New Delhi, January 7
Virender Sehwag had a sword hanging over his head, and his axe from the team had an air of inevitability about it. The signs were there for all to see.

A day before the match, after he’d batted in the nets, Sehwag spent well over an hour doing nothing but chatting with two selectors, Vikram Rathore and Saba Karim. Was a conversation during nets more important than practice? Yes, it would appear, if the conversation centred around the opener’s future with the Indian One-day team.

The same day, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had insisted that he would pick up the “best XI” for the final One-dayer. After the match, Dhoni was asked if the team without Sehwag was the best possible XI in his opinion. Dhoni didn’t seem to answer with his accustomed candidness. He looked a bit embarrassed as he replied that Sehwag had been dropped at the “last minute”, to give the “others” — in this case Ajinkya Rahane—an opportunity.

Rahane didn’t do too well in the match, making four off 11 balls before falling to the quick and bouncy Mohammad Irfan. He didn’t do too well as a catcher too, grassing the simplest of opportunities when he dropped Mohammad Hafeez at leg-slip.

Yet, Rahane did bring in something that’s lacking in Sehwag the fielder — speed, desperation and urgency. He, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja anticipated, ran and dived with an un-Indian dexterity — they were like South Africans.

This energetic display was one reason that it was Sehwag — “rested/dropped” at the “last minute” for the last ODI — who was axed when a spot had to be vacated for Cheteshwar Pujara for the series against England.

There was a sense of inevitability, too, about the inclusion of Pujara in the team. His average is second in the list all batsmen who’ve played domestic One-day cricket — across the cricket world. He was the highest run-scorer in the Challenger Trophy; and most recently, he scored a quick double century against Madhya Pradesh. It was an extraordinary performance for a man labelled a long-innings specialist — 203 off 221 balls, and the amazing sprint from 150 to 200 in 17 deliveries.

The last time Sehwag was out of the team — Test and ODIs — he worked really, really hard with his coach in Delhi. He worked on his technique, and tried innovative methods like batting with his back leg tied to a stake so that he didn’t stray away or across from the stumps. Yet, the runs didn’t come in the Ranji Trophy. His fearsome reputation got him back into the team. When he was included in the team for the tour of Australia, he was averaging below 15 in the national championship. He was recalled because he was seen as a natural match-winner. He did well in India’s win in Perth, in the draw in Adelaide. He’s played some extraordinary innings since then.

Can he come back into the ODI team? Five years older, does he have the motivation? Most importantly, do his team management and the opposition still see him as a feared game-changer?

Unlikely, despite India’s only win in the Test series against England coming when he scored a century. Sehwag made a double century, the highest ODI score ever, in December 2011. Since then, he averages 23 in 11 matches. Exclude the 96 he made against Sri Lanka last year from this list, and the average spirals down further. What happens to Sehwag now? “It would be difficult to bring him back into the squad in the immediate future,” says a senior BCCI official. “On what basis can he be brought back into the team?”

New Delhi, January 7
Not many people turn up at the state team's net session the very next afternoon after having played a day-night game for the country but probably Gautam Gambhir has no option but to seriously think about ironing out the flaws that has crept into his batting.

The Delhi team will play the second practice game against the touring England side at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground which will be a day-night affair and Gambhir's presence raised obvious questions as to whether he would be playing the match.

However, Delhi chief coach Vijay Dahiya clarified that neither Gambhir nor Virender Sehwag will be playing the match. "Gautam has just come to have some serious net practice. He is not playing in the match tomorrow. Viru had also called up to inform that he is not coming," Dahiya said as he kept a close watch on senior opener's batting. Gambhir batted for a lengthy duration twice but never looked comfortable against the left-arm pace duo of Ashish Nehra and Pradeep Sangwan. Sangwan, who is unlikely to play tomorrow, was seen beating Gambhir's bat on a number of occasions. "Look, when you score runs, no one looks at your flaws but people talk about it only when you don't get runs. If you ask me what's the problem with Gautam, it is the lack of decisiveness in his footwork," the former India glovesman said. On the match, Dahiya said that it will be a good opportunity for some of the Delhi players to showcase their skills as it's an official List A match.

"When you are playing a quality side like England, there shouldn't be any lack of motivation even though we haven't qualified for the knock-outs of Ranji Trophy. A good knock or a good spell might help a player to come into prominence," Dahiya said.

With the Indo-Pak match being a low-scoring affair, does he expect the same to happen in their match, Dahiya replied,"I still don't think that it was a 160-kind of track. Also I was surprised to find Pakistan batsmen playing Bhuvneshwar staying rooted to the crease. They have now played a few matches and have an idea as what to expected from him." Delhi are expected to play one among the two left-arm spinners Pawan Negi and Varun Sood while Parvinder Awana leads the pace attack with Nehra and Sumit Narwal for company.

It will also be a good test for Unmukt Chand and Shikhar Dhawan as they will get to face an international standard attack.

The England side will like to forget the humiliating defeat in the first match against India 'A' as regular skipper Alastair Cook will be playing the game. It will be interesting to see whether Stuart Meaker plays for England tomorrow while the team management decides on resting one among the trio of Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan.

Squads: Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan(captain), Unmukt Chand, Mithun Manhas, Vaibhav Rawal, Rajat Bhatia, Jagrit Anad, Puneet Bisht, Pawan Negi, Sumit Narwal, Pradeep Sangwan, Parvinder Awana, Ashish Nehra, Varun Sood, Milind Kumar, Dhruv Shorey; England: Alastair Cook, Joe Root,Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Joseph Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter(wk), Stuart Meakar, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Petersen, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes. —PTI

NAYAR OPENS UP
I have been working very hard with Pravin Amre. I make sure I am in touch with him before every game and work on whatever we have done or make sure I have my videos sent to him, and see what I need to do. (Today) I was trying to stand way out of the leg stump, I was shuffling a lot more and I didn't want to fall across. I was looking to play straight and make sure that I had enough time to hit the ball through the on-side and off-side.I opened up my stance a bit so that my leg doesn't go across and I don't fall over. — Abhishek Nayar, India batsman

Rajkot, January 7
Talented middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara today said that he would grab the opportunity with both hands if he gets a chance to play against England in the ODI series starting from Jan 11.

Pujara has been selected for first three ODIs and the venue of the first match is his home ground at Rajkot.

"It's every cricketer's dream to play all versions of the game. The selection in ODI is a dream come true for me. I have done well in Test cricket and will try to give my best in limited overs cricket too. I'll grab the opportunity with both hands if I get a chance to play against England," Pujara, who is playing for Saurashtra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarter final match against Karnataka, said. Pujara has played 9 Test matches so far in which he made 761 runs with three centuries including a double hundred with a healthy average of around 58. After ensuring his place in the Test squad, Pujara improved his strike rates with an eye to get berth in the limited over cricket.

He aggregated 361 runs in NKP Salve Challenger Trophy played in Rajkot in December in which he struck back-to-back centuries and finished the tournament with an impressive strike rate of 107. Meanwhile, dropped from the Indian ODI squad, senior opener Virender Sehwag is all set to play for his state team Delhi in the North Zone leg of the National One-day Championship for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Sehwag is certain to play in the first Test against Australia at the Kotla from February 22 and the 34-year-old will get serious match practice while playing for Delhi in the zonal leg, which starts on February 13 in Himachal Pradesh.

"Viru will be playing for Delhi in the zonal one-dayers and will certainly get good match practice ahead of the Australia series," Delhi chief coach Vijay Dahiya said after the team's training session today. Delhi have four one-day matches. — PTI

New Delhi, January 7
The most impressive among the Pakistani pacers who made life difficult for Indian batsmen, Junaid Khan revealed that the legendary Wasim Akram's inputs about the host batsmen's "weaknesses" helped him get eight wickets in the just-concluded three-match ODI series.

"I have been a bowler who has relied on bowling outswingers consistently at a good pace. It was Wasim bhai (Akram) who told me to develop the incoming delivery which would be my weapon against the Indian right-handers," the 23-year-old Junaid told PTI during an interaction before leaving for Lahore today.

"It's very natural for left-arm fast bowlers to slant it across the right-handers. Once a guy like Virender Sehwag gauges the length of the away-going deliveries, you can be murdered. When I did my homework, I found out that Sehwag has a problem with the ball that comes in. "I then started working hard on that incoming delivery with our chief bowling coach Mohammed Akram," said Junaid, who has played 8 Tests and 16 ODIs for Pakistan. — PTI

New Delhi, January 7
Yuvraj Singh said that the upcoming ODI series against England will provide the hosts with an opportunity to avenge the reverses they suffered in Tests late last year.

"England defeated us in the Test series recently. They are a good unit. We have to play well to defeat them in the upcoming ODI series and avenge our loss," said the all-rounder at the launch of an event here today.

Yuvraj is satisfied with his form and hoped to be able to play bigger innings in the five-match series. "I am hitting the ball well and playing well in patches at the moment. I have been in good form in the T20s, hope to carry it forward and play longer innings in the series," he said. England batsman Kevin Pietersen felt Yuvraj is the dangerman in the Indian line-up and needs to be dismissed early.

"He is the most destructive batsman in the Indian line-up. We get to get him early else he can take away the match from us," said Pieterson.

Commenting on his tumultuous relation with the Indian ace whom he once referred to as 'pie chucker' in the past, Pietersen said, “We are rivals on the field, but away from it we are all good friends. But on the field he will be looking to dismiss me, and I will also try to do the same." India will take on England in the 1st ODI of the series on January 11 at Rajkot. — PTI 

Mumbai, January 7
Abhishek Nayar compounded Baroda's misery with an unbeaten century as formidable Mumbai posted a mammoth 524 for six in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match. Nayar's 122 comes a day after Sachin Tendulkar (108) and Wasim Jaffer (150) helped the hosts to 272/3 on the opening day.

It was due to Nayar's third century of this season that the hosts scored more than 500 runs by the end of second day's play at the Wankhede Stadium. The in-form batsman scored his runs off 217 balls, striking 12 fours. He forged a 123-run partnership with Aditya Tare. At stumps, Ankeet Chavan (17) was giving Nayar company. Mumbai lost their set batsman Jaffer, who was unbeaten on 137 overnight, in the seventh over of the day. Jaffer's knock was laced with 18 fours and three sixes. He was bowled by Gagandeep Singh Natt, when he got a thick edge, as the ball disturbed the stumps. Baroda skipper Yusuf Pathan's woes continued as he dropped a sitter in the first slip, the lucky batsman being night watchman Dhawal Kulkarni. Kulkarni, who was later caught behind off pacer Murtuja Vahora, could only manage 27. He hit four fours and a six, and added 70 runs with Nayar for the fifth wicket. Baroda’s Murtuja Vahora claimed three wickets, while Gagandeep, Bhargav and Chauhan grabbed one each.

Jamshedpur, January 7
Fine centuries by overnight batsmen Rameez Nemat (100) and Ishank Jaggi (126 batting) placed Jharkhand in a comfortable position against Punjab on the second day of the five-day quarter-final match at Keenan Stadium.

The second day's proceedings, which started at 10.20 am due to bad light, was disrupted thrice and nearly three hours were lost today. Jharkhand ended the day at 310 for six from a total of 114 overs. Resuming at 195 for two, Jharkhand lost their overnight batsman Nemat early as he fell prey to ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on the fourth delivery of the day, just after completing his maiden century.

Opener Nemat, who was on 97 overnight, struck 10 boundaries during his 229 ball innings. With Ishank Jaggi, Nemat had a 106 run partnership for the fourth wicket. Jaggi continued to exhibit his skill with the willow. Even as Jaggi, who was unbeaten at 50 yesterday, kept the scoreboard moving, the home side lost two more wickets in the form of Kumar Deobrat (20; 2x4, 1x6) and S P Gautam (8).Punjab medium pacer Siddharth Kaul claimed the wickets of Deobrat and Gautam having them caught behind the wicket and at first slip respectively.

Jamshedpur, January 7
Punjab Ranji team captain Harbhajan Singh has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent to umpire's decision during the team's quarterfinal match against Jharkhand.

Match Referee Sunil A Chaturvedi said Harbhajan has been fined for showing 2.13 level one misconduct (showing dissent to the umpire's decision) during the five-day knockout aThe out-of-favour India off-spinner indulged in an argument with umpire CK Nandan (Karnataka) after the latter turned down his appeal for catch while bowling against Sunny Gupta in the 108.4 over. Harbhajan was summoned by the match referee and after having a discussion for over 15 minutes, Chaturvedi slapped the fine on him. Earlier, Harbhajan had bagged a wicket of Jharkhand opener Ramee Nemat, who had completed his maiden ton off 229 balls studded with ten boundaries. — PTI 

Scoreboard
Jharkhand 1st innings

Akash LBW b Siddharth 4

Rameez c Udai b Harbhajan 100

Manish b Sarabjit 31

Tiwary LBW b Sarabjit 1

Jaggi batting 126

Deobrat c Udai b Siddharth 20

Gautam c Amitoze b Siddharth 8

Sunny batting 8

Extras: 12
Total: (6 wkts in 114 ov) 310
Fall of wickets: 10/1, 85/2, 97/3, 203/4, 270/5, 282/6
Bowling: Gony 21-3-50-0, Siddharth 28-7-66-3, Kohli 02-0-07-0, Sarabjit 31-8-90-2, Amitoze 03-2-02-0,Harbhajan 29-4-90-1

New Delhi, January 7
The crisis that has rocked Indian tennis escalated on Monday with the players rejecting the compromise formula offered by the AITA, which in turn has now decided not to bend its back any more.

Somdev Devvarman is leading the charge for eight Indian players

The eight revolting players, led by Somdev Devvarman, sent their response to the national tennis body this evening and demanded that all their demands be fulfilled.

The AITA, however, is no mood to listen to the players and has warned that the national tennis body would not mind going ahead with the South Korea tie without them. It has also been learnt that the players are not happy with the AITA sharing its proposal with the media.

"They want us to reconsider our proposal. They want us to agree to all of their demands. But whatever we have had to offer we have. We have extended out maximum support," AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI.

"They are trying to enter area to which they have no obligation and prerogative. A player can not be administrator, selector and a player at the same time," a fuming Chatterjee said.

The senior AITA official said they cannot offer more to the players and will field only those for the South Korea tie, who will make themselves available. "We have a selection meeting on the 11th and if players want to play they will have to make themselves available. If they do not want to play, it's their choice," Chatterjee said, sending out a stern warning to the players.

The AITA, yesterday, accommodated many of the players' demands by replacing coach Nandal Bal with Zeeshan Ali. It also removed Dr Vece Paes and physiotherapist Sanjay Singh and promised to seek their replacements from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The AITA also increased the players share in the Davis Cup prize money.

Eight India players, headed by Somdev Devvarman, had last week threatened to boycott the Asia-Oceania group one tie in New Delhi from February 1-3 if a slew of demands made by them were not accepted.

The AITA on Sunday accepted the demand for higher prize money, a change in the squad's support staff, appointment of a full-time physiotherapist and the players' involvement in the choice of venues for ties.

It announced that former Davis Cup competitor Zeeshan Ali will replace Nandan Bal as the India team's coach, but decided that Shiv Mishra will continue in his role as non-playing captain at least for the Korean tie.

