|
|
|
|
|
Viru wants to bat 50 overs
Win for nation, not Sachin, Waugh tells Team India
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
We are not chokers: de Villiers
India, SA standout teams, feels Ricky Ponting
National Games begin today
IPL: Sehwag to lead Daredevils
|
|
Viru wants to bat 50 overs
Bangalore, February 11 "I think I have never played 50 overs in one-day cricket. The maximum I have played is 43 or 44 overs. But this time I will try to bat 50 overs and give a good start to the team. I have been unsuccessfully trying this for the last 10 years and the effort is still on and will be there," Sehwag told reporters in an open media session ahead of the mega-event starting February 19. Expectations are sky high but Sehwag says he does not feel the pressure as he his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten have asked him to play his natural game no matter what the situation. "I think nobody is telling me what to do, that's the good part of our team. The coach and captain just allow me to bat the way I bat. So, they are not putting any pressure on me. They said you just go and play your natural game. If you score runs we are happy and if you don't score runs then also we are happy," Sehwag said. "My role is to go out there and enjoy myself and give a good start to the team. If I score 20 runs in 10 balls or 100 in 70, 80 balls I am happy with that," he added. The 32-year-old's trademark style is to go after the bowling from the word go, but he said he has slightly toned down his aggressive instincts. "For the last three years, I was in a good frame of mind. I have changed a little bit. Now I give respect to the new ball. I make sure that I spend four-five overs before taking on the bowlers and try to give a good start. "I know that I have Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the middle-order, so I can go after the bowling straight from the first ball. But now I am trying to look for three-four overs and ensure that I give a good start to the team," Sehwag said. Sehwag has been a prolific run-scorer for India in Tests but his performances in ODIs are not that impressive compared to his deeds in the five-day format. But Sehwag seemed hardly bothered by the statistics and said what matters for him is his contribution towards the team's success. "I am happy with my performances in one-day cricket. It is just because everybody is talking about the fact that my Test average is 54 and ODI average is just 35 doesn't undermine my performances," he said. "Yes I can do better than what I have done but still I am happy. I am focusing on giving consistent performances in ODI cricket but as long as I contribute to the team, I am happy," he insisted. Sehwag was a member of India's disastrous 2007 World Cup campaign in the West Indies, where they crashed out in the opening stage after losing to Bangladesh. Asked about the much-anticipated opening match against Bangladesh, he said the Indians are eagerly waiting to avenge their 2007 defeat on February 19 in Dhaka. "I think we lost just one or two games against Bangladesh, one in the World Cup and may be one in Bangladesh only. So, our record against Bangladesh is very good. We know that in the last World Cup, we lost to them, so we are waiting for the match against Bangladesh. We are charged up for the game and hopefully, we will do well against them this time," Sehwag said. Asked whether he has recovered fully from his shoulder injury that cut short his South Africa tour, he said, "I am taking regular treatment, so hopefully, I will be completely fine." He also said that despite concerns about his shoulder, he would bowl in the World Cup but not before recovering fully. "Of course, I want to bowl. I want to contribute for Team India." The experienced Delhi batsman was of the view that with the advent of Twenty20 cricket, the players' thinking has changed to a large extent. — PTI |
|
Win for nation, not Sachin, Waugh tells Team India
New Delhi, February 11 Speaking during a promotional event here today, Waugh said that this chorus of wanting to win it for Tendulkar didn’t reflect a ‘right attitude’. “They should think about winning the World Cup for the team, and most importantly, for the country,” said Waugh. “I don’t think this is the right attitude. You cannot think of winning for one player, since the game is bigger than any individual. Even Sachin Tendulkar, I am sure, will like to win it for the team and the country. If India win the World Cup it will cap off a brilliant career.” Asked if Tendulkar would make a telling difference to the Indian side, Waugh said that the veteran would play a crucial role. “Tendulkar may not be the star of the tournament, but he is going to play a crucial role. His inputs will be invaluable, especially when you need to take control of the game or stop the opposition.” Waugh, asked about India’s prospects, said that they were a confident and aggressive side, but needed to learn to win the big matches. “India are an experienced side and well coached by Gary Kirsten. They are more aggressive and confident, but they have to start winning the big matches. They are like South Africa, who also have to win vital matches,” Waugh said. He gave the example of Australia as a team that wins the big matches, which resulted in their sensational record of 27 unbeaten games in the World Cup. “Australia have won big matches when it mattered and that is what India need to do.” Asked about Australia, Waugh said they cannot be ruled out. “Australia’s 27 World Cup wins in a row is an incredible run. They have a well-balanced side and have picked four fast bowlers. It’s an aggressive strategy but the key would be to keep the bowlers fit. “Momentum is an amazing thing,” Waugh observed. “In 1999, we did not have a good start and then we began to win matches to get into a momentum. It’s amazing how momentum can carry you through.” However, the toss will play a vital role, especially towards the business end of the tournament, Waugh said. “The toss will be a major factor from the quarter-finals, as it will be difficult to bowl under lights with dew on the ground. It is a bit unfair to the teams.”
