WWE Raw रिजल्ट्स और वीडियो हाइलाइट्स: 30 नवंबर, 2020

इस हफ्ते Raw के एपिसोड में कुछ अच्छे मैच देखने को मिले।

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Raw रिजल्ट्स: WWE चैंपियन के सिर पर मंडराया खतरा, मेन इवेंट मैच में मचा जबरदस्त बवाल

जानिए इस हफ्ते Raw के एपिसोड में खास क्या देखने को मिला

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अफरीदी ने अफगान बोलर से कहा, 'बेटा, तुम्हारे पैदा होने से पहले से सेंचुरी लगा रहा हूं'

नई दिल्ली दुनिया के कई देशों के क्रिकेटर श्रीलंका में लंका प्रीमियर लीग में खेल रहे हैं। सोमवार को इस टूर्नमेंट में कैंडी टस्कर्स और गॉल ग्लेडिएटर के बीच मुकाबला खेला गया। इस मुकाबले के दौरान पाकिस्तान के पूर्व कप्तान शाहिद अफरीदी और अफगानिस्तान के युवा क्रिकेटर नवीन-उल-हक के बीच गर्मगर्मा बहस हो गई। कैंडी टस्कर्स ने गॉल ग्लेडिएटर को हराकर सीजन में पहली जीत दर्ज की। टस्कर्स के तेज गेंदबाज नवीन-उल-हक और ग्लेडिएटर के मोहम्मद आमिर और शाहिद अफरीदी के बीच बहस ने सभी का ध्यान अपनी ओर खींचा। मैच का 18वां ओवर चल रहा था जब नवीन की चौथी गेंद पर आमिर ने चौका लगाया। नवीन ने वापसी करते हुए पांचवीं गेंद डॉट फेंकी। नवीन ने इसके बाद आगे बढ़कर आमिर के साथ बहस की। इस दौरान आमिर और नवीन के बीच काफी गरमा-गरम बहस हुई लेकिन बात यहीं खत्म नहीं हुई। मैच के आखिरी में भी ऐसा हुआ। इसके बाद ग्लेडिएटर के कप्तान शाहिद अफरीदी ने नवीन से बात करने का फैसला किया। अफरीदी ने मैच के बाद विपक्षी टीम के सभी खिलाड़ियों के साथ प्यार से हाथ मिलाया। लेकिन नवीन के आते ही बात कुछ अलग हो गई। खबर है कि इस दिग्गज ऑलराउंडर ने अफगान गेंदबाज से कहा, 'बेटा, मैं अंतरराष्ट्रीय में तुम्हारे पैदा होने से पहले से सेंचुरी लगा रहा हूं।' लंका प्रीमियर लीग में अभी तक काफी ऐक्शन देखने को मिला है। टस्कर्स और ग्लेडिएटर के बीच मुकबाले में दनुष्का गुनातिलका ने 53 गेंद पर 82 रन की पारी की बदौलत ग्लेडिएटर ने 197 रन का स्कोर खड़ा किया। जवाब में टस्कर्स की टीम ने 20 ओवर में 171 का स्कोर बनाया।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/2JwLdNS

मेरा बेटा कहता है कि जब कोहली बल्लेबाजी करने आएं तो जगा देना: माइकल वॉन

नई दिल्लीविराट कोहली आज के दौर के सर्वश्रेष्ठ बल्लेबाजों में शुमार हैं। दुनियाभर में लोग उन्हें पसंद करते हैं। कोहली जब क्रीज पर होते हैं तो देखने वालों को बांधकर रखते हैं। उनके प्रदर्शन की निरंतरता उन्हें खास बनाती है। कोहली अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट में कई रेकॉर्ड तोड़ चुके हैं। उनके नाम 70 अंतरराष्ट्रीय शतक हैं। इनमें से 43 वनडे इंटरनैशनल में और 27 टेस्ट क्रिकेट में बने हैं। कोहली भारतीय क्रिकेट को एक अलग स्तर पर ले गए हैं। बच्चे और युवा, उनके जैसा बनना चाहते हैं। इंग्लैंड के पूर्व कप्तान माइकल वॉन ने भी युवाओं पर कोहली के प्रभाव के बारे में चर्चा की। उन्होंने खुलासा किया कि उनका बेटा कोहली का बहुत बड़ा फैन है। वह अपने पिता से कहता है कि जब विराट बल्लेबाजी करने आते हैं तो उन्हें उठा दे। वॉन ने कहा, 'मेरा बेटा एक खिलाड़ी है और वह हमेशा मुझसे कहता है कि जब विराट बल्लेबाजी करने आएं तो मैं उसे जगा दूं। और जैसे ही विराट मिडविकेट पर कैच आउट हुए, वह अंदर जाकर कुछ और करने लग गया। कोहली बच्चों में बहुत लोकप्रिय हैं। जब आप देखते हैं कि बिना किसी खास प्रयास के गेंद हवा में दूर तक जा रही है तो वे काफी उत्साहित होते हैं। वह एक स्पेशल खिलाड़ी हैं। बेशक जीनियस हैं।' कोहली ने रविवार को सिडनी में ऑस्ट्रेलिया के खिलाफ सीरीज के दूसरे मैच में 89 रन की पारी खेली थी। भारत के सामने इस मैच में 390 रन का लक्ष्य था। कोहली शतक के करीब पहुंच रहे थे लेकिन मोजिज हेनरीकेस ने शॉट मिडविकेट पर हवा में उछलते हुए उनका कैच लपक किया। इस साल कोहली ने 8 मैचों में चार हाफ सेंचुरी लगाई हैं लेकिन वह कोई भी शतक नहीं लगा पाए। कोहली के शतक से चूकने की बात पर वॉन ने कहा कि भारतीय क्रिकेट फैंस को इस बारे में चिंता करने की कोई जरूरत नहीं है। वॉन ने कहा कि कोहली अब भी बहुत अच्छी फॉर्म में हैं और एक सेंचुरी लगाते ही वह 3-4 और लगा लेंगे। वॉन ने कहा, 'मैं कोहली की बल्लेबाजी को लेकर बिलकुल भी फिक्रमंद नहीं हूं। उनकी बल्लेबाजी को लेकर किसी तरह की कोई परेशानी नहीं है। वह शानदार खिलाड़ी हैं, मौजूदा दौर में वह सभी फॉर्मेट में सर्वश्रेष्ठ खिलाड़ी हैं।' उन्होंने आगे कहा, 'मुझे उन तीन टेस्ट मैचों की चिंता है जो भारतीय टीम कोहली के बिना खेलेगी। मुझे नहीं लगता कि कोहली फैक्टर के बिना भारतीय टीम ये मैच जीत सकता है। वह टेस्ट टीम के लिए काफी जरूरी हैं। उनका शतक भी बनेगा। वह अगर एक शतक बना लें तो वह 3 या 4 एक साथ बना लेंगे, वह इतने अच्छे खिलाड़ी हैं।'

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/2Vnywr6

विराट कोहली ने की पत्नी अनुष्का शर्मा को शीर्षासन करने में मदद, ऐक्टर्स ने शेयर की तस्वीर

नई दिल्ली बॉलीवुड ऐक्टर्स और भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम के कप्तान विराट कोहली की पत्नी अनुष्का शर्मा ने इंस्टाग्राम पर एक प्यारी सी तस्वीर शेयर की है जिसमें उनके पति उन्हें योग करवाने में मदद कर रहे हैं। अनुष्का ने यह तस्वीर इंस्टाग्राम पर साझा की है। उन्होंने इसके साथ लिखा कि गर्भावस्था के दौरान उनके डॉक्टर ने उन्हें एक्सरसाइज करने की सलाह दी है। अनुष्का ने लिखा, 'यह एक्सराइज 'शीर्षसान' (सिर नीचे और टांगे ऊपर) सबसे मुश्किल है।' उन्होंने आगे कहा कि उन्हें ज्यादातर योगासन के लिए मदद की जरूरत होती है। उन्होंने लिखा कि उनके पति उन्हें संतुलन बनाने और अतिरिक्त सुरक्षा देने में मदद करते हैं। अनुष्का ने लिखा, 'योग मेरी जिंदगी का हिस्सा है, मेरे डॉक्टर ने सलाह दी है कि मुझे इस तरह के आसन करने चाहिए। मैं गर्भवती होने से पहले ऐसे आसन कर लेती थी जिसमें काफी मुड़ना होता है। हां उसके लिए भी जरूरी सपॉर्ट की जरूरत होती है। शीर्षासन, जो मैं कई साल से कर रही हूं, करने के लिए मैंने दीवार का सहारा लिया और मेरे पति ने मुझे बैलंस बनाने में मदद की।' विराट कोहली फिलहाल टीम इंडिया के साथ ऑस्ट्रेलिया में हैं। भारतीय टीम को वहां वनडे सीरीज के पहले दो मैचों में हार का सामना करना पड़ा है। सीरीज का तीसरा और आखिरी मैच बुधवार को खेला जाएगा। इसके बाद तीन टी20 इंटरनैशनल मैचों की सीरीज खेली जाएगी। कोहली ऐडिलेड में 17 दिसंबर से शुरू होने वाली टेस्ट सीरीज के पहले मैच के बाद भारत लौट आएंगे।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/36njd87

Pakistan captain Babar Azam says he's dreaming of day when other batsmen are compared to him

Karachi: Comparison with modern-day greats like Virat Kohli makes Babar Azam proud but young Pakistan skipper aspires to be on a pedestal from where comparison are drawn with him.

"I feel proud to be compared to these top batsmen and to be ranked in the top five of the world. But my dream is that one day I also reach a stage where other batsmen are compared to me and not me being compared to others," Babar said in an interview to a YouTube channel.

"I know that I also have to perform like them in every condition and compete with them. I also want to perform like them and win matches for the team like they do."

The 26-year old top batsman said the satisfaction one gets by scoring runs on tough overseas tours is immense and that's why he is all geared up to do well in New Zealand.

"When you get runs in places like Australia, England, South Africa it gives you satisfaction and people sit up and take notice of you. New Zealand will be a tough series but I have psyched myself to continue my runs in the two tests and three T20 matches."

"In England we did well and gave them a tough time so I am optimistic we can do well. Conditions in New Zealand are different and we have to adjust to those conditions. Good we are going there early so that it gives us more time to get used to their conditions."

The Pakistan captain said he kept himself ready for all conditions but as a professional cricketer he knew anyone can make mistakes and the key is to learn from them.

"In cricket the learning process is never over. I like to study my batting whether I do well or fail. I spend hours watching videos of my batting and even others. It is a good learning exercise."

Babar, who was named Test captain just before the tour to New Zealand, said whenever he hears former greats talking good about him, it gives him a boost.

