Pandya undergoes successful back surgery

Mumbai

All-rounder Hardik Pandya underwent successful surgery on his lower back in London and said he hopes to return to action in “no time”. Pandya first sustained the injury during the Asia Cup last September and missed India’s limited-overs home series against Australia in February with lower back stiffness. “Surgery done successfully. Extremely grateful to everyone for your wishes... Will be back in no time! Till then miss me,” Pandya posted on his Twitter page, along with a picture of himself in a hospital bed. 

Greater Noida
UP Yoddha beat Dabang Delhi KC 50-33 in PKL 

UP Yoddha thrashed Dabang Delhi KC 50-33 to enter the playoffs of the Pro Kabaddi League. Monu Goyat, with 11 raid points, was the star for the UP side. Goyat picked up valuable raid points from the start and the UP side went on to secure their first all-out in the sixth minute to move to a 5-point lead.

New Delhi
Malhotra set to be elected unopposed as ICA prez

Former Test cricketer Ashok Malhotra is set to be elected unopposed as the president of the Indian Cricketers Association after the BCCI electoral officer released the list of candidates for the newly formed players’ body.

LAHORE
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 64 runs in first T20I 

Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan by 64 runs in the first T20I, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Brief Scores: SL: 165/6 (Gunathilaka 57; Hasnain 3/37); Pak: 101 (Udana 3/11, Pradeep 3/21) — Agencies

Campinas (Brazil)
Sumit Nagal enters semis of ATP Challenger Campinas

India's Sumit Nagal sailed into the semifinals of the ATP Challenger Campinas with a hard-fought win over Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo here. Nagal, placed at a career-best 135 right now, knocked out 13th seed Cerundolo 7-6 7-5 to book his second last-4 appearance in two weeks. 

Lausanne
Ex-UEFA prez Michel Platini free to return to football   

Former UEFA president Michel Platini is finally free to return to football next week when his four-year ban for ethics violations ends, although he remains linked to a corruption investigation in his home country relating to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was banned from football for receiving a ^1.8 million payment from the head of the world game, with Blatter banned for eight years, later reduced to six, for his part.

Tokyo
Djokovic reaches Japan Open final   

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant run at the Japan Open, overpowering third-seeded David Goffin 6-3 6-4 in straight sets today to reach his fifth final this season. He will face John Millman in the final who beat Reilly Opelka 6-3 7-6(4).

Beijing
Barty versus Osaka in  China Open final 

Ashleigh Barty beat Kiki Bertens 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) to set up a China Open final with Japan's Naomi Osaka who beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-2.  Meanwhile, in the men’s section top seed Dominic Thiem fought back from a set down to reach the final. He beat Karen Khachanov 2-6 7-6 (7) 7-5 in two hours and 41 minutes. He will be up against Stefanos Tsitsipas who dispatched German second seed Alexander Zverev 7-6(6) 6-4. Agencies