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Kings XI open campaign against Rajasthan Royals
Irfan shines as Daredevils win
Wasn’t sure of the wicket: Harbhajan
No home advantage, rues Fleming
Nothing different, I am more keen and focussed: Dravid
Amir warns players on fixing
Rana Sodhi welcomes Ajitpal Singh’s appointment
Naman Sharma dazzles
Positive start for Indian pugilists
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Mumbai, April 5 The season opener could always be tricky and the Super Kings found that out at their home venue yesterday, even as Mumbai Indians started on a very confident note and that should give the Mumbai outfit a clear edge in the match against the Sourav Ganguly-led Warriors.
Their bowling and fielding were top class against two-time champions Chennai and it is difficult to visualise a victory for the Warriors if Mumbai can repeat the show. Harbhajan Singh, who took over the mantle of the Mumbai outfit from Sachin Tendulkar after the latter relinquished it ahead of the start of the tournament, led the team in an aggressive style and that also turned out to be a big bonus. Team's new recruit South African Richard Levi also started impressively with a 35-ball 50 on his IPL debut to clinch the man-of-the-match award. Two other foreigners, who are expected to play all the games — Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga and West Indian Kieron Pollard — were also in the thick of things with the ball. The only worry ahead of tomorrow's game is the finger injury sustained by Tendulkar when he fended at a lifter from leftarm pacer Doug Bollinger and retired hurt. "It was good toss to win, wicket was quite unpredictable, not the same wicket that we played earlier, all the boys played well and Levi played terrific," said Harbhajan. Harbhajan also noted the outstanding work on the field by his team, effecting three run-outs to halt Chennai's progress. The Warriors, on the other hand, have a tough task on hands as their key player and last year's skipper Yuvraj Singh, will be missing, recovering from the treatment for a rare form of cancer. The man-of-the-tournament in India's World Cup victory in 2011, Yuvraj had brought the much-needed balance to the outfit with his power-packed batting (343 runs in 14 games) and effective left-arm spin (nine wickets) last season. Even Australia captain Michael Clarke will also be available only after his country's campaign ends in the Caribbean on April 27. Also unavailable is Sri Lanka allrounder Angelo Mathews, who is busy representing the island nation in the Test series at home against England. The wily customer that he is, Ganguly could play only four games last season after joining the squad as a late injury replacement. He has one good option to fill in for the absent Yuvraj — West Indian Marlon Samuels — who had recently played in the ODI and T20 series against Australia at home. Samuels can belt the ball hard, rotate the strike besides bowling a tight spell of off spin when needed, apart from being a very good fielder like Yuvraj. — PTI
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Kings XI open campaign against Rajasthan Royals
Jaipur, April 5
The hosts have, however, another legend in Dravid as captain and mentor but the shorter form of the game has never been his cup of tea. Similarity can be drawn in the fact that Warne after retirement was eager to prove himself as a skipper while Dravid, after announcing his retirement from Tests and ODI, appears to be keen to prove himself in the new challenging role. It won't be easy for him to step in the shoes of Warne as the unorthodox, innovative and bold methods of the Australian legend had propelled Rajasthan to the title in the inaugural edition of IPL. As far as resources are concerned, Rajasthan don't have big names, and prolific Australian all-rounder Shane Watson would be missed in the first half of the tournament. But the hosts have a decent side with Dravid at the helm. The rest of batting comprises youngsters such Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Menaria, Kevon Cooper and Owais Shah, who are hard hitters. The side has been bolstered by the addition of the likes of Brad Hodge and Brad Hogg who might turn out to be the dark horses. — PTI
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Irfan shines as Daredevils win Kolkata, April 5 Chasing 98 off 12 overs, the Delhi outfit won by 8 wickets as they chased down the total in the last over, but with relative ease, thanks to a super innings by Irfan.
Van der Merwe, who shared the new ball with Irfan Pathan, gave Delhi the breakthrough in his very first over when he cut short a dangerous-looking Brendon McCullum's (9) trapping him plumb in front of the wicket. But there after Morkel and Yadav reduced Delhi to 31 for four by the fourth over. The South African pacer rattled his compatriot Kallis' middle stump with a toe-crushing yorker and followed it up with Manoj Tiwary's wicket in similar fashion in the very next ball. Yadav then took the prize scalp of Yusuf Pathan for a duck to reduce the Knight Riders to 31 for four. In dire need of a partnership, Debabrata broke the shackles with two sixes -- first off Glenn Maxwell and then Morkel. — PTI
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Colombo, April 5 The flamboyant Pietersen plundered 16 boundaries and six sixes in his 20th Test century as the tourists piled up 460 in their first innings before being all out just before stumps on the third day. Sri Lanka, trailing by 185 runs, were 4-0 from one over in their second knock at close with Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhammika Prasad at the crease.
