New Delhi: Indian hockey legend Mohammad Shahid, who was being treated in a private hospital in Gurgaon, passed away Wednesday due to multiple organ failure.

“Yes, he is no more. He suffered multiple organ failure this morning. Its a sad news,” a source told PTI.

The 56-year-old legend was admitted to Medanta – the Medicity – earlier this month after a bout of jaundice and dengue made his condition worse. He was airlifted from Varanasi.

Known for his dribbling skills, Shahid was considered one of Indias greatest hockey players. He was a member of the V Baskaran-led Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

He was also a part of the national team that won a silver medal at the Delhi Asian Games in 1982 and bronze in the Seoul Asiad in 1986.

(Agencies)

Chandigarh: Rio-bound doubles duo of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna defeated South Korean pair of Hong Chung and Seong Chan Hong 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 as the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup tie here on Saturday.

Both Paes and Bopanna dominated the proceedings against the Koreans to help India qualify for World Group play-offs.

Earlier, Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan overcame tough conditions and difficult opponents to win their respective singles matches and hand India a comfortable 2-0 lead on the opening day here on Friday.

(IANS)

Mumbai: England will play a five-match Test series followed by three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals on their tour of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday.

Making the announcement here on Friday, BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke said England will start their tour with the opening Test in Rajkot which begins from November 9 and then move to Vizag and Mohali. The last two Test matches will be held in Mumbai and Chennai.

England will, after a Christmas break, resume the tour from January 15 when they play the first of the ODIs in Pune. On January 19 they play in Cuttack and the third match is set to be played at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The T20s will be staged across Kanpur, Nagpur and Bengaluru.

(IANS)

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal players celebrate after their 1-0 win against France in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Stade de France: Portugal gatecrashed France’s Euro 2016 party to win the European Championship for the first time in its history — and all this without leading star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid forward was forced out of the game with a knee injury in the first half, but Portugal regrouped and thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Rui Patricio took the game into extra time before Eder struck with 11 minutes to go.

Portugal’s 1-0 win was all the more remarkable given in their previous 10 meetings — France had won all of them.

“Simple as doves and as wise as serpents,” is how Portugal coach Fernando Santos characterized his team’s success at Euro 2016.

Mumbai: India and Bengal pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been paid a compensation of over Rs 2.2 crore last month for having missed the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to a knee injury despite which he played in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

As per the BCCI’s June, 2016 payments of over Rs 25 lakh, available on bcci.tv, Shami was paid Rs 2,23,12,500 for “Loss of pay for IPL season 2015 due to injury.”

Shami had played in the entire World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and in the preceding Test series in the former country with pain.He was among the leading bowlers for the country in the mega event and played a crucial role in India reaching the semi finals of the World Cup.

The decision to play despite an injury cost him heavily as he was unable to play in the 2015 IPL season and underwent a surgery. The BCCI has now compensated the 25-year-old UP-born paceman for his dedication to the country’s cause. In the World Cup, he picked up 17 wickets in five games and was the fifth-best bowler in the competition.

Shami, who later suffered a hamstring injury when India visited Australia in January this year and missed the Asia Cup T20 championship, is now in the West Indies as a member of the Virat Kohli-led squad that is to engage the hosts in a four-Test rubber.

Among other details put up by the BCCI are amounts paid as match fees for officials for this year’s IPL and the list includes former Test fast bowler Javagal Srinath (Rs 26 lakh) and ex-Kerala Ranji Trophy leg spinner K N Ananthapadmanabhan (Rs 26 lakh).

Several cricket associations affiliated to the BCCI, including permanent Test centres Mumbai CA, Cricket Association of Bengal and Tamil Nadu CA, have been given varying amounts exceeding Rs 25 lakh as their dues.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: In an attempt to raise awareness for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship schemes –Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao missions — a charity football match between Bollywood celebrities and members of parliament will be played on July 24.

Organised by Adhunik art gallery, the match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

The parliamentarian’s squad will be lead by junior Uraban Development Minister Babul Supriyo, while the all-stars side has the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Dino Morea, among others. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is the brand ambassador of the event.

Speaking about the event, Adhunik art gallery managing director Bhasker Prakash said: “We are very much delighted to host all the Bollywood stars and members of parliament who will be playing on July 24 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the great cause.”

