Rishabh Pant (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Though Lucknow Super Giants registered a win over Chennai Super Kings on Friday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, the dejection was clearly visible on captain Rishabh Pant’s face. After Nicholas Pooran went hammer and tongs in the 17th over, smashing four consecutive sixes off Anshul Kamboj to seal the chase for LSG, Pant quietly got up from his seat in the dugout and hugged his teammates. The victory was significant, but for an already-eliminated LSG side, it carried little meaning in the bigger picture.At the post-match press conference, Pant reflected on the disappointing IPL 2026 season despite the win. LSG have endured a poor campaign and are placed at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 12 matches and eight defeats. “It feels good. Getting a win definitely feels good. There are things we talk about, that there is a lot to play for, regardless of where our season ends. We take a lot of pride in playing this way,” Pant said.After Akash Singh claimed three wickets to help CSK restrict LSG to 187/5, the hosts produced a sensational chase, powered by Mitchell Marsh’s blistering 90 off 38 balls and Pooran’s late fireworks, to thrash CSK by seven wickets in just 16.4 overs.Akash, who was making his IPL debut, picked up three wickets, including the prized scalps of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel.Sharing the new ball with Mohammed Shami, Akash conceded seven runs in his opening over. In his second over, he dismissed CSK skipper Gaikwad for 13. He struck again in his third over, removing star batter Samson for 20. Pant then trusted him with a fourth successive over, and the young pacer responded by dismissing Urvil Patel for six.“(On Akash Singh) See, definitely he’s been working hard throughout IPL. You know that sometimes it’s harder to give everyone a game. But when people are preparing really well and he’s one guy, who stick to the plan more often than going anywhere else. So yeah, definitely it paid off. The way he bowled, stick to the plan for a longer period of time. That’s really good to see,” Pant said.Pant also opened up about the decision to send two overseas batters – Marsh and Josh Inglis – to open the innings, an experiment that paid rich dividends for LSG. The duo stitched together a solid 135-run opening stand.“(On the opening partnership – is this what they had in mind?) Definitely that was the first thought that, getting two overseas players to open the inning and Nicky batted number three. That was the idea, sometimes it’s difficult when thought process is not being implemented all the time. But at the same time we take pride and we are confident as a team. The only thing I would say is, it’s frustrating when you know what you have as a team, just because of little thought process here and there and you can’t implement things the way you want, things can happen,” Pant added.Asked whether LSG were close to cracking a successful formula at their home ground, Pant said:“(Do you think you’re close to cracking a formula for success at this home ground of yours?) We are working out and it’s been working for us, four fast bowlers, especially in the home condition, depending on the opposition we play, definitely works out for us. As at the same time, the team we have, I’m going to say this again, it’s so amazing. The only thing gonna can harm us [is] having too many processes,” he said.On batting lower down the order and not coming in earlier, Pant explained:“I was ready to bat and the idea came up, I was in the dressing room, the idea came in like, why not try players who have not played much, they haven’t got much chances. And that was the idea, I was thinking again and again, should I do it or not? Because I still wanted to be out there in the field, but sometimes you have to respect the think tanks decision. So that’s the thing.”LSG will next face Rajasthan Royals on May 23.

Going into the tournament there was a lot of talk centering on how Aronimink could prove too easy for the world’s best.

The last men’s tournament held here, a PGA Tour event in 2018, was won by Keegan Bradley who defeated Justin Rose in a play-off after they finished on 20 under par – although rain helped soften the greens and contribute to low scoring.

And this week, even if bombed drives missed wide fairways, the belief was that players would be able to gouge wedges out of the thick rough onto greens and lead to a putt-off.

The PGA of America has responded by setting up the course in a manner which aimed to disprove that.

The rough has largely been penal for those who have been unable to keep the ball on the fairways, while the severity of the slopes on the greens have generally caused havoc, with more three-putts after two rounds than during the whole of the Masters.

