Rae Burrell #12 of the Los Angeles Sparks passes the ball to Ariel Atkins #7 against Diamond Miller #1 of the Connecticut Sun and Leila Lacan #47 during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on August 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.. Melina Pizano/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES— Rae Burrell scored 20 points and the Los Angeles Sparks ended a six-game losing streak with a 77-68 win over the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA on Saturday night.
Nneka Ogwumike, who announced her retirement on Wednesday, had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Sparks (13-24), her 131st career double-double. Erica Wheeler also had 11 points and Dearica Hamby had 10.
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Saniya Rivers scored 14 points off the bench to lead the Sun (9-27), who were without Brittney Griner (knee) and Aaliyah Edwards (ankle). Leila Lacan added 13 points and Kennedy Burke 10.
Los Angeles, which allows 93.6 points a game, held the league’s worst offense to 11 points below its average after giving up 124 points to Atlanta on Thursday. The Sparks did that despite giving up 30 points on 25 turnovers.
A 3-pointer from Wheeler at 6:12 of the fourth quarter produced a 77-55 lead but the Sun reeled off 13 straight for a single-digit deficit with less than two minutes to go but missed their last five shots.
The Sparks led 44-36 at halftime.
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Connecticut hit t 4 of 16 shots while Los Angeles rebounded to make 9 of 12 shots in the third quarter to boost the lead to 66-46.
Hamby was ejected early in the fourth quarter when she flung her right hand back while boxing out Raegan Beers and smacked her in the jaw. No foul was called as Beers went down but as she went to the locker room the play was reviewed. Beers was given a loose ball foul while Hamby received a flagrant 2 foul for unnecessary and excessive contact.
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The Reds began a new era in the Premier League under manager Andoni Iraola, though they found themselves a goal behind within five minutes after Anthony Elanga raced clear and slid past Alisson.
It was an end-to-end game at St James’ Park and neither side was able to wrestle control, though Liverpool found themselves level after a speculative drive from Cody Gakpo found the far corner.
The visitors weren’t level for long though, Yoane Wissa playing it to Joe Willock before the midfielder curled a superb finish past Alisson for 2-1.
Joe Willock had seemingly scored a winner for Newcastle before Dominik Szoboszlai’s late equaliser (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)
And though Newcastle looked for a while like they might earn a superb three points in Matthias Jaissle’s first game in charge, there was a late mistake from Lewis Hall as he clipped Victor Munoz in the area with almost the final action of the game.
Szoboszlai stepped up to rifle a brilliant penalty into the top corner with the final kick of the game, with Newcastle deflated and Liverpool having snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.
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“If I am honest, we should have won. But that’s football,” said Szoboszlai after full-time.
“You don’t win easy in the Premier League – doesn’t matter who you play against. We have to be aware of that and we need to take care in the next game. We will never give up. I can guarantee you that. We have to fight every time – all day long for 90 minutes.
Szoboszlai feels Liverpool should have won despite only just salvaging a draw (PA)
“Everybody who came off the bench also made an impact as well today. We need the whole squad and we need to be ready,” he added.
New Liverpool boss Iraola agreed that his side deserved more, saying that it was “difficult to express the feeling”.
“It’s probably not the result you want when you come in before the game but we definitely deserve this point and even more,” said the Spaniard.
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“The team has never given up and we’ve recovered one point and probably the taste is better because we score in the last minute. I think it has been a difficult game in terms of starting to lose the game with this atmosphere and I think we have done enough,” he added.
The result takes Liverpool into ninth in the league after the first round of games, with the Reds’ second game of the new season coming next week as they face Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss LIV Golf’s future, the BMW Championship, the Presidents Cup and more.
1. LIV Golf ended its 2026 on Sunday with Michael La Sasso winning the season finale at LIV Indianapolis, which became the league’s final event of the season after its team championship in Michigan was canceled. There’s been much rumored and reported about LIV’s future over the past couple of months, including this past week from reporters on-site. Based on the latest developments, what do you think is next for LIV Golf now? And do you think we’ll see it next year in some fashion?
