‘Dhoni, Kaarthick lack technique’
Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani believes MS Dhoni’s struggles behind the stumps in England are borne out of the fact that he is not getting his basics right.

Kirmani, considered one of the country’s best ’keepers, said Dhoni stands flat-footed which is the major reason for his current woes. He said both Dhoni and Dinesh Kaarthick lacked technique.

India run into Lebanon first
India have been pitted against Lebanon in the first round of Asian qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa, reports PTI from New Delhi.

The team, coached by Englishman Bob Houghton, will take on the 135th-ranked Lebanese in home and away encounters scheduled for October 8 and 28 this year. India will have to travel to the Middle Eastern country for the first game and will host the return leg.

If India, 162nd in the latest FIFA rankings, get past Lebanon, they will take on the winners of the match between North Korea and Mongolia in the second round on November 9 and 18. India has been seeded 28th in the AFC draw for the purpose.

Team for world weightlifting
Indian weightlifters will get their first chance to qualify for next year’s Beijing Olympic Games when they take part in the World Championships to be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from September 15 to 26, reports PTI from New Delhi.

The Women’s team comprises Soniya Chanu (48kg), Chaya Devi (53kg), Renu Bala (58kg), Inu Rani (63kg), L Monika Devi (69kg), Sumati Devi (75kg) and Geeta Rani (+75kg).

The men's team include Sarabjit in 105 kg division and G Elumalai in 69 kg class.

Evans wins   football contest
Sixteen-year-old Evans Thomas from Kerala emerged as the winner in the ‘Where’s The Next’ Nike football event.
Evans will form part of the 11-member team from Asia which will train with FC Barcelona coaches from August 27 to September 4.

The team will also play against the FC Barcelona youth team and will watch the FC Barcelona team in action.

Harikrishna bows to Acs
Top-seeded Grandmaster P Harikrishna suffered a shock defeat at the hands of GM Peter Acs of Hungary in the first round of the Marx Gyorgy Memorial International Chess tournament in Paks, Hungary, on Monday, reports PTI.

Indian colts post  big victory
The Indian under-19 cricket team registered a 182-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first ‘test’ in Colombo on Monday, reports PTI.

Chasing a target of 278, the hosts were bowled out for 95, with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Shiv Prakash doing the damage.

While Jadeja claimed four wickets conceding just five runs off his 13 overs, Prakash gave him strong support, claiming three wickets.

Brief scores: India: 301 and 227/7 declared bt Sri Lanka: 247 and 95 all out.

Jai Bhagwan in semifinals
India’s Jai Bhagwan defeated Vladimir Saruhanian of Russia to storm into the semifinals of the lightweight division at the Xinjiang International boxing tournament, reports PTI from Xinjiang, China.

Boot camp for Bangla players
Bangladeshi cricketers are being sent to boot camp to toughen up ahead of the Twenty20 world championships, reports AFP from Dhaka. “This is the first time the team is undergoing such training. The aim is to make them mentally and physically strong,” cricket board spokesman Rabeed Imam said.