India captain Rohit Sharma hinted at rejigging the pace combination for the second T20 International against Bangladesh on Thursday while defending the batting line-up, in which senior opener Shikhar Dhawan has been struggling for some time.
India had a par-score of 148 on a sluggish Kotla track and it was pacer Khaleel Ahmed, who was hit for four boundaries by Mushfiqur Rahim in the 19th over that changed the complexion of the game.
"Our batting looks good. So I don't think there's any change we need to make in our batting. But we'll analyze the pitch, and based on that we'll see what we can do as a team," Rohit told mediapersons at the pre-match interaction.
While he didn't take names but there is a chance of Shardul Thakur coming in place of Khaleel, whose pace at times is making it easier for the opposition to negotiate at the death overs.
"The (pace-bowling) combination that we played in the last game, it was based on the pitch that was on offer in Delhi. We will see the pitch ...

Batting looks good, pace combination will depend on track: Rohit

PTI Automatic

There was no end to Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal's lackluster run of form as the Olympic bronze-medallist crashed out of China Open here on Wednesday following a straight-game opening-round defeat to local favourite Cai Yan Yan.
The World No.9 Saina lost 9-21 12-21 in the women's singles clash that lasted just 24 minutes to make an early exit from the USD 700,000 tournament.
However, in men's singles, Saina's husband and personal coach Parupalli Kashyap registered a comfortable straight-game victory over Thailand's Sitthikom Thammasin.
The Indian outsmarted his Thai opponent 21-14 21-3 in 43 minutes. He will face seventh seed Victor Axelson of Denmark in the second round.
World Championships bronze medallist B Sai Praneeth also made it to the second round beating Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 15-21 21-12 21-10 in a 52-minute hard- fought opening round battle. The world No. 11 Indian will take on fourth seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the next round.
The mixed doubles pairing of ...

China Open: Kashyap, Praneeth cruise into second round; Saina bows out

India's star female table tennis player Manika Batra feels she has made significant strides ever since moving her training base to Pune in February, justifying her bitter separation from childhood coach Sandeep Gupta.
The 24-year-old knew "people" will make a "big deal" out of her decision to part ways with Gupta, who was bestowed with the Dronacharya Award in August, but she felt the call was needed to improve her game.
Their two-decade old association went so sour that they are not on talking terms anymore. She now trains with Sanmay Paranjape.
The "improvement" is also reflecting in the ITTF rankings in which she jumped 18 places in the last two months to be world number 61, following her round of 32 finish in German and Sweden Open.
"I felt a lot more confident about my game and my movement in Germany and at Sweden Open. I can see the improvement. The playing environment in Pune really is positive and all my training partners are working hard with me as well for themselves," ...

Results prove parting ways with childhood coach was right decision: Manika Batra

Cricket Australia on Wednesday appointed former international Melanie Jones as its director.
Jones debuted for Australia in 1997 when she joined the team and won her first of two World Cups (2005). The following year saw her make her first Test century on debut (131), in her first of the two successful Ashes campaigns (2004).
"I'm excited to have this opportunity to work with the Board to strengthen cricket's bond with the community and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the next generations," Jones said.
The 47-year-old was also recognised earlier this year with one of country's highest honours, the Medal of the Order of Australia, for her services towards cricket.
Jones' cricket career spanned 1995 to 2011 when she played for Surrey County, Essendon Maribyrnong Park premier club, and Victoria and Tasmania at State level. She has remained an active participant holding various television commentary and presenting roles domestically and internationally.
Welcoming Jones, ...

Former player Melanie Jones appointed Cricket Australia director

Mahesh Bhupathi on Wednesday asserted that he is still the captain of India's Davis Cup team despite the national tennis federation naming Rohit Rajpal as his successor and also made himself available for the tie against Pakistan, which has been shifted to a neutral venue now.
The All India Tennis Aassociation (AITA) picked Rajpal as the non-playing captain on Monday, hours before the International Tennis Federation (ITF) shifted the tie out of Islamabad to a neutral venue, acknowledging the security concerns raised by India.
Bhupathi and six other players, including Rohan Bopanna, had pulled out of the Pakistan tour, citing safety concerns.
The 45-year-old Bhupathi said as per the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) last communication to him, he was replaced as the non-playing captain for making himself unavailable to travel to Pakistan.
"To everyone so concerned for my thoughts and comments. All I know is from a phone call with Mr Chaterjee on Monday where I was told that Rohit is 

Bhupathi says he is still captain and available for Pakistan tie

LeBron James scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and passed off 11 assists on Tuesday, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 118-112 comeback NBA victory at Chicago with his third consecutive triple double.
Anthony Davis produced a season-low 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting with seven rebounds in a return to his hometown, but James surged in the final minutes as the Lakers unleashed a 29-4 fourth-quarter run.
It was only the third time in James's career that he has produced three consecutive triple doubles after 2009 and 2017.
The Lakers improved to an NBA-best 6-1 with a third straight road win, having won six in a row since losing their opener to the Los Angeles Clippers.
"For us to come on a three-game road trip and take care of business means a lot," James said. "For us to come out 3-0, it's a good test for us." The Lakers return home for a Friday game against Miami, which fell to 5-2 with a 109-89 loss at Denver.
"We'll have a good rest and we're going to need it before we play ...

