Page 942 - Sports
Mathews hits 50 to slow England's momentum in 1st Test
Ex-captain Angelo Mathews slowed England's momentum and restored some foundation for Sri Lanka's innings with an unbeaten 52 as the home team recovered to reach 136-5 at tea Wednesday on the second afternoon of the first Test. Mathews went to the crease just before lunch during a tumultuous morning session when Sri Lanka lost four quick wickets after dismissing England for 342. He faced 121 deliveries and played a crucial anchor role to reach his 30th Test half-century with a driven boundary off Ben Stokes. England ended his 75-run fifth-wicket stand with Dinesh Chandimal when the Sri Lanka captain was stumped for 33 off Adil Rashid's bowling, leaving Mathews to continue the batting recovery with Niroshan Dickwella (11 not out). Tea was taken two minutes before schedule as Rory Burns took a nasty blow on the back of his head when Dickwella swept one straight into the fielder. Sri Lanka still trails England by 206 runs with four wickets in hand. Newcomer Ben Foakes has produced some ...
Adil awarded wild card for Bengaluru Open
Local upcoming player Adil Kalyanpur has been awarded a wild card entry into the $ 150,000 Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger tennis tournament which starts on Sunday.
Srikanth marches into second round of China Open
Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth crushed Lucas Corvee of France on the second day of the ongoing China Open by registering an easy 21-12, 21-16 win in men's singles match.The world number nine hardly broke a sweat in the first set to end the game in his favour. As the game entered into the second set, the Frenchman tried to make a comeback. But Srikanth, while maintaining the momentum, showed the door to Corvee in a total of 34 minutes.In women's singles, Vaishnavi Reddy was stunned by Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 12-21, 16-21, while in mixed doubles, Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa lost to their Malaysian counterparts Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon 21-18, 19-21, 17-21.Indian campaigner Prannoy Kumar is slated to play against Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in men's singles, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will face Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding of Denmark later today.
I did not tinker with my technique during County stint: Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay regained his form while playing for Essex after being dropped from India's Test squad but the opener insists that neither he tinkered with his technique during his County stint nor he played there to reclaim his place. The Tamil Nadu opener endured a poor run in England, making 20, 6, 0 and 0 in the first two Tests and was dropped. Subsequently he signed up for Essex and scored a ton and three half-centuries. "There wasn't any adjustment. It was a great experience because it wasn't easy. I should thank Essex for having me and giving me an opportunity to play the way I wanted to. We had crucial three matches, and it really motivated me. I could step up and contribute, so I was happy to gain some experience there, he said. "I never went to play County to get back into the Indian team. I felt it was important to get some runs and play good cricket. It so happened that I could do well (there) which gave me that extra bit of chance to get back into the side, Vijay said after ..
More Cricket Australia execs out over tamper turmoil
The exodus at Cricket Australia grew Wednesday as two more top executives quit the embattled governing body after a ball-tampering scandal and a scathing review triggered an outcry. Team performance boss Pat Howard, who was due to leave next year, has brought forward his departure to next week, while broadcasting chief Ben Amarfio left on Wednesday, Cricket Australia said. The latest departures come after chairman David Peever was forced out last week and former Test captain Mark Taylor quit as a director. Former CEO James Sutherland stepped down last month. The 'Sandpaper-gate' scandal, where the team was caught using sandpaper to alter the flight of the ball, also cost former coach Darren Lehmann his job and prompted lengthy bans for three players. Cricket Australia said the latest changes signalled a "new chapter" under the leadership of incoming chief executive Kevin Roberts. "It is clear that we need to deepen our relationships with fans, players and the broader cricket ...
Barcelona through to Champions League last 16 despite Icardi leveller
Barcelona qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League despite Mauro Icardi snatching a late 1-1 draw for Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday. Ice cold Icardi struck with his first shot of the match in the 87th minute to grab a draw from a match Barcelona dominated from the start, just four minutes after a neat curling strike from substitute Malcom gave the away side a fully deserved lead. "We played the best team in the world and they scored a typical Barcelona goal, but we never gave up, we kept fighting," Icardi told Sky Sport Italia. "We didn't give up after they scored and fortunately the ball bounced to me... there was a bit of luck that the ball arrived there." The Argentine pounced in a goalmouth scramble, spinning and firing home from close range, and rewarding a brilliant performance from keeper Samir Handanovic that kept Inter in a game they in which they struggled to get a foothold. "We could not clear a silly ball inside the area and we paid for it," said ..
West Indies cricket is not short of talent, says coach Law
Once known for its intimidating presence, the West Indies team has been on a steady decline for some time now but outgoing coach Stuart Law insists the Caribbeans have the skill level to dominate world cricket again in near future. West Indies began their two-month long tour of India with 0-2 Test series defeat and followed it up with a 1-3 defeat in the subsequent ODI series. They were expected to fare better in the Twenty20 but were handed a crushing 71-run defeat in the second T20 International to concede an unassailable 0-2 lead. Law, who will part ways with the West Indies team after the subsequent tour of Bangladesh, said the Caribbeans are presently on a transition phase and with time they will only get better. "West Indies cricket is not about lack of talent. The skill level is always there. It's about applying that skill, making the right decisions under pressure in the middle of the game. It's a tough place to learn there at the middle," said the 49-year-old Australian, who .
I enjoy responsibility: Khaleel
Young pacer Khaleel Ahmed, who convinced his skipper to hand him the new ball in the second Twenty20 against the West Indies, says he thrives on responsibility and never lets pressure affect his performance. Khaleel pegged the West Indies back with two early wickets and according to India's stand-in captain Rohit Sharma it was the 20-year-old who insisted on bowling with the new ball along with seasoned Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The bowler from Tonk, Rajasthan dismissed both the openers -- Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer -- to unsettle the West Indies chase. "I had more responsibility today as I was bowling with the new ball. I enjoy the responsibility a lot. When I was young, I always dreamt of playing for India and now I have achieved that. If I feel pressure now I can't perform to my potential," Khaleel said at the post-match press conference after India's 71-run win. "My only aim is to do well for India and for that I need to enjoy my game. I am confident of my abilities. If you enjoy your
India clinch series with thumping win
An all-round show guided India to a thumping 71-run victory over West Indies in the second contest of the three-match T20 international series at the newly inaugurated AB Vajpayee Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
Humpy held by Zwadaska; Harika draws with Khotenashvili
Indian Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and D Harika played out draws with black against Jolanta Zawadzka of Poland and Bela Khotenashvili of Georgia in their respective first game of the second round of the World Women's Chess Championship here on Tuesday. It turned out to be an easy day for Humpy as she played out a chanceless draw with black pieces. If her opening choice was any indication, Humpy had reasons to be pleased with the outcome as it came without much sweat. The Petroff defense holds a solid reputation and Zawadzka went for one of the fashionable lines that netted no advantage. A couple of minor pieces changed hands early and once the two rooks got traded on the only open file, the players knew there was nothing left to play for. The peace was signed in a mere 26 moves. Harika, who also played black, tried hard till the very end but the Georgian Khotenashvili was quite up to the task in defence. A slight advantage in this game fluctuated a couple of times as Khotenashvili could
Partnership with Dhawan was crucial, says Rohit Sharma
After India hammered West Indies by 71 runs to clinch the T20I series 2-0 with a game left, an elated India skipper Rohit Sharma felt it was the crucial opening partnership which helped the host dominate their opponents.
Belligerent Rohit singes Windies; India seal series
India sealed series win after handing a crushing 71-run defeat to West Indies in the second T20I match of the three-match series, at the debuting Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Lucknow, on Tuesday.Skipper Rohit Sharma, leading from the front scored a belligerent century, smashing several records in the process propelling the Indian side to post 195. The Carribean batting-order faltered yet again as they never looked close to surmount the massive total set by India. With the win, India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.Carlos Braithwaite's decision to bowl was expected, considering unknown pitch, expected dew and batting failure in the previous match.Opener Shai Hope and Shemron Hetmyer took the centre stage eyeing the massive mountain of runs. Hope even blasted Bhuwaneshwar for a six in the very first over. In the second over, Hope's (6 off 8) stumps were sent rolling by speedster Khaleel Ahmed. Hope went for a slog and unable to read the lack of pace in pitch
ISL: Chennaiyin beat Pune 4-2
Defending champions Chennaiyin FC tasted victory for the first time this season with a convincing 4-2 victory against FC Pune City in their Indian Super League clash on Tuesday. Ashique Kuruniyan's early goal in the ninth minute gave Pune the lead but a strong second half from Chennaiyin allowed John Gregory's men to seal three points. Mailson Alves equalised with a header in the 53rd minute and Gregory Nelson completed the comeback two minutes later. Inigo Calderon and Thoi Singh helped the visitors increase their lead and Jonathan Vila's late goal was nothing more than a consolation. Brazilian striker Marcelinho was given his marching orders after a dangerous tackle on Germanpreet Singh as Pune ended the game with 10 men to compound interim coach Pradyum Reddy's woes since another striker, Diego Carlos de Oliveira, also remains suspended for another red card against FC Goa. A tentative start by the defending champions was punished by Pune City less than ten minutes into the ...
Khaleel himself wanted to bowl with new ball: Rohit
India captain Rohit Sharma today said that Khaleel Ahmed's ability to swing the white kookaburra upfront gives the team an option to use their premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah differently in the shortest format. Rohit was impressed with the youngster, who himself sought the new ball from his skipper. "Khaleel wanted the new ball and he initially looks to swing it and he has taken up the challenge well. Bumrah has been the premier bowler for us and the way we use him in T20s is different to ODIs. And when Khaleel bowls that kind of a spell upfront that helps us," Rohit said at the post-match presentation. Khaleel on his part was happy that he was up for the challenge. "I had more responsibility today as I was bowling with the new ball. I had read the pitch well when we were batting," said Khaleel, who is still finetuning certain areas in his bowling. "I am working on my bowling arm as well as on my non-bowling arm with Bharat Arun (bowling coach) sir during practice sessions." His skipper
India hammer West Indies by 71 runs, win series 2-0
An all-round show guided India to a thumping 71-run victory over West Indies in the second contest of the three-match T20 international series at the newly inaugurated AB Vajpayee Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
ISL: Chennaiyin record first win of season, beat Pune 4-2
Defending champions Chennaiyin FC tasted victory for the first time this season with a convincing 4-2 victory against FC Pune City in their Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium here on Tuesday.
Magnificent Rohit leads India to another series win
Skipper Rohit Sharma's record-breaking fourth T20 International hundred powered India to a comprehensive 71-run win over West Indies in what turned out to be another one-sided series victory for the hosts. India, thus, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. The last T20 will be played in Chennai on November 11. The legend of Rohit in white ball format continued to grow exponentially as his unbeaten 111 off 61 balls helped India score 195 for 2 after being put into bat. Rohit, who also surpassed regular skipper Virat Kohli to become top run-getter among Indians in shortest format, was at his brutal best, hitting eight boundaries and seven towering sixes. In reply, West Indies batting caved in once again as they managed only 121 for 9 at the end of the stipulated overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/12), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20), Khaleel Ahmed (2/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/32) equally shared the spoils. West Indies' misery in the two-month long tour was compounded as they ...
India beat West Indies to clinch T20 International series
India beat West Indies by 71 runs in the second T20 International to clinch the three-match series with a game left. India scored 195 for 2 riding on skipper Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 111 off 61 balls and then restricted West Indies to 121 for 9 in 20 overs. Brief Scores: India 195/2 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 111 no off 61 balls, Shikhar Dhawan 43). West Indies 121/9 in 20 overs (Darren Bravo 23, Jasprit Bumrah 2/20).
RKFC's Danish optimistic of more opportunities for Kashmiris after first I-League game
History was etched in the arenas of Indian football when the first I-league game between Real Kashmir Football Club and Churchill Brothers was played at the at TRC Turf Ground, here on Tuesday.A total of 10,000 people including players, fans and management had turned up to bearing testimony to this historical moment.Danish Farooq, who also bagged the hero of the match award, was optimistic of the milestone opening more opportunities for the Kashmiri players."It is a proud feeling as we are playing in front of local crowd. We were excited to host the match here and the fans were also thrilled. I hope this event will bring more opportunities for Kashmiri players. In future, players from Kashmir will also feature in the national team," Danish said.Sarmad Hafiz, Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir sports while underlining the importance of this game, said, "It is a very important day for us. This is the first game and the response of the people and fans is fantastic. More than 10,000 ...
PKL: Jaipur Pink Panthers beat Haryana Steelers 38-32
Jaipur Pink Panthers registered their second win in the ongoing sixth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) after defeating Haryana Steelers 38-32 here on Tuesday.