Chandigarh, July 5
On the final day of the Barbados Test, when MS Dhoni declared the innings closed and set the West Indies a challenging - but gettable - target, it was one more example of the Indian skipper’s bold initiative. A lot of captains in Dhoni’s place would have been tempted to carry on batting and bury the Test match in a stodgy draw. But of course, Dhoni is no ordinary, run-of-the-mill captain. He thinks (perhaps too much) about all his moves. He is audacious with his decisions. That is what sets him apart.

While all these are qualities which other captains envy (and want to emulate), there’s another side to Dhoni’s captaincy that tells us that he is not one of the quickest thinkers and movers on the field. He ponders a lot and slows down the game, takes a great deal of time to get his field positions right and keeps changing these frequently. He has rather long discussions with his bowlers, doesn’t egg them on to get in their overs quickly, and allows them to indulge in histrionics and prolonged appeals - all of which eats up time. Net result - slow over-rate, penalty, censure, perhaps even a one-match ban for the skipper.

Now, we have a very important series coming up against England later this month, and even before a ball has been bowled, it could be Advantage England in the first Test. Why? Because a situation has arisen that could see the charismatic Indian captain miss the first Test match starting at Lord’s because of a ban.

Dhoni was penalised in Barbados for his team’s slow over-rate. He was penalised in Cape Town in January for a similar transgression. If he fails to ensure a timely over-rate by his team in the third Test at Dominica, that would be the third violation of ICC’s Code of Conduct (Rule 2.5) in one year. That would result in an automatic one-Test ban for the very next match (starting at Lord’s on July 21).

Even if Dhoni manages to evade a ban at Lord’s, the situation will continue to remain piquant for the subsequent Tests of that series because one more dilatory act by the team would mean Dhoni relaxing in the pavilion while the rest of the side is in the thick of action on the field.

Dhoni’s absence (through highly avoidable reasons) would mean the team will be a batsman, keeper and captain short. Dhoni needs to think out of the box of course, he needs to be aggressive on the field as well. But he also has to realise that he hasn’t got all day and endless time at his disposal to do things.

If Ishant Sharma takes seven minutes to bowl one over (and he’s not Shoaib Akhtar) then perhaps the coach and captain should be talking to him about the merits of a shortened run-up. If Praveen Kumar wants to go down the pitch and stare at the batsman after every delivery, then may be Dhoni should also stare at Praveen and ask him to get a move on. If Sreesanth wants every appeal to last an eternity, then may be Dhoni should think about playing Munaf Patel instead.

The captain runs the show on the field. But if it is a laggard show, the consequences can be damaging for the strategy of the whole team.

Patiala, July 5
Even as the nation tries to grasp the enormity of the doping scandal that has rocked the sports fraternity, with officials making promises of a clampdown on those involved in the scandal and ordering inquiries and probes, it is only the surface of the issue which has so far been scratched. With limited checks and balances in place and the same officials holding posts for over a decade, the indicators are that things are far from healthy. While the athletes are also to blame, they aren’t the only ones in the unholy mix.

A day after The Tribune did an exclusive report on the availability, without prescription, of Schedule-H drugs from near the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS) here and their rampant use by sportspersons residing in the NIS, Punjab Minister for Health and Family Welfare Satpal Gosain assured regular checks at all drugstores nearing the institute. Gosain today ordered a thorough probe into the entire incident and assured that he would order regular checks on all chemists in the city.

“We would not let drugs spoil our athletes and future sporting talent,” he said. Even Sports Minister Ajay Maken sought a detailed report on the use of drugs in the NIS premises.

But all these officials are bound to be staggered if the reality comes out.

An NIS official, preferring anonymity, claimed that numerous female athletes are near hormonal imbalance due to the use of banned substances. “I have seen women National campers in individual games with hormonal changes clearly visible on their faces and in their improved performances,” he said.

A National camper told The Tribune that a majority of the sportspersons were unaware of the entire row and had limited knowledge of the correct use of medicine and often a wrong medicine landed them in the dope net. “There is no guarantee that a multi-vitamin bought from a chemist is dope-free. I firmly believe that many times dope positive athletes are caught unawares, as they have to trust the chemist,” he said.

However, he added that banned substances like Stanozol and Testosterone are surely taken to enhance performance by certain athletes. “Recently a National-level athlete improved her performance in a span of few months, thanks to such drugs.”

