Visakhapatnam, December 2
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made light work of what was at one stage looking like a daunting chase, as India won the second ODI against the West Indies by five wickets here tonight. Chasing a substantial 270 to win, India signed off in style, with Ravindra Jadeja hitting a boundary to wrap up a fine day for himself and also the team.

But it was the partnership between Virat Kohli and Rohit Shrama that ensured that India never went off track in their chase. Kohli, who scored a brilliant 117 before being dismissed by the other star of the day, Ravi Rampaul, went about his business with a lot of calm and was extremely well supported by Rohit who also scored and unbeaten 90.

Earlier, Ravi Rampaul struck a brilliant 86 and together with Kemar Roach registered a world record 99-run partnership for the last wicket to power the West Indies to a challenging 269 for nine.

Down and out at 170 for nine, Rampaul, who returned to the team after resting the first ODI, joined hands with Roach (24 not out) to script a recovery act that no one would have imagined after opener Lendl Simmons was out in the 36th over.

Rampaul was at his destructive best as he hit half a dozen sixes and as many boundaries during his 66-ball blitzkrieg. Roach gave him perfect support by keeping the other end intact and hit three fours in his 36-ball knock.

Sent into bat, it was opener Lendl Simmons who stood tall at the top of the order with a gritty 78 off 102 balls (8x4, 1x6) to lend stability to the visitors’ innings. Contrary to the final score, West Indies never looked in a position to cross the 200-run mark as they lost wickets at regular intervals from the start to find themselves in a spot of bother at 170 for nine before Rampaul and Roach lifted the visitors.

Since his arrival, Rampaul completely dominated the Indian attack and did not spare even a single bowler during his unconquered innings.

Earlier, Umesh Yadav and R Vinay Kumar ripped through the West Indies top-order to see the visitors reeling at 63 for five in the 17th over. But Simmons repaired the innings with a fine 56-run sixth wicket stand with big-hitting Kieron Pollard (35 off 30 balls), who struck three fours and two huge sixes.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (1/74) was the most expensive Indian bowler, who conceded six of the nine sixes West Indies batsmen struck today.

Looking for that elusive win on Indian soil since they landed a month back, it was a near perfect platform for the West Indies to post an imposing total on a belter of track on offer at the Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here. But the visitor's top-order once again put up a spineless display, crumbling against the pace and bounce of Yadav (3/38) and Vinay Kumar (2/43). — PTI 

Scoreboard

West Indies
Simmons run out 78
Barath c Patel b Yadav 0
Samuels c Raina b Yadav 4
Bravo c Ashwin b V Kumar 13
Hyatt c Patel b V Kumar 0
Ramdin c Jadeja b Yadav 2
Pollard c Patel b Ashwin 35
Sammy lbw b Jadeja 2
Russell b Jadeja 11
Rampaul not out 86
Roach not out 24
Extras (lb-6, w-7, nb-1) 14
Total: (9 wkts, 50 ovrs) 269
FoW: 1-3, 2-25, 3-55, 4-55, 5-63, 6-119, 7-131, 8-149, 9-170.
Bowling: Vinay 10-2-43-2, Yadav 10-0-38-3, Aaron 10-0-66-0, Jadeja 9-2-39-2, Ashwin 10-0-74-1, Raina 1-0-3-0.

India
Patel c Sammy b Roach 2
Sehwag c Russell b Samuels 26
Gambhir c Barath b Rampaul 12
Kohli c Ramdin b Rampaul 117
Rohit not out 90
Raina c Ramdin b Roach 0
Jadeja not out 9
Extras (lb 4, w 10) 14
Total (5 wkts; 48.1 overs) 270
FoW: 1-3, 2-29, 3-84, 4-247, 5-248.
Bowling: Rampaul 10-1-62-2, Roach 10-0-40-2, Russell 8.1-0-60-0, Sammy 4-0-30-0, Samuels 10-1-40-1, Pollard 3-0-22-0, Simmons 3-0-12-0.

Mohali, December 2
Late order batsmen were in fine form for Punjab as they were able to draw their Ranji Trophy match against Railways and also secure more points because of their first innings lead at the PCA Stadium here today. Punjab were struggling at 51 for 4 in their second innings when play began on the final morning on Friday. But Mayank Sidhana, Amitoze Singh and Manpreet Gony were all in good touch for Punjab as the home team were able to declare their second innings at 242 for nine.

Captain Uday Kaul departed after scoring 38 runs but Sidhana (49), Amitoze Singh (68) and Manpreet Gony (45 not out) batted with aplomb to ensure a draw for Punjab. In the second innings, Railways were given an impossible target of 304 to win the match and they ended the final day with 129 for three in 35.3 overs. Railways captain Sanjay Bangar played another fine knock of 77 but it was Punjab who walked away with the honours having got the first innings lead.

For Punjab, captain Uday Kaul, Mandeep Singh, Manpreet Gony and Amitoze Singh all had a good match making valuable contributions.

Brief Scores: Punjab 366 and 242 for nine decl (Uday Kaul 38, Mayank Sidhana 49, Amitoze Singh 68, Manpreet Gony 45 not out). Railways 273 and 129 for 3 (Sanjay Bangar 77). 

