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The following are the top/expected stories at 1700 hours:

EXPECTED STORIES: * Report on selection of India's cricket coach.

* Report of Pro Kabaddi League.

STORIES ON THE WIRE:

SPO-AWARD-LD BAJRANG Bajrang Punia nominated for Khel Ratna award, says he deserved it

New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) Asian and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia was on Friday nominated for the country's highest sporting honour -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, a year after he threatened to move court for not getting his due.

SPO-IND-PRACTICE-PREVIEW Rahane, Pujara, Bumrah ready for game time in warm-up tie vs WICB

Coolidge (Antigua), Aug 16 (PTI) Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane along with a well-rested Jasprit Bumrah will be aiming for some quality game time when India take on West Indies Cricket Board XI in a three-day warm-up game starting on Saturday ahead of two-match series.

SPO-SINDHU-INTERVIEW Sindhu seeks improvement on fitness, defence in search of World C'ship gold

By Amit Kumar Das New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu said on Friday that she has been working on improving her fitness and defence in search of an elusive gold in the showpiece World Championships next week.

SPO-GOLF-LAHIRI

Looking to renew his PGA card, Lahiri fifth in Korn Ferry finals Columbus (USA), Aug 16 (PTI) Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri got off to a solid start despite some early bogeys as he shot four-under 67 to be placed at tied-fifth in the first round of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship here.

SPO-DULEEP

Duleep Trophy: Chance for Gill and others to send another message to selectors Bengaluru, Aug 16 (PTI) His selection snub for the West Indies tour was widely seen as unfortunate by the cricket community and Shubman Gill will again look to send a message to the five wise men when the Duleep Trophy starts here from Saturday.

SPO-LD CHANDRASEKHAR

Former India cricketer V B Chandrasekhar committed suicide over debts: Police (Eds: Updating with fresh inputs)

Chennai, Aug 16 (PTI) Former India opener and national selector VB Chandrasekhar committed suicide over debts, the police said here on Friday, ruling out speculation that he died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

SPO-FLOWER Lack of freedom, security aspect most frustrating thing about living in Pakistan: Flower

New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) Grant Flower said the "lack of freedom and security aspect" is the most frustrating thing about living in strife-torn Pakistan, where he has served as the national team's batting coach for five years.

SPO-HOCK-IND-PREVIEW Indian men face Malaysia, women to play Japan in Olympic Test openers

Tokyo, Aug 16 (PTI) The Indian men's hockey team will open its campaign against nemesis Malaysia while their female counterpart will take on hosts Japan in the Olympic Test event here on Saturday.

SPO-IND-COACH-SIMMONS India coach interview: Simmons pulls out of race

Mumbai, Aug 16 (PTI) Former West Indies opener Phil Simmons on Friday pulled out of the race for the Indian cricket team chief coach's job, leaving five aspirants in the race with incumbent Ravi Shastri as the frontrunner.