Sharma, Bhullar make cut at Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai: Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar managed under-par cards to make the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic. Sharma (71-69) and Bhullar (71-70) moved to 4-under and 3-under, respectively, to ensure weekend action for themselves. Sharma was tied-47th while Bhullar was tied-56th. SSP Chawrasia (72-75) and the Dubai-based amateur Rayhan Thomas (74-69) exited early. The 23-year-old Australian Lucas Herbert (69-63) took a share of the lead with American Bryson DeChambeau (66-66). 

Greater Noida

Sarita stuns Pooja to keep UP’s semis hope alive

Sarita shocked Pooja Dhanda in a close bout to keep UP Dangal alive in the semifinals race of the Pro Wrestling League with a convincing win over MP Yodha. It was Georgi Sakandelidze of Qatar who put the UP team 3-2 ahead in the tie with a dominating 16-1 win over Akash Antil in the 125kg category. Sarita beat Pooja 6-5 to win the 57kg bout and seal the tie. 

London

Chelsea beat Spurs to enter League Cup final 

Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties and set up a League Cup final showdown against holders Manchester City. Trailing 1-0 from the semifinal first leg, Chelsea turned the tie on its head with goals by N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard in the first half but Fernando Llorente struck for Spurs in an enthralling Stamford Bridge duel. 

Madrid

Ramos brace puts Madrid in sight of Copa del Rey semis 

Sergio Ramos scored twice to put Real Madrid on the brink of the Copa del Rey semifinals as they came from behind to beat Girona 4-2 in a thrilling first leg. Ramos’ chipped penalty gave Madrid a 2-1 half-time lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after Lucas Vazquez had cancelled out Anthony Lozano’s early strike.  

New Delhi

Gambhir, Chhetri, Bajrang to get Padma Shri 

Veteran cricketer Gautam Gambhir, Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri and star wrestler Bajrang Punia are among the sportspersons chosen for the Padma Shri awards. Other sportspersons to get the award are Harika Dronavalli (chess), Prashanti Singh (basketball), Shartha Kamal (table tennis), Bombayla Devi Laishram (archery) and Ajay Thakur (kabaddi). 

Bridgetown

Holder, Dowrich pile on misery for England

Jason Holder and Shane Dowrich turned the screws on a flagging England side as West Indies’ seventh-wicket pairing reached lunch at 237/6 in their second innings here today. The hosts already have an overall lead of 449 runs.  Brief scores: WI: 289 & 237/6 (Holder 80*, Dowrich 61*); England: 77 (Jennings 17; Roach 5/17) — Agencies