Page 1632 - Sports
India A selection a step closer to national team: Krunal Pandya
Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya today termed his selection in the India A squad for the tour of England as a "step closer" to realising his dream of playing for the senior team. It feels really good. Last year after the IPL, I got picked for the India A's tour of South Africa. It was a good tour for me. The ultimate dream is to represent India and that is still there, Pandya told reporters here when asked about his India A selection. And it is just one step closer to the senior team. I will try to give my best when I go there (to England) but right now this is an important stage of the tournament (in IPL). I want to do well for MI first and then I will see how it goes, the all-rounder noted. Krunal has scored 189 runs in 11 matches and bagged 11 wickets with his orthodox left-arm spin. The Baroda all-rounder also said that the MI in the latter half of the tournament grabbed their opportunities and started winning games. It is a do-or-die game for both Mumbai Indians and ...
Williamson has been a good T20 player for number of years: Moody
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson has been a revelation this season both with the bat and with his leadership skills, and the team's head coach Tom Moody said he wasn't surprised at all as the New Zealend batsman has been a good T20 player for a number of years. To be honest it has not been a surprise to us. Kane (Williamson) has been a good T20 player for a number of years. It is really an opportunity for people watching to see the versatility in Kane Williamson," he said. "He has got a T20 hundred, I think about four years ago in the Champions League. It is no surprise to us that Kane has the ability to adapt from Test cricket to 50-over cricket, down to T20 cricket. That is why we bought him four years ago," Moody said on the eve of their IPL match against Chennai Super Kings here tomorrow. A pure batsman still is very dangerous in this format. Probably the best example would be Mike Hussey. He was seen as a pure Test cricketer but I tell you what, he could play T20 ...
Narine keeps KKR in hunt after defeating KXIP by 31 runs
Kolkata Knight Riders produced a superlative batting performance as they comfortably beat Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs to stay in contention for a play-off berth in the Indian Premier League, here today. On a batting belter, KKR posted a mammoth 245 for 6, their highest ever total and fourth-highest in the history of the league. Sunil Narine, who has been stunning as an opener, once again left everyone spellbound with a 36-ball-75 while skipper Dinesh Karthik played an equally significant role with his 23-ball-50. The chase was always out of question and KL Rahul tried his bit with a 28-ball-66, which wasn't enough as KXIP could only manage 214 for 8 in 20 overs. After losing by 102 runs against Mumbai Indians, the victory not only enabled KKR reach 12 points from as many games but also helped them improve upon their net run-rate. KXIP on the other hand will be worried after their back-to-back defeats in Jaipur and now in Indore. Narine was once again their match-winner for his stellar .
DAV Chandigarh retain senior boys title in school regatta
DAV Chandigarh, Jatragachi from North 24 Parganas district city-based La Martiniere for girls and G D Birla emerged champions in their respective groups at the 46th K C Mahindra All India Invitation School Regatta here today. DAV Chandigarh represented by Akashdeep Singh, Shahwinder Singh, Gaurav Malik and Lovepreet Sigh timed one minute 54.17 seconds to beat St Lawrence to retain the senior boys title. Jatragachi boys represented by Rejayan Molla, Gautam Bairagi, Afridi Ali and Rajesh Ali Molla beat DAV Kolkata by clocking 02:05.34 seconds. In the senior girls final, South Point High School's Sudarshana Patra, Shreeja Basu, Janhavi Majumder and Anoushka Chakravarti defeated G D Birla School by clocking 02:19.19 seconds. The junior girls final produced the most keenly contested race of the day where La Martiniere for girls 'A' team consisting of Yashvi Singhania, Trisha Agarwal, Shreesha Agarwal and Khusi Agarwal got the better of their opponents from G D Birla by a whisker. The ...
