Manu Bhaker, Tajinderpal Singh Toor

NEW DELHI: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and two-time defending Asian Games shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, giving the country two champions from different generations of Indian sport to lead the contingent into the continental Games.India’s Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav confirmed Bhaker’s selection on Friday, while the Athletics Federation of India later announced Toor as the second flag-bearer.“Manu Bhaker will be one of the flag-bearers,” Yadav said.Bhaker arrives in Nagoya with a landmark Olympic achievement behind her. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, the shooter became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Games.She won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and followed it with another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh, becoming one of the standout Indian performers at the Paris Games.

Toor brings Asian Games pedigree

Toor, meanwhile, will lead India into the opening ceremony with his own strong Asian Games record.The shot putter is a two-time defending champion, having won gold at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games before retaining his title at Hangzhou in 2023. He will now attempt to extend that run in Aichi-Nagoya.The 31-year-old heads an Indian athletics contingent that will be aiming to maintain the sport’s strong contribution to the country’s medal tally. Toor is among the Indian athletes expected to challenge for a podium finish despite entering the Games amid questions over his current form.The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, officially marking the start of the 20th Asian Games.

Opening ceremony follows logistical concerns

The flag-bearers were announced on a day when the Indian contingent was also caught up in an organisational disruption.India’s traditional team welcome and flag-hoisting ceremony at Nagoya Port Garden Pier was delayed and then abruptly halted after organisers cited unspecified “trouble” involving a team. India’s deputy Chef de Missions A Sharath Kamal, Lijo David Thottan, Alaknanda Ashok and Anjali Bhagwat were present for the ceremony.The disruption came amid wider concerns over accommodation, transport and credentialing arrangements in the lead-up to the Games. Organisers have opted against a conventional athletes’ village, instead using container-style accommodation, hotels and a docked cruise ship to house participants.Despite the off-field challenges, India’s sporting campaign is already underway, with athletes competing across disciplines ahead of Saturday’s formal opening. The country has sent a 503-member contingent to Aichi-Nagoya.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia, with several new faces given the chance to stake their claim at senior level.

Nigeria will face Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6, with the squad featuring a mix of experienced internationals and players yet to make their senior debuts.

Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali, Moses Simon, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin Fredricks provide experience in the squad, while several less familiar names have also been included.

Goalkeepers Michael Atata of Ikorodu City and Finland-based Samuel James are among the new faces, while defenders Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Victory Akpe and Abdullahi Bewene also receive opportunities.

The midfield includes Chibuzo Nwoko, Stephen Michael, Igor Wilfred, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak and Aderemi Adeoye.

Kelechi Iheanacho is one of the more familiar names in the attack, alongside Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Peter Edokpolor, Abubakar Umar and Abdullahi Umar.

Iheanacho’s inclusion comes after a strong start to his spell with Bursaspor in Turkey, where he has been scoring regularly.

The Russia friendly will give Chelle an opportunity to assess the depth of his squad after Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau on September 25 and September 29 respectively.

Chelle had previously indicated that the Russia fixture would provide an opportunity to assess younger players, including overseas-based prospects, while also monitoring talent from the domestic league.

The coach is also overseeing Nigeria’s U-23 setup as preparations continue for the next Olympic cycle and the qualification route for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Isaac James, who is also part of the AFCON qualifying squad, gets another chance to work with the senior team, while the Russia selection introduces several players looking to establish themselves at international level.

Nigeria and Russia previously met during Chelle’s tenure in June 2025, playing out a 1-1 draw at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

This time, the October fixture will give Chelle an opportunity to assess a wider pool of players against international opposition.

### Nigeria Squad For Russia Friendly

Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City), Samuel James (SJK), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United).

Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Rangers), Isaac James (Alverca), Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers), Victory Akpe (Basel), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham), Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt), Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham), Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel), Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund), Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl), Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City).

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Venezia), Peter Edokpolor (Benfica), Abubakar Umar (Famalicao), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove).

First-half goals by Justin Kluivert and Rayan helped Bournemouth start their maiden European campaign with a memorable 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.

