Page 64 - Sports

Nepal practises for SAF Games

Siliguri, Jan 29 (ANI): Nepal's "kho-kho" team on Thursday began practice for the South Asian Games 2016 in Siliguri. South Asian countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan besides India are participating in the games beginning from February 5. Nepal's team, along with coaches, was seen practising at the Siliguri indoor stadium. Ghosh added the main challenge for his team was to defeat India, which is better and highly skilled in the tag game. Coach of kho-kho team of Nepal, Direndra Kumar Yadav, thanked India for its support to build their team. The 12th edition of the SAF Games will be a multi-sport event which will begin on February 5 and conclude onFebruary 16. The games will be hosted in Guwahati and Shillong.

Defeating Australia has boosted team's morale: Mithali Raj

Melbourne, Jan 28 (ANI): Indian Women Cricket Team Captain Mithali Raj was ecstatic about the team's recent win at the T-20 series in Melbourne, Australia. Raj said that it was an important win and has boosted team's morale. She added that now most of them are confident to take on Australia. She also said that most of the girls are touring Australia for the first time and are inexperienced playing on Australian wickets. She added that a combination of seasoned and fresher players have helped in winning the match and would help in continuing to do so.

Rhino killed in Kaziranga National Park

Assam, Jan 28 (ANI): An adult male rhino was killed at Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam and its horn was taken away by poachers. According to forest officials, last night forest guards of Tunikati and Phulaguri forest camp heard several gunshots. On hearing the sound, they informed the range office of KNP and immediately rushed to the site. On searching the area, they found the rhino carcass and the poachers had fled by then. Earlier this month, at least three rhinos were killed by poachers in the Kaziranga National Park.

DRS decisions not 100% correct: Anurag Thakur

Nagpur, Jan 27 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) secretary Anurag Thakur on Wednesday urged the state cricket association to come together to bring more transparency in the cricket board, saying that such an effort would bring transparency in the game. Thakur expressed his views on the recommendations of Justice Lodha and said that BCCI is all for transparency and accountability. Thakur further raised questions on the accuracy of Umpire Decision Review System (DRS), and said that despite spending lakhs on technology, the decision of DRS is not 100 percent correct.

Heena Sidhu wins gold to secure Rio Olympics berth

New Delhi, Jan 27 (ANI): Ace Indian shooter Heena Sidhu on Wednesday won gold medal in the 10m air pistol women's event at the Asia Olympic Qualifiers and secured her berth for Rio Olympics 2016. Speaking about her experience, Heena said that she is happy about the way she performed. She further said that to be free from the pressure of playing in Olympics, she will take it as any other match.

Would like to finish tour strongly: Virat Kohli

Sydney, Jan 22 (ANI): The Indian Cricket team is trailing behind in the five-match ODI series by 4-0, but vice-captain Virat Kohli is optimistic about the remaining matches. Addressing a press conference in Sydney on Friday, Kohli said the team has played competitive cricket so far, but has not been able to capitalise important moments. Giving credit to Australia, Kohli added that international cricket is all about capitalising key moments, which the hosts have done better. Kohli became the fastest batsman in the world to reach 7,000 ODI runs. He achieved the mark in 161 innings beating AB de Villiers' 166 innings. When asked about this, Kohli said that he doesn't pay attention to statistics.

India vs Aus 4th ODI today, Indian supporters cheer in Canberra

Canberra, Jan 20 (ANI): The Indian cricket enthusiasts were seen cheering for the team outside Manuka Oval in Canberra in Australia on Wednesday before the 4th One Day International match between the two teams. Indians were seen supporting the Indian Cricket team to the beat of drums and music. People are still hopeful on the outset of the match. It has been a sorry outing for India so far as they have lost all three previous ODIs, despite India putting more-than-decent totals on the board. Australia has taken a series-winning 3-0 lead.

BCCI decision is shocking: Ajit Chandila on life ban

Faridabad, Jan 19 (ANI): Cricketer Ajit Chandila, who has been banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for spot-fixing on Monday, said the decision was hard and shocking. Chandila added that since Patiala House Court's decision was in his favour, he has hopes of playing for the country again. Chandila further said that he would write an application to the BCCI to reconsider their decision.

Indian bowlers will learn from this series: Ravi Shastri

Canberra, Jan 19 (ANI): Indian Cricket team Director Ravi Shastri on Tuesday said after the India-Australia cricket series, the bowlers will definitely learn something. He said the performance of the Indian Cricket team was disappointing. He added that the team could have pulled off the match in Melbourne, but somehow it did not happen. He further said that in Australia nothing came easy because Australians are the world champions.

BCCI should reconsider decision of banning Chandila: Veerpal Gurjar

Faridabad, Jan 18 (ANI): Veerpal Gurjar, brother of Ajit Chandila, on Monday said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should reconsider its decision of banning Ajit Chandila. Gurjar added that he has already been given a clean chit given by a court and no one has the right to ruin one's future. He said they will urge the government to look into the matter and help them in getting justice.

Dhoni says Australian bowlers executed their plans well

Brisbane, Jan 16 (ANI): India's ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said that the Australian bowlers executed their plans well after his team lost second one-day by seven wickets in Brisbane. Rohit Sharma burnished his reputation in limited-overs cricket with a second successive century but could not stop Australia from winning the second one-day to consolidate their lead in the series. Dhoni admitted that the major problem in his side was of execution and the Australian bowling made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to score at the later stage of the innings. Australia's opening pair eventually fell in quick succession after identical knocks of 71, but George Bailey added 78 runs with skipper Steven Smith (46) and George Maxwell (26 not out) hit the winning run to complete the chase with one over to spare. Aaron Finch said his 145-run partnership with Marsh gave them an advantage and also praised counterparts' bowling attack. Bailey followed his 112 in Perth with a 58-ball knock th

Team India gears up for 2nd ODI in Brisbane

Bribane, Jan 14 (ANI): After losing the first ODI against Australia on Jan 12 in Perth, team India has geared up for the second ODI to be played tomorrow. India will look to level the series in Brisbane after Australian captain Steve Smith's brilliant innings helped the hosts clinch a five wicket win over team India in the first ODI. Team India went under a practice session for the next match to be held in Brisbane.

