Page 60 - Sports

"The pressure was off after getting the hundred", says triple centurion Karun Nair

Chennai, Dec 19 (ANI): Indian batsman Karun Nair on Monday, who made history by becoming the second Indian batsman to score a triple century in Test matches, on Monday, said the pressure was off after getting the hundred and afterwards he played his natural game. Nair thanked his team for motivating him when he was unable to score in the previous two matches and said that he is happy to contribute to the team.

Chennai pitch difficult to bowl on: Umesh Yadav

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Dec 18 (ANI): As England went on to post 477 in their first innings of the fifth and final test, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav said the pitch at the stadium in Chennai city was very difficult to bowl on. India made a strong reply to England's first-innings by claiming three wickets on the second morning, but the 108-run partnership between debutant Liam Dawson and number nine Adil Rashid in a productive second session for the touring side, frustrated the hosts.

Vijender Singh knocks out Francis Cheka to retain WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Title

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Boxing sensation Vijender Singh, who knocked out Tanzania's Francis Cheka to retain his WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Title, dedicated his win to the fallen soldiers of the Indian Army.The boxing star took less than 10 minutes to defend his title against former World Champion Cheka in the ten-round contest held at the national capital's Thyagraj Stadium on Saturday.

Winning Test match takes a lot of hard work: Virat Kohli

Chennai, Dec 15 (ANI): Three consecutive Test match wins for India under test skipper Virat Kohli has made India proud. Addressing the mediapersons in Chennai, Kohli said winning a test match is a lot of hard work. "Even if we have won the series, we take each match separately," he added. India has lost three of four tosses but leads the series 3-0, and has been the better side in all departments.

No series is easy, we were tested and we came out on top: Virat Kohli

Mumbai, Dec 12 (ANI): After winning the fourth test match against England by an inning in Mumbai on Monday, India Test skipper Virat Kohli said he was impressed by the performance of the team. He said, "No series win was easy. We were tested and we came out on top." Virat gave a lot of credit to team for bouncing back from tough situations. On the argument of R. Ashwin and Anderson, Virat said it was for the first time he was trying to calm things down the situation.

I just laughed it off: Virat Kohli on ball-tampering allegations

Mohali, Punjab, Nov 25 (ANI): Rubbishing the allegations of ball tampering, Cricketer Virat Kohli said, "I don't read newspapers, was told five days later that such things happened, I just laughed it off." Adding that the allegations were just an attempt to divert his focus off the test series, the cricketer said a newspaper article doesn't hold any importance over International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision. A British tabloid had published footage of Kohli applying saliva to the ball during the match in Rajkot earlier this month.

Golfer Aditi Ashok becomes first Indian Woman to lift European Tour Event

Gurugram, Nov 13 (ANI): Golfing sensation Aditi Ashok scripted history on Sunday as she became the first Indian woman to win a Ladies European Tour title by clinching the Hero Women's Indian Open. Aditi had a two-strike overnight lead and shot a level par 72 shot in the final round, making her one stroke clear of her competitors Brittany Lincicome from USA and Belen Mozo from Spain. Lincicome and Mozo tied at second position. The Rio Olympian golfer needed at least a birdie on the final hole to avoid a three-way tie. But she held her nerve to secure her 13th birdie of the tournament on the par-5 18th to make the history.

Rajkot becomes world's 120th test match venue

Rajkot, Nov 10 (ANI): Although many One Day International matches have been played at Rajkot's Saurashtra Cricket Association ground, it is now ready to host a test match. Board of Control for Cricket president Anurag Thakur has said that the Indian cricket board is promoting the sports in small centres as well. Earlier this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recognised it as a test centre and now it will be hosting its first ever test match on November 9 between India and England. With this test match being played here, it will become the world's 120th venue for the test cricket.

BCCI announces team for upcoming test match series

Mumbai, Nov 02 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the team for the upcoming five-Test series at home after 30 years, the previous one being against Imran Khan's Pakistan in 1987. The selected cricketers would be playing in the upcoming 1st and 2nd test matches respectively. The selected cricketers are India, currently the top-ranked Test team in the world, is hosting England after four years for a Test series.

