Page 350 - Sports
Viart Kohli praises Moeen Ali, calls him game changer
Virat Kohli heaped praises on his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Moeen Ali, calling him the one who "changed the game," after defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Eden Garden.Although Kohli registered his fifth T20 hundred, it was Ali who showcased his abilities with both bat and ball to clinch Bangalore's second win from nine games on Friday evening.Ali smashed 66 runs off just 28 balls, charging RCB at a time when Kohli appeared scratchy. The English all-rounder especially punished KKR spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who conceded 27 runs before dismissing Ali in the same over."The length balls were difficult to get away. But the way Mo (Moeen Ali) came in and batted it took the momentum from them and put it back in our lap. He changed the game completely and that allowed me to play through," ICC quoted Kohli, as saying."(When he came on) he said, 'I'm going to go now' and I just said go for it. He targetted the small boundary, he ...
Cameron Bancroft guides Durham to beat Leicestershire
Australia wicket-keeper batsman Cameron Bancroft played a match-winning knock, smashing his second consecutive century to lead Durham to victory in England's One-Day Cup.Chasing 234 set by Leicestershire, Durham skipper Bancroft scored an unbeaten 118 off 117 balls, which saw 12 boundaries and two sixes, to register a six-wicket win with 27 balls to spare."Signing him (Bancroft), there was a lot of speculation. But I think he's certainly put that to rest with his two performances. He's been a leader of this team coming out, two match-winning hundreds. That's what you want from your captain, to lead from the front, and he's certainly done that the first two games," cricket.com.au quoted Bancroft's teammate James Franklin, as saying.The northeast English county's decision to appoint Bancroft as its captain last month attracted criticism despite Durham chief executive Tim Bostock insisted Bancroft was "the best available option" and his performances have justified the faith.The ...
Smith to be handed captain's band by Rajasthan Royals
Placed seventh in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals are toying with the idea of handing the captain's armband to former skipper Steve Smith as the team has managed to win just two games of the eight that they have played so far. The management believes that bringing him back at the helm might change their fortune.
Of Windies carnage in IPL and WC dreams
Which is the one thing that has been consistent in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL)? One might say it has been the explosive batting performance from tainted Australian batsman David Warner, who has made a remarkable comeback to the cash-rich league after missing out the last edition. It can also be the as-expected winning run of the M.S. Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, or one might argue for the awful run by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which boasts of being led by the best batsman in the world at the moment.
de Villiers has a new nickname for Virat Kohli
It is well known that star Indian batsman Virat Kohli is fondly called 'chiku' by his teammates inside the national dressing room. Apart from this, Kohli has been given various other nicknames across the cricketing fraternity such as 'run machine', 'King Kohli', 'chase master', which people use while talking about his batting skills.
Pakistan to play day-night Test in Australia
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given its nod to its Australian counterpart to play a day-night Test in the upcoming 2019-20 season.
Rahul, Hardik slapped Rs 20 lakh fine for misconduct on TV show
BCCI Ombudsman Justice DK Jain on Saturday slapped a fine of Rs 20 lakh each on cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya for their certain acts of misconduct on a television show.Both Rahul and Hardik have to "pay a sum of Rs 1 lakh to each of the most deserving widows of ten constables in para-military forces who lost their lives while on duty, through the medium of Bharat Ke Veer App". Moreover, they have to "deposit a sum of Rs 10 lakh in the fund created by Cricket Association for the blind for the promotion of the game of cricket for the blind."The players have to abide by the decision "within four weeks". If they fail to do so within the time granted, "The BCCI may deduct the said amount from the match fees payable to the players," the court order said.It was alleged that on January 6 in an interview with filmmaker Karan Johar, the host of the show -- Koffee with Karan, the players made certain comments, which were racist, sexist in nature besides being disrespectful to women.After
CSK aim to seal play-off berth against RCB
Chennai Super Kings will be expected to shrug off a rare loss and effectively seal a play-off berth against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League here on Sunday. Defending champions CSK, who lost to SRH in the previous game for only their second loss this season, will get to 16 points with a win at the Chinnaswamy and it should be enough to guarantee a place in the top-four. Their leader M S Dhoni missed the game against SRH due to a stiff back but will probably be fit for the game on Sunday. "Probably he will play in the next game against RCB," stand-in skipper Suresh Raina had said after the loss to SRH. Following the tournament opener between CSK and RCB in Chennai, both teams have had contrasting campaigns. While CSK have lived up to their reputation again, RCB continue to under-perform. No doubt, RCB will be fired up after the win against KKR at Kolkata on Friday night when they finally managed to defend despite a brutal assault from Andre Russell and Nitish ..
Alex Hales takes break from cricket, misses county match
Batsman Alex Hales, who has been named in England's 15-man ICC Men's World Cup provisional squad, has taken a break from cricket due to "personal reasons".The 30-year-old did not feature in his county side Nottinghamshire's 50-over match against Lancashire on Friday."Alex Hales has made himself unavailable for selection for personal reasons and no timetable has been set for his return to action," ICC quoted the statement issued by the county.Hales has played 70 ODIs, registering six hundreds in the format for England. He scored 147 runs against Australia at Trent Bridge, helping England to a record-breaking total of 481/6 last year.England will face Ireland in a one-off ODI before taking on Pakistan in one T20I and five ODIs. Hales is named for these matches.The host for the 2017 World Cup will then play Australia and Afghanistan in warm-ups and then open its 50-over campaign against South Africa on May 30 at The Oval, London.
BCCI ombudsman fines Pandya, Rahul for Koffee fiasco
BCCI Ombudsman D.K. Jain has asked all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener K.L. Rahul to pay a sum of Rs 1 lakh each, to widows of 10 constables in paramilitary forces who have lost their lives on duty. They have also been asked to deposit Rs 10 lakh in the fund created for promotion of cricket for the blind as fine for their misconduct in chat show.
Kagiso Rabada, the trump card for Delhi Capitals
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is proving to be a trump card for Delhi Capitals in Indian Premier League (IPL) with his ability to handle pressure in crunch overs.The 23-year-old is the leading wicket-taker, having claimed 19 wickets in nine matches."I've just been working on my skills in the nets, trying to improve in particular areas and also working on the things that I've worked on in the past. I try to find a combination of sticking to what works for me, and then reading the game, learning about the game, and learning what can make me a better cricketer," cricket.com.au quoted Rabada, as saying."It's a game of simplicity, really. I just practice my good lengths, good lines, and then look to adapt on the day to what's going to be needed, whether it be variations or whatever ball is required at any particular batsman."Proteas bowler produced a series of yorkers in Super Over to stop Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell early in the season."I thought, big boundary, hmm, .
CSK aim to oust RCB in Bengaluru (Preview)
After clinching a morale-boosting win against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will look to continue with the momentum and keep their slim chances of making it to the play-offs alive when they take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
SRH look to continue winning run against KKR (Preview)
Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to heap more misery on Kolkata Knight Riders and continue their winning momentum when the two sides clash swords in an Indian Premier League return leg fixture here on Sunday.
IPL 2019: Betting cricket racket busted at Eden Gardens, seven bookies arrested
A team of Anti Rowdy Squad (ARS) and Detective Department (DD) on Friday arrested a group of seven persons from F1 Block at Eden Gardens, for their involvement in cricket betting, police said."The group was nabbed on Friday after the ARS and DD received information from a source regarding betting at Eden Gardens for VIVO Indian Premier League cricket match, which was played between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)," police said.Around 14 mobile phones including one betting accessory have been seized from their possessions.A case has been registered at Maidan police station.
Russell wants to bat at no.4 after KKR lost to RCB
After losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell opined that it would be better for the team if he bats at number four in order to chase down challenging targets in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).Despite Russell's 25-ball 65, KKR faced its fourth consecutive defeat as RCB beat KKR by 10 runs at the Eden Gardens on Friday evening."When I'm at the crease, Virat Kohli will bowl the best bowlers to get me out, and those best bowlers will, therefore, have fewer overs remaining in the back end. So even if I score 65 off 25 balls and give the team the early pump, then the type of bowlers like Dale Steyn will have only one over to bowl at the death, or they may bowl out. So I think me going to bat early would definitely be good for KKR," ESPNcricinfo quoted Russell, as saying."We were chasing 214 runs and weren't in the best state when I went out to bat. I'm used to these situations, but why I say it's a sweet and sour feeling ..
On standby for World Cup, Saini ready for his big moment
Pacer Navdeep Saini, who is among India's standbys for the World Cup, says he is ready for his big break in the mega event should the need arises. After attracting selectors' attention with a splendid season for Delhi in domestic cricket, the 26-year-old has impressed with his pace and bounce for RCB in the IPL. The uncapped pacer is the sole bowler among the standbys with the others being Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant. Saini will also be travelling with the World Cup squad as one of the four net bowlers alongside Khaeel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar. "Absolutely (I'm ready)... The confidence of doing well in IPL will give me a big boost. If I get a chance in World Cup, I hope to do well," the shy lad from Haryana told reporters after RCB's 10-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens here on Friday. On his World Cup preparation, he said: "We talk during the matches but the most important thing is to pay full attention at the nets. If you do well at the nets, you ..
IPL confidence will help in WC preparation: Saini
Navdeep Saini, who is one of the stand-bys for India's World Cup campaign, said the confidence he is getting from playing in the Indian Premier League will help him a great deal if he makes it to the squad eventually.
Russell questions KKR decision to send him lower down the order
Describing their narrow loss to RCB as a sweet and sour feeling, KKR impact player Andre Russell has questioned his team's decision to send him lower down the order. Chasing an imposing 214, KKR did not have the perfect start with 33/3 inside five overs and Robin Uthappa further complicated the equation consuming 20 deliveries for his nine runs. So when Russell came into bat, 135 runs were needed off 49 balls but the West Indies big-hitter kept them in the hunt right till the last over, smashing nine sixes and two fours in a 25-ball 65. "To lose by 10 runs, it's just two hits away. In the middle period, if we scored a bit faster we would definitely get the runs with even balls the spare," a disappointed Russell said at the post-match news conference. Nitish Rana (85 not out off 46 balls) also plundered a barrage of boundaries in the death overs but it was too much in the end as KKR suffered their fourth defeat on the trot. "Well batted to Nitish, but this is something that we ...
Moeen Ali took the game away from KKR: Karthik
After conceding a 10-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik admitted it was Moeen Ali who took the game away from the hosts at the Eden Gardens.
Guardiola sets sights on next season's quadruple
Pep Guardiola will target the quadruple again next season with Manchester City despite the disappointment of this week's Champions League exit against Tottenham. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp -- Guardiola's closest challenger for the Premier League title -- have both advanced to the semi-finals of Europe's leading club competition. But, unlike Guardiola, that duo have placed far less emphasis on the domestic cup competitions, fielding weakened sides in the early rounds of the League Cup and FA Cup. By contrast Guardiola, in contrast, has always fielded full, or near-full, strength teams, leaving him open to accusations fatigue is hampering his team in the season's closing stages. Nevertheless the City manager, who won the League Cup against Chelsea and faces an FA Cup final date with Watford next month, is adamant he would never deliberately attempt to be knocked out of a competition. "I don't understand in my profession, it is not to say I don't want .