Page 1270 - Sports
Saina out of top 10, Srikanth at 8th spot in BWF ranking
Owing to their poor run of form at the badminton World Championship, Saina Nehwal dropped out of the top 10 while Kidambi Srikanth slipped two places to eighth in the latest BWF singles rankings released today. Saina lost a place to be ranked 11th now. P V Sindhu, who clinched her second successive silver medal at the World Championship, remained static at the third spot. H S Prannoy, who also lost in the second round at Nanjing, remained steady at the 11th place. A quarterfinal finish at the World championship saw B Sai Praneeth improved two places to the 24th place, while Sameer Verma dropped two places to world no 21st. Mixed doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy made a massive jump of 12 places to be at the career-best ranking of 28th position. Satwik and Chirag Shetty also improved a couple of places to world no 23 in the latest men's doubles ranking.
Everton complete Mina move as Man Utd miss out on quiet deadline day
Everton secured the services of Colombian World Cup star Yerry Mina from Barcelona on an unusually quiet deadline day in the Premier League as Manchester United failed to satisfy manager Jose Mourinho's desire to sign a centre-back. For the first time the Premier League deadline was moved forward to the day before the season kicks off when United host Leicester City on Friday. Unlike in England, the window for the rest of Europe's leading leagues doesn't close until later in August, meaning Premier League clubs have faced even more inflated prices when buying from the continent. Yet, an expected deluge of deadline day deals failed to materialise with Everton the most active after also sealing a season-long loan deal for midfielder Andre Gomes from Barcelona and the capture of Brazilian winger Bernard on a free transfer. Mina scored three times in three games in Russia, including against Everton's England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a dramatic stoppage time header to send their ...
Dalic to stay with Croatia, after taking team to World Cup final
Zlatko Dalic, who led Croatia to the World Cup final last month, signalled today that he would stay on as coach, smoothing away doubts that emerged after his return from Russia. Dalic had complained that he lacked the full support of the Croatia's Football Federation (HNS), saying he had to "think carefully" about his future. But a meeting with HNS president Davor Suker appeared to clear the air. "I consider that we solved all of the issues and I'm looking forward to new challenges," Dalic was quoted as saying in an HNS statement today after the meeting. Suker added: "I am glad that we talked openly about things that could be better in the future and that we will go together toward new victories." A formal signing of Dalic's contract is expected at the next meeting of HNS executive committee, the statement said. Croatian press celebrated the announcement, with Sportske Novosti, a web portal, proclaiming: "The most important deal of Croatian football has been reached, Dalic to stay as .
Incessant rain washes out Day 1 of 2nd Test
The opening day of the second Test featuring hosts England and India was called off due to continuous rain at the Lord's here on Thursday.
SC restores permanent membership of 4 legacy cricket associations
The Supreme Court today restored the membership of four legacy cricket associations saying they have made a significant contribution to the cricketing history of the nation. The top court granted permanent membership to the cricket associations of Mumbai, Saurashtra, Vadodara and Vidarbha on the ground that these bodies have produced players of national and international repute. Besides them, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also restored the permanent membership of Railways, Services and Universities citing their contribution to the game and for nurturing talent. "These associations have a long and abiding history of nurturing talent for the game of cricket in India. The history of cricket in India is replete with their contribution to the cause of cricket. These associations have produced players who have brought laurels to their states and to the nation. "The principle of territoriality requires that each of the states and Union Territories should have full membership of
Came to India because East Bengal is a big club: Costa Rican defender Acosta
Costa Rican defender Johnny Acosta today said he had no idea about Indian football and it was only the rich history of East Bengal that drew him to sign up with the prestigious club. East Bengal had created quite a stir in Indian football when they signed 35-year-old Johnny Acosta, who played all three games for Costa Rica at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. "When I signed, I only knew that East Bengal are a big club with great history. I have no idea about ISL or any other tournament. I came here because East Bengal are a big club," said the Spanish-speaking Costa Rican centreback. Having got a sponsor, East Bengal were in talks to take part in the ISL but reports claim that the number of teams may not be increased this season. "I have not seen any Indian football matches before. The one I saw on October 6 (East Bengal's Kolkata league match against WB Police) was my first. I don't know anything about the leagues in India as well," said Acosta, who once played against Lionel Messi back .
West Ham sign striker Lucas Perez
West Ham United announced Thursday the signing of Spanish striker Lucas Perez from Arsenal on a three-year contract.
