Page 455 - Sports
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joins BJP
Former Cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday in the presence of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.He also met party president Amit Shah after that."I am joining this party (BJP) after getting influenced by PM Narendra Modi's vision. I am honoured to get the opportunity to join this platform," said Gautam Gambhir.Gambhir, who was awarded PadmaShri, was instrumental in India's World Cup winning squads. The batsman played match-winning knocks in the T20 World Cup final in 2007 and 50 over World Cup in 2011.The left-handed batsman announced his retirement in the year 2018 after completing 10,000 runs in List-A cricket.His joining BJP comes a day after BJP released its first list of 185 candidates on Thursday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11 and concluding on May 19.The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
AFC U23 C'ship: India ready against defending champion Uzbekistan
There is no dearth of zeal within the new-look India U23 national team which has reached Tashkent amidst challenging climatic conditions for the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 qualifiers."The conditions have not been ideal for us. But the boys have the potential to make the opportunity count," head coach Derrick Pereira said.India will kick-off their campaign against hosts and defending champion Uzbekistan at the Pakhtakor Stadium, Tashkent on March 22. The match is scheduled at 5.30 pm (IST).India will play Tajikistan in their last Group F match on March 24.Pereira also mentioned the significance of the friendly against Qatar before coming to Tashkent."We had a good competitive game against Qatar and the boys have learned a lot from the game. Hopefully, we can execute the lessons on the pitch," he said.The team is bolstered by the presence of nine boys who had represented the nation in the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2017."We, as a nation is on a rise right now. We are preparing for ...
UEFA fines Ronaldo for improper conduct
Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined 20,000 Euros by UEFA for his 'cojones' celebration after his hat-trick against Atletico in the Champions League.The European football's governing body had opened a disciplinary investigation on Monday and announced its decision on Thursday, CNN reported.UEFA's disciplinary panel found Ronaldo guilty of improper conduct. Although, the decision came as a relief for the 34-year old, as he could also face a ban ahead of Champions League's quarter-final.Ronaldo scored an impeccable hat-trick against Atletico and soon after his hat-trick, he mimicked Atletico manager, Diego Simeone, who celebrated a goal in a similar manner. Simeone faced a fine of same amount, i.e 20,000 Euros.Juventus will face Ajax in the quarter-final of Champions League next month.
Nigeria set to qualify for 2020 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup
Nigeria's young side is one victory away from qualifying for the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, after yet another commanding performance in the African qualifying tournament in Namibia.They made four victories on the trot, as they hammered Tanzania by 151 runs on Thursday. Olayinka Olaleye made a 110 not out at the top of the order, reaching three figures with a terrific straight six.His opening partnership with Sulaimon Runsewe was worth 97, and that set Nigeria on their way. Isaac Danladi struck 31 at number three, as Nigeria eventually reached 211 for three.Tanzania were then put under constant pressure by Nigeria's pace attack, led by the left-arm Mohameed Taiwo. He settled for 2/20 this time, while Peter Aho returned encouraging figures of 3/7 in eight overs. But, it was captain Sylvester Okpe who really did the damage, his off-spin reaping 4/19, including the match-winning scalp.If Nigeria manage to defeat Sierra Leone in their final game, they will head for their first ...
Messi to make a comeback for Argentina
Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will play for Argentina and will make his comeback against Venezuela on March 23.Messi has not played for his country since elimination from the 2018 World Cup and this will be Messi's first feature for his country."It is a great joy to see Messi back. In spite of my youth I have the chance to train him," Goal.com quoted Scaloni, as saying.While hoping that Messi's comeback will further strengthen Argentina, Scaloni said: "Let's hope that with Messi's return the team gets even better."The 31-year old is showing a great form in the Champions League, so Argentina will be hoping if he can replicate his form.The Albiceleste will face Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar in Group B of the Copa America, which is hosted by Brazil.
