Page 1038 - Sports
Shouldn't compare Prithvi to anyone yet: Kohli
Teenage batting sensation Prithvi Shaw's performance in the opening Test against the West Indies has not only earned him a lot of accolades but also drawn parallels with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, but India skipper Virat Kohli wants the young opener to be left alone.
Cruzeiro beat Corinthians 1-0 in first leg of Copa do Brasil final
Cruzeiro won 1-0 at home against Corinthians in the first leg of the final of the Copa do Brasil at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Ton-up Khawaja defies Pakistan's victory push
Opener Usman Khawaja hit a fighting hundred to keep Pakistan's victory bid in check as Australia reached tea at 287-5 on the final day of the first Test in Dubai. Khawaja was unbeaten on 120 for his seventh Test century and with him skipper Tim Paine was 19 not out as Australia -- set a daunting 462-run target -- need to bat out another 31 overs for a draw. Pakistan need five more wickets and have another 175 runs to play to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Khawaja had added an invaluable 132 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head (72) as Pakistan failed to get a single wicket in the first session after Australia resumed at 136-3. Khawaja took a single to short mid-wicket off to Mohammad Hafeez to complete his century that has so far included 11 boundaries. No team has successfully chased more than the 418-7 West Indies made against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003. Pakistan had expected early wickets after jolting Australia to 136-3 at the close on the fourth day, ..
Kumble lauds ICC for crackdown on suspect bowling action
Former India captain Anil Kumble Thursday lauded the ICC for its crackdown on bowlers with suspect action, a far cry from the criticism the apex body faced sporadically in the not-too-distant past for its approach in dealing with the issue. The spin legend, who has a staggering 619 wickets in Test cricket and placed third in the pecking order, felt the ICC's proactive approach helped bring down the number of bowlers with suspect action in the last two years. "A fair bit (has been done) from the ICC perspective in terms of looking at the suspected actions and making sure that the world cricket gets rid of that. "Over the last two years, you don't hear too many issues (about suspect bowling action) coming up. I think overall ICC has done a great job in controlling that (issue)," Kumble said at an event here. Not long ago, the ICC was at the receiving end of criticism from players. While some greats, like Michael Holding, felt it was not doing enough to curb it, the ones who were in the .
Joe Root could be world's best if freed from captaincy, says Warne
Shane Warne believes England should seriously consider replacing Joe Root with Jos Buttler as Test captain to allow Root to focus on becoming the world's best batsman. Australia spin great Warne says the Yorkshire star could dominate the global game with the bat and feels Buttler would make a "very, very good" Test skipper. Warne worked with Buttler in his role as mentor for Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals and is convinced the Lancashire player has credible Test leadership skills. "I've worked with Jos a bit this year, and I think he's someone who would make an excellent captain," said Warne. "I really enjoyed working with him, I'd like to think I helped him out a little bit." Warne, who is promoting his autobiography, said Root is England's best player but would be disappointed with his conversion rate when it came to hundreds. "He'd love to have more hundreds to be able to be spoken about in the same sentences as Virat Kohli and Steve Smith," he said. "Maybe England ...
Shanghai Masters: Djokovic breezes into quarter-final
Former world number one Novak Djokovic has entered the quarter-final of the ongoing Shanghai Masters after defeating Marco Cecchinato of Italy in their round of 16 clash here on Thursday.The 31-year-old swept aside his Italian opponent 6-4, 6-0 in the pre-quarter clash which lasted one hour and 9 minutes.Continuing with his rich vein of form, the Serbian player displayed a stellar performance right from the first set, saving two break points in the fourth game to keep his rival under pressure.Cecchinato, who had put some fight in the first set, was completely overpowered by Djokovic in the next set with latter giving no scoring opportunity to former and ultimately registering an easy win to advance further in the competition.The win is Djokovic's 15th victory in a row.In other matches, South Africa's Kevin Anderson toppled Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6 to book his place in the quarter-final of the tournament.Later in the day, Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer will take on ...
India eyeing clean sweep vs West Indies (Preview)
India will aim for a clean sweep when they take on the West Indies in the second and final Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, starting here on Friday.
