Page 9 - Sports

Such awards give encouragement to sports: PV Sindhu on named 'Padma Bhushan'

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 27 (ANI): The Government of India announced the Padma awards on January 25, a day before Republic Day. Shuttler PV Sindhu has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan award for excellence in the field of sports. She is the only Indian world champion in badminton. While speaking to ANI, PV Sindhu, said, "On evening of January 25, I got to know about my award and I am very much thankful to the ministry, Badminton Association of India (BAI), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and also the government of Andhra Pradesh. It's a very good encouragement to the sports and I am very much thankful." "These kinds of awards give us a lot of encouragement and a lot more," she added. 24-year-old Sindhu is among 16 persons named for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian award. She is among the eight sportspersons who were named for the prestigious honour. PV Sindhu had won the Padma Shri award in 2015.

Ecstatic fans throng at Eden Park in Auckland ahead of India, New Zealand match

Auckland (New Zealand), Jan 26 (ANI): Ecstatic cricket fans started gathering outside the Eden Park stadium in Auckland for the second match of five matches T20I series between India and New Zealand on Jan 26. India won by six-wicket in the first T20I match against New Zealand. Fans also chanted "Jeetega bhai jeetega India jeetega". While speaking to ANI, few fans show their excitement for the match. While speaking to ANI, a fan said, "I am expecting India to win again. In the last game they played really well. I am expecting the whole team do well." "After winning the series with Australia, team India is in super confidence. We are looking super exciting match for tonight," another fan told ANI. "We hope India will win today's match also like we did in last game. We are hoping India will win the entire five T20 match," fan expressed his excitement to ANI.

CoA should have kept players rest in mind before finalising schedule: Rajeev Shukla

New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): While speaking to ANI in the national capital on January 24, the former Chairman of Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajeev Shukla spoke about Indian cricket team and their tournament schedule. He said, "I agree with Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli that calendar is too hectic. You need to give rest to players else fatigue will hit them." "One after the other series are being played. Committee of Administrators (CoA) should have kept this in mind before finalising schedule," Rajeev Shukla added.

Less pressure, more fun: Skipper Harmanpreet's strategy ahead of Women's T20 WC

Mumbai, Jan 23 (ANI): Ahead of ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia, Indian Women's Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that her side will try to enjoy the game rather than taking pressure. "The only thing is we have to keep in mind how to handle pressure in the tournaments, we will try to enjoy the match rather than taking more pressure on us," Harmanpreet said.

Hockey Pro League 2020: India beats Netherlands in shootout by 3-1

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Jan 19 (ANI): India beat Netherlands in Shootout by 3-1 after play in regular time ended in 3-3 draw in the second game of the Hockey Pro League 2020 on January 19. While addressing a press conference after the match, Indian Hockey Player Rupinder Pal Singh said,"Today, we started with very unsatisfactory game and therefore, missed several chances of goals but we knew that we will get opportunity later and we knew that we will have to do our best to defend".

Sania Mirza wins Hobart International tournament

New Delhi, Jan 18(ANI): Tenis star Sania Mirza along with Nadia Kichenok on Jan 18 won the Hobart International tournament and staged a winning comeback on the tennis court. The duo defeated Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai of China 6-4, 6-4 in the finals. Sania last played at China Open in Oct 2017.

India sweat it out for comeback against Australia

Rajkot (Gujarat), Jan 16 (ANI): Team India was seen practicing in full spirit for second ODI against Australia in Rajkot. Team requires win in 2nd ODI to stay in series after setback in 1st ODI. Australia registered a comfortable victory with 10 wickets at Wankhede Stadium. 2nd ODI will be played on January 17.

Team's performance wasn't disappointing: Shreyas Iyer on 1st ODI loss

Rajkot (Gujarat), Jan 16 (ANI): Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer on January 16 held a press conference and shared his views on the 1st ODI against Australia. He said that the team is not prepared and importantly the country is not prepared to taste defeat but it is part of the game. He also said that the team's performance was not disappointing but there's a lot of learning from it. "That means you are not prepared, basically I would say the country is not prepared to see us collapsing in such situation but it is part of the game," said Iyer. Australia beat India by 10 wickets in the first ODI in which India put on a mediocre 255 runs. Aussie openers David Warner and Aaron Finch scored 128 runs and 110 runs respectively.

Australia gear up for 2nd ODI in Rajkot

Rajkot (Gujarat), Jan 16 (ANI): Australian players practiced at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot ahead of 2nd ODI match against India on January 17. Australia registered a massive victory in 1st ODI by 10 wickets. The final match of the series will be played on January 19. Team Australia stands at number 4 in ODI rankings.

India's 87-year-old super fan Charulata Patel passes away, BCCI condoles demise

New Delhi, Jan16 (ANI): The BCCI condoled the demise of India's super cricket fan, 87-year-old Charulata Patel. BCCI took to Twitter to share the picture of Charulata Patel. Patel had caught everyone's eye after turning up for India's matches during the 2019WC. The late super fan had also shared a heartening moment with Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli during one of the matches.

