Dabang Delhi fought back to beat Tamil Thalaivas 30-29 in the Pro Kabaddi League today (17).
The Iranian duo of Meraj Sheykh and Abolfazl combined to score 20 points to give Dabang Delhi their second win of the season.
The two teams were in desperate need of a win to boost their campaign in the league. Ajay Thakur scored 14 points for Tamil Thalaivas but they were not enough in the end.
Both teams opened their account with a successful raid in the first two minutes of the match.
Dabang Delhi led 5-2 after five minutes as their raiders scored easy points against the Thalaivas defence.
Thalaivas made it 6-5 in the ninth minute as their defence got their act together and forced a super tackle.
It was an evenly contested affair as both teams couldn't manage to extend their lead. Meraj Sheykh scored with a raid point in the 14th minute as Dabang Delhi led 9-7.
Thalaivas scored two points to level the game at 9-9 in the 16th minute. Delhi had a glorious opportunity to force the all out as they reduced Thalaivas to just two men in the 20th minute.
But Thalaivas forced another super tackle to end the half all square at 12-12.
Thalaivas scored two points with another super tackle in the 22nd minute to lead 14-12. Ajay Thakur scored his fifth raid point to give Thalaivas 15-12 lead after 24 minutes.
Amit Hooda scored a tackle point in the 27th minute to give Thalaivas a 16-13 lead.
Delhi forced a super tackle in the 28th minute to trail 16-17. Thalaivas regained their lead as Ajay Thakur scored his seventh raid point to give his team 19-16 lead after 30 minutes.
Another two-point raid by Thakur in 35th minute gave Thalaivas a 27-23 lead. Meraj Sheykh scored two points in the 37th minute to reduce the lead to 25-27.
Abolfazl averted an all out as he scored with a two-point raid twice in two minutes as Dabang Delhi levelled the match at 21-21 in the 33rd minute.
Thalaivas inflicted an all out in the 34th minute to lead 25-22. Ajay Thakur attained a super 10 as he had a terrific game for Thalaivas.
It was anyone's match as Delhi fought back and reduced the deficit to just one point in the last minute.
Meraj Sheykh came up with a brilliant super raid with less than 40 seconds left to give Dabang Delhi 30-28 lead.
Ajay Thakur scored a raid point but it wasn't enough in the end.
AUSTRALIA's Josh Hazlewood took 3-21 to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final with an eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings on Thursday.
Bengaluru bowled out Punjab for 101 and chased down the target in 10 overs during the first qualifier of the T20 tournament at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh.
Punjab will have another opportunity to reach the final on June 3 when they face the winner of the eliminator between the third and fourth-placed teams.
Opener Phil Salt made 56 not out as Bengaluru reached their fourth IPL final in search of a first title.
"Just gives us momentum, cliché but true," Salt said after the match. "Back end of the tournament you want to hit your straps."
Virat Kohli was caught behind for 12 off New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who took a wicket without conceding a run in the over.
Salt put on 54 runs with Mayank Agarwal, who made 19. Captain Rajat Patidar scored 15 and hit the winning six.
Bengaluru's bowlers set up the victory after they chose to field and Hazlewood returned from a shoulder injury.
Hazlewood claimed two early wickets, including that of captain Shreyas Iyer, to trouble Punjab’s batting.
Left-arm seamer Yash Dayal removed Priyansh Arya for seven in the second over and Prabhsimran Singh for 18.
Hazlewood then got Iyer caught behind in his first over and dismissed Josh Inglis, who scored seven, in his next.
Punjab lost half their side in 6.3 overs when Dayal bowled Nehal Wadhera.
Marcus Stoinis tried to rebuild as wickets fell around him, scoring 26 off 17 balls with two fours and two sixes.
Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma took two wickets in one over and dismissed Stoinis for his third. The Punjab crowd went silent after Stoinis’s dismissal.
Suyash was named man of the match.
Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai pushed Punjab past 100 before he was last out to Hazlewood as the innings ended in 14.1 overs.
"Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board," Iyer said. "We have lost the battle, but not the war."
Gujarat Titans will play Mumbai Indians in the eliminator at the same venue on Friday.
The league was extended by nine days after being paused due to a military conflict between India and Pakistan. The revised schedule clashed with the international calendar.
Some overseas players are missing from the playoffs, including Gujarat’s Jos Buttler, who was playing on Thursday for England against West Indies at Edgbaston.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
A modest budget meant the NPL could not attract the really big names in the sport (Photo: Facebook)
GLAMORGAN all-rounder Dan Douthwaite was not alone among the foreign players in being unsure what to expect when he headed to the Himalayas to take part in the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) late last year.
