** Indian-American Dr Ashish Jha to take over as US President’s COVID-19 Response Coordinator

Biden’s statement announcing Jha’s appointment praised him as one of the leading public health experts in America and “a well-known figure to many Americans from his wise and calming public presence.

” Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.”..And as we enter a new moment in the pandemic – executing on my National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and managing the ongoing risks from COVID – Dr Jha is the perfect person for the job,” Biden said.

** More than 22,500 Indians brought from Russia-hit Ukraine, says Jaishankar

Russia-Ukraine war: External affairs minister S Jaishankar told Rajya Sabha that the evacuation efforts were undertaken at a time when artillery shelling and airstrikes on Ukrainian cities were underway. 

** Joshi, Bhagat shine as India bag 21 medals at Spanish Para Badminton International

Manshi Joshi and Nithya Sre claimed a gold each, while Tokyo Paralympics champion Pramod Bhagat secured two silver and a bronze as India bagged as many as 21 medals at the Spanish Para Badminton International in Cartagena, Spain.

World no. 1 Joshi (SL3) and Sre (SH6) were among the six gold medallists, while India also secured seven silvers and eight bronze medals in the level I tournament, which concluded on Sunday.

Raja/Krishna (men’s doubles SH6), Raj/Parul (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Chirag/Raj (men’s doubles SU5) and Nitesh/Tarun (men’s doubles SL3-SL4) also bagged the yellow metal.

World no 1 Bhagat (SL3) secured two silver and a bronze, while world no 2 Sukant Kadam (SL 4) ended up with a bronze medal at the event.

Tarun Dhillon (men’s singles SL4), Krishna Nagar (men’s singles SH6), Mandeep Kaur (women’s singles SL3), Manasi/Ruthick (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Hardik/Ruthik (men’s doubles SU5) and Manoj/Bhagat (men’s doubles SL3-SL4) also won silver medals.

The bronze medal winners were Nitesh Kumar (men’s singles SL3), Manoj (men’s singles SL3), Nilesh Gaikwad (men’s singles SL4), Parul Parmar (women’s singles SL3), Bhagat/Kohli (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Arwaz/Deep (men’s doubles SL3-SL4), and Prem Ale/Abu Hubaida (men’s doubles WH1-WH2).

Kadam lost to world no 1 Lucas Mazur from France 21-19 19-21 12-21 in the semifinal to settle for a bronze.

India had claimed 34 medals, including 11 gold, seven silver and 16 bronze, from the Spanish Para badminton International II event recently.

***

** RGIA declared best airport by size and region in Asia-Pacific

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, has been declared the best airport by size and region in the Asia-Pacific region for 2021.

This is in the category of 15 million to 25 million passengers per annum.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general, ACI World, congratulated GMR Hyderabad International Airport and said that the award reflects their commitment to improving passenger experience.

***

** Jhulan becomes joint-highest wicket taker in Women’s ODI World Cup

She has continued to be India’s backbone with the ball in an illustrious career and has also represented the country in 12 Tests and 68 T20Is.

Veteran Indian quick Jhulan Goswami on Thursday equalled former Australia spinner Lyn Fullston’s tally of 39 scalps to become the joint-highest wicket taker in Women’s World Cup.

The 39-year-old, playing in her fifth ODI World Cup, achieved the feat against New Zealand in the ongoing tournament when she dismissed wicketkeeper Katey Martin in the 50th over.

** ICC Test Rankings: Jadeja becomes world No.1 all-rounder

Jadeja regained the top all-rounder spot from Jason Holder, who had held the position since February 2021

India’s Ravindra Jadeja climbed to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for all-rounders on Wednesday after his match-winning performance against Sri Lanka in the opening Test in Mohali.

“Ravindra Jadeja’s performance at India’s recent Test win against Sri Lanka in Mohali has catapulted him to the no. 1 position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings,” the ICC said in a statement.

His unbeaten 175 lifted him up to 17 places from 54th to 37th with the bat and he added nine wickets to move up to 17th with the ball.

His all-round contribution was enough for him to regain the top all-rounder spot from Jason Holder, who had held the position since February 2021.

** Virat Kohli’s 100th Test: A look at his journey in whites so far

In the first 10 years of Test cricket, nobody has amassed as many centuries as Kohli did.

Virat Kohli has come a long way as a Test cricketer since his debut in 2011 against West Indies. The Delhi-lad did not have a good run in the first match as he could only score 19 runs. But after a decade-long journey, Kohli is now all set to play his 100th Test match in Mohali on March 4.

Having donned the white jersey in 99 Test matches, Kohli has scored 7962 runs at a stellar average of 50.39. Kohli led the Indian team in 68 Tests and won 40 matches. He has a wholesome win percentage of 58.82%.

Best five-Test records:

1. Kohli’s record of 20 Test centuries as skipper is the second-most for any player. Only Graeme Smith (25) is ahead of him.

2.  The former Indian captain’s 27 centuries since his debut are only equalled by Australia’s Steve Smith and are more than David Warner , Joe Root and Kane Williamson .

3. Kohli-led Indian team have won 24 Test matches at home.

4. Kohli also holds the record for most Test wins as Indian captain. Kohli led India to win 40 out of 68 matches

** Mumbai teen attempts record for batting longest, stays at crease for over 72 hours

19-year-old Siddarth Mohite passed compatriot Virag Mane’s 50-hour record, created in 2015, before batting for 72 hours and five minutes during a marathon net session

Eyeing a new world record for batting the longest, Mumbai teen Siddarth Mohite stayed at the crease for a whopping 72 hours and five minutes during a marathon net session and is now waiting for the Guinness Book of World Record to recognise the feat.

The 19-year-old Mohite passed compatriot Virag Mane’s 50-hour record, created in 2015, before batting for 72 hours and five minutes over the weekend.

** Ind vs SL 3rd T20I | No escape from Shreyas for Sri Lanka as India completes sweep – February 27th, 2022

The No. 3 batter’s unbeaten 45-ball 73 takes the home team to yet another win with plenty to spare; visiting captain Shanaka’s quickfire knock of 74 goes in vain

There’s no stopping Shreyas Iyer. After hammering back-to-back half-centuries in the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka, the 27-year-old remained unbeaten on 73 off 45 deliveries as India completed a clean sweep, defeating the touring side by six wickets in the third T20I.

Chasing the target of 147 at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday, India captain Rohit Sharma opened the innings with Sanju Samson as Ishan Kishan was ruled out of the fixture after being hit on the helmet in the previous game.

** Aces’ Sportsman of the year nominees

Neeraj, Ravi and Pramod make it to the Sportstar Awards shortlist


Neeraj Chopra (javelin): Neeraj won India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics. He also became only the second Indian to win an Olympic individual gold, after Abhinav Bindra.

In 2021: Won gold in the men’s javelin in Tokyo

Pramod Bhagat: Pramod justified his status as the favourite in the SL3 class when he took top honours in the Paralympics

In 2021: Won gold in the men’s singles badminton SL3 class in Tokyo

Ravi Dahiya: A product of the famed Chhatrasal stadium in Delhi, Ravi Kumar Dahiya did the country proud as he matched Sushil Kumar’s 2012 London Olympics feat in Tokyo

In 2021: Won silver in the men’s 57kg wrestling in Tokyo

The Sportstar Aces awards are presented by Byju’s Classes with IDFC First Bank as the associate partner. Odisha is the Sports Destination Partner and Union Bank of India the banking partner.

ONGC is the associate partner. Nippon Paint is the Colour Partner and Life Insurance Corporation of India the Insurance Partner.

To vote, visit aces.sportstar.thehindu.com