Page 1933 - Sports

'Indian eves will be surprise element in World T20'

Looking at Indian women's cricket team's scintillating performance in the T20I series against South Africa, ODI skipper Mithali Raj believes that the team will be a big surprise element in the 2018 ICC Women's World T20 in the West Indies.The Indian eves scripted history with their double series win in a single tour to South Africa for the first time ever.Indian won the five-matchT20I series, 3-1 after winning the three-match ODI series, 2-1."The team still requires a lot of hard work in a lot of areas when it comes to the T20 format. We have been very good in the one-day format, but the way the girls have responded to this format in South Africa, I think there is a lot of scope that we can be a surprise element in the World T20," ESPNcricinfo quoted Raj as saying.India bowled out the hosts on 112 in the decider T20I to win the match by 54 runs with their all-round performance.Opener Raj struck a quick-fire half-century in the game, which was her third half-ton in the T20I series."Now

Miku, Sunil on target as BFC beat Jamshedpur 2-0

Bengaluru FC consolidated their position at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Jamshedpur FC in a 17th round Indian Super League encounter here tonight. Venezuelan Miku (23rd min) converted from the spot while India captain Sunil Chhetri (34th minute) nodded home to ensure full points for the 'Blues'. Bengaluru now have 37 points from 17 games while Jamshedpur are fourth with 26 points from equal number of outings. The first chance of the game went to Bengaluru after Toni Dovale put Miku through on the right. Miku squared the ball into the box but Chhetri couldnt get a touch on the ball. Udanta Singh then provided a beautiful cross for Miku to attack with the goalkeeper not in the best of positions. The Venezuelan though headed off target much to Jamshedpurs relief. When Bengaluru did break the deadlock, it was from the penalty spot after Subrata Paul brought down Miku in the box. The Venezuelan went on to take the penalty himself and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to ...

Last two matches will be our final hurdle: Al Amna

Fresh from their emphatic 7-1 rout of Chennai City FC in the I-League, East Bengal's Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna on Sunday said they are not getting carried away by the victory and the last two games will be their 'final hurdle' in the title push.

Amit strikes gold; Mary Kom, Seema settle for silver at Strandja Memorial

Amit Panghal claimed his second consecutive international gold but the celebrated M C Mary Kom had to be content with a silver in the 69th Strandja Memorial boxing tournament for men and women here today. Amit (49kg), who fetched the top honours at last month's India Open, defeated Morocco's Said Mordaji to fetch the yellow metal. The 23-year-old Haryana-boxer recovered from a sloppy start to out-manuever Mordaji, who was taller and matched the Indian in pace but eventually fell short on accuracy. However, Mary Kom (48kg), who came into the event in pursuit of a third consecutive gold medal after the Asian championships and the India Open, lost to Bulgaria's Sevda Asenova in a rather shocking decision. Also settling for a silver was Seema Poonia (+81kg), who went down to Russia's Anna Ivanova, done in by her rival's sheer power. It was a stunning result for Mary Kom, who dominated the bout against the local favourite. The Olympic bronze-medallist Indian was the one initiating any ...

Mary Kom, Seema lose in Strandja Memorial finals

Indian stars Seema Poonia and M.C. Mary Kom faltered at the final hurdle and had to settle for silver in the 69th Strandja Memorial Boxing tournament here on Sunday.

Spain's Verdasco-Marrero win Rio Open doubles title

Spain's David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco defeated Austria's Alexander Peya and Croatia's Nikola Mektic 5-7, 7-5, 10-8 in the Rio Open doubles final here.

Barçelona's Semedo out for 5 weeks with hamstring injury

FC Barcelona's Portuguese defender Nelson Semedo is to be sidelined for around five weeks with a left hamstring injury, the Catalan football giants announced on Sunday.

Villarreal back on track with 1-0 win over Getafe

After two defeats and a draw in the La Liga football championship, Villarreal on Sunday got back on track, defeating Getafe 1-0 here.

Hooda celebrates India call-up with all-round show for RBI

Deepak Hooda today celebrated his call-up to the Indian T20I squad for a tri-series in Sri Lanka with a fine all-round display for the RBI in the 14th DY Patil T20 Cup. Hooda's 74 (35b, 5x4, 6x6) with the bat and a brilliant spell of 5-17 helped RBI beat ONGC by 45 runs. Batting first, RBI posted 164-7 in their 20 overs with Hooda at number four top scoring for his side. For ONGC, Vikramjeet Malik (3-34) was the pick of the bowlers. In their response, ONGC just could not get going as Hooda spun a web around their batting line-up. Mayank Rawat (45) and Om Bhosle (33) were the only batsmen to provide any sort of challenge. This was RBI's first win in the tournament. ONGC is now out of the competition as they lost all three of their Pool B contests. Hooda was said he was ecstatic with his selection for the Indian squad. "I have to maintain my consistency and keep working hard in my practise sessions. I have to carry the positives from here with hard work and maintain my ...

