Sports

IPL 2021: Faf du Plessis and Deepak Chahar set up CSK's 18-run win over KKR

Faf du Plessis' magnificent 95 not out and Deepak Chahar's impressive four-wicket haul outshone dazzling half centuries from Andre Russell and Pat Cummins as Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 18 runs in their IPL match on Wednesday.

IPL 2021: Dhawan holds onto Orange Cap, Patel has the Purple Cap

Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan stamped his authority in the shortest format of the game with 2 fifties in 4 games. The left-handed batsman, who has scored 231 runs so far with 92 being his highest, is sitting right at the top of the top-run getters list to hold on to the orange cap after 15 matches of the 14th edition of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) .

Nadal struggles past world number 111 Ivashka in Barcelona opener

Rafael Nadal had to fight back from a set down to defeat Belarus qualifier Ilya Ivashka on Wednesday as the Spaniard survived an early test in his bid to win the Barcelona title for the 12th time. He next faces either Japan's Kei Nishikori, the 2014 and 2015 Barcelona champion, or Chile's Christian Garin in the quarter-finals.

IPL : Chepauk wicket is shocking, says David Warner

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner on Wednesday termed the Chepauk pitch as "shocking" after his side finally scripted a successful run chase in four matches for their first win of the IPL season. On Wednesday, SRH, however, had the last laugh as they chased down a small target of 120, set by Punjab Kings, in 18.4 overs to snap their three-match losing streak.

Novak Djokovic cruises into Belgrade quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic bounced back from his shock early defeat by Dan Evans in Monte Carlo last week with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Kwon Soon-woo to reach the Serbian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. The world number one, warming up for the start of the French Open next month, will face fellow home hope Miomir Kecmanovic in the last eight in Belgrade.

NHL not relaxing protocols for vaccinated players, drawing ire of goalie Lehner

Sports/Hockey/NHL: The NHL on Wednesday confirmed it has not guaranteed loosened virus protocols for players who are vaccinated after Vegas goaltender Robin Lehner ripped the league for what he said were unkept promises.

IPL: Du Plessis, Gaikwad 50s power CSK to 220/3 against KKR

Faf du Plessis blazed his way to a masterclass 95 not out after his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad's impressive 64 as Chennai Super Kings posted a big total of 220 for 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL match on Wednesday.

Homan rebounds for win over Hasselborg at Players' Championship

Sports/Olympics/Winter Sports/Curling: Rachel Homan evened her record at the Grand Slam of Curling Players' Championship with a 7-4 win over Anna Hasselborg in Wednesday's morning draw.

IOC: Athlete protests still banned at Olympics

Athlete protests and political messages will remain banned at the Olympics, the IOC said Wednesday.

NHL rebuts Lehner's vaccine protocol claim

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner said that NHL players were lied to by the NHL and NHLPA about loosening restrictions after receiving the COVID vaccine, a claim that has been disputed by the league.

Premier League | After Super League climbdown, City and Spurs register wins

Football: Both teams recovered to register vital wins and leave them in good spirits for their next match — their meeting at Wembley Stadium for the English League Cup final on Sunday.

CFL commissioner Ambrosie says talks with XFL centered strictly on business

Sports/Football/CFL: Despite heated social media discussion in Canada, talks between the CFL and XFL haven't addressed what rules could be implemented if the football leagues join forces.

Canadian basketball star Kia Nurse is carving out space in sports broadcasting

Sports/Basketball: Kia Nurse isn't just one of Canada's finest female basketball players, she's becoming a popular voice of the game as well.

Laporta's Barcelona to-do list: Messi renewal, reduce debts, manage Super League backlash

What was initially considered to be a transition year for Barcelona could end in two trophies, including La Liga. But Laporta has his work cut out.

Fognini disqualified in Barcelona for abusing official

Fiery Italian Fabio Fognini was defaulted from the Barcelona ATP tournament on Wednesday for verbally abusing a line judge. The 33-year-old was trailing world number 147 Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-0, 4-4 when he clashed with the official and was defaulted by the umpire for unsportsmanlike conduct.

In Pics: How Hyderabad beat Punjab to get their first points

Get the (single) digits: NFL's jersey number change can bring back classic looks for some players

The NFL owners, on Wednesday, approved a rule change loosening jersey number rules. Get ready for a lot more players rocking single-digit jerseys and players going back to high school and college numbers.

Swimmer Likhit alleges manipulation in timing during Uzbekistan event

Indian swimmer Likhit Selvaraj on Wednesday alleged that the timings were "manipulated" during the recent Uzbekistan Open Championships to ensure Olympics qualification of local participants and called for a probe into the matter by world body FINA. The 22-year-old reigning national champion Selvaraj had won silver medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events in Tashkent.

IOC upholds Rule 50 prohibiting athlete protests at Olympic Games

Sports/Olympics: Athlete protests and political messages will remain banned at the Olympics, the IOC said Wednesday, after a survey found that a majority of competitors were in favour of keeping the ban in place.

Need Williamson for anchoring the game, says David Warner

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batsman Kane Williamson, who played his first Indian Premier League match of the season on Wednesday, after missing the earlier games due to injury, said he is feeling good and fit. His team skipper David Warner said that Williamson's ability to play spin well makes him an integral part of the line-up.