Sports - Loktej English

Inter Club Pickleball Tournament Concludes in Surat, City Gymkhana Crowned Champion

Loktej English Team — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:38:32 +0530

The first Inter Club Pickleball Tournament was successfully organized by the Surat District Cricket Association on April 11 and 12, 2026, at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium. Three major clubs from the city—SDCA Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat City Gymkhana, and Surat Tennis Club—participated in the tournament.

The event was led by SDCA President Kanaiyabhai Contractor and Secretary Hiteshbhai Patel, with guidance from Outdoor Sports and Sports Arena Development Committee Convener Urmil Contractor and tournament coordinators Anil Juneja and Ashwin Bhadani. The final match was played between Surat City Gymkhana and Surat Tennis Club, where Surat City Gymkhana showcased an impressive performance to defeat Surat Tennis Club and claim the championship. A large number of members and their families attended the tournament, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere.

The winning team was honored with awards during the closing ceremony, which was also attended by several officials from the organization, including Vice President Narendrabhai Patel, Cricket Secretary Dr. Naimesh Desai, Parikshitbhai Contractor, Hemantbhai Zariwala, Advocate Manishbhai Patel, and Mayankbhai Desai.

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Significant Changes in Match Dates and Venues for GT and CSK Due to Elections in Gujarat

Loktej English Team — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:59:56 +0530

The BCCI has made a major decision to change the schedule of two matches between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2026. As per the board, this step was taken in light of security arrangements due to the municipal elections taking place on April 26 in various parts of Gujarat and Ahmedabad.

The BCCI clarified that providing adequate police force and resources at the stadium due to the elections was a challenge, making it necessary to revise the schedule. According to the new schedule, the match originally set for April 26 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will now be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai at 3:30 PM. Conversely, the evening match proposed for May 21 in Chennai has now been moved to Ahmedabad.

This change will require fans to adjust their travel plans for matches at their favorite teams' home grounds. Voting will also take place on the same day in several other cities, including Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. The Chennai Super Kings are currently struggling in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, having won only one of the four matches played so far, placing them ninth in the points table.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Titans are in a slightly better position, holding the sixth spot with two wins and two losses from four matches. This schedule change may impact the preparations of both teams, as they will now need to strategize anew according to their home conditions.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Entry into Team India Confirmed, Could Make Historic Debut on Ireland Tour

Loktej English Team — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:59:06 +0530

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is on the verge of making history in international cricket. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is seriously considering including him in the senior team for the upcoming Ireland tour in June, based on his explosive performance in IPL 2026.

If Vaibhav makes his debut on this tour, he will break the historic record of Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at the age of 16, becoming India's youngest international player. According to BCCI sources, the selectors want to test this talented batsman from Rajasthan Royals directly in the senior team. Vaibhav first came into the limelight when Rajasthan Royals bought him for 1.1 crore rupees in the IPL 2025 auction.

He showcased his aggressive batting by scoring a century in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans. Additionally, his incredible innings of 175 runs off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England brought him global attention overnight. Given his consistency and talent, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has also stated that he deserves to debut for India at a young age.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a clear strategy to test Vaibhav's skills under international pressure against a team like Ireland. The selectors believe that Vaibhav's batting style is suited for modern T20 cricket, and providing him experience instead of making him wait will be beneficial for the team's future. As per agency report, Vaibhav has been shortlisted, and if he meets fitness standards, he could be seen batting in the blue jersey in the upcoming series.

Virat Kohli Loses Composure After Getting Out, Throws Helmet and Gloves on the Field

Loktej English Team — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:44:15 +0530

Despite a remarkable victory against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore's star batsman Virat Kohli is in the spotlight. During the match, after being caught out off a full toss from Hardik Pandya, Kohli appeared extremely disappointed.

A video that has gone viral on social media shows him angrily throwing his gloves and helmet to the ground while returning to the pavilion. Although Kohli played a crucial innings of 50 runs off 38 balls, his frustration over how he got out was evident in his behavior. Following this incident, Kohli faces the possibility of disciplinary action from the BCCI.

Under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, damaging cricket equipment or items on the field during a match is considered a Level 1 offense. Sports experts believe that Kohli could be fined 10 to 25 percent of his match fee and may also receive a demerit point. Currently, the official report from the match referee is awaited, after which a decision on the punishment will be made.

Amidst the controversies, Virat Kohli has also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first batsman in the world to score 1000 runs (combined in IPL and Champions League) against Mumbai Indians. Kohli has scored 1030 runs in 37 matches against Mumbai.

In the match, RCB set a massive score of 240 runs, thanks to aggressive innings from Phil Salt (78) and captain Rajat Patidar (53). In response, Mumbai could only manage 222 runs, and RCB won the match by 18 runs, strengthening their position.

Indian Martial Artist Yashpal Singh Kalsi Clinches Gold at US Open Karate Championship Despite Injury and Illness

PNN — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:00:12 +0530

Yashpal Singh Kalsi wins US Open Karate gold

New Delhi [India], April 11: In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, India’s Yashpal Singh Kalsi secured a Gold Medal at the prestigious US Open Karate Championship 2026, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Tesax, USA.

Competing in the Individual Advanced Masters Kata (45+ category), Kalsi delivered a standout performance under extraordinary circumstances. Just days prior to the event, he suffered a leg injury during training, followed by a bout of food poisoning and dehydration—conditions that would typically force an athlete to withdraw from competition.

Defying these challenges, Kalsi chose to compete, demonstrating the core values of martial arts—discipline, perseverance, and mental strength. His performance culminated in a Gold Medal victory, where he overcame a strong competitor from the United States in the final round.

Reflecting on his performance, Kalsi stated, “I was not fully satisfied with how I performed, but I am grateful for the result. For me, the real victory was stepping onto the mat despite everything.”

His achievement underscores a larger narrative within martial arts, where success is not solely measured by medals but by the ability to rise above adversity. “If this were any other sport, I might not have competed. Martial arts teaches you values beyond winning—it builds spirit, resilience, and the will to move forward regardless of circumstances,” he added.

At 47, Kalsi’s accomplishment serves as a powerful reminder that age and physical setbacks need not define limitations. His journey reflects the enduring strength of the human spirit and the philosophy that perseverance often outweighs perfection.

Based in Gurgaon, Haryana, Kalsi continues to contribute significantly to the development of martial arts in India. As a mentor and coach, he trains students in karate, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts, focusing on both physical excellence and mental fortitude.

This victory not only adds to India’s growing presence in international martial arts but also delivers an inspiring message: true success lies in the courage to show up and give one’s best, even in the face of adversity. Please visit https://www.sanshinkan.org/, https://www.instagram.com/yashipali?igsh=ZjB0YmxkdXZyd2ps

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15-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Shines in IPL 2026

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:22:10 +0530

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a young batsman from Rajasthan Royals, stunned the cricket world with a blistering 78 runs off just 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In this innings, he hit 8 fours and 7 sixes, fearlessly playing shots against swing specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Australian star Josh Hazlewood.

Thanks to Vaibhav's aggressive batting and Dhruv Jurel's composed 81 runs, Rajasthan achieved the massive target of 202 runs in just 18 overs. Earlier, in a match against Mumbai Indians, Vaibhav had also showcased his talent by hitting two sixes off the world’s number one bowler Jasprit Bumrah in a single over. After being named 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance, Vaibhav shared the secret to his success.

When asked if he felt scared facing such big bowlers, he humbly stated that he tries to focus on playing the ball rather than the bowler's name. Vaibhav mentioned that he relies on his strength and practice. Although he is aware of who the bowler is, once he reaches the crease, his entire focus is on the direction and speed of the ball, which helps him play fearlessly.

Despite scoring 78 runs, Vaibhav appeared slightly disappointed upon getting out, as he wanted to return only after leading his team to victory. He credited his mature thinking to the guidance of his father and local mentor Romi Sir. Vaibhav noted that his coach always reminds him that the journey is long and he should focus solely on his game and discipline.

This sense of responsibility reflects why he has emerged as one of the most talked-about young players in this season of IPL. Rajasthan's victory has further strengthened their position in the points table.

In a thrilling match, Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets

Loktej English Team — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:17:45 +0530

Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets in the 15th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, thanks to explosive innings from Mukul Chaudhary and Ayush Badoni, both scoring 54 runs. This marks Lucknow Super Giants' second consecutive win in the tournament.

After losing six wickets for 125 runs, Mukul Chaudhary emerged as the savior for Lucknow, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs off 27 balls, including two fours and seven sixes, leading his team to a total of 182 runs for seven wickets. In pursuit of 182 runs, Lucknow Super Giants' opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram added 41 runs for the first wicket. In the fifth over, Vaibhav Arora took two wickets, dismissing Aiden Markram for 22 runs off 15 balls and Mitchell Marsh for 15 runs.

