Page 69 - Sports

Off-spinner spins India to box seat in Galle test

Galle, Aug 13 (ANI): Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin expressed happiness over his performance and a good start for the team as he claimed six for 46 in a fine display of spin bowling against Sri Lanka. India skittled out Sri Lanka for 183 in two sessions on the opening day to take upper hand in the first test at Galle. In reply, the visitors lost two early wickets but recovered to reach 128-2 at stumps, trailing Sri Lanka by 55 runs. Off-spinner Ashwin finished with his 11th five-wicket haul in tests, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra picked up two wickets in successive balls in his return to test cricket after four years. Aswhin, speaking at a news conference, said even after losing the toss the Indian team has an upper hand. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Karunarante praised the Indian bowlers for their exceptional performance and accepted his team gave poor batting performance.

It's been a great meaningful rivalry between India and Sri Lanka: Sangakkara

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Sri lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, on Tuesday provided a backdrop to his last test series before retirement. He did not forget to mention the prolonged tussle between India and Sri Lanka, facing Indian cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwaag and et al, where he explicitly stated the tough times. He further stated hopefully this series also turns out to be a meaningful rivalry as both the teams have been through their ordeal.

Want to be remembered by how I played: Sangakkara

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday provided a backdrop to his last test series before retirement. He will begin his 133rd Test on Wednesday against India, at the ground where he made his debut more than 15 years ago, having agreed to delay his retirement for two more matches. Sangakkara said that he has enjoyed every moment of his game whether it be related to victory or loss. He added that he only wants to be remembered by the way he has played on field.

Don't like to associate his batting with his captainship: Virat Kohli

Galle, Aug 11 (ANI): Captain for the Indian team in test cricket Virat Kohli on Tuesday said he doesn't like to associate his batting with his captainship. Virat will be tested when India goes into the three-match cricket Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. He also praised his team mates and said his boys are dedicated, fresh and look pretty 'hungry to improve'. He also mentioned that this series is a great chance for young Indian players to establish themselves as test cricketers.

Murali Vijay to miss first Test against Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury

Sri Lanka, Aug 10 (ANI): India opener Murali Vijay will miss the first Test against Sri Lanka due to a right hamstring injury, team director Ravi Shastri said on Monday. The 31-year-old sustained the niggle in Zimbabwe during India's recent limited over series there and did not bat in either innings of India's only warm-up match ahead of the Galle Test starting on Wednesday. In his absence, Shikhar Dhawan is set to open the innings with the 23-year-old Lokesh Rahul who has played only two Tests. India will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour, with the second Test at Colombo's P. Sara Oval on August 20 being Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong. The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo will host the final test on August 28.

Indian cricket team gears up for Test series in Colombo

Colombo, Aug 06 (ANI): Indian cricket players were seen practicing on a pitch in Sri Lanka ahead of a Test series starting at Galle from August 12. The 15-members team led by Virat Kohli arrived in Colombo on Monday. The team's bowling coach Bharat Arun was confident the players would perform well in the series. India will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour. Colombo's P Sara Oval will host the second test from August 20, assuming added importance for being Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong. The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo will host the final test on August 28.

Indian cricket team holds practice sessions in Colombo ahead of Test series

Colombo, Aug 04 (ANI): Indian cricketers sweated out in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday ahead of the test series starting at Galle on August 12. The 15-member team along with the support staff was seen holding practice sessions. The team led by Captain Virat Kohli arrived in Colombo on Monday. Indians will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour. Opener Murali Vijay, who is back in the team, said that he has got the chance to prove himself.. Colombo's P Sara Oval will host the second test from Aug. 20, assuming added importance for being Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara's international swansong.

India may field three spinners against Sri Lanka in upcoming Test series

Chennai, Aug 03 (ANI): India could field three spinners against Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test series, said captain Virat Kohli. The three-Test series is scheduled to start on August 12 in Sri Lanka where spinners get a lot of assistance from dry pitches. Kohli replaced Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Test captain when the latter quit Tests after India lost series to Australia in December last year. The prolific batsman will be leading India for the first time in a full-fledged series. India will reach Colombo on Monday and play a three-day warm up match at R Premadasa Stadium from August 06. The three-match series will conclude on September 01.

Have always been very responsible in the way I play cricket, don't need to change that much: Virat Kohli

Chennai, Aug 01 (ANI): Indian Test cricket skipper Virat Kohli has insisted that it would be an exciting challenge for his young team to take on Sri Lanka in the forthcoming Test series, and added that there was no need to make any changes in his batting style. Kohli, who featured in the second unofficial Test against Australia A, said that he decided to play in order to get some momentum for the Sri Lanka series and to learn from a calming personality like Rahul Dravid, who had been one of the greats of the game. He also stressed on the fact that the weather always play a huge role in the island nation and, therefore, the team would make plans and figure out when they meet in Chennai and then in Sri Lanka.

Sports Minister confers Arjuna award on Ravichandran Ashwin

New Delhi, July 31 (ANI): India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was on Friday presented the Arjuna Award, which was conferred on him last year, by the Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi. Ashwin was not present during the Award Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2014 as he was a part of the India ODI team, which was touring England at that time. After getting the award Ashwin said that it is an honour to get Arjuna Award. Ashwin, who is also a useful batsman, has taken 124 wickets in 25 Tests, 139 in 99 ODIs and 26 wickets in 25 T20 internationals.

Accused in IPL spot fixing feel relieved, hope of playing cricket again

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): The accused cricketers of Rajasthan Royals in IPL spot fixing case felt relieved after a court acquitted them of all charges. Accused cricketers Ajit Chandila, S Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were acquitted of all charges bringing to rest the controversies going on since two years. All three of them expressed their joy on the verdict and promised of making all efforts to return back to the cricket pitch.

