Indias U-19 sensations Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, who are currently in New Zealand playing the ICC U-19 World Cup, had different reactions to the IPL auctions on Sunday where they were up for bidding and got themselves lucrative contracts. For Nagarkoti, it was a nervous experience, as he shut himself up in the bathroom while his bidding was going on. Nagarkoti landed with an eventual bid of INR 3.2 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders. The U-19 sensation said in an interview to espncricinfo, Andar se thoda nervous tha mai (I was a little nervous from within). My friends kept ... Read More

Every time Shubman Gill has fallen to a catch, or failed to score, which has happened rarely in a career in which the teenager has shown an astonishing appetite for runs, he would get a call from his sister. Haan, maar di lift-u. A cursory glance at the scoreboard would tell her his mode of dismissal and that would be enough for the taunt uttered in delightful Punjabi drawl.Even if I have been out caught behind or whatever, she would assume I had got out playing a big shot, and I would have to hear her taunting laughter. Gill has rarely failed in his career. Forget his numbers at the Under-19 ... Read More

Barcelonas ability to outlast their opponents in the second half has been one of the pillars of their stunning La Liga campaign and they again waited until after halftime before turning on the style in Sundays 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis. The game between the runaway leaders and the usually highly entertaining Betis was delicately poised at 0-0 until Ivan Rakitic broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and as the home side began to wilt, Barca came into their own. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez combined to devastating effect to score twice each and complete the rout, taking the number of goals B ... Read More

Southampton forward Michael Obafemi is eager to kick on after becoming the first player born after the year 2000 to feature for the club in a Premier League match. The 17-year-old made his league debut in Sundays 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur. He came off the bench in the 82nd minute and missed a glorious opportunity to grab the winner shortly after. I am very thankful to all the staff and club for helping to make this happen, Obafemi told the clubs website. (southamptonfc.com) I can not stop here, this is just the start of what I hope is my career. When the chance came, I should hav ... Read More

New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for 105 after opting to bowl in the first Twenty20 International in Wellington. Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers with 3-13 and he was well backed-up by Seth Rance who chipped in with 3-26. For Pakistan, Babar Azam was the top scorer with 41 while Hasan Ali was the only other batsman to get into double digits in another woeful display. Ranked second in T20s, Pakistan will be aiming to improve their fortunes in the tour of New Zealand, where they struggled to come to grips with the conditions during the ODI series. However, the Kiwis, who are placed at the ... Read More

Madison Keys blew French eighth seed Caroline Garcia off the court 6-3 6-2 in a 68-minute display of power tennis to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the second time on Monday. The 22-year-old, the sole surviving American in the women’s draw, gave up her first service game but rallied impressively to set up a last eight date with 2016 champion Angelique Kerber. ... Read More