McIlroy suffered on Thursday when his wayward driving was heavily punished, but spending extra time on the range after his opening round to “find feeling” paid off on Friday.

Hitting more fairways set up more birdie chances and eliminated mistakes in one of only two bogey-free rounds.

“I saw that no-one was really getting away so I thought if I could get back to even par for the tournament I’d be right in there,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.

“I didn’t quite get there but I still think at one over I’ve got a great chance over the last couple days.”

Missing fairways did not hamper McNealy too much, however.

The 30-year-old former world number one amateur ranks tied 143rd – out of a 156-man field – with his driving accuracy – but has used his short irons superbly to launch a challenge.

“I think this is one of the few courses I can compete on without hitting enough fairways, I think the missed fairways penalty isn’t as bad as other places,” he said.

“Fairways are definitely easier to control the ball and I hope to hit more this weekend.”

Peter Snowden is ideally placed with a host of stakes contenders in his sprint division, enabling careful allocation across a slate of elite races.

Zealously delivered the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) win a fortnight past, with King Of Roseau and Beadman then scoring stakes victories from other states last week via the Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford and Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).

“We’re lucky we’ve got some troops back and they’ve all been firing,” Snowden said.

“It’s a bit of a juggling act, but it’s a good problem to have.”

Beadman seeks to pile on the success backing up Saturday in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m), securing a start after initial emergency status thanks to two prompt withdrawals.

At Scone Snowden’s quick types comprise King Of Sparta paired with Fire Star for the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m), Tuileries tackling the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m), and fillies Akaysha, Miss Freelove for the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m).

From Brisbane, Miss Freelove was pulled to run at Scone benefiting from draw four.

After a Group 3 placing at Flemington through spring, her fresh run saw a fair midfield placing trailing Golden Straand at Warwick Farm last month amid pace unsuited to her rearward tactics.

Winkers are now applied by Snowden for the weekend, with the youngster delighting in every way since resuming.

“She went back and they weren’t making ground. She did run on, but she was a bit too far back,” Snowden said of the performance.

“I have added some headgear, and hopefully that just gets her a bit more involved.

“She is going well, and she trialled really well the other week when she flew home, so she will be heading there will her tail up and she’ll be a chance of winning.”

Akaysha requires luck wide in barrier 16 for that race but holds recent Listed success from Brisbane alongside a Woodlands Stakes (1100m) placing on last year’s equivalent.

King Of Sparta makes his return post-18-month layoff since 2024’s Russell Balding Stakes (1200m), while Fire Star freshens up from good summer form with sharp fresh credentials.

Discover racing betting markets on offer for the Doomben 10,000 this weekend.

The Minnesota Vikings are always going to draw a crowd for their first game of the season. It represents new hope for the most popular team in the state, and Kevin O’Connell is trying to lead his team to their first Super Bowl.

This season, though, the stakes are raised. Kyler Murray was brought in on a contract that has Minnesota paying him relatively peanuts. Barring something unforeseen, he’s going to be under center for Week 1. That game will also be played at home, and it will feature a matchup against the Vikings’ most hated opponent. The Green Bay Packers are coming to town.

Murray Faces Enormous Spotlight in Debut Opener

Last season, the Vikings and Packers finished with the same number of wins. The only thing that kept Green Bay out of the playoffs rather than Minnesota was a tie against the Dallas Cowboys. The rivals split their contests as Minnesota won the Week 18 matchup 16-3, with Green Bay resting their starters and packing it in despite the premium matchup.

This time around, neither side will be looking to take it easy on one another. Jordan Love is fully entrenched as the Packers quarterback, and Matt LaFleur will be looking for him to take another step. Given the departure of Malik Willis in free agency, there is no safety blanket behind the Packers’ top dog.

Minnesota has tried to figure out the quarterback position for some time. They believed they had found a young prospect in J.J. McCarthy, but he’s been both injured and mediocre. With Murray getting a fresh start and the most loaded offensive cast he’s ever had, this could be his time to thrive.

