Melbourne, February 3
India relied on the young brigade to finally break their prolonged winless streak by spanking Australia by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 International and level the series 1-1 here today. After restricting the fancied Australians to 131 in 19.4 overs, riding on some brilliant fielding and disciplined bowling, the Indians overhauled the target with two balls to spare to record their first overseas win in close to seven months.

Today's win snapped India's winless run that started in England last year where they lost the four-match Test series 0-4 and the subsequent five-match ODI series 0-3 before slumping to another 0-4 whitewash in the Test series against Australia.

Opener Gautam Gambhir (56 not out) led the Indian charge and Virender Sehwag (23) provided the best start of the Australian tour, putting on 43 runs from 6.3 overs for the first wicket.

Sehwag was brilliantly caught at short cover by Shaun Marsh off left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg but not before hitting a monstrous six off left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty that went many rows deep at the long on fence of the huge MCG stadium.

But Gambhir was determined to see India through and made a well-constructed 56 off 60 balls with four fours. India's lone centurion in the Test series, Virat Kohli (31) gave him good company as India won without a hiccup by reaching 135 for two in 19.4 overs.

Gambhir and Kohli put on 54 runs off 43 balls for the second wicket to seal the good work done earlier by the bowlers and fielders, who executed four run-outs during the Australian innings.

Gambhir reached his half century in the 18th over off a misfield that allowed him three runs. He faced 54 balls and hit three fours to notch up his fifty. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (21 not out) strode in at number four and made sure India went past the finish line safely in front of 62,276-strong crowd at the MCG.

The only good thing Australia did today was to win the toss and elect to bat before the Indians began to work through their innings with Praveen Kumar striking two blows in his second over, the third of the innings. All five frontline bowlers, Praveen Kumar (2 for 21), Vinay Kumar (2 for 25), Ravinder Jadeja (1 for 16), Rahul Sharma (2 for 29) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1 for 23) bowled well.

Matthew Wade, hero of the first Twenty20 game, came to bat at number six, made 32 before being the third batsman to be run out for 32. Aaron Finch (36 off 23 balls), opening in place of Wade this time, made a strokeful knock before being run out at a critical time.

India bowled and fielded with enthusiasm and it all started after Praveen picked up two wickets in his second over. It was then the swiftness of Jadeja in the field that accounted for two wickets in quick succession.

Right-hander David Hussey was in the centre of both the run-outs, one the folly of his own misjudgment. Unable to get off the strike, Hussey cut leg-spinner Rahul to point and called his partner Finch for a run. The ball was still not past Jadeja and importantly was on the side of his throwing left-arm. Jadeja swooped on the ball and threw in accurately to keeper Dhoni who did the rest. — PTI

Warner c Gambhir b Praveen 8

Finch run out 36

Marsh c Dhoni b Praveen 0

Hussey c & b Jadeja 24

Bailey run out 3

Wade run out 32

Mitchell st Dhoni b Rahul 13

Lee not out 6

McKay c Dhoni b Vinay 0

Hogg lbw b Rahul 4

Doherty run out 1

Extras (w 4) 4

Total (all out; 19.4 ovrs) 131

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-20, 3-49, 4-54, 5-93, 6-119, 7-121, 8-121, 9-130.

Melbourne, February 3
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was full of praise for his side's "exceptional" work on the field in the second Twenty20 International against Australia here today, which helped the visitors register their first win in the ongoing tour.

An agile India today effected as many as four run-outs to restrict Australia to 131 and then rode on Gautam Gambhir's unbeaten 56 to pocket the match by eight wickets and snap their losing streak Down Under. The visitors had earlier lost the Test series 0-4 to Australia before suffering a 31-run defeat in the first Twenty20 game in Sydney on Wednesday.

"It is always good to be on the winning side, the boys were exception in the field (today), probably the best fielding I have seen. It will be hard to beat this effort," Dhoni said after the match at the MCG. "We are a side that relies a lot on a good start, not about the runs, a good, calm start is what we look for.

"Praveen bowled with the new ball, forcing the openers to make mistakes and the spinners did well too, they went for a few runs in between but overall it was a good effort by the bowlers and equally by the top three batsmen," he added.

His counterpart George Bailey also admitted that his side was completely out-fielded today and the four run-outs made all the difference in the match. "It wasn't as close as it looked. Losing is part and parcel of the game, we were well short with the bat tonight. Four run-outs was the big difference. We were clearly out-fielded," Bailey said.

Only his second match as Twenty20 captain, Bailey said they were trying to build a new team and have to be more consistent to emerge as a dominant side in this format of the game. "We have a great bunch of guys, we are trying to build onto something. We have put some game plan together but the key is to be consistent," he said.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged the Man of the Match for his figures of one for 16 and effecting two run-outs of Australian captain Bailey and opener Aaron Finch. "It is a pleasure to play for India, it is a very good achievement for me. Mahi (Dhoni) Bhai always told me to have faith in myself and I too tried to play my natural game," he said. — PTI

London, February 3
John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy, the English FA said on Friday. The 31-year-old Chelsea centre back is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty on Wednesday to a charge of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match at Loftus Road in October.

The trial date has been set for July 9 - eight days after the end of the Euro 2012 championship. "Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, The Football Association confirms he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved," the FA said in a statement on its website.

"The FA Board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship. Further to Wednesday's confirmation that the trial will not take place until after the tournament, the board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.

"This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament."

The FA confirmed he had not been excluded from the squad and that manager Fabio Capello can select him for the friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley on February 29 and for the European Championship itself.

FA Chairman David Bernstein spoke to both Terry and Capello to explain the facts to them, the FA said. "Fabio Capello has not been involved in The FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that The FA Board has authority to make this decision," the statement continued.

"This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry," the FA added. It is the second time that Terry has been stripped of the captaincy of the national team in two years. He has played for England 67 times, 34 of them as captain and scored six goals.

He was first relieved of the armband by England manager Capello in February 2010 following allegations of an extra-marital affair, and re-instated as captain last year. — Reuters

Mumbai, February 3
Former captain Rajpal Singh has taken his axing from the Indian team in his stride and is confident he will be recalled to the national squad after the London Olympic Qualifiers in Delhi later this month. The 27-year-old Chandigarh player is also aiming to use the upcoming World Series Hockey to get the much needed match practise if and when he gets a call-up for the national duty.

"I have played only one match in 2012 (in the recently held Test series at home against South Africa). I will get to play between 11 to 14 matches in the World Series Hockey which will help me when I play international hockey again. I am confident I will be recalled (to the national squad)," Rajpal said.

Rajpal, an Arjuna Awardee and a member of the national squad that won the Junior World Cup in Hobart in 2001, was dropped from the 18-member strong Indian squad that was picked on "form and fitness", according to chief coach Michael Nobbs, and has been replaced at the helm by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.

The right winger, who led India in the 2010 World Cup in Delhi, the Commmonwealth Games (at Delhi) and the Asian Games (at Guangzhou) held later that year, would play for Delhi Wizards in the February 29-April 2 $2 million prize money WSH - a city-based franchise league floated jointly by Nimbus Sport and the Indian Hockey Federation.

Rajpal underwent an appendix operation on October 31, 2011 and had been advised a rest of six weeks before he played in the Test series against South Africa last month. — PTI

New Delhi, February 3
The Indian football team will be playing in an international friendly match against Azerbaijan in Dubai on February 27 as part of their preparation for the forthcoming AFC Challenge Cup, the AIFF confirmed today.

Four days before the match against Azerbaijan, the team is scheduled to play Oman in Muscat. While India are currently ranked 158 in the FIFA rankings, Oman and Azerbaijan hold the 90th and 111th spots, respectively.

The AFC Challenge Cup starts in Kathmandu, Nepal from March 8. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup to be held in Australia. India will go into the continental tournament as the defending champions. — PTI

Chandigarh, February 3
Under the overcast sky, the 4th day of the Principal Harbhajan Singh Football Tournament, Mahilpur witnessed a downpour of goals. BSF ravaged JK Forest 4-1, leaving the latter with a yearlong heartache. BSF kicked off and showing utmost control tangled into the JK defence, rendering them completely helpless.

Rest was an all goal affair with Harpreet striking twice, first in the 29th and then again in the 50th minute. Vishal succeeded in the concluding seconds of the first half and Banty Singh had a shot in the 77th minute. JKs, however, were able to save face, their Hisban Shafi scoring the only goal for their team in the 62nd min.

Punjab Police showed their mettle against Sant Hari Singh Club, Mahilpur in another match during the day. Police circled the ball in short passes, easily infiltrated into the opponent's territory triggering thousands of whistles of the bleaches. Police's Vijay kumar having missed the goal-post several times, at last found the target after half an hour. Harpreet scored twice in the 35th and 52nd minute.

Vijay was not to be left behind and scored twice and lashed in the last minute thus completely demolishing the rivals 4-0.

