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| Friday, September 21, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Let the experts decide on fitness, says
Ganguly Andrew Leipus must improve fitness
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Bhutia to be back in action
soon Mane, Agarkar help Mumbai win Daljit operated upon successfully
Rohan, Isha in semis 24 teams for Gurmit hockey Jaideep, Rohan in semifinals Haryana eves in quarterfinals Baba Farid Club, BSF win Faridkot lose
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Let the experts decide on fitness, says Ganguly Kolkata, September 20 “Let the experts give their ruling on the subject. Let’s not pre-empt things”, the Indian captain told reporters after a three-hour strenuous practice session here. On the Delhi speedster Ashish Nehra being declared unfit for the tour, Ganguly said the bowler had talked to him over phone a few days ago to report that he was all right. “So far as I am concerned, Nehra is fit and going to South Africa. He spoke to me only a few days back and said he was quite all right”, Ganguly said. “I am not aware of any later development that might have forced him to think otherwise”, the captain added. On the spate of injuries which have ruled out a few of his South Africa-bound teammates, the elegant left-hander said: “Let’s not worry too much about who’s in and who’s out. We’ll have to try and make the most of the available resources”. The national selectors had chosen a 15-member squad for the South Africa tour in Mumbai on September 7, but four players, V.V.S. Laxman and his replacement Hemang Badani and seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra were ruled out because they had not recovered from their injuries. Ganguly said the players still had some time to prove their fitness. “It’s still premature to discuss fitness related issues of the team since the entire South Africa-bound squad will undergo fitness tests in Mumbai”. The fitness tests for the players are slated for September 22 and 23 while the team will leave for South Africa in the early hours of September 24. In view of Nehra’s groin problem, the selectors have called all rounder Ajit Agarkar and medium pacers Debashish Mohanty and Rakesh Patel to report for the fitness tests. One of them will be selected as Nehra’s replacement. The captain will join the team in Mumbai on September 23 while wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta, the lone new face in the team, will leave the city a day earlier. Dasgupta, who also practiced with his skipper at the Pankaj Gupta indoor stadium inside the Eden Gardens complex, expressed satisfaction with his preparations. “Ganguly has been chipping in with his bit of suggestions though we did not have any formal discussions as of now. Maybe, in a few days time, we will get to work out a few things”, the 24-year-old Dasgupta said. NEW DELHI: Speedster Ashish Nehra today asserted that he had recovered from his groin injury and was fully fit even as the selection committee reportedly started looking for a replacement for him in the squad for the triangular one-day series in South Africa. Nehra, who was declared unfit by sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi, said he was not experiencing any pain and expressed confidence of clearing the fitness test, arranged for the entire South-Africa bound Indian team, in Mumbai on Saturday and Sunday. “I am fully fit. I am experiencing no pain whatsoever and I am sure of clearing the fitness test in Mumbai,” Nehra said. After watching the bowler in action at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, Joshi had informed cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele that Nehra was not totally fit and was unable to give his 100 per cent. However, Nehra said it takes about a week to 10 days for a person to bowl at full throttle after returning from injury. “It was just three days, since I resumed bowling, then (in Chennai). I am practising hard and I will prove my fitness in Mumbai,” he said.
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Andrew Leipus must improve fitness Chandigarh, September 20 It was at the insistence of Leipus that the players selected for the tour of South Africa will be subjected to a fitness test on Saturday at Mumbai before the squad ( selected for the one-day series initially) leaves for South Africa. True, this insistence is extremely good for Indian cricket because in the past players have hidden minor injuries in an effort to gain a berth in the national squad — with disastrous results. The reason for this is obvious: a berth in the squad means an income of lakhs of rupees even if one sits in the dressing room right through the tour. The first to drop out of the South Africa-bound squad was V.V.S. Laxman who was injured during the earlier part of the tour of Sri Lanka and who has undergone an operation in Australia. Initially, it was given out that Laxman had fully recovered but later came the news (reportedly through John Wright) that he would take some more time to recover fully. His replacement Hemang Badani (who in any case had a very indifferent series in Sri Lanka and does not deserve a place in the national squad at this current juncture) injured himself in a local tournament and has also been declared unfit. Then medium pacer Zaheer Khan, on whose shoulders much of India’s hopes lies specially knowing the fact that the likes of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad are not getting any younger, has not fully recovered from a shin injury sustained in India’s last tour. And to add to the problems of the national selectors who know that India’s bench strength is next to nothing has come the news that Delhi’s Asish Nehra is finding it difficult to bowl at full throttle