Just 28 years old, Murray is still looking for his next payday. That can certainly come from the Vikings if he performs to expectations this season. There is no better place to start than with a top rival to open the season. It’s a landing spot that could immediately pour gasoline on the fire that is hope for the year, and Murray conducting the train won’t have any momentum-halting movement if he leans into the raucous early crowd.

We’re still months away from September, but fans will be licking their chops over the opportunity to believe again. The hope that springs eternal is what drives such agony for Minnesota fans, but there’s no reason not to lean into the opportunity to be hurt again.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

Eket will take centre stage in Nigerian youth football as the city has been selected to host the N – Youth League Cup National Super 8 Championship 2026.

The tournament will hold from May 26 to May 31, 2026, at the Eket Township Stadium, bringing attention and football action to the oil-rich city.

The championship will feature the best eight youth teams from across the country competing for the national title in a high-level competition.

Eket is expected to enjoy a busy football week, with teams, officials, scouts, and fans arriving from different parts of Nigeria. The event will also boost local activities such as hospitality, transport, and small businesses.

Organisers say the tournament will include live match coverage, digital streaming, and full media analysis, making Eket a centre of attention in Nigerian youth football during the period.

The event is part of efforts by the N – Youth League Cup to grow youth football and create more opportunities for young players.

With the Super 8 Championship coming to Eket, the city is set to experience one of its biggest youth football events in recent years.

The Smithsburg boys track & field team won the MPSSAA Class 1A West region championship on its home track on Friday, May 15.

Washington County’s seven public-school track & field teams have participated across four region championship meets this week. As of Friday evening, only 3A West still had to be completed. The second day of the 3A West meet is Saturday, May 16, at Frederick.

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Smithsburg’s boys are attempting to complete a year-long sweep of the 1A state titles, having captured the cross country crown last November and the indoor track & field title last February.

Here are Washington County’s top-three region finishes this week (with Day 2 of 3A West to be added Saturday evening):

Region champions

• Daniel Apiou, Clear Spring, 1A West boys 110 hurdles, 14.98, high jump, 6-4, and triple jump, 45-1 1/2

• Chloe Gietka, South Hagerstown, 4A North girls triple jump, 37-6

• Dylan Herbst, Smithsburg, 1A West boys 800, 1:56.70, and 1,600, 4:25.41

• Skyla Mastronardi, Smithsburg, 1A West girls high jump, 5-2

• Torin Sitter, South Hagerstown, 4A North boys 400, 49.74

• Byron Snyder, Williamsport, 2A West boys long jump, 22-3

• Sidney Turner, Boonsboro, 1A West girls discus, 119-4

• Michael Wynkoop, Smithsburg, 1A West boys 3,200, 9:50.30

• South Hagerstown, 4A North boys 4×200 relay (Myles Clottey, Jameir Simms, Clinton Otinkorang, Torin Sitter), 1:28.99

• Smithsburg, 1A West boys 4×800 relay (Camilo Mellott, Gavin Gross, Dylan Lowe, Dylan Herbst), 8:13.54

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Region second-place finishers

• Naythan Bwana, Boonsboro, 1A West boys 100, 11.18, and triple jump, 40-8

• Austin Dinsmore, Boonsboro, 1A West boys shot put, 46-8 3/4

• Hadley Elwood, Clear Spring, 1A West girls high jump, 5 feet

• Emily Franko, Boonsboro, 1A West girls 3,200, 12:30.88

• Lilian Hade, Smithsburg, 1A West girls pole vault, 9 feet (tied)

• Dylan Herbst, Smithsburg, 1A West boys 3,200, 9:55.85

• Trevor Jessup, Smithsburg, 1A West boys discus, 136-5

• Sarah Mohler, Boonsboro, 1A West girls shot put, 35-1 1/2, and discus, 117-2

• Clinton Otinkorang, South Hagerstown, 4A North boys 200, 23.12

• Harley Paugh, Boonsboro, 1A West boys pole vault, 12 feet

• Caroline Philp, North Hagerstown, 3A West girls 3,200, 10:55.24

• Audrey Roberts, Clear Spring, 1A West girls pole vault, 9 feet (tied)

