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Som finishes it in no time
Reinforcements bring hope for India
Sri Lanka defer decision on ICC revamp proposal
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ranji trophy final
Pak batsman Umar held over alleged assault
Vishy finds himself pushed to the back bench
Ranchi Rhinos beat UP Wizards
In-form Lahiri canters to a six-stroke win
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Som finishes it in no time
Indore, February 1 Somdev needed just eight minutes to complete the unfinished business as he beat Chen 6-7 (4) 7-6 (3) 1-6 6-2 9-7 in the second singles, which could not be completed yesterday due to bad light. Beginning the day at tied 7-7 in the fifth set, Somdev played attacking tennis, served well, hit the ball hard, found the lines and was able to pin Chen on the baseline to set up easy put away volleys. This was exactly what Chen was doing to Somdev yesterday. The change in tactics was rewarding for the Indian as he broke Chen in the 16th game, albeit, after squandering two more match points. He had missed four chances yesterday to close the match. Finally, Somdev clinched the issue on his seventh match point when Chen hit one wide. Overall, the contest lasted four hours and 40 minutes over two days. It was the third meeting between Somdev and Chen. The Indian had beaten Chen in an away Davis Cup tie in 2009 and then at the Asian Games the next year. Later, Bopanna and debutant Myneni brushed aside the challenge of Hsien-Yin Peng and Tsing Hua Yang 6-0 6-7(3) 6-3 7-6 (2) in two hours and 21 minutes to render tomorrow's reverse singles inconsequential. Originally Hsin-Han Lee was nominated to play with Peng but Taipei chose to play their number one player Yang, hoping the combination would pose a better challenge to the Indians. India would now travel to Korea for the second round tie in April and if they win that, the team will compete in the play-offs to re-enter the elite 16-nation World Group. It is possible that the captain would change nomination for the two dead rubbers, to be played tomorrow. Bopanna, who touched a career-high doubles rank of world number three last year, showed his class and experience as he clearly was the most dominant player of all four. He held his serves with ease, fired 18 aces and served at an intimidating pace, which was too hot to handle for Yang and Peng. At times, Peng and Yang could not even see where the ball landed as it past them before they could think of a suitable return shot. Bopanna also returned well and was excellent at the net. Myneni at times hit stunning winners and complimented his senior colleague well. The Indians began with a bang as they bageled the visitors in the opening set in just 16 minutes, not letting them win a single game. Bopanna set the tone when he hit a volley winner and Myneni got into the business with an fine lob on the first break point of the match on Yang's serve.
— PTI davis cup |
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Reinforcements bring hope for India
Whangarei, February 1 The ODI series was a thorough disaster for the visitors, who lost their number one ranking in the course of the 0-4 thrashing. And Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s men would be aiming to put that behind them when they begin the Test leg of the tour here. The Test series starts February 6. It is a quiet town, much like Napier where the ODI leg started two weeks ago. The tour started without much fan-fare allowing the Indian team nearly five days of practice, and while they made good use of the facilities provided there, it didn`t really show up on the field in the ensuing contests. Whangarei is similarly quiet and perhaps the team could do with some introspection, away from the spotlight. It is a parallel reflection from the South African tour previously, wherein the Indian team had also lost the ODI series, riddled with short bowling and inadequate application from both batsmen and bowlers. The big difference is that their practice game on that tour was washed out due to unseasonal rains and wet outfield. Here, on the other hand, the bright sun is out and the visitors should enjoy two good days of cricket. Despite missing out on practice in South Africa, the team showed enough resilience to bounce back from their ODI series loss and perform well in the two-Test series, albeit losing it 1-0 as well on the last day of the trip. They can take heart from that performance and hope to find some solutions to the many problems that dogged them on their overseas journeys recently. At the same time, they need to be mindful of the different requirements of the longer format and the adjustments they need to make. The squad stays nearly similar barring the departure of four players, Suresh Raina, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra and Varun Aaron. At the same time they will be reinforced by the presence of Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav and Wriddhiman Saha. The blue flannels will be replaced by the white ones and after some restructuring the Indian team shall bear a Test look again.
