Rajkot, October 9
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today conceded that comeback-man Yuvraj Singh will be under some pressure during the upcoming ODI series against Australia but said the team would insulate him from any “undue” stress by keeping things “normal” in the dressing room.

Yuvraj would be eager to prove a point after being recalled to the squad following a string of good scores for India A against the West Indies A and a solid display for India Blue in the Challenger Series.

Dhoni said the 31-year-old, who beat a rare germ cell cancer last year, will perform well if he manages to keep his mind off pressure and expectations.

“We are trying to keep it as normal as possible...if it becomes like a comeback scenario, I think there is a kind of pressure on the player. It doesn't matter if you are one of the biggest match-winners. It is very important to take that feeling away from the individual that he is making his comeback,” Dhoni said ahead of the only Twenty20 match against Australian to be played here tomorrow.

“It’s important is for the individual to be expressive on field, back himself, have belief in his talent, the kind of talent that he has got. Ultimately that will show on the field. We will try to keep it as normal as possible and try to take the undue pressure off him and hopefully that will work,” he added. He backed the the left-hander, who has been recalled after playing his last ODI in January.

“Yuvraj, of course is a match winner and we all know that. He is a big player and has been proving himself whenever questions have been raised. The fact is that he is a big match player. He performs well in big matches. He does well in tough series. We are hoping that he will come back strong,” he said.

Despite the BCCI advancing the start of the ODI matches by an hour, Dhoni said dew would be a key factor and a lot would depend on it, especially the use of spinners. “We will have to see exactly how much it turns, whether dew will be a factor because if dew becomes a factor then the spinners may not get the same amount of turn that they would have got at some other time of the year,” Dhoni explained. — PTI

Hubli, October 9
On a day of fluctuating fortunes, West Indies A batted brilliantly in first two sessions before India A bowlers fought back strongly in the last session of the first day's play to share the honours in the third unofficial ‘Test’ at KSCA Stadium here today.

Put in to bat, West Indies A were bundled out for 268 in their first innings after a spirited bowling by the Indians in the post-tea session, which saw them picking up last five wickets for just 28 runs.

In reply, India A were 10 for no loss with openers Gautam Gambhir and V A Jagadeesh batting on two and eight, respectively.

Abhishek Nayar finished with figures of four for 61 and Dhawal Kulkarni claimed three for 60, while Zaheer, left-arm orthodox spinner Bharghav Bhatt and pacer Ishwar Pandey bagged wicket apiece. India A bowlers faced a difficult time in first two sessions inspite of out-of-favour Indian pacer Zaheer Khan giving an early breakthrough in seventh over itself.

The visitors, riding on a valuable 81-run knock by Leon Johnson and his crucial partnerships with Narasingh Deonaraine (35) and Assad Fudadin (47), managed to post 175 for three at tea, losing just a wicket in the post-lunch session. However, Indian bowlers, especially Mumbaikars Nayar and Kulkarni tore apart the middle and lower order in the final session of the day. West Indies A were in complete control at 175 for three when tea was taken. But just after the break, Johnson walked gingerly back to the pavilion after being trapped plumb by Nayar. He faced 148 balls, smashing 15 during his crucial knock.

After Johnson’s departure, the rest of the batsmen collapsed like a pack of cards, except Fudadin who scored vital 47 before falling to Kulkarni.

Brief scores: West Indies A 268 all out (Johnson 81, Fudadin 47, Nayar 4/61, Kulkarni 3/60) India A 10 for no loss. — PTI

Mumbai, October 9
Union Agriculture Minister and NCP strongman Sharad Pawar today filed his nomination for the presidentship of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), a day after BJP leader Gopinath Munde did so, to make it a two-way fight for the reins of MCA at its October 18 biennial polls.

"Sharad Pawar has filed his nomination to contest for the president's post," said Dr P V Shetty, the outgoing joint secretary, whose group headed by incumbent MCA chief Ravi Savant has already extended support to the political bigwig and former president.

Pawar filed his nomination as a representative of Parsi Pioneer Cricket Club and it has been proposed and seconded by Shetty and Savant respectively. Yesterday, deputy leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Munde, filed his nomination to contest for the presidentship fuelling speculations that he would get involved in a straight fight with Pawar.

The nomination papers would be scrutinised on October 12 and withdrawals, if any, would take place on October 15. Pawar's move, after he completed his term as the president of the ICC in 2011, is considered in some circles as a first step towards regaining the top position in BCCI, which he headed from 2005-06 to 2007-08.— PTI

Kochi, October 9
Fresh from his exploits that helped Mumbai Indians clinch the Champions League Twenty20, Harbhajan Singh is confident of carrying his good form into the longer format as he leads North Zone against defending champions East Zone in Duleep Trophy semifinal, starting on Thursday.