The third match between FA Rurka and Khalsa College, Jalandhar grew out to be a one sided affair as the former overpowered the latter 3-0. FA Rurka dominated possession and goals came in easy with Prem striking five minutes after the start and Jatinder a few minutes later.

Both sides produced wayward efforts but Gurmel in the concluding moments banged the ball into the net, scribbling complete catastrophe for Khalsa College, Jalandhar.

The next two days semifinals will see BSF & Tata Academy and SNC Banga & Punjab Police jostling with each other. In the College Category, FA Rurka will take on Khalsa College, Mahilpur whereas Guru Nanak College, Phagwara collide with FA Mahilpur.

New Delhi, February 3
Ace Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan has claimed the last available slot for the 2012 Formula One season by signing a fresh contract with Hispania Racing Team and this time for the full calendar.

Karthikeyan along with Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa complete the HRT line-up for the season, beginning with Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18. A lot of other exprienced drivers missed out on getting a seat as such as Adrian Sutil and Vitali Petrov.

The 35-year old raced for Hispania in the 2011 in the first half of the season before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, although he was allowed to race in the home event at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

Karthikeyan said the good show in the Indian GP helped him convince the new management at the Hispania to get the racing seat. "I am continuing with HRT. Four to five drivers were competing for this seat and I am happy that the team management preferred me over the others," Karthikeyan told reporters here.

"I think the strong show at the Indian GP was a big factor (in getting the seat) as I delivered after missing the action for four months. They believe that I still have what it takes to deliver in F1," he said.

Asked if he had to arrange for more finance to get into the side, Karthikeyan said, "There were drivers who had more resources but I have the ability to race also." He also refuted suggestions that he had to arrange for about $8m to get this seat. — PTI

Winds of 40mph gales battered the field at Doha Golf Club and reduced the event to a 54-hole tournament. Chowrasia, who had a first round of one-over 73 was one-over through nine holes in the second and with a total of two-over he was tied 73rd as the top-65 and ties make the cut.

Jeev, who was three-over 75 for first round was one-over through four holes when play was stopped. At four-over for 22 holes he is tied 92nd.

Shiv Kapur (75) in first round had not even begun his second round.

Just 163 minutes of golf had been played when European Tour officials called in the players who had taken to the course, including overnight leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano who may have breathed a sigh of relief after dropping two shots on his opening seven holes. — PTI

Dubai, February 3
England edged to a slender five-run lead over Pakistan at the close as 16 wickets fell during an extraordinary opening day of the third and final test at Dubai Stadium Friday. Routed for a low score of 99 in their first innings by England pacemen Stuart Broad (4-36) and James Anderson (3-35), Pakistan spinners moved to the fore to leave England struggling at 104-6.

England, playing for pride after losing the first two Tests and the series, now hold a slight lead on a seemingly batting-friendly pitch. At the close, Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 41 and James Anderson was on three not out.

Paceman Umar Gul led Pakistan's fightback by dismissing opener Alastair Cook (one) and Jonathan Trott (two) before Strauss added 57 for the third wicket with Kevin Pietersen (32) during their bids to overcome batting frailties.

England's batting had flopped during their two wicket defeat in the first Test here and in the 72-run defeat in the second match in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistani spinners Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal, who grabbed 34 of the 40 wickets in the first two Tests, then grabbed four more wickets, with Rehman dismissing Pietersen and Eoin Morgan (10) and Ajmal accounting for Bell (five). — AFP

Chennai, February 3
Asian champion Ravi Dixit helped India reach in semifinals along with Dipika Pallikal and Ramit Tandon in the Chennai Open World Cup (U-21) Squash Team Championships at the Express Mall here tonight.

Shouldering the responsibility as the Indian top seed, Ravi, in his last year in junior category, was at his best in scalping Jaime McErvale 11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 10-9 in 58 minutes.

Dipika had a little difficulty in getting over Sarah Cardwell of Australia 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 in a match that lasted for 42 minutes, while Tandon completed the formalities with an easy 11-1, 11-2, 11-4 win over Walter Koteka in just 17 minutes.

The final round of qualifying held at one of the biggest malls in the country attracted huge crowd to witness the matches and it is considered a worthy advertisement for the sport, which is shortlisted as one of the events for the 2012 London Olympics.

Ravi dominated the match throughout and started with a 9-3 lead in the first game and the only time he looked to have some problem was in the third game. Despite enjoying the advantage on two match balls, Ravi wilted under pressure to lose the game but in no time he recovered to win the fourth and subsequently the match. — PTI