Page 361 - Sports
Lee heaps praise on pacers Bumrah, Prasidh and Saini
Former Australia speedster Brett Lee Monday heaped praise on death overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah as well as lanky speedsters, Prasidh Krishna and Navdeep Saini. Prasidh has only bagged two wickets so far in the ongoing IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders, but Lee said he was impressed with his and Saini's pace. Saini has grabbed four wickets representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore,while India pace spearhead has snapped up eight wicket wearing the colours of Mumbai Indians in IPL. Delhi pacer Saini had also been named as one of the four pacers who will assisst the Indian team in their World Cup preparation as net bowlers. "The are many. Jasprit Bumrah, to me, has been a class act. He has got good pace and different action. Prasidh Krishna - he has been bowling at 145k or thereabouts in this IPL", Lee said when asked for his views on the fast Indian men who had impressed him the most this IPL season. "Then Navdeep Saini - he is another promising fast bowler coming ...
PKL: Never thought of any price, says Siddharth
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) players are slowly breaking barriers and are becoming the costliest non-cricketing sportspersons in the country. After Monu Goyat became the most expensive player in the PKL history last year by pocketing Rs 1.51 crore, the 2019 auction was not much different as Siddharth Desai caused a bidding war between franchises before Telugu Titans bid Rs 1.45 crore to take him home.
More exposure, access to better facilities showing in performance: Indian football assistant coach
The increase in international exposure and access to better facilities have led to overall improvement in the performance of the national football team in the last few years, feels former captain and current India assistant coach Venkatesh Shanmugam. From its worst ranking of 173 in 2015 to breaking into the top 100 in the FIFA chart last year, the Indian men's football team's performance graph has been on the upswing. It is currently ranked 101. The team was on the verge of making its maiden AFC Asian Cup knock-out round qualification before a last minute strike by Bahrain led to a heart-breaking exit. In the last four years, India played a number of friendly matches against sides like China, Jordan, Oman, Puerto Rico, besides hosting a Tri-Nation tournament in 2017, the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 among others. "Playing sides like China, Jordan, Oman, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, New Zealand, Kenya readied the players to face top international matches, a fact that helped them
AITA announces final list for Roland-Garros Junior Wild Card Event
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) Wednesday announced a list of eight boys and eight girls who will be competing in the Roland-Garros Junior Wild Card event to be held at the DLTA Complex from April 29 to May 1. The competition returns to the country for a fifth consecutive year and the winners will make it to the main event in Paris, which will also feature winners from China and Brazil. The winner of the wild card event in Paris in the boys and girls category will get the wild card for the Roland-Garros junior championship. To encourage the participants this edition, four-time Roland-Garros winner Justine Henin will be in the city for the competition. The players will have the opportunity of interacting with the seven-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medallist from Belgium during the event. A special tennis clinic has been organized at DLTA where Justine will be seen playing with the kids and sharing her experience as a professional tennis player. Boys: Mann Maulik ...
RCB's poor run will not affect Kohli at World Cup: Ferguson
Royal Challengers Bangalore's poor IPL run is in no way a reflection of skipper Virat Kohli's acumen, who will come good for India at the upcoming World Cup, feels New Zealand and Kolkata Knight Riders speedster Lockie Ferguson. Kohli has scored 278 runs from eight matches at an average of 34.75 but RCB have suffered seven defeats in eight matches to be all but out of contention for a playoff berth. "He's (Kohli) an international superstar. I think playing for RCB is a lot of different than playing for India," Ferguson, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, told PTI in an interview here. "It's a completely different competition, different team, different formats. I wouldn't look into too much how he's been going in. Personally he's been scoring runs," he reasoned. On Friday, RCB will take on KKR, who are also smarting from three successive losses. "In T20, potentially Kohli hasn't got the wins that he would have liked in at the start of the competition. But that's not to say that he's .
Lee bats for more conducive pitches for fast bowlers in India
Former Australia speedster Brett Lee on Wednesday urged that pitches in India should be made more conducive for fast bowlers to make the contest an even one and help the country keep producing pacers. Lee, who played 76 Tests and 221 ODIs, without naming the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, also said that India has a good chance to do well in the mega event starting May 30. "I urge the ground staff to prepare wickets that are a bit more conducive to fast bowling. I want to see a wicket with a little bit more in it (for the pacers), thoda thoda grass (little little grass), to make the bowlers smart and to give them the opportunity to bowl fast," Lee told reporters here. The 42-year-old former pacer was present at an event to announce a Mumbai-specific tie-up between the real estate developers Runwal Group and Cricket Australia. "What happens if you are 17 years of age and playing a four-day match - Ranji Trophy - it's really hot and you are bowling on a wicket with no ...
