Sports

Mumbai, August 18: VVS Laxman has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, ahead of the home Test series against New Zealand, starting August 23 in his hometown Hyderabad. Laxman, 37, has had a glittering career since his debut in 1996 but his recent Test form had raised question marks over his continuance in the side. Laxman made his debut against South Africa in

Hyderabad, August 18: It all began 16 years ago against the visiting South Africans in Ahmedabad. After 134 matches and 17 hundreds, Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman's Test journey is likely to end at home with the first Test against New Zealand to be played from Aug 23 to 27. "Laxman has decided to announce his retirement from international cricket on Saturday. He spoke to me this morning and said

Dipika Pallikal today became the first Indian to enter the semifinals of a Gold Series event when she recorded a straight sets win over Amanda Sobhy in the Australian Squash Open, here. Dipika recorded a convincing 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 win over her American rival, who had earlier caused a major upset by beating world number three Jenny Duncalf. "Yesterday, I started slow but today I paid special

London, August 17: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will make his debut in a Manchester United shirt against Everton Monday, manager Alex Ferguson said on Thursday. United have already agreed a transfer fee with Arsenal and the deal is subject to the Dutch forward signing a contract and passing a medical. "Alex Ferguson confident Robin Van Persie will make debut against Everton Monday," United

Yuvraj Singh seems to be getting fitter and leaner as his first international outing approaches. "I feel as if it is the first game for me. I'm nervous. I never thought I will get another chance," Yuvraj said at the launch of Team India's new jersey, created by apparel sponsors Nike exclusively for the Twenty20format. Yuvraj has been picked to play in the two T20 matches against New Zealand next

On a cool evening in March, Imran Khan, followed by his dogs, walked around the extensive lawns of his estate, sniffling with an incipient cold. "My ex-wife, Jemima, designed the house - it is really paradise for me," Khan said of the villa, which sprawls on a ridge overlooking Himalayan foothills and Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. "My greatest regret is that she is not here to enjoy it," he added

New Delhi, August 16: The Army will provide all help to promote Olympic silver medalist Vijay Kumar as an officer in the force soon after he was promoted as a Subedar Major, Army Chief Gen. Bikram Singh said here on Thursday. The announcement was made by the Army Chief here soon after Vijay Kumar was made a Subedar Major. "This commission (to the grade of officer) has to be granted by the

New Delhi, August 16: Missing out on an Olympic medal by a whisker at Beijing four summers ago, and a career-threatening knee injury a year later made Yogeshwar Dutt so determined to shine in London that he didn’t think twice before going to bomb-ravaged Vladikavkaz on Russia-Chechnya border for a two-month training stint. His request to train at the Russian city left his sponsors Mittal Champion

The Hague, August 15: Wesley Sneijder has replaced Mark van Bommel as the new captain of the Dutch football team, head coach Louis van Gaal announced ahead of Wednesday's friendly match against Belgium in Brussels. Van Bommel announced his retirement from the national team after the early exit at Euro 2012. The 28-year-old Sneijder has played 87 internationals and was being considered as the

Moscow, August 15: Hollywood action movie stars Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme will visit the Thai boxing world championship in St. Petersburg, the event organiser said. The 2012 IFMA World Championship will take place Sep 6-13 and is expected to be attended by over 2,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 100 countries. "This is the first time the championship will be held in Russia,"