The Cherries had surprisingly been made favourites to win the Europa League, but Marco Rose watched his team justify their tag with a professional display on the road.

Kluivert’s 11th-minute goal was followed by Rayan’s header nine minutes later, and although Sergio Gomez pulled one back, Bournemouth held on to claim all three points from their first ever match in Europe.

This fixture in San Sebastian was the latest chapter in a remarkable story for the Cherries, with a first European tie in the club’s history occurring only 18 years on from them being mired in financial trouble and on minus 17 points in the fourth tier of English football.

After Eddie Howe masterminded a great escape and three subsequent promotions, last season’s sixth-place finish under Andoni Iraola earned a place in the Europa League, but Rose was the man tasked with ensuring Bournemouth marked history with a win.

Rose stuck with the same line-up that battled to a 2-2 draw with Brentford last Saturday, and after only 11 minutes Kluivert etched his name into the record books.

Evanilson passed out wide to Adrien Truffert and the visitors’ left-back produced a wonderful cross for Kluivert to tap in at the back post.

Jubilant scenes in the away end were cut short by a VAR check but Kluivert was eventually ruled onside and the goal was given to spark a second wave of celebrations.

Kluivert’s strike made him the first Bournemouth player to score in Europe and Rayan made himself the second with 20 minutes on the clock.

England hopeful Alex Scott was the architect with a wonderful cross-field pass for Rayan to head home to make it 2-0.

It was almost three soon after but Evanilson sent a header against the inside of the post from Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick.

Sociedad introduced Goncalo Guedes at half-time and the influence of Ander Barrenetxea started to grow before Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic had to be alert to tip wide a curler by Benat Turrientes.

One minute later and Sociedad had a lifeline when ex-Manchester City full-back Gomez delivered a dangerous cross from the right-hand side which went all the way in. The 57th-minute effort set up a nervy last half an hour in the Basque County.

After Evanilson had a long-range shot saved, Sociedad started to call Petrovic into action on multiple occasions.

Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal chipped one effort over before being immediately withdrawn and he could not hide his frustration.

Petrovic had to be alert to save from Orri Oskarsson with five minutes left – moments after Oskarsson had failed to get a touch on a Gomez delivery which flashed across the face of goal.

The crucial intervention from Bournemouth goalkeeper Petrovic occurred on the stroke of full-time when a deflected effort by Jon Martin found Oskarsson, but the Serbian stopper made a save from point-blank range to ensure the Cherries started their campaign with a win.

England opener Jos Buttler became the first batter to reach a historic milestone in the second T20I against Sri Lanka on September 17. The 36-year-old scored a brisk 30 off 16 deliveries and, in the process, reached 15,000 T20 runs.

Buttler overtook former West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who previously held the record for leading T20 run-scorer with 14,999. The former England captain achieved the feat in his 528th T20 game, averaging over 35 at a strike rate of 147.46.

Buttler overtook another Mumbai Indians (MI) legend, Rohit Sharma, in the series opener to become the second-leading T20I run-scorer. The veteran England opener has an incredible nine T20 centuries, including two in T20Is.

One of the most accomplished short-format batters, Buttler also led England to the title in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The champion batter trails only Pakistan batter Babar Azam for T20I run-scoring. Babar is on 4,596 runs, 274 ahead of Buttler.

After a slow start to the 2026 season, where he went 14 innings without a T20I half-century, Jos Buttler has picked up steam. The seasoned batter has amassed 241 runs in his last three T20Is at an average of over 80 and a strike rate of 194.30.

Jos Buttler’s explosive start helps England seal the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Jos Buttler produced an explosive knock to help England pull off another comfortable win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I. After the home side’s bowlers delivered the goods once again, England were left to chase a sub-par 146.

Buttler instantly crushed Lankan hopes with an array of boundaries, propelling England to 50 inside five overs. The hosts eventually completed the run-chase in 12.1 overs with six wickets in hand to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

It was England’s sixth consecutive T20I victory, following their 4-0 series win over India in July.

They will look to complete a clean sweep of the hapless Sri Lankan unit with a win in the series finale in Manchester on September 19.