LeBron sparks Lakers in NBA comeback triumph at Chicago

There was no end to Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal's lackluster run of form as the Olympic bronze-medallist crashed out of China Open here on Wednesday following a straight-game opening-round defeat to local favourite Cai Yan Yan.
The World No.9 Saina lost 9-21 12-21 in the women's singles clash that lasted just 24 minutes to make an early exit from the USD 700,000 tournament.
However, in men's singles, Saina's husband and personal coach Parupalli Kashyap registered a comfortable straight-game victory over Thailand's Sitthikom Thammasin.
The Indian outsmarted his Thai opponent 21-14 21-3 in 43 minutes. He will face seventh seed Victor Axelson of Denmark in the second round.
The mixed doubles pair of Pranav Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy also made a first-round exit. The duo went down 14-21 14-21 to Wang Chi-Lin and Cheng Chi Ya of Chinese Taipei.
The 29-year-old Saina has been going through a tough phase with regards to her fitness since claiming the Indonesia Masters in January.
She made 

Off-colour Saina bows out, Kashyap cruises into second round of China Open

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon said he was relishing "a fabulous opportunity" after agreeing a deal to become Hampshire's overseas player in next season's County Championship.
The 31-year-old, a key member of Australia's Test team during the recent Ashes series, played a handful of games for Worcestershire in 2017, but this will be his first foray into the 10-team Division One.
"It is a fabulous opportunity to be involved with a leading county who have had a long and successful relationship with Australian cricketers," said Lyon, who has taken 363 Test wickets to date.
"I love playing cricket in England and no doubt will enjoy the 2020 summer with the Hampshire players, coaches, members and supporters.
"We will all be focused on winning the County Championship in 2020 -- I can't wait."
Lyon is the latest Australian to sign with an English county for the 2020 season, with Travis Head joining Sussex, Cameron Bancroft at Durham and Peter Siddle returning to Essex.

Aussie spinner Lyon signs for Hampshire

Women footballers playing for Australia's national team will earn the same as their male counterparts under a deal unveiled Wednesday and hailed as landmark for gender equality in sport.
Under a new centralised contract system announced by Football Federation Australia (FFA), Matildas stars such as Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter will be paid an equal amount as big-name Socceroos like Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan.
They will also be afforded business class flights to international fixtures and tournaments, like the men.
The breakthrough will be a big boost for America's women footballers, who have filed an equal pay lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation due to be heard in May next year.
The United States triumphed at the Women's World Cup in France this year with chants of "equal pay" ringing out after they defeated the Netherlands in the final.
"Football is the game for everyone, and this new collective bargaining agreement is another huge step toward ensuring that we live the values of ...

Australia's women footballers get landmark equal pay deal

Chile has cancelled a friendly match with Bolivia scheduled for later this month after weeks of violent social unrest, the South American country's football association announced on Tuesday.
FA president Sebastian Moreno told reporters that the match, set for November 15, has been cancelled but added that the team's game with Peru in Lima would go ahead.
A wave of anti-government anger has swept Chile, one of Latin America's most prosperous countries, and protests entered their third week on Monday as people vent their frustrations over cost of living and pensions.
They are demanding the resignation of billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, who said in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday that he will not step down.
Protesters clashed with police and looted stores Monday at the close of a huge rally in Chile's capital Santiago that saw demonstrators try to march on the presidential palace.
Fights broke out with police trying to contain them, with officers firing water cannons and ...

Chile suspends Bolivia friendly amid violent social unrest

South America's soccer body CONMEBOL decided on Tuesday to move the Copa Libertadores final from Santiago to Lima because of a weekslong wave of demonstrations in the Chilean capital.
CONMEBOL announced the move after a meeting with representatives of the two finalists  defending champion River Plate of Argentina and Brazil's Flamengo.
The one-leg final remains scheduled for Nov. 23, but now in Peru's capital instead of Santiago's Estadio Nacional stadium.
The governing body did not say which stadium will host the game. The options are the 80,000-seater Estadio Monumental and the Estadio Nacional, with a capacity for 50,000 fans.
Chile has been in political turmoil for almost 20 days since demonstrations began last month after the government announced a hike in subway fares. The protests have expanded to include demands over education, health services and economic inequality.
Many protesters scheduled a demonstration for the day of the final, in another attempt to force Chilean ...

