Mirpur, March 12
Desperate to restore their battered reputation after the recent debacle in Australia, title holders India would be hoping for a positive start to their campaign in the Asia Cup cricket tournament when they take on Sri Lanka here tomorrow.

The Asia Cup will provide India a chance to make amends for their dismal performance in the triangular series in Australia where they won just three out of eight matches.

After having flopped in two consecutive overseas tours in England and then Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows the importance of a good start that will hold them in good stead in the regional tournament.

"Over the years the format has changed in the sense now there are four good sides. It is a very short series, and it is very important to start with a positive note because it's not very often that you play in a tournament where all the Asian countries are playing together," Dhoni said.

India are coming into the tournament with just a few changes in the squad that played in Australia with hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and pacer Ashok Dinda drafted into side, while Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav have been 'rested' due to injuries.

The Asia Cup is also an ideal platform for Sachin Tendulkar to record his much-awaited 100th international ton after having missed the feat in the Test series against Australia and the subsequent triangular series.

The tournament will also provide another opportunity to young players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja to prove their worth after producing a below-par performance in tough Australian conditions.

Young Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will be oozing with confidence following his impressive showing in Australia, which earned him the post of vice-captain in Sehwag's absence.

But looking at India's inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a lot to ponder ahead of his side's tournament opener against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

"It's not that we have done really badly. Of course, we had a patch where we have not done consistently well.

Especially when it comes to the ODI format, I think we have done quite well. So we are hoping that we will stick to it and be consistent throughout the tournament," Dhoni said.

The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan for the lone all-rounder's spot in the playing eleven.

"Unfortunately he's (Virender Sehwag) not there. We will miss him, he is one of the most dangerous openers. But this means we have one space in the playing eleven right now. It may go to somebody like Yusuf Pathan so that we can balance the flair and the firepower and the stability that's needed.

"I think it's an opportunity for someone like a Yusuf or a Ravindra Jadeja to do well and grab that number six position," Dhoni said.

On the bowling front, India boasts of a relatively young pace attack in R Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, while the spin department will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin and will have leg-spinner Rahul Sharma for company.

On paper there is nothing much to differentiate between the two sides, but going by present form Sri Lanka undoubtedly hold an edge over the Indians.

Sri Lanka have been a resurgent side this year. They narrowly lost the five-match series in South Africa 2-3 early this year and reached the finals of the just-concluded triangular series in Australia, only to lose it but not before giving a tought fight to the home team. — PTI

Chennai, March 12
The disastrous tour of Australia not withstanding, Indian cricket team was capable of bouncing back in the ongoing Asia Cup, feels Selection Committee Chairman Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

"We have to accept the fact that cricket is a game, sometimes there are ups, some times there are downs. But I am sure we will always come back," Srikkanth said here today. Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of the launch of an online training course on employability -- jointly brought out by his Sun Online India Private Limited and Micro Small Medium Enterprises Development Institute of the Union Government -- Srikkanth said the ongoing four-nation Asia Cup in Bangladesh was very important for the Indian cricket.

"This particular tournament is an important one as far as Indian cricket is concerned. In the Indian cricketing history itself we have always bounced back and done well. I am sure the Indians will bounce back," he said.

Asked if a win against Pakistan in the ongoing series will change the mood of the Indian cricket fans, who are left distraught by the poor show Down Under, Srikkanth replied in affirmative.

"Definitely yes, Asia cup is an important tournament and as you all know a prestigious trophy. I think any win will definitely boost the morale of cricket in any part of the world including India and I am sure Indian team will do well." India will start it's Asia Cup campaign tomorrow against Sri Lanka and are scheduled to meet Bangladesh on March 16, before playing arch rivals Pakistan on March 18. — PTI 

New Delhi, March 12
BCCI today declined to comment on an unsubstantiated newspaper report that claimed that last year's World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at Mohali was rigged.

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, who is also the IPL Chairman, said unless they received something concrete from the ICC or any agency, they will not comment on the issue. "Newspapers can publish anything, unless we get something concrete from an agency or ICC, I don't thing it would be appropriate to react to it," Shukla told reporters.

"We haven't got anything from ICC, unless we get it from some police agency, it would be inappropiate to react to media reports," he reiterated. On being pressed by a reporter, Shukla said: "I have already told you how we take cognisance of the matter." The 'Sunday Times' newspaper carried out a sting operation on a Delhi-based bookie, who claimed that the Indian bookmakers are fixing the results of England county games and international fixtures and they are using a Bollywood actress as a honeytrap to recruit players from countries. The report also said that India's semi-final match in last year's World Cup was rigged.

