Page 75 - Video Gallery

MS Dhoni remains gracious on defeat at World Cup semi-finals, says better team won

Sydney, March 27 (ANI): Indian cricket team's inspiring captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained gracious in the team's defeat, admitting that the better team on the day had won. The pressure was just too much for India in the end. They put a spirited defence of their World Cup title but chasing more than 300 to beat Australia was a task even beyond them. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led his country to an unforgettable World Cup win four years ago, led his team from the front again. India got off to a good start in the reply at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan putting on 76 in the first 13 overs but when Dhawan fell for 45, the wickets started to tumble. Dhoni quit his job as India's test captain during the series against Australia but said he had no plans of quitting the limited-overs team in the immediate future.

Cricket fans disappointed over India's defeat in semi-finals against Australia by 95 runs

New Delhi/ Hyderabad/ Ranchi/ Kanpur, March 26 (ANI): Prayers kept coming in all day long, but the aspirations of billion fans came crashing down on Thursday, after the Men in Blue ended their dream of defending the world cup trophy this year. Fans were seen disappointed as Australia defeated India by 95 runs. However, not withstanding India's performance throughout the world cup series, few irate fans in Kanpur went to the extent of breaking television sets and burning Dhoni's and other player's pictures after India lost to Australia in the semi finals. Defending champion India which had remained unbeaten so far faced Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid a packed stadium on Thursday. Despite an impressive performance by the Indian bowlers, Australia, which chose to bat first, set a mammoth target of 329 to chase. While Shikhar Dhawan got out at 45, Rohit Sharma went at 34. Virat Kohli also disappointed his fans by walking back with a single run. Skipper MS Dhoni also got run o

Sarbananda Sonowal hopeful of Team India winning World Cup

New Delhi, March 25 (ANI): Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that he was hopeful about Team India's victory in the cricket World Cup semi-finals being played against Australia in Sydney.Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he also lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni's brave leadership and said that team India will come back home with the world cup.

ICC chief Mustafa Kamal receives flak for 'controversial umpiring' claims

New Delhi, March 20 (ANI): Reactions flowed in on Friday over ICC President Mustafa Kamal's 'controversial umpiring' claims following Bangladesh's 109-run defeat against India. Talking to mediapersons, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said that Kamal should have raised the issue on the ICC platform during the meetings. Meanwhile, former cricketer Kirti Azad said there are human errors and added that the umpires also commit errors. The ICC chief, who reportedly threatened to quit over the umpiring in his country's quarterfinal defeat to India in the World Cup, said that the umpires' decisions seemed to have been 'pre-arranged'.The ICC chief Kamal was reportedly angry that Indian opener Rohit Sharma, who top-scored with 137, had not been given not out on 90 when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Rubel Hossain. India yesterday beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Rohit Sharma scoring a blistering 137 to prop the Men in Blue to a competitive

Cricket experts congratulate Team India on win against Bangladesh and on entering World Cup Semi finals

New Delhi/ Amroha/ Ghaziabad, March 20 (ANI): Cricket experts congratulated team India on their win against Bangladesh in the World Cup quarter finals and pinned hopes on the men in blue to retain the trophy. India, growing in confidence with every match, thrashed Bangladesh by 109 runs in the quarter-finals. Experts gave credit to team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his stellar leadership. India will now play either Australia or Pakistan in the semi-finals in Sydney next week and on current form, they will be hard to beat. Virat Kohli was struck out in the match as Bangladesh grabbed a second wicket in 10 balls. His coach believed Kohli would play better in the coming matches. Meanwhile, celebrations were on in full swing at cricketer Mohammad Shami's residence in Amroha.

India enter WC semifinals with 109-run win over Bangladesh in quarterfinal tie

Bengaluru /Ghaziabad/ New Delhi/ Mumbai, Mar 19 (ANI): Drums, dance and fireworks marked the celebrations for cricket enthusiasts across the nation as team India confirmed its berth in the semifinals of the World Cup. India beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Rohit Sharma scoring a blistering 137 to prop the Men in Blue to a competitive total of 302-6. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 193 in 45 overs with Nasir Hossain top scoring with 35. India will play either Australia or Pakistan in the second semi-final in Sydney next week. The other semi will be played between South Africa and either New Zealand or West Indies. Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the Indian cricket team for its victory against Bangladesh.

