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Mumbai, Dec 20 (IANS) Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and pacer Navdeep Saini have been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh following their respective injuries.

Rohit is under the care of the BCCI Medical Team following his left thumb injury, which he sustained during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

"The Medical Team is of the opinion that the injury needs some more time to heal completely before the Indian captain can bat and field with full intensity. He will continue his rehab and will not be available for the second and final Test against Bangladesh.

"Navdeep Saini is also ruled out of the second Test owing to an abdominal muscle strain. The fast bowler will now report to the NCA for further management of his injury," the BCCI said in statement on Tuesday.

India's updated squad for 2nd Test against Bangladesh: KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat

--IANS
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By Armstrong Vaz
Doha, Dec 19 (IANS) FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi, who had said the tournament in Qatar would be his last World Cup, but has now shown a change of heart over his possible retirement from international football.


On Sunday, the 35-year-old guided his country to its third title and his one following a 4-2 shootout win over France.

"I want to play a few more games as a world champion. I was lucky to clinch every title in my career; this was the only one missing. I want to take this one there (to Argentina) and enjoy it with everybody else," said Messi, who won the Golden boot, becoming the first man to do so twice.

Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with a 23rd-minute penalty and also found the net in extra-time for the 3-2 in the 108th. Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to take the game to a shootout, where Messi also scored.

Messi, having been named the Golden Ball winner eight years ago at Brazil 2014, when Argentina were edged 1-0 by Germany in the final, the 35-year-old twice looked poised for heartbreak again after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick.

But after Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's spot-kick, Gonzalo Montiel's decisive penalty ensured he claimed the greatest prize of all in his last World Cup game.

It means Messi emulates countryman Diego Maradona once more, too, with Maradona the player of the tournament in Argentina's previous triumph 36 years ago.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner departs World Cup football after one of the most influential tournament performances of all time on a match-to-match basis, taking his total of Player of the Match wins to 11 across five tournaments.

He was named the Player of the Match in five games, including all of their prior knockout fixtures and the final, besting the record of four he previously jointly shared with the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder after his performances in 2014.

--IANS
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By Armstrong Vaz
Doha, Dec 19 (IANS) They cried, shouted, danced, broke into a song, waved to the camera and at times they went into a shell, shocked by what was happening on the football field. Those were some of the spontaneous emotions and reactions of a number of fans who were seated beside me in the media box during the FIFA World Cup final match.


The same pattern of behaviour, feelings and emotions prevailed among the majority of fans as nearly 90,000 of them took part in the thrilling action and try to be part of it.

The most vociferous and more extrovert of the mediapersons were the Argentinians compared to the Europeans, and it was the South Americans who had the last laugh when the fourth penalty kick was scored to give their nation the third title.

The anxiety and uncertainty over the final outcome finally led to euphoria with La Albiceleste winning the title adding to the one they won in 1986 and one previous to it in 1978.

Some cried, others hugged fellow countrymen while others went live from the media box and connected themselves with fans back in Argentina through their channels and social media pages.

High on passion, the emotions just followed as the match progressed. The fortunate-fluctuating match saw Lionel Messi of Argentina beat France 4-2 in penalties after the teams were tied 3-3 all at the end of extra time. Every goal gave them a glimmer of hope only to fade away every time an equalizer was scored.

"We were thrilled and celebrated each of the goals and were down when the game came to level terms, even going into penalties we were a little bit nervous, as you know penalty shootouts are always unpredictable and a lottery," said Daniela, a print media journalist from Argentina.

A young media professional, who is taking his baby steps in journalism, was also one of them who cried bitterly after France lost in the penalty shootout.

The twist and turns the six-goal thriller took brought out the sadness, joy and finally the euphoria of winning the trophy for the third time among the Argentinian mediapersons.

The media box was full of them, from the print to television and from social media to website journalists, all trying to catch the eyeballs back home with their coverage.

Having travelled so far and having spent nearly a month to be part of the global showpiece event, the journey was worth the sacrifices of being away from home.

The Argentinians fans in the stands outnumbered the French supporters in the stands and in the media box it was the same case. The entire media contingent having links to La Albiceleste rose in unison and pumped their fist in the air, every time Lionel Messi scored and they were over the moon when Angel Di Maria gave the second goal to put them 2-0.

