Page 68 - Sports

India Vs Sri Lanka: No change in tactics, strategies, says Ravi Shastri

Colombo, Aug 27 (ANI): India would play the final Test against Sri Lanka with the same tactics and strategies that it adopted in the previous matches, said cricket team director, Ravi Shastri, on Thursday. India plays the decider on Friday in Colombo and Shastri was confident that the team will display the same performance like it did in the previous Test. Shastri also said that injury has hurt India a lot as Naman Ojha was was called into the squad after wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a hamstring injury in the second Test match and was ruled out of the three-match series in Colombo. Earlier, batsman Shikhar Dhawan had to come back due to a hairline fracture in his hand. Despite concerns over injury, Shastri was confident with his young talents, especially KL Rahul.

Indian keeper Ojha looks forward to decider against Sri Lanka

Colombo, Aug 27 (ANI): Indian wicket-keeper Naman Ojha, who is likely to make a debut in the decisive third test match against Sri Lanka, said he was looking forward to the match. Ojha was called into the squad after wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a hamstring injury in the second test match and was ruled out of the three-match series in Colombo. Ojha, who can also bat, said he was working very hard for the game. India plays the decider on Friday in Colombo. Meanwhile, another player who received the call to be part of the team, Karun Nair said it was like a dream come true for him. Ojha and Nair were both part of the India 'A' team recently when they received call-ups to the national team.

Sania Mirza's Khel Ratna award stayed by HC after paralympian Girisha's plea

Bengaluru, Aug 26 (ANI): The Karnataka High Court (HC) on Wednesday put a stay on Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to be awarded to tennis ace Sania Mirza after paralympian H Girisha's plea against it. The high court also issued a notice to the center regarding the same.

India vs Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli commends team for series levelling victory

Colombo, Aug 24 (ANI): Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin caused a dramatic Sri Lanka collapse as India completed a crushing 278-run victory in the second Test in Colombo on Monday to level the three-match series. Ashwin grabbed five for 42 as Sri Lanka, set an improbable victory target of 413 runs, were shot out for 134 in their second innings soon after lunch on the fifth day at the P Sara Oval. Virat Kohli hailed his teammates for helping him register his first Test win as India captain and said it was a "commendable effort" from the side to regroup quickly and level the series after the heart-breaking loss in the series opener in Galle.

I'm quite a chaotic person, only organized when it comes to batting, says retiring Sangakkara

Colombo, Aug 24 (ANI): Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara who is retiring with today's test series between India and Sri Lanka, on Monday emotionally bade good bye to cricket. Sangakkara recalled a few memories from the pitch while addressing a press conference in Colombo. He said that he is a chaotic person and he only gets organized when it comes to batting. He also said that one should play cricket purely like a sport. India completed a crushing 278-run victory in the second Test in Colombo on Monday to level the three-match series. Virat Kohli hailed his teammates for helping him register his first Test win as India captain and said it was a "commendable effort" from the side to regroup quickly and level the series after the heart-breaking loss in the series opener in Galle.

India senses win after Rahane's century against Sri Lanka

Colombo, Aug 24 (ANI): Batsman Ajinkya Rahane hit his fourth Test century as India set a target of 413 runs on day four of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. India rode Rahane's 126 to reach 325-8 before declaring to set Sri Lanka, who lead the three-Test series 1-0, a difficult 413-run victory target. Disappointed with his first innings, Rahane was mentally prepared to perform well in the second and play a long innings. He was very happy to get a hundred and was focusing on the next game. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka lost their opener Kaushal Silva (1) and retiring great Kumar Sangakkara early as they made 72-2 with captain Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne at the crease. Sri Lankan player Dhammika Prasad said that the team aims to do well to win the game.

Sri Lankan captain Mathews hits century but India power ahead

Colombo, Aug 23 (ANI): Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews struck his sixth test century but India took command on the third day of the second test at P Sara Oval. Mathews (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (62) enjoyed a productive morning session in Sri Lankan hero Kumar Sangakkara's farewell match. The pair added 84 runs in the session without being separated, much to the frustration of India who trail 1-0 in the three-match series. Ishant Sharma struck two big blows after lunch to expose Sri Lanka's late order before leg-spinner Amit Mishra polished off the tail with four for 43. Thirimanne, disappointed at the huge lead his team conceded said that the Sri Lankan "threw away" some wickets. Mishra then removed Dhammika Prasad for five in the next over and also got rid of Jehan Mubarak for 22 and Tharindu Kaushal for six.

McGrath says young Indians have potential to become fast bowlers

Chennai, Aug 21 (ANI): Australian cricket legend and pace bowler Glenn McGrath said India had the potential to produce top-class fast bowlers but advised the budding cricketers to redouble their energy. McGrath, director of coaching at MRF Pace Foundation, made the comments after watching the performance of young cricketers along with another cricket legend and master batsman Sachin Tendulkar. McGrath, who has played 124 Tests and 250 One-day Internationals before his retirement in 2007, said the Indian conditions did not favour fast bowlers but advised the students to practice hard. Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar, who during his playing days, used to come for practice at the foundation, commended its efforts in guiding the budding fast bowlers.

Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli, Test Cricket, Fast Bowlers, Jehan Mubarak

Colombo, Aug 21 (ANI): Opener Lokesh Rahul struck his second test century and combined with skipper Virat Kohli to help India recover from a shaky start and reach 319 for six at stumps on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka. Rahul said he was satisfied with his efforts. Paceman Prasad jolted India early, trapping Murali Vijay leg before wicket and getting Ajinkya Rahane, promoted to number three, caught in the slips. Prasad said it was flat wicket and there was incentive for the fast bowlers in the afternoon. India could have slumped to 20-3 but Jehan Mubarak spilled Rahul at gully off Dushmantha Chameera with the batsman on 11.

Saina Nehwal disappointed to lose World Championship Final

Bengaluru, Aug 21 (ANI): Ace Indian Shuttler Saina Nehwal, who regained her top spot in the women's singles Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, said she was disappointed to lose the World Championship final last week. Nehwal had to settle with silver medal after her 16-21, 19-21 defeat to defending champion Carolina Marin of Spain in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. Nehwal has established herself as the face of Indian badminton since winning the Indonesian Open in 2009 and became the first shuttler from her country to win an Olympic medal when she returned with a bronze from this summer's London Games. Nehwal said she was looking forward to Japan and Korea Open next month. Nehwal created history by becoming the first Indian to reach the World Championship final and dethroned Marin in the latest rankings.

Saina Nehwal dethrones Carolina Marin to regain No 1 rank

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal regained her top spot in the Women's singles Badminton World Federation (BWF) Rankings on Thursday. Despite losing to her Spanish counterpart Carolina Marin in the World Championship's final last week, Saina dethroned her in the latest rankings released today. Saina, who had to settle with the silver medal after her 16-21, 19-21 defeat against the defending champion, created history by becoming the first Indian to reach the finals of the World Championship.

BCCI felicitates and bids farewell to 'retiring' Sangakkara at Colombo

Colombo, Aug 20 (ANI): BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, felicitated Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and bid him farewell, who will play his final international match on Thursday. Sri Lanka will be looking to win the second Test against India on Thursday and seal the three-Test series to give Sangakkara a fitting farewell. India unfortunately lost the first Test at Galle by 63 runs after dominating the first two innings. India won the toss and chose to bat against Sri Lanka.

Report to decide fate of banned franchises of IPL ready

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajiv Shukla said the working committee of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will discuss Working Group's report to decide the fate of IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings later this month. The Working Group, which had its final meeting in Delhi, will submit the report first for ratification to IPL Governing Council. Last month, the franchise owners of IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years by the Indian cricket board for their role in an illegal betting scandal that erupted in 2013.