Dimitrov hopes to shake bug and take his opportunity in Dubai

Grigor Dimitrov will count on a complete recovery from a brief illness as he plays as top seed at the upcoming Dubai Championships. "I'm getting out there. It's still been a little up and down," said the Bulgarian, who arrived on Wednesday. "I came here a little bit earlier to acclimatise to the conditions. "I'm still talking a little nosey here," Dimitrov said on Sunday, still hoarse from the virus which left him out of energy as Roger Federer dominated last week's final in Rotterdam. "But I'm better, overall better. Pretty much been practising every single day. That helps me just push through days. Hopefully with each day, I'm going to be better and better." The world number four heads the field at the Aviation Club and said that despite the absence of world number one Federer, the event still presents opportunities and challenges. Federer, a seven-time winner of the event, will concentrate on his March title defences at Indian Wells and Miami and will not make the trip this month ..

Sameer lifts Swiss Open title

Indian shuttler Sameer Verma dished out a clinical performance to outwit former world no 2 Jan O Jorgensen and clinch the men's singles title at the USD 150,000 Swiss Open Super 300 tournament, here today. The 23-year-old from Madhya Pradesh showed great anticipation and technique and added power in his smashes to bambazoole Jorgensen 21-15 21-13 in a lop-sided contest. Sameer, who had clinched the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold last year and reached the finals at 2016 Hong Kong Super Series, thus lifted his first title of the season and joined fellow Indians Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, who had won the title in 2015 and 2016. Up against Jorgensen, who made a comeback this season after missing in action for more than seven months following a heel injury, Sameer showed great touch and control to emerge victories in the 36-minute contest. Sameer opened up a 3-0 lead early and capitalised on it to enter the break with a 11-7 advantage. He never gave an inch to his rival to make a ...

Sinner, Taylor shine as Kiwis defeat England

Ross Taylor's stunning hundred and Mitch Santner's last-minute fireworks helped New Zealand script a three-wicket victory over England in the first ODI of the five-match series in Hamilton here on Sunday.Coming in to bat first, the visitors set a 284-run target for the loss of five wickets, which the Black Caps achieved with four balls to spare.The match was in a dwindling situation but Santner's 45 off 27 balls swung and a six in the final dropped the ball to the hosts' court.New Zealand were on 27 in the first ten overs after losing three quick wickets.It was Taylor, who brought the hosts back on track with his 113-run innings.He was well supported by wicket-keeper-batsman Tom Latham, as the two stitched 178 runs together for the fourth wicket before Ben Stokes stepped up to remove Latham for 79.Taylor smashed his 18th century before being dismissed by Adil Rashid.Santner then hit rapid two fours and four sixes to get New Zealand home.For England, Joe Root and Jos Buttler hit 71 and

Goa blow away Pune to remain in contention for ISL semis

FC Goa kept themselves in the race for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finals as they crushed FC Pune City 4-0 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium here on Sunday.

T'gana Guv hails Aruna Reddy for medal in Gymnastics WC

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E S L Narasimhan today congratulated B Aruna Reddy for clinching an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne by securing a bronze in the women's vault. Narasimhan congratulated B Aruna Reddy for making the country proud by winning India's first gymnastics World Cup Bronze Medal in the event held at Melbourne, a release issued from the Raj Bhavan said. The Governor wished that Aruna will bring many more such medals for the country in the future. Aruna Budda Reddy yesterday created history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to win an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup as she clinched a bronze in the womens vault event. Aruna, who hails from Hyderabad, scored 13.649 average points to win the bronze at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne.

Dressing room familiarity will be an advantage: Vijay Shankar

For someone taking baby steps in international cricket, VIjay Shankar is relieved that he will have his statemates MS Washingtin Sundar and senior pro Dinesh Karthik for company, when he embarks on his maiden foreign assignment in Sri Lanka with the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team for the NIdahas T20 Trophy. Familiarity in unknown conditions is a bonus and Shankar admits that during an interaction with PTI. "It is a familiar dressing room, having played with most of the team members (for India A), who have been chosen for the series in Sri Lanka. It will be nice to have them (Karthik and Sundar) also in the dressing room," Shankar said. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who was part of the team for two Tests during the Test series against Sri Lanka last year, said that sharing dressing room helped him learn a lot. "Being part of the national Test set-up is an experience I enjoyed. I learnt by watching the players prepare for matches. I have also been working on my bowling, trying a lot of new .

Winnie the Pooh and the Gay Games: defining moments from Pyeongchang

Memorable moments from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which closed on Sunday: - Pooh corner - =============== A blizzard of Winnie the Pooh soft toys rained down on the Gangneung Ice Arena after Yuzuru Hanyu's breathtaking winning performance in the men's figure skating. The 23-year-old's army of fans have taken to greeting every performance by showering him with his favourite bear, and they did not disappoint -- although for reasons related to sponsors' rights, Hanyu was unable to take his favoured Winnie The Pooh tissue box with him into the "kiss and cry" area. - The Gay Games - ================= Eric Radford said "he might explode with pride" after he became the first openly gay man to win Winter Games gold in the team figure skating event with Canada. Radford was not the only openly gay competitor in the team event, with bronze medallists the USA featuring 28-year-old Adam Rippon. And gay freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy said it was a moment that he "never dreamed" possible as a ..

T20I rankings: Kohli sinks, Dhawan rises

After India registered a 2-1 win over South Africa in the recently concluded T20I series, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan made a significant upward movement in the ICC T2OI Rankings for batsmen.The aggressive batsman was the highest scorer in the series with 143 runs. His fine form helped him jump 14 places to grab a career-best 28th spot.Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli slipped three places to number six after his 27-run performance in the two matches that he played in the T20Is against Proteas.The top spot among batsmen is taken by New Zealand opener Colin Munro while Australia's Glenn Maxwell became the top-ranked all-rounder.The latest update ICC T20I Rankings include performances in the Trans-Transman series in New Zealand that also featured Australia and England, a three-match series in South Africa that India won 2-1, and Sri Lanka's 2-0 win over hosts Bangladesh.Left-handed Munro has gained three slots after scoring 176 runs in the Trans-Transman series, which came with the help

Kane rescues Spurs with late winner at Palace

Harry Kane struck late to secure Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday that moved Mauricio Pochettino's side into the top four immediately ahead of Chelsea's visit to Manchester United. Spurs appeared set for disappointment after struggling to break down a Crystal Palace fighting to move clear of the relegation places. But Kane finally found the breakthrough on 88 minutes, meeting Christian Eriksen's corner at the far post and directing a header past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey who should have done better after getting a firm hand to the ball. "We left that very late. I thought it weren't going to be our day, because we had a few chances, especially me...but we kept going until the end and eventually got our rewards," Kane said after netting his 35th goal of the season. The win pushed Pochettino's men two points above Chelsea and while they knew the positions could be reversed by the end of the day, they could be satisfied they had increased the pressure on ...

Mary Kom, Seema settle for silver at Strandja Memorial boxing

Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom had to be content with a silver medal after going down in the final of the 69th Strandja Memorial boxing tournament for men and women here today. Mary Kom (48kg), who came into the event in pursuit of a third consecutive gold medal after the Asian championships and the India Open, lost to Bulgaria's Sevda Asenova. Also settling for a silver was Seema Poonia (+81kg), who went down to Russia's Anna Ivanova, done in by her rival's sheer power. It was a stunning result for Mary Kom, who dominated the bout against the local favourite. The Olympic bronze-medallist Indian was the one initiating any attack for most of the bout. In fact, she quite literally chased Asenova, who was content with occasional touches and back-paddling evasively. One such chase for getting a punch across by Mary Kom, led to the boxers tumbling over each other. It came as quite a surprise when the judges ruled in the Asenova's favour, leaving the Indian corner shocked. In ...

Goa trounce Pune to keep semi final hopes alive

Leading goal-getter Ferran Corominas struck twice in the second half as FC Goa produced top-drawer stuff to rout FC Pune City 4-0, keeping their play-off hopes alive in the Indian Super League football encounter here today. Needing nothing less than a victory to stay in the hunt for the semi-finals in their 16th round game, Goa took a solitary goal lead in the first half lead through a penalty converted by Spaniard Manuel Lanzarote (28th minute). The floodgates opened in the second half as they got three goals more through Frenchman Hugo Boumous (47th) and Spaniard Corominas (58th and 65th a penalty) to end their five-game winless streak in style. The resounding victory, which was also Goas first clean sheet this season, lifted them to the sixth spot with 24 points under their belt while Pune remained one rung behind table toppers Bengaluru FC. Pune stay put on 29 points with a game in hand to seal their play-off berth. In an action-filled but rough first half played at the Shiv ...