Page 316 - Sports
Timings for IPL playoffs and Women's T20 Challenge changed
The four matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs and final will commence at 7The Committee of Administrators in a meeting held in the capital recently had discussed to revise the timings. Qualifier 1 will be held in Chennai on May 7, followed by the Eliminator on May 8 and Qualifier 2 on May 10 in Visakhapatnam. The final will be played on May 12 in Hyderabad.Moreover, three Women's T20 Challenge games will start at 7:30 pm (IST). Only the second game, which clashes with the men's eliminator match, will commence at 3:30 pm (IST). All the games will be hosted at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.Three teams -- Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity -- will play against each other once. Trailblazers will play Supernovas on May 6 in the first game, before meeting Velocity on May 8 in the second game.Supernovas will take on Velocity on May 9 in the third game, followed by the final between the first and second placed team on May 11.
Eager to contribute to the progress of Indian football, says AIFF technical director
Newly appointed All India Football Federation technical director Isac Doru Monday said he is looking forward to contribute to the progress of Indian football. The Romanian was selected from a list of over 60 candidates who had applied for the post which was advertised earlier this year. The 56-year-old comes with a rich experience of almost 29 years in international football across many countries namely France, Japan, USA, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Qatar amongst others. He was last employed as the Sporting Director of three-time J-league Champions Yokohama Marinos FC. "I need to thank All India Football Federation for the opportunity. I'm eager to make a positive contribution to the progress of football in India, and to work with everyone from the AIFF family," Doru said. "I am looking forward to starting employment immediately after obtaining the travelling visa to India," he added. AIFF President Praful Patel also extended his best wishes to Doru. "It's nice to have Mr Doru on board. ..
Saina eyeing second title of season at New Zealand Open
Saina Nehwal will be keen to put behind the disappointment of losing in the quarterfinals of just-concluded Asia Badminton Championship and train her eyes on winning the New Zealand Open beginning here Tuesday. The 29-year-old from Hyderabad, seeded second, will begin her quest for the second title this year when she will take on China's Wang Zhiyi in the first round of the women's singles. World no. 9 is the only Indian to have won a title at the Indonesia Masters this year and Saina would be looking to add another one to her kitty. Meanwhile, PV Sindhu, who also lost in the quarterfinals of ABC, is not competing in this tournament. Another lesser known Indian Anura Prabhudesai will be up against sixth seed Li Xuerui in an opening round match of the women's singles. In men's singles, B Sai Praneeth (currently ranked 20th) and HS Prannoy (ranked 21st) have qualified automatically for the main draw along with Subhanker Dey. While Ajay Jayaram, Parupalli Kashyap and Lakshya Sen will be .
Pakistan great Wasim not discounting spearhead Amir
Legendary paceman Wasim Akram cautioned against discounting Mohammad Amir ahead of next month's World Cup, saying Pakistan's pace spearhead would return to form following a disappointing string of performances at the crease. The 27-year-old Amir was left off Pakistan's preliminary World Cup squad but has a chance to force his way back into the final 15 if he does well in the five-match one-day international series against England starting from May 8. All teams have until May 23 to change their World Cup squads. Missing the upcoming World Cup would likely serve as another crippling setback for the young bowler's career after he missed the tournament in both 2011 and 2015 due to an embarrassing five-year ban over match fixing. Since returning to competition, Amir has fallen into a rut after guiding Pakistan in a dramatic win over India in the Champions trophy final in June 2017 -- with just four wickets in 14 matches. However, Wasim said he still believed Amir could stage a ...
Former USA skipper Nadkarni upbeat on country getting ODI status
The cricket bug never left Sushil Nadkarni even as he pursued his 'Great American Dream' and the former India U-19 batsman is happy that unlike him, the current crop of expats representing the United States will be able to live their dream. Last week, USA sealed one-day international status for the first time with a third straight victory at the World Cricket League Division Two event in Namibia. The 42-year-old had captained USA when cricket was more of a vocation for the South Asian community after he migrated in the mid-90's to pursue engineering. But things have changed now and with ICC giving them ODI status, it will be like a "dream fulfilled" for many, according to Nadkarni. "USA achieving ODI status has fulfilled unrealized dreams for me and many USA players that played on the team previously. It is not only a boost to the USA but will have positive impact to global cricket given the high potential US market is largely untapped for international cricket so far," 42-year-old ...
