WEDNESDAY SPPORTSORTS 6 20 MARCH 2019 CHENNAI Tahir spins it Proteas’ way Helps South Africa beat Sri Lanka in thrilling Super Over Ritu Phogat Cape Town, Mar 20 (PTI): wicketkeeper, despite Quinton de Kock featuring in the playing eleven. Miller did Needing only 15 runs to dropped from TOPS Imran Tahir, emerged as the hero for justice to the role as he held a catch off South Africa as he successfully defended Dale Steyn’s bowling off the second ball defend, South African New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI): 15 runs in the super over to help South of the match, dismissing Niroshan Dick- Africa beat Sri Lanka in a nail-biting fi rst wella and made a stumping. Miller then skipper, Faf du Plessis IImranmran TTahirahir Wrestler Ritu Phogat, youngest of T20 internation of the three-match series hit 41 off 23 balls but South Africa’s lower the celebrated ‘Phogat Sisters’, was at New Lands, Cape Town, Tuesday. order collapsed as the home side lost eight on Tuesday dropped from the gov- After restricting Sri Lanka to 134 for wickets in the end pushing the match into gave the ball to Imran Tahir ernment’s Target Olympic Podium seven in 20 overs, South Africa choked the super over. Scheme (TOPS) after she decided to badly as the contest came to an end with ‘We didn’t handle it well with the bat in and the move paid rich shift her loyalty to Mixed Martial the scores level. Batting fi rst in the super the last fi ve or six overs but getting another Arts (MMA). over, the hosts compensated their poor opportunity in the Super Over I thought dividends The Sports Authority of India outing in the match with the bat, by a we handled it beautifully,’ said South (SAI) decided to axe Ritu from the good batting display from David Miller and African captain Faf du Plessis, at the post- TOPS programme after the young Rassie va der Dussen that helped them match presentation. He said that Miller were unable to recover fully after losing wrestler made herself unavail- score 14 runs in the super over, bowled by was handed the wicketkeeping gloves in two wickets in the first two overs. ‘He able for 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Lasith Malinga. preparation for his likely role as Quinton (Phehlukwayo) is having a good time with decided to try her luck in MMA in Needing only 15 runs to defend, South de Kock’s back-up in the World Cup. the ball. We need guys to take responsibil- Singapore. ‘Wrestler Ritu Phogat African skipper, Faf du Plessis gave the ‘We bowled really well. I was surprised ity and he is taking them,’ said Du Plessis. who had earlier been inducted ball to Imran Tahir and the move paid how the wicket played, did not expect it to For Sri Lanka it was Kamindu Mendis, into the TOPS scheme, has been rich dividends as the leg-spinner conceded turn so much at Newlands. Playing Ma- who top-scored with 41. excluded from the scheme since only fi ve runs to help the home team romp linga at the death is very diffi cult. He is Malinga was superb in the closing overs, she will not be participating in the to victory. one of the best at that stage. But this will finishing with two for 11, while Isuru Tokyo 2020 Olympics,mpics, on account Earlier in the contest, help us if we meet in the World Udana bowled a tight fi nal over, conced- of her shifting to SinSingaporegapore to train South Africa tested Cup,’C he said. ing only four runs, despite making a good for Mixed Martialial Arts,’ the SAI David Miller inin All-rounder Andile comeback in the match the visitors could said in a statement.ent. thethe unac-unac- Phehlukwayo not reach past the line. Ritu, who has a gold in Common- customedcustomed took three for ‘T20 is a different game,’ said Malinga, wealth Wrestlingg besides a bronze role of 25 as SriSr adding that the tactic of using mainly in Asian Championships,pionships, is the LankaLank spin bowlers worked. ‘But still, I am really youngest sister off Geeta and Babita happy with what we are doing,’ he said. Ta- Phogat, on whomm the Aamir hir scrambled a single to tie the match off Khan-starrer Bollywoodollywood the last ball, with wicketkeeper Dickwella movie ‘Dangal’ was missing the stumps with a throw which made. would have won the match for Sri Lanka. BBadminton’sadminton’s LLeeee I never had complaints about ooutut ooff MMalaysianalaysian OOpenpen Kuala Lumpur,ur, Mar 20 (AFP): my batting slot: Rahane Badminton greatat Lee Chong Wei Jaipur, Mar 20 (PTI): has pulled out off next month’s Ma- laysian Open, despiteespite being