Ojha is India A captain for Aus tour
New Delhi: Wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha was today named captain of the India A team, which will take part in the two unofficial 'Tests' and a four-nation One-day tournament, in Australia, starting August 14. Ojha had a memorable Australia tour with India A team in 2014 when he had struck a double hundred and a hundred in a four-day match. Ranji Trophy's highest run scorer Shreyas Iyer, who was ignored for the West Indies tour, is also part of the squad along with Kedar Jadhav, Axar Patel, Barinder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni. Pacer Varun Aaron also finds a spot after being overlooked for India's tour of the West Indies. India A Squad : Naman Ojha (C), Faiz Fazal, Akhil Herwadkar, Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Barinder Sran, Shahbaz Nadeem, Varun Aaron and Sanju Samson.
10 Spanish players drug tested by UEFA
Saint-Martin-De-Re: Two-time defending champions Spain's preparations for their Euro 2016 last 16 clash with Italy were disrupted as 10 players were forced to take an anti-doping control by UEFA on Saturday. "On Saturday morning, 10 internationals were required by officials from UEFA's anti-doping control to do an out of competition test at their hotel base in Isle de Re," the Spanish football federation said in a statement. The players were not named. "Blood and urine tests were taken without any incident." Spain face Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2012 final in Paris on Monday.
Jitu Rai wins silver in ISSF World Cup
Baku: 'Pistol King' Jitu Rai pipped three-time Olympic champion Jongoh Jin of Korea to clinch the silver medal at the ISSF Shooting World Cup here on Saturday, signalling his intentions ahead of the Rio Games. Rai shot 199.5 in the finals to bag the silver medal in men's 10m air pistol. Rai qualified sixth after he shot 580 with 22xs. The eventual gold medal winner qualified in seventh position. "I am very happy with the medal and this is sure to give me a confidence boost, coming just before the Olympics," Jitu said after the eight-man final. Among other Indian performances of the day, Omkar Singh shot 575 to finish 28th in the men's 10m Air Pistol while Gurpreet Singh shot 569 to end 42nd in the same event.
Rajput appointed Afghan cricket coach
Kabul: Former India batsman lalchand Rajput was on Saturday named head coach of the Afghanistan national cricket team, replacing ex-Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq who resigned from the post in April. "Mr. Rajput has coached the Indian Under-19 Cricket side as well as the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPl. His experience is a key asset for Afghanistan Cricket," Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Danish Nasimullah said in a statement. "We have received several applications from all over the world, lalchand Rajput and also Mohammad Kaif were shortlisted for the final round of interview. However Rajput was selected by the selection committee," he said. According to reports, Rajput's name was recommended by the BCCI and he is in line for a two-year contract, but that decision would be finalised after the upcoming tour of Europe. After his retirement, Rajput served as joint secretary of Mumbai Cricket Association. He also took up coaching, which included successful stints with the India Under-19 and 'A' teams.
Boxing is dead in India, says Mary Kom
Bengaluru: India's most decorated woman boxer MC Mary Kom on Saturday rued that the sport is as good as "dead in India" because there has been no competition happening with national association in a limbo. "I hope this event will give a big boost for fighters and for upcoming youngsters," she said. "Boxing in India is almost dead. There are no major competitions held for the past two years in India. I miss tears welling up in my eyes when I see the Indian flag going up after I had won a medal in an international event," Mary Kom said at inauguration of Ultimate Boxing Championship organised by Phoenix Market City here. "I congratulate Dutee on her qualication for Rio Olympics. It is a great honour to represent country at the Olympics. Its a matter of great pride as she became first woman in 36 years after PT Usha to qualify for 100m dash", Mary Kom said.