Page 1685 - Sports
Gaurav Gill looks forward to taking part in WRC-2
Ace driver Gaurav Gill today said he was looking forward to participating in the World Rally Championship-2, which "will be great for me and the team." "Yeah, it is great for me and my team to take part in the WRC-2 and I really thank MRF for this wonderful opportunity," he told reporters during the launch of the Indian National Rally Championship here. "This year it will be more of a data collection and R&D for us. We are planning to enter five events this year and we are finalising that," he added. MRF had recently announced its foray into WRC-2 with Gill at the wheel. WRC-2 is already underway with four of the 13 rounds already completed. Gill sounded confident about his chances in the INRC and said he had a good chance to get off to a winning start. "I am looking forward to the INRC this year and I believe whether it is for the sixth time or the sixtieth time... its all about winning for the team and focusing on that. So yes, I am confident of the season ahead and
Indian women shine at Asian Youth Boxing Championship
Indian women ruled the roost at the Asian Youth Boxing Championship as World Youth Championship winner Nitu Ghanghas (48 kg), Lalita (69kg) and Manisha (64kg) secured three gold medals here on Friday.
Saina, Sindhu, Srikanth, Prannoy qualify for World C'ship
Top Indian shuttlers, including P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, qualified for the prestigious badminton World Championships to be held in Nanjing, China from July 30 to August 5. Sindhu and Saina who won the silver and bronze medal respectively at the Glasgow edition last year will be joined by World No 5 K Srikanth and World No 10 HS Prannoy and B Sai Praneeth, ranked 19th in the BWF ranking list that was released yesterday. Commonwealth Games silver medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and national champions B Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri also booked their tickets for Nanjing in the men's doubles category. Ashwini Ponnappa, who emerged as the star by guiding India to a historic mixed team gold during the Commonwealth Games, also qualified for the World Championship alongwith her women's doubles partner Sikki Reddy and mixed doubles partner Satwiksairaj. Upcoming women's doubles pair of Poorvisha S Ram and J Meghana also qualified as the second-best ranked Indian pair, ..
Bravo is mentor to all young CSK bowlers: Eric Simons
Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons termed Dwayne Bravo as the "mentor" to all young Chennai Super Kings bowlers with his enormous variations in the shortest format. "Bravo is massively important from two perspectives. He is an incredibly experienced cricketer. His ability to control in those middle overs, when we need some control, bowl to his field, is wonderful to watch," the former bowling coach of Indian team said ahead of CSK's match against Mumbai Indians. "The number of balls he bowls that go down the ground for one or to the square for one he exactly knows whats going to happen is hugely important. And then the third component is the amount of mentorship he does for our bowlers. He does lot of talking, lot of advising," Simmon said. However there is room for improvement as far as CSK bowlers are concerned. "There are certain lengths we would like to improve on, lines we would like to improve on and work on them all the time but we also very aware of the fact that ...
Afghanistan wants Indian players for its T20 league, BCCI unlikely to allow
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) today launched its very own franchise-based T20 league, to be held in the UAE in October, but the BCCI is expected to maintain its current stand of not allowing Indian players to turn freelancers. The ACB claims that 40 overseas cricketers have showing interest in the league to be staged in Sharjah from October 5-24. While the top officials of Afghanistan board wanted BCCI to allow at least its non-contracted players to take part in the inaugural edition, India won't make exceptions for one particular private league, even though it is a venture of a long-time ally. The BCCI has not allowed its cricketers to play in any T20 league outside the IPL and it is unlikely to change its stance for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). I am not talking about the current Indian cricketers here but it will be great if the other Indian players can come and play in our league, ACB CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai told PTI here. I will speak to the BCCI officials on the
IPL: Gambhir dropped from Delhi team as KKR opt to field
Former skipper Gautam Gambhir was dropped from the Delhi Daredevils side, which was asked to bat by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Friday.
Asia Championships: Saina, Prannoy in semis; Sindhu, Srikanth bow out
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina Nehwal and H.S Prannoy entered the semi-finals while Kidambi Srikanth and Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V Sindhu crashed out of the Badminton Asia Championships here on Friday.
Banthia wins Indian leg of Junior French Open wild card event
Country's top singles player Siddhant Banthia saved a match point before prevailing over a fighting Mann Maulik Shah to win the Indian leg of the junior French Open wild card tournament and remained in contention for entry into the Clay Court Grand Slam. The 17-year-old from Pune had to dig deep to eke out a 6-4 2-6 7-6 (3) win over the reigning Under-16 national champion from Ahmedabad after battling hard for more than two hours in searing heat. The girls event was won by Rashmikaa S Bhamidipaty, who defeated Tanisha Kashyap in 6-4, 6-4. Banthia, ranked 59 in the world, had won the Indian leg last year as well but a last-minute injury prevented him from participating in the main event in Paris. In his place, Abhimanyu Vannemreddy, the finalist, had gone to Paris and went on to win the tournament to enter the main draw. Banthia will now compete with winners from China and Brazil in the final Qualifier to get an entry into the main draw of the junior French Open. Maulik was down by a .
