Page 1563 - Sports
PKL-6: Ex-India skipper Anup goes cheaply at auction
Former India captain Anup Kumar suffered a fall from grace as he commanded a mere Rs 30 lakh at the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 6 auction here on Wednesday.
Djokovic, Halep advance in French Open
Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Wednesday overcame a resilient Jaume Munar in straight sets, while top-ranked Simona Halep also brushed off Alison Riske as the two tennis aces advanced to the next round of the Rolland Garros.Seeded a lowly 20 in the latest French Open due to his injury-enforced absence recently, Djokovic was made to toil for every point in the Round of 64 of the Men's Singles with the first set going down to the tiebreaker, where Djokovic eased to a 7-1 win.Although the 21-year-old Spaniard- Munar showed sparks of brilliance in patches, he could not sustain his tenacity for the remainder of the match. Coupled with recurrent erroneous shots and the technical superiority of his opponent, he bowed out to a 4-6, 4-6 loss in the following sets.Djokovic, currently ranked 22 in the world, will now face 15th seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the Round of 32, scheduled to be played on Friday.Meanwhile, current World No. 1 Halep had a sloppy start, making 16 ...
We are in a tough group in Asian Cup: Gurpreet
Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu today said that his side have been placed in a tough group in next year's Asian Cup and the players will have to give their best to make an impact in the tournament. "We can't be complacent (and) we need to work hard. If we don't put in our hard work and if are best games don't come out, then it is difficult, because there are very good teams. Thailand, Bahrain are good teams and UAE being the home side will be a difficult side," Sandhu told reporters here. India are clubbed in Group A along with Thailand, Bahrain and UAE in the AFC Asian Cup to be held in January next year in the UAE. "UAE and Thailand, they missed the World Cup (qualification) by small margins, so it's a difficult group. We need to be at our best, because if we are not we have to blame ourselves," the custodian added. Asked specifically if India would be aiming to be third best team or in the first two, Sandhu said, "We need to aim to be the best, but we can't ...
Kvitova books place in French Open 3rd round
Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova, eighth seed, advanced to the third round of the French Open on Wednesday after beating Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 6-0, 6-4.
Halep wins challenging first round match at French Open
Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, world No. 1, advanced to the second round of the French Open on Wednesday despite a spirited challenge from the United States' Alison Riske 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Argentina rout Haiti 4-0 behind Messi's hat trick
Argentine superstar striker Lionel Messi did not disappoint his adoring fans in the Albiceleste's send-off game for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, scoring a hat trick in a 4-0 victory over Haiti in a friendly at La Bombonera Stadium here.
Valencia's Rodrigo distances himself from rumours of departure from club
Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno on Wednesday told the press his intention was to stay at the football club for the coming season, thus playing down rumours ahead of the FIFA World Cup that other teams would be interested in signing the Brazil-born Spaniard.
Carreño Busta advances to French Open 3rd round
Spanish tennis player Pablo Carreño Busta, tenth-seeded, advanced to the third round of the French Open on Wednesday after defeating Argentina's Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4.
Spain's FIFA World Cup squad trains without Monreal
Spain's national football team on Wednesday completed their third session in the pre-World Cup training camp without defender Nacho Monreal, absent due to muscle pains.
Djokovic reaches third round at Roland Garros, Halep wins opener
Former champion Novak Djokovic reached the French Open third round for the 13th consecutive year by beating Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 6-4 today, while women's top seed Simona Halep battled to victory in her opening match. Djokovic, the 2016 Roland Garros champion and former world number one, is seeded 20 this year after struggling to rediscover his best form after returning from a right elbow injury. He wasn't at his best on Court Suzanne Lenglen, but goes on to face Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the last 16. The Serbian 12-time Grand Slam champion fired 39 winners but 33 unforced errors and was broken three times by Munar, the world 155. "I am very happy to be here on Suzanne Lenglen and see so many people and see the support," said Djokovic. "Jaume is a great player, he has lots of quality and good concentration. I congratulate him on a great match today." Bautista Agut, the 13th seed, saw off Colombian qualifier Santiago Giraldo 6-4 7-5 6-3, but ...
Bangladesh recall Abul for Afghan T20s
Bangladesh today recalled medium pacer Abul Hasan to replace the injured Mustafizur Rahman for next month's Twenty20 series against Afghanistan in India. Mustafizur was ruled out after sustaining a toe injury during an Indian Premier League match for Mumbai Indians on May 20. Afghanistan will host Bangladesh for the first-ever T20 series between the countries in the Indian city of Dehradun from June 3 to 7. A week later Afghanistan will play their inaugural Test, against India in Bangalore from June 14. Selectors delayed announcing Mustafizur's replacement until learning more about the newly-laid pitch at Dehradun's Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium. "It was a new ground so we wanted feedback from the team," said chief selector Minhajul Abedin. "They reached Dehradun yesterday and found the pitch a bit grassy, so we decided to send a pace bowler. Otherwise we would have sent a spinner." Abul's last four Twenty20 internationals were against Pakistan in 2012. Afghanistan are ranked ...
