New Delhi, January 16
Sachin Tendulkar played a classy knock of 56 (115m, 75b, 10x4, 1x6) and his 81-run fourth-wicket partnership with Abhishek Nayar helped Mumbai get out of a tight spot to post 199 for six in 78 overs against Services in the Ranji Trophy semifinal match at the Air Force Palam ground here on Wednesday.

The match started half an hour late due to wet ground conditions, and was called off with 12 of the day’s quota of overs remaining due to foggy conditions. In all, only 356 minutes of play was possible, which was nearly an hour short of the scheduled playing time.

Opting to bat, Mumbai were in deep waters when openers Kaustubh Pawar and Wasim Jaffer fell at the score of 19. Suraj Yadav caught Kaustubh plumb while Nishan Singh forced Jaffer to edge into the gloves of wicket-keeper Sarabjit Singh Lalotra. Yavad also had Hiken Shah play into the hands of Lalotra as Mumbai lost the top three wickets for 23 runs.

But these early dismissals provided the much-awaited opportunity for a hundred off fans to get a glimpse of Sachin Tendulkar in action, though he got into his scoring groove only after a tentative start. The pacers got some bounce and lift initially, but otherwise there was really no terror in the wicket, as Sachin showed with his immaculate stroke play later.

Sachin, who came to the crease in the 13th over, glided Nishan Singh to the gully region for his first boundary. Thereafter, he played many pleasing strokes, all in front of the wicket, to fetch eight of his 10 fours. Only two hits went behind the wicket, as he could not properly get behind the ball in an authoritative manner.

Sachin and Abhishek Nayar put the bowling to the sword to almost nullify the early breaks Services had gained. When the partnership was gaining in strength, Sachin hoisted a huge six off Abhishek Sinha, and while repeating the shot, he holed out to Nakul Verma. Mumbai were 104 for 4, and now the onus was on Abhishek Nayar to take the score forward.

Nayar played a patient knock, yet keeping the scoreboard moving with judicious stroke play, and his 65-run stand with Aditya Tare was vital in giving Mumbai a redeemable total, before Shadab Nazar struck two quick blows in the 64th over to remove Nayar and Ankit Chawan in the space of three balls. Nayar edged a rising ball into the hands of Suraj Yadav at first slip while Tare was beaten by the sheer pace of Yadav’s delivery. Nayar’s 70, off 160 balls with eight boundaries, proved very valuable, as the visitors slipped to 169 for 6.

Between tea and close of play, only 18 overs were bowled, but during this period, captain Ajit Agarkar (17 n.o, 2x4) and Aditya Tare (26 n.o, 3x4) ensured that they protected their wickets in diminishing light, to carry forward the fight on the morrow.

Mumbai

Jaffer c Sarabjit b Nishan 15

Pawar lbw b Yadav 3

Shah c Sarabjit b Yadav 0

Tendulkar c Verma b Sinha 56

Nayar c Yadav b Nazar 70

Tare batting 26

Chavan b Nazar 0

Agarkar batting 17

Extras: (b 5, lb 3, w 1, nb 3) 12

Total (6 wkts; 78 overs) 199

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-19, 3-23, 4-104, 5-169, 6-169

Bowling

Yadav 20-8-42-2

Nishan 20-4-53-1

Nazar 22-7-45-2

Sinha 12-3-33-1

Yashpal 4-0-18-0

Rajkot, January 16
Skipper Jaydev Shah led Saurashtra’s impressive batting effort with a fluent 87 before Sheldon Jackson posted an unbeaten half-century to propel the hosts to 274 for five at stumps on the first day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal clash against Punjab.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, the hosts did not have a good start as they lost Sagar Jogiyani (5) early to Siddharth Kaul.

Kaul, who looked impressive with both the new and old ball, struck twice in the morning, removing Jogiyani and following it up with the wicket of Rahul Dave (16).

However, the experienced Sitanshu Kotak and Shah steadied the inning by adding 92 runs for the third wicket.

As the parternership began to look very threatening for Punjab, and after the two seemed to have settled down, both of them threw away their wickets.

Kotak, trying to cut Harbhajan Singh, failed to judge the bounce and gave a simple catch to Mandeep Singh at first slip. He made 54 with nine fours. Shah failed to clear Sandip Sharma at long as he went for a lofted shot off Bipul Sharma. Sandip judged the catch well to send back Shah for 87.

The in-form Arpit Vasavada did not last long and was adjudged leg before off Kaul.

Jackson and Makwana then added 45 runs for the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership. Jackson was lucky when he was on 70 as Harbhajan took a fine catch at first slip off Kaul, but the third umpire called it a no ball.

