 |
|
|
Delhi off to winning start
Hussey explodes
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tendulkar to decide today
Dwyane Bravo
joins IPL
Army XI lift hockey title
Rowers reach, but where are the oars?
Bhullar tied 29th, other Indians disappoint
Charlesworth's work permit expires
|
|
Delhi off to winning start
New Delhi, April 19 Rajasthan Royals, opting to bat after winning the toss, were restricted to 129 for 8 in 20 overs with Glen McGrath spearheading Daredevils' demolition act. And Delhi Daredevils replied with 132 for 1 in 15.1 overs to record an impressive nine-wicket victory in their opening match of the IPL. Set to make 130 for victory with an asking rate of 6.50 runs, Delhi Daredevils' openers Gautam Gambhir and captain Virender Sehwag got off to a blistering start. Gambhir hit Munaf Patel to two consecutive fours in the last two balls of his opening over while Sehwag cracked Shane Watson to three successive boundaries off the first three balls of the second over of the innings. But Watson had the last laugh when he clean bowled Sehwag off the fourth ball. Daredevils put 21 runs on board in the first two overs, and Gambhir and Shikhar then made light of Sehwag's early exit to indulge in a batting pyrotechnique which yielded an unbeaten 112-run second wicket stand. Gambhir, who had displayed his deft scoring skills in the shortest version of cricket in India's World Cup triumph in South Africa last year with four half centuries, including a well-struck 75 against Pakistan in the final, proved that he was quite a master in pacing up the scoring rate in T20 cricket, with his selective assault of prodigal bowlers. He was particularly severe on Munaf Patel, carting him for seven boundaries and one six. In the end, Gambhir remained not out on 58 while Sikhar Dhawan made an unbeaten 52 off 41 balls with eight boundaries. The two Delhi batsmen made merry in carting the Royals bowlers, including skipper Shane Warne, to all corners of the flood-lit ground with their pulls, hooks, flicks, straight hits and glances. Delhi Daredevils were served well by their bowlers with Glenn McGrath setting the pace, literally, with a penetrative spell which had him figures of 4-1-21-1, with a wicket-maiden over to boot. In fact, his first three-over spell cost just 13 runs, with one wicket. Perhaps, Rajasthan could have done slightly better in adding a few more runs on a nice batting track had they not lost a couple of wickets to run outs. It was nevertheless pure entertainment for a near-packed stadium. Scoreboard Rajasthan Royals: Kohli c Manhas b McGrath 7 Y Pathan run out 10 Watson run out 21 Kaif c Geeves b Bhatia 9 Lehmann lbw b Maharoof 1 R Jadeja b Vettori 29 Rawat b Bhatia 2 Salunkhe not out 26 Warne b Maharoof 14 Trivedi not out 3 Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 3): 7 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs): 129 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-27, 3-41, 4-47, 5-57, 6-71, 7-93, 8-110 Bowling: G McGrath 4-1-21-1, B Geeves 4-0-41-0, M Maharoof 4-0-11-2, R Bhatia 4-0-17-2, D Vettori 4-0-35-1 Delhi Daredevils: Sehwag b Watson 12 Gambhir not out 58 Dhawan not out 52 Extras (w 10): 10 Total (1 wicket; 15.1 overs): 132 Fall of wickets: 1-20 Bowling: M Patel 3-0-25-0, S Watson 4-0-31-1, S Trivedi 3-0-32-0, S Warne 2.1-0-17-0, Y Pathan 2-0-16-0, D Salunkhe 1-0-11-0
|
Hussey explodes
Mohali, April 19 Electing to bat first after calling it correct, Chennai put an imposing 240-run total on the board. The target
proved a bit too steep for the hosts as they finished their chase at 207 for four in their 20 overs. In pursuit of a massive target of 241 for an unexpected victory, Punjab’s hopes were alive till the burly Australian allrounder James Hopes was at the crease. Hopes, who came in to open the innings along with Karan
Goel, played a blazing knock with authority. In fine nick right from the beginning, Hopes was severe on virtually every bowler and accumulated runs at will, while Goel was not found wanting either. The young Punjab opening batsman played a 24-run cameo as the local favourites were off to a good start. After the fall of Goel, Hopes found an able ally in Kumara Sangakkara and the two batted well to keep the scoreboard ticking. Hopes was more enterprising of the two and played some meaty strokes which just vanished near the boundary. When he was threatening to take the game away and batting on 71, indiscretion got the better of him. The all-rounder played an extravagant stroke and ended up lobbing the ball to Joginder Sharma who took a straight forward catch at long-off off Palani
Amarnath. Hopes’ belligerent knock was studded with 10 fours and three sixes of just 33 balls. Sangakkara batted with a lot of application and kept one end intact. The Sri Lanka wicketkeeper played some delectable strokes, but never really threatened to explode. He was undone by wily Muttiah Muralithran, who bowled a brilliant 18th over. He conceded just five runs in the over, besides snaring Sankgakkara, who scored 54. Seamers Jacob Oram and Manpreet Goni kept their cool in the ‘death overs’. Simon Katich and Irfan Pathan tried their best to score runs but could not manage more than singles and the occasional twos as Kings XI Punjab fell short of the target by 33 runs. Chennai’s innings was built around a superb 54-ball 116 not out by Hussey, who was in supreme touch. Clobbering the ball to every corner of the park, it was largely Hussey who put the issue beyond Kings XI. Hussey was involved in two crucial stands. First he added crucial 66 runs for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina, who notched up a 13-ball 32. Raina was in sublime touch, slamming three towering sixes and two fours. Then S Badrinath provided the late thrust to the innings along with Hussey. Badrinath added 31, hitting two sixes and three fours as the two ensured that the hosts would have to climb a mountain if they were to open their campaign on a winning note. It was the 73-run stand for the sixth wicket off 27 deliveries between Hussey and Badrinath that proved the most crucial in the final analysis. Hussey was adjudged Man of the Match. Scoreboard Chennai Super Kings Patel c Sangakkara b Lee 15 Hayden b Pathan 25 Hussey not out 116 Dhoni lbw b Hopes 2 Raina c Pathan b Mota 32 Oram b Pathan 13 Badrinath not out 31 Extras (lb-2, w-3, nb-1) 6 Total
(5 wkts; 20 overs) 240 Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-57, 3-62, 4-126, 5-167. Bowling: Lee 4-0-35-1, Sreesanth 3-0-35-0, Hopes 4-0-53-1, Pathan 4-0-47-2, Goel 2-0-25-0, Chawla 1-0-19-0, Mota 2-0-24-1. Kings XI Punjab Goel c Patel b Gony 24 Hopes c Sharma b Amarnath 71 Sangakkara c Sharma b Muralitharan 54 Yuvraj c Amarnath b Sharma 23 Katich not out 21 Pathan not out 3 Extras (b-2, lb-4, w-5) 11 Total (4
wkts; 20 overs) 207 Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-111, 3-153, 4-190. Bowling: Oram 4-0-37-0, Gony 4-0-42-1, Muralitharan 4-0-33-1, Amarnath 4-0-42-1, Sharma 4-0-47-1. |
|
|
IPL a challenge for me: Laxman
Kolkata, April 19 "I think the IPL is a great challenge for me and I'm looking forward to the tournament. Bottom line is irrespective of whatever game you've got, you've to maintain a healthy strike rate in this format, where only 120 balls make an innings," he said. "I'm looking forward to do well and adjust my game accordingly, and maintain a healthy strike rate as I have done whenever I've played in Tests or ODIs. So, I don't see any difference in this format," Laxman told newspersons on the eve of his side's tournament lung-opener opposite Kolkata Knight Riders. Laxman said it was 'amazing' to lead a side that had players like swashbuckling wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist and aggressive middle order bat Andrew Symonds. "During the last four or five days, we've had an excellent interaction. And the way they are putting in an extra effort to mingle with the younger players is just amazing," he said. The Hyderabadi did not think that Symonds' run-ins with the Indian crowd last year and the racial controversy involving him and Harbhajan Singh Down Under would have any impact on the IPL. "That's in the past. Let's not go into it. These are exciting times. Let's look at the exciting future ahead. "Everybody knows he is a match-winner. People would love to watch him for his excellent and exciting cricket," he said. Laxman said the Australian duo were frank in discussing strategy secrets of their national team in the dressing room. "That is bound to happen. We are all part of the same team now. In team meetings we do exchange views of opposition players and they also share their views about their colleagues in the Australian team". Laxman said his side's final XI would be decided tomorrow after Sri Lankans Chamara Silva and Chaminda Vaas arrived late in the evening. He did not agree that the Chargers' bowling was thin on experience. "We have got the balance of experience and youth. RP Singh has done very well over the last one year. And though he is returning from an injury, he is in good rhythm. Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa are also expereinced bowlers, while Sanjay Bangar and Scott Styrish are seasoned all-rounders", he added. Laxman also differed with a scribe who termed tomorrow's clash between the two formidable sides as the final of the tournament. "All the other teams are strong enough. And in this format, it boils down to which team plays well on a particular day." On playing against a side led by Sourav Ganguly, Laxman said, "Sourav has been an amazing captain and team player for the country. So, it's going to be exciting". — PTI
|
|
Mumbai, April 19 “We have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow. If I am ready I will play,” Tendulkar today said on the eve of the match. If he was unable to play then vice captain Harbhajan Singh would lead the team and would have his ears open for inputs from two other international captains in the team — Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock, the master batsman said. “Both I and Harbhajan, who would lead the team if I am unable to play, will be open to ideas. That’s the way it should be,” he said. Tendulkar said he had already had a talk with his teammates from overseas on the vociferous vocal support they can expect from the Mumbai crowd. “I have talked to them about the long tradition that Mumbai cricket enjoys when we had ‘tika’ ceremony the other day. I have told them that it will be an experience they should relish when the Mumbai crowd gets behind them. I told them to enjoy and not get overwhelmed by such support,” he said. Tendulkar was referring to his mentor Ramakant Achrekar applying ‘tilak’ to all the players with a mixture of Shivaji Park mud mixed with the ‘sindoor’ from the temples of Mahalaxmi and Siddivinayak and the holy water from Mount Mary Church in Bandra, near his residence. Keen contest
on cards
Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders will have to live up to their opening day's explosive performance against Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers when the two face off in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens tomorrow. Sourav Ganguly-led Knight Riders mauled Bangalore Royal Challengers by a massive 140 runs in the inaugural match yesterday and raised the bar for every team in the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament. Deccan Chargers, though, are one of the stronger outfits of the competition and they have packed their side with some top international players led by stylish V. V. S. Laxman. All in all, a high-octane clash is on the cards for cricket-crazy Kolkata. Riders' Brendon McCullum has not only given a dream beginning to cricket's newest avatar, but has also thrown a challenge to other big-hitters to showcase their batting prowess and satiate the ever-increasing appetite of the crowd. McCullum, after his electrifying 158 off just 73 balls that blew away Rahul Dravid's Challengers and shattered records, will himself be under pressure to repeat the feat. But Kolkata fans can expect fireworks from Deccan Chargers as well, as the Hyderabad team has some of the best strokemakers in the game — Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Scott Styris, Chamara Silva. It can't get more exciting if one if these players gets going. Then there is Rohit Sharma who has made a mark in international cricket riding on his good showing in the T20 World Cup. Above all there is Laxman, who can hold his own among all the power-hitters. The elegant batsman might be playing his first Twenty20 match and not many may remember when he last played in the one-dayers, but the Hyderabadi has always exhibited his magic with his supple wrists. The bowling attack of Chargers also looks impressive with veteran Chaminda Vaas, R. P. Singh and Nuwan Zoysa. For the Knight Riders, the main worry after their first match is that none of their other batsmen could get going - it was McCullum all the way. Ganguly however at his best as captain on the field, motivating and marshalling his forces, and the team looked close-knit. The Riders' bowling and fielding looked sharp. Young Ashok Dinda had impressed Ricky Ponting at the nets and he proved his worth in the match. Ishant Sharma bowled a good spell and Ganguly himself swung the ball prodigiously. King Khan will be there with his Bollywood buddies to cheer his Riders.
— IANS Today’s matches Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers 4 pm Mumbai Indians vs
Bangalore Royal Challengers 8 pm
|
|
Dwyane Bravo
joins IPL
Port-of-Spain, April 19 The 24-year-old will replace injured Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who is recovering from a knee injury which he picked during the CB Series in Australia. Mumbai Indians coach Lalchand Rajput confirmed the decision. ''Bravo was the unanimous choice of the few names discussed by the team think-tank,'' Rajput was qouted as saying by Cricinfo. ''The decision to pick Bravo was a collective decision,'' he added. ''We got a report that his recovery might take a further two to three weeks. So we decided to have a back-up.'' South African pace bowler Charl Langeveldt's name was also discussed, but Bravo was selected by virtue of being an all-rounder.
— UNI |
|
|
Estoril, April 19 A quarterfinal twice interrupted by the unpredictable conditions sent the players off court for 35 minutes in the first set and another 25 in the third game of the second. Federer, working to lift his first title of the season as he begins the pre-French Open clay campaign working with Spanish coach Jose Higueras, was able to come out after the second interruption to finish the job."Conditions were tough, you play in heavy conditions, the rain comes, you leave the court and come back and you change quite a bit," said the world number one, now 14-4 on the season. "There was a lot of wind as well. I didn't know my opponent at all, I'd never seen him play. That made it tricky. "He played well for set and a half. Thank God I came back from the second rain delay and had the right game plan. I had to play a really good match today to win." The top seed will now face Germany's Denis Gremelmayr, who beat Czech Jiri Vanek 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, for a place in the final. Nikolay Davydenko stretched his spring win streak to ten matches as he joined Federer in the last four. The Russian second seed, who won the prestigious Miami Masters title this month, fought past Frenchman Marc Gicquel 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on the heavy clay. Davydenko, who confessed that his mental strength is draining away after his run of form, will face Florent Serra of France, who beat Italy's Flavio Cipolla 6-1, 6-1. Davydenko said he was so exhausted after losing the second set that he almost did not want to go on. "I just told myself that I should try and see if I could fight," said the world number four. In the women's tournament, second-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko moved into the semis with a convincing win over Italian Tathiana Garbin 6-0, 6-1 while Czech Iveta Benesova defeated French eighth seed Camille Pin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Serena dominates Sharapova
Charlston (USA): Serena Williams continued her domination of Maria Sharapova with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 win in the quarter-finals of the $1.3 million WTA Family Circle Cup. Williams improved to 5-2 overall against the Russian who lost for just the second time in 26 matches in 2008. "In the third set I started to play the Serena game. I'm not new to this," said the fifth seeded American who has now won four straight against Sharapova. The 26-year-old former No. 1 is attempting to capture her third consecutive tournament at this clay court event, having won consecutive titles in Bangalore and Miami. "This is definitely a big win, but I still want to win the next round and win the tournament," said Williams, who is ranked ninth in the world. Facing Williams for the first time on clay, Sharapova was in control early and served for the first set at 5-4. Williams, however, reeled off the next three games - including two breaks - to steal the set. "I was lucky to hang in there during the first set," said Williams, who is 17-1 this season. "In the third set I finally started played the Serena game." Sharapova rebounded to even the match at one set apiece, but Williams dominated the decisive third set, opening up a commanding 5-0 lead en route to the win. Sharapova's record against Williams is just one of two losing marks against current players ranked within the top 10, the other being her 3-6 record against world No. 1 Justine Henin. Williams, who was a finalist here in 2003, now faces the winner of the quarter-final between Hungary's Agnes Szavay and Alize Cornet of France. Top seed and defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will face No. 9 Vera Zvonareva of Russia in yesterday's night match. Jankovic, who is seeking her first title of the season, rolled into her upcoming matchup with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Russian Anastasia Rodionova on Thursday. —
AFP |
|
Mumbai, April 19 BPCL, who impressed right through the first half in which they took the lead through a 13th minute strike by Amar Aiyamma, who guided in a goalmouth centre from the right sent in by Hari Prasad, had to take the back-seat in the latter half to their speedy rivals in the all-Bangalore title clash. Army XI first equalised in the 42nd minute through an indirect penalty corner goal by Renel Singh before Ekka capped his consistently good performance in the tournament with a superb goal three minutes from the end which fetched the soldiers their second Gold Cup crown in three years. Ekka, after a pacy run down from the inside right position, switched the ball to his name-sake Anil Kumar Ekka who relayed the ball back to the former whose first-time shot deflected over BPCL custodian Ajay Sarohas head into the goal. The winners, who thus regained the crown after one year, earned Rs 1.25 lakh while the runners-up got Rs 75,000. In the first half BPCL outran their rivals with superb cohesive moves in which Sabu Varkey, who had an outstanding match, combined very well with Amar Aiyamma, Jarnail Singh, Prabhdeep Singh and Bipin Fernandes. However, the petroleum men were simply not in the same frame of mind, probably after full back Sukhbir Singh Gill was taken to the hospital at half time when he collapsed on the sidelines, and allowed Army XI to claw their way back. In the hard-liners match, Air India beat Karnataka XI 7-4 via the tie-break, after they were locked 3-3 at the end of regular time to win the third spot and Rs 25,000. — PTI
|
|
Rowers reach, but where are the oars?
New Delhi, April 19 The eight-member squad arrived in Shanghai for the event but has not been able to practice at all for the last three days since the airlines in which they travelled has misplaced the oars. "The team left for Shanghai from Hyderabad on April 16 but has not been able to practice because the oars have gone missing. Thai Airways has misplaced it and till now they have no clue where it has gone," the President of the Indian Rowing Federation, K P Singh Deo told PTI. He said the team had prepared for the event for the last four years and it was extremely irresponsible on the part of the airlines to misplace their equipment. "The oars are very expensive and it is not easy to get suitable replacements in Shanghai at such a short notice. This has certainly affected our preparations for the crucial event," he said. Singh Deo said the Rowing Federation was making arrangements to send another set of oars through courier but that will also take some time before it reaches Shanghai. "All the rowers have their personal oars, so it will take some time to adjust," he said. The team, comprising four men and four women rowers, have just three more days to prepare with the qualifiers scheduled to begin from April 23. — PTI
|
|
Bhullar tied 29th, other Indians disappoint
Beijing, April 19 Bhullar could have been found himself higher in the ladder but for a wretched six-hole stretch that cost him five shots. Birdies on the second, 10th, 11th and 18th were the saving grace for the Indian whose three-day total reads one-over 217. After a scintillating second round of 69, veteran Gaurav Ghei (220) went three-over 75 today to slide down the leaderboard at tied 44th. His erratic round had three bogeys and a double bogey, as against just a couple of birdies. Worse was the case with Indian Masters winner SSP Chowrasia (223) who returned his worst card of the week so far, a poor 76, to slip to tied 60th. He has an ominous start, dropping two shots on his opening hole at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club. On his way back, he double-bogeyed the 14th as well, for the second consecutive day. In between, he bogeyed the fourth and eighth, which meant birdies on the third and 15th were of hardly any consolation. Ireland's Damien McGrane set himself up for his maiden career win with a third round of 68 that gave him the pole position at 11-under 208. Overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-vera (208) of France returned a level-par round to slip to the second spot, a place he shares with Englishman Oliver Wilson (70). — PTI
|
|
Charlesworth's work permit expires
Kazan (Russia), April 19 According to a source, Charlesworth's work permit has expired and unless it is renewed, the five-time Olympian may find it difficult to return to India after tournament. However, a Sports Ministry source in Delhi said Charlesworth's case has been forwarded to the Home Ministry for extension of his work permit. "His case has been sent to the foreigners cell of Home Ministry and it's not an issue. Such things happen, the work permits expire and are renewed. Since he has agreed to work, this will not be a problem," the source told PTI today. —
PTI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Video
