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It’s the end of an era: Srikkanth
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Sachin: Anil will always be an inspiration
Kotla Test ends in
draw
Taking 20 wickets a challenge: Ponting
Sunil
Gavaskar writes
Saina clinches World Junior title
Nanao bags gold at youth world meet
Vignesh puts it beyond Mumbai Champs
JCT hold Churchill
PPS Nabha emerge winners
Women get sporting in J&K
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It’s the end of an era: Srikkanth
New Delhi, November 2 Chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth summed up the reactions, saying he was an extraordinary cricketer and a role model not only for youngsters but also for future generations. "He must have decided (to retire) during the course of the day. He spoke to me during tea time and said that he has decided to call it quits. It's the end of an era," he said. Former India captain Kapil Dev described Kumble as a "true gentleman" and a "true fighter". "Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die attitude and is a true gentleman," Kapil said. "He never got involved in any controversy and whatever he did he did it to the best of his abilities," he said adding that he is "great ambassador of cricket," he added. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting lauded Kumble, saying that he was proud to have played against a celebrated opponent like him. "I would like to congratulate Anil for his long and successful career. He is a great competitor and every single player of my team, who has played against him, is proud of the cricketer," Ponting said. Legendary off-spinner EAS Prasanna described Kumble as one of the finest spinners that India produced. "He is a thorough gentleman, very strong minded, man of integrity and one not to be influenced by external forces," Prasanna told PTI. "I think he pre-poned his decision in view of his injury problem," the 68-year-old spinner said. Former Australian captain Allan Border said the Kumble's decision has come as a shock to him and described it as a sad day for Indian cricket. "He is a fantastic a cricketer and a human being who played his game in the right spirit throughout his career. It is a sad day for Indian cricket. It actually came as a shock to us. We will have to wait and watch, how India copes up without Kumble," he said. Echoing the sentiment, another ex-Aussie captain Ian Chappell said the void left by Kumble would be hard to fill. "It is very difficult for somebody to get into his shoes. He is a cricketer who never compromised his dignity and always played with determination," he said. Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri felt the timing of Kumble's retirement is just perfect but the champion bowler would be missed. "Kumble was a real, out-and-out professional. It is definitely a sad day for Indian cricket. You won't realise the impact of his retirement now but when you won't hear his name after some days, you will feel void," he said.
— PTI Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die attitude and is a true gentleman. He never got involved in any controversy and whatever he did he did it to the best of his abilities. — Kapil Dev He is a thorough gentleman, very strong minded, man of integrity and one not to be influenced by external forces. I think he pre-poned his decision in view of his injury problem. — EAS Prasanna I would like to congratulate Anil for his long and successful career. He is a great competitor and every single player of my team, who has played against him, is proud of the cricketer. — Ricky Ponting Kumble was a real professional. It is definitely a sad day for Indian cricket. You won't realise the impact of his retirement now but when you won't hear his name after some days, you will feel void. — Ravi Shastri He is a fantastic cricketer and a human being who played his game in the right spirit throughout his career. It is a sad day for Indian cricket. It actually came as a shock to us. — Allan Border |
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Sachin: Anil will always be an inspiration
New Delhi, November 2 Tendulkar recalled a match in Antigua when Kumble came into the match with his jaw in bandage and got Brian Lara out. “This is one match I can’t forget. He is one person who has a big heart.” Rahul Dravid described the leg-spinner as the country’s greatest cricketer. “He is an extraordinary man with extraordinary career. It’s been a privilege to play with him,” he said. “It was emotional for all of us but it’s a great time to celebrate the farewell of one of India’s greatest cricketers,” he added. Sourav Ganguly, who would be playing his last match in Nagpur also echoed similar sentiments. “Anil is probably topmost of all. In that way he will be missed. I do not think his boots will be easy to fill”. Talking about a few memorable moments, he shared with Kumble, Ganguly said, “His coming out to bowl today despite the injury, taking that catch yesterday with 11 stitches in his hand and the hundred he scored at The Oval, there are lots of them. He is very special,” he said.
