Some bars and restaurants in Moscow are in danger of going dry as the demand for beer has seen a steep rise of late thanks to the FIFA World Cup in the country.The bars are running low and having to wait longer than usual for fresh supplies.Moscow has been transformed by the World Cup, with singing, chanting and beer-swilling fans overwhelming some of the packed bars and restaurants around the Kremlin and Red Square.”We just didn’t think they would only want beer,” said one waiter at a upscale eatery in central Moscow who asked not to be identified for fear of scaring off future customers.FIXTURES | POINTS TABLEThe waiter said his restaurant ran out of draft lager on Monday and deliveries are taking longer than usual, at least 24 hours, because suppliers’ stocks are also running low.”There are really a lot of people in Moscow … and they are all drinking,” he said. “It’s hot, and it’s football.”Beer sales in Russia have fallen by around a third over the past as duties have risen and rules been tightened on sales and advertising. Brewers had not been expecting a major reversal of the trend this year.FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 FULL COVERAGEBaltika, the Russian unit of Carlsberg, said although there was an increased risk of supply disruption during the World Cup, its business had not been affected.Heineken said sales were so far going well and it did not yet see any challenges supplying its beer. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s biggest brewer and an official FIFA sponsor for the World Cup, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.advertisementDmitry, a barman at trendy courtyard bar Gogol, said visiting soccer fans had drunk 800 litres of beer in three days, downing the cheap lager before moving on to more expensive bottled beers.Tourists seek and find love at Moscow Flirt ZoneGogol was taking three deliveries on Tuesday to replenish supplies, he said, as workers busily unpacked boxes of beer, vodka and whiskey from a nearby van.”The sun makes them thirsty,” he said of his customers. “In Russian we say ‘to the bottom!’ I like that these guys are embracing our culture.”Ivan, a Croatian in Russia to see his team take on Argentina on Thursday, said he had yet to encounter any shortages.”There is beer everywhere,” he said, swigging from a can of Russian Zhiguli lager whilst sitting on a bench near the Bolshoi Theatre. “Some places yes, some places no. You just have to know where to find it!”(With inputs from Reuters) read more
Samuel Umtiti became the third defender to score for France in the World Cup 2018 as the Les Bleus beat Belgium 1-0 to enter the final where they will either face England or Croatia on July 15.Umtiti scored in the 51st minute through a header from a corner-kick taken by Antoine Griezmann to put France ahead.The goal proved enough to take France through to their third World Cup final after 1998 and 2006.Umtiti marked the occasion with a special dance move as French players jumped over him to celebrate on the sidelines of the Belgium box.2018 FIFA WORLD CUP: FULL COVERAGEIt was the strut walk that Umtiti did and Pogba alongside him, was party to the unique celebration.#FRA #FRA #FRASamuel Umtiti heads @FrenchTeam into the #WorldCup FinalTV listings https://t.co/xliHcxWvEOHighlights https://t.co/LOdKDX2Cwn pic.twitter.com/PzIZ2OHGmAFIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 10, 2018The 24-year-old became the third defender after Rafael Varane and Benjamin Pavard to score a goal in this edition.In an enthralling tactical match, it was once again a set-piece that proved decisive with Umtiti’s near-post header from an Antoine Griezmann corner settling matters.Belgium took early control of midfield with France content to sit deep and eliminate the threat of counter-attacks from Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne.MATCH REPORT | HIGHLIGHTSBut it was by no means a purely negative approach as the French offered their own danger on the break, perfectly illustrated when Paul Pogba’s delivery sent Kylian Mbappe racing towards goal and Belgium were thankful their keeper Thibaut Courtois was alert to snuff out the danger.advertisementThe first real opening came in the 16th minute when De Bruyne hooked the ball into the path of Hazard whose shot was just wide of Huge Lloris’s far post.Also read – France reach 3rd World Cup final, Belgium’s unbeaten streak ends: Key statsHazard was dangerous again moments later when he cut in from the left and unleashed a rasping drive which clipped off the back of Raphael Varane and just over the bar.From a Belgium corner, Toby Alderweireld tested Lloris with a smart shot on the turn but as the half progressed France began to create more.Olivier Giroud flashed a header just wide and Mbappe set up Benjamin Pavard whose low shot was kept out by the outstretched leg of Courtois.Also read- World Cup 2018: Samuel Umtiti proud of Les Bleus as France storm into finalIt was a fascinating first half and all that was missing was a goal but one came soon after the break.From Griezmann’s corner, Umtiti beat Marouane Fellaini at the near post and powered a header home to put France ahead.Also read – World Cup 2018: Belgium coach Roberto Martinez ready to accept heartbreakFellaini flashed a header just wide and Axel Witsel forced a good save out of Lloris as Belgium pushed forward for an equaliser and France hung on in six minutes of stoppage time to book their place in the final.You see that celebration dance/walk by umtiti? yeah thats Africa right there ..Mwamba (@Mwamba1000) July 10, 2018Umtiti but leave the dancing to the Colombians lol what kinda drag queen dance was thatJames FC (@TheCoIombian) July 10, 2018That dance Umtiti just did . Mood for the rest of the yearP E K E (@WhitneySheehama) July 10, 2018Umtiti celebration dance is going to be on my Music Video #francevsbelgiumFlickertee. (@tkchikumbu) July 10, 2018Umtitis lil celebration dance though #WorldCup2018stacey karuhanga (@StaaceeyK) July 10, 2018(With Reuters inputs) read more
