Page 225 - Sports
India practice: Vijay Shankar gets hit in forearm at nets, sent for scan
All-rounder Vijay Shankar suffered an injury scare after being hit in the forearm which forced him to leave India's training session midway at the Oval ground here Friday. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who has been tipped as probable No 4 in the batting order, was hit in the forearm while attempting to pull a short ball from left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed. Shankar looked in considerable pain and left the nets immediately. "Shankar was taken for precautionary scans and a call on his participation in Saturday's warm-up game against New Zealand will be taken after the reports are out. It may come Friday evening (London time) or Saturday morning," a BCCI source told PTI. With Kedar Jadhav's left shoulder injury already keeping the team management on tenterhooks, Shankar's injury, if it turns out to be serious, will certainly give Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri sleepless nights. While Jadhav's participation in the warm-up game is doubtful, the Maharashtra right-hander did bat at the main nets on
England captain Morgan expected to make World Cup opener after injury scare
England captain Eoin Morgan suffered a "small fracture" to his left index finger on Friday, but is expected to be fit in time for the hosts' World Cup opener against South Africa next week. Morgan was practising with his teammates at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton ahead of Saturday's unofficial World Cup warm-up against Australia when he took a blow during catching drills. It was a major scare for England just six days before the World Cup favourites start their bid to win the competition for the first time, but there was relatively good news for Morgan after an X-ray showed the damage wasn't as bad as feared. "England captain Eoin Morgan has sustained a small flake fracture to his left index finger," an ECB statement said. "He will not take part in the match (against Australia), but is expected to make a full recovery and be available for England's opening ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday May 30." Morgan, 32, was one of 14 players ...
'Do it again': Djokovic confident of historic second Slam sweep
Novak Djokovic believes that his 2016 achievement of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time is the perfect playbook for a repeat performance at Roland Garros as he tries to become just the second man to complete the feat. The world number one heads into the French Open with Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open titles already under his belt. Victory in the June 9 final in Paris would allow him to join Rod Laver as the only other man to hold all the four majors at the same time twice. "There is an extra motivation and incentive to win Roland Garros because of the opportunity to hold all four Slams, something I did three years ago," said the 32-year-old on Friday. "That gives me obviously enough reason to believe I can do it again." Old rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal may have more career majors -- 20 and 17 respectively to Djokovic's 15 -- but neither of them have managed even one private sweep, let alone two. However, Djokovic's potential date with destiny ...
Federer plays down title chances on Roland Garros return
Roger Federer on Friday played down his chances of winning the French Open on his first appearance at Roland Garros since 2015, saying that title-winning form might not be "in his racquet". The 20-time Grand Slam champion missed the French Open in 2016 through injury before sitting out the next two clay-court seasons in order to focus on Wimbledon. But he will make his Roland Garros return on Sunday with a first-round tie against unheralded Italian Lorenzo Sonego. Federer admitted that he is unsure of his title chances, but did compare his current situation with when he ended a five-year Grand Slam drought at the Australian Open in 2017. "(I) don't know (if I can win the tournament). A bit of a question mark for me. Some ways I feel similar to maybe the Australian Open in '17," the 2009 French Open winner said. "A bit of the unknown. I feel like I'm playing good tennis, but is it enough against the absolute top guys when it really comes to the crunch? I'm not sure if it's in my ...
Disappointing day for Indian archers in WC Stage III
The India mixed recurve team made a second round exit, while the individual archers also bowed to cap a forgettable day for the country in the World Cup Stage III here Friday. The Indian mixed pair of Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai lost to their Turkish opponents Yasemin Anagoz and Mete Gazoz 4-5 in the shoot-off. Earlier, Rai, Deepika, Bombayla Devi and Atul Verma also made exits in their respective individual section and are set to return empty-handed in their last outing before next month's World Championships. Indian compound mixed pair of Rajat Chauhan and Jyothi Surekha Vennam also made second round exit going down to Russia's Viktoria Balzhanova and Anton Bulaev 156-158. India's only hope now lie from the compound team events where both men's and women's will fight for bronze medals.
