Page 1888 - Sports
Yuki beats Mahut to enter second round in Indian Wells
India's Yuki Bhambri fought his way to a straight sets win over experienced Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in a men's singles first round match at the BNP Paribas Open here. Bhambri, ranked 110, defeated World No. 101 Mahut 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 41 minutes. It was their first meeting on the ATP tour and both had qualified for the main draw. The Indian next faces another Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who got a first round bye. Pouille reached a career-high rank of 12 earlier this month.
Ashwin to replace Jadeja in RoI squad for Irani Cup
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named as replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja in the Rest of India squad which takes on Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha in the Irani Cup to be held in Nagpur from March 14-18. "Mr. Jadeja suffered a side strain and has been adviced rest," said the BCCI in a statement. Ashwin had missed the recently concluded Deodhar Trophy as he was adviced a week's rest. "He has now recovered and is declared fit to play," the statement added. Both Ashwin and Jadeja remain an integral part of the Indian Test team but have lost their limited overs spot to Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Nidahas Trophy: Lanka look to extend domination
After securing a thumping victory over India in the in the opening clash of the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, Sri Lanka will look to extend their domination in their series when they take on Bangladesh on Saturday.Bangladesh will come to play the hosts after suffering a six-wicket defeat from India in the second match of the series.India registered a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second match of the T20 tri-series.Bangladesh have recently lost the T20I home series 2-0 against Sri Lanka last month and moreover, they have not won an international match since January 23.The tourists are playing the series without their regular skipper Shakib Al-Hasan, who has been ruled out due to injury. Mahmudullah Riyad has been leading the charge in his absence.The 2018 Nidahas Trophy is a tri-nation series between Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. Each team will play each other twice, with two teams progressing to the final.Sri Lanka (probable): Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, ...
T20 Mumbai League from tomorrow
The inaugural edition of the T20 Mumbai League is to begin here tomorrow with altogether six teams in the fray. All the matches are to be played at the Wankhede stadium and the tournament is seen a platform for budding youngsters across the city. Tomorrow, North Mumbai Panthers will clash with Arcs Andheri in the opener followed by Sobo Supersonics against Mumbai North East Triumph Knights. While many big names from Mumbai are set to miss the tournament, the one stalwart who will be taking part is India's Test batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who will be part of the North Mumbai Panthers. His India teammate Rohit Sharma was picked by a franchise, but the ace right-handed batsman is set to miss most of the tournament as he is leading India in the ongoing T20 tri-series in Sri Lanka. Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who was grabbed by Mumbai North East Triumph Knights, will also miss the tournament following an ankle injury for which he is undergoing rehabilitation at the National ...
England romp home, claim series on Bairstow ton
A masterful century by Jonny Bairstow saw England cruise to a seven-wicket win in the deciding one-day international against New Zealand to wrap up the series 3-2 in Christchurch on Saturday. Bairstow's 104 off 60 deliveries, backed by 61 from fellow opener Alex Hales transformed the winner-takes-all showdown from an expected tight contest into a one-way event. New Zealand, sent in to bat, struggled to 223 with the last wicket falling on the penultimate ball and England knocked off their target in 32.4 overs with Ben Stokes finishing the match with a six. Both sides were hit with late replacements but with marked differences. New Zealand's batting maestro Ross Taylor failed a late fitness test and was replaced by Mark Chapman who made a three-ball duck. England lost Jason Roy to a back spasm and his replacement Hales opened with Bairstow in a 155-run stand for the first wicket. Hales was the second wicket to fall when England were on 177 and just 47 runs short of victory. Eoin Morgan .
Arsenal stars have let Wenger down, admits Wilshere
Jack Wilshere admits Arsenal's stars hadn't done enough to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger before they finally took the strain off their beleaguered boss by beating AC Milan. Wenger's side ended a wretched run of four successive defeats as they won 2-0 at Milan in the Europa League last 16 first leg on Thursday. With Arsenal having lost eight of their previous 13 matches in all competitions, Wenger was facing a fight to save his job ahead of the trip to Italy. Arsenal are languishing 13 points adrift of the Premier League's top four and a dismal 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the League Cup final exposed numerous flaws in Wenger's squad. Winning the Europa League is likely to be Arsenal's only route into next season's Champions League, a target which seems an essential requirement to persuade Arsenal's hierarchy to retain Wenger. And ahead of Watford's visit to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, Gunners midfielder Wilshere conceded he and his team-mates ...