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): I’d wager that it exists in some ghostly form, or, to borrow a phrase from our colleague Sean Zak, that it stumbles on as a kind of zombie league, with moving parts but no real life at its center.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Talks. Talks with players. Talks with those around the teams. Talks with those within the league. Talks with tournaments cities. Talks with the investor. Talks with other investors. There’s maybe a deadline for some. Maybe a soft deadline for others. Then LIV takes stock of who’s all in and who’s all out. My guess is it returns next year. But that prediction could change tomorrow. And maybe change back the next day.
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Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I think it plays on next year, but the next couple of months will be really important to see which (star) players are there. I know there are contracts involved here and it’s not like some guys can just get up and leave, but we’re entering a weird period where it’s hard to predict anything right now. It’s difficult to rule anything out. The biggest thing is the league needs investors, but the investors need stars in the league. So, what are the stars — Bryson and Rahm — thinking right now? For what LIV has gotten wrong, it’s actually done a great job establishing itself in some international markets (like Australia) so it’ll be interesting to see how much that blueprint continues to develop.
2. What was the most interesting nugget or bit of information you learned from LIV Golf Indianapolis?
Sens: Just how much denial remains at the heart of the enterprise, at least in the way LIV reps discuss the league in public. Lots of talk of potential investors and player equity stakes and a rejiggered calendar, etc. Zero acknowledgement of the fact that they don’t have a compelling product — at least not a product with anywhere near the appeal to justify the crazy sums of money its players want and expect to be paid. This is a challenge across professional golf, but the PGA Tour has a better chance of addressing it because it has a product it can actually sell.
Piastowski: I was interested that LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said he hasn’t talked with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in recent months. I was also interested in that O’Neil says the LIV Goal is to “complete, not compete.”
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Berhow: O’Neil was not happy with the DP World Tour. I think he felt somewhat betrayed there. The league is already in trouble and that was an important lifeline for his guys. It was like more walls just continuing to close in.
3. Wyndham Clark won the BMW Championship, overcoming a slow start (and Rory McIlroy down the stretch) to win for the third time this season. What was your takeaway from Sunday’s action, which for a while looked like it wasn’t going to fall Wyndham’s way?
Sens: That, whether you root for him or not, Clark is an interesting player to watch. One minute, he looks lost; the next, he seems unbeatable. There’s an unpredictability to him that makes for compelling entertainment.
Piastowski: Gary Woodland. Clark was great at the end. McIlroy wasn’t. Woodland’s story is the story of the year. He’s playing in the Tour Championship for the first time since 2019. Incredible.
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Berhow: He didn’t have his best stuff, but man, Wyndham can close golf tournaments. He’s now 4 for 5 converting 54-hole leads on Tour. Regardless of the size of them, you still gotta play good, high-pressure golf on Sundays and actually win the golf tournament. (He also proved he can do this with the crowds against him, like at Shinnecock a few months ago.) It was fun to see Rory get in the mix, but I was shocked to see his play down the stretch.
4. While Clark won the BMW Championship, there was also that other important cutoff at the top 30, which determines who goes to next week’s Tour Championship (and also gets at 2027 Masters bid). Which player on either side of this line is most notable to you?
Sens: Adam Scott. He’s 46 and hasn’t won on Tour in more than six years. But here is, moving on again at No. 28 in the standings. “Success” takes a lot of different shapes, and Scott has found an incredibly durable form of it.
Piastowski: Rickie Fowler is certainly an answer here. But I’ll go with Sungjae Im, who narrowly missed going eight for eight in advancing to East Lake to start his career.
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Berhow: It was awesome to see Gary Woodland jump up from outside the top 30 and get a spot in the Tour Championship for the first time since 2019. He’s an easy guy to root for. Although I was a little bummed to see Rickie finish just outside of it. It’s kinda crazy to think he’s played this good of golf and to stay relevant for this long but has played in the Masters only once in the past six years.
5. Also Sunday, we found out Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa have all made the U.S. Presidents Cup team as auto-qualifiers, with Brandt Snedeker’s six captain’s picks coming after the Tour Championship. Which potential captain’s pick has the most to worry about right now?
Sens: Prior the past couple of weeks, I would have said Patrick Cantlay, who has played in the past three Presidents Cup but has had a mostly uninspired 2026. Now that Cantlay is showing signs of life and will probably earn a nod along with Xander Schauffele, I’d say it’s J.J. Spaun. He’s not far outside the bubble, but it wouldn’t be hard for Snedeker to justify bypassing him in favor of a grinder with far better putting stats. Someone like, say, Ryan Gerard.
