Reuters Times Of India Indian Express Mid-Day Rediff IBNLive DNA ZeeNews The Hindu

EPL club Watford FC surprises 600 slum children in Mumbai!

2 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Watford FC, an English Premier League club, based out of London gathered 600 underprivileged children from various slums of Mumbai at Bombay Port Trust ground on Sunday morning. With the intention of giving back to the community, Watford FC has been doing activations to engage with its Indian fan base for over a year now. Watford FC with Boss India conducted the first-ever ‘Ball Drop’ that witnessed a massive participation of 600 slum children surprised by 600 footballs taking their happiness quotient a notch higher! Weaving the magic on the ground; the event took place at 10 am on Sunday morning where the Magic Bus children were greeted by a performance by Akshay Yadav, India’s #3 football freestyler who not only mesmerized the children by showcasing various skills also left them truly entertained and encored. Amidst the rising enthusiasm, after the performance, multiple footballs were thrown in the air from different parts of the ground causing a visual spectacle f..
                 

CL: Pep Guardiola satisfied after Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1

9 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Madrid: Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated a dramatic Manchester City comeback on Wednesday as they stunned Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Madrid looked on course to edge a cagey contest after Isco's smart finish early in the second half, but De Bruyne teed up Gabriel Jesus in the 78th minute and then tucked away a penalty five minutes later. A pulsating finish saw Sergio Ramos sent off for preventing Jesus from going clear and Madrid's captain will now be banned for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 17. City's two away goals will make them heavy favourites to go through, even if manager Pep Guardiola was quick to discourage complacency. "It's still not over," he said. "If there is one team that can overcome this it is this club (Real Madrid) with their experience and their history." "We know the situation," said Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. "We have to go there and win." Madrid have now won only one of the..
                 

CL: Boss Sarri rues inability to attack as Juventus lose 0-1 at Lyon

9 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank as a Lucas Tousart goal handed Lyon a surprise 1-0 win over Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in France on Wednesday. Midfielder Tousart netted in the 31st minute to give Lyon a lead to defend when they head to Turin for the return on March 17. The goal came with Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt off receiving treatment, but it was just reward for an excellent first half by a Lyon side enduring a mediocre campaign. They then survived late Juventus pressure to claim their finest European result since defeating Manchester City in last season's group stage. "It was a top-class first-half performance from us. It was much harder in the second half, but I was happy with how we hung in there," said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia. "I said to the boys that when you're at home in the first leg it's very important not to concede, and now we need to go and score there. We must remain humble, it's only half-time." Maurizio Sarri's side have genu..
                 

Tokyo Olympics | Coronavirus: Ian Thorpe wants athletes to take their health into consideration

10 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, retired Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has urged the athletes to consider their long-term health before deciding to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games slated to be played later in the year. "I would most definitely be concerned," The Guardian quoted Thorpe as saying on Thursday. "What we need to know is to use some of the best expert disease specialists to find out what is the risk to the team. What is the risk to the other nations and how can we have an Olympic Games, one that is safe, that doesn't put athletes at risk? "What you have to understand as well is there are other risks associated with an Olympic Games, the threat of a terrorist event taking place... And we [athletes] take into consideration those things before we decide to compete. I think the decision should come down to each individual athlete. But whether or not they want to compete, that they should take their health into consideration first," he added. Ian Thorpe Thorpe's comments..
                 

IND Vs NZ: Virat Kohli corrects his drive

10 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
During India's practice session, head coach Ravi Shastri was heard telling each batsman, 'ruk ke khelna' [wait for it and then play]. Virat Kohli had alluded after the first Test that it was the lack of pace off the pitch that caused concern for his batsmen. The surface at the Hagley Oval here for the second Test that begins on Saturday is expected to be similar to the Basin Reserve, meaning the Indian top-order will have to master the art of letting the ball come to them. Virat Kohli was intense in the nets on Thursday, spending plenty of time correcting his drives against the fast bowlers. The Indian captain has not been at his best during the tour of New Zealand, having registered just one half-century in his nine outings across all formats. Virat Kohli During the practice session in Wellington and here, Kohli faced the Indian pace battery with admiration, but there was a sense of adventure against the net bowlers, as he pushed hard at good deliveries. Kohli has always been a great ..
                 

