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McCullum mauls Bangla tigers
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Afghanistan fall like nine pins
Yuvi, Raina miss practice as Indian big guns boom in nets
South Africa out to tame Mendis
Irani Trophy: Umesh takes 5 to peg back Rajasthan, Bist hits unbeaten 117
Saina will get a ride in IAF’s Kiran Mk II trainer at officers' training academy in Dindigul next week. — File photo
36 teams for hockey nationals
Real to test strength of their recovery at Rayo
Vettel sets early pace as storms threaten Singapore
An aerial view of the illuminated F1 Marina Bay Street Circuit at dusk in Singapore on Friday. — Reuters Harmeet finishes 11th in PGTI meet
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Yuvraj rewinds the clock
Colombo, September 21 The world has changed a lot since then. Broad has moved on from that disastrous over and Yuvraj has moved on from a lot more in his life. After he was diagnosed with cancer, very few would have imagined that he would be back for this soon. But, defying logic, this man is back and has started doing what he used to do before his terrible illness. “I’m really happy to be back on the field. There have been a lot of times in the past when people have not believed in me... But I had that belief,” Yuvraj says. “ It’s not been easy to make a comeback. But I always had that belief that I would be back on the field and will live life again. That outlook kept me alive.” The Yuvraj comeback story has been keenly followed by his teammates, rivals and all international players. If the likes of Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen were encouraging, bantering on twitter.com, then the likes of Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar took their time out to meet the Chandigarh lad. Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara played the first three seasons of the IPL with Yuvraj and he’s happy to see his former club captain back in India colours. “It’s nice to see him back on the field,” Sangakkara says. “ He looks good and I wish him all the best.” Sangakkara has witnessed a lot of incredible comebacks on the cricket field and he too has played some exceptional innings to turn matches around. But he is in complete awe of Yuvraj’s comeback off the field. “The way he has battled through... The courage he has shown in fighting cancer... We all are extremely proud of him. The way he has gone about the entire thing is amazing,” says the ICC Test cricketer of the year. Yuvraj is overwhelmed by the support he has got from the cricketing community. “I was just happy to be back in the Indian side. I really enjoyed every moment. It was a bit emotional but everyone welcomed me, prayed for me,” Yuvraj says. “Everybody hugged me and gave me a pat on my back. Everybody was very supportive.” But Yuvraj can hardly afford to relax in a tournament that made him an icon in the shortest version of the game. The Man of the Tournament of the 2011 ODI World Cup would love to grab one more ICC Trophy for his team. “You try to win the World Cup every time but you know that it is not possible,” he says. “Hopefully, we can get the momentum in the first few matches and that would help us to reach the semifinals... Then who knows!” signs off Yuvraj. The positive outlook of Yuvraj may help his team relive that amazing day, September 24, of 2007 when they became the T20 world champions. The writer is a journalist with CNN-IBN-7 |
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McCullum mauls Bangla tigers
Pallekele, September 21 McCullum (123) was in devastating form as he butchered the Bangladesh bowlers with 11 fours and seven sixes in his 58-ball knock to guide New Zealand to 191 for three after being asked to bat in the opening Group D match at Pallekele Stadium. Chasing a mammoth target of 192, the highest so far in this edition of the ICC World Twenty20, Bangladesh could score just 132 for eight. Kyle Mills (3/33) triggered a Bangladesh top-order collapse with pace colleague Tim Southee chipping in with three wickets for just 16 runs. McCullum, whose blitzkrieg left the sparse crowd at the stadium spellbound, was on a record-breaking spree as his hundred was the highest score in any Twenty20 International as well as in the short history of ICC World T20. His earlier T20 International hundred — 116 not out — came in February 2010 in Christchurch against Australia. The earlier highest score in T20 International stands in the name of West Indian Chris Gayle (117 against South Africa in Johannesburg) and South African Richard Levi (117 against New Zealand). Gayle`s 117 in the 2007 edition was the earliest highest score in ICC World T20. McCullum`s hundred today was the fourth century in the Twenty20 World Cup history. McCullum shared 94 runs for second wicket with James Franklin (35) in 10.9 overs to set up the big total. The 30-year-old stitched another 78 runs for the third wicket with captain Ross Taylor from just 35 balls. He was out in the last ball of the innings. — PTI SCOREBOARD Bangladesh |
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Afghanistan fall like nine pins
Colombo, September 21 In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 80 runs with Gulbodin Naib topscoring 44 runs. He fell six short of a half century. His knock came of just 32 balls. — PTI SCOREBOARD Afghanistan |
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Yuvi, Raina miss practice as Indian big guns boom in nets
If one takes a close look at the Indian batting card in their opening game against Afghanistan, the champions of the 2007 edition could hit only four sixes, and that too against an inexperienced. Virat Kohli hit two while there was just one each for Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kohli's second six, in fact, could have ended in a catch had the fielder stationed at the deep mid-wicket not made a mess of it.No wonder, each and every batsman decided to go all out during the gruelling three-hour training session at the P Sara Oval ground here, two days ahead of the big-ticket encounter against defending champions England. From Gautam Gambhir to Irfan Pathan, everyone seemed to be in a mood to clear the ropes whether while facing the bowlers at the nets or while receiving throwdowns. It seemed the aim was to compensate for the lack of big ones against the minnows the other night. In contrast, the Indian bowlers again looked lacklustre as Zaheer Khan, L Balaji and Irfan Pathan were taken to the cleaners by Dhoni and company. The drill was simple — each and every batsman faced throwdowns from Trevor Penney and Joe Dawes before going to the nets. The instructions seemed to be clear — go for the maximum. While the batsmen played the big shots, the bowlers looked like going through the motion. Zaheer, who has copped a lot of flak of late for being out of sorts, didn't look in his element.'Zak', as he is popularly known in the dressing room, was singled out by Dhoni who tried his trademark 'helicopter shot' time and again. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina were missing in action. Yuvraj, who performed well for India with the ball in the game against the Afghans, is down with a sore throat while Raina has an upset stomach. Team officials have said that the ailments shouldn’t keep the players down for too long. This isn’t the first time that players have been affected by an upset tummy this World T20. Five South African players were brought down by the stomach bug but that didn’t stop them from dismantling the Zimbabweans last time. — Agencies |
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South Africa out to tame Mendis
Hambantota, September 21 Mendis, 27, sounded a warning to all batsmen by picking up 6-8 -- the best figures in all T20 cricket -- to crush Zimbabwe in the opening match of the World Twenty20 on Tuesday and promises further destruction. But de Villiers said his team will be ready for the mystery spinner. "Mendis is a world class bowler," said the South African captain on Friday. "When he's going well he will always pick up wickets. But we've seen him perform under pressure and seen him break down under pressure as well. “So, hopefully, we can get the upper hand against him and not let him bowl to us." South Africa also thumped Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in their opening match on Thursday to qualify for the Super Eights round with Sri Lanka but de Villiers promised no let-ups. “I don't think there will be any drop in intensity. We're in the beginning stages of a very, very big event, a tournament that we really want to win," said de Villiers of South Africa, who are among the title favourites in the 12-team event. The South African captain admitted his team were underdogs against the fancied hosts. “We know we're not a perfect team. Sri Lanka are the home team and we're probably underdogs. We'll try and gain more momentum out of the game," said de Villiers, whose country has not won a major event since winning the 1998 ICC knock out event in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene played down the hype around Mendis, who is often compared with world record holder countryman Muttiah Muralitharan. "They're big boots to fill. It's going to be tough for anyone to fit into Murali's shoes because of the quality of the player," said Jayawardene of Murali, whose 800 Tests and 534 one-day wickets are the highest in the world. Jayawardene hoped his team keeps the winning momentum. “It's a big tournament. That itself is big motivation for the guys to make sure that intensity levels are up," said Jayawardene. The Sri Lanka captain praised South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who recorded the best figures for his country in all Twenty20 with 4-15 against Zimbabwe. — Agencies |
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Irani Trophy: Umesh takes 5 to peg back Rajasthan, Bist hits unbeaten 117
Bangalore, September 21 The 24-year-old Bist remained not out on 117 off 187 balls, and the knock was studded with fourteen fours and two sixes. Bist's century came off 157 balls even as the likes of Vineet Saxena, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Ankit Lamba and Rashmi Parida perished quickly. Bist found an ally in Rashmi Ranjan Parida until the latter was bowled by Ishant Sharma for 34 after a fourth wicket-stand of 105. The stand took the Ranji Champions to 151 after they were tottering at 46 for three at one stage. Bist then teamed up with Dishant Yagnik and his useful 40 off 68 balls took Rajasthan past the 200 mark. Walking in to bat with Rajasthan struggling at 46 for three, Bist displayed exquisite array of shots against pacers Yadav and Stuart Binny, and completed his half century in 82 balls. At tea, Rajasthan were 184 for four with Bist batting on 84 and Dishant Yagnik on 16 not out, but Yadav had different plans up his sleeves in the post-tea session. In a fiery spell, the India pacer brought Rest of India back into the game, dealing five quick blows to Rajasthan. First, he trapped a well-set Yagnik leg before, breaking a 67-run partnership with Bist for the fifth wicket. Next, he had Deepak Chahar caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha for nought. In his next over, Yadav had Madhur Khatri caught behind for Saha's third catch of the innings. He then sent back Gajendra Singh and Aniket Choudhary. Earlier in the day, pacers Sharma and Binny dealt deadly blows to Rajasthan, sending back Saxena, Lamba and Kanitkar. Ishant gave the first breakthrough, having Sexena caught behind in the fifth over of the match. Binny struck in his fifth over, giving Rest their second wicket in the form of Kanitkar, who was trapped leg before for eight off 48 balls. Binny struck again when he sent Lamba caught by Ajinkya Rahane for 29. In reply, Rest of India were two without loss at stumps. — PTI |
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Saina to fly in IAF aircraft
New Delhi, September 21 During her proposed visit next week, Nehwal will also play matches with the best of badminton players of the Air Force Academy there, IAF officials said here. The plan is to take her on a sortie in the Kiran Mk II aircraft, which is being used by the Air Force to train its rookie pilots before they move to fly other fighter and transport aircraft, they said. The visit is aimed at inspiring the young cadets at the academy to do hard work to achieve their goals in life in the service of the nation, they said. Saina's visit to the cradle of the IAF coincides with the sports week of the academy.In recent years, the IAF has been honouring sportspersons for their achievements in their respective fields and has granted them honorary ranks also. Champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar was made an honorary Group Captain by the IAF last year for his achievements and along with Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was offered a sortie in frontline fighter aircraft SU-30MKI. However, the offer made by the then IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has not been availed by the two cricketers so far. — PTI |
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36 teams for hockey nationals
Bangalore, September 21 The teams have been divided into eight groups for a preliminary league at the end of which the toppers will qualify for the knock-out. — PTI |
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Real to test strength of their recovery at Rayo
Madrid, September 21 The Spanish football champions have yet to win on the road this term and suffered surprise defeats at Getafe last month and at Sevilla last weekend. Real lost only twice in securing the league title last season. Jose Mourinho's men have managed just four points from 12 in the defence of their crown and have slipped eight points adrift of their arch-rivals and leaders Barcelona. A thrilling fightback to beat Manchester City 3-2 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday has lifted the gloom from the Bernabeu, however, though it required a last-minute winner from Cristiano Ronaldo to secure the result. “We hope from now on we'll get to see the Real Madrid we all want to see," Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa told reporters after the City game. Mancini denies war with Balotelli
LONDON: Roberto Mancini on Friday insisted that there was no bust up with striker Mario Balotelli after the Italian was left out of Manchester City's squad for their Champions League tie with Real Madrid. Mancini instead explained that he wanted to play with just one striker and did not want any more than two strikers on the bench with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko favoured in front of Balotelli and Carlos Tevez starting. The City manager was responding to questions following a newspaper report in Britain that suggested the striker was dropped because of a late night-out following the Blues' draw with Stoke City. —Agencies |
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Vettel sets early pace as storms threaten Singapore
Singapore, September 21 The drivers took to the demanding 23-turn street circuit two hours after a tropical downpour had soaked the track with Vettel, the winner here a year ago, clocking the fastest lap of 1 minute 50.566 seconds late in the session in his Red Bull. Hamilton lapped 0.049 seconds slower than Vettel as his McLaren continued to display the pace that has carried him to two victories in the last three races. The Briton's team mate Jenson Button was third fastest, 0.893 seconds off the leader. Championship leader Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest in his Ferrari, marginally ahead of the Williams of Pastor Maldonado, Mark Webber in the other Red Bull and Force India's Nico Hulkenberg. The 90-minute session got off to a slow start as a majority of the 24 drivers on the circuit waited until the sun set to attempt lap times, as they sought to compete under the floodlit conditions experienced in qualifying and on raceday. The threat of a second thunder storm towards the end of the session was relayed to the teams and although the downpour failed to materialise, the track was packed for the last 30 minutes as drivers sought to set fast times on soft tyres. The Mercedes of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg showed plenty of early speed as they tested an upgraded exhaust system but the pair fell away as the session progressed to finish 14th and 18th fastest respectively. Kimi Raikkonen (12th) and Sebastian Grosjean (15th) would also be disappointed with the performance of their cars, the Lotus duo lapping more than two seconds off the pace. — Reuters |
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Singapore, September 21
Colombo, September 21