— PTI |
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Dhoni to lead in Nagpur
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will captain India in the fourth and final Test against Australia in Nagpur later this week and is therefore expected to be confirmed as the skipper in the longer version of the game besides being the one-day captain, said chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth today
— PTI |
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Kotla Test ends in
draw
New Delhi, November 2 India, resuming their second innings at 43 for 2, after taking a 36-run first innings lead, lost an early wicket when Rahul Dravid played on Brett Lee, after adding just six runs to his overnight total of 5. Gautam Gambhir was given out lbw wrongly by umpire Dar as the opener was well away from a Mitchell Johnson delivery moving past the leg stump. Gambhir added 15 runs to his overnight total to make 36 (170m, 107b, 5x4) and his exit, with India at 93 for 4, looked perilous for the hosts. Though Sachin Tendulkar joined Laxman, the partnership worked only in fits and starts as both the players seemed not very keen to go for singles. Sachin looked so bored that he was flashing at rising balls and away going deliveries. Eventually, he edged Cameroon White into the hands of Mathew Hayden at first slip for 47 (160m, 120b, 4x4). The 52-run stand between Sachin and Laxman, however, ensured that the hosts could take the Test to a draw, if not a dramatic win. The advent of Sourav Ganguly, playing his penultimate Test before hanging up his bat, livened up the scoring rate as both Laxman and Sourav stealed quick singles and twos. Sourav, who cut Brett Lee to mid-wicket for his first four, then carted Clarke over the straight field for a six to keep the spectators humoured. Laxman, who hit Clarke to cover to reach his half century, was dropped by Hayden at slip off Lee, when he was on 57. But he made light of the reprieve, and when the Laxman-Sourav partnership was flourishing, after tea, the message was conveyed to them that closure may be applied. And Laxman walked off when only three balls had been bowled in the last over. Laxman’s 59 came off 169m, 130b with seven fours while Ganguly remained not out on 32 (82m, 53b, 3x4, 1x6). Laxman, who had scored an unbeaten 200 in the first innings, remained unconquered yet again to pip Gautam Gambhir for the man of the match award. Scoreboard India 1st innings: 613 for 7 dec Australia 1st innings: 577 India second innings: Gambhir lbw b Johnson 36 Sehwag b Lee 16 Ishant c Ponting b Clark 1 Dravid b Lee 11 Tendulkar c Hayden b White 47 Laxman not out 59 Ganguly not out 32 Extras (lb-4, wd-1, nb-1) 6 Total (5 wickets, 77.3 overs) 208 FoW: 1-29, 2-34, 3-53, 4-93, 5-145. Bowling: Lee 17-3-48-2, S Clark 12-6-22-1, M Clarke 20.3-7-56-0, S Katich 1-0-5-0, Johnson 12-0-23-1, White 8-0-23-1, Watson 7-0-27-0. Australia second innings: Hayden not out 16 Katich not out 14 Extras (lb 1) 1 Total (no loss, 8 overs) 31 Bowling: Kumble 4-0-14-0, Sehwag 2- 0-14-0, Mishra 2-0-2-0
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Taking 20 wickets a challenge: Ponting
New Delhi, November 2 Ponting was happy with the bowlers' performance in the second innings when Brett Lee and company managed to contain India's in-form batsmen but felt it was still not enough if the Aussies are to win the Nagpur Test to level the series. "It's certainly a challenge for us. In this match, we proved that our batting is up to the scratch and we have played very well here. Now the challenge is to take 20 wickets," Ponting said. The Australian skipper hinted off-spinner Jason Krejza might replace leg-spinner Cameron White, who looked pretty ordinary both in Mohali and here. "Guys in the sidelines would be looked in. In Nagpur, you have a brand new stadium and I don't expect the pitch not to be like the 2004 (grassy) pitch. We would definitely look at Jason there. He came very close to playing the Test here," Ponting said. Ponting feels though the pacers did a better job in the second innings, they still need to do better. "Their approach was definitely better in the second innings but I guess it was bit late by then. But still, it is really a good sign for us. Probably, they did things differently," he said. Ponting has been less than impressed by Lee's performance in the series so far and even ignored the pacer for the entire morning session on day four of the Mohali Test. According to Ponting, Lee finally has started showing signs of hitting form. "Lee was quite intense today and his pace was also a lot better. Overall, it was a pretty good game for us after losing the toss," Ponting said. Talking about the Nagpur Test, Ponting said key would be to adjust fast to the conditions there. "We understand that the pitch would be new to both us and India. We expect it to assist the pacer in the first couple of days before starting to spin. Hopefully, they would not win toss again and score 600-plus again," he quipped. Ponting said India were pretty defensive today and didn't push for a win. — PTI
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India-Australia Test series
Need to work hard at fielding India's lacklustre performance on the field on the fourth day gave Australia an outside chance of winning the game. If they could have taken a few wickets in the first hour then it could well have been an embarrassing situation for India, especially after having scored over 600 runs in the first innings. But thanks to some calm disciplined batting by Gambhir and Tendulkar, and then later on by VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, that was avoided. Laxman finished the match with 259 runs without being dismissed, and that is a huge boost for India as they go into the fourth and final Test at Nagpur. There had been a similar sort of situation for the Australians and they would have remembered that not too long ago when after England scored 551, the Aussies replied with over 500 runs themselves and then dismissed the Englishmen for 129, and the Aussies got it with a few overs remaining on the final day. England's mistake then was not to try and score runs but only to stay at the wicket. India had in Gambhir, Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly, batsmen who are natural stroke players and they continued to play their natural game albeit with a bit more care, and thus ensured that there were no alarms. The disappointment was Rahul Dravid for whom the situation was tailor made to play his normal patient game and get some runs under the belt just before the crucial last Test. He has shown an unusual rush to play shots and his usual balance at the crease has been missing, as he has shuffled around the crease in a hurried manner and seems unsure where his off stump is. After falling to Johnson in the first innings chasing a wide delivery he did something similar, playing away from the body against Lee, and dragged the ball onto his stumps. Nagpur is his in-laws home town and maybe he has kept his best for that venue, but the Indian think tank must seriously look at the possibility of dropping him down the order and promote the in-form Laxman at number three. This will allow Dravid to be a lot more relaxed, and after he gets the ball in the middle of the bat a few times he will be back as solid as ever. India though need to work very hard at their fielding. The drills that they go through are ancient to say the least, and in an era where there are simply no poor fielders in other international teams, the Indians could well have a team of them. Yes it does not help when there are some ageing players in the side, but look at the ageing players in other teams and you will find that they are still a lot more agile than what their age suggests. Australia will go into the final Test with their confidence restored after their fighting performance in spite of facing such a mountain of runs, and spending two days on the field. India will go in without their skipper Anil Kumble, who announced his retirement from the game and despite his lack of wickets in this series, he will be sorely missed. This is after all his team and hopefully he will be there in Nagpur with the team. Nagpur is where the Australians conquered the final frontier in 2004. Will they level the series and retain the trophy there this time? — PMG
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Saina clinches World Junior title
Pune, November 2 Top seed Saina got the better of her ninth seeded Japanese rival Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-18 in a lopsided match that lasted just 25 minutes. “It is a great feeling to win it this time. The last time in 2006, I had lost in the finals but I am happy that I clinched the title this time,” Saina, who reached the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics, told PTI after the match. “I never thought that I would play so well. The first game was easier but in the second game she was playing and smashing well but I was successful in catching her on the nets. I played my back hands well and so overall I am satisfied with my performance. It was an okay sort of a match. “However, I reckon my semifinals match against Chinese Shixian Wang as the toughest in the tournament,” she added. With the Commonwealth youth gold and the World Junior badminton title in her kitty, the world number 11 has now set her eyes on China and Hong Kong Open later this month. “I am next playing China Open and Hong Kong open this month and I am confident of doing well there as well,” the national champion said. National coach Pullela Gopichand said Saina played like a champion all through the tournament. “She played like a champion. It is good to see her wining convincingly through out the tournament. She has really done well, hats off to her,” Gopichand said.
