NEW DELHI: Indian TT team’s Olympic 2012 preparations has hit a road block after Sweden’s Anders Johansson refused to coach the national team citing family reasons. Initially, Johansson did show interest in coaching Indian players but his refusal has landed the team and the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) in a spot of bother. [...]

Umpire Daryl Harper (left) explains that India’s Praveen Kumar (unseen) can’t bowl again in the first innings to India’s captain MS Dhoni on Day 2 of the first Test match against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. (AP Photo) MELBOURNE: Controversial Australian umpire Daryl Harper, who was criticised by the Indians for his poor decisions during [...]

The first Test between England and India at Lord’s will mark its 2,000th match. (AFP Photo) LONDON: A five-day contest where often neither side wins, Test cricket may seem out of touch with 21st Century life yet next week’s series opener between England and India at Lord’s will mark its 2,000th match. And with a [...]

Alastair Cook in action during the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England. (Reuters Photo) Opinions may be divided over who would enter the England-India Test series as favourites, but the hosts have a perfect squad to torment the visitors. Not only does England have a potent seam attack, they have [...]

Former England captains warned that Sachin Tendulkar would be the biggest threat to England when they take on India in a Test series. (TOI Photo) LONDON: India’s batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar – probably on his farewell tour of England – will feature on the cover of the next of issue of an English magazine, with [...]

A former medical officer of the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Dr Sajib Nandi was allegedly roughed up by the security staff of the centre when he went there to submit a representation to a dope enquiry committee. PATIALA: In a dramatic fallout of the doping scandal surrounding the National Institute of Sports (NIS) [...]

Suresh Raina scored 232 runs at 46.40 with three half-centuries in the recently concluded Caribbean tour. (AFP Photo) TAUNTON (Somerset): India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will face a tough task of opting between Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina for the number five spot in the first Test between India and England in the Lord’s next [...]

England’s Captain Andrew Strauss gestures during a match against Sri Lanka at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. (AFP Photo) England have been unbeaten in their last five Test series. The side is well-balanced and is teeming with talent and confidence. TOI finds out what makes Andrew Strauss’ side such a tough team to beat… PACE [...]

“I’m glad Ishant is back in form. With Zaheer Khan he will form a formidable pair in England,” Vengsarkar said. MUMBAI: India’s first Test against England at Lord’s (the 100th between the two sides) will be historic and former captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who holds the unique distinction of being the only one to score three [...]

David Beckham says playing for Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho would be a “dream.” (Reuters Photo) LOS ANGELES: David Beckham says playing for Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho would be a “dream.” Mourinho is the reigning FIFA Coach of the Year, having guided Madrid to a runner-up finish in the Spanish league and a Copa [...]