5 WWE सुपरस्टार्स जिन्होंने Wrestlemania में अपनी पहली वर्ल्ड चैंपियनशिप जीती

from Sportskeeda https://ift.tt/3bIFCOQ

जॉन सीना के पुराने दुश्मन और WWE के मौजूदा चैंपियन ने अपने हेटर्स को दिया खास मैसेज

from Sportskeeda https://ift.tt/3kBiNAO

3 बड़े सवाल जो पिछले हफ्ते WWE Raw और SmackDown से खड़े हुए

from Sportskeeda https://ift.tt/30dDzx3

3 बड़ी चीजें जो इस हफ्ते WWE Raw और SmackDown में जरूर होनी चाहिए

from Sportskeeda https://ift.tt/2Mxtyr0

41, 44 या 46... कितने साल के हैं शाहिद अफरीदी, क्रिकेटर के ट्वीट से फिर उठने लगे सवाल

नई दिल्ली शाहिद अफरीदी ने एक मार्च को अपना जन्मदिन मनाया। ऑलराउंडर ने ट्विटर पर सभी को इसके लिए धन्यवाद दिया। हालांकि, क्रिकेटर के ट्वीट के बाद एक नया विवाद शुरू हो गया। अफरीदी ने दावा किया वह 44 साल के हो गए हैं। कई वेबसाइट्स पर शाहिद अफरीदी की उम्र 41 साल बताई जा रही है। इसके बाद उनके फैंस यह सोच रहे हैं कि आखिर इस पूर्व पाकिस्तानी कप्तान की असली उम्र क्या है। लोगों को इस बात पर और भी संदेह हो गया है कि आखिर उनका असल जन्मदिन क्या है क्योंकि उन्होंने अपनी ऑटो बायोग्रफी में जन्म का साल अलग बताई है। अपनी किताब 'गेम चेंजर' साल 2019 में रिलीज हुई थी। शाहिद अफरीदी ने दावा किया था कि उनका जन्म का वर्ष 1975 है न कि 1980। हालांकि पहले उनका जन्म का वर्ष 1980 ही माना जाता था। इसका मतलब है कि अफरीदी की उम्र 46 साल है न कि 44, जैसाकि वह ट्वीट में बता रहे हैं। अफरीदी के जन्मदिन में अनियमितताओं में कई लोगों ने शाहिद अफरीदी को ऑनलाइन ट्रोल कर दिया। कुछ ने दी बधाई, कुछ ने किया ट्रोल कुछ फैंस ने शाहिद अफरीदी को उनके जन्मदिन पर बधाई दी तो कई लोगों ने जन्म के वर्ष को लेकर उन्हें हैरानी भी जताई। लोगों का कहना था कि अफरीदी के एक साथ तीन जन्मदिन हैं। कई फैंस ने यह सवाल पूछा कि अफरीदी के नाम जो रेकॉर्ड उनकी उम्र को लेकर हैं, उनका क्या होगा? कई लोगों ने अफरीदी की 41 साल की उम्र के स्क्रीनशॉट शेयर किए। कई लोगों ने यह तक कहा कि हर साल अफरीदी के जन्मदिन पर उनकी उम्र चर्चा का विषय बन जाती है।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3pZF1NX

'आई एम बार्बी गर्ल' पर खूब थिरकीं नताशा स्टैनकोविक, वीडियो वायरल

नई दिल्ली भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम इस समय अहमदाबाद में है। टीम को इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ टेस्ट सीरीज का चौथा मैच भी यहीं नरेंद्र मोदी क्रिकेट स्टेडियम पर खेलना है। इसके बाद टी20 इंटरनैशनल सीरीज के पांच मुकाबले भी यहीं खेले जाएंगे। भारतीय टीम के स्टार ऑलराउंडर हार्दिक पंड्या भी टीम के साथ अहमदाबाद में ही हैं। उनकी अभिनेत्री पत्नी नताशा स्टैनकोविक भी वहीं हैं। नताशा सोशल मीडिया पर काफी ऐक्टिव रहती हैं और अपने वीडियो अकसर साझा करती रहती हैं। ऐसा ही एक वीडियो उन्होंने रविवार को साझा किया जो देखते ही देखते वायरल हो गया। इस वीडियो को 4 लाख 70 हजार से ज्यादा लोग देख चुके हैं। नताशा इस वीडियो में एक गाने पर एरोबिक्स कर रही हैं। वह फिटनेस को लेकर काफी सजग हैं और यह उन्हें देखकर लगता भी है। नताशा ने पिछले साल जनवरी में हार्दिक के साथ सगाई और शादी की थी। 30 जुलाई को उनके बेटे अगस्त्य का जन्म हुआ था। वीडियो की बात करें तो नताशा 'आई एम बॉर्बी गर्ल...' पर थिरक रही हैं।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3r6eOhR

Chinese Super League: State media urge football rethink after financial collapse of champions Jiangsu FC

Shanghai: The "shocking" collapse of champions Jiangsu FC is a watershed for Chinese football that should prompt a rethink from top to bottom, state media said.

Jiangsu, who are owned by the conglomerate Suning — which also owns Italy's Inter Milan — said Sunday they will "cease operations", just over three months after winning the Chinese Super League.

The announcement underlines the financial problems coursing through the league that could also see rival side Tianjin Tigers fold this week.

It also highlights the declining fortunes of a league that repeatedly smashed the Asian transfer record just a few years ago, attracting a number of foreign stars.

"It seems incredible and shocking, but it feels like the dust has now settled," state-run Xinhua news agency said following the announcement by Jiangsu, who have not yet dissolved and are seeking a financial lifeline.

Xinhua said that 16 teams across three tiers of Chinese football folded in 2020.

The Super League gained a reputation for luring star players with hefty wages and exorbitant transfer fees — Shanghai SIPG signed Oscar from Chelsea in 2017 for an Asian-record 60 million euros.

But the Chinese Football Association has since brought in a raft of measures to cool spending, including a 100 percent transfer tax and salary caps.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, money began to dry up in Chinese football.

"The most important thing at the moment is to... reload and start again, rather than being lost in confusion or remorse," said Xinhua.

"To some extent it is a good thing that the bubble has burst earlier (than expected)," it added.

"Chinese professional football has ushered in its first 'watershed' after its high-speed, wild growth.

"Respect the laws of football, respect the laws of the market, adhere to youth training and work for the long term."

Beijing Youth Daily said the implosion of Jiangsu was an opportunity for renewal.

"Where does Chinese football go from here?" it asked.

"Experts say that to solve the predicament of Chinese football it must be overthrown and reconstructed.

"Chinese football, the promotion of it and youth training all need to be reassessed."

The new season, which will almost certainly be shorn of Jiangsu and Tianjin, is expected to start in April but there is no definite date because of uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.

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

ISL 2020-21: Bengaluru's blues to Spanish imprint, key takeaways from league stage

It was a final matchday that promised to deliver so much and in the end it did, with Mumbai City FC wresting back top spot from ATK Mohun Bagan after doing the double over them and clinching that much desired AFC Champions League place in the process.

Elsewhere, FC Goa booked their place in the semi-finals after holding on for a goalless draw against Hyderabad FC despite a nerve-wracking last few minutes. And with that, the league stage of the Indian Super League 2020-21 came to end.

It has been a strange season in many ways, not least because of the COVID bio-bubble the players, staff, and officials were forced into. Here are some of the talking points that shaped the season.

East Bengal join big boys’ table

Less than two months before the start of the season, East Bengal officially became the 11th franchise of the ISL after the Kolkata-based Shree Cement Limited acquired a majority stake in the club. This development reunited them with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan who merged with ATK earlier on. With a short pre-season and a squad equipped for the I-League, as head coach Robbie Fowler pointed out earlier on in the season, the Red and Golds endured a difficult start to the season, failing to even find the back of the net in their first four games, and winning only in their eighth.

Following some press conference rants and touchline bans, Fowler got them back on track, playing some good football along the way and introducing the ISL to the irresistible Bright Enobakhare, whose solo goal against FC Goa will live long in the memory. Finishing ninth will be a disappointment to one of the country’s legacy clubs but they will be hopeful of kicking on from their debut season.

Lobera perfect for using City Group blueprint

During his time as FC Goa coach, Sergio Lobera made it clear that he was not a man who would change his philosophy even if things weren’t going his way. It was these principles that made Mumbai City FC sit up, take notice and eventually offer him a job, and boy has he delivered. The Islanders play an attractive, possession-based style of football that would make their big bosses in Abu Dhabi and Manchester proud. City Football Group have made it clear that they would like to see a similar style of play implemented throughout their teams across the world thereby making it easier for players to internally swap teams and make the transition easier. Will a Mumbai City player be playing at the Etihad Stadium soon then? Probably not.

Habas forced into releasing handbrake, with delightful results

Throughout his various stints at clubs in the Indian Super League, Antonio Habas has always favoured a pragmatic approach with his teams sitting compact, hard to beat, and a threat on the counter-attack. This season started no differently as they ground out 1-0 wins which had neutral viewers snoozing. But after the 0-1 defeat against title rivals Mumbai City, the Spaniard surprised us by naming as many as four attacking players in the matches to come. January loan signing Marcelinho, Manvir Singh, Roy Krishna, and David Williams clicked spectacularly after a few games and the goals started to flow for ATKMB like never before. More of the same please, Señor Habas.

Bengaluru’s first real rough spell

Bengaluru FC have been country’s model club since their formation in 2013 with their smart recruitment domestically and internationally, but for the first time, they are facing real questions.

There is talk of players leaving and a freshening up of the squad is certainly a step in the right direction after a sustained period of success. Despite having promoted Carles Cuadrat to the top post, there seemed to be a lack of planning on the field, with the Spaniard correctly pointing out a lack of backing in the transfer market to replace outgoing stalwarts in key positions. The appointment of former Germany youth team coach Marco Pezzaiouli is an intriguing one and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the AFC Cup this summer before domestic duties resume next season.

Aussies join the party

To fulfill their Asian player quota, all ISL clubs bar Chennaiyin FC set their sights Down Under to tap Australian players of varied talent. With seemingly better finances on offer than in the A-League, we were given a glimpse of what these Socceroos had to offer and they were success stories in most cases. The bar was already set by Erik Paartalu and David Williams but Kerala Blasters’ Jordan Murray and Hyderabad FC’s Joel Chianese found themselves among the goals while Scott Neville and Dylan Fox acquitted themselves well for East Bengal and NorthEast United respectively. Former Premier League striker Adam Le Fondre however, takes the cake with his goals powering Mumbai City to the top spot.

Usual suspects bring up the rear

It was yet another disappointing season for the Kerala Blasters, considering their finances and inimitable fanbase would really be hoping to be competing at the top of the table. With a less than convincing Albino Gomes between the sticks, a shaky backline, and a midfield that never clicked, Kibu Vicuna got the axe before the end of an underwhelming campaign.

Rahul KP was one of the bright sparks, along with Murray and the revitalised Jessel Carneiro but the same cannot be said of Sahal Abdul Samad who continues to be inconsistent. Odisha FC have had it even worse, not even registering double figures on the points tally until an absolutely bonkers last game of the season against East Bengal. Stuart Baxter’s appalling comments and immediate dismissal makes it a season to well and truly forget for a franchise struggling to make their mark in this league. Top scorer Diego Mauricio brought a few smiles and he will have no shortage of suitors for next season.

Goa, NEUFC, and Hyderabad thrill neutrals

Mumbai City and ATK Mohun lived up to their pre-season billing of favourites but the chasing pack of FC Goa, NorthEast United, and Hyderabad FC certainly caught the eye with some positive football and especially the performances of their Indian players. Juan Ferrando had the unenviable task of replacing Sergio Lobera but he has met, if not surpassed expectations with a top-four finish.

Gerard Nus had NEUFC going at a steady pace but Khalid Jamil has turned it up a notch with a great deal of help from Federico Gallego, Luis Machado, Deshorn Brown, and “Apuia” Lalengmawia. The Highlanders are dark horses for the title, having already beaten the top two during the league stage. Hyderabad fell short of the semi-finals on the last day of the season but Manolo Marquez has worked wonders with a squad that finished bottom last time round. Well-drilled, easy on the eye, and lethal on the counter, Hyderabad FC used their domestic contingent to the fullest and as a result, we have on our hands some real prospects like Asish Rai, Liston Colaco, Akash Mishra, and Mohammed Yasir.

Route-one football no longer the norm

The days of hoofing the ball up the field seem to be a thing of the past as the Indian Super League has caught up with the global tactical trend of a possession-based style of play. This is evident from the fact that seven out of 11 franchises started the season with Spanish coaches and Spain being the most represented country amongst the foreign player contingent in the league. Indian players have definitely benefitted from playing this kind of technical game and this has attributed to the development of the likes of Brandon Fernandes, Rowllin Borges, and Suresh Singh Wangjam who could become mainstays in the national team for years to come.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3r4fLaz

IPL 2021: RCB's new recruit Glenn Maxwell is excited to play alongside Virat Kohli, eager to learn leadership lessons from him

Wellington: Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is chuffed about playing alongside and learning from Virat Kohli in the upcoming IPL, calling the Indian captain "the pinnacle of the game" for his dominance across formats.

The Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Maxwell, who was released by Punjab Kings after an ordinary IPL in 2020, for a whopping Rs 14.25 crore at the auctions last month.

"It's (RCB stint) going to be next level," Maxwell told Australian Associated Press (AAP).

"He's (Kohli) been the pinnacle of the game for a while as a multi-format player from Tests all the way to T20s.

"He's been able to adapt his game, dominate for a long period of time and deal with the Indian pressure of being their captain and their best player," Maxwell added.

The Indian Premier League is scheduled to start in the second week of April and the swashbuckling all-rounder hopes to pick up some leadership qualities from the Indian skipper, who will also be Maxwell's captain at RCB.

"I'm looking forward to watching him go about his work, not just in games but in training, and hopefully tapping into some of the leadership stuff and try and learn off him."

The 32-year-old said that he has developed a "good friendship" with Kohli over the years, adding that the Indian maestro backed him when he took a mental health break in 2019.

"He's been a solid backer of my stance," Maxwell said.

"In a way he probably understood a lot of the things that I was going through ... a lot of expectation and pressure, which I'm sure he can relate to."

Kohli, who recently opened up about his own battle with depression during a harrowing tour of England in 2014, had lauded Maxwell's decision to take a break.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3bS3dfW

अहमदाबाद में फिर स्पिन के जादू से इंग्लैंड को पस्त करने की तैयारी

अहमदाबादवर्ल्ड टेस्ट चैंपियनशिप फाइनल के नजरिए से भारत और इंग्लैंड के बीच चार टेस्ट मैचों की सीरीज का अंतिम मुकाबला बहुत ही अहम है। भारत के लिए चौथा टेस्ट मैच कम से कम ड्रॉ होना जरूरी है। लेकिन, तीसरे टेस्ट में मेहमानों को जिस तरह के स्पिनिंग ट्रैक पर खिलाकर पस्त कर दिया गया था, चौथे के लिए भी वैसी ही पिच की तैयारी शुरू हो चुकी है। गुजरात क्रिकेट संघ के अधिकारी ने नाम ना छापने की शर्त पर बताया कि मुकाबला पिच नंबर चार पर खेला जाएगा जो कि लाल मिट्टी से बनी है। नरेंद्र मोदी स्टेडियम में कुल 11 पिच हैं जिनमें से पांच को लाल मिट्टी से तैयार किया गया है, जबकि छह पिच के लिए काली मिट्टी इस्तेमाल की गई है। पिछला टेस्ट पिच नंबर 5 पर खेला गया था। छह से 11 नंबर तक की पिच काली मिट्टी वाली हैं। घास रहने वाली नहीं पिछला टेस्ट लाल मिट्टी वाली पिच पर खेल गया था जिस पर पहले दिन से ही धूल उड़ने लगी थी और बोलर्स के लैंडिग पोजिशन की मिट्टी भी उखड़ गई थी। यह मुकाबला कुल छह सेशन भी नहीं चला। अधिकारी ने बताया, ‘पिंक बॉल टेस्ट के बाद पिच को लेकर जो बहस शुरू हुई, वो अभी तक चल रही है। ऐसे में अनुमान यही लगाया गया कि सीरीज का अंतिम मुकाबला छठे नंबर की पिच यानी की काली मिट्टी वाली पिच पर खेला जाएगा, जो कि बल्लेबाजी के अनुकूल होती है। काली मिट्टी की पिच को क्रिकेट की भाषा में पाटा विकेट कहते हैं, जहां जमकर रन बनते हैं। जबकि लाल मिट्टी वाली पिच को टर्निंग ट्रैक कहते हैं।' उन्होंने बताया, ‘पिच को घेर दिया गया है। अभी तक उस पर घास है, लेकिन ये रहने वाली नहीं। हो सकता है कि इस बार थोड़ी घास रहने दी जाए ताकि पिच जल्दी नहीं टूटे, लेकिन यहां बहुत गर्मी है, तापमान ज्यादा होने की वजह से पिच की नमी को बरकरार रखना एक चुनौती है।’मैच रेफरी जवागल श्रीनाथ रविवार शाम पहली बार नरेंद्र मोदी स्टेडियम पहुंचे थे। सभी की निगाहें उन पर बनी हुई हैं कि वो तीसरे पिच की कैसी रिपोर्ट देते हैं। नियमों के अनुसार रिपोर्ट को तैयार करने के लिए उन्हें चौथे टेस्ट मैच की समाप्ति का इंतजार करना होगा और दोनों मैचों के आधार पर ही वो अपनी रिपोर्ट तैयार करेंगे।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3r5bnYV

'और आप मेरा मजाक उड़ाते हो...', पत्नी रितिका ने रोहित शर्मा को इंस्टाग्राम पोस्ट पर किया ट्रोल

नई दिल्लीभारत और इंग्लैंड (India vs England) के बीच पिंक बॉल टेस्ट मैच (Pink Ball Test) में पिच काफी चर्चा में रही। नरेंद्र मोदी क्रिकेट स्टेडियम (Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium) पर खेला गया पहला टेस्ट मैच दो दिन से भी कम वक्त में समाप्त हो गया। भारतीय टीम ने 10 विकेट से जीत हासिल की और सीरीज में 2-1 की बढ़त बना ली। अब सीरीज का चौथा और आखिरी मैच 4 मार्च से इसी मैदान पर खेला जाएगा। इस पिच (IND vs ENG Fourth Test Pitch) पर अनियमित उछाल और अधिक टर्न को लेकर इंग्लिश मीडिया ने आलोचना की। कई पूर्व भारतीय क्रिकेटर भी इसके मिजाज से खुश नजर नहीं आए। हालांकि ऐसे लोग भी थे जिन्हें पिच से कोई शिकायत नहीं थी बल्कि वे बल्लेबाजों की तकनीक को निशाना बना रहे थे। अहमदाबाद में गेंदबाजों का जलवा दिखाई दिया और 30 विकेट दो दिन से भी कम वक्त में गिर गए। भारत की ओर से रोहित शर्मा (Rohit Sharma) और इंग्लैंड के सलामी बल्लेबाज जैक क्राउली ही कुछ रन बना पाए। दोनों बल्लेबाजों ने हाफ सेंचुरी लगाई। रोहित ने भारत की पहली पारी में 66 रन और दूसरी में नाबाद 25 रन की पारी खेली। वहीं क्राउली ने भी इंग्लैंड के लिए पहली पारी में उपयोगी योगदान दिया। रोहित ने पिच ट्रोलर्स को बनाया निशाना इस टेस्ट में दोनों ही टीमों के बल्लेबाज अच्छा प्रदर्शन नहीं कर पाए। कई पूर्व इंग्लिश क्रिकेटर्स ने भारतीय क्रिकेट कंट्रोल बोर्ड (BCCI)की पिच को लेकर आलोचना की। माइकल वॉन (Michael Vaughan), ऐलिस्टर कुक और ऐंड्रू स्ट्रॉस ने अहमदाबाद की पिच को खास तौर पर निशाना साधा। इस बीच रोहित शर्मा (Rohit Sharma) ने पिच की आलोचना करने वालों पर मजाकिया लहजे में निशाना साधा। बल्लेबाज ने रविवार को इंस्टग्राम अकाउंट पर तस्वीर साझा की जिसमें वह आराम करते हुए मैदान पर लेटे हुए हैं। 28 फरवरी को साझा की गई इस तस्वीर में रोहित पिच आलोचकों को ट्रोल कर रहे हैं। रोहित ने कैप्शन दिया- 'मैं सोच रहा हूं कि चौथे टेस्ट मैच के लिए पिच कैसी होगी।' रोहित की पत्नी रितिका सजहेद (Ritika Sajdeh) ने भी रोहित की पोस्ट पर कॉमेंट किया और उन्हें प्रैक्टिस करने के स्थान पर यूं आलस्य से लेटे रहने के लिए ट्रोल किया। रितिका ने रोहित के पोस्ट पर कॉमेंट किया, 'और तुम मेरे यूं लेटे रहने के लिए मजाक उड़ाते हो।'

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3q59olS

Premier League: 'Written off' Liverpool still ready to fight, says Jurgen Klopp after 2-0 win at Sheffield United

Sheffield: Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool can prove the doubters that have written their season off wrong after snapping a four-game Premier League losing streak to win 2-0 at Sheffield United on Sunday.

The English champions' title defence has been decimated by injuries and they face a battle just to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-four finish.

Klopp's men remain in sixth, but are now just two points behind fourth-placed West Ham and can leapfrog Chelsea in fifth when the Blues visit Anfield on Thursday.

"Plenty of people have written us off. That's fine," said Klopp. "With all the problems we have had we're still around the exciting places."

Captain Jordan Henderson has been added to Liverpool's long-term injury list, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker was absent after he lost his father to a swimming accident in Brazil this week.

But the Championship-bound Blades proved the perfect opponents for Klopp's men to restore some confidence as Curtis Jones's second-half strike and Kean Bryan's own goal got the Reds back to winning ways.

"This was about us showing we're still there," added Klopp.

"We play Chelsea on Thursday, we have to show it again. We have to win football games, we know that. There's no way into the Champions League without results."

With Alisson's understudy Caoimhin Kelleher also absent due to injury, Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper Adrian started in the Premier League for the first time since conceding nine goals in two games in October to Aston Villa and Everton.

However, the much-maligned Spaniard made an important early save to prevent David McGoldrick from giving Sheffield United a shock lead.

Most of the action was taking place down the other end as Aaron Ramsdale brilliantly denied Roberto Firmino, who should have teed up Jones for a tap-in.

The former Bournemouth stopper also did well to block from Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Georginio Wijnaldum, while Firmino's lack of confidence showed as he tried to tee up Sadio Mane rather than go for an open goal from a narrow angle.

Liverpool's breakthrough finally came three minutes into the second period when Alexander-Arnold was deemed not to have run the ball out of play before his cross was turned by Firmino into the path of Jones to slot home the opening goal.

The same two players were involved again for the second as this time the Brazilian's shot took a huge deflection off Bryan.

Firmino was denied his first goal in seven games with the goal credited to the defender.

"He had a goal," said Klopp. "For him, it counts, if it's not in the stats, I don't care."

Andy Robertson and Salah were guilty of passing up more clear-cut chances that could have given the scoreline the reflection Liverpool's dominance deserved.

Sheffield United are still 15 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table and manager Chris Wilder admitted his side lacked the quality to challenge even a depleted Liverpool.

"You have to have your best players available and be at the top of your form and unfortunately we are not," said Wilder.

"We had a right go but lacked quality and strength in depth. You need a bit more in this division because it's brutal and it exposes you."

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3uFQaqt

NZC shifts remaining Australia men's and England women's T20Is to Wellington due to logistical reasons

Wellington: New Zealand's upcoming T20 International against Australian men and their women's national team fixture against England, slated to be held in Tauranga, were on Monday moved to Wellington due to logistical reasons.

The double header -- the Black Caps' final T20I against Australia and the New Zealand women's team's T20 fixture against England on Sunday -- will be held behind closed doors, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said.

"The change has been forced on NZC because of logistical complications arising from the transfer of this Friday's second double-header from Auckland to Wellington," NZC said in a statement.

Last week, the NZC had shifted Friday's double headers from the Eden Park to Wellington, after COVID-19 alert Level 3 restrictions were imposed in Auckland, which doesn't allow any sports event to take place.

The rest of the country has been placed in Level 2 of the alert system which means that matches will have to take place behind closed doors.

"The current Alert Level 2 protocols in Wellington mean all three double-headers on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, will be played behind closed doors."

"Tickets purchased for matches affected by Alert Level restrictions will automatically receive full refunds to the card or bank account number from which they were paid," NZC added.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3dV9A4J

Collin Morikawa cruises to WGC victory, pays tribute to Tiger Woods

Miami: Collin Morikawa fired a three-under-par 69 to clinch a three-shot victory at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship in Florida on Sunday.

The 24-year-old PGA Championship winner, who led by two after Saturday's third round, relied on the accurate iron play and nerveless putting to close out victory at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton.

Morikawa's final round saw him finish on 18 under with a 72-hole aggregate 270, three shots clear of Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka, and Billy Horschel on 15 under.

After an early stumble when he bogeyed the par-four second, Morikawa recovered his composure to play flawlessly thereafter.

A 195-yard second shot on the fifth hole left him with a seven-foot birdie putt which he duly rolled in to return to even for the round.

A deft bunker shot on the seventh set up another birdie chance which he converted and he made the turn at two under after making an 11-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

Another birdie putt on the 12th saw him move to 18 under overall and he then rattled off six straight pars down the stretch to bag the fourth PGA Tour win of a professional career that is still less than two years old.

"It shows that I can come out here and compete," Morikawa said after prevailing against a strong field that included nearly every player in the world's top 50. 

"What a week. I was working on so much these past couple of weeks. My game felt so good, I'm just so excited right now."

Morikawa is now only the second player after Tiger Woods to win both a major and a WGC title before turning 25.

Woods is currently recovering in hospital in Los Angeles after a serious car crash on Tuesday left him with serious leg injuries.

The Los Angeles-raised Morikawa, who grew up idolising Woods, paid tribute to the stricken former world number one.

"Tiger means everything to me," Morikawa said. "Yes, he had the crash and thankfully he's okay and will make a quick recovery. But I don't think we say thank you enough, so I want to say thank you to Tiger."

Earlier, Norway's Hovland had looked poised to challenge Morikawa at the top of the leaderboard after a wild round that included five birdies and a bogey on the front nine. 

Two more birdies on the 12th and 13th holes put him at six under for the day but his charge stalled with bogeys on the 14th and 16th.

Koepka meanwhile was unable to put pressure on Morikawa over the closing holes when he missed an easy birdie putt on the 17th which could have put him within two of the lead with one to play.

Koepka, who had been battling neck pain and stiffness since Saturday's third round, closed with a two-under-par 70.

Scottie Scheffler finished alone in fifth on 14 under after a rollercoaster four-under-par 68 which included eight birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey six.

Scheffler was one of several players who took to the course on Sunday wearing Woods' signature Sunday colours of red and black, in a show of support for the 15-time major winner.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Phil Mickelson, and Tony Finau were just some of the players who turned out wearing Woods' iconic colour combo.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3dSfcgl

Recovering Tiger Woods 'touched' by show of support from fellow golfers

Los Angeles: Tiger Woods, recovering in hospital after surgery for serious leg injuries received in a solo car smash, tweeted thanks on Sunday for a show of support from fellow pro golfers.

"It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts," the 15-time major champion said in a tweet.

"To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time."

It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2021

A host of golfers at the World Golf Championships Workday Championship in Bradenton, Florida - and quite a few at the LPGA Tour event in Orlando, as well - took the course for their final rounds wearing Woods's signature Sunday colors of red and black.

The PGA Tour tweeted a picture of the maintenance staff at its Puerto Rico Open on Sunday all turned out in red and black.

It’s a ⁦@TigerWoods⁩ Sunday for the maintenance staff at the ⁦@PuertoRicoOpen⁩. ⁦@PGATOUR⁩ pic.twitter.com/OheyF4o1N8

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 28, 2021

Former world number one Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tony Finau at the WGC and Phil Mickelson at a PGA Tour Champions event were some of the players who turned out wearing Woods's iconic color combo.

"I guess for us it's just a gesture to let him know that we're thinking about him and we're rooting for him," McIlroy said. "Obviously things are looking a little better today than they were on Tuesday, but he's still got aways to go.

"He's got a huge recovery ahead of him. But I think (it's) just for everyone to show their appreciation for what he means to us out here.

"If there was no Tiger Woods, I just think the tour and the game of golf, in general, would be in a worse place.

"He's meant a lot to us, he still does mean a lot to us and I think that was just a little way to show that."

Sunday red.
Black pants. ⚫
Backwards hat. @TonyFinauGolf is showing his support for Tiger. https://t.co/2PjHduPxdn pic.twitter.com/i3YWbR5Yew

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 28, 2021

Collin Morikawa lifted the trophy at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, becoming joining Woods as the only players to win both a major title and a WGC crown before turning 25.

Thank you, Tiger

"Tiger means everything to me," Morikawa said. "Yes, he had the crash and thankfully he's okay and will make a quick recovery.

"But I don't think we say thank you enough, so I want to say thank you to Tiger."

Woods, 45, underwent hours of emergency surgery to repair what doctors called "significant orthopaedic injuries" to his lower right leg and ankle on Tuesday after his early morning crash on a steep, winding road in suburban Los Angeles.

He was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for further treatment and recovery on Wednesday night and on Friday was reported in a statement posted on Twitter to be in good spirits after follow-up treatment for his injuries.

Woods faces a lengthy recovery from his injuries, which include open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of his lower right leg, along with injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle.

Woods was already recovering from his fifth back surgery - and hoping he would be able to prepare for a run at the Masters in April - when the crash occurred.

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

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Swimmer Katie Ledecky aims at making history in 1,500m free event despite COVID uncertainties

Los Angeles, United States: Five-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky is powering through the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, her sights still firmly set on making history at the rescheduled Tokyo Games.

The US freestyle great, whose 15 world titles are the most of any woman swimmer, adapted and adjusted along with the rest of the world in 2020, but she isn't giving any ground when it comes to her goals in the pool.

"I feel very good about those goals and feel like they still are in place for this year," Ledecky said in a video conference as she prepared to tavel to a swim meet this week in San Antonio, Texas, her first such trip in a year.

It's another step on the road to Tokyo, where Ledecky is eying an ambitious programme that she hopes will see her claim the first women's 1,500m gold medal ever awarded at the Games.

"I'm really excited that the 1,500m free is in the Olympics for the first time for women and that there's parity in the schedule between the men's and women's schedules," she said. "It's been a long time coming.

"I know the history of US women's freestyle swimmers and I know there's a lot of women's freestylers that haven't had those opportunities that I've had and didn't have the opportunity to swim the 1,500 or even other events in the Olympics," said Ledecky, who will also be targeting the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle and the 4x200m free relay.

"So I'm going to take up the opportunity and hopefully get Team USA started on the right note for that event moving forward."

The odds are certainly in the world record-holder's favor, and Ledecky said she feels well-prepared despite the upheaval of the early coronavirus lockdown in California last March and the continuing changes to health protocols.

For three months she made do swimming in a backyard pool and lifting weights in her apartment as facilities at Stanford University were shut down.

"Since the middle of last June is when Stanford opened back up. We have a lot of different protocols, one per lane or one per household so I live by myself so I've been one per lane for the past year," she said.

She and her training partners are tested three times a week, and Ledecky thinks she's well prepared for whatever health and safety protocols she'll have to follow both at the US trials now scheduled for June and at the Olympics now scheduled to start on July 23.

"It'll be a different Olympics," said Ledecky a veteran of the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Olympics. "It'll look and feel different.

"I'm trying to learn as much as I can bout the protocols that will be in place so that nothing will catch me by surprise and I can have the best performances that I can have."

Preparing amid uncertainty

Ledecky is hoping she and other US team members will have been vaccinated against Covid by then, but she won't jump the queue to be vaccinated.

"I feel pretty strongly that we all have to get it when it's our turn," she said. "I really hope that's soon for all of us."

And vaccine status notwithstanding, "we're going to have to do the exact same things, the mask-wearing, the distancing, the testing."

Ledecky is also trying hard not to get caught up in any speculation that the Games might not come off.

Coronavirus cases surged in Japan in January, when polls showed some 80 percent of people in the country thought the event should be cancelled or postponed again.

"I'm preparing as though the Games are on and I'm trying not to think about all the speculation," Ledecky said. "It's difficult to block everything out, but I'm very focused.

"I don't want to get to Tokyo and have any regrets about my training or preparation."

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3uGJyrZ

Ligue 1: Jose Fonte's late header helps Lille draw against Strasbourg; Monaco extend unbeaten run to 12 games

Paris: Portugal centre-back Jose Fonte's late header rescued Ligue 1 leaders Lille a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Sunday, while Monaco moved closer to the top of the table by cruising past Brest.

Lille are now two points ahead of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain, although Lyon could move within a point of the pace-setters when they visit Marseille later on Sunday.

Monaco sit in fourth place, only four points off the summit.

Christophe Galtier's Lille, bidding for a first major trophy since winning the league and French Cup double in 2011, are unbeaten in nine league games since a defeat by Angers in early January, but lost both legs of their Europa League last-32 tie.

"We're disappointed," Fonte told Canal+. "We did everything in the second half, but we have to create more chances.

"But we didn't lose... There was perhaps a bit of fatigue from the game (on Thursday) against Ajax, but there are no excuses, we have to do better.

"It's a disappointment, but we continue the fight. It's not over."

Home team Lille started on the front foot and had a penalty appeal waved away in the 17th minute after Jonathan David went down in the area, despite a VAR review.

But they fell behind nine minutes before half-time as Strasbourg striker Ludovic Ajorque volleyed home.

Ajorque almost doubled his tally two minutes later, but his header was well saved by Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Sven Botman saw a header kept out by Strasbourg's Eiji Kawashima and David also fired over before the break.

Two good second-half chances both fell to Jonathan Ikone, but the young Lille forward, who snapped a 10-game goal drought in the win over Lorient last weekend, saw his low effort saved by Kawashima and a header fly over.

But Lille were not to be denied the point which ensured they would end the weekend top, as Fonte rose highest to head home Benjamin Andre's cross with four minutes remaining.

Monaco march on 

Earlier on Sunday, Monaco extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with a 2-0 win over Brest.

Goals deep into the second half from Stevan Jovetic and Kevin Volland sealed the Principality club's ninth win from their last 10 outings.

At Monaco's Stade Louis II, Brest goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur had kept the visitors in the hunt, especially when denying Wissam Ben Yedder from the penalty spot after half an hour.

But he was finally beaten by Jovetic in the 75th minute, with German forward Volland cementing the three points in the final minute.

Monaco are now 14 points clear of fifth-placed Metz, but coach Niko Kovac is still focused on securing fourth, which provides a Europa League spot.

"The top three? Yes, it's taboo," he said. "When we have enough points to ensure the fourth place, we'll talk about it (top three)."

Elsewhere, Lorient beat Saint-Etienne 2-1 to climb out of the bottom three, pushing Nantes into 19th place after their 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Nimes.

PSG bounced back from their 2-0 loss to Monaco at the Parc des Princes with a Kylian Mbappe-inspired 4-0 victory over last-placed Dijon on Saturday.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3bIbAuA

This Day in Cricket: पहली ही टेस्ट सेंचुरी में बना दिया वर्ल्ड रेकॉर्ड, गैरी सोबर्स के सामने पस्त नजर आए पाकिस्तानी गेंदबाज

नई दिल्ली पाकिस्तान की टीम वेस्टइंडीज के दौरे पर थी। और पाकिस्तानी गेंदबाजों को शायद ही इस बात की उम्मीद होगी कि उनके साथ क्या होने वाला है। एक मार्च 1958, 21 साल के गैरी सोबर्स ने सबीना पार्क में अपने करियर की पहली टेस्ट सेंचुरी लगाई। दुनिया के महानतम ऑलराउंडर कहे जाने वाले सोबर्स ने अपनी पहले ही शतक में वर्ल्ड रेकॉर्ड बना दिया। उन्होंने नाबाद 365 रन बनाए। यह टेस्ट क्रिकेट में किसी बल्लेबाज द्वारा बनाया गया सबसे बड़ा निजी स्कोर था। सोबर्स ने 1938 में इंग्लैंड के लेन हेटन का बनाया गया 364 रन का रेकॉर्ड एक रन से तोड़ा था। हेटन ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया के खिलाफ यह पारी खेली थी। बाएं हाथ के इस बल्लेबाज का यह रेकॉर्ड अगले 36 साल तक कायम रहा। पर साल 1994 में में एंटीगा में ब्रायन लारा ने 375 रन बनाकर इस कीर्तिमान को ध्वस्त किया। सोबर्स उस समय मैदान में मौजूद थे। इसके बाद मैथ्यू हेडन ने 380 रन बनाकर लारा का रेकॉर्ड तोड़ा पर जल्द ही लारा ने 400 रन की पारी खेल फिर सबसे पहले पायदान पर जगह बनाई। सोबर्स की पारी की बात करें तो उन्होंने 10 घंटे 14 मिनट तक बल्लेबाजी की। दूसरे विकेट के लिए कॉर्नड हंट के साथ 446 रन बनाए। हंट ने खुद 260 रन की पारी खेली। 26 फरवरी को शुरू हुए इस मैच के तीसरे दिन का खेल खत्म होने तक वेस्टइंडीज का स्कोर एक विकेट पर 504 रन था। पाकिस्तानी गेंदबाज बुरी तरह टूट चुके थे। सिर्फ दो ही ऐसे रहे जिन्हें कोई चोट नहीं लगी। फजल महमूद और खान मोहम्मद। महमूद ने 85.2 और खान मोहम्मद ने 54 ओवर फेंके। मैच में पाकिस्तान ने टॉस जीतकर पहले बल्लेबाजी करने का फैसला किया। विकेटकीपर इम्तियाज अहमद के 122 रन की मदद से उसने पहली पारी में 328 रन बनाए। एरिक एटिकसन ने पांच विकेट लिए। जवाब में वेस्टइंडीज ने 3 विकेट पर 790 रन का बड़ा स्कोर बनाया। यह टेस्ट क्रिकेट में उनका सर्वाधिक स्कोर था। दूसरी पारी में पाकिस्तान 288 पर ऑल आउट हो गई। उसके दो बल्लेबाज ऐब्सेंट हर्ट रहे। उसने वजीर मोहम्मद ने 106 रन बनाए।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3q5kvey

PSL 2021: Shaheen Afridi, David Wiese power Lahore Qalandars to six-wicket win over Karachi Kings

Karachi: Shaheen Afridi's ferocious pace and David Wiese’s late charge spurred Lahore Qalandars to a six-wicket win over defending champion Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League on Sunday.

Afridi returned figures of 3-27, with his bowling reaching speeds of 94 mph (around 150 kph). That helped to restrict Karachi to 186-9 despite half-centuries by Sharjeel Khan (64) and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (57).

Wiese’s blistering 31 not out off nine balls carried Lahore to 189-4 in 19.2 overs in reply as the tall South African clubbed two successive sixes against Australian fast bowler Daniel Christian to finish off the game.

Karachi had a sniff of victory when Lahore required 30 off the last two overs. But Mohammad Amir’s 19th over went for 20 with Wiese getting two fortunate edges to the boundary and then lofting the fast bowler over long-off for a six.

“To be honest, I always felt we were in with a shout in that situation,” Wiese said.

“Sometimes you smash it straight to the fielder, so those little nicks count. We’ve seen towards the back end it’s difficult to defend here with one short boundary.”

Fakhar Zaman scored a brilliant 83 off 54 balls and Ben Dunk remained unbeaten on 57 after Lahore had slipped to 0-2 in the first over and then also lost key batsman Mohammad Hafeez for 15 inside the batting powerplay.

Both left-handers shared a 119-run stand before Zaman holed out in the deep in the 18th over. But Wiese’s late onslaught carried the team home.

Afridi could have picked up five wickets but Lahore skipper Sohail Akhtar, who won the toss and didn’t hesitate to field, dropped a sitter from Khan in the first over.

Babar Azam (5) was clean bowled by Afridi in his second over but only after Zaman failed to hold onto a sharp chance offered by Pakistan’s premier batsman, who went to cut Afridi's short-of-length delivery.

Afridi pegged back Karachi’s hopes of going closer to 200 runs when he clean bowled Waqas Maqsood and Amir off vicious yorkers in the last over.

“They shouldn’t have chased it down, but credit goes to Fakhar and David Wiese how they played,” said Karachi captain Imad Wasim, who surprisingly did not bowl. “At the end, we should have scored 40 or 50 off the last four overs but we couldn’t because of some bad shots and run outs.”

It was the 11th straight successful chase in this season’s PSL with no team yet to defend the total after being put into bat by the opposition.

The win pushed Lahore to the top of the points table alongside Peshawar Zalmi with both teams on six points after four games. Karachi have four points.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3uGSMVm

Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen continue poor form with loss against Freiburg: Union Berlin held to 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim

Berlin: Bayer Leverkusen's miserable run of form continued Sunday as they fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Freiburg thanks to a brilliant second-half performance from Lucas Hoeler.

Having topped the Bundesliga in December, Leverkusen are now five points adrift of the Champions League places in sixth after winning just one of their last six games.

For Peter Bosz's team, who crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday, a promising season is now beginning to fall apart.

"There are always setbacks in life -- the question is how you turn things around," a dejected Bosz told Sky.

After a dominant first-half performance from Leverkusen, Freiburg launched a smash-and-grab attack to take the lead just after half-time.

With a darting run into the box, Hoeler cut the ball back to an unmarked Ermedin Demirovic, who swept it past debutant goalkeeper Lennart Grill.

Hoeler doubled the lead 10 minutes later, tapping the ball in after a sharp cross from Vincenzo Grifo.

"We had a bit of luck in the first half, but we said in the break that we wanted to take the game to them," Hoeler told Sky.

Jamaica winger Leon Bailey pulled a goal back 20 minutes from time, but Freiburg held on to condemn Leverkusen to their eighth defeat in all competitions in 2021.

Zentner howler

Union Berlin striker Max Kruse celebrated his long-awaited return from injury with a goal as the capital club were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Hoffenheim.

Making his first appearance since his injury in the Berlin derby back in December, the former Germany international netted his seventh goal of the season in a hard-fought draw in Berlin.

Kruse gave Union the lead from the penalty spot on nine minutes, smashing the ball into the top corner after Florian Grillitsch brought down Christopher Trimmel.

Hoffenheim equalised through an own-goal shortly before the half-hour mark, Nico Schlotterbeck knocking the ball into his own net as he tried to challenge Togolese striker Ihlas Bebou.

Liverpool loanee Loris Karius, who was making only his second start for Union with first-choice keeper Andreas Luthe out of action, was powerless to stop the own goal.

Pavel Kaderabek appeared to have scored a winner for Hoffenheim ten minutes from time, but the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

The draw sees Union hold onto seventh place while Hoffenheim remain in 11th.

Further down the table, a howler from goalkeeper Robin Zentner condemned Mainz to a 1-0 defeat at home to Augsburg and kept the relegation-threatened side in the bottom two.

With 25 minutes gone, Zentner mistakenly passed the ball straight to Augsburg's Florian Niederlechner, despite being under no pressure.

Niederlechner gratefully squared the ball to Andre Hahn, who slotted it into the empty net to take Augsburg eight points clear of the drop zone.

"Robin is old enough to put it behind him. He's helped us out enough times in the past," said Mainz coach Bo Svensson, defending his goalkeeper.

Schalke clear out

Crisis club Schalke sacked almost their entire sporting leadership, including coach Christian Gross, after an alleged player revolt and a 16th league defeat plunged their nightmare season deeper into crisis.

Schalke were thumped 5-1 at Stuttgart on Saturday to leave them bottom and nine points clear of safety, the final straw for the club hierarchy after being humiliated by fierce rivals Borussia Dortmunud last week.

"The decision had become unavoidable after results against Dortmund and Stuttgart," said Schalke chairman Jens Buchta.

"The team now owe it to the club and the fans to be as successful as possible in the last third of the season."

Coach Gross, sporting director Jochen Schneider and team coordinator Sascha Riether were all relieved of their duties in Sunday's mass clear out.

Gross' assistant Rainer Widmayer and fitness coach Werner Leuthard were also fired.

Having been in the Champions League two seasons ago, Schalke are now hurtling towards their first relegation since 1988.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3uF8aRW

LaLiga: Atletico Madrid bounce back with 2-0 win over Villarreal: Real Valladolid draw 1-1 at Celta Vigo

Madrid: Atletico Madrid bounced back from recent poor form with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday that allowed the La Liga pace-setters to extend their lead to five points.

An own goal from Alfonso Pedraza and Joao Felix's powerful strike gave Atletico a precious win after a wobble which had allowed Barcelona and Real Madrid to gain ground in the title race.

Diego Simeone's side had come into the match off the back of a Champions League last 16 defeat to Chelsea and a league run in which they picked up just five points from their previous four matches.

However despite Villarreal coming close on a number of occasions Atletico held on for a win that ensures they keep second-placed Barca at bay and crucially increase the gap between them and rivals Real Madrid to six points ahead of next weekend's local derby.

Madrid can go back to within three points of Atletico when they host Europe-chasing Real Sociedad on Monday night.

"We suffered, and even after the second goal they had good chances. But we come home with a very important victory at this point in the season," said Simeone.

Atletico opened the scoring thanks to Pedraza's odd own goal mid-way through the first half, which came after long VAR check to see if Stefan Savic, who was initially credited with the goal, had strayed offside for Thomas Lemar's cross.

Savic's header was saved by Sergio Asenjo only for the ball to ricochet off Pedraza and into the net as the 24-year-old defender fell over.

Gerard Moreno should have pulled the hosts level when he met a Daniel Parejo cross but couldn't muster a decisive finish and Savic recovered easily to clear the ball off the line.

'I love rebel players'

Suarez could have doubled Atleti's lead eight minutes after the break when he pounced on a defensive lapse to let off a powerful shot, only for Asenjo to pull of a superb reaction save to deny the Uruguayan.

However Joao Felix gave the away side the two-goal cushion they needed in the 69th minute, quickly latching onto a poor clearance by Pau Torres to lash home the second from just outside the penalty area.

Felix appeared to direct an angry look at Simeone after scoring, reportedly prompted by a lack of game time.

"I love rebel players, those that have pride. The goal brought something out in him," Simeone said.

"He needed it, and the team needed that goal."

The hosts responded, with Carlos Bacca somehow shooting wide when Moreno laid on a simple finish for the Colombian with 12 minutes remaining.

And teenage substitute Alex Baena was unlucky to finish the match without his first La Liga goal, first clipping the post in the 82nd minute and then forcing a brilliant save form Jan Oblak with a stinging volley.

However they couldn't recover and sit seventh thanks to a run of seven matches without a win.

Earlier Real Betis moved above Villarreal as they maintained their bid for European football next season thanks to Juanmi's late strike which earned them a 1-0 victory at struggling Cadiz.

Spaniard Juanmi rammed home a close range header with six minutes remaining to squeeze Betis past the home side and put them sixth.

Betis are just two points behind Sociedad in the automatic Europa League qualification spot.

Real Valladolid climbed out of the relegation zone despite extending their winless league run to eight in a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo.

Valladolid were denied a first league win since 2 January by Jeison Murillo's stoppage time header.

In an intense relegation scrap Valladolid are level on 22 points with Alaves and Eibar, Elche are 19th on 21 points and rock-bottom Huesca have 20.

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

Premier League: VAR penalty controversy leaves Manchester United frustrated after draw against Chelsea: Liverpool end losing streak

London: Manchester United were left frustrated by a VAR penalty controversy in their 0-0 draw at Chelsea, while the revitalised Gareth Bale struck twice in Tottenham's 4-0 rout of Burnley on Sunday.

Liverpool took advantage of dropped points for Chelsea to move within two points of the top four by ending a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win at Sheffield United.

Second-placed United had hoped to close the gap on Manchester City with a victory at Stamford Bridge.

But instead they now sit 12 points behind the Premier League leaders as their title hopes fade following a run of one win from four games.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions since replacing the sacked Frank Lampard, but the stalemate also did little for the Blues top four challenge.

The biggest talking point of a dour clash came in the first-half when United's appeal for a penalty was rejected by referee Stuart Attwell after he consulted the pitchside monitor when Callum Hudson-Odoi appeared to handle in a challenge with Mason Greenwood.

"It was a penalty, 100 percent nailed on. If that's a natural position for a hand to be in when the ball comes in then I must be blind," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

Tuchel disagreed, saying: "How can this be a VAR intervention? I don't understand why the referee has to check it but I'm glad it was no penalty."

Bale shines for Spurs

After five defeats in their previous six league games, Tottenham eased the pressure on Jose Mourinho with a significant contribution from Bale, who made just his third league start of the season.

The Wales forward's most impressive display since his season-long loan move from Real Madrid gave him four goals in his last four appearances.

Bale took just 68 seconds to score with a clinical close-range finish from Son Heung-min's cross.

The four-time Champions League winner then picked out Harry Kane's run and the England captain's shot deflected off James Tarkowski for his 22nd goal of the season.

Lucas Moura netted with a predatory finish before Bale, who had scored just once in the league all season before Sunday, grabbed his second with a cool strike from Son's 55th-minute pass.

Tottenham are up to eighth, six points behind the top four with a game in hand.

"There is not one single manager in the world that doesn't play Gareth Bale if Gareth Bale is in very good condition," Mourinho said.

"There is not one, but now he is better than ever. It's not just about the two goals he scored, it's fundamentally about his physical performance."

Arsenal down Leicester

Arsenal delivered a hammer blow to Leicester's faint hopes of winning the title with an impressive 3-1 win.

Mikel Arteta's side fell behind to Youri Tielemans' early goal at the King Power Stadium, but David Luiz equalised and Alexandre Lacazette's penalty gave Arsenal the lead.

Nicolas Pepe's second-half goal sealed the Gunners' second win in their last six league games and their first success at a team in the Premier League's top three since 2015.

Leicester remain in third place and trail City by 13 points with 12 games remaining.

Liverpool cut their gap to Leicester to six points thanks to a much-needed win against the league's bottom side.

The visitors had to wait until the second-half to make the breakthrough as Aaron Ramsdale's inspired performance kept the Blades in the game.

But there was little doubt over the outcome once Curtis Jones opened the scoring before Roberto Fimino's shot deflected in off Kean Bryan for Liverpool's second.

"It was very important (to win) because you can imagine plenty of people have written us off. It is about us to show we are still there," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

"With all the problems we had, we are still around the exciting places and that's where we want to be."

Third-bottom Fulham are three points from safety after a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3b1o3KE

अहमदाबाद टेस्ट की पिच पर आलोचना करने वालों पर रोहित का इंस्टाग्राम पोस्ट के जरिए निशाना

अहमदाबाद भारतीय सलामी बल्लेबाज (Rohit Sharma) ने एक बार फिर अहमदाबाद के नरेंद्र मोदी क्रिकेट स्टेडियम (Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium) में हुए पिंक बॉल टेस्ट (Pink Ball Test Match) की पिच की आलोचना करने वालों पर निशाना साधा है। भारत और इंग्लैंड (India vs England Third Test) के बीच तीसरा टेस्ट मैच दो दिनों के भीतर ही समाप्त हो गया था। भारत ने इस मैच में 10 विकेट से जीत हासिल की थी। दोनों टीमों के बल्लेबाजों को इस विकेट पर काफी संघर्ष करना पड़ा था। इसके बाद इस नए-नवेले स्टेडियम की पिच (Ahmedabad Test Pitch Controversy) को लेकर काफी विवाद हुआ। रविवार को रोहित शर्मा ने इंस्टाग्राम अकाउंट पर अपनी एक तस्वीर साझा की जिसमें वह मैदान पर लेटे हुए हैं। इस तस्वीर का कैप्शन ऐसा था जिससे साफ पता चल रहा था कि रोहित के निशाने पर पिच की आलोचना करने वाले लोग हैं। उन्होंने कैप्शन दिया- 'सोच रहा हूं कि चौथे टेस्ट मैच की पिच कैसी होगी।' रोहित हालांकि अहमदाबाद में पिक बॉल टेस्ट (Pink Ball Test) में बल्लेबाजी करते हुए काफी सहज नजर आ रहे थे। उन्होंने पहली पारी में 66 और दूसरी में नाबाद 25 रन बनाए थे। इससे पहले चेन्नै में खेले गए सीरीज के दूसरे टेस्ट मैच में भी उन्होंने 161 रन की पारी खेली थी। बल्लेबाजी में अच्छी फॉर्म का फायदा रोहित को आईसीसी की टेस्ट रैंकिंग (ICC Test Batsmen Rankings) में भी मिला है। वह छह स्थानों के उछाल के साथ करियर के सर्वश्रेष्ठ 8वें स्थान पर आ गए हैं। 33 वर्षीय रोहित ने इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ मौजूदा सीरीज में 59.2 के औसत से 296 रन बना लिए हैं। रोहित ने अहमदाबाद पिच का बचाव किया था पिंक बॉल टेस्ट मैच की समाप्ति के बाद रोहित ने अहमदाबाद में डे-नाइट टेस्ट मैच के लिए इस्तेमाल की गई पिच का बचाव किया था। रोहित ने कहा था कि मैच इस वजह से दो दिन में समाप्त हो गया क्योंकि दोनों टीमों ने बल्ले से अच्छा प्रदर्शन नहीं किया था।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3bMvtAF

काहिरा में कोविड पॉजिटिव मिले भारतीय शॉटगन कोच, आइसोलेशन में भेजा

नई दिल्लीभारतीय निशानेबाजी टीम के साथ आईएसएसएफ वर्ल्ड कप में हिस्सा लेने काहिरा गए एक शॉटगन कोच को वहां पहुंचने पर कोविड-19 पॉजिटिव पाया गया है। भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राइफल संघ (एनआरएआई) के एक अधिकारी ने रविवार को इसकी जानकारी दी। अधिकारी ने बताया कि वायरस के लिए पॉजिटिव पाए जाने के बाद कोच को तुरंत आइसोलेशन में भेज दिया गया। मिस्र की राजधानी में पहुंचने पर भारतीय दल के सभी सदस्यों का टेस्ट किया गया। पढ़ें, कोच के अलावा भारतीय दल के अन्य सभी सदस्यों की टेस्ट रिपोर्ट निगेटिव आई हैं। कोच में कोई लक्षण नजर नहीं आ रहा था और फिलहाल वह आइसोलेशन में हैं। चिकित्सा टीम उन पर नजर रख रही है। एक या दो दिन में उनका दोबारा परीक्षण होने की संभावना है। आयोजकों की ओर से जारी दिशानिर्देशों के अनुसार, सभी टीमों को प्रत्येक 72 घंटे में कोविड परीक्षण से गुजरना होगा। भारत ने अब तक पुरुष और महिला स्कीट स्पर्धा के टीम वर्ग में ब्रॉन्ज जीते हैं लेकिन व्यक्तिगत स्पर्धा में कोई पदक नहीं मिला है।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3dU2L3m

AITA asks age fraud suspects to undergo TW3 test ahead of national championships

New Delhi: In an attempt to prevent the over-aged players from competing at the upcoming national championships, the national tennis federation has begun scrutinising the documents of the suspects and also asked them to undergo TW3 test for age verification.

A group of parents had recently approached the All India Tennis Association (AITA), requesting it to stop over-aged players from competing in lower age categories.

The AITA then asked for names of the suspects from the complainants and has now shot mails to them.

"We won't let elder players compete in lower age categories. We have already sent mail to four players in the Under-12 category. We have demanded documents from them and also asked them to undergo TW3 test," AITA secretary general Anil Dhupar told PTI.

"We are framing rules to end this mess but unfortunately the Executive Committee meeting that was to be held in New Delhi today has been cancelled due to fresh travel conditions imposed.

"But we will do it when we meet next. It will be done in 10-15 days. Every state will have a designated laboratory where TW3 test will be conducted. It will definitely be done," he said.

It has been learnt that the suspected players are from Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

Not only a group of parents met AITA officials in Delhi but many of them wrote e-mails to Dhupar in the last few days, pleading for action.

The 2020 Nationals could not be held due to coronavirus pandemic, so MSLTA, MPTA and HLTA are hosting the event next month.

Mumbai will host the Under-12 (8-14 March) and Under-16 competitions (May, 2021) while the Under-14 (14-22 March) event will be held in Aurangabad.

Indore will organise the Under-18 event from 29 March. The men's and women's championships will be held in Gurugram from 15 March.

The TW3 method uses X-Rays of the left hand and wrist to examine the skeletal maturity of a person to determine their bone age.

In wrist scans, age is estimated by looking at 20 or so bones initially separated by cartilage, but which progressively move closer to one another until they fuse in the mature wrist.

One of the reasons for using left hand and wrist radiographs is that most people are right-handed, and therefore, the right hand is more likely to be injured than the left hand.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3r1PrOj

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez outclasses Avni Yildirim to retain WBC, WBA super middleweight titles by knockout

Miami: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez demolished Turkey's Avni Yildirim in three rounds to retain his WBC and WBA super middleweight titles by knockout on Saturday.

Mexico's Alvarez dominated underdog Yildirim from the opening bell and sent the Turk crashing to the canvas with a crisp left-right combination in the third round at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

The outclassed Yildirim then failed to emerge from his corner for the fourth round as Alvarez once again demonstrated why he is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.

"I wanted to have a great fight here and I did what I had to do," Alvarez said.

"I needed a knockout and that's what I did. It doesn't matter if they're taller, if they've got more reach, or they've got a good trainer. I came to do my job, I came here to win."

Alvarez, who improved to 55-1-2 with 37 knockouts, had got back into the ring on Saturday a little over two months after beating Britain's Callum Smith in December.

After the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn said the 30-year-old Mexican star will next seek to add the World Boxing Organisation belt to his collection with a 8 May fight against Britain's Billy Joe Saunders.

The Saunders fight will be the next step in Alvarez's quest to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion in boxing history.

"No one has done it," Alvarez said. "I want to make history. No-one has done it at 168."

 

Alvarez meanwhile brushed off suggestions that he wants to be remembered as the greatest boxer Mexico has ever produced.

"I respect everyone but I want to make my own history," Alvarez said.

Saturday's bout will give Saunders plenty of food for thought after Alvarez produced his trademark blend of technical skill and punching power to overwhelm mandatory challenger Yildirim.

The 29-year-old Turk, fighting for the first time in two years, looked hesitant from the outset as Alvarez landed an array of hooks to the body and uppercuts to easily win the first round.

The second round followed an identical pattern, with Yildirim barely offering any kind of resistance as Alvarez worked his opponent's ribcage mercilessly.

The end came after a third round where Alvarez once again went on the attack against a passive Yildirim.

A straight left from Alvarez smashed through Yildirim's guard and landed on his chin and the following right sent the Turk rocking backward to the canvas.

Although Yildirim hung on for the remainder of the round, the end was nigh. As Yildirim slumped on his stool, trainer Joel Diaz could be heard telling his fighter he would give him only one more round before throwing in the towel.

In the event, it never got that far as Yildirim failed to come out for the fourth to hand Alvarez victory by technical knockout.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3q0KunD

India vs England: Nathan Lyon slams Motera pitch critics, says 'everyone seems to start crying' when the ball starts spinning

Melbourne: Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is baffled by all the hullabaloo over the Motera pitch, saying "everyone seems to start crying" when the ball starts spinning but no one speaks out when teams are bundled out for low scores on seaming tracks.

The Motera track received a lot of flak from some quarters, including former skippers Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, after England were bowled out for 112 and 81 during their 10-wicket loss in the third Test against India on Thursday.

However, Lyon gave a thumbs up to the curator.

"We play on seaming wickets around the world and get bowled out for 47, 60. Nobody ever says a thing (about the pitch). But as soon as it starts spinning, everyone in the world seems to start crying about it," Lyon was quoted as saying by The West Australian.

"I don't get it. I'm all for it, it was entertaining."

Lyon, who had scripted an incredible journey from being a pitch curator to one of the greatest off-spinners, said he would like to get the Ahmedabad curator to Sydney Cricket Ground.

"I was up all night watching it. It was absolutely brilliant. I'm thinking about bringing that curator out to the SCG," he said.

While India went with three spinners for the Pink Ball Test, England included only Jack Leach in the playing XI.

Lyon said: "The best thing about this Test match that just passed is that England went in with four seamers. That will do me. I don't need to say any more."

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3aX7qzQ

NBA: Mavs snap Nets’ winning streak; Joel Embiid’s 42 points in vain as 76ers lose to Cavaliers

Los Angeles: Luka Doncic scored 27 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 115-98 NBA victory in Brooklyn Saturday, snapping the short-handed Nets' eight-game winning streak.

James Harden scored 29 points for the Nets but ran out of steam late as he carried the load in the absence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Durant missed his seventh game with a strained left hamstring while Irving sat out to rest his surgicially repaired right shoulder.

Harden had just four points in the second half, sitting out most of the fourth quarter in which Dallas led by as many as 22.

The Mavs were buoyed by the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 18 points in his first contest since missing three games with back trouble.

"We played like a team today," said Doncic, who was able to celebrate the victory on the eve of his 22nd birthday.

"They have an amazing team," added Doncic, who added that even with two stars out the Mavs knew the Nets remained a dangerous adversary.

"We just kept going as a team," he said.

Brooklyn remained half a game behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia, who fell 112-109 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime in a rare home defeat.

Guard Collin Sexton scored 28 points and Darius Garland added 25 with nine assists for the Cavaliers, who came into the contest missing half a dozen players due to injury or personal reasons.

Despite having just nine players in uniform, Cleveland led 28-23 after the first quarter and 56-47 at halftime.

An 18-9 third-quarter run saw the Sixers pull level at 65-65 and the lead changed hands eight times in the fourth.

Joel Embiid's dunk with 1:38 left in regulation knotted the score at 92-92, but he missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.

The Cavs scored the first five points of overtime and never trailed, claiming the win despite a 42-point, 16-rebound performance from Embiid.

"I thought we had one quarter with energy, the third quarter," 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. "Other than that, they basically got the shots they wanted all game. If they didn't they got the offensive rebounds. They got the back cuts when they needed them."

Jazz back in tune

The league-leading Utah Jazz wasted no time in bouncing back from a disorganised defeat to the Miami Heat, cruising past the Magic 124-109 in Orlando.

Donovan Mitchell scored 25 of his 31 points in the second half as the Jazz improved to 27-7.

Joe Ingles, starting at point guard in place of Mike Conley, scored 17 points and handed out seven assists and Rudy Gobert chipped in 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Jazz, who had 18 points off the bench from Jordan Clarkson.

25 points in the second half#PerformanceLeader | @UofUHealth pic.twitter.com/Cl2uvfxwAF

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 28, 2021

Center Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 34 points, but Utah out-scored the hosts 70-59 in the second half to roll to victory.

In Washington, Bradley Beal scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook added 19 in his 10th triple-double of the season to propel the Wizards to a 128-112 victory over the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves, who lost their seventh straight.

Westbrook added 14 rebounds and 12 assists to help the Wizards to their seventh win in eight starts.

Westbrook's 10 triple-doubles lead the NBA and with just 24 games under his belt since arriving in Washington he has a club record for most triple-doubles in a season.

The Denver Nuggets routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 126-96 on the back of 26 points from Jamal Murray and a triple-double of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists from Nikola Jokic — his eighth triple-double of the season.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3sAmt8s

ना कोई फिटनेस ट्रेनिंग, पिज्जा-बर्गर और जंक फूड... ऐसा था राहुल का लॉकडाउन शेड्यूल

देवरती सेन, नई दिल्लीघातक कोरोना वायरस के कारण लगे लॉकडाउन के चलते लोगों की जिंदगी पर जैसे ब्रेक लग गया था। आम आदमी की ही तरह खेल जगत की दिग्गज हस्तियों को भी घरों में कैद होना पड़ा। ऐसे ही भारतीय क्रिकेटर भी रहे जिन्होंने लॉकडाउन के शुरुआती महीने में तो अपनी फिटनेस पर कोई ध्यान नहीं दिया। इतना ही नहीं, वह खूब जंक फूड खाते और ट्रेनिंग तक नहीं करते थे। टाइम्स लाइफ के साथ खास बातचीत में राहुल ने बताया कि वह लॉकडाउन के शुरुआती दिनों में फिटनेस पर कोई ध्यान नहीं देते थे। उन्होंने कहा, 'लॉकडाउन के शुरुआती महीने में मैंने खुद को खुला छोड़ दिया। मैं डाइट फॉलो नहीं करता था। मैं बहुत सा शुगर वाला खाना खाता। पिज्जा, बर्गर और जंक फूड खाता था, ट्रेनिंग पर कोई ध्यान नहीं।' पढ़ें, कर्नाटक के इस बल्लेबाज ने कहा, 'यह सब एक महीने तक चला और मैं खुद को खराब करने में लगा था। इसके बाद मैंने डाइट को फॉलो करना शुरू किया।' उन्होंने कहा, 'शुरुआत में तो फिटनेस के लिए सामान भी मेरे पास नहीं था, क्योंकि सब बंद हो गया था। बाद में मैंने स्ट्रेंग्थ ट्रेनिंग पर फोकस किया और खुद को तैयार किया ताकि जब भी खेल शुरू हों, तो मैं तैयार रहूं। मुझे ट्रेनिंग करना पसंद है, अलग-अलग स्पोर्ट्स भी खेलता हूं।' राहुल ने कहा, 'साल 2020 ने काफी कुछ सिखाया और मेरे लिए तो यह पॉजिटिव रहा। मैंने खुद के साथ काफी वक्त बिताया। इतना लंबा ब्रेक तो कभी मिला ही नहीं था। हम कहीं बाहर तो नहीं जा सकते थे लेकिन मैंने , परिवार और फ्रेंड्स ने काफी वक्त साथ बिताया।' उन्होंने उम्मीद जताई कि 2021 में काफी क्रिकेट खेलने को मिलेगा। उन्होंने साथ ही कहा कि यह साल सुरक्षित रहे जिसमें सभी लोग स्वस्थ रहें।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3r1Jcdt

...जब कोहली ने मलिंगा के एक ओवर में जड़े 24 रन, टीम इंडिया को दिलाई धांसू जीत

नई दिल्ली भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम (Indian Cricket Team) के कप्तान विराट कोहली (Virat Kohli) पिछले कुछ वर्षों से क्रिकेट के तीनों फॉर्मेट में लगातार अच्छा प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं। कोहली की कप्तानी में टीम इंडिया (Team India) भी देश के अलावा विदेशों में भी जीत का पताका लहरा रही है। मॉडर्न क्रिकेट के दिग्गज बल्लेबाजों में शुमार कोहली ने आज ही के दिन यानी 28 फरवरी 2012 को ऑस्ट्रेलिया में कॉमनवेल्थ बैंक ट्राई सीरीज (Commonwealth Bank Series) में श्रीलंका के खिलाफ मुश्किल परिस्थितियों में धमाकेदार शतक जड़ टीम इंडिया को बड़ी जीत दिलाई थी। उस मैच से पहले कोहली ने 81 मैचों में 3100 रन बनाए थे जिसमें 8 शतक शामिल थे। भारत के सामने 321 रन का टारगेट था इस जीत में सबसे बड़ी बात यह रही कि भारत ने श्रीलंका के क्वालिटी गेंदबाजों के खिलाफ 321 रन का टारगेट आसानी 36.4 ओवर में ही हासिल कर लिया था। श्रीलंका ने तिलकरत्ने दिलशान के 160 और कुमार संगकारा के शतक के दम पर 320 रन स्कोर बोर्ड पर टांगे थे। सचिन-सहवाग ने दिलाई अर्धशतकीय शुरुआत लक्ष्य का पीछा करने उतरी भारतीय टीम ने वीरेंदर सहवाग (Virender Sehwag)और सचिन तेंडुलकर (Sachin Tendulkar) के दम पर 6.4 ओवर में 54 रन जोड़ डाले। इसके बाद दोनों ओपनर्स अच्छी शुरुआत को बड़े स्कोर में तब्दील नहीं कर पाए। सहवाग के बाद तेंडुलकर के 10वें ओवर में आउट होने के बाद विराट कोहली क्रीज पर गौतम गंभीर का साथ देने आए। पढ़ें : सहवाग और सचिन के शानदार शुरुआत दिलाने के बावजूद भारतीय टीम मुश्किल परिस्थितियों में थी। इसके बाद कोहली और गौतम गंभीर (Gautam Gambhir) ने जिम्मेदारी उठाई। दोनों ने श्रीलंकाई आक्रमण लसिथ मलिंगा (Lasith Malinga), नुवान कुलासेकरा, फरवीज महारूफ और रंगना हेराथ का डटकर सामना किया। कोहली ने गंभीर के साथ 115 रन की साझेदारी की होबार्ट में खेले गए इस मैच में कोहली की बैटिंग देखने लायक थी। कोहली ने दबाव में जिस तरह से बल्लेबाजी की वह काबिलेतारीफ थी। विराट ने मलिंगा के सटीक यॉर्कर पर खूब चौके जड़े। कोहली और गंभीर ने तीसरे विकेट के लिए 115 रन जोड़े। गंभीर इसके बाद 63 रन बनाकर आउट हो गए। भारत को अब यहां से 76 गेंदों पर जीत के लिए 121 रन की जरूरत थी। इसके बाद श्रीलंका ने भारतीय बल्लेबाज सुरेश रैना पर दबाव बनाना शुरू किया जो पांचवें नंबर पर बल्लेबाजी के लिए उतरे थे। दबाव में कोहली ने अपना गियर बदला। उन्होंने इसके बाद मलिंगा और कुलासेकरा की गेंदों की धुनाई शुरू की। पढ़ें : मलिंगा के एक ओवर में 24 रन बटोरे मलिंगा पारी का 35वां ओवर लेकर आए। कोहली ने पहली गेंद पर दो रन लिया। दूसरी गेंद को उन्होंने छक्के के लिए बाउंड्री की सैर करा दी। इसके बाद लगातार 4 चौके जड़ कुल 24 रन जुटाए। विराट ने 86 गेंदों पर नाबाद 133 रन बनाए जिसमें 16 चौके और 2 छक्के शामिल थे। कोहली ने इस पारी को खेलकर वर्ल्ड क्रिकेट को मेसेज देने की कोशिश की थी कि अगला दशक उन्हीं का है।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/37Vxjhr

ISSF World Cup: Indian shotgun coach tests positive for COVID-19 in Cairo

New Delhi: A shotgun coach with the Indian shooting team has tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Cairo for the ISSF World Cup in Cairo.

The coach had been immediately isolated after returning positive for the virus, an official of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) told PTI on Sunday.

All the members of the Indian contingent were tested upon their arrival in the Egyptian capital.

