Page 55 - Sports

U-19 WC: India storm into finals after thrashing Pakistan by 203 runs

Christchurch (New Zealand), Jan 30 (ANI): India registered a mammoth 203-run victory over arch-rival Pakistan in the semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup being played at Christchurch's Hagley Oval cricket ground on Tuesday. After electing to bat first, India set a 273-run target with the help of Shubman Gill's 102-run innings, but Pakistan failed to inch even closer to the target as they were bowled out at 69 in just 29 overs. Gill, who became India's first centurion of this World Cup here, was declared the man of the match for his spectacular 102 runs of 94 balls. Earlier, skipper Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra gave a solid start to India as they shared a partnership of 89 runs before the skipper was run out for 41. Following the skipper's dismissal, Kalra also departed on 47. However, unstoppable Gill, along with lower-order batsmen, brought the team back on track to take the team to 272 runs. Ishan Porel picked up four wickets for India, while Shiva Singh and Riyan Parag claimed

No final decision on match timings, will talk to all stakeholders first: IPL Chairman'

Bengaluru, Jan 27 (ANI): Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajeev Shukla on Saturday said that the decision on match timings is yet to be finalised, the IPL General Council has received the request and after talking to other stakeholders the council will take the final decision.

Watch: IPL auction begins, auctioneers from B-Town celebs to businessmen arrive in style

Bengaluru, Jan 27 (ANI): The much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the 11th edition of the tournament has begun in Bengaluru on Saturday. Over 578 players, out of the 1,122 players, have been kept for the final two-day auction, which includes 244 capped players (62 from India), 332 uncapped players (34 from overseas), and two players from Associate countries. The players have been divided into different sets for the auction. Bollywood celebs like Juhi Chawla, Nita Ambani, Preity zinta along with Cricketer Virender Sehwag walked into the event. The eight IPL franchise have been allowed to spend a maximum of Rs 80 crore on their squad salaries.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh meets World Cup winner Indian Blind Cricket team

New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Indian Blind Cricket team in New Delhi after their world cup victory in the final match World Cup match against Pakistan in Sharjah stadium last week. India won the 4th World Cup by winning the finals by two wickets. India chased down a maqssive total of 308 put up by Pakistan in 40 overs. Indian team remained undefeated in the tournament. It a proud moment for India, said Indian Blind Cricket team captain Ajay Reddy.

Watch: Indian Women's Cricket team practice before their encounter with South Africa

Mumbai (Maharashtra), Jan 23 (ANI): The Indian Women's cricket team held a practice session on Tuesday ahead of their match with South Africa. The women's team practiced at the Mumbai Cricket Association grounds. The India Women's Cricket Team is scheduled to play South Africa women's cricket team from February 2 to 24. The ODI series will start at Kimberly. The tour consists of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) matches which begins on February 13 at Potchefstroom. All rounder Harmanpreet Kaur had earlier spoken about how the two practice games in South Africa will help them gain confidence ahead of the ODI and T20 series. The ODI matches are a part of the 2017-20 ICC Women's Championship cycle.

Triumphant Indian Blind Cricket Team receive grand welcome

New Delhi, Jan 23 (ANI): World Cup winner Indian Blind Cricket Team received a grand welcome on their arrival at Delhi's IGI Airport from Sharjah on Sunday. India beat Pakistan by two wickets in the finals of 5th World Cup at Sharjah Stadium on Saturday. Indian batsman Sunil Ramesh played a great knock of 93 in the finals to help India achieve the big target of 308 runs in 40 Overs, India remained unbeaten in the entire tournament. Indian skipper Ajay Reddy appealed the BCCI and Government to help the team financially for encouragement in future.

India surges 3 places to occupy 102nd spot in FIFA rankings

New Delhi, Jan 19 (ANI): The Indian men's football team has climbed three spots to be placed 102nd in the latest Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) rankings. India, which are ranked 14th among Asian countries, have earned 13 points over the past month for a total of 333 points. Coached by Englishman Stephen Constantine, the Sunil Chhetri-led side are currently standing just above 103rd-placed Qatar. It should be noted that the Indian men's football team had remained unbeaten in 2017, having clinched seven of their nine matches while settling with the draw in two matches. They had also confirmed their berth in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after snatching a 4-1 victory against Macau in the qualifiers in October last year. Meanwhile, the top 14 places remained unchanged, with World Champions Germany standing at the top spot followed by Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium.

We don't determine playing 11 from results: Virat Kohli

Johannesberg (South Africa), Jan 17 (ANI): India bit the dust in the second test match against the protease, this time in Centurion, Johannesberg, where India failed to chase down 286 runs losing the three matches test series by 2-0. South African jinx continues to burden the team and several cricket fans and experts raised question on Indian team selection for the tour. Virat Kohli, while addressing the media after the loss, asserted that it's not the results that determine the team. The team completely believes in each other and you cannot pin point on a particular ideal team for winning the matches. It's all part of the game and he does not bend on that opinion, the Indian skipper added. The last test between India and South Africa will commence in Leeds on January 24 followed by One Day International series next month.

We don't need to panic about our batting unit: Virat Kohli

Centurion (South Africa), Jan 12 (ANI): After the Indian team's batting order collapsed in the first Test match in Cape Town, Skipper Virat Kohli, while addressing the mediapersons on Friday, stated the team does not need to panic about its batting unit. He said the opening combination of the team will be decided after today's practice session. "With six batters, you can afford to go out and play loose shots," said Kohli.

