S P O R T S

India begin with massive win
Faridkot, November 2
The dust doesn’t settle down easily. The sound of the crowd cheering and making waves of movements is hard to get over. It is easy to forget that you are not sitting at Eden Gardens or the Salt Lake Stadium. It is easy to forget that it is in a remote corner of Punjab, Faridkot to be precise, that the second edition of the Kabaddi World Cup has just kicked off with fanfare that would put much bigger events to shame.

Players of Germany and India in action in the Kabaddi World Cup in Faridkot on Wednesday. India beat Germany 70-18. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Ranji Trophy Punjab v UP Raina returns to Ranji with vigour Mohali, November 2 Most international stars feel (though they won’t say so openly) that playing domestic cricket is a waste of time. When the circumstances do arise and they are compelled to turn out for their respective State teams in the Ranji Trophy, these stars consider such an exercise as a bit of a climb-down. Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Chance for Bhajji to grab wickets
Mohali, November 2
If Uttar Pradesh will be looking to their skipper Suresh Raina to lead from the front, Punjab will have the advantage of having Harbhajan Singh as their captain as the two sides meet in the Ranji Trophy match at the PCA Stadium here from tomorrow.

NIS buzzes with women’s action
Patiala, November 2
With just a few months left for the qualifying tournaments for the London Olympics, both the women boxers and wrestlers are working in earnest to reserve their berth in the sports extravaganza. The National Institute of Sports, Patiala, has become a buzz of activity with the women sweating it out right from the morning till late evenings.

India hope to retain SAFF Cup
New Delhi, November 2
Defending champions India will look to extend their lease on the title in the SAFF Cup when they host the 10th edition of the premier regional competition at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi from December 2 to 11.

India begin with massive win
Kabaddi World Cup: Australia, Canada also register victories on opening day
Vaibhav Sharma
Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 2
The dust doesn’t settle down easily. The sound of the crowd cheering and making waves of movements is hard to get over. It is easy to forget that you are not sitting at Eden Gardens or the Salt Lake Stadium. It is easy to forget that it is in a remote corner of Punjab, Faridkot to be precise, that the second edition of the Kabaddi World Cup has just kicked off with fanfare that would put much bigger events to shame.

Even on the field, as first-timers Nepal and Afghanistan took the field against seasoned teams like Australia and Canada, respectively, there is no getting away from the long lines and anxious faces that the sport is a hit. But the loudest cheer was reserved for ‘local’ boys India, who beat Germany 70-18.

The day started with crowds pouring in at the Nehru Stadium. They were in for a brutal, yet gripping, treat as Australia took on Nepal. But one of India's favourite neighbours could not have asked for a more hostile reception as they were trounced by the team from Down Under 68-23.

Things started well but soon enough, normal service resumed as the Aussies literally threw the Nepal team out of the contest. At half-time, the score read a lopsided 36-6. Nepal fought and fought hard, but it wasn’t to be a spectacular turnaround.

The second match saw another team make its debut. Afghanistan took on Canada. But again, the result was on expected lines as Canada's two Sandeeps (raider and stopper) drew 16 points among themselves and helped their team register a resounding 63-15 win.

The attention then turned to three arrivals, of the Indian and German teams and Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in that order. After a ceremonial handshake, the hosts went about their way in such clinical manner that the crowd decided they did not want to witness an entirely lop-sided encounter. The exodus from the stands did not dampen the spirit of the players and by the time the dust had settled, India had taken a half-time lead of 32-7.

The rest of the proceedings were a mere formality and India registered a comfortable win with Sukhbir, Dula and Gagan (raiders) scoring nine points each. India's stoppers Ekam, Mangat and Gurwinder also contributed eight, five and four points, respectively.

Earlier, inaugurating the tournament, Sukhbir Badal reiterated the State's resolve to raise kabaddi's profile as an international-level sport. He also handed over a cheque of rupees one lakh to a wheel-chair-bound local kabaddi player, Jaspreet Kaur.

Ranji Trophy Punjab v UP
Raina returns to Ranji with vigour
Sunil Narula
Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 2
Most international stars feel (though they won’t say so openly) that playing domestic cricket is a waste of time. When the circumstances do arise and they are compelled to turn out for their respective State teams in the Ranji Trophy, these stars consider such an exercise as a bit of a climb-down.

But no such thing as taking it easy was on display when you watched Suresh Raina at the nets at the PCA Stadium here this morning. Raina is in Mohali to lead UP against Punjab in the Ranji game that starts here tomorrow. And the skipper was engrossed in the preparations. He went with coach Gyanendra Pandey to have a look at the wicket, had a bit of a bowl in the nets and also batted for a longish time. After that he was available to speak to the media as well. There was no sign, no hint whatsoever, of any fuss or tantrum.

“I really think it’s a good thing whenever players are not involved in international matches, they should come and play domestic cricket. This has helped me a lot. Yes, players do need rest but playing Ranji Trophy is also important. I played some Ranji games last season as well,’ said Raina.

