The BCCI-led Indian Premier League (IPL) announced the operations and tournament schedule for the 2021 edition of the tournament to be played in India. Six cities - Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ahmedabad - will host the 60 matches of the tournament this season with Ahmedabad hosting the three playoffs and the final. The tournament will begin on April 9 and conclude on May 30. Chennai will host the opening game between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The BCCI, in trying to bring in some neutrality - considering there won’t be matches played in Hyderabad, Jaipur and Mohali - has decided that none of the franchises will play at their respective home venues. The BCCI hasn’t confirmed that fans will be allowed for the tournament. However, it is learnt that a call on whether to allow fans at a later stage in the tournament will be taken. “Each team is set to play at four venues during the league stage. Out of the 56 league matches, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bengaluru will host 10 matches each while Ahmedabad and Delhi will host eight matches each. All teams will play at four out of the six venues during the league stage,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Athletics coach Nikolai found dead at NIS
In an unfortunate turn of events, India’s middle and-long-distance running coach, Belarusian Nikolai Snesarev, was found dead in his hostel room at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports centre in Patiala last week, hours after overseeing his wards’ training in the morning. Nikolai, who came to India on March 2 to train steeplechaser Avinash Sable for the Tokyo Olympics, had arrived at the NIS from his Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) training base in Bengaluru for the Indian Grand Prix 3, which was held in Patiala. The 72-year-old’s body has been sent to a government hospital for post mortem. His family has been informed about his tragic death in Minsk and the arrangements have been made for their arrival in the country. While the immediate cause of Nikolai’s death couldn’t be ascertained, it is suspected to be a case of cardiac failure, according to AFI officials. The veteran coach had a history of heart-related problems. Nikolai, who was reappointed to his job only a few weeks back, didn’t turn up for the Indian GP in the evening, which made other athletics coaches go check on him. They found his hostel room locked from inside. When the door was broken open, Nikolai was found lying on his bed.
Vinesh wins gold, gets back number one rank
Living up to the expectations, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat grabbed the 53kg gold medal along with world number one rank while Bajrang Punia booked his spot in the final of the men’s 65kg event at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event. It was second gold medal for Vinesh in as many weeks with a dominant win as the 26-year-old blanked Canada’s Diana Mary Helen Weicker 4-0 in the title clash.
Zimbabwe trounce Afghanistan
A century from skipper Sean Williams coupled with destructive pace bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi led Zimbabwe to a rapid 10-wicket win over Afghanistan inside two days in the first Test in Abu Dhabi last week. Brief scores: Afghanistan 131 & 135 (Ibrahim Zadran 76; Muzarabani 2-14, Nyauchi 3-30, Tripinao 3-23) lost to Zimbabwe 250 (S. Williams 105, Sikandar Raza 43, R. Chakabva 44; Hamza 6-75, Zahir 2-81) & 17-0.
Never intended to degrade IPL: Steyn
After sparking controversy over his remarks on the IPL, South Africa pacer Dale Steyn issued an apology and said his remarks were “never intended to be degrading, insulting, or comparing of any leagues”. Taking to Twitter, Steyn wrote: “IPL has been nothing short of amazing in my career, as well as other players too. My words were never intended to be degrading, insulting, or comparing of any leagues,” he added.
Shahid Afridi’s daughter to be engaged
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi confirmed that his daughter is getting engaged to current national team pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi said that Shaheen’s family had made a formal approach asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He added that a formal engagement will be announced soon. Shaheen’s father Ayaz Khan also confirmed that he had sent the proposal to Afridi’s family for his son and it has been accepted.
