Rohit Sharma struck a scintillating 83 off 55 balls under pressure to propel India to a challenging 166 for six against Bangladesh in the opening encounter of the Asia Cup Twenty20 cricket tournament here today.
     His team sent into bat, Rohit built his innings to perfection amidst a top-order collapse, hitting seven fours and three sixes as the 25,000 strong partisan Bangladeshi fans were stunned into silence.
     He was complemented well by young Hardik Pandya, who smashed a quickfire 18-ball 31, including a huge six off home team's 'wonder boy' Mustafizur Rahaman, and four boundaries at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
     The Rohit-Pandya stand yielded 61 runs for the fifth wicket in only 4.3overs. Their 50 run stand came off just 17 balls.
     While India got into trouble at 52 for three after first 10 overs, the next half saw them score a whopping 114 runs, primarily due to Rohit, who enthralled one and all with his dazzling stroke play.
     When he was finally out to ..

Rohit's 83 takes India to 166/6 against Bangladesh

PTI Automatic

Sent into bat, India scored 166 for six in the opening match of the Asia Cup cricket against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here today.
     Brief scores:
     India: 166/6 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 83, Hardik Pandya 31; Al-Amin Hossain 3/37).

India score 166/6 in Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh

Crimson Princess, ridden by P.S Chouhan, won the Chettinad stud and Agricultural Farm South India St. Leger (Grade II) the prime event of the races here today.
	The winner, trained by B Suresh, is a property of Dr M A M Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust.
	Four favourites obliged in a card of eight events.

Crimson Princess gallops to victory

Following are the acceptances for
the 24th day races to be held here on Saturday, Feb 27.
     1st race: Mudabidri Plate 1100m. 2.15p.M.
     Mr Big Shot 62.5 Splendid Brave 62.5 New Malletg 61.5 Sixth Sense 60 Princes Of Glory 59.5 Saffron Intnse 58.5 Vito 58.5 Miss Ceylon 57.5 Tea Wid Me 57.5 Battle Empress 56.5 Broadway Ranger 56.5 Summer Sky 53.5 (total 12).
     2nd race: Tumkur Plate Div.II 1400m: 2.45p.M.
     Super Strong 60 Charming Grey 58 Artorius 57.5 Manta Ray 57.5 Androstos 56.5 Click 56.5 Mystical Shadow 55 As Good As It Gets 54.5 Forest Queen 53 Rakshitha 52 (total 10).
     3rd race: Alchemy Plate Div.II 1200m: 3.15p.M.
     Magnetize 60 Vistabella 59.5 Kimora 57.5 Hard To Get 57 Thejaguar 57 Brown Panther 56 Rock N rolla 56 Anmol Hira 55.5 I'll Have One More 55 Icepick Willie 55 Active grey 54.5 Great Secret 53.5 (total 12).
     4th race: Saptharishi Cup 1400m: 3.45p.M.
     Ungoogleable 63 Castle Stuart 60.5 Vivid Impression 60 Kingston Town 59 Jersey Shore 58 ...

 Following are the acceptances for

India Under-21 women's hockey produced impressive performances and defeated South Africa in two consecutive matches in their tour to the African nation.
     While the Indian eves beat the hosts 3-1 yesterday, the visitors thrashed South Africa 8-0 in their second game today.
     India ndia will next play Scotland national team tomorrow.

Indian hockey eves beat South Africa

Chandigarh golfer Harendra Gupta is looking to make a fresh start to his 2016 PGTI season with a spirited title defence at the second edition of the Golconda Masters.
     Gupta, a winner of eight titles, has faced turbulent times in the last few months since withdrawing from a PGTI event in early October 2015 due to a neck injury. The 31-year-old has since skipped two tournaments, missed the cut on four occasions and not posted a single top-20.
     In fact, the four-time winner on the PGTI is yet to get on the board in the current season. He has missed the cut in both the events staged in the season so far.
     But all that could change this week, as Gupta, who originally hails from the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, tees it up at one of his favoured venues, the Hyderabad Golf Club (HGC).
     "I'm happy to be back at the HGC. I had a fantastic week last year. I'm eager to repeat that performance. I've had a tough time due to my neck injury since the end of last year. I've had to ..