Piastowski: Spaun’s a good one. I’ll add Ben Griffin, who’s No. 8 in the standings, but has missed the weekend in two of his past four events, won’t play in the Tour Championship and hasn’t won this year.
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Berhow: Cantlay (now 13th in the standings) might have just played himself into it, which might be bad news for guys like Griffin and Jacob Bridgeman, who’s 12th in the standings. J.J. Spaun was 2-1-0 at the 2025 Ryder Cup; I think he’s safe.
2 min read Last Updated : Aug 23 2026 | 10:51 AM IST
The Harmanpreet Singh-led India suffered a 3-1 defeat against hosts Netherlands in their opening Pool E match of the second round at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Saturday.
The defeat has left Harmanpreet Singh-led India with a difficult task in their bid to qualify for the semi-finals, while the Netherlands secured their place in the last four with the victory.
The hosts took control of the contest with goals from Duco Telgenkamp, Tjep Hoedemakers and Thijs van Dam, while Harmanpreet Singh scored India’s only goal.
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The Netherlands made a strong start and opened the scoring through Telgenkamp, putting pressure on the Indian defence. India responded with attacking moves but struggled to convert their chances into goals.
Harmanpreet brought India back into the contest with a goal, providing hope of a comeback. However, the Dutch side maintained their intensity and extended their advantage through Hoedemakers and van Dam to seal the win.
Despite creating opportunities, India could not find a way past the Netherlands defence in the closing stages as the hosts held on for a crucial victory.
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With the result, the Netherlands strengthened their position in Pool E and booked their place in the semi-finals. India, meanwhile, remain in contention but their qualification chances now depend on the remaining group results.
The Indian team will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixture as they continue their World Cup campaign.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama met Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for another exhibition game on Sunday. The NBA stars led their respective men’s national basketball teams, France and Serbia, to prepare for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this summer.
Early in the game, Wembanyama established his defensive presence, swatting away Jokic’s shot attempts. The Spurs star blocked the three-time MVP in one possession, not once, but twice. It was like a replay of their first friendly game of the offseason.
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Their first meeting this summer was on Thursday, with Jokic leading Serbia to a 90-87 win. In that game, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year rejected a dunk attempt from the Serbian star.
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It was a replay of how Jokic tried to score over Wembanyama on Sunday.
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NBA fans were in disbelief online following Wembanyama’s defensive possession.
“Wemby versus Jokic could become the NBA’s most fascinating big-man matchup for years,” one fan said.
More fans celebrated Wembanyama’s defensive play.
“i’ve seen enough. Wemby is gonna win the WIN MVP and back to back DPOY 🏆” someone commented.
i’ve seen enough. Wemby is gonna win the WIN MVP & back to back DPOY 🏆
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“No joke this is probably the best defense he’s ever played on Jokic, and that’s saying a lot,” a comment read.
“My boy said he was rusty last game. He coming back😈👌🏾🔥 👽” one fan commented.
The rematch was one of the best international games this summer. Nikola Jokic finished the game with 34 points and 13 rebounds, recording a strong double-double. Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, had 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
France also bounced back and had a 91-90 win.
Victor Wembanyama is Learning From Playing Against Nikola Jokic
In Victor Wembanyama’s second friendly game against Nikola Jokic, he admitted that he’s gradually learning a lot from the Nuggets star.
“Of course you always learn when you play against Jokic. You always catch some stuff and smarter moves on the court in those duels with him,” Wembanyama said.
Jokic is one of the most established stars in the NBA. Not only is he recognized as a star in the league, but he’s also considered one of the best international players. He always gives it his all for his native Serbia.
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Additionally, he is not the most athletic basketball player, so in order to play and score against more athletic opponents, he must possess intelligence. Victor Wembanyama’s game may grow in the future if he learns from Jokic.
VANCOUVER — Quarterback Nathan Rourke threw two touchdown passes and the B.C. Lions defence created some key turnovers during a 30-16 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday.
Rourke finished the night completing 22 of 28 passes for 355 yards and one interception. He threw a 23-yard touchdown to Jevon Cottoy and a four-yard toss for a major to Keon Hatcher Sr.
Running back Zander Horvath also scored on a one-yard plunge.
A crowd of 30,083 at BC Place Stadium watched the Lions win their fourth straight game to improve to 5-5 and move into a third-place tie with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL’s West Division.
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Sean Whyte kicked field goals of 25, 35 and 44 yards.
The Riders were their own worst enemy, giving up turnovers and taking costly penalties. Saskatchewan was flagged for seven penalties for 72 yards.
Riders quarterback Trevor Harris completed 28 of 42 passes for 356 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He connected with Dhel Duncan-Busby on a 32-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter.
Alex Hale hit on field goals of 47, 25 and 24 yards.
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It was the second consecutive loss for the defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders, who remain in second place with a 6-4 record.
The Lions took control of the game with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns.
B.C. went ahead 20-3 with just over six minutes gone in the quarter when Rourke found Hatcher alone in the end zone. The touchdown was set up after a scrambling Rourke threw to an open Horvath on the sideline for a 33-yard gain.
A brilliant catch by Stanley Berryhill set up the next Lions touchdown. Berryhill caught the ball between two Saskatchewan defenders then rambled 58 yards. Horvath’s touchdown was his seventh in the last four games, with six of them coming on the ground.
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The Lions scored the game’s first touchdown with just over three minutes gone in the second quarter. Running back James Butler started the drive with a bruising 13-yard ramble. Cottoy made a 24-yard catch before Rourke spotted him alone in the end zone for a 13-6 lead.
Turnovers and penalties cost the Riders at least two touchdowns in the second quarter.
Saskatchewan was moving the ball on the possession after the Lions touchdown when Harris looked for slotback KeeSean Johnson in the end zone. The pass was underthrown, allowing T. J. Lee to record the interception.
Later, Saskatchewan looked to have tied the game but a 49-yard pass and run to Quali Conley was called back due to an illegal block penalty.
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On the next series Harris hit Johnny Johnson III for a 36-yard gain, but Lions defensive back Deontai Williams stripped the ball away, giving B.C. another turnover.
Early in the third quarter the Riders thought they had recovered a fumbled punt for a touchdown, but the play was called back for a no-yards penalty. A few plays later a Saskatchewan interception as wiped out by an offside penalty.
Later in the third, Saskatchewan drove to the B.C. 25-yard line but the drive was snuffed out by an interception.
The Riders cut the lead to 27-13 after a Jaxon Ford interception gave them the ball on their own 37. Saskatchewan drove the field with Harris hitting Duncan-Busby for the touchdown.
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Roughriders: Host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
Lions: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Jose Mourinho ‘s second stint in charge of Real Madrid got off to a winning start as his team snatched a 2-1 victory at Espanyol.
In Italy, Inter Milan kicked off its title defense with a dominant 4-1 win over newly-promoted Monza in Serie A.
Elsewhere in Europe, Manchester United lost 2-0 at newly-promoted Hull in the Premier League, while in France, last season’s runner-up Lens comfortably beat Auxerre 5-2.
Espi gives Mourinho winning start
Carlos Espi came off the bench to score a late winner for Madrid on his debut for the Spanish giant.
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The 21-year-old Espi was one of the standouts of La Liga last season and Madrid reportedly paid Levante 25 million euros ($28 million) for him.
Espi was brought on in the 79th minute and scored 11 minutes later, pouncing after Kylian Mbappe had been knocked off the ball and firing past Marko Dmitrovic.
Jude Bellingham headed in a free kick in the ninth minute and almost scored in similar fashion early in the second half but saw his header fingertipped onto the crossbar by Dmitrovic.
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Alex Calatrava had scored a deserved equalizer for the Espanyol in the 30th minute, sweeping the ball past Thibaut Courtois for his first La Liga goal.
Mourinho was hired in June and officially took over in July at the start of the preseason.
He is back for a second stint with Madrid some 13 years after he left the club. He was in charge from 2010-13, winning a Spanish league and a Copa del Rey.
It was Madrid’s first match of the season as they and defending champion Barcelona sat out the first weekend because they had players return later from the World Cup.
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Esposito shines from the start
Inter forward Pio Esposito had a breakout season last campaign and the 21-year-old started right where he left off for the Nerazzurri.
