Page 339 - Sports
Vaas predicts India will enter semis in the World Cup
Terming India a well-balanced and in-form outfit, former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas predicted that Virat Kohli and his men would reach the semi-finals of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. The former left arm bowler was however guarded when talking about his own country's chances in cricket's showpiece event to be held in England and Wales from May 30, while mentioning sling-arm pacer Lasith Malinga as a key factor. "Indian cricket has been dominating in the last two-three years. They have good back-up fast bowlers. They will do wonders. Indian team is very balanced. They will do well. My prediction is, India will definitely reach the semifinals (in the World Cup)," Vaas told reporters here on Tuesday. Vaas is on a visit to Mumbai to inaugurate a local T20 tournament along with former teammate, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. On Lanka's chances he said, "For the last few months, Sri Lanka hasnt done so well. But if you analyse the combination of the team which we ..
Sterling calls for nine-point racism penalty
Raheem Sterling has called for clubs whose fans racially abuse players to be hit with a nine-point penalty, saying current punishments meant the issue was "nowhere near being sorted" by football authorities. The Manchester City forward has become increasingly outspoken on racism in football, having received abuse on the pitch while playing for both his club and on England duty. Recently, he cupped his hands to his ears in response to derogatory chants from Montenegro fans while playing for England last month. Now Sterling has become one of the signatories to a manifesto published in Tuesday's edition of Britain's The Times newspaper calling for more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in positions of power within football, more severe punishments for racist abuse and greater action by social media organisations, sponsors and traditional media. "When I was a boy growing up in London, going to school and playing football, I didn't know what racist abuse was because I never ..
Beuran Hendricks replaces injured Alzarri Joseph at MI
Left-arm South African fast bowler Beuran Hendricks has signed with the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for the injured Alzarri Joseph for the remainder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Williamson returns New Zealand due to personal reasons, Bhuvneshwar to lead SRH against CSK
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson will miss out on Tuesday's IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, owing to personal reasons. Williamson has returned to New Zealand, it has been learnt. He is likely to rejoin the team ahead of Sunrisers' next match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 27. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the side today in Williamson's absence as he has done previously in the tournament when the Kiwi star missed out due to injury. SRH are currently in the fourth spot in the points table, with successive wins over CSK and KKR at home. They have five wins in nine games. CSK is at the top of the standings.
Kane Williamson returns home, ruled out of match against CSK
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson returned home (New Zealand) due to a personal tragedy, and apparently will not be playing their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.He is likely to return to the Hyderabad squad ahead of the team's next match against Rajasthan Royals on April 21, ESPN Cricinfo reported.Indian player Bhuvneshwar Kumar will take over the captaincy for the match against CSK in his absence. Kumar had led the team earlier also when Williamson was unavailable due to a shoulder injury.Mohammad Nabi or Shakib Al Hasan might replace Williamson for the match against CSK. Their addition will strengthen the spin bowling department of the team.Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday to reach the fourth position in the IPL League standings. It will take on Chennai Super Kings at Chennai, today.
I-League clubs shooting themselves in foot: AIFF secretary
All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das has finally decided to break his silence on the raging controversy that has hit the federation after seven I-League clubs decided to "boycott" the Super Cup last month.
Shiva assured of 4th straight medal; Sarita also enters Asian semis
Shiva Thapa (60kg) secured himself a medal for the fourth successive time, while veteran L Sarita Devi (60kg) made the semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade to continue India's stupendous run at the Asian Boxing Championships here on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Thapa defeated Thailand's Rujakran Juntrong in a one-sided lightweight (60kg) contest. He prevailed 5-0 and has a tough semifinal lined up against Kazakhstan's Zakir Safiullin, a silver-medallist from the 2015 edition. Thapa had won a gold in 2013, a bronze in 2015 and a silver in the 2017 edition of the marquee continental event. In the women's draw, former world champion Sarita, who last reached the Asian semis back in 2010 and ended with a a gold, defeated Kazakhstan's Rimma Volossenko in a split decision to make the medal rounds. Last edition's silver-medallist Manisha too secured herself at least a bronze by defeating Filipino Petecio Zzaa Nice. Joining Thapa in the men's last four stage was Ashish Kumar (75kg), ...
adidas and Marvel Celebrate Basketball's Mightiest Heroes With New Footwear Collection
/ -- adidas Basketball and Marvel announced today that they have joined forces to create a limited edition 'Heroes Among Us' collection led by five new footwear designs. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/875696/adidas_Marvel.jpg ) Basketball players, like super heroes, have alter egos. Just as super heroes don masks, players don uniforms, and each athlete represents a different power and skill. These unique powers, once assembled, create an unstoppable force of good. With the world watching, these heroes take center stage, placing their teams, their cities and their communities on their backs. Inspired by the Marvel Super Heroes that captivate fans both in the comics and on the big screen, adidas has iconized some of basketball's mightiest heroes - players who motivate fans and athletes both on and off the court. The result is a footwear collection that pairs the unique ability of NBA and WNBA athletes James Harden, Damian Lillard, Candace Parker, John Wall and Tracy McGrady ..
MSD's form reignites greatest finisher debate before WC
With 26 runs needed off the final over, anyone would say that the bowling team has the upper hand and is most likely to win the game. This is what RCB skipper Virat Kohli would have thought when he handed the ball to Umesh Yadav on Sunday. However, he was aware of the fact that the batsman at the striker's end was none other than MS Dhoni, a man who has been famous throughout his career for doing the impossible. And he almost pulled it off again.
