Global Sports News Updates

Warner, Smith to play at Newlands for 1st time after 2018 sandpaper scandal

Australia's Steve Smith and David Warner will play at Newlands Cricket Stadium in the T20I series decider against South Africa on Wednesday. This will be the first time after the infamous 2018 sandpaper scandal that the two will play at the venue. Smith and Warner faced a one-year ban for using sandpaper to tamper the ball while playing at Newlands.
read more at Hindustan Times

Till PM Modi is in power, India-Pak series won't happen: Ex-Pak skipper Afridi

Ex-Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has said that till Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in power in India, a bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan is not possible. "Relationship between India, Pakistan has been damaged because of one person only...his [PM Modi's] thinking is inclined towards negativity," Afridi claimed. Notably, both countries last played a bilateral series in 2012-13.
read more at Hindustan Times

We love, miss you both: Wife pays tribute to Kobe Bryant, daughter at memorial

In her eulogy at late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter Gianna's memorial, his wife Vanessa Bryant said, "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other." "He had to bring them home to heaven together," she further said. "May you both...have fun in heaven...We love you both and miss you forever and always," Vanessa added.
read more at Daily Mail

Kevin Pietersen criticises Donald Trump for calling Sachin 'Soo-chin'

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter to take a dig at US President Donald Trump for mispronouncing Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli's names during the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. "FFS, @piersmorgan, pls ask your mate to do some research in pronouncing legends names?!" Pietersen wrote commenting on the video wherein Trump can be heard calling Sachin 'Soo-chin'.
read more at CricTracker

Woman cricketer takes all 10 wkts, does what only 2 int'l players have done

Kashvee Gautam, captain of Chandigarh Under-19 team on Tuesday achieved what only two international players have done in cricket history, she picked all the 10 wickets in a Women's Under-19 One-Day Trophy. Notably, she achieved the feat in 29 balls which included six dots. In international cricket, only India's Anil Kumble and England's JC Laker have picked all 10 wickets.
read more at BCCI

Being cautious won't help: Kohli on team's defensive approach in 1st NZ Test

Talking about the Wellington Test defeat against New Zealand, Virat Kohli said that being "cautious or wary" won't help as the players "might stop playing" their shots. In India's first innings, Mayank Agarwal took 84 balls to score 34 runs while Ajinkya Rahane consumed 138 balls to score 46 runs. In second innings, Cheteshwar Pujara scored 11 off 81 balls.
read more at Cricket Country

Kobe Bryant's wife sues helicopter owner, claims pilot was 'careless'

Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the helicopter for the wrongful death of her 13-year-old daughter and husband. The suit names Island Express Helicopters and claims that the helicopter shouldn't have flown under the cloudy weather conditions. It added that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was careless and negligent despite knowing the poor conditions.
read more at the Guardian

New team in almost every match, I don't understand selection: Kapil Dev

On India's defeat against New Zealand in the Wellington Test, former India captain Kapil Dev said, "There's a new team in almost every match." "No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players," he added. "KL Rahul...in great form, he is sitting out," he further said.
read more at Cricket Country

No Hawk Eye, Ultra Edge as 'limited DRS' to be be used in Ranji for 1st time

The Decision Review System (DRS) will be implemented in the Ranji Trophy for the first time in the semifinals and final of the tournament. However, Hawk-Eye which projects the trajectory of the ball and Ultra Edge which uses a snickometer (graphical analysis of sound) will not be used. Each team will be allowed four reviews.

Rafael Nadal rubbishes Djokovic's claim, says there's no 'Big 3' WhatsApp group

After Novak Djokovic claimed he was in a WhatsApp group with the other two of 'Big Three' namely Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the Spaniard said that there isn't any such private chat group. "We don't have a group of us three but of more people," the 33-year-old said indicating that they were part of an ATP Council chat group.

Won't be able to tell Gianna how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day: Vanessa

During the public memorial service of her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna, Vanessa Bryant said, "I won’t be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day. I’ll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle." She added, "Gianna would've been an amazing mommy...She was very maternal, ever since she was really little."
read more at Daily Mail

Why hate someone for pronunciation when there are better reasons: Neesham on Trump

Reacting to US President Donald Trump mispronouncing Sachin Tendulkar's name, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham tweeted, "Why hate someone for the pronunciation of names they’ve never heard before when there are so, so, so many better reasons to hate them?" Michael Vaughan had also trolled Trump for the mispronunciation, writing, "Can't wait to see how he pronounces Fakhar Zaman."
read more at Twitter

Turning into sightseeing tour for them: Hogg after India's 10-wicket loss vs NZ

Ex-Australia spinner Brad Hogg took a dig at India after their 10-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first Test. "India still have their troubles in NZ in Test cricket. Batsmen have 5 days to find a way to play the seaming ball before Christchurch. First 2 weeks they meant business...next 4 weeks turning into a sightseeing tour," he wrote.

