World Sports March 21 2024 As it Happened: Ruturaj Gaikwad Replaces MS Dhoni As CSK Captain, Sharath Kamal To Be India's Flag Bearer

Welcome to the live coverage of the sports world news and events for today, 21 March 2024. The Indian Premier League (IPL) preparations are underway and many progressions and news related to the teams and players are coming out. In football, various International friendlies are scheduled for today. Follow the live scores and updates of the world sports for today, 21 March 2024, here

The draw ceremony for the football events at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 was held late last night, and the groups and fixtures have been revealed. Host nation France will take on the USA in the opening clash on July 24, and FIFA World Cup holders Argentina are drawn in Group B alongside Morocco, Ukraine and the third-placed finisher in the upcoming 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Andy Murray came from a set down to beat Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at their Miami Open 2024, opening round match. Naomi Osaka too advanced, defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4 in her return to Miami. The runner-up to Iga Swiatek in her last appearance in 2022 advanced to face No. 15 seed Elina Svitolina in the second round.

Germany's preparations for the European Championship were dealt a blow with Manuel Neuer's thigh injury ahead of the goalkeeper's planned comeback, Associated Press reports. Germany's World Cup captain had been due to return to the national team after breaking his leg in a skiing accident, but he sustained a muscle fiber tear in his left adductor during training on Wednesday morning, the German football federation said.

It said the 37-year-old Neuer will miss Germany's upcoming friendlies against France and the Netherlands but didn't give any further indication of how long he will miss. Neuer had already left the squad.

Jason Roy and David Warner were overlooked in The Hundred 2024 draft as Andrew Flintoff kick-started a West Indies rush by snapping up Nicholas Pooran with his first pick. England’s 2019 World Cup-winning opening batter was not the only big name snub as Australia left-hander Warner, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Babar Azam were also unsold.

Aryna Sabalenka says her “heart is broken” following the death of her former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov. Former ice hockey player Koltsov, who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died in Miami aged 42 on Monday in what police described as an “apparent suicide”.

“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram. “Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s hunt for a foreign coach continues as Shane Watson rejected the offer. The board is now in touch with Justin Langer and Gary Kristen for the head coach of the Pakistan National Cricket Team. According to reports, PCB has also approached Mike Hesson, Matthew Hayden, Eoin Morgan and Phil Simmons with the offer.

Saeed Ahmed, the former Pakistan Test captain known for his elegant batting style, passed away in Lahore at the age of 86. He had a solitary life away from cricket since retirement. He played 41 Test matches, scoring 2,991 runs, with 5 centuries, and 16 half-centuries.

Boston Celtics continued their winning streak by 7 after defeating Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, Wednesday. With Jayson Tatum's 31 points, Derrick White's 23 points with eight assists and Jaylen Brown's 21 with eight rebounds, the team secured a 122-119 win over the Bucks who were missing the two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the team.

Former Brazilian football star, Robinho will have to serve his nine-year prison term in his home nation as a result of his 2017 rape conviction in Italy, as ruled by a Brazilian high court. However, the advocates of the 40-year-old are ready to file a request for habeas corpus at the Supreme Court of Brazil.

Max Verstappen's speculation suggesting his move to Mercedes from Red Bull has been downplayed by his teammate Sergio Perez. The three-time F1 world champion has won both two races this season so far and has been enjoying his dominant era since 2022.

"I think Max, as far as I know, has a contract with Red Bull and is fully committed to the team," said Perez.

Dismissing the speculation of his switch to Mercedes from Red Bull in replacement of Lewis Hamilton for the 2024 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen said, "I am happy within the team and I intend to be here in the end.”

During the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last week, Mercedes principal Toto Wolff shared his desire to have the three-time world champion in his team. But, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Max clarified that Wolff's offer is "understandable" but he is committed to Red Bull till the end.

The Indian trio of Zara Anand, Vidhatri Urs and Heena Kang endured a tough day at the 2024 Queen Sirikit Cup golf tournament. They dropped three places to be ninth in the team competition. First-round co-leader in the individual event, Zara (73-77) fell to 11th while Vidhatri (79-77) dropped from T-20 to T-26. However, Heena Kang (85-76) climbed to 30th.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has praised Susie Wolff who is married to Mercedes principal Toto Wolff for her bravery in filing a criminal complaint against the sport's governing body FIA in the French courts.

Susie Wolff, who is the director of the all-female junior racing series F1 Academy had begun legal action in relation to statements made against her by the FIA.

Just a day before the opening match of Indian Premier League 2024, Chennai Super Kings dropped a bombshell as Ruturaj Gaikwad has replaced captain MS Dhoni.

In a post on X, IPL revealed the information, a day before CSK Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2024 opening match.

"Presenting @ChennaiIPL's Captain - @Ruutu1331,"

Former India spinner Nikhil Chopra, Delhi veteran Mithun Manhas, and current junior selector Krishan are all in the running for the role of BCCI selector for the senior national team. The BCCI had initiated accepting applications for the single position in the five-man selection panel in January.

Eventing National Championship 2024 also known as Horse Trial, began today with the first leg of the competition in New Delhi. The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) announced that around 200 riders are competing. The second and final leg will kick off on March 28.

A huge blow to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) occurred just a day before the opening of Indian Premier League 2024 as the team's leg-spinner Adam Zampa pulled out of the league due to personal reasons. He was retained by RR for 1.5 crore INR in the auction last year.

Asian Games bronze medallists Ashok and Parmjeet Kumar won silver medals at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to qualify for the Paris Paralympics.

"To participate in the Paralympics is the dream of every para athlete" said Ashok who lifted an impressive 196kg to bag silver while Parmjeet lifted 160kg and 166kg in the category of 49 kg, narrowly missing gold.

India's legendary table tennis player Sharath Kamal will be India's flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The 41-year-old CWG champion symbolises "the unity and spirit of our contingent as they compete on the Olympic stage", said Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The six-time World Champion Mary Kom has been appointed as chef de mission of India's contingent at the Paris Games 2024. She will be assisted by luger Shiva Keshavan, who has been appointed the deputy chef de mission.

"Mary Kom's unparalleled dedication to sports and inspiring journey makes her a natural choice to guide and mentor our athletes at the Olympics," said the Indian Olympic Association.

McDonald's will be sponsoring the title of the French league from July 2024 for the next three seasons. Last season Uber Eats was the title sponsor of Ligue 1. According to reports, McDonald's will pay 30 million euros per season ($33 million).

"It is a privilege. More than that, it is a huge responsibility but I am really excited because of the kind of group we have. Everyone's experienced enough so not much of a thing for me to do," said Gaikwad in a short video posted by CSK on social media.

Read more about it here:

The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League will have a sign language feed and descriptive commentary for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually-impaired fans. The official broadcaster of the T20 league, Star Sports, said in a release on Thursday that it will work with India Signing Hands (ISH News) to curate customised commentary. In consultation with specialists on-boarded by ISH, the feed will provide ball-by-ball updates using the Indian sign language, as well as regular verbal score updates. (PTI)

Veteran table tennis player and reigning CWG champion Sharath Kamal will be India's flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games while legendary boxer MC Mary Kom was on Thursday appointed the chef de mission of the country's contingent.

Read more about it here.

We end today's sporting updates but do not miss our live coverage as we kick-start the IPL 2024 with the big one - Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru.