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Doing well overseas is most important: Gambhir
Success: Great day for cricketers from region
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Sushma first girl from HP to make it to Indian team
ICC Champions Trophy winners will pocket USD 2 million
Zaheer Khan skips RCB training camp
Angelo Mathews named captain for Pune Warriors
I don’t like to set targets for myself: Sachin
Another Spanish record beckons Messi
Sharapova battles past Errani to
enter Miami Open semis
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Doing well overseas is most important: Gambhir
New Delhi, March 28 "Unless a team wins overseas, they are not recognized as a force. I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. I am happy that we have done well at home. There is nothing wrong in using home advantage as every country does that", Gambhir said. "But look at South Africa. They beat Australia in Australia and England in England. Actually, they are the No 1 side in the world," he said. "My personal aim has always been to be a member of the overseas Test series winning squad and score runs in team's victory," Gambhir said at the launch of a new cricket portal CricLan.com. Gambhir, who has just started training after recovering from mild jaundice, said that "form is a state of mind" when asked about his century plus score in a first-class match versus Aussies and 60 plus score in a T20 game against Punjab. "For me, form is always a state of mind. If you are confident and fearless and ready to express yourself, that's what matters the most." The stylish left-hander also supported BCCI's move to have a proper India 'A' team's tour of South Africa before the senior team goes there at the end of the year. "It's a good thing that India A team will be travelling to South Africa. This tour will give the players fair idea about what to expect when the senior team goes there. Normally, when we go to South Africa, we play a couple of practice matches and by the time we gauge the pace and bounce of the wicket, the Test series gets over. So it's a welcome move." Gambhir, who is the captain of the defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, said that he wants his boys to forget about any "external pressures and play fearless cricket." "I want the likes of Yusuf (Pathan), Manoj (Tiwary) and Bisla (Manvinder) to forget about any kind of pressure and play fearlessly. There was a lot of criticism that KKR wasn't performing upto its potential. We worked very hard and were champions last year. Now I want my boys to be fearless and express themselves out there in the middle," he said. To Gambhir, captaining KKR is an "honour" rather than "pressure." "It's always been an honour to lead KKR and it's not about me only. It's also about all the 23 players." Terming it as a "political decision" Gambhir stressed that one or two Sri Lankan players not playing a game in Chennai would not matter a lot. KKR has one Sri Lankan player in offie Sachitra Senanayeke. "One or two individuals don't matter in a team. If 11 people are going in the same direction, it is a bigger threat for the opposition. In any case, we will get Senanayeke for other 15 league games. Hope that he will strike a good combination with Sunil Narine." Gambhir also supported KKR management's decision to appoint Australian pacer Brett Lee as the Team mentor. "I don't think there will be any additional pressure on Brett. It is better to appoint someone who is a part of the set-up rather than someone new. Also Brett has been bowling really well. He recently clocked 150 kmph during the Big Bash (for Sydney Sixers). If he can bowl at that pace in IPL, there is nothing like it."
— PTI |
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Success: Great day for cricketers from region
New Delhi, March 28 Indian eves will play a three T20s and as many ODIs after their disastrous World Cup campaign in February at home. Senior Indian batswomen and captain Mithali Raj has been surprisingly excluded from in the 15-member squad chosen by the All-India Women's Selection Committee. Led by Mithali Raj, India had failed to even qualify for the Super Six stages in the World Cup. Archana Das, who last played for India in the T20 Asia Cup in October 2012, has made a comeback along with Anagha Deshpande, the wicketkeeper. Poonam Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh allrounder, and Odisha’s Swagatika Rath have been rewarded for their consistent performances in the domestic circuit.In 13 domestic one-day matches this season, Yadav scored 123 runs and picked up 20 wickets, while Rath, who hit 51 in one of the World Cup warm-up games against Pakistan Women, finished her T20 season with 184 runs at an average of 30.66. Smriti Mandhana, the 16-year-old Maharashtra batter, and Sneha Deepthi, 17, are the youngest members of the side. Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Poonam Raut (Vice-Captain), MD Thirushkamini, Smriti Mandhana, Anagha Deshpande, Sneha Dipti, Mona Meshram, N Niranjana, Archana Das, Poonam Yadav, Ritu Dhruv, Swagatika Rath, Shubhalaxmi Sharma, Sushma Varma Ekta
Bisht. — PTI |
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Sushma first girl from HP to make it to Indian team
Chandigarh, March 28 Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the women's team, while opener Poonam Raut will be her deputy. Wicket-keeper batswoman Sushma Verma, daughter of Bhopal Singh Verma, made it to the Board President XI team that will play against touring Australian team. Her all round performance in the women under-19 team, women's senior one day matches, T-20 and inter-zonal matches helped her clinch the berth. Sushma, a resident of Sunni in district Shimla, is known for her electric moves and swift footwork. She was a handball player earlier but shifted to cricket at the age of 16 years. In two years she has made a name for herself in state cricketing circles. She got enrolled in HPCA’S residential academy in Kangra and from then there has been no looking back. Sushma skippered HP to a maiden win in All India Under-19 championship and contributed with bat (200 runs and catches) to make his place in the Board President’s XI team against Australia at Motera in Ahemdabad on Saturday. Coach Pawan Sen said, “Sushma’s strength lies in hardwork and giving 100 %on field. This is a very good opportunity for her to make a mark at higher level.” 18-year-old Susham came to limelight when she made it to the North Zone team in 2011 and went on to win the inter-zonal tournament. |
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New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder critical after a bar brawl
Wellington, March 28 New Zealand Police said Ryder, 28, had been rushed to Christchurch Hospital after suffering the injuries early on Thursday morning and remained there in a critical condition. "It appears that Jesse has been the victim of a serious assault and suffered head injuries as a result," Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer told a nationally televised news conference. "Jesse was taken to hospital where he remains in intensive care in a critical condition in an induced coma after suffering multiple injuries." Local media reports said Ryder had suffered a fractured skull and a collapsed lung. Archer would not confirm if the injuries were life-threatening. Ryder, who had been drinking at the bar with team mates from Wellington, had been involved in two incidents, the first outside a bar with three other people. Two of the three then followed him across the road to a nearby fast food restaurant, where one of them apparently assaulted the cricketer, Archer said. It was unclear whether the assault had been provoked. Police were examining closed-circuit video footage. "At this stage we have not identified the people involved in the incident but are following positive lines of inquiry," he added. "We are asking for witnesses to come forward and to speak to us about it." Ryder, one of the most gifted batsmen in New Zealand, was in Christchurch playing for Wellington against Canterbury in the semi-final of the domestic one-day competition on Wednesday. He had been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents, however. Despite having publicly sworn off alcohol, Ryder had begun drinking again in recent weeks, New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills told reporters. "We have been dealing with Jesse for 10 years and there have been numerous issues documented in that time," Mills said. "Jesse has been fighting some demons over the last few years and he has struggled with them. It will be an ongoing struggle for him but we are doing all that we can to help him. "It shouldn't be a surprise in the future if we have to deal with isolated issues." In 2008, Ryder needed stitches in his hand after he punched a window in a Christchurch bar, an injury that kept him out of the game for several months. He has also been in trouble for turning up to training still affected after a heavy drinking session and was reprimanded by governing body New Zealand Cricket last year after he and fellow New Zealand international Doug Bracewell were involved in a verbal altercation with bar patrons in Napier. Following the Napier incident, Ryder voluntarily stood down from international selection to address his issues with alcohol. "There are some alcohol protocols around the (Wellington) team but my understanding was that those protocols were being met so from that point of view the organisation does not have any direct concerns," Wellington chief executive Peter Clinton said. "Our primary focus is his welfare. We remain very concerned and hope that he will recover." Archer said he did not think that alcohol was a "contributing factor" in the altercation on Thursday. Ryder had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Delhi Daredevils on Friday. He was not expected to return to international cricket until New Zealand's tour of England in May-June, following their 0-0 draw in the recently completed home series. An aggressive batsman with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37. TA Sekar, the Team Mentor of the Delhi Daredevils has released a statement following their new recruit Jesse Ryder’s horrific injury.