Rain washes out entire first day of Lord's Test
Frustrating the two teams, incessant rain washed out the entire day one of the second cricket Test between India and England at Lord's, here today. The play was called off at 4.50 pm local time without a single ball being bowled. The match officials decided to take an early lunch, moving the scheduled break ahead by 30 minutes. Even after lunch, there was no respite from the rain and it went on throughout the afternoon. Finally, 45 minutes after the tea break', the umpires inspected conditions twice before declaring no play was possible today. The remaining four days will see 96 overs each to make up for the lost time. However, there is more rain forecast for this weekend and as such this match could see routine rain breaks. A few players, including Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, did make their way to the indoor nets to pass time. As the scheduled tea break came over, there was some weather clearance in the distance and .
Kohli has got best technique in world, says Waugh
Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh says "big occasion player" Virat Kohli has the best batting technique among the current cricketers in the world. Drawing a comparison with legends such as Brian Lara and Vivian Richards, Waugh said Kohli has shown all the traits of a great batsman. "He (Kohli) has got the game to survive anywhere, I think he's got the best technique of anyone in world cricket," Waugh was quoted as saying in Cricket.com.au. "He and AB de Villiers have got the best techniques, and AB de Villiers is not playing Test cricket so that makes him (Kohli) the stand-out player. "And he likes the big occasion like (Brian) Lara and Tendulkar and (Viv) Richards and Javed Miandad and all the great batsmen. They want the big occasion and that brings out the best in their cricket," he added. Kohli has scored 5754 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 54.28. He also amassed 9779 runs in 211 ODIs at 58.2 and 2102 runs at 48.8 in 62 T20Is. Kohli blasted 149 and 51 runs in the first and .
No ISL, came to East Bengal because they are big: Acosta
Costa Rican World Cupper Johnny Acosta, who is East Bengal's biggest signing this season, on Thursday said that he joined the I-League giants because of their reputation and not talk of them jumping ship to the more glamorous Indian Super League (ISL).
Bindra appointed member of IOC's elite Athletes' Commission
India's champion shooter Abhinav Bindra has been appointed member of the prestigious Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the rare honour adding another feather to his illustrious cap. Bindra became only the second Indian sportsperson, after badminton ace Saina Nehwal, to be appointed to the IOC's Athletes' Commission. "Humbled and privileged to be appointed a member of the @Olympics Athlete's commission. Look forward to work hard for the athletes and the Olympic movement !" Bindra wrote on his twitter handle. The 35-year-old Bindra, now retired, remains India's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, having claimed the top prize in men's 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Games. A former world champion who came close to winning a second Olympic medal at the Rio Games in 2016, Bindra shared the IOC letter on his social networking page. "As every year and as per recommendation 40 of the Olympic Agenda 2020, I have reviewed in consultation with the ...
Indian youngsters impress in Abu Dhabi Masters
India's Abhijeet Gupta suffered a shock defeat but young D Gukesh held highly-regarded Grandmaster Valdimir Akopian of Armenia to a creditable draw in the second round of Abu Dhabi Masters chess tournament here today. Highest-rated Indian Grandmaster, Abhijeet went for the French defense and made a costly middle game error to eventually go down to Gumay Mammadzada of Azerbaijan. However, it turned out to be a good day for young Indian players as Raunak Sadhwani also put up an excellent contest to draw with Egyptian Grandmaster Ahmed Adly, while Arjun Kalyan, who is fresh from his maiden GM norm, split the point with Andrei Istratescu of Romania. FIDE master V S Rathanvel also continued with his dream start to hold higher-ranked Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan. Rathanvel had caused the biggest upset of the opening round, defeating top seed Le Quang Liem of Vietnam in this super-open where 88 Indians are participating out of a total 158 participants. With seven rounds still to go in
Saha returns after surgery, to begin rehab after 3 weeks
Back to country after undergoing a shoulder surgery in Manchester, wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha says the recovery period seems more difficult than facing fast bowlers. His right hand heavily strapped from below the elbow, Saha returned this morning after his laberal repair surgery at the Arm Clinic in Manchester. Saha will begin his rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after completing a mandatory three-week rest period. "It's very difficult. You cannot move the hand and I have to keep it in one position. It's more difficult than facing pacers. But this is the only way to go forward and make a comeback. I just have to go by it," said Saha. The agile Bengal stumper, first had injury problem during the tour of South Africa, and had returned early to nurse his hamstring. During the Indian Premier League, Saha suffered a thumb injury that kept him out of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June. It was later discovered that Saha was carrying a shoulder
Saha returns after surgery, hopeful of making comeback in OZ tour
India's Test wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, who on Thursday returned to the city after a shoulder injury in Manchester, oozed optimisim that he would be fit for the Australia tour in December.