Harendra Gupta gears up for title defence at Golconda Masters

SSP Chawrasia and Jeev Milkha Singh will spearhead the Indian challenge at the ISPS Handa Perth International, which commences here tomorrow.
     While Chawrasia is the highest ranked Indian in the field, Jeev has 20 international titles under his belt, though none since 2012.
     Other Indians in the fray are Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, Arjun Atwal, Chiragh Kumar and Himmat Rai.
     Last week, barring Bhullar all others had missed the cut.
     The only other Indian making the cut at Malaysian Open last week was Rahil Gangjee, who after finishing tied 9th in Kuala Lumpur, has taken a week off.
     Chawrasia, who never played in Australia before, is upbeat about his chances here.
     "I have never been to Australia before and this will be my first time there. I'm really excited. The field is a strong one but I'm looking forward to going up against the best players from the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.
     "I don't know much about the course but it's okay, I have 

Chawrasia, Jeev at the forefront of Indian challenge in Perth

Indian golfing ace Anirban Lahiri gets ready for yet another shot as he continues his journey on the PGA Tour in the USA with the Honda Classic.
     Lahiri, who has made three cuts in four starts on the Tour this calendar year, has had an up-and-down time.
     This week Lahiri announced his intention to go back to India for a week to defend his Hero Indian Open title, the one which set him on road to the elite zone. But before that he will tee up at the Honda Classic this week and then the WGC next week.
     While Lahiri is of great interest to Indian fans, the other point of interest will be the defending champion of Honda Classic Padraig Harrington, who has confirmed his participation in the Hero Indian Open next month.
     Lahiri plays the first two rounds with Scotsman Martin Laird and American Erik Compton, while Harrington goes out with Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson.
     This week the PGA TOUR goes from west to east, moving from California to PGA National for The Honda ...

Lahiri set for Honda Classic as Harrington defends title

Lajja Gauswami, who has been going through a lean phase in recent times, won the gold medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the 16th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship here today.
     Rahi Sarnobat, enduring a similar run of form in women's pistol, also finished on top in the women's 10m air pistol event.
     Lajja, representing Gujarat, shot a total of 445.3 to beat N Gaayathri (444) of Tamil Nadu and veteran Suma Shirur (434) of the Railways.
     Maharashtra's Rahi shot 198.6 in the finals to edge out Shri Nivetha (197.9) and give Tamil Nadu yet another silver, while the bronze went to Mamta Kedia of Uttarakhand, who shot 174.9 in the final round.
     In the other events of the day, Mahendar Singh of BSF won the men's 25m standard pistol event shooting a score of 572, while his colleague Wazeer Singh Rathee shot 568 to bag the silver medal. Army man Vijay Kumar won the bronze with a score of 567.
     Sushil Ghaley got the Army Marksmanship Unit a .

Lajja, Rahi, Ghaley strike gold in shooting meet

The proposed Indian Volleyball League has run into a controversy with Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) condemning Sportzlive for announcing an unauthorized league which do not have the backing of the executive committee.
     The general secretary of the VFI, Ramavtar Singh Jakhar told PTI that Sportzlive yesterday had claimed it has bagged the rights of proposed Indian Volleyball League and also that of Indian Beach Volleyball League for Men and Women, which was totally wrong.
     "The Sportzlive held a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday and claimed that they have bagged the rights of conducting the Indian Volleyball League and also that of Indian Beach Volleyball League for Men and Women but their claim is totally false," Jakhar said.
     "The executive Committee or the VFI has not granted them any mandate or permission to hold such league and press conference. Any use of name, mark, logo and reference of VFI by Sportzlive is purely unauthorized. There was no permission ...

VFI condemns SportZlive, will take strong action

With an aim to create awareness about special persons, a marathon will be held here on February 28.
     Over 1,000 persons are expected to take part in the marathon organised by city-based NGO Uddeep Welfare Society.
     "The main aim of organising this marathon is to create awareness among the people to create sense of equality towards the special persons," Poonam Shotriya, who was recently awarded by President Pranab Mukherjee as 100 women achievers of the country selected by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development along with Facebook, told reporters here.
     "We don't want any special treatment, but want people to have sense of equality towards us. If they understand that only, it will be a major achievement," she added.
    	The marathon is sponsored by social worker Dileep Suryawanshi and Sports Promotion Group Chairman Aruneshwar Singhdeo.
     "So far we have received over 1,000 entries," Shotriya said adding the marathon will begin from Polytechnique Square, Ravindra 

