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Dhoni draws praise from rivals
Yuvraj Singh gets Armstrong boost
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Gatka tournament in Patiala
Barca all but through, APOEL live on
Jeev, Chowrasia lead Indian challenge at Avantha Masters
SAI reaches out to London Olympics hopefuls
WSH remains unsanctioned event
Kerala to bid for U-17 World Cup
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Dhoni draws praise from rivals
Brisbane, February 15 Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene was left shaking his head in disbelief last night when Dhoni snatched a tie. “One inch here and there and a guy like Dhoni could take you apart. He is a great finisher, he is cool and calm and backs himself. He is a strong character.” Figures present the strongest claim in its support. Dhoni has been unbeaten in 30 of India’s 49 successful chases and scored runs at an average of 104.89 in them. The best in the business - Michael Bevan, Lance Klusener, Abdul Razzaq and Jonty Rhodes - are nowhere close. In his 200 matches, Dhoni has been unbeaten 50 times or in every fourth innings of his career. With 44 fifties and seven centuries, Dhoni is scoring at least a half century in every four innings. He averages 51.41 for his 6632 runs with a strike rate of 88.32. Bevan betters him in average - 53.58 - but his strike rate of 74.16 lets him down. Yuvraj Singh has a similar strike rate - 87.60 - but then his average of 37.62 is nowhere near. Australian captain Michael Clarke was left ruing his team’s fate after Dhoni chased down the 13 runs required in the final over on Sunday. “Dhoni is a class player. His statistics show it. He is a very good striker of the ball and you saw that in the last over with that six he hit off McKay,” said Clarke. Dhoni, however, is awestruck by the vitality of Yuvraj as a finisher. “The only one consistent lower down the order was Yuvraj Singh at number six. It’s a very difficult position to bat,” Dhoni has said. Indeed, no job in one-day cricket is as difficult as that of a finisher. The player ought to be able to hit big yet be capable of manoeuvring the field with deft placements. He needs to be an excellent judge of a run and must have the speed to convert a single into a brace. Most of the time, the run-rate is climbing, the best bowlers are back in operation and the field is strategically placed. There is frustration when the lower-half isn’t able to rotate the strike. Risk is ever present. Dhoni, over the years, has worked out a method. First and foremost, he’s cool at all times. He isn’t premeditated. He directed his partner Ravi Ashwin to square up to the threat of a yorker from Lasith Malinga yesterday. “Malinga has a yorker and a very good slower one which he disguises very well. It's difficult for the lower order to pick him up consistently. All I said (to Ashwin) was to wait for the ball but don’t plan for a yorker. If you see it, then react to it. Basically you keep the mind blank. For example, Malinga can bowl yorkers at will. It’s important to be blank and back yourself to hit those for runs. You see the ball and look to hit it,” Dhoni said. Barely 10 months old in international cricket, Dhoni once smashed 183 off 145 balls with 15 fours and 10 sixes against Sri Lanka in Jaipur in 2005. His early flamboyance has given way to nudges and pushes and big hits are rare - he has only hit two sixes in the present series - yet his strike-rate doesn’t suffer by way of comparison. — PTI |
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Yuvraj Singh gets Armstrong boost
New Delhi, February 15 "Message from @lancearmstrong makes me feel better! Thank you lance means a lot hope we can meet," tweeted Yuvraj, who is undergoing chemotherapy in the United States for a malignant tumour located between his lungs. The ace all-rounder, named man of the tournament after India's World Cup win in April last year, already said he had been drawing inspiration from Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France seven times. A photo of the message, posted on Yuvraj's twitter account, read: "Yuvi, I want you to know that the entire LIVESTRONG team is here for you. "We say it all the time, and truly believe in it: Knowledge is power, Unity is strength, and Attitude is everything. Please know that we are here to help you and your family in any way possible. Go Yuvi!! Livestrong." Yuvraj had earlier tweeted that he was reading Armstrong's book "It's Not About The Bike", saying: "I'm sure the book will motivate me and pull me through this difficult time." He had a dream run in the World Cup, scoring 362 runs and grabbing 15 wickets in nine matches. He has not played competitive cricket since taking part in two of three home Tests against the West Indies in November. Yuvraj has so far scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers and 1,775 runs in 37 Tests since making his international debut in 2000. — AFP
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Gatka tournament in Patiala