New Delhi, December 2
Maldives and Nepal dished out a fast and furious fare to lock in a one-all draw and make up for the drab and dull soccer dished out earlier by Pakistan and Bangladesh, which ended in a goal-less deadlock, on the first day of the SAFF Football Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here tonight.

With the behemoth empty stadium mocking at the performers and a few hundred spectators, mostly expatriate Nepalis and mediamen, there was nothing to enthuse the teams. Yet, Maldives and Nepal played entertaining, no-frills football to keep the interest sustained till the final whistle in their 1-1 tie.

Maldives, who had finished runners-up to India in the fifth edition of the biennial event, had to deal with a powerful Nepal team, who not only matched them in speed and ball play, but also posed a constant threat to the Maldives goal, particularly in the second half.

Ironically, Maldives forged ahead at the stroke of half time during injury time play after surviving a close call at their own goal when custodian Imran Mohammed displayed quick-footed agility to gather the ball off a powerful Nepal attempt. And following a counter attack, Ali Ashfaq trapped the ball in the middle, and ran in unchecked to catch the Nepalese defence unawares, to slot the ball home, totally against the run of play.

Till then, Nepal had kept the rival goal on the edge, with a volley of attempts. But seven minutes into the second session, Nepal got the reward for their sustained attacks when Sandip Rai headed in following a corner kick. A few minutes later, Nepal could have scored a second goal, but Rabin Shrestha's long volley kissed the woodwork and went out. For the last ten minutes of the match, Nepal controlled the attack but they wasted a couple of easy chances to split points with Maldives, which was a kind of bonus for them.

What stood out in the match was the influence of the foreign coaches involved with both the teams as the ball rolled from one end to the other from start to finish, and the players showed speed and stamina till the end to make it a riveting fare.

The match between Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier was in total contrast as it was a tale of missed chances. The first 30 minutes of the match were spent by the teams trying to take the measure of each other, and when the scoring chances came their way, they proved unequal to the task of directing the ball in.

Faisal Iqbal of Pakistan rifled the ball into the post while Md. Alamgir Rana of Bangladesh blazed over to muff two fine scoring opportunities.

Patiala, December 2
Compound archers in the nation are on a high following the decision to include the event in the 2014 Asian Games to be held at Incheon, Korea. They are extremely delighted as they have been clamouring for the inclusion of Compound archery in Asian Games and Olympics for long.

Expressing delight over this decision, Secretary of the Archery Association of India, Paresh Nath Mukherjee, said this decision would help in taking compound archery to a new level. "Archery has become very popular in India,” he said. “Though Compound is comparatively new in India but in a very short period, it has attracted large number of players. Moreover, like Recurve archers, Indian Compound archers have brought laurels to the country by winning various medals in 2010 Commonwealth Games, World Cup stages and the Asian Grand Prix events and the inclusion of this event in the Asian Games would boost this event in the country. Also, it will add more medals to India as our Compound players are extremely good."

Punjab archer Gagandeep Kaur, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games and World University Games, said she was thrilled with this decision. "Despite working so hard, we were a part of limited tournaments and after winning medals in those events, we did not have much scope,” she said.

“But now that this event had been added to Asian Games, it would certainly act as a motivator for performing better. Though we still have three years for the Asiad, we have already started gearing up as this is going to be a tough fight. I am still waiting for the day when this event becomes a part of Olympics as well," she added.

India's ace Compound archer Jhanu Hansda, who is working as a sub inspector in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, feels it will be the beginning of new era in archery. "Last year, Compound archery was introduced in Commonwealth Games and the end result was really pleasant for India,” she said.

Patiala, December 2
Asian Games silver medalist Dinesh Kumar, who was beaten up at the NIS boys hostel on Wednesday night, has decided against getting an FIR registered ‘in the wake of the upcoming Olympic qualifier that would be held in the month of March in Kazakistan’.

Talking to The Tribune in this regard, Dinesh said he had no idea as to what had happened that night and did not want to name anyone without substantial evidence. “I don’t have any animosity with anyone and don’t want to get involved in any case at this stage. With just three months left for the qualifying event for London Olympics, I want to focus on my practice,” he added.

His coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu when contacted in this regard confirmed that Dinesh was fit now and had been training since morning. “He wants to forget about the incident and move ahead with his practice. He is a very strong player, both physically and mentally, and I am sure that he would be able to make it to the London Olympics,” added Sandhu.

Though Dinesh has refused to pursue the case, it has certainly left many questions unanswered. Ever since the beginning of the Commonwealth Games camps, tight security arrangements have been in place at NIS. So much so that even media is allowed to enter NIS only on two days in a month for two hours.

Head constable Kamaljeet Singh from New Officers Police Station, who is investigating this incident, confirmed that Dinesh had not recorded any statement with them till the filing of the report.

Brisbane, December 2
Ricky Ponting, searching for an elusive century to save his Test career, led an Australian fightback on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba today.