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) first had the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on the mat at 27/3 and again had the upper hand when they needed 25 off the last 12 balls. But the end result was an 8-run win for the CSK in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Chepauk Stadium here. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane made his displeasure known at the end of the game.”As a batting unit we need to take the responsibility for this. We win as a team and we lose as a team. If we win the smaller moments in T20s we will do well. We have played well in the last three games and hopefully with some luck we’ll be able to turn it around,” he said after the match on Sunday.We win as a team, we lose as a team.Games are coming in thick and fast, we go again on Tuesday. #HallaBol #CSKvRR #RR pic.twitter.com/48lmq01RUIRajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 31, 2019Rahane was all praise for his counterpart as MS Dhoni player a match winning knock of 75 to guide CSK to 175 in their 20 overs on a wicket that was by no stretch of imagination a batting paradise.”When MS bats, it is very difficult for the bowlers. It was very hard for the bowlers to grip the ball after six overs, even the fast bowlers. But CSK bowled really well, they kept taking wickets,” he acknowledged.The Calm after the win and the golden smile says it all! #Thala #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/LIBoFWwtJnadvertisementChennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 31, 2019The Royals skipper felt that RR lost the game in the last five overs.”Very disappointed. We started off really well in the first ten overs, but what cost us were the last five overs,” he said.A close game and a tough result to take, but we move on.Next up, RCB at our fortress tomorrow! #HallaBol pic.twitter.com/1N3U14UlaDRajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 1, 2019Also Read | CSK vs RR, IPL 2019: MS Dhoni, Imran Tahir keep CSK winning streak intactAlso Read | When David Warner bats like that, there is very little margin for error: Ajinkya RahaneAlso Read | Watch: Ziva Dhoni grooves to popular Tamil song during CSK vs RR match in ChennaiAlso Watch | Umpire fails to spot no-ball as MI beat RCB under controversial circumstances read more
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc is not ready to believe that the second Test between Pakistan and Australia will be played on a green top in Abu Dhabi despite the grass cover on the pitch.According to Starc, the grass will be cut off and therefore, there is no point of getting his hopes high leading up to the second and final Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.Starc struggled to pick up wickets on a lifeless pitch in the drawn first Test in Dubai and got only one wicket while conceding 108 runs from more than 40 overs in hot conditions.So, seeing a green pitch would be a welcome sigh of relief for the speedstar but he believes that it is only a mirage and it won’t be there come day one of the Test match on October 16.However, he said that he and Australia are ready for any challenge the home side throws at them.”It might be completely different tomorrow when they cut the grass off. If we were playing on it today, the fast bowlers would be pretty happy with the covering of grass.”A lot of us expect that grass to be gone by tomorrow and probably even less come game day. We’re ready for whatever they throw at us and will try to back up from a good fight in that first Test,” Starc said.The grass was still plentiful enough for selectors to consider picking a third seamer, captain Tim Paine added.”Looking at it now, if that was in Australia you would be playing three fast bowlers,” he told reporters on Monday, the eve of the second Test.advertisement”With the heat around in the next 24 hours, I’m sure it will change pretty quickly.”There was some talk of resting Starc for the second Test to preserve him for the four-match series against India in the home summer after he bowled a heavy load in the first innings in Dubai.Starc was in no mood to rest up, though.”Hope not,” he said. “I don’t know what the team is going to be like but I won’t be putting my hand up for a rest.”I’m feeling pretty good, it’s only my first game back for a while as well so I’m feeling pretty fresh and pretty happy with how the ball’s coming out.”A strike bowler more used to crashing through in short, sharp spells rather than wearing batsmen down with sustained pressure, Starc said he had learned to tone down his natural aggression in the United Arab Emirates.While one wicket in Dubai was small beer compared to his usual hauls in the southern hemisphere, Starc embraced the ‘workhorse’ role more associated with pace partner Peter Siddle and kept the run rate stingy.Should the pitch retain its grass, Starc and Siddle could be joined by a debutant paceman in Michael Neser or Brendan Doggett.Paine said the batting order could also be changed, though there seems little need to move around the new opening duo of Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, who piled on the runs in a pair of strong opening stands in Dubai.”We may consider tweaking (the batting order),” said Paine.”I know guys had their individual meetings yesterday and all that stuff was discussed.”Again, we’ll come tomorrow and make a call on the team and batting order and stuff, probably tomorrow.”(With inputs from Reuters) read more
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may face a touchline ban after he was charged by the Football Association for using abusive language during United’s Premier League win over Newcastle United this month, the English football governing body said on Tuesday.It had been reported that Mourinho directed an insult in his native language Portuguese towards a camera that was tracking him down the touchline after United came from behind to beat Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford.Newcastle, through Brazilian wing back Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto, had taken early control of the match but goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and then Alexis Sanchez in stoppage time got United the massive victory.United and Mourinho were under immense scrutiny followed a series of underwhelming performances.”It is alleged that his (Mourinho’s) language at the end of the fixture, as captured by the broadcast footage, was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper. He has until 6pm on 19 October 2018 to respond to the charge,” the FA said in a statement.Mourinho’s punishment, if found guilty, could include a touchline ban, which would mean him sitting in the stands for the game against his former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.Mourinho is under immense pressure to churn out results at Manchester United. Before the Newcastle game there were reports claiming that he will be sacked after the match irrespective of the result. However, that did not happen.Before the match against Newcastle, former United player Gary Neville had come down heavily on the Manchester United board for not standing by the values of the club.advertisementHe slammed the board for the way they have run the club in the past few years and defended Jose Mourinho.”This mess started when United sacked David Moyes after 8 months and we lost all sense of the values that the club had been built on for 100 years. It went into pinball, reactive mode and chasing it. No plan.””It’s not the manager it’s the lack of football leadership above him. They are bouncing all over the place with no plan,” Neville tweeted.However, the dressing room of Manchester United has been gloomy ever since the trouble between Mourinho and star player Paul Pogba began brewing.(With Reuters inputs) read more
