Chandigarh, September 15
It didn't seem that they were callow young players in top-flight tennis - the young Indian players stuck to the basics, committed a few mistakes but finally found out a way to take a winning 3-0 lead over New Zealand in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania relegation play-off tie here on Saturday.

The first half of the day was completely dominated by Vishnu Vardhan, who defeated Jose Statham 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2. In the second half of the day, he had to share the honours with Divij Sharan as they carved out a 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 win over Michael Venus and Daniel King Turner as India dumped the Kiwis.

Ace services, prefect groundstrokes from the baseline, beautiful placement with soft hands, brilliant display of speed, stamina, skill and courage - the Indians showcased it all as they fought hard for the decisive win in the day's second match.

With the sun shining bright in the afternoon, the doubles match was expected to be an easy task for the hosts but it took a five-setter lasting three hours and 52 minutes to decide the winner.

Despite the high levels of heat - which the Kiwis are unaccustomed to - the Kiwis played a great match as the teams fought toe-to-toe throughout the five sets. It must be said that though the match was a close on, the quality of the tennis on display wasn't particularly high.

The first set went to the tie-breaker, after the hosts had fought back from a break down to level at 6-6. The Indians won the tie-break with ease, when Vardhan provided the mini-break after placing the ball to the left corner of the opponent's court.

The second saw the Kiwis combining well as they started picking holes in the Indian defence, placing the ball in the gaps. They got the decisive break to go 4-2 up and then locked the set at 6-4.

As the Kiwis started to look better, it seemed that the heat was proving to be an energy supplement for them. However, the Indians took the initiative in the third set to go 4-1 up. The visitors fought back to 3-4 but were broken again to lose the set 3-6.

The fourth again witnessed a see-saw battle. Blame it on luck or unforced errors, but the Kiwis made a comeback. In 11th game, India had three breaks points but failed to convert. That took the set to the tie-breaker, which the New Zealanders won 7-4.

Learning from their mistakes, the Indian pair grabbed the opportunities that came their way in the fifth set. The set went with serve until the fifth game, and India took the vital break when Venus made two errors on his own serve.

All India Tennis Association (AITA) will stick to the young Indian side and will not include Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in the Davis Cup squad until the country moves up from the Asia/Oceania Group. India cannot reach the World Group play-off stage before the end of 2013 season since it will have to play atleast two ties in Asia Oceania group to reach that stage.

It is not clear if AITA will consider Leander Paes for the Asia/Oceania tie. Paes missed the ongoing tie as he preferred to play for a club in World Team tennis. "The young Indian team has done well. After a long time our team is 3-0 up. In Asia/Oceania zone, it will be good to continue with a young team," AITA president Anil Khanna said.

It is a clear indication that Bhupathi and Bopanna, who have been ousted from the side on the count of indiscipline, will have to wait for a long time to return to the side.

Chandigarh, September 15
With this Davis Cup play-off tie against New Zealand in pocket, India's young brigade is off the blocks. Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan and Divij Sharan have accomplished the task at hand well within two days and have heralded a new era post the Lee-Hesh dominance.

Vishnu’s mother Padmavati with Leander Paes’s mother Jennifer.

While 20-year-old Bhambri showed maturity way beyond his age at the Davis Cup arena on the first morning, hours later it was Vardhan who emerged as the enforcer. Bhambri plays a measured game which complements his style of play but Vardhan is the one who believes in the power game. His big serve and power-packed shots bring a thrill and a hint of flamboyance to his game.

This is not to say that the youngster sacrifices tactical nous at the altar of power game. His plans are well thought-out and luckily they were executed to near-perfection here at the CLTA courts complex.

“I am glad that all my plans were executed quite well. I had decided to play according to my natural game and succeeded in doing that," Vardhan said after winning his singles match in the morning. His fitness can be gauged from the fact that he played six gruelling sets under hot and humid conditions today.

“Hats off to Vishnu, he played six sets today. I did not do much, I was playing fine. We came strong in the fifth set and stuck together," said Sharan. Ranked 94 in doubles, Sharan has the spark to go all the way but needs to tighten his game.

His service is bit of a concern and the co-ordination too needs to be fine-tuned but he is the one to look out for.

With both matches in favour of the hosts on Day Two, home boy Sanam Singh would get a chance to show his wares at his home turf on Sunday.

Though it may be early to say that the young guns have found their feet on the big stage, the team has certainly got a foothold, a crucial element in a team's formative stage. A tie against a middling New Zealand could only be described as the beginner’s luck for the lads.