India coach should be a good man-manager: Gurpreet
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wants the Indian football team coach to be a good man-manager above all, as he feels that will push them to do well as a unit.
List for Roland-Garros Jr Wild Card Event announced
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Wednesday announced a list of eight boys and eight girls, who will be competing in the Roland-Garros Junior Wild Card event to be played on the clay courts at the DLTA Complex from April 29 to May 1.
Batting better than ever, says Australia's Matthew Wade
Wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade, who has been named in Australia A one-day and four-day squads for a series of matches in the UK, feels he is batting better than ever before.The series, which will be played in June-July, will act as both support during Australia's World Cup campaign and a selection trial for the Ashes."I am not really looking at it (series) as a small-window type opportunity. I feel like the selectors have been watching every player for a long period of time now. (The tour is) just an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up, obviously, but you would hope that it is looked over a long period of time and not just an isolated few games," cricket.com.au quoted Wade, as saying."It has been a little bit frustrating over the last 12 months especially, I feel like I have been playing good enough cricket that I could contribute to the Australian team in some way. So it is nice to get an opportunity to go over there. I feel like I have shown enough that I am ...
Indian or foreigner, profile of coach counts: Bhutia
Everyone has had an opinion on the next person who should take over as the head coach of the Indian football team. While some have spoken about the need to have foreign coaches, others have questioned the need to look at other countries when there are enough experienced people in India.
Paddy Upton impressed with Arhcer's bowling execution
Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton has praised pacer Jofra Archer, who took three wickets against Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Tuesday."He (Archer) has been amazing. He is a highly skilled bowler, he's able to structure his six balls, he seems to know what balls to bowl at what time, and his execution is awesome," Upton told reporters during the post-match press conference.Archer gave away just 15 runs in his four overs and took three crucial wickets which included wicket of Chris Gayle. Also, the 24-year old bowled 15 dot balls which play an important role in the shortest format of the game.Despite Archer's quality bowling performance, Punjab were able to set a steep target of 183 which handed them a 12-run victory over the visitors. Archer showed an impeccable performance with the ball at a time when it was needed most given the fact England is set to announce its World Cup squad today.Even former England player, Michael Vaughan, has backed him .
Vicario to be ambassador for TCSW10K Bengaluru
Former women's World No. 1 tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was on Wednesday announced as the international event ambassador for IAAF Gold Label Tata Consultancy Services World 10K here.
Arantxa Sanches Vicario named event ambassador of TCS World 10K run
Former women's world no 1 tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was on Wednesday named the ambassador of the IAAF Gold Label TCS World 10K run. The Spanish legend accumulated 14 Grand Slam titles -- four singles, six doubles, and four mixed doubles -- and is also considered to be one of the most decorated Olympians in Spanish history with two silver and as many bronze. Vicario will encourage the 25,000 runners of the 10k run through her story of determination and never-say-die-attitude. "Running has played an important part in my career and I think it is the easiest way to keep your mind and body sound. Sport has the ability to connect communities beyond the competitive spirit, and instill a sense of pride amongst all and celebrate accomplishments," said Vicario. "It is exciting that my association with India begins with the TCS World 10K in Bengaluru. I am glad to be there on the start line with all the runners and enjoy the infectious energy on race day," she said. After retiring ...
Pakistan's Imad Wasim allowed time to pass fitness test for WC
Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim is set to travel with the team for the World Cup, beginning May 30 in England.There have been speculations about Imad's chronic knee injury. It is believed that the 30-year-old has not passed the fitness test that 22 probables underwent on Monday, but he will undergo test ahead of the World Cup as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are convinced he will clear it, ESPNcricinfo reported.PCB has not disclosed the results of the test. Moreover, the case of Imad received the most intense scrutiny, especially since he had been nursing a flare-up of the knee injury that has hampered him for a while now, ESPNcricinfo added.Following the conclusion of series against Australia in the UAE on March 31, Imad had been working on his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. The scans revealed that Imad's injury does not inhibit his ability with either bat or ball and the medical staff is confident that he will recover before the commencement of the marquee .
It is difficult to play against us, Erik Ten Hag after 2-1 victory over Juventus
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, after his team's 2-1 victory over Juventus in the second leg of the quarter-final, on Wednesday, elucidated that it is very difficult to play against our style of football and Juventus were 'little scared' of us."You could see that Juve were a little scared of us and so were Real Madrid. It is very difficult to play against our style of football, as we have very technically-gifted players and it's tough to press us. Even in defence, only we know how to perform that variable pressing game," Goal.com quoted Ten Hag as saying.Juventus striker scored the opening goal of the match, at the 28th minute, giving his side a one-goal lead which did not last long as after just six minutes, the score was levelled by Donny van de Beek's goal.The first half concluded on the same but Matthijs de Ligt's goal in the second half helped his side overpower Juventus and won the match.Ajax will now either face Tottenham or Manchester City in the final four but Ten Hag is of the ...
Virat Kohli will be a different beast at WC: Lockie
Virat Kohli's abysmal run in the Indian Premier League won't have any bearing when he leads India to the World Cup, feels New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson.
Juventus shares plunge after Champions League exit
Shares in Italian club Juventus fell more than 17 percent in early trading on Wednesday after Cristiano Ronaldo's side were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Ajax. Juventus shares were down 17.7 percent at 1.39 euros at 0730 GMT after plunging nearly 21 percent when trading in Milan began. Shares in the Turin-based club had risen sharply last year following the signing of Ronaldo from Real Madrid. A young Ajax team stunned Juventus to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997 as Matthijs de Ligt's second-half header secured a 2-1 second-leg victory in Italy on Tuesday. The defeat halted Ronaldo's bid for a sixth Champions League title.
Iniesta's J-League club Kobe part ways with coach Lillo
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe have terminated the contract of manager Juan Manuel Lillo following a poor run of results, the Japanese club said on Wednesday. The 53-year-old former Real Sociedad and Zaragoza boss won just two of six games since taking charge last October as star-studded Vissel slipped to 10th place in the 18-team J-League top flight. Kobe officials said Lillo had left the club by mutual agreement. Iniesta signed for Kobe last May in a historic J-League deal worth a reported $30 million a year. The World Cup winner, who lifted 32 major trophies with Barcelona, plays alongside former Germany striker Lukas Podolski and former Barca and Spain team mate David Villa. Vissel were expected to mount a serious challenge for the J-League title with the 34-year-old's arrival but finished 10th last season, and fellow Spaniard Lillo has failed to improve his talented side's results, despite the efforts of Iniesta. Seven points off table-topping Hiroshima and FC ...
Playing XI not clicking, says Paddy Upton
Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton feels the inability to pick the right combination is the reason for his side's below-par performance this season. Rajasthan Royals suffered their sixth loss of the season at the hands of Kings XI Punjab. They are currently placed at the penultimate spot on the points table with four points from eight games. "We are not quite clicking as an eleven and that is costing us. You can't always have all eleven players in-form all the time. You want to give people a chance to settle into their roles to find their feet," Upton said after the 12-run loss to KXIP on Tuesday. "We kept the team pretty consistent for a long time, but it wasn't quite clicking in some of the areas. We need to make some changes to search for that right combination. Every game we are falling just a little bit short either with one or two overs with the ball or with the bat." Reflecting on the disappointing loss to KXIP, Upton said both Ravichandran Ashwin and Murugan Ashwin did ...
Pant in focus as confident Delhi Capitals eye home gains against Mumbai Indians
Rishabh Pant will be in focus after his fiercely-debated World Cup exclusion when a buoyant Delhi Capitals aim to replicate its stellar away form at home against the Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match here Thursday. Pant has been mum on being ignored for the World Cup in favour of Dinesh Karthik and it would be interesting to see how the 21-year-old's bat responds to the disappointment. With 10 points from eight games, both teams are on course to make the play-offs. While that counts as familiar territory for three-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, Capitals are in the middle of a remarkable resurgence, having not finished in the top-four since 2012. The celebrated duo of head coach Ricky Ponting and mentor Sourav Ganguly has managed to instill belief in the team members and that is visible on the field. The team now seems to believe that it can win the title after a long spell as the perennial underachiever of the competition. "The support of the coaches Ricky Ponting .