India likely to join new regional grouping of South West Asian Football Federation
Aimed at widening its footprint, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to join a regional grouping, the South West Asian Football Federation (SWAFF), after getting approval from the continental body, a top official said today. India will continue to be part of the South Asian Football Federation whose four other members Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives will also join the new grouping to be based in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The other five members of the proposed 10-member SWAFF are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das told PTI that a final shape to this regional grouping may come out after the meeting of the presidents of the 10 national federations on May 25. "There is a proposal (to form this regional federation) and we said we will examine subject to the approval by the AIFF Executive Committee. It will help in developing Indian football and also improve relationship with these countries," Das
Ramos left out of Real Madrid roster against Celta
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was left out of the roster issued on Saturday for the La Liga match against Celta Vigo, as was injured right back Dani Carvajal and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
In-form Levante in the way as Barca look for unbeaten season
FC Barcelona have to avoid defeat in just two more games in order to become the first Spanish side in history to go an entire season in the La Liga without tasting defeat.
Narine, Karthik help KKR post mammoth 245/6 against Punjab
A 23-ball 50 from skipper Dinesh Karthik coupled with Sunil Narine's 36-ball 75 helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pile up 245/6 in 20 overs against Kings XI Punjab in a crunch Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Holkar Stadium here on Saturday.
Indian women's hockey team play Japan in ACT opener
Defending champions India will have a tough opening test as they take on mighty Japan in their first match at the fifth women's Asian Champions Trophy here today. The team led by experienced defender Sunita Lakra and vice-captain Savita eye a strong start against world no.12 Japan, who have in the past given India a hard fight, often challenging them with a structured defence. In the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy final, Japan had beaten India to emerge winners. In the 2016 edition where India eventually won the title for the first time, Japan had held India to a 2-2 draw in the pol stages and had also defeated finalists China. India had also lost 0-2 to Japan in last year's Hockey World League Round 3 but avenged that loss in the Asia Cup where they defeated Japan, who were the defending Champions and hosts. "We have always had tough competition against Japan. They are a quality team and breaking their defence early in the match will be crucial for us," said 27-year-old skipper ...
Indian team's autographed bat to be auctioned at Chappell foundation dinner
The inaugural Chappell foundation charity dinner event at the Sydney Cricket Ground on May 24 will have an autographed bat of the 2007 World T20 winning Indian team up for auction. The Chappell Foundation helps homeless youth in their adopted country. The foundation expects to raise around USD 200,000 (more than Rs 1 crore) through this charity dinner. All three brothers -- Ian, Greg and Trevor will be in attendance along with the legendary Neil Harvey. According to a media release, Sydney's Indian community will be well-represented with 30 among the 400 invitees are NRIs. Among other memorabilia include a MCC pullover worn by the great Frank Tyson during the 1958 Ashes. Tyson had gifted the pullover to veteran cricket journalist Makrand Waingankar, who has donated it for the charity. There will also be NRI interest in bidding for premium seating at the Adelaide Oval when India plays Australia in the opening Test match and for a hospitality suite at the SCG during the subsequent ...
Indians aim for bright start at Women's Asian Champions Trophy
Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne will hope to start his second stint with the Indian women's hockey team on a positive note when the defending champions open their campaign against a tough Japanese side at the 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy here on Sunday.
Top Indian and foreign players for one-off women's T20
The BCCI sanctioned women's T20 exhibition match ahead of the IPL play-off in Mumbai on May 22 will feature top Indian and foreign players. A total of 30 players, 20 Indians and 10 foreigners, will train at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai ahead of the one-off game. The teams will be called IPL XI and BCCI XI and the game will be broadcast live on Star Sports from 2.30 pm local time. The IPL Governing Council recently approved the initiative amid calls for a women's IPL, following the Indian team's final appearance in the World Cup last year. Like the IPL, seven Indians and four overseas players will make the playing eleven. It has been learnt that all players will be paid match fees and a daily allowance while a business class return ticket will be provided to the overseas cricketers. "This is another important step in the promotion of women's cricket. I am confident that this experiment will lead to a women's IPL in the near future," CoA member and former India captain Diana ...
Australian Open Badminton: Indian challenge ends as men's doubles pair loses in semis
The Indian men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy today suffered a straight-game defeat at the hands of Berry Angriawan and Hardianto Hardianto of Indonesia to bow out of the Australian Open Badminton Championship here. The third seeded India duo lost 17-21 15-21 to their top seed opponents in a 39-minute contest at the Quay Centre Olympic Park Court here. With the pair's loss, the Indian challenge ended in the tournament. All the orther Indians could not get past the quarterfinals. Yesterday, fourth seed Sameer Verma was shocked by Chinese qualfier Lu Guangzu while second seed B Sai Praneeth was knocked out by Lee Cheuk Yiu in the men's singles quarterfinals.
BCCI treasurer raises questions about timing of IPL play-offs
The friction between Committee of Administrators (CoA) and principal office bearers of BCCI came to fore once again after treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry questioned the decision of advancing the timing of IPL play-off matches to 7 pm instead of the usual 8 pm start. The IPL Governing Council headed by Rajiv Shukla had decided that the matches during the business end of the tournament would start early. While CoA chief Vinod Rai in his reply to the treasurer said that the decision was taken in consonance with Shukla, the treasurer alleged it as an "ad-hoc decision making" process without confirming if other GC members are in concurrence or not. Rai said that since double-headers are not involved and prize distribution ceremony takes a lot of time, the 7 pm start looks practical. The treasurer however feels otherwise. "A decision such as this ought to have been taken well before the tournament started after proper consideration of all factors. We cannot really make up things as we go along .
PM bats for cricket for boosting India-Nepal partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today batted for cricket and highlighted the role of Indian Premier League in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Nepal. Modi, who began his two-day visit to Nepal yesterday, pitched for "more sports" engagement in future to "connect" the two countries. "Today we are connected by cricket as a Nepali boy is a part of Indian Premier League (IPL)," Modi said, referring to Sandeep Lamichhane who became the first cricketer from Nepal to land an IPL contract when he was picked by Delhi Daredevils at the players auction in January. The 17-year-old leg-spinner, who rose to prominence with a successful outing at the 2016 U-19 World Cup where he guided Nepal to a creditable eighth place, was sold at his base price of Rs 20 lakh. "This connection with cricket will strengthen our people to people ties & I hope there are more sports through which we can connect," Modi said at a civic reception civic reception held in the capital Kathmandu to ...
Athletics Federation declares strict 'no-needle policy'
Left red-faced after two of their athletes were sent back home on charges of possession of needles during the recent Commonwealth Games, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to implement a strict 'No-Needle' policy at all the national camps and training centres in the country. The AFI is one of the first among National Sports Federations (NSFs) to declare a 'No-Needle' policy, has drawn up a protocol, which will be circulated to all the athletes at national camps and training centres across the country. AFI President Adille Sumariwalla told PTI that the 'No-Needle' policy has come into effect immediately after it was declared yesterday. "We have declared the 'No-Needle' policy yesterday and it has come into effect immediately. We have drawn up a two-page protocol to be distributed to all our athletes at all the national camps and training centres across the country," Sumirawalla said. "We are zero tolerant in matters related to use of banned drugs by athletes and we are
'Calico Jack' wins 'The Welcome Cup'
'Calico Jack' won 'The Welcome Cup', the main event of the first day of races here today. The winner, owned by C Gnanavel, was ridden by jockey P K Gaddam and trained by P Krishna. Jockey C Umesh trained four winners while B Suresh trained three winners. Five favourites obliged in a card of eight races.
Punjab elect to field against KKR
Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin won the toss and elected to field against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a crunch Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter here on Saturday.
Neymar reveals World Cup injury fear
Injured Brazil forward Neymar has revealed that he will need to overcome a psychological barrier as he bids to return to full fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Teenage midfielder Evina signs professional contract at Bayern
Bayern Munich have equipped young attacking midfielder Franck Evina with a long term professional contract, keeping him with the German football champions until June 2021.