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‘Fallout with Sachin biggest regret’
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IOA cautions Maken on South-Asian Games
India book semi-final berth
Now an Indian on dope list
Now an Indian on dope list
Mandeep’s Sachin moment
J&K to nurture sports talent
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‘Fallout with Sachin biggest regret’
Melbourne, November 10 Chappell, who served as India coach from 2005 to 2007, admitted in his new autobiography 'Fierce Foucs' that he tried to push hurried improvements in the team which led to his downfall, especially after his relations with senior players such as Tendulkar soured. "My biggest regret was falling out with Sachin over him batting at number four in the one-day team. It was a shame because he and I had some intense and beneficial talks together prior to that. My impatience to see improvement across the board was my undoing in the end," writes the former Australian captain. "The mistakes I made were not particularly 'western' but the same kind of mistakes I'd made as a captain in my playing days. I didn't communicate my plans well enough to the senior players. I should have let guys like Tendulkar, (VVS) Laxman and (Virender) Sehwag know that although I was an agent of change, they were still part of our Test future. "When I did communicate with them, I was sometimes too abrupt. Once in South Africa, I called in Sachin and Sehwag to ask more of them, I could tell by the look on their faces that they were affronted," he recalled. "Later (Rahul) Dravid, who was in the room, said 'Greg, they've never been spoken to like that before'," he wrote. Chappell dubbed his stay in India as 'tenuous' alleging that the BCCI tried to make his stint uncomfortable, delaying paying his bills and wages. "Throughout our living arrangements at the Taj Westend in Bangalore had always seemed tenuous. The BCCI was usually late in paying our bills, and Judy (his wife), along in Bangalore for much of the time I was touring, often didn't know whether my employer was looking after its commitments or not," Chappell claimed. "The wages for me, Ian Frazer and other support staff were sometimes paid months late. I saw it more as back channel attempts to make life uncomfortable and push towards throwing it in. Things improved markedly under the (Sharad) Pawar regime," Chappell wrote. In one of the chapter titled 'A New Hope', Chappell revealed that during his tenure he got to understand the kind of pressure Indian cricketers lived with, especially Tendulkar. "A glimpse of them was a life-changing event...We were playing an unrelenting amount of cricket to satisfy the demand, at least 50 per cent more than Australia were playing and the pressure was beyond belief," he wrote. "Nobody was carrying that pressure more than Sachin. Not even Don Bradman carried expectations like this, and Sachin had been bearing it since 1989," he said. "When the team travelled, he would snap on his headphones, not look sideways, and shut it all out. There was a constant frenzy trying to get in at him. The energy it would have taken for him to let that kind of excitement in would have drained him dry," he further wrote. Chappell revealed that he had asked Tendulkar to have a day off but the veteran batsman never wanted to because of the expectations of him. "If he didn't train and then performed badly, he'd have been blamed. People would notice. And there was no relief for him going out onto the streets, either. He just couldn't get any rest," he explained. Chappell wrote that once he asked Tendulkar that it would be hard to find time to keep in touch with his friends due to India's tight schedule, to which Tendulkar replied 'Greg, you would have more friends in India than I've got. "This is how it is to be Sachin Tendulkar," Chappell wrote. Recalling his conversation with Tendulkar during his early time with the team, Chappell said, "He was frustrated with his form and wracked with self doubt. For him, the challenge was to think like he had when he was a young player. Over my time, in the first 12 months, we had three or four such discussions," he wrote. — PTI
— Greg Chappell
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IOA cautions Maken on South-Asian Games
New Delhi, November 10 “Exuberance does not mean that one should cross the limit of decency”, said IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra today. Maken had said that the Government had no faith in the IOA and the body could not be trusted with big amounts. He had also apprehension regarding the conduct of the South-Asian Games in Delhi next year. “We are shocked and dismayed at the language used by the Sports Minister against the IOA. We did not expect him to stoop so low with his harsh words against the apex Olympic body. It is time that he stopped the sinister and malicious campaign against the IOA,” cautioned Malhotra. Malhotra wanted to know from Maken as to when had the IOA ask for money from the Government and if he did not trust the body, then “why is his ministry repeatedly writing letters to us, seeking our help and assistance in hosting the South-Asian Games?” Malhotra said it was strange that on the one hand, the minister was complimenting the IOA for taking positive initiatives like setting up of the Court of Arbitration, Ethics and Anti-Doping Commissions, and on the other, he was carrying on an “ill-conceived campaign against the IOA and the National Sports Federations on a regular basis”. “So we want to know what is your game plan,” Malhotra said and disclosed that the IOA had received four letters from the ministry, seeking an early meeting with regard to hosting of the SAG next year, and wondered why the Minister was seeking IOA’s help if he had no faith in it. Malhotra asserted that the IOA did not wish to deal with Government’s money, but as per the International Olympic Committee Charter, only the National Olympic Committee of a country could conduct any international event and in the case of the CAG, only the IOA had the authority to conduct the Games. He said the IOA had made it clear that for SAG, it would like the Government to handle the financial aspect. “We want the Government agencies to handle the expenditure and income from television rights, sponsorships, advertisements etc. and the Delhi Government can take care of the opening and closing ceremonies. The IOA would also like to have a senior cabinet minister as its nominee to be the chairman of the organising committee,” Malhotra explained. The IOA chief said hosting the SAG was a national commitment and the IOA will do its best to make them successful. “Conduct of the games, technical aspects etc. are our responsibility. The rest is Government’s,” Malhotra noted. He said the technical conduct of the Commonwealth Games, which was the IOA’s responsibility, was appreciated by all the participating countries.