Panchkula, Oct 27 (IANS) Defending Champions Minerva Punjab FC, begin their I-League title defence with a home game against Goan giants Churchill Brothers Sports Club at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on Sunday.The Warriors’ from Punjab have a 2-1 head to head advantage going into the game with the former two-time winners.Both teams have new strategists at the helm in the form of Irishman Paul Munster for the defending champions and Romanian Petre Gigiu for the Goans and with new look squads from last year, it will be interesting to see what impressions they form at the beginning of the season.Technical Director and UEFA Pro-license holder coach Paul Munster is a 36-year old who played as striker successfully in Canada and comes to India after successful coaching stints in Sweden with youth teams. It should hold them in good stead because Minerva is known for its good youth setup as well as for scouting and nurturing good young talent, in their brief but impressive history so far.”We are the champions and so every team will be up against us. The players need to step up. Once the game starts, its all about the two teams and 90 minutes out at the pitch,” Munster said.Minerva’s squad for the 12th Hero I-League once again reflects the focus on youth. In a potentially exciting forward line, 20-year-old sensation from Kohima, Hitova Ayemi, may just be the surprise package this time around for them. Ayemi will have company in the duo of experienced forward C.S. Sabeeth, who is on a welcome return to form after scoring nine goals for Ozone FC in an impressive second division I-League campaign last year, and Ghanian strike man William Opoku, whose five goals last year played a key part in Minerva’s title win.Speaking of exciting young talent, the champions also have the likes of Nongdamba Naorem in their ranks, the former Arrows winger who scored one of the best goals ever seen in Indian football in the previous edition last year. Then there is the ambidextrous winger Makan Winkle Chothe who has made it up the Minerva ranks with virtuoso performances in their youth ranks, Delhi forward Dilliram Sanyasi as well as Souvik Das, a 23-year-old play maker from Bengal.Deepak Devrani, Ashpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh will provide the Minerva defence with some continuity while Arshdeep Singh or Bhaskar Roy will likely man the Minerva goal post. Another quality addition to the champions squad this year will be Japanese forward Yu Kuboki, roped in from Sydney Olympic FC after being in imperious form for them last season.Forward Akash Sangwan sounded confident, saying: “The biggest advantage is we are playing our first match at home. Our pre-season went really well so everyone is confident. We have played quite a few friendly matches so there’s enough understanding between players and coach.”For the Goans, coach Gigiu, who comes on the back of immense success in Algeria, will look no further than Gambian Dawda Cessay and Trinidadian Willis Deon Plaza to score the bulk of the goals for his team. Churchill have also got back some players who have played for them previously and will be comfortable in the setup. Prominent among them will be midfielder Israel Gurung, who will be in his third stint at the club and forward Uttam Rai who comes back for a second stint.Churchill’s defence should be led by Wayne and Lebanese Hussein Eldor while James Kithan should be a safehouse in goal. Burly Ugandan Khalid Aucho in midfield is the other prominent foreigner to look out for in the Churchill ranks.Speaking on match day eve, Petre Gigiu shared his thoughts on the game.”It’s a big game for us tomorrow and we want to play good for our supporters. We will surely try not to repeat mistakes from last season. We have five good foreign players this time, so we want to maintain good results,” Gigiu said.–IANStri/bgadvertisement read more
South Africa defeated Australia by 21 runs in a truncated one-off T20I in Gold Coast on Saturday. It was the sixth loss in eight T20Is for Australia and fourth in a row.Carrara Oval’s debut as an international venue looked under threat when a violent storm brought torrential rain to the Queensland coast early in the evening.The match did finally get underway after a delay of nearly two hours with each side allowed half of their usual number of overs and South Africa, put in to bat, made a bright start with 42 runs off the three power play overs.Winners are grinners Great way to end the series with a 21-run win in the T20I. Well done Proteas and Man of the match @shamsi90 #ProteaFire #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/LwMJjFOLP2Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 17, 2018South African skipper Faf du Plessis led the way in their innings with 27 off 15 balls but Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile (2/19), did a good job of containment in the last few overs to restrict the tourists to 108/6.The fragility of Australia’s batting had been exposed by South Africa’s bowlers in the recent one-day series, which the Proteas won 2-1, and it was quickly evident again when the hosts went out to bat.South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris (2-12) struck twice in three deliveries in the third over to reduce Australia to 27/3, the second a peach of a yorker which sent Chris Lynn back for 14.We think Ngidi enjoyed this…WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/6gsfKtYAfZ #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/qCo1YFUBwVadvertisementcricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 17, 2018Glenn Maxwell fought a defiant rearguard with 38 off 23 balls but Australia never looked like avoiding a fourth straight Twenty20 defeat and they finished their allotted 10 overs on 87/7.Australia will next take on India in a three-match T20I series – Wednesday in Brisbane, Friday in Melbourne and November 25 in Sydney. Followed by a 4-match Test series and three ODIs.(With inputs from AP and Reuters) read more
Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats.The Gabon forward gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute, knocking in a pass from Sead Kolasinac after a classy ball from Mesut Ozil. He then smashed high into the net in the 48th to complete an impressive counter-attack from Unai Emery’s side.Burnley, 18th in the table and without an away win since September, hit back with a scrappy goal from Ashley Barnes having spurned a good chance to take an unlikely lead at the start of the game when Ashley Westwood was denied by the feet of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.Substitute Alex Iwobi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a simple finish in stoppage-time, helped by another clever move from German playmaker Ozil, who was left out of the team for Wednesday’s 2-0 League Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.Aubameyang’s brace moved him on to 12 goals for the season, leapfrogging Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the league’s top scorer and taking fifth-placed Arsenal on to 37 points, level with Chelsea who play Leicester City later.Arsenal’s 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions was halted on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat at Southampton and they were knocked out of the League Cup at the quarter-final stage with a painful home loss to north London neighbours Tottenham.CITY & CHELSEA SUFFER SHOCK DEFEATSManchester City suffered their first home Premier League loss in eight months as a shock 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday left Pep Guardiola’s champions trailing leaders Liverpool by four points.advertisementCity, who had won all nine home games in the league this season, are in second place on 44 points with Liverpool, who won 2-0 at Wolves on Friday, on 48.Two defeats in three games for City, who lost at Chelsea a fortnight ago, have given Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool the upper hand in the title race and turned the Jan. 3 clash between the sides at the Etihad into a real showdown.On a day of top-flight upsets, former England striker Jamie Vardy scored the only goal to guide Leicester to a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge and inflict fourth-placed Chelsea’s first home league defeat of the season.Southampton won for the second successive match under new coach Ralph Hasenhuttl when it defeated Huddersfield 3-1, while Watford ended West Ham’s run of four consecutive victories by winning 2-0 at the London Stadium.Bournemouth beat Brighton 2-0, and Newcastle’s home game with Fulham ended 0-0.In the late match, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take charge of Manchester United for the first time when his new club visits Cardiff.(With agency inputs) read more
Indians had a solid day at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai as Mumbai Rockets and Ahmedabad Smash Masters registered big wins against Delhi Dashers and North Eastern Warriors, respectively in a double-header Sunday. Sameer Verma and Shreyanshi Pardeshi shone for Mumbai in their five-star victory while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won both his matches for Ahmedabad Smash Masters on the way to the team’s solid win. HS Prannoy was the big disappointment for Delhi even as they lost their trump match while the Warriors fought tooth and nail but just could not do enough.Satwik and Lee Chun Hei Reginald began the day for Ahmedabad with a massive victory against NorthEastern Warriors trump Liao Min Chun and Yoo Yeon Seong. Satwik and Reginald started slow and lost 10-15 in the first game but the match turned on its head with some incredible badminton on display as Ahmedabad took the second game with a sudden point 15-14.The decider was as exciting as the second with both teams both pairs earning and giving away points. However, in the end Satwik and Reginald held their nerves and the young Indian’s booming smash did the job as they won the third game 15-14 to take a 1-(-1) lead in the tie.Former world champion Viktor Axelsen was up next against Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and registered a routine 15-11, 15-14 win in the trump match to send Ahmedabad three points up. PBL: Viktor Axelsen won the trump match for Ahmedabad Smash Masters. (PBL Photo)Saina Nehwal did not play in the tie on Sunday as Rituparna Das stepped up in her place against Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour. Throughout the match, Saina kept giving instructions to Rituparna as the Indian did not let Gilmour settle at all and raced off to a 15-8, 15-9 victory to bring the Warriors back in the tie at 3-0.advertisementThereafter, former Delhi Dashers player Tian Houwei of China beat Malaysia’s Daren Liew 15-11, 10-15, 15-10 to take the Warriors to 3-1.Satwik then came back with N Sikki Reddy for the mixed doubles against Seong and Kim Ha Na and raced off to a 15-8, 15-7 victory to win Ahmedabad the tie 4-1.Earlier, Sameer Verma, the BWF World Tour Finals semi-finalist, continued with his impressive form as he upset Delhi Dashers star player HS Prannoy and led Mumbai Rockets to a convincing win in their opening match of the Premier Badminton League. PBL: Sameer Verma upset HS Prannoy and continued his good run of form. (PBL Photo)Shreyanshi Pardeshi in the end turned Delhi Dashers trump on its head by upsetting Evgeniya Kosetskaya of Russia 12-15, 15-8, 15-10 to give the hosts a 5-0 win.It was a scintillating performance from the diminutive youngster against an opponent who is ranked 169 places above her in the world ranking.In the opening game, Shreyanshi struggled to tackle the height advantage of her Russian opponent and was mostly chasing the shuttle in rallies. But after losing the opening game, the world number 201 changed tactics by hitting her tosses slightly higher and then going to quick crosscourt drops.The stronger defense also helped Shreyanshi’s cause as she virtually raced through the next two games to not just give her team a valuable point but also bring Delhi Dashers tally down to zero.Mumbai took an early 3-0 lead in the tie as Lee Yong Dae and Kim Gi Sung won their trump match and Anders Antonsen excelled on debut. Verma then knew that he could wrap up the tie with two rubbers still to play.However, it was Prannoy who got off the blocks first as he opened up a 4-0 lead. Verma then concentrated on prolonging the rallies, something he thrives on, and managed to take the opening game 15-14. The second game then turned out to be a one-sided affair as he clinched the second game rather easily to win 15-14, 15-9 and give his team a 4-0 lead. Delhi Dashers captain HS Prannoy lost his first match of PBL 4. (PBL Photo)But such a strong start looked difficult when the hosts had a fright in their opening trump match when Yong Dae and Kim lost the opening game. As losing a trump can cost an additional point to the team, it was important for the Korean pair to turn things around and they did that in style to win the next two games and the match 14-15, 15-12, 15-9.Antonsen was equally dominant against Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto as he clinched a point for his team with a 15-13, 15-7 win.advertisement read more
Honda Cars India today commenced the pre-launch bookings for the tenth-generation Civic. Scheduled to be introduced on March 7, the sedan can be booked for an amount of Rs 31,000 at all the authorized company dealerships across the country. The car will take on the likes of Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis and Hyundai Elantra.The new Honda Civic will be available in India in both petrol and diesel engines. The car will get a 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol motor producing 141 PS of power at 6,500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. It will be mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). There will also be a 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel mill, from Honda Earth Dreams Technology series, churning out 120 PS of power at 4,000 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This powertrain will get a six-speed manual transmission.As regards the fuel efficiency of Civic, the company is claiming that the petrol variant will return a mileage figure of 16.5 kmpl, while the diesel one will be good for 26.8 kmpl.The tenth-generation car will have a length and width of 4,656 mm and 1,799 mm, respectively. It will be 1,433 high and have a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. It gets a 47-litre fuel tank and a 430-litre boot. The kerb weight of the petrol variant is 1,300 kg, while the diesel one will weigh 1,353 kg. Honda Civic will have 17-inch alloy wheels with discs, both at the front and rear.Civic is Honda’s longest-running automotive nameplate with cumulative sales of 25 million units worldwide. It is sold in 170 countries around the globe.advertisementIt is being speculated that Civic will be priced in India between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). While Octavia is priced between Rs 15.99 lakh and Rs 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), Corolla Altis ranges from Rs 16.45 lakh to Rs 20.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Elantra is priced between Rs 13.81 lakh and Rs 20.04 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).”Civic is an iconic brand with a rich legacy of 10 generations and is currently our largest selling model globally. We are extremely excited to bring the latest tenth-generation all new Civic to the Indian market,” Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President and Director, Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India, said in a statement.Honda Cars India was established in December 1995 and has two manufacturing facilities, one each at Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and Alwar (Rajasthan). We are only in the second month of 2019, but it has already been a busy year for the company. While the firm has discontinued the production of hatchback Brio, it has recently introduced exclusive editions of compact sedan Amaze, premium hatchback Jazz and compact sports utility vehicle WR-V. Now, it is all set to drive-in the tenth-generation Civic.ALSO READ | Mahindra XUV300 vs Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza vs Hyundai Creta: Comparing their technical specificationsALSO READ | Triumph introduces 2019 Street Scrambler and 2019 Street Twin in IndiaALSO READ | Next-generation Alto spied for the first time, expected to be launched in October read more
Harbhajan Singh has backed Rishabh Pant to make the best use of the opportunity and cement his place in India’s 2019 ICC World Cup squad. Rishabh Pant was named in India’s limited-overs teams to face Australia after missing the ODI series in Australia and New Zealand.India and Australia will play two Twenty20 Internationals and five one day internationals from February 24. The limited-overs matches will be crucial to India’s World Cup preparation.Pant, who is seen as a successor to MS Dhoni once the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman retires from international cricket, last played an ODI in October last year when India hosted West Indies in a five-match series.However, Pant has been impressive in the handful of Tests that he has played, scoring two centuries in 9 matches.”This [India vs Australia series] is the opportunity for Rishabh Pant to cement his place in the World Cup squad and for KL Rahul, obviously this is the chance. If Rahul fails to get runs, then we should not be too surprised to see Pant as an opener and Dinesh Karthik could get a spot in the team in that case,” Harbhajan told Aaj Tak.Harbhajan also feels the Indian team is likely to field the same squad that has been named for the Australia series for the World Cup.”I don’t think there will be changes in the Indian team for the World Cup even if someone plays amazingly well in the IPL, be it Suresh Raina or any youngster. I don’t think the 15-man squad will change, unless there are injuries or so. BCCI is also looking at the squad in the manner of who to rest and how during the IPL, so the squad is more or less locked,” he said.advertisementHarbhajan also said India will be clear favourites going into the series.”Given India’s current form, I don’t think any team will be able to beat them. Even if India give their 60 per cent, they will win the ODI series 4-1. Jasprit Bumrah’s return is a big plus for Team India,” Harbhajan said.Hardik Pandya was on Thursday ruled out of the entire series due to a back problem and Ravindra Jadeja was named his replacement for the ODI matches.On Friday, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and other members of the Indian cricket team hit the nets ahead of the first T20I against Australia in Vizag on Febraury 24.Also Read | BCCI writes to ICC: Sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanatesAlso Read | BCCI to donate IPL opening ceremony budget to families of Pulwama martyrsAlso Read | D’Arcy Short working on spin bowling to enhance selection for India seriesAlso Read | BCCI writes to ICC: Sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanatesAlso Read | Sachin Tendulkar backs India-Pak World Cup clash: Would hate to give them 2 points read more
India’s Tejaswin Shankar won the men’s high jump title at the Big12 collegiate athletic meet with a national record-equalling leap in Texas, USA.Appearing for the Kansas State University, Tejaswin cleared a season best 2.28m in his final attempt to equal his national record set in the 22nd Federation Cup in Patiala last year.However, Tejaswin’s personal best is 2.29m, cleared in April last year at the Texas tech invite.Tejaswin Shankar’s clearance of 2.28m/7-05.75 won him his first career Big 12 Championship…And he was HYPE #KStateTF pic.twitter.com/V4bMduQx0XK-State Track (@KStateTFXC) February 24, 2019Tejaswin, thus, became the sixth Big12 high jump champion from Kansas State University and eight in the history of the collegiate meet.”Another gr8 meet with a clutch final attempt jump to win the @Big12Conference title also equalling my Indian NR on its 1st anniversary! Chasing consistency which seems to be playing tag with me. But I’ll get it soon as I am a 400m runner too!” the Indian tweeted.Pretty evident from this video that this jump came at the right time. Ps: seems like im not the same person when I jump! I a very Well mannered (most of the time) Apologies for the explicit language I use. #hype #thebeastneverstops https://t.co/KktwUZeZDcTejaswin Shankar (TJ) (@TejaswinShankar) February 24, 2019Tejaswin, 20, is a gold medallist at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games besides winning a silver at the 2016 South Asian Games.He rose to prominence when he broke Hari Shankar Roy’s 12-year-old national record of 2.25 metres with a jump of 2.26 metres at the Junior National Championships in Coimbatore in 2016.advertisementAlso Read | Chants of India, India motivated me: Apurvi Chandela after winning gold in Shooting World CupAlso Read | Chennai Spartans crowned champions of inaugural Pro Volleyball League read more