Shoaib Malik to return home from England for 10 days
Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who is currently in England for the upcoming limited overs series and the World Cup thereafter, has decided to fly back home due to personal reasons.
Aussie pacer Behrendorff leaves MI
Mumbai Indians' Australia pacer Jason Behrendorff left for Australia to join the national camp for ICC World Cup in England next month. For skipper Steven Smith and opener David Warner will play one match before leaving while Marcus Stoinis will also be heading home to join the camp starting May 2. Twenty nine-year-old Behrendorff, who had joined Mumbai Indians after featuring in the ODI series against Pakistan, which the Aussies swept 5-0, took to Twitter to announce that he has left the franchise for now. "#VIVOIPL was this much fun with @mipaltan. Great 1st #IPL experience with an excellent franchise! Keep playing well boys, looking forward to watching us in the final in a couple of weeks! Until next time," tweeted Behrendorff along with three pictures. Behrendorff played in five IPL matches and took five wickets conceding 165 runs. Mumbai Indians also through their official Twitter handle wished the pacer well for the upcoming World Cup which begin May 30 in England. "Until next ..
Alex Hales withdrawn from England World Cup squad
England batsman Alex Hales will not feature at the World Cup after being withdrawn from all international squads following an off-field incident not related to cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Monday. Hales was included in the 15-man preliminary World Cup squad for the tournament in England and Wales but it emerged last week that he had been sanctioned under the ECB's disciplinary policy for a second time. A report in the Guardian newspaper said the hard-hitting batsman was serving a ban from cricket for recreational drug use. A spokesman for Hales on Friday confirmed the Nottinghamshire batsman had been suspended "following an off-field incident last year". An ECB statement on Monday said: "Alex Hales has been withdrawn from all England squads ahead of the international season." Hales's latest misdemeanour comes just a few months after he was suspended and fined by the ECB for his part in a street brawl in Bristol also involving Ben Stokes in September 2017. The ..
Alex Hales dropped from all England squads
Batsman Alex Hales has been dropped from all England squads to "to create the right environment around the England team."ECB Managing Director of England Men's Cricket and the England National Cricket Selectors on Sunday took the decision after the player was tested positive for a recreational drug."We have thought long and hard about this decision. We have worked hard to create the right environment around the England team and need to consider what is in the best interests of the team, to ensure they are free from any distractions and able to focus on being successful on the pitch," Ashley Giles, ECB Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, said in a statement."I want to make it clear this is not the end of Alex's career as an England player. The ECB and the PCA will continue to aid Alex and work alongside his county club Nottinghamshire to give him the support he needs, to help him fulfill his potential as a professional cricketer," he said.England named the 30-year-old in their .
Heena, Ankur Mittal nominated for Khel Ratna by shooting federation
The national shooting federation Monday recommended pistol ace Heena Sidhu and trap shooter Ankur Mittal for the Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the country's highest sporting honour. Anjum Moudgil (rifle), Shahzar Rizvi (pistol) and Om Prakash Mitharwal (pistol) have been nominated for the Arjuna Awards. The first Indian pistol shooter to reach number one in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) world rankings, the 29-year-old Sidhu is a multiple gold medallist at the World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth and Asian Championships. She also held the world record in the 10 metre air pistol event with a final score of 203.8. Mittal has been one of the most consistent Indian shooters in shotgun, having won silver and gold medals at the World Cups in 2017. The double trap exponent continued his impressive showing the following year, bagging gold medals at the Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships. He then claimed silver at the ISSF World Shotgun Championship
Football is stupid sport for intelligent people: Massimiliano Allegri
Football is a stupid sport for intelligent people as the simplest things are truly also the most difficult to get right, said Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri."I don't really like all these tactical systems people talk about, 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and all that. I've learned that football is a stupid sport for intelligent people, because the simplest things are truly also the most difficult to get right," Goal.com quoted Allegri as saying."For example, you can say a player made a simple sideways pass, but it's not simple, it's football. The lower you go down the levels, the more players think they need to hang on to the ball to prove how talented they are, but that's not football," he added while discussing football on Rai programme 'Che Tempo Che Fa'.The 51-year old was being criticised for Juventus exit from the Champions League in the quarter-finals in the hands of Ajax. However, Allegri guided Juventus to an eighth successive Serie A title this season, his fifth consecutive Scudetto ...
