Five potential breakout stars to watch at the Champions Trophy
DUBAI: The Champions Trophy starts on Wednesday in Pakistan and Dubai. Here are five less heralded players looking to make a name for themselves at the 50-over tournament: Varun Chakravarthy (India) A late entry into the Indian squad for the…
Waiting game continues for Indian wrestlers
CHENNAI: The drama has once again shifted to the sports minister’s doorstep. Some four months ago, Indian wrestlers were forced to stay put at sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s residence in New Delhi to ensure they got to compete at the…
Manchester United’s Amad Diallo could miss rest of season with injury
LONDON: Manchester United forward Amad Diallo could be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage, according to reports on Saturday. Diallo is believed to have sustained the problem in training, with United yet to confirm…
Seeking respect and healthy working atmosphere
CHENNAI: A year before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, an Indian coach who was conferred with the Dronacharya Award in 2003, was asked to join the national camp as one of the national coaches in athletics. The government policy at that…
World No.1 Jannik Sinner gets three-month ban in settlement of doping case
LONDON: Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive doping tests, the organization said Saturday. WADA, which was seeking to ban Sinner from the sport for…
Sports advisory panel may ruffle NSFs, active sportsperson in list not correct
CHENNAI: Committees and sub-committees seem to be the new flavour in the sports ministry. A few days ago, the ministry had formed a 17-member ‘sports experts advisory committee’ headed by the sports minister. There are 12 sportspersons on the list…
New Zealand pace bowler Ben Sears is out of the Champions Trophy with a hamstring tear
WELLINGTON: New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan with a hamstring tear. Sears suffered the injury in training in Karachi on Wednesday. Scan results have shown a minor tear which…
Domestic stars & next-gen players in focus as WPL enters third year
CHENNAI: In a cricketing calendar, a year is a long time. Not just for a player or a team but the sport itself. A lot happens in 12 months, and a lot changes too. It was like yesterday when Royal…
Youth who helped save Rishabh Pant battling for own life
Rajat Kumar, a 25-year-old man who saved Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant’s life following his car accident in 2022, attempted suicide along with his girlfriend by consuming poison. The incident was reported in Buchha Basti, a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar…
Varun can be x-factor: Gambhir
AHMEDABAD: India coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that Varun Chakravarthy was included in the Champions Trophy because of his ability to challenge the opposition batters through the middle-overs. Chakravarthy, who only made his 50-over debut at Cuttack, was left out of…
India, England wear green armbands to support BCCI’s organ donation campaign
AHMEDABAD: India and England cricketers took to the field wearing green armbands during the third and final ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday, supporting the BCCI’s “Donate Organs, Save Lives” campaign. The initiative, spearheaded by ICC Chairman and…
Bumrah out, Rana in for Champions Trophy; Varun replaces Jaiswal
CHENNAI: The most anticipated news, and perhaps even an expected one at some level, was confirmed by the BCCI on Tuesday night as Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy that is set to be played in…
Vaishali aims for consistency, spot in Candidates Tournament
Despite her achievements, Vaishali also faced setbacks, losing valuable rating points. However, she sees these experiences as valuable lessons. “I would say it was a mixed year. I achieved some good results, but I also lost some rating points. It…
Vintage Jadeja back to the fore
CUTTACK: Ravindra Jadeja was at the top of his mark at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Taking guard in front of him was England batter Harry Brook. The Indian spinner, playing only his second ODI since the home World…
Barcelona rout Sevilla to maintain title charge
SEVILLA: Barcelona cut the gap on La Liga’s top two with an entertaining 4-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, despite playing out the final half-hour with 10 men after Fermin Lopez’s red card. Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia…
Days ahead of Champions Trophy, much-awaited ODI debut for Varun
CUTTACK: Just as the Indian team got together for a huddle before the toss at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Raghu Raghavendra, the team’s throwdown specialist, dropped everything and ran towards them from the other end of the pitch…
Kylian Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico
Madrid battle back Madrid pulled level early in the second half when Rodrygo broke loose on the right of the box and crossed for Bellingham. The England international’s shot was blocked but Mbappe was on hand to turn home the…
Once a regular venue, hosting ODI match after six years
With the government changing in 2024, the OCA is continuing their talks with the new government for support. “Without government funding, we cannot do a complete overhaul,” Mohanty explains. “BCCI will support with their infrastructure fund, but we need government…
Uttarakhand creates history with three gold medals in boxing at 38th National Games
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand achieved a historic milestone at the ongoing 38th National Games on Friday, with the state’s boxers delivering an exceptional performance. The athletes secured three gold medals and a total of five medals, marking the first time the state…
Is gung-ho approach pegging back England in ODIs?
CUTTACK: Axar Patel was down on his knee laughing at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday. He couldn’t believe what had happened and neither did England captain Jos Buttler. Having bowled what was possibly his worst delivery of the…
De Zorzi shines as Sunrisers Eastern Cape reach SA20 final
CENTURION: Around eight years ago, just after a then young Tony de Zorzi was given the honour of leading an age-group Protea outfit to the World Cup, the southpaw’s stocks collapsed like a house of cards. Touted for the top-most…
Wasn’t supposed to play the match: Iyer
NAGPUR: Shreyas Iyer came out all guns blazing smashing a 36-ball 59 after the openers fell early. His counterattacking innings helped India put pressure back on England and secure a four-wicket win. However, Iyer later revealed that he got the…
SA20: Markram's industry helps SEC beat JSK
CENTURION: Death, taxes and Sunrisers Eastern Cape finding a way. Or something like that. When the shadows lengthened across Supersport Park at Centurion just before twilight hit the famous old venue, the defending champions were in a spot of bother….
