Chittagong, January 16
Call it over-confidence or just stating a plain fact, India’s vice-captain Virender Sehwag today termed Bangladesh as an ordinary Test side which cannot surprise the visiting team in the series starting with the first Test here tomorrow.

In a pre-series press conference which was full of one-liner answers, Sehwag chose to give subtle hints and implied meanings a go by and declared that the result of the two-match Test series was a forgone conclusion. "Bangladesh can surprise other teams in one-dayers but not in Test cricket. They are an ordinary side in Test. I don't think they can beat us," he told reporters.

"It is not overconfidence but Bangladesh cannot take 20 Indian wickets, even Sri Lanka could not do it. It is difficult for Bangladesh to beat us," he added.

Asked whether Bangladesh have areas of weakness or they are ordinary team as a whole, he retorted, "That does not matter. We are not concerned of our opposition. We are playing well and India have beaten Bangladesh in four (out of five) Tests. We hope to do well in the first Test." Sehwag said with the joining of top stars Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the squad, the team spirit has got a major boost.

Asked when the newly-appointed bowling consultant Eric Simons will be joining the squad, he said, "I don't know."

New Delhi, January 16
National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary-general Baljit Singh Sethi said the NRAI was only following the Sports Ministry’s direction that those who wanted to compete in the Commonwealth Shooting Championship in February should participate in the selection trials to give the shooters a level playing field.

Sethi said Abhinav Bindra was informed about the selection trials, which began in Pune today and will continue till January 26, on August 4 and he had confirmed his participation on September 22. (Bindra's air pistol event trials started today and will continue for the next four days). Sethi expressed his surprise that Abhinav Bindra had addressed a press conference in Chandigarh today. "We were informed that he was training in Germany", Sethi reacted in astonishment.

Sethi said the NRAI wanted every shooter to participate in the trials so that they could shoot in the same environment, facing the same kind of pressure, and "we will take that score into account". He said the NRAI did not have any problem exempting Bindra from trials if the Ministry gave the nod, though he felt that it would be very difficult to judge the scores shot by Bindra abroad "as we do not know under what condition he shot".

Sethi said the Sports Ministry had sent a directive to the NRAI insisting that every shooter wishing to participate in the Commonwealth Championship should attend the selection trials. "We cannot go against the Ministry's directive", he emphasised. "We will consider his name if the Ministry decides otherwise (that Bindra does not have to attend the trials)."

Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Ineti Srinivas said the selection criteria were framed by the NRAI, and the federation should take a call whether Bindra should attend the trials or be exempted from it. "As far as the Ministry is concerned, it's upto the NRAI to decide whether Bindra should attend the trials, or take the scores he made abroad as adequate. If the NRAI is satisfied with the scores he made abroad, that's it", Srinivas added.

Srinivas said Bindra and a few others wanted them to be exempted from attending the selection trials as they were attending "customised training" abroad. "But it's upto the federation to judge their fitness and form", he noted. Bindra had initially said that he would only attend the selection trials for the WC and the C’wealth Games.

"Now he wants to be exempted from the trials for these events as well", said Srinivas. "The Ministry has no objection, if the NRAI approves it", he added. 

Chandigarh, January 16
Though his debut in the final of the 1992 Ranji season proved lucky for Punjab, laying hands on the same as skipper is what is keeping former India batsman and current Punjab skipper Pankaj Dharmani going. Equally efficient both in front and behind the stumps, current Punjab captain, who works with State Bank Of Patiala, shares his thoughts about the unfulfilled dream and much more.

Q: How do you rate Punjab’s performance in the Ranji Trophy this season?

A: It was very satisfying, if you ask me, to clear the group stage and make it to the quarterfinals this time around. We qualified for the second stage after a gap of 3 years and as a captain it was very relieving. We played aggressive cricket as a group to raise our performance a good few notches than our last year’s show.

Q: What went wrong in the quarterfinal?

A: Toss played a decisive role in the crucial tie against Karnataka at Mysore, and we had lost the match there only. I knew it will offer purchase on the first day only and had I won the toss I would have bowled and it could have been a different tale. Otherwise, we put up an impressive show and managed 300 in the first innings in bowler friendly conditions. Karnataka batted in perfect batting conditions and won on the basis of first innings lead.