They were utterly pleased with the first half display by their team and were hoping that they would coast to an emphatic win going by the opening half show but the late goals took them into a pensive mood, with doubts hovering overhead whether they will fall at the finish or emerge triumphant.

During the 29-day football journey many a football fan will agree that the passion for the game is high among the South Americans and the Argentinean media, men and women and the fans displayed it not on their sleeves with their emotions in the stands during the match and after the final whistle had been blown.

It was not only the journalists, who for a large part left their unbiased nature behind them to back their home country, but a large legion of Blue and White supporters who made many sacrifices to make the trip to Qatar for the football showpiece event.

They sang Muchachos, the unofficial World Cup anthem, the lyrics which has references to Diego Maradona, Messi, World Cup heartbreaks, Copa America triumph, and hopes of a third World Cup, which finally happened on Sunday.

"Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar" (Boys, we have our hopes up again) has been sung by Argentine fans and players alike in the dressing room.

The song is an adapted version of the 2003 tune Muchachos by the Buenos Aires punk band -- La Mosca.

The lyrics have been rewritten by Argentina supporter Fernando Ramos. Translated into English, the song goes something like this:

I was born in Argentina

land of Diego and Lionel,

of the kids of Malvinas,

that I will never forget.

I can't explain it to you

because you won't understand

the finals we lost,

How many years have I mourned them

But that's over

because in the Maracana,

the final with the brazucas,

dad beat them again.

Boys, now we got excited again,

I want to win the third

I want to be world champion

and Diego, in the sky we can see him,

with Don Diego and with la Tota,

encouraging Lionel.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Lionel Messi finally laid his hands on the greatest prize in football after Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 final in dramatic manner in Qatar on Sunday.

In a thrilling summit clash, which went into penalties, Messi scored twice but it was Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick that kept France in the match.

However, Argentina managed to score all of their penalties to emerge as World champions.

Here are a few reactions:
Robin Uthappa took to the social media platform Koo App and wrote a note for Messi, "Could a FIFA World Cup final be more incredible than this?!! What a match!! Heart goes out to Mbappe and France..And destiny smiles on Messi!! Unreal!! Congratulations Argentina!! #FIFAWorldCup??? #Messi."

Former Indian batter Pragyan Ojha also posted on Koo, "What a game……. Tinaaaaaaaa! #ArgentinaFrancia #WorldCupFinal #EmilianoMartínez."

--IANS

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Karachi, Dec 18 (IANS) Harry Brook struck his third century to continue his remarkable series and helped rebuild England's innings after Pakistan had managed to pin down the visitors at 145 for five on the second day of the third and final Test here on Sunday.

England, who lead the three-match series 2-0 after a 74-run win in Rawalpindi and a close-fought 26-run victory in Multan, took a crucial 50-run lead on the back of Brook's innings before they were bowled out for 354 and Pakistan cut the deficit to 29 at the close of play at the National Stadium here.

Pakistan's openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were batting on 14 and 3, respectively with the home side ending the day on 21 for no loss.

Brook's 111 revived England's chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan after the visitors were teetering at 145-5. The middle-order batter rescued the visitors with a superb innings.

After Pakistan's spinners knocked over the English top-order, Brook and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes amassed 117 for the sixth wicket and brought England within touching distance of Pakistan's first innings total of 304.

The 23-year-old Brook drove spinner Abrar Ahmed for his eighth boundary to reach his third career hundred following up his 153 in the first Test and 108 in the next.

In all Brook struck eight fours and three sixes before he was trapped leg before becoming debutant pacer Mohammad Wasim's first Test wicket.

Brook has now scored 468 runs -- beating David Gower's 449 in 1984 -- for the highest series total by an England batter in Pakistan.

He also equalled Mohammad Yousuf's record of three centuries in successive matches in an overseas series -- in Test matches between England and Pakistan. Yousuf hit three centuries in England in 2006.

Pakistan's spinners, Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed had England in a tight spot after the first session. The duo finished with 4-126 and 4-150, respectively.

England were struggling at 145/5 soon after lunch after Ben Stokes (26) attempted a third run which Brook turned down only to see his skipper stranded.

After Brook fell, Foakes added another 51 alongside Mark Wood for the seventh wicket.

Noman then dismissed Foakes and Rehan Ahmed (one) while Abrar Ahmed accounted for Wood and Ollie Robinson for 29.

In the morning session, Noman removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root off successive deliveries.

