Page 158 - Sports
Shah compliments Yuvraj Singh; calls him 'cricketing icon'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah Monday lauded cricketer Yuvraj Singh as a 'fighter', saying the all-rounder has given the country countless memories to cherish. The cricketer Monday brought the curtains down on a roller-coaster international career, the pinnacle of which was his exploits in India's 2011 World Cup triumph. "Yuvraj Singh has been our cricketing icon for all times with fans across the globe. Whether as a batsman, bowler or fielder, he always did his best for India. The fighter @YUVSTRONG12 has given us countless memories to cherish. I extend my warm wishes for his future endeavours," Shah tweeted.
CWC'19: Proteas-Windies clash called off due to rain
South Africa and West Indies settled with one point each as their match in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup was called off on Monday due to steady drizzle at the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium here.In the entire match, only 7.3 overs were bowled. Proteas, who were batting first, were restricted to 29 for two in the 7.3 overs. Sheldon Cottrell took two wickets for Windies as he scalped the wickets of Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram.Windies had one win and one loss going into this match whereas South Africa has lost all their three matches in the World Cup so far.Jason Holder-led side won its opening match against Pakistan by seven wickets. The team, however, lost their next match against Australia by 15 runs.The South African team, captained by Faf Du Plessis lost their three matches against hosts England, Bangladesh and India.West Indies will next take on England on June 14 whereas South Africa will face Afghanistan on June 15.
Kohli, Dhawan steal show on field and on Twitter
It was a moment of celebration for Indian cricket fans as India beat Australia by 36 runs in their second match after defeating South Africa by 6 wickets in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Akashdeep slams hat-trick as India rout Uzbekistan 10-0 in FIH Series Finals
Akashdeep Singh slammed a hat-trick as favourites India scored goals at will to thrash Uzbekistan 10-0 and storm into the semifinals of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here Monday. Akashdeep's goals came in the 11th, 26th and 53rd minutes, while Varun Kumar (4th, 22nd) and Mandeep Singh (30th, 60th) scored a brace each for India. Amit Rohidas (15th), Nilkanta Sharma (27th) and Gursahibjit Singh (45th) were the other goal getters for the winners. India finished atop Pool A with an all-win record and will play the winner of the cross-over match between Japan and Poland in the semifinals on Friday, while USA, who topped Pool B, will take on the winners of the other cross-over game between Russia and South Africa. The last Pool A match turned out to be a mismatch as the Indians controlled the proceedings from start to finish. The action was all in the Uzbekistan half as India attacked in numbers from the word go and secured as many as five penalty corners in the first four ...
South Africa get first point of World Cup after match against West Indies called off
A struggling South Africa got their first point of the World Cup after their game against the West Indies was abandoned due to persistent rain here on Monday. South Africa were 29 for two in the eighth over when rain stopped play at the Hampshire Bowl and intermittent showers meant no play was possible for the rest of the game. Both teams shared a point each for the called-off game, giving South Africa their first point of the tournament after three back-to-back losses against England, Bangladesh and India. The West Indies, who beat Pakistan before losing to Australia, have three points from as many games. The West Indies, who opted to bowl in overcast conditions, were on top before the rain arrived as pacer Sheldon Cottrell removed Hashim Amla (6) and Aiden Markram (5) after the West Indies opted to bowl. Quinton de Kock and captain Faf du Plessis were batting on 17 and 0 when rain lashed the ground. "Rain-affected matches are the worst. Both teams wanted a result, but you can't ...
French Open triumph propels Barty to world no. 2
Ashleigh Barty leaped six places to world number two in the WTA rankings released Monday after the Australian's surprise win at the French Open. Naomi Osaka narrowly retains top spot despite her shock elimination in the third round at Roland Garros which ended her hopes of winning a third successive Grand Slam. Britain's Johanna Konta moved up eight spots to 18th as a reward for reaching the French Open semi-finals. WTA rankings as of June 10, 2019 (change in brackets): 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6,486 pts 2. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 6,350 (+6) 3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,685 (-1) 4. Kiki Bertens (NED) 5,345 5. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,925 (+1) 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,675 (-1) 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3,967 (+2) 8. Simona Halep (ROM) 3,963 (-5) 9. Sloane Stephens (USA) 3,682 (-2) 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,565 (+1) 11. Serena Williams (USA) 3,411 (-1) 12. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,366 13. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 2,953 (+2) 14. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 2,833 (-1) 15. Wang Qiang (CHN) 2,752 ...
Roland Garros winner Nadal still lagging Djokovic in rankings
Rafael Nadal might have won a 12th Roland Garros title on the weekend, but he remains well behind Novak Djokovic, a semi-finalist in Paris, in ATP rankings released Monday. Austrian Dominic Thiem, whom Nadal beat in Sunday's final, keeps his fourth place behind Switzerland's Roger Federer, who went down to the Spaniard in the last-four on his first appearance in Paris since 2015. Russian Karen Khachanov jumped two spots into a personal best of ninth thanks to his achievement in reaching the French Open quarter-finals. Italy's Fabio Fognini, also a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros and winner in Monte-Carlo in April, also moved up two places to 10th. The biggest mover in the top 20 was Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka, whose quarter-final defeat by Federer in Paris was enough to see him go up nine places into 19th. ATP ranking as of June 10, 2019 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12,715 pts 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,945 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,670 4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,685 5. Alexander Zverev ...
