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‘Nothing wrong in MSD demand’
Jimmy says ‘internal reason’ saved Dhoni from axe
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PCB wields axe, drops Shahid for ODI series with India
India storm into semifinals; to lock horns with Iran
Haryana deny Maha outright win
Ganguly: Would have retired had I been in Tendulkar’s place
AIFF all set to ban Mohun Bagan for 2 yrs
Broad unlikely for T20s against India
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‘Nothing wrong in MSD demand’
Nagpur, December 11 The
exclusion of Zaheer Khan from the Indian team is a strong indicator that
the pitch for the fourth Test is going to turn, and turn sharply. Apart
from Ishant Sharma, who has played only in the Kolkata Test in the
series, and bowled in only one innings there, the pacemen in the squad
are Ashok Dinda and Parvinder Awana. Both are yet to play a Test match
for India, and the latter hasn't played even limited-overs cricket for
the national team. In a match India desperately want to win to avoid
being completely dishonoured in this disastrous series, the team can't
and will not depend on these two rookies, however promising they might
be. Despite the visitors possessing better spinners, who have routed
India's batsmen in their own backyards, India will likely present a
spin-friendly track to the visitors at the Vidarbha Cricket Association
ground at Jamtha, outside the city. Thus, India's fate would lie in the
hands of their batsmen, who must confront and defeat Panesar and Swann
on another turning track. Swann, fresh off the nets, today said he had
not yet seen the wicket, and added that the team would be content to
play on whatever surface it is faced with. "The pitch is going to
be the pitch it is, whatever happens on Thursday morning. I am sure the
management and coach will look at it and they will assess it," he
said. "We play on it whatever comes on Thursday. It is normally a
good pitch here and I am expecting it to be that." Swann and
Panesar — who didn't play in the first Test — have taken 33 of the
51 Indian wickets to fall in the series, at a cost of 794 runs. Their
bowling average is 24.06, and the strike rate is a wicket every 52
balls. Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin have 30 wickets at 34.93,
and with a strike rate of a wicket every 70.80 balls. The gulf, clearly,
has been massive. India need to close that gulf, even if there seems no
conceivable way of doing that. Swann was asked if India have played
right into England's hands by preparing wickets that help spin, and he
replied that the Kolkata track wasn't exactly a spinner-friendly
track. "I don't know if anyone could look at that wicket we just
played on and actually call it a rank turner from Day One," he
said. "It was a very good Test cricket pitch and did very little
for the spinners or the pacers on the first two days and gradually broke
as the game went on and was turning quite nicely by the end. Any
obsession with the pitch has been banished by that because Kolkata
produced an exceptional Test pitch." Swann said he doesn't know if
people have talked too much about the pitches during the series; he said
the players "don't read the press in the changing room". But
he agreed that it wasn't unusual for the home team to get a pitch
tailormade to suit their strengths and weaknesses. "It is not
strange for a home team to ask for a wicket to suit their team,"
Swann said. "We do that when we play in England because we want it
to suit our bowlers. The fact that we have won the last two Tests is a
testimony to how well we have played, and not a lot to do about the
pitch." It would have seemed a bizarre thing to say at the start
of the series, after a look at England's poor record against spin
bowling, but now it's clear: If India have to finish the series as
England's equals, they must bat like Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen,
Nick Compton and Matt Prior, and bowl like Panesar, Swann and James
Anderson. |
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Jimmy says ‘internal reason’ saved Dhoni from axe
New Delhi, December 11 "Definitely, there were discussions to replace Dhoni and people were agreeing to do so but for some internal reason, it didn't happen. I will not like to divulge what were the reasons. But when the time is right, I will let the people of this country know about the reasons," Amarnath, the hero of India's 1983 World Cup victory, said. In a roundabout manner, Amarnath also admitted that there were external pressures on the selection committee when the topic of Dhoni's removal was broached. "In Indian politics and cricket, it's always the same. There are people who are controlling the game and other people are scared to take a stand," he told 'Times Now'. "I believe that Dhoni should be removed as captain from the Tests. He hasn't set the Test stage on fire. A captain's place in the team should be secure and I don't see his place secured in the side. He doesn't have the technique for Test cricket," Amarnath said. It was widely believed that the veteran of 69 Tests and 74 ODIs, who was in line to become the chairman of selectors, was removed at the behest of BCCI president N Srinivasan as he had a fall-out on Dhoni issue. To a question whether someone showed him the constitution to overrule the decision of selection committee, he smiled and replied, "I would neither agree nor deny this." "But I don't think that any selector is aware about the constitution. I am a person who doesn't believe in being controlled. I love to do my work freely. I don't think there should be interference in selector's job," stated the man who was known for scoring plenty of runs against the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Imran Khan in his heydays. Amarnath also believed that selectors need to speak to Sachin Tendulkar. "Look age has everything to do in life. Even players like Javed Miandad, Brian Lara found it difficult once they crossed mid-30s. So selectors should sit and speak with Sachin." Amarnath was critical of Dhoni at a promotional event in Pune, accusing the Indian captain him of blocking entry for other deserving wicket-keepers. "Who is Dhoni to say that I want to stay there (in the team) and take this challenge (of captaining the side). What has he done?" he asked. Dhoni had refused to step down from captaincy despite the team's humiliating loss to England in Kolkata, insisting that he doesn't want to run away from the challenge. "He doesn't deserve a place in the team. There are better keeper-batsmen in the country. They are not getting an opportunity because he is the captain," he said.