With the pitch offering turn, left-armer Noman trapped Duckett (26) leg before and had the experienced Root caught low in the slip by Salman Ali Agha for nought.

Pope stood firm amidst the dual wicket fall, reaching his 11th fifty before he was bowled for 51 by Ahmed, who added to the wicket he took on Saturday.

Pakistan 304 & 21 for no loss in 9 overs (Abdullah Shafique 14, Shah Masood 3) trail England 354 in 81.4 overs (Harry Brook 111, Ben Foakes 64, Mark Wood 35; Abrar Ahmed 4-150, Nauman Ali 4-126) by 29 runs.

--IANS

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Chattogram, Dec 18 (IANS) On Sunday, defending champions France will be facing off against two-time champions Argentina for the FIFA World Cup 2022 crown at the Lusail Stadium. As the world is divided over supporting which team, India skipper KL Rahul conceded that he isn't aware who in the side will be supporting Argentina or France.

"Most of the guys who were supporting whichever team are all out already. There were few Brazil fans, there were few England fans. So, I don't really know who is an Argentina or France supporter, so we'll just enjoy the game today. We're watching the game together, and we'll have a good meal," he said in the post-match press conference.

The Indian team will be tuned in to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup finale after wrapping up the first Test against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the first 50 minutes of day five, coming out triumphant with a 188-run victory.

"Like I said five days after a long time is really tiring, so enjoy tonight, watch the game. Final of the World Cup, we all love football. Most of you have seen we're always playing football, before warmups, even back in the room," added Rahul.

If France emerge victorious in the final, it would become just the third nation to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles and the first since Brazil in 1962. If Argentina wins, they would become the fourth nation to win the FIFA World Cup at least three times and their first win since 1986.

"FIFA was big early on but the boys have relaxed a little bit. There are other priorities, so it'll be interesting to watch the game today. We will be divided a little bit, that's what make watching sport fun, so it will be fun," concluded Rahul.

In the 12 meetings between the two teams in international football, Argentina has won six matches while France has three wins with the remaining three matches ending in a draw. Argentina is appearing in its sixth FIFA World Cup final, while France is marking its fourth appearance in the title clash.

--IANS
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Chattogram, Dec 18 (IANS) While the scorecard from the first Test between India and Bangladesh at Chattogram will show a comfortable 188-run win for the visitors, it won't tell the story of how the KL Rahul-led side had to work hard in order to get things in favour.

In their first innings on day one, India were reduced to 48/3, before Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in vital contributions with the bat to take the first innings score to 404.

Then in defending 513, they had to toil hard for 46 overs before getting a breakthrough and eventually, bowl out Bangladesh for 324 on day five. With the win, India have boosted their hopes of reaching World Test Championship final for a second successive time.

"That's Test cricket, right? You are never going to get a victory that will be easy. We knew that and have played enough Test cricket to understand that there will be phases where the opposition plays well and we need to respect that. We need to keep doing our job and of that, I am very proud of that throughout the Test match, our energy and intensity has been really high to maintain that for all five days."

"Throughout the five days, we have shown great commitment as a team after not playing Test cricket as a team for some time. There was a bit of worry coming into the Test match about how the bodies would react and how we would manage to be on the park for so long and still maintain our focus and intensity. But we did very well and that's something very pleasing," said Rahul, the stand-in skipper, in the post-match press conference.

The Test win at Chattogram means India have begun the longer format leg of the tour on a good note after losing ODI series 2-1. Moreover, with them playing a Test after losing to England at Edgbaston in July meant doubts were there on how India will fare in Chattogram. But now looking at the win, all of those were laid to rest.

"ODI series was a bit disappointing. But we had played some good cricket and couldn't capitalise on the big moments, and that was a bit disappointing. Here, it's a completely different format and team. Few individuals bring fresh energies when coming in and you tend to forget about what's happened in the past and focus on what we have to do."

"Everyone of us in dressing room get excited about playing Test cricket. There's a good, positive energy about how we look at Test cricket and wanting to win games of cricket. We know that it's always going to be challenging and that's the fun of Test cricket. So, it's really pleasing that we have turned up in this Test series by managing to get victory in the first game. We will enjoy this for next game or two and then focus on the next game," added Rahul.