The warning from officials Bruce Oxenford and Asad Rauf came after bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan had to stop twice in his run-up as Pietersen turned around in his stance. The laws of the game state the switch hit is legal, but a batsman cannot change stance before the bowler has delivered the ball. Match referee Javagal Srinath of India said a third offence by any of the England batsmen in the innings would have resulted in five penalty runs being awarded to Sri Lanka. The incident marred an otherwise profitable day for the tourists, who finally came good with the bat after losing four Tests in a row in Asia this year — the 3-0 rout by Pakistan and the Galle defeat. — PTI
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Wasn’t sure of the wicket: Harbhajan
Chennai, April 5 "There is a lot of grass covering it. There was also help for seamers. We were not sure what kind of wicket it will be and what will be a defendable total," said Harbhajan. "This was the same case with CSK as well. When I was talking to Dhoni, he was telling me the same. The ball swung more in the evening than when we started the game," he added. The Super Kings, who were all out for 112, were banking on skipper Dhoni to do the rescue act after the well-set Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo fell in quick successions but Dhoni got run out and Harbhajan believes it was the turning point of the match. "At one time Chennai were going strong. Dhoni's wicket was the game changing thing for us. We stuck to our plans when Raina was batting. They were going strong. After getting Raina, we were right on the target with the ball. Harbhajan also heaped praise on Richard Levy, who scored 35-ball 50, saying he wanted him to keep up the good work. "He is a terrific player. His strength is that he can hit the ball hard and score quickly and that is why we picked him." Sachin Tendulkar sustained a finger injury in his left hand and retired hurt when he tried to fend off a rising delivery from the Super Kings' bowler Doug Bollinger and Harbhajan said he was hoping it was nothing major. "At the moment he is fine. His finger is little bit bruised. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will be fine and ready for the next game," said the captain. Speaking on fielding, Harbhajan said a lot of credit goes to former South African cricketer Johnty Rhodes, who is the fielding coach of Mumbai Indians. — PTI
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No home advantage, rues Fleming
Chennai, April 5 "It is little bit different. We are used to winning games and knowing the conditions we were playing on. We, like Mumbai, were little bit unsure how the pitch was going to play. And that took away the element of home advantage we have enjoyed for some time. That is not an excuse, it is a fact," he said in the post-match press conference. However, the former Kiwi skipper said that his side had gained more knowledge of the wicket and would be looking to adjust their game plan. "We're watching and learning as much as we could. But obviously the result showed we didn't learn quickly enough. "One of the positives that has come out today is we have got more knowledge going forward. That may have a bearing on our team selection and also the way we plan," he explained. — PTI |
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Nothing different, I am more keen and focussed: Dravid
Jaipur, April 5 Dravid will replace legendary spinner Shane Warne as the captain-cum-coach-cum mentor of the Rajasthan Royals in IPL V and the former India skipper said although there are little more expectations, it would be more about team coordination. "I have been playing in this format for past four years so do not think there would be any different feeling or any new challenge. I am lot more keen and focused," Dravid told reporters on the eve of their match against Kings XI Punjab here tomorrow. "I have taken over as captain, coach and mentor from Shane Warne so there are little more expectations but I feel these are more of words and basically it all is more about coordination because there is support staff and one has to use these experts for better results," he added. Talking about the importance of domestic players in the different teams, Dravid said: "Every team has to rely on domestic players as it is a team game, the four overseas players are not enough. "I am happy that Rajasthan Royals has some very exciting players in Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Menaria and few more." Dravid heaped praise on Menaria and said he would try to share his experience with the younsters and help them to become better cricketers. "Menaria is an exciting talent and the way he has been batting for the last seven days our camp here has been sensational. He is at very important stage of his career. He would be important for us and I hope good performance in this IPL would take him forward," he said. "I would be happy if I am able to use my experience and help the youngsters like Menaria and Rahane climb up the ladder," he added. Dravid said his team won't be complacent as in this tournament no side can be considered weak or strong. "We were beaten by the Kings XI when we played them in an away game. This time too we won't be complacent. The first match always has high anticipation. We have been preparing for hard and now it is to be seen how we pen out," he added. — PTI
