Page 2094 - Sports
Shastri defends Rahane's ommission from first 2 Tests
India coach Ravi Shastri today defended the team management's decision to leave out Ajinkya Rahane from the first two Tests in South Africa, saying Rohit Sharma was the best option going by form. One of the most successful Indian batsmen overseas in recent years, vice-captain Rahane was not picked for the Tests in Cape Town and Centurion, with the Indian team management preferring to go with limited-overs specialist Sharma on "current form". But Sharma's failure to live upto the expectations and the Indian batting's inability to stand upto the South African pace attack in the preceding matches attracted widespread criticism, forcing the management to rethink about Rahane. "If Ajinkya (Rahane) had played the first Test and not done well, you would have asked me the same question about why Rohit hasn't played. Rohit played, he didn't do well, so you are asking me why Ajinkya didn't play," a defiant Shastri told reporters when queried about the selection policy. "The same ..
Sandgren knocks out Thiem, reaches Australian Open quarters
Tennys Sandgren of the United States on Monday battled his way to the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time in his career, at the expense of world No. 5 Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (7-9), 6-3.
Schoolboy errors: Shastri on India's sloppy run-outs
India coach Ravi Shasrti today said the team will have to rectify the "schoolboy errors" that led to three run-outs in the lost second Test against South Africa, insisting that conditions are hard enough without such mistakes adding to the misery. India lost the first two Tests in Cape Town and Centurion to be 0-2 down in the three-match series, which will conclude with the match starting January 24 here. "It hurts a lot. As it is the conditions are very tough, and on top of that, if someone gets run out then you feel bad and there is no doubt of that. You hope that those mistakes don't happen again because at times they are schoolboy errors," Shastri said after today's practice, referring to the run-outs in Centurion. The team's batsmen, outplayed by South Africa's menacing pace battery so far, added to their problems with poor shot selection and sloppy running between the wickets. The run-outs of Hardik Pandya and Cheteshwar Pujara in the Centurion Test, particularly ..
S. Korea's Chung stuns Djokovic in Oz Open
Former world number one Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Australian Open, going down in straight sets against South Korea's Chung Hyeon in the quarter-finals on Monday.Twelve-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic lost 6-7 (4-7), 5-7, 6-7 (3-7) to Chung in a thrilling fourth-round clash at the Melbourne Park.With this win, Chung is the first Korean player to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam.The South Korean will now lock horns with relatively unknown player Tennys Sandgren who defeated No. 5-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria for a place in the semi-finals.Djokovic was playing his first Grand Slam after a six-month injury lay-off and was bidding to clinch his sixth Australian Open title.
Manipur's Tekcham Ranjita awarded FIFA referee badge
Sports remain an essential part of the lifestyle of residents of northeast India with more and more youngsters excelling in various sports.Over the years, the region has undoubtedly produced a number of football star players for the country, both at national and international levels.The latest joinee of the hall of fame from the region is a 32-year-old former woman football player from Manipur, Tekcham Ranjita Devi, who has been awarded the Fifa referee badge.The youngest of the five siblings, Ranjita started her career in the year 1999 as a football player playing for the local clubs. Later, the former woman football player enrolled as State Class III referee in 2007 and had passed National Grade (Category II) in 2016."Apart from my hard work, I would not have reached here today without my family's support. So, credit doesn't go to a single person, but also to my coach and family," Ranjita told ANI."We are very happy today for our daughter's success. We got to know about the news ...
Chung dumps wounded Djokovic out of Open
South Korean star Chung Hyeon dumped six-time champion Novak Djokovic out of the Australian Open today in a sensational fourth round upset. The 21-year-old beat the battle-weary Serb, who was clearly in pain as he stretched for balls, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in 3hr 21 min in a night match on Rod Laver Arena. Chung, the first South Korean man to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open, will face American bolter Tennys Sandgren in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Two years ago Djokovic outclassed Chung in straight sets in the opening round of the Australian Open, but the South Korean spectacularly reversed the result with three hard- fought sets against the wounded Serb in the fourth round. Djokovic, who sought treatment for his troublesome right elbow and an apparent hip injury when stretching for a ball, battled through in great discomfort, as Chung stayed composed and mentally tough to claim his biggest win. "I didn't know if I was going to win this match tonight,
Playing in Mushtaq Ali helped me prepare better for SA: Kuldeep
South Africa-bound chinaman Kuldeep Yadav on Monday said he is in good rhythm ahead of the six ODIs and three T20 internationals there after playing six matches in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.
In hindsight, could have come 10 days earlier to SA: Shastri
Their weaknesses thoroughly exposed in unfamiliar conditions, India coach Ravi Shastri today said Virat Kohli and Co. should have landed in South Africa earlier to acclimatise and called for more preparatory time ahead of future overseas tours. India would be playing for a consolation win in the third and final Test starting Wednesday and Shastri conceded that "overseas conditions" are the main reason for being 0-2 down in the series. India had landed in South Africa on December 28, while the Test series got underway on January 5. "Back home, we are familiar with conditions. Ideally we shouldn't have to fight back (at home), but we fought back and we did well. Here, conditions are different. In hindsight I would say another ten days of practice here would have made a difference," Shastri said after a practice session today. "But that's no excuse. The pitch we play on is the same for both sides and I would rather focus on the 20 wickets we have taken (in both Tests). That
Former England captain Armfield dies, aged 82
Former England captain and Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield has died at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer. Armfield, who played 627 matches in 17 years for his only club and was part of the World Cup-winning squad in 1966, was diagnosed with cancer for a second time last year. "Blackpool Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of its record appearance holder and vice-president Jimmy Armfield at the age of 82," said a statement from the club. Armfield captained Blackpool for more than 10 of his 17 years at the club and was capped 43 times for England, with 15 of those occasions as skipper. He was one of two Blackpool players along with Alan Ball named in England's 1966 World Cup winning squad, although injury denied him an appearance at the tournament. Only players who were on the pitch in the final received winners' medals but that was rectified 43 years later when Armfield eventually received his medal. Armfield had stints in management with ..