and has been declared unfit for the one-day series in South Africa. What do all these forced absences add up to? It leads to a very depleted Indian team taking on one of the most competitive squads in international cricket. In Sri Lanka a depleted India came out second best to a team which too had its own problems. But in South Africa, India with four of its top players missing (and one earnestly prays that the remaining players selected for the tour pass the fitness test on Saturday) will have its hands full to defend its flanks. There are reports from Bangalore that Anil Kumble’s right arm (his bowling and throwing arm) is still stiff. That is understandable since the ace spinner has been out of action for such a long time and one hopes that Leipus clears him for the tour. The one good news for India is the fact that Sachin has fully recovered from the toe injury sustained in the tour of Zimbabwe prior to the tour of Sri Lanka and is now raring to go. And everybody will agree that India will need Sachin’s services like never before if it hopes to make a dent in South Africa. If John Wright and, more important, Leipus have to prove their worth and justify the huge pay packets they are drawing they will have to improve the fitness level of the Indian cricket squad. And how they do should be their business alone. |
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Hoping worst is over, Ronaldo re-enters fray Milan, September 20 Inter Milan’s Brazilian striker Ronaldo — full name Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima — was today named by the club’s Argentinian coach Hector Cuper in his squad for the UEFA Cup first round tie with Romanian side Brasov and the odds are the 24-year-old from Rio de Janeiro will feature at some stage. But many will keep their fingers crossed if and when Ronaldo enters the fray at Trieste, remembering his last ill-fated comeback. In April, 2000, Ronaldo was selected for Inter’s match with Lazio at the Olympic Stadium but just seven minutes into his substitute’s appearance he collapsed in agony as the ligaments in his troublesome right knee gave way. He has never kicked a football in anger since — but tomorrow that should change and assuming he does get through unscathed it will be the end of a long purgatory. Less than four years ago it looked as though Ronaldo had the world at his feet and his face seemed almost omnipresent in advertising ahead of the 1998 World Cup in France. One advertisement even gave him quasi-messianic status with Ronaldo photographed with his arms outstretched, imitating the famous statue of Christ, the Redeemer, that overlooks Rio de Janeiro, his home city. But the night of the World Cup final on July 12, 1998 which many expected to be his coronation as the king of world football was to prove that the former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona forward was all too human. Journalists around the world gasped in disbelief when the team sheets were handed out without Ronaldo’s name. As the news beamed into living rooms all over the planet a second team sheet was issued, this time with Ronaldo’s name on it. But the player was in no shape to play and looked disoriented as France trounced the Brazilians 3-0 to lift the Cup on home soil. It later emerged that Ronaldo had collapsed in the team hotel on the day of the tournament and been taken to hospital but he eventually turned up at the stadium alone, insisting he was fit to play. Even a Brazilian parliamentary inquiry has failed to unearth the full truth. But that was only the start of his problems. The 1998-99 campaign saw the player known in Italy as ‘Il Fenomeno’ (the phenomenon) frequently injured. The following campaign was even worse with Ronaldo injuring his knee against Lecce in November and his only subsequent appearance was that ill-fated seven-minute outing in Rome. Last season was a complete wipeout with the Brazilian not getting a look-in and concentrating on his recovery. It has not all been a disaster. In the meantime Ronaldo has got married and is the father of a son called Ronald. Last March he made his first tentative step towards recovery when he appeared at Rio’s legendary Maracana Stadium, albeit in a very tame charity match. He has since cranked up his rehabilitation and scored in both his friendly appearances for Inter in August against Enyimba of Nigeria and French outfit Bastia. But tomorrow will be the acid test. A goal would only be a bonus — but the important thing is that he gets through unscathed. An incident-free return would enable Ronaldo to start hinking ahead to next year’s World Cup in Japan and South Korea although the once-mighty Brazilians are by no means sure of qualification. But at present the man who may still fulfil the hype that surrounded him four years ago will be keen just to get a few games under his belt.
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Bhutia to be back in action soon New Delhi, September 20 In an interview to Transworld International for Doordarshan here, Bhuita said he hoped to be back in action in three weeks. The key striker for second division FC Bury has been forced to sit out after he suffered a knee injury against Queens Parks Rangers last month. The Sikkim lad had to undergo surgery and the doctors advised him complete rest. The merourial striker expressed concern on the indefinite postponement of the Afro-Asian Games, “The Afro-Asian Games would have helped Indian footballers gain a lot from tough opponents like Nigeria who have already booked their ticket to next year’s World Cup,” Bhutia said. Baichung now in his third year with Bury, will be back in England. He is desperately hoping for a quick recovery, which would enable him to bail out his struggling side, which is currently at the bottom of the table.
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Mane, Agarkar help Mumbai win Mumbai, September 20 Mane scored 75 off 61 balls with 11 fours and two sixes while Agarkar made 29 off 35 balls to enable their team overhaul Baroda’s 236 all out in 49.1 overs. Middle order batsman Himanshu Jadhav top-scored for Baroda with 98 off just 70 balls with four fours and two sixes. Opening batsmen Connor Williams (40, 7x4), wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia (34, 6x4) and medium pacer Irfan Pathan Jr (24 not out) all chipped in with useful scores. For Mumbai, left arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni (3-16), leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule (2-17) and medium pacers Avishkar Salvi (2-37) and Swapnil Hazare (2-67) were among the wickets. Mumbai reached the target with five balls to spare with good contributions from southpaw Vinod Kambli (41, 4x4) Bahutule (32, 3x4) and Nilesh Patwardhan (24, 2x4). This is Mumbai’s fifth win in the league stages and they are already in the final. Brief scores: Baroda 236 allout off 49.1 overs (H Jadhav 98, C Williams 40, N Mongia 34, N Kulkarni three for 16, S Bahutule two for 17) lost to Mumbai 237 for eight off 49.1 overs (C Mane 75, V Kambli 41, A Agarkar 29 n o, V Buch three for 44, A Bhoite two for 27, I Pathan two for 48).
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Daljit operated upon successfully Amritsar, September 20 Honorary Captain Daljit Singh of Sikh Regiment had joined the Army in 1953 and won four consecutive national athletic championships in 400 metres from 1959 to 1962. He talked about his 1962 feat during which he had pushed Flying Sikh Milkha Singh to second place. He expressed his gratitude to The Tribune and the other news papers which had high-lighted his plight. The team of doctors led by Doctor Shivinder Singh Sandhu, orthopaedic and knee replacement surgeon, said that it was a proud day for his team and hospital who did their bit the sports hero of yesteryears. Doctor Sandhu said that he was completely satisfied with the performance of the newly-replaced right knee. He added that the hospital will also operate upon his left knee within next two months which will totally cure him of this problem. Captain Daljit Singh along with his family members have left for their home at Lalton village near Ludhiana. |
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Rohan, Isha in semis Chennai, September 20 Dominic, seeded No 16, upset ninth-seeded Indian Tejeshwar 6-1, 6-0 in straight sets, dropping just one game in the first set. Isha, who won 6-0, 6-3 against Diana, capitalised on Diana’s unforced errors and broke her serve to win in straight sets. Rohan Gajjar survived a tie-break in the second set before defeating Indonesia’s fifth seed Al Imron 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Dalodum Anuwat, however, had to engage in a three-set battle against sixth-seeded Indian Saurabh Singh 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, losing the second set before finding his rhythm again. Third seed Karan Rastogi of India ousted unseeded Thai Nattapong Pong Kunsub 6-4, 6-2. In the girls section too, form went as per the seedings, with top seed Megha Vakharia (India) defeating compatriot fifth-seeded Sasha Abraham 6-4, 6-0, and Britain’s Rebecca Dandenya, the third seed, continuing her good form to oust seventh-seeded Indian Latha Assudani 6-1, 6-2, to enter the semifinals. Second seed Laosirichon Pichayah, the favourite for the title, defeated unseeded Sandra Sashidharan 6-1,6-2.
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24 teams for Gurmit hockey Chandigarh, September 20 Several other teams had also sought entry in the tournament but the organisers decided to restrict the number of participants to 24 teams only. The teams include India Juniors XI, North-East XI, Punjab Police, Punjab and Sind Bank, BSF, Central Railway, Western Railway, Northern Railway, RCF, Indian Air Force, CRPF, Punjab and Sind Bank Academy, SAI Academy, CISF, Signals, Ropar Hawks, ITBP, Chandigarh Hockey Association, Shivalik Public School, SRC, EME, P & T Ludhiana, Chandigarh Police and Bhaini Sahib XI. The last year’s winners Punjab Police and runners-up Punjab and Sind Bank along with India juniors XI and BSF, have been directly seeded in the quarter finals. As in the previous years, special prizes will be awarded to the best goal keeper, best full back, best half back and best forward of the tournament. The late Dr B.L. Gupta’s Trophy will also be awarded to the most well behaved team. |
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Jaideep, Rohan in semifinals Sangrur, September 20 In the first quarterfinals top seed Jaideep Kohli faced stiff resistance from junior Punjab Champion Mayank of Amritsar and won 7-8, 8-6, 7-3, 7-0. Mayank started on a bright note winning the first game which was a close affair. But former Punjab champion Kohli fought back and narrowly won the second game 8-6. Mayank lost heart after the defeat in the second game and lost the remaining games rather tamely. Second seed Rohan Kapur had to exert hard against Gurmukh Singh of Ludhiana before winning 6-8, 7-1, 5-7, 7-0, 7-0. Gurmukh started well by winning the first game 8-6 but lost the second without any fight at 1-7. Third game was a ding-dong battle between the two which went the Gurmukh way. Gurmukh, who was running out of stamina, lost the last two games without any fight. Third seed Mohammand Salim of PSEB sailed past Lakhwinder Singh of Ludhiana in the third quarterfinal. Salim won 7-0, 7-3, 7-0. Fourth quarterfinal between Harish Chander of Ludhiana and youngster Yogesh of Jalandhar was a close affair. The match which went to five games, was the best match of the day. Harish won 6-8, 7-5, 8-7, 5-7, 8-6 in over 50 minutes. Both the players were evenly matched but Harish’s clever placements often caught his opponent on the wrong foot. In the ladies section top seed Nazma and second seed Saloni entered the semifinals. Nazma crushed Radha of Amritsar 7-0, 7-1, 7-0, while Saloni thrashed Heena of Jalandhar 7-1, 7-0, 7-1. Results: Men’s singles (Q.F.) Jaideep PSEB) beat Mayank (Asr.) 7-8, 8-6, 7-3. Md. Salim (PSEB) beat Lakhwinder (Lud.) 7-0, 7-3, 7-0. Harish Chander (Ldh.) beat Yogesh (Jal) 6-8, 7-5, 8-7, 5-7, 7-8, 8-6. Rohan Kapur (PSEB) beat Gurmukh Singh (Ldh) 6-8, 7-1, 5-7, 7-0, 7-0. Ladies singles (Q.F): Nazma Parveen (Ldh) beat Radha (Asr) 7-0, 7-1, 7-0 Navita (Jal) beat Shahnaaz (Sang) 7-2, 7-3, 7-4. Arti Verma (Rpr) beat Navneet (Jal) 7-2, 7-1, 7-2. Saloni (Asr) beat Heena (Jal) 7-1, 7-0, 7-1. Men’s singles (pre-quarter): Jaideep Kohli (PSEB) beat Harinder Singh (Pta) 7-3, 7-4, 0-7, 1-7, 7-2. Mayank Behl (Asr) beat Touseef Ahmed (Sang) 7-5, 7-5, 6-8, 4-7, 7-1, Md. Salim (PSEB) beat Rohit Kapur (Jal) 7-4, 7-0, 7-0, Lakhwinder Singh (Ldh) beat Jagdeep Singh (Mansa) 7-2, 7-2, 7-0, Yogesh Chohan (Jal) beat Ram Lakhan (PSEB) 7-1, 7-5, 7-2, Harish Chander (Ldh) beat Ashish (Jal) 5-7, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5, 7-0, Gurmukh Singh (Ldh) beat Harpreet Singh (Sang) 7-1, 7-0, 7-5, Rohan Kapur (PSEB) beat Tajinder Singh (Ldh) 7-2, 7-0, 7-5. Women’s doubles (q-finals): Radha & Jyoti (Asr) beat Gurpreet & Sumit (Jal) 7-5, 7-3, 7-1, Arti & Navneet (Rpr, Jal) beat Punit & Amritpal (Pta) 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, Navita & Heena (Jal) beat Saloni & Shahnaaz (Asr, Sang) 5-7, 7-3, 8-6, 7-2. Men’s doubles (pre-quarters): Sunil & Tajinder beat Hem Raj & Nono (Sang) 7-4, 7-4, 7-5, Touseef & Harinder (Sang & Pta) beat Dharminder & Gurdeep (Mansa) 7-2, 7-0, 7-4, Iqbal & Ashok (Pta) beat Saleem & Ashish (Jal) 7-1, 7-0, 5-7, 7-2, Munish & Neeraj (Pta, Jal) beat Mayank & Varun (Asr) 7-5, 7-4, 7-3.
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Haryana eves in quarterfinals Mapusa (Goa), September 20 Host Goa, who won all the three matches, topped the group ‘A’ with nine points, followed by Haryana with six points from two wins and a defeat. However, Uttar Pradesh with three points from a win and two defeats and Karnataka with no points having lost all their outings were out of the contention. Karnataka were no match against Haryana, who dominated the proceedings right from the kick-off and scored two quick goals through Renu in the eighth and 12th minutes of the first half. She completed her hat-trick in the 47th minute after receiving a pass in front of the goal from Pooja.
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Baba Farid Club, BSF win Faridkot, September 20 In an other well contested match Baba Farid Club (Faridkot) ousted Eastern Railway 3-2.
Inside left in Pardeep and right out Charanpreet scored two goals in the 16th and 40th minutes of play, respectively for the wining team which were equalised by their opponents in the 33rd and 47th minutes of the play. However, centre forward Devinder scored the third goal in the 63rd minute to settle the match. Other matches EME (Jalandhar) beat Northren Railway (Ambala) and SAIL beat Indian Postal teams, respectively. |
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Faridkot lose Faridkot September 20 In reply Faridkot Cricket Club could sore 137 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted overs. Bharat made 78 runs and remained not out. |
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