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Rohit unbeaten fifty carries India to 93/3 at lunch against England

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India were jolted early by Wood’s express pace and movement off the surface which saw the home team’s best batter in the series Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) walking back without contributing much.

Published Date – 15 February 2024, 12:00 PM


Rohit unbeaten fifty carries India to 93/3 at lunch against England


Rajkot: Captain Rohit Sharma’s resolute unbeaten fifty was India’s balancer against the early blows that England inflicted through pacer Mark Wood as they reached 93 for three at lunch on the first day of the third Test here on Thursday.

Wood (2/26) and left-arm spinner Tom Hartley (1/30) gave England an early upper hand with excellent spells.

But Rohit (52 batting) stood tall in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (24 batting) to steady the ship for India, who lost three quick wickets in the first hour after batting by choice.

India were jolted early by Wood’s express pace and movement off the surface which saw the home team’s best batter in the series Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) walking back without contributing much.

Shubman Gill might have come to this match on the back of a match-winning hundred at Visakhapatnam but Wood had his number here for a naught.

Gill, who was beaten around the off-stump with a nip-backer, pushed a delivery that moved away with hard hands and Ben Foakes completed the easiest of the catches behind the stumps.

Gill’s stay lasted for just nine balls.

India’s woes worsened when No. 4 Rajat Patidar, who too had a few nervous moments against the England pacers, was outdone by a delivery that seemed to have stopped a bit after hitting the deck off spinner Hartley.

Patidar could not control his stroke as he ended up lobbing the ball to Ben Duckett at short cover, and India were at an uncomfortable 33 for 3 inside the first 10 overs.

However, Rohit and Jadeja used all their experience to push England back with a determined unbeaten 56-run stand for the fourth wicket.

But, Rohit, who needed some runs here after below-par outings in the previous matches, had a couple of moments of fortune as well.

Wood pinged on his helmet grill with a snorter, and then he survived a leg-before decision off James Anderson as DRS spotted a thin inside edge.

A few overs later, Joe Root spilled a tough chance at first slip off Hatley when Rohit was on 27.

But at the other end, Jadeja looked composed during his 42-ball innings and both will have more work to do in the second session.

 

Sports

Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, citing readiness concerns

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The 37-year-old stated that he won’t be able to compete in Doha but is aiming for an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, followed by Indian Wells later in the month

Published Date – 15 February 2024, 11:50 AM


Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, citing readiness concerns


New Delhi: Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner was due to compete at the event in Doha which begins on February 19. But, the 37-year-old said he is won’t be able compete in Doha and targeting in an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, and Indian Wells later in the month.

“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly. Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014.

“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament,” the Spaniard wrote on X.

Nadal made his long-awaited return after almost a year out with injury at January’s Brisbane International. He reached the quarterfinal but sustained a muscle tear near his hip during his encounter against Jordan Thompson.

The injury caused Nadal to withdraw from the Australian Open a week before the Grand Slam began.

Sports

Brentford signs club Brugge striker Igor Thiago

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Thiago will remain with Club Brugge for the remainder of the 2023-24 season and join Brentford on July 1.

Updated On – 15 February 2024, 10:52 AM


Brentford signs club Brugge striker Igor Thiago


London: Brentford completed the signing of Club Brugge striker Igor Thiago on a five-year contract with an option to extend his contract by an additional 12 months, the Premier League club said.

Thiago will remain with Club Brugge for the remainder of the 2023-24 season and join Brentford on July 1.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said: “I’m very pleased that we have been proactive as a club; big credit to Matthew Benham, Phil Giles and Lee Dykes for the hard work they have done. We are ahead of the curve.

“We have signed a key player for a key position. Thiago is a very exciting striker who fits the role in our team. He is hard working and a very good pressing player. He is also a physical presence, very good in the box and can link the play.

“He’s progressing well in the Belgian league, so there is big potential and we are looking forward to seeing him in a red and white shirt.”

Thiago, 22, began his professional career in his native Brazil with Cruzeiro.

In March 2022, he made the move to Europe to sign for Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.

At Ludogorets, he netted 15 goals and provided eight assists in 32 league matches. He also made an impact in the Europa Conference League with two goals.