SKY, Bumrah & Kohli: Philander’s wishlist for SA20
GQEBERHA: For a country that produces elite cricketers on an industrial level, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) policies mean crowds around the world cannot hope to see the likes of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah turning…
MI Cape Town beat Paarl Royals to reach SA20 final
Gqeberha: As streaks of the Orange sky made its presence felt at sunset over St. George’s Park after a sun-kissed afternoon, the Paarl Royals openers were intent on hunting down a steep 200 to become the first team to reach…
India vice-captain Shubman Gill eyes big turnaround
From the time the Border-Gavaskar Trophy came to an end, one of the debates about the Indian team was how long before Yashasvi Jaiswal made the ODI team. While it did not take long, as the youngster was included in…
Pretorius, the teen rising cricket star of South Africa
GQEBERHA: Every now and then, a young athlete grabs the eyeballs of an unsuspecting crowd like a supernova. In T20s, just because of the way the format works, it’s almost instantaneous. Clips are uploaded and regurgitated across various platforms. Bonafide…
Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan after falling out of favour at Manchester United
Marcus Rashford will look to reignite his career at Aston Villa after joining on loan for the rest of the season from Manchester United, where he has fallen out with recently hired manager Ruben Amorim. The move was completed late…
Arsenal thrash Man City 5-1 to boost Premier League title challenge
LONDON: Arsenal beat Manchester City 5-1 to keep their Premier League title hopes alive on Sunday, while Manchester United slumped to another meek 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. In the battle between the sides that have finished in the top…
Chennai Open ATP Challenger: Chirag, Manish advance
CHENNAI: India’s Chirag Duhan, Siddharth Vishwakarma and Manish Sureshkumar knocked out seeded players in the first round of qualifying at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger at the SDAT Tennis Stadium here on Sunday. Duhan, aged 21 and ranked No 962…
Players from 14 nations at ATP Challenger in Chennai
CHENNAI: The Chennai Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship 2025 will be organised by the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association from Feb 2 to Feb 9 at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, Chennai. In this edition of the tournament…
Budget boost all-round, biggest beneficiary Khelo India
Assistance to NSFs The sports ministry had been facing issues recognizing NSFs because a September 2023 order said that the 16.08.2022 of the Delhi High court order mandated all NSFs to adhere to sports code in ‘toto’ (in all parameters…
All-round India win 4th T20I match, secure series against England
In reply, England started well scoring 62 in the powerplay. However, openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett got out soon after to hand over advantage to India. The hosts also saw pacer Harshit Rana replace Dube as concussion substitute and…
Tamil Nadu banking on Vijay Shankar & lower-order to guide team home
At 96/7, Jharkhand were in danger of being bowled out for cheap. However, No 9 batter Aditya Singh hit a handy 35 to help Jharkhand bolster their lead. Chasing a small target can always be tricky. Therefore, Tamil Nadu began…
Tamil Nadu squander advantage to concede lead to Jharkhand
First N Jagadeesan got run out, later Pradosh Ranjan Paul fell cheaply. To complicate matters B Indrajith got injured and could not bat. ”We were hopeful of a good start and with the depth in our batting we were confident…
Exuberant fans throng Ranji game for glimpse of King Kohli
NEW DELHI: Thousands of delirious fans screamed and cheered at the mere mention of his name as Virat Kohli’s unmatched aura dominated the Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and Railways here on Thursday, triggering an unprecedented rush for seats in…
Shami’s return sight for sore eyes
CHENNAI: Just as artificial light was beginning to take over from natural light at the Niranjan Shah Stadium at Rajkot on Tuesday, the familiar but slightly forgotten sight of Mohammed Shami steaming in with a white ball next to the…
Australia in command as Smith, Khawaja punish Sri Lanka on rain-hit opening day of first Test
With only 81.1 overs possible due to rain, Australia will be eager to pile on the runs on day two. Holding a three-spinner advantage, it is well-placed to put Sri Lanka under immense pressure on a pitch expected to deteriorate….
Coach Kotak happy to give and take wisdom
CHENNAI: In the aftermath of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat Down Under, one of the first changes made with regards to the Indian team is the addition of Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach for the ongoing series against England. Kotak, a…
Kohli checks in at Kotla ahead of Ranji game, enjoys kadhi chawal
Training session It was an occasion to remember for the Sanat Sangwans, Arpit Ranas and Siddhant Sharmas but for Kohli it was business as usual. It seemed he had left the star outside the ground and had turned up as…
Railways wrestlers without pay, referees to get TA, DA for National Games
CHENNAI: Standoff between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) continues to haunt wrestlers even as they prepare to compete at the National Games. Only a few Railway wrestlers made it to their respective state…
Bumrah reigns supreme, named ICC men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
DUBAI: Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was on Monday named ICC men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for amassing 71 wickets in just 13 matches at a jaw-dropping sub-15 average, statistics that placed him heads and shoulders above his contemporaries…
Versatile and sensible Tilak Varma delivers on promise
CHENNAI: In the six months since India’s T20 World Cup triumph at Barbados, if there was one batter who has proven to be the most versatile no matter when and where he gets a chance, it is Tilak Varma. Whether…
Haaland leads Manchester City revival to beat Chelsea
MANCHESTER: Erling Haaland inspired a Manchester City fightback from 1-0 down to beat Chelsea 3-1 and move into the Premier League top four at the Blues’ expense on Saturday. City recovered from a nightmare start to Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut as…
Role of ACA more important with rise of franchise leagues: Christina Matthews
The road to get here has been a long and arduous one — a journey filled with numerous stalemates, continual negotiations between ACA, CA and the players. And as and when any change happens from a sporting point of view,…
No.1 who defied doping case to dominate men’s tennis
Wise head After a steady grind, Sinner made an emphatic statement that he was among the elite by winning his maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne last year. He hasn’t looked back, winning eight titles in 2024, including the US Open…
England look to break free of India’s spin web
From what Brook had to say, don’t be surprised if England tries to take an aggressive approach against the England spinners. With boundaries shorter on one side, they might try to target the same, but Varun and Co are prepared…
Sabalenka, Keys promise thunderous slugfest in Australian Open final
MELBOURNE: The irresistible force of Aryna Sabalenka meets the unbreakable spirit of Madison Keys in an Australian Open women’s singles final on Saturday that promises to be a thunderous slugfest. Defending champion Sabalenka was hailed by beaten semi-finalist Paula Badosa…
Spin it to win it: Varun growing in stature
“Yes, at times you can be hit. The format is such. But Varun is mentally strong and knows how to improvise, be it change lines, bowling a bit quicker or change angles. So this ability to not get rattled and…