We have plans in place for Shaw: Chase
West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase says they are better-prepared to tackle young Indian batsman Prithvi Shaw, whose initial onslaught had set the tone for their embarrassing defeat in the first Test. Young Shaw scored a century on debut, playing a key role in India's big win in the series-opener. "I am sure our guys would have learnt quickly from what happened in the first Test and we will know some of the strengths of the young Shaw, who really took us apart early in the game. I am sure we will learn from our mistakes in the first game and move on smartly in the second game," Chase said on the eve of the second Test. While there is a plan in place for Shaw, Chase didn't want to divulge. "We had a long chat after the first Test and came up with some plans. We discussed how we are looking to bowl at him in the second Test along with some of the other batters. I can't obviously discuss our plans in the conference. I think we have a better idea of what we are looking to do against ...
Ahmed Shehzad added to PSL pool of players
Opener Ahmed Shehzad, who is currently serving a four-month ban for failing a dope test, has been added to the pool of players for the upcoming fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).The announcement about the same was made on the official Twitter handle of PSL."Ahmad Shehzad's name has now been added to the PSL pool of players. He is placed in the Gold category. @iamAhmadshahzad played for @MultanSultans last year and is currently placed on their roster. Sultans can retain, trade or release him back into the Draft pool," they wrote.Shehzad has played a total of 57 T20I for Pakistan scoring 1454 runs with an average of 26.44 while in ODIs he has made 2605 runs with an average of 32.56.The fourth edition of PSL is slated to be held from February 14 in United Arab Emirates.
Sticky wicket as China crash to 26 all out - again
China may have the world's biggest population and the second largest economy, but they are yet to impress in one area: the cricket field, where they have been humbled by minnows Nepal. China's latest foray on the international stage ended in a huge defeat on Wednesday as they scored only 26 all out in a World Twenty20 qualifier, a total which Nepal surpassed in just 11 balls. It wasn't even their worst innings of the tournament: China were 26 all out in their loss to Singapore, and they had scores of 35 for nine, 45, and 48 in defeats to Thailand, Bhutan and Myanmar. Given that the highest score in top-tier T20 internationals is Australia's 263 for three against Sri Lanka in 2016, China still have some way to go. Against Nepal, opening batsman Yan Hongjiang top-scored for China with 11 runs. The next biggest contribution was the nine extras, and IPL bowler Sandeep Lamichhane picked up three wickets for four runs. Qun Tiansen, one of eight Chinese players out for a duck, then went for .
Khawaja, Head frustrate Pakistan victory charge
Opener Usman Khawaja and Travis Head defied Pakistan with some solid batting to take Australia to 215-3 at lunch on the fifth and final day of the first Test in Dubai on Thursday. Khawaja followed up his first innings score of 85 with a fighting 82 not out, and debutant Head was unbeaten on 70 for his maiden half-century, both blunting Pakistan's spinners. The pair have added 128 runs for the fourth wicket to raise Australia's hopes of a draw -- or even a world-record run chase. Australia, set a daunting 462-run target, still need another 247 runs while Pakistan need seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. No team has successfully chased more than the 418-7 West Indies made against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003. Pakistan had expected early wickets after jolting Australia to 136-3 at the close on the fourth day, but nothing worked for skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who made multiple bowling changes. Pakistan could have had Head leg-before off leg-spinner Yasir Shah on 44, ...
Prayag continues its winning association with team "Patna Pirates"
Amid the Kabaddi fever gripping the nation like never before, Prayag, India's leading bath assets and sanitary ware brand has announced its prestigious association with team "Patna Pirates" for the ongoing "Pro Kabaddi League 2018". After the 2016 edition of this grand Kabaddi tournament, this is the second time Prayag has associated with team Patna Pirates - who have been the reigning champions of the last three consecutive seasons (3, 4 and 5) of this mega Kabaddi extravaganza.Now in the sixth season as well, Patna Pirates, is all set to win the hearts of all the kabaddi lovers with their unstoppable zeal, enthusiasm as well as their high decibel slogan 'Dhool Chatta denge hum'. Prayag has joined hands with the team "Patna Pirates" as "Official Lifestyle Partners" in this tournament. Notably, Patna Pirates became the first team to retain their title after defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 4 final and for second time they have retained the title after defeating Gujarat Fortune
Sydney match could decide Bolt's footballing future
Former Olympic sprint star Usain Bolt is expected to make his first start as a professional footballer on Friday evening, when the Central Coast Mariners take on Macarthur South West United in a charity fixture here.
Beating China tough but not impossible: Anas
Indian football team defender Anas Edathodika feels upsetting China in front of their home crowd is "a tremendously tough job but not an impossible one."
