Page 550 - Sports
India's tour to Pakistan for Davis Cup not doubtful: AITA
India's tour to Pakistan for the Davis Cup Group 1 tie is not doubtful and the All India Tennis Association (AITA) has not requested for a change of venue in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
India players participation in The Hundred doubtful, says ECB chief executive
Players from India and the West Indies are unlikely to feature in The Hundred, England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) new 100-ball cricket format, its chief executive officer Tom Harrison said on Friday. The Hundred, which is slated to be launched in July-August 2020, will see eight-teams vying for the top honours. The contest would consist of 100 balls per innings with a change of ends after every 10 deliveries. Bowlers can deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls, with each bowler allowed a maximum of 20 deliveries per game. "I can't commit to the involvement of India players. It's a political conversation as much as anything," Harrison was quoted as saying by espncricinfo. "It's a difficult conversation. It's not just the ECB and The Hundred that will be keen to get Indian players involved. Clearly that's a wider discussion," he said. Indian players have actively participated in English county cricket including skipper Virat Kohli, who missed out on playing for Surrey last year
Shubhankar's solid 70 places him T-19 at WGC-Mexico after round 1
India's Shubhankar Sharma made two nice birdies over the last four holes to ensure a solid start with a score of one-under 70 to be placed tied 19th after the first round of the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship here. Shubhankar, 22, who catapulted into global fame by leading after 54 holes on his PGA Tour debut at the 2018 edition, is now tied 19th on a day, when Rory McIlroy (63) and Dustin Johnson (64) pulled themselves well clear of the field at the Par-71 Chapultepec Golf Club. Last year Shubhankar finished tied ninth at the USD 10.25 million tournament here. Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat produced his best opening round of the year on the PGA TOUR, carding a three-under 68 for a share of the seventh spot. Kiradech traded five birdies against two bogeys to trail first round leader McIlroy, who enjoyed a blistering 63 featuring an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey. China's Haotong Li dropped two late bogeys to settle for a 69, leaving him in tied 11th, while Shubhankar ..
Spinner Bisht guides India to 66-run win over England in 1st women ODI
Left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht snared four wickets as Indian bowlers dished out a clinical effort to beat England by 66 runs in the first ODI of the ICC Women's Championship here on Friday. Bisht returned with impressive figures of four for 25 to help Indian women defend a modest a 203-run target by bundling out England women for a paltry 136 in 41 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Bisht was ably supported by pacer Shikha Pandey (2/21), Deepti Sharma (2/33) and veteran Jhulan Goswami (1/19) as India comfortably grabbed two points in the ICC Women's Championship. For the visitors, Natalie Sciver top-scored with a 66-ball 44, while skipper Heather Knight remained unbeaten on 39. Chasing the modest target, England, in fact, were in a comfortable position at 111 for three by the end of the 30th over before the visitors crumbled like a pack of cards, losing their last seven batswomen for just 24 runs to surrender the match. Bisht wrecked England women by taking three wickets
Would hate to give two points to Pakistan in World Cup:
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar Friday said he would "hate" to see India concede two points to Pakistan by not playing them in the upcoming World Cup as such a move would only help the arch-rivals in the mega-event. Tendulkar endorsed Sunil Gavaskar's view that India would be better off beating Pakistan in the World Cup than forfeiting the June 16 tie in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. "India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament," said Tendulkar in a statement to PTI. "Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart," the legendary batsman added. While the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal have called for complete cricketing boycott of Pakistan, Gavaskar on Thursday said India will be the loser if they decide to not play .
Cricket is not Indian game, kabaddi should be promoted: Sushil Modi
Senior BJP leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said the cricket is not an Indian game, and kabaddi and football should be promoted.
No decision on Pak WC match, CoA to consult Govt: Vinod Rai
The Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket Friday decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan but urged the ICC and other nations to "sever ties" with countries from where "terrorism emanates". There has been a call to boycott the June 16 World Cup face-off against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. In a meeting to address the spiralling speculation around the match, the CoA deliberated on the matter but did not take any position for now and will not mention the tie in the planned e-mail to the world body. "The 16th of June is very far away. We will take a call on that much later and in consultation with the government," CoA chief Vinod Rai said after the meeting. Asked if players have been consulted on the issue, Rai replied in the negative. "In an e-mail to the ICC, we have expressed our concerns about the terrorist attack that has taken place. We are ...
Concern over playing in Srinagar referred to League Committee, Minerva informs HC
Minerva Punjab informed the Delhi High Court Friday that AIFF's refusal to its request for postponing I-League match against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar following Pulwama terror attack, has been referred to the League Committee. The court then disposed of the petition as it was withdrawn by Minerva. Justice Vibhu Bakhru was told by the counsel for Minerva Punjab that the League Committee's meeting is scheduled for February 25 where the issue will be addressed. Minerva Punjab, through advocates Abhimanyu Tiwari and Amitabh Tiwari, had approached the high court challenging the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) refusal to postpone their I-League match against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar on February 18. Minerva had not shown up for their clash against a ready RKFC in Srinagar, asserting that the home club and the AIFF failed in providing written security assurances in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The sequence of events is a fallout of February 14 attack in which at least 40
India U-19 team beat SA by nine wickets
Spinners Hrithik Shokeen and Manav Suthar took three wickets each as India's under-19 team posted a convincing nine-wicket win over South Africa in the 'Youth' Test here Friday. The visiting team fared poorly in the second innings, being dismissed for 167 in 66 overs with off-spinner Shokeen (3 for 52) and left-arm spinner Suthar (3 for 44) doing most of the damage. South Africa were dismissed for 197 in the first innings. Resuming at an overnight score of 34 for 3, South Africa lost Andile Mokgakne (30) after the addition of 17 runs. A lot depended on Bonga Makhakha and all-rounder Bryce Parsons, who scored a half-century in the first innings, if the team had to put up a fight. But Suthar struck a vital blow for India when he had Parsons caught by Varun Nayanar for 16 after the left-hander had hit a four and a six. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals as Shokeen and Suthar maintained a good line and length. Only Makhakha fought it out to make 74 in 165 balls, while the rest of .
FIFA bans Chelsea for two transfer windows over under-age signings
FIFA said Friday it was banning Premier League club Chelsea from signing new players in the next two transfer windows as punishment for breaking rules on registering under-age players. It means Chelsea will be unable to make signings until the end of January next year. "The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods," FIFA said in a statement. In addition, Chelsea were fined 600,000 Swiss francs ($600,000, 530,000 euros) and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.
Sri Lanka fall in flurry of wickets in South Africa
Sri Lanka collapsed in a flurry of strokes on the second day of the second Test against South Africa on Friday as Kagiso Rabada plundered their batting order. Rabada took four for 38 as the visitors were bowled out for 154 to give South Africa a first innings lead of 68 runs. South Africa were ten for one wicket in their second innings at lunch, with Dean Elgar caught behind off Vishwa Fernando off the last ball before interval. In a frenetic start to the day, Sri Lanka scored 94 runs but lost six wickets in 17.4 overs. Overnight batsmen Lahiru Thirimanne and nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha were dismissed in the first four overs of the morning after Sri Lanka resumed on 60 for three. They were followed by a succession of batsmen who played extravagant shots before perishing. Kusal Perera, the hero of Sri Lanka's surprise win in the first Test in Durban, thrashed two fours and an audacious six over extra cover in one over from Rabada before being caught behind in the fast bowler's next ...
Solskjaer summons spirit of Ferguson for Liverpool clash
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has joked that he might invite Alex Ferguson to deliver Manchester United's team talk before their eagerly awaited Premier League meeting with Liverpool. The legendary former United manager has acted as Solskjaer's mentor since the Norwegian took over as the club's interim boss in December. Solskjaer's impressive success in the role has made the visit of bitter rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday an even bigger confrontation than might have been expected earlier in the season when United were struggling to find their form. The former United striker believes his club is rebuilding their reputation in the game and, given the rivalry that used to exist between Ferguson and Liverpool, Solskjaer said he would summon the spirit of his old leader before kick-off. "He would be welcome to have his talk to the players if he wanted to," said Solskjaer. "Because we know how much it meant for him to overtake Liverpool. "For them, it's a big game, for us, it's a big ...
Indian women's team beat England by 66 runs in first ODI
Indian women's team secured a 66-run win over England in the first one-dayer of three-match series here Friday. Batting first, India folded for 202 in 49.4 overs but they returned to dismiss England for 136 to make a winning start to the series. Ekta Bisht returned with four wickets, while S Pandey and DB Sharma took two wickets each. Brief Score: India: 202 in 49.4 overs (J Rodrigues 48; S Ecclestone 2/27). England: 136 in 41 overs (NR Sciver 44; E Bisht 4/25).
BCCI to write to ICC over boycotting Pakistan
The crucial BCCI CoA meeting on Friday failed to find a consensus over playing against arch rivals Pakistan in the upcoming ICC World Cup in the United Kingdom.
Ramos, Cuevas, Ruud, Djere advance to quarters in Rio
Uruguayan tennis player Pablo Cuevas, Spaniard Albert Ramos, Serbia's Laslo Djere and Norwegian Casper Ruud have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Rio de Janeiro Open, the only ATP 500 tournament in South America.
India's Mushtaque Ahmad elected as Vice-President of AHF
India's Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad and Asima Ali were on Friday elected as the Vice-President and Executive Committee member of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) for a four-year term in Gifu, Japan. Mushtaque Ahmad is currently serving as the President of Hockey India, while Ali is the Vice-President of the national federation. Besides Ali, Mushtaque Ahmad too have now become a member of the AHF executive board. The AHF Executive Board manages the affairs of the continental federation, implements the decisions of the AHF Congress, supervises over the AHF CEO and professional staff, as well as appoints the AHF Committees. On its part, Hockey India congratulated both the individuals for their appointments to AHF. "It is with immense joy that I wish President, Hockey India, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad and Vice-President, Hockey India, Asima Ali, on being elected as members of the AHF Executive Board through their respective new positions," Hockey India Secretary General Rajinder Singh said in a ...
Nike stocks plunge after NBA star's sneaker comes apart
Nike stocks have plunged after basketball star Zion Williamson's sneaker split apart during a match.
Low expectations is great place to start from: Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari has been punching above his weight ever since he made his India debut and that's why he is ready to deal with "low expectations" in a bid to change the popular perception of not being good enough for the T20 format in the upcoming IPL. Vihari is back in the IPL, which starts March 23, with the Delhi Capitals after going unsold at the auction for three years primarily due to an unimpressive strike rate of sub 100. "I think because of the slow strike-rate of the past, people won't have expectations from me, which can be a great thing. I take it positively, because now I have a chance to prove them all wrong," Vihari told PTI in an exclusive interview. The Delhi Capitals have a star-studded top order with Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, skipper Shreyas Iyer and the indomitable Rishabh Pant in the ranks. Vihari knows it will be a fight to get into the playing XI but he is ready to don the role of a finisher the same way he agreed to open for India in unfamiliar conditions in ..
Senior Women T20 league: Mizoram gets all out for nine runs
Mizoram Women's team had a complete shocker of a day against Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing senior Women T20 league in India as they were bowled over for nine runs at the Palmyra Cricket Ground on Thursday.The Mizoram team had nine players who were dismissed for ducks. Of a possible 40 overs, the match just lasted for 14.5 overs. Madhya Pradesh did not have to break a sweat chasing a target of 10 runs as half of the runs were gifted to them via wides.Tarang Jha of Madhya Pradesh had a day to remember as she picked up four wickets. More importantly, she bowled 23 dot deliveries in her four overs. It was due to her efforts Mizoram were reduced to two for five in five overs.Madhya Pradesh just needed six deliveries to chase the target of 10 runs.Earlier this year, it was China that recorded the lowest score against in Women's T20 when UAE bowled them out for just 14 runs.
England women bundle out India for 202 after middle-order collapse
Indian women's team suffered a middle-order collapse to be bundled out for a modest 202 by England in the opening ODI of the three-match series here on Friday. Young Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with a knock of 48, while skipper Mithali Raj hit 44 and Jhulan Goswami contributed 30. England women dished out a clinical bowling performance with pacer Natalie Sciver (2/29) and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Sophie Ecclestone (2/27) wreaking havoc on India. After a steady start, India women lost four quick wickets for 10 runs in the middle overs to slump to 95/5 at one stage. Later veteran Mithali and wicket-keeper Taniya Bhatia (25) tried to resurrect the innings with a 54-run stand for the sixth wicket. After Mithali's dismissal, Jhulan ensured that the hosts crossed the 200-run mark. Georgia Elwiss (2-45) also shone with the ball and England's fielding was also up-to-the mark as they orchestrated three-run outs at the Wankhede Stadium here.