Taking up a playing contract in the mountainous nation of 30 million was always going to be a novel challenge for the Englishman, not least because the Twenty20 league was staged at a ground some 1,350 metres above sea level.
"I thought I was going to be constantly out of breath or struggling, but it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it was going to be," the 28-year-old recalled of his time playing for the Kathmandu Gurkhas.
"I think I noticed it more so with sixes. When they got the ball it absolutely went miles. A lot of balls ... kept going and going and going.
"When you think you've hit one straight up and it's a 70-metre six."
Apart from the extra flight of the ball at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground near Kathmandu, Douthwaite's other big takeaway from the experience was the enthusiasm of the Nepali fans.
"Cricket in Nepal is probably like the Premier League in England ... there's a kind of almost Indian cricket feel about the way people appreciate and love the game," he told Reuters.
This was the third attempt by Nepal, which became an ICC associate member in 1996 and has qualified for the T20 World Cup twice, to follow in the path of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by launching its own Twenty20 league.
The NPL hopes the passion of the fans, combined with the country's unique geography and society, will carve out a niche in a landscape dominated by the likes of the IPL and Australia's Big Bash League.
"We're rich in terms of nature," said Sandesh Katwal, the chief executive of the Gurkhas, one of eight NPL franchises.
"It's a beautiful country and we're a friendly, welcoming people. The weather, the hospitality suits international players."
Former England batting all-rounder and IPL veteran Ravi Bopara, who turned out for Chitwan Rhinos, said it was a great experience, even if he turned down the offer of a helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp.
A modest budget meant the NPL could not attract the really big names in the sport.
All eight NPL franchises fetched a combined price of under $1.23 million (£884,559) at an auction held last September. Prize money for the champions, Janakpur Bolts, was around $81,000 (£58,250).
By contrast, India's Rishabh Pant, the highest-paid player in the IPL, commanded over £2m in the league's player auction for the 2025 edition.
A rushed first season also made it difficult to recruit international players, Katwal said.
"Everything happened within a one to two-month period ... most international players were already occupied. Many didn't know about this tournament," he added.
"Since Christmas was near, many overseas players were in a hurry to return. From the second season I think we can plan to start a bit earlier, October or November."
Nevertheless, the NPL proved to be an effective proving ground for Nepal's domestic talent, Bopara said.
"There was a group of players who were full of potential but lacked experience," he added.
Katwal said he hoped the NPL would provide that valuable competitive experience, as the IPL has done for young Indian talents.
"It's a dream come true for Nepali players ... sharing practice sessions with the foreign players, they definitely learned a lot. We also had coaches from India, Sri Lanka, England and elsewhere," he said.
"Since the IPL has started, you can see young players getting opportunities and it has paid off. The NPL is also an opportunity for Nepali players, a starting point."
(Reuters)
Keep ReadingShow less
The Discord community frequently shares new codes as soon as they’re available
Crystal of Atlan players have a fresh batch of codes to redeem this May, offering valuable in-game rewards for those who act quickly. The redemption process is simple but requires progressing through the early stages of the game.
To start redeeming codes, players must first download Crystal of Atlan and play through the tutorial until reaching the in-game village. While most cutscenes can be skipped, completing the necessary fights is essential to unlock access to the full menu system.
Once in the village, players should look for a small, two-tone diamond icon on the right side of the screen. Tapping this opens the main menu. From there, tap the gear icon at the bottom to access the Settings. Under the "Other" tab on the left, a "Go Redeem" button appears at the top—this is where players can enter codes.
Users can either type in a valid code or use the “Paste” button to ensure accuracy. Upon successful redemption, a notification will confirm the rewards have been sent.
Active Crystal of Atlan codes – May 2025
COAcreator2 – 150,000 Gold and 3 Matlz’s Special Injection (NEW)
COATEAMUP528 – 10 Hunting Permits (NEW)
These codes are currently active and available for all players. However, they may expire soon, so it’s advisable to redeem them as early as possible.
Expired or region-restricted codes
The following codes have either expired or may only be redeemable on servers outside Europe and North America:
COAJP527
COAJP123
COAwin1
COA1500
COAJP888
COAwin2
COA100v
COA200v
COA300v
Players on EU/NA servers may find these codes invalid, even if entered correctly.
Where to find redeemed rewards
After redeeming a code, rewards will not appear instantly in the inventory. Instead, players must return to the main screen and select the two-tone diamond icon once again. This time, click on the Mail icon to access the in-game inbox.
Each successfully redeemed code sends an in-game mail with the rewards attached. Players can claim items individually or use the "Claim All" function to collect all available rewards at once.
How to discover new codes
Although there is no fixed schedule for the release of new Crystal of Atlan codes, they typically appear during major updates, livestreams, or promotional events. Following the game on social media platforms, such as Twitter or Facebook, and subscribing to the official Discord server, increases the chances of discovering codes early.
The Discord community frequently shares new codes as soon as they’re available. Alternatively, checking trusted websites daily can help ensure players don’t miss out on limited-time offers.
For those who enjoy Crystal of Atlan and are looking to explore similar experiences, there are several free MMORPGs and PC RPGs worth trying.
As codes often expire within days, staying updated and redeeming them promptly is the best way to maximise in-game rewards.
Keep ReadingShow less
Melissa has built a respected reputation in football journalism over nearly two decades
Football journalist Melissa Reddy has confirmed her exit from Sky Sports, following reports that she was among several high-profile figures affected by a recent round of redundancies at the broadcaster.
Reddy, who joined Sky Sports in 2021, announced her departure via Instagram on Wednesday evening, stating she had completed her 11th season covering the Premier League and would be stepping back from her full-time role. However, she confirmed she would continue to contribute to the network on a part-time basis.
“Eleventh season of Premier League coverage done and I’ve called time on three years at Sky,” she wrote. “I’ll still be doing bits and bobs for them but I’m genuinely so excited to share all the things I’ll be working on soon, which will allow me to focus on my strengths and passions.”
Reddy also revealed plans to return to writing, with new books in the pipeline. “For those that have been asking for the past five years – yes, that will include new books,” she confirmed.
The South African-born journalist, who relocated to the UK to cover the Premier League, has built a respected reputation in football journalism over nearly two decades. Her departure from Sky Sports comes as part of a wider restructuring at the broadcaster, which Mail Sport first reported earlier this month. The company is aiming to modernise its sports coverage, leading to several redundancies.
Reddy used her statement to reflect on her experiences in the industry, highlighting the racism and misogyny she has faced throughout her career. She recounted an incident from one of her early press conferences in England, where a fellow journalist made xenophobic remarks about her presence in the UK media landscape.
“After the first press conference I covered in England all those years back, a journalist turned to the press officer and said ‘why are you letting them come over here and take our jobs. You just want a little lick don’t you?!’” she wrote.
“I would love to be able to say that things have changed in that regard, but alas… the abuse as a foreign woman of colour in this sphere never ceases.”
Despite these challenges, Reddy maintained a defiant tone, emphasising her resilience and commitment to her work. “I will always be stronger than the hate; I know who I am, I know the substance of my work. You can’t dim the light of someone who learned how to shine in the dark.”
Melissa used her statement to reflect on her experiences in the industryGetty Images
She added that the support she received from managers, players, club staff, and colleagues carried more meaning than the negativity she has encountered. Her Instagram post was accompanied by a selection of photos and clips from her time at Sky, featuring interviews with notable figures such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arne Slot, and Ruben Amorim.
Reddy’s departure comes amid broader changes at Sky Sports. Her exit follows that of Rob Wotton, who left the network earlier this week after 27 years. Other departures reportedly include presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor, reporters Jeremy Langdon and Fadumo Olow, and a news editor.
Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli during warm up before the match REUTERS/Mihir Singh
THE proposed World Bowling League has received a major boost after India cricketer Virat Kohli came on board as a strategic investor on Wednesday (28).
Apart from being the leading name in international cricket, Kohli is a social media phenomenon and the third-most followed athlete on Instagram behind footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
"The World Bowling League (WBL) is pleased to announce cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a strategic investor in the league, igniting a bold new chapter to elevate the sport of bowling," the league organisers said in a statement.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts bought the first announced team in the WBL, which is yet to announce the franchises and schedule of the first event of the league featuring mixed-gender teams.
"I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12," the 36-year-old Kohli said in a statement issued by League Sports Co., the owner of WBL.
"It is evident how popular the sport is while being under-appreciated as a business proposition."
"I'm thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner."
Kohli owns a team in the E1 World Championship power-boat series and has a stake in Indian Super League soccer team FC Goa.
"When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport," said Adi K. Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co.
"Every week, we uncover more about bowling's global depth and fascinating history - it's a sleeping giant we're ready to awaken."
Former India captain Kohli, who plays in the Indian Premier League, retired from test cricket earlier this month and now only features in internationals in the 50-overs format.
Justin Bieber faces backlash for ‘I love you’ comment on 17-year-old star Ariana Greenblatt’s post