India Open: Mary Kom, Shiva Thapa, Amit Panghal win gold
Six-time world champion Mary Kom (51kg) was crowned champion in the second edition of the India Open International Boxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here on Friday.
India ready to host Olympic qualifiers: BFI chief
India are ready to host the Olympic qualifiers if the World Championships do not serve as a qualification event as per the International Olympic Committee's recommendation, Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh said here Friday. "We have a lot of experience now of hosting international tournaments. If required we are happy to host any Olympic qualifying event that might be conducted by the AIBA or the IOC," Singh said on the concluding day of the second India Open boxing tournament here. The IOC's Executive Board recommended on Wednesday that AIBA be stripped of its right to organise the event at Tokyo 2020, but said the sport should still feature at the Games. The recommendation, which followed investigations into alleged serious mismanagement at the crisis-riddled AIBA -- is almost certain to be ratified by the full IOC membership at its Congress in Lausanne next month. The move would mean that the upcoming World Championships in September-October in Russia may not serve ..
Mary Kom crowned India Open champion
Six-time world champion Mary Kom in the 51 kg category clinched the second edition of the India Open Boxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi AC Indoor Stadium on Friday.The London Olympic bronze medallist blew away the challenge of Vanlal Duati in a facile 5-0 win. This was Mary's second gold in the tournament, having won in 48 kg last year in the capital.Amit Panghal in 52 kg won his third gold medal of the year and Shiva Thapa finished on top in 60 kg.Fresh from winning her eighth medal at the Asian Championships, Sarita Devi added the India Open 60 kg gold medal to her illustrious resume and Neeraj carried on her giant-killing form to stun Asian Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun in 57 kg.Panghal smartly evaded Sachin Siwach's attacks in the first round. It was towards the end of the second round that the Asian Games gold medallist found his rhythm and started choosing the right moments to land his blows over the former world youth champion.Panghal ...
Top seed Gayatri struggles, third seed Malvika eases into quarters
Top seed P Gayatri Gopichand of Telangana beat Khushi Gupta of Delhi to enter quarter-finals at the Yonex All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament here Friday. The daughter of India coach Pullela Gopichand was stretched all the way by the unseeded Khushi 22-20 21-16. Third seed Malvika Bansod of Airports Authority of India and Chennai's Akshaya Arumugam had comparatively easier rounds, getting the better of No 12 seed Aditi Bhatt of Uttarakhand and Riya Kunjir of Maharashtra. Malvika won 21-19 21-11 while an impressive Akshaya romped home with a 21-12, 21-11 victory.
Nachimuthu Cup for men's basketball from May 27
Select teams will vie for honours in the all-India basketball tournament for men and women for the 54th Nachimuthu Gounder Cup and 18th CRI Pumps Trophy respectively beginning here from May 27. Income Tax, Chennai, Indian Railways, New Delhi, Indian Army, Delhi, Bank of Baroda, Karnataka, would be in Pool A, while the Indian Navy, Lonavola, Indian Bank, Chennai, Indian Air Force, Delhi, and Coimbatore District Basketball Association in Pool B in the men's category. For the women's tournament, in Pool A Southern Railway, Hubli, South Central Railway, Secunderabad, Kerala police, Thiruvananthapuram, and Arise Steel, Chennai, while in Pool B Eastern Railways Kolkata, KSEB, Thiruvananthapuram, Southern Railway, Chennai, and Coimbatore District Basketball Association (CBDA), S Palanisamy, vice-president of the association told reporters here Friday., The matches would be played on league-cum-knockout basis and the semi-finals and finals are scheduled for May 31 and June 1 ...
