|
|
|
|
|
Mission impossible for Mumbai
MHA’s nod to draft of Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill
Last-over win for Chennai
|
|
|
1st win abroad: Lahiri putts Indonesian Masters
Soap opera
Chelsea shake up the title race
Atletico Madrid refuse to waver in Spanish title race
Klitschko retains crown with Leapai KO
Ambala’s Abhey sets new meet record
BSF’s Rajesh wins Punjab State Golf
Bagan beat Shillong 2-1
Nishikori first Japanese to win Barcelona Open
12 Indians qualify for World Race Walking Cup
Indian licensing company ties up with FIFA
|
|
Mission impossible for Mumbai
Sharjah, April 27 Pacers Jaydev Unadkat (2/29) and Wayne Parnell (1/17) and spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (1/19) shared four wickets to strangle the Mumbai batting unit in their stipulated 20 overs. Skipper Kevin Pietersen employed a spin-pace attack early on with Nadeem and Mohammad Shami starting the proceedings for Delhi, followed by JP Duminy and Wayne Parnell. Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma (4) was the first to walk back to the pavilion when his attempt to steal a quick single ended in a run out orchestrated by pacer Shami in the second over. Parnell dismissed Aditya Tare (8) when he had him caught at deep midwicket by Quinton de Kock, while Corey Anderson’s 14-ball 13-run stay was cut short by Jaydev Unadkat in his first over. Mumbai could just manage 37 for the loss of two wickets in the powerplay. In the 11th over, Michael Hussey (10) brought up the fifty for Mumbai with a single but he too could not stay longer and was sent back to the hut by a slower yorker in the 14th over as Mumbai lost half of their side with 63 on board. Kieron Pollard (33) and Chidhambaram Gautam (22) then joined hands and tried to raise the tempo with some big shots. The duo shared a 40-run partnership off 29 balls for the sixth wicket. Pollard brought up the first six of the innings in the 16th over when he sent a Shami delivery sailing over long-on, while Gautam blasted successive boundaries off Unadkat in the 17th over. In the next over, Pollard tried to steal a non-existent double but it ended with Gautam losing his wicket.
— PTI Scoreboard
Mumbai Indians Rohit run out 4(5) Tare c de Kock b Parnell 8 (10) Corey c de Kock b Unadkat 13 (14) Rayudu c Shukla b Nadeem 14 (21) Hussey b Unadkat 10 (18) Pollard not out 33 (30) Gautam run out (Nadeem/Shami) 22 (18) Harbhajan retired hurt 10 (5) Zaheer not out 0 (0) Extras:
(lb 6, w 4, nb 1) 11 Total: (6 wkts; 20 overs) 125 Fall of wickets:
1-10 2-17 3-39 4-46 5-63 6-103 6-124 Bowling Nadeem 4-0-19-1 Shami 4-0-36-0 Duminy 3-0-13-0 Parnell 4-0-17-1 Unadkat 4-0-29-2 Shukla 1-0-5-0 Delhi Daredevils de Kock c Hussey b Anderson 16 (24) Vijay b Sharma 40 (34) Duminy c sub (Wankhade) b Malinga 19 (24) Pietersen not out 26 (18) Karthik c Rayudu b Malinga 2 (3) Jadhav not out 14 (10) Extras
(lb 2, w 2, pen 5) 9 Total (4 wickets; 18.5 overs) 126 Fall of wickets:
1-34 2-79 3-103 4-105 Bowling Malinga 4-0-17-2 Ojha 4-0-26-0 Zaheer 2.5-0-17-0 Harbhajan 4-1-23-0 Corey 2-0-16-1 Rohit 2-0-20-1 |
|
MHA’s nod to draft of Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill
NEW DELHI, April 27 The draft Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill, prepared by the Sports Ministry in consultation with the Law Ministry, got the Home Ministry's approval recently. The bill aims to “cleanse sports” in the country. “We have sent back the draft bill to the Sports Ministry with our approval,” a Home Ministry official said. The Sports Ministry is now expected to prepare a note for the Cabinet for its approval before being placed in Parliament to make it a law. “A final decision will be taken by the new government,” the official said. According to the draft bill, a person is said to commit an offence of sporting fraud if he, directly or indirectly “manipulates or tries to manipulate result, irrespective of whether the outcome is actually altered or not, or “deliberately misapplies the rules of the sport”. Besides, “removing or reducing all or part of the uncertainty normally associated with the results of a sporting event” and who “wilfully fails to perform to his true potential, unless such under performance can be attributed to strategic or tactical reason deployed in the interest of that sport or team, that will also be considered as fraud”. Disclosure of “insider information” and “failure to disclose knowledge of or attempt for sporting fraud” will also fall in the category of sports fraud. The maximum punishment that has been proposed in the draft bill is imprisonment for five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh or five times the economic benefits derived by the person from sporting fraud, whichever is greater. Whoever attempts to commit a sporting fraud shall be punishable with the same punishment as provided for the offence. A person who abets the commission of sporting fraud shall be punishable with the same punishment as provided for the offence. No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act. Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal, who chaired the committee investigating the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal, also headed the panel that framed the draft.
