CHENNAI: Paddler G Sathiyan had a dream run in 2019 as he became the first Indian player to break into top 30. And from playing in Bundesliga to shifting base to Toyko for the Japan’s top-tier T-League, he ticked all boxes and was on the right path to secure India a men’s singles slot in the Olympics. World No. 31 Achanta Sharath Kamal, too, was very much in the fray, especially after his win in Oman Open, but the COVID-19 outbreak has changed the entire dynamics.
While World No. 32 Sathiyan is lucky to have a personal TT table and a robot to practise with, Sharath Kamal hasn't picked the racquet since his Oman title in March. Though both of them have no clue when the international events will restart, Sathiyan hopes to catch the Toyko flight to take part in the T-League in September.
“There are a lot of uncertainties and I don’t know how long this will continue. But I’m quite hopeful that I’ll be able to go to Japan to take part in the league, starting in September. I’ve been training at home with whatever resources I have but unless I get into full-fledged practice or participate in competitive events, I won’t be able to assess my game.
"If I can join T-League, which will run from September to March next year, I’m sure my game will improve by miles and I’ll get into best shape in quick time,” Sathiyan, who joined Okayama Rivets in February this year, told TOI on Thursday.
BENGALURU: Indian hockey team midfielder Nilakanta Sharma says the experience of playing in big-ticket events such as the 2018 World Cup has helped him understand his role in the team, which will be handy at next year's Olympics.
"I have been in the international circuit for around three years and have been very fortunate to be a part of big competitions such as the hockey men's world cup 2018 and FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2019," said Nilakanta.
"It's great to have so much experience under my belt, which will be a big bonus for a tournament like the Olympics next year. I have learned to stay calm and composed in pressure situations and have a great understanding of my role in the side."
Nilakanta said he enjoys good communication with captain Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh in the midfield region.
Amit Kumar| TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: May 8, 2020, 12:40 IST
NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane has called his move from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ‘a new challenge’. The dashing right-hander left the Royals after playing 106 matches for them. With 3098 runs at a healthy average of 35.60 and a strike rate of 122.30, Rahane is also the leading run-getter for the Rajasthan outfit (including both IPL and CLT20).
The Indian Test vice-captain also led the Royals in 24 matches. Under his captaincy, the inaugural edition’s IPL champions won nine games.
Rahane now is set for a new journey with the Delhi Capitals. He will be playing alongside the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. Australian legend Ricky Ponting is the head coach of the Delhi outfit.
“It’s a new challenge. I’ve played with many of the Indian players in Delhi so there already is a comfort factor, knowing so many of them. We are a good unit and looking forward to having a good season,” Rahane told Timesofindia.com.
SYDNEY: India's cricket team is prepared to undergo quarantine to salvage a money-spinning Test series against Australia, a top official said on Friday, but there was less optimism about this year's Twenty20 World Cup taking place Down Under.
Virat Kohli's men are scheduled to contest a four Test series in Australia towards the end of the year but will need to isolate for two weeks under current COVID-19 rules.
