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Dhoni lauds bowlers, fielders
Surprise gift awaits Dhoni
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When BCCI almost scuttled T20 glory
The scoop will haunt
Misbah for long
Fans vent ire on Younis, Afridi
Moment to enjoy, says Kapil
‘Nazir’s run out turning point’
Cairns undecided on joining ICL
Anand continues to lead
Tie vs South Africa A
U-19 Vinoo Mankad meet
Karthikeyan hopeful of driving for Mallya’s Spyker
Mayank reigns supreme
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Dhoni lauds bowlers, fielders
Johannesburg, September 25 "Whatever is destined to happen will happen. But I believe, unless you do the required hard work you don't achieve it. "In this competition, we played a few games that went down to the wire. But everyone who has done well in those crunch games, when it mattered, will relish his performance for the team cause," Dhoni said on Monday. "It's not just my own destiny, it was the destiny of the whole team," he said. "We had the determination and will to do well because we didn't do well in the last World Cup. Besides, we enjoyed this format of the game. And since no one expected us to do well, there was no pressure. The team showed the right attitude and gave more than hundred per cent," the wicketkeeper-batsman said. "We enjoyed our cricket and we enjoyed each other's performance. If I get a fifty, I am bound to enjoy it. But if my knock can get a smile on the faces of other players in the side, it means a lot. That's what the team wants and that's what my team did," Dhoni said. "It was a great team effort. There's no batsmen or bowler who hasn't done well in the tournament. And the fielding was top class. Yuvi was brilliant, RP too bowled brilliantly, Harbhajan too bowled well, everybody was great. Whoever was given the responsibility did it to the best of his ability," the skipper said. Asked to compare his team's triumph to India's World Cup victory in 1983, Dhoni said he would rather live in the present. "I was just two years old when India won the World Cup in 1983, so, obviously, I didn't see it and I have no idea how big cricket was then. "But as I said before, I live in the present and I think my team and my support staff was very involved and very focused," he said. "We landed here after travelling for two-and-a-half months in Ireland and England, so it wasn't easy. But the way the things were planned, it worked well for us. We always felt fresh because we didn't get carried away by practising too hard before big games. But we always gave more than hundred per cent on the ground," Dhoni said. "So it's not fair to compare. Our victory in 1983 was very special and so was this triumph." Asked whether he ever thought that India could lose the game after Misbah-ul-Haq turned on the heat hitting those towering sixes, Dhoni said he was backing himself to get a wicket. "We knew they didn't have too many wickets in hand. We knew if we could pick up a wicket or two things would change pretty quickly. In pressure games, on the big stage, how you handle pressure is very important. "I was backing myself on the fact that, as the overs go by, and the asking rate gets tougher, our chances would get better," the Jharkhand cricketer said. "Harbhajan, despite being hit for three sixes, bowled well. Joginder bowled an excellent over under pressure in a crunch situation." Dhoni said Joginder Sharma was the best option for the final over under the circumstances. "Joginder was the best option available because Harbhajan went for a few and he (Misbah) was timing well against him. So I thought that it will be a bit difficult to hit a pacer. "I told him (Joginder) whatever the outcome, go and look to bowl six deliveries. I told him 'you just have to beat the bat a few times and the game will swing our way. The way he responded was brilliant." The Indian captain also praised Rohit Sharma's effort in making those 30 crucial runs in the final overs that gave his team something to bowl at. "His runs were very important. It added to the total and that added to the confidence and to the morale. "We were looking to get 140 and we got 157. Rohit really batted well in the chances he got in this tournament." Dhoni lauded his bowlers and fielders for pulling back Pakistan after the rousing start to their innings. "They got to a great start (when batting) and got good score in the first five overs. But our bowlers did well and the fielders backed them up well. We had at least one run out in every game and it makes a huge difference."