Copa Libertadores final moved from Santiago to Lima

Arsenal manager Unai Emery confirmed on Tuesday that Granit Xhaka has been stripped of the club captaincy after an emotional outburst towards supporters.
The Swiss international swore and threw the captain's armband to the floor after being booed as he was substituted against Crystal Palace 10 days ago.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who led Arsenal for Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Wolves, will take over as captain.  Xhaka was not included in the squad for the Wolves match or Wednesday's visit to Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League.
"I was speaking with him this morning and also I decided he's not one of the captains in our group and I decided that and I told him this morning," Emery said. "He accepted my decision.
"We have now Aubameyang, Hector (Bellerin), (Alexandre) Lacazette and (Mesut) Ozil - they are the four captains, and first is now Aubameyang." "I needed to take one decision, and now it is closed," Emery added.
Xhaka, 27, blamed death threats to his family for his furious .

Xhaka stripped of Arsenal captaincy

Last season's Europa League finalists Arsenal and 2017 champions Manchester United can clinch places in the last 32 of the competition this week, while group leaders Celtic face a "titanic game" away to Lazio.
Arsenal have won just twice in nine Premier League outings but are chasing a fourth straight victory in Group F away to bottom side Vitoria Guimaraes on Wednesday.
Gunners boss Unai Emery has stripped Granit Xhaka of the captaincy in the wake of an emotional outburst towards supporters in last month's draw at home to Crystal Palace.
"I was speaking with him this morning and I decided he's not one of the captains in our group and I decided that and I told him this morning," Emery said Tuesday.
"He accepted my decision." Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who wore the armband at the weekend against Wolves and will take over the role full-time, was also left out the travelling squad along with Mesut Ozil and David Luiz.
United can punch their ticket to the knockout phase on Thursday with ..

Arsenal, Man Utd, Celtic target Europa League knockout berths

Frank Lampard believes his Chelsea side are going places after summoning the spirit to fight back from 4-1 down to salvage a 4-4 draw against nine-man Ajax on what he described as a "mad" night at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues seemed destined for a defeat as first half own goals from Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga added to Quincy Promes' header and predatory finish from Donny Van der Beek handed the Dutch champions a 4-1 lead.
However, after Cesar Azpilicueta brought Chelsea back into the game at 4-2, the visitors were reduced to nine men by second yellow cards for Daley Blind and Joel Veltman in the move that led to the hosts being awarded their second penalty of the night.
Jorginho scored his second spot-kick before Reece James levelled and only VAR denied Chelsea a famous victory when Azpilicueta's strike was ruled out for a handball by Abraham.
"I had some mad nights over the years and some great nights, but it's certainly right up there," said Lampard, who won the Champions ...

Chelsea spirit delights Lampard in 'mad' 4-4 Ajax draw

Jorginho scored two penalties as Chelsea came roaring back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with nine-man Ajax in a Champions League classic on Tuesday, while holders Liverpool claimed a narrow victory and a stuttering Barcelona were held.
There was also a rousing comeback win for Borussia Dortmund over Inter Milan and a big success for Valencia, but the greatest drama came at Stamford Bridge.
Ajax appeared to be heading for a stunning victory when Hakim Ziyech set up Donny van de Beek to put them 4-1 ahead 10 minutes into the second half.
Before that, Jorginho quickly levelled from the spot after Tammy Abraham's own goal gave the Dutch champions a second-minute lead, but a Quincy Promes header and a Kepa Arrizabalaga own goal made it 3-1 at the break.
After conceding again, Cesar Azpilicueta poked in from close range for Chelsea to pull it back to 4-2, and then came the crazy moment midway through the second half which really gave them hope.
In one fell swoop, Italian referee Gianluca ...