Gangjee makes cut in Japan
Indian golfer Rahil Gangjee made the halfway cut at the Japan Golf Tour's Crowns Tournament in Nagoya despite a round of three-over 73 here today. At two-over 142 for 36 holes, Gangjee is now T-57th and made the cut on the line. Gangjee, who won the Panasonic Open Japan for his first win in 14 years on Asian Tour and first-ever win on Japan Tour, had three bogeys in first six holes and turned in four-over 39 that included a double on par-4 eighth. On the back nine, he birdied 10th and 17th, but gave away another shot on 18th. Japan's 25-year-old Shugo Imahira led a pair of Australians, Brendan Jones (66-67) and Anthony Quayle (65-68) and fellow Japanese Shota Aikyoshi (70-63) at the Nagoya Golf Club's Wago Course. Imahira, who won his first Japan Tour event last year at Kansai Open, also recorded 11 other top tens in 2017 and is considered one of the most consistent young stars in Japan. Jones won this event in 2011 and he has 14 Japan Golf Tour victories thus far.
Aditi starts with a round of 73 in LPGA Mediheal golf
Aditi Ashok made a good start with a birdie on her second hole, but dropped a bunch of bogeys on the next few holes to turn in two-over 38 in the first round of the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship. Starting from the back nine at the Lake Merced Golf Club, Aditi had four bogeys between 12th and 18th. She played more steady on the second nine with one birdie and no bogeys to finish at 73 and was Tied-63rd on a cool and breezy opening day, where 20 mph gusts made things difficult for players in afternoon. Rounds of 4-under 68 put Lydia Ko, Caroline Hedwall, In-Kyung Kim, Jessica Korda and Su Oh on top of the crowded leaderboard. Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Sei Young Kim and Celine Herbin sit one back. Four years ago, Lydia Ko won her first event as a member of the LPGA Tour at Lake Merced Golf Club. She has a tattoo of the date on the wrist to remember it by. Ko won the 2014 and 2015 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced.
Kapur shoots 68, but Bhullar best Indian in Beijing
Gaganjeet Bhullar stayed as the best Indian despite a sharp fall in the second round, while Shiv Kapur shot the best round among his compatriots with a bogey free 68 at the Volvo China Open here today. Bhullar, who was in Top-10 at the end of the first day, shot even par 72 with four birdies against four bogeys and at four-under for 36 holes, he is T-22nd. Kapur (68) made up for his first round 73 and at three-under he is now T-35 alongside Shubhankar Sharma (69-72) and Arjun Atwal (69-72). Khalin Joshi (71-71) at T-50th was the fifth Indian to make the cut. Ajeetesh Sandhu (72-76), SSP Chawrasia (75-75) and Jeev Milkha Singh (77-77) missed the cut, which fell at one-under 143. Meanwhile, Matt Wallace of England signed for a battling two-under-par 70 to seize a one-shot lead at the halfway stage. The 28-year-old Wallace, who won the Hero Indian Open for a breakthrough win last month, opened his campaign with a 65, moved atop the leaderboard after closing with a brilliant birdie, ...
Junior Dala to replace injured Chris Morris for Delhi Daredevils
South African fast bowler Junior Dala has signed up with the Delhi Daredevils as a replacement for the injured all-rounder Chris Morris for the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.Dala made his T20 International debut for South Africa against India earlier this year and has featured in three matches for his country so far.He will wear jersey no. 3 for the Delhi Daredevils.Delhi Daredevils' next game in the VIVO IPL 2018 is against Kolkata Knight Riders at home today.
Afghan cricket board to hold 20-20 in UAE from Oct.2018
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that its inaugural five-team Twenty-20 Afghanistan Premier League (APL) would be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October 2018.ACB Chairman Shukrullah Atif Mashal said more than 40 overseas cricketers have expressed interest in playing the APL T20."Their presence will raise the quality of the league from the Shpageeza Cricket League that we organise at home,"Mashal said."We are thankful to the overseas cricketers for helping Afghanistan Cricket rise to the next level,"he added."We are grateful to our government for its support and encouragement. We believe we can provide our youth the platform to shine and move away from negative influences,"he said.ACB Chief Executive Shafiqullah Asamat Stanikzai said cricket "has been a unifying tool, contributing to peace, development and stability in the country and around the globe. The Board aims to make APL T20 among the world's top three leagues.