— PTI
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New Delhi: India’s victory in the T20 World Cup final yesterday has generated so much excitement that Congress president Sonia Gandhi suggested a special felicitation programme for the players on their return. Sonia Gandhi made this suggestion in a brief interaction with AICC office-bearers this afternoon. She said she had spoken to her political secretary Ahmed Patel and sports minister Mani Shanker Aiyer on the issue. — TNS
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Ranchi, September 25 The Chief Minister said he spoke to Dhoni’s parents over the phone and congratulated them. “We have arranged a grand celebration for Dhoni. We are already conferring the Jharkhand Ratna on him on November 15.” A couple of years ago, the state government had given a piece of land in the state capital after Dhoni’s sizzling performance at the international level. — PTI Award for RP Singh
Lucknow: Recognising the contribution of Uttar Pradesh bowler Rudra Pratap Singh in winning the Twenty20 World Cup for India, the Uttar Pradesh Government today honoured him by making him the first recipient of the Kanshi Ram International Sports Award which carries Rs 10 lakh as prize money. Trained at the now controversial Gomti Nagar Sports Stadium, R.P. Singh, an original resident of Rae Bareli, bowled a tight four overs at Johannesburg last night getting India three precious wickets. — TNS Award for RP Singh
Lucknow: Recognising the contribution of Uttar Pradesh bowler Rudra Pratap Singh in winning the Twenty20 World Cup for India, the Uttar Pradesh Government today honoured him by making him the first recipient of the Kanshi Ram International Sports Award which carries Rs 10 lakh as prize money.
— TNS
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When BCCI almost scuttled T20 glory
New Delhi, September 25 At a time when other Boards were busy accommodating the abridged format, hoping to tap new markets and fill empty galleries, a defiant BCCI maintained its rigid stance that India was not ready for the
‘slogathon’ called Twenty20 and the Board’s top brass felt it could have an adverse effect on the 50-over game. Subsequently, when the matter came up for voting in an ICC meeting, India was the lone country to vote against the format, even though Twenty20 got a huge thumbs-up with all other nine Test-playing countries voting in its favour. “We were reluctant at first to adopt this version because we thought it would undermine the 50-overs game,” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah had said. “But we were left with no choice after being outvoted 10-1 at the International Cricket Council meetings,” he said. BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi, while launching the Indian Premier League (IPL), also admitted that the Board was not initially excited by the idea of Twenty20. “We did not want to take the Twenty20 plunge because we did not have the format in our domestic
structure,” he said. With BCCI not patronising the format, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian squad left for South Africa having played just one Twenty20 international. But the inexperience did not stop them from pulling off four wins in a row to lift the trophy.
— PTI
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The scoop will haunt Misbah for long
New Delhi, September 25 Should hard-hitting Misbah, Pakistan's most successful batsman in the championship, have scooped the gentle medium pacer from Joginder Sharma into the hands of Sreesanth at short fine leg or should he have played a more conventional shot with four balls to go and six runs to make? Cricket pundits remain divided but most were of the view that Misbah, who was in command having scored 43 runs, should have played a proper cricketing shot. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan felt that Misbah should have played a more orthodox shot at that stage as a lot depended on him. "Instead of trying to scoop the ball he should have attempted an orthodox shot and minimised the risk," said Imran, who led Pakistan to a World Cup title victory in 1992. Imran also could not understand Pakistan team management's decision to send the in-form Misbah at the number six slot. "It is hard to understand why he was sent down the order. He is the in-form batsman and he has had a very good tournament. He should have come up the order and played more overs," he said. Spin great Erapalli Prasanna also did not favour such a shot which proved costly to Pakistan. "It is not easy to hit Joginder as he does not have much pace. Misbah should have hit the ball over the bowler's head instead of trying the scoop shot," Prasanna said. "Even if he had tried the hook shot, he should have tried it at the square leg region and jabbed the ball on to the ground so that there was no risk at all," he said. Former Test cricketer Abbas Ali Baig said it was no doubt a risky shot but if it had gone for a six he would have become a super hero. "It was a shot fraught with danger. I think he should have restrained himself as he still had four balls left to make six runs. He took a chance too early. "But I think he wanted to protect the number 11 batsman. Frankly speaking, he should have played a stroke at the mid-on or mid-off region and taken a couple of runs," said Baig. Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik described the debate over the shot as "just one of those things". Misbah had just hit Joginder Sharma for a towering six when 12 were needed off the last over. He then played a cheeky scoop which resulted in his dismissal and India's triumph, he pointed out. After it was all over the skipper discussed the shot with Misbah. "Misbah said he was intending to play down the ground and wound up towards that effect, but somehow ended up playing that paddle at the last minute. It's just one of those things," he said. Coach Geoff Lawson, however, defended the batsman, whose unorthodox shot sealed the fate for the team. "He's
