timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Have to improve as a team before the World Cup next year, says Indian hockey team's striker Abhishek

Have to improve as a team before the World Cup next year, says Indian hockey team's striker Abhishek

Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham, said the focus of the Indian hockey team is to stay in the best shape and form in the run-up to next year's World Cup. India ended up winning a silver medal, after a 7-0 hammering in the final against Australia. "We all are really eager to return to training and prepare ourselves for the upcoming competitions," Abhishek, who scored two goals in six games in Birmingham, said in a Hockey India (HI) release.

Raheem Sterling says racist abuse did not cross his mind before Chelsea move

Manchester City last month. The 27-year-old England forward said the incident, which occurred at Stamford Bridge in 2018 and saw Chelsea fan Colin Wing hit with a lifetime ban, had made him aware of his responsibilities as a leading Black player.

After a week of logjam, star Pakistan cricketers sign PCB's amended central contracts

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the group of players signed the dotted lines before departing for the Netherlands tour on the condition that they will once again hold discussions over a couple of other clauses in the contract with the board post the Asia Cup in September. The senior players have expressed reservations about few aspects of the contracts. "These range from questions around the NOC process for participation in foreign leagues, to seeking more information about image rights in ICC events and shares from participation fees at ICC events and clauses around signing individual endorsements," the report said.

Tottenham's Premier League title credentials face Chelsea test

Antonio Conte has been heavily backed in his first full season as Spurs boss with the signings of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Djed Spence, Clement Lenglet and Fraser Forster in the transfer window. But none of the six new faces started in an impressive 4-1 win over Southampton to underline the strength in depth now on offer to Conte. Spurs, though, have only won once in the league at Stamford Bridge in 32 years and beating the Blues would send an early season statement of intent that they can bridge the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool.

After three CWG gold medals, my motivation level has shot up: Sharath Kamal

Three gold medals in CWG, including an individual gold that he won after 16 years, made it a mixture of joy and relief for the Chennai paddler. Playing 12 matches over three days might have taken a lot out of him, but Sharath is already looking ahead. “My next target is the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. I wasn’t sure about winning so many medals at CWG but after bagging three gold medals, my motivation level has shot up. Now my primary focus will be the Paris Games,” Sharath, who returned to the city on Thursday morning, told TOI.

Arjun Tendulkar leaves Mumbai to play for Goa

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun has parted ways with Mumbai due to lack of game time. The left-arm pacer, who played 2 T20s (against Haryana and Puducherry) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January last year, will play for Mumbai’s southwestern neighbours Goa in the next domestic season. The left-arm pacer applied for a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association.

'Dhing Express' Hima Das changes track

Ever since the 2019 Doha Asian championship and a couple of lower competitions in the Czech Republic, a lower-back injury has kept star sprinter and 2018 Asian Games silver medallist out of action in 400m. So, when asked when she would return to this event, the Assam athlete, who became a 400m sensation after the 2018 World Juniors’ gold in Tampere, said: “There is no hurry. It all depends on how the body responds and what the management (coaches, Athletics Federation of India, physios) suggests.” While the buzz is that she might return to 400m at the Asian Games next year, the 22-year-old indicated on Thursday that the wait could get longer. She wants to test herself in the 200m event at the continental games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

Alexander Zverev targets Davis Cup and hopes to play in US Open

Davis Cup in September but said on Thursday there was a real chance of returning earlier at the U.S Open. The 25-year-old world number two has had surgery after damaging ligaments in his right ankle during this year's French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal but hopes he might be ready for this year's final Grand Slam.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

Have to improve as a team before the World Cup next year, says Indian hockey team's striker Abhishek

Raheem Sterling says racist abuse did not cross his mind before Chelsea move

After a week of logjam, star Pakistan cricketers sign PCB's amended central contracts

Tottenham's Premier League title credentials face Chelsea test

After three CWG gold medals, my motivation level has shot up: Sharath Kamal

Arjun Tendulkar leaves Mumbai to play for Goa

'Dhing Express' Hima Das changes track

Alexander Zverev targets Davis Cup and hopes to play in US Open