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Irani Cup | From Surrey to Rajkot in 24 hours — the Sai Sudharsan story

Sai Sudharsan with a young fan. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Sai Sudharsan played for Surrey versus Hampshire in the first division county championship from September 26 to 29 in Southampton, arrived here on Saturday (Sep. 30) and opened the innings for Rest of India in the Irani Cup on Sunday!“I arrived at 7.30 yesterday (Saturday) night. 29th was the last day there, so 29th evening I took the 10-hour flight to Mumbai, and came here from Mumbai,” he said after the first day’s play versus Ranji champion Saurashtra.He was on the pitch for 56.2 overs. It wasn’t easy. “When I was playing, I felt dizzy. Because it (the temperature) was 38-39 degrees today. So hot! There (in England) it was 15-16 degrees. So, definitely I felt dizzy. When I had batted through the first session, I fe...
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Mihir Vasavda at Asian Games: Avinash Sable leads from start to finish, wins steeplechase by a country mile

THE EUPHORIC wave, he knew, wasn’t for him. Avinash Sable saw himself on the big screen, heard the roar that echoed inside the giant bowl that the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre is, and glanced towards Jianan Wang, the Chinese long jumper for whom the packed stands cheered.As he waited for his race to begin, Sable was in no illusion about his fame. But he was self-assured about his prowess. “I knew I was faster than all my competitors, and I wanted to run a fast race,” he said. And fast he was. By a country mile. The Indian steeplechaser ran a Games record time of 8 minutes, 19.5 seconds to win India’s first athletics gold medal of the Hangzhou Asiad, a staggering 4.25 seconds faster than the second-placed Japanese Aoki Ryoma. Sunehra Pal 🟰 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋🥇@Avinash3000m, take a Bow 🫡🇮🇳#T...
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Teams deal with warm-up games conundrum

India’s Jasprit Bumrah during warm-up prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 warm up match between Indian and England at Assam Cricket Association Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Guwahati, India. | Photo Credit: Getty Images “Not much to gain for us. Priority is to look after the players. Just a formality.”That was the crux of India captain Rohit Sharma’s brief chat with the host broadcaster after winning the toss against England in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match.No wonder then that India would not have been too disappointed when a thunderstorm that started minutes before the start of play washed the game out. As a result, India left for Thiruvananthapuram for its last warm-up game with only four players training on the pre-match day.The fact that three of the five wa...
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Mihir Vasavda at Asian Games: Jyothi Yarraji, 100 metre hurdles silver medalist on dramatic disqualification before winning medal: I had to stand up for myself

Jyothi Yarraji might not have noticed it, but on an evening where she was involved in an almighty battle against the Chinese sprinters, successfully protested the decision to reinstate the home-favourite and faced a barrage of questions from the state media over the controversy, the young Indian sprinter got support from the unlikeliest of sources – the gold medal winner from China, Lin Yuwei.In an auditorium brimming with Chinese journalists, Yarraji was pressed about her decision to challenge the technical officials’ call to disqualify her from the 100m hurdles final for an alleged false start. They even probed her about the protest that followed, which saw the fastest hurdler in the line-up and gold medal favourite Yanni Wu getting disqualified after the race finished. #AsianGames #...
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Hangzhou Asian Games: Full India schedule on October 2; live updates, live streaming details | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After athletics led India's medal rush on Day 8, the hopes of extending the medal tally continues to rest on track and field athletes on the ninth day of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee will play a historic semifinal in the women's doubles table tennis event.Follow Timesofindia.com's live blog to catch all the action and live updates straight away from Hangzhou.Following is India's Day 9 schedule at the Asian Games on October 2:Archery6:30 AM: India vs Malaysia in Recurve Mixed Team 1/8 EliminationIndia vs UAE in Compound Mixed Team 1/8 EliminationBridge6:30 AM: Jaggy Shivdasani, Sandeep Thakral, Rajeshwar Tiwari, Sumit Mukherjee, Raju Tolani, Ajay Khare - Men Team Round Robin 2-9Kiran Nadar, B Satyanarayana, Himani Khandelwal, Rajeev Khandel...
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Asian Games, boxing: Nikhat Zareen’s long winning streak ends with bronze as Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat neutralises her attacking weapons

A long winning streak, that made Nikhat Zareen feel almost invincible in the 50kg weight category at one point, came to an end on Sunday when the two-time World Champion finished on the wrong side of a 2-3 decision against Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Though Zareen finished with a bronze medal, the overriding feeling would be of a gold lost. Coming into this Olympic qualifying tournament, Zareen was the clear favourite for the gold having won two back-to-back World Championships. But on Sunday, she fell prey to an opponent she had barely escaped from in New Delhi during the Worlds earlier this year. Raksat is crafty, to say the least. One may not get pulsating combinations from her but she’s quick enough to land that first jab and then clinch immediately. It’...
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Twin gold!: Avinash Sable, Tajinderpal Toor headline India’s track and field show | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Avinash Sable created history, becoming the first Indian man to secure a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase event while shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor delivered a strong performance in the final round to successfully defend his title as India had a remarkable Day 8 at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday. Avinash and Toor golds led the medal rush as India secured a total of 15 medals -- their biggest-ever haul in a single day of the Asian Games over all editions -- with athletics emerging as biggest contributor in the Sunday's power-packed performance.(PTI photo)India picked up 2 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze on the day which was marred by controversy in the women's 100m hurdles final.Jyothi Yarraji, along with Chinese runner Wu Yanni, was disqualified for false start bu...
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Cricket World Cup | Netherlands’ Ryan Cook hoping to keep the family tradition of making history