— Agencies |
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ICC Champions Trophy winners will pocket USD 2 million
New Delhi, March 28 The total prize money of the 50-over event is worth USD 4 million and even the losing semi-finalists will get USD 400,000 each. The ICC will be paying USD 100,000 to the two third-placed teams in each group. The three venues for the tournament are Cardiff, Edgbaston and the Oval. India will be playing their opening match of the tournament against South Africa in Cardiff on
June 6. The marquee match between India and Pakistan will be held in Birmingham on June 15. While India have never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match, they haven`t done too well against the arch-rivals in the mini World Cup. "The world`s eight top ranked ODI sides will go head-to-head, pitting the best versus the best. With 15 matches to be played at three world-class venues over 18 days, the intensity will be high and every match will count," ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson said. "The top players and teams seek success in global events. The Champions Trophy offers cricket followers in the United Kingdom a great opportunity to watch the best players in the world battle it out for one of cricket`s major prizes," Richardson added. According to tournament director Steve Elworthy, "The cultural diversity in the UK will mean that all teams will have huge local support from passionate fans and we hope this will create a wonderful atmosphere within the grounds." In what will be the last edition of the tournament, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and hosts England are clubbed in group A while group B has India, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies. Graeme Smith receives ICC Test Championship mace
South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Thursday received the ICC Test Championship mace and prize money of USD 450,000 for leading the team to the top spot in ICC Test rankings on the annual cut-off date
of April 1. Smith received the mace from the ICC's umpires and referees manager, Vince van der Bijl, in a ceremony at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. It is the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003 that South Africa has finished as the number one Test side on the April 1 cut-off date. I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans," said Smith. "We all appreciate the enormous privilege of representing our country and taking on the responsibility that goes with it," he added. South Africa have finished at the number one spot for the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003. India are placed third behind England in the current rankings. South Africa are the fourth team after Australia, India and England to hold the mace.
— Agencies |
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Zaheer Khan skips RCB training camp
The left-arm fast bowler was seen consulting NCA head physio Ashish Kaushik, before leaving the venue for a routine fitness check-up. "It is just a routine check-up and we are hoping for the good," a RCB official said. Zaheer had sustained a calf injury during Mumbai's Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat last December. He was dropped from the Indian Test squad against England. Meanwhile, Murali Karthik bowled at the nets today much to delight of the RCB batsmen, who desperately wanted to face an exemplary spinner like him. Murali has a good record in the T20s with an economy rate of close to seven and 93 wickets in 127 matches. The slow left arm orthodox bowler, who was ropped in by RCB after Pune Warriors released him from their squad, looked confident. Earlier he was with Kolkata Knight Riders. Pankaj Singh, Vijay Zol, Sheldon Jackson, Abhinav Mukund, Harshal Patel, Arun Karthik, Syed Mohammad and KP Appanna also trained hard at the camp ahead of their series opener against Mumbai Indians to be held on April 4. Australia all-rounders Daniel Christian is expected to arrive in the city tonight and join his teammates at the camp tomorrow, while Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is scheduled to reach tomorrow evening and start practising from March 30.
— PTI |
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Angelo Mathews named captain for Pune Warriors
New Delhi, March 28 Praveen Amre, would continue to be the assistant coach. However Mathews won't be available during Pune Warriors' away match against Chennai Super Kings as Tamil Nadu government has decided against allowing any of the Lankan players take part in IPL games in Chennai. Mathews, who has been a part of the Warriors as a player for the past two years, said it would be a great opportunity for him to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad. "It's a great honour to be offered the captaincy of the Pune Warriors. For me personally this is a great chance to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad and a very exciting opportunity given the enormous talent within our young squad," said Mathews. Welcoming the Sri Lankan as the skipper of the Pune outfit, Sushanto Roy, Managing Director of Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, said the side would be benefitted by his leadership abilities. “We had many options of international and national cricketers to choose from within the existing squad but we chose Angelo Mathews as our captain as we are confident of his leadership abilities," said Roy.
