Indian Sports Wrap, July 17: Jio World Garden to organize World Picleball League season 2

Pickleball

World PickleBall League announces Jio World Garden as location for season 2

The World Picleball League (WPBL) announced Jio World Garden as the guest location for season 2, which takes place in Mumbai from 24 January to 8 February 2026.

With six competing teams, the World PickleBall League season 2 will be the very first franchise sports competition that is held in Jio World Garden.

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

Neha shoots beautifully 65, takes a 3-shot lead in the 9th stage of Hero WPGT

Neha Tripathi, one of the most experienced stars on the Indian ladies’ circuit, produced a beautiful 7-under 65 who catapulted her in a 3-shot lead after the second round of the ninth stage of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour on the Clover Greens here on Thursday.

Even when 33-year-old Neha made a switch to the top, a night leader Amandep Drall suffered a large drop with a round of 4-over 76, seven shots worse than her first round at the RS 15 Lakh event.

Amandeep was now slid from Sole to the ninth bound on the Lay-72 layout of Clover Greens.

– PTI

TENNIS

Badhe and Prashanth Shock Second Seeds to make Swiss open Semis

Arjun Kadhe and Vijay Sundar Prashanth hung the Indian Arjun Kadhe and Vijay Sundar second seeds from Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner in straight sets to continue to the semi -final of the Swiss Open in Gstaad, Switzerland.

The non-sown Indians shocked the higher Germans with 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 Clay Court Tournament.

Badhe has one ATP title under his belt and last year wins the Almaty ATP 250 event with fellow countryman Rithvik Bollipalli.

The Indian pair got an early break to go up 3-1, but dropped to let go of the advantage. However, they put the Germans under the pump again to take a 5-3 lead and to earn a chance to get ahead in the quarter-final competition.

Kadhe came out to serve for the opening set and did the work after losing two points.

Both couples played solid service games in the second set. There was no break from Serve and the set was stretched into a tie-breaker.

The Indians followed 0-3 after Badhe lost both points on his serve, but they roared back to restore parity when Schnaitter also lost successful points on his serve.

Kadhe and Prashanth closed the competition quickly after Wallner lost a point on his serve at 5-4.

– PTI

FOOTBALL

FC Goa announces signing of the midfielder Hard Patre of Bengaluru FC

FC Goa announced the signing of midfielder Harsh Patre of Bengaluru FC on Thursday for the 2025-26 season.

The 22-year-old returns to his home after a stint with Bengaluru FC and becomes the newest addition to the Gaurs team while the club continues to strengthen its local core.

– Team Sportstar

Oriental Cup 2025 returns for the third season, which enhances the Delhi school football system system

The third edition of the Oriental Cup, an emerging school football tournament, is planned from July 21 to July 29, 2025 in the iconic Dr. Ambedkar Stadium.

The competition brings 36 teams of schools in Delhi, 24 in the Boys category (U-15) and 12 in the Girls (U-19) category for competitive school football.

The 2025 edition has a three-phase format, starting with qualifying rounds followed by competition phase and culminating finals for the category of both boys and girls.

– Team Sportstar

Kabaddi

PKL 12: Yogesh on his record -breaking move to Bengaluru Bulls

Yogesh Dahiya emerged as the most expensive Indian defender who bought during a PKL season 12 player auction, after he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for a stunning INR 1.125 crores.

«I watched the playing auction live on TV. I saw Bengaluru Bulls offering, then Patna Pirates, then Bengal Warriorz. I looked at myself,» the 23-year-old defender remembers.

The auction room drama translated into a whirlwind of emotions for the young athlete. «There was a little nervousness – what will happen? Who will take me? With which franchise will I participate? But in general it was very interesting and fun,» he thought.

– Team Sportstar