Page 332 - Sports
Both Virat and I react out of passion: Ashwin
Kings XI Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin played down the animated reaction from his Royal Challengers Bangalore counterpart Virat Kohli after taking his catch near the boundary rope, saying both of them react out of passion. With 27 runs needed from the final over, Ashwin hit the first ball for a six, but on the very next delivery, he hit one straight to Kohli at long-on off Umesh Yadav's bowling. Kohli celebrated in his typical usual self, giving Ashwin a fiery send-off. Ashwin, on his part, was also seen throwing his gloves in the dugout in anger. "I just played with passion, so does he (Virat). That's it. As simple as that," Ashwin said at the post-match press conference here on Wednesday night after KXIP lost to RCB by 17 runs. KXIP skipper said his team failed to come good during crunch situations. "Three overs for 60 odd runs wasn't desirable, but we were in the chase all along and I thought we couldn't finish it off in crunch situation. That is what you back the senior ...
Sindhu, Sameer seal quarterfinal spot at Asia Badminton C'ship
The Indian shuttlers P V Sindhu and Sameer Verma continued their impressive run, progressing to the women's and men's singles quarterfinals respectively of the Asia Badminton Championship here Thursday. Sindhu, seeded fourth, took just 33 minutes to get the better of Indonesia's Choirunnisa 21-15 21-19 in a one-sided women's singles match. The world number six will next play the unseeded Cai Yanyan of China in the quarterfinals. In the men's singles, Sameer brushed aside Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus 21-12 21-19. He will next face either Thai shuttler Sitthikom Thammasin or second seeded Shi Yuqi of China. India's mixed doubles pair of Utkarsh Arora and Karishma Wadkar crashed out in the second round after losing 21-10 21-15 to Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia. Later Thursday, world number nine Saina Nehwal will take on Kim Ga Eun of South Korea in women's singles second round match.
USA, Oman attain ODI status
USA attained the One-Day International status for the first time in their cricketing history as they defeated Hong Kong by 84 runs in the World Cricket League Division 2 on Wednesday. Oman were also awarded the ODI status after registering wins in their opening three matches.USA's win against Oman was their third in the tournament in four games and this ensured that are able to finish in the top four in the table, International Cricket Council (ICC) reported.USA suffered loss in their opening match against Oman by six wickets, but they were able to bounce back as they defeated Namibia by two runs, Papua New Guinea (PNG) by ten wickets and Hong Kong by 84 runs.On the other hand, Oman registered clinical performances in their opening three games against USA, Canada, and Hong Kong.Both Oman and USA now join Scotland, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in League 2, where they will play 36 ODIs each over a two-and-a-half-year period on the pathway to Men's Cricket World Cup ...
Nadal labors past Mayer in Barcelona Open
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has kicked off his title defense at the Barcelona Open with a hard-fought 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Argentina's Leonardo Mayer.
Atletico beat Valencia, keeps LaLiga title race alive
Atletico Madrid squandered the lead twice against visiting Valencia before pulling out a 3-2 win after a late goal by Angel Correa.
City top United 2-0, gain edge in title race
Premier League holders Manchester City defeated Manchester United 2-0 to reclaim first place from Liverpool.
Takeaways from West Indies World Cup squad
Cricket West Indies announced its 15-member team for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on Wednesday. The Jason Holder-led side will open its campaign against Pakistan in the World cup on May 31 at Trent Bridge.Here's a look at the biggest takeaways from the West Indies squad:Russell, who last played an ODI in July 2018 made a comeback to the West Indies team for the upcoming World Cup. A flurry of injuries and a one-year ban in 2017 had stalled his progress in the international game but the selectors decided to show faith in him after seeing his good form in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The player has so far accumulated 392 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL at a strike-rate of 217.77.Pollard was excluded from the West Indies team for the World Cup. Pollard and Russell are very much alike in their playing style. Russell was included in the team but Pollard was not given a nod in the team. Pollard has also been in good form in the ongoing ...
