Page 1304 - Sports
Kohli & Co begin difficult Test battle against England (Preview)
India will aim for a bright start to the gruelling and testing five-match Test series against hosts England when the first match begins at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground here on Wednesday.
Two Indians in a WGC field for first time as Lahiri and Sharma tee off in US
Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma's presence will make it the first time that two Indians feature in the same WGC Championships as the duo tee off in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday. While Lahiri plays his first WGC of the year, Sharma, just 21, features in a third successive WGC in his breakout year. Lahiri, after playing eight consecutive WGC Championships since his maiden appearance in HSBC in 2014, has missed the last six in a row. This will be his first WGC appearance since the WGC-Bridgestone invitational in 2016. This year, Lahiri has played just one Major, the Open, while Sharma has played all three Majors and this is his third successive WGC. Both Lahiri and Sharma, who are known to be close to each other, have different goals from what will be the last time the WGC is being held at Akron, Ohio. The tournament will move to Memphis next year. Lahiri seeks to get to back to the Top-100 and Top-50 since ceding his position as the top world ranked Indian to Sharma
CPL to introduce penalty for slow over rate
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has introduced a provision of penalty for the teams found guilty of slow over rates.According to the changed rules, if a team failed to complete their overs within the allotted time frame then, as a penalty, 0.05 points will be deducted from their net run that could affect their chances of moving ahead in the tournament.For every additional over, the teams will face a supplementary deduction of 0.10 points from the net run rate.The specified time for completing the twenty overs is 85 minutes plus the additional time allotted by the umpires in certain circumstances.In another major amendment, the league has introduced a system of the coin toss to decide as which team will bat first in the event of super over.According to the earlier rules, the team which batted second in a tied match, automatically become eligible to bat first in the super over.Reflecting on the changes, operation director of CPL, Michael Hall said that they are trying their best to ...
India are only side which can beat England in England: Jadeja
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja exuded confidence ahead of the series opener, saying India are the only side which can beat England in its own backyard. "One good thing about Indian cricket is that we have options. Most of the international teams don't have bowling options left after retirement, but we have everything right now. We have a positive approach towards this series and we genuinely feel that we are the only side that can beat England in their own backyard," Jadeja told 'ESPNcricinfo'. India could play two spinners in the game, making it a three-way fight between Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and the young Kuldeep Yadav. "Anything can happen. Kuldeep has really been playing well," said Jadeja when asked about the possibility of India fielding two left-arm spinners. India had lost a five-Test series 1-3 in England four years ago but has returned as a much wiser unit, feels Jadeja. "Yes, we have more experienced players and most of our players have played a minimum of 25-30 Test ...
Pakistan hockey team's Asiad participation in jeopardy
Uncertainty hung over the Pakistan hockey team's participation in the upcoming Asian Games after the players threatened a pullout owing to non-payment of daily allowances for past six months. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said it was pinning its hopes on sponsors and a new government, expected to be led by one of the country's biggest sporting icons, Imran Khan. PHF has not paid the national team daily allowances for past six months, the total now amounting to more than Rs 8 lakh per player. They have played domestic as well as international tournaments like the Champions trophy during this period. "We have decided that we will not travel to Indonesia if our dues are not paid. Our team has to depart on August 12 and we will wait till 10th. Then only we will decide about our participation," captain Mohammad Rizwan senior told PTI Bhasha from Karachi. When asked if the players will boycott training, he replied in the negative. "We are training at the national camp in Karachi and .
Martyrs' football tournament concludes in Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir martyr's football tournament, which was organized by the local police in collaboration with state football association, concluded here on Tuesday.The tournament is organized every year in the valley which gives the youngsters an opportunity to showcase their football skills.Reflecting on the importance of the event organizer of the tournament Inspector General Shafaqat Watali said that it is a very big event for the J&K police and they aim at promoting healthy activities among the youngsters."Martyr's football tournament is a very big event for the J&K police and it is a part of our initiative to encourage sports in the valley," Watali said."We organise the event every year. Kashmir has a history of football and we should give importance to that. We try to make the youngsters participate in these events and promote healthy activities," he added.Players participating in the event believe that such tournaments help them to stay away from the social evils like ..
