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Rampant MI take on struggling
Different Ball Game: Lasith Malinga plays football at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Monday. Tribune Photo: Vicky Gharu
Sehwag out of IPL, to undergo shoulder surgery
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Jason Gillespie’s love affair with cricket and India continues
Pune aim to raise their game
Chennai thumped Royals in style
India finish 2nd
Preity’s pep talk for Kings
Classy Australia outplay Pakistan
Yuvraj seeks Test success
Fletcher expected to attend selection meeting
Baichung Bhutia to play only for own Sikkim club
Mary strikes gold at Asian Cup
Lakers ousted
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Rampant MI take on struggling Kings
MI are on top with 8 wins
Mohali, May 9 There is a spark in their fielding with Andrew Symonds and Keiron Pollard lifting the side. And then there’s the ever-so-steady and consistent Lasith Malinga. Captain Sachin Tendulkar could not have asked for a better unit as he looks to win the IPL title for the first time in four attempts. Contrast this with Kings XI Punjab. It’s again not without reason that they have settled on the last spot in the points table. The side is not balanced at all. When Shaun Marsh (and at times Paul Valthaty) bats well, they put up a decent score. Otherwise they struggle. When Praveen Kumar bowls a good opening spell, their attack looks OK. Otherwise they struggle. They have very little local talent in their ranks and some over-the-hill players are making the task that much more difficult. It’s tempting to ask — what have Kings achieved by completely changing their team make-up for IPL-IV? When these two teams meet each other here tomorrow, one does not have to be a very keen student of the game to decipher that Kings will be playing catch-up. Now, one of the Kings batsmen can suddenly play a big innings and start clenching his fist in the direction of the pavilion or the VIP boxes or whatever. But that is not what consistency is all about. Consistency is about playing at a high level in every match of the IPL. If a batsman clicks in one out of ten games, that cannot be called being consistent. So, while MI have been consistently good in their performances so far, Kings have been consistently mediocre. And the points table is a true reflection of those performances. Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma have all been solid at the top of the batting order. Symonds and Pollard have taken care of the late-order hitting. Malinga, Munaf and Harbhajan have handled the bowling department quite effectively and Mumbai have been a very hard team to beat. Kings cannot go in for many changes because they have not given themselves too many options. So, they have to stick with whatever they have got and hope for the best. |
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Sehwag out of IPL, to undergo shoulder surgery
New Delhi, May 9
Australian all-rounder James Hopes has been appointed the captain for Delhi Daredevils remaining three matches. Delhi Daredevils CEO Amrit Mathur said that Sehwag will be proceeding to England for the surgery and Hopes has been given the responsibility of leading the team in the remaining matches. "We will miss Sehwag. But he has to undergo the surgery and that is why he will not take anu further part in the IPL", Mathur said. PB Vanchi, director of GMR Sports Pvt Ltd, owners of Delhi Daredevils, said that a mutual decision was taken after the Daredevils skipper held talks with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) on his injury and was immediately advised to go for the surgery at the earliest. "He has a problem. In the last match, too he struggled. The BCCI is making the arrangements for the surgery. They are waiting for a date. If he needs the surgery we are not going to be coming in the way," Vanchi said. The Indian opener will travel to London for the surgery but the exact date is not known yet. Sehwag is currently the top scorer in the IPL with 424 runs and his loss will further hamper the chances of the Daredevils, who are currently placed seventh in the points table and are left with only three games. Sehwag's, whose injury is a long-standing one that had ruled him out of the two World Twenty20s and the ODI series in South Africa in January. ]However, he was declared fit in time for the World Cup after having undergone rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. India will leave for the West Indies on June 1 for a T20 match, five ODIs and three Tests but it unlikely that the dashing opener will be available for the series. He may be forced to sit out of the subsequest series against England. — PTI
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Dizzy reloaded!