Q: The pace double of Manpreet Gony and Love Ablish impressed consistenly throughout with you, Uday Kaul, Bhalla and Sohal chipping in with important innings.

A: Gony and Ablish have done exceedingly well for us this season with more than 30 wickets against their names, but the test will be to prove their worth consistently for the team. Our batting was a bit of a worry initially, but somebody or the other raised his hand whenever required.

Q: Mumabi the deserving champions for the 39th time?

A: They have been playing superb cricket for the past so many years. The presence of their players in the national squad testifies that too. But when it gets to the last four stage, it becomes difficult to ascertain the better one. But kudos to the boys who held their nerve in the thriller the final turned out to be.

Q: Do you see yourself playing in the IPL again for Kings XI Punjab?

A: No, I don not think so. The slam-bang version is more suited to the younger lot. I would like to concentrate on my Ranji career and serve my home state for the longer I can.

Q: Which role you enjoy more; Batting or keeping wickets?

A: For the last three years I have been asked to play as a batsman only and have not kept wickets regularly. Though standing behind the wickets helps you increase your concentration, but as a leader it gets very taxing at times to play both roles to the best of your abilities.

Q: Playing for India must have been a special moment?

A: Every sportsman when he starts playing dreams of wearing the national colours. I got the opportunity in 1996 during the Titan Cup against visiting South Africa at Jaipur. Representing India was a moment of pride and satisfaction.

Q: Any regrets you did not get enough opportunities at the highest level?

A: You cannot be regretful for what is not in your hands. Working hard and contributing toward your team’s cause is what I believe in. Rest is all secondary.

Q: When will Punjab end Ranji drought?

A: My Ranji debut appearance proved lucky for Punjab as we lifted title that season. Bringing the Trophy back as a captain is my dream.

Q: There has been criticism of T20. Any advise for the youngsters?

A: Though the newest version has taken the world by storm, the Tests remain sacrosanct and teach what the game really is all about. A firm footing in the the longer version is bound to stand them in good stead in future. 

Patiala , January 16
Adding another feather in the cap of Punjabi University , Patiala , university archers have emerged overall champions in both men and women categories during the All India Inter-University Archery Championship that was held at Udaipur from January 9 to 13. The team lifted all four trophies i.e. Compound men and women and recurve men and women. The team has bettered their own record of 26 medals of last year by winning a total of 46 medals this year which included 28 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze.

They defeated GND University which was adjudged second with a huge margin. GND varsity bagged 6 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals. In the Indian round women (traditional bow), the team girls won a bronze medal defeating GND Varsity with a margin of almost 40 scores. Director sports of the university, Dr Rajkumar Sharma, along with deputy director Dr Gurdeep Kaur and other coaches of the sports department welcomed the team on their arrival yesterday.

Dr Rajkumar Sharma, congratulated coach Jiwanjot Singh and the players for their hardwork and announced that they would get whatever equipment they desired for further tournaments. The players thanked the vice-chancellor and director for their unending support and promised to make it big at international-level also.

Results:

Women’s category: Compound round: Gagandeep Kaur emerged individual champion in the Olympic round. She won 4 gold and 2 silver medals, Sunita won 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, Gaganjot and Vidushi won a gold medal each.

Recurve round: Mamta Nagi emerged individual champion. She won 4 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. Nisha Tomor and Amandeep won 1 gold and 1 silver medal each and Ramandeep won 1 gold medal.

Indian round: Swati, Mukesh, Baljinder and Amanpreet Kaur won 1 bronze medal each.

Men category: Compound round: Amarinder Singh emerged individual champion. He won 4 gold and 2 silver medals, Gursantveer, Amandeep and Harpreet won 1 gold medal each.

Recurve round: Sandeep Kamboj emerged individual champion. He won 4 gold and 1 bronze medal, Gurparkash won 1 gold and 1 silver and 1 bronze, Jaspreet Singh and Laxman won 1 gold medal each.