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Sri Lanka’s tour of India
‘I don’t think about milestones’
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Punjab Rural Games conclude
Manavjit wins trap shooting category
Dream stadium, still a pipe dream
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Sri Lanka’s tour of India
Ahmedabad, November 15 For this to happen, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men would have to switch into the Test mode from the more frenetic one-day frame of mind when they go into the first Test at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Motera. The Indian team has had a non-stop dish of limited-over cricket, 50-over and Twenty20, over the last six months and played their last Test series against New Zealand in March-April early this year. The Indian middle order has been bolstered by the return of Test specialists Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, who were not part of the squad that lost to Australia after squandering a 2-1 lead by losing the next three matches in-a-row. Both Dravid and Laxman, especially the former, are coming into the match on the back of some good displays in the Ranji Trophy and would be eager to hit the straps. The Indian top order functioned in fits and starts in the one-day rubber against the Aussies with swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag playing all-too-brief cameos. The home team would be looking forward to the Delhi dasher taming the vastly inexperienced Sri Lanka bowling with his partner Gautam Gambhir. The match also is a landmark for Sachin Tendulkar as he steps into his 21st year in international cricket. With a strong sense of history he would be keen as ever to make the Test another occasion to remember. Incidentally, it was at this ground that Sunil Gavaskar became the first man to complete 10,000 Test runs against Pakistan in March, 1987 and Kapil Dev overhauled Richard Hadlee’s record to become the highest wicket taker in Tests against Sri Lanka in February, 1994. The return of the experienced Zaheer Khan from a five-month injury lay-off has also boosted India’s hopes against the Lankans who are determined to set right their winless Test record in this country in 14 previous attempts, that includes eight defeats. Khan has showed he has recovered well from his shoulder injury by bowling long spells in Ranji Trophy for Mumbai and also taking wickets. His presence should also boost the confidence of Ishant Sharma who did not have the guidance of the experienced left-arm pacer for a long time and has seen his form dip. The presence of S Sreesanth, recalled to the team for the first time since April, 2008, as the third seamer in the squad would also perk up the gangling Sharma, who is expected to share the new ball with Khan in the series opener. I am no god: Tendulkar
New Delhi: Legions of fans may adore him as god of cricket but Sachin Tendulkar insists that he is only a mortal who loves playing for his country. “I’m glad so many people follow my career. But I am not a god. I just love cricket, playing for India,” said Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket today. India opener Virender Sehwag had said Tendulkar was not just a legend of the game but was actually the god of cricket. Incidentally, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden also once famously said, “I have seen god, he bats at number four for India.” Tendulkar said he was just a cricketer, who happened to enjoy the support of a sea of humanity. “I’m an individual but there is a huge force behind me, a big team. My teammates, family, kids, friends and fans. When I go out to bat, I play on their behalf,” he said. “I had not thought of playing for so long for the country but thanks to the support from all quarters I could play for 20 years for my country,” he said. In his illustrious 20 years of international cricket he has broken numerous batting records but Tendulkar said twice in his career he had thought his career was over. “The first one was on my first Test against Pakistan. I scored just 15 and I thought whether I would get the chance to play the next match but I got. When I scored 58 or 59 in the second Test I was relieved,” he said, recollecting that match in Karachi on November 15, 1989.
