Anderson, Cilic ADVANCE IN TATA OPEN
Pune: Pune: Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson, the two Grand Slam finalists in 2017, raised the prospects of a title clash after reaching the semifinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra, albeit, with contrasting wins, here on Thursday. Top seed Cilic from Croatia outplayed eighth seed Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 6-2 in 64 minutes but Anderson survived a mighty scare from a dogged Mikhail Kukushkin before edging past him 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2. The US Open finalist from South Africa had to strategise and re-strategise against the Kazak in an intense quarterfinal, which lasted two hours and 30 minutes. His big serve, with which he fired 24 aces, was put to test by the Kazakh but eventually he found a way to win.
SC allows Bihar to play national cricket c’ships
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Bihar Cricket Association to participate in Ranji Trophy and similar other national-level cricket championships. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra made it clear that Bihar, which had not been allowed to participate in national-level cricket tournaments, must play cricket. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said that Bihar Cricket Association shall be in-charge of the game in the state. "This order has been passed keeping in view the cause of cricket," the court said.
Ponting appointed Delhi Daredevils coach
Mumbai: Australian batting great Ricky Ponting was today appointed coach of the Delhi Daredevils franchise for the upcoming Indian Premier League. The announcement was made by Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua as he welcomed the three-time World Cup winner. Ponting takes over the reins at DD from former India captain Rahul Dravid, who had stepped down after the previous season owing to BCCI's conflict-of-interest regulations. Dravid chose to coach India A and India Under-19 teams over the IPL franchise. The 43-year-old has earlier coached Mumbai Indians for two seasons in 2015 (when they won the title) and 2016. Ponting will be assisting the current head coach Darren Lehman in Australia's T20 tri-series against England and New Zealand in February. "Ponting has been appointed as head coach. We will have a new coach and a new team with the idea of having continuity. We have retained two youngsters and the whole team will be built around them," Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua said.
Blasters eke out 1-1 draw against Pune City
Jamshedpur: With a change in personnel in coach David James, Kerala Blasters failed to change their fortune in Indian Super League as they remained 8th in the table after drawing 1-1 against second-placed FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here on Thursday. Pune took control of the game from the first minute and deservingly took the lead in the 33rd minute after Ashique Kuruniyan assisted Marcelinho. Kerala finally found the equaliser after a brilliant build-up in 73rd minute. Kizito Keziron played a defence-splitting through ball that found Courage Pekuson deep in the Pune's half. The winger squared it to fast-approaching Sifenos, who calmly slotted the ball in the net. Blasters hunted intensely for the winning goal but ran out of time. In next ISL match, Jamshedpur FC host Mumbai City FC in Jamshedpur on Friday.
Neroca 'Excited' Before Challenging Young Arrows
IMPHAL: NEROCA FC will be aiming to keep their hot run intact when they host the Indian Arrows in their third home game of the 2017/18 Hero I-League at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Friday. With eleven points from six games, the Manipur-based side are placed third and they have the great opportunity to leapfrog Minerva Punjab FC to trail leaders East Bengal (17 points) by three points. As for the Indian Arrows, they play their seventh match in a month's time and will be looking to reverse their fortunes as they are placed seventh on the table with as many points. In other I-league match on Friday, Shillong Lajong will host Chennai City.