Controversial French star is Indian Super League's big catch just six months after antisemitism row

September 16, 2014

Mumbai,Sep 16: Former France and Chelsea player Nicolas Anelka was on Monday officially announced as the marquee player of Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Mumbai City FC, six months after the forward was sacked from English football after an antisemitic row.

The 35-year-old player, who also had stints at Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus, said he expects the October 12-December 20 ISL to be a thrilling experience.

Anelka Mumbai“I am pleased to join Mumbai City FC and through it participate in the exciting Indian Super League. Talented international players and top Indian talent will make the matches thrilling affairs. I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we play,” he said.

The inaugural ISL also features other top players like Alessandro Del Piero (Delhi Dynamos FC), David Trezeguet (FC Pune City), Joan Capdevila (North-East United FC), Luis Garcia (Atletico de Kolkata), David James (Kerala Blasters FC) and Robert Pires (FC Goa). Chennai Titans are yet to announce their marquee player.

However, Anelka may have to wait before he can take the field for Mumbai City as he has a five-match ban imposed on him in England for a racially aggravated goal celebration that led to his departure from West Bromwich Albion in March.

FIFA was asked by the English Football Association to ensure Anelka’s ban was applied worldwide if he tried to sign for another club.

FIFA was unable to comment on Anelka’s playing status on Monday, which is a public holiday in Zurich where it is headquartered.

Anelka had a long career for France and played for several top clubs in a well-travelled career before his infamous “quenelle” gesture resulted in his departure from the Premier League.

Anelka later announced via Twitter that he was leaving West Brom, terminating his contract with immediate effect.

The club responded by saying the player’s statement was invalid and that it was firing him for “gross misconduct.”

Anelka was sent home from the 2010 World Cup after insulting France coach Raymond Domenech. Anelka refused to apologise and ended his international career with 14 goals in 69 appearances.

ZICO ARRIVES IN INDIA

Legendary Brazilian footballer Zico arrived in Panaji on Monday to take charge of FC Goa as its manager.

The 61-year-old Arthur Antunes Coimbra, nicknamed ‘White Pele’, reached Goa along with former Dempo midfielder Roberto Mendis Silva and was received at the airport by former All India Football Federation general secretary Alberto Colaco.

Zico will be assisted by Dempo Sports Club head coach Arthur Papas.

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News Network
June 13,2020

Mumbai, Jun 13: Vasant Raiji, who was India's oldest first-class cricketer at 100, died in Mumbai in the wee hours of Saturday.

Raiji was 100 years old and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

"He (Raiji) passed away at 2.20 am in his sleep at his residence in Walkeshwar in South Mumbai due to old-age," his son-in-law Sudarshan Nanavati told PTI.

Raiji, a right-handed batsman, played nine first-class matches in the 1940s, scoring 277 runs with 68 being his highest score.

He made his debut for a Cricket Club of India team that played Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur in 1939.

His Mumbai debut happened in 1941 when the team played Western India under the leadership of Vijay Merchant.

Raiji, also a cricket historian and chartered accountant, was 13 when India played its first Test match at the Bombay Gymkhana in South Mumbai.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and former Australian skipper Steve Waugh had paid a courtesy visit to Raiji at his residence in January when he had turned 100.

It has been learnt that the cremation will take place at the Chandanwadi crematorium in South Mumbai on Saturday afternoon.

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January 12,2020

Mumbai, Jan 12: India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will receive the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for his exploits in international cricket in the 2018-19 season, the BCCI announced on Sunday.

The world's leading pacer will be honoured during the BCCI Annual Awards here on Sunday.

The world's No. 1 ODI bowler made his Test debut during India's tour of South Africa in January 2018 and has not looked back since. He picked up a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia and the West Indies becoming the first and only Asian bowler to achieve the feat.

He played a stellar role in the historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia, India's first Down Under and which helped them retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. While Bumrah nets the biggest prize in the men's category, Poonam Yadav will claim the top prize in women's section and will be awarded the best international cricketer.

The award will be another feather in the leg-spinner's cap who recently received the Arjuna Award. Former India captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Anjum Chopra will be presented with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for women respectively.

A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Srikkanth took on the fearsome West Indies fast bowlers and scored an attacking 38, the top individual score in the low-scoring final at the Lord's. He also captained India and post-retirement served as the chief selector and it was during his tenure that the 2011 World Cup squad was picked.

Anjum is one of the finest batswomen and the first Indian to play 100 ODIs. In a career spanning 17 years, Anjum represented India in four 50-over World Cups and two T20 World Cup (played in one).

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said, "The BCCI Awards is our way of recognising the finest on-field performances right from the age group to senior level and also honour our legends.

"It will be a special evening in Mumbai as we will also have the 7th MAK Pataudi lecture and I am delighted to inform that it will be Virender Sehwag, who will address the gathering."

Board secretary Jay Shah said, "The BCCI Awards are an important feature in India's cricketing calendar, a melange of aspiration and inspiration. "We wanted to make Naman bigger and better and have introduced four new categories – highest run-getter and wicket-takers in WODIs and best international debut men and women – from this year. A total of 25 awards will be presented."

Arun Singh Dhumal, the board's treasurer, said, "Right from domestic to international level, Indian Cricket has had a memorable 2018-19 season. We have started the year on the right note with Team India completing a convincing series win against Sri Lanka and they will be in attendance. The U-19 team is in South Africa for the World Cup and all eyes will be on the stars of tomorrow. It will be a special evening and I congratulate the award winners".

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News Network
February 2,2020

Mount Maunganui, Feb 2: India registered a rare 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand after notching up a seven-run win in the fifth and final T20 International at Bay Oval here on Sunday.

Electing to bat, India posted 163 for three, riding on Rohit Sharma's 60 off 41 balls and a 33-ball 45 from K L Rahul.

The visitors then restricted the hosts to 156 for nine with Jasprit Bumrah claiming three wickets for 12 runs.

Chasing the target, the Black Caps were tottering at 17 for three in 3.2 overs.

Tim Seifert (50) and Ross Taylor (53) then added 99 runs for the fourth wicket as New Zealand recovered to 116.

Seifert clobbered a 30-ball 50 studded with five fours and three sixes, while Ross Taylor hit two sixes and five fours in his 47-ball 53-run innings.

However, once Seifert was dismissed in the 13th over, the hosts suffered a collapse, losing five wickets, including Taylor, for 25 runs to loss the plot in the end.

Brief Score:

India: 163 for 3 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 60; S Kuggeleijn 2/25)    

New Zealand: 156 for 9 in 20 overs (Ross Taylor 53, Tim Seifert 50; Jasprit Bumrah 3/12).

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