Thailand’s first Olympic champion sentenced for attempted rape
A Thai court on Thursday sentenced the country’s first Olympic gold medallist to just over three years in prison for the abduction and attempted rape of a teenager. Somluck Kamsing, now 52, became a national hero when he won featherweight…
LA28 in mind, ACTC for 4 years; focus on NSF good health
The flagship annual calendar for training and competition (ACTC) plan for four years, hosting of international competitions and conducting national leagues for player identification and development were some of the talking points of the meeting between the sports minister and…
Iga Swiatek overwhelms Emma Navarro and will face Madison Keys in the semifinals
“Madison is a great player and experienced, so you never know,” said Swiatek, who is 4-1 against the 29-year-old Keys. “I’ll be just focused on myself.” Using a new racket this season, Keys is on a 10-match winning streak, including…
Duhan keen on WHIL lessons
It was a gloomy night at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi a year ago. Despite their grueling efforts, the Indian women’s hockey team could not beat Japan in the third-place playoff match of the…
Axar Patel embraces new position
CHENNAI: AXAR Patel has always been the player that he is today. But the last year has seen a lot of upward trajectory. From quietly playing the most important knock for India at the 2024 T20 World Cup final against…
From drought-prone village to WHIL: Rutuja Pisal story
Coming from a humble family where her father is an employee at the TVS company in Phaltan and a homemaker mother, Pisal represented India in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 where they won the title for the very first…
Madurai to Malaysia: A keeper’s dream
CHENNAI: The Gunalan-Saranya household in Chennai was buzzing with phone calls early in the morning on Sunday. It was India’s first game at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup and their daughter Kamalini was set to take the field…
World No 1 An Se-Young lives up to billing
NEW DELHI: Pornpawee Chochuwong stood bemused in the middle of the court. The Thai shuttler was digging deep into her available resources trying out every trick that she has learnt over the years against South Korea’s An Se-Young, but it…
Aryna Sabalenka blows away Andreeva to reach Melbourne quarter-finals
“Previous days were such tough conditions, the ball was so heavy,” said Sabalenka. “The ball was flying like a rocket. I hope conditions are going to be the same till the end of the tournament.” Andreeva struggled to live with…
India Open: Satwik-Chirag crash out in semis
NEW DELHI: It was quite an anti-climatic finish. A match that promised so much for India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, ended on a tame note. In the final act, Satwik misjudged a disguised flick serve by his opponent on…
Coach backs PV Sindhu to regain her wings after loss in quarters
Irwansyah, the former Indonesia men’s team coach, was roped in by the Badminton Association of India recently and this event was first part of his initiation phase with Sindhu. Irwansyah has a massive challenge alongside Sindhu. And he’s hopeful that…
Injury a boon for Vrinda and her transformation
CHENNAI: When D Vrinda got ruled out of the 2024 Women’s Premier League due to a shoulder injury, it came as a huge blow to the Karnataka batter. She came into her first season of WPL with a lot of…
Neymar says Mbappé was jealous of Messi in Paris, adds that player egos hurt PSG’s performances
SAO PAULO: Striker Neymar said his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé became “a little jealous” after superstar Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021 in a free transfer. Speaking in a podcast hosted by World Cup winner…
India to play three four-day matches in UK ahead of England Tests
NEW DELHI: Stung by the massive defeats against New Zealand and Australia, the BCCI has decided to organise three four-day matches in the UK ahead of the Test matches against England to give the players an opportunity to get a…
Record-shattering day in Rajkot as India women complete clean sweep
CHENNAI: It was yet another day of shattering records in Rajkot as India women beat Ireland in the third and final ODI to win the series 3-0 on Wednesday. It began with Smriti Mandhana scoring the fastest ODI hundred by…
Naomi Osaka is back in a Slam’s 3rd round for the 1st time in 3 years
“It definitely was something that is a goal of mine, especially after last year; I wasn’t able to beat a seed in a Grand Slam,” Osaka said. “I’m obviously very thankful that happened so early this year.” She also joked…
Trying to focus on building my innings, says Shafali Verma
The 20-year-old said that the message from the team management has been about believing in herself and backing your strengths. While there is no doubt about her batting ability, one of the concerns raised was about her fielding. Although she…
India Open 2025: Spotlight on home stars
CHENNAI: It is still early days to the start of the new Olympic cycle and there’s a sense of renewed energy surrounding some of the elite shuttlers in the BWF circuit. That is predominantly the case for Indians as they’ll…
Noah Sadaoui’s last-minute heroics seal thrilling win for Kerala Blasters over Odisha FC
The Blasters intensified their attack and were rewarded in the 73rd minute. Adrian Luna, shifting to the right flank, sent a curling cross towards the far-left post where Noah Sadaoui was positioned. Instead of going for goal, Noah smartly headed…
Novak Djokovic and new coach Andy Murray get a win against US teen in debut
Naomi Osaka, who won two of her four major titles in Australia, faced Caroline Garcia in Monday’s last match at Rod Laver Arena. Noteworthy exits came from two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, and…
Tottenham avoids massive FA Cup shock with extra-time win as Man United beats Arsenal on penalties
Ninety-five places were between the teams in the league pyramid. “Amazing day and a shame we couldn’t get over the line,” Tamworth midfielder Tom McGlinchey said. “Back to work lecturing tomorrow — back to the day job unfortunately.” In previous…
Devajit Saikia elected BCCI secretary, Prabhtej Bhatia becomes treasurer unopposed
MUMBAI: Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were on Sunday elected secretary and treasurer, respectively, unopposed at the BCCI Special General Meeting here. They both were elected unopposed after being the only ones to file nomination for the posts vacated…
Parental guidance
When D Gukesh was crowned chess world champion—the youngest ever—in Singapore last month, his father Rajinikanth was by his side. At the venue, moments after Ding Liren played that infamous move, an anxious Rajinikanth—who is also Gukesh’s manager—was seen pacing…
New-look Pakistan squad for West Indies Tests
Pakistan selectors Saturday recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq in a new look squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting next week. The 29-year old Imam has played 24 Tests for Pakistan but was dropped over poor form after…
Djokovic claims he was ‘poisoned’ before 2022 Australian Open deportation
No grudge All catering staff have undertaken food safety certifications, it says. And, as of December 31, 2021, the hotel had been providing samples of the food provided to detainees at each meal to the contractor responsible for detention services….
ICC Champions Trophy set to go ahead in Pakistan despite speculation over stadium delays
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed speculation that the ICC Champions Trophy will be moved out of the country due to delays in construction work at three stadiums set to host the event, which begins on 19 February….
