Karthik ton powers TN to Deodhar triumph
Visakhapatnam: Experienced stumper Dinesh Karthik slammed a 91-ball 126 to power Tamil Nadu to title triumph in the Deodhar Trophy with a comfortable 42-run win over India B in the final here on Wednesday. Batting first after winning the toss, Tamil Nadu notched up 303 in the allotted 50 overs, and then bowled out India B for 261 in 46.1 overs at the Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. Tamil Nadu were at one stage struggling at 39 for three in the 11th over, before Karthik steadied the innings with a 136-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Narayan Jagadeesan (55). (PTI)
Pro Kabaddi League set to add four new teams
Mumbai: Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is all set to add four new teams to the already existing eight to make it a twelve-team affair for the upcoming fifth season in July. PKL, as a result, has invited Expression of Interest for up to four new teams across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, a media release from the league said on Wednesday. Already PKL has city-based franchise teams representing Bengaluru, Hyderabad/Vishakapatnam, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Patna. After the addition of the new teams season 5 would comprise 130-plus matches and the duration of the event would be increased to 13 weeks, the release said.
FIFA to get rid of local WC organising committees
MOSCOW: World football’s ruling body FIFA will get rid of local World Cup organising committees and take full control over tournaments’ organisation starting in 2026, according to FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura. “We will organise the 2026 World Cup on our own,” Samoura said in an interview published Wednesday in Russia’s Vedomosti business daily. She added that the current system, which mandates local committees with organising the World Cups hosted by their countries, would go under reforms mid-way between the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. (AFP)
Barcelona’s Pique lets rip at Real after Spain win
Madrid: FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique again made comments criticising Real Madrid and the capital football club’s apparently close ties with key institutions following Spain’s 2-0 win away to France. “I don’t have anything against Real Madrid players, but there are other things about the club that I don’t like. I don’t like to see the Directors’ Box at Real Madrid and see the personalities who pull the strings in this country sitting there,” commented Pique. (IANS)