Chandigarh, October 18
“Mahi, keep up the good work,” an old-timer from the Punjab Cricket Association complimented the Indian skipper as they exchanged pleasantries. “Thanks, but we can't concede more runs here than we did in Jaipur,” pat came the tongue-in-cheek response from Dhoni.

That the skipper chose to take the genuine praise as a back-handed compliment —in the context of runs conceded, not the historic chase — tells us a lot about what he actually feels about the Jaipur contest. It was indeed a huge win, an absolute high point for India's batsmen, but, at the same time, also a grim reminder of how the bowlers are becoming incidental in this lopsided contest between the bat and the ball.

And that's probably what the Indian skipper had in mind during that brief exchange with the man from the PCA. The captain, after all, has to look after his bowlers too, who are under fire like never before. The only consolation for them is that they aren't alone in the capsizing boat; their counterparts from other teams are suffering the same fate, especially in the subcontinent.

It's as if the administrators, rules, technology and even nature have joined hands to take bowlers out of equation in the ODIs. It all starts with the assumption that the spectators come in to watch sixes and boundaries, not to see the batsmen struggling against the bowlers. This, in turn, leads to pitches completely bereft of any help to the bowlers. “A good ODI wicket is the one where batsmen get runs and the bowlers too could pick up wickets,” said Shikhar Dhawan while talking about the ideal ODI wicket. A fair description even if simplistic, reiterated by Australia skipper George Bailey's surprised “you reckon it was a beauty?” to Ravi Shastri's “the pitch was a beauty” comment after the Jaipur mayhem.

The pitch that leaves bowlers so helpless as the one at Jaipur can't be a beauty. Be that as it may, the 300-plus scores don't necessarily mean that bowlers have been short-changed. In Mohali, for instance, where the fourth match of the series will be played on Saturday, the wicket offers good pace and bounce for the bowlers, even if batsmen do manage to post 300-plus totals. The point is, bowlers aren't totally helpless; they have something working for them.

With wickets being what they are, the bowlers have been delivered a telling blow by the sport's administrators, what with the rules being tweaked every now and then to give batsmen a greater leverage. One rule that has left bowlers gasping for breath is the reduction in the number of men manning the boundary from five to four at any given point of time. “With just four men patrolling the boundaries, batsmen get a free hand, any total could be set and anything can be chased down,” is Dhoni's refrain on the rule.

Then, the introduction of two new balls from both ends has also attracted some criticism, with many feeling it's harsh on the spinners, especially with just for fielders on the boundary.

Then there is technology, too, playing its part in making the bowlers miserable. While the ball remains more or less the same, the willows have put on extra muscle, especially at the edges. As a result, the ball flies over the boundary ropes off the edges, not into the hands of the fielders.

And last but not the least, nature too seems to have sided with the willow wielders. Gone are the days when, during the day games, the bowlers could exploit the moisture in the wicket. Now, in the day-night games, they have to counter dew, which, like pretty much everything else, makes life easier for batsmen.

Bowl on, nonetheless.

Chandigarh, October 18
From a man of self doubts to a man brimming with confidence Shikhar Dhawan has made rapid strides in international cricket. Dhawan slayed his doubting self with a massive ton on his debut in Mohali. He is back in Mohali hoping to repeat his feat again. This time he is no debutant but a well-settled opener who holds the fate of his team from the very first ball he faces.

“I have great memory here, made my debut here and got a century. Of course, it is a great motivation for me and I would like to repeat the same things here.” The Delhi batsman thinks he has matured as a player and has understood what the situation demands. “I feel it is more in the mind, my skills are the same. As I have told earlier also that I have got mature as a batsman and I value my wicket more. I have got more hungry (for runs). I have changed some things in the net, got more focused, my concentration is better now and I have been working hard,” he elaborated.

The self-belief is evident when he says, “From the time I walked out of the dressing room, we thought it is a chaseable target. We wanted to play with a positive mind.”

In domestic cricket he may have done it couple of times but chasing a mountain of a score in an ODI is something he has done it for the first time. But Dhawan is not the one to make much fuss about it. Dhawan, who scored a valuable 86-ball 95 in the second game, said he and his teammates took calculated risks. “Not 360, but nowadays 300 is a target seen in most matches. Though 360 is huge, it is achievable. Unlike earlier times when we used to think that too many runs had been scored, these days with great team effort we can make it.”