IPL Spot fixing case: All accused cricketers acquitted

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): The Court on Saturday acquitted all cricketers accused in spot fixing case in the IPL. Lawyer said that the court has dismissed all charges against the cricketers who were accused of spot fixing in IPL. They said that the court's judgement proves that the charges framed by Delhi Police were all false and hold no relevance at all. Additional Sessions Judge Neena Bansal Krishna said all accused were discharged in the case. The result was immediately followed by loud cries of joy from accused, their families and well-wishers. The case has been closed after today's verdict.

IPL spot-fixing: Court set to frame charges today against Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): The order on framing of charges in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) spot- fixing case in which suspended Indian cricketers Ajit Chandila, S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and others, including underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel are accused, is scheduled for today in a Delhi court. Speaking to meadiapersons ahead of pronouncement of the order, former Rajasthan Royals cricketer Chandila said that he had never seen such bad times before and believes that his bad time is over. He also said that justice will prevail.

Hockey India committee proposes removal of Coach Paul Van Ass

New Delhi, July 24 (ANI): Following a bitter public fight with Hockey India President Narinder Batra, India men's team coach Paul van Ass' tenure is all set to end after a special committee proposed his removal from the position in a meeting on Friday. Chairman of Hockey India's Special nine-member Committee Harbinder Singh said that there is no question of Paul returning as Team India's coach as he is not responding. The nine-member committee was formed to decide on Paul's future and has recommended Hockey India that he should not be continued with.

BCCI announces Test squad for Sri Lankan series, Virat Kohli to lead 15-man team

New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts from August 12. Virat Kohli will resume his captaincy as most of the senior batsmen, who were rested for the Zimbabwe series, have made a return to the Test squad. Amit Mishra returned to the Test fold after a gap of four years, while veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has retained his place following an impressive Zimbabwe tour. India's Test squad for Sri Lanka tour comprises Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra.

IPL verdict: Respect Court's decision but disappointed for players, says Rahul Dravid

Chennai, July 18 (ANI): Former Indian captain and batting great Rahul Dravid said that Supreme Court appointed panel's decision to propose an identical two-year suspension on the Chennai and Rajasthan franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in a corruption scandal is disappointing but it has to be respected. Dravid said the ban will affect the young players the most as they will miss out on the opportunity to play in the cricket league. Dravid was the mentor and coach of Rajasthan Royals when the spot fixing scandal hit IPL in 2013. Addressing a news conference in Chennai, he said it is for people to decide if his association with Rajasthan Royals is a blot on his illustrious career. Meanwhile, Dravid said he is looking forward to coach the India A team.

Tennis facilities have improved in India, says Sania Mirza

Hyderabad, July 16 (ANI): The budding tennis enthusiasts in the country were training in better conditions, said tennis player Sania Mirza, back in her hometown from a Wimbledon win. Last week, Mirza became the first Indian woman to win the Wimbledon grand slam women's double title along with Swiss player Martina Hingis. While attending a special tennis clinic in Hyderabad, also her hometown, Mirza said that the quality of training and other facilities for tennis players had improved in the country over the years. The tennis star also runs a tennis academy, Sania Mirza Tennis Academy, in Hyderabad. Mirza described her feat at the Wimbledon central court as a "dream". At the event, Mirza was accompanied by former Women's Tennis Association legend Martina Navratilova, who lauded her for the Wimbledon achievement.

Will approach SC over names in sealed envelope: Aditya Verma

New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): Petitioner in the IPL Spot fixing case, Aditya Verma, said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court has given a historic verdict in spot fixing case by suspending the guilty from participating in the sport. He further said that he will now approach the Supreme Court regarding names in the sealed envelope. He also said that the BCCI will now have to decide on their next action to maintain credibility. A panel appointed by the Supreme Court had proposed identical two-year suspensions on the Chennai and Rajasthan franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the corruption scandal.

IPL fixing: Justice Lodha panel finds Meiyappan, Kundra guilty, suspends them for life Part 3

New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): Justice RM Lodha, who is heading the committee appointed by the Supreme Court to decide the fate of the IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), on Tuesday found CSK and RR team officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra guilty as charged of misconduct related to heavy betting in the Indian Premier League, and of bringing the game of cricket as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India into disrepute. Announcing his verdict, Justice Lodha said that Meiyappan, the son-in-law of former BCCI Chief N Srinivasan, is banned for five years from participation in any form of activity related to cricket and also suspended for life from having any role in the game. Justice Lodha said that Meiyappan's misconduct has been proven, and added that he had engaged in heavy and multiple acts of betting that had damaged the reputation of the game of cricket, the BCCI and the IPL. A similar verdict was issued in the name of Raj Kundra, the co-o

IPL fixing: Justice Lodha panel finds Meiyappan, Kundra guilty, suspends them for life Part 2

New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): Justice RM Lodha, who is heading the committee appointed by the Supreme Court to decide the fate of the IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), on Tuesday found CSK and RR team officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra guilty as charged of misconduct related to heavy betting in the Indian Premier League, and of bringing the game of cricket as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India into disrepute. Announcing his verdict, Justice Lodha said that Meiyappan, the son-in-law of former BCCI Chief N Srinivasan, is banned for five years from participation in any form of activity related to cricket and also suspended for life from having any role in the game. Justice Lodha said that Meiyappan's misconduct has been proven, and added that he had engaged in heavy and multiple acts of betting that had damaged the reputation of the game of cricket, the BCCI and the IPL. A similar verdict was issued in the name of Raj Kundra, the co-o