— PTI |
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Giants win a thriller
Chandigarh, November 2 Set a 145-run target by Delhi Giants, Heroes staged a superb rally by lower-order batsmen. No 8 batsman Anirudh Singh dealt some telling blows towards the end, while all rounder Chris Harris also supported him well. But the valiant efforts proved futile as the Heroes slipped at the doorstep of victory, losing the match by just one run. Second wicket stand for 65 runs between Ambatti Rayudu and Abdul Razzak earlier kept Heroes in the hunt until suicidal tendencies got the better of the batsmen. Batting nicely, indiscretion got the better of Rayudu. Well set on 29, he was first to be run out. Razzak fell at the same total falling to Abid Nabi after scoring 41. Justin Kemp, Nicky Boje and Stuart Binny then ran themselves out within short intervals as Heroes, from a position of strength, suddenly slipped to 113 for 6. It was at this stage that Anirudh and Harris took charge and took their team close to win. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh batsman Abbas Ali played a gem of an innings, notching up 39-ball 53. It was this innings which kept the Delhi Giants innings together. Wicketkeeper batsman Paul Nixon provided thrust to the innings contributing 18-ball 28 which enabled the team to a modest total. Nicky Boje, PIS Reddy and Harris were the successful bowlers claiming two wickets apiece. Ali was adjudged Man of the Match. Brief Scores: Delhi Giants: for 9 wickets in 20 overs 144 ( Abbas Ali 53, P Nixon 28, N Boje 2 for 25, P I S Reddy 2 for 24, C Harris 2 for 23) Hyderabad Heroes: for 6 wickets in 20 overs 143 (Abdul Razzak 41, A Rayudu 29, Stuart Binny 21, Shane Bond 1 for 22, Abid Nabi 1 for 33).
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Nanao bags gold at youth world meet
New Delhi, November 2 The Army boxer ended up being India's lone medallist in the event, where the team finished ninth overall with 15 points. Despite being tied on points with 10th-placed Uzbekistan, India finished ahead of the Central Asian country due to a sightly better points-per-boxer average of 2.1. Nanao, a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune last month and a silver medallist at last year's Commonwealth Championships, took a vital one-point lead against his more fancied opponent in the opening round which ended 4-3 in the Indian's favour. The 18-year-old then built on the advantage in the next two rounds, stretching the lead to 10-4 against the Russian Youth Champion, who could score just one point in the second and third rounds. Nanao went for an all-out assault in the final round, scoring five points against his opponent's one to round off his campaign with yet another dominating display. Cuba topped the medal tally with four gold, a silver and a bronze. The traditional boxing powerhouse finished the event with 40 points and a points-per-boxer average of 3.6. Russia was a distant second with 32 points after winning one gold, three silver and a couple of bronze medals. The Russians had a points-per-boxer average of 2.9. A total of 287 boxers from 58 countries in 11 weight categories competed in the championship. India had sent a seven-member team for the event, six of which bowed out by the quarter-final stage. — PTI
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Vignesh puts it beyond Mumbai Champs
Panchkula, October 2 Thanks to Vignesh, who was in supreme touch, Superstars put an imposing 205 for 7 in the allotted 20 overs. This total proved too tough a task for Mumbai, whose batting, barring skipper Nathan Astle, came a cropper. They finished at 130 for the loss of five wickets to slump to humiliating 73-run defeat. True to their No 1 ranking, Superstars played like a top outfit. Though among batsmen it was largely Vignesh, whose scintillating knock put the issue beyond their rivals, the bowlers and fielders played their part in the big win. Vignesh revealed his belligerent intent right from the world go. A six over the long on fence off Michael Kasprowicz signalled his intentions. The similar treatment was meted out to Sanklecha in the next over. Once he established the early domination over the bowlers, there was no stopping Vignesh. The flamboyant opener next slammed Karprowicz for a six which brought the fifty of the innings. Runs continued to flow despite the fall of Hemant at the other end and 100 runs of the innings were on the board in 10 overs. Avinash Yadav finally ended his brilliant knock by castling him in the 17th over. During his 88-run knock, Vignesh faced 53 balls and struck 7 fours and five mighty sixes. Stuart Law rubbed further salt on the wounds of their rivals adding 11-ball 29 as Superstars ended up getting past the 200-run mark. Mumbai pace spearhead Kasprowicz ended up giving away 58 runs in his four overs. Lanky South Africa all rounder JJ van der Wath bowled intelligently and remained unscathed. He conceded 24 runs in his four order and claimed three key scalps. After the pyrotechniques of Vignesh, bowlers held their nerves to stifle flow of runs from Mumbai batsmen. Though skipper Nathan Astle stood firm, the support from the other end was just not there. Former New Zealand dashing opener played some gorgeous strokes and finished with 61-ball 68. That was the only bright spot in the Mumbai batting as Hasan Raza with 17 runs on the board was the second best scorer from the side. S Khanolkar (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Mumbai crashed to a big defeat. With just two points from the lone victory after their seventh match today, Mumbai are languishing at the bottom. Brief Scores: Chennai Superstars: 205/7 in 20 overs (Vignesh 88, Stuart Law 28*, Van Der Wath 3/24) Mumbai Champs: 130/5 in 20 overs (Astle 68*, Raza 17, Shabbir Ahmed 2/36). |
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Margao, November 2 Churchill Brothers now have 11 points from five games while JCT have nine from six matches. JCT held the edge initially and posed threat with their speedy runs as they built their moves mostly from the right. Odafa, who was given very little liberty to operate inside the box, managed to shake his marker to head home a well directed cross from the right by Felix Chimaokwu in the 27th minute to have Churchill Brothers leading 1-0 at half time. JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh introduced Amandeep Singh in place of Baldeep Singh (Jr) and he did not disappoint his coach as he equalised in the 48th minute when he shot home from inside the box off a pass from Jagpreet Singh following a goalmouth melee. EB, Md Sporting share points
KOLKATA: Promotee Mohameddan Sporting and former champions East Bengal played out a 0-0 draw and shared a point each in a dull game at end of the sixth round of Indian League at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here this evening. The two clubs are still limping to catch up with the others as East Bengal were with seven points from six matches and Md Sporting are on five. — Agencies |
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PPS Nabha emerge winners
Nabha, November 2 In the Girls’ section MNSS, Rai, (165 points) won the championship. In boys Section Shakti Partap Solanky of Daily College, Indore, was declared the best athlete and in girls section Rekha Rani and Monika Rani both of MNS, Rai, jointly got this honour. Results: Boys: 100m: Amit Singh Khudian (PPS) 1, Abhishek (Daily college) 2, Jaskamal Preet Singh (PPS) 3; Hammer throw: Karan Singh (PPS) 1, Guntaj Singh (PPS) 2, Sikanderjeet (YPS Patiala) 3; Tripple jump: Jagdeep (MNSS) 1, Sidhartha Gupta (MS Delhi) 2, Amandeep Tiwana (PPS) 3; Five km cross-country: Shakti Partap Solanky (Daily College) 1, Inderpreet Singh (SDA) 2, Rakesh (MNSS) 3; 4 x 100m relay: PPS Team (Amit, Jaskamalpreet, Harinderjeet, Amandeep) 1, MNSS 2, YPS Patiala 3, 4 x 400m relay: MNSS 1, PPS 2, Daily College 3. Girls: Three km cross-country: Renu (MNSS) 1, Jyothi (MNSS) 2, Harsangeet Kaur (PPS) 3; Hammer throw: Harpreet Kaur (PPS) 1, Kiranpreet Kaur (PPS) 2, Shreya Singh (Wehlam Girls) 3; 800m: Rekha Kumari (MNSS) 1, Sheetal (MNSS) 2, Manpreet (YPS Patiala) 3; 100m: Monika Rani (MNSS) 1, Ashu (MNSS) 2, Tharins (Lorance School Lovedale) 3. |
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Women get sporting in J&K
Srinagar, November 2 These tournaments, viewed as important tourney for sports events of women, are being organised under the auspices of the State Sports Council and competition is being carried out in various events of several disciplines for women at block level of Kashmir. Tournaments being open for women of all age-groups, include three events; Volleyball, Kho-Kho and Badminton. M. Iqbal, member Womens’ Sports District Srinagar said, “Selecting the events depends on the available infrastructure. Out of twelve events three have been identified in the valley that comprise of Volleyball, Kho-Kho and Badminton. The tournament is open for women of all age-groups, but for rural sports there is a defined age-group.” Iqbal said women sports tournament was an idea floated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and was being carried out by the respective State Sports Councils. “After playing at the block level the winners would meet in inter-block competitions. This would be followed by selection trial in Kashmir and Jammu province.” said Iqbal. He added that four blocks from every district would be selected for the tournament. |
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Giants win a thriller