Prannoy, Satwik-Chirag and Malvika enter Round of 16
CHENNAI: HS Prannoy’s match, his first since the Paris Olympics, was halted by rain on Tuesday. It was a bizarre moment since the contest was happening indoors at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. Twenty-four hours later, Prannoy returned to…
Cummins to undergo scan on sore ankle as Champions Trophy looms
“Pat’s obviously on paternity leave for the next little bit,” Bailey was quoted a saying on Thursday. “There’s a little bit of work to do, he’s got a little bit of a sore ankle as well so I think in…
West Ham sack manager Julen Lopetegui after just 22 games in charge
Under the Scot, West Ham qualified for European competition for three consecutive seasons, winning the Europa Conference League in 2023 to secure the club’s first major trophy in 43 years. Lopetegui, who had previously managed Wolves in the Premier League,…
Konstas regrets stand-off with Bumrah
SYDNEY: Australia’s teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas regrets his involvement in the stand-off with Jasprit Bumrah during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Trophy, admitting he was only trying to waste time but ultimately, the Indian pace spearhead had the “last laugh”. Konstas…
Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC ‘Men’s Player of the Month’ award
DUBAI: Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was on Tuesday nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December 2024 after his standout performance against Australia in the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In December, Bumrah took 22 wickets in…
Whitewash at home a bigger failure than BGT loss; unfair to target Rohit, Virat: Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh
World Cup-winning former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has stated that being whitewashed at home by New Zealand was a bigger setback for Team India than their loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but refused to join the chorus of criticism against embattled…
Smith on missing 10,000 Test runs milestone
SYDNEY: Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith has said he had never encountered a wicket like the one at the SCG, after falling one run short of reaching 10,000 career runs in the five-match Test series against India for the Border-Gavaskar…
Harbhajan says ‘superstar culture’ not taking team forward; wants performance-based selection
Harbhajan said the struggling players should play some form of cricket and prove themselves if they wish to be picked for the England Test tour. “It should be based on performance only, whether it is Virat, Rohit or anyone. No…
Not sure about extent of Bumrah's injury: Gautam Gambhir
SYDNEY: Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India in Sydney after Rohit Sharma opted out of the match, did not take the field after suffering from an injury on day two — a back spasm that led to him leaving the field…
Virat Kohli brings theatre to the game, will be sad if he has played his last Test in Australia: Cummins
SYDNEY: Australian skipper Pat Cummins rates Virat Kohli as a great competitor who makes the game lively with his theatrics and he will be “sad” if the latest Border-Gavaskar trophy does end up being the Indian superstar’s last tour Down…
The original Pant comes to fore
SYDNEY: Scott Boland was steaming in at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In fact, he has been all through the series — Adelaide, Melbourne and so on. And every time he ran in, he made India pay. In a series where…
Bumrah suffers back spasm, medical team monitoring his condition
The 31-year-old pacer has taken 32 wickets in the series so far and had figures of 2/33 in 10 overs on the day, including the prized dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session with a peach of a delivery….
Deepali delighted with ‘very special’ recognition
CHENNAI: Away from prying eyes, Deepali Desphande has had quite a sojourn in the last decade or so. The former rifle shooter-turned-coach has been part of the ups and downs the sport has experienced during that period. She has endured…
Would have been nice to see more para-athletes get Khel Ratna: Praveen Kumar
Para high-jumper Praveen Kumar is delighted to be among the four recipients of the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, thanks to his gold-winning performance at the Paris Paralympics. However, he says he would have been happier if more para-athletes were…
Storm before the biggest Test Down Under
What followed after only reaffirmed the speculations. Gambhir was having a long chat with Jasprit Bumrah just outside the SCG dressing room while the team and Sharma were warming up in the middle. Once it was all done, the slip…
Rohit to be dropped for BGT finale? Bumrah likely to lead India in Sydney
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has also found himself in the firing line. Reports suggest that Gambhir has been unimpressed with Pant’s shot selection and may opt to drop him in favour of Dhruv Jurel. If Pant is indeed axed, it…
Indian boxing in the shadows, former pros seek system overhaul
Beijing Games bronze medallist, Vijender Singh, echoed the same. “The coach has to know what the boxer wants and who he wants to train with,” he told this daily. “For example, when I was in the national camp before the…
Challenges await for Indian cricket
One of the things that India struggled to do whether against New Zealand at home or in Australia is to take 20 wickets. Oftentimes questions were raised about the combination preferred as they packed the playing XI with all-rounders to…
Here’s hoping to fulfilling 2025 after controversial 2024 in Indian sports
Recognising NSFs There were several National Sports Federations (NSFs) that have not held their elections either because of the Delhi High Court order or because of in-fighting. There are at least four NSFs still governed by administrators, one such example…
Former Australia head coach Lehmann
Talking about transition, Lehmann noted that Australia’s batting could be a concern, rather than the bowling, even though Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, and Michael Neser are all in their early to mid-30s. “I am not so…
Golden year for Indian chess
CHENNAI: It’s that time of December. The days are shorter and the weather several degrees cooler as the winter begins to set all over the country. That means the end of the year is round the corner and the often…
Rohit Sharma after Australia loss
“You know, a lot of the things that I am trying to do is not falling in the place that I would want to. But mentally, look, you know, it is disturbing without a doubt. If you have come here…
India’s sporting highs and lows of 2024
Lows 0-3 home series loss to Kiwis The historic 0-3 loss against visiting New Zealand in a three-Test series rattled the Indian team to the core. The clean sweep also meant India’s impeccable record of not losing a home Test…
Ashi Chouksey clinches maiden national title in 50m rifle 3-positions
BHOPAL: Local shooter Ashi Chouksey overcame a strong field, including Olympians Anjum Moudgil and Shriyanka Sadangi, to clinch her maiden national title in the 50m rifle 3-positions event at the 67th National Shooting Championship on Sunday. Ashi shot a superb…
Nitish Kumar Reddy: A star is born
Nitish grabbed the limelight in this year’s Indian Premier League and has been fast-tracked since to international cricket. One of the first things that got noticed as Nitish took on Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland on Saturday at the MCG…
Reddy-made hundred at MCG as India fights back; Washington Sundar shines with bat too
Calling it stupid, Gavaskar said that Pant should probably go to Australian dressing room than India’s. Jadeja fell shortly after and it left Reddy and Washington a mountain to climb — one that was 253 runs tall. Washington, who had…
Six minutes of mayhem for India
Rahul, coming in at No 3, was undone by Cummins and now, it was on the duo to revive the innings. From 51/2, they would go on to take India to 152/3 and did so with sheer discipline. Kohli, as…
India trail by 310 runs after day two against Australia
MELBOURNE: India ended day two of the fourth Test at 164 for five, trailing Australia by 310 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Skipper Rohit Sharma (3) fell cheaply once again before Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli…
Australia batters foil India’s plans
That is not how things went down on the field. Konstas frustrated the Indians with his batting display. Virat Kohli even had a run in with the youngster, bumping his shoulder in between overs. Kohli was later fined by the…
Record-setting 87,242 fans flock MCG on opening day of Boxing Day Test
MELBOURNE: A record 87,242 spectators filled the stands at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, setting a new mark for the highest single-day attendance in a five-day match…
‘I only believe in Jassi bhai’: The genius of Bumrah
That was a peak moment for Bumrah on his first outing at the MCG. The incredible thing, and perhaps unbelievable even, is that he hasn’t come down from there in six years. If anything, he has just prolonged his time…
Travis Head exemplifies Australian aggression, best batter in the world: Greg Chappell
MELBOURNE: Legendary cricketer Greg Chappell has hailed Travis Head as the “best batter in the world,” citing his fearless approach and ability to counter Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as prime examples of his “Australian way…
Cranbrook to MCG, the rise and rise of Sam Konstas
Initiation into the game Islam met Konstas when he got into Cranbrook School in his early teen years. They had a couple of training sessions together after which the former Bangladeshi first-class cricketer sat down with Sam’s father Jim and…
Konstas set for Test debut at MCG as Travis Head faces injury concerns
MELBOURNE: Teen batter Sam Konstas is set to make a dream debut at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test against India, even as an injury cloud looms over prolific run-getter Travis Head, who suffered a quadriceps muscle strain during…
Shami not fully fit yet, ruled out of remaining two Tests in Australia
NEW DELHI: India pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the last two Tests against Australia as he is yet to regain full fitness, the BCCI said on Monday. Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World…
The ability to take 20 wickets is not that good in Indian team: Cheteshwar Pujara
“We will have to think about that, because if you want to win a Test match, then you have to take 20 wickets, and the ability to take 20 wickets is not that good, the supporting role of the other…
Rohit should change his tactics, be more attacking batting at No.6: Ravi Shastri
Shastri felt Rohit should shun the defensive mindset. “The last thing you want is him to be in two minds whether to defend or attack. In his case, it should be an attack. He picks up length quickly, he should…
He wants his team but will he get that?
MELBOURNE: Transitions are never easy. More so when a dressing room is dotted with superstars, who are in the Twilight Zone of their glittering careers. And it’s for this reason, India head coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself caught between a…
2032 Olympics: Bris-Bane- Pause and effect
MELBOURNE: Since the time it was announced as the host city for the 2032 Olympics, the road so far has been far from ideal for Brisbane and Queensland. Uncertainty over venues, spiraling costs and other predicaments have led to some…
Ashwin’s wife pens heartfelt tribute after his sudden retirement
CHENNAI: Ravichandran Ashwin’s wife Prithi Narayanan has penned a heartfelt tribute for her husband following his recent retirement from international cricket, saying “it is time to set the burden of being you down” and embrace life beyond the game. Ashwin…
Hockey India League a big boost for youngsters: PR Sreejesh
CHENNAI: There is something about PR Sreejesh. He is always ebullient, seems at peace with himself and more than anything he is shrouded in an aura of positivity. Always cheerful and articulate, Sreejesh speaks his mind. During a short conversation,…
Guiu hat trick helps Chelsea rout Rovers 5-1 to extend Conference League dominance
Marc Guiu’s first-half hat trick helped Chelsea ease past Shamrock Rovers 5-1 on Thursday to complete the league phase of the UEFA Conference League with a 100% record. The 18-year-old forward, who netted twice in a 3-1 win over Astana…
Inside the National Cricket Centre of Australia
BRISBANE: It was about 12 noon on a breezy Thursday in Brisbane. Less than 24 hours ago, the India and Australia men’s teams played out a rainy draw. Even as both the teams were getting ready to leave for Melbourne,…
Just-retired Ashwin returns to Chennai
CHENNAI: A day after announcing his retirement from international cricket midway into the Test series against Australia, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a quiet early-morning return to the country here on Thursday. Ashiwn could be seen being escorted out of…
Ten records held by India’s GOAT R Ashwin as he hangs up his boots
R Ashwin shocked his teammates and fans alike by bringing the curtains down on his Test career in the middle of the series against Australia. His final tally of 537 wickets in Tests is second only to Anil Kumble’s 619…
Drawn end to rain-interrupted Gabba Test
BRISBANE: In the end, the result only seemed fitting. On a day that saw eight wickets fall in the 24.1 overs bowled over five hours with multiple rain and thunderstorm breaks, India and Australia shook hands to call it a…
There was not going to be an opportunity for Rana to start in our 11: Gujarat coach Klinger
On breaking bank for Simran Shaikh Leading into the auction, we probably didn’t think she would go that high but she was a player of interest for us in particular because of her power and the strike rate that she…
Australia pacer Hazlewood suffers calf injury, to undergo scans
BRISBANE: Australia were dealt a big blow on Tuesday as pacer Josh Hazlewood sustained calf soreness and will undergo scans to assess the severity of the injury. The 33-year-old managed just one over before leaving the field early on day…
From Madurai to Mumbai Indians via Kuala Lumpur: The Kamalini story
BENGALURU: On Sunday, at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, G Kamalini was having the time of her life behind the stumps. There were rhythmic clapping for bowlers, loud and clear shouts for when Pakistani batters were trying to steal…
PSG extends lead at the top of French league with 3-1 win against Lyon marred by homophobic chants
Nice draws at Montpellier Nice twice failed to hold on to its lead in a 2-2 draw at struggling Montpellier. Three days after conceding a late goal in a 2-1 loss against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, Nice missed…
Despite poor first season, Shaikh sets cash register ringing at WPL auction
BENGALURU: Simran Shaikh is a “bindhast” person. A proper Bambaiya cricketer. A player with whom you can have an evening tea and talk about the game for hours. But don’t let her laid-back attitude fool you. When it comes to…
Head dominates Indian attack for back-to-back hundred as Australia reach 234 for 3 at tea
BRISBANE: India’s nemesis Travis Head smashed his second hundred in as many games to help Australia gain a distinct advantage in the third Test here on Sunday. Australia, who were put under pressure by India in the morning session, gathered…
‘Not part of this circus anymore,’ Carlsen reiterates while praising Gukesh’s World Championship journey
Former World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has stated that he will not be competing against Gukesh D in future tournaments. Carlsen relinquished his title in 2022, citing a lack of motivation. “I’ve spoken to people in my team, I’ve spoken…
Reddy misses out, Uttarakhand duo called up for India vs West Indies
India are currently placed third in the ICC Women’s Championship table behind Australia and England. The next two ODI series, against West Indies, followed by one against Ireland are important in the run-up to the ODI World Cup, for which…
Border–Gavaskar Trophy: Welcome to Brisbane, welcome to Marnus-land
BRISBANE: Shortly after India’s win in Perth, Sean Llyod, President of the Redlands Tigers Cricket Club, had come out and offered Marnus Labuschagne an option of sorts. The Australia’s No 3 had been struggling with form and quite a few…
Been dreaming about this moment since I was six, says world champion Gukesh
He has been one of the best players in history for several years. To see how much pressure he had to face and the kind of fight he gave in this match, it shows what a true champion he is….