Rahul was also in praise of the bowling attack, especially Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who had match hauls of eight and five wickets while playing decisive roles in India's first and second innings respectively, while taking note of bowlers who supported the duo in the match.

"Yes, there are areas where we can improve, but I will take the win. Everyone performed and did their job. Yes, the guys who did really well, put their hands up and took those good days to make it really valuable for the team. Kuldeep Yadav with the first innings, Siraj bowled really well in the first innings as well. But also the guys, who didn't pick much wickets also did a good job and supported the other bowlers very well."

"Axar bowled well in second innings, but Ashwin and Kuldeep put the pressure on by bowling some really good spells and kept it tight. They even beat the bat couple of times, but were unfortunate (to not get wickets). Overall we had good performances, like the bowlers got wickets, and bowled well while the batters got starts. Hopefully we can do our job as a team and whoever has good days can turn into match-winning performances, which is what matters as a team."

--IANS
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Dubai, Dec 18 (IANS) Australia have maintained their unbeaten Test status at home this summer and closed in on booking a spot at next year's World Test Championship final with a decisive six-wicket victory over a disappointing South Africa in Brisbane on Sunday.

The win sees Australia move further ahead at the top of the World Test Championship standings, while South Africa are overtaken by India and drop to third as a result of the loss, the ICC said in a statement.

Australia now hold a 76.92 win percentage, with India (55.77) now ahead of South Africa (54.55) following their 188-run triumph over Bangladesh in Chattogram earlier in the day.

The Test match was over in less than two days as Australia's strong bowling attack - with some assistance from a bowler-friendly surface at The Gabba - made light work of South Africa's batters with an impressive team performance.

Skipper Pat Cummins (5/42) and the consistent Scott Boland (2/14) did the majority of the damage on Sunday, while Mitchell Starc (2/26) picked up his 300th Test wicket early in the day as South Africa were skittled for just 99 in their second innings.


South Africa caused some concern in the Australia camp when they claimed four wickets. The hosts chased down the 34 required for victory, with Marnus Labuschagne (5*) and Cameron Green (0*) guiding the side home as the Aussies clinched the opening match of the three-game series.

The battle to reach next year's World Test Championship decider at The Oval is still wide open, with South Africa a chance to reclaim second place with positive results during the remaining two Tests in Australia.

India climb World Test Championship standings after triumph over Bangladesh
The Proteas travel to Melbourne for the second Test that commences on Boxing Day, before the third and final Test of the series in Sydney early in the New Year.

Australia will be keen to add to the three Test matches they have won against the West Indies and South Africa at home this summer, with a difficult trip to India for four Tests in February and March to likely to decide who claims the two spots in the World Test Championship final.

--IANS
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Valencia (Spain), Dec 17 (IANS) The Indian Women's Hockey Team put in a fantastic display as they defeated Spain 1-0 in the final to win the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2022 here in Valencia on Saturday. Indian remained undefeated during the tournament and also got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League.

India's only goal in the Final came from Gurjit Kaur (6').

It was Spain with the first pushback of the Final, after which both sides looked to control possession, with the home team winning an early PC. Indian Captain and Goalkeeper Savita made an excellent save before her team earned their first PC of the match. Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur went to the left side of the Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez and managed to beat her to put India ahead in the first quarter.

India played brilliantly at the start of the second quarter to break the Spanish press as Lalremsiami earned a PC for the team but this time Gurjit Kaur could not manage to beat the goalkeeper with her drag-flick. Spain soon regrouped and made several entries in the Indian circle before earning a PC at the halfway stage of the second quarter. However, Spain failed to find the back of the net as Savita stood tall in front of the goal to keep India ahead at the end of halftime.

Spain began the second half aggressively in search of an equaliser and Savita came off the lines to make a fine save. India got a chance to score their second goal of the match after they earned a PC. The Spanish goalkeeper was alert and dived to the right of the goalpost to keep her team in the game. Spain controlled the possession brilliantly and showed excellent ball rotation in India's half and it nearly paid off when Lucia Jimenez put the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed as the ball did not travel five meters outside India's circle after the umpire gave a free hit to Spain.

The final quarter saw exciting action between both teams. Spain pressed high in search of their first goal and earned a PC 10 minutes before the full time whistle. However, the Indian defence stood firm and kept the ball away from their net. Salima Tete found herself in a goal-scoring position in the opposition half but she failed to beat Clara Perez with a tomahawk. Spain, then, earned a PC late in the quarter before Savita dived to her right to make an excellent save and India won the Final by a goal difference.