Robbie Fowler 'can't see' Manchester United defeating Manchester City
Former England footballer Robbie Fowler on Tuesday said that he cannot see Manchester United defeating Manchester City in the upcoming Premier League clash based on their current form."I think the way they're (Manchester United) playing at the minute, you can't see it happening, but stranger things have happened," goal.com quoted Fowler as saying.The former Liverpool player also said that his allegiances are with Liverpool and he hopes that Manchester United are able to pull off a big favour for Liverpool."I think obviously everyone knows my allegiances are massively with Liverpool and I think if we're being totally honest it's going to be tough for them because you feel as though Manchester City can beat anyone on their day," Fowler said."So, to use a little bit of mind management if you like, I think Manchester United need to pull off a big favour for Liverpool," he added.United are chasing a Champions League qualification place and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team is currently three ...
Pant biggest finisher in T20s right now: Shaw
Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw believes his team-mate Rishabh Pant is the biggest finisher in T20 cricket at the moment.
Chelsea drop points against Burnley
Chelsea, who started their match against Burnley with a chance to climb to third place in the Premier League, could manage only a 2-2 draw and they remain in the thick of a four-club scramble for the last two Champion League berths.
RCB look to post third successive win when they clash with KXIP
Belatedly getting into the groove with back-to-back victories, Royal Challengers Bangalore would look to continue the momentum when they take on Kings XI Punjab in an IPL match here on Wednesday. RCB must be all fired up after posting one-run win over a formidable Chennai Super Kings and would be desperate to keep the juggernaut rolling. Having survived a brutal assault at the hands of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the last game, they should have gained some confidence. Come tomorrow, Virat Kohli-led RCB would not like to look back. Although AB de Villiers and Kohli did not click with the bat but the failures would prompt them to score runs and put up a big total for the Royal Challengers. RCB might draw some inspiration from their match-winning knocks of an unbeaten 59 by de Villiers and 67 by Kohli, against Punjab when they met in the first leg. However, their bowling remains a worry despite the arrival of Dale Steyn. RCB's bowling was exposed once again in the last match here when Dhoni .
I am aspiring to be India's Manny Pacquaio: Vijender Singh
A trailblazer inside the boxing ring, Olympic bronze-medallist Vijender Singh says he will draw inspiration from Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao in his political innings which start with the Congress in the ongoing general elections. The 33-year-old from the cradle of Indian boxing -- Bhiwani in Haryana -- was on Monday nominated from the South Delhi constituency by the Grand Old Party locking him in a three-way fight with BJP's sitting MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha. Speaking to PTI on Tuesday, India's only male boxer with an Olympic medal and the first to claim a world championship medal sounded upbeat as he spoke about a decision which not many saw coming. "I want to be India's Manny Pacquaio. It would be great if I can be as good as him because I am not giving up boxing. That's my first love, will always be. That's my identity and I am not going to give it up," said Vijender as he headed to file his nomination. The last active sportsperson to fight an ...
Shiva assured of 4th straight Asian C'ship medal, enters semis
Shiva Thapa Tuesday became the first Indian boxer to be assured of a fourth successive medal at the Asian Championships by advancing to the semifinals here. The 25-year-old from Assam defeated Thailand's Rujakran Juntrong in a one-sided lightweight (60kg) contest here. He prevailed 5-0. Thapa won a gold in 2013, a bronze in 2015 and a silver in the 2017 edition of the marquee continental event. He is also former world championship bronze-medallist and a two-time national champion.
Wrestler-turned-cop booked for joining Congress campaign
The Mumbai Police on Tuesday lodged an FIR against Narsingh P. Yadav, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler-turned-Assistant Commissioner of Police, charging him with campaigning for Congress candidate for the Mumbai North-West seat, Sanjay Nirupam.
No cricketer has served India like Dhoni: Kapil
Former India all-rounder Kapil Dev believes twin World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the biggest contributor to the gentlemans game. Coming from the man who himself lifted the 1983 World Cup in England, this is no mean appreciation.
RCB host KXIP to keep playoffs chance alive (Preview)
With two back to back wins, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will aim for yet another victory and keep their slim chances of making it to the playoffs alive when they take on the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Wednesday.
Sindhu, Saina look to end 54-year old title wait at Asia Championship
A week's rest after three back-to-back tournaments, Olympic medallists P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will now train their eyes on ending India's 54-year-old title jinx at the Asia Badminton Championship beginning here Wednesday. It was Dinesh Khanna, who had become the men's singles champion at the Asian Championship in 1965. Last year, HS Prannoy and Saina Nehwal won bronze medals in their respective categories. The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina had won two more bronze at the Asia Championship in 2010 and 2016, while Sindhu claimed the bronze at the 2014 event at South Korea. The duo will have their task cut out in a draw which boosts of the likes of Akane Yamaguchi, Chen Yufei, Ratchanok Inthanon among others even though defending champion and India's nemesis Tai Tzu Ying has withdrawn from the event. Sindhu had reached her second semifinal this season at the Singapore Open before her inexplicable meltdown against Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, while Saina perished in the .
Mithali, Harmanpreet, Mandhana to lead in Women's T20 exhibition matches
Three senior Indian players Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will captain the three teams-Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity, respectively, in the upcoming women's T20 exhibition matches.Jaipur will host all four T20 exhibition matches on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League playoffs. The round-robin matches will be played on May 6, 8 and 9 before the finals on May 11, ESPN Cricinfo reported.It is being speculated that overseas players from almost half-a-dozen countries will take part in the T20 matches. These exhibition matches are an attempt by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to test the popularity of women's T20 in the country.All the four matches may very well get telecasted and the BCCI is set to finalise the timings of the matches after consultation with the host broadcasters.Last year, the Supernovas and Trailblazers faced each other in a one-off T20 exhibition match and the game ended up as a last-ball thriller.Supernovas emerged ...