Page 1249 - Sports
Ajit Wadekar: Man who made Indian captaincy coveted
If Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi brought princely demeanour to leadership in the swinging 60's, Ajit Wadekar added a dash of middle-class stubbornness during the heady days of early 70's. An astute thinker of the game with copybook technique of the famed 'Bombay School of Batsmanship', Wadekar was more than just the captain, who led India to twin series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971. The man who breathed his last in Mumbai today played just 37 Tests and had only one hundred against his name. But the numbers do not exactly tell the story of a cricketer, who possibly made Indian cricket captaincy a coveted job. Wadekar epitomised the 'khadoos' nature of Mumbai cricketers. When the late Vijay Merchant handed over the reins to Wadekar, little did anyone expect that an Indian team would be able to compete and win in alien conditions like England and the West Indies. He was lucky that a genius called Sunil Gavaskar's arrival coincided with his ascendancy to the hot seat, but he
Lost a great cricket player: Fadnavis on Wadekar
Expressing grief over the death of former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today described him as an all-rounder. "Shocked to hear about the demise of former Captain of the Indian Cricket Team Shri Ajit Wadekar!" Fadnavis tweeted. "We lost a great cricket player, first Indian captain to achieve overseas wins, aggressive batsman and an all-rounder. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans!" the chief minister said. Wadekar passed away today after prolonged illness. He breathed his last at the Jaslok Hospital in South Mumbai. The aggressive batsman was a trailblazer in Indian cricket despite a mere 37 Test appearances, leading India to triumphs in England and the West Indies in 1971.
Former India captain Ajit Wadekar no more
Former cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led India to their first overseas Test wins in England and the West Indies, passed away today after prolonged illness. He was 77. Wadekar is survived by his wife Rekha, two sons and a daughter. He was brought to a hospital in South Mumbai today where he was declared dead on arrival. "He had been critically unwell for sometime and was seeking treatment for the same," read the statement from the Jaslok Hospital. The aggressive batsman was a trailblazer in Indian cricket despite a mere 37 Test appearances, leading India to triumphs in England and the West Indies in 1971. Wadekar scored 2,113 runs in his Test career, including one hundred, and was also the country's first ODI captain. He appeared in just two matches, though. India lost both those ODIs against England, which prompted Wadekar to retire from the international cricket in 1974. The Mumbaikar went on to serve as India's manager in the '90s during Mohammed Azharuddin's captaincy. In his .
PM condoles demise of Wadekar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar today, saying he led the Indian team to some of the most memorable wins. He said Wadekar would be remembered for his rich contribution to Indian cricket. "A great batsman & wonderful captain, he led our team to some of the most memorable victories in our cricketing history. He was also respected as an effective cricket administrator. Pained by his demise," Modi tweeted. Wadekar, 77, died in Mumbai today after prolonged illness.
Former India captain Wadekar passes away
Former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar passed away here on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 77.
Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar dead
Former cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led India to their first overseas wins in England and West Indies, passed away today after prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife Rekha, two sons and a daughter. He breathed his last at the Jaslok Hospital in South Mumbai. The aggressive batsman was a trailblazer in Indian cricket despite a mere 37 Test appearances, leading India to triumphs in England and the West Indies in 1971. Wadekar scored 2,113 runs in his Test career, including one hundred. He was also India's first ODI captain, although he appeared in just two matches. Wadekar also served as India's manager in the '90s during Mohammed Azharuddin's tenure as captain. He later went on to become the chairman of selectors as well.
Unified Korean women's basketball team wins at Asian Games
Three North Korean basketball players were part of a unified Korean women's basketball team that defeated Indonesia 108-40 on Wednesday at the Asian Games. South Korean player Park Hyejin said center Ro Suk Yong, guard Jang Mi Gyong and guard Kim Hye Yon joined nine others from the South to form the unified team last month. "The joint training period that we have to go through ahead the games was very short and this is certainly a particular challenge for us, but that was not an obstacle because we are all very happy with this unification," Park said. "There is no significant difficulties among us so far, because in fact we are from the same nation and culture. We have no difficulty communicating because our language is same." Ro scored 22 points while Kim added 14 against host Indonesia at the 2,500-seat basketball hall at the Bung Karno Sports Center. The North Korean players immediately went to the changing room after the game. The arena was half-filled for the game, with about 100
Man City sweat on De Bruyne after knee injury
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne could face a spell on the sidelines after injuring his right knee in training, the Premier League champions said today. The 27-year-old, who enjoyed a superb World Cup as Belgium reached the semi-finals, is undergoing tests to assess the seriousness of the injury. "Kevin De Bruyne is undergoing tests on his right knee after sustaining an injury at training on Wednesday," read a club statement on its website. "The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin's condition in due course." De Bruyne, who has been at City since 2015, scored eight goals and provided 16 assists last season in a series of dynamic performances for the champions.