5 matches to look forward to in upcoming CWC19
New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): Cricket World Cup referred to as "Olympics of Cricket" is all set to begin from May 30. There has been a significant change in the tournament's format this year.Only the top ten teams will be taking part in this World Cup and they all will play each other in a round-robin format before the semi-finals stage.So as the tournament dawns upon us, here's a look at the possible best five matches that can take place in this edition. The high voltage matches between India v Pakistan and England v Australia have been left out of this list.With both these players coming back in the World Cup squad, Australia possesses a great threat to the Men in Blue. The Indian team is a top-order heavy lineup and the Aussies have depth in their bowling to disrupt the Indians strategy. So expect a mouth-watering clash.In the fourth ODI, England posted 418 runs on the board and Windies almost chased it down, falling just 29 runs short. With Andre Russell and Chris Gayle, ...
Pope reminds 6,000 youngsters that football 'is a game'
Football is a game, Pope Francis on Friday reminded a gathering of 6,000 Italian youngsters at the Vatican, asking them not be become fanatics who "stain" the game. "Football is a game: shall we say it together?" the Argentine pontiff told the crowd, who chanted back at him. "Don't forget, football is a game," said the pope, an ardent supporter of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, calling on parents to "give this mentality to their children". "Many people describe football as the most beautiful game in the world. I think the same, but that's a personal opinion," the pope said to thunderous applause in the vast Paul VI audience hall. Unfortunately, "we see things, on the pitch or behind the touch line, which stain football's beauty," the pope said, citing sometimes negative examples of parents who become "ultra supporters, managers or coaches". "Don't forget where you came from," he said to a handful of stars who also attended the event. It's up to such stars to help youths become ...
Everyone has to fight for the place in team: Igor Stimac
India's newly appointed football head coach Igor Stimac is keen to set high standards for his players, saying each and every player has to fight for their place in the team.Stimac has been conducting a training camp in New Delhi for the final team before the King's Cup in Thailand. Every player will go on their performance including India's all-time highest goalscorer Sunil Chhetri."Of course, Sunil (Chhetri) is very valuable to our team. He is a role model to these young players who are knocking on the door. He has played so many games; he is so experienced and has scored so many goals. But as well as others, he needs to fight for a place in the team," goal.com quoted Stimac, as saying.The Croatian who appointed as the Indian head coach on May 15 is expecting players to perform best to their potential in the upcoming King's Cup."We speak every day. I speak with all our players every day. That's my approach. I need to do that. I need to get information from them," said Stimac.He ...
Slow start for Diksha, Astha in France
The Indian duo of Diksha Dagar and Astha Madan was off to a slow start, finishing a disappointing tied 78th at the end of the first round of the Jabra Ladies Open golf tournament here. The duo, who shot six-over 77 each, need a strong second round to make the cut. England's 25-year-old Meghan MacLaren and 18-year-old French amateur Pauline Roussin-Bouchard hold a one-shot lead after the first round. The pair fired matching three-under-par 68s in the dual ranking event between the Ladies European Tour and its developmental tour, the LET Access Series. The tournament doubles up as a qualifier for the Evian Championship, with two spots available for the fourth women's major of the season. MacLaren has already qualified for a second appearance at The Evian, courtesy her victory at the Women's New South Wales Open. Belgian Manon De Roey, English duo Felicity Johnson and Annabel Dimmock, Norwegian Marita Engzelius and Swede Filippa Moork are one stroke back in a tie for third on ...
Indian Open Boxing: Mary, Sarita lead hosts' gold rush on final day
Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom and the seasoned L Sarita Devi spearheaded India's gold rush at the second India Open boxing tournament, which concluded on Friday. Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal thwarted a spirited challenge from giant killer Sachin Siwach with a well-calculated display to clinch the gold by a split 4-1 verdict in the highly-competitive 52kg men's category. Overall, India swept the medals in four men's categories (52kg, 81kg, 91kg and +91kg) and three in women's (51kg, 57kg and 75kg) to conclude their campaign with 12 of the 18 gold medals up for grabs. India, who had bagged six golds in the inaugural edition in New Delhi last year, thus doubled their gold count in the continental meet that witnessed a depleted field with a no-show from Uzbekistan. World championship medallist Sarita Devi won her first gold in three years beating Simranjit Kaur 3-2 by virtue of a split decision. Making her debut in 60kg category, Simranjit, a World Championship bronze ...
'Good for us' - Germany coach Loew on Sane to Bayern rumours
Germany coach Joachim Loew said Friday that a move to Bayern Munich would be good for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, as well as for the German national team. Speaking at an event organised by Bild newspaper in Berlin, Loew said that Bayern was "always a good place to go". "In my opinion, Leroy feels very comfortable at Manchester City. I don't know what he is planning," said Loew, but added that he would welcome it if Sane returned to the Bundesliga. "If the transfer did happen, it would be good for him and good for us." Kicker magazine reported earlier this week that Bayern had already made contract with Sane's father and agent Souleyman Sane. Bayern president Uli Hoeness confirmed the club's interest to Munich-based newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday. "We are looking into the player (Sane)," he told the newspaper. The German winger was linked to Bayern before joining City from Schalke for 50 million euros ($55 million) in 2016. Though Pep Guardiola has openly said that .
Hamilton hails Mercedes car as 'fantastic'
Lewis Hamilton has hailed his mourning Mercedes team and says the performances of the car itself are 'fantastic' ahead of qualifying on Saturday for Sunday's 77th Monaco Grand Prix. The defending five-time world champion and his Silver Arrows team-mate Valtteri Bottas were seven-tenths of a second clear of third-placed Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari after Thursday's opening sessions. "I'm surprised," he said. "I don't know where all the time has come from -- I don't know if Max (Verstappen) maybe didn't get in a time or what, but the performance we have here is fantastic. "We're constantly improving this car and understanding it and understanding the tyre. I guess that's why you're seeing the performance advantage we have." A similar performance in Saturday's qualifying session would give the team a near-perfect opportunity to extend their triumphant season-opening run to six one-two finishes. On an overcast morning on the traditional rest day at the classic 'blue riband' event, ...
Marcello Lippi returns as China national team coach
Italy's Marcello Lippi has been re-appointed head coach of the Chinese national football team, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on Friday.
Liverpool's Alisson ready for biggest test of his life
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker rates next week's Champions League final against Tottenham as the biggest game of his life. Alisson will be making his first appearance in the final of Europe's elite club competition when the Reds face their Premier League rivals in Madrid on June 1. The Brazil international reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, only for Liverpool to beat his Roma team prior to his move to Anfield. Alisson has enjoyed a memorable first season with Liverpool, but their frustrating Premier League title failure -- they finished one point behind champions Manchester City -- means they will end the season with no silverware unless they beat Tottenham. Success in Spain would bring Liverpool their sixth European Cup and first since 2005. It is challenge Alisson believes ranks as the most significant of his career. "Once we finished the Premier League, there were 20 days to prepare the final," Alisson told Liverpool's website. "I can't wait. I'm looking ...
Kyrgios out of Roland Garros, tournament that 'sucks'
Firebrand Nick Kyrgios pulled out of Roland Garros on Friday, just days after saying the French Open "sucks". Organisers confirmed the Australian's withdrawal from the second Grand Slam tournament of the season and he will be replaced by a lucky loser from qualifying. The 24-year-old was due to have faced Britain's Cameron Norrie in the first round. Last week, Kyrgios was disqualified from the Italian Open in Rome and headed straight to London to practice with Andy Murray at Wimbledon. "I think this is the best tournament in the world, look at this perfect green surface," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of him sitting on the grass courts. "Get rid of the clay, man. Who likes the clay, it is so bad. "The French Open sucks compared to this place. Sucks. Absolute sucks." Kyrgios also withdrew from the French Open last year and has never reached the second week in Paris.