Page 365 - Sports
Break has allowed me to be in a good mind space: Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, India's-all-rounder on Tuesday said that the time he spent out of the game has enabled him to be in good headspace ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup."It is okay. Everyone has a setback, I wanted to improve and I got some time for my body as well. I think the time I spent out is helping me right now because I am in good mind space and everything is coming right," the International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Pandya as saying.Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named the Indian squad for the World Cup on Monday. Pandya found his place in the final fifteen and as a result, the player will be taking part in his first World Cup. Pandya said that it is important to have the confidence ahead of the upcoming World Cup."It is important to always have the confidence behind you because the World Cup is a big stage. It is for the first time I am playing, and for me, it was important to keep hitting the ball well because I was away from the game for some time, and ...
ICC partners with UNICEF to organise #OneDay4Children at World Cup
International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket for Good on Tuesday in partnership with UNICEF announced #OneDay4Children, a tournament-wide campaign focussed on bringing the world of cricket together as one team to help build a better world for every child, at the World Cup.Former England batsman and #OneDay4Children ambassador Nasser Hussain along with all-rounder Chris Woakes launched the campaign.There will be #OneDay4Children activity throughout all 48 matches of the event, peaking with a day of celebration during the match between England and India on June 30 at Edgbaston. The money raised will support UNICEF's work in cricket playing nations to help children learn to play and be healthy. Edgbaston will turn blue whilst players will support the campaign with special one-off #OD4C branded kit, ICC reported."As part of our continuing work with UNICEF through Cricket for Good, we are delighted to launch #OneDay4Children and use the platform of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 to ...
Rayudu's omission should be debated more than Rishabh Pant: Gambhir
Ambati Rayudu's omission from India's World Cup squad after just three failures is "heartbreaking" but there should be no debate on Rishabh Pant's exclusion as he didn't grab his chances, feels former India opener Gautam Gambhir. Veteran Dinesh Karthik being favoured over Pant has been roundly criticised with Sunil Gavaskar calling it a surprising move. But the hero of the 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup final said Rayudu not making the cut is the most unfortunate bit about the squad announced on Monday. "I think there should be no debate about Rishabh Pant's exclusion but more about Ambati Rayudu," Gambhir told PTI during an interview here Tuesday. "It is very, very unfortunate that someone averaging 48 in white-ball cricket and is only 33 has been left out. That for me is more heartbreaking than any other selection decision," said the outspoken Gambhir. Rayudu was called India's first-choice No.4 by captain Virat Kohli a few months ago but low scores in the home series against ...
Mithali named Indian team's goodwill ambassador for Street Child Cricket WC
Ace cricketer Mithali Raj has been named as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian team for the Street Child Cricket World Cup. Captain of India's woman ODI side, Mithali joins former captain Saurav Ganguly and IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals in supporting the team. Mithali said, "I am excited to join the Street Child Cricket World Cup as a goodwill ambassador for Team India. As an athlete, I know the true potential that sports can play in not just changing a child's reality, but also garnering public support for children who live on the streets. "India has over 20 lakh street connected children and there lies our nation's untapped potential. As a woman cricketer, I am super thrilled to see that this tournament is gender equal - boys and girls will play together." Earlier, PTC India Financial Services Ltd. announced its support for the team to create national and international visibility of children.
Can Indian football afford Domenech or Eriksson: Das
The monthly salary of India's new national football coach is unlikely to be raised beyond $25,000 unless the government steps in to help the All India Football Federation (AIFF) through its Annual Calendar for Competition and Training (ACTC) Programme.
Rejection by foster family fuelled my career - De Bruyne
Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne has acknowledged that being rejected by a foster family as a teenager fuelled his footballing success. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder, who on Wednesday will be pivotal as Manchester City aim to stay on track for a quadruple this season in overhauling Tottenham's 1-0 first leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final clash, has bounced back from two knee injuries this season to the kind of form he has regularly displayed since City paid ?54million ($70.6million) to German side VfL Wolfsburg for him in 2015. However, it may never have come to pass like that but for the deep hurt he suffered aged 15 at the hands of the family in Genk who took him in when he was with the club's academy. "That year went by, and I was doing well in school, doing well in football. No fights. No problems," he told The Players Tribune. "At the end of the year, I packed my bags and said goodbye to my foster family. "They said: 'We'll see you after the break. Have a good ...