An impressive backheel flick from Esposito put the hosts 3-1 up in early in the second half, either side of Inter goals from Piotr Zielinski and Yann Bisseck.
Inter – which dominated Italian soccer last season, winning both the league and the cup in Cristian Chivu’s first year in charge – got off to a great start when a fierce long-range shot from Hakan Calhanoglu gave it the lead in the sixth minute.
But sloppy defending for Monza’s equalizer showed just why Inter signed England defenders Djed Spence and John Stones in the offseason.
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Stones came on late on while Spence was in the stands along with England teammate Curtis Jones, who completed his move to Inter on Friday.
Last year’s runner-up, Napoli, won 2-0 at Genoa thanks to two late goals, from Kevin De Bruyne and Antonio Vergara.
Como – which surprised with a fourth-place finish last season – was held to a 1-1 draw at Udinese.
Hull stuns Man United
Hull made a dream return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, beating Manchester United 2-0 to puncture any preseason optimism surrounding the 20-time champions.
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First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at set-pieces consigned United to a tepid loss away to a team that was promoted via the second-tier Championship playoffs at the end of last season and is widely expected to be among the relegation candidates.
Tottenham, one of the biggest spenders in Europe this summer with $300 million – and counting – of new players in its squad, was overwhelmed in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
Auxerre self destructs
Auxerre gave away two penalties and also played most of the match with 10 men after defender Christ Makosso was shown a straight red card for a foul on Abadallah Sima in the 35th minute.
Florian Thauvin converted both penalties the second one at the second time of asking after Auxerre goalkeeper Mamadou Diop saved the initial attempt but was off his line.
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All of Lens goals, apart from Thauvin’s first 12th-minute penalty, came in the second half.
CHICAGO — Caitlin Clark scored 37 points, Kelsey Mitchell added 30 and the Indiana Fever pulled away from the Chicago Sky for a 113-90 victory on Sunday night.
Clark made a career-high eight of Indiana’s franchise record 18 3-pointers. She also had 10 assists.
The Fever closed out a 3-2 trip with their third game in four nights. They had dropped two in a row.
Natasha Cloud had 16 points and seven assists for Chicago, which had won three in a row. Azura Stevens added 14 points and eight rebounds. The Sky were eliminated from the playoff race with the loss and a win by Washington on Sunday night.
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Indiana played without center Aliyah Boston, who was sidelined by a right leg injury. Boston had 22 points and six assists in Saturday’s 109-102 loss at New York.
The Fever host the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Sunday asserted that Kuldeep Yadav was benched from the second Test against Sri Lanka due viral fever, and there was no need for the management to “fake” an illness to leave out a player from the eleven. However, Kotak rather inadvertently countered bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, who attributed Kuldeep’s absence from the nets here for two days in a row to travel-related fatigue. “I don’t think that’s a relevant question (on Kuldeep’s fitness). If he is not fit, how will he think if he plays or not? When he left there (Galle), he was genuinely having viral (fever),” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
The Saurashtra stalwart further clarified that Kuldeep indeed was in no position to be in consideration for selection.
“If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn’t play, there is no need to fake that he wasn’t keeping well. When the guy is not in position to play, there is no point thinking about whether he would have been fit or not. It would be very unfair to think that way,” he said.
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However, Kotak said Kuldeep has progressed well from his illness, and his non-availability and the presence of left-handers’ presence in SL line-up prompted the management to hand debut to off-spinner Saransh Jain.
“He has recovered reasonably well. He looked good when I met him in the (today) evening and, obviously, he wasn’t available for the match (in the morning).
“So, when it comes to whether we go with three fast bowlers or three spinners and then having four left-handers in (SL) top order, probably it makes sense to play an off spinner,” he noted.
Rishabh Pant had to retire on three after getting pinged on his forearm by pacer Lahiru Kumara.
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Kotak said the wicketkeeper batter looked good to resume on the second day of the match.
“I think he will be fine to continue tomorrow,” he said.
Kotak lauded Devdutt Padikkal after the top-order batter made his second successive hundred of this series — a 117 off 168 balls that led India to 300 for five at close on day one.
“He has made the most out of the opportunity. For me the intent he has shown, the temperament he has shown and the pace in which he batted as well matter a lot. He batted with a very good strike rate as well.
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“So, the way he batted is really, really a good sign for us. He has been waiting for his turn for the last year and a half or maybe two years. I am so happy with the way he prepared, and made the most of that opportunity,” he added.
So has Padikkal sealed the No. 3 slot? Kotak left it hanging.
“Number three, obviously, he is batting well and he may continue at that number. But for me, that is not something that is very exciting — this number three, he has scored runs and that’s more important.” However, Kotak said he would have been even more delighted had India not lost five wickets on the day.
“It was a good toss to win and 300 for five is a good score. If you ask me personally, I would say 300 for three would have been better because three of our batters got set and then got out — 50, 45 and 43.
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“If one of them got converted to 100, then we would have probably three or maximum four wickets down at the end of day. But sometimes it happens.
“Now it is the time for all-rounders and lower-order batsmen to contribute. If we play the first session well, I think we will reach a total which we feel is a good total,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Yamal Laughs At Paredes vs Gavi ‘Fight Of The Year’ Poster During Parade
Managers can come and go, but something about Liverpool and Newcastle remains: an addiction to late drama, a capacity to entertain and enthrall. Kevin Keegan knew it more than most: perhaps the greatest Premier League game of all ended 4-3, maybe costing his Newcastle team the title three decades ago. As two of his former clubs paid tribute to him, as Matthias Jaissle was on the brink of a debut win which, it seems safe to assume, Keegan would have loved, came the newest late twist in this remarkable rivalry.
After a 100th-minute winner at St James’ Park last season, Liverpool got a 99th-minute equaliser this. Andoni Iraola’s reign did not begin with defeat. “It’s a strange feeling,” said the Spaniard. “Before the game we would haven’t signed for this result, but the way we scored the goal in the end, it tastes better.” Not for Newcastle. “It is really hard to digest,” said Jaissle, who, like the departed Eddie Howe before him, got a taste of the cruelty this fixture can provide. Although, perhaps, it could have been still crueller for Newcastle.
When Lewis Hall upended Victor Munoz – “it is a really soft penalty, as you call it here,” said the German Jaissle – and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, many an eye on Tyneside turned to one man. This, it seemed, was Alexander Isak’s moment after an afternoon of anonymity and abuse. Except it wasn’t.
Alexander Isak did not take Liverpool’s last-gasp penalty after an afternoon of anonymity and abuse (Getty)
Isak was a penalty taker supreme for Newcastle. Against them, though, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who stepped forward. With nerveless magnificence, he fired his penalty into top corner. “An almost impossible penalty to stop,” said Iraola. But as Szoboszlai stepped forward, it invited the question of why Isak did not. Liverpool’s reigning player of the year seized the moment. “More than 50,000 fans in the stadium against you. You can’t hear your own voice,” said Szoboszlai. “That’s why I love football and that’s why I am doing it.”
For Liverpool and Newcastle alike, the new came with certain lashes of the old, and not merely Szoboszlai’s relish for the occasion. Liverpool had Isak’s latest ineffectual showing. Newcastle conceded too many injury-time goals last season and began the current campaign with another. They have lost out to Liverpool for too many players: Hugo Ekitike last summer, who then scored against them home and away, and Munoz this, who made his mark in his cameo. “I am happy for Victor,” said Iraola. “He has created problems.”
Dominik Szoboszlai (centre) seized the moment after Victor Munoz (right) won the spot-kick (Getty)
It gave the new head coach an immediate return from a signing he championed; while Liverpool still need a right winger, on the afternoon Mohamed Salah opened his Trabzonspor account, Munoz at least showed his speed with a surge on the right. Liverpool could savour another debut, the giant Jeremy Jacquet showing huge promise at the heart of their defence.
And yet, when the anguish of added time dissipates, Newcastle may derive more encouragement from this. Eddie Howe’s departure seemed to plunge them into chaos. Only 18 days after his appointment was announced, Jaissle’s frantic football instead left Liverpool looking dishevelled.
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If Iraola had compiled a checklist of what he wanted from his first game, Jaissle instead got it on an afternoon to indicate there is life after Howe. An early goal to give a flying start. A display of intensity, with the crowd galvanised by the pace of the game and the team buying into the manager’s methods. Two goals from transitional football at its fastest, with stunningly quick breaks. A goal from a substitute, just after coming on, hinting at a managerial Midas touch. An encouraging display by one of his signings. A brilliant performance from last summer’s striking signing.
But even that could leave Newcastle with regrets. Wissa was outstanding, a player bought with the proceeds of Isak’s sale and wearing the No 9 shirt the Swede vacated belatedly looking an excellent buy. He started as a No 10, finished as the No 9, flourished as both. This, he said himself, was his best game for Newcastle. “Amazing performance, even though he could have killed the game,” said Jaissle. Because Alisson denied the £55m man when he ran clear. But instead of making it 3-1, it soon became 2-2. Alisson’s excellence in one-on-one situations meant he served as Liverpool’s saviour again.
When he was beaten, Newcastle’s goals offered a glimpse of Jaissle’s brand of football. It only took four minutes for the first, Will Osula – leading the line in more dynamic fashion than Isak – releasing the roadrunner Anthony Elanga, who sprinted clear of Milos Kerkez to finish; as in much of last season, Liverpool’s full-backs looked fallible. The last team to score two from two fast breaks against Liverpool was Iraola’s Bournemouth.
Matthias Jaissle’s frantic football caused Andoni Iraola problems (Reuters)
Ryan Gravenberch lost the ball for both goals, albeit nearer the Newcastle box than his own. Wissa ran 50 yards to set up Joe Willock: a minute after coming on, with his first touch, the midfielder scored. The home faithful could enjoy that, and a fine performance from their new right-back Amar Dedic, even if his immediate opponent struck.
Cody Gakpo drilled in a shot from 20 yards for the first goal of Iraola’s reign. He was the threat, even as the Newcastle crowd concentrated on the returning Isak. Whistles greeted his every touch. He was barracked by the crowd who used to celebrate him, “one greedy b******” was at the politer end of the spectrum. “It was not a big surprise for him,” said Iraola. Perhaps Isak was intimidated by the vitriol; certainly he was ineffectual.
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But if Isak has divided Liverpool and Newcastle, it was also about a man who united them. Keegan’s name rang around St James’ Park. And so maybe a draw felt fitting, even as Liverpool hurt Newcastle again.
An NHL return to Arizona may be closer than it appears. Hockey insider Steve Peters says there is plenty happening behind the scenes, although the league still needs a plan for an arena and ownership before anything can move forward.
Peters made the claim during Morning Cuppa Hockey while discussing the possibility of the league returning to Arizona.
“There is so much smoke going on right now here in Arizona; so much going on…right now behind the scenes; just wait Arizona fans, it’s closer than you think.”
NHL Rumour Report later shared his comments on X.
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The league left Arizona in 2024 after years of issues surrounding the Coyotes, including ownership and arena problems. Any return would require a new ownership group and a suitable arena.
Texas could be first step toward NHL’s 34-team plan
The National Hockey League could be on its way to Texas before the end of the decade.
Houston already has teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB, and it has had an NHL-level hockey presence before. The Houston Aeros played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978 and became a popular team in the city.
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Austin has a different case to make. The city had a population of just over 1 million in July 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the largest U.S. city without a team in one of the four major professional sports leagues.
Dan Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports has agreed to pay $2 billion for an expansion franchise, with Houston and Austin still the two options. The group needs an arena plan before the NHL’s Board of Governors can give the final approval.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friedkin’s group is working toward a 2029-30 start.
“They’re projecting the ability to start play in 2029-30,” Daly said during the NHL’s European Media Tour. “So we will have one down and potentially one to go.”
Texas would give the league its 33rd team. And Daly’s “potentially one to go” comment suggests the league could then look at adding another club.
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Phoenix and Atlanta are among the other markets being discussed.
“We have ongoing discussions both with people in the Phoenix marketplace, but also Atlanta, and then we’ll see what comes of those discussions.”
Indianapolis and New Orleans have also been mentioned by Gary Bettman as possible markets. Quebec City continues to push for another chance to join the league, while a second team in the Toronto area has also been discussed.
The league could also consider relocation rather than adding another franchise if an existing team moves to a new market.
Adding another team would have an effect on the current clubs as well. A new franchise would need players, while existing teams would have to decide which players to protect in an expansion draft.
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