• Byron Snyder, Williamsport, 2A West boys 100, 11.16

• Jacob Tyler, Smithsburg, 1A West boys high jump, 6-2

• Boonsboro, 1A West boys 4×100 relay (Nathan Bosnick, Nikita Khyzhniak, Naythan Bwana, Wyatt Hegedus), 44.67

• Smithsburg, 1A West girls 4×100 relay (Acasia Todd, Melyssa Bard, Lilian Hade, Skyla Mastronardi), 50.13

• Smithsburg, 1A West girls 4×200 relay (Acasia Todd, Lilian Hade, Skyla Mastronardi, Melyssa Bard), 1:46.77

Region third-place finishers

• Ish Badaki, Boonsboro, 1A West boys 300 hurdles, 43.29

• Naythan Bwana, Boonsboro, 1A West boys 400, 51.87

• Dean Edwards, Clear Spring, 1A West boys pole vault, 11-6

• Abigayle Fluharty, Boonsboro, 1A West girls 200, 26.32

• Odyssey Herron, Williamsport, 2A West girls 100 hurdles, 17.81

• Juliet Hodge, Clear Spring, 1A West girls 400, 1:00.32, and 800, 2:22.86

• Clinton Otinkorang, South Hagerstown, 4A North boys 400, 51.12

• Mackenzie Philp, North Hagerstown, 3A West girls 3,200, 11:06.54

• Rittenhouse Shuster, Smithsburg, 1A West boys triple jump, 40-6

• Byron Snyder, Williamsport, 2A West boys 200, 22.93

• Sidney Turner, Boonsboro, 1A West girls shot put, 35 feet

• Kareem Walton, South Hagerstown, 4A North boys high jump, 5-10 (tied)

• Grayson Wynkoop, Smithsburg, 1A West boys 3,200, 9:59.51

• North Hagerstown, 3A West girls 4×200 relay (Dayanah Brunson, Anna Chamberlin, Annabelle Schaberl, Taraji Nartey), 1:47.77

• Smithsburg, 1A West boys 4×400 relay (Dylan Lowe, Camilo Mellott, Dylan Herbst, Jacob Tyler), 3:35.99

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County track & field athletes shine in MPSSAA region meets

Jasprit Bumrah (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

DHARAMSHALA : Jasprit Bumrah’s first outing as Mumbai Indians captain felt less like a temporary fix and more like a glimpse of a possible future.MI won, Bumrah sounded astute and unruffled, and the franchise may have found its steadiest leadership option for next season if the “uncertainty” surrounding Hardik Pandya remains and Suryakumar Yadav’s batting continues to be iffy.One game is too small a sample to draw sweeping conclusions as far as Bumrah’s captaincy for MI is concerned. But as subplots go, this one has a compelling beginning.Bumrah had waited a long time for this leadership opportunity. He became MI captain only in his 157th IPL appearance, an almost absurdly late handover for a cricketer who joined the franchise in 2013 and has since become one of its defining figures. At the toss, Bumrah joked: “I didn’t expect to be a Test captain before I became the captain of Mumbai Indians,” a line that carried both humour and a touch of disbelief.That remark also captured the central oddity of Bumrah’s leadership arc. India trusted him before Mumbai did. He has already captained India in Tests and T20Is, winning one Test, losing two, winning two T20Is and seeing one wash out. He first led India in the rescheduled Edgbaston Test in 2022 when Rohit Sharma was ruled out with Covid, then guided the T20I side to a 2-0 series win in Ireland in 2023 and later stood in during the Perth Test in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India won.What stood out in Dharam-sala was not just the result but the manner. Bumrah came across as composed, concise and in control, the kind of captain who does not try to dominate a room so much as steady it. He said he welcomed responsibility, called it a new challenge and spoke of enjoying the final stretch of the season rather than merely surviving it.That tone matters for a team that has spent the season searching for balance. With Hardik unavailable and Surya not always able to offer continuity with the bat, Bumrah offered MI a simpler cent-re of gravity. He does not need to prove his value for the franchise; every spell already does that. His captaincy has the feel of a problem-solver, not that of a showman.Shardul Thakur, who returned with figures of 4/39 against Punjab Kings on Thursday, framed the larger picture neatly. “I have my comfort level with him (Bumrah). We had lots of discussions rather, and I don’t know much about the other bowlers, but of course he’s never shy of sharing his ideas,” Thakur said after the match. “He is definitely a bowler’s captain.”Thakur added that each of MI’s three captains this season — Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Bumrah — brought “different sets of ideas,” and insisted there is no fixed formula for success. He also argued that players make captains look good, praising the experience and match-winning ability of all three.“As a captain, you need to read game situations better than others, put in your best effort and need to keep the team always above you,” Thakur said.