"It is always nice to hear the other greats talk highly about you but it also makes me realise that I have more of a responsibility to do well and prove them right."
Babar said he was mentally prepared for Test captaincy.

"The board had indicated to me they were considering me Test captain when they made me white ball captain last year. They have told me to play fearlessly and not worry about losing matches. They will support me. They have told me I am there as captain for a long time."

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India vs Australia 2020-21 Live Streaming: When and Where to watch Ind vs Aus 3rd ODI Match online

After suffering two consecutive defeats, India would look to salvage pride as they take on Australia in the third and final T2OI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The visitors were outplayed in every department of the game in the first two ODIs. Much like the first ODI, Australia’s top three – David Warner (83 off 77), Aaron Finch (60 off 69) and Steve Smith (104 off 64 balls) – played brilliant knocks. Capitalising on the solid foundation, Marnus Labuschagne (70 off 61) and Glenn Maxwell (63 off 29) provided Australia the late flourish as the hosts posted a massive total of 389/4 on the board.

Barring, Virat Kohli (89) and KL Rahul (76), Indian batsmen failed to make any noteworthy contribution, even though they did chip in. Chasing such a mammoth total was always going to be an uphill task and the Indians suffered a 51-run defeat.

Smith had also slammed a quickfire century in the first ODI, and once again, he will be the one to watch out for.

David Warner’s groin injury has ruled him out of the third ODI and would come as a much-needed respite for the Virat Kohli-led side. Pat Cummins, meanwhile, will also miss all the remaining white-ball matches against India.

There has been a lot of debate regarding India’s sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya chipped in with the ball in the last ODI. It will be interesting to see if Kohli throws the ball to him in the final match of the series. But the Indian bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, needs to rediscover its mojo.

In the batting department, skipper Kohli has looked in good touch, but the batting needs to click in tandem if the visitors are to beat the fiery Australians.

Here's all you need to know about the live broadcast of the third and final T20I between India and Australia: 

When is the third ODI between India and Australia? 

The third and final ODI between India and Australia is on 2 November 2020.

Where will the third ODI between India and Australia be played? 

The match will be played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra.

What time will the match start? 

The match will start at 9.10 am IST (2.40 pm Australian time). The toss will take take place at 8:40 am IST (2.10 pm local time).

Which TV channels will broadcast the third ODI between India and Australia? 

All the matches of India's tour of Australia will be broadcasted live on Sony Six, Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3.  You can watch the live streaming of the match on the Sony Liv app. You can also follow the live blog and updates on www.firstpost.com. 

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Mohammed Amir says Pakistan players scared of asking for break, communication gap exists with management

Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir says players of the national team are scared of asking for a break even when they feel exhausted as they apprehend being dropped from the side altogether due to a "communication gap" with the team management.

Amir, who has retired from Test cricket to prolong his career in the shorter formats, said communication and understanding need to be better between players and the management.

"The problem is that if a player musters the courage to say in Pakistan cricket that he wants rest, he is dropped, so players are now scared about speaking about it with the management," he told the 'News One' channel.

"There is a mindset in Pakistan cricket where players are scared of being dropped from the team. I think this communication gap should be removed between players and the management.

"If a player wants to take a break he should be happy to speak about it with the management and they should understand his point of view and give him a rest instead of dropping him from the team," he said.

Dropped from the ongoing tour of New Zealand, Amir reiterated that his decision to retire from Test cricket last year was turned into an unnecessary controversy.

"Mickey Arthur was our head coach and anyone can ask him this. I was telling him since 2017 that if my workload is not managed I would have to leave Test cricket," he asserted.

"After I announced my decision no one spoke to me for six months about it and controversy was only created around my decision when we lost in Australia.

"...people lack common sense to understand the situation I was in after returning to cricket from the five-year ban," he added referring to the spot-fixing ban that he served.

Amir said people failed to understand his predicament when he returned to cricket after the ban without any training.

"Ask the team physio the problems I was facing with my eyes, knees and shoulders and I kept on telling them to manage my workload no one listened," he alleged.

"I remember playing in the first match of the World Cup with spasms and after taking pain killers.

"I only decided to retire from Test cricket when I realised my body could not take it and if I wanted to prolong my career I had to do something. So I decided to give up Test cricket to prolong my career."

Amir also lamented being constantly judged for the spot-fixing taint.

"Yes what happened in 2010 was wrong and I paid for it by being out of cricket for five years so much so I couldn't even play club matches. But people still tend to judge you by the past, not from the present.

"I think only God has the power to be judgemental and I just believe if your conscience is clear it is okay. But there is more negativity than positivity in Pakistan cricket," he said.

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India vs Australia: Aaron Finch downplays Mitchell Starc's poor form, says pacer will improve as tour continues

Sydney: Australia's limited-overs captain Aaron Finch played down pace spearhead Mitchell Starc's poor form Tuesday, attributing his struggles to the quality of India's batsmen.

The left-arm paceman has been Australia's most expensive bowler in the opening two one-dayers against Virat Kohli's men, conceding a combined 147 runs for just one wicket.

Finch conceded Starc "hasn't been at his very best" but predicted the 30-year-old would improve as India's tour continues.

"There's definitely no panic stations from my point of view... it's just a matter of time," he told reporters in a conference call.

"You have to understand his standards are a lot higher than what you expect from most other people because of how dominant he's been over the last eight or nine years, especially in the white ball formats."

Finch said Starc's technique still looked good and he was working hard to improve his returns against India, who face Australia in the final one-day international in Canberra on Wednesday.

He said circumstances conspired to give Starc lacklustre figures in the opening two fixtures.

Australia posted huge totals on both occasions, forcing the touring batsmen to go after the bowlers on pitches that offered little to the pace attack.

"There's nowhere to hide in one-day cricket when you're playing on really flat wickets with quality opposition," Finch said.

"He'd love to be swinging the balls early on, but when you're defending big totals and playing against good players they're coming hard at you."

Finch was delighted at batsman Steve Smith's back-to-back centuries in the one-dayers and expected him to play a major role in the Test series against India.

"For someone like Smithy, once he's going he can be a hard man to stop regardless of conditions," he said.

"If he's confident in himself and is feeling good against a certain bowler, then that's definitely playing into his hands."

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/2KWBaCn

India vs Australia: David Warner's injury an opportunity for others to claim opening slot in Tests, says Justin Langer

A groin injury has ruled David Warner out of at least the first Test against India and Australia coach Justin Langer says the temporarily vacant opening slot will go to the one who performs well for Australia A in the upcoming tour games against the visitors.

The Australian cricket fraternity has been debating about Warner's opening partner in the Test series with a few backing the struggling Joe Burns to keep his place while others want the young William Pucovski to open.

However, the injury to Warner has changed the scenario and has created a situation where both Burns and Pucovski could open.

Langer said, it has taken "a bit of pressure off".

"No wonder I'm a bit more relaxed. We've won a few games and I don't have to worry about who we're going to pick for the Test side," Langer was quoted as saying by the Australian media after the team arrived here for the third ODI.

Australia A will lock horns with India A from 6 December and against senior Indian team on 11 December in Sydney before the Test series.

"I've said it so many times, the hardest part of the job is selecting the teams, but we've got an Australia A game starting in a few days and it'll be a good opportunity for those guys against the Indian A side to put their hand up.

"And then after that is another Australia A game versus the actual Indian Test side at the SCG under lights with a pink ball," Langer said.

"We'll work out who's going to play in that game and certainly there's huge opportunities for people to put their hand up."

The Test series is set to unfold in Adelaide with the Pink ball Test from 17 December.

If Pucovski is picked as Burns' opening partner, he would make his Test debut in a Day/Night game like Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson did in 2016 against South Africa.

Talking about the enormous pain that Warner suffered after getting injured during the second ODI in Sydney, Langer said it was like receiving a gun shot.

"He's strained his abductor in his groins and they tell me it's a very painful injury. It looked like he got shot by a gun. He was in incredible pain in the changerooms after," he said.

"I'm not holding my breath that he'll be ready for the first Test match, but with that said he's the sort of elite professional who will be doing literally everything possible to be ready for it.

"We'll see what happens, but he's going to be a loss that's for sure."

D'Arcy Short has replaced Warner in Australia's T20 squad.

Reports suggest that the kind of injury Warner has suffered, it would require about four weeks to heal and Warner may miss the first two Tests of the series.

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Former NBA champion Andrew Bogut announces retirement from professional basketball

Andrew Bogut is calling quits on his bid for an Olympic medal and has decided to retire after 15 years in professional basketball.

The 36-year-old Australian had earlier cited back and ankle injuries, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent postponement of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as potential reasons to retire. On Tuesday he made it official.

Bogut, a 2005 No. 1 draft pick by Milwaukee and who won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, had been planning to retire after playing for Australia at the Tokyo Games. Those games have been delayed until July 2021.

“I just can’t physically and mentally get to 2021 with the way the body has been,” Bogut said on his “Rogue Bogues” podcast. “I mean, I could, on a lot of painkillers and with a lot of physical and mental anguish, but it’s just not worth it at this point in my career.”

Bogut played for Sydney in the National Basketball League the past two seasons, winning the NBL's MVP in 2019 and leading the Kings to a grand final last season.

“The last two years have been a real challenge for me just to get out of bed in the morning some days, let alone go to a training session or a game,” Bogut said. “The body, probably from 2018 onwards, was hanging by a thread.

“It was real challenging and from the 2019-20 season that thread was completely frayed and in little pieces. It was real frustrating for me.”

Bogut played a key role in Australia’s fourth-place finish at last year’s World Cup in China and has been on the Australian team’s roster since the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The Melbourne-born Bogut was named The Associated Press college basketball player of the year in 2005 while playing for Utah, just before being chosen No. 1 in the NBA draft by the Bucks.

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Tokyo Olympics 2020: Giant Olympic rings return to Tokyo Bay amid COVID-19 pandemic

Tokyo: The five Olympic rings are back in Tokyo Bay. They were removed for maintenance four months ago shortly after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed until next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rings arrived on Tuesday after a short cruise from nearby Yokohama and are positioned on a barge in the shadow of Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge.

The rings — painted blue, black, red, green, and yellow — are gigantic. They stand about 15 meters tall and 33 meters in length — about 50 feet tall and 100 feet in length.

The rings will be lighted at night and herald the coming of the Tokyo Olympics, which are to open on 23 July 2021, followed by the Paralympics on 24 August.

The rings made their first appearance early in 2020, just a few months before the Olympics were postponed late in March.

The reappearance of the rings is the latest sign that organisers and the International Olympic Committee are increasingly confident that 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes can safely enter Japan during the pandemic.

These Olympics are sure to be like no other.

They will hinge partly on the availability of vaccines and rapid testing for COVID-19, and on athletes and other participants following strict rules that could involve quarantines, a limited number of fans in venues, and athletes leaving Japan shortly after they finish their competitions.

