Sports News, February 10: Kohli remains unavailable for England Test series, Nagal reaches Chennai Open semis; a look at today's top 10 trending sports stories

A look at top 10 sports news on February 10 (Saturday) (Getty Images; PKL)
A look at top 10 sports news on February 10 (Saturday) (Getty Images; PKL)

Highlights:

Gujarat Giants and Haryana Steelers inched closer to the PKL 10 playoffs spot.

Virat Kohli remained unavailable for selection for the Test series against England as the 17-member squad was announced.

In a backlash to Messi's absence in Hong Kong, Argentina's friendly match in mainland China has been cancelled.

India's Test squad for the remainder of the Test series against England was announced. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer have been ruled out of the Test series. On the other hand, India's top-ranked tennis player Sumit Nagal reached the semi-finals of the Chennai Open. India outclassed USA 3-1 in their Women's FIH Pro League encounter.

 

Here's a look at the top 10 news on February 10's sports roundup:

 

India's Test squad for remainder of three Tests against England announced

The BCCI announced India’s 17-member Test squad for the remainder of three Tests against England. Virat Kohli continues to be unavailable for selection. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja return to the side but their participation is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team. An injured Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the series. Saurabh Kumar has been dropped whereas Akash Deep has replaced Avesh Khan. 
 

Messi's absence in Hong Kong leads to Argentina friendly in China getting cancelled

A scheduled friendly soccer match between Argentina and an opponent in China next month has been cancelled. This decision comes as a result of fallout from Lionel Messi's absence in a club exhibition match held in Hong Kong. The Argentine national team, led by Messi, had previously planned a tour of China from March 18-26 during the international break.
 

75th Strandja Memorial: Amit Panghal, Sachin advance to semifinals

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal and national champion Sachin advanced to the semifinals of the 75th Strandja Memorial boxing event at Sofia, Bulgaria. In an impressive performance, Panghal (51kg) secured a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Aldarkhishig Battulga of Mongolia. Panghal's dominance was evident as he clinched each round with a 5-0 verdict, securing his place in the semifinals scheduled for February 10.
 

Women's FIH Pro League: India women outclass USA 3-1 

In an impressive display, the Indian women's hockey team defeated the United States 3-1, concluding this leg of the Hockey Pro League on a high note. Vandana Katariya (9th minute), Deepika (26th minute), and Samila Tete (56th minute) contributed goals for the home team, while Sanne Caarls (42nd minute) scored the consolation goal for the USA.
 

Chennai Open: Nagal enters semis with wins in straight games

Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked tennis player, secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Chennai Open by defeating Dominik Palan of the Czech Republic with a score of 6-3, 6-3. The second-seeded Nagal will now go head-to-head against the third seed, Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic, in the semi-final match scheduled for February 10.
 

Gujarat Giants beat Bengal Warriors to inch closer to playoffs spot

The Gujarat Giants moved one step closer to securing a playoff spot after clinching a 41-32 victory over the Bengal Warriors in the Pro Kabaddi League match held here on Friday. With this win, the Giants climbed to the fourth position in the standings, accumulating a total of 60 points from 19 games.
 

Haryana Steelers outclass UP Yoddhas to take one step closer to playoffs

In a remarkable display, the Haryana Steelers delivered a masterclass performance to defeat the UP Yoddhas 50-34 in their PKL Season 10 encounter today. Led by outstanding performances from Shivam Patare, who scored 12 points, and Vinay, who contributed 10 points, the Steelers seized control of the game, consolidating their position on the table and solidifying their stance for the playoffs.
 

Sikandar Raza’s last-ball six seals Dubai Capitals’ win

In an exhilarating match in ILT20 2024, Sikandar Raza's last-ball six propelled the Dubai Capitals to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Desert Vipers. Raza, along with skipper Sam Billings, both scored half-centuries in the absence of David Warner, guiding the Dubai Capitals to their fourth win from nine games and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
 

MCC proposes a minimum three Tests in a series, home team to cover expenses

The MCC's World Cricket Committee has proposed several recommendations, including a minimum of three-match Test series and the home team covering the expenses of the visiting side in bilateral contests. Meeting in Cape Town last week during the SA20 event, the committee, which oversees the laws of the game, expressed disappointment over the absence of a series decider in the drawn series between Australia and West Indies, especially after the visitors' remarkable victory at the Gabba. Similarly, they noted the fiercely contested two-match series between India and South Africa in December, which ended in a draw.
 

Nissanka's double ton outshines Omarzai-Nabi's centuries 

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka smashed third-quickest double-century to help his side beat Afghanistan by 42 runs. After Nissanka’s 210 helped Sri Lanka post 381/3, Afghanistan lost half the side for just 55 in the run chase. But Azmatullah Omarzai (149 not out) and Mohammad Nabi (136) scored centuries to help Afghanistan put up a fight. They shared a 242-run partnership but it was not enough take Afghanistan home. Sri Lanka won the match by 42 runs. 
 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul back in Test squad but in doubt to play Rajkot Test: Here's why    

BCCI issues statement on Virat Kohli's unavailability from entire five-Test series against England