Page 56 - Sports

BCCI picks Kedar Jadhav in ODI squad for South Africa series

Mumbai (Maharashtra), Dec 24 (ANI): The BCCI on Saturday the return of middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav to the 17-member squad for the six-match one day international (ODI) series against South Africa starting in Durban on February 1. The 32-year-old batsman, who missed ODI series against the visiting Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury, has been included in the national side after considering physio's report, said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chairman of Selectors M.S.K. Prasad. The trio of wrist spinners - Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel - have again been chosen over R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the shorter format. Virat Kohli, after taking a break from ongoing Sri Lanka series, will return to lead the team.

I don't know if selectors will consider me, my focus is just to score runs: Gautam Gambhir

New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been out of the Indian team for a while, but now he is back in the game and is still going strong as Delhi Ranji team has reached the finals of the game under his command. Though being among the top ten scorers of the season's Ranji trophy, the possibility of his inclusion in the National team is still dicey. When asked about his selection into the Indian team, Gambhir said that he never thought about the selection and his only focus is to score good runs.

Watch: Team India reaches Bhubaneswar for 1st T20 match against Sri Lanka

Bhubaneswar, Dec 18 (ANI): Indian Cricket Team reached Bhubaneswar to play the 1st T20 match against Sri Lanka in Barabati Stadium, which is scheduled on Friday. Virat Kohli will not be available to lead the team for three match series. India won the ODI series by 2-0. Sri Lanka led by Thisara Perera misses out ace fast bowler Lasith Malinga in the squad. Next two matches will be played on Dec 22 and Dec 24 in Indore and Mumbai respectively.

Watch: Indian fans cheer aloud ahead of final ODI against Sri Lanka

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) , Dec 17 (ANI): Indian cricket fans cheered aloud ahead of tie-breaker One Day International against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. India suffered a massive defeat in the first ODI by scoring below average total of just 112 runs in the first innings. However, India came back strongly in the second ODI, where skipper Rohit Sharma scored a record braking double century in Mohali. India has won the toss and decided to opt to bowl first. Kuldeep Yadav has been called in for the playing squad replacing Washington Sundar for the final ODI.

Conor McGregor to return to mixed martial arts after boxing loss

Dublin (Ireland), Dec 17 (ANI): Forget about Conor McGregor returning to the boxing ring anytime soon. It appears that the 29-year-old will head back to fight in the octagon, not the ring.There had been talk of a McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight, but that talk quickly ended, when UFC president Dana White threatened to sue Pacquiao, according to ESPN. McGregor remains under contract with the UFC. The last time McGregor fought he stepped into the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to take on Floyd Mayweather Jr. He suffered a TKO loss on that August night, but many thought he performed admirably and might stay in boxing for more lucrative contracts.

Watch: Team India holds practice session ahead of 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 16 (ANI): Ahead of the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday, team India held a practice session in Visakhapatnam today. India will look forward to a series win and maintain their high winning percentage in Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, the Lankans will eye for their first bilateral series in India.

When a team loses, it comes back with better strategy: Shikhar Dhawan

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 16 (ANI): Reacting on the question asked to him about countering him and cricketer Rohit Sharma by the Sri Lankan bowlers Opening batsman of the Indian cricket team Shikhar Dhawan said that any rival team has plan B to break the partnership. When any team loses the game, they learn from it and come with better strategy in the next game, Rohit Sharma added. Team India will lock horns with Sri Lanka in a third ODI match on Sunday in Visakhapatnam.

Kathmandu hosts 1st International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 16 (ANI): The first-ever International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament on Friday was organized in Kathmandu. Different countries, including India, Bangladesh and the host country, Nepal, are participating in the T-20 series. Excited fans and cricket enthusiasts were seen gathered outside the Tribhuvan University. The energetic level shown by the differently-able players showcased the will power and potential and their capabilities. The first of its kind tournament has been supported by the Sushil Koirala Memorial Foundation and technical assistance from the Kathmandu Cricket Training Center. Apart from this, the chance to carter their abilities players also took the event as a pride to represent the nation with much more glory. Such tournament will tend to increase the nations varieties of sports.

Rohit 'Hitman' Sharma becomes 1st cricketer to hit third ODI double century

New Delhi, Dec 13 (ANI): Indian in-line skipper Rohit Sharma, on Wednesday, became first batsman in the history of ODI cricket to score three double centuries. Among several records shattered in the 1st inning of the 2nd One Day International between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali, Hitman became the first captain to score a double ton. He amassed 208 runs in 151 balls with 13 fours and 12 sixes. His highest scores now include 209, 264, and 208. He was the second batsman in the cricket history after Sachin Tendulkar to score a double century in One Day Internationals.

Watch: Team India getting ready to face challengers Sri Lanka

Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Dec 9 (ANI): Host Indian Cricket Team is all set to take on rivals Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka to be held in Dharamshala on Sunday. Indian won the test series by 1-0 against Sri Lanka and looks positive to crush Sri Lanka in three match ODI series. Indian squad includes debutant pacer Siddharth Kaul. The second ODI will be held at Mohali and third at the ports city of Visakhapatnam.