Organisers have been vague about exactly how the Olympics will be held. Plans are in flux with dozens of COVID-19 countermeasures being floated involving athletes, fans, and tens of thousands of officials, judges, VIPs, and media and broadcasters.

Protocols should become clearer early in 2021 when decisions must be made about permitting fans from abroad, which will affect revenue from ticket sales.

The meter continues to run on billions in costs, with Japanese taxpayers picking up most of the bills. Reports in Japan this week say the cost of the postponement is about $3 billion.

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Champions League matchday: Liverpool, Real Madrid aim for Round of 16 spots; Inter hope for miracle

A look at what’s happening in the Champions League on Tuesday:

Group A

Already secured in the Round of 16, defending champion Bayern Munich will rest striker Robert Lewandowski and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from their match against Atlético Madrid. Midfielder Leon Goretzka also won't make the trip to the Spanish capital. Atlético are coming off two consecutive draws against Lokomotiv Moscow, but they can advance if they defeat Bayern and Lokomotiv do not beat Salzburg at home in the other group match.

It remains unclear if Atlético coach Diego Simeone will be able to count on striker Luis Suárez, who recently tested positive for the coronavirus while on Uruguay duty. Lokomotiv and Salzburg are yet to win but still have chances of making it to the knockout stage.

Group B

Real Madrid and Borussia Mönchengladbach can advance to the last 16 if they win their matches. Group leader Gladbach host last-placed Inter Milan, while Madrid visit third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk. Madrid won at Inter in the previous round but they are coming off their third straight setback in the Spanish league, 2-1 at home against Alavés on Saturday. Karim Benzema is expected to be available to coach Zinedine Zidane after nursing a muscle problem, but Zidane will not be able to count on Eden Hazard, who was injured against Alavés. Captain Sergio Ramos remains out because of an injury. Gladbach are flying high after big wins home and away against Shakhtar but will be without injured defender Nico Elvedi, who scored a header against the Ukrainian team last week. Inter know that anything but a win will consign it to another early Champions League exit.

Group C

Manchester City have already qualified for the Round of 16. Now the team wants to seal top spot in the group. City travels to second-placed Porto — who need a point to advance — with coach Pep Guardiola putting pressure on his players to not let up amid an underwhelming start to the Premier League. Guardiola said after a 5-0 win over Burnley that past reputations count for nothing as he looks to kickstart their Premier League campaign and that current form is all that matters as he selects his side. “The guys who help the team, who help me, will have more chance to play,” Guardiola said. “The others, they have to wait the opportunity.” Sergio Aguero is unlikely to play, however, having missed training as he recovers from a knee injury. Marseille’s Champions League form has been so bad they have set a record with 13 straight defeats in the competition, and have not even scored in four group games. However, their European campaign can still be salvaged if Marseille beat Olympiakos at Stade Velodrome to move level on points with the Greek club as they chase a Europa League spot for a third-place finish.

Group D

Liverpool can advance to the knockout stage with a match to spare by beating Ajax at Anfield, but the injury-hit English champion have won just one of their last four matches amid a packed schedule that has left manager Jurgen Klopp unhappy. Among that run was a 2-0 loss at home to Atalanta last week, which left qualification wide open. Atalanta and Ajax are two points behind first-placed Liverpool, who has the insurance of a final group game against FC Midtjylland — a competition newcomer that has been an easy-beat so far and is on no points after four games. The game against Ajax will be Liverpool's fourth in 10 days. It pits two teams with 10 European Cup titles between them. Atalanta, who was a surprise quarterfinalist last season, knows that if they beat Midtjylland and Ajax fail to beat Liverpool, a draw in The Netherlands in their final match will be enough to send it through to the round of 16. Robin Gosens, who scored against Liverpool, has recovered after missing Saturday's loss against Hellas Verona through injury.

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टीम इंडिया को चाहिए ऐसा बल्लेबाज जो बोलिंग में आजमा सके हाथ

अरानी बसु, नई दिल्ली ऑस्ट्रेलिया के खिलाफ जारी वनडे सीरीज में टीम इंडिया की एक कमी साफ तौर पर निकलकर सामने आई है और वह है छठे गेंदबाज की कमी। सीरीज के पहले दो मैच में भारत की हार में गेंदबाजों विकल्प में कमी एक बड़ी वजह रहा। जब साल 2016 में पहली बार सामने आए तो लगा कि भारत का इंतजार खत्म हो गया। कपिल देव के बाद भारत को पहला तेज गेंदबाज ऑलराउंडर मिल गया। पंड्या के आने से टॉप ऑर्डर बल्लेबाजों को भी राहत मिली। उन्हें भी अब लगातार अपने गेंदबाजी हुनर को मांजने की जरूरत नहीं थी। फिर पंड्या चोटिल हो गए। उनकी चोट से यह बात साफ हो गई कि भारत के पास छठा गेंदबाजी विकल्प नहीं है। अगर पांच नियमित गेंदबाजों में से किसी का भी दिन खराब है तो उसकी भरपाई करने के लिए टीम के पास कोई भी नहीं है। भारतीय टीम के पास अब सहवाग, युवराज, तेंडुलकर, गांगुली और रैना जैसे बल्लेबाज नहीं हैं जो जरूरत पड़ने पर गेंदबाजी भी कर सकें। टॉप ऑर्डर के बल्लेबाजों का गेंदबाजी न करना एक चिंता का विषय है। हाल के समय में बल्लेबाज नेट्स में भी गेंदबाजी करने से बचते हैं। टीम इंडिया के पूर्व विकेटकीपर विजय दहिया, जो दिल्ली कैपिटल्स के लिए टैलंट स्काउट भी कर रहे हैं, का भी मानना है कि टीमों में बढ़ता सपॉर्ट स्टाफ इसका एक बड़ा कारण है। दिल्ली की स्टेट टीम और केकेआर के सहायक कोच रहे दहिया ने हमारे सहयोगी टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया को बताया, 'आजकल राज्य और आईपीएल टीमों में तीन या चार कोच और थ्रो डाउन स्पैशलिस्ट होते हैं। तो टॉप ऑर्डर बल्लेबाजों को लोअर ऑर्डर बल्लेबाजों को प्रैक्टिस करवाने के लिए गेंदबाजी करने की जरूरत नहीं पड़ती, जैसा कि 10-20 साल पहले होता था।' दहिया ने कहा, 'जब मैं दिल्ली का कोच था तो मैं यह आश्वस्त करता था कि ये टॉप ऑर्डर बल्लेबाज कम से कम 20 मिनट तक टेलऐंडर्स को गेंदबाजी करें। लेकिन यह अब पुरानी बात होती जा रही है। अब जब खिलाड़ियों को यहां मौका दिख रहा है तो वे गेंदबाजी को और गंभीरता से लेना शुरू कर देंगे।' ऐसा नहीं है कि भारतीय टीम मैनेजमेंट को इस परेशानी का अंदाजा नहीं था। रोहित शर्मा ऑफ स्पिन गेंदबाजी करते थे लेकिन उन्होंने कंधे और उंगली की चोट की वजह से छोड़ दी। श्रेयर अय्यर को पिछले साल लेग स्पिन गेंदबाज के विकल्प के तौर पर देखा गया था लेकिन उन्होंने इस पर ज्यादा काम नहीं किया। माना जाता है कि शुभमन गिल भी ठीक-ठाक बोलिंग कर लेते हैं लेकिन हाल के दिनों में वह भी ट्रेनिंग नहीं कर रहे हैं। टीम इंडिया के पूर्व मुख्य चयनकर्ता एमएसके प्रसाद ने कहा, 'यही वजह थी कि पिछली सिलेक्शन समिति विजय शंकर और शिवम दूबे को तैयार करना चाहती थी, जो टॉप 5 में बल्लेबाजी कर सकें और कुछ ओवर भी फेंक सके। उन्हें अपनी गेंदबाजी पर काम करने के लिए कहा गया थआ। लेकिन दुबे ने अपनी गेंदबाजी को ज्यादा इम्प्रूव नहीं किया और शंकर गेंदबाजी की वजह से फिटनेस की समस्या से जूझ रहे हैं।' दहिया की तरह प्रसाद भी मानते हैं कि इस सीरीज के बाद अधिक बल्लेबाज अपनी बोलिंग पर काम करना शुरू कर देंगे और भारत के पास जल्द ही अधिक विकल्प होंगे। यह उसी तरह का दौर है जब कई विकेटकीपर बल्लेबाज टीम में जगह बनाने में लगे थे। जैसे, रॉबिन उथप्पा, अंबाती रायुडू और यहां तक कि केदार जाधव भी। पूर्व विकेटकीपर दीप दासगुप्ता पूछते हैं, 'क्या इनमें से कोई भी असल में कामयाब हुआ और अगले स्तर तक पहुंचा। सिर्फ केएल राहुल जो गंभीर थे और विकेटकीपिंग के साथ लगे रहे ही वहां तक पहुंचे। तो फिर चाहे छठा या सातवां बोलर हो आपको इसके लिए गंभीरता दिखानी होगी।' दासगुप्ता ने कहा, 'इसका हल यही है कि टॉप ऑर्डर के इन बल्लेबाजों को अधिक से अधिक गेंदबाजी के लिए प्रोत्साहित किया जाए। ठीक वैसा ही जैसा पहले राज्यों की टीम में होता था। तब आप किसी खिलाड़ी को उसकी प्रतिभा के आधार पर चुनें लेकिन आपको यहां भी सावधान रहना होगा कि आप सिर्फ गेंदबाजी देखकर ही कोई फैसला न लें और उसके मुख्य काम यानी बल्लेबाजी को नजरअंदाज कर दें।' भारतीय टीम प्रबंधन इस मामले में खुशकिस्मत है कि टी20 वर्ल्ड कप को एक साल आगे बढ़ा दिया गया है। पूर्व राष्ट्रीय चयनकर्ता देवांग गांधी का मानना है कि यह सही वक्त है कि हार्दिक पंड्या पर बल्लेबाज के रूप में अधिक जिम्मेदारी डाली जाए और एक अन्य बैकअप ऑलराउंडर तलाशा जाए। गांधी ने कहा, 'हार्दिक पंड्या को बल्लेबाजी क्रम में ऊपर भेजने और नंबर छह पर एक अन्य बैकअप ऑलराउंडर के लिए जगह बनाने का विचार भी बुरा नहीं है। केदार जाधव को इसी वजह से अंबाती रायुडू पर तरजीह दी गई क्योंकि वह कुछ ओवर गेंदबाजी भी कर सकते हैं। आपको एक नियमित टॉप ऑर्डर बल्लेबाज गंवाना पड़ सकता है लेकिन इससे आपको भविष्य में हार्दिक का विकल्प तराशने में आसानी होगी।' वाइट बॉल क्रिकेट में टीम इंडिया के लिए परेशानियों का सिलसिला जारी है। सालभर पहले टीम इंडिया नंबर चार की तलाश थी। और अब के सामने यह नई परेशानी है।

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Aggrieved Channel 7 says CA 'terrified' of BCCI, seeks access to communication between two boards

Melbourne: The dispute between Cricket Australia and Channel 7 has intensified with the broadcaster saying CA is "terrified" of the BCCI while approaching a court and seeking access to communication between the two boards.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the channel "confirmed it had lodged an affidavit with the court here in a pre-discovery action, as the media company attempts to prove its contention that CA breached its contract with a raft of scheduling changes this summer" in order to cater to the BCCI's interests.