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New Delhi, April 5 "I was stupid I didn't tell anybody because I didn't have coverage...If someone comes to you and asks you to do those kind of things, go straight to ICC team and team management they can help you," says Amir, banned from competitive cricket for five years for his part in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal. After being released from a UK prison following a criminal trial which led to him being jailed for six months, of which he served only three, Amir has been in repentance mode. In the five-minute video, Amir gave an account of his sensational rise and the equally stunning downfall after bowling a couple of no balls on instructions of his banned skipper Salman Butt during the Lord's Test against England. "I took six wickets but I did something very bad… after a couple of hours, my life is changed, my life is ruined because of two no balls," he said. "I always knew this was cheating cricket but I was under pressure. But I accept my mistake. When I was in the ICC hearing, I knew I was totally embarrassed because I knew I am lying. I wanted to tell the truth but I didn't have courage." The 19-year-old said his fault was to bow to the pressure that was exerted on him by Butt. "...some senior players put me under pressure. I didn't want to. One day I was on the top and the next day everyone was calling me cheater and fixer. You don't have words to explain that," he said. "When the police put me in handcuffs I was literally crying and I was thinking I am not going to play cricket ever again." Amir has been in touch with the ICC and PCB after his release from prison for an educational and rehabilitation program, which "remains confidential". — PTI
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Tendulkar deserves Bharat Ratna: Virat Kohli
Bangalore, April 5 The clamour for honouring the Little Master with Bharat Ratna intensified after Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told the state Assembly that his government would recommend Tendulkar's name for the highest civilian award. The demands for the award have found a vocal support across all sections of the society, both national and international. Excited about this year's IPL, Kohli said unlike last IPL, he is pretty relaxed during this edition with string of good performances behind him in the international arena. "I am really excited about this year's IPL. I am feeling relaxed this time around because in last IPL, I wanted to prove a point. IPL 3 was not that great performance wise," he said. Kohli said though he considered himself to be in the confidence zone, he was not complacent and working hard to help RCB's prospects. Asked what would be his aim in IPL after India's poor show in England and Australia, Kohli said he would concentrate on every game that came his way and try to prepare the best way he could. "We (RCB) have 18 games to go. It is going to be a challenge for everyone ... I am looking forward for each and every game ... I don't think about the past or think too much ahead of the future," he said. — PTI
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Rana Sodhi welcomes Ajitpal Singh’s appointment
Chandigarh, April 5 In a statement here, Sodhi said Ajitpal was the right choice for the post due to his varied sporting experience and would lend stature to the appointment.
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Naman Sharma dazzles
New Delhi, April 5 Scores: Telefunken: 228 (Gaurav Kochhar 60, Vikas Singh Hathwala 32, Rohan Rathi 27, Vijay Arya 3/28, and Pradeep Parasher 3/44).Hari Singh Academy: 231 for 8 (Naman Sharma 100, Rahul Yadav 37, Vijay Arya 27, Yogesh Rana 2/31, Vision Panchal 2/35). |
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Positive start for Indian pugilists
New Delhi, April 5 Suranjoy, a Commonwealth Games gold-medallist and Asian Games bronze-medallist, beat Shin Dongmyung of Korea 16-14 in a high-voltage encounter. The 19-year-old Sumit, in contrast, outpunched Luong Van Toan of Vietnam 14-2. Toan is a gold-medallist from the South East Asian Games last year. Suranjoy will now face off against Mongolia's Tugstsogt Nyambayar, who was his nemesis in both the 2009 and 2011 World Championships. Sumit will square off against Kim Hyeongkyu of Korea in his next bout. "Suranjoy had a very tough bout as the Korean guy is also a tempo boxer. He really stretched Suranjoy in the last three minutes," national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu told PTI from Astana. "He has a tough opponent in the next round as well and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Sumit, on the other hand, made it completely one-sided, it was an easy one for him," he added. Suranjoy took a 5-3 lead in the opening round and had made it a comfortable 13-8 at the end of the next three minutes. But Dongmyung roared back in the final round to give the Indian a scare but eventually fell short. — PTI |
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A recently-retired Rahul Dravid will look to take forward the legacy of the inimitable Shane Warne when he returns to the field as Rajasthan Royals captain who will take on Kings XI Punjab in their lung opener of the fifth Indian Premier League here tomorrow.
Both the teams would be eager to notch up a victory and start their campaign on a high note but the stakes are higher for the Royals who for the first time would be without their charismatic and shrewd captain-cum-coach Shane Warne.
Both the teams would be eager to notch up a victory and start their campaign on a high note but the stakes are higher for the Royals who for the first time would be without their charismatic and shrewd captain-cum-coach Shane Warne.
Earlier, opting to field, Delhi Daredevils restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 97 for nine in their 12 overs.
England, who lost the first Test in Galle by 75 runs, have two days to force a series-levelling win on the wearing P. Sara Oval wicket and retain their number one ranking. Pietersen was warned twice by the on-field umpires before the tea break for changing his stance to make a switch hit -- a right-hander playing a shot with a left-hander's grip.
