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| Monday, February 21, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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JCT subdue fighting SBT
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Aussie team to play in India
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Azhar, Mongia recalled MUMBAI, Feb 20 (UNI) — Mohammad Azharuddin and Nayan Mongia were today recalled while youngsters Wasim Jaffer and Mohammad Kaif were included in the Indian team for the first Test against South Africa which begins here on Thursday. Captain Sachin Tendulkar dropped a bombshell after the meeting of the selection committee to pick up the team that he was stepping down from the captaincy after the Test series against South Africa. Railways’ left arm spinner Murli Karthik, who has been having a great domestic season this year, is the other newcomer in the team. Nikhil Chopra, who has played one-day cricket for India, also gets a look in. Lanky fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, however, finds himself out of favour, but Ajit Agarkar who sustained an injury in Australia and did not find himself in any of the challenger teams is retained in the team along with T. Kumaran. The team: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Wasim Jaffer, V.V.S. Laxman, R. Dravid, S. Ganguly, M. Azharuddin, N. Mongia, A. Kumble, N. Chopra, M. Karthik, J. Srinath, A. Agarkar, T. Kumaran and M. Kaif. Indian coach Kapil Dev was absent from the meeting. The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jaywant Lele said Kapil had been invited, but did not turn up. “I do not know the reason why he did not come to the meeting,” he said. On the inclusion of Azharuddin, who retired hurt after being hit on the thumb during the match between the Board President’s XI and South Africa today, Lele said there was no fracture on the thumb but only a swelling. The injury would take only 48 hours to heal, he added. The chairman of the selection committee Chandu Borde said: “We have been watching Azhar’s performance and he has been performing very well. The team did not do that well in the middle order, therefore we thought in the present circumstances we needed a player of Azharuddin’s experience. We thought he was the need of the hour,” Borde added. On whether wicket keeper M.S.K. Prasad, who was part of the Indian team to Australia, was considered, Mr Borde replied in the negative. On the non-inclusion of Venkatesh Prasad, he said Prasad was not discussed in the meeting because the selection committee thought it should give the other youngsters a break. Borde said Nikhil Chopra was a bowler who can keep one end tied up. He said off spinner Harbhajan Singh was considered, but the selectors thought Nikhil Chopra would fit into the scheme of things well. Borde said the selectors will decide the batting order for the first Test after a look at the wicket. Lefthand batsman Hrishikesh Kanitkar’s name was also discussed in the meeting, Borde said. The team for the second
Test will be selected on the fourth day of the first Test
match, he said. |
Tendulkar to step down after Test series MUMBAI, Feb 20 (PTI) — Sachin Tendulkar today dropped a bombshell by announcing his decision to step down as India cricket captain after the two-Test series against South Africa before the team was chosen here for the first match to be held here from February 24 to 28. The master batsman did not listen to the selectors’ pleadings not to go ahead with his decision, selection committee chairman Chandu Borde told reporters after the team, in which former captain Mohammed Azharuddin finds a place, was announced to the media. The prepared statement read out by Tendulkar was: “I want to make a few things clear. At the beginning of the season when Ajit Wadekar, the then chairman of selectors, met and offered me the captaincy, I showed reluctance. I was not mentally prepared at that time. “In spite of that I took up the job as I was the most experienced player and the selectors felt I was the best man for the job. I expected that captaining on the Australian tour will be difficult because of their current form as world champions. “I do not want to
offer any excuses for the defeat but as captain I take
moral responsibility for the result. I decided after a
lot of thought to step down after the two Tests against
South Africa. |
Selectors finally have their say Chandigarh, Feb 20 — The bombshell dropped by Sachin Tendulkar prior to the meeting of the national selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not unexpected, given the tickerings going on between the selectors and the Indian team management (the skipper and the cricket manager) for quite some time even as the Indian cricket team was touring Australia. For both Sachin Tendulkar as well as cricket manager Kapil Dev a team of their choice was what they insisted on even as Indians were outplayed, both in the Test series (which they lost 3-0) as well as the tri-nation one-day series as the Indians were able to win just one match out of ten. But once the Indian team returned home mauled and beaten it was but natural for the national selectors to put