Sanchez yet to shine at Manchester United, admits Mourinho
Jose Mourinho admits he has not got the best out of Alexis Sanchez since his January transfer because the former Arsenal forward moved to Manchester United at the "wrong" time. Sanchez was signed in a swap deal that reportedly made him the Premier League's best-paid player but the Chile international has scored just one goal in eight United appearances, well below his career strike rate. Mourinho, whose team take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday, believes it will be next season before the 29-year-old shows his best form. "What is wrong is that he came at the worst moment of the season, in the winter market," said the Manchester United boss. "That's why I don't like the winter market very much. "I think this was a chance that we didn't want to lose and we made. But we don't believe a lot in the winter market. "And for sure next season will be better for him. But of course he is learning how to play with us and we are learning how to get the best out of him." Pundits have ...
New Zealand held to 223 despite Santner, Nicholls fifties
Tight England bowling restricted New Zealand to 223 in their deciding one-day international with the innings propped up by half centuries from Mitchell Santner and Henry Nicholls. New Zealand, playing without batting rock Ross Taylor who failed a fitness test before the toss, struggled to be six for 93 before Santner and Nicholls put on 84 for the seventh wicket to give the innings some substance. Santner, who rescued New Zealand in the first match, hit a personal best 67 while Nicholls was out for 55. With the series locked at 2-2, there was pre-match anticipation the winner-takes-all fifth and final match at Hagley Oval would produce another nail-biting finish. But that's not the way England saw it as they displayed from the start how they had worked out the New Zealand batsmen. Colin Munro went on the second ball he faced, caught behind off Chris Woakes for the third time in five innings. It was a second consecutive duck in a miserable series for Munro who made 49 in the third ODI .
Sharapova splits with Dutch tennis coach
Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova has decided to split with her tennis coach Sven Groeneveld following her shock first round exit from the WTA Indian Wells tournament. After four years of working together, the decision to go their separate ways was a mutual one, Sharapova said on Friday. "After four successful and challenging years of collaboration together, I would like to thank Sven for his incredible loyalty, work ethic and most importantly the friendship that we have formed that will go beyond this working partnership," Sharapova said in a news release. "Although we have mutually agreed to part ways during this time, I have been incredibly fortunate to have a team leader like him in my corner." The former world number one, and twice a winner in the California desert, suffered a stunning defeat on Wednesday to Japanese No. 1 Naomi Osaka, losing in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Sharapova was one of the tournament's major attractions after missing the last two. "Maria has been ..
Tiger stalks Conners at Valspar Championship
Tiger Woods put his name atop a leaderboard again, if only briefly, driving fans into a frenzy and positioning himself for a weekend run at Valspar Championship leader Corey Conners. Former world number one Woods, playing his fourth US PGA Tour event since returning in January from spinal fusion surgery last April, fired a three-under par 68 for a four-under total of 138. That was good enough for a share of the early clubhouse lead but eventually two strokes behind Canadian rookie Conners, the overnight leader who fired a 69 for 136. Woods was almost flawless, only a bogey at his final hole, the par-four ninth at Innisbrook Resort north of Tampa, Florida, preventing him from holding the outright clubhouse lead. He was tied with England's Paul Casey and fellow Americans Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Palmer and Kelly Kraft. "I'm up there," Woods said. "At least I'm there with a chance going into the weekend." That was more than some other of golf's biggest names could say, as Jordan Spieth and .
Federer hopes to avenge loss to Delbonis
Roger Federer will be looking for payback when he opens the defence of his ATP Indian Wells title with a second round match against Argentina's Federico Delbonis on Saturday. There aren't many players who can say they have a winning record over 20 time Grand Slam winner Federer but Delbonis is one of them. In their only other ATP meeting in 2013, Delbonis won on clay in Hamburg 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4). Delbonis, who is ranked 67th in the world, is no stranger to upsets in Indian Wells. In 2016 he shocked world number two Andy Murray to reach the fourth round. He reached the second round here this week by saving two match points to defeat another American Ryan Harrison in three sets. Federer, who regained the world number one ranking last month, is on a quest to make history in the California desert by winning an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells title. The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the ageing process, claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Australian Open crown in ..
First national conclave on blind cricket held in Delhi
The first National Conclave on Blind Cricket was held on 9th March in New Delhi by Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in association with Induslnd Bank.The Conclave was inaugurated by Mahantesh GK, President of World Blind Cricket and CABI, former Indian Cricketers Syed Kirmani, Madan Lal, Bishen Singh Bedi and Ajay Jadeja, Chetan Chauhan, Minister of Sports and Skill Development in UP and Mrs Swathi Singh, Minister of Women and Child Welfare, UP.Chetan Chauhan congratulated the Indian Blind Cricket Team on winning the World Cup and offered his full support to the Indian Blind Cricket Team in providing them jobs, which has been a recent initiative of his government. He also highlighted the fact that his government was in the process of approving the proposal of honouring disabled sportsmen.Ajay Jadeja, on this historic occasion, said that information about blind cricket should reach every section of the society, including school going children and everyone should ...
