Page 722 - Sports
Row over Rs 2 cr prize money: Manu should have consulted us before going public, says Vij
Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said that shooter Manu Bhaker should have consulted the Sports Department officials before questioning him about Rs 2 crore cash reward on Twitter.Manu, who hails from Goria village in Haryana's Jhajjar district, has won several gold medals in her maiden World Cup, Commonwealth Games, besides bagging first prize at the Youth Olympics.Vij had promised the 16-year-old athlete that he would reward her with Rs 2 crore after she won the gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Argentina last year."Before going public, she should have confirmed with the Sports Ministry officials whether she is going to get the award the money or not. It is disgusting to denounce a State Government which is giving the highest awards in the country. If I have had tweeted that we will reward Rs 2 crore, then we will reward. We haven't said anywhere that we won't," Vij told ANI."The notification issued later is for the future. It is not for her. But without confirming ...
I-League: Mohun Bagan eye comeback against upbeat Kashmir (Preview)
City football giants Mohun Bagan will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on high-flying Real Kashmir FC in an I-League fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.
Nishikori storms past Chardy in Brisbane International semifinals
Second-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan on Saturday eased into the Brisbane International final with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, moving a step closer to his first title since 2016.
Bopanna serves big in Tata Open title win with Sharan
Rohan Bopanna combined booming serves with exquisite backhand winners during his blossoming partnership with Divij Sharan as the Indian pair won its maiden ATP tour title at the Tata Open Maharashtra here Saturday. Bopanna lost just four points on his serve during the entire match as the top seeded Indians produced a dominating 6-3 6-4 win over British pair of Luke Bambridge and Jonny O'Maara. This was veteran Bopanna's 18th ATP tour title while Sharan has now won his fourth tournament on the circuit. Bopanna carried the team smartly in this tournament even as Sharan would require to do more when they compete against tougher opponents at the Australian Open. Sharan dropping the serve in the eighth game of the second set was the only blemish as there was no drama in the final after they played two intense and dramatic matches en route the title clash. It is the first title for both Bopanna and Sharan on the ATP World Tour after more than a year they ended 2018 season without a trophy ..
India face Thailand in AFC Asian Cup campaign opener
Underdogs India will look at their impressive results in recent months for inspiration when they open their AFC Asian Cup football campaign against Thailand here Sunday. With the continental showpiece event being expanded to 24 teams for the first time from the earlier 16, the Indian side have a real chance to make it to the knock-out rounds, which will be a first after their runners-up finish in 1964. Both in 1984 and 2011, India were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage. The two top sides from each of the six groups made up of four countries as well as four third-place teams will advance to the Round of 16. India, playing in their fourth Asian Cup, are entering the tournament on the back of a goal-less stalemates against World Cup-winning Italian coach Marcello Lippi's China and Oman in the lead-up to the tournament. They lost narrowly (1-2) to Jordan in their third big match ahead of the Asian Cup. These results were preceded by a 13-match unbeaten run in international .
Steyn, Rabada strike in second innings
Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada struck early blows as Pakistan started their second innings on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday. Facing a first innings deficit of 254 runs, Pakistan were 37 for two at lunch, still needing 217 runs to make South Africa bat again. Steyn had Imam-ul-Haq caught at third slip for six in the fourth over, with the batsman playing an ambitious drive. Rabada, coming as first change in the 11th over, dismissed Azhar Ali for six with his first delivery. Azhar, who fell victim to short balls from Duanne Olivier in his first three innings of the series, went back on his stumps to a full delivery which cut back and kept low, trapping him leg before wicket. Shan Masood, promoted to opening the batting in place of the struggling Fakhar Zaman, again looked the most competent of the Pakistan top-order batsmen as he reached 18 not out at lunch. Earlier, Mohammad Amir took three wickets for 19 runs as South Africa were bowled out
Nishikori powers through to Brisbane final
Japanese star Kei Nishikori was in superb form as he demolished Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Brisbane International on Saturday. The 29-year-old gave his French opponent no chance as he put on a commanding all court display to advance to the final for the second time in three years. After his impressive straight sets quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitrov, Nishikori said he had set his sights on returning to the world's top five after falling to 39 last April due to a wrist injury at the end of 2017 that required time away from the tour. And he showed all the qualities of a top five player in his 66-minute demolition at the Pat Rafter Arena. He only served two aces compared with the 11 sent down by Chardy, but Nishikori returned superbly and pressured the Frenchman's serve throughout, breaking him twice in each set. Nishikori also moved around the court well, his speed not noticeably affected by the injuries that hampered him last year. "Everything was working well
Osaka says poor attitude cost her Brisbane semi-final
Reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka said her poor attitude cost her during her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Lesia Tsurenko in Saturday's Brisbane International semi-finals. Osaka went into the match as firm favourite but looked flat from the outset as Tsurenko raced through the match in just 65 minutes. The Japanese star, who burst to prominence with her eventful US Open final win over Serena Williams, made 26 unforced errors and was broken three times in a disappointing display. She said after the match that she didn't know how to cope once things started to go against her. "If I'm being really frank, I just feel like I had the worst attitude today," she said. "I feel like I didn't really know how to cope with not playing well. "I was sulking a little bit, and like there are moments that I tried not to do that, but then the ball wouldn't go in, and then I would go back to being, like, childish and stuff. "I feel like last year I did a lot of that," she added. "I'm trying to change it more, ...
Unstoppable Andreescu to face Goerges in Auckland Open final
Canadian teen Bianca Andreescu continued her fairy-tale run through the WTA Classic Saturday, stunning third seed Hsieh Su-Wei to set up a final against defending champion Julia Gorges. The 18-year-old qualifier's 6-3, 6-3 semi-final triumph followed victories over two former world number ones, the now number three Caroline Wozniacki and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. In contrast, second-seed Goerges who beat Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova 6-1, 7-6 (8/6) in her semi-final has not faced one seeded player all week. For the unflappable Andreescu, ranked 152nd in the world, it is the first final of her fledgling career after arriving in Auckland with the simple aim of getting through the qualifying tournament. She has surprised even herself with the way her baseline power, drop shot finesse and all round athleticism have come together. "I guess Auckland brings out the best in me. I don't know what's going on really," she said after defeating Hsieh. "What's really important for
India eye positive start to Asian Cup campaign (Preview)
India will hope for a positive start to what is expected to be a difficult campaign when they take on Thailand in their first match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup here on Sunday.
Bautista topples Djokovic, will face Berdych in Qatar final
Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut upset world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 to advance to the final of the 2019 Qatar Open where he will face Tomas Berdych.
Nine-man Levante salvage 2-2 draw against Girona
Coke's goal in the final minutes saw nine-man Levante draw 2-2 with Girona in the opening contest of LaLiga match-day 18.
Thisara's 140 in vain as New Zealand snatch ODI series
A rollicking maiden century by Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera was ultimately in vain as New Zealand wrapped up the one-day series with a 21-run victory in the second ODI at Mount Maunganui. With Sri Lanka chasing New Zealand's 319 for seven, they were on the ropes at 128 for seven when Perera opened up. He faced 74 deliveries and cracked 13 sixes and eight fours before he was the last wicket to fall and Sri Lanka were out for 298 with 22 balls remaining. Sri Lanka reached 112 for two when Ish Sodhi captured the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 20 to trigger a collapse which saw five wickets fall in six overs. But Perera refused to give up as he bludgeoned the New Zealand attack with brute force. He made 58 in a 75-run stand with Lasith Malinga for the eighth wicket, and scored 45 of the 51 runs for the ninth wicket with Lakshan Sandakan. But when an seemingly impossible victory seemed on the cards Matt Henry had Perera caught by Trent Boult at long-on. Opener Danushka Gunathilaka played his ...
Mohun Bagan faces spirited Real Kashmir in I-League
Former champions Mohun Bagan will be bolstered by the return of a fit-again Sony Norde when they face a spirited Real Kashmir FC in their I-League fixture here Sunday. Having missed a fourth consecutive match for his muscle injury, the I-League winning star Haitian forward was seen training in full flow and was named in the 18-member squad. Overcoming their derby loss, Mohun Bagan won back-to-back matches against Minerva and Shillong Lajong FC but only to falter against Neroca FC in their previous encounter to slip to sixth position on the table. "Sony is fit now and will be in the 18-man squad. Our target is to get three points at any cost," coach Shankarlal Chakraborty told reporters on the eve of the match. With the team having a long injury list that has the likes of Pintu Mahata, Sukhdev Singh and the latest being Sourav Das, the return of Norde will be a big relief for the team who have won only one from six matches at home. With Norde back, the Mohun Bagan coach may look to ...