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Cape Town, November 10 At stumps on Day Two South Africa had reached 81 for the loss of one wicket. Earlier, Shane Watson took five wickets in 20 balls to send South Africa crashing to 96 all out in their first innings. The Australian all-rounder enabled his side to take a 188-run first innings lead with a devastating spell in which he took five wickets for 17 runs. South Africa struck back, reducing Australia to 13 for three at tea after an extraordinary session in which 12 wickets fell for 60 runs in 18.1 overs. Finally Australia folded for 47.--AFP
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India book semi-final berth
Sri Muktsar Sahib, November 10 India beat Canada in the last game of the day by a healthy margin of 51-24. But that was not the only story for the day. In the earlier two matches, the UK had beaten Australia in a closely-fought encounter by 45-32, while Germany got the better of Afghanistan by 62-26. But the big game of the day was definitely hosts India taking on an equally ‘local’ Canadian side. Both teams had made strong starts to the tournament and it was expected to be a nail-biting encounter. There was drama in the first raid itself as the decision over a disputed point went in India’s favour. Ultimately the raid was repeated, and Canada made a fruitful start. But from there on, it was all India, all through. With raid after raid, the difference, from a mere five points at one time, stretched to 13 by half-time. India led Canada by 26-13. It was always going to be an uphill battle from there on, and Canada never really had their trekking shoes on! Sandeep kept piling the points with his tactically astute raids, as did Gagandeep and Dula. In the end, Canada were without answers to anything and a team that had looked too good for others, went flat in the second half, handing the home team a comfortable 51-24 win. The Afghan team, it seems, have come to the tournament with a sole purpose of entertaining crowds and they are definitely not coming short on that count, whatever their end results be. They started with a lot of spirit against a much more seasoned German side and to their credit, never really gave in. Saif Rehman and Azmal made the most of every point, and going by the buoyancy in their camp, it was hard to believe that they were trailing 12-34. The Germans were led by a brilliant Ranjit, who alone got 21 points for his side. The raider moved with finesse, not once losing balance, and every time he was cornered, he came up with amazing bursts of speed to leave the Afghan stoppers grabbing thin air. Earlier, the first match had seen the United Kingdom win a closely fought encounter against a strong Australian side. The result comes at the back of a good run by the UK side and also throws open the group to some mind boggling permutations for the semi-final line up.
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Now an Indian on dope list
Patiala, November 10 Though the National Anit-Doping Agency (NADA) had collected the samples of 51 players before the tournament and has already suspended 20 players when they were found positive, another failed test was a cause for concern. NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar informed that as many as four players have failed the tests in results released today. These include two from Australia, one from Canada and one from India. With this, the total count of players who have tested positive during the World Cup has reached 22. Bhatnagar further said that as of now, NADA has already collected 108 samples during the World Cup and the results have been really embarrassing. “If the number of players who fail dope tests continues to increase with each passing day, I really doubt if these countries would have enough players to play future matches. While we will take action on our players, we will write to the respective doping agencies to take action against them. “But that is at a later stage. As of now, I really doubt whether many of the countries would have sufficient number of dope-free players to take part in future matches.” Meanwhile, sources said that the foreign teams are infuriated with the NADA results and the way this entire issue if being highlighted. They are not ready to accept that so many players could be tested positive for dope and even considering a boycott of future matches if this continues.