The association said it had written to the sports ministry to appoint a new team doctor in place of Vece Paes and a new physiotherapist. — PTI

New Delhi, January 7
Golfer Jeev Milkha Singh is aiming to win a Major championship in the new season and said his focus would be to stay away from injuries and return to the world's top 50 by March end.

The Chandigarh golfer had a good year in 2012 as he clinched his fourth European Tour title at the Scottish Open. He was also part of the winning Asian team in the Royal Trophy.

"My goal is to stay injury-free and get back into the top 50 so that I can play in the Major, which is my favourite tournament. I want to win a Major this season," Jeev told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Gujarat Kensville Golf Challenge.

"I will be playing for four weeks and then take a week off. I am flying to South Africa to play at the Volvo Champions. After that I will play at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

"So I have end of March and five tournaments to get into the top 50. There is lot of pressure but I know if I am fit and have the momentum going, I can be in top 50 once again," added the 41-year-old golfer, who achieved his career-best ranking of 28 in March, 2009. The golfer narrowly missed out on a chance of qualifying for the 2013 British Open, as he finished 32nd in The Race to Dubai and according to the qualifying policy, the top-30 in the European Tour's money list receives invitations to participate in the 2013 edition of the tournament. Jeev, who was honoured with the Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement award, along with two other legends of the game — Jack Nicklaus and Colin Montgomerie — said he would be playing mainly in the European tour, co-sanctioned events and Japan tour this season. The two-time Asian Tour number one, Jeev, who is also the son of famous athlete Milkha Singh, wants to emulate his father by qualifying for the Rio Olympics

"I would love to play in the Olympics in 2016. I played in the Asian Games in 1990 and if I play in the Olympics, it will be a dream come true for my family," said Jeev, whose father Milkha Singh represented India in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. “I should be able to do that after all I will be just 44 then and I am keeping myself fit. I do yoga for flexibility.” — PTI

Melbourne, January 7
Shane Warne has been fined A$4,500 ($4,700) and banned for one game after a heated row with Marlon Samuels in a match in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition on Sunday night ended up with bats and balls being thrown.

The West Indies all-rounder and former Australia test spinner had a heated verbal altercation before Warne threw the ball and hit Samuels on the arm, accidentally he later claimed.

Samuels reacted by throwing his bat down the wicket in the general direction of Warne and the umpires were forced to step in to restore order. Cricket Australia (CA) found Warne guilty of three offences but not guilty of a breach of the rule that forbids throwing "the ball at or near a player or official in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner".

"I'm disappointed with some of my actions last night but I'm also disappointed at the severity of the penalties," Warne told reporters.

New Delhi, January 7
Once the blue-eyed boy of Indian hockey, Sandeep Singh of late is struggling to earn his place back in the national team, but the ace drag-flicker knows a strong performance in the upcoming Hockey India League can put his beleaguered career back on track.

Sandeep hogged the limelight in last year's Olympic qualifiers riding on his impressive penalty corner conversion rate. But he turned into a dud in the events thereafter, including India's disastrous London Olympics campaign, which finally led to his ouster from the national team. Coach Michael Nobbs has already given hints that non-performing seniors would find it difficult. — PTI

Melbourne, January 7
Shane Warne has been fined A$4,500 ($4,700) and banned for one game after a heated row with Marlon Samuels in a match in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition on Sunday night ended up with bats and balls being thrown.

The West Indies all-rounder and former Australia test spinner had a heated verbal altercation before Warne threw the ball and hit Samuels on the arm, accidentally he later claimed.

Samuels reacted by throwing his bat down the wicket in the general direction of Warne and the umpires were forced to step in to restore order. Cricket Australia (CA) found Warne guilty of three offences but not guilty of a breach of the rule that forbids throwing "the ball at or near a player or official in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner".

"I'm disappointed with some of my actions last night but I'm also disappointed at the severity of the penalties," Warne told reporters.