Chelsea, Ajax draw European thriller as Liverpool win and Barca stumble

Borussia Dortmund roared back from two goals down at home against Inter Milan as Achraf Hakimi netted twice to earn a thrilling 3-2 win in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Dortmund looked out of it at 2-0 down at half-time as Lautaro Martinez put Inter ahead after just five minutes before Matias Vecino added a second just before the break at Signal Iduna Park.
However right-back Hakimi orchestrated a remarkable recovery by finishing a move he started five minutes into the second half before Julian Brandt equalised.
Morocco international Hakimi, who turned 21 on Monday, hit the winner for Dortmund with 13 minutes to go.
"It feels really good," Brandt told broadcaster DAZN.
"We all knew how important the game was for us to win, but the (second-half) reaction was absolutely crazy.
"I think that we are in the development phase and that not everything quite fits yet.
"If everything was perfect, it would also be a bit boring," he added with a grin.
The result leaves Dortmund second in Group 

Hakimi double seals stunning Dortmund win over Inter

Ernesto Valverde admitted Barcelona are in a rut after they followed up their La Liga defeat by Levante with a goalless draw at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Lionel Messi hit the crossbar in the first half but that was as close as Barca came during a disjointed display that risks dragging Valverde's team back into the fight for qualification from Group F.
"The other day we lost against Levante and we know this was not one of our best games either," Valverde said.
"We haven't been convincing either on Saturday or today and we know there is a lot of pressure now on the team. We have to respond."
Barcelona play Dortmund at home next and will hope progress is secured before their final game against Inter Milan at the San Siro.
The likelihood is they have already done enough to make the last 16 but Valverde will face scrutiny, this blunt performance coming only three days after his side were beaten 3-1 by Levante in La Liga.
If that loss was defined by three ...

Valverde accepts Barca under pressure after Slavia stalemate

Liverpool closed in on qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League on Tuesday after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot them to a 2-1 win over Genk to put them top of Group E.
Oxlade-Chamberlain struck the winner with a neat turn and finish seven minutes after the break to put the European champions ahead after a bullet header from Genk's Mbwana Samatta had cancelled out Georginio Wijnaldum's opener.
However it was not as comfortable as the 4-1 win in Belgium last time out thanks to some wasteful finishing that allowed bottom side Genk, who have been eliminated, to get back in the game and almost level right at the end.
"We didn't finish our situations as we could have done. We had really big chances that we usually use but we don't do that. That keeps the game open," coach Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport.
"If you only score one, and they score one, then it's a lot of effort. The game starts new in the second half, pretty much ... But the plan was to win the game and we did that, 

Oxlade-Chamberlain puts Liverpool on brink of Champions League knockouts

Spectators will be hoping for a mini repeat of this year's epic Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after the two tennis legends were drawn in the same group for next week's climax to the season, the ATP Finals.
Djokovic, who could finish the week as world number one, and Federer fought out a thrilling five set final at Wimbledon with the Serbian coming from a break down in the final set to win it 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3) in what was at four hours and 57 minutes the longest final in the tournament's history.
Their group clash in London will only be the best of three sets -- Austria's two-time French Open finalist Dominic Thiem and Italian Matteo Berrettini make up the quartet.
World number one Rafael Nadal is in a group with this year's US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Germany's Alexander Zverev.
Nadal declared himself fit for the finals on Tuesday after he pulled out of last week's Paris Masters semi-finals -- .

Federer and Djokovic drawn in same ATP finals group

Rohan Bopanna on Tuesday expressed his displeasure at players not being consulted before changing Mahesh Bhupathi as non-playing captain for the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan while AITA asserted that it was not players' domain to comment on policy matters.
The tie against Pakistan, which was supposed to be played in Islamabad on November 29-30, will now be played on a neutral venue.
Incidentally, Bopanna along with five others had pulled out the Pakistan tour, citing safety concerns.
With captain Bhupathi also pulling out for the same reason, AITA went ahead and named Rohit Rajpal as new captain for the tie at its Executive Committee on Monday in Chandigarh.
It must be mentioned in this regard that Bhupathi's term as the non-playing captain had already got over in December 2018 and he was given an extension to lead the side in the tie against Italy in February this year in Kolkata.
Bopanna's contention is that All India Tennis Association (AITA) changed the captain before ITF made a .

Bopanna blasts AITA for change of captain, "don't interfere", warns parent body

Gareth Bale believes he will be able to play a role in Wales's must-win final two Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary, Welsh manager Ryan Giggs said on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old Real Madrid star has been struggling with a calf problem and has not played since scoring for Wales in their 1-1 draw with World Cup finalists Croatia on October 13.
However, Giggs said Bale is confident he could win the race to be fit for both the game in Azerbaijan on November 16 and at home to Hungary on the 19.
"It wasn't a big injury, but with the short turnaround it's a worry," said Giggs after naming a 27-man squad.
"I'm in constant contact with him and he feels confident that he'll be fit for the game.
"It's just monitoring it this week, literally day by day. The last time I spoke to him he was confident he'd be OK."
The Welsh -- surprise semi-finalists at Euro 2016 -- are presently fourth in their group, six points adrift of table-topping Croatia and four shy of second-placed ...

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