Shubhankar makes solid start with 5-under 67 at CIMB Classic
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma sunk in five birdies on the back-nine to card a five-under 67, making a solid start at the CIMB Classic here. The 22-year-old, who was recently bestowed with the Arjuna Award, was in tied 14th place, four shots behind the surprise leader Bronson Burgoon (63) of USA. A record four Indians are taking part in the only PGA Tour event in Southeast Asia. Fiji International champion Gaganjeet Bhullar was the next best placed Indian -- tied 26th at three-under 69. Anirban Lahiri, who has a good record at TPC Kuala Lumpur in the past, also started well and was three-under par at the turn, but two double bogeys on the back nine saw him finish the day at a disappointing even-par 72 while Rahil Gangjee finished on five-over 77. The 31-year-old Burgoon ended first day at nine under 63, one ahead of Austin Cook. Burgoon, starting on back nine, had a bogey on the 13th but then played superb golf with eight birdies and an eagle on Par-5 18th, which was his ninth ...
Cruzeiro gain edge in Copa do Brasil final
A first-half goal from former Brazil international midfielder Thiago Neves handed defending champions Cruzeiro a 1-0 victory over Corinthians in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final here.
2nd Test: India aim to be ruthless, WI seek redemption
India's ruthless home run is unlikely to be challenged when the team takes on a below-par West Indies in the second Test Friday in what threatens to be another lopsided contest. After the hosts won the first Test by a record innings and 272 runs, there are hardly any signs that there will be a change in the script as the second Test promises to be another run-feast. Add to it, skipper Jason Holder is still not 100 per cent fit and their only fast bowler of repute Shannon Gabriel is a doubtful starter for the encounter. India, on the other hand, have not made any changes to the squad that won the first game inside three days in Rajkot. The lop-sided matches are hardly the kind of preparation the Indian team would have wanted before the big-ticket series against Australia starting December. In fact, Virat Kohli's team might not be able to escape a sense of deja vu as it goes into the second Test. In 2011, India dominated West Indies 2-0 in a one-sided series before crashing to a 0-4 ...
Unhappy with SG, Kohli wants Dukes to be used for all Test matches
India captain Virat Kohli Thursday said that Test cricket across the globe should be played with the England-made Duke balls, expressing his displeasure at the poor quality of the SG balls that India use at home. "The Dukes ball, I think, is the most suited ball for Test cricket. If there's a situation I would vouch for that to be used all over the world because of the consistency of the ball and how the bowlers are in the game at any stage, even the spinners, because the seam is so hard and upright," Kohli said on the eve of the second Test against the West Indies. Currently, there are no ICC specific guidelines and different countries use different balls. While India use their home-made 'SG Test' from early '90s (Sonnex was the ball before that) manufactured by Meerut-based Sanspareils Greenlands, England and West Indies use the UK's Dukes with the most pronounced seam. Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka use the Kookaburra. Before Kohli, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has ...
Tour de France trophy stolen from Birmingham
The Tour de France trophy, which was won by professional British cyclist Geraint Thomas this year, has been stolen from a display in Birmingham.The trophy, along with three other Grand tour trophies, was put on display for the fans as a mark of their unprecedented success over the last year.An official statement from Team Sky (For which Thomas rides) stated that the incident took place "during the clear-up operation at the end of the event" when the trophy was "momentarily left unattended."Reflecting on the incident, Thomas said that it is an unfortunate thing to happen and further hoped that whoever took the trophy would "have the good grace to return it.""It is incredibly unfortunate that this has happened. It goes without saying that the trophy is of pretty limited value to whoever took it, but means a lot to me and to the Team," Team Sky website quoted Thomas, as saying."Hopefully whoever took it will have the good grace to return it. A trophy is important, but clearly what ...
Give Prithvi space to grow as cricketer: Kohli
Stop the comparisons and let Prithvi Shaw be -- Indian captain Virat Kohli Thursday demanded "some space" for the teenage sensation, whose batting has drawn parallels with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Hailed as a child prodigy, Shaw had a cracking Test debut against the West Indies team, hitting 134 off 154 balls in the first Test against Rajkot. The knock led to a media frenzy and a series of comments on how he is destined for greatness. On the eve of the second Test here, the skipper, who tasted stardom quite early himself, took queries on the 18-year-old and called for some space. "I don't think he should be rushed into anything yet because you need to give a youngster a space to grow, in his own abilities. This guy is supremely talented and he has got great ability as everyone saw," the skipper said at the pre-match press conference. "We definitely think he (Shaw) has it in him to play at the highest level and he can repeat what he did in the first game. He ..