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Tamil Nadu Open: Arjun Prasad ends long wait for maiden title with four-stroke triumph

Coimbatore, Oct 3 (IANS) Arjun Prasad ended a long wait for his maiden title with a four-stroke triumph at the Rs 1 crore Tamil Nadu Open 2025 played at the Coimbatore Golf Club. The 26-year-old Arjun (70-70-68-72), the leader since Round Two, who began the final round with an imposing six-shot lead, produced a steady even-par 72 on the last day to join the winner’s circle with a total score of eight-under 280.

Delhi-based Prasad, a professional since 2017 and the only player this week to not shoot an over-par round, thus picked up the winning cheque worth INR 15 lakh that saw him consolidate himself in second position on the PGTI Order of Merit with season’s earnings of INR 84,71,599.

Arjun, who has been among the most consistent performers this season with 10 previous top-10 finishes, including two runner-up results, has now closed the gap with PGTI money list leader Yuvraj Sandhu to less than INR 4 lakh.

Chandigarh’s Jairaj Singh Sandhu (75-71-70-68) fired the fourth round’s joint lowest score of 68 to total four-under 284 for the week. As a result, Jairaj gained four places from his overnight sixth and finished tied second. The southpaw also moved up 12 spots to 22nd place in the PGTI’s merit list.

Sri Lankan N. Thangaraja (72-73-69-70) delivered a last round of 70 to hold on to his overnight tied second place and share the runner-up spot with Jairaj at four-under 284. Thangaraja’s result helped him progress from sixth to third place in the PGTI Ranking.

Hyderabad’s Mohd Azhar (68) and Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain (71) closed the week in tied fourth place at two-under 286.

Arjun Prasad, enjoying a commanding lead at the start of the day, had some early jitters on the front nine where he conceded two bogeys in exchange for a birdie. However, a great par-save thanks to a top-class up and down on 10th set the stage for Arjun’s march to victory.

Thereafter, Prasad rolled in two long birdie putts and made two good pars with a couple of quality chip shots to come home the champion. Arjun’s nearest rivals could not catch up with him despite his bogey on the final hole.

A beaming Arjun said, “I’m delighted to have finally crossed the line today. The win did take some time to sink in. Importantly, I stayed in the moment and was very focused throughout the day.

“I didn’t really sleep well last night, but I got up early, did my warm-up routine, and was quite relaxed when I reached the course. I talked to my caddie, Mohan, before the round, and we spoke about sticking to the same process as the last three days.

“The front-nine was a little up and down, but I didn’t let that bother me as I kept hitting fairways and greens. The excellent up and down for par on the 11th really got my momentum going. Then I holed some crucial birdie putts, the kind that win tournaments. I would like to thank my family and my caddie for all their support.

“Now, sealing my spot at the DP World India Championship, happening two weeks later at Delhi Golf Club, is a huge boost, as that was one of my goals as soon as the tournament was announced. Playing alongside a field consisting of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood is a dream come true. I really look forward to playing alongside Tommy once again, who was my playing partner at the 2016 Indian Open when I competed as an amateur.”

–IANS

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Women’s WC: India’s GS Lakshmi, Vrinda Rathi among match officials for semifinals

New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Indian match referee GS Lakshmi and umpire Vrinda Rathi have been named amongst the match officials for the semifinals of the ongoing 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

In the league stage of the competition, Vrinda officiated in four games, while Lakshmi was the match referee in six matches in Colombo.

Both Vrinda and Lakshmi will be third umpire and match referee, respectively, for the first semi-final, where England clash with South Africa at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. Claire Polosak will join them as the fourth umpire.

Eloise Sheridan and Jacquline Williams will be the on-field umpires for the first semi-final. Eloise was in the middle when the two sides met in the group stage, a match England won by 10 wickets, while she also oversaw South Africa’s victory against Pakistan.

Jacqueline was in charge for two matches apiece involving the two teams in the group stage – South Africa’s wins over India and Bangladesh, and England’s victory over India and defeat against Australia.

For the second semi-final between India and Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, Lauren Agenbag and Sue Redfern will be the on-field umpires. Lauren had been present on field for India’s clashes against Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Sue, meanwhile, was among the on-field umpires for the group stage match between the two nations, when Alyssa Healy’s sparkling century led Australia to the highest successful run chase in women’s ODIs with a three-wicket win over India in Visakhapatnam.

They are joined by Kim Cotton as third umpire, Nimali Perera as fourth umpire and Michell Pereira as match referee, respectively. The winners of both semi-finals will play in the title clash in Navi Mumbai on November 2.

–IANS

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India’s all-rounders are more impactful than Pant, says ex-England cricketer

New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) Former England spinner Monty Panesar opined that perhaps Rishabh Pant’s impact on the Indian side is not as much as the talented all-rounders the side possess.

Vice-captain Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the series after he suffered a fractured toe in the first innings, courtesy of a Chris Woakes yorker which struck him on the right foot. In his absence, Ravindra Jadeja (107 not out) and Washington Sundar (101 not out) rescued the draw for India in the fourth Test.

“I think they will take more confidence from the fact that they were able to draw the test match with the all-rounders doing so well. Maybe Rishabh Pant’s impact isn’t as much on the Indian team as the all-rounders, seeing them perform so well, which is a bigger plus,” Panesar told IANS.

With Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the final Test up in the air, Panesar believes Arshdeep Singh might be the key for the visitors, given the variation he brings to the side.

“Arshdeep Singh needs to be in the team at some point because of the angle that he creates. I think that could be the difference, in terms of taking those 20 wickets, which is going to be the key and I thought he would have played in the first match. I think it adds another variation to the team,” he added.

With India at 0/2 and 311 runs behind in the beginning of their second innings, it seemed they would lose the match and the series. But a monumental, strong and resolute batting show – led by hundreds from Shubman Gill, Jadeja and Sundar – along with KL Rahul’s 90 meant the visitors’ conjured up a miraculous escape and secured a memorable, hard-fought draw.

The former England cricketer believes we are in for a great Test match at The Oval.

“India performed really well and it was a great test match for them. We kind of felt that England should have won this game but the pitch got slower and was under-responsive so yeah India did really well to hold onto a draw.

“Both teams are really balanced and they know England are a very strong side. It will be very strong in terms of their batting and bowling and they know they’re matched with England again, it’s going to be another great, great test match,” Panesar said.

–IANS

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