Heena recommended for Khel Ratna, Ronak for Dronacharya
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has recommended the names of Heena Sidhu and Ankur Mittal for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Ponting, Ganguly know how to make match winners: Dhawan
Six punishing years and a name change later, Delhi Capitals have finally qualified for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Their 16-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday sealed their place in the knockout stages of the tournament in the 12th edition of the IPL. Delhi last made it to the playoffs in 2012 under Virender Sehwag's leadership.
Alex Hales out of England World Cup squad
England batsman Alex Hales has been withdrawn from the national squad for the upcoming World Cup slated to be held from May 30.
Virgil Van Dijk wins PFA player of the year award
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk won with the Professional Football Association's (PFA) Player of the year award on Sunday."Van Dijk is just the fourth defender to win the PFA Player's Player of the Year award and the first since 2004," PFA said in a statement.The Netherlands international joined the club back in January 2018 for a world record PS75million fee for a defender. Though Dijk has been proven to be worthy as he brought assertiveness and confidence to the club.Dijk's consistent performance has also brought Liverpool in the hunt for their first Premier League title. Moreover, Dijk won the PFA Player of the Month in November.Manchester City's Raheem Sterling won the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Fabio Cannavaro steps down as China coach
Italy World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro on Sunday announced his decision to step down as head coach of the Chinese National Football Team to focus on his role with Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club.Cannavaro took to Instagram to announce his decision. He wrote: "Out of respect for the country that has been hosting me for some years, I feel the duty to communicate that I have renounced my position as Head Coach of the Chinese National Football Team. I wish to sincerely thank Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club and the Chinese Football Association for having offered me the position of the Head Coach of the two most important football teams in the country; however, this double assignment would take me away from my family for too long.""More than one month ago I informed my Club about my intention to dedicate myself exclusively to my squad and my players. By maintaining only the position as Head Coach of Guangzhou Evergrande, I hope to contribute to the growth of young Chinese ...
Isac Doru appointed as AIFF technical director
All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday appointed Isac Doru as its new technical director.Doru was selected from a list of over 60 candidates who had applied for the post. The 56-year-old comes with a rich experience of almost 29 years in international football across several countries including France, Japan, USA, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Qatar amongst others.The Romania-born was last employed as the sporting director of three-time J-league Champions Yokohama Marinos FC."It is nice to have Doru on board. His vast experience will come in handy for Indian football. I expect him to guide us to the next level," AIFF President Praful Patel said in a statement.AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said: "Indian Football has been experiencing a significant transition in recent years. I look up to Doru to work on, and improve on the roadmap already laid down for the youth teams, and at the same time make value addition to our coach education programme, grassroots, women's football, and ...
Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia recommended for Khel Ratna
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended the names of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
I am aware of the bickering and back-biting: Karthik
Embattled skipper Dinesh Karthik says he is "aware of bickering and back-biting", his comments coming in the backdrop of speculations around leadership and batting order in Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR snapped a six-match losing streak with a 34-run win over Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens Sunday, days after questions were raised about Andre Russell's batting position, with the West Indian power-hitter himself expressing a desire to bat higher at No. 4. "It's a high pressure sport, a high octane tournament, you've got to make sure everybody's in a great space, give them the best chance to do well and stay healthy," Karthik said at the post-match presentation. "A lot of bickering and back-biting can go on in these sorts of situations. I'm very aware of it and (I) make sure nothing like that happens. "At the end of the day, it's a game. You play the best that you can. You need to keep a smile. You need to be nice to others. Everybody's trying hard." Regarding Russell, who has made ...
Cannavaro steps down as China football coach
Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro has announced he is resigning from steering the Chinese national soccer team after just two consecutive defeats and said he would continue to focus on his role as the Guangzhou Evergrande Club's manager.