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If Rio medal happens it will be dream come true: Sania Mirza

November 3, 2015

Mumbai, Nov 3: Winning a medal in next year's Rio Olympics would be a dream come true, but if it did not happen it won't be the end of the world, said India's woman tennis star Sania Mirza today.

sania copy"It's just a hope, right. If we (she and Leander Paes) win (a medal in mixed doubles), it will be a dream come true. If we don't, life goes on. It's not the end of the world," said the joint world no.1 in women's doubles at a promotional event here.

The Hyderabad-based star was responding to a question about former Davis Cup star Ramesh Krishnan's recent statement that mixed doubles provided veteran Paes, winner of a singles bronze medal in the 1996 Games at Atlanta, his best chance to win his second Olympic medal (with Sania as partner) in Rio.

Krishnan felt India have a good chance to win a medal at Rio in mixed doubles but it would be a great challenge for an ageing Paes to win his second medal at the Olympics.

"He's (Paes) talking about one more Olympics but with each passing day it is getting difficult. I am sure he is hoping and we are also hoping for one last push. The only thing is you can prepare yourself well. You never know what will happen. Mixed doubles is the best option," he said.

Sania, who returned last night from Singapore after winning the women's doubles title with her Swiss partner and joint world no. 1 Martina Hingis in the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, and India football captain Sunil Chhetri were launched as brand ambassadors by pain reliever brand, 'Volini'.

Sania was also very pleased about tennis legend Martina Navrotilova's description in a tweet about her performance in Singapore after presenting the winner's trophy to top seeds Sania and Martina Hingis.

"It's a great honour and I am humbled. She told me I am seeing the ball like a football," said India's best-ever female tennis player about the all-time great's comments after she and the other star Martina won their ninth title of the season with their 22nd consecutive match win.

"@WTA @mhingis @MirzaSania what a dominating performance from the world #1 team but particularly Sania-just awesome!" Navratilova had tweeted.

The Indo-Swiss pair beat the Spanish pair of Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets in the summit clash to clinch the WTA Finals women's doubles crown on Sunday last in Singapore.

Before the WTA crown, Sania and Martina had won eight titles - Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Wimbledon, US Open, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Beijing - and finished runner-up just once (Rome).

Meanwhile, Chhetri expressed optimism that India would do better than what they have done so far in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guam in Bengaluru on November 12.

"We will try our best against Guam at Bengaluru," said the diminutive striker.

India had lost 1-2 to the tiny country in the Western Pacific, in the away first leg clash.

A winless India are already out of reckoning for a final round berth as they have lost all the five matches they have played so far in Group D.

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Agencies
August 1,2020

Colombo, Aug 1: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his interest in playing the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), scheduled to start from August 28.

Pathan is among 70 foreign players to have shown interest in playing the LPL, ESPNcricinfo reported.

It is believed that Pathan has taken permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take part in the competition. 

BCCI doesn't allow active players to participate in other T20 leagues but Pathan announced his retirement in January this year.

Former swashbuckling all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also played in a foreign league last year. He played for Maratha Arabians in the T10 League in Abu Dhabi.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Pathan will now be put in a player draft unless one of the five franchises choose him to be a marquee player. The details of the draft, and the franchise owners, are yet to be finalised and announced. 

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also waiting on some government clearances even as it decides on franchise owners. The five franchises will represent Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna.

On Monday, SLC Executive Committee granted approval for the tournament.

"The 23 match League will be played on the four international venues of R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium. Five teams named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna will participate in the League," SLC said in a statement on Monday.

Sri Lanka has controlled the spread of COVID-19 better than many other cricket-playing nations.

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News Network
April 21,2020

New Delhi, Apr 21: India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday said people seem to have become more compassionate while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and hoped the sense of gratitude towards frontline workers like doctors and police personnel remains even after the crisis is over.

Speaking in an online class organised by "Unacademy", Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma spoke at length about the challenges they faced before tasting success.

"The one positive out of this crisis that we as a society have become more compassionate. We are showing more gratitude to the frontline workers in this war, be it police personnel, doctors or nurses.

"I hope it stays this way even after we overcome this crisis," said Kohli with Sharma seated next to her.

Kohli said the pandemic has taught the world a very important lesson.

"Life is unpredictable. So, do what makes you happy and not get into comparisons all the time. People have a choice now how to come out of this phase. Life is going to be different after this," said the skipper.

For Sharma, the pandemic has forced people to care about the basics in life.

"There is a learning in all of this. Nothing happens without a reason. If the frontline workers were not there, we would not have access to basics," she said..

"This has taught us that no one is special than the other. Health is everything. We are more connected as a society now," she added.

During the session, Kohli was asked about the moment when he felt most helpless.

"I felt nothing was working for me when I was not picked for the state team initially. I cried the whole night and asked my coach 'why did I not get selected'?" he responded.

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Agencies
June 8,2020

New Delhi, Jun 8: Indian pacer S Sreesanth has slammed England all-rounder Ben Stokes for questioning MS Dhoni's intent during a World Cup match, saying that the former captain will end Stokes' career.

Stokes in his book titled 'On Fire' had questioned Dhoni's intent during India's 31-run defeat at the hands of England in the premier tournament last year.

"For Ben Stokes, I will only say that you should pray that Dhoni does not play against you in the future. Dhoni does not forget things easily," Sreesanth said during a Live session on Helo.

"I wish Stokes all the best for whenever he faces Dhoni again, be it IPL or an England vs India match. You must be earning in millions now, Dhoni Bhai will end your career. Dhoni will strike the ball everywhere and he (Stokes) can never dismiss Dhoni. Before he (Stokes) opens his mouth, he should make sure to wear a helmet," he added.

Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding had also come out in support of Dhoni and said that the wicket-keeper batsman wanted to win the match against England.

"Well, people will write anything in books these days, because people are a lot more free with their opinions and when they are writing books, they need to be making headlines at times," Holding had said on his official YouTube channel.

"...It was not the game that India had to win, but I don't think anyone can say that was a team tactic to lose the game. I watched that game and it appeared to me as if India weren't putting up their 100 percent, but I realised it was not the case when the expression on MS Dhoni's face told me that he desperately wanted to win, so I do not think it was a team decision to not try to win," he had added.

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