|
|
|
|
|
Are Rohit, Virat ready to take over?
Rohit is on a roll in the home series. He has been the fulcrum around which the Indian batting has revolved in the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies, with scores of 72, 90 not out and 95 in the first three games.
Would like to make full use of opportunities: Irfan
|
|
|
Ranji: 16 wickets on opening day of Delhi vs MP match
Saff Championship
Dempsey strike sinks Liverpool
Asia out-skills Europe
McIlroy, Donald to duel for title
Olympic qualifier camp in Delhi
|
|
Are Rohit, Virat ready to take over?
Indore, December 6
Young guns Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have emerged as front-runners to occupy two of the three slots. The trio of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman are, perhaps, on their last tour to Australia when they depart ahead of the rest of the touring party on December 8 and replacements need to be identified sooner than later. Sharma, 24, and Kohli, 23, have been in top form in the 50-over format that has, of late, been the stepping stone for entering Test cricket and, significantly, both have found berths in India's team for the much-awaited four-match rubber commencing December 26. Though Delhi-born Kohli has taken a march over Sharma as far as earning a Test spot in the eleven is concerned, it must not be forgotten that it was the latter who was first on the starter's block only to false start through a freak ankle injury just half an hour before commencement of play Both have been among the runs in the ODI format. Sharma has continued from where he left off in the Caribbean in the return series against the West Indies at home while Kohli, after having made little impression in the three-Test series on the same tour, has done much better when given a chance to Test his mettle in the slot vacated by Yuvraj Singh. While Sharma has been the fulcrum around which the Indian batting has revolved in the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies, with scores of 72, 90 not out and 95 in the first three games, Kohli came into his own with a classy 117 and his partnership with Sharma took the team past the challenging score in the second game. Kohli's ton was his eighth in 72 ODIs and third in the last nine games and his tally of over 900 runs in ODIs this year is second only to leading run-getter - England's Jonathan Trott. Though he did not prosper in the third game on Monday at Ahmedabad, which India lost by 16 runs after a top order collapse, Kohli showed good touch. Sharma is on a roll in the home series. It required a superb direct hit from West Indian captain Darren Sammy from mid on to send him back when he seemed determined to take India home again after half the side had been lost for 84 chasing a tough target of 261. According to former India skipper and ex-chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar, both these batsmen are fully ready for Test cricket as they possess excellent temperament and ability to play the short ball. "They (Rohit and Virat) are future players of India in all formats at the international level. They have very good temperament and have good technique to play the short ball, which is very important at the international level," Vengsarkar said. "Both have outstanding talent and are ready for Test cricket," added the former middle order batsman. Virender Sehwag, who is leading the Indian squad in the five-match rubber, was also effusive in his praise of the talented duo of young batsmen in the series. The duo's tough test obviously lies on the bouncy pitches in Australia where they would be severely tested by the home team's young pace bowlers, who would be eager to make a mark. If they come out with flying colours Down Under, the most severe of their critics would have been answered. — PTI
|
|
Would like to make full use of opportunities: Irfan
New Delhi, December 6
The left-arm seamer, who was out in the wilderness for the last two years, due to a sharp dip in form and subsequent injuries thanked former MRF coach TA Sekhar for his support. "TA Sekhar's inputs have proved to be beneficial for a lot of pacers across the country and I am one of them who has immensely benefitted from his technical inputs. He discussed a few corrective measures regarding my wrist position that has helped me get my swing back. The hard work is certainly paying off," Pathan stated. Was it the seven-wicket haul against Delhi that helped him clinch a berth, Irfan answered, "I can't say that on the basis of one performance I am back. I have started this season really well and has been consistent so far. I am feeling well and the rhythm is back. Now I have to carry on the good work to the next level." — PTI
|
|
Ranji: 16 wickets on opening day of Delhi vs MP match
Indore, December 6 Bali slams ton Thalassery: Opener A Bali's brilliant 120 helped Himachal Pradesh score a healthy 243 for two in their first innings against Kerala on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group 'A' match here today. At draw of stumps, P Dogra was not out on 59 and S Sriram on 5. Electing to bat, Bali shared two century partnerships for the opening and second wickets with Paul Valthaty and Dogra to take Himachal Pradesh to the commanding position at stumps on the first day. Inder, Goel’s ton give Punjab edge Jaipur: Opener Ravi Inder Singh and Karan Goel stroked their way to centuries as Punjab posted 283 for three against defending champions Rajasthan on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Elite division Group A match here today. Opting to bat, Inder (133) led from the front, scoring his ton off 212 balls, while Goel remained unbeaten on 116 that came off 278 deliveries to guide Punjab to a comfortable position. After a poor start, Inder and Goel not only steadied the boat but also shared a 219-run partnership for the second wicket at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. — PTI
|
|
|
Nepal, Maldives enter semifinals
