Page 452 - Sports
Under-fire Pant briefly works with Kiran More
Young glovesman Rishabh Pant, facing flak for his performance behind the wickets during the just-concluded ODI series against Australia, briefly worked with former India stumper Kiran More here Friday ahead of the IPL. While Pant is part of Delhi Capitals, More is wicket- keeping consultant with three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians. The two teams will clash here Sunday as they begin their campaign in the season 12 of the popular T20 tournament. "Yes, More did work with Pant, but it was just for a brief period," sources in the know told PTI. More has worked with 21-year-old Pant, who has represented India in all the three formats - Test, ODI and T20I - in the past too. A journalist also posted a picture of More working with Pant on his Twitter handle. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians posted on their official Twitter handle a video of their new member Yuvraj Singh having a chat with his former skipper Saurav Ganguly at the Wankhede stadium ...
PSG's Neymar charged for rant after Champions League loss
Neymar was charged by UEFA on Friday for making "insulting" comments about the match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock Champions League loss to Manchester United. The Brazil forward missed the 3-1 second-leg defeat in the last 16 earlier this month through injury, but told match officials "to go fuck yourselves" on social media after watching on from the sidelines at the Parc des Princes. The 27-year-old was angry with the award of a decisive injury-time penalty which Marcus Rashford scored to send United through. UEFA said he had been charged, with the date of his hearing yet to be confirmed. Neymar could face a ban from the early stages of next season's Champions League. In June, Neymar's teammate Gianluigi Buffon was handed a three-match suspension after a tirade against referee Michael Oliver following his former club Juventus' similarly dramatic quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid last season. "It's a disgrace. They get four guys who don't understand football to ...
Fit-again Saha is in great rhythm, says Laxman
Former batting great and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) mentor VVS Laxman on Friday heaped praises on local lad Wriddhiman Saha. The SRH wicketkeeper-batsman is returning from a long injury layoff after undergoing a surgery on his right shoulder.
Under-pressure AIBA president Rahimov resigns amid spat with IOC
World amateur boxing body's under-fire president Gafur Rakhimov Friday resigned from the top job amid a dispute with the International Olympic Committee, which had threatened to take the sport off the 2020 Olympics roster. Accused of having links to organised crime by the US Treasury department, Rahimov took over as International Boxing Association (AIBA) chief last year despite warnings from the IOC that it would jeopardise boxing's future at the Olympics. The IOC had threatened to take the sport off the 2020 Tokyo Olympics roster citing "governance issues" in the AIBA - Rahimov at the helm being a key concern for it. In a press release, Rahimov stated, "... given the current situation, I have informed the AIBA Executive Committee of my intent to step aside as AIBA President in accordance with the AIBA Statutes and Bylaws, which allow the President to renounce to exercise his powers and to be replaced by an Interim President." "I have called an AIBA Executive Committee's ...
Kenyans lament Diamond League scrapping 5000m
Kenya's Commonwealth and world junior 5000m champion Edward Zakayo expressed concern on Friday over the future of distance runners following the axing of the event from the Diamond League. Last week the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) announced the overhauling of its lucrative track and field series by dropping the 5000m, reducing the number of events from 32 to 24 and leaving the 3000m as the longest race in the Diamond League programme. "I took great offence with the announcement to remove all the distance races from the Diamond League, since the decision means most of the distance athletes like me will not get the chance to make a smooth progress from one event to another," said the talented 17-year-old high school student Zakayo, who is also the reigning African 5000m champion. "Since the Diamond League is not offering the 10000m, and both events having been dropped from the World U-20 athletics championships, we have no alternative but to drop to the road
Would be sitting at home if I think like people from outside, says Kohli after Gambhir jibe
Virat Kohli Friday said he would be "sitting at home if he thinks like people from outside", responding, in his trademark combative style, to Gautam Gambhir's recent jibe at him, but without taking the former opener's name. Gambhir, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL trophies in 2012 and 2014, recently said that in a result-oriented franchise environment, Kohli has been "lucky" to have survived despite Royal Challengers Bangalore never winning the coveted title in his eight years as skipper. Asked about it, the batting maestro said, "Obviously, you want to win the IPL. I am doing what I am supposed to do. I don't care whether I am going to be judged on this (not winning IPL) or not. There is no real, sort of, parameters you set. I try to perform wherever I can. I try to win all the possible titles, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. "We have to be practical about why we haven't won one. That boils down to bad decision making in pressure situations. If I think like people from
David Warner in superb rhythm, raring to go: Laxman (Lead, correcting intro)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) mentor VVS Laxman on Friday said David Warner looks in superb rhythm and is raring to go as his team prepares to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener here on Sunday.
