Sports Highlights

The following are the top/expected stories at 1715 hours:

EXPECTED STORIES: * Report of India's practice match against West Indies Cricket Board Presidents XI.

* Report of Pro Kabaddi League.

STORIES ON THE WIRE: SPO-IND-WARMUP

Warm-up game: Pujara 100 and Rohit 68 take India to 297/5 on Day 1 Coolidge (Antigua), Aug 18 (PTI) Cheteshwar Pujara immediately struck form with a fine century while Rohit Sharma hit 68 as India shrugged off initial wobble to score 297 for 5 against West Indies A on the opening day of their three-day warm-up game here.

SPO-BAD-IND

Sindhu chases elusive gold at Basel World Championships Basel (Switzerland), Aug 18 (PTI) India's double silver medallist P V Sindhu will look to produce another masterclass when she resumes her quest for an elusive gold at the BWF World Championships beginning here on Monday.

SPO-CONFLICT-MEET

Cricketers set to deliberate on 'conflict of interest' issue Mumbai, Aug 18 (PTI) The contentious 'conflict of interest' issue is set to be discussed by past cricketers during an informal meeting to be held at the BCCI headquarters here on Monday.

SPO-HOCK-WOM

Indian women's hockey team holds Australia to 2-2 draw in Olympic Test Event Tokyo, Aug 18 (PTI) The Indian women's hockey team came back twice from a goal deficit to hold world number 2 side Australia 2-2 in a hard-fought round-robin league match of the Olympic Test Event here on Sunday.

SPO-CSA-INDIA-TOUR

Klaasen called up in Proteas Test squad to replace injured wicketkeeper Second for India tour Johannesburg, Aug 18 (PTI) Wicketkeeper Rudi Second has been ruled out of South Africa's Test tour of India in October due to an injury and Heinrich Klaasen will take his place in the squad, Cricket South Africa said.

SPO-NADA-DULEEP

NADA to start testing players during Duleep games, BCCI wants only doctors as DCOs By Kushan Sarkar

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will start testing the players registered under Indian cricket board during the next Duleep Trophy game in Bengaluru, having agreed to BCCI's demands for qualified medical practitioners as Lead Dope Control Officers (LDCO).

SPO-DULEEP No play on second day of Duleep Trophy opener because of wet ground conditions

Bengaluru, Aug 18 (PTI) The second day of the Duleep Trophy opener between India Blue and India Green was washed out on Sunday without a ball being bowled due to wet ground conditions owing to heavy overnight showers.

SPO-FOOT-U19 India U-19 football team beats Vanuatu 1-0

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Sumit Rathi's 78th minute strike earned India U-19 national team a 1-0 win against hosts Vanuatu in their opening fixture of the OFC Developmental Tournament in Port Villa on Sunday.

SPO-ATH-HIMA Hima wins gold in 300m in Czech Republic

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Top Indian sprinters Hima Das and Mohammad Anas won a gold each in women's and men's 300m races respectively at the Athleticky Mitink Reiter event in Czech Republic.

SPO-ATH-GP New Delhi to host Indian Grand Prix on Sept 5

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) The Athletics Federation of India will organise the Indian Grand Prix-VI in the national capital on September 5 to give its track and field athletes one last chance to qualify for the World Championships.

SPO-GOLF-LAHIRI Lahiri placed well at two off the lead

Columbus (Ohio), Aug 18 (PTI) Anirban Lahiri put himself in an excellent position to make a charge for his first win on American soil as he was two shots away from the leaders at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship.

SPO-ASHES-LANGER-SMITH Langer won't be surprised if neck guard becomes mandatory after Smith incident in second Ashes Test

London, Aug 18 (PTI) Australia coach Justin Langer says he won't be surprised if wearing a neck guard on the helmet becomes mandatory in the future after star batsman Steve Smith was felled by a bouncer in the second Ashes Test against England at Lord's.

SPO-PONTING-ARCHER Archer's fiery spell reminds Ponting of famous 2005 series

London, Aug 18 (PTI) Ricky Ponting said Jofra Archer's hostile spell against Australia at Lord's on Day 4 of the second Ashes Test against England reminded him of the opening morning of the famous 2005 series at the same venue which had left him with a bloodied cheek.