their foot down and tell the skipper in clear terms that he would have to play with the team selected by them. As a former national selector said it was the job of the selectors to select and it is the job of the skipper to play with whatever players selected by the selectors. In any case, the former selector confided, it were the national selectors who closely watched domestic matches and, therefore, were in a better position to recommend players for national duty. The return of former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, both in the dumps after India’s miserable showing in in the World Cup in England last summer, in the team for the first Test against South Africa commencing at the Wankade Stadium from February 24 is enough indication that it were the selectors who had the last say in team selection at Sunday’s meeting in Mumbai. In any case India does need the experience of both cricketers, specially if they have to overcome from the battering they received in Australia. Time and again it has been pointed out that youngsters were welcome to the team provided they replaced a senior player on pure merit. But in the case of Mohammad Azharuddin and Nayan Mongia one got the feeling that both Sachin Tendulkar and also Kapil Dev did not want them in the Indian dressing room for reasons other than cricket. So much so that there were a number of reports from Australia that the former Indian captain was least liked when he was leading India. How those reports emanated from Australia is still unanswered. The national selectors have done a good job by calling up youngsters like Wasim Jaffer and Mohammad Kaif as also Railway left-arm spinner Murli Kartik, who has been having a great domestic season this year, for the first Test. While Sachin’s
resignation as skipper has been accepted and he will be
relieved of the job after the two Tests against the
visiting South Africa team, one does not know how Kapil
Dev will react to this new situation. As it is he did not
attend today selection committee meeting at Mumbai. Why
he did not only he can answer. The high-profile Indian
cricket manager has also been getting a lot of flak (some
may say unjustly) for India’s miserable showing in
Australia but he too had a major hand in the selection of
the team which toured Australia. And his running battle
with the BCCI Secretary, Mr J.Y. Lele, on minor issues
has only added to his problems. |
Indian players lack basics, says Kapil NEW DELHI, Feb 20 (PTI) — Indian cricket coach Kapil Dev has said the players lack even basics like sharp running between the wickets, prompt grounding of the bat and accurate throwing, which let them down during the disastrous Australian tour. “It is a real problem. You don’t get better at the Test level. It is only fine-tuning. They (working on basics) should be done at the school level,” Kapil Dev said. Kapil Dev said failure of the top players was the biggest reason for India’s abysmal showing Down Under, but defended the team, saying “we did not have the experience to play on those type of (hard and bouncy) wickets”. Under criticism following the disastrous tour Down Under, Kapil Dev called for better practice pitches, a gymnasium and emphasis on quality of matches to lift India’s standard. He said Indian cricket had not gone backwards as it would seem but Australia had improved by leaps and bounds. India did not look good mainly because it played a crack side like Australia. “If you want to reach the top, you need a lot of administration, practice and fitness. The bottomline is we need good pitches to practice on,” he told the “Big Fight” programme on “Star TV” discussing the state of Indian cricket. To criticism from spin wizard Bishan Singh Bedi, also on the three-man panel in the programme, that Kapil Dev failed to even raise fitness and fielding standards, the coach said results could not be brought about overnight. “That you can see in two years’ time. I’ll not leave (the job) unless I am convinced. I am not a loser. If circumstances come which are not in my control, I can’t say. Otherwise in two years you’ll see the change,” the highest Test wicket taker in the world said. Reacting to Bedi’s comment that the Indian players lacked the right attitude, Kapil Dev defended his team by saying the same Australian team was thrashed in India (in 1998) just over a year ago. “We didn’t have experience, I mean on playing on that type of (bouncy) wickets”. He said the cricket board, which had brought a lot of money into the game, should work to improve the game at the school and university levels to raise its standard. Asked to comment on his clash with the board — BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele in particular — and the amount of freedom he had, Kapil Dev only said that a negative attitude never helped. “We are not the best professionals. So we have to work together. “I can’t say I didn’t get a free hand. I just need time to work on the boys, work on the system,” he said. To a question whether the Indian cricket set-up had the right set of people to improve things, Kapil Dev said there was neither the vision nor the people. “Attitude and commitment to the game, that is where Indians have been found wanting”. Bedi countered Kapil Dev’s argument that the team in Australia was “new” and said the nucleus of six players was there “but it didn’t deliver the goods. The attitude was not there,” he said. Kapil Dev said his comment in Australia that Mohammad Azharuddin was very unpopular among his team-mates was blown out of proportion. “Some players told me during the World Cup in England last year that they felt he was aloof. But it was not meant to come out the way it did,” he said. On criticism that he contributed little as BCCI pitches committee chief but was now demanding quality tracks, Kapil Dev countered: “My role is not preparing pitches. Only to see whether it is good for international cricket”. Kapil Dev rejected an iron-handed approach to improve things in the team. “That can’t be the approach. It should come from within (the players),” he said in reply to a question. On the role the players could play in lifting the gloom, Kapil Dev said some of them were confused by the constant shift between Tests and one-dayers. Criticising the BCCI as well as the players, Bedi said the Indians lacked the kind of pride the Australians showed donning the baggy green cap. “The kind of money they get, they’d like to think they are professionals. It’s a fallacy,” he said. He slammed the board for not encouraging former Test cricketers to play an active role in the game’s administration and said the board was mixing up its priorities in the name of globalisation of the game. “India has taken up globalisation as a moral obligation. We should first put our house in order,” he said. Both Kapil Dev and Bedi
called for more accountability from selectors. Bedi
wanted the panel to be reduced to three members while
Kapil Dev said zonal representation helped assess players
in the respective regions better. |
JCT subdue fighting SBT LUDHIANA, Feb 20 — Strong and sturdy JCT Phagwara subdued a fighting State Bank of Travancore 2-0 to jump to the third position in the National Football League at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. After medio Hardip Saini put his team ahead, capitalising on a move by Hardip Sangha and Hardip Gill in the 35th minute, wing back Prabhjot Singh consolidated the lead with a gem of a goal from near the centre-line midway through the second session. With today’s victory JCT now have 27 points from seven wins and six draws and only four points separate them from table toppers Churchill Brothers. Playing under an overcast sky, the mill men swarmed all over the rival territory from the kick-off and gave a pleasing display of attacking football. What really sharpened their attack was the return of star midfielder, Hardip Sangha, who played a key role upfront before he was substituted by Jaswant late in the second half. Promising striker Jaswinder and sharp shooter Hardip Gill gave a harrowing time to the rival defence manned by former India player Jitu Jacob, Vinu Jose and Sunil Kumar. SBT, who had played a goal-less draw with JCT in their home match at Thiruvananthapuram on January 13, were mostly at the receiving end and on the few occasions that they managed to create openings, the JCT defence thwarted their designs. JCT gave an indication of the things in store early on with Hardip Sangha cutting through a host of defenders before despatching an angular shot goalwards but the onrushing Jaswinder failed to tap the ball home. This was followed by a long ranger by Harinder which also sailed over. SBT hit back with a series of counter attacks and in the 23rd minute VP Shaji’s pass to medio Shabir Ali saw the latter attempting a piledriver which however, missed the target narrowly. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, JCT took the lead in the 35th minute when Hardip Sangha put Hardip Gill in possession. The latter, on seeing Hardip Saini moving in tandem on the right gave a quick pass and Saini was bang on target, leaving former international Feroze Sheriff perplexed under the SBT bar. The second half witnessed a complete JCT domination with the mill men attacking in waves. A back pass by the laborious Jaswinder, who threw the rival defence out of gear, with fine sprints, was followed by Hardip Gill’s shot which, however, went out. Soon after Jaswinder, who got past two defenders, found himself in a one-to-one situation with the goalkeeper but Feroze Sheriff rushed out of charge to thwart the move. SBT earned a free kick a few minutes later but VP Shaji’s power-packed shot sailed over the bar. SBT also earned a corner shortly there after but Sunil Kumar’s kick was cleared by a rival defender. Midway through the second half, JCT effected a couple of substitutions with Harinder and Sangha making way for Harjinder and Jaswant, respectively. Harjinder, son of the legendary Inder Singh, initiated a fine move immediately on entering the ground when he put Jaswinder in possession. Jaswinder raced down the middle and sent a measured pass to Rampal whose power full kick was saved by Sheriff under the SBT bar. It was in the 72nd
minute that JCT scored the second goal. Wing back
Prabhjot Singh, who was positioned a few yards from the
centre-line, aimed a powerful kick towards the SBT goal.