Marathon on Feb 28 to create awareness about special persons

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan is being helped by Indian batting star Rohit Sharma, West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell and New Zealand women's team captain Suzie Bates in bringing cricket excitement to fans, starting with the World T20 from March 8, as part of its partnership with the ICC.
     "Nissan is absolutely delighted to welcome this illustrious line-up to the Nissan team as ambassadors," said Roel de Vries, corporate vice president and global head of marketing and brand strategy for Nissan.
     "As genuine performers in the shorter form of the game, these players consistently deliver on the big stage. We look forward to working together to bring cricketing excitement to fans worldwide, starting with the ICC World T20."
     In addition to an advertising campaign, Nissan's cricket ambassadors will be active on social media across the tournament, supporting other fan focused initiatives such as Nissan Play of the Day and sharing great cricket content.
     Rohit Sharma ...

Nissan welcomes cricket stars as new global ambassadors

Sahara Force India's Nico Hulkenberg emerged fastest driver on day three of the pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a lap time of 1m 25.286s, here today.
     The German, running on medium compound tyre in his Mercedes-powered VJM09, was 0.728s clear of Renault's Kevin Magnussen, whose best time came on soft rubber.
     Magnussen, making his first appearance behind the wheel for Renault, completed 63 laps in the morning session.
     Mercedes' Nico Rosberg (1:26.084) was third quickest as he added a further 74 laps to the 172 he managed on Tuesday.
    The German will hand his Silver Arrow over to team mate Lewis Hamilton this afternoon after Mercedes altered their run plans because of the "unprecedented mileage levels" completed in the two days thus far. "We want to keep our boys in top shape for Melbourne!" the team added on Twitter.
     Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz was the next best with a timing of 1:26239 while Red Bull's Daniel Kvyat (1:26.497)and ...

Hulkenberg fastest on day three of pre-season testing

Sans their captain and star striker Sunil Chhetri, Bengaluru FC began their campaign at the AFC Cup football tournament on a disappointing note, losing 1-2 to Lao Toyota FC, here today.
     Bengaluru FC badly missed the services of Chhetri, who skipped the trip owing to a strained groin, and livewire midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who is recuperation from a fracture, as their attacking force lacked the guile and penetration.
     The visitors witnessed a disastous start as Japanse striker Kazuo Homma gave Lao Toyota FC the lead as early as in the third minute of the game at the New Laos National Stadium.
     The hosts doubled their lead in the 35th minute through a strike from midfielder Phatthana Syvilay to take a 2-0 lead at half time.
     Bengaluru FC tried hard to forge a comeback but in the absence of Chettri and Lyngdoh, the Ashley Jackson-coached side lacked firepower in its strike force.
     After a series of half chances and misses, Bengaluru FC finally managed to breach ..

Bengaluru FC lose 1-2 to Lao Toyota FC in AFC Cup

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and opted to bowl against India in the Asia Cup opener at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, here today.
     Virat Kohli has replaced Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian team, that won 3-0 against Sri Lanka.
     Teams:
     India: MS Dhoni (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Ashish Nehra, Jasprti Bumrah and R Ashwin.
     Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza,Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

Mortaza invites India to bat on green track

Following are the results of 14th
day races held here today.
	1st race : Avalanche Star Plate, 1200M:
   Tiger Of Mysore (Shapoor Mistry) 55 Suraj first
   Green Meadow 53.5 Nitin Singh second
   Tremendous 55 Jagadeesh third
   Silver Wood 55 Anil Baandal fourth
   Not Run: Eye Of The Needle
   Rest all ran
   Won by : 5-1/4 ls, 4-3/4 ls and Snk
   Time : One min:12.11 seconds
   Tote: Rs 13 for win.Rs 11,Rs 14 and Rs 18 for places
   Favourite : Tiger Of Mysore
   Winner trained by : M Eshwer
   Forecast : Rs 23
   Quinella : Rs 28
   Shp: Rs 26
   Trinalla: 70 pct Rs 62
             30 pct Rs 38
   Exacta: 70 pct Rs 228
           30 pct Rs 124.

 Following are the results of 14th

Assured of the number two Test team spot at the annual cut-off date on April 1, India is set to bag USD 5 lakh, even as the country held the top spot in the T20 format.
     Though India are sitting on top of the table in the shortest form of the game, they are not assured of continuing in the same position as a lot of T20 cricket is still to be played before the cut-off date.
     India, who claimed number one spots in 2010 and 2011, earned a total of 110 points, finishing just two points behind leaders Australia's 112 in the Test rankings.
     Australia grabbed the No. 1 spot after winning the Christchurch Test by seven wickets, which has given them a 2-0 series win against New Zealand and they will now pocket a cash award of USD 1 million.
     Australia skipper Steve Smith will receive the Mace and the cash award on behalf of his team in a ceremony to be held at a later date.
     This is the eighth time Australia have finished as the number one ranked Test side at the annual ...