Thiago joined Club Brugge in June 2023. He has 18 goal involvements in the Jupiler Pro League this term (16G, 2A), including a league-high seven goals from inside the six-yard box.

The striker has won 35 aerial duels this season, ranking seventh among forward players in the Jupiler Pro League, and has made 23 key passes.

Sports

India wins toss, opt to bat first in 3rd Test; Axar benched

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Ahead of the third Test, players like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel were handed their Test caps.
English skipper Ben Stokes is to play his 100th Test match.

Updated On – 15 February 2024, 09:53 AM


India wins toss, opt to bat first in 3rd Test; Axar benched


Rajkot: India won the toss and decided to bat first against England in the third Test match of the five-game series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday.

Ahead of the third Test, players like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel were handed their Test caps.
English skipper Ben Stokes is to play his 100th Test match. Meanwhile, star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to take his 500th Test wicket. On the other hand, James Anderson looks for 700 wickets.

The series is currently level at 1-1. After a 28-run loss in the first Hyderabad Test, India won the second Test at Visakhapatnam by 106 runs.

While speaking at the toss, India skipper Rohit said that Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar will miss the third Test match. He also confirmed that Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja will play in the Rajkot Test.

“We’re going to bat first. We’ve made some changes, made four changes. Some injuries and some guys coming back from the last game. Two debutants. Siraj and Jadeja are back. Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar miss out. Looks a good pitch, better than the last two we’ve played on. Rajkot is known to be a good pitch but it’ll deteriorate as it goes. The guys have stood up and done the job for the team when it was needed. The next three Test matches will be as exciting as the first two. Need to keep our focus here and see how we can do well,” Rohit said.

The English captain said that Mark Wood will replace Shoaib Bashir in the squad for the visitors.

“We would’ve batted first too. (On playing his 100th Test) Time flies when you’re having fun. The series has been a fair reflection of both teams, we’ve been very happy with the way we’ve gone about things in the first two Tests. We had a nice break, gave everyone a chance to relax. There was no cricket, we got the families out, it was great. Being here for so long is both physically and mentally demanding. Was a nice opportunity to put the feet up and get some time away from cricket. In Test matches there are only so many moments that you sieze the game in and that’s what India did in the last one. Just one change for us,” Stokes said.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (Wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

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Yashasvi is a good batsman, but too early to compare: Sehwag

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Amid the mushrooming of T20 and even T10 leagues across the world, does he feel that the quality of cricket has been compromised? He responded in the negative

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 11:03 PM


Yashasvi is a good batsman, but too early to compare: Sehwag

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New Delhi: Names as big as Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar popped up amid Yashasvi Jaiswal’s terrific run of form but Virender Sehwag feels it’s too early to compare the young India opener with the icons of the game.

The 22-year-old Jaiswal has been scoring heavily in recent times, including making a magnificent double hundred against England, forcing few former players and fans to compare him with the legends, including Sehwag.

“He is a very good batsman but I think comparisons are too early,” Sehwag told PTI Bhasha in a virtual interaction from Dubai on Wednesday.

On the franchise versus country debate, he said that national duty should always be above any league commitment. “I firmly believe that representing a country should always take precedence over participating in any league. It is essential for players to prioritize national duty above club commitments.

“A prime example of this dedication was evident in the ILT20, where several West Indies players chose to leave the league temporarily to represent their nation in international fixtures in Australia,” said the former Cricketer turned commentator.

“While I understand the allure of international leagues for domestic players, I believe their primary focus should remain on excelling in domestic competitions with the ultimate goal of representing India internationally,” Sehwag said.

He did not feel the IPL would lead to burnout or fatigue before the T20 World Cup and instead said the league would be a great platform to prepare for the showpiece. “I am confident that fatigue or burnout will not be a concern for players heading into T20 World Cup.

On the contrary I feel that tournaments like IPL or ILT20 will prove instrumental in preparing teams for the global event. “In IPL, one has to play 14 matches over two months, so there is ample time to maintain form and fitness and fine tune skills ahead of the T20 World Cup,” said the former opener.

