Page 2182 - Sports
Opposition doesn't really matter nor do conditions: Bangar
Assistant coach Sanjay Bangar today said neither opposition nor conditions would really matter for a supremely-confident Indian team, eyeing its first series win in South Africa. The entire Indian contingent skipped the optional practice with only support staff and selector MSK Prasad arriving to take a final look at the pitch. Bangar said: "We are very, very confident about our preparation because we got four-five days here before the first Test. And out of those days we made sure we got plenty out of it. All the boys are in a positive state of mind. "It is a Test match and it is no different from any other Test match that we play wherein the opposition skills are taken into account. We really focus on our own inward processes, how our mental approach is and how our mindset is in terms of batting rhythm where we stand. "So the opposition doesn't really matter nor do the conditions. What we are feeling as a batting group is what matters more and we work towards achieving
IPL Retention 2018: Dhoni returns to CSK
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which are back into action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after having faced a two-year ban, have retained key player MS Dhoni for the 11th edition of the league.Dhoni was the first player to be retained for CSK, followed by Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.Meanwhile, another franchise, Rajasthan Royals, which were also banned following the IPL fixing scandal, have retained Australian batsman Steven Smith.In the player retention event held ahead of the league auctions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Virat Kohli for Rs 17 crore, an amount greater than that set by the IPL (Rs 15 crore).The franchise has also retained South African player AB de Villers and uncapped player Sarfaraz Khan.Meanwhile Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been retained by Mumbai Indians.The player auction for the eleventh edition of the IPL is on January 27 and 28.Following are the players retained by each franchise using the Player Retention option.Mumbai ...
Top players excited to play PBL matches in Chennai
Chennai will be hosting Premier Badminton League (PBL) matches for the first time and the players are excited about playing here. The city leg kicks off with a match between Bengaluru Blasters and North Eastern Warriors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here tomorrow. World number one Viktor Axelsen, who plays for Bengaluru Blasters, said he was excited and looked forward to playing in the city. "I am really happy to be part of PBL and look forward to the matches in Chennai. We have had a good start to the season and we can hopefully do well," he told reporters here today. He said it was important for him and the team to take each match seriously. "We have to take every match seriously. We are ready for the matches here," he added. The women's world No.1 Tai Tzu-Ying of Taiwan, who plays for Ahmedabad Smash Masters, said she was thrilled to be part of PBL for the first time. "I am so happy to be in India and be part of PBL. Hope our team keeps performing well," she ..
Jadeja wishes Indian blind cricket team for fifth ODI World Cup
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja on Thursday hoped that the Indian blind cricket team returns with the silverware as the Ajay Kumar Reddy-led side ventures out to play in the fifth ODI World Cup, starting from January 8 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Cape Town Test best chance for India, feels Ajay Jadeja
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja on Thursday said the opening Test against South Africa, starting in the familiar conditions of Cape Town on Friday, will provide the Virat Kohli-led side the best chance to record a win in the three-match rubber.
Sydney International misses out on Serena
Former Tennis world number one Serena Williams will not play in next week's Sydney International.The tournament director Lawrence Robertson and team tried to offer Williams the star wildcard into the event but the 23-time grand slam champion on Thursday confirmed she would not be playing; leaving her comeback plans a mystery.The American tennis star had had a baby girl about four months ago and hasn't played competitive tennis since winning the Australia Open 2017 during which she was pregnant."She's taken a decision that she wants to focus fully on her defence of the Australian Open and we've got to respect that," Sydney Morning Herald quoted Robertson, as saying.He added, "The likelihood is she'll probably go and hit some balls somewhere, most likely in Melbourne. There are a couple of exhibition events down there that she may choose to play in."Sydney International will boast the other three 2017 grand slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko (French Open), Garbine Muguruza (Wimbledon) and
SC: Bihar to play Ranji Trophy under state association (Second Lead, correcting 3rd para)
The Supreme Court said on Thursday that Bihar will play the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments under the aegis of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).
Jose Mourinho to stay at Manchester United
Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho on Thursday said he is committed to the club and will extend his contract to stay with the English football giants.
Lot of good young badminton players are emerging, says Axelsen
World number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark is glad to see several young badminton players emerge from India and other countries, which he said is good for the sport. "A lot of good young Indian players are coming through. It is very nice. Also, players are coming from other countries as well. It is good for badminton," the reigning World Champion said here. Talking to PTI ahead of the premier badminton league PBL's Chennai leg beginning tomorrow, the lanky Dane said Indians shuttlers like Kidambi Srikanth, H S Prannoy and the other were good players and one has to prepare really well for matches against them. "Of course, they are really good players. I respect them a lot. When I play against an Indian player, I really prepare well. Otherwise you will really lose," he added. Asked who his toughest opponent was, the World No.1 said there were several who could win big tournaments on their day. "There is Srikanth, Prannoy, Lin Dan can also play well. Chen Long, Lee Chong ...
Battle of the defences as Jamshedpur host Mumbai
Two of the stingiest defences of the Hero Indian Super League's fourth season will clash in what is expected to be a tactical battle between wily coaches - Mumbai City FC's Alexandre Guimares and Jamshedpur FC's Steve Coppell here tomorrow. Home side Jamshedpur FC have let in just two goals in seven encounters, with Subrata Pal keeping five cleansheets in the process. As for Mumbai City, they've conceded seven goals - five of these have been away from home. The two teams are separated by just four points, but Jamshedpur have played a game less. If they win, they will make significant ground towards the top four from their current sixth place. But here's where the teams can really be separated; Jamshedpur have scored just twice in the entire league so far, and Mumbai City have hammered 11 goals. And Coppell is rightfully worried about the statistic. "I hope (that we can score goals). I am exactly like every supporter who comes to games and I am desperate to see the team
Ponting appointed Delhi Daredevils coach
Australian batting great Ricky Ponting was today appointed coach of the Delhi Daredevils franchise for the upcoming Indian Premier League. The announcement was made by Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua as he welcomed the three-time World Cup winner. Ponting takes over the reins at DD from former India captain Rahul Dravid, who had stepped down after the previous season owing to BCCI's conflict-of-interest regulations. Dravid chose to coach India A and India Under-19 teams over the IPL franchise. "Ricky Ponting has been appointed as head coach. We will have a new coach and a new team with the idea of having continuity. We have retained two youngsters and the whole team will be built around them. Chris Morris is a top all rounder," Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua said. The 43-year-old has earlier coached Mumbai Indians for two seasons in 2015 (when they won the title) and 2016. Apart from coaching role, Ponting has played in the cash-rich T20 tournament for Kolkata Knight Riders and
ISL does not deserve games like this: Goa coach Lobera
Distraught over Indian Super League's (ISL) decision to go ahead with a match despite an unprecedented delay, FC Goa's Spanish head coach Sergio Lobera said after the game that the league does not deserve matches like this.
Sreejesh put on 12-month probation by Hockey India
Indian star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been put on a 12-month probation by Hockey India's disciplinary committee for taking part in a celebrity charity football match in Mumbai last year. Sreejesh, who has been missing in action for the last eight months due to a knee injury, was also banned for 15 days, which ends tomorrow. Interestingly, Hockey India (HI) decided to reveal the details of the punishment just a day before the 15-day ban ends. According to the disciplinary committee, Sreejesh needs to ensure he abides by the Hockey India Code of Conduct during the 12-month probation. HI had called for a disciplinary committee meeting after Sreejesh played in the 'Celebrity Clasico' in October last year, also featuring India cricket captain Virat Kohli, without seeking permission from the governing body. "His decision of playing in the football match breaches Hockey India's Code of Conduct for players and hence was handed a 15-day suspension which ends on 5 January 2018," .
SC allows Bihar to play Ranji Trophy, other tournaments after
The Supreme Court today gave a ray of hope to cricketers from Bihar, who could not play national- level tournaments for the last 17 years, by allowing the Bihar Cricket Association to participate in Ranji Trophy and other championships this year. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud took note of the fact that Bihar has not been allowed to take part in tournaments such as Ranji Trophy for the last so many years. "Bihar shall play the cricket," the bench said and clarified that it was passing the order on its own without considering any argument or application. The direction came after Aditya Varma, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB), sought hearing on an interim application of the CAB by submitting that Bihar, the third most-populous state, has been treated unfairly and denied the opportunity to play Ranji and other zonal and national-level tournaments. "As an interim measure, the Bihar Cricket ..