The ball struck the upright and the horizontal before
entering the net, giving JCT a 2-0 lead. Stung by the
reverse,SBT replaced Feroz sheriff with G. Manoharan
under the bar, who prevented further damage despite a
couple of close calls by Jaswant, Jaswinder, Ram Pal and
Hardip Gill in the dying minutes. |
Gopi Chand fashions superb win NEW DELHI, Feb 20 (UNI) — Riding on the brilliance of 27-year-old Pulella Gopi Chand, India ousted Thailand 3-1 to qualify for the final round of the Thomas Cup badminton championship, repeating 12 year-old history at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here today. Korean women won the Uber Cup qualifier defeating Japan 3-2. Both the teams have however already qualified for the final rounds. India finished third in the 15-Nation Asian Zone Thomas Cup qualifying round this afternoon and that was enough for them to book a place for the final round to be held in Kuala Lumpur in May. The top three teams each in the Thomas and Uber Cup qualifiers make it to the final rounds. This is the second time in 12 years that Indian men have reached the last and final round of this prestigious championship. In 1988 it was Prakash Padukone and Udey Pawar who led India to victory over Thailand (3-2) and today Andhra super star Gopi Chand charted the route for country’s win over Thailand. Gopi Chand along with 20-year-old Allahabad shuttler Abhinn Shyam Gupta and Vincent Lobo thus repeated the history but with better victory difference of 3-1. “It was a great team effort” Prakash Padukone said after the match but paid special tribute to Gopi Chand saying “He played a crucial role in team’s win”. Coach S.M. Arif said it was the happiest moment for Indian badminton, “The players did their job well and Gopi Chand was the driving force behind this win”. Desperately needing a win, Indian team management took few calculated risks,they brought in Abhinn Shyam Gupta as the second singles player, included Gopi Chand in the second doubles along with Vincent Lobo and opted Sidharth Jain in place of Nikhil Kanetkar for the third singles. It was India’s day at Indira Gandhi Stadium as the risks paid off with Gopi Chand winning his singles and doubles matches and Abhinn Shyam Gupta claiming his singles though the country’s top doubles pair of Jassel P. Ismail and Markose Bristow lost rather tamely. Sidharth was not tested as the tie ended with Gopi Chand and Lobo winning the doubles to give India a unbeatable 3-1 lead. However, it was not too happy start for the hosts as Gopi Chand lost his first game against, world No 48, Boonsak Polsana 6-15. The Indian national champion was tentative to begain with and trailed 1-5 and then 5-8 before the Thailand’s top player went up to 14-5. At this stage, Gopi Chand saved a game point breaking his rival’s service and adding a point to his kitty. He again saved a game point but could not increase his tally and Polsana smashed for game point. The Thai champion,who had beaten world No 10 Chinese player Hong Chen in the league, however could not sustain the tempo as Gopi Chand opened his game and with deft tosses, drops and cross court smashes. The Indian raced to a 13-6 lead and finished with 15-7 to draw parity. In the crucial third game,service kept changing with players levelled at 6-6 and this stage Gopi Chand raised level of his game to take next nine points while conceding only one to his rival to finish the match 6-15,15-7,15-7 in 75 minutes to give India 1-0 lead. Thailand fielded their world No 11 pair of Pramote Teerawiwata and Tesana Panivisvas and they justified their ranking as they outplayed Jassel P. Ismail and Markose 15-5,15-7 in just 25 minutes. It was tense moments for the Indians as 20-year-old Allahabad player Abhinn Shyam Gupta took the court against Anupap Thiraratsakakul after the score was levelled 1-1. The Thai started aggressively taking a 6-0 lead in the first game before Abhinn fought back and took five points on the trot and then four points in a row after breaking Anupap’s service to make it 9-6. The Indian took the first game 15-7. It was a neck and neck second game with lead changing hands frequently till the Thai took the game 15-12 and to draw parity. In the decider, Abhinn raced to a 9-0 lead before Anupap earned three points (3-9). The Indian won 15-11 to make it 2-1 for his side. In the crucial second doubles, Gopi Chand guided Vincent Lobo well as the Indian pair put it across Kitipon Kitikul and Khunakorn Sudhisodhi 15-11, 2-15, 15-12 to win the match and the tie. After winning the first game 15-11, the Indians lost the next 2-15. They started promisingly in the decider taking 8-1 lead but then surprisingly allowed their rivals to come back in the game by committing unforced errors. It became a nerve wrecking affair as the Thais narrowed the gap 12-14 but Gopi Chand ended the tension as India booked their berth for Thomas Cup final round. “I am happy the way
whole tournament went” Gopi said after the match.
