Ganguly meets Kohli, Rohit to discuss roadmap

Mumbai
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah today met captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the sidelines of the selection committee meeting, to discuss a “roadmap” for Indian cricket. It is understood that veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future in international cricket was discussed during the meeting. Coach Ravi Shastri was not part of the meeting. 

Kochi
Mumbai City start campaign with win over Kerala in ISL
A late goal from Amine Chermiti saw Mumbai City FC stun Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 in a closely-fought Indian Super League clash here today. The teams had several half chances to break the deadlock until Chermiti’s smart 82nd-minute finish settled the contest. It was Mumbai’s first-ever victory over Kerala Blasters in Kochi.

New Delhi
India drop two spots to 106th in FIFA rankings
The Indian men’s football team dropped two places to 106th position in the latest FIFA rankings issued today. The downward slid came following the Blue Tigers’ 1-1 draw against lower-ranked Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup qualifier earlier this month. Bangladesh benefitted from the draw, jumping three rungs to 184th spot. Belgium have managed to hold on to the top spot, followed by France and Brazil. 

Dubai
Yuvraj to play in Abu Dhabi T10 tournament 
Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh was today named Maratha Arabians’ icon player for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 tournament. The event, beginning November 14, has the approval of the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

Karachi
Pakistan cricketers stand to lose money 
Top Pakistan cricketers, including former captain Shoaib Malik and pacer Mohammad Amir, stand to lose out on millions of rupees earnings after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revoked all NOCs issued to players to take part in the T10 league in Abu Dhabi. A board official made it clear that only retired players, Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir, could take part in the tournament but all other players who were issued NOCs would not be able to take part in the T10 league under the new directives. 

Karachi
Misbah is a yes man, says former player Mohsin Khan 
Misbah-ul-Haq was handed the dual positions of head coach and chief selector by the PCB only because he is a “yes man” and would not risk any confrontation with the board, former batsman Mohsin Khan said. “Why has Misbah been given the posts of head coach and chief selector? Only because he is a ‘tabidar’ (one who follows orders). He is a yes man. The board wants people like him in their employment,” Khan, a former chief coach and selector, said. 

Sydney
Italian legend Rossi hits 400th Grand Prix
The most experienced motorcycle rider in history marks another milestone this weekend, with veteran Valentino Rossi gearing up for his 400th Grand Prix. The Italian, still arguably the sport’s biggest draw despite winning the last of his seven premier class world titles in 2009, conceded it was a “great achievement”. “It’s been a long, long time,” said the 40-year-old, who made his debut in 1996 in the 125cc class. Agencies

Tokyo
Tokyo mulls starting Olympics marathon at 3am
Tokyo, host of the 2020 Olympic Games, is considering proposing to start the marathon and race walking events as early as 3:00 am to counter an IOC decision to move the races to Sapporo due to worries about heat, Kyodo news agency said on Thursday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this month announced a plan to move the marathon and race walking to Sapporo, on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, from originally planned courses in the capital.

SHANGHAI
China to host expanded Club World Cup in 2021   
China will host the first edition of the new, expanded 24-team Club World Cup in 2021, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters on Thursday following a meeting of the global soccer body’s decision-making council in Shanghai.

Moscow
McGregor announces UFC return on Jan 18 in Las Vegas   
Conor McGregor plans to return to the UFC octagon in Las Vegas on January 18, he told a media conference in Moscow on Thursday, against an opponent he declined to name. McGregor said he wants three fights in 2020, including rematches with Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who defeated the Irishman in a lightweight title bout last year, the Irishman’s most recent MMA fight.

Madrid
Real’s Sergio Ramos to appeal tax fine 
Sergio Ramos will appeal a fine by Spanish tax authorities for irregularities concerning his image rights between 2012 and 2014. The Real Madrid and Spanish international defender was fined ^1 million according to El Mundo, while Ramos said he would contest the decision. Agencies