Page 15 - Sports

Kush Maini joins young driver development programme of Alpine F1 team

India's Kush Maini on Tuesday joined the young driver development programme of Alpine Formula 1 team. Before Kush, Jehan Daruvala was another Indian who was on the driver programme of a Formula 1 team -- Red Bull Racing in his case -- but he could not graduate to the highest level after three mixed Formula 2 seasons under their wings. Kush, 23, is competing in his rookie Formula 2 season. The Bengaluru-based driver secured his first Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish in the Sprint Race in Australia and his best Qualifying result of second at Silverstone. He currently sits just outside of the top 10 in the championship standings having secured 11 point scoring finishes across the season. Kush's brother Arjun was a development driver with the Haas Formula 1 team but he too could not reach the pinnacle of four-wheel racing. Kush will join the growing Alpine Academy line-up which currently features drivers such as Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver Jack Doohan and 2022 FIA Formula

PAK vs AFG Highlights, World Cup 2023: Afghanistan win by 8 wickets

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan vs Afghanistan Highlights: Afghanistan created history once again as they defeated another world champion Pakistan

Have lost my closest friend on other side of the border: Intikhab Alam

Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam was stunned into silence after hearing about the demise of Indian great Bishan Singh Bedi, his closest friend across the border. Bedi's death felt like a personal loss for Alam, who spoke to PTI over the phone from Lahore. Their friendship dates back to 1971 when Bedi toured England with the Indian team and Alam, representing Surrey, played the legendary left-arm spinner in a tour game. In the same year, both Alam and Bedi went on a five month tour of Australia with the World XI squad and it was then their bond grew stronger. More recently, they reunited at the Kartarpur Sahib in October last year and reminisced the old times. Alam sighed when he heard about Bedi's death before gathering his breath to pay tribute to one of the greatest spinners of all time. "What a great personality he was. A kind hearted person, full of humour. There was never a dull moment when he was around. "He was of course a world class cricketer but an even better hum

Remembering Bishan Singh Bedi, the spin legend who redefined Indian cricket

From humble beginnings amidst cricket's spin drought to leading India to historic victories, Bedi's legacy remains indomitable in the world of spin bowling

Cricketers recall Bedi as someone who went extra mile to help youngsters

Former and current cricketers paid rich tributes to legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, who died on Monday, describing him as one of the best bowlers the country has produced and one who went out of the way to help youngsters. Bedi, who played 67 Tests between 1967 to 1979 and took 266 wickets, died at his home here after a prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad and daughter Neha. Senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin remembered Bedi as someone who went out of the way to help young cricketers, while former opener Gautam Gambhir felt the former left-arm spinner's immense contribution would be remembered forever. "Sad to hear about the demise of the great Bishan Singh Bedi, apart from being a great cricketer, he was an affable person and went the extra mile to help young cricketers," wrote Ashwin on social media. "Extremely saddened by the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi ji. His immense contribution to cricket will forever be remembered. May god giv

RR hand Bond dual role of assistant coach and fast-bowling coach

Relieved of his duties at Mumbai Indians, former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond was on Monday handed the dual role of assistant coach and fast-bowling coach by IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. The 48-year-old is set to join the franchise for the 2024 edition of the IPL and will be integrating into the coaching staff during the upcoming months. One of the standout modern-day fast bowlers, Bond has, in the past, served as the bowling coach for his national team between 2012 to 2015 where he helped them reach the final of the 2015 World Cup. He was then employed by the Mumbai franchise in the IPL in 2015, contributing significantly to their success of winning four titles in nine seasons. Under his guidance, several fast bowlers, including renowned names like Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan and Trent Boult transformed into T20 specialists. He will be reuniting with the latter at the Royals, along with potentially working on improving the current core of fast bowlers which includes .

Para Asian Games: Ankur Dhama secures gold in men's 5,000 m T11 event

The event did not feature a bronze medal, with Hong Kong Li Chun Fi getting the last spot with timings of 18:41.40 minutes

Harassment case: Brij Bhushan claims contradiction in witnesses' account

Former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Saturday urged a Delhi court to discharge him in a sexual harassment case lodged by six female wrestlers, claiming contradictions in the statements of prosecution witnesses. Represented by advocate Rajeev Mohan, the accused also claimed that as per the law, the oversight committee formed to look into the case had to recommend the registration of FIR within seven days. But "since in the matter at hand, no such recommendation has been made , it is safe to assume that the Oversight Committee did not find a prima facie case against accused", he said. The judge, meanwhile, granted exemption from personal appearance for the day to Singh on an application moved by his lawyer. "Since no prima facie case was found out by the Oversight Committee, and since no case was found out, no FIR was registered, and since no FIR was registered, it automatically amounts to exoneration," the counsel told the court. The defen

A coming-out party: Olympics, development and a statement to the world

If Ahmedabad is India's preferred candidate, as seems likely, hosting Olympics 2036 should give it a leg up: A bigger airport, a better metro network, more hotels, flyovers and so on, writes T N Ninan

CM Khattar announces setting up of 2 shooting, archery training centres

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday announced that two shooting ranges will be established in Jhajjar and Panchkula while two archery training centres will be set up in Yamunanagar and Faridabad. Khattar felicitated the players from Haryana who won medals at the recently held Asian Games in China. At a grand felicitation ceremony organised at Karnal, players, both medal-winners and others who participated at the event, received cash prizes from the chief minister. Khattar honoured the gold medal-winning athletes with a cash reward of Rs. 3 crore, the silver medalists with Rs 1.5 crore, and bronze medalists with Rs. 75 lakh, along with commendation letters and job offer letters, to recognise their accomplishments. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that be it the Olympics, Paralympics or Khelo India, sportspersons from the state have always made the country, and state proud with their performances. Khattar announced the establishment of shooting rang