An investigation by The Tribune revealed that a majority of the medallists who failed the dope tests were found positive for the stimulant Methylhexaneamine. This is a ‘drug of choice’, since it falls in a category of drugs that attracts minor sanctions ranging from a mere warning to a two-year suspension.

The international sports fraternity has been debating on the availability of Methylhexaneamine in foodstuffs, cooking oil and other daily use products but nothing has been proved officially. “If I take even five cups of coffee in a day, I could be dope positive,” said a National-level boxer. “Even glycerine can end my sporting career. So we have to be very careful of what we take as one mistake can ruin a prosperous career.”

A few days ago, the NIS management held a session on drug abuse and doping, where experts were called to explain dope-free medicines to the sporting fraternity. “It was of minimal use as the session was held at 11 in the morning, which is our resting time. Also, the language used there was English, which is not our cup of tea,” echoed a group of National campers stationed inside NIS.

Patiala, July 5
Even as the ripples surrounding the failed athletes spread, the names of two prominent boxers, who have represented the country, have also come up among those who failed the A Sample tests after last February’s National Games in Jharkhand. This brings the number of those suspected of failing initial tests after the Games to 13 and a majority of them had trained at NIS Patiala for long.

Already dropped from the national camp, the boxing duo is yet to be confirmed as dope offenders since their B Samples and case hearings are pending with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The Patiala connection is disturbingly prominent and even Sports Minister Ajay Maken has ordered a probe into drug abuse inside NIS.

Sources inside the national boxing core camp revealed that the two boxers who had failed the initial tests were Dilbag Singh, a welterweight from Haryana and Praveen Kumar from Jharkhand. Dilbag won the gold at the National Games but tested positive for Methylhexaneamine. He is a bronze medallist from the last Commonwealth Games and nine-time National champion.

Praveen, who also won gold, tested positive for Methylhexaneamine. The sources added that both have been left out of the camp, after their initial tests.

However, sources inside the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) said that since both have had long sessions at NIS, the chances of their taking these drugs intentionally were minimum. “We all were here at NIS from past almost two years. There are very few breaks for us to go out and if dope related issues have been found, then there should be an official probe,” claimed another national camper.

Several gold medallists from the National Games are among those who returned positive tests after samples were collected in Ranchi and elsewhere in Jharkhand. Punjab is a common thread for many, as they either practice at NIS Patiala or hail from other parts of Punjab.

Confirming the temporary suspension, IBF secretary-general, P.K. Muralidharan Raja told The Tribune that the two boxers were found positive in their first tests and it was very important to apply the policy of checks. “Though officially NADA would have had no problem if these two were part of the national camp, we do not want to take chances till they get a final clearance as there are international events around the corner. If they are tested positive, they can lose their medals,” Raja said.

Confirming the developments, national boxing coach G.S. Sandhu revealed that though the two had a great future, they are no longer a part of the national camp. “Dilbag and Praveen are prominent and established names in the boxing fraternity and it came as a shock when they were found positive. But they still have a chance with their B samples,” he added.

Raja further added that IBF would stand by the boxers and would extend all help. "Dilbag and Praveen would both get all possible help from our federation till they are not proved guilty. The camp doors would be open if they are let off," he stated. 

Patiala, July 5
Shifting the blame for the entire dope scandal on Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogrodnik, National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala executive-director L.S. Ranawat said it was only after Ogrodnik re-joined the camp on April 28 that all these top athletes were found positive.

Ranawat said the athletes had themselves had admitted that they took the supplements on the coach’s advice and that may be the reason why he was sacked.

Ranawat confirmed that Ogrodnik, along with two Indian coaches — Ramesh Nagapuri and R.S. Sidhu who looked after women’s 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay teams — have been sacked by the Sports Ministry.

Talking to The Tribune regarding the scandal, Ranawat termed the entire incident as an unfortunate development in the history of athletics.

“As per the preliminary investigations, all athletes who have been found positive had purchased some substances from open market and that may be the reason for their testing positive,” he said.

“All supplements provided by SAI are tested in our own labs and we have certification that they don’t have any banned substances in them. Our players have been consuming substances supplied by us over the past two years and if there was something wrong with SAI’s supplements, all players would test positive,” Ranawat asserted.

“Now how these substances were purchased is something that has to be investigated thoroughly. We will be able to comment only after the completion of the enquiry,” he said. “Till then, nothing much can be added.”