“The players gave their best and it was a team
effort which paid off”. |
Hayward puts SA on top MUMBAI, Feb 20 (UNI) — South Africa took a firm grip on their tour opener three-day match scoring 93 for three to take their overall lead to 214 runs against the Board President’s XI at close of play on the second day at the Brabourne Stadium here today. South Africa who declared their first innings at the overnight score of 293 for six then proceeded to bundle out Board President’s XI for a paltry 172 with Azhar retired hurt when he was on nine and unable to continue. South Africa with a huge first innings lead began their second innings on a bad note losing first innings half centurion Gary Kirsten for just four runs, trapped plumb in front by an inswinger from Mohanty. South Africa (Ist innings): 293 for six declared Board President’s XI (Ist innings): Arunkumar b Hayward 9 Jaffer lbw Klusener 12 Kaif b Hayward 23 Azharuddin retired hurt 9 Jadeja c Boucher b Hayward 2 Mongia c Boucher b Donald 16 Kartik c Eksteen b Hayward 0 Kumaran c Cullinan b Eksteen 8 Harbhajan c and b Eksteen 38 Mohanty c and b Eksteen 0 Bhandari not out 30 Extras: 25 (4-B, 10-LB, 11-NB). Total: For nine wickets in 53.2 overs 172 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-46, 3-68, 4-75, 5-75, 6-96, 7-114, 8-123, 9-172. Bowling: A. Donald 11-3-27-1, M. Hayward 17-3-68-4, J. Kallis 5-3-5-0, L. Klusener 5-3-7-1, C. Eksteen 15.2-6-51-3. South Africa (2nd innings): Kirsten lbw Mohanty 4 Gibbs lbw Harbhajan 28 Kallis b Harbhajan 12 Cullinan retired hurt 2 Cronje batting 29 Strydon batting 12 Extras: 6 (4-B, 2-LB) Total: For three wickets 93 in 36 overs. Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-30, 3-59. Bowling: D. Mohanty
5-2-7-1, T. Kumaran 6-0-19-0, Harbhajan Singh 10-1-31-2,
A. Bhandari 9-5-16-0, M. Kartik 4-1-12-0, M. Kaif
2-1-2-0. |
‘Need
for’ separate doubles pair NEW DELHI, Feb 20 — The “gem” of Indian badminton and the man whose gentle attitude always remains a magnetic pull for everyone is none other then former All-England and champion Prakash Padukone. The hero of yesteryears is still a motivating force for youngsters both on and off the court. Today BPL and a host of other organisations are investing their money just because of the Prakash. Even Doordarshan this year entered into a contract with BAI for telecasting the domestic and international tournament at home. In an interview, Prakash spoke about a few points for the promotion of game. Q: Are you satisfied with the performance of Indian men and women players here in this Thomas\Uber Cup? A: The women team played to its optimum level and so the men. The improvement has just begun to show. Now more players from India find their name in world rankings. Today we can boast of the fact that our men figure among world’s top five and women in top ten Q: Do not you think more emphasis should have been paid to doubles combination? A: Agreed, we need to have a separate doubles pair. Singles players should not be disturbed for doubles. We plan to seriously concentrate on doubles. During all these years we wanted to make our singles players strong. Q: The idea of starting doubles nationals for under 22 has not served the purpose? A: It is true. The basic aim for which it was started for a particular age group has not proved beneficial. Actually it should have been made open for all categories. Moreover, the recognition for any doubles national champion is not adequate. It should also have prize money like a grand prix tournament. Q: The Academy at Bangalore is only for refined or top players. What about the mediocre players or state/inter-varsity players? A: In fact every state should have an academy of its its own. Q: Has BAI any plan to invite foreign coaches for doubles or otherwise? A: Not yet decided. But
we do have good SAI and other coaches who are
hardworking. They should keep themselves updated on new
advancements and techniques. |
India colts trounce Switzerland CAIRO, Feb 20 (UNI) — The Indian juniors put up a sparkling show to trounce Switzerland 4-1 and claim the bronze medal in the second Akhbar Al Yom International Tournament here last night. They were 1-0 at half time after Prabhjot Singh scored first — in the 26th minute. They should have forged ahead much earlier had Arjun Halappa not shot wide with only Swiss goalkeeper From Vielner to beat. Skipper Bimal Lakra was outstanding as he pivoted and marshalled the Indian onslaughts time and again. India’s first goal came after Lakra engineered his way from the left of the striking circle to set up winger Prabhjot, who tapped home (1-0). Indian juniors played more attacking game in the second session and increasingly caught their opponents on the wrong foot. Gurjant Singh should have increased the tally two minutes after resumption but his attempt was off target. He, however made amends in the 40th minute after being set up by Halappa. His stinger had no answer from the Swiss custodian (2-0). Switzerland fired one back six minutes later after being awarded a penalty stroke converted by Lessert. The Indian colts were reduced to 10 after half back Radha was sent off for backchatting an umpiring decision. But this did not deter the youngsters. They continued their pleasing display with gusto and increased their tally in the 49th minute as a fluent combination of Bipin Fernandez and Lahra bore fruit. Fernandez drew the goalkeeper out and after neatly side stepping past him pushed home (3-1). Prabhjot Singh rounded off the Indian tally in the last minute with a solo dash down the right flank (4-1). Indian juniors coach C.R. Kumar said he was happy that the team performed upto expectations, but added that with today’s display they should have been in the final. The Indian juniors are
