Triveni Continental Kings, a franchise in Global Chess League (GCL) which is currently underway, announced on Tuesday that Sara Khadem will be joining the team as their new Superstar player, replacing Nana Dzagnidzewhi.

Triveni Sports Private Ltd, which owns the franchise, said Triveni Continental Kings have decided to replace her as Nana Dzagnidzewhi has been granted a season exception on medical/personal grounds.

Sara Khadem is known for her outstanding talent and proven track record; she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Kings. Her exceptional abilities and strategic approach to the game make her a perfect fit for the team’s aspirations, the franchise informed in a release on Tuesday.

“The management of the Triveni Continental Kings expresses their utmost gratitude to Nana Dzagnidze for her contributions and wishes her the best in her journey. The team eagerly anticipates Sara Khadem’s arrival and believes that her addition will further strengthen their competitive edge,” the team said in a release.

Sarasadat Khadem al-shariah, popularly known as Sara Khadem, is a chess player from Iran. She holds the titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). 

Khademalsharieh has achieved remarkable success in various chess tournaments. In 2008, she emerged victorious in the Asian Under-12 Girls Championship, followed by winning the World Under-12 Girls Championship in 2009. In 2012, she clinched the title of Asian Under-16 Girls Blitz Championship, and the following year, she triumphed in the World U16 Girls Blitz Championship. In 2014, Khademalsharieh secured the runner-up position in the World Junior Girls Championship, the release said.

Representing Iran, Khademalsharieh participated in the Women’s Chess Olympiads of 2012, 2014, and 2016. Her exceptional performance earned her a spot in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2015–16 as the host city nominee. She competed against Atousa Pourkashiyan in a qualifying match held in Tehran and emerged victorious, thus securing her place in the Grand Prix. Despite being the lowest-rated player in the field, Khademalsharieh exceeded expectations by finishing in second place and achieving her first Grandmaster norm in her home city.

Sara Khadem’s accomplishments highlight her exceptional talent and dedication to the game of chess. She continues to make significant contributions to the world of chess, representing Iran on the international stage, the release said.

Charlie Dean, an offspinning allrounder, was fast-tracked into the England ODI squad at the age of 20 after impressive performances for Southern Vipers and London Spirit. She took 10 wickets at 19.20 apiece in her debut series against New Zealand in September 2021 after beating Sarah Glenn and Mady Villiers to selection, and looked set for a bright international future. Dean was a Southern Vipers squad member in the Kia Super League but her opportunities were limited in that competition. Her breakthrough year arrived in 2020, when she was a part of the Vipers side which won the first season of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. She generally batted at No. 4, and took nine wickets for good measure. She was a regular feature in England academy squads.

Career Averages

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Is Captain / Is Not Captain

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Hockey India on Monday named the 20-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for a three-match Series against Australia to be held in Adelaide from May 18. They will also play two games against Australia ‘A’. The tour will be part of the team’s preparations ahead of the all-important Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.

The Indian Team for Australia Tour will be led by ace goalie Savita who was recently bestowed with the Balbir Singh Sr Hockey India Player of the Year (2022) Award. She will be ably assisted by Deep Grace Ekka as the Vice Captain. Bichu Devi Kharibam is the second goalkeeper named in the squad with defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Udita and Gurjit Kaur. Midfielders include Nisha, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Jyoti, and Baljeet Kaur.

India’s forward line will be spearheaded by the seasoned striker Vandana Katariya who has more than 250 International Caps. She will be joined by Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari and Sharmila Devi.

India will face Australia on the 18th May, 20th May, and 21st May, and Australia ‘A’ on the 25th May and 27th May. The Mate Stadium in Adelaide will host all five games.

Indian Team:

Goalkeepers:

1. Savita (C)

2. Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders:

3. Deep Grace Ekka (VC)

4. Nikki Pradhan

5. Ishika Chaudhary

6. Udita

7. Gurjit Kaur

Midfielders:

8. Nisha

9. Navjot Kaur

10. Monika

11. Salima Tete

12. Neha

13. Navneet Kaur

14. Sonika

15. Jyoti

16. Baljeet Kaur

Forwards:

17. Lalremsiami

18. Vandana Katariya

19. Sangita Kumari

20. Sharmila Devi

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf Du Plessis has been one of the most important pillars of the sides batting line-up in the ongoing 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL).

As of now, du Plessis has scored 511 runs in 10 matches with a strike rate of 157.71, holding the Orange Cap awarded to the highest run-getter in the competition. Ahead of Tuesday’s match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, du Plessis aims to be more aggressive with his bat in the remaining matches to take the team to the play-offs.

“I have really been quite intentional about trying to get hundreds, finding gears I can work through mid-innings period and try and get to innings as we can get 75 plus,” stated Faf Du Plessis in an RCB Bold Diaries video.

The former South Africa captain has gone a notch higher in IPL 2023 in terms of changing gears during the innings and hitting more boundaries which have also contributed to his increased strike rate.

“In the past, I always felt like I had a decent attacking game but I felt like there was another gear in terms of taking your strike rate from 130 to 150 at least and then sometimes 160-170 so, I have worked on that a lot. But it is also important for me to try and play as much cricket as possible just to try and stay on top of my game,” he added.

After a seven-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals, Bangalore are currently at fifth spot in the points table with five wins and as many losses in 10 games. A win against Mumbai will boost the chances of du Plessis & Co making it to the playoffs.

Opener Shubman Gill, who slammed an unbeaten 94 for Gujarat Titans and put on 142 runs off 74 balls for the opening stand with Wriddhiman Saha, praised his ‘phenomenal’ opening partner for scoring 81 off 43 balls and setting the foundation for a 56-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.

“He is such a phenomenal guy. Looking at the way he keeps, he bats; it’s just great to see someone putting in so much effort for the team, day in and day out. This was just the result of the hard work that he has been putting in,” said Gill in a video posted by the franchise on Monday.

While Gill hit seven sixes and two fours, Saha smashed 10 fours and four sixes in taking Lucknow’s bowlers to cleaners. “I think the intent was always there. It was only coming together at the right moment.”

“With the kind of batting line-up that we have and the kind of practices and process that we’ve been going through, this kind of performance was just around the corner,” added Gill on the stunning performance from the opening pair helping Gujarat post 227/2.

Though Lucknow raised to 72/0 in powerplay, they soon ran out of steam in the face of a high required run-rate and ended up at 171/7, with pacer Mohit Sharma taking 4/29 in his four overs.

“Our bowlers were a bit under pressure, with the power-play that they had. Coming back the way we did was just great. It was definitely a great win for us. We’ve been playing our best cricket in the past three or four matches in batting and bowling,” concluded Gill.

Now on top of the points table with 16 points from 11 games, Gujarat’s next match in IPL 2023 will be against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.