Category: SPORTS

The Indian pace bowlers aren’t getting any younger and team’s think-tank realises the need to get the next crop of speed merchants ready in the near future, said skipper Virat Kohli. While Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the pace pack for many more years, Ishant Sharma, who will be 32 this year and Mohammed Shami (29) have already reached the peak of their prowess. Not to forget, Umesh Yadav will turn 33 this year. “These guys are not getting any younger so we need to be very careful and…

Read More

A star-studded Indian team was given a reality check by a disciplined New Zealand side that completed a memorable series sweep with a seven-wicket win inside three days in the second Test here on Monday. New Zealand chased down a modest victory target of 132 in just 36 overs after India’s second innings folded for 124 in less than an hour on the third day. Tom Latham (52 off 74 balls) and Tom Blundell (55 off 113 balls) had a good batting session as Mohammed Shami didn’t bowl post lunch…

Read More

Prithvi Shaw’s attacking half-century was complemented by seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara and gutsy Hanuma Vihari’s contrasting knocks as India reached 194 for five at tea on the opening day of the second Test.While Shaw counter-attacked for a quickfire 54 off 64 balls, Pujara showed his customary patience (53 batting off 135 balls) in company of a calm Hanuma Vihari (55 off 70 balls) with India displaying both intent and guts to fight it out on a seamer-friendly wicket.Pujara and Vihari added 83 runs for the fifth wicket after India were in…

Read More

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he expects this year’s Tokyo Olympics to go ahead smoothly despite fears being expressed over the fate of the Games amid the novel coronavirus threat. The Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in July-August this year but a senior IOC member Dick Pound has said that the event might have to be cancelled if the deadly coronavirus outbreak is not brought under control by May. “Virus China mein hai, Tokyo mein Nahi (the virus is in China not Tokyo),” Rijiju said in…

Read More

Sarah Lee will attempt to defend women’s keirin and sprint gold at this week’s track cycling world championships in Berlin, although some argued she should have been banned from representing Hong Kong over accusations of supporting anti-government protests.Lee, who considering quitting cycling after her 2016 Rio Olympics flop, found herself in the middle of a social media storm last year over comments perceived as backing pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city.While she received plenty of support for embracing freedom of speech and speaking out for Hong Kong, Lee’s remarks also…

Read More

Captain Virat Kohli had no qualms in admitting that India were outplayed by New Zealand in the opening Test but said they “can’t help it” if a few want to make a “big deal” out of one loss. Hosts New Zealand thrashed India by 10 wickets at the Basin Reverse on Monday to go 1-0 ahead in the two-match series. “We know we haven’t played well, but if people want to make a big deal out of it, make a mountain out of it, we can’t help it as we…

Read More

Fast bowler Ishant Sharma claimed two wickets but New Zealand still held the upperhand, reaching 116 for 2 at tea after bundling India out for a paltry 165 on the second day of the first Test here on Saturday. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson comfortably reached 46 off 84 balls with milestone man Ross Taylor (22 bating off 40 balls) also looking good, having hit Ravichandran Ashwin for a six. Ishant (2/17 in 10 overs) was the best Indian bowler on view. He was lucky to get Tom Latham (11)…

Read More

Veteran Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who snared 10 wickets during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test in 2013, announced retirement from international and first-class cricket with immediate effect on Friday.Tendulkar’s final Test in Mumbai against the West Indies in November 2013 also became the last of the 33-year-old Ojha’s career and the one in which he was named man of the match.He went out of favour after that but did not give any reasons for his decision to call it quits now. In all, he played 24 Tests between 2009 and…

Read More

Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor doesn’t rule out playing the 2023 ODI World Cup but says his form, fitness and motivation level at the end of next year will decide whether he actually manages a place in the squad. The 35-year-old will become the first cricketer in the world to complete 100 games across three international formats when he steps out for the first Test against India at Basin Reserve on February 21. “I haven’t ruled it (2023 World Cup) out but I still think it’s a long way…

Read More

Real Madrid’s winning streak ended when they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 at home to Celta Vigo and finish the weekend with their lead over Barcelona down to one point. Real manager Zinedine Zidane was philosophical.”There’s nothing to explain, it’s just the way things are, it’s football,” he said.”I’m not worried about it, but I’m disappointed, as always when you drop two points at home.”Barcelona beat third place Getafe on Saturday to open a 10-point gap on the chasing pack. Sevilla could have climbed to third on Sunday…

Read More