|
|
We are not chokers: de Villiers
Chennai, February 11 "We've shown recently that we can play in big situations and under pressure," the big-hitting batsman said at the team's open media session here. "We do not need psychologists and we are focusing on small things. We are not worried about failing under pressure at all," he added. Talking about their past performances in the World Cup, de Villiers said the pressure on the current lot is a lot less than what it has been in previous years. "We are not focusing on what happened in the past. We have a different look now. In recent times, we have been the opposite of chokers. ICC tournaments are different, there is pressure in the knockouts but we will be ready for it," de Villiers said. De Villiers' opinion was echoed by batsman Colin Ingram. "We are a very structured team and I don't think we should try to change that," Ingram said. "We've been able to win a few games in tight situations but up to now we have not played a perfect series yet. If we polish what we achieved in those games, we will be able to do that. "We have more than enough flair, I don't want us to be the unpredictable side of the tournament and I think we are at the level where we can read situations and adapt," he added. — PTI
|
|
India, SA standout teams, feels Ricky Ponting
Bangalore, February 11 "Who is the favourite right now, I am not really bothered because a number of teams have the ability to win the cup. In this sort of tournament there are a number of teams who can win. India and South Africa probably are the standout teams. They are the powerhouses of international cricket. "Pakistan and New Zealand are never too far away in ICC events. Sri Lanka, in these conditions, are as good an ODI side in the game around," Ponting said. The Australian captain also felt that results in the lead-up to the World Cup don't count for much. "I don't really care where we start the tournament. It's irrelevant. I think going into the last World Cup there was negativity around us. We lost the Commonwealth Bank series and lost to New Zealand. So there were a few doubts around our team but we went there and won the World Cup. I don't think it really matters too much what's happening in the lead-up." But he is pleased with the team's 6-1 thrashing of England in the recently-concluded seven-match ODI series. "We are pretty confident coming into the World Cup just beating a pretty good English side 6-1. We are really in good shape and confident... momentum is around our team.” — PTI
|
|
Ranchi, February 11 Jharkhand Olympic Association, which had faced several roadblocks in the run-up to country's biggest multi-sporting event, is relieved that the Games will finally begin at the sprawling 325-acre Khel Gaon (Mega Sports Complex) in Hotwar, in the outskirts of the city. That it took four years after Guwahati hosted the last edition — in February 2007 — tells a different side of the story, but now that the Games begin, sporting competition is expected to take the centrestage in the next fortnight till February 27. "Seven state governments have come and gone but despite that we have built up such a world class infrastructure. We are ready," Jharkhand Olympic Association supremo R K Anand said. Located five kilometers from the city, the Khel Gaon will play host to 19 of the 23 events that will be held in Ranchi while also housing 1200 flats to accommodate the large number of athletes and officials. Dhanbad and Jamshedpur are the two other centers which will host the multi-discipline competition that will see about 11,000 participants, including around 8,500 athletes vying for top honours in 33 events. Services Sports Control Board topped in the last edition of the Games winning 59 gold, 46 silver and 37 bronze medals, while Manipur (51-32-40) and Assam (38-53-57) finished second and third respectively. Hosts Jharkhand will look to improve their tally of six gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals that they had won in Guwahati. Secretary General of the Jharkhand Olympic Association S M Hashmi told PTI that they were aiming for top three finish this time around. "Our athletes have been preparing for a long time now. We are confident of a top 3 finish," Hashmi, who is also the organising secretary of the Games, said. Beside looking to do well in athletics that has 135 medals up for grabs, Jharkhand will look to swell their medals tally in archery with Commonwealth Games golden girl Deepika Kumari leading the challenge. — PTI
|
|
IPL: Sehwag to lead Daredevils
New Delhi, February 11 He stepped down from the post before the 2009 Champions League. Gautam Gambhir took over the reins of the team at that stage but he would now be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders after being released by the Daredevils ahead of last month's players' auction. "For us Virender Sehwag stands for the Delhi Daredevils credo of Khelo Front Foot Pe," Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman of Daredevils owner GMR Sports, said in a statement. Sehwag said he was excited about taking over captaincy again. "For me there cannot be any other team than Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. As someone who grew up playing cricket in Delhi I am very proud to be playing for the Delhi Daredevils. I am delighted to be part of the Delhi Daredevils and lead the team," said Sehwag. "I am looking forward to taking the Daredevils to new heights in IPL-4," he added. Under his leadership, Delhi Daredevils topped the league stage in the 2009 season. — PTI
|
|
Force India’s new car makes test debut
Jerez, February 11 It turned out to be a successful debut, with major systems checks completed and new components shaken down, on a day that saw Ferrari's Felipe Massa set the quickest time. After installation laps in the morning, Sutil gradually increased the lengths of his runs and clocked up 28 laps in total over the day. Paul di Resta will get his first outing in the new car on Saturday. "A successful first day of testing for the new car — a big well done to all the team. Out of the box it runs well and feels generally better than the 2010 car in every area. We had a good baseline set-up and balance, already the car is very smooth, which is always positive as you can then focus on improving performance," Sutil said. "Despite a bit of downtime this morning with a problem with the floor we could still do 28 laps, which isn't too bad for a new car, and got in all our baseline runs. I've got a good feeling and tomorrow we're going to aim to put in some more laps, longer runs and look at different tyre compounds," the German said. — PTI
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
At his destructive best, Indian opener Virender Sehwag can turn a match on its head with just a short stint at the crease but come this World Cup, he plans to prolong the agony for his rivals by being there for the entire 50 overs — a feat he has not achieved before.
"I think I have never played 50 overs in one-day cricket. The maximum I have played is 43 or 44
overs.
New Delhi, February 11
Bangalore, February 11
Ranchi, February 11
New Delhi, February 11
Nagpur: