Page 795 - Sports
Aman spins Bihar to bonus point win against Meghalaya
Left-arm spinner Ashutosh Aman returned an astonishing match haul of 14 wickets to help Bihar crush hosts Meghalaya by an innings and 71 runs in their Ranji Trophy Plate Group encounter here on Saturday. The 32-year-old had figures of 6/17 in the second innings for a match haul of 14/68, as Bihar skittled out the home outfit for 46 on way to a bonus-point victory with two days to spare. The Services veteran now has 39 wickets to his kitty from eight innings at a jaw-dropping average of 4.79 to be second in the leading wicket takers' tally this season behind Uttarakhand pacer Deepak Dhapola (42 wickets). This was Bihar's third win, and all of them have come with bonus points. They now have 21 points from five matches. Aman also chipped in with the bat with an unbeaten 35 (4x4, 1x6) on a day Bihar folded for 242 after resuming the day on 80/2. Bihar lost wickets at regular intervals but the 117-run first innings lead proved to be enough. All hell broke loose in Meghalaya's second ...
Batra slams head coach Harendra
Head coach Harendra Singhs criticism of the referees decision in Indias 1-2 loss to the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final didnt go down too well with International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Narinder Batra as he hinted at yet another knee-jerk sacking.
Shubman Gill on verge of double ton as Punjab takes control
: Young Shubman Gill hit a superb unbeaten 199 (234 balls, 21X4, 4X6) Saturday to power Punjab to 308 for 2 in reply to Tamil Nadu's first innings score of 215 on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'B' match here. The host wrapped up Tamil Nadu's innings in one over when R Sai Kishore (1) was run out by Baltej Singh, adding two runs to its overnight score. Punjab began its reply in a solid manner as 19-year-old Gill and Jiwanjot Singh (33, 94 balls, 6X4) blunted the TN pace attack, comprising T Natarajan, M Mohammed and K Vignesh with a mix of caution and aggression. While Jiwanjot showed a lot of patience and kept the rival bowlers at bay, Gill was all elegance as he unfurled numerous shots on both sides of the wicket. Some of the shots, especially the cover drives, stood out as he looked untroubled during his knock. It was a struggle for the Tamil Nadu bowlers as Gill proved unstoppable, hitting shots at will while skipper Mandee Mandeep Singh (50 batting)
Want to win for fans: East Bengal coach
Mohun Bagan may have the statistical advantage but East Bengal's Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez said they're all geared up to win Sunday's I-League derby for their fans. Starting on the back-foot, Mohun Bagan now enjoy a statistical edge of being unbeaten from seven matches across all competitions. East Bengal have returned to winning ways ahead of the derby to occupy sixth place in the table ahead of eighth-placed Mohun Bagan on goal difference. "The match is very important for everyone, for fans, for us and for championship. We will try to win for our supporters. We will give our best for the fans," the Spanish told reporters on the eve of the game at the Salt Lake Stadium. "This type of matches are very important from a emotional perspective. It is difficult for both the teams. Team which shows better spirit will win." Their key Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda has been ruled out of action for eight weeks following a rib injury as they have roped in Spanish winger Jaime Santos ...
TSK 25K: Kipruto aims to break Bekele's course record; Azmeraw looks to defend crown (Preview)
Kenyan Amos Kipruto will aim to break Kenenisa Bekele's course record while Ethiopian teenager Degitu Azmeraw will look to defend her crown in the fifth edition of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25km run here on Sunday.
Katsumi stars as Neroca halts Churchill's unbeaten run
A brace by Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa helped Neroca FC catapult to the second spot, ending Churchill Brothers' unbeaten record in the I-League with a 2-1 victory here Saturday. Man of the Match Katsumi scored in the first and 87th minute. With this win, Neroca FC are placed second in the table with 14 points, three shy of table toppers Chennai City FC. The hosts began in orange while Churchill Brothers were in their away sky blue kit. Neroca FC showed their attacking intention right from the kick off. A wrong clearance from Churchill Brothers' Mohanraj inside the box landed straight into the legs of Areyn Williams, who made a beautiful cross back into the box, which was well received by Katsumi. Katsumi then made an outstanding diving header to guide the ball back into the opposition net, putting the hosts ahead in only the 15th second of the game. The goal changed the game completely as Neroca FC went on an attacking spree with the hope of a second strike. Churchill Brothers, ..
