Page 2084 - Sports
Orchestra singer, milk-seller, farm labourer in blind WC team
One is a singer, one works at a farm, another sells milk -- meet India's Blind World Cup winning team members who are struggling to make ends meet in the cricket mad nation where many will become overnight millionaires in the IPL auction this weekend. Cricket is religion in India and cricketers enjoy larger than life status but on the contrary the champion blind cricketers continue to suffer due to unemployment and lack of recognition. They have won two T20 World Cup, two ODI World Cup, one Asia Cup and four bilateral series in the last 59 months. Despite all the on field heroics, 12 out of 17 members of World Cup squad do not have any permanent job and seven among them are married. And those who are working have to loose their pay as they do not get paid leave while representing the country. Defending champions India beat Pakistan by two wickets in the final of the 5th ODI Blind Cricket World Cup at the Sharjah Stadium on Saturday. Ganesh Mundkar is an all-rounder from .
Bopanna-Babos enter semis of Australian Open mixed doubles
India's Rohan Bopanna and Timea Babos of Hungary entered the mixed doubles semifinals at the Australian Open with a straight-set win over Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal and Abigail Spears of USA, here today. The fifth seeded Indo-Hungarian pair took one hour and 15 minutes to get the better of Cabal-Spears duo 6-4 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinal duel. It was a hard-fought encounter as Bopanna and Babos had to dig deep to squeeze out the win. In fact, Cabal and Spears had the better break point conversion rate, utilising three out of the seven that came their way as against Bopanna and Babos' 4:12 record. But Bopanna and Babos kept a steady lead throughout the duel and managed to score more winners in both their first and second serves to eke out the victory. In the end the Indo-Hungarian duo won 73 points as against their rivals' 68. Bopanna and Babos will take on the winners of the other quarterfinal between Australian duo of Storm Sanders and Marc Polmans and ...
U19 World Cup: Pakistan beat Proteas to enter semis
A superb display of fast bowling and some composed batting by Ali Zaryab propelled Pakistan to a three-wicket win in an absorbing contest with South Africa at the ICC U19 World Cup Super League quarter-finals here on Wednesday.
Golfers Mehdi, Raju qualify for National finals
Golfers Akram Mehdi and Kanumuri Ranga Raju claimed the first two National finals spots for the Mercedes Trophy, it was announced on Wednesday.
Syed Mushtaq Ali: Delhi, UP to fight for final spot in Group B
Uttar Pradesh beat Baroda while Bengal defeated Tamil Nadu at the Jadavpur University campus ground here on Wednesday to leave the Group B battle for a place in the final between Delhi and UP, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 cricket tournament.
Rozum beats Laxman, jumps into sole lead in Chennai Open
Grandmaster Ivan Rozum of Russia defeated Indian GM R R Laxman today in the eighth round to move into sole lead with eight points in the 10th Chennai Open International Grand Master Chess tournament here. The win gives second-seeded Rozum a cushion of one point, with just a round to go. Following the leader at seven points are GMs Timur Gareyev (US), Laxman, Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan), IMs N R Visakh, Sidhant Mohapatra (both India), Marcos Llaneza Vega (Spain), FMs Karthik Venkataraman and Erigaisi Arjun (India). Meanwhile, Chennai's Woman FIDE Master C Lakshmi achieved her maiden Woman International Master norm after the ninth and penultimate round, in which she held experienced G B Joshi of Air India to a draw. Karthik Venkataraman from Andhra Pradesh who has played steadily, clinched a nine-game IM Norm defeating A L Muthaiah. Also, Maharashtra's Nikhil Dixit secured his maiden IM norm, scoring an upset win over higher rated P Saravana Krishnan. The tournament ...
Mascherano leaves Barça to join Hebei China Fortune
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has left Barcelona to sign for Chinese football club Hebei China Fortune, Barça announced on Wednesday.
Chennai Open Chess: Russian GM in lead
Russian Grand Master (GM) Rozum Ivan shot into a one point lead after defeating Indian GM R.R. Laxman in 47 moves at the 10th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess Tournament here on Wednesday.