— PTI |
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PCB wields axe, drops Shahid for ODI series with India
Karachi, December 11 The selectors also came under pressure to select opener Imran Nazir and some other players but stuck to their guns of giving a chance to those who had performed well in the domestic season."Misbah, who captains the one-day squad, wanted Afridi in at the cost of Umar Akmal but the selectors rejected his suggestion," a source said. "Misbah's argument was that, for one, Afridi remains a match-winner despite being out of form and his experience would count for lot in India under pressure and secondly, his presence would put pressure on the Indian side given his past performances," the source said.But he added that the selectors insisted on keeping Afridi out of the one-day squad, saying they wanted to rebuild the team keeping in mind the next World Cup. "Misbah's argument was also that since they had retained Afridi in the T20 squad, he should also be given a chance in the ODI squad," the source said. In the selection for T20Is also, there was a lot of pressure to retain opener Imran Nazir, who struggled for form in the World T20 Cup in Sri Lanka few months back. "There were people who wanted the selectors to give Nazir another chance but the selectors insisted they wanted to give a chance to Ahmed Shahzad," the source said. Sources also said that the selectors had conveyed to Afridi that the two T20 matches in India would be crucial for his future with the national team in any format, though there was not much debate on the ouster of either senior all-rounder Abdul Razzaq or fast bowler Mohammad Sami. "In Razzaq's case, it appears he has been punished for having made comments about Hafeez's captaincy after the team returned from Sri Lanka, than any loss of form or anything, but there is also a desire to groom fresh talent for the future," a source said. "That is why Asad Ali has been chosen as he is a good medium pacer and a capable batsman and performed well in the recent national T20 championship, taking 15 wickets." Asad, interestingly, also hails from Faisalabad, the hometown of both Hafeez and Misbah. Pakistan are scheduled to play two Twenty20 Internationals and three ODIs from December 25 to January 6. The players will assemble for a seven-day camp in Lahore before leaving for India on December 22. ODI squad: Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar. T20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran, Umar, Umar Amin, Shoaib Malik, Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Gul, Asad Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Ahmed Shehzad.
— PTI |
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India storm into semifinals; to lock horns with Iran
Mansa, December 11 Till the first half, India was leading 35-16 points. Indian raiders Baram Singh, Manminder Sran and Sukhbir Sarwan (captain) earned 13, 11 and 11 points respectively, while stoppers Eakam Hathur, Gurpreet Gopi Manaki, Narinder Ram “Bittu” Dugal bagged six, five and five points respectively. For Denmark, Major Singh and Loverthy Lundbery got five point each. In another match in men category, England got a respectful departure by beating Afghanistan with 64-21 points. In women category, freshers Malaysia surprised everybody by topping the pool and stormed into the semifinals by beating Turkmenistan 39-29. “Now, the stage has been set for the first semifinal to be played in Bathinda, in which Iran’s sports minister would come as the chief guest,” said Sikander Singh Maluka, President, Punjab Kabaddi Association. Addressing the gathering, Sukhbir said that the state government has incurred Rs 200 crore in three years for the construction of 14 new stadiums. “In the next few years, every district headquarter in state would get an ultra modern multipurpose stadium having flood lights,” said Sukhbir. He further said that the adventure of playing and watching matches under the flood lights always ignited the excitement of Punjabis, which would be come true. Semifinal line-up
In men category, India would try its best against Iran, while Canada face mighty Pakistan. In women category, India would be up against England and Malaysia would lock horns with Denmark to get a top place. Indian player cries foul
Vicky
Ghanaur, claiming that his name was in the waiting list, alleged that the team management overlooked the list and entered an athlete whose name was not even in the list. Vicky alleged, “The selection of team is not on the merit. A thorough probe should be held and the genuine athletes must be allowed to play. However, denying the allegations, Sikander Singh Maluka said, “All the players have been selected on merit and not even a single candidate has been rejected on any other reason.” |
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Punjab get 3 points against Mumbai
