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‘Switching formats not easy but we’ll adjust’
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HI shortlists 90 players for Hockey League
3rd edition of Kabaddi World Cup from Dec 1
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Tears in his eyes, a hero returns to field of dreams
Chennai, September 12 Even they were glued to the TV last night as the strapping lad attempted to reverse the lottery of life that had handed him the talent of a genius - and cancerous cells in his body. Yuvraj, whose treatment included three chemotherapy sessions in the US, was scheduled to return to the field three days earlier than he did, but the first Twenty20 match against New Zealand was called off due to rain. Before that game, he had likened his return to “starting a new life.” He played a pleasing knock yesterday, and was in line to make a truly fairytale return — six runs required to win, three balls to go, and he was on strike. In a tale penned by a romantic, he would have hit one of those three balls for a massive six over mid-wicket. That wasn’t to be. “There are mixed emotions,” Yuvraj said after the game. “We lost a game that we should have won, but for me personally it was a big emotional moment to get on the field.” “I had tears in my eyes when we were fielding, luckily the cameras did not catch it. I think I am timing the ball well and it can only get better from here.” Though India lost the match — a defeat is a defeat, even if by just one run — captain MS Dhoni was heartened by the return of a match-winner and a buddy. He said Yuvraj’s knock would have lessened the pressure on the Chandigarh all-rounder. “From tomorrow, he can do whatever he wants to. It’s just about giving that individual a bit of space so that he can think about what he needs to do,” Dhoni said. “Especially given that he is playing after 10 months, you will put pressure on him because he doesn’t know where he stands. Now that he has done well, he can do whatever he wants.” Dhoni said that Yuvraj gives the side a good balance by contributing with his spin bowling. “It was a big game for him. All the eyes were on him. It was good to see him on the field. I personally feel that he gives us the right kind of balance we need,” the captain said. “Of course he is not someone who will bowl all four overs in a T20 game but I can use his variations,” Dhoni added. “If you see our bowling line-up, we have to play with four specialist bowlers and the fifth bowler will be all these part-timers.” he said. “We all know his batting is among the best in the world so I am really happy for him,” Dhoni said. “As far as the team’s mood is concerned, quite disappointed with the loss but lots of positives from this game.” The biggest would be the return of Yuvraj Singh. — TNS |
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‘Switching formats not easy but we’ll adjust’
Colombo, September 12 India played two Test matches against New Zealand and a Twenty20 International against the same opponents before embarking for the T20 World Cup, and Dhoni said that it was not easy to switch from the longest to the shortest format of the sport. “It’s quite difficult to switch formats, especially from Tests to T20. The way you approach a game is different in all the three formats and you have to adjust. But it is not that you cannot do it, only thing is that your basics will have to be right,” he said after arriving here for the mega event. “But as professional cricketers we have to do that and players like Virender Sehwag have been playing in three formats and doing well,” he said. Dhoni, who led India to the title in the first edition of the tournament in 2007, said that part-timers like comeback man Yuvraj Singh will have to play a big role if India are to lift the trophy once again. “We are the world champions in the 50-over format and it is important we do well in the Twenty20 World Cup. We have to be at our best in this format and we don’t have the time to recover as compared to Tests or ODIs,” Dhoni said. “Dhoni refused to answer whether Yuvraj Singh’s inclusion in the team after recovering from a rare germ cell cancer was an emotional decision or on form but said that the star batsman was an asset in the side. “I can’t answer that question relating to the selection of the team. It’s a selection matter. But I am happy that he is in the team as he is a champion player and a match-winner. He also brings a balance in the team as in T20 cricket you don’t include a fifth bowler,” said Dhoni. “We also don’t have a genuine all-rounder so we have to rely on part-time bowlers who are specialist batsmen. Yuvraj is one and we have Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina. They will chip in with an over each and that makes a lot easier for us,” he said. Asked about the cricketing conditions in Sri Lanka, Dhoni said that the pitches in the island country have changed in recent years and his side will have to analyse them. “I feel the conditions in Sri Lanka have changed a lot in the past years. When we came here in 2005, the wickets were different and when we came here last time, the wickets were different. The spinners did not get much help from the pitches in the five ODIs