IND Vs NZ: Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja?

10 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Thursday's practice session provided a hint that there will be some changes to the playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came to bat along with the openers Mayank Agarwal and Shubhman Gill in the adjacent nets. Both also bowled together for the most part of the session. Though Ashwin bowled well in the first Test at Wellington, his lack of runs could go against his selection for the second Test here, beginning on Saturday. Ajinkya Rahane India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said the team management will take a decision just before the match. "We have not taken any decision yet. Ashwin had bowled really well in Wellington and he is a quality bowler. Jadeja is also a quality bowler. Yes, it gets a bit tough [to choose between Ashwin and Jadeja] when we play overseas," said Rahane during the press conference on Thursday. "But I think it is a good sign for the team when we travel outside India because both are quality spinners. The decisio..
                 

CL: We learnt a harsh lesson, says Chelsea boss Frank Lampard after loss

yesterday  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea were given a "reality check" by Bayern Munich as the Germans pushed his team to the brink of Champions League elimination with a 3-0 victory in the last 16 first leg on Tuesday. Serge Gnabry scored twice in three minutes early in the second half and Robert Lewandowski bagged Bayern's third goal to complete a masterful display from Hansi Flick's side at Stamford Bridge. Bayern are odds-on to finish off Chelsea in the second leg in Munich on March 18 after inflicting the Blues' heaviest European home defeat. Lampard conceded Chelsea had been outclassed from start to finish and urged his players to learn from the chastening experience. "That's football at this level, the levels of Bayern were fantastic. It was a harsh lesson for the players. It's the reality of the Champions League," Lampard said. "If you give people of that quality enough chances they will score goals. "There is a lot to their team, players that have been there a long time. We have to respe..
                 

Gary Stead: We want teams to believe it's tough playing in NZ

2 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
New Zealand coach Gary Stead on Tuesday said that he was a bit surprised by India's abject surrender in the first Test but is expecting a strong comeback in Christchurch. India were all out for 165 and 191 in the two innings of the opening Test, leading to a 10-wicket drubbing in just over three days. "It was a bit of a surprise but it was also due to the pressure we put on those guys for long periods of time. You get Trent [Boult] and Tim [Southee] to operate in our conditions and both were outstanding. Trent's freshness after being out for eight weeks added spark," Stead told reporters. The head coach also had a subtle warning for the Indian team, saying touring New Zealand could be as tough as playing in some of the other countries. "We want teams to believe that it is as tough in New Zealand as it is playing anywhere else in the world. That's a pride thing." Getting Ajinkya Rahane cheaply on the fourth morning was the clincher for Stead. After that, he knew that New Zealand would w..
                 

Mikel Arteta hails two-goal hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's commitment

3 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Mikel Arteta admitted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has erased any doubts about his commitment after Arsenal's captain led by example with a double in their 3-2 win against Everton on Sunday. For much of a troubled season Arsenal have been written off as also-rans in the battle to qualify for the Champions League. But, recovering from the wreckage of the Unai Emery era, their revival under Arteta is gathering pace. Rocked by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-minute goal at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal equalised through Eddie Nketiah and took the lead thanks to Aubameyang. Richarlison levelled for Everton to cap a dramatic first half, but Gabon striker Aubameyang had the final word seconds after the break. Gunners boss Arteta revealed he was not convinced about Aubameyang's mentality before he took charge, but watching his skipper tracking back to help defend in the closing stages won over the Spaniard. "Before I took over I had my questions about him but he showed his commitment. I wanted him..
                 

CK Nayudu Trophy: One of my best performances, says Mumbai U-23 pacer Arjun Tendulkar

3 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Mumbai thrashed Puducherry inside three days to storm into the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy semi-finals at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. This massive, innings and 231-run win came on Day Three, six overs after tea, thanks mainly to two fiery spells by left-armer Arjun Tendulkar (3-24) and fellow pacer Minad Manjrekar (4-38). It was a huge struggle for the visitors post lunch. In reply to Mumbai's 581, Puducherry were struggling 54-5 in just 15 overs. Tendulkar, who managed only wicket from eight overs in the first essay, clean bowled Puducherry opener Sai (9) with a sharp inswinger that sneaked in between bat and pad to disturb the furniture. The left-arm pacer's second victim, Yash Jadhav (5) too, was unable to read a quick incoming delivery that took off the bails. Arjun then forced right-hander George (0) into edging one to gully fielder Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, after claiming his third scalp, Tendulkar had to return to the dressing room after suffering an ankle injury during his foll..
                 

IND vs NZ | Tough on you guys, Sachin Tendulkar feels for Virat Kohli and Co

4 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
When a player like Sachin Tendulkar says it is difficult to negotiate the wind factor at Wellington's Basin Reserve, he ought to be taken seriously. Tendulkar on Sunday elaborated on why battling the wind is a massive challenge just like the Indian batsmen are experiencing in the ongoing opening Test of the two-match series against New Zealand. Virat Kohli's Indians were bowled out for 165 in the first innings and ended Day Three with 144 for four after New Zealand claimed a healthy lead of 183. India's premier batsman Ajinkya Rahane who stayed unbeaten with 25 on Sunday, said before the series that the wind factor would be a hurdle. "Jinks [Rahane's nickname] is correct and I can speak from experience as well. It's difficult to bat against the wind. It hurts your body and one tends to close his eyes. You have to spot those deliveries that come at speed. One can miss the line as well," Tendulkar told mid-day, recalling the 1998 Test there. He added: "Daniel Vettori [left-arm spinner] w..
                 

CL: Jose Mourinho uses injury woes to escape inspection of Tottenham style

7 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
London: Jose Mourinho had his excuses ready made for a 1-0 home defeat to RB Leipzig that leaves Tottenham needing to recreate their escape acts of last season to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. Already without Harry Kane due to a long-term hamstring injury, the news that Son Heung-min could miss the rest of the season with a fractured right arm on Tuesday was a body blow to Spurs' chances of progressing. "It's like going to a gun fight without bullets, so we did what we could do," concluded Mourinho, who bristled at criticism of his set up. As the Portuguese complained about his lack of resources, it was easy to forget that Leipzig were the novices at this stage of the competition. Tottenham progressed further in the Champions League for the past three years under Mauricio Pochettino, culminating in a rollercoaster run to last season's final. A similar run this season is hard to imagine with even Mourinho questioning how his side muddles through to the end of the seas..
                 

Asian Wrestling Championships: Indians stand tall

8 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Other sports  
Ashu, Aditya Kundu and Hardeep won a bronze medal each in their respective weight categories as Indian wrestlers bagged five medals in Greco-Roman events of the Asian Wrestling Championships here on Wednesday. While Ashu won a bronze in 67kg category, Aditya and Hardeep also bagged the medals of same colour in the 72kg and 97kg respectively on the second day of the competitions. Ashu beat Syria's Abdulkarim Mohammad Al-Hasan 8-1, while Kundu defeated Nao Kusaka of Japan 8-0 inside one and a half minutes in a lop-sided 72kg bronze medal bout at KD Jadhav Hall in Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Later, Hardeep beat Kyrgyzstan's Beksultan Makhamadzhanovich Makhmudov 3-1 to register India's third podium finish of the day. India has so far five medals in the championships, after Sunil Kumar's historic gold in 87kg and Arjun Halakurki's bronze in 55kg Greco-Roman category on Tuesday. Gyanender misses medal Gyanender, however, lost 0-6 in the 60kg Greco-Roman bronze medal bout on Wednesday. The ..
                 

School girl has serious knee injury, but MSSA lacks doctor, first aid kit

9 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Rushali Jhaveri of Utpal Sanghvi School (Juhu) sustained a serious knee injury during a Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) girls' U-14 Div-II inter-school football match against Udayachal School at Cooperage on Tuesday afternoon. Shockingly, there was no doctor at the venue to treat her. Nor was even basic first aid medical kit provided by MSSA. There was no arrangement even for ice which is an essential applicant in most injuries. Except for groundsman Ravi Kahar, who was assigned by MSSA football secretary Sebastian Fernandes to conduct the matches, there was no other MSSA official present, who could decide on the course of action to treat the injured player. It was a pitiful sight to see Rushali screaming in pain, while her coach Abigail Fernandes and a staff member of the school, carried her from the ground to the school bus to be taken back to the school, in a plastic chair. It was later learnt that the Rushali has sustained an avulsion fracture to her left knee and will hav..
                 

