoff spot — in the Eastern Conference on Friday night with a 112-95 road loss to the New York Knicks.
Toronto could finish fifth if it beats the Nets and if both the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic lose.
“All antennas are up, one game to go, the final of the season,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We’ve got to find the best focus, the best version of ourselves. We have to be at the peak of our performance for that game.”
The Raptors have won two of three against the Nets (20-61) this season. The Nets’ win over the Raptors came in their most recent meeting, 96-81, on Dec. 21.
The Nets have dropped two games in a row, most recently a 125-108 road loss to Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The losses followed two straight wins.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with a career-best 23 points, shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Malachi Smith had 19 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. He was 5-for-7 from long range.
If the Raptors finish sixth, they would face the third-seeded Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, a difficult draw. The Knicks have defeated the Raptors in 13 consecutive games, including five times this season.
As for the Nets, they sit third in the lottery standings.
“This year was rough obviously,” said Nets center Nic Claxton, who did not play Friday because of a sprained finger. “So we’ve got (one more game), we flush that out, we get back to the drawing board this summer, and we go from there. Obviously, everybody, we want to be in a winning situation. We all want to win, so that’s what we’re striving to get back to. And whatever we need to do to get back to that process as quickly as we can, that’s what we’ll do.”
The Raptors could have clinched at least a sixth-place finish by winning Friday. Their downfall was the second quarter, when they were outscored 29-15.
“I thought we were there the whole game, competing,” Rajakovic said. “We had a couple of opportunities to get completely back in the game. Unfortunately, the ball bounced their way tonight. I thought the first quarter was very, very competitive. I thought defensively we did a very good job. On offense we can do a better job of setting screens, freeing up teammates so we can create some flow on the offensive end.”
Toronto played without Immanuel Quickley (foot injury management), Collin Murray-Boyles (neck sprain) and RJ Barrett (sore right knee). Barrett was a late scratch.
Reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili led Toronto scoring with 17 points. Brandon Ingram scored 16, and Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter recorded 15 points apiece.
Rajakovic reached 100 total wins with the Raptors with a victory over Miami on Thursday.
Ingram has been a key player this season in the Raptors’ improvement, and he credited Rajakovic.
“He holds me accountable on and off the floor,” Ingram said. “He tells me what I need to do, whether I want to hear it or not. He’s made me a better defender. He’s made me care about that side of the basketball more, and on the offensive end, he just wants the best for me, and he’s there to communicate.”
–Field Level Media
Dec 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts after making a shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images The Toronto Raptors can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win on Sunday night against the visiting Brooklyn Nets in the teams’ regular-season finale.
The Raptors (45-36) dropped to sixth — the final guaranteed playoff spot — in the Eastern Conference on Friday night with a 112-95 road loss to the New York Knicks.
Toronto could finish fifth if it beats the Nets and if both the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic lose.
“All antennas are up, one game to go, the final of the season,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We’ve got to find the best focus, the best version of ourselves. We have to be at the peak of our performance for that game.”
The Raptors have won two of three against the Nets (20-61) this season. The Nets’ win over the Raptors came in their most recent meeting, 96-81, on Dec. 21.
The Nets have dropped two games in a row, most recently a 125-108 road loss to Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The losses followed two straight wins.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with a career-best 23 points, shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Malachi Smith had 19 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. He was 5-for-7 from long range.
If the Raptors finish sixth, they would face the third-seeded Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, a difficult draw. The Knicks have defeated the Raptors in 13 consecutive games, including five times this season.
As for the Nets, they sit third in the lottery standings.
“This year was rough obviously,” said Nets center Nic Claxton, who did not play Friday because of a sprained finger. “So we’ve got (one more game), we flush that out, we get back to the drawing board this summer, and we go from there. Obviously, everybody, we want to be in a winning situation. We all want to win, so that’s what we’re striving to get back to. And whatever we need to do to get back to that process as quickly as we can, that’s what we’ll do.”