India finish as No. 2 Test side at ICC's annual cut-off date

Big-hitting Pakistan star Shahid Afridi is set to return to Hampshire for this season's domestic Twenty20 Blast competition, the English county announced Wednesday.
     Afridi, Pakistan's captain for the forthcoming World Twenty20 in India, will be available for the whole Blast tournament, Hampshire said.
     Nicknamed 'Boom Boom' for his aggressive approach with the bat, Afridi is also an effective leg-spin bowler.
     The value of his bowling was evident in last season's final when, playing for Northamptonshire, he took three for 14 although that could not prevent a Lancashire win.
     Afridi, who has had spells with several counties, last played for south coast club Hampshire in 2011 when he took 17 wickets in 10 matches and thumped 80 off 42 balls in the semi-final defeat to Somerset.
     "I am very pleased to be returning to Hampshire, I really enjoyed my previous spells there and I'm looking forward to spending some time on the beautiful south coast and playing some serious 

'Boom Boom' Afridi set for Hampshire return

Turkey's former international football star Hakan Sukur risks up to four years in jail after being charged with insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in posts on Twitter, reports said today.
	Prosecutors have charged Sukur with posting Tweets from his account @HakanSukur containing "insulting content against Mr President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his son," the private Dogan news agency reported.
	In his defence, Sukur, 44, said he did not intend to target the president in his posts, the content of which was not made clear.
	But that was rejected by prosecutors, who claimed that the tweets were "clearly related" to Erdogan, the news agency said.
	If convicted, Sukur faces up to four years in jail, according to the charges. As the indictment has been approved, a first hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
	Sukur, a striker whose football career stretched from 1987-2007, was by far the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the Turkish national side, finding the net 51 times in .

Turkey ex-football star risks 4 years jail for insulting Prez

Comeback man Dhawal Kulkarni wreaked havoc with the new ball to hand Mumbai the initial edge in their quest for 41st Ranji Trophy title by reducing Saurashtra to 192 for eight in the first innings on the opening day of the summit clash, here today.
     Back in the side after missing the semifinal due to a groin strain, Kulkarni utilised the green track on offer to perfection after Mumbai skipper Aditya Tare won the toss and invited Saurashtra to bat.
     Kulkarni was spot on with his line and length, and managed to cut through Saurashtra top-order with figures of four for 30, which included the important wickets of opener Avi Barot, Cheteshwar Pujara, Arpit Vasavada and skipper Jaydev Shah.
     Kulkarni was ably supported by his new ball partner Shardul Thakur (2/59), Abhishek Nayar (1/42) and Balwinder Sandhu (1/41).
     Kulkarni, in particular, produced an impressive opening spell as Mumbai reduced Saurashtra to 108 for seven at one stage.
     Had it not been for Arpit Vasavada 

Kulkarni rips apart Saurashtra batting line-up

Scoreboard at the end of first day's
play of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament final between Saurashtra and Mumbai, here today.
     Saurashtra 1st innings:
     Avi Barot			     c Iyer b Kulkarni	14
     Sagar Jogiyani	     c Tare b Thakur	 8
     Cheteshwar Pujara	    c Yadav b Kulkarni	 4
     Arpit Vasavada	    c Yadav b Kulkarni	77
     Sheldon Jackson	c Herwadkar b Sandhu	 0
     Jaydev Shah		     c Tare b Kulkarni	13
     Chirag Jani	          c Tare b Thakur	13
     Deepak Punia	         c Yadav b Nayar	 6
     Prerak Mankad	                 not out	55
     Extras: (LB-1, W-1)	                    2
 	Total: (for 8 wickets in 84.4 overs)	    192
     Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-36, 4-42, 5-77, 6-95, 7-108, 8-192.
 	Bowling: Kulkarni 18.4-5-30-4, Thakur	17-4-59-2, Nayar 24-11-42-1, Sandhu	19-6-41-1, Abdulla	4-1-11-0, Herwadkar 1-0-5-0, Yadav	 1-0-3-0.

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