S P O R T S

Showtime for India’s second-string side
Harare, July 23
With most of their top stars rested, a depleted Indian cricket team will seek revenge for the humiliation it suffered two years ago when it takes on minnows Zimbabwe in a five-match ODI series starting tomorrow, well aware of the perils of taking the home side lightly.

Team India play soccer on the eve of their first ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare on Wednesday. — PTI

Hurt Jwala, Ashwini hit out at badminton league
New Delhi, July 23
Doubles specialists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa were left disappointed with the Indian Badminton League’s decision to slash their base price at the last moment in the Player’s auction and termed it as “disrespectful” and “absurd”. Commonwealth Games women’s doubles champions Jwala and Ashwini were two of the six icon players, who went under the hammer on Monday but just hours ahead of the player’s auction, the IBL decided to reduce their base price from $ 50,000 (Rs. 29,86,264) to $ 25,000 (14,93,125) after consultation with the six franchises.

The Indian show at Majors
Chandigarh, July 23
It was thrilling to see Shiv Kapur lead the Open Championship after the first seven holes at Muirfield last Thursday. He had a dream start and made birdies on the first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh holes and suddenly the spotlight was on the Indian. Shiv eventually finished the tournament tied for 73rd place with a score of 15-over-par. However, the Delhi professional says, “I gained a lot of confidence knowing that I can compete with the best in the world. The fact that I was in contention, even though I did it for nine holes means the ability is there. It was a great experience and the best feeling of my career to see my name on the leader board.”

Milkha’s words were inspiring: Jhajharia
New Delhi, July 23
Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia, who became the first Indian to win a gold medal at Para World Athletics Championship, said that legendary Milkha Singh’s inspiring words worked wonders during his endeavour to achieve success at the highest level.

An impractical scheme that needs a revamp
Chandigarh, July 23
The Punjab Sports Department has not released the list of players for the day-scholar sports wing scheme for schools, even though it has been four-and-a-half months since the trials were held and three months since the school admissions were completed.

Lanka beat Proteas
Colombo, July 23
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 17 runs via Duckworth Lewis method in a rain-curtailed second ODI of the series at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 223/9 in 49.2 overs. South Africa were 104/5 in 21 overs when the match was called off. David Miller (22) and Ryan McLaren (14) were at the crease when the play was called off.

MI vs RR in CL T20 opener
New Delhi, July 23
The winners of IPL 6 Mumbai Indians will take on Rajasthan Royals, who finished third in the cash-rich tournament, in the inaugural group stage match of the Champions League Twenty20 to be played on September 21 at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.

Khajuria shines in SL
Dambulla, July 23
Skipper Vijay Zol and Jammu boy Shubham Khajuria (52) helped India reach a commanding 333 for two against Sri Lanka at stumps on the opening day of the first U-19 Youth 'Test' match,on Tuesday.

Pattinson to miss rest of Ashes
Australia fast bowler James Pattinson will miss the rest of the Ashes series against England with a back injury, Cricket Australia said on Monday. “James Pattinson reported some hip and back soreness on the final day of the second Ashes test,” Cricket Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said. “We had some scans done today in London that have identified an early stage low back stress fracture. Unfortunately he will not take any further part in this test series.” — Reuters

Showtime for India’s second-string side
Fresh faces will look to impress in absence of established stars

Harare, July 23
With most of their top stars rested, a depleted Indian cricket team will seek revenge for the humiliation it suffered two years ago when it takes on minnows Zimbabwe in a five-match ODI series starting tomorrow, well aware of the perils of taking the home side lightly.

On their previous trip here, another depleted Indian team, captained by Suresh Raina, lost both its matches to Zimbabwe in a tri-series which also featured familiar foes Sri Lanka.

The Indians, being led by Virat Kohli this time after Mahendra Singh Dhoni was rested, would do well to revise the lessons of that trip before taking the field tomorrow. Zimbabwe may not be too big a force to reckon with in international cricket but can be a handful for an under-strength team.

And India can be called a depleted side given that top spinner R Ashwin, and frontline pacer Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav would also be missing from action apart from Dhoni.

“All along we've prepared and hoped we might surprise them in one of the games,” Zimbabwe coach Andy Waller has stated.

“You've got to be realistic, but as long as we're competitive and do the best we can. Our guys are hugely excited about this. It's a great experience for them, and we've been preparing knowing that the best side in the world are coming,” he added.

The Indian batting would revolve around the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Rohit has blossomed in the opening role and would look to strengthen his position with some good knocks here.

In fact, Shikhar and Rohit average 57.72 in partnership and have put together three century stands so far.

Cheteshwar Pujara would lend stability to the middle order where Suresh Raina will also have an important role to play. Raina would look to wipe off the memories of the previous tour's debacle under his captaincy.

India`s bowling attack has an all-new look to it with the duo of Shami Ahmed and rookie Mohit Sharma comprising the pace department, aiming to earn some brownie points for themselves. Vinay Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat are the other speedsters in the squad.

The spin attack would feature debutant Parveez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to get the national selectors` nod, and the experienced Amit Mishra. Dinesh Karthik would don the gloves behind the stumps in Dhoni`s absence. — PTI

Teams

India Virat Kohli (capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Parveez Rasool, Shami Ahmed, R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma.

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt & wk), Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M`shangwe, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.

Hurt Jwala, Ashwini hit out at badminton league

New Delhi, July 23
Doubles specialists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa were left disappointed with the Indian Badminton League’s decision to slash their base price at the last moment in the Player’s auction and termed it as “disrespectful” and “absurd”.

Commonwealth Games women’s doubles champions Jwala and Ashwini were two of the six icon players, who went under the hammer on Monday but just hours ahead of the player’s auction, the IBL decided to reduce their base price from $ 50,000 (Rs. 29,86,264) to $ 25,000 (14,93,125) after consultation with the six franchises.

In the auction, Jwala went to Krrish Delhi Smashers at $ 31,000 (Rs. 18,51,520), while Pune Pistons bagged Ashwini for the base price of $ 25,000.

“I am very disappointed. Me and Ashwini signed the contract as icon players and we should have been given a better deal. We were not even informed about the reduction of base price. In fact, the news that women’s doubles was replaced by other men’s singles, I came to know late. What can I say, it is disrespectful and I am deeply hurt and upset by IBL,” Jwala said.

Ashwini, who won the World Championship bronze along with Jwala in London in 2011, was equally hurt at this last minute decision by the IBL.

“I didn’t get a call regarding this. No one explained things to me. I am really hurt and deeply upset. Until the auction got over I didn’t even know about it,” Ashwini said.

“I heard that since there is no women’s doubles competition, so our price was slashed but then how come other women’s doubles players got way more than me. That is more absurd. They make you icon players and then they don’t treat you with respect,” Ashwini said.

Interestingly, Ashwini’s current women’s doubles and mixed doubles partners Pradanya Gadre and Tarun Kona were bought by $ 46,000 and $ 28,000 after starting at a base price of $ 10,000 and $ 15,000. — Agencies

The Indian show at Majors
Shona A Singh

Chandigarh, July 23
It was thrilling to see Shiv Kapur lead the Open Championship after the first seven holes at Muirfield last Thursday. He had a dream start and made birdies on the first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh holes and suddenly the spotlight was on the Indian.

Shiv eventually finished the tournament tied for 73rd place with a score of 15-over-par. However, the Delhi professional says, “I gained a lot of confidence knowing that I can compete with the best in the world. The fact that I was in contention, even though I did it for nine holes means the ability is there. It was a great experience and the best feeling of my career to see my name on the leader board.”

It is always exciting to see Indian professionals play well in major championships as a few years ago it was considered an impossible task. In 1997 Gaurav Ghei became the first Indian professional golfer to qualify for the British Open.

Jeev Milkha Singh has the best major career record so far and the most major appearances to his credit — 13 times already — and he also has the privilege of carding the best finish by any Indian professional golfer in a major championship. Jeev finished tied for ninth place at the 2008 USPGA Championship when Padraig Harrington won and he was just two strokes off the lead going into the last nine holes.

Jeev also holds the distinction of being the only Indian to have made the cut in all four majors.

Jeev, whose lifelong ambition has been to win a major, enjoys playing the Masters. “My favourite tournament is the Masters and presently my main aim is to get back into the top-50 so that I can automatically qualify for it. That will also give me an automatic exemption for the 2016 Olympics which is high on my priority list. I would like to participate in the Olympics like my father did,” says Jeev who is playing the Russian Open this week.

Another talented professional who could have done extremely well at the majors had he had more faith in his abilities is Jyoti Randhawa. He has played in a major championship on six different occasions and his best finish was a tie for 27th place at the British Open in 2004.

“It is a totally different experience to participate in a major championship and one that stays with you for a lifetime,” says Jyoti, the first Indian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

India’s only winner on the PGA Tour Arjun Atwal has participated in a major championship five times at various times in his career but has always failed to make the cut.

The young professionals playing the Asian Tour and PGTI also hope to emulate Jeevs achievements at the majors. While Gaganjeet Bhullar qualified for the British Open in 2009 but failed to make the cut, Anirban Lahiri finished tied 31st at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St.Annes last year.

“I am so much richer from the experience and confidence that I gained playing the Open Championship last year. I think I can rate my game a bit higher now and feel that I can play well, whether in Europe or America. It was a dream week. I would like to keep going back again and again,” said Anirban of his British Open experience.

Milkha’s words were inspiring: Jhajharia

Devendra Jhajharia

New Delhi, July 23
Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia, who became the first Indian to win a gold medal at Para World Athletics Championship, said that legendary Milkha Singh’s inspiring words worked wonders during his endeavour to achieve success at the highest level.

“I idolize Milkha Singh as he was one of the first person who told me to get deeply involved with athletics. He once told me that I should be able shut myself out from the rest of the world when I am competing inside the stadium. I should only concentrate on my target,” javelin thrower Jhajharia said.

“Also I am indebted to him as he found me deserving enough to get the prestigious Arjuna Award when he was the chairman of the Awards Committee.”

On his success at the IPC World Championships, Jhajharia said, “My only aim was to break the championship record of 55.50m. I was leading after the first five attempts but the record was not eclipsed till the last throw.” Jhajharia, a world record holder in the event which he created while winning gold in the 2004 Athens Paralympics, hurled the javelin to 57.04m in F-46 category, meant for one-armed athletes. The 32-years-old, from Jaipuria Khalsa village of Churu district in Rajasthan, now holds the World Paralympic record.

Jhajharia chose to train alone in France to avoid any distraction. “I did not enter the stadium after the opening ceremony. The area outside the stadium was peaceful and I chose to practice there, alone. I entered the stadium on the day of the competition to avoid any pressure.”

Although he has got a job in Railways, Jhajharia wants that noted Para-athletes like him and Girisha, who won silver at the Paralympics in London, should get a job with the Sports Authority of India where they can train the future generations. — PTI

An impractical scheme that needs a revamp
Indervir Grewal/TNS

Chandigarh, July 23
The Punjab Sports Department has not released the list of players for the day-scholar sports wing scheme for schools, even though it has been four-and-a-half months since the trials were held and three months since the school admissions were completed.

“The list was finalised on Monday but hasn’t been released yet. It will be done in a few days,” said Director Sports Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon. “There was a mix-up as the list was clubbed together with the one for college wings, the trials and admissions for which take place later than for school wings.”

The day-scholar wings, for which the trials were held in February-March this year, comprise a majority of trainees from the state—in 2011-12, the number of players in these wings was 2847, including 474 in hockey. These wings get an allowance of Rs 100 per player (per day) from the government, which is paid from the date of the release of the final list. The list is usually released in late June or early July.

Talwinder Singh, coach of the Mehta Gurukul Hockey Academy (boys), Doraha, said, “The admissions are held in April and as we can’t wait for the final list, we enroll trainees according to the list finalised at the trials. The academy bears the expense till the final list is released.”

Sukhvir Singh Grewal, former national coach and international player, said that this system was impractical. “The scheme should be from April to December, if not for the whole year. The session starts in April after the school admissions, and most of the block and district level tournaments end by September-October. After December the training ends because children have to prepare for their exams. So why do they start the allowances from July and end in December.”

Asked about the impracticality of finalizing the list so late, Dhillon said, “Many children in the past changed schools after the list was finalized to be closer to their homes. So we started to wait for the children to settle down.”

Lanka beat Proteas

Colombo, July 23
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 17 runs via Duckworth Lewis method in a rain-curtailed second ODI of the series at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 223/9 in 49.2 overs. South Africa were 104/5 in 21 overs when the match was called off. David Miller (22) and Ryan McLaren (14) were at the crease when the play was called off.

For Lanka, Rangana Herath bagged two wickets. Lanka were helped by Tillakaratne Dilshan (43) and Dinesh Chandimal (43) as South Africa applied the choke towards the end. Kumara Sangakkara (37) also chipped in the middle order. South Africa were guilty of giving away 28 extras runs. For South Africa, pacer Morne Morkel scalped three wickets. — PTI

Score board

MI vs RR in CL T20 opener

New Delhi, July 23
The winners of IPL 6 Mumbai Indians will take on Rajasthan Royals, who finished third in the cash-rich tournament, in the inaugural group stage match of the Champions League Twenty20 to be played on September 21 at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. The CLT20 final will be played on October 6 at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground, which hosted the first Qualifier and the Eliminator of IPL 6. Group Stage: (Group A): Mumbai Indians, Highveld Lions (SA), Perth Scorchers (Australia), RR, a team from the Qualifier; Group B: CSK, Titans (SA), Brisbane Heat (Australia), Trinidad & Tobago (WI), a team from the Qualifier. Qualifiers: Q1- Otago Volts (New Zealand), Q2-Sunrisers Hyderabad (India), Q3-SLC1 (Sri Lanka),Q4-Faisalabad Wolves (Pakistan). — PTI

Khajuria shines in SL