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Now an Indian on dope list
Patiala, November 10 Though the National Anit-Doping Agency (NADA) had collected the samples of 51 players before the tournament and has already suspended 20 players when they were found positive, another failed test was a cause for concern. NADA Director-General Rahul Bhatnagar informed that as many as four players have failed the tests in results released today. These include two from Australia, one from Canada and one from India. With this, the total count of players who have tested positive during the World Cup has reached 22. Bhatnagar further said that as of now, NADA has already collected 108 samples during the World Cup and the results have been really embarrassing. “If the number of players who fail dope tests continues to increase with each passing day, I really doubt if these countries would have enough players to play future matches. While we will take action on our players, we will write to the respective doping agencies to take action against them. “But that is at a later stage. As of now, I really doubt whether many of the countries would have sufficient number of dope-free players to take part in future matches.” Meanwhile, sources said that the foreign teams are infuriated with the NADA results and the way this entire issue if being highlighted. They are not ready to accept that so many players could be tested positive for dope and even considering a boycott of future matches if this continues. |
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Behra, Mohanty keep Orissa afloat
Mohali, November 10 Orissa started on a poor note, losing five wickets for a paltry 56 runs before a couple of small stands lifted them. Behra and Mohanty did not lose their cool and put their best foot forward to tackle Punjab’s attack. While Behra faced 148 balls to score 48 runs, Mohanty hit 58 runs off 95. Middle order batsman, Subhrajit Sahoo contributed 56 off 144. Earlier, Punjab’s debutant medium-pacer Barinder Singh, could not have asked for more as he ripped apart the Orissa batting line-up his clinical morning spell, claiming first three wickets. Opener Bikas Pati (5) became his first victim when the team’s total was just seven runs. His next preys were Paresh Patel (one) and Biplav Samantray (0). On other hand, Sandeep Singh took 4 for 52 while ace spinner Harbhajan Singh again failed to strike as he managed to get only one wicket for 44 runs. “The first session was bad but Deepak and Basant stabled the team’s innings with their contributions. It is a good total on the first day although we lost quick wickets but I hope the bowlers will help a lot tomorrow,” Orissa coach Debasish Mohanty. “I hope the batsmen will add more runs for second day.” Brief scores: Orissa-246 for 9 in 83 overs S. Sahoo 56, Deepak Behra 48, Basant Mohanti 58 not out, Sandeep Sharma 4-52, Barinder Singh 3-62).
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Mandeep’s Sachin moment
Mohali, November 10 One such young cricketer is Mandeep Singh, who was today playing a Ranji Trophy match for Punjab against Orissa at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali. Mandeep had his own moment during his IPL debut in 2008, when he was playing with Tendulkar. “Even though I didn’t get to bat on my first match, but I was good in my fielding. After the match, Sachin sir said, ‘well done Mandeep’, and that made my debut even more memorable. Since then, I have been working hard to improve in all aspects of my game,” said the 20-year-old batsman from Jalandhar. With one dream already fulfilled, Mandeep is working hard to improve his performance in order to accomplish his ultimate dream of playing for India. “I got a very good platform at the IPL, where I got a chance to play with so many good players of our country. But now I am looking forward to do better in every match I play, because at the end, even I dream of playing for my country.” Mandeep was a little disappointed today as he had dropped a catch in the match. “I felt bad at dropping that catch, but it’s a part of the game,” he said. “Sometimes, you get good catches. I am trying to improve my slip catching.” Mandeep made his mark in the Ranji Trophy in the very first match this season against Uttar Pradesh, when he hit a remarkable 175 not out for his team. “It was a new ball at that time, so I got some advantage. Moreover, I just wanted to leave the pitched up deliveries and had it in my mind that if I got short balls, I’ll be able to make good score. That was exactly what happened. I got lot many of them and thus, I availed the chance.”
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J&K to nurture sports talent
Srinagar, November 10 Addressing on the concluding function of the Shaheed Asfaqulla Khan T20 tournament here today, the Chief Minister appreciated CRPF for organising the tournament in Kashmir Division and providing opportunity to young cricketers. Abdullah said that his Government had already put in place a multi-pronged policy to develop and upgrade sports in the State. |
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India retain squad for 2nd Test
Squad: MS Dhoni (C), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma, Varun Aaron. — PTI Venkateswara College win Hockey tourney in Patiala Punjabi University dominate Double crown for Sejal Bagan drub Churchill 3-0
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India's controversial former cricket coach Greg Chappell claims the biggest regret of his tumultuous three-year stint there was the fallout with senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar with whom he simply failed to "communicate" properly.
So what exactly is required to win a game of kabaddi? Strength? Agility? Footwork? Or a combination of all the above? That question was best answered on field as India outclassed a ‘fitter-looking’ Canada to secure a semi-final spot, where they can end up facing Pakistan in the second edition of the Kabaddi World Cup at Doda village, district Sri Muktsar Sahib, here today.
My biggest regret was falling out with Sachin over him batting at number four in the one-day team. It was a shame because he and I had some intense and beneficial talks together prior to that. My impatience to see improvement across the board was my undoing in the end. 