Short stuff to continue: Hesson New Zealand coach Mike Hesson today said the Kiwis will continue with the tactic even in the upcoming Test series starting Feb 6. Hesson said the tactic would be re-used in the two-match Test series. “Yes, if conditions allow, then absolutely, we will deploy it,” agreed Hesson. “It is the ability to push guys back and then bowl their natural length, the ability to do that and obviously presenting the seam so that we can find the outside edge. That is the sort of formula that we have had for a while," he said. “I think we showed that at the Basin Reserve the last time we played, and the way we forced the West Indies back and got them out, that is something that we will look to continue against India as well,” he added. — PTI
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Sri Lanka defer decision on ICC revamp proposal
Colombo, February 1 The committee would be re-convened on Monday. SLC sources said a majority in the SLC are those who are opposed to the plan of allowing the big three — India, Australia and England — to dominate the world governing body. A source said Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa feels under pressure from the `Big Three` to give the nod to the original plan after the SLC had taken a decision to request the ICC to defer the proposals. The SLC had summoned an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the revised proposals put forward by the ICC to the original position paper last week. Just before meeting, Dharmadasa had received a further set of revised proposals from the governing body. Dissenting administrations led by South Africa have taken the stand that the position paper would lead to three boards getting total control of the ICC’s revenue. Pak’s income can double if they accept revamp plans
The Pakistan Cricket Board was paid around USD 58 to 60 millions as its share of the ICC events held in the present cycle of eight years, which ends in 2014. A well-informed source told PTI that this amount didn't include the compensation amount of around $15 million that PCB got from the ICC after the 2011 World Cup matches were moved from Pakistan due to security reasons. “Pakistan's share will grow significantly in the next cycle of ICC events,” he said. — Agencies |
Jadhav hits century but Karnataka stay on course
Hyderabad, February 1 Karnataka finished their first innings on 515 taking a sizeable 210-run first innings lead. In reply, Maharashtra were 272 for six in their second essay courtesy 112 by Jadhav and his 118-run partnership for the third wicket with Ankit Bawne (61). Maharashtra now lead by 62 runs with four wickets in hand. R Vinay Kumar was the most successful Karnataka bowler grabbing four for 84 although he was taken to the task by the Maharashtra batsmen. This is Jadhav's sixth first-class century and he is all set to end this edition of Ranji Trophy with 1223 runs at a staggering average of 87.35 and a strike-rate of 80.30. In Saturday's knock, which was his 10th first-class century, he faced 135 balls hitting 10 boundaries in the process. At stumps, Skipper Rohit Motwani (3 batting) and Shrikant Mundhe (3 batting) will expect to take the lead closer to 150 if Maharashtra are thinking of making a match of it and pull off what looks like an improbable win as of now. However, no one can take away the credit of the manner in which they dominated the proceedings on the fourth day. Karnataka added 41 runs more courtesy their captain Vinay's 28 as they took their lead past 200 runs mark. Knowing, they can only stay in the contest with a positive intent, Vijay Zol (31), Bawne and Yadav played their natural game as Maharashtra scored their runs at four per over. Jadhav's batting was exceptional against the slow bowlers as he repeatedly used his feet to good effect. He was watchful for the first 30 balls of his innings and went on to attack. — PTI Scoreboard Maharashtra 1st inngs 305 Karnataka 1st innings (overnight 474/7) Gopal c Motwani b Sanklecha 10 Vinay run out (Khadiwale/Motwani) 28 Mithun c Motwani b Mundhe 16 Aravind not out 0 Extras (b-9, lb-4, w-3, nb-9) 25 Total (all out; 171.1 overs) 515 Fall of wickets: 1-230, 2-318, 3-345, 4-380, 5-394, 6-447, 7-461, 8-475, 9-513 Bowling Fallah 32-8-74-3 Sanklecha 30-7-83-1 Darekar 28.5-4-108-0 Mundhe 31.1-5-90-3 Khurana 39.1-10-110-2 Atitkar 5-0-18-0
Maharashtra 2nd innings Khadiwale c Satish b Vinay 9 Zol c Gautam b Vinay 31 Bawne st Gautam b Gopal 61 Jadhav c Uthappa b Vinay 112 Atitkar c Verma b Gopal 0 Khurana c Uthappa b Vinay 37 Motwani not out 3 Mundhe not out 3 Extras (b-2, lb-4, w-10) 16 Total (For 6 wickets; 68 overs) 272 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-54, 3-172, 4-174, 5-262, 6-268 Bowling Vinay 21-1-84-4 Mithun 16-1-47-0 Aravind 15-0-49-0 Uthappa 2-0-15-0 Pandey 2-0-14-0 Gopal 10-0-37-2 Verma 2-0-20-0
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Pak batsman Umar held over alleged assault
Islamabad, February 1 he case has been registered at the Gulberg police station. Umar was reportedly driving to a friend’s wedding when he, according to the warden, broke three traffic lights between Cavalry Ground and Firdous Market and was “also over-speeding.” When the 23-year-old was eventually pulled over and handed a ticket (challan), a scuffle broke out. “He misbehaved with the traffic warden, got abusive and also tore his shirt,” senior police official Tariq Aziz said. “"He is presently detained at the police station for questioning, he added.Umar denied the charges and said the cop had slapped and abused him. |
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Vishy finds himself pushed to the back bench
Having lost to Levon Aronian of Armenia in the first round, this turned out to be a double blow for Anand who now finds himself at the last spot in the highest category event. World champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway played out a draw with Aronian while Fabiano Caruana of Italy hung on to get his draw with Boris Gelfand of Israel in the other games of this six-player round-robin tournament. With three rounds in Classical and five rounds in rapid chess still remaining, Carlsen, Aronian and Nakamura share the lead on three points under the special scoring system that gives two points for a win in Classical and one in the rapid format. With two draws in two games, Caruana is in fourth spot on two points while Gelfand now has one point. Anand is yet to open his account. Nakamura opted for the Berlin defense as black and got a complicated middle game that favoured Anand.