Ind vs Aus: Virat one of the toughest to ball, says Adam Zampa ahead of 2nd ODI

Vadodara (Gujarat), Jan 16 (ANI): While addressing a pre-match press conference in Gujarat's Vadodara on January 16 ahead of the second ODI match, the spinner of Australian Cricket Team Adam Zampa said, "Our approach is attacking if we are on the back foot. The most important thing playing in places like India against Indian Cricket Team is having a little bit of character though you get boundaries but it can really get worse if you make it effective." "I have got him (Virat Kohli) out a few times but he is a hard player to bowl. He is one of the toughest guys I have ever had to bowl," he added. "The second game is coming up tomorrow (January 17) and he is going to be more switched on so it's a big challenge," Adam Zampa further stated.

Ind vs Aus: Would be a big deal if we win the ODI series, says Adam Zampa

Vadodara (Gujarat), Jan 16 (ANI): While addressing a pre-match press conference in Gujarat's Vadodara on January 16 ahead of the second ODI match, the spinner of Australian Cricket Team Adam Zampa spoke about the ODI series. He said, "It's a big compliment from Virat Kohli and from my point of view I am not the most cue few like spinner in the world." "One of the important things that our boys (Australian Cricket Team) try to do is their hard strong character. This series is very important for us particularly after the disappointing end in the World Cup 2019," he added. "It is going to big deal if we can get to win this series in India," Adam Zampa further stated.

'Happy that ICC recognised it': Kohli on getting 'Spirit of Cricket' award

Mumbai, Jan 15 (ANI): Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli on January 15 was named as the skipper of ICC's ODI and Test Team of the year. Besides that, Kohli also received 'Spirit of Cricket Award' for his gesture for Australia batsman Steve Smith who was getting booed from the audience. Reacting on it, Kohli said, "Sometimes we are too judgemental of someone in their early years. I think everyone should be given space in the team for who they are. I never planned for the award, it was natural. I was happy that ICC recognise it"

WB's Richa Ghosh selected for Indian Women's T20 WC squad

Siliguri (West Bengal), Jan 14 (ANI): ICC Women's T20 World Cup will kick off in Australia in February. West Bengal's Richa Ghosh has been selected in a 15-member India squad for the upcoming World Cup. Richa's family and friends are excited with her achievement. Sachin Tendulkar and Jhulan Goswami are ideal cricketers for her. While speaking to ANI, Richa said, "I am feeling very happy. In the middle of playing cricket I got the news that I am selected for the team. It was my childhood dream to play for the country." The tournament will be held between 21st February and 8th March 2020 in Australia.

Australia gears up to lock horns with India ahead of 1st ODI

Mumbai, Jan 13 (ANI): Australian players practiced at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai ahead of 1st ODI match against India on January 14. Team India will lock horns with Australia in three-match ODI series. The final match of the series will be played on January 19. On ICC ODI teams ranking, Australia is at number 04 with 5,543 points.

Australia's Ashton Turner calls Indian spinners 'world class' ahead of ODI series

Mumbai, Jan 13 (ANI): Australia cricket team is all set to take on India for three ODI matches starting January 14. While addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Aussie batsman Ashton Turner appreciated Indian bowlers and said, "Indian bowlers are so effective all around the world because they ball really well not in the home conditions but they are also doing well across the world. India has world class spinners."

India getting ready at Wankhede for 1st ODI against Australia

Mumbai, Jan 13 (ANI): Indian cricket team is all set to play against Australia in a three-match ODI series. Men in Blue were seen practicing at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 13 ahead of the first ODI match. The series will commence from January 14. The final match of the series will be played on January 19 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India is at number 2 in ODI rankings.

Playing against Australia always a tough challenge: Kohli

Mumbai, Jan 13 (ANI): India is all set to play against Australia in a three-match ODI series. The series will begin from January 14. While addressing the press conference in Mumbai on January 13, the skipper of Indian Cricket Team Virat Kohli said, "You can have the most experienced and skilled players but if you don't play well as a team in any particular series you won't win which happened with us last time and when we went to Australia similar thing happened with them so that shows you how comparative this series is between the two teams." "It is never a dominating series its always 3-2, 2-1 kind of series," he added. "It's a short series but going to be exciting and it is always very good and tough challenge playing against Australia," Skipper Virat further stated.

Aussies playing 'intense' cricket after Smith, Warner's comeback: Virat Kohli

Mumbai, Jan 13 (ANI): India is all set to play against Australia in a three-match ODI series. The series will begin from January 14. While addressing the press conference in Mumbai on January 13, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said, "When you are playing against Australia you don't really think of relevance of the series. It's about playing against the best and the way they are playing their cricket after Steven Smith and David Warner have come back is intense and they are challenging every team and dominating few teams as well." "India along with Australia is probably the top two sides in the world as far as balance is concerned," Virat added.

'Men in Blue' gear up ahead of 1st ODI match against Australia

Mumbai, Jan 12 (ANI): India is all set to play against Australia in a three-match ODI series. The series will commence from January 14. Men in Blue were seen practicing at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 12 ahead of the first ODI match against Aussies. The final match of the series will be played on January 19 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.