played it well in this tournament and with a little more bat on it, it
would have gone for four. I could see him playing it because fine leg
was up, a yorker was coming so the shot was pretty much on the
cards," he said. — PTI
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Fans vent ire on Younis, Afridi
Karachi, September 25 In yet another incident that revealed that people here can be very unforgiving when it comes to conceding defeat against India, the incident occurred at the stadium where the Asian Football Confederation tournament is being played in Lahore these days. Here in Karachi also, mobs in some places gathered to raise slogans against the Pakistani players particularly Afridi and Younis. "What the hell! This is the second time we lost a match to India in the World Cup. Such a big match and such careless play from senior players like Younis and Afridi. It is so disappointing to lose like this to India," Kamil Butt said as his friends engaged in animated discussion on the final at a fast food restaurant. Given the level of interest in the final, five-star hotels, fast food chains and small restaurants on Monday had all set up television screens and arranged special Iftaar menus to attract crowds as the people also broke fast during the match itself. "We were so happy at half time because we restricted the Indians to just 157. On such a wicket we were sure Pakistan would finally beat India in a World Cup match," complained Shakir, a student. Qayyum Ahmed, a paan shop owner, said he was sad that Pakistan had lost the final but felt the team fought hard. "The team fought hard but I am very angry with Afridi. He should have played more sensibly. If he had scored 5-10 runs we would have won the final." However, the Pakistan team members can still expect some cash awards for reaching the final by the Pakistan Cricket Board. A board official said at least the team had played in the final. Begum Mehtab Bano, a housewife and avid cricket fan, said she was disappointed at the loss to India. "Lose against any team, but not to India. Since morning I and couple of other neighbours had made 'Mannats' and distributed sacrificial meat among the poor to wish good luck to the team. But all went in vain." The Pakistan team lands in Karachi tomorrow.
— PTI
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New Delhi, September 25 The captain of the 1983 World Cup winning team said, “I don’t have to say anything. Our feelings were very much there. This is the greatest moment that has happened in the past so many years.” Speaking to UNI by phone, Kapil heaped praises on Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his leadership qualities. “Excellent. Victory is always very good, but I can only say he is going to have a tough time ahead. So he should enjoy himself (for now). On who he thinks the credit of this historic win goes to, Kapil said, “This is a team effort. When you win the World Cup, you don’t need any other proof. This is ‘the team’.” “History has been made and let people talk about it. They should look ahead to what they have to do.” On being asked what effect this victory will have on the game in the country, the ‘Haryana Hurricane’ said, “I think it is very very important, because last year was very bad for Indian cricket.” “This victory and performance was very much needed by India and I think by Pakistan too.” “Both teams were out of the (ODI) World Cup and both emerged with a young team, so confident and playing positive cricket,” Kapil said. However, Kapil was not happy with the selectors for making captaincy a temporary job. “When the selectors said he (Dhoni) will be the captain only for 12 matches or one series, it was wrong. They should make a captain and not announce the period of time (of his captaincy).” Speaking about Team India’s vice-captain Yuvraj Singh’s contribution in the Twenty20 World Cup, Kapil was full of praise. “He played fantastic cricket. An absolutely delightful strokeplayer we have got,” he said. “The team is more important than individuals. They all played like a team, that is what is important and they played very well,” he added. When asked whether he will welcome the Twenty20 World Champions on there way back home, he said, “From here, from my heart, yes... Physically, I don’t know. But yes, my wishes will be with them. My body may not be there but other than that, I am with them.”
— UNI
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‘Nazir’s run out turning point’
Johannesburg, September 25 Pakistan have never won a World Cup match against India but Malik insisted the summit clash did not put his team under pressure. Chasing 158 for win, he said, Pakistan were well on course before Nazir's run out laid them low. "Imran Nazir has been our in-form batsman in this tournament and he was batting very well today. Then, he started to struggle with his groin. "We lost early wickets, but his run out was the turning point. Had he not been run out, we would have won easily," rued Malik after his side lost by five runs on Monday. Malik paid tribute to Indian bowlers, especially left-arm pacer RP Singh. "The difference was RP Singh, though all of them bowled very well," he added. "The way he bowled up front, and in the 19th over, was tremendous. I didn't get to face him this time, but from what I have seen of him here, he is a vastly different bowler to the one I played against last year. He is quicker and his line and length were just outstanding." Asked whether he was more happy to see Pakistan reach the finals of a World Cup or disappointed to lose it to India, Malik said, "Of course getting to the final. When we came here, we weren't given too much of a chance. To reach the final was a great effort. "We were unbeaten till today, if you take into account the fact that we lost to India in a bowl-out only. Today, it wasn't as necessarily as if the team that was better won the match. Luck also played its part. But all credit to India for the way they approached the game, and for their work in the field. Congratulations to them."