now scheduled to play at Kuala Lumpur in a five nation
under-21 tournament in April. |
Atwal finishes tied 20th MANILA, Feb 20 (UNI) — Arjun Atwal played his best round of the tournament today to end in the 20th position in the $ 200,000 Casino Filipino Golf Open here while Jyoti Randhawa shot a three under par 69 to be placed 28th. The title was claimed by Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng who won his first tournament for two years after beating Japan’s Tatsuhiko Ichihara and Americans Mike Cunning and Ted Purdy by a stroke after all three runners-up missed makeable birdie putts on the 18th to force a play off. Atwal, who shared the 20th spot with American Aaron Meeks and Korean Anthony Kang, aggregated 290 after firing a two under par 70 in the last round today. Randhawa was two strokes behind after his 69 and keeping him company in the 28th place was Amandeep Johl who had a 73 today for a total of 292. Prayad closed with a a one under par 71 for a four round aggregate of five under par 283 to win the $ 32,300 top prize and his first title since the 1997 Lexus International in Thailand. A sudden death play off
looked on the cards but his pursuers were unable to
birdie the par five 18th. Purdy’s attempt from seven
feet horse-shoed the hole, Cunning pulled his putt from
just five feet wide while Ichihara missed from 10 feet. |
Aussie team to play in India JALANDHAR, Feb 20 — The junior men’s hockey side of Australia will visit India tour from February 21 to 29 to play a series of five games against the junior Indian side. The series commences from Delhi and the teams will play the second match of the series at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium on February 23, a spokesman of the Surjit Hockey society announced here on Friday. An organising committee under the chairmanship of Mr Som Prakash, Deputy Commissioner and President of the society, has been set up to work out the arrangements for the Jalandhar tie. Besides, a number of sub-committees to look after various aspects the match have also been set up. The technical sub-committee would be headed by Olympian Pargat Singh.
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Punjab fencers excel PATIALA, Feb 20 — Punjab fencers won the overall team championships in both the boys and girls section of the Junior National Fencing Championships, which concluded at Pondicherry recently. In the boys section the Punjab fencers accumulated 40 points while Manipur and Uttar Pradesh had 33 and 5 points to come second and third, respectively. Punjab eves bagged 25 points to clinch the top spot while Manipur and Maharashtra with 23 and 4 points were placed second and third, respectively. In the individual championships (foil event) Deepak of Punjab beat Shivananda 10-4 to win the gold and Saurabh Raj of Punjab got the better of Bhupinder 10-7 to win the gold in epee event. In the girls section,
Prabhjot Kaur (foil) and Amandeep Kaur (epee) won golds
in the individual events. |
S. Sunder Rajan passes away MUMBAI, Feb 20 (PTI) — Veteran sports scribe and former Sports Editor of the Times of India, S. Sunder Rajan, died here today after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 63. “Sunder”, as he was popularly known, died at the Bhatia Hospital at 10.30 a.m. He was admitted to the hospital yesterday, sources said. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Sunder started his long innings in the profession with the now defunct “Madras Mail”, a well-known eveninger in Chennai, before joining the “Times” in 1959. He rose steadily from the ranks to become its sports editor in the mid-80’s after the retirement of K.N. Prabhu and then become its main cricket correspondent till his retirement in 1998 after a 38-year-stint. Sunder was known for his simple, lucid style of reporting, whether on table tennis or tennis — the two sports he covered with distinction apart from cricket — and his earthy sense of humour which came out especially well in the weekly column he wrote in the “Times” till his retirement. He was also a past
president of the Sports Journalists’ Association of
Mumbai and one minute’s silence was observed in his
memory by the scribes covering the three-day match
between the visiting South Africans and the Cricket Board
President’s XI at the Brabourne Stadium. |
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