United get set for another comeback attempt at Camp Nou
Manchester United fans touched down in Barcelona on Tuesday dreaming of another miracle at Camp Nou. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed the club's most famous comeback there in 1999 and hopes to see a repeat on the same turf, this time against Barca in the Champions League quarter-finals. Solskjaer's 93rd-minute winner 20 years ago lives on in United folklore as they came from 1-0 down to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 and clinch Europe's premier prize. Now in the dugout, Solskjaer returns with his side trailing 1-0 again and needing an unlikely turnaround if they are to reach the tournament's last four. "Of course it's a fantastic memory for me. It's the only time I've been on the pitch here," Solskjaer said at a press conference on Monday. "I dont mind if we score in the 93rd minute again (on Tuesday). If we get to injury-time, we are a fit team." Ernesto Valverde has said Lionel Messi is fit and ready to play in the second leg as Barca bid to make the semis for the first time in four ...
Why focus only on Pant? I feel bad for Rayudu: Gambhir
India skipper Virat Kohli and the five wise men -- selectors -- led by M.S.K. Prasad may have decided to back experience while picking the 15-member squad for the World Cup in England and Wales, but former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels they may have missed out on thinking out-of-the-box and bringing in a few unknown faces to take the opponents by surprise.
Former Liverpool defender Enrique given all-clear from cancer
Former Liverpool and Newcastle defender Jose Enrique has been given the all-clear by doctors after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year. Enrique said in June 2018 that he had undergone an operation to remove the tumour and he has since been going through a series of radiotherapy sessions. "Hello guys, I just have some wonderful news today," Enrique said on Tuesday, in a video message posted on Instagram. "I just got back the report from the MRI I had just a week and a half ago. "I just wanted to let you know, because the support from all of you has been amazing, that it's all clear, all perfect." He added: "I can look forward now, not back anymore and just keep fighting. So it's all clear and perfect. Thank you, guys." The 33-year-old, who spent nine years in England playing for Liverpool and Newcastle, was told he could lose his sight as a result of the tumour. Enrique retired in 2017 after an injury-hit season with Real Zaragoza and had begun working as a football agent.
Dream come true to be part of India WC squad, says Dinesh Karthik
Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik, who has been named in India's 15-man ICC Cricket World Cup squad, said it has been his dream to be a part of the marquee event.Karthik surprised the nation as he pipped young Rishabh Pant down to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni's back-up behind the stumps."It is definitely a case where we have debated at length and all of us in unison felt that either Rishabh Pant or DK (Karthik) will only come into the playing XI if Mahi (Dhoni) is injured," the chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad said on Monday while announcing the squad."If it is a crucial match, like a quarter-final or a semi-final or like an important game, wicket-keeping also matters. So that is the only reason that we went ahead with Dinesh Karthik. Otherwise, Rishabh Pant was almost there," he added.The 33-year-old Karthik will be part of his second World Cup and first in 12 years, having last played in the 2007 edition."I am very excited. It has been a dream for me to be a part of this (World Cup ..
Mithali Raj is goodwill ambassador for SCCWC 2019
Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj has been named the goodwill ambassador of Team India at the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC).
Virat Kohli is still learning as skipper: Katich
Virat Kohli is still learning as a captain, feels former Australia batsman Simon Katich ahead of his team Kolkata Knight Riders' clash with the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.