What I am learning from Ponting, Ganguly will use during World Cup: Dhawan
India opener Shikhar Dhawan has said he is learning a lot from legends like Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly and would appropriately use that knowledge during the 50-over World Cup, starting May 30 in UK. Dhawan is currently playing in IPL for Delhi Capitals, coached by former Australia skipper Ponting while former India captain Ganguly is associated with the franchise as advisor. "Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly...I am very fortunate that I am working with them now. They both have been great leaders. It is very good to be close to them because I can get their insight, know what was their mindset, what was their approach when they used to play or captain their side," explained Dhawan, who has scored 5,355 runs in 128 ODIs. "I am already learning so many things from them (and) it is helping me. I am grateful (for) that. I am sure those things are helping me in the IPL and I am going to take it to the World Cup," he added. Dhawan, meanwhile, also heaped praises on his Delhi Capitals ...
Lost ball halts play as umpire pockets it and forgets
Umpiring howlers refuse to end in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League, and on Wednesday night umpire Shamshuddin was in the spotlight. He forgot where he kept the ball at the end of the 13th over of the RCB innings as players headed for a strategic break during the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab face off.
I would have loved to play in the World Cup: Sunil Narine
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine said that he would have loved to play in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in England and Wales after missing out on the opportunity to play in the tournament due to a finger injury."I would have loved to play in the World Cup. I have missed international cricket and I have missed representing the West Indies. It's where my heart lies," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Narine as saying on Wednesday.Narine, who is currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League said that he can get through a T20 match, but his finger is not quite ready for getting through an ODI match."But I don't feel my finger is quite ready for ODI cricket. I can get through a T20 where I bowl just four overs. But even that isn't easy and I need help from the physio. It's holding me back from playing international cricket. I wouldn't be able to do myself or the team justice," he said.However, there is a possibility that Narine could be available for the latter stages .
Emery clings to Champions League hopes after Wolves inflict more away-day pain
Unai Emery refused to give up on Arsenal's Champions League hopes after seeing his side embarrassed by Wolves in a 3-1 defeat at Molineux on Wednesday. Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and the outstanding Diogo Jota scored the goals that condemned Emery's side to a third defeat in four Premier League games, severely denting their hopes of a top-four finish with just three games to go. The Arsenal manager admitted his team were outplayed by Wolves, who scored three goals in the first half to give the visitors a mountain to climb. Despite the chastening defeat the Spaniard said his side will keep striving for Champions League football, which they can achieve either through a top-four finish in the Premier League or by winning the Europa League. Defeat in the Midlands left Emery's men a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea. "I usually am very critical with myself and I am angry with myself that we didn't do the gameplan we wanted -- not with the players," said Emery when asked if he was angry ...
Hamilton wary of rivals' street smarts in Baku
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton is expecting his main rivals to give him a tough time on the demanding streets of Baku at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The five-time world champion, who heads the embryonic 2019 title race by six points after three races, has struggled to master the Baku circuit in the past and won last year only after Mercedes' team-mate Valtteri Bottas had a puncture when leading with three laps remaining. That disappointment was a body blow for Bottas who did not fully recover and failed to claim a win as Hamilton romped to his fifth drivers' crown. This time, Hamilton expects him, and Ferrari, to respond. "I was fortunate to get the win here last year," admitted Hamilton, who has developed a habit of turning unpromising races into valuable podium finishes or wins. "I wasn't quick enough really, right through the weekend so it will be interesting this time. "I'm expecting Valtteri to be quick and I expect the Ferraris to be particularly quick. It will be .
Bayern target Nuebel in spotlight ahead of Ruhr derby
Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel was a bench-warmer at the start of the season, but ahead of this weekend's derby in Dortmund, he looks set to walk in the footsteps of Manuel Neuer. Nuebel, 22, has been one of the few players to have shone in a dreadful year for Schalke. His performances between the posts have kept relegation at arm's length and reportedly piqued the interest of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. With Schalke now just one place above the bottom three, Nuebel hopes to restore some lost pride for his current club when they take on old rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Nuebel, who joined Schalke from Paderborn at the age of 18, began the season playing second fiddle to more experienced goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann. Runners-up last year, Schalke slumped into a relegation fight this season. When Faehrmann fell out of favour, Nuebel grabbed his chance by the horns. Promoted to number one in January by then Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco, Nuebel earned plaudits for his ...