Women's WT20: Three cheers, girls!

10 hours ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
India entered the semi-finals of the women's T20 World Cup after Shafali Verma's 34-ball 46 followed by a superlative performance from the bowlers helped the team notch up a narrow three-run win over New Zealand here on Thursday. Put into bat, India posted a below-par 133 for eight in the Group A match with Shafali top-scoring with a 34-ball 46 and Taniya Bhatia chipping in with a 25-ball 23. They, however, produced a disciplined performance with the ball to restrict New Zealand to 129 for six and register their third successive win in the tournament and seal a Last Four spot. With this win, India topped Group A, having beaten Australia and Bangladesh in their last two outing. "It is a great feeling when your team is performing like that," skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match. India opener Shafali Verma en route her quickfire 46 against New Zealand yesterday. Pic/AFP Skipper unhappy"We committed the same mistakes. We got a good start in the first 10 overs but didn't carry the ..
                 

Glenn McGrath: I thought Ishant Sharma's career was over

yesterday  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
If Ishant Sharma was not a very important bowler, the Indian team management wouldn't have got him on the plane to New Zealand immediately after his rehab in Bangalore and played a jet-lagged pacer in the first Test at Wellington where he delivered with a fifer despite coming off an ankle injury. Ishant's revival since 2018 has been phenomenal. Even as Jasprit Bumrah gets most of the attention, Ishant has been quietly going about his business. 'Ishant's reinvented himself' The 2.0 version of Ishant has impressed Aussie pace great Glenn McGrath. "The way he has come back in the last couple of years is impressive. I thought his career might have been finished at the international level, but he has reinvented himself," said McGrath on Wednesday during an interaction organised by Tourism Australia to unveil their plans for the men's T20 World Cup this year in October. Australian minister for trade, tourism and investment Simon Birmingham was also present. After an impressive 2007-08 Austra..
                 

Ugandan youth find hope in Gujarat

2 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
The youngsters of the African nation Uganda can easily be victims of drug and alcohol abuse. But there is an avenue to keep them away from the dark alleys and points of no return — cricket. A bunch of Ugandans are visiting the western region of India for a 10-day cricket tour, with a majority of playing and practice activity happening at the Param Veer Academy at Sanjay Farms, 65 km away from Surat. Left-arm spinner Gerald Mubiru, 21, is getting his action and follow through right. It's hot enough to make him bowl without a shirt. He is also keeping a close eye on his 'brother'—former skipper Roger Mukasa, 30,— batting in the nets, facing a bowling machine. Uganda's left-arm spinner Gerald Mubiru prepares to bowl in the nets at Sanjay Farms, Chikhli recently. Pics/Harit N Joshi Mukasa, who played in the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, may not be Mubiru's brother in a real sense. Mubiru, a school student, owes a lot to cricket and Mukasa. "I am able to lead a good li..
                 

Lionel Messi does things that only exist on PlayStation: Gennaro Gattuso

3 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Lionel Messi is the "greatest" footballer of all time, ahead of even Diego Maradona, Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso said on Monday ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Barcelona. Messi, 32, scored four goals at the weekend in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Eibar and has now been involved in more than 1,000 goals in his career, scoring 696 and assisting another 306. Gattuso was quick to praise Messi, comparing the Barca star to Napoli legend Maradona. "He's the greatest and an example for everyone," said Gattuso ahead of the sides' Last-16 first leg tonight. "He never says anything inappropriate. He does things that only exist on the Playstation, unthinkable things. But I saw him [Maradona] on VHS, or DVD. I never saw him up close, at a stadium. I know the champion he was and I know I missed something wonderful. I regret it. Today I see Messi doing things that Maradona was doing." Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne was not so keen to accept that Messi has reached greater heights than 198..
                 

