Siddhesh Veer to replace Divyansh in U-19 WC squad
New Delhi
India U-19 all-rounder Divyansh Joshi has been ruled out of the World Cup following an injury sustained in the first match of the bilateral One-day series against hosts South Africa. Joshi dislocated his right shoulder after suffering a fall while India U-19s were fielding. BCCI’s junior selection committee has named Siddhesh Veer from Maharashtra as Joshi’s replacement.
Guwahati
Injured gymnast doing fine, but ruled out of KIYG
A 14-year-old gymnast from Bengal suffered neck and spinal injuries during a practice session on the eve of the Khelo India Youth Games here, leading to her pulling out from the event. Adita Mandal, however, was discharged from the hospital after MRI reports revealed the injuries were not serious in nature. The young gymnast from Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kolkata, was attempting double sault backward, but had an awkward landing and hurt her neck and spine area during practice yesterday. “Scans including MRI and X-rays did not reveal any serious injury and she was released from the hospital,” SAI coach Dilip Das said. The athlete from Kankinara, however, could not take part in her competitions and will be sent back at the earliest.
Wijk Aan Zee (The Netherlands)
Anand back at Wijk Aan Zee for 18th time
Viswanathan Anand will take on an elite field yet again in the Tata Steel Masters tournament, which begins here tomorrow. Anand had last won this event in 2006 and remains one of the favourite visitors of this Dutch hamlet near Amsterdam. Interestingly, it was in 1989 that Anand debuted here and this will be his 18th appearance in the last 31 years. The star attraction, though, will be the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway who had a remarkable last year, ending it as the world champion in all three formats — Rapid, Blitz and Classical. While Carlsen starts as the top seed, Fabiano Caruana of United States will be back as the second seed ahead of local star Anish Giri and compatriot Wesley So. Anand starts the event as the fifth seed.
Johannesburg
No changes to South Africa squad despite defeat
South Africa have kept the same team for the last two Tests against England despite their 189-run defeat at Newlands this week that left the series level at 1-1. The starting team from the Cape Town Test, which England won in a thrilling finish, plus bowler Dane Paterson will travel to Port Elizabeth for the third Test, which starts on Thursday. The rest of the squad members will stay with their franchise teams and continue to compete in the domestic four-day competition. The third Test at St George’s Park is followed by the last at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from Jan 24-28. — Agencies