World's top 10 to compete in WTA Wuhan Open
All the top 10 singles players of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings will compete at the Wuhan Open, which runs from September 21 till 29, the organisers of the WTA Premier 5 event announced here on Wednesday.
Stokes could be played if he says he is available: Hussain
Former captain Nasser Hussain says Ben Stokes could be picked for England's third Test against India but encouraged the all-rounder to "have a hard look at himself" after his affray trial concluded. "As far as selection goes, Ben is one of the best XI cricketers in the country and has been found innocent in a court of law, although, obviously, (coach) Trevor Bayliss and (captain) Joe Root have to look at Ben mentally," Hussain told Sky Sports News. Stokes was found not guilty at Bristol Crown Court yesterday and has subsequently been added to England's squad to face India at Trent Bridge. The 27-year-old missed the second Test at Lord's while attending his trial. "I am amazed how well he has coped mentally over the last few months with this hanging over him and as long as they feel he is mentally fit for selection then they should pick him. "Ben is a pretty simple guy - he is most comfortable, most happy playing cricket for England. He loves it. It's all he wants to do, to be honest. .
Herrera eyes new Manchester United contract
Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera says he wants to sign a new contact with the football club despite rumours of him leaving.
Zaha pens contract extension with Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has signed a contract extension that is set to tie him to the football club until 2023, the English Premier League side announced on Wednesday.
Millie, Khushi share lead in 11th leg of women's golf tour
Millie Saroha got off to a fine start with one-over 73 that gave her a share of the lead with Khushi Khanijau in the first round of the 11th leg of the Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour here on Wednesday.
It will be a tough selection for third Test: Buttler
With Ben Stokes back and his replacement at Lord's, Chris Woakes, grabbing the opportunity with a maiden hundred, England could face a selection dilemma ahead of the third Test against India, feels wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. "It will be a tough selection for the third Test at Trent Bridge. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have won the Man of the Match awards in the first two Tests and, with Ben Stokes coming back into the squad, it will be a difficult decision for the coach and captain," Buttler wrote in Sky Sports. England lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Birmingham and London. All-rounder Stokes returned to the side after being found not guilty at the Bristol Crown Court yesterday. "... But Stokes walks into most teams around the world and so, back available, I'm sure he will be one of the first names on the team sheet. I'm looking forward to seeing him joining us back at training." "It has been a difficult 10 or 11 months for him, I'm sure, but it's important for him that he .
Oyarzabal confident about Real Sociedad contract, mum on Athletic Bilbao
A day after signing a contract renewal until 2024 with Real Sociedad, left winger Mikel Oyarzabal said on Wednesday he was confident about continuing his football career with the club and declined to comment on Athletic Bilbao's interest in him.
India lose to Bahrain in preliminary men's handball
The Indian men's handball team went down 25-32 to Bahrain in a Group D preliminary match of the Asian Games here today. Deepak Ahlawat scored six times out of 10 shots while Adithya Nagaraj scored four out of six for India. Karamjeet Singh scored five out of seven times and Harender Singh four out od seven times. At the Kopki indoor stadium, India scored 11 in the first period and 14 in the second, while Bahrain had 18 and 14 in the two periods respectively. India had lost to Chinese Taipei 18-28 in their opening preliminary encounter. The handball teams' participation at the Asian Games got mired into controversy before getting the clearance. In the men's competition, 12th-ranked India are clubbed with Chinese Taipei and Bahrain. There are four Groups.
Honduran league's Olimpia adds Argentine defender Esteban Espindola
Argentine defender Esteban Espindola has signed with Olimpia, the Tegucigalpa-based Honduran league club said.
Olympic swimming champ Sun Yang gears up for Asiad
China's Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang says he is ready for his third Asian Games after he arrived here on Wednesday for his first training appearance.
Indian coaches live in past, need foreign help: Yogeshwar
Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt feels Indian coaches live in the past and lack the hunger to learn new techniques, necessitating the involvement of foreign coaches for the benefit of grapplers. India won its maiden Olympic wrestling medal in the 1952 Helsinki Games through KD Jadhav. Decades later, Sushil Kumar won the country's its next Olympic medal on the mat, bagging a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Games. "Indian wrestling started doing well globally after the foreign coaches came. In 2003, for the first time we got a Georgian coach, it was after that we won at the Olympics, started winning World Championships and medals in the Asian Games also increased," Dutt said. Yogeshwar won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. "The foreign coaches are willing to learn and work with athletes. But Indian coaches lack that hunger to learn. They still live in the past and continue to train with the old systems. Therefore it is essential to have foreign coaches in wrestling ...
Serena falls short against Kvitova in Cincinnati
American great Serena Williams showed further signs of rediscovering her championship level, but came up short in a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 second-round loss to Petra Kvitova at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.