— PTI
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Cairns undecided on joining ICL
New Delhi, September 25 “ICL, what’s that?” Cairns joked when asked about his reported desire to be a part of the league. “Well, on a more serious note, there have been some queries from them but let me tell you I have not spoken directly to anyone. I have my agents in New Zealand who take care of all this.” “I know what’s happening on that front but I am far from signing up with them. I am enjoying my time away from the game and I have no plans to come out of retirement as of now. There has to be an irresistible offer for me to come back to the game.” “If a good offer comes, I will consider it but I will have to start training and lose some weight before taking the plunge,” he quipped. On the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League, which also has the support of the ICC, Cairns said he was unsure about what would be the outcome of the tussle between the two Twenty20 series. “I have been reading about this war of words between the ICL and the BCCI. Obviously the BCCI came out with the IPL after that and its an ongoing battle between the two sides. I guess we will have to wait and watch,” he said at the launch of the Lotte Super Skills cricket series here. The 37-year-old was excited about the shortest format of the game and felt the administrators will have to work overtime to prevent one-day cricket from falling out of popularity. “Twenty20 is great and I think it would put tremendous pressure on one-day cricket. Authorities will have to keep a lid on the number of Twenty20 games because it has caught the imagination of the general public,” he explained. The lanky Kiwi, one of the most successful all-rounders of all time, felt there was a dearth of his breed right now. “There is no one you can call the world’s best all-rounder right now. Andrew Flintoff is struggling with injuries and so is Jacques Kallis. Our very own Jacob Oram has not been that consistent. So if I had to choose from the current lot, I would say Shaun Pollock but then we don’t know how long he would play,” he said. “One reason why there are not many world class
all-rounders is the extreme physical burden it puts on body.” “Its a very demanding job and the body cannot take it all the time. But having a good all-rounder is a must because it gives a balance to the team,” he added.
— PTI
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Mexico City, September 25 Placed at a full point lead with only four more rounds to go in the championships, Anand eschewed all risks and agreed to the Russian grandmaster’s proposal for a draw after a fierce battle lasting 41 moves. The contest between Kramnik and championship leader Anand was the key struggle of the 10th round of the world event. Kramnik, desperately wanted to win this game because after his ninth round loss to Morozevich he has nothing more to lose. Anand, on the other hand, needed a draw to keep his lead intact. Kramnik came prepared to face Anand’s sharp and aggressive opening lines and moved his pieces accordingly. However, he was not able to take any advantage of the white pieces. Anand didn’t want to risk his situation in such a good tournament, so when a draw was proposed by Kramnik, Anand happily accepted. Anand said, “It was a very exciting game. Both of us went for the mainline which is very risky but then both of us have done a lot of work. I think a draw was a reasonable result here.” On the another tables, Russian Peter Svidler and his compatriot Alexander Morozevich drew their game, while Israeli Boris Gelfand also drew his game with Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko.
— UNI
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Tie vs South Africa A
Ahmedabad, September 25 It has been raining for the last four days due to a low pressure system formed over Gujarat, Meterological Department sources here said. The downpour and cloudy atmosphere has left the out-field at Motera completely soggy. Stadium curator Dhiraj Parsana said, “The entire outfield is soggy and we have employed about 30 labourers to soak water with sponges from some of the very wet spots on the field.” “The super-sopper is also being used to dry the out-field,” Parsana said, adding that the work of drying the playing arena has been going on for the past four days. “However, the entire square in the middle including the pitch is absolutely dry,” he said. “We are trying our best to ensure that the match starts on time tomorrow,” the curator remarked. Though both teams arrived a couple of days ago, intermittent rains at night have not allowed the teams any net-practice. “If it does not rain for the rest of the day today and later at night, then chances are bright that play will start on time in the morning,” Parsana said. “The sky had been overcast yesterday and the same is the case today,” he added. India A, led by Mohammed Kaif, has already won the two-match test series 1-0. The other two matches of the one-day series between the two teams are at Vadodara (September 28) and Rajkot (September 30). Teams: India A: Mohammed Kaif (capt), Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwari, S Badrinath, S Anirrudh, Yo Mahesh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Arjun Yadav, Amit Mishra, Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhishek Nayar. South Africa A: Yusuf Abdullah (capt), Morne Van Wyk, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Thaime Tsolekile, R Peterson, Alviro Peterson, Werner Coetzee, Friedel De Wet, Boeta Dippenaar, Charl Langeveldt, Justin Ontong, Johan Van Der Wath.
