Jagmohan Dalmiya again has been relegated to the sidelines

Chennai September 29
Brushing aside intense criticism and questions of probity, N Srinivasan was elected unopposed as BCCI president for a third year during the Board`s AGM here on Sunday even though he will not take charge till further orders from the Supreme Court.

Srinivasan was the lone Presidential candidate put forward by the South Zone, from where he got the proposer and the seconder.

The AGM asserted Srinivasan`s supremacy in India`s richest sporting body with not even a single voice of dissent being heard during the proceedings of the day.

But he can resume his duties only after the Supreme Court gives its final verdict on the case filed against his candidature by the Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma.

The choice of the various sub-committees bore ample testimony to Srinivasan`s stranglehold on the organisation as all the executive functionaries as well as the heads of the important panels are perceived to be close to the Chennai strongman. Srinivasan`s election was on expected lines despite the fact that he had his back against the wall on the issue of propriety. Srinivasan`s company India Cements owns Chennai Super Kings.

In another important decision, Ranjib Biswal, the Odisha Cricket Association chief, was named the IPL chairman, a post left vacant by Rajiv Shukla, who decided to resign at the end of his tenure this year. Biswal, a former India under-19 captain and first-class cricketer, was the manager of the Indian team during the 2011 World Cup triumph and was also a former chairman of the National Cricket Academy.

Among other important positions, Sneh Bansal (north), Ravi Savant (west) and Rajiv Shukla (central) have replaced Arun Jaitley, Niranjan Shah and Sudhir Dabir as vice-presidents.

Shivlal Yadav and Chitrak Mitra have retained their vice-presidency from south and east zone respectively.

While Jaitley has relinquished his post owing to political commitments in view of the upcoming general elections, Shah and Dabir have been dumped for their perceived closeness to Srinivasan`s adversaries Sharad Pawar and Shashank Manohar. Sanjay Patel and Anirudh Chaudhury have been named the BCCI Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

These positions were laid vacant when Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke resigned in the aftermath of the IPL betting scandal. Patel has been interim Secretary so far and his position was only made permanent n Sunday.

Jharkhand State Cricket Association President Amitabh Choudhary was appointed head of the BCCI marketing committee, while Kerala CA boss T C Mathhew was handed charge of the National Cricket Academy.

Andhra CA Secretary G Gangaraju was named head of BCCI finance committee. Goa`s Vinod Phadke has been entrusted with the responsibility of heading the media committee. DDCA`s Ravi Jain has been named the vice-chairman of the media committee.

Incidentally, Gangaraju and Phadke were in Srinivasan`s opposition camp but changed allegiance for which he was suitably rewarded.

The maximum duration of time was spent on deciding upon the name of the IPL Chairman, a lucrative but honorary position which requires a lot of travelling and liasioning with franchises and their owners.

Not all the east zone units were in favour of Biswal but finally agreed on his name after the favoured choice Jagmohan Dalmiya was ruled out due to his age, which would have hampered his functioning in the demanding job. However, Cricket Association of Bengal has been suitably rewarded for backing Srinivasan with their Joint Secretary Subir Ganguly finding a place in the IPL Governing Council. Apart from this, CAB Treasurer Biswarup Dey has been inducted into the powerful finance committee.

Former India stumper Chandrakant Pandit has been replaced by former Baroda opener Connor Williams as the chairman of the under-19 selection committee. — PTI

Chennai, September 29
Narayanaswami Srinivasan, elected unopposed on Sunday as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a third year, said he was not taking charge as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

“Leave me alone ... I don't want to comment anything today," Srinivasan said. Srinivasan categorically said he was not taking charge of the BCCI as per the instructions of the Supreme Court but has asked other office bearers to do so. “I have won unopposed but I am not taking charge. I have asked the new office bearers to take charge. I am awaiting the Supreme Court order. There are lot of things on me now,” said Srinivasan.

“It is a democratic process and you go by what the majority thinks,” Niranjan Shah said when asked about his ouster. When questioned as to whether he felt bad on being left out, Shah gave a vague reply, “That is a different matter. It is a part of election but I have no grudge.”

Another senior administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya also tried to play down the issue of not being appointed the IPL chairman.

“I was a BCCI president as well as an ICC president. I have spent time in high offices,” Dalmiya said as he prepared to leave the hotel venue. — PTI

Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped four in the final of the NKP Salve Challenger Series Trophy. — A file photograph

...and yuvi looks all set for a comeback against Australia

Yuvraj Singh is all set to make a comeback into India`s limited overs squad following some good performances when the selectors meet here on Monday to decide on the team for the lone T20 International as well as the first three ODIs. While there would be few surprises in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led squad that has performed admirably winning the Champions Trophy and tri-series in the West Indies, the return of the stylish 31-year-old left-hander is all but certain. Yuvraj last played for India on January 27 against England at Dharamsala and was dropped subsequently due to a poor run of form. Having undergone a rigorous physical training in France, a fitter Yuvraj made his comeback into the competitive cricket with a bang scoring 123, 40 and 61 in three List A matches against the West Indies A followed by a quickfire 52 against the same opponent in a T20 game. He carried on with his good form in the Challenger Series where he scored 84 against India Red and a 29 in the final. There won`t be much change in the batting line-up with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Dhoni being automatic selections. While Yuvraj will be the sixth specialist batsman in the playing XI that is likely to have Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja as the spin-bowling all-rounders. The choice for three pace bowlers slot will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. One among the trio of Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma and R Vinay Kumar will be the reserve pacer in the line-up. — PTI

Jaipur, September 29
Rajasthan Royals produced a disciplined all-round performance to notch up a convincing nine-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers and seal semi-final berth in the Champions League Twenty20 here today.

Riding on a fine bowling performance by Kevon Cooper (4 for 18) and resolute unbeaten half-centuries by Ajinkya Rahane (62) and Sanju Samson (50), Rajasthan continued their unbeaten run in the tournament.

The hosts didn't put a foot wrong as they first bundled out the visitors for a modest 120 in their stipulated 20 overs and then returned to overhaul the target with consumate ease, reaching 121 for one in just 16.3 overs.

Rajasthan now have 12 points from three matches and have their last league match here on Tuesday against Otago, who are placed second with 10 points after three outings.

Visakhapatnam, September 29
Opening batsman Ankush Bains blasted his way to a scintillating century as India inflicted a humiliating nine-wicket defeat on Zimbabwe to seal a berth in the final of the Quadrangular Under-19 One-day Series here on Sunday.

Bains cracked 14 fours and seven sixes to notch up a whirlwind 134 in just 89 deliveries and, along with his opener partner Akhil Herwadkar (88), forged a match-winning 218 partnership to take India home in just 28 overs. After Zimbabwe Under-19 skipper Malcolm Lake won the toss and elected to bat, seamer Atit Sheth (3 for 36) led a disciplined Indian bowling attack to restrict the visiting side to 245 for nine in their stipulated 50 overs. Abhimanyu Lamba (2 for 55) took two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Hooda and Ricky Bhui scalped one each.

Chasing 246 to win, Bains and Herwadkar scored runs at will. Bains was the more dominating between the two as he showed little respect for the visiting bowlers, plundering them all over the park as India always kept more than eight runs per over. Bains was finally dismissed in the 25th over with Malcolm Lake taking the prized wicket. Herwadkar then ensured India reach home without any hiccup. Earlier, debutant C Chitumba was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe Under-19 side as he hit 13 fours in his 80-ball innings of 83. Wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie contributed 60 runs. — PTI

New Delhi, September 29
Reigning junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (54kg) settled for a silver medal after her winning run was finally halted at the AIBA Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships in Albena, Bulgaria today.

Up against Yunzi Yuan of China, the 17-year-old boxer from Andhra fought bravely, but her opponent was equal to the task and didn’t let her settle down. The Indian adopted a more aggressive approach in the final round, but her opponent was up to the task and kept the advantage with some precise attacks. — PTI

Chandigarh, September 29
He has come a long way from being the wiry enthusiastic kid in his academy to now the goal-scoring boy-wonder of the Indian team.

Mandeep Singh, the thin springy forward with his bright white patka and a knack for being in the right place at the right time, has become a familiar figure for hockey fans in India.

“He wasn’t the kind of scorer he has developed into now, but he had potential. From the beginning he had great clarity and was good at making quick decisions. He was good at creating gaps and over the years he has worked hard on his receiving and finishing,” said Avtar Singh, one of the coaches at Surjit academy, Jalandhar, where Mandeep has been a trainee for the last five years.

Mandeep, who hails from Mithapur village in Jalandhar district, started playing hockey at the age of five, trying to emulate his elder brother and uncles. After a few years of informal training in his village and one year as a trainee in Khadur Sahib Academy, Tarn Taran, he got into Surjit academy.

“He would practice before and after the training sessions the basics we would teach such as receiving in the gaps, one-on-one play, shooting from different angles,” added Avtar. Still just 18, Mandeep has become a regular name on the score-sheets at the senior level in the past one year. But the novelty of scoring has not faded for him – visible in his celebrations, which are a strange mix of flamboyance and amazement. Few would forget his ‘rhino’ celebrations in the inaugural Hockey India League, in which, playing for Ranchi Rhinos, he was the second highest scorer with 10 goals. And though his confidence grew with each goal, the look on his face after scoring showed the same boyish enthusiasm of a humble kid who couldn’t believe he had scored. “It was a symbol for the rhino which the team management came up with and our fans loved it. We got amazing support from the Ranchi crowd.”

Madrid, September 29
Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to continue their 100 percent record this season. Diego Costa's 11th minute goal Saturday night was enough to decide a pulsating match and give Atletico their first league win over their neighbours since 1999, reports Xinhua.

A wet pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu assured it was a fast-paced game between two of the bitterest rivals in Spain, but it was Atletico who adjusted better to the conditions.

New Delhi, September 29
Olympian Swaran Singh Virk led the Indian rowers’ impressive showing by clinching a gold medal at the 15th Asian Senior Rowing Championship at Luan, China on Sunday.

Besides Virk's gold, India won two silver and as many bronze medals in the championship. In the finals that concluded this morning, Virk got the better of rowers from Iran and China in 7:31.88 minutes to bag the yellow metal.

The team of Anil Kumar, Robin P Ulahannan, Olympian Bajrang Lal Thakar, Ranjit Singh, Kapil Sharma, Mohammed Azad, Maninder Singh and Davinder Singh took 6:12.47 minutes to win the silver medal in Men's Eights event.

While Kapil Sharma, Mohammed Azad, Maninder Singh and Davinder Singh bagged the Men's Fours silver in 6:03.50 minutes.

India won the bronze in Lightweight Men's Double Sculls with Sonu Laxmi Narian and Shokindar Tomar winning it in 6:57.13 minutes. Monalisha, Dittymol Varghese, Chaoba Devim and Amusana Devi clinched a bronze in Lightweight Women's Quadruple Sculls with a timing of 7:03.33 minutes. In Men's Quadruple Sculls, Rakesh Raliya, Deepak Rana, Dushyant and Olympian Manjeet Singh finished fourth with a timing of 6:01.03 minutes.

Virk had booked his berth for the 2012 London Games by winning the major qualifying event at the FISA Olympic Continental Qualification Regatta for Asia in Chung Ju, Korea. — PTI

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