Sports Highlights

The following are the top/expected stories at 1800 hours:

EXPECTED STORIES: *Report of Indian Super League match between Kerala Blasters and North East United FC.

*Report of I-league match between Churchill Brothers vs Chennai City FC.

STORIES ON THE WIRE:

SPO-IND-PREVIEW The Pre-Test: India look for fringe benefits against Aus in final series before WC

By Kushan Sarkar Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) The Indian cricket team will continue its experiments to figure out the final pieces of a jigsaw puzzle called the 'World Cup squad' when a five-match ODI series against Australia starts here Saturday.

SPO-DHONI-INJURY

Dhoni gets hit on forearm during net session Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) Mahendra Singh Dhoni had an injury scare during the Indian team's net session on the eve of the ODI series opener against Australia here Saturday.

SPO-IND-KULDEEP

I am more settled in white-ball cricket, Tests remain the biggest challenge: Kuldeep Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) India head coach Ravi Shastri thinks Kuldeep Yadav has become the Test team's number one spinner in overseas conditions but the left-arm bowler says he remains a work in progress in the format he loves and is more settled in white-ball cricket.

SPO-KOHLI-FINCH-BATTING

Kohli has 'no problem' batting at No 4; Maxwell to be promoted, says Finch By Kushan Sarkar

Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) Getting the batting order right is every skipper's priority and rival captains Virat Kohli and Aaron Finch are open to minor rejigs going into the 2019 World Cup.

SPO-IND-KOHLI IPL will have no bearing on World Cup selection: Kohli

(Eds: Attaching Pics) By Kushan Sarkar

Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) India captain Virat Kohli Friday said IPL performances will have "no influence" on the World Cup team selection, calling the speculation a "very, very radical analysis".

SPO-BAD-JUNIOR Samiya, Gayatri enter 3rd round at Dutch Junior International

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Indian shuttlers Samiya Imad Farooqui and Gayatri Gopichand notched up contrasting wins to enter the girl's singles third round of the Dutch Junior International in Haarlem, Netherlands.

SPO-IND-FINCH Warner, Smith unlikely to play last 2 ODIs against Pakistan: Finch

Hyderabad, Mar 1 (PTI) The injured and banned duo of Steven Smith and David Warner are unlikely to take part in Australia's final two ODIs against Pakistan despite serving out their one-year ball-tampering suspensions during the series to be held in the UAE.

SPO-GOLF-LAHIRI Lahiri lies Tied sixth in Florida

Palm Beach Gardens (US), Mar 1 (PTI) Anirban Lahiri got his putter working and carded a superb three-under 67 to lie Tied-sixth after the first round of the Honda Classic golf tournament here.

SPO-SQUASH-GHOSAL Ghosal's impressive run in World Championship ends with loss in quarters

Chicago, Mar 1 (PTI) German Simon Rosner came up with a dazzling display to end Saurav Ghosal's impressive run in the quarterfinals of the PSA World Squash Championship here.

SPO-GOLF-WOM Rookie Diksha Dagar best Indian at T-29 in Canberra

Canberra, Mar 1 (PTI) Young golfer Diksha Dagar fired four birdies in the last seven holes to card a highly creditable one-under 70 to lie tied 29th after the opening round of the ActewAGL Canberra Classic here Friday.

SPO-AFC-ELECTION AIFF President Patel in race for AFC's FIFA council member election

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel will be in the running to become one of the six FIFA Council members from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when the regional body holds its elections on April 6.