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Praggnanandhaa may have slowed down a bit but mentally he’s peaking for Candidates: Anand

Praggnanandhaa may have slowed down a bit but mentally he’s peaking for Candidates: Anand

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Legendary chess player Viswanathan Anand said young Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa “may have slowed down a bit” in the lead-up to the FIDE Candidates Tournament, but will be mentally tuned for the challenge.

Eight leading players in the Open section will vie for the title when the Candidates begins in Cyprus on March 28, with the winner earning the right to challenge reigning world champion D Gukesh for the world title later this year.

Anand, who is also the vice-president of FIDE, said Praggnanandhaa, the only Indian in the Open section, will face stiff competition from players such as Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, adding that predicting the eventual winner would be difficult.

Asked about his personal favourite, Anand said several players intrigued him.

“He’s experienced, but at the same time, he looks very motivated. He has slowed down a little bit in the last few months, but maybe mentally he is already peaking and getting ready for the Candidates,” Anand said on FIDE’s YouTube channel.

He added that players such as Caruana, Nakamura and Anish Giri had a strong chance of winning the event and earning the right to challenge Gukesh.

“I think Fabi (Caruana), Hikaru (Nakamura), Anish (Giri)… this has got to be their time, so they will have that feeling going into it that this is a chance to grab. But I can’t for the life of me get around to predicting someone,” said Anand, a five-time world champion.

ALSO READ: 16-year-old Mayank Chakraborty ends North-East’s long wait for a Grandmaster

Cyprus as the venue has drawn attention due to its proximity to the Gulf conflict. Three Indians are set to compete in the women’s section of the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament to challenge reigning champion Ju Wenjun.

Indian stalwart Koneru Humpy is reportedly considering withdrawing from the event due to security concerns.

Anand said FIDE always tries to secure the best possible venues for its marquee tournaments and added that Cyprus would provide an excellent setting for the event.

“FIDE tries to first find a good high-quality venue and I think we’ve succeeded in that. Cyprus will be a very good venue and the location will be amazing,” Anand said.

Published on Mar 16, 2026

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The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the results of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections held on September 28, 2024, to stand, but directed that the elected body will function only as an interim arrangement under the supervision of a court-appointed Administrator, former Chief Justice Gita Mittal.

In its order, Justice Mini Pushkarna made it clear that while the outcome of the 2024 elections will not be disturbed at this stage, the executive committee will operate in a limited capacity and remain subject to the oversight of Justice (Retd.) Mittal.

It means that Chintan Parikh, who is from the Gujarat State Association, is the new AITA president while Maharashtra’s Sunder Iyer is general secretary. Dinesh Arora from Punjab Association is treasurer while KSLTA’s Sunil Yajman is one of the joint secretaries.

“It’s a great moment for tennis in India. All we want is to promote the game in the country and take it to the pinnacle. We want to do a lot for junior tennis as well. While we will work as an interim body for the time being, it still is a huge step forward to create a system through which the Indian tennis ecosystem will benefit,” Iyer told PTI.

The court tasked Justice Mittal with managing the affairs of AITA and ensuring that its functioning is aligned with the National Sports Code and the amended constitution and by-laws by June 30.

As of now AITA has a 25-member Executive Committee but as per the NSG Act, it needs to be a 15-member panel.

She has also been directed to conduct fresh elections within a period of three months after the constitution is aligned with the Sports Act, 2025 and Sports Governance Rules 2026.

Until then, the present office-bearers will continue only to handle routine affairs.

“I totally welcome the judgement of the Hon’ble court. Happy that the long standing impasse has ended and this is a big a step forward for AITA and Indian tennis,” Yajman told PTI, reacting to the development.

“It’s crucial for us to follow the Hon’ble court’s order and work on implementing it without any delay. We all need to come together and work towards settling this matter forever and focus on development of the sport in our country. It’s imperative to move forward positively,” he added.

The court placed restrictions on the interim body, directing that it shall not make any new financial commitments without prior approval of the Administrator. It also mandated that the executive committee must function strictly in consonance with the amended by-laws.

Further, the court directed AITA to provide necessary infrastructure and logistical support to the Administrator, including office space, staff and other facilities required for the discharge of duties.

The Administrator has also been given the liberty to engage additional personnel, with all expenses, including a monthly remuneration of Rs 10 lakh, to be borne by AITA.

The court disposed of the writ petition along with pending applications in terms of the directions issued, noting that certain prayers had become infructuous in view of its findings in a connected matter.

Background

The September 2024 elections had been challenged before the High Court by former India players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, who raised concerns over the conduct of polls, eligibility norms and adherence to the Sports Code.

Much before that, the infighting within the AITA had reached a level where the several member states had planned a no-confidence motion against president Anil Jain for misuse of his office but after interference from the ministry, the proposal was withdrawn.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Delhi #lets #AITAs #poll #results #stand #appoints #Gita #Mittal #Administrator">Delhi HC lets AITA’s 2024 poll results stand but appoints Gita Mittal as Administrator The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the results of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections held on September 28, 2024, to stand, but directed that the elected body will function only as an interim arrangement under the supervision of a court-appointed Administrator, former Chief Justice Gita Mittal.In its order, Justice Mini Pushkarna made it clear that while the outcome of the 2024 elections will not be disturbed at this stage, the executive committee will operate in a limited capacity and remain subject to the oversight of Justice (Retd.) Mittal.It means that Chintan Parikh, who is from the Gujarat State Association, is the new AITA president while Maharashtra’s Sunder Iyer is general secretary. Dinesh Arora from Punjab Association is treasurer while KSLTA’s Sunil Yajman is one of the joint secretaries.“It’s a great moment for tennis in India. All we want is to promote the game in the country and take it to the pinnacle. We want to do a lot for junior tennis as well. While we will work as an interim body for the time being, it still is a huge step forward to create a system through which the Indian tennis ecosystem will benefit,” Iyer told PTI.The court tasked Justice Mittal with managing the affairs of AITA and ensuring that its functioning is aligned with the National Sports Code and the amended constitution and by-laws by June 30.As of now AITA has a 25-member Executive Committee but as per the NSG Act, it needs to be a 15-member panel.She has also been directed to conduct fresh elections within a period of three months after the constitution is aligned with the Sports Act, 2025 and Sports Governance Rules 2026.Until then, the present office-bearers will continue only to handle routine affairs.“I totally welcome the judgement of the Hon’ble court. Happy that the long standing impasse has ended and this is a big a step forward for AITA and Indian tennis,” Yajman told PTI, reacting to the development.“It’s crucial for us to follow the Hon’ble court’s order and work on implementing it without any delay. We all need to come together and work towards settling this matter forever and focus on development of the sport in our country. It’s imperative to move forward positively,” he added.The court placed restrictions on the interim body, directing that it shall not make any new financial commitments without prior approval of the Administrator. It also mandated that the executive committee must function strictly in consonance with the amended by-laws.Further, the court directed AITA to provide necessary infrastructure and logistical support to the Administrator, including office space, staff and other facilities required for the discharge of duties.The Administrator has also been given the liberty to engage additional personnel, with all expenses, including a monthly remuneration of Rs 10 lakh, to be borne by AITA.The court disposed of the writ petition along with pending applications in terms of the directions issued, noting that certain prayers had become infructuous in view of its findings in a connected matter.BackgroundThe September 2024 elections had been challenged before the High Court by former India players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja, who raised concerns over the conduct of polls, eligibility norms and adherence to the Sports Code.Much before that, the infighting within the AITA had reached a level where the several member states had planned a no-confidence motion against president Anil Jain for misuse of his office but after interference from the ministry, the proposal was withdrawn.Published on Apr 27, 2026 #Delhi #lets #AITAs #poll #results #stand #appoints #Gita #Mittal #Administrator

Deadspin | Phillies eager to end awful April on high note vs. Giants Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget. With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set. Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly. “Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.” The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss. Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale. “It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.” The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing. Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, 5 million contract extension in the offseason. “It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.” Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own. The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game. “That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.” Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest. Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings. In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #GiantsApr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget.

With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set.

Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly.

“Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.”

The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss.

Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale.

“It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.”

The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing.


Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in the offseason.

“It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.”

Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own.

The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game.

“That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.”

Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest.

Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings.

In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #Giants">Deadspin | Phillies eager to end awful April on high note vs. Giants Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget. With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set. Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly. “Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.” The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss. Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale. “It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.” The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing. Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, 5 million contract extension in the offseason. “It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.” Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own. The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game. “That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.” Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest. Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings. In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #Giants

Being an Indian Premier League (IPL) captain is a tough job, and Riyan Parag has done a terrific job in his first year as Rajasthan Royals skipper to cope with the pressure, fast bowler Sandeep Sharma said on Monday ahead of a clash against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

“For a first-time captain, it’s a tough role, and he’s doing a very good job,” Sandeep said.

The experienced fast bowler also noted that Parag doesn’t have the luxury of leaning on senior pros like Sanju Samson did with Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin when they were at Rajasthan Royals.

“Riyan doesn’t have that same level of experience around him, but that can actually help him grow faster. He’ll learn a lot this season and come back as a much-improved captain in the future,” Sandeep said.

This year’s IPL has seen massive scores, often pushing bowlers out of the game, but Sandeep remains optimistic. “Hitting ability has improved massively over the last four or five years, especially with younger players coming in with a different range. I think the next lot of bowlers will also bring something new, and experienced bowlers will have to keep evolving. Even today, if you execute your plans well – whether it’s yorkers, slower balls or targeting a batter’s weakness – you can succeed,” he added.

Room for improvement

According to Punjab’s assistant coach Brad Haddin, the bowler’s role is to find ways to slow the scoring even as modern batters continue to push the limits.

“From a coach’s point of view, you’re constantly trying to find ways to slow the game down – whether that’s through wickets or forcing batters into areas you want them to hit. Sometimes, you execute a perfect ball, and it still ends up in the stands. That’s just the power of the modern-day batter,” Haddin said.

At the halfway mark, Punjab is the only unbeaten team, with six wins and one no result. Asked how the side is avoiding complacency, Haddin said the focus remains on improvement.

“We’re lucky with this group. You watch them train: they all turn up, they know their roles, and they’re always trying to get better. That’s what we’ve enjoyed most as coaches – their appetite to improve,” he said.

“The job’s not done. We’re halfway through the tournament, and it’s about playing your best cricket at the back end. There’s still a lot of room for improvement with bat, ball, and in the field. That’s what we’re most pleased with – yes, we’re playing good cricket, but there are still areas we can get better in,” Haddin added.

The Australian also confirmed that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who joined the Punjab Kings squad late, will be available for selection against the Royals.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IPL #firsttime #captain #Riyan #Parag #good #job #RRs #Sandeep #Sharma">IPL 2026: ‘For a first-time captain, Riyan Parag is doing a very good job,’ says RR’s Sandeep Sharma Being an Indian Premier League (IPL) captain is a tough job, and Riyan Parag has done a terrific job in his first year as Rajasthan Royals skipper to cope with the pressure, fast bowler Sandeep Sharma said on Monday ahead of a clash against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.“For a first-time captain, it’s a tough role, and he’s doing a very good job,” Sandeep said.The experienced fast bowler also noted that Parag doesn’t have the luxury of leaning on senior pros like Sanju Samson did with Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin when they were at Rajasthan Royals.“Riyan doesn’t have that same level of experience around him, but that can actually help him grow faster. He’ll learn a lot this season and come back as a much-improved captain in the future,” Sandeep said.This year’s IPL has seen massive scores, often pushing bowlers out of the game, but Sandeep remains optimistic. “Hitting ability has improved massively over the last four or five years, especially with younger players coming in with a different range. I think the next lot of bowlers will also bring something new, and experienced bowlers will have to keep evolving. Even today, if you execute your plans well – whether it’s yorkers, slower balls or targeting a batter’s weakness – you can succeed,” he added.Room for improvementAccording to Punjab’s assistant coach Brad Haddin, the bowler’s role is to find ways to slow the scoring even as modern batters continue to push the limits.“From a coach’s point of view, you’re constantly trying to find ways to slow the game down – whether that’s through wickets or forcing batters into areas you want them to hit. Sometimes, you execute a perfect ball, and it still ends up in the stands. That’s just the power of the modern-day batter,” Haddin said.At the halfway mark, Punjab is the only unbeaten team, with six wins and one no result. Asked how the side is avoiding complacency, Haddin said the focus remains on improvement.“We’re lucky with this group. You watch them train: they all turn up, they know their roles, and they’re always trying to get better. That’s what we’ve enjoyed most as coaches – their appetite to improve,” he said.“The job’s not done. We’re halfway through the tournament, and it’s about playing your best cricket at the back end. There’s still a lot of room for improvement with bat, ball, and in the field. That’s what we’re most pleased with – yes, we’re playing good cricket, but there are still areas we can get better in,” Haddin added.The Australian also confirmed that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who joined the Punjab Kings squad late, will be available for selection against the Royals.Published on Apr 27, 2026 #IPL #firsttime #captain #Riyan #Parag #good #job #RRs #Sandeep #Sharma

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