Fed Cup: Ankita wins 2 matches in India's 3-0 win over Uzbekistan

February 5, 2016

Hua Hin (Thailand), Feb 5: After two consecutive losses the Indian team finally tasted success in Fed Cup as it outplayed Uzbekistan 3-0 in Pool A with Ankita Raina winning both her singles and doubles matches, here today.

sania-mirzaPrerna Bhambri provided a solid start with a 6-1 6-1 win over Sabina Sharipova in just 57 minutes as India took a 1-0 lead.

Country's number one singles player, Ankita then sealed it for India with a 6-1 6-0 win over Nigina Abduraimova in 59 minutes.

In the inconsequential doubles rubber, Ankita joined hands with world number one in doubles Sania Mirza to beat Akgul Amanmuradova and Arina Folts 6-2 6-0 in mere 48 minutes.

"I had a lot of energy in my singles match today. More than yesterday. I was aggressive and did not give her any chance. Even when I was a game point down, I did not think of the score and continued being aggressive," Ankita, who had beaten world number 56 Nao Hibino yesterday, said.

"And of course Prerna's win gave a lot of boost and I got pumped up. I had a different kind of energy and vibes today. I saw a different side of me."

Talking about her experience of playing with Sania for the first time, Ankita said, "When you have world number one, you need not worry.

"I was very motivated and excited and I could see it in my game," she said.

India, coached by Zeeahan Ali, had lost ties against hosts Thailand and Japan and will now try to win positional Play-off against Kazakhstan for fifth-sixth place finish.

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January 28,2020

Hamilton, Jan 28: No one sits on the seat that Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his own in the team bus, revealed India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, saying that the talismanic former skipper is missed by the side.

In a video shot inside the team bus while it was on its way to Hamilton for the third T20 International against New Zealand, Chahal is seen talking to several members of the squad including Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.

Towards the end of the video, he moved to the rear of the bus and pointed to an empty seat which, he said, was the former captain's preferred spot before he went on a sabbatical last year.

"Yeh woh seat hai jahan ek legend baithate the. Mahi bhai. Abhi bhi yaha koi nahi baithata. Hum unhe bohot miss karte hai (This is the seat that used to be occupied a legend. MS Dhoni. No one sits here now. We miss him a lot)," Chahal said in the video posted on 'bcci.tv'.

The-38-year-old Dhoni has not played a competitive game since the World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand on July 9. Earlier this month, Dhoni was dropped from the BCCI's list of centrally contracted players, raising fresh doubts on his future.

However, on the same day, Dhoni returned to training, batting fluently in the Jharkhand team nets.

Head coach Ravi Shastri has hinted that the celebrated wicketkeeper-batsman might retire from ODIs soon but will be in contention for a T20 World Cup berth provided he does well for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

The Indian team lead the five-match T20 series against New Zealand 2-0.

Virat Kohli's men will take on the hosts in the third T20 here on Wednesday.

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April 24,2020

New Delhi, Apr 24: Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he doesn't think Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play for India again, adding to the guessing game over the future of the superstar former captain.

Dhoni, 38, has not appeared for club or country since last year's 50-over World Cup and India's coronavirus lockdown could threaten his chances of getting back into the national team.

The Indian Premier League, the main platform before this year's scheduled T20 World Cup, is likely to be truncated or cancelled because of the pandemic.

Harbhajan, who plays with Dhoni at IPL side Chennai Super Kings, said international retirement was on the cards for Dhoni and that he was increasingly being asked about his teammate.

"It's up to him. You need to know whether he wants to play for India again," Harbhajan said in an online forum.

"As far as I know him, he won't want to wear India's blue jersey again. IPL he will play, but for India I think he had decided the (2019) World Cup was his last."

Dhoni, who gave up Test cricket in 2014, started training for the Super Kings in March but has not commented on his international future.

Dhoni led India to win the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007. He hit a six to seal the 2011 World Cup final victory and, along with it, his status as a national hero. He has amassed 10,773 runs from 350 ODIs.

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January 8,2020

Indore, Jan 8: Skipper Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 30 as India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Indore on Tuesday.

The hosts rode a 71-run opening stand between KL Rahul, who hit 45, and Shikhar Dhawan, who made 32, to chase down their target of 143 in 17.3 overs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first match was rained off.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took the wickets of the Indian openers but Shreyas Iyer, who scored 34 before falling to paceman Lahiru Kumara, and Kohli, who hit the winning six, got the team home.

The third match is on Friday in Pune.

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