Watch: Sri Lankan cricket team sweat it out ahead of 1st ODI against India

Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Dec 8 (ANI): After losing the test series by 1-0, the Sri Lankan team is all set to take on team India in the first ODI scheduled to be held in Dharamshala on Sunday. Wicket Keeper Kusal Perera is back in the Sri Lankan side for the three match series. Test Skipper, Dinesh Chandimal was unable to make it to the 15 side Sri-Lankan squad. The team led by Thisara Perera will miss out Sri Lanka's most experienced pacer Lasith Malinga.

Winter Olympics 2018 to be coldest in over 20 years

Pyeongchang (South Korea), Dec 08 (ANI): Another sign of trouble for South Korea's Winter Olympics 2018, it may be too cold at Pyeongchang at the time of Olympics. February's Games are forecast to be the coldest in over 20 years and thousands of spectators may spend hours exposed to the elements. To save money and time, the city's almost 60 million dollar stadium was built without a roof. Now South Korea is scrambling to find ways to fight the cold, including plans to hand out hot packs and blankets and speed up security checks.

FIH Hockey World League Final: India enters semifinals after defeating Belgium

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Dec 07 (ANI): India beat Belgium by 3-2 during shootout to storm into the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World League Final at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday. India, who finished fourth in Pool B, claimed a stunning shoot-out victory over Belgium's Red Lions, a team that came into the contest on the back of three straight victories.

Russia banned from 2018 Winter Olympic Games

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): Russia has been banned from participating in 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, according to the New York Times. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the decision after finding that Russian authorities knowingly doped their athletes during 2014 winter games in Sochi. The ban means that now 'clean' Russian athletes cannot participate in the games under their country's flags. They will have to don neutral uniforms and Olympic anthem will be played if the athletes achieve podium finish. The ban also entails that Russian officials cannot attend the event and the flag will not be displayed during the opening ceremony.

Safety of players is priority: Sri Lankan coach on Delhi pollution

New Delhi, Dec 3 (ANI): After Delhi's infamous toxic air halted the 3rd test match between India and Sri Lanka in Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Sunday, Head Coach of Sri Lanka, Nic Pothas said that the situation was abnormal in Delhi and he hopes that umpires and referees will file a report which will taken into consideration by International Cricket Council (ICC). The coach further stated that the test match came to a halt because he wanted to have clarity on the safety of his players. Sri Lankan pace bowlers were struggling to bowl due to bad quality of air and thus coach decided to have a chat with the officials to ensure the safety of the players on the field.

Hockey World League Final 2017: England hockey team coach lauds players' performance

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Dec 03 (ANI): England Hockey Team coach Bobby Crutchley expressed happiness after clinching victory against India. Pleased with the performance of the team, Crutchley lauded his players saying that they played pretty well. Performing in different environment with so much of pressure is a new experience for the players Crutchley added.

Hockey World League Final: India lose 2-3 to England

New Delhi, Dec 03 (ANI): India faced 2-3 defeat against England in a closely fought match of the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday. India started well against England and made it difficult for the opponent to score with their deep defence. However, playing an attacking game, England took the lead with David Goodfield's goal and maintained it for the first half of the game. The visitors widened the lead margin to 2-0 in the second half with the second goal coming from Samuel Ward. India finally managed to get the first success when Akashdeep Singh converted a penalty corner to make it 1-2. Just minutes later India converted another penalty corner to make a comeback in the game. It was Rupinder Pal Singh who made it 2-2 for the side. In a close match, India only needed to manage the draw but as the game was to end, Ward scored his second to beat India 3-2. Meanwhile, the defeat brought the hosts to 4th position in standings.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte accepts FA charge, will pay fine

Cobham (England), Dec 02 (ANI): Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said that he accepts the FA (Football Association) charge handed down following his dismissal during the Premier League game against Swansea City on November 29. Addressing the media Conte said, he was sorry for shouting at the fourth official but reiterated his stance that the referee should have stepped in to prevent Swansea's time-wasting. Chelsea face Newcastle on Saturday (December 2) as they look to close the gap on high-flying Manchester City. The table-toppers are 11 points ahead of Chelsea, but Conte remains adamant that his team continue to believe they can catch Pep Guardiola's men.

Russia prepares for FIFA 2018 World Cup Final Draw

New Delhi, Dec 01 (ANI): As the lights go down inside the State Kremlin Palace's concert hall on Friday evening, the FIFA 2018 World Cup Final Draw comes a step closer to set the stage on fire. Names of 32 teams will be drawn from four pots inside Moscow's famed State Kremlin Palace concert hall and placed into eight groups of four. Soccer legends Diego Maradona of Argentina, Spain's Carlos Puyol and Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan will draw the teams to determine the groups and then - their positions within each group. As the host nation, Russia will be the top team in Group A, as it seeks to make the homeland proud. It plans to reach the knockout stage for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Yuvraj Singh conferred with doctorate by ITM University

New Delhi, Dec 01 (ANI): Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh has been awarded with a doctorate degree in Philosophy Honoris Causa (Ph.D h.c.) by ITM University, Gwalior. The institute awarded the Doctorate to Yuvraj for his "extraordinary sporting prowess and as a catalyst of change with great integrity and humility". Along with Yuvraj, eminent personalities like Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar (Space) Govind Nihalani (Film), Dr. Ashok Vajpayi (Poetry), Rajat Sharma (Media), Dr. R.A. Mashelkar (Science and Technology and Aruna Roy (Social Work) also received the honour. Yuvraj has over 10,000 international runs in over 400 appearances and has been Indian cricket team's go-to player on numerous occasions.