The Netherlands coach Ryan Cook, with the team’s star all-rounder Logan van Beek in the background, at Thiruvananthapuram. | Photo Credit: P.K. Ajith Kumar During Bangladesh’s tour of India four years ago, fielding coach Ryan Cook posed for a picture at the exact place in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens where his father, Jimmy Cook, and Andrew Hudson were photographed as they went out to face the first ball for South Africa in the first ODI against India, back in 1991.It was South Africa’s first-ever ODI and its first official international game after being banned from cricket because of apartheid in 1970. On his latest tour, Cook is hoping to make some history on his own, as the coach of the Netherlands, the only Associate nation to make it to the World Cup. That the Dutchmen have qualified is...
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Asian Games: India sign off with first-ever badminton team silver after losing to China in final | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The absence of the injured HS Prannoy proved to be a major setback as the Indian men's badminton team valiantly fought but eventually lost 2-3 to powerhouse China at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday. Following the unfortunate withdrawal of world No.7 Prannoy due to a back injury, Lakshya Sen displayed exceptional determination in the singles match while the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty dominated their opponents as India got a 2-0 lead.So, it was once again left to Srikanth to carry the team on his shoulders.The former world No. 1, who had produced a gritty show against South Korea in the semifinals, couldn't go the distance this time despite a healthy lead and multiple game points as China fought back to make it 1-2.The defending champions th...
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Asian Games: How Jyothi Yarraji was upgraded to silver in 100m hurdles after false start by favourite Yanni Wu

India’s fastest hurdler Jyothi Yarraji ended third in the women’s 100m hurdles event but was upgraded to a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Sunday after a controversial false start which led to uncertainty about her getting disqualified. The silver medal was finally awarded to Yarraji, but not before she had to make an impassioned case for herself and the race was restarted under the cloud of uncertainty. In the restarted race, Yarraji ended with a time of 12.91 seconds. What had led to the drama was that the race saw a false start by home favourite Yanni Wu, and India’s Yarraji appeared to be reacting to the Chinese hurdler’s cue. Officials initially told both runners that had been disqualified for false start. This led to a audible groan in the stadium, since Wu is one of t...
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Rohit Sharma is the most difficult batter to bowl to, feels Shadab Khan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan on Sunday rated India opener Rohit Sharma as the most difficult batter to bowl to while pointing out that Kuldeep Yadav will be the most dangerous Indian bowler in the upcoming ODI World Cup. From their rousing welcome at the airport to enjoying the Hyderabadi cuisines, Shadab in the first press conference, praised the warmth their team has received in 'City of Nizams'. "I admire Rohit Sharma a lot and among the leading batsmen in the world he is the most difficult to bowl to. Once he gets set he becomes very dangerous. Among the bowlers, since I am a leg-spinner, it will be Kuldeep Yadav given his recent form,” said Shadab."The welcome was fantastic at the (Hyderabad) airport and also a lot of people have been thronging the team hotel and ho...
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Preparations have been good, so has been the hospitality: Shadab

Shadab Khan at the media interaction in Hyderabad on Sunday. | Photo Credit: V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM The team with a bowling attack which performs consistently will win the World Cup, according to leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan of Pakistan.In a media interaction at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, the 24-year-old Shadab said: “We have a very good bowling attack and need to perform as a unit. We are confident of doing well in this World Cup,” he said. “The preparations have been really good and so has been the hospitality here. The welcome was great and the playing conditions are so similar to Rawalpindi back home,” a visibly relaxed Shadab said. “The biggest challenge may be playing in different conditions at different venues and how quickly we adapt,” he said. “Well, expectations will be th...
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Tajinderpal Singh Toor defends Asian Games shot put gold | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor on Sunday successfully defended his Asian Games title with an amazing final throw in Hangzhou. Toor, the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist, came up with a mighty throw of 20.36 metres on his sixth and last attempt to beat back the challenge from his Saudi Arabian rival.With the terrific final throw, Toor overhauled Mohamed Daouda Tolo's distance of 20.18 metres.Toor, however, could not break his own Asian Games record of 20.75m set in 2018 Jakarta. But the 28-year-old's final throw was way too good for his Saudi rival to overhaul in his final attempt.Earlier, Avinash Sable became the first Indian man to win the gold medal in 3000m steeplechase at the Asian GamesSable, the 29-year-old national record holder, earned India its first gold ...
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Asian Games: India, South Korea play out 1-1 draw in women’s hockey – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian women's hockey team was on Sunday held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in their the Asian Games pool A in Hangzhou. Despite the draw, Savita Punia and co. maintained their undefeated run in the competition and continued to lead their pool.Navneet Kaur netted the equalizer in the 44th minute, responding to Cho Hyejin's 12th-minute goal that had given South Korea the lead at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium. With the draw, the Indian team, currently ranked sixth in the world, maintained their position at the top of Pool A, edging out 12th-ranked Korea on goal difference.The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals.India crushed Singapore 13-0 in the opener before notching a 6-0 win over Malaysia.Both teams looked to score from the word go but t...
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Asian Games: Kynan Darius Chenai wins bronze in men’s trap individual event – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian shooter Darius Kynan Chenai has added to India's medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou by securing a bronze medal in the men's trap individual final on Sunday.Chenai's impressive performance earned him a total of 32 points, securing the bronze medal. The gold medal was claimed by China's Ying Qi with 46 points, while Kuwait's Talat Alrashidi bagged the silver with 45 points.Asian Games Day 8This achievement marks India's 22nd medal in shooting at the Asian Games, culminating in their best-ever performance in the sport at this prestigious event.In the women's trap final, India's Manisha Keer secured a sixth-place finish with a score of 16 points, narrowly missing out on a medal.Earlier, the Indian shooting trio of Manisha Keer, Preeti Rajak, and Rajeshwari ...
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Asian Games: Boxer Parveen Hooda seals Paris Olympics quota, assures India of a medal | Asian Games 2023 News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian boxer Parveen Hooda, a bronze medallist at the World Championships, has guaranteed India a medal at the Asian Games and secured a quota for the Paris Olympics. Competing in the 57kg category, Parveen Hooda clinched a spot in the semifinals with a unanimous verdict victory over Uzbekistan's Sitora Turdibekova.The reigning Asian champion showcased her prowess from the outset, using her long reach to deliver punches from a distance and control the match. Hooda seamlessly switched between the left jab and right cross, keeping her opponent, the 21-year-old Uzbek, off balance.Asian Games Day 8Parveen employed a strategic approach, initially taking an offensive stance in the opening round before adapting to Turdibekova's movements, ultimately landing precise scoring punches.W...
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‘I’m used to it now…it’s been three World Cups’: Yuzvendra Chahal on exclusion from India squad | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shed light on his recent exclusion from India's squad for the upcoming 2023 Men's ODI World Cup, expressing his understanding of the situation and his determination to focus on the longer format of the game, Test cricket.Chahal, a consistent presence in India's white-ball squads since his debut in 2016, found himself missing from the 15-member squad for the highly anticipated World Cup, which is set to take place on home soil from October 5 to November 19.This marked the third consecutive global event from which Chahal has been omitted, following his absence from the 2021 Men's T20 World Cup and his limited participation in the 2022 edition of the same tournament held in Australia.In response to the disappointment of not being included ...
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Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur’s new coach: Inheriting football love from his immigrant father to becoming a father figure to Spurs

In less than three months, Ange Postecoglou, has transformed a perennially chaotic club to one of the bright lights of this premier league season so far. Post the Mauricio Pochettino era, where hopes flickered that Tottenham Hotspur would put decades of confusion and chaos behind, the club has swung between being aimless and directionless, with an occasional hope affirming performance only to be thrust back into the gallows of pain and futility.Curiously, in the season they lost their talisman and one of their greatest, Harry Kane, they have orchestrated the most attacking and attractive brand of football they had this century. Most staggering has been that the transformation has been smooth and seamless. It’s like he just came and sprinkled the proverbial magic dust. It’s not quite lik...
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Asian Games: Indian shooters clinch gold and silver in trap shooting team events – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian shooting contingent had another day to remember at the Asian Games, securing the gold medal in the men's team and a silver in the women's team in the trap shooting events on Sunday. The Indian trio of Prithviraj Tondaiman, Kynan Chenai, and Zoravar Singh Sandhu dominated the men's trap shooting competition, while the trio of Manisha Keer, Preeti Rajak, and Rajeshwari Kumari shone in the women's trap team event, contributing to India's best-ever performance in shooting at the Games.Asian Games Day 8The Indian men's team demonstrated their exceptional marksmanship by combining to shoot a total score of 361 in the qualifications. This outstanding performance earned them the gold medal, ahead of the silver medallists from Kuwait - Khaled Almudhaf, Talal Alrashidi, and ...
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ICC World Cup: Baroda, Hardik Pandya’s maximum city

As the World Cup caravan is set to roll across the length and breath of India, a pertinent question arises: how does a place and its social milieu shape a cricketer and influence their game? Could Virat Kohli have been the same man and player were he born in Guwahati East and not in West Delhi? Or what would have happened to Kuldeep Yadav had he been from Colaba in Mumbai? We find out in this seven-part series.In the late 90s, a father in Surat faced a dilemma. Baroda or Mumbai? He wanted his two sons to chase their sporting dreams and for that he was willing to start afresh in a city with a cricketing culture. Eventually, he decided to make Baroda his new home. That one decision that Hardik Pandya’s father Himanshu took changed the fortunes of his family forever. Baroda would go on to ...