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Dhoni lauds his batsmen
Warne should check facts: BCCI
FIH in dilemma over affiliation to India
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Need better facilities: Heena
ONGC in semis
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Visakhapatnam, October 20 "(Cameron) White took the attack apart, but with Suresh Raina at the crease with one Powerplay to go I knew we had a chance. And Yuvraj, it was very important for him to get runs," Dhoni said after the match. Kohli smashed a career-best 118, while Raina's 71 not out and Yuvraj's 58 also played crucial role. "Kohli has been often criticised for giving away good starts and he batted perfectly today. We'll look to win the third game as well. We have eight to 10 games before the World Cup and we want to achieve more than just winning the games," he added. Dhoni's opposite number Michael Clarke also credited the Indian batsmen for making the difference. "Cameron White's innings was unbelievable, I thought 290 was enough but India chased well. We'll try to rebuild. We are disappointed with the result. We'll try to do better in the first 15 overs in the second game," he said. However, he was happy with the efforts of his bowlers and said, "John Hastings did a fantastic job, (Mitchell) Starc has a bright future for Australia." Meanwhile, Man of the Match Kohli said he was struggling with his cramp during the winning effort. "I was struggling with cramps in my 70s and 80s. I just wanted to drag the game as much as I could to put my team in a winning position. (Murali) Vijay suggested that I just time the ball than hit it too hard. He helped calm me down. "With Yuvraj batting at the other end, it's always helpful because he can score quickly and take the pressure off you. We just decided to build a partnership and bank on the Powerplay," he said. Asked about batting at number three position, he said, "The team has shown trust in me to bat at No 3 and I'll just look to capitalise. Once the dew came in, the ball was coming on quite nicely and we tried to take advantage on that." Can’t be absolute best anymore but neither can Sachin: Ponting
"I think what Mark had to say was that he probably didn't think I could get any better from where I am at the moment," Ponting was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'. "It wasn't so much about saying that I'm past it. He just thought that it was going to be hard for me to get back to my absolute best again, and that's probably right. "I think there is a period in every batsman's life where they are playing at their absolute best. Even Sachin Tendulkar now, even though he's scored nine hundreds last year, was probably not at his absolute best, either," he added. "So what Mark said may be right, but by no means do I think I can't play at the level I want to play at. And if I can't play at that level, I won't play the game anyway. I have said that for a long time," said the 35-year-old right-hander, who has been rested from Australia's ongoing ODI series against India. Ponting said he merely has to perform consistently to keep his place in the side. "So I have just got to be a good, consistent contributor in the No. 3 role, and be the best captain and leader I can be for the next few months, and we will see what effect it has on the team," he said.
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Warne should check facts: BCCI
That this underrated side went on to turn the tables on more star-studded outfits to grab the crown, was in itself ample testimony to the leadership skills of Warnie. Now, that his team has been unceremoniously dumped from the IPL, the legendary leggie is peeved, hurt and angry. And he is demanding an explanation. Writing on his blog on Wednesday evening, Warne was unequivocal in his comments. “Is there an ulterior motive? (in kicking out RR from the IPL). To me the IPL must be transparent, open, honest and above all fair to all teams. They must treat them equally; no teacher’s pets!!!!” says Warne’s blog. When the BCCI was contacted to give its comments on Warne’s observation, they were equally aggressive. “I just think it’s an emotional outburst by Warne. Has he even seen the documents of Rajasthan Royals? Does he even know what the irregularities are and why they have been ousted? He is just writing on the cricketing side of things,” said a senior BCCI official. But, if viewed closely, there is more than a grain of truth in Warne’s observations. The BCCI cannot shy away from the fact that, as alleged by Warne, there are some ‘teacher’s pets’ who do not adhere to any rules and do things with impunity. The Board secretary N Srinivasan has a clear clash of interest when it comes to the IPL. He openly sides with his team Chennai Superkings (He is the owner of CSK) and rules are bent to suit his team’s interests. Moreover, why should he continue donning two hats? The chief selector of the Indian team--kris srikanth--is also on the payroll of CSK as its brand ambassador and openly roots for this team. As the Indian team’s chief selector, Srikanth should be seen to be impartial and fair and not openly advertise his allegiance with CSK. But, CSK is above all rules. When the Board wanted to fix Jagmohan Dalmiya, they conjured up a litany of charges against him and drove him into a corner. Now, when Dalmiya has agreed to fall in line with the BCCI bosses, all cases against him have been dropped. The message that this strong BCCI coterie, led by Srinivasan, is sending, is clear--just fall in line with what we say and you will be fine or else, we will file cases against you. Two teams in the IPL had clear closeness with Lalit Modi. Both of them -RR and King’s XI Punjab-have been kicked out of the IPL. Is this merely a coincidence? Or like Warnie has written on his blog--is there an ulterior motive?
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FIH in dilemma over affiliation to India
Chandigarh, October 21
The FIH chief, Leandro Negre, and Secretary-General, Peter Cohen, who were in New Delhi, during the Commonwealth Games, did try to act as mediators to bring the warring factions and parallel hockey bodies together but reluctance of the Hockey India top brass to accept the guidelines turned remained a major hurdle in working out a settlement. While the FIH recognizes Hockey India, the Ministry of Sports has given recognition to the Indian Hockey Federation that after announcing merger of men and women bodies held its elections in the first week of this month. The FIH, however, continues to maintain a distance from the body recognized by the Indian Ministry of Sports. Impressed by the massive turnout at hockey competition of the just concluded Commonwealth Games, the FIH top brass is keen to keep India in its loop for holding major events. Besides the Champions Trophy, the FIH is also keen to hold World Clubs Hockey Tournament in India. The successful conduct of the 2010 World Cup followed by the Commonwealth Games have reiterated the FIH confidence in India’s ability for conducting the major events extremely well. Interestingly, when the FIH Congress meets in Montreux in Switzerland from November 6 to 14, it may consider amending the FIH constitution. Among the proposed changes is introduction of clause fixing the upper age limit for office-bearers. Sources reveal that FIH may also debar people older than 70 years of age from holding any office in the body. Another important amendment being considered is abolition of the post of the Secretary-General. Instead, the powers would go to the executive board. Once these amendments are made and approved, the FIH may circulate these changes to its affiliated units suggesting them to incorporate them in their respective constitutions. The FIH can only make recommendation and not force the affiliated units to incorporate them. The FIH may also make an exception in going ahead with its earlier decision of holding the 2011 Champions Trophy in India by raising the number of participating teams to eight. This may also lead to dividing of teams into two pools of four teams each or changing the pattern of the tournament as a special case to a double leg tournament. In case, as a part of settlement, the FIH tells Hockey India to hold the tournament in Punjab, it may be conducted at the proposed new Hockey Stadium at Mohali and Surjit Stadium at Jalandhar. Meanwhile the FIH Congress will also consider the two bids it has received for holding the 2014 World Cups for men and women. Both submissions have come from European countries, with England and The Netherlands giving a clear commitment to host these showpiece events. The bids, submitted by England Hockey and the Koninklijke Nederlandse Hockey Bond (KNHB) respectively, will be evaluated by the FIH over the coming weeks.
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Need better facilities: Heena
Banur, October 22 Talking to TNS at Gian Sagar Dental College today, where Heena was honoured by Dr Sukhwinder Singh, Vice-Chairman of the institution with a cash award of Rs three lakhs, the shooter said that now she has started training for the upcoming Asian Games. “The party is over and now I am eyeing to hit ‘bull’s eye’ at the Asian Games. I have started training,” said Heena, a student of BDS third year. When asked how she balances time between shooting and studies, she said: “I practise for two hours daily at my personal shooting range. After that I only study. I think this is the only reason behind the my high level of concentration.” Like every shooter, Heena is of the view that the government should develop shooting infrastructure. “We (the shooters) have proved that the game has huge scope here. The government should address the problems regarding the high expenses of shooting paraphernalia besides developing ranges conforming to international standards,” she said.
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ONGC in semis
Jalandhar, October 21 Bharat Petroleum and ONGC Delhi displayed good hockey skills. The initial minutes of the game were goalless. In the 20th minute of the play Gurpreet Singh netted the ball from the second penalty corner for Bharat Petroleum. At lemon break, BP was leading 1-0. In the second half of the game ONGC made a remarkable come back. In the 38th and 42nd minute of the play Diwakar Ram scored from two penalty corners in a row 2-1. Meanwhile, Indian Railways, Delhi defeated Javed Hockey Club, Gojra (Pakistan) 8-1. |
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India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today praised the batting department for scripting a five-wicket win over Australia in the second ODI, which also helped the hosts take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series. "Yuvraj (Singh) and (Virat) Kohli got us back in the game and (Suresh) Raina supported Kohli well in the end. We wanted to see how much dew was around, I thought the spinners would get more turn but it turned out to be much flatter.
Melbourne: Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he can no longer be at his "absolute best" with the bat but that should hardly be a surprise or concern as even an icon like Sachin Tendulkar is not at his peak anymore. Responding to former Australian captain Mark Taylor's comments that his "best is behind him", Ponting said the assessment is correct but that does not mean he would become ineffective.
Chandigarh, October 21
In the absence of recognition by the Union Ministry of Sports, the FIH could not firm up its decision taken earlier to allot 2011 Champions Trophy to India.
No understanding with Modi: BCCI