MUMBAI: Shane Watson fought through the pain barrier to smash an unbeaten 117 as Chennai Super Kings thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad to win their third Indian Premier League title in a spectacular return from a two-year corruption ban.
The 36-year-old Australian, struggling with a hamstring injury, hit eight sixes and 11 fours in a stunning 57-ball innings as Chennai took just 18.3 overs to overcome Hyderabad’s 178-6 off 20 overs.
Chennai finished on 181-2 to crush their opponents by eight wickets. They have now equalled the Mumbai Indians in winning the world’s wealthiest cricket tournament for the third time since it started in 2008.
Ambati Rayudu who hit a four to complete victory was also unbeaten on 16 in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, which was packed with more than 33,000 fans.
He led tributes to Watson.
“His experience saw us through. He is a world class player and when he is there anything can happen,” Rayudu said.
Hyderabad coach Tom Moody added Watson had produced “something special.”
But the Australian hero said he had been happy to get through the night because of his injury and after failing to score a run in the first 10 balls of his innings.
“I knew I had to start getting runs quickly after those 10 balls,” he said.
“We had to get the rate back up to a run a ball. But once the ball stopped swinging, it became easier.”
Watson has had longstanding hamstring problems which has worsened as the gruelling IPL season reached the finale.
“Throughout the back end of the tournament I was hanging on for dear life,” he said, praising coach Stephen Fleming and captain M.S. Dhoni for the way he had been protected in games.
Chennai, IPL winners in 2010 and 2011, were banned for two seasons in 2015 along with Rajasthan Royals after team officials were found guilty of involvement in illegal gambling.
Dhoni won the toss and put Hyderabad into bat. Their New Zealand captain Kane Williamson hit a top-score 47 as Sunrisers posted 178-6.
The 27-year-old Williamson, a last minute replacement for scandal-tainted David Warner as captain, has been an impressive leader, amassing 735 runs including eight half centuries in 17 matches.
He was supported by Yusuf Pathan who hit an unbeaten 45 off 25 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Carlos Brathwaite also hit an 11-ball 21 to help Hyderabad add 52 runs in the last five overs.
But after reining in Watson at the start and taking South African opener Faf du Plessis for 10 in the third over, the Hyderabad bowlers were put to the sword.
Watson and Suresh Raina put on a swashbuckling 117-run second-wicket stand with Raina hitting 32.
Afghanistan teen sensation Rashid Khan returned figures of 0-24 for Hyderabad but Watson hit the other bowlers to every corner of the stadium.
The big-hitting Aussie allrounder plundered 27 runs off one over of paceman Sandeep Sharma.
Watson took a single off Khan to bring up his hundred in 51 balls and then acknowledged a standing ovation from the Chennai dugout and the crowd with his team already in sight of their IPL triumph.
Watson was just one of nine members of the Chennai squad to be aged over 30. But triumphant captain Dhoni, who has also won three IPL titles, said agility was more important.
“It is the fitness that really matters more than the age aspect,” said the former India captain, 36.
“What captains want is players who move well in the field. It doesn’t matter which year a player is born in, whether you are 19 or 20 — you have to be agile.”
But Dhoni acknowledged that he could not push his whole team to run like a 20-year-old. “If I push Watson to stop a single, there is a very good chance that he’ll burst his hamstring and won’t be available for the next game.
“So what you tell yourself is that they have to commit and try, but there’s no point getting injured for a single.”
The winners of the final were guaranteed a minimum $4 million in prize money.
Shane Watson ton takes Chennai Super Kings to third IPL title
Shane Watson ton takes Chennai Super Kings to third IPL title
- Australian hits 117 off 57 balls as Chennai chase down 178-6
- 'He is a world class player'
Arsenal stun Barca to win Champions League with late Blackstenius goal
The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen’s “We are the Champions“
LISBON, : Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second Women’s Champions League title and first in 18 years to the delight of their 5,000 traveling fans.
Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute.
The Sweden international latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead’s reverse pass in a crowded area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Renee Slegers’ Gunners, making their second appearance in the final having won Europe’s top club competition in 2007, held on to win against a Barca side going for a third straight Champions League title.
“Amazing,” Arsenal forward Alessia Russo told TNT Sports through tears. “We had to suffer a lot.
“They’re a top side. We knew coming into this game that we’d have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn’t have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come.
“Our squad just wanted it so badly.”
The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen’s “We are the Champions.”
The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team considered on paper to be the best in the world.
Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati called the loss “absolutely devastating.”
“I don’t believe it,” the 2023 and ‘24 women’s Ballon d’Or winner told Catalan TV. “I just want to start the game again and do it differently. Personally, this hurts me a lot.”
Barcelona were playing in their sixth final in seven years and had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday’s reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions.
HUGE UNDERDOGS
Arsenal might have arrived as huge underdogs but had proved in their comeback win over Lyon in the semifinals — they lost 2-1 at home before roaring back with a 4-1 away victory in the second leg — that they were not afraid of that tag.