A horse has died after a race on Friday as part of Black-Eyed Susan Day, an event that occurs in the run-up to the Preakness Stakes. Hit Zero, a three-year Maryland-based thoroughbred, died shortly after making his racing debut during the first race of the day.

Hit Zero was the favorite heading into the Maiden Claiming, which kicked off Friday’s events, but finished last. Shortly afterwards, Hit Zero started coughing, collapsed to his knees and died, per WBAL.

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Later on Friday, Hit Zero’s owner, Justin Horowitz, confirmed the horse’s death in a post on Instagram.

“It is with deepest sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful horse, Hit Zero. After his debut race today at Laurel Park, he suffered a sudden medical event and passed away. What was supposed to be a dream-come-true day to kick off his career—on my son’s 6th birthday no less—ended in the tragedy that every horse lover fears,” Horowitz said.

In the post, Horowitz said that Hit Zero was named in honor of his 10-year-old daughter Bailey, with the horse named after a cheerleading term for a perfect routine. Per Horowitz, Bailey was at the race track on Friday to watch Hit Zero’s race.

Nick Aldis made a massive announcement ahead of tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown. This week’s edition of the blue brand will air live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

Aldis is the General Manager of SmackDown, and he made a huge announcement ahead of tonight’s show. WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Damian Priest were scheduled to battle Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga in a tag team match tonight, but that will no longer be the case.

The SmackDown GM revealed that R-Truth was not medically cleared to compete and would not be in action during tonight’s show. Aldis shared that instead of the planned tag team match, Damian Priest would be squaring off against Tama Tonga tonight in a singles bout. You can check out the veteran’s announcement in his post below.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, R-Truth is not medically cleared to compete tonight, therefore Damian Priest will now go 1-on-1 with Tama Tonga. See you tonight on #SmackDown,” he wrote.

R-Truth and The Archer of Infamy won the titles by defeating JC Mateo and Tama Tonga in March on WWE SmackDown.

Popular WWE star reveals why he doesn’t like Damian Priest’s finisher

The Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio recently shared why he didn’t like taking Damian Priest’s finishing move.

Priest used to be a member of The Judgment Day but was betrayed by the faction at SummerSlam 2024. Rhea Ripley was also kicked out of the faction at the PLE a couple of years ago. Finn Balor was also betrayed by the faction earlier this year and went on to defeat Dominik Mysterio last month at WrestleMania 42.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the former Intercontinental Champion named Priest’s finisher as his least favorite because the bump is very high due to the 43-year-old’s height.

“Probably Damian Priest’s South of Heaven. He’s just so tall, and he gets you even higher up there, so your bump is actually like 10 feet tall. So he’s just, it’s not a fun one for sure,” said Dominik Mysterio.

It will be fascinating to see if Priest can defeat Tama Tonga tonight on WWE SmackDown.