No fans allowed for Pune ODIs
Pune: The three-match ODI series between India and England in Pune will be played without spectators due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, the state cricket association said on Saturday. The three matches are slated to be played at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje on the outskirts of the city on March 23, 26 and 28.
Germany thrash Indian women's 5-0
Dusseldorf: World No 3 Germany blanked the Indian women's hockey team 5-0 in their first game of the four-match tour here on Saturday. Pia Maertens (10', 14'), Lena Micheel (20'), Pauline Heinz (28') and Lisa Altenburg (41') found the back of the net for the hosts. The second match will take place on Sunday.
Yusuf, Vinay to play for India legends
Raipur: Former India cricketers Yusuf Pathan, Naman Ojha and Vinay Kumar, all of whom recently announced their retirements, will feature in the India Legends team in the ‘Road Safety World Series' starting here on March 5. Former Sri Lankan swashbuckling opener Sanath Jayasuriya will be playing for the Sri Lanka Legends. “Sri Lanka Legends have also included Sanath Jayasuriya, Russel Arnold and Upul Tharanga in their team led by Tilakratne Dilshan,” a media release said.
Lamichanne replaces Rashid in Lahore
Islamabad: Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichanne of Nepal has replaced Afghanistan's Rashid Khan in Lahore Qalandars squad for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League. The 20-year-old Lamichanne has previously represented Lahore in seven games of Pakistan's premier T20 league in 2019. Rashid left for national duty after featuring in Lahore's victories against Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in the first two matches.
Popyrin crushes Cilic's title hopes
Singapore: Australia's Alexei Popyrin took out third seed Marin Cilic in an absorbing contest at the Singapore Open on Saturday, prevailing 7-6 (5),7-6 (2) over the Croat to make it to his first ATP Tour final. Popyrin let out a huge roar after sealing his victory in front of 250 fans, who were allowed to attend the tournament after passing Covid-19 tests. “I worked my whole life to get into an ATP final and I'm finally in one tomorrow. It's definitely an amazing feeling but I got one more match to go and I want to focus on that,” said the world number 114.
Indian men's skeet team wins bronze
Cairo: The Indian trio of Mairaj Ahmed Khan, Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Gurjoat Khangura won the Bronze medal in men's skeet team event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup here. The Indians beat the Kazakhstan team of David Pochivalov, Eduard Yechshenko and Alexandr Mukhamediyev 6-2 in the Bronze medal match on the third competition day of the ISSF tournament.
Ministry restores recognition of GFI
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has restored the recognition of the faction-ridden Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) after 10 years, taking into records Sudhir Mittal's election as president in the polls held in November 2019. The recognition has been granted for the period till December 31, this year. The GFI was de-recognised by the ministry in 2011 because of infighting in the body and since then it remained so till the ministry's order on Friday to recognise it.
7 days quarantine in Delhi for UK shooters
New Delhi: The quarantine period for shooters from the United Kingdom, who are going to participate in the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Delhi, will be seven days instead of two weeks. A source close to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) said that the federation has got a positive feedback from the concerned authorities after it had requested for seven days hard quarantine for the shooters from UK. The combined world cup for rifle, pistol and shotgun shooters is scheduled to be held at the national capital's Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range from March 18-29.