Rain washes out first two sessions at Lord's
Frustrating the two teams, incessant rain washed out the morning and post-lunch sessions on day one of the second cricket Test between India and England at Lord's here today. The players did not even step out for warm-ups due to the rain, lashing the city of London since last night. The match officials decided to take an early lunch, moving the scheduled break ahead by 30 minutes. Even after lunch, there was no respite from the rain and it went on throughout the afternoon. A few players, including Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, did make their way to the indoor nets to pass time. Drainage facilities at the Lord's are excellent and play can begin as soon as the conditions improve. As the scheduled tea break came over, there was some weather clearance in the distance and the rain did slow down. The umpires came out and had a chat with the ground staff as well, who were regularly cleaning off water from the covers. At the ...
State associations hail SC order on Lodha reforms
Various state associations, including Mumbai and Saurashtra, today hailed the Supreme Court's decision to reinstate their voting rights in the BCCI. The apex court today modified its earlier order on the 'one state, one vote' policy for BCCI members, reinstating the memberships of Mumbai, Saurashtra, Vadodara and Vidarbha, whose voting rights were taken away by the Lodha committee. Welcoming the order, Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) President Anand Jaiswal said justice has been done. "It's a welcome judgement which has come, which has done justice to all these associations which have contributed a lot to development of cricket in all these years and it would have been a travesty of justice had such members been only full members by rotation," Jaiswal told PTI. "Imagine Mumbai is left out or Vidarbha, which is Ranji and Irani Trophy winner (is) not a full member (of the Board), it could have been a travesty of justice, so the Supreme Court has corrected that and has done proper ...
Thammanoon shoots 9-under at Take Solutions Masters Golf
Thammanoon Sriroj, one of the senior most players on the Asian Tour, turned the clock back with a stunning 9-under 62 at the Par-71 KGA golf course to grab a handy four-shot lead on the first day at the TAKE Solutions Masters here today. The four-shot lead is the largest any player has held at the end of the first round at any event this year on Asian Tour. Making good use of the soft conditions and preferred lies ruling, he got his distances to perfection and landed the approaches with unerring accuracy to card a brilliant round of 62. Thammanoon had a blazing start with five straight birdies after teeing off from the tenth and then a sixth one on Par-5 18th, which was his ninth hole. He turned in six-under and then added three more birdies on first, third and sixth to get to a whopping 9-under and the record for the lowest round in an Asian Tour event at the KGA was under threat. He finally made a mistake on seventh with a bogey on seventh, but soon got that back with a birdie on ...
Hazlewood, Cummins ruled out of Pakistan Test series
In a major blow for Australia, pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have been ruled out of the upcoming Test tour against Pakistan, it was announced on Thursday.
BCCI revises dates of U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy
The BCCI today revised the dates for the men's U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, giving more time to some state associations to prepare for the tournament. The U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy was scheduled to start from October 3 but state associations, including Mumbai, Kerela and Tripura, had requested the BCCI to reschedule the tournament as they needed more time to prepare at their respective venues. The BCCI accepted their requests and revised the dates. "BCCI has rescheduled the dates for the U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. Several associations put forward a request to the Board to postpone the dates for the tournament due to lack of preparation time in their respective venues," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a release. "Keeping this in mind, the Men's U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy that was initially scheduled to be played from the 3rd October, 2018 will now be played from the 21st October to 2nd December, 2018. The Knockouts for the tournament will begin from the 8th December, ...
Pub govt releases Rs 5 lakh for Hakam Singh's treatment
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today ordered the release of Rs 5 lakh for the treatment of ailing Asiad Gold medal winner athlete Hakam Singh. The chief minister, who had earlier tweeted his concern, has directed the Barnala district administration to ensure all necessary assistance is available to the Dhyan Chand Award winner. Earlier, the CM had asked the deputy commissioner to visit the athlete. Hakam Singh is undergoing treatment for liver and kidney ailments, said an official spokesman. The former athlete, who had also served as havaldar in the 6 Sikh Regiment, was conferred the Dhyan Chand Award in 2008. A near fatal accident in 1981 had forced him to hang up his boots, marking an abrupt end to an illustrious sports career. On the day, the chief minister reiterated his government's commitment to welfare of former sportspersons in the state.