— PTI |
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I don’t like to set targets for myself: Sachin
“I don't like to set targets for myself, even if I set targets, I like to keep it to myself. I am little superstitious that way," said Tendulkar. “The (team) target is to win the tournament, that's what all of us wanted to do. It would be a fantastic gift for all the Mumbai Indians fans. I always wanted to win it. We go out there to win and give our best. Leave the rest to the almighty,” Tendulkar said. Tendulkar, who would be playing under the captaincy of former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting this season, said the team has prepared well for the tournament and will go all out to win the trophy. "In the earlier seasons also, we always went out to win the tournament but it wasn't so. Once we got really close and on a couple of occasions, we made it to the semis. All I can promise on behalf of Mumbai Indians team, on behalf of the players, our commitment, focus and dedication will be there. “No one can guarantee results but one thing we can guarantee is our commitment. Our commitment will be there and we expect the same kind of support that we have received in the last five years. It's terrific to have that kind of support which helps us to give our best as a team,” he added. Mumbai Indians will start their IPL 2013 campaign on April 4 in Bangalore against Royal Challengers Bangalore. — PTI
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Another Spanish record beckons Messi
Barcelona, March 28 Barcelona, along with Real Madrid and Malaga, will use the return to domestic action to prepare for the Champions League quarterfinals next week. Barcelona lead the league by 13 points and is on their way to recovering the title from Madrid. Barca travel to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. "PSG will be a tough rival. They are a great team both in attack and defense and they are deadly on the break," said Barcelona forward Cristian Tello, who could get a start on Saturday as others rest. Madrid, meanwhile, visit Real Zaragoza to warm up for Galatasaray's visit on Wednesday, when Malaga will welcome German champion Borussia Dortmund after playing at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Messi is on a record run of scoring in 18 straight league matches. The last time Messi failed to score in the league was November 3 when Barcelona didn't need his goals to beat Celta 3-1. Because the Spanish league season is scheduled with the teams playing each other in exact order, Messi has scored against every other team in Spain since then. Messi has scored 28 goals during the streak and has a league-leading 42 for the season through 28 rounds. He holds the league record of 50 goals from last season and now has 10 rounds left to try and better it.The 25-year-old Messi started his scoring run by striking twice in Barcelona's 4-2 win at Mallorca. Ten games later, he broke the old milestone held by Barcelona's Mariano Martin (1942-43) and Madrid's Ronaldo (1996-97) by scoring four against Osasuna in a 5-1 rout on January 27. Against a Celta team in second-to-last place with one win in their last 10 games and without suspended striker Iago Aspas, Barcelona's most daunting challenges could be their players' weary legs after their commitments with their national sides and the lure of looking ahead to PSG. Barcelona hope they don't pick up any more injuries, especially in defence. They were already without Carles Puyol.
— Reuters |
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Sharapova battles past Errani to enter Miami Open semis Mumbai, March 28 “With all the tournaments I have played, this one I have been so successful at but yet I haven't won it," said Sharapova, a four-time finalist at the Miami WTA and ATP Masters hardcourt tournament but never the winner. "I've been so close to winning," she said. Sharapova will battle for a place in the final against former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, who beat Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Serena Williams will take on Agnieszka Radwanska. — PTI
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Bangaldesh’s Abdur Razzaq bags five SLC won't stop players from joining IPL: secretary Nishantha
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Lauding the team for their 4-0 triumph over Australia in the recently concluded Test series, out-of-favour opener Gautam Gambhir today stressed on the need to win Test series abroad in order to be recognized as a force in world cricket.
"Unless a team wins overseas, they are not recognized as a force. I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. I am happy that we have done well at home.
Bangalore, March 28
Mumbai, March 28
