Vadodara, January 7
Having proved their mettle at the group league stage, a determined Jammu and Kashmir is ready to lock horns with formidable Punjab team that consists of senior players like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh in their maiden Ranji Trophy quarterfinal appearance.

On paper, it might be a 'David vs Goliath' contest but Punjab captain Harbhajan Singh knows well that it would be foolish to take Parvez Rasool and Co. lightly. In 2010-11 season, Rajasthan, which emerged from the ‘Plate Group’ to win Ranji Trophy defeating Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, showed how the less fancied teams raise the bar in the knockout games.

“The boys are eagerly waiting for a good contest. We want to play more matches like these where we would be meeting teams like Punjab and Mumbai. This will also be an indicator of our improvement. It will be an honour to play against a player of Yuvi paaji's stature,” Jammu and Kashmir skipper Rasool said.

Harbhajan, who was out of action after the first three matches due to shoulder injury, is set to play in the quarterfinal at the Moti Baug ground which has helped both pacers and spinners during the course of the season. Harbhajan, who has taken 18 wickets in three games, will like to get back into the groove while Yuvraj, who has scored 140 runs from three games without a single 50 will be itching to get a big score. “I am fully fit and looking forward for some action,” said Harbhajan.

For Jammu and Kashmir, a lot will depend on how their skipper and premier player Rasool performs in the crunch game. The all-rounder, who has already been a part of the Indian squad and has played for India A, has scored 550 runs and has taken 21 wickets in the tournament so far.

Rasool has been complemented well by opener Adil Rishi, who has been the top scorer for J&K so far with 571 runs. The team is also dependant on their new-ball attack of left-arm pacer Samiullah Beigh and right-arm paceman Mohammed Mudhasir.

While Beigh has salped 33 wickets, Mudhasir isn't far behind having bagged 30 wickets. The pitch at Moti Baug ground is expected to help the seam bowlers, according to Rasool.

“They have kept a good layer of grass and I am expecting that there will be good carry throughout the match. As of now it looks like a pacer-friendly wicket. The seamers will certainly get good help from the track if they pitch it in right areas. We will decide on the playing eleven tomorrow after having a final look at the track before the toss,” Rasool said. — PTI

Mumbai, January 7
Group toppers Maharashtra will play defending champions Mumbai, who barely made it to the knock-out stage, in a keen fight at the Wankhede Stadium.

New Delhi, January 7
Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels that players like Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should have been allowed to play for their respective states in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final.

The BCCI is not allowing any of the six players — Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane (Mumbai), Mohammed Shami (Bengal), Stuart Binny (Karnataka), Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suresh Raina (UP) — to play for their states as Indian ODI squad is flying off to New Zealand in the wee hours of January 12, which is the last day of the quarter-final.

“Well, I think there was a good opportunity and a case to allow these players play for their teams in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal. There is a gap of seven days before they play the first ODI (January 19). I am sure these six could have joined the team a day or two later as it has happened earlier,” Dravid told ESPN Cricinfo.

Dravid feels that someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar would have gained by getting ideal match-time in the quarters as he hasn't played competitive cricket for more than a month now. “If I would have been Bhuvneshwar, I would have liked to play. He may have bowled a lot in the nets but he hasn't played any matches for over a month,” Dravid said.

Dravid also said that if te likes of Rohit and Rahane play in Ranji Trophy, it “raises the profile” of the event. “I am not saying that BCCI doesn't value Ranji Trophy. They do value a lot but if these boys play, it raises profile of the event. Since the match (Mumbai vs Maharashtra) would be telecast live, people while flipping through channels, if they find Rohit batting, they would just hang around and watch a bit more.” — PTI

New Delhi, January 7
Aimed at raising the profile of track and field sports in the country, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is mulling on launching an ambitious big ticket franchised-based league, which will have Olympic and world champions. The AFI Executive Committee, in its recent meeting, discussed the possibility of starting a cash-rich competition to be named Indian Athletics League (IAL), with a sports management firm presenting a blueprint.

Though the finer details are yet to be finalised, the proposed IAL will be a franchise-based competition on the lines of Indian Premier League and Indian Badminton League. It will also have some similarities with the prestigious 14-leg Diamond League Series organised by the world governing body IAAF each year.

