1. Shastri Living in a Fool’s World, Says Ganguly
A disappointed Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday retaliated to Ravi Shastri’s barbs at him by saying that the former team director was living in a fool’s world. Shastri had lashed out at the former India skipper on Tuesday for skipping his interview for Team India head coach, and accused the former skipper of being disrespectful.
I am deeply saddened, disappointed. He should have shown a bit more maturity. These comments are very personal. If Shastri feels that I am responsible for him not being selected as the head coach, he is living in a fool’s world. It is disappointing because being in such committees for more than 10 years, he (Shastri) should be aware.Sourav Ganguly
2. Preparing Players for Tests is My Big Challenge: Kumble
With a crowded cricket season ahead, in which India will play 17 Tests over the next one year, the biggest challenge before India’s head coach Anil Kumble is to prepare the players for the five-day version of the game.
Addressing his maiden press conference as head coach of the Indian team, the former leg-spinner said here his immediate focus would be on Test cricket.
We need to change the mindset of players, as they played a number of Twenty20 matches in the recent months, to prepare for the longer version of the game. This is my biggest challenge at present.Anil Kumble
3. Lionel Messi Most Desirable for Young Indian Women: Survey
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who has announced his retirement from international football, has emerged as the most desirable footballer for Indian women, in an poll conducted by an online matrimony platform.
Shaadi.com conducted the online poll -- The Most Eligible and Desirable Football Player -- with 6,500 responses from single and married women of 25 to 34 years of age, read a statement.
As many as 49.7 per cent of the respondents gave their vote to Barcelona icon Messi when asked about the Most Desirable Footballer. Following close behind is Neymar (31.5 per cent) and Antoine Griezmann (18.8 per cent).
Read more The Quint.
4. Top BJP Leaders Put Weight Behind Narsingh to Push Sushil Out
Before a Delhi High Court decision frustrated star Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar’s hopes of taking part in the 2016 Rio Olympics, several senior BJP leaders turned down his fervent appeals for a special trial against Narsingh Yadav, that would have settled which of the two would represent India in the 74 kg category in Brazil.
Feeling slighted by the affront from the BJP leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the then Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, among others, a humiliated Sushil Kumar is now contemplating retiring from all forms of the sport.
Read more on The Quint.
5. Ronaldo Aims for Euro Record but Faces Tough Polish Defence
Poland have an impressive defensive record at Euro 2016 but standing in their way to a semi-final spot is arguably one of sport’s greatest-ever athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The monstrous Polish centre back pairing of Michal Pazdan and Kamil Glik face their toughest challenge yet when they come up against Portugal in the last-eight clash in Marseille on Thursday, though their previous matches have not provided much by way of preparation for facing the Real Madrid star.
Describing 29-year-old Ronaldo as the “perfect athlete”, US lifestyle magazine Men’s Health says he hits speeds of more than 32 kph, jumps nearly a metre in the air off one leg, runs an average of 16 km per match and hits more winners in the last 20 minutes than anyone else. Match starts 12:30 tonight!
6. Dravid in, No Place for Sachin in Sangakkara’s All-Time XI
Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid is the lone Indian to find a place in former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara’s list of all-time XI, led by islander Aravinda De Silva.
The list has four Australians and three Lankans while a lone spot for Indian, Pakistan, South African and West Indian players. It list has no one from England or New Zealand.
“Matthew Hayden will be at the top of the order facing the first ball and to complement him, I have got Rahul Dravid,” Sangakkara said in a video published on social media by the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Sangakkara’s Team:
- Matthew Hayden
- Rahul Dravid
- Brian Lara
- Ricky Ponting
- Aravinda De Silva (Captain)
- Jacques Kallis
- Adam Gilchrist (wk)
- Shane Warne
- Muttiah Muralitharan
- Wasim Akram
- Chaminda Vaas
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)