India to play 203 games with 51 Tests
new delhi: World cricket's most marketable team India will once again play the maximum number of international matches across three formats - 203 in the next five-year Futures & Programme Cycle (2018-2023). In this period, India is expected to play 51 Test matches, 83 ODIs and a record 69 T20 Internationals. India's number of matches is significantly more than second-placed West Indies (186 matches) and third-placed England at 175. However, contrary to popular perception, India will play the second highest number of Tests, which is four more than Australia, who are third with 47 games in longest format. However in ODIs and T20s, India are playing more games with West Indies playing 75 ODIs and 68 T20s.
Srikanth, Prannoy slip in BWF ranking
new delhi: Indian shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and H S Prannoy on Thursday slipped three and five places to be placed at the seventh and 13th spots respectively in the latest BWF world ranking. Srikanth, who had clinched the Silver at the Commonwealth Games, has not played in any tournament since participating at the Asia championship in April, while Prannoy had decided to not defend his US Open title and it seemed to have affected their ranking. In women's singles, P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal continued to remain static at the third and 10th spot respectively. 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Parupalli Kashyap, who had reached the finals at US Open last year, meanwhile, crashed out of the top 50 after he couldn't play at the tournament following an injury. He is now at 51st position. Former world no 13 Ajay Jayaram, who had slipped out of the top 100 after missing in action due to a long injury lay-off following a hamstring injury, was rewarded for his semifinal finish at the US Open. He jumped 39 places to be at the 95th spot.
Amit, Gaurav enter semis of german tourney
new delhi: Commonwealth Games medallists Amit Panghal (49kg) and Gaurav Solanki (52kg) were among the three Indians boxers to enter the semifinals but Vikas Krishan (75kg) bowed out of the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany. Dheeraj Rangi (64kg) was the third Indian boxer to be assured of a medal after he defeated local hope Wladislaw Baryshnik 4-1. However, Vikas' campaign ended with a loss to Olympic champion Arlen lopez of Cuba. In bouts held Wednesday night, Amit defeated Germany's Christopher Goman 5-0, while Gaurav recorded a comprehensive win over Russia's Vadim Kudriakov by a similar margin. However, CWG Silver-medallist Manish Kaushik (60kg), Bronze-medallist Naman Tanwar (91kg) and Ankush Dahiya (60kg) bowed out after opening-round losses.
Chandimal appeals against suspension
gros islet: Sri lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal on Thursday appealed against the ICC's decision to suspend him from the third Test of the ongoing tour of the West Indies due to ball-tampering. Chandimal had been charged by the ICC for ball-tampering during the second Test here after video evidence suggested that he applied saliva to the ball shortly after putting what appeared to be a sweet in his mouth. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, before attending the hearing where match referee Javagal Srinath, after utilising the time available to him under the code to make his decision, handed Chandimal the maximum punishment.