Blind cricketers from India, England and Sri Lanka would take part in the upcoming bilateral and triangular cricket series scheduled for October 2-27 across the country, organisers said on Sunday.

Samarthanam and Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) are organising the series.

India during the day announced a 17-member squad for a three-match T20 series with England – the first bilateral series between the two countries.

The matches will be held on October 2, 3 and 4 at SSE Sports ground, Tanisandra near Hajbhavan, Bangalore. Indus Ind Bank are the major sponsors of the series.

Sri Lanka will join to play a triangular series in Bangalore and Goa, and later half of the month India and Sri Lanka will play a bilateral series in other parts of the country.

The dates for the triangular and India and Sri Lanka Bilateral will be announced later, they said.

Mahantesh GK, President of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), World Blind Cricket and Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam, said: “Blind cricketers are blessed with immense potential and bilateral and triangular series is a perfect stage to display their determination.”

Fifth seeded Indian team on Sunday drew their crucial sixth round match against the second seeded Russia in the 43rd World Chess Olympiad at Georgia.

In the women’s section, the fifth seeded Indian team drew with 10th seeded USA winning two and losing two games.

Former World Champion V.Anand signed peace treaty after 43 moves with Ian Nepomniachtchi on the top board.

Similarly P.Harikrishna, Vidit Santhosh Gujrathi and B.Adhiban split points with Vladimir Kramik, Nikita Vitiugov and Dmitry Jakovenko respectively.

For the Indian eves it was a day of mixed luck with two early wins and two losses.

Playing in the top board, the Indian eves tasted their first victory on the top board with Koneru Humpy disposing of Anna Zatonskih in 35 moves.

Curiously Humpy had two queens (she had queened a pawn) on the seventh rank apart from having a rook, a knight and three pawns to her opponents’ queen, two rooks and three pawns.

Playing on the second board, Harika Dronavalli found herself in difficulties against the much lower rated Irina Krush and conceded the game after the American made her 57th move.

On the third board Tania Sachdev continued her winning form defeating Tatev Abrahamyan in 31 moves.

The fourth board saw India’s Eesha Karavade losing out to Jennifer Yu.

IANS

Bihar’s Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad was elected the President of Hockey India following the eighth Hockey India Congress on Monday.

Ahmad, who formerly held the Secretary General’s post, will succeed Rajinder Singh after being elected unopposed, according to a Hockey India statement.

While Gyanendro Ningombam of Manipur will take over as the Senior Vice President, Asima Ali of Jammu and Kashmir and Bhola Nath Singh of Jharkhand will be the new Vice Presidents.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajinder Singh has been elected the Secretary General and Tapan Kumar Das of Assam was re-elected the Treasurer.

Former Indian women’s team Captain Asunta Lakra of Jharkhand was elected the Joint Secretary along with Firoz Ansari of Chhattisgarh.

Meanwhile, Arti Singh of Rajasthan, M. Renuka Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu and S.V.S. Subramanya Gupta, currently heading Hockey Karnataka, were elected unopposed as Executive Members.

R.P. Singh and Joydeep Kaur were re-appointed as Athlete Representatives after their nomination was ratified at the Congress.

After a hard-fought win over Bangladesh in a nail-biting Asia Cup final, stand-in India skipper Rohit Sharma praised his players for handling pressure well beside playing quality cricket throughout the tournament.

In an unpredictable affair in the finals, the lower and middle order batsmen helped India clinch its seventh Asia Cup title after the top order collapsed against a disciplined Bangladesh bowlers.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit said: “We played some good cricket throughout the tournament and this is the reward of all the hardwork throughout the tournament.”

“I have been part of games like this before and credit to the guys in the middle to handle the pressure and to cross the finishing line was a fantastic effort,” he added.

Rohit meanwhile, also praised Bangladesh for their fighting spirit in a do-or-die contest.

“You have to give some credit to Bangladesh. They put us under pressure in the first 10 overs,” said the 31-year-old right hander.

“It wouldn’t be easy if we didn’t have the support of the remaining 10 players, so I am really proud of the boys,” the India skipper said praising his teammates.

On the other hand, commenting on the match, Bagladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said: “We bowled really well, particularly if we made 240+. We asked the batsmen to make at least 260, but at the end of the day the bowlers did really well.”

“I wanted to bowl the quicks first, because I wanted to restrict the runs since they were going after us and trying to play shots at that stage,” he added.

Significantly, it was India’s seventh Asia Cup title.

IAns

The fifth seeded Indian teams under open and women’s category won their matches comfortably against Paraguay and Argentina, respectively, in the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Georgia.

Both the Indian teams won with identical scores 3.5-0.5 against their respective rivals.

In the open section, recovering from the quick 26-move defeat he suffered on Thursday against Fabiano Caruana, former World Champion Viswanathan Anand coasted to a comfortable 26-move victory against Neuris Delgado Ramirez.

On the second board, P.Harikrishna drew his game against Guillermo Vazquez in 59 moves.

The team captain and coach R.B. Ramesh decided to retain K. Sasikiran on the fourth board and rest young Vidit Santhosh Gujrathi.

As a result, B. Adhiban playing on the third board defeated Antonio Almiron in 35 moves.

On the fourth board, Sasikiran did not find any difficulty in packing off the much lower rated Paulo Jodorcovsky Werjivker in 35 moves.

In the women’s section, India’s top most ranked player Koneru Humpy defeated Carolina Lujan in 52 moves.

On the second board, Harika Dronavalli found herself in problem and managed to draw against Claudia Amura in 65 moves.

The other two players Eesha Karavade and Tania Sachdeva defeated their opponents.

The Indian women’s team has not lost any round till now.

On the other hand, the Indian open team has suffered one loss and only Anand has lost a game while his team mates have either won or split the points with their opponents.

Eight teams have formed some of the best combinations from a pool of 64 top cricketers in the Players Draft for the second edition of the T10 League, it was announced on Friday.

The limited ten-over format cricket will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium between November 23 to December 2.

Eight teams — Kerala Kings, Punjab Legends, Maratha Arabians, Bengal Tigers, The Karachians, Rajputs, Northern Warriors and Pakhtoons — have been drawn in to two groups to fight it out in the 2nd Season of T10 League.

This year, two teams — The Karachians and Northern Warriors — have been added to the list of the earlier six teams. This will expand the support and fan base of the T10 League.

This year’s Players’ Draft featured a number of Afghan players who displayed exceptional skills in international cricket.

Last year’s champions Kerala Kings have picked up top class cricketers like Chris Gale, Junaid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Tom Curran, Fabian Allen, Niroshan Dickwella, Benny Howell, as well as Imran Nazir – making a strong come back after being on the sidelines for a while.

Players such as Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Luke Ronchi, Muhammad Sami, Zahir Khan, Umar Akmal, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tom Moores, Anwar Ali, Jade Dernbach and Hassan Khan have been selected by Punjabi Legends.

Bengal Tigers have picked up Morne Morkel, Aamir Yamin, Mohammed Nabi, Kusal Perera, Sherfane Rutherford, Kevon Cooper, Dan Christian, Ali Khan and Rayad Emrit from the draft while Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Asif Ali have been selected by the team previously.

Maratha Arabians, led by the Afghan sensation Rashid Khan, have picked up Alex Hales, Kamran Akmal, James Faulkner, Lasith Malinga, James Vince, Liam Livingstone, Brendan Taylor, Adam Lyth, Roelof Van Der Merwe, Najibullah Zadran and Richard Gleeson.

Pakhtoon team picked up Liam Dawson, Mohammed Irfan, David Willy, Colin Munroe, Andre Fletcher, Sohail Khan, Sharfuddin Ashraf, Chadwick Walton, Shahpur Zadran, Cameron Delport and Gulbadin Naib while team Rajputs chose Mohammed Hafeez, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammed Shahzad, Tymal Mills, Carlos Brathwaite, Rahat Ali, Samit Patel, Qais Ahmad, Ben Dunks, Peter Trego and Shan Masood.

Among the newcomers, the Karachians picked up Jofra Archer, Thisara Perera, Ben Cutting, Muhammad Nawaz, David Malan, Fawad Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Joe Clarke, Samiullah Shenwari and Muhammed Irfan Jr.

Another newcomer, Northern Warriors chose Ravi Bopara, Rovman Powell, Harry Gurney, Chris Green, Obed McCoy, Lendl Simmons, Kharry Pierre and Kennar Lewis from the draft to be added to Dwayne Smith, Nicholas Pooran.

Welcoming the pool of international cricketers, Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of the T10 League, said: “The Players’ Draft has been an out and out success, with a wider participation of players from all over the world.”

“In addition to the reputed senior star cricketers, the draft also witnessed bids for some of the most sought after young players who have great potential to contribute to the game of cricket,” he added.

IANS

In a match going down the wire, Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s sensible knock helped India pip Bangladesh by three wickets in a thrilling Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.

The win also shattered Bangladesh’s dream of their maiden Asia Cup title while the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side clinched the prestigious title for a record seven times.

Chasing a modest 223-run target, India lost wickets at regular intervals to make the contest unpredictable, thanks to a disciplined Bangladesh bowling attack.

However, in a match going down the wire, Jadeja (23) and Bhuvneshwar’s (21) rose up to the occassion and their knock came at at a time when their team needed the most.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started the proceedings well as India raced away to 35 runs in 4.3 overs however, the joy was shortlived as left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam came with the first breakthrought for Bangladesh.

Dhawan (15), while trying to go over Nazmul’s head, gave an easy catch to Soumya Sarkar at mid-off.

With just the addition of another 11 runs, India received another blow as incoming batsman Ambati Rayudu (2) fell cheaply off a Mashrafe Mortaza ball, leaving India at 46/2.

Rohit and Dinesh Karthik then tried to put things in control as they took their side near the three-digit mark. But, just when the Indian skipper was two runs away from his half-century, Rubel Hossain handed another jolt to the opponents, dismissing a good-looking Rohit to leave the men in blue reeling at 83/3.

Karthik was then joined by M.S. Dhoni and they gave some respite to India, adding a crucial 55 run for the fourth wicket.

Just when the partnership seemed developing, off-spinner Mahmudullah struck to add another twist in the tale, packing back Karthik (37) as India’s scorecard read 137/4.

As India managed to add 27 runs to reach a total of 160 with incoming batsman Kedar Jadhav and Dhoni oncrease, Mustafizur Rahman put India in deep trouble, sending back the latter on 36 runs.

Dhoni’s thick edge of the bat landed in the gloves of Mushfiqur Rahim in the 37th over before Jadhav left the field after being retired hurt with India still 56 runs away from victory.

Jadeja and part-time batsman Bhuvaneshwar’s sensible knock then not only gave India a hope but also inched their side on the doors of victory.

The duo were involved in a 45-run partnership as India crossed the 200-run mark. However, with India just 11 runs away from their seventh Asia Cup title, Jadeja (23) became a victim of Hossain in the 48th over.

His fall saw Jadhav once again joining the pitch but very soon, the issue once again turned in Bangladesh’s way as Bhuveneshwar, while trying to drive a delivery by Mustafizur Rahman, was caught brilliantly by stumper Rahim, who dived his right to take an excellent catch.

Denying the opponents any further onslaught, Jadhav (23) and Kedar (5) guided India home in a match which went to the final ball.

For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain picked two wickets each while Nazmul, Mortaza and Mahmudullah bagged one wicket apiece.

Earlier, opener Liton Das’ brilliant century had helped Bangladesh post 222.

Bangladesh got off to a flying start but lack of support from the middle and lower order batsmen and some brilliant fielding from Indian players saw Bangladesh only managing to score a modest total.

Das played 117 balls and slammed 121 runs which include 12 boundaries and two sixes and built a perfect platform for a big score but some poor shot selection from other batsmen cost the Bangladesh camp.

Put in to bat, Das and Mehidy Hasan (32) played handsomely and forged a brilliant 120-run partnership before Hasan was dismissed by Jadhav. The two played sensibly and often thrashed Indian bowlers all around the park.

Unperturbed by the fall of Hasan’s wicket, Das kept on playing his natural game but middle-order batsmen Imrul Kayes (2), Mushfiqur Rahim (5), Mohammad Mithun (2) and Mahmudullah (4) failed drastically.

All of them gifted away their wickets, thanks to careless shot selection.

With five batsman back to the pavilion at 151, Das, along with Sarkar (33), tried to reconstruct the innings but was dismissed in the process. Wicketkeeper Dhoni stumped Das off Kuldeep in the 40th over.

Mortaza (7) fell prey Kuldeep after playing nine balls.

Sarkar kept playing at the other end but was run out in the penultimate over while trying to increase the run rate. His 45-ball knock was laced with one boundary and one six.

In the very next ball, Jasprit Bumrah clean bowled Hossain (0) to wrap up the innings in style.

For India, Kuldeep scalped three wickets while Jadhav took two wickets.

Brief scores: India 223/7 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 48, Dinesh Karthik 37; Rubel Hossain 2/26) beat Bangladesh 222 all out (Liton Das 121; Kuldeep Yadav 3/45) by three wickets.

(IANS)

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Thursday launched the “Punch Tantra” collection to promote tribal artefacts and named world boxing champion Mary Kom as the brand ambassador of “Tribes India” — an initiative to promote tribal artefacts.

The Punch Tantra range of tribal artefacts promoted by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) includes handlooms and handicrafts which will be promoted by Kom, as per a release.

During the launch function she said such initiatives would bring great change in the lives of the tribal people, socially and economically.

Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said that the probable potential of TRIFED was much more than many other public sector units and if utilised properly, it may become a game changer in the Indian economy.

The TRIFED had invited the top 200 artisans and producers to the function as part of its initiative to promote tribal entrepreneurship and generate livelihood opportunities.

“Besides, a team of 60 young entrepreneurs from Dantewada, Chhattisgarh was also present,” the release said.

(IANS)

Pro Kabaddi League franchise Dabang Delhi KC on Thursday announced Joginder Narwal as the captain for the upcoming sixth season.

Delhi has a completely new composition of young and experienced players. Dabang Delhi will kick-off its campaign on October 9 against Gujarat Fortunegiants, according to a statement.

Speaking about the team and their plans for the season, Joginder said: “The team is looking good and we have young and fit players to last the longer season. We have skilled and experienced players in all departments and the young guns add depth to the Dabang squad. With utility players across the team, our aim is to be the team to watch this season.”

Talking about the Dabang captain, Krishan Kumar Hooda, Dabang Delhi coach said: “Joginder Narwal is a strong asset to the team in the upcoming season and I’m sure he will lead the team very well.

“He is a versatile player – our Take Down Tiger – one who defends well to take down the opposition. He is extremely fit and skillful and with this new squad, I’m sure that he and the team will give all its fans reasons to cheer and rejoice through the league,” he added.

Squad:

Raiders: Chandran Ranjit, Shabeer Bapu, Pawan Kumar, Naveen Kumar, Yogesh Hooda, Khomsan Thongkham, Kamal Kishor Jat.

Defenders: Vishal Mane, Ravinder Pahal, Satpal, Viraj Landge, Anil Kumar, Tushar Bhoir.

All-Rounders: Meraj Sheykh, Rajesh Narwal, Tapas Pal, Vishal, Sidharth

(IANS)

After 16 years, India progressed to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 football championship as they played out a goalless draw against Indonesia in their final group stage match on Thursday.

This is the best ever performance in the group stage of the competition, amassing five points from three matches, according to a statement.

Their previous best performance was way back in 2002, when they finished the group stage with four points.

With this draw, India finished runners-up in Group C with five points from three matches and will now progress to the knockout rounds of the Championship, where the Colts are likely to face Korea Republic.

At the Official Post Match Press Conference, Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes labelled the moment as “special for Indian football fans”.

“We have worked really hard to get where we are and we are very happy with our performance in the group stages. The boys gave their cent percent on the field and we played according to our plan.”

Referring to the qualification to the quarters, Bibiano said: “This is a special moment for each and every one back home. The credit goes to all my staff, the grassroots coaches who tutored these kids at a young age, and my players for putting in the hard work day in and day out.”

Indonesia had the better of the first half but fell prey to complacency in front of goal and supreme Indian defending that kept them at bay.

However, India could have taken the lead as early as the 6th minute when a counter-attack from the flanks saw Vikram Partap’s header go inches over the goal after he was found on the flanks by Ridge De’Mello. Indonesia upped the ante soon after and threatened the Indian defence.

On the 20th minute, India were awarded a golden opportunity to take the lead but Ricky Shabong’s shot from inside the box earned a deflection off the leg of an Indonesian defender and went out for a corner.

Despite all the possession by Indonesia, Goalkeeper Niraj Kumar was forced into action for the first time only in the 27th minute, when he dived to save a shot from a distance.

The Indian defence played tight and compact, thwarting the Indonesian attack line and whatever chances the opponents cajoled, were wasted in front of Niraj Kumar.

Both teams went into the tunnel at level pegging as the scoreline read 0-0.

Changing over, India restricted Indonesia to the midfield and held them at bay from the attacking third. India even came close to scoring in the 63rd minute when De’Mello was found unmarked in the box but failed to find the back of the Indonesian net as the opponents survived the counter-attack.

Indonesia, despite dominating possession, were not able to create a clear goal scoring chance, often flustered by the Indian defence, defending in numbers.

India had the chance to take the lead again in the 72nd minute, but Ricky Shabong failed to find the net from close range, despite the Indonesian custodian being absent.

(IANS)