BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed the playoff games of the ongoing IPL will be played in Ahmedabad and Kolkata with full capacity crowds. “The playoff stage will be held in Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29 along with qualifier 2 on May 27. Qualifier 1 and the eliminator will be played at the Eden Gardens on May 24 and May 25,” Jay Shah said. Pune will host a three-team Women’s T20 Challenge from May 23 to May 28.
Prithvi hospitalized due to high fever
The problems for Delhi Capitals don’t seem to end. After the team recovered from a Covid-19 outbreak last week, another net bowler has tested positive for the virus. To add to that, opener Prithvi Shaw had to be hospitalized because of high fever. Shaw had missed the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad because he was feeling unwell. All the members in the Capitals team went into isolation as they awaited the results of the tests done on Sunday morning. Thankfully, everyone returned negative. Shaw’s results too have returned negative. “Admitted in hospital and recovering from fever. Thank u all for your good wishes. Will be back in action,” said Shaw in his Instagram story. Earlier in the season, six members of the franchise including physio Patrick Farhart, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, keeper-batter Tim Seifert and three other non-playing members had tested positive for the virus.
Pooran replaces Pollard as Windies ODI, T20 captain
Nicholas Pooran has replaced Kieron Pollard as captain of the West Indies one-day international and Twenty20 teams. Pollard retired from internationals recently. Pooran has been Pollard's deputy for a year. Pooran's appointment covered the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and the Cricket World Cup in India in October 2023. He has already led the team in Pollard's absence, a home T20 series win against Australia last year. His first assignment will in the Netherlands at the end of this month for three ODIs. “I am following the footsteps of several giants of the game who have created an amazing legacy for West Indies cricket,” Pooran said in a statement. "This is, indeed, a prestigious role, a pivotal position in the West Indian society, as cricket is the force that brings us all West Indians together. To be named captain is, indeed, the highlight of my career so far.”
Discus thrower Kaur faces ban
Top Indian discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for a banned steroid. Kaur faces the prospect of being banned for a maximum period of four years if she is found guilty. A provisional suspension is when an athlete or other person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-doping Rules or the integrity code of conduct. The 26-year-old from Punjab has been issued a notice of allegation by AIU, an independent body set up by World Athletics. It is not known where and when she was tested but Kaur is in the registered testing pool of World Athletics. Kaur’s sudden improvement last year had raised a few eyebrows but she had earlier denied that she tested positive for any banned drug.
Maradona's shirt sold for record price
The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup has sold for 7.1 million pounds ($9. 3m), the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of sports memorabilia. The previous record for sports memorabilia was $8.8 million paid at a December 2019 auction for the manifesto that launched the modern Olympic movement. The previous record for a piece of sportswear was $5.64 million for a Babe Ruth New York Yankees jersey in 2019.
