Chepauk can host WT20 matches
New Delhi: The MA Chidmabaram Stadium (Chepauk) in all likelihood will get a go-ahead from the BCCI as well as ICC in their bid to host matches of the ICC World T20, scheduled to be played in March-April, 2016. There was couple of reasons for BCCI being wary of giving any matches to Chepauk. Primarily, the three empty stands I, J and K for which the TNCA has not got clearance certificate as they don’t comply to the norms. According to CMDA (Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority) norms, the gap between two stands should be eight metres, which currently is 5.4 metres. The second reason is that Sri lankan team cannot play in Chennai. However it has been learnt that BCCI will not strip Chepauk from list of venues as they feel having three empty stands will not be a problem.
Pune to host first leg of SF in ISl
New Delhi: Pune’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium in Balewadi will host the first leg of the semi-final between Chennaiyin FC and defending champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) on Saturday. IMG-Reliance and Star India along with the Chennaiyin FC management took the decision to move the club’s home ground to Pune, after evaluating all possibilities for Chennai to host the semi-final match in the wake of devastating flood that hit the southern city. “The decision was particularly difficult, but it was one which had to be taken, keeping in mind the current situation in Chennai,” a statement said.
Aces lose 24-25 to Mavericks
Manila: Defending champions Indian Aces suffered their first loss in the second IPTl, going down narrowly 24-25 to Philippine Mavericks here on Tuesday. In a contest that went down to the wire, Serbian Milos Raonic grabbed the fifth set after a nail-biting fight with Spain’s Rafeal Nadal. Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza then earned the Aces a 2-1 lead when they sent the Filipino-American duo of Treat Huey and Serena Williams packing with a 6-3 win in the mixed doubles competition. With the scores levelled, Nadal took the court against Raonic but the Spaniard failed lost 6-5 (7-6). Earlier, UAE Royals defeated Singapore Slammers 26-23.
Jadeja breaks into top-10
Dubai: India's left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has broken into top-10 of the Test bowlers rankings for the first time as he climbed up four places to earn a career-best seventh position, while Ravichandran Ashwin gained a spot to top the all-rounders' list. Ajinkya Rahane became India's highest-ranked Test batsman. He has stormed up 14 places to claim a career-high 12th spot. Umesh Yadav has achieved a career-best 32nd position in the Test bowlers' chart. Kohli is at 14th. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara also figure in top 20.