Chandigarh, May 9 Gillespie has joined Kings XI Punjab as their bowling coach and is working with former teammates Michael Bevan (head coach) and Adam Gilchrist (captain). He spoke exclusively to The Tribune on a range of issues. Excerpts: Q: How has the IPL experience been for you? A: I am really enjoying the challenge. I was originally coming here to commentate, but then I got a late call-up from Michael Bevan to be involved with the Kings XI franchise. Q: How do you see club cricket changing the game? A: As far as the IPL goes, it has certainly changed the cricket landscape. India has taken the concept of a T20 League to a different level. The BCCI has got the IPL going in such a short span of time, they really deserve a pat on the back for that. In future, I see a consolidation phase. There is already a Champions League and the IPL has more teams. But now there will be a few seasons of stability. Everyone knows Sachin and Mumbai, Dhoni and Chennai, and that is what teams will strive for. The IPL model is being replicated, like the Big Bash in Australia, but I see the IPL as the ultimate league in the world. Q: Coming to Kings XI. The bowlers are not having any fun out there. First Delhi happened, and then Chris Gayle. A: It’s actually quite funny, because if you take out the Chris Gayle knock from the match, we met all our targets. But would we do a couple of things differently? Yes. But still, you have to remember that Harris had him play and miss half-a-dozen times, as did Praveen. We can improve but there are also some positives. We have had spinners like Bipul Sharma and Bhargava Bhatt bowling within the Powerplay, and still going for under six runs an over. The players know when they don’t do well, and that is as much as I can ask from them. Q: You were part of the strongest Test team ever. But do you think T20 is changing the way players look at the game? A: Certainly. I will use a batsman as an example. A batsman preparing for a T20 match will not block in the nets. He will look to be positive and play big shots. Even a bowler will prepare differently. You just have to bowl flat out for 15-20 minutes in T20. Test matches are a different ball game altogether. In a Test, you have to prepare yourself to be bowling for two days straight. Q: You are working with some familiar faces in Gilchrist and Bevan. But how different is it now? A: Gilly is still playing, but for us, as coaches, you lose an element of control. As a bowler, I walk to my mark, run in and bowl. I am in control. As a coach you do all the preparation, but the final job is with the player. As a coach, once the game starts, you are just a spectator. It’s exciting, frustrating, it’s all of it rolled into one. Q: How has Gilchrist changed over the years? A: Changed? No! Gilly is Gilly. He is still the same. Leads by example, sets the standards. The team really looks up to him and he has this great thing about being there for everyone. He generates admiration and respect and I know that from having played under him myself. Q: How do you see Kings XI doing from here on? They are on a long losing streak. A: The last few games have been tough. But we have lots of games to play still. I believe this team has the strength to turn its fortunes around in the second half. We have the players, and also the character to bounce right back into the mix. The results will take care of themselves if we get our plans right. Q: So what part of you is becoming Punjabi now? A: Not the food part, definitely. I struggle with spicy food, and I guess butter chicken is as far as I can go. Michael Kasprowicz was different though. He was such a big fan of Indian food.
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Pune aim to raise their game
Hyderabad, May 9 Both the teams have played 10 matches each so far and won three each thus having six points. Though Deccan have been able to post competitive scores, their inability to put up a collective show and sloppy fielding has cost them dearly. Despite making a good 175, the hosts lost to the Delhi Daredevils in their last match as two catches of Virender Sehwag were dropped. Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara felt that the two catches dropped by Ankit Sharma and Dwarka Ravi Teja cost them the match against Delhi Daredevils. "I don't think it is anything to do with luck. We had two opportunities to get Viru (Sehwag), had we held those catches, we would have won. It is getting to a point that is costing us games," a livid Sangakkara had said at the post-match press conference on Thursday last. "If you miss those catches, a batsman of Sehwag's class will make you pay. If you don't hold on to the chances that you create, especially when that is wicket you need, it is tough to win the games." Sangakkara also rubbished theories that the Uppal Stadium is turning out to be a jinxed ground. "Jinx is a state of mind. When the crucial times come, it is the responsibility of the team to take the games and turn it around. Pressure is a constant factor in this format. You cannot play any professional sport without pressure. "You have to learn and be mentally strong to try and meet those situations and raise your game," said the skipper. — PTI |
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Chennai thumped Royals in style
Jaipur, May 9 Despite of 52 runs (7 x 4) scored by Maharashtra lad Ajinkya Rahane for Rajasthan Royals, the team was always far behind the total put up by the CSK batsmen. Also, Ashwin and Bollinger impressed all by taking two and three wickets, respectively, to end the match in style. Earlier, a brutal assault by Dhoni after Mural Vijay laid the platform with a brisk fifty helped Chennai Super Kings post a formidable 196 for three. Apart from Vijay's 40-ball 53, Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina (43 off 27), too, impressed with their innovative strokeplay, before Dhoni sent the opposition bowlers into a leatherhunt. During his 19-ball stay at the wicket that produced 41 runs, the Chennai skipper smashed three sixes and as many fours. Sent into bat after the coin landed in favour of Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne, Hussey kicked off the Chennai innings with a swept boundary in the very first ball of the match at the Sawai Mansingh stadium. — PTI Scoreboard Hussey b Botha 46 Vijay run out 53 Raina b Amit 43 Dhoni not out 41 Morkel not out 5 Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8 Total: (3 wkts; 20 ovrs) 196 Bowling: Menaria 2-0-17-0, Singh 4-0-40-1, Watson 4-0-47-0, Botha 4-0-23-1, Warne 4-0-34-0, Trivedi 2-0-33-0. Rajasthan Royals Watson c Jakati b Ashwin 11 Dravid c Dhoni b Bollinger 20 Rahane c Raina b Bravo 52 Taylor c Saha b Morkel 6 Menaria c Dhoni b Ashwin 2 Botha c & b Bollinger 14 Raut run out 19 Yagnik b Bollinger 3 Amit c & b Raina 1 Trivedi not out 0 Warne c Bravo b Raina 0 Extras (w 5) 5 Total: (all out; 19.3 ovrs) 133 Bowling: Morkel 3-0-21-1, Bollinger 4-0-22-3, Bravo 4-0-36-1, Ashwin 4-0-24-2, Jakati 4-0-30-0, Raina 0.3-0-0-2. |
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New Delhi: India displayed fine form to finish runners-up with a score of 66 behind Northern Ireland in the 25th World Corporate Golf Challenge held near Cape Town, South Africa. The two-member Indian team of Rudratej Singh and Subhash Naidu represented Hindustan Unilever in the world finals. They were selected from among 400 corporate teams in India who played four rounds of the Take Solutions World Corporate Golf Challenge (India) in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata, before meeting in the national finals at Bangkok. In all 22 corporate teams participated in the tournament. — TNS
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Preity’s pep talk for Kings
Mohali, May 9 “We have some tremendous players in the dressing room. You will see a more consistent team in the coming matches. Bevan, Gillchrist and Karthik will take final decision on the changes. Whatever XI we field in the match against the Mumbai Indians will be a determined team,” said Hussey at the PCA Stadium here on Sunday. “We had motivational speech from Preity Zinta after yesterday’s loss to Pune Warriors. She said that we looked flat from the dressing room. Kings XI Punjab have talented players, we can match any team in the world,” said Hussey.
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Classy Australia outplay Pakistan
Ipoh, May 9 Sohail Abbas scored the lone goal for Pakistan in the 27th minute. In another round robin match, Britain defeated New Zealand 3-1 to move to the top of the table. Britain's three victories in four outings gave them nine points while Australia are on second spot with seven points from three matches, having won two and drawing the game against India. Pakistan, who started with wins in their first two matches, have now suffered two successive defeats and now have six points from four matches. Australia's speedy strikers exerted enormous pressure on Pakistan defence, which crumbled in the second session to concede three soft goals. After both teams forced a penalty corner each, Australia took the lead through a penalty stroke that seemed harsh. Simon Orchard duly converted the stroke in the 23rd minute. Pakistan bounced back with an equaliser in the 27th minute from a penalty corner conversion by Sohail Abbas, who sent a soaring drag-flick into the roof of the net. Pakistan's joy was short-lived as Australia took the lead once again one minute before half-time through an outstanding goal by Jason Wilson, who was unmarked when he got the ball on top of the circle and left the goalkeeper stunned with his stinging shot. The second half saw Australia lay a virtual seize on the Pakistan territory, scoring goals through Orchard, Christopher Ciriello and Jason Wilson as the Pakistan defence wilted under pressure. Orchard's flash strike, after getting a diagonal pass inside the scoring zone, produced his second goal of the game in the 41st minute, while Ciriello got Australia their only goal from five penalty corners when he swept the ball into the net in the 50th minute. — PTI
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Yuvraj seeks Test success
Chandigarh, May 9 “My dream was to win the World Cup and now that has been achieved, my focus is on Test cricket. I want to do well in Tests too,” said Yuvraj at a function held at Hotel Mountview here today. Yuvraj and Harbhajan Singh were felicitated by a housing company here, who presented the players with residential plots in Mohali. “Hopefully, we will be neighbours now, living side-by-side in Mohali,” said Harbhajan. Both players said they are available for the upcoming series against the West Indies. “If selected, I will be going to the West Indies. I’m available for T20’s, ODI’s and Tests,’ said Yuvraj. Harbhajan added that he too was looking forward to that tour. Yuvraj also expressed happiness by the form shown by his Pune Warriors teammate Rahul Sharma. “He is an excellent bowler who gets bounce from the wicket. I hope to see him in the Indian team soon.” He also said Sourav Ganguly will be playing the next match for Pune against Hyderabad. “We wanted to play him in Mohali but he needed some more time in the nets. He will be playing in the next match.” Harbhajan’s team Mumbai Indians are on top of the points table and the off-spinner is enjoying every moment in IPL-IV. “I get along very well with Andrew Symonds. He is a nice guy. Some things happen on the ground but I always leave those things on the ground itself and that’s the end of that,” he said. |