Virat Kohli: I am batting really well, would like to contribute in a win in next Test

4 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Virat Kohli was disappointed after the thrashing in the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington but cautioned against reading too much into the loss. "We did not play good enough cricket and that’s why we lost," Kohli told reporters while interacting with the media at the post-match conference. He added that a one-off defeat will not make Team India a bad team overnight, he was confident that the team will up the ante and put up an improved performance in the second Test. "There is no doubt that we are going to try to win the next Test, playing positive cricket. We are not bothered about another loss but we are not going to take a backward step for sure" said Kohli. Virat Kohli takes pride in his performance and expects every team member to show similar fight and character while competing on the cricket field. He believes that good team work is the key to success and in his tenure as the captain of India; Kohli has downplayed individual achievements especially when the team ..
                 

Kim Hughes, Imran Khan, Ian Botham and the rest in '79-80

5 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
A significant fallout of Team India's twin triumphs of 1971 was an increase in the volume of international cricket. Starting 1974-75, India played at least one Test series, either at home or away, every season. The 1979-80 season marked the culmination of this upsurge. India's most hectic home season till that point witnessed as many as 13 Test matches, split between three touring sides. For the Indian players, the 1979-80 season was an extension of the previous one. A historic tour of Pakistan had been followed by a six-Test series at home against the West Indies, after which the team flew to England for the second World Cup and a four-Test tussle. In fact, the Indian team was still in England when Kim Hughes's Australians arrived for a six-Test contest in August 1979. Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which had run parallel to 'establishment' cricket for two seasons, had been disbanded by then, but the Australian selectors still chose not to pick the cricketers who had been a part..
                 

Vibgyor, Rajhans are champs

7 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Other sports  
A late flourish by Aditya Keshwani, 10, who sunk two back-to-back baskets, helped Vibgyor High 'A' (Malad) quell the strong determined challenge from Don Bosco 'A' (Matunga) by snatching a thrilling 10-6 victory in an engrossing boys' under-11 final of the MSSA inter-school basketball tournament at Azad Maidan on Thursday. In a match of fluctuating fortunes and with the lead changing hands, Aditya seemed to have saved his best for last. Towards the end of the third quarter, Aditya converted two free throws to tie the match scores at 6-all. The Rajhans Vidyalaya (Andheri) girls are all smiles as they pose with the U-11 winner's trophy That boosted his confidence and a late moment of brilliance saw an alert Aditya pounce on the rebounds and, he twice in quick succession found the hoop in the final quarter and thanks to the poor shooting from the Don Bosco hoopsters, who drew a blank in this period, Vibgyor went on to emerge champions. Aditya scores eightAditya scored eight of the 10 poin..
                 

CL: An unforgettable night, says Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone after Liverpool win

8 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Liverpool were the victims of an old-fashioned Atletico Madrid masterclass on Tuesday as Diego Simeone's side ground out a 1-0 win in Madrid to give themselves hope of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. Saul Niguez raised the roof at a bouncing Wanda Metropolitano by scoring in the fourth minute before Atletico's defence kicked in, suffocating the European champions and denying them a single shot on target. "Tonight is one of those nights you don't forget," said Simeone. "We haven't gone through but we have beaten the best team in the world." If Alvaro Morata had not slipped at the crucial moment, Atleti might even have taken a two-goal lead to Anfield, where they can expect an onslaught next month. "We are not 5-0 down," said Jurgen Klopp. "We don't think it will be easy but as long as we can get 11 players in Liverpool shirts we will give everything we have. And for all the Liverpool fans that can get a ticket -- welcome to Anfield." If Liverpool remain favourites to go th..
                 

Gavin Larsen: Jasprit Bumrah can't be put down for too long

10 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Hamilton: Jasprit Bumrah remains the focus as India head into the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington on Friday. Bumrah has set such lofty standards for himself in little time at the international level that going wicketless in the recent three-match ODI series against the Kiwis came as a shocker. Bumrah, the first Asian bowler to grab a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia and West Indies all in his first tour to these countries, would be eyeing a similar achievement in New Zealand this time. Although he suffered a slump in the ODI series, Bumrah managed to impress in the tour game against New Zealand XI, finishing with 11-3-18-2. Hamilton-based former NZ pacer Gavin Larsen, who is the national chief selector at the moment, has no doubt that Bumrah will not be easy to tackle. "Bumrah is a quality player. He can't be put down for too long. Just watch out for Test matches, he will bounce back," said Larsen. Mohd Shami is the other Indian pacer that poses a huge..
                 