Defying the charges levelled by IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra where he had also held Sports Authority of India officials responsible for the scandal, Ranawat said there was no truth to these allegations.

“No one gives us credit whenever players win medals but as soon as there is something negative, everyone starts blaming SAI. Coaches and other support staff are attached with the camps on the recommendations of IOA and federations, so how come we are responsible?

“We simply provide them our infrastructure and other technical help. SAI has been working day and night for the betterment of sports. Just one incident and everyone starts challenging our authority, whereas, we are nowhere in the picture,” he added.

Karachi, July 5
Pakistan cricket's endless parade of controversies and scandal has made playing for the national team akin to 'mental torture', according to captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Since appointed Test captain in October after Salman Butt was banned for spot-fixing during last year's Test series against England, Misbah has led a team dogged by corruption allegations and political in-fighting.

Following five-year bans imposed by the ICC on Butt and two other players in February, Pakistan have been rocked by the departure of sacked one-day captain Shahid Afridi, who resigned in acrimony in May citing differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"It is a mental torture to go through such things and it affects your performance," the 37-year-old batsman Misbah told Geo Super sports channel in an interview. "It is bad for Pakistan cricket and people taunt us at home and abroad."

Misbah, who took over the reins of the one-day side after Afridi's dismissal, said Pakistan's players needed a union to educate them and improve communications with their coaches and paymasters in the wake of a number of ugly contractual disputes.

"A players association can play a positive role in preparing and grooming players for international cricket and in understanding their contractual obligations," said Misbah, whose appointment as one-day captain sparked a row with Afridi.

"Once the contract is signed, it is no use for players to complain about it. These matters must not be discussed in the media, it is better for players to directly speak to the board." — Reuters

New Delhi, July 5
An 18-year-old Gaurav Bidhuri became the first Indian boxer to assure himself of a medal at the 21st President's Cup by advancing to the semifinals today while five others entered the quarterfinals in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Playing his first senior international tournament, Gaurav, a bronze-medallist at the National Games held earlier this year, edged past Muhamed Faud of Malaysia 8-7 to make the last-four stage of the light fly weight 49kg division. "He is playing his first tournament but he has been confident in his approach. It was a tense bout but Gaurav kept his calm and fought very well," said coach Jagdeep Hooda from Jakarta.

Also, V Santhosh Kumar beat Korea's Lee Yong Hee 13-11 to make the last-eight stage in the light welter weight 64kg division. Another Indian boxer to make the quarterfinals was Lakhbir Singh, who knocked out Vietnam's Pruong Dingh Hoang in the third round of his opening bout.

Their wins take the total number of Indian boxers in the quarterfinals to five after Chhote Lal Yadav (56kg), Santosh Harijan (52kg) and Jasveer Singh (81kg) also booked their berths. — PTI

New Delhi, July 5
Chances of squash's inclusion in Olympic Games have brightened after the International Olympic Committee shortlisted it for the 2020 edition. The IOC's Executive Board has listed baseball, karate, roller sports, softball, sports climbing, squash, wake-board and wushu for possible addition to the sports programme for the next Summer Olympics after Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) today welcomed the news that Squash has been included in the shortlist of sports to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Summer Games. "We are delighted to be given this opportunity to be considered for inclusion in the Olympic Sports Programme. I am confident we’ll be able to show the IOC Programme Commission, the Executive Board and wider IOC membership that our case has become even stronger over recent years," said WSF President N Ramachandran.

"We also have high-profile world champions, exciting world championships for men and women, massive participation from juniors to masters on all continents and a healthy, thriving programme of youth development worldwide," Ramachandran added.

Squash was not included in the 2016 Olympic Games when WSF bid for it last time. Ramachandran exuded confidence that squash has all the required elements for a sport to get popular at world and the Olympic levels. — PTI

Panaji, July 5
Former Goan footballer Andrew De Sousa breathed his last at a hospital in Dona Paula after prolonged illness. The 69-year-old former footballer, who died yesterday, is considered one of the best centre-forwards Goa has ever produced and was nick-named 'Goan Pele'.

The footballer represented Vasco for 13 years. He started his career in 1962, but got a major break in 1969 when he got an opportunity to represent the national side. He was also part of Goa's first state team in the National Championship for the Santosh Trophy at Chennai in 1964. — PTI

Buenos Aires, July 5
After Brazil and Argentina had served up dull fare in their opening matches, the Copa America finally caught fire as Chile came from behind to edge Mexico (2-1) and take command of Group C, whereas fancied Uruguay were held by Peru (1-1).

