The big story: Dravid all praise for Kohli-Kumble leadership

India A and U-19 chief coach Rahul Dravid on Sunday lauded Test captain Virat Kohli and chief coach Anil Kumble for creating an environment where youngsters are feeling comfortable.

Dravid felt the success of youngsters like Karun Nair and Jayant Yadav, who are products of the A team, is purely because of the “process” that has been put in place.

“It’s great to see these young boys coming through the ‘A’ team set-up and from domestic performances. It is a tribute to I think the environment created in the national set-up that they are coming through feeling comfortable and performing straightaway. Credit to Virat and Anil for the set-up and what they have been doing at the national level. So we are seeing the results, Nice to be a part of that process,” Dravid told BCCI.tv.

Other top stories:

Cricket:

  • New Zealand set aside Christmas festivities to pack in a final training session on Sunday before their Boxing Day series opener against Bangladesh in Christchurch.
  • Out-of-form Australia batsman Nic Maddinson has been granted a reprieve with his captain Steve Smith confirming his side would be unchanged for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.  
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the national cricket team and the junior hockey side for their recent successes, saying that their performances have done the country proud.
  • Mumbai secured a lead against Hyderabad after bowling out the opposition for 280 after posting 294 in the first innings effort. Abhishek Nayar was the standout performer scalping a four-wicket haul.

Football:

  • According to reports in the Spanish media, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a target of La Liga leaders Real Madrid for a possible transfer before the start of the new season. 
  • Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has insisted that there is no debate when it comes to deciding who is better between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: “With all the respect to all the players, first to Cristiano Ronaldo, congratulations to him for the award (Ballon d’Or), I think Messi is on another level.”
  • Plugging the leaks in Crystal Palace’s porous defence will be the first priority for the south London club’s new manager Sam Allardyce as he looks ahead to a hectic Christmas period.  
  • DSK Shivajians FC announced the signing of India striker Sumeet Passi and defender Ricky Lallawmawma for the 2016-’17 I-League season. Meanwhile, Chennai City FC signed midfielder Zakeer Mundampara and keeper Karanjit Singh on loan from Chennaiyin FC.

Tennis:

  • Roger Federer has urged tennis authorities to come up with more funding for anti-doping and believes that testing should be conducted at the quarter-final stage of every tournament.