CL: Barcelona coach Quique Setien content with 1-1 draw at Napoli

yesterday  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Antoine Griezmann rescued a 1-1 draw for Barcelona at Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. Frenchman Griezmann struck just before the hour mark in Naples after Dries Mertens had put the hosts ahead in the 30th minute with his 121st Napoli goal, drawing level with Marek Hamsik as the club's all-time top scorer. Barcelona ended the game with 10 men after Arturo Vidal was sent off with two minutes to go after picking up two yellow cards, following an angry clash with Napoli defender Mario Rui. "In the end it's a draw that is a good result considering that we have another home game," said Barcelona coach Quique Setien, with his side in a strong position ahead of the second leg at the Camp Nou on March 18. The clash was the first between the two teams and also a Champions League debut for both Setien and Napoli counterpart Gennaro Gattuso, who took over after the group stage. "They didn't hurt us, they tickled us," said Gattuso. "It went wrong in one mom..
                 

EPL: Jurgen Klopp hails 'special' Liverpool after record-equalling win over West Ham

2 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp admitted he never expected Liverpool to make such a "special" charge towards the Premier League title after a record-equalling 3-2 victory against West Ham left the runaway leaders four wins from the clinching the trophy. Klopp's side were in danger of dropping Premier League points for the first time since their draw at Manchester United on October 20 after falling behind in the second half at Anfield on Monday. Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool ahead early on but Issa Diop equalised soon after. Pablo Fornals gave struggling West Ham a stunning lead, but Lukasz Fabianski's woeful blunder allowed Mohamed Salah to equalise with his 19th goal of the season. Sadio Mane completed the fightback with nine minutes left as Liverpool restored their 22-point lead over Manchester City. The dramatic escape ensured they equalled Manchester City's top-flight record of 18 consecutive wins set between August and December 2017. Klopp, usually reluctant to celebrate milestones, c..
                 

Kobe Bryant memorial: Tearful Michael Jordan commemorates 'little brother'

3 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
A tearful Michael Jordan remembered his "little brother" Kobe Bryant at a star-filled memorial in Los Angeles for the basketball great and his daughter Gianna, who died with seven others in a helicopter crash last month. "When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died, and as I look in this arena, across the globe, a piece of you died," the NBA legend said on Monday with tears streaming down his face. "I promise you, from this day forward, I will live with the memories and knowing that I had a little brother," Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest player in history, added. "I tried to help in every way I could. Please rest in peace, little brother." The public memorial -- dubbed "A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant" -- was held at Staples Center, the arena where Bryant wowed fans for 17 years, and known as "the house that Kobe built." The 2/24 date carries special significance as it coincides with Bryant's jersey number -- "24" -- and Gianna's "2" jersey number. Another baske..
                 

Nikki Bella gets emotional as Bella Twins to enter WWE Hall of Fame 2020. See post

3 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Other sports  
Nikki & Brie Bella, two of the most iconic female Superstars in WWE history, are the latest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020. They will take their place in the hallowed hall on Thursday, April 2, in Tampa, Florida, during WrestleMania 36 Week. The news was first revealed by Alexa Bliss during “A Moment of Bliss” on Friday Night SmackDown. The Bella Twins join Batista and nWo members Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Kevin Nash in the 2020 class so far. Nikki & Brie will react to the huge news in an interview on WWE Backstage this Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET on FS1. Nikki Bella's joy knew no bounds as she took to Instagram to share a lovely video of their journey in WWE and wrote, 'It’s hard to find all of the words to describe how happy, excited and honored I feel being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame with @thebriebella in Tampa, FL WrestleMania week. Yesterday we felt SO many beautiful emotions! Hall of Fame for us is the ultimate achieveme..
                 

