Page 386 - Sports
Tired City pay price of quadruple bid as Guardiola's caution backfires
Pep Guardiola faces a major test of his managerial acumen after Manchester City's draining quadruple chase was dented by his decision to stray from his purist principles in their tired Champions League defeat at Tottenham. One glance at City's starting line-up for Tuesday's 1-0 quarter-final first leg loss laid bare the concerns racing through Guardiola's mind before the latest obstacle in his team's gruelling bid to win all four major trophies. Aware that his fatigued City stars had been feeling the physical and mental strain of competing on so many fronts, Guardiola was stirred into action by the lethargic nature of their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton on Saturday. Watching City labour to kill off lowly Brighton at Wembley convinced Guardiola that taking on fired-up Tottenham, inspired by the buzz around their new stadium, with his traditional attacking gameplan would be risky. So the City boss opted for an unusually conservative team that featured two defensive midfielders
Spurs wait nervously for Kane update after ankle knock
Tottenham face an anxious wait to discover the full extent of Harry Kane's latest ankle injury after manager Mauricio Pochettino voiced concerns the forward could be out for the rest of the season. Kane limped off the pitch after a challenge with England teammate Fabian Delph during Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It immediately looked serious as Kane was unable to put any weight on his left foot and was helped down the tunnel, later leaving the ground on crutches and with the joint in a brace. The club's medical staff will allow any swelling around the joint to subside before a scan to reveal how bad the injury is. Pochettino admitted that the injury could end the England captain's season, which would be a huge blow to the club's hopes of Champions League progression and also qualification for next year, with Spurs still locked in a top-four battle. England boss Gareth Southgate will also be concerned, with
FIFA to study Chelsea's appeal against transfer ban
World football's governing body FIFA will on Thursday study an appeal by Chelsea against a ban that currently means the Premier League giants will be unable to recruit new players this summer or in the January 2020 transfer window. The Blues were banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty in February of breaching regulations relating to the recruitment of minors. Chelsea denied any wrongdoing and subsequently lodged an appeal with FIFA, which will be examined Thursday, although a decision could take weeks. Chelsea were left "astonished" by the FIFA Appeal Committee's decision not to suspend its sanction pending completion of the appeal process. The goal, according to a source, is to deliver the decision "before the opening of the summer transfer window" to allow the club possible recourse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport should the appeal go against it. Chelsea will eagerly await the FIFA decision, notably because under the ban the club
IPL hectic scheduling takes toll on Dhoni
The hectic schedule of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was on full display when Mahendra Singh Dhoni posted a picture of him sleeping on the floor of an airport after Chennai Super Kings' win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Hardik Pandya, Kl Rahul met me and explained themselves: BCCI Ombudsman
Justice DK Jain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday said that both Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul met him and explained their involvement in television chat show "Koffee with Karan"."Both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya met me and explained themselves, in due course I will take a decision," Justice DK Jain told ANI.Indian batsman KL Rahul deposed before Justice DK Jain today, whereas Hardik Pandya deposed before Jain on April 9.Both Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on 'Koffee With Karan' in the month of January, and they were accused of making misogynistic comments, drawing criticism from many corners.Seeing the criticism, Committee of Administrators decided to call back both the players from the tour of Australia. The players were handed a provisional suspension which was then lifted on January 23.Pandya also issued an apology on twitter saying, "After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have ..
Kohli is 'leading cricketer in the world' for third consecutive year
Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been named as the 'leading cricketer of the year' for the third year in a row by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack for his performance in the 2018 English summer.Kohli was named not just the 'leading cricketer in the world' but he also featured in the 'five cricketers of the year.'Other players who joined Kohli in the 'five cricketers of the year' list are Tammy Beaumont, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, and Sam Curran.Indian Women team batter Smriti Mandhana was named as the 'leading women cricketer in the world.' Mandhana was the top scorer in women's one-day internationals and T20I since the start of 2018.Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan was named as the 'leading T20 cricketer of the year' for the second consecutive year.