— PTI Match begins: 9.30 am |
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‘I don’t think about milestones’
Chandigarh, November 15 Talking to The Tribune, on the eve of first test with Sri Lanka at Ahmedabad, he speaks about his cricket, the coming series, his milestones and his thoughts on an ODI comeback. Q: How formidable a challenge Sri Lanka will pose in the Test series? A: It will be a tough series as they are a very good side with the likes of Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, Dilshan and Jayawardhene who have loads of international experience. Many of them have played in Indian conditions before, but we are well up for the challenge. Q: Will the loss to Australia play on the minds of Indians? A: That was a close series with many matches going down to the wire. We were unlucky to lose and the players are hurt but will bounce back to tame Sri Lanka in the Test and ODI series. Moreover, Test is a totally different format and we need not worry on that front. Q: The win against Australia would have catapulted India to the top in the ODI rankings. Now the win against Lanka can take them to the top in the Test matches. A: It is always good to be number one and though we lost on the opportunity in the ODIs, we are now targeting the number one slot in Tests and we have a very good chance of reaching there if we manage to beat Lanka here. I think a 2-0 win will make us number one and we will achieve it. Q: How has your preparation for the series been? A: I am satisfied with my form coming into the series. Ranji Trophy gave me well needed match practice before the start of the first Test. Q: Do you forsee any changes in Dhoni’s captaincy after the recent losses? A: Dhoni is a wonderful leader and it’s not his fault only if the team loses. His record spesks for him. It is just a matter of time and a bit of luck can turn things around again for the team. Q: Your thoughts on approaching the 7000 run mark in Tests. A: I do not think about these things much. These milestones are all but the by products of what I am supposed to do. It’s good to achieve them but I always look to perform consistently for the team’s cause. Q: Do you still see a comeback to the ODI side? A: It is for the selectors to decide but I am always available to play in any format my team requires me to. Performing consistently in what ever format you play is the most important thing. Q: Your thoughts on Sachin stepping into third decade in international cricket. A: He is an all time great. What really strikes me is the champion’s insatiable hunger for runs even after achieving so much. It has been a edifying experience every time sharing the dressing room with him. I wish him all the best in everything he does. |
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Punjab Rural Games conclude
Nawanshahr, November 15 Mansa bagged third place by defeating Kapurthala by 3-2; Basketball: Ferozepur beat Patiala 71-64 for first place. Gurdaspur beat Sangrur 50-32 to clinch third position; Volleyball: Ludhiana beat Sangrur 25-18, 25-20, 25-16. Jalandhar beat Gurdaspur to bag third position; Hockey: Jalandhar beat Moga 4-0 for first place. Ropar beat Hoshiarpur 8-0 to bag third position; Kabaddi: Gurdaspur beat Ludhiana 26-24. Amritsar and Barnala joint third; Wrestling: Amritsar won overall championship with 22.5 points. Faridkot (21) and Gurdaspur (10.5) second and third, respectively; Handball: Ludhiana beat Patiala 18-17. Sangrur beat Faridkot 16-13 for third position; Weightlifting: Amritsar won overall trophy with 20 points. Ropar (16) and Ludhiana(14) second and third, respectively; Overall trophy Gurdaspur. |
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Manavjit wins trap shooting category
Patiala, November 15 In the trap shooting junior men’s category, Kynan Chenai bagged gold scoring 125 points. Rayyan Rizvi and Syed Hasanuddin also displayed their skills by bagging 124 and 121 points to pocket silver and bronze medal, respectively. In the trap shooting team men’s category, Punjab stood on top with 330 points. The team was represented by Manavjit, Mansher and Raninder Singh. The silver and bronze medal went to Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, respectively with 314 and 290 points, respectively. Meanwhile, speaking to The Tribune at NMBGC Shooting Range, National Coach (Shooting) Prof Sunny Thomas said NMBGC Shooting Range at Patiala was one of the best in the country and trials for selecting teams for the Commonwealth Shooting Team and the next World Cup would be conducted at the range next month. “World shooting championships are not far away from India. The shooting ranges are coming up and we are sure that in future, India will get the opportunity to host international shooting tournaments”, he added. |
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Dream stadium, still a pipe dream
Bathinda, November 15 Not a single brick has been laid till yet and now the foundation stone, like the much cherished dream of deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal of putting the town on the international cricket map, itself is coming apart with paint slowly peeling off from the structure. Sceptics are now having a field day with many of them claiming that it was all about vote bank politics when the foundation stone was laid by the CM on December 8, 2007. The stadium, which was Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s brainchild lock, stock and barrel, now remains nobody’s baby. Nearly 30 acres of fertile land was transferred to the Punjab Sports department by the PAU regional centre on the Dabwali road to facilitate the project. Now with the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA), which was earlier in the picture, being sidestepped, the unwanted baby is being held by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), crying for attention. Some months ago the PIDB had called bids from interested parties and received just one bid from the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), which was later cancelled. The stadium was to have a training academy and a club house on the lines of the PCA’s Mohali stadium and its main revenue sources would have included broadcasting of TV rights, ticket selling, fees from the proposed cricket academy and mixed land use of residential and commercial ventures floated by it. With bodies like the BDA, PIDB, Punjab Sports Department, PCA involved in the project, it seems to be a perfect case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.
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