Chateauroux (France), July 30 (IANS) The 2024 Paris Olympics has been a breakthrough event and life-changing experience for Manu Bhaker as she broke many records for India, contributing to both the medals India has won in the event so far. Manu who shot some good scores till then, managed 9.4 with her final shot but Sarabjot salvaged the situation for India with a clutch 10.2 to seal victory as the Koreans managed scores in the 9s.

Following her victory alongside Sarabjot in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, Bhaker took time out to speak with IANS and revealed what her thoughts were before her game-winning shots in the bronze medal match.

“I have always been nervous before the matches, that is me I will always be nervous before matches but in the moment of the final shot, I was nervous but I was just thinking of how God has protected me till here and he will keep protecting further. Just try your best however it goes, keep following your technique, keep giving your best effort in every shot and just believe,” Bhaker told IANS in an interview on Tuesday.

The Manu-Sarbajot pair defeated South Korea 16-10 in the intense bronze medal match breaking an array of records by becoming the first Indian team to win a medal at any shooting event in the Games.

However, the spotlight was on Manu for a completely different reason as she became the first Indian to win multiple medals in one Olympic campaign post-independence. She revealed how ‘grateful’ she was to have achieved the tremendous feat.

“I feel great, really nice and I am truly grateful for the two beauties on my neck (medals) but my journey is not over yet, I have another match to shoot so I am focusing on that now,” added the 22-year-old.

Bhaker will now take part in the qualification event for the women’s 25m pistol event which will take place on August 2 in her bid to become the first Indian to win three Olympic medals in individual events. She also took the time to acknowledge the upcoming event and revealed what her plan would be at the event.

“The plans will always be to not give up, try to put in your best effort and to keep going on so that will be my gameplan in the next match also but nobody can control the results so let’s see how it goes and just pray for me,” she concluded.

–IANS

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Pallekele, July 30 (IANS) Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first against India in the inconsequential third and final T20I of the series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday. India have rested Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh for the match as they have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said they have made one change in the side.

“We are going to bowl first. Looks like a dry pitch. There was a batting collapse, when the ball gets older it’s a bit harder to bat. We have planned a little bit differently. One change, Wickramasinghe comes in for Shanaka,” he said at the toss.

On the other hand, India made four changes in their playing eleven to give match time for other squad members.

“Would’ve liked to chase as well with the weather around. Becomes difficult for the bowling team to control the ball later. We have 4 guys resting — Hardik, Axar, Rishabh and Arshdeep. We spoke about the brand of cricket we want to play and it’s about topping it up every game and being the best version of ourselves,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.

Playing XIs:

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal supporter of Indian athletes across sports over the years. From hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team to bidding the athletes farewell for the Paris Olympics, he has been a pillar of support for all sportspersons representing the country.

Following Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh’s historic bronze medal in the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team event in the shooting competition in Chateauroux, France, PM Modi spoke to Sarabjot to congratulate him for his achievement.

“Congratulations Sarabjot, you have brought pride and honour to the country and your hard work has paid off. Please wish Manu from my side too. You just missed out in the individual round but did it in the mixed team round. The way you and Manu have performed has been brilliant, what’s the secret behind your teamwork?” PM Modi asked Sarabjot during their phone conversation.

Sarabjot replied. “We have been together since the 2019 nationals, Junior World Cup and other tournaments and have won gold medals on a number of occasions. I hope to perform better next time and will try my best to bring a gold medal for the country.”

This was Sarabjot’s first medal in what was his debut in the quadrennial event, joining the illustrious group of RVS Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, and Manu Bhaker all of whom have won medals for India at the Olympic Games.

Manu’s historic campaign in the Paris Olympics keeps on breaking more records. She started off by becoming the first woman to win a medal in shooting and followed it by becoming the first athlete to win two medals in the same campaign post India’s independence. She and Sarabjot also became the first Indian shooters to win a medal in a team event at the Olympics.

However, Manu’s journey has not ended yet as the 22-year-old still has one more event to play in Paris 2024, the Women’s 25 m Pistol event.

“Manu has to prepare for the 25 meter as well, wish her all the best from my side and I want to congratulate both of you one last time and wish all Indian athletes from my side, Jai Hind,” concluded the Prime Minister.

–IANS

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Chateauroux (France), July 30 (IANS) On Tuesday, Manu Bhaker made history once again in less than 48 hours by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games. After her dual podium finish, the sharpshooter is on cloud nine and said she is ‘proud to perform at the biggest stage’ for her country.

Manu made history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal, bagging a bronze in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol Individual event.

She then added more lustre to her success by securing her second bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team competition with Sarabjot Singh earlier on Tuesday, becoming the first Indian to win multiple medals in one edition of the Games.

The duo showcased resilience and composure, overcoming a slow start to open up a big lead before emerging 16-10 winner against South Korean pair, Lee Won Ho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in a thrilling match.

“Extremely humbled by the support and wishes that have been pouring in. This is something that I’ve always dreamt of. Proud to perform at the biggest stage for my country,” Manu wrote on X on Tuesday.

Manu became the second Indian woman to win two Olympic medals after shuttler PV Sandhu, who clinched consecutive medals in the 2016 (silver) and 2020 (bronze) Olympics.

Manu still has the 25m pistol event left to compete in, where she will compete alongside Esha Singh, giving her a chance to win a hat-trick of medals in Paris. With several records broken, this accomplishment represents a critical turning point in Indian sports history.

–IANS

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Dhaka, July 30 (IANS) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named former Test captains Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque for one of the four-day matches against Pakistan Shaheens in preparation for the two-match Test series against their senior men’s side.

Bangladesh and Pakistan Shaheens will square off in two four-day games and three one-day matches in Islamabad from August 10–27. The first Test between the two senior men’s teams begins in Rawalpindi on August 21, while the first four-day match is slated for August 10–13.

“Mushfiqur and Mominul requested us to include them in the first four-day game against Pakistan Shaheens. We feel the matches would be good preparation for some of the cricketers likely to represent us in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan,” Abdur Razzak, member of the national selection panel, told Cricbuzz on Tuesday.

Seven Test cricketers from the recent series against Sri Lanka have been selected for the upcoming four-day match, including Shahadat Hossain, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, and Hasan Mahmud.

Shahadat Hossain, a young middle-order batsman who featured in the last four Tests at home against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, is unlikely to be included in the Test squad. Consequently, he will remain with the Bangladesh A team for the second four-day game against Pakistan Shaheens.

The selection of Mossadek Hossain, who last played a Test in 2022 against Sri Lanka, has stirred considerable discussion.

“We have picked players like Mossadek as we have eight Test matches and we want to keep some experienced players ready so that in case we have any injury issues, they can come in as replacements,” said Razzak.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to test some of our players with the A team as those matches work to our advantage. We will also have New Zealand and South Africa and even West Indies… although the latter is yet to be confirmed. When these matches take place, we will understand more.

“International cricket goes on in its own flow so if we can arrange these matches in between, it will be easier for us to form teams. If we need a young player or someone who has played for the national team before or if those who are playing require practice in a competitive setup, the A team’s matches become important in that regards,” he added.

Bangladesh A squad for the 1st four-day match: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahidul Islam Ankhon, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, Ruyel Miah.

Bangladesh A squad for the 2nd four-day match: Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankhon, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, Ruyel Miah.

Bangladesh A squad for one-day series: Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankhon, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, Ruyel Miah.

–IANS

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