The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	BCCI confirms Sachin’s refusal New Delhi, November 6 The BCCI today confirmed that Sachin Tendulkar has refused to lead the Test team claiming that master blaster wants ''younger person as the captain looking at the future of the team.'' Sachin Tendulkar's sudden refusal to accept captaincy of the Tests team has led to wild speculations. Taken a back by batting mastero's decision, the BCCI asserted that Sachin has not written any letter or expressed any dissenting view. ''We wish to clarify that Sachin has not written any letter nor has he expressed anguish about any thing as is being projected in the media.'' Tendulkar was set to be named the captain of the Test side by the national selection committee at Mohali on November 8 but before anything could have been finalised he dropped a bombshell. The BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah in a statement said that Sachin has convyed to Board chief Sharad Pawar that he was not in a position to accept the captaincy of the Indian Team for the Tests. ''Sachin was of the view that presently the Indian team was doing extremely well and the Board must think of appointing a younger person as the captain looking at the future,'' Shah claimed. — UNI
	Test Dhoni more in ODIs, says Shastri Gopal Sharma Tribune News Service Mohali, November 6 Ravi Shastri, chairman, National Cricket Academy, Bangalore, was candid in his views on the elevation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a Test captain.“Let Dhoni undergo the grind as a skipper in ODIs playing against tougher teams before he is considered as a Test skipper. Though he has been doing a fantastic job, let him gain more experience at the Test level. Even as a Test player, let him be more experienced before he is saddled with added responsibility,” Shastri said here today. Shastri and Dav Whatmore, director, operations, NCA, were at the PCA Stadium here to meet senior PCA functionaries with an idea to set up a cricket academy. Shastri said the swashbuckling Dhoni, under whom India won the Twenty20 World Championship, should be given at least one more year before he is thought of as a Test skipper. The Jharkhand wicketkeper-batsman has already distinguished himself as an inspirational leader in Twenty20 as well as one-dayers in a short span of time. Role of NCA If Shastri at the helm as the NCA chairman has his way, then an issue like players’ burnout and hectic scheduling of international calendar could be rendered meaningless. If things go as planned, the NCA being run under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India since 2000, is contemplating establishing a bench strength of 20 to 25 cricketers competent enough to step into the Indian team at any given time and play for the country. Elaborating on the role of the NCA in the betterment of cricket in the country, the former India left-arm spinner and later an opening batsman said the aim was to have a pool of players big enough to enable the rotation policy to work. “There is no question of burnout if players get a break in between the matches and others take their place in the team,” Shastri explained. MP Pandove, PCA honorary secretary, remarked that the idea was to make the NCA a nodal agency and a centre of research and development. It would coordinate with the state cricket academies. “Our endeavour will be to see that the ideas and the experience of the NCA, Bangalore, percolate down to the state academies,” Pandove said. Quizzed as to what he had in his mind vis-a-vis the NCA, Whatmore said, “My aim will be to oversee the development of players who are competitive and able to stand the rigours of international cricket. Whatmore, former Australia player and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh coach, said besides batting, bowling and fielding, there were so many areas which needed attention if any team expected to do well at the highest level. His focus of attention will be these areas. Team coach “Are we not winning?” the former Mumbai player and now a commentator, asked in jest when quizzed about the delay in the appointment of a full-fledged coach for the Indian team. “There is no point in rushing things. The process of selection of a suitable candidate as a coach will be completed soon,” he said. Hailing the fast and bouncy wickets at the Mohali stadium, Shastri said the India squad could train here before embarking on tours of Australia and South Africa, where pitched aided fast bowlers. About Big Three Shastri did not mince words vis-a-vis the ongoing debate on the presence of the trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly in Indian team. When someone asked about the comeback by Dravid on the plea that the former Indian skipper had scored a century in a Ranji Trophy match yesterday, Shastri retorted, “He has scored a double century.” “Invest in youth if the aim is to build a team for the future. The trio have done a fabulous job for the country for a long, long time. Their contribution to Indian cricket has been immense. They should be allowed at least a two-year run each at the Test level before they bid goodbye to international cricket.”
	Dravid slams double ton Mumbai, November 6 Rahul Dravid reminded the national selectors of his value as the middle-order anchor with a double century which ensured Karnataka an honourable draw against holders Mumbai in their Elite Division Group A Ranji Trophy match here today. The former India skipper, dropped for the first two ODIs against Pakistan in the ongoing rubber, was determination personified when he scored 214 during a stay of 437 minutes in Karnataka’s second-innings tally of 397 for six declared to set Mumbai a target of 256 for an outright victory. Dravid, who carted his first-innings nemesis Ramesh Powar for four sixes in his 330-ball knock, finally fell trying to hit young left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla for a second six over long-on and was caught just inside the boundary by Ajinkya Rahane. Mumbai, set to bat for 32 overs, made 70 for two wickets in 17 overs when play was called off by mutual consent. The hosts picked up three points for taking the first innings lead of 142, having replied with 337 to Karnataka’s modest opening essay tally of 195, while the latter got one point. Pankaj completes 10-wkt haul New Delhi: Delhi are just three wickets shy of a win with one day to go, while a ragged Rajasthan were left to derive consolation from pace spearhead Pankaj Singh’s second five-wicket haul of the match on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group A tie here today. Having gained a 34-run first-innings lead over the visitors, Delhi piled up 387 runs in their second essay to set an intimidating 422-run target for the visitors. Chasing the stiff target, Rajasthan crawled to 188 for seven wickets. Robin Bist (50, 105b) and Shailender Gehlot (10) would resume the innings tomorrow even though the writing seems clear on the wall. Earlier this morning, Delhi resumed on their overnight score of 317 for four but folded up after adding 70 runs. Captain Mithun Manhas (100, 161b, 12x4) became the second centurion in the match after Virat Kohli, who had struck 106 yesterday, even though the other overnight batsman, Rajat Bhatia (83, 128b, 14x4), fell 17 short of the mark. Pankaj Singh, who grabbed five for 43 in the first innings, did a repeat show today and his second-innings figures read 15-3-43-5. — PTI
	Durand Cup Final Mahindra face Churchill today New Delhi, November 6 Mahindra United coach Derrick Pereira would be the first person to admit that his team has not set the stands alight in their journey to the final of the 120th edition of Osian's Durand Cup. With only one goal in three matches, that too a penalty conversion, to beat BSF in the last 16, the Mumbai outfit has had to rely on their prowess in tie-breakers to make it to the title round where they face in-form Churchill Brothers at the Ambedkar Stadium tomorrow. Mahindra will also have a big hole when they line up for the title decider as India international N P Pradeep is out with a hamstring injury while Gautam Debnath has not recovered from a blow to the head sustained against Sporting Clube-de-Goa in the quarters. "Losing Pradeep is a big setback for us as he is the main main player for us in defence," Pereira told PTI. Sunil Kumar and Dharmaraj Ravanan will man the back-line and would be in charge of the unenviable task of curbing the threat of Salgaocar's Nigerian striker Odafe Onyeka Okolie, who has 10 goals in three matches so far. There is an uncanny similarity between Mahindra's Durand campaign and their run to the final of the Federation Cup in September in Ludhiana, where they came up short against East Bengal. With players such as Steven Dias, Krishnan Ajayan, Manjit Singh and custodians Sandip Nandy and Subhashish Roychowdhury, the coach has a lot of talent at his disposal to land a third Durand title for the club. Mahindra is yet to concede a goal but its display in the tournament so far would have left football aficionados, other than die-hard fans of the team, bitterly disappointed and Pereira would want his team to put up a memorable performance on the morrow. In contrast, Churchill seems to be firing on all cylinders. They brushed aside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Central Railways but were severely tested by Air India in the semi-final where they had to come back from a deficit twice to prevail 3-2 with Okolie supplying the winner. The Nigerian's burst of speed has been too much to handle for the opposing defences so far. — PTI
	Vatekar scores back-to-back tons Ashok Sethi Amritsar, November 6 The hosts earned three points in view of their first innings 38-run lead after declaring their first inning at 372 for nine at stumps last evening. Andhra batsman made merry feasting on innocuous bowling by Punjab on the final day of the Ranji tie here at the Gandhi Ground here. At the close today Andhra were 287 without any lose as Hemal Vatekar, the first inning centurion, added another ton in the second innings. He retired hurt at 100 when he was hit by a sharp rising delivery of Manpreet. He suffered a hairline fracture on the nose and was sent for x-ray. Hitting a brilliant knock of hundred with 10 fours and one six he vindicated the decision of the experienced former Test cricketer cum coach S Abid Ali and responded with excellent strokes all round the wicket. He was joined by Parshad Reddy who scored 114 not out and Satya Verma give him a stand and also remained unbeaten on 58. The Punjab bowlers gave them a good batting practice and the small motley of crowd witnessed some stroke play by Andhra batsman. The visitors were themselves to blame to concede first inning lead due to some inept catching as they dropped more than half a dozen chances and allowed the Punjab to forge ahead in the four day game. The Amritsar Game Association honored Pankaj Dharmani for emerging as highest run getter from Punjab. Punjab would now meet Hyderabad at Mohali on November 15 Scoreboard Andhra (1st innings): 334 Punjab (1st innings for 9 in 162 overs): 372 Andhra (2nd innings): Hemal Vatekar retd hurt 100; Parshad Reddy not out 114; Satya Verma not out 58 Extras: 15. Total (without loss in 85 overs): 287 Bowling: Manpreet Gony: 13-2-38-0; Amanpreet Singh: 13-1-53-0; Ankur Kakkar 24-0-79-0; Karan Goel 8-2-33-0; Sarabjit Ladda 27-0-75-0.
	Haryana lose by 26 runs Margao, November 6 Medium pacer Robin D’Souza (4-59) and left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati’s (4-94) enabled Goa to record a 26-run victory over Haryana on the last day of the four-day Ranji Plate B cricket match at MCC Ground here on Tuesday. Haryana, chasing the target of 241, fell to the pace-spin combination, giving away wickets at regular intervals. They were all out for 220 in 88 overs. Goa gained five points from this win. Haryana resumed at their overnight score of 6 for 1. Mithun Birala and Gaurav Vashita played cautiously and put on a 85-run partnership for the second wicket. Later, Sachin Rana and captain Joginder Sharma steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Joginder was bowled by Robin D’Souza for 16. Sachin Rana (67) hit a gritty knock, laced with seven fours and two sixes, but it went in vain. Scoreboard: Goa (1st innings): 271 Haryana (1st innings): 246 Goa (2nd innings): 221 Haryana (2nd innings): Vishal Sahani c Asnodkar b Jakati 0, Mithun Birala st Ratra b Jakati 37, Gaurav Vashita c Ratra b Ryan D’Souza 47, Summit Sharma lbw Robin D’Souza 13, Sunil Vishwanathan lbw Robin D’Souza 11, Sachin Rana c Gadekar b Jakati 67, Joginder Sharma b Robin D’Souza 16, Sandeep Singh b Robin D’Souza 0, Amit Sharma b Jakati 19, Sanjay Bhudawar not out 2, Priyak Huda lbw Harshad Gadekar 0, Extras: (b-1, lb-3, nb-1, w-3) 8, Total (all out, 88 overs) 220, Fall of wickets: 1/0, 2/85, 3/87, 4/111, 5/112, 6/162, 7/162, 8/217, 9/219, Bowling: Shadab Jakati 40-13-94-4, Harshad Gadekar 16-3-34-1, Ryan D’Souza 9-2-13-1, Robin D’Souza 19-4-59-4, Aditya Angle 4-0-16-0. Saurashtra get 3 points Dharamsala: Saurashtra gained three points by virtue of their 110-run first-innings lead over hosts Himachal as their four day Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match ended in a tame draw here on Tuesday. Scoreboard: Saurashtra (1st innings): 291 Himachal (1st innings): 181 Saurashtra (2nd innings): 273 Himachal (2nd innings): Manish Gupta c Bambhaniya b Makvana 104, Sandeep Sharma c Mehta b Jobanputra 7, Sangram Singh c Jogiyani b Makvana 19, A Mannu c Bambhaniya b Makvana 57, P Dogra not out 15, M Bisla not out 2, Extras (b-6, lb-1, w-7, nb-2) 16, Total (4 wickets, 64 overs) 220, Fall of wickets: 1/19, 2/74, 3/194, 4/200, Bowling: S Jobanputra 11-1-45-1, S Maniar 10-2-33-0, K Makvana 22-5-81-3, R Dhurv 13-5-30-0, C Pujara 3-0-16-0, S Kotak 5-3-8-0. — Agencies