Sehwag unveils IIPKL logo, 1st season dates announced
National Kabaddi Federation of India & DSPORT on Wednesday announced dates for the first edition of the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League (IPKL), a brand new sporting league which for the first time ever in India, will also share a part of its revenue with players, besides their assured salaries and prize money.
Chahar sets record for most dot balls in an innings
Chennai Super Kings' medium pacer Deepak Chahar has become the bowler with the most number of dot balls in an innings in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The underrated Chahar returned impressive figures of three for 20 from four overs against Kolkata Knight Riders, bowling a staggering 20 dot balls. Chahar broke the record of 18 dot balls in an innings jointly held by Sunrisers Hyderabad spinner Rashid Khan and Kings XI Punjab medium pacer Ankit Rajpoot. The 26-year-old flummoxed the KKR top-order with early strikes. He trapped big-hitting Chris Lynn leg before in the first over. He then claimed the wickets of Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa and in the third and fifth overs respectively. In the penultimate over, Chahar bowled five dot balls with the in-form Andre Russell on strike. CSK maintained their unbeaten run at home with the seven-wicket thrashing of Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday. They will next take on Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Thursday.
Indian eves displayed maturity in their game, says football coach Maymol
In spite of India's heart-breaking exit in the Olympic Qualifiers Round 2, head coach Maymol Rocky on Wednesday said that she is proud of the girls who are mostly in their late teens, and early twenties."These girls are warriors. It was evident that they gave more than their cent per cent against Myanmar. They displayed footballing maturity more than their age," Maymol said."I can proudly say that this team has the ability to dominate some of the best teams in Asia. They have shown time and again what they can do when they play to their strengths," she added.In the AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2, India finished on seven points from three matches, the same as Myanmar. But the host managed to scrape through to the next round on better goal difference (+8 in comparison to India's +4).Barring the draw, the last three encounters had all ended in Myanmar's favour - winning 7-1 in the Olympic Qualifiers in 2015, 2-1 in the Olympic Qualifiers Round 1 in November 2018, and 2-0 in the Hero Gold
Season 2 of PVL to be held in October-November this year
The second season of the Pro Volleyball League will be held in October-November this year, the organisers said Wednesday. The success of PVL season 1, which ended in February this year, has prompted the organisers to conduct the second edition of the tournament on a much bigger scale. PVL is an initiative of Baseline Ventures and Volleyball Federation of India. A total of six franchises competed in the first season which was won by Chennai Spartans. "The response to the first season was phenomenal and was a testimony to the quality of the product we had put together," Tuhin Mishra, MD and Co-Founder of Baseline Ventures, said. "After receiving a lot of positive feedback about the league in general, we are planning to make the next season bigger and better and give the Indian volleyball lover an even more memorable experience in season 2. "We are looking at October-November of this year for the second season," he added. Mishra also said that the number of teams is set to increase in ...
Chahar creates IPL record for most dot balls
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar on Tuesday created the record for bowling the most number of dot balls in an innings in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
India sweeps Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as Kohli, Mandhana win top prizes
It was double delight for India as it swept the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack Wednesday with Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana clinching the 'Leading Cricketer of Year' honours, continuing their award-winning spree. Kohli and Mandhana had won big in the last ICC Awards night too. Mandhana was adjudged 'Women's Cricketer of the Year' as well as the 'Women's ODI Player of the Year' by the ICC in December, while the talismanic Kohli won the Cricketer of the Year award besides finishing as the top batsman in Tests. Indian captain Kohli was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer of the year for the third successive time, having amassed 2735 runs across the three formats in 2018. The Indian talisman was picked as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the year, along with England's Tammy Beaumont, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Rory Burns. The India skipper is only the third cricketer ever to have won the award more than three times after Don Bradman (10 times) and Jack Hobbs (8 times). Kohli had ...
Bigger 2nd season on cards after success of PVL 1
The Pro Volleyball League, which enjoyed a successful inaugural season in February this year, is all set to come back bigger. The league, an initiative of Baseline Ventures and the Volleyball Federation of India, saw six franchises competing in the first season which was won by the Chennai based franchise, the Chennai Spartans.
Kumble, Dravid's fight for revenue share benefitting current cricketers: Sehwag
Financially more secure than athletes in any other sport in India, the current generation of cricketers should be thankful to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble for fighting for them, feels former batting star Virender Sehwag. Referring to the trio's fight for share in BCCI revenue for players back in 2001-02, sehwag said it went a long way in guaranteeing financial security that is enjoyed by the current crop of players. The BCCI is on the cusp of having its own Players' Association within the nest few days but the seeds were first sown by Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble had formed a 'Players' Association' demanding a share from the BCCI's TV rights deal. "We had to fight to get a share of revenue from BCCI but I don't think there is any such precedence in any other sport. Had the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble not fought for our rights, we wouldn't have been where we are today," Sehwag said on the sidelines of newly launched IPKL Kabaddi Leage floated
Michael Vaughan's tweet on Indian roads irks fans
Michael Vaughan's comments about Indian roads sent social media in a tizzy after the former England skipper said he only saw animals during his travels.
Vacant since 2017, AIFF short-lists four candidates for technical director's post
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to appoint its technical director and has short-listed four candidates for the high-profile post lying vacant for nearly two years and the recruitment is likely to take place around the same time as the national coach. The short-list comprises Australian Scott O'Donnell, who had served in the same post in the past, Gaioz Darsadze of Georgia, Romanian Doru Isac and Jorge Castelo of Portugal. In this regard, the AIFF's technical committee, headed by former player Shyam Thapa, has been summoned by the federation for a meeting on April 15. "While most of the focus has been on the appointment of national coach, the AIFF is also set to name the technical director and this could happen around the same time as the selection of the national coach," a well-placed AIFF source told PTI. "The technical committee will be meeting in this regard next Monday and hold advanced talks on appointing the technical director and also the national coach," he ...
Current players benefiting from our fight in 2002: Sehwag
Indian cricketers are considered one of the richest in the world, but former India opener Virender Sehwag believes that things could have been very different had it not been for the efforts of the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble among others in 2002.
Favre-Leuba names CS Santosh as brand ambassador
India's no. 1 off-road racer, CS Santosh was on Wednesday announced the brand ambassador of a luxury Swiss brand.
I want Morgan to succeed Trevor Bayliss as England coach: Steve Harmison
Steve Harmison, the former England bowler on Tuesday said Eoin Morgan, the current England ODI and T20I captain should succeed Trevor Bayliss as the team's coach after the upcoming World Cup."I think Eoin Morgan is a magnificent leader. People laugh at me sometimes, but when Trevor Bayliss is leaving after the Ashes, I'd give him the job. I would want Morgan to lead England as the coach," International Cricket Council quoted Harmison as saying.Harmison, also feels that Joe Root, the current Test captain of England could learn some important lessons from playing under Morgan at the upcoming World Cup. He also compared Morgan to former England captain Michael Vaughan."He is a bit like Michael Vaughan in that aspect, he can make decisions under pressure - clear, calculated decisions that are the right ones," Morgan said."I think Joe Root will look at the way he leads during the World Cup, how he conducts himself and his decision-making under pressure. That'll help Joe watching from extra
Young star Leclerc eyes victory in F1's 1,000th race
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is gunning for his first win this week in China after cruelly missing out in Bahrain as Formula One's 1,000th race coincides with the emergence of a bright new star. The supremely talented 21-year-old upstaged five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain but ultimately limped home third when his Ferrari lost power with 10 laps left. The Chinese Grand Prix is replete with sub-plots: can Hamilton win the race for a sixth time? Can Sebastian Vettel silence the doubters? How much faster are Ferrari? But the focus in Shanghai will be on Leclerc, the Ferrari rookie from Monaco who fully deserved victory two weeks ago but had to settle for the first podium of his career. In just his second season in F1, it is widely assumed that it is just a matter of time until Leclerc tastes victory. "Usually the Chinese race is good fun because the weather can be unpredictable and rain can arrive when you least expect it," said Leclerc. "It's the 1,000th race in the history