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Let the games begin! Defending champions Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders in opening match of IPL 7

April 16, 2014

Knight_RidersAbu Dhabi, Apr 16: First there was the drama over the venue - thanks to the general election being held in India - and then there was a case in the Supreme Court on whether or not Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals should be allowed to participate in this year's Indian Premier League - thanks to the spot-fixing fiasco that broke out in IPL-6.

The Supreme Court had almost threatened to suspend the two teams after the Mukul Mudgal Commission inferred that CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan and a few RR players and officials were involved in betting, but decided otherwise.

Come Wednesday, off-field issues will take a backseat - at least for fans - as defending champions Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

It couldn't have been a better sight for cricket fans in the UAE as Indian cricketers return to the Emirates after almost eight years - having last played two matches in 2006. And the excitement is evident from the fact that all matches going into the weekend are already sold out.

While MI are definitely favourites on paper, one can never say till the final ball is bowled in a T20 match. And who would know it better than 2012 champions KKR. Having come into the sixth edition as defending champions, KKR failed to do much and finished a dismal seventh. But the management took note of the failure and only skipper Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine were retained.

For Mumbai, it is all about starting from where they left last season. While the batting looks as safe as houses in the hands of Michael Hussey and skipper Rohit Sharma, one cannot talk of Mumbai and forget their latest star recruit Corey Anderson. The all-rounder will definitely want to use the tournament to show that scoring the fastest hundred in ODIs was no flash in the pan.

Sadly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have more on its mind than the opening match of the IPL. After all, the SC will hear BCCI's plea seeking transcripts of the deposition made by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan and IPL COO Sundar Raman on Wednesday morning.

The BCCI is clearly aware of the beating that the credibility of the T20 league has taken over the last year, and that is one of the main reasons why the BCCI decided to do away with a gala opening ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

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Agencies
March 25,2020

Lausanne, Mar 25: The World Archery has hailed as a 'brave decision' the International Olympic Committee (IOC) move to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until next year due to coronavirus pandemic.

"We commend the conscientious and brave decision taken by Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee to delay this summer's Games in the face of an unprecedented challenge to humanity," Ugur Erdener, the World Archery president, said in an official statement.

The decision to postpone the Summer Olympics was confirmed by the IOC, on Tuesday, after the organising body for the event and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to reschedule the quadrennial event in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is not an easy situation, especially for the athletes who had been training hard for Tokyo 2020. I hope that everyone understands why this decision has been made and I urge archers around the world to retain hope and reset for this new timetable," he added.

The IOC has, however, said that the original name of Tokyo 2020 will remain intact irrespective of the fact that it will take place next year.

The Tokyo Olympic Games were slated to be held from July 24 to August 9.

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News Network
May 21,2020

Mumbai, May 21: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has chosen legendary Sachin Tendulkar over current skipper Virat Kohli as a better batsman in the ODI format, considering the changed rules of the game and the Mumbaikar's longevity of career.

Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, played 463 ODIs and amassed 18, 426 runs with 49 hundreds at an average of 44.83.

Kohli, on the other hand, has played 248 ODIs and scored 11, 867 runs with 43 tons at an average of 59.33.

"Sachin Tendulkar, because probably with one white ball and four fielders inside the circle, not five fielders outside, it will be Sachin Tendulkar for me," Gambhir said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected'.

Nowadays, a one-day innings is played with two white balls and with three powerplays.

In the first power play (overs 1-10), two fielders are allowed beyond the 30-yard circle, while in the second powerplay (overs 10-40) four fielders are allowed. In the last powerplay (overs 40-50), five fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

Gambhir, who was the star performer in 2011 ODI World Cup final which India won, feels that the change in rules has helped batsmen.

"It's difficult because Virat Kohli has done phenomenally well but I think the rules have changed as well, which has helped a lot of new batters," elaborated Gambhir, who played 58 Tests and 147 ODIs.

"The new generation, with 2 new balls, no reverse swing, nothing for the finger spin, five fielders inside for the 50 overs, probably that makes batting much easier.

He said he would also go with Tendulkar, considering his longevity and flow of the ODI cricket format at that time.

"Probably I’ll go with Sachin Tendulkar if we see the longevity and flow of the one-day cricket format.

"Look at how Sachin Tendulkar has played, different rules, that time 230 to 240, was a winning total," Gambhir signed off. 

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Agencies
July 31,2020

Northamptonshire, Jul 31: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez has tested positive for coronavirus, and as a result, he will miss the British Grand Prix.

The Racing Point driver was absent from the circuit on Thursday after self-isolating following what his team called an "inconclusive" test. Perez then re-tested later in the day and it returned positive.

Formula 1 is following a strict testing regime as part of the safety protocols put in place when racing resumed earlier this month, and this is the first time a driver has tested positive.

"Perez has entered self-quarantine in accordance with the instructions of the relevant public health authorities, and will continue to follow the procedure mandated by those authorities," Formula 1 and the FIA said in a statement.

"With the assistance of the local organiser of the British Grand Prix, local health authorities and the FIA COVID-19 delegate, a full track and trace initiative has been undertaken and all close contacts have been quarantined," the statement added.

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