Page 65 - Sports

Gritty Rahane rescues India after Piedt shines

New Delhi, Dec 04 (ANI): Ajinkya Rahane rescued India with a gutsy unbeaten 89, guiding the hosts to 231 for seven after off-spinner Dane Piedt made a memorable return to the South African test side on the opening day of the fourth and final test. India were reeling at 66-3 and then at 139-6 but Rahane, often unnoticed in the crowd of flashy strokeplayers around him, featured in two fifty-plus stands to help India post the highest total in the low-scoring four-match series. Ravichandran Ashwin was giving him company on six at stumps. For South Africa, Piedt claimed four wickets while paceman Kyle Abbot (3-23) also justified his recall for the final test against India, who have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. Of all the tracks used in the four-match series, the hard 22-yard strip at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium offered the least turn but Piedt conjured up a performance that left many wondering why the 25-year-old was not played before. Home captain Virat Kohli won his fourth successive

Kohli hits back over SA Test pitch row

New Delhi, Dec 02 (ANI): Virat Kohli steadfastly defended the spin-friendly pitches and once again resented the talk around the pitches, which he claimed "defied logic" while addressing a news conference in New Delhi. India beat South Africa inside three days both in Mohali and Nagpur, while also dominating the rained-out second test in Bangalore. Pitches used for the four-match series have taken some sheen off India's achievement, with the Nagpur surface rated as "poor" by the match referee. Indians are criticised for the game and techniques when they don't play well but when the visitors don't play well, it's always the wicket. Currently the number one test bowler, Steyn will finish the series having bowled only 11 overs, during India's first innings at Mohali. The turning tracks in India had already taken much of the sting off the Proteas attack and Steyn's injury meant he and Morne Morkel, who missed the Mohali contest with a quad strain, never bowled in tandem in the series. It mi

Virat Kohli confident of winning upcoming match against South Africa

Nagpur, Nov 24 (ANI): Leading 1-0 in what has now effectively become a three-game series after the washout at Bengaluru, Indian cricket Test captain, Virat Kohli, seemed to be confident and sees the next Test match as another opportunity to play good cricket. Kohli reiterated that his team is feeling good about approaching the upcoming match. South Africa pace spearhead Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the third Test against India in Nagpur after failing to sufficiently recover from a groin strain which he got during the opening match. South-African captain, Hashim Amla, said that Steyn was unlikely to take the field on Wednesday.

Delhi HC asks DDCA to pay Rs. 1 crore to state govt as entertainment tax

New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI): After the fourth test match between India and South Africa was scheduled to be held in Delhi, the High Court has directed DDCA to pay 1 crore rupees to the state government as a good will gesture and showing the intention to pay taxes due. DDCA Vice President Chetan Chouhan said that the DDCA will follow all instructions given by the court. He assured that the match will take place in the national capital.

Rain washes out third straight day of India-SA test match

Bengaluru, Nov 17 (ANI): Wet weather and soggy conditions ensured play was called off without a single ball being bowled for the third successive day in the second test between India and South Africa on Tuesday (November 17). After two days were lost to rain, the downpours relented in the morning but the wet outfield, especially along the run-up areas, remained a concern for the umpires. The match officials initially ruled out any action in the morning session but seemed optimistic of play resuming after lunch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in southern Bengaluru city. Even the fielding coach of India cricket team, Ramakrishnan Sridhar, seemed resigned to the situation. Even the fans who came from different parts of the country were disappointed.

Saina Nehwal fails to defend China Open title

Hyderabad/ New Delhi, Nov 16 (ANI): Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of her Chinese opponent Li Xuerui to finish as a runner up at the China Open Superseries. The Olympic champion took 39 minutes to beat Nehwal 21-12, 21-15 in a thrilling summit clash to clinch the title. Nehwal's father, Harvir Singh, said that she is recovering fast from her injuries. Meanwhile, former badminton player, Dinesh Khanna, hailed Nehwal for reaching the finals. Nehwal currently ranks number two in women's singles by the Badminton World Federation. She won bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

If PCB agrees, will approach Govt: Shukla on Indo-Pak series

Kanpur, Nov 15 (ANI): IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said on Sunday that BCCI will seek permission from the Central government if PCB agrees on playing Indo-Pak cricket series in India itself. Shukla added that as soon as a response is received from Pakistan, a proposal will be sent to the Central government.