World Cup: Congratulations pour in as India beats Ireland by 8 wickets

New Delhi, March 10 (ANI): Congratulations pour in on Tuesday after India defeated Ireland by eight wickets in a Pool B cricket World Cup match at Seddon Park, in Hamilton. In an astonishing record, India now have bowled out opposition for the fifth time in a row.

I failed to handle pressure, admits Saina for defeat

Hyderabad, March 10 (ANI): India's ace badminton player, Saina Nehwal said she couldn't handle pressure which led to her defeat in the All England Badminton Championship final. World No. 3 Nehwal lost to World No. 6 Carolina Marin 21-16, 14-21, 7-21 in the final. After making a fantastic start and wresting the first game, Nehwal faced a remarkable resurgence from the Spaniard, who won both the games. Nehwal, who has at least 16 international titles in her kitty, was satisfied with her run at the tournament and hoped for better results in the future.

Saina Nehwal loses All England Badminton Championship final

Lucknow, March 09 (ANI): Even as ace shuttler Saina Nehwal lost the All England Badminton Championship final to Carolina Marine, fans are hopeful of the 24-year-old making a comeback in the Olympics. World No. 3 Nehwal lost to World No. 6 Carolina Marin 21-16, 14-21, 7-21 the final. After making a fantastic start and wresting the first game, Saina faced a remarkable resurgence from the Spaniard, who won both the games. A former badminton player and the president of Badminton Association of India, Akhilesh Das, has high hopes from Saina, who has at least 16 international titles in her kitty. Nehwal failed to capture the coveted title for the third time as she had lost in the semifinals of the tournament in 2010 and 2013. Two Indians Pullella Gopichand (2001), also her long-time coach, and legendary Prakash Padukone (1980) had won the prestigious title in the past.

Oz post 'record' 417-run total in 275-run win over Afghanistan in CWC tie at Perth

New Delhi, March 05 (ANI): Australia recorded a whooping 275-run victory over Afghanistan in their Cricket World Cup tie at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground in Perth. Put in to bat first, Australia posted a mammoth total of 417-6 in their allotted 50 overs, breaking the record for the highest total in the World Cup that was posted by India (413) against Bermuda in 2007. David Warner was named the Player of the Match for his blitzkrieg with the bat. Australian skipper Michael Clarke was happy with the 'very good win', and claimed that their batsmen were outstanding with the bat. Australia has now won two out of their four group stage ties. They would next face Sri Lanka on Sunday for their fifth match of the tournament.

Virender Sehwag and Preity Zinta unveil Kings XI New Jersey

Mumbai, March 4 (ANI): Virender Sehwag along with Bollywood actor and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, Preity Zinta launched its new jersey at an event held in Mumbai recently. On the occasion the Punjab franchise even announced continuation of association with Tata Motors Prima for the second season. Indian Premiere League season eight is schedule to commence on April 8.

Jagmohan Dalmiya set to return as BCCI president

Chennai/ New Delhi/ Kolkata, March 02 (ANI): Veteran administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya is set to be the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as he was the lone nominee for the elections scheduled for Monday. The Supreme Court had barred incumbent Narayanswami Srinivasan, who is also the president of International Cricket Council (ICC), from participating in BCCI affairs till charges of conflict of interest or commercial interest in cricket were clear against him. Dalmiya garnered the maximum support of the six East Zone units, whose turn it is to propose a new President, and his rival Sharad Pawar failed to get requisite backing. Dalmiya, 74, is the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), who also held the top post in the BCCI many times and also headed ICC once. Meanwhile, Indian lawmaker and former cricketer Kirti Azad took a dig at the present system in the cricket body and demanded more transparent laws.

Sangakkara blitz helps Lanka thrash England by nine wickets

New Delhi, March 01 (ANI): Sri Lanka ensured their place in the quarterfinals of the Cricket World Cup 2015 after they defeated England by nine wickets on Sunday at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara arrived on the pitch after Dilshan's dismissal and took Sri Lanka to victory over England. The former skipper was in splendid form as he knocked a blistering 117 off just 86 deliveries, which included 11 fours and two sixes. He was awarded the Player of the Match for his impressive unbeaten innings. This is Sri Lanka's third win out of four matches in the 2015 World Cup so far.

India beat UAE by nine wickets in World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): India defeated UAE by nine wickets in their Pool B match of the cricket World Cup in Perth on Saturday. Opting to bat, UAE were all out for 102 in 31.3 overs and then India chased down the 103-run target, scoring 104 for one in 18.5 overs. India thus maintained their grip on the top spot in the league table with three wins from as many matches which took their points tally to six.

Cricket World Cup: India defeats South Africa by 130 runs

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): India has secured the release of Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar who had been in Taliban captivity in Afghanistan since June last year. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that he is in safe hands and will return to his home with his family shortly. He said that this has been a difficult eight months period where the government of India persuaded the matter relentlessly and that the prime minister has also been keeping track of the case. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight over the release of Father Kumar. "Delighted at securing the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar from captivity in Afghanistan. Have spoken to Father Alexis Prem Kumar. Informed happy family of Father Alexis Prem Kumar of his safe return after 8 months in captivity" the Prime Minister tweeted.

Honoured to be World Cup ambassador, says Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai, Feb 08 (ANI): Battling legend of cricket in India, Sachin Tendulkar, said that he was honoured to be the World Cup ambassador at an event in showbiz capital Mumbai. Speaking to the thousands of fans gathered and shouting his name, Tendulkar said it's different being a World Cup ambassador this time. Meanwhile, Tendulkar also gave a message for the team. Tendulkar knew how fans think when it comes to big tournaments and said that winning is not always possible. So even if things go wrong for the team, the support should always be there. The World Cup 2015 will be played in Australia-New Zealand from February 14 to March 28. India will play their first match against arch rivals Pakistan on February 15.

Serena Williams wins Australian Open Tennis singles trophy

Australia, Feb 01 (ANI): Serena Williams posed with her trophy after she won the 19th Grand Slam in Melbourne, with a victory over Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open. It was Williams' sixth title at Melbourne Park and it moved her into a tie with fellow American Helen Wills Moody in third on the all-time list after she joined Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert on 18 at last year's US Open. William's had been battling a cold and cough the entire tournament, so was reluctant to head out and celebrate after her win. Williams said she hopes she can be a good role model for children. Meanwhile, five times grand slam singles winner Martina Hingis won her second Australian Open mixed doubles title as she teamed with India's Leander Paes to beat last year's winners France's Kristina Mladenovic and Canada's Daniel Nestor 6-4 6-3. It was the first time the pair, who were seeded seventh, had played together at a grand slam.

Sportspersons feel proud as Obama names them in his speech at Sirifort

New Delhi/ Chandigarh, Jan 27 (ANI): Sportspersons on Tuesday expressed pride on being named by US President Barack Obama during his speech at Sirifort auditorium. Former Athelete Milkha Singh said that it is a matter of great honour that Obama is naming some sportspersons including him to boost their morale. Singh also said that such a thing is possible only because of PM Narendra Modi. Boxer Mary Kom said that she feels honoured to be one of the eminent sports personalities as to be remembered by the US President.

SC asks BCCI to conduct fresh elections within 6 weeks, refrains Srinivasan from contesting

New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the BCCI to conduct fresh elections within 6 weeks and also refrained former BCCI President N Srinivasan from contesting. While asking Srinivasan to choose between Chennai Super Kings and BCCI chief's post, the Supreme Court held guilty his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra for betting in the IPL scam. The SC has barred Srinivasan from contesting elections till such time he had commercial interest in cricket. The apex court also struck down the controversial 6.2.4 clause that allows BCCI officials to own IPL teams and have commercial interests.

Justice Mudgal welcomes SC verdict on IPL

Jaipur, Jan 22 (ANI): Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal, who is also the head of the Mudgal Committee, on Thursday, welcomed the verdict of Supreme Court in IPL spot fixing case. Mudgal said that Supreme Court has given a welcome decision and added that his committee too had not found Srinivasan guilty of match fixing.