Page 1877 - Sports
Sreejesh makes comeback, Sardar dropped from CWG bound squad
Seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a comeback while former skipper Sardar Singh was dropped from the 18-member Indian hockey squad led by Manpreet Singh for the upcoming 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. The Indian team are in Pool B along with Pakistan, Malaysia, Wales, England and will begin their campaign on April 7 against Pakistan. While Manpreet dons the captain's armband, the responsibilities of his deputy will be shouldered by Chinglensana Singh Kangujam. It was under Manpreet's leadership the Indian team lifted the coveted Asia Cup 2017 followed by a bronze medal feat at the Men's Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar, last year. Veteran custodian Sreejesh is back after having suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during the Azlan Shah tournament in 2017. His brilliant show during the New Zealand tour saw him get his rightful place back. He will be backed by the 22-year-old talent Suraj Karkera who played a crucial part in the team's good show in ...
Serena Williams ousted from Indian Wells by sister Venus
Serena Williams' return to tournament tennis came to an abrupt end here Monday as she crashed out of Indian Wells with a 6-3 6-4 loss to her sister Venus. Venus closed out the 29th career meeting between the two on her second match point as Serena sailed a forehand long to end the third round match. The 10th seeded Venus moves on to the round of 16, where she will face either Anastasija Sevastova or 12th seeded Julia Georges. It was the first meeting between the two sisters since they clashed in the final of the 2017 Australian Open which Serena won before taking a 15-month hiatus due to her pregnancy. It is rare for the Williams sisters to play this early in a tournament. It is the earliest they have faced each other since their first encounter at the Australian Open in 1998. The sisters arrived outside the stadium together on a golf cart then walked through the tunnel with Serena entering the court first with many in the crowd standing and cheering. Venus blasted six aces but had ...
All England C'ship: Sindhu, Srikanth gun for glory
India's formidable duo of PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth will have no dearth of motivation as they aim to win the coveted All England Championships starting tomorrow -- something their mentor P Gopichand won 17 summers back. The All England Championship is considered to be the ultimate glory for any shuttler worth his salt and in India only Prakash Padukone (1980) and Gopichand (2001) earned their rights to stand on the victory podium. Sindhu and Srikanth are expected to have easy first round outings against relatively unheralded opponents but the road is tricky for former finalist Saina Nehwal, who will face none other than world no 1 and defending champion Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei. Tai Tzu has proved to be her nemesis with an overall 9-5 record against her. The Indian has lost the last seven outings, the most recent being at the Indonesia Masters final early in the year. Fourth seed Sindhu, on the other hand, would open her campaign against a relatively unknown Thail shuttler .
Guardiola plays down hopes of clinching title in derby
Pep Guardiola tried to play down growing excitement among Manchester City supporters over the possibility of winning the Premier League title when they face bitter rivals United in the derby early next month. Jose Mourinho's side visit the Etihad Stadium on April 7 for a game which could see City make mathematically certain of being crowned champions following their 2-0 victory at Stoke yesterday. First, City must win their visit to mid-table Everton but, should they do so, Guardiola will win his first league title in English football with victory over his old rival Mourinho at the Etihad. "Everybody is always asking this question," said Guardiola. "But the important thing is on March 12, we have 81 points, that is a lot of points. "We want to be champions. We need three wins, but we are able to do it with two (if City beat United). "But before and after United, we have the (Champions League) quarter-finals, and at the moment that is the most important thing to focus on. "I understand
Conte's caution fails to harness best of Hazard
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte faces a conundrum of balancing his tendency for caution with the English champions' need to score to get past the might of Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 tomorrow. Conte's plan to contain and counter-attack on the La Liga leaders nearly worked to perfection in the first leg three weeks ago as Willian put the hosts in front and also hit the woodwork twice. But one Andreas Christensen error cost Conte's men dear as Barca pounced for a vital away goal when Andres Iniesta set up Lionel Messi to finally net against Chelsea at the ninth attempt and give Barca the upper hand from a 1-1 draw. However, whilst Willian shone in Conte's strikerless set-up, Eden Hazard was unable to exert the influence he desires on the biggest stage in an unfamiliar centre-forward role. "We need to repeat the game we played at Stamford Bridge and to try to exploit the chances to score," Conte told Chelsea TV following Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, hinting that he
Federer rolls into fourth round at Indian Wells
World number one Roger Federer stepped up his bid for a sixth Indian Wells Masters title with a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of Filip Krajinovic today. The 36-year-old marvel continues to defy the ageing process as he needed just 58 minutes to overpower the Serb with a brilliant display of Swiss timing. "I was feeling like he was not loving my slice and I was also mixing in dropshots," said Federer who extended his perfect record this season to 14-0. "I really I was able to mix up my game nicely, make it difficult for him. "At the same time, have fun with my game, play a variation, but for the most part try to stay on the offensive." Federer blasted six aces had one double fault and won 89 percent of his first serve points, losing just three points on his serve the entire match. "I actually was explosive out there today and I felt good," he said. "So I'm very happy how things are turning out to be." After handing back an early break to allow Krajinovic to draw level at two-all, Federer moved ..
US Open champ Stephens makes early exit
Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens says this wasn't the statement she had hoped for in her first tournament in the USA since winning her maiden Grand Slam title. The 24-year-old American suffered a shock third round loss today to world number 19 Daria Kasatkina in the $16 million joint WTA/ATP tournament, which is one of tennis' biggest events outside of the four Grand Slams. Stephens made four double faults and had her serve broken four times in the 77 minute match against the Russian 20-year-old. "Obviously not my best tennis today, but fortunately we get to play every single week," she said. "I am not going to be too down about it. There's always next week and the week after." The unseeded Stephens enjoyed a fairytale run at the US Open in September, beating No. 15 seed and fellow American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the final. She says it is taking her awhile to get back into the swing of things after the euphoric high of winning her first major. "There's a lot that comes with
Nidahas Trophy: India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in their third match of Tri-Nation Nidahas Twenty20 Cup being played at the R. Premadasa Stadium here.India had won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka. The match was reduced to 19 overs after an hour was lost due to rain.Sri Lanka gave the target of a total of 152-9 to India in their second encounter of the Nidahas Trophy tri-series.After starting off well, the Sri Lankan team lost their opener Danushka Gunathilaka very early.It was Kusal Mendis' fifty, which managed the host country to bring to a satisfactory total.Rest of the team failed to step up, even Captain Thisara Perera could not make an impact as he sent back to pavilion on 15.While Shardul Thakur scalped four wickets, making it his best T20 bowling figures, Washington Sundar took two wickets.Rohit Sharma was the first to depart while chasing the target set up by Sri Lanka, followed Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.KL Rahul became the first Indian batsman to have been .
Nidahas Trophy: India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
A combined effort helped India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the fourth match of the Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket tri-series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium here on Monday.
Clinical India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Nidahas Trophy
A clinical India defeated Sri Lanka comprehensively by six wickets to continue their their winning run in the Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series, here today. Opting to bowl, young Shardul Thakur (4/27) registered his best T20 bowling figures as Sri Lanka lost their way in the middle overs after Kusal Mendis' fifty to be restricted to 152 for nine. The match was reduced to 19-overs-a-side affair after over an hour was lost due to rain. Later chasing the modest target, India overcame early jitters riding on Manish Pandey's unbeaten 42 and Dinesh Karthik's 39 not out to overwhelm Sri Lanka's total with nine balls to spare. By virtue of this win, India has managed to avenge upon their five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. But it was not easy as India witnessed a horrendous start to their chase, losing both the openers -- skipper Rohit Sharma (11) and in-form Shikhar Dhawan (8) early. Rohit's lean patch with the bat continued as he once again perished early. After making a ...
India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series match here today. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 152 for nine in 19 overs (Kusal Mendis 55; Shardul Thakur 4/27, Washington Sundar 2/21). India: 153 for four in 17.3 overs (Manish Pandey 42 not out, Dinesh Karthik 39 not out; Akila Dananjaya 2/19).