Ganguly: We are World Champions

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly found little substance in the report published in a British newspaper about the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan being fixed.

"I don't know how they have got the information but let me tell that India are world champions and nobody can take that away from us," Ganguly told reporters here today.

New Zealand: Claims baseless

Wellington: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today rubbished a newspaper report that some of its players were involved in match-fixing, terming the allegations as "baseless" and "irresponsible".

NZC chief executive David White said the claims made in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper were far from being true and that the ICC's anti-corruption unit was investigating the allegations.

"We have complete confidence that the claims made are baseless and have no credibility. The sources are not credible and the accusations are unsubstantiated making them irresponsible, damaging and untrue," " White said in a statement.

"The integrity and reputation of the game is paramount and NZC have absolute confidence that our players share these ideals," he added. New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA) chief executive Heath Mills also dismissed the claims. — PTI

Mirpur, March 12
Pakistan have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 21-run victory over Bangladesh in the inaugural match of the Asia Cup cricket tournament here.

Match referee David Boon imposed the fines after Misbah-ul-Haq's side was ruled to be two overs short of its target yesterday when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. As such, Misbah was fined 40 per cent of his match fee while his players received 20-per-cent fines.

If Misbah is found guilty of one more minor over-rate offence in ODIs over the next 12 months, he will receive a one-match suspension as per the provisions of the ICC Code of Conduct. — PTI

New Delhi, March 12
Rahul Dravid throwing a chair ? It may seem hard to believe but that is what the Indian batting great, known for his calm and composed demeanour, once did after a heavy defeat.

Dravid's rare act of indescrition has been disclosed by his wife Vijeeta in an insightful article about the batting stalwart, who announced his retirement from international cricket last Friday. In all these years, Vijeeta says, Rahul has kept his cool but one time he too lost his temper.

"Only once, I remember, he returned from a Test and said, "I got a bit angry today. I lost my temper. Shouldn't have done that." He wouldn't say more. Many months later, Viru [Sehwag] told me that he'd actually thrown a chair after a defeat to England in Mumbai. He'd thrown the chair, Viru said, not because the team had lost but because they had lost very badly." Vijeeta says that Rahul expected to play till 2007-08 but with his sheer passion, dedication and obsessive fitness routines he could stretch his career to 2012.

"Just after we got married, I remember him saying to me that he hoped to play for "the next three or four years", and that he would need me there to support him in that time. Now that he has retired, I think: "Not bad. We've done far better than the three or four years we thought about in May 2003," Vijeeta wrote in her article for 'Cricinfo'.

"Now I know that with Rahul's cricket, nothing is casual, unconscious or accidental. Before he went on tour, I would pack all his other bags, but his cricket kit was sacred - I did not touch it; only he handled it. I know if I packed only two sets of informal clothes, he would rotate them through an entire tour if he had to and not think about it. He has used one type of moisturising cream for 20 years because his skin gets dry. Nothing else.

"He doesn't care for gadgets, and barely registers brands of watches, cologne or cars. But if the weight of his bat was off by a gram, he would notice it in an instant and get the problem fixed," she wrote.

Rahul's humility off and on field is well known and Vijeeta did write about that trait of his personality.

"People always ask me the reason for Rahul being a "normal" person, despite the fame and the celebrity circus. I think it all began with his middle-class upbringing, of being taught to believe in fundamental values like humility and perspective. He has also had some very old, solid friendships that have kept him rooted." Vijeeta, who has travelled with Rahul all these years, also revealed how dedicated her husbad was with his preparation routines.

"When I travelled with him for the first time, in Australia in 2003-04, I began to notice how he would prepare for games - the importance of routines, and his obsession with shadow practice at odd hours of day or night. I found that weird. Once, I actually thought he was sleepwalking! "The day before every game, the boys (their kids) were told that their father had to be left alone for a while, and Rahul would go into his room for his meditation and visualisation exercises. On the morning of the game, he would get up and do another session of meditation before leaving for the ground." Talking about Rahul's superstitions, Vijeeta wrote,"Like all players, Rahul has his superstitions. He doesn't try a new bat out for a series, and puts his right thigh pad on first." Vijeeta also wrote that Rahul had this "fantastic ability to switch off" after the game.