“We had a tough time in England. The weather and everything else did not help. I tried my best there,” he said, referring to the disappointing away series. “But now in the ODI series we really played very well. My own form is quite good.

“I don’t need to change my game all that much. Perhaps a little bit in shot-selection. I’m confident of getting back into the Test team and whenever I get my chance again I will be ready for that. A couple of good knocks in Ranji will only add to my confidence,” said the UP captain. Raina of course, was the captain of the Indian ODI team on the tour to the West Indies and was also part of the Test team in England but he now finds himself out of the team for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.

More than a few players are looking to seal their spot in the Test team with none of them having really cemented his place. Virat Kohli got his chances in West Indies but could not grab them. Yuvraj should have been a settled member of the Test side by now but even he has not made the most of it. Raina too has impressed in patches and has also been found wanting in some instances. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma are there as well.

It’s up to these players to step up and grab the mantle from the seniors of the side who are not going to be there for very long. In Suresh Raina the selectors have a player who is not short of commitment, neither of talent. He has made a place for himself in ODI’s and T20.

Raina may not like to admit it but he does need to tighten his game for Test match cricket. He sure is smart enough to realise this and committed enough to work on that aspect of his game. His fielding is electric to say the least. With a few minor adjustments to his style of batting, Raina sure looks a safe bet for Test matches as well.

Chance for Bhajji to grab wickets
Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 2
If Uttar Pradesh will be looking to their skipper Suresh Raina to lead from the front, Punjab will have the advantage of having Harbhajan Singh as their captain as the two sides meet in the Ranji Trophy match at the PCA Stadium here from tomorrow.

Punjab coach Vikram Rathour is at a loss to explain why Harbhajan is not the Indian Test side at the moment but at the same time he’s not complaining. “I really don’t know from where these reports are coming that Harbhajan needs to rediscover his hunger for cricket. I spoke to him and even he does not know why he is not in the Test team.

“He should at least be told why he is not there,” Rathour added. “But it’s a big plus for us to have him leading our side. It’s a big motivation for the young players of our team. Harbhajan is a fighter and a world class player. I’m sure he will soon be back in the Test side. But till such time he will help us get the best results in the Ranji games,” he said.

“Rahul Sharma is in the Test squad and we would have missed him. But now with Harbhajan there I don’t think we will really miss him that much,” added Rathour.

Other players to watch out for from the Punjab camp include promising batsman Mandeep Singh and fast bowler Manpreet Gony. As for UP, Raina's presence will strengthen the batting and Mohd Kaif will want to get back to form without the pressure of captaincy. UP's strength remains on their bowling. They will miss Praveen Kumar, but will like to think they have one of the best domestic attacks in R.P. Singh, Sudeep Tyagi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Piyush Chawla.

Despite being - on paper - one of the top three sides of their group, despite having secured 14 points from their first four matches, UP failed to make it to the quarter-finals from a group of six the last time around. When even a first-innings lead might have been enough in one of the two last matches, they registered just one point. In all they managed just one century, and that too came off Chawla’s bat.

Raina harbours Test ambitions, R.P. Singh will eye redemption after the embarrassing Test comeback earlier this year, but it's an even more interesting season for Kaif. The selectors' message has been clear that he is not in their plans, and his own dipping returns haven't helped either. With 203 runs at 22.55 the last season was one of the worst for him.

NIS buzzes with women’s action
Gagan K. Teja
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 2
With just a few months left for the qualifying tournaments for the London Olympics, both the women boxers and wrestlers are working in earnest to reserve their berth in the sports extravaganza. The National Institute of Sports, Patiala, has become a buzz of activity with the women sweating it out right from the morning till late evenings.

Star boxer and five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom, who recently reclaimed the National championship title in Bhopal defeating the likes of Sarita Devi and Pinky in the final round, has reached the camp and is currently training under chief coach Anoop Kumar.

Talking to The Tribune about the sessions, Anoop Kumar said the girls were training in three-four sessions right from morning and were in their best form ever. “They are training for forthcoming tournaments which include few invitation tournaments followed by the sole Olympic qualifier that would be held in the Chinese city of Qinhuangdao. The top eight boxers in each weight category at the championships will obtain a quota place within the confines of the number allocated to each continent. Asia has been awarded a quota of eight boxers,” he added.

Asked as to when the selection would be held in order to choose players for the next tournaments, he said right now they were focusing on practice only. “We are scrutinising each and every aspect of a player during these camps and would be able to comment only after final selection trials are held,” he added.

India hope to retain SAFF Cup
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 2
Defending champions India will look to extend their lease on the title in the SAFF Cup when they host the 10th edition of the premier regional competition at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi from December 2 to 11.

India have won the title a record five times after qualifying for the final on seven occasions and despite being ranked lower than rivals Bangladesh and Nepal on the FIFA list, will start as favourites when the Nehru Stadium stages its first international football competition since the Commonwealth Games last year.

Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and India would be the eight teams vying for the title in the biennial competition, to be held in India for only the second time. India hosted the fourth edition at Margao (Goa) in 1999 and won the cup.

According to the tournament format, the eight teams will be divided into two groups with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.