Page 61 - Sports

Disappointed with my performance, says golfer Anirban Lahiri

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug 14 (ANI): Golfer Anirban Lahiri on Sunday expressed disappointment on his performance and said there were a couple of departments which he needs to improve upon. Recalling on the Zika Virus afflicting countries abroad, Anirban refuted all the claims of the virus troubling the golfers.

Can't afford any mistake in quarter-finals: Indian Hockey skipper

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 13 (ANI): Indian men's hockey team captain P.R. Sreejesh has admitted that his side cannot afford to commit any mistake in the quarter-finals of the quadrennial event against Belgium to be played on Sunday. He said as the real Olympics starts now, it is important to concentrate on the positive aspects and overcome your weak points, because you cannot afford any mistake now. It is very important to perform well in the quarterifinals.

Rio Olympics: I'm excited, not nervous, says gymnast Dipa Karmakar ahead of finals

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug 12 (ANI): The first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, Dipa Karmakar, said she wasn't nervous but rather excited ahead of the finals, which are slated for Sunday. She said preparations were up to mark and it was a big feat in itself that she was competing as finalist in the Rio Olympics 2016. Dipa concluded by humbly requesting everybody to pray for her win in the upcoming finals.

Rio Olympics: Indian boxer Manoj Kumar punches his way into pre-quarterfinals

New Delhi, Aug 11 (ANI): Indian boxer Manoj Kumar advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the Men's Light Welter (64kg) event after knocking down Lithuania's former lightweight Olympic bronze-medalist Evaldas Petrauskas 2-1 on Thursday. With the win, Manoj has now set up a clash against Uzbekistan for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rio Olympics: Indian archer Deepika Kumari through to round of 32

New Delhi, Aug 11 (ANI): Indian archer Deepika Kumari progressed through to the round of 32 of the women's individual event after sweeping aside Georgia's Kristine Esebua 6-4 at Rio Olympics on Thursday. The 22-year-old Ranchi girl produced an imperious form in the first three sets of the match before she faltered slightly in the fourth set.

Virat Kohli hints at changes in playing eleven against WI in third test

Saint Lucia, Aug 09 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli hinted at changes in the playing eleven against West Indies in the third test that begins in Saint Lucia on Tuesday. India lead the four-test series 1-0, but West Indies took enormous heart from drawing the second test, after appearing doomed for defeat until a stellar final-day batting effort saved the match. Kohli said the team management would re-assess the bowling options according to the pitch.

India-WI 2nd test match: Anil Kumble praises Windies batting style

Jamaica, Aug 04 (ANI): Speaking about the second test match between India and the West Indies, which ended in a draw as Roston Chase hit his maiden test hundred to lead the host fightback on Wednesday, Indian Cricket Team Coach Anil Kumble praised the Windies batting style and their perfect grip of the game. He also said that though weather played a major role in the game, still it was not a deciding factor in the match.

India declare with 304-lead before rain halts third day's play

Kingston, Aug 02 (ANI): India continued to maintain their stranglehold over West Indies in the second Test as the tourists held a 304-run lead when they declared their first-innings at 500-9 on the rain-interrupted third day at Sabina Park, Jamaica. However, persistent rain prevented any play after tea and the threat of tropical storm still looms largely over the fourth day. Play is scheduled to resume 30 minutes early on Tuesday at 9.30 AM by West Indies time. India lead the four-test series after winning the first match in Antigua last week.

Plan is to play with determination, focus: Virat Kohli

Kingston (Jamaica), July 30 (ANI): The Indian cricket team hit the nets at Sabina Park on Wednesday morning, followed by a rigorous exercise session to prepare for the second Test match. Players were seen in action at various batting and bowling sessions, following a regular drill. Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli said the upcoming match is going to be fought hard. The team was seen practising in the nets under Head Coach Anil Kumble's supervision. India won the first Test in Antigua by an innings and 92 runs within four days.

Virat Kohli tells team to avoid complacency after Antigua Test win

Antigua (West Indies), July 25 (ANI): India's Test skipper Virat Kohli has called on the team to maintain the winning habit and not get complacent after defeating the West Indies in the first Test in Antigua by an innings and 92 runs. An ecstatic Kohli revealed that his side will not pay attention to laurels achieved in the recent past, but would remain focused on one game at a time.

Neeraj Chopra creates history, wins gold breaks world record

New Delhi, July 24 (ANI): Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the U-20 World Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Chopra created a new U-20 world record by throwing the javelin a distance of 86.48m and broke the old mark of 84.69 metres held by Latvian Zigismunds Sirmais for nearly two metres. This is for the first time an Indian has won a gold at any World Athletics Championships.

Drogba says 'true leader' Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or

New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has tipped Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to win his fourth Ballon d'Or award this year following victories in the Champions League and the Euro 2016. Drogba, who is currently playing in MLS with Canadian side Montreal Impact, has joined the chorus of players who believe Ronaldo should bag the coveted prize this year. "Ronaldo is a true leader and he deserves the Ballon d'Or for the great work he has done for Real Madrid and Portugal. Although he could not play the whole Euro 2016 final, he was the biggest reason that his team got there." The 31-year-old forward has had an impressive season, helping Spanish giants Real win a record-extending 11th Champions League title before guiding Portugal to their first ever major international trophy in Paris this month.

Indian cricket team leaves for West Indies tour

Mumbai, July 06 (ANI): The Indian cricket team left for West Indies on Wednesday to play the four-atch test series against the host. The series against the Caribbean team starting July 21 marks the resumption of bilateral ties between the two cricket boards. Mutual relations turned sour after a visiting Caribbean team pulled out midway through their 2014 tour of India over a protracted pay dispute with the WI Cricket Board. The Indian test squad is led by ace batsman Virat Kohli.

I will be last person to curb Kohli's aggression: Kumble

Bengaluru, July 04 (ANI): Indian Cricket team coach Anil Kumble on Monday insisted that he will be the 'last person to curb' test skipper Virat Kohli's aggression but advised players that there exists a 'thin line', which needs to be respected by everyone. Kumble further stated that one should know that how important it is to be the ambassadors of India and to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Talking about the challenges Indian team will face against West Indies, Kumble said the series will be tricky, adding that they will try out 'various combinations' during practice games in order to determine the ideal playing.

Hamilton wins Austrian GP after final lap collision with Rosberg

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Lewis Hamilton's Austrian GP win was no less than a Hollywood film's climax. Reigning Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton collided with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg on the last lap before passing him to claim a dramatic 2016 Austrian Grand Prix win. Hamilton, who had started from pole position, attacked the championship leader who defended hard at Turn Two where the pair collided. Rosberg, damaged his front wing in the collision which forced him to finish fourth. Hamilton's win cut the German's lead in the title race from 24 points to 11 ahead of next weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Anil Kumble sweats it out with players during practice session

Bengaluru, June 30 (ANI): The newly appointed Indian cricket team head coach, Anil Kumble, started his first preparatory camp in Bengaluru yesterday. However, the first day was hit by rain thereby forcing the Indian players to take indoor net practice session at the National Cricket Academy. On Thursday, the team got into work mode and sweated out at the practice session. The Indian team will be having a six-day cricket camp with two sessions per day. Preparing for West Indies tour in Bangalore, Virat Kohli will lead team India to a four-Test series in the West Indies on July 21.

Lionel Messi quits international football at 29

New Jersey, June 27 (ANI): Ace football player Lionel Messi, who started his professional career with FC Barcelona in 2004, has declared his retirement from the international football on Monday. His retirement from international football came as a shock to many as he is just 29-year-old. Messi has won five FIFA Ballon d'Or awards, four UEFA Champions League titles and eight Spanish La Liga crowns with Barcelona. Messi said "It's tough, it's not the time for analysis. "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me. "That's the way I feel right now, it's a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important. "I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it." Despite being regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, Messi has been regularly criticised for his failure to secure a major title with Argentina. After Argentina failed to win in the Copa America finals, Messi annou

Anil Kumble is new coach of Indian cricket team

Dharamshala (HP), June 23 (ANI): Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble has been appointed as the next coach of the Indian cricket team. BCCI president Anurag Thakur confirmed Kumble's appointment while addressing the media in Dharamsala (Himachal), on Thursday. The 45-year-old spinner was selected from among 57 applicants. He was interviewed by a cricket advisory committee comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman on Tuesday after being included in the list of 21 shortlisted candidates. Kumble's first assignment will be India's four-test tour to West Indies from July 21. Thakur added that Kumble will now be transforming himself from a great cricketer to a coach, and that's why he has been appointed for a year as of now.

Great honour to be back in Indian dressing room in a different role: Kumble

Bengaluru, June 23 (ANI): Expressing his happiness on being appointed as the Indian Cricket Team's head coach, former Indian skipper Anil Kumble on Thursday said it is a great honour to be back in Indian dressing room in a different role. He also thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for showing their faith in him. He added it's a huge responsibility but he is ready to take this role. He further said that coaches come later, it's always players first and his strategy will be to win.

Saina Nehwal bags Australian Open Super Series title for second time

New Delhi, June 13 (ANI): Badminton ace Saina Nehwal put out a great performance against Sun Yu to defeat the Chinese by 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in a 72-minute game and won the Australian Open Super Series women's title for the second time at the Sydney Sports Centre. With the Olympics slated to get underway a little over a month from now, Saina regaining the Australian Open title is just the tonic she needs ahead of the sporting extravanganza in Brazil. As evident, it's been from her performance in Sydney, the Indian has looked rejuvenated after finally having recovered from the nagging injuries that proved her undoing in the previous few tournaments.