Velammal Vidyalaya gets ready to welcome its most famous student
CHENNAI: The Velammal Vidyalaya at Mogappair in the western suburbs of the city slipped into a celebratory mood on Thursday evening, as D Gukesh, now the most famous name in the school muster, scripted history, becoming the youngest ever chess…
Bangaon village girls dominate National Junior Athletics javelin events
BHUBANESWAR: Coach Hanuman Singh’s six students from Bangaon village, Fatehabad districts of Haryana made a clean sweep in the javelin events of the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship, which concluded here at Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday. His students participated in…
Gukesh, Ding Liren play out draw in 13th game
SINGAPORE: Indian challenger D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China played out a draw in the 13th game of the World Chess Championship to remain level on points here on Wednesday. The drawn match left Gukesh, playing white,…
WFI to issue show-cause notice to RSPB for non-participation in nationals
CHENNAI: A Greco-Roman wrestler employed with Indian Railways was asked to withdraw after winning his first bout at the recently-concluded Senior National Championship in Bengaluru. He was representing Rajasthan in the tournament. Besides, two Railway wrestlers — both had won…
Two games to go, too close to call
Mental state of both players One can only speculate here. The 18-year-old wasn’t overly thrilled on Sunday. Similarly, he wasn’t pessimistic on Monday. Likewise, his opponent. At several points in this match, Liren has been happy to take the draw…
Kerala aims kicking business goals even as Messi’s arrival remains doubtful
KOCHI: As entire Kerala eagerly awaits the highly-anticipated international friendlies featuring the World Cup winning Argentine side led by star footballer Lionel Messi some time next year, the sponsors of the event are trying something unique to boost the state’s…
Gukesh loses to Ding in 12th game, both tied at six points each
SINGAPORE: Indian challenger D Gukesh lost the 12th game against defending champion Ding Liren of China to allow his opponent to bounce back and level the World Chess Championship match on six points each here on Monday. The 18-year-old Gukesh…
The magic wand behind Australia’s white ball success
While she got a lifeline batting on 48 from none other than her close friend, Phoebe Litchfield, there was no stopping Voll that day. She was smart about her shot selection and did not flinch even when she lost partners…
Indian motorsport giant Indu Chandhok passes away
CHENNAI: Indu Chandhok, the doyen of Indian motorsports, passed away at Chennai on Saturday morning. After being actively involved with the sport for close to six decades, he passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind two sons, one…
Railway wrestler withdrawn from Senior National Championship amid NOC controversy
CHENNAI: A Greco-Roman wrestler from Rajasthan was asked to pull out of the ongoing Senior National Championship in Bengaluru on Saturday after the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) allegedly failed to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) to its wrestlers to compete…
Head-ache yet again for Rohit & Co
When asked about his approach with the bat, Head explained, “30 overs seems to be about the mark on Adelaide Oval. For my whole career, it has felt like that’s (whether it is) the red ball, pink ball the time…
Maiden national gold for Jaideep after twin heartbreaks at Olympic qualifiers
CHENNAI: Jaideep suffered twin heartbreaks early this year as he lost narrowly in the Asian and World Olympic qualifiers thus failing to book a ticket for the Paris Games. A petty officer with the Indian Navy, it was his dream…
Battle to save Classical chess amid Rapid, Blitz onslaught
**** Every time something new, shiny and, importantly fast, emerges, factions form. A few want to preserve traditions. Others bat — pardon the pun — for the fun, fast version. It’s especially true for sport. Cricket is still grappling with…
As National Wrestling Championships begin on December 6, WFI to discuss RSPB’s decision to skip event in AGM
CHENNAI: Even as the National Wrestling Championships begins in Bengaluru on Friday, all eyes will be on the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) scheduled on the last day (Sunday). As the Railway Sports Promotion…
Another draw in Game 9 between Gukesh and Ding
SINGAPORE: The stalemate continued in the World Chess Championship as the ninth game between Indian challenger D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China ended in yet another draw here on Thursday. The sixth consecutive draw — and seventh…
Team India heckled and body-shamed in Adelaide
CHENNAI: Perhaps, the organisers never expected such a crowd. The open nets session for India at Adelaide before the second day and night test match against Australia turned carnivalesque. Almost. It turned into chaos. About 3,000 (some put that figure…
Rosen to prominence through chess stream
On his entry into chess and how he became a streamer: [I] started when I was 7. I was really passionate about chess even then. It was a long journey till I became a streamer. When I graduated from college,…
After ODI loss, Ireland team led by Lewis’ look to make a mark in shortest format
CHENNAI: When Ireland women landed in Bangladesh for three ODIs and as many T20Is last month, they knew it was going to be a massive challenge. For starters, the conditions are vastly different, and that is not just it. After…
Bradman’s ‘baggy green’ cap sells for $250,000 at auction
SYDNEY: A “baggy green” Test cap worn by Australian great Don Bradman sold for $250,000 at auction on Tuesday as collectors vied to own a rare piece of cricketing history. The tattered garment — almost 80 years old — was…
Time for FIFA to think shifting World Cup to spring/autumn, says scientist Konefał
Konefal also explained that they were trying to give coaches, organisers and football federations information on heat load risk. “We scientists are trying to give coaches, organizers of sports events and football federations reliable information on the heat load risk…
Inside the challenging world of a chess photographer
SINGAPORE: There’s a photo of Magnus Carlsen immediately after the World Championship he won in 2021. In the image, there’s a chessboard with pieces and the trophy to its left in the foreground, with the Norwegian all smiles in the…
Odisha FC sweep aside Bengaluru FC 4-2 with an overwhelming offensive display
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha FC delivered a stunning performance to overpower Bengaluru FC 4-2 in their Indian Super League (ISL) match on Sunday. The Juggernauts showcased their best form at the Kalinga Stadium, particularly in attack, as they left the Blues struggling…
Viswanathan Anand enchants Singapore with Simul exhibition at World Chess Championship
SINGAPORE: The hottest ticket in town on Saturday night was for Anirudh Ravichander’s concert, part of his 2024 Hukum Tour. At a sold-out arena, the Indian composer performed some of his biggest hits, leaving fans mesmerised. On Sunday, in a…
PCB wants long-term solution as chances of hybrid model increase
CHENNAI: Amid the ongoing impasse on the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi spoke to a few reporters after an U19 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Saturday. Once again, Naqvi, who…
Gukesh draws with Ding, scores still tied after five games in World Chess Championship
SINGAPORE: Indian challenger D Gukesh played out a hard-fought draw with white pieces in the fifth game of the World Chess Championship against defending champion Ding Liren of China here Saturday. The second draw in a row left both players…
Gukesh settles for draw vs Ding; over to Game Five at World Chess Championship
SINGAPORE: The scoreboard will tell you that the points from the fourth game were split. What it won’t say was the way the fourth game almost ground to a halt after both players got out of the opening with just…
Pakistan Cricket Board rejects hybrid model, meeting postponed to Saturday
DUBAI/KARACHI: The emergency meeting of the International Cricket Council’s executive board could not achieve a consensus on the much-awaited Champions Trophy schedule and will reconvene on Saturday after Pakistan once again rejected the ‘Hybrid’ model of hosting the event. The…
Doping shocker again in tennis: Swiatek accepts one-month ban
CHENNAI: In another high-profile doping case in tennis, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban for failing a test. Months after it was revealed that world No 1 Jannik Sinner tested positive for banned substance twice, this…
Sri Lanka crash to their lowest ever Test total of 42 against South Africa
Kamindu Mendis stroked three fours in making 13 before edging a loose drive against left-arm paceman Jansen to first slip – and number 10 batsmen Lahiru Kumara slogged two fours in making 10 not out. South Africa, who were earlier…
Rift between RSPB and WFI behind Railways wrestlers missing senior nationals?
RSPB secretary Prem Chand Lochab, who is also secretary-general of the WFI as he won the election last year. He was apparently nominated by the faction led by the protesting wrestlers and was elected through a ‘compromise formula’. He confirmed…
Pep Guardiola clarifies his remark about self harm made after Man City’s latest bad result
Guardiola is enduring the worst run of his managerial career, with City — the winner of the last four Premier League titles — having lost five straight games in all competitions for the first time before the implosion against Feyenoord….
‘Gethu’ Kohli turns back clock at right time
Between the two Australia tours, he had played 54 innings with an average of 33.11. So much so that his overall average, which was 53.41 by the end of 2020, had dropped down to 47.83 before the first Test in…
Gukesh claws back with draw against Ding in second game of World Championship
SINGAPORE: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh bounced back to draw a largely uneventful second game against defending champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship here on Tuesday. Playing with black pieces, Gukesh made a comeback of sorts, having…
13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest IPL pick as Rajasthan Royals secure him for Rs 1.10 crore
NEW DELHI: When Sanjiv Suryavanshi sold his farmland to fund his 10-year-old son Vaibhav’s cricketing aspirations, he couldn’t have imagined that within three years, his son would make history. During the second and final day of the IPL mega auction…
TATA IPL 2025 Mega Auction Day 2 underway; RCB acquire Bhubaneshwar, Krunal
After ten IPL franchises spent Rs 467.95 crore on 72 players over Day 1 of the IPL Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the stage is set for the second day of auctioning with close to 500 players to go under…
Gukesh plotting to lift India to the pinnacle of the chess world
SINGAPORE: Starting Monday, young GM has the chance to make history and take Indian chess to new heights when he begins his quest for the world title against Ding Liren. On November 23, 2014, Viswanathan Anand, the owner of five…
Rishabh Pant becomes most expensive IPL buy at Rs 27 crore, surpasses Iyer’s Rs 26.75 crore deal
JEDDAH: Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of IPL as Lucknow Super Giants splurged a humongous Rs 27 crore to buy the flamboyant India keeper-batter in the tournament’s mega auction here on Sunday. The amount LSG…
Gajewski the second with multiple roles
SINGAPORE: “It was love at first sight.” Outside the decked up Capitol Theatre, the venue for the media day and Opening Ceremony ahead of the chess World Championship match between D Gukesh and Ding Liren, Viswanathan Anand was all smiles….
Yashasvi, Rahul score half-centuries as India take commanding 218-run lead against Australia
PERTH: Fighting unbeaten half-centuries in the second innings by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul helped Indian to a commanding 172 for no loss at stumps on day two of the opening Test here on Saturday. After dismissing Australia for…
India vs Australia: Bumrah. Buoyancy. Belief
CHENNAI: At approximately 12.35 pm IST on Friday, when Usman Khawaja ran back to catch Nitish K Reddy out for 41 in The Perth Stadium, every Indian fan — whether they were watching from the stands or glued to television/mobile…
Former players question third umpire’s decision to rule KL Rahul out
PERTH: India batter KL Rahul’s contentious caught behind dismissal in the opening Test against Australia kicked up a controversy with former players from both countries questioning the third umpire’s decision to overturn the on-field official’s not-out call. After on-field umpire…
Ding Liren, mortal champ with immortal spirit
CHENNAI: During China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, chess was seen as a ‘decadence’ of the West. The result was an official ban on the game. Post the Revolution, a meeting in Kuala Lumpur saw a course correction….