“We are also expecting a number of senior politicians, top bureaucrats, industrialists, Bollywood celebrities, Hollywood celebrities, diplomats of foreign countries in India and senior government officials from foreign countries to be a part of this event. No doubt Delhities will enjoy football on July 24,” he added.

(IANS)

Kolkata: The raging feud between two former Indian captains today turned uglier after Sourav Ganguly lashed out at Ravi Shastri saying the Mumbaikar was “living in a fool’s world” if he held him responsible for not getting the coveted India coach’s job.

Being pipped by Anil Kumble for chief coach’s post, Shastri created a controversy when he said that, Ganguly, part of the three-member high-powered Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) was not present during his interview which he found to be “disrespectful”.

Not one to pull back punches, a furious Ganguly today gave it back to Shastri questioning the former India all-rounder’s “seriousness” while giving an interview while “holidaying in Bangkok”.

“I just feel his (Shastri) comments are very personal. If Ravi Shastri feels that Sourav Ganguly was responsible for him not being the India coach, he is living in a fool’s world,” an angry Ganguly told TV channels, here today.

One of India’s most celebrated captains was even more terse while rebutting Shastri’s suggestion that next time, he should be “present” when an interview is being conducted.

“It angers me that he gave a suggestion that I should be available for such meetings. I have been a part of BCCI meetings for some time and I have always been available. My advice to Ravi is that when the coach of India is selected and one of the most important jobs, he should be in front of the committee and not sit in Bangkok and give a presentation while being on a holiday,” Ganguly said.

Taking a a dig at Shastri’s casual approach, Ganguly said that the former Team Director could have been present in person “especially when one of India’s greatest cricketers of all time spoke for two hours. I am hurt because of personal attacks.

“I read in a couple of newspapers and chose to ignore it. I am extremely saddened that he went on air to express his view. Specially someone who has been in every BCCI committee for the last 20 years. He has been in my position for selecting the coach 10 years back. He is aware of everything. I informed BCCI on June 19th and I have got official mails. I will circulate those mails once I get a clearance from BCCI,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly then went onto add,”I don’t know whether he is serious or not serious but I hope he was if he wanted one of the most important jobs in the game. But if he is talking about respect then he should have been here as well.”

“When you have a three-member committee and important people are involved in the decision making then it is not just about Sourav Ganguly, so these personal remarks have been very saddening.”

On Shastri making comments on public domain against him, Ganguly said:”He should have shown a bit more maturity, especially for someone who has been in such committees for more than 10 years.

On Anil Kumble starting his stint as Indian coach, Ganguly said: “I wish him all the luck. As I said he is the best in the world. He is one of the champions of Indian cricket and he will take this team forward.”

Ganguly did not give a direct answer to the queries about it his animosity with Shastri being an open secret in Indian cricket.

“From my side, I have never gone on to make any comments to the media.”
Ganguly then also gave his account of the itinerary of that day.

“I had informed BCCI that there was a CAB Working Committee meeting that day.

Being a president of CAB, I had to chair the meeting. Also the notification for a Working Committee is always given 14 days in advance whereas this meeting was fixed two days in advance. Ravi’s meeting was scheduled at 4:15 pm and I guess Ravi has got that received as well. BCCI had sent him the time.

“Now while interviewing other candidates, it went past 5 pm and I came out of the meeting. Then Mr (Ajay) Shirke (BCCI secretary) called me and said that others (Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and co-ordinator Sanjay Jagdale) are requesting if they can continue (with the interviews). I said “fine, let’s do that as it happens everywhere in the world. That’s exactly what happened and I feel comments are very personal in nature.”

(PTI)

East Rutherford: Lionel Messi sensationally announced his retirement from international football on Sunday after Argentina crashed to an upset defeat against Chile in the final of the Copa America.

The heartbroken Barcelona superstar was distraught after missing a spot-kick as Chile snatched victory in a penalty shoot-out — Messi’s fourth straight defeat in a major final while representing Argentina.

“For me the national team is over,” the crestfallen 29-year-old told reporters.

“I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion.

“It’s a hard moment for me and the team, and it’s difficult to say, but it’s over with the Argentina team.”

Messi’s dramatic announcement followed Argentina’s third loss in a major final since 2014.

They were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the final of the World Cup in 2014 and lost on penalties, also to Chile, in the final of the 2015 Copa America.

Messi also tasted defeat with Argentina in the final of the 2007 Copa America.