Rabada suspended for 2 Tests after breaching ICC Code of Conduct
Kagiso Rabada has been suspended for South Africa's next two Test matches after being found guilty of a level 2 International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct offence of 'inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player'.He has received a fine of 50 percent of his match fee and three demerit points after a disciplinary hearing following his denial of the charge.This means that Rabada has accumulated eight demerit points within a 24-month period, automatically leading to a two-match suspension.The incident happened in the 52nd over of Australia's first innings of the second Test, when moving towards the slips, Rabada made physical contact with Steve Smith, with his shoulder.Rabada has accepted a second charge under 2.1.7 of the code - using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his or her dismissal.He received a further 15 percent fine of his match fee and an additional demerit point bringing his total to ...
IPL unveils anthem for 2018 edition
The Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday launched the anthem for the 2018 edition, starting April 7, with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings.
Nidahas Trophy: Sri Lanka post 152/9 vs India
Sri Lanka posted 152/9 against India in the fourth match of the Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket tri-series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium here on Monday.
DDCA goes unrepresented at Captain's Conclave
The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) went unrepresented at the BCCI Annual Captain's Conclave for the domestic players. The DDCA had three captains during the season. While Rishabh Pant is on national duty in Sri Lanka, it is not known why Ishant Sharma and Pradeep Sangwan (both captained this season) were absent. However, DDCA did have a representative named Ashwin for the IPL hosting associations meet.
East Bengal rope in Bhowmick as technical director; Jamil stays
East Bengal today brought back their most successful manager Subhas Bhowmick as technical director who will work in tandem with chief coach Khalid Jamil after another disappointing I-League campaign. This will be Bhowmick's fourth spell at the club and he is understandably excited to be back, even though it is the fag end of the season with only the Super Cup left to be played next month. It's a matter of respect to be back in East Bengal again. I just received the call informing me about the development. Tomorrow I will sit with the officials to clarify my role, Bhowmick told PTI. This decision was taken after a marathon meeting of the club officials who deliberated on the future of Jamil as he earned flak after they slipped to a poor fourth finish with two successive draws in the recently-concluded I-League. But the club agreed that Jamil will continue and Bhowmick will come on board as TD, an official said. Bhowmick had a forgettable first stint with the club during 1999-2000 ...
The following is the scoreboard of Sri Lanka's innings against India in a Nidhas Trophy ...
The following is the scoreboard of Sri Lanka's innings against India in a Nidhas Trophy match here. Sri Lanka Innings Danushka Gunathilaka c Raina b Thakur 17 Kusal Mendis c Rohit b Chahal 55 Kusal Perera (wk) b Washington Sundar 3 Upul Tharanga b Vijay Shankar 22 Thisara Perera c Chahal b SN Thakur 15 Jeevan Mendis b Washington Sundar 1 Dasun Shanaka c Karthik b SN Thakur 19 Akila Dananjaya c Rahul b Unadkat 5 Suranga Lakmal not out 5 Dushmantha Chameera c Unadkat b SN Thakur 0 Nuwan Pradeep not out 0 Extras: 10 (b 1, lb 0, w 8, nb 1) Total: 152 (9 wkts, 19 overs) Fall of Wickets: 25-1, 34-2, 96-3, 113-4, 118-5, 120-6, 146-7, 151-8, 151-9 Bowler: Jaydev Unadkat 3-0-33-1, Washington Sundar 4-021-2, Shardul Thakur 4-0-27-4, Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-34-1, Vijay Shankar 3-0-30-1, Suresh Raina 1-0-6-0.
Sri Lanka post 152/9 against India in Nidahas Trophy
Sent into bat, Sri Lanka made 152 for nine against India in a Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series match, here today. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 152 for nine in 19 overs (Kusal Mendis 55; Shardul Thakur 4/27, Washington Sundar 2/21).
Bhowmick appointed East Bengal Technical Director, Jamil to continue as coach
Veteran coach and former India striker Subhash Bhowmick was on Monday appointed Technical Director of city football giants East Bengal while Khalid Jamil remained head coach of the side slated to play the Super Cup next month.
Bolton guides Aussie eves to 8-wkt win over India
Australia rode on opener Nicole Bolton's brilliant unbeaten ton to tame the Indian eves by eight wickets in the opening women's One-day International and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match rubber.