They almost went ahead in the first half when Frida Maanum sprang free on the right wing and Barca defender Irene Paredes slid to divert her low cross into the net for an apparent own goal. However, a VAR check showed Maanum was offside.
Arsenal’s defense stood strong as Barcelona had 20 attempts to the Gunners’ eight, including two long-range Ona Batlle shots that sailed just over the bar, as well as 12 corners to two.
“We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts because we respect Barcelona, we know how good they are on the ball but we also know how good we are,” Slegers told TNT, through a voice hoarse from celebrating.
“So we knew that momentum was going to shift. Maybe other people were thinking something else, but that’s what we believed. In all the phases that happened in the game, the mentality we showed, the resilience we showed, the effectiveness in all our actions, our belief, it was incredible.”
Blackstenius almost struck a couple of minutes before her goal but Coll stuck out a leg to stop her shot from 12 meters.
Leah Williamson, who was outstanding in defense, was a mascot at Arsenal’s 2007 victory over Sweden’s Umea.
“A lot of this team have been together for a long time and to be able to do it on the biggest day, some people had the game of their lives,” she said. “I’m so happy. I’m trying not to swear or cry.”
Mbappe double as Real Madrid wave goodbye to Ancelotti, Modric
- “It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach this club, this team,” Ancelotti told fans
- Modric will play at the Club World Cup for Madrid but this was his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu
MADRID: Kylian Mbappe virtually wrapped up the European Golden Shoe award with a brace as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on Saturday, on an emotional home farewell to Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric.
The Italian is leaving to coach the Brazilian national team, drawing a curtain on his second spell at the club where he won a 15 trophies during a total of six years in charge.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach this club, this team,” Ancelotti told fans at the end of game. “I want to thank, first of all, my dear president Florentino (Perez). It has been fantastic to coach this group of footballers of extraordinary quality. It has been fantastic to share all these moments with you.”
“I also can’t forget every day I’ve spent here,” he added. “I love you very much.”
Madrid fans displayed banners showing their affection for Ancelotti and Modric and sang both names.
Modric will play at the Club World Cup for Madrid but this was his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu. He was given a guard of honor when he replaced late on.
The Croatian midfielder also returned to the pitch to address fans after the game.
“The moment I never wanted to come has arrived,” he said. “It has been a long journey, but a wonderful one.”
“I have won many trophies, but the biggest one is the love and affection you have given me over all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you’ve given me over the years. I want to say a phrase that I like a lot: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’.”
He then set out with his family on a lap of honor to end an emotional afternoon for Los Blancos.
It was a profitable one for Mbappe, who scored twice to take the lead in the Golden Shoe standings from Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah could yet claim the prize, if he scores four goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the final round of Premier League matches.
Mbappe was denied early on by Unai Marrero and then fired another decent opportunity over.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a good save from Sergio Gomez, who should have scored as he ran clean through but his effort was tame.
Pablo Marin handled as Arda Guler tried to flick the ball past him and Madrid were awarded a penalty after a VAR review.
Mbappe’s poor penalty was saved by Marrero but the French superstar turned home the rebound for his 30th league goal.
Ancelotti brought on Vinicius Junior after an injury to Brahim Diaz, who picked up a knock as Madrid looked to sign off a disappointing season, without winning a major trophy, in style ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.
Madrid wide man Lucas Vazquez, out of contract this summer after spending his whole career at the club, bar one season on loan at Espanyol, was given an ovation as he was substituted.
Mbappe netted his second after Vinicius teed him up to move six goals clear of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the battle to be La Liga top scorer.
Many at the Bernabeu were in tears when Modric departed late on, embraced by former Madrid midfield partner Toni Kroos on the touchline.
Madrid finish the season second in La Liga, behind champions Barcelona, who also beat them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals. The champions face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in their last La Liga game.
Aberdeen end 35-year wait for Scottish Cup by upsetting Celtic in shootout
- Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov starred by saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory
- The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss
GLASGOW: Aberdeen denied Celtic a treble and secured their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years after an extra-time final at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov starred by saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw.
Mitov saved the first spot kick from Callum McGregor and denied Alistair Johnston while Aberdeen’s players produced a perfect set of penalties.
Celtic goalie Kasper Schmeichel’s 83rd-minute blunder canceled an earlier own goal from Alfie Dorrington. Dorrington’s unfortunate own goal gave Celtic the lead six minutes before the end of a scrappy first half but Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with a cross and gave Aberdeen life in the game.
Celtic hit the woodwork twice but could not find a winner and McGregor was in tears after the shootout prevented Celtic from clinching a sixth treble in nine seasons.
Aberdeen’s fourth Scottish Cup final win over Celtic emulated the 1990 side which beat the Hoops in an epic shootout.
The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss was a major success despite recent disappointments. The Dons matched Celtic in the first 11 games of the league but their form collapsed in spectacular fashion and they ultimately finished fifth after losing their final five matches.
They also conceded 19 goals in five meetings with Celtic and Thelin, who did not have Jamie McGrath or Jeppe Okkers in his squad, lined up with five at the back in a bid to keep things tight.
Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole
- 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc
MONACO: Lando Norris shrugged off his gremlins and revived his world championship bid on Saturday when he became the fastest driver in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix to claim pole position for Sunday’s classic race.
Driving with impeccable judgment, pace and purpose, the 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc of Ferrari by 0.109.
It was the first time any driver had lapped the sinuous barrier-lined Mediterranean street circuit in less than 70 seconds and came only seconds after Leclerc had appeared to have secured his fourth Monaco pole position.
For Norris it was his first Monaco pole, his second this year and the 11th of his career — and a critical advantage for the slowest and shortest circuit of the season where only 10 drivers have won from lower than third on the grid since 1950.
While a disappointed Leclerc lamented traffic that hampered his first flying run, affecting his overall rhythm, Norris was buoyant after ending a dismal run in qualifying and falling 13 points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ title race.
“The team has done a fantastic job so thank you to everyone here and back at the factory,” he said. “These days don’t come easy and I am proud to give something back to them.
“It’s been a long time coming. I feel good and I don’t think you realize how good this feels with quite a few struggles over the last couple of months, especially here in Monaco. It’s a beautiful place and the hardest track probably to do it.
“Up against the home-town hero (Leclerc), I’m very proud of the whole team so I am pleased after all the hard work in the last few months.”
Norris’s McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri was third ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and remarkable rookie Isack Hadjar of RB.
Norris agreed that his mentality had been a key part of his success after admitting to self-doubts in recent weeks.
“Honestly, that’s the tricky part and to consistently find a lap time because you know it’s what the others are going to be doing and improving more and more.
“You’ve got to take a similar amount of risks, but when you get to Q3, the final lap is just about who can risk a little bit more and commit a little bit more.
“It was a nice and well put together lap and it feels very good when you cross the line and you know it’s all paid off.”
He said he had not considered the mandatory two pit-stops strategy required on Sunday.
“Honestly, at the minute, I have no idea. I’m going to enjoy today and I’ve worked hard for today. I’m happy with qualifying and I’m going to live the moment a little bit and then I will focus on tomorrow.”
Team-mate Piastri, who leads him by 13 points after seven of this year’s 24 races, admitted he had endured a messy two days of practice and qualifying.
“I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career so it’s been untidy. I’ve been struggling to get into the groove a little bit and I think in qualifying I was much happier with things and I felt pretty good.
“We’ve been doing some digging this weekend and to come out with this result is a decent effort.”
He added: “We’re in good positions, but it’s still going to be an exciting race tomorrow with the two-stop so let’s see what happens.”
Last year’s winner and local hero Leclerc said: “I’m just frustrated. We know we don’t have the car for wins this year.”
Djokovic becomes third man to win 100 ATP titles with Geneva victory
- The 38-year-old recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) win
- “I had to work for it, that’s for sure,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years
GENEVA: Novak Djokovic became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open on Saturday.
The 38-year-old, playing in Switzerland in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) win after three hours and five minutes on court.
Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only players with a century of tour titles.
“I had to work for it, that’s for sure. He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years.
“I was just trying to hang in there... this is what happens at this level. A few points decide it, an incredible match... and I’m delighted to clinch the 100 here.”
It was the former world number one’s first tournament triumph since clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.
Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters respectively.
But he decided to play at the low-key clay-court event in a bid to find form ahead of the start of the year’s second Grand Slam event on Sunday at Roland Garros, where the Serb will be targeting a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy.
It was Djokovic’s first tournament since splitting from coach and old rival Andy Murray, but he showed no ill-effects.
Poland’s former world number six Hurkacz, now ranked 31st, is still waiting for his first title since April 2024.
“It’s really inspiring how you conduct yourself on and off the court,” Hurkacz said to Djokovic.
The three-time Roland Garros champion starts his French Open campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald on either Monday or Tuesday.
After a tight start, Djokovic saw two break points come and go in the fifth game as Hurkacz battled to keep the first set on serve.
The opener appeared to be meandering toward a tie-break until Djokovic cracked in game 12, following a loose forehand at deuce with a double-fault on set point to give Hurkacz a one-set advantage.
Hurkacz dug deep to secure a hard-fought hold to kick off the second set, staving off another break point.
The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, but this time Djokovic was able to hold at 6-5 down to force a tie-break with an ace.
The Serb found his groove in the breaker, reeling off four straight points to send the match into a deciding set.
But Djokovic immediately gave up his serve in the first game of the third set, serving a double-fault when 40-30 up and then blasting a backhand long on break point.
Hurkacz then reeled off three successive holds to love to edge toward the title, only to crumble in the eighth game of the decider with two unforced errors and a double-fault to gift Djokovic a way back into the final.
The Pole gathered himself to secure a deciding tie-break in a tense 12th game.
But he crumbled at the crucial moments with back-to-back errors from 3-2 behind in the breaker, leaving Djokovic to reach yet another milestone in his illustrious career with an ace.