givengiven AjinkyaA Rahane has had the all-clear afterr cancer, throwing issuesiss about not getting his Tokyo 2020 OlympicsOlympics dream enough chances in the limited RRonaldoonaldo jjoinsoins into jeopardy. overs format and doesn’t want to Lee was advisedised by doctors put too much pressure thinking against putting ‘undue stress’ on PPortugalortugal ccampamp about the No 4 slot which is up for his recovering body,ody, the Badmin- Oeiras (Portugal), grabs in the Indian team. ton Association off Malaysia (BAM) Mar 20 (AFP): It is highly unlikely that he will said in a statementent late Tuesday, be India’s number four at the World after the 36-year-oldar-old travelled Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined his Cup but India’s Test vice-captain AAjinkyajinkya RRahaneahane to Taiwan at thee weekend for a Portugal team-mates ahead of is keen to add on to his 90 ODIs. ‘I post-treatment check-up. the start of Euro 2020 qualifying have never had complaints about ‘In order not too put his body this week following a nine-month my batting order and have per- under undue stress,ess, Chong Wei absence from the national team. formed anywhere I have batted. I has been advisedd to withdraw The 34-year-old Juventus don’t want to put any pressure on from the upcomingming Malaysia forward was recalled by Portugal myself by thinking about the No 4 Open,’ the BAM said. ‘We also coach Fernando Santos for spot in the Indian team. I under- urge everyone too give him the where games at home to Ukraine and stand that batting order depends on space and time required for his he is the de- Serbia, having not played for his lot of things. For India, I am ready recovery.’ The triple Olympic fendingfending champion country since the 2018 World to bat at any position,’ Rahane said silver medallist hashb been out ti since andd has h won 12 titimes. Cup. Ronaldo was rested for the during a media conference organ- July last year when he was diag- Lee, silver medallist at each of last six Portugal games while he ised by Rajasthan Royals. nosed with early-stage nose cancer. the last three Olympic Games, has settled at his new club following The Rajasthan Royals skipper is The former world number one dropped to 41st in the world since his departure from Real Madrid happy that Steve Smith is back in endured a tough treatment pro- his illness with two other Malay- last July. the Royals’ fold and he can pick matches,’ Rahane said of former singlehandedly won a recent ODI Australian captain. against India. ‘Turner is a good gramme in Taiwan but opted not sians ranked above him. The reigning European his brains on tactical matters. ‘It’s Asked about Jos Buttler’s batting addition to the team but media to retire and resumed training in He will need to begin climbing up champions, who are through to good to have him (Smith) back as position, Rahane made it clear that makes a hero of anyone in a single January. the rankings to get a shot at elusive the UEFA Nations League fi nal a Rajasthan Royals player. He is a Lee originally planned to come in June, kick off their Group quality player and it’s always good he is not too keen on tinkering with day but dumps him the next day. gold as countries are able to send a set playing XI. He also urged He has shown his ability on Indian back at the All England Open ear- a maximum of two singles players B campaign in Lisbon, Friday to have him in your team. Also to lier this month but then delayed his against Ukraine before facing pick his mind will be very impor- media to go slow on new batting wickets which shows he can adapt to the Olympics, provided they are sensation Ashton Turner, who to conditions.’ return to April’s Malaysia Open, both in the world’s top 16. Serbia on 25 March. tant. We all know his ability to win LOCAL SPORTS Lakshya, Riya break Chennaiyin U-13 into top 100 Bawane, Sathish smash bags a big win New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI): 28 places while Riya climbed up | NT Bureau | 19 spots. B Sai Praneeth, who Young Indian shuttlers Lakshya stunned Olympic champion Chen centuries Chennai, Mar 20: Sen and Riya Mookerjee Tuesday Long before losing in the fi nal of broke into the top-100 to be placed the Swiss Open against China’s | NT Bureau | Chennaiyin FC (CFC) Un- 76th and 94th among men’s and Shi Yuqi at Basel on last Sunday, der-13 team began its 2018-19 women’s singles players in the lat- also moved up three places to 19th. Chennai, Mar 20: Sub-Junior League campaign est world badminton rankings.