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Fletcher expected to attend selection meeting
New Delhi, May 9 Although Fletcher will join the team prior to their series against England, he has been invited for the meeting as it will provide him a chance to get formally introduced to the Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni is expected to be in Chennai on May 13 as his team Chennai Super Kings will be playing against Delhi Daredevils in an IPL match a day earlier. As per terms and conditions of Fletcher's contract which is identical with his predecessor Gary Kirsten, he will certainly not have voting rights at the selection meetings. India's bowling coach Eric Simons will also attend the meeting in Chennai as he is likely to be in-charge for the tour of Caribbean before Fletcher takes over in England. The BCCI has decided to retain the services of Simons who was roped in after Kirsten suggested his name. The Indian team management including the senior players are believed to be very happy with the inputs that has been provided by this former South African speedster. — PTI
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Baichung Bhutia to play only for own Sikkim club
New Delhi, May 9 For long, Bhutia had felt the need to take the game to other parts of the country, instead of confining his area of operation to only known soccer pockets, to take the game to where it's very popular but does not get the necessary boost at the national level. He could not think of a better place than his own backyard in Sikkim to form a club. He launched the United Sikkim Football Club (USFC), which is currently playing in the Second Division I-League in Shillong, as he strongly felt that "the game needs to spread all over the country". “India is a vast country and football has a huge following. But there are certain parts which haven’t had representation as far as the I-League is concerned. Hence, I thought we should have a local team from Sikkim which should serve as a role model," he told the-aiff.com. He said he had set a time-frame of three years to take USFC to the I-League, by making it commercially viable as well. "Every club has to be a commercial entity. United Sikkim is no different. We need to reach out to the people and can never ignore the socio-cultural aspect. Community development is something we stress upon. The kids need to be involved and the academies will follow," he elaborated. The Indian captain said henceforth he would only play for Sikkim United. "I will never play for any other Indian club, apart from USFC. I am getting offers from I-League clubs for the next season but I will not move out any more. Even if USFC doesn’t qualify for next season's I-League, I won't change my mind. But I will retire in an East Bengal jersey," he explained. He said his returning to national team would depend on recovering from injury. “I'm yet to reach peak fitness. Injuries have been troubling me for a while. I will see how my body responds.”
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Mary strikes gold at Asian Cup
Patiala, May 9 Participating in her first tournament since her bronze-winning performance at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Mary Kom had made a place in the final of her weight division drubbing Kate Appari of the Philippines. In the title clash she was engaged in a hectic battle and had to work hard as her North Korean opponent put up a stiff challenge. In the end though, Mary Kom’s skill and agility came through as she went on to clinch the yellow metal with a 4-3 points victory. However, Pavitra, fighting in the featherweight category, lost in the final to Tossamalee Thonalan of Thailand. Pavitra, a gold medallist at the 34th National Games, started well in the bout, but the Thai boxer proved too much for her handle and she eventually went down 6-11 on points. Earlier in the tournament Neetu (60kg), Kavita Goyat (75kg), Laxmi Padiya (81kg) and Kavita Chahal (+81kg) earned bronze medals for their performances. Neetu in the lightweight division lost to Cheng Dong of China 5-6 and in the middleweight category Goyat met defeat at the hands of Li Jinzi, also of China. Padiya (light heavyweight) and Chahal (heavyweight) lost their bouts as well to opponents from Kazakhstan and China respectively. Expressing delight at the achievements of women boxers, boxing Chief Coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said it was a superb show. “I am really proud of the Indian women boxers. They are touching new heights with each competition. I congratulate Mary on her achievements and am sure that her gold will act as a motivator for the 2012 Olympics.”
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Chandigarh, May 9
Chandigarh, May 9
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Patiala, May 9
