Steve Smith once again showed his fielding skills and took a one-handed screamer to dismiss Hardik Pandya in the 2nd ODI in Vizag. The Australian captain was standing at the first slip while the ball flew towards the second slip. Smith put in everything he had and dived to his right to grab the one-handed stunner.

The commentators were in all awe of Smith’s effort and Sanjay Manjrekar called it the catch of the century. Smith’s diving effort saw Pandya walking back for a mere score of 1.

Hardik Pandya dismissed for 1. what a catch by Smith#HardikPandya #INDvsAUS #ViratKohli #SuryakumarYadav
India 49/5 now. pic.twitter.com/idE6IjpaSR

— Rajkumar (@Rajkumar0507) March 19, 2023

India are struggling for every run in the fixture and have lost half of their side inside the first 10 overs. Shubman Gill, who is enjoying a dream run in 2023, failed to open his account and departed for a two-ball duck.

Back in the playing XI after taking a rest from the first ODI, Rohit Sharma also disappointed and managed to score 13 off 15. The India captain replaced Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Suryakumar Yadav disappointed once again and departed for a one-ball duck.

The number 4 batsman was once again dismissed by Mitchell Starc. After Suryakumar’s dismissal, much was expected from vice-captain Pandya but his innings came to an end early.
Ravindra Jadeja has joined Virat Kohli in the middle and the duo has added more than 20 runs for the sixth wicket. The onus is on Kohli to play a big knock and propel India to a defendable total. Much will also depend on in-form Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 45 in the first ODI and scalped 2 wickets to win the Player of the Match award.

Lionel Messi marked his 1000th career appearance with a typically extraordinary goal that helped Argentina beat Australia 2-1 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16 tie at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar and took the two-time champions to the quarterfinals. With the goal, Messi left behind Argentine football legend Diego Maradona and his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve a sensational feat.

Argentina’s first goal came in the 34th minute of the game when Messi worked his magic with his famous left foot to curl in a low one through the defenders and past the goalkeeper. It was Messi’s ninth goal in his World Cup career and a very first in the knockout stage.

Just watching the do his thing ‍♂️

Keep watching #JioCinema & #Sports18 to watch more of #Messi in #ARGAUS ⚽#Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #WorldsGreatestShow #FIFAWConJioCinema #FIFAWConSports18 pic.twitter.com/GFsni6RoaM

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 3, 2022

With the goal, Messi went past Maradona and Guillermo Stábile to become the second-highest goal scorer for Argentina in FIFA World Cup. His tally of nine goals now only stands behind former Argentina captain Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 10 goals in his World Cup career.

Overall, he stands second among active footballers in the list of most World Cup goals scored, after Germany’s Thomas Mueller (10) and one ahead of Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (9).

Messi also levelled Ronaldo in terms of most goals scored in major tournaments. 13 of Messi’s 22 such goals came in Copa America. However, he is the only one between the two to have a goal in the FIFA World Cup knockouts.

Argentina eventually won 2-1 in the match against Australia. Julian Alvarez scored the second goal while Australia pulled one back off an own goal. La Albiceleste will now take on Netherlands, who beat USA 3-1 in the first round of 16 tie on Saturday, in the quarterfinal next week.

Ponda: Sports Minister Govind Gaude on Tuesday said that the players participating in the national and international tournaments will be given job in the government service under the reservation quota.

Gaude said that all the departments will be asked to employ the sportsmen under the reserved quota to encourage more youths to take sports as their career.

The minister was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the coaches from Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and Physical Training teachers from various high schools and higher secondary schools.

“I have told the teachers and coaches to assure the sportsmen, on behalf of the state government, that those who play for national and international tournaments will be given a job in the government set up,” Gaude said.

The minister said that he has also asked the High School teachers to spot talent in the students who are in pre-primary school and tutor them. “Sports is an inborn talent and it is the duty of the teacher to nurture it,” he said.

Gaude said that the teachers have also been asked to visit the homes of the sportsmen students and convince their parents against the negative image which is usually portrayed about Sports as a career.

He said that his department is working towards drafting a Vision Document for Sports in Goa which will include the formation of Sports Science University. Gaude said that Prime Minister’s initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India are encouraging the younger generation.

Gaude said that the state government has been working towards setting up a Sports Academy in the state from next month onwards. (GoaNewsHub)