World cup

Shafali Varma. (Photo: @BCCIWomen/Twitter) The quest for a maiden women’s world title has come a full circle for India. Nearly 18 years on from their first qualification for a World Cup final, an Indian women’s team is in sight of the world champions’ crown again. The dream the senior side couldn’t fulfil against a relentless Australia in the 2005 Women’s ODI World Cup final in South Africa now awaits realising with the junior team of the same country. When Shafali Verma leads India out to the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom for the title bout of the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup against England on Sunday, she’ll have a shot at reimagining history and writing it anew — for herself and India. “Leading India in a World Cup final means a lot to me,” said Verma, a senior T20 World Cup and Commonwealth Games finalist, after India’s final nets session at the U-19 World Cup, on match eve, which was also her 19th birthday. “Many years ago, my papa had told me, ‘You will … [Read more...] about Women’s Under-19 World Cup Final: Shafali Verma’s India and their tryst with destiny

Under-19 champions: BCCI will reward them Rs 5 crore. (Image credit: @Jay Shah/Twitter) The Indian women's cricket team made history at the under-19 T20 world cup in South Africa on January 29, beating England by seven wickets to win the inaugural title. Celebrations erupted in India after the landmark win, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and many others taking to social media to congratulate the team. Modi said the young team's "special win" will inspire many budding cricketers. "Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours," he said Congratulations to the Indian Team for a special win at the @ICC #U19T20WorldCup . They have played excellent cricket and their success will inspire several upcoming cricketers. Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours. https://t.co/BBn5M9abHp — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2023 Read More Kohli tweeted: "What a special moment! … [Read more...] about Reactions to India women’s team winning under-19 world cup: ‘Path-breaking year’

(FILE PHOTO) Coach Graham Reid with the Indian men's hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Indian men's hockey team chief coach Graham Reid on Monday resigned from his position following the host nation's disastrous outing at the just-concluded World Cup. Reid, who was appointed India coach in April 2019, led the team to a historic bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The 58-year-old Australian submitted his resignation to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, a day after the conclusion of the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, where Germany beat Belgium in a penalty shoot-out to emerge as champions. "It is now time for me to step aside and hand over the reigns to the next management," Reid said, announcing his retirement. Reid's term was till next year's Paris Olympics. Read More "It has been an honour and privilege to work with the team and Hockey India and I have enjoyed every moment of this epic journey. I wish the team all the very best," he … [Read more...] about Indian men’s hockey team coach Graham Reid resigns following World Cup debacle

Lionel Messi. (Photo: Twitter) After hoisting his first World Cup trophy with Argentina in December, Lionel Messi said that tournament would be his last, but now it appears he's open to the possibility of playing in the 2026 event. "Because of age it'll be difficult to make 2026," Messi, 35, told Diario Ole, a sports newspaper in Argentina. "I love playing football and while I feel like I'm in good shape and enjoying this, I'm going to keep at it. It seems like a long time until the next World Cup, but it depends on how my career is going." Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would love to see the superstar -- who is one of only six players to compete in five World Cups -- suit up for the next World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "I think Messi can make it to the next World Cup," Scaloni told Spanish radio Calvia FM last month. "It will depend a lot on what he wants and what happens over time, that he feels good. The doors will always be open. … [Read more...] about Lionel Messi open to playing in 2026 World Cup

India U-19 women beat England U-19 women by seven wickets and scripted history on January 29, 2023. (Image: Twitter/NooshinKhadeer) Nooshin Al Khadeer was a member of the Indian women's cricket team, led by Mithali Raj, that reached the finals of the ODI World Cup in 2005 but could not go across the line in Centurion. Eighteen years later, the former off-spinner found her redemption, coincidentally in South Africa again, as she coached the U-19 women's team to the world title in Potchefstroom this year. Khadeer and Raj (Source: Twitter/NooshinKhadeer) India U-19 women beat England U-19 women by seven wickets and scripted history. The runners-up finish back in the day had an impact on a lot of young cricketers. And now, the maiden ICC title will be a boost for women's cricket on the backdrop of an inaugural women's IPL scheduled in March. In a chat with Moneycontrol, Al Khadeer highlighted how she prepared the team, with two senior cricketers — Shafali Verma and … [Read more...] about India U-19 Women’s head coach: We need to allow the girls to grow as players