Yuvi bids farewell to his 'Number 12' jersey
Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from all three formats of the game on Monday and after his decision, the player bid farewell to his 'Number 12' jersey on Twitter."After 25yrs in cricket, I've decided to move on. Cricket has given me everything I have. ThankU 4being a part of this journey. This game taught me how to fight, how to fall, to dust off, to get up again n move forward. It has been a lovely journey. See you on the other side #SteppingOut," Yuvraj tweeted.The Chandigarh-born Yuvraj captured the imagination of world cricket with his gravity-defying fielding abilities and effortless power-hitting."Only if I could articulate what cricket has done for me, to me! But let me tell you this, cricket has given me everything I have. It is the reason why I sit here today," said Yuvraj, whose on-field exploits defined India's last two World Cup triumphs.A career that spanned over 304 ODIs, 58 T20Is and 40 Tests, Yuvraj imprinted his place in the echelons of cricket .
Pakistan's Imam relishes World Cup battle with Australia's Starc
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is relishing facing Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc when the two teams meet in the World Cup in Taunton on Wednesday. The 23-year-old, a nephew of Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq, said the confidence he had gained from facing England quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood would help him tame the Australia attack. "Starc isn't a threat," said Imam. "In fact I am excited over the prospect of facing him. Same was said about Archer and Wood but we played them with confidence." Imam scored a solid 44 in an 82-run opening stand against England in Nottingham, setting up Pakistan's second-highest total ever in a World Cup of 348 for eight in a match they won by 14 runs. That came after he could only muster two runs in Pakistan's seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in their opening game, when they were bowled for a paltry 105. "I have played (Kagiso) Rabada and Dale Steyn in more difficult conditions in South Africa," said Imam, referring to Pakistan's tour
Winning matters more to Mashrafe than respect
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza can live without the respect of his opponents so long as his side are winning matches at the World Cup. The Tigers launched their campaign with an impressive win over South Africa but afterwards Mashrafe was annoyed by suggestions the result constituted an upset. "Do you think this was a surprise?," he asked pointedly. "If we can deliver our best we knew what we could do. I'm sure some people don't think well of our cricket. We are concentrating on our game and letting other people talk." Since then Bangladesh have suffered an agonising two-wicket loss to New Zealand before being on the wrong end of a 106-run thrashing by tournament hosts and favourites England in Cardiff last weekend. Those defeats make Bangladesh's match against a struggling Sri Lanka in Bristol on Tuesday all the more important. "I'm not worried about who is respecting us, I'm more worried about our performance," Mashrafe told reporters in Bristol on Monday. "Winning matches is ..
Sharapova set for return after lengthy injury absence
Former world number one Maria Sharapova is expected to make her return after more than three months out with an injury at next week's Mallorca Open, tournament organisers announced on Monday. Sharapova, 32, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has been sidelined since February after having surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury which has troubled her since 2008. "After more than a week testing in Mallorca, Maria Sharapova has decided to accept the wildcard offered by the Mallorca Open," the statement said. Sharapova has been struggling back to top fitness since her 15-month doping ban that ended in 2017. Her last on-court appearance came at the St Petersburg Open in her native Russia in January after she had lost to eventual French Open winner Ashleigh Barty at the round of 16 of the Australian Open earlier in the month. The competition at the WTA grass event in Mallorca begins on June 17 and Sharapova will be joined by reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber as well as fellow ...
England's Buttler 'responding well' after World Cup hip injury
England's Jos Buttler is "responding well" to treatment on a hip injury but the star batsman still has to prove his fitness in time for Friday's World Cup match against the West Indies. Buttler suffered a heavily bruised right hip while hitting a six during England's 106-run win over Bangladesh on Saturday. The 28-year-old, one of the World Cup's most destructive batsmen, was visibly hampered for the remainder of his innings of 64 in Cardiff. Jonny Bairstow took over Buttler's wicket-keeping duties when he was unable to come out for the Bangladesh run-chase. "Jos sustained heavy bruising on his right hip during the match against Bangladesh," a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Monday. "He is responding well to treatment and will be reassessed later this week." The England squad reconvene on Wednesday for two days of practice in Southampton, with Buttler hoping to take part to show he is ready for the hosts' fourth group game against the West Indies. "We ...
Russia 'regrets' IAAF doping ban vote
The head of the Russian Olympic Committee on Monday insisted his country had fulfilled conditions set by the IAAF after the federation voted to maintain its track and field doping ban. The International Association of Athletics Federations voted at the weekend for the 11th time to uphold a ban first introduced in November 2015 after evidence of mass state-sponsored doping appeared. Russia's participation at this year's Doha world championships remains on tenterhooks. "The decision of the IAAF raises regrets," local Olympic committee head said Stanislav Pozdnyakov told the state TASS news agency. "Even though the Russian side has absolutely fulfilled its obligations... the position of the International Federation has changed." The latest report by the IAAF's Task Force, charged with investigating the scandal, noted some positive developments from the Russian side. Those included the repayment of the 2.8 million euros ($3.2 million) it has cost the Task Force to do its work as well as ..
Rai leads India team to 11th place in qualifications
The Indian men's team, which finished 11th in the qualification round of the Archery World Championships here Monday, will have to win two matches to secure Tokyo Olympics berths. Two-time Olympian Tarundeep Rai, a silver medallist at the 2005 Madrid World Championships, shot 676 to secure the best finish (11th) among the Indians, while his young Army colleague Pravin Jadhav was next best at 31st place with a score of 673. But the biggest let down was the top-ranked Indian, Atanu Das, as the Rio Olympics pre-quarterfinalist shot 666 for a poor 50th position, which cost the team a top-eight finish that would have helped them secure a bye into the round of 16. India (2015 points) were just three points behind Great Britain who got a bye into the pre-quarters and will now have to overcome 22th seed Norway and then sixth seed Canada to secure the Olympic quota places in the men's recurve. The 35-year-old Rai, an Asian Games individual silver medallist in 2010, however, was not worried ...
Haryana, Maharashtra pugilists dominate pre-quarters of Youth nationals
Haryana and Maharashtra dominated the third day of the 3rd Youth men's and women's national boxing championship in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand with eight pugilists from the two states progressing to the quarterfinals. Four boxers from Maharashtra entered the quarterfinals, while Ankit Narwal-led Haryana boxers also reached the last-eight stage. Narwal, the 2018 Youth Asian Championship bronze winner, put up an incredible show in men's 60kg category to stave off a resilient challenge from Orissa's SR Sahoo. Narwal advance with an unanimous 5:0 verdict. Haryana's Akshay Kumar also came up with similar result. He exposed his opponent's defence with a flurry of punches to post a comfortable 5:0 win and advance to the quarters of 64kg. In the women's category, Haryana's Bharti and Poonam continued the fine run for the state. Bharti registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ekta Saroj of Punjab in a bout which went down to the wire, while Poonam got the better of Assamese boxer Kimpa Boro. The ...
ICC, BCCI congratulate Yuvraj for an outstanding career
The ICC and BCCI have congratulated Yuvraj Singh for an outstanding career after the flamboyant cricketer announced his retirement from international cricket here on Monday. Yuvraj played pivotal roles in India winning the ODI Cricket World Cup 2011 and the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. "Yuvraj had an outstanding international career. He was one of those players who could raise his game in crunch situations and excelled at ICC events time after time. He has been an inspiration both on and off the field and given so much joy to millions of fans the world over," International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said in a statement. "I have no doubt that Yuvraj is a hero not just in the cricketing world but outside of it too. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate Yuvraj for his superb career and wish him all the best for the future." The former all-rounder was named player of the tournament at the 2011 World Cup as he scored a century and four fifties for an aggregate of
Ferrari plan appeal after Vettel second-place Canada furore
Ferrari announced on Monday their intention to appeal the controversial five-second time penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel his first victory of the season in the Canadian Grand Prix. In a move that requires the Italian team formally to support their decision with new evidence within 96 hours, Ferrari kept alive the controversy that followed the stewards' mid-race penalty and resulted in a petulant demonstration of his fury afterwards by the German driver. Vettel was punished for making an unsafe re-entry to the action after 48 laps after running off track and across a strip of grass, his move squeezing Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes towards a wall and blocking him from trying to take the lead. Vettel went on to win the race 'on the road', but after his time penalty was applied he dropped to second and Hamilton claimed a record-equalling seventh victory in Canada. In his annoyance, Vettel launched a tirade against the race stewards, stormed away from the immediate post-race interviews, ...
Shahzad cries foul, ACB CEO says keeper injured
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on June 6 that wicket-keeper and opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad wouldn't be taking any further part in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. They cited an injury to Shahzad's knee as the reason behind them calling a replacement in Ikram Ali Khil.
Kothari wins Pacific International Snooker C'ship
Reigning World billiards champion Sourav Kothari lifted the 2019 Pacific International Snooker Championship - The Reventon Classic, in Melbourne on Monday.
USA seal direct semifinal spot; Japan, South Africa to go through cross-overs
The USA continued a fine run and held Asian champions Japan 2-2 to qualify for the semi-finals as Pool B toppers in the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament, while South Africa blanked Mexico 6-0 to make it to the cross-overs here Monday. The match between world no. 18 Japan and world no. 35 USA witnessed a hard-fought first two quarters but both the teams failed to break the deadlock till half-time. Deegan Huisman (41st, 51st minutes) scored a brace for the Americans to give Japan a few nervous moments. After Kenta Tanaka's goal in the 45th minute, Japan were made to fight hard and finally managed to draw level a minute before the final hooter through a penalty corner conversion by Shuguru Hoshi. Both Japan and USA have seven points from three games but the Americans, who have impressed one and all in the tournament so far, finished on top by virtue of better goal difference. Later in the last Pool B match, world no. 16 South Africa thrashed 39th ranked Mexico to stay afloat in the ...