Captain Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni then attempted to stabilize the innings. In the ninth over, Kamran Green dismissed Rishabh Pant for 10 runs. Nicholas Pooran and Abdul Samad were also dismissed for 13 and 2 runs, respectively.

In the 15th over, Anukul Roy dealt a significant blow to Lucknow by dismissing Ayush Badoni, who scored 54 runs off 34 balls with seven fours and two sixes. In the next over, Sunil Narine took the wicket of Mohammad Shami. Mukul then showcased aggressive batting, hitting a flurry of sixes, and secured the victory for his team with a single off the last ball.

For KKR, Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy took two wickets each, while Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, and Kamran Green claimed one wicket each. Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders set a challenging score of 181 runs for four wickets, thanks to impressive performances from Angkrish Raghuwanshi (45), captain Ajinkya Rahane (41), Rovman Powell (unbeaten 39), and Cameron Green (unbeaten 32). Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first.

KKR lost their first wicket at a score of 15 runs when Finn Allen was dismissed for 9 runs by Prince Yadav. Angkrish Raghuwanshi then partnered with Ajinkya Rahane to add 84 runs for the second wicket. Dighvish Rathi broke this partnership by dismissing Ajinkya Rahane in the 11th over, who scored 41 runs off 24 balls with four fours and two sixes.

In the next over, M Siddharth dismissed Angkrish Raghuwanshi, who scored 45 runs off 33 balls with five fours and two sixes. Rinku Singh was bowled out for four runs by Avesh Khan. A partnership of 70 runs for the fifth wicket between Rovman Powell and Cameron Green took KKR's score to 181 runs for four wickets.

Powell scored an unbeaten 39 runs off 24 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Cameron Green scored an unbeaten 32 runs off 24 balls with three fours and one six. For Lucknow Super Giants, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, Dighvish Rathi, and Avesh Khan took one wicket each.

Surat: Grand Celebration of 'Respect Rights Festival' for the Kinnar Community at Nanduba English Academy

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:12:55 +0530

The 'Respect Rights Festival' dedicated to honoring the Kinnar community was organized for the first time at Nanduba English Academy in the Althan area of the city. Over 200 women from the Kinnar community were honored during this special event, which was further enhanced by cultural programs such as a fashion show and Garba.

Chhotu Patil and Sandhya Gehlot attended as chief guests, adding to the event's dignity. Principal Dr. Monica Sharma stated that all communities in India are equal and every section deserves respect.

She mentioned that the purpose of this event is to teach children respect and sensitivity towards every section of society. On this occasion, more than 200 members of the well-known transgender community in Surat, including Nuri Kumari, were present.

They expressed gratitude to the CB Patel Group, Pankajbhai Gijubhai Patel, and Nanduba English Academy for organizing such an inclusive and inspiring event. This event proved to be an important initiative in promoting respect and rights for the Kinnar community while conveying a message of social harmony and equality.

Vadodara: Mayuri Gamit Wins Bronze at Khelo India Tribal Games, Elevates Gujarat's Prestige

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:07:29 +0530

Mayuri Gamit, a talented athlete from the Golden Gujarat Sports University in Vadodara, made history by winning a bronze medal at the country's first 'Khelo India Tribal Games'. This achievement has not only brought pride to the university but also to the entire state of Gujarat.

The national-level competition, organized by the Sports Authority of India in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, featured athletics events. In the long jump competition, Mayuri Gamit secured third place in the country with an impressive jump of 5.42 meters, earning the bronze medal. The Director of Physical Education and Sports at Golden Gujarat Sports University, Professor Dr.

Ranchhod Rathvi, described this as a historic achievement for Gujarat, stating that winning a medal in athletics at a national platform like the 'Khelo India Tribal Games' is a moment of pride for the state. He particularly highlighted this success in the women's category as inspirational. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Dr.

Manish Rawal, Professor Ranchhod Rathvi, and the entire university family congratulated Mayuri Gamit for her outstanding performance. The guidance of her coach, Pinkalbhai Ahir, Assistant Professor Nisha Naikodi, and Haresh Bhavani was crucial to Mayuri's success. The university administration expressed that this serves as a source of inspiration for the state's emerging athletes and wished Mayuri a bright future.

Surat: Municipal Corporation to develop modern sports and cultural hub in Jahangirpura and Vesu

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:06:39 +0530

Surat. The Surat Municipal Corporation has planned to launch two major and state-of-the-art projects to promote sports and cultural activities in the city.

Under these projects, complexes equipped with modern facilities will be developed in the Jahangirpura and Vesu areas. Recently, Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan provided a detailed presentation on these projects, sharing information about their design, facilities, and operations.

In the Jahangirpura area, a modern sports complex and swimming pool will be built on a plot of approximately 17,000 square meters. This complex will feature indoor sports such as gym, badminton, and table tennis, as well as outdoor facilities like pickleball, volleyball, and box cricket. Additionally, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a learner pool, a restaurant, and a sports utility shop will also be developed.

A cafeteria and modern equipment will be arranged for the convenience of athletes. Meanwhile, in the Vesu area, the state's first integrated sports and arts facility project named 'Synergy Arena' will be developed on an area of approximately 25,000 square meters near the Martyrs' Memorial. This complex will include an auditorium with a capacity of 1200 to 1500 people and a convention hall with a capacity of 1200 people, which can be used for cultural programs, exhibitions, seminars, and social events.

It will also include 15 to 20 hotel-like rooms, banquet halls, and a separate sports complex. The operation and maintenance of these two projects are planned to be managed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which will reduce the management burden on the municipal corporation and provide better services to citizens. Commissioner M.

Nagarajan suggested necessary improvements to make the projects more beneficial for the public and directed to expedite the work according to the budget provisions for the financial year 2026-27. Upon completion of these projects, citizens of Surat will have access to modern sports facilities and a world-class platform for cultural activities in one place, which is expected to give a new direction to the overall development of the city.

BCCI Implements New Strict Rule During IPL, Limits Player Movement on Boundary Line

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:43:02 +0530

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant decision to strengthen discipline during IPL 2026 matches. According to the new rule, all additional players sitting on the bench will no longer be allowed to move freely around the field during the game.

The board clarified that only those players who are included in the official team sheet as 'designated 16 players' by the team management will be allowed to enter the field to bring drinks, bats, or messages. Players not on this list are completely prohibited from entering the field. Under the new guidelines, the number of players allowed to remain between the boundary rope and LED advertising boards has also been limited.

At any time, no more than five players wearing bibs can be near the boundary. These five players can be deployed to bring drinks or retrieve balls that have gone over the boundary, while the remaining players must remain confined to the dugout. The BCCI has issued these directives to enforce clauses 11.5.2 and 24.1.4 of the Match Playing Conditions (MPC) more strictly.

It is believed that the BCCI has taken this step to ensure the smooth conduct of matches and to prevent unnecessary activities. This rule has been implemented with immediate effect after the completion of 13 matches in IPL 2026, and its impact will be seen in the upcoming match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans.

Although the official reason is not yet clear, this decision may affect teams' on-field communication and strategy. The board's main objective is to maintain order on the field during the game and to prevent wastage of time.

Rajasthan Royals' Dominance in IPL 2026 Standings

Loktej English Team — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:13:31 +0530

In the 13th thrilling match of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 27 runs to claim the top spot in the standings. The match, held at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, was played for 11 overs each due to rain interruptions.

Rajasthan batted first and set a massive score of 150 runs, thanks to explosive innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal and young sensation Vaibhav Suryaanshi. In response, Mumbai Indians managed only 123 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. With this victory, Rajasthan Royals completed a hat-trick of wins this season, while Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, faced their second consecutive defeat.

Following this significant win, Rajasthan Royals topped the points table with 3 wins and 6 points from 3 matches. Punjab Kings remained in second place with 5 points from 3 matches, while Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals occupied the third and fourth positions, respectively. Mumbai Indians, with only one win and two losses from 3 matches, slipped to seventh place.

The competition for net run rate among teams has intensified early in the tournament, with Rajasthan securing a strong position. Some surprising names are found at the bottom of the points table, with Kolkata Knight Riders in eighth place with one point, and last season's runners-up Gujarat Titans struggling in ninth place after losing both their initial matches.

The worst situation is for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who remain at the bottom in tenth place after losing all three of their opening matches. As IPL 2026 progresses, the race for the playoffs is becoming more interesting, with Rajasthan's consistency ringing alarm bells for the other teams.