India to begin open campaign against Japan in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Putting behind the disappointments of last year the Indian men's hockey team will renew its quest for glory when it takes on Asian Games gold medallists Japan in their opening encounter of the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Saturday. Despite being without the guidance of a coach and a series of injuries plaguing its players, most recent being Gurjant Singh,who returned home after fracturing his nose during a practice match, the Indian team is upbeat and confident of a show good. "Japan, Korea and hosts Malaysia will be the teams to watch out for. They are traveling with full squads and they will pose a stiff challenge for us," skipper Manpreet Singh said on the eve of their opening match. "The youngsters will need to step up their game and I believe having fresh faces can be an advantage as the possibility of the opponents knowing much about the new comers is less." The Indian team reached here on Monday and have been going about their routine to get used to the humid conditions. .
IPL Opener: CSK veterans ready to slog out against RCB
They made 'Dad's Army' sound cool last year and defending champions Chennai Super Kings' battle-hardened veterans are ready to prove that age is just a number when they take on Virat Kohli's perennial underachievers Royal Challengers Bangalore in Saturday's opening IPL encounter. For Virat Kohli, it couldn't be a bigger statement if his young side could start off with a bang at Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 'spritual home', a task which will be easier said than done. CSK's core team is the oldest in the tournament -- 37-year-olds Dhoni and Shane Watson, 35-year-old Dwayne Bravo, 34-year-old Faf du Plessis, 33-year-olds Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav, soon-to-be 32 Suresh Raina, . Then they have two spinners with truckloads of experience -- 39-year-old Imran Tahir and 38-year-old Harbhajan Singh, who have ability to change the complexion of a game with one-off over. Even the two out-of-favour India players, leg-spinner Karn Sharma (31) and seamer Mohit Sharma (30) are on the wrong side of ...
Cricketer Gautam Gambhir likely to join BJP today
Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, said sources.However, on March 18, the 37-year-old left-handed batsman stated that he has not thought about joining politics."I have not thought about it, I just want to do something good for the society and my foundation is already doing that," Gambhir had told ANI.Gambhir, who was awarded Padma Shri, was instrumental in India's World Cup winning squads. The batsman played match-winning knocks in the T20 World Cup final in 2007 and 50 over World Cup in 2011.The left-handed batsman announced his retirement in the year 2018 after completing 10,000 runs in List-A cricket.This development of him joining the politics comes a day after BJP released its first list of 185 candidates on Thursday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11 and concluding on May 19.The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
India to face Japan in Azlan Shah Cup opener (Preview)
India will take on the 18th Asian Games gold medallists Japan in their opening encounter at the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Saturday.
Quintero begins recovery process after knee surgery
Colombia and River Plate midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero has undergone successful knee surgery as he begins a recovery process that will take at least six months, the 26-year-old's agent said.
IPL 12: 50-50 on their minds, Cricket's mega stars get ready for annual carnival
MS Dhoni's tactic against Jasprit Bumrah's yorkers, Virat Kohli's strategy to counter Kuldeep Yadav's googlies, Steve Smith's desperation to show his footwork, the 12th edition of Indian Premier League will be all these and much more. The annual cricket carnival like every other edition will also throw up a few unexpected heroes, who will be topic of 9 pm dinner table discussions as India's cricket fanatics get ready for their two-months of 8 pm binge-watch. This edition of the league will bear special significance with the mega ODI World Cup starting only two and half weeks after the final on May 12. In 2011 and 2015, the World Cup was held before the IPL and this is the first time that it will be held post the tournament. With skipper Virat Kohli stressing on workload management for all the World Cup hopefuls, it promises to be an interesting IPL. On one hand, players will need to stand up to the expectations of their franchises who are paying million bucks and on other hand will be
Coach Sampaoli returns salary to support players
Santos head coach Jorge Sampaoli said that he gave back his latest pay cheque in a show of solidarity with his players, who have not been paid for almost two months.