Proteas to strike back after openers put India in command

Bengaluru, Nov 15 (ANI): The head coach of South African cricket team that was bowled out for 214 on the first day of the second test in Bengaluru city, said that despite being long way behind in the game at the moment they are hopeful of getting back on the track in the next session. AB de Villiers' masterly 85 in his 100th test could not gloss over South Africa's spin frailty as India took charge of the second test after dominating the opening day at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Speaking at a news conference post match, South Africa's head coach Russell Domingo said the team needs to keep doing its basics well to make a comeback.

BCCI invites Pakistan for bilateral series in India

Indian cricket board said they are ready to resume cricket ties with Pakistan only if the neighbouring country agrees to play the bilateral series in India. Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Anurag Thakur, said it is not possible for them to play in Pakistan. Earlier in the day, media reports said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Shahryar Khan, claimed that BCCI spoke to PCB about the series and said the discussion would be taken forward with the government only after Pakistan agrees to India hosting the series. India cancelled bilateral cricket series with its neighbour after Pakistani militants killed 166 people in Mumbai in 2008 but hosted Pakistan in 2012-13 for a short limited over series.

India likely to pick Gurkeerat Mann for second Test

Bengaluru, Nov 13 (ANI): Indian team is likely to pick debutant all-rounder Gurkeerat Mann for second Test match against South Africa that begins tomorrow (November 14), hinted skipper Virat Kohli on Friday. The 25-year-old all-rounder, who is one of India's exciting prospects, was added to the side after the team management released three players - Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny and Ishant Sharma -- to play domestic matches. Indian leads the fourth Test match series by 1-0. Meanwhile, captain of South African test cricket team, Hashim Amla, said that all-rounder Jean-Paul Duminy, who missed the first Test due to injury, was fit to play. South African team is reeling under a series of injury. Premier fast bowler Dale Steyn has a groin injury and Vernon Philander has ruled him out of the series. South African batsman AB de Villiers is set to play his 100th Test match.

India have edge over Proteas in second test: Pujara

Bengaluru, Nov 13 (ANI): Indian and South African teams sweated it out on the nets ahead of their second Test match in Bengaluru. Indian team beat South Africa by 108-run in the first test match in Mohali city that lasted a mere three days. Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara said that his team had an edge over the Proteas, given the last win. South Africa, meanwhile, is confident of giving a better performance in the Bengaluru Test. South Africa have never won a Test series in India, and AB de Villiers is more than keen to change that.

Manohar to be ICC boss

Mumbai, Nov 09 (ANI): BCCI president Shashank Manohar has replaced former BCCI president Narayanswami Srinivasan on Monday as Srinivasan has been removed as the ICC chairman. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur announced that Manohar has replaced Srinivasan and shall represent the ICC. Manohar said the after the AGM (Annual General Meeting) the financials of the board have been made public and added that with regard to conflict of interest an ombudsman has been appointed. Earlier in the day BCCI Finance Committee Chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia informed that Shashank Manohar has been nominated to take over as the new ICC Chairman. Bihar Cricket Association Secretary Aditya Verma said that today in the BCCI AGM Srinivasan was sacked and recalled and S Manohar or current President of Mumbai Cricket Association Sharad Pawar to replace Srinivasan.

Bowlers' role more important than batsmen in test series: Kohli

Mohali, Nov 04 (ANI): Indian test cricket captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said bowlers will have to play stellar role for the series against South Africa. Having lost the Twenty20 and the one-day series to the Proteas, India will try and exploit every bit of their home advantage by rolling out slow, dry tracks that not only suit their spinners but can also take the sting out of South Africa's redoubtable pace attack. After traveling around the world for two years - spanning 17 Tests in New Zealand, South Africa, England, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - Kohli's men will play a long-awaited Test series after almost two years in home ground. Talking to reporters ahead of the first match of the four-test series in the Mohali city beginning Thursday, Kohli said the role of bowlers was more important than the batsmen. Kohli said that Ashwin has been India's go-to man in the last two to three years and the team was banking on him. Meanwhile, South African test skipper Hashim Amla said

