Page 2113 - Sports
CSK ropes in Balaji as bowling coach
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will head into the forthcoming season of IPL with the coaching staff to be headed by Stephen Fleming while former India cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji has been roped in as the bowling coach. The team, which is keen to get back its core team, has already retained Mahendra Singh Dhoni as captain, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. CSK's CEO K S Viswanathan announced at a promotional event here today that Fleming, former Australian batsman Michael Hussey (batting coach) and Balaji would form part of the coaching set-up while trainer Gregory King and physio Tommy Simsek from the old set up would also remain. Fleming, who played for the team, was the coach till it was suspended. He donned the role of coach for Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Hussey too was with CSK from 2008 till 2013 before returning (in 2015) after a stint with Mumbai Indians. "We like to retain the core team because of which we are retaining the entire support ..
New Zealand blank Pakistan 5-0 in ODI series
New Zealand whitewashed Pakistan in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) cricket series after registering a 15-run win in the final match at the Basin Reserve here on Friday.
Sharan and Bopanna reach Australian Open 3rd round
Divij Sharan equalled his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the men's doubles third round at the Australian Open, while Rohan Bopanna also entered the pre-quarterfinals with his partner, here today. Sharan and American Ram faced stiff resistance from Fabio Fognini and Marcel Granollers before winning 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in the second round which lasted for two hours and eight minutes. The left-handed Sharan's serve came under pressure in the tight second set but he was excellent at the net, producing some quality volleys. Last year Sharan had made the third round at the French Open with Purav Raja. He had also reched the US Open third round in 2013. Also making progress was the 10th seeded Indo-French team of Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who knocked out Portugal's Joao Sousa and Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-2 7-6 (3). They are now up against seventh seeds Mate Pavic of Croatia and Austria's Oliver Marach who edged out Artem Sitak and Wesley Koolhof 6-7 (5) ..
Pakistan Super League teams to hire video analysts from India
In an interesting move, three franchises of the Pakistan Super League have decided to hire video analysts from India for the forthcoming edition of the league in the UAE. A reliable source, aware of the developments, told PTI that Lahore Qalanders, Islamabad United and Multan Sultans are planning to hire video analysts from India. "Indian video analysts who work with Kolkata Knight Riders and another franchise have been offered the assignments in the third PSL edition," the source said. In the first two editions of the PSL, Lahore and Islamabad had local video analysts with the former hiring the top video analyst of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Talha Hashmi. "But Talha has been told to wait and his contract for the third PSL is now on hold by the Lahore franchise," the source said. Coincidentally all three franchises looking for Indian video analysts will be coached and supervised by the former pace trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed in the third PSL, which
Dimitrov reaches Australian Open last 16
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov on Friday booked a place in Australian Open round of 16 for the fourth time, earning another ugly win over Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Australian Open: Bopanna, Sharan enter pre-quarters
Indian stars Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan won their respective matches to enter the the pre-quarterfinals of the men's doubles category at the Australian Open tennis tournament here on Friday.
Staveley still keen to buy Newcastle United
British businesswoman Amanda Staveley said she still wants to buy English football club Newcastle United F.C after the current owner Mike Ashley ended a $348 million takeover talks this week.
