Page 1499 - Sports

Yuki surprised at TOPS exclusion, AITA backs top singles player

Yuki Bhambri is aghast at being excluded from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) after preferring the US Open over Asian Games even as a red-faced All India Tennis Association (AITA) said it is trying to convince the Sports Ministry to reconsider its decision. AITA had exempted the country's top singles player considering that playing at the Grand Slams is crucial to secure ranking points, which would earn the Delhi player a direct entry into the Tokyo Olympics. "We have asked the government to reconsider the decision and include both Yuki and Leander Paes in TOPS. We told them that Yuki needs to be in top-64 to earn direct qualification for Tokyo Olympics and that's why playing at the US Open is important, ," AITA secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI. "They told us that when Yuki gets back to playing Davis Cup, his case would be re-examined," he added. Yuki recently reclaimed a spot in the top-100 and if he manages to maintain his rank by the cut-off date, he will get direct ..

Sri Lanka legend snubs desperate cricket selectors

Sri Lankan cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene has rejected a request to provide consultancy services to the struggling national team, saying he has no "trust in the system". National selectors made a formal request Thursday to hire several legends, including Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, to a special committee advising on how to return to winning ways. Last year Sri Lanka suffered a series Test and one-day whitewash to India on home soil, lost a one-day series to bottom-ranked Zimbabwe, also held in Sri Lanka, and crashed out of the Champions Trophy early. They were also soundly beaten in the first Test in the current tour of the West Indies last weekend and in the first innings of the second Test on Thursday were skittled for 253. Late last year, Jayawardene, 41, was appointed to a special panel to advise the then-sports minister on corrective measures. But on Thursday he said that his recommendations were ignored and that he did not want a repeat of the experience. "I dont have ..

Kohli takes YoYo test but no clarity on neck injury

Indian captain Virat Kohli, along with former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, today took the fitness test which would determine his availability for the gruelling tour of United Kingdom starting June 27. The neck injury sustained during the IPL had thrown Kohli's build-up for the UK tour haywire as he had to pull out of a planned stint with Surrey in the County Championship this month. The YoYo test, which is the basic fitness parameter set by the Indian team management before any tour, was conducted at the National Cricket Academy ground, in the presence of Team India trainer Shankar Basu and the other support staff. Kohli along with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the injured Kedar Jadhav (not in any squad meant for UK) took the advanced beep test in the first batch. While the scores were not known (minimum required to pass is 16.1), Kohli didn't look in any discomfort as he matched paces with Dhoni during the test. But he was seen feeling his shoulder and back region after

Bengal confectioner sweetens World Cup

Raising a toast to West Bengal's eternal love for football and sweets, a renowned shop in south Kolkata has made sweatmeat sculptures of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, as the World Cup got underway on Thursday in Russia.

Marquez looking forward to healthy rivalry with Lorenzo

Spanish MotoGP great Marc Marquez said he was looking forward to a healthy rivalry next season with Jorge Lorenzo, who will be his new teammate at Repsol Honda.

I dreamed a night like this, says Russia's Cheryshev

Denis Cheryshev refused to say whether he deserved a place in Russia's starting line-up after a sublime brace against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup opener.

FIFA World Cup: This is just the beginning, says Russia coach

Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov has called for calm following his team's 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup Group A match.

India fold up for substantial 474 vs Afghanistan

An excellent half century from all-rounder Hardik Pandya steered India to a commanding 474 even as Afghanistan managed to take the remaining four wickets on the second morning of the one-off Test here on Friday.

Thrilled to be Real Madrid coach, says Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui said he is thrilled to be selected as Real Madrid's new coach after experiencing one of his worst days when he was fired as coach for Spain's national football team.

Saudi Arabia coach Pizzi not fearing sack

Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi played down suggestions that his position is under threat after a 0-5 loss to Russia in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup.

Javier Mascherano named ambassador for 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina

Argentine national football team stalwart Javier Mascherano was named ambassador for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games set for October 6-18.

FIFA WC 2018: Uruguay face Egypt, Morocco to meet Iran

Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay will face a formidable opening hurdle when they lock horns with Egypt in their opening Group A clash of the FIFA World Cup here at the Ekaterinburg Arena on Friday.While Uruguay will be competing in their 13th World Cup, Egypt had made just two appearances in the showpiece event previously.Both sides, who will be making their first Russia 2018 outing, will be desperate to begin the prestigious tournament in a positive style after the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia ended with a 5-0 win for the hosts.Heading into the opening clash of the second day, Egypt are expected to face a uphill task as they would be featuring in their first World Cup match since 1990.Uruguay, on the other hand, will appear in their third consecutive World Cup,having also made an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2010 World Cup.However, Uruguay had failed to win any of their opening games at the last six World Cups they played in, while Egypt's two previous ...

Fox apologises for Robbie Williams' World Cup gesture

Television network Fox has apologised for pop star Robbie Williams' middle finger gesture at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox said, "The 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony was a newsworthy event produced by a third party and carried live on Fox. As it was broadcast live, we did not know what would happen during Robbie Williams' performance and we apologise."The 44-year-old made the obscene gesture at a camera while performing at the opening festivities at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday.Reportedly, Williams had been criticised in both Russia and England before the event for his participation in the same.The ceremony was followed by the opening match with host Russia routing Saudi Arabia 5-0.

Gabriel Jesus hopes to make World Cup history for Brazil

Gabriel Jesus, at 21 the youngest member of Brazil's 23-man World Cup squad, said he intends make history for the country by helping the team win a sixth world championship.

Costa Rica's Ronald Matarrita leaves World Cup after injury

Costa Rica defender Ronald Matarrita will not play in the 2018 World Cup due to a right hamstring injury, and has been replaced by Kenner Gutierrez, the Costa Rican Football Federation said.

Griezmann shuns Barcelona's offer, opts to stay at Atletico Madrid

French forward Antoine Griezmann, who took a page out of LeBron James' book and made a decision on his future team into a TV special, said at the end of the video broadcast that he had rejected an offer from FC Barcelona and would be staying at Atletico Madrid.

Uruguay to air national team's matches in stadium setting at main airport

Uruguay's main Carrasco International Airport will air live broadcasts of all matches played by the Uruguay national team in the 2018 Russia World Cup in a stadium-like setting.

Historic Test: Pandya's fifty takes India's 1st innings to 474

All-rounder Hardik Pandya struck a blistering half-century before India were bundled out for 474 in their first innings just before lunch on the second day of the one-off historic Test against Afghanistan at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.Resuming at yesterday's score of 347-6, Hardik Pandya (71) along with Ravichandran Ashwin tried to steady his side's innings, however, the latter went cheaply for 18 runs.Subsequently, Pandya shared a crucial 67-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (20) for the eighth wicket before Umesh Yadav displayed late fireworks with his unbeaten 21-ball 26 runs to guide India to a respectable first-innings total.Earlier, the hosts made a perfect start to their innings as openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan shared a huge 168-run stand for the first wicket after electing to bat first.While Vijay smashed 105 runs off 153 balls including 15 boundaries and one six, Dhawan hit 107-run knock off 96 balls--comprising of 19 boundaries and three sixes.With ...

Scoreboard on day 2 of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at the M ...

Scoreboard on day 2 of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here today. India 1st innings: (overnight 347/6) M Vijay lbw b Wafadar 105 S Dhawan c Mohammad Nabi b Yamin Ahmadzai 107 KL Rahul b Yamin Ahmadzai 54 C Pujara c Mohammad Nabi b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 35 A Rahane lbw b Rashid Khan 10 D Karthik run out (sub [Nasir Jamal]/Afsar Zazai) 4 H Pandya c Afsar Zazai b Wafadar 71 R Ashwin c Afsar Zazai b Yamin Ahmadzai 18 R Jadeja c Rahmat Shah b Mohammad Nabi 20 I Sharma lbw b Rashid Khan 8 U Yadav not out 26 Extras: (B-1, LB-12, NB-1, W-2) 16 Total: (Allout in 104.5 Overs) 474 Fall of wickets: 1-168, 2-280, 3-284, 4-318, 5-328, 6-334, 7-369, 8-436, 9-440, 10-474. Bowling: Yamin Ahmadzai 19-7-51-3, Wafadar 21-5-100-2, Mohammad Nabi 13-0-65-1, Rashid Khan 34.5-2-154-2, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 15-1-75-1, Asghar Stanikzai 2-0-16-0.

Hardik scores 71 as India finish on commendable 474

All-rounder Hardik Pandya mixed caution with aggression en route his stroke-filled 71 as India finished their first innings on a commendable 474 against Afghanistan at lunch on the second day of the one-off Test here today. Last man Umesh Yadav also entertained the spectators with some lusty blows as his 26 off 21 balls also helped in beefing up India's total. Courtesy Pandya's third half-century in Test cricket, India added 127 runs during the first session of the second day as Afghanistan skipper Ashgar Stanikzai didn't take the second new ball during the 104.5 overs. Pandya's innings had 10 boundaries and he faced 91 balls. What stood out was his discretion with regards to shot selection knowing that there weren't too many wickets in hand. He was ready to wait for the loose balls and times played copybook forward defensive strokes. Senior pro Ravichandran Ashwin played a poor stroke chasing a widish delivery from pacer Yamin Ahmadzai (3/51 in 19 overs) to be caught behind for ...