PBL: Srikanth keeps Bengaluru Raptors in hunt

Bengaluru

Bengaluru Raptors' skipper Kidambi Srikanth led from the front against Mumbai Rockets to keep his team in the hunt for a semifinal berth in the Premier Badminton League here on Tuesday. Bengaluru needed a minimum of four points to move into the top-4 and did that by winning the first three matches, including a Trump, to knock Pune 7 Aces out. World No. 18 Anders Antonsen of Mumbai put up a brilliant performance against an unbeaten Srikanth but fell short at the end in each game as the former World No. 1 sealed a narrow 15-14 15-13 victory.

New Delhi

IPL stays in India, to begin on March 23

This year's Indian Premier League (IPL) was spared a logistical minefield when BCCI announced on Tuesday that the entire T20 tournament will be held in the country from March 23. Scheduling of the IPL had become a challenge this year with India's general election due by May, also the month when the 50-overs World Cup gets underway in England. “Based on preliminary discussions with the appropriate central and state agencies/authorities, it was decided that the 12th edition of the world's most popular and competitive T20 tournament will be  played in India,” BCCI said.

Dubai

USA Cricket becomes ICC's 105th member

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced USA Cricket as its 105th member. The development is a historical milestone for the governing body established in 2017 to unify and develop the cricket community in the United States following the expulsion of USACA, the ICC said. As an ICC member, USA Cricket is now eligible to receive funding in accordance with the ICC Development Funding Policy and can sanction domestic and international cricket in the US. 

Nelson

NZ sweep Lanka ODI series

Ross Taylor (137) and Henry Nicholls (124) both smashed centuries as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 115 runs in the third ODI here today to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.  Taylor top-scored with 137, and Nicholls was unbeaten on 124 off just 80 balls, lifting the hosts to 364/4. Lanka, in reply, were bowled all out for 249. Brief scores: New Zealand 364/4 (Taylor 137, Nicholls 124*; Malinga 3/93); Sri Lanka 249 (Thisara Perera 80; Ferguson 4/40, Sodhi 3/40)  

Kolkata

Bengal beat Indian Arrows

East Bengal beat Indian Arrows 2-1 in a hard-fought I-League match to remain in contention for the title here on Tuesday. — Agencies

Pisco (Peru)

Dakar Rally: Santosh 20th

Spaniard Oriol Mena finished 14th, while India’s CS Santosh was placed 20th after Stage 1 as Hero MotoSports made a steady start to the 41st edition of the Dakar Rally.

London

FA Cup: Reds knocked out 

Premier League leaders Liverpool paid the price for fielding a weakened side as they were knocked out in the third round of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.

Sydney

Kerber enters quarters 

World No. 2 Angelique Kerber began her title defence at the Sydney International with a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory over Camila Giorgi to reach the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Local favourite Ashleigh Barty set up a showdown with world No. 1 Simona Halep after beating 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-3. Meanwhile, injury-plagued world No. 2 Rafa Nadal insists he is healthy and in no pain after coming through an exhibition game in Sydney, just days after pulling out of the Brisbane International. Agencies