Cape Town is India's best chance to win, says Jadeja
Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja feels the first Test against South Africa, starting in the friendly conditions of Cape Town tomorrow, will provide India the best chance to record a win in the three-match series. Unlike in the past, India will play their first Test in Cape Town and then head to more seam-friendly venues like Centurion and Johannesburg for the remaining two matches. Although Jadeja conceded that the tour will be a challenging one for Virat Kohli and his men, he said Cape Town gives them a bright chance to start the tour on a confident note. "It will be a great challenge. Lot of people expect us to win easily there but I don't think it would be that easy. Yes we are better side than what we used to be in the past. But overseas is always a different ballgame. You see that when other teams come here it is the same for them," Jedeja said. "The first Test match is probably going to be the most important and India are lucky to play in Cape Town this time. Normally .
Murray withdraws from Australian Open
Five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray on Thursday said he would head home after pulling out of the first tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year due to an ongoing hip problem that has kept the former World No.1 from competitions since mid-way through last year.
Indian team skips practice, Kohli skips media session
The Indian cricket team today skipped the optional practice session ahead of the opening Test against South Africa, while skipper Virat Kohli also gave the pre-match press briefing a miss, a noticeable departure from convention for a bilateral engagement. India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar instead arrived to address the media, that too after a delay of over an hour. Early in the day, the team management declared the pre- Test practice session would be an optional one. However, it was surprising to see none of the players arrive for even a brief session. Even those, who are not expected to play a part in the Cape Town Test, didn't come out for practice. Only the support staff, including coach Ravi Shastri and chief selector MSK Prasad, showed up to take a final look at the match wicket. A source in the team management outlined that nothing should be read into it "since it is only an optional practice session" ahead of a hectic series. The bigger surprise though was the .
SC: Bihar to play Ranji Trophy under state association
The Supreme Court said on Thursday that Bihar will play the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments under the aegis of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).
SCG Test: Root unfinished ton leaves Aussies on top on day 1
A 10-ball spell with the new ball gave Australia two late and crucial dismissals - of skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow - as England managed 233 at the loss of five wickets at stumps on the first day of the final Test, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday, here.Root once again fell short of reaching the three digit score as he clipped off his pads to Mitchell Marsh at square leg after scoring 83.England won the toss and came to bat first after a rain-delayed start. Opener Mark Stoneman gave a good start to the side until he was caught-behind on the back foot off Pat Cummins at 24.Stoneman was followed by James Vince who was also dismissed by Cummins at 25.Alastair Cook, fresh from his unbeaten 244 at the Melbourne Test, hit 39 before given an lbw out to Josh Hazlewood on review.Root and Dawid Malan then shared a 133-run partnership until the skipper flicked catch to fit-again Starc.The new ball proved quite productive for the hosts as it gave two wickets to them just ...
Bagan coach Shankarlal urges players to give 200 per cent
Elevated to the position of Mohun Bagan's chief coach, Shankarlal Chakraborty today urged his players to put in their "200 per cent" in order to turn the wheels after their I-League campaign. "We have to give our 200 per cent now to bounce back. Our target is to become champions eventually. But we want to take one match at a time," Chakraborty said ahead of their January 7 fixture against Aizawl FC as they have slipped to fourth in the table. Sanjoy Sen had stepped down as the chief coach minutes after Bagan succumbed to a 1-2 defeat to a 10-man Chennai City FC, their first defeat of the season that came at their home ground. Mohun Bagan last won against Churchill Brothers on December 10 as they dropped points for three consecutive matches before capping the poor run with their first-ever home defeat. In less than 24 hours, the Mariners announcement came of elevating Chakraborty to chief coach who said they are yet to finalise on bringing on board a psychologist on ...