Page 54 - Sports

Neymar out for three months with foot injury

New Delhi, Mar 02 (ANI): Paris St Germain forward Neymar faces a race against time to be fit for this year's World Cup finals after the Brazil team doctor was quoted on March 1 saying that he would be out for up to three months with a foot injury.The 26-year-old, who became the world's most expensive player last August when PSG paid 222 million euros ($271 million) to sign him from Barcelona, is to undergo surgery on a fractured metatarsal and a sprained ankle this week. Brazil's team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told TV Globo that Neymar will need up to three months to recover from the injury. PSG confirmed the injury on February 28, ruling him out of the club's Champions League last-16, second leg, against Spanish holders Real Madrid. Five-times World Cup winners Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17.

IOC restores Russia's Olympic membership after doping ban

New Delhi, Mar 01 (ANI): International Olympic Committee has reinstated Russia's Olympic membership after suspending it over doping allegations. Russia's Olympics Committee was suspended by the IOC in December - after they were found to participate in, "unprecedented systematic manipulation" of the anti-doping system. A team of 168 Russians competed as part of a neutral "Olympic Athlete from Russia" team - but two of them failed drug tests. It made the decision after remaining doping tests of Russian athletes at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics came back negative. All the athletes were required to prove that they were clean before the games.

Watch: T20 Match organised between Kerala, Sri Lankan prisons

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Mar 1 (ANI): In a unique initiative by the prison authorities, a T20 match was organised between Kerala and Sri Lanka prisons in Thiruvananthapuram's Green Field International stadium. The match is conducted as part of Sri Lanka's programme to study the best practices in Kerala jails. The Kerala team consisted of six officers and five prisoners. The prisoners were chosen to play the match by three-level selection process from three jail zones of the state. Sri Lanka won the match by eight wickets. The trophy was awarded by Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and film actor Jayasurya. The trophy was also designed and carved by prisoners.

T-20 Win: Raina hails Bhuvneshwar's bowling skills

Cape Town (South Africa), Feb 25 (ANI): After India won the Twenty-20 match series against South Africa, Indian all rounder Suresh Raina praised Bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who won the 'Man of the Series.' Man of the Match Suresh Raina said that the bowlers did tremendously well apart from working hard on their body language and gave credits to the bowlers. He also said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled really well.

3rd T-20: Bhuvneshwar Kumar credits hard work, perfect timing for exemplary performance

Cape Town (South Africa), Feb 25 (ANI): As India won the Twenty-20 series against South Africa on Saturday, bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar expressed that hard work with perfect timing made him successful. He said that in such matches, using variations and perfect timing brings success. Kumar bagged 'Man of the Series' trophy.

'Men in Blue' can beat any country's cricket team: BCCI

New Delhi, Feb 14 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acting president C K Khanna on Tuesday appreciated the 'Men in Blue' for their historical one day series win in South Africa. BCCI acting president said that the Indian cricket team is capable of winning anywhere and against any nation. "Great performance, Virat and his boys have been performing exceedingly well", said Khanna.

India seal historic series win, top spot in ICC ODI rankings

New Delhi, Feb 14 (ANI): The Men in Blue on Tuesday wrapped up the fifth One Day International (ODI) against the Proteas by 73 runs, to register their first bilateral series win in South Africa. The Indian team also climbed up to the number one spot in the MFR ICC ODI Team Rankings. Being sent in to bat, India posted 274 for seven in their 50 overs. The Virat Kohli-led side started the series on the front foot, winning the first three matches with comprehensive wins in Durban, Centurion and Cape Town.

Watch: Proteas attend practice session ahead of fifth ODI against India

Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Feb 12 (ANI): The South African Cricket team attended a practice session on Monday in Port Elizabeth ahead of the fifth ODI against India. Though the hosts have lost the chance of winning the series, but now they will be looking forward to keep the hopes alive of leveling the series by thrashing the Indian side. In the 4th ODI, the Proteas continued their winning streak in pink jersey by thrashing India by 5 wickets.

India on the brink of historic series victory against South Africa: Indian Bowling Coach

Johannesburg (South Africa), Feb 9 (ANI): Indian cricket team bowling coach Bharat Arun on Friday said that India is on the brink of a series victory against South Africa in their home turf. No other team has won against South Africa in a One Day series and India is on a brink to break the jinx, which is going to be huge, said coach Bharat Arun. Applauding young spinners in the Indian side, Bharat Arun said that they are fearless and they perform irrespective of the prevailing wicket conditions. India has assailed a lead of 3-0 lead against South Africa in the six-match series by winning the third ODI by 124 runs in Cape Town.

Skipper Virat Kohli lauds spinners for victory against South Africa

Cape Town (South Africa), Feb 8 (ANI): India cricket team captain Virat Kohli applauded young spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav for performing yet again in the third ODI against South Africa in Cape Town. India defeated South Africa in the third ODI, gaining a lead of 3-0 in the six-match series against the proteas. Both Indian spinners picked four wickets each, reducing South Africa to just 179 runs while chasing a target of 303 put by India in the first innings. Virat Kohli said in the press conference that the team is optimistic about the spinners and confident about the wrist spinners of picking wickets in the next three ODI's. These spinners will be a massive X factor for team India in the next World Cip, skipper Kohli added.

Watch: Under-19 players get heroes welcome

Mumbai/ Noida, Feb 07 (ANI): Newly-crowned ICC U-19 World Champions got heroes welcome by the public in their hometowns on Wednesday. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray felicitated the U-19 captain Prithvi Shaw and congratulated him for his bright future. Meanwhile, Manjot Kalra also received warm welcome by the people in NCR's Noida. The members of the team, coached by legendary Rahul Dravid, were accorded a warm welcome on their arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, in Mumbai on Monday. U-19 team produced a dominant performance in the tournament and remained unbeaten throughout to lift the glittery trophy for a record fourth time in New Zealand.

U-19 World Cup Win: Sachin Tendulkar hails boys' 'fabulous achievement'

Kolkata (West Bengal), Feb 04 (ANI): Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was all praises over the U-19 Indian Cricket Team for clinching the World Cup, terming their victory as 'fabulous achievement.' Tendulkar lauded the U-19 boys' hard work, their strategy and execution. The cricket legend also credited BCCI for providing the team with infrastructure and every possible assistance. "It requires great team work to realise big dreams. They prepared themselves physically, mentally and planning, executions were right at the top. Evident that the Indian team stood apart from rest of the competitors," Tendulkar said.

Will suggest board to reward supporting staff with Rs. 25 lakh: BCCI Acting President Khanna

New Delhi, Feb 03 (ANI): BCCI Acting President, CK Khanna couldn't be more proud of country's Under-19 team after their big victory. Calling them as 'young tigers,' he appreciated coach and former cricketer Rahul Dravid for his efforts. BCCI had announced that they will give Rs. 30 lakh to the team, but Khanna said he will propose the board to reward an amount of Rs. 25 lakh to the supporting staff and selectors, saying their role had been as vital in clinching the trophy.

India crush Aus, become 1st team to win U-19 World Cup 4 times

Promising opener Manjot Kalra played a starring role with an unbeaten century as India overpowered Australia by eight wickets in the final to claim the ICC U19 World Cup for a record fourth time.

U-19 World Cup victory exhibits team's high potentiality: Rajyavardhan Rathore

New Delhi, Feb 03 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, on Saturday congratulated the team and coach Rahul Dravid for clinching the U-19 World Cup. Marvelling at the outstanding performance by the young team, Rathore said this simply means there has been well-crafted training, adding that it reflects high potentiality of the team. Indian U-19 Cricket Team won the World Cup 2018 in New Zealand earlier today. India's marvellous eight-wicket win over Australia proved the team's dominance and sheer determination. Soon after the victory, wishes started pouring in from across the country.

Nation celebrates as India wins U-19 World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 03 (ANI): After India registered a massive win in the U-19 World Cup, the nation cheered and celebrated in excitement. Families of team members were seen celebrating with much excitement. This is India's fourth win in the U-19 category. India beat Australia by eight wickets and clinched the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup title at the Bay Oval in New Zealand on Saturday.

India U-19 team lift World Cup, beat Australia by 8 wickets

New Delhi, Feb 03 (ANI): India beat Australia by eight wickets and clinched the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup title at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand on Saturday. With this victory, India created history as they become the first to win four ICC Under-19 World Cup titles. As India gained victory, the nation celebrated the win with much excitement and fervor. Meanwhile the BCCI has announced prize money for victorious India U-19 team. Head Coach of the team Rahul Dravid will get Rs. 50 lakh, while, the members of India U19 team will get Rs. 30 lakh each. The support staff will receive Rs 20 lakh each.

Doping ban overturned for 28 Russian athletes

New Delhi, Feb 02 (ANI): The doping bans of 28 Russian athletes were overturned on Thursday, creating a fresh controversy around the International Olympic Committee's position on Russia's participation at this year's Winter Olympics, scheduled to begin in a week in South Korea. It is, however, not clear yet if these 28 Russian athletes will compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Fans hopeful of India's victory against South Africa

Durban (South Africa), Feb 1 (ANI): Indian fans in South Africa are hopeful of India's victory in the first One Day International match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium in Durban. "Indian ODI team is strong and we will witness tons from Indian batsmen" said one of the fans. India suffered loss in the test series against South Africa, however, the team came back strongly in the last test match and defeated the proteas by 63 runs.

Prakash Padukone felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award

New Delhi, Jan 30,(ANI): Deepika Padukone's father Prakash Padukone was felicitated by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) with Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was conferred by the Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu. The event was attended by Deepika Padukone and his wife Ujjala Padukone. During the event, Deepika was seen teary-eyed, when her father was honoured by the award.A proud Deepika Padukone took to social media, and wrote, "Many congratulations to Prakash Padukone sir for the Lifetime Achievement Award and also had a lovely time with the family and with one of my favourite Deepika Padukone."