Page 2071 - Sports
The wicket is challenging, not dangerous: Rahane
Insisting that Indian players have played on worse tracks back home, vice captain Ajinkya Rahane termed the Wanderers' pitch as challenging and not dangerous. Rahane said match should continue tomorrow and cited South Africa's tactics to justify resumption. Rahane scored 48 off 68 balls as India finished with 247 runs in their second innings, setting a 241-run target for South Africa. Play was halted in the last 15 minutes because Dean Elgar got hit twice in one over, never mind that the Indian batsmen took several blows through the day. "The wicket was definitely challenging, but if you see our openers batted so well. The wicket was similar for both teams. Murali Vijay got 25 runs, and he faced 130-140 balls. It was completely the same for everyone. Our approach was that we want to play and win this Test match," Rahane said. The Indian vice captain said no one stopped South Africa bowlers from bowling bouncers to their tailenders in similar conditions. "What about (the .
Third Test to resume tomorrow
Lifting doubts hovering over the third Test between India and South Africa, the Indian team management tonight confirmed that the match will resume tomorrow. Play was halted late in the final session owing to dangerous playing consditions as Dean Elgar was hit twice in one over by Jasprit Bumrah. Players were taken off after a rising delivery from Mohammed Shami rattled Elgar's helmet even as India wanted to continue with the game. There were a lot of deliberations later after play got over with the match officials leaving the ground around 7pm local time. It was reported that they had submitted their report to the ICC. An hour later, confirmation came that the Test would continue as scheduled. South Africa are placed at 17 for one chasing 241 for victory.
Jo'burg Test: Play called off after Elgar gets hit on head
Chasing a total of 241 at Wanderers, South Africa got off to a dismal start as Aiden Markram departed for 4, with Mohammed Shami taking him by surprise with a short ball.But, it was Dean Elgar who was tested by some vicious short balls from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.The first short ball bowled by Kumar went on to hit him in the thumb, while Bumrah's struck him right on the face.This prompted the umpires and referees to have a discussion on whether it is safe to continue to play. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis headed to the referee's room for some serious discussion over the playing conditions.The play could have resumed if both the captains would have come to a conclusion.With ten minutes of day's play remaining, it started to drizzle, forcing the groundsmen to put the covers on and call it a day.However, South Africa end the day on 17/1, with Proteas still needing 224 more to win.Meanwhile, at the start of the day's play, India lost two wickets in the first five overs of .
BCCI doubles Boards' share for providing players for IPL
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla today revealed that BCCI has doubled the amount it pays to the international cricket Boards for making cricketers available for the hugely-popular league. BCCI has been paying 10 per cent of an overseas players annual fee to his home board from the beginning of the IPL. "We have made a provision whoever (whichever Board) provides players for the entire duration, we will pay the Board 20 per cent," Shukla said here. Shukla is in the city to attend IPL two-day auction, beginning tomorrow. On match timings, Shukla said a couple of owners have objected IPL GC's proposal to start weekend games at 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. "The broadcaster had requested and the GC considered the request during its meeting. After that we have received objections from a couple of franchises. We will discuss with them also. We will discuss with the broadcaster too and arrive at a decision in an amicable way," he said. It has also been learnt that uncapped players might go ...
'It's South Africa's wicket, they should be ready to play'
Making clear India's stand, team manager Sunil Subramanian today said the Wanderers wicket was prepared by South Africa and not by them so the hosts must be prepared to resume the game, which was halted on the third day owing to dangerous playing conditions. Play was stopped late in the final session with South Africa placed 17 for one in their 241-chase. Asked if India would be willing to continue with the game after repairs had been made to the pitch, he replied, It could be unfair to one of the sides. We had not asked for this wicket. This is South Africas wicket. We've come and played here. There is nothing for us to be upset about. "We have the bowling arsenal to give it back. As I said, its not a wicket we prepared. When they come to our country, we prepare the wickets and they should be prepared to play, he added. Revealing what transpired during the day Subramanian said,"The match referee (Andy Pycroft) called me during tea time and said just in case if the ...