PHUKET: Strong onshore winds last night left a three-time class champion in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta stranded on the sand at Kata Beach. Matt Allen’s 44-foot Ichi Ban , on which he won the IRC 1 class at the Phuket King’s Cup last year, was left standing vertically in the sand after the tide ran out this morning. “It looks like the boat has not suffered any damage. It is pointing out to sea and should be able to safely sail way at high tide at about 3pm this afternoon,” a regatta organizer at the scene told the Phuket Gazette . Ichi Ban was one of the many yachts stranded by strong onshore winds during regatta last year. All were recovered safely. Related news Phuket police bust Nigerian overstayers 17 hours ago Reasons Why You Should Live in Kamala Phuket feat. Twin Palms Residences Montazure 17 hours ago The 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will get underway on HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday on December … [Read more...] about Strong winds leave Phuket King’s Cup triple-champ beached

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin It has been suggested that Jordi Alba and two other defenders could leave FC Barcelona this year ahead of the 2023/2024 season. In the recent January transfer window, former La Masia player Hector Bellerin ended an unflattering loan spell by agreeing to join Sporting Lisbon. Outclassed in Barca's last Champions League group home match against Bayern Munich in late October and given hell by Sadio Mane, the former Arsenal man clearly didn't feature in Xavi's first team plans and managed to muster less than 500 minutes across seven appearances. In the next few months, however, Jordi Alba could join him departing Camp Nou according to Spanish sports magazine Don Balon as relayed by El Nacional . Alba still has a contract until 2024, but his high salary in times when Barca are reportedly being made to shave €200mn ($218mn) off the wage bill to meet La Liga and Financial Fair Play limits, plus the emergence of … [Read more...] about FC Barcelona Could Sell Jordi Alba And Two More Catalan Defenders In 2023

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin FC Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets is ready to lower his salary and listen to the club's contract renewal offer, according to reports from Catalonia. The number '5' has less than five months to run on his current deal, which expires on June 30. Aged 35, it has long been rumored that the World Cup winner who has been a mainstay in Barca's midfield since 2008 will head to the MLS while Saudi giants Al-Nassr are also allegedly willing to acquire his services. Barca first team manager Xavi Hernandez, who operated in front of the pivot until departing himself in 2015 at the same age for Qatar, wants his skipper to continue in Blaugrana however. Xavi believes that Busquets can still perform an important role in his team, which is currently halfway to its first La Liga title win since 2019. Busquets has never explicitly said that he will leave Barca, but a failure for club and captain to see eye-to-eye on pay was … [Read more...] about Sergio Busquets Ready To Lower Salary And Listen To FC Barcelona Contract Renewal Offer – Reports

Sania Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a WTA singles title in 2005. In 2009, she became the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam - playing mixed doubles in the Australian Open with Mahesh Bhupathi that year. (Image source: Instagram/mirzasaniar) Luisa Stefani had been waiting near the net as Sania Mirza returned Rafael Matos’ shot from the baseline. Her smash was too close for Rohan Bopanna to return. This course of action would have been routine – but for the fact that it brought the curtains on one of the most illustrious careers in Indian tennis. Sania Mirza will no longer play in Grand Slams . The world knew that before the Australian Open began, but as one opposition fell after another – Jaimee Fourlis and Luke Saville, then Makoto Ninomiya and Ariel Behar, then Jelena Ostapenko and David Vega Hernandez, then Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski – the expectations soared back home. The nation that often cares for little beyond cricket woke up to catch her … [Read more...] about Sania Mirza: A trailblazer like none other

John Wright with Rahul Dravid (Image: News18) Playing 82 Test matches and 149 ODIs is a fine accomplishment for any player. Over and above that, being the first Kiwi batsman to go past 5,000 Test runs makes John Wright one of his country’s all-time greats. In India, Wright is highly respected because of his stint as the first overseas coach who brought new methods and ideas which heralded a new era under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. Moneycontrol.com spoke to the genial Kiwi recently on his India stint, his rapport with Indian legends, and much more. Here is an edited excerpt. Vimal: Having spent so much time in India, I think you understand some Hindi? So, can I conduct this interview in Hindi? Wright 1: My Hindi is not very good. I am reminded of team meetings when the boys would talk in Hindi and I used to get a bit lost. The reason that I never really engaged as much as I should have with the language is that I didn't think I was going to last that long as the … [Read more...] about Dravid’s success as coach doesn’t surprise me: former India coach John Wright