ICC U-19 WC: India thrash Zimbabwe to top Group B
Openers Harvik Desai and Shubman Gill struck blistering half-centuries as three-time champions India thrashed an ill-equipped Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to end Group B at the top in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup here in Mount Maunganui on Friday.Chasing a target of 155 runs in stipulated 50 overs, Desai (unbeaten at 56) and Gill (unbeaten at 90) combined to help India cross the mark in just 21.4 overs.While Desai smashed eight boundaries and one six in his 73-ball knock, Gill notched up 14 fours and one six in his quick-fire 50-ball innings.Earlier, Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat first.Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy was the pick of the bowlers for India as he bagged a four-wicket haul.Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh (two wickets), Abhishek Sharma (two wickets), Shivam Mavi (one wicket) and Riyan Parag (one wicket) all contributed with the bowl to help their side bundle out Zimbabwe for 154.Shubman Gill was declared 'Man of the Match' for his brilliant performance with the bat.Milton
Long way before India becomes fast-bowling nation: Akhtar
The Indian pace attack has been talked up of late and to be fair, they have done a decent job in South Africa. But Shoaib Akhtar sees it only as the beginning and says there is still a long way to go before India becomes a good fast bowling nation. After a long gap, India have developed a sizeable pool of speedsters and five of them -- Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah -- are with the squad in South Africa. Is it one of the best pace attacks India have ever had? "I would not say that. I would say they are gradually improving and there is a long way to go before India can call itself a good fast bowling nation," Akhtar told PTI in an interview. "Five years ago, I had thought that Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami will be the ones to lead India's pace department on overseas tours. "But that did not happen with Aaron having fitness issues, Yadav being good in patches and erratic other times, like Wahab Riaz. But ...
New Zealand complete series whitewash over Pakistan
New Zealand inflicted a rare 5-0 one-day international series whitewash over Pakistan today with a 15-run win at Wellington's Basin Reserve. A century to Martin Guptill helped the Black Caps set a 272 total that proved too much for Pakistan after Matt Henry tore through their top order. Pakistan were all out for 256 with one over remaining. It is only the third time Pakistan have been on the wrong end of a 5-0 ODI clean sweep after they succumbed by the same margin to Australia in 2010 and the West Indies in 1988. New Zealand have won by a 5-0 margin only once before, when they hosted the West Indies in 2000. The result extends New Zealand's winning streak in all forms of the game to 12 matches, a record for the team, and means they are undefeated at home since March last year. Pakistan captain said his side, particularly the batsmen, had failed to take their chances. "The main thing is the batting has not clicked throughout the whole series, that's why we lost," he ...
'Mkhitaryan will be Arsenal sensation'
Former English footballer Paul Merson said he is a big fan of Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and he can turn out to be a sensation for Arsenal if he completes the speculated move.
India Cements launches promotional scheme for consumers
India Cements, a leading cement manufacturing company, today launched a promotional offer for consumers under which they stand to get Chennai Super Kings (CSK) merchandise and also an opportunity to meet the players. The scheme - 'Veedu Kattu, Whistle Podu' was inaugurated by India Cements Whole-time director Rupa Gurunath in the presence of Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Under the scheme, any consumer purchasing 50 bags or in multiples of 50 bags (50 kg) of Coromandel Super Power between January 19 and April 19 will be eligible to receive an assured gift from the CSK merchandise range, a press note said. Apart from the assured gift, consumers can participate in a "Punch Dialogue Contest' and winners stand to win prizes including match tickets and jerseys, besides a photo opportunity with Dhoni and the other players during the forthcoming IPL season. Speaking on the occasion, Dhoni said, "I am extremely proud of my association with India Cements ever ...
Australia's Arjun Nair suspended for suspect bowling action
Rising Australian spinner Arjun Nair has been banned from bowling in domestic cricket for at least three months by the Cricket Australia due to a suspected illegal action during the Big Bash League (BBL) clash.The match umpires cited concern regarding the legality of the 19-year-old's bowling action following Nair's side, Sydney Thunder's clash against Hobart Hurricanes on December 30.Following the clash, Nair underwent testing at the National Cricket Centre on January 4 and it was later determined that the right-armer's bowling action was different to the one he displayed during the BBL clash against the Hurricanes.According to the Cricket Australia's rules, if a bowler's action is 'markedly different' in testing compared to his action in a particular match then he will be suspended from bowling in all domestic cricket for at least 90 days, cricket.com.au reported.Nair, however, will only be permitted to resume bowling after his action is deemed to be remedied.Despite the suspension,
Former Man-U star leaves Brazilian club
Former Manchester United and Brazil international midfielder Anderson has been released by city based football club Internacional by mutual agreement.
Dimitrov back on track in furnace Open
World number three Grigor Dimitrov got his Australian Open back on track today with a gutsy win on another searing day, as organisers defended the tournament heat policy. The third seed had plenty to prove after a huge second- round fright from a qualifier, who pushed him to five sets. And the Bulgarian delivered in a testing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Russian rising star Andrey Rublev on Rod Laver Arena as temperatures touched 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). "These are the most important matches for me, when things are not working for me and I find a way," he said. "I'm feeling good physically, the heat didn't scare me at all today, so that's a good sign." He will next face the winner of an intriguing night match which pits Australian Nick Kyrgios against French veteran Jo- Wilfried Tsonga. Fourth seeded woman Elina Svitolina also kept her title dreams alive by ending the hopes of young teenage pretender Marta Kostyuk. At just 15, Kostyuk was the youngest Melbourne Park ..
Real Madrid beat sprited Leganes
Real Madrid are well on the way to reaching the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey football tournament after beating Leganes 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie here.
Australian Open: Bopanna enters pre-quarters
Indian star Rohan Bopanna and his French partner Édouard Roger-Vasselin reached the pre-quarterfinals of the Australian Open tennis tournament here on Friday.
Australian Open: Bopanna-Roger Vasselin march into pre-quarters
Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna and his French partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of the Australian Open after clinching comfortable straight sets victory in their last-32 clash of the men's doubles event here on Friday.The Indo-French pair faced no problem in dispatching Argentina's Leonardo Mayer and Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) in a one-sided clash that lasted an hour and 17 minutes.10th-seeds Bopanna and Roger-Vasselin made a dominant start to their match, winning 86% of their first serve points and smashing 13 winners to wrap up the opening set in just 28 minutes.The second set was comparatively tougher for the Indo-French pair as they started committing more unforced errors before Roger-Vasselin's backhand winner down the line saw them eventually seal the tie-breaker.Bopanna and Roger-Vasselin will now play seventh-seeds Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic in the pre-quarters.Meanwhile, the Indian duo of Divij Sharan and Rajeev Ram bounced back ...
Hopman Cup a hit as kids come first for Federer
Roger Federer says he plans to keep the Hopman Cup on his playing schedule leading into the season-opening Australian Open Grand Slam as it suits his children best. The Swiss star, who teamed with Belinda Bencic to win the mixed teams event in Perth over the New Year, says he expects to return for the 2019 edition. "I've done all sorts of preparations (for the Australian Open)," 19-time Grand Slam winner Federer told reporters after his second round win late Thursday. "I did preparations with (Australian great) Tony Roche in Sydney, went back to Doha, then came back for Melbourne. That worked. This time I've done Perth now twice. "I feel like having kids, later on in my career it feels like Hopman Cup is a really good option for me." Part of the attraction was that it was smaller, more intimate tournament, and a shorter flight from his winter base in Dubai. "I love that there is not 450 players like here (in Melbourne) basically. There's only maybe 20 players, which is ..
Fourth seed Svitolina ends teen's Grand Slam journey
Fourth seed Elina Svitolina ended the first Grand Slam odyssey of 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk in straights sets today. The Ukrainian world number four breezed past her compatriot 6-2, 6-2 in just 59 minutes on a searing day on Rod Laver Arena. "It's very special for me to get past the third round," said Svitolina, who will be in the last 16 for the first time in Melbourne where she will face another qualifier, Denisa Allertova. "It's sad I was playing another Ukrainian girl." Kostyuk had been labelled the "future of tennis" by some observers after becoming the youngest Australian Open second- round winner since "Swiss Miss" Martina Hingis in 1996. But she produced a nervous, error-strewn display against Svitolina and was inconsolable as she returned to the locker room. "She's definitely got a bright future," said Svitolina. "We'll be hearing a lot more about her.