Faced with an imminent danger of losing the race to the Indian Premier League (IPL)play-offs, bottom-placed Delhi Daredevils now face an uphill task of treating each game as a virtual knock-out as they prepare to host an inconsistent Rajasthan Royals here on Wednesday.

After the resignation of Gautam Gambhir, the struggling Daredevils, under new skipper Shreyas Iyer received a ray of hope when he blasted a 40-ball 93 to power Delhi to a 55-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Ferozshah Kotla here.

But Monday’s 13-run loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Pune almost dashed all hopes of a comeback as Delhi succumbed to their sixth loss in eight games and now need to win all their remaining matches to salvage any hopes of staying alive in the tournament.

In the batting department, Iyer and stumper Rishabh Pant have done the bulk of the scoring for Delhi, amassing 306 and 257 runs respectively so far and the onus would be on the duo to lead the batting unit on Wednesday.

Delhi will also hope for a repeat of the brilliant opening platform, they got against KKR from young Prithvi Shaw and Colin Munro besides expecting Australian power-hitter Glenn Maxwell for some fireworks lower down the order.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have experienced a topsy-turvy campaign and find themselves on fifth in the table with six points from seven matches.

With the IPL, entering its business end, skipper Ajinkya Rahane will expect his team to get their act together and aim for consistency.

In their previous match, Rajasthan fell short of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s modest target of 152 by 11 runs. It was despite Rahane scoring a 65 and young Snaju Samson hitting a 40 as they didn’t get support from other batsman.

Rahane and Samson have been their best batsmen this season but inconsistent run of Ben Stokes and Jos Butler has affected their performance this season.

Among the bowlers, young seamer Jofra Archer have done well to claim six wickets in the two matches that he has played so far while this IPL’s costliest buy Jaydev Unadkat have also been amongst the wickets.

But RR’s main concern will be the form of their spinners — Shreyas Gopal and K. Gowtham — who have so far failed to hunt in pairs.

Teams:
Delhi Daredevils: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Rishabh Pant (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Gautam Gambhir, Jason Roy, Colin Munro, Mohammed Shami, Amit Mishra, Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Daniel Christian, Jayant Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Trent Boult, Manjot Kalra, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Lamichhane, Naman Ojha, Sayan Ghosh, Liam Plunkett, Junior Dala.

Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Jofra Archer, Stuart Binny, Aryaman Birla, Jos Buttler, Dushmantha Chameera, Prashant Chopra, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Dhawal Kulkarni, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Sudhesan Midhun, Sanju Samson, Jatin Saxena, D’Arcy Short, Ish Sodhi, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jaydev Unadkat.

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings will clash with Delhi Daredevils at Pune on Monday (April 30) at 8 in the evening.

On Sunday night, Kolkata Knight Riders registered a superb 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Bengaluru to hand Virat Kohli and Co. their fifth defeat in seven matches.

Put in to bat, Bangalore posted 175 for 4 riding on Kohli’s unbeaten 44-ball 68.

In reply, Kolkata overhauled the target with 5 balls to spare, thanks to Aussie opener Chris Lynn’s 62 not out. He was adjudged man of the match.

Earlier in the day, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at Jaipur to go at the top of the 8-team points table.

KKR with eight points remained in fourth place while Virat Kohli’s men slumped further with their fifth defeat in seven games.

Sunrisers now have moved up to the top spot in the eight-team competition with 12 points from Eight Games, followed by Chennai Super Kings and Kings Eleven Punjab.

Rajasthan have so far obtained only Six points from their Seven fixtures.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

Opener Chris Lynn’s unbeaten 62-run knock and Robin Uthappa’s (36) disciplined inning helped Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Sunday.

The win, came after two straight losses, took Kolkata to fourth spot with eight points while Bangalore are at seventh spot with four points.

Chasing 176, the visitors got off to a perfect start as Lynn and Sunil Narine (27) forged 59-run partnership in 7.1 overs before the West Indian departed by M. Ashwin.

New batsman Uthappa and Lynn then played sensibly and punished the bad balls. The duo managed to take Kolkata past 100-run mark. But just when things seemed good in the middle, Uthappa was dismissed by Ashwin in the 13th over.

New batsman Nitish Rana (15), who was looking good at the crease, got retied hurt.

Middle-order batsmen Andre Russel (0) and Dinesh Karthik (23) were also sent packing soon but at that time Lynn has already put his team on the front foot and then went on to complete the proceeding in the last over with Shubman Gill (5 not out).

For Bangalore, M. Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets each.

Earlier, A good opening stand followed by skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten half-century helped Royal Challengers Bangalore to post 175/4.

Kohli’s unbeaten 68-run knock came off 44 balls, containing five boundaries and three sixes at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Put into bat, Bangalore started on a cautious note as openers Quinton de Kock (29 off 27) and Brendon McCullum (38 off 28) shared a 67-run partnership for the first wicket.

KKR spinner Kuldeep Yadav came up with the first breakthrough as he packed de Kock in the ninth over.

With the addition of just seven runs in Bangalore’s overall score of 67, Andre Russel jolted the hosts after dismissing McCullum and Manan Vohra (0) in the next over.

However, Kohli kept one end tight and added 65 runs for the fourth wicket with Mandeep Singh (19).

Mandeep however, didn’t show a fight and was dismissed on a Russel delivery in the 18th over with Bangalore’s score reading 140/4.

Kohli continued his good work and slammed yet another half-century and some fireworks by him in the final moments helped the hosts reach a respectable total of 175/4.

For Kolkata, Russel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/31 while Kuldeep scalped a wicket for 20 runs.

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore: 175/4 (Virat Kohli 68, Brendon McCullum 38; Andre Russell 3/31) vs KKR: 176/4 (Chris Lynn 62 not out; M Ashwin 2/ 36)

Sunrisers Hyderabad dominated with both bat and ball to defeat Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs and rise to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) table here on Sunday.

Electing to bat first, Hyderabad rode on excellent batting by Kane Williamson and Alex Hales to post 151/7 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Rajasthan could only manage to reach 140/6.

The win propelled Hyderabad to the top spot on the points table. The visitors now have 12 points from eight matches.

They rose one rung, displacing former champions Chennai Super Kings to the second spot. Kings XI Punjab are at the third position.

Both Chennai and Punjab are on 10 points, with only the net run rate separating the two teams.

Rajasthan’s chase was off to a poor start as opener Rahul Tripathi was bowled by Hyderabad pacer Sandeep Sharma in the third over.

Rajasthan skipper Ajinkya Rahane — the team’s other opener — led from the front, batting through the innings to remain unbeaten on 65 runs off 55 balls.

He posted a partnership of 59 runs off 44 balls with Sanju Samson to bring the hosts’ innings back on track after Tripathi’s departure.

Samson scored 40 runs off 30 balls before holing out to Hales at short mid-wicket while attempting to smash a deceptive slower ball by Siddarth Kaul out of the ground.

That seemed to take the fight out of the hosts as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Kaul returned figures of 2/23 to emerge as the most successful among the Hyderabad bowlers.

Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi, Rashid Khan and Yusuf Pathan also bagged a wicket each.

Earlier, Hyderabad rode on excellent batting by Williamson and Hales to post 151/7 in their 20 overs.

Williamson smashed 63 runs off 43 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes. Hales scored 45 runs off 39 balls.

The two of them added 92 runs between them to lay the foundation of a big total after Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan was bowled by Krishnappa Gowtham in the third over.

New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi brought the partnership to an end in the 15th over when he claimed his maiden IPL wicket in the form of Williamson.

That triggered a strong comeback by the hosts as the visitors’ middle and lower order failed to rise to the occasion.

West Indies pacer Jofra Archer was the most successful among the Rajasthan bowlers with figures of 3/26 in his four overs.

Brief scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 151/7 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 63, Alex Hales 45; Jofra Archer 3/26) vs Rajasthan Royals: 140/6 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 65, Sanju Samson 40).

The All India Open Challenge figure skating championships concluded at the iSKATE- ice skating rink & cafe at Ambience Mall here on Sunday.

The competition, organised by the Ice Skating Association of India and Indraprastha Ice Skating Association, witnessed 30 competitors from various parts of India.

The figure skating challenge had separate competitions in three age categories.

The judges for this figure skating event were J.S. Sahney, Vasu Dev Tandi and Anup Kumar Yama.

Manit Singh and Ishita Kapoor finished first in the 13-15 age group boys and girls competitions respectively.

Jatin Sherawat and Harshita Ratwani won in the 10-13 age group competitions.

Sunrisers Hyderabad dominated with the bat and ball to defeat Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Sunday.

Electing to bat first, Hyderabad rode on excellent batting by Kane Williamson and Alex Hales to post 151/7 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Rajasthan could only manage to reach 140/6.

The win propelled Hyderabad to the second spot on the points table. The visitors rose one rung, displacing Kings XI Punjab to the third position.

Both Hyderabad and Punjab are on 10 points, the same as leaders Chennai, with only the net run rate separating the three teams.

Rajasthan’s chase was off to a poor start as opener Rahul Tripathi was bowled by Hyderabad pacer Sandeep Sharma in the third over.

Rajasthan skipper Ajinkya Rahane — the team’s other opener — led from the front, batting through the innings to remain unbeaten on 65 runs off 55 balls.

He posted a partnership of 59 runs off 44 balls with Sanju Samson to bring the hosts’ innings back on track after Tripathi’s departure.

Samson scored 40 runs off 30 balls before holing out to Hales at short mid-wicket while attempting to smash a deceptive slower ball by Siddarth Kaul out of the ground.

That seemed to take the fight out of the hosts as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Kaul returned figures of 2/23 to emerge as the most successful among the Hyderabad bowlers.

Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi, Rashid Khan and Yusuf Pathan also bagged a wicket each.

Earlier, Hyderabad rode on excellent batting by Williamson and Hales to post 151/7 in their 20 overs.

Williamson smashed 63 runs off 43 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes. Hales scored 45 runs off 39 balls.