“Obviously, you need to make some adjustments as you switch formats. It's nothing different for me also. My performance in the CLT20 has been a confidence booster and I would like to continue my good work with red cherry also,” Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan, whose last longest format game was second Test against Australia in Hyderabad last March, is happy to play whatever match is coming his way.

“For me, playing matches is the most important thing. Wherever I play and whatever format I play. The more I bowl in the competitive sphere, the better I will get. I will be playing a first-class match after seven months and my aim is to bowl a long spell. A day's match not only helps you test your skills but also your stamina,” the veteran said.

“A longer spell will help me use variations as well. It would help me to get my body loose, which is a primary requirement.” — PTI

Patiala, October 9
After a long battle in the courts, the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS) has failed to stop the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) from constructing a boundary wall around Gurdwara Moti Bagh, located inside the NIS premises.

While the NIS authorities claim that they have no idea about the court case status, the SGPC says they have sealed a road and erected the wall after a legal verdict. The two parties do not have any order to back their claim, yet the wall was erected last weekend, much to the dismay of sportspersons, who use the road to access their hostels and the Gurdwara.

The royal family of Patiala had donated 39 bighas of land for a Gurdwara but the NIS had taken possession of this land in 1968. The Punjab government had given this land to the NIS on April 5, 1992, through registered deed, which the SGPC challenged. The SGPC, after fighting a legal battle for 40 years, managed to take possession of the land when the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave a verdict in its favour on February 29, 2008.

The land is part of the Gurdwara Moti Bagh Sahib. The SGPC put up barbed wires around it in the presence of court officials, Punjab’s Chief Architect and officers of the Revenue Department in 2008.

After the wall was constructed, the NIS authorities do not seem to have informed their head-office.

SAI Director General Jiji Thomson said some options could have been explored if local officials had informed SAI head-office. “I will find out why I was not kept in the loop as the incumbent Executive Director LS Ranawat is on the verge of retirement, and why no one from NIS monitored construction of the wall and informed SAI about such a critical matter in which we are losing precious land.”

Patiala (rural) MLA Brahm Mohindra said it was sad that a road inside the campus was blocked by the wall, and that the SGPC could have opted to block the road only partially. “The NIS authorities should be held accountable for this lapse,” he stated.

Former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badunagar said that the place was sacred as the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, had spent some time here. SGPC manager Jagir Singh said the wall was erected as the Gurdwara land had to be fenced. “No one in the NIS objected,” he said.

NIS Executive Director LS Ranawat, who has opted for premature retirement and will give up his post later this month, was not available for comments despite repeated attempts, and did not reply to text messages.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) Secretary Hira Vallabh said he was unaware of the incident. “We had challenged the claim of the SGPC and by no means can they construct a wall and block a road inside the campus,” he said.

New Delhi, October 9
Embattled shuttler Jwala Gutta today moved the Delhi High Court against the Badminton Association of India (BAI) after its disciplinary committee recommended a life ban on her for an alleged code of conduct breach in the Indian Badminton League.

“We decided to go ahead with legal action in the case and accordingly filed a petition in the Delhi High Court today,” Jwala’s father Kranti Gutta said.

In the petition, Gutta has sought quashing of the October 7 order, in which BAI had ruled out considering Jwala for selection in any international events in the next one month, pending a decision by the three-member committee that was formed on Monday by President Akhilesh Das Gupta.

It means the Commonwealth Games gold medallist won’t be able to play in Denmark and French Open.

“The order has been issued in violation of settled principles of natural justice and fairness without giving her a hearing,” her plea said.

“A direction is to be issued to respondent 1 (Sports Ministry) to seek an independent report of the incident and to put in place an independent regulatory mechanism to oversee the functioning of decision making process of BAI in the absence of proper procedure.”

Gutta also sought quashing of the life ban recommendation of the BAI disciplinary committee. She alleged that the association’s approach was “pre-determined” and has been taken to single her out.

She further alleged that BAI’s decision will affect her right to live with dignity.

The disciplinary committee had recommended a life ban on Jwala for trying to stop some players of her franchise Delhi Smashers from playing a match against Banga Beats in the recent IBL. BAI demanded an “unconditional apology” from the shuttler to reconsider her case.

The disciplinary panel, which comprises IOA joint secretary Anandeshwar Pandey, Luge Federation of India president Deepa Mehta and Swati Shukla, a former associate of the Commonwealth Games Organising committee, is awaiting an answer from Jwala within a week. — PTI

can look into issue if she approaches, says Sports Minister Jitendra Singh New Delhi: In what would come as some relief for shuttler Jwala Gutta, who is facing a life ban for alleged disciplinary breach, Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that he can look into her dispute with the Badminton Association of India if she approaches him. "Does she want the Sports Ministry to intervene into the matter? Well, I haven't received any formal application from Jwala. But if she approaches us, then we will definitely look into the matter. We will hear her case," Singh said. Jwala's father, Kranti Gutta, had yesterday said they are weighing all options and hoped the Sports Ministry takes suo moto notice of the issue. Singh said he will call the Commonwealth Games gold medallist to the ministry's office only when she makes a formal request. "We have not been approached by anyone. Let me first receive her request and then I'll meet her," he added. — PTI

New Delhi, October 9
Hosts India have been placed in a tough group along with The Netherlands, Korea and Canada for the Junior Hockey World Cup, to be played at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi from December 6 to 16.