— PTI Bill styled on laws in many countries
|
|
Last-over win for Chennai
Sharjah, April 27 Chennai were cruising at one stage, needing just 22 runs from the last five overs with eight wickets in hand but Bhuvaneshwar Kumar changed the complexion of the game by dismissing Smith and Faf du Plessis (0) in consecutive deliveries in the 16th over. Ishant Sharma got rid of Ravindra Jadeja in the 19th over to cause ripples in the Chennai camp. CSK needed six runs off the last over, bowled by Amit Mishra, and skipper MS Dhoni finished it off in style, dismissing a full toss to square leg boundary. Earlier, it was not the best of starts for Hyderabad as Hilfenhaus dismissed skipper Shikhar Dhawan (7) and David Warner (0) in space of three balls in the fifth over. Dhawan attempted a pull but there was no force in the shot, which landed straight into the hands of Mithun Manhas at mid-wicket. Warner was unlucky to be adjudged leg before wicket. It was left to Finch, the hero of their last match, to repair the innings.
— PTI Today’s match KXIP vs RCB Live on Sony Six (8pm)
Scoreboard Sunrisers Hyderabad Finch b Mohit 44 (45) Dhawan c Manhas b Hilfenhaus 7 (9) Warner lbw b Hilfenhaus 0 (2) Rahul c Pandey b Smith 25 (27) Venugopal c Smith b Mohit 13 (15) Sammy not out 23 (15) Karn not out 17 (7) Extras
(b 5, lb 8, w 3) 16 Total (5 wkts; 20 ovs) 145 Fall of wickets:
1-15 2-15 3-67 4-98 5-109 Bowling Hilfenhaus 4-0-32-2 Pandey 3-0-22-0 Mohit 4-0-27-2 Ashwin 4-0-17-0 Jadeja 3-0-23-0 Smith 2-0-11-1 Chennai Super Kings Smith c Warner b Bhuvneshwar 66 (46) McCullum b Karn 40 (33) Raina c Venugopal b Ishant 14 (10) Dhoni not out 13 (14) du Plessis c Rahul b Bhuvneshwar 0 (1) Jadeja b Ishant 6 (9) Manhas not out 3 (4) Extras
(lb 4) 4 Total (5 wickets; 19.3 overs) 146 Fall of wickets:
1-85 2-114 3-126 4-127 5-138 Bowling Steyn 4-0-20-0 Bhuvneshwar 4-0-23-2 Karn 4-0-35-1 Mishra 3.3-0-27-0 Ishant 4-0-37-2 |
|
1st win abroad: Lahiri putts Indonesian Masters
Chandigarh, April 27 The Indian started the final round confidently with a hat-trick of birdies on the second, third and fourth holes but bogeyed the fifth to make the turn in 34. He went birdie-double bogey-birdie on the 12th, 13th and 14th holes and walked down the 18th needing a birdie to tie for the lead but he did much better than that, sealing his victory with an eagle on the last. A final round four-under-par 68 gave Anirban a one-stroke victory with an impressive winning score of 17-under-par 271. “It’s really great to get my first win outside India. I have been close during the last 18 months and am so glad I managed to do it today. I had an awkward lie on the 13th. During the rain delay I was just thinking that I have to get up and down there. I got a bad break there. Unfortunately, I got a double bogey there but I am glad I came back strong,” said Lahiri. Discussing the winning putt, he said, “My mind was blank when I prepared for the last putt on the 18th. All I told myself was if I have to get it in the hole. Walking up I was actually thinking if I will need to prepare for a playoff tomorrow morning.” Lahiri, who is getting married next month, has a lot to look forward to. “I needed the world ranking points so I am really happy I won this week. I think I played much better than my score. I hit the ball well all week. It was a bit of up and down for me today but I played really solid. I am happy to see that my game has moved up to another level after the EurAsia Cup as it has been a huge confidence boost.” SSP Chowrasia finished fifth at 14-under-par 274 after carding a 68 today, while Rashid Khan could only muster a 71 and finished tied ninth, a stroke behind at 13-under-par 275. Meanwhile, Jyoti Randhawa, who was three-under-par at the turn in the final round, carded a string of bogeys on the back nine, eventually carding a two-under-par 70 to finish tied 13th at 11-under-par 277. Rahil Gangjee carded a final round 70 to finish at six-under-par 282 and tied for 22nd place. Arjun Atwal had a better round today, carding a three-under-par 69 that saw him finish tied 39th and two-under-par 286. Bhullar 3-over par
On the European tour, Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a three-over-par 75 in the final round of the Volvo China Open. This saw the Indian finish the week tied for 57th place with a total of one-over-par 289. Alexander Levy comfortably won the tournament at 19-under-par 269, four strokes clear of his nearest rival Tommy Fleetwood who finished second. |
|
Bhupathi made London Olympics real sad for me: Paes
New Delhi, April 27 The build-up to the London Games was marred by a selection row as players resorted to bickering. A can of worms opened up when Rohan Bopanna refused to partner Paes in the event, insisting on teaming up with Bhupathi. “Mahesh was the reason the last Olympics in London was a real sad one for me. Not only did they not give me a chance to get a medal, India lost an opportunity to get a medal. That’s something that’s gone down in history,” Paes said. Asked if there is a possibility of pairing up with his former partner in future, the answer from the 14-time Grand Slam winner in doubles was an emphatic no. In the run-up to the London Games, both Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna refused to play with Paes and insisted on being paired together. In a damage control exercise, the All India Tennis Federation paired Bhupathi with Bopanna and to appease Paes, paired him with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles. AITA also nominated Paes, a bronze-medallist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics men’s singles event, and Vishnu Vardhan for the men’s doubles event. That bitter episode has left Paes even more motivated to play in the 2016 Rio Olympics. “The one real goal that I have is to get to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which will be my seventh Summer Games. Rio is only two years away and it is a realistic target. I am in the top 10 in men’s doubles and the last Grand Slam I won was six months away. So for me is to keep the fire burning and to achieve glory is the long-term goal in sight,” Paes, who will be 42 by the time the Rio Games kick off, said. The veteran said he was ready to play in the Davis Cup tie against Serbia if called by AITA. “As far as I am concerned I am always ready to play for the nation. If the call comes that I am needed for the Serbian tie and if the role needed is that of a player, or that of a captain, I would put my best foot forward. The call has to come from AITA that I am needed and I would offer my best for India. AITA runs tennis in India and if they feel that my presence would make a difference, I am there to be with the team in the tie against Serbia at home,” Paes said. While receiving the award at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Paes said he missed his daughter Aiyana though he was delighted to have his parents by his side. “Aiyana is a very special child and I missed her today. She could not make it today and it hurts me that she is not by my side.” Talking about his latest award, he said, “It is a very, very special award for me.” — PTI
|
|
Chelsea shake up the title race
London, April 27 In the latest twist of a fascinating Premier League season, under-strength Chelsea cut the gap at the top to two points with two games to play in a tactical triumph for their manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho immediately ruled his team out of contention but the result boosted the title aspirations of third-placed City, who closed the gap on the leaders to three points with a comfortable victory at Palace. They have a game in hand and a much better goal difference than either of their rivals. If they win at fifth-placed Everton on Saturday, City will be hot favourites to repeat the title success of two years ago — possibly on goal difference once again. The City supporters at Selhurst Park cheered news of Liverpool's defeat and had further cause for celebration as Yaya Toure, returning from injury, made the first goal for Edin Dzeko with a perfect cross. Toure scored the second, his 19th in the league this season, before halftime after a fine run from the halfway line. "It's difficult to predict the outcome of this League," City captain Vincent Kompany said. "It's in our hands again but there have been so many changes over this season." Chelsea have beaten both their title rivals at home and away and despite missing five leading players through injury and suspension, Mourinho also rested others ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg at home to Atletico Madrid. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who once worked under the Portuguese at Chelsea, accused his former club of playing defensively and having "two buses parked" in front of their goal. But his side, who had won their previous 11 games to become favourites for the title, failed to make enough chances. Philippe Coutinho wasted an early opportunity and Mamadou Sakho also missed the target but Chelsea's reserve goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer did not have a shot to save for almost an hour. Just before the interval Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard slipped as he received a square pass near the halfway line and Demba Ba ran on to finish coolly. Schwarzer, standing in for the injured Petr Cech, did well to keep out Joe Allen's volley and pushed over a shot from Luis Suarez. But the Uruguayan striker, favourite to be named Player of the Year by his fellow professionals later on Sunday, was generally well controlled by a solid Chelsea defence and although the London side were pushed back for much of the second half, they still counter-attacked dangerously. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to save low down from Andre Schuerrle on one such break and in stoppage time Fernando Torres, once a Liverpool hero, set up Brazilian midfielder Willian to seal the win.
— Reuters |
||
|
Atletico Madrid refuse to waver in Spanish title race
Madrid, April 27 Victory took Atletico to a club record 88 points with three games left, six above second placed Real Madrid who beat Osasuna on Saturday and still have a game in hand of their city rivals. Barcelona, in mourning following the death of former coach Tito Vilanova last Friday, play Villarreal and can move up to 84 points with a win. Atletico were not at their best and lacked their usual high intensity, possibly a result of tiredness after a grueling campaign and this week's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, but inched their way closer to the title. Diego Costa could have added to Atletico's lead after the break but Valencia also wasted good chances. Atletico also had Juanfran red-carded in injury time after a wild challenge on Pablo Piatti. Rampant Ronaldo
Real's rampant Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be back at his best as he scored at the start of each half to set up a 4-0 victory over lowly Osasuna. Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal also netted for Real. Real did not risk Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema against Osasuna ahead of their Champions league semifinal second leg at Bayern Munich on Tuesday in which they hold a 1-0 advantage. But there was no holding Ronaldo, who only returned from injury in Wednesday's first leg against Bayern at the Bernabeu having been out since early April, as he cut in from the left wing and fired into the corner of the net after six minutes. The prolific Portuguese forward then cracked home a fine long-range drive after 52 minutes before being substituted leaving Ramos and Carvajal to wrap up the win with headers. "Cristiano is fine and he played with more assuredness and confidence than on Wednesday. It all went well for him and us," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "We were able to rest some players and it was a good game even though there was no great intensity." The Italian added that Bale and Benzema will be fine to face Bayern. — Reuters |
||
|
Three-in-a-row for Sharapova in Stuttgart
Stuttgart (Germany), April 27 It is the Russian's first clay-court tournament in her build-up to the French Open, having lost to Serena Williams in last year's final. Having been taken to three sets by the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova in her first-round match, Sharapova had swept into the final with straight set wins over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, top-seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, then Italian Sara Errani in the semifinals. But Ivanovic, the ninth seed, made the statuesque Russian dig deep and the 26-year-old wasted no time asserting herself over Sharapova, racing into a a 4-0 lead in the first set before the defending champion responded, but the Serbian held her serve to take the first set. Having won her previous tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, last month, Ivanovic went 3-1 up in the second but the match's momentum turned against her when Sharapova broke her, then fought her way back to take the set. Ivanovic had been chasing her first win over the Russian since the 2007 French Open semifinal but the Serbian ran out of steam and sixth seed Sharapova dominated the third set. Sania-Cara lose in final
Sania Mirza will have to wait for her first title of the 2014 season as she lost the summit clash with partner Cara Black. Playing their second final of the season, the second seed Indo-Zimbabwean pair lost 2-6 3-6 to top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in one hour and 10 minutes. — Agencies Injured Azarenka pulls out of Madrid, Rome
London: World No. 4 Victoria Azarenka's French Open preparations have suffered a heavy blow, with the Belarusian pulling out of claycourt tournaments in Madrid and Rome as she continues her recovery from a foot injury. Since reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the 24-year-old has played only one tournament, at Indian Wells last month where she was beaten in her first match and clearly hampered by injury. "Hey everybody, unfortunately I won't be competing in Madrid and Rome this year," she said in a video linked to a post on her Twitter account. Missing the May 3-11 Madrid Open and the May 12-18 tournament in Rome leaves her with little time to gain match fitness ahead of Roland Garros, which kicks off from May 25.
— Reuters |
||
|
Klitschko retains crown with Leapai KO
OBERHAUSEN (Germany), April 27 The 38-year-old Klitschko, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns, has now been unbeaten for 10 years with his most recent defeat back in April 2004 against Lamon Brewster. Klitschko, with his brother Vitaly — the former WBC champion and a politician in his home country — in his corner, knocked down his opponent after a few seconds in the first round, a big left-right combination sending the 34-year-old Leapai sprawling. The Ukrainian, whose record now stands at 62 wins with 52 knockouts and three defeats, then pummelled the hapless Australian in round five, knocking him down once again before a clean knockout with less than a minute left in the round. "Alex Leapai, I know it was not easy for you but you were up against the best fighter in the world and it was hard," Klitschko said. "Despite my 38 years I felt superb. I was in top form tonight in the ring." Klitschko also had a special mention for his home nation, saying his preparation for the fight was not easy due to the political crisis back home with neighbouring Russia. "I trained long and hard but it was not easy. My mind was back in Ukraine and what is happening there. Politicians must find a compromise and it should not come to a war. Ukraine will not be split up and (must) remain united." Leapai, who got a shot at the world title after his stunning win over Russian Denis Boytsov in November last year, never got much chance to fight, with the 15-centimetre taller Klitschko tormenting him with his jab and longer reach. — Reuters
|
||
|
Ambala’s Abhey sets new meet record
Haridwar, April 27 Abhey Gupta of Ambala district set the momentum early in the day as he hurled the discus to a distance of 48.68m, shattering the existing meet record of Vanam Sharma of Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) in the boys under-16 discus throw. The previous record stood at 47.97m. However, Rajasthan drew some consolation when Ravi Kumar of Churu district grabbed the second position with a best throw of 47.45m. Ujjawal of Jhajjar district (Haryana) finished third with a throw of 47.30m. East Delhi's Shahnawaz Khan broke the existing meet record in the boys under-14 high jump with an effort of 1.85m, bettering the existing mark (1.84m) of Anil Kumar Shahoo of Mumbai Suburb district. The second place went to Shubham Mishra of Allahabad with a jump of 1.75m, while Varun Kakran was pushed to the third place. It was double celebration for Delhi as Shivangi Rawat, broke the existing meet record in the girls under-16 100m hurdles race. Rawat clocked 15.68s, bettering the previous mark of 15.78s set by Sapna Kumari of Ramghar district (Jharkhand) in 2013. Last year's champion finished second this time with a lacklustre performance of 16.64sec. Jasmi Kisku of Cuttack district (Odisha) took the bronze medal, clocking 16.84sec. Gurinder Vir Singh of Jalandhar district won the 100m race in the boys under-14 category with a time of 11.81sec, while Bulandshahar district's Vishal (12.05sec) and Sandeep Khalkho (12.16sec) of Pitthorgarh district (Uttarakhand) finished second and third respectively.
— PTI |
||
|
BSF’s Rajesh wins Punjab State Golf
JALANDHAR, APRIL 27 On Day 1, only 79 golfers out of 125 registered participants managed to tee off. Sukhjeet Singh of RCF won the Longest drive prize with 311-yard drive, while Ramesh Kumar from the Army Golf Course won the Nearest to Pin prize (8 ft). Col. NS Bains from SEPTA, Chandimandir, won the prize for maximum birdies (8). In the 0-9 Handicap category, Col. SK Tiwari from PAP, Jalandhar, was declared the winner with a score of 149.
|
||
|
Bagan beat Shillong 2-1
Kolkata, APRIL 27 Thangboi Singto made a tactical switch in the 59th minute by bringing on Boithang Haokip in place of the below par Niwan Gatphoh. A beautiful lobbed pass by Taisuke over Mohun Bagan defence found Boithang inside the box and he fired into the roof of the net to put his side on level terms with only his first touch two minutes after coming on. It was the hosts who found the net once again after Chizoba ran past Jibon Singh and then fired his shot into the goal with Lajong custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte having no chance.
— PTI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Delhi Daredevils dished out a clinical bowling display to restrict defending champions Mumbai Indians to a below-par 125 for six, and then reached the target with six wickets and an over to spare on Sunday.
London, April 27
Sharjah: