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India look to assert supremacy
Ready to take on the challenge: Zak
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Grappler Sumit crowned Bharat Kesri
CAS overturns NADA ruling; hands 2-year ban on judoka
Pak women to participate in Kabaddi World Cup
Pawar restrained from acting as MCA chief
Federer can play until he is 60: Nastase
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India look to assert supremacy
vadodara, November 26
That victory must have boosted confidence of the West Indies who would now aim to leave the country by pocketing at least the ODI series, following their debacle in the Tests. They, for the first time on this tour, will approach a match with self belief and confidence. For India, it is last international match at home before they embark on a challenging tour against South Africa and they would like to finish this series on a high. The Indian batting line-up sports a solid look. Barring a few individuals, the batting department is in great form in the recent past. The top three — Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni —have been the real force behind India's batting. With scores of 86 and 99 in the two matches played so far, Kohli, in particular, has been in scintillating form. But it is the form of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the middle order which will be a cause of concern for Dhoni ahead of the series decider. Both Dhawan and Yuvraj have some work to do as they have been throwing their wickets away after getting starts. But Dhoni, who struck a quick-fire 51 in the last to propel India to 288, backed Yuvraj to strike form in the upcoming matches, terming the left-hander as vital cog in India's middle-order. "We want Yuvi to do well. He is someone who can bat well at No 4. Someone who can really dominate the oppositions. Last few games, he has struggled a bit. At times it happens when you're under pressure the 15-20 first deliveries become crucial," Dhoni had said after the second ODI. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been doing a decent job with his slow left-armers, too would be desperate to return among runs. Barring the last match where dew played a major factor, the Indian bowlers have been pretty consistent in the series so far. Pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma leaked runs in Visakhapatnam. Dew did not help their cause as they struggled to grip the ball and handed out loose deliveries to the West Indies batsmen. And come tomorrow, the trio would be hoping to make up in better conditions. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja, as usual, has been miser with the ball and the two bowlers would like to carry on their good show to help India clinch the series. Dhoni would also be hoping for an improved showing from fielders as they dropped as many as four catches in the last match. West Indies, on the other hand, did just enough to secure the win in the second match. Kieran Powell,Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy scored crucial half-centuries to help the Caribbean side in securing their maiden win on the tour. — PTI Series win will lift morale: Bhuvneshwar
Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar feels a win in the third and deciding ODI against West Indies here tomorrow will raise the morale of the team ahead of a tough tour to South Africa, starting next month. "Tomorrow's match will be a crucial one. It is important in the context of the South Africa series. Our morale would be high going into South Africa tour if we can win the series," Bhuvneshwar said. "From my personal point of view, if I perform well tomorrow my confidence would be high going into the South Africa tour," the pacer from Meerut said. "The stadium has changed a lot since I played here the last time. It feels proud to play in your home ground, at a ground from where you started your Ranji Trophy career." West Indies have been completely outplayed by India in the tour till the last match which the visitor's won chasing a challenging a 289-run target. Teams from:
India: MS Dhoni (capt.), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, R Vinay Kumar, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra. West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (capt.), Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Sammy, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Tino Best, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell and Denesh Ramdin. |
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Ready to take on the challenge: Zak
Mumbai, November 26 The 35-year-old has been selected in the 17-member Test squad after taking 13 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 19.84 this season. His last Test was against England in Kolkata in December 2012. The senior pro said that incidentally his last comeback was also in South Africa. "I have had some good memories of South Africa. My last comeback was there, so I am looking forward to it," he said. Zaheer will be leading the Mumbai team in its Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha, which commences on November 28 and he said it would be good to get some match practice before the South Africa tour. "Looking forward to join the team (Indian). I will be playing this Ranji game (against Vidarbha). It is going to be good to get some overs under the belt," he said. The left-arm seamer, who had been battling fitness issues, said he expected to make a comeback after working hard on the physical aspect. "I was expecting that. Last year when I sat down and was thinking about exactly how to go about, firstly if I want to make my comeback or no. That was the biggest question for me. When the answer was yes, I then chalked out a strategy. What exactly was needed and I did everything possible to make sure that I am there. Obviously, physical aspect was a big thing and I had to tackle that. "In consultation with lot of trainers and physios I chalked out a plan and so far it worked," he said. "Mentally there was no problem, physically there was a little (problem). It was important that I keep believing in myself, my abilities and just keep on putting the work. That's what I have always been doing so far in my career. This time it was no different," he said. Zaheer said he progressed slowly and the spell against West Indies 'A' in Hubli last month helped his confidence. "It has been a slow progress right from Shimoga. When I went to Shimoga I knew that I needed some overs under my belt and to progress gradually. I didn't want anything to happen suddenly and I was kind of progressing slowly but surely. — PTI
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Heat rises as England sweat in Oz’s outback
Brisbane, November 26 England endured a heated reception at the Gabba, where a hostile local media, baying crowds and paceman Mitchell Johnson conspired to make their first test as unpleasant as the wet-bulb and the 381-run loss would suggest. The storied desert city of Alice Springs, where England jetted off to on Tuesday, is set to offer a much warmer welcome, however, with temperatures expected to nudge 40 degrees Celsius this week. As part of the R 'n' R component of their itinerary, the team will head to Uluru, the magnificent red monolith that rises improbably from a sparse, flat landscape some six hours' drive from Alice. "The trip will be a really important preparation phase for us," wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who failed twice with the bat at the Gabba, wrote in Britain's Daily Telegraph on Tuesday. "It feels like we are getting out of the limelight for a while so we can quietly go about our business to make sure we are ready to go for Adelaide." Pondering their limited time at the crease at the Gabba, some of England's batsmen might draw inspiration from Uluru, an unyielding presence despite millions of years under siege from the elements. Fittingly, the English cricketers did their best to impersonate inanimate objects when swarmed by Australian media at Brisbane airport on Tuesday. In contrast to the Gabba where they seemed keen to play at anything, the team collectively shouldered arms in the face of a barrage of queries about the team's mood in the wake of batsman Jonathan Trott's sensational departure owing to a stress-related illness. Following a test full of chatter, and a noisy media debate comparing the merits of 'banter' versus 'sledging', the code of silence was another departure of sorts for an England team which had been quite willing to go on the front foot. Happiness more important than cricket, Harmison tells Trott Former England paceman Steve Harmison would prefer to see troubled batsman Jonathan Trott quit cricket and be happy rather than play and suffer. Trott walked out on the squad with a stress-related issue, taking a break from cricket for the "foreseeable future". Harmison said Trott should take professional help for permanent solution to his problems. "There are a few of us in the game he can speak to, but if he never plays international cricket again and is happy, that is a better outcome than playing and suffering," said Harmison. Anderson threatened to punch Bailey: Warne
Shane Warne accused James Anderson of threatening to punch George Bailey during the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, and said it was a "disgrace" that Michael Clarke was fined for standing up for his team mate. Clarke was fined 20 percent of his match fee over threatening Anderson to get ready for a broken arm in the final stages of the match. Warne said Anderson's sledge sparked an angry reaction from Clarke in the first Test. "I think it's a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Jimmy Anderson said to Bailey, which wasn't heard," Warne wrote on Twitter. "@MClarke23 stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt (captain) after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face. Unfortunately only Clarke's reaction to Anderson's was heard live, we all heard Anderson's sledge that led to Clarke reacting," Warne tweeted. — Agencies |
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Grappler Sumit crowned Bharat Kesri
Rohtak, November 26 The title of 'Bharat Kesri' was bagged by Sumit, a resident of village Karor and trainee of Chatarsal Stadium Delhi. He got a cash prize of Rs 21 lakh. Satyavart, a resident of village Dubaldhan and trainee of Satpal Akhara in Rohtak stood second. He was given a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh. Satinder, who stood third, got Rs six lakh and Joginder was awarded Rs four lakh for finishing fourth, an official release said here. Hooda also announced to appoint Sumit as inspector and runner-up Satyavart as sub-inspector in the police department. He was presiding over the competition in Rohtak after inaugurating Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex and unveiling a life-size statue of former PM Rajiv Gandhi. — PTI
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CAS overturns NADA ruling; hands 2-year ban on judoka New Delhi, November 26 The verdict issued by Lausanne-based CAS may have impact on other MHA cases pending in the NADA involving national athletes. Nirupama’s urine sample, collected during Senior National Judo Championship in Kolkata in January 2012, tested positive for Methylhexaneamine, a stimulant that is prohibited during in-competition as per the Anti Doping Rules of the NADA. NADA referred the case to the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel where she argued that she used VLCC beauty products over a long period of time, which happened to contain geranium oil which could be a source of MHA . The Disciplinary Panel was satisfied with the athlete’s submissions and handed — on July 17 last year — a sanction of a “reprimand” with no further ineligibility. This led to World Anti Doping Agency seeking the intervention of the CAS. After considering the written submissions submitted by both WADA (appellant) and the athlete (respondent), the CAS panel found that the VLCC products do not contain MHA and the MHA concentration as detected in athlete's urine sample was on much higher side (2000 ng/ml). — PTI
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Pak women to participate in Kabaddi World Cup
Chandigarh, November 26 Besides hosts India, teams from Pakistan, England, Denmark, USA, Mexico, Kenya and New Zealand would participate in the event, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also chairman of the organising committee, said on Tuesday. The world cup will witness 12 teams in the men section and eight in the women section, vying for the top position. Men teams from India, Pakistan, Iran, England, Spain, Denmark, Scotland, USA, Canada, Argentina, Sierra Leon and Kenya would take part, he said. He said that in the men's section the winner would bag Rs two crore while those finishing second and third would get Rs one crore and Rs 51 lakh respectively. In women's category, the winner would get Rs one crore and the second and third placed team would receive Rs 51 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively, he added. The matches would be played at various places in the state including at Bhatinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar and Jalandhar. The overall budget is Rs 20 crore. The state government had given a contract to a private firm to hold the opening and closing ceremony for which a separate Rs six crore will be spent. Actor Priyanka Chopra will enthrall the crowd during the opening ceremony. — PTI
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Pawar restrained from acting as MCA chief
Mumbai, November 26 Judge M.S. Sharma passed the interim order while hearing an application by senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde seeking Pawar to be restrained from functioning as MCA president pending hearing of his suit challenging the NCP chief’s election as its chief. Munde had also challenged the rejection of his nomination to contest the biennial presidential election. “The court allowed Munde’s application seeking interim relief and restrained Pawar from functioning as MCA president. The court also directed for Munde’s suit to be heard on a day-to-day basis and to be decided within three months,” Munde’s lawyer Vivekananda Gupta said. The court has, however, allowed Pawar to approach a higher court in appeal within a week. In his suit, Munde said the rejection of his nomination by the election officer S.M. Gorwadkar was “illegal” and prayed for fresh election. Munde’s application to contest was rejected on the basis of his residential status. — PTI
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Federer can play until he is 60: Nastase London, November 26 The Swiss 17-times grand-slam champion has slipped down to sixth in the world rankings and won only one title this year, prompting many to suggest he is a spent force at 32. Nastase the former bad boy of tennis, believes Federer should not listen to the naysayers, however. "I wish people wouldn't say that Roger Federer has to retire," the 67-year-old former French Open and U.S. Open champion was quoted as saying in Romanian media. "I think he should play for as long as he wants. I don't agree with those people who say that you should retire when you're past your absolute best or prime. No, Federer doesn't have to prove anything, he can play to 60 if he wants to." Federer, who has spent a record 302 weeks as world number one during his illustrious career, is still one of the biggest draws in tennis, according to Nastase, even if he has fallen behind players such as Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. “If Federer wants to carry on playing, no-one is going to say: 'No, we don't want Federer to play'. He is going to retire when he feels like it. I don't think that he has to retire just because he is no longer the world number one. That happens to everybody, as you can't stay as the world number one forever. He retires whenever." Nastase himself retired from the Tour at the age of 39 but continued playing invitational seniors events into his 60s. — Reuters
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Unfavourable bowling conditions had pegged them back in the last match but India will look to assert their supremacy and clinch the series against the West Indies.
Veteran India pacer Zaheer Khan, who has made a comeback to the Test side after nearly a year, Tuesday said he was gearing up for the challenge against South Africa next month. "I have ironed out things I felt were pulling me back. I am ready to take on the challenge. It is great to accept challenge and to live up to it," Zaheer said.
Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday gave away cash awards of Rs 44 lakh to wrestlers who excelled in the Ch. Ranbir Singh Memorial competition.
The title of 'Bharat Kesri' was bagged by Sumit, a resident of village Karor and trainee of Chatarsal Stadium Delhi. He got a cash prize of Rs 21
lakh.
London, November 26
India have been a dominant force in this contest since West Indies' arrival to the country but the hosts suffered a surprise two-wicket defeat in Visakhapatnam, failing to defend a competitive total under difficult conditions.
