‘leave it on members to decide IPl fate’
New Delhi: BCCI president Anurag Thakur on Thursday wrote an emotional letter to all state association stating that "in light of recent comments made against IPl, all members need to collectively decide, whether to stop this 'extravaganza'." Thakur wrote that he is "pained at the frivolous comments that have been made about the IPl including calling it an "extravaganza"." Thakur stated in his letter about the financial gains of BCCI due to the cash-rich league. "In the last nine years, state associations have got Rs2,406 crore from the IPl profits, the further investment in the game. BCCI has paid Rs110 crore from the IPl profits to ex - cricketers as onetime benefit, those who were not covered under platinum jubilee scheme of the board."
Sreejesh retained as captain
New Delhi: Star goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh was on Thursday retained as captain of the Indian men's hockey team for the fourth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy, to be held at Kuantan in Malaysia from October 20. Mid-fielder Manpreet Singh was named Sreejesh's deputy in the 18-member squad announced by Hockey India (HI). The squad is a mix of young and experienced players. Star drag flicker V.R. Raghunath has been rested along with the forwardline duo of Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh while seasoned defender Birendra lakra makes a come-back after an injury lay-off. While the midfield line-up remains unchanged, the forwardline will see Talwinder Singh and lalit Kumar Upadhyay. Defender Jasjit Singh Kular will be expected to double-up as drag flicker in the absence of Raghunath. Scheduled two months after the Olympic Games, the men's Asian Champions Trophy will see India, Korea, Japan, China and hosts Malaysia challenge defending champions Pakistan.
Anand draws with Nepomniachtchi
Moscow: Viswanathan Anand played out a draw with in-form Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia and remained in the joint third spot in the 10th edition of Tal memorial chess tournament here. The penultimate round yet again provided no fireworks and all the five games ended in truce resulting in no change in standings for the second day running. Anand did not have to worry too much even as Nepomniachtchi pressed for some advantage in the English opening as white. The initial pressure was warded off first with the trade of queens and later by some key positional manoeuvres.
Kunal, Sharrmadaa reach quarters
New Delhi: Seeded men's players continue to tumble at the National Tennis Championship with Delhi lad Kunal Anand packing third seed VM Ranjeet in the quarterfinals of the Fenesta Open, here on Thursday. The 24-year-old Anand erased a one-set deficit to knock the former champion 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 wins in humid conditions at DlTA Complex. He now runs into top seed and favourite Vishnu Vardhan, who dumped Dalwinder Singh 6-2, 6-4. Haadin Bava also entered the men's singles semi-finals by defeating Jayesh Pungaliya 7-5, 6-2. In the women's matches, top seed Riya Bhatia fought her way past Nidhi Chilumula 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-2.
Shivani, Tanvi enter q/f
Bangkok: Promising Indian shuttlers Ruthvika Shivani Gadde, Tanvi lad and Siril Verma advanced to the quarterfinals in the singles events of the Russian Open Grand Prix at Sport Hall Olympic here on Thursday. Fourth seed Ruthvika defeated fellow Indian Arundhati Pantawane 21-9, 21-10 to set up a fight against Elena Komendrovskaja in women's singles. Third seed Tanvi also disposed off Russia's Ekaterina Kut 21-10, 21-13 and will face Evgeniya Kosetskaya next.