Haris maiden hundred lifts Pakistan to 280 in first ODI
Left-hander Haris Sohail knocked his maiden one-day century to guide Pakistan to 280-5 in the first day-night international against Australia here on Friday. The 30-year-old made 115-ball 101 not out in his comeback match after returning home from the South Africa tour with a knee injury last year, lifting Pakistan to a fighting total in their 50 overs. Pakistan, having rested six of their key players including regular skipper Sarfraz Ahmed to give them break before the World Cup 2019, won the toss on a flat Sharjah stadium pitch. Haris, who reached 1,000 runs in his 27th one-day international when on 40, added 98 for the third wicket with Umar Akmal who made 50-ball 49 in his first international match for two years. Haris took a single to complete his hundred in the last over, finishing with six boundaries and a six. He made his previous best of 89 not out against Zimbabwe in Lahore in 2015. Pakistan had handed one-day debuts to opener Shan Masoor and Mohammad Abbas -- who have ...
Satwik-Chirag pulls out of India Open to regain fitness and form ahead of Olympic qualification
Indian men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has pulled out of the India Open to provide themselves more time to achieve full fitness and hit top form ahead of the Tokyo Olympic qualification. With Satwik suffering a shoulder injury late last year, the Indian duo had to skip the tournaments in Malaysia, Indonesia and All England but they had planned to start their new season at home with the India Open, beginning Tuesday. The duo had also send their entries for events in Malaysia and Singapore next month but after consulting the physio, they decided to miss the three events. "Satwik has recovered from his injury but he will only start playing full on in another two weeks, so after consulting the physio we decided to skip the events," Chirag told PTI. The 2020 Olympic qualification period starts April 29 with the Badminton World Federation using its rankings list which is scheduled to be published on April 30, 2020 to allocate spots. "The Olympic qualification
India lose to Uzbekistan in AFC U23 qualifiers opener
India suffered a 0-3 loss at the hands of defending champions Uzbekistan in the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers here on Friday. Uzbek captain Islomjon Kobilov put the home team in front via a first-half penalty, before second-half substitute Bobir Abdixolikov netted twice in the last 10 minutes to take the game away from the Indians. India managed to create a chance early on as Rahul KP was played through on the flank by Anwar Ali. The Keralite attacker put in a cross, but Daniel could not connect with it in time. However, Uzbekistan started pressing high up the pitch after the initial exchanges, and they got a good chance around the half-hour mark when Alijanov Ilkhomjon was played through inside the six-yard-box by Amonov Azizbek. But Vinit Rai stepped in with a crucial block. Uzbekistan laid the proverbial siege on the Indian third ahead of the half time break, but the visiting team's defence held on with Anwar Ali making some brave interceptions deep inside the penalty ...
ICC gives green light to name and jersey number in Tests
Virat Kohli will soon be seen wearing No 18 on his white flannels as the ICC has allowed Test-playing nations to have the players sport their names and numbers on their jerseys. This move is aimed at popularising the longest format of the game. The English county sides as well as the Australian state sides playing the Sheffield Shield are used to wearing whites with names and numbers on the back but this will be an altogether new experience for the Indian team, who will play the second Test of the World Championship against West Indies wearing numbered white shirts. "Yes, it starts from August 1 for the World Test Championship. It is a part of the wider plan to promote Test cricket," Claire Furlong, ICC's GM Manager (Strategic Communications) told PTI on Friday. It is widely expected that the Indian team in all likelihood will not use two specific jersey numbers in Test cricket -- no 10 which was used by Sachin Tendulkar in limited overs and possibly No 7 used by Mahendra Singh ...
David Warner in superb rhythm, raring to go: Laxman
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) mentor VVS Laxman on Friday said skipper David Warner looks in superb rhythm and is raring to go as his team prepares to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener here on Sunday.
Australia are never true underdogs, says Finch
Australia's recent ODI series triumph over world no. 1 India shows that the five-time champions are no underdogs going into the World Cup, said skipper Aaron Finch, insisting that his team is capable of lifting the coveted trophy. "People no doubt have taken notice (of the India series win)," said Finch referring to Australia's come-from-behind 3-2 win over hosts India in the five-match ODI series earlier this month. "Australia are probably never true underdogs in a world tournament. I think our record suggests that. Regardless of form you go into the tournament (knowing) Australia have a great ability to play well in big tournaments. "(We are) slightly underdogs but I think some people would have taken a bit more notice over the last couple of weeks." The ODI series saw the resurgence of Australia as they fought back from 0-2 down to clinch the series. Many Australian players also marked their return to form during the series with Usman Khawaja staking claim for an opening slot at ...