Guardiola's Man City raise the bar as Man Utd suffer more misery
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his side have raised the bar in the Premier League after edging one point back ahead of Liverpool in a titanic title race with a 2-0 win at Manchester United on Wednesday. Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane struck for the visitors in 12 second-half minutes at Old Trafford to inflict a seventh defeat in nine games on United, who remain three points adrift of the top four. City cannot match their record 100 points tally in romping to the title last season, but victories over Burnley, Leicester and Brighton will clinch the title on 98 points and ensure Liverpool's 29-year wait to win the league continues despite already posting a club record points tally in the Premier League era. "We increased the level for the Premier League last season with 100 points. That's the level Liverpool are chasing. What they have done is incredible but it's in our hands," said Guardiola. "Both teams deserve the title. But it can be just one. The team that is going to
Guardiola urges title calm after Man City beat United
Pep Guardiola said both Manchester City and Liverpool deserve to win the Premier League title after his side brushed aside Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday to top the table again. Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane struck for the visitors in 12 second-half minutes at Old Trafford to inflict a seventh defeat in nine games on United, who remain three points adrift of the top four. Guardiola's City have 89 points after 35 games, with Liverpool a point behind. Both sides have just three games remaining. "I understand the pressure we have and obviously here at Old Trafford with Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard running behind," the City boss told Sky Sports. "I told them we needed to play to win, it doesn't matter if we concede. "Now we go to Burnley and we know how tough it will be. It's important to be calm. We are still not champions with three gaurgesmes left -- it's incredible with the points we have and Liverpool have. "I told the players don't read tomorrow, don't watch the television,
Start playing like Manchester United', pleads Rashford
Marcus Rashford has called on Manchester United players to "be real with each other" after Manchester City condemned them to a seventh defeat in nine games on Wednesday. Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane struck for the visitors in 12 second-half minutes at Old Trafford to seal a 2-0 win over United, who remain three points adrift of the top four. "Today we didn't play like Manchester United," Rashford told Sky Sports. "It's not right. The bare minimum is to work hard and give all for the badge, the supporters, the club and yourself. "It has been a tough road to get to where we are, to get there and not be putting up the same performances as we were in January is disappointing. We know what's been going wrong -- it's mentality and willingness to run for your team. "Forget the league and top four, you don't lose this game. It's that simple as a Manchester United fan. We never call each other out but we have to be real with each other. It's a matter of trying to improve each other. "It's ...
Tried to stay calm in last few overs: AB de Villiers
Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers was undoubtedly the star of the show on Wednesday night as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kings XI Punjab by 17 runs after being stranded at 81/4 at one stage. While he had the perfect partner in Marcus Stoinis, his 44-ball 82 was the cornerstone of RCB's fourth win in five games this season.
Correa fires Lazio into Cup final after fascist flash mob
Joaquin Correa's second-half winner sent Lazio into the Coppa Italia final with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday, in a game marred by away fans holding a far-right flash mob. Correa made the breakthrough 148 minutes into the tie after a goalless first leg back in February, and Lazio are now just one win from lifting the trophy for a seventh time. Simone Inzaghi's men will face either Fiorentina or Atalanta in the final at their home stadium, the Stadio Olimpico, on May 15, with the other semi-final level at 3-3 heading into Thursday's second leg. "We fully deserved qualification, but now must focus on Serie A building up to the final in our stadium," Inzaghi told television channel Rai Sport. "We could've taken the lead earlier, but Pepe Reina did very well in goal." Hardcore Lazio fans displayed a banner reading "Honour to Benito Mussolini" before the game, sang fascist songs and performed the Nazi salute. A short video circulating on social media showed the ..
Chris Woakes extremely important for the team at upcoming World Cup: Eoin Morgan
The captain of England cricket team Eoin Morgan said Chris Woakes, the fast-bowler, is extremely important for the team at the upcoming World Cup due to his experience."He'll be extremely important. He has been the best bowler in the world in the first ten overs for the past two years in international cricket and he goes about his business very quietly and very effectively. He's exceptional, and a very important part of our team," International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Morgan, as saying on Wednesday.Woakes has been England go-to bowler over the past two years and the bowler has provided the team with crucial breakthroughs in the first ten overs of the match.The Morgan-led England team is considered as one of the favourites for the upcoming World Cup as they have shown the best form in the limited-overs format since the last World cup in 2015. The team currently holds the number one spot in the ICC ODI team rankings.The skipper, however, highlighted the threat of World number two ..
We have failed to win pressure moments: Ashwin
Having started really well, Kings XI Punjab lost the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore thanks to the brilliant partnership between AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis, but KXIP skipper R. Ashwin refused to point at just one moment and said that there were quite a few moments in the match which if they had grabbed, the result could have been different from how it panned out a" 17-run loss for KXIP.