ESPN India's daily live blog is your handy guide for everything to do with the wide world of Indian sport. We have the latest updates and analysis from the entire bouquet of Olympic and franchise sports with an Indian bent. The blog is updated throughout the day, so keep checking back to catch up on news you may have missed.
Here are all the key updates from December 21, Thursday:
Gukesh wins Chennai Masters, strengthens chance of qualifying for FIDE Candidates
D Gukesh's rise in the world of Chess continues apace, as the 17-year-old won the Chennai Masters event with a score of 4.5/7. Fellow Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi finished second. Gukesh's victory means he replaced Anish Giri at the top of the FIDE Circuit standings, and barring any dramatic results from the World Rapid & Blitz, he should qualify for the FIDE Candidates, joining R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi in Chess' premier tournament.
Hockey: India (W) defeat Ireland 2-1
The Indian Women's Hockey Team wrapped up their 5 Nations Tournament campaign with a 2-1 win against Ireland. Deepika (4') and Sangita Kumari (22') were on target for India, while Captain Kathryn Mullan (12') scored the only goal for Ireland.
India started the game on the front foot, with Deepika slotting the ball into the back of the net to give India the lead early in the first quarter. But Ireland were not fazed by the early Indian onslaught; they picked themselves up and went on to equalize through their Captain Kathryn Mullan shortly after. In the second quarter, Ireland looked to claim the lead, earning two penalty corners in quick succession but the Indians remained resolute in their defence.
Janneke Schopman's side went on to earn a penalty corner of their own and Sangita Kumari stepped up to score and put her team in the lead again before the halftime break. The third quarter saw both teams earn a penalty corner each but they both failed to capitalise on them and the scoreline remained 2-1 in India's favour heading into the fourth quarter. Ireland pushed for an equaliser in the last quarter, pegging India back into their half and earning three penalty corners. However, the Indian defence rose to the occasion, saving all attempts and ensuring that they walked away as the winners.
ISL: Jamshedpur FC hammer Hyderabad 5-0 in clash between struggling sides
Daniel Chima Chukwu scored the first hat-trick of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season, and became only the second-ever by a Jamshedpur FC players as the visitors laid waste to Hyderabad FC at the Gachibowli, running out 5-0 winners.
Chukwu opened the scoring in the second minute itself, heading the ball into the bottom corner after Imran Khan floated the ball into the box from the left. The veteran Nigerian striker then scored one of the goals of the season in the 20th minute, controlling Jeremy Manzorro's chipped ball to him on the edge of the box with his chest, before acrobatically sending it into the net with a bicycle kick.
The game quickly went out of Hyderabad's reach midway in the second half as a goal from Seiminlen Doungel (70') and an own goal from Jonathan Moya (74') made it a four goal advantage for the visitors. Chukwu then duly completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute as Jamshedpur ensured another night of misery for their embattled hosts.
The result moved Jamshedpur into tenth place as they went above Punjab FC, while Hyderabad remain rock-bottom with just 4 points from eleven games.
Sakshi Malik announces retirement; Vinesh, Bajrang express disappointment
The outcome of the wrestling election saw Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik quit the sport in protest, with Vinesh Phogat also fearing that the 'exploitation would continue' under the new regime. Bajrang Punia also hinted at retirement, while maintaining faith in the judiciary of the country. Detailed quotes from the protesting wrestlers press conference can be found here.
As for the fallout from this election, what could have been winds of change for wrestling in India have turned into more of the same as the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh empire struck back.
Sanjay Singh, close aide of Brij Bhushan, elected as new WFI President
The much-delayed Wrestling Federation of India elections were finally held today and Sanjay Singh, a known close aide of outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, won comfortably.
His panel won most of the posts as Sanjay, who is UP Wrestling Association Vice President, secured 40 votes as against seven that his rival Anita Sheoran got. Her panel managed to win the post of secretary general as Prem Chand Lochab beat Darshan Lal.
Devender Singh Kadian, who is considered to be close to protesting wrestlers, claimed the senior vice president's post, beating I D Nanavati 32-15. The Brij Bhushan camp swept all the four posts of Vice Presidents with Delhi's Jai Prakash (37), West Bengal's Asit Kumar Saha (42), Punjab's Kartar Singh (44) and Manipur's N Phoni (38) winning the elections.
Outgoing chief Brij Bhushan came under the scanner after India's top wrestlers went on a sit-down protest in January, accusing him of sexual harassment and financial mismanagement.
Here's more about Sanjay Singh and what his election means for Indian wrestling:
Who is Sanjay Singh, new Wrestling Federation of India chief?
Final list of candidates:
President: Sanjay Kumar Singh
Senior vice-president: Devender Kartiyan
Vice-president: Jai Prakash, Kartar Singh, Asit Kumar Saha, Phoni
Secretary General - Prem Chand Lochab
Treasurer: Satya Pal Singh Deshwal
Joint secretary: Shetty, RK Purushotham,
Executive members: Neivikuolie Khatsii, Prashant Rai, Rajnish Kumar, Ummed Singh.
Cricket: India (W) dominate opening day against Australia in one-off Test
Pooja Vastrakar grabbed four wickets while Sneh Rana bagged three as India skittled Australia out for 219 on Day 1 of their one-off Test at the Wankhede, Mumbai. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma's 90-run opening stand put India in control before the latter fell as the hosts finished the day on 98/1. Here's Ashish Pant with a detailed report of the day's action.
What happened yesterday?
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were confirmed as the recipients of this year's Khel Ratna award.
The ISL record for most red cards in a single match was shattered as seven red cards were handed out in Mumbai City FC's 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
In PKL, Puneri Paltan and Jaipur Pink Panthers registered big wins over Bengaluru Bulls and U.P. Yoddhas respectively.
You can check all the details of yesterday's news events here.