Page 607 - Sports

We wanted to test ourselves after heavy Hamilton loss: Rohit

Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma Sunday said his side wanted to test themselves in tough conditions after the Hamilton loss and lauded his team for showing character in the fifth ODI which India won to clinch the series 4-1 against New Zealand. India suffered a heavy defeat in the fourth ODI after they were dismissed for just 92 runs but the visiting side bounced back in the fifth match Sunday to score 252 before winning by 35 runs. "The Hamilton loss, the way we lost was big. We need to get together as a team. I knew there was some moisture on the pitch. If the series was alive, we would have chased but we wanted to test ourselves today," Rohit said after India beat the home side by 35 runs. Ambati Rayudu (90) and Vijay Shankar (45) shared a 98-run partnership to resurrect the Indian innings, before Hardik Pandya (45 off 22) and Kedar Jadhav (35) powered them to a competitive total. Rohit heaped praise on Rayudu and Shankar, saying their partnership was the turning point of the ...

India beat New Zealand in 5th ODI, win series 4-1

Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar and all-rounder Hardik Pandya rose to the occasion to hand India a 35-run victory against New Zealand in the fifth and final One Day International match and clinch the limited overs series 4-1 here on Sunday.

Rayudu, Pandya power India to 35-run win in fifth ODI

India overcame a disastrous start to earn a hard fought 35-run win over New Zealand in the fifth ODI Sunday to finish the series with a 4-1 scoreline in their favour, proving the heavy loss at Hamilton was an aberration. At 18 for four, India were heading towards another sub-100 total before Ambati Rayudu (90 off 113) and Vijay Shankar (45 off 64) forged a 98-run stand to ensure India ended with a fighting 252. Hardik Pandya's 45 off 22 balls also went a long way in India posting a challenging target and his two wickets later on showed why he is such an important member of the team. New Zealand batsmen, including skipper Kane Williamson (39), squandered their starts in the chase but the home team remained in the contest until Jimmy Neesham (44 off 32) was dismissed in the 37th over. His freak run out, which was effected by the ever so sharp Mahendra Singh Dhoni from behind the stumps, came after a lbw appeal was turned down. New Zealand eventually ended with 217 in 44.1 overs despite .

Sana Mir becomes first Asian woman cricketer to play 100 T20Is

Former Pakistan women's cricket team skipper Sana Mir on Sunday became the first Asian woman cricketer to play hundred T20 international matches.The 33-year-old reached the milestone when she walked into the field for the ongoing third and final T20I against West Indies in Karachi.Sana expressed delight over achieving the feat and said that she is privileged to have gotten so many opportunities to represent Pakistan."Every match for Pakistan is a wonderful opportunity and a big responsibility. All I can say that I have been privileged to represent Pakistan for so long and have given my best in every match for my country with best of my ability," Geo TV quoted Sana, as saying.The right-arm bowler was part of Pakistan inaugural T20I team which played against Ireland in 2009. Since then, she has missed just two matches for Pakistan and that too because of an injury.Overall, Sana is the sixth woman cricketer to complete a century of T20 Internationals. Daendra Dottin of West Indies tops ..

You snooze you lose (Column: Close-in)

The Indian cricket team having convincingly won the first three ODI matches of the 5 match series against New Zealand seemed to be a side, as Virat Kohli beautifully summed up, prior to his departure, "as a team on autopilot". With a successful tour in Australia and a scintillating initial performance in New Zealand, the Indian team looked like a well-oiled machine and the only thing missing was for them to learn the "Haka".

Anjali, Wahlang win Kolkata Marathon as Tendulkar cheers participants

Less than three months after recovering from a surgery, 45-year-old Anjali Saraogi retained her title in the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Marathon with a career-best timing here Sunday. Seniormost runner in the women's field, Anjali clocked 3 hour 16 minutes 54 seconds to win the race and better her last year's timing of 3:30:53. Samiksha Rai (4:04:40) was second while Rashmi Somani (4:15:24) took the third place. Before this, Anjali also ran in Mumbai Marathon last month and finished second in the amateur category. "I started training for Mumbai Marathon only in the last week of December. Because of the surgery (to remove breast lump) I could not train much. But I'm always passionate about running and the performance in Mumbai boosted my confidence," Anjali, who runs a medical centre, said after the race. Anjali was a member of the Indian team at the 100km World Ultra Running Championship in Croatia in September last year. "As I had experience in ultra running, I knew I could .

David Miller to lead Proteas for last two T20Is against Pakistan

South Africa have named left-hand batsman David Miller as the team captain for the remaining two T20 international matches against Pakistan as the full-time skipper Faf du Plessis has been given rest.While announcing the development, South Africa national selection panel convener Linda Zondi explained that by giving Miller the captaincy role, they are broadening their "leadership sources"."Giving David a leadership role is another way that we are broadening our leadership resources within our respective squads. David has a wealth of experience and is a well-respected figure within the Proteas environment. The last two matches will be an opportunity for us to grow potential leaders for the future," Sport24 quoted Zondi, as saying.South Africa are leading the ongoing three match series 1-0. They will play their second match on February 3 at the Wanderers Stadium followed by the third and final T20I which is slated to be held on February 6 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium.

Khawaja smacks century as Sri Lanka chase massive 2nd Test total

Usman Khawaja finally found form again to stroke a fine century Sunday and steer Australia into a massive lead over Sri Lanka as the tourists battle to stay in the second Test at Canberra. At stumps, the visitors were 17 without loss, chasing a huge 516 to win with two days remaining after Tim Paine declared Australia's second innings at 196 for three. Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne were both unbeaten on eight, weathering some 30 minutes before bad light stopped play slightly early. Sri Lanka had resumed the third day at 123 for three and in a hostile morning session lost four wickets and Kusal Perera, who retired after being hit on the head by a bouncer. Their resistence folded in the second over after lunch, with Mitchell Starc taking five wickets to leave them trailing by 319 after Australia's first innings 534 for five declared. Paine opted against the follow-on in Australia's last Test batting opportunity before the Ashes tour to England later this year. Khawaja padded .