Ponting predicts 3-1 series win for Australia, warns of Rohit Sharma’s return disrupting India’s campaign
India’s Past Dominance Over Australia India has dominated the past four series between the two sides, including consecutive away series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Ponting reflected on his incorrect prediction during the 2020-21 series, which India won 2-1 despite…
22 Grand Slams, two decades and a legacy for a lifetime — Rafael Nadal bids adieu
A few years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, a Broadway musical, based on the life and times of America’s first Secretary of the Treasury, made waves across the world. In the middle of Act 2, there is a scene where President…
Germany, Netherlands draw as Nations League group stage ends
‘Really happy’ Wales bounced back from an early Andri Gudjohnsen goal in Cardiff to put four past Iceland and jump to first place in their group. “It’s something we set out to do,” Wales’ Liam Cullen told Sgorio. “We knew…
India in Women’s ACT final but Japanese goalkeeper steals the show
CHENNAI: Till the 47th minute of the semifinal between India and Japan at the women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rajgir, India had tried everything to get past the Japanese goalkeeper, Yu Kudo. As many as 12 penalty corners…
Pant rejects Gavaskar’s assessment, says did not leave DC due to disagreement over retention fee
Gavaskar said while he expects Delhi Capitals to rope in Pant once again, he also wondered if there was a disagreement over the fee between the franchise and the player. “The auction dynamics are completely different; we don’t really know…
If Deepika keeps growing she can be a lethal striker: Coach Singh
In this tournament, with her ten goals, Deepika has been the star of the show for India. One of the youngsters on the team has taken to the new approach by the coach like a fish to the water. “Deepika,…
England rout Ireland to earn Nations League promotion in Carsley farewell
LONDON: England clinched Nations League promotion with a 5-0 rout of Ireland as Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored their first international goals to bring a successful end Lee Carsley’s reign. Shrugging off a lacklustre first…
Deepika stars again as India cruise to semis with 3-0 win over Japan
RAJGIR: Defending champions India stormed into the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy with an unbeaten record, defeating Japan 3-0 here on Sunday. Continuing her stellar form, star striker Deepika netted a quickfire brace from penalty corners in the…
Gambhir’s ‘prickly’ coaching style ‘not great fit’ for Indian team: Tim Paine
“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India doesn’t get off to a good start on Perth.”…
Blow for India as Shubman Gill fractures left thumb, all but out of Perth Test
NEW DELHI/PERTH: India were dealt a telling blow on Saturday after star top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a left thumb fracture which is likely to rule him out of the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium…
Rohit blessed with baby boy; brightens his chances of his making to Perth Test
MUMBAI: India captain Rohit Sharma has been blessed with a baby boy and there is a possibility that he makes it to the Perth Test against Australia starting November 22. His wife Ritika Sajdeh gave birth to a baby boy…
Centuries from Tilak, Sanju power India to 283/1 in fourth T20I vs South Africa
Among the plethora of records that tumbled, the most special one will be the two Indian batters scoring centuries in same T20I innings. Samson and Varma also posted the highest partnership for India in T20 Internationals—210 off just 93 balls…
My aim is to get back into T20 team, look forward to this IPL to give me platform: KL Rahul
“I’ve been out of the T20 team for a while, and I know where I stand as a player and what I need to do to get back. So, I look forward to this IPL season to give me that…
Tamil Nadu in driver’s seat against Railways
CHENNAI: Half-centuries by M Shahrukh Khan (86), N Jagadeesan (56) and C Andre Siddarth (78) came in handy for Tamil Nadu to bag a lead of 95 runs over Railways on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group…
It’s a quiet Mike Tyson as 58-year-old nears fight with Jake Paul, 31 years his junior
“It’s cute,” Paul said of the terse Tyson. “I fear no man, so I want him to be that old savage Mike.” Paul couldn’t even get Tyson to respond by wearing what the 27-year-old said was a “diamond-spiked ear cover.”…
Tilak Varma’s century clinches 11-run win vs South Africa in third T20I; India lead series 2-1
CENTURION: Tilak Varma’s spectacular maiden century stayed above Marco Jansen’s stunning late assault as India notched a thrilling 11-run win over South Africa in the third T20I against here on Wednesday. India now lead the four-match series 2-1. Tilak’s brilliant…
Pakistan should stop playing cricket with India, says Rashid Latif
NEW DELHI: Former wicket-keeper batter Rashid Malik says if had the power he would not let Pakistan play against India in any tournament and also suggested that ICC should not grant the hosting rights of global events to both countries…
ICC continues discussion on Champions Trophy schedule with participating nations
The PCB has conveyed to the ICC that security is not an issue in the country which successfully hosted England and New Zealand recently and promised the same for the Champions Trophy. It remained steadfast on its stand to not…
Premier League ref David Coote suspended over alleged anti-Liverpool remarks
LONDON: An English Premier League referee has been suspended after videos on social media appeared to show him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. David Coote was suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation, the body…
Gambhir time Down Under
CHENNAI: ‘Yugon kee ladai (Battle for the ages)’ reads the screengrab of Tuesday’s newspaper front page with a massive portrait of Virat Kohli in the middle. One might assume that it’s a regional Hindi daily from India, but it’s not….
Neto rescues Chelsea draw as Arsenal title bid suffers fresh blow
LONDON: Pedro Neto dealt a fresh blow to spluttering Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge as the Chelsea winger’s superb strike rescued a 1-1 draw in the London derby on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side had taken the lead through Gabriel Martinelli’s…
What lies ahead for coach Gambhir Down Under
Issue against pace As much as the memes are doing rounds about Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon turning Perth into a rank turner after India’s performance against New Zealand spinners, there is a real concern about how they are going…
Pakistan beats Australia by 8 wickets to clinch three-game ODI series
The Australia batters looked particularly vulnerable against the short ball on a lively pitch and allrounder Cooper Connolly retired hurt on 7 after being struck in the hand by Mohammad Hasnain. Fraser-McGurk and Short struggled for form in the first…
Ace cueist Pankaj Advani bags record 28th world title
However, Hall refused to bow out quietly, crafting a flawless 151 break in the fourth frame to keep his hopes alive. The fifth frame saw Hall on fire once more, delivering another stunning 154 break to level the pressure on…
Gauff upsets Sabalenka and sets up showdown with Zheng for WTA Finals title
RIYADH: Coco Gauff defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (4), 6-3 and set up a showdown with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the final of the WTA Finals on Friday. Gauff generated six break points to Sabalenka’s four and built on…
Sanju Samson’s century guides India to 61-run victory over South Africa in 1st T20I
DURBAN: Sanju Samson’s breathtaking second century was beautifully complemented by spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi as India outclassed South Africa by a whopping 61 runs in the first T20 International to go 1-0 up in the four-match series here…
KL Rahul’s horror run continues as India A suffer another top-order collapse
Earlier, India A’s pace attack, spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna’s four-wicket burst and Mukesh Kumar’s three-wicket haul, dominated the Australian batting, dismissing them for 223 in 62.1 overs. Marcus Harris was the standout batter for Australia A, scoring a gritty 74…