and one T20 match we played here on our last tour,” he said. “For example, if a ground is hosting many matches, then it will slow down and the spinners will get help. So we have to see the conditions and plan accordingly.” Dhoni warned his players against getting complacent against Afghanistan, whom they take on in their first match on September 19. “We respect all our opponents and we cannot be complacent. In international cricket, no side can take the opposition team lightly,” he said. India play two warm-up games before the tournament — against Sri Lanka on September 15 and against Pakistan on September 17 — and coach Duncan Fletcher said that would be enough to prepare for the tournament. “We played a T20 match in Chennai and though we lost it was a good experiment. We have two warm-up matches and that should be enough,” he said. “It is, though, difficult to switch formats. When you play Test cricket you won’t think much of a wide ball but you switch to ODI or T20, and you will suddenly find that a delivery just off the leg or off stump will be a wide ball. It can be difficult for a while to switch on the formats.” — PTI
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HI shortlists 90 players for Hockey League
New Delhi, September 12 Hockey India secretary-general and HIL chairman Narinder Batra announced here today that the cream of Indian hockey, including the 32 junior players who are receiving a stipend of Rs 10,000 a month, have signed up for the auction. “We are delighted that the top Indian players will be able to rub shoulders with the world’s best during the Hockey India League,” he said. Bharat Chetri, who led India in the Olympics, and PR Sreejesh are among the goal-keepers while drag-flick exponents Sandeep Singh, VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh are among the 14 backs. Indian vice-captain Sardar Singh leads the list of 25 midfielders while SV Sunil, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker and Gurvinder Singh Chandi are among the 41 forwards. HI has roped in a clutch of sponsors for the league to ensure that the HIL is run in a professional manner, with the players getting the best deal. “We are pleased with the progress of HIL. Sahara India, Jaypee Group and Uniexcel Group have already taken up HIL Franchises for Lucknow, Punjab and Ranchi, respectively. We will soon announce the remaining three franchisees. We have released a list of 14 Pakistan players who have agreed to be a part of the auction and will soon announce players from other top hockey-playing nations as well,” Batra added. He said no effort would be spared to ensure that the HIL captures the imagination of hockey lovers across the country. Meanwhile, the rival World Series Hockey (WSH), promoted by the Indian Hockey Federation in association with Nimbus, has announced that the second edition will be held from December 15 to January 20. Former India captain Rajpal Singh is one of the few marquee Indian players featuring in the WSH. |
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Ivan Lendl stays cool in glow of triumph
New York, September 12 When Murray recruited Lendl, eight times a Grand Slam champion, he saw in him a man who could help him to make his final breakthrough. Like Murray, the 52-year-old Lendl had lost his first four Grand Slam finals. Their first Grand Slam tournament together, at the Australian Open in January, saw Murray lose in marathon semi-final to Novak Djokovic - at four hours and 50 minutes it was just four minutes shorter than Monday’s final here - but Lendl liked what he saw. “To me, one of the most important matches of the year, maybe the most important, was his loss to Novak at the Australian Open,” Lendl said. “Because that was just a war, like tonight, and that has given him the belief that he can hang with these guys. And also it has showed him what it takes him to win, so it didn’t catch him by surprise today.” He added: “It’s very unlikely you’re going to roll over an opponent like Novak. It’s unlikely in today’s tennis that you’re going to run through the whole field without having difficult matches. It can happen in the first round, it can happen in the semi- finals, it can happen in finals. It can happen anywhere. These guys are so good. The game is much deeper than it was when I played 30 years ago, or whatever it was, and if you’re not on top of your game every single day, someone will take you out.” After Murray enjoyed only a moderate clay court campaign this year, some were doubting the benefits of his new coaching arrangements, but Lendl said: “Both Andy and I were saying: ‘Give us six to nine months.’ Do the maths. You can help obviously help somebody in a very short period of time, however it takes longer than that to help more than that, for things to set in. You cannot do that in one week, you cannot do that in one month.” Lendl said he thought Monday’s final had turned in the fourth set, even though Djokovic won it. “To my mind Andy started looking better than Novak halfway through the fourth set,” he said. “I thought there was a chance Andy could come back in the fourth as well. He was a bit unlucky on some big points. Novak played very well on some big points.” There were moments in the final set when even Lendl applauded. “He started hitting better forehands and I tried to show him ‘that’s the way’,” Lendl said. “It’s a war and he needs every bit of encouragement at the stage that he can get.” Lendl said he was hopeful that “we’re not anywhere near where Andy can get” and added: “It’s a fantastic year, I’m very happy for Andy. It’s a great achievement for him and let’s hope he can continue and rack up many more.” Asked whether he had been surprised by anything about Murray since they started working together, Lendl said: “That his sense of humour, maybe, is as sick as mine.” Had that helped their relationship? “I think so. I think you don’t have to tiptoe around if you want to tell a bad joke. And neither does he. And nobody gets offended and everybody chuckles and we move
