Tamil Nadu crowned Syed Mushtaq champions

Ahmedabad

Tamil Nadu produced an impressive batting display after left-arm spinner M Siddarth’s four-wicket haul as they lifted the coveted Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy after defeating Baroda by seven wickets in the final here today. This was Tamil Nadu’s second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph.

Brief scores: Baroda 120/9 (M Siddharth 4/20); Tamil Nadu 123/3 (Nishaanth 35)

Coimbatore

Gill blazes to National Rally Championship title

Gaurav Gill was in blazing form at the wheels of his Mahindra XUV as he and navigator Musa Sherif won the Rally of Coimbatore here today and again emerge national champions. By winning two legs on tarmac in Itanagar last month and performing strongly in Kethanur, 40km outside Coimbatore, Gill showed he was the king of gravel as well. “I am extremely happy to win three rallies in a row and become national champion for the seventh time,” said Gill.

Melbourne

Venus crushes Rus to set up Kvitova showdown

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams produced a vintage display to outclass Netherlands’ Arantxa Rus in straight sets and storm into the second round of the Yarra Valley Classic as a packed week of Australian Open warm-up events kicked off today. The 40-year-old American broke serve twice in each set to canter to a 6-1 6-3 victory in a little over an hour and set up a date with fourth seed Petra Kvitova in the next round.

Vasco

Hyderabad FC move to third after win over Chennaiyin

Hyderabad FC strengthened their chances of of qualifying for the play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League here today. Goals from Fran Sandaza (28th minute) and Joel Chianese (82th) propelled Hyderabad to third place on the table. Agencies