Jalandhar, October 18
Punjab and Sind Bank beat Indian Oil 2-1 in the final of the 30th Surjit Hockey Tournament at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park on Friday. The team won the title a record tenth time to pocket a prize money of Rs 1 lakh.

Punjab and Sindh bank sounded the board first in the second minute through Sarwanjit Singh. Indian Oil hit back in the 27th minute to level the score. Punjab and Sindh Bank scored the winning goal in the 66th minute by converting a penalty stroke thus moving the scoreline 2-1. The match was stopped for 22 minutes due to a tiff between Olympian Prabhjot Singh and umpire Gurvinder Singh Sangha over a controversial decision. Sangha showed red card to the player who in turn physically abused him.

The tournament officials showed him the way out of the stadium. The controversy carried on as Prabhjot refused to leave the stadium instead he sat among the audience.

However, he was forced to leave the venue and then only the play resumed.

Earlier, the Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, announced a grant of 10 lakhs to the Surjit Hockey Society. He also announced a cash award of Rupees One lakh to the winners team and Rs fifty thousand to the runners-up. The Society sought land for a permanent office and annual grant of Rs 25 lakh with Badal dodging it with a smile.

Jalandhar, October 18
They are confident, intelligent, and overwhelmingly positive and gradually becoming aware of their rights. Here is a bunch of young hockey players representing the modern woman of Pakistan. Since Partition, they are the first women's team to participate in the Surjit Hockey Tournament at Jalandhar.and feel that the destination may be a bit far but the journey to liberation has already begun.

“The change is in the air. Our women are shaping the destiny of Pakistan as educators, activists and politicians. But it will take some more time. Unfortunately, women in media are still depicted as downtrodden, submissive and timid, but in reality, they are now more confident and encouraging," said Zakia Nawaz from Gojra in the Punjab Province in Pakistan.

They seem to be very impressed with the Indian culture; the girls revealed the people of Pakistan are great fans of Indian movies and tele serials.

“These have so much impact on our society that most of your customs have already become part of our age long traditions. Some of your marriage traditions like 'Juta Chupai', 'Search a ring' game and offering milk to the new couple have become part in our tradition also," said Nafeesa Anwar from Lahore.

They also revealed that even some of the Indian festivals are fervently celebrated in many parts of Pakistan.

“Every year Diwali is celebrated in the Sindh province while the people of Lahore celebrate Basant Panchami with fervour,” said Aamna Meer, captain of the Pakistan team.

Also, the modern generation has a changed view about India and hope that the relations between the two countries will get better with time. "I am from Lahore. My house is just near to the Wagah Check post. Earlier, my elders used to tell me that the first ever rocket from India will fall on our roof. After coming here and knowing people, ab aisa nahi lagta,"said Asma Ashraf from Lahore.

Taking about the people of Punjab, Aamna Meer revealed that her elders who stayed in India before partition had unknowingly created many misconceptions about Hindus and , Sikhs. "I was very scared before coming here but now, the fear has gone. Sports ties really helps in having a better understanding between the people of two countries," said Aamna.

So, here is a salute to a group of young women who are determined to showcase Pakistan for something other than terrorism and sectarian strife!

Chandigarh, October 18
Idols never die, their significance lives on. The world will miss master blaster Sachin Tendulkar after he bids adieu to cricket in Mumbai next month. The memory of his masterstrokes and records will remain etched in the mind of every cricket fan.

But one man who will miss Tendulkar particularly is Sudhir Gautam, the bald man bearing Sachin's name on his chest, usually seen waving the Indian tricolour and sounding a white conch shell in the stands.

“I am already missing Sachin bhai,” Gautam said here today. “No one can match the respect that he has in this country. He has announced his retirement but, like his messenger, I will continue to cheer the Indian team. I will be his face for the spectators and will continue to motivate the team by waving this flag and sounding the conch.”

“Everything will be remain same. But my chest will now read 'Miss U Tendulkar 10' instead of 'Tendulkar 10',” he added.

“After watching the news, I managed to have a word with Sachin bhai,” added the Muzzafarpur, Bihar, native. “Although I failed to muster the courage to ask him about his retirement, he just stressed that I should go on. So I am here and will continue to accompany my team - the Team India.”

Revisiting the past, he mentioned a visit to the Indian dressing room in 2011 and touching the World Cup trophy as the most memorable moments of his life. “I want to stand right with Sachin bhai to the end of his 200th Test. That would be the proudest moment of my life,” said Gautam.

Chandigarh, October 18
The Punjab Cricket Association is a two-faced entity - one that operates as a Society and the other that masquerades as a Company. The aim of both is one - to block transparency in accounts and to evade accountability. As a society it keeps evading coming under the purview of the Right to Information Act; as a company it files a blank balance sheet that reveals nothing, but the intent to hide.

This despite Punjab Cricket Association stating its main objective is "to take over the assets and liabilities of PCA" to it's company arm under the Companies Act, 1956.

The PCA has not even honoured it in letter, leave alone in spirit.

As the matter rests now, whatever happens inside the closed doors of the PCA's accounts sections, remains there. The assets, the liabilities, the profits, the losses all are buried in the accounts books; without any transparency, and no accountability whatsoever.

It is on record that the BCCI gives an estimated Rs 30 cr every year to all the member associations. It isn't surprising then that they have hired topnotch chartered accountants. But they are there for auditing the company (not the society) balancesheet (2011-12) that has bagels in virtually every column and every row.

Surprise, though there is, at the end of the balancesheet, where PCA declares that the company has no income and no expenditure. But it does record that it pays Rs 13,242 as a fee to its chartered accountants. This makes the PCA a loss-making entity.

The PCA's second year balancesheet (for year 2012-13) has not been filed yet, though October 14, 2013 was the due date. It, however, has one month's relaxation period in its hands.

Chartered accountants not related to the case are of the opinion that "companies with sound financial prudence file it in a month or two. It may take some time for a newly incorporated company to declare its assets and liabilities. But it certainly does not take more than two years."

PCA secretary MP Pandove is not ready to take any of it. He says, "No, the PCA is not a company, it is a registered society." Remind him of the balance sheets the cricket body has filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, he opens up a little bit, saying, "Oh! that is a technical leg-break, just to avoid anyone from acquiring Punjab Cricket Association, the name itself, as a company."

At the time of incorporation, things were a little bit different. PCA's official press release had something else to say. It read: "Our main objective of converting PCA into a corporate is to act in a more professional way for the promotion and development of cricket. Currently, PCA is registered under Societies Act. After becoming a corporate, there will be more transparency in the operations of PCA as its balance sheets and annual returns will be in public domain for scrutiny."

The stated purpose of its incorporation was "to create foster and maintain friendly relations with and amongst the population of the area under its control… create a healthy spirit of sportsman through the medium of sportsmanship". At least this is what the Memorandum of Association submitted by the cricket body says. There is not even a faint reference to gate money or for that matter a cricket fan or even a spectator, the very basis of their existence.

The trigger for the PCA to go the company way probably a judgment on May 9 2011 by Justice MS Sullar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which asserted: "It is an admitted position that the PCA is enjoying exemption from the entertainment tax, which is a direct financial aid by the state to it." Since it is exempted from various taxes, Punjab Cricket Association should come under the purview of RTI.

The cricket body wasted no time and got itself incorporated as a company, "Punjab Cricket Association", with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on October 14, 2011. It made its escape good from the RTI, but at the same time, it became obligatory for it to file yearly balance sheets and be under the purview of audits.

There was logic behind the court's decision to bring the PCA under the purview of the RTI Act. The PCA stadium in Mohali was financed largely by public funding. The 13.56 acres of land in Sector 63 of Mohali that it stands on would be worth thousands of crores. But the PCA was provided the land at a lease of Rs 100 per acre per annum, for 99 years. For the construction of the stadium and the clubhouse, a total of Rs 11.07 crore was received in grants - Rs 10.15 crore from the Punjab Urban Development Authority, Rs 15 lakh from Punjab Sports Council and Rs 77 lakh from Punjab Small Savings.

Kochi, October 18
Only 10 overs of play was possible on the second day of the Duleep Trophy final as North Zone enjoyed the upperhand reducing South Zone to 33 for two in the brief session post tea.

South Zone opted to bat while North received a setback when out-of-favour India openers Gautam Gambhir had to fly back to Delhi owing to viral fever. However, Virender Sehwag, who like Gambhir is eyeing an Indian comeback, is there in the XI which is led by Harbhajan Singh.

North pacers Mohit Sharma and Siddharth Kaul removed openers Lokesh Rahul (9) and Abhinav Mukund (7) respectively. While Rahul was dismissed when he mistimed a pull-shot off a rising delivery from Haryana pacer Mohit, Mukund was cleaned up by Kaul with a delivery that cut back sharply uprooting the middle-stump.

Wicketkeeper CM Gautham (8 not out) was at the crease with the in-form Baba Aparajith (0 batting). It was the poor drainage system at the Nehru stadium here that has cost nearly two days of play. Despite bright sunshine since yesterday afternoon, the two umpires Suresh Shastri and Sanjay Hazare found it difficult to start the proceedings due to heavy outfield which was not conducive for competitive cricket.

Brief Scores: South Zone 33/2 (Lokesh Rahul 9, Mohit Sharma 1/11, Siddharth Kaul 1/13) vs North Zone. — PTI

Bangalore, October 18
Former India captain Anil Kumble and his ex-teammate Javagal Srinath today said they would not seek re-election in next month`s Karnataka State Cricket Association elections. Kumble and Srinath were the president and secretary of Karnataka State Cricket Association respectively. "I am not seeking re-election. It is not due to criticism from some quarters or from KSCA members. I think a new committee with fresh ideas is necessary for good of cricket. I think it is necessary," Kumble told reporters here. The 43-year-old said all his life as a cricketer he has faced criticism and went ahead and achieved whatever he wanted to on the field. "It is but quite natural that you face criticism in every walk of life and I and my group also faced as such. My main aim was to promote the game not to seek re-election," Kumble said.

Kumble and Srinath, along with Venkatesh Prasad took charge of the KSCA in November 21, 2010. They were part of a group along with former Test all-rounder Roger Binny and Bangalore-based industrialist Sadanand Mayya. Kumble and company defeated Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar, scion of the Mysore Royal family, by a margin of 33 votes. Asked wouldn`t it be better to continue the good work by seeking re-election, Kumble said: "I and my colleagues are not running away from responsibilities. Even without holding top positions, I and my group will share thoughts for the good of cricket."

Odense, October 18
Defending champion Saina Nehwal of India crashed out of the Denmark Super Series Premier after suffering a shock three-game defeat at the hands of Korea's Sung Ji Hyun in the quarter-finals of the women's singles competition here Friday.

The world number four Indian squandered a one-game lead and committed too many unforced errors to go down 21-13, 18-21, 19-21 to sixth seed Sung in a match that lasted an hour and six minutes. Saina, who has a 4-0 record against Sung Ji Hyun before today's match, had beaten the Korean in last year's Indonesia Open but the past results did not count much as Sung matched the Indian with her strokes and stamina at the Odense Sports Park here. In the opening game, Saina moved to a 4-1 lead early on but Sung soon turned the tables and managed a slender 11-10 lead at the break. The Indian got back into the lead with a flick of the wrist at the net and with the Korean making a series of unforced errors, Saina reached 15-11. — PTI

The Indian challenge came to an end at the $400,000 Denmark Open Super Series Premier here Friday after both Saina Nehwal and R.M.V. Gurusaidutt lost their respective quarterfinals. Gurusaidutt lost 11-21, 19-21 in 46 minutes to the men's singles third seed Du Pengyu of China at the Odense Sports Park.

Almaty, October 18
Indian boxers continued to pack a mighty punch at the World Championships as Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Manpreet Singh (91kg) entered the pre-quarterfinals with contrasting wins in their respective second-round bouts in Almaty on Friday.

While Asian Games silver-medallist Manpreet clinched a comprehensive victory over Seychelles’ Keddy Agnes, sixth seed and Commonwealth Games champion Manoj got the better of 2011 European champion Fatih Keles of Turkey.

Both Manoj and Manpreet had got first-round byes.

Manpreet won 3-0 in the overall analysis with the round-by-round break-up being 30-27 30-27 30-27.

Manoj, on the other hand, fought through a see-saw battle even though he too emerged 3-0 victorious at the end of the bout. “Manpreet dominated all three rounds even though the other guy was very stout and experienced. Manpreet put to use some precise uppercuts and straight punches to unsettle him,” national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu told PTI.

The 28-year-old Manpreet will now face world number one and Olympic bronze-medallist Teymur Mammadov of Azerbaijan, who has been top-seeded, in the round of 16 on Monday.

Manoj, meanwhile, will be taking on Canada’s Yves Ulysse, who defeated Juan Romero of Mexico. The Manoj-Ulysse clash is also scheduled for Monday.

“Manoj fought from long range in the opening round and in the second round, the other guy resorted to some tempo boxing. It was an intense bout but Manoj dominated the final round,” said Sandhu. Mammadov, the current European Championships silver-medallist, got a first-round bye and he thrashed Efetobor Apochi of Nigeria in his opening bout today which preceded Manpreet’s bout. “No doubt it is a tough bout but let us see. We will plan and work out our strategy. We have seen this boy and he is a top boxer but Manpreet is no less,” said Sandhu. The 20-year-old Mammadov had won a silver medal in the 2011 World Championships in Azerbaijan besides being the European champion in that year.

Earlier, Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg) and Vikash Malik (60kg) had entered the round of 32 after winning their opening bouts. Tomorrow, Indian contingent with as many as four boxers set to be in action. — PTI

Milan, October 18
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona said he would like to succeed Napoli coach Rafael Benitez while calling on Italy to leave embattled AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli in peace to get on with his job.

Benitez and Balotelli were not the only subjects on the 1986 World Cup winner's radar Thursday, a day ahead of receiving a special award from top sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Maradona said he would soon be celebrating being drug-free for 10 years but reignited his old rivalry with fellow football legend Pele of Brazil.

Maradona, now welcome in Italy having settled a long-running dispute with authorities over unpaid taxes, is expected to watch former side Napoli's bid to take spot spot when they face Serie A leaders Roma on Friday. Napoli finished runners-up last season under former coach Walter Mazzarri and, after luring former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez to the club, are seen by many as the biggest challengers to champions Juventus. — Agencies

BRIEFLY

Mehta loses final, dream run ends in Indian Open
New Delhi: After becoming the first Indian ever to reach the final of a major ranking event, it was a sad end to Aditya Mehta's fairytale journey at the Indian Open world snooker as he went down tamely to China's Ding Junhui in the summit clash here today. Mehta, who scalped world champions Peter Ebdon and Mark Williams en route his final dash in the 300,000-pound event, lost 0-5 to World No.4 Junhui in a lop-sided contest which saw the 27-year-old Mumbaikar struggling to find his feet in the best-of-nine-frames encounter, which lasted for two hours. This is Junhui's eighth Ranking tournament victory. Mehta, who had come into the final just an hour after playing a long, intense semi-final against Scotland's Stephen Maguire this afternoon, suffered from fatigue as the class and safety play was missing from his game.

Pawar back in MCA, Bindra all praise for him
Mohali: Veteran administrator and Punjab Cricket Association President I S Bindra today praised former BCCI president and political heavyweight Sharad Pawar for his "contribution to Indian cricket". Pawar, who has also been a former ICC president, today again made a comeback to cricket administration as he took over as president of Mumbai Cricket Association from Ravi Savant. Bindra said,"There is nothing wrong in politicians or for that matter civil servants heading the sports bodies". He, however, made it clear that the politicians running the sports bodies should not think about serving their own interests rather they should take the sport forward. With Union Agriculture Minister Pawar being declared elected unopposed in MCA, Bindra, a strong critic of current BCCI chief N Srinivasan recalled Pawar's contribution to the sport, saying it was during his time that marketing revenues of the cash-rich cricket body went up. About Pawar, who has headed BCCI and also ICC in the past, Bindra said, “It is good that he wants to come back for giving something back to the game.” — PTI/TNS

Working committee meeting to decide SA tour
Mumbai: The BCCI has called a meeting of its Working Committee in Chennai on October 26, where the progress over the Indian team's South Africa tour is expected to come up for discussion and approval. “An emergent meeting of the BCCI Working Committee will take place on October 26 in Chennai,” a board official informed. The progress over India's tour of South Africa is likely to come up. Indications are that the tour would take place in December with the BCCI wanting a warm-up game before the the series. — Agencies