Skipper KL Rahul needs game time; team new challenge in remaining ODIs

KL Rahul will be expected to get some valuable batting time as the Indian team is expected to restructure their goals to create some challenge for themselves in the remaining two ODIs against Zimbabwe.

The gap between the two teams will always make such bilateral encounters one-sided but the bigger goal for the ‘Men in Blue’ will be to push the boundaries.

If Rahul wins the toss in the second ODI on Saturday, the immediate goal of the team will be to try to bat first.

An early start on the bouncy track and enough pinch in the air will present some challenge for the batsmen. No Jimmy Anderson or Josh Hedgewood will be in operation but still battling the conditions will be a good test for Rahul and his players.

Deepak Chahar pointed out after the first game that there is little help for the bowlers during the second session and the only time there is for the batsmen is the first hour of the match.

The morning session, with balls moving from both sides, albeit with gentle pace, would be a sufficiently extended net session for Rahul, before facing the might of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Asia Cup.

While ‘Captain Rahul’ showed his big politician qualities by opening Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill in the first game, ‘Batter Rahul’ also needs to get his priorities right ahead of the Asia Cup.

They need to adapt quickly to Team India’s philosophy of “attack at all costs from the beginning” and it just cannot happen overnight.

Against a team like Zimbabwe, which is not even good enough to challenge a top Indian home team, Rahul will get a perfect opportunity to experiment with his batting.

Similarly, if Deepak Hooda is given a chance to bat in the batting order, then he can also boost his confidence.

Then there is Sanju Samson, if he plays at No 4, it gives him ample scope to make important innings.

As for acting head coach VVS Laxman, as much as he wants to experiment, he won’t mind winning the series before giving some reserves a chance to test himself.

Hence the left-right combination of Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul would not be a bad choice if Shikhar Dhawan’s arm injury becomes serious at the end of the match.

Winning series is important, but creating different situations and testing youth sports awareness in the pressure cooker scenario should be on the checklist.

Deepak Chahar bowling seven overs in one run is a good sign and indicator that he is slowly increasing his workload.

Similarly, the famous Krishna would like to try a few more variations than his back of length stuff while Mohammad Siraj wouldn’t mind picking up a few more wickets.

As early morning batting can be a challenge for Rahul & Co, bowling in hot afternoon conditions without any lateral pace will test the character and improvisation skills of the fast bowlers.

Teams (from):
India: KL Rahul (C), Shikhar Dhawan (VC), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishaan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prashant Krishna , Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed.

Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabawa (c), Ryan Burle, Tanaka Chiwanga, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaya, Takudzwanashe Caetano, Clive Madande, Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, John Massara, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarawa, Victor Nyouchi,

Shumba, Donald Tiripano.

Match start: 12:45 am IST.

Originally published at Pen 18

fifa: Sports Ministry requests FIFA, AFC to allow Indian clubs play AFC tournaments

The Sports Ministry has requested world football’s governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Indian clubs Sri Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan to participate in the tournament, despite the AIFF’s ban.

With FIFA suspending the All India Football Federation (AIFF) late on Monday night, there was chaos as the Gokulam Kerala women’s team arrived in Uzbekistan to participate in their second AFC Women’s Club Championship.

The women’s team is scheduled to compete against a team from Iran on 23 August and a team from the host country in Qarshi on 26 August, while ATK Mohun Bagan is set to play the AFC Cup 2022 (inter-zone semi-final) in Bahrain on 7 September . ,

The ministry wrote an email to FIFA and the AFC, informing them of the fact that Gokulam Kerala was already in Uzbekistan when FIFA’s suspension of the AIFF was announced.

“It has requested FIFA and the AFC to consider allowing the team to play in the AFC Women’s Club Championship (West Zone) in the interest of young players,” the ministry said in a release.

The ministry said that it has “reached out to the Indian Embassy in Uzbekistan to extend all possible assistance to the team. The ministry is also in constant touch with the management of the Gokulam team.”

Following the news of the ban, Gokulam Kerala women’s team president VC Praveen had called the sports ministry along with the players.

The ministry then took up the matter with the AFC, which offered the team an extension of 48 hours to Tashkent.

FIFA on Monday suspended India for “undue influence from third parties” and said that the Under-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot be held as planned in India at present”.

This is the first time the AIFF has been banned by FIFA in its 85-year history, with the apex body saying there has been a “violation of FIFA law”.

Originally published at Pen 18

fluckiger: Olympic silver medalist Mathias Fluckiger tests positive for doping

Olympic silver medalist Mathias Flückiger was provisionally suspended ahead of scheduled competition at the European Championships in a mountain bike race on Friday over a doping charge.

Swiss Cycling said Flukiger tested positive for the anabolic agent geranol at the national championships in June. In some countries Xernol is approved for use in farming to promote the growth of cattle.

Flickiger, who won a silver medal at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, was in Munich for his event when his provisional ban was announced on Thursday. His Olympic medal is not affected by the case.

Swiss Cycling said on Thursday it was informed by Swiss anti-doping authorities about a positive test in a sample taken on June 5.

Swiss Sport Integrity said it was investigating and would not provide more details until the disciplinary case is over.

The 33-year-old Flickiger became the world champion in the mountain bike team relay in 2019.

Originally published at Pen 18

salima: We desperately wanted a podium finish at CWG after World Cup debacle: Salima Tete

Indian women’s hockey team’s talented midfielder Salima Tete has revealed that the team’s only goal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games was a podium finish after a disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year.

Indian women’s hockey won the bronze medal in Birmingham after beating New Zealand 2-1 in a penalty shootout.

However, in the World Cup held in Spain and the Netherlands earlier this year, which took place before the CWG, India finished a disappointing ninth.

“After our poor campaign at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022, the team’s objective and our focus were very clear. We wanted to do well at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, there was no other option,” she said. Said in the program ‘Hockey Te Charcha’.

“We were sure that we have to get a medal before returning to India. Something has to be done,” he said.

Salima, 20, is one of the youngest members of the Indian women’s hockey team. Although still new to the set-up, she credits the game for changing her life.

“Playing for India has really changed my life a lot, it has given me everything I could have asked for. I just want to perform for the country and win more matches,” Salima said.

Salima said she considers former India captain Asunta Lakra and Nikki Pradhan as her role models, both of whom have been her mentors.

“I got into hockey through the Junior Nationals and I was a role model in Asunta Lakra. I wanted to be like her, when I saw her play. I thought if she could do it, I could too.

“Nikki Pradhan is a very important person in my development and I always have enough time for me. My family is also very supportive and they don’t think about difficulties, my family, my parents and siblings are very helpful,” she said. ,

Salima also revealed that interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the team’s return from Birmingham proved very inspiring.

“Meeting the PM was a big deal for someone like me. Meeting the PM is a source of inspiration for all of us. It’s an inspiration for us to keep working hard and achieving good results.”

Originally published at Pen 18

manisha kalyan news: Manisha Kalyan becomes first Indian to play in UEFA Women’s Champions League

Young striker Manisha Kalyan became the first Indian footballer to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League when she made her debut for Apollon Ladies FC in the European club competition in Angomi, Cyprus.

Kalyan replaced Marilena Georgiou of Cyprus in the 60th minute at the Makario Stadium as Apollon Ladies FC beat Latvian top flight club SFK Riga 3-0 in their UWCL opener on Thursday.

The 20-year-old became the fourth Indian female footballer to be signed for an overseas club when she signed a multi-year contract with Cyprus’ top division winners Apollon Ladies.

Kalyan had impressive performances for the national team and Gokulam Kerala in the Indian Women’s League (IWL).

She was recently awarded the AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

Kalyan shot to fame in his own den during an international friendly against former World Cup runners-up Brazil last year.

Kalyan Gokulam is the second player from Kerala to have signed for an overseas club after Dangmei Grace joined Uzbek outfit FC Nassaf.

Apollon Ladies will next take on FC Zurich Frauen on 21 August.

Originally published at Pen 18

nba: LeBron becomes highest paid NBA player

LeBron James has agreed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2024-25 season, his agent announced Wednesday.

Clutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said the league-maximum deal would make James the highest-paid player in NBA history. His new deal includes a player option that would keep him the second leading scorer in NBA history after his 40th birthday with the Lakers in December 2024.

James, 37, is moving into the final year of his most recent contract with the Lakers, who signed the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and four-time league champion in July 2018. The new deal means 18-times. The All-Star will make $46.7 million this season.

Injury barring, James could overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career scoring king this winter. James and the Lakers still hope to be in contention for another title if James and Anthony Davis can return to full health after the 2021-22 finish without a playoff appearance.

James’ new deal coincides with Davis’ most recent contract extension with the Lakers, allowing the two to leave the Lakers or negotiate new deals in 2024. Both superstars are represented by Clutch.

Originally published at Pen 18

coa: SC orders status quo, says Delhi HC-appointed CoA will not take over affairs of IOA

In an interim relief, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered status quo and said the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Delhi High Court will not handle the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Center and the IOA, that the world sports body does not recognize any non-elected body like the CoA and as a result, banned India. can be done. By participating in international sporting events.

The apex court took note of the submission of the law officer that the order may have negative repercussions on the country and granted interim relief to maintain status quo in the affairs of the IOA.

As a result, the Delhi High Court-appointed CoA, which includes former Supreme Court judge Justice Anil R Dave, former chief election commissioner SY Qureshi and former external affairs ministry secretary Vikas Swarup, will not be able to handle the IOA.

The Supreme Court has now posted IOA’s appeal for further hearing on August 22.

Earlier in the day, the Solicitor General sought an urgent hearing and said that the appointment of the CoA could lead to the International Olympic Committee suspending the association as was the case with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently.

The Delhi High Court had on August 16 ordered the formation of a three-member CoA to manage the affairs of the IOA.

The High Court had said that the IOA’s “persistent reluctance” to adhere to the Sports Code made it imperative that its matters be placed in the hands of the CoA.

Originally published at Pen 18