Johannesburg, May 15
Close on the heels of their suicidal 12 runs loss against Delhi, Deccan Chargers will be hoping to cash in on Kolkata Knight Riders’ horrid form to take themselves a step closer to the semifinal spot when the two teams meet in an Indian Premier League match here tomorrow.

Having swept aside Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings with consummate ease, Adam Gilchrist’s men clearly looked the most high-flying squad in this year’s IPL before they witnessed a wretched stretch with three defeats on the trot.

The three successive defeats also marked the start of an inconsistent run for the Hyderabad outfit, who added further trouble to their campaign by gifting Delhi their last match. But Deccan skipper Gilchrist will be in no mood to repeat his mistake and a shattered Knight Riders side provide him the ideal opportunity to bring his side’s rampaging form back.

If Gilchrist, Dwayne Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Rohit Sharma were not enough, Deccan’s batting has been bolstered by the return of Andrew Symonds who proved his detractors wrong with quick fire contributions in his two outings.

Deccan’s bowling department is being led by rejuvenated RP Singh, who is a strong contender for the purple cap, and is among the highest wicket-taker, while Chaminda Vaas proved that he still has some aces up his sleeves in his two outings. Pragyan Ojha has been a revelation in the spin department, while Rohit’s part-time off-spin has been more than handy.

On the other hand, with nine defeats to its credit the Knight Riders have nothing to lose and will be playing for pride in their last three matches, expecting to notch up a few upsets to further spice up the semifinal race.

The Kolkata outfit can take heart from the fact that their batting at last had clicked in the tournament with skipper Brendon McCullum returning to form with a unbeaten 84 off 64 balls to take his side to their highest score of 173 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.

However, Kolkata’s bowling looks a bit suspect with Ross Taylor hammering Ishant Sharma and Co to all parts of the ground to see Bangalore through with a blistering 33-ball 81.

Kolkata would also be hoping for some luck, which it seems it had left behind while heading for the rainbow nation, as it attempts to avoid the dubious record of registering the most number of defeats in the event, being held by their next opponent Deccan Chargers (12). — PTI

King’s XI Punjab would naturally have preferred to clinch it more easily, so as to improve their run rate. But in their awkward circumstances, it was essential to ensure victory first. And the six wicket triumph over league leaders Delhi Daredevils (which ended their winning streak) kept KXIP in the race for the knockout phase.

The loss of three wickets for 35 after 5.2 overs, left King’s XI little leeway for adventure. Rather, Yuvraj Singh and Kumar Sangakkara (responsibly 43 not out) were called upon to repair the damage, before elevating their strike rate.

Yuvraj, not timing the ball crisply as he generally does – hit just one boundary – ultimately cut one straight to point to make it 88 for four. But restricted to 120 for nine in their 20 overs, Daredevils hadn’t left themselves much room for manoeuvre.

Indeed, a game changing cameo from Irfan Pathan – two sixes in an over from Pradeep Sangwan and another at the expense of Farveez Mahroof, all to the onside in this decent sized park - settled the issue. Earlier, Brett Lee, with three for 15 had done the spadework.

Mahroof came up trumps with his very first ball in IPL-2. He bumped one to Simon Katich, who failed to get out of the line. The Aussie left-hander had earlier feasted on Sangwan, who unusually opened the bowling. Three fours and an upper cut for six contributed to 18 off the left-arm seamer’s first over.

Ashish Nehra, at the other end, was immaculate. And he uprooted Sunny Sohal’s leg stump with one that straightened as the batsman moved too far outside the line. But to his mortification, Gautam Gambhir dropped Yuvraj off his bowling before the King’s XI captain had opened his account. His figures of one for six in four overs included only the 12th wicket-maiden of the competition.

On a spongy pitch, which started skidding when KXIP batted, both Mahroof and Nehra troubled the batsmen with the new ball. And the former obtained his second scalp when Luke Pomersbach guided a rising delivery to Abraham de Villiers, who had replaced Gambhir at slip.

Yuvraj opted to chase rather than set a target. And two fluent back foot boundaries through the covers by Virender Sehwag, his favourite area, suggested the KXIP camp might have got it wrong.

But Lee’s class and consistency made an impression. He dug one in towards Sehwag’s left shoulder and the resultant nudge was acrobatically pouched by Sangakkara down the leg side. Next up, Lee whistled one past Tilakaratne Dilshan’s ears at 144 kph

The Australian speedster later bowled a torrid over to Mahroof, keeping him run-less for five balls before yorking him as the batsman retreated to square leg. The Sri Lankan got a call after Australian Dirk Nannes was rested.

Gambhir departed, run out by a flat and accurate throw from square third-man by Wilkin Mota.; followed by de Villiers and Dilshan, both playing early to Sreesanth to hole out at mid-on.

51 for four in 9.1 overs was good news for King’s XI. But they still had to contend with Dinesh Karthik, who has lately been batting admirably. He, now, joined Mithun Manhas, who played sensibly, before pulling Mota to midwicket.

After dismissing Mahroof, Lee had Rajat Bhatia caught at thirdman to be on a hat-trick, which Karthik prevented. In the only easy over Daredevils received, this plucky wicket-keeper-batsman rocked back to belt Yuvraj over midwicket for the solitary six of the innings. But in attempting to loft Pathan over long-off, he only holed out to the fielder.

Chandigarh, May 15
With the deadline to apply for NOCs to play for BCCI again expiring today, over 35 Indian players contracted with the ICL mailed their application, seeking a way back to the Board, to the League management today. This is following the BCCI’s decision to provide amnesty to these players and the ICL’s subsequent decision to give them a May 15 deadline to apply for a NOC. The ICL is expected to reply to these applications soon.

Talking to The Tribune, Chandigarh Lions’ TP Singh said, “I believe this is a good opportunity and gives us a chance to get back to trying and play for India. Iam confident we can make our way back into the state team and then the national team too.”

His teammate Vipul Sharma also believes that the BCCI’s decision is a positive one. “I think that the timing is very good. Many boys still have age on their side. Let’s hope that everything works out fine.”

Talking to The Tribune, Hyderabad Heroes’ Ibrahim Khaleel said, “I am very optimistic about playing for my state again. I know the picture is not clear as yet, as the ICL and the BCCI will have to make their stand clear.”

Another ICL player, and one-time India hopeful, Ambati Rayudu is more apprehensive. “Yes we have applied for the NOC, but I am still with the ICL. Let us wait and watch how things unfold,” Rayudu said.

For Ahmedabad Rocket’s Reetinder Sodhi it is a tough decision, but one that needed to be taken. “I have enjoyed every moment with ICL. It has been a memorable trip, but like every journey, this too has probably reached its destination. How things shape up is not in our hands. So I will just keep myself fit, and ready to hit the field whenever possible.”

For Chandigarh Lions’ Sarabjit Singh too, fond memories of ICL will stay, but he thought it was time to move on. “I think I have improved a lot as a player in the ICL. I learnt so much and am greatful to the league for that. But vying for the national colours is a dream, and a chance to get up one day, and live that dream again….I would give my heart for it.” he added.

New Delhi, May 15
Beijing Olympics bronze winner Vijender Singh had to be content with a bronze medal in the European Grand Prix boxing event in Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic, after going down 0-2 in the 75kg semifinal to European Championship silver medallist Victor Totiujanstsi of Moldova today.

Another Indian, Suranjoy Singh advanced to the final of 51 kg category with a 11-4 victory over Ireland’s Declan Geraghdy in the semifinals.

Earlier in the day, Vijender, competing in his first event after Beijing, had defeated P Trikaliotis of Greece in just two rounds to reach the semifinals.

“Victor is a shrewd boxer. He fought from a distance while Vijender kept attacking throughout. Victor had a guard up, unfortunately Vijender could not break through it,” Indian team’s coach C Kuttappa said.

Two other Indians, Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Jai Bhagwan (60kg), have also reached the semifinals, thereby assuring two more medals. Manoj beat Scotland’s J Thain while Jai Bhagwan won on countback after being tied 2-2 with Hungarian M Varga.

However, Narjeet Singh (54kg) and Olympian A Lakra (57kg) crashed out of the event after losing in quarterfinals. While Narjeet lost 4-11 to Australian L Boyd, Lakra went down 1-7 against Armenian A Hovhannisyan. — PTI 

Kuantan (Malaysia), May 15
Tushar Khandekar pumped in two late goals as defending champions India routed Japan 5-1 to finish a lowly fifth in the seven-nation Asia Cup hockey tournament here today.

Khandekar (64th, 69th minutes) found the net twice for India, while Rajpal Singh (2nd minute), skipper Sandeep Singh (21st) and Prabhjot Singh (66th) scored a goal each for the winners.

Sakamoto Hiroki (31st minute) was the lone scorer for Japan. Though Japan had an upper hand in exchange of passes and attack in the initial stages of the match, India found the net at will, scoring twice in the first half and thrice in the last six minutes of the second session. Irrespective of the scoreline, India seemed nowhere near the best and their defence looked always under pressure.

Having already made their exit from the medal race for the first time in the history of the tournament, India started on a positive note and gave Japan no time to settle down with Rajpal finding the net as early as in the second minute off Khandekar’s cross from the right flank.

Sandeep soon made it 2-0 scoring his fifth goal of the tournament with a fierce drag-flick after substitute Hariprasad had earned India’s first penalty corner. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Prakash loses singles, advances in doubles
NEW DELHI: Curtains came down on Prakash Amritraj’s singles campaign in the euro 64,000 Izmir Cup in Turkey but the Indian continued to progress in doubles and reached the semifinals. Seeded eighth, Prakash lost 2-6, 4-6 to Czech Pavel Snobel. Prakash and his American partner Rajeev defeated Fredrerik Nielsen and Ken Skupski 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Harsh Mankad and his partner Kaes Van’t Hof cruised into the semifinals of the Sarasota Open after edging past qualifiers Ty Bracewell and Derek Myers in straight sets in Longboat Key, US. — PTI

Sania-Chang in semis
MADRID: Sania Mirza and her partner Chia-Jung Chuang advanced to the semifinals of the $ 4,500,000 Madrid Open after Russian-Belarussian duo of Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina conceded their quarterfinal match here. The unseeded Indo-Taipei duo were leading 2-0 in the first set when their opponents pulled out due to an injury in Azarenka’s left knee. — PTI

Squad for AFC U-13
NEW DELHI: A 22-member Indian team will take part in the AFC Under 13 Boys Football Festival for South Asian region to be held in Iran from May 17 to 24. The team: Goalkeepers: S Bhattacharjee, S Kushwaha. Defenders: MJ Singh, C Lobo (captain), Yogesh Kumar, K Anis, MS Mendes (vice-captain), N Jayal, Mohd Sajid, NB Singh, Manraj Singh. Midfielders: Harmanjot, Germanpreet Singh, S Mukhi, HH Vahanvaty, JJ Fernandes, KA Swarup. Forwards: J Nellikkavil, PA Sethi, J Ahmed, Lalkroshlua, Alen Deory. — PTI

Shiv Kapur tied third
BALTRAY: Shiv Kapur blasted a bogey-free six-under 66 to lie tied third but compatriots Jyoti Randhawa and SSP Chowrasia stared at early exit after poor opening rounds in The Irish Open golf tournament here. Playing his back nine first, Shiv parred the first six holes before reeling off back-to-back birdies and completing the stretch with a par shot. On his front nine, Shiv birdied the third, fifth, seventh and ninth to round off a highly satisfying day. — PTI

Pilot project coaching camp
NEW DELHI: As part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) India-Delhi Pilot Project, to promote football at the grass-root level, the Delhi Soccer Association will hold a coaching camp at the Ambedkar Stadium from May 19 to June 30. Boys in the age group of 8-16 years will be eligible to attend the coaching camp. India international Sunil Chetri will inaugurate the camp. Eligible boys are required to report to camp chairman O.P.Malhotra. — TNS

Mahesh moves to top
MUMBAI: After a disappointing first day Arjuna Awardee Cdr. R Mahesh won all his races and moved to the top of the chart in the match racing championship of the Ocean Blue Multi Classes Regatta, organised by the Yachting Association of India, here on Friday. Mahesh swept past opening day’s winners, fellow Arjuna Awardee Farokh Tarapore and seasoned sailor Nitin Mongia, to take the lead. — PTI