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India look to turn tables on Sri Lanka
Team ready for challenge, says Rahul Dravid
DD eyes Rs 40-cr profit from two series
BCCI restrained from opening tender bids
Sania slips to 34th spot
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Asian archery from Nov 4
Harikrishna draws with Sutovsky
Chandigarh Golf Club finish 2nd
Police Games get under way
Women’s sports festival begins
Balwant hockey from Dec 16
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India look to turn tables on Sri Lanka
Nagpur, October 24 With the men from the Emerald Isles making their first full-fledged visit to India — in two parts — in seven years and the hosts going through a transition phase, the lung opener of the seven-match series should see the two rivals wary and sizing up each other like two long-lost adversaries. But the last contest between the two — held in the island nation just a couple of months earlier — is too recent in memory for the two to approach the match with anything less than full vigour. It’s a sort of revenge series for India, who have been struggling for long to get their act together in the shortened form of the game except for convincing wins over the minnows of the cricket world, after having lost the tri-series final to the Lankans at Colombo a few months ago. The home advantage is with India, the huge plus of playing in front of their own fanatic supporters who would be thronging all the venues and giving vociferous support, as also the pitch conditions and the weather. But Dravid, coach Greg Chappell and the rest of the team would be under-estimating the Lankans at their own peril as the visitors are capable of fighting till the last ball, with the depth in both batting and bowling that they possess. Dravid would be hoping that the arrival of a newborn son and playing in his wife’s home town bring all the luck he needs against the Lankans. Tremendous responsibility rests on the shoulders of Dravid, not only as captain but also as the man around whom the innings would revolve. The Indian batting, in the absence of Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Kaif and VVS Laxman for different reasons, looks a bit thin on experience, but it has got back in its ranks the redoubtable Sachin Tendulkar, whose mere presence in the team would itself be capable of lifting the spirits. Dravid, the Indian batsman with the highest number of runs at this ground with a century to boot, would have to play the sheet-anchor’s role for strokemakers like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and the flashy Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Tendulkar, returning from a lengthy lay-off due to an elbow injury and coming into the contest following just three domestic one-day ties in the Challenger series, will play the role of mentor for youngsters like Venugopala Rao, Suresh Raina and Sreesanth. Rao and Raina, who have been part of the Indian team since the tri-series in Lanka, could not have got a better man to teach them the ropes of international cricket than the great Tendulkar. The absence of some senior cricketers has given them another fine chance to establish themselves. Rao seems to hold an edge to get into the squad tomorrow following his superb show in the Challenger Series at Mohali. All eyes would be on Sreesanth, the young Kerala medium pacer who has forced his way into the team through his eye-catching efforts in the Challenger event. He would be up against the free-stroking Lankan batsmen on a generally batsman-friendly ground which has seen three ODI totals in excess of 300 having been scored in the past. It’s a big series for Sehwag, too, as his one-day form has looked patchy, at best, in recent times. It would be interesting to see how well India take advantage of the super sub experimental rule in home conditions as well as the power play rule which would be seen in action for the first time at home. Lanka, on the other hand, have a more experienced line-up but their poor record in India, eight wins and 17 losses against the hosts, including one in Nagpur on their last visit for the Pepsi Cup triangular in 1999, gives the two teams a 50-50 chance in the series. There’s a question mark over Lanka’s premier batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, whose freak shoulder injury is yet to heal completely as was shown during their warm-up one-day tie in Mumbai when he had to retire as a precautionary measure after experiencing some pain while batting. The Lankan management sounded confident that he would definitely play in tomorrow’s tie, but the master blaster would have his role restricted to batting and would not be called upon to bowl his effective slow left-arm stuff. The Lankans have a fine all-rounder in the making in Farveez Maharoof, who showed he can really smash the ball when scoring an ebullient 64 against the MCA President’s XI in the warm-up tie a couple of days ago. Chaminda Vaas and Muthiah Muralitharan, both rested in the warm-up tie, are likely to pose a threat to the Indian batsmen with their guile and experience and can expect good support from the likes of Nuwan Zoysa and Upul Chandana, both almost certain to play in the opener. The teams (from): India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Venugopala Rao, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Suresh Raina, JP Yadav, S Sreesanth and Murali Kartik. Sri
Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Farveez Maharoof, Muthiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Upul
Tharanga.
