Indian Sports Wrap, March 12: Gunjan, Radhamani and Chandrika register wins for India in World Boxing Futures Cup

BOXING

Gunjan, Radhamani and Chandrika register wins for India on Day 5 of the World Boxing Futures Cup

The Indian youth team posted a series of strong performances on the fifth day of the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok with Gunjan, Radhamani Longjam and Chandrika Pujari registering victories in their respective fights.

Gunjan (48kg) recorded a unanimous 5-0 victory over Poland’s Katarzyna Gornisiewicz, Radhamani (57kg) defeated Ecuador’s Melissa Carrion when the referee stopped the match in the first round, and Chandrika Pujari (50kg) recorded a unanimous victory over American Ruby Lopez.

However, Prachi (60kg) fell 5-0 to Slovakia’s Karolina Kollarova and Morocco’s Marouane Jaafri defeated Priyansh Sehrawat 5-0 in the men’s 70kg category.

-Team Sportstar

MOTOR SPORTS

Madras International Karting Arena hosts international karting competitions in September

The Madras Motor Sports Club will organize India’s first-ever international karting competition, the FIA-CIK Arrival and Drive, at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in September this year.

Announcing this at the MMSC Annual Awards Function to honor the winners of the 2025 National Racing Championship here on Thursday, MMSC Vice-President Vicky Chadhok said, “The Arrival-and-Drive competition in September at the MIKA circuit will be one of the three rounds and we will see karters from all over the world competing, and it is the first of its kind in India.”

Another first for MMSC will be a 4×4 off-road facility, also at the Madras International Circuit facility in Sriperumbudur. “Apart from this, we have plans to introduce the Crosscars into the Indian motorsport ecosystem.

The first cross car is expected at the MIC soon and we will add another four or five of these vehicles that will be featured in a club championship. Later this will be developed into a national championship,” Chandhok added.

-Team Sportstar

TENNIS

ITF M25 Tournament – Rawat upsets Dominik Palan as four Indians enter quarter-finals

Unseeded Indian Siddharth Rawat put in an impressive performance to upset fourth-seeded Dominik Palan of Czech Republic in the pre-quarterfinals of the Central Excise & CGST – ITF M25 Tournament at the Bengal Tennis Association Complex on Thursday.

As a member of the Indian Davis Cup squad, Rawat showed excellent control and precision throughout the match. He cruised through the opening set 6-2 and was firmly in charge at 3-0 in the second set when Palan conceded the match, citing illness and discomfort. Rawat will now face compatriot Abhinav Shanmugam in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Shanmugam, a wildcard entrant from Tamil Nadu and currently ranked 22nd in the country, continued his impressive run with a hard-fought 7-6(4), 7-5 win over higher-ranked Rohan Mehra to reach the last eight. Another Indian wildcard, Shanker Heisnam of Manipur, bowed out after a spirited battle against top seed Luca Castelnuovo of Switzerland, who won 7-5, 6-2.

Second seed Karan Singh and unseeded Manish Sureshkumar also advanced to the quarter-finals, ensuring a strong Indian presence in the last eight of the tournament psf6.

-Team Sportstar

FOOTBALL

Pritika’s brace helps India beat Myanmar in the first of two U-17 friendlies

The Indian women’s under-17 team recorded a 2-0 win over Myanmar in the first of two international friendlies at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Thursday, with Pritika Barman scoring both goals.

The matches are part of India’s preparations for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Suzhou, China from May 1 to 17, 2026. Myanmar, which has also qualified for the tournament, is using the matches as part of its build-up. The second friendly match will be played on Saturday, March 14.

India produced a composed performance, scoring once in each half while keeping a clean sheet against a determined Myanmar side. Goalkeeper Munni made key saves when called upon, while defenders Abhista Basnett and Elizabed Lakra formed the backline effectively.

India created the first clear chance in the 31st minute when captain Julan Nongmaithem played a pass down the left for Alisha Lyngdoh, whose cross found Pearl Fernandes, but the striker’s header went wide of the target.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute after Redima Devi Chingkhamayum won possession near the center circle and sent a precise through ball to Pritika Barman. The winger beat her marker, rounded Myanmar goalkeeper Saung Pwint Phyu and slid the ball into the empty net to give India a 1-0 lead.

India doubled the lead four minutes after the restart when Alva Devi Senjam made a run down the left and delivered a cross into the box. Pritika arrived at the right time and smashed it into the net to complete her brace.

India almost added a third in the 60th minute when Abhista’s powerful free-kick from more than 30 yards hit the crossbar. However, the visitor remained in control for the remainder of the match, defending well and managing possession to seal a comfortable win.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour: Amateur Lavanya overtakes Jasmine to lead in the fifth leg

Amateur Lavanya Gupta moved past leader Jasmine Shekar to take the lead after two rounds of the fifth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour on Thursday.

Lavanya, who was one shot behind Jasmine after the first round, shot an even-par 72, while Jasmine returned a 2-over 74 to slip one stroke behind. Lavanya now leads at 1 under 143, with Jasmine at even par 144.

Both players landed crucial shots late in the round. Lavanya bogeyed the 14th and 17th holes, while Jasmine made a double bogey on the 15th. Lavanya finished with three birdies and three bogeys, while Jasmine had three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.

Durga Nittur produced the day’s best round of 2-under 70, with five birdies against three bogeys, to move into third place at 1-over 145.

Youngsters Saanvi Somu (75-73) and Mannat Brar (72-76) tied for fourth place, while Amandeep Drall (75-74) finished sixth.

Amateur Mahreen Bhatia improved by six shots with a 72 after an opening 78 to sit seventh with amateur Aradhana Manikandan (78-72) and former Hero Order of Merit winner Sneha Singh (76-74).

Khushi Khanijau (75-77) and Vidhatri Urs (74-78) rounded out the top 10 with 8 over 152.

Some of the leading players struggled on the challenging DLF Golf and Country Club course with Neha Tripathi (77-78) finishing at 14th, Tvesa Malik (78-77) also at 14th and Ridhima Dilawari (78-82) at 24th.

A record field of 57 players will compete for the prize pool of Rs.18 lakh. The cut after 36 holes dropped to 168, with 41 players advancing to the third and final round.

Lavanya, Jasmine and Durga, separated by just one shot, form the leading group for the final round.

-PTI

Aman Raj takes four shots ahead of Bhullar at IGPL Chandigarh

Aman Raj, who struggled with injuries last season, jumped to the top of the leaderboard to reach 11-under on Thursday to move four shots clear of Gaganjeet Bhullar midway through the IGPL season opener at Chandigarh Golf Club.

The 30-year-old from Patna, who won twice last season, shot a brilliant 8-under 64 after his opening round 69 and put himself in a very strong position.

Bhullar, India’s most successful player on the Asian Tour with 11 titles, followed his opening 68 with a 71 to finish second on seven under.

IGPL debutant Varun Parikh scored a 67 after a first round of 71 to finish in third place at six under.

A group of four players – Kapil Kumar (70-69), local veteran Ranjit Singh (70-69), Manav Shah (69-70) and defending Order of Merit champion Gill (70-69) – were tied for fourth at five under.

Yashas Chandra (68-72) and Chiragh Kumar (69-71) tied for eighth place at four points.

Amateur Harjai Milkha Singh, son of Jeev Milkha Singh, shot a 69 to finish in 10th place at three under alongside Karandeep Kochhar (70-71) and Sachin Baisoya (72-69).

-PTI

Published on March 12, 2026