After challenging England tour, I worked hard: Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav, who spun a web around Australia with his figures of 3-71 on day three of the fourth Test, on Saturday said following the challenging tour of England last year, he worked hard on his bowling techniques."I am still learning every day. England tour was challenging for me when I played (0-44 in the second Test) at the Lords. After that I really worked hard on my bowling with my coach. For a spinner, it is important to stick with the basics of spin bowling, give the ball a little bit flight and turn the ball. In a perfect area deceiving the batsman in the air is more important thing for me and I am still working on that," Yadav told in a post-match press-conference.Considering his fellow countrymen Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the best spinners, Yadav said both of them helped him to stay motivated when he was not picked for first three Tests against Australia."We have got Ashwin and Jadeja, who are the best spinners and you are the third one so there is a lot ..
BPL 2019: Mehidy Hasan to captain Rajshahi Kings
Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan is set to lead Rajshahi Kings in the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2019.The 21-year-old is not new to the role of captaincy as the spinner has led his side at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2016."It is a big opportunity for me. I have never captained a side in such a big tournament before. There was an age constraint when I led the Under-19 side but here there are many overseas players and also many local players, so this is really a big tournament," ICC quoted Hasan, as saying."I think it is a huge experience and a very good opportunity for me. I will try to give my 100 percent and use my Under-19 and age-level captaincy experiences here," he added.Rajshahi Kings have the likes of veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman. Their best performance came in the fourth edition of BPL, where they finished as runner-ups.The newly appointed captain will hope for a decent start when they will take on .
Haryana sports minister seeks apology from Bhaker for twitter outburst
Haryana sports minister Anil Vij Saturday demanded an apology from international shooter Manu Bhaker, disapproving the "manner" in which she expressed her displeasure at not receiving the promised cash reward of Rs 2 crore for winning a gold at 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. The 16-year-old Bhaker, who won multiple gold in her maiden senior World Cup, Commonwealth Games, besides the top prize at the Youth Olympics last October, on Friday reminded the Haryana sports minister of the promises made after her Youth Olympic success. Bhakerhad posted screen shots of Vij's tweets on her twitter handle, in which he had promised her cash award to the tune of Rs 2 crore on behalf of the state government. Reacting to the tweets, Vij said: "She should have first spoken to the sports department rather than airing her issue in public domain. "The language she used in her tweet is aimed at tarnishing the image of the state and it is in bad taste." Vij sought an apology from Bhaker, saying as ...
Not being able to convert starts have hurt us: Harris
Australia opener Marcus Harris on Saturday rued missing out on a hundred and said batsmen unable to convert starts have left his team with a mountain to climb in the fourth Test against India. Harris (79) scored his second Test half-century in the morning session, but was out within three overs on resumption, playing on to his stumps off Ravindra Jadeja. "I got out playing a pretty half-arsed (sic) shot. I am more disappointed in myself than anything. I think it is always a goal against the spinners is to be aggressive early and once you're able to get those sweepers out, it is to be able to hit them hard and just not milk them as much as you can," said Harris after the hosts were reduced to 236-6 when bad light and rain interrupted proceedings on day three. "It's not as easy when you get to that point in an innings so you want to really build on it. When you chop on for 70 odd that's what's really disappointing. I felt like my game I had a really good plan today and I played to it ...
I need more time to improve as Test bowler, says Kuldeep
Soon after making an instant impact in his maiden Test on Australian soil, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav said he needs "more time" to improve as a Test bowler, stressing that playing red-ball cricket is vital for his growth. The 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner scalped three wickets to leave Australia struggling for 236-6 in reply to India's first-inning score of 622-7 declared on the third day of the fourth Test. Playing in his first overseas Test since Lord's, Kuldeep said he was a bit nervous. "To be very honest I haven't changed anything (for bowling in Australia). I am playing my first Test in this series and so was nervous," he said on Saturday. "I have played enough cricket to have decent enough knowledge but in Test cricket I will need a little more time perhaps to improve. The more you play with red ball the more you can improve." Kuldeep said there is no substitute to "match experience" when it comes to improving as a bowler. "Test cricket is similar - the more you play the .
Vadodara to host 8th international marathon Jan 6
Vadodara is all geared up to host the eighth international marathon on Sunday. Over one lakh participants have registered themselves for the event that will be flagged off by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. "Around 1,02,000 participants have registered themselves for this mega event compared to 2018's total of 92,000 participants," Tejal Amin, Chairperson, Vadodara International Marathon (VIM), said Saturday. The marathon will be held across four categories: 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km. Other categories include "divyang paralympic run", "swachhata run", "pledge run" and "jawan run". "Accredited to the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races, the Vadodara Marathon is the recipient of the AIMS gold medal for the 'smallest city, biggest Marathon'," said Amin. Amin said a special machine has been brought in for shredding plastic generated after tomorrow's run. "It will be recycled and reused as polyester yarn," she said. Among other attractions, Oman's Haitham .