Sports

Afghanistan’s Mohammad Saleem, left, looks heavenwards, after taking five wickets. (AP Photo) TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: Three years ago, when Rana Naved-ul-Hasan arrived at Afghanistan’s high-performance centre in Kabul as bowling coach, one young fast bowler immediately grabbed his attention. Mohammad Saleem Safi, a lanky pacer from Baghlan province, was bowling with genuine pace and troubling…

India’s Manav Suthar (AP Photo) For Manav Suthar, the moment he learned about his maiden India call-up was one he will cherish forever. The young left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder revealed that it was his sister who first broke the life-changing news to him when his name appeared in India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.Suthar…

India’s Manav Suthar, second left, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo) India tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan on day two in New Chandigarh, with debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar producing a superb spell after the hosts declared at 564/8.The foundation for India’s dominance was laid by the batters, who piled on the…

Germany’s Alexander Zverev reacts after winning the final tennis match against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli at the French Open in Paris (AP Photo) Alexander Zverev’s long wait for a Grand Slam title is finally over.The German star secured the first major championship of his career on Sunday by defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7…

Australia’s Kurtis Marschall (AP Photo) The venue that witnessed Armand “Mondo” Duplantis soar to another world record a year ago became the scene of a rare defeat on Sunday as the Swedish superstar’s remarkable winning streak finally came to an end at the Stockholm Diamond League.Competing in front of a home crowd at the Stockholm…

India’s Manav Suthar (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia) TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: Washington Sundar was effusive in his praise for his Gujarat Titans teammate Manav Suthar, who has made an impressive debut for India with both bat and ball. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar picked up 3 for 21 and also scored 28 off 41 balls in his maiden…

England’s captain Ben Stokes, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo) The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has acknowledged concerns surrounding the Lord’s pitch used for the opening Test between England and New Zealand, admitting that the surface did not meet the standards expected at the iconic venue.Following England’s 115-run victory on Sunday, the MCC released a statement…

Manav Suthar (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Manav Suthar could hardly have asked for a better start to his Test career. The left-arm spinner marked his debut with three wickets on Day 2 against Afghanistan, earning praise from legendary India captain and batting great Sunil Gavaskar.Suthar struck in his very first over in Test cricket, dismissing…

NEW DELHI: England registered a massive 115-run win over New Zealand before lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test at Lord’s on Sunday, making an encouraging start to a new chapter under the much-discussed “Bazball” philosophy following their disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia.Starting the day at 55 for 5 and needing an improbable…

Rishabh Pant (Image credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: The stage was set for a memorable century for Rishabh Pant, but the India wicketkeeper-batter chose to throw away the opportunity. Pant, who was removed as India’s vice-captain ahead of the series with the role being handed to KL Rahul, fell for 81 off 121 balls when he…