— PTI |
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Ranchi Rhinos beat UP Wizards
Lucknow, February 1 The Rhinos were, by far, the better side on display as they dominated the proceedings from start to finish and enjoyed the better share of ball possession. The Rhinos outplayed the Wizards in terms of circle penetration as well as they made inroads into the hosts' citadel 21 times as compared to their opponents' nine attempts. To sum up, it was a close contest between the two finest teams of the tournament, but it was the Rhinos who utilised the chances that came their way. The Rhinos took the lead through star English drag-flicker Ashley Jackson, who converted a penalty corner in the 18th minute. The Wizards had their chances in the match but the forward line, led by Ramandeep Singh, failed to cash in on the opportunities. Another Englishman Barry Middleton (26th minute) doubled the Rhinos' lead with a field goal in the second quarter as the visitors' went into the halfway break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage. At the change of ends, the Wizards adopted an aggressive approach and created a few bright openings but the Rhinos defense led by captain Moritz Furste stood like a rock to thwart any danger to their citadel. In another match, Kalinga Lancers beat Mumbai Magicians 2-1. This is the first win for the debutants in this season.
— PTI TODAY’S MATCHES UP VS PUNJAB (3 PM) KALINGA VS DELHI (8 PM) LIVE ON STAR SPORTS |
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Bullock carts enthrall on a day full of action
Tribune News Service
Kila Raipur, February 1 While the bullock cart races retained their position as the star attraction of the mega event, camel race, tractor race, tug of war and various other entertaining sporting events succeeded in keeping the spectators glued to their seats. Other captivating events included lifting heavy objects and pulling cars with the teeth. These stunts, which have become the charm of this event, still draw a lot of crowd. Amidst this chaotic rush there were men letting tractors pass over them, while they smile to show pleasure rather than pain. Member Parliament Sukhdev Singh Libra, the chief guest today, appreciated the efforts to preserve traditional sports. Appreciating the initiative taken by the organisers in getting the event recognized as National Festival of India, Libra called upon the youth of the state to take up sports.
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In-form Lahiri canters to a six-stroke win
chandigarh, february 1 Rahil Gangjee finished a distant second at eight-under 280 in the Rs. 50 lakh event, which is the first of the recently launched PGTI Super Series. Abhinav Lohan finished third with a total of six-under 282, while SSP Chowrasia was fourth at five-under 283. Featuring seven events, the Super Series will offer total prize money of over Rs. 3.5 crore with a bonus of Rs. 30 lakh for the winner. Anirban earned 900 points for this win, while Gangjee and Lohan earned 600 points and 400 points respectively. “I played a solid round today. I hit the ball well and missed just two greens. However, my putting wasn’t up to the mark today. I made 33 putts to shoot a 69 but that just goes to show how well I struck it,” said
Lahiri. Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta fired the day’s joint best of 67 to tie for 10th at two-over 290. Feroz Singh Garewal of Chandigarh won the trophy for the best performance by an amateur after he tied for 23rd place at 10-over 298. Shiv shoots another 70 Shiv Kapur carded a two-under 70 in the third round to lie at tied 47th with a total of four-under 212 in the $2.5 million Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
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Somdev Devvarman tamed Ti Chen after a gruelling contest while Rohan Bopanna combined with Saketh Myneni to win the doubles rubber to give India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against Chinese Taipei here on Saturday.
Zurich, February 1
