Page 1986 - Sports
Golfer Kapur eyes Tokyo 2020 berth
Fresh from his three Asian Tour titles last season, ace Indian golfer Shiv Kapur is now hoping to stay battle-ready to secure a berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Duminy to lead Proteas T20 squad against India
JP Duminy will lead the 14-man South Africa squad in the absence of injured Faf du Plessis in the three-match T20I series against India, beginning Johannesburg on February 18.Du Plessis injured his right index finger during the first ODI at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Thursday, with further assessment and investigation revealing a fracture which will require three-six weeks to heal.He was subsequently forced to miss the remainder of the ODI series and was ruled out the upcoming T20I series against India,ESPNcricinfo reported.Meanwhile, Warriors batsman Christiaan Jonker and the Multiply Titans duo of fast bowler Junior Dala and wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen are the three new players in the T20I squad.South Africa, however, have opted to rest a number of players including Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla and number of the frontline Test-match pacers, keeping in mind the upcoming Test series against Australia."With the Sunfoil Test Series against Australia starting only 5 days after .
Shane Warne to mentor Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018
Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has been roped in as the mentor of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).The 48-year-old had captained Rajasthan Royals from 2008 to 2011 while leading the side to the title glory in the inaugural edition of the tournament.Warne, who currently remains the franchise's third-highest wicket-taker of all time with 58 wickets from 56 matches, is now all set to renew his association with the side.Reflecting on the same, Warne said that he is excited to be back in the side which hold a very special place in his cricket journey."I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals, who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey. I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the franchise and fans of Rajasthan Royals. We have a strong, young and energetic bunch of boys, and I am looking forward to work with them," ESPNcricinfo quoted Warner, as saying.The main role .
NorthEast, Delhi fight to avoid last-place finish
Already out of reckoning for playoffs berth, NorthEast United FC and Delhi Dynamos lock horns with each other here tomorrow, bidding to avoid a last-place finish in the Indian Super League. The match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium is of academic interest only but both sides would still look to salvage some pride with a win. Currently ninth and 10th respectively in the points table, NorthEast United and Delhi Dynamos have both enjoyed good form in patches but the results have not always gone in their favour. Talking about the mood in the NorthEast dressing room ahead of the more-or-less inconsequential game, assistant coach Eelco Schatorrie said that qualification or not, his squad is still very positive, and like all professional sportspersons, will give more than 100 per cent to score a win. "The players are very positive, and everybody will give their best, there is no doubt about that. "Of course, when you are not fighting for anything then the motivation level tends to dip .
Duminy to lead South Africa in T20 series against India
Cricket South Africa today named JP Duminy as captain for the three-match T20 series against India starting in Johannesburg on February 18. Duminy will lead the side in absence of injured Faf du Plessis, who fractured his index finger in the first ODI at Durban. Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram and senior batsman Hashim Amla have been rested for the series. Batsman Christiaan Jonker has been included in the squad while keeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen has also been called up to the T20 team for the first time, along with fast bowler Junior Dala. Leg spinner Imran Tahir too has been left out, although chief selector Linda Zondi said that he has just been rested to give left arm spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso more game time. Fast bowlers Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have also been rested owing to the heavy workload this home summer. South Africa T20 squad: JP Duminy (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, ...
Santosh Kashyap appointed Aizawl FC head coach
A day after the sacking of Paulo Meneses as head coach following a string of poor results, I-League champions Aizawl FC today appointed Santosh Kashyap for the top job. Aizawl failed to register a win in their last seven games under Meneses, leading to his sacking yesterday. The Mizoram side is currently sixth on the league table with 17 points from 13 matches and is already out of reckoning for the title. "Aizawl Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Santosh Kashyap as the new Head Coach for the senior team. Welcome Coach Kashyap, and all the best!" the club announced on its Twitter handle. The 51-year-old Kashyap, an AFC pro licence holder, had coached some of the big clubs in the past like Air India, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Rangdajied United and Royal Wahingdoh. His last assignment was with Mumbai FC in the 2016-17 season of the I-League. Kashyap will arrive in Aizawl with five games remaining to turn around their fortunes in this season. The Reds play Indian ...
Neroca seek win against Churchill Brothers to grab top spot
Neroca FC would look to climb to the top of I-League standings with a win against a resurgent Churchill Brothers when the two sides take on each other in a crucial match here tomorrow. Neroca striker Felix Chidi's first-half spot-kick separated the two sides when they met in the first leg in Goa last month. Since then, Neroca have beaten Gokulam Kerala 1-0 before playing out a goalless stalemate against Aizawl FC at home. Tomorrow's match against Churchill at Khuman Lampak Stadium will be Neroca's third consecutive game at home and will be a perfect chance for Gift Raikhan and his men to put pressure on leaders Minerva Punjab FC who lost to East Bengal 0-1 today. With the I-League reaching the business end, Minerva (29 from 14 matches), Neroca (28 from 15 matches) and East Bengal (26 from 14 matches) have been left as the title contenders and every match has now become crucial. "We need to work and be confident to get three points. There is no other option. We cannot lose three ...
East Bengal hand Minerva first defeat at home, title race heats up
East Bengal handed leaders Minerva Punjab FC their first defeat at home this season to stay alive in the I-League title race with a crucial 1-0 win here today. Third-placed East Bengal's win was made possible owing to a thunderous long-range volley from Cavin Lobo on the hour mark at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium. Apart from the early few minutes, East Bengal dominated the game having penetrated Minerva's defence with sharp through balls from the flanks. Minerva Punjabs goalkeeper Rakshit had to come out of his position numerous times to clear the ball from one-on-one situation to keep the scoreline unscathed. Minerva slowly came back into the game in the latter part of the first half when Chencho and William started attacking from both wings. The Red & Golds almost conceded an own goal from a wayward clearance by Eduardo in the 37th minute, which landed on the roof of the net. Meanwhile, East Bengal missed an easy chance to go forward when Yami Longvah failed to connect a cross inside
S. Korea waiting for North's response to hold military talks
South Korea's Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said that they are waiting for North's response to its offer of military talks.Yonhap news agency quoted the ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo at a press briefing, as saying, "We are making preparations for the talks, although no specific schedule has been set yet."The inter-Korean military hotline is in normal operation, but there's no communication on the agreed-upon military dialogue, she added.On Sunday, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon hosted a lunch session for a high-level North Korean delegation at the Walker Hill Hotel.The delegation, led by the North Korean ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam, includes Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un.The 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang kicked off on Friday with the two Koreas marching under a unified flag in an opening ceremony themed around peace and future.A joint ice hockey team, comprising of both North and South Korean players will take part in the Winter ...
I-League: Aizawl FC appoint Kashyap as head coach
Reigning I-League champions Aizawl FC on Tuesday appointed Santosh Kashyap as their coach for the rest of the season following the surprise dismissal of Portuguese Paulo Menezes.
Gursimar starts favourite in fourth leg of Hero WPGT
Gursimar Badwal will once again start as favourite when the fourth leg of the Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour begins at the Oxford Golf Resort here tomorrow. Gursimar, who pulled away on the back nine to win the previous leg here, will once again face stiff competition from Neha Tripathi, Tvesa Malik, Ayesha Kapur and Saaniya Sharma, who comprised the top-5 last week. Gursimars hallmark has been consistency and that is what carried her through in the third leg. She will now be hoping to strike gold in back-to-back events here, like she did in Bengaluru last year. In the 2017 season, Gursimar won two times and finished in the top-5 on numerous other occasions. The Kapurthala golfer, who turns 25 on February 26, is looking at another solid season after having finished fourth in the Hero Order of Merit last year. Gursimar holds the lead in this years Money List with earnings of Rs 2,74,000 while Neha is right behind her at Rs 2,46,000. Tvesa (Rs 2,32,000) and Saaniya Sharma (Rs 2,02,000) are ..
Austria's Hirscher takes gold in Men's Alpine combined
Austrian Marcel Hirscher, a serial World Cup winner, won the first Olympic gold medal of his career on Tuesday after topping the Men's Alpine Combined Slalom at the Winter Olympic Games here.
IWF lifts temporary suspensions of two Russian athletes
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ruled to lift provisional suspensions of two Russian weightlifters imposed last year over doping abuse allegations, Russian sports lawyer Artyom Patsev said on Tuesday.