— PTI
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U-19 Vinoo Mankad meet
Srinagar, September 25 Punjab scored 203 runs for the loss of all wickets in 47.4 overs. Top scorer Barat Malhotra scored 46 runs off 80 balls and Amarpreet Singh made 31. For Haryana Nitish Saini took three wickets, Yujvinder Singh took two for 28 runs, while Mohit, Ashish and Jayant took one wicket each. Haryana openers batted well and put 42 runs in eight overs on board. They were, however, restricted to were 198 for nine in the 50 allotted overs. Nukul Dager scored 73 runs. Rushel Basket and Nitin Saini made 31 and 27 runs, respectively. For Punjab Rajvinder Himanshu and Lakshya took two wickets each, while Amerpreet and Sidharth took one wicket each. Sanjeev Sharma, chairman, junior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) was present. — UNI
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Karthikeyan hopeful of driving for Mallya’s Spyker
New Delhi, September 25 We also had some good testing sessions in Silverstone, England, where we were the quickest of the 22 participating nations. But I am also in talks with other F1 teams, including Spyker," Karthikeyan told reporters here today. Karthikeyan made his F1 debut with Jordan in the 2005-06 season but did not last too long and has since been waiting in the wings, currently working as a test driver for Williams. "Nothing is concrete about my talks with F1 teams but I am sure it would take some shape in the coming days. But I am committed with our A1 team till December and if the dates clash later I have to leave them and go for my F1 duties with Williams," said Karthikeyan. He also added that Mallya buying into the Spyker team would be a big boost for motorsports in the country and opening doors for Indian rivers in elite F1 racing. "An Indian owning an F1 team is a big thing. It will open up a huge window of opportunities for Indian drivers to race in F1. I hope I will also get a chance to drive for Spyker very soon," said Karthikeyan. The only India to take part in F1, the Chennai-based driver made his A1 debut only last year. "Last year I made my debut in New Zealand and straightaway we were competitive. This year we have made significant changes in the car and the team has also been restructured with more finance," he said. Kathikeyan ended on a more optimistic note by saying that A1 Team India would have a realistic chance of winning in the coming season but consistency will be the key.
— IANS
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Mayank reigns supreme
Amritsar, September 25 A first-year student of MBA from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Mayank is ranked eighth in the all-India rankings. He had earlier got the third position in the all-India ranking tournament held in Dehra Dun. She is now aiming for the North Zone Championship to be held in New Delhi from September 28 to 30. Mayank has had training from the likes of Prakash Padukone, Madhumita Bisht and Rajiv Verma.
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11 selected for kabaddi meet
Hoshiarpur, September 25 According to Navjot Singh, secretary of the Punjab unit of the club, Fateh Singh and Jaskarn Singh of Moga, Eakam Singh and Gurpreet Singh of Jagraon, Makhan Singh, Nihal Singh Wala, Jagdev Singh, Kuldip Singh, all of Badani Khurd, Gurjit Singh of Ferozepur, Harwinder Singh of Jagraon and Gurdip Singh of Ludhiana have been selected.
— OC |
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IET Bhaddal bag trophy
Rupnagar, September 25 The institute students who performed outstandingly were Poonam (information technology, third year), Shikha Sharma (computer science and engineering, first year), Subha Prashar (information technology, third year), Shewta (electronics and communication engineering, second year). |
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Jammu Sector win title
New Delhi, September 25 Shakti Singh and Raghubir Singh were adjudged the best shooters in endurance and shooting, respectively.
— OSR |
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Having made hist- ory by winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup after a dream final against arch rivals
Pakista- n, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attributed the victory to the team work and the desire to do well.
New Delhi, September 25