Nadal out for 3 weeks due to leg injury
Spain's Rafael Nadal said on Wednesday that he will be sidelined for three weeks due to a muscle injury in his right leg, which forced him to withdraw during an Australian Open quarter-final match.
I-League: Aizawl confident of overcoming Mohun Bagan challenge (Preview)
Aizawl FC will want to bounce back to keep their hopes of retaining the I-League title when they lock horns with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan here on Thursday.
Clincial Federer into 43rd Slam semi
Defending champion Roger Federer swept into a record 14th Australian Open semi-final with an immaculate straight sets win over long-time rival Tomas Berdych on today. The second seed cruised to a 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-4 win in 2hr 14min on Rod Laver Arena and will face unseeded South Korean Chung Hyeon on Friday for a place in the final. The 19-time Grand Slam champion, who hasn't lost in five matches against Berdych in Melbourne, will play in his 43rd Grand Slam semi-final, a record for the post-1968 Open Era. The Swiss legend has yet to face Chung, who has got past six-time champion Novak Djokovic and world No.4 Alexander Zverev to get to the last four. Federer's latest victory was his 92nd in 105 matches in Melbourne to make the Australian Open his most successful Grand Slam in terms of matches won along with Wimbledon. "I'm happy I got out of the first set. It ended up being the key of the match," Federer said on court. "Tomas played well in the first couple of sets ...
Asia Team C'ship: Indian women handed tough draw, men get easy
The road to Uber Cup Finals would be a difficult one for Indian women shuttlers, who have been handed a tough draw at the Asia Team championship but the men's team got an easier deal at the prestigious tournament to be held from February 6 to 11. Asia Team Championship serves as a qualifier for Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, which will be held at Bangkok from May 20 to 27. The Indian women's team has been clubbed with formidable Japan and Hong Kong China in Group W, while the men's team was put along with Indonesia, Philippines and Maldives in Group D. Both the men's and women's team events will be decided on three singles and two doubles and the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has fielded a formidable line-up for this year's edition, hoping that India qualifies for the prestigious tournament. With no clarity Saina Nehwal's participation, Olympic silver-medallist P V Sindhu will lead the singles charge for the women's team, onus would be on World No.3 Kidambi Srikanth
Gursimar takes 2-shot lead over Neha in 2nd leg of Hero WPGT
Gursimar Badwal reeled in three birdies in a row at the finish to brought home a card of even par 70 on the second day of the second leg of Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour here today. Gursimar, who held a share of the lead after the first day, is now the sole leader at 2-over 142 after 36 holes. Chasing Gursimar is overnight co-leader Neha Tripathi, who carded 2-over 72. With an identical score yesterday, she is now at 4-over 144. Two shots behind Neha is Sharmila Nicollet (72) in sole third place at 6-over 146. Close on Sharmila's heels are Tvesa Malik (72) and Smriti Mehra (74) at Tied-4th at 147. One shot behind them in sixth place is Amandeep Drall (70), the only other player to shoot even par apart from Gursimar. Gursimar and Neha, who were paired together, began with a bogey each on the par-5 first hole. Then it was Neha who went ahead with a birdie on the second. The two bogeyed the fourth hole and Gursimar once again caught up with Neha with a birdie on the par-3 ...
At this stage, want to be an elder statesman: Gambhir
When Gautam Gambhir's name went under the hammer in 2011, the IPL auction was the last thing on his mind as the World Cup was round the corner. But once he had played his part in India's title triumph, he went on to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles. On the cusp of another mega auction, the firebrand opener is now ready to act as an "elder statesman" for any franchise that he turns up for. "Back in 2011, I remember it was January and the only worry I had was whether I will be picked for the 50-over World Cup later that year or not. It was only on the day of the auction, I had a few butterflies in my tummy. Now, seven years later, I have a broader view to life and cricket," Gambhir told PTI before the auction scheduled on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. "I am at a stage of my career where I want to be a senior statesman, a mentor to the younger cricketers. Whether that happens in KKR, Sunrisers, Delhi, Mumbai I am absolutely fine with it," Gambhir said. KKR has
Australian Open: Federer beats Berdych to reach semi-finals
Roger Federer was in a dictatorial form in overcoming Tomas Berdych in the Australian Open quarter-finals in Melbourne.The world number two and defending champion Federer reached his 14th Australian Open semi-final with a straight-sets victory 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 6-4 in the Rod Laver Arena.It was their 10th meeting at Grand Slams and an eighth win for the Swiss player.Federer had not dropped a set in his first four matches but was uncharacteristically lagging at the start as Berdych took a 3-0 lead in the first set.Federer will now face unseeded 21-year-old Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the last four on Friday.
