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Momentum on our side, says AB De Villiers before ODI series against India

Kanpur, Oct 10 (ANI): South Africa will aim to carry their winning momentum to the one-day match series against India, said batsman AB De Villiers on Saturday. India and South Africa are scheduled to play the inaugural match of the five-match one-day series at Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Sunday. South Africa had kicked off its two-month long Indian tour with a three-match T20 series, which it managed to win 2-0 after the third match was called off due to rain. Pumped up by the recent series win, De Villiers said the series was challenging but they had momentum on their side. Riding on the momentum, South Africa will also target to break its record of never winning a bilateral ODI series in India. Indian Cricket Team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hinted at playing three spinners in the first match, taking into account the performance of the spinners and the pitch. The final match of the one-day series will be played at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on October 25.

Working out a solution, in constant talks with them: Rajiv Shukla on Pepsi to end sponsorship of IPL

Kanpur, Oct 09 (ANI): IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla on Friday said that they are in constant consultation with Pepsi officials and are trying to work out a solution, after PepsiCo expressed its interest to terminate the association with BCCI. According to reports, the beverage giant is eager to walk out on the five-year title contract, due to expire in 2017, because of the cash-rich league bringing "disgrace" to the game.

Final T20 between India, South Africa called off due to wet outfield

Kolkata, Oct 09 (ANI): The third and final Twenty20 match between India and South Africa at Kolkata city's Eden Gardens was abandoned due to a wet outfield without a ball being bowled. Heavy afternoon showers caused damage to the outfield before the scheduled start of play and despite a lengthy dry spell, conditions did not improve enough for the match to proceed. The match officials made three inspections before deciding no play was possible. South Africa had already bagged the series with victories in the first two matches. Indian cricket team director, Ravi Shastri said that the team would give a tough fight to the Proteas in the upcoming ODI series. Meanwhile, South African cricket coach, Russell Domingo lauded the team's performance in the T20 series, but admitted that India were not easy competitors.

India eager to win last T20 match against champion South Africa

Kolkata, Oct 07 (ANI): India will look forward for a consolation win in the third and final T20 match, which will be played in Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Thursday, after losing the series to South Africa already. Talking to reporters on the eve of the match, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on Wednesday that the team desperately wanted a win to lift the morale of the players before they take on the Proteas in the One-day and Test series. On the other hand, South African batsman David Miller said that his team would not let its guard down and play for the decisive victory.

Dhoni plays down spectators' unruly behaviour during South Africa match

Cuttack, Oct 06 (ANI): Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played down spectators' unruly behaviour during second Twenty20 match against South Africa in Cuttack, which the host lost. The match suffered a delay of close to an hour after fans, angry about the performance of the Indian team, started hurling plastic bottles on to the ground. The match resumed after police cleared an upper stand of the stadium and South Africa returned to complete their win on the first delivery of the 18th over with the fall of another wicket. Captain of South African cricket Team, Faf Du Plessis, credited the bowlers for their series win against India. The third and final T20 match will be played in Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Thursday (October 08).

Rohit Sharma defends team's bowlers after defeat to South Africa

Cuttack, Oct 04 (ANI): Indian batsman Rohit Sharma on Sunday defended his team's bowlers, who were criticized for the team's defeat to South Africa in the first of three T20 match series in Dharamsala. South Africa won the match against India by three wickets with JP Duminy scoring an unbeaten 68, supported by A B de Villiers' 51 to outshine Sharma's blistering knock of 106. Speaking to media persons in Cuttack city, where the second match of the series will be played on Monday, Sharma said that the Indian bowlers would return to their form. He added that the team planned to play to the Proteas' weaknesses. The South Africans are held relatively weaker than their hosts in terms of playing spin. Off-spinner R Ashwin gave away 26 runs in his slotted four overs at just under seven run per over while also bagging a wicket during the first T20. The win at Dharamsala has given the Proteas 1-0 advantage in the three-match Twenty-20 series.

Shashank Manohar to be elected unopposed as new BCCI president

Mumbai, Oct 04 (ANI): A special general meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is scheduled in Mumbai on Sunday, where Shashank Manohar is all set to take over the as the new BCCI President. The post has been left vacant after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya last month. According to reports, all the six units of East Zone unanimously proposed Manohar's candidature for the President's post. A BCCI by-election needs only one proposer from the zone which is electing the President and Manohar got the nod from all the six associations. Manohar was the lone nominee at the end of yesterday's 7 PM deadline. BCCI member MP Pandav said that when majority takes the decision it is unanimous.

Atletico de Kolkata beat Chennaiyin FC in inaugural match of ISL's second season

Chennai, Oct 04 (ANI): Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata began their title defence with a thrilling 2-3 win away to Chennaiyin FC in the opening match of second season of the Indian Super League (ISL) in Chennai. Fans in large numbers attended the opening ceremony that was held before the inaugural match. Many artists and actors performed during the ceremony including Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Oscar winning musician AR Rahman among others. The Chennaiyin FC is owned partly by cricketer MS Dhoni. Last season, Chennaiyin FC had managed to reach the semi-finals but lost to Kerela Blasters by the margin of 4-3. Atletico de Kolkata, on the other hand, is partly owned by Spanish football club Atletico Madrid and former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly among others. The tournament will see eight teams including Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, and Delhi Dynamos FC among others battle it out for the top spot. The tournament will continue for over

Dhoni says India ready to take on South Africa ahead of T20 opener

Dharamsala, Oct 01 (ANI): As India and South Africa kick off their first T20 match in the picturesque Dharamsala town, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday said that the team was in good stand. The two-month long series would kick off with a T20 match on Friday at Dharamsala before the action moves to the eastern cities of Cuttack and Kolkata. After that, the teams will play five One-Day Internationals and four Tests during a series that will conclude on December 07. Dhoni said the team had ample rest and that the players were fit to face the opponents. Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, is making his return to the Indian squad after nearly three months. He played his last cricket match for India against Bangladesh. Dhoni is spoilt for choices in terms of batting with players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli in the line-up. South African cricket team captain Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, said that spinner Imran Tahir will play a crucial role in the

Rohit Sharma says challenging for team to playing T20 cricket together after a long time

Dharamsala, Sep 30 (ANI): Indian Cricketer Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said that the upcoming series against South Africa would help prepare India for 2016 T20 World Cup. India and South Africa would play three T20s, five one-day internationals and four Tests during a series that will begin on October 02 and conclude on December 07. The Indian team has not played T20 cricket in almost an year, but Sharma said that the experience from Indian Premier League (IPL) would give the players an edge. India will host the ICC 2016 World Cup in March. The Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela series will be India's toughest assignment yet post the 2015 World Cup campaign where they defied expectations to reach the semi-final stage. The two-month long series would be held in various Indian cities. Sharma said that the team's batting order has improved because of the recent international tours. South Africa team, which arrived in India last week, will reach Dharamsala later this evening. The two-month lon

India aims to dominate South Africa in upcoming cricket series

Dharamsala, Sep 30 (ANI): Indian cricket team has said they were excited to play against South Africa at home and hoped to dominate the upcoming series. India and South Africa would play three T20s, five one-day internationals and four tests during a series that will begin on October 02. Batsman Ajinkya Rahane, while addressing a news conference, said it will be a tough competition as both the teams were in good form but playing at home would give India an advantage. Indian bowler Axar Patel said the practice sessions have been good so far and their focus was to improve their skills, and not to look for opponents' weakness. The Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela series will be India's toughest assignment yet post the 2015 World Cup campaign where they defied expectations to reach the semi-final stage.

Shashank Manohar likely to be BCCI Chief says Anurag Thakur

New Delhi, Sep 29 (ANI): BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said that Shashank Manohar likely to be the next BCCI Chief as he feels he would get majority of the votes in his favour. The BCCI has scheduled a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 4 to elect its new President with Nagpur lawyer Shashank Manohar emerging as a "consensus" candidate. Anurag Thakur said the meeting will be held in Mumbai and scrutiny of the nominations will be done on October 3. Jagmohan Dalmiya's demise left the post vacant.

India, South Africa cricket teams sweat it out ahead of series

Dharamsala/ New Delhi, Sep 29 (ANI): Indian and South African cricket teams sweated it out on the field ahead of their upcoming series comprising three Twenty20, five one-day and four Test matches. Indian players, upbeat after their first Test series win against Sri Lanka since 1993, practiced at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, which kick-starts the two-month-long series on October 02. Captain of Indian Test cricket team, Virat Kohli, said that the Dharamsala stadium had proved lucky for the team in the past. Meanwhile, South African players, who arrived in India on Sunday (September 27), worked it out at a stadium in New Delhi. South Africa has armed itself with three frontline slow bowlers in their squad after recalling leg-spinner Imran Tahir and off-break bowler Dane Piedt for the series. The series will conclude on December 07.

Indian cricket team ready to fight South Africa, says Ravi Shastri

Bengaluru, Sep 25 (ANI): Bracing up for what promises to be an exhausting series, director of Indian cricket team Ravi Shastri on Friday said that the team was in good form to challenge South Africa in upcoming two-month-long tournament. South Africa will arrive in India to play three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests during a tour that is beginning from October 2 and will end on December 7. Shastri conceded that it was indeed a tough series. The T20 series kicks off on October 2nd at Dharamsala before the action moves to Cuttack and then Kolkata. The first three ODIs meanwhile will be played at Kanpur, Indore and Rajkot on October 11, 14 and 18 respectively.

Indian cricket team gears up for series against South Africa

Bengaluru, Sep 24 (ANI): The Indian cricket team has been working hard ahead of two-month long series against South Africa, beginning October 2. South Africa will arrive in India to play three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests during a tour that ends on December 7. The T20 and ODI teams led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been practicing for the past few days in Bengaluru city. The South Africa series will be India's toughest assignment yet post the 2015 World Cup campaign where they defied expectations to reach the semi-final stage. The T20 series kicks off on October 2nd at Dharamsala before the action moves to Cuttack and then Kolkata. The first three ODIs meanwhile will be played at Kanpur, Indore and Rajkot on October 11, 14 and 18 respectively.

Upcoming South Africa cricket series a tough battle, says Stuart Binny

Bengaluru, Sep 23 (ANI): India all-rounder Stuart Binny on Tuesday (September 22) said that he was looking ahead to play quality cricket in all three formats during the upcoming South Africa series. Interacting with media persons in Bengaluru, Binny said that the two-month-long tournament with South Africa would be a tough battle. Quoting vice-captain Virat Kohli, Binny said that a player gets better with every opportunity he gets. The South Africa series, beginning on October 2, will be India's toughest assignment yet post the 2015 World Cup campaign where they defied expectations to reach the semi-final stage. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would lead both the T20 and ODI teams.

Leander Paes lauds Czech player after doubles defeat in Davis Cup

New Delhi, Sep 20 (ANI): Indian tennis star Leander Paes lauded 20-year-old Adam Pavlasek after suffering defeat along with his partner Rohan Bopanna in the doubles rubber against Czech Republic's pair of Pavlasek and Radek Stepanek on the ongoing Davis Cup. The Indian team under Paes and Bopanna suffered a rare doubles defeat in the Davis Cup as Pavlasek and Stepanek gave Czech Republic a 2-1 lead over India in the World Group play-off tie. Paes hailed the Czech players at a news conference in New Delhi after the match. It was Paes' second defeat in a Davis Cup doubles in the last 15 years. The last defeat had also come with Bopanna against Uzbekistan in an away tie in 2012. Paes said that he and Bopanna took the defeat on the chin and that he has complete belief in his partner. Both Paes and Bopanna accepted that they lost points at crucial moments and failed to break serve when needed. Bopanna, world number 13 in doubles rankings, said that he could have played better.

Felt good to see many young cricketers: Virat Kohli

Bengaluru, Sep 19 (ANI): Test Captain for Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli on Saturday went to a cricket academy in Bengaluru to inspire young players in the academy. Kohli said that he felt good to interact with the young players adding that they have a lot of potential for sports. He said that spotting talent in different academies was interesting and new. He said that the future of Indian cricket is quite bright.

Sania Mirza returns home after winning US open doubles title

Hyderabad, Sep 15 (ANI): Indian ace tennis player Sania Mirza arrived in her home city of Hyderabad in the wee hours of Tuesday after winning the US Open 2015 crown. Top seeds Martina Hingis and Mirza beat Casey Dellacqua and Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3 6-3 to win the US Open doubles title on Sunday and cap off a perfect visit to Flushing Meadows. Mirza, who was surrounded by family members and fans on her arrival at the airport, said it was an amazing feeling to win the tournament. She also said her partnership with Hingis is working really well and that they trust each other on and off the court. Meanwhile, Mirza's father Imran said his daughter has once again made the country proud.

India hockey board seeks apology from Pak to resume bilateral series

Bhopal, Sept 15 (ANI): The chief of Indian hockey board, Narinder Batra, sought an apology from Pakistan for the "unacceptable behaviour" of some of its players during a tournament to resume bilateral series. After beating India in the Champions Trophy semifinal in December last year, some of their players made obscene gestures to the crowd and also took off their shirts in celebration. Hockey India president Batra also demanded an undertaking from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that they would reprimand its players if they repeat their antics in future. However, India will continue to play against Pakistan in international tournaments. International Hockey Federation had suspended two Pakistani players for misconduct during their Champions League tournament last year.