Saina Nehwal decides to take her defeat positively

Hyderabad, Aug 18 (ANI): Badminton star Saina Nehwal held a news conference in Hyderabad after her loss to Carolina Marin in the finals of the World Badminton Championship in Jakarta. Ace shuttler Nehwal settled for silver after her loss to Spanish player Carolina Marin at World Badminton Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday (August 16). Nehwal blamed her loss in the World Championships final on silly unnecessary errors at crucial times during the second game. But she was happy as she could make it to the finals after so many trials. Nehwal said that it was very disappointing to lose in the final but wished to take the positively and confident about future games.

Cricket team confident about next Test match, says Amit Mishra

Colombo, Aug 18 (ANI): Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra said that the cricket team was working very hard and will make a comeback in the next Test match against Sri Lanka. Mishra was interacting with the media in capital Colombo on Tuesday (August 18). He said that all his teammates have introspected about their performances and the chances of committing mistakes in the next two matches were less. Backing batsmen of his team Mishra said that Indian cricket team has some of the finest batsmen. Mishra, who is playing in the team after four years, said he was under pressure. India lost to host Sri Lanka by 63 runs in the opening Test match in Galle. The second Test, the last for retiring Sri Lankan batting stalwart Kumar Sangakkara, will start on Thursday (August 20) at P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Shikhar is courageous to play with a crack and score 100, says Ravi Shastri

Colombo, Aug 17 (ANI): Post a hand injury disables India's opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan to play further in the Sri Lanka Test Series. Dhawan had injured his right hand during the first Test at Galle. He underwent further tests that confirmed a hairline fracture in his hand. He would require four to six weeks to recover from the injury. While addressing a press conference in Colombo on Monday, the Team India Director Ravi Shastri, called Dhawan courageous to play with a crack and score 100. Ravi also said that team is determined to introspect and learn.

Saina Nehwal lost to Carolina Marin, but will encourage all the budding players says Saina's father

Saina Nehwal loses to world's top seed Carolina Marin settles for silver at World Badminton Championship in Jakarta on Sunday. Saina lost her final match against defending champion and number one seed Carolina Marin 16-21 19-21. Despite Saina's brave fight against Carolina, by leading early in the first two sets, she let go off the advantage and ended up at the second best. Post the match, Sania's Father said that she shall encourage a lot of budding players as Saina Nehwal becomes first Indian player to win a SILVER medal at the World Badminton Championships.

No excuses, we played badly, says Kohli

Galle, August 15 (ANI): Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his side failed to perform well on the fourth day of the first Test played against Sri Lanka in Galle. He further said there is a need for improvement in Indian Cricket team's counter moves. The 26-year -old also praised the hosts for their fearless performance, adding that his side went tentative. Sri Lanka Cricket Team Captain Angelo Mathews said that it was the united team effort which led them to the win. Earlier today, India suffered a shocking defeat of 63 runs against the hosts. Chasing 175 runs for victory, Kohli's team was bundled out for paltry 112 runs. For Lanka, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath scalped seven Indian wickets while P. Kausal claimed three wickets. Dinesh Chandimal was declared Man of the Match for his swashbuckling second innings knock of 162.

Chandimal heroics helps Sri Lanka set India 176 for win

Galle, Aug 15 (ANI): Batsman Dinesh Chandimal inspired a Sri Lankan fightback with an attacking unbeaten 162, his highest score, as the hosts set India a target of 176 on the third day to win the opening Test at Galle. Chandimal said he was satisfied with his performance. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked up six wickets in the first innings, took his third in the second by sending back Thirimanne after a catch by Ajinkya Rahane at slip. Ashwin also clean bowled number 11 batsman Nuwan Pradeep to finish with a match haul of 10 wickets. Indian Batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, said they wanted to win the match.

'I play according to wickets', says Shikhar Dhawan after scoring 134 in first Test against Sri Lanka

Galle, Aug 13 (ANI): Indian Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday said that he plays according to wickets, after scoring a whooping 134 runs against Sri Lanka in first Test match at Galle. Test skipper Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan extended their partnership and started to build a lead for Team India when they opened proceedings on Day 2 of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle on Thursday. He also lauded Virat Kohli's batting skills and said that the latter's performance was also one reason why he was slow at the pitch.