Three Indians secure medals at Badminton Asia U17 and U15 Junior C'ships

Indian shuttlers Jagsher Singh Khangurra, Bornil Aakash Changmai and Tanvi Sharma advanced to the semifinals of the Badminton Asia U-17 and U-15 Junior Championships to assure themselves of a medal on day 4 of the tournament in Chengdu, China on Friday. In the boys' U15 singles category, Jagsher defeated China's MA Chu Xuan 21-14, 21-13 in just 28 minutes, while Bornil emerged victorious in a closely-contested match against Korea's Park Jung Bin, securing a 21-19, 22-20 victory. Tanvi Sharma overcame a first-game loss to register a 20-22, 21-15, 21-15 win over Liao Jui-Chi of Chinese Taipei in the girls' U17 singles quarter-final match. In the girls' U17 doubles match, Tanvi and Reshika Uthayasooriyan faced a 10-20, 20-22 defeat against the Chinese pair of Fu Xin Yi and Qin Shi Yang. Jagsher and Bornil will face off in the boys' U15 singles semi-finals on Saturday, while Tanvi will face second seed Anyapat Phichitpreechasak of Thailand in girls' U17 singles semi-final tie.

World Cup IND vs BAN: No slot available for Surya, Mhambrey clears the air

Suryakuamar Yadav will have to wait a little more to finally make his ODI World Cup debut for India as he might not find a place in the playing 11 against Bangladesh.

World Cup 2023: Is Bumrah better than Rabada, Cummins, Shaheen and Boult?

Jasprit Bumrah's ability to bowl slower ones at will, read the situation well, and utilize home conditions to his advantage make him the best fast bowler in the ICC World Cup 2023

Adidas lifts revenue guidance, forecasts smaller 2023 operating loss

The German company said it now expects an operating loss for 2023 of around 100 million euros ($106 million), from a previously expected 450 million euros

India vs Pakistan WC match: Disney+ Hotstar sets viewership record of 35 mn

Disney+ Hotstar has the exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms for the ICC Cricket World Cup

Disney Star creates new viewership record in high-voltage India Pak match

The India-Pakistan match of the ICC Cricket World Cup played on Saturday created a new viewership record with the peak touching the 3.5 crore mark, according to Disney HotStar. The peak concurrency, which is the highest number of viewers during a live stream, for the Indo-Pak match on its OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar was nearly 3.5 crore. With this, it has surpassed the peak concurrency of 3.2 crore viewers of the IPL final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, played earlier this year. The match was also live telecast by Disney Star on Star Sports network but viewership numbers will be released only a week later by the television audience measurement body Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Disney Star has exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms. The India-Pak match was also screened by the leading multiplex operator PVR INOX at its selected cinema halls, where it reported a large number of visitors coming to watch the ...

India will leave no stone unturned for 2036 Olympics: PM bats for hosting

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that India will leave "no stone unturned" in its efforts to organise the 2036 Olympics as the government expressed a strong desire to host the biggest sporting event in the world. Modi declared open the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where India will present its roadmap for hosting the quadrennial extravaganza. The IOC session is being held in the country after a gap of 40 years. The last Olympic Session was held in India in 1983 in New Delhi. PM Modi also said that India wishes to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. "Indians are very excited about hosting the Olympics Games. India will leave no stone unturned in organising the 2036 Olympics," said Modi during his address to the IOC Session delegation and a host of other invitees here at the Jio World Convention Centre. "This is a dream of 140 crore Indians. We want to fulfil this dream with your support. We are willing to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. I am

Pitch Perfect: Restaurants curate cricket-themed menu for Ind-Pak match

Not just India and Pakistan cricket teams have prepared for the high-tension World Cup match on Saturday, but restaurants and bars in the national capital region have also geared up to celebrate the biggest and perhaps the most important game in the entire tournament with some quirky goodies, cricket-themed menu, offers and great discounts. While some restaurants have come up with dishes named after great cricketers like AB de Villiers, others are offering free shots and food for every Pakistani wicket that falls. Apart from an 8x10 projector set up in an open area to "redefine the match-watching experience", Kylin restaurant and bar is treating its guests with an Indian cricket team jersey and a patriotic face tattoo for Rs 699 per person. "Enjoy unlimited aerated beverages, paired with any 2 starters from our menu. If Pakistan loses a wicket, relish complimentary house nachos and salsa. And with India's victory, savour a 10 per cent discount on your bill," Saurabh Khanijo, owner .

Global fans descend on Narendra Modi Stadium for India-Pakistan match

Chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai' reverberated around the Narendra Modi Stadium here as charged-up fans entered the venue of the World Cup match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Saturday. It was not just Indians or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who turned up in large numbers to cheer for Team India, but also foreign nationals from countries like the US and New Zealand eagerly waited since morning to enter the stadium and be a part of the electric atmosphere inside. Rob and Patrick, who were wearing T-shirts resembling the Indian cricket team's jerseys, came all the way from New Zealand to watch this epic battle between the neighbours. We are big cricket fans and landed in India yesterday from New Zealand. Though we support Pakistan's cricket team too, we will today support only India and that's why we are wearing an Indian T-shirt. This is going to be very exciting, said Patrick. While many fans came prepared wearing the Indian team's blue-coloured T-shirts and caps, others ...

World Cup: Can India make it 8-0 against Pakistan as they clash today?

Hosts hope to maintain squeaky-clean World Cup record against their arch-rivals