The two of them added 92 runs between them to lay the foundation of a big total after Hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan was bowled by Krishnappa Gowtham in the third over.

New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi brought the partnership to an end in the 15th over when he claimed his maiden IPL wicket in the form of Williamson.

That triggered a strong comeback by the hosts as the visitors’ middle and lower order failed to rise to the occasion.

West Indies pacer Jofra Archer was the most successful among the Rajasthan bowlers with figures of 3/26 in his four overs.

Brief scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 151/7 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 63, Alex Hales 45; Jofra Archer 3/26) vs Rajasthan Royals: 140/6 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 65, Sanju Samson 40).

A good opening stand followed by skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten half-century helped Royal Challengers Bangalore to post 175/4 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) tie here on Sunday.

Kohli’s unbeaten 68-run knock came off 44 balls, containing five boundaries and three sixes at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Put into bat, Bangalore started on a cautious note as openers Quinton de Kock (29 off 27) and Brendon McCullum (38 off 28) shared a 67-run partnership for the first wicket.

KKR spinner Kuldeep Yadav came up with the first breakthrough as he packed de Kock in the ninth over.

With the addition of just seven runs in Bangalore’s overall score of 67, Andre Russel jolted the hosts after dismissing McCullum and Manan Vohra (0) in the next over.

However, Kohli kept one end tight and added 65 runs for the fourth wicket with Mandeep Singh (19).

Mandeep however, didn’t show a fight and was dismissed on a Russel delivery in the 18th over with Bangalore’s score reading 140/4.

Kohli continued his good work and slammed yet another half-century and some fireworks by him in the final moments helped the hosts reach a respectable total of 175/4.

For Kolkata, Russel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/31 while Kuldeep scalped a wicket for 20 runs.

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore: 175/4 (Virat Kohli 68, Brendon McCullum 38; Andre Russell 3/31) vs KKR.

World football’s governing body FIFA said on Friday that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) head Marco Polo Del Nero has been banned for life from the sport.

In addition to the lifetime ban, Del Nero was also fined 1 million Swiss francs ($1 million), FIFA said in a statement, reported Efe.

Del Nero, who faces federal charges in the US, was suspended as CBF president last December 2017 as a result of a FIFA investigation into corruption allegations.

The probe uncovered “schemes in which he received bribes in exchange for his role in awarding contracts to companies for the media and marketing rights to various football tournaments,” according to the FIFA statement.

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee concluded that Del Nero violated multiple articles of the FIFA Code of Ethics in regard to bribery and corruption, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, and conflicts of interest.

The note added that Del Nero was informed of the decision on Friday and the ban came into force immediately upon notification.

The CBF is currently led by Rogerio Caboclo, who was backed by Del Nero in an election in which he was the only candidate and had the support of all regional federations and most of the clubs in the country.

(ians)

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings will clash with Mumbai Indians at Pune on Saturday (April 28) at 8 in the evening.

On Friday night, Delhi Daredevils defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 55 runs at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.

After this win, Delhi has climbed to the seventh spot in the 8-team points table while Kolkata remained static at fourth position. Chennai is leading the table followed by Hyderabad at second and Punjab at third. Defending Champions Mumbai are at the bottom now.

Put into bat, Delhi Daredevils posted a massive 219 for 4 in stipulated 20 overs. Skipper Shreyas Iyer was unbeaten on 93 off 40 balls and Prithvi Shaw made a valuable 62. Kolkata were restricted to 164 for 9.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

AFC U-16 Championship Finals scheduled to be held in Malaysia in September 2018

India have been clubbed with strong contenders Islamic Republic of Iran, Vietnam and Indonesia in Group C of the AFC U-16 Championship Finals scheduled to be held in Malaysia in September 2018.

The official draw for the Championship was held at the AFC headquarters on Thursday (April 26).

India had qualified as second-best team from the AFC U-16 qualifiers in Nepal 2017, where the young guns had held defending champions Iraq to a 0-0 draw in the last match of the group. In the other two matches, India had accounted for Palestine 3-0, while they were held on to a 2-2 draw by hosts Nepal in the other match. This is India’s third qualification to the AFC U-16 finals from the last four editions.

The tournament will be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 20 to October 7, 2018. However, the official match dates haven’t been announced as yet.

The last edition of the AFC U-16 finals was held in Goa in 2016 and Asian Football Confederation’s General Secretary Dato Windsor John lavished praise on the success of tournament. “The AFC U-16 championship has a long and a broad history. The last edition in India was not only a huge success on the field but it is also regarded as the defining moment for Football and youth development in the country,” he said.
Reflecting on the draw, Indian Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes said that the team will “take one match at a time.”

“We have been drawn against some of the best youth teams in the region. We respect our opponents. But we will take one match at a time. The aim of all the participating teams is to make it to the semi-finals,” he stated.

As per the norm, the four semi-finalists will earn a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2019.

Bibiano felt the exposure tours being provided by AIFF for the team to prepare in the best possible fashion has been adding to the confidence of the boys.

“The exposure tours have been a huge help. It is helping the team to gear up for the big challenge. We will aim to play to our strengths,” he maintained.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw