1. Vijay, Pujara Score 100s, Lead India to 319/4 on Day 3
Murali Vijay (126) and Cheteshwar Pujara (124) led India's determined response to England's mammoth first innings total of 537 as they struck hundreds to guide the hosts to 319/4 on the third day of the first Test in Rajkot on Friday.
With Vijay’s typically gritty innings of 126 in 301 balls and Pujara’s aggressive 124 in 206 balls, the duo forged a huge second-wicket stand of 209.
England fought back late in the day by dismissing the well-set Vijay, who hit 9 fours and 4 sixes in his marathon 485-minute innings, and night watchman Amit Mishra (0) in the space of four balls.
At stumps, India had replied with 319 for four, still 218 runs behind the visitors' tally with six wickets in hand on a track that showed some signs of wear and tear but did not hold many terrors for the Indian batsmen.
Read more here.
2. Flare Explodes Near Poland’s Lewandowski During a World Cup Qualifier Match
Poland took control of Group E with a 3-0 victory over Romania on Friday in a World Cup qualifier, which was marred by crowd trouble at the National Arena Bucharest.
Poland's star striker, Robert Lewandowski, needed medical attention in the second half as he collapsed after a flare thrown in the 55th minute. The referee temporarily stopped the match and Lewandowski returned to the game several minutes later.
The first flares were thrown by the crowd immediately after kick-off.
Lewandowski had his own answer to the incident. He netted in the 82nd minute to double the Polish lead from inside the box and added his second in stoppage time from the spot.
(Source: AP)
3. Raghunath Replaces Sreejesh as Captain in Upcoming Hockey Tourney
After bringing home the Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian hockey team will be missing the services of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh in the four-nation tournament in Australia later this month.
Experienced drag-flicker VR Raghunath, who was rested in last month's ACT, will return to lead the squad in place of Sreejesh, who has been left out due to a knee injury. Defender and drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was the top scorer in ACT, will be the vice-captain of the team in the tour.
Read more here.
4. We Can Win If We Bat Well on Saturday: Pujara
Far from being disheartened by the loss of quick wickets just before close, Cheteshwar Pujara feels India can force a win if they bat well tomorrow.
The way I started playing shots, I expected that they will be on the defensive mode but when they have 537 runs on board the plan is very simple, first to reach that mark. And obviously we have a bright chance to win the game if we bat well tomorrow (Saturday). The ball will start turning from tomorrow and batting on day five will be difficult.Cheteshwar Pujara
(Source: PTI)
5. Novak Djokovic Will Return to Form: Andy Murray
Andy Murray expects Novak Djokovic to "start playing his best tennis again" soon as they prepare to compete for the world number one spot.
Britain's Murray overtook Djokovic in the rankings on Monday and needs to match his results at next week's ATP World Tour Finals to end 2016 on top.
However, the Serb has won the past four titles at London's O2 Arena.
There’s no reason to think he won’t have a really good tournament. I’d imagine shortly he’ll be back to playing his best tennis.Andy Murray
(Source: BBC Sport)
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