BCCI set to increase selectors', umpires' salaries
The BCCI has decided to reward the three national selectors with increased remuneration besides doubling the fees of umpires, scorers and video analysts. The decision was taken by the Cricket Operations wing of BCCI headed by Saba Karim and the COA also feels that chief selector MSK Prasad and company should be rewarded for their services. Interestingly, BCCI treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry is not aware about the remuneration hike. As of now, chairman gets Rs 80 lakh per annum while other selectors get Rs 60 lakh. The decision to increase the remuneration was taken as two ousted selectors Gagan Khoda and Jatin Paranjpe are drawing the same salary as Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh. "Since selectors can be only appointed in AGMs, Jatin and Gagan despite not rendering services are drawing a fat salary as per norms. This is being unfair to Devang and Sarandeep, who are criscrossing the country," a senior BCCI official said. It is expected that chairman will get something in the range of Rs
Real Kashmir FC qualifies for I-League
Real Kashmir FC on Wednesday secured promotion to the I-League, having clinched the 2nd Division League title beating Hindustan FC 3-2 here.
Real Kashmir FC qualify for I-League, becomes first J&K club to do so
Real Kashmir FC today became the first football club from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the country's top tier I-League after they won the second division league by beating Hindustan FC 3-2 here today. The side from the Kashmir Valley emerged winner of second division league as they secured seven points -- from two wins and a draw -- from three matches in the final round. Only the winning team of the second division league is promoted to the I-League. Real Kashmir FC will now play in the I-League season 2018-19. Real Kashmir scored through Ifham Tariq Mir (22nd minute), Danish Farooq (42nd) and Nadong Bhutia (67th) while Kushant Chauhan (34th & 80th) was on target for Hindustan FC at the FSV Arena here. David Robertson's Srinagar-based side only needed a point today to win the title and promotion on the final day of the 2nd Division League season, but they produced a clinically efficient performance to win the match and create history. All India Football Federation ...
Discus thrower Vikas Gowda announces retirement
India's star discus thrower Vikas Gowda announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Lahiri looks at the Memorial with fond memories and lot of hopes
Anirban Lahiri, who achieved his career-best result at the Memorial last year by finishing tied-2nd, returns to the event with a lot of hope and expectations. The 30-year-old Indian, who has fallen outside of top-100 for the first time in four years, has been paired with Kevin Streelman and Jamie Lovemark in the morning wave. Young Shubhankar Sharma, who has been making an attempt to get onto the PGA Tour, will make his maiden appearance at the storied event. Sharma has been paired with Trey Mullinax and Andrew Dorn in the afternoon session. The tournament is one of the most significant ones in the season as Jack Nicklaus hosts the event. Virtually all top stars including World No. 1 Justin Thomas, No. 2 Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson are in the field as is Tiger Woods, a multiple winner here. Lahiri, speaking about Nicklaus, said, "He's very, very approachable, more so than I would have thought. The first couple of times, it's hard to talk because ...
Indian Railway men to meet Chennai customs in summit clash
Indian Railway, Delhi, will meet Customs, Chennai, in the title clash of the 53rd All India Basketball Championship for men for Natchimuthu Gounder Cup, here tomorrow. In the women's section for CRI Pump Trophy, Eastern Railway, Kolkata, will take on KSEB, Thiruvanathapuram, in the final. In the first semi-finals for men, Indian Railway defeated Indian Air Force 79-68. Raj Kalbhor potted 20 and Jayavenkatesh 15 for the winners while Joginder (23) and Narendra (15) shined for the losers. In the second match, Customs defeated ASC Bengaluru 54-52. ASC men were in the lead in the first three quarters 18-05,37-19, 49-30. Eastern Railway defeated Tamil Nadu Juniors 73-45 to enter the women's finals. Sitamani Tudu (17) and Libna (16) played well for the winners. In the second semi-finals, KSEB defeated Kerala Police 64-39.
Iran's Fazel Atrachali becomes first-ever PKL player to enter 1 crore club
Iran's Fazel Atrachali today became the first player in the history of Pro Kabaddi League to enter the 1 crore club after he was fetched by U Mumba, in the auctions here. Intense bidding went for the defender, whose base prize was set at Rs 20 lakhs, but in the end U Mumba came out winners. Fazel's Iranian counterpart Abozar went to Telugu Titans for Rs 76 lakhs, while Jang Kun Lee returned to Bengal Warriors, who exercised their Final Bid Match card to retain him for Rs 33 lakhs. The auction for Indian players will take place later tonight. On the big purchase, U Mumba team owner, Ronnie Screwvala said, We wanted to be strong in defence. We had an extremely strong defence in season 1 and season 2 and that was part of the reason why we bargained for Fazal so fiercely. Fazal is someone who has played with us and we are quite happy to have him back. We wanted to be sure that we got who we wanted rather than going right till the end and then have to hastily pick a player. You need a ...
PKL: Happy to be back in my second home, says U Mumba's Atrachali
After becoming the most expensive buy in the history of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), an elated Iranian Fazel Atrachali on Wednesday expressed pleasure on being picked by U Mumba.
Alcis Sports to bring official FIFA World Cup fan-wear merchandise for Indians
Sportswear company Alcis Sports today announced its partnership with Flipkart to bring Indian fans the official fan-wear merchandise of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia. After bagging the rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Licensed Apparel Merchandise for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Alcis Sports has inked an exclusive deal with Flipkart to retail fan-wear merchandise on the online platform. The company has lined up a comprehensive range of over 550 articles -- including popular apparel categories such as T-Shirts, Polo T-shirts, Shorts, Track pants, and Tracksuits -- that will be exclusively available on Flipkart. "Football has always been popular among fans in our country and it got a further boost when we hosted the U-17 World Cup in India. With the Russia World Cup just a matter of few days away, it is the right time to introduce these products to these fans," said Alcis Sports Managing Director Roshan Baid in a release.