Champions Trophy: Rotating the strike against spinners or pacers is a challenge, admits KL Rahul

IANS | February 28, 2025 10:33 PM

Dubai, Feb 28 (IANS) Rotating strike through the middle overs against either spinners or pacers on the pitches at the Dubai International Stadium in the 2025 Champions Trophy has been a challenge, India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul admitted on Friday. The pitches in Dubai have been on the slower side and offer turn when batting second, which is when India were on the task of chasing scores of 228 and 249 against Bangladesh and Pakistan, respectively.

ISL 2024-25: Odisha FC’s playoff hopes take a hit in stalemate vs Mohammedan SC

IANS | February 28, 2025 10:18 PM

Bhubaneswar, Feb 28 (IANS) Mohammedan SC played out a 0-0 stalemate against Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday. With this result, Odisha FC’s hopes of making it to the playoffs took a massive hit. They are in seventh place with 30 points from 23 games now, two behind the sixth-positioned Mumbai City FC (32), who have featured in 21 encounters thus far.

Champions Trophy: Australia enter semis after clash with Afghanistan abandoned due to rain

IANS | February 28, 2025 9:59 PM

Lahore, Feb 28 (IANS) Reigning World Champion Australia are through to the semifinals of the 2025 Champions Trophy after their Group B clash against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday. With this, Australia are through to the last-four stage, while Afghanistan are on the brink of elimination from the competition.

Bengaluru Open: Mochizuki ends Barton’s dream run, McCabe stuns Mejia to reach semis

IANS | February 28, 2025 9:25 PM

Bengaluru, Feb 28 (IANS) Seventh seed Shintaro Mochizuki ended Hynek Barton’s dream run at the 2025 Bengaluru Open by knocking out the Czech qualifier from the singles event at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium here on Friday. The 2019 junior Wimbledon Champion beat Barton 7-6(5), 6-3 to advance to the semifinals, where he will play Australian James McCabe.

Champions Trophy: KL Rahul dismisses Rohit, Shami injury concerns ahead of NZ clash

IANS | February 28, 2025 9:04 PM

Dubai, Feb 28 (IANS) After both Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami had left the ground with respective fitness issues during their win against Pakistan, wicket-keeper batter K.L. Rahul confirmed there are no concerns fitness-wise heading into the final group clash against New Zealand on Sunday. Both India and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals from Group A, with hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh set to make early exits after consecutive defeats in the tournament.

Amorim defends skipper Bruno, says ‘My opinion is more important than Roy Keane's’

IANS | February 28, 2025 8:49 PM

Manchester, Feb 28 (IANS) Following the debate that has sparked over the importance of skipper Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, with legend Roy Keane calling the Portuguese midfielder an ‘impostor’, head coach Ruben Amorim has jumped to his captain’s defence. Bruno rallied separate comebacks for Manchester United in the 2-2 draw vs Everton, where the Red Devils were trailing 0-2 at half-time, and in their 3-2 win over Ipswich Town.

Chhattisgarh Open golf: Shaurya Bhattacharya shoots 63 for resounding five-shot win

IANS | February 28, 2025 8:27 PM

Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Feb 28 (IANS) Shaurya Bhattacharya of Delhi stamped his authority with an error-free final round of six-under 63 to register a resounding five-shot victory with a total of 27-under 249 at the INR 1 crore Chhattisgarh Open 2025 at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort here on Friday. Shaurya Bhattacharya (64-61-61-63), the overnight leader by five shots, drove home the advantage on Friday to record his second professional win.

Jos Buttler steps down as England’s white-ball captain following CT debacle

IANS | February 28, 2025 7:57 PM

Karachi, Feb 28 (IANS) England skipper Jos Buttler has announced his decision to step down as captain of the white-ball side after Saturday's game against South Africa, which will complete England's engagements in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. England have already been eliminated from the event after losses to Australia and Afghanistan.

ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters begin quest for three straight wins against playoff-bound Jamshedpur FC

IANS | February 28, 2025 7:33 PM

Kochi, Feb 28 (IANS) Chasing their third straight win, Kerala Blasters FC will host Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. The qualification scenario for Kerala Blasters FC is complicated since they bank on a spate of other results. However, the straightforward equation for them is that they need to win all of their remaining games. So far, they have 24 points from 21 games on the back of seven wins and three draws.