Amid the mushrooming of T20 and even T10 leagues across the world, does he feel that the quality of cricket has been compromised? He responded in the negative. “The proliferation of domestic leagues following the success of the Indian Premier League highlights a global trend toward nurturing cricketing talent at home. These leagues play a vital role in enhancing the domestic cricketing ecosystem of each nation,” he said.

“Moreover, the involvement of national cricket boards adds a layer of consistency to the leagues, ensuring their longevity and continued growth. “Each league possesses its unique characteristics, and with the support of national cricketing bodies, they are poised to thrive and contribute significantly to the development of cricket on a global scale,” said the former star who has played 104 Tests and 251 ODIs for India, scoring 8586 and 8273 runs respectively.

He also thinks that international cricket and various sanctioned leagues can co exist.

“Certainly, it is commendable to see the ICC allocating specific windows for various cricket leagues. This approach not only allows players from associate nations to gain invaluable exposure and experience but also ensures a well-structured calendar leading up to major events,” said Sehwag.

“Currently, we are witnessing the ILT20, followed by the PSL, and then the highly anticipated IPL, all serving as crucial platforms for players to showcase their talent and fine-tune their skills. “This seamless succession of tournaments culminating in the ICC T20 World Cup provides an ideal pathway for players to prepare and compete at the highest level on the global stage,” he said.

One of the most destructive batters of his era, Sehwag feels that Test cricket is the biggest platform for players to express themselves. “Test cricket has always been a format where one should go out and express themselves,” he said when asked about his views on England’s Bazball approach.

When asked about the speculation on him joining politics ahead of the general elections, he said that there are no such plans.

“Right now I am sitting in Dubai and doing commentary. There are no plans to join politics in future as well, ” he said.

Sports

Rohit Sharma to captain India in T20 World Cup, confirms Jay Shah

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India will be playing the T20 World Cup 2024, to be organised in the Caribbean and the USA, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, said BCCI secretary Jay Shah

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 10:49 PM


Rohit Sharma to captain India in T20 World Cup, confirms Jay Shah

Picture: X

Rajkot: India will be playing the T20 World Cup 2024, to be organised in the Caribbean and the USA, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, said BCCI secretary Jay Shah at an event here on Wednesday.

India have had Hardik Pandya as their full-time skipper in the shortest format but the heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2023 World Cup to Australia have reignited the murmurs of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit returning for the T20 showpiece in June.

“In 2023 (final) at Ahmedabad, even though we did not win the World Cup after 10 straight wins, we won hearts. I want to promise you that in 2024 (T20 World Cup) in Barbados (venue for the final), under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, ham Bharat ka jhanda gaadenge (we will hoist the Indian flag),” Shah said at the end of his speech.

Shah was present at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Khanderi, which was renamed after veteran cricket administrator Niranjan Shah, as the chief guest.

Shah made a speech in front of a gathering of several dignitaries including former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Anil Kumble and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal.

The event also featured current chief selector Ajit Agarkar, incumbent head coach Rahul Dravid, Rohit, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and a few members of the Indian team support staff.

 

Sports

Man United gets approval from the FA to sell minority stake to British billionaire Ratcliffe

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Man United announced on Wednesday that the English Football Association had approved Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed offer to purchase a 25% share in the Premier League team, bringing the deal closer to completion.

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 09:07 PM


Man United gets approval from the FA to sell minority stake to British billionaire Ratcliffe

Picture: X

Manchester: Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed bid to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United moved nearer to completion on Wednesday after the Premier League club said the deal had been approved by the English Football Association.

The Premier League has already cleared Ratcliffe to take up a minority share under its rules regarding who is allowed to be an owner or director of a soccer club. The British billionaire has until February 17 to complete his purchase, although confirmation could come later than that.

In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, United said the FA had given its approval for the deal to go ahead. League approval was confirmed on Monday.

Ratcliffe is one of Britain’s richest people and the owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS. He agreed a deal to buy a stake in United in December after owners the Glazer family had put the club up for sale in 2022.

The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, eventually opted to sell a minority of the 20-time English champion after also fielding bids from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The 71-year-old Ratcliffe has paid $1.3 billion for “up to 25%” of the club and will invest a further $300 million for “future investment into Old Trafford,” United has said.

He will provide $200 million upon completion of the deal and a further $100 million by the end of 2024. That additional investment will eventually take Ratcliffe’s stake up to 29%. The Glazer family will have a 49% stake under the deal. Racliffe’s INEOS Sport division will take over control of United’s soccer operation.

Fan has been disillusioned with the team’s onfield decline since the retirement of former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013. United has not won the title since Ferguson’s final season and has repeatedly missed out on qualification for the Champions League during that period.

Many United fans have campaigned to drive the Glazers family out. While fans hoped for a complete buyout of the club, there is optimism Ratcliffe, who was a boyhood United supporter, can help return it to its glory days.

 

Sports

2024 Indian Premier League to kick-off from March end

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Indian Premier League chairman Arun Singh Dhumal made it clear that the 2024 edition of the league will kick-start from March end in India and fixtures will be announced after the general elections’ dates are confirmed.

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 08:53 PM


2024 Indian Premier League to kick-off from March end

Pictures: X

New Delhi: Indian Premier League chairman Arun Singh Dhumal on Wednesday made it clear that the 2024 edition of the league will kick-start from March end in India and fixtures will be announced after the general elections’ dates are confirmed.

“We will work with the Indian government, agencies to make sure that the league takes place in India. We are waiting for the schedule of the general election to be announced and then we will plan accordingly…like which state will host what game at the time of election will be planned that way,” Arun Dhumal said.

Asked if any tentative date for the IPL could be shared, he said, “It (IPL) will most likely start from March end… and general elections are in April, so we will work it out with the help of the government.”

As per the information received, with ten teams vying for the coveted trophy, expect a total of 74 matches to be played, potentially spread across two phases due to India’s general elections scheduled during the same period.

Earlier, some reports claimed that there are chances that IPL 2024 will take place outside India due to the Lok Sabha elections.

Sports

Jahid’s brace wins it for Secunderabad Blues in TFA’s C-Division Football League

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Jahid scored a brace in Secunderabad Blues’ win over Social Sporting in a thriller in the Telangana Football Association’s C-Division Football League.

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 08:20 PM


Jahid’s brace wins it for Secunderabad Blues in TFA’s C-Division Football League

Jahid scored a brace in Secunderabad Blues’ win over Social Sporting in a thriller in the Telangana Football Association’s C-Division Football League.

Hyderabad: Jahid netted twice as Secunderabad Blues edged past Social Sporting 3-2 in the Telangana Football Association’s C-Division Football League held at Gymkhana Football Ground on Wednesday.

Jahid opened the scoring in the 18th minute but Blues’ joy was cut short by Rayan who scored twice in the 32th and 41st minutes to make it 2-1 in Sporting’s favour.

However, Blues turned the tie with quick strikes from Jahid and Prudhivi in the 60th and 62th minute respectively. In the other clash in Reeds Football Ground Bowenpally, Cantonment FC defeated Susai Senior 2-1.

Results: Secunderabad Blues 3 (Jahid 2, Prudhivi 1) bt Social Sporting 2 (Rayan 2); Cantonment FC 2 (Laxman 1, Sampath 1) bt Susai Senior 1 (Lokesh 1).

Sports

YMCA Secunderabad win GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship

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YMCA Secunderabad defeated South Central Railway 75-66 in the final to emerge winner of the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship.

Published Date – 14 February 2024, 08:12 PM


YMCA Secunderabad win GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship

Victorious YMCA Secunderabad with the winners trophy.

Hyderabad: YMCA Secunderabad hoopsters defeated South Central Railway 75-66 in the final of the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship on Thursday.

For the winners, Rohan was the star player scoring 26 points while Nathan (17) and Samuel (12) and Harsha (12) chipped in. For South Central Railway, Akash top-scored with 19 points.

Results: Final: YMCA Secunderabad 75 (Rohan 26, Nathan 17, Samuel 12, Harsha 12) bt South Central Railway 66 (Akash 19, Santosh 14, Raju 14, Ajith 12).