Here are the top stories of the days.
IPL 9 Auction on the Cards
Veteran Yuvraj Singh and rookie all-rounder Pawan Negi could be among those who trigger a bidding war when 351 cricketers go under the hammer in the Indian Premier League players' auction in Bengaluru on Saturday. Negi, who has just been named in the Indian team for the World T20 and is known to hit big sixes apart from his accurate wicket-to-wicket bowling, has a base price of only Rs 30 lakh. The 23-year-old is likely to fetch way beyond that amount when the eight franchises bid for players of their choice. This year's auction will see two new franchises -- RPG owned Rising Pune Supergiants led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Intex mobiles' Rajkot based team Gujarat Lions led by Suresh Raina. (Read: IPL 9 Auction: Here are the players to watch out for)
Multi-tasking not a problem for Pep
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has shrugged off suggestions of a potential conflict of interest after signing with Premier League's Manchester City for next season, saying he was quite capable of multi-tasking. Guardiola, who won back-to-back German league titles with Bayern and is on course for a third after joining in 2013, agreed a three-year contract with City this week. Although he is chasing a treble with Bayern this season he will also need to plan for City's next campaign and the teams could face each other in the Champions League with both through to the last 16. "I am like a woman," Guardiola told reporters when asked specifically about the issue of conflict of interest on Friday.(Read: Multi-tasking Pep Guardiola has no problem balancing Man City and Munich)
Sir Jadeja gets hitched
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja got engaged to city-based mechanical engineer Riva Solanki. The engagement ceremony was held in the presence of selected invitees at Jadeja's own restaurant and the cricketer expressed hope that lady luck would help him do better in both cricket and personal life. (Read: How Sir Jadeja bowled over his Lady Love with a stunning proposal)
India tastes success in Fed Cup
After two consecutive losses the Indian team finally tasted success in Fed Cup as it outplayed Uzbekistan 3-0 in Pool A with Ankita Raina winning both her singles and doubles matches. Prerna Bhambri provided a solid start with a 6-1 6-1 win over Sabina Sharipova in just 57 minutes as India took a 1-0 lead. Country's number one singles player, Ankita then sealed it for India with a 6-1 6-0 win over Nigina Abduraimova in 59 minutes. (Read: Ankita Raina shines as India defeat Uzbekistan)
India's T-20 Squad
Yuvraj Singh made a triumphant return to the Indian team, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selected the 15-man Indian squad for the World Twenty20 and the preceding Asia Cup on Friday. However, Manish Pandey, India's hero of the 5th ODI against Australia last month, has been ignored by the selectors. Ajinkya Rahane, who was said to be in contention for the seventh specialist batsman along with Pandey, has got the nod instead.
(Read: Yuvraj picked Manish Pandey ignored as BCCI selects Indian squad for World T20)
PM Modi inaugurates South Asian Games
Postponed several times due to a variety of reasons, the much-delayed but the biggest South Asian Games ever begin with hosts India expected to stamp their superiority in the regional spectacle. The 12-day Games, featuring 2,500 athletes from eight SAARC countries, will be declared open by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a glittering inaugural ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium.
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