They 'run' the show: Top 5 partnerships by batsmen in ODI history

4 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
On this day in 2015, West Indies batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels set a record for the highest partnership in ODIs. Let's take a look at the top 5 partnerships by batsmen in ODI history. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels - 372 runsGayle (215) Samuels (133) vs Zimbabwe at Canberra on 24 February 2015. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid - 331 runsTendulkar (186) Dravid (153) vs New Zealand at Hyderabad on 8 November 1999. Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid - 318 runsGanguly (183) Dravid (145) vs Sri Lanka at Taunton on 26 May 1999. Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga - 286 runsJayasuriya (152) Tharanga (109) vs England at Leeds on 1 July 2006 Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga - 282 runsDilshan (144) Tharanga (143) vs Zimbabwe at Pallekele on 10 March 2011. All Pics/ AFP Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates..
                 

ISL: It's over for Mumbai

6 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
On Thursday, Chennaiyin FC skipper Lucian Goian said that it would be strange to play against Mumbai City FC, a team he has excelled for in the last three ISL seasons. On Friday, he was instrumental in 'booting' out his former club from the competition after his 83rd minute goal ensured Chennaiyin nudge Mumbai off the fourth playoff spot in what was the host side's last league match at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri. Chennai had an edgeMumbai City, who were on 26 points from 17 matches before Friday's clash, needed a win at all costs to confirm their playoff position while even a draw would suffice for Chennaiyin who have a game in hand. With so much at stake, both teams began cautiously, leading to a goalless first half. The referee gives a red card to Mumbai City FC's Sourav Das during the ISL tie against Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, Andheri In the second session, Mumbai City showed some urgency but it was Chennaiyin who had the better chances. In fact, the visit..
                 

Harbhajan Singh pulls Rohit Sharma's leg for workout video, calls him 'shaana'

8 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
India's star opening batsman Rohit Sharma is currently nursing a bad injury to his calf and is putting his best foot forward when it comes to getting fit again to be back in the game. Rohit Sharma is busting himself in the gym lifting heavy weights during strenuous workouts and he recently shared a video on social media site Instagram to show his fans what he is up to.       View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Sharma (@rohitsharma45) onFeb 18, 2020 at 3:27am PST While Rohit received praise from his followers, his former Mumbai Indians colleague and friend Harbhajan Singh posted a funny comment trying to pull Rohit Sharma's leg saying, "Only 40 kg for this ?? Common shaana." Rohit Sharma went on to respond to his buddy Harbhajan, saying: That's because it's my first day after injury with weights. Harbhajan's comment left users in splits, while some commented saying 40 kg was enough for Rohit to keep sending the ball to the stands. Rohit Sharma will ..
                 

IND vs NZ | Shane Bond: New Zealand is hard to beat at home

9 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Sports  
Wellington: The Indian team have come to New Zealand with a pace bowling attack which is the envy of the world. New-ball partners Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are being seen as the biggest threat, as far as former New Zealand speedster Shane Bond is concerned. "Both [Shami and Bumrah] are going to be key factors because Shami has bowled brilliantly of late across formats and Bumrah will be desperate to bounce back [after going wicketless in the ODI series]. I don't think he bowled badly with the white ball. You can't expect him to pick wickets all the time," said Bond on Tuesday. The first Test starts here on Friday and the Basin Reserve Test is expected to be a battle among the pacers. "I won't pick a spinner on this track. I will be surprised if New Zealand pick a spinner. It's a win-toss, field-first kind of pitch although I think India will play [Ravindra] Jadeja," said Bond, who is Mumbai Indians' bowling coach. Shane Bond Despite a humiliating 0-3 loss in their last Test ser..
                 

EPL | Terry Phelan: All the other teams fear Liverpool

10 days ago  
News / Mid-Day/ Football  
Former English Premier League star Terry Phelan has no doubt that Liverpool will complete their grand double with the English Premier league as well as the Champions League. Irishman Phelan, who did defensives duties for some of the EPL's top clubs like Leeds United, Swansea, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton, felt Liverpool's dominance (they are 25 points ahead of second-placed City), in the EPL has given them the confidence to go all the way in the Champions League. Three top strikers "The way Liverpool are playing at the moment, they can knock any defence, with the players they've got. They put teams under pressure. They put teams in places where they want to go, and win the ball back quickly and then they've got three effective strikers. It will be a tough game against Atletico Madrid," Phelan, 52, told mid-day on the eve of Liverpool's Champions League pre-quarterfinal away clash with Diego Simeone's Atletico tonight. "I think Liverpool will just go there, do their j..