Saina, Prannoy enter semis; Sindhu, Srikanth sink at Asia C'ship
Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina Nehwal and world no 10 H S Prannoy progressed to the semifinals of the women's and men's singles competition at the Asia Badminton Championship here today. Former world No 1 Saina showed her class as she dumped unseeded Korean Lee Jang Mi 21-15 21-13 in a 43-minute clash. She will face world no 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei next. "I am pleased with my game. Right now my confidence is at a high and I hope to go beyond the semis," said London Olympics bronze medallist Saina. Prannoy, who had missed out of a medal at the Commonwealth Games, dug deep into his reservoir to eke out a hard-fought 18-21 23-21 21-12 win over second seeded Korean Son Wan Ho in a match that lasted an hour and 12 minutes. He will face Olympic champion and third seed Chen Long next. However, Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu and top seed Kidambi Srikanth bowed out of the tournament after suffering straight game losses. While Sindhu, who had won a silver at the ..
50 basketball players to participate in ACG-NBA Jump National Finals
Fifty players from across the country will be vying to be selected into the NBA's elite basketball training center when they participate in the ACG-NBA Jump National Finals to be held at the NBA Academy India from May 3-4. The National Finals of the third ACG-NBA Jump is a national basketball talent search program which will provide an opportunity for the selected players to train at Jaypee Greens Integrated Sports Complex in the National Capital Region. At the end of the two-day camp, the top prospects from the ACG-NBA Jump National Finals will be identified to receive scholarships and training at The NBA Academy India. The ACG-NBA Jump program is a great platform for players to develop and showcase their potential, said NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco. Together with ACG, we look forward to welcoming the next class of elite prospects and providing them with world-class coaching and training to help them fulfill their potential both on and off the court. The 2018 ACG-NBA ...
FIFA bans Brazilian federation chief over corruption
Football's world governing body FIFA said Friday it had banned the head of the Brazilian football federation, Marco Polo Del Nero, for life following a graft probe. FIFA said in a statement that the probe revealed that Del Nero had violated multiple articles of the body's ethics code including those relating to bribery and corruption. "As a consequence, Del Nero is banned for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level," the statement said. "Additionally, a fine in the amount of CHF (swiss francs) 1 million (835,880 euros) has been imposed on Mr Del Nero.
Mourinho regrets bust-ups with Arsenal boss Wenger
Jose Mourinho admitted Friday that he regrets some of his behaviour towards Arsene Wenger over their years of rivalry in the Premier League ahead of the Frenchman's last visit to Old Trafford as Arsenal boss. The two managers have enjoyed a spiky relationship since the Portuguese arrived as manager of Chelsea in 2004 and deposed Arsenal's "Invincibles" as champions. Famously, Mourinho called Wenger a "voyeur" and a "specialist in failure" while, in the early days of their feud, in 2005, Wenger responded by calling Mourinho "stupid" and "disconnected with reality". As recently as October 2014, the two managers were involved in an ugly touchline row that saw them almost come to physical blows in a game between Arsenal and Chelsea -- an example of the sort of behaviour Mourinho now says he regrets. "Regrets? Little negative episodes, yes I do and probably he also does," Mourinho told the press at United's training base. "There are little things where it would obviously have been better ..
No surprises in Harmanpreet-led India squad for Women's Asia Cup
The 15-member Indian women's squad for the Asia Cup T20 in Malaysia did not have any surprises with all the tried and tested faces finding a slot in the squad. The tournament featuring India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and hosts Malaysia will be held from June 1- 11. Each team will play against the other and the top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final. India Women's squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Anuja Patil, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ekta Bisht, Mona Meshram.
Junior Indian teams remain unbeaten at Youth Olympic Games Qualifier
Indian junior men's team thrashed Hong Kong 21-0 and South Korea 12-5 to finish on top of Pool A at the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand today. The Indian women's hockey team also continued its unbeaten run, defeating Thailand 9-0 to finish on top of Pool B and qualify for the semifinal. In their first match of the day, skipper Vivek Sagar Prasad scored the first of the nine goals in the first minute itself to give the junior men's team a good start. He doubled the tally in the fourth minute followed by goals from Rahul Kumar Rajbhar and Rabichandra Moirangthem. It was Mohammad Alishan's three goals in two minutes that took the opponents by surprise. At the end of first period India were leading 9-0. The story wasn't any different in the second period as India scored seven goals with two apiece from Mohammad Alishan and Shivam Anand and one each from Rahul Kumar Rajbhar, Sanjay and Yashdeep Siwach. While conceding none, Indian side piled up five more goals in the ...
Keeper Sreejesh returns as captain of Indian hockey team
Veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh has replaced midfielder Manpreet Singh as the former regains the captaincy of the Indian men's hockey team till the end of the year, it was announced on Friday.