Seven West Media's chief executive James Warburton said that CA should have started the summer with the day-night Test against India, which is now scheduled to start in Adelaide on 17 December, instead of the limited overs series comprising three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals.

"It's a shame that the cricket administration have kept their head in the sand. They really don't value us as a broadcaster, preferring to outperform to the BCCI, who they are terrified of," Warburton was quoted as saying by the daily.

The channel's contention is that the top bosses in CA gave preference to the wishes of the BCCI, the sport's most powerful governing body, as well as its other domestic broadcasting partner Foxtel.

Foxtel, a pay channel, holds the exclusive rights for the limited overs matches between Australia and India, which kicked off the summer at the expense of the originally scheduled Test series, which the aggrieved broadcaster – free-to-air – shares with Foxtel.

Now they are seeking access into e-mails exchanged between CA, BCCI as well as executives at Foxtel and state governments regarding finalising of the fixtures for the marquee tour.

According to the Australian daily, if the furious broadcaster succeeds in "proving before court that CA breached its 450 million Australian dollar contract with Seven, of which Seven pays 70 million in cash per year, the network could be awarded tens of millions of dollars in damages or look to terminate its deal, which has three years to run."

One the tour's biggest draws, Indian captain Virat Kohli's decision to come back after the opening Test for the birth of his child has left Channel 7 at a major disadvantage.

In October, Seven West Media had sought official arbitration in its bid to secure a cut in its annual fees after being dissatisfied with the schedule for the India tour.

The network had sought an independent expert to determine the rights value of this summer's schedule, including the four-match Test series against India and the Big Bash League.

The network's claims included CA's decision to "change of dates for the matches, with only one Test before Christmas and the final Test finishing in mid January when many people are back at work."

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Premier League: Edinson Cavani apologises for social media post, says he is 'completely opposed to racism'

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani apologised Monday for using a Spanish term for Black people, saying it was intended as an affectionate greeting and that he is “completely opposed to racism.”

The English Football Association is looking into Cavani's message on Instagram Stories after he scored twice in United's 3-2 victory at Southampton.

“The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game," Cavani said in a statement. "The last thing I wanted to do was cause offense to anyone. I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologize for this.”

United said Cavani was informed his message could be “misconstrued” but the club believes there was “absolutely no malicious intent” behind the Uruguay striker's word choice.

“Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offense caused,” the club said. "Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.”

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Serie A: Neither coach on sidelines as Torino, Sampdoria share spoils; Gervinho's brace helps Parma beat Genoa

Turin: Neither coach was on the sidelines as Torino and Sampdoria drew 2-2 in Serie A on Monday.

Sampdoria’s Claudio Ranieri was in the stands in Turin after being sent off against Bologna, while Torino counterpart Marco Giampaolo was at home with the coronavirus.

Torino remained in the relegation zone, a point above Genoa, who lost at home to Parma 2-1.

Torino thought it took an early lead but Andrea Belotti’s goal was ruled out for offside. He did open the scoring in the 25th minute following a great solo run from Wilfried Singo.

Sampdoria hadn’t had a shot on target but scored two quickfire goals in the second half. Antonio Candreva leveled in the 54th and turned provider nine minutes later with a ball over the top for former Torino forward Fabio Quagliarella.

But Soualiho Meite headed in a corner in the 77th to set up a frantic finale.

Relegation battle 

Gervinho scored twice to help Parma record only their second win of the season and move three points above the drop zone.

Gervinho scored early in each half and also hit the crossbar.

Eldor Shomurodov pulled one back for Genoa in the 50th with his first goal for the club.

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ISL 2020-21: SC East Bengal aim for maiden win with better attacking display against Mumbai City FC

Bambolim: SC East Bengal will look to beef up their attack and secure a maiden win in the Indian Super League when they face Mumbai City FC here on Tuesday.

Despite heavy odds, the Robbie Fowler-coached East Bengal put up a creditable show in their first outing of ISL, against ATK Mohun Bagan even though they lost 0-2.

Last to enter the ISL, Fowler had less than a month to build the squad and if that was not enough they were pitted against their formidable arch-rivals on debut.

But Fowler's side dominated possession and their former Norwich City winger Anthony Pilkington looked threatening in the midfield. It was lack of finishing prowess with Balwant Singh up front that proved costly for them.

Fowler named a defensive formation against the well-set ATK Mohun Bagan with Balwant as the sole striker, putting the experienced Jeje Lalpekhlua on the bench, something that did not work out.

Fowler's newly-built side would need to reorganise their forward and convert their chances when they clash against the Sergio Lobera-outfit that beat a 10-man FC Goa 1-0 with a late strike in their second round game.

Apart from Pilkington, SCEB's German midfielder Matti Steinmann looked strong in passes and held possession for long, but their Indian contingent would need to buck up.

Fowler hoped their new team would turn it around quickly and move up from the bottom spot in the 11-team table.

"It's not been the most ideal preparation. For a team that has been together for two-and-a-half weeks, I think we put in a good performance," Fowler said of their 0-2 defeat to ATKMB.

"But we've accepted it, adapted to it. We were incredibly late coming here, so we have not trained together. But the way we played, we proved we can get better and better."

The Islanders also had started off on a losing note, going down to NorthEast United 0-1 in a match in which they looked wayward with their shots.

They opened their account against FC Goa but were far from convincing.

The combination of Adam Le Fondre and Bartholomew Ogbeche has not worked for Lobera while Mourtada Fall struggled to get going against FC Goa.
Against a team with weak finishing, Fowler would fancy his chances.

Ahead of their crucial game against SC East Bengal, Lobera said their Tuesday's opponents were new in the league but they have very experienced players.

"It is going to be a good game, because they are a very good team in defence. We need to work very well to win the game," the Spaniard said.

"Our plan is the same, always our focus is to try and improve our level and to try and learn about our mistakes, which we made in the last two games and nothing changes about what I want as a coach.

"I want to have possession of the ball, but it is not easy. They are a very organised team, it is not easy to find spaces, we need to be smart," he said, adding it was important to win the next game.

This will be Mumbai FC left-back Mandar Rao Desai's 100th game in the ISL.

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LaLiga: Barcelona presidential elections to take place on 24 January

Barcelona will hold elections for a new president on 24 January, the club said yesterday, following former chief Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation early this year.

Bartomeu stepped down in August after the Catalan giants had been unsettled by a transfer request from their star player Lionel Messi.

One of the front runners Joan Laporta, who was at the helm of Barca from 2003-2010, a period which included four La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs, has already announced he will run for the office.

Potential candidates must collect 2,257 support signatures with a list to be drawn up on 14 December and made official on 23 December.

An election campaign will be fought over 15-23 January before the club’s stake-holding members vote either at their Camp Nou stadium or in regional offices across the country.

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LaLiga: Yoshinori Muto, Esteban Burgos strike as Eibar down Real Betis

Seville: Eibar defeated Real Betis 2-0 in the Spanish league on Monday, handing Manuel Pellegrini's team its fifth loss in six matches.

Japan forward Yoshinori Muto and Esteban Burgos scored five minutes apart early in the second half to give Eibar the away victory.

The Basque Country club moved to 12th place, while Betis dropped to 15th after their third defeat in a row. They were outscored 17-5 in their last six games, with their only win against promoted Elche.

Pellegrini has been trying to rebuild his team without Spain midfielder Sergio Canales, who injured a tendon two weeks ago with the national side and is expected to be out until next year.

Eibar have lost only one of their last seven games. They won at Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville despite playing without defender Paulo Oliveira and forward Quique Gonzalez because of injuries, and without striker Kike Garcia because of a suspension.

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Premier League: Fulham move out of relegation zone with win over Leicester; West Ham beat Aston Villa

London: Fulham climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone on Monday after finally solving their penalty woes in a shock 2-1 win at Leicester, while West Ham rode their luck to move into fifth place with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Aston Villa.

Scott Parker's side won for just the second time in the league this season thanks to Ademola Lookman's 30th minute opener and Ivan Cavaleiro's penalty eight minutes later.

Fulham had missed three of their four previous penalties this term, but Cavaleiro held his nerve to convert from the spot for the crucial second goal.

Harvey Barnes scored for Leicester in the 86th minute, but Fulham held on and move one point above the bottom three.

"Cav slipped last week and I'm not on Twitter or Instagram but I can only imagine what was being said, the jokes at his expense and Cav would have seen that," Parker said of Cavaleiro's recent penalty miss against Everton.

"I said to him: 'Are you ready to take one if we get it?' He looked at me dead in the eye and said: 'I'm ready'.

"The courage to step up there are the things we need. There's no denying there's relief. I've spoken to them about not letting defeats cripple us."

It was an emotional success for the Cottagers, with Lookman celebrating his goal by displaying one of Papa Bouba Diop's Senegal shirts after Fulham's former midfielder died aged 42 at the weekend.

"That was a decision we as a club made and the players were happy to do it. For someone to lose their life at a young age is tragic," Parker said.

Leicester would have gone second with a win, but instead they remain fourth – three points behind leaders Tottenham – after a second successive league defeat.

Watkins woe

At the London Stadium, West Ham earned a third successive victory after Villa striker Ollie Watkins missed a late penalty and then saw a stoppage-time equaliser disallowed by VAR.

West Ham got off to the perfect start in the second minute when Angelo Ogbonna made an astute run to the far post and rose above Matt Targett to head a corner past Emiliano Martinez.

Villa drew level in the 25th minute when Jack Grealish ran at the West Ham defence before letting rip with a 20-yard drive that took a slight deflection on its way past Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham regained the lead in the 46th minute after an inspired substitution from David Moyes.

Moyes sent on Said Benrahma at half-time and with his first touch the winger chipped in a cross to Jarrod Bowen, who glanced a deft header over Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez for his fourth goal of the season.

Villa winger Trezeguet won a penalty in the 74th minute when Declan Rice tugged at his shirt to prevent him having a shot.