Madison Keys overpowered Caroline Wozniacki 7-6(5) 6-3 to win the Charleston Open and defeat the former world number one for the first time on Sunday.The win, her first on clay court, broke a nearly two-year drought for the eighth seeded American, who claimed her fourth career title.Her previous two losses to Denmark’s Wozniacki had been on hard courts when Keys failed to win a set.A special thank you to the @VolvoCarOpen, who always makes me feel at home. I love the support I get from everyone here in Charleston and now that I have a key to the city I can’t wait to come back next year pic.twitter.com/MD1titKCQQMadison Keys (@Madison_Keys) April 7, 2019″I think I served really well today, said Keys, who had predicted on Saturday that playing on clay would be beneficial in her bid to defeat Wozniacki.”I also felt I kept a lot of pressure on her, making a lot of returns and keeping rallies going and not going for things too early,” said the world number 18, who won 76 percent of points on her first serve, and fired six aces.”More than anything I really trusted my game and went for my shots.”This means so much!! @VolvoCarOpen pic.twitter.com/lJtC43WdIyMadison Keys (@Madison_Keys) April 7, 2019Also Read | Charleston Open: Wozniacki sets up final vs Keys after crushing win over MarticThat was most evident late in the first set and the tiebreak.The big-serving Keys trailed 5-6 in the opening set before forcing the tiebreak, which remained close until 4-3 when the fifth-seeded Wozniacki double faulted.advertisementKeys won the next point but twice had backhand errors to allow Wozniacki to pull within 6-5.A backhand down the line enabled Keys to finally claim the set.A special message from Madi… @Madison_Keys #VolvoCarOpen pic.twitter.com/hBkTR0ONU4Volvo Car Open (@VolvoCarOpen) April 7, 2019″I just knew the games I was losing in the first set I was just being too tentative and not really trusting my shot,” said the 24-year-old American.”I knew I had to go for it. I think that’s how I have to play… 100 percent believing in my game.”Also Read | Charleston Open: Madison Keys outclasses Sloane Stephens to reach semifinalsKeys broke Wozniacki in the sixth game of the second set to go up 4-2 and when she made it 5-2 that all but clinched the match.”It’s definitely been a really great week for me, especially after having some really tough losses the last couple of weeks,” Keys said. “It definitely is a very good springboard for heading over to Europe.”Also Read | Charleston Open: Maria Sakkari beats defending champion Kiki Bertens to reach quarterfinalsAlso Watch | Great to have someone like Chris Gayle in KXIP: KL Rahul read more
Two new teams will be added to the second edition of the T20 Mumbai League to make it an eight team event which is to be held from May 14 to 24 at the Wankhede Stadium.Adding to the current squad of six teams, the newly introduced teams will represent the constituencies of Mumbai Western Suburbs and Mumbai Eastern Suburbs, respectively, a media release issued on behalf of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said on Thursday.The MCA has invited bids from interested parties as per the criteria put down in the ‘Invitation to Bid’ (ITB) document.Triumph Knights Mumbai North East emerged as the champions in edition One and Mumbai Ranji team all rounder Shivam Dubey was crowned player of the series.Also Watch | Delighted to have Vijay Shankar in India’s World Cup team: Virat Kohli to India TodayAlso Watch | Ishant Sharma is biggest surprise in 5-man Cricket World Cup stand-by listAlso Watch | India name 15-man squad for 2019 Cricket World Cup read more
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has revealed in his autobiography ‘Game Changer’ that he was aware of the malpractices by teammates Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif before the 2010 spot-fixing scandal broke out in open.When he raised it with the team management, the inaction caused him frustration leading to his stepping down from the Test captaincy and eventually retiring from the longest format of the game. “Yes. For the record, I gave up. I quit,” Afridi says.In the autobiography, an excerpt of which was published by ESPNCricinfo, Afridi says he become aware of suspicious conversations between player agent Mazhar Majeed, who was at the centre of the scandal, and players who were eventually accused during the 2010 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.”I got hold of the original evidence in the racket — phone messages that would eventually come into play against players involved in the spot-fixing controversy,” he says. “When I took that evidence to the team management, what happened next didn’t inspire much confidence in those tasked with managing and running the affairs of Pakistan’s national cricket team.”Afridi says, “Before the Sri Lanka tour, Majeed and his family had joined the team during the championship. At one of the Sri Lankan beaches, Majeed’s young son dropped his father’s mobile phone in the water and it stopped working.”Majeed gave the phone for repair to a shop whose owner was a ‘friend of a friend’. While fixing the phone, the shop owner, when asked to retrieve the messages came across Majeed’s messages to players of the Pakistan team. Though he shouldn’t have seen what he did, it was that leak from him to my friend and a few others (whom I won’t name) that looped me in on the scam.”advertisementAfridi elaborates how he tried to alert the Pakistan team officials about conversations, but no action was taken. “When I received those messages back in Sri Lanka, I showed them to Waqar Younis, then coach of the team. Unfortunately, he didn’t escalate the matter. Both Waqar and I thought it was something that would go away, something that wasn’t as bad as it looked, just a dodgy conversation between players and Majeed, at worst. But the messages weren’t harmless banter — they were part of something larger, which the world would soon discover,” the former Pakistan captain says.Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq who tended to “refrain from locker-room politics was of the same opinion that something wasn’t right with Salman and the lads.Majeed was lurking around the three players prior to the series against Australia in England in 2010. “That’s when I decided to take up the issue officially with team manager Yawar Saeed. I put in a formal request that Majeed should be distanced from the players, physically, and that no one in the team should associate with him even on a personal level. When Saeed didn’t take action, I showed him the text messages, printed on paper. After going through them, Saeed, taken aback, eventually came up with a dismal response: ‘What can we do about this, son? Not much. Not much’,” he says.Saeed was alerted once again by Afridi when he saw Majeed and “his side-kicks” near the dressing room during a warm-up game in Northampton. “But the Pakistan team management continued to be in denial and said nothing could be done about it” he says.”Frankly, I don’t think the management gave a damn. It still was nobody’s problem; that’s why nobody wanted to tackle it or go to bat for it. Typical obfuscation and delay tactics; the Pakistani management’s head was in the sand.”On the fourth day of the first Test against Australia at Lord’s, he told Butt he could take over from him as Test captain. “I remember exactly when I made the decision. We were at 220 for 6. Marcus North was bowling. I swept and was taken in the deep. When the ball was in the air, I had taken my decision. I was done with all of this,” he says.”I retired from Test cricket. Perhaps, prematurely. But I had lost faith in the whole setup, especially because the team management wasn’t pro-actively investigating what was happening and instead letting the entire thing slide,” he says.Also Read | Will personally take you to a psychiatrist: Gautam Gambhir hits back at Shahid AfridiAlso Read | Umpires had to finish it off or I would have: Afridi recalls run-in with GambhirAlso Read | Pakistan star Shahid Afridi finally reveals his real ageAlso Seeadvertisement read more
Eden Hazard scored the winning penalty for Chelsea to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 in their Europa League semi-final shootout on Thursday and become the fourth English side to reach a European final this season.They will meet London club Arsenal in distant Baku on May 29.A lively semi-final had finished 1-1 after the sides produced the same scoreline in Frankfurt a week ago and it was fitting that Hazard, Chelsea’s gifted midfielder, should win the match with what could be his final kick at Stamford Bridge.The Belgian is expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season after seven seasons in London, with Real Madrid in pursuit of his silky skills.Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was another hero on the night, saving penalties from Martin Hinteregger and Goncalo Paciencia in the shootout in which Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta also had his shot stopped.Chelsea had looked in charge half an hour into the game when Hazard dodged and shimmied round the Frankfurt defence on the left flank before pushing a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The England midfielder rolled the ball into net at the far post in the 28th minute.But three minutes after the break Luka Jovic split the Chelsea defence, playing a neat one-two with Mijat Gacinovic before shooting past the stranded Arrizabalaga to level the scores.The visitors had the psychological advantage and pressed 2013 Europa League winners Chelsea, with Jovic, Ante Rebic and Danny da Costa a constant threat as the German team sought a potentially decisive second away goal.advertisementAt the other end, Olivier Giroud, Willian and substitute Davide Zappacosta squandered chances for the home side in a frantic and error-strewn last 20 minutes of normal time.Scenes after Chelsea win their first European penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge!#UEL pic.twitter.com/zE5i0xN6hyUEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 9, 2019DESPERATE CLEARANCESIn extra time, Luiz and Zappacosta were forced into desperate clearances off the line from substitute Sebastien Haller as Ross Barkley and Gonzalo Higuain, on for Giroud, had chances for Chelsea.The English side had the ball in the net after 115 minutes and Azpilicueta wheeled away in celebration but the goal was ruled out for a foul on keeper Kevin Trapp.The shootout was played out in front of the noisy German fans and it was Azpilicueta who felt the pressure first, his shot comfortably saved by Kevin Trapp.But Arrizabalaga took control, saving Hinteregger’s penalty with his feet and pushing aside Paciencia’s.”Penalties are down to luck. Today we won and in the Carabao (League) Cup final we lost, but this is football. Today was really good and we played against a very difficult team and we are very happy,” Arrizabalaga told BT sport.Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri said the players were exhausted after a long season.”I think we played a very good first half and then we got into trouble after the break. We conceded a goal in 10 minutes of panic,” the Italian said.”We were better in the last part of the match but we were tired in extra time and it was difficult.”English sides Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur reached the Champions League final with comeback victories over Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam this week.Also Read | David Beckham handed 6-month driving ban for using phone at wheel read more
South Africa’s 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in their first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup warm-up match on Friday must have boosted their confidence before heading into the premier tournament. But the victory has also raised some selection questions for the winning side.Friday’s match saw Andile Phehlukwayo scoring 35 runs while Chris Morris and Dwaine Pretorius played a knock of unbeaten 26 and 25 runs, respectively. In the bowling department too Phehlukwayo shined as he took four wickets whereas Pretorius took one wicket.But despite them putting up a convincing performance, skipper Faf du Plessis said that they all cannot feature at the same time. Hence, the Proteas will have to make some tough calls ahead of the quadrennial tournament.”There is definitely not space for three of them. Depending on fitness, Dale Steyn is progressing. So, if he doesn’t progress the way that he wants to then two all-rounders come into the equation. If our fast bowlers are all fit, we love that diversity in our attack,” ICC quoted Du Plessis as saying.However, Phehlukwayo said that they have good depth in the squad and whoever will feature in the all-rounder position will get the job done for their team.”I think there is quite good competition and good depth within the squad,” Phehlukwayo said. “Personally, I am not looking in terms of those competitions. I just want to contribute for the team, whoever is playing in that all-rounder position is obviously the person in form and hopefully they can do the job for the team. Aside from that I don’t think personally I have any agenda in terms of the all-rounder,” he said.advertisement”We have a very diverse squad so I think on the day we can play any combinations and that team that is fit to play will do everything to perform and to win the game for South Africa. So, at the moment I am really not sure, but I know that the diversity and the depth that we have in our squad is really good so whoever is fit to play will do the job for the team,” he added.Phehlukwayo also opined that the team who will bowl well in the tournament will win the tournament.”I think it is going to be a high scoring tournament. I think the team that bowls really well in this tournament will win the tournament,” he said.After registering a victory over Sri Lanka, South Africa will now face West Indies for their second warm-up game on May 26 before heading to the World Cup where they will face England in the opening match of the World Cup on May 30.Also Read | World Cup 2019: Expectations high for Virat Kohli’s IndiaAlso Read | World Cup 2019: Border picks Kohli, Morgan, Finch as 3 skippers to watch out forAlso See read more
