India A bundle out Windies A for 268
Hubli: On a day of fluctuating fortunes, West Indies A batted brilliantly in the first two sessions before India A bowlers fought back strongly in the last session of the first day’s play to share the honours in the third first-class match here on Wednesday. Put in to bat, West Indies A were bundled out for 268 in their first innings after a spirited bowling by the Indians in the post-tea session, which saw them picking up the last five wickets for just 28 runs. In reply, India A were 10 for no loss with openers Gautam Gambhir and VA Jagadeesh batting on two and eight, respectively. Abhishek Nayar finished with figures of four for 61 and Dhawal Kulkarni claimed three for 60, while Zaheer Khan, left-arm orthodox spinner Bharghav Bhatt and pacer Ishwar Pandey bagged a wicket apiece. (PTI)
Mary Kom to be special guest at sport fest
Kohima: Noted Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom will attend the three-day Niathu Sports Festival 2013 as the Special Guest. Nagaland Minister for Youth Resources and Sports, Merentoshi R Jamir, will inaugurate the festival on October 24 at Niathu Resort, Dimapur. Noted boxer and Olympic medallist Mary Kom will be the Special Guest during the inaugural programme, sources said. A release issued by the organising committee secretary of the sports fest, Abu Metha, here on Wednesday said her presence will be a great source of motivation and inspiration for the youth. The festival will have competitive events in tennis, table tennis, badminton, snooker and billiards, angling, volleyball, cricket and cycling. (PTI)
Kerala to host Federation Cup
New Delhi: The Federation Cup will be held in Kerala from January 1-12, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced here on Wednesday. The AIFF competition committee also decided that the National Championship for Santosh Trophy will be played in two phases – the zonals and then the final phase. While the final phase will be held from January 15-31 in Siliguri, West Bengal, the zonals are slated for December 1-20. The U-14 tournament for boys will be held in Kalyani, West Bengal, on November 10-30, and Odisha will host the Junior National Football Championship for girls from November 20-December 5. (IANS)
Dilshan bids adieu to Test cricket
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s explosive batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has decided to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect, a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media release stated on Wednesday. Dilshan will holda press conference tomorrow to make a formal announcement. “I have taken this decision to allow Sri Lanka Cricket to groom another youngster in my place,” Dilshan said. “I was to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe Test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed,” he added. Sri Lanka were initially scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in October, which included two Tests. (PTI)
