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1. India Look to Equalise Series in Second T20 Against South Africa
Handed a defeat in the first Twenty20 International, a determined India will look to plug the loopholes in their bowling unit and bounce back in a must-win second T20 of the three-match series against South Africa today.
Back after a break of three months, the onus would be on limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bring the team out of the rut and ensure India get back to winning ways.
Unlike Dharamsala, the conditions are expected to be ideal for Dhoni’s men in Cuttack tonight and the third T20 in Kolkata as well, as the surface is likely to be low and slow due to rains and thundershowers in past few days.
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2. Manohar Takes Over as BCCI President, Launches Operation Clean-up
Lawyer-turned-administrator Shashank Manohar was elected unopposed as the BCCI President for a second time after a gap of four years and vowed to clean up the mess in the Cricket Board by announcing a slew of reforms to restore the credibility of the game.
The 58-year-old, who began his second stint as President after being elected to the post at the Special General Body meeting, said his top priority is to restore the battered image of the Board and sought two months’ time to put the house in order.
The reforms announced by Manohar included the appointment of an ombudsman to deal with contentious issues like conflict of interest.
Laying down his roadmap for the board, Manohar also announced several other important decisions which included central contracts for women cricketers, common auditor to monitor expenses of all the state units and putting BCCI’s balance sheet on the board’s website to promote transparency.
3. Veteran Venus Williams Wins Wuhan Open
Venus Williams captured her 47th WTA career title and her biggest in five years, when she won the Wuhan Open in China, beating Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza.
The 35-year-old American was leading Muguruza 6-3 3-0 when the Spaniard, struggling with injury, retired, handing the title to Williams, who was already well on top and had won the last five games in a row.
“Congratulations Garbine for making the final,” Williams said. “I know you had a tough match yesterday - it’s not easy when you don’t play your best, and I probably didn’t have a chance if you felt well!”
4. FC Goa Beat Delhi Dynamos 2-0 in Their ISL Opener
FC Goa started their Indian Super League (ISL) football campaign on a convincing note after dispatching Delhi Dynamos 2-0 at the Nehru Stadium in Goa on Sunday.
An own goal from Souvik Chakraborty (3rd minute) opened the scoring for the hosts before Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira (45’+2’) added a second at the stroke of half-time.
Delhi manager and marquee player Roberto Carlos came in as a substitute for defender Anwar Ali to give weight to the defense but the team could still not find a breakthrough up front with the rival keeper making a couple of good saves to deny Florent Malouda and John Arne Riise from scoring.
5. Atletico Madrid Strikes Late to Hold Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid substitute Luciano Vietto struck late to rescue a 1-1 La Liga draw against Real Madrid on Sunday, while Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait to set a new club scoring record.
Vietto slotted the ball home with seven minutes to go after Karim Benzema had given visitors Real the lead early on.
Real are second in the table, level with Celta Vigo and Barcelona on 15 points from seven games. Atletico are fifth with 13 points.
6. Liverpool Sack Manager Rodgers After Everton Draw
Liverpool terminated the contract of manager Brendan Rodgers on Sunday, just eight games into the Premier League season with the five-times European champions languishing in 10th place.
The announcement came three hours after the team had drawn 1-1 at Everton in the Merseyside derby leaving them with only three wins from their first eight league games this term.
Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it. The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner.
– Club Owners’ Statement
7. Wenger’s Arsenal Beat Man United 3-0
Arsene Wenger celebrated the 19th anniversary of his arrival as Arsenal manager with a stunning 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday night.
Wenger became Arsenal manager in October, 1996 and although the week of his anniversary began badly when they lost to Olympiakos Piraeus in the Champions League, he had plenty to smile about on Sunday.
The victory, their first over United in the League since May 2011 and the biggest league win over them for 17 years, lifted Arsenal into second place in the table, above United on goal difference and two points behind leaders Manchester City after eight games.
To win in a big game is always a statement as far as the title race is concerned. We are in it. We are two points off the leaders Manchester City so I hope that result today gives us the belief and ambition we need.
– Arsene Wenger