Bengaluru to host ISL final

mumbai: The Indian Super League (ISL) football final has been shifted from Kolkata to Bengaluru, the organisers announced on Thursday. "Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Thursday announced shift of venue for Hero Indian Super League 2017/18 final from Kolkata to Bengaluru," a media release said. "The grand finale will be played at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 8 pm onwards", the release added. Four teams — debutants Bengaluru FC, who topped the league stage, FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City are contesting the two-legged semi finals. The first leg of the first semi-final between BFC and Pune had ended in a goalless draw at Pune's Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Balewadi on Wednesday. FC Goa are playing against Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the second semi-final on Saturday at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.

Yuki beats Ramkumar at Indian Wells

indian wells (usa): Yuki Bhambri outsmarted Ramkumar Ramanathan in the battle of top Indians to qualify for the Indian Wells ATP Masters event, his first 1000 series tournament in nine years. Yuki, seeded ninth in the qualifiers, prevailed 6-4, 6-2 in the second and final qualifying round to make it to the season's first Master series event. Yuki now leads head-to-head record 3-1 against the 22-year-old Ramkumar. The last time 25-year-old Yuki played at a Masters event was in 2009 at Miami. In his opening round in the main draw, Yuki will fight it out with fellow qualifier Nicolas Mahut, ranked 101, and if he manages to cross the first hurdle he will be up against world number 12 Lucas Pouille from France.

Australia women beat India A by 7 wickets

mumbai: The Australian women's team defeated India A by seven wickets on Thursday to clinch the second warm up game, which was played here. The Australia women's team, which had thrashed India A by 321 runs in the first warm up game on Tuesday, continued its winning streak. After electing to bat, the hosts were bundled out for a partly 170 as the Australian bowlers put up a dominant performance. Led by Amanda Jade Wellington (3-30), the visitors ran through the Indian batting line up. Jade was superbly aided by Ashleigh Gardner (2-32). For the hosts, skipper Anuja Patil top scored with 49 at the Mumbai Cricket Association Bandra Kurla complex facility.

Dharun breaks National record in 400m hurdles

patiala: Unheralded Tamil Nadu athlete Ayyasamy Dharun smashed the men's 400m hurdles national record and in the process grabbed a Commonwealth Games ticket on the concluding day of the 22nd Federation Cup National Senior Championships. Triple jumper Arpinder Singh also booked his second straight Commonwealth Games berth, by winning gold with an effort of 16.61m — a centimeter more than AFI's qualifying standard of 16.60m. Veteran Renjith Maheswary was unfortunately stretchered out with a suspected left knee dislocation and right index fingure fracture after slipping on his run-up while taking his last step before leaping in his fifth attempt.

Sandhu emerges best Indian at Hero Indian Open

gurgaon: Spectacular with his driving skills, Ajeetesh Sandhu emerged the best Indian golfer with a solid four-under 68 as most of his compatriots endured a frustrating opening round at the Hero Indian Open on a tricky DLF Golf course, here on Thursday. The 29-year-old, who had won his maiden Asian Tour event last year at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship before clinching the Taiheiyo Club Challenge Tournament in Japan Tour, stayed three strokes adrift off leader Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, who scored seven-under 65.