Watch: Proteas sweats it off in ground ahead of Centurion test against India

Centurion (South Africa), Jan 12 (ANI): The South African team attended a practice session ahead of the second test match against India in Centurion tomorrow. The team will be looking to continue their streak after defeating India by 72 runs in the first test match in Cape Town.

Watch: Team India sweats it off in ground ahead of Centurion test against SA

Centurion (South Africa), Jan 11 (ANI): Team India attended a practice session ahead of their second test match against South Africa in Centurion on Saturday. After Cape Town's crushing defeat, it's a must win match for India to level the three match series 1-1.

Winter Football Tournament attracts youth in Kashmir

Srinagar (J and K), Jan 07 (ANI): Scores of youngsters participated in the Winter Football Tournament organised in Srinagar on Sunday. The tournament is being organised by Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) with support from various football clubs of Kashmir. Appreciating the step taken by the association, football players said that this will boost the players' morale and will also help them in enhancing their skills. 12 football clubs will be participating in the tournament. According to the organisers the tournament will be organised in all major districts in coming days to ensure participation throughout the year. Before this tournament, CRPF also organised a football tournament last year in December for junior level players.

Cheteshwar Pujara showers praises on Pandya's 'all-round skills'

Cape Town (South Africa), Jan 07 (ANI): South Africa built a sizeable lead after reaching 65 for two against India at the close on day two of the first test at Newlands on Saturday. Aiden Markram (34) was the first wicket to fall having looked fluent until he top-edged a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya (2-17) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at a deep point. Pandya earlier ensured India stayed in the contest with a brilliant 93 from 95 balls, including 14 fours and a six as he alone provided resistance to the venomous home attack. Cheteshwar Pujara acknowledged Hardik Pandya to be an all-rounder of the team and wished him continuation of the brilliancy on field. South Africa host India in three tests this month with the next two in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Cape Town Test: South African coach hails Dale Steyn's efforts

Cape Town (South Africa), Jan 06 (ANI): South African cricket team batting coach Dale Benkenstein on Friday was all praises for star batsman AB de Villiers as his valiant knock along with fast bowler Dale Steyn's efforts helped the hosts fight back a fired-up India on an enthralling first day of cut-and-thrust cricket in the opening test at Newlands. Team India were 28/3 at stumps on the first day of first Test at Newlands after South Africa were bowled out for 286.

Cape Town Test: Kohli and Co. look to end 25-year drought in South Africa

Cape Town (South Africa), Jan 05 (ANI): India will play its first Test match in a three match series against South Africa in Cape Town on Friday. Virat Kohli will lead the Indian side against South Africa which will be captained by Faf du Plessis. India is high on confidence and will to clinch its first Test series win against the Proteas. The series will see Jasprit Bumrah making his test debut. India, who have won nine successive Test series to equal the record of Australia and England, will be brimming with confidence and will look to clinch their first Test series win against South Africa.

Team India positive on taking against South Africa, says Coach Sanjay Bangar ahead of test series

Cape Town (South Africa), Jan 4 (ANI): Indian Cricket Team's batting Coach Sanjay Bangar on Thursday asserted that the team looks in a great shape to take on protease in their home turf. The team is focusing on rhythm and mental approach to play against South Africa and India is working hard to achieve success, he stated. He added that Ishant Sharma adds more experience to the bowling line-up with his third tour to South Africa. India will play three test matches, five ODIs and three T20s in the SA tour from Jan 5 to Feb 24.

Novak Djokovic pulls out of Qatar Open

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): Former world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from next week's Qatar Open on Saturday (January 30) and faces a race to be fit for the first grand slam of the year. The 30-year-old Serb had been scheduled to start the new season at an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi on Friday when an elbow injury flared up. "Only when I'm 100 percent ready to play, will I be able to come back. I hope it will be soon," he said in a statement. The 12-time grand slam winner has not played since he was forced to retire against Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in July due to an elbow injury. Meanwhile Japan's Kei Nishikori has pulled out of next month's Sydney International, putting his comeback on hold from a wrist injury that has kept him out of action for more than four months. The withdrawals of Djokovic and Nishikori raise further doubts about their participation in the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15.

Wrestler Parveen Rana accuses Sushil's supporters of threatening to kill him

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): A scuffle broke out between supporters of Olympic Gold medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar and opponent Parveen Kumar at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Friday after Sushil Kumar was declared the winner for the Gold Coast Games. Sushil Kumar was booked in connection with clashes on Saturday. Sushil Kumar's opponent Parveen Kumar claimed that the bout was clearly in his favour but there was cheating. He said that his brother was allegedly threatened by Sushil Kumar's supporters that they will kill him if he plays in the professional wrestling.

Looking forward for good matches with Srikanth Kidambi, says World badminton champion Axelsen

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): Denmark' shuttler Viktor Axelsen, the current world champion, expressed happiness over his victory and said he had a lot of motivation after winning the championship and Axelsen thinks that he has that potential to do better again and again. Axelsen said Srikanth Kidambi is a great guy and they are looking forward for many good matches.

India whitewash Sri Lanka in T20s, Man of the Match Jaydev Unadkat feels confident

Mumbai, Dec 25 (ANI): Indian cricket team whitewashed Sri Lanka by winning all three matches of T20 series in Cuttack, Indore and Mumbai. Young pacer Jayadev Unadkat was named as the man of the match for his exhilarating performance in the last T20. His economical overs made it sure for the team to restrict Sri Lanka to a total of 137. The series has been a turnaround for him in the crucial time of his career, Jaydev said. He is confident and he is looking forward to work hard to become the regular part of the team, he added.