Adelaide's Danish striker Ilso Larsen suspended for doping
Adelaide United's Danish forward Ken Ilso Larsen was suspended Friday after testing positive for cocaine. The 32-year-old returned a positive sample for benzoylecgonine -- the drug's main byproduct -- in January and is now under investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. Football Federation Australia said his provisional suspension was mandatory under its anti-doping rules. "While it is in place, Mr Larsen is prohibited from participating in the A-League and all other WADA (World Anti-Doping Authority) compliant sports," it said. Ilso Larsen said he was "working closely with the PFA regarding my situation and awaiting the results from the B test" in a statement issued through Professional Footballers Australia. "Until these results are received, I cannot make any further comments," he added. "To our fans, please ensure the focus is on the team. It is a critical time in our season and they need you most of all." Ilso Larsen joined Adelaide last year after a stint in .
Ex-Ecuador football chief Chiriboga receives life ban
Former Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) president Luis Chiriboga has been banned for life and fined more than a million US dollars for corruption, world football governing body FIFA said.
Hazard brace help Belgium beat Russia
Belgium opened their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 with a comfortable 3-1 home win against Russia thanks to two goals from Eden Hazard.
Dhoni opens up on 2013 IPL fixing scandal: No one asked how I dealt with it
Mahendra Singh Dhoni gives in very little with his body language and that's the reason he feels that people never asked him how he coped with all the baseless allegations levelled at him when 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal reared its ugly head. For Dhoni, who has always preferred to go about his job quietly even when leading the Indian team, his silence may have been misunderstood. "The problem when people think you are very strong, is that more often than not, nobody comes and asks: how are you doing. It was more of how I dealt with it. I did not want to talk about it to others, at the same time it was scratching me. I don't want anything to affect my cricket. For me, cricket is the most important thing," Dhoni said on Hotstar's new documentary on CSK. What mistake did the players make, asked Mahendra Singh Dhoni, opening up on a phase of life made "most difficult and depressing" by the 2013 IPL fixing scandal. The two-time World Cup winning captain broke his silence in a docudrama ...
Roland Garros raises prize money, inaugurates new court
French Open organisers have announced an eight per cent increase in the total prize money to 42.6 million euros ($48.35 million) and also inaugurated a new court that is the famed Grand Slam tennis tournament's third-biggest.
Depay steals show as Oranje thrash Belarus
Memphis Depay was the star for The Netherlands as they beat Belarus 4-0 here to kick off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a win.
Hazard lifts Belgium in Euro qualifying as Depay triggers Dutch rout
Eden Hazard ensured Belgium kicked off their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 on Thursday with a brace in a home victory over Russia, while a Memphis Depay-inspired Netherlands romped to a 4-0 win over Belarus. World Cup semi-finalists Belgium earned a battling 3-1 win over Russia in Brussels as Hazard struck twice for Roberto Martinez's side in their opening game in Group I. Youri Tielemans rounded off a flowing move with a crisp low strike to fire Belgium ahead on 14 minutes at the King Baudouin Stadium, but Thibaut Courtois gifted Russia an immediate equaliser. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, put under pressure by Artem Dzyuba, panicked and scuffed the ball straight to Denis Cheryshev who duly swept home into an empty net. Michy Batshuayi had a shot cleared off the line, and later hit the post, but Hazard restored Belgium's lead just before half-time after drawing a foul from Yuri Zhirkov in the area. The Chelsea playmaker sealed the three points two minutes from time with an alert ...
Quagliarella, 36, finding his place among Italy's young guns
At 36, Fabio Quagliarella has put his years of torment at the hands of a stalker behind him as he prepares to line up for Italy over eight years after his last cap thanks to the best season of his career in Serie A, where he is the top scorer ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Even if Roberto Mancini is focusing on youth as he rebuilds the Azzurri after their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup, the Italy coach could not ignore Quagliarella's remarkable performance with Sampdoria where he has scored 21 goals in 28 games, two more than Ronaldo and Polish sensation Krzysztof Piatek. The veteran could earn his 26th cap -- eight and a half years after his last -- in Italy's Euro 2020 Group J qualifiers against Finland on March 23 in Udine or Liechtenstein in Parma three days later. "I may be the oldest of the group, but I'm living everything with great enthusiasm and serenity," Quagliarella told Rai Sport on Thursday. "I'm now at an age where you also know how to manage emotions." ...