Mumbai, December 11 Punjab, who had posted 580 in the first innings before being bundled out for a paltry 59 in their second essay, set an improbable victory target of 155 in 10 overs before Mumbai. The target was too tall for the home team to achieve and they eventually eneded at 62 for two in six overs before the umpires decided to draw curtains on the match. Mumbai started their second innings with makeshift openers in the form of Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar. But the hosts lost first innings double centurion Sharma and wicket-keeper Aditya Tare in their chase to garner only one point for the outing. Sharma struck three sixes and a four and was caught at the boundary line after scoring 28. Left-arm spinner Ankit Chavan wrecked Punjab with 9/23. Karan Goel was the lone Punjab batsman to have managed 25 runs. Resuming at 364/3 Mumbai lost Hiken Shah in the third over. Brief scores: Punjab: 580 & 59 (Karan 25, Ankit 9/23); Mumbai: 485 & 61/2 (Rohit 28, Abhishek Nayar 26; Sandeep 1/7). — PTI
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Haryana deny Maha outright win
Pune, December 11 All Maharashtra needed on the final day was to pick up 8 wickets but bowlers failed as the visitors, resuming at the overnight score of 75 for two, ended their second innings at 255 for seven. Sunny top-scored with a 103-ball 54 while Abhimanyu (42), Amit Mishra (29), Rahul Dalal (26) and Jayant (22*) also made useful contributions. For Maharashtra, Samad picked up three wickets while Shrikant scalped two. Earlier, Maharashtra declared innings at 540/8. Brief scores: Haryana: 257 & 255/7 in 116 overs (Sunny Singh 54, Abhimanyu 42; Samad 3/59);Maharashtra: 540 for eight decl in 153 overs. — PTI
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Ganguly: Would have retired had I been in Tendulkar’s place
London, December 11 Ganguly has suggested this could be the time for change. "Sachin desperately needs to get runs. He has achieved a lot. He is getting a long rope because of what he has achieved," the Telegraph quoted Ganguly, as saying. "By now he should know how to turn it around. As somebody watching it from outside, Tendulkar is not performing and I think if I were Tendulkar, I would go (retire)," he added. "But it's up to him at the present moment. We want to see the great man going with a bat held high and not in terrible form," he said. The two sides will gather in Nagpur today and take their first look at the pitch for the fourth Test, which England expect to be prepared to the orders of Dhoni who wants a turning track in an attempt to level the series. England is leading the four-match series 2-1.
— PTI |
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AIFF all set to ban Mohun Bagan for 2 yrs
New Delhi, December 11 "Sticking to the rules and going by regulations, they will be banned for this year and the next two editions of the league," a top AIFF official said. "It is regulation enforcible going by article 22, but the AIFF is yet to communicate the decision," he added. Despite Mohun Bagan's country-wide fan following, the club is unlikely to get awy with it easily as the federation is in no mood to set a precedent, which will attract criticism from all quarters, particularly the other clubs. In the present scenario, it is just a matter of time before the AIFF takes the final call. The federation officials are said to have consulted their lawyers to understand the legal implications.
— PTI |
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Broad unlikely for T20s against India
Nagpur, December 11 The pacer was sent for a scan on his left heel. Broad first had a scan on his injury during England's second tour match in Mumbai last month, but he went on to play in the first two Tests before being dropped. He was not a part of the playing XI in the third Test at Kolkata. While there is little chance of Broad being recalled for the fourth and final Test, commencing on Thursday, he remains an integral part of England's T20 side. If Broad fails to recover in time, England would also have to name a new captain. Eoin Morgan is most likely to replace him.
— PTI |
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New Delhi, December 11
Karachi, December 11
Performing as per the expectations, defending champion, India defeated Denmark 73-28 in last league match of the third World Cup Kabaddi held at Nehru Memorial Government College Stadium and entered into the semifinals, which would commence at Bathinda today.
Till the first half, India was leading 35-16 points. Indian raiders Baram Singh, Manminder Sran and Sukhbir Sarwan (captain) earned 13, 11 and 11 points respectively, while stoppers Eakam
Hathur, Gurpreet Gopi Manaki, Narinder Ram “Bittu” Dugal bagged six, five and five points respectively. For Denmark, Major Singh and Loverthy Lundbery got five point each.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has claimed he was in Sachin Tendulkar's position right now, he would have decided to retire after the Nagpur Test against England.
Ganguly, who played alongside Tendulkar in the Indian side for 12 years, is the most high profile cricketing figure in India to suggest the Nagpur Test should be the last in the career of the most famous cricketer on earth.
