Page 470 - Sports
Praneeth ends runner-up at Swiss Open
Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth settled for a runner-up finish at the Swiss Open after losing the men's singles final to top seed and world number two Shi Yuqi, here Sunday. Playing his first final in almost two years, world No. 22 Praneeth lost 21-19 18-21 12-21 to the Chinese in the summit clash, which lasted 68 minutes. The last time Praneeth featured in a final was which when he clinched the Thailand Open title in June 2017. Praneeth did well to win the opening game despite Yuqi making a brilliant comeback from 12-18 to 19-19. After a neck-and neck battle till 9-9, Praneeth reeled off six straight points to open up a 15-9 lead. He then kept moving ahead to make it 18-12 but the Chinese managed to earn four points on the trot to reduce the gap before catching Praneeth at 19-19. The Indian, however, held his nerves to win the next two crucial points, sealing the opening game. The second game turned out to be a closely-fought affair as the game tilted from one end to another. The only
SAFF tourney: India eves rout Lank 5-0, enter semis
The Indian women's football team sealed their place in the semifinal of the SAFF Women's Championship with a 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium, here on Sunday.
Ashes urn set to tour Australia
The Ashes urn, smallest but most keenly contested trophy, will make a rare journey to Australia in 12 years where it will go on display in Victoria's State Library's 'Velvet, Iron, Ashes' exhibition from December 2019 until February 2020.England will host the five-match series from August 1 to September 16, where Australia will look to win their first away series on English soil since Steve Waugh's side triumphed in 2001.The urn, which is the symbol of cricketing battles between Australia and England since it was gifted to the visiting English captain Ivo Bligh during the summer of 1882-83, has resided at the MCC Museum at The Lord's in London regardless of the Test series result.At the end of every Test series, a replica is presented to the winning side.This will be the only third time the urn has travelled to Australia since it came into the MCC's possession in 1929. The urn was exhibited for less than a week during the country's 1988 Bicentennial celebrations and visited six cities
India defeat Sri Lanka to enter SAFF semi-final
Indian women's team sealed their place in the semi-final of the SAFF Women's Championship with a 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium in Biratnagar on Sunday.The result extended India's unbeaten run in the competition's history to 21 games and secured the top spot in Group B, with all five goals coming from different scorers.The match began in a fantastic fashion for the Indian side as they found the net in the fourth minute through winger Grace Dangmei. The goal was created through some fine work from Sanju down the left wing as she cut inside to unleash a shot that rattled the woodwork and fell to Grace, who headed in the rebound first-time.One became two just three minutes later, thanks to Sanju's wing-play again. She broke down the left past the defensive line and put in an inch-perfect cross, which was tapped in by an onrushing Sandhiya.In the 17th minute, Ratanbala appeared to have scored the third for India from close range but it was chalked off for ...
Spanish football legend Puyol attends PSL final
Legendary Spanish and Barcelona footballer Carles Puyol was the star attraction during the final of the Pakistan Super League at the National Stadium here on Sunday. "I thought Pakistanis only liked cricket but I have seen they like football a lot also and it made me happy," Puyol said in Spanish while addressing the packed enclosures around him from the centre of the ground. Puyol, who has retired from international football, is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders of his generation following his sterling performances for Spain and Barcelona. Puyol, who is here to promote World Soccer Star matches and the next World Cup, was greeted by loud cheers when he came on stage at the PSL closing ceremony dressed in black. With the help of an interpreter, Puyol said: "Salam Pakistan. I am very happy to be here. It's my first time here and I am enjoying it a lot." Puyol said from what he knew football is the next emerging sport in Pakistan. "I am happy to know I have so many ...
Abu Dhabi new home of T10 cricket for next 5 years
The Zayed Cricket Stadium here will be the new home of T10 cricket for the next five years, starting with the 2019 season.
Lost a battle, hope not the war (Column: Close-in)
India, with a 2-0 lead against Australia in the five-match One Day International (ODI) rubber at home, looked certain to clinch another series. But the final result of a 2-3 defeat did come as a rude shock to the Indian camp.
WC hopefuls to strive at T20 (Column: Just Sport)
Seldom have the franchises, players and fans waited with so much excitement as they have for the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) to kick off.
KKR scouts spoke highly of Warrier: Bowling coach
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) scouts always had an eye on Sandeep Warrier and the little-known Kerala pacer was "highly" recommended by them, the team's bowling coach Omkar Salvi said here on Sunday.
Zhang suspended for violating team regulations
Chinese high jumper Zhang Guowei has been suspended from all competitions with immediate effect by the country's governing body of the sport as the world silver medalist violated the national team's regulations.
CCI Snooker: Bharadia topples champ Damani
Home challenger Mukund Bharadia caused a major flutter as he sent defending champion Brijesh Damani of Indian Oil crashing out of the CCI All India Open Snooker Tournament here Sunday. The Cricket Club of India cueist showed plenty of grit as he quashed the aspirations of the Kolkata-based Damani by snatching a nerve-wracking 4-3 victoryin the best-of-7-frame round of 16 match. Bharadia struggled to settle down initially and conceded the initiative to Damani who hit a break of 69 to take the first frame before going on to win a close second to take a 2-0 lead. The second ranked Maharashtra player Bharadia steadily and confidently got into his stride and comfortably pocketed the next three frames to nose ahead 3-2. Last year's champ Damani with some steady and cautious play won the sixth frame on the pink to force the seventh frame. The decider was another close affair as both players adopted safety tactics in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Bharadia with some bold and
BCCI-ICC Meeting: WADA issue, tax waiver on agenda as Manohar set to meet CoA members
The BCCI brass is expected to put forth its proposals on anti-doping policy and the USD 22 million tax waiver for future global events when it meets ICC chairman Shashank Manohar in Mumbai on Monday. On behalf of BCCI, the three-member Committee of Administrator (CoA) along with CEO Rahul Johri will meet Manohar. During the recent ICC Board meeting in Dubai, the members were updated on WADA's concerns about domestic anti-doping programme in India. In order to be World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliant, the BCCI needs to come under National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) ambit which it has been resisting all this while. "The Board unanimously acknowledged its desire to remain WADA compliant and committed to working in partnership with the BCCI, WADA and the India NADA to resolve the outstanding issues as a matter of urgency," the ICC had stated after the meeting. However BCCI's contention is that the Board is already WADA-compliant. "The players' urine samples are tested at the National ..