on.” — The Independent |
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Davis Cup
Chandigarh, September 12 The squad has declared that it is set to serve their best performance for the pleasure of Indian tennis lovers, but the non-playing captain wishes that the heat they turn on their opponents from New Zealand would be accompanied by the return of the Indian summer. According to SP Misra, India’s non-playing captain, more heat can bring pleasant news to the hosts during their Davis Cup tie that begins on September 14 at the CLTA courts in Sector 10 here. “More heat will be an extra advantage for the team, for the boys are familiar with that weather,” Misra said. “And hopefully, we will perform well.” “The management is working on the final combinations and will take the final decision tomorrow,” he added. However, it was decided that Divij Sharan would replace Saketh Myneni in the squad. Sharan is likely to figure in the doubles match. “The lads have performed well in the last few tourneys and hopefully will carry their present performance ahead. We are looking positive and ready to take on the Kiwis.” On the ranking of the players, he said, “Rankings do not play an important part in any game. It’s a player’s on-the-spot performance that takes him to the shore. The players are feeling confident and are ready to perform in front of the home crowd.” The team’s experienced players, Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan and Divij Sharan, are also confident that they’d be contributing in a victory for the home team. “The team is looking good and the young legs are ready to give their best. We will try to make everyone smile and hopefully the conditions will also favour us,” said Bhambri. On the other hand, the Kiwi squad is all set to face the humidity, apart from the hosts. “The last five days were enough to judge the climate and get used to it,” non-playing captain Marcel Vos said. “Initially, the team members struggled to get into it but after going through two practice sessions a day, we can stand and play well.” “We have decided with whom to start with and the rest it depends upon the final draws. We are looking forward to give a tough competition to the host team as well as the conditions. The players have seen the opponents and the court is looking good to play.” “The players are in a great touch and our side is more experienced when it comes to playing the Davis Cup,” he added. “Although the opponents have young players, we will leave no stone unturned to win the tie.” |
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Girisha gets warm welcome on return
Bangalore, September 12 Girisha, who clinched the medal in the men’s high jump F42 event, said he was overwhelmed by the welcome he received at and thanked the media, his family and the country for showing support. “My first thanks goes to Karnataka and my fellow Kannadigas,” he said. Girisha said he is not thinking of any job and wanted to focus on sports. He also insisted that he did not consider himself disabled, but differently-abled. Girisha said his confidence was low when he first went to participate in the Paralympics, but support from his family, federation and his coach, helped him gain confidence. Girisha, who has an impairment in his left leg, sailed over a height of 1.74m in the final of the event to finish second behind Iliesa Delana of Fiji. Though Girisha’s barefoot scissor leap matched that of gold medallist Iliesa Delana of Fiji, he had to settle for silver for taking more jumps. —
PTI |
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3rd edition of Kabaddi World Cup from Dec 1
Chandigarh, September 12 While reviewing the arrangements during a special meeting, Badal said this year the prize money had been doubled to Rs 2 crore for the winning team, Rs 1 crore for the second team and Rs 51 lakh for the team that stood third in the men’s category. In the women’s category, the winning team will get Rs 25 lakh while the runners up will get Rs 10 lakh. This apart from Rs 10 lakh each participating team would get as appearance fee. The countries that are participating in the tournament in the men's section are India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Australia, Italy, the US, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, Kenya and Argentina. In the women section India, Kenya, Malaysia, the US, the UK and Turkmenistan would participate. |
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