AFI Executive Committee took the decision to hold the proposed IAL in the first half of August, provided the the sponsors and funds are available. The sports management firm has been tasked to find the corporate sponsors.

A top source in the AFI said the budget for the proposed league would be pegged at around Rs 100 crore and some of the big international stars, including Olympic and world champions, would be invited.

“It's early stages now. We have discussed the feasibility of the league in the Executive Committee meeting as we want to raise the profile of athletics in the country. We decided that if the necessary funds and the sponsors are coming, then we can hold the league in August,” the source said.

“We have to decide on the number of city-based franchises and the number of international stars. Each franchise (men and women) will have eight athletes. Two or three of them will be international stars, and the rest will be the Indians. There will be bidding for franchises and national and international athletes,” the source said.

The league will have be a series of competitions in each city where the franchises are based and each event will last three to four hours. The winners of the events in each city will get big prize money.

“We are yet to decide on the number events for men and women. But each series in a particular city, say New Delhi or Mumbai or Chennai will last three to four hours. Each winner, second and third place finishers will get big money. We will decide on the amount of prize money later on,” he said.

He said the Indian Grand Prix events have been scrapped from this season's calendar to make a window for this proposed IAL. The calendar provides for a window of August 1 to 15 for the proposed league.

Asked about the proposed league, AFI president Adille Sumariwala said, “We have discussed it but we have to decide on the format and other details. We want to start a league but it depends on the availability of funds. Commonwealth Games gold medallist discus thrower Krishna Poonia said that the proposed league, if materialized, will be a big boost for Indian athletics.

“We have seen the impact of IPL on cricket and of IBL on badminton or HIL on hockey. So if IAL happens, it will be a real big boost for the track and field athletes. It will help them financially also,” she said. — PTI

Nuts and bolts The budget for the proposed league would be pegged at around Rs 100 crore and some of the big international stars, including Olympic and world champions, would be invited. The Indian Grand Prix events have been scrapped from this season's calendar to make a window for the proposed IAL

Mohali, January 7
Soon Mohali would have a premier sports institute, Punjab Institute of Sports (PIS), on the lines of National Institute of Sports. This was announced by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal after inaugurating Punjab Olympics Bhawan at Phase IX.

“To produce world class sportspersons from the state, we are going to set up PIS in the town. We have planned to spend over Rs 400 crores on its infrastructure,” said Badal while adding that all top sportspersons, coaches and other sports-related persons would be involved in the PIS.

The PIS would also have two training centres at Jalandhar and Bathinda.

“Sports is the highest priority area of the state government and we want to bring a massive change in sports scenario,” said Badal.

Giving details, Badal said that the institute would be equipped with world-class facilities to achieve the objective.

The state has already started levying sports cess on liquor to generate funds. “With this special cess, an annual income of about Rs 100 crores has already started coming in,” claimed Badal, adding that finance was not issue in the state.

The Punjab government has also announced to give class I jobs to 100 meritorious sportspersons every year, he added.

Lashing at union government for not supporting even the international level sportspersons, Badal said that India has lot of talent but there were no opportunities for them.

He added that within coming two-three years, every district of the state would have its own sports school to catch the sportspersons at young age and promote sports at grass root level. 

Grenoble, January 7
Michael Schumacher's wife appealed to the media on Tuesday to leave the French hospital they have staked out since the German was critically injured in a skiing accident nine days ago and to let the doctors do their job.

Corinna Schumacher also asked the media to leave her family in peace after German reports said on Monday there had been a slight improvement in the former driver's condition, hours after Grenoble hospital had issued a bulletin saying he was still stable but critical.

“Please support us in our joint struggle with Michael,” Corinna said in a statement. “It is important to me that you relieve the doctors and the hospital so they can work in peace.

“Please trust their statements and leave the hospital. Please also leave our family in peace.”

They were Corinna's first public comments since a December 30 statement in which she thanked the medical team for their efforts and expressed gratitude to fans around the world for their outpouring of support.

The hospital and the German's management have repeatedly asked the media to respect his privacy. The medical team have held news conferences and issued periodic bulletins on his condition including one on Monday that said: “The clinical state of Michael Schumacher is stable as he's under permanent care and treatment. However, the medical team in charge stresses that it continues to assess his situation as critical.”

