India set to defend Kabaddi World Cup crown

September 21, 2016

Mumbai, Sep 21: Inspiration was not in short supply when two-time kabaddi World Cup champions India named their 14-member side at a city hotel here, on Tuesday. One of Indian cricket's biggest names, Kapil Dev was on stage as the squad, which is expected to get its hand around the coveted trophy for third time in a row, was announced with much fanfare.

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On expected lines Anup Kumar was anointed skipper for the marquee event. The raider from Haryana will have his statemate Manjeet Chhillar as his deputy. A highly talented all-rounder, Chhillar, much like Kapil in 1983, will be the key for the hosts in the 12-team World Cup that gets underway at the state-of-art The Arena TransStadia, in Ahmedabad from October 7-22. India are placed in Pool A along with another strong contender South Africa and according to head coach Balwan Singhhis boys are training as hard as ever to further tighten their grip on the trophy that has stayed at home for years now.

"The camp hosted in Ahmedabad involved rigorous training that helped us select the right set of players for the Indian squad. Our aim is to have a balanced team composition for the upcoming World Cup," said Balwan. "We are expecting the tournament to be more competitive than ever this year. It will be the biggest challenge that the Indian team has faced in recent times," the Dhronacharya award winner added.

The team has been training at the SAI facility in Gandhinagar since August 22 and will go through another camp till October 5 before beginning their campaign against South Korea on October 7.

Kapil Dev, a known motivator who has been there and done that, unveiled the team jersey and presented it to each of the team members. The cricket icon also presented captain Anup an autographed T-shirt, which he had donned during India's successful campaign at the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985.

Asked by Anup about how he handled pressure in tight situations as a captain, Kapil said: "Players don't feel pressure once they are involved with the team. Just enjoy the game and results will come. If a mistake is made during play, the captain should take the blame and if the team does well he should credit the entire team for it," said Kapil in his own inimitable style.

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India fold for 242 after batting collapse in final session of day 1

News Network

February 29,2020

Feb 29: India were all out for 242 in their first innings following a stunning battling collapse, triggered by paceman Kyle Jamieson on the opening day of the second cricket Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, here on Saturday.

India were steady at 194 for five at tea but lost wickets in quick succession after the play resumed. Jamieson returned figures of 14-3-45-5.

Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with his combative 55 while Prithvi Shaw (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (54) hit contrasting half-centuries.

Virat Kohli's (3) poor run continued while his deputy Ajikya Rahane (7) also fell cheaply.

India lost last five wickets for 48 runs, of which 26 were contributed by last-wicket pair of Mohammed Shami (16) and Jasprit Bumrah (10).

Brief Scores:

India 1st innings: 242 all out in 63 overs. (H Vihari 55, P Shaw 54, C Pujara 54 batting; Kyle Jamieson 5/45, Tim Southee 2/38, ).

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Virat Kohli only Indian again in Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes

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May 30,2020

New York, May 30: Cricket superstar Virat Kohli remains the only Indian in the Forbes' list of world's highest-paid athletes with total earnings of USD 26 million, jumping to the 66th spot from 100 in the 2020 standings.

Kohli's earnings from endorsement stand at USD 24 million and USD 2 million from salary/winnings. The 31-year-old is also the only cricketer in the top-100 list.

With earnings of USD 25 million, Kohli was ranked 100th in 2019 and 83rd in 2018 with USD 24 million.

Tennis legend Roger Federer has toped the list for the first time with earnings of USD 106.3 million, rising from fifth place last year.

Football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are second and third respectively with earnings of USD 105 and USD 104 million.

The others in the top-10 are Neymar (football), LeBron James (basketball), Stephen Curry (basketball), Kevin Durrant (basketball), Tigers Woods (golf), Kirk Cousins (American football) and Carson Wentz (American football).

The athletes' earnings have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which led to suspension of sporting activities all around the world.

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Saina Nehwal is the only Indian to feature in the world’s 20 most charitable athletes, as per a list compiled by the US based website in Athletes Gone Good.

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After declaring Sri Lanka sold 2011 World Cup final to India, Lankan minister says it's his suspicion

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June 25,2020

Jun 25: After asserting that the 2011 World Cup final was "sold" by "certain parties" in Sri Lanka to India, the island nation's former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has now called his claim a "suspicion" that he wants investigated.

The Lankan government has ordered an enquiry into the matter and a special Police investigation unit recorded Aluthgamage's statement on Wednesday. He told the team that he was only suspicious of fixing.

"I want my suspicion investigated," Aluthgamage told reporters.

"I gave to the Police, a copy of the complaint I lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on 30 October 2011 regarding the said allegation as then Sports Minister," he said.

Aluthgamage has alleged that his country "sold" the game to India, a claim that was ridiculed by former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who demanded evidence from him.

Set a target of 275, India clinched the trophy thanks to the brilliance of Gautam Gambhir (97) and then skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91).

"Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 world cup, I said this when I was the sports minister," Aluthgamage, who was the sports minister at the time, had stated.

Sangakkara, the captain of Sri Lanka at that time, asked him to produce evidence for an anti-corruption probe.

"He needs to take his 'evidence' to the ICC and the Anti corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly," he tweeted.

Jayawardene, also a former captain who scored a hundred in that game, ridiculed the charge.

"Is the elections around the corner...like the circus has started...names and evidence?" he asked in a tweet.

Aluthgamage said that in his opinion no players were involved in fixing the result, "but certain parties were."

Both Aluthgamage and the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa were among the invitees at the final played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Following his allegations, Aravinda de Silva, the former great who was the then chairman of selectors, has urged the BCCI to conduct its own investigation.

De Silva has said he is willing to travel to India to take part in such an investigation despite the current COVID-19 threat.

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