timesofindia.indiatimes.com - No confusion on KL Rahul's role in T20 World Cup

No confusion on KL Rahul's role in T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli’s century, while opening the innings against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, might have triggered speculations of his possible elevation as opener in the upcoming T20 World Cup. But for Rohit Sharma, Virat remains the third opener and it will be KL Rahul partnering him at the top of the order during the showpiece event, starting October 16 in Australia. For quite some time, KL Rahul’s tempered-down approach in T20 format has attracted criticism and Kohli’s return to form with his first international century in three years, has only added fuel to fire to the debate on the opening slot. However, in a media interaction ahead of the three-match T20I series against Australia starting here on Tuesday, Rohit said that there’s no confusion on the Karnataka right-hander’s role as he is a “very important player for India.”

Discussions are over, time to execute plans: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma expects his boys to go all out and express themselves, even if that means taking calculated risks with innovative shots or starting an over with a bouncer. Rohit mentioned that he wanted to bring a sense of “security” in the team which is why the squads for the two T20I series (Australia and South Africa) were announced ahead of the World Cup team. Barring the pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, who will be rested during the course of the six matches, the captain feels the boys can freely extend their limits in these games.

Lionel Messi strikes early to keep PSG top in Ligue 1

Messi struck after five minutes as Paris Saint-Germain edged Lyon 1-0 to regain top spot in the Ligue 1 table ahead of Marseille on Sunday. Neymar set up the Argentinian with his seventh assist in eight Ligue 1 games. The victory pulled PSG two points clear of Marseille who had taken top spot earlier with a 1-1 draw at home against Rennes.

Carlos Alcaraz seals Spain's spot in Davis Cup quarter-finals

Davis Cup quarter-finals on Sunday by beating South Korea's Kwon Soon-woo in straight sets. US Open champion Alcaraz won 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) against his 74th-ranked opponent at home in Valencia, after Roberto Bautista Agut had earlier beaten Hong Seong Chan 6-1, 6-3. After their surprise 2-1 loss to Canada on Friday, in which Alcaraz lost to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Spaniards won in the singles against South Korea.

Bajrang Punia becomes 1st Indian to win 4 medals at World Wrestling Championships, claims bronze in Belgrade

Bajrang, who won a bronze in last year's Tokyo Olympics, eked out a close 11-9 win on points over Sebastian C Rivera of Puerto Rico in one of the the bronze medal bouts. Bajrang, who lost to John Michael Diakomihalis of USA in the quarterfinals, qualified for the bronze medal contest through repechage round where he defeated Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia 7-6 by points.

Bengaluru FC win maiden Durand Cup title, beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in final

Siva Sakthi (10th minute) and Brazilian Alan Costa (61st) scored for the winners while Apuia got the lone goal for the Mumbai side in an entertaining match. The Blues took an early lead through a fifth tournament goal from Siva Sakthi.

Chennai Open: Czech girl Linda Fruhvirtova wins maiden WTA title

Right from the first set, Linda was under pressure from her 30-year-old opponent. The youngster was able to fight back the first two times she was pushed to a corner. Magda had a triple break point in the third game of that set but Linda staved off the challenge to hold serve for a 2-1 lead. If that wasn't enough, in the fifth game --- Magda had a breakpoint but Linda once again held her ground for a 3-2 lead. However, Magda finally broke her opponent in the 9th game to go 5-4 up. Magda then went on to wrap up the first set on her first set point in 57 minutes.

India vs England, 1st WODI: Elegant Smriti Mandhana wins it for India as Jhulan Goswami rolls back time

Harmanpreet Kaur won a good toss and veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami was accuracy personified with 42 dot balls in one of her last international games as England managed a sub-par 227 for seven, largely due to efforts from the lower middle-order. India were never in trouble during the chase as Mandhana (91 off 99 balls) literally drove and pulled her way before missing out on a deserving sixth ODI hundred by nine runs. But by the time she was dismissed, Mandhana ensured a 45th over finish for the Women In Blue, who now go 1-0 up in three-match series.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

No confusion on KL Rahul's role in T20 World Cup

Discussions are over, time to execute plans: Rohit Sharma

Lionel Messi strikes early to keep PSG top in Ligue 1

Carlos Alcaraz seals Spain's spot in Davis Cup quarter-finals

Bajrang Punia becomes 1st Indian to win 4 medals at World Wrestling Championships, claims bronze in Belgrade

Bengaluru FC win maiden Durand Cup title, beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in final

Chennai Open: Czech girl Linda Fruhvirtova wins maiden WTA title

India vs England, 1st WODI: Elegant Smriti Mandhana wins it for India as Jhulan Goswami rolls back time