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Yuvi razed, Sanga raised
Baljit’s reaction upsets Sports Ministry
India in B’desh Test Series |
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Federer draws Russian Andreev
FIFA WC trophy
in India
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Yuvi razed, Sanga raised
Chandigarh, January 15 Srivatsa while terming the announcement as a professional decision taken after taking everybody concerned in confidence, emphasised that Yuvraj still remains an important cog in the franchisee’s scheme of things and it will not affect the dashing batsman’s stature in anyway. “Being taken off the leadership role does not diminish Yuvraj’s standing. His inputs are vital for us. Even during our just concluded talent hunt tournament he played a huge role in helping us identify new recruits. He has done well for the team in the past two seasons and he has one more year with us. He is still what he is in the team,” he insisted. Sangakkara too complemented Srivatsa’s views. “I have played under Yuvraj and enjoyed every bit of it. He is a match winner and we are lucky to have him with us. We are very good friends off the field too and before finally deciding on the issue, I had a long talk with Yuvi. Everything has been done in total transparency,” he added. Dismissing the queries on the kind of work load he will be under as he leads the Sri Lanka also, the islander said, “It is a privilege to be given such an honor and opportunity. We are committed to the franchisee’s interests and will put in our best to take it to the desired heights. We have three to four weeks off now. That’s enough time to recuperate and recharge our batteries.” “I have played enough in India and have received the love and warmth where-ever we have travelled. I hope to receive the same while leading Kings XI Punjab,” added Sangakkara brushing aside questions regarding a possible decline in the fan base with the removal of Yuvraj. The reports that the personal split between the co-owners Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia was the primary cause for the change of guard were also rubbished by Srivatsa. “Everybody is entitle to have views. All this is purely baseless. We are a professional group of forward moving experts who are able enough to take such decisions.” Lauding Indian domestic set-up for being the perfect breding ground for upcoming yougsters Sangakkara said that most of the Indian players are more mature than other domestic players in the world. “This is a great plus for India and the Kings XI as the talent meets the opportunity at a right stage. Players are hungry to perform and that’s a great proposition.” Wishing he had more time to spend with the youngsters before the tournament, Sangakkara said, “ It is a great idea and I would love to come to India well in advance, but that we will have to figure out as our domestic season will also be starting just then.” |
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Baljit’s reaction upsets Sports Ministry
New Delhi, January 15 He said though there is an upper limit cap of Rs 10 lakh for the treatment of an injured national player, the cap was removed in the case of Baljit Singh at the instance of Gill, who promised the full backing of the Government, financially and otherwise, for the treatment of the outstanding goalkeeper. “Baljit was sent to Baltimore for corrective surgery on his injured eye, and he stayed there for three months along with his father and doctor. The Ministry incurred an expenditure of Rs 35 lakh for his treatment”, said the official. “Having done this much, we will continue to do whatever more is needed to further improve his vision”, the official added. He said Baljit was brought back to India as the doctors at the Baltimore hospital, were of the opinion that there was not much that could be done at this stage, except allowing the player to have light exercise on his injured eye, for the next six months. He said the player, who was airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences from Pune after his eye was severely damaged, has now regained his vision by 40-50 per cent, which had looked doubtful initially. He said the doctors at Baltimore had praised the team of doctors who operated on Baljit at the AIIMS as but for their initial deft handling of his operation, there stood little chance of making further headway in restoring his vision, at least partially. The official said Dr Gill had constantly monitored the progress being made by Baljit, and had even deputed the joint secretary in the Ministry, Prabhir Krishan, to ensure that every aspect of Baljit’s treatment was taken care of by the Sports Authority of India, and monitored on a day-to-day basis, and informed the Minister accordingly. “The Ministry took keen interest after Baljit was injured and we did everything possible to provide him the best possible treatment”, he added. “In fact, this officer (Prabhir Krishan) adopted him as a family member and took total care for providing Baljit the best possible treatment”, the Ministry official added. He said Baljit wanted to get back into the team and play, but his “depth perception” was not good enough for him to resume playing hockey and there was more hard work and perseverance in store before he could regain his vision for the maximum extent possible. “We will continue to help him. We will do whatever is needed to be done in future too”, he noted. “In fact, the doctors at Baltimore said the treatment provided to the player at the AIIMS was so good that his treatment could have been continued there, as well as they did in the US where he underwent three surgeries”, the Ministry official stated. He said Dr Gill was very upset that the player jumped to certain conclusions without verifying the facts, taking into reckoning the efforts put in by the Ministry, and the Minister himself personally. |
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India in B’desh Test Series
Chittagong, January 15 "India are world number one and they have a formidable batting side but we would not be under pressure as we would play according to our strength. We are not concerned of India's strength," Mahmadullah told reporters after the practice session at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium here. Dwelling on Mortaza's injury-forced absence, he said, "Had Mortaza been in the squad, our bowling strength would have been strengthened but he is not there. Still we will play good cricket and hope for the best." Batting pitch for 1st Test
A batting-friendly track, which is also expected to assist spinners, awaits India and Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series starting here on Sunday. The pitch at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium, which has a tinge of grass on it, has been kept covered to protect it from the sun as the mercury here at the port city of Bangladesh is rising. Curator Bilal Hussain said whichever side wins the toss should opt to bat first. "It is a sporting pitch and will have something for the batsmen and the bowlers. The team which bats first can pile on runs, may be 500-600 especially India since they have a strong batting line up," he told PTI. The last time India played a Test here was in May 2007 under Rahul Dravid and the it ended in a draw due to rain interruptions. That was the only match to end as a draw out of the six, the venue has hosted since 2006. "This time it will have a result," he said. — PTI |
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Federer draws Russian Andreev
Melbourne, January 15
In their last meeting, Andreev took Federer to five sets at the 2008 U.S. Open and should the Swiss continue his march to the fourth round, local hope Lleyton Hewitt or 11th-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon could block his path to the quarter-finals. Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who the world number one defeated for the 2006 title, also looms as a possible fourth-round opponent, ahead of a potential quarter-final against in-form Russian world number six Nikolay Davydenko. Second seed Rafa Nadal has a much smoother route to the last eight as he sets out to defend the title he claimed in a five-set thriller against Federer a year ago. The Mallorcan world number two was paired with low-ranked Australian Peter Luczak when the draw was made on Friday but may face a third-round hurdle against big-serving American John Isner, who knocked Andy Roddick out of the U.S. Open last year. In the women's draw, four-times champion and top seed Serena Williams opens against Poland's 71st-ranked Urszula Radwanska to start what appears to be a relatively trouble-free run to the quarter-finals. However, Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva will need to be on her best form early on if she hopes to match or improve on her semi-final run last year after being dealt a possible second-round encounter with former number one Justine Henin. The Belgian reached the Brisbane International final earlier this month in her first tournament back from retirement and should have too many weapons for compatriot and first-round opponent Kirsten Flipkens. Should she continue through the tournament, Henin could set up a mouthwatering quarter-final against either French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova or fellow Beligian Kim Clijsters, who won the U.S. Open on her own comeback last year. —
Reuters Somdev one step away from main draw
Melbourne: Somdev Devvarman kept the Indian hopes alive and is now just one step away from the Australian Open singles main draw after his three-set win against Germany's Tobias Kamke here today. The 27th seed Indian overcame an indifferent start to beat his opponent 2-6 6-1 8-6 in the second round of the qualifying event. Somdev, ranked 161, will take on world number 126 Blaz Kavcic in the final round. — PTI |
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FIFA WC trophy
in India
Chandigarh, January 15 As part of the celebrations, Jharkhand team, winner of Coca-Cola Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy, 2010 were felicitated. As part of the felicitation, each player of the Jharkhand team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000. In-addition, the Jharkhand Football Association was also given a cash award of Rs 1 lakh. The authentic FIFA World Cup trophy made of solid,18-carat gold being brought to India by Coca-Cola for the first time will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the football enthusiasts across India to catch a glimpse of world football’s greatest prize. The trophy is 36.8 cm high and weighs 6,175 grams. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite while the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974. The three-day extravaganza of soccer mania will witness an exclusive showcase of the trophy at the Salt Lake Stadium on January 16 essaying the extraordinary journey of the world’s greatest football spectacle. |
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Putting the rumour mills to rest, Kings XI Punjab today sacked Yuvraj Singh from the captaincy and handed over the reins to Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara
for the third edition of Indian Premier League which begins March
12. 
Roger Federer faces a challenging path to glory if he is to extend his record grand slam haul to 16 at the Australian Open next week, kicking off with a first round test against 36th-ranked Russian Igor
Andreev. In their last meeting, Andreev took Federer to five sets at the 2008 U.S.
Chandigarh, January 15