The coach tested positive but the other members of the Indian contingent returned negative.

The coach is asymptomatic and is in quarantine at the moment. Monitored by the medical team. he is likely to undergo another test in a day or two.

As per the protocol issued by the organisers, all teams have to take COVID tests every 72 hours.

India have so far won the team bronze medal in both men''s and women''s skeet events but could not finish on the podium in individual events.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/37QFcVq

India women vs South Africa women: Sune Luus to lead visitors; Dane Van Niekerk, Chloe Tryon set to miss out

Lucknow: Sune Luus will lead South Africa women's team against India in the upcoming limited over series as regular skipper. Dane Van Niekerk and Chloe Tryon will again miss the assignment due to injuries, the country's cricket board (CSA) said on Sunday.

The visitors arrived in India on Saturday and are currently serving a six-day quarantine period. They will train for two days before facing India in the series-opening ODI on 7 March.

South Africa retained most of the players in the 18-member squad which had won the ODI and T20 series against Pakistan last month. Van Niekerk and Chloe Tryon were not part of that series.

Pacer Masabata Klaas is the only one to miss out after picking up an injury at the last moment.

Sune Luus had captained the side in the last series and will continue to do so with Van Niekerk and Tryon yet to recover from lower-back injuries.

"It is really exciting to finally have this tour confirmed and announce our squad that will do duty here in India, and we are looking forward to getting out there to see our ladies prove themselves under different playing conditions," South Africa women's coach Hilton Moreeng was quoted as saying in a statement by Cricbuzz.

"India is always a wonderful place to tour and we are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."

The series comprises five ODIs, followed by three T20 internationals — all to be held at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Squad: Sune Luus (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty, Sinalo Jafta, Tasmin Britz, Marizanne Kapp, Nondumiso Shangase, Lizelle Lee, Anneke Bosch, Faye Tunniclife, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Mignon du Preez, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall and Tumi Sekhukhune.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3e6ckN5

आईपीएल से पहले देवड़ी मंदिर पहुंचे धोनी, जल्द शुरू करेंगे प्रैक्टिस

नई दिल्ली भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम के पूर्व कप्तान महेंद्र सिंह धोनी (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) का झारखंड के प्रसिद्ध देवड़ी माता मंदिर ( Deori temple) से विशेष लगाव है। धोनी जब भी अपने गृहनगर रांची में होते हैं तो वह जरूर इस मंदिर में मां के दर्शन के लिए जाते हैं। पढ़ें : 39 वर्षीय धोनी ने शुक्रवार को भी मंदिर पहुंचकर पूजा अर्चना की। रांची के इस 'राजकुमार' की कुछ फोटो सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रही हैं जिसमें वह मंदिर में पूजा करते हुए दिखाई दे रह हैं। फैंस के साथ सेल्फी खिंचवाई धोनी के मंदिर पहुंचने की खबर सुनते ही उनके फैंस अपने चहेते क्रिकेटर की एक झलक पाने के लिए वहां पहुंच गए। हालांकि इस दौरान माही ने फैंस को निराश नहीं किया और उन्होंने अपने प्रशंसकों के साथ सेल्फी खिंचवाई। चप्पे-चप्पे पर सुरक्षाकर्मी तैनात थे देवड़ी मंदिर रांची-टाटा मार्ग पर स्थित है जोकि काफी प्रसिद्ध है। मंदिर के मुख्य पुजारी पंडित मनोज पांडा और पंडित नरसिंह पांडा ने धोनी की पूजा कराई। आईसीसी के तीनों बड़े टूर्नामेंट अपने नाम करने वाले दुनिया के इकलौते कप्तान धोनी लगभग 25 मिनट तक मंदिर परिसर में रहे। जिस समय धोनी देवड़ी मंदिर पहुंचे थे, उस समय चप्पे-चप्पे पर सुरक्षाकर्मी तैनात थे। आईपीएल 14 में सीएसके की करेंगे कप्तानी धोनी के आईपीएल के आगामी सीजन के लिए जल्द प्रैक्टिस शुरू करने की उम्मीद है। इंटरनैशनल क्रिकेट से संन्यास के बाद धोनी ज्यादा समय रांची रिंग रोड स्थित अपने फॉर्म हाउस में ही बिता रहे हैं। 'कैप्टन कूल' के नाम से फेमस धोनी अब इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग (IPL 14) की तैयारियों में जुटेंगे, जिसका आयोजन अप्रैल-मई में होने की उम्मीद है। आईपीएल में धोनी चेन्नई सुपरकिंग्स (Chennai Super Kings) की कप्तानी करते हुए नजर आएंगे। सीएसके (CSK) लिए पिछला आईपीएल सीजन कुछ खास नहीं रहा था। ऐसे में इस बार चेन्नई की कोशिश पिछले प्रदर्शन को भुलाकर नए सिरे से शुरुआत करने की होगी।

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

ISL: ईस्ट बंगाल को हराकर ओडिशा एफसी जीत के साथ सीजन से विदा

बेम्बोलिम (गोवा)ओडिशा एफसी ने दूसरे हाफ में शानदार पांच गोल करते हुए शनिवार को जीमएसी स्टेडियम में खेले गए (आईएसएल) के सातवें सीजन के अपने अंतिम मुकाबले में ईस्ट बंगाल को 6-5 से हरा दिया। इसी के साथ ओडिशा ने जीत के साथ सीजन का समापन किया। ओडिशा के लिए एस लालरेजुआला ने 33वें, पॉल ने 49वें और 66वें, जैरी ने 51वें और 67वें तथा डिएगो मौरिसियो ने 69वें मिनट में गोल दागे। वहीं, ईस्ट बंगाल के लिए एंथोनी पिल्किंगटन ने 24वें रवि ने 37वें मिनट में आत्मघाती गोल, आरोन अमादी ने 60वें और इंजरी टाम में, जेजे लालपेखलुआ ने 74वें मिनट में गोल किए। ओडिशा की 20 मैचों में यह दूसरी जीत रही और उसने 12 अंकों के साथ 11वें स्थान पर रहते हुए सीजन का समापन किया। पहली बार आईएसएल में खेल रही ईस्ट बंगाल को 20 मैचों में नौवीं हार का सामना करना पड़ा और टीम ने 17 अंकों के साथ नौवें स्थान पर रहते हुए सीजन का समापन किया। पढ़ें, ईस्ट बंगाल ने मैच में शानदार शुरुआत की और टीम ने टीम ने 24वें मिनट में अपना खाता खोल लिया। ईस्ट बंगाल के लिए यह गोल मिडफील्डर एंथोनी पिल्किंगटन ने बॉक्स के बाहर से एक शानदार शॉट लगाते हुए किया। हालांकि ईस्ट बंगाल की यह बढ़त ज्यादा देर तक कायम नहीं रह पाई और ओडिशा ने 33वें मिनट में ही गोल दागकर स्कोर बराबरी पर ला दिया। ओडिशा के लिए यह गोल एस लालरेजुआला ने किया, जिनका सीजन का पहला गोल है। वह ओडिशा एफसी के लिए गोल करने वाले पहले भारतीय बने। बराबरी के चार मिनट बाद ही किस्मत ने फिर से ईस्ट बंगाल को मुकाबले में 2-1 से आगे कर दिया क्योंकि ओडिशा के रवि कुमार 37वें मिनट में बॉल को अपने ही नेट में मार बैठे और ईस्ट बंगाल ने रवि के इस आत्मघाती गोल की बदौलत हाफ टाइम तक अपनी बढ़त को 2-1 से आगे रखा। ओडिशा ने इसके बाद दूसरे हाफ में दमदार शुरुआत की और टीम ने दो मिनट के अंदर ही लगातार दो गोल करके 3-2 की बढ़त भी बना ली। ओडिशा ने पहले तो 49वें मिनट में पॉल आर के गोल की मदद से 2-2 की बराबरी हासिल की और फिर इसके बाद उसने 51वें मिनट में जैरी के हेडर से किए गए गोल की बदौलत 3-2 की बढ़त भी ले ली। ईस्ट बंगाल ने भी हालांकि वापसी की और 60वें मिनट में आरोन अमादी के गोल की मदद से 3-3 की बराबरी हासिल कर ली। ओडिशा ने यहां से एक बार फिर अपना आक्रमण तेज कर दिया और छह मिनट बाद ही उसने पॉल के मैच के दूसरे गोल के सहारे 4-3 की बढ़त बना ली। इस गोल के बाद टीम ने अगले ही मिनट में जैरी के दूसरे गोल के सहारे 5-3 की और फिर दो मिनट बाद ही डिएगो मौरिसियो के गोल के दम पर 6-3 की बढ़त बना ली। मौरिसियो का ओडिशा के लिए सीजन का यह छठा गोल है। गोलों की इस बारिश वाले मैच में ईस्ट बंगाल भी कहां पीछे रहने वाली थी और टीम ने 74वें मिनट में जेजे लालपेखलुआ के गोल की बदौलत अपना चौथा गोल दाग दिया। 75वें मिनट तक ही इस मैच में 10 गोल हो चुके थे। हालांकि इसके बाद मुकाबला निर्धारित समय और फिर इंजुरी टाइम में प्रवेश कर गया, जहां ईस्ट बंगाल ने अमादी के मैच के दूसरे गोल की मदद से अपना पांचवां गोल जरूर दागा, लेकिन टीम हार नहीं टाल सकी और ओडिशा ने 6-5 की बढ़त को कायम रखते हुए सुखद जीत के साथ सीजन को समाप्त किया।

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3kuPG1I

ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City FC treating ATK Mohun Bagan clash like a final, says CY Goddard

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC may have already breezed into the playoffs of this season’s Indian Super League, but Cy Goddard believes that the team need to beat ATK Mohun Bagan in their ‘massive’ game on Sunday, which will decide which team ends the league stage at the top of the standings.

“This game is like a final (for us). Whoever wins this game, wins the league. We’ve really have nothing to lose.

“When we started the season, our ambition was to come first in the league. We really want to win this. It’s a massive game for us. And for them as well,” Goddard told Firstpost. “Our objective wasn’t just to reach the playoffs. It was to win the league. I wouldn’t say we’re happy by making it to the playoffs, we want to win the league.”

The two teams have met once before in this season, with Mumbai eking out a 1-0 victory. The circumstances foreshadowing both clashes couldn’t be more different. Back in January, when the two sides met, Mumbai were at the top of the standings with ATK Mohun Bagan snapping at their heels.

Mumbai went into that clash in January on the back of an eight-game unbeaten streak. However, they’re currently second in the standings, with a wobble early in February which saw them drop eight points.

“For any team, it’s not always going to be smooth sailing (in a league). If you look at the top teams too, they will go through spells like this. There are only 20 games in regular season in this league. A couple of slip-ups in a row can put you in a bad situation. You can’t really win every game. You’ve got to have a lot of luck to sail smoothly in the season. Even if you’re a top team there are going to be spells where you have to come through. We believe in ourselves. We believe in our quality.

“It’s all about belief for us. We know when we are playing well, on our day, we’ll beat most teams.”

Off-the-pitch difficulties

The loan move for Goddard was announced just over a month before the season started in a bio-secure bubble in Goa. But despite the cultural shift of having to play in a new league, under a new manager, with new teammates with barely any pre-season, Goddard has made his mark, playing in 18 out of Mumbai’s 19 games so far, as a part of Sergio Lobera's midfield or on the wings.

“It’s not easy for anyone joining a new team and new environment. Of course, there are going to be some challenges in the way,” said the 23-year-old. “Because the pre-season was so short, we didn’t have the time we would have liked to prepare for the start of the season. But that’s the same with all teams. For most people that was the hardest thing. And now, the season’s being going on probably in a bio-secure bubble, where you cannot see your family or friends. That’s probably the second thing that’s very challenging.”

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3szXLVI

Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez enjoys solid return at Winter Cup

Indianapolis: The nerves were there. They were unavoidable, really. Yet rather than greet them with anxiety or fear as she did the last time she stood on the competition floor, Laurie Hernandez embraced them.