Boat racing team set to be added to Asiad contingent following Delhi HC order
Denied entry by the IOA, a favourable Delhi High Court order has now paved the way for India's traditional boat racing contingent to take part in the Asian Games in Indonesia from August 18-September 2. Abhay Singh, one of the athletes in the boat racing squad, had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) decision to not send a team of the water sport at the Games as it did not meet the eligibility criteria. He had sought High Court's intervention in the matter after team returned home with a silver and bronze at an Asian level tournament. Yesterday, the High Court ruled the matter in the petitioner's favour and "directed the IOA to consider the case of the petitioner and team and take all steps to accredit the team to represent India in traditional boat racing". IOA secretary Rajeev Mehta confirmed sending the entries to Games Organisers following the High Court order. "We have sent the entries. Now it remains to be seen if the organise ...
NZ Cricket to host Indian men & women simultaneously
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday announced the itinerary for India's tour early next year, which will see both the men's and women's teams playing limited overs matches simultaneously.
Javelin thrower Amit Kumar tests positive, suspended by AFI
Talented javelin thrower Amit Kumar, who had won a bronze medal at the recent National Inter-State Athletics Championships, has tested positive for a banned substance during an exposure trip to Finland last month. While Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has remained tight lipped about the developments, sources close to the athlete confirmed that Amit has been handed provisional suspension. Amit, who had won a silver at the Federation Cup before the bronze at Inter State Meet, could not make it to the Asian Games team as he fell short of the 81m mark. It is learnt that Amit was tested in Finland during the exposure trip in June. The tests were conducted by Finland's anti doping agency on the directions of the Athletes' Integrity Unit (AIU) of the IAAF. While filling up the Dope Control form, Amit did not mention about a supplement he had consumed before landing in Finland. He tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone, that was present in that particular supplement. A ...
Odisha government launches publicity campaign for hockey WC
With less than four months to go for the men's hockey World Cup, the Odisha government has launched a 360 degree nation-wide publicity campaign to bring fans closer to the sport. The Government of Odisha will attempt to inspire every Indian to support hockey, which is set to take centre-stage at the Kalinga Stadium from November 28 to December 16. The World Cup fever kicks off with 'Heartbeats for Hockey', a movement that attempts to get India behind the game by way of music, entertainment, fashion, pure sport and panel discussions. "We are asking India to give their heart to hockey. And this by way a nationwide outreach where we go to the heartlands of hockey and ask people to come and immortalise their heartbeats by recording them on a specially-designed hockey stick," said Nupur Mahajan, brand strategist and creator of the campaign who is working alongside the Odisha government as Communication and Strategy Consultant for the event. Each time anyone holds the custom-made hockey ...
First 20 runs important for Virat, says Lalchand Rajput
As Virat Kohli looks to make a mark in Test cricket in England, former India coach Lalchand Rajput says the first 20 runs will be crucial for the skipper in the five-match series, starting tomorrow in Birmingham. "Virat is a very aggressive player, he wants to be in the forefront and wants to lead from the front. Everyone's eyes will be on Virat, how will he perform, because last one was a disastrous tour for him," Rajput told PTI. Kohli is keen on erasing the memories of the painful tour of the country in 2014. "He is four years matured now. He knows his game much better than earlier. I would go one step ahead -- (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad are four-years older -- what they were four years back, the same pace wouldn't be there, but in England they will be handy too as they swing the ball well," Rajput, who is now the interim head coach of Zimbabwe, said during an interaction today. Kohli, who has scored runs in Australia, South Africa, apart from his home country, had a ...
3-time Grand Slam champ Andy Murray to play in China Open
The China Open tennis tournament on Tuesday announced the entry of three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 Andy Murray to the 2018 field.