Hours of play: 9 am to 12.30 pm; 1.10 to 4.40 pm.
— PTI |
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Team ready for challenge, says Rahul Dravid
Nagpur, October 24 Dravid said the team members had discussed in detail about some matches where at crucial stages it had faltered, especially in finals in one-dayers. “We have discussed these and have to keep working on the shortcomings. There’s no magic formula. We have realised that situations may arise in games when someone should stand up and deliver. It’s a bit of a mental block too.” But Dravid said his team was better placed to counter the Lankans in home conditions. “They have a better record than us of late. But we are playing at home, which is an advantage. In one-day cricket the team that plays well on the day wins. There are no underdogs,” he said at the pre-match press conference. “The team is in good spirits. I am happy with everyone, the attitude and so on. It’s going to be an exciting series. I have done well in Nagpur since my junior days.” Coach Greg Chappell said the team had done its planning for the series keeping in mind all key rival players, but added that the lesser-known players could also prove crucial. “Lesser-known players, too, can take the game away. We have to be careful,” he said. Chappell said the Indian team, too, had some good utility cricketers like the Lankans and the team think tank was addressing this area. “We have a range of utility players who can be equal to any other team in course of time,” the former Aussie captain said. Chappell said in world cricket there was hardly the surprise factor any more with most teams knowing about their rival players. “We have played against Sri Lanka recently and so we know their players. But they also know about ours.” Dravid also said the new power play rule could test the players due to the weather conditions of the subcontinent where the rule will be applied for the first time. “Power play is going to be a testing one. It could be a factor in the game. We have to plan for it as it’s going to be used for the first time in the subcontinent,” Dravid said. The Indian captain said the team management had finalised the 13 for the match, leaving out pace bowler Rudra Pratap Singh and opener Gautam Gambhir. However, he refused to divulge anything more, saying that “it would help the opposition”. Chappell, too, concurred with Dravid’s view and said any detail would have to be awaited tomorrow. “There are a number of things that we have talked about. Some may be used and some others may not,” he said. About the wicket, the Indian skipper said it looked drier than what it appeared the last time he played here (on a seamer’s wicket against Australia in which he led the team after Sourav Ganguly pulled out on the morning of the match citing an injury). “It looks drier than the last time. It looks a good wicket and might take spin as the day goes on,” he said. Asked about the return of champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar after a lengthy injury-induced layoff, Dravid said the team was looking forward to have the master in the squad again. Dravid said according to him, Tendulkar-Virender Sehwag opening partnership would be the best bet. “According to me, there is no better opening combination for us. But we have to give these two, who have done so well in the past including in the last World Cup, some time to settle down again as a combination,” he said. Chappell said the nucleus of the team for the 2007 World Cup was already in place though there were a number of rubbers to be played before the mega event. “There are a number of series before the 2007 World Cup. But the nucleus is definitely there,” he said to a query.
— PTI |
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DD eyes Rs 40-cr profit from two series
New Delhi, October 24 The public broadcaster today said it expected Rs 125 crore to Rs 150 crore revenue from advertisements and a net profit of Rs 30-40 crore during 12 one-day cricket matches that India would be playing against Sri Lanka and South Africa. “I am expecting anywhere around Rs 125-150 crore from the 12 matches... And we have already crossed (booked advertisements) Rs 100 crore,” Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma told reporters here today. He said DD also expected a net profit around Rs 30 to 40 crore from the telecast of the two series. Doordarshan has been given exclusive rights to telecast the series, which India will play against Sri Lanka and South Africa. The Union Government had already taken a decision making it mandatory for private channels to share cricket telecast featuring India with Prasar Bharati and share the revenue at 75:25 ratio from such telecasts. Stating that the channel was fighting for those who did not have access to cable television, Sarma said Doordarshan was not just looking at profit. “More than five million people who do not have access to cable television are watching these matches. DD has made an investment of Rs 450 crore during the five-year exclusive contract period from 1999 to 2004.