Yes, it's been more than four years — a lifetime and then some in women's gymnastics — since she walked off the podium at the 2016 Olympics with a star-making smile and a pair of medals around her neck. Her journey since leaving Brazil included dabbling in the trappings that came with newfound stardom, moving from New Jersey to Los Angeles and parting with a coach currently serving a 5-year suspension for abusive behaviour.

Oh, and then there's the dash of skepticism about whether her comeback was legit.

Yet all of it faded into the background on Saturday at the Winter Cup in Indianapolis. The electric smile — one she insists is no longer choreographed but sincere — returned. And while her performance, a fifth on balance beam and 11th on floor exercise after she watered down her final tumbling pass in the name of safety, provided evidence of just how long she'd been away, her return was a victory in itself.

"It was like coming back as a new person," Hernandez said.

She was talking about herself. She might as well have been talking about her sport. The meet was the first major non-invitational event in more than 15 months for almost the entire field after the COVID-19 pandemic forced almost the entire 2020 competition calendar to be cancelled and the Tokyo Olympics postponed until this summer.

Even in a largely empty arena filled with cardboard cutouts and the exclamations of the broadcast announcing team echoing in place of applause, it felt sort of normal.

"There's like those little butterflies that come and go," said Hernandez, now 20. "But what's been happening a lot within the last year or so is that like, I'll do a beam routine and then halfway through, I kind of settle into my own body and it just feels like I can relax and be grounded. And that's kind of what happened today."

She wasn't the only one. Jordan Chiles — who contemplated leaving elite gymnastics to focus on her impending college career — posted the highest all-around score of 57.050. It was a performance that served as validation of her decision to make a run for the Olympic team, a path made even more difficult with athletes turning 16 this year — including Konnor McClain and Skye Blakely — now eligible to compete in Tokyo.

"I just went out there and did what I did and showed people what they needed to see," Chiles said.

Blakely and McClain hardly looked intimidated by the stakes. Blakely's rock-solid beam routine — including a beautiful layout at the end of a tumbling pass that looked like she was standing on the floor, not a 4-inch piece of wood 4-feet in the air — pushed her into a tie for first on the event. McClain was fourth on beam and third vault.

"They handled themselves really really well," national team coordinator Tom Forster said. "And they looked seasoned."

They will need to rely on that resolve if they want to be a part of the conversation this summer. Several of the most accomplished gymnasts in the US program — Olympic champion Simone Biles and former world champion Morgan Hurd chief among them — skipped what Forster described as a "preseason" event, a way for athletes to knock off some of the rust.

Not everyone was rusty. Three-time world championship medalist Sunisa Lee put together a dazzling set on the uneven bars, her 15.050 the highest of the day on any event. Not bad considering Lee isn't joking when she says she just "chucks skills" out there.

Leg injuries have limited her time on floor exercise and vault, though Forster said he's confident Lee will be available to compete in the all-around later this spring.

Hernandez — who helped the "Final Five" win team gold in Rio and earned an individual silver on beam — is also on the path to make all four events competition-ready by the time things get serious in May. She admits she finds herself with a "new brain" and a new approach, one that is a testament to both her maturity and the way the gymnasts themselves are empowering each other in the wake of a series of scandals that have rocked USA Gymnastics since that triumphant moment in Brazil.

"Maybe when I was 16, I'd go to compete and I'd feel nervous and I'd be like, 'I'm not nervous. I'm fine' because I equated nerves with me not being prepared, which, you know, of course, I learned now, like, that's not true at all," she said. "You get nervous either way because you care, not because you're not ready. So it's all just a big mindset change."

Upgrading the difficulty level of her routines will be a must if Hernandez wants to be a serious threat to be on the six-woman team that flies to Tokyo this summer. There's a long way to go. Then again, she figures she's already come a long way.

The relationship with former coach Maggie Haney — suspended for by USA Gymnastics last April for abusive practices — is gone. On Saturday, she and Riley McCusker — also a former Haney pupil — took a moment to drink in an environment they believe is far healthier than the one they once knew.

"I think both of us had a lot of adapting to do in our either come back or changes that we had to endure," Hernandez said. "And we were just excited to be here and to see each other. And I think if anybody, of course, like Riley, Riley gets it. And so we've been able to connect in that way and, you know, in so many different levels. Coming back here, it's just been a really big, I think, accomplishment. Just being here in general is a big accomplishment."

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3dZtfRn

Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez tests COVID-19 positive in Qatar

Madrid: Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Martínez said on social media on Saturday she is in quarantine at a hospital in Doha after the positive test on arrival in Qatar.

Martínez is the coach of former world No. 1 Garbiñe Muguruza, who is set to play at the Qatar Open from Monday.

The 48-year-old Martínez said she was experiencing "mild symptoms" of COVID-19.

"I hope that I can soon be back on this swing of the Middle East tournaments," Martínez wrote in Spanish. "For now, I will be working via videocalls and connected online constantly with Garbiñe."

Martínez won Wimbledon in 1994 and helped Spain win five Fed Cups during the 1990s. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame last year.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/300drpb

United States Soccer formally scraps 'no kneel' anthem policy after vote

Los Angeles: United States Soccer formally scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem on Saturday following a vote of members at the federation's annual meeting.

US Soccer's board of directors repealed the policy last year but the decision required confirmation by the full membership of the ruling body.

At Saturday's meeting, the board's decision to scrap the rule was backed by 71% of voters, with 29% against.

Explaining the decision to repeal the policy last year, US Soccer said the rule was wrong and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of Black people and other minorities.

The rule ordering players to "stand respectfully" for the US national anthem was introduced in 2017.

It came after US women's star Megan Rapinoe took a knee for the anthem at a 2016 international in a gesture of solidarity with former NFL star Colin Kaepernick.

The USSF faced mounting pressure to review the no-kneel policy following the nationwide protests sparked by the death in police custody of unarmed Black man George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.

Kaepernick's take-a-knee protest became an emblematic expression of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement adopted during anti-racism demonstrations around the world.

Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in August 2016 in order to draw attention to racial injustice following the deaths of several unarmed Black men during confrontations with police.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/2ObBUF6

छोटा सा 'राजकिरण', चाय से रोटी, गुजराती फैमिली... एक मिडिल क्लास परिवार का सपना हैं अक्षर

रूपेश रंजन सिंह, नाडियादअक्षर पटेल भले ही कुछ समय के लिए अपने घर में रहते हों लेकिन उनकी मां हर रोज उनके कमरे को सजाती हैं। प्रीति कहती हैं कि उनका बेटा भले ही कुछ दिन के लिए यहां आता है लेकिन वह उन्हें हर रोज अपने घर पर ही महसूस करती हूं। अक्षर ने अपनी करिश्माई गेंदबाजी से ऐतिहासिक पिंक टेस्ट में महज दो दिनों में ही भारत की जीत पक्की कर दी।

अहमदाबाद से सटा खेड़ा जिला, जिले में नडियाद नाम का छोटा सा शहर, शहर में राजकिरण नाम से छोटा सा बंगला और बंगले में एक 12 गुणा 12 का कमरा। यह कमरा जिसका है, वह साल में कुछेक महीने ही यहां रहता है और वो भी कुछ-कुछ दिनों के टुकड़ों में लेकिन प्रीति बेन पटेल उस कमरे को हर रोज सजाती हैं। प्रीति बेन पटेल भारतीय क्रिकेटर अक्षर पटेल की मां हैं। अक्षर पटेल जो टीम इंडिया के लिए खेल रहे हैं और अपनी स्पिन के दम पर लगातार कमाल कर रहे हैं।

रूपेश रंजन सिंह, नाडियाद

अक्षर पटेल भले ही कुछ समय के लिए अपने घर में रहते हों लेकिन उनकी मां हर रोज उनके कमरे को सजाती हैं। प्रीति कहती हैं कि उनका बेटा भले ही कुछ दिन के लिए यहां आता है लेकिन वह उन्हें हर रोज अपने घर पर ही महसूस करती हूं। अक्षर ने अपनी करिश्माई गेंदबाजी से ऐतिहासिक पिंक टेस्ट में महज दो दिनों में ही भारत की जीत पक्की कर दी।

'राजकिरण' में कम ही रुक पाते हैं अक्षर

अहमदाबाद के करीब खेड़ा जिले के नाडियाद शहर के रहने वाले अक्षर पटेल के पारिवारिक बंगले का नाम 'राजकिरण' है। बंगले में एक 12 गुणा 12 का कमरा है, जिसमें अक्षर साल में कुछेक महीने ही रह पाते हैं। कभी घरेलू टीम के साथ तो कभी इंटरनैशनल टीम के साथ रहने के चलते अक्षर कम वक्त ही अपने घर पर बिता पाते हैं।

नाडियाद को अक्षर पटेल ने दी पहचान

मशहूर संत राम मंदिर नडियाद शहर की पहचान है लेकिन अब इस शहर को अक्षर पटेल के शहर के नाम से भी जाना जाने लगा है। शहरवाले भी खुश हैं कि अक्षर ने उनके शहर को एक नई पहचान दी है। प्रीति कहती हैं, 'जब कोई मेरा परिचय अक्षर पटेल की मां कह कर कराता है तो मैं बहुत गर्व महसूस करती हूं। अक्षर सिर्फ एक खिलाड़ी नहीं है, वह एक सपना है जो हर मिडिल क्लास फैमिली देखती है। मैं चाहूंगी जैसे हमारे सपने पूरे हुए, वैसे सभी के पूरे हों।'

पिता ने दिया अक्षर का साथ, 12 साल की उम्र में ही जॉइन की अकैडमी

प्रीति शुरुआत में नहीं चाहती थीं कि अक्षर क्रिकेट खेले। चोट का डर होने के साथ करियर की भी चिंता होती थी। उनके अनुसार वह कुछ अलग नहीं सोच रही थीं, मिडिल क्लास फैमिली में बच्चों के करियर को लेकर मां-बाप का चिंता करना कोई नई बात नहीं लेकिन अक्षर के पिताजी राजेशभाई पटेल, जो एक क्रिकेट प्रेमी हैं, ने उनका साथ दिया। अक्षर ने बोला कि उन्हें क्रिकेट पसंद है तो उन्होंने 12 साल की उम्र से ही अकैडमी भेज दिया।

घर आते हैं तो देर तक सोते हैं अक्षर, चाय से खाते हैं रोटी

प्रीति बताती हैं कि अक्षर जब भी घर आता है तो आराम ही करना चाहते हैं और देर तक सोते हैं। वह भी उसे नहीं जगाती हैं। घर आते हैं तो वही जिंदगी जीना चाहते हैं, जो वो पहले जीते थे। दोस्तों से मिलते हैं, वीडियो गेम खेलते हैं, अकैडमी जाते हैं और पूरे शौक के साथ चाय के साथ रोटी खाते हैं। (फोटो में अक्षर का भतीजा)

'शहर से बाहर नहीं जाना चाहते अक्षर'

आईपीएल और फिर टीम इंडिया में खेलने के बाद अक्षर की नीलामी में कीमत जरूर बढ़ी है, लेकिन उनके और परिवार के पैर अब भी जमीन पर ही हैं। अक्षर आठ सदस्यों वाली जॉइंट फैमली में रहते हैं और सदस्यों की संख्या को देखकर ‘राजकिरण’ थोड़ा छोटा नजर आता है, लेकिन फिलहाल वे राजकिरण में रहना चाहते हैं। उनके अनुसार इस घर में जो सुकून है, वह शायद बड़े घर में ना मिले। प्रीति कहती हैं, 'छोटा है तो अच्छा है, हम सभी एक-दूसरे के करीब हैं, हर दूसरे मिनट किसी न किसी का चेहरा देखने को मिल जाता है। हम गुजराती लोग साथ रहने को ज्यादा भाव देते हैं। अब आगे अक्षर क्या करते हैं, पता नहीं लेकिन वह भी इस शहर से बाहर नहीं जाना चाहता।’

from Sports News in Hindi: Latest Hindi News on Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey & more | Navbharat Times https://ift.tt/3kvQxzx