Watkins has been in fine form this season, but he let West Ham off the hook as his penalty hit the bar.

There was more misfortune to come for Watkins in the final moments when he swept home from close-range, only to see the goal chalked off for the narrowest of offside decisions.

"We got fortunate that in some way it was offside. I think we can play much better, but I'm taking tonight's result," Moyes said.

Frustrated Villa boss Dean Smith added: "We've missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed for a part of the body that can't put the ball in the net.

"The only reason Ollie Watkins' arm is out there is because he's fouled. He either scores or it's a penalty."

Smith was also angry that Grealish was called a cheat by one of West Ham's backroom staff.

"One of their members of staff called Jack Grealish a diver and a cheat. I spoke to David (Moyes) and he said he'd deal with it," Smith said.

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Arpinder Singh on TOPS list exclusion: 'How can I prove myself when there have been no events since March?'

Arpinder Singh has been a baffled man for the past five days after he was informed that he was being dropped from the TOPS list. The decision was taken at the 50^th meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell, which was held on Thursday.

The triple jumper says he doesn’t understand why he is being dropped on the basis of a performance review in a year where there has been little competition due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I got a phone call from an official five days back informing me that they were removing my name from the TOPS list. When I asked why, they said that my performances were not up to the mark. I asked them what performances they were talking about since there haven’t been any competitions since March this year. I told the official that I don’t have a problem being taken off the list, but at least they need to explain why I was being taken off the list,” Arpinder told Firstpost on Monday.

“How was I supposed to prove myself when there hasn’t been a competition in so many months. I was told that there haven’t been performances from me. When there hasn’t been a competition for so many months, how can you remove my name for lack of performances?” asked Arpinder, whose season best this year is a 15.97m effort at an event in South Africa in January this year. He hasn’t competed since then.

On being told by this reporter that his season-best timing in 2019 (16.83m) is a fair distance away from his 2018 season best (17.09m), he said: “If that’s the case, they should have removed me last year itself from the list.”

While the TOPs list released on 15 September included Arpinder’s name, the press release sent out by the sports ministry announcing the latest list a couple of days ago mentioned: “The decision to include athletes in the TOPS core group was based on their performance progression and their qualification or high probability of qualification for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled next year.”

Questioning the timing of the move, Arpinder, who a few months back was ignored for the Arjuna Award as well, said, “They have been supporting Olympic hopeful athletes like me for over two years. But now that sports competitions are about to restart with qualification for the Tokyo Games on offer, they’ve chosen to drop me even though there’s been no competition held to judge whether my performance has dipped. This will demoralise anyone.”

Having not crossed the 17m mark in 2019, Arpinder was confident at the start of the year that he could breach the Tokyo 2020 qualifying mark of 17.14m. At the turn of the year, he had been training with PB Jaikumar for a couple of months. Then the coronavirus-enforced lockdown happened forcing him to train by himself in Jalandhar. At first, he did some weight training at home. A few months later, when he hit the track to train, he realised the damage the previous months had done to his cardiovascular endurance.

“Cardio ability bilkul zero ho rakhi thi (My cardiovascular endurance had diminished significantly). I would do anything and my heart rate would shoot up. I was able to train only at 30 percent of the intensity I could earlier,” said the JSW Sports-backed athlete.

The triple jumper says he only started jumps training three-four months back at Jalandhar Sports College.

Given how the year has been disrupted, does he still feel he has a chance to make it to Tokyo?

“It will be difficult. It’s going to be a challenge,” admitted Arpinder. Making things even more complicated for him is the fact that while he was in Punjab during the lockdown, his coach, Jaikumar, was in Kerala. He was planning on travelling to Kerala and training under Jaikumar when the cases started to spike in the state forcing Arpinder to postpone his visit.

Given all of this, does he still feel that he can qualify for Tokyo?

“If I get to train under Jaikumar sir for some time, I don’t think performance will be an issue. I was training with him for a few months when I had jumped 17.09m in 2018. And then again, when I won gold at the Asian Games in Jakarta, I was training with him.”

On being asked if he will use the latest snub to prove his detractors wrong, he said, “I’ve always been proving my detractors wrong. But for that, I need competitions.”

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Uncertainty prevails over T20 WC in India due to COVID-19, could be shifted to UAE, says PCB CEO Wasim Khan

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan feels next year's ICC World T20 could be shifted to the UAE as "some element of uncertainty" still remains over whether India would be in a position to host the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is still some uncertainty over the World T20 being held in India because of the COVID situation there. It could be in UAE," Khan said in an interview to the Cricket Baaz YouTube channel.

Reminded that India had planned to host a home series against England and also the IPL in the first quarter of 2021, Khan said a clear picture would come only by April.

The ICC has awarded the 2021 World T20 to India and Australia will now host the 2022 edition with the 50-over World Cup also scheduled to be held in India in 2023.

Khan also reiterated that the PCB was waiting for a written confirmation from the ICC and BCCI by January on issuance of visas to the Pakistan squad for the World T20 in India.

"Yes Mani Sahab (PCB chief Ehsan Mani) has written to them and requested them that given the state of relations between India and Pakistan, it would be best if the ICC and BCCI gives a written assurance about the visas being issued to us," Khan said.

He also disclosed that an online meeting of the Asian Cricket Council last week had tentatively set June as the time to host the postponed Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but the dates could be rescheduled if required.

"The next Asia Cup will be hosted in Sri Lanka in June and we have got hosting rights now for the 2022 Asia Cup," he said.

Khan said that although bilateral series with India is still a distant reality because of the border tensions between the two countries, it is ICC's responsibility to guarantee participation off all nations in any world event.

"But yes bilateral relations are not ideal and that is why we have also asked for the assurances for next year's World Cup," he said.

But the PCB CEO hoped that in future the situation could change as far as cricket relations are concerned between Indian and Pakistan.

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टी-20: डेविड मलान की धांसू फिफ्टी, इंग्लैंड ने सा. अफ्रीका को हराकर जीती सीरीज

पार्ल (55) के अर्धशतक के दम पर इंग्लैंड ने दूसरे टी-20 मैच में दक्षिण अफ्रीका को चार विकेट से हरा तीन मैचों की सीरीज में 2-0 की अजेय बढ़त ले ली है। यहां बोलैंड पार्क स्टेडियम में खेले गए मैच में दक्षिण अफ्रीका ने पहले बल्लेबाजी करते हुए छह विकेट के नुकसान पर 146 रन बनाए थे। इंग्लैंड ने एक गेंद पहले छह विकेट खोकर लक्ष्य हासिल कर लिया। आसान से लक्ष्य की पीछा करने उतरी इंग्लैंड ने जेसन रॉय (14) का विकेट जल्दी खो दिया। इसके बाद जोस बटलर (22) भी पविलियन लौट लिए। जॉनी बेयस्टो तीन रन ही बना सके। मलान को फिर बेन स्टोक्स (16) और कप्तान इयोन मोर्गन का साथ मिला। 134 के कुल स्कोर पर लुंगी एंगिडी ने मलान को आउट कर दिया। सैम करन (1) भी आउट हो गए। कप्तान मोर्गन ने 26 रनों पर नाबाद रहते हुए टीम को जीत दिलाई। उनके साथ क्रिस जोर्डन एक रन बनाकर नाबाद रहे। इससे पहले, दक्षिण अफ्रीका के बल्लेबाज बड़ा स्कोर नहीं कर सके और टीम लगातार विकेट खोती रही। टीम के लिए कप्तान क्विंटन डि कॉक ने सबसे ज्यादा 30 रन बनाए। जॉर्ज लिंडे ने 29, रासी वान डर डुसैन ने 25 रनों की पारी खेली।

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From majors to manga: Japan tennis ace Naomi Osaka to star in comic book

Tokyo: Japan's major-winning tennis player Naomi Osaka has welcomed a new manga comic-book series where she will star as a cartoon character in a magazine aimed at teenage girls.

"Unrivaled Naomi Tenka-ichi", which will run in "Nakayosi" magazine from late December, was produced with the help of Osaka's older sister, Mari. "Tenka-ichi" means "world number one" in Japanese.

"Growing up reading manga/watching anime was something that bonded me and my sister immensely so this is really exciting for both of us," the three-time Grand Slam champion tweeted on Sunday.

Growing up reading manga/watching anime was something that bonded me and my sister immensely so this is really exciting for both of us https://t.co/mmzJ5k17x8

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) November 28, 2020

The new character, which depicts a doe-eyed Osaka with pink and purple hair and wearing a yellow visor, follows a storm of controversy over a sponsor's cartoon image of her last year.

Noodle-maker Nissin apologised and withdrew the image, which showed Osaka with pale skin and light brown hair, after being accused of "white-washing" the Japanese-Haitian player.

Osaka, who has dislodged Serena Williams to be rated as the world's highest-earning female athlete, is a household name in Japan where she is the face of several leading brands.

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Archer Kapil being monitored by a medical team after testing positive for COVID-19, says SAI

Pune: Archer Kapil, who is part of the ongoing national camp at the Army Sports Institute (ASI), has tested positive for COVID-19, the Sports Authority of India said on Monday.

"He is asymptomatic and being monitored by a medical team," the SAI said in a press release.

"He was in quarantine and had not come into contact with any other campers."

SAI said Kapil was tested as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the archers who are part of the national camp. They have to undergo RT-PCR tests on arrival.

"Kapil was on 18 days leave and was tested on arrival upon his rejoining the camp as per the standard SOP established by SAI."

Archer Himani Malik had tested positive for COVID-19 early in the month.

Earlier, a support staff member of the Indian archery team had also tested positive for COVID-19, following which the camp was suspended for two days.

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World Test Championship hasn't achieved what it intended to, says new ICC chairman Greg Barclay

New Delhi The International Cricket Council's newly-elected chairman Greg Barclay on Monday conceded that the ambitious World Test Championship hasn't quite achieved what it intended to and the disruption caused by COVID-19 has only highlighted its "shortcomings".

The World Test Championship schedule has been thrown haywire by the pandemic and the ICC has come up with a percentage allocation of points as all the scheduled series before the 2021 final at the Lord's cannot be completed in a short span of time.

Has the Test Championship given the format a fillip that it was meant to?

"In short, I don't think so. The COVID has probably highlighted its shortcomings of the championship," Barclay, who took charge earlier this month, said during a virtual media conference for wire services.

The New Zealander feels that a lot of problems with the current cricketing calendar is due to the World Test Championship which was fitted in to popularise the format, something that didn't happen, according to him.

"...the issues that we have already got, I wonder whether some of it was because of an attempt to develop a Test Championship, clearly designed to drive interest back into Test cricket, provide a bit of context and relevance around the Test matches," he said.

While it was good in theory but has probably flopped in practice.