Hockey: Ireland stun India in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Indian Men's Hockey Team fumbled as they lost 3-2 to Ireland in their last league match here at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018 on Friday. Ramandeep Singh (10') and Amit Rohidas (26') put India in the lead twice while Shane O'Donoghue (24'), Sean Murray (36') and Lee Cole (42') strikes handed Ireland the win.After rekindling their hopes of making the final with a convincing 5-1 win against Malaysia in their previous match, India vied for another win. Playing structured and disciplined hockey, India won a penalty corner in the 10th minute.Varun Kumar was at the first battery but it was Ramandeep Singh who came up with a great finish to direct the flick into the net.With a 1-0 lead, India had to contain Ireland and ensure they stayed ahead. India denied Ireland their first penalty corner of the match with video referral that was ruled in India's favour.However, they conceded an equalizer soon, following good teamwork between Kirk Shimmins, Sean Murray and O'Donoghue, who ended up ...
Rabada rips through Australian batting
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada ripped the heart out of Australia's batting when he took four wickets in seven balls on the first day of the second Test on Friday. Rabada added a fifth wicket in the same spell as Australia were bowled out for 243 after winning the toss and batting on a green-tinged pitch on an overcast day at St George's Park. South Africa were 39 for one at the close. Rabada finished with five for 96, having done all his damage on either side of tea, taking the key wicket of Australian captain Steve Smith, then following up by dismissing the Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitchell, in his next over. Tea was taken after Mitchell Marsh was out. With his remaining ball in the over, Rabada had Pat Cummins caught behind to be on a hat-trick. He didn't manage that but 11 balls later he bowled Mitchell Starc. It was a day of contrasts. Australian opening batsmen Cameron Bancroft and David Warner survived a testing first hour, scoring only 23 runs in 14 overs, then seemed
Sevilla's Navas to miss Valencia, Man United matches
Sevilla announced on Friday that their right winger Jesus Navas will miss the Spanish football club's upcoming two matches against Valencia in La Liga and Manchester United in the second leg of UEFA Champions League last-of-16 due to a right calf injury.
JSW Sports to acquire 50% stake in Delhi Daredevils
Jindal South West (JSW) Sports on Friday announced that it will acquire fifty percent stake of the Indian Premier League(IPL) team, Delhi Daredevils, with GMR Group holding on to the rest fifty percent.JSW Sports' valuation of the Daredevils franchise was worth Rs 1100 crore, which is double the amount the franchise was originally bought at in 2008.The JSW will pay Rs 550 crore for the partnership and the deal will be sealed once it gets an approval from the BCCI and satisfaction of other conditions."This relationship between GMR and JSW opens up powerful synergy going forward for both the groups. It is symbolic of immense potential for Sports and Cricket in particular in the region. After having nurtured the Franchisee for the last 10 years, we believe the time is right for us to take it to newer heights. We believe JSW as a partner will bring significant value to the Franchise with their wealth of diverse experience," GMR Corporate Chairman Grandhi Kiran Kumar said.JSW MD Parth ...
Bedi urges BCCI to take CABI under its fold
Former India captain Bishen Singh Bedi on Friday urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take blind cricket under its fold.
Wasteful India stunned by Ireland in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Continuing their underwhelming performances at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here, Asian hockey champions India on Friday went down 2-3 to Ireland and will now meet the European minnows in the fifth/sixth classification match on Saturday.
Asian Cup qualifier: Subrata not in list of India probables
India's most-capped goalkeeper Subrata Paul was on Friday axed from the 32-member national football probables list for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifying match against Kyrgyzstan.
Mumbai T20 League: Pacer Dhawal's absence big loss, says Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, captain ofTranscon Developers' Mumbai North East Triumph Knights team, today said the absence of pacer Dhawal Kulkarni was a big loss to his side in the Mumbai Premier League which begins on Sunday. Dhawal, a former India pacer, has an ankle injury and is reportedly undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. It is learnt that he is set to miss the Mumbai Premier League. "It is a loss as he is the most experienced bowler in this format and has served Mumbai a lot too. Not having him is a big loss but we have a few players who can get into his shoes," Surya Kumar Yadav said. "They are practising really hard to tide over his absence. Seeing their hard workI feel there will be lot of surprises in the tournament," Yadav added.