Nepal hold Pakistan l Maldives drub Bangladesh 3-1 l India take on Lanka in crucial game today M.S.Unnikrishnan Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 6 Maldives were defeated by India in the title clash of the last edition. Both Nepal and Maldives finished on five points each, but Maldives will top the group with a better goal difference, with five goals for and two against. The Nepal-Pakistan match, the first of the day, was rough and tough, with five players getting the yellow card, and two players being carried away in ambulances when they got seriously injured after a head-on collision. Nepal, who were on four points from two matches before today's contest, needed only a draw to qualify, though they had threatened to walk away with full honours when Bharat Khawas hit the mark in the 37th minute, following a corner kick. As the ball landed in the box, the defenders failed to clear it, and Khawas latched on to it, to volley in. Nepal retained the lead till half time, but a few minutes into the second session, Pakistan equalised off a penalty kick. Pakistan were awarded the penalty when Mohammed Adil was tripped inside the box. Samar Ishaq made no mistake with the spot kick. Nepal pressed hard, and came by many scoring opportunities thereafter, but in the process, the match got brawny, keeping referee Nagor Aamir of Malaysia very busy with his yellow card flashes and whistling. And then Rabin Shrestha of Nepal and Muhammed Rizwan Asif collided on the left side of the Pakistan goal, mid-way through the second half. Both had to be rushed to hospital for observation and treatment. Maldives, on two points, needed to beat Bangladesh, or score a couple of goals to draw the tie, to move up, ahead of Pakistan, who were on three points after today’s draw, with one goal for and one against. But Maldives chose to make things emphatic when they handed out a 3-1 defeat to Bangladesh, with three goals coming in the first half. Maldives were well-served by striker Ahmed Thariq who accounted for both their goals in the first half. He first converted a perfect cross by captain Ali Ashfaq in the sixth minute, and added the second goal 10 minutes later. When they were sitting pretty, Maldives were jolted by a powerful strike by Md. Shahedul Alam Shahed for Bangladesh. The second half was well fought, but Maldives added one more goal through captain Ali Ashfaq and held onto their lead till the final hooter to triumph. In crucial Group A matches tomorrow, defending champions India need only a draw against Sri Lanka to move into the semis. But if Lanka shock the hosts, then the Island nation will sail in. In the first match, Afghanistan also need only a draw to qualify, but they are sure to wallop Bhutan to record a bigger scoring margin than the 5-nil win recorded by India. If Afghanistan pump in more goals against Bhutan than India, they will top the group, which may be advantageous to them in the semis clash, as they will be meeting Nepal.
|
|
Dempsey strike sinks Liverpool
London, December 6 The pulsating game, in which Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Jay Spearing was sent off after 72 minutes, appeared to be heading for a draw when Reina spilled a shot from Danny Murphy and American international Dempsey scored from close range. Fulham, outplayed in the first half, came back strongly in the second but Liverpool were on the wrong end of three decisions from referee Kevin Friend that otherwise might have turned the game their way. Fulham defender Philippe Senderos was lucky not to concede a penalty after 59 minutes when he clattered into Charlie Adam inside the box. The officials also ruled that Luis Suarez was offside putting the ball in the Fulham net when he looked level with the last defender, and Spearing was shown a red card for a foul on Moussa Dembele when he caught the Fulham player after playing the ball first. — Reuters
|
|
Asia out-skills Europe
New Delhi, December 6
Today’s challenge comprised of four categories. The ‘Longest Drive’ saw Europe’s Sophie Gustafson fire a 286-yard effort. Asia’s Sharmila Nicollet, managed a 282-yard drive. Europe went into the ‘100-yard Pitch’ contest, one-up. Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall came to nine feet seven inches from the pin. But Asia’s Neha Tripathi outdid all with a pitch that landed the ball five feet two inches from the target and Asia drew level. Nalini Singh Siwach chipped to three feet, five inches from the green-side bunker which handed Asia a 2-1 lead. The ‘Monster Putt’ contest followed and Nalini starred again with her putts coming to rest 13 feet from the cup. The European contingent of Christina Kim and Sophie Gustafson fell short by four feet with Christina’s putt coming to a halt 17 feet from the pin. The Women’s Indian Open will be played from December 9 to 11. The tournament has prize purse of $300,000. Golfers from 27 countries will be seen in action.
|
|
McIlroy, Donald to duel for title
Dubai, December 6 World No. 2 McIlroy knows it won't be easy snatching the Race to Dubai title from current leader Donald. The 22-year-old Northern Irishman trails Donald by just under (euro) 790,000 ($1 million) and must win the Dubai World Championship starting Thursday, and hope that Donald finishes outside the top nine - something the Englishman has done only three times on the European Tour this year. "Still got a slim chance of trying to win the Race To Dubai and so it's nice to just have that coming to the quick," said McIlroy, whose Hong Kong win ensured the Race would come down to the final tournament. "It's going to be a tough task but I'll give my best and it would be great to finish the year on a high." McIlroy must also finish ahead of No. 3 Lee Westwood and No. 4 Martin Kaymer. — AP
|
|
|
Olympic qualifier camp in Delhi
New Delhi, December 6 The Olympic qualifiers will be held at the National Stadium in February. HI said the National camp was decided at a meeting of the first Steering Committee meeting of hockey, held on March 7 and to invite foreign teams for friendly ties in January. The confusion had arisen as the World Series Hockey opening ceremony and the Delhi leg of the matches will be held at the same venue, as the Indian Hockey Federation-Nimbus Sports combine have got permission from Sports Authority of India for the use of the stadium for the WSH opener and league matches.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
As the big three of Indian Test batting — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman — enter the twilight of their careers, the spotlight is firmly on the men who seek to replace them in the years to come.
Clint Dempsey pounced for an 85th-minute winner as Fulham beat Liverpool 1-0 in a dramatic Premier League match at Craven Cottage on Monday after a rare mistake from keeper Pepe
Reina. The pulsating game, in which Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Jay Spearing was sent off after 72 minutes, appeared to be heading for a draw when Reina spilled a shot from Danny Murphy and American international Dempsey scored from close range.
"It would be difficult for me to say whether it's more of a happiness or a relief that I am back but I would like to make full use of the opportunities available. Not many people get a chance to represent the country and I have been fortunate enough to do that and, God willing, would like to represent my nation for a long time," Pathan told PTI over phone from Vadodara.
Melbourne