"His batting may bother him, he will be itching to go back and try again, but he can compartmentalise his life very well. He won't order room service or brood indoors, he would rather go out, find something to do - go to a movie or watch a musical, which he loves. He will walk out to the sea to wind down or go to bookstores, or find something else to do." "No matter what was happening in his cricket, at home he is husband, father, family man. He has never said, "Oh I've had a bad day." He wouldn't speak about his work unless asked. Other than dropped catches." — PTI

New Delhi, March 12
All-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla hit a magnificent century to singlehandedly guide Bengal to the Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph as they comprehensively thrashed heavyweights Mumbai by six wickets in the final here today.

It was an outstanding effort from the 31-year-old who has never done justice to his talent but finally came good when it mattered most.

His effort helped Bengal chase down the target of 249 with 23 balls to spare, thus winning their first National One Day Championship in fourth attempt.

Shukla who got four for 38 to restrict Mumbai under 250 then showed his big-hitting prowess, remaining not out on 106 off only 90 balls. His innings included 12 boundaries and two sixes -- one off Ankit Chavan that hit the third tier of the Feroz Shah Kotla stand and the other off Kshemal Waingankar that went over the deep mid-wicket boundary.

With in-form batsman Anushtup Majumdar (50 not out), Shukla took Mumbai attack to the cleaners, adding 107 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand in under 14 overs. Both batsmen played some great shots -- especially Shukla who played the square cut and cover drive apart from lofting the spinners over the in-field.

The winning stroke came off Anushtup's bat as the ball raced to the boundary even as the whole Bengal squad strode onto the pitch. Credit should also be given to skipper Ganguly (38, 53 balls, 6x4) and Shreevats Goswami (42, 73 balls, 3x4) for adding 69 valuable runs after Subhamoy Das was trapped leg before by Ajit Agarkar.

Ganguly suffered from cramps but still managed to produce a signature cover-drive, a pull off Agarkar and one over extra cover off Waingankar.

Incidentally, it was also Ganguly's maiden national title as Bengal captain having made his first-class debut way back in 1990.

Opting to bat, Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer blazed his way to a 41-ball-50 as they reached 76 for no loss in 10 overs.

However, Shukla scripted a turnaround as he first bowled Jaffer (61, 48 balls, 10x4, 1x6), playing to a wrong line, and then induced an edge off Rahane for Shreevats Goswami behind the stumps. Anup Revandkar (15) was trapped in front as Mumbai were reduced to 108 for three in the 21st over. Shukla's first spell read 7-1-17-3.

After Abhishek Nayar (11) and Iqbal Abdulla (1) departed in quick succession, Suryakumar Yadav (50, 68 balls, 7x4) and Aditya Tare (35) played a good hand, but Yadav played a loose shot off Sourav Sarkar's bowling to hand a dolly to Wriddhiman Saha at cover. Once Yadav was gone, Mumbai's chances of posting a big score also went up in smoke.

Brief Scores: Mumbai 248 all out in 49.2 overs (W Jaffer 61, S Yadav 50, LR Shukla 4/38). Bengal 252/4 in 46.1 overs (LR Shukla 106 no, A Majumdar 50 no). Bengal won by 6 wickets. — PTI

Patiala, March 12
After almost a two-year struggle to prove his innocence, Indian middle weight pugilist Manjeet Singh has finally been cleared from doping charges by the Anti Doping Appeal Panel of NADA.

Notably, Manjeet had met with a motorcycle accident on May 29, 2010 and suffered injuries while he was in the coaching camp at NIS, Patiala. Dr Karanjeet Singh, who was available in the camp examined him and prescribed his treatment. The prescription form filled up by him had mentioned 'Soframycin'for dressing of Manjeet's injuries. The prescription card was given to the nursing staff of NIS and they were asked to do the dressing. Then the urine sample of the player was taken on June 8 and he was found positive for anabolic steroid (Metabolite of Clostibole). Later, his B samples was also found positive and he was suspended for 2 years by the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel.

Talking to The Tribune in this regard, his advocate Rohit Kalia informed that they later filed an appeal before the Appeal Panel after which enquiries were held. "Actually, the nurse at the NIS Health Centre applied Costgen instead of Soframycin due to which the player flunked in the dope test. Even his doctor Dr Karanjeet Singh confirmed this in front of the panel. After hearing all the details and necessary investigation, the panel has discharged Manjeet stating that they held the nurse responsible for his failing the dope test who applied wrong medication," he added.

Meanwhile, though Manjeet is delighted with the decision, he is upset with the fact that the decision has come too late. “I have wasted two years of my career which are very crucial in every player’s life but I am not giving up hope. I have been training at Bhiwani all these years because I knew I would be cleared some day. I will prove my worth once again and make room for myself in the international arena. That will be my answer to all those who almost ruined my future," he added. 

