CRICKET
Warner’s Sunrisers win IPL 2016
David Warner led from the front to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first IPL title on Sunday.
After winning the toss and showing his intent by electing to bat first, Warner set the stage for a big total with his 38-ball 69. Ben Cutting cut loose in the end after a wobble in the middle of their innings to ensure that they posted a challenging 208 for 7.
But this match was being played in the batting-friendly Bengaluru pitch against Royal Challengers Bangalore, boasting the tournament’s best batting line-up. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli put on 114 for the opening stand, before things started to fall apart. RCB eventually ended up eight runs short, losing the IPL final for the third time.
Warner was lavish in praising his bowlers, picking out Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman for special mentions.
FOOTBALL
Pelle strike gives Italy 1-0 warm-up win
Despite their dominance, Italy, who fielded a depleted side, won by a solitary goal in their friendly against Scotland.
With the bulk of their midfield wearing a new look, it was Southampton striker Graziano Pelle who scored the only goal of the game, curling into the right side of the net from the edge of the area after 57 minutes.
Germany slumps to home defeat against Slovakia
World Champions Germany fell 3-1 against Slovakia in Augsburg, in a match that had a 40-minute half-time break following a storm that peppered the pitch with hailstones and heavy rain.
Mario Gomez scored for Germany in the 13th minute with a penalty. Marek Hamsik and Michal Duris scored for Slovakia before half-time and Juraj Kucka added a third in the second half.
Slovakia cut their provisional 27-man squad to 23 players on Monday following this win.
Gabriel scores in Brazil debut
Brazil registered a 2-0 friendly win against Panama as preparation for the Copa America Centenario continues.
Jonas scored the opener in the second minute and made way for Gabriel in the second half.
Gabriel, known popularly as ‘Gabigol’ and seen as Neymar’s heir, scored on his international debut, drilling a low shot in the 73rd minute.
GOLF
Lahiri registers season’s first top-10 in PGA Tour
Anirban Lahiri finished joint sixth, his first top-10 placing in the 2016 PGA Tour, at the Dean & Deluca Invitational.
Lahiri had a superb front nine that gave him a final round score of 68, enabling him to finish with a total of nine-under 271.
TENNIS
Olympics continues to divide opinion
While there are plenty, including most of the top stars of the sport, lining up to play at the Rio Olympics for a chance to clinch the gold medal, it still continues to divide opinion.
There are a considerable number of players, who are within the ranking that would imply qualification, who have opted out from playing at the Olympics.
Ranking points and prize money seems to be the two main factors leading to such a decision.