Virat Kohli pays homage to soldiers killed in Uri attack

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 26 (ANI): India Test skipper Virat Kohli on Monday extended his condolences to bereaved families of 18 soldiers, who were killed at the recent terror attack on an army camp in Uri. The 27-year-old said that he was deeply hurt by the incident, adding that he could not even imagine what the families of the Uri Soilders must be going through.

India has to focus more on batting, says Virat Kohli

Kanpur, Sep 21 (ANI): Ahead of the first match against New Zealand on September 22 in Kanpur, Indian test skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said the team has to focus more on batting. Kohli said all the teams are quality spinners nowadays and you don't want to leave out a window forward to opposition to capitalise. The batsman further asked the players to be more watchful and focused as half an hour of bad decision making can cost you the entire test.

Saha, Ashwin biggest positive from Windies series: Skipper Kohli

Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Aug 23 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli was disappointed with the fourth test against the West Indies after being washed out after just 22 overs on the first day but there were plenty of gains from the series. While addressing the mediapersons, Virat said, "It's been pretty good for us, lot of positives. A lot of things we wanted to improve on, we have. For me, the biggest positive was Saha getting runs in the lower order plus Ashwin coming good at No. 6. Those were areas that were very important for us to solidify, and we have done that in this series."

'I am honoured', says Sakshi Malik on being considered for Khel Ratna Award

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug 21 (ANI): Wrestler Sakshi Malik who made India proud by bringing home a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics is now being considered for Khel Ratna Award. Expressing her delight on this announcement, an elated Sakshi said she was honoured that she was being considered for Khel Ratna. Further adding, Malik said that she owed all her success to her coach Kuldeep Singh who mentored her and asserted that he must definitely be considered for the Dronacharya award.

India needs to play good cricket consistently to maintain top spot: Virat Kohli

Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Aug 18 (ANI): Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli has called on his side to keep playing good cricket for a sustained period of time if they want to become the number one Test team in the truest sense. India have to defeat the West Indies in the final Test at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad in order to maintain their top spot.

Rio Olympics: Knee injury ends wrestler Vinesh Phogat medal hopes

New Delhi, Aug 18 (ANI): In a major setback to India, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was forced to bow out of the Rio Olympics after she suffered a knee injury in the quarter-finals of the women's freestyle 48 kilogram event against China's Sun Yanan. The injury occurred two minutes and 42 seconds into the bout when the Indian grappler was leading 1-0 against Yanan. A heartbroken Vinesh had to be taken out of the ring in a stretcher. Yanan was declared a winner by default.

Rio 2016: Sakshi Malik wins bronze in wrestling, ends India's wait for a medal

New Delhi, Aug 18 (ANI): Woman wrestler Sakshi Malik ended India's wait for a medal at the Rio Olympic Games by clinching the bronze in the 58 Kilogram category, pulling off a sensational 8-5 win over Aisuluu Tynybekova in a play-off bout. With seconds left on the clock, she produced a three-point move to seal the bout and India's first medal at Rio Olympics 2016.

India chase top ranking in final test against West Indies

Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Aug 17 (ANI): India will take over the top spot in the world rankings if they beat West Indies in the fourth test in Trinidad. India led the series 2-0 heading into the final game at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain. Batsman Ajinkya Rahane, said the focus would be win the match. India has dominated the series, overcoming the loss of an entire day due to rain to win the third test.

Rio 2016: Shuttler Sindhu keeps India's medal hopes afloat, enters semis

New Delhi, Aug 17 (ANI): Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu produced a gritty performance under tremendous pressure as she overcame Chinese world number two Yihan Wang in straight games to reach the semifinals of the women's singles event at the Rio Olympics. 21-year-old, Sindhu showed tremendous resilience against the 28-year-old Wang, who dominated the proceedings from the start.

We gave our best, we were just unlucky: Jwala Gutta

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 17 (ANI): Ace Indian shuttler Jwala Gutta defended the sad medal run of the Indian contingent in the Rio Olympics saying that they had prepared superbly but were just unlucky.

Rio 2016: Vikas Krishan's loss prolongs India's wait for medal

New Delhi, Aug 16 (ANI): Indian ace boxer Vikas Krishan failed to end his country's agonising wait for an Olympic medal as he lost the quarterfinal bout against Uzbekistan's Bektemir Melikuziev in the men's middleweight (75kg) category here at Rio on Tuesday.