Patiala, March 12
While the Punjab government had chalked out a Sports Policy for the uplift of sports in the state, it is yet to be implemented in totality. Now, with the SAD-BJP coming to power again, the sports fraternity is hoping that the government will take a step further in this regard and ensure that all deserving sportspersons of the state who had won laurels for the country during various international tournaments should be provided jobs.

Notably, last year Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had directed the Sports Department to immediately initiate action to provide government jobs to eligible sportspersons who had brought glory to the state in recognition of their achievements at national and international fora in consonance with the state sports policy.But still many of the players are yet to get their due share.

Talking to The Tribune in this regard, archer Gagandeep Kaur, who had won bronze medal in compound women section during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and won various other international-level medals, including bronze medal in World University Games-2011, says after the announced by Punjab government regarding providing jobs to all Commonwealth Games medalists, “I just waited for the job offer which never came. Therefore I joined the sports department of Railways (DMW, Patiala) as senior clerk. Many of my game mates have also won medals at various international competitions but have not got any job yet. I just hope that the government extends the benefits to all sportspersons so that they can continue playing without financial pressures and mental stress about their future prospects,” she added.

“Even though I am working with Punjab Police, I have been waiting for promotion for past many years despite various international medals. On the other hand, my counter-parts in Haryana are on very senior ranks now. The Punjab government should streamline a clear policy under which they should give jobs and promotions according to the achievements in various international and national tournaments,” added a pugilist on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the coaches and players demanded that the Punjab sports department, which is currently focusing on the growth of few games should include sports wings for all A grade games, the players of which are winning medals at international-level continuously. Though the department offers a wing of around 20 games, there are still couple of A grade games, including Archery and Shooting, which are not a part of the sports wing. 

Kathmandu, March 12
Knocked out of the tournament following two successive defeats, the Indian football team would look to salvage some pride when it takes on favourites DPR Korea in an inconsequential match in the AFC Challenge Cup here tomorrow.

The Group B encounter is India's last in the tournament.

DPR Korea are far ahead of India in the FIFA ranking and remain the only unbeatable side in the group so far.

They go into the match with a huge psychological advantage as India have never managed to upstage them at the international level.

The team has seven players who have played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and they are expected to pile on the agony on Savio Medeira's boys.

"Whatever had happened is past. We need to look forward.

All of us need to support each other and see that whatever mistakes we have committed in the past shouldn't be repeated," said India coach Medeira.

"DPR Korea are the toughest opponent. As they have already qualified for the semis, they would not be under any pressure. We still have many things to prove.

"All of us need to do a lot of introspection and then come to a conclusion. We have to take a step forward for the betterment of football in India," he added.

Former AIFF Footballer of the Year, stopper back Gourmangi Singh accepted the lack of a cohesive effort in the last two matches.

"We didn't play as a team. The coordination and understanding wasn't there. We are a young side, we need to develop as a team – that too, fast," he said.

There would be quite a few changes in the starting line-up. Central midfielder Adil Khan and striker Joaquim Abranches would be sitting out due to niggles. — PTI

New Delhi, March 12
India ace Saina Nehwal will have to put behind her quarterfinal finish at the All England Championship and gather herself quickly to defend her title at the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold, which starts with the qualifiers at Basel, Switzerland tomorrow.

World number four Saina will open her campaign against Sayaka Sato of Japan in the women's singles competition. The 21-year-old Indian has a 2-1 record against the Japanese. The last time they meet, Saina had defeated her in straight games at the World Superseries Finals in 2011.

National champion P V Sindhu, who has been making a lot of news since last year at the international circuit, will take on Jie Yao of The Netherlands.

In the men's singles, national champion Sourabh Verma will be up against Hong Kong's Wing Ki Wong, while RMV Gurusaidutt will lock horns with the formidable fourth seed Jin Chen of China.

Senior shuttler Arvind Bhat will take on Dmytro Zavadsky of Ukraine in his opening match, while world number 25, Ajay Jayaram will meet Ivan Sozonov. World number 29, P Kashyap will face Stanislav Pukhov of Russia in another men's singles match.

Top Indian men's doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar will take on Dutch pair of Ruud Bosch and Koen Ridder, while Commonwealth Games gold medallist combo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa will play third seeds Japanese duo of Shizuka Matsuo and Mami Naito in women's doubles competition. — PTI