The Raptors could have clinched at least a sixth-place finish by winning Friday. Their downfall was the second quarter, when they were outscored 29-15.
“I thought we were there the whole game, competing,” Rajakovic said. “We had a couple of opportunities to get completely back in the game. Unfortunately, the ball bounced their way tonight. I thought the first quarter was very, very competitive. I thought defensively we did a very good job. On offense we can do a better job of setting screens, freeing up teammates so we can create some flow on the offensive end.”
Toronto played without Immanuel Quickley (foot injury management), Collin Murray-Boyles (neck sprain) and RJ Barrett (sore right knee). Barrett was a late scratch.
Reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili led Toronto scoring with 17 points. Brandon Ingram scored 16, and Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter recorded 15 points apiece.
Rajakovic reached 100 total wins with the Raptors with a victory over Miami on Thursday.
Ingram has been a key player this season in the Raptors’ improvement, and he credited Rajakovic.
“He holds me accountable on and off the floor,” Ingram said. “He tells me what I need to do, whether I want to hear it or not. He’s made me a better defender. He’s made me care about that side of the basketball more, and on the offensive end, he just wants the best for me, and he’s there to communicate.”
–Field Level Media
Dec 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts after making a shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images The Toronto Raptors can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win on Sunday night against the visiting Brooklyn Nets in the teams’ regular-season finale.
The Raptors (45-36) dropped to sixth — the final guaranteed playoff spot — in the Eastern Conference on Friday night with a 112-95 road loss to the New York Knicks.
Toronto could finish fifth if it beats the Nets and if both the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic lose.
“All antennas are up, one game to go, the final of the season,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We’ve got to find the best focus, the best version of ourselves. We have to be at the peak of our performance for that game.”
The Raptors have won two of three against the Nets (20-61) this season. The Nets’ win over the Raptors came in their most recent meeting, 96-81, on Dec. 21.
The Nets have dropped two games in a row, most recently a 125-108 road loss to Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The losses followed two straight wins.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with a career-best 23 points, shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Malachi Smith had 19 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. He was 5-for-7 from long range.
If the Raptors finish sixth, they would face the third-seeded Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, a difficult draw. The Knicks have defeated the Raptors in 13 consecutive games, including five times this season.
As for the Nets, they sit third in the lottery standings.
“This year was rough obviously,” said Nets center Nic Claxton, who did not play Friday because of a sprained finger. “So we’ve got (one more game), we flush that out, we get back to the drawing board this summer, and we go from there. Obviously, everybody, we want to be in a winning situation. We all want to win, so that’s what we’re striving to get back to. And whatever we need to do to get back to that process as quickly as we can, that’s what we’ll do.”
The Raptors could have clinched at least a sixth-place finish by winning Friday. Their downfall was the second quarter, when they were outscored 29-15.
“I thought we were there the whole game, competing,” Rajakovic said. “We had a couple of opportunities to get completely back in the game. Unfortunately, the ball bounced their way tonight. I thought the first quarter was very, very competitive. I thought defensively we did a very good job. On offense we can do a better job of setting screens, freeing up teammates so we can create some flow on the offensive end.”
Toronto played without Immanuel Quickley (foot injury management), Collin Murray-Boyles (neck sprain) and RJ Barrett (sore right knee). Barrett was a late scratch.
Reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili led Toronto scoring with 17 points. Brandon Ingram scored 16, and Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter recorded 15 points apiece.
Rajakovic reached 100 total wins with the Raptors with a victory over Miami on Thursday.
Ingram has been a key player this season in the Raptors’ improvement, and he credited Rajakovic.
“He holds me accountable on and off the floor,” Ingram said. “He tells me what I need to do, whether I want to hear it or not. He’s made me a better defender. He’s made me care about that side of the basketball more, and on the offensive end, he just wants the best for me, and he’s there to communicate.”
–Field Level Media
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