Sports Round Up December 12, 2020: Match Results, Reports, Highlights and Look Back at Top Stories of the Day

FC Goa defeated Odisha FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League 2020-21 to register their second win of the season. The winner came from Igor Angulo just before the half-time. Meanwhile, Odisha FC’s winless campaign continues. Check out updated ISL Points Table.

Hardik Pandya enjoyed a gala time in the ODI and T20I series against Australia. However, the 27-year-old is back from national duty and is enjoying a gala time with his son Agastya. Taking to Instagram, the Mumbai Indians star shared an adorable picture in which he can be feeding milk to his first child. “From national duty to father duty,” Hardik captioned the image. Read More.

Batsman and skipper Kane Williamson and pace bowler Trent Boult have returned to the New Zealand T20 International squad for the series against Pakistan that begins on December 18 but the two will be available only for the last two games. Ross Taylor, was, however left out as Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway, the two South Africa-born players, were included. Mitchell Santner will captain the side in the first T20 International. Read More.

Dynamic wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant went back to his prime in the second practice game against Australia and scored a quick-fire ton. He went after bowlers from the outset and keeping him out of the Indian playing XI will be difficult for the team management.

Indian batsmen dominated the Day 2 of the second practice match against Australia A. After Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill's half-centuries, Hanuma Vihari scored a well-compiled century. Also, Rishabh Pant came back in form and mustered a quick-fire fifty. The duo's performances are great signs for India but will also increase the team management's headache ahead of the opening game.

Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan gave a befitting reply to a troll who made a distasteful comment on his latest Instagram picture. Reacting to Dhawan’s Instagram picture featuring Deepak Chahar and Yuzvendra Chahal, the user wrote: “Tatti Shakal… Tatti gameplay.” In reply, Dhawan wrote: “Hanji aapke gharwale bhi yehi keh rahe they aapke baarein." Read More.

Rohit Sharma is set to join the Indian Test squad after clearing the fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The 33-year-old after reaching Australia will be in 14-day mandatory quarantine during which most of the work will be focused on improving his endurance. Read in full here.

Australia A vs India A, 2nd Practice Test (IND A 248/4, 69 Overs): India A have increased their lead upto 315 runs. Half-centuries from Hanuma Vihari (62*) and Mayank Agarwal (61) have put India in a commanding position. Ajinkya Rahane also played a decent inning before departing. 

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who made a huge impact in IPL 2020, recently married his long-time girlfriend in a close ceremony in Chennai. Chakravarthy's performances in IPL got him a maiden call-up to the Indian team for the tout of Australia, but injury prevented him from taking part.

Australia A vs India A, 2nd Practice Test (IND A 111/2, 27 Overs): India A are in complete control of the game they lead is now 197 runs. Shubman Gill played a brilliant knock, scoring a half-century but was dismissed by Mitchell Swepson. Gill and Mayank Agarwal (38*) added a 100+ run partnership for the second wicket.

Australia A vs India A, 2nd Practice Test (IND A 96/1, 21 Overs): After losing Prithvi Shaw for cheap, India have managed to put pressure back on the Australian bowlers as Shubman Gill (56*) and Mayank Agarwal (32*) have stitched up a partnership of 92 runs. India have extended their lead to 182 runs.

Barcelona players have agreed on another pay cut in their salaries. The Catalan club had to reduce the salaries of its first team for the second time this year to balance the books as the coronavirus pandemic took its toll. 

Yuvraj Singh is celebrating his 39th birthday today (December 12, 2020) and has wished for the swift and peaceful resolution of the ongoing talks between the farmers and the government of the country. The former cricketer has also distanced himself from the statement made by father Yograj Singh.