The opening day of the tournament will feature all sixteen teams taking to the field. Korea will take on Canada in the opening match while hosts India will meet The Netherlands in the last match.

The FIH released the tournament schedule today with all the top hockey playing nations in the fray. — TNS

Shanghai, October 9
Top seed Novak Djokovic launched his Shanghai Open title defence in fine style, breezing past Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-2 6-0 on Wednesday.

Rafael Nadal also collected an easy 6-3 6-2 win over Alexandr Dolgopolov in his first match since returning to world No. 1, winning in 58 minutes.

Later Roger Federer, playing his first singles match since a fourth-round exit at the US Open, made a brisk return to wining ways, beating Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic needed treatment on his right foot during the second set of his match but it did not stop him from breaking his opponent three times to win at a canter.

“There’s several tournaments left for me, this included, where I will try to go as far as I can... eventually have an opportunity to get back to No. 1 (but) it doesn’t depend only (on) me, it depends (on) Nadal,” said the Serb.

Federer, who is drawn to meet Djokovic in the quarterfinals, looked rusty at the start, conceding a break in the fifth game against Seppi. But the Swiss, who is trying to garner enough points to book his place for next month’s ATP World finale in London, got the break back in the next game to level the match at 3-3 and broke the Italian’s serve once more to take the first set.

The second set was far more comfortable for the Federer, as he held on to an early break without facing any problems on his serve.

Sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro overcame a slow start to beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 3-6 6-3 7-6(4). — Reuters

London, October 9
It would be wrong for Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj to play for the England team as only English people should be selected, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has said. Januzaj was born in Belgium to Kosovan-Albanian parents and has Turkish grandparents but could qualify for England under FIFA rules if he is resident in the country continuously for five years.

“If you’ve lived in England for five years, for me, it doesn’t make you English. You shouldn’t play,” Wilshere said. “If I went to Spain and lived there for five years, I’m not going to play for Spain. For me, an English player should play for England really,” added the midfielder. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

My conscience let me continue as chief: Srini
New Delhi: Back as the BCCI president after a Supreme Court ruling, N Srinivasan today said that he did not quit his post despite calls for his ouster since he has done nothing wrong. Asked if his conscience allowed him to continue as the BCCI president even after his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan was chargesheeted by Mumbai Police in connection with the IPL 6 spot-fixing and betting scandal, Srinivasan said there was no issue of morality involved as he had not done anything wrong. “If I have done something wrong, yes, my conscience would not permit me. But in this case it was not so that is what I said in the very beginning," Srinivasan said.

Chandigarh boys beat Oman school, enter last 8
New Delhi: Government Model School, Chandigarh, sealed a berth in the quarterfinals of the Under-17 boys' category of the 54th Subroto with a thumping 5-0 victory over Indian School, Oman, today. The Chandigarh team lead 4-0 at half-time. Overall, Mobashir scored twice while Inder Mohan, Ramdin, and Jatinder scored one goal each.

Williamson leads Kiwi charge with century
Chittagong: Kane Williamson hit a fourth test hundred to put New Zealand on top on the first day of their opening test against Bangladesh on Wednesday. The visitors, who chose to bat after winning the toss, reached 280 for five at stumps with the last two wickets falling in the last two overs of the day on a slow and low surface. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, who played his last test in August 2011, took two wickets as the slow bowlers picked up all the wickets to fall for the hosts.

Sri Lanka opener Dilshan ends Test career
Colombo: Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is retiring from Test cricket to make way for the next generation but will still be available for the shorter forms of the game. Sri Lanka Cricket said in a media release on Wednesday Dilshan would hold a news conference on Thursday to officially announce his retirement. "I have decided to take this decision to allow Sri Lanka cricket to groom another youngster in my place," said Dilshan.

Dempo hold Salgaocar, East Bengal beat Lajong
Mapusa (Goa): Dempo recovered from a goal down to play out a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar in an exciting I-League tie. Salgaocar, who looked the better of the two sides in the first half, took the lead in the 40th minute through Darryl Duffy. But Dempo fought back, and Jeje Lalpekhlua scored an equaliser at the 81st minute. In Shillong, East Bengal began their campaign in style by thrashing Shillong Lajong FC 4-0 in a one-sided match here today. James Moga (2), Chidi Edeh and Calvin Lobo scored for the winners as Lajong were made to look like by East Bengal, who had just returned from their AFC Cup semifinal match against Kuwait SC. — Agencies