Patiala, February 15 Talking about the background of Gatka, president of the association Avtar Singh said Gatka, the martial art of Sikhs, has always been taught as a spiritual exercise in Sikhism. It was a weapon-based martial art, which was imparted to the Sikhs in the time of Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth guru of the Sikhs), buy the Rajputs. Many of the techniques which are practiced today are variants of the original Indian martial art Shastar Vidya. Now, that it has been introduced as a sport, we decided to organise this event to attract more youngsters. We will also be organising more of such events in future,” added Avtar Singh. He informed that various men and women Gatka teams, affiliated with DGA, would exhibit their age-old combating skills by participating in single soti, soti-farri and weapon demonstration competitions. The Gatka contest would be held according to the rules set forth by the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the winner gatkebaaz would be awarded with medals and certificates. “Earlier, Gatka was only the domain of males, now women have been outperforming them by displaying their rare acumen in the sport. The Federation has decided to promote the Indian ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they can even use it for self defense," he added. He categorically said promotion of Gatka as a sport at national as well as in the international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also play a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations. He further informed that GFI has adopted the conventional sports uniform (i.e. Track Suits or T-shirt with Knickers, Sneakers and a Headgear for protection) as a new dress code in the rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a ‘cosmopolitan sport’. Notably, Gatka is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed sport. The present Gatka, has been acknowledged as a sport and is being played in throughout the country.
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Barca all but through, APOEL live on
Paris, February 15 Barca took their time to make their evident superiority tell as the poor run of four away matches without a win appeared to have an effect on the players. However, two goals from Chilean star Alexis Sanchez, the first one set up by three-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, who also grabbed the third which was the best of the match. Michal Kadlec had briefly given the hosts hope of earning a notable result, but Leverkusen were their own worst enemies as they missed several chances of their own to leave them with a daunting task in Barcelona. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who faces an almost impossible ask in retaining the domestic league title as bitter rivals Real Madrid have a 10 point lead, admitted his side had taken time to assert their authority. "I think the second half was good, we used the space better after we took the lead," said Guardiola. "We tried to improve our game, we had a few chances in the first half, but perhaps the final pass was missing. "But we were playing away and we came into the game after the break." His Leverkusen counterpart Robin Dutt also thought that his team had produced their best football in the second-half, but not good enough to end a poor run which has seen them win just once in eight matches. "The defense was good in the first half, but we were lacking a bit of courage," said Dutt. "We gave them too much respect and were a bit anxious. "It was a completely different story in the second half when we played our part in the game and caused Barcelona some problems." Lyon deserved to win against an APOEL side that relied on the safety-first tactics that have paid off so handsomely thusfar this season in which they have become the first Cypriot side to reach the knockout stages of the elite competition. Alexandre Lacazette got the only goal shortly before the hour mark in a match that the French hosts may come to regret they were too cautious in their approach as they kept leading scorer Bafetimbi Gomis on the bench at kick-off. However, coach Remi Garde was relieved to have got the win and for his side to have kept a welcome clean sheet which was only their second in 12 games. "We would have preferred to score a second goal and push APOEL further back. But I'm not disappointed because we did the maximum against a side that has caused problems for other teams. "We found a way to goal without conceding a goal, which is very important." His APOEL counterpart Ivan Jovanovic refused to admit the game was up. "It's a very good result for Lyon, of course, and they have a big advantage," he said. "But from our perspective, we'll try to play better, so why can't we still go through?" — AFP
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Jeev, Chowrasia lead Indian challenge at Avantha Masters
Gurgaon, February 15 The first event to be tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India has been dominated by the host region. Australia's Andrew Dodt clinched it the first time around before SSP Chowrasia delighted the crowd with a home victory last year. The 33-year-old Chowrasia triumphed by one shot over England's Robert Coles last year to claim his second European Tour title following his victory in the Indian Masters in 2008, when he became the first player to win on his debut appearance as an Affiliate Member. Chowrasia, whose form took a hit after last year's triumph, is hoping to regain the touch that brought him the title. "I've been practising hard and I'm feeling really good. I've done a bit of work on my swing over the off-season and it's paying off. I'm feeling very confident about my game," said Chowrasia. "Last year was amazing to win in front of the home fans and great for Indian golf and Indian players. I was so happy. "I have great memories of the DLF Golf Club from last year so I am very much looking forward to going back. To win again and make it three times in Delhi would be unbelievable," he added. Also in the fray is Jeev Milkha Singh. The 40-year-old was the first Indian to qualify for the European Tour and has won three titles, the last of which was in 2008. He has also won the Asian Tour Order of Merit twice, in 2006 and 2008. "It's the third year in a row we have had a European Tour event in India, which is fantastic. The DLF is a great golf course, and of course it's always a treat to play in front of your home crowds. I get a lot of support from the people there. I'm really looking forward to it," said Jeev. Another name to watch out for is Rahil Gangjee who, in 2010, was among the seven players tied for the lead dafter three rounds at the Avantha Masters. Gangjee, who shifted base to the United States last year to compete in the Nationwide Tour, has given a decent account of himself on the PGA Tour. He was second at Asian Tour Q-School and also the Gujarat Kensville Challenge, an event on the European Challenge Tour last month. Shiv Kapur is also aiming for his first Asian Tour title since 2005, when he won the Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand. Shiv finished 24th on the Asian Tour Order Of Merit. Youngsters like Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Himmat Rai and Chiragh Kumar are also among the contenders for the title. Lahiri and Himmat won their maiden pro titles on Asian Tour in 2011 while Chiragh topped the PGTI Order Of Merit list in 2011 and also secured his Asian Tour card. — PTI
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Gagan set for comeback
Jalandhar, February 15 Gagan Ajit, who is all geared up to attend the WSH training camp beginning from tomorrow at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park was excited sharing this news. Talking to The Tribune, the Arjuna awardee player said, “It is both choice and chance which coupled together and I became a part of the first season of the WSH”. He also added that he was looking forward to the WSH series as it gave him a chance to make a comeback to his passion. “WSH is a good beginning for hockey and I am excited to play for the Sher-e-Punjab team. We begin our camp tomorrow morning and I am looking forward to it”, he said. An efficient striker, he always remained in the limelight owing to his fine striking skills and the capacity to outwit the opposition defence with deft stick-work. It is after a long gap that Gagan Ajit will play on the big stage, post his joining the Punjab Police. It is pertinent to mention here that Gagan Ajit remained the captain of the Indian team that had won Junior World Cup in 2001. He made his debut in international hockey in 1997 in a Test series against Russia. He also played at the Sydney Olympics 2000 and Athens Olympics in 2004. He is the son of Ajit Singh, a veteran Indian hockey player who had represented the India in the Munich Olympic Games 1972 and Montreal Olympic Games 1976.
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SAI reaches out to London Olympics hopefuls
New Delhi, February 15 SAI has prepared a list of 42 sportspersons, who will be provided with the additional assistance apart from its OPEX 2012 programme, and includes those who have already booked their berths for Olympics or are likely to qualify. The 'Olympic Hopeful' scheme has been approved by the Sports Ministry and includes some of the top names including Beijing Games gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, bronze-medallists Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar and the likes of Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman and Saina Nehwal. "In our General Steering Committee meeting held on February 6 and 10 for the 16 identified Olympic sports, we decided to provide athletes with all kinds of support under the Specialised Programme. "Five-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom had given a specific proposal to train under Charles Atkinson and she will be training under Atkinson from February 15 to March 15 in Pune.
— PTI |
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WSH remains unsanctioned event
New Delhi, February 15 But International Hockey Federation chief executive officer, Kelly Fairweather reiterated that there was no question of sanctioning WSH as it is being orgainsed by IHF, which does not have the recognition of FIH. "We have read the judgement and it actually reinforces the rules of FIH. As far as WSH is concerned, there is no change in our stance, it is an unsanctioned event because IHF is not a member of FIH," Fairweather said.
— PTI |
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Kerala to bid for U-17 World Cup
Thiruvananthapuram, February 15 Talking to reporters after the cabinet meeting here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said India has been chosen as the venue for the tournament and KFA has decided to bid to hold the championship in the state. Government asked the KFA and Greater Cochin Development Authority to take necessary steps in this regard and also make arrangements.
— PTI |
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He may be under pressure as a captain but as a finisher lower down the order, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is considered one of the best in ODI cricket even by his rivals.
New Delhi, February 15
Holders Barcelona all but sealed their place in this season's Champions League quarter-finals after beating German opponents Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 away in their Last 16 first leg clash. They could well be joined by Cypriot side
APOEL, who came away from French giants Lyon trailing 1-0 yesterday but the fairytale side of this season's competition has every chance of turning the tables in three weeks time.
