Sports World Highlights: Madrid Open 2024 - Iga Swiatek Marches Into Semis

Sports Updates Highlights, April 30. In cricket, it was the 48th match of the Indian Premier League 2024, with Mumbai Indians (MI) losing to Lucknow Super Giants by four wickets. Additionally, the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup has been finalised in a meeting held in Ahmedabad, which involved BCCI secretary Jay Shah and national selectors led by Ajit Agarkar. Rohit Sharma will be leading the side and Virat Kohli has also made the cut. Squads of England, South Africa and Afghanistan were also revealed. Simultaneously, in the Madrid Open 2024 tennis tournament among other matches Iga Swiatek marched into semis. Check highlights for April 30, 2024 major sporting events right here!

Robert Lewandowski scores a hat-trick in the second half to power Barcelona to a 4-2 home win over Valencia in the La Liga. Despite the win, Barca remain second in the Spanish league, 11 points behind Real Madrid with five games to go.

Having confirmed their passage to the English Premier League next season, Leicester City lift the EFL Championship title in style, beat Preston North End 3-0 away. Jamie Vardy nets a brace for the Foxes.

Lucknow Super Giants are welcoming Mumbai Indians tonight in Indian Premier League 2024. Before the match begins, check out three key player battles in our report here.

Though the Indian women's badminton team has already secured its passage to the Uber Cup quarter-finals, it is playing its third and final group tie against China, which will decide the last-eight line-up. India currently trail China 0-2 and Anmol Kharb is on court for the second match, against Han Yue.

The talented young shuttler Anmol Kharb has unfortunately injured her ankle while in action, and retires from the match against Han Yue in tears. India now trail China 0-3 in the Uber Cup tie.

Uzbekistan and Japan have qualified for men's Olympic football at Paris 2024 by reaching the Under-23 Asian Cup final. The Uzbeks beat Indonesia 2-0 in the semi-finals to finally make the Olympic cut after many near-misses. Japan, meanwhile, secured an eighth successive Olympic appearance with a 2-0 win over Iraq.

The doubles pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker loses 9-21, 10-21 to China's Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning to stretch the badminton powerhouses' lead to 4-0. India have already lost the Uber Cup tie, but the fifth match is an important one from the future perspective, as the 15-year-old Tanvi Sharma is on court against China's Wang Zhi Yi.

Reports have suggested that Rishabh Pant could be a front-runner for the vice-captaincy role, alongside or perhaps even ahead of Hardik Pandya. With Rohit Sharma as captain, it would be interesting to see whether Mumbai Indians skipper Pandya is chosen as the deputy of Rohit, who he replaced to become MI leader.

Another bone of contention is Virat Kohli's inclusion in the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. The superstar batter has been criticized by many for his strike-rate in the 20-over format, but experts and former cricketers like Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag back him to play at number 3 and lend solidity to the top order. It remains to be seen what the selection committee thinks. We will find out soon enough.

India have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal, when it comes to the wicketkeeper's slot. In addition to Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma and KL Rahul are also in the fray, and the selectors will have a hard time picking two (one playing, one reserve) of them.

The role of Indian Premier League in influencing selectors' decisions is another major talking point. If not for IPL, Rishabh Pant might not have been in the reckoning for the wicket-keeper's role at the ICC T20 World Cup. Will the selectors similarly take a call on Hardik Pandya, considering his underwhelming performance in the ongoing IPL season?

India have hosted the T20 World Cup only once, in the year 2016, when West Indies won the title. This year, it is being hosted by USA and West Indies jointly in June.

Meanwhile, in the Indian Premier League, former Australia captain Michael Clarke reckons the Mumbai Indians camp is divided into groups, hindering players from functioning cohesively.

"Yeah, I don't know (they will make it to the playoffs). I think it's wishful thinking for Mumbai this entire IPL," Clarke said on Star Sports.

"I think there's a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside and you can't have that many good players and perform this inconsistently," he added.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah and chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar have arrived in Ahmedabad for the much-awaited meeting to discuss the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. Stay tuned for the latest from the meeting.

South Africa have announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. Aiden Markram has been named as the skipper and he will lead the team for the first time in an ICC event.

South Africa squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.

Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.

Defending champions England have also announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Jofra Archer features in England’s squad, which means he will make his comeback to international cricket after an year-long absence.

England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood

Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has selected his squad for the ICC T20 World Cup on his Youtube channel. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal were his choices for openers and Virat Kohli an option for both opening and number 3 spot. Suryakumar Yadav was his next pick followed by Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh. He has also named embattled Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, saying that Hardik is the only batter who provides an option as a fast bowler as well.

As per the BCCI, Captain Rohit Sharma, and Chairman of Selection Committee, Mr Ajit Agarkar will address a press conference on May 2nd at 4 pm at BCCI HQ in Mumbai.

Read more about Chahal's return to the squad here:

These 5 stars won't be at the T20 World Cup 2024 starting in June. Who are they? Read more here:

RR captain Sanju Samson is included in the Indian squad for the T20 WC. Read more about his inclusion, right here:

A brilliant IPL 2024 with the Chennai Super Kings, has earned Shivam Dube a spot in the T20 WC Squad for Team India. Read more about it here:

Rinku Singh's absence has not gone down well with some of the netizens. Read more about it here:

Kolkata Knight Riders seamer Harshit Rana was on Tuesday fined 100 per cent of his match fees and suspended for one match for breaching IPL Code of Conduct during their seven-wicket win over Delhi Capitals.

Rana, who was fined 60 percent of his match fees for giving a flying-kiss send off to Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Mayank Agarwal in an earlier match, almost repeated the same offence when he knocked over Abhishek Porel in their game against Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

Shivam Dube's enhanced game understanding and completeness have impressed Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming who is confident in the left-handed all-rounder's ability to make an "impact" in the upcoming World Cup.

The 30-year-old, who is the second leading run-scorer for the defending champions in the ongoing IPL, made the cut to the 15-member Indian squad for the T20 global showpiece in the USA and West Indies beginning on June 1.

"He is a lot more complete in terms of what he is trying to do, understanding his game, and that comes from experience," Fleming said ahead of their match against Punjab Kings.

"We have worked hard on areas he wasn't so strong, but also continuing to develop his strength. So, if that form continues, he is going to be an impactful player for India (at the World Cup)." (PTI)

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels there is no reason to get overly worried about Hardik Pandya's bowling form going into the T20 World Cup, saying the all-rounder will be a "different player" in national colours.

Pandya was retained as vice-captain of the 15-member squad announced by the BCCI on Tuesday despite his ordinary form for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL.

"There's a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player," said Gavaskar on Sports Today. (PTI)

We will be taking your leave now. That's all we have for today. Join us tomorrow. Bye Bye!