	Punjab Police lose in semis Gangtok, November 6 It will be an all-Nepal final tomorrow with both NRT and Three Star beating their respective opponents in the semis of the 29th All-India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament at the Paljor stadium here today. Three Star beat three-time champions Punjab Police 2-0. Jumanu Rai scored the goals in the 27th and 53rd minutes, making it four in the tournament for him. The first goal came out a sweeping cross from the left flank and Rai chested the ball, brushed past a defender and hammered a rasping shot that crashed into the corner of the net. In the 53rd minute, Rai ran past several defenders to control a long ball which he stepped over sending the Punjab goalie sprawling in the wrong direction. He then just tapped the ball into the empty goal. In the other semifinal, NRT defeated the high-flying Nigerian Eagles 2-1 in an ill-tempered match marred by refereeing controversies. Anil Gurung gave NRT the lead in the 47th minute. This was his third goal of the tournament. Ten minutes later, Egwane Charles equalised for the Nigerian side during a goalmouth melee. The winning goal for NRT was struck by Khum Gurung in the 65th minute but it led to a protest from the Nigerian team, who claimed that Gurung was in an offside position. The Nigerian players walked out of the field and the game resumed after heated discussion. The game witnessed foul play in the dying minutes, with two Nigerian players being shown yellow cards by the referee. — UNI
	Jammu & Kashmir bowled out for 132 Srinagar, November 6 Delhi bowled out hosts Jammu and Kashmir for a paltry 132 in the first innings of their three-day match of the Polly Umrigar under-15 cricket tournament here today. Jammu and Kashmir won the toss and decided to bat first on a flat pitch at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium here. Delhi off-spinner Manoj Chauhan bowled an excellent spell to claim five wickets, while Vikas Mishra took three scalps. The hosts lost their first wicket at the score of 25. The home team collapsed after the fall of third wicket with 90 runs on the board. Sidhanth Sharma was the highest scorer with 32 runs. In reply, the visitors reached 86 for the loss of one wicket at close of play. Prashant Banda (41 n.o.) and Nippon (11 n.o.) were at the crease when stumps were drawn. For the hosts, skipper Aamir claimed the lone Delhi wicket that fell today. — UNI
	YPS Patiala win by 102 runs Sonepat, November 6 RKC (Rajkot), DPS, Mathura Road, New Delhi, YPS (Patiala), and Modern Public School, New Delhi, registered wins on the second day today of the six-day All-India Public School Cricket Championship being played at MNSS, Rai, Swaranprasth Public School and Oppolo International Public School in the district. In the 25-overs-a-side matches, YPS beat Maan Public School by 102 runs, Modern Public School crushed PPS, Dharampur, by 80 runs, DPS secured a seven-wicket win over Daily College, Indore, and RKC beat hosts MNSS by 43 runs. YPS’s Amandeep hit a sparking century and was adjudged the man of the match. — OC
	Jalandhar eves emerge champions Our Correspondent Amritsar, November 6 Jalandhar emerged the overall champions with 27 points in the Punjab State Games for Women which concluded at the Guru Nanak Stadium here today. Ropar stood second and Amritsar finished third with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Raj Mohinder Singh Majitha, MP, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes to the winners. He also announced Rs 1 lakh to the state sports department for the purchase of sports goods. In hockey, Kapurthala beat hosts Amritsar 2-1 in the final. The third place went to Jalandhar, who defeated Tarn Taran 3-0. In basketball, Jalandhar defeated Amritsar 40-17 to win the gold. The third place went to Kapurthala, who defeated Gurdaspur. A number of current and former international players were honoured on the occasion, such as Nirmal Singh, Baldev Singh, Narinder Singh (athletics), Kewal Krishan, Rajinder Prasad (gymnastics), Col Harcharan Singh, Balbir Singh Randhawa, Surinder Singh, Amandeep Kaur, Ajinder Pal Singh Malhi, Ajit Pal Singh, Nirmal Singh Nimma, Maninder Singh, Nirmal Kumari (hockey), Rabneet Singh, Charanjit Singh (swimming), Hardip Singh (kabaddi), Satish Kumar (volleyball), Narinder Singh, Harjinder Singh (judo), Loverishi and Vikas Kumar (softball).