Briefly: Indian race walker Bhawna handed 16-month ban

New Delhi

Top Indian race walker Bhawna Jat has been handed a 16-month ban for whereabouts failure by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel after she committed the offence in August last year. Bhawna, a former national record holder in women’s 20km race walk, was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency in August last year and she was recalled from Budapest where she had reached to take part in the World Championships. Her 16-month ban period will, however, begin from August 10, 2023.

London

Sussex relieves Pujara after signing Hughes

India Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara will not return to Sussex for next year’s County Championship after the English club side opted to relieve him to retain the services of Australian Daniel Hughes. Pujara returrned to Sussex for the third successive time in 2024. He played the first seven Championship matches before Hughes’ arrival.

New Delhi

Zaheer in talks with LSG for mentorship role

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan is in contention to assume the mentorship role of Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the next season of the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings are looking for a replacement for Trevor Bayliss with the franchise keen on hiring an Indian head coach.

Dhaka

Faruque takes charge as new BCB president

Former cricketer and chief selector Faruque Ahmed has replaced Nazmul Hasan Papon as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board after the incumbent resigned in the wake of the political unrest in the country.

Yokohama (Japan)

Shuttler Sathish loses in second round of Japan Open

Sathish Kumar fought hard before going down in three games to Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen in the second round of the Japan Open Super 750 badminton tournament. The 23-year-old lost 21-18 18-21 8-21 against the world No. 40 in a match that lasted 70 minutes.

Monterrey (Mexico)

Navarro outlasts Osorio to reach quarterfinals

Second-seeded Emma Navarro of the United States rallied to beat Camila Osorio of Colombia 3-6 7-5 7-6(2) to reach the quarterfinals of the Monterrey Open. Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina beat Elina Avanesyan 6-4 6-3. Agencies