Sports
South African team forced into last-minute charter flight dash to Pakistan
South Africa's Test cricket squad had to fly to Pakistan on a hastily-arranged charter flight after their commercial flights were cancelled -- and Covid-19 restrictions could further complicate the team's plans, it emerged on Sunday.
Washington-Shardul partnership was outstanding: Ponting
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has admired the discipline and application of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur for their brilliant rear-guard batting effort, which kept India in contention in the series-deciding fourth Test.
Marin and Axelsen claim Thailand Open singles titles
Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin has bolstered her chances of defending in Tokyo later this year after claiming the Thailand Open in Bangkok Sunday over top seed Tai Tzu Ying. The former world number one Spaniard was an imposing force with razor sharp smash shots, clever net work and an unmatched level of aggression and agility.
Spain's Carolina Marin claims Thailand Open title
Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin has bolstered her chances of defending in Tokyo later this year after claiming the Thailand Open in Bangkok Sunday over top seed Tai Tzu Ying. The former world number one Spaniard was an imposing force with razor sharp smash shots, clever net work and an unmatched level of aggression and agility.
I'm no dud with the bat, says unlikely India batting hero Shardul Thakur
Regular captain Virat Kohli led the tributes to Shardul Thakur's brave batting in the Brisbane decider but the number eight batsman was underwhelmed by his praise as he never considered himself a dud with the bat. Thakur, playing his second Test, emerged as India's unlikely batting hero, top-scoring with a counter-attacking 67 to deny Australia a substantial first-innings lead.
Shardul, Washington batted brilliantly, says Hazlewood
Australia speedster Josh Hazlewood credited Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur for taking India to a safe position with their century stand but rued the execution of home team bowlers in finishing off the visitors tail on the third day of the series-deciding fourth Test. Debutant Washington and Shardul punched above their weights to stitch a "crucial" 123-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Winning over Aussie crowd was Shardul Thakur's inspiration
When Shardul Thakur stepped out to bat on Sunday, rescuing India from a precarious 186/6 was not the only target on his mind as he was also keen to impress the Australian crowd after being told how "rewarding" it would feel by coach Ravi Shastri.
Hazlewood denies Australia fatigued after bowlers humbled by Sundar and Thakur
Paceman Josh Hazlewood offered no excuses for Australia's laboured display in the field on day three of the fourth Test against India after the hosts' vaunted attack was humbled by Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur's batting defiance.
Rest in peace my king: Hardik Pandya pays tribute to father
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya paid tribute to his father, who passed away on Saturday. The cricketer said he will miss his father's presence each day in his life. Taking to Twitter the all-rounder wrote, "My daddy As I said to your yesterday Your last one ride. Now rest in peace my king You were a Happy soul! I will miss you everyday dad Love you always."
No stopping the Newcomers: Washington, Shardul keep India in contention
Debutant Washington Sundar and No.8 batsman Shardul Thakur conjured a defiant rearguard action to drag India back into the contest in the deciding 4th Test against Australia. Sundar and Shardul stitched a crucial 123-run partnership for the 7th wicket as India ended their first innings at 336, just 33 runs short of Australia. The hosts finished Day 3 on 21/0, with an overall lead of 54 runs.
India fight back thanks to Sundar, Shardul's brilliant counterattack
India's Washington Sundar and pacer Shardul Thakur stood tall and rescued India from a precarious situation when the team needed them the most. The duo frustrated the Australian bowling attack and notched up their respective maiden Test half-centuries on Day 3 of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane.
'No room to swing a racket': NZ's Sitak shares Australian Open quarantine life
As one of the 47 tennis players forced into a hard isolation ahead of the Australian Open, New Zealand's Artem Sitak may be bouncing off the walls of his Melbourne hotel room by the end of his 14-day quarantine.
Didier Deschamps: ‘I will never forget’ Karim Benzema infamous interview
Football|: Dubai: France manager Didier Deschamps has excluded Karim Benzema from his starting roster since the Mathieu Valbuena blackmail scandal, in which Benzima was implicated, broke out five years ago. Benzema hasn’t featured in the national team since October of 2015, a month before he was arrested by French police. Legal proceedings have been ongoing in the case. Reports this month confirmed that Benzema would stand trial on charges related to the incident. The French player of Algerian origins famously accused Deschamps of racism, when Deschamps failed to call the player up for the Euro 2016 team. “He [Deschamps] has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France,” said Benzema. Now Deschamps has says he will never forget Benzema’s accusations. Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema during the defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk Image Credit: AFP “It’s a stain,” he told RTL in a new interview. “Even if, with time, it calms down a bit, I can’t forget. It’s not just about Karim Benzema. There are statements by other people too that have led to this violent act, which affects my family “When it concerns me, on my choices as coach, the tactics, the technical aspect, it has to be accepted and it does not matter. “There, it crosses the white line. It touches my name, my family. For me, this is unacceptable. Didier Deschamps during a session “Economic Opportunities of Players and Coaches: World Cup Experiences and Values of Success” at the 13th edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference in Dubai on Wednesday. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News “Saying certain things necessarily leads to verbal or physical aggression. I suffer the consequences. We cannot forget. I cannot forget. I will never forget.” Benzema remains at the centre of action at Real Madrid despite being an outcast within the French team.
UAE Tour: Kelderman among three Bora-Hansgrohe riders injured in crash
Dubai: Dutch cyclist Wilco Kelderman and two of his teammates on the Bora-Hansgrohe team have been hospitalised after a car crashed into their training group, the German team said Sunday. Kelderman, who was third in the Giro d’Italia for Sunweb last year, has a concussion and a fractured vertebrae. Teammate Andreas Schillinger has fractured vertebrae and Rudiger Selig has a concussion, the team said. Rise and fall of Mesut Ozil: Why Jose Mourinho took a swipe at Arsenal player In pictures: Wayne Rooney calls time on illustrious career Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid: The Wall turns 48, wishes pour in 9 famous players turned managers: Who made a successful leap? Bora-Hansgrohe have been in training for the upcoming UAE Tour, which gets the 2021 cycling season under way next month. They were training in a group on Sunday when “several of our riders were involved in an accident with a car, which crossed the road and rode into our training group”. The team didn’t specify where the incident happened, though Bora-Hansgrohe have been holding a training camp this month in Italy near Lake Garda.
Sports Ministry decides to name all new, upgraded SAI facilities after sportspersons
The Sports Ministry on Sunday said it has decided to name all the upcoming and upgraded facilities of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) after renowned athletes who have brought accolades for the country.