Buying Ronaldo not smart move by Juventus: Napoli president
Signing veteran Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo is a risk that Juventus took, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis said, adding he would not be doing the same.
Alisson's mentor dissuaded parents from terminating his career
Alisson's path to becoming the world's costliest goalkeeper may never have come about had his parents not been persuaded he would slim down and grow enough to succeed, his former goalkeeping coach told The Sun on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Brazilian number one -- who signed for Liverpool for a record 67million pounds ($88million, 75million euros) from Italian side AS Roma this month -- was too fond of biscuits and fizzy drinks and his parents preferred he stop football and return to his studies. "One day his parents came looking for me, thinking he had no future in the profession and they wanted to get him out of football," his mentor Daniel Pavan told The Sun. "They thought he had more future in his studies and that he should leave the club. "But I managed to convince them Alisson was still going to grow to maturity for his age and would have a great future as a keeper." Pavan said he told the parents they should not be concerned about his relatively small height at the time because he
New coach ready as Real Madrid begin season without Ronaldo
Real Madrid chief coach Julen Lopetegui has given his first press conference of the pre-season in which he explained how he is preparing for the new campaign without the club's record goal-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo who has joined Juventus.
Santos name Cuca as new coach
Alexi Stival, better known as Cuca, has been named coach of Santos, replacing Jair Ventura, the Brazilian football club said.
Creating team without Ronaldo an exciting challenge: Madrid coach
Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted that it would be an exciting challenge to make a competitive team without the presence of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.The comment came following star striker Ronaldo's exit from the club after a collaboration of nine long years."When I signed, Cristiano still belonged to Real Madrid but soon he expressed his desire to leave. As a coach, it is an exciting challenge to make a competitive team without Cristiano," the Marca quoted Lopetegui, as saying."[I have] recognition for one of the most important players in the history of Real Madrid, the club appreciated his legacy by facilitating his departure," he added.Meanwhile, the coach also hinted at giving Wales' striker Gareth Bale more responsibility while asserting that the team are expecting a lot from him."We are convinced that Bale is going to have a great year and we expect a lot from him. We will work together for him to reach top form," the coach commented.Expressing delight over .
Kiwis turn down offer to tour Pakistan
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has turned down the offer presented by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to visit Pakistan for two Twenty20 Internationals.Confirming the report, NZC chairman Greg Barclay said that keeping in mind factors like government advisory and independent security consultant, a decision was taken to turn down the invitation."We were open-minded and we went through all the information. It was an extensive due diligence exercise: Government advisory, Mfat, ICC, independent security consultants, and those were peer-reviewed back here as well," stuff.co.nz quoted Barclay, as saying."We just came to the decision that given the current circumstances, it just wasn't right for us to accept the invitation to play in Pakistan," he added.PCB had invited NZC to send the team to Pakistan for two T20 internationals, before continuing their tour in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which includes three T20s, three ODIs, and three tests.New Zealand toured Pakistan in 2003, a year after .
Stage set for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup qualifiers
The qualification process for the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 has begun in South Africa.The process includes 50 teams in the regional qualifiers.Reflecting on the qualification process, ICC Regional Development Manager, Ed Shuttleworth, said that the council is committed to providing more competing opportunities to the participating teams."We are delighted to be kick-starting the qualifying process in Europe to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. U19 cricket is very important to the development of the game, and these events prepare cricketers for the step-up to major global tournaments," Shuttleworth said."The ICC is committed to providing more competitive opportunities; this is evident with five new teams competing in this cycle of the U19 pathway," he added.Due to the depth of strength in the Asia, Africa, and Europe regions, a two-division qualification pathway will begin in 2018. Teams from America and East Asia and Pacific (EAP) will have one ...
Leicester coach Puel confident of keeping Man Utd target Maguire
Leicester City head coach Claude Puel is confident his club will be able to keep hold of England central defender Harry Maguire despite interest from Manchester United.