Ponting, without a century in his previous 28 Test innings and under pressure to keep his place, survived a few close calls to have Australia in good shape at 154 for three in reply to New Zealand's 295 at stumps.

The former skipper, whose last big innings was 209 against Pakistan in Hobart in January last year, was unbeaten on 67 with his successor Michael Clarke not out 28.

Ponting, who turns 37 later this month, unfurled some of his classic drives and pulls among his 11 boundaries to look back in scoring nick. Ponting and Clarke's unbroken 63-run stand rescued the home side after the loss of David Warner (3), Phil Hughes (10) and Usman Khawaja (38) for 91 runs.

Twenty20 specialist Warner's Test innings debut lasted just three balls before he was out in the over before lunch. — AFP

Chandigarh, December 2
Sangrur is all set to host Punjab State Rural Games for Girls (under-16) at War Heroes Stadium from December 3 to 5. The event is being organised by Punjab Sports Department in collaboration with Sports Authority of India under “Panchayat Yuva Karida Aur Khel Abhiyan” (PYKKA) scheme as stated by S.L.Lotey, Deputy Director Sports, Punjab.

About 2100 participants from all over the State are participating in the Games. The department has deputed 200 officials to conduct the event.

Deputy Director Sports further disclosed that this competition would serve as the base to select teams to represent Punjab at the national level rural competitions. The teams would attend coaching camps for intensive training prior to the participation at national level.

Lotey informed the competition would be organized in 11 disciplines: Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Hockey, Handball, Judo, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

New Delhi, December 2
Tata Tea has tied up with football giants Inter Milan to launch Tata Tea Jaago Re Inter Milan Soccer Stars project, a hunt for the under-15 soccer talent in India. The initiative will kick off from Chandigarh, followed by Ludhiana and will cover 15 cities across the country with participants from over 1000 schools.

The all-India tournament is for students aged between 10 to 15 years. The winning team of each zone will qualify for the finals and 15 teams will compete in the National final to decide the All-India champion team. Thereafter, 30 of the most talented children will get selected for further coaching by FC Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) and Indian coaches and a final 16 will represent India at a youth friendly tournament in Milan. The tournament begins on December 12 and ends on March 18, 2012.

BRIEFLY

CRPF knock out Navy
NEW DELHI: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) knocked out Navy 4-3 in the opening match of the 6th Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at the National Stadium here on Friday. CRPF led 3-1 at one stage before Navy fought back to narrow the margin. Surender Singh put CRPF in the lead in the 4th minute and Simon Tirkey added the second goal. Tirkey also scored the fourth goal but in between, Mandeer Singh struck the third to give a comfortable lead for CRPF. For Navy, Ved Prakash scored the first two goals while Surender Kumar added the third. Saturday’s fixture: Army XI vs Northern Railway (12 noon). — TNS

Deepa aims for medal
New Delhi: Wheelchair-bound paraplegic athlete Deepa Malik is aiming to win a medal ahead of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, with an eye on the mega event. The 41-year-old wants to test her ground with the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport (IWAS) World Games 2011 beginning Friday in Sharjah. "I am going to take part in field throw events," the mother of two, who won the shot put silver in the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in New Zealand in January, told IANS. Deepa will be participating in the F-53 category in which the player's shoulders are weak but elbows and fingers have strength. — IANS

Saquib Ahmed wins golf title
Mumbai: The Toyota IGU Western India Golf came to an end at BPGC today. Sayed Saquib Ahmed from Bangalore won the Toyota IGU Western India golf tournament. Saqib won the U-18 category striking six over 76 on the last round to take his overall tally at the end of fourth day to 285. Saqib had carded one under 69 and two even par score of 70 in the subsequent two days to maintain the leader’s position. With a score of 69-70-70-76=285 Saqib emerged the overall winner followed by Patna’s Aman Raj (288) and Delhi’s Manu Gundas (220) finishing as the second runner’s up. — TNS

Gurdaspur judokas excel
Gurdaspur: Karanjit Singh Maan, a plus 2 student of St Mary’s Senior Secondary school, has done the city proud by winning the gold medal in the plus 71 kg weight category in the 57th National school judo championship which concluded at Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) recently. In the pool bouts, Maan defeated competitors from Chandigarh, J&K, Gujarat, MP and Rajasthan while in the final he downed a Haryana Judoka by an ‘Ippan’ (fall). A special function was held today at the school premises where Maan was felicitated by the School Chairman Kanwal Bakshi, Administrator Col (Redt) A.S Bhullar and Principle Rano Bakshi. — TNS

Chhetri disappointed with trial
New Delhi: India striker Sunil Chhetri, who returned after a six-day trial with Scottish football giants Glasgow Rangers, rued the lack of "enough opportunities" and termed his short stay there as "disappointing". Along with his India team strike partner Jeje Lalpekhlua, Chhetri had flown to Glasgow to attend a trial, but felt he never got enough opportunities to impress manager Ally McCoist. "On the first day we came here they were preparing for a match the day after, so we couldn't train. The second day was the match, then the third day they had to rest after the match. On the fourth day they left for Hamburg and we couldn't go. It was a bit disappointing," Chettri said. — PTI