Despite a glittering career that has seen him be named FIFA World Player of the Year on no fewer than five occasions, Messi has often faced baffling criticism from Argentina fans.

Although universally regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, he has regularly been criticised for his failure to land a major title in the colours of Argentina.

Messi’s failure to match the achievements in the Argentina jersey of Diego Maradona, who single-handedly carried the team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, has often been held against him.

Maradona himself has often taken potshots at Messi, criticizing him on the eve of the tournament for a perceived “lack of personality.”

“He’s a really good person, but he has no personality,” Maradona said in Paris shortly before the start of Euro 2016.

“He lacks the character to be a leader.”

Messi’s bombshell decision comes after a gruelling season which was disrupted by injury last year.

He recovered to help Barcelona win the Spanish title once more and was relishing the prospect of leading Argentina to glory in the Copa America Centenario.

His commitment to playing for Argentina was reflected in his decision to fly from Spain to Argentina for a low-key friendly against Honduras shortly before the tournament, where he suffered a back injury.

He then returned to Spain to give evidence at his trial for tax fraud before jetting off to the United States to join up with his Argentina team-mates.

Although he was injured for his team’s opening group game against Chile, he came on as a substitute in a 5-0 hammering of Panama to score a hat-trick in 19 minutes.

He then equalled Argentina’s international goalscoring record of 54, held by Gabriel Batistuta, in the quarter-finals before setting a new mark with his 55th international goal in the semi-final win over the United States.

(Agencies)

Kolkata: Former leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who was appointed the India cricket team’s head coach, said it was a nerve wracking experience giving the interview for the job before his former team-mates.

Kumble was interviewed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cricket advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav Ganguly at a five-star hotel here on Tuesday.

“Sachin was on teleconference, but of course there was Dada (Ganguly) and Laxman on the other side of the table, so it was nerve-racking but it was great to present a plan,” Kumble was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

Speaking about his appointment, the 45-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2008, said, “It will be wonderful to get into the Indian dressing room as the coach. I am really looking forward to the challenge and the huge responsibility. I know there will be a lot of expectations and that is something which I am looking forward to.”

Kumble also said that he will work behind the scenes, much like former India coaches John Wright and Gary Kirsten, who helped Indian cricket scale new heights.

“I played a lot under John Wright, he’s been a great influence on how I’ll go about the job, in terms of being in the background. When I became a mentor for Mumbai Indians, I brought John in because he understood a lot about Indian culture and then the way coaches work,” he said.

“I was involved with Gary Kirsten only for the Test matches, a very short period. He was, again, someone who worked in the background and didn’t make himself visible. Exactly how I’d like to work as well. Not in the front, but behind the scenes.”

The former tweaker, who once bowled with a broken jaw, also said he would try and build leaders from the present team and try to share the burden of the captain.

“Important as a coach to take some burden off the captain,” he said. “Captain has a lot of things on his head, all cricketing decisions and non-cricketing as well.

“Having been with the Indian team for such a long time and having had various experiences of not just conditions, but outside the cricket field, when you’re a coach, you’re not just coach on the field but also off it. You’re trying to build personalities, trying to build leaders. That’s how I’d like to look at this team,” he remarked.

Kumble also said that he has talked to Test captain Virat Kohli and will look to iron out their strategies just before the Test tour to the West Indies.

“We have the West Indies Test series coming up, so that’s something our focus will be on,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Virat (Kohli) and MS (Dhoni), must be on the flight back from Zimbabwe. It’s nice to have a camp here in Bengaluru before we go into the tour. We’ll sit down and iron out and get ready for the West Indies tour.

“Bowling, getting 20 wickets in Test cricket will win you matches. That’s the focus and we’ll take it from there. Batting, we have some great talent there. I believe this team has the potential. It’s a young team and driven by young leaders,” he added.

“Looking forward to working with Virat and MS. Long-term, we have lots of Tests coming up in India, that’ll be our focus.”

The 45-year-old added that he will aim to be an enabler and not an imposer.

“They are already playing a good brand of cricket,” he said.

“I will bring my characteristics as well but won’t impose them on the players. My job is to convince players to buy into what I believe in and what they believe in. At the end of it, they need to own it. If the team doesn’t own what we agree on, then it’s not going to work. I’m only an enabler. I work as an enabler to make sure things happen,” Kumble added.

(IANS)