— PTI |
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BCCI restrained from opening tender bids
New Delhi, October 24 While hearing a petition of Zee Telefilms on the eligibility criteria, a division bench of Justices M K Sharma and B N Chaturvedi asked the BCCI not to open the bids and award the contract to any TV channel for telecast of the cricket matches. Approving the interim arrangements of the BCCI to award the telecast right to Doordarshan and production right to the Trans World International (TWI), the Court asked the Board to submit details of the financial deal before the court. The court fixed December 12 as next date of hearing and asked the BCCI to state in an affidavit the grounds on which the petitioner Zee Telefilms had been disqualified from the tender bid.
— UNI |
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Sania slips to 34th spot
New Delhi, October 24 The Bangkok event was also Sania’s last WTA outing
of the season. Slovakian Katarina Srebotnik, who was 43rd last week, has jumped to 31st this week following her semifinal appearance in the Tier I tournament at Zurich, where she lost to Ana Ivanovic. Sania has seen a steep rise in her rankings, climbing up close to 300 places following her shows in the Grand Slams. Paes moves up two places Yet another final finish within a week’s span has helped Leander Paes move two rungs up and the player now stands 11th in the individual category of ATP doubles entry rankings released today.
Mahesh, partnering Czech Martin Damm, lost to Leander-Nenad in Madrid after defeating top seed Bryan brothers in the first round.
In pairings, the Indo-Czech combination languishes at a lowly 18th.
— PTI, UNI |
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Rajwinder, Manjit promoted
Jalandhar, October 24 Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) S S Virk formally announced the promotions and felicitated the promotees at the opening ceremony of the 54th All-India Police Games-2005 at the PAP Grounds here this afternoon. Indian 400 m women's relay Olympic team members Manjit Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur have been promoted as Probationer Inspector and Probationer Assistant Sub Inspector, respectively. Besides this, Jagdish Kumar Bishnoi and Navpreet Singh have also been promoted as probationer Inspectors in recognition to their meritorious performance at various tournaments. The women's relay team secured the seventh place in the final of the event at the Athens Olympics. This team, which included Manjit Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur, also won the gold medal at the Asian Track and Field Championship in Korea. Manjit Kaur also won a gold medal in the 400 m Run at the last Asian Track and Field Championship and the Asian Games in Busan. Similarly, Rajwinder Kaur won three gold medals in different events at the World Police Games in 2003 in Spain.
— UNI |
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Asian archery from Nov 4
New Delhi, October 24 Archery Association of India president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said here today that the championship would have a formidable field including Olympic champions Korea, China and
Chinese Taipei. The teams: Men: Jayanta Talukdar,Tarundeep Roy, Rahul Banerjee and Majhi Sawaiyan. Women: Dola Banerjee, Laxmi Rani Majhi, Reena Kumari and Chokrovolu Swuro. Men compound: Naresh Damor, Vivek Kumar, CH Lenin and Shivnath. Women compound: Jhanu Handsa, Bansaralin Dhar, Sakro Besra and Manjudha Roy. |
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Harikrishna draws with Sutovsky
Hoogeveen (Netherlands), October 24 Women’s world champion Antoaneta Stefanova did well to hold top seed Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov of Holland. Even as draw was the order of the day in the four-player double round-robin contest, both games were fiercely fought. After the first round, all four participants are joint leaders on half a point each. Harikrishna’s game was a tale of hits and misses for both players as Sutovsky emerged with some advantage out of the Ruy Lopez Brayer — Harikrishna’s choice for the day. There was no looking back after the queens got traded as Harikrishna pressed for an advantage while Sutovsky was quite up to the task in finding his resources. After an exchange sacrifice, the Israeli ensured that he had no chances to lose the endgame and after 56 moves the players agreed to split the point. Meanwhile in the open event, candidate International Master Parimarjan Negi missed out on a winning possibility before going down to third seed GM Eduardas Rozentalis of
Lithuania.
Ukrainian Grandmasters Vladimir Baklan and Michail Brodsky share the lead in the open section with three points apiece, while Negi is on
1.5 points. — PTI |
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Chandigarh Golf Club finish 2nd
Chandigarh, October 24 In the North Zone finals, nine club teams participated in three different categories — 0 to 8 handicap, 9 to 16 and 17 to 24. The Nodia Golf Course team consisting of India No 1 and 2 amateurs Simarjit Singh and Jasjit Singh ensured victory for their club. The winning club will send their team for the finals to be held at Bangkok on November 5. Mr H.S. Bains won the longest drive competition and won the Kingfisher Airlines ticket for a couple to any part of the country. |
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Police Games get under way
Jalandhar, October 24 Results:
Basketball: CISF b West Bengal 72-32, Delhi b Tamil Nadu 91-77, Madhya Pradesh b Gujarat 82-48, Andhra Pradesh b Orissa 77-65, Maharashtra b Uttaranchal 60-48, Karnataka b Rajasthan 63-30. Handball: Gujarat b Rajasthan 41-22, Uttar Pradesh b Haryana 41-28, CISF b Uttaranchal 48-16, Manipur b Himachal Pradesh 37-24, Karnataka b Chhattisgarh 65-20. Kabaddi: Madhya Pradesh b Chhattisgarh 41-23, ITBP b RPF 58-13, CISF b Andhra Pradesh 56-33, Rajasthan b Gujarat 37-14, Punjab b Goa 56-7, Delhi b Chandigarh 46-16, Manipur b Karnataka 42-19, Himachal Pradesh b Uttaranchal 58-32. Volleyball: CRPF b Maharashtra 3-1, Jharkhand b Sikkim 3-0, Himachal Pradesh b Tripura 3-0, Andhra Pradesh b Uttaranchal 3-0, West Bengal b Assam 3-0, Punjab b Orissa 3-0, CISF b Delhi 3-2, Kerala b Goa 3-2, ITBP b Madhya Pradesh 3-0, Rajasthan b Chandigarh 3-1, Haryana b Gujarat 3-0. |
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Women’s sports festival begins
Sangrur, October 24 Twelve basketball matches were played on the opening day. Competitions in gymnastics and swimming will start tomorrow. Results: Basketball: Chandigarh b Tamil Nadu 61-27, Andhra Pradesh b Uttaranchal 35-14, Himachal Pradesh b Karnataka 53-9, Kerala b Goa 38-9, Uttar Pradesh b Meghalaya 20-0, Orissa b Jharkhand 25-14, Gujarat b West Bengal 20-0, Rajasthan b J&K 23-22, Chhattisgarh b Uttaranchal 59-14, Madhya Pradesh b Goa 34-15. |
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Balwant hockey from Dec 16
New Delhi, October 24 Players born on or after January 1, 1989, are eligible to play in the tournament. Entries can be sent to organising secretary S Charanjit Singh, F-9, Jangpura Extention, New Delhi, or Ripudmana Kumar, 739, Urban Estate, Phase 1, Jalandhar. |
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Sporting in semis Margao, October 24
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Bridge tourney concludes Patiala, October 24 The two-day tournament was organised by the Punjab Bridge Association (Patiala district) in which teams from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh participated. Final results: Col Guriqbal Singh (captain), H.S. Dhaliwal, Col R.S. Bajwa and S.P. Sharma, 1 (58 points) Ajay Kadian (captain), Sanjay, R.K. Garg, R.M. Aggarwal 2 (55points). Kuldeep Khanna (captain), Rakesh Sharma, P.K. Nayyar, P.K. Aggarwal 3 (45 points).
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