Top Sports India News Stories of 22nd October 2008

Daily news summary

Anand extends lead in World Chess C’ship
Viswanathan Anand ended hopes of Vladimir Kramnik with 3rd win in 4games of World Chess Championship. Anand’s win could further jeopardise Kramnik’s with his 3-point lead in the 12-game match. Till now, he played 6 games of which he won 3 and drew the remaining. He won the 6th game on the 41st move in a match dominated from middle game onwards. The NIIT Brand Ambassador leads the match 4.5-1.5 as the 1st player to reach 6.5 point, and is now being adjudged as world champion in the making. Anand will resume the 7th game tomorrow.

Laxman to play for Lancashire in 2009
Middle order batsman VVS Laxman is enthusiastic to play for English county side Lancashire in 2009. Laxman played at Old Trafford for 4-weeks in 2007, which enabled BCCI to approve his step. He will return to England after his IPL participation for the remaining season. Laxman’s stint with the county in 2007 yielded 541 runs in 8 matches, averaging 54.28 in 1st class cricket. Laxman said, “ I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay with Lancashire in 2007, and I am thrilled to be returning to Old Trafford next year. I hope to play a significant role in leading Lancashire to championship success."

Kumble confident of return in 3rd Test
India's Test captain Anil Kumble is looking forward to return to the 3rd Test against Australia in Delhi, where he has taken 55 wickets in 6 games. Kumble had to sit-out of the 2nd Test in Mohali due to shoulder injury. He regrets not being part of the combination, which achieved India's biggest Test win in terms of runs (320). Kumble said, “It was very heartening to see Dhoni lead from the front and it was fantastic to watch the way the team approached the game and the intensity we kept up throughout."

Indian challenge ends at ITF tennis event
With defeats of Yannick Nelord and Rohan Gide in the 2nd round of Islamabad ITF tennis event, Indian challenge has now ended in the USD 10,000 clay court competition. Yannick put up a good fight for draw but could not keep up the momentum and lost the tie 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Adrian Sikora of Slovak Republic. Rohan who played against 6th seeded Briton James Feaver, put up initial resistance but finally gave up losing by 4-6, 1-6. Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar Sipaeya and his Pakistani partner Aqeel Khan reached the semifinals of the doubles event. The 4th seeded Indo-Pakistani pair will be facing 2nd seeded duo of Syrym Abdukhalikov of Kazakhstan and Mikhail Vasiliev of Russia.

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