Page 596 - Sports

India aim for strong comeback after Wellington hiding

A strong comeback will be expected from India after the hammering from New Zealand in the series-opener when the two teams square-up in the second T20 International at Eden Park here on Friday. After suffering their biggest loss in T20 Internationals in terms of runs on Wednesday night, India don't have a lot of time to introspect with just 24 hours separating the two games. It was the kind of day when nothing went right for India who let New Zealand amass 219 before surrendering meekly in the steep chase. Opener Tim Seifert took the Indian bowlers to cleaners with a 43-ball 84 and visitors must have a plan to contain him on Friday. Not even the seasoned Bhuvneshwar Kumar was spared as he, alongside Hardik Pandya and Khaleel Ahmed, leaked 12 runs an over. The team could replace Ahmed with either Siddharth Kaul or Mohammad Siraj, who warmed the bench on Wednesday. The spinners, Krunal Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal, did alright but the team management will also consider including chinaman

Vidarbha champions again; Saurashtra end second best for 3rd time

Vidarbha lifted their second successive Ranji Trophy title with a comfortable 78-run win over Saurashtra in the final, proving that their maiden triumph last year was no "fluke". Vidarbha needed five wickets to defend their title while Saurashtra, in a chase of 206, were left a mountain to climb after a top-order collapse on Wednesday. They required 148 runs for their maiden title on the fifth and final day at the VCA stadium. "Everyone thought it was a fluke when we won last year and we were under pressure to retain the title. But our focus was process, we never bothered about reputation," Vidarbha's talismanic coach Chandrakant Pandit said. The fiercely fought final swung early on but Vidarbha went into the final day with a tight hold on the proceedings and bundled out the visitors for 127 with more than two sessions to spare. Overnight batsmen Vishvaraj Jadeja (52) and Kamlesh Makvana (14) batted resolutely for the first hour but once the partnership was broken, the end was ...

Vidarbha claim 2nd successive Ranji title, beat Saurashtra in final

Defending champions Vidarbha won the 85th Ranji Trophy title, beating Saurashtra by 78 runs in the summit clash here Thursday. Set a target of 206, Saurashtra folded for 127 in 58.4 overs, giving Vidarbha their second title triumph in the country's marquee first-class tournament. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate was the star for Vidarbha, claiming six wickets in his 24 overs in the second innings. He had picked up 5/98 in the first innings. Star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who played a stellar role in India's maiden Test series triumph on the Australian soil last month, could not come good for Saurashtra and was dismissed cheaply in both the innings. Brief Scores: Vidarbha: 312 and 200 Saurashtra: 307 and 127 all out in 58.4 overs (Vishvaraj Jadeja 52, Aditya Sarwate (6/59).

Korean Olympic sports diplomacy a game of two halves

When ice hockey players from North and South Korea skated together on to the Olympic rink in matching white kits last year, it was seen as a symbol of the rapid diplomatic progress catalysed by the Winter Games. With Pyongyang subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, sport is one of the few spheres where real co-operation is possible between the two countries. However, analysts say sporting diplomacy on the divided peninsula will go nowhere without tangible advances on underlying issues surrounding the North's atomic arsenal. Games organisers proclaimed the 2018 event in Pyeongchang a "Peace Olympics" as the two Koreas fielded a joint women's ice hockey squad, their first-ever unified Olympic team. The last 12 months have seen a series of joint Korean sides follow in their tracks, from judo to basketball. Results have been mixed. The men's handball team lost all but one of its matches at the world championships in January, but the .

Starc out of India tour; Marsh, Siddle ignored

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc was on Thursday ruled out of the limited-overs tour of India due to a pectoral injury while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was ignored for the two T20s and five ODIs starting February 24. Eleven players in the 16-man squad featured in the home series against India last month, when Australia lost 1-2. The touring Indian team also won the Test series Down Under for the first time and drew the three-match T20 series 1-1. Starc suffered the injury, which causes strain in the shoulder, arm and chest, during the final day of the second Test between Sri Lanka in Canberra three days ago. "Unfortunately, scans have revealed that Mitchell Starc sustained a substantial tear to his left pec muscle while bowling on the final day of the Test match in Canberra," national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement. "This means he will be unavailable for the Tour of India, but we will instead target a return to play for the ODI Series against Pakistan in the UAE in .

Messi unable to inspire Barca winner as Madrid hold on for draw

Real Madrid gained a measure of redemption at the Camp Nou by holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday and taking the upper-hand in the semi-final of Copa del Rey. Neither Lionel Messi nor Gareth Bale were named in the starting line-ups for this first leg but their replacements filled the void as Malcom's curling shot cancelled out an early opener from Lucas Vazquez. After an impressive opening 20 minutes, Madrid were largely second best in a compelling, if unspectacular, Clasico but the result leaves them well-placed heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 27. For Santiago Solari's side, a resilient, gutsy display will also help erase the memory of their humiliation here in October, when they were thrashed 5-1, a result that caused Julen Lopetegui to be sacked the following day. "Comparisons are unhelpful," said Solari. "But this result shows how hard the team is working." Messi, who had been struggling with a thigh problem, and Bale, who faces a fight ...

Australia's bowling coach Saker quits ahead of World Cup

Australia's bowling coach David Saker quit Thursday just months out from the World Cup and an Ashes tour to England "for the best interests of the team". Saker, who performed a similar role with England before joining the Australian set-up in 2016, resigned after lengthy talks with coach Justin Langer. "David and I have had ongoing discussions over the past nine months about his role with the team, and we agreed it's the right time to head in a different direction in the best interests of the team," Langer said. "I'd like to thank David for his significant contribution, in particular in the role he has played in helping develop a core group of Australian pace bowlers." Saker, who has nurtured the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, said he had enjoyed his time with the Australian team. "I'd like to thank Cricket Australia for the opportunity to help coach the Australian men's team over the past three seasons," he said. "I've enjoyed my time with the team, in ...

ISL: Bengaluru fight back to snatch a point against Kerala

A brilliant second-half performance helped Bengaluru FC salvage a draw against Kerala Blasters FC in an action-packed Indian Super League clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Wednesday.

PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Express on February 15 from the New Delhi Railway station

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India's first engineless train Vande Bharat Express on February 15 from the New Delhi Railway station, a senior official of the ministry told PTI Wednesday. Train 18, which was recently named as Vande Bharat Express by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, has been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. It became India's fastest train by hitting speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Rajdhani route. "The PM will flag off the train at 10 am on February 15 and there will be a function in which he will give a speech as well. It's a matter of great pride for us as this is the Railways' first indigenous train," the official said. The 16-coach train will replace the 30-year-old Shatabdi Express and will run between Delhi and Varanasi.

I-League: Quess East Bengal look to drive home advantage against Neroca

Fourth-placed Quess East Bengal will look to drive home advantage while taking on fifth-placed Neroca FC in the ongoing 12th edition of the I-League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Thursday.Quess East Bengal had emerged runaway winners in the first leg played over three months back, courtesy a double strike by Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda, but much water has flowed under the bridge since then.Quess East Bengal have bolstered their squad even more since then, by bringing in players like young Spaniard Jamie Colado and Toni Dovale. They have also roped in 'Bhutanese Ronaldo' Chencho Gyeltshen and he could be the trump card in the game on Thursday for the Manipur side.Both teams are coming off morale-boosting victories and are among a chasing pack of four with six rounds left and Chennai City at the top of the points table. The thing going for the home side lately is that under Spanish coach Alejandro Garcia, the team has begun to play percentage, professional ...

Injured Starc likely to miss India tour

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is likely to miss Australia's upcoming limited-overs series against India due to injury, according to reports. According to News Corp, Starc, who was named man of the match for taking 10 wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka, suffered from a soft tissue injury in his upper body and is likely to miss the India series. Pacer Jose Hazlewood is also a doubtful starter for ODI tours as he is recovering from a back injury sustained during the Test series against India. Australia will announce the team for the two-match T20I and five-match ODI series against India on Thursday.

Hope to win gold at World Championship this time: Sindhu

Indian ace P V Sindhu exuded confidence of striking gold at the World championship in August after settling for the silver medal twice in the last two editions. "Yes, last two times it was silver in the World championship. I am hopeful of winning the gold this time," Sindhu, who finished runner-up in the last two editions of the world championship, told reporters here. "It is one of the biggest tournaments and nobody is going to give it away easily. It is just about giving my best. Everybody is aiming for Tokyo 2020 and there are many good players and its not going to be easy. The next big event for Sindhu will be the All England Championship, a tournament last won by her mentor and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand in 2001. It would be a great chance for Sindhu to end India's 18 year jinx at the tournament, considering three-time World Champion Carolina Marin is not playing due to the knee injury sustained during the Indonesia Masters final last month. "Even though Carolina is ..

Ceferin set for re-election as UEFA chief

Aleksander Ceferin of Slovenia who has been heading the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since September 14, 2016 is set to be re-elected at its 43rd Ordinary congress here on Thursday. He is the lone candidate for the post.

Bengaluru fight back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Kerala

Bengaluru FC staged a superb fightback after being two-goal down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters FC in an action-packed Indian Super League clash here Wednesday. Slavisa Stojanovic scored a 16th-minute penalty before a fabulous strike from Courage Pekuson handed the visitors a two-goal lead at the break. But just as it seemed that Kerala Blasters may win their first match against Bengaluru FC, a header from Udanta Singh (69th) and another from Sunil Chhetri (85th) helped the Blues grab a point. The result sees Bengaluru extend their lead atop the ISL table to four points, while Kerala Blasters remain winless in 14 matches and are rooted to the ninth spot. Kerala threatened from the start and a rampaging run by Mohammad Rakip down the right flank in the 14th minute provided the breakthrough. The young full-back's cross from the right hit Kean Lewis' hand and Stojanovic stepped up to convert the resultant penalty-kick to put his team in the lead. Chances were few and far ..

Freya Davies gets first full contract ahead of India tour

English women's cricketer Freya Davies has been awarded her first full central contract ahead of their upcoming tour to India.The 23-year-old expressed excitement over the development and hoped to continue working hard in the future, as well."I'm absolutely thrilled to receive my first full contract. It's always been my aim to represent England and this is an exciting step in the right direction," ESPNcricinfo quoted Davies, as saying."I'm looking forward to continuing the hard work, and the challenge now of getting myself picked," ESPNcricinfo further quoted Davies, as saying.Apart from Davies, there are 20 other players whose names are there in the centrally contracted players' list.The pacer had made her first senior appearance for Sussex in a T20I against Middlesex when she was aged just 14. In 2017 she was a part of the Western Storm side that had lifted the Kia Super League trophy.India and England are slated to play a three-match ODI series followed by three T20 matches from ...

Kochi Blue Spikers beat Ahmedabad Defenders 3-2 in Pro Volleyball League

Olympic gold medallist David Lee shone bright as Kochi Blue Spikers continued their unbeaten run, edging out Ahmedabad Defenders 3-2 in a Pro Volleyball League fixture here Wednesday. Lee scored 10 points (7 spikes, 2 blocks and 1 serve point) as Kochi beat Ahmedabad 10-15, 15-11, 11-15,15-12, 15-12 in a thrilling match. Victor Sysoev was the stand-out performer for Ahmedabad Defenders with 13 points (11 spikes and 2 blocks) to his name. Kochi's Mohan Ukkrapandian was adjudged as the player of the match. Chennai Spartans will take on Black Hawks Hyderabad on February 7.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran in third round

Three Indians led by top-seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran powered their way to the third round of theChennai Open Challenger 80 ATP tennis tournament here Wednesday. Gunneswaran beat Daniel Altmaier of Germany 6-4, 6-4. He broke serve in the ninth game and held confidently to capture the opening set. In the second set, he broke him in the very first game which proved to be the decisive. The Indian then held serve throughout the match with a great degree of comfort to close out the set 6-4 and the match. Another Indian,11thseeded Saketh Myneni beat Chennai-based N Vijay Sundar Prashanth 6-4, 6-3 to advance. Arjun Khade hammered seven aces to register an upset win over 13thseed Jose Hernandez-Fernandes of the Dominican Republic in two relatively easy sets 6-3, 6-2. On Court 1, second seed Corentin Moutet of France was stretched for over two and a half hours by Luke Saville of Australia before the French man ran out a deserving winner. James Duckworth, the seventh seed from ...

Eying 2020 qualification, Dipa to compete at World Cups in Baku and Doha

Ace Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar will be competing in back-to-back World Cups next month to enhance her chances of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Dipa had claimed a bronze at the vault event of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus, Germany in November, last year, to make a strong bid for her Olympic qualification. It was Dipa's first appearance after recovering from a knee strain which spoilt her Jakarta Asian Games, where she missed the vault final and also had to pull out of the team event due to a knee strain. The Indian, who vaulted her way to a fourth place finish at the Rio Olympics, will now compete at the Baku World Cup (March 1417) and Doha World Cup (March 2023). "This time the Olympic Qualifications is through several routes including the World Cups. I wanted to explore all possible routes to increase my chances for the 2020 Olympic Qualifications and my confidence has risen after winning a medal at the World Cup in Germany last year," Dipa said. "I am now .

Seifert isn't worrying much about World Cup chances

He knocked the daylight out of Indian bowlers in the first T20I with an explosive half-century but opener Tim Seifert says he isn't losing his sleep over his World Cup chances. The wicket-keeper batsman blasted a 43-ball 84 to lay the foundation of New Zealand's 219-6 against India at the Westpac Stadium. His explosive innings gave ample display of his talent and for New Zealand another option when it comes to taking a specialist back-up keeper at the World Cup. However, Seifert said he isn't worrying too much about the World Cup. "I just go out, do what I do, and hey, if that gets me over the line, brilliant, you know, but still being young, you know, (I've) still got time on my side," the 24-year-old said in his post-match press conference. "Don't get me wrong, I want to be at this World Cup, but if I get there, fantastic, it's a dream come true, but if it's not then there are things to work on and get to the next one." A self-confessed fan of Brendon McCullum, Seifert said he had ..

Starc, Hazlewood doubtful for India tour

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc is a doubtful starter for Australia's brief limited overs tour of India, starting February 24 in Bengaluru, with the paceman down with a soft tissue injury.