Sports

New Delhi, November 30: Amidst the growing clamour for Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, former India skipper Anil Kumble on Thursday hit out at critics questioning the veteran batsman's place in the team, saying he should be left alone and given the "emotional space" and respect he deserves. Tendulkar's prolonged lean patch led many people to question his place in the Indian team but Kumble says it

Dubai, November 30: England’s opening game against South Africa at 11.20am today will be an early barometer of the Red Roses’ contention for an Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens hat-trick this weekend. Having won here in Dubai for the last two seasons, Ben Ryan’s squad now face tough early tests in Pool C against the Springboks, Samoa and Portugal. After a bowl final loss to Spain in round one

Perth, November 29: Cricket Australia today paid lavish tribute to retiring former captain Ricky Ponting, describing him as a "leader by example" and one of the "best prepared players in the modern game". Ponting, Australia's 366th Test player and 42nd Test captain, announced that the Perth Test against South Africa starting tomorrow will be his last. It will be his 168th Test for Australia

Perth, November 29: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting Thursday called time on his Test career, announcing this week's clash against South Africa in Perth will be his last. "A few hours ago I let the team know that this upcoming Test will be my last," he said at a hastily-called press conference, adding that he will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition this summer

New Delhi, November 29: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on Wednesday that it would stand by the under-pressure Sachin Tendulkar, whose poor form and possible retirement have become a topic of hot debate after India's humiliation by England in the Mumbai Test. Some BCCI sources had initially indicated that the board would take a call on Tendulkar if he failed in both the upcoming Tests against

Perth, November 28: South Africa and Australia will both be forced to call on fringe players when the number one ranking in Test cricket goes on the line in the final Test starting on Friday in Perth. After a tame draw in the series opener in Brisbane, South Africa's batting heroics in Adelaide, led by a defiant unbeaten century from debutant Faf du Plessis, ensured the second Test also ended all

Mumbai, November 28: The Indian Cricket Board on Wednesday claimed it was unaware of any talks between senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar and national selectors on his future in the wake of a prolonged form slump. “I am not aware of it,” said BCCI secretary and senior selection panel convener Sanjay Jagdale when contacted in Indore for his reaction to media reports that Tendulkar spoke to chief

OPENING SLOT England came to India with an opening dilemma as the void left by Andrew Strauss meant an inexperienced opening partner Alastair Cook. While the visitors tackled the problem rather seamlessly, India's struggle for a good opening stand is becoming more and more intense. Sehwag's 117 in Motera is not enough at home when Cook notched up two back-to-back hundreds in two Tests. Gambhir's

Mumbai, November 27: Unfazed by the humiliating defeat in the second Test against England, the national selectors on Tuesday persisted with the same squad giving under-fire star players another chance to prove their worth in the third match starting December 5 in Kolkata. The selectors refrained from making major changes to the team barring the inclusion of pacer Ashok Dinda for an injured Umesh

New Delhi, November 27: Saddened by the criticism that Sachin Tendulkar is facing due to his lean run, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev said the veteran batsman should speak to the selectors about his future. Tendulkar’s poor run continued in the recently-concluded second Test against England which the visitors won in just four days despite the track being tailormade to India’s demands