New Delhi, January 7
Kevin Pietersen has ruled out retirement in the wake of the 5-0 Ashes thrashing by Australia and wants to help regain the urn when they host the series in 2015.

The whitewash has led to calls by pundits for an overhaul of the England team and setup and coach Andy Flower declined to confirm whether Pietersen was safe. The South Africa-born batsman, however, said he had no plans to walk away.

“Very disappointed to lose 5-0, and not to score more runs," Pietersen wrote on his Twitter page. “I want to thank all England fans for their support. And I'm determined to help regain the Ashes in 2015.” — Reuters

New Delhi, January 7
Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi recorded their first win after re-joining forces as they overcame a spirited challenge from Jean-Julien Roger and Horia Tecau in the first round of the ATP Apia International.

The third seeded Indo-Pak pair recorded a hard-fought 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 10-3 win over the unseeded Dutch-Romanian team in one hour and 41 minutes. They next face Treat Huey from Philippines and Briton Dominic Inglot, who ousted Spaniards Pablo Andujar and David Marrero 6-4 6-3. — Agencies

London, January 7
England forward Theo Walcott will miss this year’s World Cup in Brazil after being ruled out for at least six months with a knee injury, his club, Arsenal, said Monday.

Walcott suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during Premier League leaders Arsenal’s 2-0 FA Cup win at home to arch north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

An Arsenal statement said Walcott is “expected to be out for at least six months, therefore missing the remainder of the (English) season and the World Cup in Brazil in the summer”.

The 24-year-old Walcott jarred his knee towards the end of the match making a tackle and was carried from the field. Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey sympathised with Walcott on Twitter by saying: “Gutted for Theo, he’ll come back stronger after this. Been fantastic for us so far this season. Have a speedy recovery mate.”

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Ray Parlour said Walcott would be a major loss for both club and country. “What a really big injury this is for Arsenal and England because I’m sure Theo would have been a starter for England in Brazil,” Parlour said. “And it must be a massive blow for himself because he’s playing in a very good team at the moment, top of the league, and looking forward to Brazil. He must be absolutely distraught about the extent of the injury.”

Walcott missed the final two World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland due to injury, with Tottenham’s Andros Townsend winning rave reviews after taking his place. Walcott has yet to play in a World Cup match despite his stunning selection by then England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006. — Reuters

Madrid, January 7
Real Madrid moved back to within five points of La Liga co-leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a hard-fought 3-0 win at home to Celta Vigo on Monday.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring before a late double from Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the win as Celta were made to pay for passing up a host of clear-cut chances.

With the scoreline still deadlocked with an hour played, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti introduced the fit-again Gareth Bale and Jese Rodriguez from the bench in the search of a goal.

The Italian was rewarded when Rodriguez squared for Benzema to break the deadlock 23 minutes from time.

Ronaldo killed the game as a contest when he rolled home Dani Carvajal’s cross before Bale provided his seventh assist of the season for Ronaldo to fire home his second in stoppage time.

Ancelotti accepted that his side had been far from their best on their return to competitive action after a two-week lay-off. “We didn’t play well, especially in the first half. Our play was slow, but that is quite normal that, after a break, the team doesn’t have the same rhythm.”

“In the second half, our intensity was better and we came through the game well in the end,” he added.

The visitors had enjoyed the best of the first half and should have been in front after just five minutes when Charles galloped into a huge gap behind the Madrid defence but could only fire into the side-netting.

Real didn’t get going until midway through the half as Benzema’s shot from close range was deflected just wide on 23 minutes, before Luka Modric fired a long-range effort just over.

Ronaldo came close for the first time when he dragged a shot just wide with 15 minutes remaining. But he wasn’t to be denied as he slid in to meet Carvajal’s cross eight minutes from time. — PTI

Sydney, January 7
Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn, one of the biggest attractions in winter sport, is to have surgery on her injured knee and will not compete at next month’s Sochi Games.

The American, the standout name in women’s Alpine skiing, announced the news on her Facebook page.

“I am devastated to announce I will not be able to compete in Sochi,” said Vonn, the girlfriend of Tiger Woods.

“I did everything I possibly could to somehow get strong enough to overcome having no ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) but the reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level.”

Vonn, a four-times overall World Cup champion, badly injured her right knee in a world championship super-G in February and the 29-year-old’s return to the slopes has been slowed by setbacks.

She injured her knee again while training for the season-opening World Cup downhill at Beaver Creek, Colorado but appeared to be back on track after racing at Lake Louise, Alberta. — Reuters

Sydney, January 7
The Sydney International continued to be a graveyard for some of the top names in women’s tennis with champion and top seed Agnieszka Radwanska and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki both losing in the second round on Tuesday.

Men’s champion Bernard Tomic, however, followed up the exploits of fellow Australian Marko Matosevic, who earlier beat Florian Mayer 6-2 4-6 6-3, to demolish eighth seed Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-0 in just under an hour.

Radwanska and Wozniacki followed grand slam champions Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone and former world number one Jelena Jankvoic as early evictees from the tournament.

Radwanska’s title defence lasted just 92 minutes when she was dumped out 7-5 6-2 by American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands, while Wozniacki, who struggled in her first round match on Monday, was beaten 6-4 7-6 (9-7) by Czech Lucie Safarova. World number five Radwanska, who had won the Sydney title last year as part of a 13-match unbeaten streak that ended in the Australian Open quarterfinals, said she was not overly concerned with her early loss.

“It’s not like I’m playing bad. I just think not my day (and)... sometimes you have to lose. You start over and over again.”

Sydney, January 7
World number one Serena Williams shows no sign of slowing down with age and should win more than 20 grand slam singles titles, former great Martina Navratilova has said.

The 57-year-old Navratilova who won 18 grand slam singles titles, and 41 in women’s and mixed doubles, is also confident the 32-year-old Williams will equal her singles haul at the Australian Open, which begins next week in Melbourne. “If she can stay healthy there is no doubt she can go into the 20s, the sky is the limit,” Navratilova said.

“I know how hard it is once you get to 30, all those little niggling injuries get worse and it’s much easier to have an off day. But still, she is in her 30s ... she is eager and winning is very contagious - once you get really used to it, you don’t want to let go of it.”

Australia’s Margaret Court holds the overall record of 24 grand slam singles titles, while Germany’s Steffi Graf won 22 titles in the Open era. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

India can reach semis of Hockey World League Final, says Netherlands coach
New Delhi: Netherlands head coach Paul Vanass is aiming for the summit clash of the Hockey World League Final to be held here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium January 10-18. The team practised here on Tuesday ahead of their opening clash against Argentina on January 10, after which Vanass spoke to the media. “These are the top eight teams of the world and there will be no easy games. It will be interesting to see where do we stand post this tournament as from here we start preparing for the World Cup. The aim here is to qualify for the finals. Amongst other countries, India is a strong team and we expect them to make it to the semis," Vanass said.

AFI finalises trials for CWG, Asian Games
Mumbai: Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has fixed the National Inter-State championships at Lucknow in June and the Federation Cup championships at Patiala in August as the selection trials for this year's Commonwealth and Asian Games respectively. The inter-state event is to be hosted by the Uttar Pradesh association from June 18-22 ahead of the CWG in Glasgow, Scotland from July 21 to August 4. Federation Cup athletics is slated from August 16-19 prior to the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea from September 28-October 5.

IOA elections on February 9, notification issued
New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association today notified the holding of its elections on February 9 as was decided at its Special General Body Meeting last month to pave the way for the country's return to the Olympic fold. S Reghunathan, who chaired the last few Special GBMs, signed the notification before sending it to the officials, National Sports Federations and state Olympic bodies today. Candidates can file nominations for various posts, including those of president, secretary general and treasurer, starting 15 days before the election date while they can withdraw their names till seven days prior to the polls, an IOA official said. — Agencies

Damon Hill is brand ambassador for Mumbai
Mumbai: Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill has been named event ambassador for this year's USD 360,000 11th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon that would be held on January 19. Britain's Hill, who became the F1 champion in 1996 after finishing runners-up to Michael Schumacher over the previous two years, would be in Mumbai from January 16 till the race day. He hopes to inspire the younger generation of sportsmen to work hard. — Agencies