Michael Jordan breaks down at Kobe's memorial, jokes about 'Crying Jordan' meme

NBA legend Michael Jordan broke down while giving speech during Kobe Bryant's public memorial service at Staples Center. Referring to 'Crying Jordan' meme which is superimposed on athletes and public figures at moments of loss or disappointment, Jordan said, "Now he’s got me. I’m going to have to look at another crying meme for the next..."

Kobe was the MVP of girl dads or MVD, he never left the toilet seat up: Vanessa

Talking about her late husband Kobe Bryant during his public memorial service, Vanessa Bryant said, "Kobe was the MVP of girl dads, or MVD. He never left the toilet seat up." She added, "He always told the girls how beautiful and smart they are." She further said, "He would do anything for me...He was charismatic, a gentleman."
read more at Daily Mail

Boxer blames his ₹30-lakh 18-kg ring-walk costume for defeat against Tyson Fury

Boxer Deontay Wilder has said the outfit he wore on his ring-walk was the key reason for his defeat to Tyson Fury. Wilder walked into the arena wearing a full leather suit of armor clad with rhinestones that weighed around 18 kg and cost ₹30 lakh. "I knew I didn’t have the legs because of my uniform," Wilder said.
read more at The Guardian

Pragyan Ojha praises MS Dhoni, calls him 'bowler's captain'

Ex-India spinner Pragyan Ojha, who recently retired from international and first-class career, said that MS Dhoni is a 'bowler’s captain'. The 33-year-old stated that the wicketkeeper-batsman had a great understanding with his bowlers. He added, "A lot of bowlers praise Dhoni because of the dimensions he gives you...things that he helps you with like placing the field...keeping your mind clear."

Mushfiqur Rahim covers wicket to avoid dismissal, video surfaces

Bangladesh middle-order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim covered his wickets to avoid dismissal en route his third double hundred in Test cricket against Zimbabwe on Monday. A video of the incident has surfaced on social media. Rahim scored unbeaten 203 runs off 318 balls to become the country's leading all-time run-scorer in Test cricket.
read more at CricTracker

Being vocal doesn't mean that you're aggressive: Sachin on U-19 WC final scuffle

Talking about Bangladeshi and Indian players clashing after the Under-19 World Cup final, former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar said, "One needs to be aggressive but being vocal and saying foul things doesn’t mean that you are aggressive." He further said, "Aggression should be in your game." He added, "You can’t cross the line."
read more at CricTracker

Rumours of death of ex-Brazilian footballer surface, he shares selfie from bed

Former Brazilian forward Adriano took to social media to quash rumours of his death. The 38-year-old shared a selfie from his bed on Instagram, writing, "Yes, yes, I am alive!" He shared another photo posing with 'V sign' and wrote, "I am alive, folks. I am at home." Adriano played 48 matches for Brazil, scoring 27 goals.

Sachin Tendulkar should have never gone away from cricket: Inzamam-ul-Haq

On the 10th anniversary of Sachin Tendulkar's double hundred in ODI cricket, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq shared a tribute video. "He was born for cricket. I always believed cricket and he were made for each other," he said. Inzamam further said, "He used to be so enjoyable to watch. He should have never gone away from cricket."
read more at Hindustan Times

Kohli, Dhawan, Pant among six Indians in Asia XI squad for World XI T20s

Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami and Kuldeep Yadav are the six Indians included in the Asia XI squad for the T20 series against World XI in Bangladesh. While Kohli's selection is subject to confirmation, Rahul will play only one T20. Matches are being held to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Can't wait to see how he pronounces Fakhar: Vaughan as Trump mispronounces Sachin

Former England captain Michael Vaughan took to Twitter to troll US President Donald Trump for pronouncing Sachin Tendulkar's name as Soo-chin. "Can't wait for Trump to visit Pakistan and see how he pronounces Fakhar Zaman...!!!" he tweeted. "How are you today Sue Chin @sachin_rt !!!! #DonaldTrumpIndiaVisit," Vaughan had earlier jokingly tweeted.
read more at CricTracker

Shaquille O'Neal reveals what Kobe told him when he said 'There's no I in team'

During Kobe Bryant's public memorial service at Staples Center, Shaquille O'Neal recalled a time when Bryant wouldn't pass the ball to his teammates. "I said, 'Kobe, there's no I in team'. Kobe said, 'I know but there's a M-E in that mo****f***er'." Shaquille further called Kobe 'heaven's MVP'. Kobe died in a helicopter crash on January 26.
read more at Daily Mail