For Punjab, Kaul was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 64 runs, while left-arm spinner Sharma and Harbhajan took one wicket each, conceding 10 and 59 runs, respectively. — PTI

Saurashtra

Kotak c Mandeep b Harbhajan 54

Jogiyani b S Kaul 5

Dave c U Kaul b S Kaul 16

Shah c Sandeep b Bipul 87

Jackson batting 70

Vasavada lbw b Kohli 8

Makvana batting 13

Extras: (b 10, lb 5, nb 6) 21

Total (5 wkts; 87 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-58, 3-150, 4-194, 5-229

Bowling

Sandeep 5-4-38-0

S Kaul 19-4-64-2

Amitoze 4-0-20-0

Harbhajan 15-1-59-1

Ladda 19-5-53-0

Bipul 9-4-10-1

Kohli 6-0-15-1

New Delhi, January 16
Former Indian players on Wednesday not only backed Hockey India’s (HI) decision to send back Pakistanis but also advocated more stringent action even as players from across the border urged that the upcoming bilateral series should not be derailed due to the ongoing conflict.

HI barred all nine Pakistani players from participating in the Hockey India League and sent them back to their country as protests grew against Pakistan’s ceasefire violation at the Line of Control.

Ashok Kumar, member of 1975 world cup winning team, said ideally sports and politics should not mix but this is the time to come up with such a tough response.

“I think this is extremely right decision. Players are also human beings and citizen of this country. I agree that sports should be kept away from this but now all the limits have been crossed,” Kumar said.

“We must give a strong message to Pakistan that we don’t want any people to people contact with them. It can be done by not allowing their artists and sportpersons to perform or play in the India,” he said.

Another Olympian and Arjun awardee, former Indian player Mukesh Kumar, suggested that Pakistani cricket commentators Ramiz Raza and Wasim Akram should also be sent back.

The two former cricketers are part of the commentary panel for the ongoing One-day series between India and England.

“I think Hockey India took a right decision to send backPakistani players. There was no point in inviting troubles for the league. But my question is that what Pakistani players Ramiz Raza and Wasim Akram are doing in India? How come they are allowed to do commentary for the cricket series? They should also be sent back,” he said.

Meanwhile, three time World cup champion and chief coach of the Pakistan national team Akhtar Rasool said the bilateal series, to be held in March in both the countries, should go ahead. “Personally, I feel that this is not very good development. I wanted them to play in HIL but I respect the decision of organisers. They must have taken it after a lot of consideration,” Rasool said.

“India and Pakistan must play with each other to reduce the dominance of European team over world Hockey.” — PTI

Jalandhar, January 16
It was a well executed plan and had a perfect ending. Everything went in favour of Ranchi Rhinos against Punjab Warriors in the second match of Hockey India League at the Surjit Hockey Stadium tonight. This was Punjab Warriors' first home match, and they were beaten 2-1.

This was the Warriors' second defeat in two matches, after they'd been beaten by the same scoreline in the first match. Even playing without their goalkeeper for around three minutes at the end, as per the new FIH guidelines, didn't help the team to make a comeback.

Rhinos’ half-line dominated the game while the defenders kept on checking the Punjab strikers regularly. The winning side was awarded three penalty corners while Punjab team could manage only one.

Superior man-to-man marking, ball possession and a packed half-line helped the Ranchi team register the victory. The home side combined well during the initial minutes of the match, but a couple of missed chances and lack of coordination let the team down.

The first, with its two quarters, saw no goal.

The home team took the imitative and built the first attack of the game through their main man, the skipper, Jamie Dwyer, but Shivendra Singh failed to gather the ball and missed a golden chance.

The team tried its best to control the game, but Holland's Floris Evers and Australia's Fergus Kavanagh started to hold the possession for the Rhinos and begun to serve England's 25-year-old Ashley Jackson with some excellent passes. The trio worked well but failed to beat custodian Jacob Stockmann in the first 17 minutes.

After the break, the home team was expected to make a comeback but it failed in its attempts.

The Rhinos continued to build attacks and gained success after Ignace Tirkey gifted the first penalty corner to the Rhinos. Making no mistake, Jackson put the team ahead in the 43rd minute of the match. Soon after this, the upcoming Mandeep Singh doubled the lead from a rebound off Punjab goalkeeper Stockmann in the 50th minute. The Rhinos earned two more penalty corners but failed to score further.

In between, Punjab's SV Sunil and Mark Knowels made some good attempts from the right flank and soon won the team's first penalty corner. But, perhaps over-eager to score, the team failed to execute successfully from the set-piece.

Later, Kieran Rovers scored the consolation goal for the Warriors, with a brilliant shot from the left flank in the 63rd minute. “It was an easy win for us. The close video analysis of the first match of the rivals helped us register the win. Hopefully, we will continue to perform well," said Ranchi skipper Moritz Fuerste.

Melbourne, January 16
Novak Djokovic was in the zone with a dazzling demolition of Ryan Harrison as he stormed into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

The world number one was in irresistible form, outclassing the young American 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in just 1 hour 31 minutes of high-class tennis on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic, a three-time winner and going for three straight Australian titles, will next play Czech journeyman Radek Stepanek in the last 32.

“I tried to focus on the start and I knew that he had nothing to lose and would come out with his big serves, but I managed to make some very important early breaks at the start of the match,” Djokovic said.

“I was a set up after 20 minutes and it was a mental advantage, I felt much more comfortable on the court.”

“I don't think he was playing at his best, it was probably the occasion playing on the centre court, but I wish him all the best, I think he has a good future.”

Djokovic jumped out of the blocks and won 12 of the first 13 points to put the young American on the back foot and down an early service break.

He broke Harrison again in the sixth game and wrapped up the opening set in just 20 minutes. The Serb top seed carried on where he left off breaking the American's opening service to win seven of the first eight games.

Djokovic broke Harrison's serve for a fourth time to carry on the blitz and raced to a two sets to love lead via three set points in 30 minutes.

Harrison was broken again in the opening game of the final set as Djokovic closed in on victory.

But the young American refused to give in and held three service games under pressure, to the appreciation of the centre court crowd.

Djokovic again put Harrison's service under pressure and took out the match on his second match point.— Agencies

Melbourne, January 16
Somdev Devvarman gave a mighty scare to world No. 26 Jerzy Janowicz before fizzling out while Sania Mirza and her partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands suffered a shock first round exit at the Australian Open today.

Somdev was well on course to record his best performance at the Grand Slams but frittered away a two-set lead to go down 7-6(10), 6-3, 1-6, 0-6, 5-7 against his Polish rival. In the women's doubles, Sania and Bethanie were ousted by unseeded Spanish team of Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro.

However, in the men's doubles as Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhuapthi advanced to the second round with their respective partners. Bopanna and American Rajeev Ram defeated Australian pair of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios. Mahesh Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor ousted the Spanish pair of Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-4 in their first round match. — PTI

Kuala Lumpur, January 16
Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal sailed into the second round of the Malaysia Open after registering a straight-set victory over Singapore's Gu Juan in the women's singles event here on Wednesday.

However, India's rising star PV Sindhu went down fighting to a higher-ranked Tine Baun of Denmark in her first round match.

Saina, who has been given the top billing in the singles event, disposed off Juan's challenge 21-12 21-15 in a match that lasted 29 minutes at the Putra Stadium.

In the first game, the two matched each other to be tied at six points before Saina displayed some aggressive net play to open up a three-point lead to 9-6. Thereafter, she just sailed ahead to clinch the game comfortably.

The Hyderabadi, however, did not start well in the second game and was at one stage trailing 4-7 courtesy some brisk play the Singaporean.

But smashes from the 21-year-old Indian proved too much for the unseeded Juan to handle and she eventually lost the game and match.

Saina will next take on Hong Kong's Pui Yin YIP in the second round.

Meanwhile, Sindhu fought hard before going down to the third seeded Baun in a three-set encounter, lasting 49 minutes. — PTI

New York, January 16
Lance Armstrong could face the prospect of jail time and the repayment of millions of dollars following his reported admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.

Already banned and stripped of all his wins, Armstrong’s problems may only just be starting. CBS Television reported that the disgraced rider had offered to pay more that $5 million to the U.S. government in compensation for an alleged fraud against the U.S. Postal Service, which for years sponsored his cycling team.

The network also said he offered to cooperate as a witness in a U.S. investigation but the Department of Justice turned down his request, raising the prospect that he could yet serve time in prison.

“Having previously testified under oath and denying the doping allegations, Armstrong’s admissions would make perjury or obstruction of justice charges a relatively easy charge for prosecutors,” said Andrew Stoltmann, a Chicago attorney.

The full extent of Armstrong’s admission is yet to be revealed although U.S. media said on Monday he confessed to doping in an interview with Winfrey to be aired this week. The talk show host confirmed the reports on Tuesday in an appearance on the “CBS This Morning” show. “I’m sitting here now because it’s already been confirmed,” said Oprah Winfrey, who interviewed Armstrong for more than two and a half hours on Monday in a hotel in Austin, Texas.

If a damning confession emerges, Armstrong could face a range of legal challenges. A British newspaper is suing him to recover about $500,000 it paid him to settle a libel lawsuit. He could be forced to pay back amounts including $7.5 million to SCA Promotions, a Dallas-based company that paid him a bonus for his Tour de France wins. — Reuters

Abu Dhabi, January 16
Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, heroes of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup campaign last year, have backed the choice of Paul McGinley as captain for 2014.

“I am very excited for Paul,” world No. 5 Rose told reporters on the eve of the Abu Dhabi Championship. “I think that could well be a career-definining moment for him. It’s obviously a huge honour and one he’s clearly going to take incredibly seriously. He’ll do a fantastic job.” — Reuters