Morata injury could make Sarri enter January sales
Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri is likely to assess the attacking talent on offer in the January transfer window after Alvaro Morata suffered an injury this week. The Spanish striker was forced out of the Europa League draw at Hungarian club Vidi just before half-time after injuring his knee while shooting and will almost certainly miss Chelsea's Premier League trip to Brighton on Sunday. His misfortune allowed Olivier Giroud to enter the action and the France international responded with a superb late free-kick that secured a 2-2 draw and ensured Chelsea remained unbeaten throughout the group stage as they progressed to the last 32. Sarri must now decide whether Giroud should start at the Amex Stadium or whether he again employs Eden Hazard in a central role as part of a less physical, more mobile forward line. Given his frequent tactical changes so far, the Italian does not appear fully convinced that either approach is ideal. Neither Morata nor Giroud have fully impressed this season.
Embarrassed Delhi lose 15 wickets, Kerala set for big win
Kerala took a stranglehold of their Elite Ranji Trophy Group B game against Delhi, bowling out the visitors for 139 in the first innings and then reducing them to 41 for five in the second here Saturday. Experienced all-rounder Jalaj Saxena was the star of the day as he took six wickets for 39 runs to help the host bundle out Delhi for 139 and gain a 181-run lead. Kerala's first innings ended at 320. Only four Delhi batsmen reached double figures as Saxena ran through the line-up to set things up nicely for Kerala, who are aiming for a spot in the knockouts. The Delhi batsmen did not fare any better in the second innings, slipping to 41 for five at stumps on the second day, as Sandeep Warrier prised out the openers. Resuming at an overnight 291 for seven, Kerala could add only 29 runs, as Shivam Sharma took two more wickets to take his tally to six. Delhi got off to a poor start, losing opener Sarthak Rajan (4) in the first over. Basil Thampi struck in the second over, having Hiten ...
FIH to hold Junior Hockey World Cup every two years
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on Saturday that the Junior Hockey World Cup will be held every two years.
Kohli, Rahane propel India's recovery in reply to Australia's 326 (Roundup)
After losing both their openers for eight runs, India managed to recover to post 172/3 at the end of day two of the second test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy here on Saturday, in reply to Australia's 326 in the first innings.
Azmeraw eyeing to defend TSK 25K crown
Ethiopian teenager Degitu Azmeraw will look to defend her crown, while Kenya's Amos Kipruto is eyeing to eclipse Kenenisa Bekele's course record in the fifth Tata Steel Kolkata 25km run here Sunday. In her maiden international appearance last year, Azmeraw stunned everyone by taking the honours in the women's elite section with a course record timing of one hour 26 minutes and 01 seconds. The 19-year-old has grown stronger this year as she has bettered her personal best timing to 1:06:47 at the RAK Half Marathon in February and later winning the Gifu Half Marathon in Japan. "Last year's race changed my life and I am happy to return here again. I have ambitions to win this race again and I am in very good shape," she said. Alongside Azmeraw on the start line will be 31-year-old Florence Kiplagat, a gold medallist at the 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and also a former half marathon world record holder. A two-time former ..
Solanki hits unbeaten ton as Baroda make strong reply
Riding on one-down batsman Vishnu Solanki's unbeaten century and opener Aditya Waghmodes patient, unconquered half ton, Baroda made a strong reply to Mumbai's tall first innings total in their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy game here on Saturday. Answering to the home team's tally of 465, Baroda had advanced to 244 for the loss of opener and captain Kedar Devdhar's wicket, 221 runs behind the Mumbai total at stumps on day two of the four-day clash at the Wankhede Stadium. Waghmode and Solanki were not out on 87 and 128 respectively after the early fall of Devdhar to Shivam Dube for 11 against the listless Mumbai attack. While Waghmode was circumspect for the large part and struck 9 fours and 2 sixes in his 237-ball innings, his second wicket partner Solanki was a little bit more aggressive in his 231-ball innings, sprinkled with 17 fours. The duo, who got together when Devdhar was trapped leg before in the second over with 12 on board, have added 232 runs so far. The Mumbai .
Belgium maul England 6-0 to make maiden WC final
Olympic silver medallist Belgium created history by making their maiden appearance in the men's hockey World Cup summit clash, thrashing England 6-0 in a lopsided first semi-final here Saturday. Alexander Hendrickx (45th, 50th minutes) converted two penalty corners, while Tom Boon (8th), Simon Gougnard (19th), Cedric Charlier (42nd) and Sebastien Dockier (53rd) were the other goal scorers for the world number three at the Kalinga Stadium. Prior to this, the Red Lions' best performance in the World Cup was a fifth-place finish in the last edition of the tournament at The Hague, Netherlands in 2014. The Belgium players, who wore black armbands to pay respect to their teammate Gougnard whose father passed away before the match, dominated possession in the first two quarters and created a couple of promising chances, two of which resulted in goals. It didn't take long for Belgium to take the lead as Boon deflected in Florent van Aubel's measured cross from the left in the eighth ...
We are still ahead in the game: Khawaja "
Australian batsman Usman Khawaja Saturday hoped lady luck shines on the hosts as they target skipper Virat Kohli's wicket early on the third day of the second cricket Test to expose the Indian tail. Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 off 181 balls to lift India to 172-3 from a precarious 8 for 2 in their first innings, in reply to Australia's 326 allout on the second day. "Virat is a good batsman. He respects good bowlers. All our bowlers bowled well in patches today. Sometimes they nick it sometimes they don't. We just have to keep putting it in right place in the right time. We have to be disciplined enough to get those edges and a bit of luck is needed," Khawaja said on Saturday. "If you give him opportunity to score, he will take it. He was on it today and gave him a couple fuller balls, so he hit us but at same time we had to attack stumps and see what the wicket had to offer. "Probably bowling back of length was harder than fuller length, so he got away. Tomorrow he starts again so we .
FIH World CUp: Belgium hammer England to enter final
Belgium thrashed a disjointed England 6-0 to enter the final of the men's hockey World Cup for the first time here on Saturday.
On no balls, Ishant takes jibe at Australian media
Indian pacer Ishant Sharma Saturday took a jibe at the Australian media when discussions turned to front-foot no balls, following the second day's play in the second Test here. Ishant was guilty of bowling a few no balls in the first Test which escaped the on-field umpires' attention. While his propensity to overstep denied India wickets on two occasions, the poor policing of front-foot slip-ups attracted the ire of the host nation. "Maybe Australian media should answer the question. Not me. I have been playing cricket for so long. And these things happen. Because you are a human, you are bound to make a mistake. I was not worried about it at all," Ishant said during a press conference. He said that the counter attack from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane was vital as India ended the day at 172 for three in reply to Australia's 326 all out. "Whenever Virat is batting we feel confident. We finished the day in a strong position. Hopefully they will both continue. The game is in the ...
Derby will decide fate of both teams: East Bengal coach
East Bengal's Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez feels the I-League's first derby of the season against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan is crucial in terms of deciding the fate of the two teams in the competition.
Perth Test: India 172/3 at stumps, trail by 154 runs
As Australia resumed their innings on day two of the ongoing second Test at the Perth Stadium, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins forged a 59-run seventh wicket stand.To break the momentum, Umesh Yadav sent Cummins back for 19 runs. While Jasprit Bumrah trapped the Australian captain as Paine departed for 38 runs. Following their dismissal, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood went back to the pavilion without disturbing the scoreboard much. Australia posted 326 runs in their first innings.Chasing the target, India dealt with an early blow as Starc dismissed Murali Vijay for a duck. Opener KL Rahul too fell cheaply for two as he got knocked over by a yorker from Hazlewood. As the onus to hold India's fort shifted on Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara's shoulders, the duo displayed composure to rescue their side. The Indian skipper started his innings on a positive note but later slowed down, while Pujara patiently batted with a bit of luck. Australia got their much-needed breakthrough as Pujara ...
Rashid third time lucky at CG Open
Rashid Khan produced a superb final round of seven-under-63 to clinch the PGTI's CG Open with a four-shot victory margin Saturday. The 27-year-old Rashid, who closed the Rs 1 crore event with an imposing total of 16-under-264, thus returned to winning ways after two years at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) here. The two-time Asian Tour winner, who returned the last day's best score, was also third time lucky at the tournament after having finished runner-up twice before. The triumph was also the Delhi pro's 10th professional title and eighth win on the PGTI. Shamim Khan (67-71-66-64), the 2016 champion, came up with a flawless final round of six-under-64 to gain three spots and finish runner-up at 12-under-268. Rashid, (68-62-71-63), lying overnight second, one behind third round leader N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka, made an early charge with a birdie-eagle-birdie run from the third to the fifth where he made a tap-in followed by two eight-footers. He consolidated ...
I-League: Mohun Bagan to face East Bengal in battle for supremacy
Bitter foes Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will look to close in the gap on top of the table when they cross swords in the I-League's first derby clash here Sunday. Both the teams have nine points each but East Bengal are ahead in the standings, occupying the sixth place, compared to Mohun Bagan's eighth. East Bengal have a slight advantage with three wins from six matches while Mohun Bagan has only won twice this season. With Chennai City sitting pretty atop the table with 17 points both the Kolkata heavyweights will have a lot of catching up to do. East Bengal started the season with two back-to-back wins before facing three defeats in a row only to revive their campaign against Gokulam Kerala ahead of the much-anticipated derby clash. Mohun Bagan have been a picture of inconsistency this season, having thrown away leads against Gokulam Kerala, Aizawl FC and Chennai City, while also losing to Churchill Brothers 3-0, which was their worst home defeat since 2008/09 season. The biggest ...