Federer faces Chung semi test as Kerber and Halep shine
Roger Federer zeroed in on a 20th Grand Slam title today with Chung Hyeon next in his Australian Open firing line as dominant Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep raced into a semi-final showdown. The clinical Swiss ace strode into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 14th time with a clinical 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-4 dismantling of old foe Tomas Berdych. He now faces Chung on Friday for a place in the final after the unseeded South Korean kept his dream run going by battling past American Tennys Sandgren 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to become the lowest-ranked semi-finalist since Marat Safin in 2004. Germany's Kerber, champion two years ago, swept aside Madison Keys 6-1, 6-2, easily taming the American's big serve and will go into her clash with the world number one on a 14- match win streak. Top seed Halep was equally impressive on Rod Laver Arena in thumping sixth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-2, reeling off nine games in a row after going 0-3 behind in the first set. Defending ...
Raina, Sharma star in UP's win over Baroda
Suresh Raina continued his imperious form with a third successive half century as Uttar Pradesh kept their final hopes alive with a resounding seven- wicket win over Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy here today. Chasing a stiff 193 after they opted to field, Uttar Pradesh were in trouble with 0/1 in the first ball but Raina and opener Umang Sharma made it easy in the end with a match- winning 160-run partnership off 90 balls. Raina hit a fluent 47-ball 56 inclusive of five fours and two sixes while Sharma smashed a careerbest 95 off 47 balls. Five runs shy of a century, Sharma edged Atit Sheth behind the stumps as he along with Raina got out in space of six balls with 33 needed off 24, but Rinku Singh applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 26 off 11 (4x4). Uttar Pradesh thus returned to winning ways after their five-wicket reversal against Tamil Nadu at the Eden Gardens yesterday. They now have two wins from three matches. With eight points from three ...
Shillong stun Neroca in I-League
Shillong Lajong FC rode on early goals to stun Neroca FC 2-0 in an I-League match here on Wednesday.
AIFF arranges exposure trips for India U-16 team team
Determined to provide the best exposure to age-group teams, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has arranged for a nine-month long extensive exposure plan for India's U-16 national team. The plan has been prepared keeping in mind the AFC U-16 Finals slated to be held in September this year in Malaysia. Thanking the Sports Authority of India for their support, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said: "I am extremely grateful to the SAI for supporting the exposure trips. We had chalked out a fool-proof plan and presented it to them after which they discussed and gave us a green signal." "The All India Football Federation understands the importance of building the next generation of Indian football and after a heart-warming display of the U-17 national team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, we are hopeful the exposure tours will benefit the U-16 boys and make them more competitive in their quest to qualify for the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup." This is ..
confident Aizawl face high-flying Mariners
Aizawl FC will look to bounce back from their loss against Neroca and keep their hopes of retaining the Hero I-League title alive when they lock horns with Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan here tomorrow. Aizawl suffered their third defeat of the season at the hands of the league debutants Neroca FC and will look forward to topple the Green and Maroons, who overwhelmed arch-rivals East Bengal recently, thanks to the brace from Dipanda Dicka. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, Mohun Bagan head coach Sankar Lal Chakraborty said, "Winning the derby is always a good motivation but playing at Aizawl is always hard. "Last season we lost at Aizawl and our title hope faded away. Our aim is to win tomorrow and to stay in championship contention." Chakraborty said every match is important and currently they are focused on tackling Aizawl. "Whatever we are discussing in the dressing room we don't focus on the other team. Kingfisher East Bengal was our aim and now Aizawl is our .