Exclusive no ball umpire for IPL, no power player

Mumbai

The IPL Governing Council is planning to have an umpire assigned specifically to check no balls after a number of howlers in the past few seasons led to heightened concerns about the quality of Indian match officials. It was also learnt that the much-hyped ‘power player’ concept of substitutions during IPL games was shelved for the time being as the project can’t be piloted during the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (National T20) starting later this week.

New Delhi

Indian gymnastics body gets new office-bearers  

Former Competition Commission of India chairman Sudhir Mital and Shantikumar Singh were today elected as president and general secretary, respectively, of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI), bringing an end to the long-drawn factionalism in the sport. Returning officer SK Mendiratta declared Mital and Shantikumar elected unopposed in the elections held at the Indian Olympic Association headquarters here.  

Los ngeles

Yuvraj, Gayle to headline Ultimate Kricket Challenge

Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh will be among a host of past and present stars who will feature in the Ultimate Kricket Challenge tournament here in February next year. Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Kevin Pietersen and Andre Russell are some of the other big names roped in for the five-day extravaganza of ‘cage cricket’.

New Delhi

Women eye comeback against Vietnam  

India’s women’s football team head coach Maymol Rocky echoed her players’ sentiments ahead of their second FIFA friendly against Vietnam, stating that they are ready to bounce back after their 3-0 loss in the first game. “It was a difficult first game for us, but we have learnt a lot about ourselves and about our opponents in that defeat,” Rocky said.

London

Lehmann names Finch as Superchargers skipper    

Australia’s ODI captain Aaron Finch is to be skipper of the Northern Superchargers for the inaugural edition of The Hundred. The 32-year-old  had been Superchargers coach Darren Lehmann’s first pick in the draft. Agencies

Milan

Verona given partial stadia ban over racist abuse

Serie A club Verona have been handed a one-match partial stadium closure over the racist abuse suffered by Brescia forward Mario Balotelli on Sunday while the club themselves have banned one of their leading ultras for more than 10 years. 

Rio de Janeiro

Ex-Brazil midfielder Melo handed five-game ban   

Palmeiras midfielder Felipe Melo has received a five-game suspension for an obscene gesture towards Santos fans during their Brazilian Serie A clash in October. He showed the middle finger to home supporters in his team’s 2-0 loss at the Vila Belmiro stadium on October 9.

London

FA overturn Spurs striker Son’s red card     

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully appealed against a red card shown to Son Heung-min for a tackle that led to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes breaking his ankle, so the Spurs striker can play in his side’s next three games, the FA said on Tuesday.  

New York

Harden leads the way for Rockets against Memphis

James Harden scored 44 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Houston to a victory at Memphis. Rookie Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 23 points. Dillon Brooks chipped in 17 points and 9 boards. Agencies