Jaydev Unadkat joins Ben Stokes at Rajasthan Royals in $1.8 million IPL deal

Jaydev Unadkat has signed for the Rajasthan Royals for $1.8 million
Updated 28 January 2018
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Jaydev Unadkat joins Ben Stokes at Rajasthan Royals in $1.8 million IPL deal

BANGALORE: Rising pace bowler Jaydev Unadkat joined Ben Stokes in the Rajasthan Royals for $1.8 million on Sunday but a host of foreign stars went unsold in the Indian Premier League auction.
The Royals made Unadkat the second most expensive player in the auction behind England’s Stokes who they bought for $1.96 million on the opening day.
Stokes — still facing an assault criminal case in England — and Unadkat will join Australian captain Steve Smith at the Royals as they return to the lucrative T20 league after a two-year illegal gambling ban.
The Royals were inaugural IPL champions in 2008 but were barred for two seasons with Chennai Super Kings in 2015 over an illegal gambling scandal.
The team also spent almost $1 million for uncapped Indian off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham but were on top of the world after getting Stokes.
Royals executive chairman Ranjit Borthakur shrugged off any doubts about Stokes’ legal troubles preventing him from playing in India.
“We are prepared for legal consequences too. He will be a very important part of the team. We are like a start-up company. We are restarting,” Borthakur said.
There was disappointment though for England Test skipper Joe Root, South Africa’s Hashim Amla amd Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga who all failed to find bidders on the second day. Root, Amla and Malinga did not attract bids in Saturday’s first round and were not even called back for the second day.
South Africa quick Dale Steyn, Australia batsman Shaun Marsh and New Zealand’s Corey Anderson and Martin Guptill were called back but did not attract an offer.
West Indies batsman Chris Gayle only found a place in the third round of bidding when Kings XI Punjab claimed him at the reserve price of $314,000.
Gayle is one of the T20 league’s most prolific scorers but disappointed last year with just 200 runs in nine games for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The second day belonged to Indian and lesser-known talent with the 26-year-old Unadkat, who has played one Test and seven one-day internationals, drawing bigger bids than big home names.
Indian batsmen Manish Pandey and Lokesh Rahul both pocketed $1.7 million after being sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab respectively on Saturday.
Mumbai Indians on Sunday took West Indies’ left-handed opener Evin Lewis for $600,000.
Among other foreign players to draw bids was Australia all-rounder Dan Christian, who was sold to Delhi Daredevils for $238,000 and and England’s Sam Billings went to Chennai for $158,000.
Teenage leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane became the first Nepalese to land an IPL deal. Delhi Daredevils paid $318,000 for him.
Lamichhane, 17, took 14 wickets in the under-19 World Cup last year when Nepal came eighth.
“We will have some new fans for IPL. It will be good for the kid, I hope this will start a cricket revolution in Nepal,” said Delhi Daredevils chief executive Hemant Dua said.
Some 581 players were up for auction ahead of the season which runs from April 7 to May 27. The IPL has been boosted by a new five year $2.5-billion media deal.

TOP TEN BUYS BY VALUE

Ben Stokes (England) Rajasthan Royals $1.96m
Jaydev Unadkat (India) Rajasthan Royals $1.8m
Manish Pandey (India) Sunrisers Hyderabad $1.7m
Lokesh Rahul (India) Kings XI Punjab $1.7m
Chris Lynn (Australia) Kolkata Knight Riders $1.5m
Mitchell Starc (Australia) Kolkata Knight Riders $1.47m
Glenn Maxwell (Australia) Delhi Daredevils $1.41m
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) Sunrisers Hyderabad $1.41m
Krunal Pandya (India) Mumbai Indians $1.38m
Sanju Samson (India) Rajasthan Royals $1.25m

— AFP


England’s Livingstone leaves IPL to get ‘knee sorted’

Updated 13 May 2024
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England’s Livingstone leaves IPL to get ‘knee sorted’

  • Livingstone played just seven of 12 matches for Punjab, who have been knocked out of the play-off race
  • His injury is reportedly not serious but requires rest before England play Pakistan in four T20Is this month

NEW DELHI: England batsman Liam Livingstone has left the Indian Premier League early to get his knee “sorted” ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, the Punjab Kings player said.

Livingstone, 30, played just seven of 12 matches for Punjab, who have been knocked out of the play-off race for this season.

Livingstone, who has been named in England’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, missed two matches early this IPL after he went down on the field.

He later did not make the playing XI but returned to the starting line-up last week.

“IPL done for another year, had to get my knee sorted for the upcoming World Cup,” Livingstone wrote on social media.

“Thanks once again to the Punjab Kings fans for all their love and support. Disappointing season as a team and personally, but as always I loved every minute of playing in the IPL.”

According to ESPNcricinfo, Livingstone’s injury is not serious but requires rest before England play Pakistan in four T20 internationals this month.

Livingstone managed just 11 runs with a highest of 38 not out and returned three wickets with his spin bowling.

Other World Cup-bound England players including Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Phil Salt and Reece Topley will begin to return home in the next few days.


‘Ring of Fire’ timepiece marking Fury v. Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia to be auctioned by Sotheby’s for charity

Updated 13 May 2024
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‘Ring of Fire’ timepiece marking Fury v. Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia to be auctioned by Sotheby’s for charity

  • A piece from the Astronomia Art collection, the “Ring of Fire” watch is a 50-mm rose-gold timepiece, the design and details of which pay tribute to both fighters

RIYADH: A bespoke timepiece created by Jacob & Co. to commemorate the heavyweight boxing clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia will be auctioned on Friday.

All proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish International charity.

A piece from the Astronomia Art collection, the “Ring of Fire” watch is a 50-mm rose-gold timepiece, the design and details of which pay tribute to both fighters.

A figurine of each world heavyweight champion measuring less than 1 cm-high adorns the watch, while the hour and minute dials are represented by the iconic champion belt of the World Boxing Council and its green color is used on the strap.

Sotheby’s will host the auction, on the evening before fight night, which will also feature other coveted boxing-themed items, with the high-value Ring of Fire watch the star attraction.

British WBC title holder Fury takes on Ukrainian WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Usyk in Riyadh on May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in the clash, also called the “Ring of Fire.”

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the board of directors at the General Entertainment Authority, commissioned Big Time Creative Shop, the GEA’s creative arm, to work alongside luxury watch brand Jacob & Co. to design and craft the timepiece.

“This is an incredible and rare opportunity to own a piece of boxing history. The magnitude of this fight cannot be underestimated,” Alalshikh said.

“It will be spoken about for decades, and the successful bidder will share a special bond with the lead protagonists of this undisputed heavyweight story through the collective ownership of these unique and elegant timepieces.

“We are also pleased to be able to donate all auction proceeds to Make-A-Wish International, so they can help fulfil the wishes of even more children around the world,” he said.

Ever in confident mood, Fury said that the watch would remind the owner of a night of boxing history.

“This watch will forever represent a bit of boxing history and, for me personally, it is going to be a constant reminder of the night I became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century,” he said. “This is a rare and incredible timepiece and I hope it can raise lots of cash for an important global cause. I’d also like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this together,” he said.

His Ukrainian opponent said that he hoped as much money as possible could be raised in auctioning the watch.

“I look forward to the auction and seeing who will be fortunate enough to achieve the winning bid and share with me in owning this masterpiece,” he said.

“I encourage everyone who can to get involved so we see a big donation to help with the good work of Make-A-Wish International. This watch is an excellent allegory of the limited time given to us by God in this world to help others and make it a better place to live.”


Saudi Hockey Federation announces tournament in Western Region to be played in Jeddah

Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi Hockey Federation announces tournament in Western Region to be played in Jeddah

  • The tournament will feature six teams comprising 60 players

LONDON: The Saudi Hockey Federation announced on Monday it was organizing the Saudi Arabia Western Region Championship, which will kick off next Friday at the sports hall of Al-Ittihad Club in Jeddah.

The tournament will feature six teams comprising 60 players. 

The hockey federation said the championship was part of its plan to develop hockey in the Kingdom and marks the beginning of its series of tournaments for the 2024 season. 

The federation said that it would continue to organize similar tournaments, with an aim to expanding them to various regions of the Kingdom, to create a competitive environment for the sport and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Felix da Costa wins historic third Berlin E-Prix

Updated 13 May 2024
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Felix da Costa wins historic third Berlin E-Prix

  • Round 10 win at Tempelhof earns TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team first victory on home turf
  • Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing has a 45-point lead in standings after victory in round 9

BERLIN: Antonio Felix da Costa became the only driver to win three times at the Tempelhof Airport street circuit after he clinched the win in round 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

His win at the Berlin E-Prix also secured Tag Heuer Porsche’s inaugural victory on home turf in Formula E.

“It just feels great to win at a home race for Porsche, it’s amazing,” said da Costa. “We’ve got so many guests here: so many people who work in the factory that don’t normally get to come to the races, our board members are here, so it’s definitely a special one.

“Honestly, it’s been a tough start to the season and we’ve been building a really good momentum, always closing the gap to the championship leaders and it feels good to take this one.”

He added: “You have to work hard when things aren’t right, but when you have the right people around you it makes it a little bit easier. I want to dedicate to this to my engineer’s father-in-law who passed away this week, so it’s for him and his family.”

Da Costa held on throughout the 38-lap race, despite relentless pressure from Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar, the latter being the victor of round 9 on Saturday.

Cassidy executed a last-minute move on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland to secure second place, clinching the fastest lap in the process. Rowland snatched third after a challenging starting position, ahead of Tag Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, who valiantly battled reigning champion Jake Dennis (Andretti) for fourth.

Cassidy’s teammate, Evans, finished in sixth. Jehan Daruvala of Maserati MSG Racing delivered an impressive seventh-place finish after navigating through the pack from 13th, marking a personal best Formula E result for the Indian driver. 

Climbing from 18th to eighth place was 19-year-old Taylor Barnard of NEOM McLaren Formula E, showing remarkable skill in what was his first full weekend in the series. Joel Eriksson (Envision Racing) also achieved his best result to date with a ninth-place finish, while Jean-Eric Vergne (DS PENSKE) rounded out the top ten. 

Cassidy leaves Berlin with a substantial 45-point haul and assumes top position in the standings with 140 points, ahead of Wehrlein on 124. Rowland occupies third place with 118 points.

In the team championship, Jaguar TCS Racing leads with 237 points, followed by TAG Heuer Porsche in second place with 183.


Saudi team ready for World Para Athletics Championships in Japan

Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi team ready for World Para Athletics Championships in Japan

DUBAI: The Saudi Paralympic team has set off for Kobe, in Japan, where they are competing in the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships.

The team’s preparations included extensive training sessions in both local and international camps.

The first phase took place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman from March to April, while phase two was in Dubai and included the team’s participation in the Gulf Games.

The 11th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships begins today and runs until May 27. It is being held at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, where more than 1,000 athletes from 100 nations will compete in 168 events.

The 2024 championships are the first to be held in East Asia and the third one in Asia, following Doha in 2015 and Dubai in 2019.