"It's the best thing that has happened to me. I dedicate this win to the whole team. SP Mishra sir, Nandan Bal sir, Vece Paes sir, they have huge experience behind them,” Vishnu said.

“Divij was incredible today, Yuki Bhambri gave us the lead. It was more about heart and not just tennis." 

Chennai, September 15
In a significant move which will have far-reaching implications, the BCCI today amended its constitution to do away with the zonal rotational policy for electing its president and allow a second term to office bearers subject to re-election.

The proposals were passed by more than three-fourth majority at a Special General Meeting here, virtually paving the way for some of the senior officials to occupy or retain key positions in the Board. The decision to do away with the zonal rotation policy means that East Zone, whose turn it was to nominate a president after N Srinivasan finished his tenure in September 2014 can nominate a suitable candidate from other zone if two state units from east propose that particular candidate's name.

In the new scenario also there was a chance of a contest but BCCI's trends show that decisions are more or less unanimous. The decision effectively means that decks are now cleared for senior BJP leader and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to take over as the BCCI president from September 2014. An eminent lawyer, Jaitley's legal opinions have played an important role in BCCI's functioning and is seen as one of the most acceptable faces among the presidential candidates.

Had the existing rule been in place, Jaitley who represents DDCA would have only been eligible in 2017 as it would be North Zone's turn then. The decision to do away with zonal system is primarily due to the fact that two zones --- namely East and Central don't have candidates of suitable stature for the post. — PTI 

Colombo, September 15
Virat Kohli was on Saturday named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the ICC annual awards function in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Irfan Pathan bowls out Sri Lanka's Jeewan Mendis during the practice tie in Colombo on Saturday. — AP/PTI

Kumar Sangakkara was announced as the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year. Kumar Sangakkara also won the ICC Cricketer of the Year Awar. The ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2012 has been awarded to Daniel Vettori. West Indian Sunil Philip Narine has been named Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2012.

Kohli won the award for his consistent performance over the last 12 months during which he amassed runs all over the world and against almost all the countries India played.

During the last one year, Kohli played 31 ODIs and scored 1733 runs at an outstanding average of 66.65, including eight hundreds and six half-centuries.

His highest score was 183, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. "I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it's worked for me on the field," Kohli said.

"This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It's been an all-round effort and I'm very happy to have won this award. "It's always nice to be recognised by the ICC and it's a great feeling and it's the first time I've won one of these awards and it feels great," he added.In the 50-over format, Kohli has so far scored 3886 runs from 90 matches at an average of 51.81. In Test cricket, he has scored 703 runs from 10 matches at an average of 41.35. He has two centuries and five fifties, with 116 being his best.

West Indies' offspinner Sunil Narine on Saturday has been named as the Emerging Player of the Year for 2012 at the ICC Awards ceremony in Colombo. He beat the competetion from the likes of New Zealand's Doug Bracewell, Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal and Australia's James Pattinson to win the prestigious award. The 24-year-old from Trinidad, follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner and fellow West Indies bowler, Devendra Bishoo, in claiming the award. The offspinner played in three Tests for the WI claiming 12 wickets at an average 31.50. — Agencies

Colombo: Irfan Pathan scalped five wickets as India warmed up for the World Twenty20 with a comfortable 26-run victory over hosts Sri Lanka in their first practice match on Friday.

India scored 146 for five, riding on captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's unbeaten 55 and then Pathan took centre stagewith an impressive five for 25 to skittle out the Islanders for 120 in 19.3 overs at the P Sara Oval.

Continuing his fine run, Pathan ripped through the Lankan top order before coming back to dismiss the lower middle order in end. —pti

The BCCI today denied media reports that Deccan Chargers franchise has got a stay order against its termination from the IPL, saying that the matter would come up in the Mumbai High Court on Monday.

"It has been reported in some sections of the media that the Mumbai High Court has stayed the termination of the Deccan Chargers Franchise, announced by the BCCI yesterday evening," the Board said in a statement.

"The BCCI would like to clarify that the counsels of both sides were present in Court at 10:30 am on Saturday, 15 September 2012. The Court heard both parties, and did not pass any order staying the termination.

With the BCCI-Deccan Chargers stand-off now becoming a legal battle, the Cricket Board today decided to add a new team for the coming IPL season while leaving it to the court to rule on the beleaguered franchise's participation.

The Deccan Chargers issue was discussed at length at the Working Committee meeting but the BCCI refrained from openly speaking about the issue as it is sub-judice.

After Deccan Chargers contract with IPL was terminated in dramatic fashion last night, the Deccan Chronicles Holdings Ltd. -- the owners of the franchise -- moved the Mumbai High Court seeking a stay against the BCCI's decision.

The counsels of both the sides were in Court today but it did not pass any order staying the termination. The matter has now been placed for hearing on Monday. "In view of the matter being sub-judice, we have not taken any decision today. We will discuss about floating a fresh tender for a new IPL team," a top BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

He said the BCCI has made up its mind not to have Deccan Chargers in the IPL but in case a favourable verdict from the court, they could be included as the 10th team.

“We will definitely add a new team in the sixth edition of the IPL from among the waiting franchises. If DC is not there we will go ahead with nine teams but in case we are forced to include them it would be a 10-team affair," the official said.The official said the working committee members were apprised of the developments concerning Deccan Chargers and the general impression was that the cash-strapped franchise should be kept away from the IPL. —pti

johannesburg, September 15
The Proteas’ largely successful tour of England will hold them in good stead in the ICC World Cup Twenty20 starting next week in Sri Lanka, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) acting CEO Jacques Faul.

South Africa won the Test series 2-0 while the ODI and T20 series were drawn.

“This has undoubtedly been our most successful tour ever to England from every point of view,” Faul said on Saturday.

“England are always a very hard side to beat, particularly in their own backyard where the conditions and the weather can provide testing obstacles.” — PTI

Changzhou, September 15
Rising Indian shuttler PV Sindhu's giant-killing spree came to a halt after she went down fighting to world number nine Jiang Yanjiao in the women's singles semifinals of the Li Ning China Masters Super Series badminton tournament on Saturday.

The 17-year-old, who created a flutter on Friday by beating Olympic champion Li Xuerui in the quarterfinals, lost 10-21 21-14 19-21 to home favourite Yanjiao in an hour and six minutes.

The first game lasted just 14 minutes and Sindhu was thoroughly outplayed with Yanjiao reeling off seven consecutive points to clinch the initiative. There weren't too many smashes or delicate net volleys on display in the opening game as the two players relied on each other's errors to score.

In the second game, Sindhu roared back by taking a 6-0 lead first up. It was a marked change from the first game as Sindhu seemed more confident in her stroke-play whether it was the baseline or closer to the net.

The Indian took 23 minutes to eventually prevail 21-14, which included five smashes and an equal number of winners from the net.

The deciding third game went neck and neck to start with before Yanjiao took a slender lead owing to some unforced errors committed by Sindhu. But the Indian came right back with a couple of powerful returns that took Yanjiao by surprise. From being 5-7 down, Sindhu took a 10-8 lead as Yanjiao showed signs of exhaustion in her stroke-play.

However, the home favourite was still 11-10 up at the change of ends as she exploited Sindhu's net game, which was a shade weaker than her. The Indian seemed more comfortable playing out long rallies from the baseline.

Egged on by the partisan crowd, Yanjiao overcame exhaustion pretty well to take a 16-13 lead.

But even though the Chinese was on top when it came to dictating the pace of the game, Sindhu showed that she had it in her to fight the tactical battle. The teenager made it 18-18 but the experienced Chinese raised her game at crucial junctures to eventually prevail 21-19 in the deciding third game. — PTI

BRIEFLY

london
Fergie praises United trio
Manchester United trio Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand all reached impressive careers milestones against Wigan Athletic in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday. Scholes made his 700th appearance for United. Giggs, who has played over 900 times for United, made his 600th Premier League appearance while Ferdinand played his 400th match for the club. United manager Alex Ferguson praised them, telling reporters: “It's a landmark for the three of them and an example for younger players of what can be achieved if you make sacrifices in the game of football.”

colombo
Hall of Famer Lara humbled
The West Indies batting great Brian Lara says it is an "humbling experience" to be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame alongside some of the world's greatest cricketers. "I think it's a very humbling experience for me," Lara was quoted as saying. "First of all, to be considered and then to be selected is a great moment."

Shanghai
Drogba in Chinese team
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba started for Shanghai Shenhua on Saturday, putting behind him weeks of speculation that he might be on his way out of China. The futures of Drogba and teammate Nicolas Anelka were put in doubt last month when a Shanghai newspaper claimed that eccentric owner Zhu Jun, who pays the huge wages of the star pair, had threatened to withdraw funding. — Agencies