"From an idealist's point of view, probably it had a lot of merit but practically, I do disagree, I am not sure whether it has achieved what it intended to do," he said.

In fact, Barclay dropped a hint that the inaugural WTC could well be the last one as smaller members can't afford Test cricket championship anymore.

"My personal view is let's get through with the little bit that we can in this COVID-19, with reallocation of points and all that.

"...but once we have done that, let's go back to the drawing board as I am not quite sure whether it (WTC) entirely fits the purpose and has achieved what it intended to after being conceptualised four to five years back.

"I think we need to look at it in context of calendar and not put cricketers in a situation where it's a lot more worse and not going to help us," the New Zealand lawyer asserted.

He revealed that he does have support among some full member nations on the matter.

"Yeah, I think there would be some countries. It is difficult for some of the full members as they simply can't afford to play Test cricket.

"Test cricket has got its legacy and I am a purist but I do accept that as much as I want to keep it as it is, less and less countries are able to afford that arrangement and are able to play it.

"Very few countries can make it work from a financial point of view," Barclay spoke about the crux of the matter.

Calling himself a realist, he agreed that the current calendar needs a revamp.

While he believes that T20 leagues are here to stay as they assist the financial health of the member boards, he wants bilateral series with context as players' safety as well as physical and mental health will be paramount in coming days.

"My view is that, I think all forms of cricket need to be taken into account. You are right, the calendar is increasingly becoming congested and something has to give in somewhere."

It is a sort of compromise that member nations need to strike.

"...but I do respect that each country has the right to develop its own domestic league given it meets the ICC requirements and is properly sanctioned," he said.

"Clearly there is a demand from the playing point of view and commercial partnering perspective. So let's accept that domestic leagues are here to stay and they have been tremendously contributing to the growth of the really exciting product like the IPL, BBL and CPL."

For him, bilateral events should have a context and profile.

"...it's an incredibly difficult juggling act to get in there and also, we need to have enough conversations regarding players' health safety. I don't think we have had enough conversations.

"Some of the focus needs to be on the integrity aspect of the game and we need to have competitions which are relevant and have context."

Barclay also made it clear that he would like the ICC to maintain its elite standard of competitions when asked about having extra events, which the world body had informally proposed only to be rejected by members.

"Bilateral cricket is fundamentally important to member countries. ICC runs very, very good events, all countries must have an opportunity to take part in these events.

"I am a fan of maintaining ICC events which are world class but at the same time, giving an opportunity to members to have bilateral cricket."

While making it clear that he would like to see a lot of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket, he maintained that it's "not his mandate" and he understands that there are "geo-political" considerations in play.

About India's "blow hot blow cold" relations with the ICC, Barclay said that everyone acknowledges the importance of a strong member board like the BCCI.

"India is a massively important part of world cricket. Like all families, we have general squabbles but India recognises that ICC needs Indian cricket. We have been able to navigate through differences if any."

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India vs Australia: Steve Smith reveals he was not sure of playing second ODI, says had 'bad dose of vertigo'

Sydney: Top Australian batsman Steve Smith has revealed that he suffered a "bad dose of vertigo" ahead of the second ODI against India and was not sure of playing the game in which he struck a series-clinching hundred.

Smith's quickfire 62-ball-100 propelled Australia to a mammoth 389 for four in the second ODI, which they defended easily to secure a decisive 2-0 lead in the ODI series on Sunday.

However, the former skipper said he "didn't look great there for a while".

"I didn't know I was playing today. I had a really bad dose of vertigo this morning and I was struggling until... I came down early to have a hit and a bit of a run around," Smith told cricket.com.au after receiving his second successive Man of the Match award.

Smith said it was team doctor Leigh Golding, who relieved him of the symptoms by performing Epley maneuver which involves a series of head movements used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a condition caused by a problem in the inner ear.

"The doctor, I think he performed six Epley manoeuvre on me this morning and got the crystals out of my ears and I was struggling for a bit," he said.

"Just pleased to be able to get out here and play another good innings and help the team."

Smith, who had scored 105 off 66 balls in the first ODI, shared a 138-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne before Glenn Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 63 off 29 balls to take Australia to a formidable total.

Smith also took a superb catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer off Moises Henriques' bowling on Sunday.

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India vs Australia: Marnus Labuschagne says playing first-class cricket gives hosts slight advantage in Tests

Australia's rising star Marnus Labuschagne believes that the home team will enjoy a slight advantage going into the Test series against India as most of its top-order players will be coming in after having played a fair amount of first-class cricket.

Labuschagne, who contributed a solid 70 off 61 balls in the second ODI which Australia won by 51 runs on Sunday, has scored two hundreds in three Sheffield Shield matches.

"It definitely helps to have a few games under your belt just to get the pace and the timing of the game from T20s to one-dayers to four-day cricket," he replied to a query from PTI during a virtual media interaction facilitated by series' official broadcaster Sony.

The Indian players, who had played IPL and now ODIs, last played red-ball cricket in New Zealand and will only have two three-day games to get into the groove.

"But a lot of these (Indian) players we're talking about, they've been doing it for a long time, they're not new to the changes of format. I'd be surprised if they didn't shift back into gear very quickly.

"I will say that it's a slight advantage, four out of our top six have been playing Shield cricket and got that rhythm as a batting group."

With David Warner ruled out of the last ODI as well as the upcoming T20 Internationals, Labuschagne won't mind a chance to open the innings if he is asked about it.

"Certainly, if I got asked to open the batting absolutely. It's an opportunity that I would enjoy taking. We'll wait and see how our team shapes up for the next game and see the balance of the side, but yeah, I would love doing it," Labuschagne said.

"My role at No 4 is just to read the situation of the game and play my role accordingly," he said.

Asked how Warner is emotionally dealing with the injury setback that happened during the second ODI, Labuschagne insisted that he is fine.

"He is a strong character and he will come back. Also, his absence is an opportunity for someone else."

Steve Smith's form is something that will obviously help Australia in the Test series, feels Labuschagne.

"Cricket's a massive confidence game and even though it's a different format, it still gives you a lot of confidence when you're scoring runs consistently and the way Steve and Davey are batting currently, I've got no doubt they'll be able to transfer that into the Test summer.

"But right now there's still a lot of games to be played before that, we've just got to make sure we finish this one-day series well and then straight into the T20s where we start really well."

Smith's second ODI hundred is one of the best according to Labuschagne and he called his form scary.

"That was one of the best innings I've seen in one-day cricket, not only from Steve but from anyone," the 26-year-old said.

"I think the way he batted yesterday was superb. It almost felt like he didn't give an opportunity, didn't really take any risk, but he got a hundred off 62 balls.

"When someone's doing that, that's kind of scary."

About his own innings, he was happy to have a partnership with Smith.

"It was really nice to build that partnership with him, 136, it was just nice to keep ticking it over and we were really busy through that middle part when we came together. Then towards the back end, Steve really took the game on and that's how we got 390.

"They're two very big scores in the last two games, thanks obviously to Steve."

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LIVE Cricket Score, New Zealand vs West Indies, 3rd T20I at Mount Maunganui

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2nd T20I report: Glenn Phillips smacked the fastest Twenty20 century by a New Zealander as the Black Caps set the West Indies an imposing 239-run target if they are to save the series in game two at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Phillips clubbed his century off 46 deliveries, the 10th fastest in the world and one ball faster than the previous New Zealand record held by Colin Munro.

When he was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the New Zealand innings, Phillips had scored 108 off 51 balls, with eight sixes and 10 fours, and having featured in a 184-run stand with Devon Conway.

Conway was not out 65 at the close with New Zealand 238 for three.

The West Indies, who lost the first match by five wickets and need a win to keep the three-match series alive, opted to bowl first on winning the toss.

Skipper Kieron Pollard believed the overcast conditions would assist the side fielding first after rain had delayed the start by 15 minutes.

But New Zealand openers Tim Seifert (18) and Martin Guptill (34) were rarely tested as they raced to 49 in 34 deliveries before both fell in quick succession.

Conway and Phillips wasted no time re-establishing the innings, getting the Black Caps to 84 for two at the halfway mark before Phillips opened up with a six and two fours off Keemo Paul.

He continued to pound the boundary after a 20-minute rain break, and received a life on 88 when he belted a high full toss that was caught on the boundary, only to be recalled when replays showed it was a no ball above waist height.

With inputs from AFP

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Diego Maradona's surgeon says he has 'nothing to hide' after launch of investigation into star's death

Buenos Aires: Diego Maradona's surgeon responded to the launch of an investigation for involuntary manslaughter by saying he did "everything he could, up to the impossible" for an "unmanageable" patient.

Earlier in the day prosecutors in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, said they were investigating Leopoldo Luque while Argentine television showed police raiding the doctor's surgery and home.

A statement from the prosecutors' office later said they had begun analysing material gathered and clarified that "no decisions have been made at the moment regarding the procedural situation of any person."

The probe was triggered by concerns raised by Maradona's daughters Dalma, Gianinna and Jana over the treatment he received for his heart condition at his home in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, judicial sources said.

Maradona died of a heart attack on Wednesday aged 60, and was buried on Thursday at the Jardin de Paz cemetery on the outskirts of the Argentine capital.

"Our investigations are ongoing, we are talking to witnesses including members of the family" of Maradona, a source close to the San Isidro inquiry said.

"The clinic had recommended that he go elsewhere to be hospitalised, but the family decided otherwise. His daughters signed for him to be discharged from the hospital," said a family member, on the condition of anonymity.

Later in the day, Luque, who is no relation to Maradona's former Argentina team-mate of the same name, gave an emotional televised news conference.

"You want to know what I am responsible for?" the 39-year-old doctor asked between sobs. "For having loved him, for having taken care of him, for having extended his life, for having improved it to the end."

Luque said he did "everything he could, up to the impossible" and considered himself a "friend" of Maradona and saw him "as a father, not as a patient".

Luque had posted a photograph of himself with Maradona when the former player left hospital on 12 November, eight days after the doctor operated to remove a brain blood clot. Maradona returned home to Tigre where he received round-the-clock medical care and could remain close to his daughters.

"He should have gone to a rehabilitation centre. He didn't want to," said Luque who called Maradona "unmanageable".

'Nothing to hide' 

Luque said he did not know why there was no defibrillator in case of a heart attack in Maradona's home in Tigre, and made clear that the home care was not his responsibility.

"I am a neurosurgeon," said Luque.

"I am the person who has been taking care of him. I'm proud of everything I've done. I have nothing to hide. I am at the disposal of justice."

Maradona's lawyer, Matias Morla, had called for an investigation into claims that ambulances took more than half an hour to reach the football star's house in response to an emergency call on the day of his death.

Luque said an ambulance should have been parked outside.

"A psychiatrist had asked that there should always be an ambulance in front of his house. I don't know who is responsible for the fact that there was no ambulance," Luque said.

Diego "was very sad, he wanted to be alone, and it's not because he didn't love his daughters, his family, or those around him," Luque said. "He was brave."

A judicial source told AFP that no official complaint has yet been filed.

"The case was initiated because he is a person who died at home and no one signed his death certificate. It does not mean there are suspicions or irregularities," the source said, requesting to remain anonymous.

A preliminary autopsy report established that Maradona died in his sleep at noon on Wednesday of "acute lung oedema and chronic heart failure".

The prosecutor's office is awaiting the results of toxicological tests on Maradona's body. The three prosecutors working on the case have requested his medical records, as well as recordings from neighbourhood security cameras.

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Formula 1 2020: Romain Grosjean praises halo safety device after surviving horror crash during Bahrain GP

Manama: Race officials and drivers praised the modern safety systems developed for Formula One on Sunday after Romain Grosjean said he was "okay" after surviving a high-speed crash and fireball blaze on the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Frenchman's car rammed into the barriers as he braked hard from around 250 km/h (155 mph) during the opening lap, the front part hammering into the steel guardrails which buckled.

Grosjean, 34, trapped in his cockpit, flew under the barrier as it gave way and as his car burst into flames, splitting in two on impact, but managed to escape with only "light burns" to his hands and ankles.

"Hello everyone, just wanted to say I'm okay, well, sort of okay," said Grosjean from his hospital bed in a video posted on social media.

"Thank you very much for all the messages."

The best video we've seen today?

THIS 🙂 👊#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 @RGrosjean pic.twitter.com/TbGblznMBv

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 29, 2020

Safety and official medical car driver Alan van der Merwe was on the scene within seconds as he followed the field after the start of the race and along with chief medical officer Dr Ian Roberts they battled the blaze to save Grosjean's life.

"It's a miracle that he's alive," said 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who was Ayrton Senna's team-mate at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when the Brazilian was killed.

Van der Merwe said: "It was a big surprise for us as well, we've never seen that much fire in 12 years.

"Romain started to get out of the car himself which was pretty amazing after an accident like that. It was a relief to see he was okay. It just goes to show all the systems we've developed worked hand in hand – the halos, the barriers, the seatbelts, everything all worked as it should.

"Without just one of those things, it could have been a very different outcome."

Grosjean lost control of his Haas car after clipping the front left wheel of Daniil Kvyat's Alpha Tauri, having skewed right in the intense battle for position at Turn Three on the opening lap.

His Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said: "When you see something like this the only thing you think is 'I hope we get lucky' – you don't think how it happened or whatever.

"I would like to thank all the marshals. They did a fantastic job to get him away as quick as possible from the fire. It was amazing what they did."

Grosjean said the once controversial 'halo' safety device had saved his life.

"I wasn't for the halo some years ago but I think it's the greatest thing we brought to Formula 1 and without it I wouldn't be able to speak to you today," he added.

Grosjean 'conscious at all times' 

Steiner added that Grosjean, who is set to leave F1 at the end of the season, had suffered "light burns on his hands and ankles".

Grosjean was taken to hospital, with reports suggesting he had also suffered a suspected broken rib.

"The driver self-extricated, and was conscious at all times," the FIA said in a statement. "He was taken to the medical centre before being transferred to Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Hospital by helicopter where he is undergoing further evaluation."

The race restarted after a lengthy delay, with newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton going on to take victory.

"I'm so grateful Romain is safe," Hamilton wrote on Twitter.

"Wow... the risk we take is no joke, for those of you out there that forget that we put our life on the line for this sport and for what we love to do.

"Thankful to the FIA for the massive strides we've taken for Romain to walk away from that safely."

The safety car was quickly back in action following the restart as Lance Stroll's car flipped over.

The Canadian's Racing Point made contact with Kvyat's Alpha Tauri at Turn 8, his car coming to a halt upside down.

Stroll was uninjured and stayed cool inside his car.

"I'm okay, just hanging upside down," he told his team before climbing out.

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भारत की हार के बाद कोहली पर भड़के गंभीर, बोले- ऐसी कप्तानी मेरे समझ से बाहर

नई दिल्लीभारत के पूर्व दिग्गज ओपनर () ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया से मिली लगातार दूसरी हार के बाद भारतीय कप्तान ( captaincy) की खुलकर आलोचना की है। उन्होंने कोहली की उस रणनीति को खराब कप्तानी बताया, जिसके तहत दूसरे वनडे में पावरप्ले में जसप्रीत बुमराह से महत दो ओवर करवाए गए थे। गंभीर ने कहा कि हम लगातार विकेट लेने की बात कर रहे हैं, लेकिन जब प्रमुख गेंदबाज को मौका ही नहीं देंगे तो विकेट कैसे मिलेगा। गेंदबाजों को लेकर खराब रणनीतिउन्होंने क्रिकइन्फो के एक शो में विराट कोहली पर निशाना साधते हुए कहा, 'मैं ईमानदारी से कहूं तो कप्तानी को नहीं समझ सकता। हम इस बारे में लगातार बात कर रहे हैं कि अधिक से अधिक विकेट लेना है और हमें ऐसी (ऑस्ट्रेलिया की) बैटिंग लाइन अप को तोड़ना है, लेकिन अपने महत्वपूर्ण गेंदबाजों से दो ओवर ही करा रहे हैं। सामान्यत: वनडे में 4-3-3 ओवरों के स्पेल होते हें। 3 बेहतर माना जाता है और किसी बोलर से अधिकतम एक स्पेल में 4 ओवर करवाए जाते हैं।' यह टी-20 नहीं, वनडे हैउन्होंने आगे कहा, 'अगर आप नई गेंद के साथ दो ओवर गेंदबाजी कराके अपने प्रमुख तेज गेंदबाज को रोकते हैं तो मैं कप्तानी के बारे में समझ नहीं सकता। मैं शायद उस कप्तानी को समझा भी नहीं सकता। यह टी 20 क्रिकेट नहीं है। भारत की हार हुई, क्योंकि खराब कप्तानी थी।' उल्लेखनीय है कि दोनों ही वनडे में भारतीय गेंदबाज छोटे-छोटे स्पेल करते दिखे और गेंदबाजी में तेजी से बदलाव दिखा। टीम सिलेक्शन पर उठाया सवालटीम सिलेक्शन पर सवाल उठाते हुए उन्होंने कहा, 'वह वॉशिंगटन सुंदर या शिवम दूबे को वनडे में शामिल कर सकते थे। इससे पता चलता कि वे वनडे में कैसा प्रदर्शन करते हैं। अगर ये दोनों ऑस्ट्रेलिया में नहीं हैं तो यह कहीं न कहीं से टीम चयन में खराबी भी है। जब तक आप किसी को मौका नहीं देंगे तो आप कैसे जान पाएंगे कि वह इंटरनैशनल लेवल पर कितना अच्छा है।' दोनों मैचों में भारत को मिली हारऑस्ट्रेलिया ने रविवार को सिडनी क्रिकेट ग्राउंड (एससीजी) पर खेले गए दूसरे वनडे मैच में भारत के खिलाफ 50 ओवरों में 4 विकेट खोकर 389 रनों का विशाल स्कोर बनाया। इस लक्ष्य को पाना भारतीय टीम के लिए नामुमकिन साबित हुआ। वह 51 रनों से मैच हार गई। मेहमान टीम पूरे ओवर खेलने के बाद नौ विकेट खोकर 338 ही बना सकी। इसी के साथ ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने तीन मैचों की वनडे सीरीज में 2-0 की अजेय बढ़त ले ली है। पहले वनडे में भी ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने 374 रनों का विशाल स्कोर खड़ा किया था।

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Ligue 1: Lyon continue fine form with 3-0 win over Reims; Saint-Etienne hold Lille to a draw

Paris: Lille stuttered to a 1-1 draw against struggling Saint-Etienne on Sunday to miss the chance to draw level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1, but the rest of the chasers took advantage of the defending champions' latest slip-up.

Lille sit second in the table, two points behind PSG — who drew 2-2 with Bordeaux on Saturday — and above Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier on goal difference.

Lyon continued their fine form with a 3-0 win over Reims while Monaco beat Nimes by the same scoreline to also move within two points of PSG. Montpellier, meanwhile, edged out Lorient.

Lille would have hoped to take all three points from a Saint-Etienne side on a seven-match losing streak in the league before kick-off.

But Christophe Galtier's team fell behind to a controversial first-half penalty from Tunisian Wahbi Khazri and needed a second-half strike from Jonathan Ikone to rescue a draw.

Galtier was left frustrated by the decision to award Khazri the spot-kick, after the former Sunderland winger appeared to fall over Domagoj Bradaric in a vain attempt to reach the ball before Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

"The penalty was a clear refereeing error," he said. "Wahbi Khazri comes with a lot of experience onto my player Domagoj Bradaric. With video and professional referees this shouldn't happen. It doesn't take away from our bad first half, but it was an important moment of the game."

Lyon looking 'upwards' 

Karl Toko Ekambi, Bruno Guimaraes and Moussa Dembele scored for Lyon as they made it 16 points from their last six matches.

"We must continue in this vein and look upwards. We must put a run of victories together," said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia.

"This is the first time that we have won three times in a row. As in Angers (last week), we had an opportunity to (move up the) table. We seized it."

PSG gave the chasing pack a chance to cut the gap with a 2-2 home draw against Bordeaux on Saturday, having blown a two-goal lead to lose to Monaco last week.

Reims, who had Moreto Cassama sent off on 33 minutes, remain fourth from the bottom and look destined for a relegation dog-fight.

Monaco march on 

Monaco eased to victory over Nimes to notch their fourth straight league win.

Young midfielder Sofiane Diop gave the hosts an early lead at the Stade Louis II, before Gelson Martins and Kevin Volland struck in the second half to see off Nimes, who had Lucas Deaux dismissed in the 69th minute.

Germany striker Volland has scored five Ligue 1 goals for Monaco since his close-season move from Bayer Leverkusen.

The principality outfit have finished ninth and 17th in the last two seasons and coach Niko Kovac was eager to play down any thoughts of a repeat of their shock 2017 title triumph.

"The title? Not after 12 games, we're not there, no," said the Croatian.

"It's a good period for us, we have to keep working, we are a young team. We will also lose matches."

Fifth-placed Montpellier also extended their winning streak to four matches as Petar Skuletic scored late on to grab a 1-0 win at Lorient, despite midfielder Teji Savanier's missed penalty in the first half.

Marseille, who have also won four league matches on the spin, are only four points behind PSG on sixth, with two games in hand.

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ISL 2020-21: Revamped FC Goa eye first win of season as they take on NorthEast United FC

Margao: A revamped FC Goa will be aiming to get their first win of the season when they take on an equally strong NorthEast United FC in an ISL game on Monday.