Golfer Gursimar starts favourite in fourth leg of Hero women's Tour
Golfer Gursimar Badwal, who pulled away on the back nine to win the previous leg, will once again be the favourite as the Rs 700,000 fourth leg of the Hero women's Pro Tour that gets underway at the Oxford Golf Resort here on Wednesday.
New Zealand beat England by 12 runs in T20 tri-series
New Zealand ended their three-match losing streak with a 12-run victory over England in a tri-nations Twenty20 cricket international today, inspired by an innings of 72 from captain Kane Williamson. Williamson posted his eighth T20 half century but his first in 10 innings since January last year to guide New Zealand to 196-5 as they batted first after winning the toss. England were held to 184-9 in reply. Williamson shared an 82-run second wicket partnership with Martin Guptill (65) which laid the foundation for the innings and with his strike rate of 156.5 -- 72 from 65 balls -- put an end to rumblings that he might be out of place in the shortest format. New Zealand won for the first time in three matches after consecutive Twenty20 losses to Pakistan prior to the tri-series, then to Australia in their first match in the trans-Tasman series. England have now lost their last three games after back-to-back losses to Australia who have already qualified for the tri-series final. New ...
Defending champion Chawrasia to lead home challenge at Hero Indian Open
Defending champion S.S.P. Chawrasia will lead a strong home challenge at the 54th edition of the European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Hero Indian Open, to be played at the Gary Player layout of the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram from March 8 to 11.
India win silver at Asian Games basketball test event
The Indian men's team bagged the silver medal at the Asian Games 5x5 basketball test event here. The India side went down fighting 68-78 to hosts Indonesia at the Istora Sanayan Hall, Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex to finish runners-up in the invitational tournament. The hosts thus avenged their loss against their opponents a few days back, which was India's first victory of the tournament. Considering that India started their campaign with a 72-79 loss against Thailand, the second-place finish could be considered a creditable one. The first quarter of the game saw both the teams competing neck and neck but Indonesia took a single point lead over India. The hosts increased the lead even further in the next two quarters, making it 58-45. India fought hard in the fourth quarter to bounce back but it was not enough as Indonesia kept on scoring at regular intervals. Indian forward Aravind Annadurai led all the scorers in the game with 25 points, whereas veterans Joginder Singh and ...
I-League: East Bengal keep title hopes alive with 1-0 win over Minerva
Heavyweights East Bengal kept their title hopes alive with an important 1-0 victory over surprise league leaders Minerva Punjab FC in a highly anticipated I-League encounter at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on Tuesday.
Dipa Karmakar ruled out of Commonwealth Games
India's top gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been forced out of the upcoming Commonwealth Games owing to the career-threatening knee injury she picked up last year, her coach Bisweshwar Nandi said today. "She is not yet ready for a tournament like the Commonwealth Games. So, the target is to make her fully ready for the Asian Games (August 18-September 2)," Nandi told PTI. Karmakar, the first Indian female to compete in the Olympics where she finished a historic fourth in the women's vault at the 2016 Rio Games, opted out of the CWG trials taking place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. The Gold Coast Games take place from April 4-15. "She is fit but needs more time to be competition-ready. I would not call it a setback and she has taken it very sportingly," added the coach. The 24-year-old had undergone an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery in April last year and is continuing to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process. She has, however, started training, according to Nandi. The ...
Golfer Kapur sets sights on 2020 Tokyo Olympics
In the form of his life with three Asian Tour titles last season, ace Indian golfer Shiv Kapur has now set his sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and is hoping to stay battle-ready to secure a berth at the quadrennial event. For the seasoned Kapur, who first won on Asian Tour in his debut season in December 2005, it took 11 years and four months to claim his next Asian Tour win, which came in April last year. He followed it up with two more titles to pocket his fourth Asian Tour title, becoming the only Indian to have won three times on the Tour. The 36-year-old golfer now dreams of representing India in the 2020 Olympics. "Certainly when you win it's the best thing and you just want to keep going. Now my next goal is the 2020 Olympics. I want to stay fit for that, try and get myself ready. This is one big goal for me," Kapur said on the sidelines of Hero Indian Open launch press conference here today. "But it is easier said than done. A year ago no one would have been talking about ..