Bhaichung Bhutia Football School wins Fraternity Football Cup for the second time
Bhaichung Bhutia Football School won the Fraternity Football Cup for the second time defeating Rongmei FC in the title clash. The tournament was played at BR Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi.The BBF's defeated Rongmei FC 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The finals saw a goalless first half.The tournament saw many young players from the northeast region and other parts of the country give their best shot and gain some much-needed exposure."It was a great experience to play with the senior team, with the amateur boys who were not playing in the big leagues. But these guys who were in the opponent team were really good in the semi-final and quarter-final. They were tough but you know football is all about mind game and not about toughness," Mahip Adhikary, Captain of BFF'S told ANI."The BBFS is one of the top football academies in India and recently we have got a four-star rating from All India Football Federation. The objective of the school is to nurture and enhance the young players and ...
ICC nod for names, numbers on player shirts in Tests
In a bid to further popularise Test cricket the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allowed players to have their names and numbers on the back of their shirts starting with the the World Test Championship from August 1.
Indian women beat Nepal, clinch 5th SAFF title
India continued its dominance at the SAFF Women's Championship with the team lifting its fifth straight title on Friday in Biratnagar, Nepal with a 3-1 win over the hosts in the final.
Was on SRH group chat and kept getting messages last year: Warner
David Warner was out of sight but not out of mind through Sunrisers Hyderabad's journey to the final of last IPL, with the returning Australian saying he was part of their chat group, getting encouraging messages. Along with fellow Australian teammate Steve Smith, Warner was banned for one year by Cricket Australia for their role in ball-tampering in South Africa last year. Owing to the ban, both missed the Indian Premier League's last edition, but are now gearing up to compete in the 12th season of the cash-rich event. "It's very important. It is one tournament on the calendar that I've always been looking forward to. I've had a lot of success over the years from when I first started," Warner was quoted as saying by 'India Today'. The swashbuckling opener added, "From Delhi, I moved to Hyderabad. This is my second home and to come back here to open arms and to be greeted by the fans, some of the passionate and kind words, it means a lot to my family and myself. "I'm just looking ...
Smith's elbow lot worse compared to Warner, says Dean Jones
Former Australian batsman Dean Jones Friday claimed that Steve Smith's elbow is "lot worse" as compared to David Warner and hinted that it could play a part in team selection for the early matches of the Indian Premier League. "Look I have spoken (to both) Smith and Warner. Smith particularly, (his) elbow is a lot worse than Warner's. And that might play (a role) particularly in selection early (for the early matches)," said the 57-year-old Jones. Smith and Warner were handed year-long bans from state and international fixtures by Cricket Australia for their role in the infamous ball-tampering episode in South Africa in March last year. The ban did not include domestic or club cricket. Both were a part of the recent Bangladesh Premier League but were subsequently ruled out of the tournament due to elbow injuries. "Will they (Rajasthan Royals) play Smith in their best team, that's the big question. And you will have to watch the 'Dug-Out' to get the correct answer from me on that," ...
Defending champion Sharma plays solid 2nd round to move to 11th in Malaysia
Defending champion Shubhankar Sharma carded a superb four-under 68 to leap from overnight T-41 to Tied-11th at the halfway stage of the Maybank Championship on Friday. Shubhankar, who won the event last with an amazing final day sprint, was the best Indian as Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was T-8 after the first day, slipped 36 places after turning in three-over 75. Seven of the 11 Indians made the cut and leading them was Shubhankar, while young Viraj Madappa, who shot 70 on first day, added 72 on second day to lie Tied-30th. SSP Chawrasia, who has missed the cut in four of the five starts in the European Tour in 2019, shot 74 but made the weekend with the help of his first round 69 and he was Tied-43rd. Other Indians making the weekend were Bhullar (68-75) at T-43, S Chikkarangappa (75-69) and Ajeetesh Sandhu (72-72) at T-55th. Khalin Joshi (73-72), Arjun Atwal (73-74), Rahil Gangjee (76-72) and Shiv Kapur (77-72) missed the cut. Indonesia's Danny Masrin charged up the leaderboard to trail
Blockbuster on cards as RCB play CSK in IPL opener
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back and the 12th edition of the cash-rich league couldn't have hoped for a better start as defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to take on the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.