Category: SPORTS

Gritty tailenders Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner held out for a dramatic draw in the second Test today to give New Zealand the series 1-0 and extend England’s dismal away record. England were just four wickets from victory when the second new ball was taken before tea but they could only prise out one more until the last ball of the match when Wagner’s dismissal ended the rearguard pair’s resistance. They added just 37 runs in 188 deliveries after Colin de Grandhomme was the seventh wicket to fall, but by…

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The Indian Commonwealth Games contingent could be in trouble amid speculation that its boxers possessed syringes in violation of the event’s ‘no needle policy’ but the country is believed to have steered clear of any doping embarrassment. Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg, in a press conference here, said the CGF has initiated an investigation into the matter but did not name India as the target of the probe. Grevemberg said the CGF was in talks with the concerned Commonwealth Games Association amid spiralling speculation that Indian boxers are the…

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The left-handed Divij Sharan, who was a reserve in the Indian Davis Cup team, has decided not to travel for the away tie against China, a move which may soon pave the way for introduction of a code of conduct for players. The 32-year old Sharan is willing to rush to Tianjin for the April 6-7 tie in case his services are required but his decision has not gone down well with the AITA selection committee. Sharan is the second-highest ranked Indian player in doubles at number 44 but veteran…

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Entering the final on the back of some dominating performances, Australia will fancy their chances when they take on England in the title clash of the women’s T20 tri-series here tomorrow. The task gets even more difficult for England as they are coming off back-to-back reverses. England had started their campaign with two successive wins, which also included the highest chase in T20 internationals against India, but their batters have miserably failed in the previous two matches. England were outclassed by both Australia and India in their last two league…

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Jonny Bairstow was in sight of his fifth Test century after a late run spree with Mark Wood lifted England to 290 for eight at stumps on day one of the second Test here today. England had been in trouble at 164 for seven before Bairstow (not out 97) and Wood (52) put on 95 for the eighth wicket. Tim Southee and Trent Boult did all the damage for New Zealand with Southee taking five for 60, his seventh five-wicket bag while Trent Boult had three for 79 after New…

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Australian batsman David Warner today stepped down as captain of IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad owing to the ball-tampering scandal that has tainted his reputation and shaken international cricket to the core. “In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of SunRisers Hyderabad. The new captain of the Team will be announced shortly,” Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K Shanmugam said in a tweet posted by the team’s official handle. Warner, along with Australian skipper Steve Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft, are in the line of fire due to…

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India’s highest ranked player Yuki Bhambri has pulled out of the Davis Cup tie against China owing to a minor abdominal tissue tear. The selection committee has picked World No. 246 Prajnesh as Yuki’s replacement as he is the next best singles ranked player. After losing to hosts Canada 2-3 in the World Group play-offs in September last year, top seeds India, who got a first-round bye, will yet again play an away tie. India will face China in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 second round at Tianjin, China on April…

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Cricket Australia said today Steve Smith was to remain captain while they investigate a ball-tampering scandal during the third Test against South Africa that has plunged the game into crisis. There have been calls for Smith to step down or be sacked over the premeditated plan hatched during the lunch break on Saturday’s third day in Newlands, after the captain admitted being the mastermind. Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull weighed in on the incident today, saying it “beggars belief” that role models such as Australian cricketers were “engaged in cheating…

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Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been named the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next month. According to sources in the Indian Olympic Association, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Sindhu’s rising stature in recent years clinched the issue in her favour for the coveted position. The opening ceremony will be held on April 4. Having won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics two years ago, the Hyderabad-based World No. 3 Sindhu is one of the favourites to win the…

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