Hockey India has also announced Rs 2 Lakh for each player and Rs 1 Lakh for each support staff of the Indian Women's Hockey Team that won the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2022.

--IANS
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By Armstrong Vaz
Doha (Qatar), Dec 17 (IANS) France goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris said the FIFA World Cup final is a clash between two football nations and the focus shouldn't be on individual players as he is trying to remain 'calm' ahead of the title match.



"I do tend to be someone who remains calm in general. But, like anybody, emotions can take over and I do talk a lot in the changing room. That is part of being a footballer. These are things you can't necessarily control. I do remain calm. That is pretty much all I can say," Lloris said on the eve of the final match against Argentina.

"I believe the event is too massive to just be focused on one player. It is a final between two big nations in football."

France are trying to successfully defend the title they won four years back in Russia defeating Croatia. All the pre-match focus has shifted on Argentina's Lionel Messi, who is playing in the fifth World Cup and looking for one elusive title which is missing from his cabinet, the FIFA World Cup trophy.

"Obviously when you face that type of player you need a special focus on him, but it is not only about him," said Lloris, who captained the Les Blues to a title four years back in Russia.

Messi, 35, is to set for a tournament record appearance on Sunday as the final will be his 26th World Cup game, one more than German Lothar Matthäus. Like France, Argentina will be bidding for a third title.

"They are a strong team with a lot of talented players. They have a young generation of players and you can feel they are all dedicated to Lionel Messi, but we will try and find the key to get the success."

Asked about his thoughts on neutral fans wanting Messi to mark his final World Cup appearance with a winners' medal: "We have the support of our fans and we know the French people are behind us. Nothing else really matters."

"We started this World Cup with an objective to go as far as possible, and very few people believed in us at the outset. We are now in the final, four years after our last final, and we're going to pull out all the stops to try and win this game.

Lloris who is on the verge of becoming the first captain to lift the World Cup twice if France win on Sunday said: "I was privileged enough to win the trophy in 2018. I am very proud of that. But, to be honest, I am focusing on the present now. What happened in the past belongs to the past. We are looking forward to writing our own history and creating our own story and we want to finish this tournament as well as we possibly can.

"Of course it is going to be the most difficult match in the tournament. It is the final, that goes without saying. We are going to have to be ready for any scenario.

"We are going to be ready to show great solidarity and graft. In spite of all the games, and the tiredness, and the virus that has been going through the camp, we are going to have to finish the job as well as we can.

Lloris said going into final match will see some change in France's style of play and plan for Argentina:

"In a World Cup you need to be ready to play defensively at times and get through those tough challenges in a match. You have to adapt. We were facing world class teams and that was true against Morocco and England.

"I thought in the second half that we dropped back too much personally, but that was also due to a good performance from Morocco.

"In the match tomorrow we will try and respect our game plan. We are still looking at the team formation and how to prepare for the game. Things always happen in a match that you're not necessarily prepared for and that is where you need to show a good team spirit and you also need to have that feeling of pulling out all of the stops and digging deep in those tough moments.

"It is true that we are good on the break because we have some very quick players in attack but really it depends on the game. We are very good as a team because we know how to adapt to different scenarios."

Asked on the difference between the team of 2018 to the present squad Lloris said: "What happens in the changing room before the match isn't always planned. It is spontaneous and it depends what I feel like saying at the time."

"After the final four years ago the context was very different, the opponent was very different. It was a different tournament. You have to live in the moment. Of course our experience four years ago can help those of us that played in that match, but tomorrow's game is something totally different.

"We are looking forward to making the history books in our own way: our players and our staff. We've already achieved a great deal in this tournament but we're looking forward to going further."

"I can say what I've seen during this World Cup: They are a very organised side, very strong defensively and have a very strong press on whoever has the ball. They are very good on the break and take advantage of opponents' mistakes.

"Over the years Argentina has always produced some world-class players; Maradona was a perfect example and now we've got Lionel Messi. They are legends of football.

"Everyone will be really looking forward to the final in the Argentina camp, but for France, whoever you play in a World Cup final, it will be a tremendous occasion, and maybe playing Argentina makes that more of an attractive proposition. I sincerely hope this match will go down in history, French history in particular."

--IANS
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