Danijones

Champions League: Thibaut Courtois to start for Real Madrid in final, says Carlo Ancelotti

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti announced on Friday that Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday. This announcement ends weeks of speculation regarding the team’s goalkeeping position. Courtois, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has made a remarkable comeback after a lengthy injury absence due to a torn ACL suffered last August. Since his return, he has started in five matches, demonstrating his exceptional skills and form. The Belgian’s return presented Ancelotti with a difficult decision, as Andriy Lunin, who stepped in during Courtois’s absence, performed admirably. The Ukrainian goalkeeper was instrumental in Real Madrid’s LaLiga title campaign and played a crucial role in their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals. “Lunin has had the flu and will travel from Madrid tomorrow. He is fine, but tomorrow he will be on the bench. Courtois will play,” Ancelotti told a press conference at Wembley on Friday. Ancelotti admitted that his club is aware that they are considered heavy favourites against a Dortmund team that finished fifth in the Bundesliga this season. However, the Italian stated that he and his players were experienced enough not to fall into the trap of being overconfident. “A final is the most important match, but also the most dangerous. You have to enjoy being here, and we’re going to do that, but then there’s the worry that something could go wrong,” Ancelotti added. “You feel that winning the Champions League is very close and you’re afraid that it might slip away. The important thing is that we know that we have to do everything very well, have a bit of luck and never give up.” Modric agreed, stating that the Spanish team, which includes himself, Toni Kroos, Nacho, and Dani Carvajal, is focused and has shut out the clamour on Saturday as they attempt to equal Real Madrid great Paco Gento’s record six European Cup triumphs. “Everyone is saying that we’re the favourites, but it’s not like that, I see a 50-50,” Modric said. “Dortmund are a big club, they have had a great season in the Champions League and they will make it very difficult for us. We need concentration and to demonstrate on the field that we are capable of beating them.” Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 31, 2024

England Star Banned From Cricket For Three Months Over Betting Offences

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

England paceman Brydon Carse has been banned from all cricket for three months for betting violations, it was announced Friday. The 28-year-old, who was called into England’s 50-over World Cup squad six months ago, was given a 16-month sanction — 13 months of which have been suspended — following an anti-corruption investigation by the English game’s Cricket Regulator. Carse, who signed an England central contract in October, accepted the charges of placing 303 bets on various cricket matches between 2017 and 2019, though not on games in which he was playing. As a result, the Durham quick still contravened integrity rules meaning no “professional participant” (player, coach or other support staff) is permitted to bet on any cricket anywhere in the world. South Africa-born Carse, a veteran of 17 white-ball internationals for England, will now be suspended immediately from playing in any cricket until August 28. But provided he does not commit any further anti-corruption offences over the next two years, Carse will not face any further sanctions. “Whilst these bets were several years ago, that is no excuse and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Carse said in a statement on Durham’s website. “I would like to thank the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), Durham Cricket and the PCA (England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association) for their support during this difficult time for me. “I will be working hard in the next 12 weeks to ensure that I repay that support on the field when I am able to return to playing.” An ECB spokesperson said: “We take these matters extremely seriously and do not condone any form of anti-corruption breach in cricket. “We support the Cricket Regulator’s decision and their consideration of the mitigating factors in Brydon’s case. “He has co-operated and shown remorse for his actions. We are satisfied that Brydon has shown growth in the five years since this breach and has demonstrated a greater understanding of his responsibilities. “We are hopeful that his case can serve as an educational example for other cricketers.” Carse’s most recent appearance for England came during a one-day international against the West Indies in Antigua in December last year. His ban effectively rules him out of a Test debut this season, with the last of England’s six matches in the format in their home summer, against Sri Lanka at The Oval starting on September 6, commencing just over a week after Carson’s suspension ends. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Rohit Sharma’s hilarious ‘Oh Larry Paaji’ comment on NBA Trophy goes viral – Watch | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: As Team India gears up for their T20 World Cup campaign, captain Rohit Sharma took a light-hearted break to pose with the NBA trophy at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York. The skipper also shared his enthusiasm for basketball during this interaction.In a video posted by the NBA on Instagram, Rohit brought his sense of humour to the forefront by humorously addressing the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in Punjabi.Posing alongside the iconic NBA trophy, Rohit began the video with a playful greeting, saying, ‘Oh Larry paaji, kya haal chaal’?Rohit’s animated interaction with the trophy amused fans, adding a fun twist to the serious preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His love for basketball and his witty remarks showcased his versatile personality beyond the cricket field.“Oh Larry paaji, kya haal chaal,” Rohit said in a video. The 37-year-old went on to reveal that his favourite basketball player is the legendary Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls star who dominated the sport in the United States.“My favourite has always been Michael Jordan, for what he did for the Chicago Bulls is obviously quite inspiring,” he said.Rohit, in good spirits ahead of the T20 extravaganza, expressed his enjoyment in watching current-generation basketball stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry compete at the highest level of the sport.Additionally, he humorously commented on the weight of the NBA trophy, adding a light-hearted touch to the interaction.“And guys like LeBron James, Steph Curry, those are the guys I love watching. Oh, it looks quite heavy. No wonder they’re so big and tall and strong,” the India captain said.The ICC T20 World Cup is set to take place in the West Indies and the USA from June 2 to 29. As part of their preparations, the Men in Blue will face Bangladesh in their only warm-up game on June 1 in New York.Team India has their sights set on capturing their first T20 World Cup title since their victory in the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2007, held in South Africa.In the most recent edition hosted in Australia in 2022, India faced a disappointing defeat to England in the semifinals, losing by 10 wickets. As they gear up for the upcoming tournament, India will be aiming to rectify that outcome and bring the T20 World Cup trophy back home.(With ANI inputs)

Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; Suresh Raina picks player with 21 T20I caps to be India’s X factor in T20 WC – India TV

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Image Source : PTI Indian cricket team. India’s charge in the T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 5 with their opening clash against Ireland in New York. The team that lifted the trophy in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007, is in the hunt for another title in the West Indies and the USA. The Indian team will bank on bigwigs like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to come well but former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has picked a player with 21 T20I caps to be the team’s X-factor for the tournament. While speaking at the launch of the World Championship of Leagues, the left-handed star said that Shivam Dube can be the X-factor India need in the World Cup. “He has to play in the World Cup. See, the ability to stand still while hitting those big sixes is very rare. Shivam Dube can be the x-factor for India to win the World Cup. So Rohit will have to take the call whether he wants to play Virat (Kohli) up the top, but then Yashasvi is also batting with a different kind of flair. If the situation arises, Shivam can also bowl for the side,” Rainsa said at the launch ceremony. Dube has the special ability to hit sixes while not moving his feet much and staying still. He was in sublime form during the most of IPL 2024, hitting 396 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 162.30. Along with spin, the left-handed batter showed his improved game against pacers too in IPL 2024. Out of his 396 runs, 309 have come against pacers in 12 innings at a strike rate of 164.36. Notably, Dube had two consecutive golden ducks in the latter half of the tournament. In the last three IPL outings, he managed 21, 18 and 7 to his name. The 30-year-old bowled in only one game and picked up a wicket in that match against Punjab Kings. Dube will need to bounce back from the under par latter part of the tournament for the 20-over World Cup.

Champions League Final Most ‘Dangerous’ Game: Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti warned his players the Champions League final is the most “dangerous” game in football on the eve of their clash with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. The Italian, who has won the competition as a coach a record four times, said Los Blancos were afraid the trophy could escape them. Madrid, record 14-time winners, are firm favourites for the clash against the Bundesliga side. “A Champions League final is the most important game but also the most dangerous,” Ancelotti told a news conference Friday. “We have to enjoy being here, but knowing it can go wrong because we are close to the most important thing in football — winning a Champions League — but having the fear this can escape us. “Things have to go very well, you need to be lucky too, success is very close and so the worry begins tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon.” Real Madrid captain Nacho said he was feeling confident but nervous. “We’ve got more nerves than in any other moment of the season,” admitted Madrid captain Nacho. “We’re humans, it’s a calm week for (some people) but for the players it’s not. It’s special, and that makes it not calm.” Veteran midfielder Luka Modric said despite Madrid’s strength in contrast to Dortmund, he was approaching the match as if it were an even battle. “Everyone thinks we are big favourites, but we don’t think about it like that,” said the Croatian. “It’s 50-50, we’re playing a big team that has had a magnificent season in the Champions League.” Nacho and Modric, along with Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal, would reach six career Champions League wins with a victory over Dortmund, levelling all-time leader and former Madrid great Paco Gento. “It was hard to imagine we’d get to this moment but we are here, very happy and enjoying this moment,” said Modric. “I hope tomorrow we can take this step further, as a team and have six European Cups would be something big.” ‘Something special’ Madrid came from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and have a remarkable ability to turn games around in Europe when it seems like they are defeated. “We prefer to take the lead if it’s possible,” said Modric. “But we’ve shown many times this year and before, that when things don’t go well we fight until the end. “We always find a way, we’re capable of turning the game around. We keep having this mentality, this commitment and fight, but like I said, we’d prefer to take the lead.” Ancelotti said Madrid’s ability to come back from the dead “has happened so many times it’s not chance”. “It’s something special… it could be the history, the quality, the tradition, the character,” he mused. The coach confirmed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois would start the final ahead of Andriy Lunin, resolving the main selection query ahead of the game. “Lunin had the flu and hasn’t travelled with the team, tomorrow he will travel and will be on the bench — Courtois will play tomorrow,” said Ancelotti. Belgian stopper Courtois returned from a long-term knee injury earlier in May and has kept four clean sheets in four appearances since. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Iga Swiatek Marks Birthday With Comfortable At At French Open, Jannik Sinner Advances

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Reigning champion Iga Swiatek celebrated her 23rd birthday by brushing aside Marie Bouzkova to reach the French Open last 16 on Friday. Swiatek had to save a match point to avoid an upset defeat by fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a second-round thriller, but she was never in trouble during a 6-4, 6-2 win over Czech Bouzkova. The world number one is a red-hot favourite to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen for a third straight year and become only the fourth woman to win four Roland Garros titles in the Open era. She was much closer to her best form on Friday, hitting 34 winners and making only 19 unforced errors. Swiatek will play Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the next round on Sunday. The Polish star’s win-loss record at the tournament stands at 32-2 and she has never failed to reach the second week. Earlier on Friday, Jannik Sinner continued his serene progress at the French Open with a straight-sets victory over Russian Pavel Kotov in the third round. The Australian Open champion, who will usurp Novak Djokovic as world number one if he reaches the final at Roland Garros, struck 36 winners and saved the only break point he faced in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win. Sinner will next take on either home hope Corentin Moutet or Austrian Sebastian Ofner for a place in the quarter-finals. The Italian, who has only lost two matches so far this year, is yet to drop a set in the tournament. Coco Gauff also eased into the second week for a fourth straight year. Gauff held off a late fightback from Australian Open semi-finalist Dayana Yastremska to win 6-2, 6-4 in the first match of the day on Court Philippe Chatrier. The reigning US Open champion has an excellent record at Roland Garros, having previously reached two quarter-finals and the 2022 final which she lost to Swiatek. The 20-year-old failed to serve out the match when leading 5-2 in the second set, but saved three break points in the 10th game before getting over the line. Topics mentioned in this article Iga Swiatek Jannik Sinner Coco Gauff French Open 2024 Tennis

T20 World Cup in the US: Will ICC’s big gamble pay off? | Sledging Room, S2 EP 35

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

The IPL is over and the biggest T20 carnival is here. The USA and the West Indies will co-host the men’s T20 World Cup from June 1 to June 29. The USA will host a cricket tournament of such magnitude for the first time in its history. 3 venues are hosting the T20 World Cup in the USA and the big India vs Pakistan clash will be played in New York. The ICC’s move to award the USA the hosting rights is seen as a major step toward making the game global. One of the most popular sports in the world is heading to the biggest sports market. Will ICC’s gamble work? Yes, the Asian community in the USA will lap it up. But will the T20 World Cup make some noise in the USA? Well, at least, it’s start. More importantly, the ninth edition of the men’s T20 World Cup will have 20 teams — as many sides for the first time in history. Is it going to affect the competitiveness of the tournament? Well, more teams will add to the flavour of the tournament and is a big step toward making the game global. Don’t count out the associates. Each one of them have deserved to be here. It’s going to an exciting World Cup for sure. Can India progress to the semi-final and go all the way? Are Pakistan riding on chaos? Will England be able to defend their crown? Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Alan John discuss the buzz around the T20 World Cup. Tune In!

“Things Change During World Cup”: Ex-India Star Aheaad Of Pakistan Clash

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

Former India pacer RP Singh believes there will be a lot of pressure on the players during the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The marquee event is set to kick off on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. One of the greatest rivalries in the history of cricket, India and Pakistan, will write a new chapter in their story on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York. While India’s World Cup-bound players were engaged in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to prepare for the tournament, Pakistan played the T20I bilateral series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England. They drew the five-match T20I series against New Zealand (2-2), won the three-match series against Ireland (2-1), and lost the four-match series against England by 2-0. Despite Pakistan’s dwindling form, RP Singh believes that things change during the World Cup and the level of pressure will be different on the players. “Pakistan is also a good team. They played against Ireland and suffered a defeat. Things change during the World Cup. The match is always high-voltage so there is a lot of pressure on the players. Indians’ performance in the World Cup has always been good. We just lost one match last time, and were dominant throughout,” RP Singh told the media during the jersey launch of the World Championship of Legends team India Champions. The level of pressure on the players and the emotional connection of the fans were visible during their last encounter in the World Cup. In 2022, the Men in Green were far ahead in the game against India. The Men in Blue needed 28 runs off a mere 8 deliveries to walk away with a victory. With Virat Kohli on strike against Haris Rauf, the stalwart batter took a step back and struck a towering six right over the head of the Pakistan speedster. In an emotion-packed game, commentator Gerard Whateley delivered the iconic “That is a shot of an emperor” line to describe Kohli’s masterclass. He tonked another maximum on the next ball, which laid the foundation for a successful 160-run chase for India. The match lived up to its hype, and the fans will be expecting another cracker of a match. Before the epic clash between the two cricketing giants, India will take on Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5. Pakistan will meet the USA in their opening clash on June 6. The fans will be expecting a similarly intense clash between the two Asian Giants that keeps them on the edge of their seats. India T20 WC Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Pakistan T20 WC Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Wolvaardt to lead SA in Test, ODIs during India tour

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

South African batswoman Laura Wolvaardt is clean bowled by Deepti Sharma in the first women’s one-day international cricket match between India and South Africa at the Reliance Cricket Ground in Vadodara on October 09, 2019. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI Top-order batter Laura Wolvaardt was on Friday named as captain of South Africa’s Test and ODI teams for the tour of India, beginning from June 16. The tour will start with three ODIs in Bengaluru before the visitors to move to Chennai for one-off Test and T20Is, for which the squad will be announced later. South Africa will be without the services of experienced Lara Goodall (hamstring injury), Chloe Tryon (back) and Ayanda Hlubi (groin), as they are currently under recuperation. However, they might be included in the T20I side later. Interim coach Dillon du Preez said negating Indian spinners has been an important part of their preparation for the tour. “We had big focus on options against spin and it was good to see the buy-in from the team. We also have new management involved. “So, this would be a great opportunity for them to find their feet before we come back and start our preparation for the (women’s T20) World Cup (in September in Bangladesh,” said Du Preez in a release. The former South African all-rounder urged the team to remain calm under pressure. “The key for us would be to assess the conditions as soon as possible, be calm under pressure and try and play key moments in the game better than the opposition. “We all know a series against India in India will always be tough,” he added. South Africa Test/ODI squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker.

Roma Spoil Olivier Giroud’s AC Milan Farewell In Perth

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Veteran French striker Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan in subdued fashion as they slipped to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of AS Roma in an entertaining post-season friendly in Perth on Friday. Just days after the Serie A season ended, Roma had the edge in a high-octane contest in front of 56,522 fans at the Optus Stadium. All eyes were on 37-year-old Giroud as he leaves Europe, where he has played at the top level in France, England and Italy, to head next season to Los Angeles FC. The 2018 World Cup winning striker is France’s record goalscorer with 57 in 131 internationals and will have a chance to add to that tally at the Euros later this month, after which he will bow out of international football. “I learned so much from him. He is such a legend,” said Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud at half-time. “Big respect that he can perform at that age. I’m going to miss him….just going to enjoy these last hours together.” Giroud, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the Serie A title with Milan in 2021-2022, signed off from league duty in Italy with a goal in a 3-3 draw with Salernitana on Saturday. He almost replicated that effort in the 30th minute against Roma, only to hit the post. But Giroud struggled to get involved and was constantly crowded out by Roma defenders aiming to deny him a farewell flourish, and he was substituted at half-time. Roma midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, firing past Marco Sportiello. Giroud almost equalised straight away, but it was French left-back Theo Hernandez who tied things up with a fierce shot from outside the area in the 37th minute. Roma reclaimed the lead just before half-time through England international Tammy Abraham, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League after being made available for transfer. It was all-out attack in the second-half, with both teams having made a slew of changes. Angelino made it 3-1 early in the half and although Okafor pulled one back for Milan, Paulo Dybala and Sardar Azmoun rounded out the victory for Roma. It was the only match of the tour with the teams set to fly out of Perth just hours after the game, having arrived on Wednesday morning. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article