Anand in command with 3 wins
london: Viswanathan Anand continued with his winning ways and scored a second victory against luke McShane of England to secure a commanding lead in the preliminary round of the london Chess Classic in progress at the Olympia. Anand came up with some brilliant planning to score two back-to-back victories after earlier crushing Andrei Istratescu of France in the third round game and sealed his place in the knockout stage of the Classic this year reserved for the top two finishers. Anand showed his class to beat McShane out of an Irregular Queen pawn opening.
Boult takes 10 as NZ thrash Wi
Wellington: Trent Boult led New Zealand to their first Test win in more than a year today when he produced career best figures in a fiery bowling display that crushed the West Indies inside three days. The West Indies lost 16 wickets on the third day as they handed New Zealand a comprehensive victory by an innings and 73 runs. The West Indies resumed Friday at 158-4 in the first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 441. They were forced to follow on when they collapsed to be all out for 193, and the second innings ended at 175. Boult was the chief destroyer with six for 40 in the first innings where his last four wickets came in the space of six deliveries. Brief Scores: NZ: 441 beat WI: 193 (Samuels 60; Boult 6/40) and 175 (Powell 36; Boult 4/40, Southee 3/24) by an innings and 73 runs.
Akhil wins Gold on comeback
Ranchi: Olympian Akhil Kumar returned to competitive boxing in style, winning the light weight (60kg) gold medal at the All India Police Games here by defeating Uttarakhand Police’s Rahul Thakur 21-10 in the final on Friday. The former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist, who made a comeback to the ring at this tournament after having to stay away for almost two years due to injuries, was at his clinical best as he controlled the bout from the word go. “It wasn’t easy. I know maybe it looked like it, but there is so much that needs to be factored in before you draw a conclusion such as this. Thakur fought well, and he is a bright prospect,” he said.
CAG objects tax exemptions to BCCI
New Delhi: Government auditor CAG on Friday slammed the Income Tax Department for extending irregular exemptions to four cricket affiliates of BCCI, resulting in short-levy of tax of over Rs 37 crore. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report tabled in Parliament said the I-T Department allowed irregular exemptions on income from TV rights given to four Cricket Associations engaged in commercial activity, which led to short levy of tax of Rs37.23 crore. "I-T Department allowed exemption in four... Cases for income received from TV rights from BCCI in cases of Saurashtra Cricket Association, Baroda Cricket Association, Kerala Cricket Association and Maharashtra Cricket Association resulting in short levy of tax of Rs37.23 crore," it said in a report tabled in Parliament. The CAG said under Section 2 (15) of the Income Tax Act, a public utility activity cannot be treated as "charitable" if it involves carrying out of any activity in the nature of trade, commerce or business.
Oly inclusion will be a gift: Sushil
New Delhi: Welcoming the IOC's decision to revoke India's suspension if the IOA holds its polls next year, Sushil Kumar on Friday said the country's sports administrators have been provided with an opportunity by the world body to present a "perfect gift" to its athletes before next year's CWG and Asian Games. "It's now up to our sports administrators to present the Indian athletes with a perfect gift before the all-important Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year. All the athletes want to compete under the tri-colour. We all want to return to the Olympic fold," Sushil said.
Bedi protests pacer’s inclusion
New Delhi: Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi has shot off a letter to Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley protesting about the inclusion of rookie pacer Navdeep Saini in the senior squad for the Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha starting on Saturday. A letter signed by Bedi on the NCT (National Capital Territory) Cricket Association letterhead, of which the legendary left-arm spinner is the president, was sent to Jaitley seeking his intervention.