Rashid Khan's five takes Afghanistan close to maiden Test win
Spinner Rashid Khan's five-wicket haul helped Afghanistan bowl out Ireland for 288 and put the team in sight of a maiden Test win on the third day of the one-off Test on Sunday. Chasing 147 for victory, Afghanistan were 29 for one with Ihsanullah Janat batting on 16 and Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 11 at the close of play. Afghanistan lost one wicket in the form of Mohammad Shahzad, but Janat and Shah, who made 98 in Afghanistan's first innings total of 314, ensured there was no more damage when the stumps were drawn. Earlier in the day, Andy Balbirnie (82) and Kevin O'Brien (56) scored half-centuries each but Khan came up with career-best figures of five for 82 to bundle out Ireland in the final session of play. Khan accounted for the wickets of James McCollum, O'Brien, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell and Andrew McBrine to put Afghanistan in a commanding position. Brief scores: Ireland: 172 & 288 all out in 93 overs (Andy Balbirnie 82, Kevin O'Brien 56; Rashid Khan ...
UWW takes away junior Asian wrestling championship from India
The diplomatic tension with Pakistan has cost India its first sporting event as the world wrestling body UWW has taken away the junior Asian Championship from the country, days after asking all its affiliated federations to stop dealing with the WFI. India had agreed to host the re-scheduled junior Championship in July after original hosts Lebanon withdrew. In the wake of Pulwama terror attack, India had not issued visas to a three-member shooting contingent from Pakistan for the world cup in Delhi, prompting the IOC to censure IOA. It was followed by UWW asking all its affiliated federations to suspend all communication with WFI. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) fears that it will not be able to host tournaments in future if the issue is not resolved. "UWW has told that it has shifted the junior Asian championship from India to Thailand. We had not bid for this event and we chipped in just to oblige UWW-Asia but we will certainly encounter problems when we would want to host ..
IPL 2019: Warrier, Cariappa added to KKR squad
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have picked Sandeep Warrier and KC Cariappa ahead of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting March 23.The pair have been added as a replacement for the injured pace-duo Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi.Warrier, who is part of Kerala in domestic cricket, has played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past. Cariappa has played for the Kings XI Punjab and KKR in previous editions of the IPL.KKR will begin their IPL campaign with a clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens on March 24.
Kohli, Bumrah retain no. 1 spot in ODI rankings
Indian captain Virat Kohli and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah have retained their respective number one positions in the ICC ODI player rankings, updated on Sunday.Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who are ranked one and two in the batsmen rankings, scored 310 and 202 runs, respectively, in their home series against Australia which they lost 2-3, while New Zealand's former captain Ross Taylor has managed to retain the third spot.South African opener Quinton de Kock has grabbed the fourth position after playing a huge part in his team's 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman's 353 runs in the series, which included one century and three half-centuries, helped him win the player of the series award and gain four slots in the latest rankings, which also see his captain Faf du Plessis move up to the fifth position after scoring 272 runs.West Indies opener Chris Gayle's effort of 424 runs, including two centuries, lifted him 35 places to 41st position, New Zealand .
Indian women storm into SAFF semis with 5-0 win over Sri Lanka
The Indian women's football team sealed its place in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship with a resounding 5-0 win over Sri Lanka at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium here on Sunday. This result has extended India's unbeaten run in the competition's history to 21 games and secured the top spot in Group B. In the semifinals, India will take on Group A runners-up Bangladesh on Wednesday while hosts Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the other fixture. India's five goals were scored by different players on Sunday. The four-time defending champions scored their first goal as early as in the fourth minute through winger Grace Dangmei. The goal was created through some fine work from Sanju down the left wing as she cut inside to unleash a shot that rattled the woodwork and fell to Grace, who headed in the rebound. Three minutes later, India doubled its lead, thanks to Sanju's wing-play again. She broke down the left, past the defensive line and put in an inch-perfect cross, which was tapped in by .
South Africa pin World Cup hopes on bowlers
South Africa finished their one-day series against Sri Lanka with a clear idea of both the team and the tactics they will use in the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka, after their fourth 5-0 series defeat in less than two years, appeared to be in disarray. South African captain Faf du Plessis said after the fifth match on Saturday night that he was "98 to 99 percent" sure who would go to England. He said the "one or two percent" was to allow for "guys who are really red hot or striking good form". Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga said form in a forthcoming domestic tournament would be important, while he expected experienced players like Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal - who did not play in South Africa - to be in contention. Du Plessis indicated that South Africa were pinning their hopes on a potent bowling line-up to win matches, even if meant that the team might have a lengthy tail. South Africa's fast bowlers, backed by leg-spinner Imran Tahir, dominated the Sri Lankan ..
ICC ODI Rankings: Kohli, Rohit dominate top slots
India skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma remained number one and two, despite India's home series defeat to Australia, in the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings, according to an ICC statement.
Tendulkar wishes for quick recovery of Saina
Saina Nehwal turned 29 on Sunday and wishes poured in from various quarters for the ace India shuttler.