ISL: Bengaluru defeat NorthEast to go top
Bengaluru FC returned to the top of the Indian Super League table after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over NorthEast United at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Friday.
Bengaluru regain top position with win over NorthEast United
Bengaluru FC pulled off a 2-1 win over NorthEast United which catapulted them to the top of the ISL points table at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today. Bengaluru, who also had beaten the visitors at Guwahati in earlier stage of the league, scored the goals in 14th and 51st minute. They took the lead first with the help of Juanan's header on curling Edu Garcia's free-kick from the left flank. Captain Sunil Chhetri, once again gave the hosts the much needed lead, after they had conceded an equaliser just before the first half. Chettri, in the first-time kick, found the back of the net on Harmanjot Singh Khabra's curling cross inside the box from right flank. In 81st minute, NE had a chance which was frittered away by Columbian John Jairo Mosquera with his misguided header after Nirmal Chettri curled a cross inside the box. There was a three-minute halt after one of the floodlights dimmed out in the 26th minute. With this win, Bengaluru now have 24 points from 12 matches, .
Chasing 241, S. Africa 17/1 on uneven Wanderers pitch (Roundup)
South Africa reached 17/1 after play was called off with the condition of the pitch being discussed on the third day on Friday here after India set-up a target of 241 for the hosts to win the third and final Test.
Delhi wins Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament
Delhi won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament for the first time beating Rajasthan by 41 runs at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.
India had upper hand from Day 1: S. Africa coach
South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson on Friday said India had the upper hand from the first day in the third Test and they have utilised the conditions here more.
Delhi lifts Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in style
Delhi lifted its maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after trouncing Rajasthan by 41 runs as comeback man Unmukt Chand hit a half-century and bowlers put up a united show in the final, here today. Chand, playing his second match of the tournament, produced the timey knock after in-form Rishabh Pant (13) and veteran Gautam Gambhir (27) got out cheaply as Delhi put on board 153 for six. In reply, Rajasthan were bundled out for 112 in 19.1 overs as their batting crumbled after opener Aditya Garhwal departed for 52 in 36 balls in the 12th over. Left-arm pacer Sangwan bowled a tidy 2 for 14, while Kulwant Khejoriya (2/24) and Pawan Negi (2/21) also chipped in with two wickets each. Earlier, openers Gambhir and Pant gave the team brisk start as Rajasthan sorely missed their ace pacer Deepak Chahar who's missed the final with a hamstring injury. Gambhir, who had a miserable tournament so far, showed glimpses of his vintage form with four elegant boundaries and a six before being ...
Punjab Royals defend PWL championship
India's Pooja Dhanda stunned World and Olympic Champion Helen Maroulis to set up Punjab Royals' second straight title triumph at the Pro Wrestling League here today. The 2013 and 2017 Commonwealth champion, Pooja, who had beaten Helen in the league stage too, repeated her feat in the sixth bout of the day that sealed Haryana Hammers' fate. World Championship gold medallist Zurabi Iakobishvili showed his class in the next clash, to win 4-0 and clinch the championship for Punjab Royals 5-2 in front of a packed house. Earlier, Anastasija Grigorjeva and Koumba Laroque had won two fights for the Royals while Vladimir Khinchegashvili and Khetik Tsabolov the other two for the Hammers to lock the nine-bout tie at 2-2 after four clashes. "This is the best gift I could give to my country on Republic Day," Pooja said, shortly after her sensational victory. "Saare jahan se acha Hindustan hamaara," she added. Reigning Olympic champion Vladimir got the Hammers off to a winning start, ..