IPL to begin on April 7 in Mumbai
The 11th edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held from April 7 to May 27, the IPL governing council said today. Mumbai will host the opening match and the final of the cash-rich T20 tournament. The IPL governing council also decided to shift the start of the matches, which were scheduled to begin at 8pm and 4pm earlier. "The Broadcasters requested for a change in timings and IPL governing council in principal has accepted it," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said. "Live broadcast of 8pm game will be shifted to 7pm, while 4pm will be played at 5:30pm," he added. Kings XI Punjab will play four of their home games in Mohali and three in Indore, while the home matches of Rajasthan Royals, who are returning to IPL after serving a two-year ban, will be decided after the Rajasthan High court's hearing on January 24. A total of 578 players including 360 Indians will go under the hammer in this year's IPL auction at Bangalore on January 27 and 28.
Hike in fee to play irks cricketers
The Ghaziabad Cricket Association on Monday opposed the steep hike in playing fee at the Jawaharlal Nehru cricket stadium here.
2018 FIFA World Cup trophy tour international leg begins
The international leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia trophy tour started here on Monday with its next destination designated to be Colombo in Sri Lanka on January 24.
Bilawala, Daga duo clinch men's 45+ doubles title
Top seeds Ayaz Bilawala and Shailesh Daga, both of Greater Mumbai district, defeated today third seeds Vilas Kuvale and Yogesh Padukone, 21-12, 21-11 to win the men's doubles final of the 'Badminton 45' Senior State Veterans Badminton Selection Tournament 2018. The event was conducted by the Maharashtra Badminton Association and hosted by the Bombay Gymkhana. Daga also went on to clinch the men's 45 singles crown. The second-seeded overcame a strong challenge from unseeded Ashutosh Pednekar, also from Greater Mumbai, by pulling off a 21-9, 15-21, 21-18 victory in the final, a media release said. Former Indian doubles specialist Leroy D'Sa partnering Gautam Ashra won the men's 60+ double title. The Greater Mumbai pair of D'Sa and Ashra forced the pace and dictated the rallies to come through against the Mumbai Suburban duo of Anil Kulkarni and Vivek Patil winning at 21-14, 21-14. Results : Men 35+ singles final: Aditya Pandya (MS) bt Abhishek Patil (NSK) 21-15 21-15. Men
'Paprika' wins the main race
'Paprika' ably ridden Akshay Kumar won the R C T C Plate, the chief event of Hyderabad Winter Races held here today. Trainer Faisal Hassan scored a treble while Jockeys Deep Shanker scored a double and Akshay Kumar scored a treble. Only one first favourite obliged in a card of eight events.
U19 World Cup: Madhavere shines in Zimbabwe win
Wesley Madhavere turned in an all-round performance as Zimbabwe crushed Namibia by seven wickets in an ICC U19 World Cup match here on Monday.
KISG to feature World championship medallists
World junior champion shooter Anish Bhanwala (Haryana) and IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships silver medallist Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Mizoram) will be among the many talented athletes taking part in the inaugural Khelo India School Games (KISG) beginning here on January 31.
Al-Shehri becomes 1st Leganes signing during winter transfer window
Top-tier Spanish football club Leganes on Monday was preparing to receive Saudi Arabian forward Yahya al-Shehri as part of a deal between the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and La Liga, in an effort to grow football in Saudi Arabia.
Role of goalkeepers has changed: FC Pune City custodian Kaith
Vishal Kaith, the goalkeeper of ISL franchise FC Pune City, believes the role of custodians has changed now and their job is not restricted to just being a stopper. "The role of the goalkeeper has changed from being just a stopper to also attacking. We are no more just the final line of defence, we are expected to build attacks," Kaith was quoted as saying in a media release issued today. "Because our mentality in this team (FC Pune City) is to score a goal more than our opponents, so everyone, including the goalkeeper, has to play a part in it. "The moment your opponents aren't doing this, your team has an advantage," added the 21-year-old who aspires to don India colours. Making the most of his chances for FC Pune City, in six matches this season, Kaith has got three clean slates. Kaith has represented India at U-16 and U-19 levels. "I want to give my best in the league and I also want to work towards my game so that I can make the cut for the senior national team," ...
Gurkeerat's blitzkrieg helps Punjab win; Jharkhand lose again
Veteran southpaw Yuvraj Singh and the big-hitting Gurkeerat Mann helped Punjab seal a thrilling three-wicket victory over Mumbai to win their second match on the trot in a Group A Super League Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 match at the Jadavpur University campus ground here on Monday.
Bayern see off Werder Bremen 4-2
Bayern Munich secured a 4-2 win over Werder Bremen while Schalke were held to a 1-1 draw by Hannover in the 19th round of the Bundesliga football action.