Aus vs SL: Kusal Perera forced to retire hurt after nasty blow

Sri Lanka cricketer Kusal Perera was forced to retire hurt after being hit by a nasty bouncer by Australian pacer Jhye Richardson on Day Three of the ongoing second Test at the Manuka Oval on Sunday.The incident happened in the 53rd over of the match when Perera was batting at the score of 27. The left-hand batsman took his eyes off the Richardson's bowl and tried ducking it. In the process, the bowl hit him on the side of the helmet, next to his right ear. The blow was so powerful that it left the helmet in a disintegrated condition, the ESPNcricinfo reported.Immediately after the incident, Perera received the medical treatment on the field following which he resumed batting. The batsman, however, started feeling a bit uneasy in the next over and decided to retire hurt.Later, Sri Lanka confirmed that Perera would undergo a mandatory concussion test. No decision has been taken yet regarding his further participation in the match.On Saturday, Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne was ...

Yokuslu goal lifts Celta out of relegation zone

Okay Yokuslu scored the only goal of the game as Celta Vigo beat Sevilla at the Balaidos Stadium here to end a run of five consecutive losses and move out of the relegation zone.

Marriage has been a lucky charm: Saina Nehwal (IANS Interview)

For London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, life after marrying fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap last December has been a "dream run". India's star shuttler, who recently won the Indonesia Masters -- her first title in two years -- says it won't be wrong to call marriage her "lucky charm".

Gervinho matches Ronaldo double as Parma frustrate Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice but champions Juventus had to settle for a point as a late Gervinho double snatched a 3-3 draw after promoted Parma staged an impressive comeback in Serie A on Saturday. Juventus' dropped points allowed Napoli to cut the gap on the leaders to nine points after a confident 3-0 win over Sampdoria. Massimiliano Allegri's side had already had their confidence shaken after a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta shattered their hopes of winning a fifth straight Coppa Italia. Saturday's draw was not the response Allegri had called for ahead of their Champions League last 16 first leg tie against Atletico Madrid on February 20. "I'm happy for the goals but not the result," said Ronaldo. "Parma didn't do anything special, they waited for us to make a mistake. "But we're not worried, we know it will be a great season for Juventus." Juve, hit by injuries to defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, have now conceded six goals in their last two ...

Australia extend lead as Sri Lanka struggle to stay in 2nd Test

Australia zeroed in on a 2-0 series win after dismissing Sri Lanka for 215 Sunday then piling on more runs to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb to stay in the second Test at Canberra. Sri Lanka resumed the third day at 123 for three on what appeared to be a decent batting track, but in a hostile morning session lost four wickets and Kusal Perera, who retired after being hit on the head by a bouncer. Their resistence finally folded in the second over after lunch, with Mitchell Starc taking five wickets to leave them trailing by 319 after Australia's first innings 534 for five declared. By tea, the hosts' lead had been extended to 386 with Usman Khawaja not out 25 and Travis Head on 14 after skipper Tim Paine opted not to enforce the follow-on. But it was far from plain sailing for Australia, who were 67 for three at the break. Marcus Harris again failed, out for 14 with Kusal Mendis taking a superb diving catch at slip off Kasun Rajitha, throwing his place on the Ashes tour .

5th ODI: Rayudu, Shankar, Pandya help India post 252 vs New Zealand

A disciplined batting effort from Ambati Rayudu (90) supported by Vijay Shankar (45) and late order heroics by all-rounder Hardik Pandya helped India post 252/10 against New Zealand in the fifth and final One Day International match here on Sunday.

Trump plays golf with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus in Florida

US President Donald Trump played golf with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, saying he had a "great morning", playing the game with the two professionals.

Rayudu, Pandya power India to 252 after top-order collapse

The Indian top-order struggled again in testing conditions before Ambati Rayudu and Hardik Pandya powered the visitors to a fighting 252 in the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand here on Sunday. India's middle-order, which has been under scrutiny, delivered under pressure after the visitors were left gasping at 18 for four. Rayudu (90 off 113) and Vijay Shankar (45 off 64) shared a 98-run stand for the fifth wicket to lead India's recovery before a spectacular cameo from Hardik Pandya (45 off 22) pushed India past 250. Pacer Matt Henry was the standout bowler for the hosts, taking four wickets for 35 runs while Trent Boult picked up three for 39. After a 'humiliating' loss in the fourth ODI in which India were shot out for 92, captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and took the challenge of batting first on a surface aiding the fast bowlers. India made three changes in the playing eleven. A fit again Mahendra Singh Dhoni was back in the team in place of Dinesh Karthik while Mohammad ..

Colombia clinch Davis Cup finals spot

Colombia secured a berth in the Davis Cup finals by completing a 4-0 rout of Sweden in their qualifier here.

Belgium beat Brazil to reach last stage of Davis Cup

A depleted Belgium advanced to the Davis Cup's final stage by defeating hosts Brazil 3-1 in their qualifier here.

Kazakhstan defeat Portugal 3-1, win berth to Davis Cup Finals

Kazakhstan's national tennis team defeated Portugal, the second day of Davis Cup qualification action, and is headed to the finals in the tournament's new format in Madrid in November.

Team ready for key part of season, says Real Madrid's Solari

Real Madrid's head coach Santiago Solari discussed the team's upcoming strong matches, adding that the squad was ready to effectively handle them.