Goa made a sensational comeback in their opening game against Bengaluru FC to secure a 2-2 draw but then lost their second game 0-1 to Mumbai City FC.

And come Monday, head coach Juan Ferrando, who has advocated an attacking brand of football, would be hoping that the team gets a full three points for the first time, which would serve as a morale-booster for the remaining season.

For that to happen, FC Goa would bank on their Spanish striker Igor Angulo, who scored a brace in their game against Bengaluru.

The 36-year old sharpshooter would have to deliver once again but will need support from other strikers — Aaren D'Silva, Devendra Murgaonkar, Ishan Pandita and Makan Chothe — whoever plays.

In the mid-field, skipper Edu Bedia would have a key role to play. On his day, the Spaniard can decide the fate of the game and he would be raring to go.

The team also possesses an array of other decent mid-fielders such as India international Brandon Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Albert Noguera, and Jorge Ortiz, who will have to play their role as feeders.

Goa would be certainly missing utility mid-fielders like Ahmed Jahouh and Hugo Boumous, who have exited the club, and the others such as Noguera, who made his debut for Goa against Mumbai City, will need to establish himself as the link between Bedia and Angulo.

Goa's defence would be relied upon by the likes of Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie apart from other local defenders, who would have to be on their toes to thwart the opposition attack.

Goa's Redeem Tlang will be ineligible for selection as he is serving an automatic one-match ban after being given a red card.

On the other hand, NorthEast would be looking to register their second victory after a winning start to their campaign when they humbled Mumbai City FC 1-0.

However, they drew 2-2 against Kerala Blasters.

The Highlanders also boast of a well-rounded unit and will be a tough opponent to counter. Their head coach Gerrard Nus was proud of the character that his team showed against Kerala Blasters.

"We showed character, we also showed how well we can defend. But we also showed that we can keep possession and create chances," Nus had said.

Nus would be hoping that the team's foreign players pull their weight once again and strikers Idrissa Sylla, a former Anderlecht and Queens Park Rangers player, and former Ghanaian international Kwesi Appaiah, play their roles to perfection.

The rest of the Indian players will also need to step up their performances to ensure that the team remains in the top-four.

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देखें: वह करिश्माई कैच, जिसने ऑस्ट्रेलिया की जीत पक्की की और सीरीज हार गया भारत

सिडनीऑस्ट्रेलिया के ऑलराउंडर मोइजेज हेनरिक्स ने कहा है कि रविवार को यहां खेले गए दूसरे वनडे में भारतीय कप्तान का कैच पकड़ने के बाद उनकी पूरी टीम ने राहत की सांस ली। 33 साल के ऑलराउंडर हेनरिक्स ने गेंदबाजी में 4.9 के इकॉनॉमी से रन दिए और श्रेयस अय्यर का विकेट लिया। इसके बाद उन्होंने फील्डिंग में भी बेहतरीन प्रदर्शन किया। ऑस्ट्रेलियाई क्रिकेट टीम में तीन साल बाद वापसी करने वाले हेनरिक्स ने जोश हेजलवुड की गेंद पर विराट कोहली का अविश्वसनीय कैच लपका। विराट कोहली उस वक्त 89 रन पर थे और वो पूरी तरह सेट हो चुके थे। हेनरिक्स ने मैच के बाद कहा, 'यह बहुत बड़ा विकेट था। उनके आउट होने के बाद खिलाड़ियों ने मैदान पर राहत की सांस ली। जब आप किसी को आउट करने में सक्षम हो, जो आसानी से रन बनाना जानता हो। शुक्र है कि वैसा नहीं हुआ, जैसा कि वह चाहते थे। कैच लेने के लिए मैं वहां जल्दी पहुंच गया और मुझे ज्यादा सोचने की जरूरत नहीं पड़ी।' 33 साल के ऑलराउंडर हेनरिक्स ने गेंदबाजी में 4.9 के इकोनॉमी से रन दिए और श्रेयस अय्यर का विकेट लिया। इसके बाद उन्होंने फील्डिंग में भी बेहतरीन प्रदर्शन किया।

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Former Senegalese footballer Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42 after long illness

Dakar: Former Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42 after a long illness, local media and the West African state's football federation said on Sunday.

Diop is best known in his native country for scoring the winning goal against then defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.

The Senegalese squad went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before they were knocked out by Turkey.

Diop was also part of the team that lost to Cameroon on penalties in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations final.

He won the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth in a club career that included stints at French club Lens, Fulham, West Ham United and Birmingham City.

Victor Cisse, the secretary general of the Senegalese football federation, confirmed Diop's death to AFP.

Senegal's President Macky Sall said on Twitter on Sunday it was a "great loss" for the country.

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Formula 1 2020: Romain Grosjean praises halo safety device after surviving horror crash at Bahrain GP

Manama: Race officials and drivers praised the modern safety systems developed for Formula One on Sunday after Romain Grosjean said he was "okay" after surviving a high-speed crash and fireball blaze on the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Frenchman's car rammed into the barriers as he braked hard from around 250 km/h (155 mph) during the opening lap, the front part hammering into the steel guardrails which buckled.

Grosjean, 34, trapped in his cockpit, flew under the barrier as it gave way and as his car burst into flames, splitting in two on impact, but managed to escape with only "light burns" to his hands and ankles.

"Hello everyone, just wanted to say I'm okay, well, sort of okay," said Grosjean from his hospital bed in a video posted on social media.

"Thank you very much for all the messages."

Safety and official medical car driver Alan van der Merwe was on the scene within seconds as he followed the field after the start of the race and along with chief medical officer Dr Ian Roberts they battled the blaze to save Grosjean's life.

"It's a miracle that he's alive," said 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who was Ayrton Senna's team-mate at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when the Brazilian was killed.

Van der Merwe said: "It was a big surprise for us as well, we've never seen that much fire in 12 years.

"Romain started to get out of the car himself which was pretty amazing after an accident like that. It was a relief to see he was okay. It just goes to show all the systems we've developed worked hand in hand – the halos, the barriers, the seatbelts, everything all worked as it should.

"Without just one of those things, it could have been a very different outcome."

Grosjean lost control of his Haas car after clipping the front left wheel of Daniil Kvyat's Alpha Tauri, having skewed right in the intense battle for position at Turn Three on the opening lap.

His Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said: "When you see something like this the only thing you think is 'I hope we get lucky' – you don't think how it happened or whatever.

"I would like to thank all the marshals. They did a fantastic job to get him away as quick as possible from the fire. It was amazing what they did."

Grosjean said the once controversial 'halo' safety device had saved his life.

"I wasn't for the halo some years ago but I think it's the greatest thing we brought to Formula 1 and without it I wouldn't be able to speak to you today," he added.

Grosjean 'conscious at all times' 

Steiner added that Grosjean, who is set to leave F1 at the end of the season, had suffered "light burns on his hands and ankles".

Grosjean was taken to hospital, with reports suggesting he had also suffered a suspected broken rib.

"The driver self-extricated, and was conscious at all times," the FIA said in a statement. "He was taken to the medical centre before being transferred to Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Hospital by helicopter where he is undergoing further evaluation."

The race restarted after a lengthy delay, with newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton going on to take victory.

"I'm so grateful Romain is safe," Hamilton wrote on Twitter.

"Wow... the risk we take is no joke, for those of you out there that forget that we put our life on the line for this sport and for what we love to do.

"Thankful to the FIA for the massive strides we've taken for Romain to walk away from that safely."

The safety car was quickly back in action following the restart as Lance Stroll's car flipped over.

The Canadian's Racing Point made contact with Kvyat's Alpha Tauri at Turn 8, his car coming to a halt upside down.

Stroll was uninjured and stayed cool inside his car.

"I'm okay, just hanging upside down," he told his team before climbing out.

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LaLiga: Lionel Messi, Barcelona pay tribute to Diego Maradona with victory over Osasuna

Madrid: Barcelona on Sunday followed the advice of coach Ronald Koeman and paid tribute to their former player Diego Maradona with an emphatic return to form in LaLiga and a 4-0 victory over Osasuna.

Maradona, who played two seasons for Barca, died on Wednesday aged 60.

Before the match, the club played 'The Song of the Birds' by Catalan cellist Pablo Casals as the teams stood around the centre circle where a Maradona shirt was laid on the centre spot.

Lionel Messi, who has inherited Maradona's legendary Argentina number 10 shirt, bowed his head.

Flags at the Camp Nou flew at half mast, Maradona's image was displayed on every screen and digital advertising hoardings while a club official held a framed Maradona Barcelona shirt.

The Catalans have been struggling in La Liga and started the game 14th.

On Friday, Koeman said the best tribute his team could pay Maradona was to "show what we can do on the pitch".

He recalled Messi and Frenkie de Jong, who were not in the squad for Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev, and also started Antoine Griezmann, who was on the bench in Ukraine.

Barcelona took the lead after 29 minutes when the ball lobbed into the net off Martin Braithwaite's knee following a scramble in front of goal.

Messi seemed to be attempting a tribute to Maradona's famous 'Hand of God' goal against England in 1986 as he leapt after the floating ball stretching his left arm toward it but the referee deemed he did not make contact.

It was Braithwaite's first goal at the Camp Nou and followed the Denmark forward's midweek strike in Kiev.

Griezmann scored with a powerful left-foot volley from outside the box in the 42nd minute.

The France World Cup winner then passed up a shooting chance in the 56th minute to roll a pass across the goal and set up a tap-in for Philippe Coutinho.

As Barcelona rediscovered their cutting edge, Ousmane Dembele had a strike ruled out for offside.

Vintage Messi

Messi got his goal in the 74th minute with a dazzling strike.

He picked up the ball in midfield, danced past two defenders and smashed a rising left-foot shot into the top far corner.

He celebrated by pulling off his Barcelona shirt to reveal a vintage Newell's Old Boys jersey from Maradona's one season with the club in Rosario, Argentina.

"It was a great moment," said Koeman. "Leo's goal, his gesture dedicated to Maradona.

"It was something very big. We Europeans don't realise how big Maradona is in Argentina."

Earlier this week, Newell's tweeted a photograph from Maradona's debut showing a six-year-old local prodigy, in the same black and red shirt, doing ball tricks for the crowd at half-time. That boy was Messi.

Barcelona climbed to seventh, still 10 points behind leaders Real Sociedad, who drew 1-1 at home to third-placed Villarreal.

Gerard Moreno scored a penalty after just six minutes for Villarreal at Anoeta but Mikel Oyarzabal replied with a spot-kick on the half-hour to earn the hosts a point.

La Real pulled a point ahead of Atletico Madrid despite the end of their six-match winning run in the league. However, Diego Simeone's unbeaten side have two games in hand.

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