Malaika Arora and Janhvi Kapoor are true workout queens of B-Town, who inspire their fans to hit the gym daily, while doing gym fashion right.The two divas are often seen sweating it out at the gym. They even post their videos of training hard, which gives us major goals.Now, it seems former Miss Universe Lara Dutta is the newest celeb to join this group and a new video of the three working out together is proof.Bollywood’s favourite Pilates instructor Namrata Purohit, recently took to Instagram to post a video of the three divas training to slay.She posted the video with the caption, “It’s my time and I’m coming out to play… I’m crazy baby.. Insane. A Fun Fitness Friday with @malaikaaroraofficial @janhvikapoor @larabhupathi @aneesha_gaba and task master @samir.purohit at @thepilatesstudiomumbai.”In the video, the three stars can be seen training on the Cadillac reformer and doing different strength training exercises.The three stars look super toned and fit with flat abs and a happy post-workout glow.The way the divas are nailing their exercise routine is giving very inspiring and giving us workout goals.advertisementFor the workout session, Malaika, who is dating Arjun Kapoor, and Janhvi opted for comfy fashion by opting for sports bra and mini shorts.As for Lara, she opted for a black top and grey gym tights, with her hair tied in a sleek bun.ALSO SEE | Malaika Arora in monokini from Maldives in new pic will make you want to hit the beach RNALSO SEE | Malaika Arora turns ravishing bride for photoshoot. When is wedding with Arjun Kapoor, ask fansALSO WATCH | Are Malaika and Arjun the newest lovebirds in B-Town? read more
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) directive to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the Army symbol removed from India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni’s gloves has created a huge debate on social media.MS Dhoni sported a pair of wicketkeeping gloves with regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces during India’s World Cup 2019 opener against South Africa at Ageas Bowl in Southampton on June 5.Images of the “Balidaan Badge” on Dhoni’s wicketkeeping gloves went viral on social media with quite a few Indian fans praising the World Cup-winner for his love towards the the Indian Para Special Forces.Dhoni, an honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Indian Territorial Army, has been sporting the Balidaan Badge on his gloves and caps for quite some time now.However, the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) clearly state that “equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.”The ICC on Thursday, in a statement, said it had asked the BCCI to make sure MS Dhoni removes the Army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves.Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications, said that the BCCI has been asked to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves.”We have requested the BCCI to get it removed,” Claire Furlong said.The directive has certainly not gone down well with Indian fans, who have even urged the BCCI to boycott the World Cup if Dhoni is not allowed to continue wearing the special pair of gloves.advertisement#DhoniKeepTheGlove” has been trending on several social media platforms ever since the ICC directed the BCCI to remove the Army crest.Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact it honours the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 7, 2019Can wearing territorial army insignia by a Lieutenant Colonel while representing the nation in an international event amount to any violation of rules?@msdhoni #FoodForThought #DhoniKeepTheGlove #BalidaanBadge #IndianTerritorialArmy #AanBaanShaan#WeLoveIndia pic.twitter.com/g5mRga1XswVipul Aggarwal IPS (@ipsvipul_) June 7, 2019Dear all at @ICC ,when you are done with which symbol a legendary cricketer (read MS Dhoni) wears on his glove, pls do take time to check out the standard of umpiring.The World Cup?Really now!BTW The ‘Balidaan Badge’ doesn’t disrespect anyone.#DhoniKeepTheGlove#AUSvWI #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/IDTK6ELrC5Rahul Dev Official (@RahulDevRising) June 6, 2019Shame on #ICC……One small symbol of national pride too much for ICC? They asked dhoni to remove the gloves with army badge . Raise your support for MS Dhoni to bear the ‘Balidaan Badge’ on his gloves by using the hashtag #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/9xExwnidDzUmesh Garg (@umeshslg) June 6, 2019I Stand With MS DhoniRT If You To #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/TGrjNJwDRSAsutosh (@asutosh007) June 6, 2019The sign on his gloves is of Balidaan and he won’t remove it. We stand by him. We are proud of Lt. Col MS Dhoni.#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/jn3xtozcfi#LaayegaToKohliHi ?? (@ananyaa_18) June 6, 2019So the #icc has a rule that any logo or personal message on a player’s equipment needs to be approved by ICC. They have defined a process for the player to apply for permission. @msdhoni could have applied for permission to wear the Balidaan insignia. #DhoniKeepTheGloveSumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) June 6, 2019In August 2015 , LT Colonel MS Dhoni completed 5 Jumps and became a qualified paratrooper.#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/5i4eQvexO8DHONIsm ?? (@DHONIism) June 7, 2019#DhoniKeepTheGloveDhoni is playing for his country and rightly as the honary Lt.Col of his regiment he has the right to express his loyalty Futher the symbol is not representing any commercial organisation. With Dhoni pic.twitter.com/srrTMCOJ3iDD (@DeviDatta8) June 6, 2019Dear ICC .. Balidan means sacrifice – the motto of the Indian Para Special forces. The spirit of sacrifice thats taken a fantastic human being like Dhoni to the top of his game. #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/Kcx3yurxQMAjay yadav (@Ajay89611) June 6, 2019Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry hit out at MS Dhoni for sporting the Balidaan Badge at the World Cup.”Dhoni is in England to play cricket not to for MahaBharta , what an idiotic debate in Indian Media, a section of Indian media is so obsessed with War they should be sent to Syria, Afghanistan Or Rawanda as mercenaries,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.advertisementAlso Read | World Cup 2019: Pakistan minister targets MS Dhoni over Army crest on glovesAlso See: read more