Ravi Shastri calls for spinner friendly pitches against South Africa

Mohali, Nov 03 (ANI): Director of Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri, on Tuesday (November 03) called for spinner friendly pitches to take 'home advantage' against South Africa, ahead of the first test that begins on Thursday (November 05). Shastri said it was well established norm that every host team prepares pitches according to its strength and opposition's weakness. Shastri added his team would play to win the match and combination of the squad would depend upon the playing surface. Having lost the Twenty20 and the one-day series to the Proteas, India will try and exploit every bit of their home advantage by rolling out slow, dry tracks that not only suit their spinners but can also take the sting out of South Africa's redoubtable pace attack. South African batsman, Dean Elgar, said the toss would be vital for each team because Indian pitches tended to deteriorate considerably on fourth and fifth day of a test match, making batting very difficult. The series will be a battle of wit

Indian spinner Ashwin a threat in test cricket: South Africa

Mohali, Nov 03 (ANI): South African cricketer Faf Du Plessis said that spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the main Indian threat they will face in the upcoming Test series. India and South Africa will play four Test series beginning November 05. The Proteas have already won the T20 and one-day international series questioning the performance of top batting order and even the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Addressing a news conference in Mohali city after the practice session, Plessis said that Ashwin is an outstanding spinner and will create an impact on the series. Plessis added that playing Test cricket against India at their home turf is a challenge.

Fans disappointed post India's heart-wrenching defeat against Proteas

Mumbai/ Gurgaon, Oct 26 (ANI): Cricket fans expressed their disappointment as South Africa crushed India's bowling attack to post 438-4 and won the deciding one-day international by 214 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With the five-match series tied at 2-2, South African skipper AB de Villiers won the toss and opted to bat in hot and humid conditions. He couldn't be happier at the end of their innings as his team posted its second highest score in the 50-over format. Cricket lovers said they were shocked to witness India's dismal performance on the ground where the team had registered a historic win in the final of 2011 World Cup. Fans, who came from different parts of the country, said it was high time for India to pull up its socks. Meanwhile, former cricketer Atul Wassan called the loss a massacre and seemed quite unconfident about India's performance in the upcoming test series.

Gambhir-Tiwari spat: BCCI to take appropriate action

New Delhi, Oct 25 (ANI): The BCCI on Sunday said it would take "appropriate action" in Gambhir- Tiwary spat. Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir and his Bengal counterpart Manoj Tiwary entered in a heated altercation on Day 3 of a Ranji Trophy match at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on Saturday. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said "appropriate action" would be taken in the matter. Both Gambhir and Tiwary have been fined after the on-field umpires reported the incident to the match-referee. Gambhir was fined 70 percent of his match fee for a level II offence, while Tiwary was charged with level I offence and docked 40%. The incident took place in the eighth over of the Bengal innings when Tiwary walked into the ground to bat and heard something from a fielder and shot back.

Hockey India lifts ban on Gurbaj Singh

New Delhi, Oct 24 (ANI): Hockey India on Saturday lifted the ban on midfielder Gurbaj Singh in just over two months time. The senior Indian hockey player was banned by the national body for nine months on August 10 for reportedly indulging in groupism and creating disharmony in the team. The decision had threatened the midfielder's dream of playing in the next year's Rio Olympics. Chairman of the Hockey India's Disciplinary Committee Harvinder Singh said Gurbaj, now, could play Olympics with the ban on him lifted. Gurbaj is considered as a workhorse and if he mends his ways, India will strengthen its midfield options.

Test debut most 'memorable' moment of career: Sehwag (Part - 2)

New Delhi, Oct 20 (ANI): Flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, said on Tuesday that making his Test debut against South Africa was the most memorable moment of his career. Sehwag, who is popularly known as the 'Nawab of Najafgarh', said that he considered himself lucky enough to have played with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan. He holds multiple records including the highest score made by an Indian in Test cricket (319) and the fastest triple century in the history of international cricket (he scored 300 in 278 balls). Sehwag has played 104 tests and scored 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34 and has amassed 8,273 runs at an average of 35.05 in 251 ODIs.

Test debut most 'memorable' moment of career: Sehwag (Part - 1)

New Delhi, Oct 20 (ANI): Flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, said on Tuesday that making his Test debut against South Africa was the most memorable moment of his career. Sehwag, who is popularly known as the 'Nawab of Najafgarh', said that he considered himself lucky enough to have played with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan. He holds multiple records including the highest score made by an Indian in Test cricket (319) and the fastest triple century in the history of international cricket (he scored 300 in 278 balls). Sehwag has played 104 tests and scored 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34 and has amassed 8,273 runs at an average of 35.05 in 251 ODIs.