F1 in talks over second China GP, road race on cards
Formula One is in talks with six local governments in China this week about holding a second grand prix in the country, a senior F1 official told AFP, with a Beijing road race said to have been floated. A second grand prix -- most likely on the streets -- would complement the existing one on the $450 million Shanghai International Circuit. No country currently has two Formula One races, although F1 officials are negotiating for a second grand prix in the United States. Formula One's landmark 1,000th race took place in Shanghai on Sunday, underlining China's growing role as the sport's US-based owner looks to Asia. A source with knowledge of the matter told AFP that a race on the streets of the Chinese capital Beijing has been raised as one idea. Sean Bratches, Formula One's managing director of commercial operations, did not confirm or deny the road-race plan for Beijing when approached by AFP. "In terms of interest, we would be highly interested in a street race," he said. "It would .
Shakib, Jayed, Hossain named in Mortaza-led Bangladesh WC squad
Bangladesh Cricket on Tuesday announced its 15-man World Cup squad, which features experienced core and plenty of young players.Shakib Al Hasan, who pulled out from New Zealand tour due to injury issues, is back in the squad as deputy to Mashrafe Mortaza. Bangladesh's wealth of experience looks complete with Shakib, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mortaza and Mahmudullah.Moreover, the selectors have also included batting all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain and uncapped Abu Jayed, at the expense of Taskin Ahmed. Jayed has played in Test cricket but is yet to wear an ODI cap. His inclusion meant dropping of Taskin, who was ruled out of New Zealand series due to an ankle injury.The young players, who are aged 25 or below, include Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar and Jayed.Following is the 15-man squad: Masrafe Bin Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Mohammad Mithun, Shabbir ...
India's WC squad too dependent on bits and pieces players
Announcing the much-awaited 15-member India squad for the upcoming World Cup slated to be held in England and Wales, chief selector M.S.K. Prasad stated that the side was a "balanced one" and has all the bases covered.
Bangladesh announce WC squad, Mortaza to lead
Bangladesh on Tuesday announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup slated to be held in England and Wales. Mashrafe Mortaza will be leading the side in the showpiece event while Shakib Al Hasan will serve as his deputy.
Rayudu in focus as unstoppable CSK takes on Sunrisers
Having missed the World Cup bus, Ambati Rayudu will be aiming to make a statement when a marauding Chennai Super Kings take on a desperate Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL encounter here on Wednesday. The World Cup snub to Rayudu is the sole sole disappointment in an otherwise superb tournament so far for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men as they are just a win away from clinching the play-off berth. The Hyderabad right-hander had found some form with a half-century against Rajasthan Royals and the flamboyant batsman, who was seen as a sure-shot No.4 in the national team, may just channelise the disappointment against a faltering Sunrisers. While CSK sit pretty on top of the table with 14 points from eight games, Sunrisers' have suddenly gone off the boil with a hat-trick of defeats, including an inexplicable batting collapse against Delhi Capitals in their last game. What has been CSK's strength despite an ageing team has exactly been Sunrisers' bane in the matches that they have played so ...
Sunrisers aim to end losing streak against CSK (Preview)
It will be an uphill task for the Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure a victory and get back on the winning track when they take on Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League.
Time away from game is helping me now: Pandya
Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya believes his time away from the game, albeit owing to suspension handed over to him for his comments on a chat show, is helping him as he is in a good space right now.
Real disappoint again in dreary draw with Leganes
Real Madrid took the Monday night slot reserved for La Liga's lower teams and never really looked out of place as Karim Benzema's goal was enough only for a 1-1 draw away to Leganes. Madrid delivered another thoroughly underwhelming performance at Butarque to remain 13 points adrift of Barcelona, with Zinedine Zidane's second reign as coach now delivering three wins, one defeat and a draw. Leganes might even have won it after Jonathan Silva gave them the lead shortly before half-time and while Benzema scored his 26th goal of the season, Madrid never looked like finding a winner. "It looks like we do not have much confidence," Zidane said. "We have to give a little bit more." Instead, they sit four points behind Atletico Madrid and finishing second, and above their city rivals, appears unlikely. Leganes climb to 11th. Zidane was asked last month about the humiliation of playing on a Monday night, the time typically reserved for La Liga's sides not involved in European competitions and .