Indian sports wrap, June 15: Chennai Bulls, Hyderabad Heroes register wins on Rugby Premier League opening day – Sportstar

Subscribers Only Have you subscribed yet?
Buy Print
Published : Jun 15, 2025 14:32 IST , CHENNAI – 5 MINS READ
Comments
Follow Us
SHARE
READ LATER
Abhishek Bachchan, Sports Ambassador, GBS Raju, Business Chairman, Airports, GMR Group and Rahul Bose, President, Rugby India, during the league’s inauguration. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Bengaluru Bravehearts and Delhi Redz share points; Chennai Bulls, Hyderabad Heroes register wins
It was a red-letter day in the sport of Rugby as the inaugural season of the GMR RPL kicked off in grand style on Sunday evening at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex). All six franchises were in action on the opening day.
On Day 1, the Bengaluru Bravehearts and Delhi Redz played out a nail-biter that ended in a tie, whilst the Chennai Bulls and Hyderabad Heroes bagged comprehensive wins. 
After four quarters of intense rugby, with both sides going for the kill, the Bengaluru Bravehearts and the Delhi Redz shared the spoils, as the scores read 21-21. Match two of the opening day saw the Chennai Bulls win at a canter against the Mumbai Dreamers, with the score reading 24-5. In the final game of the day, the Hyderabad Heroes put on a fine display – showing great co-ordination within themselves, as they swatted aside the Kalinga Black Tigers, with the score at 24-14.
– Team Sportstar
Aurionpro Grandmaster Chess to begin in Mumbai from June 16
Over 400 players from 17 countries are expected to compete in the Rs 40 lakh Aurionpro International Grandmaster Chess tournament and junior international event, to be held simultaneously from June 16 to 24, at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai.
In the Grandmaster section, the top billing has been given to GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia. GM Petrosyan Manuel from Armenia is the second seed while GM Luka Paichadze, also from Georgia, is the third seed.
Aurionpro Grandmaster Chess to begin in Mumbai from June 16. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
The 12-year-old FIDE Master Aansh Nerurkar leads the Indian charge in the junior section, with strong challenge expected from Madhesh Kumar of Pondicherry and Maharashtra’s Avirat Chauhan.
The star attraction, however, is 12-year-old woman International Master Oshini Gunawardhana from Sri Lanka, whose presence adds international flair and excitement to the field.
– PTI
Talwar on tied-60th despite making the cut at Golf Challenge
Saptak Talwar made the cut at the Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge but he continued to struggle after the third round.
With a 3-over 74 his total for the tournament is now three over par and is placed at T-60.
Talwar would be hoping to put together a strong final day to improve his standing for the event.
Having begun his round on the front nine he dropped three shots on the second hole and then spent the rest of the round trying to gain the shots back.
He made birdies on the fifth and seventh holes but dropped a shot on the eighth.
On the back nine Talwar dropped shots on the 10th and 17th holes with a birdie on the 18th to close the round.
– PTI
Avani falters in final round, finishes at career-best T-5 in Belgium
Rising India star Avani Prashanth, who started with a one-shot lead, faltered in the fourth and final round, finishing tied fifth place at the Hulencourt Women’s Open here.
She shot 3-over 75 and finished with a card of 7-under 281, in what was her best finish of the season.
Another rookie, Darcey Harry of Wales, celebrated her 22nd birthday, which fell this week, by recovering from an early bogey for a round of 68 and a total of 13-under for the week to register her first career win.
The tied fifth place was the best finish for Avani as a professional and equalled her best of a similar T-5 in the 2023 Hero Women’s Indian Open, when she was still an amateur. Avani also has four top-20 finishes this season.
Diksha Dagar (72) was T-23 at 1-under, while Tvesa Malik (76) was T-48. Diksha had two birdies and two bogeys.
– PTI
U17 world champion Mansi Lather wins trial for junior Asian Championship
Cadet world champion Mansi Lather on Sunday booked her ticket to the U20 Asian Championship to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from July 5-13, after winning the trials in the women’s 68kg category here.
Mansi, who also won a bronze at the senior Asian Championship in March this year, prevailed over Delhi’s Srishti in the final.
Also making the Indian squad in the 57kg weight class was Muksan, who last month won a gold in the UWW Ranking Series Mongolia Open in 59kg. She beat Maharashtra’s Ashlesha Kalyan in the final.
Other women wrestlers who have qualified for the Championships were Shruti (50kg), Saarika (53kg), Reena (55kg), Nehar Sharma (57kg), Anjli (62kg), Harshita (72kg) and Kajal (76kg).
– PTI
Ankita Raina wins doubles title in Portugal alongside Alice Robbe
Doubles Champions Alice Robbe and Ankita Raina in the ITF women’s tennis tournament in Portugal. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Fourth seeds, Ankita Raina and Alice Robbe beat the third seeds Hiromi Abe and Kanako Morisaki of Japan 1-6, 6-4, [10-8] in the doubles final of the $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Guimaraes, Portugal.
It was the third doubles title of the season and the 32nd of her career for the 32-year-old Ankita. She has also won 11 singles titles in the professional circuit. It was the eighth career doubles title for the 25-year-old Alice of France.
Chithresh elected President of KBSA
E.P. Chithresh Nair is the new president of the Kerala Badminton (Shuttle) Association. The elections and general body meeting were held here on Sunday.
Mohammed Tariq is the new secretary. Two players have been included in the executive committee to ensure players’ concerns are addressed more effectively.
The KBSA plans to set up three zonal academies in the State to train young talent and also to provide advanced training for established players. The association also plans to organise one international tournament every year to offer more exposure to Kerala players.
“Our vision is to make Kerala a powerhouse in badminton by creating a robust ecosystem for players at all levels. The zonal academies, international tournaments and player-centric policies will revolutionise the sport in the state,” said Chithresh.
– Stan Rayan
Comments
BACK TO TOP
Terms & conditions  |  Institutional Subscriber
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment

source