Four draws in five matches, an average of barely a goal per game and sub-zero temperatures had left fans less than impressed and questioning if they would see anything approaching samba-style football from anybody over the coming month, Brazil included.

Chile answered the question emphatically enough - though Arturo Vidal's winner against the Mexicans, a towering header from a corner, had a rather Anglo-Saxon hallmark to it yesterday. The Mexicans elected to rest most of their senior squad having just lifted the CONCACAF Gold Cup. — AFP

BRIEFLY

Michael Holding hits out at BCCI 'power'
London: Michael Holding has hit out at India for wielding "too much power" in world cricket. India are the sport's financial powerhouse on account of cricket's massive following in the world's second most populous nation. They also currently boast the 50-over world champions and the game's top-ranked Test side. But there have long been concerns about the way the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) uses its influence in the sport's corridors of power. For example, last week the International Cricket Council announced the controversial Decision Review System would be made mandatory in all Tests and one-dayers. However, it added that ball-tracking devices - which India objects to - would only be used to assist in lbw decisions with the agreement of both teams. — AFP

Sangakkara in trouble after wowing MCC with speech
Colombo: Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is in hot water after his highly acclaimed lecture at Lord's, where he criticised what he alleged was a corrupt and politicised cricket administration at home. Sangakkara received a standing ovation after his outspoken remarks but they ruffled feathers back home in Sri Lanka, where sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage ordered an investigation into the speech. "Sangakkara's lecture at MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) seems to have disturbed a hornet's nest," the state-run Lankapuvath news agency said. The minister ordered Sri Lanka Cricket to make a report on Monday's speech, it added. — AFP

Real Madrid agree to sign Benfica's Coentrao
Lisbon: Real Madrid have agreed to sign Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao from Benfica for a fee of 30 million euros ($43.43 million), the Portuguese club said on Tuesday. The completion of the deal is subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Spanish club, Benfica said in a statement. Coentrao, 23, had a contract with Benfica until 2016 and is regarded as one of the most promising left backs in Europe. Coentrao joined Benfica from Rio Ave in 2007 as a winger but failed to make an impact in his first season and went on three consecutive loan spells, including a short and unimpressive one at Spain's Zaragoza. — Reuters

Advani, Alok, Sethi qualify for IBSF World C'ship
Bangalore: Seven-time world champion Pankaj Advani will spearhead the Indian challenge at the IBSF World Billiards Championship to be held in Carlow, Ireland next month. Advani, the reigning national snooker champion, finished on top of the heap in the selection trials that concluded here today. Apart from Advani, reigning national billiards champion Alok Kumar and veteran Geet Sethi also qualified for the event to be played from August 23 to September 1. Although the 25-year-old Bangalore ace suffered a reverse at the hands of B Bhaskar in the middle of the trials, Advani soon got his act together to finish with five wins in the seven-player field. — PTI

We will definitely miss Renedy: Dias
New Delhi: Indian football team winger Steven Dias today said that the team will miss experienced midfielder Renedy Singh in its upcoming engagements. Renedy did not find favour with new coach Armando Coalco who gave the axe to quite a few senior players, including Bhaichung Bhutia. "Renedy is a class apart and we will definitly miss him. The juniors are doing very well and very hardworking, but they are not in Renedy's class," Dias said after a training session at the Ambedkar Stadium. "We need to give them the credit as they have done exceptionally well in the camp. They have great future and it will only help Indian football on the whole," Dias said. Asked about the three-week camp that concluded today, Dias said they have been trying out different combinations and the team is slowly adopting to Coalco's style. — PTI

Ashley wants to give Cheryl a BIG gift
London: Love rat Ashley Cole has revealed his wish to give his ex-missus Cheryl a 3rd wedding ring with such a big diamond that ‘it is visible from space’, when he approaches his lady for a remarriage. Cheryl - who tied the knot with the Chelsea ace in July 2006 – was spotted removing her 150,000-pound band after the revelation of his fling with hairdresser Aimee Walton in 2008. Cole bought the second one, a square-cut diamond, in 2009 for his 28-year-old love paying 160,000 pounds. But the gift could not impress the axed ‘X Factor’ judge when a string of further affairs came in the limelight. Now according to Cole’s pals, the 30-year-old footballer is planning to get her a third band so they can re-marry, probably at a secret location abroad. — ANI