Target of 310 runs a good score on board: MS Dhoni

Perth, Jan 12 (ANI): After getting defeated by five wickets in the first ODI against Australia, India's limited-over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said the target of 310 runs was a good score by the team. Talking of the bowling part in today's match Dhoni said that the fast bowlers bowled well and provided with a good start but spinners did not perform as expected of them. He further stressed that spinners could have avoided the easy boundaries.

Lodha panel recommends two separate governing bodies for IPL, BCCI (Part 1)

New Delhi, Jan 04 (ANI): The Supreme Court appointed Justice (Retd.) R. M Lodha committee, which submitted their report on Monday, recommended two separate governing bodies for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In January 2015, the Supreme Court appointed the three-member committee consisting of Justice (Retd.) Lodha, Justice (Retd.) Ashok Bhan and Justice (Retd.) RV Raveendran in a bid to improve the tattered image of the BCCI. Justice (Retd.) R. M Lodha on Monday said that the governing council of IPL will be entitled to take all decisions concerning the IPL, which obviously will include the decision relating to financial matters. He, however, added that the governing council would be answerable directly to the general body of the BCCI.

Lodha panel recommends two separate governing bodies for IPL, BCCI (Part 2)

New Delhi, Jan 04 (ANI): The Supreme Court appointed Justice (Retd.) R. M Lodha committee, which submitted their report on Monday, recommended two separate governing bodies for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In January 2015, the Supreme Court appointed the three-member committee consisting of Justice (Retd.) Lodha, Justice (Retd.) Ashok Bhan and Justice (Retd.) RV Raveendran in a bid to improve the tattered image of the BCCI. Justice (Retd.) R. M Lodha on Monday said that the governing council of IPL will be entitled to take all decisions concerning the IPL, which obviously will include the decision relating to financial matters. He, however, added that the governing council would be answerable directly to the general body of the BCCI.

Indian lawmakers, journalists play friendly cricket match

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Indian lawmakers battled it on pitch with journalists in a friendly match in the national capital at the third edition of 'Batting 4 life' which was dedicated to raise awareness around preventable childhood diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea. The trust formed by the Political Leaders Coalition for Child and Adolescent Health (PLCCAH) organised the match in association with a social services organisation, Global Health strategies (GHS) to provide policy direction for addressing issues related to child and adolescent health. News anchor and consulting editor of India Today Group, Rajdeep Sardesai, who was also present at the match, praised the efforts taken by the organisation help discuss issues on child health.The friendly match was won by lawmakers. Anurag Thakur, a BJP lawmaker, said that the game was played with a good sportsman spirit. The trophy was presented to the winning team by Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan.

Dhoni to lead India in World T20 at home

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been announced as India's limited-overs captain for next year's World Twenty20 while also throwing a lifeline for batsman Yuvraj Singh's international career by including him in the shortest format for Australia tour. India lost one-day international and Twenty20 series against South Africa at home under Dhoni, who retired from Tests during Australia tour last year and thereby paving way for Virat Kohli to take over as the captain in the five-day format. India will play five ODIs and three T20 internationals in Australia. All-rounder Yuvraj, who last played for India in 2014 World Twenty20 , has shown strong form during the domestic season. Chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said that the left-handed batsman, who adjudged the best player during India's 50-over World Cup triumph in 2011, would always remain 'special'. Also making a comeback to the T20 team was 36-year-old left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who last played for India in

Indo-Pak series depends upon PCB, says Manohar

New Delhi, Dec 08 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India president Shashank Manohar on Tuesday said that the decision to play with Pakistan at a third venue entirely depends on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and clearance from the Government of India. With regard to IPL-2016, he said there will be a player draft for the two new teams and these players will be selected from the suspended teams of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

Amla- de Villiers defy Kohli's quest for 3-0 victory

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): South Africa on Sunday opted to salvage a draw in the final test here after the host tightened the grip on the match, riding high on Rahane's second ton of the series.India declared its second innings on 267-5 half an hour before the lunch break as soon as Rahane (100) became the fifth Indian to score centuries in each innings of a test match on the penultimate day at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.Addressing post-match news conference, Indian fast bowler, Umesh Yadav, said that the visitors were playing defensive cricket under pressure. Even after Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Bavuma, the score moved at a funereal pace as de Villiers too curbed his natural aggression, needing 33 balls to get off the mark. Despite the presence of contemporary cricket's most destructive batsman in de Villiers and one of the most fluent scorers in Amla, the first 10 overs of their partnership did not yield a single run and things did not improve later either. Rahane then took a qui

Awaiting Govt's response on Indo-Pak cricket series: Rajeev Shukla

New Delhi, Dec 04 (ANI): Senior BCCI functionary Rajeev Shukla said on Friday, that the cricket board is waiting for the Central Government's response for the holding of the India-Pakistan cricket series in Sri Lanka. He said that the BCCI has sent a proposal to the foreign ministry, but the response is yet awaited. Earlier, the BCCI had proposed that Pakistan play limited-over series against them in India in December, which includes five ODIs and two T20s. But later the proposal was refused by the PCB. India has not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government.