Rai backs under-fire Kohli
BCCI Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai today backed under-fire Virat Kohli, saying there is nothing wrong in giving the India skipper a free hand in selection matters. Kohli was criticised for his bold selection decisions in the ongoing Test series against South Africa with former batsman Virender Sehwag saying there is no one in the dressing room to point out Kohli's mistakes. However, Rai said there's nothing wrong in giving Kohli a "free hand". "He has motivated the players. He's very aggressive and systematic on the field. He's doing an excellent job," Rai told PTI. "A captain should be given a free hand in the matter (of team selection). You can't have a captain being controlled from outside. I think he's given a total free hand and he's been able to mould an excellent team." The International Cricket Council (ICC) is pushing for an Olympic return of the sport, probably with the T20 version, in the 2024 edition. But the ICC's hopes hinge on India as .
Punjab Royals retain PWL title as Pooja upsets Helen again
Indias Pooja Dhanda stunned World and Olympic Champion Helen Maroulis to set up Punjab Royals second straight title triumph in the Pro Wrestling League here on Friday.
Match officials halts play after courageous batting by India
Indian batsmen were not afraid to take blows on their bodies on a difficult Wanderers pitch, offering dangerous bounce, even as match officials called off third day's play when South Africa batted in similar conditions later, here today. South Africa opener Deal Elgar was hit on the grill of his helmet by a Mohammed Shami delivery in the ninth over of the hosts second innings, prompting umpires to halt play. The physio rushed to the pitch and Elgar was seen placing an ice-pack on his forehand. Umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar began discussion and soon match referee Andy Pycroft joined them on the ground. They initiated deliberations with both the captains, players were called off the ground and play never resumed after that. Former players Sunil Gavaskar and Jonty Rhodes, watching the proceedings from the commentary box felt that the pitch had nothing to do with the Shami delivery that hit Elgar. The fate of the match is still unknown but courageous batting by the Indians .
Chasing 241, S. Africa 17/1 on Day 3
South Africa reached 17/1 after play was called off with the condition of the pitch being discussed on the third day after India set-up a target of 241 for the hosts to win the third and final Test here on Friday.
South Africa were 17-1 at stumps against India
South Africa were 17 for one in their second innings against India at stumps in the third and final cricket Test here today. Dean Elgar (11) and Hashim Amla (2) were at the crease at the draw of stumps with South Africa still needing 224 runs with 9 wickets remaining while chasing 241 to win. Brief Score: India 1st innings: 187 South Africa 1st innings: 194 India 2nd innings: 247all out in 80.1 overs (A Rahane 48; M Morkel 3/47) South Africa 2nd innings: 17 for one in 8.3 overs (D Elgar 11; M Shami 1/7).
Raina confident of India's win in third Test against SA
India have already lost the Test series against South Africa but left-hand batsman Suresh Raina believes that the Virat Kohli led side will surely win the ongoing third and final inconsequential Test in Johannesburg..Talking to ANI on the sidelines of a charity function here, Raina said, "We are going to win the Test match tomorrow or day after tomorrow as the wicket is not easy."India have given South Africa a 241-run target in the ongoing Test at the Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg.When asked about the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, which is to begin tomorrow, Raina joked, "It is the headache of the management. Our job is to play."A total of 578 players will go under the hammer on January 27 and 28 for the 11th edition of the IPL, which will begin from April 6.Suresh Raina has already been retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs. 11 crore along with MS Dhoni (Rs. 15 crore) and Ravindra Jadeja (Rs. 7 crore).
Madhya Bharat, Chandigarh, Kerala win in hockey nationals
Hockey Madhya Bharat, Hockey Chandigarh and Kerala Hockey defeated their respective opponents to make a winning start to their campaigns on the opening day of the eighth Hockey India Senior Women National Championship (B Division), here today. In the opening Pool A match, Hockey Madhya Bharat defeated Telangana Hockey 2-1, while Chandigarh mauled Andhra Pradesh 9-0 and Kerala beat Uttarakhand 3-1 in Pool B games later in the day. In another Pool A game, Steel Plant Sports Board and Hockey Bihar played out a 2-2 draw. In a Pool C match, Delhi and Bengal Hockey Association played out a 3-3 draw.
I-League: Chennai City face Arrows' challenge at home (Preview)
Chennai City take on Indian Arrows in a testing Hero I-League clash at the JLN Stadium here on Saturday.